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556 results on '"Bown, A."'

1. Real world risk in speculative fiction : how can cognitive poetics be applied to the design of sound-led text games which incorporate difficult information?

Author

Bown, A.

Subjects
794.8
Abstract

This thesis documents a research project that applies cognitive poetics to the writing, design and build of three playable prototypes that combine text with spatial sound. Each prototype tells a different part of one original work of speculative fiction, the theme of which is species extinction. In order to focus the research on how texts can incorporate difficult information, the prototypes are designed with reference to narrative transportation theory. Narrative transportation is a psychological framework for measuring how involvement in a story can cause persuasive information to be absorbed and beliefs to be changed. Throughout the thesis, three main lines of enquiry are pursued; how cognitive poetics can be used to develop an understanding of the psychological processes involved in reading, how this understanding can be used to create a user-centred writing approach, and how cognitive poetics can be synthesised with sound design theory and practice to create narrative transportation. In part one of the thesis, the psychological processes involved in narrative transportation are researched through the application of cognitive poetics to readings of multiple texts. A specific aspect of cognitive poetics - cognitive grammar - is explored in detail, allowing for a synthesis of theories of linguistic grammar with musical grammar and cinematic sound design practice. The second part of the thesis documents the iterative design process used to make the prototypes. During this process, design questions are addressed through the application of cognitive poetics, cinematic sound theory and musical grammar to the practice of multimodal writing. The user interaction designed into these prototypes is also informed by research into narrative transportation.

Published
2021
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2. Eventual laughter : Dickens and comedy

Author

Bown, Alfie, Alderson, David, and Matthews, David

Subjects
823, Dickens, Laughter, Comedy
Abstract

This thesis attempts to redress the drought of work on Dickens on comedy, which is surprising considering how often Dickens is thought of as a comic writer. The thesis uses Dickens to demonstrate problems with and resistance to existing theorizations of laughter, and attempts to develop a new way of thinking about laughter through Dickens. The thesis begins with a theoretical section, which is a discussion of existing discussions of laughter followed by an attempt to develop a new way of thinking about laughter by making use Alain Badiou’s concept of the ‘event.’ The thesis then moves to Section Two, in which these ideas are discussed alongside Dickens’s novels. Chapter Four attempts to show in a general way how Dickens and these discussions of laughter belong together, and how a certain moment in the nineteenth century that Dickens was a unique part of shows that new ways of discussing laughter are needed. Chapter Five argues that laughter in Dickens is not natural or spontaneous but part of constructing an idea of natural spontaneity. Pickwick Papers, it is argued, is the novel of retroactive causes, showing how laughter can create ideas of ‘nature’ which then appear to explain social behaviour such as laughter itself. Chapter Six tackles the relationship between laughter and anxiety. It argues that laughter creates order by ‘dealing’ with anxiety, but that this order it produces is profoundly unstable and has new anxieties. Barnaby Rudge is the novel which shows this in its particular historical context. The final chapter argues that Dickens’s writing can be called ‘comic’ in the terms that have been established throughout the thesis. Discussing Great Expectations, it argues that laughter is a plotting force that creates narratives and structures. Finally, the conclusion discusses changes that may have happened to laughter in the nineteenth century and what it means to find ourselves laughing at Dickens’s texts today.

Published
2014

3. Career progression in older managers : motivational and gender differences

Author

Bown-Wilson, Dianne and Parry, Emma

Subjects
158.7, career motivation, career development, career mobility, older workers, women's careers
Abstract

This study explores what UK managers aged 50 and over perceive as career progression at a time in life when opportunities for further promotion may have ceased. It examines motivational drivers and subjectively significant personal and organizational influences on career progression. It also investigates whether motivation for career progression is perceived to have changed over the career and the extent to which it may differ between male and female older managers. The research adopted a qualitative, inductive approach using a phenomenological methodology. Fieldwork comprised semi-structured interviews with 27 male and 13 female managers aged 50 and over from two large, UK financial services organizations. The findings show how motivation for career progression in managers aged over 50 is driven by individually diverse patterns of career drivers, personal and work-related influences, and attitudes towards career opportunities. These can be classified into a number of career progression orientations. The study contributes to knowledge in the area of subjective psychological career mobility in late career and the balance which individuals maintain between the organizational and personal aspects of their career. It demonstrates that motivational drivers of career progression are perceived to change over the career and that career progression is linked, on an individual basis, to past, current and future career mobility which may extend past the traditional retirement transition. It also reveals that, in general, older female managers may exhibit a greater drive for self-realisation through later life career renewal than their male counterparts.

Published
2011

4. Contested models of marine protected area (MPA) governance : a case study of the Cayos Cochinos, Honduras

Author

Bown, Natalie Kate

Subjects
330.9
Abstract

Co-management arrangements are increasingly seen as necessary to promote the compliance of local user groups with natural resource conservation regulations. Nonetheless, co-management needs to be flexible to respond to fast-changing variables at the local scale, and adaptive co-management (ACM) has been developed to provide that flexibility. Since 2004, ACM has been applied to manage the natural marine resources of the Cayos Cochinos Marine Protected Area (CCMPA) on the north coast of Honduras, and has now evolved through two cycles (2004-2008; 2008-2013). This thesis examines the appropriateness of ACM to manage the artisanal fishery resources of the CCMPA, using socio-economic, ecological and governance indicators to evaluate the contributions made by local Garifuna fishing communities (micro-scale), the managing NGO (meso-scale), and the State (macro-scale). To achieve this aim, three main objectives were set: first, to evaluate the ecological impact of the ACM, particularly its effect on fish stocks; second, to measure the socio-economic consequences of the ACM; and third, to estimate the extent to which the principles of adaptive co-management were adhered to. The main conclusion of the study was that the first CCMPA management plan (2004-2008) failed to deliver significant benefits on any of these three criteria, but that the second plan (2008-2013) has already begun to achieve ecological recovery of shellfish species, higher standards of living, and consultative stakeholder participation. The reason for this turnaround was political pressure from the Garifuna in protest at the filming of a controversial reality show within the CCMPA, leading to a more socially adaptive plan. However, this second plan continues to have some weaknesses, including incomplete ecological monitoring, financial and personnel instability, lack of transparency, and insufficient capacity development to allow genuine stakeholder participation. Recommendations for overcoming these deficiencies are: (1) consistent methodologies for monitoring ecological, socio-economic and governance indicators; (2) financial and decision-making transparency; (3) community education; and (4) micro-scale capacity training.

Published
2011

6. The safety and wellbeing of looked after young people : an analysis of looked after young people's experiences and perceptions with implications for contemporary safeguarding policy and practice

Author

Bown, Kim and Hatton, Kieron

Subjects
361, Social Work
Abstract

Looked after young people, the focus of this thesis, are young people in state or public care. They frequently have complex family circumstances, socially excluded backgrounds and often intense need. Whilst it is possible to identify trends and patterns in their backgrounds, their needs and requirements are essentially heterogeneous (Bullock, Parker, Courtney, Sinclair and Thoburn, 2006, p. 1346). The research was undertaken within the national context of persistently poor educational, health and behavioural outcomes for looked after young people, evidence from Inquiry reports of historic abuse, and contemporary concerns that small groups of looked after young people may not be safe (Ofsted, 2008d, p. 5). In addition, a dissonance was found between contemporary social policy developments for looked after young people and effective implementation which impacts positively on their experiences and outcomes. Previous research on the topic from the perspective of young people themselves remains under developed. The study aimed to investigate the views of 25 looked after young people who had recently left a placement about their safety and wellbeing whilst in their previous placement. The researcher adopted a case study design, an interpretivist perspective and conducted in-depth interviews using structured and semi-structured methods. The study found most participants felt safe but some felt unsafe to varying degrees. Participants felt most safe from sexual harm and least safe from physical harm and bullying. Carers, other looked after young people and foster carers’ own children were identified as the main sources of harm. Families were identified as the people who were most effective in listening and looking out for participants’ safety and wellbeing. Formal complaints procedures were found to be inadequate for communicating young people’s concerns about their safety and wellbeing. Many participants valued their participation in education and wanted increased participation in all important decisions that would, or could, impact on their safety and wellbeing. A close interrelationship was found between participation, outcomes, power and engagement. The concepts of ‘voice’ and ‘exit’ were applied to the analysis of participation to denote inclusive, empowered levels of participation and, conversely, levels which contribute to disconnection and disengagement. Close trusting relationships with family, friends, carers and social workers were found to be important but often experienced as inadequate. Participants mostly wanted to discuss important, personal issues with people with whom they had a close, personal relationship. High levels of placement discontinuity and complex care arrangements often resulted in disrupted key relationships and contributed to making key information – including knowing the reasons for being looked after – difficult to understand and recall for some participants. Having a clear sense of self history was identified as contributing to self identity, and the building of resilience and wellbeing. The study identified an absence of person centeredness relating to looked after young people. The study compared aspects of UK and European welfare models and found the UK model to be antithetical to the importance of relationships, participation and the centrality of the young person. European social pedagogic models were generally found to achieve greater synergy with young people’s perspectives and priorities. The study concludes by emphasising the close inter-relationship between the key concepts of ‘safeguarding from harm’ and ‘promotion of wellbeing’. Four emergent categories identified from the analysis of findings are proposed as the key components of a new model of safeguarding and wellbeing for looked after young people. These four components are: feeling safe; inclusion and participation; continuity and quality of relationships; and sense of self and self history. In addition to these four components, the defining feature of the model is presented as the centrality of the voice of the looked after young person, with subsequent implications for policy and practice.

Published
2010

7. Construing the small business and its market : a Heideggerian perspective

Author

Bown, Gerald Robin Weston, Watts, Ged, Davies, Barry, and Laurence, John

Subjects
158.7, B Philosophy (General), HD2340.8 Small and Medium-sized businesses, artisans, handcrafts, trades
Abstract

This exploratory research considers the difficulties that are associated with understanding market knowledge in a micro firm. The majority of micro firms gain their rewards from mutual beneficial exchange with their customers. The focus of this mutual exchange is often the product that is the basis of their business. The gaining of new customers is often difficult and requires a considerable degree of effort. The standard business approach is to apply cognitive rationality to this task. Some businesses succeed with this approach, but it is possible that other approaches might reveal a greater understanding of the small business situation. Research suggests that small business owners/managers develop tacit utilitarian, cognitively immediate and undetachable knowledge. In a developing business this is contingent with the entrepreneurial task. It can usefully be conjectured that this task is related to the introduction of new business areas. The entrepreneurial task can be seen as involving a qualitative introduction of new business into a market that has not existed before. The situational interplay of these two factors is investigated using a phenomenological research method and deep analysis of a small number of interviews. This research has found evidence that the development of market knowledge in a micro business can result from a leap into a new engagement. The possible grounding for such a leap is explored in the light of the philosophy of Heidegger. Heidegger's philosophy is noted for the exploration of being and time. He adopted hermeneutic and phenomenological approaches to discuss the leap into the grounding question of being. This leap into a new engagement requires a break from the content but not the methods of small business understanding and can be enabled by the developing attunement of the business owner. This is a different method of investigating the nature of market development in the small business. It is expected that this work will be found to be of value when undertaking further research in this business situation.

Published
2009

8. Binge eating and impulsivity : the use of a delay discounting procedure to elucidate the relationship

Author

Bown, Debbie

Subjects
155
Abstract

Lacey and Evans' (1986) Multi-Impulsivist Theory suggests that impulsivity is a key factor underlying the propensity to binge eat, and it may be equally or more closely associated with the core features of binge eating psychopathology such as negative affect and cognitive restraint. Theoretical perspectives are discussed and the literature review examines the relationship between binge eating and impulsivity by discussing the co-morbid symptomatologies mat exist between binge eating and other impulse dysregulated disorders. A specific focus addresses the multi-dimensional nature of impulsivity and its inherent methodological and theoretical considerations. The literature review suggests that the use of a behavioural delay discounting procedure to measure impulsivity would elucidate the relationship between binge eating and impulsivity. The empirical study used a behavioural delay-discounting task to measure levels of impulsivity in a group of binge eaters and a group of controls. It also investigated the utility of using a delay discounting procedure to understand the 'loss of control' phenomenon in binge eating behaviour. In line with previous research, both self-report and delay-discounting measures evidenced significantly higher levels of impulsivity in binge-eaters, although a lack of correlations between behavioural and self-report measures were identified. The study provides preliminary evidence suggesting that the delay-discounting model may be a useful utility to predict the 'loss of control' phenomenon inherent in binge eaters, although future research is required to consolidate and support this utility. These findings have implications for clinical interventions, which may lead to the development of more effective treatments.

Published
2008

9. Theoretical and computational models of cohesion, competition and maladaptation in the evolution of human musical behaviour

Author

Bown, Oliver Roland

Subjects
780.1015768
Abstract

This thesis is concerned with the evolution of musical behaviour in humans, considered on a broad theoretical level. Drawing on key theoretical developments in the evolution of human culturai behaviour, and the potential interaction between culture and biological evolution, I propose that music has evolved through a feedback process between human cultural systems and human physiology that places its origin not in any adaptive function but in the non-functional consequences of complex dynamical systems in particular, systems in which cultural systems strongly determine relative individual fitness.

