bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interpretation of clinical studies in electrophysiology: statistical considerations for the clinician
Authors: Chieng David , Finch Sue , Sugumar Hariharan , Taylor Andrew J , Reid Chris , Kalman Jonathan M , Kistler Peter M 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) outcome studies play an essential role in the development of clinical evidence to improve the management of AF patients. Understanding the statistical considerations involved in study design and interpretation is crucial if electrophysiologists are to change practice. In this review, with the guidance of a medical statistician and a clinical trialist we provide an overview of important statistical issues for the clinician, with a focus on clinical studies in AF ablation. Various types of study designs including randomized controlled trials, superiority, and non-inferiority studies are described, along with their implications and limitations. Appropriate sample size calculation is fundamental to ensure statistical power and efficient resource use. Multiplicity in study endpoints is useful to encapsulate the varied effects of an intervention/treatment, although statistical adjustments are required to account for this. Finally, we discuss the limitations with the current primary endpoint used in AF ablation studies, namely, freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmia of &gt;30 seconds, and propose AF burden as a more relevant primary endpoint, based on findings from recent clinical studies. However, technical challenges need to be overcome before AF burden can be routinely adopted, especially the need for non-invasive, long-term monitoring. The emergence of newer technologies, particularly wearable technology, offers significant promise in filling this gap.
Cell death in Ustilago maydis: comparison with other fungi and the effect of metformin and curcumin on its chronological lifespan
Authors: Soberanes-Gutiérrez Cinthia V , León-Ramírez Claudia , Sánchez-Segura Lino , Cordero-Martínez Emmanuel , Vega-Arreguín Julio C , Ruiz-Herrera José 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACT
Ustilago maydis is a Basidiomycota fungus, in which very little is known about its mechanisms of cell survival and death. To date, only the role of metacaspase1, acetate and hydrogen peroxide as inducers of cell death has been investigated.
In the present work, we analyzed the lifespan of U. maydis compared with other species like Sporisorium reilianum, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Yarrowia lipolytica, and we observed that U. maydis has a minor lifespan.
We probe the addition of low concentrations metformin and curcumin to the culture media, and we observed that both prolonged the lifespan of U. maydis, a result observed for the first time in a phytopathogen fungus. However, higher concentrations of curcumin were toxic for the cells, and interestingly induced the yeast-to-mycelium dimorphic transition. The positive effect of metformin and curcumin appears to be related to an inhibition of the mechanistic Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, increase expression of autophagy genes and reducing of reactive oxygen species.
These data indicate that U. maydis may be a eukaryotic model organism to elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying apoptotic and necrosis pathways, and the lifespan increase caused by metformin and curcumin.
Can a Patent Be Granted for an AI-Generated Invention?
Authors: Engel Andreas 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Three patent offices had to answer the question of whether a patent can be granted for an invention for which an Artificial Intelligence (AI) system called DABUS was named as inventor. All applications were dismissed, but for different reasons. While the European Patent Office focused on formal rules, the UK Intellectual Property Office considered more substantive aspects, and the US Patent and Trademark Office relied on statutory language. From a policy perspective, the decisions find support in the fact that there is no clear consensus for AI to be recognized as an inventor, and that difficult questions would ensue if this were accepted. From a doctrinal perspective, the decisions do not rule out the patentability of AI-assisted inventions in general, as it remains possible to designate a human inventor when AI has merely facilitated the inventive process. This leaves the question of who should own a patent for an AI-generated invention, if patentability for such inventions is considered desirable. A possible solution could be to grant ownership directly to the company operating or owning the AI.
