bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coseismic surface rupture during the 2018 Mw 7.5 Palu earthquake, Sulawesi Island, Indonesia
Authors: Wu Dengyun , Ren Zhikun , Liu Jinrui , Chen Jie , Guo Peng , Yin Gongming , Ran Hongliu , Li Chuanyou , Yang Xiaodong
Published: October 2020

Sulawesi Island is located at the triple junction between the converging Australian, Sunda, and Philippine plates. The magnitude (Mw) 7.5 Palu earthquake occurred on 28 September 2018 on Sulawesi Island and caused serious casualties. The causative fault of the Palu earthquake was the left-lateral, strike-slip Palu-Koro fault, which has a rapid slip rate. We experienced this earthquake in Palu City and conducted field investigations on coseismic surface ruptures 1 d after the earthquake. Field surveys revealed that the coseismic surface ruptures were characterized by left-lateral offset, en echelon tensional cracks, mole tracks within a narrow zone, and large areas of sand liquefaction that increased the damage and losses. We measured the coseismic displacements along surface ruptures and observed a maximum coseismic offset of ∼6.2 m. The rupture traces in the north Palu Basin near Palu City mark the previously unmapped Palu-Koro fault. Based on the field investigations, we determined the exact location of the Palu-Koro fault within the Palu Basin and found that the Palu-Koro fault zone can be divided into three branches: F1, F2, and F3, forming a typical flower structure.
Formation and paleogeographic evolution of the Palawan continental terrane along the Southeast Asian margin revealed by detrital fingerprints
Authors: Cao Licheng , Shao Lei , Qiao Peijun , Cui Yuchi , Zhang Gongcheng , Zhang Xiangtao
Published: October 2020

The prolonged convergence along the Southeast Asian margin from the Mesozoic to Cenozoic shaped the region into a complex tectonic collage of microblocks of diverse origin and evolutionary history. Among these microblocks, the formation and paleogeographic evolution of the Palawan continental terrane remain issues of uncertainty and controversy, especially regarding the petrogenesis of the oldest rocks and the conjugate relationship with the South China margin. This study examined these issues from the perspective of detrital fingerprints (including geochemistry, heavy mineral, and zircon U-Pb geochronology) of Mesozoic to Cenozoic strata from Palawan Island and basins of the northern South China Sea. The across-margin comparison of provenance signatures, favored by a comprehensive data compilation and a revision of the stratigraphic framework using the youngest zircon ages, provides insights into regional paleogeographic reconstructions from the Jurassic to the Miocene. The results reveal provenance shifts that correspond to the paleogeography of the Palawan continental terrane evolving from an accretionary complex in the Jurassic to a rifted margin in the early Cenozoic and finally to a microcontinent in the middle Cenozoic. Based on comparable provenance signatures, the terrane is interpreted to have been conjugated to the northeastern South China Sea margin from the Mesozoic until the Oligocene spreading of the South China Sea. The terrane likely existed as a northern passive margin of the proto–South China Sea from the latest Cretaceous to early Cenozoic before the oceanic crust of the latter was emplaced over the former during the Oligocene–Miocene.
Supplemental Material: Macro- and microstructural analysis of the Zhujiafang ductile shear zone, Hengshan Complex: Tectonic nature and geodynamic implications of the evolution of Trans–North China orogen
Authors: He Lingchao , Zhang Jian , al. et
Published: October 2020

Table S1: Checked mineral content and grain size of EBSD samples; Table S2: Representative compositional analyses of minerals; Table S3: Zircon U-Pb isoplot data obtained by laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry for samples 17HS06-1 and 14630-1 from Zhujiafang; Table S4: Summary of isotopic ages for the high-pressure granulite of the Trans–North China orogen and Zhujiafang ductile shear zone.
Postnatal impact of a prenatally diagnosed double aortic arch
Authors: Vigneswaran Trisha V , Van Poppel Milou PM , Griffiths Benedict , James Paul , Jogeesvaran Haran , Rahim Zehan , Simpson John M , Speggiorin Simone , Zidere Vita , Nyman Andrew
Published: October 2020

Background

A double aortic arch (DAA) is increasingly identified before birth; however, there are no published data describing the postnatal outcome of a large prenatal cohort.

Objective

To describe the associations, symptoms and impact of prenatally diagnosed DAA.

Methods

Retrospective review of consecutive cases seen at two fetal cardiology units from 2014 to 2019. Clinical records including symptoms and assessment of tracheobronchial compression using flexible bronchoscopy were reviewed. Moderate–severe tracheal compression was defined as >75% occlusion of the lumen.

Results

There were 50 cases identified prenatally and 48 with postnatal follow-up. Array comparative genomic hybridisation (aCGH) was abnormal in 2/50 (4%), aCGH was normal in 33/50 (66%) and of those reviewed after birth, 13 were phenotypically normal. After birth, there was a complete DAA with patency of both arches in 8/48 (17%) and in 40/48 (83%) there was a segment of the left arch which was a non-patent, ligamentous connection.

