bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Picture worth a thousand words: Updating repeat photography for 21st century ecologists
Authors: Hammond William M. , Stone Marie E. B. , Stone Paul A.
Published: November 2020

Anthropogenic climate change is altering every ecosystem on Earth. Understanding these changes requires quality baseline measurements of ecosystem states. While satellite imagery provides a coarse baseline for regional‐scale changes in vegetation, landscape‐scale observations are lacking. Ground‐based repeat photographic points (RPP) can provide this finer baseline. As precise visual records of ecosystems at a particular time, RPP provide rich data for diverse uses. Current methodology for establishing RPP, developed in the era of film cameras, requires placement of permanent markers in a landscape to provide accurate repeats over time. Another form of RPP involves relocating sites of historic photographs, to assess change between historic and present‐day photographs. Through a three‐year field survey, we synthesized these techniques to modernize repeat photography for the 21st century ecologist.

We established 100 RPP in the Peloncillo Mountains of New Mexico, recapturing 86 RPP in the three years (2015–2017) of the study. During our study, a large (>16,000 ha) complex of wildfires burned more than half of the RPP sites we established in the prior month, providing a unique opportunity to assess method accuracy after dramatic landscape disturbance by comparing burned, unburned, pre‐, and post‐fire RPP image recapture precision.

Our method produced 92% mean similarity for 86 RPP between original and repeated photographs, with no difference between burned and unburned sites. Interval between photographs did not cause a decline in similarity.

Our updated methods can be practically applied to nearly all terrestrial study systems. Landscape changes driven by human (e.g., effects of anthropogenic climate change, land use) and natural activities (e.g., wildfires, phenology, and hydrologic events) are especially well suited to our updated methods. Modern smartphones include the technology necessary (e.g., camera, GPS, and compass) to employ our method and provide a means for low‐cost deployment of the technique in diverse landscapes. We encourage broad adoption of this technique to establish baseline RPP of ecosystems across the globe, and the formation of a centralized database for repeat photography.
Detecting spawning of threatened chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta over a large spatial extent using eDNA sampling: Opportunities and considerations for monitoring recovery
Authors: Homel Kristen M. , Franklin Thomas W. , Carim Kellie J. , McKelvey Kevin S. , Dysthe Joseph C. , Young Michael K.
Published: November 2020

Over the last century, anthropogenic activities have caused substantial declines in the abundance of chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) throughout their range in western North America. As a result, chum salmon were listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 1999. Recovery strategies have been developed, but limited baseline data on distribution impedes implementation of these strategies. Traditional methods for identifying spawning distribution (e.g., spawning ground surveys) may be inadequate for rare species like chum salmon because of a low detection probability. In contrast, environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling is extremely sensitive to species presence and has the potential to supplement or replace existing methods for monitoring listed species. However, legal and administrative issues associated with accurately describing distribution of a listed species put a premium on understanding factors that influence detection of a species by eDNA sampling. In this study, we (a) developed and tested a quantitative PCR‐based eDNA assay for chum salmon, (b) collected eDNA samples to describe the spawning distribution of this species in Columbia River tributaries between Bonneville and The Dalles Dams, and (c) tested whether spawn surveyors could inadvertently transport chum salmon DNA between streams on their boots and waders. The newly developed assay was specific and sensitive to chum salmon DNA in both tissue and eDNA samples. Chum salmon DNA was detected in the positive control site and in four streams, which increased known contemporary spawning locations in the study area. In the contamination trial, surveyors successfully introduced chum salmon DNA into the study area but eDNA was only detected intermittently and locally over the next 11 days. The accuracy of eDNA sampling, combined with success in detecting a rare species at the population scale, makes this technique well‐suited for monitoring recolonization of chum salmon during the recovery process.
A role for TASK2 channels in the human immunological synapse
Authors: Fernández‐Orth Juncal , Rolfes Leoni , Gola Lukas , Bittner Stefan , Andronic Joseph , Sukhorukov Vladimir L. , Sisario Dmitri , Landgraf Peter , Dieterich Daniela C. , Cerina Manuela , Smalla Karl‐Heinz , Kähne Thilo , Budde Thomas , Kovac Stjepana , Ruck Tobias , Sauer Markus , Meuth Sven G.
Published: November 2020

The immunological synapse is a transient junction that occurs when the plasma membrane of a T cell comes in close contact with an APC after recognizing a peptide from the antigen‐MHC. The interaction starts when CRAC channels embedded in the T cell membrane open, flowing calcium ions into the cell. To counterbalance the ion influx and subsequent depolarization, Kv1.3 and KCa3.1 channels are recruited to the immunological synapse, increasing the extracellular K+ concentration. These processes are crucial as they initiate gene expression that drives T cell activation and proliferation. The T cell‐specific function of the K2P channel family member TASK2 channels and their role in autoimmune processes remains unclear. Using mass spectrometry analysis together with epifluorescence and super‐resolution single‐molecule localization microscopy, we identified TASK2 channels as novel players recruited to the immunological synapse upon stimulation. TASK2 localizes at the immunological synapse, upon stimulation with CD3 antibodies, likely interacting with these molecules. Our findings suggest that, together with Kv1.3 and KCa3.1 channels, TASK2 channels contribute to the proper functioning of the immunological synapse, and represent an interesting treatment target for T cell‐mediated autoimmune disorders.
Prognostic role of intraparotid lymph node metastasis in primary parotid cancer: Systematic review
Authors: Guntinas‐Lichius Orlando , Thielker Jovanna , Robbins K. Thomas , Olsen Kerry D. , Shaha Ashok R. , Mäkitie Antti A. , de Bree Remco , Vander Poorten Vincent , Quer Miquel , Rinaldo Alessandra , Kowalski Luiz Paulo , Rodrigo Juan Pablo , Hamoir Marc , Ferlito Alfio
Published: November 2020

Background

The prognostic importance of intraparotid lymph node metastasis (P+) in patients with primary parotid gland carcinoma is unclear.

