bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enrichment of chalcophile elements in seawater accompanying the end-Cretaceous impact event
Authors: Maruoka Teruyuki , Nishio Yoshiro , Kogiso Tetsu , Suzuki Katsuhiko , Osawa Takahito , Hatsukawa Yuichi , Terada Yasuko
Published: February 2020

Chalcophile elements are enriched in the Cretaceous–Paleogene (KPg) boundary clays from Stevns Klint, Denmark. As the concentrations of Cu, Ag, and Pb among several chalcophile elements such as Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Ag, and Pb are correlated with those of Ir, we suggest that these elements were supplied to the oceans by processes related to the end-Cretaceous asteroid impact. Synchrotron X-ray fluorescence images revealed that Cu and Ag exist as trace elements in pyrite grains or as 1–10-µm-sized discrete phases specifically enriched in Cu or Ag. The difference in carrier phases might depend on the materials that transported these elements to the seafloor. Based on their affinities with Cu, Ag, and Ir, iron oxides/hydroxides and organic matter were identified as the potential carrier phases that supplied these elements to the seafloor. Chalcophile elements adsorbed on iron oxides/hydroxides might have been released during reductive dissolution of iron oxides/hydroxides and incorporated into the pyrite produced simultaneously with the reductive dissolution of iron oxides/hydroxides. Both iron oxides/hydroxides and chalcophile elements were possibly released from the KPg target rocks (i.e., sedimentary rocks and/or basement crystalline rocks) by impact heating.

Elements with a high affinity to organic matter would have been released upon its degradation and then converted into discrete minerals because of the deficiency in Fe ions. As such discrete minerals include the elements that form acid soluble sulfides such as Cu, Ag, and Pb, enrichment of these elements might have been induced by the intense acid rain just after the end-Cretaceous asteroid impact.
Evidence of wildfires and elevated atmospheric oxygen at the Frasnian–Famennian boundary in New York (USA): Implications for the Late Devonian mass extinction
Authors: Liu Zeyang , Selby David , Hackley Paul C. , Over D. Jeffrey
Published: February 2020

The Devonian Period experienced significant fluctuations of atmospheric oxygen (O2) levels (∼25–13%), for which the extent and timing are debated. Also characteristic of the Devonian Period, at the Frasnian–Famennian (F–F) boundary, is one of the “big five” mass extinction events of the Phanerozoic. Fossilized charcoal (inertinite) provides a record of wildfire events, which in turn can provide insight into the evolution of terrestrial ecosystems and the atmospheric composition. Here, we report organic petrology, programmed pyrolysis analysis, major and trace element analyses, and initial osmium isotope (Osi) stratigraphy from five sections of Upper Devonian (F–F interval) from western New York, USA. These data are discussed to infer evidence of a wildfire event at the F–F boundary. Based on the evidence for a wildfire at the F–F boundary we also provide an estimate of atmospheric O2 levels of ∼23–25% at this interval, which is in agreement with the models that predict elevated pO2 levels during the Late Devonian. This, coupled with our Os isotope records, support the currently published Osi data that lacks any evidence for an extra-terrestrial impact or volcanic event at the F–F interval, and therefore to act as a trigger for the F–F mass extinction. The elevated O2 level at the F–F interval inferred from this study supports the hypothesis that pCO2 drawdown and associated climate cooling may have acted as a driving mechanism of the F–F mass extinction.
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome presenting with primary nocturnal enuresis
Authors: Cunha Margarida , Matias Mafalda , Marques Inês
Published: February 2020

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), hypermobility type, is probably the most common EDS type, as well as the most common heritable connective tissue disorder. Bladder dysfunction is a rare clinical manifestation of EDS and manifests itself as primary nocturnal enuresis. We present a 10-year-old boy referred to the paediatrics nephrology consultation due to primary nocturnal enuresis and day time symptoms of urinary urgency. During the appointment, a tendency to joint hypermobility was noted. On evaluation the skin was hyperextensible and the Beighton score was positive. The genetic testing revealed a variant of theCOL5A1gene not yet described in the literature.
Effects of plaque brachytherapy and proton beam radiotherapy on prognostic testing: a comparison of uveal melanoma genotyped by microsatellite analysis
Authors: Thornton Sophie , Coupland Sarah E , Heimann Heinrich , Hussain Rumana , Groenewald Carl , Kacperek Andrzej , Damato Bertil , Taktak Azzam , Eleuteri Antonio , Kalirai Helen
Published: February 2020

Background/aims

Proton beam radiotherapy and plaque brachytherapy are commonly applied in primary uveal melanoma (UM); however, their effect on chromosome 3 classification of UM by microsatellite analysis (MSA) for prognostication purposes is unknown, where the tumour is sampled post-irradiation. This study examined the prognostic accuracy of genotyping UM biopsied before or after administration of radiotherapy, by MSA.

Methods

407 UM patients treated at the Liverpool Ocular Oncology Centre between January 2011 to December 2017, were genotyped for chromosome 3 by MSA; 172 and 176 primary UM were sampled prior to and post irradiation, respectively.

