bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The combinatorial diversity of KIR and HLA class I allotypes in Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Tao Sudan , Kichula Katherine M. , Harrison Genelle F. , Farias Ticiana Della Justina , Palmer William H. , Leaton Laura Ann , Hajar Che Ghazali Norul , Zefarina Zulkafli , Edinur Hisham Atan , Zhu Faming , Norman Paul J.
Published: December 2020

Killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIRs) interact with polymorphic human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules, modulating natural killer (NK) cell functions and affecting both the susceptibility and outcome of immune‐mediated diseases. The KIR locus is highly diverse in gene content, copy number and allelic polymorphism within individuals and across geographical populations. To analyse currently under‐represented Asian and Pacific populations, we investigated the combinatorial diversity of KIR and HLA class I in 92 unrelated Malay and 75 Malaysian Chinese individuals from the Malay Peninsula. We identified substantial allelic and structural diversity of the KIR locus in both populations and characterized novel variations at each analysis level. The Malay population is more diverse than Malay Chinese, likely representing a unique history including admixture with immigrating populations spanning several thousand years. Characterizing the Malay population are KIR haplotypes with large structural variants present in 10% individuals, and KIR and HLA alleles previously identified in Austronesian populations. Despite the differences in ancestries, the proportion of HLA allotypes that serve as KIR ligands is similar in each population. The exception is a significantly reduced frequency of interactions of KIR2DL1 with C2+HLA‐C in the Malaysian Chinese group, caused by the low frequency of C2+HLA. One likely implication is a greater protection from preeclampsia, a pregnancy disorder associated with KIR2DL1, which shows higher incidence in the Malay than in the Malaysian Chinese. This first complete, high‐resolution, characterization of combinatorial diversity of KIR and HLA in Malaysians will form a valuable reference for future clinical and population studies.
Contestation over Development Policy in the European Parliament
Authors: Raunio Tapio , Wagner Wolfgang
Published: December 2020

Recent rise of populist parties has brought about more contestation over development policy. There is also increasing diversity within the European Union: some countries allocate more development aid while the contributions of newer member states are on average smaller. But do such national interests surface more often than in other issue areas, and what is the structure of contestation over development policy in the European Parliament (EP)? Examining roll‐call votes and the processing of the 2017 European Consensus on Development, this article shows that opposition to development policy is restricted to the more Eurosceptical representatives. EP party groups attain similar levels of cohesion in votes on development aid as in other policy areas, with coalition patterns following the left–right dimension. Development policy is thus ‘business as usual’ in the Parliament, but the results suggest increasing politicization of aid through stronger horizontal linkages between immigration, security, and development policy.
Immunofluorescence mapping, electron microscopy and genetics in the diagnosis and sub‐classification of inherited epidermolysis bullosa: a single‐centre retrospective comparative study of 87 cases with long‐term follow‐up
Authors: Rossi S. , Castiglia D. , Pisaneschi E. , Diociaiuti A. , Stracuzzi A. , Cesario C. , Mariani R. , Floriddia G. , Zambruno G. , Boldrini R. , Abeni D. , Novelli A. , Alaggio R. , El Hachem M.
Published: December 2020

Background

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) comprises a heterogeneous group of skin fragility disorders, classified in four major types based on skin cleavage level, i.e. EB simplex (EBS), junctional EB (JEB), dystrophic EB (DEB), Kindler EB, and in more than 30 subtypes defined by the combination of laboratory and clinical data, including disease course.

Objectives

Our aims were to address whether, in the age of genomics, electron microscopy (TEM) has still a role in diagnosing EB, and whether the genotype per se may be sufficient to sub‐classify EB.

Methods

A thoroughly characterized single‐centre EB case series was retrospectively evaluated to compare the power of TEM with immunofluorescence mapping (IFM) in establishing the EB type, and the ability of TEM, IFM and genetics to predict selected EB subtypes, i.e. severe dominant EBS (DEBS), severe JEB, severe recessive DEB (RDEB) and DEB self‐improving, using genetic and final diagnosis, respectively, as gold standard.

Results

The series consisted of 87 patients, including 44 newborns, with a median follow‐up of 54 months. Ninety‐five mutations were identified in EB‐associated genes, including 25 novel variants. Both IFM and TEM were diagnostic in about all cases of JEB (21/21 for both) and DEB (43/44 for IFM, 44/44 for TEM). TEM sensitivity was superior to IFM for EBS (19/20 vs. 16/19). As to EB subtyping, IFM performed better than genetics in identifying severe JEB cases due to laminin‐332 defect (14/14 vs. 10/14) and severe RDEB (eight/nine vs. seven/nine). Genetics had no role in self‐improving DEB diagnosis; it almost equalled TEM in predicting severe DEBS (eight/nine vs. nine/nine) and enabled to discriminate dominant from recessive non‐severe DEB phenotypes and to identify special subtypes, e.g. DEBS with KLHL24 mutations.