Methods

Nineteen retrospective and noncomparative cohort studies, published between 1992 and 2020, met the inclusion criteria and included 2202 patients for this systematic review.

Results

The pooled prevalence of the P in adult patients in the unselected studies was 24.10% (95% confidence interval = 17.95‐30.25). The number of P+ lymph nodes per patient was counted in only three studies and ranged from 1 to 11. The 5‐year recurrence‐free survival rate based on Kaplan‐Meier analysis varied from 83% to 88% in P− patients compared to 36% to 54% in P+ patients. The average hazard ratio for tumor recurrence in patients with P+ compared to P− was 2.67 ± 0.58.

Conclusions

P+ is an independent negative prognostic factor in primary parotid gland cancer and should be included into the treatment planning.
Combination Therapies Including Cilofexor and Firsocostat for Bridging Fibrosis and Cirrhosis Attributable to NASH
Authors: Loomba Rohit , Noureddin Mazen , Kowdley Kris V. , Kohli Anita , Sheikh Aasim , Neff Guy , Bhandari Bal Raj , Gunn Nadege , Caldwell Stephen H. , Goodman Zachary , Wapinski Ilan , Resnick Murray , Beck Andrew H. , Ding Dora , Jia Catherine , Chuang Jen‐Chieh , Huss Ryan S. , Chung Chuhan , Subramanian G. Mani , Myers Robert P. , Patel Keyur , Borg Brian B. , Ghalib Reem , Kabler Heidi , Poulos John , Younes Ziad , Elkhashab Magdy , Hassanein Tarek , Iyer Rajalakshmi , Ruane Peter , Shiffman Mitchell L. , Strasser Simone , Wong Vincent Wai‐Sun , Alkhouri Naim ,   for the ATLAS Investigators
Published: November 2020

Background and Aims

Advanced fibrosis attributable to NASH is a leading cause of end‐stage liver disease.

Approach and Results

In this phase 2b trial, 392 patients with bridging fibrosis or compensated cirrhosis (F3‐F4) were randomized to receive placebo, selonsertib 18 mg, cilofexor 30 mg, or firsocostat 20 mg, alone or in two‐drug combinations, once‐daily for 48 weeks. The primary endpoint was a ≥1‐stage improvement in fibrosis without worsening of NASH between baseline and 48 weeks based on central pathologist review. Exploratory endpoints included changes in NAFLD Activity Score (NAS), liver histology assessed using a machine learning (ML) approach, liver biochemistry, and noninvasive markers. The majority had cirrhosis (56%) and NAS ≥5 (83%). The primary endpoint was achieved in 11% of placebo‐treated patients versus cilofexor/firsocostat (21%; P = 0.17), cilofexor/selonsertib (19%; P = 0.26), firsocostat/selonsertib (15%; P = 0.62), firsocostat (12%; P = 0.94), and cilofexor (12%; P = 0.96). Changes in hepatic collagen by morphometry were not significant, but cilofexor/firsocostat led to a significant decrease in ML NASH CRN fibrosis score (P = 0.040) and a shift in biopsy area from F3‐F4 to ≤F2 fibrosis patterns. Compared to placebo, significantly higher proportions of cilofexor/firsocostat patients had a ≥2‐point NAS reduction; reductions in steatosis, lobular inflammation, and ballooning; and significant improvements in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), bilirubin, bile acids, cytokeratin‐18, insulin, estimated glomerular filtration rate, ELF score, and liver stiffness by transient elastography (all P ≤ 0.05). Pruritus occurred in 20%‐29% of cilofexor versus 15% of placebo‐treated patients.

Conclusions

In patients with bridging fibrosis and cirrhosis, 48 weeks of cilofexor/firsocostat was well tolerated, led to improvements in NASH activity, and may have an antifibrotic effect. This combination offers potential for fibrosis regression with longer‐term therapy in patients with advanced fibrosis attributable to NASH.
Second generation of the 1993 birth cohort, Pelotas (Brazil): Aims, design, preliminary results
Authors: Gonçalves Helen , Wehrmeister Fernando C. , Assunção Maria C. F. , Tovo‐Rodrigues Luciana , de Oliveira Isabel O. , Murray Joseph , Anselmi Luciana , Barros Fernando C. , Menezes Ana M. B.
Published: November 2020

Background and Aims

Longitudinal cohort studies examining different generations can explain how health problems can be transmitted through genetic and environmental mechanisms and their effects on the health of offspring. This study aimed to present the design and to describe the characteristics of the baseline sample of a second generation cohort.