Published
2008

11. The lure of choice : the impact of increased choice on decision making

Author

Bown, Nicola Jane, Read, Daniel, and Maule, John

Subjects
381
Abstract

Reported in this thesis are ten experiments involving a total of 2,426 participants, which investigated the lure of choice. The lure of choice is demonstrated when an item is more likely to be chosen when it is presented in a choice set with other items than when it is presented in isolation. The lure of choice violates principles of rational decision making and can lead to sub-optimal decisions. In the early exploratory studies, participants made sequential selections between two target goods and one inferior lure item in lottery games and in decisions embedded in realistic scenarios. The first decision was between either a solitary target or a further decision between the second target and the lure. Participants were lured by choice, and took the same target more frequently when it was paired with a lure than when it was alone. Later studies were designed to test the argument that the lure of choice is a demonstration of an existing, well-documented context effect. Explanations of the asymmetric dominance effect failed to account for the lure of choice. The final set of studies was developed to demonstrate the applicability of the lure of choice in a range of domains, including replicating other relevant empirical studies. Results indicate that the lure of choice is a moderate but robust effect. Discussion focuses on attempts to resolve inconsistencies in the literature that on the one hand demonstrate that people crave choice, but on the other suggest in some situations too much choice can be demotivating or even harmful to the recipient. Conclusions suggest that the lure of choice is due to the overgeneralization of a preference for choice heuristic that has been very reliable in the natural world, but is less so in a world created by marketers geared towards maximising consumption. Other real world implications of the lure of choice are discussed.

Published
2006

13. A statistically meaningful approach to the setting of environmental standards

Author

Bown, Marion Haley

Subjects
363, Pollution control
Abstract

Most countries aim to regulate and protect the state of our environment under a system of environmental standards to control the level of certain pollutants present in various media of concern. Many such standards are often set without due consideration of uncertainty and variation and based on poorly defined principles. A sound statisticallybased approach to setting environmental standards can be based on the statistically verifiable ideal standard (SVIS) of Barnett and O'Hagan (1997). The SVIS is developed and practical implications of its use considered in terms of applications to pollution situations in air, water and soil, working in co-operation with relevant bodies. Developments include a non-parametric binomial approach and quantile testing for several simple parent pollutant distributions; properties of these approaches are examined in detail. A best linear unbiased quantile estimator (BLUQE) is examined, and 5% and 1 % critical values for the 0.95 and 0.99 BLUQE tabulated for use in an approximate significance testing procedure. This work is extended to a BLUQE for ranked set sampling, demonstrating impressive efficiency gains. Assessment of the SVIS using composite sample data is also investigated, with major improvements in test perrormance over the use of the commonly accepted 'divide-by-n' rule for critical value calculation. Following Barnett and O'Hagan (1997), the problem of setting directly equivalent compatible standards at different stages of the pollutant cause-effect chain is investigated. A statistically verifiable ideal guard point standard with two levels is also developed to avoid benefit of the doubt in testing procedures for standards, and its use demonstrated for both normal and gamma parent pollutant distributions. A reference point standard is proposed for a spatially dependent pollutant variable, with a krigingbased testing procedure. Finally, a 'hotspot' identification procedure is also developed, using outlier methods and composite sampling. The work concludes with suggestions for further related research.

Published
2002

16. Issues of scale in individual-based models : applications in fungal and plant community dynamics

Author

Bown, James Louis

Subjects
577, Ecological modelling, Biological modelling
Abstract

The central question addressed in this thesis is whether descriptions of the dynamics of ecological systems at one scale may be effectively used as descriptions of the dynamics of ecological systems at larger scales. This question is addressed in the context of the dynamics of fungal communities. A simple experimental system and complementary theoretical approach, in the form of an individual-based (cellular automaton) model, is presented. Experimental results derived from small-scale systems are used to quantify parameters of the model; results from large-scale experimental systems serve to test the model. The theoretical analyses clearly demonstrate that the dynamics observed are a result of both local and non-local features of the experimental system. In cases such as this the immediate extrapolation of results derived from xperiments conducted out of the context of the community to represent system scale behaviour is not possible. In response to this observation a generic framework is developed to allow the consideration of effects at a range of scales through contextual parameterisation of localised dynamics. The framework is directed toward plant systems where a large body of experimental data exists, and may be parameterised by that experimental data. It represents the essential features of individual interactions in terms of competition for space and resource, and the behaviour of a given plant is described in terms of functional traits. Model runs demonstrate complex community patterns suggestive of a known biological phenomena, succession, that arises as a consequence of the coupling between the community and environment. This coupling may allow the long-term coexistence of species through some particular balance in individual function (traits) across the community. A search mechanism is determined to allow combinations of trait values at the scale of the individual to be assessed for a particular community-scale phenomenon. Initial results demonstrate that this mechanism may identify and converge on combinations of trait values that give rise to, in this case, a simple measure of diversity. The manner in which the generic framework developed may be applied to further the investigation into fungal community dynamics is addressed.

Published
2000

18. Field and flow effects on tethered polymer chains

Author

Bown, Gavin John

Subjects
541, Linear polystyrenes, Neutron reflectrometry
Abstract

Solvated brush layers formed by linear polystyrenes have been investigated under quiescent and solvent shear-flow conditions using neutron reflectometry. Cyclohexane and toluene were used as solvents, and the polystyrene chains were tethered by one end to macroscopically flat silicon substrates via short poly-4-vinylpyridine end- groups. The brush systems were studied using a purpose built flow reflectometry cell. The brush height was found to increase with improving thermodynamic quality of the solvent due to increasingly strong repulsive excluded volume interactions between chain segments. Model fitting of the reflectivity data revealed that the polymer volume fraction profile was well described by parabola-like functions in agreement with the predictions of self-consistent field theory. No changes in the reflectivity profiles were observed upon exposure of the brush layers to solvent flow-induced area average shear rates of up to 147 000 s(^-1). This observation has been rationalised through a number of considerations, including comparison with recent theoretical predictions. Aqueous micellar dispersions of diblock copolymers of styrene and ethylene oxide have been studied using small angle neutron scattering in the concentration range 0.05 to 6.5 weight % copolymer. The micelles formed were found to be spherically symmetric, consisting of a polystyrene core surrounded by a corona of highly stretched solvated polyethylene oxide chains. At higher concentrations, the intermicellar interaction has been interpreted using an analytic structure factor originally developed to describe macroion solutions. On subjecting the dispersions to Couette shear, no evidence for long-range ordering of the micelles was observed in the diffraction patterns.

Published
1999

20. Redox conditions and ecological resilience during Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 in the Western Interior Seaway

Author

Robinson, L. J., George, K. S., Fox, C. P., Marshall, J. E.A., Harding, I. C., Bown, P. R., Lively, J. R., Marroquín, S., Leckie, R. M., Dameron, S., Gröcke, D. R., Papadomanolaki, N. M., van Helmond, N. A.G.M., Whiteside, J. H., Robinson, L. J., George, K. S., Fox, C. P., Marshall, J. E.A., Harding, I. C., Bown, P. R., Lively, J. R., Marroquín, S., Leckie, R. M., Dameron, S., Gröcke, D. R., Papadomanolaki, N. M., van Helmond, N. A.G.M., and Whiteside, J. H.

Abstract

Oceanic Anoxic Events (OAEs) are important geological events that may be analogues to future climate-driven deoxygenation of our oceans. Much of the global ocean experienced anoxic conditions during the Cenomanian–Turonian OAE (OAE2; ∼94 Ma), whereas the Western Interior Seaway (WIS) experienced oxygenation at this time. Here, organic geochemical and palynological data generated from Cenomanian–Turonian age sediments from five sites in the WIS are used to investigate changing redox and ecological conditions across differing palaeoenvironments and palaeolatitudes. Heterogeneity across the sites is apparent, but important relationships and trends among oceanographic variables are recognised: 1) Increasing total organic carbon (TOC) and CaCO3 percentages indicate the onset of a sea-level maximum towards the end of OAE2; 2) C28 sterane is shown to be a useful marker for prasinophyte abundance, and concurrent increases in this marker and overall sterane abundance indicate prasinophyte-driven increase in algal productivity in a stratified water column; and 3) sterane ratios can be a more reliable geochemical proxy than redox proxies for assessing the Benthic Oxic Zone. Our redox data do not always follow established trends for the WIS overall, particularly for proximal settings. We therefore surmise that local effects, such as nutrient-driven expansion of the oxygen minimum zone and/or sedimentation-driven anoxia just below the sediment-water interface, have overprinted regional trends.

Published
2023

22. Age, depositional history and tectonics of the Indo-Myanmar Ranges, Myanmar

Author

Naing, Tin Tin, Robinson, S.A., Searle, M.P., Morley, C.K., Millar, I., Green, O.R., Bown, P.R., Danelian, T., Petrizzo, M.R., Henderson, G.M., Naing, Tin Tin, Robinson, S.A., Searle, M.P., Morley, C.K., Millar, I., Green, O.R., Bown, P.R., Danelian, T., Petrizzo, M.R., and Henderson, G.M.

Abstract

The Indo-Myanmar Ranges (IMR) are an enigmatic mountain belt that occupy a complex tectonic zone in western Myanmar extending from the northern continuation of the active Sunda-Andaman arc into the eastern Himalayan syntaxis. The IMR are part of an accretionary fore-arc basin-arc complex that includes the Central Myanmar Basin and the Wuntho-Popa Arc to the east. New biostratigraphic, petrologic, and detrital zircon U-Pb age data are presented that are used to test and refine the divergent tectonic models that have been proposed for western Myanmar. These data suggest: 1) that the Upper Triassic Pane Chaung Formation was originally deposited adjacent to the NE Indian continental margin within northern Gondwana during the Late Triassic, and 2) that the Upper Cretaceous – Paleogene rocks of the IBR were mainly derived from the Wuntho-Popa Arc and Inner Belt, with a subordinate input from a crustal source, potentially from the Naga metamorphic-type Paleozoic basement. The Kalemyo ophiolite has an Early Cretaceous age similar to ages of ophiolites in the Indus Yarlung-Tsangpo suture zone, south Tibet and Nagaland, reinforcing the hypothesis that they were once part of the same Neo-Tethyan ocean floor.

Published
2023

23. Redox conditions and ecological resilience during Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 in the Western Interior Seaway

Author

Geochemistry, General geochemistry, Robinson, L. J., George, K. S., Fox, C. P., Marshall, J. E.A., Harding, I. C., Bown, P. R., Lively, J. R., Marroquín, S., Leckie, R. M., Dameron, S., Gröcke, D. R., Papadomanolaki, N. M., van Helmond, N. A.G.M., Whiteside, J. H., Geochemistry, General geochemistry, Robinson, L. J., George, K. S., Fox, C. P., Marshall, J. E.A., Harding, I. C., Bown, P. R., Lively, J. R., Marroquín, S., Leckie, R. M., Dameron, S., Gröcke, D. R., Papadomanolaki, N. M., van Helmond, N. A.G.M., and Whiteside, J. H.

Published
2023

24. Excavating the 'Rutland Sea Dragon': The largest ichthyosaur skeleton ever found in the UK (Whitby Mudstone Formation, Toarcian, Lower Jurassic)

Author

Larkin, Nigel R., Lomax, Dean R., Evans, Mark, Nicholls, Emma, Dey, Steven, Boomer, Ian, Copestake, Philip, Bown, Paul, Riding, James B., Withers, Darren, Davis, Joseph, Larkin, Nigel R., Lomax, Dean R., Evans, Mark, Nicholls, Emma, Dey, Steven, Boomer, Ian, Copestake, Philip, Bown, Paul, Riding, James B., Withers, Darren, and Davis, Joseph

Abstract

An almost complete ichthyosaur skeleton 10 m long was discovered in January 2021 at the Rutland Water Nature Reserve in the county of Rutland, UK. This was excavated by a small team of palaeontologists in the summer of the same year. Nicknamed ‘The Rutland Sea Dragon’, this almost fully articulated skeleton is an example of the large-bodied Early Jurassic ichthyosaur Temnodontosaurus. The specimen was analysed in situ, recorded (including a 3D scan using photogrammetry), excavated and removed from the site in a series of large plaster field jackets to preserve taphonomic information. Significantly, the specimen is the largest ichthyosaur skeleton to have been found in the UK and it may be the first recorded example of Temnodontosaurus trigonodon to be found in the country, extending its known geographic range significantly. It also represents the most complete skeleton of a large prehistoric reptile to have been found in the UK. We provide an account of the discovery and describe the methods used for excavating, recording and lifting the large skeleton which will aid palaeontologists facing similar challenges when collecting extensive remains of large and fragile fossil vertebrates. We also discuss the preliminary research findings and the global impact this discovery has had through public engagement.

