bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
203 Finding voices: young people’s experiences of the emergency department
Authors: Keating Liza , Wilson Sarah , Hill Jonathan , Dainty Jack
Published: January 2021

Aims/Objectives/Background

Self-harm among adolescents is a major concern both because it gives rise to considerable distress and disruption in young people’s lives and it commonly recurs. There are currently wide variations in the care of this group of patients and it is widely reported that their experience in the emergency department is poor. Young people who have self-harmed may differ from others attending the ED and we need to know more about these differences to inform ED care and potential improvements. The aim of this study was to establish the needs and expectations among children and young people in the ED and to increase the understanding of the specific needs of adolescents who self-harm through comparison with another patient group in the ED.

Methods/Design

We undertook a case-control study with adolescents attending for suspected fractures serving as the control group. Adolescents and their guardians were each given a questionnaire pack on arrival in ED, and again at least 2 hours later, thus capturing their expectations and pre-existing characteristics, and their experience. Trained research assistants were present in the ED seven days a week and covered 10 am till 10 pm. The study commenced in July 2019 and terminated early in March 2020 at the onset of the COVID 19 pandemic.

Results/Conclusions

Young people who had self-harmed had significantly higher mean dissatisfaction scores than those with suspected fractures. They also had higher mean levels of emotional and interpersonal difficulties and these were associated with higher dissatisfaction scores. This is the first case-control study to show that dissatisfaction with the ED is at least partly a function of the particular mental health problems suffered by adolescents who self-harm. This in turn provides initial clues to the particular needs of this group of patients in whom the current management is widely reported as inadequate.
480 The prognostic value of D-dimer for COVID-19 outcomes
Authors: Killeen Peter , Trivedy Chet , Paradise Dave , Coughlan Evan
Published: January 2021

Aims/Objectives/Background

The diagnosis and management of COVID-19 has presented a novel challenge in the emergency department (ED). Early and sensitive predictors of outcome are needed to improve management of COVID-19 patients. Recent evidence has suggested a role for a COVID-19 associated pro-thrombotic coagulopathy as part of the underlying pathology. The aim was to evaluate the prognostic utility of D-dimer as a biomarker predictive of outcome in COVID-19 patients.

Methods/Design

We retrospectively analysed data for 326 cases of confirmed COVID-19 presenting to our ED at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton between 13th March and 17th June 2020. During this period 2687 attendances were triaged to the ‘red’ COVID-19 zone with symptoms suspicious for COVID-19, amongst whom 326 admissions were confirmed to have COVID-19 by CT, chest x-radiograph or PCR swab. D-dimers were measured in ED for 265/326. Peak D-dimer measured during admission was collected to evaluate deteriorations subsequent to admission. Receiver-operating characteristic curves were used to determine an optimal cutoff for discrimination.

Results/Conclusions

D-Dimer elevation >0.5µg/mL was seen in 93.5% of admitted patients with confirmed COVID-19. Multivariable logistic regression suggested that age >75 (OR=3.01 95% CI 1.65–5.49 p=0.0003) and D-dimer (measured in ED) >1.25µg/mL (OR=2.06 95% CI 1.08–3.93 p=0.0276) were associated with increased mortality. D-dimer measured in ED predicted mortality with sensitivity of 76.5% and specificity of 41.3%. The D-dimer rose by >1.00 for 30/265 patients subsequent to admission of whom 8/30 (26.7%) died (all mortality 16%) and 11/30 (36.7%) were escalated to intensive care. Peak D-dimer measured during admission >3.2µg/mL predicted hospital mortality with 50% sensitivity and 72.4% specificity (OR=2.16 95% CI 1.16–3.99 p=0.0145).

The results of this study support the growing argument that a raised D-dimer may play an important role as a prognostic marker in patients with COVID-19, perhaps indicative of a pro-thrombotic coagulopathy within the underlying pathology.
396 Team Time: an online strategy of storytelling as part of reflective practice to improve staff wellbeing within a paediatric emergency department during the coronavirus pandemic
Authors: Wijedoru Lalith , Potier Jo , Durand Charlotte , Evans Nicola
Published: January 2021

Aims/Objectives/Background

Team Time was developed by the Point of Care Foundation in response to the coronavirus pandemic. It is a 45-minute reflective practice using storytelling. It provides an opportunity for people taking part to share recent experiences of their work in health and social care, focusing on participants’ emotional and social response to their work. Unlike Schwartz Rounds, the audience is restricted in numbers (maximum 30), is drawn from a single department of a healthcare site rather than from across the organisation, is run and facilitated using virtual platforms, and relays stories from the recent (not distant) past.

Methods/Design

Two facilitators already trained in delivering Schwartz Rounds (one PEM consultant from the department plus one Trust clinical psychologist) were given additional specific training for running Team Time in March 2020.

Six sessions between April and July 2020 were held. The formats of these sessions were as per guidance set by the Point of Care Foundation (UK).

A theme for each session was set in advance, with two storytellers invited and prepared in advance by the two facilitators.

Two storytellers related a five minute story each uninterrupted, followed by a facilitated discussion with the audience to share their own experiences and/or resonances to the stories told.