Results

Genotyping by MSA was successful in 396/407 (97%) of UM samples (196 males, 211 females; median age of 61 years (range 12 to 93) at primary treatment). There was no demonstrable association between a failure of MSA to produce a chromosome 3 classification and whether radiation was performed pre-biopsy or post-biopsy with an OR of 0.96 (95% CI 0.30 to 3.00, p=0.94). There was no evidence of association (measured as HRs) between risk of metastatic death and sampling of a primary UM before administration of radiotherapy (HR 1.1 (0.49 to 2.50), p=0.81). Monosomy 3 (HR 12.0 (4.1 to 35.0), p<0.001) was significantly associated with increased risk of metastatic death.

Conclusions and relevance

This study revealed that successful genotyping of UM using MSA is possible, irrespective of irradiation status. Moreover, we found no evidence that biopsy prior to radiotherapy increases metastatic mortality.
One small step for man, one giant leap for men’s health: a meta-analysis of behaviour change interventions to increase men’s physical activity
Authors: Sharp Paul , Spence John C , Bottorff Joan L , Oliffe John L , Hunt Kate , Vis-Dunbar Mathew , Caperchione Cristina M
Published: February 2020

Objective

To determine the effects of behaviour change interventions on men’s physical activity (postintervention), sustained change in physical activity behaviour (≥12 months postintervention) and to identify variations in effects due to potential moderating variables (eg, theoretical underpinning, gender-tailored, contact frequency).

Design

Systematic review with meta-analysis. Pooled effect size (Cohen’s
d
) was calculated assuming a random-effects model. Homogeneity and subsequent exploratory moderator analyses were assessed using Q, T
2
and I
2
.

Data sources

Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, SportDiscus and Web of Science to April 2019.

Eligibility criteria for selected studies

Randomised control trials of behaviour change interventions in men (≥18 years) where physical activity was an outcome and data were from men-only studies or disaggregated by sex.

Results

Twenty-six articles described 24 eligible studies. The overall mean intervention effect on men’s physical activity was 0.35 (SE=0.05; 95% CI 0.26 to 0.45; p<0.001). This effect size is consistent with an increase of approximately 97 min of total physical activity per week or 980 steps per day. Intervention moderators associated with greater increases in physical activity included objective physical activity outcome measures, a gender-tailored design, use of a theoretical framework, shorter length programmes (≤12 weeks), using four or more types of behaviour change techniques and frequent contact with participants (≥1 contact per week). 12 studies included additional follow-up assessments (≥12 months postintervention) and the overall mean effect was 0.32 (SE=0.09; 95% CI 0.15 to 0.48; p<0.001) for that sustained increase in physical activity.

Behaviour change interventions targeting men’s physical activity can be effective. Moderator analyses are preliminary and suggest research directions.
Association between financial links to indoor tanning industry and conclusions of published studies on indoor tanning: systematic review
Authors: Adekunle Lola , Chen Rebecca , Morrison Lily , Halley Meghan , Eng Victor , Hendlin Yogi , Wehner Mackenzie R , Chren Mary-Margaret , Linos Eleni
Published: February 2020

Objective

To assess whether an association exists between financial links to the indoor tanning industry and conclusions of indoor tanning literature.

Design

Systematic review.

Data sources

PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, up to 15 February 2019.

Study selection criteria

Articles discussing indoor tanning and health were eligible for inclusion, with no article type restrictions (original research, systematic reviews, review articles, case reports, editorials, commentaries, and letters were all eligible). Basic science studies, articles describing only indoor tanning prevalence, non-English articles, and articles without full text available were excluded.

Results

691 articles were included in analysis, including empiric articles (eg, original articles or systematic reviews) (357/691; 51.7%) and non-empiric articles letters (eg, commentaries, letters, or editorials) (334/691; 48.3%). Overall, 7.2% (50/691) of articles had financial links to the indoor tanning industry; 10.7% (74/691) articles favored indoor tanning, 3.9% (27/691) were neutral, and 85.4% (590/691) were critical of indoor tanning. Among the articles without industry funding, 4.4% (27/620) favored indoor tanning, 3.5% (22/620) were neutral, and 92.1% (571/620) were critical of indoor tanning. Among the articles with financial links to the indoor tanning industry, 78% (39/50) favored indoor tanning, 10% (5/50) were neutral, and 12% (6/50) were critical of indoor tanning. Support from the indoor tanning industry was significantly associated with favoring indoor tanning (risk ratio 14.3, 95% confidence interval 10.0 to 20.4).

Conclusions

Although most articles in the indoor tanning literature are independent of industry funding, articles with financial links to the indoor tanning industry are more likely to favor indoor tanning. Public health practitioners and researchers need to be aware of and account for industry funding when interpreting the evidence related to indoor tanning.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42019123617.
Process evaluation of the central chronic medicines dispensing and distribution programme in Namakwa district, Northern Cape province protocol: a multimethod approach
Authors: Smith Kim Grace , Nicol Edward
Published: February 2020

Introduction

The quadruple burden of disease in South Africa, including the HIV/AIDS epidemic, has placed enormous strains on public healthcare (PHC) facilities. These strains specifically compromised the resources available to deal with high volumes of chronic diseases that contribute to medicine shortages and poor service delivery. In an attempt to address these challenges, the Central Chronic Medicines Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) programme, which aimed to provide public sector patients with alternative access to vital antiretroviral and other chronic medication, was implemented. This paper describes the protocol for a process evaluation of the programme compliance at the facility level in Namakwa district, to assess patient experiences and staff expectations of the programme; as well as, identifying factors that may affect the programme implementation so that guidance can be given on which approach to take to achieve programme objectives.

