bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Interaction of Main Stream Flow and Cavity Flows in Turbine Center Frames and Turbine Vane Frames
Authors: Merli Filippo , Hafizovic Asim , Krajnc Nicolas , Schien Malte , Peters Andreas , Heitmeir Franz , Göttlich Emil
Published: October 2022

This paper focuses on the interaction between the last high-pressure turbine (HPT) stage purge flows and the intermediate turbine duct (ITD) in modern turbofan engines. Two state-of-the-art ITD concepts are analyzed in this work: the turbine center frame (TCF), which is supported by symmetric aerodynamic strut fairings and generally adopted in conventional dual-spool engines; the turbine vane frame (TVF), which features turning struts and splitters and is typical of geared turbofan engines. The measurement campaigns for both setups are carried out in the transonic test turbine facility (TTTF) at Graz University of Technology. The test vehicles consist of an HPT stage, the ITD (TCF or TVF), and the first low-pressure turbine (LPT) vane or blade row. The same HPT stage is used for both ducts, to enable consistent, engine-representative inlet conditions between the two solutions. All the HPT stator–rotor cavities are supplied with purge flows by a secondary air system, with independent mass flow and temperature control for each purge line. Five-hole probe data are acquired at the inlet and outlet sections of the ITDs, to characterize the aerodynamic flow field entering and leaving the duct. In addition to the pneumatic probe tests, seed gas concentration measurements are performed in the same planes, to track down the cavity air in the mainstream and investigate its postegress behavior. Finally, detailed post-test computational fluid dynamics (CFD) results are presented to get additional insight into the flow phenomena developing through the strut passage.
The Effects of High Centrifugal Acceleration on Bluff-Body Stabilized Premixed Flames
Authors: Erdmann Timothy J. , Gutmark Ephraim J. , Caswell Andrew W.
Published: October 2022

An experimental study is conducted on bluff-body stabilized premixed flames in a curved, square cross section duct. High flow velocities coupled with a small radius of curvature of the duct induce high centrifugal acceleration normal to the flame sheet. A cylindrical flame holder spans the width of the square cross section and is positioned at the channel midheight. Flame shear layers are stabilized on the radially inward (upper) and outward (lower) edges of the flame holder. Side-view high-speed Schlieren images and high-speed pressure measurements are captured. Static stability, overall pressure loss, and statistics and velocimetry results from the Schlieren images are reported, and results are compared to a straight configuration with no centrifugal acceleration. Two bluff-body diameters are studied to show the effect of flame holder diameter on static stability. For the curved configuration, blowout velocities are higher for the smaller bluff-body diameter, likely due to flow acceleration effects. Blowout velocities are lower for the curved configuration compared to the straight configuration which may be due to the destabilizing Rayleigh–Taylor (RT) effect on the upper flame layer. Overall pressure loss is slightly higher for the curved configuration than the straight configuration. High-speed Schlieren results show centrifugal acceleration causes significant structural and velocimetric asymmetry in the bluff-body wake. In the curved configuration, the upper flame layer displays destabilizing RT instabilities, and the lower flame layer displays stabilizing RT effects. The upper flame shows vigorous RT instabilities which broaden the flame brush and sustain a flame leading edge independent of inlet Reynolds number or velocity. Conversely, the lower flame exhibits suppression of Kelvin–Helmholtz and flame-generated instabilities in the wake, which confines the flame brush and significantly reduces transverse flame velocities. The lower flame edge profile moves toward the channel centerline with increasing inlet Reynolds number. The upper flame in the curved configuration shows higher flame edge velocities than the straight configuration while the lower flame shows velocities closer to zero. The empirical constant to the power law relation for upper flame edge velocities agrees with RT-dominated flame growth theory for this experimental scale and agrees with other RT-dominated flame studies.
Free Vibration Analysis of Elastically Restrained Laminated Planar Frames
Authors: Bachoo Richard
Published: October 2022

A wave-based model that incorporates the effects of shear deformation, rotary inertia and elastic coupling due to structural anisotropy, is developed to analyze the free vibrations of elastically restrained laminated planar frames. In this work, a generalized frame structure is represented as an assemblage of laminated beam segments that act as one-dimensional waveguides. The segments are assumed to undergo only in-plane motion, which upon applying Hamilton's principle, is described by a system of coupled differential equations. Dispersion analysis is conducted, and the nature of the wavefields associated with the propagation matrix is discussed. Generally restrained boundaries and internal joints are considered, and the associated reflection and transmission matrices are derived. Using the principle of wave-train closure, the characteristic equation is obtained by systematically assembling the propagation, reflection, and transmission matrices. The wave-based model is inherently deterministic, and solving the characteristic equation offers the advantage of determining the exact natural frequencies using conventional root finding algorithms. Application of the proposed model is demonstrated by analyzing an elastically restrained inclined laminated portal frame. Extensive computational analysis is conducted to illustrate the influence of stacking sequence, frame angle, relative frame length, orthotropicity ratios, and spring stiffness on the exact natural frequencies (and in certain cases the mode shapes) of the frame. Independent finite element simulations conducted in ansys® APDL are consistently used to verify the validity of the analytical results.
Behavior of Gas Entrainment Inside Viscous Pool Due to Combined Influence of Symmetric Rotational Field and Freestream Flow of Air
Authors: Panda Santosh Kumar , Rana Basanta Kumar
Published: October 2022

