bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Controlled remote implementation of operators via hyperentanglement
Authors: An Nguyen Ba , Cao Bich Thi
Published: April 2022

Distributed quantum computation is a good solution for salable quantum computation within a quantum network each node of which just contains reasonably a few number of qubits. Controlled implementation of operators on states of a remote node is thus necessary. In this paper we propose protocols for three kinds of tasks of controlled implementation of operators on remote photon states via one hyperentangled Greenberger–Horne–Zeilinger state assisted with cross-Kerr nonlinearities: one with general operators and photon states in spatial degree of freedom (DOF), another one also with general operators but the photon state being in polarization DOF and the third one with a limited subset of operators acting on photon state in both spatial and polarization degrees of freedom. All the protocols are deterministic and performed in two steps under quantum control in each step.
Modeling of a dual-wavelength fiber amplification system for further mid-infrared generation
Authors: Su Xinyang , Xu Tianjia , Zheng Yi , Lü Xing
Published: April 2022

A dual-wavelength, two-stage Yb-doped fiber amplification system is theoretically studied for further mid-infrared generation. In this amplification system, two sections of double-clad single-mode Yb-doped fiber are used as the gain medium, and the spectrum in the wavelength range 1000–1120 nm is simulated. For the simulation of the preamplification stage, a 975 nm diode laser with a power of 6.5 W is used to pump the preamplification stage by the counter-pumping scheme, and the measured dual-wavelength seed spectra are used. For the main amplification stage simulation, the gain fiber length is 1.7 m, and a 975 nm, 7.5 W diode laser is used as the pump source. Results show that for the two-stage amplification process, the maximum value of the dual-wavelength power product can be obtained in the main amplification stage with a 1.7 m gain fiber when the 2.2 m Yb-doped fiber is selected for the preamplification stage with the counter-pumping scheme. Under the above condition, the total average power of the seed signal after amplification is calculated to be 3.2 W, with negligible ASE noise. In addition, we have compared the theoretically calculated spectral results with the experimental results of the actual main amplification stage.
RamanLIGHT—a graphical user-friendly tool for pre-processing and unmixing hyperspectral Raman spectroscopy images
Authors: Schmidt Robert W , Woutersen Sander , Ariese Freek
Published: April 2022

Raman spectroscopy is a valuable tool for non-destructive vibrational analysis of chemical compounds in various samples. Through 2D scanning, it one can map the chemical surface distribution in a heterogeneous sample. These hyperspectral Raman images typically contain spectra of pure compounds that are hidden within thousands of sum spectra. Inspecting each spectrum to find the pure compounds in the dataset is impractical, and several algorithms have been described in the literature to help analyze such complex datasets. However, choosing the best approach(es) and optimizing the parameters is often difficult, and the necessary software was not yet combined in a single program. Therefore, we introduce RamanLIGHT, a fast and simple app to pre-process Raman mapping datasets and apply up to eight unsupervised unmixing algorithms to find endmember spectra of pure compounds. The user can select from six smoothing methods, four fluorescence baseline-removal methods, four normalization methods, and cosmic-ray and outlier removal to generate a uniform dataset prior to the unmixing. We included the most promising pre-processing methods, since there is no routine that perfectly fits all types of samples. Unmixed endmember spectra can be further used to visualize the distribution of compounds in a sample by creating abundance maps for each endmember separately, or a single labeled image containing all endmembers. It is also possible to create a mean spectrum for each endmember, which better describes the true compound spectrum. We tested RamanLIGHT on three samples: an aspirin-paracetamol-caffeine tablet, Alzheimer’s disease brain tissue and a phase-separated polymer coating. The datasets were pre-processed and unmixed within seconds to gain endmembers of known and unknown chemical compounds. The unmixing algorithms are sensitive to noisy spectra and strong fluorescence backgrounds, so it is important to apply pre-processing methods to a suitable degree. RamanLIGHT is freely available as an MATLAB and soon as standalone app.
Changes in microstructure and mechanical properties during the bending process of NM450 wear-resistant steel
Authors: He Jingshu , Niu Fengyong , Zuo Xiurong , Liu Denghui , Cai Minghui
Published: April 2022

Bending deformation is a typical forming method in the manufacturing process of mechanical equipment. NM450 wear-resistant steel with high strength is vulnerable to bending failure, thus decreasing the bendability. The changes in microstructure and mechanical properties of NM450 wear-resistant steel during the bending process were studied by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, optical microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, electron backscattered diffractometer methods, and tensile test. The inner and outer arcs around the bending axis underwent compressive stress and tensile stress, respectively, causing an obvious bending deformation of the martensite laths with a high dislocation density. The tensile strength around the inner- and outer-arc of samples exceeded that at the mid-thickness. During the bending process, the microsized TiN inclusions nearby the outer arc were subjected to tensile stress and multiple microcracks/cavities perpendicular to the outer arc were formed. However, the microsized TiN inclusions nearby the inner arc underwent compressive stress, initiating the occurrence of divergent microcracks.
On the capacity and superposition of minima in neural network loss function landscapes
Authors: Niroomand Maximilian P , Morgan John W R , Cafolla Conor T , Wales David J
Published: April 2022

