bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study protocol for IMAGE: implementing multidisciplinary assessments for geriatric patients in an emergency department observation unit, a hybrid effectiveness/implementation study using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research
Authors: Southerland Lauren T. , Stephens Julie A. , Carpenter Christopher R. , Mion Lorraine C. , Moffatt-Bruce Susan D. , Zachman Angela , Hill Michael , Caterino Jeffrey M.
Published: February 2020

Background

Older adults in the emergency department (ED) are at high risk for functional decline, unrecognized delirium, falls, and medication interactions. Holistic assessment by a multidisciplinary team in the ED decreases these adverse outcomes and decreases admissions, but there are many barriers to incorporating this type of care during the ED visit.

Methods

This is a hybrid type II effectiveness-implementation study using a pre-/post-cohort design (n = 380) at a tertiary care academic ED with an ED observation unit (Obs Unit). The intervention is a two-step protocol of (step 1) ED nurses screening adult patients ≥ 65 years old for geriatric needs using the Delirium Triage Screen, 4-Stage Balance Test, and the Identifying Seniors at Risk score. Patients who have geriatric needs identified by this screening but who do not meet hospital admission criteria will (step 2) be placed in the Obs Unit for multidisciplinary geriatric assessment by the hospital’s geriatric consultation team, physical therapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, and/or case managers. Not all patients may require all elements of the multidisciplinary geriatric assessment. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research: Care Transitions Framework was used to identify barriers to implementation. Lean Six Sigma processes will be used to overcome these identified barriers with the goal of achieving geriatric screening rates of > 80%. Implementation success and associated factors will be reported. For the effectiveness aim, pre-/post-cohorts of adults ≥ 65 years old cared for in the Obs Unit will be followed for 90 days post-ED visit (n = 150 pre and 230 post). The primary outcome is the prevention of functional decline. Secondary outcomes include health-related quality of life, new geriatric syndromes identified, new services provided, and Obs Unit metrics such as length of stay and admission rates.

Discussion

A protocol for implementing integrated multidisciplinary geriatric assessment into the ED setting has the potential to improve patient functional status by identifying and addressing geriatric issues and needs prior to discharge from the ED. Using validated frameworks and implementation strategies will increase our understanding of how to improve the quality of ED care for older adults in the acute care setting.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier, NCT04068311, registered 28 August 2019
A multiple-behaviour investigation of goal prioritisation in physicians receiving audit and feedback to address high-risk prescribing in nursing homes
Authors: McCleary Nicola , Desveaux Laura , Reis Catherine , Linklater Stefanie , Witteman Holly O. , Taljaard Monica , Thavorn Kednapa , Grimshaw Jeremy M. , Ivers Noah M. , Presseau Justin
Published: February 2020

Background

As part of their professional role, healthcare providers enact multiple competing goal-directed behaviours in time-constrained environments. Better understanding healthcare providers’ motivation to engage in the pursuit of particular goals may help inform the development of implementation interventions. We investigated healthcare providers’ pursuit of multiple goals as part of a trial evaluating the effectiveness of an audit and feedback intervention in supporting appropriate adjustment of high-risk medication prescribing by physicians working in nursing homes. Our objectives were to determine whether goal priority and constructs from Social Cognitive Theory (self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and descriptive norms) predicted intention to adjust prescribing of multiple high-risk medications and to investigate how physicians in nursing homes prioritise their goals related to high-risk medication prescribing.

Methods

Physicians in Ontario, Canada, who signed up for and accessed the audit and feedback report were invited to complete a questionnaire assessing goal priority, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, descriptive norms, and intention in relation to the three targeted behaviours (adjusting prescribing of antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, and antidepressants) and a control behaviour (adjusting statin prescribing). We conducted multiple linear regression analyses to identify predictors of intention. We also conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews to investigate how physicians in nursing homes prioritise their goals in relation to appropriately adjusting prescribing of the medications included in the report: analysis was informed by the framework analysis method.

Results

Thirty-three of 89 (37%) physicians completed the questionnaire. Goal priority was the only significant predictor of intention for each medication type; the greater a priority it was for physicians to appropriately adjust their prescribing, the stronger was their intention to do so. Across five interviews, physicians reported prioritising adjustment of antipsychotic prescribing specifically. This was influenced by negative media coverage of antipsychotic prescribing in nursing homes, the provincial government’s mandate to address antipsychotic prescribing, and by the deprescribing initiatives or best practice routines in place in their nursing homes.