Methods

The 93Cohort‐II is a dynamic prospective cohort composed of a second generation from the original 1993 Pelotas Birth Cohort (offspring), whose parents had their last follow‐up at 22 years old. Biological parents were asked to answer questions addressing the type of birth, general health status, family composition, dietary habits, breastfeeding habits, and child‐caregiver(s), among others, and the children's anthropometric measurements were evaluated.

Results

Of 1650 children identified, 1212 were evaluated (response rate, 73.4%), and 21 died before the baseline assessment. The age of the offspring ranged from 0 to 10 years (mean [±SD], 2.9 ± 2.1 years); most children (65.6%) lived with both parents and were born to young mothers and poor families. One‐third of the children were breastfed until 6 months of age, one‐half were born by cesarean section, 63.9% had used medication in the previous 15 days, 26.4% experienced hospitalization at least once since birth, and 14% had no updated vaccination; asthma/bronchitis (20.4%) and bronchiolitis (13.4%) were the most frequently reported diseases. More than 60% consumed ultra‐processed foods, and the prevalence of overweight among those <5 and ≥6 years of age was 10.2% and 18.9%, respectively. The mean total Child Behavior Checklist score was 44.1 ± 23.61 (≥16 months), and the mean intellectual quotient score in children ≥6 years of age was 97.9 ± 15.4.

Conclusion

Despite the difficulties in conducting intergenerational cohort studies, the results of the present investigation provide evidence supporting the feasibility of performing these types of studies in middle‐income countries.
An overview of palladium‐catalyzed synthesis of seven‐membered heterocycles
Authors: Saranya Padinjare Veetil , Neetha Mohan , Radhika Sankaran , Anilkumar Gopinathan
Published: November 2020

Heterocyclic compounds are the ones that have always remained in the limelight owing to their superior contributions toward various disciplines such as biology, medicine, material science, pharmaceutical science, industry and so on. They form the building blocks of DNA and RNA macromolecules. Suitable tuning of these heterocyclic compounds can result in chemotherapeutic moieties with superlative efficiency. Seven‐membered heterocyclic compounds are an important class of heterocyclic chemistry. Some of them are azepine, oxepine, thiepine, diazepine, thiazepine and so on. Transition metal‐catalyzed synthesis of heterocycles has been the most explored in the recent past. Palladium is known as the best suitable catalyst for the same and that is the result of its excellent functional group tolerance and catalytic potency. Here, we intend to summarize the various investigations made on the palladium‐catalyzed synthesis of seven‐membered heterocycles. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review in this topic and covers literature up to 2020.
Spatial and temporal characteristics of atmospheric water vapour content and its relationship with precipitation conversion in China during 1980–2016
Authors: Ayantobo Olusola O. , Wei Jiahua , Kang Beiming , Li Tiejian , Wang Guangqian
Published: November 2020

Atmospheric precipitable water (PW) is the basis of precipitation (P) formation, and the spatial difference between them is one of the focus of water resources research. Based on daily P from 552 meteorological stations and four reanalysis datasets during 1980–2016, the spatial–temporal pattern of PW and precipitation conversion rate (PWCR) in China are investigated using the whole layer atmospheric PW calculation formula, univariate linear regression, and inverse distance weighting. Results showed that ERA‐Interim reanalysis seems to match the magnitude and pattern of P over China with small regional differences. At daily scale, an increase (decrease) in P was connected with an increase (decrease) of PW in most regions, and the temporal change showed that PW was highest in summer and lowest in winter. Across China, the mean daily PW for CFSR, ERA‐Interim, JRA 55, and NCEP‐1 varied between 41.18–48.43 mm, 39.02–43.13 mm, 37.41–41.79 mm, and 43.06–48.33 mm, respectively in summer and between 11.67–13.79 mm, 10.21–11.87 mm, 9.96–11.83 mm, 11.92–13.73 mm in winter. The spatial pattern of PW showed increased moisture over the southwest, with a maximum positive trend of about 0.25 mm per day, particularly over the Tibet Plateau. Moreover, summer and autumn had the highest and lowest PWCR, respectively. During summer, PWCR for CFSR, ERA‐Interim, JRA 55 and NCEP‐1 ranged between 8.3–11.9%, 8.1–9.7%, 10.3–11.7% and 9.4–14.1%, while in autumn, 6.4–9.8%, 5.9–7.7%, 7.1–9.5%, and 8.1–12.3% were reported, respectively. Therefore, the potential of P arising from PW was great in summer. The PWCR had a declining trend from east to west and from south to north in space and the regional fluctuation was large, making the regional development potential of atmospheric water resources obvious. These results that lead to a better understanding of water vapour conversion over China will help to rationally develop and utilize atmospheric water resources.
Effects of water deficit on growth and performance of drip irrigated sweet potato varieties
Authors: Karakas Mehmet Can , Kurunc Ahmet , Dincer Cuneyt
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

There are many scientific studies on performance of different sweet potato varieties under water deficits, however, no study on Koganesengan and Beniazuma varieties has been found in the literature. This study was aimed to investigate the effects of water deficit levels (control‐WD0, low‐WD25, medium‐WD50 and high‐WD75 water deficit levels) on growth, yield and quality parameters, water use efficiency and water‐yield response factor values of these sweet potato varieties under drip irrigation.