Standardised web surveys designed by the Point of Care Foundation designed to collate both quantitative an qualitative feedback were distributed by E-mail to all participants the same day.

Results/Conclusions

Survey respondents n=40

85% strongly agreed that Team Time would help them work better with colleagues.

90% plan to attend Team Time again.

95% would recommend Team Time to colleagues.

92.5% felt that the sessions overall were either excellent or exceptional.

Qualitative feedback themes included: not feeling alone; the benefits of hearing perspectives of different roles; and the advantages of sharing honest feelings in a boundaried, reflective space.
366 The ED young person’s wellbeing guide – a novel approach to psychosocial risk assessing children and young people in the emergency department
Authors: Fraser Lauren , Al-Asadi Ayia
Published: January 2021

Aims/Objectives/Background

The 2019/20 RCEM National QIP ‘Care of Children in the ED’ recommends use of a recognised tool (eg HEEADSSS) to psychosocial risk assess 12–17 year olds seen in the ED. Northwick Park’s ED team collaborated with the Young Harrow Foundation (YHF), a local charitable organisation, to coproduce the ED Young Person’s Wellbeing Guide with the aim of addressing this standard whilst also meeting the needs of ED staff and the children and young people (CYP) that we care for.

Methods/Design

YHF’s Change Champions, a dynamic group of local 15–25 year olds with lived experience of areas such as youth violence and mental health, worked with the ED team and fed back that they wouldn’t necessarily expect (or welcome) ED staff enquiring about such personal topics (particularly if presenting with an unrelated issue) but valued access to reliable support and advice for themselves or their peers. ED staff, similarly, often felt awkward approaching such sensitive subjects with CYP if the presentation was with a seemingly unrelated complaint or when departmental pressures prohibited development of a meaningful doctor-patient rapport. The Wellbeing Guide was therefore coproduced to provide CYP with links to trusted sources of support (based on the HEEADSSS categories) as well as allowing the ED clinician to broach such conversations by asking whether any issues raised in the Guide resonated with the young person and whether further support or advice was required.

Abstract 366 Figure 1

Results/Conclusions

The Wellbeing Guide will be piloted, and offered to all 12–17yo’s attending the ED, in the next few weeks. Using an iterative approach the document will be further developed through feedback from CYP. We are also developing a complementary document containing links to resources for parents concerned about their child. We aspire to an online version of both documents, accessible via the Trust’s website, in the next few months.
402 ‘TAP it’: trainee led initiative to reduce unnecessary blood testing in a paediatric emergency department
Authors: Magnusen Eliza , Maduemem Kene , Shafiq Ayesha , Crankshaw Daniel , Mekki Habab , Sridhar Arani
Published: January 2021

Aims/Objectives/Background

Unnecessary blood testing in the paediatric emergency department (PED) is a potential starting point for diagnostic dilemma, anxiety to families and increased healthcare costs. We hypothesized that a significant number of blood tests are performed instinctively rather than clinically indicated. This stimulated a quality improvement initiative to enlighten trainees on the utility of blood tests while aiming to enhance clinical decision making.

Methods/Design

Children presenting to the acute care team in a tertiary PED who had blood tests over a 2-week period in April 2019 were enrolled. Blood tests requested were interpreted in line with presenting features and clinical impression. Following implementation of changes (posters, QI champions, educational sessions), a repeat analysis was done over a 2-week period in October 2019.

Results/Conclusions

One hundred and one children in the first cycle were enrolled. Blood testing analysis revealed that 70%, 47%, and 32% had liver bloods, bone profile, and clotting testing done, respectively. Over half of these blood tests had no clear clinical indication. The yield of the tests performed without clinical indication was 0%. Case vignettes were attempted by trainees and ANPs to evaluate their attitudes to blood test requests. Number of requested blood tests not clinically indicated was lower than anticipated; probably explained by self-thought processes. Blood tests performed on 100 children in the second cycle demonstrated a significant reduction in tests done without clear clinical indication. Liver bloods, clotting screen, bone profile tests were performed on 40%, 24% and 27% respectively in the second cycle.

The utility of blood tests may be an under recognised subject in paediatric training which needs addressing. This project typified positive impact of culture change via QI champions and educational sessions. Implementation of such changes is sustainable with an estimated savings of at least £500/month.
156 Prehospital determinants of successful resuscitation after traumatic and non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
Authors: Barnard Ed , Sandbach Daniel , Nicholls Tracy , Wilson Alastair , Ercole Ari
Published: January 2021

Aims/Objectives/Background

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is prevalent in the UK. Reported survival is lower than in countries with comparable healthcare systems; a better understanding of outcome determinants may identify areas for improvement. Aim: to compare differential determinants of survival to hospital admission and survival to hospital discharge for traumatic (TCA) and non-traumatic cardiac arrest (NCTA).

