bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adrenal vein sampling: External validation of multinomial regression modelling and left adrenal vein‐to‐peripheral vein ratio to predict lateralization index without right adrenal vein sampling
Authors: Bouchard‐Bellavance Roxanne , Perrault Florence , Soulez Gilles , Chagnon Miguel , Kline Gregory A. , Bourdeau Isabelle , Lacroix André , So Benny , Therasse Eric
Published: July 2020

Background

Adrenal vein sampling (AVS) failure is mainly due to right adrenal vein unavailability. Multinomial regression modelling (MRM) and left adrenal vein‐to‐peripheral vein ratio (LAV/PV) were proposed to predict the lateralization index without the right AVS.

Objective

To assess external validity of MRM and LAV/PV to predict lateralization index when right adrenal vein sampling is missing.

Design

Diagnostic retrospective study.

Patients

Development and validation cohorts included AVS of 174 and 122 patients, respectively, from 2 different centres.

Measurements

Development and validation cohort data were used, respectively, for calibration and for validation of MRM and LAV/PV to predict the lateralization index without the right adrenal vein sampling. Sensitivity and specificity of MRM and LAV/PV were compared between both centres at different pre‐established specificity thresholds based on receiver operating characteristic curves generated from the development cohort data.

Results

At a specificity threshold of 95% set in the development cohort, specificity values exceeded 90% (range, 90.6%‐98.8%) for all verified MRM and LAV/PV models in the validation cohort. Corresponding sensitivities for MRM and LAV/PV, respectively, range from 54.1% to 83.7% and 32.8% to 88.4% for the development cohort compared to 33.3%‐87.5% and 2.8%‐79.2% for the validation cohort. Overall, diagnostic accuracy of both methods was higher to detect right (82.8%‐93.5%) than left (70.2%‐80.6%) lateralization index status in both centres.

Conclusions

Minimal changes in specificity from development to validation cohorts validate the use of MRM and LAV/PV to predict the lateralization index when the right AVS is missing. Both methods had better accuracy for right than left lateralization detection.
High‐Resolution Neural Face Swapping for Visual Effects
Authors: Naruniec J. , Helminger L. , Schroers C. , Weber R.M.
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we propose an algorithm for fully automatic neural face swapping in images and videos. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first method capable of rendering photo‐realistic and temporally coherent results at megapixel resolution. To this end, we introduce a progressively trained multi‐way comb network and a light‐ and contrast‐preserving blending method. We also show that while progressive training enables generation of high‐resolution images, extending the architecture and training data beyond two people allows us to achieve higher fidelity in generated expressions. When compositing the generated expression onto the target face, we show how to adapt the blending strategy to preserve contrast and low‐frequency lighting. Finally, we incorporate a refinement strategy into the face landmark stabilization algorithm to achieve temporal stability, which is crucial for working with high‐resolution videos. We conduct an extensive ablation study to show the influence of our design choices on the quality of the swap and compare our work with popular state‐of‐the‐art methods.
Pan‐Scotland tonsillectomy outcomes: A national cross‐sectional study
Authors: Milner Thomas D. , Hilmi Omar , Marshall John , MacKenzie Kenneth
Published: July 2020

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess the current post‐tonsillectomy haemorrhage and return to theatre rates in Scotland.

Design

National cross‐sectional study.

Participants and setting

Tonsillectomy outcomes data were collated for all NHS patients undergoing tonsillectomy in Scotland between 1998‐2002 and 2013‐2017.

Main outcome measures

Using Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland retrospective data, 30‐day re‐admission and 30‐day return to theatre rates allowed an assessment of post‐tonsillectomy haemorrhage rates. Data were validated through comparison with an audit conducted in NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde between 2015 and 2016.

Results

Tonsillectomy was performed in 27 819 patients between 1998 and 2002, and 23 184 patients between 2013 and 2017. 30‐day re‐admission rates increased considerably between the 1998‐2002 and 2013‐2017 cohorts, from 4.7% to 12.1% in paediatric patients, and 9.8%‐19.9% in adult patients. Similarly, 30‐day “return to theatre rates” increased between the two cohorts, from 1.2% to 1.7% in paediatric patients, and 3.6%‐4.9% in adult patients. Re‐admission and return to theatre rates were similar across Health Boards for both adult and paediatric tonsillectomies in each cohort.

Conclusions

Current 30‐day re‐admission and return to theatre rates are significantly higher than the majority of reported series to date. The rising rate of tonsillectomy haemorrhage between cohorts is likely to be multifactorial, possibly reflecting an underestimation of previous rates and the changing profile of the tonsillectomy patient. A detailed audit of current practice is needed to investigate these tonsillectomy outcomes, which are similar across all Health Boards in Scotland. Of most significance are the implications for accurate patient consent and non‐elective ENT service provision.
Initial experience with SphinKeeper™ intersphincteric implants for faecal incontinence in the UK: a two‐centre retrospective clinical audit
Authors: Leo C. A. , Leeuwenburgh M. , Orlando A. , Corr A. , Scott S. M. , Murphy J. , Knowles C. H. , Vaizey C. J. , Giordano P.
Published: July 2020

Aim

The SphinKeeper™ artificial bowel sphincter implant is a relatively new surgical technique for the treatment of refractory faecal incontinence. This study presents the first experience in two UK tertiary centres.

