bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome‐wide association study and pathway analysis for fat deposition traits in nellore cattle raised in pasture–based systems
Authors: Martins Rafaela , Machado Pamela C. , Pinto Luis Fernando B. , Silva Marcio R. , Schenkel Flavio S. , Brito Luiz F. , Pedrosa Victor B.
Published: November 2020

Genome‐wide association study (GWAS) is a powerful tool to identify candidate genes and genomic regions underlying key biological mechanisms associated with economically important traits. In this context, the aim of this study was to identify genomic regions and metabolic pathways associated with backfat thickness (BFT) and rump fat thickness (RFT) in Nellore cattle, raised in pasture‐based systems. Ultrasound‐based measurements of BFT and RFT (adjusted to 18 months of age) were collected in 11,750 animals, with 39,903 animals in the pedigree file. Additionally, 1,440 animals were genotyped using the GGP‐indicus 35K SNP chip, containing 33,623 SNPs after the quality control. The single‐step GWAS analyses were performed using the BLUPF90 family programs. Candidate genes were identified through the Ensembl database incorporated in the BioMart tool, while PANTHER and REVIGO were used to identify the key metabolic pathways and gene networks. A total of 18 genomic regions located on 10 different chromosomes and harbouring 23 candidate genes were identified for BFT. For RFT, 22 genomic regions were found on 14 chromosomes, with a total of 29 candidate genes identified. The results of the pathway analyses showed important genes for BFT, including TBL1XR1, AHCYL2, SLC4A7, AADAT, VPS53, IDH2 and ETS1, which are involved in lipid metabolism, synthesis of cellular amino acids, transport of solutes, transport between Golgi Complex membranes, cell differentiation and cellular development. The main genes identified for RFT were GSK3β, LRP1B, EXT1, GRB2, SORCS1 and SLMAP, which are involved in metabolic pathways such as glycogen synthesis, lipid transport and homeostasis, polysaccharide and carbohydrate metabolism. Polymorphisms located in these candidate genes can be incorporated in commercial genotyping platforms to improve the accuracy of imputation and genomic evaluations for carcass fatness. In addition to uncovering biological mechanisms associated with carcass quality, the key gene pathways identified can also be incorporated in biology‐driven genomic prediction methods.
Stimulated by retinoic acid gene 8 (STRA8) interacts with the germ cell specific bHLH factor SOHLH1 and represses c‐KIT expression in vitro
Authors: Desimio Maria Giovanna , Cesari Eleonora , Sorrenti Maria , De Felici Massimo , Farini Donatella
Published: November 2020

STRA8 (Stimulated by Retinoic Acid Gene 8) controls the crucial decision of germ cells to engage meiotic division up and down‐regulating genes involved in the meiotic programme. It has been proven as an amplifier of genes involved in cell cycle control and chromosome events, however, how STRA8 functions as negative regulator are not well understood. In this study, we demonstrate that STRA8 can interact with itself and with other basic Helix‐Loop‐Helix (bHLH) transcription factors through its HLH domain and that this domain is important for its ability to negatively interfere with the Ebox‐mediated transcriptional activity of bHLH transcription factors. Significantly, we show that STRA8 interacts with TCF3/E47, a class I bHLH transcription factors, and with SOHLH1, a gonadal‐specific bHLH, in male germ cells obtained from prepuberal mouse testis. We demonstrated that STRA8, indirectly, is able to exert a negative control on the SOHLH1‐dependent stimulation of c‐KIT expression in late differentiating spermatogonia and preleptotene spermatocytes. Although part of this results were obtained only ‘in vitro’, they support the notion that STRA8 interacting with different transcription factors, besides its established role as ‘amplifier’ of meiotic programme, is able to finely modulate the balance between spermatogonia proliferation, differentiation and acquisition of meiotic competence.
A Nationalist Backlash to International Refugee Law: Evidence from a Survey Experiment in Turkey
Authors: Cope Kevin L. , Crabtree Charles
Published: November 2020

How do international laws affect citizens' willingness to accept refugees? In full and partial democracies, citizens' attitudes can influence national policy. A growing literature suggests that international institutions can influence citizens' attitudes on foreign policy issues, and therefore lead to policy change, but those studies are almost entirely confined to domestic human rights and U.S.‐based respondents; none consider refugee policy. Using data from a survey experiment administered in September 2017 via face‐to‐face interviews with 1,335 citizens of Turkey, we investigate how international norms affect citizens' willingness to accept refugees. Our findings are surprising: reminding people about the government's responsibility under the Refugee Convention to accept refugees triggers a backfire effect, decreasing support for accepting them. This effect appears driven by respondents who support the incumbent AKP Party and by lower‐educated respondents. We therefore provide evidence that international refugee law—and perhaps international institutions generally—can trigger a political backlash, undermining the very policies that they promote.
Assessment of the Readability of Online Patient Education Material from Major Geriatric Associations
Authors: van Ballegooie Courtney , Hoang Peter
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

An increasing number of patients are using the internet to supplement information provided by medical professionals. Online geriatric patient education materials (PEMs) should be written at or below a 6th grade reading level (GRL) that takes into account barriers unique to the geriatric population. The objectives of the study are to assess PEMs of geriatric associations' websites and determine whether they are above the GRL recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and National Institutes of Health.

