Electron Glass Phase with Resilient Zhang-Rice Singlets in LiCu_{3}O_{3}.

LiCu_{3}O_{3} is an antiferromagnetic mixed valence cuprate where trilayers of edge-sharing Cu(II)O (3d^{9}) are sandwiched in between planes of Cu(I) (3d^{10}) ions, with Li stochastically substituting Cu(II). Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and density functional theory reveal two insulating electronic subsystems that are segregated in spite of sharing common oxygen atoms: a Cu d_{z^{2}}/O p_{z} derived valence band (VB) dispersing on the Cu(I) plane, and a Cu 3d_{x^{2}-y^{2}}/O 2p_{x,y} derived Zhang-Rice singlet (ZRS) band dispersing on the Cu(II)O planes. First-principle analysis shows the Li substitution to stabilize the insulating ground state, but only if antiferromagnetic correlations are present. Li further induces substitutional disorder and a 2D electron glass behavior in charge transport, reflected in a large 530 meV Coulomb gap and a linear suppression of VB spectral weight at E_{F} that is observed by ARPES. Surprisingly, the disorder leaves the Cu(II)-derived ZRS largely unaffected. This indicates a local segregation of Li and Cu atoms onto the two separate corner-sharing Cu(II)O_{2} sub-lattices of the edge-sharing Cu(II)O planes, and highlights the ubiquitous resilience of the entangled two hole ZRS entity against impurity scattering.

Bayesian clinical reasoning in the first opinion approach to a dog with suspected thoracolumbar pain.

Whilst multi-planar imaging has allowed advances in diagnosis and treatment of canine spinal cord disorders, it is sometimes inaccessible to pet owners leading to a reliance on imaging modalities and ancillary tests that are more readily available. For this reason, this essay considers how Bayesian clinical reasoning may aid in deciding which tests, if any, are most useful for the diagnosis of spinal disease in clinical practice and choosing reasonable empiric therapies.

Recurrence of signs consistent with cervical intervertebral disc extrusion in dogs.

OBJECTIVES: Report the rate of recurrent clinical signs following successful treatment of cervical intervertebral disc extrusion, and explore the association between treatment method and recurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of dogs with MRI- or CT-confirmed cervical intervertebral disc extrusion were reviewed to verify that they recovered. Type of treatment, site of initial extrusion and whether dogs re-presented with recurrent clinical signs were recorded. Recurrence was considered presumed if based on clinical signs or confirmed if based on repeat cross-sectional imaging. RESULTS: Complete recovery was documented following medical (36/119, 30.3%) or surgical (83/119, 69.7%) management of initial cervical disc extrusion. There was a recurrence of consistent clinical signs in 40 of 119 (34%) cases, of which 27 of 83 (33%) were initially managed surgically and 13 of 36 (36%) medically. In 24 of 40 (60%) cases, there was imaging confirmation of recurrent extrusion; in medically managed dogs, recurrence mostly occurred at the same site, whereas after surgery, recurrence most commonly involved an adjacent disc. Of the 40 recurrences, 32 (80%) occurred within 2 years of diagnosis. Rate of recurrence was similar between treatment methods in both univariable and multivariable time-to-event analyses (hazard ratio 1.03; 95% confidence interval: 0.67 to 1.53; P=0.87). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Following successful initial medical or surgical treatment, clinical signs consistent with recurrent cervical disc extrusion occurred with similar frequency. Medically treated cases tended to have recurrence at the same site as initial presentation, whereas surgical treatment prevented this. Recurrence usually occurred within 2 years. The retrospective study design, small number of recurrences and lack of imaging confirmation of every recurrence should be considered when interpreting the results.

Serum anti-GM2 and anti-GalNAc-GD1a IgG antibodies are biomarkers for acute canine polyradiculoneuritis.