Conclusions

Transmission electron microscopy remains relevant to the diagnosis of EBS. IFM and genetics are essential and complementary tools in the vast majority of EB cases.
A novel protein complex that regulates active DNA demethylation in Arabidopsis
Authors: Liu Pan , Nie Wen‐Feng , Xiong Xiansong , Wang Yuhua , Jiang Yuwei , Huang Pei , Lin Xueqiang , Qin Guochen , Huang Huan , Niu Qingfeng , Du Jiamu , Lang Zhaobo , Lozano‐Duran Rosa , Zhu Jian‐Kang
Published: December 2020

Active DNA demethylation is critical for altering DNA methylation patterns and regulating gene expression. The 5‐methylcytosine DNA glycosylase/lyase ROS1 initiates a base‐excision repair pathway for active DNA demethylation and is required for the prevention of DNA hypermethylation at 1 000s of genomic regions in Arabidopsis. How ROS1 is regulated and targeted to specific genomic regions is not well understood. Here, we report the discovery of an Arabidopsis protein complex that contains ROS1, regulates ROS1 gene expression, and likely targets the ROS1 protein to specific genomic regions. ROS1 physically interacts with a WD40 domain protein (RWD40), which in turn interacts with a methyl‐DNA binding protein (RMB1) as well as with a zinc finger and homeobox domain protein (RHD1). RMB1 binds to DNA that is methylated in any sequence context, and this binding is necessary for its function in vivo. Loss‐of‐function mutations in RWD40, RMB1, or RHD1 cause DNA hypermethylation at several tested genomic regions independently of the known ROS1 regulator IDM1. Because the hypermethylated genomic regions include the DNA methylation monitoring sequence in the ROS1 promoter, plants mutated in RWD40, RMB1, or RHD1 show increased ROS1 expression. Importantly, ROS1 binding to the ROS1 promoter requires RWD40, RMB1, and RHD1, suggesting that this complex dictates ROS1 targeting to this locus. Our results demonstrate that ROS1 forms a protein complex with RWD40, RMB1, and RHD1, and that this novel complex regulates active DNA demethylation at several endogenous loci in Arabidopsis.
Healthcare professionals’ perceptions of advance care planning in palliative care unit: a qualitative descriptive study
Authors: Kuusisto Anne , Santavirta Jenni , Saranto Kaija , Haavisto Elina
Published: December 2020

Aims and objectives

To describe healthcare professionals’ perceptions of advance care planning (ACP) in palliative care unit in hospital ward or outpatient clinic.

Background

Clinical guidelines recommend timely ACP as a central component of patient‐centred palliative care. However, the ACP concept and terminology have been judged to be confusing, and practices are not established. Professionals’ views are needed for ACP adoption and usage.

Design

Qualitative descriptive design.

Methods

The study used purposive sampling. The data were collected through focus group interviews with registered nurses and practical nurses and individual or couple interviews with physicians and social workers. The data (n = 33) were analysed by inductive content analysis. The study complied with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) checklist.

Results

Three main categories emerged: Information content of ACP, coordination of care activities through ACP, and support for patients’ and family members’ coping. The information content of ACP included assessment of need for patient care, preparing for changes in patient's state of health and proactive medication. Coordination of care activities through ACP contained ACP care planning, cooperation and work practices between healthcare professionals. Support for patients’ and family members’ coping included communication between patient, family members and professionals and promoting patient self‐care.

Conclusions

ACP is a useful and proactive tool for integrating patient‐centred information, care and services as well as support for patients’ and family members’ coping. Palliative care activities can be coordinated through ACP in a multidisciplinary manner. ACP is significant and relevant for both professionals’ work and patient care throughout the service system.

Relevance to clinical practice

Results highlight the importance of proactive, concrete and holistic ACP. ACP should be up to date to reflect patient's current wishes. Raising professional awareness and implementing ACP into work processes are essential. Results can be utilised in planning and implementing interprofessional in‐service training.
Associational Structures and Beyond: Evolution and Contemporary Articulations of Bhumihar Caste Associations in Bihar, India
Authors: Nandan Aniket , Santhosh R.
Published: December 2020

This paper examines the historical development, growth, and contemporary articulations of the Bhumihar caste associations in Bihar by focusing on their relationship with land, political economy, and ideological orientations. As a landowning upper caste, the Bhumihars negotiated with a host of structural as well socio‐political transformations in the state primarily by constructing the self‐image of a warrior caste holding a Brahmin status. The paper in particular examines the impact of land reforms, violence unleashed by the Bhumihar caste militia during the agrarian unrest and the rise of Backward Caste mobilisation followed by the Hindutva mobilisation on the changing articulation of the Bhumihar caste associations. The paper also focuses on the emergence of the Bhumihar middle class and points out that through a visible process of culturalisation, the Bhumihars are able to maintain their exclusivity and purported superiority in the contemporary Bihar society even while upholding the mantle of Hindutva unity along with other lower castes.
Matrix metalloproteinase‐2, ‐7, and ‐9 activities in dogs with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis compared to healthy dogs and dogs with other respiratory diseases
Authors: Määttä Merita , Laurila Henna P. , Holopainen Saila , Aaltonen Kaisa , Lilja‐Maula Liisa , Viitanen Sanna , Rajamäki Minna M.
Published: December 2020

Background

Canine idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (CIPF) is a chronic, interstitial lung disease that mainly affects West Highland white terriers (WHWTs) and is characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the lung. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) participate in remodeling of ECM.