Minima of the loss function landscape (LFL) of a neural network are locally optimal sets of weights that extract and process information from the input data to make outcome predictions. In underparameterised networks, the capacity of the weights may be insufficient to fit all the relevant information. We demonstrate that different local minima specialise in certain aspects of the learning problem, and process the input information differently. This effect can be exploited using a meta-network in which the predictive power from multiple minima of the LFL is combined to produce a better classifier. With this approach, we can increase the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve by around

20
%

for a complex learning problem. We propose a theoretical basis for combining minima and show how a meta-network can be trained to select the representative that is used for classification of a specific data item. Finally, we present an analysis of symmetry-equivalent solutions to machine learning problems, which provides a systematic means to improve the efficiency of this approach.
Bottom-up synthesis of meta-atoms as building blocks in self-assembled metamaterials: recent advances and perspectives
Authors: Lermusiaux Laurent , Roach Lucien , Baron Alexandre , Tréguer-Delapierre Mona
Published: April 2022

Meta-atoms interact with light in interesting ways and offer a large range of exciting properties. They exhibit optical properties inaccessible by natural atoms but their fabrication is notoriously difficult because of the precision required. In this perspective, we present the current research landscape in making meta-atoms, with a focus on the most promising self-assembly approaches and main challenges to overcome, for the development of materials with novel properties at optical frequencies.
A reverse Hölder inequality for first eigenfunctions of the Dirichlet Laplacian on 𝑅𝐶𝐷(𝐾,𝑁) spaces
Authors: Gunes Mustafa , Mondino Andrea
Published: April 2022

In the framework of (possibly non-smooth) metric measure spaces with Ricci curvature bounded below by a positive constant in a synthetic sense, we establish a sharp and rigid reverse-Hölder inequality for first eigenfunctions of the Dirichlet Laplacian. This generalises to the positively curved and non-smooth setting the classical “Chiti Comparison Theorem”. We also prove a related quantitative stability result which seems to be new even for smooth Riemannian manifolds.
Monotheism
Authors: Pearsall Sarah M. S.
Published: April 2022

‘Monotheism’ begins with the shocking monogamy of an Ottoman emperor, Sultan Suleyman, and how surprising this practice was to people of his time and culture. Polygamy can also be considered using the example of the patriarch Abraham among the three great monotheistic religions: Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. Overall, Jews and Muslims have allowed limited polygamy and regulated its practice, while Christians have largely rejected it. Jews and Muslim have mandated that wives had to be treated with equality and fairness. Yet there was also controversy in all of these faiths about its practice, with some Christians considering situations in which it might be appropriate and some Jews and Muslims, including wives and their families, seeking to limit polygamy. Concubines and slaves have throughout history been used as sexual partners.
Mormonism
Authors: Pearsall Sarah M. S.
Published: April 2022

‘Mormonism’ explores the origins, progress, and official end of polygamy in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Joseph Smith founded the church in 1830, and by the 1840s he was espousing a novel theology of marriage, including polygamy. Such claims about its righteousness met opposition immediately, including from his own wife, Emma Smith. Polygamy took hold among Mormon women as well as men, and it is interesting to ask why this is so. It is worth looking at the lived experience of plural marriage in Utah to find out why. The strong antipolygamy reaction provoked by the Mormons also receives attention, as do American attempts to end its practice in Utah Territory through antipolygamy novels, court cases (most notably Reynolds v. United States in 1879), and new laws. The chapter concludes with the Woodruff Manifesto of 1890 in which the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints officially discouraged the practice of polygamy.
The longitudinal association between cognitive impairment and incident visual impairment in a multiethnic Asian population: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Vu Tai Anh , Gupta Preeti , Leow Felicia Z Y , Fenwick Eva K , Man Ryan E K , Tham Yih-Chung , Xu Xin , Quek Debra Q Y , Qian Chaoxu , Sabanayagam Charumathi , Chen Christopher L H , Wong Tien Yin , Cheng Ching-Yu , Lamoureux Ecosse L
Published: April 2022

Background

The relationship between baseline cognitive impairment (CI) and incident visual impairment (VI) in Asians is unclear.

Objective

To determine the associations between baseline CI with incident VI and visual acuity (VA) at 6-year follow-up in multiethnic Asians.

Design

Cohort.

Setting

Population-based.

Subjects

Two thousand three hundred and twenty-four adults aged ≥60 years from the Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases Study (response rate 64%).

Methods

CI was defined using the validated Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT). VA was objectively measured using a LogMAR chart. Any incident VI was defined as having no VI (Snellen’s VA better than or equal to 20/40) at baseline but present (VA worse than 20/40) at 6-year follow-up. VI severity was defined according to the International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision. Associations were assessed using logistic and linear regression models.

