bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multilayer Shells Interacting Through Friction
Authors: Alaydin Mert D. , Bazilevs Yuri
Published: March 2023

The corresponding author had the pleasure of attending an excellent symposium titled “Experimental and Theoretical Micro- and Nano-Mechanics: Honoring the Contributions of Prof. Kyung-Suk Kim” organized by Professors Ashraf Bastawros, Wendy Crone, Yanfei Gao, and Ruike (Renee) Zhao as part of the 2022 Society of Engineering Sciences Annual Technical Meeting held in College Station, TX on October 16–19, 2022. The symposium was held in honor of Prof. Kim’s 70th Birthday and celebrated over 40 years of Prof. Kim’s independent research achievements across several areas of Applied Mechanics. The present paper is dedicated to Prof. Kim, a great colleague at Brown University.We present a new formulation for the multilayer isogeometric Kirchhoff–Love (KL) shells, where the individual layers are assumed to interact through no-penetration and frictional contact. This work is largely motivated by the experiments and analysis presented in Poincloux et al. (2021, “Bending Response of a Book With Internal Friction,” Phys. Rev. Lett., 126(21), p. 218004). We utilize a regularized version of Coulomb’s friction law to model the tangential traction between the contacting shell surfaces. To ensure objectivity (i.e., reference-frame invariance) in the frictional model, we propose two different strategies to extrapolate the velocity vectors of the contact pair at the contact interface: (i) using the underlying KL kinematics of the individual shell layers and (ii) using the Taylor series-based extension from Kamensky et al. (2019, “Peridynamic Modeling of Frictional Contact,” J. Peridyn. Nonlocal Model., 1(2), pp. 107–121). We compare the performance of both approaches through a numerical benchmark example. We then validate our multilayer shell formulation using the “bending response of a book with internal friction” experiments of Poincloux et al. (2021, “Bending Response of a Book With Internal Friction,” Phys. Rev. Lett., 126(21), p. 218004).
The Trousers Fracture Test for Viscoelastic Elastomers
Authors: Shrimali Bhavesh , Lopez-Pamies Oscar
Published: March 2023

Shrimali and Lopez-Pamies (2023, “The ‘Pure-Shear’ Fracture Test for Viscoelastic Elastomers and Its Revelation on Griffth Fracture,” Extreme Mech. Lett., 58, p. 101944) have recently shown that the Griffith criticality condition that governs crack growth in viscoelastic elastomers can be reduced to a fundamental form that involves exclusively the intrinsic fracture energy Gc of the elastomer, and, in so doing, they have brought resolution to the complete description of the historically elusive notion of critical tearing energy Tc. The purpose of this article—which can be viewed as the third installment of a series—is to make use of this fundamental form to explain one of the most popular fracture tests for probing the growth of cracks in viscoelastic elastomers, the trousers test.
The acoustic performances of a subwavelength hierarchical honeycomb structure: Analytical, numerical, and experimental investigations
Authors: Chen Wenjiong , Lu Chen , Wang Xiaopeng , Liu Shutian
Published: March 2023

This paper proposes a subwavelength hierarchical honeycomb structure (SHHS) with a compact lateral dimension and double-band perfect absorption in low frequencies. Unlike the conventional micro-perforated panel (MPP)-honeycomb sandwich absorber, this structure has an additional internal honeycomb with a perforated wall. Therefore, there are two resonant cavities in the SHHS to realize multiple absorption peaks. Analytical, numerical, and experimental investigations are performed to study the proposed system's acoustic performance in absorption. The SSHS is simplified into four parts and its analytical model is constructed by combining various analytical models by acoustic-electro analogy. The analytical model is presented to explore the physical properties of sound absorption and the influence of parameters, which has been validated by comparisons with the numerical model, and the experimental data is measured by an impedance tube. It is found that the main incident energy is lost by the inside hole, which is different from the conventional absorbers with surface MPP. Moreover, the side length of the internal honeycomb can adjust the resonant frequencies to achieve an absorber with the subwavelength. A SSHS is designed with a perfect absorption at 320 Hz whose thickness is 1/31 of the resonant frequency wavelength. The SHHS has excellent potential for noise control engineering applications.
Mechanism of
STMN2
cryptic splice-polyadenylation and its correction for TDP-43 proteinopathies
Authors: Baughn Michael W. , Melamed Ze’ev , López-Erauskin Jone , Beccari Melinda S. , Ling Karen , Zuberi Aamir , Presa Maximilliano , Gonzalo-Gil Elena , Maimon Roy , Vazquez-Sanchez Sonia , Chaturvedi Som , Bravo-Hernández Mariana , Taupin Vanessa , Moore Stephen , Artates Jonathan W. , Acks Eitan , Ndayambaje I. Sandra , Agra de Almeida Quadros Ana R. , Jafar-nejad Paayman , Rigo Frank , Bennett C. Frank , Lutz Cathleen , Lagier-Tourenne Clotilde , Cleveland Don W.
Published: March 2023