Published
2023

25. Author Correction: Genome-wide association study of intracranial aneurysms identifies 17 risk loci and genetic overlap with clinical risk factors

Author

Bakker, Mark K., van der Spek, Rick A. A., van Rheenen, Wouter, Morel, Sandrine, Bourcier, Romain, Hostettler, Isabel C., Alg, Varinder S., van Eijk, Kristel R., Koido, Masaru, Akiyama, Masato, Terao, Chikashi, Matsuda, Koichi, Walters, Robin G., Lin, Kuang, Li, Liming, Millwood, Iona Y., Chen, Zhengming, Rouleau, Guy A., Zhou, Sirui, Rannikmäe, Kristiina, Sudlow, Cathie L. M., Houlden, Henry, van den Berg, Leonard H., Dina, Christian, Naggara, Olivier, Gentric, Jean-Christophe, Shotar, Eimad, Eugène, François, Desal, Hubert, Winsvold, Bendik S., Børte, Sigrid, Johnsen, Marianne Bakke, Brumpton, Ben M., Sandvei, Marie Søfteland, Willer, Cristen J., Hveem, Kristian, Zwart, John-Anker, Verschuren, W. M. Monique, Friedrich, Christoph M., Hirsch, Sven, Schilling, Sabine, Dauvillier, Jérôme, Martin, Olivier, Jones, Gregory T., Bown, Matthew J., Ko, Nerissa U., Kim, Helen, Coleman, Jonathan R. I., Breen, Gerome, Zaroff, Jonathan G., Klijn, Catharina J. M., Malik, Rainer, Dichgans, Martin, Sargurupremraj, Muralidharan, Tatlisumak, Turgut, Amouyel, Philippe, Debette, Stéphanie, Rinkel, Gabriel J. E., Worrall, Bradford B., Pera, Joanna, Slowik, Agnieszka, Gaál-Paavola, Emília I., Niemelä, Mika, Jääskeläinen, Juha E., von Und Zu Fraunberg, Mikael, Lindgren, Antti, Broderick, Joseph P., Werring, David J., Woo, Daniel, Redon, Richard, Bijlenga, Philippe, Kamatani, Yoichiro, Veldink, Jan H., Ruigrok, Ynte M., Bakker, Mark K., van der Spek, Rick A. A., van Rheenen, Wouter, Morel, Sandrine, Bourcier, Romain, Hostettler, Isabel C., Alg, Varinder S., van Eijk, Kristel R., Koido, Masaru, Akiyama, Masato, Terao, Chikashi, Matsuda, Koichi, Walters, Robin G., Lin, Kuang, Li, Liming, Millwood, Iona Y., Chen, Zhengming, Rouleau, Guy A., Zhou, Sirui, Rannikmäe, Kristiina, Sudlow, Cathie L. M., Houlden, Henry, van den Berg, Leonard H., Dina, Christian, Naggara, Olivier, Gentric, Jean-Christophe, Shotar, Eimad, Eugène, François, Desal, Hubert, Winsvold, Bendik S., Børte, Sigrid, Johnsen, Marianne Bakke, Brumpton, Ben M., Sandvei, Marie Søfteland, Willer, Cristen J., Hveem, Kristian, Zwart, John-Anker, Verschuren, W. M. Monique, Friedrich, Christoph M., Hirsch, Sven, Schilling, Sabine, Dauvillier, Jérôme, Martin, Olivier, Jones, Gregory T., Bown, Matthew J., Ko, Nerissa U., Kim, Helen, Coleman, Jonathan R. I., Breen, Gerome, Zaroff, Jonathan G., Klijn, Catharina J. M., Malik, Rainer, Dichgans, Martin, Sargurupremraj, Muralidharan, Tatlisumak, Turgut, Amouyel, Philippe, Debette, Stéphanie, Rinkel, Gabriel J. E., Worrall, Bradford B., Pera, Joanna, Slowik, Agnieszka, Gaál-Paavola, Emília I., Niemelä, Mika, Jääskeläinen, Juha E., von Und Zu Fraunberg, Mikael, Lindgren, Antti, Broderick, Joseph P., Werring, David J., Woo, Daniel, Redon, Richard, Bijlenga, Philippe, Kamatani, Yoichiro, Veldink, Jan H., and Ruigrok, Ynte M.

Abstract

Correction to: Nature Genetics https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-020-00725-7, published online 16 November 2020.

Published
2023

27. Widespread diversity deficits of coral reef sharks and rays

Author

Simpfendorfer, Colin A., Heithaus, Michael R., Heupel, Michelle R., Macneil, M.A., Meekan, Mark, Harvey, Euan, Sherman, C.S., Currey-Randall, Leanne M., Goetze, Jordan S., Kiszka, Jeremy J., Rees, Matthew J., Speed, Conrad W., Udyawer, Vinay, Bond, Mark E., Flowers, Kathryn I., Clementi, Gina M., Valentin-Albanese, Jasmine, Adam, M.S., Ali, Khadeeja, Asher, Jacob, Aylagas, Eva, Beaufort, Océane, Benjamin, Cecilie, Bernard, Anthony T.F., Berumen, Michael L., Bierwagen, Stacy, Birrell, Chico, Bonnema, Erika, Bown, Rosalind M.K., Brooks, Edward J., Brown, J.J., Buddo, Dayne, Burke, Patrick J., Cáceres, Camila, Cambra, Marta, Cardeñosa, Diego, Carrier, Jeffrey C., Casareto, Sara, Caselle, Jennifer E., Charloo, Venkatesh, Cinner, Joshua E., Claverie, Thomas, Clua, Eric E.G., Cochran, Jesse E.M., Cook, Neil, Cramp, Jessica E., d’Alberto, Brooke M., de Graaf, Martin, Dornhege, Mareike C., Espinoza, Mario, Estep, Andy, Fanovich, Lanya, Farabaugh, Naomi F., Fernando, Daniel, Ferreira, Carlos E.L., Fields, Candace Y.A., Flam, Anna L., Floros, Camilla, Fourqurean, Virginia, Gajdzik, Laura, García Barcia, Laura, Garla, Ricardo, Gastrich, Kirk, George, Lachlan, Giarrizzo, Tommaso, Graham, Rory, Guttridge, Tristan L., Hagan, Valerie, Hardenstine, Royale S., Heck, Stephen M., Henderson, Aaron C., Heithaus, Patricia, Hertler, Heidi, Hoyos Padilla, Mauricio, Hueter, Robert E., Jabado, Rima W., Joyeux, Jean-Christophe, Jaiteh, Vanessa, Johnson, Mohini, Jupiter, Stacy D., Kaimuddin, Muslimin, Kasana, Devanshi, Kelley, Megan, Kessel, Steven T., Kiilu, Benedict, Kirata, Taratau, Kuguru, Baraka, Kyne, Fabian, Langlois, Tim, Lara, Frida, Lawe, Jaedon, Lédée, Elodie J.I., Lindfield, Steve, Luna-Acosta, Andrea, Maggs, Jade Q., Manjaji-Matsumoto, B.M., Marshall, Andrea, Martin, Lucy, Mateos-Molina, Daniel, Matich, Philip, Mccombs, Erin, Mcivor, Ashlie, Mclean, Dianne, Meggs, Llewelyn, Moore, Stephen, Mukherji, Sushmita, Murray, Ryan, Newman, Stephen J., Nogués, Josep, Obota, Clay, Ochavillo, Domingo, O'Shea, Owen, Osuka, Kennedy E., Papastamatiou, Yannis P., Perera, Nishan, Peterson, Bradley, Pimentel, Caio R., Pina-Amargós, Fabián, Pinheiro, Hudson T., Ponzo, Alessandro, Prasetyo, Andhika, Quamar, L.M.S., Quinlan, Jessica R., Reis-Filho, José Amorim, Ruiz, Hector, Ruiz-Abierno, Alexei, Sala, Enric, Salinas-de-León, Pelayo, Samoilys, Melita A., Sample, William R., Schärer-Umpierre, Michelle, Schlaff, Audrey M., Schmid, Kurt, Schoen, Sara N., Simpson, Nikola, Smith, Adam N.H., Spaet, Julia L.Y., Sparks, Lauren, Stoffers, Twan, Tanna, Akshay, Torres, Rubén, Travers, Michael J., van Zinnicq Bergmann, Maurits, Vigliola, Laurent, Ward, Juney, Warren, Joseph D., Watts, Alexandra M., Wen, Colin K., Whitman, Elizabeth R., Wirsing, Aaron J., Wothke, Aljoscha, Zarza-González, Esteban, Chapman, Demian D., Simpfendorfer, Colin A., Heithaus, Michael R., Heupel, Michelle R., Macneil, M.A., Meekan, Mark, Harvey, Euan, Sherman, C.S., Currey-Randall, Leanne M., Goetze, Jordan S., Kiszka, Jeremy J., Rees, Matthew J., Speed, Conrad W., Udyawer, Vinay, Bond, Mark E., Flowers, Kathryn I., Clementi, Gina M., Valentin-Albanese, Jasmine, Adam, M.S., Ali, Khadeeja, Asher, Jacob, Aylagas, Eva, Beaufort, Océane, Benjamin, Cecilie, Bernard, Anthony T.F., Berumen, Michael L., Bierwagen, Stacy, Birrell, Chico, Bonnema, Erika, Bown, Rosalind M.K., Brooks, Edward J., Brown, J.J., Buddo, Dayne, Burke, Patrick J., Cáceres, Camila, Cambra, Marta, Cardeñosa, Diego, Carrier, Jeffrey C., Casareto, Sara, Caselle, Jennifer E., Charloo, Venkatesh, Cinner, Joshua E., Claverie, Thomas, Clua, Eric E.G., Cochran, Jesse E.M., Cook, Neil, Cramp, Jessica E., d’Alberto, Brooke M., de Graaf, Martin, Dornhege, Mareike C., Espinoza, Mario, Estep, Andy, Fanovich, Lanya, Farabaugh, Naomi F., Fernando, Daniel, Ferreira, Carlos E.L., Fields, Candace Y.A., Flam, Anna L., Floros, Camilla, Fourqurean, Virginia, Gajdzik, Laura, García Barcia, Laura, Garla, Ricardo, Gastrich, Kirk, George, Lachlan, Giarrizzo, Tommaso, Graham, Rory, Guttridge, Tristan L., Hagan, Valerie, Hardenstine, Royale S., Heck, Stephen M., Henderson, Aaron C., Heithaus, Patricia, Hertler, Heidi, Hoyos Padilla, Mauricio, Hueter, Robert E., Jabado, Rima W., Joyeux, Jean-Christophe, Jaiteh, Vanessa, Johnson, Mohini, Jupiter, Stacy D., Kaimuddin, Muslimin, Kasana, Devanshi, Kelley, Megan, Kessel, Steven T., Kiilu, Benedict, Kirata, Taratau, Kuguru, Baraka, Kyne, Fabian, Langlois, Tim, Lara, Frida, Lawe, Jaedon, Lédée, Elodie J.I., Lindfield, Steve, Luna-Acosta, Andrea, Maggs, Jade Q., Manjaji-Matsumoto, B.M., Marshall, Andrea, Martin, Lucy, Mateos-Molina, Daniel, Matich, Philip, Mccombs, Erin, Mcivor, Ashlie, Mclean, Dianne, Meggs, Llewelyn, Moore, Stephen, Mukherji, Sushmita, Murray, Ryan, Newman, Stephen J., Nogués, Josep, Obota, Clay, Ochavillo, Domingo, O'Shea, Owen, Osuka, Kennedy E., Papastamatiou, Yannis P., Perera, Nishan, Peterson, Bradley, Pimentel, Caio R., Pina-Amargós, Fabián, Pinheiro, Hudson T., Ponzo, Alessandro, Prasetyo, Andhika, Quamar, L.M.S., Quinlan, Jessica R., Reis-Filho, José Amorim, Ruiz, Hector, Ruiz-Abierno, Alexei, Sala, Enric, Salinas-de-León, Pelayo, Samoilys, Melita A., Sample, William R., Schärer-Umpierre, Michelle, Schlaff, Audrey M., Schmid, Kurt, Schoen, Sara N., Simpson, Nikola, Smith, Adam N.H., Spaet, Julia L.Y., Sparks, Lauren, Stoffers, Twan, Tanna, Akshay, Torres, Rubén, Travers, Michael J., van Zinnicq Bergmann, Maurits, Vigliola, Laurent, Ward, Juney, Warren, Joseph D., Watts, Alexandra M., Wen, Colin K., Whitman, Elizabeth R., Wirsing, Aaron J., Wothke, Aljoscha, Zarza-González, Esteban, and Chapman, Demian D.

Abstract

A global survey of coral reefs reveals that overfishing is driving resident shark species toward extinction, causing diversity deficits in reef elasmobranch (shark and ray) assemblages. Our species-level analysis revealed global declines of 60 to 73% for five common resident reef shark species and that individual shark species were not detected at 34 to 47% of surveyed reefs. As reefs become more shark-depleted, rays begin to dominate assemblages. Shark-dominated assemblages persist in wealthy nations with strong governance and in highly protected areas, whereas poverty, weak governance, and a lack of shark management are associated with depauperate assemblages mainly composed of rays. Without action to address these diversity deficits, loss of ecological function and ecosystem services will increasingly affect human communities.

Published
2023

28. A Study of Creative Development with an IoT-based Audiovisual System: Creative Strategies and Impacts for System Design

Author

Mikolajczyk, K, Bown, O, Ferguson, S, Mikolajczyk, K, Bown, O, and Ferguson, S

Abstract

In this paper we describe a qualitative study investigating how artists work with a scalable and distributed audio-visual installation system that utilises IoT technology. With no prior experience of the system invited artists incorporated the new technology according to a creative brief for a public performance. We examined how they (i) built an understanding of the technology's affordances, (ii) refined their creative goals, and (iii) deployed collaborative strategies to achieve creative outcomes. We examine how the artists worked from the examples we provided to integrate our audio-visual system and develop their creative work. We identify three distinct creative strategies and use these to suggest ways that the design of examples, presets and readymade configurations can be successfully integrated into interfaces for new creative technologies.

Published
2023

29. Gestural Interactions with Object-Based Audio in an Internet of Sounds Ecosystem

Author

Mikolajczyk, K, Trolland, S, Ilsar, A, McCormack, J, Ferguson, S, Bown, O, Mikolajczyk, K, Trolland, S, Ilsar, A, McCormack, J, Ferguson, S, and Bown, O

Abstract

An Internet of Sounds IoS ecosystem for rendering object based audio across wireless distributed devices powering lights and speakers is interfaced with wireless gestural controllers to support embodied interaction in audio spatialisation The devices generate audio locally supporting the design of abstract objects for affecting other media in a distributed system Through contextualising ours with other gestural controllers interacting in spatial audio settings we articulate how affordances of the IoS ecosystem and its components complement the embodied interaction that gestural control facilitates with object based audio The interactions we describe for controlling are imagined in two creative scenarios that we discuss in an envisioned application and future developments

Published
2023

34. Characterisation of genes expressed in various tissues of PEA (Pisum sativum L.) : correlation of genotype and phenotype

Author

Bown, David Philip

Subjects
572.8, Pea seed storage
Abstract

Genes encoding representatives of two subfamilies from the vicilin storage protein family in pea (Pisum sativum L.) have been sequenced and characterised. One, encoding convicilin, shows that this protein differs from vicilin by the insertion of a hydrophilic region near the N-terminus. The transcription start point has been determinedand the pattern of expression in developing seeds elucidated. By theexpression of this gene in tobacco, the specific polypeptide product ofthe gene was identified as a minor component of convicilin , with a lowerMr than the major species . The other gene subfamily investigated wasThat encoding the vicilin 47,000 Mr polypeptide. A gene and a cDNA weresequenced, and the gene found to diverge from the cDNA in the 3" regionof the coding sequence. No product from this divergent gene could beidentified.A member of the legumin gene family (legK) was sequenced and found to be inactive due to a mutation of the start codon. The region of DNAencoding the start codon of this gene was amplified by polymerase chainreaction from a pea line in which the gene was known to be active . Thesequence of this revealed the presence of a normal start codon. Two dimensional protein gels were run with seed extracts from these twolines , and the product of (legK) demonstrated by its occurrence in theline with the functional gene. A method for the extraction and purification of the major pea root protein was established. The protein was shown to have a Mr of 16,000 and not to be susceptible to cleavage by cyanogen bromide. Partial amino acid sequence data was obtained from the purified protein .A differential screen of cDNA from purple and green poddedvarieties of pea was conducted, and differentially expressed cDNAsisolated . The nature of the expression of these cDNAs was studied in thetwo lines and the cause of instability in the purple podded phenotypeinvestigated . A genomic library was constructed from the purple poddedline . Two genes were selected by the differentially expressed cDNAs andtheir DNA sequences determined. A gene encoding a pectinestera- likesequence, and the pod expressed cDNA used to select it , were found to betwo members of a small multigene family in pea. The second gene selectedproved to encode a protein containing two distinct domains; the N-terminal region being of a repetitive proline-rich nature and the C-terminal region being hydrophobic and cysteine rich . This gene waspresent as a single copy in the pea genome and its expression appearedto be linked to pigmentation.