Results

Of the 2,324 participants, 248 had CI at baseline. Presence of baseline CI was associated with more than twice the odds of any incident VI, incident mild and moderate–severe VI (OR [95% confidence interval]: 2.48 [1.55–3.90], 2.07 [1.17–3.55], and 2.61 [1.36–4.93], respectively) and worse VA (β [95% confidence interval]: 0.026 [0.006–0.046]) at 6-year follow-up. The leading causes of incident VI were cataract and under-corrected refractive error.

Conclusions

Older adults with CI had more than double the odds of VI development and poorer VA than their cognitively intact counterparts, and most causes of incident VI were correctable. Strategies such as targeted vision screening and early intervention for early detection and management of vision loss in patients with cognitive decline are warranted.
Long-term risks for cardiovascular disease and mortality across the glycaemic spectrum in a male-predominant Chinese cohort aged 75 years or older: the Kailuan study
Authors: Liu Hangkuan , Chen Shuohua , Li Ziping , Xing Aijun , Liu Yan , Yu Jiaxin , Li Dai , Li Yongle , Zhou Xin , Yang Qing , Wu Shouling , Lei Ping
Published: April 2022

Background

Ageing and diabetes are growing global health burdens. The current understanding of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality risk across the glycaemic spectrum in older populations is limited.

Objectives

This study sought to characterise CVD and all-cause mortality risk across the glycaemic spectrum among Chinese adults aged 75 years or older in a community-based setting over10 years.

Methods

The 3,989 adults in the Kailuan Study were aged over 75 years (median age was 79 years [interquartile range: 76–82]; 2,785 normoglycaemic, 691 prediabetic and 513 diabetic, determined by fasting blood glucose levels) at baseline, predominantly male (92.9% male) and followed until December 2019. Time-varying Cox regression and competing-risk models were used to examine the hazard ratio (HR) of incident CVD and mortality across the glycaemic exposures.

Results

During median follow-up of 11.3 years, 433 first CVD and 2,222 deaths were recorded. Compared with normoglycaemia, multivariable-adjusted models revealed the following: (i) prediabetes was not associated with future risks for CVD (HR: 1.17; 95% CI 0.82–1.69) and all-cause mortality (HR 1.06; 95% CI 0.70–1.60); (ii) diabetes-associated enhanced risks for CVD and all-cause mortality were mainly confined to those exhibiting low-grade inflammation (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein ≥2.0 mg/L) levels. The results were consistent after multiple sensitivity analyses.

Conclusions

Among a male-predominant Chinese population aged 75 years or older, compared with normoglycaemic participants, prediabetes was not associated with an enhanced 10-year CVD and all-cause mortality risk, and diabetes-associated enhanced 10-year risk was mainly confined to individuals exhibiting low-grade inflammation.
Translanguaging in a Context of Colonized Education: The Case of EFL Classrooms for Arabic Speakers in Israel
Authors: Awayed-Bishara Muzna , Netz Hadar , Milani Tommaso
Published: April 2022

Previous studies of translanguaging in educational contexts indicate that translanguaging practices have the potential to generate a decolonial, emancipatory process for language-minoritized students. However, these insights are mainly based on studies of minoritized learners of English as a second language. Drawing on a one-year ethnographic study conducted in six Palestinian schools in Northern Israel, the present study investigated the effects of translanguaging in a conflict-ridden context, where both the teachers and the learners are minoritized and English is learned as a foreign language. Drawing upon Butler’s (1997) concept of implicit censorship and Stroud’s (2018) linguistic citizenship, we propose colonized education as a framework for understanding the tensions between translanguaging, as a decolonial pedagogy, and English language learning. Our findings suggest that while translanguaging may indeed have a liberatory force, it could also, at the same time, take an emotional-pedagogic toll that may hinder language learning rather than support it. In contrast, critical discussions of issues that are politically and emotionally laden may be highly effective, even when conducted in the target language.
MAGI-MS: multiple seed-centric module discovery
Authors: Chow Julie C , Zhou Ryan , Hormozdiari Fereydoun
Published: April 2022

Complex disorders manifest by the interaction of multiple genetic and environmental factors. Through the construction of genetic modules that consist of highly coexpressed genes, it is possible to identify genes that participate in common biological pathways relevant to specific phenotypes. We have previously developed tools MAGI and MAGI-S for genetic module discovery by incorporating coexpression and protein interaction networks. Here, we introduce an extension to MAGI-S, denoted as Merging Affected Genes into Integrated Networks—Multiple Seeds (MAGI-MS), which permits the user to further specify a disease pathway of interest by selecting multiple seed genes likely to function in the same molecular mechanism. By providing MAGI-MS with seed genes involved in processes underlying certain classes of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as epilepsy, we demonstrate that MAGI-MS can reveal modules enriched in genes relevant to chemical synaptic transmission, glutamatergic synapse and other functions associated with the provided seed genes.

