bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional traits, not productivity, predict alpine plant community openness to seedling recruitment under climatic warming
Authors: Meineri Eric , Klanderud Kari , Guittar John , Goldberg Deborah E. , Vandvik Vigdis
Published: September 2019

Understanding the degree to which plant communities are open to seedling recruitment is key to predicting how they will be impacted by climate change. We experimentally assessed whether communities assembled under colder climates were inherently more open to recruitment than warmer‐climate communities, after controlling for differences in the current climate under which the communities were growing. We then tested whether variation in openness to recruitment could be explained by community biomass or by the plant functional traits of the community.

The study was conducted in a climate grid of twelve grassland sites across southern Norway, differing systematically in temperature and precipitation. Along a 2000 mm precipitation gradient, we transplanted turfs with intact plant communities from alpine and sub‐alpine sites into 2°C warmer sites, and measured natural seedling emergence in these transplanted turfs versus locally replanted control turfs at the transplant destination sites. Mixed effect models were used to assess the effect of origin (cold versus warm climate), biomass, and functional trait composition of the communities on seedling emergence. We further assessed variation in these effects across different climatic contexts (the temperature and precipitation gradients).

Communities originating from colder climates were consistently more open to recruitment, with on average 44% more seedlings emerging, than the locally replanted control communities. The higher rates of seedling emergence in colder‐climate communities were attributable to systematic differences in plant functional traits, but not in biomass. The colder‐climate communities were composed of species with smaller leaves and lower maximum plant heights; traits that may make these communities less effective at excluding new recruits. These trait‐related responses were not significant in the warmest sites and did not very across the precipitation gradient.

Our results suggest that alpine species lack the competitive effect traits required to make their communities resistant to invasion by novel competitors under climate change.
CD80 expression and infiltrating regulatory T cells in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome of childhood
Authors: Eroglu Fehime Kara , Orhan Diclehan , İnözü Mihriban , Duzova Ali , Gulhan Bora , Ozaltin Fatih , Topaloglu Rezan
Published: September 2019

Background

CD80 (also known as B7‐1) is a co‐stimulatory molecule that is expressed in biopsies and also excreted in urine in patients with minimal change disease (MCD) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). CD80 is inhibited by the cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte‐associated‐antigen 4 (CTLA4), which is mainly expressed on regulatory T cells (Tregs). Ineffective circulating Treg response is involved in the pathogenesis of nephrotic syndrome. In this study, we evaluated CD80 expression and infiltrating Tregs in children with MCD and FSGS.

Methods

Evaluation of CD80 expression and semi‐quantitative evaluation of Tregs (FOXP3‐positive CD4 T cells) were carried out in 31 kidney biopsies (12 MCD, 19 FSGS) with immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry staining.

Results

All MCD sections were stained negative; whereas six out of 19 FSGS sections (all from steroid‐resistant (SR) patients), including one from a Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1) mutation‐positive FSGS patient, stained positive for anti‐CD80 goat antibody, and negative for anti‐CD80 rabbit antibody. FSGS biopsy specimens had significantly higher FOXP3‐positive cells/mm2 compared with MCD and control samples (P < 0.001). Biopsy samples from SR‐FSGS patients (n = 12) with positive CD80 staining (n = 6) had significantly less Tregs (FOXP3‐positive CD4 T cells) compared with CD80 (−) biopsies (n = 6; P = 0.004).

Conclusion

CD80 expression was not detected in the majority of the archival biopsy sections and the results were not consistent across the different antibodies. In the SR‐FSGS sections, however, CD80‐positive biopsies had decreased FOXP3‐positive CD4 T cells, suggesting that a decreased anti‐inflammatory milieu may be the cause of increased CD80 expression.
Optimising the quality of an SfM‐MVS slope monitoring system using fixed cameras
Authors: Parente Luigi , Chandler Jim H. , Dixon Neil
Published: September 2019

The quality of 3D scene reconstruction and monitoring through structure‐from‐motion multiview stereo (SfM‐MVS) depends on critical key factors, including camera calibration and image network geometry. The goal of this paper is to examine the monitoring ability of an SfM‐MVS workflow based on four or more ground‐based digital single‐lens reflex (DSLR) cameras and to estimate differences when adopting both fixed and variable camera positions and orientations. This was achieved by conducting work on a scaled laboratory testfield and a sea cliff. Tests demonstrate that a monitoring system using just four fixed cameras can achieve valuable monitoring capabilities and tolerate imperfections in the camera calibration. Furthermore, such a configuration can achieve accuracies comparable to terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) and drone‐based photogrammetry. The study demonstrates that minimising registration errors between point clouds is critical. The “registration SIFT” approach could resolve such problems.
Beyond birth outcomes: Interpregnancy interval and injury‐related infant mortality
Authors: Thoma Marie E. , Rossen Lauren M. , De Silva Dane A. , Warner Margaret , Simon Alan E. , Moskosky Susan , Ahrens Katherine A.
Published: September 2019

Background

Several studies have examined the association between IPI and birth outcomes, but few have explored the association between interpregnancy interval (IPI) and postnatal outcomes.

Objective

We examined the association between IPI and injury‐related infant mortality, a leading cause of postneonatal mortality.