OBJECTIVES: A previous single-country pilot study indicated serum anti-GM2 and anti-GA1 anti-glycolipid antibodies as potential biomarkers for acute canine polyradiculoneuritis. This study aims to validate these findings in a large geographically heterogenous cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sera from 175 dogs clinically diagnosed with acute canine polyradiculoneuritis, 112 dogs with other peripheral nerve, cranial nerve or neuromuscular disorders and 226 neurologically normal dogs were screened for anti-glycolipid antibodies against 11 common glycolipid targets to determine the immunoglobulin G anti-glycolipid antibodies with the highest combined sensitivity and specificity for acute canine polyradiculoneuritis. RESULTS: Anti-GM2 anti-glycolipid antibodies reached the highest combined sensitivity and specificity (sensitivity: 65.1%, 95% confidence interval 57.6 to 72.2%; specificity: 90.2%, 95% confidence interval 83.1 to 95.0%), followed by anti-GalNAc-GD1a anti-glycolipid antibodies (sensitivity: 61.7%, 95% confidence interval 54.1 to 68.9%; specificity: 89.3%, 95% confidence interval 82.0 to 94.3%) and these anti-glycolipid antibodies were frequently present concomitantly. Anti-GA1 anti-glycolipid antibodies were detected in both acute canine polyradiculoneuritis and control animals. Both for anti-GM2 and anti-GalNAc-GD1a anti-glycolipid antibodies, sex was found a significantly associated factor with a female to male odds ratio of 2.55 (1.27 to 5.31) and 3.00 (1.22 to 7.89), respectively. Anti-GalNAc-GD1a anti-glycolipid antibodies were more commonly observed in dogs unable to walk (OR 4.56, 1.56 to 14.87). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Anti-GM2 and anti-GalNAc-GD1a immunoglobulin G anti-glycolipid antibodies represent serum biomarkers for acute canine polyradiculoneuritis.

Photodiagnostic services in the UK and Republic of Ireland: a British Photodermatology Group Workshop Report.

BACKGROUND: Photodiagnostic investigations are essential for the accurate diagnosis of abnormal cutaneous photosensitivity and provide important information for the management of patients with photodermatoses (cutaneous photosensitivity disorders). Although photodiagnosis has been undertaken since the early 1970s, specialist services in the United Kingdom (UK) and Republic of Ireland are limited and there is no formal guidance on diagnostic approach. Indeed, there is a limited literature in this area of methodology and diagnostic practice. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to undertake a British Photodermatology Group Workshop to review the role and activities of specialist centres in the UK and Republic of Ireland in order to ascertain whether there were consensus practices. Secondary objectives were to identify key priorities for service, training and research. METHODS: An initial detailed survey review of current activities was undertaken prior to the Workshop and data from this survey were used to inform discussion at the Workshop, which was attended by key photodermatology experts from the UK and Republic of Ireland. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: We have undertaken a detailed review of current Photodiagnostic Services in the UK and Republic of Ireland and report on our findings from the 12 centres and we have identified key areas of consensus practice. This is an important step in the process of standardising and optimising procedures and protocols and defining minimum clinical standards for photodiagnostic investigations, which are of such diagnostic importance in Dermatology.

A model of the UV skin dose distribution in paediatric whole-body phototherapy.

The radiance equation is applied in this study to model the ultraviolet (UV) radiation dose distribution over the skin in paediatric and adult patients treated in a whole-body phototherapy cabin. This approach extends a previously published model of UV radiation dose based on thermal radiation exchange between surfaces (Colemanet al2020Biomed. Phys. Eng. Express6055023). The new model makes it feasible to predict the distribution of UV irradiance over the head, trunk and legs in patients of varying height. The modelled irradiance distributions to directly lamp-facing skin surfaces agree to within 10% of those measured in simulated clinical paediatric treatments in a modern narrowband UVB treatment cabin. For a 10 year old (of height 1.36 m), for example, the model and the clinical measurements both show a UV radiation dose to the face that is around 25% more than that in an adult (of height 1.8 m). The dose to the crown of the head of a 10 year old is both predicted and measured to be more than double that of an adult. The automated dosimetry system, incorporated within the treatment cabin, is also predicted to overestimate irradiance to the body by between 10% and 25% in patients aged between 10 and 4 years (height 1.36-1.0 m). The value of the model and its implications for paediatric whole-body UV treatment in adult-size whole-body treatment cabins are considered.

Computerised decision support in veterinary medicine, exemplified in a canine idiopathic epilepsy care pathway.

