bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blood pressure and brain injury in cardiac surgery: a secondary analysis of a randomized trial
Authors: Vedel Anne G , Holmgaard Frederik , Danielsen Else R , Langkilde Annika , Paulson Olaf B , Ravn Hanne B , Rasmussen Lars S , Nilsson Jens C
Published: June 2020

OBJECTIVES

Brain dysfunction is a serious complication after cardiac surgery. In the Perfusion Pressure Cerebral Infarcts trial, we allocated cardiac surgery patients to a mean arterial pressure of either 70–80 or 40–50 mmHg during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). In this secondary analysis, we compared selected cerebral metabolites using magnetic resonance spectroscopy hypothesizing that a postoperative decrease in occipital grey matter (GM) N-acetylaspartate-to-total-creatine ratio, indicative of ischaemic injury, would be found in the high-target group.

METHODS

Of the 197 patients randomized in the Perfusion Pressure Cerebral Infarcts trial, 55 and 42 patients had complete and useful data from GM and white matter (WM), respectively. Spectroscopies were done preoperatively and on postoperative days 3–6. Cognitive function was assessed prior to surgery, at discharge and at 3 months. We predefined the statistical significance level to be 0.01.

RESULTS

A postoperative decrease was found in GM N-acetylaspartate-to-total-creatine ratio in the high-target group [mean difference −0.09 (95% confidence interval −0.14 to −0.04), P = 0.014]. No significant differences were found in other metabolite ratios investigated in GM or WM. No significant association was found between changes in metabolite ratios and new cerebral infarcts, WM lesion score or cognitive dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

A higher mean arterial pressure during CPB was associated with signs of impaired cerebral metabolism, though not at the predefined significance level of 0.01. No significant association was found between metabolite ratio changes and neuroradiological pathology or change in cognitive function.

Clinical trial registration number

Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02185885.
Can machine learning improve mortality prediction following cardiac surgery?
Authors: Benedetto Umberto , Sinha Shubhra , Lyon Matt , Dimagli Arnaldo , Gaunt Tom R , Angelini Gianni , Sterne Jonathan
Published: June 2020

OBJECTIVES

Interest in the clinical usefulness of machine learning for risk prediction has bloomed recently. Cardiac surgery patients are at high risk of complications and therefore presurgical risk assessment is of crucial relevance. We aimed to compare the performance of machine learning algorithms over traditional logistic regression (LR) model to predict in-hospital mortality following cardiac surgery.

METHODS

A single-centre data set of prospectively collected information from patients undergoing adult cardiac surgery from 1996 to 2017 was split into 70% training set and 30% testing set. Prediction models were developed using neural network, random forest, naive Bayes and retrained LR based on features included in the EuroSCORE. Discrimination was assessed using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, and calibration analysis was undertaken using the calibration belt method. Model calibration drift was assessed by comparing Goodness of fit χ2 statistics observed in 2 equal bins from the testing sample ordered by procedure date.

RESULTS

A total of 28 761 cardiac procedures were performed during the study period. The in-hospital mortality rate was 2.7%. Retrained LR [area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.80; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.77–0.83] and random forest model (0.80; 95% CI 0.76–0.83) showed the best discrimination. All models showed significant miscalibration. Retrained LR proved to have the weakest calibration drift.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings do not support the hypothesis that machine learning methods provide advantage over LR model in predicting operative mortality after cardiac surgery.
Autorité oblige: The Rise and Fall of Hans Kelsen’s Legal Concept of International Institutions
Authors: von Bernstorff Jochen
Published: June 2020

Hans Kelsen and his Vienna School in International Law developed a highly original legal concept of international institutions. It originated in the Interbellum and aimed at bolstering the new institutional structures created in the League era by promoting egalitarian legal structures and strong judicial controls of both member states and the organs of the institution. Against the background of this new approach to international organization, Kelsen, after World War II, developed a first and particularly harsh critique of the UN Charter.
Helping koalas battle disease – Recent advances inChlamydiaand koala retrovirus (KoRV) disease understanding and treatment in koalas
Authors: Quigley Bonnie L , Timms Peter
Published: June 2020

The iconic Australian marsupial, the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), has suffered dramatic population declines as a result of habitat loss and fragmentation, disease, vehicle collision mortality, dog attacks, bushfires and climate change. In 2012, koalas were officially declared vulnerable by the Australian government and listed as a threatened species. In response, research into diseases affecting koalas has expanded rapidly. The two major pathogens affecting koalas are Chlamydia pecorum, leading to chlamydial disease and koala retrovirus (KoRV). In the last eight years, these pathogens and their diseases have received focused study regarding their sources, genetics, prevalence, disease presentation and transmission. This has led to vast improvements in pathogen detection and treatment, including the ongoing development of vaccines for each as a management and control strategy. This review will summarize and highlight the important advances made in understanding and combating C. pecorum and KoRV in koalas, since they were declared a threatened species. With complementary advances having also been made from the koala genome sequence and in our understanding of the koala immune system, we are primed to make a significant positive impact on koala health into the future.
Multistage elastic full-waveform inversion for tilted transverse isotropic media
Authors: Oh Ju-Won , Shin Youngjae , Alkhalifah Tariq , Min Dong-Joo
Published: June 2020