Published
1992

35. Crustal block origins of the South Scotia Ridge

Author

Riley, Teal R., Carter, Andrew, Burton-Johnson, Alex, Leat, Philip T., Hogan, Kelly A., Bown, Paul R., Riley, Teal R., Carter, Andrew, Burton-Johnson, Alex, Leat, Philip T., Hogan, Kelly A., and Bown, Paul R.

Abstract

The Cenozoic development of the Scotia Sea and opening of Drake Passage evolved in a complex tectonic setting with sea-floor spreading accompanied by the dispersal of continental fragments and the creation of rifted oceanic basins. The post-Eocene tectonic setting of the Scotia Sea is relatively well established, but Late Mesozoic paleo-locations of many continental fragments prior to dispersal are largely unknown, with almost no geological control on the submerged banks. Detrital zircon analysis of dredged metasedimentary rocks of Bruce Bank from the South Scotia Ridge demonstrates a geological continuity with the South Orkney microcontinent (SOM) and also a clear geological affinity with the Trinity Peninsula Group metasedimentary rocks of the Antarctic Peninsula and components of the Cordillera Darwin Metamorphic Complex of Tierra del Fuego. Kinematic modelling indicate an Antarctic Plate origin for Bruce Bank and the SOM is the most plausible setting, prior to translation to the Scotia Plate during Scotia Sea opening.

Published
2022

36. Rare coding variants in 35 genes associate with circulating lipid levels - A multi-ancestry analysis of 170,000 exomes

Author

Hindy, George, Dornbos, Peter, Chaffin, Mark D., Liu, Dajiang J., Wang, Minxian, Selvaraj, Margaret Sunitha, Zhang, David, Park, Joseph, Aguilar-Salinas, Carlos A., Antonacci-Fulton, Lucinda, Ardissino, Diego, Arnett, Donna K., Aslibekyan, Stella, Atzmon, Gil, Ballantyne, Christie M., Barajas-Olmos, Francisco, Barzilai, Nir, Becker, Lewis C., Bielak, Lawrence F., Bis, Joshua C., Blangero, John, Boerwinkle, Eric, Bonnycastle, Lori L., Bottinger, Erwin, Bowden, Donald W., Bown, Matthew J., Brody, Jennifer A., Broome, Jai G., Burtt, Noël P., Cade, Brian E., Centeno-Cruz, Federico, Chan, Edmund, Chang, Yi Cheng, Chen, Yii Der I., Cheng, Ching Yu, Choi, Won Jung, Chowdhury, Rajiv, Contreras-Cubas, Cecilia, Córdova, Emilio J., Correa, Adolfo, Cupples, L. Adrienne, Curran, Joanne E., Danesh, John, de Vries, Paul S., Grarup, Niels, Hansen, Torben, Linneberg, Allan, Loos, Ruth J.F., Pedersen, Oluf, Witte, Daniel R., Hindy, George, Dornbos, Peter, Chaffin, Mark D., Liu, Dajiang J., Wang, Minxian, Selvaraj, Margaret Sunitha, Zhang, David, Park, Joseph, Aguilar-Salinas, Carlos A., Antonacci-Fulton, Lucinda, Ardissino, Diego, Arnett, Donna K., Aslibekyan, Stella, Atzmon, Gil, Ballantyne, Christie M., Barajas-Olmos, Francisco, Barzilai, Nir, Becker, Lewis C., Bielak, Lawrence F., Bis, Joshua C., Blangero, John, Boerwinkle, Eric, Bonnycastle, Lori L., Bottinger, Erwin, Bowden, Donald W., Bown, Matthew J., Brody, Jennifer A., Broome, Jai G., Burtt, Noël P., Cade, Brian E., Centeno-Cruz, Federico, Chan, Edmund, Chang, Yi Cheng, Chen, Yii Der I., Cheng, Ching Yu, Choi, Won Jung, Chowdhury, Rajiv, Contreras-Cubas, Cecilia, Córdova, Emilio J., Correa, Adolfo, Cupples, L. Adrienne, Curran, Joanne E., Danesh, John, de Vries, Paul S., Grarup, Niels, Hansen, Torben, Linneberg, Allan, Loos, Ruth J.F., Pedersen, Oluf, and Witte, Daniel R.

Abstract

Large-scale gene sequencing studies for complex traits have the potential to identify causal genes with therapeutic implications. We performed gene-based association testing of blood lipid levels with rare (minor allele frequency < 1%) predicted damaging coding variation by using sequence data from >170,000 individuals from multiple ancestries: 97,493 European, 30,025 South Asian, 16,507 African, 16,440 Hispanic/Latino, 10,420 East Asian, and 1,182 Samoan. We identified 35 genes associated with circulating lipid levels; some of these genes have not been previously associated with lipid levels when using rare coding variation from population-based samples. We prioritize 32 genes in array-based genome-wide association study (GWAS) loci based on aggregations of rare coding variants; three (EVI5, SH2B3, and PLIN1) had no prior association of rare coding variants with lipid levels. Most of our associated genes showed evidence of association among multiple ancestries. Finally, we observed an enrichment of gene-based associations for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol drug target genes and for genes closest to GWAS index single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Our results demonstrate that gene-based associations can be beneficial for drug target development and provide evidence that the gene closest to the array-based GWAS index SNP is often the functional gene for blood lipid levels.

Published
2022

37. European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) 2019 clinical practice guidelines on the management of abdominal aorto-iliac artery aneurysms

Author

Wanhainen, Anders, Verzini, Fabio, Van Herzeele, Isabelle, Allaire, Eric, Bown, Matthew, Cohnert, Tina, Dick, Florian, van Herwaarden, Joost, Karkos, Christos, Koelemay, Mark, Kolbel, Tilo, Loftus, Ian, Mani, Kevin, Melissano, Germano, Powell, Janet, Szeberin, Zoltan, Wanhainen, Anders, Verzini, Fabio, Van Herzeele, Isabelle, Allaire, Eric, Bown, Matthew, Cohnert, Tina, Dick, Florian, van Herwaarden, Joost, Karkos, Christos, Koelemay, Mark, Kolbel, Tilo, Loftus, Ian, Mani, Kevin, Melissano, Germano, Powell, Janet, and Szeberin, Zoltan

Published
2022
Full Text
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38. Mechanising Conceptual Spaces using Variational Autoencoders

Author

Peeperkorn, Max, Saunders, Rob, Bown, Oliver, Jordanous, Anna, Peeperkorn, Max, Saunders, Rob, Bown, Oliver, and Jordanous, Anna

Abstract

In this pilot study, we explore the Variational Autoencoder as a computational model for conceptual spaces in a social interaction context. Conceptually, the Variational Autoencoder is a natural fit for this purpose. We apply this idea in an agent-based social creativity simulation to explore and understand the effects of social interactions on adapting conceptual spaces. We demonstrate a simple simulation setup and run experiments with a focus on establishing a baseline. While ongoing work needs to identify if adaption was appropriate, the results so far suggest that the Variational Autoencoder appears to adapt to new artefacts and has potential for modelling conceptual spaces.

Published
2022

40. COVID-19: Rapid antigen detection for SARS-CoV-2 by lateral flow assay: A national systematic evaluation of sensitivity and specificity for mass-testing

Author

Peto, T., Affron, D., Afrough, B., Agasu, A., Ainsworth, M., Allanson, A., Allen, K., Allen, C., Archer, L., Ashbridge, N., Aurfan, I., Avery, M., Badenoch, E., Bagga, P., Balaji, R., Baldwin, E., Barraclough, S., Beane, C., Bell, J., Benford, T., Bird, S., Bishop, M., Bloss, A., Body, R., Boulton, R., Bown, A., Bratten, C., Bridgeman, C., Britton, D., Brooks, T., Broughton-Smith, M., Brown, P., Buck, B., Butcher, E., Byrne, W., Calderon, G., Campbell, S., Carr, O., Carter, P., Carter, D., Cathrall, M., Catton, M., Chadwick, J., Chapman, D., Chau, K.K., Chaudary, T., Chidavaenzi, S., Chilcott, S., Choi, B., Claasen, H., Clark, S., Clarke, R., Clarke, D., Clayton, R., Collins, K., Colston, R., Connolly, J., Cook, E., Corcoran, M., Corley, B., Costello, L., Coulson, C., Crook, A., Crook, D.W., D'Arcangelo, S., Darby, M-A, Davis, J., de Koning, R., Derbyshire, P., Devall, P., Dolman, M., Draper, N., Driver, M., Dyas, S., Eaton, E., Edwards, J., Elderfield, R., Ellis, K., Ellis, G., Elwell, S., Evans, R., Evans, B., Evans, M., Eyre, D., Fahey, C., Fenech, V., Field, J., Field, A., Foord, T., Fowler, T., French, M., Fuchs, H., Gan, J., Gernon, J., Ghadiali, G., Ghuman, N., Gibbons, K., Gill, G., Gilmour, K., Goel, A., Gordon, S., Graham, T., Grassam-Rowe, A., Green, D., Gronert, A., Gumsley-Read, T., Hall, C., Hallis, B., Hammond, S., Hammond, P., Hanney, B., Hardy, V., Harker, G., Harris, A., Havinden-Williams, M., Hazell, E., Henry, J., Hicklin, K., Hollier, K., Holloway, B., Hoosdally, S.J., Hopkins, S., Hughes, L., Hurdowar, S., Hurford, S-A, Jackman, J., Jackson, H., Johns, R., Johnston, S., Jones, J., Kanyowa, T., Keating-Fedders, K., Kempson, S., Khan, I., Khulusi, B., Knight, T., Krishna, A., Lahert, P., Lampshire, Z., Lasserson, D., Lee, K., Lee, L.Y.W., Legard, A., Leggio, C., Liu, J., Lockett, T., Logue, C., Lucas, V., Lumley, S.F., Maripuri, V., Markham, D., Marshall, E., Matthews, P.C., Mckee, S., McKee, D.F., McLeod, N., McNulty, A., Mellor, F., Michel, R., Mighiu, A., Miller, J., Mirza, Z., Mistry, H., Mitchell, J., Moeser, M.E., Moore, S., Muthuswamy, A., Myers, D., Nanson, G., Newbury, M., Nicol, S., Nuttall, H., Nwanaforo, J.J., Oliver, L., Osbourne, W., Osbourne, J., Otter, A., Owen, J., Panchalingam, S., Papoulidis, D., Pavon, J.D., Peace, A., Pearson, K., Peck, L., Pegg, A., Pegler, S., Permain, H., Perumal, P., Peto, L., Peto, T.E.A., Pham, T., Pickford, H.L., Pinkerton, M., Platton, M., Price, A., Protheroe, E., Purnell, H., Rawden, L., Read, S., Reynard, C., Ridge, S., Ritter, T.G., Robinson, J., Robinson, P., Rodger, G., Rowe, C., Rowell, B., Rowlands, A., Sampson, S., Saunders, K., Sayers, R., Sears, J., Sedgewick, R., Seeney, L., Selassie, A., Shail, L., Shallcross, J., Sheppard, L., Sherkat, A., Siddiqui, S., Sienkiewicz, A., Sinha, L., Smith, J., Smith, E., Stanton, E., Starkey, T., Stawiarski, A., Sterry, A., Stevens, J., Stockbridge, M., Stoesser, N., Sukumaran, A., Sweed, A., Tatar, S., Thomas, H., Tibbins, C., Tiley, S., Timmins, J., Tomas-Smith, C., Topping, O., Turek, E., Neibler, T., Trigg-Hogarth, K., Truelove, E., Turnbull, C., Tyrrell, D., Vaughan, A., Vertannes, J., Vipond, R., Wagstaff, L., Waldron, J., Walker, P., Walker, A.S., Walters, M., Wang, J.Y., Watson, E., Webberley, K., Webster, K., Westland, G., Wickens, I., Willcocks, J., Willis, H., Wilson, S., Wilson, B., Woodhead, L., Wright, D., Xavier, B., Yelnoorkar, F., Zeidan, L., Zinyama, R., Peto, T., Affron, D., Afrough, B., Agasu, A., Ainsworth, M., Allanson, A., Allen, K., Allen, C., Archer, L., Ashbridge, N., Aurfan, I., Avery, M., Badenoch, E., Bagga, P., Balaji, R., Baldwin, E., Barraclough, S., Beane, C., Bell, J., Benford, T., Bird, S., Bishop, M., Bloss, A., Body, R., Boulton, R., Bown, A., Bratten, C., Bridgeman, C., Britton, D., Brooks, T., Broughton-Smith, M., Brown, P., Buck, B., Butcher, E., Byrne, W., Calderon, G., Campbell, S., Carr, O., Carter, P., Carter, D., Cathrall, M., Catton, M., Chadwick, J., Chapman, D., Chau, K.K., Chaudary, T., Chidavaenzi, S., Chilcott, S., Choi, B., Claasen, H., Clark, S., Clarke, R., Clarke, D., Clayton, R., Collins, K., Colston, R., Connolly, J., Cook, E., Corcoran, M., Corley, B., Costello, L., Coulson, C., Crook, A., Crook, D.W., D'Arcangelo, S., Darby, M-A, Davis, J., de Koning, R., Derbyshire, P., Devall, P., Dolman, M., Draper, N., Driver, M., Dyas, S., Eaton, E., Edwards, J., Elderfield, R., Ellis, K., Ellis, G., Elwell, S., Evans, R., Evans, B., Evans, M., Eyre, D., Fahey, C., Fenech, V., Field, J., Field, A., Foord, T., Fowler, T., French, M., Fuchs, H., Gan, J., Gernon, J., Ghadiali, G., Ghuman, N., Gibbons, K., Gill, G., Gilmour, K., Goel, A., Gordon, S., Graham, T., Grassam-Rowe, A., Green, D., Gronert, A., Gumsley-Read, T., Hall, C., Hallis, B., Hammond, S., Hammond, P., Hanney, B., Hardy, V., Harker, G., Harris, A., Havinden-Williams, M., Hazell, E., Henry, J., Hicklin, K., Hollier, K., Holloway, B., Hoosdally, S.J., Hopkins, S., Hughes, L., Hurdowar, S., Hurford, S-A, Jackman, J., Jackson, H., Johns, R., Johnston, S., Jones, J., Kanyowa, T., Keating-Fedders, K., Kempson, S., Khan, I., Khulusi, B., Knight, T., Krishna, A., Lahert, P., Lampshire, Z., Lasserson, D., Lee, K., Lee, L.Y.W., Legard, A., Leggio, C., Liu, J., Lockett, T., Logue, C., Lucas, V., Lumley, S.F., Maripuri, V., Markham, D., Marshall, E., Matthews, P.C., Mckee, S., McKee, D.F., McLeod, N., McNulty, A., Mellor, F., Michel, R., Mighiu, A., Miller, J., Mirza, Z., Mistry, H., Mitchell, J., Moeser, M.E., Moore, S., Muthuswamy, A., Myers, D., Nanson, G., Newbury, M., Nicol, S., Nuttall, H., Nwanaforo, J.J., Oliver, L., Osbourne, W., Osbourne, J., Otter, A., Owen, J., Panchalingam, S., Papoulidis, D., Pavon, J.D., Peace, A., Pearson, K., Peck, L., Pegg, A., Pegler, S., Permain, H., Perumal, P., Peto, L., Peto, T.E.A., Pham, T., Pickford, H.L., Pinkerton, M., Platton, M., Price, A., Protheroe, E., Purnell, H., Rawden, L., Read, S., Reynard, C., Ridge, S., Ritter, T.G., Robinson, J., Robinson, P., Rodger, G., Rowe, C., Rowell, B., Rowlands, A., Sampson, S., Saunders, K., Sayers, R., Sears, J., Sedgewick, R., Seeney, L., Selassie, A., Shail, L., Shallcross, J., Sheppard, L., Sherkat, A., Siddiqui, S., Sienkiewicz, A., Sinha, L., Smith, J., Smith, E., Stanton, E., Starkey, T., Stawiarski, A., Sterry, A., Stevens, J., Stockbridge, M., Stoesser, N., Sukumaran, A., Sweed, A., Tatar, S., Thomas, H., Tibbins, C., Tiley, S., Timmins, J., Tomas-Smith, C., Topping, O., Turek, E., Neibler, T., Trigg-Hogarth, K., Truelove, E., Turnbull, C., Tyrrell, D., Vaughan, A., Vertannes, J., Vipond, R., Wagstaff, L., Waldron, J., Walker, P., Walker, A.S., Walters, M., Wang, J.Y., Watson, E., Webberley, K., Webster, K., Westland, G., Wickens, I., Willcocks, J., Willis, H., Wilson, S., Wilson, B., Woodhead, L., Wright, D., Xavier, B., Yelnoorkar, F., Zeidan, L., and Zinyama, R.