DESIGN

Descriptive and correlational methodology. PEMs from 10 major geriatric associations were assessed for their GRL using 10 scales. Eight of the scales provide a numerical GRL while two of the scales provide a visual representation of the GRLs. Analysis was conducted using Readability Studio 2019.3.

SETTING

Analysis was conducted February 2020.

PARTICIPANTS

Identified 10 geriatric associations and 884 PEMs.

MEASUREMENTS

GRLs were measured by 10 validated readability indices: the Degrees of Reading Power and Grade Equivalent test, Flesch–Kincaid grade level, Simple Measure of Gobbledygook test, Coleman‐Liau Index, Gunning Fog Index, New Fog Count, New Dale‐Chall readability formula, Ford, Caylor, Sticht scale, Raygor readability estimate graph, and Fry readability graph.

RESULTS

The mean of all PEMs using the numerical scales was 11.1 ± 2.4. Ninety‐nine percent of PEMs are above the 6th GRL. PEMs ranged from a grade 3.0 to 19.0 reading level. Analysis of variance demonstrated a significant difference between associations (P < .0001), and multiple comparison analysis identified the National Institute on Aging as the content easiest to read (9.5 ± 1.6).

CONCLUSION

PEMs from geriatric association websites are written above the recommended 6th GRL. As patients increasingly look toward online supplementary health information during COVID‐19, there is an opportunity for improving PEMs to enable greater comprehension by the target population.
Differences in Adolescent Experiences of Polyvictimization and Suicide Risk by Sexual Minority Status
Authors: Johns Michelle M. , Lowry Richard , Hipp Tracy N. , Robin Leah , Shafir Shira
Published: November 2020

Sexual minority adolescents (SMA) report more suicide risk behaviors than heterosexual adolescents. Polyvictimization (co‐occurrence of multiple types of victimization) may be an important, underresearched correlate of this disparity. With the 2017 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey (N = 13,179), national estimates of polyvictimization and suicide risk were assessed among high school students by sexual minority status (SM vs. heterosexual), and multivariate relationships between sexual minority status, polyvictimization, and suicide risk were tested. Additionally, risk profiles of those who experienced polyvictimization (2 + types of victimization; n = 1,932) were compared across sexual minority status. Results confirm that SMA are more likely to experience polyvictimization than heterosexual adolescents (31.8% v. 12.9%, respectively); however, also indicate that polyvictimization does not fully explain elevated suicide risk among SMA.
Enhancing thoughts: Culture, technology, and the evolution of human cognitive uniqueness
Authors: Schulz Armin W.
Published: November 2020

Three facts are widely thought to be key to the characterization of human cognitive uniqueness (though a number of other factors are often cited as well): (a) humans are sophisticated cultural learners; (b) humans often rely on mental states with rich representational contents; and (c) humans have the ability and disposition to make and use tools. This article argues that (a)–(c) create a positive feedback loop: Sophisticated cultural learning makes possible the manufacture of tools that increase the sophistication of representational decision‐making, which in turn allows for yet further increases in the sophistication of cultural learning and tool manufacture.
Role of in vitro testing in food allergy
Authors: Arasi Stefania , Barni Simona , Mastrorilli Carla , Comberiati Pasquale , Chiera Fernanda , Pelosi Umberto , Paravati Francesco , Caimmi Davide
Published: November 2020

Oral food challenges remain the gold standard for the diagnosis of food allergy. Nevertheless, the allergy workup is based on the presence of a clinical history, which is evocative of an immune‐allergic reaction, and the first assessment is usually the performance of skin prick tests. Based on these results, allergists are used to evaluate the presence of serum‐specific IgE, which are today the most commonly prescribed in vitro test for the evaluation of a possible food allergy. Other in vitro tests include the basophil activation test, that is becoming more and more employed by clinicians and not only by researchers, and the evaluation of serum IgG4, which is still an issue of debate in the allergy community. The present paper reviews the use of these in vitro tests for the diagnosis of food allergy.
Telemedicine for allergic patients during COVID‐19
Authors: Pattini Stefano , Malizia Velia , Travaglini Alessandro , Brighetti Maria Antonia , Della Giustina Auro , Sfika Ifigenia , Di Menno Di Bucchianico Alessandro , Tripodi Salvatore
Published: November 2020

In the last few years, we have witnessed an important development in the medical field of both Mobile Health, such as the use of mobile communication devices, and other telemedicine tools in general, in order to support the surveillance of diseases from the moment of the first diagnosis to the therapeutic follow‐up. Long before COVID‐19, some authors had analyzed various possible evidence‐based scenarios and had indicated how the use of telemedicine could prove to be extremely useful in epidemic situations, especially for the management of chronic patients, such as immune‐allergic ones, who are notoriously in greater need of regular follow‐up; however, as expected, the advent of the COVID‐19 pandemic has amplified the differences between various countries, from the point of view of the propensity to use technological solutions in the health sector. The hope is that one positive outcome of the ongoing pandemic is that it will lead to an acceleration, by all the stakeholders involved, of the process of modernization of health care.
Human microbiome and allergy
Authors: Montecchiani Vittoria , Fanos Vassilios
Published: November 2020