Methods and analysis

A multimethod approach will be used in a cross-sectional process evaluation of the CCMDD programme at 11 PHC facilities in Namakwa district. These methods will use checklists to assess programme compliance and subsequently gain an understanding of whether the programme was implemented as planned. Structured questionnaires together with focus group discussions will be conducted with selected patients enrolled in the programme and facility staff to determine patient experiences with and staff expectations of the programme, respectively. Furthermore, in-depth interviews will be conducted with key actors to explore barriers and facilitators of the programme implementation. Descriptive statistics will be conducted to analyse the quantitative data and an inductive interpretive approach will be used to analyse the qualitative data.

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol was approved by Stellenbosch University Health Research Ethics Committee (S19/02/047) and the study will be conducted in line with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki (1964). Findings from the study will be communicated to the study population, and at appropriate local and international conferences, in addition to publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
Patient experiences of an ankle fracture and the most important factors in their recovery: a qualitative interview study
Authors: McKeown Rebecca , Kearney Rebecca Samantha , Liew Zi Heng , Ellard David R
Published: February 2020

Objective

The objective of this qualitative research study is to explore patient experiences of ankle fracture and the factors most important to them in recovery.

Design

Semistructured interviews exploring patient experiences of ankle fracture recovery at 16–23 weeks following injury. Interviews followed a topic guide and were recorded with an encrypted audio recorder and then transcribed verbatim. Thematic content analysis was used to identify themes in the data.

Setting

Individuals were recruited from a sample of participants of a UK-based clinical trial of immobilisation methods for ankle fracture (ISRCTN15537280 at the pre-results stage at time of writing). Interviews were conducted at the participants’ own homes or on a university campus setting.

Participants

A purposive sample was used to account for key variables of age, gender and fracture management. Participants recruited from the clinical trial sample were adults aged 18 years or over with a closed ankle fracture.

Results

Ten participants were interviewed, five of whom were female and six of whom needed an operation to fix their ankle fracture. The age range of participants was 21–75 years with a mean of 51.6 years. Eight themes emerged from the data during analysis; mobility, loss of independence, healthcare, psychological effects, social and family life, ankle symptoms, sleep disturbance and fatigue, and activities of daily living. Factors of importance to participants included regaining their independence, sleep quality and quantity, ability to drive, ability to walk without walking aids or weight-bearing restrictions, and radiological union.

Conclusions

The results of this research demonstrates the extensive impact of ankle fracture on individuals’ lives, including social and family life, sleep, their sense of independence and psychological well-being. The results of this study will enable an increased understanding of the factors of relevance to individuals with ankle fracture, allowing collection of appropriate outcomes in clinical studies for this condition. Ultimately these results will help formulate appropriate patient-centred rehabilitation plans for these patients.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN15537280; Pre-results
Triple-arm trial of pH (Tri-pH) effect on live birth after ICSI in Egyptian IVF facilities: protocol of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Fawzy Mohamed , Emad Mai , Wilkinson Jack , Mansour Ragaa , Mahran Ali , Fetih Ahmed , Abdelrahman Mohamed , AbdelGhafar Hazem
Published: February 2020

Introduction

One potential stressor that can affect preimplantation and postimplantation embryonic growth after in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is the pH of the human embryo culture medium, but no evidence exists to indicate which pH level is optimal for IVF. Based on anecdotal evidence or mouse models, culture media manufacturers recommend a pH range of 7.2 to 7.4, and IVF laboratories routinely use a pH range of 7.25 to 7.3. Given the lack of randomised trials evaluating the effect of pH on live birth rate after IVF, this trial examines the effect of three different pH levels on the live birth rate.

Methods and analysis

This multicentre randomised trial will involve centres specialised in IVF in Egypt. Eligible couples for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) will be randomised for embryo culture at pH 7.2, 7.3 or 7.4. The study is designed to detect 10 percentage points difference in live birth rate between the best and worst performing media with 93% power at a 1% significance level. The primary outcome is the rate of live birth (delivery of one or more viable infants beyond the 20th week of gestation) after ICSI. Secondary clinical outcomes include biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, miscarriage, preterm births, birth weight, stillbirth, congenital malformation and cumulative live birth (within 1 year from randomisation). Embryo development outcomes include fertilisation, blastocyst formation and quality, and embryo cryopreservation and utilisation.

Ethics and dissemination

The study was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Review Boards of the participating centres. Eligible women will sign a written informed consent before enrolment. This study has an independent data monitoring and safety committee comprised international experts in trial design and in vitro culture. No plan exists to disseminate results to participants or health communities, except for the independent monitoring and safety committee of the trial.