RESULTS

The seasonal water consumptions of varieties were calculated as 808 and 826 mm, respectively, under no water deficit. All of the growth (except average tuber length for Koganesengan) and yield parameters of both varieties were significantly affected by water deficit treatments. However, most of the quality parameters including total dry mater, starch, ß‐carotene, ascorbic acid, protein, saccharose and glucose contents for both varieties; total ash, crude fiber and phenolic matter content for Beniazuma; and fructose content and antioxidant activity for Koganesengan variety had no response to water deficits at any level. Under high deficit and control, fresh and dry vine, tuber and total yields ranged from 4.80 to 14.54, 0.85 to 2.35, 1.59 to 10.97 and 6.40 to 25.52 t ha−1 for Koganesengan and 6.05 to 27.88, 0.99 to 4.09, 2.17 to 22.91 and 8.22 to 50.79 t ha−1 for Beniazuma, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that Beniazuma variety is proportionally more sensitive to water deficit than Koganesengan. It can be concluded that both varieties can be grown in Mediterranean conditions by providing optimum irrigation applications. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Eliminating light depolarization from metal microstructure in liquid crystal displays
Authors: Chen Lixuan , Lin Xulin , Zhao Jinyang , Guo Li , Liu Jing , Zhang Xin , Zhang Shengdong , Sun Xiao Wei
Published: November 2020

A structure of copper/molybdenum/titanium conductive layer with a very long tail of titanium under copper is introduced to eliminate the depolarization problem from metal microstructures for the first time. The electric field of light is blocked by the 20‐nm thin titanium tail (200 nm) layer, and the depolarization of light at the corner of the conductive line disappears in the liquid crystal display (LCD). As a result, the contrast ratio of the LCD is increased by 18%.
Tumor necrosis is significantly associated with reduced recurrence‐free survival after curative resection of gastrointestinal stromal tumors
Authors: Tyler Robert , Davies Emma , Tan Dominic , Hodson James , Taniere Phillipe , Thway Khin , Jafri Mariam , Almond Max , Ford Samuel , Strauss Dirk , Hayes Andrew , Smith Myles , Desai Anant
Published: November 2020

Background Objectives

The impact of tumor necrosis as a prognostic factor in gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GISTs) is still debated. The objective was to determine whether tumor necrosis is an independent risk factor for survival in patients with GISTs.

Methods

Patients undergoing surgery for primary GIST from March 2003 to October 2018 at two sarcoma referral centers were retrospectively identified. Patients who received neoadjuvant imatinib were excluded. Multivariable Cox regression models were produced, to assess whether tumor necrosis was an independent predictor of either overall or recurrence‐free survival.

Results

Forty‐one out of 195 (21.0%) patients had tumor necrosis. Tumor necrosis was associated with a significantly higher modified National Institute of Health risk score, with 29 out of 41 (70.7%) patients with necrosis classified as high risk, compared to 52 out of 153 (34.0%) without (p < .001). Tumor necrosis was found to be independently predictive of recurrence‐free survival (hazard ratio: 5.26, 95% CI: 2.62–10.56, p < .001) on multivariable analysis. At 5 years, 44.3% of patients with necrosis had either died or developed recurrence, compared to 9.9% of those without.

Conclusion

Tumor necrosis is an independent predictor of recurrence‐free survival in patients with operable GISTs. It should be routinely reported by pathologists, and used by clinicians when counseling patients and deciding on adjuvant therapy.
Downregulation of the long noncoding RNA SNHG1 inhibits tumor cell migration and invasion by sponging miR‐195 through targeting Cdc42 in oesophageal cancer
Authors: Chen Yu , Sheng Hong‐Guang , Deng Fu‐Mou , Cai Li‐Ly
Published: November 2020

Despite the poor prognosis of oesophageal cancer (EC), the molecular mechanisms of EC are still unclear. In recent years, role of lncRNA in cancer development attracted much attention. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of the long noncoding RNA SNHG1 on the migration and invasion of EC cells and the possible mechanisms involved. The effects of SNHG1 on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were determined and its relationship with miR‐195/Cdc42 axis was investigated. It was found SNHG1 and Cdc42 were significantly upregulated, and miR‐195 was significantly downregulated in both EC tissues and cell lines. In addition, the inhibition of either SNHG1 or Cdc42 resulted in suppression of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, while inhibition of miR‐195 led to opposite results and reversed the effects of si‐SNHG1. We also observed that higher SNHG1 predicted poorer prognosis of EC patients. In summary, inhibition of SNHG1 can suppress the cell migration and invasion of EC cells by sponging miR‐195 through targeting Cdc42. This study might provide deeper insights into the SNHG1/miR‐195/Cdc42 axis in EC.
SEQUENCE‐FREE PHYLOGENETICS WITH MASS SPECTROMETRY
Authors: Downard Kevin M.
Published: November 2020