Human microbiome contributes to critical functions that impact health and disease. It influences the development of the immune system, and the pathogenesis of immunological disorders included allergy. While it is easy to understand how airway microbiome, influencing local inflammation and immune activity, could contribute to shaping asthma phenotype, it is not so obvious to understand the influence by the gut microbiome, but there is growing evidence about it. The increase of allergic disorders in western countries led to investigate the role environment is playing and how it may change our microbiome and immune system, with the hope of finding new preventive approaches for allergy.
Gastrointestinal involvement in children with SARS‐COV‐2 infection: An overview for the pediatrician
Authors: Chiappini Elena , Licari Amelia , Motisi Marco Antonio , Manti Sara , Marseglia Gian Luigi , Galli Luisa , Lionetti Paolo
Published: November 2020

Gastrointestinal symptoms are common findings in children with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Diarrhea and vomiting have been reported in about 8%‐9% of cases, reaching more than 20% in some studies. Children with gastrointestinal involvement appear to be younger than those without, but the severity of the disease seems to be similar between the two groups of subjects. Fecal shedding in children has been reported in 20%‐30% of children and has been observed in both those with and those without overt gastrointestinal involvement. Moreover, prolonged fecal elimination, lasting several days after negativization of real‐time polymerase chain reaction assay on respiratory swabs, has been reported with variable frequency in children with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. These observations raise the question regarding the possibility of oral‐fecal transmission and the possible role of children in spreading the infection, particularly when they appear asymptomatic or with gastrointestinal symptoms but with no respiratory involvement, as well as during their convalescent phase.
Modification of starch composition, structure and properties through editing of TaSBEIIa in both winter and spring wheat varieties by CRISPR/Cas9
Authors: Li Jingying , Jiao Guiai , Sun Yongwei , Chen Jun , Zhong Yingxin , Yan Lei , Jiang Dong , Ma Youzhi , Xia Lanqin
Published: November 2020

Foods high in amylose content and resistant starch (RS) offer great potential to improve human health and lower the risk of serious noninfectious diseases. Common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a major staple food crop globally. However, the RS contents in the grains of modern wheat varieties are low. Here, we report the generation of high‐amylose wheat through targeted mutagenesis of TaSBEIIa in a modern winter wheat cv Zhengmai 7698 (ZM) and a spring wheat cv Bobwhite by CRISPR/Cas9, respectively. We generated a series of transgene‐free mutant lines either with partial or triple‐null TasbeIIa alleles in ZM and Bobwhite, respectively. Analyses of starch composition, structure and properties revealed that the effects of partial or triple‐null alleles were dosage dependent with triple‐null lines demonstrated more profound impacts on starch composition, fine structures of amylopectin and physiochemical and nutritional properties. The flours of triple‐null lines possessed significantly increased amylose, RS, protein and soluble pentosan contents which benefit human health. Baking quality analyses indicated that the high‐amylose flours may be used as additives or for making cookies. Collectively, we successfully modified the starch composition, structure and properties through targeted mutagenesis of TaSBEIIa by CRISPR/Cas9 in both winter and spring wheat varieties and generated transgene‐free high‐amylose wheat. Our finding provides deep insights on the role of TaSBEIIa in determining starch composition, structure, properties and end‐use quality in different genetic backgrounds and improving RS content with multiple breeding and end‐use applications in cereal crop species through genome editing for health benefits.
Multifocal giant apocrine cystadenomas in a miniature poodle
Authors: Tse Anne Ching‐nga , Sandy Jeanine
Published: November 2020

Apocrine cystadenomas have rarely been reported in dogs. Herein, a dog with multiple, large (1.0–7.0 cm) fluctuant and cystic skin masses on the right pelvic limb and chest is described. Histopathological evaluation revealed cystic cavities lined by single to multiple layers of apocrine epithelium with papillary projections, consistent with apocrine cystadenoma.
Phylogeny of Neobursaridium reshapes the systematics of Paramecium (Oligohymenophorea, Ciliophora)
Authors: Serra Valentina , Fokin Sergei I. , Gammuto Leandro , Nitla Venkatamahesh , Castelli Michele , Basuri Charan Kumar , Satyaveni Adireddy , Sandeep Bhagavatula Venkata , Modeo Letizia , Petroni Giulio
Published: November 2020