The present investigation elucidates the interfacial characterization caused by the simultaneous effect of a symmetric converging rotational field and continuous air stream flow above the free surface. The converging rotational field is developed by a couple of counter and equal rotating rollers fully immersed inside the viscous liquid medium and their centers are aligned along a horizontal line. Such phenomenon is abundantly encountered in various engineering devices, where the interactions and transfer of mass, momentum, and energy are quite important through gas–liquid interfaces. Behavior of entrainment profile is observed due to the influence of various relevant pertinent parameters, namely, rotational of speed (measured by Ca), submersion depth (b*), the gap between the rollers (2a*), and strength of air stream flow (measured by Reflow). An upper rounded structured interfacial configuration is obtained for all cases of Ca when the rollers are located very close to each other. The length of the entrainment of cusp decreases with the rise of Reflow for the same value of Ca. The value of Cac increases continuously with the increase of Reflow for a particular of 2a* and b*. Bubble ejection from filament tip and subsequent accumulation increases significantly with the rise of Ca for a particular case of Reflow. The cusp tip progressively traverses in upward direction with the continuous increase of gravitational pull for a particular value of Ca and Reflow. Entrainment length progressively grows with the continuous rise of viscous drag for a particular value of Ca and Reflow. Finally, an analytical formulation is proposed to analyze the structure of entrainment and this model reports an excellent match with the numerical findings.
Aerodynamic Damping Predictions During Compressor Surge: A Numerical Comparison Between a Half and Full Transient Approach
Authors: Reiber Christoph , Chenaux Virginie Anne , Belz Joachim
Published: October 2022

The prediction of the aerodynamic damping during compressor surge is a challenging task, because the flow is continuously evolving along the four surge cycle phases: pressurization (PR), flow-breakdown (FB), reversed flow (RF), and regeneration (RG), and complex flow conditions such as shocks and separations occur. Damping predictions with current existing methods typically consist of two steps. In the first step, a modified numerical model is used to simulate transient surge cycles. In the second step, damping analyses are performed for multiple timesteps along the surge cycle phases, which are then assumed as quasi-steady. The damping simulation can be performed using nonlinear or linear approaches. If shocks or separations occur, the latter yields inaccuracies in the flow and thus in the damping predictions. A new approach was developed to take into account and improve these inaccuracies. This new method includes the damping prediction within the transient surge simulation. Thus, all surge cycle phases and the continuously evolving flow conditions are considered, and nonlinear simulations are performed to account for shocks and separations. The results of this new method are presented and compared to the former method.
Anatomical Characteristics Contributing to Patellar Dislocations Following MPFL Reconstruction: A Dynamic Simulation Study
Authors: Watts Jeffrey C. , Farrow Lutul D. , Elias John J.
Published: October 2022

Pathologic anatomy is a primary factor contributing to redislocation of the patella following reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL). A pivot landing was simulated following MPFL reconstruction, with the hypothesis that position of the tibial tuberosity, depth of the trochlear groove, and height of the patella are correlated with lateral patellar maltracking. Thirteen dynamic simulation models represented subjects being treated for recurrent patellar instability. Simplified Hertzian contact governed patellofemoral and tibiofemoral joint reaction forces. Pivot landing was represented with and without an MPFL graft in place. Measurements related to patellar height (Caton-Deschamps index), trochlear groove depth (lateral trochlear inclination), and position of the tibial tuberosity (lateral tibial tuberosity to posterior cruciate attachment distance, or lateral TT-PCL distance) were measured from the models and correlated with patellar lateral shift with the knee extended (5 deg of flexion) and flexed (40 deg). The patella dislocated for all models without an MPFL graft and for two models with a graft represented. With an MPFL graft represented, patellar lateral shift was correlated with Caton-Deschamps index (r2 > 0.35, p < 0.03) and lateral trochlear inclination (r2 ≥ 0.45, p < 0.02) at both 5 deg and 40 deg of flexion. For a simulated pivot landing with an MPFL graft in place, lateral patellar tracking was associated with a high patella (alta) and shallow trochlear groove. The study emphasizes the importance of simulating activities that place the patella at risk of dislocation when evaluating patellar stability.
The use of ultrasonography in the diagnosis and treatment of the lateral epicondylitis. Pictorial essay.
Authors: Konarski Wojciech , Poboży Tomasz
Published: October 2022

Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is a common orthopedic problem. It is a not life-threatening condition and does not cause severe disability, but it is a burden in everyday life. This paper focuses on this area and provides guidance on how to effectively perform US examination of the lateral part of the elbow. We will provide recent evidence on LE with particular emphasis on the role of the ultrasound in diagnosis, treatment, and disease management and we will exemplify the pathology with representative cases.
NIR-photocatalytic regulation of arthritic synovial microenvironment
Authors: Zhao Bin , Zeng Lingting , Chen Danyang , Xie Songqing , Jin Zhaokui , Li Guanglin , Tang Wei , He Qianjun
Published: October 2022