An alternative, more rapid, sequence‐free approach to build phylogenetic trees has been conceived and implemented. Molecular phylogenetics has continued to mostly focus on improvement in tree construction based on gene sequence alignments. Here protein‐based phylogenies are constructed using numerical data sets (“phylonumerics”) representing the masses of peptide segments recorded in a mass mapping experiment. This truly sequence‐free method requires no gene sequences, nor their alignment, to build the trees affording a considerable time and cost‐saving to conventional phylogenetics methods. The approach also calculates single point amino acid mutations from a comparison of mass pairs from different maps in the data set and displays these at branch nodes across the tree together with their frequency. Studies of the consecutive, and near‐consecutive, ancestral and descendant mutations across interconnected branches of a mass tree allow putative adaptive, epistatic, and compensatory mutations to be identified in order to investigate mechanisms associated with evolutionary processes and pathways. A side‐by‐side comparison of this sequence‐free approach and conventional gene sequence phylogenetics is discussed.
Nonrigid 3D motion estimation at high temporal resolution from prospectively undersampled k‐space data using low‐rank MR‐MOTUS
Authors: Huttinga Niek R. F. , Bruijnen Tom , van den Berg Cornelis A. T. , Sbrizzi Alessandro
Published: November 2020

Purpose

With the recent introduction of the MR‐LINAC, an MR‐scanner combined with a radiotherapy LINAC, MR‐based motion estimation has become of increasing interest to (retrospectively) characterize tumor and organs‐at‐risk motion during radiotherapy. To this extent, we introduce low‐rank MR‐MOTUS, a framework to retrospectively reconstruct time‐resolved nonrigid 3D+t motion fields from a single low‐resolution reference image and prospectively undersampled k‐space data acquired during motion.

Theory

Low‐rank MR‐MOTUS exploits spatiotemporal correlations in internal body motion with a low‐rank motion model, and inverts a signal model that relates motion fields directly to a reference image and k‐space data. The low‐rank model reduces the degrees‐of‐freedom, memory consumption, and reconstruction times by assuming a factorization of space‐time motion fields in spatial and temporal components.

Methods

Low‐rank MR‐MOTUS was employed to estimate motion in 2D/3D abdominothoracic scans and 3D head scans. Data were acquired using golden‐ratio radial readouts. Reconstructed 2D and 3D respiratory motion fields were, respectively, validated against time‐resolved and respiratory‐resolved image reconstructions, and the head motion against static image reconstructions from fully sampled data acquired right before and right after the motion.

Results

Results show that 2D+t respiratory motion can be estimated retrospectively at 40.8 motion fields per second, 3D+t respiratory motion at 7.6 motion fields per second and 3D+t head‐neck motion at 9.3 motion fields per second. The validations show good consistency with image reconstructions.

Conclusions

The proposed framework can estimate time‐resolved nonrigid 3D motion fields, which allows to characterize drifts and intra and inter‐cycle patterns in breathing motion during radiotherapy, and could form the basis for real‐time MR‐guided radiotherapy.
Three‐dimensional anisotropic plasticity model for sand subjected to principal stress value change and axes rotation
Authors: Xue Long , Yu Jia‐Ke , Pan Jin‐Hong , Wang Rui , Zhang Jian‐Min
Published: November 2020

A three‐dimensional (3D) anisotropic plasticity model for sand is formulated in this study to provide a constitutive description for both radial and principal stress axes rotation (PSAR) loading‐induced behavior under various conditions with a single set of model parameters. The model has zero elastic range, with plastic loading and flow direction dependent on both current stress and stress rate direction. Fabric tensor is introduced along with its evolution to achieve anisotropic plastic modulus, dilatancy, and flow rule formulations. Increase in plastic modulus under continuous PSAR achieves eventual convergence of strain accumulation. A unique decomposition of dilatancy controls the overall contraction and periodic dilatancy oscillation under PSAR. The performance of the model is first thoroughly evaluated based on drained/undrained, monotonic shear/PSAR tests on Toyoura sand, showing its effectiveness in reproducing the behavior of real sand. Discrete element method numerical test results are then adopted for comprehensive calibration of the model parameters, and then for validation of the model under 3D PSAR in any arbitrary direction. These comparisons highlight the model's capability in simulating the behavior of granular soil under 3D stress paths.
Regulatory post‐market drug safety advisories on cardiac harm: A comparison of four national regulatory agencies
Authors: Hooimeyer Ashleigh , Bhasale Alice , Perry Lucy , Fabbri Alice , Mohammad Annim , McEwin Eliza , Mintzes Barbara
Published: November 2020

Information on rare adverse effects is often limited when a medication is initially approved for marketing. Medicines regulators use safety advisories to warn health professionals and consumers about emerging harms. This study aimed to identify characteristics and advice provided in cardiac safety advisories released by regulators in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This was a retrospective study of safety advisories about cardiac‐related adverse events issued by these four international medicines regulators between 2010 and 2016. A descriptive overview was followed by a more detailed content analysis, focusing on recommended actions for health professionals, including monitoring advice. For the latter, we applied the systematic information for monitoring (SIM) scale to assess adequacy. Over this period, 164 safety advisories about cardiac harms were issued by the four regulators. There were 61 drugs with advisories of cardiac risk, only 9 (14.7%) of which had advisories from all regulators in countries where the drug was approved. The most common adverse events were cardiac arrhythmias (n = 97, 59.1%) and coronary artery disorders (n = 39, 23.8%). The most frequent advice to prescribers was to monitor patients (n = 74, 45.1%), although only 41.2% of these advisories provided detailed advice on how monitoring should occur. We found many differences in the decision to warn and the advice provided. Patient monitoring was most often recommended, but key information such as frequency or thresholds for action was often lacking. Healthcare professionals and consumers need consistent information about rare serious harms so that they can make informed decisions.
Bayesian latent factor on image regression with nonignorable missing data
Authors: Wang Xiaoqing , Song Xinyuan , Zhu Hongtu
Published: November 2020