Objectives

To compare metalloproteinase‐2, ‐7 and ‐9 activities in blood or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples or both of CIPF WHWTs with healthy WHWTs, healthy dogs of other breeds, and dogs with other lung diseases and determine if these MMPs could be used as diagnostic and prognostic markers for CIPF.

Animals

Forty‐four CIPF WHWTs, 24 dogs with chronic bronchitis (CB), 17 with eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy (EBP), 10 with bacterial pneumonia, 39 healthy WHWTs, and 35 healthy dogs of other breeds.

Methods

Cross‐sectional observational study. Pro‐MMP and active MMP activities were analyzed by zymography.

Results

In serum, significantly higher (P < .01) pro‐MMP‐7 activities were observed in CIPF WHWTs compared to healthy dogs of other breeds, dogs with CB and dogs with EBP. In BALF of CIPF WHWTs, both pro‐MMP‐9 and pro‐MMP‐2 activities were significantly higher (P < .01) compared to healthy WHWTs, but these differences were not detected in plasma. The CIPF WHWTs had significantly higher (P < .05) activities of pro‐MMP‐9 compared to dogs with CB and of pro‐MMP‐2 compared to dogs with CB and EBP. No statistically significant prognostic factors were observed in CIPF WHWTs.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

Serum MMP‐7 and BALF MMP‐2 and ‐9 potentially may be useful diagnostic markers but not prognostic markers for CIPF.
Characterization of non‐response to cardiac resynchronization therapy by post‐procedural computed tomography
Authors: Pezel Théo , Mika Delphine , Logeart Damien , Cohen‐Solal Alain , Beauvais Florence , Henry Patrick , Laissy Jean Pierre , Moubarak Ghassan
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Causes of non‐response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) include mechanical dyssynchrony, myocardial scar, and suboptimal left ventricular (LV) lead location. We aimed to assess the utility of Late Iodine Enhancement Computed Tomography (LIE‐CT) with image subtraction in characterizing CRT non‐response.

Methods

CRT response was defined as a decrease in LV end‐systolic volume > 15% at 6 months. LIE‐CT was performed after 6 months, and analyzed global and segmental dyssynchrony, myocardial scar, coronary venous anatomy, and position of LV lead relative to scar and segment of latest mechanical contraction.

Results

We evaluated 29 patients (age 71 ± 12 years; 72% men) including 18 (62%) responders. All metrics evaluating residual dyssynchrony such as wall motion index and wall thickness index were worse in non‐responders. There was no difference in presence and extent of scar between responders and non‐responders. However, in non‐responders, the LV lead was more often over an akinetic/dyskinetic area (72% vs. 22%, p = .007), a fibrotic area (64% vs. 8%, p = .0007), an area with myocardial thickness < 6 mm (82% vs. 22%, p = .002), and less often concordant with the region of maximal wall thickness (9% vs. 72%, p = .001). Among the 11 non‐responders, eight had at least another coronary venous branch visualized by CT, including three (27%) coursing over a potentially interesting myocardial area (free of scar, with normal wall motion, and with a myocardial thickness ≥6 mm).

Conclusion

LIE‐CT with image subtraction allows a comprehensive characterization of patients after CRT and may provide clues for management of non‐responders.
Landsteinerʼs legacy: The continuing challenge to make transfusions safe
Authors: Ramsey Glenn
Published: December 2020

See article on page 2867–2875, in this issue
Metastasis to ipsilateral medial retropharyngeal and deep cervical lymph nodes in 22 dogs with thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Skinner Owen T. , Souza Carlos H. de M. , Kim Dae Young
Published: December 2020

Objective

To determine the rate of nodal metastasis to the medial retropharyngeal (MRP) and deep cervical lymph nodes in dogs surgically treated for thyroid carcinoma.

Study design

Retrospective study.

Animals

Twenty‐two client‐owned dogs.

Methods

Medical records between July 2015 and October 2019 at the Universities of Missouri and Florida were reviewed. Dogs that underwent thyroidectomy with concurrent elective MRP lymphadenectomy ± deep cervical lymphadenectomy were included. Tumor site, preoperative staging, and histopathological findings were recorded.

Results

Twenty‐two dogs with 26 total thyroid carcinomas were included. Primary tumors were lateralized in 19 dogs, bilateral in two dogs, and bilateral and midline ectopic in one dog. All dogs underwent ipsilateral MRP resection, including bilateral resection in dogs with bilateral tumors. Three contralateral MRP lymph nodes were excised from dogs with unilateral carcinomas. Four deep cervical lymph nodes and one superficial cervical lymph node were excised. Metastases were identified in 14 lymph nodes in 10 of 22 (45%) dogs. All four excised deep cervical lymph nodes and one contralateral MRP lymph node were identified as metastatic. Size of deposit could be classified in 13 of 14 metastatic lymph nodes. Macrometastasis was detected in seven lymph nodes, micrometastasis was detected in one node, and isolated tumor cells were detected in five lymph nodes.

Conclusion

Regional metastasis was common within the lymph nodes sampled in this population of dogs with thyroid carcinoma.

