bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metal oxide supported Ni-impregnated bifunctional catalysts for controlling char formation and maximizing energy recovery during catalytic hydrothermal liquefaction of food waste
Authors: Cheng Feng , Tompsett Geoffrey A. , Fraga Alvarez Daniela Valeska , Romo Carla I. , McKenna Amy M. , Niles Sydney F. , Nelson Robert K. , Reddy Christopher M. , Granados-Fócil Sergio , Paulsen Alex D. , Zhang Ruihan , Timko Michael T.
Published: December 2020

Nickel (Ni)-impregnated metal oxide catalysts, Ni/CeZrOx, Ni/ZrO2, and Ni/CeO2, were investigated to maximize energy recovery and reduce char yield during catalytic hydrothermal liquefaction (CHTL) of food waste.
Analysis of dynamics of changes and efficiency of implementation and development of the project management system in Russia
Authors: Markov Oleg , Loginov Mikhail , Ruchkin Aleksey
Published: December 2020

The authors present the theoretical and methodological foundations of building project management systems in Russia. Study and evaluate the effectiveness of domestic project management experience in Russian Federation. The authors reviewed the process of dynamics of changes in the implementation of project management in Russia. We evaluated the previously existing organizational structure, with the current one. Formed in accordance with the Decree of Government of Russian Federation of 31 October 2018 No. 1288 “On the organization of project activities in Government of Russian Federation”, identified problems and gave practical recommendations. The object of research in the article is the system of project management in the state authorities of Russian Federation. The subject of the research is the methodology of project management system implementation in Russia. The purpose of the research is to analyze changes and methods of implementing project management systems in Russian Federation. Efficiency assessment and author’s suggestions for improving the project management system in Russia.
Legal regulation of corporate governance in state agricultural companies in Russia
Authors: Yakovlev Alexander
Published: December 2020

The article considers legal aspects of corporate governance in an important sector of the Russian economy - agriculture. The author concentrates his attention on state companies. Today there are much less state agricultural companies then 10 or even 5 years earlier. The most famous are JSC “Rosagroleasing”, JSC “United grain company” and JSC “Head center for reproduction of agricultural animals”. The biggest state agricultural companies are in federal property. Russian regions are owners of agricultural companies too. Every owner (the Russian Federation or Russian regions) establishes its own rules for the functioning of companies. Some regions have special regional laws on governing state companies. Others adopted government resolutions. There is a big difference between legal regulation on corporate governance in state and private agricultural companies in Russia. Sate companies are highly regulated by different kind of legal acts.
Formation of socially oriented projects using the financial and investment mechanism in the field of environmental management
Authors: Shein Ekaterina Georgievna , Payusov Andrey Alexandrovich , Kurdyumov Alexander Vasilyevich
Published: December 2020

The research is devoted to the development of ideas for application of the financial and investment mechanism in the field of environmental management with the joint participation of the state and representatives of the business community. During the research, the authors used methods of structural and logical analysis and expert assessments. The research hypothesis is based on the idea that the implementation of socially oriented projects in the field of environmental management should be carried out using the financial and investment mechanism of public-private partnership. At the same time, the state will get not only an economic effect in the form of reducing the payback period of investment projects and a positive financial result, but also a social effect in the form of attracting business to environmental problems, supporting special tourist zones of the country and introducing ecotourism and a healthy lifestyle of the nation among preschool and school-age children. The authors analyzed scientific approaches to understanding the term “social entrepreneurship”, the author’s definition of social entrepreneurship and social investment is supplemented and proposed, five business processes are identified and classified in which a social enterprise is developed and financed. As practical recommendations for combining the ideas of social entrepreneurship in the field of ecotourism, justified by certain authors of business processes, and the use of a financing mechanism in the form of public-private partnership on the example of the already tested scheme for obtaining annual vouchers to children’s country camps, the socially oriented investment project Academy “Go green hand” is proposed to support the domestic tourism industry and develop investments in the country’s ecology.
Low-temperature luminescence of CdI2 under synchrotron radiation
Authors: Karbovnyk I. , Pankratov V. , Velgosh S. , Bolesta I. , Lys R. , Kityk I. , Klym H. , Makarenko I. , Pankratova V. , Popov A. I.
Published: December 2020

Synchrotron radiation is applied to study visible and UV luminescence spectra and their excitation spectra of undoped as well as In and Sb doped cadmium iodide crystals at 10 K. The origin of principal luminescence bands and the role of impurities in the formation of emission centers are discussed. The luminescence properties have been explained based on the electronic structure of CdI2 crystals.
An optimal control approach for enhancing natural killer cells' secretion of cytolytic molecules
Authors: Makaryan Sahak Z. , Finley Stacey D.
Published: December 2020

