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Hospice is patient-centered end-of-life care. Hispanics are underrepresented among hospice patients (7.1%) relative to the U.S. population (17%). We conducted a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis to understand this underrepresentation further. In palliative care, Hispanic hospice enrollment is comparable to that of non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs) (RR 1.02, 95% CI: 0.93-1.12; z=0.49; p = .627). However, in cases of heart failure (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.37-0.66) and stroke (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.63-0.94), Hispanics are much less likely to use hospice than NHWs. Cancer studies are mixed, but in meta-analysis were significant for lower relative hospice use in Hispanics (RR 0.96, 95% CI: 0.94-0.99; z=3.01; p=.003). It remains unclear whether using census and insurance data in statistical analysis provides valid results since the Hispanic population is younger, healthier, and less likely to be insured. Health equity in hospice may be better represented by hospice quality rather than hospice enrollment rates.

One of the cardinal problems in computer vision is information overload. Image sensors generate a vast quantity of pixel data through multiple channels at high speed, and such a large amount of visual data is challenging to process in real time. Although a naive approach can reduce the visual information by re-sizing images, doing so results in a data loss. To limit the data loss, recently-proposed approaches leverage \"regions of interest\", which are an intelligently selected subset of samples in an image. Unfortunately, among techniques based on generating and consuming regions of interest, each shows different performance for different scenes, which makes one fail to achieve the best performance for a set of scenes with a single technique. Motivated by this, we propose a dynamic mechanism that selects the best technique (generating the best performance) depending on the incoming scenes. In this dissertation, we propose several novel approaches to optimize computation resources by exploiting natural redundancy, dynamic algorithm selection and application specific methods. In the first part of the dissertation, we present a hardware architecture that exploits natural redundancy across pixels, frames and channels. The architecture reuses and shares the results with minimized overhead to reduce power consumption. In the second part of the dissertation, we propose a dynamic saliency algorithm selection technique that is able to choose the best saliency map based on machine learning. We demonstrate the benefits of the approach using a sampling approach across video frames. Thirdly, we show how to apply saliency maps to grocery scenes to address challenges arising for object class detection in real world scenarios. iv

Spin–orbit torques arising from the spin–orbit coupling of non-magnetic heavy metals allow electrical switching of perpendicular magnetization. However, the switching is not purely electrical in laterally homogeneous structures. An extra in-plane magnetic field is indeed required to achieve deterministic switching, and this is detrimental for device applications. On the other hand, if antiferromagnets can generate spin–orbit torques, they may enable all-electrical deterministic switching because the desired magnetic field may be replaced by their exchange bias. Here we report sizeable spin–orbit torques in IrMn/CoFeB/MgO structures. The antiferromagnetic IrMn layer also supplies an in-plane exchange bias field, which enables all-electrical deterministic switching of perpendicular magnetization without any assistance from an external magnetic field. Together with sizeable spin–orbit torques, these features make antiferromagnets a promising candidate for future spintronic devices. We also show that the signs of the spin–orbit torques in various IrMn-based structures cannot be explained by existing theories and thus significant theoretical progress is required. Antiferromagnetic materials allow deterministic spin–orbit torque switching of perpendicular magnetization in ferromagnetic layers without external magnetic fields.

A deep understanding of how the brain controls behaviour requires mapping neural circuits down to the muscles that they control. Here, we apply automated tools to segment neurons and identify synapses in an electron microscopy dataset of an adult female Drosophila melanogaster ventral nerve cord (VNC) 1 , which functions like the vertebrate spinal cord to sense and control the body. We find that the fly VNC contains roughly 45 million synapses and 14,600 neuronal cell bodies. To interpret the output of the connectome, we mapped the muscle targets of leg and wing motor neurons using genetic driver lines 2 and X-ray holographic nanotomography 3 . With this motor neuron atlas, we identified neural circuits that coordinate leg and wing movements during take-off. We provide the reconstruction of VNC circuits, the motor neuron atlas and tools for programmatic and interactive access as resources to support experimental and theoretical studies of how the nervous system controls behaviour. Automated reconstruction of dense neural networks in the ventral nerve cord of the fruit fly provides a resource for investigating the neural control of movement.

