Background: Objective markers of disease progression are needed for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Increased randomness in neural networks is hypothesized to be an important cause of morbidity that can be objectified using graph theory. Methods: We use voxel-based structural similarity determined from T1-weighted MRI scans of 23 patients with MS receiving autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) to compute cortical covariance network parameters. We examine associations between measures of cortical integration or segregation and biochemical/clinical measures of cortical health or function using Spearman correlation coefficients. P<0.05 was considered significant. Results: Path length increase was associated with markers of greater inflammation (ρ=0.56,P<.046) at baseline and reduced Naa/Cr ratio (P<.041) at 12 months. Reduced lambda was associated with markers of greater grey matter atrophy (ρ=0.55,P<.019) after 12 months and lower cognition (ρ=0.56,P<.008) at 12 months. Reduced clustering was associated with higher neurofilament (ρ=-0.68,P<.010) at baseline, greater white matter atrophy (ρ=0.62,P<.006) after 12 months, lower 2-second PASAT performance (ρ=0.56,P<.011) at baseline, and reduced Naa/Cr ratio (P<.001) at 12 months. Conclusions: Reduced cortical integration and segregation (random network features) co-occur with unfavourable markers of cortical health and function in patients with MS receiving ASCT. Network features show promise as important longitudinal markers of patient status and progression.

We consider a three-dimensional chemotaxis–convection–diffusion coupled system with the effect of surface tension at the deformed free surface. The novelty of this research is to explore the impact of surface tension on bioconvection. Our aim is to determine the nature of the instability at the onset of bioconvection in a chemotaxis–convection–diffusion system involving surface tension by performing a detailed linear stability analysis of steady-state cell and oxygen concentration distributions. The influence of the surface tension on the accumulated chemotaxis cells at the deformed free surface is studied analytically to illustrate its effect on the stability of the system. The Froude number, ${{Fr_\tau }}$, and capillary number, ${{Ca_\tau }}$, are two additional parameters introduced here. A detailed parametric study is undertaken to investigate the roles of the critical Rayleigh number, ${{Ra_\tau }}_c$, as well as ${{Fr_\tau }}$ and ${{Ca_\tau }}$, in the chemotaxis system. Linear stability results revealed that an increasing value of ${{Ra_\tau }}$ would stabilize the chemotaxis system. At a higher value of ${{Fr_\tau }}$, the motion of the cells is faster towards the free surface, and as the surface tension force increases, less accumulated cells are found at the free surface. A cluster of the cells can be observed mostly at the trough rather than on the crest of the wave profile. While experimental results for the present model are not yet available, the results of the linear stability analysis provide useful information about the system's stability.

Classical continuum-based liquid–vapour phase-change models typically assume continuity of temperature at phase interfaces along with a relation which describes the rate of evaporation at the interface (Hertz–Knudsen–Schrage, for example). However, for phase-transition processes at small scales, such as the evaporation of nanodroplets, the assumption that the temperature is continuous across the liquid–vapour interface leads to significant inaccuracies (McGaughey et al., J. Appl. Phys., vol. 91, issue 10, pp. 6406–6415; Rana et al., Phys. Rev. Lett., vol. 123, 154501), as might the adoption of classical constitutive relations that lead to the Navier–Stokes–Fourier (NSF) equations. In this paper, to capture the notable effects of rarefaction at small scales, we adopt an extended continuum-based approach utilising the coupled constitutive relations (CCRs). In CCR theory, additional terms are invoked in the constitutive relations of the NSF equations originating from the arguments of irreversible thermodynamics as well as being consistent with the kinetic theory of gases. The modelling approach allows us to derive new fundamental solutions for the linearised CCR model, to develop a numerical framework based upon the method of fundamental solutions (MFS) and enables three-dimensional multiphase micro-flow simulations to be performed at remarkably low computational cost. The new framework is benchmarked against classical results and then explored as an efficient tool for solving three-dimensional phase-change events involving droplets.