Availability and implementation

MAGI-MS is free and available at https://github.com/jchow32/MAGI-MS.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics Advances online.
Adopting a position—analysing, theorising and decolonising transnational and transracial adoptions in Sweden
Authors: Schindele Anna ChuChu
Published: April 2022

Decolonisation was first known as the return of land when the colonial states let go of their illegal settlements in the countries or territories they conquered by violence. However, today decolonisation is also known as the practice of how structures may be decolonised, through knowledge production. The aim of this article is to decolonise Swedish transnational and transracial adoptions through the lens of feminist post-colonial theory and theorisation. The methods involve analysing the field through theoretical concepts within feminist postcolonial theory, followed by autoethnographic writing and theorising of new concepts which can lead to new theoretical positions and thus a decolonisation. New theoretical concepts added to the field are ‘the first world mother’, ‘the second world citizen’ and ‘adopting a position’. By using these theorised concepts, the article contributes to the decolonisation of transnational and transracial adoptions. This new knowledge can be of use for various stakeholders. More specifically, it can be useful for therapists and counsellors if they want to follow and explore adoptees’ lived experience and contribute to decolonisation. Although the article is based on the Swedish context, it is relevant to a wider European and global setting, in that it deepens the theoretical understanding.
Practitioner Wisdom: A Conceptual Approach
Authors: Kwong Jack M C , Fawson Peter R
Published: April 2022

This conceptual paper explores the role that wisdom plays in social work. In the literature, this topic is primarily discussed in terms of ‘Practice Wisdom’, a kind of implicit and intuitive-based body of knowledge that is acquired through practice experience. After reviewing some formulations of it, we argue that practice wisdom faces a number of difficulties and is a misguided approach. To replace it, we propose a novel framework called ‘Practitioner Wisdom’, which emphasises that the proper subject of wisdom is not some sub-personal construct like a body of knowledge or a set of skills but the social work practitioner. Drawing from virtue theory in philosophy, we theorise that being a wise practitioner is a matter of acquiring and cultivating a character that is constituted by the relevant social work virtues and values. We conclude by discussing some benefits of practitioner wisdom, including how it can be taught to social work students and entrants, and suggest some future areas of research.
Clearance of variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease prions in vivo by the Hsp70 disaggregase system
Authors: Thackray Alana M , Lam Brian , McNulty Erin E , Nalls Amy V , Mathiason Candace K , Magadi Srivathsa Subramanya , Jackson Walker S , Andréoletti Olivier , Marrero-Winkens Cristóbal , Schätzl Hermann , Bujdoso Raymond
Published: April 2022

The metazoan Hsp70 disaggregase protects neurons from proteotoxicity that arises from the accumulation of misfolded protein aggregates. Hsp70 and its co-chaperones disassemble and extract polypeptides from protein aggregates for refolding or degradation. The effectiveness of the chaperone system decreases with age and leads to accumulation rather than removal of neurotoxic protein aggregates. Therapeutic enhancement of the Hsp70 protein disassembly machinery is proposed to counter late-onset protein misfolding neurodegenerative disease that may arise. In the context of prion disease, it is not known whether stimulation of protein aggregate disassembly paradoxically leads to enhanced formation of seeding competent species of disease-specific proteins and acceleration of neurodegenerative disease. Here we have tested the hypothesis that modulation of Hsp70 disaggregase activity perturbs mammalian prion-induced neurotoxicity and prion seeding activity. To do so we used prion protein (PrP) transgenic Drosophila that authentically replicate mammalian prions. RNASeq identified that Hsp70, DnaJ-1 and Hsp110 gene expression was downregulated in prion-exposed PrP Drosophila. We demonstrated that RNAi knockdown of Hsp110 or DnaJ-1 gene expression in variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease prion-exposed human PrP Drosophila enhanced neurotoxicity, whereas overexpression mitigated toxicity. Strikingly, prion seeding activity in variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease prion-exposed human PrP Drosophila was ablated or reduced by Hsp110 or DnaJ-1 overexpression, respectively. Similar effects were seen in scrapie prion-exposed ovine PrP Drosophila with modified Hsp110 or DnaJ-1 gene expression. These unique observations show that the metazoan Hsp70 disaggregase facilitates the clearance of mammalian prions and that its enhanced activity is a potential therapeutic strategy for human prion disease.
Per a 5-derived T-cell peptides modulate NF-kB signalling to ameliorate allergic inflammation systemically in murine model of cockroach allergic hyper-reactivity
Authors: Sharma Swati , Nagar Ekta , Arora Naveen
Published: April 2022