Conclusions

Goal priority predicted nursing home physicians’ intention to adjust prescribing. Targeting goal priority through implementation interventions therefore has the potential to influence behaviour via increased motivation. Implementation intervention developers should consider the external factors that may drive physicians’ prioritization.
A phase 1/2 study of osimertinib and bevacizumab as initial treatment for patients with metastatic EGFR-mutant lung cancers.
Authors: Yu Helena Alexandra , Kim Rachel , Makhnin Alex , Ahn Linda Su Hyun , Ni Ai , Hayes Sara A. , Young Robert J. , Riely Gregory J. , Kris Mark G.
Published: February 2020

9086

Background: Osimertinib (osi) demonstrated improved progression-free survival (PFS) over erlotinib as initial treatment (trmt) for EGFR-mutant (EGFR+) lung cancers. The addition of bevacizumab (bev) to erlotinib as initial trmt resulted in improved PFS compared to erlotinib alone (16 vs 10 months, HR 0.41). The phase 1 study of osi and bev confirmed the ability to combine osi and bev at full doses. Methods: The phase 2 study is assessing safety and efficacy of the combination. The primary endpoint is PFS at 12 months; secondary endpoints include overall response (ORR), overall survival (OS), and CNS PFS. All pts had interval CNS as well as systemic imaging. Pre-treatment and post-progression (PD) tumor tissue and interval plasma samples are being collected to identify mechanisms of resistance (MOR) and for biomarker assessment. Results: From Nov 2016 to May 2018, 49 pts were enrolled, including 6 pts from the phase 1. Median age: 60; Women 69%; Never-smokers 65%. 13 pts had CNS metastases (9 untreated, 5 measurable) prior to study initiation. 49 pts are eligible for response; 34/49 pts had a confirmed partial response (PR)(ORR 69%). PFS at 12 months is 0.70 (95% CI: 0.57-0.84), with 8/49 pts on study without PD for less than 12 months. All pts with measurable CNS disease had a PR in the CNS; PD in the CNS was uncommon (17%). 24 pts remain on study without PD; 2 are being treated beyond PD. Reasons for study discontinuation include PD (n = 16), resection of all sites of disease (n = 3), withdrawal of consent (n = 3), unrelated death (n = 2), toxicity (n = 1). The most frequent trtmt-related adverse events (any grade) were thrombocytopenia (61%), diarrhea (57%), hypertension (55%), and rash (47%). 24% required a dose reduction of osi, 18% discontinued bev and median doses of bev was 17. 9 pts have paired pre-trtmt and post-progression tissue biopsies; MOR identified include squamous cell (n = 2) and small cell (n = 1) transformation, PTEN loss, and CCNE amplification. Conclusions: Combination osi and bev was well-tolerated and efficacy to date supports further evaluation. Results of secondary endpoints including PFS, mechanisms of resistance, cfDNA data are forthcoming. A randomized study of osi compared to osi and bev is planned (EA5182). Supported by AstraZeneca Clinical trial information: NCT02803203.
The Common, Force, and the Capitalocene
Authors: Bartolovich Crystal
Published: February 2020

Different as they are, Fredric Jameson’s “universal army” and Bruno Latour’s “Theater of Negotiations” both implicitly address the failure of a sufficiently large self-organized “common force” (à la Leslie Marmon Silko) to arise and repair capitalogenic ecological and social depredations today. Reading Jameson and Latour together offers a way toward affirmative transformation by exposing the need (“horizontal” ideals notwithstanding) for force put into critical tension with common effort to spur the ecosocial planetary repair humans— especially the privileged—are failing to do in a timely way, or at a sufficient scale, today.
Farewell to the University (without Nostalgia); or, Thoughts on the Relation between the University and the Common
Authors: Casarino Cesare
Published: February 2020

This article argues for a university that would be neither private nor public but common. After providing a definition of the common, this article proposes to counter the current and ongoing processes of privatization and corporatization of the (public) university through a lopsided double-pronged strategy: to work and struggle at once within and against the university as well as outside and beyond the university (where the outside and the beyond consist of alternative institutions for the production at once of common knowledge and of the knowledge of the common); further, more emphasis should be put on the outside and the beyond rather than on the within and against.
Schistosoma mansoniglyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase enhances formation of the blood-clot lysis protein plasmin
Authors: Pirovich David B. , Da'dara Akram A. , Skelly Patrick J.
Published: February 2020

Schistosomes are intravascular blood flukes that cause the parasitic disease schistosomiasis. In agreement with Schistosoma mansoni (Sm) proteomic analysis, we show here that the normally intracellular glycolytic enzyme glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is also found at the parasite surface; live worms from all intravascular life stages display GAPDH activity. Suppressing GAPDH gene expression using RNAi significantly lowers this live worm surface activity. Medium in which the worms are cultured overnight displays essentially no activity, showing that the enzyme is not shed or excreted but remains associated with the worm surface. Immunolocalization experiments confirm that the enzyme is highly expressed in the parasite tegument (skin). Surface activity in schistosomula amounts to about 8% of that displayed by equivalent parasite lysates. To address the functional role of SmGAPDH, we purified the protein following its expression in E. coli strain DS113. The recombinant protein displays optimal enzymatic activity at pH 9.2, shows robust activity at the temperature of the parasite's hosts, and has a Km for GAP of 1.4 mM±0.24. We show that recombinant SmGAPDH binds plasminogen (PLMG) and promotes PLMG conversion to its active form (plasmin) in a dose response in the presence of tissue plasminogen activator. Since plasmin is a key mediator of thrombolysis, our results support the hypothesis that SmGAPDH, a host-interactive tegumental protein that can enhance PLMG activation, could help degrade blood clots around the worms in the vascular microenvironment and thus promote parasite survival in vivo.
Model systems for regeneration: the spiny mouse, Acomys cahirinus
Authors: Maden Malcolm , Varholick Justin A.
Published: February 2020

