bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tick‐borne viruses: Current trends in large‐scale viral surveillance
Authors: Park Ki Beom , Jo Yong Hun , Kim Nam‐Yeon , Lee Wook‐Gyo , Lee Hee‐Il , Cho Shin‐Hyeong , Patnaik Bharat Bhusan , Han Yeon Soo
Published: July 2020

Ticks are ectoparasites that transmit pathogens, such as tick‐borne viruses, to their hosts. Tick‐borne viruses are diverse: they can be categorized into two orders, nine families, and at least 12 genera. Almost 25% of these viruses are infectious to humans and some are a serious threat to public health. The global rise in tick‐borne virus diseases has been linked to climate change which has reduced tick mortality in the winter and extended their active period. The spread of tick‐borne viral diseases to humans has received significant interest due to the increased threat to human life; epidemiological monitoring of tick‐borne viruses using molecular, immunological, and environmental methods is now a priority. Nevertheless, many tick‐borne diseases remain undiagnosed, which poses a challenge to public administration and health care officials. This review discusses three major tick‐borne RNA viruses that cause serious infection in humans: severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) virus, tick‐borne encephalitis (TBE), and Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus. Specifically, we discuss the epidemiological monitoring, vector control measures, molecular diagnostics, vaccines, and environmental determinants related to these viruses. Furthermore, we review the current surveillance of these tick‐borne viruses with a specific focus on diagnostic approaches that employ molecular interventions such as viral nucleic acid isolation, PCR‐based diagnostics, and high‐throughput sequencing technologies.
Effects of Groundwater‐Surface Water Exchange Mechanism in the National Water Model over the Northern High Plains Aquifer, USA
Authors: Jachens Elizabeth R. , Hutcheson Holly , Thomas Matthew B. , Steward David R.
Published: July 2020

Surface water and groundwater are intimately connected by a two‐way flux between the stream and underlying aquifers. The National Water Model (NWM) currently only considers a one‐way flux, where groundwater can enter a stream but cannot return to the aquifer. The Northern High Plains Aquifer, USA is used as a case study to investigate the consequences of omitting two‐way stream–aquifer fluxes on streamflow prediction capabilities of the NWM during hydrologic extremes. Instead of traditional field techniques to identify stream–aquifer fluxes, this study presents an integrated approach to classify likely stream regimes using three identification methods: United States Geological Survey (USGS) gage data, simulated stream–aquifer fluxes from an existing USGS Groundwater Availability Model, and the normalized difference vegetation index from remote sensing. For flood events, the modeled flood response for losing streams is characterized by statistically significant earlier peak discharges and an overestimate of the observed flood volume when compared to gaining streams. For drought events, our study found no statistical difference between losing and gaining streams, however, modeled streamflow from the NWM overestimated the observed USGS hydrograph. The systematic overestimate of streamflow by the NWM could be, in part, due to the lack of a losing stream mechanism which was on average 0.1% streamflow loss per streamwise km along the river.
Bayesian compositional regression with structured priors for microbiome feature selection
Authors: Zhang Liangliang , Shi Yushu , Jenq Robert R. , Do Kim‐Anh , Peterson Christine B.
Published: July 2020

The microbiome plays a critical role in human health and disease, and there is a strong scientific interest in linking specific features of the microbiome to clinical outcomes. There are key aspects of microbiome data, however, that limit the applicability of standard variable selection methods. In particular, the observed data are compositional, as the counts within each sample have a fixed‐sum constraint. In addition, microbiome features, typically quantified as operational taxonomic units, often reflect microorganisms that are similar in function, and may therefore have a similar influence on the response variable. To address the challenges posed by these aspects of the data structure, we propose a variable selection technique with the following novel features: a generalized transformation and z‐prior to handle the compositional constraint, and an Ising prior that encourages the joint selection of microbiome features that are closely related in terms of their genetic sequence similarity. We demonstrate that our proposed method outperforms existing penalized approaches for microbiome variable selection in both simulation and the analysis of real data exploring the relationship of the gut microbiome to body mass index.
Resampling‐based confidence intervals for model‐free robust inference on optimal treatment regimes
Authors: Wu Yunan , Wang Lan
Published: July 2020

We propose a new procedure for inference on optimal treatment regimes in the model‐free setting, which does not require to specify an outcome regression model. Existing model‐free estimators for optimal treatment regimes are usually not suitable for the purpose of inference, because they either have nonstandard asymptotic distributions or do not necessarily guarantee consistent estimation of the parameter indexing the Bayes rule due to the use of surrogate loss. We first study a smoothed robust estimator that directly targets the parameter corresponding to the Bayes decision rule for optimal treatment regimes estimation. This estimator is shown to have an asymptotic normal distribution. Furthermore, we verify that a resampling procedure provides asymptotically accurate inference for both the parameter indexing the optimal treatment regime and the optimal value function. A new algorithm is developed to calculate the proposed estimator with substantially improved speed and stability. Numerical results demonstrate the satisfactory performance of the new methods.
Fostering students’ creativity via educational robotics: An investigation of teachers’ pedagogical practices based on teacher interviews
Authors: Yang Yuqin , Long Yanwen , Sun Daner , Van Aalst Jan , Cheng Sanyin
Published: July 2020