Divergence-preserving reconstructions on polygons and a really pressure-robust virtual element method for the Stokes problem
Authors: Frerichs Derk , Merdon Christian 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Nondivergence-free discretizations for the incompressible Stokes problem may suffer from a lack of pressure-robustness characterized by large discretizations errors due to irrotational forces in the momentum balance. This paper argues that also divergence-free virtual element methods on polygonal meshes are not really pressure-robust as long as the right-hand side is not discretized in a careful manner. To be able to evaluate the right-hand side for the test functions, some explicit interpolation of the virtual test functions is needed that can be evaluated pointwise everywhere. The standard discretization via an $L^2$-best approximation does not preserve the divergence, and so destroys the orthogonality between divergence-free test functions and possibly eminent gradient forces in the right-hand side. To repair this orthogonality and restore pressure-robustness, another divergence-preserving reconstruction is suggested based on Raviart–Thomas approximations on local subtriangulations of the polygons. All findings are proven theoretically and are demonstrated numerically in two dimensions. The construction is also interesting for hybrid high-order methods on polygonal or polyhedral meshes.
Sub-Riemannian Limit of the Differential Form Heat Kernels of Contact Manifolds
Authors: Albin Pierre , Quan Hadrian 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWe study the behavior of the heat kernel of the Hodge Laplacian on a contact manifold endowed with a family of Riemannian metrics that blow-up the directions transverse to the contact distribution. We apply this to analyze the behavior of global spectral invariants such as the $\eta $-invariant and the determinant of the Laplacian. In particular, we prove that contact versions of the relative $\eta $-invariant and the relative analytic torsion are equal to their Riemannian analogues and hence topological.
Lower mgpB diversity in macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma genitalium infecting men visiting two sexually transmitted infection clinics in Montpellier, France
Authors: Guiraud Jennifer , Lounnas Manon , Boissière Anne , Le Roy Chloé , Elguero Eric , Banuls Anne Laure , Bébéar Cécile , Godreuil Sylvain , Pereyre Sabine 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Objectives
Men engaged in high-risk sexual behaviour, such as MSM, are likely to be infected by resistant Mycoplasma genitalium strains. Understanding the transmission dynamics is challenging. We aimed to investigate the molecular epidemiology of M. genitalium in men visiting sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics.

Patients and methods
Between June 2017 and February 2018, 95 M. genitalium-positive specimens from 78 men, including 76.9% MSM, visiting two STI clinics in Montpellier, France, were analysed for SNPs in the mgpB adhesin gene and number of tandem repeats in the MG_309 gene. Macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance were determined. Typing results were compared with antibiotic resistance, sexual behaviour, sampling site, HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) usage and HIV status.

Results
Thirty-eight mgpB STs were identified, including 23 new STs, with ST4 being most prevalent. The mgpB/MG_309 typing method identified 52 genetic profiles, resulting in a discriminatory index of 0.979. Macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance-associated mutations were detected in 58.3% and 10.8% of patients, respectively. The macrolide resistance rate was higher among MSM than among men who have sex with women only (68.4% versus 9.1%; adjusted OR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.13–2.18; P = 0.007). A lower mgpB diversity of 0.870 was found among macrolide-resistant strains in comparison with 0.978 in macrolide-susceptible strains, with an over-representation of mgpB ST62 and ST153.

Conclusions
Although macrolide resistance spread appears polyclonal in M. genitalium, the lower diversity of mgpB types among macrolide-resistant strains may reflect the easier spread of a few specific mgpB types or the occurrence of sexual networks among MSM.
Determination of norvancomycin epidemiological cut-off values (ECOFFs) for Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus and Staphylococcus hominis
Authors: Yang Qiwen , Li Xue , Jia Peiyao , Giske Christian , Kahlmeter Gunnar , Turnidge John , Yu Yunsong , Lv Yuan , Wang Minggui , Sun Ziyong , Lin Jie , Li Yun , Zheng Bo , Hu Fupin , Guo Yan , Chen Zhongju , Li Haixia , Zhang Ge , Zhang Jingjia , Kang Wei , Duan Simeng , Wang Tong , Jing Ran , Xu Yingchun ,   the Chinese Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (ChiCAST)
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Objectives
To determine the epidemiological cut-off values (ECOFFs) of norvancomycin for Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus and Staphylococcus hominis.