Computerised decision support is of emerging and increasing importance in human medicine, but as yet has not been thoroughly applied or evaluated in veterinary medicine. In this essay, the authors report on the first example of a veterinary care pathway, a specific form of computerised decision support, which guides clinicians through a clinical workflow and incorporates individual patient data to inform patient-specific decision recommendations. The veterinary care pathway was designed using consensus statements and specialist neurologist opinion to create a decision support tool concerning canine idiopathic epilepsy. The authors evaluated the care pathway by comparing 35 clinical decisions made by referral clinicians in historical cases of idiopathic epilepsy to decisions recommended by the care pathway when presented with the same clinical case. Their results show that in 77.1% (95% confidence interval [59.9, 89.6]) of cases the care pathway recommended a decision that was the same or similar to a specialist neurologist's decision. Whilst further studies are needed to explore the potential use of such technology in clinical practice, the authors believe this first application provides great promise of a new and alternative method of clinical decision support.

Hendra in the Hunter Valley.

In June 2019 the first equine case of Hendra virus in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia was detected. An urgent human and animal health response took place, involving biosecurity measures, contact tracing, promotion of equine vaccinations and investigation of flying fox activity in the area. No human or additional animal cases occurred. Equine vaccination uptake increased by over 30-fold in the surrounding region in the three months following the case. Black flying fox and grey-headed flying fox species were detected in the Valley. The incident prompted review of Hendra virus resources at local and national levels. This event near the "horse capital of Australia", is the southernmost known equine Hendra case. Management of the event was facilitated by interagency collaboration involving human and animal health experts. Ongoing One Health partnerships are essential for successful responses to future zoonotic events.

A thermal radiation exchange model of whole-body UV phototherapy.

A novel model of the skin dose in whole-body UV phototherapy treatment cabins is presented. The model is based on an analysis of the thermal radiation exchange between two surfaces, in this case the UV source and the patient. It is shown to allow analytical treatment of the multiple internal reflections in a treatment cabin that account for around 40% of the skin irradiance. The model provides predictions of the absolute irradiance at the skin and shielding factors in seven different UVA and NB-UVB cabins that are within 6% of those measured using a calibrated radiometer and within 12% for all nine cabins. The model predicts reducing skin irradiances with increasingly patient size, a trend demonstrated in clinical measurements. The exact sensitivity to patient size in automated cabin dosimetry systems, however, varies with in-built sensor positioning. The potential to extend the use of the model to investigate improved design of automated dosimetry systems is discussed.

Wave Vector Difference of Magnetic Bragg Reflections and Low Energy Magnetic Excitations in Charge-stripe Ordered La2NiO4.11.

We report on the magnetism of charge-stripe ordered La2NiO4.11±0.01 by neutron scattering and µSR. On going towards zero energy transfer there is an observed wave vector offset in the centring of the magnetic excitations and magnetic Bragg reflections, meaning the excitations cannot be described as Goldstone modes of the magnetic order. Weak transverse field µSR measurements determine the magnetically order volume fraction is 87% from the two stripe twins, and the temperature evolution of the magnetic excitations is consistent with the low energy excitations coming from the magnetically ordered volume of the material. We will discuss how these results contrast with the proposed origin of a similar wave vector offset recently observed in a La-based cuprate, and possible origins of this effect in La2NiO4.11.

Rapid in-house method of CSF analysis utilising sedimentation direct from the spinal needle.

OBJECTIVES: To establish the utility of a novel in-house method of CSF analysis using sedimentation cytology direct from the spinal needle for the detection of laboratory-defined pleocytosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In dogs and cats undergoing routine CSF analysis for investigation of neurological signs, an additional preparation was made at the patient's side by inverting the spinal needle on a slide and sedimenting for at least 1 hour. Nucleated cellularity and differential counts were assessed and compared with "gold-standard" analysis. Variability of cell counts between observers and within slides using the new method was evaluated to optimise the procedure. RESULTS: Using a ×50 objective, at least 10 fields and an average of more than five cells per field were considered appropriate guidelines to achieve correct classification of samples (normal or pleocytosis). The new method had high sensitivity (89%) and specificity (100%) for the detection of laboratory-defined pleocytosis. Agreement on the type of pleocytosis was good. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Clinically useful information can be obtained from CSF samples in a patient-side setting without additional equipment. This technique may be of benefit if little fluid is available or if logistical constraints limit the availability of rapid specialist results.