This study explored how educational robotics (ER) was implemented in classrooms to foster creativity among elementary school students and identified challenges associated with its implementation. Twenty‐six teachers at different elementary schools were interviewed. In‐depth teacher interviews and grounded theory were used to collect and analyze the interviews. We found that the intended creative learning outcome for students was mastery of the developmental process of creativity. The teachers generally reported using a four‐phase instructional framework consisting of eight sub‐phases and targeted teaching strategies to support students’ learning outcomes. Challenges included insufficient appropriate learning materials, a lack of expansive learning activities and tasks and limited opportunities to engage students in the process of design thinking and developing metacognitive abilities. The findings have practical implications for teachers and researchers who are interested in developing pedagogical practices (PP) incorporating ER to support students’ creativity. The study also has theoretical value, offering insights into teachers’ PP in implementing ER.
Practical Measurement and Reconstruction of Spectral Skin Reflectance
Authors: Gitlina Y. , Guarnera G. C. , Dhillon D. S. , Hansen J. , Lattas A. , Pai D. , Ghosh A.
Published: July 2020

We present two practical methods for measurement of spectral skin reflectance suited for live subjects, and drive a spectral BSSRDF model with appropriate complexity to match skin appearance in photographs, including human faces. Our primary measurement method employs illuminating a subject with two complementary uniform spectral illumination conditions using a multispectral LED sphere to estimate spatially varying parameters of chromophore concentrations including melanin and hemoglobin concentration, melanin blend‐type fraction, and epidermal hemoglobin fraction. We demonstrate that our proposed complementary measurements enable higher‐quality estimate of chromophores than those obtained using standard broadband illumination, while being suitable for integration with multiview facial capture using regular color cameras. Besides novel optimal measurements under controlled illumination, we also demonstrate how to adapt practical skin patch measurements using a hand‐held dermatological skin measurement device, a Miravex Antera 3D camera, for skin appearance reconstruction and rendering. Furthermore, we introduce a novel approach for parameter estimation given the measurements using neural networks which is significantly faster than a lookup table search and avoids parameter quantization. We demonstrate high quality matches of skin appearance with photographs for a variety of skin types with our proposed practical measurement procedures, including photorealistic spectral reproduction and renderings of facial appearance.
Photorealistic Material Editing Through Direct Image Manipulation
Authors: Zsolnai‐Fehér Károly , Wonka Peter , Wimmer Michael
Published: July 2020

Creating photorealistic materials for light transport algorithms requires carefully fine‐tuning a set of material properties to achieve a desired artistic effect. This is typically a lengthy process that involves a trained artist with specialized knowledge. In this work, we present a technique that aims to empower novice and intermediate‐level users to synthesize high‐quality photorealistic materials by only requiring basic image processing knowledge. In the proposed workflow, the user starts with an input image and applies a few intuitive transforms (e.g., colorization, image inpainting) within a 2D image editor of their choice, and in the next step, our technique produces a photorealistic result that approximates this target image. Our method combines the advantages of a neural network‐augmented optimizer and an encoder neural network to produce high‐quality output results within 30 seconds. We also demonstrate that it is resilient against poorly‐edited target images and propose a simple extension to predict image sequences with a strict time budget of 1–2 seconds per image.
A Comprehensive Theory and Variational Framework for Anti‐aliasing Sampling Patterns
Authors: Öztireli A. Cengiz
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we provide a comprehensive theory of anti‐aliasing sampling patterns that explains and revises known results, and introduce a variational optimization framework to generate point patterns with any desired power spectra and anti‐aliasing properties. We start by deriving the exact spectral expression for expected error in reconstructing a function in terms of power spectra of sampling patterns, and analyzing how the shape of power spectra is related to anti‐aliasing properties. Based on this analysis, we then formulate the problem of generating anti‐aliasing sampling patterns as constrained variational optimization on power spectra. This allows us to not rely on any parametric form, and thus explore the whole space of realizable spectra. We show that the resulting optimized sampling patterns lead to reconstructions with less visible aliasing artifacts, while keeping low frequencies as clean as possible. Although we focus on image plane sampling, our theory and algorithms apply in any dimensions, and the variational optimization framework can be utilized in all problems where point pattern characteristics are given or optimized.
Oral focal mucinosis: A multi‐institutional study and literature review
Authors: Silva Cunha John Lennon , Leite Amanda Almeida , de Castro Abrantes Thamiris , Vervloet Lorena Passoni , de Lima Morais Thayná Melo , de Oliveira Paiva Neto Gerson , Kimura Tatiana Nayara Libório , Ferreira Sônia Maria Soares , de Albuquerque‐Júnior Ricardo Luiz Cavalcanti , Abrahão Aline Corrêa , Romañach Mario José , Benevenuto de Andrade Bruno Augusto , de Almeida Oslei Paes , Soares Ciro Dantas
Published: July 2020

Background

Oral focal mucinosis (OFM) is a rare benign condition of unknown etiology, considered the oral counterpart of cutaneous focal mucinosis. We report the clinicopathologic features of 21 cases of OFM in conjunction with a review of the literature.