Methods/Design

An analysis of 9109 OHCA in East of England between 1 January 2015 and 31 July 2017. Univariate descriptives and multivariable analysis were used to understand the determinants of survival for NTCA and TCA. Two Utstein outcome variables were used: survival to hospital admission and hospital discharge. Data reported as number (percentage), number (percentage (95% CI)) and median (IQR) as appropriate. Continuous data have been analysed with a Mann-Whitney U test, and categorical data have been analysed with a χ2 test. Analyses were performed using the R statistical programming language.

Results/Conclusions

The incidence of OHCA was 55.1 per 100 000 population/year. The overall survival to hospital admission was 27.6% (95%CI 26.7% to 28.6%) and the overall survival to discharge was 7.9% (95%CI 7.3% to 8.5%). Survival to hospital admission and survival to hospital discharge were both greater in the NTCA group compared with the TCA group: 27.9% vs 19.3% p=0.001, and 8.0% vs 3.8% p=0.012 respectively.

Determinants of NTCA and TCA survival were different, and varied according to the outcome examined. In NTCA, bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was associated with survival at discharge but not at admission, and the likelihood of bystander-CPR was dependent on geographical socioeconomic status.

NTCA and TCA are clinically distinct entities with different predictors for outcome and should be reported separately. Determinants of survival to hospital admission and discharge differ in a way that likely reflects the determinants of neurological injury. Bystander CPR public engagement may be best focused in more deprived areas.
Contribution of Hsa-Mir-146A and Hsa-Mir-223 Gene Variations in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Reveals Association of Rs2910164 and Rs1044165 with Risk of Multiple Sclerosis Susceptibility
Authors: Shareef Salar , Ebrahimi Seyed Omar , Reiisi Somayeh
Published: January 2021

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of non-coding RNAs that play a role in gene regulation. Due to their possible functional importance, genetic variants within miRNA genes have been recognized as candidate biomarkers. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in miRNA genes can be related to the risk of different autoimmune diseases. Some of these SNPs are rs2910164 in the miR-146a and rs1044165 in the miR-223. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between these polymorphisms and the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) in an Iranian population. In this case-control study, 261 patients with MS and 250 healthy controls that matched by age and geographical region were enrolled. After sampling and genomic DNA extraction, genotyping was determined by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Allelic and genotypic associations between the SNPs and MS were evaluated by the data analysis conducted by SPSS V.20. The frequencies of rs2910164 and rs1044165 SNPs were significantly different between the patients with MS and healthy controls. C and T alleles in the variants rs2910164 and rs1044165, respectively, are associated with increased risk of MS. Such association was obtained in codominant, dominant, and overdominant models for both variants (OR ∼3 and OR ∼1.5, respectively). Furthermore, this study determined that the C and T alleles of rs2910164 and rs1044165 are risk factors for MS in the Iranian population.
Computerised patient-specific prediction of the recovery profile of upper limb capacity within stroke services: the next step
Authors: Selles Ruud W , Andrinopoulou Eleni-Rosalina , Nijland Rinske H , van der Vliet Rick , Slaman Jorrit , van Wegen Erwin EH , Rizopoulos Dimitris , Ribbers Gerard M , Meskers Carel GM , Kwakkel Gert
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Predicting upper limb capacity recovery is important to set treatment goals, select therapies and plan discharge. We introduce a prediction model of the patient-specific profile of upper limb capacity recovery up to 6 months poststroke by incorporating all serially assessed clinical information from patients.

Methods

Model input was recovery profile of 450 patients with a first-ever ischaemic hemispheric stroke measured using the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT). Subjects received at least three assessment sessions, starting within the first week until 6 months poststroke. We developed mixed-effects models that are able to deal with one or multiple measurements per subject, measured at non-fixed time points. The prediction accuracy of the different models was established by a fivefold cross-validation procedure.

Results

A model with only ARAT time course, finger extension and shoulder abduction performed as good as models with more covariates. For the final model, cross-validation prediction errors at 6 months poststroke decreased as the number of measurements per subject increased, from a median error of 8.4 points on the ARAT (Q1–Q3:1.7–28.1) when one measurement early poststroke was used, to 2.3 (Q1–Q3:1–7.2) for seven measurements. An online version of the recovery model was developed that can be linked to data acquisition environments.

Conclusion

Our innovative dynamic model can predict real-time, patient-specific upper limb capacity recovery profiles up to 6 months poststroke. The model can use all available serially assessed data in a flexible way, creating a prediction at any desired moment poststroke, stand-alone or linked with an electronic health record system.
Pretreatment of aged mice with retinoic acid supports alveolar regeneration via upregulation of reciprocal PDGFA signalling
Authors: Gokey Jason J , Snowball John , Green Jenna , Waltamath Marion , Spinney Jillian J , Black Katharine E , Hariri Lida P , Xu Yan , Perl Anne Karina
Published: January 2021

Objectives

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) primarily affects the aged population and is characterised by failure of alveolar regeneration, leading to loss of alveolar type 1 (AT1) cells. Aged mouse models of lung repair have demonstrated that regeneration fails with increased age. Mouse and rat lung repair models have shown retinoic acid (RA) treatment can restore alveolar regeneration. Herein, we seek to determine the signalling mechanisms that become activated on RA treatment prior to injury, which support alveolar differentiation.