Clinical significance

These results provide evidence to justify further exploration of a larger population to verify the rate of regional metastasis and determine the prognostic impact of nodal metastasis.
Shape perception via a high-channel-count neuroprosthesis in monkey visual cortex
Authors: Chen Xing , Wang Feng , Fernandez Eduardo , Roelfsema Pieter R.
Published: December 2020

Restoring vision by stimulating the brain

Electrical stimulation of the visual cortex has long been proposed as an approach to restoring vision in blind people. Previous studies positioned electrodes on the surface of the brain and thus required delivery of relatively high currents. However, this approach limits the number of electrodes that can be safely stimulated simultaneously, and such surface electrodes activate several millimeters of cortex, which results in a low spatial resolution. Chen
et al.
demonstrated that the simultaneous stimulation of multiple intracortical electrodes in the monkey primary visual cortex gives rise to the perception of shape and successive stimulation to the perception of motion (see the Perspective by Beauchamp and Yoshor). This major improvement provides proof of concept for the use of electrical microstimulation to create a form of artificial vision in the blind.

Science
, this issue p.
1191
; see also p.
1165
Expanding the Enzyme Repertoire for Sugar Nucleotide Epimerization: the CDP-Tyvelose 2-Epimerase from Thermodesulfatator atlanticus for Glucose/Mannose Interconversion
Authors: Rapp Christian , van Overtveldt Stevie , Beerens Koen , Weber Hansjörg , Desmet Tom , Nidetzky Bernd
Published: December 2020

Epimerases of the sugar nucleotide-modifying class of enzymes have attracted considerable interest in carbohydrate (bio)chemistry for the mechanistic challenges and the opportunities for synthesis involved in the reactions catalyzed. The discovery of new epimerases with an expanded scope of sugar nucleotide substrates used is important to promote mechanistic inquiry and can facilitate the development of new enzyme applications.
Frequency of Positive
Aspergillus
Tests in COVID-19 Patients in Comparison to Other Patients with Pulmonary Infections Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Yusuf Erlangga , Vonk Alieke , van den Akker Johannes P. C. , Bode Lonneke , Sips Gregorius J. , Rijnders Bart J. A. , de Steenwinkel Jurriaan , Verkaik Nelianne J. , Vogel Marius , van der Eerden Menno , van Westreenen Mireille
Published: December 2020

The aim of this study was to describe the frequency of positive
Aspergillus
tests in COVID-19 patients and investigate the association between COVID-19 and a positive
Aspergillus
test result. We compared the proportion of positive
Aspergillus
tests in COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for >24 h with two control groups: patients with community-acquired pneumonia with (i) a PCR-confirmed influenza infection (considered a positive control since the link between influenza and invasive aspergillosis has been established) and (ii)
Streptococcus pneumoniae
pneumonia (in whom positive
Aspergillus
tests are mostly considered to indicate colonization).
Ecological Succession of Polymicrobial Communities in the Cystic Fibrosis Airways
Authors: Khanolkar Rutvij A. , Clark Shawn T. , Wang Pauline W. , Hwang David M. , Yau Yvonne C. W. , Waters Valerie J. , Guttman David S.
Published: December 2020

Antimicrobial therapies against cystic fibrosis (CF) lung infections are largely aimed at the traditional, well-studied CF pathogens such as
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
and
Burkholderia cepacia
complex, despite the fact that the CF lung harbors a complex and dynamic polymicrobial community. A clinical focus on the dominant pathogens ignores potentially important community-level interactions in disease pathology, perhaps explaining why these treatments are often less effective than predicted based on
in vitro
testing.
Association of food industry ties with findings of studies examining the effect of dairy food intake on cardiovascular disease and mortality: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chartres Nicholas , Fabbri Alice , McDonald Sally , Diong Joanna , McKenzie Joanne E , Bero Lisa
Published: December 2020

Objective

To determine if the association of dairy foods with cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes differs between studies with food industry ties versus those without industry ties. To determine whether studies with or without industry ties differ in their risk of bias.

Eligibility criteria

We included cohort and case–control studies that estimated the association of dairy foods with CVD outcomes in healthy adults.

Information sources

We searched eight databases on 1 February 2019 from 2000 to 2019 and hand searched reference lists.

Risk of bias

We used the Risk of Bias in Non-Randomised Studies-of Exposure tool.

Included studies

43 studies (3 case–controls, 40 cohorts).

Synthesis of results

There was no clear evidence of an association between studies with industry ties (1/14) versus no industry ties (8/29) and the reporting of favourable results, risk ratio (RR)=0.26 (95% CI 0.04 to 1.87; n=43 studies) and studies with industry ties (4/14) versus no industry ties (11/29) and favourable conclusions, RR=0.75 (95% CI 0.29 to 1.95; n=43). Studies with industry sponsorship, (HR=0.78; n=3 studies) showed a decreased magnitude of risk of CVD outcomes compared with studies with no industry sponsorship (HR=0.97; n=18) (ratio of HRs 0.80 (95% CI 0.66 to 0.97); p=0.03).

