Showing papers by "Université de Sherbrooke published in 2018"
TL;DR: The aim of this paper is to present the enhancements made to the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT), a unique tool that can be used to appraise the quality of different study designs and can provide a more efficient appraisal.
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Appraising the quality of studies included in systematic reviews combining qualitative and quantitative evidence is challenging. To address this challenge, a critical appraisal tool was developed: the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). The aim of this paper is to present the enhancements made to the MMAT. DEVELOPMENT: The MMAT was initially developed in 2006 based on a literature review on systematic reviews combining qualitative and quantitative evidence. It was subject to pilot and interrater reliability testing. A revised version of the MMAT was developed in 2018 based on the results from usefulness testing, a literature review on critical appraisal tools and a modified e-Delphi study with methodological experts to identify core criteria. TOOL DESCRIPTION: The MMAT assesses the quality of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods studies. It focuses on methodological criteria and includes five core quality criteria for each of the following five categories of study designs: (a) qualitative, (b) randomized controlled, (c) nonrandomized, (d) quantitative descriptive, and (e) mixed methods. CONCLUSION: The MMAT is a unique tool that can be used to appraise the quality of different study designs. Also, by limiting to core criteria, the MMAT can provide a more efficient appraisal.
1,208 citations
University of Lyon1, University of Burgundy2, Université de Sherbrooke3, The Chinese University of Hong Kong4, Pompeu Fabra University5, Stanford University6, Queen Mary University of London7, University of Crete8, Indian Institute of Technology Madras9, French Institute for Research in Computer Science and Automation10, German Cancer Research Center11, Mannheim University of Applied Sciences12, ETH Zurich13, Utrecht University14, Yonsei University15, University of Nice Sophia Antipolis16
TL;DR: How far state-of-the-art deep learning methods can go at assessing CMRI, i.e., segmenting the myocardium and the two ventricles as well as classifying pathologies is measured, to open the door to highly accurate and fully automatic analysis of cardiac CMRI.
Abstract: Delineation of the left ventricular cavity, myocardium, and right ventricle from cardiac magnetic resonance images (multi-slice 2-D cine MRI) is a common clinical task to establish diagnosis. The automation of the corresponding tasks has thus been the subject of intense research over the past decades. In this paper, we introduce the “Automatic Cardiac Diagnosis Challenge” dataset (ACDC), the largest publicly available and fully annotated dataset for the purpose of cardiac MRI (CMR) assessment. The dataset contains data from 150 multi-equipments CMRI recordings with reference measurements and classification from two medical experts. The overarching objective of this paper is to measure how far state-of-the-art deep learning methods can go at assessing CMRI, i.e., segmenting the myocardium and the two ventricles as well as classifying pathologies. In the wake of the 2017 MICCAI-ACDC challenge, we report results from deep learning methods provided by nine research groups for the segmentation task and four groups for the classification task. Results show that the best methods faithfully reproduce the expert analysis, leading to a mean value of 0.97 correlation score for the automatic extraction of clinical indices and an accuracy of 0.96 for automatic diagnosis. These results clearly open the door to highly accurate and fully automatic analysis of cardiac CMRI. We also identify scenarios for which deep learning methods are still failing. Both the dataset and detailed results are publicly available online, while the platform will remain open for new submissions.
1,056 citations
TL;DR: Recent cumulative data suggest that, without the existence of the immunosenescence/inflamm-aging duo, human longevity would be greatly shortened and it may be more suitable to aim to maintain general homeostasis and function by appropriately improving immune-inflammatory-functions.
Abstract: The immune system is the most important protective physiological system of the organism. It has many connections with other systems and is, in fact, often considered as part of the larger neuro-endocrine-immune axis. Most experimental data on immune changes with aging show a decline in many immune parameters when compared to young healthy subjects. The bulk of these changes is termed immunosenescence. Immunosenescence has been considered for some time as detrimental because it often leads to subclinical accumulation of pro-inflammatory factors and inflamm-aging. Together, immunosenescence and inflamm-aging are suggested to stand at the origin of most of the diseases of the elderly, such as infections, cancer, autoimmune disorders, and chronic inflammatory diseases. However, an increasing number of immune-gerontologists have challenged this negative interpretation of immunosenescence with respect to its significance in aging-related alterations of the immune system. If one considers these changes from an evolutionary perspective, they can be viewed preferably as adaptive or remodeling rather than solely detrimental. Whereas it is conceivable that global immune changes may lead to various diseases, it is also obvious that these changes may be needed for extended survival/longevity. Recent cumulative data suggest that, without the existence of the immunosenescence/inflamm-aging duo (representing two sides of the same phenomenon), human longevity would be greatly shortened. This review summarizes recent data on the dynamic reassessment of immune changes with aging. Accordingly, attempts to intervene on the aging immune system by targeting its rejuvenation, it may be more suitable to aim to maintain general homeostasis and function by appropriately improving immune-inflammatory-functions.
777 citations
University of Calgary1, McGill University Health Centre2, Cardiovascular Institute of the South3, University of British Columbia4, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières5, Université de Montréal6, Laval University7, McMaster University8, Alberta Health Services9, University of Alberta10, McGill University11, University of Toronto12, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada13, Population Health Research Institute14, Montreal General Hospital15, University of Western Ontario16, Montreal Heart Institute17, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority18, Université du Québec à Montréal19, Northern Ontario School of Medicine20, St. Michael's Hospital21, University of Manitoba22, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health23, University of Ottawa24, University Health Network25, Concordia University Wisconsin26, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute27, University of Ontario Institute of Technology28, Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont29, University of Saskatchewan30, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine31, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario32, St Thomas' Hospital33, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto34, Université de Sherbrooke35, Brown University36, Concordia Hospital37, University of Pennsylvania38
TL;DR: All individuals with hypertension should have an assessment of global cardiovascular risk to promote health behaviours that lower blood pressure, and an angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor combination should be used in place of either an ang Elliotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotENSin receptor blocker in individuals with heart failure.