Abstract

Background Lateral flow device (LFD) viral antigen immunoassays have been developed around the world as diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2 infection. They have been proposed to deliver an infrastructure-light, cost-economical solution giving results within half an hour. Methods LFDs were initially reviewed by a Department of Health and Social Care team, part of the UK government, from which 64 were selected for further evaluation from 1st August to 15th December 2020. Standardised laboratory evaluations, and for those that met the published criteria, field testing in the Falcon-C19 research study and UK pilots were performed (UK COVID-19 testing centres, hospital, schools, armed forces). Findings 4/64 LFDs so far have desirable performance characteristics (orient Gene, Deepblue, Abbott and Innova SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Qualitative Test). All these LFDs have a viral antigen detection of >90% at 100,000 RNA copies/ml. 8951 Innova LFD tests were performed with a kit failure rate of 5.6% (502/8951, 95% CI: 5.1–6.1), false positive rate of 0.32% (22/6954, 95% CI: 0.20–0.48). Viral antigen detection/sensitivity across the sampling cohort when performed by laboratory scientists was 78.8% (156/198, 95% CI 72.4–84.3). Interpretation Our results suggest LFDs have promising performance characteristics for mass population testing and can be used to identify infectious positive individuals. The Innova LFD shows good viral antigen detection/sensitivity with excellent specificity, although kit failure rates and the impact of training are potential issues. These results support the expanded evaluation of LFDs, and assessment of greater access to testing on COVID-19 transmission. Funding Department of Health and Social Care. University of Oxford. Public Health England Porton Down, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, National Institute of Health Research.

Published
2021

41. Smooth operator: Tuning robot perception through artificial movement sound

Author

Robinson, FA, Velonaki, M, Bown, O, Robinson, FA, Velonaki, M, and Bown, O

Abstract

Canwe influence howa robot is perceived by designing the sound of its movement? Drawing from practices in film sound, we overlaid a video depicting a robot's movement routine with three types of artificial movement sound. In a between-subject study design, participants saw either one of the three designs or a quiet control condition and rated the robot's movement quality, safety, capability, and attractiveness. We found that, compared to our control, the sound designs both increased and decreased perceived movement quality. Coupling the same robotic movement with different sounds lead to the motions being rated as more or less precise, elegant, jerky, or uncontrolled, among others. We further found that the sound conditions decreased perceived safety, and did not affect perceived capability and attractiveness. More unrealistic sound conditions led to larger differences in ratings, while the subtle addition of harmonic material was not rated differently to the control condition in any of the measures. Based on these findings, we discuss the challenges and opportunities regarding the use of artificial movement sound as an implicit channel of communication that may eventually be able to selectively target specific characteristics, helping designers in creating more refined and nuanced human-robot interactions.

Published
2021

42. Sound in human-robot interaction

Author

Pelikan, H, Robinson, FA, Keevallik, L, Velonaki, M, Broth, M, Bown, O, Pelikan, H, Robinson, FA, Keevallik, L, Velonaki, M, Broth, M, and Bown, O

Abstract

Robot sound spans a wide continuum, from subtle motor hums, through music, bleeps and bloops, to human-inspired vocalizations, and can be an important means of communication for robotic agents. This first workshop on sound in HRI aims to bring together interdisciplinary perspectives on sound, including design, conversation analysis, (computational) linguistics, music, engineering and psychology. The goal of the workshop is to stimulate interdisciplinary exchange and to form a more coherent overview of perspectives on how sound can facilitate human-robot interaction. During the half-day workshop, we will explore (1) the diverse application opportunities of sound in human-robot interaction, (2) strategies for designing sonic human-robot interactions, and (3) methodologies for the evaluation of robot sound. Workshop outcomes will be documented on a dedicated website and are planned to be collected in a special issue.

Published
2021

43. Association between convalescent plasma treatment and mortality in COVID-19: a collaborative systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Author

Axfors C., Janiaud P., Schmitt A.M., van't Hooft J., Smith E.R., Haber N.A., Abayomi A., Abduljalil M., Abdulrahman A., Acosta-Ampudia Y., Aguilar-Guisado M., Al-Beidh F., Alejandria M.M., Alfonso R.N., Ali M., AlQahtani M., AlZamrooni A., Anaya J.-M., Ang M.A.C., Aomar I.F., Argumanis L.E., Averyanov A., Baklaushev V.P., Balionis O., Benfield T., Berry S., Birocco N., Bonifacio L.B., Bowen A.C., Bown A., Cabello-Gutierrez C., Camacho B., Camacho-Ortiz A., Campbell-Lee S., Cao D.H., Cardesa A., Carnate J.M., Castillo G.J.J., Cavallo R., Chowdhury F.R., Chowdhury F.U.H., Ciccone G., Cingolani A., Climacosa F.M.M., Compernolle V., Cortez C.F.N., Costa Neto A., D'Antico S., Daly J., Danielle F., Davis J.S., De Rosa F.G., Denholm J.T., Denkinger C.M., Desmecht D., Diaz-Coronado J.C., Diaz Ponce-Medrano J.A., Donneau A.-F., Dumagay T.E., Dunachie S., Dungog C.C., Erinoso O., Escasa I.M.S., Estcourt L.J., Evans A., Evasan A.L.M., Fareli C.J., Fernandez-Sanchez V., Galassi C., Gallo J.E., Garcia P.J., Garcia P.L., Garcia J.A., Garigliany M., Garza-Gonzalez E., Gauiran D.T.V., Gaviria Garcia P.A., Giron-Gonzalez J.-A., Gomez-Almaguer D., Gordon A.C., Gothot A., Grass Guaqueta J.S., Green C., Grimaldi D., Hammond N.E., Harvala H., Heralde F.M., Herrick J., Higgins A.M., Hills T.E., Hines J., Holm K., Hoque A., Hoste E., Ignacio J.M., Ivanov A.V., Janssen M., Jennings J.H., Jha V., King R.A.N., Kjeldsen-Kragh J., Klenerman P., Kotecha A., Krapp F., Labanca L., Laing E., Landin-Olsson M., Laterre P.-F., Lim L.-L., Lim J., Ljungquist O., Llaca-Diaz J.M., Lopez-Robles C., Lopez-Cardenas S., Lopez-Plaza I., Lucero J.A.C., Lundgren M., Macias J., Maganito S.C., Malundo A.F.G., Manrique R.D., Manzini P.M., Marcos M., Marquez I., Martinez-Marcos F.J., Mata A.M., McArthur C.J., McQuilten Z.K., McVerry B.J., Menon D.K., Meyfroidt G., Mirasol M.A.L., Misset B., Molton J.S., Mondragon A.V., Monsalve D.M., Moradi Choghakabodi P., Morpeth S.C., Mouncey P.R., Moutschen M., Muller-Tidow C., Murphy E., Najdovski T., Nichol A.D., Nielsen H., Novak R.M., O'Sullivan M.V.N., Olalla J., Osibogun A., Osikomaiya B., Oyonarte S., Pardo-Oviedo J.M., Patel M.C., Paterson D.L., Pena-Perez C.A., Perez-Calatayud A.A., Perez-Alba E., Perkina A., Perry N., Pouladzadeh M., Poyato I., Price D.J., Quero A.K.H., Rahman M.M., Rahman M.S., Ramesh M., Ramirez-Santana C., Rasmussen M., Rees M.A., Rego E., Roberts J.A., Roberts D.J., Rodriguez Y., Rodriguez-Bano J., Rogers B.A., Rojas M., Romero A., Rowan K.M., Saccona F., Safdarian M., Santos M.C.M., Sasadeusz J., Scozzari G., Shankar-Hari M., Sharma G., Snelling T., Soto A., Tagayuna P.Y., Tang A., Tatem G., Teofili L., Tong S.Y.C., Turgeon A.F., Veloso J.D., Venkatesh B., Ventura-Enriquez Y., Webb S.A., Wiese L., Wiken C., Wood E.M., Yusubalieva G.M., Zacharowski K., Zarychanski R., Khanna N., Moher D., Goodman S.N., Ioannidis J.P.A., Hemkens L.G., Axfors C., Janiaud P., Schmitt A.M., van't Hooft J., Smith E.R., Haber N.A., Abayomi A., Abduljalil M., Abdulrahman A., Acosta-Ampudia Y., Aguilar-Guisado M., Al-Beidh F., Alejandria M.M., Alfonso R.N., Ali M., AlQahtani M., AlZamrooni A., Anaya J.-M., Ang M.A.C., Aomar I.F., Argumanis L.E., Averyanov A., Baklaushev V.P., Balionis O., Benfield T., Berry S., Birocco N., Bonifacio L.B., Bowen A.C., Bown A., Cabello-Gutierrez C., Camacho B., Camacho-Ortiz A., Campbell-Lee S., Cao D.H., Cardesa A., Carnate J.M., Castillo G.J.J., Cavallo R., Chowdhury F.R., Chowdhury F.U.H., Ciccone G., Cingolani A., Climacosa F.M.M., Compernolle V., Cortez C.F.N., Costa Neto A., D'Antico S., Daly J., Danielle F., Davis J.S., De Rosa F.G., Denholm J.T., Denkinger C.M., Desmecht D., Diaz-Coronado J.C., Diaz Ponce-Medrano J.A., Donneau A.-F., Dumagay T.E., Dunachie S., Dungog C.C., Erinoso O., Escasa I.M.S., Estcourt L.J., Evans A., Evasan A.L.M., Fareli C.J., Fernandez-Sanchez V., Galassi C., Gallo J.E., Garcia P.J., Garcia P.L., Garcia J.A., Garigliany M., Garza-Gonzalez E., Gauiran D.T.V., Gaviria Garcia P.A., Giron-Gonzalez J.-A., Gomez-Almaguer D., Gordon A.C., Gothot A., Grass Guaqueta J.S., Green C., Grimaldi D., Hammond N.E., Harvala H., Heralde F.M., Herrick J., Higgins A.M., Hills T.E., Hines J., Holm K., Hoque A., Hoste E., Ignacio J.M., Ivanov A.V., Janssen M., Jennings J.H., Jha V., King R.A.N., Kjeldsen-Kragh J., Klenerman P., Kotecha A., Krapp F., Labanca L., Laing E., Landin-Olsson M., Laterre P.-F., Lim L.-L., Lim J., Ljungquist O., Llaca-Diaz J.M., Lopez-Robles C., Lopez-Cardenas S., Lopez-Plaza I., Lucero J.A.C., Lundgren M., Macias J., Maganito S.C., Malundo A.F.G., Manrique R.D., Manzini P.M., Marcos M., Marquez I., Martinez-Marcos F.J., Mata A.M., McArthur C.J., McQuilten Z.K., McVerry B.J., Menon D.K., Meyfroidt G., Mirasol M.A.L., Misset B., Molton J.S., Mondragon A.V., Monsalve D.M., Moradi Choghakabodi P., Morpeth S.C., Mouncey P.R., Moutschen M., Muller-Tidow C., Murphy E., Najdovski T., Nichol A.D., Nielsen H., Novak R.M., O'Sullivan M.V.N., Olalla J., Osibogun A., Osikomaiya B., Oyonarte S., Pardo-Oviedo J.M., Patel M.C., Paterson D.L., Pena-Perez C.A., Perez-Calatayud A.A., Perez-Alba E., Perkina A., Perry N., Pouladzadeh M., Poyato I., Price D.J., Quero A.K.H., Rahman M.M., Rahman M.S., Ramesh M., Ramirez-Santana C., Rasmussen M., Rees M.A., Rego E., Roberts J.A., Roberts D.J., Rodriguez Y., Rodriguez-Bano J., Rogers B.A., Rojas M., Romero A., Rowan K.M., Saccona F., Safdarian M., Santos M.C.M., Sasadeusz J., Scozzari G., Shankar-Hari M., Sharma G., Snelling T., Soto A., Tagayuna P.Y., Tang A., Tatem G., Teofili L., Tong S.Y.C., Turgeon A.F., Veloso J.D., Venkatesh B., Ventura-Enriquez Y., Webb S.A., Wiese L., Wiken C., Wood E.M., Yusubalieva G.M., Zacharowski K., Zarychanski R., Khanna N., Moher D., Goodman S.N., Ioannidis J.P.A., and Hemkens L.G.