Background: Preliminary reports and subsequent immediate management decisions of radiological scans are often performed by emergency physicians and on-call radiology residents. Many academic hospitals have resident-only coverage for after-hour shifts. Generally, these preliminary reports are eventually reviewed by a staff radiologist, during which discrepancies may be identified. Depending on the severity of the discrepancy and the time taken to notify the treating physician, there is potential for significant impact on the patient's care. Aim Statement: In an attempt to identify and minimize errors in radiological readings, and to improve the communication of discrepancies, our project aims to retrospectively audit all radiological discrepancies that have occurred at The Ottawa Hospital's emergency departments from April 2018 to May 2019. Measures & Designs: A systematic review of all cases with noted radiological discrepancies was obtained from the Picture Archive and Communication System software and EPIC platform. Analysis of these cases will allow us to define when errors occur, what is the type and severity of the error, how long it took to relay the discrepancy to a treating physician, and what was the subsequent management impact. Evaluation/Results: We discovered 712 cases with radiological reading discrepancies, 168 major, 527 minor, and 17 incidentals. Interestingly, a significant portion of major (severely affecting care/life-threatning) discrepancies were reported from radiology residents, especially on CT images, although emergency physicians had the most discrepancies (mostly minor). Radiology residents were seen to have more discrepant reports during after-hour services while emergency physicians did not show any specific pattern of discrepant reporting. The average time to report a major discrepancy to a treating physician is 8.8 hours, where the maximum time taken was 104 hours and the minimum was 0.2 hours. 56% of reports with major discrepancies made no mention of who was notified. Discussion/Impact: By identifying weak points in radiological reporting, our results will allow us to provide suggestions at an administration and teaching level to minimize discrepancies. It is critical to create a workflow where mistakes are mitigated, and communication is efficient and standardized to prevent patient harm from delayed or incorrect diagnosis.

Introduction: Suicide is the 9th leading cause of death in Canada, and a common reason for patients to present to Canadian emergency departments (ED). Little knowledge exists around Canadian emergency physicians (EPs) knowledge about the risk factors of completing suicide in patients presenting to the ED with suicidal thoughts. Methods: We developed a web-based survey on suicide knowledge, which was pilot tested by two emergency physicians and one psychiatrist for clarity and content. The survey was distributed via email to attending physician members of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians. Data were described using counts, means, medians and interquartile ranges. Results: 193 EPs responded to the survey (response rate 16%), with 42% of EPs practicing in Ontario. 35% of EPs were female, the mean age was 48 (95% CI 47.3-48.7), and mean years in practice was 17 (95% CI 16.3-17.7). Academic practice location was reported by 55% of EPs, and 81% reported access to an inpatient psychiatry service. Twenty four (12%) EPs had personally considered suicide, and 45% had experience with suicide in their personal lives. The top three risk factors for suicide identified by EPs were: intent for suicide (90%); a plan for suicide (89%); prior suicide attempt (88%). A majority of EPs were able to correctly identify the other risk factors for completion of suicide except for the following: diagnosis of anxiety disorder (25%), chronic substance use (43%), prior non-suicidal self-injury (37%), low socioeconomic status (34%). Conclusion: Canadian EPs have substantial personal experience with suicide. A majority of EPs were able to correctly identify known risk factors for suicide completion, yet important gaps in knowledge exist.

Introduction: Suicide is the 9th leading cause of death in Canada, and a common reason for patients to present to Canadian emergency departments (ED). Little knowledge exists around Canadian emergency physicians (EPs) attitudes toward and understanding of individuals who have attempted suicide. Methods: We developed a web-based survey on attitudes around suicide, which was pilot tested by two EPs and one psychiatrist for clarity and content. The survey was distributed via email to attending physician members of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians. Data were described using counts, means, medians and interquartile ranges. We used the Understanding of Suicidal Patients (USP) Scale, an 11-point questionnaire utilized in previous studies to assess healthcare providers’ attitudes toward individuals who have attempted suicide. Each question was graded as a five-point Likert, with a score of 1 indicating complete agreement and a 5 indicating complete disagreement. A total USP score is calculated by adding together the score from each question and ranges from 11 to 55; a lower score indicates greater empathy and understanding of individuals who have attempted suicide. Results: 193 EPs responded to the survey, with 42% of EPs practicing in Ontario. 35% of EPs were female, the mean age was 48 (95% CI 47.3-48.7), and mean years in practice was 17 (95% CI 16.3-17.7). Academic practice location was reported by 55% of EPs, and 81% reported access to an inpatient psychiatry service. The mean USP score was 21.8 (95% CI 21.1-22.5) with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.75, the median was 22 [IQR 14-29]. The item that had most agreement from EPs was “I would like to help a person who has attempted suicide” (1.58, 95% CI 1.50-1.67), while the item that had the least agreement was “patients who have attempted suicide are usually treated well in my work unit” (2.54, 95% CI 2.40-2.69). Conclusion: Canadian EPs have a generally positive attitude toward treating individuals who have attempted suicide. EPs scored highly on a scale that measured willingness to provide care for and empathize with suicidal patients, yet identified that overall care for these patients could be improved.