Methods
We collected 1199 clinical isolates of Staphylococcus species from five laboratories located in four cities in China. MICs and inhibitory zone diameters of norvancomycin were determined by broth microdilution and the disc diffusion method, separately. ECOFFs of norvancomycin for four species were calculated by ECOFFinder software following EUCAST principles. Methicillin and vancomycin resistance genes (mecA/mecC and vanA/vanB/vanC/vanD/vanE) were screened for by PCR in all isolates. Pearson correlation and χ2 test were used to calculate the correlation of MICs and inhibition zone diameters, and MICs and resistance genes, respectively.

Results
MICs of norvancomycin for all strains from five laboratories fell in the range of 0.12–2 mg/L. ECOFFs of norvancomycin were determined to be 2 mg/L for S. epidermidis and S. haemolyticus and 1 mg/L for S. aureus and S. hominis. A weak correlation was observed between MIC values and zone diameters for S. haemolyticus (r = −0.36) and S. hominis (r = −0.26), while no correlation was found for S. epidermidis and S. aureus. The mecA gene was detected in 63.1% of Staphylococcus, whereas no isolate carried mecC, vanA, vanB, vanC, vanD or vanE. ECOFFs of norvancomycin were not correlated with mecA gene carriage in Staphylococcus species.

Conclusions
ECOFFs of norvancomycin for four Staphylococcus species were determined, which will be helpful to differentiate WT strains. The correlation of MICs and zone diameters of norvancomycin was weak in Staphylococcus species.
Treatment of Partial Thickness Burns: A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Four Routinely Used Burns Dressings in an Ambulatory Care Setting
Authors: Aggarwala Shivani , Harish Varun , Roberts Sarah , Brady Megan , Lajevardi Sepehr , Doherty James , D’Souza Mario , Haertsch Peter A , Maitz Peter K M , Issler-Fisher Andrea C 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
This prospective, randomized controlled trial study compared the effects of four dressings for adult partial thickness burns, focusing on re-epithelialization time and cost effectiveness. Adults with partial thickness burns meeting inclusion criteria were randomized to either Biobrane™, Acticoat™, Mepilex® Ag, or Aquacel® Ag. Primary endpoint for analysis was &gt;95% re-epithelialization. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were calculated based on dressing costs. Dominance probabilities between treatment arms were calculated from bootstrap resampling trial data. One hunderd thirty-one partial thickness burn wounds in 119 patients were randomized. Adjusting for sex, age, smoking status, burn mechanism, TBSA, and first aid adequacy, Mepilex® Ag had a reduced time to re-epithelialization compared to Biobrane™ (IRR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.07–1.48, P &lt; .01). Economic analysis showed that there was a 99%, 71%, and 53% probability that Mepilex® Ag dominated (cheaper and more effective) Biobrane™, Acticoat™, and Aquacel® Ag, respectively. Mepilex® Ag achieved faster re-epithelialization and better cost effectiveness. Patient satisfaction and comfort seems better with Biobrane™ although not reflected within the end outcome of the healed wound. It is the patients’ (after extensive education) and clinicians’ choice, level of experience, and availability of products in praxis that will guide the decision as to which the product is used individually on which patient.