Design

Partial pneumonectomy lung injury model and next-generation sequencing of sorted cell populations were used to uncover molecular targets regulating alveolar repair. In vitro organoids generated from epithelial cells of mouse or patient with IPF co-cultured with young, aged or RA-pretreated murine fibroblasts were used to test potential targets.

Main outcome measurements

Known alveolar epithelial cell differentiation markers, including HOPX and AGER for AT1 cells, were used to assess outcome of treatments.

Results

Gene expression analysis of sorted fibroblasts and epithelial cells isolated from lungs of young, aged and RA-pretreated aged mice predicted increased platelet-derived growth factor subunit A (PDGFA) signalling that coincided with regeneration and alveolar epithelial differentiation. Addition of PDGFA induced AT1 and AT2 differentiation in both mouse and human IPF lung organoids generated with aged fibroblasts, and PDGFA monoclonal antibody blocked AT1 cell differentiation in organoids generated with young murine fibroblasts.

Conclusions

Our data support the concept that RA indirectly induces reciprocal PDGFA signalling, which activates regenerative fibroblasts that support alveolar epithelial cell differentiation and repair, providing a potential therapeutic strategy to influence the pathogenesis of IPF.
The not so innocent bystander: an unusual cause of progressive breathlessness
Authors: Lyon Max , Whiteway Alastair , Darby Michael , Bhatt Nidhi , Barratt Shaney L
Published: January 2021

This case report discusses a 76-year-old man who presented with symptomatic diffuse alveolar-septal and tracheobronchial amyloidosis with a low-grade monoclonal gammopathy. This patient had a combination of both symptomatic diffuse alveolar-septal interstitial disease and tracheobronchial amyloidosis, features that contradict the widely accepted presentations seen in this disease. First, tracheobronchial amyloidosis has been documented as localised disease without systemic involvement. Second, diffuse alveolar-septal interstitial disease is rarely identified with clinical symptoms unless there is significant cardiac involvement. This case highlights a number learning points in the diagnosis and management of systemic amyloid light chain amyloidosis;(1) There is a need for a high index of suspicion for diagnosis due to the potential subtlety of a plasma cell clone underlying AL amyloidosis, requiring serum-free light chain assays to increase sensitivity; (2) Haematological response and recovery of organ dysfunction are not a linear relationship due to the slower reversal of amyloid deposition; therefore, ongoing monitoring is required to identify those in need of repeated therapy. However, haematological response is a marker of overall survival and (3) Multisystem assessment and multidisciplinary collaboration are critical in optimising the care of patients with systemic AL amyloidosis.
Thermo-mechanical behavior of a full-scale energy pile equipped with a spiral pipe configuration
Authors: Wu Di , Liu Hanlong , Kong Gangqiang , Rotta Loria Alessandro F.
Published: January 2021

This study investigates the thermo-mechanical behavior of energy piles equipped with a spiral pipe configuration. The analysis is based on the results of a full-scale energy pile as well as three-dimensional thermo-mechanical finite element analyses. The thermo-mechanical behavior of two energy piles with five U-shaped pipes connected in series and parallel, characterized by the same total length of the piping network, is also analyzed numerically for comparison purposes. The results of this work highlight that energy piles equipped with a spiral pipe configuration are characterized by the lowest trends of average temperature variation and thermally induced vertical stress within their volume, as compared to energy piles equipped with five U-shaped pipe configurations connected in series or parallel. Considerable variations in temperature and thermally induced vertical stress arise in the vicinity of the piping network embedded in all of the considered energy piles. Nevertheless, energy piles equipped with a spiral pipe configuration appear the best solution for practical applications in comparison with U-shaped pipe configurations of the same total length, because they maximize the heat exchange that is achieved with the ground and minimize the associated thermally induced variations of their mechanical response.
Reconstructing effective Lagrangians embedding residual family symmetries
Authors: Bernigaud Jordan , de Medeiros Varzielas Ivo , Talbert Jim
Published: January 2021

We consider effective Lagrangians which, after electroweak- and family-symmetry breaking, yield fermionic mass matrices and/or other flavoured couplings exhibiting residual family symmetries (RFS). Thinking from the bottom up, these RFS intimately link ultraviolet (UV) Beyond-the-Standard Model (BSM) physics to infrared flavour phenomenology without direct reference to any (potentially unfalsifiable) UV dynamics. While this discussion is typically performed at the level of RFS group generators and the UV flavour groups they can close, we now also focus on the RFS-implied shape of the low-energy mass/coupling matrices. We then show how this information can be used to algorithmically guide the reconstruction of an effective Lagrangian, thereby forming top-down models realizing the typical bottom-up phenomenological conclusions. As a first application we take results from scans of finite groups capable of controlling (through their RFS) CKM or PMNS mixing within the SM alone. We then extend this to recently studied scenarios where RFS also control special patterns of leptoquark couplings, thus providing proof-in-principle completions for such ‘Simplified Models of Flavourful Leptoquarks.’
A review of the gas and liquid phase interactions in low-temperature plasma jets used for biomedical applications
Authors: Morabit Youssef , Hasan Mohammad I. , Whalley Richard D. , Robert Eric , Modic Martina , Walsh James L.
Published: January 2021

