bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bearing fault diagnosis using transfer learning and optimized deep belief network
Authors: Zhao Huimin , Yang Xiaoxu , Chen Baojie , Chen Huayue , Deng Wu
Published: February 2022

Bearing is an important component in mechanical equipment. Its main function is to support the rotating mechanical body and reduce the friction coefficient and axial load. In the actual operating environment, the bearings are affected by complex working conditions and other factors. Therefore, it is very difficult to effectively obtain data that meets the conditions of independent and identical distribution of training data and test data, which result in unsatisfactory fault diagnosis results. As a transfer learning method, joint distribution adaptive (JDA) can effectively solve the learning problem of inconsistent distribution of training data and test data. In this paper, a new bearing fault diagnosis method based on JDA and deep belief network (DBN) with improved sparrow search algorithm (CWTSSA), namely JACADN is proposed. In the JACADN, the JDA is employed to carry out feature transfer between the source domain samples and target domain samples, that is, the source domain samples and target domain samples are mapped into the same feature space by the kernel function. Then the maximum mean difference is used as the metric to reduce the joint distribution difference between the samples in the two domains. Aiming at the parameter selection of the DBN, an improved sparrow search algorithm (CWTSSA) with global optimization ability is used to optimize the parameters of the DBN in order to construct an optimized DBN model. The obtained source domain samples and target domain samples are divided into training set and test set, which are input the optimized DBN to construct a bearing fault diagnosis model for improving the diagnosis accuracy. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by vibration data of QPZZ-II rotating machinery. The experimental results show that the proposed JACADN method can effectively improve the fault diagnosis accuracy of rolling bearings under variable operating conditions.
Fluorescent particle image velocimetry using atomized liquid particles
Authors: Acharya Adit S , Lowe K Todd , Ng Wing F
Published: February 2022

Aerosolized fluorescent particles of Kiton Red 620 dye in a water/glycol fluid are generated using a Venturi-type atomizer and shown to provide effective flow seeding for fluorescent particle image velocimetry (PIV), which can mitigate the detrimental effects of laser reflections from surfaces. Ninety two percent of particles by number concentration were found to be <1 μm in diameter, an acceptable size threshold for gas-flow PIV purposes. A PIV application was conducted in a wind tunnel (freestream velocity U
∞ = 27 m s−1), using the particles for measurement of the boundary layer flow approaching a forward-facing step (approach boundary layer momentum thickness Reynolds number of

R

e

θ

=
5930
)

. Particles were generated from solutions with dye molar concentrations of

2.5
×

10

−
3

and

1.0
×

10

−
2

mol l−1, and PIV images were obtained for both elastic Mie scattering and filtered, Stokes-shifted fluorescent light. Raw images indicate that the fluorescence yield of the

1.0
×

10

−
2

mol l−1 solution provides PIV images with high contrast, even in the near-surface regions where Mie scattering image contrast is highly affected by surface reflections. Boundary layer profiles are processed in the region of adverse pressure gradient leading up to the forward-facing step, where the fluorescent PIV was found to perform comparably to the most optimized Mie scattering PIV; both approaches obtained data as near to the wall as 30 μm, or two viscous wall units in our flow of interest. These results indicate that the new seeding method holds promise for near-surface measurement applications with more complicated three-dimensional geometries, where it is impossible to arrange PIV cameras to reject surface-scattered light.
Measurement and determination of local film cooling performance along a transonic turbine blade tip with viscous dissipation
Authors: Ligrani Phillip M , Collopy Hallie , Manneschmidt Ward
Published: February 2022

