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The article discusses the use of MMRM (Mixed Model for Repeated Measures) and LOCF (Last Observation Carried Forward) analysis strategies in the context of the ICH E9 (R1) estimands framework. The authors express concerns about the justification and conclusions presented by Ting, who argues for the broad adoption of LO analysis. They argue that the choice of estimation methods should be driven by the choice of estimands, which should be based on clinical rationale. They also disagree with Ting's assertion that LO analysis is superior and emphasize the importance of considering the clinical context when selecting estimation methods. [Extracted from the article]

With normal retinal blood flow, cross-sectional optical coherence tomography (OCT) of retinal vessels shows a structured intravascular reflectivity profile, resembling a 'figure-of-8'. Altered profiles have been reported in vascular occlusive and haematological diseases. Giant cell arteritis (GCA) can cause visual loss, usually due to anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (AION) or retinal artery occlusion. Our aim was to extend the assessment of OCT vascular profiles to patients with suspected GCA and to determine if any abnormalities were related to GCA per se or to ischaemic ocular conditions. This nested retrospective study included 61 eyes of 31 patients (13 with GCA). Six eyes had arteritic and seven eyes non-arteritic AION, three eyes had non-arteritic retinal artery occlusion, 11 eyes had other ocular conditions and 34 were unaffected control eyes. For each eye the appearance of structured intravascular profiles on peripapillary OCT was graded as present, partial, absent or uncertain. Non-presence of structured intravascular profiles was more frequent in AION and retinal artery occlusion than in other ocular conditions or unaffected eyes (Fisher's test, p =.0047). Based on follow-up of 25 eyes, reflectivity profiles normalised in three out of four eyes after 85 (35–245) days. Vessel profiles were not associated with GCA (p =.32) and were similar in arteritic and non-arteritic AION (p =.66). In conclusion, absence of structured intravascular reflectivity profiles may be a marker of acute ischaemia in the anterior optic nerve or inner retina. However, it did not seem specific for GCA. The prognostic value warrants further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi; Poey, 1876) is a medium to large-bodied coastal and reef-associated predator found throughout the subtropical and tropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, although its populations are increasingly threatened by overfishing. We describe the first mitochondrial genome sequence for this species, using Illumina MiSeq sequencing of an individual from The Bahamas. We report the mitogenome sequence of the Caribbean reef shark to be 16,709 bp and composed two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, 2 non-coding regions; the D-loop control region and the origin of light-strand replication. We discuss the implications of this new information on future monitoring efforts and conservation measures such as marine protected areas, and urge for greater application of mitochondrial studies of sharks in the Atlantic Ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article looks at Indian practices during Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana. It explores the existence of spirituality and aural modalities as forms of cultural and social resistance among Mardi Gras Indians since the late 18th century. Some of the historical events and interactions that shape the identity of Mardi Gras Indians are provided, including their changing attitude toward the ritual.