Methods

We used 2011‐2015 US period‐linked birth‐infant death vital statistics data to generate a multiyear birth cohort of non‐first‐born singleton births (N = 9 782 029). IPI was defined as the number of months between a live birth and the start of the pregnancy leading to the next live birth. Causes of death in the first year of life were identified using ICD‐10 codes. Hazard ratios (HR) for IPI categories were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for birth order, county poverty level, and maternal characteristics (marital status, race/ethnicity, education, age at previous birth).

Results

After adjustment, overall infant mortality (48.1 per 10 000 births) was higher for short and long IPIs compared with IPI 18‐23 months (reference): <6, aHR 1.61, 95% CI 1.54, 1.68; 6‐11, aHR 1.22, 95% CI 1.17, 1.26; and 60+ months, aHR 1.12, 95% CI 1.08, 1.16. In comparison, the risk of injury‐related infant mortality (4.4 per 10 000 births) decreased with longer IPIs: <6, aHR 1.77, 95% CI 1.55, 2.01; 6‐11, aHR 1.41, 95% CI 1.25, 1.59; 12‐17, aHR 1.25, 95% CI 1.10, 1.41; 24‐59, aHR 0.78, 95% CI 0.69, 0.87; and 60+ months, aHR 0.55, 95% CI 0.48, 0.62.

Conclusion

Unlike overall infant mortality, injury‐related infant mortality decreased with IPI length. While injury‐related deaths are rare, these patterns suggest that the timing between births may be a marker of risk for fatal infant injuries. The first year postpartum may be an ideal time for the delivery of evidence‐based injury prevention programmes as well as family planning services.
Sperm mitochondrial regulation in motility and fertility in horses
Authors: Meyers Stuart , Bulkeley Evelyn , Foutouhi Azarene
Published: September 2019

The biological nature of age‐related declines in fertility in males of any species, including stallions, has been elusive. In horses, the economic costs to the breeding industry are frequently extensive. Mitochondrial function in ejaculated sperm, which is essential for sperm motility, is reflected by adenosine triphosphate production, mitochondrial oxidative efficiency and production of reactive oxygen species, and that this balance may become compromised in ageing stallions and during the process of cryopreservation. This presentation will focus on mitochondrial integrity and function as an avenue for understanding the pathophysiology of sperm when undergoing cryopreservation and male ageing. We discuss the importance of understanding the differences and similarities of sperm mitochondria to that of somatic cells regarding structure and mitochondrial biochemistry relating to sperm function. The roles of oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis in sperm mitochondria are outlined as is the method of determining oxygen consumption and calcium homoeostasis in sperm mitochondria. Further, we outline the role of oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species.
Nations as Zones of Conflict, Nations as Zones of Selection: A Darwinian Social Evolutionary Engagement with John Hutchinson's ‘Culture Wars’
Authors: Kerr William
Published: September 2019

This paper explores the use of Darwinian social evolutionary theory towards understanding the formation of nations through a specific engagement with John Hutchinson'sNations as Zones of Conflict, particularly the idea of ‘culture wars’. After outlining Hutchinson's framework and the principles of Darwinian social evolutionary theory – namely, the key concepts of inheritance, variation, and selection within an environmental context – I make a case for Darwinian concepts being able to support and expand on Hutchinson's ethno‐symbolic approach. I argue that Darwinian social evolutionary theory offers a powerful explanation for why particular myths, symbols, traditions, and memories endure and are revived and revitalized in nationalist contexts. The development of nationalism in Meiji Japan is used as an example to explore these ideas.
They're always there for me! Friendship and meaning in young people's lives?
Authors: O'Rourke John , Harms Craig , Cohen Lynne
Published: September 2019

What gives individuals’ lives meaning is one of the bigger questions confronted by community members? Making sense of our lives and determining what it is that provides us with direction, strength, or commitment is no simple task and even more so in western consumerist societies where so many experiences appear accessible. Finding ways to elicit thoughtful responses from research participants, has led to varied approaches to this increasingly rich research area. An encouraging method is to use digital photography to extract information on what it is that captures participants’ ‘mind's eye’ when reflecting on meaning in their lives. In this article, a pilot study using a combination of digital photography and descriptive narratives was established to explore the thoughts of 174 year seven students in a private West Australian school on what provided their lives with meaning both in school and outside of school. The photos and narratives were explored for themes and while many categories were identified, it was apparent that relationships were the strongest source of meaning in their lives.
The Neighbour’s Effect on well‐Being: How Local Relative Income Differentials Affect Resident's Subjective Well‐Being
Authors: Rijnks Richard Henry , Koster Sierdjan , McCann Philip
Published: September 2019

Studies relating income to subjective well‐being have found that both absolute and relative income determine individual well‐being. This paper assesses the effect of relative income on subjective well‐being, and the spatial scale on which this comparison takes place. This study employs spatial data on individual well‐being, health, socio‐economic status, and psychometrics. The findings suggest that relative income is a significant predictor of subjective well‐being. The relationship is negative for high‐income households, but absent or reversed for low income households showing an asymmetric relationship. The spatial scale for the comparison effect is small, with a bandwidth of 100 metres providing the best fit.
Optimal spatial data matching for conflation: A network flow‐based approach
Authors: Lei Ting , Lei Zhen
Published: September 2019

