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A compact core-jet structure in the changing-look Seyfert NGC 2617
No full textThe nearby face-on spiral galaxy NGC2617 underwent an unambiguous ‘inside-out’ multi-wavelength outburst in Spring 2013, and a dramatic Seyfert type change probably between 2010 and 2012, with the emergence of broad optical emission lines. To search for the jet activity associated with this variable accretion activity, we carried out multi-resolution and multi-wavelength radio observations. Using the very long baseline interferometric (VLBI) observations with the European VLBI Network (EVN) at 1.7 and 5.0 GHz, we find that NGC 2617 shows a partially synchrotron self-absorbed compact radio core with a significant core shift, and an optically thin steep-spectrum jet extending towards the north up to about two parsecs in projection.We also observed NGC 2617 with the electronic Multi-Element Remotely Linked Interferometer Network (e-MERLIN) at 1.5 and 5.5 GHz, and revisited the archival data of the Very Large Array (VLA) and the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA). The radio core had a stable flux density of 1.4 mJy at 5.0 GHz between 2013 June and 2014 January, in agreement with the expectation of a supermassive black hole in the low accretion rate state. The northern jet component is unlikely to be associated with the ‘inside-out’ outburst of 2013. Moreover, we report that most optically selected changing-look AGN at 푧 Ÿ 0•83 are sub-mJy radio sources in the existing VLA surveys at 1.4 GHz, and it is unlikely that they are more active than normal AGN at radio frequencies
Co-infection in critically ill patients with COVID-19 An observational cohort study from England
No full textObjective: To describe the incidence and nature of co-infection in critically ill adults with COVID-19 infection in England. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of adults with COVID-19 admitted to seven intensive care units (ICUs) in England up to 18 May 2020, was performed. Patients with completed ICU stays were included. The proportion and type of organisms were determined at <48 and >48 hours following hospital admission, corresponding to community and hospital-acquired coinfections. Results: Of 254 patients studied (median age 59 years (IQR 49-69); 64.6% male), 139 clinically significant organisms were identified from 83(32.7%) patients. Bacterial co-infections were identified within 48 hours of admission in 14(5.5%) patients; the commonest pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus (four patients) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (two patients). The proportion of pathogens detected increased with duration of ICU stay, consisting largely of Gram-negative bacteria, particularly Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. The coinfection rate >48 hours after admission was 27/1000 person-days (95% CI 21.3-34.1). Patients with co-infections were more likely to die in ICU (crude OR 1.78,95% CI 1.03-3.08, p=0.04) compared to those without co-infections. Conclusion: We found limited evidence for community-acquired bacterial co-infection in hospitalised adults with COVID-19, but a high rate of Gram-negative infection acquired during ICU stay
Revitalising race equality policy? Assessing the impact of the Race Equality Charter Mark for British universities
No full textThe Race Equality Charter (REC) was introduced in 2014 as a national policy initiative that aims to support UK universities in developing cultural and systemic changes to promote race equality for Black and minority ethnic (BME) staff and students. Drawing on quantitative data, we locate the REC within a complex picture of undergraduate student diversity and significant attainment gaps between white students and other groups. Utilising qualitative interviews and observations to further explore the questions our quantitative analysis raises, we show that the REC is not perceived as a significant vehicle for progressing race equality work in award-holding institutions. Rather, it is mostly applied as an enhancement tool to help shape and sustain existing race equality initiatives that produce incremental change. This, we argue, suggests the REC’s intention to inspire race equality approaches that favour institutional strategic planning at the highest level, is yet to be realised
EULAR Points to Consider (PtC) for designing, analysing and reporting of studies with work participation as an outcome domain in patients with inflammatory arthritis
No full textBackground:Clinical studies with work participation as an outcome domain pose particular methodological challenges that hamper interpretation, comparison between studies and meta-analyses.Objectives: To develop points to consider (PtC) for design, analysis and reporting of studies of patients with inflammatory arthritis that include work participation as a primary or secondary outcome domain.Methods:The EULAR Standardized Operating Procedures were followed. A multidisciplinary taskforce with 22 experts including patients with rheumatic diseases, from 10 EULAR countries and Canada, identified methodologic areas of concern. Two systematic literature reviews (SLR) appraised themethodology across these areas. In parallel, two surveys among professional societies and experts outside the taskforce sought for additional methodological areas or existing conducting/reporting recommendations. The taskforce formulated the PtC after presentation of the SLRs and survey