Presented are experimental and analytic procedures for the measurement and determination of film cooling performance parameters for a transonic flow environment along a turbine blade tip, which account for the influences of viscous dissipation. Such viscous dissipation magnitudes are vital to ascertain appropriate driving temperatures for convective heat transfer within high velocity, compressible environments. A key step in this procedure is the separation of adiabatic surface temperature magnitudes due to the thermal field from adiabatic surface temperature values associated with flow effects related to viscous dissipation. These latter adiabatic surface temperature magnitudes, from flow effects only, are determined with no film cooling, which, when considered relative to flow stagnation temperature, are directly related to local Mach number values within the tip gap flow along the blade tip surface. After the separation is implemented, adiabatic surface temperature variations from film cooling thermal effects only are provided relative to local baseline values with no film cooling. Resulting local adiabatic film cooling effectiveness and local heat transfer coefficients are subsequently determined which are based entirely upon locally measured temperatures (without the use of global temperature parameters), which is the most appropriate perspective for presentation of spatially-resolved surface heat transfer characteristics. Associated data are provided for the surface of a blade tip with a squealer rim and recess, with and without film cooling. An array of five film cooling holes, located along the upper pressure side of a two-dimensional turbine blade, are employed to provide the film coolant, with a local blowing ratio BR of 3.02. Ratios of tip gap to true blade span are 0.66%, and 1.16%. Experimental procedures employed to obtain the spatially-resolved surface data include infrared thermography, transient testing techniques, and the impulse response method for transient data analysis.
On-machine measurement and temperature compensation method of NURBS surface interpolation for semicircular narrow neck thickness based on ultra-precision machine tool
Authors: Jin Xin , Gao Ruilin , Li Chaojiang , Zheng Zhongpeng , Xiao Muzheng , Zuo Zhen
Published: February 2022

Flexible joint is a typical low-rigidity micro part, which has four narrow neck structures evenly distributed around its central axis. In the ultra-precision machining process, it is crucial to control the dimensional accuracy of the narrow necks to improve stiffness consistency. However, the limited space of the neck structures and the high accuracy requirements bring extremely difficulties to the measuring process. In this paper, a novel on-machine measurement method for the semicircular narrow necks was presented and a measuring device was developed based on the combination of high linearity incremental measurement method and on-machine measurement technology. Moreover, the uncertainty of measurement error was analyzed in detail. In view of the measurement error caused by temperature drift, a compensation method based on non-uniform rational B-spline surface interpolation was used to enhance the measurement accuracy. The experimental results showed that the measurement accuracy enhanced over 30% after compensation, which met the measuring requirement of flexible joint.
Electromagnetic immune phosphor-tipped fibre-optic thermometers
Authors: Lowe D H , Andersen S L , Sutton G , Camacho J I , Copeland M B , Kjeldsen H , Laursen K L
Published: February 2022

Calibration traceability can be broken where there are significant, unquantified uncertainties. Thermometry in harsh environments using electrical sensors, such as thermocouples or resistance thermometers, can be unpredictably affected by electro-magnetic sources. For this application, phosphor based temperature sensors with fibre-optic connection have been made following two different approaches—phosphor decay time changes and phosphor emission spectral changes—and tested by bombardment with high energy electrons and by measurements in large magnetic fields. Both sets of tests showed good immunity to exposure, and with magnetic field tests significantly better than a thermocouple. Phosphor thermometry therefore has potential to retain traceability in situations where conventional sensors might fail.
OsPd bimetallic dimer pushes the limit of magnetic anisotropy in atom-sized magnets for data storage
Authors: Navrátil Jan , Otyepka Michal , Błoński Piotr
Published: February 2022

The growing gap between the volume of digital data being created and the extent of available storage capacities stimulates intensive research into surface-supported, well-ordered array of atom-sized magnets that represents the ultimate limit of magnetic data storage. Anchoring transition-metal heterodimers in vacancy defects in the graphene lattice has been identified as a vivid strategy to achieve large magnetic anisotropy energy (MAE) up to 80 meV with an easy axis aligned along the dimer bond. In this paper we have made a significant leap forward finding out MAE of 119 meV for an OsPt dimer and 170 meV for an OsPd dimer bound to a single nitrogen-decorated vacancy defect. The system with the highest MAE and with the theoretical storage density of ∼490 Tb·inch−2 pushes the current limit of theoretical blocking temperature in graphene-supported transition-metal dimers from ∼20 to ∼44 K assuming the relaxation time of 10 years. The mechanism of the enhanced MAE is discussed.
The simulation of ELMs mitigation by pedestal coherent mode in EAST using BOUT++
Authors: Li Y.L. , Xia T.Y. , Zou X.L. , Zhou C. , Zhang X.J. , Zhu Y.R. , Tang T.F. , Mao S.F. , Gui B. , Huang Y.Q. , Hu G.H. , Ye M.Y. , the EAST Team
Published: February 2022