The spiny mouse, Acomys spp., is a recently described model organism for regeneration studies. For a mammal, it displays surprising powers of regeneration because it does not fibrose (i.e. scar) in response to tissue injury as most other mammals, including humans, do. In this Primer article, we review these regenerative abilities, highlighting the phylogenetic position of the spiny mouse relative to other rodents. We also briefly describe the Acomys tissues that have been used for regeneration studies and the common features of their regeneration compared with the typical mammalian response. Finally, we discuss the contribution that Acomys has made in understanding the general principles of regeneration and elaborate hypotheses as to why this mammal is successful at regenerating.
Human antigen R-regulated mRNA metabolism promotes the cell motility of migrating mouse neurons
Authors: Zhao Yi-Fei , He Xiao-Xiao , Song Zi-Fei , Guo Ye , Zhang Yan-Ning , Yu Hua-Li , He Zi-Xuan , Xiong Wen-Cheng , Guo Weixiang , Zhu Xiao-Juan
Published: February 2020

Neocortex development during embryonic stages requires the precise control of mRNA metabolism. Human antigen R (HuR) is a well-studied mRNA-binding protein that regulates mRNA metabolism, and it is highly expressed in the neocortex during developmental stages. Deletion of HuR does not impair neural progenitor cell proliferation or differentiation, but it disturbs the laminar structure of the neocortex. We report that HuR is expressed in postmitotic projection neurons during mouse brain development. Specifically, depletion of HuR in these neurons led to a mislocalization of CDP+ neurons in deeper layers of the cortex. Time-lapse microscopy showed that HuR was required for the promotion of cell motility in migrating neurons. PCR array identified profilin 1 (Pfn1) mRNA as a major binding partner of HuR in neurons. HuR positively mediated the stability of Pfn1 mRNA and influenced actin polymerization. Overexpression of Pfn1 successfully rescued the migration defects of HuR-deleted neurons. Our data reveal a post-transcriptional mechanism that maintains actin dynamics during neuronal migration.
Stroke effort and relative lung volume influence heart rate in diving sea lions
Authors: McDonald Birgitte I. , Tift Michael S. , Hückstädt Luis A. , Jeffko Michael , Ponganis Paul J.
Published: February 2020

The dive response, bradycardia (decreased heart rate) and peripheral vasoconstriction, is the key mechanism allowing breath-hold divers to perform long-duration dives while actively swimming and hunting prey. This response is variable and modulated by factors such as dive duration, depth, exercise and cognitive control. This study assesses the potential role of exercise and relative lung volume in the regulation of heart rate (fH) during dives of adult female California sea lions instrumented with ECG, depth, and 3-axis acceleration data loggers. A positive relationship between activity (minimum specific acceleration) and fH throughout dives suggested increased muscle perfusion associated with exercise. However, apart from late ascent, fH during dives was still less than or equal to resting heart rate (on land). In addition, the activity-fH relationship was weaker in long, deep dives consistent with prioritization of blood oxygen conservation over blood oxygen delivery to muscle in those dives. Pulmonary stretch receptor reflexes may also contribute to fH regulation as fH profiles generally paralleled changes in relative lung volume, especially in shallower dives and during early descent and late ascent of deeper dives. Overall, these findings support the concept that both exercise and pulmonary stretch receptor reflexes may influence the dive response in sea lions.
The sarcomere force-length relationship in an intact muscle-tendon unit
Authors: Moo Eng Kuan , Leonard Timothy R. , Herzog Walter
Published: February 2020

The periodic striation pattern in skeletal muscle reflects the length of the basic contractile unit: the sarcomere. More than half a century ago, Gordon, Huxley and Julian provided strong support for the ‘sliding filament’ theory that allowed prediction of the active isometric force as a function of sarcomere length (SL). Although the theory was established using single muscle fibers, the sarcomere force-length (FL) relationship has been extrapolated to whole muscles in an attempt to unravel in-vivo muscle function. However, these extrapolations were frequently associated with non-trivial assumptions, such as muscle length changes corresponding linearly to SL changes. However, the sarcomere force-length relationship in whole muscles may not behave as theoretically predicted due to the structural complexity of muscles, the force transmission, pressures and shear forces developed inside muscles, and the great SL non-uniformity recently observed in whole muscles. Here, we determined the in-situ sarcomere FL relationship in a whole muscle preparation by simultaneously measuring muscle force and individual SLs in an intact muscle-tendon unit (MTU) using state-of-the-art multi-photon excitation microscopy. We found that despite great SL non-uniformity, the mean value of SLs measured from a minute volume of the mid-belly, equivalent to about 5 x 10−6 % of the total muscle volume, agrees well with the theoretically predicted FL relationship, but only if the precise contractile filament lengths are known, and if passive forces from parallel elastic components and activation-associated sarcomere shortening are considered properly. As SLs are not uniformly distributed across the whole muscle and changes in SLs with muscle length are location-dependent, our results may not be valid for the proximal or distal parts of the muscle. The approach described here, and our findings, may encourage future studies to determine the role of SL non-uniformity in influencing sarcomere FL properties in different muscles and for different locations within single muscles.
Amphibious hearing in a diving bird, the great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis)
Authors: Larsen Ole Næsbye , Wahlberg Magnus , Christensen-Dalsgaard Jakob
Published: February 2020