Strengths and limitations of evidence

Every study had an overall high risk of bias rating; this was primarily due to confounding.

Interpretation

There was no clear evidence of an association between studies with food industry ties and the reporting of favourable results and conclusions compared with studies without industry ties. The statistically significant difference in the magnitude of effects identified in industry-sponsored studies compared with non-industry-sponsored studies, however, is important in quantifying industry influence on studies included in dietary guidelines.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42019129659.
External barriers for including parents of preterm infants in a randomised clinical trial in the neonatal intensive care unit in Sweden: a descriptive study
Authors: Mörelius Evalotte , Olsson Emma , Sahlén Helmer Charlotte , Thernström Blomqvist Ylva , Angelhoff Charlotte
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Performing randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in neonatal intensive care is challenging in many ways. While restrictive inclusion criteria or busy study protocols are obvious barriers, external barriers leading to termination of a study are seldom discussed. The aim of this study was to describe barriers for inclusion of families in neonatal intensive care in an RCT aiming to evaluate the effects of continuous skin-to-skin contact on mood and sleep quality in parents of preterm infants, as well as the quality of parent-infant interaction and salivary cortisol concentrations at the time of discharge.

Design

A descriptive study.

Setting

Three out of seven tertiary neonatal intensive care units in Sweden participated in a two-arm RCT that was terminated because of low inclusion rate.

Participants

Before termination of the study, 11 out of 242 families assessed for eligibility were included for participation.

Results

The major barriers for inclusion in this RCT were external due to (1) lack of intensive care beds in the neonatal ward, causing medically stable infants to be transferred back to the referring hospital quicker than expected, (2) moving directly from the delivery room to a family room without passing an open bay intensive care room or (3) transferring from one neonatal ward to another with the same care level to increase availability of intensive care beds where needed. Other barriers were the inclusion criteria ‘single-birth’ and ‘Swedish-speaking parent’.

Conclusions

The major barriers for including participants were external constituted by transferals between neonatal wards and cities due to lack of intensive care beds. This is a multifactorial issue related to organisational structures. However, since this affects the possibilities to perform research this study highlights some suggestions to consider when planning prospective intervention studies within a neonatal setting.

Trial registration number

NCT03004677.
Association between paediatric intraoperative anaesthesia handover and adverse postoperative outcomes
Authors: Kannampallil Thomas , Lew Daphne , Pfeifer Ethan E , Sharma Anshuman , Abraham Joanna
Published: December 2020

Objective

To determine whether intraoperative handover of patient care from one anaesthesia clinician to another was associated with an increased risk of adverse postoperative outcomes during paediatric surgeries.

Design, setting and participants

A retrospective, population-based cohort study (1 April 2013–1 June 2018) at an academic medical centre.

Exposure

Intraoperative handover of care between pairs of anaesthesia clinicians from one care provider to another compared with no handover of anaesthesia care.

Main outcomes and measures

The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause mortality and major postoperative morbidity within 30 days after surgery. Secondary outcomes included individual components of the primary outcome and 30-day hospital readmission. Inverse probability of exposure weighting using propensity scores for intraoperative handovers was calculated. Weighted logistic regression was used to determine the association between intraoperative anaesthesia handovers and outcomes.

Results

78 321 paediatric surgical cases (n=5411 with handovers) were included for analysis. Patients were predominantly male (56.5%) with a median age of 6.56 (IQR: 2.65–12.53) years and a median anaesthesia duration of 76 (IQR: 55–126) min. In the weighted sample, the odds of the primary outcome (OR: 0.92; 95% CI 0.75 to 1.13; p=0.43), any morbidity (OR: 0.93; 95% CI 0.75 to 1.16; p=0.515), all-cause mortality (OR: 0.8; 95% CI 0.37 to 1.73; p=0.565) or 30-day readmission following surgery (OR: 0.99; 95% CI 0.84 to 1.18; p=0.95) did not significantly differ among surgeries with and without handovers.

Conclusions

Among paediatric patients undergoing surgery, intraoperative anaesthesia handovers were not associated with adverse postoperative outcomes, after accounting for relevant covariates. These findings provide a preliminary perspective on the role of intraoperative handovers as a care-neutral event, with implications for improving safety.
Reducing sedentary behaviour and physical inactivity in the workplace: protocol for a review of systematic reviews
Authors: Dieterich Anna Valeria , Müller Andre Matthias , Akksilp Katika , K C Sarin , Dabak Saudamini Vishwanath , Rouyard Thomas
Published: December 2020

Background and objective

Increasing rates of urbanisation have been accompanied by higher levels of sedentary behaviour (SB) and reduced physical activity (PA) worldwide. While physical inactivity has long been identified as a major risk factor for morbidity and mortality, increased concerns about the detrimental associations between SB and health has led to the development of many interventions aimed at reducing SB and/or promoting PA. Due to the prominence of sedentary time spent at work, the workplace has been identified as a key setting to implement such interventions. Building an evidence base of effective strategies to reduce SB and/or promote PA at work is needed to help reduce the health risks faced by many employees.