A general phenomenon that the edge localized modes (ELMs) can be effectively mitigated with the enhanced coherent modes (CMs) has been observed on EAST. For this phenomenon, the experimental statistical analysis and electromagnetic (EM) simulations have been performed. There is a threshold value of the CM intensity in the experiments, which plays a key role in ELMs mitigation. Through the ELITE and conventional BOUT++ analysis, we found that when the insignificant ELM and enhanced CM co-exist, the pedestal is located in unstable P–B region and the ELM is relatively large. The simulation results only using the experimental profiles without considering other factors cannot reproduce the no significant ELM experiment. The CM enhances the edge turbulence, which can control ELMs. Therefore, the effects of CM are considered to explain the ELM mitigation. Modifying the three-field reduced model in BOUT++, an imposed perturbation is added as the CM. The simulation results indicate that: without the CM, the ELM size belongs to the relative large ELM region; after considering the CM, the ELM is mitigated and the energy loss is reduced by about 44.5%. Analysis shows that the CM enhances the three-wave nonlinear interactions in the pedestal and reduces the phase coherence time (PCT) between the pressure and potential, which lead the perturbation to tend to be ‘multiple-mode’ coupling. The competition of free energy between the multiple modes leads to the lack of obvious filament structures and the decreased energy loss. The above reveals that there is a competitive relationship between turbulence and ELMs, and the CM-enhanced turbulence can effectively reduce ELM energy loss. In addition, through the parameter scanning, there is a threshold of the amplitude A, which is consistent with the statistical results in the experiments.
ARC reactor neutronics multi-code validation*
Authors: Bae Jin Whan , Peterson Ethan , Shimwell Jonathan
Published: February 2022

The affordable, robust, compact (ARC) reactor is a tokamak fusion reactor concept currently under development by Commonwealth Fusion Systems and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. There are three important neutronics considerations for the operation of the ARC reactor: (1) breeding of enough tritium in the blanket to sustain the D–T reaction in the plasma; (2) ensuring low fluence on the superconducting toroidal field coils; and (3) assessing neutron volumetric heating in structural components. This work aims to perform a validation of the neutronics analysis approach by code-to-code comparison. State-of-the-art software stacks are employed for the neutronics analysis of the ARC reactor, and a computer-aided design (CAD) model is used directly for Monte Carlo (MC) neutron transport calculations. Three software stacks, Attila-MCNP, OpenMC-DAGMC, and Shift-DAGMC, are used to perform neutronic analyses of a 90° sector CAD model of the ARC reactor. Results show that the flux tallies calculated by the three software stacks are very close. Also, the volumetric heating and tritium breeding values have less than 0.6% relative difference between codes.
Bio-inspired zonal-structured matrices for bone-cartilage interface engineering
Authors: Golebiowska Aleksandra A , Nukavarapu Syam P
Published: February 2022

Design and development of scaffold structures for osteochondral (OC) interface regeneration is a significant engineering challenge. Recent efforts are aimed at recapitulating the unique compositional and hierarchical structure of an OC interface. Conventional scaffold fabrication techniques often have limited design control and reproducibility, and the development of OC scaffolds with zonal hierarchy and structural integrity between zones is especially challenging. In this study, a series of multi-zonal and gradient structures were designed and fabricated using three-dimensional bioprinting. We developed OC scaffolds with bi-phasic and tri-phasic configurations to support the zonal structure of OC tissue, and gradient scaffold configurations to enable smooth transitions between the zones to more closely mimic a bone-cartilage interface. A biodegradable polymer, polylactic acid, was used for the fabrication of zonal/gradient scaffolds to provide mechanical strength and support OC function. The formation of the multi-zonal and gradient scaffolds was confirmed through scanning electron microscopy imaging and micro-computed tomography scanning. Precisely controlled hierarchy with tunable porosity along the scaffold length established the formation of the bio-inspired scaffolds with different zones/gradient structure. In addition, we also developed a novel bioprinting method to selectively introduce cells into desired scaffold zones of the zonal/gradient scaffolds via concurrent printing of a cell-laden hydrogel within the porous template. Live/dead staining of the cell-laden hydrogel introduced in the cartilage zone showed uniform cell distribution with high cell viability. Overall, our study developed bio-inspired scaffold structures with structural hierarchy and mechanical integrity for bone-cartilage interface engineering.
Spatial consumption-based carbon footprints: two definitions, two different outcomes
Authors: Heinonen Jukka , Ottelin Juudit , Guddisardottir Anna Katrin , Junnila Seppo
Published: February 2022