465 citations
École Polytechnique de Montréal1, Université de Sherbrooke2, United States Environmental Protection Agency3, Technical University of Berlin4, University of British Columbia5, University of Padua6, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology7, Wageningen University and Research Centre8, International Institute of Minnesota9, University of the Free State10, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation11, University of Tokyo12, ETH Zurich13
TL;DR: This method represents the state of the art of the current knowledge on how to assess potential impacts from water use in LCA, assessing both human and ecosystem users’ potential deprivation, at the midpoint level, and provides a consensus-based methodology for the calculation of a water scarcity footprint as per ISO 14046.
Abstract: Life cycle assessment (LCA) has been used to assess freshwater-related impacts according to a new water footprint framework formalized in the ISO 14046 standard. To date, no consensus-based approach exists for applying this standard and results are not always comparable when different scarcity or stress indicators are used for characterization of impacts. This paper presents the outcome of a 2-year consensus building process by the Water Use in Life Cycle Assessment (WULCA), a working group of the UNEP-SETAC Life Cycle Initiative, on a water scarcity midpoint method for use in LCA and for water scarcity footprint assessments. In the previous work, the question to be answered was identified and different expert workshops around the world led to three different proposals. After eliminating one proposal showing low relevance for the question to be answered, the remaining two were evaluated against four criteria: stakeholder acceptance, robustness with closed basins, main normative choice, and physical meaning. The recommended method, AWARE, is based on the quantification of the relative available water remaining per area once the demand of humans and aquatic ecosystems has been met, answering the question “What is the potential to deprive another user (human or ecosystem) when consuming water in this area?” The resulting characterization factor (CF) ranges between 0.1 and 100 and can be used to calculate water scarcity footprints as defined in the ISO standard. After 8 years of development on water use impact assessment methods, and 2 years of consensus building, this method represents the state of the art of the current knowledge on how to assess potential impacts from water use in LCA, assessing both human and ecosystem users’ potential deprivation, at the midpoint level, and provides a consensus-based methodology for the calculation of a water scarcity footprint as per ISO 14046.
455 citations
University of Edinburgh1, Aarhus University2, University of Colorado Boulder3, Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research4, National Ecological Observatory Network5, Smithsonian Institution6, Lund University7, VU University Amsterdam8, University of Lapland9, Northern Arizona University10, Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences11, University of British Columbia12, University of Washington13, Grand Valley State University14, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research15, Max Planck Society16, University of Zurich17, Université de Sherbrooke18, University of Greifswald19, University of Parma20, Memorial University of Newfoundland21, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières22, University of Gothenburg23, Leiden University24, University of California, Riverside25, Qatar University26, Mississippi State University27, University of Barcelona28, Utrecht University29, Umeå University30, University of Alaska Anchorage31, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań32, Wageningen University and Research Centre33, Alaska Department of Fish and Game34, University of Tromsø35, University of Vienna36, University of Copenhagen37, University of Oulu38, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ39, Spanish National Research Council40, Queen's University41, Saint Mary's University42, Oak Ridge National Laboratory43, University of Aberdeen44, University of Saskatchewan45, Vrije Universiteit Brussel46, University of Victoria47, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology48, Norwegian University of Science and Technology49, Research Institute for Nature and Forest50, Florida International University51, Moscow State University52, University of Alaska Fairbanks53, University of Waterloo54, Laval University55, Deakin University56, University of Bonn57, United States Forest Service58, Simon Fraser University59, University Centre in Svalbard60, University of Iceland61, United States Fish and Wildlife Service62, Colorado State University63, University of Texas at El Paso64, University of Stirling65, University of Innsbruck66, Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory67, University of Oxford68, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory69, University of Camerino70, University of Insubria71, University of New South Wales72, University of Manchester73, National University of Cordoba74, Santa Fe Institute75, University of Arizona76, Harvard University77, King Juan Carlos University78, Estonian University of Life Sciences79, Kyoto University80, World Agroforestry Centre81, Radboud University Nijmegen82, Macquarie University83, Forschungszentrum Jülich84, University of Regensburg85, University of Sydney86, University of Minnesota87, Santa Clara University88, Algoma University89, Komarov Botanical Institute90, University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire91
TL;DR: Biome-wide relationships between temperature, moisture and seven key plant functional traits across the tundra and over time show that community height increased with warming across all sites, whereas other traits lagged behind predicted rates of change.
Abstract: The tundra is warming more rapidly than any other biome on Earth, and the potential ramifications are far-reaching because of global feedback effects between vegetation and climate. A better understanding of how environmental factors shape plant structure and function is crucial for predicting the consequences of environmental change for ecosystem functioning. Here we explore the biome-wide relationships between temperature, moisture and seven key plant functional traits both across space and over three decades of warming at 117 tundra locations. Spatial temperature-trait relationships were generally strong but soil moisture had a marked influence on the strength and direction of these relationships, highlighting the potentially important influence of changes in water availability on future trait shifts in tundra plant communities. Community height increased with warming across all sites over the past three decades, but other traits lagged far behind predicted rates of change. Our findings highlight the challenge of using space-for-time substitution to predict the functional consequences of future warming and suggest that functions that are tied closely to plant height will experience the most rapid change. They also reveal the strength with which environmental factors shape biotic communities at the coldest extremes of the planet and will help to improve projections of functional changes in tundra ecosystems with climate warming.
425 citations
Leiden University Medical Center1, Barts Health NHS Trust2, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre3, University of Turin4, Université de Sherbrooke5, Institut Gustave Roussy6, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre7, Utrecht University8, University of Manchester9, University Medical Center Groningen10, Manchester Royal Infirmary11, Auckland City Hospital12, European Institute13, Maastricht University Medical Centre14, Leiden University15
TL;DR: Adjuvant chemotherapy given during and after radiotherapy for high-risk endometrial cancer did not improve 5-year overall survival, although it did increase failure-free survival.