Diving birds spend up to several minutes underwater during pursuit-dive foraging. To find and capture prey, like fish and squid, they probably need several senses in addition to vision. Cormorants, very efficient predators of fishes, have unexpectedly low visual acuity underwater. So, underwater hearing may be an important sense, as for other diving animals. We measured auditory thresholds and eardrum vibrations in air and underwater of the great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis). Wild-caught cormorant fledglings were anesthetized, and their auditory brainstem response (ABR) and eardrum vibrations to clicks and tone bursts were measured, first in an anechoic box in air and then in a large water-filled tank, with their head and ears submerged 10 cm below the surface. Both the ABR-response waveshape and latency, as well as the ABR-thresholds, measured in units of sound pressure, were similar in air and water. The best average sound pressure sensitivity was found at 1 kHz, both in air (53 dB re. 20 µPa) and underwater (58 dB re. 20 µPa). When thresholds were compared in units of intensity, however, the sensitivity underwater was higher than in air. Eardrum vibration amplitudes in both media reflected the ABR-threshold curves. These results suggest that cormorants have in-air hearing abilities comparable to similar-sized diving birds, and that their underwater hearing sensitivity is at least as good as their aerial sensitivity. This together with the morphology of the outer ear (collapsible meatus) and middle ear (thickened eardrum), suggest that cormorants may have anatomical and physiological adaptations for amphibious hearing.
Age-dependent release of and response to alarm pheromone in a ponerine ant
Authors: Pokorny Tamara , Sieber Lisa-Marie , Hofferberth John E. , Bernadou Abel , Ruther Joachim
Published: February 2020

Social insect societies are characterized by division of labour and communication within the colony. The most frequent mode used to communicate is by chemical signals. In general, pheromones elicit specific responses in the receiver, although reactions may vary depending on the receiving individual's physiological or motivational state. For example, it has been shown that pheromones can elicit different responses in morphological worker castes. However, comparably little is known about such effects in worker castes of monomorphic species. Here, we comprehensively study a monomorphic species showing age polyethism, the thelytokous ant Platythyrea punctata. Our analyses revealed that the species’ alarm pheromone consists of (S)-(-)-citronellal and (S)-(-)-actinidine, and is produced in the mandibular glands. Ants responded with increased movement activity and increasing ant density towards the pheromone source in whole colony bioassays, confirming the alarming effect of these compounds. We found age classes to differ in their absolute pheromone content, in the propensity to release alarm pheromone upon disturbance and in their reaction towards the pheromone. Absolute amounts of pheromone content may differ simply because the biosynthesis of the pheromone begins only after adult eclosion. Nonetheless, our results indicate that this clonal species exhibits age-related polyethism in the emission of as well as in the response to its alarm pheromone.
Consequences of rapid development due to cohort splitting: just how costly is to hurry?
Authors: Rádai Zoltán , Kiss Johanna , Babczyńska Agnieszka , Kardos Gábor , Báthori Ferenc , Samu Ferenc , Barta Zoltán
Published: February 2020

In cohort splitting diverging sub-cohorts may show substantial differences in their growth and developmental rates. Although in the past causes and adaptive value of cohort splitting were studied in detail, individual-level consequences of cohort splitting are still rather overlooked. Life history theory predicts that considerably increased growth and developmental rates should be traded off against other costly life history traits. However, it is not clear whether one should expect such associations in adaptive developmental plasticity scenarios, because natural selection might have promoted genotypes that mitigate those potential costs of rapid development. To address these contrasting propositions, we assessed life history traits in the wolf spider Pardosa agrestis, both collected from natural habitat and reared in laboratory. We found that some traits are negatively associated with developmental rates in spiders collected from nature, but these associations were relaxed to a considerable extent in laboratory reared specimens. In general, we observed no consistent trend for the presence of developmental costs, although some results might suggest higher relative fecundity costs in rapidly developing females. Our study provides a detailed approach to the understanding of individual-level consequences of cohort splitting, and to the associations between key life history traits in adaptive developmental plasticity scenarios.
Evaluation of laser scanning confocal microscopy as a method for characterizing reef-building coral tissue thickness and Symbiodiniaceae fluorescence
Authors: Huffmyer A. S. , Matsuda S. B. , Eggers A. R. , Lemus J. D. , Gates R. D.
Published: February 2020

Predicting the sensitivity of reef-building corals to disturbance, including bleaching, requires an understanding of physiological responses to stressors, which may be limited by destructive sampling and the capacity of common methodologies to characterize early life history stages. We developed a new methodology using laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) to measure and track the physiological condition of corals. In a thermal stress experiment, we used LSCM to track coral condition during bleaching in adults and juveniles of two species, Montipora capitata and Pocillopora acuta. Depth of fluorescence in coral tissues provides a proxy measure of tissue thickness while Symbiodiniaceae population fluorescence relates to both population density and chlorophyll-α content. In response to thermal stress, there were significant shifts in tissue thickness and Symbiodiniaceae fluorescence with differences between life stages. This method is particularly well-suited for detecting shifts in physiological condition of living corals in laboratory studies, especially in small juvenile colonies.
Perspectives of Physical Therapists Regarding the Use and Value of Screening Assessments and Preventative Programs for Elite-Level Dancers
Authors: Kilburn Clare Morrison , Singh Hardeep , Makowski Agnes , Musselman Kristin
Published: February 2020