Seismic anisotropy is an important physical phenomenon that significantly affects wave propagation in complex sedimentary basins. When geological structures exhibit steep dips or severe folding, the symmetry axis of the transversely isotropic (TI) representation of the region can be rotated, leading to tilted transversely isotropic (TTI) media. We seek to find the optimal full-waveform inversion (FWI) strategy to estimate both the seismic velocities and the anisotropic parameters, including the tilt angle, in the presence of elastic TTI media. We first formulate the forward and inverse problems for elastic TTI media and analyse the radiation patterns of the model parameters. Based on the analyses of the radiation patterns, we propose two similar multistage FWI strategies that add inversion parameters over three stages, beginning with the isotropic parameters (horizontal P- and vertical S-wave velocity) and moving to the anisotropic parameters; the tilt angle is directly inverted in the last stage. Since diving waves, which are useful for providing long-wavelength updates, are mainly controlled by horizontal motion in anisotropic media, it is reasonable to choose the horizontal P-wave velocity rather than the vertical P-wave velocity. Then, the anisotropic parameters are inverted mainly using the reflected waves based on the isotropic background model built in the first stage. The main difference between the two multistage FWI strategies is whether the anisotropic parameter η is inverted. Comparing the two multistage FWI strategies with the simultaneous inversion strategy for a downsized version of the synthetic BP TTI model, we confirm that the multistage FWI strategies yield better inversion results than the simultaneous inversion strategy. When we compare the two multistage FWI strategies with each other for surface seismic data, ignoring η during the FWI process (focused multistage FWI) yields better inversion results for the tilt angle than those obtained with the inversion of η because η has less influence on the FWI than the other parameters and is not recovered well, which plays a role in degrading the tilt angle. Numerical examples support our conclusions that the focused multistage FWI strategy (neglecting η) is the optimal FWI strategy for TTI media and achieves computational efficiency for surface seismic data.
Universal health coverage under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action’s sanctions: strategic purchasing approach in the Iranian health system
Authors: Bastani Peivand , Hakimzadeh Seyyed Mostafa , Teymourzadeh Ehsan , Nouhi Mojtaba
Published: June 2020

Due to the sanctions imposed by the USA government upon the Iranian health system, achieving the UHC might face some financial problems. This study aimed to make the best solution for the Iran health care system to overcome not only the temporary sanctions but also a program to reach the UHC goals through the strategic purchasing approach. This was a qualitative study carried out from 2015 to 2017 containing two phases: a comparative analysis and a three-step Delphi technique. In the first phase, the Garden model was applied to select the countries. In the second phase, 20 experts who specialised in health management, health economics, and health insurance science were asked. Data were analyzed with SPSS (version 20.0) and STATA (version 15.0) In the threat of trade and economic sanctions imposed on the Iranian health care system, the experts identified and emphasized that the vulnerable groups to receive financial assistance can be the retired, fecund women, teenagers and people with lower wages. The experts thought that, in the context of resource constraints, different payment systems are proposed for cities and villages based on the different needs of local population. Considering the difficult situation, this study focused on how Iran can cope well in a dangerous situation and economies the health expenditure applying strategic purchasing as one of the key tools in controlling costs to achieve universal health coverage. Economic evaluation, payment system, and priority population are the linchpins of the UHC. Universal health coverage, if it is to be considered, not only is applicable, but it could also be a solution for future generations. Therefore, the proposed policy proposals can provide both a short-term and long-term basis for the health care system of countries that are facing budget constraints or are basically low-income.
Developing and validating a self-assessment tool for health promotion competencies with training participants in Austria
Authors: Lang Gert
Published: June 2020

A key objective of health promotion capacity building and professional development programmes is to enhance competencies in the workforce or training participants. The goal of this study was to investigate and validate the psychometric properties of a recently developed self-assessment tool, based on ‘The CompHP core competencies framework for health promotion’, to establish whether it is suitable for evaluating training. The tool was employed in 2018 to evaluate two different programmes, with 584 participants submitting their assessment and evaluation of 77 different health promotion training courses in a paper and pencil questionnaire. Longitudinal data were available for 148 participants in the programme for workplace health promotion because they completed an online questionnaire beforehand. The reliability and validity of the assessment tool were tested in several confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation models. Structurally, there was a significant increase in health promotion competencies when comparing measurements before and after training. Furthermore, participants were shown to have different levels of competencies due to their prior knowledge, the format of the course or the professional development programme attended but not based on gender, age or sector. The results justify the creation of an overall scale to assess core health promotion competencies that are suitable for evaluating training courses. However, various methodological issues need to be considered in future applications including decisions about the design of the study (e.g. pre–post test, control groups), type of measurements (e.g. general and specific instrument, background information) and depth of analysis (e.g. confirmatory model and invariance testing).
Polycystic ovary syndrome and offspring risk of congenital heart defects: a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Schmidt A B , Lund M , Wohlfahrt J , Melbye M
Published: June 2020

STUDY QUESTION

Is maternal polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) associated with increased offspring risk of congenital heart defects?