Spatial data conflation involves the matching and merging of counterpart features in multiple datasets. It has applications in practical spatial analysis in a variety of fields. Conceptually, the feature‐matching problem can be viewed as an optimization problem of seeking a match plan that minimizes the total discrepancy between datasets. In this article, we propose a powerful yet efficient optimization model for feature matching based on the classic network flow problem in operations research. We begin with a review of the existing optimization‐based methods and point out limitations of current models. We then demonstrate how to utilize the structure of the network‐flow model to approach the feature‐matching problem, as well as the important factors for designing optimization‐based conflation models. The proposed model can be solved by general linear programming solvers or network flow solvers. Due to the network flow formulation we adopt, the proposed model can be solved in polynomial time. Computational experiments show that the proposed model significantly outperforms existing optimization‐based conflation models. We conclude with a summary of findings and point out directions of future research.
Human Leucocyte Antigens in blood transfusion
Authors: Grubic Zorana
Published: September 2019

Human Leucocyte Antigen (HLA) genes and molecules have an important role in transplantation, aetiology of many autoimmune, non‐autoimmune and infection diseases. Due to the extremely high polymorphism of HLA genes and their different frequency distributions in various populations, an increasing probability of HLA non‐compatible blood products, tissues or organs usage exists. For that reason, the aim of this paper was to give a concise overview of the role of HLA antigens and antibodies in adverse reactions caused by administration of transfusion products. The HLA system can cause detrimental immune reactions in transfusion therapy (platelet immune refractoriness, febrile transfusion reaction, transfusion‐related acute lung injury and transfusion‐associated graft versus host disease). Anti‐HLA antibodies present in the patient are responsible for some of these reactions, while anti‐HLA antibodies or HLA reactive cells present in the transfused product are accountable for immune‐reactivity in other cases. In order to avoid or reduce the development of these transfusion‐related events, anti‐HLA antibody‐negative or compatible products should be used. This is increasingly facilitated by introduction of more sensitive and specific techniques to determine anti‐HLA antibodies and gene polymorphisms. In conclusion, the most common adverse reactions related to administration of incompatible HLA transfusion products are discussed. Basic information about HLA genes and antibodies as well as methods for their detection is also provided in order to give sufficient data for safe and efficient administration of transfusion products.
Analysis of Composite Blade/Casing Rub Stability Through Delayed Differential Equations
Authors: Xiao Jiaguangyi , Chen Yong , Tian Jie , Ouyang Hua , Wang Anjenq
Published: September 2019

To improve aerodynamic efficiencies, the clearances between blades and casings are becoming smaller and smaller in the aero-engine industry, which might lead to the interactions between these components. These unexpected interactions are known as the so-called blade/casing rubs. Abradable materials are implemented on the inner surface of the casings to reduce the potential damages caused by it. However, failures may still arise from blade/casing rubs according to experimental investigations and actual accidents. In this paper, a reduced-order delayed differential equations (DDEs) are used to simplify the rubbing process between composite blade and casing. It is assumed that the removal of the abradable material in blade/casing rubbing process shares a resemblance with machine tool chatters encountered in machining. The DDEs are established with centrifugal stiffness and the impacts of stacking sequences on the blade damping taking into consideration. Semidiscretization method (SDM) is used to study the stabilities of the simplified system, which is verified by cluster treatment of characteristic roots (CTCR) and direct integrations. The results show that the stacking sequences, rub positions, blade damping, and stiffness could have much impact on the relatively dangerous interaction regimes. With the help of this method, one can assist the design processes of the composite blade-casing interface in initial aero-engine structural designs.
A Reduced-Order Model for Loosening of Bolted Joints Subjected to Axial Shock Excitation
Authors: Moore Keegan J.
Published: September 2019

Maintaining preload in bolted joints is critical for the safe and efficient operation of nearly all built-up structures. Dynamic loss of preload during operation occurs when sufficient shear force is applied to the joint such that slip is induced in at least the threads if not the entire bolt. Such shear forces are often realized when the joint is subjected to sustained vibrations, resulting in loosening over relatively long periods of time, or extreme shock loading where loosening occurs over fractions of a second. Modeling of joint loosening often focuses on complex analytical approaches or high-fidelity simulations using finite element models. While such approaches may succeed for a single bolt, they are unfeasible for use in simulations of entire built-up structures, which may possess dozens to thousands of joints. Thus, there is a need for reduced-order models (ROMs) that capture the dominant governing physics, but at drastically lower computational costs. This research introduces a phenomenological ROM for loosening in bolted joints subjected to axial shock excitation. The model introduces a mathematical relationship between the stiffness of the joint and torque of the fastener and treats the torque as a dynamic internal variable governed by a first-order, ordinary differential equation. The proposed ROM is presented then applied to an experimental study of a split-Hopkinson pressure bar with a threaded joint subjected to extreme shock loading. The results demonstrate that the proposed ROM is able to reproduce the dominant effects of loosening in bolted joints subjected to axial shock excitation.
Design and Modeling of a Continuously Tunable Stiffness Arm for Safe Physical Human–Robot Interaction
Authors: She Yu , Su Hai-Jun , Meng Deshan , Lai Cheng
Published: September 2019