Synovial microenvironment (SME) plays a vital role in the formation of synovial pannus and the induction of cartilage destruction in arthritis. In this work, a concept of the photocatalytic regulation of SME is proposed for arthritis treatment, and monodispersive hydrogen–doped titanium dioxide nanorods with a rutile single-crystal structure are developed by a full-solution method to achieve near infrared–photocatalytic generation of hydrogen molecules and simultaneous depletion of overexpressed lactic acid (LA) for realizing SME regulation in a collagen-induced mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis. Mechanistically, locally generated hydrogen molecules scavenge overexpressed reactive oxygen species to mediate the anti-inflammatory polarization of macrophages, while the simultaneous photocatalytic depletion of overexpressed LA inhibits the inflammatory/invasive phenotypes of synoviocytes and macrophages and ameliorates the abnormal proliferation of synoviocytes, thereby remarkably preventing the synovial pannus formation and cartilage destruction. The proposed catalysis-mediated SME regulation strategy will open a window to realize facile and efficient arthritis treatment.
Metabolic modulation of synaptic failure and thalamocortical hypersynchronization with preserved consciousness in Glut1 deficiency
Authors: Rajasekaran Karthik , Ma Qian , Good Levi B. , Kathote Gauri , Jakkamsetti Vikram , Liu Peiying , Avila Adrian , Primeaux Sharon , Enciso Alva Julio , Markussen Kia H. , Marin-Valencia Isaac , Sirsi Deepa , Hacker Peter M. S. , Gentry Matthew S. , Su Jianzhong , Lu Hanzhang , Pascual Juan M.
Published: October 2022

Individuals with glucose transporter type I deficiency (G1D) habitually experience nutrient-responsive epilepsy associated with decreased brain glucose. However, the mechanistic association between blood glucose concentration and brain excitability in the context of G1D remains to be elucidated. Electroencephalography (EEG) in G1D individuals revealed nutrition time-dependent seizure oscillations often associated with preserved volition despite electrographic generalization and uniform average oscillation duration and periodicity, suggesting increased facilitation of an underlying neural loop circuit. Nonlinear EEG ictal source localization analysis and simultaneous EEG/functional magnetic resonance imaging converged on the thalamus-sensorimotor cortex as one potential circuit, and
18
F-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (
18
F-DG-PET) illustrated decreased glucose accumulation in this circuit. This pattern, reflected in a decreased thalamic to striatal
18
F signal ratio, can aid with the PET imaging diagnosis of the disorder, whereas the absence of noticeable ictal behavioral changes challenges the postulated requirement for normal thalamocortical activity during consciousness. In G1D mice,
18
F-DG-PET and mass spectrometry also revealed decreased brain glucose and glycogen, but preserved tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates, indicating no overall energy metabolism failure. In brain slices from these animals, synaptic inhibition of cortical pyramidal neurons and thalamic relay neurons was decreased, and neuronal disinhibition was mitigated by metabolic sources of carbon; tonic-clonic seizures were also suppressed by α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor inhibition. These results pose G1D as a thalamocortical synaptic disinhibition disease associated with increased glucose-dependent neuronal excitability, possibly in relation to reduced glycogen. Together with findings in other metabolic defects, inhibitory neuron dysfunction is emerging as a modulable mechanism of hyperexcitability.
A germline SNP in BRMS1 predisposes patients with lung adenocarcinoma to metastasis and can be ameliorated by targeting c-fos
Authors: Liu Yuan , Chudgar Neel , Mastrogiacomo Brooke , He Di , Lankadasari Manendra B. , Bapat Samhita , Jones Gregory D. , Sanchez-Vega Francisco , Tan Kay See , Schultz Nikolaus , Mukherjee Semanti , Offit Kenneth , Bao Yongde , Bott Matthew J. , Rekhtman Natasha , Adusumilli Prasad S. , Li Bob T. , Mayo Marty W. , Jones David R.
Published: October 2022

About 50% of patients with early-stage, surgically resected lung cancer will develop distant metastasis. There remains an unmet need to identify patients likely to develop recurrence and to design innovative therapies to decrease this risk. Two primary isoforms of BRMS1, v1 and v2, are present in humans. Using next-generation sequencing of
BRMS1
on matched human noncancerous lung tissue and non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) specimens, we identified single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1052566 that results in an A273V mutation of BRMS1v2. This SNP is homozygous (
BRMS1v2
A273V/A273V
) in 8% of the population and correlates with aggressive biology in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Mechanistically, we show that BRMS1v2 A273V abolishes the metastasis suppressor function of BRMS1v2 and promotes robust cell invasion and metastases by activation of c-fos–mediated gene-specific transcriptional regulation. BRMS1v2 A273V increases cell invasion in vitro and increases metastases in both tail-vein injection xenografts and LUAD patient-derived organoid (PDO) intracardiac injection metastasis in vivo models. Moreover, we show that BRMS1v2 A273V fails to interact with nuclear Src, thereby activating intratumoral c-fos in vitro. Higher c-fos results in up-regulation of
CEACAM6
, which drives metastases in vitro and in vivo. Using both xenograft and PDO metastasis models, we repurposed T5224 for treatment, a c-fos pharmacologic inhibitor investigated in clinical trials for arthritis, and observed suppression of metastases in
BRMS1v2
A273V/A273V
LUAD in mice. Collectively, we elucidate the mechanism of
BRMS1v2
A273V/A273V
-induced metastases and offer a putative therapeutic strategy for patients with LUAD who have this germline alteration.
Comment on “A proteomic surrogate for cardiovascular outcomes that is sensitive to multiple mechanisms of change in risk”
Authors: Kivimäki Mika , Hingorani Aroon D. , Lindbohm Joni V.
Published: October 2022