Introduction: Suicide is the 9th leading cause of death in Canada, and a common reason for patients to present to Canadian emergency departments (ED). Little knowledge exists around Canadian emergency physicians (EPs) current practices and barriers to screening for suicidal thoughts (ST). Methods: We developed a web-based survey on suicide knowledge, which was pilot tested by two emergency physicians and one psychiatrist for clarity and content. The survey was distributed via email to attending physician members of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians. Data were described using counts, means, medians and interquartile ranges. Results: 193 EPs responded to the survey (response rate 16%), with 42% of EPs practicing in Ontario. 35% of EPs were female, the mean age was 48 (95% CI 47.3-48.7), and mean years in practice was 17 (95% CI 16.3-17.7). Academic practice location was reported by 55% of EPs, and 81% reported access to an inpatient psychiatry service. 142 EPs (82%) reported no protocol for screening for ST in their ED. Of EPs reporting an existing protocol, the most common practice was routine screening at triage (43%). The most commonly identified screening tools were HEADS-ED (25%) and PHQ-9 (21%). 70% of EPs felt the ED was a good place for screening for ST, yet 66% identified slower clinical care as a potential barrier. A strong commitment to treatment and follow up was identified by 68% of EPs as a necessary requirement to implementing ST screening in their ED. A targeted 2-4 question screen was the preferred screening option for 62% of EPs responding. Conclusion: A majority of EPs report no protocol for screening for ST in their ED, yet identify the ED as a good place for screening efforts. Potential barriers to widespread ST screening in the ED include a strong commitment to patient treatment and follow up, and diminished clinical efficiency.

Pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) is a highly valuable fish in Europe. However, development of aquaculture of pikeperch is highly limited due to seasonality of production. This can be overcome by the controlled reproduction of domesticated fish. The first steps of domestication process may induce changes at anatomical, physiological and molecular levels, thereby affecting a variety of biological functions. While there is abundant literature on their effects on stress and growth for example, these effects on reproduction received limited attention notably in pikeperch, a promising candidate for the development of aquaculture. To answer the question of this life-history effect on pikeperch’s reproduction, we compared two groups (weight: 1 kg) originated from Czech Republic and with the same domestication level (F0). The first group was a recirculating aquatic system cultured one (2 years, previously fed with artificial diet, never exposed to natural changes in temperature/photoperiod conditions) and the second one was a pond cultured group (3 to 4 years, bred under natural feeding and temperature/photoperiod). The wild group successfully spawned, while the farmed one did not spawn at all. During the program, gonadosomatic indexes of both males and females were significantly higher for the wild fish, as well as the sexual steroids. Gene expression analysis revealed significantly lower LH transcript levels at the pituitary level for the farmed females and lower FSH transcript levels at the pituitary level for the males. In conclusion this study showed that the previous rearing conditions (e.g. culture system, age, diet, etc.) alter the further progress of gametogenesis and the reproductive performances in response to controlled photothermal program for both sexes in pikeperch.

Populations of the White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis, Indian Vulture G. indicus and Slender-billed Vulture G. tenuirostris declined rapidly during the mid-1990s all over their ranges in the Indian subcontinent because of poisoning due to veterinary use of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac. This paper reports results from the latest in a series of road transect surveys conducted across northern, central, western and north-eastern India since the early 1990s. Results from the seven comparable surveys now available were analysed to estimate recent population trends. Populations of all three species of vulture remained at a low level. The previously rapid decline of White-rumped Vulture has slowed and may have reversed since the ban on veterinary use of diclofenac in India in 2006. A few thousand of this species, possibly up to the low tens of thousands, remained in India in 2015. The population of Indian Vulture continued to decline, though probably at a much slower rate than in the 1990s. This remains the most numerous of the three species in India with about 12,000 individuals in 2015 and a confidence interval ranging from a few thousands to a few tens of thousands. The trend in the rarest species, Slender-billed Vulture, which probably numbers not much more than 1,000 individuals in India, cannot be determined reliably.

