bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A high coverage view of the thermodynamics and metal abundance in the outskirts of the nearby galaxy cluster Abell 2199
Authors: Mirakhor M S , Walker S A
Published: July 2020

We present a joint Suzaku and XMM–Newton analysis of the outskirts of the nearby galaxy cluster Abell 2199, the only nearby galaxy cluster to be observed with near complete azimuthal coverage with Suzaku. Using the XMM–Newton observations to correct for the effects of gas clumping, we find that the azimuthally averaged entropy profile in the outskirts follows a power law with a slope of 1.20 ± 0.23, statistically consistent with a slope of 1.1 predicted by non-radiative simulations for purely gravitational hierarchical structure formation. However, when divided into 10 sectors, the entropy shows significant azimuthal variation, with some sectors lying below the baseline level. The azimuthally averaged gas mass fraction is found to agree with the cosmic mean baryon fraction. The metal abundance in the outskirts is found to be consistent with being uniform in all directions and it has an average value of $0.29_{-0.03}^{+0.03}\, \mathrm{ Z}_{\odot }$, consistent with the gas accreting on to clusters being pre-enriched with metals.
The landscape of disc outflows from black hole–neutron star mergers
Authors: Fernández Rodrigo , Foucart Francois , Lippuner Jonas
Published: July 2020

We investigate mass ejection from accretion discs formed in mergers of black holes (BHs) and neutron stars (NSs). The third observing run of the LIGO/Virgo interferometers provided BH–NS candidate events that yielded no electromagnetic (EM) counterparts. The broad range of disc configurations expected from BH–NS mergers motivates a thorough exploration of parameter space to improve EM signal predictions. Here we conduct 27 high-resolution, axisymmetric, long-term hydrodynamic simulations of the viscous evolution of BH accretion discs that include neutrino emission/absorption effects and post-processing with a nuclear reaction network. In the absence of magnetic fields, these simulations provide a lower limit to the fraction of the initial disc mass ejected. We find a nearly linear inverse dependence of this fraction on disc compactness (BH mass over initial disc radius). The dependence is related to the fraction of the disc mass accreted before the ouflow is launched, which depends on the disc position relative to the innermost stable circular orbit. We also characterize a trend of decreasing ejected fraction and decreasing lanthanide/actinide content with increasing disc mass at fixed BH mass. This trend results from a longer time to reach weak freezout and an increasingly dominant role of neutrino absorption at higher disc masses. We estimate the radioactive luminosity from the disc outflow alone available to power kilonovae over the range of configurations studied, finding a spread of two orders of magnitude. For most of the BH–NS parameter space, the disc outflow contribution is well below the kilonova mass upper limits for GW190814.
High-accuracy short-term precipitable water-vapour operational forecast at the Very Large Telescope and perspectives for sky background forecast
Authors: Turchi A , Masciadri E , Pathak P , Kasper M
Published: July 2020

In this article, we present the first results ever obtained by applying the autoregressive (AR) technique to precipitable water vapour (PWV). The study is performed at the Very Large Telescope (VLT). The AR technique was proposed recently to provide forecasts of atmospheric and astroclimatic parameters on short time-scales (up to a few hours) by achieving much better performance with respect to the ‘standard forecasts’ provided in early afternoon for the coming night. The AR method uses real-time measurements of the parameter of interest to improve the forecasts performed with atmospherical models. Here, we used measurements provided by the Low Humidity And Temperature PROfiling microwave radiometer (LHATPRO), a radiometer measuring the PWV at the VLT continuously. When comparing the AR forecast at 1h with the standard forecast, we observe a gain factor of ∼8 (i.e. ∼800 per cent) in terms of forecast accuracy. In the PWV ≤ 1 mm range, which is extremely critical for infrared astronomical applications, the RMSE of the predictions is of the order of just a few hundredth of millimetres (0.04 mm). We therefore proved that the AR technique provides an important benefit to VLT science operations for all instruments sensitive to PWV. Also, we show how such an ability to predict PWV can also be useful to predict the sky background in the infrared range [extremely appealing for Mid-infrared ELT Imager and Spectrograph (METIS)]. We quantify such an ability by applying this method to the New Earth in the Alpha Cen region (NEAR) project supported by the European Southern Observatory (ESO) and Breakthrough Initiatives.
Deflection of the hypervelocity stars by the pull of the Large Magellanic Cloud on the Milky Way
Authors: Boubert D , Erkal D , Gualandris A
Published: July 2020