A 27-protein signature has been proposed to predict cardiovascular disease, but its applicability in clinical decision-making remains unclear.
Glycosyltransferase-Related Protein GtrA Is Essential for Localization of Type IX Secretion System Cargo Protein Cellulase Cel9A and Affects Cellulose Degradation in Cytophaga hutchinsonii
Authors: Xie Shuaishuai , Huang Qing , Tan Rong , Zhang Weican , Qi Qingsheng , Lu Xuemei
Published: October 2022

N-
Glycosylation systems are generally limited to some pathogenic bacteria in prokaryotes. The disruption of the
N-
glycosylation pathway is related to adherence, invasion, colonization, and other phenotypic characteristics.
Heating Rate during Shell Egg Thermal Treatment Elicits Stress Responses and Alters Virulence of Salmonella enterica Serovar Enteritidis; Implications for Shell Egg Pasteurization
Authors: Xu Yumin , Abdelhamid Ahmed G. , Sabag-Daigle Anice , Ahmer Brian M. M. , Yousef Ahmed E.
Published: October 2022

Pasteurization of shell eggs is an important technology designed to protect consumers against
Salmonella
Enteritidis that contaminates this commodity. A low heating rate is preferred over a high rate during shell egg thermal pasteurization due to product quality concern.
Divergent Evolutionary Pathways of Myxoma Virus in Australia: Virulence Phenotypes in Susceptible and Partially Resistant Rabbits Indicate Possible Selection for Transmissibility
Authors: Kerr Peter J. , Cattadori Isabella M. , Sim Derek , Liu June , Holmes Edward C. , Read Andrew F.
Published: October 2022

The evolution of the myxoma virus (MYXV) following its release as a biological control for European rabbits in Australia is the textbook example of the coevolution of virus virulence and host resistance. However, most of our knowledge of MYXV evolution only covers the first few decades of its spread in Australia and often with little direct connection between how changes in virus phenotype relate to those in the underlying virus genotype.
Sequential Deletions of Interferon Inhibitors MGF110-9L and MGF505-7R Result in Sterile Immunity against the Eurasia Strain of Africa Swine Fever
Authors: Ding Mingyang , Dang Wen , Liu Huanan , Zhang Keshan , Xu Fan , Tian Hong , Huang Huaguo , Shi Zhengwang , Sunkang Yongjie , Qin Xiaodong , Zhang Yong , Zheng Haixue
Published: October 2022

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a causative agent of acute viral hemorrhagic disease of domestic swine which is associated with significant economic losses in the pig industry. The lack of vaccines or treatment options requires urgent further investigation.
Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly of Trichoderma cornu-damae Using Hi-C Data
Authors: Cho Sung-Eun , Kwag Young-Nam , Lee Dong-Hyeon , Kim Chang Sun
Published: October 2022

Trichoderma cornu-damae
is known as a poisonous mushroom (Basidiomycota, Fungi) that produces several trichothecene mycotoxins. We constructed a chromosome-level genome assembly of
T. cornu-damae
with Hi-C sequencing data.
Alterations in the Gut Microbiota and Metabolomics of Seafarers after a Six-Month Sea Voyage
Authors: Jiang Chun-Hui , Fang Xue , Huang Wen , Guo Ji-Yao , Chen Jia-Yun , Wu Hong-Yu , Li Zhao-Shen , Zou Wen-Bin , Liao Zhuan
Published: October 2022

Maintaining the health of seafarers undertaking long-term voyages is a difficult task. Apart from the alterations in the gut microbiome and fecal metabolites after a long-term voyage, our study also revealed that 20 differential metabolites within six differentially enriched human metabolic pathways are worthy of attention.
Remission of progressive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer during abiraterone therapy following unilateral adrenalectomy for a functioning adrenal adenoma
Authors: Seale Katelyn Nazaneen , Labriola Matthew K , Jiang Xiaoyin "Sara" , Armstrong Andrew
Published: October 2022

