bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COVID‐19 and care homes in England: What happened and why?
Authors: Daly Mary
Published: August 2020

In the context of very high mortality and infection rates, this article examines the policy response to COVID‐19 in care homes for older people in the UK, with particular focus on England in the first 10 weeks of the pandemic. The timing and content of the policy response as well as different possible explanations for what happened are considered. Undertaking a forensic analysis of policy in regard to the overall plan, monitoring and protection as well as funding and resources, the first part lays bare the slow, late and inadequate response to the risk and reality of COVID‐19 in care homes as against that in the National Health Service (NHS). A two‐pronged, multidimensional explanation is offered: structural, sectoral specificities; political and socio‐cultural factors. Amongst the relevant structural factors are the institutionalised separation from the health system, the complex system of provision and policy for adult social care, widespread market dependence. There is also the fact that logistical difficulties were exacerbated by years of austerity and resource cutting and a weak regulatory tradition of the care home sector. The effects of a series of political and cultural factors are also highlighted. As well as little mobilisation of the sector and low public commitment to and knowledge of social care, there is a pattern of Conservative government trying to divest the state of responsibilities in social care. This would support an interpretation in terms of policy avoidance as well as a possible political calculation by government that its policies towards the care sector and care homes would be less important and politically damaging than those for the NHS.
Imperial Pandemicide
Authors: Van Belle Douglas A. , Jamieson Thomas
Published: August 2020

Objective

To provide a quick, in the moment analysis of the social and political aspects of the COVID‐19 pandemic to preserve the possibly ephemeral aspects that might be overlooked in future historical studies.

Methods

Qualitative and a statistical analyses of real time information.

Results

The clustering of former imperial powers as states suffering extreme initial impacts, combined with a brief qualitative commentary on the domestic politics related to the pandemic response, suggests that colonial imperialism has lingering domestic political effects.

Conclusion

The domestic political power bases that enabled colonial imperialism may be a significant and previously unrecognized factor in politics both in the context of disaster response and more broadly.
Selection of influential variables in ordinal data with preponderance of zeros
Authors: Das Ujjwal , Das Kalyan
Published: August 2020

Presence of excess zero in ordinal data is pervasive in areas like medical and social sciences. Unfortunately, analysis of such kind of data has so far hardly been looked into, perhaps for the reason that the underlying model that fits such data, is not a generalized linear model. Obviously some methodological developments and intensive computations are required. The current investigation is concerned with the selection of variables in such models. In many occasions where the number of predictors is quite large and some of them are not useful, the maximum likelihood approach is not the automatic choice. As, apart from the messy calculations involved, this approach fails to provide efficient estimates of the underlying parameters. The proposed penalized approach includes ℓ1 penalty (LASSO) and the mixture of ℓ1 and ℓ2 penalties (elastic net). We propose a coordinate descent algorithm to fit a wide class of ordinal regression models and select useful variables appearing in both the ordinal regression and the logistic regression based mixing component. A rigorous discussion on the selection of predictors has been made through a simulation study. The proposed method is illustrated by analyzing the severity of driver injury from Michigan upper peninsula road accidents.
The novel HLA‐C*07:93:02 allele identified in a healthy individual from Brazil
Authors: Stelet Vinícius N. , Cita Rafael F. , Mendes Maristela F. , Romero Matilde , Abdelhay Eliana
Published: August 2020

Identification of the novel HLA‐C*07:93:02 allele that differs from HLA‐C*07:93:01 at one position in exon 5.
Recognition of the HLA‐DRB1*07:13 allele in a Taiwanese bone marrow donor
Authors: Yang Kuo‐Liang , Li Chi‐Cheng , Lin Py‐Yu
Published: August 2020

One nucleotide substitution in codon 55 of HLA‐DRB1*07:01:01:01 results in a novel allele, HLA‐DRB1*07:13.
Using an interactive platform to recognize the intersection of social and spatial inequalities
Authors: Poling Lisa , Weiland Travis
Published: August 2020

With the creation of interactive tasks that allow students to explore spatial ways of knowing in conjunction with their other ways of knowing the world, we create a space where students can make sense of information as they organize these new ideas into their already existing schema. Through the use of a Common Online Data Analysis Platform (CODAP) and data from Public Use Microdata Areas (PUMA), students can explore the communities in which they live and work, critically examining opportunities and challenges within a defined space.
Rethinking the need for a platelet transfusion threshold of 50 × 109/L for lumbar puncture in cancer patients
Authors: Chung Helen H. , Morjaria Sejal , Frame John , Riley Michael , Zhang Allen W. , Martin Steven C. , Bhatia Ankush , Fenelus Maly , Fallah Famatta , Inumerables Faye , Goss Cheryl
Published: August 2020

Background

Lumbar puncture (LP) is a frequently performed diagnostic and therapeutic procedure in oncology patients. Transfusing to a minimum preprocedural platelet threshold of 50 × 109/L is widely upheld without good quality evidence. The objective was to compare the outcomes of LPs performed with platelets above and below this threshold. An increased risk of adverse events in patients with lower platelet counts was not expected. As a corollary, transfusion reaction rates incurred by transfusing to this recommended threshold are also reported.