Trial registration number

NCT02896777.
Verbal Autopsy with Participatory Action Research (VAPAR) programme in Mpumalanga, South Africa: protocol for evaluation
Authors: Witter Sophie , Van Der Merwe Maria , Twine Rhian , Mabetha Denny , Hove Jennifer , Goosen Gerhard , D’Ambruoso Lucia
Published: February 2020

Introduction

There is a growing recognition of the importance of developing learning health systems which can engage all stakeholders in cycles of evidence generation, reflection, action and learning from action to deal with adaptive problems. There is however limited evaluative evidence of approaches to developing or strengthening such systems, particularly in low-income and middle-income settings. In this protocol, we aim to contribute to developing and sharing knowledge on models of building collaborative learning platforms through our evaluation of the Verbal Autopsy with Participatory Action Research (VAPAR) programme.

Methods and analysis

The evaluation takes a participatory approach, focussed on joint learning on whether and how VAPAR contributes to its aims, and what can be learnt for this and similar settings. A realist-informed theory of change was developed by the research team as part of a broader collaboration with other stakeholders. The evaluation will draw on a wide variety of perspectives and data, including programme data and secondary data. This will be supplemented by in-depth interviews and workshops at the end of each cycle to probe the different domains, understand changes to the positions of different actors within the local health system and feedback into improved learning and action in the next cycle. Quantitative data such as verbal autopsy will be analysed for significant trends in health indicators for different population groups. However, the bulk of the data will be qualitative and will be analysed thematically.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics in participatory approaches include a careful focus on the power relationships within the group, such that all groups are given voice and influence, in addition to the usual considerations of informed participation. Within the programme, we will focus on reflexivity, relationship building, two-way learning and learning from failure to reduce power imbalances and mitigate against a blame culture. Local engagement and change will be prioritised in dissemination.
Interactive online survey raises awareness about cornea donation
Authors: Tsigkos Dimitrios , Tzelepi Anna , Kopsini Dimitra , Manolakou Danae , Konistis Evangelos , Palioura Sotiria
Published: February 2020

Objective

To assess the impact of a 5 min interactive online survey on raising awareness about cornea donation and willingness to become a donor.

Methods

An interactive online questionnaire was used to collect information regarding awareness, perceptions and attitudes towards cornea donation and to educate the participants about the process and value of cornea donation. Willingness to become a cornea donor was assessed at the beginning and the end of the survey.

Results

The survey was completed by 1769 Greek residents. Willingness to become a cornea donor increased from 40.5% (n=717) at the beginning of the survey to 55.2% (n=977) by the end of it (p<0.00001). Younger participants, those whose work or studies were unrelated to the medical field, and those with the least knowledge about cornea donation and transplantation were more likely to change their views towards donation by the end of the survey (42.3%, 44.8% and 82.1% increase in willingness to donate, respectively). Major deterrents to donation were lack of information, concerns about the use of the donated corneas and corruption within the medical field.

Conclusion

Our 5 min online survey had a significant impact on changing the mentality towards cornea donation in Greece. We live in an online era and incorporation of online tools and applications in awareness campaigns towards cornea and organ donation has become a necessity.
Expert artificial intelligence-based natural language processing characterises childhood asthma
Authors: Seol Hee Yun , Rolfes Mary C , Chung Wi , Sohn Sunghwan , Ryu Euijung , Park Miguel A , Kita Hirohito , Ono Junya , Croghan Ivana , Armasu Sebastian M , Castro-Rodriguez Jose A , Weston Jill D , Liu Hongfang , Juhn Young
Published: February 2020

Introduction

The lack of effective, consistent, reproducible and efficient asthma ascertainment methods results in inconsistent asthma cohorts and study results for clinical trials or other studies. We aimed to assess whether application of expert artificial intelligence (AI)-based natural language processing (NLP) algorithms for two existing asthma criteria to electronic health records of a paediatric population systematically identifies childhood asthma and its subgroups with distinctive characteristics.

Methods

Using the 1997–2007 Olmsted County Birth Cohort, we applied validated NLP algorithms for Predetermined Asthma Criteria (NLP-PAC) as well as Asthma Predictive Index (NLP-API). We categorised subjects into four groups (both criteria positive (NLP-PAC+/NLP-API+); PAC positive only (NLP-PAC+only); API positive only (NLP-API+only); and both criteria negative (NLP-PAC−/NLP-API−)) and characterised them. Results were replicated in unsupervised cluster analysis for asthmatics and a random sample of 300 children using laboratory and pulmonary function tests (PFTs).

Results

Of the 8196 subjects (51% male, 80% white), we identified 1614 (20%), NLP-PAC+/NLP-API+; 954 (12%), NLP-PAC+only; 105 (1%), NLP-API+only; and 5523 (67%), NLP-PAC−/NLP-API−. Asthmatic children classified as NLP-PAC+/NLP-API+showed earlier onset asthma, more Th2-high profile, poorer lung function, higher asthma exacerbation and higher risk of asthma-associated comorbidities compared with other groups. These results were consistent with those based on unsupervised cluster analysis and lab and PFT data of a random sample of study subjects.