Peptide immunotherapy (PIT) represents a safe and efficacious therapeutic regimen with in-consequential side-effects. The present study aims to identify T-cell epitopes of Per a 5 allergen, a delta class GST from Periplaneta americana and investigate effect of peptide treatment in murine model of cockroach allergen-mediated hyper-reactivity. The epitopes (TC-P1, TC-P2, and TC-P3) were identified as promiscuous MHC-II binders by MHC-Pred, ProPred, and IEDB analysis tool. Murine model of cockroach allergic hyper-reactivity was generated in Balb/c mice. A marked reduction in cellular infiltration in lungs (3-fold compared with Non-IT) was observed in T3-IT group as evidenced by total leucocyte count in BALF and histology. Specific IgE levels were reduced 3-fold in T2-IT and T3-IT compared with Non-IT with increase in IgG2a levels. IL-4 and IL-13 were reduced upto 2.5-fold in treatment groups compared with Non-IT group. Splenocytes revealed significant increase in levels of CD4+FoxP3+ T cells in TC-P1 and TC-P2 mice demonstrating a systemic shift towards Tregs. Peptide treatment downregulated NF-kB signalling in lung and enhanced the levels of immune-regulatory molecules α1-antitrypsin and elafin. Our results indicate that TC-P1 and TC-P3 alter Th2 cytokine milieu and antibody isotype ratio to suppress allergic inflammation. PIT modulates local and systemic mechanisms to resolve inflammation and possess potential for treatment in cockroach allergy.
VAT Listings within the EU Member States and Their Impact on Tax Evasion
Authors: Holá Alžběta , Arltová Markéta , Zídková Hana
Published: April 2022

VAT represents one of the most important taxes in the EU; however, this tax is highly affected by tax evasion. To combat these frauds, almost all the member states have implemented anti-fraud measures. This article focuses on the regular reports required from VAT payers in some EU member states. This tool is called differently in various countries; this article adopts the name VAT listing. The main aim of this article is to find out whether these measures contribute to a better collection of VAT. The level of VAT collection is within the analysis expressed by the VAT gap. In the panel regression model, the effect of the introduction of VAT listings on the size of the VAT gap was determined using control variables potentially affecting the VAT gap. The results were then verified using an alternative difference-in-differences design with multiple time periods. The results showed that VAT listings reduce the value of the VAT gap, as does using of credit cards for payments and low corruption in the country. On the other hand, the implicit rate of consumption taxes, the final consumption, imports from EU countries, and the number of items in the reverse charge increase the VAT gap. (JEL codes: C33, H26)
Accelerated and personalized therapy for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Shen Li , Jhund Pardeep Singh , Docherty Kieran Francis , Vaduganathan Muthiah , Petrie Mark Colquhoun , Desai Akshay Suvas , Køber Lars , Schou Morten , Packer Milton , Solomon Scott David , Zhang Xingwei , McMurray John Joseph Valentine
Published: April 2022

Aims

Previously, guidelines recommended initiating therapy in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in a sequence that follows the chronological order in which trials were conducted, with cautious up-titration of each treatment. It remains unclear whether this historical approach is optimal and alternative approaches may improve patient outcomes.

Methods and results

The potential reductions in events that might result from (i) more rapid up-titration of therapies used in the conventional order (based on the chronology of the trials), and (ii) accelerated up-titration and using treatments in different orders than is conventional were modelled using data from six pivotal trials in HFrEF. Over the first 12 months from starting therapy, using a rapid up-titration schedule led to 23 fewer patients per 1000 patients experiencing the composite of heart failure hospitalization or cardiovascular death and seven fewer deaths from any cause. In addition to accelerating up-titration of treatments, optimized alternative ordering of the drugs used resulted in a further reduction of 24 patients experiencing the composite outcome and six fewer deaths at 12 months. The optimal alternative sequences included sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibition and a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist as the first two therapies.

Conclusion

Modelling of accelerated up-titration schedule and optimized ordering of treatment suggested that at least 14 deaths and 47 patients experiencing the composite outcome per 1000 treated might be prevented over the first 12 months after starting therapy. Standard treatment guidance may not lead to the best patient outcomes in HFrEF, though these findings should be tested in clinical trials.
Timing of invasive strategy in non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Kite Thomas A , Kurmani Sameer A , Bountziouka Vasiliki , Cooper Nicola J , Lock Selina T , Gale Chris P , Flather Marcus , Curzen Nick , Banning Adrian P , McCann Gerry P , Ladwiniec Andrew
Published: April 2022

Aims

The optimal timing of an invasive strategy (IS) in non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) is controversial. Recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and long-term follow-up data have yet to be included in a contemporary meta-analysis.

Methods and results

A systematic review of RCTs that compared an early IS vs. delayed IS for NSTE-ACS was conducted by searching MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. A meta-analysis was performed by pooling relative risks (RRs) using a random-effects model. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes included myocardial infarction (MI), recurrent ischaemia, admission for heart failure (HF), repeat re-vascularization, major bleeding, stroke, and length of hospital stay. This study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021246131). Seventeen RCTs with outcome data from 10 209 patients were included. No significant differences in risk for all-cause mortality [RR: 0.90, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.78–1.04], MI (RR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.63–1.16), admission for HF (RR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.43–1.03), repeat re-vascularization (RR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.88–1.23), major bleeding (RR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.68–1.09), or stroke (RR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.59–1.54) were observed. Recurrent ischaemia (RR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.40–0.81) and length of stay (median difference: −22 h, 95% CI: −36.7 to −7.5 h) were reduced with an early IS.