Abstract

Background: Convalescent plasma has been widely used to treat COVID-19 and is under investigation in numerous randomized clinical trials, but results are publicly available only for a small number of trials. The objective of this study was to assess the benefits of convalescent plasma treatment compared to placebo or no treatment and all-cause mortality in patients with COVID-19, using data from all available randomized clinical trials, including unpublished and ongoing trials (Open Science Framework, https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/GEHFX). Method(s): In this collaborative systematic review and meta-analysis, clinical trial registries (ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform), the Cochrane COVID-19 register, the LOVE database, and PubMed were searched until April 8, 2021. Investigators of trials registered by March 1, 2021, without published results were contacted via email. Eligible were ongoing, discontinued and completed randomized clinical trials that compared convalescent plasma with placebo or no treatment in COVID-19 patients, regardless of setting or treatment schedule. Aggregated mortality data were extracted from publications or provided by investigators of unpublished trials and combined using the Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman random effects model. We investigated the contribution of unpublished trials to the overall evidence. Result(s): A total of 16,477 patients were included in 33 trials (20 unpublished with 3190 patients, 13 published with 13,287 patients). 32 trials enrolled only hospitalized patients (including 3 with only intensive care unit patients). Risk of bias was low for 29/33 trials. Of 8495 patients who received convalescent plasma, 1997 died (23%), and of 7982 control patients, 1952 died (24%). The combined risk ratio for all-cause mortality was 0.97 (95% confidence interval: 0.92; 1.02) with between-study heterogeneity not beyond chance (I2 = 0%). The RECOVERY trial had 69.8% and the unpublished evidence 25.3

Published
2021

44. Protocol for the Metformin Aneurysm Trial (MAT): a placebo-controlled randomised trial testing whether metformin reduces the risk of serious complications of abdominal aortic aneurysm

Author

Golledge, J, Arnott, C, Moxon, J, Monaghan, H, Norman, R, Morris, D, Li, Q, Jones, G, Roake, J, Bown, M, Neal, B, Golledge, J, Arnott, C, Moxon, J, Monaghan, H, Norman, R, Morris, D, Li, Q, Jones, G, Roake, J, Bown, M, and Neal, B

Abstract

Background: Multiple observational studies have associated metformin prescription with reduced progression of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The Metformin Aneurysm Trial (MAT) will test whether metformin reduces the risk of AAA rupture-related mortality or requirement for AAA surgery (AAA events) in people with asymptomatic aneurysms. Methods: MAT is an international, multi-centre, prospective, parallel-group, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Participants must have an asymptomatic AAA measuring at least 35 mm in maximum diameter, no diabetes, no contraindication to metformin and no current plans for surgical repair. The double-blind period is preceded by a 6-week, single-blind, active run-in phase in which all potential participants receive metformin. Only patients tolerating metformin by taking at least 80% of allocated medication will enter the trial and be randomised to 1500 mg of metformin XR or an identical placebo. The primary outcome is the proportion of AAA events defined as rupture-related mortality or need for surgical repair. Secondary outcomes include AAA growth, major adverse cardiovascular events and health-related quality of life. In order to test if metformin reduced the risk of AAA events by at least 25%, 616 primary outcome events will be required (power 90%, alpha 0.05). Discussion: Currently, there is no drug therapy for AAA. Past trials have found no convincing evidence of the benefit of multiple blood pressure lowering, antibiotics, a mast cell inhibitor, an anti-platelet drug and a lipid-lowering medication on AAA growth. MAT is one of a number of trials now ongoing testing metformin for AAA. MAT, unlike these other trials, is designed to test the effect of metformin on AAA events. The international collaboration needed for MAT will be challenging to achieve given the current COVID-19 pandemic. If this challenge can be overcome, MAT will represent a trial unique within the AAA field in its large size and design. Trial registration: Aust

Published
2021

45. Fungal microbiomes are determined by host phylogeny and exhibit widespread associations with the bacterial microbiome.

Author

Harrison, Xavier A, McDevitt, Allan D, Dunn, Jenny C, Griffiths, Sarah M, Benvenuto, Chiara, Birtles, Richard, Boubli, Jean P, Bown, Kevin, Bridson, Calum, Brooks, Darren R, Browett, Samuel S, Carden, Ruth F, Chantrey, Julian, Clever, Friederike, Coscia, Ilaria, Edwards, Katie L, Ferry, Natalie, Goodhead, Ian, Highlands, Andrew, Hopper, Jane, Jackson, Joseph, Jehle, Robert, da Cruz Kaizer, Mariane, King, Tony, Lea, Jessica MD, Lenka, Jessica L, McCubbin, Alexandra, McKenzie, Jack, de Moraes, Bárbara Lins Caldas, O'Meara, Denise B, Pescod, Poppy, Preziosi, Richard F, Rowntree, Jennifer K, Shultz, Susanne, Silk, Matthew J, Stockdale, Jennifer E, Symondson, William OC, de la Pena, Mariana Villalba, Walker, Susan L, Wood, Michael D, Antwis, Rachael E, Harrison, Xavier A, McDevitt, Allan D, Dunn, Jenny C, Griffiths, Sarah M, Benvenuto, Chiara, Birtles, Richard, Boubli, Jean P, Bown, Kevin, Bridson, Calum, Brooks, Darren R, Browett, Samuel S, Carden, Ruth F, Chantrey, Julian, Clever, Friederike, Coscia, Ilaria, Edwards, Katie L, Ferry, Natalie, Goodhead, Ian, Highlands, Andrew, Hopper, Jane, Jackson, Joseph, Jehle, Robert, da Cruz Kaizer, Mariane, King, Tony, Lea, Jessica MD, Lenka, Jessica L, McCubbin, Alexandra, McKenzie, Jack, de Moraes, Bárbara Lins Caldas, O'Meara, Denise B, Pescod, Poppy, Preziosi, Richard F, Rowntree, Jennifer K, Shultz, Susanne, Silk, Matthew J, Stockdale, Jennifer E, Symondson, William OC, de la Pena, Mariana Villalba, Walker, Susan L, Wood, Michael D, and Antwis, Rachael E

Abstract

Interactions between hosts and their resident microbial communities are a fundamental component of fitness for both agents. Though recent research has highlighted the importance of interactions between animals and their bacterial communities, comparative evidence for fungi is lacking, especially in natural populations. Using data from 49 species, we present novel evidence of strong covariation between fungal and bacterial communities across the host phylogeny, indicative of recruitment by hosts for specific suites of microbes. Using co-occurrence networks, we demonstrate marked variation across host taxonomy in patterns of covariation between bacterial and fungal abundances. Host phylogeny drives differences in the overall richness of bacterial and fungal communities, but the effect of diet on richness was only evident in the mammalian gut microbiome. Sample type, tissue storage and DNA extraction method also affected bacterial and fungal community composition, and future studies would benefit from standardized approaches to sample processing. Collectively these data indicate fungal microbiomes may play a key role in host fitness and suggest an urgent need to study multiple agents of the animal microbiome to accurately determine the strength and ecological significance of host-microbe interactions.

Published
2021

46. Genome-wide association study of intracranial aneurysms identifies 17 risk loci and genetic overlap with clinical risk factors

Author

Bakker, Mark K., van der Spek, Rick A. A., van Rheenen, Wouter, Morel, Sandrine, Bourcier, Romain, Hostettler, Isabel C., Alg, Varinder S., van Eijk, Kristel R., Koido, Masaru, Akiyama, Masato, Terao, Chikashi, Matsuda, Koichi, Walters, Robin G., Lin, Kuang, Li, Liming, Millwood, Iona Y., Chen, Zhengming, Rouleau, Guy A., Zhou, Sirui, Rannikmäe, Kristiina, Sudlow, Cathie L. M., Houlden, Henry, van den Berg, Leonard H., Dina, Christian, Naggara, Olivier, Gentric, Jean-Christophe, Shotar, Eimad, Eugène, François, Desal, Hubert, Winsvold, Bendik S., Børte, Sigrid, Johnsen, Marianne Bakke, Brumpton, Ben M., Sandvei, Marie Søfteland, Willer, Cristen J., Hveem, Kristian, Zwart, John-Anker, Verschuren, W. M. Monique, Friedrich, Christoph M., Hirsch, Sven, Schilling, Sabine, Dauvillier, Jérôme, Martin, Olivier, Jones, Gregory T., Bown, Matthew J., Ko, Nerissa U., Kim, Helen, Coleman, Jonathan R. I., Breen, Gerome, Zaroff, Jonathan G., Klijn, Catharina J. M., Malik, Rainer, Dichgans, Martin, Sargurupremraj, Muralidharan, Tatlisumak, Turgut, Amouyel, Philippe, Debette, Stéphanie, Rinkel, Gabriel J. E., Worrall, Bradford B., Pera, Joanna, Slowik, Agnieszka, Gaál-Paavola, Emília I., Niemelä, Mika, Jääskeläinen, Juha E., von Und Zu Fraunberg, Mikael, Lindgren, Antti, Broderick, Joseph P., Werring, David J., Woo, Daniel, Redon, Richard, Bijlenga, Philippe, Kamatani, Yoichiro, Veldink, Jan H., Ruigrok, Ynte M., Bakker, Mark K., van der Spek, Rick A. A., van Rheenen, Wouter, Morel, Sandrine, Bourcier, Romain, Hostettler, Isabel C., Alg, Varinder S., van Eijk, Kristel R., Koido, Masaru, Akiyama, Masato, Terao, Chikashi, Matsuda, Koichi, Walters, Robin G., Lin, Kuang, Li, Liming, Millwood, Iona Y., Chen, Zhengming, Rouleau, Guy A., Zhou, Sirui, Rannikmäe, Kristiina, Sudlow, Cathie L. M., Houlden, Henry, van den Berg, Leonard H., Dina, Christian, Naggara, Olivier, Gentric, Jean-Christophe, Shotar, Eimad, Eugène, François, Desal, Hubert, Winsvold, Bendik S., Børte, Sigrid, Johnsen, Marianne Bakke, Brumpton, Ben M., Sandvei, Marie Søfteland, Willer, Cristen J., Hveem, Kristian, Zwart, John-Anker, Verschuren, W. M. Monique, Friedrich, Christoph M., Hirsch, Sven, Schilling, Sabine, Dauvillier, Jérôme, Martin, Olivier, Jones, Gregory T., Bown, Matthew J., Ko, Nerissa U., Kim, Helen, Coleman, Jonathan R. I., Breen, Gerome, Zaroff, Jonathan G., Klijn, Catharina J. M., Malik, Rainer, Dichgans, Martin, Sargurupremraj, Muralidharan, Tatlisumak, Turgut, Amouyel, Philippe, Debette, Stéphanie, Rinkel, Gabriel J. E., Worrall, Bradford B., Pera, Joanna, Slowik, Agnieszka, Gaál-Paavola, Emília I., Niemelä, Mika, Jääskeläinen, Juha E., von Und Zu Fraunberg, Mikael, Lindgren, Antti, Broderick, Joseph P., Werring, David J., Woo, Daniel, Redon, Richard, Bijlenga, Philippe, Kamatani, Yoichiro, Veldink, Jan H., and Ruigrok, Ynte M.