Medical imaging data have been widely used in modern health care, particularly in the prognosis, screening, diagnosis, and treatment of various diseases. In this study, we consider a latent factor‐on‐image (LoI) regression model that regresses a latent factor on ultrahigh dimensional imaging covariates. The latent factor is characterized by multiple manifest variables through a factor analysis model, while the manifest variables are subject to nonignorable missingness. We propose a two‐stage approach for statistical inference. At the first stage, an efficient functional principal component analysis method is applied to reduce the dimension and extract useful features/eigenimages. At the second stage, a factor analysis mode is proposed to characterize the latent response variable. Moreover, an LoI model is used to detect influential risk factors, and an exponential tiling model applied to accommodate nonignoreable nonresponses. A fully Bayesian method with an adjust spike‐and‐slab absolute shrinkage and selection operator (lasso) procedure is developed for the estimation and selection of influential features/eigenimages. Simulation studies show the proposed method exhibits satisfactory performance. The proposed methodology is applied to a study on the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative data set.
What Works for Underrepresented Groups? Identifying Effective Measures for Enhancing Access to Higher Education in Europe
Authors: Torotcoi Simona , Gologan Delia , Kurysheva Anastasia
Published: November 2020

Over the last three decades, policy-makers have developed numerous measures, policies, projects and programs with the intention to increase the enrolment and participation of underrepresented groups, however, little is known about the ways in which such initiatives shape opportunities for potential students. Knowing which of these initiatives work and whether they are achieving their intended goals is of utmost importance for policy-makers across Europe. This paper aims to collect, document, scrutinize and critically analyze the current research literature which assesses the effectiveness of different public initiatives at Higher Education Institutions’ (HEIs) level for widening access for underrepresented groups and, at the same time, to identify gaps and make recommendations for potential further research. The 17 identified studies can be categorized based on the access measures they analyze: (1) outreach, counselling and mentoring of prospective students; (2) financial aid measures, and (3) preparatory courses and programs. The findings show that there are little research and information about the actual outcomes of most measures to increase access to HE. We found a lack of adequate, reliable and consistently collected data about the policy instruments already put to practice. Since there is no excuse for the lack of effective action towards more equitable educational systems, more evidence-based approaches will be necessary to learn from these specific access measures and move forward towards more efficient equity policies.
Which Person Is Presumed to Fit the Institution? How Refugee Students’ and Practitioners’ Discursive Representations of Successful Applicants and Students Highlight Transition Barriers to German Higher Education
Authors: Berg Jana
Published: November 2020

During recent years, German higher education institutions implemented a variety of support programs for refugees on their way to higher education. This newly highlighted questions of widening participation and informal as well as formal access barriers to higher education. This paper looks into discourses on successful students as a form of knowledge that implicitly highlights transition barriers to higher education. The qualitative study is based on expert interviews with teachers, program coordinators and student counsellors as well as interviews with prospective refugee students in a case study of a preparatory college (‘Studienkolleg’) and a university in a case study of one city in Germany. They are analysed using Keller’s (Forum qualitative Sozialforschung/Forum Qualitative Social Research 8(2), Art. 19:1–32, 2007) approach to discourse analysis. The paper describes personal, institutional and structural characteristics of ideal higher education transitions. Institutional presuppositions and assumptions about individual characteristics, the social organisation of time, academic practices and knowledges as well as discursively represented norms are discussed as crucial factors influencing higher education transitions. The paper ends with a working hypothesis on the influence of discourses on transitions and recommends that institutional settings should develop more awareness of and adapt to diverse applicants and students in order to widen access to higher education.
Networked in or Networked Out? What Can We Learn from Diverse Learners’ Experiences of Progressing with and Completing Doctoral Studies?
Authors: O’Regan Maeve
Published: November 2020

Socialisation of the doctoral candidate into a community of researchers has been identified as an important aspect of the doctoral process and key to the production of original and innovative research. Yet, access to research communities and learning networks can be difficult for non-traditional students, for example part-time, international and non-science-based doctoral candidates, compared to their full-time and science-based peers. Drawing on Actor-Network Theory and Psychosocial theories of Agency, the current Ph.D. research proposes a methodology (questionnaire and interview) to explore doctoral candidates’ experiences of interacting with the academic institution (face-to-face and online) and developing support networks as influencing doctoral progression and completion. This article will discuss the preliminary findings from the study, drawing on the experiences of a diverse body of participants (e.g. full-time, part-time and international students) within the university sector in Ireland. The findings from this study can provide insights to policymakers and practitioners on supporting learners within Higher Education in Europe, not just within the doctoral process, but at different stages within the Bologna Qualifications Framework.
The European Universities Initiative: A Study of Alliance Formation in Higher Education
Authors: Gunn Andrew
Published: November 2020