Persistence of the embryonic “fifth aortic arch” in postnatal life is a rare, enigmatic – and at times controversial – condition, with variable anatomical forms and physiological consequences. First described in humans over 40 years ago by Van Praagh, the condition was labelled the “great pretender” by Gerlis 25 years later, because of its apparent propensity to mimic anatomically similar structures. Despite many subsequent case reports citing the condition, the true developmental origin of these structures remains unresolved, and has been the subject of debate among embryologists for more than a century. A persistent fifth aortic arch has been defined as an extrapericardial structure, arising from the ascending aorta opposite or proximal to the brachiocephalic artery, and terminating in the dorsal aorta or pulmonary arteries via a persistently patent arterial duct. This description may therefore encompass various anatomical forms, such as a unilateral double-lumen aortic arch, an unrestrictive aortopulmonary shunt, or a critical vascular channel for either the systemic or pulmonary circulation. The physiological properties of these vessels, such as their response to prostaglandins, may also be unpredictable. In this article, we demonstrate a number of cases that fulfil the contemporary definition of “persistent fifth aortic arch” while acknowledging the embryological controversies associated with this term. We also outline the key diagnostic features, particularly with respect to the use of new cross-sectional imaging techniques.

Vortex-induced vibration (VIV) is an important physical phenomenon as one design a riser or a cylindrical structure in ocean. As the riser or the cylindrical structure is adjacent to a seabed, the boundary effect on VIV is not fully understood yet. The direct-forcing immersed boundary (DFIB) method is used to investigate a two-degree-of-freedom VIV of a flexible supported circular cylinder adjacent to a plane boundary in this study. Furthermore, the effect of the VIV of cylinder on skin friction of the plane boundary is investigated. The effects of varying reduced velocity and gap ratio on VIV are discussed. Only a single vortex street is found when the cylinder is close to plane boundary. Hydrodynamic coefficients of the freely vibrating cylinder are analyzed in time and spectral domains. Furthermore, nearly round oval-shaped motion is observed as the so-called lock-in phenomenon occurs. The skin friction of the plane boundary is predicted by the DFIB model. Results show that the vibrating cylinder in the boundary layer flow can reduce the friction effectively. This proposed DFIB model can be useful for the investigation of VIV of the structures under the plane boundary effect even for a small gap between the cylinder and the boundary.

Quasi-one-dimensional (quasi-1D) tools developed for capturing flow and acoustic dynamics in non-segmented solid rocket motors are evaluated using multi-dimensional computational fluid dynamic simulations and used to characterise damping of modal perturbations. For motors with high length-to-diameter ratios (of the order of 10), remarkably accurate estimates of frequencies and damping rates of lower modes can be obtained using the the quasi-1D approximation. Various grain configurations are considered to study the effect of internal geometry on damping rates. Analysis shows that lower cross-sectional area at the nozzle entry plane is found to increase damping rates of all the modes. The flow-turning loss for a mode increases if the more mass addition due to combustion is added at pressure nodes. For the fundamental mode, this loss is, therefore, maximum if burning area is maximum at the centre. The insights from this study in addition to recommendations made by Blomshield(1) based on combustion considerations would be very helpful in realizing rocket motors free from combustion instability.

Synonymous codons are used with different frequencies, a phenomenon known as codon bias, which exists in many genomes and is mainly resolute by mutation and selection. To elucidate the genetic characteristics and evolutionary relationship of Wucheraria bancrofti and Schistosoma haematobium we examined the pattern of synonymous codon usage in nuclear genes of both the species. The mean overall GC contents of W. bancrofti and S. haematobium were 43.41 and 36.37%, respectively, which suggests that genes in both the species were AT rich. The value of the High Effective Number of Codons in both species suggests that codon usage bias was weak. Both species had a wide range of P3 distribution in the neutrality plot, with a significant correlation between P12 and P3. The codons were closer to the axes in correspondence analysis, suggesting that mutation pressure influenced the codon usage pattern in these species. We have identified the more frequently used codons in these species, most codons ending with an A or T. The nucleotides A/T and C/G were not proportionally used at the third position of codons, which reveals that natural selection might influence the codon usage patterns. The regression equation of P12 on P3 suggests that natural selection might have played a major role, while mutational pressure played a minor role in codon usage pattern in both species. These results form the basis of exploring the evolutionary mechanisms and the heterologous expression of medically important proteins of W. bancrofti and S. haematobium.

We study subalgebras $A$ of affine or local algebras $B$ such that $A{\hookrightarrow}B$ is a pure extension from algebraic and geometric viewpoints.