Conclusion

Expert AI-based NLP algorithms for two asthma criteria systematically identify childhood asthma with distinctive characteristics. This approach may improve precision, reproducibility, consistency and efficiency of large-scale clinical studies for asthma and enable population management.
Per-region interobserver agreement of Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Scores (ASPECTS)
Authors: Nicholson Patrick , Hilditch Christopher Alan , Neuhaus Ain , Seyedsaadat Seyed Mohammad , Benson John Charles , Mark Ian , Tsang Chun On Anderson , Schaafsma Joanna , Kallmes David F , Krings Timo , Brinjikji Waleed
Published: February 2020

Background and purpose

The Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) is a commonly used scoring system to select patients with stroke for endovascular treatment (EVT). However, the inter- and intra-reader variability is high.

Objective

To determine whether the inter- and intra-reader variability is different for various regions of the ASPECTS scoring system by evaluating the interobserver variability of ASPECTS between different readers in a per-region analysis.

Materials and methods

All patients with acute ischemic stroke who proceeded to EVT in our institutions over a 4-year period were retrospectively identified from a prospectively maintained database. Images were reviewed by two experienced neuroradiologists, who recalculated the ASPECTS independently. We examined each region of the ASPECTS system to evaluate agreement between the raters in each area.

Results

375 patients were included. The median total ASPECTS was 9 (IQR 8–9). The most common region showing ischemic change was the insula, with the M6 region being least commonly affected. Overall interobserver agreement for ASPECTS using Cohen’s κ was 0.56 (95% CI 0.51 to 0.61). The region with the highest agreement was the insula (κ=0.56; 0.48 to 0.64). The region with the lowest agreement was M3 (κ=0.34; 0.12 to 0.56). Agreement was relatively good when ASPECTS were dichotomized into 0–5 versus 6–10 (κ=0.66; 0.49 to 0.84).

Conclusions

Substantial interobserver variability is found when calculating ASPECTS. This variability is region dependent, and practitioners should take this into account when using ASPECTS for treatment decisions in patients with acute stroke.
Utility evaluation of HLA-B*13:01 screening in preventing trichloroethylene-induced hypersensitivity syndrome in a prospective cohort study
Authors: Dai Yufei , Zhou Wei , Jia Qiang , Dong Haiyan , Niu Yong , He Jiaxi , Bin Ping , Yi Juan , Xiang Yingping , Duan Huawei , Huang Huiping , Sha Yan , Shen Meili , Ye Meng , Huang Xianqing , Zheng Yuxin
Published: February 2020

Objectives

Trichloroethylene (TCE) -induced hypersensitivity syndrome (TIHS) is a potentially life-threatening disease. Several genetic susceptibility biomarkers have been found to be associated with TIHS, and this systematic prospective study has been conducted to evaluate the utility of these genetic susceptibility biomarkers in preventing the disease.

Methods

The newly hired TCE-exposed workers were recruited from March 2009 to October 2010. HLA-B*13:01 genotyping and 3-month follow-up procedure were conducted. All workers were monitored for adverse reaction by telephone interview every week. The workers with early symptoms of TIHS were asked to go to the hospital immediately for further examination, diagnosis and treatment. The medical expense record data of patients with TIHS were collected for cost-effectiveness analysis in 2018.

Results

Among 1651 workers, 158 (9.57%) were found to carry the HLA-B*13:01 allele and 16 (0.97%) were diagnosed with TIHS. HLA-B*13:01 allele was significantly associated with an increased TIHS risk (relative risk=28.4, 95% CI 9.2 to 86.8). As a risk predictor of TIHS, HLA-B*13:01 testing had a sensitivity of 75%, a specificity of 91.1% and an area under curve of 0.83 (95% CI 0.705 to 0.955), the positive and negative predictive values were 7.6% and 99.7%, respectively. The incidence of TIHS was significantly decreased in HLA-B*13:01 non-carriers (0.27%) compared with all workers (0.97%, p=0.014). Cost-effectiveness analysis showed that HLA-B*13:01 screening could produce an economic saving of $4604 per TIHS avoided.

Conclusions

Prospective HLA-B*13:01 screening may significantly reduce the incidence of TIHS and could be a cost effective option for preventing the disease in TCE-exposed workers.
Alternative clinical trial designs
Authors: Harvin John A , Zarzaur Ben L , Nirula Raminder , King Benjamin T , Malhotra Ajai K
Published: February 2020

High-quality clinical trials are needed to advance the care of injured patients. Traditional randomized clinical trials in trauma have challenges in generating new knowledge due to many issues, including logistical difficulties performing individual randomization, unclear pretrial estimates of treatment effect leading to often unpowered studies, and difficulty assessing the generalizability of an intervention given the heterogeneity of both patients and trauma centers. In this review, we discuss alternative clinical trial designs that can address some of these difficulties. These include pragmatic trials, cluster randomization, cluster randomized stepped wedge designs, factorial trials, and adaptive designs. Additionally, we discuss how Bayesian methods of inference may provide more knowledge to trauma and acute care surgeons compared with traditional, frequentist methods.
Patient-centered outcomes research and the injured patient: a summary of application
Authors: Godat Laura N , Jensen Aaron R , Stein Deborah M
Published: February 2020