Methods

A total of 2259 LPs performed on 1137 oncology patients (adult, n = 871, and pediatric, n = 266) were retrospectively analyzed between February 2011 and December 2017. The incidence of LP‐related complications for groups above and below the minimum platelet threshold was compared. Traumatic tap was defined as 500 or more red blood cells per high‐power field in the cerebral spinal fluid. Groups were compared using the 2‐Proportion Z‐test and Fisher exact test.

Results

At time of LP, the total number of events with platelets less than 50 × 109/L and 50 × 109/L or greater were 110 and 2149, respectively. There were no significant differences in LP‐associated complications between patients with platelet counts above or below 50 × 109/L (P = .29). Patients with a pre‐LP platelet count of less than 50 × 109/L had a higher proportion of traumatic taps (P < .001). Three patients developed transfusion‐related adverse events.

Conclusion

Patients with platelet counts less than 50 × 109/L did not have a higher incidence of clinically significant post–lumbar puncture complications (P = .29).
Therapeutic plasma exchange and intravenous immune globulin in the treatment of heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia: A systematic review
Authors: Onuoha Chinonso , Barton Karen D. , Wong Edward C.C. , Raval Jay S. , Rollins‐Raval Marian A. , Ipe Tina S. , Kiss Joseph E. , Boral Leonard I. , Adamksi Jill , Zantek Nicole D. , Onwuemene Oluwatoyosi A.
Published: August 2020

Background

Immunomodulatory strategies in heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) include the use of intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) and therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). The optimal application of these therapies is unknown and outcomes data are limited. We investigated treatment categories and laboratory and clinical outcomes of IVIG and/or TPE in HIT with a systematic literature review.

Study Design and Methods

We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science through December 2019 for studies combining controlled vocabulary and keywords related to thrombocytopenia, heparin, TPE, and IVIG. The primary outcome was treatment indication. Secondary outcomes were platelet recovery, HIT laboratory parameters, heparin re‐exposure, and post‐treatment course. Case‐level data were analyzed by qualitative synthesis.

Results

After 4241 references were screened, we identified 60 studies with four main categories of IVIG and/or TPE use as follows: (a) treatment of refractory HIT (n = 35; 31%); (b) initial therapy (n = 45; 40%); (c) cardiopulmonary bypass surgery (CPB; n = 30; 27%); and (d) other (n = 2; 2%). IVIG was most commonly used for the treatment of refractory HIT while TPE was primarily used to facilitate heparin exposure during CPB. Both IVIG and TPE were equally used as initial therapy. Heparin re‐exposure occurred without thrombotic event in 29 TPE‐treated patients and three IVIG‐treated patients.

Conclusion

In patients with HIT, both TPE and IVIG are used for initial therapy or treatment of refractory HIT. However, TPE is more commonly used in patients undergoing CPB. Prospective studies may help clarify which treatment is indicated in HIT population subsets.
Cytokine‐inducible promoters to drive dynamic transgene expression: The “Smart Graft” strategy
Authors: Fischer Andrea , Manske Katrin , Seissler Jochen , Wohlleber Dirk , Simm Nina , Wolf‐van Buerck Lelia , Knolle Percy , Schnieke Angelika , Fischer Konrad
Published: August 2020

Background

Ubiquitous expression of T‐cell regulatory transgenes such as the cytotoxic T lymphocyte‐associated antigen 4 (CTLA4) or the high‐affinity variant LEA29Y improves xeno graft survival. Such donor pigs are however immunocompromised and susceptible to infection. Continous high expression of CTLA4 or LEA29Y in the graft could also compromise the health status of recipients. The novel “Smart Graft” strategy is likely to avoid these problems by controlling the expression of T‐cell regulatory transgenes as and when required.

Methods

Candidate promoters inducible by inflammatory cytokines were identified by in silico screening for potential NF‐κB binding sites. Basal promoter levels and responsiveness to TNFα and IL1ß were quantified by expression of secreted embryonic alkaline phosphatase in cultured cells. Promoters were modified to increase responsiveness by removing regulatory elements or adding SP‐1 or NF‐κB binding sites and again tested in vitro. The most promising promoters were then assessed in vivo. Porcine cells expressing inducible Renilla luciferase constructs were transplanted into immunodeficient NOD‐Scid‐IL2 receptor gammanull(NSG) mice. Following engraftment, the recipient's immune system was reconstituted by splenocyte transfer raising an immune response to the porcine xenograft. The resulting induction of promoter activity was detected by in vivo bioimaging.

Results

Three human (hTNFAIP1, hVCAM1 and hCCL2), and one porcine promoter (pA20) were chosen for in vitro tests. In all experiments, the semi‐synthetic and inducible ELAM promoter as well as the CAG promoter were used as references. In contrast to hTNFAIP1 and hVCAM1 the ELAM, hCCL2 and pA20 promoters showed significant induction after cytokine challenge. The hCCL2 and pA20 promoters were further optimized, resulting in increased responsiveness to TNFα and IL1ß. Cytokine‐dependent upregulation of promoter activity was tested in vivo, where the ELAM and the optimized hCCL2 promoters showed a 2‐fold upregulation, while one of the improved A20 promoters showed almost 10‐fold upregulation. Our results also revealed more than 4‐fold cytokine inducibility of the CAG promoter.

