Discover Context-Rich Local Process Models (Extended Abstract)

We introduce a new ProM plugin called Discover Context-Rich LPMs which mines a log for large local process models (LPMs) based on supported words. The main advantage of this plugin is that it produces much larger and much fewer LPMs than other tools. The plugin is packaged with an additional plugin called Generate HTML coverage report which calculates the coverage of LPMs along with several other quality measures. This extra plugin is useful to select and improve a set of LPMs.</p

On the sign of the linear magnetoelectric coefficient in Cr2_2O3_3

We establish the sign of the linear magnetoelectric (ME) coefficient, $\alpha$, in chromia, Cr$_2$O$_3$. Cr$_2$O$_3$ is the prototypical linear ME material, in which an electric (magnetic) field induces a linearly proportional magnetization (polarization), and a single magnetic domain can be selected by annealing in combined magnetic (H) and electric (E) fields. Opposite antiferromagnetic domains have opposite ME responses, and which antiferromagnetic domain corresponds to which sign of response has previously been unclear. We use density functional theory (DFT) to calculate the magnetic response of a single antiferromagnetic domain of Cr$_2$O$_3$ to an applied in-plane electric field at 0 K. We find that the domain with nearest neighbor magnetic moments oriented away from (towards) each other has a negative (positive) in-plane ME coefficient, $\alpha_{\perp}$, at 0 K. We show that this sign is consistent with all other DFT calculations in the literature that specified the domain orientation, independent of the choice of DFT code or functional, the method used to apply the field, and whether the direct (magnetic field) or inverse (electric field) ME response was calculated. Next, we reanalyze our previously published spherical neutron polarimetry data to determine the antiferromagnetic domain produced by annealing in combined E and H fields oriented along the crystallographic symmetry axis at room temperature. We find that the antiferromagnetic domain with nearest-neighbor magnetic moments oriented away from (towards) each other is produced by annealing in (anti-)parallel E and H fields, corresponding to a positive (negative) axial ME coefficient, $\alpha_{\parallel}$, at room temperature. Since $\alpha_{\perp}$ at 0 K and $\alpha_{\parallel}$ at room temperature are known to be of opposite sign, our computational and experimental results are consistent.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figure

High-sensitivity high-resolution X-ray imaging with soft-sintered metal halide perovskites

To realize the potential of artificial intelligence in medical imaging, improvements in imaging capabilities are required, as well as advances in computing power and algorithms. Hybrid inorganic–organic metal halide perovskites, such as methylammonium lead triiodide (MAPbI3), offer strong X-ray absorption, high carrier mobilities (µ) and long carrier lifetimes (τ), and they are promising materials for use in X-ray imaging. However, their incorporation into pixelated sensing arrays remains challenging. Here we show that X-ray flat-panel detector arrays based on microcrystalline MAPbI3 can be created using a two-step manufacturing process. Our approach is based on the mechanical soft sintering of a freestanding absorber layer and the subsequent integration of this layer on a pixelated backplane. Freestanding microcrystalline MAPbI3 wafers exhibit a sensitivity of 9,300 µC Gyair–1 cm–2 with a μτ product of 4 × 10–4 cm2 V–1, and the resulting X-ray imaging detector, which has 508 pixels per inch, combines a high spatial resolution of 6 line pairs per millimetre with a low detection limit of 0.22 nGyair per frame

Air pollution and childhood epilepsy diagnosis at a first seizure clinic in The Netherlands: A case-control study

Increasing evidence suggests that exposure to air pollution is linked to neurological disorders, but little is known about the association with epilepsy. This study aimed to quantify the association between exposure to ambient air pollutants and the diagnosis of epilepsy in Dutch children. A population-based case-control study was conducted among children presenting to the first seizure clinic at the Wilhelmina Children's Hospital in Utrecht, the Netherlands, from 1 January 2008 to 31 May 2021. Children were assigned to either cases (i.e., diagnosed with epilepsy, n = 406) or controls (n = 737). Levels of ambient air pollution (nitrogen dioxide [NO2], ozone [O3], and particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter < 10 μm [PM10] and < 2.5 μm [PM2.5]) exposure were assigned for the year of presentation to the residential addresses of study participants using EU-wide air pollution metrics. Logistic regression models, adjusted for common confounders, were applied to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between air pollution and epilepsy. Overall, no association between ambient air pollution and an epilepsy diagnosis was observed, including NO2 (OR: 1.01, 95 % CI: 0.98, 1.03), O3 (OR: 1.01, 95 % CI: 0.98, 1.03), PM2.5 (OR: 0.99, 95 % CI: 0.94, 1.04), and PM10 (OR: 0.99, 95 % CI: 0.95, 1.02). Subgroup analysis was suggestive but ultimately underpowered to draw any meaningful conclusions. Additional work, including a longitudinal evaluation of air pollutants, a closer examination of epilepsy etiologies, and a wider, community-based approach, is needed to explore these findings further