Animal movement is controlled by motor neurons (MNs), which project out of the central nervous system to activate muscles 1 . MN activity is coordinated by complex premotor networks that facilitate the contribution of individual muscles to many different behaviours 2 – 6 . Here we use connectomics 7 to analyse the wiring logic of premotor circuits controlling the Drosophila leg and wing. We find that both premotor networks cluster into modules that link MNs innervating muscles with related functions. Within most leg motor modules, the synaptic weights of each premotor neuron are proportional to the size of their target MNs, establishing a circuit basis for hierarchical MN recruitment. By contrast, wing premotor networks lack proportional synaptic connectivity, which may enable more flexible recruitment of wing steering muscles. Through comparison of the architecture of distinct motor control systems within the same animal, we identify common principles of premotor network organization and specializations that reflect the unique biomechanical constraints and evolutionary origins of leg and wing motor control. We use connectomics to compare the wiring logic of premotor circuits controlling the Drosophila leg and wing, finding that both premotor networks cluster into modules that link motor neurons innervating muscles with related functions.

Individuals with cancer, particularly those who are receiving systemic anticancer treatments, have been postulated to be at increased risk of mortality from COVID-19. This conjecture has considerable effect on the treatment of patients with cancer and data from large, multicentre studies to support this assumption are scarce because of the contingencies of the pandemic. We aimed to describe the clinical and demographic characteristics and COVID-19 outcomes in patients with cancer. In this prospective observational study, all patients with active cancer and presenting to our network of cancer centres were eligible for enrolment into the UK Coronavirus Cancer Monitoring Project (UKCCMP). The UKCCMP is the first COVID-19 clinical registry that enables near real-time reports to frontline doctors about the effects of COVID-19 on patients with cancer. Eligible patients tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 on RT-PCR assay from a nose or throat swab. We excluded patients with a radiological or clinical diagnosis of COVID-19, without a positive RT-PCR test. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality, or discharge from hospital, as assessed by the reporting sites during the patient hospital admission. From March 18, to April 26, 2020, we analysed 800 patients with a diagnosis of cancer and symptomatic COVID-19. 412 (52%) patients had a mild COVID-19 disease course. 226 (28%) patients died and risk of death was significantly associated with advancing patient age (odds ratio 9·42 [95% CI 6·56–10·02]; p<0·0001), being male (1·67 [1·19–2·34]; p=0·003), and the presence of other comorbidities such as hypertension (1·95 [1·36–2·80]; p<0·001) and cardiovascular disease (2·32 [1·47–3·64]). 281 (35%) patients had received cytotoxic chemotherapy within 4 weeks before testing positive for COVID-19. After adjusting for age, gender, and comorbidities, chemotherapy in the past 4 weeks had no significant effect on mortality from COVID-19 disease, when compared with patients with cancer who had not received recent chemotherapy (1·18 [0·81–1·72]; p=0·380). We found no significant effect on mortality for patients with immunotherapy, hormonal therapy, targeted therapy, radiotherapy use within the past 4 weeks. Mortality from COVID-19 in cancer patients appears to be principally driven by age, gender, and comorbidities. We are not able to identify evidence that cancer patients on cytotoxic chemotherapy or other anticancer treatment are at an increased risk of mortality from COVID-19 disease compared with those not on active treatment. University of Birmingham, University of Oxford.

We conducted continuous measurements of nanoparticles down to 3 nm size in the Arctic at Mount Zeppelin, Ny Ålesund, Svalbard, from October 2016 to December 2018, providing a size distribution of nanoparticles (3–60 nm). A significant number of nanoparticles as small as 3 nm were often observed during new particle formation (NPF), particularly in summer, suggesting that these were likely produced near the site rather than being transported from other regions after growth. The average NPF frequency per year was 23 %, having the highest percentage in August (63 %). The average formation rate (J) and growth rate (GR) for 3–7 nm particles were 0.04 cm−3 s−1 and 2.07 nm h−1, respectively. Although NPF frequency in the Arctic was comparable to that in continental areas, the J and GR were much lower. The number of nanoparticles increased more frequently when air mass originated over the south and southwest ocean regions; this pattern overlapped with regions having strong chlorophyll a concentration and dimethyl sulfide (DMS) production capacity (southwest ocean) and was also associated with increased NH3 and H2SO4 concentration, suggesting that marine biogenic sources were responsible for gaseous precursors to NPF. Our results show that previously developed NPF occurrence criteria (low loss rate and high cluster growth rate favor NPF) are also applicable to NPF in the Arctic.

A study ancillary to a large trial showed that supplemental vitamin D 3 did not lower the risk of fractures among generally healthy midlife and older adults not selected for vitamin D deficiency, low bone mass, or osteoporosis.