This chapter explores the origins, rationales and design of the European Universities Initiative (EUI), a new scheme to create a series of multilateral university alliances. The idea of creating a supranational university can be traced back to the beginnings of the European political project in the late 1940s, but despite various endeavours, this ambition remained unfulfilled. The chapter places the EUI within this long-running debate and focuses on the period following French President Macron’s 2017 Sorbonne speech which advocated a new network of universities. This provided the impetus to reignite the supranational university debate and subsequently resulted in the launch of the EUI pilot phase. The chapter explains why the EUI succeeded where previous attempts at a European university over the preceding 70 years had stalled. The analysis finds the EUI to be a novel form of alliance formation which can be viewed as a ‘network of networks’. Considering the design of the EUI, how the alliances have the potential to generate collaborative advantage for their members is considered, which also identifies some of the challenges that lie ahead for the scheme.
Toward a Permanent Bologna Secretariat?
Authors: Bergan Sjur , Geanta Irina
Published: November 2020

The question of a permanent Bologna Secretariat has been raised both within and outside of the BFUG, mostly after the 2015 Ministerial conference and as an element of the discussion of “the EHEA after 2020”. So far, discussions have mainly identified a number of obstacles. The article explores both political and practical aspects of establishing a more permanent Bologna Secretariat. Politically, whatever structure is chosen for the Secretariat needs to enable Ministers, the BFUG, and other key actors to develop and implement their priorities for the EHEA for the next period, realistically 2023–2030, since a permanent Secretariat cannot be established already from 2020. The organization of the Secretariat will have a clear impact on the shape of the EHEA and its policy making bodies and structures. The paper outlines the key tasks for the Secretariat, its formal status and considerations for deciding on its location; financial, staff; governance issues; and relations between the Secretariat and the authorities of the country hosting it as well as with those of the countries hosting Ministerial conferences.While the paper does not argue that a “permanent” Bologna Secretariat is the only possibility, it does explore and propose solutions to key obstacles and demonstrates that if it is judged politically desirable to establish more permanent Secretariat, it is practically possible to do so. The paper also lays a solid basis for developing such a Secretariat”.
Fostering Digital Skills and Competencies Through Discursive Mapping of Information Landscapes
Authors: Whitworth Andrew
Published: November 2020

The digitisation of society produces a need to foster new skills and competencies in learners. But where digital and information literacy competencies are addressed in higher education (HE), this is typically in ways that orient the learner to practices expected in the academic setting, or what Lloyd (2010) calls the “epistemic modality”. However, to become expert users of digital information outside HE, learners must also be introduced to social and corporeal (practice-based) modalities. This requires learners to gain experience with selecting tools and configuring their landscape, or what Wenger et al. (2009) call stewarding. This paper reports on research conducted on a number of small groups of learners as they worked in an innovative assessment environment that developed their stewarding capacity. Through content analysis of online discussions, students can be seen employing discursive mapping techniques as they learn to configure their landscapes. This paper has implications for assessment design for digital skills as outlined in the EU’s Digital Competency Framework.
Drivers for Internationalization in Georgian Higher Education
Authors: Nastase Pusa
Published: November 2020

Internationalization of higher education has been on the rise almost everywhere in Europe for the past two decades, from countries like the United Kingdom that have put higher education at the heart of their export strategy (An overview of the higher education exports and their value to the United Kingdom economy is provided by the debate on 19 July 2018 in the House of Lords available at https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/lln-2018-0079/.) to countries in Eastern Europe which are relatively active in student mobility but less internationalized in other areas (faculty profiles, research outputs, institutional expansion abroad). However, as a result of many factors, including an unprecedented number of European students benefitting from free and quality higher education available in other countries, and the strengthening of economic nationalism, we see a refocus in internationalization in many Western countries. This study investigates the drivers of internationalization in Georgian universities. Data was collected through interviews with Georgian ministry officials, heads of governmental agencies, rectors and faculty from Georgian universities in addition to documents and web sites analysis. This study presents an insight into national, institutional and individual drivers for internationalization in Georgia and the challenges experienced.
Integration Policy for Syrian Refugees’ Access to Turkish Higher Education: Inclusive Enough?
Authors: Ergin Hakan , Wit Hans de
Published: November 2020

Opening its door to 3.6 million Syrians, Turkey is host to the largest refugee population today (UNHCR 2020). In addition to providing them with humanitarian aid, Turkey has made academic and financial reforms to enhance Syrian refugees‘ access to higher education (Ergin and de Wit 2019). Thanks to these reforms, over 27,034 Syrian refugees accessed Turkish universities as of the end of 2019 (CoHE 2020). Appreciating this humanitarian effort of an emerging country without abundant resources, this study questions how the government policy of enhancing Syrian refugees‘ access to Turkish universities could be more inclusive. In this respect, using available official statistics of current Syrian students in Turkish higher education, this study reveals which Syrian refugees have accessed higher education in Turkey and what should be done to enhance the access of other Syrian refugees who are left behind there.
Inclusive semileptonic Λb decays in the Standard Model and beyond
Authors: Colangelo P. , De Fazio F. , Loparco F.
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Inclusive semileptonic decays of beauty baryons are studied using the heavy quark expansion to $$ \mathcal{O}\left(1/{m}_b^3\right) $$
O

1
/

m
b
3

, at leading order in αs. The case of a polarized decaying baryon is examined, with reference to Λb. An extension of the Standard Model effective Hamiltonian inducing b → $$ U\mathrm{\ell}{\overline{\nu}}_{\mathrm{\ell}} $$
U
ℓ