Abstract: Summary Background Although women with endometrial cancer generally have a favourable prognosis, those with high-risk disease features are at increased risk of recurrence. The PORTEC-3 trial was initiated to investigate the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy during and after radiotherapy (chemoradiotherapy) versus pelvic radiotherapy alone for women with high-risk endometrial cancer. Methods PORTEC-3 was an open-label, international, randomised, phase 3 trial involving 103 centres in six clinical trials collaborating in the Gynaecological Cancer Intergroup. Eligible women had high-risk endometrial cancer with FIGO 2009 stage I, endometrioid-type grade 3 with deep myometrial invasion or lymph-vascular space invasion (or both), endometrioid-type stage II or III, or stage I to III with serous or clear cell histology. Women were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive radiotherapy alone (48·6 Gy in 1·8 Gy fractions given on 5 days per week) or radiotherapy and chemotherapy (consisting of two cycles of cisplatin 50 mg/m 2 given during radiotherapy, followed by four cycles of carboplatin AUC5 and paclitaxel 175 mg/m 2 ) using a biased-coin minimisation procedure with stratification for participating centre, lymphadenectomy, stage of cancer, and histological type. The co-primary endpoints were overall survival and failure-free survival. We used the Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test, and Cox regression analysis for final analysis by intention to treat and adjusted for stratification factors. The study was closed on Dec 20, 2013, after achieving complete accrual; follow-up is ongoing. PORTEC-3 is registered with ISRCTN, number ISRCTN14387080, and ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00411138. Results 686 women were enrolled between Nov 23, 2006, and Dec 20, 2013. 660 eligible patients were included in the final analysis, of whom 330 were assigned to chemoradiotherapy and 330 were assigned to radiotherapy. Median follow-up was 60·2 months (IQR 48·1–73·1). 5-year overall survival was 81·8% (95% CI 77·5–86·2) with chemoradiotherapy versus 76·7% (72·1–81·6) with radiotherapy (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0·76, 95% CI 0·54–1·06; p=0·11); 5-year failure-free survival was 75·5% (95% CI 70·3–79·9) versus 68·6% (63·1–73·4; HR 0·71, 95% CI 0·53–0·95; p=0·022). Grade 3 or worse adverse events during treatment occurred in 198 (60%) of 330 who received chemoradiotherapy versus 41 (12%) of 330 patients who received radiotherapy (p vs one [1%] at 3 years; p Interpretation Adjuvant chemotherapy given during and after radiotherapy for high-risk endometrial cancer did not improve 5-year overall survival, although it did increase failure-free survival. Women with high-risk endometrial cancer should be individually counselled about this combined treatment. Continued follow-up is needed to evaluate long-term survival. Funding Dutch Cancer Society, Cancer Research UK, National Health and Medical Research Council Project Grant and Cancer Australia, L'Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco, and Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute.
380 citations
TL;DR: This work demonstrates the strong coupling of a single electron spin and a single microwave photon, and provides a route to realizing large networks of quantum dot–based spin qubit registers.
Abstract: Long coherence times of single spins in silicon quantum dots make these systems highly attractive for quantum computation, but how to scale up spin qubit systems remains an open question. As a first step to address this issue, we demonstrate the strong coupling of a single electron spin and a single microwave photon. The electron spin is trapped in a silicon double quantum dot, and the microwave photon is stored in an on-chip high-impedance superconducting resonator. The electric field component of the cavity photon couples directly to the charge dipole of the electron in the double dot, and indirectly to the electron spin, through a strong local magnetic field gradient from a nearby micromagnet. Our results provide a route to realizing large networks of quantum dot–based spin qubit registers.
375 citations
University of California, Los Angeles1, King's College London2, University of Florida3, Washington University in St. Louis4, Abbott Northwestern Hospital5, University of Michigan6, University of Kansas7, Columbia University Medical Center8, Indiana University9, Overlook Medical Center10, University of Rochester Medical Center11, Rush University Medical Center12, Rutgers University13, University of Cincinnati14, Hackensack University Medical Center15, University of California, Irvine16, Winthrop-University Hospital17, Rhode Island Hospital18, University of Colorado Hospital19, Henry Ford Health System20, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio21, University of Pennsylvania22, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill23, City of Hope National Medical Center24, Thomas Jefferson University25, St. Joseph Hospital26, Vanderbilt University27, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center28, Baylor University Medical Center29, Medical University of South Carolina30, Mount Sinai Hospital31, Dresden University of Technology32, Tufts University33, Stony Brook University34, Université de Sherbrooke35, University of California, San Diego36, Houston Methodist Hospital37, Geisinger Health System38, Kaiser Permanente39, University of Kentucky40, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital41, Hofstra University42, University of Washington43, Northwest Biotherapeutics44
TL;DR: Addition of DCVax-L to standard therapy is feasible and safe in glioblastoma patients, and may extend survival, and overall adverse events withDCVax were comparable to standard Therapy alone.
Abstract: Following publication of the original article [1], the authors reported an error in the spelling of one of the author names. In this Correction the incorrect and correct author names are indicated and the author name has been updated in the original publication. The authors also reported an error in the Methods section of the original article. In this Correction the incorrect and correct versions of the affected sentence are indicated. The original article has not been updated with regards to the error in the Methods section.
355 citations
TL;DR: Trans-ethnic analyses of exome array data identify new risk loci for type 2 diabetes and fine-mapping analyses using genome-wide association data show that the index coding variants represent the likely causal variants at only a subset of these loci.
Abstract: We aggregated coding variant data for 81,412 type 2 diabetes cases and 370,832 controls of diverse ancestry, identifying 40 coding variant association signals (P < 2.2 × 10−7); of these, 16 map outside known risk-associated loci. We make two important observations. First, only five of these signals are driven by low-frequency variants: even for these, effect sizes are modest (odds ratio ≤1.29). Second, when we used large-scale genome-wide association data to fine-map the associated variants in their regional context, accounting for the global enrichment of complex trait associations in coding sequence, compelling evidence for coding variant causality was obtained for only 16 signals. At 13 others, the associated coding variants clearly represent ‘false leads’ with potential to generate erroneous mechanistic inference. Coding variant associations offer a direct route to biological insight for complex diseases and identification of validated therapeutic targets; however, appropriate mechanistic inference requires careful specification of their causal contribution to disease predisposition.