Stars slingshotted by the supermassive black hole at the Galactic Centre escape from the Milky Way so quickly that their trajectories are almost straight lines. Previous works have shown how these ‘hypervelocity stars’ (stars moving faster than the local Galactic escape speed) are subsequently deflected by the gravitational field of the Milky Way and the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), but have neglected to account for the reflex motion of the Milky Way in response to the fly-by of the LMC. A consequence of this motion is that the hypervelocity stars we see in the outskirts of the Milky Way today were ejected from where the Milky Way centre was hundreds of millions of years ago. This change in perspective causes large apparent deflections of several degrees in the trajectories of the hypervelocity stars. We quantify these deflections by simulating the ejection of hypervelocity stars from an isolated Milky Way (with a spherical or flattened dark matter halo), from a fixed-in-place Milky Way with a passing LMC, and from a Milky Way that responds to the passage of the LMC, finding that LMC passage causes larger deflections than can be caused by a flattened Galactic dark matter halo in ΛCDM. The $10\, \mu \mathrm{as}\, \mathrm{yr}^{-1}$ proper motion precision necessary to measure these deflections will be possible with the combination of Gaia with the proposed GaiaNIR successor mission, and these measurements will directly probe the shape of the Milky Way, the mass of the LMC, and the dance of these two galaxies.
A chemical study of carbon fractionation in external galaxies
Authors: Viti Serena , Fontani Francesco , Jiménez-Serra Izaskun
Published: July 2020

In the interstellar medium carbon exists in the form of two stable isotopes 12C and 13C and their ratio is a good indicator of nucleosynthesis in galaxies. However, chemical fractionation can potentially significantly alter this ratio and in fact observations of carbon fractionation within the same galaxy has been found to vary from species to species. In this paper, we theoretically investigate the carbon fractionation for selected abundant carbon-bearing species in order to determine the conditions that may lead to a spread of the 12C/13C ratio in external galaxies. We find that carbon fractionation is sensitive to almost all the physical conditions we investigated, it strongly varies with time for all species but CO, and shows pronounced differences across species. Finally, we discuss our theoretical results in the context of the few observations of the 12C/13C  in both local and higher redshift galaxies.
Shared decision making in high-grade glioma patients—a systematic review
Authors: Sorensen von Essen Helle , Piil Karin , Dahl Steffensen Karina , Rom Poulsen Frantz
Published: July 2020

Background

Shared decision making (SDM) has proven to be a valuable approach in different patient populations when treatment decisions are called for. Along the disease trajectory of high-grade glioma (HGG), patients are presented with a series of treatment decisions. At the same time, HGG patients often experience cognitive deterioration and reduced decision-making capacity. This study aimed to review the current knowledge about shared decision making from the perspective of the HGG patient.

Methods

Systematic searches were performed in MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and EMBASE. Studies were reviewed against the inclusion criteria and assessed for methodological quality. Descriptive data from the included studies were extracted and a narrative synthesis of the findings was performed.

Results

The searches resulted in 5051 original records. Four studies involving 178 HGG patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The narrative synthesis revealed that most HGG patients in the included studies appreciated an SDM approach and that sufficient information and involvement increased patients’ emotional well-being. The use of a patient decision aid showed the potential to increase knowledge, decrease uncertainty, and affect the treatment decision making of HGG patients.

Conclusion

The results indicate that many HGG patients prefer an SDM approach and that SDM can lead patients toward improved emotional well-being. The evidence is weak, however, and firm conclusions and practice guidelines concerning SDM in HGG patients cannot be made. Future research is warranted to improve decision support for HGG patients.
Visual Exploration at Higher Fixation Frequency Increases Subsequent Memory Recall
Authors: Fehlmann Bernhard , Coynel David , Schicktanz Nathalie , Milnik Annette , Gschwind Leo , Hofmann Pascal , Papassotiropoulos Andreas , de Quervain Dominique J-F
Published: July 2020

Only a small proportion of what we see can later be recalled. Up to date it is unknown how far differences in visual exploration during encoding affect the strength of episodic memories. Here, we identified individual gaze characteristics by analyzing eye tracking data in a picture encoding task performed by 967 healthy subjects during fMRI. We found a positive correlation between fixation frequency during visual exploration and subsequent free recall performance. Brain imaging results showed a positive correlation of fixation frequency with activations in regions related to vision and memory, including the medial temporal lobe. To investigate if higher fixation frequency is causally linked to better memory, we experimentally manipulated visual exploration patterns in an independent population of 64 subjects. Doubling the number of fixations within a given exploration time increased subsequent free recall performance by 19%. Our findings provide evidence for a causal relationship between fixation frequency and episodic memory for visual information.
Comparison of the Hepatic Effects of Phenobarbital in Chimeric Mice Containing Either Rat or Human Hepatocytes With Humanized Constitutive Androstane Receptor and Pregnane X Receptor Mice
Authors: Yamada Tomoya , Ohara Ayako , Ozawa Naoya , Maeda Keiko , Kondo Miwa , Okuda Yu , Abe Jun , Cohen Samuel M , Lake Brian G
Published: July 2020