SUMMARY ANSWER

This study does not support a strong association between PCOS and an increased risk of congenital heart defects.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

In addition to affecting reproductive health, PCOS may involve insulin resistance. Maternal pregestational diabetes is associated with an increased risk of congenital heart defects and therefore PCOS may increase the risk of congenital heart defects in the offspring.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

In this nationwide cohort study, we used data from Danish health registers collected from 1995 to 2018. The study included 1 302 648 offspring and their mothers.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

Participants were live singleton offspring born during the study period. Information on maternal PCOS and offspring congenital heart defects was obtained from the National Patient Register. Logistic regression analysis was used to compute prevalence (odds) ratio (PR) of the association between PCOS and offspring congenital heart defects.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

Among 1 302 648 live-born singletons, 11 804 had a mother with PCOS. Of these, 143 offspring had a congenital heart defect (prevalence 121 per 10 000) as compared with 12 832 among mothers without PCOS (prevalence 99 per 10 000). The adjusted PR was 1.22, 95% CI 1.03–1.44 comparing prevalence of congenital heart defects in offspring of women with PCOS with offspring of women without. After adjusting for the potentially mediating effect of pregestational diabetes, the PR was 1.16, 95% CI 0.98–1.37.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

PCOS may be underdetected in the National Patient Register. However, we expect that the mothers that we identified with PCOS truly had PCOS, thus, the estimated associations are not likely to be affected by this misclassification. The study does not provide evidence to rule out a moderate or weak association.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

These findings provide reassurance to clinicians counselling pregnant women with PCOS that the disease does not pose a markedly increased risk of offspring congenital heart defects.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

The study was funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. M.L. reports personal fees from Dansk Lægemiddel Information A/S outside the submitted work. The remaining authors have no conflicts of interest

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

N/A
Reconsidering the Oxygen–Temperature Hypothesis of Polar Gigantism: Successes, Failures, and Nuance
Authors: Woods H Arthur , Moran Amy L
Published: June 2020

Synopsis

“Polar gigantism” describes a biogeographic pattern in which many ectotherms in polar seas are larger than their warmer-water relatives. Although many mechanisms have been proposed, one idea—the oxygen–temperature hypothesis—has received significant attention because it emerges from basic biophysical principles and is appealingly straightforward and testable. Low temperatures depress metabolic demand for oxygen more than supply of oxygen from the environment to the organism. This creates a greater ratio of oxygen supply to demand, releasing polar organisms from oxygen-based constraints on body size. Here we review evidence for and against the oxygen–temperature hypothesis. Some data suggest that larger-bodied taxa live closer to an oxygen limit, or that rising temperatures can challenge oxygen delivery systems; other data provide no evidence for interactions between body size, temperature, and oxygen sufficiency. We propose that these findings can be partially reconciled by recognizing that the oxygen–temperature hypothesis focuses primarily on passive movement of oxygen, implicitly ignoring other important processes including ventilation of respiratory surfaces or internal transport of oxygen by distribution systems. Thus, the hypothesis may apply most meaningfully to organisms with poorly developed physiological systems (eggs, embryos, egg masses, juveniles, or adults without mechanisms for ventilating internal or external surfaces). Finally, most tests of the oxygen–temperature hypothesis have involved short-term experiments. Many organisms can mount effective responses to physiological challenges over short time periods; however, the energetic cost of doing so may have impacts that appear only in the longer term. We therefore advocate a renewed focus on long-term studies of oxygen–temperature interactions.
From Hospital to the Community: Redesigning the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Clinical Service Model to Respond to an Outbreak of HIV Among People Who Inject Drugs
Authors: Metcalfe Rebecca , Ragonnet-Cronin Manon , Bradley-Stewart Amanda , McAuley Andrew , Stubbs Harrison , Ritchie Trina , O’Hara Regina , Trayner Kirsten , Glover Claire , Laverty Lynn , Sills Laura , Brown Kathryn , Gunson Rory , Campbell John , Milsoevic Catriona , Anderson Patricia , Peters S Erica
Published: June 2020

An outbreak of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among people who inject drugs in Glasgow, Scotland started in 2014. We describe 156 cases over 5 years and evaluate the impact of clinical interventions using virological and phylogenetic analysis. We established (1) HIV services within homeless health facilities, including outreach nurses, and (2) antiretroviral therapy (ART) via community pharmacies. Implementation of the new model reduced time to ART initiation from 264 to 23 days and increased community viral load suppression rates to 86%. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that 2019 diagnoses were concentrated within a single network. Traditional HIV care models require adaptation for this highly complex population.
Between ‘Coercive League’ and ‘Consultative League’: a reappraisal of debates surrounding the ‘Reform’ of the League of Nations
Authors: Obiya Shunsuke
Published: June 2020

