bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Importance of self-connections for brain connectivity and spectral connectomics
Authors: Gao Xiao , Robinson P. A.
Published: November 2020

Spectral analysis and neural field theory are used to investigate the role of local connections in brain connectivity matrices (CMs) that quantify connectivity between pairs of discretized brain regions. This work investigates how the common procedure of omitting such self-connections (i.e., the diagonal elements of CMs) in published studies of brain connectivity affects the properties of functional CMs (fCMs) and the mutually consistent effective CMs (eCMs) that correspond to them. It is shown that retention of self-connections in the fCM calculated from two-point activity covariances is essential for the fCM to be a true covariance matrix, to enable correct inference of the direct total eCMs from the fCM, and to ensure their compatibility with it; the deCM and teCM represent the strengths of direct connections and all connections between points, respectively. When self-connections are retained, inferred eCMs are found to have net inhibitory self-connections that represent the local inhibition needed to balance excitation via white matter fibers at longer ranges. This inference of spatially unresolved connectivity exemplifies the power of spectral connectivity methods, which also enable transformation of CMs to compact diagonal forms that allow accurate approximation of the fCM and total eCM in terms of just a few modes, rather than the full $$N^2$$

N
2

CM entries for connections between N brain regions. It is found that omission of fCM self-connections affects both local and long-range connections in eCMs, so they cannot be omitted even when studying the large-scale. Moreover, retention of local connections enables inference of subgrid short-range inhibitory connectivity. The results are verified and illustrated using the NKI-Rockland dataset from the University of Southern California Multimodal Connectivity Database. Deletion of self-connections is common in the field; this does not affect case-control studies but the present results imply that such fCMs must have self-connections restored before eCMs can be inferred from them.
Sonographische Bestimmung des Aortenaneurysmadurchmessers
Authors: Schäberle W.
Published: November 2020

Die exakte Messung des Aortendurchmessers ist wichtig im Screening, in der Bestimmung des Grenzdurchmesser zur Operationsindikation und in der Verlaufskontrolle nach endovaskulärer Aortenreparatur (EVAR). In vielen sonographischen wie auch computertomographischen (CT-) Studien erfolgen die Messungen des Aortendurchmessers nicht einheitlich, und genaue Angaben von Messebene, -achse und -kaliberpositionierung fehlen. Dies führt zu beträchtlichen Interobservervariabilitäten. Der Aortendurchmesser sollte beim Aneurysma orthogonal, achsenunabhängig am breitesten Durchmesser und mit der LELE(„leading-to-leading-edge“)-Methode bestimmt werden, um reproduzierbare und in Studien vergleichbare, reelle Werte zu erhalten. Die systolisch-diastolische Durchmesserschwankung von bis zu 5 mm muss beim Aneurysmawachstum und bei Grenzdurchmessern zur Operationsindikation bedacht werden. Falsche Aneurysmadurchmesserbestimmungen können zu Überdiagnose und Übertherapie mit gravierenden Begleitmorbiditäten für Patienten führen.
Network meta-analysis on patent foramen ovale: is a stroke or atrial fibrillation worse?
Authors: Varotto Leonardo , Bregolin Gianni , Paccanaro Mariemma , De Boni Antonella , Bonanno Carlo , Perini Francesco
Published: November 2020

Objective

Systematic reviews suggest that patent foramen ovale closure (PFOc) is performed percutaneously with low complication rates. We did a network meta-analysis (NMA) comparing devices for PFO closures, evaluating safety and efficacy of transcatheter PFOc in preventing neurological events in patients with stroke when compared with medical therapy (MT), and assessing risk of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods

We searched 3 databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL/CCTR) identifying six randomized controlled trials from 2012 until December 2019. We performed a Bayesian NMA; number-needed-to-treat and number-needed-to-harm were derived by applying the estimated odds ratios (ORs). The likelihood of being helped or harmed (LHH) was evaluated to estimate the risk-effectiveness balance.

Results

The 3560 patients allocated to PFOc were less subject to a stroke than patients with MT. The overall ORs of PFOc versus MT were 0.41 with fixed-effects, and 0.22 with random-effects model. NMA proves that PFOc induces AF episodes significantly higher than MT, even when analysis is limited to only new episodes of “serious AF.” LHH (0.68 fixed-effects, 0.79 random-effects) showed that strokes saved are less than cases of AFs added. By considering only serious AF, strokes saved are higher than serious AFs induced by the PFOc (LHH was 3.46 and 4.00 respectively).

Conclusions

NMA supported PFOc in patients with cryptogenic stroke, confirming that devices are better than MT, but increase the risk of AF by over 2/4 times (serious or unserious AF). Considering serious AFs (real risky clinical condition), patients have more advantages in being treated, since LHH is ≥ 3–4.
The contribution of attentional processes to calculation skills in second and third grade in a typically developing sample
Authors: Bigozzi Lucia , Pezzica Sara , Malagoli Chiara
Published: November 2020