Method

This is a retrospective audit of prospectively collected clinical data in relation to technique, safety, feasibility and short‐term effectiveness from patients undergoing surgery from January 2016 to April 2019. Baseline data, intra‐operative and postoperative complications, symptoms [using St Mark's incontinence score (SMIS)] and radiological outcomes were analysed.

Results

Twenty‐seven patients [18 women, median age 57 years (range 27–87)] underwent SphinKeeper. In 30% of the patients, the firing device jammed and not all prostheses were delivered. There were no intra‐operative complications and all patients were discharged the same or the following day. SMIS significantly improved from baseline [median −6 points (range −12 to +3); P < 0.00016] with 14/27 (51.9%) patients achieving a 50% reduction in the SMIS score. On postoperative imaging, a median of seven prostheses (range 0–10) were identified with a median of five (range 0–10) optimally placed. There was no relationship between number of well‐sited prostheses on postoperative imaging and categorical success based on 50% reduction in SMIS (χ2 test, P = 0.79).

Conclusion

SphinKeeper appears to be a safe procedure for faecal incontinence. Overall, about 50% patients achieved a meaningful improvement in symptoms. However, clinical benefit was unrelated to the rate of misplaced/migrated implants. This has implications for confidence in proof of mechanism and also the need for technical refinement.
Capacitated single‐allocation hub location model for a flood relief distribution network
Authors: Sangsawang Ornurai , Chanta Sunarin
Published: July 2020

In disaster management, the logistics for disaster relief must deal with uncontrolled variables, including transportation difficulties, limited resources, and demand variations. In this work, an optimization model based on the capacitated single‐allocation hub location problem is proposed to determine an optimal location of flood relief facilities with the advantage of economies of scale to transport commodities during a disaster. The objective is to minimize the total transportation cost, which depends on the flood severity. The travel time is bounded to ensure that survival packages will be delivered to victims in a reasonable time. Owing to complexity of the problem, a hybrid algorithm is developed based on a variable neighborhood search and tabu search (VNS‐TS). The computational results show that the VNS found the optimal solutions within a 2% gap, while the proposed VNS‐TS found the optimal solution with a 0% gap. A case study of severe flooding in Thailand is presented with consideration of related parameters such as water level, hub capacity, and discount factors. Sensitivity analyses on the number of flows, discount factors, capacity, and bound length are provided. The results indicated that demand variation has an impact on the transportation cost, number of hubs, and route patterns.
Research on personalized recommendation hybrid algorithm for interactive experience equipment
Authors: Chen Shuai , Huang Ling , Lei Zhiwen , Wang Shen
Published: July 2020

Interactive calligraphy experience equipment has the characteristics of a large amount of data, various types, and strong homogeneity, which makes it difficult for users to find interesting resources. In this article, a hybrid personalized recommendation algorithm is proposed, which uses collaborative filtering and content‐based recommendation methods in turn to make recommendations. In the initial recommendation, Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic model is used to reduce the dimension of high‐dimensional user behavior data and establish a user‐writing theme matrix to reduce inaccurate recommendation caused by high sparsity data in collaborative filtering algorithm. The user interest list is obtained by calculating the similarity between users. Then, on the basis of the preliminary recommendation results, VGG16 model is used to extract the feature vector of the calligraphy image and calculate the similarity between the user's calligraphy words and the primary recommended calligraphy words, thus obtaining the final recommendation results. The experimental results verify the effectiveness and accuracy of the recommendation algorithm, which are better than other recommendation algorithms on the whole, and have important engineering guiding significance.
A genome database for a Japanese population of the larvacean Oikopleura dioica
Authors: Wang Kai , Tomura Ryo , Chen Wei , Kiyooka Miho , Ishizaki Hinako , Aizu Tomoyuki , Minakuchi Yohei , Seki Masahide , Suzuki Yutaka , Omotezako Tatsuya , Suyama Ritsuko , Masunaga Aki , Plessy Charles , Luscombe Nicholas M. , Dantec Christelle , Lemaire Patrick , Itoh Takehiko , Toyoda Atsushi , Nishida Hiroki , Onuma Takeshi A.
Published: July 2020

The larvacean Oikopleura dioica is a planktonic chordate and is a tunicate that belongs to the closest relatives to vertebrates. Its simple and transparent body, invariant embryonic cell lineages, and short life cycle of 5 days make it a promising model organism for the study of developmental biology. The genome browser OikoBase was established in 2013 using Norwegian O. dioica. However, genome information for other populations is not available, even though many researchers have studied local populations. In the present study, we sequenced using Illumina and PacBio RSII technologies the genome of O. dioica from a southwestern Japanese population that was cultured in our laboratory for 3 years. The genome of Japanese O. dioica was assembled into 576 scaffold sequences with a total length and N50 length of 56.6 and 1.5 Mb, respectively. A total of 18,743 gene models (transcript models) were predicted in the genome assembly, named OSKA2016. In addition, 19,277 non‐redundant transcripts were assembled using RNA‐seq data. The OSKA2016 has global sequence similarity of only 86.5% when compared with the OikoBase, highlighting the sequence difference between the two far distant O. dioica populations on the globe. The genome assembly, transcript assembly, and transcript models were incorporated into ANISEED (https://www.aniseed.cnrs.fr/) for genome browsing and BLAST searches. Mapping of reads obtained from male‐ or female‐specific genome libraries yielded male‐specific scaffolds in the OSKA2016 and revealed that over 2.6 Mb of sequence were included in the male‐specific Y‐region. The genome and transcriptome resources from two distinct populations will be useful datasets for developmental biology, evolutionary biology, and molecular ecology using this model organism.
Sex differences in olfactory social recognition memory in meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus
Authors: Clark Kelsey E. , Messler Kaitlynn A. , Ferkin Michael H.
Published: July 2020