Conclusion

This is the first in vivo comparison of existing and newly designed cytokine‐inducible promoters. Optimization of promoter structure resulted in almost 10‐fold inducibility of promoter activity. Such a rapid and dynamically regulated response to inflammation and cell damage could reduce initial graft rejection, making the “Smart Graft” approach a useful means of modulating the expression of immune regulatory transgenes to avoid deleterious effects on porcine and human health. Expressing transgenes in this fashion could provide a safer organ for transplantation.
High efficiency preparation of skinned mouse cardiac muscle strips from cryosections for contractility studies
Authors: Feng Han‐Zhong , Jin J.‐P.
Published: August 2020

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Can frozen cardiac papillary muscles and cryosectioning be used to reliably obtain uniform cardiac muscle strips with high yields?

What is the main finding and its importance?

A new method was developed using frozen cardiac papillary muscles and cryosectioning to reliably obtain uniform cardiac muscle strips with high yields. Experimental results demonstrate that this new methodology significantly increases the efficiency and application of quantitative biomechanical studies using skinned muscle fibres with an additional advantage of no need for transferring live animals.

Skinned cardiac muscle preparations are widely used to study contractile function of myofilament proteins and pathophysiological changes. The current methods applied in these biomechanical studies include detergent permeabilization of freshly isolated papillary muscle, ventricular trabeculae, surgically dissected ventricular muscle strips, mechanically blended cardiac muscle bundles or myocytes, and enzymatically isolated single cardiomyocytes. To facilitate and expand the skinned cardiac muscle approach, we have developed an efficient and readily practical method for mechanical studies of skinned mouse cardiac papillary muscle strips prepared from cryosections. Longitudinal papillary muscle strips of 120–150 µm width cut from 35–70 µm‐thick cryosections are mounted to a force transducer and chemically skinned for the studies of force–pCa and sarcomere length–tension relationship and rate of tension redevelopment. In addition to more effective skinning and perfusion than with whole papillary muscle and much higher yield of useful preparations than that from trabeculae, this new methodology has two more major advantages. One is to allow for the use of frozen cardiac muscle in storage to maximize the value of muscle samples, facilitating resource sharing among research institutions without the need of transferring live animals or fresh biopsies. The other is that the integrity of the muscle strips is well preserved during the preparation and mechanical studies, allowing coupled characterization of myofilament proteins. The combined power of biomechanics and protein biochemistry can provide novel insights into integrative physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms of cardiac muscle contraction while the high yield of high‐quality muscle strips also provides an efficient platform for development of therapeutic reagents.
Functional architecture of the motor homunculus detected by electrostimulation
Authors: Roux Franck‐Emmanuel , Niare Mahamadou , Charni Saloua , Giussani Carlo , Durand Jean‐Baptiste
Published: August 2020

Key points

We performed a prospective electrostimulation study of the motor homunculus in 100 patients without motor deficit or brain lesion in the precentral gyrus in order to acquire accurate Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) coordinates of the functional areas.

The analysis of 248 body coordinates in the precentral gyrus showed rare inter‐individual variations in the medial‐to‐lateral somatotopic movement organization with quite similar intensity thresholds. Electrostimulation only induced basic and stereotyped movements.

We detected a relative medial‐to‐lateral somatotopy of the wrist/hand/global/individual fingers, with sometimes different sites for an individual muscle or movement.

We found some similarities to, but also substantial differences from, the seminal work of Penfield and colleagues.

We propose an updated version of the human motor homunculus and of its correlation with the somatosensory homunculus, previously defined in MNI space with a similar brain mapping technique.

In this prospective electrostimulation study, based on 100 operated patients without motor deficit or brain lesion in the precentral gyrus, we acquired coordinates of the functional areas of the motor homunculus and normalized them to standard MNI space. Among 608 sites stimulated in the precentral gyrus (and 1937 in gyri nearby), 248 positive points (40%) for motor response were detected – 245 in the precentral gyrus. Positive stimulations were detected through the ‘on/off’ outbreak effect, and only basic movements were detected. We found no significant difference in mean intensity threshold between the motor representations of the fingers (1.94 mA), tongue and lower limbs (both 2.0 mA), or face (2.25 mA). In the precentral gyrus, the evoked body movements displayed a medial‐to‐lateral somatotopy in very small (often <10 mm2) areas. The hand region displayed multiple areas for a specific movement, with areas inducing either global or single‐finger movement (with a relative medial‐to‐lateral somatotopy). Among these tested patients, the somatotopic organization of the intact motor cortex showed little inter‐individual variations. Unlike Penfield and collaborators, we evoked no sensations such as sense of movement or desire to move, and only 2% of motor responses outside the precentral gyrus. We propose a rationalization of the standard drawing of the motor homunculus according to MNI space. We found a somatotopic correlation perpendicular to the central sulcus when matching our motor data to those previously obtained for the somatosensory homunculus.
Determinants of renal oxygen metabolism during low Na+ diet: effect of angiotensin II AT1 and aldosterone receptor blockade
Authors: Patinha Daniela , Carvalho Carla , Persson Patrik , Pihl Liselotte , Fasching Angelica , Friederich‐Persson Malou , O'Neill Julie , Palm Fredrik
Published: August 2020

Key points

Reducing Na+ intake reduces the partial pressure of oxygen in the renal cortex and activates the renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system.