318 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the importance of agriculture waste and pretreatments, methods involved in the production of nanocellulose, and the properties of NC prepared from crop and industrial waste.
Abstract: Nano-sized cellulose materials has recently become topical in the sphere of sustainable materials. The two key groups of nanocelluloses (NCs) are (1) nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) and (2) cellulose nanocrystals (CNC). They are often considered as second-generation renewable resources, which also serve as better replacements for petroleum-based products. More attention has been given to these materials because of their low density and high mechanical, renewable, and biodegradable properties. There are many works in the literature on the isolation of NFC and CNC from different sources like hard/soft wood and agriculture biomass. However, this is a comprehensive review dedicated to the properties of NFC and CNC extracted only from agriculture and industrial waste using mechanical, chemical, and enzymatic methods. This article explores in detail the importance of agriculture waste and pretreatments, methods involved in the production of nanocellulose, and the properties of NC prepared from crop and industri...
01 May 2018-Canadian Association of Radiologists Journal-journal De L Association Canadienne Des Radiologistes
TL;DR: This white paper on AI in radiology will inform CAR members and policymakers on key terminology, educational needs of members, research and development, partnerships, potential clinical applications, implementation, structure and governance, role of radiologists, and potential impact of AI on radiology in Canada.
Abstract: Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly moving from an experimental phase to an implementation phase in many fields, including medicine. The combination of improved availability of large datasets, increasing computing power, and advances in learning algorithms has created major performance breakthroughs in the development of AI applications. In the last 5 years, AI techniques known as deep learning have delivered rapidly improving performance in image recognition, caption generation, and speech recognition. Radiology, in particular, is a prime candidate for early adoption of these techniques. It is anticipated that the implementation of AI in radiology over the next decade will significantly improve the quality, value, and depth of radiology's contribution to patient care and population health, and will revolutionize radiologists' workflows. The Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) is the national voice of radiology committed to promoting the highest standards in patient-centered imaging, lifelong learning, and research. The CAR has created an AI working group with the mandate to discuss and deliberate on practice, policy, and patient care issues related to the introduction and implementation of AI in imaging. This white paper provides recommendations for the CAR derived from deliberations between members of the AI working group. This white paper on AI in radiology will inform CAR members and policymakers on key terminology, educational needs of members, research and development, partnerships, potential clinical applications, implementation, structure and governance, role of radiologists, and potential impact of AI on radiology in Canada.
TL;DR: Deterministic quantum state transfer and entanglement generation is demonstrated between superconducting qubits on distant chips using single photons and has the potential to be used for quantum computing distributed across different nodes of a cryogenic network.
Abstract: Sharing information coherently between nodes of a quantum network is fundamental to distributed quantum information processing. In this scheme, the computation is divided into subroutines and performed on several smaller quantum registers that are connected by classical and quantum channels
1
. A direct quantum channel, which connects nodes deterministically rather than probabilistically, achieves larger entanglement rates between nodes and is advantageous for distributed fault-tolerant quantum computation
2
. Here we implement deterministic state-transfer and entanglement protocols between two superconducting qubits fabricated on separate chips. Superconducting circuits
3
constitute a universal quantum node
4
that is capable of sending, receiving, storing and processing quantum information5–8. Our implementation is based on an all-microwave cavity-assisted Raman process
9
, which entangles or transfers the qubit state of a transmon-type artificial atom
10
with a time-symmetric itinerant single photon. We transfer qubit states by absorbing these itinerant photons at the receiving node, with a probability of 98.1 ± 0.1 per cent, achieving a transfer-process fidelity of 80.02 ± 0.07 per cent for a protocol duration of only 180 nanoseconds. We also prepare remote entanglement on demand with a fidelity as high as 78.9 ± 0.1 per cent at a rate of 50 kilohertz. Our results are in excellent agreement with numerical simulations based on a master-equation description of the system. This deterministic protocol has the potential to be used for quantum computing distributed across different nodes of a cryogenic network.
TL;DR: Basic photochemistry of DNA is described and exposure to sunlight mostly induces pyrimidine dimers, which explains the mutational signature found in skin tumors, with lower amounts of 8-oxoGua and strand breaks.
Abstract: UV-induced DNA damage plays a key role in the initiation phase of skin cancer. When left unrepaired or when damaged cells are not eliminated by apoptosis, DNA lesions express their mutagneic properties, leading to the activation of proto–oncogene or the inactivation of tumor suppression genes. The chemical nature and the amount of DNA damage strongly depend on the wavelength of the incident photons. The most energetic part of the solar spectrum at the Earth's surface (UVB, 280–320 nm) leads to the formation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and pyrimidine (6–4) pyrimidone photoproducts (64PPs). Less energetic but 20–times more intense UVA (320–400 nm) also induces the formation of CPDs together with a wide variety of oxidatively generated lesions such as single strand breaks and oxidized bases. Among those, 8–oxo–7,8–dihydroguanine (8–oxoGua) is the most frequent since it can be produced by several mechanisms. Data available on the respective yield of DNA photoproducts in cells and skin show that exposure to sunlight mostly induces pyrimidine dimers, which explains the mutational signature found in skin tumors, with lower amounts of 8–oxoGua and strand breaks. The present review aims at describing the basic photochemistry of DNA and discussing the quantitative formation of the different UV–induced DNA lesions reported in the literature. Additional information on mutagenesis, repair and photoprotection is briefly provided.
TL;DR: Versatile and complex motions enabled by the enhanced photocontrol of actuation are demonstrated, including plastic "athletes" that can execute light-controlled push-ups or sit-ups, and a light-driven caterpillar-inspired walker that can crawl forward on a ratcheted substrate at a speed of about 13 mm min-1.