Stridor was present in 6/48 (13%) on the day of birth. Tracheo-oesophageal compressive symptoms/signs were present in 31/48 (65%) patients at median age of 59 days (IQR 9–182 days). Tracheal/carinal compression was present in 40/45 (88%) cases. Seven of 17 (41%) asymptomatic cases demonstrated moderate–severe tracheal compression. All morphologies of DAA caused symptoms and morphology type was not predictive of significant tracheal compression (p=0.3).

Conclusions

Genetic testing should be offered following detection of double aortic arch. Early signs of tracheal compression are common and therefore delivery where onsite neonatal support is available is recommended. Significant tracheal compression may be present even in the absence of symptoms.
Endothelial keratoplasty with anterior chamber intraocular lens versus secondary posterior chamber intraocular lens
Authors: Woo Jyh Haur , Arundhati Anshu , Chee Soon-Phaik , Tong Weihan , Li Lim , Ti Seng-Ei , Htoon Hla M , Choo Jessica Qian Hui , Tan Donald , Mehta Jodhbir S
Published: October 2020

Aim

To describe the long-term outcomes of Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) with an anterior chamber intraocular lens (ACIOL) compared to secondary posterior chamber (PC) IOL.

Methods

This was a retrospective comparative cohort study. The clinical data of 82 eyes from 82 consecutive patients with pseudophakic (PBK) or aphakic bullous keratopathy (ABK) who either underwent DSAEK with retained or secondary ACIOL (n=23) or DSAEK with IOL exchange and/or secondary PCIOL (retropupillary iris-claw IOL, n=25; intrascleral-fixated IOL, n=29; or sulcus IOL, n=5) were analysed. The main outcome measures were graft survival and complications up to 5 years.

Results

The graft survival in the secondary PCIOL group was superior than the ACIOL group over 5 years (year 1, 100.0% vs 100.0%; year 3, 94.7% vs 75.0%; year 5, 91.1% vs 60.6%, p=0.022). The presence of an ACIOL was a significant risk factor associated with graft failure (HR, 4.801; 95% CI, 1.406 to 16.396, p=0.012) compared to a secondary PCIOL. There was no significant difference in the rate of graft detachment and elevated intraocular pressure between the groups. There were five cases (9.3%) of IOL subluxation or dislocation in the retropupillary iris-claw and intrascleral-fixated IOL groups.

Conclusions

Eyes that underwent DSAEK with ACIOL in situ had poorer long-term graft survival compared with those with secondary PCIOL. Intraocular lens exchange was not associated with a higher complication rate. In ABK or PBK eyes with ACIOL, we recommend performing IOL exchange and/or secondary PCIOL implantation combined with endothelial keratoplasty.
Theoretical reduction of the incidence of colorectal cancer in Colombia from reduction in the population exposure to tobacco, alcohol, excess weight and sedentary lifestyle: a modelling study
Authors: de Vries Esther , Torres Miguel Zamir , Rojas Martha Patricia , Díaz Gustavo , Herrán Oscar Fernando
Published: October 2020

Aims

To determine the potential impact fraction of alcohol and tobacco consumption, high body mass index and low physical activity on colorectal cancer burden in Colombia for the period 2016–2050.

Methods

Based on age-specific and sex-specific data on colorectal cancer incidence, data from population-based surveys for the exposure data and population projections, the macrosimulation model Prevent V.3.01 was used to model expected colorectal cancer incidence for the period 2016–2050. Baseline models were those where exposure levels were not subject to change because of interventions. Two intervention scenarios were specified: one with elimination of exposure to the risk factor as of 2017 and a second one where over a 10-year period the current prevalence data gradually declined until they reach 90% of the 2016 levels.

Results

Under the reference scenarios, a total number of 274 637 colorectal cancers would be expected to occur in the period 2016–2050. Under the scenario of 10% gradual decline in the prevalence of alcohol and tobacco consumption, physical inactivity and high body mass index, a total of 618, 488, 2954 and 2086 new cases, respectively, would be avoided. Under scenarios of elimination, these numbers of avoided cases would be 6908 (elimination alcohol), 6104 (elimination tobacco), 16 637 (optimizing physical inactivity) and 25 089 (all on ideal weight).

Conclusions

In order to reduce the burden of colorectal cancer, it is important to take measures to halt the current trends of increasing sedentary behaviour and overweight in the Colombian population. Proportionally, alcohol and tobacco consumption are less important population risk factors for colorectal cancer.
Caesarean section rates analysed using Robson’s 10-Group Classification System: a cross-sectional study at a tertiary hospital in Ethiopia
Authors: Abdo Abdella Amano , Hinderaker Sven Gudmund , Tekle Achamyelesh Gebretsadik , Lindtjørn Bernt
Published: October 2020

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the caesarean section (CS) rates using Robson’s 10-Group Classification System among women who gave birth at Hawassa University Referral Hospital in southern Ethiopia.

Design

Cross-sectional study design to determine CS rate using Robson’s 10-Group Classification System.

Setting

Hawassa University Referral Hospital in south Ethiopia.

Participants

4004 women who gave birth in Hawassa University Referral Hospital from June 2018 to June 2019.