Features of prescription drug monitoring programs associated with reduced rates of prescription opioid-related poisonings.

BACKGROUND: The United States is in the midst of an opioid epidemic. In addition to other system-level interventions, all states have responded during the crisis by implementing prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs). This study examines associations between specific administrative features of PDMPs and changes in the risk of prescription opioid-related poisoning (RxORP) over time. METHODS: This longitudinal, observational study utilized a 'natural experiment' design to assess associations between PDMP features and risk of RxORP in a nationally-representative population of privately-insured adults from 2004 to 2014. Administrative health claims data were used to identify inpatient hospital admissions and emergency department visits related to RxORP. Generalized estimating equation Poisson regression models were used to examine associations between specific PDMP features and changes in relative risk (RR) of RxORP over time. RESULTS: In adjusted analyses, states without PDMPs experienced an average annual increase in the rate of RxORP of 9.51% over the study period, while states with operational PDMPs experienced an average annual increase of 3.17%. The increase in RR of RxORP over time in states with operational PDMPs was significantly less than increases in states without PDMPs. States with specific features, including those that monitored more schedules or required more frequent data reporting, experienced stronger protective effects on the RR of RxORP over time. CONCLUSION: This study examined associations between specific PDMP features and RxORP rates in a nationally-representative population of privately-insured adults. Results of this study may be used as empirical evidence to guide PDMP best practices.

Equine chlamydiosis-An emerging infectious disease requiring a one health surveillance approach.

Psittacosis is a rare but potentially fatal zoonosis caused by Chlamydia psittaci, an organism that is typically associated with bird contact. However C. psittaci is capable of infecting other non-avian hosts, such as horses, sheep, cattle and goats. Stud staff and veterinarians have significant exposure to parturient animals and reproductive materials in their routine work. To investigate the zoonotic potential associated with the emergence of C. psittaci as an abortifacient agent in horses, we established a programme of joint human and animal surveillance in a sentinel horse-breeding region in Australia. This programme comprised cross-notification of equine cases to public health agencies, and active follow-up of known human contacts, including stud workers, foaling staff, veterinarians and laboratory staff. We identified no confirmed cases of acute psittacosis despite intensive surveillance and testing of heavily exposed contacts; however, further work in the area is needed.

A unified framework for constructing, tuning and assessing photometric redshift density estimates in a selection bias setting.

Photometric redshift estimation is an indispensable tool of precision cosmology. One problem that plagues the use of this tool in the era of large-scale sky surveys is that the bright galaxies that are selected for spectroscopic observation do not have properties that match those of (far more numerous) dimmer galaxies; thus, ill-designed empirical methods that produce accurate and precise redshift estimates for the former generally will not produce good estimates for the latter. In this paper, we provide a principled framework for generating conditional density estimates (i.e. photometric redshift PDFs) that takes into account selection bias and the covariate shift that this bias induces. We base our approach on the assumption that the probability that astronomers label a galaxy (i.e. determine its spectroscopic redshift) depends only on its measured (photometric and perhaps other) properties [Formula: see text] and not on its true redshift. With this assumption, we can explicitly write down risk functions that allow us to both tune and compare methods for estimating importance weights (i.e. the ratio of densities of unlabelled and labelled galaxies for different values of [Formula: see text]) and conditional densities. We also provide a method for combining multiple conditional density estimates for the same galaxy into a single estimate with better properties. We apply our risk functions to an analysis of ≈106 galaxies, mostly observed by Sloan Digital Sky Survey, and demonstrate through multiple diagnostic tests that our method achieves good conditional density estimates for the unlabelled galaxies.

Re-opening the window on fenestration as a treatment for acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation in dogs.

Acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation in dogs is a common cause of "back" pain, pelvic limb paresis or paralysis and incontinence. Treatment of this condition has long been a source of controversy, especially since the introduction of surgical interventions in the 1950s. Unfortunately, formal clinical trials to compare efficacy of conservative and surgical interventions have never been carried out and the current lack of clinical equipoise on this subject now precludes such a trial on ethical grounds. In this article we re-examine and discuss earlier published data on recovery associated with the various therapies, focusing on evidence suggesting that decompressive surgery and fenestration may be equally efficacious.