This article addresses debates surrounding the reform of the League of Nations from the viewpoint of Britain and China. They focused on the pros and cons of collective security because the failure of the League to stop Japanese invasion of Manchuria and Italian invasion of Abyssinia threatened the collapse of the League. There were two contrasting visions in debates, the ‘Coercive League’ and the ‘Consultative League’. The ‘Coercive League’ was the course to reinforce collective security to prevent further aggression. Conversely, the ‘Consultative League’ argument was to weaken collective security and induce Germany, Italy, and Japan to cooperate with the League. Deliberations took place in both the Council, in which great powers exerted a strong presence, and the Assembly, in which small powers made their voices heard. Therefore, this article deals with Britain as an example of a great power and China as one of a small power.
Systems Approach to Evaluate Tarnished Plant Bug (Hemiptera: Miridae) Management Practices in Virginia and North Carolina Cotton
Authors: Dorman Seth J , Reisig Dominic D , Malone Sean , Taylor Sally V
Published: June 2020

Economically damaging infestations of Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), tarnished plant bug, were sporadic in Virginia and North Carolina cotton before 2010. Given the sudden rise of L. lineolaris as an economic pest in these states, regionally specific management practices (i.e., chemical and cultural control) are needed to help producers protect yield potential while minimizing input costs. Field experiments were conducted in Virginia and North Carolina in 2018 and 2019 to 1) determine the effects of various management practices on L. lineolaris density, plant injury (i.e., square retention, internal boll injury), and lint yield, 2) calculate the economic trade-offs between integrated pest management (IPM) systems approach and current management practices for L. lineolaris in these states, and 3) evaluate economic benefits associated with various sampling thresholds. Lygus lineolaris populations peaked mid-season (i.e., August) during cotton flowering in both states. Weekly scouting and applying foliar insecticides when the current University Extension recommended economic threshold was reached was the most critical management treatment in maximizing economic returns. Additional costs among various IPM practices did not translate into significant yield protection and economic gains. Moreover, there were additional economic benefits associated with protecting glabrous and longer maturing varieties in Virginia. Lygus lineolaris density varied significantly between states; therefore, management recommendations should be modified based on the growing region. Results from this study will be used to create an IPM strategy to help cotton producers effectively manage this insect pest in the Southeast.
Insecticidal Activity of a Cry1Ca toxin of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Firmicutes: Bacillaceae) and Its Synergism with the Cyt1Aa Toxin Against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: González-Villarreal Sebastian E , García-Montelongo Mónica , Ibarra Jorge E
Published: June 2020

The Cry1C protein family of Bacillus thuringiensis form bipyramidal crystals, which are commonly associated with toxic activity against lepidopteran species; however, some members of this family may also be toxic to dipterans. In the present work, the Cry1Ca16 protein, synthesized by the B. thuringiensis LBIT-1217 strain, was analyzed. The gene coding for this protein was amplified, sequenced, and cloned into the pSTAB vector, which was electro-transferred into the acrystalliferous B. thuringiensis 4Q7 strain. The recombinant strain showed the expected bipyramidal crystal morphology, identical to the original LBIT-1217 strain and exhibited toxicity against larvae of Aedes aegypti (Diptera). Pure crystals from the recombinant strain were used in bioassays against Ae. aegypti larvae, estimating an LC50 of 4.61 μg/ml. Further studies on Cry1Ca16 mosquitocidal potential included joint-action tests with the Cyt1Aa protein crystals from B. thuringiensis israelensis. An LC50 using pure Cyt1Aa crystals was estimated at 0.73 μg/ml, whereas an LC50 of 0.61 μg/ml was estimated when both toxins were tested together. Data from these bioassays was analyzed using joint-action tests such as the Tammes-Bakuniak graphical method and the formula proposed by Tabashnik (1992). Both tests clearly showed a synergistic effect between these two toxins.
Effect of preoperative chemoradiotherapy on the immunological status of rectal cancer patients
Authors: Yasui Kazuaki , Kondou Ryota , Iizuka Akira , Miyata Haruo , Tanaka Emiko , Ashizawa Tadashi , Nagashima Takeshi , Ohshima Keiichi , Urakami Kenichi , Kusuhara Masatoshi , Muramatsu Koji , Sugino Takashi , Yamguchi Ken , Mori Keita , Harada Hideyuki , Nishimura Tetsuo , Kagawa Hiroyasu , Yamakawa Yushi , Hino Hitoshi , Shiomi Akio , Akiyama Yasuto
Published: June 2020

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of chemo-radiation on the genetic and immunological status of rectal cancer patients who were treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT). The expression of immune response-associated genes was compared between rectal cancer patients treated (n = 9) and not-treated (n = 10) with preoperative CRT using volcano plot analysis. Apoptosis and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker genes were analysed by quantitative PCR (qPCR). Other markers associated with the tumor microenvironment (TME), such as tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) and immune checkpoint molecules, were investigated using immunohistochemistry (IHC). The clinical responses of preoperative CRT for 9 rectal cancer patients were all rated as stable disease, while the pathological tumor regression score (TRG) revealed 6 cases of grade2 and 3 cases of grade1. According to the genetic signature of colon cancers, treated tumors belonged to consensus molecular subtype (CMS)4, while not-treated tumors had signatures of CMS2 or 3. CRT-treated tumors showed significant upregulation of EMT-associated genes, such as CDH2, TGF-beta and FGF, and cancer stem cell-associated genes. Additionally, qPCR and IHC demonstrated a suppressive immunological status derived from the upregulation of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-10 and TGF-beta) and immune checkpoint genes (B7-H3 and B7-H5) and from M2-type macrophage accumulation in the tumor. The induction of EMT and immune-suppressive status in the tumor after strong CRT treatment urges the development of a novel combined therapy that restores immune-suppression and inhibits EMT, ultimately leading to distant metastasis control.
An attempt to improve the therapeutic effect of boron neutron capture therapy using commonly employed 10B-carriers based on analytical studies on the correlation among quiescent tumor cell characteristics, tumor heterogeneity and cancer stemness
Authors: Masunaga Shin-ichiro , Sanada Yu , Tano Keizo , Sakurai Yoshinori , Tanaka Hiroki , Takata Takushi , Suzuki Minoru , Ono Koji
Published: June 2020