Using a chimeric mouse humanized liver model, we provided evidence that human hepatocytes are refractory to the mitogenic effects of rodent constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) activators. To evaluate the functional reliability of this model, the present study examined mitogenic responses to phenobarbital (PB) in chimeric mice transplanted with rat hepatocytes, because rats are responsive to CAR activators. Treatment with 1000 ppm PB for 7 days significantly increased replicative DNA synthesis (RDS) in rat hepatocytes of the chimeric mice, demonstrating that the transplanted hepatocyte model is functionally reliable for cell proliferation analysis. Treatment of humanized CAR and pregnane X receptor (PXR) mice (hCAR/hPXR mice) with 1000 ppm PB for 7 days significantly increased hepatocyte RDS together with increases in several mitogenic genes. Global gene expression analysis was performed with liver samples from this and from previous studies focusing on PB-induced Wnt/β-catenin signaling and showed that altered genes in hCAR/hPXR mice clustered most closely with liver tumor samples from a diethylnitrosamine/PB initiation/promotion study than with wild-type mice. However, different gene clusters were observed for chimeric mice with human hepatocytes for Wnt/β-catenin signaling when compared with those of hCAR/hPXR mice, wild-type mice, and liver tumor samples. The results of this study demonstrate clear differences in the effects of PB on hepatocyte RDS and global gene expression between human hepatocytes of chimeric mice and hCAR/hPXR mice, suggesting that the chimeric mouse model is relevant to humans for studies on the hepatic effects of rodent CAR activators whereas the hCAR/hPXR mouse is not.
Assessment of Contraceptive Use in Puerto Rico During the 2016 Zika Virus Outbreak
Authors: Ellington Sascha R. , Rodriguez Ruby Serrano , Goldberg Howard , Bertolli Jeanne , Simeone Regina , Mercado Amilcar Soto , Pazol Karen , Jamieson Denise J. , Honein Margaret A. , Swartzendruber Andrea , Miles Toni , Cordero Jose , Shapiro-Mendoza Carrie
Published: July 2020

(Abstracted from Contraception 2020;101:405–411)

Of states and territories in the United States, Puerto Rico was the most severely affected by the Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak in 2016. A large number of studies have shown that infection of pregnant women with ZIKV can result in microcephaly, structural abnormalities of the brain and eye, and other severe birth defects.
Nowcasting and Forecasting the Potential Domestic and International Spread of the 2019-nCoV Outbreak Originating in Wuhan, China: A Modeling Study
Authors: Wu Joseph T. , Leung Kathy , Leung Gabriel M.
Published: July 2020

(Abstracted from Lancet 2020;395:689–697)

Wuhan, China, has been investigating the outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV, COVID-19), now called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2), since December 31, 2019. At the end of January 2020, nearly 6000 cases of infections by SARS-CoV2 have been confirmed in mainland China, and 78 cases had been identified as having been exported from Wuhan to areas outside mainland China.
Outcomes in Pregnancies With a Confined Placental Mosaicism and Implications for Prenatal Screening Using Cell-Free DNA
Authors: Grati Francesca Romana , Ferreira Jose , Benn Peter , Izzi Claudia , Verdi Federica , Vercellotti Elena , Dalpiaz Cristina , D’Ajello Patrizia , Filippi Elisa , Volpe Nicola , Malvestiti Francesca , Maggi Federico , Simoni Giuseppe , Frusca Tiziana , Cirelli Gaetana , Bracalente Gabriella , Re Antonino Lo , Surico Daniela , Ghi Tullio , Prefumo Federico
Published: July 2020

(Abstracted from Genet Med 2020;22:309–316)

The most common type of confined placental mosaicism (CPM), the presence of a chromosomal abnormality in the placenta but not in the fetus, involves trisomy/disomy. Confined placental mosaicism occurs in 97% of rare autosomal trisomy (RAT) cases detected by chorionic villus sampling (CVS).
Paying the Caring Tax
Authors: Burton Candace W.
Published: July 2020

Nursing is not exempt from the social influences that affect other professions, and may in fact be rendered more susceptible thereto. Gender has potential to be such an influence, as its construction is based upon both social and historical factors. Gender has significant implications for nursing. Given that many aspects of the nursing profession remain largely female-dominated, it is sometimes assumed that otherwise common issues of gender bias are not a consideration. In fact, traditional binary gender roles and norms are often imposed and reinforced within nursing education and science, potentially limiting both diversity and innovation in the profession.
Management of Twin Pregnancies: A Comparative Review of National and International Guidelines
Authors: Tsakiridis Ioannis , Giouleka Sonia , Mamopoulos Apostolos , Athanasiadis Apostolos , Dagklis Themistoklis
Published: July 2020

Importance

Twin pregnancies are associated with a higher risk of perinatal mortality and morbidity compared with singleton and require more intensive prenatal care.

Objective

The aim of this study was to review and compare the recommendations from published guidelines on twin pregnancies.

Evidence Acquisition

A descriptive review of guidelines from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists on the management of twin pregnancies was conducted.

Results

All the guidelines highlight the importance of an accurate assessment of chorionicity, amnionicity, and gestational age in the first trimester. They also recommend the performance of nuchal translucency and a detailed anomaly scan. The ultrasound surveillance protocol is similar in all guidelines, that is, every 2 weeks for monochorionic and every 4 weeks for dichorionic twins. On the other hand, there are differences regarding the timing and mode of delivery, especially in monochorionic diamniotic twins, in the definition and management of fetal growth discordance, the use of cervical length to screen for preterm birth, and the timing of corticosteroids' administration.