To reduce injury in physical human–robot interactions (pHRIs), a common practice is to introduce compliance to joints or arm of a robotic manipulator. In this paper, we present a robotic arm made of parallel guided beams whose stiffness can be continuously tuned by morphing the shape of the cross section through two four-bar linkages actuated by servo motors. An analytical lateral stiffness model is derived based on the pseudo-rigid-body model and validated by experiments. A physical prototype of a three-armed manipulator is built. Extensive stiffness and impact tests are conducted, and the results show that the stiffness of the robotic arm can be changed up to 3.6 times at a morphing angle of 37 deg. At an impact velocity of 2.2 m/s, the peak acceleration has a decrease of 19.4% and a 28.57% reduction of head injury criteria (HIC) when the arm is tuned from the high stiffness mode to the low stiffness mode. These preliminary results demonstrate the feasibility to reduce impact injury by introducing compliance into the robotic link and that the compliant link solution could be an alternative approach for addressing safety concerns of physical human–robot interactions.
BPNN-QSTR Models for Triazine Derivatives for Lubricant Additives
Authors: Wang Tingting , Wang Zhan , Chen Hao , Dai Kang , Gao Xinlei
Published: September 2019

Triazine derivatives are a kind of lubricant additives with excellent tribological properties. It is of great significance to study the quantitative relationship between their chemical structure and tribological properties. In the present study, the quantitative structure tribo-ability relationships (QSTR) between 20 triazine derivatives and their respective extreme-pressure properties as lubricant additives were analyzed by the back propagation neural network (BPNN) method. The BPNN-QSTR model had satisfactory stability and predictive ability (R2 = 0.9965, R2(LOO) = 0.9195, q2 = 0.8274). The anti-wear model also yielded good predictions (R2 = 0.9757, R2(LOO) = 0.6261, q2 = 0.8022). Two- and three-dimensional structural descriptors were used to analyze molecular structures that affected extreme-pressure and anti-wear properties. The results indicate that the three-dimensional molecular dimensions and the bonding modes of the skeleton atoms in the molecules were important factors. In addition, the effects of N, P, O, and other hetero-atoms on the tribological properties were reflected in their corresponding group types and electronic structures.
Modeling for Microslip Behavior of Lap Joints Based on Non-Gaussian Rough Surfaces
Authors: Li Wei , Zhan Wanglong , Huang Ping
Published: September 2019

A general contact model for a lap joint interface based on non-Gaussian surfaces was proposed. The effect of surface topography parameters on microslip behavior in a lap joint interface was studied. Pearson system was applied to produce non-Gaussian surfaces. Combining the topographical-dependent Zhao–Maietta–Chang (ZMC) model with the physical-related Iwan model, the nonlinear constitutive relationship of a lap interface was constructed by using Masing hypothesis. Meanwhile, the probability density function of asperity heights of an infinitely smooth surface was mathematically proved to be a delta function, verifying that the calculated value of friction in the model conforms to the physical law. Gauss-Legendre quadrature was conducted to calculate contact relations of different Pearson distribution surfaces. Furthermore, numerical results of microslip loops under oscillating tangential forces were compared with the published experiments, indicating the present model considering non-Gaussian surfaces could agree well with the experiments.
Magnetohydrodynamic Natural Convection Heat Transfer of Hybrid Nanofluid in a Square Enclosure in the Presence of a Wavy Circular Conductive Cylinder
Authors: Tayebi Tahar , Chamkha Ali J.
Published: September 2019

In this paper, steady natural convective heat transfer and flow characteristics of Al2O3-Cu/water hybrid nanofluid filled square enclosure in the presence of magnetic field has been investigated numerically. The enclosure is equipped with a wavy circular conductive cylinder. The natural convection in the cavity is induced by a temperature difference between the vertical left hot wall and the other right cold wall. The steady 2-D equations of laminar natural convection problem for Newtonian and incompressible mixture are discretized using the finite volume method. The effective thermal conductivity and viscosity of the hybrid nanofluid are calculated using Corcione correlations taking into consideration the Brownian motion of the nanoparticles. A numerical parametric investigation is carried out for different values of the nanoparticles volumic concentration, Hartmann number, Rayleigh number, and the ratio of fluid to solid thermal conductivities. According to the results, the corrugated conductive block plays an important role in controlling the convective flow characteristic and the heat transfer rate within the system.
Series-Type Pendulum Tuned Mass Damper-Tuned Sloshing Damper
Authors: Love J. S. , McNamara K. P. , Tait M. J. , Haskett T. C.
Published: September 2019

A pendulum-type tuned mass damper (TMD)-tuned sloshing damper (TSD) system is proposed as a cost-effective device to reduce wind-induced structural motion. Lagrange's principle is employed to develop an equivalent mechanical model for the system. The sloshing liquid provides additional gravitational restoring force to the pendulum TMD but does not provide a corresponding increase to its inertia. As a result, the natural frequency of the pendulum TMD is increased due to the TSD degree-of-freedom. Shake table testing is conducted on several pendulum TMD-TSD systems that are subjected to harmonic base excitation at discrete frequencies near the natural frequency of the pendulum TMD. The modeled and experimental results are in reasonable agreement when the liquid is not shallow or the response amplitude is not large. The pendulum TMD-TSD is coupled to a linear structure, and it is demonstrated through an analytical study that the device provides performance that is comparable to a traditional TMD. The proposed system is advantageous because it does not require a viscous damping system that is often one of the most costly components of traditional TMDs.
CRISPR reveals some cancer drugs hit unexpected targets
Authors: Kaiser Jocelyn
Published: September 2019