In the absence of high blood pressure, these consequences of dietary Na+ reduction may be detrimental for the kidney.

In a normotensive animal experimental model, reducing Na+ intake for 2 weeks increased renal oxygen consumption, which was normalized by mineralocorticoid receptor blockade. Furthermore, blockade of the angiotensin II AT1 receptor restored cortical partial pressure of oxygen by improving oxygen delivery.

This shows that increased activity of the renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system contributes to increased oxygen metabolism in the kidney after 2 weeks of a low Na+ diet.

The results provide insights into dietary Na+ restriction in the absence of high blood pressure, and its consequences for the kidney.

Reduced Na+ intake reduces the (partial pressure of oxygen) in the renal cortex. Upon reduced Na+ intake, reabsorption along the nephron is adjusted with activation of the renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system (RAAS). Thus, we studied the effect of reduced Na+ intake on renal oxygen homeostasis and function in rats, and the impact of intrarenal angiotensin II AT1 receptor blockade using candesartan and mineralocorticoid receptor blockade using canrenoic acid potassium salt (CAP). Male Sprague‐Dawley rats were fed standard rat chow containing normal (0.25%) and low (0.025%) Na+ for 2 weeks. The animals were anaesthetized (thiobutabarbital 120 mg kg−1) and surgically prepared for kidney oxygen metabolism and function studies before and after acute intrarenal arterial infusion of candesartan (4.2 μg kg−1) or intravenous infusion of CAP (20 mg kg−1). Baseline mean arterial pressure and renal blood flow were similar in both dietary groups. Fractional Na+ excretion and cortical oxygen tension were lower and renal oxygen consumption was higher in low Na+ groups. Neither candesartan nor CAP affected arterial pressure. Renal blood flow and cortical oxygen tension increased in both groups after candesartan in the low Na+ group. Fractional Na+ excretion was increased and oxygen consumption reduced in the low Na+ group after CAP. These results suggest that blockade of angiotensin II AT1 receptors has a major impact upon oxygen delivery during normal and low Na+ conditions, while aldosterone receptors mainly affect oxygen metabolism following 2 weeks of a low Na+ diet.
TOF-SIMS imaging reveals tumor heterogeneity and inflammatory response markers in the microenvironment of basal cell carcinoma
Authors: Dimovska Nilsson Kelly , Neittaanmäki Noora , Zaar Oscar , Angerer Tina B. , Paoli John , Fletcher John S.
Published: August 2020

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin malignancy. In fact, it is as common as the sum of all other skin malignancies combined and the incidence is rising. In this focused and histology-guided study, tissue from a patient diagnosed with aggressive BCC was analyzed by imaging mass spectrometry in order to probe the chemistry of the complex tumor environment. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry using a (CO2)6 k+ gas cluster ion beam allowed a wide range of lipid species to be detected. Their distributions were then imaged in the tissue that contained small tumor islands that were histologically classified as more/less aggressive. Maximum autocorrelation factor (MAF) analysis highlighted chemical differences between the tumors and the surrounding stroma. A closer inspection of the distribution of individual ions, selected based on the MAF loadings, showed heterogeneity in signal between different microtumors, suggesting the potential of chemically grading the aggressiveness of each individual tumor island. Sphingomyelin lipids were found to be located in stroma containing inflammatory cells.
Detecting nanoscale contamination in semiconductor fabrication using through-focus scanning optical microscopy
Authors: Rim Min-Ho , Agocs Emil , Dixson Ronald , Kavuri Prem , Vladár András E. , Attota Ravi Kiran
Published: August 2020

This paper reports high-throughput, light-based, through-focus scanning optical microscopy (TSOM) for detecting industrially relevant sub-50 nm tall nanoscale contaminants. Measurement parameter optimization to maximize the TSOM signal using optical simulations made it possible to detect the nanoscale contaminants. Atomic force and scanning electron microscopies were used as reference methods for comparison.
Coexistence of first-order and second-order desorption processes during temperature-programmed desorption of Bi on Ni(100) analyzed by kinetic Monte Carlo techniques
Authors: Albao Marvin A.
Published: August 2020