Despite advances and introduction of new therapies in the last decade, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) has a poor prognosis. The development of androgen axis-targeted therapies such as abiraterone acetate, enzalutamide and darolutamide can prolong survival in mCPRC; however, resistance remains a barrier to prolonged response, necessitating exploration into resistance mechanisms and locoregional therapies. Here, we describe a patient with mCRPC that was progressing on abiraterone acetate. He was also found to have primary hyperaldosteronism from a functional adrenal adenoma, and thus he had a partial adrenalectomy to remove this tumour. Pathology confirmed an aldosterone-producing adrenal adenoma. After his adrenalectomy, he had a sharp decline in both his PSA (prostate specific antigen) and testosterone levels, and he enjoyed a year-long period of remission after his adrenalectomy. We propose several explanations for his response, the most likely being that his adenoma was producing both aldosterone and androgens. This is a unique case of mCRPC responding to partial adrenalectomy from a functional adrenal adenoma, and it raises insights that warrant further investigation into underlying mechanisms of resistance to androgen-targeted therapies.
Impact of adherence to a lifestyle-integrated programme on physical function and behavioural complexity in young older adults at risk of functional decline: a multicentre RCT secondary analysis
Authors: Mikolaizak A Stefanie , Taraldsen Kristin , Boulton Elisabeth , Gordt Katharina , Maier Andrea Britta , Mellone Sabato , Hawley-Hague Helen , Aminian Kamiar , Chiari Lorenzo , Paraschiv-Ionescu Anisoara , Pijnappels Mirjam , Todd Chris , Vereijken Beatrix , Helbostad Jorunn L , Becker Clemens
Published: October 2022

Context

Long-term adherence to physical activity (PA) interventions is challenging. The Lifestyle-integrated Functional Exercise programmes were adapted Lifestyle-integrated Functional Exercise (aLiFE) to include more challenging activities and a behavioural change framework, and then enhanced Lifestyle-integrated Functional Exercise (eLiFE) to be delivered using smartphones and smartwatches.

Objectives

To (1) compare adherence measures, (2) identify determinants of adherence and (3) assess the impact on outcome measures of a lifestyle-integrated programme.

Design, setting and participants

A multicentre, feasibility randomised controlled trial including participants aged 61–70 years conducted in three European cities.

Interventions

Six-month trainer-supported aLiFE or eLiFE compared with a control group, which received written PA advice.

Outcome measures

Self-reporting adherence per month using a single question and after 6-month intervention using the Exercise Adherence Rating Scale (EARS, score range 6–24). Treatment outcomes included function and disability scores (measured using the Late-Life Function and Disability Index) and sensor-derived physical behaviour complexity measure. Determinants of adherence (EARS score) were identified using linear multivariate analysis. Linear regression estimated the association of adherence on treatment outcome.

Results

We included 120 participants randomised to the intervention groups (aLiFE/eLiFE) (66.3±2.3 years, 53% women). The 106 participants reassessed after 6 months had a mean EARS score of 16.0±5.1. Better adherence was associated with lower number of medications taken, lower depression and lower risk of functional decline. We estimated adherence to significantly increase basic lower extremity function by 1.3 points (p<0.0001), advanced lower extremity function by 1.0 point (p<0.0001) and behavioural complexity by 0.008 per 1.0 point higher EARS score (F(3,91)=3.55, p=0.017) regardless of group allocation.

Conclusion

PA adherence was associated with better lower extremity function and physical behavioural complexity. Barriers to adherence should be addressed preintervention to enhance intervention efficacy. Further research is needed to unravel the impact of behaviour change techniques embedded into technology-delivered activity interventions on adherence.

Trial registration number

NCT03065088.
Prevalence of medically unexplained symptoms in adults who are high users of healthcare services and magnitude of associated costs: a systematic review
Authors: Jadhakhan Ferozkhan , Romeu Daniel , Lindner Oana , Blakemore Amy , Guthrie Elspeth
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) is a common clinical syndrome in primary and secondary healthcare service. Outcomes for patients with persistent MUS include increased disability, poorer quality of life and higher healthcare costs. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the prevalence of MUS in patients who are high users of healthcare or high-cost patients in comparison with routine users and the magnitude of associated costs.

Design

A systematic review of the available literature.

Data sources and eligibility criteria

The following electronic databases were systematically searched without language restriction from inception to June 2018 and updated on 22 October 2021: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, CINAHL and PROSPERO. Inclusion criteria included studies investigating adults aged ≥18 years, who were high healthcare users or accrued high healthcare costs, in which the prevalence and/or associated costs of MUS was quantified. Two reviewers independently extracted information on study characteristics, exposure and outcomes.

Results

From 5622 identified publications, 25 studies from 9 countries involving 31 650 patients were selected for inclusion. Due to high risk of bias in many studies and heterogeneity between studies, results are described narratively. There were wide variations in prevalence estimates for MUS in high users of healthcare (2.9%–76%), but MUS was more prevalent in high use groups compared with low use groups in all but one of the 12 studies that included a comparator group. Only three studies investigated healthcare costs associated with MUS, and all three reported greater healthcare costs associated with MUS.