Abstract

Rupture of an intracranial aneurysm leads to subarachnoid hemorrhage, a severe type of stroke. To discover new risk loci and the genetic architecture of intracranial aneurysms, we performed a cross-ancestry, genome-wide association study in 10,754 cases and 306,882 controls of European and East Asian ancestry. We discovered 17 risk loci, 11 of which are new. We reveal a polygenic architecture and explain over half of the disease heritability. We show a high genetic correlation between ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms. We also find a suggestive role for endothelial cells by using gene mapping and heritability enrichment. Drug-target enrichment shows pleiotropy between intracranial aneurysms and antiepileptic and sex hormone drugs, providing insights into intracranial aneurysm pathophysiology. Finally, genetic risks for smoking and high blood pressure, the two main clinical risk factors, play important roles in intracranial aneurysm risk, and drive most of the genetic correlation between intracranial aneurysms and other cerebrovascular traits.

Published
2021

47. Association between convalescent plasma treatment and mortality in COVID-19: a collaborative systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Author

Axfors, C, Janiaud, P, Schmitt, AM, Van't Hooft, J, Smith, ER, Haber, NA, Abayomi, A, Abduljalil, M, Abdulrahman, A, Acosta-Ampudia, Y, Aguilar-Guisado, M, Al-Beidh, F, Alejandria, MM, Alfonso, RN, Ali, M, AlQahtani, M, AlZamrooni, A, Anaya, J-M, Ang, MAC, Aomar, IF, Argumanis, LE, Averyanov, A, Baklaushev, VP, Balionis, O, Benfield, T, Berry, S, Birocco, N, Bonifacio, LB, Bowen, AC, Bown, A, Cabello-Gutierrez, C, Camacho, B, Camacho-Ortiz, A, Campbell-Lee, S, Cao, DH, Cardesa, A, Carnate, JM, Castillo, GJJ, Cavallo, R, Chowdhury, FR, Chowdhury, FUH, Ciccone, G, Cingolani, A, Climacosa, FMM, Compernolle, V, Cortez, CFN, Neto, AC, D'Antico, S, Daly, J, Danielle, F, Davis, JS, De Rosa, FG, Denholm, JT, Denkinger, CM, Desmecht, D, Diaz-Coronado, JC, Diaz Ponce-Medrano, JA, Donneau, A-F, Dumagay, TE, Dunachie, S, Dungog, CC, Erinoso, O, Escasa, IMS, Estcourt, LJ, Evans, A, Evasan, ALM, Fareli, CJ, Fernandez-Sanchez, V, Galassi, C, Gallo, JE, Garcia, PJ, Garcia, PL, Garcia, JA, Garigliany, M, Garza-Gonzalez, E, Gauiran, DT, Gaviria Garcia, PA, Giron-Gonzalez, J-A, Gomez-Almaguer, D, Gordon, AC, Gothot, A, Grass Guaqueta, JS, Green, C, Grimaldi, D, Hammond, NE, Harvala, H, Heralde, FM, Herrick, J, Higgins, AM, Hills, TE, Hines, J, Holm, K, Hoque, A, Hoste, E, Ignacio, JM, Ivanov, A, Janssen, M, Jennings, JH, Jha, V, King, RAN, Kjeldsen-Kragh, J, Klenerman, P, Kotecha, A, Krapp, F, Labanca, L, Laing, E, Landin-Olsson, M, Laterre, P-F, Lim, L-L, Lim, J, Ljungquist, O, Llaca-Diaz, JM, Lopez-Robles, C, Lopez-Cardenas, S, Lopez-Plaza, I, Lucero, JAC, Lundgren, M, Macias, J, Maganito, SC, Malundo, AFG, Manrique, RD, Manzini, PM, Marcos, M, Marquez, I, Javier Martinez-Marcos, F, Mata, AM, McArthur, CJ, McQuilten, ZK, McVerry, BJ, Menon, DK, Meyfroidt, G, Mirasol, MAL, Misset, B, Molton, JS, Mondragon, A, Monsalve, DM, Choghakabodi, PM, Morpeth, SC, Mouncey, PR, Moutschen, M, Muller-Tidow, C, Murphy, E, Najdovski, T, Nichol, AD, Nielsen, H, Novak, RM, O'Sullivan, MVN, Olalla, J, Osibogun, A, Osikomaiya, B, Oyonarte, S, Pardo-Oviedo, JM, Patel, MC, Paterson, DL, Pena-Perez, CA, Perez-Calatayud, AA, Perez-Alba, E, Perkina, A, Perry, N, Pouladzadeh, M, Poyato, I, Price, DJ, Quero, AKH, Rahman, MM, Rahman, MS, Ramesh, M, Ramirez-Santana, C, Rasmussen, M, Rees, MA, Rego, E, Roberts, JA, Roberts, DJ, Rodriguez, Y, Rodriguez-Bano, J, Rogers, BA, Rojas, M, Romero, A, Rowan, KM, Saccona, F, Safdarian, M, Santos, MCM, Sasadeusz, J, Scozzari, G, Shankar-Hari, M, Sharma, G, Snelling, T, Soto, A, Tagayuna, PY, Tang, A, Tatem, G, Teofili, L, Tong, SYC, Turgeon, AF, Veloso, JD, Venkatesh, B, Ventura-Enriquez, Y, Webb, SA, Wiese, L, Wiken, C, Wood, EM, Yusubalieva, GM, Zacharowski, K, Zarychanski, R, Khanna, N, Moher, D, Goodman, SN, Ioannidis, JPA, Hemkens, LG, Axfors, C, Janiaud, P, Schmitt, AM, Van't Hooft, J, Smith, ER, Haber, NA, Abayomi, A, Abduljalil, M, Abdulrahman, A, Acosta-Ampudia, Y, Aguilar-Guisado, M, Al-Beidh, F, Alejandria, MM, Alfonso, RN, Ali, M, AlQahtani, M, AlZamrooni, A, Anaya, J-M, Ang, MAC, Aomar, IF, Argumanis, LE, Averyanov, A, Baklaushev, VP, Balionis, O, Benfield, T, Berry, S, Birocco, N, Bonifacio, LB, Bowen, AC, Bown, A, Cabello-Gutierrez, C, Camacho, B, Camacho-Ortiz, A, Campbell-Lee, S, Cao, DH, Cardesa, A, Carnate, JM, Castillo, GJJ, Cavallo, R, Chowdhury, FR, Chowdhury, FUH, Ciccone, G, Cingolani, A, Climacosa, FMM, Compernolle, V, Cortez, CFN, Neto, AC, D'Antico, S, Daly, J, Danielle, F, Davis, JS, De Rosa, FG, Denholm, JT, Denkinger, CM, Desmecht, D, Diaz-Coronado, JC, Diaz Ponce-Medrano, JA, Donneau, A-F, Dumagay, TE, Dunachie, S, Dungog, CC, Erinoso, O, Escasa, IMS, Estcourt, LJ, Evans, A, Evasan, ALM, Fareli, CJ, Fernandez-Sanchez, V, Galassi, C, Gallo, JE, Garcia, PJ, Garcia, PL, Garcia, JA, Garigliany, M, Garza-Gonzalez, E, Gauiran, DT, Gaviria Garcia, PA, Giron-Gonzalez, J-A, Gomez-Almaguer, D, Gordon, AC, Gothot, A, Grass Guaqueta, JS, Green, C, Grimaldi, D, Hammond, NE, Harvala, H, Heralde, FM, Herrick, J, Higgins, AM, Hills, TE, Hines, J, Holm, K, Hoque, A, Hoste, E, Ignacio, JM, Ivanov, A, Janssen, M, Jennings, JH, Jha, V, King, RAN, Kjeldsen-Kragh, J, Klenerman, P, Kotecha, A, Krapp, F, Labanca, L, Laing, E, Landin-Olsson, M, Laterre, P-F, Lim, L-L, Lim, J, Ljungquist, O, Llaca-Diaz, JM, Lopez-Robles, C, Lopez-Cardenas, S, Lopez-Plaza, I, Lucero, JAC, Lundgren, M, Macias, J, Maganito, SC, Malundo, AFG, Manrique, RD, Manzini, PM, Marcos, M, Marquez, I, Javier Martinez-Marcos, F, Mata, AM, McArthur, CJ, McQuilten, ZK, McVerry, BJ, Menon, DK, Meyfroidt, G, Mirasol, MAL, Misset, B, Molton, JS, Mondragon, A, Monsalve, DM, Choghakabodi, PM, Morpeth, SC, Mouncey, PR, Moutschen, M, Muller-Tidow, C, Murphy, E, Najdovski, T, Nichol, AD, Nielsen, H, Novak, RM, O'Sullivan, MVN, Olalla, J, Osibogun, A, Osikomaiya, B, Oyonarte, S, Pardo-Oviedo, JM, Patel, MC, Paterson, DL, Pena-Perez, CA, Perez-Calatayud, AA, Perez-Alba, E, Perkina, A, Perry, N, Pouladzadeh, M, Poyato, I, Price, DJ, Quero, AKH, Rahman, MM, Rahman, MS, Ramesh, M, Ramirez-Santana, C, Rasmussen, M, Rees, MA, Rego, E, Roberts, JA, Roberts, DJ, Rodriguez, Y, Rodriguez-Bano, J, Rogers, BA, Rojas, M, Romero, A, Rowan, KM, Saccona, F, Safdarian, M, Santos, MCM, Sasadeusz, J, Scozzari, G, Shankar-Hari, M, Sharma, G, Snelling, T, Soto, A, Tagayuna, PY, Tang, A, Tatem, G, Teofili, L, Tong, SYC, Turgeon, AF, Veloso, JD, Venkatesh, B, Ventura-Enriquez, Y, Webb, SA, Wiese, L, Wiken, C, Wood, EM, Yusubalieva, GM, Zacharowski, K, Zarychanski, R, Khanna, N, Moher, D, Goodman, SN, Ioannidis, JPA, and Hemkens, LG

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Convalescent plasma has been widely used to treat COVID-19 and is under investigation in numerous randomized clinical trials, but results are publicly available only for a small number of trials. The objective of this study was to assess the benefits of convalescent plasma treatment compared to placebo or no treatment and all-cause mortality in patients with COVID-19, using data from all available randomized clinical trials, including unpublished and ongoing trials (Open Science Framework, https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/GEHFX ). METHODS: In this collaborative systematic review and meta-analysis, clinical trial registries (ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform), the Cochrane COVID-19 register, the LOVE database, and PubMed were searched until April 8, 2021. Investigators of trials registered by March 1, 2021, without published results were contacted via email. Eligible were ongoing, discontinued and completed randomized clinical trials that compared convalescent plasma with placebo or no treatment in COVID-19 patients, regardless of setting or treatment schedule. Aggregated mortality data were extracted from publications or provided by investigators of unpublished trials and combined using the Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman random effects model. We investigated the contribution of unpublished trials to the overall evidence. RESULTS: A total of 16,477 patients were included in 33 trials (20 unpublished with 3190 patients, 13 published with 13,287 patients). 32 trials enrolled only hospitalized patients (including 3 with only intensive care unit patients). Risk of bias was low for 29/33 trials. Of 8495 patients who received convalescent plasma, 1997 died (23%), and of 7982 control patients, 1952 died (24%). The combined risk ratio for all-cause mortality was 0.97 (95% confidence interval: 0.92; 1.02) with between-study heterogeneity not beyond chance (I2 = 0%). The RECOVERY trial had 69.8% and the unpublished evidence 25.3% o

Published
2021

48. Association between convalescent plasma treatment and mortality in COVID-19 : a collaborative systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Author