Methods and analysis

We aim to conduct a review of reviews (RoR) to identify, evaluate and synthesise all systematic reviews (SRs) of workplace interventions aimed at reducing SB and/or promoting PA among adults. Systematic searches for relevant SRs will be conducted in six databases: Cochrane Systematic Review Database, Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature through EBSCOhost, EMBASE, PubMed including MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science. Selection for final inclusion and data extraction will be performed by two independent reviewers. SRs will be included if they assessed interventions aimed at reducing SB or promoting PA in the workplace, and if they report on changes in the respective behavioural outcomes in the occupational domain.

Discussion

This RoR will be valuable to policy-makers and employers who are looking for strategies to promote health at work. This will also allow potential research gaps to be identified, so that the design of future studies can be better informed.

Trial registeration

This study has been registered with the PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (registration number CRD42020171774).
Comparison of the Heel Enthesitis MRI Scoring System (HEMRIS) with clinical enthesitis and local metabolic activity on PET-CT
Authors: Kleinrensink Nienke J , Foppen Wouter , Ten Katen Iris , van der Veen Pieternella H , de Klerk Bo , Diepstraten Suzanne C E , Radstake Timothy R D J , Lafeber Floris P J G , de Jong Pim A , Leijten Emmerik F A
Published: December 2020

Objective

To compare the Heel Enthesitis MRI Scoring model (HEMRIS) with clinical and PET/CT outcomes in patients with cutaneous psoriasis (Pso), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) or ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Methods

This prospective, observational study included 38 patients with Pso, PsA and AS. Patients were included regardless of presence or absence of clinical heel enthesitis. MRI-scans of both ankles and a whole-body18F-FDG PET/CT were acquired. MRIs were assessed for enthesitis by two independent and blinded observers according to the HEMRIS. A physician, blinded for imaging results, performed clinical evaluations of enthesitis at the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia.

Results

In total, 146 entheses were scored according to the HEMRIS and clinically assessed for enthesitis (6 entheses were clinically affected). In Achilles tendons with clinical enthesitis, the HEMRIS structural damage score was significantly higher, compared to Achilles tendons without clinical enthesitis (respective median scores 1.0 and 0.5; p=0.04). In clinically unaffected entheses, HEMRIS abnormalities occurred in 44/70 (63%) of Achilles tendons and in 23/70 (33%) of plantar fascia. At the Achilles tendon, local metabolic activity measured on PET/CT was weakly associated with the structural (rs=0.25, p=0.03) and total HEMRIS (rs=0.26, p=0.03).

Conclusion

This study revealed a high prevalence of subclinical HEMRIS abnormalities and discrepancy between HEMRIS and clinical and PET/CT findings. This may suggest that the HEMRIS is a sensitive method for detection of inflammatory and structural disease of enthesitis at the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia, although the clinical significance of these MRI findings remains to be determined in longitudinal studies.
Population dynamics of the threatened Cumberland Sound beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) population
Authors: Watt Cortney A. , Marcoux Marianne , Ferguson Steven H. , Hammill Mike O. , Matthews Cory J.D.
Published: December 2020

Current scientific evidence indicates that the threatened Cumberland Sound beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas (Pallas, 1776)) population is genetically differentiated and spatially segregated from other beluga whale populations. This population has been hunted for subsistence for centuries by Inuit who now live in the community of Pangnirtung, Nunavut, Canada, and was harvested commercially from 1860 until 1966. The commercial harvest removed at least 10 000 individuals from the population. Visual and photographic aerial surveys were flown during August 2014 and 2017 and produced beluga whale abundance estimates of 1151 (CV = 0.214; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 760–1744) and 1381 (CV = 0.043; CI = 1270–1502), respectively. Long-term trends in abundance were examined by fitting a Bayesian surplus-production population model to a time series of abundance estimates (n = 5), flown between 1990 and 2017, taking into account reported subsistence harvests (1960–2017). The model suggests the population is declining. Engaged co-management of the Cumberland Sound beluga population and information on demographic parameters, such as reproductive rates, and age and sex composition of the harvest, are needed to restore the ecological integrity of the Cumberland Sound marine ecosystem.
Dale Alan Russell (1937–2019): voyageur of a vanished world1
Authors: Cumbaa Stephen L. , Currie Philip J. , Dodson Peter , Mallon Jordan C.
Published: December 2020

We review the distinguished and varied career of our friend and colleague, palaeontologist Dr. Dale A. Russell, following the recent news of his death. Dale relished his work and approached his research — whether it be on mosasaur systematics, dinosaur extinction, or the evolution of animal intelligence — with great gusto. A deep and contextual thinker, Dale had a penchant for metanarrative rarely equaled in these times of increased research specialization. This quality, combined with his outgoing and collaborative nature, allowed Dale to make friends and colleagues with highly varied research interests throughout the world. We remember Dale fondly and cherish the opportunity to share the stories of his adventures (and misadventures) across the globe.
A collaborative typology of boreal Indigenous landscapes
Authors: Bélisle Annie Claude , Asselin Hugo
Published: December 2020