As trauma surgeons, we focus on the immediate care and needs of the injured patient every day. Historically, trauma and injury research has focused on outcomes such as mortality, complications, and length of stay; and process metrics such as time to CT scan, resuscitation checklist frequencies, or venous thromboembolism prophylaxis rates. These outcomes are perceived by healthcare providers to be important, but patients likely have different perceptions of what outcomes are most important to measure and improve. True patient-centered outcomes research involves the healthcare providers, and the entire team of stakeholders including patients and the community. Understanding the process of stakeholder engagement and the barriers trauma researchers must overcome to effectively enter this field of research is important. This summary aims to inform the trauma research community on the basics of patient-centered outcomes research, priorities for funding from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, resources for collaboration around patient-centered outcomes research, and a unique career development and training opportunity for early career trauma surgeons to develop a skill set in patient-centered outcomes research.
Collapse in a mare during standing sedation with a fatal outcome
Authors: Carrozzo Maria Valentina , Ambros Barbara
Published: February 2020

A 6‐year‐old 559‐kg Canadian Warmblood mare with lacerations over the neck and all four limbs was presented to the Western College Veterinary Medicine. Medical treatment and wound lavage was carried out for 5 days with no clinical improvement. Ultrasonography of the gluteal region showed disruption of normal muscle architecture, predominantly on the right side. A diagnosis of compartmental syndrome was confirmed with intracompartment pressure measurements. Fasciotomy of the semimembranosus and tendinosus muscles was elected. Standing sedation was achieved with intermittent boluses of butorphanol and detomidine, and caudal epidural analgesia was performed with 13 mL of lidocaine 2 per cent. Forty minutes after the epidural injection, the mare became ataxic and fell. The horse was anaesthetised with ketamine and diazepam followed by total intravenous anaesthesia until the effects of the epidural lidocaine were presumed to have resolved. In recovery, the mare was unable to stand. The owner elected humane euthanasia.
Numerical investigation of MHD Prandtl melted fluid flow towards a cylindrical surface: comprehensive outcomes
Authors: Awais M. , Bilal S. , Ur Rehman Khalil , Malik M.Y.
Published: February 2020

In this work, we explore the mathematical structuring of Prandtl fluid flow towards an inclined stretched cylinder. Modelling of this newly proposed model is manifested in three different ways. A momentum equation for the concerned model is established under the role of an induced Lorentz field, whereas the thermal and mass transport mechanisms account for the role of the heat generation–absorption process and chemical reaction phenomenon. For a more realistic and schematic analyses of the present problem, the field expressions are expressed mathematically in terms of PDEs. The obtained intricate differential system is converted into ODEs by means of transformations. Improved numerical simulation is conducted using the Cash and Carp method to foresee the pattern of thermophysical distribution towards existing involved constraints. It is noticed that Prandtl fluid velocity declines for increases in both the Prandtl fluid parameter and elastic parameter. Further, the fluid temperature increases the effects of the magnetic field, curvature, and the melting parameters while the concentration profile shows decline curves for both the Schmidt and chemical reaction parameters. It is important to note that this nature is preserved for both the magnetized and non-magnetized cases.
Calibrating the standard candles with strong lensing
Authors: Wen Xudong , Liao Kai
Published: February 2020

We propose a new model-independent strategy to calibrate the distance relation in Type Ia supernova (SN) observations and to probe the intrinsic properties of SNe Ia, especially the absolute magnitude$$M_B$$MB, basing on strong lensing observations in the upcoming Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) era. The strongly lensed quasars can provide the Time Delay Distances (TDD) and the Angular Diameter Distances (ADD) to the lens galaxies. These absolute distance measurements can model-independently anchor the SNe Ia at cosmological distances. We simulated 55 high-quality lensing systems with$$5\%$$5%uncertainties for both TDD and ADD measurements basing on future observation conditions. For the time delay distances and the angular diameter distances as the calibration standards, the calibrated$$1\sigma $$1σuncertainties of$$M_{B}$$MBare approximately 0.24 mag and 0.03 mag, respectively. Besides, we also consider an evolving distance relation, for example, caused by the cosmic opacity. In this case, the$$1\sigma $$1σuncertainties of$$M_B$$MBcalibrated with TDD and ADD are approximately 0.31 mag and 0.06 mag, respectively. The results show that the ADD method will be a promising tool for calibrating supernovae.
Generalized Lomb–Scargle analysis of $$\mathrm {^{36}Cl}$$ decay rate measurements at PTB and BNL
Authors: Dhaygude Akanksha , Desai Shantanu
Published: February 2020

Recently Pomme et al. (Solar Phys 292:162, 2017) did an analysis of $${^{36}\hbox {Cl}} $$36Cl radioactive decay data from measurements at the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), in order to verify the claims by Sturrock and collaborators of an influence on beta-decay rates measured at Brookhaven National Lab (BNL) due to the rotation-induced modulation of the solar neutrino flux. Their analysis excluded any sinusoidal modulations in the frequency range from 0.2 to 20/year. We carry out an independent analysis of the same PTB and BNL data, using the generalized Lomb–Scargle periodogram to look for any statistically significant peaks in the range from 0 to 14 per year, and by evaluating the significance of every peak using multiple methods. Our results for the PTB data are in agreement with those by Pomme et al. For BNL data, we do find peaks at some of the same frequencies as Sturrock et al., but the significance is much lower. All our analysis codes and datasets have been made publicly available.
Interacting self-consistent system of spinor and gravitational fields
Authors: Saha Bijan
Published: February 2020