Results

The 4004 women gave birth to 4165 babies. The overall CS rate was 32.8% (95% CI: 31.4%–34.3%). The major contributors to the overall CS rates were: Robson group 1 (nulliparous women with singleton pregnancy at term in spontaneous labour) 22.9%; group 5 (multiparous women with at least one previous CS) 21.4% and group 3 (multiparous women without previous CS, with singleton pregnancy in spontaneous labour) 17.3%. The most commonly reported indications for CS were ‘fetal compromise’ (35.3%) followed by previous CS (20.3%) and obstructed labour (10.7%).

Conclusion

A high proportion of women giving birth at this hospital were given a CS, and many of them were in a low-risk group. Few had trial of labour. More active use of partogram, improving fetal heartbeat-monitoring system, implementing midwife-led care, involving a companion during labour and auditing the appropriateness of CS indications may help to reduce the CS rate.
Association between cognitive declines and disability in activities of daily living in older adults with COPD: evidence from the China health and retirement longitudinal study
Authors: Gong Bingyan , Shang Shaomei , Wu Chao
Published: October 2020

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between disability and domain-specific cognitive function in older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Design

Cross-sectional analyses combined with retrospective longitudinal analyses.

Setting

We included 450 communities in China.

Participants

In this study, 1022 (mean age: 68.6±6.3; 612 males) and 152 (mean age: 67.0±5.2; 83 males) older adults with COPD from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were included in a cross-sectional multivariate linear regression analysis and a longitudinal logistic regression analysis, respectively.

Outcome measures

Disability was determined by the difficulty or inability to complete 1 of the 12 activity items in basic activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental ADL. The cognitive dimensions of episodic memory, attention/numerical ability, orientation to time, and visuospatial ability were assessed via the immediate/delayed recall task, serial sevens task, naming the current date and pentagon-figure-drawing tasks, respectively.

Results

Of 1022 older respondents with COPD at wave-4, 48.5% had ADL disability. Declines in the global cognitive function (β (95% CI)=−0.627 (−1.214 to –0.040)), orientation to time (β (95% CI)=−0.207 (−0.364 to –0.050)) and visuospatial ability (β (95% CI)=−0.068 (−0.127 to –0.009)) were significantly associated with the presence of ADL disability, when demographic and health-related variables were adjusted. Of 152 older participants with COPD and without ADL disability in wave-2, 61 (40.1 %) developed disability over a 2-year follow-up. Relative to the participants without a decline in orientation to tine, those with the condition had greater odds of incidence of ADL disability increased by a factor of about 1.46 over a 2-year follow-up.

Conclusions

In older adults with COPD, orientation to time and visuospatial inability are vulnerable to the presence of a disability. Prevention of a decline in orientation to time might help prevent disability in older people with COPD.
Changes in weekend and weekday care quality of emergency medical admissions to 20 hospitals in England during implementation of the 7-day services national health policy
Authors: Bion Julian , Aldridge Cassie , Girling Alan J , Rudge Gavin , Sun Jianxia , Tarrant Carolyn , Sutton Elizabeth , Willars Janet , Beet Chris , Boyal Amunpreet , Rees Peter , Roseveare Chris , Temple Mark , Watson Samuel Ian , Chen Yen-Fu , Clancy Mike , Rowan Louise , Lord Joanne , Mannion Russell , Hofer Timothy , Lilford Richard
Published: October 2020

Background

In 2013, the English National Health Service launched the policy of 7-day services to improve care quality and outcomes for weekend emergency admissions.

Aims

To determine whether the quality of care of emergency medical admissions is worse at weekends, and whether this has changed during implementation of 7-day services.

Methods

Using data from 20 acute hospital Trusts in England, we performed randomly selected structured case record reviews of patients admitted to hospital as emergencies at weekends and on weekdays between financial years 2012–2013 and 2016–2017. Senior doctor (‘specialist’) involvement was determined from annual point prevalence surveys. The primary outcome was the rate of clinical errors. Secondary outcomes included error-related adverse event rates, global quality of care and four indicators of good practice.

Results

Seventy-nine clinical reviewers reviewed 4000 admissions, 800 in duplicate. Errors, adverse events and care quality were not significantly different between weekend and weekday admissions, but all improved significantly between epochs, particularly errors most likely influenced by doctors (clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment, prescribing and communication): error rate OR 0.78; 95% CI 0.70 to 0.87; adverse event OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.69; care quality OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.87; all adjusted for age, sex and ethnicity. Postadmission in-hospital care processes improved between epochs and were better for weekend admissions (vital signs with National Early Warning Score and timely specialist review). Preadmission processes in the community were suboptimal at weekends and deteriorated between epochs (fewer family doctor referrals, more patients with chronic disease or palliative care designation).

Conclusions and implications

Hospital care quality of emergency medical admissions is not worse at weekends and has improved during implementation of the 7-day services policy. Causal pathways for the weekend effect may extend into the prehospital setting.
Association of advance care planning with place of death and utilisation of life-sustaining treatments in deceased patients at Taipei City Hospital in Taiwan
Authors: Yen Yung-Feng , Lee Ya-Ling , Hu Hsiao-Yun , Sun Wen-Jung , Ko Ming-Chung , Chang Shen-Shong , Chen Chu-Chieh , Huang Sheng-Jean , Chu Dachen
Published: October 2020

Objective

Evidence is mixed regarding the impact of advance care planning (ACP) on place of death. This cohort study investigated the effect of ACP programmes on place of death and utilisation of life-sustaining treatments for patients during end-of-life (EOL) care.