Loss of nuclear TDP-43 is a hallmark of neurodegeneration in TDP-43 proteinopathies, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). TDP-43 mislocalization results in cryptic splicing and polyadenylation of pre–messenger RNAs (pre-mRNAs) encoding stathmin-2 (also known as SCG10), a protein that is required for axonal regeneration. We found that TDP-43 binding to a GU-rich region sterically blocked recognition of the cryptic 3′ splice site in
STMN2
pre-mRNA. Targeting dCasRx or antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) suppressed cryptic splicing, which restored axonal regeneration and stathmin-2–dependent lysosome trafficking in TDP-43–deficient human motor neurons. In mice that were gene-edited to contain human
STMN2
cryptic splice-polyadenylation sequences, ASO injection into cerebral spinal fluid successfully corrected
Stmn2
pre-mRNA misprocessing and restored stathmin-2 expression levels independently of TDP-43 binding.
Adaptation of Nontypeable
Haemophilus influenzae
in Human Airways in COPD: Genome Rearrangements and Modulation of Expression of HMW1 and HMW2
Authors: Murphy Timothy F. , Kirkham Charmaine , D’Mello Adonis , Sethi Sanjay , Pettigrew Melinda M. , Tettelin Hervé
Published: March 2023

Nontypeable
Haemophilus influenzae
(NTHi) persists in the lower airways of adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for months to years, increasing airway inflammation that accelerates the progressive loss of lung function. Understanding the mechanisms of persistence in human airways by NTHi is critical in developing novel interventions.
Complete Genome Sequence of Klebsiella oxytoca Strain AHC-6, Isolated from a Patient during Acute Antibiotic-Associated Hemorrhagic Colitis
Authors: Dabernig-Heinz Johanna , Wagner Gabriel E. , Leitner Eva , Ruppitsch Werner , Steinmetz Ivo , Högenauer Christoph , Zechner Ellen L. , Kienesberger Sabine
Published: March 2023

Klebsiella oxytoca
is a ubiquitous bacterium that is increasingly associated with inflammatory diseases. Here, we report the hybrid assembled genome for cytotoxic
K. oxytoca
strain AHC-6. The genome comprises a total of 5.7 Mbp, with a GC content of 55.2% and 5,258 coding sequences after assembly and annotation.
Large-scale basement mobilization endows the giant Carlin-type gold mineralization in the Youjiang Basin, South China: Insights from mercury isotopes
Authors: Gao Wei , Hu Ruizhong , Wang Xueyun , Yin Runsheng , Bi Xianwu , Xie Zhuojun , Fu Shanling , Yan Jun
Published: March 2023

The metal source and genesis of hydrothermal mercury-rich gold metallogenic systems occurring far away from active continental margins remain puzzling. The Youjiang Basin of South China, where exists numerous Carlin-type gold deposits and some synmineralization hidden intrusions, is a natural laboratory to address this issue due to it was up to 1000 km inward from the active continental margins of South China when mineralization. Here, we use mass-independent fractionation of mercury isotope ratios (reported as ∆199Hg), which is predominantly generated during Hg photochemical reactions on Earth’s surface and has superiority of isotopic inheritance during hydrothermal processes, to address the metal source of the Youjiang Carlin-type gold deposits. Ore-associated sulfides from seven representative deposits display negative to near-zero ∆199Hg values (−0.29‰ to 0.04‰), which fall in between that of the regional Precambrian basement rocks (−0.21‰ to 0.06‰) and deep magmatic-hydrothermal systems (∼0‰), suggesting a binary mixing of Hg from these two sources. An isotope mixing model and mass balance calculations demonstrate that ∼1000 km3 of the basement rocks, which contributed to 86% of Hg budget, were leached and remobilized by magmatic-hydrothermal fluids and deep-circulating crustal fluids to endow the gold reserves of these deposits. Given that traditional S, Pb, C, and O isotopic data yielded indirect and ambiguous constraints on metal source due to their complex evolution processes and isotope fractionation during the fluids ascended. Our results, therefore, highlight the great advantage of using Hg isotope as a new tracer to understand metal sources of hydrothermal deposits.
Emplacement history of volcaniclastic turbidites around the central Azores volcanic islands: Frequencies of slope landslides and eruptions
Authors: Chang Yu-Chun , Mitchell Neil C. , Schindlbeck-Belo Julie C. , Hansteen Thor H. , Freundt Armin , Hübscher Christian , Quartau Rui
Published: March 2023

Volcanic islands export clastic material to their surrounding oceans by explosive eruptions, lava emissions, biogenic production on their shelves, and failure of their slopes, amongst other processes. This raises the question of whether geological events (in particular, eruptions and landslides) can be detected offshore and dated, and whether any relationships (for example, with climate changes) can be revealed using sediment cores. The volcanically active central Azorean islands (Faial, Pico, São Jorge, and Terceira), with their neighboring submarine basins, are potentially good candidates for such an analysis. Here, chronostratigraphies of four gravity cores collected amongst the islands are constructed based on twelve radiocarbon dates and two dates derived by geochemically correlating primary volcaniclastic turbidites with ignimbrites on Faial and Terceira Islands. Age-depth models are built from the hemi pelagic intervals to estimate individual turbidite dates. Volumes of turbidites are modeled by multiplying basin areas with bed thickness, allowing for various turbidite thinning rates and directions. The volumes of landslide-generated turbidites are only comparable with the largest volumes of their adjacent upperslope submarine landslide valleys; therefore, such turbidites in the cores likely derive from these largest landslides.