Method that generated drug leads may be flawed.
Sunken summits
Authors: Cornwall Warren
Published: September 2019

Earth's seamounts hold biological and mineral riches. Can deep-sea mining and conservation coexist?
A measurement of the Hubble constant from angular diameter distances to two gravitational lenses
Authors: Jee Inh , Suyu Sherry H. , Komatsu Eiichiro , Fassnacht Christopher D. , Hilbert Stefan , Koopmans Léon V. E.
Published: September 2019

Lensing approach to the Hubble constant

The current expansion rate of the Universe is parametrized by the Hubble constant,
H
0
. Different methods of measuring
H
0
produce results that disagree with each other, which could be a sign of new physics or of systematic errors in the methods. Jee
et al.
have analyzed two gravitational lensing systems to determine their distances (see the Perspective by Davis). They use these as benchmarks for a measurement of
H
0
. The precision is not sufficient to resolve the debate but does bypass some of the systematic uncertainties. Observations of more lensing systems will be required to narrow down the value of
H
0
.

Science
, this issue p.
1134
; see also p.
1076
A global perspective on tropical montane rivers
Authors: Encalada Andrea C. , Flecker Alexander S. , Poff N. LeRoy , Suárez Esteban , Herrera-R Guido A. , Ríos-Touma Blanca , Jumani Suman , Larson Erin I. , Anderson Elizabeth P.
Published: September 2019

Tropical montane rivers (TMR) are born in tropical mountains, descend through montane forests, and feed major rivers, floodplains, and oceans. They are characterized by rapid temperature clines and varied flow disturbance regimes, both of which promote habitat heterogeneity, high biological diversity and endemism, and distinct organisms’ life-history adaptations. Production, transport, and processing of sediments, nutrients, and carbon are key ecosystem processes connecting high-elevation streams with lowland floodplains, in turn influencing soil fertility and biotic productivity downstream. TMR provide key ecosystem services to hundreds of millions of people in tropical nations. In light of existing human-induced disturbances, including climate change, TMR can be used as natural model systems to examine the effects of rapid changes in abiotic drivers and their influence on biodiversity and ecosystem function.
Behavioral and neural correlates of hide-and-seek in rats
Authors: Reinhold Annika Stefanie , Sanguinetti-Scheck Juan Ignacio , Hartmann Konstantin , Brecht Michael
Published: September 2019

Role play between rats and humans

There is controversy regarding how widespread animal play behavior is and what its evolutionary function might be. Reinhold
et al.
demonstrated that rats can play hide-and-seek with a human. In the “seek” condition, rats learned to look for the hidden humans and kept seeking until they found them. In the “hide” condition, they learned to hide in one of several locations and waited there until being found. In both cases, the rats were rewarded by social interaction with the human. Rats vocalized when seeking and finding and were silent when hiding. Recordings in the medial prefrontal cortex detected neurons that were sensitive to the game structure.

Science
, this issue p.
1180
Humboldt for the Anthropocene
Authors: Jackson Stephen T.
Published: September 2019

Humboldt's fusion of science and humanism can address contemporary challenges
Evolving emotions
The Deep History of Ourselves
Joseph E. LeDoux
Viking, 2019, 432 pp.
Authors: Van Essen David C.
Published: September 2019

An eminent fear researcher argues for an about-face in how we conceive of emotions
Non-Hermitian topological light steering
Authors: Zhao Han , Qiao Xingdu , Wu Tianwei , Midya Bikashkali , Longhi Stefano , Feng Liang
Published: September 2019

How to define a light path topologically

Controlling the flow of light in a robust and flexible manner will be critical for the development of the next generation of photonic integrated devices. Exploiting the inherent protection afforded by topology, topological photonics provides a solution for the robust propagation of light. Devices so far, however, have been fixed in their functionality. Zhao
et al.
created light paths that can be arbitrarily switched on and off by optical illumination. Propagation can be topologically steered along desired pathways by manipulating regions of gain and loss within the photonic structure through optical excitation. This approach provides a route to controlling topologically protected light paths in an integrated optical platform.

Science
, this issue p.
1163
An expanding controversy
Authors: Davis Tamara
Published: September 2019

An independently calibrated measurement fortifies the debate around Hubble's constant
Chemical bond formation showing a transition from physisorption to chemisorption
Authors: Huber Ferdinand , Berwanger Julian , Polesya Svitlana , Mankovsky Sergiy , Ebert Hubert , Giessibl Franz J.
Published: September 2019

Imaging a chemisorption process

At low temperatures, a molecule may adsorb to a surface only through weak forces (physisorption), and only upon heating and overcoming an energetic barrier does it form a strong covalent bond (chemisorption). Huber
et al.
imaged this transition for an atomic force microscopy tip terminating in a carbon monoxide molecule. Although the oxygen atom of the tip is normally considered to act like a rare gas atom, interacting only through van der Waals interactions, at short distances directly above a transition metal atom, it transitions to a strongly interacting chemisorption state.