The subclass Peniculia (Oligohymenophorea, Intramacronucleata) is one of the most known groups of the phylum Ciliophora, being composed by very notorious representatives, such as Paramecium and Frontonia. Nevertheless, phylogenetic relationships among genera within this subclass are still far from being resolved. Moreover, for several members of the group the characterization by molecular markers is still lacking, such as for Wenrichia, Clathrostoma, Paraclathrostoma, Didieria and, to date, also for Neobursaridium. The finding of one strain of Neobursaridium gigas from India led to the first molecular characterization of this uncommonly sampled ciliate. The 18S rDNA sequence and the COI sequence were obtained and used for phylogenetic analyses. Moreover, the partial mitochondrial genome of N. gigas was sequenced, annotated and employed for phylogenomics analysis. To increase the sampling effort for the Paramecium clade, several newly obtained 18S rDNA sequences of parameciids are herein presented. Unexpectedly, the inclusion of N. gigas's molecular data in phylogenetics/phylogenomics analyses did not help to solve the complex evolution relationships inside Peniculia. Conversely, it raised new and intriguing questions about Paramecium phylogeny, since N. gigas clustered inside Paramecium clade as sister species of Paramecium bursaria in all the performed analyses. A critical revision of past and present data led to rename N. gigas as Paramecium gigas (Balech, 1941) comb. nov., and triggered the revision of genus Paramecium, with the proposal of the new subgenus Gigaparamecium subgen. nov. Hypotheses on the evolution of giant morphologies in ciliates are also discussed.
Directional sound source modeling using the adjoint Euler equations in a finite-difference time-domain approach
Authors: Stein Lewin , Straube Florian , Weinzierl Stefan , Lemke Mathias
Published: November 2020

An adjoint-based approach for synthesizing complex sound sources by discrete, grid-based monopoles in finite-difference time-domain simulations is presented. Previously, Stein, Straube, Sesterhenn, Weinzierl, and Lemke [(2019). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 146(3), 1774–1785] demonstrated that the approach allows one to consider unsteady and non-uniform ambient conditions such as wind flow and thermal gradient in contrast to standard methods of numerical sound field simulation. In this work, it is proven that not only ideal monopoles but also realistic sound sources with complex directivity characteristics can be synthesized. In detail, an oscillating circular piston and a real two-way near-field monitor are modeled. The required number of monopoles in terms of the sound pressure level deviation between the directivity of the original and the synthesized source is analyzed. Since the computational effort is independent of the number of monopoles used for the synthesis, also more complex sources can be reproduced by increasing the number of monopoles utilized. In contrast to classical least-square problem solvers, this does not increase the computational effort, which makes the method attractive for predicting the effect of sound reinforcement systems with highly directional sources under difficult acoustic boundary conditions.
On the use of the Lloyd's Mirror effect to infer the depth of vocalizing fin whales
Authors: Pereira Andreia , Harris Danielle , Tyack Peter , Matias Luis
Published: November 2020

The interference between the direct path and the sea surface reflection of a signal as measured by a receiver is called Lloyd's Mirror effect (LME). It results in a frequency-dependent interference pattern that can be observed in a spectrogram. LME depends on the receiver depth, signal source depth, signal frequency, and slant range between source and receiver. Knowing three of these parameters a priori, LME can be used to estimate the third parameter, such as source depth. Here, the work in Pereira et al. (2016) was expanded to estimate the depth of a vocalizing fin whale recorded by an ocean-bottom seismometer (OBS). In Pereira et al. (2016), the depth of a vocalizing fin whale was inferred by manually comparing spectrograms of LME transmission loss models with observed LME. This study developed an automated procedure to perform the same task using the LME interference pattern observed in the spectrograms of the hydrophone and the vertical channel of the OBS. The results show that the joint use of the two channels was the best approach to estimate a source depth using LME. LME provides a non-intrusive approach for estimating the depth at which a fin whale was vocalizing.
Safety and tolerability of topical polyhexamethylene biguanide: a randomised clinical trial in healthy adult volunteers
Authors: Papa Vincenzo , van der Meulen Ivanka , Rottey Sylvie , Sallet Guy , Overweel Jolanda , Asero Nino , Minassian Darwin C , Dart John K G
Published: November 2020

Background and Aims

Polyhexamethyl biguanide (PHMB), a widely used topical treatment for Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK), is unlicensed with no formal safety assessment. This study evaluated its safety and tolerability.

Methods

A prospective, randomised, double-masked controlled trial in 90 healthy volunteers. Subjects were treated with topical 0.04%, 0.06%, 0.08% PHMB or placebo (vehicle) 12× daily for 7 days, then 6× daily for 7 days. The rates of dose-limiting adverse events (DLAEs) leading to interruption of dosing, mild adverse events (AEs) (not dose limiting) and incidental AEs (unrelated to treatment) were compared. The primary outcome was the difference between treatments for DLAE rates.

Results

5/90 subjects developed DLAE within <1–4 days of starting treatment; 2/5 using PHMB 0.06% and 3/5 PHMB 0.08%. These resolved within 1–15 days. There were no significant differences in DLAE between treatment groups. Mild AEs occurred in 48/90 subjects (including placebo). There was no trend for an increased incidence of any AE with increasing concentrations of PHMB, except for corneal punctate keratopathy with PHMB 0.08%, which fully resolved within 7–14 days.

Conclusion

These findings are reassuring for PHMB 0.02% users. They also suggest that higher PHMB concentrations may show acceptable levels of tolerance and toxicity in AK subjects, whose susceptibility to AE may be greater than for the normal eyes in this study. Given the potential benefits of higher PHMB concentrations for treating deep stromal invasion in AK, we think that the use of PHMB 0.08% is justified in treatment trials.