Emplacement intervals between turbidites originating from both landslides and pyroclastic density currents are found to be mostly a few thousand years. Frequencies of landslide-generated turbidites and hemipelagic sedimentation rates were both highest in the past 8 k.y. compared to preceding periods up to 50 k.y. High hemipelagic sedimentation rates are interpreted to be related to sealevel rise, allowing more shelf bioproduction and release of particles by coastal erosion. The coincident increased frequencies of submarine landslides may also be associated with the increased sediment supply from the islands, resulting in a more rapid buildup of unstable sediments on submarine slopes. Notably, the emplacement frequencies of turbidites of pyroclastic density current origins do not suggest the decreased eruption frequency toward the Holocene that has been found elsewhere.
World variation in head circumference for children from birth to 5 years and a comparison with the WHO standards
Authors: Hui Lai Ling , Ho Frederick K , Wright Charlotte Margaret , Cole Tim J , Lam Hugh Simon , Deng Han-Bing , So Hung-Kwan , Ip Patrick , Nelson E Anthony S
Published: March 2023

Objective

A recent review reported that the WHO 2006 growth standards reflect a smaller head circumference at 24 months than seen in 18 countries. Whether this happens in early infancy and to what extent populations differ is not clear. This scooping review aimed to estimate the rates of children in different populations identified as macrocephalic or microcephalic by WHO standards.

Methods

We reviewed population-representative head circumference-for-age references. For each reference, we calculated the percentages of head circumferences that would be classified as microcephalic (<3rd WHO centile) or macrocephalic (>97th WHO centile) at selected ages.

Results

Twelve references from 11 countries/regions (Belgium, China, Ethiopia, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Norway, Saudi Arabia, UK and USA) were included. Median head circumference was larger than that for the Multicentre Growth Reference Study populations in both sexes in all these populations except for Japanese and Chinese children aged 1 month and Indians. Overall, at 12/24 months, 8%–9% children would be classified as macrocephalic and 2% would be classified as microcephalic, compared with the expected 3%. However at 1 month, there were geographic differences in the rate of macrocephaly (6%–10% in Europe vs 1%–2% in Japan and China) and microcephaly (1%–3% vs 6%–14%, respectively).

Conclusions

Except for Indians and some Asian neonates, adopting the WHO head circumference standards would overdiagnose macrocephaly and underdiagnose microcephaly. Local population-specific cut-offs or references are more appropriate for many populations. There is a need to educate healthcare professionals about the limitations of the WHO head circumference standards.
Postnatal growth restriction and neurodevelopment at 5 years of age: a European extremely preterm birth cohort study
Authors: El Rafei Rym , Maier Rolf Felix , Jarreau Pierre Henri , Norman Mikael , Barros Henrique , Van Reempts Patrick , Van Heijst Arno , Pedersen Pernille , Cuttini Marina , Johnson Samantha , Costa Raquel , Zemlin Michael , Draper Elizabeth S , Zeitlin Jennifer
Published: March 2023

Objective

To investigate whether extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) during the neonatal hospitalisation by sex among extremely preterm (EPT) infants is associated with cerebral palsy (CP) and cognitive and motor abilities at 5 years of age.

Study design

Population-based cohort of births <28 weeks of gestation with data from obstetric and neonatal records and parental questionnaires and clinical assessments at 5 years of age.

Setting

11 European countries.

Patients

957 EPT infants born in 2011–2012.

Main outcomes

EUGR at discharge from the neonatal unit was defined as (1) the difference between Z-scores at birth and discharge with <−2 SD as severe, −2 to −1 SD as moderate using Fenton’s growth charts (Fenton) and (2) average weight-gain velocity using Patel’s formula in grams (g) per kilogram per day (Patel) with <11.2 g (first quartile) as severe, 11.2–12.5 g (median) as moderate. Five-year outcomes were: a CP diagnosis, intelligence quotient (IQ) using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scales of Intelligence tests and motor function using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, second edition.

Results

40.1% and 33.9% children were classified as having moderate and severe EUGR, respectively, by Fenton and 23.8% and 26.3% by Patel. Among children without CP, those with severe EUGR had lower IQ than children without EUGR (−3.9 points, 95% Confidence Interval (CI)=−7.2 to −0.6 for Fenton and −5.0 points, 95% CI=−8.2 to −1.8 for Patel), with no interaction by sex. No significant associations were observed between motor function and CP.

Conclusions

Severe EUGR among EPT infants was associated with decreased IQ at 5 years of age.
Mucous fistula refeeding in neonates: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Solís-García Gonzalo , Jasani Bonny
Published: March 2023

Background and objective

Mucous fistula refeeding (MFR) aims to maximise bowel function when an ostomy is active after abdominal surgery, by introducing the proximal ostomy effluent into the distal mucous fistula to maintain intestinal physiology. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness and complications of MFR in neonates following abdominal surgery.

Design, setting and interventions

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials and observational studies. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane and CINAHL were searched until June 2022 for studies including neonates with ostomy receiving MFR compared with neonates with ostomy without MFR.

Outcomes

The primary outcome was duration of parenteral nutrition. Secondary outcomes were time to full enteral feeds, rates of cholestasis, peak total serum bilirubin, sepsis, time to reanastomosis and length of hospital stay.