The application of temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) techniques in heterogeneous catalysis to probe, among other things, the nature of the reactions on the surface solid catalyst, and ultimately, the kinetics of desorbed species, is hampered by the inability to make direct observations of adsorbates when they are most catalytically active. Thus, it is almost impossible to make a direct association between a given elementary surface process and a key feature on the TPD spectra, such as the nature and number of peaks. What kinetic Monte Carlo simulations have shown, on the other hand, is that the complex surface evolution during TPD is controlled effectively by just a few parameters that relate to the surface kinetics and energetics. In this study, we will use kinetic Monte Carlo approach to show that double-peaked TPD spectra obtained from adsorption of Bi adsorbates on Ni(100) at an initial temperature of 800 K and subsequent TPD runs for high preadsorbed coverages can indeed be explained satisfactorily by assuming predominant first-order desorption kinetics coupled with adsorbate-adsorbate lateral interactions, in agreement with prior studies. While not totally discounting the presence of Bi dimers, and thus second-order desorption, our study is sensitive enough to reveal the extent of their presence. In other words, we propose that dimers can coexist with Bi adatoms in small amounts while retaining the key features of the TPD spectra, provided the kinetic parameters associated with dimer formation (and dissolution) are well within a certain range. On the other hand, any model in which dimers are present to a degree in which they are not totally dominated by adatoms cannot produce TPD spectra that are consistent with the experiment.
Model-based Bayesian analysis in acoustics—A tutorial
Authors: Xiang Ning
Published: August 2020

Bayesian analysis has been increasingly applied in many acoustical applications. In these applications, prediction models are often involved to better understand the process under investigation by purposely learning from the experimental observations. When involving the model-based data analysis within a Bayesian framework, issues related to incorporating the experimental data and assigning probabilities into the inferential learning procedure need fundamental consideration. This paper introduces Bayesian probability theory on a tutorial level, including fundamental rules for manipulating the probabilities, and the principle of maximum entropy for assignment of necessary probabilities prior to the data analysis. This paper also employs a number of examples recently published in this journal to explain detailed steps on how to apply the model-based Bayesian inference to solving acoustical problems.
TGMD-2 Short Version: Evidence of Validity and Associations With Sex, Age, and BMI in Preschool Children
Authors: Bandeira Paulo Felipe Ribeiro , Duncan Michael , Pessoa Maria Luiza , Soares Ívina , da Silva Larissa , Mota Jorge , Martins Clarice
Published: August 2020

Aim: To analyze the evidence of validity and reliability of the Test of Gross Motor Development, Second Edition (TGMD-2) for low-income preschoolers; and to investigate the associations between the final model with sex, age, and body mass index (BMI). Methods: 368 preschoolers (3–5 years old [M = 4.80, SD = 0.48]; 176 boys) located in deprived areas were assessed for anthropometric measures and motor competence via the TGMD-2. A two-factor model (12 skills) was used and confirmatory indexes were calculated. The Bayesian criteria and the Composite Reliability were employed to evaluate alternative models. Relationships between the final model proposed with age, sex, and BMI were calculated using a network analysis (Mplus 8.0; Rstudio). Results: A two-factor model (locomotion and object control) with adequate values (>0.30) for the six skills (gallop, leap, slide, strike, throw, and roll) presented excellent indexes. Relationships between sex and throwing (r = −.22), and strike (r = −.21), indicated better performance for boys. Positive relationships were found for age with slide (r = 0.23) and hop (r = 0.28), and for BMI with throw (r = 0.18). Conclusion: Validity of a TGMD-2 short version for low-income preschoolers was present. The machine learning analysis to associate fundamental movement skills with gender, age, and BMI seems useful to optimize future interventions.
Activation of TRPA1 nociceptor promotes systemic adult mammalian skin regeneration
Authors: Wei Jenny J. , Kim Hali S. , Spencer Casey A. , Brennan-Crispi Donna , Zheng Ying , Johnson Nicolette M. , Rosenbach Misha , Miller Christopher , Leung Denis H. , Cotsarelis George , Leung Thomas H.
Published: August 2020

Activation of the TRPA1 nociceptor in mammalian skin promotes local and distant tissue regeneration and reduces scar formation.
Natural Polymorphisms in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Conferring Resistance to Delamanid in Drug-Naive Patients
Authors: Reichmuth Martina L. , Hömke Rico , Zürcher Kathrin , Sander Peter , Avihingsanon Anchalee , Collantes Jimena , Loiseau Chloé , Borrell Sonia , Reinhard Miriam , Wilkinson Robert J. , Yotebieng Marcel , Fenner Lukas , Böttger Erik C. , Gagneux Sebastien , Egger Matthias , Keller Peter M.
Published: August 2020

Mutations in the genes of the F
420
signaling pathway of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
complex, including
dnn
,
fgd1
,
fbiA
,
fbiB
,
fbiC
, and
fbiD
, can lead to delamanid resistance. We searched for such mutations among 129
M. tuberculosis
strains from Asia, South America, and Africa using whole-genome sequencing; 70 (54%) strains had at least one mutation in one of the genes.
Isolated hypoplasia of the abdominal wall associated with fetal parvovirus B19 infection
Authors: Dajam Mazen , Al Talhi Yousef M , Alallah Jubara
Published: August 2020

We report a rare case of a preterm infant with a diagnosis of hydrops fetalis, associated with parvovirus B19 infection. At birth, the infant had severe ascites. She recovered and was discharged in later good condition. In follow-up at 10 years of age, she still had severe isolated hypoplasia of the abdominal muscles. Isolated hypoplasia of the abdominal muscles after parvovirus B19 infection appears to be a separate entity, which should be differentiated from other abdominal wall anomalies.
Individual vulnerabilities to psychosis after antiepileptic drug administration
Authors: Akanuma Nozomi , Adachi Naoto , Fenwick Peter , Ito Masumi , Okazaki Mitsutoshi , Hara Koichiro , Ishii Ryouhei , Sekimoto Masanori , Kato Masaaki , Onuma Teiichi
Published: August 2020

Background

Psychosis often develops after the administration of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in patients with epilepsy. However, the individual vulnerability and clinical condition of such patients have been rarely scrutinised. We investigated the effect of individually consistent (trait-dependent) and inconsistent (state-dependent) characteristics.