Rab-dependent vesicular traffic affects female gametophyte development in Arabidopsis
Authors: Rojek Joanna , Tucker Matthew R , Pinto Sara C , Rychłowski Michał , Lichocka Małgorzata , Soukupova Hana , Nowakowska Julita , Bohdanowicz Jerzy , Surmacz Gabriela , Gutkowska Małgorzata 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Eukaryotic cells rely on the accuracy and efficiency of vesicular traffic. In plants, disturbances in vesicular trafficking are well studied in quickly dividing root meristem cells or polar growing root hairs and pollen tubes. The development of the female gametophyte, a unique haploid reproductive structure located in the ovule, has received far less attention in studies of vesicular transport. Key molecules providing the specificity of vesicle formation and its subsequent recognition and fusion with the acceptor membrane are Rab proteins. Rabs are anchored to membranes by covalently linked geranylgeranyl group(s) that are added by the Rab geranylgeranyl transferase (RGT) enzyme. Here we show that Arabidopsis plants carrying mutations in the gene encoding the β-subunit of RGT (rgtb1) exhibit severely disrupted female gametogenesis and this effect is of sporophytic origin. Mutations in rgtb1 lead to internalization of the PIN1 and PIN3 proteins from the basal membranes to vesicles in provascular cells of the funiculus. Decreased transport of auxin out of the ovule is accompanied by auxin accumulation in tissue surrounding the growing gametophyte. In addition, female gametophyte development arrests at the uni- or binuclear stage in a significant portion of the rgtb1 ovules. These observations suggest that communication between the sporophyte and the developing female gametophyte relies on Rab-dependent vesicular traffic of the PIN1 and PIN3 transporters and auxin efflux out of the ovule.
Radio Galaxy Zoo: new giant radio galaxies in the RGZ DR1 catalogue
Authors: Tang H , Scaife A M M , Wong O I , Kapińska A D , Rudnick L , Shabala S S , Seymour N , Norris R P 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACT
In this paper, we present the identification of five previously unknown giant radio galaxies (GRGs) using Data Release 1 of the Radio Galaxy Zoo citizen science project and a selection method appropriate to the training and validation of deep learning algorithms for new radio surveys. We associate one of these new GRGs with the brightest cluster galaxy (BCG) in the galaxy cluster GMBCG J251.67741+36.45295 and use literature data to identify a further 13 previously known GRGs as BCG candidates, increasing the number of known BCG GRGs by $\gt 60$ per cent. By examining local galaxy number densities for the number of all known BCG GRGs, we suggest that the existence of this growing number implies that GRGs are able to reside in the centres of rich (∼1014 M⊙) galaxy clusters and challenges the hypothesis that GRGs grow to such sizes only in locally underdense environments.
Catholicism and the Concept of ‘the State’ in the Irish (1937) Constitution
Authors: Kissane Bill 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
The concept of the State is expressed more frequently and in more ways in the Irish (1937) constitution than in most European constitutions. The previous 1922 constitution had hardly mentioned the concept at all. Using the tools of conceptual history this article shows how a combination of Catholicism and nationalism led to the inflation of the State in 1937. The article also considers what this inflation of the State tells us about the controversy over the religious origins of the constitution. Rejecting the possibility that it was ‘contaminated’ by the values of the 1930s, the language of statehood is seen rather as an example of how a constitution could harmonize religious with secular values without ‘contaminating’ the secular meaning of the State.
Preventing Attrition among Women and Minority Police Applicants
Authors: Gibbs Jennifer C 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Diversifying has been a challenge for police agencies, despite their increased efforts to attract qualified candidates. Even when recruiters manage an adequately diverse applicant pool, the dropout rate of candidates throughout the notably long hiring process threatens the representativeness of the applicant pool. Thus, police agencies are eager to examine why applicants—especially women and minority applicants—withdraw from the hiring process to address any common reasons and retain desirable candidates. To explore reasons for withdrawal, 143 women and minority police applicants who withdrew from the hiring process reported their reason for withdrawal during a telephone interview conducted in the spring and summer of 2016. The primary reasons for applicant attrition, after changing their mind or another personal reason, was finding other employment and the length of the hiring process. Recommendations for policy include increasing communication to applicants, shortening the hiring process and hiring on a continuous basis. Implications are discussed.
CEO Noncompete Agreements, Job Risk, and Compensation
Authors: Kini Omesh , Williams Ryan , Yin Sirui 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Using hand-collected data on CEO noncompete agreements (NCAs), we find that NCAs are less common when CEOs expect to incur greater personal costs from reduced job mobility and more common when firms expect to suffer greater economic harm if departing CEOs leave to work for a competitor. Additionally, turnover-performance sensitivity is stronger when CEOs have NCAs. Finally, total compensation and incentive pay are higher if CEOs have more enforceable NCAs. Our identification strategy exploits staggered state-level changes in NCA enforceability. Overall, our findings suggest that restrictions on job mobility have important implications for how CEOs are monitored and compensated.