Conclusion

MUS has been found to be more prevalent in high use healthcare populations than comparator groups, but the magnitude of difference is difficult to estimate due to considerable heterogeneity between studies and potential for bias. Future studies should prioritise a standardised approach to this research area, with agreed definitions of MUS and high healthcare use.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42018100388.
Effectiveness of the Perceive, Recall, Plan and Perform intervention for persons with brain injury in community-based rehabilitation: protocol for a single-case experimental design with multiple baselines
Authors: Lindstad Marte Ørud , Obstfelder Aud Uhlen , Sveen Unni , Stigen Linda
Published: October 2022

Introduction

There is a need for standardised interventions in community-based rehabilitation to improve everyday performance for older adults with cognitive challenges due to acquired brain injury (ABI). The Perceive, Recall, Plan and Perform System (PRPP) of intervention has a growing research base. The intervention is suitable for any client with decreased performance in everyday tasks due to ineffective cognitive strategy application to enhance mastery in performance of needed or desired activities. There is no current evidence on the effectiveness of the PRPP intervention for this population.

Purpose

To describe a protocol for a clinical trial that investigates the effectiveness of the PRPP intervention in the context of community-based rehabilitation for persons (65+ years) with difficulties in task performance due to cognitive challenges after ABI.

Methods and analysis

A non-concurrent multiple baseline design across participants with systematic replications (n=6) will be used. Nine sessions of PRPP intervention will be applied by trained occupational therapists in two community-based rehabilitation units. The participants will complete five repeated measurements of everyday tasks as target behaviours. PRPP Assessment stages 1 and 2 serve as outcome measures at baseline, in the intervention period, in the postintervention period and in the follow-up phase. Mastery percentage of the tasks and the participants’ application of cognitive strategies at baseline acts as a control and will be compared with the following phases within the participant. Delayed intervention phases act as a control between participants. Goal Attainment Scaling and the Barthel Index will serve as generalisation measures. Data will be analysed using systematic visual inspection of graphical data, descriptions of clinical significance and descriptive statistical analysis.

Ethics and dissemination

This trial, including the data management plan, is approved by The Norwegian Regional Ethics Committee (215391). Results will be published in congresses and scientific journals.

Trial registration number

NCT05148247.
Strategies for engaging senior citizens and their informal caregivers in health policy development: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Kolade Opeyemi , Porat-Dahlerbruch Joshua , van Achterberg Theo , Ellen Moriah
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Care for senior citizens is a global policy issue. There has been limited focus on senior citizen and informal caregiver engagement in policy development. Encouraging senior citizen participation through active engagement in the policymaking process enhances the provision of better services and the creation of responsive policies and is critical to better healthcare. Accordingly, this review aims to map the available evidence to provide an overview of strategies for engaging senior citizens and informal caregivers in health policy development.

Methods and analysis

A scoping review will be conducted. This study will use the updated methodological guidance for conducting a scoping review developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. This review aims to answer the question: ‘What is known in the literature about strategies for engaging senior citizens and informal caregivers in health policy development?’ Titles and abstracts will be screened to determine eligibility for full-text review based on already established eligibility criteria. Data will be extracted from relevant articles. A summary of extracted data will be presented. The results will be interpreted within the Multidimensional Framework for Patient and Family Engagement in Health and Healthcare.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical review is not required as scoping reviews are a form of secondary data analysis that synthesises data from publicly available sources. Findings from this proposed review will be disseminated in conferences and to the global scientific community through published academic papers in reputable health policy-related journals.
Situation of physical activity in the prevention of non-communicable diseases in Bhutan: challenges and the way forward
Authors: Tamang Monu , Dahal Benu Prasad , Dorji Thinley , Tamang Saran Tenzin , Lucero-Prisno Don Eliseo
Published: October 2022

Bhutan is a lower-income–middle-income country in the Himalayas, between India and China. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death and premature mortality in Bhutan, accounting for 69% and 71% of all deaths in 2014 and 2019, respectively. Although the World Health Organisation (WHO) identified physical activity as a key strategy to reduce the burden of NCDs, with rapid urbanisation, motorised transportation, and rural–urban migration, people are adapting to sedentary lifestyles, inflating the incidence of NCDs in the country. The increasing incidence of NCDs exerts a burden on the human and financial resource constraints in the health system in Bhutan.

In this view point, we report evidence-based benefits of physical activity for health promotion, primary prevention of NCDs and health benefits for individuals living with NCDs. We also briefly assess the situation of physical activity in Bhutan. Then, shortcomings of existing NCDs prevention programmes are discussed along with opportunities and ways forward to effectively implementing physical activity to harness the benefits of physical activities.
Characteristics of enrolment in an intensive home-visiting programme among eligible first-time adolescent mothers in England: a linked administrative data cohort study
Authors: Cavallaro Francesca L , Gilbert Ruth , Wijlaars Linda PMM , Kennedy Eilis , Howarth Emma , Kendall Sally , van der Meulen Jan , Calin Maria Andreea , Reed Lynne , Harron Katie
Published: October 2022

Background

Intensive home visiting for adolescent mothers may help reduce health disparities. Given limited resources, such interventions need to be effectively targeted. We evaluated which mothers were enrolled in the Family Nurse Partnership (FNP), an intensive home-visiting service for first-time young mothers commissioned in >130 local authorities in England since 2007.