Natural killer (NK) cells are immune effector cells that can detect and lyse cancer cells. However, NK cell exhaustion, a phenotype characterized by reduced secretion of cytolytic models upon serial stimulation, limits the NK cell's ability to lyse cells. In this work, we investigated in silico strategies that counteract the NK cell's reduced secretion of cytolytic molecules. To accomplish this goal, we constructed a mathematical model that describes the dynamics of the cytolytic molecules granzyme B (GZMB) and perforin-1 (PRF1) and calibrated the model predictions to published experimental data using a Bayesian parameter estimation approach. We applied an information-theoretic approach to perform a global sensitivity analysis, from which we found that the suppression of phosphatase activity maximizes the secretion of GZMB and PRF1. However, simply reducing the phosphatase activity is shown to deplete the cell's intracellular pools of GZMB and PRF1. Thus, we added a synthetic Notch (synNotch) signaling circuit to our baseline model as a method for controlling the secretion of GZMB and PRF1 by inhibiting phosphatase activity and increasing production of GZMB and PRF1. We found that the optimal synNotch system depends on the frequency of NK cell stimulation. For only a few rounds of stimulation, the model predicts that inhibition of phosphatase activity leads to more secreted GZMB and PRF1; however, for many rounds of stimulation, the model reveals that increasing production of the cytolytic molecules is the optimal strategy. In total, we developed a mathematical framework that provides actionable insight into engineering robust NK cells for clinical applications.
Impatiens balsamina (garden balsam).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: December 2020

Impatiens balsamina is an annual herb thought to be native to India and Myanmar. It has been widely introduced outside of its native range as an ornamental to Europe, Asia, the Americas, Oceania and some parts of tropical Africa. It has escaped from cultivation and become naturalized in disturbed sites and semi-natural habitats including secondary forests and forest edges. It spreads by seed and also vegetatively by stem fragments and can form dense stands in forest understory inhibiting germination and the establishment of seedlings, displacing native plant species. It is thought to be invasive to many tropical and subtropical islands in Oceania and the Caribbean as well as Costa Rica, Peru, the Galapagos Islands, the Philippines and parts of India.
Moringa oleifera (horse radish tree).
Authors: Vélez-Gavilán Jeanine
Published: December 2020

M. oleifera is a perennial tree thought to be native to India but now widely introduced and naturalized across the tropics and subtropics. It is also widely cultivated for a range of purposes including for human consumption, as livestock feed and for use in cosmetics. Its increasing commercialisation and international trade are likely to result in further spread of this species, though its sensitivity to low temperatures may restrict its distribution to tropical and subtropical regions. There is conflicting information about the invasive nature and potential spread of this species. It is listed as invasive in the British Indian Ocean Territory, China, Philippines, Palau, the Solomon Islands and Cuba; though there is a lack of information about its invasive nature or its effect on native flora and natural habitats in these countries. Furthermore, despite being listed as a weed in many countries, it has not been observed invading intact habitats or displacing native flora. As a result, M. oleifera should be regarded at present as a widely cultivated species with low invasive potential.
Grey facet-controlled anatase nanosheets for photocatalytic H2 evolution without co-catalyst
Authors: Qin Shanshan , Kim Hyesung , Denisov Nikita , Fehn Dominik , Schmidt Jochen , Meyer Karsten , Schmuki Patrik
Published: December 2020

Recently, black and grey titania in various morphologies have been intensively investigated for their high performance in photocatalytic H2 generation. Here we use titania nanosheets (NSs) with a large percentage of (001) facets and hydrogenate them to activate suitable Ti3+-Ov defects for co-catalyst free H2 generation. Key to a highly active NS-catalyst is the prevention of serious deformation and sintering during the thermal hydrogenation. In this work, we present a systematic investigation of different thermally treated NSs characterized by scanning electron microscope, high resolution-transmission electron microscopy, TEM-energy-dispersive x-ray, x-ray diffraction, electron paramagnetic response, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and photocatalytic H2 evolution performance. We describe how to achieve robust grey NSs with an intact two-dimensional shape that can endure hydrogenation at the required high temperatures. Due to a defined faceting, these optimized ‘grey’ NSs can produce photocatalytic H2 at a higher rate than previously reported best performing grey nanoparticles—this in spite of having a lower Brunauer–Emmett–Teller than the reduced nanoparticles.
Structural origins of carbon quantum dot luminescence by synchrotron x-ray spectroscopy
Authors: Adsetts Jonathan Ralph , Hoesterey Salena , Love David A , Ding Zhifeng
Published: December 2020

A carbon quantum dot (CQD) sample series was synthesized from citric acid and varying concentrations of thiourea. The highest (sample 1) and lowest (sample 2) concentrations of thiourea exhibited unique visual effects and electronic structures. X-ray excited optical luminescence (XEOL) along with UV-visible spectroscopy provided unique insight into the absorption and emission mechanisms of samples 1 and 2, where only sample 2 emitted XEOL. Sample 1 exhibited the commonly observed aggregation caused quenching (ACQ) effects in the solid state. While sample 2 displayed unique aggregation induced emissions (AIE) effects upon exciting the sample above the C K edge. The AIE and ACQ sample differences were suspected to be from S moiety differences arising from the varying thiourea concentrations during synthesis. Furthermore, x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) in modes of total electron yields (TEY) and partial fluorescence yields (PFY) allowed the identification of specific core and surface states of the CQDs. It was discovered that thiophene moieties were uniquely formed in the AIE sample’s surface and not anywhere in the ACQ CQD sample. The thiophene surface functionality is believed to be a significant contributor to the AIE effects seen in the XEOL studies. Understanding and preventing the common CQD ACQ mechanism allows the application of CQDs in solid lighting applications.
Population-Based Screening for Functional Disability in Older Adults
Authors: Ankuda Claire K , Freedman Vicki A , Covinsky Kenneth E , Kelley Amy S
Published: December 2020

Background and Objectives

Screening for functional disability is a promising strategy to identify high-need older adults. We compare 2 disability measures, activities of daily living (ADLs), and life space constriction (LSC), in predicting hospitalization and mortality in older adults.