Methods

The individual characteristics, clinical states and psychotic outcome of patients from eight adult epilepsy clinics were retrospectively reviewed over 6-month periods after a new drug (AED or non-AED) administration between 1981 and 2015.

Results

A total of 5018 new drugs (4402 AEDs and 616 non-AEDs) were used in 2015 patients with focal epilepsy. Subsequently, 105 psychotic episodes (81 interictal and 24 postictal) occurred in 89 patients. Twelve patients exhibited multiple episodes after different AED administrations. Trait-dependent characteristics (early onset of epilepsy, known presumed causes of epilepsy, lower intellectual function and a family history of psychosis) were significantly associated with the patients who exhibited psychosis. Absence of family history of epilepsy was also associated with psychosis but not significantly. Subsequent logistic regression analysis with a model incorporating family history of psychosis and epilepsy, and intellectual function was the most appropriate (p=0.000). State-dependent characteristics, including previous psychotic history and epilepsy-related variables (longer duration of epilepsy, AED administration, higher seizure frequency and concomitant use of AEDs) were significantly associated with psychotic episodes. Subsequent analysis found that a model including AED administration and previous psychotic history was the most appropriate (p=0.000).

Conclusion

Psychosis occurring after new AED administration was related to the individual vulnerability to psychosis and intractability of epilepsy.
Feasibility and acceptability of a dietary intervention study to reduce salt intake and increase high-nitrate vegetable consumption among middle-aged and older Malaysian adults with elevated blood pressure: a study protocol
Authors: McGrattan Andrea , Mohan Devi , Chua Pei Wei , Mat Hussin Azizah , Soh Yee Chang , Alawad Mawada , bin Kassim Zaid , bin Mohd Ghazali Ahmad Nizal , Stephan Blossom , Allotey Pascale , Reidpath Daniel D , Robinson Louise , Siervo Mario
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Global population ageing is one of the key factors linked to the projected rise of dementia incidence. Hence, there is a clear need to identify strategies to overcome this expected health burden and have a meaningful impact on populations’ health worldwide. Current evidence supports the role of modifiable dietary and lifestyle risk factors in reducing the risk of dementia. In South-East Asia, changes in eating and lifestyle patterns under the influence of westernised habits have resulted in significant increases in the prevalence of metabolic, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Low vegetable consumption and high sodium intake have been identified as key contributors to the increased prevalence of NCDs in these countries. Therefore, nutritional and lifestyle strategies targeting these dietary risk factors are warranted. The overall objective of this randomised feasibility trial is to demonstrate the acceptability of a dietary intervention to increase the consumption of high-nitrate green leafy vegetables and reduce salt intake over 6 months among Malaysian adults with raised blood pressure.

Methods and analysis

Primary outcomes focus on feasibility measures of recruitment, retention, implementation and acceptability of the intervention. Secondary outcomes will include blood pressure, cognitive function, body composition and physical function (including muscle strength and gait speed). Adherence to the dietary intervention will be assessed through collection of biological samples, 24-hour recall and Food Frequency Questionnaire. A subgroup of participants will also complete postintervention focus groups to further explore the feasibility considerations of executing a larger trial, the ability of these individuals to make dietary changes and the barriers and facilitators associated with implementing these changes.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval has been obtained from Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee and Medical Research and Ethics Committee of Malaysia. Results of the study will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international conferences.

ISRCTN47562685; Pre-results.
Protocol for the process evaluation of the Promoting Activity, Independence and Stability in Early Dementia (PrAISED), following changes required by the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Di Lorito Claudio , Bosco Alessandro , Goldberg Sarah E , Nair Roshan , O'Brien Rebecca , Howe Louise , van der Wardt Veronika , Pollock Kristian , Booth Vicky , Logan Pip , Godfrey Maureen , Dunlop Marianne , Horne Jane , Harwood Rowan H
Published: August 2020

Introduction

The Promoting Activity, Independence and Stability in Early Dementia (PrAISED) randomised controlled trial (RCT) is evaluating a home-based, face-to-face, individually tailored, activity and exercise programme for people living with dementia. Social distancing requirements following the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated rapid changes to intervention delivery.

Methods and analysis

A mixed-methods process evaluation will investigate how the changes were implemented and the impact that these have on participants’ experience. An implementation study will investigate how the intervention was delivered during the pandemic. A study on the mechanisms of impact and context will investigate how these changes were experienced by the PrAISED participants, their carers and the therapists delivering the intervention. The study will commence in May 2020.