Atmospheric pressure plasma jets generated using noble gases have been the focus of intense investigation for over 2 decades due to their unique physicochemical properties and their suitability for treating living tissues to elicit a controlled biological response. Such devices enable the generation of a non-equilibrium plasma to be spatially separated from its downstream point of application, simultaneously providing inherent safety, stability and reactivity. Underpinning key plasma mediated biological applications are the reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) created when molecular gases interact with the noble gas plasma, yielding a complex yet highly reactive chemical mixture. The interplay between the plasma physics, fluid dynamics and plasma chemistry ultimately dictates the chemical composition of the RONS arriving at a biological target. This contribution reviews recent developments in understanding of the interplay between the flowing plasma, the quiescent background and a biological target to promote the development of future plasma medical therapies.

Graphical abstract
Global Earthquake Forecasting System (GEFS): The challenges ahead
Authors: Mignan A. , Ouillon G. , Sornette D. , Freund F.
Published: January 2021

We conclude this special issue on the Global Earthquake Forecasting System (GEFS) by briefly reviewing and analyzing the claims of non-seismic precursors made in the present volume, and by reflecting on the current limitations and future directions to take. We find that most studies presented in this special volume, taken individually, do not provide strong enough evidence of non-seismic precursors to large earthquakes. The majority of the presented results are hampered by the fact that the task at hand is susceptible to potential biases in data selection and possible overfitting. The most encouraging results are obtained for ground-based geoelectric signals, although the probability gain is likely small compared to an earthquake clustering baseline. The only systematic search on satellite data available so far, those of the DEMETER mission, did not find a robust precursory pattern. The conclusion that we can draw is that the overall absence of convincing evidence is likely due to a deficit in systematically applying robust statistical methods and in integrating scientific knowledge of different fields. Most authors are specialists of their field while the study of earthquake precursors requires a system approach combined with the knowledge of many specific characteristics of seismicity. Relating non-seismic precursors to earthquakes remains a challenging multidisciplinary field of investigation. The plausibility of these precursors predicted by models of lithosphere-atmosphere-ionosphere coupling, together with the suggestive evidence collected here, call for further investigations. The primary goal of the GEFS is thus to build a global database of candidate signals, which could potentially improve earthquake predictability (if the weak signals observed are real and false positives sufficiently uncorrelated between different data sources). Such a stacking of disparate and voluminous data will require big data storage and machine learning pipelines, which has become feasible only recently. This special issue compiled an eclectic list of non-seismic precursor candidates, which is in itself a valuable source of information for seismologists, geophysicists and other scientists who may not be familiar with such types of investigations. It also forms the foundation for a coherent, multi-disciplinary collaboration on earthquake prediction.
The sun as a significant agent provoking earthquakes
Authors: Anagnostopoulos G. , Spyroglou I. , Rigas A. , Preka-Papadema P. , Mavromichalaki H. , Kiosses I.
Published: January 2021

In this paper we provide significant evidence that the sun is a principal agent provoking seismic activity. In particular the aim of the studies presented is to examine the possible relation of the coronal hole (CH) driven high speed solar wind streams (HSSs) with seismicity We performed several statistical studies of solar space and seismological data between 1980 and 2017 as well as a study for a long time interval from the year 1900 until the year 2017. (A1) Concerning the period 1980–2017 among other results we found that the earthquakes (EQs) withM ≥ 83 between 2010–2017 (including the catastrophic earthquakes of Japan 2011 (M91) Sumatra 2012 (M86) and Chile 2015 (M83)) occurred during times of large coronal holes as seen by the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) satellite and were related with CH-driven HSSs observed by the ACE spacecraft several weeks or a few months before the EQ occurrences. (A2) Further research on the hypothesis of the possible HSS-EQ relationship revealed a surprising novel finding: a power spectrum analysis suggests that during the decay phase of the SCC22 and SC23 and at the maximum of SC23 the values of the global seismic (M ≥ 6) energy output shows a periodic variation of ~27 days, which is the mean rotational period of the Sun. (A3) Moderate (not strong) storms in general precede the great EQs. (B) The study of the data for the time interval 1900–2017 revealed that: (1) all of the giant (M ≥ 85) EQs occurred during the decay minimum and the rising phase of the solar cycle or in the maximum phase but at times of a strong reduction of the monthly averaged sunspot number: Chile M95 1960 EQ – Alaska M92 1964 EQ – Sumatra M91 2004 EQ (decay phase) Japan M91 2011 EQ (rising phase of the "strange" SC24) (2) the global energy release of all EQs with magnitudesM ≥ 55 show the highest values during the decay phase of the solar cycle and in particular three years after the solar maximum and (3) a very significant negative correlation (rS = −042p < 10−4) was found between the SSN and the number of earthquakes withM ≥ 7 during the period 1930–2010 during times of moderate and high amplitude solar cycles. (C) Another result of our study is that the comparison of the yearly numbers of great (M ≥ 7) EQs with the SSN fails to provide correct statistical results whereas this is possible for the global seismic energy or the giant EQs. (D) Finally we infer that the case and statistical studies presented in this paper strongly suggest a close relation between CH-associated HSSs and seismic activity. We present some observational evidence that most probably Alfvèn waves mediate the interaction of CH-driven HSSs with seismicity.
The fibered Burnside group of a fusion system
Authors: Coşkun Olcay , Seviniş Mert
Published: January 2021