Methods

Clinical data were collected from the records of five oral and maxillofacial pathology services. All cases were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining, histochemistry, and immunohistochemistry (vimentin, S‐100, α‐SMA, CD34, and mast cell).

Results

The series comprised 14 females (66.7%) and seven males (33.3%), with a mean age of 48.2 ± 20.7 years (range: 8‐77 years) and a 2:1 female‐to‐male ratio. Most of the lesions affected the gingiva (n = 6, 28.6%) and presented clinically as asymptomatic sessile or pedunculated nodules with fibrous or hyperplasic appearance. All cases were negative for S‐100 protein, CD34, and α‐SMA and positive for Alcian blue staining. Conservative surgical excision was the treatment in all cases, and there was only one recurrence.

Conclusion

OFM is a rare benign disorder that is often clinically misdiagnosed as reactive lesions or benign proliferative processes. Dermatologists and pathologists should consider OFM in the differential diagnosis of soft tissue lesions in the oral cavity, mainly located in the gingiva.
Cytological diagnosis of solitary fibrous tumour of the lacrimal sac: Role of immunocytochemistry for STAT6
Authors: Samaddar Arpan , Kakkar Aanchal , Sakthivel Pirabu , Kumar Rajeev , Jain Deepali , Mathur Sandeep R. , Iyer Venkateswaran K.
Published: July 2020

A unique case of solitary fibrous tumor of the lacrimal sac diagnosed on fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is described, with immunocytochemical confirmation by demonstrating diffuse strong nuclear STAT6 positivity on a destained FNAC smear.
Decline in adolescent drinking: Some possible explanations
Authors: Rossow Ingeborg , Pape Hilde , Torgersen Leila
Published: July 2020

Introduction and Aims

Adolescent drinking has decreased in numerous high‐income countries in the 2000s, and how to explain this downward trend is far from clear. Focussing on the decline in drinking to intoxication among youth in Norway, we examined the following potential explanatory factors: family/home‐based and peer‐oriented leisure‐time activities, perceived parental drinking, drug substitution, school conscientiousness and delinquency.

Design and Methods

Data stemmed from cross‐sectional surveys of adolescents aged 13–17 years in the four largest cities in Norway in 2002 (n = 1204) and in 2013/2015 (n = 31 441). We examined the extent to which the decline in intoxication prevalence was attributable to the possible explanatory variables using logistic regression analysis.

Results

The proportion reporting any past‐year intoxication episodes dropped markedly from 2002 (41%) to 2013/2015 (22%). Family/home‐oriented leisure‐time activities and school conscientiousness increased, whereas hanging out with friends in the evening and delinquent behaviours decreased. These factors together accounted for 43% of this decline. Decrease in going out with friends was the most important factor. We found no empirical support for assumptions that perceived parental drinking or drug substitution had contributed to the decrease in drinking to intoxication.

Discussion and Conclusions

Since the millennium shift, urban adolescents in Norway have become more home‐, family‐ and school‐oriented, and less involved in unsupervised socialising with peers and delinquency. These changes may have contributed to some of the reduction in the prevalence of intoxication in this population group.
Epidemiology of cerebral palsy in Sumba Island, Indonesia
Authors: Jahan Israt , Al Imam Mahmudul Hassan , Karim Tasneem , Muhit Mohammad , Hardianto Denny , Das Manik Chandra , Smithers‐Sheedy Hayley , Badawi Nadia , Khandaker Gulam
Published: July 2020

Aim

To define the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and rehabilitation status of children with cerebral palsy (CP) in Sumba Island, Indonesia.

Method

A community‐based key informant method survey among children (aged <18y) with CP was conducted between March and August 2017. Children with suspected CP underwent detailed neurodevelopmental assessment by a multidisciplinary medical team. Socio‐demographic characteristics, aetiology, motor type, motor severity, associated impairments, educational, and rehabilitation status were documented.

Results

There were 130 children with clinically confirmed CP. The mean age at assessment was 8 years 11 months and 43.8% (n=57) of the children were female. The mean age at CP diagnosis was 6 years 5 months. Of these children, 46.9% (n=61) had post‐neonatally acquired CP, most frequently because of vaccine‐preventable infectious encephalopathy (73.8%, n=45). In total, 80.8% (n=105) had a predominantly spastic motor type of CP and 83.8% (n=109) were classified in Gross Motor Functional Classification System levels III to V. A total of 77.7% (n=101) had at least one associated impairment (speech 77.5%, intellectual 29.2%, visual 13.8%, hearing 20.0%, and epilepsy 13.5%). And 66.2% (n=86) had never received rehabilitation services.