Attention is an important, multifaceted cognitive domain that includes many key cognitive processes involved in learning. This study aimed to identify the predictive links between different components of attentional skills and core calculation skills development, using two standardized measures assessing calculation (AC-MT 6–11) and attention skills (CAS) in a sample of 143 typically developing children of age range from 7.6 years to 9.4 years. The results showed that in 2nd grade, selective visuo-spatial attention emerged as an important predictor in the written calculation task, while the ability to inhibit distracting information seemed to better predict accuracy in oral calculation. In 3rd grade, visuo-spatial components of attention emerged as no longer predictive, whereas planning and active visuo-spatial attention abilities emerged as predictive of accuracy in the oral calculation task. These results confirm previous findings about the contribution that attentional skills may have in calculation skills development, supporting evidence for progressive automation attentional components over time.
Fast robust optimization using bias correction applied to the mean model
Authors: Wang Lingya , Oliver Dean S.
Published: November 2020

Ensemble methods are remarkably powerful for quantifying geological uncertainty. However, the use of the ensemble of reservoir models for robust optimization (RO) can be computationally demanding. The straightforward computation of the expected net present value (NPV) requires many expensive simulations. To reduce the computational burden without sacrificing accuracy, we present a fast and effective approach that requires only simulation of the mean reservoir model with a bias correction factor. Information from distinct controls and model realizations can be used to estimate bias for different controls. The effectiveness of various bias-correction methods and a linear or quadratic approximation is illustrated by two applications: flow optimization in a one-dimensional model and the drilling-order problem in a synthetic field model. The results show that the approximation of the expected NPV from the mean model is significantly improved by estimating the bias correction factor, and that RO with mean model bias correction is superior to both RO performed using a Taylor series representation of uncertainty and deterministic optimization from a single realization. Use of the bias-corrected mean model to account for model uncertainty allows the application of fairly general optimization methods. In this paper, we apply a nonparametric online learning methodology (learned heuristic search) for efficiently computing an optimal or near-optimal robust drilling sequence on the REEK Field example. This methodology can be used either to optimize a complete drilling sequence or to optimize only the first few wells at a reduced cost by limiting the search depths.
SuperCam Calibration Targets: Design and Development
Authors: Manrique J. A. , Lopez-Reyes G. , Cousin A. , Rull F. , Maurice S. , Wiens R. C. , Madsen M. B. , Madariaga J. M. , Gasnault O. , Aramendia J. , Arana G. , Beck P. , Bernard S. , Bernardi P. , Bernt M. H. , Berrocal A. , Beyssac O. , Caïs P. , Castro C. , Castro K. , Clegg S. M. , Cloutis E. , Dromart G. , Drouet C. , Dubois B. , Escribano D. , Fabre C. , Fernandez A. , Forni O. , Garcia-Baonza V. , Gontijo I. , Johnson J. , Laserna J. , Lasue J. , Madsen S. , Mateo-Marti E. , Medina J. , Meslin P.-Y. , Montagnac G. , Moral A. , Moros J. , Ollila A. M. , Ortega C. , Prieto-Ballesteros O. , Reess J. M. , Robinson S. , Rodriguez J. , Saiz J. , Sanz-Arranz J. A. , Sard I. , Sautter V. , Sobron P. , Toplis M. , Veneranda M.
Published: November 2020

SuperCam is a highly integrated remote-sensing instrumental suite for NASA’s Mars 2020 mission. It consists of a co-aligned combination of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), Time-Resolved Raman and Luminescence (TRR/L), Visible and Infrared Spectroscopy (VISIR), together with sound recording (MIC) and high-magnification imaging techniques (RMI). They provide information on the mineralogy, geochemistry and mineral context around the Perseverance Rover.

The calibration of this complex suite is a major challenge. Not only does each technique require its own standards or references, their combination also introduces new requirements to obtain optimal scientific output. Elemental composition, molecular vibrational features, fluorescence, morphology and texture provide a full picture of the sample with spectral information that needs to be co-aligned, correlated, and individually calibrated.

The resulting hardware includes different kinds of targets, each one covering different needs of the instrument. Standards for imaging calibration, geological samples for mineral identification and chemometric calculations or spectral references to calibrate and evaluate the health of the instrument, are all included in the SuperCam Calibration Target (SCCT). The system also includes a specifically designed assembly in which the samples are mounted. This hardware allows the targets to survive the harsh environmental conditions of the launch, cruise, landing and operation on Mars during the whole mission. Here we summarize the design, development, integration, verification and functional testing of the SCCT. This work includes some key results obtained to verify the scientific outcome of the SuperCam system.
Bi-local search based variable neighborhood search for job-shop scheduling problem with transport constraints
Authors: Abderrahim Moussa , Bekrar Abdelghani , Trentesaux Damien , Aissani Nassima , Bouamrane Karim
Published: November 2020

In job-shop manufacturing systems, an efficient production schedule acts to reduce unnecessary costs and better manage resources. For the same purposes, modern manufacturing cells, in compliance with industry 4.0 concepts, use material handling systems in order to allow more control on the transport tasks. In this paper, a job-shop scheduling problem in vehicle based manufacturing facility that is mainly related to job assignment to resources is addressed. The considered job-shop production cell has two types of resources: processing resources that accomplish fabrication tasks for specific products, and transporting resources that assure parts’ transport to the processing area. A Variable Neighborhood Search algorithm is used to schedule product manufacturing and handling tasks in the aim to minimize the maximum completion time of a job set and an improved lower bound with new calculation method is presented. Experimental tests are conducted to evaluate the efficiency of the proposed approach.
Von der Arbeit 4.0 zum Sinn 4.0? Über das Sinnerleben in der Arbeit in Zeiten der Digitalisierung
Authors: Hardering Friedericke
Published: November 2020