Trial registration number

NCT02506257.
Treatment interventions to maintain abstinence from alcohol in primary care: systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Cheng Hung-Yuan , McGuinness Luke A , Elbers Roy G , MacArthur Georgina J , Taylor Abigail , McAleenan Alexandra , Dawson Sarah , López-López José A , Higgins Julian P T , Cowlishaw Sean , Lingford-Hughes Anne , Hickman Matthew , Kessler David
Published: November 2020

Objective

To determine the most effective interventions in recently detoxified, alcohol dependent patients for implementation in primary care.

Design

Systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Data sources

Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane CENTRAL, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the World Health Organization’s International Clinical Trials Registry Platform.

Study selection

Randomised controlled trials comparing two or more interventions that could be used in primary care. The population was patients with alcohol dependency diagnosed by standardised clinical tools and who became detoxified within four weeks.

Data extraction

Outcomes of interest were continuous abstinence from alcohol (effectiveness) and all cause dropouts (as a proxy for acceptability) at least 12 weeks after start of intervention.

Results

64 trials (43 interventions) were included. The median probability of abstinence across placebo arms was 25%. Compared with placebo, the only intervention associated with increased probability of abstinence and moderate certainty evidence was acamprosate (odds ratio 1.86, 95% confidence interval 1.49 to 2.33, corresponding to an absolute probability of 38%). Of the 62 included trials that reported all cause dropouts, interventions associated with a reduced number of dropouts compared with placebo (probability 50%) and moderate certainty of evidence were acamprosate (0.73, 0.62 to 0.86; 42%), naltrexone (0.70, 0.50 to 0.98; 41%), and acamprosate-naltrexone (0.30, 0.13 to 0.67; 17%). Acamprosate was the only intervention associated with moderate confidence in the evidence of effectiveness and acceptability up to 12 months. It is uncertain whether other interventions can help maintain abstinence and reduce dropouts because of low confidence in the evidence.

Conclusions

Evidence is lacking for benefit from interventions that could be implemented in primary care settings for alcohol abstinence, other than for acamprosate. More evidence from high quality randomised controlled trials is needed, as are strategies using combined interventions (combinations of drug interventions or drug and psychosocial interventions) to improve treatment of alcohol dependency in primary care.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42016049779.
Changes in meibum composition following plaque bachytherapy for choroidal melanoma
Authors: Ramasubramanian Aparna , Ahmed Simra Fatima , Borchman Douglas
Published: November 2020

Objectives

Dry eye is common when external beam radiation is used for the treatment of choroidal melanoma (CM). As meibum structure and composition have been related to dry eye, we determined if plaque bachytherapy for CM alters meibum composition.

Design

1H-NMR spectroscopy was used to measure the lipid composition of meibum.

Setting

The University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA.

Participants

All 13 participants had CM and one participant had iris melanoma.

Main outcome measures

Cholesteryl ester (CE) to wax ester (WE) ratio, amount of meibum esters (ME) and meibum lipid saturation were measured.

Results

ME decreased by 80%±18% (±99% CI) in 11 eyes that were treated compared with the contralateral untreated eye. ME increased by 181% in two eyes that were treated compared with the contralateral untreated eye. The mole % CE/WE for meibum was significantly (p<0.0001) 67% lower in eyes that were irradiated compared with control eyes from donors without CM and were not treated. Plaque brachytherapy induced the de-esterification of CE. The intensity of the meibumcisdouble bond resonances did not change significantly (p>0.05).

Conclusion

Eyes that had plaque brachytherapy had a lower amount of expressible meibum and a lower CE/WE ratio compared with meibum from the contralateral eye that received no treatment and eyes that did not have uveal melanoma. Both the quality and quantity of meibum should be considered in designing a therapy for dry eye after plaque brachytherapy.
Moving singing for lung health online in response to COVID-19: experience from a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Philip Keir EJ , Lewis Adam , Jeffery Edmund , Buttery Sara , Cave Phoene , Cristiano Daniele , Lound Adam , Taylor Karen , Man William D-C , Fancourt Daisy , Polkey Michael I , Hopkinson Nicholas S
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Singing for lung health (SLH) is a popular arts-in-health activity for people with long-term respiratory conditions. Participants report biopsychosocial benefits, however, research on impact is limited. The ‘SLH: Improving Experiences of Lung Disease trial’, a randomised controlled, single (assessor) blind, trial of 12 weeks SLH versus usual care for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (n=120) was setup to help to address this. The first group (n=18, nine singing and nine controls) started face-to-face (five sessions) before changing to online delivery (seven sessions) due to COVID-19-related physical distancing measures. As such, the experience of this group is here reported as a pilot study to inform further research in this area.

Methods

We conducted semistructured interviews and thematic analysis regarding barriers, facilitators and key considerations for transitioning from face-to-face to online delivery. Pilot quantitative outcomes include attendance, premeasures and postmeasures of quality of life and disease impact (Short Form 36 Health Survey, COPD Assessment Test score), breathlessness (Medical Research Council breathlessness scale, Dyspnoea-12), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9, PHQ-9), anxiety (Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7), balance confidence (Activity specific Balance Confidence, ABC scale) and physical activity (clinical visit PROactive physical activity in COPD tool, combining subjective rating and actigraphy).