Interpretation

Post‐neonatally acquired CP was common in this setting. Addressing preventable post‐neonatally acquired risk factors for CP should be a public health priority. Earlier identification and diagnosis of CP would also provide new opportunities for early intervention and targeted rehabilitation services.
Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and mitral annular plane systolic excursion cardiac reference values in 1300 healthy children: Single‐center results
Authors: Keskin Mahmut , Kaya Özkan , Yoldaş Tamer , Karademir Selmin , Örün Utku Arman , Özgür Senem , Doğan Vehbi , Gürdal Osman
Published: July 2020

Background

Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) are two echocardiographic parameters which provide reliable information about the longitudinal myocardial functions of the right and left ventricles in both adult and pediatric population. The aim of this study was to determine the TAPSE and MAPSE reference values in healthy children aged 0‐18 years.

Methods and Results

This prospective study included 1300 healthy children evaluated with two‐dimensional echocardiography. In addition to routine echocardiographic examination, the right and left ventricular systolic functions were assessed by TAPSE and MAPSE measurements. Statistical analyses were carried out in the groups of subjects stratified according to age and body surface area. The mean and standard deviation values and z‐scores of TAPSE and MAPSE were developed in each group.

Conclusions

The determination of reference values for TAPSE and MAPSE in healthy children will be of guidance in the evaluation of both healthy children and those with congenital or acquired heart diseases in which the right and left ventricular systolic functions are affected. The reference values obtained will contribute to the clinical practice and the future studies.
Shipping canals on the downstream migration route of European eel (Anguilla anguilla): Opportunity or bottleneck?
Authors: Vergeynst Jenna , Pauwels Ine , Baeyens Raf , Mouton Ans , De Mulder Tom , Nopens Ingmar
Published: July 2020

Migrating fish species are worldwide in decline due to several global changes and threats. Among these causes are man‐made structures blocking their freshwater migration routes. Shipping canals with navigation locks play a dual role in this. These canals can serve as an important migration route, offering a short cut between freshwater and the sea. In contrast, the navigation locks may act as barriers to migration, causing delays and migration failures. To better understand these issues for downstream migrating fish, we studied the behaviour of European eels (Anguilla anguilla) in the Albert Canal at two scales. The mid‐scale contained a 27‐km canal pound confined by two navigation lock complexes, in which we released and tracked 86 silver eels. The small scale was a 200 × 150 m area just in front of the most downstream complex of the canal pound, where we analysed the behaviour of 33 eels in relation to the flow field resulting from a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. This paper discusses the factors influencing fish behaviour, and the relation between these behaviours on both scales. On the mid‐scale, migration efficiency resulted from a combination of intrinsic behaviour and flow in the canal pound. Also on the small scale, intrinsic behaviour influenced the success to pass the navigation lock. Increasing the flow would create more attraction and passage opportunities and hence facilitate migration through shipping canals, but only if this flow guides the fish through safe passage routes.
Degradation levels of continuous speech affect neural speech tracking and alpha power differently
Authors: Hauswald Anne , Keitel Anne , Chen Ya‐Ping , Rösch Sebastian , Weisz Nathan
Published: July 2020

Making sense of a poor auditory signal can pose a challenge. Previous attempts to quantify speech intelligibility in neural terms have usually focused on one of two measures, namely low‐frequency speech‐brain synchronization or alpha power modulations. However, reports have been mixed concerning the modulation of these measures, an issue aggravated by the fact that they have normally been studied separately. We present two MEG studies analyzing both measures. In study 1, participants listened to unimodal auditory speech with three different levels of degradation (original, 7‐channel and 3‐channel vocoding). Intelligibility declined with declining clarity, but speech was still intelligible to some extent even for the lowest clarity level (3‐channel vocoding). Low‐frequency (1–7 Hz) speech tracking suggested a U‐shaped relationship with strongest effects for the medium‐degraded speech (7‐channel) in bilateral auditory and left frontal regions. To follow up on this finding, we implemented three additional vocoding levels (5‐channel, 2‐channel and 1‐channel) in a second MEG study. Using this wider range of degradation, the speech‐brain synchronization showed a similar pattern as in study 1, but further showed that when speech becomes unintelligible, synchronization declines again. The relationship differed for alpha power, which continued to decrease across vocoding levels reaching a floor effect for 5‐channel vocoding. Predicting subjective intelligibility based on models either combining both measures or each measure alone showed superiority of the combined model. Our findings underline that speech tracking and alpha power are modified differently by the degree of degradation of continuous speech but together contribute to the subjective speech understanding.
Monitoring soil microbial communities using molecular tools: DNA extraction methods may offset long‐term management effects
Authors: Changey Frederique , Blaud Aimeric , Pando Anne , Herrmann Anke M. , Lerch Thomas Z.
Published: July 2020

Despite recent technological advances in molecular ecology, DNA extraction from soil remains a crucial step when quantifying and characterizing soil microbial communities. Potential biases could hamper fundamental understanding of the dynamic relationships between soil properties and microorganisms under different agricultural practices. In this study, we compared four different DNA extraction methods for their ability to discriminate microbial communities of an arable soil subjected to different fertilization managements for more than 50 years (Ultuna, Sweden). The abundance and the diversity of bacteria, archaea and fungi were studied using qPCR and molecular fingerprints, respectively. Overall, the choice of DNA extraction method had a more pronounced effect on the fungal and archaeal communities in comparison to bacterial ones. The assessment of the microbial diversity was more sensitive to DNA extraction methods in comparison with the quantification of the abundances. The DNA extraction method clearly affects the intensity of the correlations between the abundance and/or diversity of microbial communities and environmental variables (C, N and pH) according to the targeted taxon. This study highlights that long‐term effects can be offset by biases in DNA extraction methods.