The spatial consumption-based assessment tradition is already 30 years old. However, while all the well over 100 studies in this field over the past 30 years have been published under the same consumption-based carbon footprint label, the studies actually fall into two main categories, which have substantial differences between them, by definition in what they include, and how they allocate the emissions. The first utilizes the territory principle and the other the residence principle, meaning that it is partly different consumption activities that are included in the two. The territory principle means that consumption activities are included based on where consumption takes place regardless of who the consumers are, whereas the residence principle means that all consumption of the residents is included regardless of where they consume. Overall, the two lead to potentially very different estimates, and fit to different study situations. So far, this important issue has gone without much attention. In this paper we provide in-depth discussion, through a theoretic example, on how the scopes and the allocation principles vary between the two approaches, and on how the approach choice affects the outcome of an assessment. The provided discussion shows how profoundly different the two approaches can be, and emphasizes the importance of being clear in communicating the allocation principle in every spatial consumption-based study. One approach is not superior to another, but instead they show different perspectives, and the practitioner should carefully select the approach with a better fit with the aim of the study in question.
Solar power harvesting with metal modified windshield glass to obtain hot water
Authors: Mangas Esteban , Cardillo Evangelina C , Frechero Marisa A
Published: February 2022

Energy solar harvesting through low environmental impact resources is an underlying objective for future technological developments. In this work, an innovative design of a vitro-metallic composite material is developed with Cu0, Zn0 and ZnO microparticles dispersed in a glass-ceramic matrix. The uppermost feature of these materials is that they are made of the reused of vehicle windshield glass disposed. The vitreous composite performance is evaluated in different seasons and under diverse weather conditions. The energy absorption is analyzed from the results of the UV–vis spectra and SEM images of the different composites. In this work it is demonstrated that the studied material has a good performance even in low temperature regions, reaching an efficiency between 30 to 50 [KJ/ KgH2O] with a 0.3% wt of metal-modified glass-ceramic material in water. The material response was analyzed through the composite material UV–vis spectrum. The new glass-ceramic materials are efficient in the process of heating water without the need of expensive devices or other forms of energy applications.
Communicating Branches of the Facial Nerve: Descriptions and Clinical Considerations
Authors: Freed Blair , Coker Charles , Steele Robert , Marolt Clayton , Motzko Micaela , Creamer Bradley A , Dennis Jennifer F
Published: February 2022

Background

Major branching patterns of the facial nerve have been extensively studied because damage to branches of the nerve is associated with complications ranging from weakness to paralysis. However, communicating branches of the facial nerve have received far less attention despite being hypothesized as a means of motor recovery following facial nerve injury.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to characterize the frequency of communicating branches of the facial nerve to provide clarity on their anatomy and clinical correlations.

Methods

Bilateral facial dissections were completed on cadaveric donors (n = 20) to characterize the frequency and location of communicating branches across terminal branches of the facial nerve. Statistical analyses were employed to analyze differences between the location of communications by side and whether the communicating branches were more likely to occur on the left or right side (P < 0.05).

Results

Communicating branches were identified among all terminal branches of the facial nerve and their frequencies reported. The highest frequencies of communicating branches were identified between the buccal-to-marginal mandibular and zygomatic-to-buccal branches, at 67.5% (27 comm/40 hemifaces). The second highest frequency was identified between the temporal-to-zygomatic branches in 62.5% (25/40) of donors. The marginal mandibular-to-cervical branches had communicating branches at a frequency of 55% (22/40). Location or sidedness of communicating branches did not significantly differ.