Ethics and dissemination

The PrAISED RCT and process evaluation have received ethical approval number 18/YH/0059. The PrAISED process evaluation will enable us to understand how distancing and isolation affected participants, their activity and exercise routines and whether the therapy programme could be continued with remote support. This will be valuable both in explaining trial results and also contribute to understanding and designing new ways of delivering home-based services and rehabilitation interventions for people with dementia and their carers.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN15320670; Pre-results.
Spinal epidural arteriovenous fistula embolization with ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer using the Scepter Mini dual-lumen balloon
Authors: Clarençon Frédéric , Shotar Eimad , Pouvelle Arnaud , Premat Kevin , Lenck Stéphanie , Drir Mehdi , Guillaumet Gonzague , Maillart Elisabeth , Sourour Nader-Antoine
Published: August 2020

Left unattended, spinal epidural arteriovenous fistulas (EAVFs) have a potentially severe clinical course. Embolization using ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymers through regular dual-lumen balloons has emerged as a potential option for the treatment of spinal arteriovenous (AV) fistulas;1–3 the main issue with this technique is the navigability of these balloons. The Scepter Mini is a low-profile, dual-lumen balloon, which may be helpful for EVOH embolization of spinal AV fistulas, as it may help to overcome the navigation drawbacks. In this technical video, we present a case of EVOH embolization of a right T6 spinal EAVF through a Scepter Mini balloon. Of note, particular attention should be paid to radiculomedullary arteries arising at the same level or at adjacent levels to avoid severe neurologic complications related to uncontrolled migration of the liquid embolic agent. Moreover, excessive use of embolic material should be avoided to prevent spinal cord compression (video 1).

Video 1
Cortical foot
Authors: Fox Robin , Sztriha Laszlo
Published: August 2020

An 83-year-old woman presented with an acute onset of foot drop. Whilst the pattern of weakness initially appeared to be most likely due to a peripheral cause, an MR scan of the brain showed a small cortical stroke. This rare phenomenon appears similar to the more widely described ‘cortical hand’.
Drivers of walleye recruitment in Minnesota’s large lakes
Authors: Honsey Andrew E. , Feiner Zachary S. , Hansen Gretchen J.A.
Published: August 2020

Fish recruitment is complex and difficult to predict. Data-driven approaches show promise for predicting recruitment and understanding its drivers. We used a random forest model to infer relationships between year-class strength and 17 variables describing potential recruitment drivers across 30+ years of walleye (Sander vitreus) data from Minnesota’s nine largest inland lakes. Our model explained 20% of the variation in year-class strength overall, with predictive performance varying among lakes (–8% to 37% explained variance). Of the variables analyzed, degree-days during the first year of life and first winter severity were the most important for predicting recruitment, with relatively weak year classes predicted to occur with cold first growing seasons and severe first winters. Other thermal variables were secondarily important predictors of year-class strength. Predicted year-class strength was positively related to stock size and stocking and negatively related to the presence of invasive species; however, these variables were less important than thermal variables. Our results indicate that thermal conditions in early life can have a substantial impact on walleye recruitment and highlight the potential for differing recruitment drivers and dynamics among lakes.
Approximating dynamics of a number-conserving cellular automaton by a finite-dimensional dynamical system
Authors: Fukś Henryk , Jin Yucen
Published: August 2020

The local structure theory for cellular automata (CA) can be viewed as an finite-dimensional approximation of infinitely dimensional system. While it is well known that this approximation works surprisingly well for some CA, it is still not clear why it is the case, and which CA rules have this property. In order to shed some light on this problem, we present an example of a four input CA for which probabilities of occurrence of short blocks of symbols can be computed exactly. This rule is number conserving and possesses a blocking word. Its local structure approximation correctly predicts steady-state probabilities of small length blocks, and we present a rigorous proof of this fact, without resorting to numerical simulations. We conjecture that the number-conserving property together with the existence of the blocking word are responsible for the observed perfect agreement between the finite-dimensional approximation and the actual infinite-dimensional dynamical system.
Smoothing Partially Exact Penalty Function of Biconvex Programming
Authors: Shen Rui , Meng Zhiqing , Jiang Min
Published: August 2020

In this paper, a smoothing partial exact penalty function of biconvex programming is studied. First, concepts of partial KKT point, partial optimum point, partial KKT condition, partial Slater constraint qualification and partial exactness are defined for biconvex programming. It is proved that the partial KKT point is equal to the partial optimum point under the condition of partial Slater constraint qualification and the penalty function of biconvex programming is partially exact if partial KKT condition holds. We prove the error bounds properties between smoothing penalty function and penalty function of biconvex programming when the partial KKT condition holds, as well as the error bounds between objective value of a partial optimum point of smoothing penalty function problem and its [Formula: see text]-feasible solution. So, a partial optimum point of the smoothing penalty function optimization problem is an approximately partial optimum point of biconvex programming. Second, based on the smoothing penalty function, two algorithms are presented for finding a partial optimum or approximate [Formula: see text]-feasible solution to an inequality constrained biconvex optimization and their convergence is proved under some conditions. Finally, numerical experiments show that a satisfactory approximate solution can be obtained by the proposed algorithm.
Chirp-free optical dromions for the presence of higher order spatio-temporal dispersions and absence of self-phase modulation in birefringent fibers
Authors: Rizvi Syed Tahir Raza , Seadawy Aly R. , Ali Ijaz , Bibi Ishrat , Younis Muhammad
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we study Biswas–Arshed (BA) model in birefringent fibers for chirp-free solitons (dromions) with the aid of sub-ordinary differential equations (ODE) method. The BA model studies the soliton transmission in optical fiber. We obtain bright, periodic, and Weierstrass elliptic function solutions with constraint conditions.
The Kramers problem for SDEs driven by small, accelerated Lévy noise with exponentially light jumps
Authors: de Oliveira Gomes André , Högele Michael A.
Published: August 2020