Inconsistency exists in research findings regarding the use and efficacy of screening assessments for elite-level dancers. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of physical therapists' perspectives on the use and value of screening assessments and preventative measures
in this population in order to inform future research and clinical care. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine physical therapists with a caseload of at least 25% dancers aged ≥ 14 years and enrolled in a professional or pre-professional program (i. e., elite- level dancers).
Transcribed interviews were analyzed using an Interpretive Description framework. A constant comparative analysis was used to identify similarities and differences among and within the data. Themes and categories were finalized after consensus among research team members. Resulting themes
included the values, challenges, barriers, and opportunities of screening and preventative programs. Values extended beyond injury prevention to such matters as performance optimization, development of rapport, communication, and education. Challenges included a lack of research and support
from dancers, artistic staff, and the traditional dance culture. Opportunities were seen for improved standardization and innovation of screening procedures. Recommendations to guide clinical practice and research represent an initial step toward improving implementation of screening and preventative
programs, which may provide benefits to dancers' health and performance.
Childhood inflammatory and metabolic disease following exposure to antibiotics in pregnancy, antenatally, intrapartum and neonatally
Authors: Lamont Ronald F. , Møller Luef Birgitte , Stener Jørgensen Jan
Published: February 2020

Background: There are concerns that the use of antibiotics before, during or immediately after pregnancy may have adverse effects on the neonatal gut microbiome and adversely affect the development of the infant immune system, leading to the development of childhood allergy, asthma, atopic disease and obesity.

Methods: In this narrative review, we have explored a number of hypotheses, including the “Barker hypothesis”, the “hygiene hypothesis”, the link between inflammation and metabolic disease, and the influence of the neonatal gut microbiota on the development of the immune system in infants.

Results: We found evidence to link the use of antibiotics before, during or immediately after pregnancy with an increased risk of childhood allergy, asthma, atopy and obesity.

Conclusions: Although we found robust evidence to link antibiotic use in pregnancy with obesity and an “allergic triad” of asthma, eczema and hay fever, care must be taken when interpreting the findings because of the lack of adjustment for confounding variables in published studies. These may be (i) whether or not the mother had the same outcome variable (for example, asthma) as the infant, for which the mother may have received the antibiotics; (ii) the indication, timing or number of antibiotic courses given; (iii) the use of broad-spectrum or narrow-range antibiotics; (iv) the dose-dependent nature of the effector; and (v) the class of antibiotics used.
Case Report: A castration-resistant terminal prostate cancer patient’s survival prolonged after practicing Falun Gong
Authors: Dong Yu-Hong , Wu Shawn , Corson Ann , Hsu Kai-Hsiung
Published: February 2020

Background: Most metastatic prostate cancer patients receive combined androgen blockade (CAB) as the mainstay of treatment. Unfortunately, patients ultimately progress to castration resistance.

Clinical finding and diagnosis: We describe a man in his eighties who developed stage IV, M1b prostate cancer, multiple (≥5) bone metastases, and required the aid of a walker to ambulate. Without treatment, his treating physician predicted he would survive 6 months.

Interventions and outcomes: The patient initially responded well to treatment with CAB, but during the 68-80th week of treatment he developed castration resistance. Bicalutamide was then discontinued. He subsequently began practicing Falun Gong (FLG) as an alternative form of care. Within one year of constant practice, he became able to walk independently, his bone metastases disappeared, and he also enjoyed better psychosocial functioning. His treating physician assessed that his prostate malignancy was “clinically, under control” and “his overall functional status is excellent.” The patient survived a total of 263 weeks (61.4 months) post diagnosis, including 174 weeks (40.6 months) after developing castration resistance.

Conclusion: This castration-resistant terminal prostate cancer patient gained significant clinical benefits after practicing Falun Gong.
The enigma of DNA methylation in the mammalian oocyte
Authors: Demond Hannah , Kelsey Gavin
Published: February 2020

The mammalian genome experiences profound setting and resetting of epigenetic patterns during the life-course. This is understood best for DNA methylation: the specification of germ cells, gametogenesis, and early embryo development are characterised by phases of widespread erasure and rewriting of methylation. While mitigating against intergenerational transmission of epigenetic information, these processes must also ensure correct genomic imprinting that depends on faithful and long-term memory of gamete-derived methylation states in the next generation. This underscores the importance of understanding the mechanisms of methylation programming in the germline. De novo methylation in the oocyte is of particular interest because of its intimate association with transcription, which results in a bimodal methylome unique amongst mammalian cells. Moreover, this methylation landscape is entirely set up in a non-dividing cell, making the oocyte a fascinating model system in which to explore mechanistic determinants of methylation. Here, we summarise current knowledge on the oocyte DNA methylome and how it is established, focussing on recent insights from knockout models in the mouse that explore the interplay between methylation and chromatin states. We also highlight some remaining paradoxes and enigmas, in particular the involvement of non-nuclear factors for correct de novo methylation.
An evaluation of the benefits and harms of antenatal corticosteroid treatment for women at risk of imminent preterm birth or prior to elective Caesarean-section: Study protocol for an individual participant data meta-analysis
Authors: Wastnedge Elizabeth , Vogel Joshua , Been Jasper V. , Bannerman-Gyamfi Cynthia , Schuit Ewoud , Roberts Devender , Reynolds Rebecca M. , Stock Sarah ,   Co_Opt collaboration
Published: February 2020