Conclusions

Our characterization more accurately defines generalizable areas in which communicating branches are located. These locations of branches, described in relation to nearby landmarks, are fundamental for clinical and surgical settings to improve procedural awareness.
Taxine alkaloid poisoning successfully supported with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: a case report
Authors: Ward Catherine , Meeks Daveena , Trimlett Richard , Alçada Joana
Published: February 2022

Background

Ingestion of the berries of the European yew tree can result in fatal cardiac arrhythmias.

Case summary

A 53-year-old female presented to our emergency department following ingestion of ∼200 European yew tree berries. At presentation, she was in cardiogenic shock due to a mixture of tachy- and bradyarrhythmias including ventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation with slow ventricular response and prolonged ventricular conduction, and periods of asystole. She was referred to a specialist cardiac centre and promptly established on mechanical circulatory support with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) by a retrieval team. Following resolution of her arrhythmias, she was weaned from V-A ECMO after 4 days of support and was discharged home with full neurological recovery on Day 12.

Discussion

Poisoning can lead to acute reversible but potentially fatal cardiogenic shock. We believe that access to prompt initiation of V-A ECMO was key to this patient’s survival.
Innocent until proven guilty? Longstanding atrial ectopy preceding cardiac rhabdomyoma diagnosis in tuberous sclerosis complex: a case report
Authors: Howell Alison J , Vanderlaan Rachel D , Lam Christopher Z , Losenno Katie L , Putra Juan , Villemain Olivier
Published: February 2022

Background

Cardiac rhabdomyoma are the most common cardiac tumour in childhood and are associated with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) up to 96% of infant cases. They classically manifest in the foetal and neonatal period, undergo spontaneous regression in the first years of life and are associated with arrhythmia in part due to interruption of normal conduction pathways by the tumour.

Case summary

We present a case of a 3-year-old boy with a long-standing history of atrial ectopy who was incidentally found to be in atrial flutter due to a new, rapidly growing cardiac rhabdomyoma impacting ventricular function. The boy was later confirmed with further investigation and TSC1 gene test to have TSC.

Discussion

Cardiac Rhabdomyoma does not always present in the infantile period. Any ongoing or new cardiac concern in patient with TSC, even if seemingly minor, should warrant more frequent cardiac evaluation and investigation.
CineECG provides a novel anatomical view on the normal atrial P-wave
Authors: Locati Emanuela T , Pappone Carlo , Heilbron Francesca , van Dam Peter M
Published: February 2022

Aims

Novel CineECG computed from standard 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) correlated the ventricular electric activity to ventricular anatomy. CineECG was never applied to reconstruct the spatial distribution of normal atrial electric activity into an atrial anatomic model.

Methods and results

From 6409 normal ECGs from PTB-XL database, we computed a median beat with fiducial points for P-and Q-onset. To determine the temporo-spatial location of atrial activity during PQ-interval, CineECG was computed on a normal 58-year-old male atrial/torso model. CineECG was projected to three major cardiac axes: posterior-anterior, right-left, base-roof, and to the standard cardiac four-chamber, left anterior oblique, and right anterior oblique (RAO) views. In 6409 normal subjects, during P-wave, CineECG moved homogeneously from right atrial roof towards left atrial base (−54 ± 14° in four-chamber view, 95 ± 24° RAO view). During terminal PQ-interval, the CineECG direction was opposite, moving towards left atrial roof (62 ± 27° in four-chamber view, 78 ± 27° RAO view). We identified the deflection point, where the atrial CineECG changes in direction. The time from P-onset to deflection point was similar to P-wave duration.