The PPP View of Multihorizon Currency Risk Premiums
Authors: Chernov Mikhail , Creal Drew 
Published: September 2020

AbstractExposures of expected future nominal depreciation rates to the current interest rate differential violate the UIP hypothesis in a pattern that is a nonmonotonic function of horizon. Forward expected nominal depreciation rates are monotonic. We explain the two patterns by simultaneously incorporating the weak form of PPP into a joint model of the stochastic discount factor, the nominal exchange rate, and domestic and foreign yield curves. Departures from PPP generate the first pattern. The risk premiums for these departures generate the second pattern. Thus, the variance of the stochastic discount factor is related to the real exchange rate.
Making community-supported agriculture accessible to low-income families: findings from the Farm Fresh Foods for Healthy Kids process evaluation
Authors: Garner Jennifer A , Jilcott Pitts Stephanie B , Hanson Karla L , Ammerman Alice S , Kolodinsky Jane , Sitaker Marilyn H , Seguin-Fowler Rebecca A 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
A randomized trial of Farm Fresh Foods for Healthy Kids (F3HK) was initiated across 4 states and 12 farms to test whether cost-offset community-supported agriculture (CO-CSA) could improve diet quality among children in low-income families. Intervention households purchased a 50% subsidized share of local produce and were invited to nine complimentary nutrition classes.
The purpose of this study was to assess F3HK reach, dose, and fidelity via a mixed methods process evaluation. Screening and enrollment records indicated reach; study records and postlesson educator surveys tracked dose delivered; CSA pickup logs, lesson sign-in sheets, postseason participant surveys, and postlesson caregiver surveys assessed dose received; and coordinator audits and educator surveys tracked fidelity. Educator interviews contextualized findings. The results of this study were as follows. Reach: enrolled caregivers (n = 305) were older (p = .005) than eligible nonenrollees (n = 243) and more likely to be female (p &lt; .001). Dose: mean CSA season was 21 weeks (interquartile range [IQR]: 19–23). Median CSA pickup was 88% of the weeks (IQR: 40–100). All sites offered each class at least once. Most adults (77%) and children (54%) attended at least one class; few attended all. Eighty-two percent of caregivers indicated that their household consumed most or all produce. Median lesson activity ratings were 5/5 (“very useful”). Fidelity: CSA locations functioned with integrity to project standards. Educators taught 92% of activities but frequently modified lesson order. This study demonstrates the feasibility of pairing a CO-CSA intervention with nutrition education across geographically dispersed sites. Greater integration of intervention elements and clearer allowance for site-level modifications, particularly for educational elements, may improve intervention dose and, ultimately, impact.
Familiarity with a Tool Influences Peripersonal Space and Primary Motor Cortex Excitability of Muscles Involved in Haptic Contact
Authors: Biggio M , Bisio A , Avanzino L , Ruggeri P , Bove M 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Long-term experience with a tool stably enlarges peripersonal space (PPS). Also, gained experience with a tool modulates internal models of action. The aim of this work was to understand whether the familiarity with a tool influences both PPS and motor representation. Toward this goal, we tested in 13 expert fencers through a multisensory integration paradigm the embodiment in their PPS of a personal (pE) or a common (cE) épée. Then, we evaluated the primary motor cortex excitability of proximal (ECR) and distal (APB) muscles during a motor imagery (MI) task of an athletic gesture when athletes handled these tools. Results showed that pE enlarges subjects’ PPS, while cE does not. Moreover, during MI, handling tools increased cortical excitability of ECR muscle. Notably, APB’s cortical excitability during MI only increased with pE as a function of its embodiment in PPS. These findings indicate that the familiarity with a tool specifically enlarges PPS and modulates the cortical motor representation of those muscles involved in the haptic contact with it.