Research Design and Methods

We used the nationally representative National Health and Aging Trends Study of 30,885 observations of adults aged 65 years and older. Outcomes were 1-year mortality and hospitalization. Predictors were ADLs (receiving help with bathing, eating, dressing, toileting, getting out of bed, walking inside) and LSC (frequency of leaving home).

Results

Of respondents, 12.4% reported 3 or more ADLs and 10.8% reported rarely/never leaving home. ADL disability and LSC predicted high rates of 1-year mortality and hospitalization: of those with 3 or more ADLs, 46.4% died and 41.0% were hospitalized; of those who never/rarely left home, 40.7% died and 37.0% were hospitalized. Of those with both 3 or more ADLs and who never/rarely left home, 58.4% died. ADL and LSC disability combined was more predictive of 1-year mortality and hospitalization than either measure alone. ADL disability and LSC screens identified overlapping but distinct populations. LSC identified more women (72.6% vs 63.8% with ADL disability), more people who live alone (40.7% vs 30.7%), fewer who were White (71.7% vs 76.2%) with cancer (27.6% vs 32.4), and reported pain (67.1% vs 70.0%).

Discussion and Implications

LSC and ADLs both independently predicted mortality and hospitalization but using both screens was most predictive. Routine screening for ADLs and LSC could help health systems identify those at high risk for mortality and health care use.
Systematically Reviewing American Law and Public Administration: A Call for Dialogue and Theory Building
Authors: Osorio Andrew , Nielsen Sarah , Christensen Robert K
Published: December 2020

Many of the world’s most pressing issues lay at the intersection of law and public administration. However, many have long lamented the relatively weak and atomized state of law and public administration scholarship. In this article, we use bibliometric and content analyses to systematically assess the last 20 years of literature, exploring the extent to which law and public administration have developed as a coherent paradigm. In short, we provide a contemporary assessment of the past assertion that “public administration has largely abandoned or forgotten its roots in public law—in the Constitution, statutes, and case law.” While we conclude that little changed in the last two decades, we offer some insights on the theoretical integration of law and public administration identifying strengths, weaknesses, and future avenues to advance paradigm building. Many of these recommendations necessitate better cross- and inner-field integration of voices and ideas.
Accelerated intermittent theta burst as a substitute for patients needing electroconvulsive therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic: study protocol for an open-label clinical trial
Authors: Blumberger Daniel M. , Daskalakis Zafiris J. , Vila-Rodriguez Fidel , Boivin-Lafleur David , Goodman Michelle S. , Kaster Tyler , Knyahnytska Yuliya , Konstantinou Gerasimos , Trevizol Alisson P. , Voineskos Daphne , Weissman Cory R. , Downar Jonathan
Published: December 2020

Background

Treatment resistant depression (TRD) is one of the leading causes of disability in Canada and is associated with significant societal costs. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is an approved, safe, and well-tolerated intervention for TRD. In the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic, reducing the number of visits to the clinic is a potential approach to significantly minimize exposure and transmission risks to patients. This can be accomplished by administering multiple treatment sessions in a single day, using an rTMS protocol known as accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation (aiTBS). The objective of this novel study is to assess the feasibility, acceptance and clinical outcomes of a practical high-dose aiTBS protocol, including tapering treatments and symptom-based relapse prevention treatments, in patients with unipolar depression previously responsive to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or patients warranting ECT due to symptom severity.

Methods

All patients with unipolar depression referred to the brain stimulation service at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) who warrant ECT will be offered screening to assess for eligibility to enroll in this trial. This open label, single group trial consists of 3 phases. In the acute treatment phase, treatment will occur 8 times daily for 5 days a week, until symptom remission is achieved or a maximum of 10 days of treatment. In the tapering phase, treatments will be reduced to 2 treatment days per week for 2 weeks, followed by 1 treatment day per week for 2 weeks. Patients will then enter the symptom-based relapse prevention phase including virtual check-ins and a treatment schedule based on symptom level. Remission, response and change in scores on several clinical measures from baseline to the end of the acute, tapering and relapse prevention phases represent the clinical outcomes of interest.