Methods

This prospective cohort study identified deceased patients between 2015 and 2016 at Taipei City Hospital. ACP was determined by patients’ medical records and defined as a process to discuss patients’ preferences with respect to EOL treatments and place of death. Place of death included hospital or home death. Stepwise logistic regression determined the association of ACP with place of death and utilisation of life-sustaining treatments during EOL care.

Results

Of the 3196 deceased patients, the overall mean age was 78.6 years, and 46.5% of the subjects had an ACP communication with healthcare providers before death. During the study follow-up period, 166 individuals died at home, including 98 (6.59%) patients with ACP and 68 (3.98%) patients without ACP. After adjusting for sociodemographic factors and comorbidities, patients with ACP were more likely to die at home during EOL care (adjusted OR (AOR)=1.71, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.35). Moreover, patients with ACP were less likely to receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (AOR 0.36, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.51) as well as intubation and mechanical ventilation support (AOR 0.54, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.67) during the last 3 months of life.

Conclusion

Patients with ACP were more likely to die at home and less likely to receive life-sustaining treatments during EOL care.
Endoscopic sutured gastroplasty in addition to lifestyle modification: short-term efficacy in a controlled randomised trial
Authors: Huberty Vincent , Boskoski Ivo , Bove Vincenzo , Van Ouytsel Pauline , Costamagna Guido , Barthet Marc A , Devière Jacques
Published: October 2020

Objective

Endoscopic suture gastroplasty (ESG) has been developed as an alternative treatment for moderately obese patients. We present our results of a short-term randomised controlled trial on a new suturing technique, the Endomina system (E-ESG, Endo Tools therapeutics, Belgium).

Design

Eligible patients (body mass index 30–40 kg/m2) were randomised in a 2:1 ratio to receive lifestyle modification plus E-ESG or lifestyle modification alone (control group); dietetic counselling and follow-up were identical. Endpoints included a mean excess weight loss (EWL) of more than 25% 12 months after E-ESG and a 15% EWL difference at 6 months between groups. At 6 months, a cross-over to E-ESG was offered to the control group. All patients were followed for a total of 12 months after E-ESG.

Results

Of the 71 patients included (five male, mean age 40 years), mean EWL at 6 months was significantly higher in the treatment (38.6%, n=45) than in the control group (13.4%, n=21; p<0.001). At 6 months, satiety tests demonstrated a higher decrease in mean volume (41% vs 2.5%, p<0.001), and mean quality of life (QoL) was also higher in the treatment group (52.8 vs 45.1 p<0.05). No procedure-related or device-related severe adverse events were observed. Twelve months follow-up after E-ESG showed a mean EWL of 45.1%, which translated into a total body weight loss of 11.8%.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that E-ESG is safe and effective, providing a 25% better EWL at 6 months than lifestyle modification alone. This weight loss was maintained and resulted in a significant improvement in QoL up to 18 months after treatment.

Trial registration number

NCT03255005.
Depression in individuals who subsequently develop inflammatory bowel disease: a population-based nested case–control study
Authors: Blackwell Jonathan , Saxena Sonia , Petersen Irene , Hotopf Matthew , Creese Hanna , Bottle Alex , Alexakis Christopher , Pollok Richard C
Published: October 2020

Objective

Depression is a potential risk factor for developing IBD. This association may be related to GI symptoms occurring before diagnosis. We aimed to determine whether depression, adjusted for pre-existing GI symptoms, is associated with subsequent IBD.

Design

We conducted a nested case–control study using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink identifying incident cases of UC and Crohn’s disease (CD) from 1998 to 2016. Controls without IBD were matched for age and sex. We measured exposure to prevalent depression 4.5–5.5 years before IBD diagnosis. We created two sub-groups with prevalent depression based on whether individuals had reported GI symptoms before the onset of depression. We used conditional logistic regression to derive ORs for the risk of IBD depending on depression status.

Results

We identified 10 829 UC cases, 4531 CD cases and 15 360 controls. There was an excess of prevalent depression 5 years before IBD diagnosis relative to controls (UC: 3.7% vs 2.7%, CD 3.7% vs 2.9%). Individuals with GI symptoms prior to the diagnosis of depression had increased adjusted risks of developing UC and CD compared with those without depression (UC: OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.79; CD: OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.92). Individuals with depression alone had similar risks of UC and CD to those without depression (UC: OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.29; CD: OR 1.12, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.38).

Conclusions

Depression, in the absence of prior GI symptoms, is not associated with subsequent development of IBD. However, depression with GI symptoms should prompt investigation for IBD.
Racial inequity in fatal US police shootings, 2015–2020
Authors: Lett Elle , Asabor Emmanuella Ngozi , Corbin Theodore , Boatright Dowin
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Violent encounters with police represent a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the USA, especially among Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC). This study characterises trends in fatal police shootings overall and by armed status and quantifies inequities in mortality burden and years of life lost (YLL) across racial/ethnic groups.

Methods

Longitudinal study of
Washington Post
data on fatal police shootings in the USA using generalised linear-mixed models to capture trends with time and relative rates.