Conclusion

In all-comers with NSTE-ACS, an early IS does not reduce all-cause mortality, MI, admission for HF, repeat re-vascularization, or increase major bleeding or stroke when compared with a delayed IS. Risk of recurrent ischaemia and length of stay are significantly reduced with an early IS.
Pre-treatment with antiarrhythmic drugs for elective electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Um Kevin J , McIntyre William F , Mendoza Pablo A , Ibrahim Omar , Nguyen Stephanie T , Lin Sabrina H , Duceppe Emmanuelle , Rochwerg Bram , Healey Jeff S , Koziarz Alex , Lengyel Alexandra P , Bhatnagar Akash , Amit Guy , Chu Victor A , Whitlock Richard P , Belley-Côté Emilie P
Published: April 2022

Aims

Our objective was to compare the efficacy of pre-treatment with different classes of anti-arrhythmic drugs (AADs) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing electrical cardioversion.

Methods and results

We performed a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing different AADs in patients with AF undergoing electrical cardioversion. We grouped AADs into five network nodes: no treatment or rate control, Class Ia, Class Ic, Class III, and amiodarone. Outcomes were (i) acute restoration and (ii) maintenance of sinus rhythm. We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception until June 2020. We used Python 3.8.3 and R 3.6.2 for data analysis. We evaluated the overall certainty of evidence with the GRADE framework. We included 28 RCTs. Compared with no treatment or rate control, Class III AADs [odds ratio (OR): 2.41; 95% credible interval (CrI): 1.37 to 4.62, high certainty] and amiodarone (OR: 2.58; 95% CrI: 1.54 to 4.37, high certainty) improved restoration of sinus rhythm. Amiodarone improved long-term maintenance of sinus rhythm when compared with no treatment or rate control (OR: 5.37; 95% CrI: 4.00–7.39, high certainty), Class Ic (OR: 1.89; 95% CrI: 1.05–3.45, moderate certainty) and Class III AADs (OR: 2.19; 95% CrI: 1.39–3.26, high certainty).

Conclusion

Before electrical cardioversion of AF, treatment with Class III AADs or amiodarone improves the acute restoration of sinus rhythm. Amiodarone is most likely to improve the maintenance of sinus rhythm after electrical cardioversion, but Class Ic and Class III AADs are also effective.
Touchscreen cognitive deficits, hyperexcitability and hyperactivity in males and females using two models ofCdkl5deficiency
Authors: Adhikari Anna , Buchanan Fiona K B , Fenton Timothy A , Cameron David L , Halmai Julian A N M , Copping Nycole A , Fink Kyle D , Silverman Jill L
Published: April 2022

Many neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are the result of mutations on the X chromosome. One severe NDD resulting from mutations on the X chromosome is CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD). CDD is an epigenetic, X-linked NDD characterized by intellectual disability (ID), pervasive seizures and severe sleep disruption, including recurring hospitalizations. CDD occurs at a 4:1 ratio, with a female bias. CDD is driven by the loss of cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5), a serine/threonine kinase that is essential for typical brain development, synapse formation and signal transmission. Previous studies focused on male subjects from animal models, likely to avoid the complexity of X mosaicism. For the first time, we report translationally relevant behavioral phenotypes in young adult (8–20 weeks) females and males with robust signal size, including impairments in learning and memory, substantial hyperactivity and increased susceptibility to seizures/reduced seizure thresholds, in both sexes, and in two models of CDD preclinical mice, one with a general loss-of-function mutation and one that is a patient-derived mutation.
A scoping review of the use of quality improvement methods by community organizations in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada to improve health and well-being in community settings
Authors: Turner Mallory , Carr Tara , John Randall , Ramaswamy Rohit
Published: April 2022

Background

Health-care facilities have used quality improvement (QI) methods extensively to improve quality of care. However, addressing complex public health issues such as coronavirus disease 2019 and their underlying structural determinants requires community-level innovations beyond health care. Building community organizations’ capacity to use QI methods is a promising approach to improving community health and well-being.

Objectives

We explore how community health improvement has been defined in the literature, the extent to which community organizations have knowledge and skill in QI and how communities have used QI to drive community-level improvements.

Methods

Per a published study protocol, we searched Scopus, Web of Science, and Proquest Health management for articles between 2000 and 2019 from USA, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. We included articles describing any QI intervention in a community setting to improve community well-being. We screened, extracted, and synthesized data. We performed a quantitative tabulation and a thematic analysis to summarize results.

Results

Thirty-two articles met inclusion criteria, with 31 set in the USA. QI approaches at the community level were the same as those used in clinical settings, and many involved multifaceted interventions targeting chronic disease management or health promotion, especially among minority and low-income communities. There was little discussion on how well these methods worked in community settings or whether they required adaptations for use by community organizations. Moreover, decision-making authority over project design and implementation was typically vested in organizations outside the community and did not contribute to strengthening the capability of community organizations to undertake QI independently.