Methods

We created a population-based cohort of first-time mothers aged 13–19 years giving birth in English National Health Service hospitals between 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2017, using administrative hospital data linked with FNP programme, educational and social care data. Mothers living in a local authority with an active FNP site were eligible. We described variation in enrolment rates across sites, and identified maternal and FNP site characteristics associated with enrolment.

Results

Of 110 520 eligible mothers, 25 680 (23.2% (95% CI: 23.0% to 23.5%)) were enrolled. Enrolment rates varied substantially across 122 sites (range: 11%–68%), and areas with greater numbers of first-time adolescent mothers achieved lower enrolment rates. Mothers aged 13–15 years were most likely to be enrolled (52%). However, only 26% of adolescent mothers with markers of vulnerability (including living in the most deprived areas and ever having been looked after as a child) were enrolled.

Conclusion

A substantial proportion of first-time adolescent mothers with vulnerability markers were not enrolled in FNP. Variation in enrolment across sites indicates insufficient commissioning of places that is not proportional to level of need, with mothers in areas with large numbers of other adolescent mothers least likely to receive support.
Bearing the burden of austerity: how do changing mortality rates in the UK compare between men and women?
Authors: Walsh David , Dundas Ruth , McCartney Gerry , Gibson Marcia , Seaman Rosie
Published: October 2022

Background

Mortality rates across the UK stopped improving in the early 2010s, largely attributable to UK Government’s ‘austerity’ policies. Such policies are thought to disproportionately affect women in terms of greater financial impact and loss of services. The aim here was to investigate whether the mortality impact of austerity—in terms of when rates changed and the scale of excess deaths—has also been worse for women.

Methods

All-cause mortality data by sex, age, Great Britain (GB) nation and deprivation quintile were obtained from national agencies. Trends in age-standardised mortality rates were calculated, and segmented regression analyses used to identify break points between 1981 and 2019. Excess deaths were calculated for 2012–2019 based on comparison of observed deaths with numbers predicted by the linear trend for 1981–2011.

Results

Changes in trends were observed for both men and women, especially for those living in the 20% most deprived areas. In those areas, mortality increased between 2010/2012 and 2017/2019 among women but not men. Break points in trends occurred at similar time points. Approximately 335 000 more deaths occurred between 2012 and 2019 than was expected based on previous trends, with the excess greater among men.

Conclusions

It remains unclear whether there are sex differences in UK austerity-related health effects. Nonetheless, this study provides further evidence of adverse trends in the UK and the associated scale of excess deaths. There is a clear need for such policies to be reversed, and for policies to be implemented to protect the most vulnerable in society.
Towards precise drone-based measurement of elevation change in permafrost terrain experiencing thaw and thermokarst
Authors: Fraser Robert H. , Leblanc Sylvain G. , Prevost Christian , van der Sluijs Jurjen
Published: October 2022

Measuring ground elevation changes plays a crucial role in several environmental applications. For instance, permafrost soils undergo seasonal active layer freezing and thawing that causes cyclic elevation changes. Permafrost thaw can result in unidirectional ground subsidence, which may be gradual and uniform, or rapid and irregular in the case of thermokarst landforms such as slumps and degrading ice-wedges. Photogrammetric drone surveys have effectively characterized large (> 0.1 m) ground elevation changes resulting from thermokarst, yet many permafrost processes of interest lead to more subtle elevation changes. In this study, we assessed various drone-based surveying strategies for their precision to measure smaller (< 0.1 m) ground elevation changes to better characterize permafrost-driven surface dynamics. The strategies were compared by examining the short-term reproducibility of modeled elevation for 76 bare ground targets, derived from six repeat drone surveys captured under variable illumination. We found that the Phantom 4 RTK drone using direct georeferencing, combined with one fixed ground control point, could reproduce elevations with a mean absolute deviation of 0.6 cm, suggesting a minimum level of change detection of 1.4 cm at 95% confidence. Drone-based methods for measuring permafrost elevation changes should be complementary to in situ and satellite-based (e.g. differential interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar) approaches.
Thermophoretic particle deposition impact in the Oldroyd-B fluid flow influenced by a magnetic dipole with an exponential thermal heat source
Authors: Ramzan Muhammad , Ali Jawad , Shahmir Nazia , Ghazwani Hassan Ali S , Nisar Kottakkaran Sooppy , Saleel C Ahamed
Published: October 2022

The role of non-Newtonian fluids can’t be denied owing to their immense industrial and engineering applications. Taking this point in mind, the motivation of the current investigation is to examine the influence of a magnetic dipole on two-dimensional nonelectrical conducting Oldroyd-B fluid flow in the existence of thermophoretic particle deposition along a linearly stretching surface. The exponential space-based thermal source and the temperature-dependent heat source/sink are incorporated into the thermal equation. The fluid concentration is strengthened with binary activation energy and Arrhenius chemical reaction. The set of ordinary differential equations that are attained after applying the similarity transformations is resolved numerically by the bvp4c approach of MATLAB software. The impact of diverse parameters on velocity, temperature, and concentration are graphically examined. The quantities of physical importance are also computed and analyzed numerically. The results revealed that fluid velocity and temperature have opposing trends for the ferromagnetic interaction parameter. It is also witnessed that the fluid concentration arguments for the chemical reaction parameter. The validation of the model in the limiting case is also given.
Rietveld refinement and optical parameters of ZnO nanopowder synthesized by co-precipitation method
Authors: Verma Nirdosh , Pathak Dinesh
Published: October 2022