Results

A total of 16 observational studies were included (n=623). Compared with comparator group, neonates who received MFR had fewer days of parenteral nutrition (mean difference 37.17 days, 95% CI −63.91 to −10.4, n=244, 5 studies, GRADE: low). In addition, neonates who received MFR had lower rates of cholestasis, shorter time to reach full feeds and shorter hospital stay.

Conclusion

Low certainty of evidence suggests that MFR is associated with shorter duration of parenteral nutrition in neonates following abdominal surgery and stoma creation. Results of ongoing and future randomised trials may help to corroborate these findings.
Risk of suicide in children and adolescents in the emergency department—is universal screening the answer?
Authors: Alrisi Khalid , Alnasif Naim , Nazeer Ahsan , Shareef Jauhar , Latif Finza
Published: March 2023

Objective

Suicide is a leading cause of death among children and adolescents. Suicide risk screening tools can detect the risk of suicide among patients presenting to healthcare settings. The aim of this review was to describe the effectiveness of universal suicide risk screening (all patients) compared with selective screening (behavioural health patients only) in children and adolescents in emergency departments (EDs).

Method

A literature search was conducted on PubMed for articles related to suicide risk screening in paediatric EDs between January 2016 and February 2022.

Results

8 studies met the selection criteria. The review showed that 46%–93% of patients that screened positive for suicide risk had presented with a medical concern. These patients would have been missed without universal suicide risk screening. In both selective and universal screening scenarios, use of a suicide risk screening tool was better at detecting suicide risk compared with use of presenting problem alone. Suicide risk screening was found to be acceptable without increasing length of stay in the ED.

Conclusion

Based on this review, using a suicide screening tool can help detect patients at risk who would otherwise have been missed.
Outcomes in quality improvement and patient safety training: moving from in-person to synchronous distance education
Authors: Chen Anders , Kwendakwema Natasha , Vande Vusse Lisa K , Narayanan Maya , Strizich Lindee , Albert Tyler , Wu Chenwei
Published: March 2023

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated increased synchronous distance education (SDE) in graduate medical education, presenting challenges for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (QIPS) best practices, which call for integration with daily clinical care and investigation of real patient safety events.

Objective

To evaluate educational outcomes for QIPS training after conversion of a mature, in-person curriculum to SDE.

Methods

68 postgraduate year (PGY)-1 residents were surveyed before and after the SDE Culture of Patient Safety training in June 2020, and 59 PGY-2s were administered the Quality Improvement Knowledge Application Tool-Revised (QIKAT-R) before and after the SDE QIPS seminar series in July–August 2020. Values before and after training were compared using sign tests for matched pairs (PGY-1) and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests (PGY-2).

Results

100% (68 of 68) of PGY-1s and 46% (27 of 59) of PGY-2s completed precourse and postcourse surveys. Before the course, 55 PGY-1s (81%) strongly agreed that submitting patient safety event reports are a physician’s responsibility, and 63 (93%) did so after (15% increase, p=0.004). For PGY-2s, the median composite QIKAT-R score was 17 (IQR 14.5–20) before and 22.5 (IQR 20–24.5) after the seminars, with a median difference of 4.5 (IQR 1.5–7), a 32% increase in QIPS competency (p=0.001).

Conclusions

Patient safety attitudes and quality improvement knowledge increased after SDE QIPS training at comparable levels to previously published results for in-person training, supporting SDE use in future hybrid curricula to optimise educational value and reach.
Loss of a child and the risk of atrial fibrillation: a Danish population-based prospective cohort study
Authors: Wei Dang , Janszky Imre , Li Jiong , László Krisztina D
Published: March 2023

Background

Several studies suggest that bereavement is associated with increased risks of ischaemic heart disease, heart failure, stroke and cardiovascular mortality. Knowledge regarding the link between bereavement and the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) is limited. We investigated whether the death of a child, one of the most severe forms of bereavement, is associated with AF.

Methods

We conducted a population-based cohort study involving parents of live-born children during 1973–2016 from the Danish Medical Birth Register (n=2 804 244). Information on children’s death, parental AF and sociodemographic and other health-related characteristics was obtained by individual-level linkage between several Danish population-based registers. We analysed the association between loss of a child and AF using Poisson regression.

Results

During the up to 39 years follow-up, 64 216 (2.3%) parents lost a child and 74 705 (2.7%) had an AF. Bereaved parents had a higher risk of AF than the non-bereaved; the corresponding incidence rate ratio (IRR) and 95% CI were 1.12 (1.08 to 1.17). The association was present both when the child died of cardiovascular diseases (IRR (95% CI): 1.42 (1.20 to 1.69)), and of other causes (IRR (95% CI): 1.11 (1.06 to 1.16)), tended to be U-shaped according to the deceased child’s age at loss, but did not differ substantially according to the number of remaining live children at loss, the number of deceased children or the time since the loss.

Conclusions

The death of a child was associated with a modestly increased risk of AF. Bereaved parents may benefit from increased support from family members and health professionals.
Shoulder instability in military personnel: diagnosis and outcomes of arthroscopic stabilisation
Authors: Woods Alex , Teng W H , De Toledo Z , Memon K , Granville-Chapman J
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Shoulder instability is a common problem for military personnel due to the highly physical demands of work and training. This study assessed the pattern of glenoid labrum tears suffered by serving UK military personnel, the reliability of preoperative diagnostic methods (magnetic resonance arthrogram (MRA) vs clinical examination) and, finally, the outcomes of arthroscopic stabilisation in terms of satisfaction, pain, and return to sport and full deployment.