Climate change and natural resource extraction are transforming boreal forest landscapes, with effects on Indigenous people’s relationship with the land. Collaborative management could enhance the consideration of Indigenous perspectives and limit negative outcomes of environmental change, but it remains the exception rather than the norm. We addressed barriers to involvement of Indigenous people in land management by developing a method to enhance communication and trust, while favouring bottom-up decision-making. We partnered with the Abitibiwinni and Ouje-Bougoumou First Nations (boreal Quebec, Canada) (i) to develop indicators of Indigenous landscape state, (ii) to create a typology of Indigenous hunting grounds, and (iii) to suggest guidelines for sustainable land management in Indigenous contexts. Through participatory mapping and semidirected interviews with 23 local experts, we identified factors influencing Indigenous landscape value. Using open-access data, we developed indicators to measure landscape state according to those values. We identified four types of hunting grounds with k-means clustering, based upon biophysical factors and disturbance history. Our results suggest that land management should aim to reduce differences between hunting ground states and consider the risk of rapid shifts from one state to another.
Reproductive patterns and energy management strategies of females of the fiddler crabLeptuca uruguayensiswith short reproductive seasons
Authors: Marciano A. , López Greco L.S. , Colpo K.D.
Published: December 2020

Reproduction is a costly process that depends on the management of available resources. Here, we aimed to understand the energetic strategies of females of the fiddler crab Leptuca uruguayensis (Nobili, 1901) in a population with short reproductive seasons. For this, we developed an integrated approach to recognize the brooding time, spawning pattern modulated by female size, number of spawns per female, and content of reserves in the ovary and hepatopancreas. Based on the condition of the ovary and hepatopancreas, the reproductive season was divided into three periods. In each of these periods, it was possible to record a spawning event, which was mainly represented by large females. Most of the females had one spawn during the breeding season, and only large females had two spawns, with an interval of approximately 2 months. We propose that L. uruguayensis presents a mixed capital–income breeding strategy associated with the female size and period of the reproductive season. We conclude that large females make the greatest reproductive effort for the population because they can have two spawns, whereas medium-sized and small females make a low contribution because they are still investing energy in somatic growth to increase fecundity in the next reproductive season.
Induced Maxwell–Chern–Simons effective action in very special relativity
Authors: Bufalo R. , Ghasemkhani M. , Haghgouyan Z. , Soto A.
Published: December 2020

In this paper, we study the one-loop induced photon’s effective action in the very special relativity electrodynamics in $$(2+1)$$

(
2
+
1
)

spacetime ($$\hbox {VSR}$$
VSR
–$$\hbox {QED}_{3}$$

QED
3

). Due to the presence of new nonlocal couplings resulting from the VSR gauge symmetry, we have additional graphs contributing to the $$\langle AA\rangle $$

⟨
A
A
⟩

and $$\langle AAA \rangle $$

⟨
A
A
A
⟩

amplitudes. From these contributions, we discuss the VSR generalization of the Abelian Maxwell–Chern–Simons Lagrangian, consisting in the dynamical part and the Chern–Simons-like self-couplings, respectively. We use the VSR–Chern–Simons electrodynamics to discuss some non-Ohmic behavior on topological materials, in particular VSR effects on Hall’s conductivity. In the dynamical part of the effective action, we observe the presence of a UV/IR mixing, due to the entanglement of the VSR nonlocal effects to the quantum higher-derivative terms. Furthermore, in the self-coupling aspect, we verify the validity of the Furry’s theorem in the $${\hbox {VSR}}$$
VSR
–$$\hbox {QED}_{3}$$

QED
3

explicitly.
Fix the dual geometries of $$T\bar{T}$$ deformed CFT$$_2$$ and highly excited states of CFT$$_2$$
Authors: Wang Peng , Wu Houwen , Yang Haitang
Published: December 2020

In previous works, we have developed an approach to fix the leading behaviors of the pure AdS$$_3$$3and BTZ black hole from the entanglement entropies of the free CFT$$_2$$2and finite temperature CFT$$_2$$2, respectively. We exclusively use holographic principle only and make no restriction about the bulk geometry, not only the kinematics but also the dynamics. In order to verify the universality and correctness of our method, in this paper, we apply it to the$$T\bar{T}$$TT¯deformed CFT$$_2$$2, which breaks the conformal symmetry. In terms of the physical arguments of the$$T\bar{T}$$TT¯deformed CFT$$_2$$2, the derived metric is a deformed BTZ black hole. The requirement that the CFT$$_2$$2lives on a conformally flat boundary leads to$$r_{c}^{2}=\ 6R_{AdS}^{4}/(\pi c\mu )$$rc2=6RAdS4/(πcμ)naturally, in perfect agreement with previous conjectures in literature. The energy spectum and propagation speed calculated with this deformed BTZ metric are the same as these derived from$$T\bar{T}$$TT¯deformed CFT$$_2$$2. We furthermore fix the dual geometry of highly excited states with our approach. The result contains the descriptions for the conical defect and BTZ black hole.
Optical tweezers: theory and practice
Authors: Pesce Giuseppe , Jones Philip H. , Maragò Onofrio M. , Volpe Giovanni
Published: December 2020