Direct evidence for charge stripes in a layered cobalt oxide.

Recent experiments indicate that static stripe-like charge order is generic to the hole-doped copper oxide superconductors and competes with superconductivity. Here we show that a similar type of charge order is present in La5/3Sr1/3CoO4, an insulating analogue of the copper oxide superconductors containing cobalt in place of copper. The stripe phase we have detected is accompanied by short-range, quasi-one-dimensional, antiferromagnetic order, and provides a natural explanation for the distinctive hourglass shape of the magnetic spectrum previously observed in neutron-scattering measurements of La2-xSrxCoO4 and many hole-doped copper oxide superconductors. The results establish a solid empirical basis for theories of the hourglass spectrum built on short-range, quasi-static, stripe correlations.

Prevalence of Theileria orientalis types in beef cattle herds on the North Coast of New South Wales.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of Theileria orientalis infection for Chitose, Ikeda and Buffeli major piroplasm surface protein (MPSP) types at a herd- and animal-level in beef cattle in the North Coast Livestock Health and Pest Authority (NCLHPA) region of New South Wales (NSW). METHODS: A total of 24 beef herds in the NCLHPA region containing more than 100 cattle were randomly selected. Blood samples were collected from five animals per herd and tested using Theileria PCR for Chitose, Buffeli and Ikeda. Samples were only taken from female cattle older than 2 years, born in the NCLHPA region and apparently healthy at the time of testing. RESULTS: The herd-level prevalence for all MPSP types (Chitose, Ikeda and Buffeli) was 100%, with a 95% confidence interval of 86.3-99.9%. The mean prevalence at an animal level was 83.3%, 92.5% and 95.0% for Theileria Chitose, Buffeli and Ikeda, respectively. Quantitative PCR testing showed that 81.9% of animals had a low-level infection, while 17.0% had a moderate level of infection, and only 1.0% had a high level of infection. The majority of animals had a mixed infection of two or three MPSP types and few animals showed single infection. CONCLUSION: The results indicate endemicity of T. orientalis, especially the Ikeda type, in the NCLHPA region of Australia.

Origin of the Spin-Orbital Liquid State in a Nearly J=0 Iridate Ba_{3}ZnIr_{2}O_{9}.

We show using detailed magnetic and thermodynamic studies and theoretical calculations that the ground state of Ba_{3}ZnIr_{2}O_{9} is a realization of a novel spin-orbital liquid state. Our results reveal that Ba_{3}ZnIr_{2}O_{9} with Ir^{5+} (5d^{4}) ions and strong spin-orbit coupling (SOC) arrives very close to the elusive J=0 state but each Ir ion still possesses a weak moment. Ab initio density functional calculations indicate that this moment is developed due to superexchange, mediated by a strong intradimer hopping mechanism. While the Ir spins within the structural Ir_{2}O_{9} dimer are expected to form a spin-orbit singlet state (SOS) with no resultant moment, substantial frustration arising from interdimer exchange interactions induce quantum fluctuations in these possible SOS states favoring a spin-orbital liquid phase down to at least 100 mK.

Clinical review of Hendra virus infection in 11 horses in New South Wales, Australia.

CASE SERIES: Between 2006 and 2012, there were 11 horses diagnosed with Hendra virus (HeV) on 9 independent premises in New South Wales (NSW). We defined a case of HeV as premises where one or more horses were confirmed to be infected with HeV by PCR. All the cases occurred in the north-eastern region of NSW. In 8 of the 9 cases, infection occurred within 2 months over the winter of 2011. With no exception, the affected horses were kept at pasture on properties visited by flying foxes. Of the 11 horses testing positive for HeV, 5 had an association with a fence, with the horses dead or dying on a fence line. In the majority of cases, disease was an acute illness leading to death within 48 h. When signs of disease were observed, neurological signs predominated. There was limited spread to in-contact horses, with only two properties having more than one horse affected. There was significant variation in the sampling strategies undertaken by veterinarians. CONCLUSION: Caution is needed to interpret a negative diagnosis when only swabs have been collected.