Methods

Retrospective demographic and clinical data were collected for all patients within our unit who underwent arthroscopic shoulder stabilisation between September 2016 and January 2019. Patients underwent clinical examination for instability and subsequent imaging with MRA. For service evaluation, patient-reported outcome measure data and occupational outcome data were gathered preoperatively and postoperatively.

Results

41 military patients with shoulder instability were treated with arthroscopic stabilisation. 24.4% had an isolated anterior tear, and 41.5% had complex two-zone or pan-labral tears identified on arthroscopy. Clinical examination showed higher sensitivity, accuracy and negative predictive value for all labral tear patterns compared with MRA. Mean preoperative Oxford Shoulder Instability Score score was 18.58 (SE ±1.67) and mean postoperative score was 41.5 (SE ±1.13). 82.14% of the patients returned to full deployment during the study period and 85% had returned to sports.

Conclusion

Complex labral tear patterns are common in military personnel with shoulder instability, and clinical examination appears to be more effective than imaging at predicting injury pattern. Patients respond well to arthroscopic stabilisation with good rates of return to work and sport, regardless of chronicity of injury.
Broken nurses: an interrogation of the impact of the Great War (1914–1918) on the health of New Zealand nurses who served – a cohort comparison study
Authors: Maddocks Wendy Anne
Published: March 2023

Introduction

New Zealand’s initial contribution of 50 nurses to WWI was thought to be sufficient. However, by the time of Armistice Day, at least 550 nurses had served for the New Zealand Army Nursing Service. According to diaries and records, many arrived back broken with a wide disparity in care. No formal analysis of this exists to understand the impact in more detail. The hypothesis is that the nurses who served the longest would carry a higher sickness burden and have a shorter life span than those nurses who had a shorter length of service.

Methods

Service files of the first 50 nurses were analysed and compared with the last 50 nurses who served while war was still active. Data from each nurse’s file were confirmed with other sources for age, length and type of service, sickness, date of death and any other notable events.

Results

The first cohort of nurses (N=50) had longer periods of sickness, with a higher number of illnesses related to overcrowding, overwork (nervous disorders) and poor hygiene. The first cohort also were awarded many medals of merit, indicative of the extreme conditions they were working in. Individual nurses experienced poor medical treatment on their return to New Zealand. The last cohort (N=50) experienced fewer incidences and different types of sickness, with Spanish Influenza having an impact on serving nurses near the end of the war. In addition, the second cohort died younger compared with the first cohort, and none received medals of merit.

Conclusions

This analysis has identified that many New Zealand nurses experienced severe health effects due to their service, and their health needs were poorly considered on their return to New Zealand. The Matron in Chief and others battled to have the nurses cared for appropriately. These lessons remain as valid now as they did in 1918.
Biological risk in Italian prisons: data analysis from the second to the fourth wave of COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Franchi Cristiano , Rossi Riccardo , Malizia Andrea , Gaudio Pasqualino , Di Giovanni Daniele
Published: March 2023

Background

The management of COVID-19 in Italian prisons triggered considerable concern at the beginning of the pandemic due to numerous riots which resulted in inmate deaths, damages and prison breaks. The aim of this study is to shed some light, through analysis of the infection and relevant disease parameters, on the period spanning from the second to the fourth wave of the outbreak in Italy’s prisons.

Methods

Reproductive number (Rt) and Hospitalisation were calculated through a Eulerian approach applied to differential equations derived from compartmental models. Comparison between trends was performed through paired t-test and linear regression analyses.

Results

The infection trends (prevalence and Rt) show a high correlation between the prison population and the external community. Both the indices appear to be lagging 1 week in prison. The prisoners’ Rt values are not statistically different from those of the general population. The hospitalisation trend of inmates strongly correlates with the external population’s, with a delay of 2 weeks. The magnitude of hospitalisations in prison is less than in the external community for the period analysed.

Conclusions

The comparison with the external community revealed that in prison the infection prevalence was greater, although Rt values showed no significant difference, and the hospitalisation rate was lower. These results suggest that the consistent monitoring of inmates results in a higher infection prevalence while a wide vaccination campaign leads to a lower hospitalisation rate. All three indices demonstrate a lag of 1 or 2 weeks in prison. This delay could represent a useful time-window to strengthen planned countermeasures.
Incident skin melanoma in Danish male military pilots: a nested case–control study
Authors: Pedersen Julie Elbaek , Hansen Johnni
Published: March 2023

Objectives

A growing body of research has reported that pilots have an increased risk of skin melanoma, which may be caused by occupational exposure to cosmic and solar ultraviolet A radiation in aircraft cockpits. However, the existing literature cannot rule out confounding, for example, that pilots may spend more leisure time in the sun compared with the general population, which therefore leaves the current evidence inconclusive. The present study aimed to provide more knowledge regarding this association.

Methods

This nested case–control study included 199 male cases of skin melanoma diagnosed between 1990 and 2003, and 1126 male cancer-free controls identified from a large Danish military population. Among these individuals, 10 cases had ever worked as a pilot.