Abstract: A near-infrared-light (NIR)- and UV-light-responsive polymer nanocomposite is synthesized by doping polymer-grafted gold nanorods into azobenzene liquid-crystalline dynamic networks (AuNR-ALCNs). The effects of the two different photoresponsive mechanisms, i.e., the photochemical reaction of azobenzene and the photothermal effect from the surface plasmon resonance of the AuNRs, are investigated by monitoring both the NIR- and UV-light-induced contraction forces of the oriented AuNR-ALCNs. By taking advantage of the material's easy processability, bilayer-structured actuators can be fabricated to display photocontrollable bending/unbending directions, as well as localized actuations through programmed alignment of azobenzene mesogens in selected regions. Versatile and complex motions enabled by the enhanced photocontrol of actuation are demonstrated, including plastic "athletes" that can execute light-controlled push-ups or sit-ups, and a light-driven caterpillar-inspired walker that can crawl forward on a ratcheted substrate at a speed of about 13 mm min-1 . Moreover, the photomechanical effects arising from the two types of light-triggered molecular motion, i.e., the trans-cis photoisomerization and a liquid-crystalline-isotropic phase transition of the azobenzene mesogens, are added up to design a polymer "crane" that is capable of performing light-controlled, robot-like, concerted macroscopic motions including grasping, lifting up, lowering down, and releasing an object.
TL;DR: This work demonstrates strong coupling between single microwave photons in a niobium titanium nitride high-impedance resonator and a three-electron spin qubit in a gallium arsenide device consisting of three quantum dots.
Abstract: Electron spins hold great promise for quantum computation because of their long coherence times. Long-distance coherent coupling of spins is a crucial step towards quantum information processing with spin qubits. One approach to realizing interactions between distant spin qubits is to use photons as carriers of quantum information. Here we demonstrate strong coupling between single microwave photons in a niobium titanium nitride high-impedance resonator and a three-electron spin qubit (also known as a resonant exchange qubit) in a gallium arsenide device consisting of three quantum dots. We observe the vacuum Rabi mode splitting of the resonance of the resonator, which is a signature of strong coupling; specifically, we observe a coherent coupling strength of about 31 megahertz and a qubit decoherence rate of about 20 megahertz. We can tune the decoherence electrostatically to obtain a minimal decoherence rate of around 10 megahertz for a coupling strength of around 23 megahertz. We directly measure the dependence of the qubit–photon coupling strength on the tunable electric dipole moment of the qubit using the ‘AC Stark’ effect. Our demonstration of strong qubit–photon coupling for a three-electron spin qubit is an important step towards coherent long-distance coupling of spin qubits. Coherent coupling between a three-electron spin qubit and single photons in a microwave resonator is demonstrated, which, unlike previous demonstrations, does not require ferromagnetic components near the qubit.
TL;DR: The concept of inflammaging is described, being a chronic, systemic, low grade and therefore for a long time subclinical, inflammatory process, and how it is integrated in the context of ARD.
TL;DR: A comprehensive review of metabolically active brown adipose tissue (BAT) in humans primarily using positron emission tomography coupled to computed tomography (PET/CT) with the glucose tracer 18-fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG) is offered.
Abstract: The demonstration of metabolically active brown adipose tissue (BAT) in humans primarily using positron emission tomography coupled to computed tomography (PET/CT) with the glucose tracer 18-fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG) has renewed the interest of the scientific and medical community in the possible role of BAT as a target for the prevention and treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Here, we offer a comprehensive review of BAT energy metabolism in humans. Considerable advances in methods to measure BAT energy metabolism, including nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), chylomicron-triglycerides (TG), oxygen, Krebs cycle rate, and intracellular TG have led to very good quantification of energy substrate metabolism per volume of active BAT in vivo. These studies have also shown that intracellular TG are likely the primary energy source of BAT upon activation by cold. Current estimates of BAT's contribution to energy expenditure range at the lower end of what would be potentially clinically relevant if chronically sustained. Yet, 18FDG PET/CT remains the gold-standard defining method to quantify total BAT volume of activity, used to calculate BAT's total energy expenditure. Unfortunately, BAT glucose metabolism better reflects BAT's insulin sensitivity and blood flow. It is now clear that most glucose taken up by BAT does not fuel mitochondrial oxidative metabolism and that BAT glucose uptake can therefore be disconnected from thermogenesis. Furthermore, BAT thermogenesis is efficiently recruited upon repeated cold exposure, doubling to tripling its total oxidative capacity, with reciprocal reduction of muscle thermogenesis. Recent data suggest that total BAT volume may be much larger than the typically observed 50-150 ml with 18FDG PET/CT. Therefore, the current estimates of total BAT thermogenesis, largely relying on total BAT volume using 18FDG PET/CT, may underestimate the true contribution of BAT to total energy expenditure. Quantification of the contribution of BAT to energy expenditure begs for the development of more integrated whole body in vivo methods.
ETH Zurich1, IFREMER2, University of Zurich3, University of Marburg4, Paul Sabatier University5, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology6, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences7, University of Fribourg8, University of Grenoble9, Imperial College London10, Université de Sherbrooke11
TL;DR: This review of studies investigating variation in network structures along environmental gradients highlights how methodological decisions about standardization can influence their conclusions, and warns against a comparison of studies that rely on distinct forms of standardization.