Results

This study shows that the rate of fatal police shootings for Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) is constant from 2015 to 2020. Further, BIPOC have significantly higher death rates compared with Whites in the overall victim pool (Native American RR=3.06, Black RR=2.62, Hispanic RR=1.29) and among unarmed victims (Black RR=3.18, Hispanic RR=1.45). Native American (RR=3.95), Black (overall RR=3.29, unarmed RR=3.49) and Hispanic (RR=1.55, unarmed RR=1.55), victims had similarly high rates of YLL relative to Whites.

Conclusion

Fatal police shootings are a public health emergency that contribute to poor health for BIPOC. Urgent attention from health professionals is needed to help drive policy efforts that reduce this unjust burden and move us towards achieving health equity in the US.
Characterization of thrombus composition with multimodality CT-based imaging: an in-vitro study
Authors: Ding Yong-Hong , Abbasi Mehdi , Michalak Gregory , Leng Shuai , Dai Daying , Fitzgerald Seán , Kadirvel Ram , Kallmes David F , Brinjikji Waleed
Published: October 2020

Background

CT is the most commonly used imaging modality for acute ischemic stroke evaluation. There is growing interest to use pre-operative imaging to characterize clot composition in stroke. We performed an in-vitro study examining the ability of various CT techniques in differentiation between different clot types.

Methods

Five clot types with varying fibrin and red blood cells (RBCs) densities (5% RBC and 95% fibrin; 25% RBC and 75% fibrin; 50% RBC and 50% fibrin; 75% RBC and 25% fibrin; 95% RBC and 5% fibrin) were prepared and scanned using various CT scanning protocols (single-energy, dual-energy, photon-counting detector CT, mixed images, and virtual monoenergetic images). Martius Scarlett Blue trichrome staining was performed to confirm the composition of each clot. Mean CT values of each type of clot under different scanning protocol were calculated and compared.

Results

Mean CT values of the CT numbers in the five clot specimens for 5%, 25%, and 50% RBC clot were similar across modalities, and increased significantly for 75% and 95% RBC clots (P<0.0001). Mean CT values are highest in the Mono +50 keV images in each type of clot, and they were also significantly higher than all other imaging protocols (P<0.001). Dual-energy CT with Mono +50 keV images showed the greatest difference between attenuation in each type of clot.

Conclusion

Mono +50 keV dual-energy CT scan may be helpful for differentiating between RBC-rich and fibrin-rich thrombi seen in large-vessel occlusion patients.
Motor neuroprosthesis implanted with neurointerventional surgery improves capacity for activities of daily living tasks in severe paralysis: first in-human experience
Authors: Oxley Thomas J , Yoo Peter E , Rind Gil S , Ronayne Stephen M , Lee C M Sarah , Bird Christin , Hampshire Victoria , Sharma Rahul P , Morokoff Andrew , Williams Daryl L , MacIsaac Christopher , Howard Mark E , Irving Lou , Vrljic Ivan , Williams Cameron , John Sam E , Weissenborn Frank , Dazenko Madeleine , Balabanski Anna H , Friedenberg David , Burkitt Anthony N , Wong Yan T , Drummond Katharine J , Desmond Patricia , Weber Douglas , Denison Timothy , Hochberg Leigh R , Mathers Susan , O"Brien Terence J , May Clive N , Mocco J , Grayden David B , Campbell Bruce C V , Mitchell Peter , Opie Nicholas L
Published: October 2020

Background

Implantable brain–computer interfaces (BCIs), functioning as motor neuroprostheses, have the potential to restore voluntary motor impulses to control digital devices and improve functional independence in patients with severe paralysis due to brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve or muscle dysfunction. However, reports to date have had limited clinical translation.

Methods

Two participants with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) underwent implant in a single-arm, open-label, prospective, early feasibility study. Using a minimally invasive neurointervention procedure, a novel endovascular Stentrode BCI was implanted in the superior sagittal sinus adjacent to primary motor cortex. The participants undertook machine-learning-assisted training to use wirelessly transmitted electrocorticography signal associated with attempted movements to control multiple mouse-click actions, including zoom and left-click. Used in combination with an eye-tracker for cursor navigation, participants achieved Windows 10 operating system control to conduct instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) tasks.

Results

Unsupervised home use commenced from day 86 onwards for participant 1, and day 71 for participant 2. Participant 1 achieved a typing task average click selection accuracy of 92.63% (100.00%, 87.50%–100.00%) (trial mean (median, Q1–Q3)) at a rate of 13.81 (13.44, 10.96–16.09) correct characters per minute (CCPM) with predictive text disabled. Participant 2 achieved an average click selection accuracy of 93.18% (100.00%, 88.19%–100.00%) at 20.10 (17.73, 12.27–26.50) CCPM. Completion of IADL tasks including text messaging, online shopping and managing finances independently was demonstrated in both participants.