Detailed information on military service and other held jobs together with socioeconomic and lifestyle characteristics, for example, leisure-time sun exposure habits, had been obtained from a structured questionnaire.

Results

Adjusted results showed a positive association between work onboard aircraft and skin melanoma (OR=2.30, 95% CI: 1.06–4.97) and the risk was indicated only to be increased in pilots (OR=7.08, 95% CI: 2.51–19.93). A positive association between longer duration of employment as a pilot and skin melanoma was also observed (ORper year=1.07, 95% CI: 1.01–1.14).

Conclusions

The findings from this study conducted among Danish military personnel suggest that pilots have an increased risk of skin melanoma after accounting for leisure-time sun exposure and socioeconomic status. Future large-scale studies focusing on the risk of skin melanoma in pilots, including detailed objective information on dimensions of exposure and potential confounders, are warranted.
Multiple system atrophy
Authors: Goh Yee Yen , Saunders Emma , Pavey Samantha , Rushton Emma , Quinn Niall , Houlden Henry , Chelban Viorica
Published: March 2023

This is a practical guide to diagnosing and managing multiple system atrophy (MSA). We explain the newly published Movement Disorders Society Consensus Diagnostic Criteria, which include new ‘Clinically Established MSA’ and ‘Possible Prodromal MSA’ categories, hopefully reducing time to diagnosis. We then highlight the key clinical features of MSA to aid diagnosis. We include a list of MSA mimics with suggested methods of differentiation from MSA. Lastly, we discuss practical symptom management in people living with MSA, including balancing side effects, with the ultimate aim of improving quality of life.
Common street drug names for the anesthesiologist and pain physician
Authors: Donald Rebecca Rigel , Patel Santosh , Smith Mariah , Clayton Schuyler , Potru Sudheer
Published: March 2023

People who use or sell drugs develop their own in-group terms and language, much like any other group of people with a common experience. Slang terms are derived from a wide variety of sources. These might include the physical appearance and/or type of drug, the place where it originates, the effect it has on users, or how it is packaged for sale. To assist and educate the clinical practitioner who may deal with this nomenclature, we have compiled a list of some of the most common street names and some explanations (when known) of their origins.
Effects of COVID-19 vaccination on disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis on targeted therapy in the COVIDSER study
Authors: Álvaro-Gracia José M , Sanchez-Piedra Carlos , Culqui Dante , Rosello Rosa , Garcia-Dorta Alicia , Campos Cristina , Manrique-Arija Sara , Ruiz-Montesinos Dolores , Ros-Vilamajo Inmaculada , Rodríguez-Lozano Carlos , Freire-González Mercedes , Caliz Rafael , Bohorquez Cristina , Mateo Soria Lourdes , Busquets Noemí , Castrejon Isabel , Sánchez-Alonso Fernando , González-Dávila Enrique , Diaz-Gonzalez Federico
Published: March 2023

Objective

To investigate the influence of COVID-19 vaccination on disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients under targeted therapies.

Patients and methods

1765 vaccinated patients COVID-19, 1178 (66.7%) with RA and 587 (33.3%) with PsA from the COVID-19 registry in patients with rheumatic diseases (COVIDSER) project, were included. Demographics, disease characteristics, Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) and targeted treatments were collected. DAS28-based flare rates and categorised disease activity distribution prevaccination and post vaccination were analysed by log-linear regression and contingency analyses, respectively. The influence of vaccination on DAS28 variation as a continuous measure was evaluated using a random coefficient model.

Results

The distribution of categorised disease activity and flare rates was not significantly modified by vaccination. Log-linear regression showed no significant changes in the rate of flares in the 6-month period after vaccination compared with the same period prior to vaccination in neither patients with RA nor patients with PsA. When DAS28 variations were analysed using random coefficient models, no significant variations in disease activity were detected after vaccination for both groups of patients. However, patients with RA treated with Janus kinase inhibitors (JAK-i) (1) and interleukin-6 inhibitor (IL-6-i) experienced a worsening of disease activity (1.436±0.531, p=0.007, and 1.201±0.550, p=0.029, respectively) in comparison with those treated with tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNF-i). Similarly, patients with PsA treated with interleukin-12/23 inhibitor (IL-12/23-i) showed a worsening of disease activity (4.476±1.906, p=0.019) compared with those treated with TNF-i.

Conclusion

COVID-19 vaccination was not associated with increased rate of flares in patients with RA and PsA. However, a potential increase in disease activity in patients with RA treated with JAK-i and IL-6-i and in patients with PsA treated with IL-12/23-i warrants further investigation.
Sexual behaviour, STI and HIV testing and testing need among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men recruited for online surveys pre/post-COVID-19 restrictions in the UK
Authors: Brown Jack RG , Reid David , Howarth Alison R , Mohammed Hamish , Saunders John , Pulford Caisey V , Ogaz Dana , Hughes Gwenda , Mercer Catherine H
Published: March 2023

Objectives

We examined sexual behaviour, sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV testing and testing need, and identified associated factors, among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in the UK after COVID-19 restrictions ended, and compared these with ‘pre-pandemic’ estimates.