Terrestrial mammals, like rodents, use odors, and scent marks to indicate their presence in an area to conspecifics. These odors convey information about the scent donor's genotype, sex, condition, and age. The ability to discriminate among the scent marks of conspecifics and later recollect the identity of the donor is essential for choosing between familiar and unfamiliar mates. We tested the hypothesis that the promiscuous meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) can recollect the odor of a familiar, opposite‐sex conspecific and distinguish it from that of an unfamiliar, opposite‐sex conspecific. We also hypothesized that because reproductive success is highly skewed among male meadow voles and competition for mates is intense, males will be more likely than females to recollect the odor of a familiar, opposite‐sex conspecific and distinguish it from that of an unfamiliar, opposite‐sex conspecific, for a longer period of time. Using a habituation task, we first exposed the voles, 4 times successively, to the anogenital area scent of an opposite‐sex conspecific. Then, 1 hr, 24 hrs, 72 hrs, or 96 hrs after the fourth exposure, voles were presented with the odor of the donor from the exposure phase (familiar donor) and that of an unfamiliar, opposite‐sex conspecific. Female meadow voles spent similar amounts of time investigating the scent of the familiar male donor and that of an unfamiliar male donor after the 1‐hr and 24‐hr intervals. Male meadow voles, however, spent more time with the scent of an unfamiliar female donor than that of the familiar female donor after the 1‐hr, 24‐hr, and 72‐hr intervals, suggesting that male voles could recollect the scent mark of a familiar female for at least three days. The implications of these sex differences in social memory may reflect the different strategies male and female meadow voles use in the recognition of previous and potential mates. Recognition of an individual's scents may enhance fitness by allowing animals to direct appropriate behaviors toward those individuals.
Plumage colouration in gulls responds to their non‐breeding climatic niche
Authors: Dufour Paul , Guerra Carande Julia , Renaud Julien , Renoult Julien P. , Lavergne Sébastien , Crochet Pierre‐André
Published: July 2020

Aim

Global variation in animal colouration has inspired ecogeographical rules that suggest common patterns of recurrent adaptations to climate. However, little attention has been paid to the relative influence of the different climatic conditions encountered by species during their annual life cycle. We explored this question by testing whether breeding or non‐breeding climatic conditions most influence plumage colouration in gulls, a cosmopolitan group of birds with extensive variation in plumage darkness and seasonal migratory strategies.

Location

Global.

Time period

Contemporary.

Major taxa studied

All species and subspecies of gulls (Aves, Laridae).

Methods

We used literature data and digital images to assess two characteristics of plumage colouration in all 80 species and subspecies of gulls: the darkness of the mantle and the proportion of black on wingtips. For each species and subspecies, we collected data on migration distance and environmental variables across its breeding and non‐breeding range for both breeding and non‐breeding seasons. We performed a phylogenetic comparative analysis to quantify the relative influence of climatic conditions experienced during the breeding and non‐breeding season on plumage colouration.

Results

The climatic conditions encountered during the non‐breeding season explained interspecific variation in colouration better than the climate experienced during the breeding season. In accordance with hypotheses on the role of dark colouration in thermoregulation and feather protection, darker mantle colouration was positively correlated with insolation and negatively with air temperature. The proportion of black on wingtips was greater for long distance migrants wintering under insolated conditions than short distance migrants or residents occupying less insolated regions.

Main conclusions

In gulls, plumage colouration is predominantly shaped by selection experienced outside the breeding period, in accordance with the hypothesized photoprotective and thermoregulatory functions of avian plumage. This highlights the importance of taking into account seasonality and migration to understand global spatial patterns of avian colouration.
Old growth Afrotropical forests critical for maintaining forest carbon
Authors: Poulsen John R. , Medjibe Vincent P. , White Lee J. T. , Miao Zewei , Banak‐Ngok Ludovic , Beirne Chris , Clark Connie J. , Cuni‐Sanchez Aida , Disney Mathias , Doucet Jean‐Louis , Lee Michelle E. , Lewis Simon L. , Mitchard Edward , Nuñez Chase L. , Reitsma Jan , Saatchi Sassan , Scott Charles T.
Published: July 2020

Aim

Large trees [≥ 70 cm diameter at breast height (DBH)] contribute disproportionately to aboveground carbon stock (AGC) across the tropics but may be vulnerable to changing climate and human activities. Here we determine the distribution, drivers and threats to large trees and high carbon forest.