Conclusion

We describe the first-in-human experience of a minimally invasive, fully implanted, wireless, ambulatory motor neuroprosthesis using an endovascular stent-electrode array to transmit electrocorticography signals from the motor cortex for multiple command control of digital devices in two participants with flaccid upper limb paralysis.
Genome-wide association study of non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease
Authors: Cho Jaeyoung , Park Kyungtaek , Choi Sun Mi , Lee Jinwoo , Lee Chang-Hoon , Lee Jung-Kyu , Heo Eun Young , Kim Deog Kyeom , Lee Yeon Joo , Park Jong Sun , Cho Young-Jae , Yoon Ho Il , Lee Jae Ho , Lee Choon-Taek , Kim Nayoung , Choi Kyu Yeong , Lee Kun Ho , Sung Joohon , Won Sungho , Yim Jae-Joon
Published: October 2020

Background

The prevalence of non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) is increasing in South Korea and many parts of the world. However, the genetic factors underlying susceptibility to this disease remain elusive.

Methods

To identify genetic variants in patients with NTM-PD, we performed a genome-wide association study with 403 Korean patients with NTM-PD and 306 healthy controls from the Healthy Twin Study, Korea cohort. Candidate variants from the discovery cohort were subsequently validated in an independent cohort. The Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) database was used to identify expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) and to conduct Mendelian randomisation (MR).

Results

We identified a putatively significant locus on chromosome 7p13, rs849177 (OR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.71 to 3.21; p=1.36×10−7), as the candidate genetic variant associated with NTM-PD susceptibility. Its association was subsequently replicated and the combined p value was 4.92×10−8. The eQTL analysis showed that a risk allele at rs849177 was associated with lower expression levels of STK17A, a proapoptotic gene. In the MR analysis, a causal effect of STK17A on NTM-PD development was identified (β, −4.627; 95% CI, −8.768 to −0.486; p=0.029).

Conclusions

The 7p13 genetic variant might be associated with susceptibility to NTM-PD in the Korean population by altering the expression level of STK17A.
Australian smokers’ experiences and perceptions of recessed and firm filter cigarettes
Authors: Wakefield Melanie A , Dunstone Kimberley , Brennan Emily , Vittiglia Amanda , Scollo Michelle , Durkin Sarah J , Hoek Janet , Thrasher James , Hatsukami Dorothy , Benowitz Neal , Samet Jonathan M
Published: October 2020

Background

While cigarette filter modifications have long been used to increase product appeal and assuage health concerns, tighter marketing restrictions, including plain packaging, have further spurred the growth of filter variants. We explored and assessed experiences and perceptions of smokers who had tried and/or currently use recessed filter cigarettes (RFCs) and firm filter cigarettes (FFCs).

Method

In November 2018, we undertook eight exploratory focus groups of Australian adult factory-made cigarette smokers (total n=56). In July 2019, we surveyed 999 smokers aged 18–69 years to quantify ever and current use of these products and associated beliefs and sensory experiences.

Results

Focus group and survey findings were consistent. Among 988 smokers who had at least tried factory-made cigarettes, 28.9% had tried FFCs and 11.1% currently smoked these, while 36.4% had tried RFCs and 7.5% currently smoked these. Smokers in both studies believed these filters may reduce harm and that FFCs increase appeal. In the survey, 58.9% of RFC triers agreed these hide the filter’s brown stain and 48.9% agreed that RFCs keep harmful substances away from the mouth. Similarly, 58.4% of FFC triers agreed these trap more harmful substances than standard filters. Relative to standard filter cigarettes, more smokers experienced FFCs and RFCs as feeling clean (p=0.03) and more current FFC users experienced these as feeling smooth (p=0.01).

Conclusion

RFCs and FFCs undermine plain packaging legislation, which aims to reduce appeal and minimise misperceptions about the relative harms of different tobacco products. Like other filter modifications, these filter variants should be disallowed.
Socioeconomic inequalities in secondhand smoke exposure before, during and after implementation of Quebec’s 2015 ‘An Act to Bolster Tobacco Control’
Authors: Gagné Thierry , Lapalme Josée , Ghenadenik Adrian E , OLoughlin Jennifer L , Frohlich Katherine
Published: October 2020

Background

To better understand whether tobacco control policies are associated with changes in secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure across socioeconomic groups, we monitored differences in socioeconomic inequalities in SHS exposure in households and private vehicles among youth and adults before, during and after adoption of Quebec’s 2015An Act to Bolster Tobacco Control.

Methods

Using data from the Canadian Community Health Survey, we examined the prevalence of daily exposure to SHS in households and private vehicles among youth (ages 12 to 17) and adults (ages 18+) across levels of household education and income (separately) in 2013/2014, 2015/2016 and 2017/2018. We tested differences in the magnitude of differences in outcomes over time across education and income categories using logistic models with interaction terms, controlling for age and sex.

Results

We detected inequalities in SHS exposure outcomes at each time point, most markedly at home among youth (OR of SHS exposure among youth living in the 20% poorest households vs the 20% richest=4.9, 95% CI 2.7 to 6.2). There were decreases in SHS exposure in homes and cars in each education/income group over time. The magnitude of inequalities in SHS exposure in homes and cars, however, did not change during this period.