Based on our previously published reports concerning the response of quiescent (Q) tumor cell populations to boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), the heterogeneous microdistribution of 10B in tumors, which is influenced by the tumor microenvironment and the characteristics of the 10B delivery carriers, has been shown to limit the therapeutic effect of BNCT on local tumors. It was also clarified that the characteristics of 10B-carriers for BNCT and the type of combined treatment in BNCT can also affect the potential for distant lung metastases from treated local tumors. We reviewed the findings concerning the response of Q tumor cell populations to BNCT, mainly focusing on reports we have published so far, and we identified the mode of BNCT that currently offers the best therapeutic gain from the viewpoint of both controlling local tumor and suppressing the potential for distant lung metastasis. In addition, based on the finding that oxygenated Q tumor cells showed a large capacity to recover from DNA damage after cancer therapy, the interrelationship among the characteristics in Q tumor cell populations, tumor heterogeneity and cancer stemness was also discussed.
Detecting outliers in astronomical images with deep generative networks
Authors: Margalef-Bentabol Berta , Huertas-Company Marc , Charnock Tom , Margalef-Bentabol Carla , Bernardi Mariangela , Dubois Yohan , Storey-Fisher Kate , Zanisi Lorenzo
Published: June 2020

With the advent of future big-data surveys, automated tools for unsupervised discovery are becoming ever more necessary. In this work, we explore the ability of deep generative networks for detecting outliers in astronomical imaging data sets. The main advantage of such generative models is that they are able to learn complex representations directly from the pixel space. Therefore, these methods enable us to look for subtle morphological deviations which are typically missed by more traditional moment-based approaches. We use a generative model to learn a representation of expected data defined by the training set and then look for deviations from the learned representation by looking for the best reconstruction of a given object. In this first proof-of-concept work, we apply our method to two different test cases. We first show that from a set of simulated galaxies, we are able to detect ${\sim}90{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of merging galaxies if we train our network only with a sample of isolated ones. We then explore how the presented approach can be used to compare observations and hydrodynamic simulations by identifying observed galaxies not well represented in the models. The code used in this is available at https://github.com/carlamb/astronomical-outliers-WGAN.
Shape analysis of H ii regions – II. Synthetic observations
Authors: Campbell-White Justyn , Ali Ahmad A , Froebrich Dirk , Kume Alfred
Published: June 2020

The statistical shape analysis method developed for probing the link between physical parameters and morphologies of Galactic H ii regions is applied here to a set of synthetic observations (SOs) of a numerically modelled H ii region. The systematic extraction of H ii region shape, presented in the first paper of this series, allows for a quantifiable confirmation of the accuracy of the numerical simulation, with respect to the real observational counterparts of the resulting SOs. A further aim of this investigation is to determine whether such SOs can be used for direct interpretation of the observational data, in a future supervised classification scheme based upon H ii region shape. The numerical H ii region data were the result of photoionization and radiation pressure feedback of a 34  M⊙ star, in a 1000  M⊙ cloud. The SOs analysed herein comprised four evolutionary snapshots (0.1, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 Myr), and multiple viewing projection angles. The shape analysis results provided conclusive evidence of the efficacy of the numerical simulations. When comparing the shapes of the synthetic regions to their observational counterparts, the SOs were grouped in amongst the Galactic H ii regions by the hierarchical clustering procedure. There was also an association between the evolutionary distribution of regions and the respective groups. This suggested that the shape analysis method could be further developed for morphological classification of H ii regions by using a synthetic data training set, with differing initial conditions of well-defined parameters.
Non-parametric triaxial deprojection of elliptical galaxies
Authors: de Nicola Stefano , Saglia Roberto P , Thomas Jens , Dehnen Walter , Bender Ralf
Published: June 2020