Results

Attendance was 69% overall, (90% of the face-to-face sessions, 53% online sessions). Analysis of semistructured interviews identified three themes regarding participation in SLH delivered face to face and online, these where (1) perceived benefits; (2) digital barriers (online) and (3) digital facilitators (online). Findings were summarised into key considerations for optimising transitioning singing groups from face-to-face to online delivery. Pilot quantitative data suggested possible improvements in depression (treatment effect −4.78 PHQ-9 points, p<0.05, MCID 5) and balance confidence (treatment effect +17.21 ABC scale points, p=0.04, MCID 14.2).

Discussion

This study identifies key considerations regarding the adaptation of SLH from face-to-face to online delivery. Pilot data suggest online group singing for people with COPD may deliver benefits related to reducing depression and improved balance confidence.
Synergistic effects of emergency physician empathy and burnout on patient satisfaction: a prospective observational study
Authors: Byrd Jennifer , Knowles Heidi , Moore Sephonie , Acker Victoria , Bell Sarah , Alanis Naomi , Zhou Yuan , d'Etienne James P , Kline Jeffrey A , Wang Hao
Published: November 2020

Background

Physician empathy and burnout have been shown to be independently associated with patient satisfaction. However, their correlations were uncertain in previous studies. We aimed to determine correlations among empathy, burnout, and patient satisfaction, and further analyse interactions among these factors.

Method

A single centre prospective observational study was conducted from December 2018 to August 2019 at JPS Health Network, USA. Emergency physician (EP) self-assessed empathy and burnout were measured by the Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE) and the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) separately. We assessed patient perception of physician empathy and patient satisfaction with their treating physician by the Jefferson Scale of Patient Perception of Physician Empathy and a patient assessed satisfaction survey. Spearman’s correlation was used to determine associations among JSE, patient assessed physician empathy, CBI and patient satisfaction. Additionally, JSE, patient assessed physician empathy and CBI predictive of patient satisfaction were measured by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

A total of 28 EPs and 423 patients were enrolled. Patient satisfaction had a weak correlation with JSE (ρ=0.11) but showed a strong correlation with patient assessed physician empathy (ρ=0.60). CBI showed no correlation with patient satisfaction (ρ<0.1). However, when JSE, patient assessed physician empathy and CBI were analysed together in relation to patient satisfaction, adjusted odds ratios (AOR) was 3.85 (95% CI 1.36 to 10.88) with high patient assessed physician empathy alone; AOR was 7.17 (2.62–19.67) when high patient assessed physician empathy was combined with low CBI; and AOR was 8.37 (3.07–22.83) when high patient assessed physician empathy, low CBI and high JSE were combined.

Conclusion

Patient assessed physician empathy had a strong positive correlation with patient satisfaction. Moreover, higher patient satisfaction was achieved from EPs of high patient assessed physician empathy, low CBI and high JSE, indicating a positive synergistic effect. These findings suggest different interventions might be applied to EPs of different wellness features to maximise patient satisfaction.
Comparison of PD-L1 protein expression between primary tumors and metastatic lesions in triple negative breast cancers
Authors: Rozenblit Mariya , Huang Richard , Danziger Natalie , Hegde Priti , Alexander Brian , Ramkissoon Shakti , Blenman Kim , Ross Jeffrey S , Rimm David L , Pusztai Lajos
Published: November 2020

Programmed Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1) positivity rates differ between different metastatic sites and the primary tumor. Understanding PD-L1 expression characteristics could guide biopsy procedures and motivate research to better understand site-specific differences in the tumor microenvironment. The purpose of this study was to compare PD-L1 positivity on immune cells and tumor cells in primary and metastatic triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) tumors. Retrospective study utilizing the PD-L1 database of Foundation Medicine containing the SP142 companion diagnostic immunohistochemistry assay (SP142 CDx) and Food and Drug Administration guidelines for scoring. 340 TNBC cases (179 primary tumors and 161 unmatched metastatic lesions) were evaluated. The primary outcome measures were PD-L1 positivity rates in immune cells and tumor cells. χ2test was used for comparisons. Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used for correlations. More primary tumors were positive for PD-L1 expression on immune cells than metastatic lesions (114 (63.7%) vs 68 (42.2%), p<0.0001). This was driven by the lower PD-L1 positivity rates in skin (23.8%, 95% CI: 8.22% to 47.2%), liver (17.4%, 95% CI: 5.00% to 38.8%) and bone (16.7%, 95% CI: 2.10% to 48.4%) metastases. Lung (68.8%, 95% CI: 41.3% to 90.0%), soft tissues (65.2%, 95% CI: 42.7% to 83.6%) and lymph nodes (51.1%, 95% CI: 35.8% to 66.3%) had PD-L1 % positivity rates similar to primary tumors. PD-L1 expression was rare on tumor cells in both the breast and metastatic sites (8.3% vs 4.3%, p=0.13). The rate of PD-L1 positivity varies by metastatic location with substantially lower positivity rates in liver, skin and bone metastases compared with primary breast lesions or lung, soft tissue or lymph node metastases. This difference in PD-L1 positivity rates between primary tumors and different metastatic sites should inform physicians when choosing sites to biopsy and suggests a difference in the immune microenvironment across metastatic sites.
Trust does not need to be human: it is possible to trust medical AI
Authors: Ferrario Andrea , Loi Michele , Viganò Eleonora
Published: November 2020