Conclusions

The differences in the reviewed guidelines on the management of twin pregnancies highlight the need for an adoption of an international consensus, in order to improve perinatal outcomes of twin pregnancies.

Target Audience

Obstetricians and gynecologists, family physicians

Learning Objectives

After participating in this activity, the learner should be better able to identify all aspects of the antenatal surveillance of twin pregnancies and the importance of first trimester determination of chorionicity; explain the birth issues of twin pregnancies, including recommendations on mode and timing of delivery; and describe the possible complications in pregnancy, their association with chorionicity, and appropriate management.
Permanent Supportive Housing With Housing First to Reduce Homelessness and Promote Health Among Homeless Populations With Disability: A Community Guide Systematic Review
Authors: Peng Yinan , Hahn Robert A. , Finnie Ramona K. C. , Cobb Jamaicia , Williams Samantha P. , Fielding Jonathan E. , Johnson Robert L. , Montgomery Ann Elizabeth , Schwartz Alex F. , Muntaner Carles , Garrison Veronica Helms , Jean-Francois Beda , Truman Benedict I. , Fullilove Mindy T.
Published: July 2020

Context:

Poor physical and mental health and substance use disorder can be causes and consequences of homelessness. Approximately 2.1 million persons per year in the United States experience homelessness. People experiencing homelessness have high rates of emergency department use, hospitalization, substance use treatment, social services use, arrest, and incarceration.

Objectives:

A standard approach to treating homeless persons with a disability is called Treatment First, requiring clients be “housing ready”—that is, in psychiatric treatment and substance-free—before and while receiving permanent housing. A more recent approach, Housing First, provides permanent housing and health, mental health, and other supportive services without requiring clients to be housing ready. To determine the relative effectiveness of these approaches, this systematic review compared the effects of both approaches on housing stability, health outcomes, and health care utilization among persons with disabilities experiencing homelessness.

Design:

A systematic search (database inception to February 2018) was conducted using 8 databases with terms such as “housing first,” “treatment first,” and “supportive housing.” Reference lists of included studies were also searched. Study design and threats to validity were assessed using Community Guide methods. Medians were calculated when appropriate.

Eligibility Criteria:

Studies were included if they assessed Housing First programs in high-income nations, had concurrent comparison populations, assessed outcomes of interest, and were written in English and published in peer-reviewed journals or government reports.

Main Outcome Measures:

Housing stability, physical and mental health outcomes, and health care utilization.

Results:

Twenty-six studies in the United States and Canada met inclusion criteria. Compared with Treatment First, Housing First programs decreased homelessness by 88% and improved housing stability by 41%. For clients living with HIV infection, Housing First programs reduced homelessness by 37%, viral load by 22%, depression by 13%, emergency departments use by 41%, hospitalization by 36%, and mortality by 37%.

Conclusions:

Housing First programs improved housing stability and reduced homelessness more effectively than Treatment First programs. In addition, Housing First programs showed health benefits and reduced health services use. Health care systems that serve homeless patients may promote their health and well-being by linking them with effective housing services.
Characterization of mammalian orthoreoviruses isolated from faeces of pigs in Zambia
Authors: Harima Hayato , Sasaki Michihito , Kajihara Masahiro , Gonzalez Gabriel , Simulundu Edgar , Bwalya Eugene C. , Qiu Yongjin , Okuya Kosuke , Isono Mao , Orba Yasuko , Takada Ayato , Hang’ombe Bernard M. , Mweene Aaron S. , Sawa Hirofumi
Published: July 2020

Mammalian orthoreovirus (MRV) has been identified in humans, livestock and wild animals; this wide host range allows individual MRV to transmit into multiple species. Although several interspecies transmission and genetic reassortment events of MRVs among humans, livestock and wildlife have been reported, the genetic diversity and geographic distribution of MRVs in Africa are poorly understood. In this study, we report the first isolation and characterization of MRVs circulating in a pig population in Zambia. In our screening, MRV genomes were detected in 19.7 % (29/147) of faecal samples collected from pigs by reverse transcription PCR. Three infectious MRV strains (MRV-85, MRV-96 and MRV-117) were successfully isolated, and their complete genomes were sequenced. Recombination analyses based on the complete genome sequences of the isolated MRVs demonstrated that MRV-96 shared the S3 segment with a different MRV isolated from bats, and that the L1 and M3 segments of MRV-117 originated from bat and human MRVs, respectively. Our results suggest that the isolated MRVs emerged through genetic reassortment events with interspecies transmission. Given the lack of information regarding MRVs in Africa, further surveillance of MRVs circulating among humans, domestic animals and wildlife is required to assess potential risk for humans and animals.
Whole-genome analyses reveal gene content differences between nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae isolates from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease compared to other clinical phenotypes
Authors: KC Rajendra , Leong Kelvin W.C. , Harkness Nicholas M. , Lachowicz Julia , Gautam Sanjay S. , Cooley Louise A. , McEwan Belinda , Petrovski Steve , Karupiah Gunasegaran , O'Toole Ronan F.
Published: July 2020