Conclusions

The persistence of socioeconomic inequalities in SHS exposure despite implementation of new tobacco control laws represents an increasingly worrisome public health challenge, particularly among youth. Policymakers should prioritise the reduction of socioeconomic inequalities in SHS exposure and consider the specific needs of socioeconomically disadvantaged populations in the design of future legislation.
The great divide: drivers of polarization in the US public
Authors: Böttcher Lucas , Gersbach Hans
Published: October 2020

Many democratic societies have become more politically polarized, with the U.S. being the main example. The origins of this phenomenon are still not well-understood and subject to debate. To provide insight into some of the mechanisms underlying political polarization, we develop a mathematical framework and employ Bayesian Markov chain Monte-Carlo (MCMC) and information-theoretic concepts to analyze empirical data on political polarization that has been collected by Pew Research Center from 1994 to 2017. Our framework can capture the evolution of polarization in the Democratic- and Republican-leaning segments of the U.S. public and allows us to identify its drivers. Our empirical and quantitative evidence suggests that political polarization in the U.S. is mainly driven by strong political/cultural initiatives in the Democratic party.
On the maximum general sum-connectivity index of trees with a fixed order and maximum degree
Authors: Ahmed Shahzad
Published: October 2020

The general sum-connectivity index of a graph [Formula: see text], denoted by [Formula: see text], is defined as [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the edge connecting the vertices [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] denotes the degree of the vertex [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] is a nonzero real number. This paper is devoted to characterizing the graphs having the maximal [Formula: see text] value among all the trees with order [Formula: see text] and fixed maximum degree.
A Reinforcement Learning Approach to Optimize Discount and Reputation Tradeoffs in E-commerce Systems
Authors: Xie Hong , Li Yongkun , Lui John C. S.
Published: October 2020

Feedback-based reputation systems are widely deployed in E-commerce systems. Evidence shows that earning a reputable label (for sellers of such systems) may take a substantial amount of time, and this implies a reduction of profit. We propose to enhance sellers’ reputation via price discounts. However, the challenges are as follows: (1) The demands from buyers depend on both the discount and reputation, and (2) the demands are unknown to the seller. To address these challenges, we first formulate a profit maximization problem via a semi-Markov decision process to explore the optimal tradeoffs in selecting price discounts. We prove the monotonicity of the optimal profit and optimal discount. Based on the monotonicity, we design a Q-learning with forward projection (QLFP) algorithm, which infers the optimal discount from historical transaction data. We prove that the QLFP algorithm convergences to the optimal policy. We conduct trace-driven simulations using a dataset from eBay to evaluate the QLFP algorithm. Evaluation results show that QLFP improves the profit by as high as 50% over both Q-learning and Speedy Q-learning. The QLFP algorithm also improves both the reputation and profit by as high as two times over the scheme of not providing any price discount.
Parallel Unary Computing Based on Function Derivatives
Authors: Mohajer Soheil , Wang Zhiheng , Bazargan Kia , Li Yuyang
Published: October 2020

The binary number representation has dominated digital logic for decades due to its compact storage requirements. An alternative representation is the unary number system: We use
N
bits, from which the first
M
are 1 and the rest are 0 to represent the value
M/N
. One-hot representation is a variation of the unary number system where it has one 1 in the
N
bits, where the 1’s position represents its value. We present a novel method that first converts binary numbers to unary using thermometer (one-hot) encoders and then uses a “scaling network” followed by voting gates that we call “alternator logic,” followed by a decoder to convert the numbers back to the binary format. For monotonically increasing functions, the scaling network is all we need, which essentially uses only the routing resources and flip-flops on a typical FPGA architecture. Our method is clearly superior to the conventional binary implementation: Our area×delay cost is on average only 0.4%, 4%, and 39% of the binary method for 8-, 10-, and 12-bit resolutions, respectively, in thermometer encoding scheme, and 0.5%, 15%, and 147% in the one-hot encoding scheme. In terms of power efficiency, our one-hot method is between about 69× and 114× better compared to conventional binary.
Tobacco Reconsidered: Ongoing Omissions, Original Outlooks in the Slipstreams of Experience, Global Health, and Critical Industry Studies
Authors: Kohrman Matthew , Benson Peter
Published: October 2020

Nearly a decade ago, we published the first Annual Review of Anthropology article on tobacco ( Kohrman & Benson 2011 ). Since then, much has happened, and much has persisted regarding human-tobacco relations. Here, we present a stocktaking of how scholars drawing on anthropological methods have responded.
Have I Really Been a Condensed Matter Theorist? I'm Not Sure, but Does It Matter?
Authors: Brézin Edouard
Published: October 2020

My life as a physicist has been a blend of field theory, statistical physics, and condensed matter physics over half a century.
A Career in Physics
Authors: Halperin Bertrand I.
Published: October 2020

Over the course of my career, I have had the opportunity to work on a wide variety of problems in condensed matter physics, benefiting from superb collaborators and environments full of inspiring colleagues. I review here some highlights of my journey so far. Subjects include theories of dynamic critical phenomena, phase transitions in two-dimensional systems, systems with strong disorder, quantum physics of mesoscopic systems, one-dimensional quantum systems, and the quantum Hall effects.
Autonomy in Surgical Robotics
Authors: Attanasio Aleks , Scaglioni Bruno , De Momi Elena , Fiorini Paolo , Valdastri Pietro
Published: October 2020