Discussion

Findings from this novel clinical trial may provide support for the use of aiTBS, including tapering treatments and symptom-based relapse prevention treatments, as a safe and effective alternative intervention for patients needing ECT during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04384965
Short-term acute exposure to wildfire smoke and lung function in a Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) cohort
Authors: Moitra Subhabrata , Tabrizi Ali Farshchi , Fathy Dina , Kamravaei Samineh , Miandashti Noushin , Henderson Linda , Khadour Fadi , Naseem Muhammad T. , Murgia Nicola , Melenka Lyle , Lacy Paige
Published: December 2020

Rationale

The increasing incidence of extreme wildfire is becoming a concern for public health. Although long-term exposure to wildfire smoke is associated with respiratory illnesses, reports on the association between short-term occupational exposure to wildfire smoke and lung function remain scarce.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed data of 218 Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers (mean age: 38±9 years) deployed at the Fort McMurray wildfire in 2016. Individual exposure to air pollutants was calculated by integrating the duration of exposure with the air quality parameters obtained from the nearest air quality monitoring station during the phase of deployment. Lung function was measured using spirometry and body plethysmography. Association between exposure and lung function was examined using principal component linear regression analysis, adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

The participants were predominantly male (71%). Mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and residual volume (RV) were 76.5±5.9 and 80.1±19.5 (% predicted). A marginal association was observed between air pollution and higher RV [β: 1.55; 95%CI: -0.28 to 3.37 per interquartile change of air pollution index], but not with other lung function indices. The association between air pollution index and RV was significantly higher in participants who were screened within the first three months of deployment [2.80; 0.91 to 4.70] than those screened later [-0.28; -2.58 to 2.03], indicating a more acute effect of air pollution on peripheral airways.

Conclusion

Acute short-term exposure to wildfire-associated air pollutants may impose subtle but clinically important deleterious respiratory effects, particularly in the peripheral airways.
The Wood equation allows consistent fitting of individual antibody responses profiles in Zika virus or SARS-CoV-2 infected patients
Authors: Denis J. , Garnier A. , Claverie D. , De Laval F. , Attoumani S. , Tenebray B. , Durand G.A. , Coutard B. , Leparc-Goffart I. , Tournier JN. , Briolant S. , Badaut C.
Published: December 2020

Antibody kinetic curves obtained during a viral infection are often fitted using aggregated data from patients, hiding the heterogeneity of patient responses. The Wood equation makes it possible to establish the link between an individual’s kinetic profile and the disease, which may be helpful in identifying and studying clusters.
Face masks for preventing respiratory infections in the community: A systematic review
Authors: Saijonkari Maija , Booth Neill , Isojärvi Jaana , Finnilä Jenni , Mäkelä Marjukka
Published: December 2020

Background

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health in Finland commissioned this systematic literature review on the effectiveness and safety of using face masks in public environments in protecting against upper respiratory tract infections, to inform policy. Previous reviews have not clearly distinguished the context of mask use.

Methods

The review was completed within two weeks, adhering to the PRISMA guidelines where possible. The review looks at the effect of face coverings (surgical masks or cloth coverings, excluding FFP2 and FFP3 masks) in protecting against the transmission in droplet-mediated respiratory tract infections. Our review includes controlled trials or previous systematic reviews of mask use by the general public in public spaces, outside homes and healthcare facilities.

Results

The systematic literature search identified five randomized trials. Use of masks prevented infections in one subgroup of one pilot study, so the effect of face masks on the transmission of infections outside the home appears small or nonexistent. Five of the eight systematic reviews showed no evidence of face masks being helpful in controlling the spread of respiratory infection or preventing exposure in healthy individuals. Meta-analyses often combined very heterogeneous studies and costs were not reported in any studies.

Conclusions

Randomized studies on the effect of face coverings in the general population are few. The reported effect of masks used outside the home on transmission of droplet-mediated respiratory infections in the population is minimal or non-existent. It is difficult to distinguish the potential effect of masks from the effects of other protective measures.

Summary box

What is already known on this subject?

Previous reviews on the effectiveness and safety of use of face masks in protecting against upper respiratory tract infections have not clearly distinguished the context of mask use. They have combined very heterogeneous studies done in homes, health care settings, or public environments.

What does this study add?

Our systematic review on the use of face masks in public environments, done to inform an impending policy decision, found five randomized trials (RCTs) and eight reviews. Use of masks prevented infections in one subgroup of one RCT, so the effect of face masks appears small or nonexistent.
Research Letter: Reactive balance responses after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI): a scoping review
Authors: Morris Amanda , Casucci Tallie , McFarland Mary M. , Cassidy Benjamin , Pelo Ryan , Kreter Nicholas , Dibble Leland E. , Fino Peter C.
Published: December 2020

Objective

Balance testing after concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) can be useful in determining acute and chronic neuromuscular deficits that are unapparent from symptom scores or cognitive testing alone. Current assessments of balance do not comprehensively evaluate all three classes of balance: maintaining a posture, voluntary movement, and reactive postural response. Despite the utility of reactive postural responses in predicting fall risk in other balance impaired populations, the effect of mTBI on reactive postural responses remains unclear. This review sought to (1) examine the extent and range of available research on reactive postural responses in people post-mTBI and (2) determine if reactive postural responses (balance recovery) are affected by mTBI.