NontypeableHaemophilus influenzae(NTHi) colonizes human upper respiratory airways and plays a key role in the course and pathogenesis of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Currently, it is not possible to distinguish COPD isolates of NTHi from other clinical isolates of NTHi using conventional genotyping methods. Here, we analysed the core and accessory genome of 568 NTHi isolates, including 40 newly sequenced isolates, to look for genetic distinctions between NTHi isolates from COPD with respect to other illnesses, including otitis media, meningitis and pneumonia. Phylogenies based on polymorphic sites in the core-genome did not show discrimination between NTHi strains collected from different clinical phenotypes. However, pan-genome-wide association studies identified 79 unique NTHi accessory genes that were significantly associated with COPD. Furthermore, many of the COPD-related NTHi genes have known or predicted roles in virulence, transmembrane transport of metal ions and nutrients, cellular respiration and maintenance of redox homeostasis. This indicates that specific genes may be required by NTHi for its survival or virulence in the COPD lung. These results advance our understanding of the pathogenesis of NTHi infection in COPD lungs.
Model-free estimation of COVID-19 transmission dynamics from a complete outbreak
Authors: James A. , Plank M. , Hendy S. , Binny R. , Lustig A. , Steyn N.
Published: July 2020

New Zealand had 1499 cases of COVID-19 before eliminating transmission of the virus. Extensive contract tracing during the outbreak has resulted in a dataset of epidemiologically linked cases. This data contains useful information about the transmission dynamics of the virus, its dependence on factors such as age, and its response to different control measures.

We use Monte-Carlo network construction techniques to provide an estimate of the number of secondary cases for every individual infected during the outbreak. We then apply standard statistical techniques to quantify differences between groups of individuals.

Children under 10 years old are significantly under-represented in the case data. Children infected fewer people on average and had a lower secondary attack rate in comparison to adults and the elderly. Imported cases infected fewer people on average and had a lower secondary attack rate than domestically acquired cases. Superspreading is a significant contributor to the epidemic dynamics, with 20% of cases among adults responsible for 65-85% of transmission. Asymptomatic cases infected fewer individuals than clinical cases. Serial intervals are approximately normally distributed (μ = 5.0 days, σ = 5.7 days). Early isolation and quarantine of cases reduced secondary transmission rates.

Border controls and strong social distancing measures, particularly when targeted at superspreading, play a significant role in reducing the spread of COVID-19.
Reducing COVID-19 hospitalization risk through behavior change
Authors: Adams Mary L. , Katz David L. , Grandpre Joseph , Shenson Douglas
Published: July 2020

Our objective was to determine strategies that could potentially reduce the risk of hospitalizations from COVID-19 due to underlying conditions. We used data (N=444,649) from the 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to identify potentially modifiable risk factors associated with reporting any of the underlying conditions (cardiovascular disease, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, hypertension or obesity) found to increase risk of US hospitalizations for COVID-19. Risk factors included lifetime smoking, sedentary lifestyle, and inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption. Multiple logistic regression in Stata produced adjusted odds ratios (AORs) used to estimate population attributable-risk (PAR) in Excel. PARs for the 3 risk factors ranged from 12.4% for inactivity to 15.6% for diet for a combined PAR of 36.3%, implying that total elimination of these 3 risk factors could potentially reduce underlying conditions as much as 36%. This suggests that reducing COVID-19 hospitalizations might be a measurable and feasible US goal for the coronavirus pandemic. The simple lifestyle changes of increasing physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption could reduce obesity, a key underlying condition and risk factor for 4 others. Reducing obesity and inactivity may also boost immunity. With uncertainly around how long the pandemic might last, other proposed strategies include wearing face masks when social distancing is not feasible, and addressing the special issues for nursing home residents. Such actions have the potential to lessen the impact of COVID-19 in the short term along with providing long term health benefits regarding chronic conditions.
Seagrass beds provide habitat for crabs, shrimps and fish in two estuaries on the South Island of New Zealand
Authors: Thomsen Mads S. , Moser Averill , Pullen Micaela , Gerber Derek , Flanagan Sarah
Published: July 2020

Seagrasses are marine angiosperms that potentially provide habitat for crabs, shrimps and fish. However, these types of data are lacking for the seagrass species (Zostera muelleri/rimurēhia) that inhabit intertidal estuaries on the South Island of New Zealand.

Abundances of crabs, shrimps and fish were therefore quantified from 361 non-destructive seine tows done in seagrass beds and bare mudflats in Duvauchelle bay and two sites in the Avon-Heathcote/Ihutai estuary between October 2019 and February 2020.

A total of 2549 crabs, 5824 shrimps and 1149 fish (75% were juvenile flounders) were identified and counted in the seine-net and immediately released back in healthy condition to the exact location from where they were caught.