results, and discussion. Consensus was obtained through informal voting, with levels of agreement obtained anonymously.Results:Two overarching principles and nine PtC were formulated. The taskforce recommends to align the work-related study objective to the design, duration, and outcome domains/measurement instruments of the study (PtC:1-3); to identify contextual factors upfront and account for them inanalyses (PtC:4); to account for interdependence of different work outcome domains and for changes in work status over time (PtC:5-7); to present results as means as well as proportions of patients reaching predefined meaningful categories (PtC:8); and to explicitly report volumes ofproductivity loss when costs are an outcome (PtC:9).Conclusion: Adherence to these EULAR PtC will improve the methodological quality of studies evaluating work participation
Editorial: Introducing the British Psychological Society Journal’s Landmark Special Issue
No full textPrevalence and predictors of adverse events with methotrexate mono- and combination- therapy for rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review
No full textObjectivesThis systematic review aims to summarise rates of adverse events (AEs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or inflammatory arthritis starting methotrexate (MTX) as monotherapy or in combination with other csDMARDs, and to identify reported predictors of AEs. MethodsThree databases were searched for studies reporting AEs in MTX-naïve patients with RA. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and observational cohort studies were included. Prevalence rates of AEs were pooled using random effects meta-analysis, stratified by study design.Results46 articles (34 RCTs and 12 observational studies) were identified. The pooled prevalence of total AEs was 80.1% in RCTs [95% CI 73.5, 85.9], compared to 23.1% in observational studies [95% CI 12.3, 36.0]. The pooled prevalence of serious AEs was 9.5% in RCTs [95% CI 7.4, 11.7], and 2.1% in observational studies [95% CI 1.0, 3.4]. MTX discontinuation due to AEs was higher in observational studies (15.5% [95% CI 9.6, 22.3]) compared to RCTs (6.7% [95% CI 4.7, 8.9]). Gastrointestinal events were the most commonly reported AEs (pooled prevalence: 32.7% [95% CI 18.5, 48.7]).Five studies examined predictors of AEs. Rheumatoid factor status, body mass index and HAQ score were associated with MTX discontinuation due to AEs; anti-citrullinated protein antibody negativity, smoking and elevated creatinine were associated with increased risk of elevated liver enzymes.ConclusionThe review provides an up-to-date overview of the prevalence of AEs associated with MTX in patients with RA. The findings should be communicated to patients to help them make informed choices prior to commencing MTX.<br/
Variation in the Risk of Colorectal Cancer for Lynch Syndrome: A retrospective family cohort study A retrospective family cohort study
No full textEvidencing the benefits of Industry 4.0 for the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) Industry: Promises, practices and unresolved problems
No full textPresent status of electric-doublelayer thin-film transistors and their applications
No full textAs thin-film transistors (TFTs) are the workhorse of thin-film electronics, a great deal of focus has been placed upon improving their performance. One major avenue of investigation is the use of electrolyte dielectrics, which can form high capacitance electric-double-layers (EDLs). The high capacitance of the EDL enables low-voltage TFT operation by inducing high carrier densities in the channel at low operating voltages. Moreover, due to the diverse range of electrolyte materials under investigation, many EDL TFTs meet the requirements for use in flexible and printable electronics. Here, the basic principles of TFTs and EDLs are introduced along with the advantages and disadvantages of different types of electrolytes. The present status of EDL TFTs is assessed with respect to different channel materials, e.g. oxide semiconductors and organic semiconductors. An overview of the potential uses of EDL is also given, including research into insulator to metal and insulator to superconductor transitions as well as incorporation into both chemical and thermal sensors. Beyond the basic EDL TFT building blocks, logic circuits for low-power electronic devices, such as memories, sensors, and neuromorphic circuits which take advantage of the unusual properties of the EDL to mimic neural networks, are also summarized. Finally, the outlook and challenges for EDL TFTs are discussed
Slavery and development in nineteenth century Brazil
No full textThis article brings new evidence on the legacy of slavery in nineteenth-century Brazil to bear on the history of economic development. Its conclusions contribute to the debate raised by the new history of capitalism about the critical role played by slavery in the industrialization of the United States. We argue that the new history of capitalism lacks a comparative perspective. Brazil imported more slaves than any other country in the world and slavery lasted longer and was more widespread there than in the United States South. Rather than promoting economic growth and development, the evidence shows that slavery held back industrialization in Brazil. We also discuss the role of slavery in agricultural productivity and show that, as in the United States, the use of violence does not explain increases in the productivity of cotton plantations