Die digitale Transformation verändert die Arbeitsgestaltung sowie das Arbeitserleben von Beschäftigten substanziell mit weitreichenden Konsequenzen für das gesellschaftliche Verständnis von Arbeit, aber auch für die Arbeitsansprüche von Beschäftigten. Vielfach werden in der aktuellen Debatte über die Digitalisierung Folgen für den Sinn von Arbeit oder das Sinnerleben von Beschäftigten angesprochen, ohne dass sich ein eindeutiges Bild ableiten lässt. Der Beitrag zielt darauf, die Auswirkungen der digitalen Transformation auf den Sinn von Arbeit wie auch auf das Erleben von Sinn im Bereich der Arbeit auszuloten. Dazu wird eine Heuristik genutzt, die verschiedene Diskursstränge über Sinn und Arbeit differenziert und den Stand der unterschiedlichen Debatten rekonstruiert. Der Beitrag zeigt die Unterschiedlichkeit der Debatten und die heterogenen Vertiefungsgrade der Diskussionen. Weiterhin kann gezeigt werden, dass weniger die digitale Arbeit bzw. Effekte der Digitalisierung selbst, sondern vielmehr die Veränderungen von Handlungsspielräumen Konsequenzen für das Sinnerleben haben, welche auf die betriebliche Leistungspolitik zurückzuführen sind.
Clinical outcomes in patients admitted to hospital with cervical spine fractures or with hip fractures
Authors: Baxter Joshua , Lisk Radcliffe , Osmani Ahmad , Yeong Keefai , Robin Jonathan , Fluck David , Fry Christopher Henry , Han Thang Sieu
Published: November 2020

Patients admitted with a cervical fracture are twice as likely to die within 30 days of injury than those with a hip fracture. However, guidelines for the management of cervical fractures are less available than for hip fractures. We hypothesise that outcomes may differ between these types of fractures. We analysed 1359 patients (406 men, 953 women) with mean age of 83.8 years (standard deviation = 8.7) admitted to a National Health Service hospital in 2013–2019 with a cervical (7.5%) or hip fracture (92.5%) of similar age. The association of cervical fracture (hip fracture as reference), hospital length of stay (LOS), co-morbidities, age and sex with outcomes (acute delirium, new pressure ulcer, and discharge to residential/nursing care) was assessed by stepwise multivariate logistic regression. Acute delirium without history of dementia was increased with cervical fractures: odds ratio (OR) = 2.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.3–4.7, age ≥ 80 years: OR = 3.5 (95% CI = 1.9–6.4), history of stroke: OR = 1.8 (95% CI = 1.0–3.1) and ischaemic heart disease: OR = 1.9 (95% CI = 1.1–3.6); pressure ulcers was increased with cervical fractures: OR = 10.9 (95% CI = 5.3–22.7), LOS of 2–3 weeks: OR = 3.0 (95% CI = 1.2–7.5) and LOS of ≥ 3 weeks: OR = 4.9, 95% CI = 2.2–11.0; and discharge to residential/nursing care was increased with cervical fractures: OR = 3.2 (95% CI = 1.4–7.0), LOS of ≥ 3 weeks: OR = 4.4 (95% CI = 2.5–7.6), dementia: OR = 2.7 (95% CI = 1.6–4.7), Parkinson’s disease: OR = 3.4 (95% CI = 1.3–8.8), and age ≥ 80 years: OR = 2.7 (95% CI = 1.3–5.6). In conclusion, compared with hip fracture, cervical fracture is more likely to associate with acute delirium and pressure ulcers, and for discharge to residency of high level of care, independent of established risk factors.
The Metacognitive Training for obsessive-compulsive disorder: A pilot study
Authors: Miegel Franziska , Demiralay Cüneyt , Sure Anna , Moritz Steffen , Hottenrott Birgit , Cludius Barbara , Jelinek Lena
Published: November 2020

More than 50% of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) do not receive first-line psychological treatment such as cognitive-behavioral therapy with exposure and response prevention. To narrow this treatment gap, there is an urgent need for therapies that are easy to disseminate and highly accepted by patients. The aim of the present pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Metacognitive Group Training for OCD (MCT-OCD). Fifty patients with OCD participated in the MCT-OCD for 4 weeks during their inpatient stay in a single-arm pilot trial. Patients were assessed before and after the intervention and filled out an online survey 6 months after post assessment. Results showed a decrease in obsessive compulsive symptoms according to the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (primary outcome) from baseline to post assessment with a large effect size. Symptom reduction remained stable over 6 months and was positively correlated with appraisal ratings of the training. The reduction in frequency of obsessive compulsive symptoms, distress due to obsessive compulsive symptoms, cognitive biases, and depressive symptoms remained stable over 6 months after the intervention. Our findings tentatively imply that the MCT-OCD is a promising treatment for OCD patients. A randomized controlled trial is thus warranted to further clarify the efficacy of the MCT-OCD. Trial Registration: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS-ID: DRKS00012531), date of registration: 16.06.2017.
Network Analysis of Mindfulness Facets, Affect, Compassion, and Distress
Authors: Medvedev Oleg N. , Cervin Matti , Barcaccia Barbara , Siegert Richard J. , Roemer Anja , Krägeloh Christian U.
Published: November 2020

Objectives

Mindfulness, positive affect, and compassion may protect against psychological distress but there is lack of understanding about the ways in which these factors are linked to mental health. Network analysis is a statistical method used to investigate complex associations among constructs in a single network and is particularly suitable for this purpose. The aim of this study was to explore how mindfulness facets, affect, and compassion were linked to psychological distress using network analysis.