Location

Central Africa.

Time period

Current.

Major taxa studied

Trees.

Methods

Using Gabon's new National Resource Inventory of 104 field sites, AGC was calculated from 67,466 trees from 578 species and 97 genera. Power and Michaelis–Menten models assessed the contribution of large trees to AGC. Environmental and anthropogenic drivers of AGC, large trees, and stand variables were modelled using Akaike’s information criterion (AIC) weights to calculate average regression coefficients for all p

ossible models.

Results

Mean AGC for trees ≥ 10 cm DBH in Gabonese forestlands was 141.7 Mg C/ha, with averages of 166.6, 171.3 and 96.6 Mg C/ha in old growth, concession and secondary forest. High carbon forests occurred where large trees are most abundant: 31% of AGC was stored in large trees (2.3% of all stems). Human activities largely drove variation in AGC and large trees, but climate and edaphic conditions also determined stand variables (basal area, tree height, wood density, stem density). AGC and large trees increased with distance from human settlements; AGC was 40% lower in secondary than primary and concession forests and 33% higher in protected than non‐managed areas.

Main conclusions

AGC and large trees were negatively associated with human activities, highlighting the importance of forest management. Redefining large trees as ≥ 50 cm DBH (4.3% more stems) would account for 20% more AGC. This study demonstrates that protecting relatively undisturbed forests can be disproportionately effective in conserving carbon and suggests that including sustainable forestry in programs like reduced emissions for deforestation and forest degradation could maintain carbon dense forests in logging concessions that are a large proportion of remaining Central African forests.
The Dutch Atlantic world, 1585–1815: Recent themes and developments in the field
Authors: Noorlander D. L.
Published: July 2020

Scholarship on the Dutch Atlantic has grown and changed a lot in 30 years, with older themes like colonial weakness and insignificance giving way to a newly discovered Dutch vitality. This essay demonstrates the change by summarizing the recent research and highlighting the military, economic, and cultural impact of the Dutch in West Africa and America, plus the possible impacts of both places on the Dutch in Europe. The essay also cautions writers against taking arguments about dynamism, diversity, tolerance, cosmopolitanism, and modernity too far.
Quantifying immunoregulation by autoantigen‐specific T‐regulatory type 1 cells in mice with simultaneous hepatic and extra‐hepatic autoimmune disorders
Authors: Jamaleddine Hassan , Santamaria Pere , Khadra Anmar
Published: July 2020

Nanoparticles (NPs) displaying autoimmune disease‐relevant peptide‐major histocompatibility complex class II molecules (pMHCII‐NPs) trigger cognate T‐regulatory type 1 (Tr1)‐cell formation and expansion, capable of reversing organ‐specific autoimmune responses. These pMHCII‐NPs that display epitopes from mitochondrial protein can blunt the progression of both autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice carrying either disease. However, with co‐morbid mice having both diseases, these pMHCII‐NPs selectively treat AIH. In contrast, pMHCII‐NPs displaying central nervous system (CNS)‐specific epitopes can efficiently treat CNS autoimmunity, both in the absence and presence of AIH, without having any effects on the progression of the latter. Here, we develop a compartmentalized population model of T‐cells in co‐morbid mice to identify the mechanisms by which Tr1 cells mediate organ‐specific immunoregulation. We perform time‐series simulations and bifurcation analyses to study how varying physiological parameters, including local cognate antigenic load and rates of Tr1‐cell recruitment and retention, affect T‐cell allocation and Tr1‐mediated immunoregulation. Various regimes of behaviour, including ‘competitive autoimmunity’ where pMHCII‐NP‐treatment fails against both diseases, are identified and compared with experimental observations. Our results reveal that a transient delay in Tr1‐cell recruitment to the CNS, resulting from inflammation‐dependent Tr1‐cell allocation, accounts for the liver‐centric effects of AIH‐specific pMHCII‐NPs in co‐morbid mice as compared with mice exclusively having EAE. They also suggest that cognate autoantigen expression and local Tr1‐cell retention are key determinants of effective regulatory‐cell function. These results thus provide new insights into the rules that govern Tr1‐cell recruitment and their autoregulatory function.
Understanding the complexities of prevalence of trans fat and its control in food supply in Pakistan
Authors: Tarar Omer M. , Ahmed Khawaja Masuood , Nishtar Noureen A. , Achakzai Abdul B. K. , Gulzar Yahya , Delles Christian , Al‐Jawaldeh Ayoub
Published: July 2020