Air pollution and childhood epilepsy diagnosis at a first seizure clinic in The Netherlands: A case-control study

Increasing evidence suggests that exposure to air pollution is linked to neurological disorders, but little is known about the association with epilepsy. This study aimed to quantify the association between exposure to ambient air pollutants and the diagnosis of epilepsy in Dutch children. A population-based case-control study was conducted among children presenting to the first seizure clinic at the Wilhelmina Children's Hospital in Utrecht, the Netherlands, from 1 January 2008 to 31 May 2021. Children were assigned to either cases (i.e., diagnosed with epilepsy, n = 406) or controls (n = 737). Levels of ambient air pollution (nitrogen dioxide [NO2], ozone [O3], and particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter < 10 μm [PM10] and < 2.5 μm [PM2.5]) exposure were assigned for the year of presentation to the residential addresses of study participants using EU-wide air pollution metrics. Logistic regression models, adjusted for common confounders, were applied to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between air pollution and epilepsy. Overall, no association between ambient air pollution and an epilepsy diagnosis was observed, including NO2 (OR: 1.01, 95 % CI: 0.98, 1.03), O3 (OR: 1.01, 95 % CI: 0.98, 1.03), PM2.5 (OR: 0.99, 95 % CI: 0.94, 1.04), and PM10 (OR: 0.99, 95 % CI: 0.95, 1.02). Subgroup analysis was suggestive but ultimately underpowered to draw any meaningful conclusions. Additional work, including a longitudinal evaluation of air pollutants, a closer examination of epilepsy etiologies, and a wider, community-based approach, is needed to explore these findings further

An integrated multi-study analysis of intra-subject variability in cerebrospinal fluid amyloid-β concentrations collected by lumbar puncture and indwelling lumbar catheter

INTRODUCTION: Amyloid-β (Aβ) has been investigated as a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic drug target. Recent studies found that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Aβ fluctuates over time, including as a diurnal pattern, and increases in absolute concentration with serial collection. It is currently unknown what effect differences in CSF collection methodology have on Aβ variability. In this study, we sought to determine the effect of different collection methodologies on the stability of CSF Aβ concentrations over time. METHODS: Grouped analysis of CSF Aβ levels from multiple industry and academic groups collected by either lumbar puncture (n=83) or indwelling lumbar catheter (n=178). Participants were either placebo or untreated subjects from clinical drug trials or observational studies. Participants had CSF collected by lumbar puncture or lumbar catheter for quantitation of Aβ concentration by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Data from all sponsors was converted to percent of the mean for Aβ40 and Aβ42 for comparison. Repeated measures analysis of variance was performed to assess for factors affecting the linear rise of Aβ concentrations over time. RESULTS: Analysis of studies collecting CSF via lumbar catheter revealed tremendous inter-subject variability of Aβ40 and Aβ42 as well as an Aβ diurnal pattern in all of the sponsors' studies. In contrast, Aβ concentrations from CSF samples collected at two time points by lumbar puncture showed no significant differences. Repeated measures analysis of variance found that only time and draw frequency were significantly associated with the slope of linear rise in Aβ40 and Aβ42 concentrations during the first 6 hours of collection. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our findings, we recommend minimizing the frequency of CSF draws in studies measuring Aβ levels and keeping the frequency standardized between experimental groups. The Aβ diurnal pattern was noted in all sponsors' studies and was not an artifact of study design. Averaging Aβ concentrations at each time point is recommended to minimize the effect of individual variability. Indwelling lumbar catheters are an invaluable research tool for following changes in CSF Aβ over 24-48 hours, but factors affecting Aβ concentration such as linear rise and diurnal variation need to be accounted for in planning study designs

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Alzheimer's disease biomarker discovery using SOMAscan multiplexed protein technology

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