Methods

The sample (n = 400) included equal numbers from general and student populations who completed measures of five mindfulness facets, compassion, positive and negative affect, depression, anxiety, and stress. Network analysis was used to explore the direct associations between these variables.

Results

Compassion was directly related to positive affect, which in turn was strongly and inversely related to depression and positively related to the observing and describing facets of mindfulness. The non-judgment facet of mindfulness was strongly and inversely related to negative affect, anxiety, and depression, while non-reactivity and acting with awareness were inversely associated with stress and anxiety, respectively. Strong associations were found between all distress variables.

Conclusions

The present network analysis highlights the strong link between compassion and positive affect and suggests that observing and describing the world through the lens of compassion may enhance resilience to depression. Taking a non-judging and non-reacting stance toward internal experience while acting with awareness may protect against psychological distress. Applicability of these findings can be examined in experimental studies aiming to prevent distress and enhance psychological well-being.
A reference allelic ladder for Western Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) and Black Grouse (Tetrao tetrix) enables linking grouse genetic data across studies
Authors: Andesner Philipp , Vallant Stephanie , Seeber Thomas , Lentner Reinhard , Arthofer Wolfgang , Steiner Florian M. , Schlick-Steiner Birgit C.
Published: November 2020

Rapid anthropogenic climate change and progressing habitat degradation are considered top threats to biodiversity. The employment of demanding umbrella species as indicators for ecosystem health is a popular and cost-effective strategy that facilitates continuous monitoring and evaluation within a long-term conservation management scheme. The Western Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) and the Black Grouse (Tetrao tetrix) are both considered viable candidates due to their extensive habitat requirements, the possibility for conservative, non-invasive sampling, and their broad popular appeal. Regional population surveys based on genetic data from Short Sequence Repeat (SSR) analysis are being conducted throughout the Palearctic. However, to ensure reliable comparability among laboratories, standardization is required. Here, we report a catalogue of fifty fully characterized reference alleles from twelve SSR loci and the construction of a customizable allelic ladder for genotyping and individualization in Western Capercaillie and Black Grouse. This methodological improvement will help to cost-efficiently generate and collate supraregional data from different grouse surveys and thereby contribute to conservation management. Reference alleles and ladders can be obtained on demand.
Mentoring Medical Students Towards Oncology: Results from a Pilot Multi-institutional Mentorship Programme
Authors: Rallis Kathrine S. , Wozniak Anna , Hui Sara , Stammer Adam , Cinar Cigdem , Sun Min , Fulton-Ward Taylor , Clarke Alison A. , Papagrigoriadis Savvas , Papalois Apostolos , Sideris Michail Ch.
Published: November 2020

The mounting global cancer burden has generated an increasing demand for oncologists to join the workforce. Yet, students report limited oncology exposure in undergraduate medical curricula, while undergraduate oncology mentorships remain underutilised. We established an undergraduate oncology society–led mentorship programme aimed at medical students across several UK universities to increase medical student oncology exposure. We electronically recruited and paired oncologist mentors and medical student mentees and distributed a dedicated questionnaire (pre- and post-mentorship) to compare mentees’ self-reported cancer specialty knowledge and oncology career motivation after undertaking a 6-week mentorship. We also determined students’ interest across specialties and subspecialties and measured mentor availability via percentage programme uptake. Statistical analysis included univariate inferential tests on SPSS software. Twentynine (23.4%) of 124 oncology specialists agreed to become mentors. The mentorship was completed by 30 students across three medical schools: 16 (53.3%) Barts, 10 (33.3%) Birmingham, and 4 (13.3%) King’s; 11 (36.7%) mentored by medical oncologists, 10 (33.3%) by clinical/radiation oncologists, and 9 (30%) by surgical oncologists. The mentorship generated a statically significant increase in students’ knowledge of the multidisciplinary team and all oncology-related specialties including academia/research but not interest towards a career in oncology. Undergraduate oncology mentoring is an effective educational, networking and motivational tool for medical students. Student societies are a valuable asset in cultivating medical student oncology interest by connecting students to faculty and increasing mentor accessibility. Further research should focus on developing an optimal mentorship structure and evaluating long-term outcomes of such educational initiatives.
Evaluation of patients with a HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device using echocardiographic particle image velocimetry
Authors: Schinkel Arend F. L. , Akin Sakir , Strachinaru Mihai , Muslem Rahatullah , Bowen Dan , Yalcin Yunus C. , Brugts Jasper J. , Constantinescu Alina A. , Manintveld Olivier C. , Caliskan Kadir
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Poor left ventricular (LV) function may affect the physiological intraventricular blood flow and physiological vortex formation. The aim of this study was to investigate the pattern of intraventricular blood flow dynamics in patients with LV assist devices (LVADs) using echocardiographic particle image velocimetry.