Design

PRISMA Scoping review.

Methods

Studies were identified using Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Dissertations and Theses Global, PsycINFO, SportDiscus, and Web of Science. Inclusion criteria were: injury classified as mTBI with no confounding central or peripheral nervous system dysfunction beyond those stemming from the mTBI, quantitative measure of reactive postural response, and a discrete, externally driven perturbation was used to test reactive postural response.

Results

A total of 4,747 publications were identified and a total of three studies (5 publications) were included in the review.

Conclusion

The limited number of studies available on this topic highlight the lack of knowledge on reactive postural responses after mTBI. This review provides a new direction for balance assessments after mTBI and recommends incorporating all three classes of postural control in future research.
Bayesian modeling for the detection of adverse events underreporting in clinical trials
Authors: Barmaz Yves , Ménard Timothé
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Safety underreporting is a recurrent issue in clinical trials that can impact patient safety and data integrity. Clinical Quality Assurance (QA) practices used to detect underreporting rely on on-site audits, however adverse events underreporting remains a recurrent issue. In a recent project, we developed a predictive model that enables oversight of Adverse Event (AE) reporting for clinical Quality Program Leads (QPL). However, there were limitations to using solely a machine learning model.

Objective

Our primary objective was to propose a robust method to compute the probability of AE underreporting that could complement our machine learning model. Our model was developed to enhance patients safety while reducing the need for on-site and manual QA activities in clinical trials.

Methods

We used a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate the site reporting rates and assess the risk of underreporting. We designed the model with Project Data Sphere clinical trial data that is public and anonymized.

Results

We built a model that infers the site reporting behavior from patient-level observations and compares them across a study to enable a robust detection of outliers between clinical sites.

Conclusion

The new model will be integrated into the current dashboard designed for clinical Quality Program Leads. This approach reduces the need for on-site audits, shifting focus from source data verification (SDV) to pre-identified, higher risk areas. It will enhance further quality assurance activities for safety reporting from clinical trials and generate quality evidence during pre-approval inspections.

The preprint version of this work is available on MedRxiv: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.12.18.20245068

Key points

Safety underreporting is a recurrent issue in clinical trials that can impact patient safety and data integrity

We used a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate the site reporting rates and assess the risk of underreporting.

This model complements our previously published machine learning approach and is used by clinical quality professionals to better detect safety underreporting.
Clinically significant estimated glomerular filtration rate decline is common in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors: implications for long-term cancer survivors
Authors: Chute Donald F. , Zhao Sophia , Strohbehn Ian A. , Rusimbayala Nifasha , Seethapathy Harish , Lee Meghan , Zubiri Leyre , Gupta Shruti , Leaf David E. , Rahma Osama , Drobni Zsofia D. , Neilan Tomas G. , Reynolds Kerry L. , Sise Meghan E.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are now indicated in more than one in three cancer patients. Acute kidney injury has emerged as an important complication of ICIs; however, there are no studies characterizing the long-term effects of ICIs on kidney function.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study of consecutive adult cancer patients treated with ICIs between 2010–2018 at two major cancer centers. The primary aim was to determine the composite outcome of incident or progressive CKD, defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73m2 or a ≥30% decline in eGFR sustained >90 days among patients surviving ≥1 year. The secondary objective was to determine the proportion of patients experiencing rapid eGFR decline defined as >3mL/min/1.73m2 per year decline.

Results

A total of 5004 adult patients with cancer (mean [SD] age, 64 [13] years; 2699 [54%] male; 4529 [91%] White non-Hispanic) were included, and 2563 surviving ≥1 year were analyzed. During a median follow-up of 688 days (interquartile range, 496 to 1031), the overall event rate of the primary composite outcome was 17% and 20% at 3 and 5 years, respectively. Fine-Gray subdistribution multivariable hazard mode demonstrated that age and coronary artery disease were each independently associated with the primary outcome, adjusted HR (95% CI) 1.12 (1.06, 1.19) per 5 years and 1.27 (1.00-1.62), p < 0.001 and p=0.49, respectively.

Conclusion

New onset CKD or 30% eGFR decline is common in patients receiving ICIs who survive ≥1 year. As ICIs are increasingly used in earlier stage cancers, the impact of long term kidney function decline among survivors is extremely important. Additional studies are needed to determine the risk factors and potential modifiers for eGFR decline among patients receiving ICIs.
The challenges of the coming mass vaccination and exit strategy in prevention and control of COVID-19, a modelling study
Authors: Tang Biao , Liu Peiyu , Yang Jie , Wu Jianhong , Yanni Xiao , Tang Sanyi
Published: December 2020