We present a grid-based non-parametric approach to obtain a triaxial 3D luminosity density from its surface brightness distribution. Triaxial deprojection is highly degenerate and our approach illustrates the resulting difficulties. Fortunately, for massive elliptical galaxies, many deprojections for a particular line of sight (LOS) can be discarded, because their projection along other LOSs does not resemble elliptical galaxies. The near-elliptical isophotes of these objects imply near ellipsoidal intrinsic shapes. In fact, deprojection is unique for densities distributed on ellipsoidal shells. The constrained non-parametric deprojection method we present here relaxes this constraint and assumes that the contours of the luminosity density are boxy/discy ellipsoids with radially varying axis ratios. With this approach, we are able to reconstruct the intrinsic triaxial densities of our test models, including one drawn from an N-body simulation. The method also allows to compare the relative likelihood of deprojections at different viewing angles. We show that the viewing orientations of individual galaxies with nearly ellipsoidal isophotal shapes can be constrained from photometric data alone.
The Magellan/PFS Exoplanet Search: a 55-d period dense Neptune transiting the bright (V = 8.6) star HD 95338
Authors: Díaz Matías R , Jenkins James S , Feng Fabo , Butler R Paul , Tuomi Mikko , Shectman Stephen A , Thorngren Daniel , Soto Maritza G , Vines José I , Teske Johanna K , Dragomir Diana , Villanueva Steven , Kane Stephen R , Berdiñas Zaira M , Crane Jeffrey D , Wang Sharon X , Arriagada Pamela
Published: June 2020

We report the detection of a transiting, dense Neptune planet candidate orbiting the bright (V = 8.6) K0.5V star HD 95338. Detection of the 55-d periodic signal comes from the analysis of precision radial velocities from the Planet Finder Spectrograph on the Magellan II Telescope. Follow-up observations with HARPS also confirm the presence of the periodic signal in the combined data. HD 95338 was also observed by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) where we identify a clear single transit in the photometry. A Markov chain Monte Carlo period search on the velocities allows strong constraints on the expected transit time, matching well the epoch calculated from TESS data, confirming both signals describe the same companion. A joint fit model yields an absolute mass of 42.44$^{+2.22}_{-2.08}\,{\rm M}_{\oplus }$ and a radius of 3.89$^{+0.19}_{-0.20}$R⊕, which translates into a density of 3.98$^{+0.62}_{-0.64}$ g cm−3 for the planet. Given the planet mass and radius, structure models suggest it is composed of a mixture of ammonia, water, and methane. HD 95338 b is one of the most dense Neptune planets yet detected, indicating a heavy element enrichment of ∼90 per cent ($\sim 38\, {\rm M}_{\oplus }$). This system presents a unique opportunity for future follow-up observations that can further constrain structure models of cool gas giant planets.
Polarization of disintegrating Comet C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS)
Authors: Zubko Evgenij , Zheltobryukhov Maxim , Chornaya Ekaterina , Kochergin Anton , Videen Gorden , Kornienko Gennady , Kim Sungsoo S
Published: June 2020

We observe Comet C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS) before and after its disintegration while making polarimetric measurements over a wide range of phase angles. The disintegration event was marked with a dramatic growth of the positive polarization branch that is consistent with a large relative abundance of absorbing material of up to (96.5 ± 3.4) per cent. This polarization spike relaxed as the carbonaceous particles are preferentially swept from the coma due to solar-radiation pressure. The observations suggest that the primordial material stored within comets is extremely rich in carbonaceous material. The pristine cometary material is processed by subsequent solar interactions, forming a refractory crust on the nucleus surface. Polarimetry provides a means of measuring the volume ratio of carbonaceous material, and hence the weathering that has occurred on the comet due to these interactions. The polarimetric response of Comet C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS) appears similar to that of Comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp), except on few epochs that are similar to that of Comet C/1996 B2 (Hyakutake).
2D-FFTLog: efficient computation of real-space covariance matrices for galaxy clustering and weak lensing
Authors: Fang (方啸) Xiao , Eifler Tim , Krause Elisabeth
Published: June 2020

Accurate covariance matrices for two-point functions are critical for inferring cosmological parameters in likelihood analyses of large-scale structure surveys. Among various approaches to obtaining the covariance, analytic computation is much faster and less noisy than estimation from data or simulations. However, the transform of covariances from Fourier space to real space involves integrals with two Bessel integrals, which are numerically slow and easily affected by numerical uncertainties. Inaccurate covariances may lead to significant errors in the inference of the cosmological parameters. In this paper, we introduce a 2D-FFTLog algorithm for efficient, accurate, and numerically stable computation of non-Gaussian real-space covariances for both 3D and projected statistics. The 2D-FFTLog algorithm is easily extended to perform real-space bin-averaging. We apply the algorithm to the covariances for galaxy clustering and weak lensing for a Dark Energy Survey Year 3-like and a Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time Year 1-like survey, and demonstrate that for both surveys, our algorithm can produce numerically stable angular bin-averaged covariances with the flat sky approximation, which are sufficiently accurate for inferring cosmological parameters. The code CosmoCov for computing the real-space covariances with or without the flat-sky approximation is released along with this paper.
Fragment-based discovery of a new class of inhibitors targeting mycobacterial tRNA modification
Authors: Thomas Sherine E , Whitehouse Andrew J , Brown Karen , Burbaud Sophie , Belardinelli Juan M , Sangen Jasper , Lahiri Ramanuj , Libardo Mark Daben J , Gupta Pooja , Malhotra Sony , Boshoff Helena I M , Jackson Mary , Abell Chris , Coyne Anthony G , Blundell Tom L , Floto Rodrigo Andres , Mendes Vítor
Published: June 2020