Materials and methods

This prospective study included 17 patients (mean age 57 ± 11 years, 82% male) who had received an LVAD (HeartMate 3, Abbott Laboratories, Chicago, Illinois, USA) because of end-stage heart failure and poor LV function. Eleven (64%) patients had ischemic cardiomyopathy, and six patients (36%) had nonischemic cardiomyopathy. All patients underwent echocardiography, including intravenous administration of an ultrasound-enhancing agent (SonoVue, Bracco, Milan, Italy). Echocardiographic particle image velocimetry was used to quantify LV blood flow dynamics, including vortex formation (Hyperflow software, Tomtec imaging systems Gmbh, Unterschleissheim, Germany).

Results

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound was well tolerated in all patients and was performed without adverse reactions or side effects. The LVAD function parameters did not change during or after the ultrasound examination. The LVAD flow was on average 4.3 ± 0.3 L/min, and the speed was 5247 ± 109 rotations/min. The quantification of LV intraventricular flow demonstrated substantial impairment of vortex parameters. The energy dissipation, vorticity, and kinetic energy fluctuation indices were severely impaired.

Conclusions

Echo particle velocimetry is safe and feasible for the quantitative assessment of intraventricular flow in patients with an LVAD. The intraventricular LV flow and vortex parameters are severely impaired in these patients.
Electrical Brain Stimulation During a Retrieval-Based Learning Task Can Impair Long-Term Memory
Authors: Pyke Wesley , Vostanis Athanasios , Javadi Amir-Homayoun
Published: November 2020

Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) has been shown to improve performance on a multitude of cognitive tasks. These are, however, often simple tasks, testing only one cognitive domain at a time. Therefore, the efficacy of brain stimulation for complex tasks has yet to be understood. Using a task designed to increase learning efficiency, this study investigates whether anodal tDCS over the left DLPFC can modulate both learning ability and subsequent long-term memory retention. Using a within-subject design, participants (N = 25) took part in 6 training sessions over consecutive days in which active or sham stimulation was administered randomly (3 of each). A computer-based task was used, containing flags from countries unknown to the participants. Each training session consisted of the repetition of 8 pairs of flag/country names. Subsequently, in three testing sessions, free, cued, and timed cued recall, participants were assessed on all 48 flags they had learnt. No difference in learning speed between active and sham tDCS was found. Furthermore, in the timed cued recall phase, flags learnt in the sham tDCS sessions were recalled significantly better than flags learnt in the active tDCS sessions. This effect was stronger in the second testing session. It was also found that for the flags answered incorrectly; thus, meaning they were presented more frequently, subsequent long-term retention was improved. These results suggest that for a complex task, anodal tDCS is ineffective at improving learning speed and potentially detrimental to long-term retention when employed during encoding. This serves to highlight the complex nature of brain stimulation, providing a greater understanding of its limitations and drawbacks.
Pilot study of a combined genomic and epidemiologic surveillance program for hospital-acquired multidrug-resistant pathogens across multiple hospital networks in Australia
Authors: Sherry Norelle L. , Lee Robyn S. , Gorrie Claire L. , Kwong Jason C. , Stuart Rhonda L. , Korman Tony M. , Marshall Caroline , Higgs Charlie , Chan Hiu Tat , Graham Maryza , Johnson Paul D.R. , Leroi Marcel J. , Reed Caroline , Richards Michael J. , Slavin Monica A. , Worth Leon J. , Howden Benjamin P. , Grayson M. Lindsay
Published: November 2020

Objectives:

To conduct a pilot study implementing combined genomic and epidemiologic surveillance for hospital-acquired multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) to predict transmission between patients and to estimate the local burden of MDRO transmission.

Design:

Pilot prospective multicenter surveillance study.

Setting:

The study was conducted in 8 university hospitals (2,800 beds total) in Melbourne, Australia (population 4.8 million), including 4 acute-care, 1 specialist cancer care, and 3 subacute-care hospitals.

Methods:

All clinical and screening isolates from hospital inpatients (April 24 to June 18, 2017) were collected for 6 MDROs: vanA VRE, MRSA, ESBL Escherichia coli (ESBL-Ec) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-Kp), and carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPa) and Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAb). Isolates were analyzed and reported as routine by hospital laboratories, underwent whole-genome sequencing at the central laboratory, and were analyzed using open-source bioinformatic tools. MDRO burden and transmission were assessed using combined genomic and epidemiologic data.

Results:

In total, 408 isolates were collected from 358 patients; 47.5% were screening isolates. ESBL-Ec was most common (52.5%), then MRSA (21.6%), vanA VRE (15.7%), and ESBL-Kp (7.6%). Most MDROs (88.3%) were isolated from patients with recent healthcare exposure.

Combining genomics and epidemiology identified that at least 27.1% of MDROs were likely acquired in a hospital; most of these transmission events would not have been detected without genomics. The highest proportion of transmission occurred with vanA VRE (88.4% of patients).