With success in the development of COVID-19 vaccines, it is urgent and challenging to analyse how the coming large-scale vaccination in the population and the growing public desire of relaxation of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) interact to impact the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using mathematical models, we focus on two aspects: 1) how the vaccination program should be designed to balance the dynamic exit of NPIs; 2) how much the vaccination coverage is needed to avoid a second wave of the epidemics when the NPIs exit in stages. We address this issue globally, and take six countries--China, Brazil, Indonesia, Russia, UK, and US—in our case study. We showed that a dynamic vaccination program in three stages can be an effective approach to balance the dynamic exit of the NPIs in terms of mitigating the epidemics. The vaccination rates and the accumulative vaccination coverage in these countries are estimated by fitting the model to the real data. We observed that the required effective vaccination coverages are greatly different to balance the dynamic exit of NPIs in these countries, providing a quantitative criterion for the requirement of an integrative package of NPIs. We predicted the epidemics under different vaccination rates for these countries, and showed that the vaccination can significantly decrease the peak value of a future wave. Furthermore, we found that a lower vaccination coverage can result in a subsequent wave once the NPIs exit. Therefore, there is a critical (minimum) vaccination coverage, depending on effectiveness of NPIs to avoid a subsequent wave. We estimated the critical vaccination coverages for China, Brazil, and Indonesia under different scenarios. In conclusion, we quantitatively showed that the dynamic vaccination program can be the effective approach to supplement or even eventually replace NPIs in mitigating the epidemics and avoiding future waves, and we suggest that country level-based exit strategies of the NPIs should be considered, according to the possible quarantine rate and testing ability, and the accessibility, affordability and efficiency of the vaccines.
A method for prioritizing risk groups for early SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination, By the Numbers
Authors: McDonald Clement J. , Baik Seo H. , Zheng Zhaonian , Amos Liz
Published: December 2020

Background

Given the limited supply of two COVID-19 vaccines, it will be important to choose which risk groups to prioritize for vaccination in order to get the most health benefits from that supply.

Method

In order to help decide how to get the maximum health yield from this limited supply, we implemented a logistic regression model to predict COVID-19 death risk by age, race, and sex and did the same to predict COVID-19 case risk.

Results

Our predictive model ranked all demographic groups by COVID-19 death risk. It was highly concentrated in some demographic groups, e.g. 85+ year old Black, Non-Hispanic patients suffered 1,953 deaths per 100,000. If we vaccinated the 17 demographic groups at highest COVID-19 death ranked by our logistic model, it would require only 3.7% of the vaccine supply needed to vaccinate all the United States, and yet prevent 47% of COVID-19 deaths. Nursing home residents had a higher COVID-19 death risk at 5,200 deaths/100,000, more than our highest demographic risk group. Risk of prison residents and health care workers (HCW) were lower than that of our demographic groups with the highest risks.

We saw much less concentration of COVID-19 case risk in any demographic groups compared to the high concentration of COVID-19 death in some such groups. We should prioritize vaccinations with the goal of reducing deaths, not cases, while the vaccine supply is low.

Conclusion

SARS-CoV-2 vaccines protect against severe COVID-19 infection and thus against COVID-19 death per vaccine studies. Allocating at least some of the early vaccine supplies to high risk demographic groups could maximize lives saved. Our model, and the risk estimate it produced, could help states define their vaccine allocation rules.
Cardiac SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with distinct transcriptomic changes within the heart
Authors: Lindner Diana , Bräuninger Hanna , Stoffers Bastian , Fitzek Antonia , Meißner Kira , Aleshcheva Ganna , Schweizer Michaela , Weimann Jessica , Rotter Björn , Warnke Svenja , Edler Carolin , Braun Fabian , Roedl Kevin , Scherschel Katharina , Escher Felicitas , Kluge Stefan , Huber Tobias B. , Ondruschka Benjamin , Heinz-Peter-Schultheiss  , Kirchhof Paulus , Blankenberg Stefan , Püschel Klaus , Westermann Dirk
Published: December 2020

1

Background

Analyses in hospitalized patients and small autopsy series suggest that severe SARS-CoV-2 infection may affect the heart. We investigated heart tissue by in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry and RNA sequencing in consecutive autopsy cases to quantify virus load and characterize cardiac involvement in COVID-19.

Methods

Left ventricular tissue from 95 deceased with diagnosed SARS-CoV-2 infection undergoing autopsy was analyzed and clinical data were collected. RNA was isolated to examine virus load of SARS- CoV-2 and its replication in the heart. A virus load >1000 copies per µg RNA was defined as relevant. Viral RNA and inflammatory cells were assessed using histology. RNA sequencing and gene ontology (GO) enrichment were performed in 10 cases with high cardiac virus load and 10 age-matched cases without cardiac infection.

Results

A relevant SARS-CoV-2 virus load was detected in 41 out of 95 deceased (43%). The median cardiac virus load was 7952 copies per µg RNA (IQR 2507, 32 005). In situ hybridization revealed SARS- CoV-2 RNA primarily in the interstitium or interstitial cells. Virus detection was not associated with increased inflammatory cells. Relevant cardiac infection was associated with increased expression of the entry factor TMPRSS2. Cardiac virus replication was found in 14/95 hearts (15%). Remarkably, cardiac virus replication was associated with shorter time between diagnosis and death. RNA sequencing revealed clear activation of immune response pathways to virus infection and destruction of cardiomyocytes. Hearts with high virus load showed activation of the GO term “extracellular exosomes”.