We apply Reeh’s methods of determining fusion-stable finite sets together with Boltje’s integrality conditions to determine stable elements in the [Formula: see text]-fibered Burnside group of a [Formula: see text]-group under the action of a saturated fusion system [Formula: see text].
Limit theorems for a stable sausage
Authors: Cygan Wojciech , Sandrić Nikola , Šebek Stjepan
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we study fluctuations of the volume of a stable sausage defined via a [Formula: see text]-dimensional rotationally invariant [Formula: see text]-stable process. As the main results, we establish a functional central limit theorem (in the case when [Formula: see text]) with a standard one-dimensional Brownian motion in the limit, and Khintchine’s and Chung’s laws of the iterated logarithm (in the case when [Formula: see text]).
Approximations of non-homogeneous Markov chains on abstract states spaces
Authors: Mukhamedov Farrukh , Al-Rawashdeh Ahmed
Published: January 2021

Approximations of nonhomogeneous discrete Markov chains (NDMC) play an essential role in both probability and statistics. In all these settings, it is crucial to consider random variables in appropriate spaces. Therefore, the abstract considerations of such spaces lead to investigating the approximations in ordered Banach space scheme. In this paper, we consider two topologies on the set of NDMC of abstract state spaces. We establish that the set of all uniformly [Formula: see text]-ergodic NDMC is norm residual in NDMC. The set of point-wise weak [Formula: see text]-ergodic NDMC is also considered and such sets are shown to be a [Formula: see text]-subset (in strong topology) of NDMC. We point out that all the deduced results are new in the classical and non-commutative probabilities, respectively, since in most of earlier results the limiting projection is taken as a rank one projection. Indeed, the obtained results give new insight into data-analysis and statistics.
Multivariate version of slant Toeplitz operators on the Lebesgue space
Authors: Pandey Shesh Kumar , Datt Gopal
Published: January 2021

The paper introduces the [Formula: see text]th-order slant Toeplitz operator on the Lebesgue space of [Formula: see text]-torus, where [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] for all [Formula: see text]. It investigates certain properties of [Formula: see text]th-order slant Toeplitz operators on the Lebesgue space [Formula: see text]. The paper deals with a system of operator equations, characterizing the [Formula: see text]th-order slant Toeplitz operators. At the end, we discuss certain spectral properties of the considered operator.
Green Simulation with Database Monte Carlo
Authors: Feng Mingbin , Staum Jeremy
Published: January 2021

In a setting in which experiments are performed repeatedly with the same simulation model, green simulation means reusing outputs from previous experiments to answer the question currently being asked of the model. In this article, we address the setting in which experiments are run to answer questions quickly, with a time limit providing a fixed computational budget, and then idle time is available for further experimentation before the next question is asked. The general strategy is database Monte Carlo for green simulation: the output of experiments is stored in a database and used to improve the computational efficiency of future experiments. In this article, the database provides a quasi-control variate, which reduces the variance of the estimated mean response in a future experiment that has a fixed computational budget. We propose a particular green simulation procedure using quasi-control variates, addressing practical issues such as experiment design, and analyze its theoretical properties. We show that, under some conditions, the variance of the estimated mean response in an experiment with a fixed computational budget drops to zero over a sequence of repeated experiments, as more and more idle time is invested in creating databases. Our numerical experiments on the procedure show that using idle time to create databases of simulation output provides variance reduction immediately, and that the variance reduction grows over time in a way that is consistent with the convergence analysis.
An Extensive Formal Analysis of Multi-factor Authentication Protocols
Authors: Jacomme Charlie , Kremer Steve
Published: January 2021

Passwords are still the most widespread means for authenticating users, even though they have been shown to create huge security problems. This motivated the use of additional authentication mechanisms in so-called multi-factor authentication protocols. In this article, we define a detailed threat model for this kind of protocol: While in classical protocol analysis attackers control the communication network, we take into account that many communications are performed over TLS channels, that computers may be infected by different kinds of malware, that attackers could perform phishing, and that humans may omit some actions. We formalize this model in the applied pi calculus and perform an extensive analysis and comparison of several widely used protocols—variants of
Google 2-step
and
FIDO’s U2F
(Yubico’s Security Key token). The analysis is completely automated, generating systematically all combinations of threat scenarios for each of the protocols and using the P
ROVERIF
tool for automated protocol analysis. To validate our model and attacks, we demonstrate their feasibility in practice, even though our experiments are run in a laboratory environment. Our analysis highlights weaknesses and strengths of the different protocols. It allows us to suggest several small modifications of the existing protocols that are easy to implement, as well as an extension of
Google 2-step
that improves security in several threat scenarios.
It's Better To Be Lucky Than Smart
Authors: Kaback H.R.
Published: January 2021