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanopowder samples were prepared by using co-precipitation method, with varying parametric conditions. Rietveld refinement technique is used to study the structural properties of synthesized samples. XRD and UV spectroscopy techniques have been used to characterize the samples which resemble ZnO nanostructures. Observed lattice parameters are [Formula: see text] Å and [Formula: see text] Å for sample A, [Formula: see text] Å and [Formula: see text] Å for sample B, [Formula: see text] Å and [Formula: see text] Å for sample C, [Formula: see text] Å and [Formula: see text] Å for sample D. The varying unit cell volume and axial ratio for all samples are calculated as 47.52–47.82 Å and 1.6006–1.6019. VESTA software is used to calculate the bond angles and lengths of Rietveld refinement data. UV-Vis spectroscopy analyzed the absorption, transmission, refractive index and band gap of samples for their possible use in different industrial applications.
Solute transport exponentially varies with time in an unsaturated zone using finite element and finite difference method
Authors: Rekha J. , Suma S. P. , Shilpa B. , Khan Umair , Hussain Syed M. , Zaib Aurang , Galal Ahmed M.
Published: October 2022

Among several aspects, the one contributing towards the difficulty of groundwater quality evaluation is the large diversity of contamination sources. As contaminants comprising various compounds move from the soil to the water table, they will travel through several hydrologic zones. In constant unidirectional flow fields, a mathematical study of simultaneous adsorption and dispersion of a solute inside homogeneous and isotropic permeable media is described. The solute is adsorbed at a rate proportionate to its concentration in the dispersion systems, which are susceptible to input concentrations that fluctuate exponentially with time. The advection–dispersion equation (ADE) was solved numerically in this work to analyze the pollutants transport bearing in mind the coefficient of distribution and permeability by considering pollutant input concentrations. The solution is derived using the Laplace transform and Duhamel’s theorem with moving coordinates. For specified medium and fluid characteristics, mathematical methods are created to forecast the concentration of pollutants in adsorbing porous media.
Computer-Aided Diagnosis Using Hybrid Technique for Fastened and Accurate Analysis of Tuberculosis Detection with Adaboost and Learning Vector Quantization
Authors: Paul Emil M. , Perumal B.
Published: October 2022

Background: The concept of tuberculosis diagnosis plays a significant role in the current world since, in accordance with the Global Tuberculosis (TB) Report in 2019, more than one million cases are reported per year in India. Various tests are available even then the chest X-ray is the most significant one, devoid of which the diagnosis will be incomplete. By the usage of computationally designed algorithms, various clinical, as well as diagnostic functions, were built in ancient poster anterior chest radiographs. The Digital image (X-ray) may be an essential medium for examining and annotating patient’s demographics coverage in the screening of TB via chest radiography. Results: Even though several medicines are available to cure TB, diagnosis with accuracy is a major challenge. So, we have introduced a fastened technique with the merged combination of Adaptive Boosting (AdaBoost) and learning vector quantization (LVQ) for determining TB in an easier way with the input chest X-ray image of a person with the aid of computer-aided diagnosis with greatest accuracy, precision, recall and F1 values. This finest technique got an accuracy of 94.73% when compared to the prior conventional methods used such as SVM and Convolutional Neural Network. Conclusions: Tuberculosis detection can be done in a meaningful way with the aid of MATLAB simulation using Computer Aided Diagnosis. The algorithms Adaboost and LVQ works best with the datasets for around 400 chest X-ray images for detecting the normal and abnormal images conditions for the detection of the disease for a patient suspected to have TB, in a fraction of seconds.
Automated Generation of Discrete Event Simulation Models for the Economic Assessment of Interventions for Rare Diseases Using the RaDiOS Ontology
Authors: Prieto-González David , Castilla-Rodríguez Iván , González-González Evelio José , de la Luz Couce-Pico María
Published: October 2022

Collection and synthesis of evidence is a key task in the development of the simulation models required for health technology assessment (HTA). The implementation of some of these models, such as discrete event simulation (DES) models, presents technical difficulties and requires higher technical skills. This work presents a method to extract the knowledge stored in an ontology, Rare Disease Ontology for Simulation (RaDiOS), to generate a DES model. RaDiOS is a domain ontology focused on collecting evidence on rare diseases for simulation models. We reviewed and enhanced the ontology to increase its semantic expressiveness. Besides, we developed a transformation tool (RaDiOS-MTT) to automatically generate DES models from the knowledge stored in the ontology. We defined a set of “synthetic” diseases, with simple natural histories, represented them in RaDiOS, and compared the results of the automatically generated simulation models with their manually created counterparts. Afterwards, we used a case study on a real intervention (newborn screening for profound biotinidase deficiency) to validate our approach. The automatically generated models for the synthetic diseases mimicked their programmatic counterparts in structure and results. The same happened to the model for profound biotinidase deficiency.