Conclusions:

Genomic and epidemiologic data from multiple institutions can feasibly be combined prospectively, providing substantial insights into the burden and distribution of MDROs, including in-hospital transmission. This analysis enables infection control teams to target interventions more effectively.
Abolition: A New Paradigm for Reform
Authors: Bell Marina
Published: November 2020

The catastrophic failure of the prison system in the United States has prompted a shift in criminal punishment system rhetoric and policy toward reform. Numerous programs and initiatives facilitate reentry for the hundreds of thousands of individuals coming out of prison every year, but these and other reforms remain problematic. They do little to improve the social and material conditions of those attempting to reintegrate. By failing to question the social, historical, political, and economic conditions of criminal system problems, they reproduce the oppressive social conditions that they are intended to address. This article diagnoses several major issues with conventional reform efforts in rehabilitation and reentry scholarship and praxis and argues that what is needed is not further attempts to improve these reforms but, rather, an approach that considers these problems through an abolitionist lens. An abolitionist frame, I suggest, is particularly useful in articulating suggestions for change. I apply an abolitionist analysis to an examination of reentry, illustrating how abolitionism helps to diagnose problematic reentry reforms and how an abolitionist approach to reentry can address these issues in a more effective, profound, and enduring way.
Analytical studies of PROTO-SPHERA equilibria
Authors: Buratti P. , Tirozzi B. , Alladio F. , Micozzi P.
Published: November 2020

Analytical solutions of the Grad–Shafranov equilibrium equation in simply connected plasma configurations, comprised of toroidal magnetic surfaces and open surfaces connected to electrodes, are reviewed and generalised. The Grad–Shafranov equation is linearised introducing assumptions on plasma current and pressure, which preserve regularity of solutions on the symmetry axis, as required for a simply connected geometry. Particular solutions are found by separation of variables both in cylindrical coordinates and in spherical ones. Equilibria that model local or global features of PROTO-SPHERA plasmas are constructed by combining a few particular solutions.
THE ROLE OF LABOR MARKET FRICTIONS IN STRUCTURAL TRANSFORMATION
Authors: ElFayoumi Khalid
Published: November 2020

Large productivity gaps across sectors persist and the process of structural transformation is stagnant in many developing economies. This wedge between observed and optimal labor allocations reflects the presence of institutional and market frictions, which impose costs on the optimal reallocation of labor from low- to high-productivity sectors. Using a panel of cross-country sector-level data, I estimate a dynamic panel error correction model that captures the dynamics of sectoral labor flows. The model estimates provide a new set of stylized facts on the dynamics of the structural transformation process and a measure of the magnitude of frictions facing labor flows. In addition, I analyze the contribution of labor regulations and reforms to the pace at which labor flows across economic sectors. Results suggest that policy reforms need to steer between the goal of easing job creation and destruction, while supporting labor supply incentives to reallocate through strong social nets, labor protection, and risk sharing.
Parents’ views on what facilitated or complicated their grief after losing a child to cancer
Authors: Pohlkamp Lilian , Sveen Josefin , Kreicbergs Ulrika , Lövgren Malin
Published: November 2020

Objectives

The loss of a child is a devastating event, and bereaved parents often suffer intense and long-lasting grief reactions and are at risk for psychological symptoms. More knowledge about how parents cope with grief may improve the support to bereaved parents. This study, therefore, aimed to explore parents’ views on what facilitated or complicated their grief coping after losing a child to cancer.

Methods

This study was derived from a nationwide postal survey. Cancer-bereaved parents (n = 161) provided written responses to two open-ended questions: “Is there anything that has helped you cope with your grief after your child's death?” and “Is there anything that made it difficult for you to cope with your grief?” Content analysis was used to analyze the responses.

Results

Parents reported that a supportive social network of family and friends, and having remaining children, facilitated their coping with grief. Meeting professional counselors and meeting other bereaved parents, connecting to memories of the deceased child in various contexts, including school and pediatric care settings, were also reported facilitating grief coping. Parents stated that the following experiences had complicated grief coping: additional losses in their family or social network; not being able to share emotions with their partner; when they perceived that friends, relatives, or colleagues lacked empathy or patience; when they felt challenging demands from employers at a too early stage.

Significance of results

This study contributes to the understanding of parents’ grief experiences and what has facilitated or complicated their coping with grief, which can help health care professionals and others improve bereavement support services.
Multicriteria analysis of the sustainability performance between agroecological and conventional coffee farms in the East Region of Minas Gerais (Brazil)
Authors: Pronti Andrea , Coccia Mario
Published: November 2020

The goal of this study is to perform a comparative analysis of agroecological and conventional small coffee farms. We investigated 15 coffee farms in the East region of Minas Gerais, a Brazilian rural region, based on coffee production using a multicriteria analysis with economic, social and environmental factors. The results suggest that agroecological farms perform better than conventional farms in terms of sustainability, reduce labor intensity and improve income stability and the environmental impact, such as agro-biodiversity and forest cover. In particular, the results reveal that agroecological farms, though they have lower levels of coffee productivity than conventional farms, perform better in terms of income stabilization. This result depends on product diversification (such as agri-food products, vegetables or fruits) for local markets, which reduces farmer risks associated with coffee price volatility, improving both the local economy and local food security. Moreover, agroecological farms rely more on labor than capital. Overall, the results of this study reveal that agroecological systems support the socio-economic sustainability of the rural areas under study and suggest the potential of agroecology to boost sustainable development in the East Region of Minas Gerais. In short, the spread of agroecological systems could improve local employment conditions, reducing migration toward large cities and shanty towns in other parts of Brazil. Hence, agroecology systems can represent the main alternative to conventional production systems to improve the well-being and wealth of rural populations in developing countries. The analysis presented in this study is based on a specific case study, but the rural area under study has many similarities with other areas in Latin America regarding all aspects of economic, social and environmental sustainability. Finally, some agricultural policy implications are discussed.
A superstrate loaded aperture coupled dual-band circularly polarized dielectric resonator antenna for X-band communications
Authors: Dash Sounik Kiran Kumar , Cheng Qingsha S. , Khan Taimoor
Published: November 2020