Background:Antenatal corticosteroid treatment (ACT) has been widely accepted as a safe, beneficial treatment which improves outcomes following preterm birth. It has been shown to reduce respiratory distress syndrome and neonatal mortality and is commonly used in threatened or planned preterm delivery, as well as prior to elective Caesarean-section at term. There are some concerns however, that in some cases, ACT is used in patients where clinical benefit has not been established, or may potentially increase harm. Many women who receive ACT do not deliver preterm and the long-term consequences of ACT treatment are unclear. This study aims to evaluate the benefits and harms of ACT using latest trial evidence to allow refinement of current practice.

Methods:This study will compare ACT with placebo or non-treatment. Inclusion criteria are: Randomised Controlled Trials (RCT) comparing ACT vs. no ACT (with or without placebo) in all settings. Exclusion criteria are: non-randomised or quasi-randomised studies and studies comparing single vs. multiple courses of ACT. Main outcomes are to evaluate, for women at risk of preterm birth or undergoing planned Caesarean- section, the benefits and harms of ACT, on maternal, fetal, newborn, and long-term offspring health outcomes.

The individual participant data (IPD) of identified RCTs will be collected and consecutively synthesised using meta-analysis with both a one-stage model where all IPD is analysed together and a two-stage model where treatment effect estimates are calculated for each trial individually first and thereafter pooled in a meta-analysis. Sub-group analysis will be performed to identify heterogeneous effects of ACT across predefined risk groups.

Discussion:Co-opt is the Consortium for the Study of Pregnancy Treatments and aims to complete a robust evaluation of the benefits and harms of ACT. This IPD meta-analysis will contribute to this by allowing detailed interrogation of existing trial datasets.

PROSPERO registration:CRD42020167312(03/02/2020)
Pregnancy Intendedness by Maternal Disability Status and Type in the United States
Authors: Horner‐Johnson Willi , Dissanayake Mekhala , Wu Justine P. , Caughey Aaron B. , Darney Blair G.
Published: February 2020

CONTEXT

Societal views about sexuality and parenting among people with disabilities may limit these individuals’ access to sex education and the full range of reproductive health services, and put them at increased risk for ­unintended pregnancies. To date, however, no national population‐based studies have examined pregnancy ­intendedness among U.S. women with disabilities.

METHODS

Cross‐sectional analyses of data from the 2011–2013 and 2013–2015 waves of the National Survey of Family Growth were conducted; the sample included 5,861 pregnancies reported by 3,089 women. The proportion of pregnancies described as unintended was calculated for women with any type of disability, women with each of five types of disabilities and women with no disabilities. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship of disability status and type with pregnancy intendedness while adjusting for covariates.

RESULTS

A higher proportion of pregnancies were unintended among women with disabilities than among women without disabilities (53% vs. 36%). Women with independent living disability had the highest proportion of unintended pregnancies (62%). In regression analyses, the odds that a pregnancy was unintended were greater among women with any type of disability than among women without disabilities (odds ratio, 1.4), and were also elevated among women with hearing disability, cognitive disability or independent living disability (1.5–1.9).

CONCLUSIONS

Further research is needed to understand differences in unintended pregnancy by type and extent of disability. People with disabilities should be fully included in sex education, and their routine care should incorporate discussion of reproductive planning.
Design of a high-resolution light field miniscope for volumetric imaging in scattering tissue
Authors: Chen Yanqin , Xiong Bo , Xue Yujia , Jin Xin , Greene Joseph , Tian Lei
Published: February 2020

Integrating light field microscopy techniques with existing miniscope architectures has allowed for volumetric imaging of targeted brain regions in freely moving animals. However, the current design of light field miniscopes is limited by non-uniform resolution and long imaging path length. In an effort to overcome these limitations, this paper proposes an optimized Galilean-mode light field miniscope (Gali-MiniLFM), which achieves a more consistent resolution and a significantly shorter imaging path than its conventional counterparts. In addition, this paper provides a novel framework that incorporates the anticipated aberrations of the proposed Gali-MiniLFM into the point spread function (PSF) modeling. This more accurate PSF model can then be used in 3D reconstruction algorithms to further improve the resolution of the platform. Volumetric imaging in the brain necessitates the consideration of the effects of scattering. We conduct Monte Carlo simulations to demonstrate the robustness of the proposed Gali-MiniLFM for volumetric imaging in scattering tissue.
Phase-matched frequency conversion in waveguides by means of transverse wavevector projections
Authors: Carnio Brett N. , Elezzabi Abdulhakem Y.
Published: February 2020