Bacterial cytoplasmic membrane vesicles provide a unique experimental system for studying active transport. Vesicles are prepared by lysis of osmotically sensitized cells (i.e., protoplasts or spheroplasts) and comprise osmotically intact, unit-membrane-bound sacs that are approximately 0.5–1.0 μm in diameter and devoid of internal structure. Their metabolic activities are restricted to those provided by the enzymes of the membrane itself, and each vesicle is functional. The energy source for accumulation of a particular substrate can be determined by studying which compounds or experimental conditions drive solute accumulation, and metabolic conversion of the transported substrate or the energy source is minimal. These properties of the vesicle system constitute a considerable advantage over intact cells, as the system provides clear definition of the reactions involved in the transport process.

This discussion is not intended as a general review but is concerned with respiration-dependent active transport in membrane vesicles from Escherichia coli. Emphasis is placed on experimental observations demonstrating that respiratory energy is converted primarily into work in the form of a solute concentration gradient that is driven by a proton electrochemical gradient, as postulated by the chemiosmotic theory of Peter Mitchell.
Feruloylated Arabinoxylan and Oligosaccharides: Chemistry, Nutritional Functions, and Options for Enzymatic Modification
Authors: Lin Shang , Agger Jane W. , Wilkens Casper , Meyer Anne S.
Published: January 2021

Cereal brans and grain endosperm cell walls are key dietary sources of different types of arabinoxylan. Arabinoxylan is the main group of hemicellulosic polysaccharides that are present in the cell walls of monocot grass crops and hence in cereal grains. The arabinoxylan polysaccharides consist of a backbone of β-(1→4)-linked xylopyranosyl residues, which carry arabinofuranosyl moieties, hence the term arabinoxylan. Moreover, the xylopyranosyl residues can be acetylated or substituted by 4- O-methyl-d-glucuronic acid. The arabinofuranosyls may be esterified with a feruloyl group. Feruloylated arabinoxylo-oligosaccharides exert beneficial bioactivities via prebiotic, immunomodulatory, and/or antioxidant effects. New knowledge on microbial enzymes that catalyze specific structural modifications of arabinoxylans can help us understand how these complex fibers are converted in the gut and provide a foundation for the production of feruloylated arabinoxylo-oligosaccharides from brans or other cereal grain processing sidestreams as functional food ingredients. There is a gap between the structural knowledge, bioactivity data, and enzymology insight. Our goal with this review is to present an overview of the structures and bioactivities of feruloylated arabinoxylo-oligosaccharides and review the enzyme reactions that catalyze specific changes in differentially substituted arabinoxylans.
Effect of Cosurfactant in the Electrochemical Response of Reverse Microemulsions Formed by the AOT+Pentanol/Isooctane/Solution of [Fe(CN)6]3− System: A Cyclic Voltammetry and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy Study
Authors: Chávez-Ochoa D. , Larios-Duran E. R. , Martínez-Martínez F. , Moreno-Medrano E. D. , Pelayo-Vázquez J. B. , Bárcena-Soto M. , Gutiérrez-Becerra A.
Published: January 2021

Cyclic voltammetry (CV) is an electrochemical technique that has been used to characterize reverse microemulsions (RMs). By following the oxidation-reduction of an electroactive probe (EP) previously dissolved in the RM water droplets, the diffusion coefficient of such droplets can be obtained by relating the measured current and the concentration of the EP. This approach assumes that the current is due solely to the oxidation-reduction of the EP. Nevertheless, adsorption and other non-faradaic processes that are commonly observed in complex systems like RMs, especially in those that contain cosurfactants, can also contribute to the current. In this work, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is used to study these processes in RMs formed by AOT/isooctane/water, with pentanol as cosurfactant and [Fe(CN)6]3− as EP. The results indicate that pentanol is distributed in the bulk of the RM, which increases the conductivity of the whole system; and also adsorbed at the electrode, which decreases the charge transfer resistance. The combination of both effects explains the increase in the current observed when the amount of cosurfactant increases. As conclusion, using CV in combination with EIS measurement is recommended to characterize RMs and reaching a more complete understanding on the electrochemical behavior of the system.
Communication—Electrochemical Reduction of N2 to Ammonia by Vanadium Oxide Thin Films at Neutral pH: Oxophilicity and the NRR Reaction
Authors: Ganesan Ashwin , Osonkie Adaeze , Chukwunenye Precious , Rashed Ishika , Cundari Thomas R. , D’Souza Francis , Kelber Jeffry A.
Published: January 2021

Electroreduction of N2 to NH3 is an energy- and environmentally-friendly alternative to the Haber-Bosch process. Little is known, however, about reactive sites for electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) at Earth-abundant oxide or oxynitride surfaces. Here, we report N-free VIII/IV-oxide films, created by O2 plasma oxidation of polycrystalline vanadium, exhibiting N2 reduction at neutral pH with an onset potential of −0.16 V vs Ag/AgCl. DFT calculations indicate that N2 scission from O-supported V-centers is energetically favorable by ∼18 kcal mol−1 compared to N-supported sites. Theory and experiment yield fundamental insights concerning the effect of metal oxophilicity towards design of earth-abundant NRR electrocatalysts.
Sustainable Electrochemical Extraction of Lithium from Natural Brine: Part II. Flow Reactor
Authors: Romero V. C. E. , Putrino D. S. , Tagliazucchi M. , Flexer V. , Calvo E. J.
Published: January 2021