Science
, this issue p.
235
Comment on “Spin coating epitaxial films”
Authors: Lu Chaojing , Tang Lingli
Published: September 2019

Kelso
et al
. (Reports, 12 April 2019, p. 166) claim that inorganic epitaxial films were deposited onto single-crystal or single-crystal–like substrates by spin coating. The epitaxial relationships were determined by x-ray diffraction. According to their pole figures, we estimate that each of their films contains only 4.1% to 25.5% epitaxial grains. None of their films can be considered epitaxial.
A Humboldtian view of mountains
Authors: Körner Christian , Spehn Eva
Published: September 2019

In the early 19th century, when naturalists were busy cataloging Earth's inventory and separating the living world into labeled units, a 32-year-old explorer at the flanks of Chimborazo mountain in Ecuador—higher than anybody else had climbed by that time—saw the fog clearing, revealing an arena of tropical mountain life. According to his notes, this was the moment when Alexander von Humboldt coined the central paradigm of his scientific legacy: Everything is connected. Removing one factor or item will inevitably affect others. For Humboldt, born 250 years ago, life on Earth was a web of interactions. He was seeking generality and came up with an ecological theory in modern terms—one that has never ceased to be relevant.
Population Pharmacokinetics of Ganciclovir after Valganciclovir Treatment in Children with Renal Transplant
Authors: Facchin A. , Elie V. , Benyoub N. , Magreault S. , Maisin A. , Storme T. , Zhao W. , Deschenes G. , Jacqz-Aigrain E.
Published: September 2019

Valganciclovir, the ganciclovir prodrug, is an antiviral agent administered orally to prevent or treat cytomegalovirus infection in solid-organ transplant recipients. The valganciclovir dosing regimen in children is still controversial, as the number of patients reaching the area under the concentration-time curve at steady state (AUC
ss
) target (40 to 60 mg·h/liter) remains highly variable.
Rapid Tuberculosis Diagnosis Using Reporter Enzyme Fluorescence
Authors: Sule Preeti , Tilvawala Ronak , Mustapha Toriq , Hassounah Hany , Noormohamed Aneesa , Kundu Suprateek , Graviss Edward A. , Walkup Grant K. , Kong Ying , Cirillo Jeffrey D.
Published: September 2019

Tuberculosis is the most frequent cause of death in humans from a single infectious agent. Due to low numbers of bacteria present in sputum during early infection, diagnosis does not usually occur until >3 to 4 months after symptoms develop. We created a new more sensitive diagnostic that can be carried out in 10 min with no processing or technical expertise.
Influenza Viruses in Mice: Deep Sequencing Analysis of Serial Passage and Effects of Sialic Acid Structural Variation
Authors: Wasik Brian R. , Voorhees Ian E. H. , Barnard Karen N. , Alford-Lawrence Brynn K. , Weichert Wendy S. , Hood Grace , Nogales Aitor , Martínez-Sobrido Luis , Holmes Edward C. , Parrish Colin R.
Published: September 2019

Mice are commonly used as a model to study the growth and virulence of influenza A viruses in mammals but are not a natural host and have distinct sialic acid receptor profiles compared to humans. Using experimental infections with different subtypes of influenza A virus derived from different hosts, we found that evolution of influenza A virus in mice did not necessarily proceed through the linear accumulation of host-adaptive mutations, that there was variation in the patterns of mutations detected in each repetition, and that the mutation dynamics depended on the virus examined. In addition, variation in the viral receptor, sialic acid, did not affect influenza virus evolution in this model. Overall, our results show that while mice provide a useful animal model for influenza virus pathology, host passage evolution will vary depending on the specific virus tested.
Enhanced Killing of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells by Reassortant Reovirus and Topoisomerase Inhibitors
Authors: Rodríguez Stewart Roxana M. , Berry Jameson T. L. , Berger Angela K. , Yoon Sung Bo , Hirsch Aspen L. , Guberman Jaime A. , Patel Nirav B. , Tharp Gregory K. , Bosinger Steven E. , Mainou Bernardo A.
Published: September 2019

Patients afflicted by triple-negative breast cancer have decreased survival and limited therapeutic options. Reovirus infection results in cell death of a variety of cancers, but it is unknown if different reovirus types lead to triple-negative breast cancer cell death. In this study, we generated two novel reoviruses that more efficiently infect and kill triple-negative breast cancer cells. We show that infection in the presence of DNA-damaging agents enhances infection and triple-negative breast cancer cell killing by reovirus. These data suggest that a combination of a genetically engineered oncolytic reovirus and topoisomerase inhibitors may provide a potent therapeutic option for patients afflicted with triple-negative breast cancer.
Trends in incidence of total or type 2 diabetes: systematic review
Authors: Magliano Dianna J , Islam Rakibul M , Barr Elizabeth L M , Gregg Edward W , Pavkov Meda E , Harding Jessica L , Tabesh Maryam , Koye Digsu N , Shaw Jonathan E
Published: September 2019

Objective

To assess what proportions of studies reported increasing, stable, or declining trends in the incidence of diagnosed diabetes.

Design

Systematic review of studies reporting trends of diabetes incidence in adults from 1980 to 2017 according to PRISMA guidelines.