Abstract: Knowledge of species composition and their interactions, in the form of interaction networks, is required to understand processes shaping their distribution over time and space. As such, comparing ecological networks along environmental gradients represents a promising new research avenue to understand the organization of life. Variation in the position and intensity of links within networks along environmental gradients may be driven by turnover in species composition, by variation in species abundances and by abiotic influences on species interactions. While investigating changes in species composition has a long tradition, so far only a limited number of studies have examined changes in species interactions between networks, often with differing approaches. Here, we review studies investigating variation in network structures along environmental gradients, highlighting how methodological decisions about standardization can influence their conclusions. Due to their complexity, variation among ecological networks is frequently studied using properties that summarize the distribution or topology of interactions such as number of links, connectance, or modularity. These properties can either be compared directly or using a procedure of standardization. While measures of network structure can be directly related to changes along environmental gradients, standardization is frequently used to facilitate interpretation of variation in network properties by controlling for some co-variables, or via null models. Null models allow comparing the deviation of empirical networks from random expectations and are expected to provide a more mechanistic understanding of the factors shaping ecological networks when they are coupled with functional traits. As an illustration, we compare approaches to quantify the role of trait matching in driving the structure of plant-hummingbird mutualistic networks, i.e. a direct comparison, standardized by null models and hypothesis-based metaweb. Overall, our analysis warns against a comparison of studies that rely on distinct forms of standardization, as they are likely to highlight different signals. Fostering a better understanding of the analytical tools available and the signal they detect will help produce deeper insights into how and why ecological networks vary along environmental gradients.
12 Aug 2018
TL;DR: The Recurrent Multistage Fusion Network (RMFN) is proposed which decomposes the fusion problem into multiple stages, each of them focused on a subset of multimodal signals for specialized, effective fusion.
Abstract: Computational modeling of human multimodal language is an emerging research area in natural language processing spanning the language, visual and acoustic modalities. Comprehending multimodal language requires modeling not only the interactions within each modality (intra-modal interactions) but more importantly the interactions between modalities (cross-modal interactions). In this paper, we propose the Recurrent Multistage Fusion Network (RMFN) which decomposes the fusion problem into multiple stages, each of them focused on a subset of multimodal signals for specialized, effective fusion. Cross-modal interactions are modeled using this multistage fusion approach which builds upon intermediate representations of previous stages. Temporal and intra-modal interactions are modeled by integrating our proposed fusion approach with a system of recurrent neural networks. The RMFN displays state-of-the-art performance in modeling human multimodal language across three public datasets relating to multimodal sentiment analysis, emotion recognition, and speaker traits recognition. We provide visualizations to show that each stage of fusion focuses on a different subset of multimodal signals, learning increasingly discriminative multimodal representations.
Population Health Research Institute1, University of Edinburgh2, Laval University3, Eli Lilly and Company4, St. John's University5, University of Washington6, Oregon Health & Science University7, Karolinska Institutet8, Medical University of South Carolina9, University Health System10, Veterans Health Administration11, Polish Academy of Sciences12, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy13, Dresden University of Technology14, Victoria University of Wellington15, Semmelweis University16, University of La Frontera17, University of Toronto18, Université de Sherbrooke19, University of Guadalajara20, University of Latvia21, University of Cape Town22, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute23
TL;DR: The REWIND trial's international scope, high proportion of women, highportion of people without prior cardiovascular disease and inclusion of participants whose mean baseline HbA1c was 7.3% suggests that its cardiovascular and safety findings will be directly relevant to the typical middle‐aged patient seen in general practice throughout the world.
Abstract: The aim was to determine the effects of dulaglutide, a synthetic once-weekly, injectable human glucagon-like peptide 1 analogue that lowers blood glucose, body weight, appetite and blood pressure, on cardiovascular outcomes People with type 2 diabetes, aged ≥50 years, with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) ≤95%, and either a previous cardiovascular event, evidence of cardiovascular disease or ≥2 cardiovascular risk factors were randomly allocated to a weekly subcutaneous injection of either dulaglutide (15 mg) or placebo and followed within the ongoing Researching cardiovascular Events with a Weekly INcretin in Diabetes (REWIND) trial every 3 to 6 months The primary cardiovascular outcome is the first occurrence of the composite of cardiovascular death or non-fatal myocardial infarction or non-fatal stroke Secondary outcomes include each component of the primary composite cardiovascular outcome, a composite clinical microvascular outcome comprising retinal or renal disease, hospitalization for unstable angina, heart failure requiring hospitalization or an urgent heart failure visit, and all-cause mortality Follow-up will continue until the accrual of 1200 confirmed primary outcomes Recruitment of 9901 participants (mean age 66 years, 46% women) occurred in 370 sites located in 24 countries over a period of 2 years The mean duration of diabetes was 10 years, mean baseline HbA1c was 73%, and 31% had prior cardiovascular disease The REWIND trial's international scope, high proportion of women, high proportion of people without prior cardiovascular disease and inclusion of participants whose mean baseline HbA1c was 73% suggests that its cardiovascular and safety findings will be directly relevant to the typical middle-aged patient seen in general practice throughout the world
TL;DR: Hypertension Canada's inaugural evidence-based Canadian recommendations for the management of hypertension in pregnancy provide guidance for the threshold for initiation of antihypertensive therapy, blood pressure targets, as well as first- and second-line anti Hypertensive medications.
Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital1, University of Queensland2, Queen Mary University of London3, University of Exeter4, Northwestern University5, University of Oxford6, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics7, Statens Serum Institut8, Norwegian Institute of Public Health9, Erasmus University Rotterdam10, University of Bristol11, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia12, Copenhagen University Hospital13, University of Copenhagen14, University of Oulu15, St Thomas' Hospital16, Boston University17, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute18, VU University Medical Center19, VU University Amsterdam20, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke21, University of Southampton22, Pompeu Fabra University23, University of Western Australia24, Newcastle University25, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center26, March of Dimes27, UCL Institute of Child Health28, Université de Sherbrooke29, University of Pennsylvania30, University of Helsinki31, University of Bergen32, University of Potsdam33, Jinan University34, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust35, University of Ferrara36, University of Iowa37, Haukeland University Hospital38, University of Southern Denmark39, Charité40, Health Protection Agency41, Sahlgrenska University Hospital42, University of Crete43, Stanford University44, National Institute for Health Research45, Harvard University46, University of South Australia47
TL;DR: The identified associations indicate that genetic effects on maternal glucose, cytochrome P450 activity and gestational duration, and potentially on maternal blood pressure and immune function, are relevant for fetal growth.