In his recent article ‘Limits of trust in medical AI,’ Hatherley argues that, if we believe that the motivations that are usually recognised as relevant for interpersonal trust have to be applied to interactions between humans and medical artificial intelligence, then these systems do not appear to be the appropriate objects of trust. In this response, we argue that it is possible to discuss trust in medical artificial intelligence (AI), if one refrains from simply assuming that trust describes human–human interactions. To do so, we consider an account of trust that distinguishes trust from reliance in a way that is compatible with trusting non-human agents. In this account, to trust a medical AI is to rely on it with little monitoring and control of the elements that make it trustworthy. This attitude does not imply specific properties in the AI system that in fact only humans can have. This account of trust is applicable, in particular, to all cases where a physician relies on the medical AI predictions to support his or her decision making.
Antinociception mechanisms of action of cannabinoid-based medicine: an overview for anesthesiologists and pain physicians
Authors: Narouze Samer
Published: November 2020

Cannabinoid-based medications possess unique multimodal analgesic mechanisms of action, modulating diverse pain targets. Cannabinoids are classified based on their origin into three categories: endocannabinoids (present endogenously in human tissues), phytocannabinoids (plant derived) and synthetic cannabinoids (pharmaceutical). Cannabinoids exert an analgesic effect, peculiarly in hyperalgesia, neuropathic pain and inflammatory states. Endocannabinoids are released on demand from postsynaptic terminals and travels retrograde to stimulate cannabinoids receptors on presynaptic terminals, inhibiting the release of excitatory neurotransmitters. Cannabinoids (endogenous and phytocannabinoids) produce analgesia by interacting with cannabinoids receptors type 1 and 2 (CB1 and CB2), as well as putative non-CB1/CB2 receptors; G protein-coupled receptor 55, and transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1. Moreover, they modulate multiple peripheral, spinal and supraspinal nociception pathways. Cannabinoids-opioids cross-modulation and synergy contribute significantly to tolerance and antinociceptive effects of cannabinoids. This narrative review evaluates cannabinoids’ diverse mechanisms of action as it pertains to nociception modulation relevant to the practice of anesthesiologists and pain medicine physicians.
Bilateral proximal tibial epiphysiodesis for management of bilateral partial avulsion fracture of the origin of the cranial cruciate ligaments in a dog
Authors: Field Elinor Jo , Langley‐Hobbs Sorrel J
Published: November 2020

A five‐month‐old labrador retriever presented with intermittent pelvic limb lameness. Radiography and CT demonstrated bilateral stifle effusions and bony defects in the caudodistal aspect of the femoral condyles. Stifle arthroscopy confirmed bilateral partial avulsion of the cranial cruciate ligaments from their origin. Epiphysiodesis was performed under fluoroscopic guidance by placement of a 4.0 mm cancellous screw in the cranial aspect of the proximal tibial physis. Radiographs performed at 6, 7, 9 and 18 months of age showed a reduction in the tibial plateau angle from 23° to 6° in the right and from 33° to 10° in the left. Bilateral tibial valgus did develop, but this was not clinically significant, and from 10 weeks postsurgery, on visual assessment, the dog was not lame. Proximal tibial epiphysiodesis was an effective treatment to dynamically reduce the tibial plateau angle in a dog with bilateral partial avulsion of the cranial cruciate ligaments.
Similarity simulation study on displacement and stress changes response to coal mining in Longdong coal mine, China
Authors: Huang Kai , Xu Long , Zha Fusheng , Lu Zhitang , Wu Jiwen , Chu Chengfu , Yu Chuang
Published: November 2020

The complicated geological conditions, including the Fault Sun, in East No. 2 mining sub-area of the Longdong coal mine will influence the stability of strata during mining, leading to serious geological hazards. To circumvent this issue, a similarity simulation experiment was designed and performed in this study, in which the failure characteristics and evolution of displacement and stress within the strata were investigated, and the optimum width of a waterproof coal pillar was determined. The results showed that, as the working face progressed, the coal seam roof gradually deformed, from initial caving of the immediate roof to complete movement and curved subsidence of the entire roof. Significant changes in displacement and stress within the coal seam roof were recorded, and these increased during continuous mining activity. Displacement and stress difference on either side of the fault gradually increased and reached remarkable values with increase in mining distance. On the basis of the experiment results, water inrush is believed to be caused by the interaction between mining and the fault, and, as calculated from parameters collected in field investigations, a waterproof coal pillar of 50 m width should be established to prevent Fault Sun activation, thereby reducing the risk of water inrush from neighbouring aquifers.
Carboniferous isotope stratigraphy
Authors: Chen Jitao , Chen Bo , Montañez Isabel P.
Published: November 2020