Only few seagrass leaves were caught in the net and these leaves may have been previously uprooted drift fragments. The instant catch-and-release methodology therefore leaves, literally, nothing but a footprint.

More fish taxa, including two species of pipefish, were found in seagrass beds in Duvauchelle bay than in the Avon-Heathcote estuary. Fish (minus juvenile flounders) were also more abundant in these seagrass beds. Furthermore, juvenile flounders and shrimps were more abundant in Duvauchelle bay compared to the Avon-Heathcote estuary, but were found in similar abundances in seagrass beds and on bare flats.

It is possible that more fish were found in Duvauchelle seagrass beds because these beds have adjacent deeper areas, and may have high connectivity to seagrass beds in nearby bays. This hypothesis should be tested by sampling more seagrass beds in different types of estuaries and bays.

By contrast, crabs were more abundant in the Avon-Heathcote estuary, where spider crabs were most abundant in the seagrass beds, but other crabs were found in similar abundances in seagrass beds and bare habitat. We hypothesize that crab abundances were higher in the Avon-Heathcote estuary because of lower fish predation pressure and/or larger populations of prey like mollusc and polychaetes.

Our results suggests that (a) superficially similarZosterabeds in relatively close proximity can provide very different habitat values for fish and crustaceans, (b) seagrass beds with higher diversity and abundances of fish may be prioritized in conservation and management (assuming other important ecosystem functions are similar between beds), and (c) that pipefish may be useful indicator organisms, representing healthy, extensive, dense and connected seagrass beds.

Abstract Figure
“The ethics approval took 20 months on a trial which was meant to help terminally ill cancer patients. In the end we had to send the funding back”: a survey of researchers’ and ethics committee members’ views on research ethics reviews in Australia
Authors: Scott Anna Mae , Chalmers Iain , Barnett Adrian , Stephens Alexandre , Kolstoe Simon E. , Clark Justin , Glasziou Paul
Published: July 2020

Objectives

To identify what types of health and medical research could be exempted from a requirement to undergo research ethics reviews in Australia.

Design

A web-based survey.

Setting

Australian-based participants completed the survey online between 10 September and 1 November 2019.

Participants

Active human health and medical researchers and members of Human Research Ethics Committees (HREC).

Main outcome measures

Participants were asked whether they self-identify as a researcher, a member of an Australian human research ethics committee, or both. They were asked whether they had previously changed or abandoned a research project in anticipation of difficulty in obtaining ethics approval; and were presented with 4 hypothetical research scenarios, asking whether they should or should not be exempt from ethics review in Australia. All but the demographic question allowed the respondent to provide a comment clarifying their response. Qualitative data were analysed thematically; quantitative data were analysed in R.

Results

We received 514 survey responses: 153 from researchers, 196 from HREC members, and 163 from individuals who identified as both. 27% of researchers reported they had changed their projects because they anticipated obstacles resulting from the ethics review process, and 16% abandoned projects for this reason. The most commonly exempted research scenarios involved professional staff providing their views on their area of expertise (84%, 85%); scenarios involving surplus samples and N-of-1 studies in clinical practice were most commonly required to undergo ethics review (82%, 76% respectively). Probability of answering that ethics review was required was the highest for HREC members and nearly identical for respondents who were both HREC members and researchers; it was the lowest for researchers. HREC members were overall 26% more likely to answer that ethics review was required than researchers.

Conclusions

Our survey shows considerable differences between the researchers and members of ethics committees, about how best to serve the interests of patients and the public. Those interests are best served by evaluative research to reduce or resolve the uncertainties in the clinical context – the same general principle should be applied to ethics review.
Excess mortality during the COVID-19 outbreak in Italy: a two-stage interrupted time series analysis
Authors: Scortichini Matteo , dos Santos Rochelle Schneider , De’ Donato Francesca , De Sario Manuela , Michelozzi Paola , Davoli Marina , Masselot Pierre , Sera Francesco , Gasparrini Antonio
Published: July 2020

Background

Italy was the first country outside China to experience the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in a significant health burden. This study presents an analysis of the excess mortality across the 107 Italian provinces, stratified by sex, age group, and period of the outbreak.

Methods

The analysis was performed using a two-stage interrupted time series design using daily mortality data for the period January 2015 – May 2020. In the first stage, we performed province-level quasi-Poisson regression models, with smooth functions to define a baseline risk while accounting for trends and weather conditions and to flexibly estimate the variation in excess risk during the outbreak. Estimates were pooled in the second stage using a mixed-effects multivariate meta-analysis.

Results

In the period 15 February – 15 May 2020, we estimated an excess of 47,490 (95% empirical confidence intervals: 43,984 to 50,362) deaths in Italy, corresponding to an increase of 29.5% (95%eCI: 26.8 to 31.9%) from the expected mortality. The analysis indicates a strong geographical pattern, with the majority of excess deaths occurring in northern regions, where few provinces experienced up to 800% increase during the peak in late March. There were differences by sex, age, and area both in the overall impact and in its temporal distribution.