A superstrate loaded cylindrical dielectric resonator antenna is developed and demonstrated for dual-band circular polarization. The proposed antenna employs a microstrip-fed rotated cross-shaped slot coupling technique for exciting the dielectric resonator (DR). The design is developed in a straight forward way. Firstly, the DR is coupled with a conventional plus-shaped slot and operates in linear polarization mode at 7.4 and 11.2 GHz. Secondly, the slot is rotated by 10° to enable out-of-phase excitation and ensure circular polarization at the above-mentioned frequencies. In the third step, a square dielectric superstrate is placed above the DR which creates multiple reflection and enhance the gain up to ~8 dBi in both the frequencies without affecting other performances. The development stages are discussed in detail. The proposed design is demonstrated through prototype fabrication and characterization. This antenna can be used for X-band satellite communications.
Scaling up mental health care and psychosocial support in low-resource settings: a roadmap to impact
Authors: Jordans Mark J. D. , Kohrt Brandon A.
Published: November 2020

Aims

Despite recent global attention to mental health and psychosocial support services and a growing body of evidence-support interventions, few mental health services have been established at a regional or national scale in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). There are myriad challenges and barriers ranging from testing interventions that do not target priority needs of populations or policymakers to interventions that cannot achieve adequate coverage to decrease the treatment gap in LMIC.

Method

We propose a ‘roadmap to impact’ process that guides planning for interventions to move from the research space to the implementation space.

Results

We establish four criteria and nine associated indicators that can be evaluated in low-resource settings to foster the greatest likelihood of successfully scaling mental health and psychosocial interventions. The criteria are relevance (indicators: population need, cultural and contextual fit), effectiveness (change in mental health outcome, change in hypothesised mechanism of action), quality (adherence, competence, attendance) and feasibility (coverage, cost). In the research space, relevance and effectiveness need to be established before moving into the implementation space. In the implementation space, ongoing monitoring of quality and feasibility is required to achieve and maintain a positive public health impact. Ultimately, a database or repository needs to be developed with these criteria and indicators to help researchers establish and monitor minimum benchmarks for the indicators, and for policymakers and practitioners to be able to select what interventions will be most likely to succeed in their settings.

Conclusion

A practicable roadmap with a sequence of measurable indicators is an important step to delivering interventions at scale and reducing the mental health treatment gap around the world.
Zwischen Anspruch und Wirklichkeit – Perspektive von fallverantwortlichen Pflegefachpersonen zur Rationierung in der spitalexternen Pflege
Authors: Zúñiga Franziska , Frei Irena Anna
Published: November 2020

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund: Die Nachfrage nach Leistungen der spitalexternen Hilfe und Pflege zu Hause in der Schweiz (Spitex) steigt jährlich um 8 %. Die Pflegesituationen werden komplexer und mit Fehlen von zeitlichen und fachlichen Ressourcen steigt das Risiko für die Rationierung von notwendigen pflegerischen Leistungen. Zielsetzung: Die Studie exploriert, welche Erfahrungen fallverantwortliche Pflegefachpersonen mit Rationierung pflegerischer Leistungen machen und wie sie im Arbeitsalltag damit umgehen. Methoden: Wir wählten einen qualitativen Ansatz mit einer interpretierenden Beschreibung. Wir führten zwischen September und Dezember 2018 leitfadengestützte Interviews mit 12 fallverantwortlichen Pflegefachpersonen aus sieben Deutschschweizer Spitexorganisationen durch. Die Daten wurden anhand der thematischen Analyse von Braun und Clarke bearbeitet. Ergebnisse: Die fallverantwortlichen Pflegefachpersonen berichten über mangelnde zeitliche Ressourcen für die Steuerung des Pflegeprozesses. Sie zeigen hohes Engagement für eine gute Pflegequalität, befinden sich jedoch auf einer Gratwanderung zwischen diesem Anspruch und der Wirklichkeit der Rahmenbedingungen. Sie stehen unter Druck, notwendige Leistungen gegenüber Krankenkassen zu vertreten. Schlussfolgerungen: Das Erleben von Rationierung gehört zum Alltag der fallverantwortlichen Pflegefachpersonen. Sie federn deren Konsequenz für die Klient_innen mit hohem Einsatz ab. Enge Rahmenbedingungen begünstigen die Rationierung und sowohl auf der Ebene der Politik wie der Spitexorganisationen sind zielführende Maßnahmen erforderlich.
Climate‐Driven Variability and Trends in Plant Productivity Over Recent Decades Based on Three Global Products
Authors: O'Sullivan Michael , Smith William K. , Sitch Stephen , Friedlingstein Pierre , Arora Vivek K. , Haverd Vanessa , Jain Atul K. , Kato Etsushi , Kautz Markus , Lombardozzi Danica , Nabel Julia E. M. S. , Tian Hanqin , Vuichard Nicolas , Wiltshire Andy , Zhu Dan , Buermann Wolfgang
Published: November 2020