Abstract: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of birth weight have focused on fetal genetics, while relatively little is known about the role of maternal genetic variation. We aimed to identify maternal genetic variants associated with birth weight that could highlight potentially relevant maternal determinants of fetal growth. We meta-analysed data on up to 8.7 million SNPs in up to 86,577 women of European descent from the Early Growth Genetics (EGG) Consortium and the UK Biobank. We used structural equation modelling (SEM) and analyses of mother-child pairs to quantify the separate maternal and fetal genetic effects. Maternal SNPs at 10 loci (MTNR1B, HMGA2, SH2B3, KCNAB1, L3MBTL3, GCK, EBF1, TCF7L2, ACTL9, CYP3A7) were associated with offspring birth weight at P<5x10-8. In SEM analyses, at least 7 of the 10 associations were consistent with effects of the maternal genotype acting via the intrauterine environment, rather than via effects of shared alleles with the fetus. Variants, or correlated proxies, at many of the loci had been previously associated with adult traits, including fasting glucose (MTNR1B, GCK and TCF7L2) and sex hormone levels (CYP3A7), and one (EBF1) with gestational duration. The identified associations indicate genetic effects on maternal glucose, cytochrome P450 activity and gestational duration, and potentially on maternal blood pressure and immune function, are relevant for fetal growth. Further characterization of these associations in mechanistic and causal analyses will enhance understanding of the potentially modifiable maternal determinants of fetal growth, with the goal of reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with low and high birth weights.
TL;DR: This work experimentally demonstrates a reset scheme for a three-level transmon artificial atom coupled to a large bandwidth resonator that has no additional architectural requirements beyond those needed for fast and efficient single-shot readout of transmons, and does not require feedback.
Abstract: Active qubit reset is a key operation in many quantum algorithms, and particularly in quantum error correction. Here, we experimentally demonstrate a reset scheme for a three-level transmon artificial atom coupled to a large bandwidth resonator. The reset protocol uses a microwave-induced interaction between the $|f,0⟩$ and $|g,1⟩$ states of the coupled transmon-resonator system, with $|g⟩$ and $|f⟩$ denoting the ground and second excited states of the transmon, and $|0⟩$ and $|1⟩$ the photon Fock states of the resonator. We characterize the reset process and demonstrate reinitialization of the transmon-resonator system to its ground state in less than 500 ns and with 0.2% residual excitation. Our protocol is of practical interest as it has no additional architectural requirements beyond those needed for fast and efficient single-shot readout of transmons, and does not require feedback.
Weizmann Institute of Science1, University of Victoria2, University of British Columbia3, Université de Sherbrooke4, University of Guelph5, National Research Council6, Pennsylvania State University7, Aix-Marseille University8, University of Paris9, University of York10, Norwegian University of Life Sciences11, University of Vienna12, University of Adelaide13, Pasteur Institute14, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization15, Kagoshima University16, University of Tokyo17, Newcastle University18, University of St Andrews19, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research20, Simon Fraser University21, Max Planck Society22, University of Leeds23, University of Zaragoza24, Slovak Academy of Sciences25, Quadram Institute26, University of the Ryukyus27, Ishikawa Prefectural University28, Utsunomiya University29, Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute30, University of Groningen31, Aalto University32, University of Copenhagen33, University of Lisbon34, University of Oulu35, University of Manitoba36, University of Lethbridge37, Hokkaido University38, Niigata University39, Ghent University40, Kindai University41, Queen Mary University of London42, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences43, Iowa State University44, Institut national des sciences appliquées45, University of Waterloo46, University of Eastern Finland47, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology48, United States Department of Agriculture49, Wilfrid Laurier University50, Institut national de la recherche agronomique51, Akita Prefectural University52, Technical University of Denmark53, University of Lincoln54, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology55, University of Georgia56, Université catholique de Louvain57, University of Grenoble58, Ryerson University59, Utrecht University60, University of Melbourne61, Cornell University62, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology63
TL;DR: CAZypedia was initiated in 2007 to create a comprehensive, living encyclopedia of the carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) and associated carbohydrate-binding modules involved in the synthesis, modification and degradation of complex carbohydrates.
Abstract: CAZypedia was initiated in 2007 to create a comprehensive, living encyclopedia of the carbohydrate active enzymes (CAZymes) and associated carbohydrate-binding modules involved in the synthesis, modification and degradation of complex carbohydrates. CAZypedia is closely connected with the actively curated CAZy database, which provides a sequence-based foundation for the biochemical, mechanistic and structural characterization of these diverse proteins. Now celebrating its 10th anniversary online, CAZypedia is a successful example of dynamic, community-driven and expert-based biocuration. CAZypedia is an open-access resource available at URL http://www.cazypedia.org.
University of Bristol1, University of California, San Diego2, University of New South Wales3, Université de Montréal4, Taipei City Government5, BRAC University6, Johns Hopkins University7, University of British Columbia8, Burnet Institute9, Monash University10, University of Melbourne11, Tbilisi State University12, National Institutes of Health13, Charles University in Prague14, Laval University15, Université de Sherbrooke16, University of Kentucky17, Public Health England18, Liverpool John Moores University19, Health Protection Scotland20, Glasgow Caledonian University21, University of London22, Yale University23
TL;DR: Investigating whether incarceration history elevates HIV or HCV acquisition risk among PWID supports the need for developing novel interventions to minimise the risk of HCV and HIV acquisition, including addressing structural risks associated with drug laws and excessive incarceration of PWID.