We present a versatile technique for modal phase-matched second-harmonic generation in a waveguide, which relies on the incident electromagnetic field having transverse wavevector components on the input facet of the waveguide. Such a requirement is satisfied by using an angular-coupling arrangement, which allows for the excitation of modes having an odd spatial distribution that contribute to modal phase-matched second-harmonic generation. The strength of the second-harmonic signal is directly related to the angle at which the incident field is coupled into these modes. This is critical for on-chip nonlinear frequency conversion processes in the areas of optical communication, optical computing, and quantum computing.
Design and fabrication of an InGaAs focal plane array integrated with linear-array polarization grating
Authors: Sun Duo , Feng Bo , Yang Bo , Li Tao , Shao Xiumei , Li Xue , Chen Yifang
Published: February 2020

Polarization imaging plays a crucial role in modern photonic applications such as remote sensing, material classification, and reconnaissance. A novel InGaAs focal plane array integrated with linear-array polarization grating is proposed and fabricated to meet the practical needs of near-infrared polarization imaging. In order to accurately evaluate the polarization performance of a fabricated detector, the improved test system is used to measure the transmittance and extinction ratio (ER). The results show that the detectivity reaches

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, and the operable pixel factor is more than 99.8%. The transmittance of more than 55% and the ER of greater than 21:1 are realized, which indicates that the fabricated detector has excellent capability for near-infrared polarization imaging.
Single-shot surface 3D imaging by optical coherence factor
Authors: Xu Jian , Cao Ruizhi , Cua Michelle , Yang Changhuei
Published: February 2020

We report a single-shot three-dimensional (3D) topographical imaging method, optical coherence factor (OCF) imaging, which uses optical coherence as the contrast mechanism to acquire the surface height (

z

-direction) information of an object. A 4-f imaging system records the light field reflected from the surface of the object. The illumination of the imaging system comes from a laser source with the optical coherence length comparable to the depth of field (DoF) of the optical system. Off-axis holographic recording is used to retrieve the coherence factor from the interference fringes, which is then converted to

z

-direction information. In this experiment, we validate our 3D imaging results comparing them to axial scanning full-field optical coherence tomography images. We also analyze the contrast mechanism of OCF and show that it is able to provide additional information over conventional coherent and incoherent imaging using the same imaging setup. This single-shot computationally efficient method may have potential applications in industrial quality control inspection.
Narrow-linewidth thermally tuned multi-channel interference widely tunable semiconductor laser with thermal tuning power below 50  mW
Authors: Chen Quanan , Jiang Chun , Wang Kuankuan , Zhang Miao , Ma Xiang , Liu Ye , Lu Qiaoyin , Guo Weihua
Published: February 2020

A thermally tuned multi-channel interference widely tunable semiconductor laser is designed and demonstrated, for the first time to our knowledge, that realizes a tuning range of more than 45 nm, side-mode suppression ratios up to 56 dB, and Lorentzian linewidth below 160 kHz. AlGaInAs multiple quantum wells (MQWs) were used to reduce linewidth, which have a lower linewidth enhancement factor compared with InGaAsP MQWs. To decrease the power consumption of micro-heaters, air gaps were fabricated below the arm phase sections. For a 75 μm long suspended thermal tuning waveguide, about 6.3 mW micro-heater tuning power is needed for a

2
π

round-trip phase change. Total micro-heater tuning power required is less than 50 mW across the whole tuning range, which is lower than that of the reported thermally tuned tunable semiconductor lasers.
Low-efficiency-droop InGaN quantum dot light-emitting diodes operating in the “green gap”
Authors: Zhao Chunyu , Tang Chak Wah , Lai Billy , Cheng Guanghui , Wang Jiannong , Lau Kei May
Published: February 2020

Gallium nitride (GaN)-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are important for lighting and display applications. In this paper, we demonstrate green-emission (512 nm) InGaN quantum dot (QD) LEDs grown on a c-plane sapphire substrate by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition. A radiative lifetime of 707 ps for the uniform InGaN self-assembled QDs is obtained by time-resolved photoluminescence measurement at 18 K. The screening of the built-in fields in the QDs effectively improves the performance of QD LEDs. These high quantum efficiency and high temperature stability green QD LEDs are able to operate with negligible efficiency droop and with current density up to

106
  
A
/

cm

2

. Our results show that InGaN QDs may be a viable option as the active medium for stable LEDs.
Expanding comics theory to account for interactivity: A preliminary study
Authors: Neo Tiffany , Mitchell Alex
Published: February 2020

Comics are a medium distinct from and yet tied to other forms of storytelling. A rich body of theory exists on the nature of the medium, its narrative techniques and the visual language unique to it. In light of the increasing interest in digital interactive technologies, however, there is a need to examine how the current theoretical understanding of comics is complicated by interactivity, as has been studied for other media such as text-based stories and games. This article outlines an exploratory study that introduced interactions, reminiscent of the Quick-Time Events found in games, into a four-panel comic. The results of this study, based on exposure to experimental prototypes, followed by retrospective protocol analysis and qualitative interviews, begin to shed light on various theoretical implications of including interactivity. These include empirical support that the notion of comics as an interconnected multiframe remains valid in the context of interactivity; the relative hierarchy between the iconic image and interactive elements; functions of interactivity within the comic form; the role of challenge; and the role of fluency and learning. These findings highlight possible ways in which the inclusion of interactivity expands current theory regarding the comic form, serving as openings for future theory-building.
On polysemiotic interactions, visual paratexts and image-specific translation in comics: The case of Rodolfo Santullo and Matías Bergara's Dengue
Authors: Fraser Benjamin
Published: February 2020