Variability in climate exerts a strong influence on vegetation productivity (gross primary productivity; GPP), and therefore has a large impact on the land carbon sink. However, no direct observations of global GPP exist, and estimates rely on models that are constrained by observations at various spatial and temporal scales. Here, we assess the consistency in GPP from global products which extend for more than three decades; two observation‐based approaches, the upscaling of FLUXNET site observations (FLUXCOM) and a remote sensing derived light use efficiency model (RS‐LUE), and from a suite of terrestrial biosphere models (TRENDYv6). At local scales, we find high correlations in annual GPP among the products, with exceptions in tropical and high northern latitudes. On longer time scales, the products agree on the direction of trends over 58% of the land, with large increases across northern latitudes driven by warming trends. Further, tropical regions exhibit the largest interannual variability in GPP, with both rainforests and savannas contributing substantially. Variability in savanna GPP is likely predominantly driven by water availability, although temperature could play a role via soil moisture‐atmosphere feedbacks. There is, however, no consensus on the magnitude and driver of variability of tropical forests, which suggest uncertainties in process representations and underlying observations remain. These results emphasize the need for more direct long‐term observations of GPP along with an extension of in situ networks in underrepresented regions (e.g., tropical forests). Such capabilities would support efforts to better validate relevant processes in models, to more accurately estimate GPP.
Cytosolic serine hydroxymethyltransferase controls lung adenocarcinoma cells migratory ability by modulating AMP kinase activity
Authors: Bouzidi Amani , Magnifico Maria Chiara , Paiardini Alessandro , Macone Alberto , Boumis Giovanna , Giardina Giorgio , Rinaldo Serena , Liberati Francesca Romana , Lauro Clotilde , Limatola Cristina , Lanzillotta Chiara , Tramutola Antonella , Perluigi Marzia , Sgarbi Gianluca , Solaini Giancarlo , Baracca Alessandra , Paone Alessio , Cutruzzolà Francesca
Published: November 2020

Nutrient utilization and reshaping of metabolism in cancer cells is a well-known driver of malignant transformation. Less clear is the influence of the local microenvironment on metastasis formation and choice of the final organ to invade. Here we show that the level of the amino acid serine in the cytosol affects the migratory properties of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cells. Inhibition of serine or glycine uptake from the extracellular milieu, as well as knockdown of the cytosolic one-carbon metabolism enzyme serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT1), abolishes migration. Using rescue experiments with a brain extracellular extract, and direct measurements, we demonstrate that cytosolic serine starvation controls cell movement by increasing reactive oxygen species formation and decreasing ATP levels, thereby promoting activation of the AMP sensor kinase (AMPK) by phosphorylation. Activation of AMPK induces remodeling of the cytoskeleton and finally controls cell motility. These results highlight that cytosolic serine metabolism plays a key role in controlling motility, suggesting that cells are able to dynamically exploit the compartmentalization of this metabolism to adapt their metabolic needs to different cell functions (movement vs. proliferation). We propose a model to explain the relevance of serine/glycine metabolism in the preferential colonization of the brain by LUAD cells and suggest that the inhibition of serine/glycine uptake and/or cytosolic SHMT1 might represent a successful strategy to limit the formation of brain metastasis from primary tumors, a major cause of death in these patients.
Isobacachalcone induces autophagy and improves the outcome of immunogenic chemotherapy
Authors: Wu Qi , Tian Ai-Ling , Durand Sylvère , Aprahamian Fanny , Nirmalathasan Nitharsshini , Xie Wei , Liu Peng , Zhao Liwei , Zhang Shuai , Pan Hui , Carmona-Gutierrez Didac , Madeo Frank , Tu Yi , Kepp Oliver , Kroemer Guido
Published: November 2020

A number of natural plant products have a long-standing history in both traditional and modern medical applications. Some secondary metabolites induce autophagy and mediate autophagy-dependent healthspan- and lifespan-extending effects in suitable mouse models. Here, we identified isobacachalcone (ISO) as a non-toxic inducer of autophagic flux that acts on human and mouse cells in vitro, as well as mouse organs in vivo. Mechanistically, ISO inhibits AKT as well as, downstream of AKT, the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), coupled to the activation of the pro-autophagic transcription factors EB (TFEB) and E3 (TFE3). Cells equipped with a constitutively active AKT mutant failed to activate autophagy. ISO also stimulated the AKT-repressible activation of all three arms of the unfolded stress response (UPR), including the PERK-dependent phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α). Knockout of TFEB and/or TFE3 blunted the UPR, while knockout of PERK or replacement of eIF2α by a non-phosphorylable mutant reduced TFEB/TFE3 activation and autophagy induced by ISO. This points to crosstalk between the UPR and autophagy. Of note, the administration of ISO to mice improved the efficacy of immunogenic anticancer chemotherapy. This effect relied on an improved T lymphocyte-dependent anticancer immune response and was lost upon constitutive AKT activation in, or deletion of the essential autophagy gene Atg5 from, the malignant cells. In conclusion, ISO is a bioavailable autophagy inducer that warrants further preclinical characterization.