Conclusion

Most QI initiatives undertaken in communities are extensions of projects in health-care settings and are not led by community residents. There is urgent need for additional research on whether community organizations can use these methods independently to tackle complex public health problems that extend beyond health-care quality.
Designing clinical indicators for common residential aged care conditions and processes of care: the CareTrack Aged development and validation study
Authors: Hibbert Peter D , Molloy Charlotte J , Wiles Louise K , Cameron Ian D , Gray Leonard C , Reed Richard L , Kitson Alison , Georgiou Andrew , Gordon Susan J , Westbrook Johanna , Arnolda Gaston , Mitchell Rebecca J , Rapport Frances , Estabrooks Carole , Alexander Gregory L , Vincent Charles , Edwards Adrian , Carson-Stevens Andrew , Wagner Cordula , Mccormack Brendan , Braithwaite Jeffrey
Published: April 2022

Background

People who live in aged care homes have high rates of illness and frailty. Providing evidence-based care to this population is vital to ensure the highest possible quality of life.

Objective

In this study (CareTrack Aged, CT Aged), we aimed to develop a comprehensive set of clinical indicators for guideline-adherent, appropriate care of commonly managed conditions and processes in aged care.

Methods

Indicators were formulated from recommendations found through systematic searches of Australian and international clinical practice guidelines (CPGs). Experts reviewed the indicators using a multiround modified Delphi process to develop a consensus on what constitutes appropriate care.

Results

From 139 CPGs, 5609 recommendations were used to draft 630 indicators. Clinical experts (n = 41) reviewed the indicators over two rounds. A final set of 236 indicators resulted, mapped to 16 conditions and processes of care. The conditions and processes were admission assessment; bladder and bowel problems; cognitive impairment; depression; dysphagia and aspiration; end of life/palliative care; hearing and vision; infection; medication; mobility and falls; nutrition and hydration; oral and dental care; pain; restraint use; skin integrity and sleep.

Conclusions

The suite of CT Aged clinical indicators can be used for research and assessment of the quality of care in individual facilities and across organizations to guide improvement and to supplement regulation or accreditation of the aged care sector. They are a step forward for Australian and international aged care sectors, helping to improve transparency so that the level of care delivered to aged care consumers can be rigorously monitored and continuously improved.
Spatial dynamics of post-crisis deleveraging
Authors: Dagdeviren Hulya , Balasuriya Jiayi , Nicholas Christopher
Published: April 2022

While the growth of household debt has been instrumental in the creation of the recent bubbles, debt disposal also plays an important role in shaping the scope and depth of busts. Much has been written about debt and leverage since the 2008 global financial crisis. Debt-downsizing, however, received little attention. Deleveraging has the potential to reinstitute stability but it can also create a drag on economic recovery. This paper investigates the spatial patterns of deleveraging for the first time in the context of English regions, Wales and Scotland based on a multi-level framework that should be applicable to countries and regions beyond these three countries. Using longitudinal household survey data and reconstituting space through this multilevel framework, we show that deleveraging has been highly uneven and short-lived across space and time. This outcome is shaped by three major factors: individuals’/households’ socio-economic position, how their regions are affected by the boom-and-bust cycle and how governments’ crisis management programmes take effect in each region.
Seeing various adventures through a mirror: Detecting translator’s stylistic visibility in Chinese translations ofAlice’s Adventure in Wonderland
Authors: Fang Yu , Liu Haitao
Published: April 2022

The visibility of translator’s style is a much-discussed topic in translation studies with the application of corpus tools. So far, however, no agreement has been reached. The present study aims to explore this issue by a comparison of three Chinese translations of the English literary work, Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland, using two stylometric techniques, bootstrap consensus tree analyses, and bootstrap consensus network analyses. The results show that all the three Chinese translations preserved the style of the original text and that individual translator’s style could not be identified based on the entire set of part-of-speech (POS) tags. Furthermore, a feature selection method (the chi-square metric) was used to obtain the top fifteen distinctive POS unigrams and bigrams, and these distinctive features successfully identified translatorial fingerprints across the three translations examined. The findings suggest that translators have their own stylistic choices when translating the same text, but their stylistic differences can only be detected by distinctive features. Our attempt to combine feature selection methods and stylometric techniques may offer new insights into the investigation of translator’s stylistic visibility in translation studies.
An analysis of the Word Adjacency Network method—Part 2—A true understanding of the method
Authors: Rizvi Pervez
Published: April 2022

This second of a two-part examination of the Word Adjacency Network (WAN) method considers the idea behind the method, which is that authors place function words in proximity to each other in such distinctive ways that the distinctions can be used for authorship attribution. By doing control experiments, it shows that the attributions made by the method are not due to distinctive word adjacencies at all, contrary to the claim of its inventors. It shows that the method is in fact another word-counting method, the counting hidden by superfluously complicated mathematics. It concludes that the claim that the placements of function words in a text can be used for attributing its authorship remains unsubstantiated. It also demonstrates that the claimed theoretical basis for the method, that WAN are Markov chains, is false.
Where are the magnetar binary companions? Candidates from a comparison with binary population synthesis predictions
Authors: Chrimes A A , Levan A J , Fruchter A S , Groot P J , Jonker P G , Kouveliotou C , Lyman J D , Stanway E R , Tanvir N R , Wiersema K
Published: April 2022