ν
¯

ℓ

transitions (U = u, c and ℓ = e, μ, τ) is considered, which comprises the full set of D=6 semileptonic operators with left-handed neutrinos. The effects of the new operators in several observables are described.
Migdal effect and photon Bremsstrahlung: improving the sensitivity to light dark matter of liquid argon experiments
Authors: di Cortona G. Grilli , Messina A. , Piacentini S.
Published: November 2020

Abstract

The search for dark matter weakly interacting massive particles with noble liquids has probed masses down and below a GeV/c2. The ultimate limit is represented by the experimental threshold on the energy transfer to the nuclear recoil. Currently, the experimental sensitivity has reached a threshold equivalent to a few ionization electrons. In these conditions, the contribution of a Bremsstrahlung photon or a so-called Migdal electron due to the sudden acceleration of a nucleus after a collision might be sizable. In the present work, we use a Bayesian approach to study how these effects can be exploited in experiments based on liquid argon detectors. In particular, taking inspiration from the DarkSide-50 public spectra, we develop a simulated experiment to show how the Migdal electron and the Bremsstrahlung photon allow to push the experimental sensitivity down to masses of 0.1 GeV/c2, extending the search region for dark matter particles of previous results. For these masses we estimate the effect of the Earth shielding that, for strongly interacting dark matter, makes any detector blind. Finally, we show how the sensitivity scales for higher exposure.
RIP $$ Hb\overline{b} $$: how other Higgs production modes conspire to kill a rare signal at the LHC
Authors: Pagani Davide , Shao Hua-Sheng , Zaro Marco
Published: November 2020

Abstract

The hadroproduction of a Higgs boson in association with a bottom-quark pair ($$ Hb\overline{b} $$Hbb¯) is commonly considered as the key process for directly probing the Yukawa interaction between the Higgs boson and the bottom quark (yb). However, in the Standard-Model (SM) this process is also known to suffer from very large irreducible backgrounds from other Higgs production channels, notably gluon-fusion (ggF). In this paper we calculate for the first time the so-called QCD and electroweak complete-NLO predictions for$$ Hb\overline{b} $$Hbb¯production, using the four-flavour scheme. Our calculation shows that not only theggF but also theZHand even the vector-boson-fusion channels are sizeable irreducible backgrounds. Moreover, we demonstrate that, at the LHC, the rates of these backgrounds are very large with respect to the “genuine” andyb-dependent$$ Hb\overline{b} $$Hbb¯production mode. In particular, no suppression occurs at the differential level and therefore backgrounds survive typical analysis cuts. This fact further jeopardises the chances of measuring at the LHC theyb-dependent component of$$ Hb\overline{b} $$Hbb¯production in the SM. Especially, unlessybis significantly enlarged by new physics, even for beyond-the SM scenarios the direct determination ofybvia this process seems to be hopeless at the LHC.
Regge OPE blocks and light-ray operators
Authors: Kobayashi Nozomu , Nishioka Tatsuma , Okuyama Yoshitaka
Published: November 2020

Abstract

We consider the structure of the operator product expansion (OPE) in conformal field theory by employing the OPE block formalism. The OPE block acted on the vacuum is promoted to an operator and its implications are examined on a non-vacuum state. We demonstrate that the OPE block is dominated by a light-ray operator in the Regge limit, which reproduces precisely the Regge behavior of conformal blocks when used inside scalar four-point functions. Motivated by this observation, we propose a new form of the OPE block, called the light-ray channel OPE block that has a well-behaved expansion dominated by a light-ray operator in the Regge limit. We also show that the two OPE blocks have the same asymptotic form in the Regge limit and confirm the assertion that the Regge limit of a pair of spacelike-separated operators in a Minkowski patch is equivalent to the OPE limit of a pair of timelike-separated operators associated with the original pair in a different Minkowski patch.
Impact of robot antenna calibration on dual-frequency smartphone-based high-accuracy positioning: a case study using the Huawei Mate20X
Authors: Darugna Francesco , Wübbena Jannes B. , Wübbena Gerhard , Schmitz Martin , Schön Steffen , Warneke André
Published: November 2020

The access to Android-based Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) raw measurements has become a strong motivation to investigate the feasibility of smartphone-based positioning. Since the beginning of this research, the smartphone GNSS antenna has been recognized as one of the main limitations. Besides multipath (MP), the radiation pattern of the antenna is the main site-dependent error source of GNSS observations. An absolute antenna calibration has been performed for the dual-frequency Huawei Mate20X. Antenna phase center offset (PCO) and variations (PCV) have been estimated to correct for antenna impact on the L1 and L5 phase observations. Accordingly, we show the relevance of considering the individual PCO and PCV for the two frequencies. The PCV patterns indicate absolute values up to 2 cm and 4 cm for L1 and L5, respectively. The impact of antenna corrections has been assessed in different multipath environments using a high-accuracy positioning algorithm employing an undifferenced observation model and applying ambiguity resolution. Successful ambiguity resolution is shown for a smartphone placed in a low multipath environment on the ground of a soccer field. For a rooftop open-sky test case with large multipath, ambiguity resolution was successful in 19 out of 35 data sets. Overall, the antenna calibration is demonstrated being an asset for smartphone-based positioning with ambiguity resolution, showing cm-level 2D root mean square error (RMSE).