Data sources

Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and reference lists of relevant publications.

Eligibility criteria

Studies of open population based cohorts, diabetes registries, and administrative and health insurance databases on secular trends in the incidence of total diabetes or type 2 diabetes in adults were included. Poisson regression was used to model data by age group and year.

Results

Among the 22 833 screened abstracts, 47 studies were included, providing data on 121 separate sex specific or ethnicity specific populations; 42 (89%) of the included studies reported on diagnosed diabetes. In 1960-89, 36% (8/22) of the populations studied had increasing trends in incidence of diabetes, 55% (12/22) had stable trends, and 9% (2/22) had decreasing trends. In 1990-2005, diabetes incidence increased in 66% (33/50) of populations, was stable in 32% (16/50), and decreased in 2% (1/50). In 2006-14, increasing trends were reported in only 33% (11/33) of populations, whereas 30% (10/33) and 36% (12/33) had stable or declining incidence, respectively.

Conclusions

The incidence of clinically diagnosed diabetes has continued to rise in only a minority of populations studied since 2006, with over a third of populations having a fall in incidence in this time period. Preventive strategies could have contributed to the fall in diabetes incidence in recent years. Data are limited in low and middle income countries, where trends in diabetes incidence could be different.

Systematic review registration

Prospero CRD42018092287.
Role of public involvement in the Royal College of Physicians’ Future Hospitals healthcare improvement programme: an evaluation
Authors: Frith Lucy , Hepworth Lauren , Lowers Victoria , Joseph Frank , Davies Elizabeth , Gabbay Mark
Published: September 2019

Objectives

The Royal College of Physician’s (RCP) Future Hospital Programme (FHP) set out a blueprint for a radical new model of care that put patient experience centre stage. This paper reports on the results of an independent evaluation of the FHP and focuses on the role public patient involvement (PPI) played in these projects. The paper explores the perceptions and experiences of those involved in the FHP of how PPI was operationalised in this context, and develops an ‘ex-post’ programme theory of PPI in the FHP. We conclude by assessing the benefits and challenges of this work.

Setting

Secondary care. The FHP consisted of eight clinician-led healthcare improvement hospital development sites with two phases.

Participants

Development site clinical teams, patient representatives, the RCP’s Patient and Carer Network, members of the FHP team, and fellows and members of the RCP.

Design/methods

We conducted an independent evaluation of the FHP using FHP documentation and data collected specifically for the evaluation: qualitative interviews, focus groups and a web-based survey.

Results

The PPI initiatives set out to develop more patient-centred care and improve the patient experience. The mechanisms designed to meet these goals were (1) a programme of PPI in the development site’s projects, (2) a better understanding of patient experience and (3) evaluation of patient experience.

Conclusion

This evaluation of the FHP identifies some key elements that need to be considered when attempting to more closely integrate PPI and co-production in service re-design. The structure of FHP over two phases enabled learning from phase I to be incorporated into phase II. Having the PPI representatives closely involved, developing communities of practice, and the oversight and measuring activities acted as ‘disciplinary structures’ that contributed to embedding PPI in the FHP and kept the patient experience at the forefront of the improvement initiatives.
Developing a cerebral palsy-specific preference-based measure for a six-dimensional classification system (CP-6D): protocol for a valuation study
Authors: Bahrampour Mina , Norman Richard , Byrnes Joshua , Downes Martin , Scuffham Paul A
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a lifelong condition. The CP quality of life (CPQOL) instrument is a frequently used disease-specific instrument to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in people with CP, but it cannot be used to generate quality-adjusted life years (QALY) which are the basis of cost utility analysis (CUA). Generic utility instruments (such as the EQ-5D or SF-6D) that are used to value HRQOL may be insensitive to small but important health changes in children with CP. This study aims to generate a preference-based scoring algorithm for the CP six dimensions (CP-6D), a classification system developed from the CPQOL.

Methods and analysis

A discrete choice experiment with duration (DCEtto) will be administrated to value health states described by the CP-6D classification system. These health states will be presented to members of Australian general population and parents of children with CP via an online survey. Conditional logit regression will be used to produce the utility algorithm for CP-6D.

Ethics and dissemination

The Griffith University Human Research Ethics Committee approved for the study (reference HREC/number 2018/913). The developed algorithm can be applied to previous and future economic evaluation of interventions and treatments targeting people with CP which have used either the CPQOL or CP-6D.
Reliability of instruments that measure situation awareness, team performance and task performance in a simulation setting with medical students
Authors: Hultin Magnus , Jonsson Karin , Härgestam Maria , Lindkvist Marie , Brulin Christine
Published: September 2019

Objectives

The assessment of situation awareness (SA), team performance and task performance in a simulation training session requires reliable and feasible measurement techniques. The objectives of this study were to test the Airways–Breathing–Circulation–Disability–Exposure (ABCDE) checklist and the Team Emergency Assessment Measure (TEAM) for inter-rater reliability, as well as the application of Situation Awareness Global Assessment Technique (SAGAT) for feasibility and internal consistency.

Design

Methodological approach.

Setting

Data collection during team training using full-scale simulation at a university clinical training centre. The video-recorded scenarios were rated independently by four raters.