Translational frameshift errors are often deleterious to the synthesis of functional proteins and could therefore be promoted therapeutically to kill bacteria. TrmD (tRNA-(N(1)G37) methyltransferase) is an essential tRNA modification enzyme in bacteria that prevents +1 errors in the reading frame during protein translation and represents an attractive potential target for the development of new antibiotics. Here, we describe the application of a structure-guided fragment-based drug discovery approach to the design of a new class of inhibitors against TrmD in Mycobacterium abscessus. Fragment library screening, followed by structure-guided chemical elaboration of hits, led to the rapid development of drug-like molecules with potent in vitro TrmD inhibitory activity. Several of these compounds exhibit activity against planktonic M. abscessus and M. tuberculosis as well as against intracellular M. abscessus and M. leprae, indicating their potential as the basis for a novel class of broad-spectrum mycobacterial drugs.
Altering the rate-determining step over cobalt single clusters leading to highly efficient ammonia synthesis
Authors: Liu Sisi , Wang Mengfan , Ji Haoqing , Shen Xiaowei , Yan Chenglin , Qian Tao
Published: June 2020

Activation of high-energy triple-bonds of N2 is the most significant bottleneck of ammonia synthesis under ambient conditions. Here, by importing cobalt single clusters as strong electron-donating promoter into the catalyst, the rate-determining step of ammonia synthesis is altered to the subsequent proton addition so that the barrier of N2 dissociation can be successfully overcome. As revealed by density functional theory calculations, the N2 dissociation becomes exothermic over the cobalt single cluster upon the strong electron backdonation from metal to the N2 antibonding orbitals. The energy barrier of the positively shifted rate-determining step is also greatly reduced. At the same time, advanced sampling molecular dynamics simulations indicate a barrier-less process of the N2 approaching the active sites that greatly facilitates the mass transfer. With suitable thermodynamic and dynamic property, a high ammonia yield rate of 76.2 μg h–1 mg$^{-1 }_{\rm cat.}$ and superior Faradaic efficiency of 52.9% were simultaneously achieved.
Cannabis-impaired driving and Canadian youth
Authors: Brubacher Jeff R , Chan Herbert , Staples John A
Published: June 2020

Acute cannabis use results in inattention, delayed information processing, impaired coordination, and slowed reaction time. Driving simulator studies and epidemiologic analyses suggest that cannabis use increases motor vehicle crash risk. How much concern should we have regarding cannabis associated motor vehicle collision risks among younger drivers? This article summarizes why young, inexperienced drivers may be at a particularly high risk of crashing after using cannabis. We describe the epidemiology of cannabis use among younger drivers, why combining cannabis with alcohol causes significant impairment and why cannabis edibles may pose a heightened risk to traffic safety. We provide recommendations for clinicians counselling younger drivers about cannabis use and driving.
Counselling adolescents and parents about cannabis: A primer for health professionals
Authors: Bélanger Richard E , Grant Christina N
Published: June 2020

While cannabis use among adolescents is frequent in Canada, youth do recognize the potential harms, and increasingly expect knowledgeable health care providers to discuss substance use in everyday practice. This practice point provides sound, evidence-based tools to help health professionals address nonmedical (recreational) cannabis use and its related risks. After highlighting how to make the clinical setting a safe space for youth to talk about psychoactive substances, specific strategies for approaching cannabis use in effective, developmentally appropriate ways are described. Consistent with current literature, screening questionnaires to help structure discussion and identify adolescents who may benefit from more specialized interventions are recommended. Because one in six adolescents who experiments with cannabis goes on to misuse it, appraising their willingness to change risky behaviours is a key aspect of care, along with supportive goal-setting and helping families. Recommended resources for practitioners and parents are included.
Newborn white matter microstructure moderates the association between maternal postpartum depressive symptoms and infant negative reactivity
Authors: Nolvi Saara , Tuulari Jetro J , Lavonius Tuomas , Scheinin Noora M , Lehtola Satu J , Lavonius Maria , Merisaari Harri , Saunavaara Jani , Korja Riikka , Kataja Eeva-Leena , Pelto Juho , Parkkola Riitta , Karlsson Linnea , Karlsson Hasse
Published: June 2020

Maternal postpartum depression is a prominent risk factor for aberrant child socioemotional development, but there is little understanding about the neural phenotypes that underlie infant sensitivity to maternal depression. We examined whether newborn white matter fractional anisotropy (FA), a measure of white matter maturity, moderates the association between maternal postpartum depressive symptoms and infant negative reactivity at 6 months. Participants were 80 mother–infant dyads participating in a prospective population-based cohort, and included families whose newborns underwent a magnetic resonance/diffusion tensor imaging scan at 2–5 weeks of age and whose mothers reported their own depressive symptoms at 3 and 6 months postpartum and infant negative emotional reactivity at 6 months. The whole-brain FA moderated the association between maternal depressive symptoms and mother-reported infant negative reactivity at 6 months after adjusting for the covariates. Maternal depressive symptoms were positively related to infant negative reactivity among infants with high or average FA in the whole brain and in corpus callosum and cingulum, but not among those with low FA. The link between maternal depressive symptoms and infant negative reactivity was moderated by newborn FA. The variation in white matter microstructure might play a role in child susceptibility to parental distress.
Broad Spectrum Treatment for Ocular Insult Induced by Organophosphate Chemical Warfare Agents
Authors: Gore Ariel
Published: June 2020