Conclusion

SARS-CoV-2 infection including virus replication and distinct transcriptomic alterations without signs of myocarditis demonstrate a cardiac involvement. In this autopsy series, cardiac replication of SARS-CoV-2 was associated with early death.
The ratio of exhausted to resident infiltrating lymphocytes is prognostic for colorectal cancer patient outcome
Authors: Foroutan Momeneh , Molania Ramyar , Pfefferle Aline , Behrenbruch Corina , Kallies Axel , Speed Terence P , Cursons Joseph , Huntington Nicholas D
Published: December 2020

Immunotherapy success in colorectal cancer (CRC) is mainly limited to patients whose tumours exhibit high microsatellite instability (MSI). However, there is variability in treatment outcomes within this group, which is in part driven by the frequency and characteristics of tumour infiltrating immune cells. Indeed, the presence of specific infiltrating immune cell subsets has been shown to correlate with immunotherapy responses and is in many cases prognostic of treatment outcome. Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) can undergo distinct differentiation programs, acquiring features of tissue-residency or exhaustion, a process during which T cells upregulate inhibitory receptors such as PD-1 and loose functionality. While residency and exhaustion programs of CD8 T cells are relatively well-studied, these programs have only recently been appreciated in CD4 T cells and remain largely unknown in tumour-infiltrating natural killer (NK) cells. In this study, we use single cell RNA-seq data to identify signatures of residency and exhaustion in CRC infiltrating lymphocytes, including CD8, CD4 and NK cells. We then test these signatures in independent single cell data from tumour and normal tissue infiltrating immune cells. Further, we use versions of these signatures designed for bulk RNA-seq data to explore tumour intrinsic mutations associated with residency and exhaustion from TCGA data. Finally, using two independent transcriptomic data sets from patients with colon adenocarcinoma, we show that combinations of these signatures, in particular combinations of NK activity signatures, together with tumour-associated signatures, such as TGF-β signalling, are associated with distinct survival outcomes in colorectal cancer patients.
Neonatal outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City
Authors: Richter Felix , Strasser Arielle S. , Suarez-Farinas Mayte , Zhao Shan , Nadkarni Girish N. , Jabs Ethylin Wang , Guttmann Katherine , Glicksberg Benjamin S.
Published: December 2020

We explored rates of premature births and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions at the Mount Sinai Hospital after the implementation of COVID-19 lockdown measures (March 16, 2020) and phase one reopening (June 8, 2020), comparing them to those of the same time periods from 2012-2019. Mount Sinai Hospital is in New York City (NYC), an early epicenter of COVID-19 in the United States, which was heavily impacted by the pandemic during the study period. Among 43,963 singleton births, we observed no difference in either outcome after the implementation of lockdown measures when compared to the same trends in prior years (p=0.09-0.35). Of interest, we observed a statistically significant decrease in premature births after NYC phase one reopening compared to those of the same time period in 2012-2019 across all time windows (p=0.0028-0.049), and a statistically significant decrease in NICU admissions over the largest time window (2.75 months) compared to prior years (p=0.0011).
Changes in hospital prescribing activity at a specialist children’s hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic - an observational study
Authors: Vestesson Emma , Alonso Carlos , Booth John , Sebire Neil J , Steventon Adam , Tomlin Steve , Standing Joseph F
Published: December 2020

Objective

To compare hospital activity, patient casemix and medication prescribing and administration before and during the COVID-19 emergency.

Design

Retrospective observational study

Setting

A specialist children’s hospital in the UK

Patients

Inpatients aged 25 and younger treated at a specialist children’s hospital between 29 April 2019 and 6 September 2020

Results

There were 21,471 day cases and inpatients treated during the 16 month study period. Day cases (no overnight stay) dropped by around 37% per week. Both admissions and discharges for inpatients (at least one overnight stay) decreased leading to a small reduction in hospital bed days but no reduction in hospital bed nights. The effect on hospital activity on different patient groups varied substantially with some groups such as medical oncology day cases increasing by 13%. As a result, the patient case mix in the hospital was very different during the pandemic. Overall weekly medication administrations decreased for day cases and inpatients, but weekly medication administrations per bed day increased by 10% for day cases and 6% for inpatients.

Conclusions

Despite not being badly affected by the disease itself, specialist paediatric hospital services have been greatly affected by the pandemic. The average number of medications per inpatient bed day increased, likely reflecting changes to the patient population, with only those children with severe conditions being treated during the pandemic. These data demonstrate the complex pattern of implications on specialist services and provide evidence for planning the impact of future emergencies and resolution strategies.
Dune gardening? A critical view of the contemporary coastal dune management paradigm
Authors: Cooper Andrew , Jackson Derek
Published: December 2020