Highlights

Using different DNA extraction methods may alter soil microbial survey.

Average DNA concentrations vary from 1 to 3 μg.g−1 according to the extraction method.

Gene copies numbers vary up to 2 orders of magnitude among DNA extraction methods.

Fungal communities diversity descriptors were the most affected by DNA extraction
A fracture study of slanted cracks using the stress dead‐zone hypothesis
Authors: Farahani Behzad V. , de Melo Francisco Q. , Tavares Paulo , Moreira Pedro
Published: July 2020

This manuscript investigates the effect of existing slant cracks in finite plates subjected to the mode I loading condition using the stress dead‐zone (SDZ) concept. For this purpose, standardised polymeric middle tension (MT) specimens containing slant notches with different orientations were mechanically tested under a unidirectional tensile load. The experimental data were collected and analysed using 3D digital image correlation (DIC) contributing to document the deformation field around slanted cracks and stress intensity factor (SIF) evaluation. Computationally, the fracture model was solved using the finite element method (FEM) to obtain results on the SIF, deformation field and the SDZ characterisations. The obtained SIFs were compared with a reference solution from the literature. An acceptable agreement has been accomplished amongst the results. Furthermore, the SDZ was assessed through deformation field obtained from DIC and FEM.
Characteristics of Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from Mauritanian patients
Authors: Khiddi Fatimetou , Abdellahi Mohamed val Mohamed , Horma Mohamed Abdallah , Billoet Annick , Collobert Ghislaine , Amar Ahmed Mohamed , Nech Hachem Demine Moctar , Vadel El Heiba Mohamed , Houmeida Ahmed , Raymond Josette , Dauga Catherine , Gastli Nabil
Published: July 2020

Background

Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) is responsible for various diseases including cancer It co‐evolved with humans, and human migrations shaped the expansion and the diversity of strains around the world. The risk of developing a disease depends on virulence factors, mainly the cytotoxin‐associated gene A protein (CagA). The aim of this study was to determine the cagA status in H pylori strains from Mauritanian patients and to search for a relationship with endoscopic and histologic findings.

Material and methods

H pylori was searched in gastric biopsies taken during endoscopy in patients with gastro‐duodenal symptoms. RT‐PCR was used for the diagnosis and resistance to clarithromycin. The cagA status was determined with PCR and the EPIYA‐cagA polymorphism with sequencing.

Results

At all, 76/78 (97.4%) biopsies were positive. The rate of clarithromycin resistance was 4/76 (5.26%) due to the A2143G mutation, with a mixed population in 2 cases. The cagA gene was present in 23/76 (30.26%) biopsies, and the EPIYA motif was ABC in 21 (91.3%). High bacterial load and inflammation were significantly associated with cagA‐positive status (P < .01). Phylogenetic analysis of the glmM and hspA genes highlighted a mixture of African and European genes in strains of H pylori isolated from patients of Moor origin.

Conclusion

We report a high prevalence of H pylori infection in Mauritanian patients, a low rate of clarithromycin resistance (5.26%) and high bacterial load and inflammation associated with cagA‐positive status. The phylogenetic analysis highlights the mix of different populations leading to the Moor ethnicity.
‘As soon as you've been there, it makes it personal’: The experience of health‐care staff shadowing patients at the end of life
Authors: Goodrich Joanna , Ridge Damien , Cartwright Tina
Published: July 2020

Background

Patient shadowing is an experiential technique intended to enable those who shadow to understand care experience from the patient's point of view. It is used in quality improvement to bring about change that focuses on what is important for patients.

Aim

To explore the acceptability of patient shadowing for health‐care staff, the impact of the experience and subsequent motivations to make improvements.

Method

A qualitative study with a diverse sample of 20 clinical and non‐clinical health‐care staff in different end‐of‐life settings. Data were analysed thematically.

Results

Anticipated anxieties about shadowing did not materialize in participant accounts, although for some it was a deeply emotional experience, intensified by being with patients who were at the end of life. Shadowing not only impacted on participants personally, but also promoted better insights into the experience of patients, thus focusing their improvement efforts. Participants reported that patients and families who were shadowed welcomed additional caring attention.

Conclusion

With the right preparation and support, patient shadowing is a technique that engages and motivates health‐care staff to improve patient‐centred care.
Knowledge and confidence of junior medical doctors in discussing and documenting resuscitation plans: a cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Bryant Jamie , Waller Amy , Pickles Rob , Hullick Carolyn , Price Emma , White Ben , Willmott Lindy , Bowman Alison , Knight Anne , Ryall Mary‐Ann , Sanson‐Fisher Rob
Published: July 2020

Background

A resuscitation plan is a medically authorised order to use or withhold resuscitation interventions. Absence of appropriate resuscitation orders exposes patients to the risk of invasive medical interventions that may be of questionable benefit depending on individual circumstances.