This review examines the dichotomy between automatic and autonomous behaviors in surgical robots, maps the possible levels of autonomy of these robots, and describes the primary enabling technologies that are driving research in this field. It is organized in five main sections that cover increasing levels of autonomy. At level 0, where the bulk of commercial platforms are, the robot has no decision autonomy. At level 1, the robot can provide cognitive and physical assistance to the surgeon, while at level 2, it can autonomously perform a surgical task. Level 3 comes with conditional autonomy, enabling the robot to plan a task and update planning during execution. Finally, robots at level 4 can plan and execute a sequence of surgical tasks autonomously.
Markov Chain–Based Stochastic Strategies for Robotic Surveillance
Authors: Duan Xiaoming , Bullo Francesco
Published: October 2020

This article surveys recent advancements in strategy designs for persistent robotic surveillance tasks, with a focus on stochastic approaches. The problem describes how mobile robots stochastically patrol a graph in an efficient way, where the efficiency is defined with respect to relevant underlying performance metrics. We start by reviewing the basics of Markov chains, which are the primary motion models for stochastic robotic surveillance. We then discuss the two main criteria regarding the speed and unpredictability of surveillance strategies. The central objects that appear throughout the treatment are the hitting times of Markov chains, their distributions, and their expectations. We formulate various optimization problems based on the relevant metrics in different scenarios and establish their respective properties.
Integrative view of serpins in health and disease: the contribution of serpinA3
Authors: Sanchez-Navarro Andrea , González-Soria Isaac , Caldiño-Bohn Rebecca , Bobadilla Norma A.
Published: October 2020

Serpins are a superfamily of proteins characterized by their common function as serine protease inhibitors. So far, 36 serpins from nine clades have been identified. These proteins are expressed in all the organs and are involved in multiple important functions such as the regulation of blood pressure, hormone transport, insulin sensitivity, and the inflammatory response. Diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular, and kidney disorders are intensively studied to find effective therapeutic targets. Given serpins' outstanding functionality, the deficiency or overexpression of certain types of serpin have been associated with diverse pathophysiological events. In particular, we will focus on reviewing the studies evaluating the participation of serpins, and particularly SerpinA3, in diverse diseases that occur in relevant organs such as the brain, retinas, corneas, lungs, cardiac vasculature, and kidneys. In this review, we summarize the role of serpins in physiological and pathophysiological processes, as well as recent evidence on the crucial role of SerpinA3 in several pathologies. Finally, we emphasize the importance of SerpinA3 in regulating cellular processes such as angiogenesis, apoptosis, fibrosis, oxidative stress, and the inflammatory response.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 expression in COPD and IPF fibroblasts: the forgotten cell in COVID-19
Authors: Aloufi Noof , Traboulsi Hussein , Ding Jun , Fonseca Gregory J. , Nair Parameswaran , Huang Steven K. , Hussain Sabah N. A. , Eidelman David H. , Baglole Carolyn J.
Published: October 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome leading to death in susceptible individuals. For those who recover, post-COVID-19 complications may include development of pulmonary fibrosis. Factors contributing to disease severity or development of complications are not known. Using computational analysis with experimental data, we report that idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)- and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-derived lung fibroblasts express higher levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the receptor for SARS-CoV-2 entry and part of the renin-angiotensin system that is antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory. In preclinical models, we found that chronic exposure to cigarette smoke, a risk factor for both COPD and IPF and potentially for SARS-CoV-2 infection, significantly increased pulmonary ACE2 protein expression. Further studies are needed to understand the functional implications of ACE2 on lung fibroblasts, a cell type that thus far has received relatively little attention in the context of COVID-19.
Hypoxic modulation of fetal vascular MLCK abundance, localization, and function
Authors: Sorensen Dane W. , Carreon Desirelys , Williams James M. , Pearce William J.
Published: October 2020

Changes in vascular contractility are among the most important physiological effects of acute and chronic fetal hypoxia. Given the essential role of myosin light-chain kinase (MLCK) in smooth muscle contractility and its heterogeneous distribution, this study explores the hypothesis that subcellular changes in MLCK distribution contribute to hypoxic modulation of fetal carotid artery contractility. Relative to common carotid arteries from normoxic term fetal lambs (FN), carotids from fetal lambs gestated at high altitude (3,802 m) (FH) exhibited depressed contractility without changes in MLCK mRNA or protein abundance. Patterns of confocal colocalization of MLCK with α-actin and 20-kDa regulatory myosin light chain (MLC20) enabled calculation of subcellular MLCK fractions: 1) colocalized with the contractile apparatus, 2) colocalized with α-actin distant from the contractile apparatus, and 3) not colocalized with α-actin. Chronic hypoxia did not affect MLCK abundance in the contractile fraction, despite a concurrent decrease in contractility. Organ culture for 72 h under 1% O2decreased total MLCK abundance in FN and FH carotid arteries, but decreased the contractile MLCK abundance only in FH carotid arteries. Correspondingly, culture under 1% O2depressed contractility more in FH than FN carotid arteries. In addition, hypoxia appeared to attenuate ubiquitin-independent proteasomal degradation of MLCK, as reported for other proteins. In aggregate, these results demonstrate that the combination of chronic hypoxia followed by hypoxic culture can induce MLCK translocation among at least three subcellular fractions with possible influences on contractility, indicating that changes in MLCK distribution are a significant component of fetal vascular responses to hypoxia.