Conclusions

This study offers a detailed picture of excess mortality during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy. The strong geographical and temporal patterns can be related to implementation of lockdown policies and multiple direct and indirect pathways in mortality risk.

Key Messages

This study evaluated mortality trends in Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic, reporting an excess of 47,490 (95% empirical confidence intervals: 43,984 to 50,362) deaths in the period 15 February – 15 May 2020, corresponding to an increase of 29.5% (95%eCI: 26.8 to 31.9%) from the expected mortality.

There is a strong geographical pattern, with 71.0% of the estimated excess deaths occurring in just three northern regions (Lombardy, Veneto, and Emilia-Romagna), and few provinces showing increases in mortality up to 800% during the peak of the pandemic.

The impact was slightly higher is men compared to women, with 24,655 and 23,125 excess deaths respectively, and varied by age, with higher mortality in the group 70-79 years old and evidence of a lower but measurable risk even in people less than 60.

The analysis by week suggests differential trends, with more delayed impacts in women and elderly, and the risk limited to the early period in Central and Southern Italy, likely related to the implementation of lockdown policies and contributions from direct and indirect risk pathways.
Modular and state-relevant connectivity in high-frequency resting-state BOLD fMRI data: An independent component analysis
Authors: DeRamus Thomas , Faghiri Ashkan , Iraji Armin , Agcaoglu Oktay , Vergara Victor , Fu Zening , Silva Rogers , Gazula Harshvardhan , Stephen Julia , Wilson Tony W. , Wang Yu-Ping , Calhoun Vince
Published: July 2020

Resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) data are typically filtered at different frequency bins between 0.008∼0.2 Hz (varies across the literature) prior to analysis to mitigate nuisance variables (e.g., drift, motion, cardiac, and respiratory) and maximize the sensitivity to neuronal-mediated BOLD signal. However, multiple lines of evidence suggest meaningful BOLD signal may also be parsed at higher frequencies. To test this notion, a functional network connectivity (FNC) analysis based on a spatially informed independent component analysis (ICA) was performed at seven different bandpass frequency bins to examine FNC matrices across spectra. Further, eyes open (EO) vs. eyes closed (EC) resting-state acquisitions from the same participants were compared across frequency bins to examine if EO vs. EC FNC matrices and randomness estimations of FNC matrices are distinguishable at different frequencies.

Results show that FNCs in higher-frequency bins display modular FNC similar to the lowest frequency bin, while r-to-z FNC and FNC-based measures indicating matrix non-randomness were highest in the 0.31-0.46 Hz range relative to all frequency bins above and below this range. As such, the FNC within this range appears to be the most temporally correlated, but the mechanisms facilitating this coherence require further analyses. Compared to EO, EC displayed greater FNC (involved in visual, cognitive control, somatomotor, and auditory domains) and randomness values at lower frequency bins, but this phenomenon flipped (EO > EC) at frequency bins greater than 0.46 Hz, particularly within visual regions.

While the effect sizes range from small to large specific to frequency range and resting state (EO vs. EC), with little influence from common artifacts. These differences indicate that unique information can be derived from FNC between BOLD signals at different frequencies relative to a given restingstate acquisition and support the hypothesis meaningful BOLD signal is present at higher frequency ranges.
Use of IL-6-elafin genetically modified regulatory macrophages as an immunotherapeutic against acute bacterial infection in the lung
Authors: Kheir S. , Villeret B. , Garcia-Verdugo I. , Sallenave JM
Published: July 2020

Background

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P.a)infections are a major public health issue in ventilator-associated pneumoniae, cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations. This bacterium is multidrug resistant and there is an urgent need to develop new therapeutic approaches.

Objective

Evaluate the effect of direct pulmonary transplantation of gene-modified (elafin and IL-6) syngeneic macrophages in a mouse model of acute ofP.ainfection.

Methods

Wild type (WT) or Elafin-transgenic (eTg) alveolar macrophages (AMs) or bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs) were recovered from broncho-alveolar lavage or generated from WT or eTg mice bone marrow. Cells were modified with adenovirus IL-6 (Ad-IL6), characterizedin vitro(RNA expression, protein secretion, surface markers) and transferred by oropharyngeal instillation in the lungs of naïve mice. The protective effect of the transferred macrophages was assessed duringP.aacute infection (survival studies, mechanistic studies of the inflammatory response).

Results

We show that the transfer in the lung of a single bolus of syngeneic AMs or BMDMs genetically modified with IL6 and Elafin provided protection in our pneumoniaP.a-induced model. Mechanistically, Elafin-modified AM had an IL-6-IL-10-IL-4R-IL-22-antimicrobial molecular signature which, in synergy with IL-6, conferred, post-transfer, a regulatory phenotype to the alveolar unit.