Modern coastal dune management is viewed largely through the prism of dune ecology. Achieving maximum biodiversity and preserving priority species are the primary objectives and management is based on interventions (grazing, mowing, burning, reseeding, and artificial destabilisation) to achieve that purpose. Under non‐managed conditions, dune vegetation tends to evolve temporally following well‐established succession patterns that lead to a low diversity scrub or woodland. Achieving high diversity involves resisting succession so as to preserve the more biodiverse, earlier stages. The net effect of management is to create dunes with a network of vegetation types that conform to human wish lists. Rather than natural environments, such interventions reduce dunes to the status of parklands. The natural status of NW European dunes under the conditions of relatively stable sea level and generally limited sand supply over the past few thousand years, and certainly since the Little Ice Age (1650–1800), is to be at a relatively well‐vegetated and advanced stage of succession. Modern dune management effectively amounts to a form of “dune gardening” to maintain a status that is not natural (i.e., attuned to the ambient environment) under contemporary conditions or those of the past two centuries. Current practice is based on a human value‐judgement that views natural succession as the enemy. This view and the resulting actions to resist natural change are at variance with the more pervasive environmental management goal of maintaining natural systems by resisting human intervention. Such an approach reduces dune resilience to global climate change. We advocate an approach that views dunes as combined geomorphological and ecological systems capable of change in response to changing environmental drivers.
Disease burden and quality of life in patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis stratified according to previous systemic treatment exposure
Authors: Iskandar I.Y.K.
Published: December 2020

Linked article: M. Augustin et al. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2020; 34: 2549–2557. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.16400.
Successes, lessons and opportunities: 15-year follow-up of an integrated evidence-based medicine curriculum
Authors: Korownyk Christina S , Allan G Michael , McCormack James , Lindblad Adrienne J , Horvey Samantha , Kolber Michael R
Published: December 2020

In 2005, the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Alberta introduced an evidence-based practice curriculum into the 2-year Family Medicine Residency Program. The curriculum was based on best available evidence, had multiple components and was comprehensive in its approach. It prioritised preappraised summary evidence over in-depth evidence appraisal. This paper describes the lessons learnt over the past 15 years including components that were eventually discontinued. We also discuss additions to the programme including the development of accessible, preappraised, summarised resources. We review the difficulties associated with evaluation and the incorporation of evidence-based practice into all aspects of residency training. Future directions are discussed including the incorporation of shared decision-making at the point of care.
The semi-leptonic form factors of $$\Lambda _{b}\rightarrow \Lambda _{c}$$ and $$\Xi _{b}\rightarrow \Xi _{c}$$ in QCD sum rules
Authors: Zhao Zhen-Xing , Li Run-Hui , Shen Yue-Long , Shi Yu-Ji , Yang Yan-Sheng
Published: December 2020

In this work, the full leading order results of the form factors for $$\Xi _{b}\rightarrow \Xi _{c}$$

Ξ
b

→

Ξ
c

and $$\Lambda _{b}\rightarrow \Lambda _{c}$$

Λ
b

→

Λ
c

are obtained in QCD sum rules. Contributions from up to dimension-5 have been considered. For completeness, we also study the two-point correlation function to obtain the pole residues of $$\Xi _{Q}$$

Ξ
Q

and $$\Lambda _{Q}$$

Λ
Q

, and higher accuracy is achieved. For the three-point correlation function, since stable Borel regions cannot be found, about $$20\%$$

20
%

uncertainties are introduced for the form factors of $$\Xi _{b}\rightarrow \Xi _{c}$$

Ξ
b

→

Ξ
c

and $$\Lambda _{b}\rightarrow \Lambda _{c}$$

Λ
b

→

Λ
c

. Our results for the form factors are consistent with those of the lattice QCD within errors.
(Invited) Interface Engineering in Transition-Metal Oxide Electrode Materials for Sodium Ion Batteries
Authors: Xiong Claire , Deng Changjian , Gabriel Eric , Ma Chunrong , Xie Yingying , Hou Dewen , Xu Jing , Liu Yuzi , Lee Eungje , Li Xiang , Hu Yan-Yan , Chen Zonghai , Tong Wei , Lee Sungsik , Hwang Inhui , Sun Chengjun , Ren Yang
Published: December 2020

Sodium ion batteries (SIBs) are attractive alternative energy storage technology to lithium-ion batteries due to its low-cost. There has been growing attention in developing new electrode materials for sodium ion batteries. Compared to lithium ion batteries, SIBs suffer from more issues in long-term stability, resulted from the sluggish kinetics, large volume change due to the much larger Na+ ion (~ two times the size of Li+) as well as multiple phase transitions upon cycling. Several approaches to enhance the electrode performance have been explored such as doping, nanostructuring, and carbon coating. Here, we will discuss our recent work on developing advanced electrode materials for SIBs through interfacial engineering. We have developed a coaxial core-shell nanostructured negative composite electrode composed of carbon nanotube (CNT) as the core and TiO2@MoO2@C as shells. The 1D tubular nanostructure can effectively reduce ion diffusion path, increase electrical conductivity, accommodate the stress due to volume change upon cycling, and provide additional interfacial active sites for enhanced charge storage and transport properties. Significantly, a synergistic effect between TiO2 and MoO2 nanostructures is investigated through ex-situ solid state nuclear magnetic resonance. We also developed multi-phased transition metel oxide positive electrodes, which exhibits enhanced capacity and cycling stability.