The possibility for the manipulation of many different samples using only the light from a laser beam opened the way to a variety of experiments. The technique, known as Optical Tweezers, is nowadays employed in a multitude of applications demonstrating its relevance. Since the pioneering work of Arthur Ashkin, where he used a single strongly focused laser beam, ever more complex experimental set-ups are required in order to perform novel and challenging experiments. Here we provide a comprehensive review of the theoretical background and experimental techniques. We start by giving an overview of the theory of optical forces: first, we consider optical forces in approximated regimes when the particles are much larger (ray optics) or much smaller (dipole approximation) than the light wavelength; then, we discuss the full electromagnetic theory of optical forces with a focus on T-matrix methods. Then, we describe the important aspect of Brownian motion in optical traps and its implementation in optical tweezers simulations. Finally, we provide a general description of typical experimental setups of optical tweezers and calibration techniques with particular emphasis on holographic optical tweezers.
Causal network reconstruction from nonlinear time series: A comparative study
Authors: Cui Lipeng , Moore Jack Murdoch
Published: December 2020

Reconstructing causal networks from observed time series is a common problem in diverse science and engineering fields, and the challenge can increase with network size. Unfortunately, systematic comparisons of causal inference techniques have tended to concentrate on small motifs rather than graphs which it would be natural to label as complex networks. In this paper, six widely used methods of causal network reconstruction are systematically benchmarked and contrasted using neuronal models coupled on networks of varied size. Our purpose is concisely to review and explain the basic problems of causality detection using time series, and to compare the performance of varied and practical methods under the extremely relevant, but relatively neglected, conditions of highly nonlinear dynamical systems coupled via networks of many nodes. We find that convergent cross mapping consistently provides the highest precision, but transfer entropy can be preferable when high recall is important. The advantages of convergent cross mapping and transfer entropy over other methods can increase with network size.
From Immersion’s Bleeding Edge to the Augmented Telegrapher
Authors: Krzywinska Tanya , Phillips Tim , Parker Alcwyn , Scott Michael James
Published: December 2020

Immersive technologies can be used to broaden the possibilities of storytelling in heritage contexts to enrich the ways in which museum collections are interpreted and to facilitate more active engagement with history. To this end, as part of the United Kingdom’s Industrial Strategy, new models, methods, and workflows are being developed to help realise the value of such technologies across the country. However, prior art shows that immersive technologies present particular challenges with respect to usability, uptake, onboarding, sustainability, and authenticity. Towards addressing these challenges, a programme of action research has been established across a series of museums in Cornwall. Focusing upon the Augmented Telegrapher at Porthcurno Telegraph Museum, a co-designed social escape room experience that utilises the Microsoft HoloLens to simulate a telegraphy training exercise from World War 2, this article addresses what partnerships with smaller, rural establishments need to effectively realise the value of immersive technologies. Using the work of Erik Champion as a critical lens, the article shows how an iterative constructivist approach leveraging game design principles can underpin success. This is distilled into a set of recommended interaction blueprints and transdisciplinary working practices that will be of interest to curators, researchers, and serious game developers.
Review—Power Approaches for Biosensors based Bio-Medical Devices
Authors: G. Gifta , Rani D. Gracia Nirmala
Published: December 2020

Health care industries are progressing towards improving the health condition of the society, by developing new medical devices with innovative technologies. The advancement in medical technology has brought to reality developing sensor-based medical devices, which are implantable as well as wearable. The present challenge is designing in terms of low noise, low power, low area design techniques, considering patient safety and for a long term process these devices are getting more prevalent in the society. Addressing the problem of battery drain in Implantable Medical Devices (IMD) to the replacement of IMDs and additional surgeries would be the solution due to that. This survey paper presents a glimpse of a deep survey done on various types of power approaches that are carried out on Implantable Medical Devices focusing on extending their durability and attempts done to design various types of amplifiers and converters for sensors used in different medical devices.
New Approach for Designing and Optimally Selecting the Parameters of Graphene nano-ribbon Transistors in the Presence of Process Variation
Authors: Ghadiyani Amir , Karimiyan Alidash Hossein
Published: December 2020

GNRFET Graphene Nano-Ribbon Field-Effect Transistor is sensitive to geometric parameters. Therefore, changing parameters circuit characteristics can be improved or degraded. In this study, we propose a new approach to optimizing the GNRFETs. The effect of geometric and process parameters such as chirality, channel length, width, line edge roughness, oxide thickness, and doping on characteristics of an inverter gate is investigated based on GNRFET. Analysis of power consumption, delay, PDP, and SNM results indicate that GNRFETs adjustable parameters can significantly affect circuit performance. It is shown that SNM increases by changing channel length and width. Moreover, by reducing the channel length from 20 nm to 10 nm, delay for chirality (6,0) decreases by 50%, and delay for chirality (10,0) decreases by 53%. By increasing the Line Edge Roughness by 20%, power consumption for chirality (10,0) and chirality (6,0) increases by 18% and exponentially, respectively. Also, by decreasing the oxide thickness, SNM and power consumption are increased; however, the delay behaves differently with chiralities (6,0) and (10,0). This research demonstrates the importance of accurately determining the GNRFET adjustable parameters according to the design aims. A set of recommendations is provided for optimal parameters needed by digital circuit designers to use GNRFET in their design optimally.