Pakistan is among the nations with a high intake of trans‐fatty acids (TFAs), a major dietary risk factor of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Efforts are underway in the country to eliminate industrially produced TFAs from the food supply in keeping with the priority targets of the World Health Organization (WHO) for 2019‐2023. We reviewed the TFA content reported in industrially produced foods and discuss the regulatory landscape for TFAs, to facilitate the required policy changes in Pakistan and ultimately eliminate the TFA burden from industrial food products. The study components include review of published research and product labels as well as review of prevailing food regulations for TFA‐related information. A set of recommendations was also prepared to eliminate TFAs from Pakistan after national consultation workshops conducted in year 2019. Vanaspati ghee (partially hydrogenated vegetable oil), bakery shortening, hard margarines, and fat spreads are identified as the major sources of TFAs. Federal and provincial food authorities have recently established the limits for TFAs in few products; however, the TFA regulations are insufficient and not in line with global best practices. This study informs a comprehensive national strategy for TFA elimination based on knowledge of TFA prevalence associated regulatory control. We recommend to (1) promote actions toward replacement of traditional vanaspati ghee/bakery fats with healthier alternatives; (2) develop and implement best regulatory practices in line with WHO recommendations; and (3) amend food labeling laws so that clear information will be provided to inform consumers healthy food choices.
Systematic analysis on multiple Gene Expression Omnibus data sets reveals fierce immune response in hepatitis B virus‐related acute liver failure
Authors: Chen Huadi , Zhao Wenting , Zhang Yixi , Guo Yiwen , Luo Weixin , Wang Xiaobo , Nie Yu , Ye Maodong , Huang Changjun , Wang Dongping , Chen Maogen , He Xiaoshun , Zhao Qiang
Published: July 2020

Acute liver failure (ALF) caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) is common type of liver failure in the world, with high morbidity and mortality rates. However, the prevalence, genetic background and factors determining the development of HBV‐related ALF are rarely studied. In this study, we examined three Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) data sets by bioinformatics analysis to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), key biological processes and pathways. Immune infiltration analysis showed high immune cells infiltration in HBV‐related ALF tissue. We then confirmed natural killer cells and macrophages infiltration in clinical samples by immunohistochemistry assay, implying these cells play a significant role in HBV‐ALF. We found 1277 genes were co‐up‐regulated and that 1082 genes were co‐down‐regulated in the 3 data sets. Inflammation‐related pathways were enriched in the co‐up‐regulated genes and synthetic metabolic pathways were enriched in the co‐down‐regulated genes. WGCNA also revealed a key module enriching in immune inflammation response and identified 10 hub genes, differentially expressed in an independent data set. In conclusion, we identified fierce immune inflammatory response to elucidate the immune‐driven mechanism of HBV‐ALF and 10 hub genes based on gene expression profiles.
Melatonin supplement induced the hair follicle development in offspring rex rabbits
Authors: Feng Yang , Gun Shuangbao
Published: July 2020

Previous studies have shown that the administration of melatonin (MT) to early post‐natal fur‐bearing animals increases the numbers of hair follicles (HFs). In this study, the effect of maternal MT supplementation on the HF development in offspring was investigated. To explore the potential underlying mechanisms, the expression of the melatonin receptor 1A (MTNR1A) gene was determined in the offspring. The Rex rabbit was the animal model, and 79 same‐day‐pregnancy females were randomly assigned to either a control (n = 39) or MT treatment (n = 40) group, and 10 mg MT microcapsules was implanted at the base of the neck of rabbits in the treatment group. Skin, lung, liver, muscle, kidney, heart and duodenum samples were collected from the newborn rabbits. The results showed that MT improved fur quality in the offspring rabbits by reducing the diameter of primary and secondary HFs, and increasing the HF population. MT did not affect the reproductive performance of female rabbits, and it did affect the blood levels of thyroid‐stimulating hormone, prolactin and MT. In the offspring rabbits, MT significantly stimulated MTNR1A gene expression in the skin and heart (p < .01), whereas MTNR1A gene expression was significantly suppressed in the liver and kidney (p < .05). These results revealed that maternal MT supplementation increased HF density, reduced hairiness and improved the fur quality in Rex rabbit offspring. Maternal MT supply may modulate the responses of HFs in the offspring by upregulating the expression of MTNR1A in the skin. In this study, implantation of low‐dose MT did not affect the reproductive performance of female rabbits or on the growth of their offspring.
Analyzing Roles, Barriers, and Supports of Co‐researchers in Inclusive Research
Authors: Vega‐Córdova Vanessa , Álvarez‐Aguado Izaskun , Jenaro Cristina , Spencer‐González Herbert , Díaz Araya Mauricio
Published: July 2020

Current research demands that we rethink the roles of people with intellectual disabilities (IDs) in the research that affects them. The paradigm of inclusive research responds to this need. Although the specialized literature is progressively adopting a more inclusive research approach, the study of roles and relationships within inclusive research and reflections on the process of doing participatory research has received little attention. From a qualitative approach and a participatory action research framework this study aims to: (1) report the experience of involving adults with IDs in inclusive research, and their improvements in terms of developed competencies; (2) identify their perceived roles as researchers, and (3) describe their perceived barriers and facilitators during the research process. This study describes the experiences of 11 adults with IDs who participated in a project aimed at evaluating the cognitive accessibility of public spaces and services in a Chilean city for 14 months. Different roles emerged, ranging from apprentices to experts by experience, and were adopted to different extent by co‐researchers as the process evolved. Co‐researchers developed conceptual, procedural, and attitudinal skills. They also identified contextual and personal barriers as well as facilitators consisting of natural, professional, and community supports, as well as assisted technology while performing their role as co‐researchers. Inclusive research is a challenging, evolving process and it requires ongoing support and feedback to monitor the process and the outcomes to guarantee that all the participants perform different roles involved while meeting the goals of the research.
Rural/Urban Differences in the Predictors of Opioid Prescribing Rates Among Medicare Part D Beneficiaries 65 Years of Age and Older
Authors: Shoff Carla , Yang Tse‐Chuan , Kim Seulki
Published: July 2020

Purpose

While research has been done comparing rural/urban differences in opioid prescribing to the disabled Medicare Part D population, research on opioid prescribing among the aged Medicare Part D population is lacking. This study aims to fill this gap by exploring the predictors of opioid prescribing to aged Medicare Part D beneficiaries and investigating whether these predictors vary across rural and urban areas.