Warfare organophosphates nerve agents constitute one of the prime threats to mankind on the battlefield and in the scenario of civilian terror. Exposure to organophosphate (OP) nerve agents dose-dependently result in incapacitation. They affect multiple organs, but the eye is one of the first and most frequently affected. Ocular OP insult may result in long-term miosis, impaired visual function, and ocular pain thus inducing functional incapacitation. The currently recommended military medical doctrine of using 1% atropine eye drops is far from being the optimal treatment. Although effective in reducing ocular pain and the miotic response, this treatment induces long-term mydriasis and cycloplegia promoting photophobia and restricted accommodation, which may result in further impairment in visual function. An optimal treatment must ameliorate the long-term ocular insult enabling rapid return of normal visual function, while avoiding the induction of mydriasis and cycloplegia side effects, which could possibly worsen the visual performance. Optimal treatment should also keep effects of misuse to a minimum. Work done in recent years examined treatments with various anticholinergic drugs alone or used in combination with oxime treatments and may offer improved efficacy in ameliorating the ocular insult. This review is a summary of the applied research in animals and will discuss clinical implications and possible alterations in treatment protocols following OP exposure. Taken together the data points toward the use of topical low concentrations of potent anticholinergic ophthalmic drops such as atropine or homatropine, which rapidly ameliorate the long-term OP-induced ocular insult.
How Good Are We in Evaluating a Bedside Head Impulse Test?
Authors: Korda Athanasia , Carey John Patrick , Zamaro Ewa , Caversaccio Marco Domenico , Mantokoudis Georgios
Published: June 2020

Objectives:

Clinicians performing a horizontal head impulse test (HIT) are looking for a corrective saccade. The detection of such saccades is a challenge. The aim of this study is to assess an expert’s likelihood of detecting corrective saccades in subjects with vestibular hypofunction.

Design:

In a prospective cohort observational study at a tertiary referral hospital, we assessed 365 horizontal HITs performed clinically by an expert neurootologist from a convenience sample of seven patients with unilateral or bilateral deficient vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR). All HITs were recorded simultaneously by video-oculography, as a gold standard. We evaluated saccades latency and amplitude, head velocity, and gain.

Results:

Saccade amplitude was statistically the most significant parameter for saccade detection (p < 0.001).The probability of saccade detection was eight times higher for HIT toward the pathological side (p = 0.029). In addition, an increase in saccade amplitude resulted in an increased probability of detection (odds ratio [OR] 1.77 [1.31 to 2.40] per degree, p < 0.001). The sensitivity to detect a saccade amplitude of 1 degree was 92.9% and specificity 79%. Saccade latency and VOR gain did not significantly influence the probability of the physician identifying a saccade (OR 1.02 [0.94 to 1.11] per 10-msec latency and OR 0.84 [0.60 to 1.17] per 0.1 VOR gain increase).

Conclusions:

The saccade amplitude is the most important factor for accurate saccade detection in clinically performed head impulse tests. Contrary to current knowledge, saccade latency and VOR gain play a minor role in saccade detection.
Role of Topical Ethanol in the Treatment of Pythium insidiosum Keratitis—A Proof of Concept
Authors: Agarwal Shweta , Srinivasan Bhaskar , Janakiraman Narayanan , Therese Lily K. , S KrishnaKumar , Patel Nilay , V Thenmozhi , Iyer Geetha
Published: June 2020

Purpose:

To study the efficacy and safety profile of topical absolute ethanol in the treatment of Pythium insidiosum keratitis.

Method:

Microbiological, clinical, and histopathological assessments were performed to study the effects of absolute ethanol on P. insidiosum keratitis. In addition, infrared spectroscopy was performed to assess the corneal penetration of ethanol.

Results:

Microbiological tests revealed that ethanol inhibited the growth of P. insidiosum at concentrations even as low as 20% as compared to Candida albicans and Aspergillus flavus, where minimal growth was noted. However, at 40%, 60%, 80%, and 99.9% of ethanol, complete inhibition of growth was noted for all organisms. Histopathology of the absolute ethanol–treated cadaveric cornea showed the compaction of collagen and no stromal necrosis. Infrared spectroscopy revealed secondary structural changes in collagen in the ethanol-treated cadaveric corneas as compared to controls. Clinically, 1 case with a recurrence of P. insidiosum after therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty resolved with the topical application of absolute ethanol, and the other case, where corneal scraping had grown Pythium within 24 hours, failed to grow the organism from the corneal button which was treated with absolute alcohol preoperatively. After therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty, there was no recurrence, and the graft epithelized well.

Conclusions:

Ethanol can be considered an option for treating P. insidiosum keratitis; however, the exact dose and strength of ethanol which will be most effective needs further work.