Conclusion

Here we introduce an immunotherapy approach employing gene-modified syngeneic macrophages to target bacterial airway infections. The absence of adverse events during our experiments suggests that our approach is well tolerated and supports the feasibility of translating this therapy to patients suffering from lung acute bacterial infections.
Coarse, Medium or Fine? A Quantum Mechanics Approach to Single Species Population Dynamics
Authors: Akman Olcay , Arriola Leon , Ghosh Aditi , Schroeder Ryan
Published: July 2020

Standard heuristic mathematical models of population dynamics are often constructed using ordinary differential equations (ODEs). These deterministic models yield pre-dictable results which allow researchers to make informed recommendations on public policy. A common immigration, natural death, and fission ODE model is derived from a quantum mechanics view. This macroscopic ODE predicts that there is only one stable equilibrium point. We therefore presume that ast→ ∞, the expected value should be. The quantum framework presented here yields the same standard ODE model, however with very unexpected quantum results, namely. The obvious questions are: why isn’t, why are the probabilities ≈ 0.37, and where is the missing probability of 0.26? The answer lies in quantum tunneling of probabilities. The goal of this paper is to study these tunneling effects that give specific predictions of the uncertainty in the population at the macroscopic level. These quantum effects open the possibility of searching for “black–swan” events. In other words, using the more sophisticated quantum approach, we may be able to make quantitative statements about rare events that have significant ramifications to the dynamical system.
Modulation of Human T-type Calcium Channels by Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonistsin vitro
Authors: Bladen Chris , Mirlohi Somayeh , Santiago Marina , Longworth Mitchell , Kassiou Michael , Banister Sam , Connor Mark
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Consumption of Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor agonists (SCRAs) is associated with severe adverse reactions including seizures, arrhythmias and death, but the molecular mechanisms surrounding SCRA toxicity are not yet established. These disease-like symptoms are also synonymous with altered T-type calcium channel activity which controls rhythmicity in the heart and brain. This study examined whether SCRAs alter T-type activity and whether this represents a possible mechanism of toxicity.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Fluorescence-based and electrophysiology assays were used to screen 16 structurally related synthetic cannabinoids for their ability to inhibit human T-type calcium channels expressed in HEK293 cells. The most potent compounds were then further examined using patch clamp electrophysiology.

KEY RESULTS

MDMB-CHMICA and AMB-CHMINACA potently blocked Cav3.2 with IC50 values of 1.5 and 0.74 μM respectively. Current inhibition increased from 47 to 80% and 45 to 87% respectively when the channel was in slow-inactivated state. Both SCRAs had little effect on steady state inactivation, however MDMB-CHMICA significantly shifted the half activation potential by −7mV. Neither drug produced frequency dependent block, in contrast to the phytocannabinoid Δ9-THC.

CONCLUSIONS and IMPLICATIONS

SCRAs are potent agonists of CB1 receptors and can be extremely toxic, but observed toxicity also resembles symptoms associated with altered Cav3.2 activity. Many SCRAs tested were potent modulators of Cav3.2, raising the possibility that SC toxicity may be due in part to Cav3.2 modulation. This potent T-type channel modulation suggests the possibility of SCRAs as a new drug class with potential to treat diseases associated with altered T-type channel activity.
Fully unsupervised deep mode of action learning for phenotyping high-content cellular images
Authors: Janssens Rens , Zhang Xian , Kauffmann Audrey , de Weck Antoine , Durand Eric Y.
Published: July 2020

The identification and discovery of phenotypes from high content screening (HCS) images is a challenging task. Earlier works use image analysis pipelines to extract biological features, supervised training methods or generate features with neural networks pretrained on non-cellular images. We introduce a novel fully unsupervised deep learning algorithm to cluster cellular images with similar Mode-of-Action together using only the images’ pixel intensity values as input. The method outperforms existing approaches on the labelled subset of the BBBC021 dataset and achieves an accuracy of 97.09% for correctly classifying the Mode-of-Action (MOA) by nearest neighbors matching. One unique aspect of the approach is that it is able to perform training on the entire unannotated dataset, to correctly cluster similar treatments beyond the annotated subset of the dataset and can be used for novel MOA discovery.
Neural state space alignment for magnitude generalisation in humans and recurrent networks
Authors: Sheahan Hannah , Luyckx Fabrice , Nelli Stephanie , Teupe Clemens , Summerfield Christopher
Published: July 2020

A prerequisite for intelligent behaviour is to understand how stimuli are related and to generalise this knowledge across contexts. Generalisation can be challenging when relational patterns are shared across contexts but exist on different physical scales. Here, we studied neural representations in humans and recurrent neural networks performing a magnitude comparison task, for which it was advantageous to generalise concepts of “more” or “less” between contexts. Using multivariate analysis of human brain signals and of neural network hidden unit activity, we observed that both systems developed parallel neural “number lines” for each context. In both model systems, these number state spaces were aligned in a way that explicitly facilitated generalisation of relational concepts (more and less). These findings suggest a previously overlooked role for neural normalisation in supporting transfer of a simple form of abstract relational knowledge (magnitude) in humans and machine learning systems.