Methods

This is an analysis of ZIP Codes in the continental United States (18,126 ZIP Codes) utilizing 2017 data from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The analytic approach includes aspatial descriptive analysis, exploratory spatial analysis with geographically weighted regression, and explanatory analysis with spatial error regime modeling.

Findings

Both beneficiary and prescriber characteristics play an important role in determining opioid prescribing rates in urban ZIP Codes, but most of them fail to explain the opioid prescribing rates in rural ZIP Codes.

Conclusion

We identify potential spatial nonstationarity in opioid prescribing rates, indicating the complex nature of opioid‐related issues. This means that the same stimulus may not lead to the same change in opioid prescribing rates, because the change may be place specific. By understanding the rural/urban differences in the predictors of opioid prescribing, place‐specific policies can be developed that can guide more informed opioid prescribing practices and necessary interventions.
Evaluation of cross‐linked gelatin as a bulking agent for the management of urinary sphincter mechanism incompetence in female dogs
Authors: Chen Hilla , Shipov Anna , Segev Gilad
Published: July 2020

Background

Bulking agent implantation is a minimally invasive intervention for the management of urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence (USMI).

Hypothesis/Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the novel bulking agent VetFoam for the management of urinary incontinence in female dogs diagnosed with USMI.

Animals

Fifteen client‐owned female dogs.

Methods

Prospective study. Female dogs diagnosed with USMI, refractory, or unamenable to medical treatment were included. VetFoam was injected under endoscopic guidance into the urethral submucosa. Continence score was evaluated before and after the procedure and monthly thereafter.

Results

Twenty‐two injection procedures were performed in 15 dogs (5 dogs underwent >1 procedure). Median age of all dogs at the time of the procedure was 111 months (range, 18‐180). Median continence score significantly increased after, compared with before bulking agent injection (1.5; range, 1.0‐3.5 versus 4.0; range, 1.5‐5 respectively; P < .001; effect size, 2.6). Continence was achieved in 13/15 (87%) dogs after the first procedure and in 7/7 (100%) repeated procedures. Overall, 20/22 (91%) procedures resulted in high (≥4) continence scores at time of first follow‐up. Mean duration of continence was 11.1 months (SD, 10.7) after the first injection. One dog (7%) developed self‐limiting stranguria, pollakiuria, and tenesmus while no other apparent adverse effects were recognized in the other dogs.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

VetFoam is an apparently safe, effective novel bulking agent, which can be used as an alternative for the management of USMI.
Human amniotic stem cells improve hepatic microvascular dysfunction and portal hypertension in cirrhotic rats
Authors: Pietrosi Giada , Fernández‐Iglesias Anabel , Pampalone Mariangela , Ortega‐Ribera Martí , Lozano Juan J. , García‐Calderó Héctor , Abad‐Jordà Laia , Conaldi Pier G. , Parolini Ornella , Vizzini Giovanni , Luca Angelo , Bosch Jaime , Gracia‐Sancho Jordi
Published: July 2020

Background and Aims

Portal hypertension is the main consequence of cirrhosis, responsible for the complications defining clinical decompensation. The only cure for decompensated cirrhosis is liver transplantation, but it is a limited resource and opens the possibility of regenerative therapy. We investigated the potential of primary human amniotic membrane‐derived mesenchymal stromal (hAMSCs) and epithelial (hAECs) stem cells for the treatment of portal hypertension and decompensated cirrhosis.

Methods

In vitro: Primary liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) from cirrhotic rats (chronic CCl4inhalation) were co‐cultured with hAMSCs, hAECs or vehicle for 24 hours, and their RNA profile was analysed. In vivo: CCl4‐cirrhotic rats received 4x106hAMSCs, 4x106hAECs, or vehicle (NaCl 0.9%) (intraperitoneal). At 2‐weeks we analysed: a) portal pressure (PP) and hepatic microvascular function; b) LSECs and HSCs phenotype; c) hepatic fibrosis and inflammation.

Results

In vitro experiments revealed sinusoidal cell phenotype amelioration when co‐cultured with stem cells. Cirrhotic rats receiving stem cells, particularly hAMSCs, had significantly lower PP than vehicle‐treated animals, together with improved liver microcirculatory function. This hemodynamic amelioration was associated with improvement in LSECs capillarization and HSCs de‐activation, though hepatic collagen was not reduced. Rats that received amnion derived stem cells had markedly reduced hepatic inflammation and oxidative stress. Finally, liver function tests significantly improved in rats receiving hAMSCs.