Methods

We analysed survey data from GBMSM (N=1039) recruited via social media and Grindr in November–December 2021. We then compared Grindr-recruited 2021 participants (N=437) with those from an equivalent survey fielded in March–May 2017 (N=1902). Questions on sexual behaviour and service use had lookback periods of 3–4 months in both surveys. Unmet testing need was defined as reporting any new male and/or multiple condomless anal sex (CAS) partners without recent STI/HIV testing. Participants were UK residents, GBMSM, aged ≥16 years who reported sex with men in the last year. Multivariable logistic regression identified associated sociodemographic and health-related factors with unmet STI/HIV testing need in 2021, and then for 2017/2021 comparative analyses, adjusting for demographic differences.

Results

In 2021, unmet STI and HIV testing need were greater among older GBMSM (aged ≥45 years vs 16–29 years; adjusted OR (aOR): 1.45 and aOR: 1.77, respectively), and lower for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) users (vs non-PrEP users; aOR: 0.32 and aOR: 0.23, respectively). Less unmet STI testing need was observed among HIV-positive participants (vs HIV-negative/unknown; aOR: 0.63), and trans and non-binary participants (vs cisgender male; aOR: 0.34). Between 2017 (reference) and 2021, reported sexual risk behaviours increased: ≥1 recent new male sex partner (72.1%–81.1%, aOR: 1.71) and ≥2 recent CAS partners (30.2%–48.5%, aOR: 2.22). Reporting recent STI testing was greater in 2021 (37.5%–42.6%, aOR: 1.34) but not recent HIV testing, and there was no significant change over time in unmet STI (39.2% vs 43.7%) and HIV (32.9% vs 39.0%) testing need.

Discussion

Comparable community surveys suggest that UK resident GBMSM may have engaged in more sexual risk behaviours in late 2021 than pre-pandemic. While there was no evidence of reduced STI/HIV service access during this time, there remained considerable unmet STI/HIV testing need.
MPox virus: an unusual aetiology of peritonitis
Authors: Courdurié Audrey , Buscot Matthieu , Gonfrier Géraldine , Courjon Johan , Oncioiu Constantin , Demonchy Elisa , Carles Michel
Published: March 2023

We describe a rare case of severe disseminated monkeypox (MPox) virus infection complicated by peritonitis in a 44-year-old man living with well-controlled HIV. The patient was successfully treated with tecovirimat without requiring surgery. MPox should be considered in the differential diagnosis of non-bacterial peritonitis in patients at risk of infection.
Rapid-response surveillance of the first US test market for VLN cigarettes
Authors: Henriksen Lisa , Johnson Trent O , Mahoney Margaret , Schleicher Nina C , Ali Amna , Prochaska Judith J
Published: March 2023

Introduction

VLN King menthol and non-menthol are the first combustible cigarettes to receive US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorisation as modified risk tobacco products. Focusing on the first retail test market, this study characterised VLN advertising, product placement, discounts and price.

Methods

All Chicago-area Circle K stores (n=133) were telephoned to assess whether they sold VLN. Single-pack price of non-menthol was obtained in 57 of 100 stores that sold VLN. In fall 2022, trained data collectors visited those 57 stores to assess VLN product placement, advertising, discounts and prices. Paired t-tests compared observed VLN price with telephone price and to price of other cigarette brands.

Results

Nearly all stores (91.1%) displayed exterior advertisements for VLN, and 41.1% displayed interior advertising, with 8.9% of stores advertising VLN in the power wall but never in the header row. VLN cigarettes were displayed in the power wall exclusively and among high-nicotine cigarettes. Some VLN marketing claims were not FDA-authorised. VLN advertised a sweepstakes offer and rewards programme. Most stores (85.7%) offered VLN discounts. VLN was priced like a premium brand (mean=$10.90, SD=$1.53), and prices obtained by telephone did not differ from observed prices several months later.

Conclusions

Retail marketing strategies for VLN mimic those for high-nicotine cigarettes. Deviations from FDA-authorised marketing claims were evident. Surveillance in future test markets is recommended to assess compliance with marketing claims and examine relative price and discount offers. Of interest is how premium-priced, low-nicotine cigarettes stand to compete in a market dominated by cheaper high-nicotine cigarettes.
A reassessment of the CSA S304 chi-factor for design of reinforced concrete masonry members: large-scale experimental investigation
Authors: Vachon Thomas C.J. , Feldman Lisa R.
Published: March 2023

An experimental investigation was conducted that consisted of 12 pairs of reinforced masonry specimens in which the two specimens were constructed with their longitudinal axes oriented parallel and perpendicular to the laboratory floor, respectively. This work was conducted to reassess the need for the χ-factor accounting for the direction of compressive stresses in masonry members in relation to the direction used to establish their masonry assemblage strength included in CSA S304-14— Design of Masonry Structures. Parameters investigated included block size and reinforcement ratio. Test results suggest that the χ-factor can be eliminated from future editions of CSA S304 but should be considered with caution: a review of the literature and the current tests show that, in some cases, voids may develop between the exterior webs of adjacent blocks and so may be the source of the reduction in the magnitude of the equivalent rectangular compressive stress block.
Friedmann-like universes with non-metricity
Authors: Iosifidis Damianos , Vogiatzis Ioannis Georgios , Tsagas Christos G.
Published: March 2023