The practice of translation in comics has received relatively little scholarly attention. This article focuses on translation decisions as they are carried out in the medium-specific interplay of words and images that constitutes the comics text. Using the case of Dengue (Santullo and Bergara) in both its Spanish (2012) and English (2015) versions, analysis explores how polysemiotic interactions, visual paratexts and image-specific translation inform the resulting graphic novel. Discussion centres on how the English version effects a significant thematic shift that is consistent across the cover art, frontmatter, chapter title pages, and individual panel rewordings.
'I'll just say two words – "East Timor"': An interview with Norm Breyfogle1
Authors: Klaehn Jeffery
Published: February 2020

Norm Breyfogle (27 February 1960–24 September 2018) is widely recognized for his six years (1987–93) spent illustrating various Batman titles for DC Comics, most notably Detective Comics, Batman and Batman: Shadow of the Bat. He also illustrated several prestige edition one-shots set within the Batman narrative universe, including Batman: Birth of the Demon (1992), which he hand-painted, and the 'Elseworlds' stories, Batman: Holy Terror (1991), Batman: The Abduction (1998) and Batman: Dreamland (2000). In this interview, undertaken in 2007, he discusses his approach to cover design and interior art; the comic industry; how he came to work on Batman; his collaborations with writer Alan Grant; reflections on the character of Anarky; details on an unpublished three issue Anarky storyline involving East Timor and US arms sales to Indonesia; how Batman has changed over the decades; as well as his thoughts on how Jim Aparo, Marshall Rogers and Frank Miller drew Batman.
Cuestiones preliminares a abordar en la concreción de una propuesta metodológica para el seguimiento y evaluación de planes territoriales en España
Authors: Garrido Clavero Juan
Published: February 2020

La Unión Europea quiere saber en qué se están invirtiendo sus fondos destinados a las políticas de planificación territorial, cuál es el grado de éxito de esta inversión y qué tipo de impactos se están derivando de ella; tal y como ratifica la Estrategia Europa 2020, donde se asume la necesidad de realizar el seguimiento y evaluación de las políticas comunitarias, y la Agenda Territorial Europea 2020, la cual propone explícitamente la aplicación de evaluaciones de impacto a los planes con incidencia territorial. Antes de acometer el seguimiento y evaluación de estos planes territoriales hay que plantearse la mejor metodología y el mejor modelo a aplicar. Para iniciar la búsqueda de una metodología y un modelo a aplicar en el contexto español, el presente trabajo tiene como objetivo proponer algunas de las preguntas preliminares que habría de considerarse. La metodología seguida se fundamenta en la selección de algunas de las principales preguntas propuestas por determinados especialistas, legislaciones, administraciones y trabajos profesionales; planteándose desde la óptica del Ciclo Vital de las Políticas Públicas (formación de la agenda, formulación, implementación, efectos, evaluación y retroalimentación), si bien siguiendo un modelo integral y adaptado para los planes territoriales. Así pues, el resultado es la propuesta de un cuestionario específico para el seguimiento y evaluación de los planes territoriales de ámbito supramunicipal en España, el cual ha sido sometido a un proceso crítico con el que constatar su viabilidad, consistente en su aplicación a tres planes territoriales de distinta entidad (regional/provincial, subregional y comarcal), tiempo (ex post, in itinere y ex ante) y características (generales, parciales y sectoriales).
Novel Schiff Base of E-2-(((4-Aminophenyl)imino)methyl)-5-(difluoromethoxy)phenol
Fluorescence Chemosensor for Detection of Al3+, Fe2+, Cu2+ Ions and its
Application towards Live Cell Imaging
Authors: Iyappan Mathivanan , Dhineshkumar Ezhumalai , Anbuselvan Chinnadurai
Published: February 2020

A Schiff base compound E-2-(((4-aminophenyl)imino)methyl)-5-(difluoromethoxy)phenol was synthesized and characterized by FT-IR, 1H and 13C NMR, ESI-mass spectroscopy. The synthesized compound also selectively detects Al3+, Fe2+ and Cu2+ without any interference of other metal ions. Fluorescence titrations carried out to find the selectivity of Al3+, Fe2+ and Cu2+ in turn-on system, with binding modes of 2:1 complex, confirmed by Job′s plot. The presence of metal ions Al3+, Fe2+ and Cu2+ with receptor conformed by ESI-MS spectrum, which changed the base value at 298.00 m/z. Moreover, among the binding constant of three metals calculated (20 μM), Al3+ showed a high value of 5.7 × 104
M-1 compared to Fe2+ and Cu2+ metal ions. Prominently, the cytotoxicity activities of probe with HeLa cells were also calculated