Conclusions

This preclinical study shows that infusion of human amniotic stem cells effectively decreases PP by ameliorating liver microcirculation, suggesting that it may represent a new treatment option for advanced cirrhosis with portal hypertension.
Structural genomic variation leads to genetic differentiation in Lake Tanganyika's sardines
Authors: Junker Julian , Rick Jessica A. , McIntyre Peter B. , Kimirei Ismael , Sweke Emmanuel A. , Mosille Julieth B. , Wehrli Bernhard , Dinkel Christian , Mwaiko Salome , Seehausen Ole , Wagner Catherine E.
Published: July 2020

Identifying patterns in genetic structure and the genetic basis of ecological adaptation is a core goal of evolutionary biology and can inform the management and conservation of species that are vulnerable to population declines exacerbated by climate change. We used reduced‐representation genomic sequencing methods to gain a better understanding of genetic structure among and within populations of Lake Tanganyika's two sardine species,Limnothrissa miodonandStolothrissa tanganicae. Samples of these ecologically and economically important species were collected across the length of Lake Tanganyika, as well as from nearby Lake Kivu, whereL. miodonwas introduced in 1959. Our results reveal differentiation within bothS. tanganicaeandL. miodonthat is not explained by geography. Instead, this genetic differentiation is due to the presence of large sex‐specific regions in the genomes of both species, but involving different polymorphic sites in each species. Our results therefore indicate rapidly evolving XY sex determination in the two species. Additionally, we found evidence of a large chromosomal rearrangement inL. miodon, creating two homokaryotypes and one heterokaryotype. We found all karyotypes throughout Lake Tanganyika, but the frequencies vary along a north–south gradient and differ substantially in the introduced Lake Kivu population. We do not find evidence for significant isolation by distance, even over the hundreds of kilometres covered by our sampling, but we do find shallow population structure.
Staff nurses' evaluation of care process quality and patient outcomes in long‐term care hospitals: A cross‐sectional questionnaire survey
Authors: Yamamoto‐Mitani Noriko , Saito Yumiko , Futami Asako , Takaoka Manami , Igarashi Ayumi
Published: July 2020

Aim

Despite the large and growing body of research on quality care evaluation and improvements in long‐term care facilities, issues regarding the quality of care provided prevail worldwide. Further and more diverse research related to this topic is urgently required. To that end, this study examines the association between the subjective care process evaluations of nurses and selected patient outcomes in Japanese long‐term care hospitals.

Method

To conduct a cross‐sectional survey, we approached 2,000 long‐term care hospitals in Japan, of which 263 (13.2%) completed and returned the questionnaires. We recruited ward managers and all full/part‐time nurses in one ward from each hospital. We questioned managers about six patient outcome indicators: prevalence of physical restraint, urinary tract infections, indwelling catheter use, monthly incidence of new pressure ulcers, falls and recreational activities. We examined the nurses' care process evaluations using nine questions pertaining to daily caregiving activities developed from previous qualitative research. We examined the association between the ward averages of the nurses' evaluations and selected patient outcomes using the generalised linear model with a negative binomial distribution, with the exception of recreational activities for which we used a Poisson distribution, controlling for ward size and patient case mix.

Results

We analysed the responses with complete data for outcome indicators from 199 (10.0%) managers and 2,508 nurses. Some patient outcome indicators were significantly associated with the nurses' care process evaluations, namely, urinary tract infections (B = −1.28, p < .001), indwelling catheter use (B = −0.57, p < .049), pressure ulcers (B = −1.20, p < .001) and recreational activities (B = 1.48, p < .001). These results suggest that better patient outcomes were associated with higher care process evaluations.

Conclusion

The nurses' evaluations and certain patient outcome indicators were associated. When considering potential quality improvement programmes, focusing on these evaluations will be beneficial.
Dimensional compatibility of balloon‐tipped bronchial blockers with the pediatric airway anatomy using different recommendations for age‐related size selection
Authors: Goetschi Markus , Kemper Michael , Dave Mital H. , Kleine‐Brueggeney Maren , Henze Georg , Weiss Markus
Published: July 2020

Background

Age‐related recommendations for size selection of bronchial blocker devices are based on a few dated anatomical autopsy and radiological studies determining lower airway dimensions in children. These recommendations are based on anterior‐posterior internal bronchial diameters, which are smaller than the more relevant lateral internal bronchial diameters.

Methods

Outer diameters of bronchial blocker balloons inflated with the maximum recommended volume of air were compared to age‐related lateral internal bronchial diameters of left and right proximal mainstem bronchi using five different recommendations for age‐related size selection of bronchial blocker equipment in children published in the literature.

Results

The ratio of outer bronchial blocker diameters inflated with the maximal recommended volume of air to the median lateral internal diameters of the proximal mainstem bronchus ranged from 71.4% to 181.8% for the left side and from 61.7% to 162.6% for the right side. There were many settings where the blocker diameters did not reach the median lateral internal diameters of the proximal mainstem bronchus. This was more often observed for the right than for the left side (37 vs 22 settings).