Aims

To describe among junior doctors: (i) self‐reported confidence discussing and completing resuscitation plans; (ii) knowledge of resuscitation policy including whether resuscitation plans are legally enforceable and key triggers for completion; and (iii) the factors associated with higher knowledge of triggers for completing resuscitation plans.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey was conducted at five hospitals. Junior doctors on clinical rotation were approached at scheduled training sessions, before or after ward rounds or at change of rotation orientation days and provided with a pen‐and‐paper survey.

Results

A total of 118 junior doctors participated. Most felt confident discussing (79%; n = 92) and documenting (87%; n = 102) resuscitation plans with patients. However, only 45% (n = 52) of doctors correctly identified that resuscitation plans are legally enforceable medical orders. On average, doctors correctly identified 6.8 (standard deviation = 1.8) out of 10 triggers for completing a resuscitation plan. Doctors aged >30 years were four times more likely to have high knowledge of triggers for completing resuscitation plans (odds ratio 4.28 (95% confidence interval 1.54–11.89); P = 0.0053).

Conclusion

Most junior doctors feel confident discussing and documenting resuscitation plans. There is a need to improve knowledge about legal obligations to follow completed resuscitation plans, and about when resuscitation plans should be completed to ensure they are completed with patients who are most at risk.
A territory‐wide study on the impact of COVID‐19 on diabetes‐related acute care
Authors: Lui David Tak Wai , Lee Chi Ho , Chow Wing Sun , Fong Carol Ho Yi , Woo Yu Cho , Lam Karen Siu Ling , Tan Kathryn Choon Beng
Published: July 2020

Diabetes is a risk factor for the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). Little is known how the COVID‐19 pandemic has disrupted diabetes‐related acute care. We compared hospitalization rates for severe hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia during the COVID‐19 outbreak in Hong Kong (study period: 25 January to 24 April 2020) with those during 25 January to 24 April 2019 (inter‐year control) and 25 October 2019 to 24 January 2020 (intra‐year control), using Poisson regression analysis. Hospitalization rates abruptly decreased after the first confirmed local COVID‐19 case on 23 January 2020, by 27% and 23% compared with the inter‐year and intra‐year control periods, respectively (incidence rate ratio 0.73 and 0.77, P < 0.001). Hospitalizations were reduced for severe hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, but not diabetic ketoacidosis. This significant reduction in hospitalization rates should alert endocrinologists to take proactive measures to optimize glycemic control of individuals with diabetes.
The distinct metamorphic stages and structural styles of the 1.94–1.86 Ga Snowbird Orogen, Northwest Territories, Canada
Authors: Thiessen Eric J. , Gibson H. Dan , Regis Daniele , Pehrsson Sally J. , Ashley Kyle T. , Smit Matthijs A.
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Palaeoproterozoic orogenesis within the Archean southeastern Rae craton is related to the initial amalgamation of Laurentia. Characterizing the accompanying tectonic processes during this time has been complicated due to polymetamorphism, which results in the obscuring of the age record of the terranes involved. To improve the knowledge of the tectonic evolution of the South Rae Craton, petrologic and structural analyses are applied in conjunction with in situ trace element chemistry, inclusion barometry, U–Pb monazite and titanite, and Lu–Hf garnet chronology. The data robustly constrain Palaeoproterozoic pressure–temperature–time paths of major deformational events along the southeastern Rae craton margin. D1occurred between 1.94 and 1.93 Ga in the Dodge‐Snowbird domain, which included prograde burial of metasedimentary rocks, deposited at 2.2–2.0 Ga, and the development of migmatitic layering and east‐southeast trending folds (S1, F1). Peak metamorphism is recorded in metasedimentary units atc. 1.93 Ga when rocks reached conditions of 9.0–10.5 kbar and 810–830°C. Within the Dodge‐Snowbird domain, D2imparted north‐northeast trending open folds and associated axial planar cleavage (S2, F2) between 1.93 and 1.90 Ga during east‐west compression that appears to have been synchronous with cooling and exhumation. Later D2deformation, localized within the Wholdaia Lake shear zone (WLsz; ST1), developed in the footwall of this thrust‐sense structure at 1,873 ± 5 Ma at conditions of 9.5–11.0 kbar and 820–850°C. The hangingwall Dodge‐Snowbird domain had already cooled to below 300°C by then, indicating a significant structural and metamorphic break across the domain's western boundary. A new phase of unroofing (D3) involved pervasive amphibolite‐ to greenschist facies extensional shearing (ST2) within the WLsz, which overprinted ST1foliations between 1.87 and 1.86 Ga. Continued greenschist facies shearing younger than 1.86 Ga likely ended byc. 1.83 Ga when lamprophyre dykes cut the structure, which was followed by cooling untilc. 1.80 Ga. This work highlights the utility and application of multiple chronometers (zircon, monazite, titanite, garnet) along with structural and petrologic analysis that together can resolve precise orogenic cycles in polymetamorphic terranes that may otherwise be undetected. The time‐resolvedP–T–Dhistories derived here enable more robust interpretations regarding the nature and evolution of 1.9 Ga tectonism along the southeast Rae craton margin, which may be used to refine models for Laurentian terrane amalgamation.
Seasonal patterns of melatonin alter aggressive phenotypes of female Siberian hamsters
Authors: Rendon Nikki M. , Petersen Christopher L. , Munley Kathleen M. , Amez Andrea C. , Boyes Daniel L. , Kingsbury Marcy A. , Demas Gregory E.
Published: July 2020