We study the potential effects of spacetime non-metricity in cosmology. In the spirit of Einstein–Cartan gravity, but with non-metricity replacing torsion, we consider the Einstein–Hilbert action and assume zero torsion. Adopting certain hyperfluid models, with non-vanishing hypermomentum that can source spacetime non-metricity, we add a matter component into the action and derive the field equations, along with the conservation laws. Applying our formulae to cosmology, we generalize the Friedmann and the Raychaudhuri equations in the presence of non-metricity. Our results show that, in a number of cases, non-metricity can mimic the effects of matter with unconventional equation of state. For instance, specific types of hypermomentum are found to act as an effective stiff fluid, thus opening the possibility that non-metricity could have played a significant role in the early stages of the universe’s evolution. Alternative forms of hypermomentum can dominate the universal dynamics at late times. In either case, the equilibrium moment depends on the initial conditions and it is determined by a simple relation between the matter component and the hyperfluid.
Role of shape anisotropy on thermal gradient-driven domain wall dynamics in magnetic nanowires
Authors: Islam M. T. , Akanda M. A. S. , Yesmin F. , Pikul M. A. J. , Islam J. M. T.
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we investigate the magnetic-domain wall (DW) dynamics in uniaxial/biaxial-nanowires under a thermal gradient (TG). The findings reveal that the DW propagates toward the hotter region in both nanowires. In uniaxial nanowire, the DW propagates accompanying a rotation of the DW-plane. In biaxial nanowire, the DW propagates in the hotter region, and the so-called Walker breakdown phenomenon is observed. The main physics of such DW dynamics is the magnonic angular momentum transfer to the DW. The hard (shape) anisotropy exists in biaxial-nanowire, which contributes an additional torque; hence DW speed is larger than that in uniaxial-nanowire. But the rotational speed is lower initially as hard anisotropy suppresses the DW-rotation. After certain TG, DW-plane overcomes the hard anisotropy and so the rotational speed increases slightly. With lower damping, the DW velocity is smaller and DW velocity increases with damping which is a contrary to usual desire. The reason is predicted as the formation of the standing spin-waves (by superposing the spin waves and its reflection from the boundary) which do not carry any net energy to DW. However, for larger damping, DW velocity decreases with damping since the magnon-propagation length decreases. Therefore, the above findings might be useful to realize the spintronics (i.e. racetrack-memory) devices.
Reverse Maximum Inner Product Search: Formulation, Algorithms, and Analysis
Authors: Amagata Daichi , Hara Takahiro
Published: March 2023

The maximum inner product search (MIPS), which finds the item with the highest inner product with a given query user, is an essential problem in the recommendation field. Usually e-commerce companies face situations where they want to promote and sell new or discounted items. In these situations, we have to consider the following questions: Who is interested in the items, and how do we find them? This article answers this question by addressing a new problem called reverse maximum inner product search (reverse MIPS). Given a query vector and two sets of vectors (user vectors and item vectors), the problem of reverse MIPS finds a set of user vectors whose inner product with the query vector is the maximum among the query and item vectors. Although the importance of this problem is clear, its straightforward implementation incurs a computationally expensive cost.

We therefore propose Simpfer, a simple, fast, and exact algorithm for reverse MIPS. In an offline phase, Simpfer builds a simple index that maintains a lower bound of the maximum inner product. By exploiting this index, Simpfer judges whether the query vector can have the maximum inner product or not, for a given user vector, in a constant time. Our index enables filtering user vectors, which cannot have the maximum inner product with the query vector, in a batch. We theoretically demonstrate that Simpfer outperforms baselines employing state-of-the-art MIPS techniques. In addition, we answer two new research questions. Can approximation algorithms further improve reverse MIPS processing? Is there an exact algorithm that is faster than Simpfer? For the former, we show that approximation with quality guarantee provides a little speed-up. For the latter, we propose Simpfer++, a theoretically and practically faster algorithm than Simpfer. Our extensive experiments on real datasets show that Simpfer is at least two orders of magnitude faster than the baselines, and Simpfer++ further improves the online processing time.
Differential reduction of gray matter volume with age in 35 cortical areas in men (more) and women (less)
Authors: Christova Peka , Georgopoulos Apostolos P.
Published: March 2023

This study showed an overall decrease of cortical gray matter with age but with different rates of volume reduction in different areas, with smaller decrease rates in women than in men. The highest volume reduction rate was observed for the rostral anterior cingulate cortex, an area linked to depression. These findings could serve as a normative reference for clinical conditions that manifest with abnormal brain atrophy.
Modulating motor cortical oscillation with coordinated reset multifocal transcranial magnetic stimulation
Authors: Chen Kai-Hsiang Stanley , Hung Tzu-Kang , Chikara Rupesh Kumar , Kuo Yu-Ting , Liu Yi-Ping , Dong Yan-Siou , Wu Yih-Ru , Ko Li-Wei , Huang Ying-Zu , Chen Robert
Published: March 2023

This is the first study, to our knowledge, to apply coordinated reset (CR) neuromodulation to the motor cortex with three repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) stimulators to assess its effect on cortical oscillation. The results revealed enhancement of α-band power specifically in preparation and movement stages and low β-band power in the movement stage of a motor task. It postulated that CR stimulation may modify the motor cortical oscillation in the specific movement stages.