Within the scope of simple cosmological models we have studied the role of spinor field in the evolution of the Universe when it is non-minimally coupled to the gravitational one. If the spinor field nonlinearity describes an ordinary matter such as radiation, the presence of non-minimality becomes essential and leads to the rapid expansion of the Universe in FRW model, but this is not the case for LRSBI model. If the spinor field nonlinearity describes a dark energy the role non-minimal coupling becomes insignificant in both isotropic and anisotropic models.
Occupational safety evaluation index-based obstacles prediction for manufacturing industries
Authors: Singh Satnam , Kaur Maninder , Bahl Ankur , Uppal Raminder Singh
Published: February 2020

A new safety index known as Occupational Safety Evaluation Index (OSEI) is developed to evaluate and map the level of workplace safety in medium size iron and steel manufacturing industries (MSMIs) of Punjab. Delphi method is used to devise the OSEI based on a set of 40 key factors validated by content validity index (CVI). In order to determine the various obstacles in workplace safety, stepwise regression analysis is carried out using the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS, version 20.0). The analysis reveals that factors such as organizational attributes, workplace layout and housekeeping, occupational exposures, personal protective equipment (PPE) and hygiene factors are the main obstacles for workplace safety in MSMIs. It is therefore recommended that the MSMIs should uplift these safety parameters to minimize the obstacles for better and safe working environment at the workplace. Hence, OSEI proves to be a useful tool to evaluate the safety performance of industries and by following the corrective measures suggested in this study, the level of safety in MSMIs of Punjab can be improved upon.
CASE REPORT: THE EMERGENCE OF ANTICOCCIDIAL-RESISTANT STRAINS OF Eimeria IN TAIWAN
Authors: Hsieh Meng-Ting , Lai Jyh-Mirn , Su Yao-Chi , Kung Wei-Che , Lee Cheng-Hsun , Weng Hui-Xin
Published: February 2020

Although anticoccidial-resistant Eimeria spp. have been reported in avian industry, it has yet to be officially identified in dairy goats in Taiwan. This paper describes Eimeria strains, identified from a five-week-old kid, found to be resistant to sulfonamide drugs, due to the fact that the number of oocysts per gram of feces (O.P.G.) remained to be 9200 after seven consecutive days of treatment and only dropped to zero after another two consecutive days of treatment with toltrazuril. We believe this is the first paper to identify the emergence of an anticoccidial-resistant Eimeria spp. strain, and further investigation should be warranted. This paper would help farmers and veterinarians consider an alternative treatment protocol when dealing with coccidiosis in the goat industry.
Shale oil and gas resource evaluation through 3D basin and petroleum systems modelling: a case study from the East Midlands, onshore UK
Authors: Palci F. , Fraser A. J. , Neumaier M. , Goode T. , Parkin K. , Wilson T.
Published: February 2020

Technological advances in horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing have led to a re-evaluation of the UK Carboniferous sequences for shale oil and gas potential. In the Gainsborough Trough, hemipelagic mudstones known collectively as the Bowland Shale were deposited during the Pendleian Substage (Late Mississippian). In this study the interpretation of heritage 2D and recent 3D seismic data allowed the reconstruction of the tectonic evolution of the basin, which was simulated in a 3D basin and petroleum systems model. The model enabled the first prediction of generated, adsorbed, retained and expelled hydrocarbon volumes. Between 8 and 26 Bbbl of STOIIP, and between 11 and 38 tcf of GIIP have been estimated to lie within the Bowland Shale in the Gainsborough Trough. However, at the present time, there is considerable uncertainty concerning these in-place volumes, and no tests have proven the recoverability of oil and gas from the Bowland Shale in this area. Importantly, the Bowland Shale has been modelled as a single homogeneous layer, and the
in situ
volume numbers need to be corrected for a net to gross factor, once the criteria required for the definition for net reservoir in this formation are better understood.
Sidi M'Barek: a representative example of the Moroccan massive sulfide deposits
Authors: Outigua Abdelhak , Essaifi Abderrahim , Corsini Michel , Outhounjite Mohamed , Zouhair Mohamed
Published: February 2020

In addition to a Zn-rich lens representing the northern prolongation of the Draa Sfar volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit, the Sidi M'Barek deposit includes Cu-rich lenses in which gold is being recovered profitably as a by-product. The Cu-rich mineralization is composed of numerous structurally controlled veins whose morphology suits that of a lode rather than that of a stratiform orebody. Although the Cu-rich and Zn-rich orebodies are dominated by pyrrhotite, pyrrhotite is coarser grained in the Cu-rich lenses and mineralization is polyphase. Pyrrhotite is deformed and recrystallized; it is cross-cut and replaced by pyrite infilling veins. Pyrite also crystallizes along the S
1
cleavage and in pressure shadows around bioclasts in the disseminated ore. Chalcopyrite veins postdate both the pyrrhotite and pyrite phases.