We present an updated set of Carboniferous Sr, C and O isotope stratigraphies based on the existing literature, given the importance of chemostratigraphy for stratigraphic correlation in the Carboniferous. The Carboniferous
87
Sr/
86
Sr record, constructed using brachiopods and conodonts, exhibits five first-order phases beginning with a rapid decline from a peak value of
c.
0.70840 at the Devonian–Carboniferous boundary to a trough (0.70776–0.70771) in the Visean followed by a rise to a plateau (
c.
0.70827) in the upper Bashkirian. A decline to
c.
0.70804 follows from the lowermost Gzhelian to the close of the Carboniferous. Contemporaneous carbonate δ
13
C records exhibit considerable variability between materials analysed and by region, although pronounced excursions (e.g. the mid-Tournaisian positive excursion and the end-Kasimovian negative excursion) are present in most records. Bulk carbonate δ
13
C records from South China and Europe, however, are generally consistent with those of brachiopod calcite from North America in terms of both absolute values and trends. Both brachiopod calcite and conodont phosphate δ
18
O document large regional variability, confirming that Carboniferous δ
18
O records are invalid for precise stratigraphic correlation. Nevertheless, significant positive δ
18
O shifts in certain intervals (e.g. mid-Tournaisian and the Mississippian–Pennsylvanian transition) can be used for global correlation.
Providing Semi-private Feedback on a Shared Public Screen by Controlling Presentation Onset
Authors: Beshai Peter , Caceffo Ricardo , Booth Kellogg S.
Published: November 2020

We describe a novel technique to provide semi-private feedback on a shared public screen. The technique uses a no-onset presentation that takes advantage of perceptual limitations in human vision to avoid alerting other users to feedback directed at one individual user by suppressing the sudden onset of the feedback. Three experiments evaluated the effectiveness of the technique and appropriate timing parameters and alternatives for presentation onset. Our experiments indicated that an 80 ms no-onset presentation allows participants to interpret information directed to them with over 90% accuracy, but their ability to interpret simultaneously presented information intended for others will be close to random chance. The technique initially camouflages the information being presented by overlaying additional visual elements and then removes those elements to reveal only the elements encoding the information being presented. We discuss applications for the technique, including classroom clicker usage, which was our original motivation for the study.
Concentration Effect of Germanium Dioxide on the Spectroscopic Properties and Laser Performance of Er3+/Yb3+ Co-Doped Phosphate Glasses
Authors: Zhang Bingtao , Zhao Zigang , Gong Yanbing , Ren Yifan , Liu Minzhe , Yan Wei , Wang Yong , Chen Guihuan
Published: November 2020

The Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped phosphate glasses with GeO2 modification (PGs) were successfully prepared by melt-quenching method. Their physical parameters were investigated such as density, refractive index, glass transition temperature and coefficients of thermal expansion. The phenomenological intensity parameters Ω
t
(t = 2, 4, 6) of the PGs have been calculated by the Judd-Ofelt theory. The relationship between optical properties and GeO2 concentration was discussed in this work. The laser experiment using PG10 (GeO2 10 mol% modified phosphate glass with Er3+/Yb3+ ratio of 0.5/2) was carried out. The research results indicate that the introduction of GeO2 results in a large absorption and emission cross-section, a long lifetime, a high quantum efficiency, and an excellent laser performance. All these advantages could also portend an optimized method for improving spectroscopic properties in other constituent Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped phosphate glass by introducing GeO2.
Influence of Device Parameters on Performance of Ultra-Scaled Graphene Nanoribbon Field Effect Transistor
Authors: Hasan Md. Azizul , Nishat Sadiq Shahriyar , Hossain Mainul , Islam Sharnali
Published: November 2020

Recent advances in graphene nanoribbon (GNR) field-effect transistors (FETs), with finite band-gap, have shown great promise for their use in ultra-scaled, low power and high speed device applications. Here, we use quantum mechanical simulations, based on non-equilibrium Green’s function (NEGF), to study the electrical characteristics of a sub-10 nm gate length GNRFET with double gate structure. Tight-binding approximation is used to extract the energy bands of GNR and the results are validated with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Key electrical parameters are computed for different dielectric material, source/drain doping and temperature combining the channel length scaling beyond 10 nm to study performance variation. Results reveal that change in source/drain doping shows significant impact on performance for shorter channel, while the opposite tendency is observed for dielectric constant (k) variation. GNRFET showed robustness against temperature variation compared to conventional Si devices. Finally, the results were benchmarked against the performance metrics of high performance and low power CMOS devices in the 5-nm technology node. A significant rise in leakage current beyond the LP requirement was observed for gate lengths below 5 nm. Results obtained from this study can provide useful insights in the design and implementation of next generation GNRFETs.
The effect of visual uncertainty on implicit motor adaptation
Authors: Tsay Jonathan S. , Avraham Guy , Kim Hyosub E. , Parvin Darius E. , Wang Zixuan , Ivry Richard B.
Published: November 2020

Sensorimotor adaptation is influenced by both the size and variance of error information. In the present study, we varied visual uncertainty and error size in a factorial manner and evaluated their joint effect on adaptation, using a feedback method that avoids inherent limitations with standard visuomotor tasks. Uncertainty attenuated adaptation but only when the error was small. This striking interaction highlights a novel constraint for models of sensorimotor adaptation.