We establish Freidlin–Wentzell results for a nonlinear ordinary differential equation starting close to the stable state [Formula: see text], say, subject to a perturbation by a stochastic integral which is driven by an [Formula: see text]-small and [Formula: see text]-accelerated Lévy process with exponentially light jumps. For this purpose, we derive a large deviations principle for the stochastically perturbed system using the weak convergence approach developed by Budhiraja, Dupuis, Maroulas and collaborators in recent years. In the sequel, we solve the associated asymptotic first escape problem from the bounded neighborhood of [Formula: see text] in the limit as [Formula: see text] which is also known as the Kramers problem in the literature.
User grouping and optimization-based pilot scheduling for mitigating the pilot contamination in massive multi cell MIMO systems
Authors: Kumar Ambala Pradeep , Srinivasulu Tadisetty
Published: August 2020

Massive multiple-input multiple-output (massive MIMO) is a promising approach in wireless communication systems for providing improved link reliability and spectral efficiency and it helps several users. The main aim is to solve pilot contamination issue in massive MIMO systems; this research paper utilizes two approaches for reducing the contamination. This paper presents the user grouping approach based on sparse fuzzy C-means clustering (sparse FCM), which groups user parameters based on parameters such as large-scale fading factor, SINR, and user distance. Here, same pilot sequences are assigned to center users in which the impact of pilot contamination is limited, while the algorithm assigns orthogonal pilot sequences to the edge users that suffer severely from pilot contamination. Therefore, the proposed user grouping keeps away from the inappropriate grouping of users, enabling effective grouping even under the worst situations of the channel. Secondly, pilot scheduling is done based on elephant spider monkey optimization (ESMO), which is designed by integrating elephant herding optimization (EHO) into spider monkey optimization (SMO). The performance of pilot scheduling based on grouping-based ESMO is evaluated based on achievable rate and SINR. The proposed method achieves maximal achievable rate of 41.29[Formula: see text]bps/Hz and maximal SINR of 124.31[Formula: see text]dB.
Machine Learning Approaches for Efficient Design Space Exploration of Application-Specific NoCs
Authors: Hu Yong , Mettler Marcel , Mueller-Gritschneder Daniel , Wild Thomas , Herkersdorf Andreas , Schlichtmann Ulf
Published: August 2020

In many Multi-Processor Systems-on-Chip (MPSoCs), traffic between cores is unbalanced. This motivates the use of an application-specific Network-on-Chip (NoC) that is customized and can provide a high performance at low cost in terms of power and area. However, finding an optimized application-specific NoC architecture is a challenging task due to the huge design space.

This article proposes to apply machine learning approaches for this task. Using graph rewriting, the NoC Design Space Exploration (DSE) is modelled as a Markov Decision Process (MDP). Monte Carlo Tree Search (MCTS), a technique from reinforcement learning, is used as search heuristic. Our experimental results show that—with the same cost function and exploration budget—MCTS finds superior NoC architectures compared to Simulated Annealing (SA) and a Genetic Algorithm (GA). However, the NoC DSE process suffers from the high computation time due to expensive cycle-accurate SystemC simulations for latency estimation. This article therefore additionally proposes to replace latency simulation by fast latency estimation using a Recurrent Neural Network (RNN). The designed RNN is sufficiently general for latency estimation on arbitrary NoC architectures. Our experiments show that compared to SystemC simulation, the RNN-based latency estimation offers a similar speed-up as the widely used Queuing Theory (QT). Yet, in terms of estimation accuracy and fidelity, the RNN is superior to QT, especially for high-traffic scenarios. When replacing SystemC simulations with the RNN estimation, the obtained solution quality decreases only slightly, whereas it suffers significantly when QT is used.
Teacher Perceptions of Equity in High School Computer Science Classrooms
Authors: Zhou Ninger , Cao Yucheng , Jacob Sharin , Richardson Debra
Published: August 2020

Effective and equitable CS teaching is contingent on teachers’ robust understanding of equity issues in CS classrooms. To this end, this study examined high school teachers’ perceptions of equity during their participation in a CS teacher certificate program over two years. The participants are from various disciplines and from schools that serve under-represented students. Using a qualitative approach, we conducted content analysis of the teachers’ written reflections and responses to semi-structured interviews. Based on the justice-centered framework, we analyzed the major themes that emerged from the content analysis. The findings provide insights into high school CS teachers’ understanding of equity, the strategies that teachers use to address equity issues, and how teachers interpret the causes of inequities in CS classrooms. This research presents frameworks for examining teachers’ conceptualizations of equity and can inform the implementation of future professional development programs for CS teachers.