Fraud/cheat in the buying and selling of commodities is part and parcel of modern businesses worldwide, and a common phenomenon in Nigeria. Personal purchases of meats using a measurement scale and others without measurement scale were made in Abakiliki and Calabar meat markets. Empirically, holding the quality of meats constant, a paired t-test analytical tool shows significant difference in the weight of meats bought and sold by non-measurement scale and those with measurement scale. Theoretically, perspectives from rational choice, fraud triangle, economic, social learning/contagious, anomie theories and political economy are drawn on to suggest an integrated multiple reinforcing-social-forces theory of fraud in the sale of meats. Results confirm that consumers receive less value for their money when they purchase meats without metrology. Cheat is conceived as a product of individual, structural variables and process that interact at different levels to produce negative consequences. An EpiCrim approach which, include strategies to promote consumers' rights awareness, impose sanctions with certainty, celerity and pains, and other measures to assist helpless victims of cheat is advocated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Syphilis continues to be a growing epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM), particularly for those living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In 2016, MSM accounted for 80% of primary and secondary syphilis diagnoses in men in the United States; almost half of who were also HIV-infected. The synergistic relationship between HIV and syphilis has significant implications not only for HIV patient management, but also for sexually transmitted infection (STI) control among MSM. Areas covered: We review the literature on STI screening and treatment barriers at the patient-, provider-, and health system-levels, and present strategies to incorporate STI prevention into HIV care settings. Expert commentary: Integration of STI prevention into HIV care is paramount to stop the epidemic of not only syphilis, but also other curable STIs like gonorrhea and chlamydia. Although guidelines have been established for STI testing in HIV-infected MSM, screening rates continue to be lower than desired. Gonorrhea and chlamydia screening is below 50% in HIV-infected MSM; interventions that improve testing of those two infections must be implemented. For syphilis control, other additional strategies such as chemoprophylaxis should be considered given syphilis screening is above 50% in HIV-infected MSM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study combines U–Pb age and Lu–Hf isotope data for magmatic and detrital zircons, with whole-rock geochemistry of the Browns Range Metamorphics (BRM), Western Australia. The BRM are medium- to coarse-grained metasandstones that consist of angular to sub-rounded detrital quartz and feldspars with minor granitic lithic fragments. The sequence has undergone partial to extensive quartz–muscovite alteration and rare-earth-element mineralisation and has been intruded by mafic/ultramafic, syenitic and pegmatitic intrusive rock units. Uranium–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopic data on detrital zircons from the metasandstones and intruding granitic rocks yield a well-defined age ofca3.2 toca3.0 Ga for all samples, with relatively radiogenic ϵHfvalues (ϵHf= –1.7 to 5.1) indicating derivation from Mesoarchean granite basement of juvenile origin. This is consistent with geochemical and petrological data that support deposition from a granitic source in a continental rift basin setting. The timing of sediment deposition is constrained between theca3.0 Ga age of the source rocks andca2.5 Ga age of the granitic intrusive bodies that cross-cut the metasedimentary rocks. Theca2.5 Ga zircons from the intrusive rocks have ϵHfmodel ages ofca3.4 toca3.1 Ga, which is consistent with formation via partial melting of the BRM, or the Mesoarchean granite basement. Zircons of the Gardiner Sandstone that unconformably overlies the BRM return detrital ages ofca2.6 toca1.8 Ga with no trace ofca3.1 Ga zircons, which discounts a significant contribution from the underlying BRM. The Mesoarchean age and isotopic signatures of the BRM zircons are shared by some zircon records from the Pine Creek Orogen, and the Pilbara, Yilgarn and Gawler cratons. Collectively, these records indicate that juvenile Mesoarchean crust is a more significant component of Australian cratons than is currently recognised. This work also further demonstrates that detrital minerals in Paleoproterozoic/Archean sedimentary rocks are archives to study the early crustal record of Earth. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article explores Garifuna cultural expression and religious identity through an analysis of the creolized Christian mass ritual, known as Lemesi Garifuna. The author reflects on medical ethnomusicology and the potential of religious music and hymns for healing. Emphasis is given to the maintenance of indigenous identity under the influence of inculturation for Garifuna Christianity in Belize.

Background: A key current issue in pelagic ecosystem modelling is obtaining better representations of the growth of phytoplankton so as to increase our understanding of the links between climate change and ocean biogeochemistry. Aims: Here we explore the use of cost-benefit analysis within the context of assessing the optimal distribution of resources for maximizing phytoplankton growth. Methods: We focus on capital and running costs by revisiting some of John Raven's cost-benefit analyses of chloroplast structure/function relations. Then, we describe a general framework for application of cost-benefit considerations in models of phytoplankton growth. Conclusions: Key to applying optimality criteria to phytoplankton growth models is quantifying the costs and benefits of alternative acclimation strategies. Costs include (1) capital costs of the structural and functional components of the cell, (2) running costs of CO2 fixation, nutrient acquisition, biosynthesis and repair, (3) opportunity costs for exploiting variability in the environment, and (4) taxes imposed by losses associated with transport to unfavourable environments, grazers and parasites. On short timescales of phytoplankton blooms, benefits can be assessed through influences on net growth rate, which can be increased by maximising resource gain (r-strategy) or minimizing losses (K-strategy). On longer timescales from years to millennia, the benefit is survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]