It is well established that magnetars are neutron stars with extreme magnetic fields and young ages, but the evolutionary pathways to their creation are still uncertain. Since most massive stars are in binaries, if magnetars are a frequent result of core-collapse supernovae, some fractions are expected to have a bound companion at the time of observation. In this paper, we utilize literature constraints, including deep Hubble Space Telescope imaging, to search for bound stellar companions to magnetars. The magnitude and colour measurements are interpreted in the context of binary population synthesis predictions. We find two candidates for stellar companions associated with CXOU J171405.7–381031 and SGR 0755–2933, based on their J–H colours and H-band absolute magnitudes. Overall, the proportion of the Galactic magnetar population with a plausibly stellar near-infrared (NIR) counterpart candidate, based on their magnitudes and colours, is between 5 and 10 per cent. This is consistent with a population synthesis prediction of 5 per cent, for the fraction of core-collapse neutron stars arising from primaries that remain bound to their companion after the supernova. These results are therefore consistent with magnetars being drawn in an unbiased way from the natal core-collapse neutron star population, but some contribution from alternative progenitor channels cannot be ruled out.
Conformational rearrangements upon start codon recognition in human 48S translation initiation complex
Authors: Yi Sung-Hui , Petrychenko Valentyn , Schliep Jan Erik , Goyal Akanksha , Linden Andreas , Chari Ashwin , Urlaub Henning , Stark Holger , Rodnina Marina V , Adio Sarah , Fischer Niels
Published: April 2022

Selection of the translation start codon is a key step during protein synthesis in human cells. We obtained cryo-EM structures of human 48S initiation complexes and characterized the intermediates of codon recognition by kinetic methods using eIF1A as a reporter. Both approaches capture two distinct ribosome populations formed on an mRNA with a cognate AUG codon in the presence of eIF1, eIF1A, eIF2–GTP–Met-tRNAiMet and eIF3. The ‘open’ 40S subunit conformation differs from the human 48S scanning complex and represents an intermediate preceding the codon recognition step. The ‘closed’ form is similar to reported structures of complexes from yeast and mammals formed upon codon recognition, except for the orientation of eIF1A, which is unique in our structure. Kinetic experiments show how various initiation factors mediate the population distribution of open and closed conformations until 60S subunit docking. Our results provide insights into the timing and structure of human translation initiation intermediates and suggest the differences in the mechanisms of start codon selection between mammals and yeast.
U.S. National Wildlife Refuge System likely to see regional and seasonal species turnover in bird assemblages under a 2°C warming scenario
Authors: Wu Joanna X , Bateman Brooke L , Heglund Patricia J , Taylor Lotem , Allstadt Andrew J , Granfors Diane , Westerkam Henrik , Michel Nicole L , Wilsey Chad B
Published: April 2022

The National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) provides one of the United States’ greatest protected area networks for wildlife conservation. As climate changes beyond historical ranges of variability, refuge managers are confronted with assessing the utility of refuges, including how to best manage refuges both individually and as a system to help species cope with rapid change. Using published species distribution models, we projected species-specific changes in environmental suitability for 590 native North American bird species under a 2°C future warming scenario (~2050s under RCP8.5) at 525 refuges. For each species, we classified projected changes in suitability (i.e., improving, stable, or worsening suitability) and whether they crossed a model-derived persistence threshold at a refuge (i.e., potential colonization or potential extirpation). Overall, we found that a quarter of species (23% in summer, 26% in winter) could be different (i.e., turnover) across the refuge system despite protections. Summer and winter communities are not equally affected, so managers should consider different strategies for the different seasons. We forecast a slight net species loss in summer, from a mean of 109.0 ± 0.8 to 102.0 ± 0.7 species per refuge. In winter, we forecast a net gain in species, from a mean of 97.1 ± 2.2 to 118.5 ± 1.8 species per refuge. This includes an average of 12 species per refuge that may overwinter rather than migrate south. Refuges at northern latitudes will see relatively more turnover in species, while southern and coastal refuges will see fewer changes. Despite these species changes, dominant habitat association groups (e.g., waterbirds, forest birds) will generally stay the same across most of the NWRS. Some species may be lost from the entire NWRS and can benefit in the near term from targeted management. Regions of high extirpation and colonization (i.e., at northern latitudes) can be prioritized for strategic additions of new refuges.
A 1987 Journey to China
Authors: Winner Ellen
Published: April 2022

This chapter describes an approach to art education that the author observed in the 1980s in China, one that is diametrically opposed to the Reggio Emilia method. The traditional Chinese approach, which begins in preschool at age 3 years, is based on copying, line by line, the marks by the teacher and also pictured in each child’s textbook. This method is formulaic, starting with the simplest of lines and building up gradually. The resultant paintings might appear to the unknowing observer to be produced by very gifted children, but in fact most children can master these formulae and produce drawings that appear highly sophisticated and adult-like—complex brush paintings of shrimp, bamboo, fish, and other schemas from traditional Chinese paintings. Much like the method used in 19th-century Europe and America, this approach trains skill but does not develop visual thinking, creativity, or self-expression.