Conclusion

This analysis demonstrates that irrespective of the recommendation for size selection used, neither the two balloon‐tipped vascular catheters included nor the Arndt endobronchial blockers are ideal for lung isolation in children are compared with the age‐related relevant dimensions of pediatric airway anatomy. A redesign of bronchial blocker equipment with age‐related anatomically based high‐volume, low‐pressure blocker balloons made from ultrathin membranes and with smaller catheters would be desirable.
Novel variants in the BLOC1S3 gene in patients presenting a mild form of Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome
Authors: Pennamen Perrine , Tingaud‐Sequeira Angèle , Michaud Vincent , Morice‐Picard Fanny , Plaisant Claudio , Vincent‐Delorme Catherine , Giuliano Fabienne , Azarnoush Saba , Capri Yline , Marçon Carolina , Lacombe Didier , Lasseaux Eulalie , Arveiler Benoît
Published: July 2020

Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome (HPS) associates oculocutaneous albinism and systemic affections including platelet dense granules anomalies leading to bleeding diathesis and, depending on the form, pulmonary fibrosis, immunodeficiency, and/or granulomatous colitis. So far, 11 forms of autosomal recessive HPS caused by pathogenic variants in 11 different genes have been reported. We describe three HPS‐8 consanguineous families with different homozygous pathogenic variants in BLOC1S3 (NM_212550.3), one of which is novel. These comprise two deletions leading to a reading frameshift (c.385_403del, c.338_341del) and one in frame deletion (c.444_467del). All patients have moderate oculocutaneous albinism and bleeding diathesis, but other HPS symptoms are not described. One patient diagnosed with HPS‐8 suffered from lymphocyte‐predominant Hodgkin lymphoma. The mild severity of HPS‐8 is consistent with other HPS forms caused by variants in BLOC‐1 complex coding genes (HPS‐7, DTNBP1; HPS‐9, BLOC1S6, HPS‐11, BLOC1S5).
The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs and the durability of regulatory oversight in the United States
Authors: Dudley Susan E.
Published: July 2020

The U.S. Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) is responsible for reviewing executive branch agencies' draft proposed and final regulations, coordinating the federal government's regulatory agenda, approving government collections of information from the public, and developing and overseeing the implementation of government‐wide policies related to information policy, information quality, peer review, privacy, statistical policy, and international regulatory cooperation. While some of those functions are statutorily granted, others—notably those related to regulatory policy—derive from presidential executive orders. Since U.S. presidents can, and do, rescind their predecessors' executive orders with ease, it is striking that these regulatory oversight functions, and the economics‐based framework underlying them, have not changed significantly through six very different presidential transitions. This article reflects on OIRA's evolution over the almost 40 years since the Paperwork Reduction Act created it in 1980 to understand what has made it so durable. It finds that regardless of their philosophy, presidents need an entity like OIRA to address the principal‐agent problem they face in managing the disparate agencies within the executive branch. The OIRA career staff responsible for bringing coherence to regulatory policies across the government provide analytical expertise and institutional knowledge that complement the actions of political actors in the White House. The article concludes with recommendations for allowing OIRA's roles and practices to evolve while retaining the core functions that have received bipartisan support.
Fault Isolation for A Complex Decentralized Waste Water Treatment Facility
Authors: Klanderman Molly C. , Newhart Kathryn B. , Cath Tzahi Y. , Hering Amanda S.
Published: July 2020

Decentralized waste water treatment facilities monitor many features that are complexly related. The ability to detect the onset of a fault and to identify variables accurately that have shifted because of the fault are vital to maintaining proper system operation and high quality produced water. Various multivariate methods have been proposed to perform fault detection and isolation, but the methods require data to be independent and identically distributed when the process is in control, and most require a distributional assumption. We propose a distribution-free retrospective change-point-detection method for auto-correlated and non-stationary multivariate processes. We detrend the data by using observations from an in-control time period to account for expected changes due to external or user-controlled factors. Next, we perform the fused lasso, which penalizes differences in consecutive observations, to detect faults and to identify shifted variables. To account for auto-correlation, the regularization parameter is chosen by using an estimated effective sample size in the extended Bayesian information criterion. We demonstrate the performance of our method compared with a competitor in simulation. Finally, we apply our method to waste water treatment facility data with a known fault, and the variables identified by our proposed method are consistent with the operators’ diagnosis of the fault's cause.
The Optimal Monetary and Macroprudential Policies for the South African Economy
Authors: Liu Guangling , Molise Thabang
Published: July 2020

We investigate the optimal design and effectiveness of monetary and macroprudential policies in promoting macroeconomic (price) and financial stability for the South African economy. We develop a New Keynesian dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model featuring a housing market, a banking sector and the role of macroprudential and monetary policies. Based on the parameter estimates from the estimation, we conduct an optimal rule analysis and an efficient policy frontier analysis, and compare the dynamics of the model under different policy regimes. We find that a policy regime that combines a standard monetary policy rule and a macroprudential policy rule delivers a more stable economic system with price and financial stability. A policy regime that combines an augmented monetary policy (policy rate reacts to financial conditions) with macroprudential policy is better at attenuating the effects of financial shocks, but at a much higher cost of price instability. Our findings suggest that monetary policy should focus solely on its primary objective of price stability and let macroprudential policy facilitate financial stability on its own.