Many animal species exhibit year‐round aggression, a behaviour that allows individuals to compete for limited resources in their environment (eg, food and mates). Interestingly, this high degree of territoriality persists during the non‐breeding season, despite low levels of circulating gonadal steroids (ie, testosterone [T] and oestradiol [E2]). Our previous work suggests that the pineal hormone melatonin mediates a ‘seasonal switch’ from gonadal to adrenal regulation of aggression in Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus); solitary, seasonally breeding mammals that display increased aggression during the short, ‘winter‐like’ days (SDs) of the non‐breeding season. To test the hypothesis that melatonin elevates non‐breeding aggression by increasing circulating and neural steroid metabolism, we housed female hamsters in long days (LDs) or SDs, administered them timed or mis‐timed melatonin injections (mimic or do not mimic a SD‐like signal, respectively), and measured aggression, circulating hormone profiles and aromatase (ARO) immunoreactivity in brain regions associated with aggressive or reproductive behaviours (paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus [PVN], periaqueductal gray [PAG] and ventral tegmental area [VTA]). Females that were responsive to SD photoperiods (SD‐R) and LD females given timed melatonin injections (Mel‐T) exhibited gonadal regression and reduced circulating E2, but increased aggression and circulating dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Furthermore, aggressive challenges differentially altered circulating hormone profiles across seasonal phenotypes; reproductively inactive females (ie, SD‐R and Mel‐T females) reduced circulating DHEA and T, but increased E2 after an aggressive interaction, whereas reproductively active females (ie, LD females, SD non‐responder females and LD females given mis‐timed melatonin injections) solely increased circulating E2. Although no differences in neural ARO abundance were observed, LD and SD‐R females showed distinct associations between ARO cell density and aggressive behaviour in the PVN, PAG and VTA. Taken together, these results suggest that melatonin increases non‐breeding aggression by elevating circulating steroid metabolism after an aggressive encounter and by regulating behaviourally relevant neural circuits in a region‐specific manner.
From pathogenesis to personalized treatments of neuropathies in hematological malignancies
Authors: Briani Chiara , Visentin Andrea , Cerri Federica , Quattrini Angelo
Published: July 2020

The peripheral nervous system may be involved at any stage in the course of several hematological diseases, the most common being monoclonal gammopathies (of undetermined significance or malignant) or lymphomas. The underlying pathogenic mechanisms are different and therapies aim at targeting the dangerous either B‐cell or plasma cell clones. Recently, high‐throughput technologies, and next‐generation sequencing have increased our knowledge of hematological diseases pathogenesis by the identification of somatic mutation affecting pivotal signaling pathways. Accordingly, new target therapies are used that may also be borrowed for treatment of neuropathies in hematological diseases.
Community‐Based Participatory Research: Engaging Youth to Provide Perspective on Risk and Protective Factors
Authors: McMahon Beth , Rudella Jennifer L. , McMahon Mary , Wendling Kara , Paredes Alexandria , Register McCartney
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND

The Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS) is administered biennially to adolescents; it covers knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors about risk and protective factors.

PURPOSE

This study explored 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students' attitudes and beliefs about current trends regarding drugs, alcohol, and mental health.

METHODS

We asked persons a series of questions in semi‐structured focus groups (102 participants) while they were being presented with the PAYS data.

RESULTS

Participants expressed significant insight on root causes of risk behaviors. They recommended a decreased emphasis on grades and class rank, and recommended addressing mental health stigma, educating about vaping and marijuana effects, and obtaining support from families, schools, and communities.

CONCLUSION

Youth expressed interest in being an integral part of the planning and decision‐making efforts that impact them. Our results support the Whole School, Community, and Child (WSCC) model.
Towards a critical theory of communication as renewal and update of Marxist humanism in the age of digital capitalism
Authors: Fuchs Christian
Published: July 2020

This paper's task is to outline some foundations of a critical, Marxist‐humanist theory of communication in the age of digital capitalism. It theorises the role of communication in society, communication and alienation, communication in social struggles, social struggles for democratic communication, the contradictions of digital capitalism, and struggles for digital socialist humanism.