Axfors, Cathrine, Janiaud, Perrine, Schmitt, Andreas M., Van't Hooft, Janneke, Smith, Emily R., Haber, Noah A., Abayomi, Akin, Abduljalil, Manal, Abdulrahman, Abdulkarim, Acosta-Ampudia, Yeny, Aguilar-Guisado, Manuela, Al-Beidh, Farah, Alejandria, Marissa M., Alfonso, Rachelle N., Ali, Mohammad, AlQahtani, Manaf, AlZamrooni, Alaa, Anaya, Juan-Manuel, Ang, Mark Angelo C., Aomar, Ismael F., Argumanis, Luis E., Averyanov, Alexander, Baklaushev, Vladimir P., Balionis, Olga, Benfield, Thomas, Berry, Scott, Birocco, Nadia, Bonifacio, Lynn B., Bowen, Asha C., Bown, Abbie, Cabello-Gutierrez, Carlos, Camacho, Bernardo, Camacho-Ortiz, Adrian, Campbell-Lee, Sally, Cao, Damon H., Cardesa, Ana, Carnate, Jose M., Castillo, German Jr J., Cavallo, Rossana, Chowdhury, Fazle R., Chowdhury, Forhad U. H., Ciccone, Giovannino, Cingolani, Antonella, Climacosa, Fresthel Monica M., Compernolle, Veerle, Cortez, Carlo Francisco N., Neto, Abel Costa, D'Antico, Sergio, Daly, James, Danielle, Franca, Davis, Joshua S., De Rosa, Francesco Giuseppe, Denholm, Justin T., Denkinger, Claudia M., Desmecht, Daniel, Diaz-Coronado, Juan C., Diaz Ponce-Medrano, Juan A., Donneau, Anne-Francoise, Dumagay, Teresita E., Dunachie, Susanna, Dungog, Cecile C., Erinoso, Olufemi, Escasa, Ivy Mae S., Estcourt, Lise J., Evans, Amy, Evasan, Agnes L. M., Fareli, Christian J., Fernandez-Sanchez, Veronica, Galassi, Claudia, Gallo, Juan E., Garcia, Patricia J., Garcia, Patricia L., Garcia, Jesus A., Garigliany, Mutien, Garza-Gonzalez, Elvira, Gauiran, Deonne Thaddeus, V, Gaviria Garcia, Paula A., Giron-Gonzalez, Jose-Antonio, Gomez-Almaguer, David, Gordon, Anthony C., Gothot, Andre, Grass Guaqueta, Jeser Santiago, Green, Cameron, Grimaldi, David, Hammond, Naomi E., Harvala, Heli, Heralde, Francisco M., Herrick, Jesica, Higgins, Alisa M., Hills, Thomas E., Hines, Jennifer, Holm, Karin, Hoque, Ashraful, Hoste, Eric, Ignacio, Jose M., Ivanov, Alexander, V, Janssen, Maike, Jennings, Jeffrey H., Jha, Vivekanand, King, Ruby Anne N., Kjeldsen-Kragh, Jens, Klenerman, Paul, Kotecha, Aditya, Krapp, Fiorella, Labanca, Luciana, Laing, Emma, Landin-Olsson, Mona, Laterre, Pierre-Francois, Lim, Lyn-Li, Lim, Jodor, Ljungquist, Oskar, Llaca-Diaz, Jorge M., Lopez-Robles, Concepcion, Lopez-Cardenas, Salvador, Lopez-Plaza, Ileana, Lucero, Josephine Anne C., Lundgren, Maria, Macias, Juan, Maganito, Sandy C., Malundo, Anna Flor G., Manrique, Ruben D., Manzini, Paola M., Marcos, Miguel, Marquez, Ignacio, Javier Martinez-Marcos, Francisco, Mata, Ana M., McArthur, Colin J., McQuilten, Zoe K., McVerry, Bryan J., Menon, David K., Meyfroidt, Geert, Mirasol, Ma Angelina L., Misset, Benoit, Molton, James S., Mondragon, Alric, V, Monsalve, Diana M., Choghakabodi, Parastoo Moradi, Morpeth, Susan C., Mouncey, Paul R., Moutschen, Michel, Muller-Tidow, Carsten, Murphy, Erin, Najdovski, Tome, Nichol, Alistair D., Nielsen, Henrik, Novak, Richard M., O'Sullivan, Matthew V. N., Olalla, Julian, Osibogun, Akin, Osikomaiya, Bodunrin, Oyonarte, Salvador, Pardo-Oviedo, Juan M., Patel, Mahesh C., Paterson, David L., Pena-Perez, Carlos A., Perez-Calatayud, Angel A., Perez-Alba, Eduardo, Perkina, Anastasia, Perry, Naomi, Pouladzadeh, Mandana, Poyato, Inmaculada, Price, David J., Quero, Anne Kristine H., Rahman, Md M., Rahman, Md S., Ramesh, Mayur, Ramirez-Santana, Carolina, Rasmussen, Magnus, Rees, Megan A., Rego, Eduardo, Roberts, Jason A., Roberts, David J., Rodriguez, Yhojan, Rodriguez-Bano, Jesus, Rogers, Benjamin A., Rojas, Manuel, Romero, Alberto, Rowan, Kathryn M., Saccona, Fabio, Safdarian, Mehdi, Santos, Maria Clariza M., Sasadeusz, Joe, Scozzari, Gitana, Shankar-Hari, Manu, Sharma, Gorav, Snelling, Thomas, Soto, Alonso, Tagayuna, Pedrito Y., Tang, Amy, Tatem, Geneva, Teofili, Luciana, Tong, Steven Y. C., Turgeon, Alexis F., Veloso, Januario D., Venkatesh, Balasubramanian, Ventura-Enriquez, Yanet, Webb, Steve A., Wiese, Lothar, Wiken, Christian, Wood, Erica M., Yusubalieva, Gaukhar M., Zacharowski, Kai, Zarychanski, Ryan, Khanna, Nina, Moher, David, Goodman, Steven N., Ioannidis, John P. A., Hemkens, Lars G., Axfors, Cathrine, Janiaud, Perrine, Schmitt, Andreas M., Van't Hooft, Janneke, Smith, Emily R., Haber, Noah A., Abayomi, Akin, Abduljalil, Manal, Abdulrahman, Abdulkarim, Acosta-Ampudia, Yeny, Aguilar-Guisado, Manuela, Al-Beidh, Farah, Alejandria, Marissa M., Alfonso, Rachelle N., Ali, Mohammad, AlQahtani, Manaf, AlZamrooni, Alaa, Anaya, Juan-Manuel, Ang, Mark Angelo C., Aomar, Ismael F., Argumanis, Luis E., Averyanov, Alexander, Baklaushev, Vladimir P., Balionis, Olga, Benfield, Thomas, Berry, Scott, Birocco, Nadia, Bonifacio, Lynn B., Bowen, Asha C., Bown, Abbie, Cabello-Gutierrez, Carlos, Camacho, Bernardo, Camacho-Ortiz, Adrian, Campbell-Lee, Sally, Cao, Damon H., Cardesa, Ana, Carnate, Jose M., Castillo, German Jr J., Cavallo, Rossana, Chowdhury, Fazle R., Chowdhury, Forhad U. H., Ciccone, Giovannino, Cingolani, Antonella, Climacosa, Fresthel Monica M., Compernolle, Veerle, Cortez, Carlo Francisco N., Neto, Abel Costa, D'Antico, Sergio, Daly, James, Danielle, Franca, Davis, Joshua S., De Rosa, Francesco Giuseppe, Denholm, Justin T., Denkinger, Claudia M., Desmecht, Daniel, Diaz-Coronado, Juan C., Diaz Ponce-Medrano, Juan A., Donneau, Anne-Francoise, Dumagay, Teresita E., Dunachie, Susanna, Dungog, Cecile C., Erinoso, Olufemi, Escasa, Ivy Mae S., Estcourt, Lise J., Evans, Amy, Evasan, Agnes L. M., Fareli, Christian J., Fernandez-Sanchez, Veronica, Galassi, Claudia, Gallo, Juan E., Garcia, Patricia J., Garcia, Patricia L., Garcia, Jesus A., Garigliany, Mutien, Garza-Gonzalez, Elvira, Gauiran, Deonne Thaddeus, V, Gaviria Garcia, Paula A., Giron-Gonzalez, Jose-Antonio, Gomez-Almaguer, David, Gordon, Anthony C., Gothot, Andre, Grass Guaqueta, Jeser Santiago, Green, Cameron, Grimaldi, David, Hammond, Naomi E., Harvala, Heli, Heralde, Francisco M., Herrick, Jesica, Higgins, Alisa M., Hills, Thomas E., Hines, Jennifer, Holm, Karin, Hoque, Ashraful, Hoste, Eric, Ignacio, Jose M., Ivanov, Alexander, V, Janssen, Maike, Jennings, Jeffrey H., Jha, Vivekanand, King, Ruby Anne N., Kjeldsen-Kragh, Jens, Klenerman, Paul, Kotecha, Aditya, Krapp, Fiorella, Labanca, Luciana, Laing, Emma, Landin-Olsson, Mona, Laterre, Pierre-Francois, Lim, Lyn-Li, Lim, Jodor, Ljungquist, Oskar, Llaca-Diaz, Jorge M., Lopez-Robles, Concepcion, Lopez-Cardenas, Salvador, Lopez-Plaza, Ileana, Lucero, Josephine Anne C., Lundgren, Maria, Macias, Juan, Maganito, Sandy C., Malundo, Anna Flor G., Manrique, Ruben D., Manzini, Paola M., Marcos, Miguel, Marquez, Ignacio, Javier Martinez-Marcos, Francisco, Mata, Ana M., McArthur, Colin J., McQuilten, Zoe K., McVerry, Bryan J., Menon, David K., Meyfroidt, Geert, Mirasol, Ma Angelina L., Misset, Benoit, Molton, James S., Mondragon, Alric, V, Monsalve, Diana M., Choghakabodi, Parastoo Moradi, Morpeth, Susan C., Mouncey, Paul R., Moutschen, Michel, Muller-Tidow, Carsten, Murphy, Erin, Najdovski, Tome, Nichol, Alistair D., Nielsen, Henrik, Novak, Richard M., O'Sullivan, Matthew V. N., Olalla, Julian, Osibogun, Akin, Osikomaiya, Bodunrin, Oyonarte, Salvador, Pardo-Oviedo, Juan M., Patel, Mahesh C., Paterson, David L., Pena-Perez, Carlos A., Perez-Calatayud, Angel A., Perez-Alba, Eduardo, Perkina, Anastasia, Perry, Naomi, Pouladzadeh, Mandana, Poyato, Inmaculada, Price, David J., Quero, Anne Kristine H., Rahman, Md M., Rahman, Md S., Ramesh, Mayur, Ramirez-Santana, Carolina, Rasmussen, Magnus, Rees, Megan A., Rego, Eduardo, Roberts, Jason A., Roberts, David J., Rodriguez, Yhojan, Rodriguez-Bano, Jesus, Rogers, Benjamin A., Rojas, Manuel, Romero, Alberto, Rowan, Kathryn M., Saccona, Fabio, Safdarian, Mehdi, Santos, Maria Clariza M., Sasadeusz, Joe, Scozzari, Gitana, Shankar-Hari, Manu, Sharma, Gorav, Snelling, Thomas, Soto, Alonso, Tagayuna, Pedrito Y., Tang, Amy, Tatem, Geneva, Teofili, Luciana, Tong, Steven Y. C., Turgeon, Alexis F., Veloso, Januario D., Venkatesh, Balasubramanian, Ventura-Enriquez, Yanet, Webb, Steve A., Wiese, Lothar, Wiken, Christian, Wood, Erica M., Yusubalieva, Gaukhar M., Zacharowski, Kai, Zarychanski, Ryan, Khanna, Nina, Moher, David, Goodman, Steven N., Ioannidis, John P. A., and Hemkens, Lars G.

Abstract

Background: Convalescent plasma has been widely used to treat COVID-19 and is under investigation in numerous randomized clinical trials, but results are publicly available only for a small number of trials. The objective of this study was to assess the benefits of convalescent plasma treatment compared to placebo or no treatment and all-cause mortality in patients with COVID-19, using data from all available randomized clinical trials, including unpublished and ongoing trials (Open Science Framework, ). Methods: In this collaborative systematic review and meta-analysis, clinical trial registries (ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform), the Cochrane COVID-19 register, the LOVE database, and PubMed were searched until April 8, 2021. Investigators of trials registered by March 1, 2021, without published results were contacted via email. Eligible were ongoing, discontinued and completed randomized clinical trials that compared convalescent plasma with placebo or no treatment in COVID-19 patients, regardless of setting or treatment schedule. Aggregated mortality data were extracted from publications or provided by investigators of unpublished trials and combined using the Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman random effects model. We investigated the contribution of unpublished trials to the overall evidence. Results: A total of 16,477 patients were included in 33 trials (20 unpublished with 3190 patients, 13 published with 13,287 patients). 32 trials enrolled only hospitalized patients (including 3 with only intensive care unit patients). Risk of bias was low for 29/33 trials. Of 8495 patients who received convalescent plasma, 1997 died (23%), and of 7982 control patients, 1952 died (24%). The combined risk ratio for all-cause mortality was 0.97 (95% confidence interval: 0.92; 1.02) with between-study heterogeneity not beyond chance (I-2 = 0%). The RECOVERY trial had 69.8% and the unpublished evidence 25.3% of the weight in the meta-analysis. Co

Published
2021
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49. Sound in Human-Robot Interaction

Author

Pelikan, Hannah, Robinson, Frederic Anthony, Keevallik, Leelo, Velonaki, Mari, Broth, Mathias, Bown, Oliver, Pelikan, Hannah, Robinson, Frederic Anthony, Keevallik, Leelo, Velonaki, Mari, Broth, Mathias, and Bown, Oliver

Abstract

Robot sound spans a wide continuum, from subtle motor hums, through music, bleeps and bloops, to human-inspired vocalizations, and can be an important means of communication for robotic agents. This first workshop on sound in HRI aims to bring together inter- disciplinary perspectives on sound, including design, conversation analysis, (computational) linguistics, music, engineering and psychology. The goal of the workshop is to stimulate interdisciplinary exchange and to form a more coherent overview of perspectives on how sound can facilitate human-robot interaction. During the half-day workshop, we will explore (1) the diverse application opportunities of sound in human-robot interaction, (2) strategies for designing sonic human-robot interactions, and (3) methodologies for the evaluation of robot sound. Workshop outcomes will be documented on a dedicated website and are planned to be collected in a special issue.

Published
2021
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50. The evolution of Eocene (Ypresian/Lutetian) sphenoliths : biostratigraphic implications and paleoceanographic significance from North Atlantic Site IODP U1410

Author

Cappelli, Carlotta, Bown, Paul R., de Riu, Martina, Agnini, Claudia, Cappelli, Carlotta, Bown, Paul R., de Riu, Martina, and Agnini, Claudia

Abstract

Sphenoliths are a diverse and evolutionarily dynamic group of Cenozoic nannofossils which are widely used in biostratigraphic and paleoecological studies. We document the early-middle Eocene evolutionary succession of sphenoliths from IODP Site U1410 in the NW Atlantic Ocean (Southeast Newfoundland Ridge). The exquisite nannofossil preservation at this site allows us to better delineate the morphologic and optical features of these sphenoliths and to document new fragile morphotypes. These include forms bearing long and fragile lateral processes (the 'spiny sphenoliths' group) that are the possible ancestors of the Sphenolithus furcatolithoides group, which is characterized by well-developed apical cycles and typically bifurcating spines. New quantitative stratigraphic analyses highlight the biostratigraphic potential of the S. furcatolithoides group throughout Zones NP14-NP15 (Martini 1971) and six key intervals characterized by shifting sphenolith assemblage compositions are identified through the early-middle Eocene. These are: 1) the post-EECO S. moriformis decrease, 2) the S. radians-S. spiniger turnover across the Ypresian-Lutetian transition, 3) the appearance and diversification of the 'spiny sphenoliths' group during the early Lutetian, and 4-6) development of the S. furcatolithoides evolutionary lineage, including S. pseudo-furcatolithoides (sp. nov., former S. furcatolithoides morphotype A), S. cuniculus, S. furcatolithoides (former S. furcatolithoides morphotype B) and S. strigosus. Assemblage compositions shifts and stable isotope records indicate possible environmental forcing on sphenolith evolution, suggesting the group is sensitive to changes in trophic and/or thermal conditions.

Published
2021
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