Participants

55 medical students aged 22–40 years in their fourth year of medical studies, during the clerkship in anaesthesiology and critical care medicine, formed 23 different teams. All students answered the SAGAT questionnaires, and of these students, 24 answered the follow-up postsimulation questionnaire (PSQ). TEAM and ABCDE were scored by four professionals.

Measures

The ABCDE and TEAM were tested for inter-rater reliability. The feasibility of SAGAT was tested using PSQ. SAGAT was tested for internal consistency both at an individual level (SAGAT) and a team level (Team Situation Awareness Global Assessment Technique (TSAGAT)).

Results

The intraclass correlation was 0.54/0.83 (single/average measurements) for TEAM and 0.55/0.83 for ABCDE. According to the PSQ, the items in SAGAT were rated as relevant to the scenario by 96% of the participants. Cronbach’s alpha for SAGAT/TSAGAT for the two scenarios was 0.80/0.83 vs 0.62/0.76, and normed χ² was 1.72 vs 1.62.

Conclusion

Task performance, team performance and SA could be purposefully measured, and the reliability of the measurements was good.
Development of reporting guidance and core outcome sets for seamless, standardised evaluation of innovative surgical procedures and devices: a study protocol for content generation and a Delphi consensus process (COHESIVE study)
Authors: Avery Kerry , Blazeby Jane , Wilson Nicholas , Macefield Rhiannon , Cousins Sian , Main Barry , Blencowe Natalie S , Zahra Jesmond , Elliott Daisy , Hinchliffe Robert , Potter Shelley
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Rigorous evaluation of innovative invasive procedures and medical devices is uncommon and lacks reporting standardisation. Devices may therefore enter routine practice without thorough evaluation, resulting in patient harm. Detailed guidance on how to select and report outcomes at each stage of evaluation is lacking. Development of reporting guidance and core outcome sets (COS) is one strategy to promote safe and transparent evaluation.

Methods and analysis

A COS, comprising outcome domains applicable to all phases of evaluation of procedure/device introduction and modification and, if necessary, supplementary domains relevant to specific phases or types of innovation (procedure or device), will be developed according to principles outlined by Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) and Core Outcome Set-Standards for Development (COS-STAD) guidelines. Reporting guidance will be developed concurrently. The study will have the following three phases:

1. Generation of a list of relevant outcome domains and reporting items identified from (a) published studies, (b) hospital policy documentation, (c) regulatory body documentation and (d) stakeholder qualitative interviews. Identified items/domains will be categorised using a conceptual framework and formatted into Delphi consensus survey questionnaire items.

2. Key stakeholders, including 50 patients and 150 professionals (surgeons, researchers, device manufacturers, regulatory representatives, journal editors) sampled from multinational sources, will complete a Delphi survey to score the importance of each reporting item and outcome.

3. A consensus meeting with key stakeholders will discuss and agree the final content of the reporting guidance and COS(s).

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval has been granted by North East-Newcastle and North Tyneside 1 Health Research Authority Research Ethics Committee (18/NE/0378). Dissemination strategies include scientific meeting presentations, peer-reviewed journal publications, development of plain English summaries/materials, patient engagement events, development of a social media identity, workshops and other events.
Methotrimeprazine versus haloperidol in palliative care patients with cancer-related nausea: a randomised, double-blind controlled trial
Authors: Hardy Janet Rea , Skerman Helen , Philip Jennifer , Good Phillip , Currow David C , Mitchell Geoffrey , Yates Patsy
Published: September 2019

Objectives

Methotrimeprazine is commonly used for the management of nausea but never tested formally against other drugs used in this setting. The aim was to demonstrate superior antiemetic efficacy.

Design

Double-blind, randomised, controlled trial of methotrimeprazine versus haloperidol.

Setting

11 palliative care sites in Australia.

Participants

Participants were >18 years, had cancer, an average nausea score of ≥3/10 and able to tolerate oral medications. Ineligible patients had acute nausea related to treatment, nausea for which a specific antiemetic was indicated, were about to undergo a procedure or had received either of the study drugs or a change in glucocorticoid dose within the previous 48 hours.

Interventions

Based on previous studies, haloperidol was used as the control. Participants were randomised to encapsulated methotrimeprazine 6·25 mg or haloperidol 1·5 mg one time or two times per day and assessed every 24 hours for 72 hours.

Main outcome measures

A ≥two-point reduction in nausea score at 72 hours from baseline. Secondary outcome measures were as follows: complete response at 72 hours (end nausea score less than 3), response at 24 and 48 hours, vomiting episodes, use of rescue antiemetics, harms and global impression of change.

Results

Response to treatment at 72 hours was 75% (44/59) in the haloperidol (H) arm and 63% (36/57) in the methotrimeprazine (M) arm with no difference between groups (intention-to-treat analysis). Complete response rates were 56% (H) and 51% (M). In theper protocolanalysis, there was no difference in response rates: (85% (44/52) (H) and 74% (36/49) (M). Completeper protocolresponse rates were 64% (H) and 59% (M). Toxicity worse than baseline was minimal with a trend towards greater sedation in the methotrimeprazine arm.

Conclusion

This study did not demonstrate any difference in response rate between methotrimeprazine and haloperidol in the control of nausea.

Trial registration number

ACTRN 12615000177550.