Marxist humanism is a counter‐narrative, counter‐theory, and counter‐politics to neoliberalism, new authoritarianism, and postmodernism. A critical theory of communication can should draw on this intellectual tradition. Communication and work stand in a dialectical relationship. Communication mediates, organises and is the process of the production of sociality and therefore of the reproduction of society. Society and communication are in class and capitalist societies shaped by the antagonism between instrumental and co‐operative reason. Authoritarianism and humanism are two basic, antagonistic modes of organisation of society and communication. Instrumental reason creates and universalises alienation.

Digital capitalism is a dimension of contemporary society where digital technologies such as the computer, the Internet, the mobile phone, tablets, robots, and AI‐driven (“smart”) technologies mediate the accumulation of capital, influence, and reputation. A Marxist‐humanist theory of communication aims to inform struggles for a good, commons‐based, public Internet in a good, commons‐based society that has a vivid, democratic public sphere.
Influence of specific management practices on blood selenium, vitamin E, and beta‐carotene concentrations in horses and risk of nutritional deficiency
Authors: Pitel Mariya O. , McKenzie Erica C. , Johns Jennifer L. , Stuart Robert L.
Published: July 2020

Background

Selenium or alpha‐tocopherol deficiency can cause neuromuscular disease. Beta‐carotene has limited documentation in horses.

Objective

To evaluate the effect of owner practices on plasma beta‐carotene concentration and risk of selenium and alpha‐tocopherol deficiencies.

Animals

Three‐hundred and forty‐nine adult (≥1 year), university and privately owned horses and mules.

Methods

Cross‐sectional study. Whole blood selenium, plasma alpha‐tocopherol, and plasma beta‐carotene concentrations were measured once. Estimates of daily selenium and vitamin E intake, pasture access, and exercise load were determined by owner questionnaire. Data were analyzed usingttests, Mann‐Whitney tests, parametric or nonparametric analysis of variance (ANOVA), Kruskal‐Wallis test, Spearman's correlation and contingency tables (P < .05).

Results

Nearly 88% of the horses received supplemental selenium; 71.3% received ≥1 mg/d. Low blood selenium concentration (<80 ng/mL) was identified in 3.3% of horses, and 13.6% had marginal concentrations (80‐159 ng/mL). Non‐supplemented horses were much more likely to have low blood selenium (odds ratio [OR], 20.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 9.26‐42.7;P < .001). Supplemental vitamin E was provided to 87.3% of horses; 57.7% received ≥500 IU/d. Deficient (<1.5 μg/mL) and marginal (1.5‐2.0 μg/mL) plasma (alpha‐tocopherol) occurred in 15.4% and 19.9% of horses, respectively. Pasture access (>6 h/d) and daily provision of ≥500 IU of vitamin E was associated (P < .001) with higher plasma alpha‐tocopherol concentrations. Plasma beta‐carotene concentration was higher in horses with pasture access (0.26 ± 0.43 versus 0.12 ± 0.13 μg/mL,P= .003).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Suboptimal blood selenium and plasma alpha‐tocopherol concentrations occurred in 16.7% and 35.5% of horses, respectively, despite most owners providing supplementation. Inadequate pasture access was associated with alpha‐tocopherol deficiency, and reliance on selenium‐containing salt blocks was associated with selenium deficiency.
Asymptotics for small nonlinear price impact: A PDE approach to the multidimensional case
Authors: Bayraktar Erhan , Cayé Thomas , Ekren Ibrahim
Published: July 2020

We provide an asymptotic expansion of the value function of a multidimensional utility maximization problem from consumption with small nonlinear price impact. In our model, cross‐impacts between assets are allowed. In the limit for small price impact, we determine the asymptotic expansion of the value function around its frictionless version. The leading order correction is characterized by a nonlinear second‐order PDE related to an ergodic control problem and a linear parabolic PDE. We illustrate our result on a multivariate geometric Brownian motion price model.
Bonds of bros and brothers: Kinship and social bonding in postdispersal male macaques
Authors: De Moor Delphine , Roos Christian , Ostner Julia , Schülke Oliver
Published: July 2020

Group‐living animals often maintain a few very close affiliative relationships—social bonds—that can buffer them against many of the inevitable costs of gregariousness. Kinship plays a central role in the development of such social bonds. The bulk of research on kin biases in sociality has focused on philopatric females, who typically live in deeply kin‐structured systems, with matrilineal dominance rank inheritance and life‐long familiarity between kin. Closely related males, in contrast, are usually not close in rank or familiar, which offers the opportunity to test the importance of kinship per se in the formation of social bonds. So far, however, kin biases in male social bonding have only been tested in philopatric males, where familiarity remains a confounding factor. Here, we studied bonds between male Assamese macaques, a species in which males disperse from their natal groups and in which male bonds are known to affect fitness. Combining extensive behavioural data on 43 adult males over a 10‐year period with DNA microsatellite relatedness analyses, we find that postdispersal males form stronger relationships with the few close kin available in the group than with the average nonkin. However, males form the majority of their bonds with nonkin and may choose nonkin over available close kin to bond with. Our results show that kinship facilitates bond formation, but is not a prerequisite for it, which suggests that strong bonds are not restricted to kin in male mammals and that animals cooperate for both direct and indirect fitness benefits.