An electrochemical flow reactor for the extraction of lithium chloride from natural brine has been designed and experimentally tested. The reactor comprises two three-dimen-sional porous packed bed electrodes and a porous separator immersed in electrolyte. The packed bed electrodes were filled with conducting petroleum coke particles covered respectively with LiMn2O4 selective to lithium ion and polypyrrole selective to anions. The reactor operates in two steps: In the first step the porous electrodes and separator were filled with natural brine to extract lithium and chloride by intercalation and adsorption respectively. After rinsing with water, in the second step the reactor was filled with a dilute LiCl recovery solution and by reversing the electrical current LiCl is recovered in the electrolyte. A two dimensional mathematical model which describes the diffusion and migration of different ions in the electrolyte with the Nernst-Planck equation, the convective flow of electrolyte and the lithium ion intercalation in LiMn2O4 has been developed using a finite element method under the COMSOL environment. The model captures the effect of forced convection on the efficiency of lithium extraction due to diffusion gradients in the porous LiMn2O4 cathode and predicts the best operation parameters.
Transient elevation of triacylglycerol content in the liver: a fundamental component of the acute response to exercise
Authors: Henderson Gregory C. , Meyer Juliauna M.
Published: January 2021

Exercise is well appreciated as a therapeutic approach to improve health. Although chronic exercise training can change metabolism, even a single exercise session can have significant effects upon metabolism. Responses of adipose tissue lipolysis and skeletal muscle triacylglycerol (TAG) utilization have been well appreciated as components of the acute exercise response. However, there are other central components of the physiological response to be considered, as well. A robust and growing body of literature depicts a rapid responsiveness of hepatic TAG content to single bouts of exercise, and there is a remaining need to incorporate this information into our overall understanding of how exercise affects the liver. TAG content in the liver increases during an exercise session and can continue to rise for a few hours afterwards, followed by a fairly rapid return to baseline. Here, we summarize evidence that rapid responsiveness of hepatic TAG content to metabolic stress is a fundamental component of the exercise response. Adipose tissue lipolysis and plasma free fatty acid concentration are likely the major metabolic controllers of enhanced lipid storage in the liver after each exercise bout, and we discuss nutritional impacts as well as health implications. Although traditionally clinicians would be merely concerned with hepatic lipids in overnight-fasted, rested individuals, it is now apparent that the content of hepatic TAG fluctuates in response to metabolic challenges such as exercise, and these responses likely exert significant impacts on health and cellular homeostasis.
DNA‐Ploidy in Advanced Gastric Carcinoma is Less Heterogeneous than in Early Gastric Cancer
Authors: Osterheld Maria‐Chiara , Caron Liette , Demierre Mireille , Laurini Ricardo , Bosman F. T.
Published: January 2021

This analysis of DNA‐ploidy heterogeneity in advanced gastric carcinomas is consistent with the hypothesis of the emergence of a single aneuploid cell clone as a crucial mechanism in the progression from early gastric carcinoma to advanced gastric cancer. The prognostic value of DNA‐ploidy in gastric cancers has been a matter of controversy. Tumour DNA‐ploidy heterogeneity, the presence within the same tumour of multiple stemlines differing in DNA content, has been described in various tumours including gastric cancers. The occurrence of such heterogeneity has been accepted as an explanation for the divergent DNA‐ploidy results in this type of tumours. A previous study of early gastric cancers suggested that in pure diploid superficial carcinomas, genetic instability might lead to a cell clone which has undergone a ploidy shift and is more aggressive. If so, this would initially result in DNA‐ploidy heterogeneity. Proliferative dominance of the aneuploid clone could eventually evolve to a homogeneous aneuploid tumour. In order to test this hypothesis, we studied DNA‐aneuploidy and DNA‐ploidy heterogeneity in advanced gastric carcinomas. We performed DNA cytophotometry on multiple samples collected from 16 advanced gastric carcinomas and found 15 DNA‐aneuploid tumours (94%) and one diploid tumour. Multiple DNA‐stemlines were found in 4 cases (26%). Analysis of proliferative activity performed on the same samples revealed higher proliferation rate in DNA‐ploidy homogeneous tumours than in aneuploid heterogeneous tumours. Heterogeneous tumours did not overexpress p53. These results confirm that DNA‐aneuploidy is frequent in advanced gastric cancer and demonstrate that a majority of these aneuploid tumours are not DNA‐ploidy heterogeneous. Furthermore, the higher proliferative activity in homogeneous‐aneuploid carcinomas and their more frequent overexpression of p53 support the hypothesis that in gastric cancer tumour progression implies the development of a dominant and more aggressive (higher proliferative activity, p53 overexpression) aneuploid cell clone.