The concentration of Co and Au is higher in the Cu-rich lenses relative to the Zn-rich lenses, which have higher concentrations of Pb, Ag and As. Pyrite and pyrrhotite have distinct sulfur and lead isotopic signatures. We propose a polygenetic model in which a pre-existing syngenetic pyrrhotite-rich mineralization is remobilized in shear zones during a major ductile deformation event allowing deposition of pyrite. The shear zones were reopened during a late ductile–brittle deformation event allowing deposition of chalcopyrite.
Generalized Probabilistic Bisection for Stochastic Root Finding
Authors: Rodriguez Sergio , Ludkovski Michael
Published: February 2020

We consider numerical schemes for root finding of noisy responses through generalizing the Probabilistic Bisection Algorithm (PBA) to the more practical context where the sampling distribution is unknown and location dependent. As in standard PBA, we rely on a knowledge state for the approximate posterior of the root location. To implement the corresponding Bayesian updating, we also carry out inference of oracle accuracy, namely learning the probability of the correct response. To this end we utilize batched querying in combination with a variety of frequentist and Bayesian estimators based on majority vote, as well as the underlying functional responses, if available. For guiding sampling selection we investigate both entropy-directed sampling and quantile sampling. Our numerical experiments show that these strategies perform quite differently; in particular, we demonstrate the efficiency of randomized quantile sampling, which is reminiscent of Thompson sampling. Our work is motivated by the root-finding subroutine in pricing of Bermudan financial derivatives, illustrated in the last section of the article.
Genetic Engineering and Editing of Plants: An Analysis of New and Persisting Questions
Authors: Mackelprang Rebecca , Lemaux Peggy G.
Published: February 2020

Genetic engineering is a molecular biology technique that enables a gene or genes to be inserted into a plant's genome. The first genetically engineered plants were grown commercially in 1996, and the most common genetically engineered traits are herbicide and insect resistance. Questions and concerns have been raised about the effects of these traits on the environment and human health, many of which are addressed in a pair of 2008 and 2009 Annual Review of Plant Biology articles. As new science is published and new techniques like genome editing emerge, reanalysis of some of these issues, and a look at emerging issues, is warranted. Herein, an analysis of relevant scientific literature is used to present a scientific perspective on selected topics related to genetic engineering and genome editing.
The Mentalizing Approach to Psychopathology: State of the Art and Future Directions
Authors: Luyten Patrick , Campbell Chloe , Allison Elizabeth , Fonagy Peter
Published: February 2020

Mentalizing is the capacity to understand others and oneself in terms of internal mental states. It is assumed to be underpinned by four dimensions: automatic–controlled, internally–externally focused, self–other, and cognitive–affective. Research suggests that mental disorders are associated with different imbalances in these dimensions. Addressing the quality of mentalizing as part of psychosocial treatments may benefit individuals with various mental disorders. We suggest that mentalizing is a helpful transtheoretical and transdiagnostic concept to explain vulnerability to psychopathology and its treatment. This review summarizes the mentalizing approach to psychopathology from a developmental socioecological evolutionary perspective. We then focus on the application of the mentalizing approach to personality disorders, and we review studies that have extended this approach to other types of psychopathology, including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. We summarize core principles of mentalization-based treatments and preventive interventions and the evidence for their effectiveness. We conclude with recommendations for future research.
Platelet glycolytic metabolism correlates with hemodynamic severity in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: McDowell Ruth E. , Aulak Kulwant S. , Almoushref Allaa , Melillo Celia A. , Brauer Brittany E. , Newman Jennie E. , Tonelli Adriano R. , Dweik Raed A.
Published: February 2020

Group 1 pulmonary hypertension (PH), i.e., pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), is associated with a metabolic shift favoring glycolysis in cells comprising the lung vasculature as well as skeletal muscle and right heart. We sought to determine whether this metabolic switch is also detectable in circulating platelets from PAH patients. We used Seahorse Extracellular Flux to measure bioenergetics in platelets isolated from group 1 PH (PAH), group 2 PH, patients with dyspnea and normal pulmonary artery pressures, and healthy controls. We show that platelets from group 1 PH patients exhibit enhanced basal glycolysis and lower glycolytic reserve compared with platelets from healthy controls but do not differ from platelets of group 2 PH or dyspnea patients without PH. Although we were unable to identify a glycolytic phenotype unique to platelets from PAH patients, we found that platelet glycolytic metabolism correlated with hemodynamic severity only in group 1 PH patients, supporting the known link between PAH pathology and altered glycolytic metabolism and extending this association to ex vivo platelets. Pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance in patients with group 1 PH were directly associated with basal platelet glycolysis and inversely associated with maximal and reserve glycolysis, suggesting that PAH progression reduces the capacity for glycolysis even while demanding an increase in glycolytic metabolism. Therefore, platelets may provide an easy-to-harvest, real-time window into the metabolic shift occurring in the lung vasculature and represent a useful surrogate for interrogating the glycolytic shift central to PAH pathology.