An investigation was carried out to study the growth, mortality and exploitation of bigeye scad, Selar crumenophthalmus off the Mumbai coast during September 2008 to August 2009. The von Bertalanffy growth equation was derived as Lt = 310 mm [1−exp {−1.4 year−1 × (t−(−0.059 year))}] with the growth performance index (ø’) of 3.13. The fishable lifespan of the species was 2+ years in Mumbai waters. Bigeye scad attains total length of 240 and 293 mm during its first and second year of life. The size at first capture (L c) was estimated as 240 mm (1+ year). The recruitment was continuous and throughout the year with a single pulse during August. Nearly 50% of the recruitment took place during August and September. The total, natural and fishing mortality rates were 4.62, 2.21 and 2.41 year−1, respectively. The estimated exploitation ratio (0.52) was very close to the optimum value of 0.5. Hence, the stock can be considered as optimally over-exploited in Mumbai waters.

Drinking raw date palm sap is the primary route of Nipah virus (NiV) transmission from bats to people in Bangladesh; subsequent person-to-person transmission is common. During December 2010 to March 2011, we investigated NiV epidemiology by interviewing cases using structured questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and group discussions to collect clinical and exposure histories. We conducted a case-control study to identify risk factors for transmission. We identified 43 cases; 23 were laboratory-confirmed and 20 probable. Thirty-eight (88%) cases died. Drinking raw date palm sap and contact with an infected person were major risk factors; one healthcare worker was infected and for another case transmission apparently occurred through contact with a corpse. In absence of these risk factors, apparent routes of transmission included drinking fermented date palm sap. For the first time, a case was detected in eastern Bangladesh. Identification of new epidemiological characteristics emphasizes the importance of continued NiV surveillance and case investigation.

Background : A definitive diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS), as distinct from a clinically isolated syndrome, requires one of two conditions: a second clinical attack or particular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings as defined by the McDonald criteria. MRI is also important after a diagnosis is made as a means of monitoring subclinical disease activity. While a standardized protocol for diagnostic and follow-up MRI has been developed by the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centres, acceptance and implementation in Canada have been suboptimal. Methods : To improve diagnosis, monitoring, and management of a clinically isolated syndrome and MS, a Canadian expert panel created consensus recommendations about the appropriate application of the 2010 McDonald criteria in routine practice, strategies to improve adherence to the standardized Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centres MRI protocol, and methods for ensuring effective communication among health care practitioners, in particular referring physicians, neurologists, and radiologists. Results : This article presents eight consensus statements developed by the expert panel, along with the rationale underlying the recommendations and commentaries on how to prioritize resource use within the Canadian healthcare system. Conclusions : The expert panel calls on neurologists and radiologists in Canada to incorporate the McDonald criteria, the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centres MRI protocol, and other guidance given in this consensus presentation into their practices. By improving communication and general awareness of best practices for MRI use in MS diagnosis and monitoring, we can improve patient care across Canada by providing timely diagnosis, informed management decisions, and better continuity of care.

The West Virginia University Hot hELIcon eXperiment (HELIX) provides variable density and ion temperature plasmas, with controllable levels of thermal anisotropy, for space relevant laboratory experiments in the Large Experiment on Instabilities and Anisotropy (LEIA) as well as fundamental studies of helicon source physics in HELIX. Through auxiliary ion heating, the ion temperature anisotropy (T ⊥/T ∥) is variable from 1 to 20 for parallel plasma beta (β = 8πnkT i∥/B 2) values that span the range of 0.0001 to 0.01 in LEIA. The ion velocity distribution function is measured throughout the discharge volume in steady-state and pulsed plasmas with laser induced fluorescence (LIF). The wavelengths of very short wavelength electrostatic fluctuations are measured with a coherent microwave scattering system. Operating at low neutral pressures triggers spontaneous formation of a current-free electric double layer. Ion acceleration through the double layer is detected through LIF. LIF-based velocity space tomography of the accelerated beam provides a two-dimensional mapping of the bulk and beam ion distribution functions. The driving frequency for the m = 1 helical antenna is continuously variable from 8.5 to 16 MHz and frequency dependent variations of the RF coupling to the plasma allow the spontaneously appearing double layers to be turned on and off without modifying the plasma collisionality or magnetic field geometry. Single and multi-species plasmas are created with argon, helium, nitrogen, krypton, and xenon. The noble gas plasmas have steep neutral density gradients, with ionization levels reaching 100% in the core of the plasma source. The large plasma density in the source enables the study of Aflvén waves in the HELIX device.