Abstract: Summary Background People who inject drugs (PWID) experience a high prevalence of incarceration and might be at high risk of HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection during or after incarceration. We aimed to assess whether incarceration history elevates HIV or HCV acquisition risk among PWID. Methods In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO databases for studies in any language published from Jan 1, 2000 until June 13, 2017 assessing HIV or HCV incidence among PWID. We included studies that measured HIV or HCV incidence among community-recruited PWID. We included only studies reporting original results and excluded studies that evaluated incident infections by self-report. We contacted authors of cohort studies that met the inclusion or exclusion criteria, but that did not report on the outcomes of interest, to request data. We extracted and pooled data from the included studies using random-effects meta-analyses to quantify the associations between recent (past 3, 6, or 12 months or since last follow-up) or past incarceration and HIV or HCV acquisition (primary infection or reinfection) risk among PWID. We assessed the risk of bias of included studies using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Between-study heterogeneity was evaluated using the I 2 statistic and the P-value for heterogeneity. Findings We included published results from 20 studies and unpublished results from 21 studies. These studies originated from Australasia, western and eastern Europe, North and Latin America, and east and southeast Asia. Recent incarceration was associated with an 81% (relative risk [RR] 1·81, 95% CI 1·40–2·34) increase in HIV acquisition risk, with moderate heterogeneity between studies ( I 2 =63·5%; p=0·001), and a 62% (RR 1·62, 95% CI 1·28–2·05) increase in HCV acquisition risk, also with moderate heterogeneity between studies ( I 2 =57·3%; p=0·002). Past incarceration was associated with a 25% increase in HIV (RR 1·25, 95% CI 0·94–1·65) and a 21% increase in HCV (1·21, 1·02–1·43) acquisition risk. Interpretation Incarceration is associated with substantial short-term increases in HIV and HCV acquisition risk among PWID and could be a significant driver of HCV and HIV transmission among PWID. These findings support the need for developing novel interventions to minimise the risk of HCV and HIV acquisition, including addressing structural risks associated with drug laws and excessive incarceration of PWID. Funding Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, National Institute for Health Research, National Institutes of Health.
TL;DR: How environmental DNA (eDNA) is starting to provide a powerful new source of temporal data for research questions that have so far been overlooked, by helping to resolve the ecological dynamics of populations, communities, and ecosystems over hundreds to thousands of years is highlighted.
Abstract: Ecological communities change in time and space, but long-term dynamics at the century-to-millennia scale are poorly documented due to lack of relevant data sets. Nevertheless, understanding long-term dynamics is important for explaining present-day biodiversity patterns and placing conservation goals in a historical context. Here, we use recent examples and new perspectives to highlight how environmental DNA (eDNA) is starting to provide a powerful new source of temporal data for research questions that have so far been overlooked, by helping to resolve the ecological dynamics of populations, communities, and ecosystems over hundreds to thousands of years. We give examples of hypotheses that may be addressed by temporal eDNA biodiversity data, discuss possible research directions, and outline related challenges.
TL;DR: It is proposed that the production of Aβ as an AMP will be beneficial on first microbial challenge but will become progressively detrimental as the infection becomes chronic and reactivates from time to time.
Abstract: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most frequent type of dementia. The pathological hallmarks of the disease are extracellular senile plaques composed of beta-amyloid peptide (Aβ) and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles composed of pTau. These findings led to the "beta-amyloid hypothesis" that proposes that Aβ is the major cause of AD. Clinical trials targeting Aβ in the brain have mostly failed, whether they attempted to decrease Aβ production by BACE inhibitors or by antibodies. These failures suggest a need to find new hypotheses to explain AD pathogenesis and generate new targets for intervention to prevent and treat the disease. Many years ago, the "infection hypothesis" was proposed, but received little attention. However, the recent discovery that Aβ is an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) acting against bacteria, fungi, and viruses gives increased credence to an infection hypothesis in the etiology of AD. We and others have shown that microbial infection increases the synthesis of this AMP. Here, we propose that the production of Aβ as an AMP will be beneficial on first microbial challenge but will become progressively detrimental as the infection becomes chronic and reactivates from time to time. Furthermore, we propose that host measures to remove excess Aβ decrease over time due to microglial senescence and microbial biofilm formation. We propose that this biofilm aggregates with Aβ to form the plaques in the brain of AD patients. In this review, we will develop this connection between Infection - Aβ - AD and discuss future possible treatments based on this paradigm.
TL;DR: It is necessary to improve the differential diagnosis in patients with acute febrile syndrome and to study the possible consequences of this epidemiological overview of the clinical outcomes of these diseases in endemic regions.
Abstract: In Colombia, the dengue virus (DENV) has been endemic for decades, and with the recent entry of the chikungunya virus (CHIKV) (2014) and the Zika virus (ZIKV) (2015), health systems are overloaded because the diagnosis of these three diseases is based on clinical symptoms, and the three diseases share a symptomatology of febrile syndrome. Thus, the objective of this study was to use molecular methods to identify their co-circulation as well as the prevalence of co-infections, in a cohort of patients at the Colombian-Venezuelan border. A total of 157 serum samples from patients with febrile syndrome consistent with DENV were collected after informed consent and processed for the identification of DENV (conventional PCR and real-time PCR), CHIKV (conventional PCR), and ZIKV (real-time PCR). DENV-positive samples were serotyped, and some of those positive for DENV and CHIKV were sequenced. Eighty-two patients were positive for one or more viruses: 33 (21.02%) for DENV, 47 (29.94%) for CHIKV, and 29 (18.47%) for ZIKV. The mean age range of the infected population was statistically higher in the patients infected with ZIKV (29.72 years) than in those infected with DENV or CHIKV (21.09 years). Both co-circulation and co-infection of these three viruses was found. The prevalence of DENV/CHIKV, DENV/ZIKV, and CHIKV/ZIKV co-infection was 7.64%, 6.37%, and 5.10%, with attack rates of 14.90, 12.42, and 9.93 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, respectively. Furthermore, three patients were found to be co-infected with all three viruses (prevalence of 1.91%), with an attack rate of 4.96 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Our results demonstrate the simultaneous co-circulation of DENV, CHIKV, ZIKV and their co-infections at the Colombian-Venezuelan border. Moreover, it is necessary to improve the differential diagnosis in patients with acute febrile syndrome and to study the possible consequences of this epidemiological overview of the clinical outcomes of these diseases in endemic regions.
TL;DR: A checklist of recommendations for fatty acid best practices is presented to facilitate design, review, and evaluation of studies with the intention of improving study reproducibility.