Conclusion

CineECG provided a novel three-dimensional visualization of atrial electrical activity during the PQ-interval, relating atrial electrical activity to the atrial anatomy. CineECG location during P-wave and terminal PQ-interval were homogeneous within normal controls. CineECG and its deflection point may enable the early detection of atrial conduction disorders predisposing to atrial arrhythmias.
Emergence of Incl2 plasmid-mediated colistin resistance in avian Escherichia fergusonii
Authors: Lin Jiahui , Tang Biao , Zheng Xue , Chang Jiang , Ma Jiangang , He Yulong , Yang Hua , Wu Yuehong
Published: February 2022

Escherichia fergusonii, an opportunistic zoonotic pathogen, has a greatly increased importance in public health with the discovery of cephalosporin- and colistin-resistant strains. The IncHI2 plasmid carrying mcr-1 has been reported in E. fergusonii, but the other types of plasmids carrying mcr-1 have never been reported. In this study, 268 samples of cecal contents or anal swabs were collected from slaughterhouses and farms in two cities in Zhejiang, China, where 54 E. fergusonii strains (18.88%) were isolated between 2020 and 2021. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the isolation of E. fergusonii in meat ducks (slaughterhouse). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of isolates was determined by the broth microdilution method, in which it was determined that the tetracycline resistance rate was the highest (83.33%) and the multidrug-resistance (MDR) rate was 75.93%. A total of four strains of colistin-resistant E. fergusonii were found and identified as mcr-1-positive by PCR. Importantly, these strains could transfer the mcr-1 gene to strain E. coli J53 by conjugation. Genome sequencing revealed that the mcr-1 genes of the above four strains were all located on the Incl2 plasmid, and the mobile element ISApl1 upstream of mcr-1 was missing. Moreover, the plasmid pEF45-4 (61 140 bp) harboring mcr-1 in strain EF20JDJ4045 was revealed by Oxford Nanopore Technology, showing high homology with the previously reported in E. coli. Taken together, the high antimicrobial resistance (AMR) rate of E. fergusonii may herald a novel reservoir of AMR genes and IncI2 plasmid may be an important factor affecting mcr-1 transfer in poultry.
Physical Intimacy in Older Couples’ Everyday Lives: Its Frequency and Links With Affect and Salivary Cortisol
Authors: Kolodziejczak Karolina , Drewelies Johanna , Pauly Theresa , Ram Nilam , Hoppmann Christiane , Gerstorf Denis
Published: February 2022

Objectives

Physical intimacy is important for communicating affection in romantic relationships. Theoretical and empirical work highlights linkages between physical intimacy, affect, and physiological stress among young and middle-aged adults, but not older adults. We examine physical intimacy and its associations with positive and negative affect and cortisol levels in the daily lives of older couples.

Methods

We applied actor–partner multilevel models to repeated daily-life assessments of physical intimacy (experienced and wished) and affect obtained 6 times a day over 7 consecutive days from 120 older heterosexual German couples (Mage = 71.6, SDage = 5.94). Physiological stress was indexed as total daily cortisol output, the area under the curve with respect to ground (AUCg).

Results

Physical intimacy experienced and wished were reported at the vast majority of occasions, but to different degrees at different times. Within persons, in moments when participants experienced more physical intimacy, older women reported less negative affect, whereas older men reported more positive affect. Between persons, higher overall levels of physical intimacy experienced were associated with higher positive affect and less negative affect among women and with lower daily cortisol output among men. A stronger wish for intimacy was related to more negative affect among both women and men, and to higher daily cortisol output among men.

Discussion

Physical intimacy is linked with mood and stress hormones in the daily life of older couples. We consider routes for future inquiry on physical intimacy among older adults.
Regulation of fleshy fruit ripening: from transcription factors to epigenetic modifications
Authors: Li Xiuming , Wang Xuemei , Zhang Yi , Zhang Aihong , You Chun-Xiang
Published: February 2022

Fleshy fruits undergo a complex ripening process, developing organoleptic fruit traits that attract herbivores and maximize seed dispersal. Ripening is the terminal stage of fruit development and involves a series of physiological and biochemical changes. In fleshy fruits, ripening always involves a drastic color change triggered by the accumulation of pigments and degradation of chlorophyll, softening caused by cell wall remodeling, and flavor formation as acids and sugars accumulate alongside volatile compounds. The mechanisms underlying fruit ripening rely on the orchestration of ripening-related transcription factors, plant hormones, and epigenetic modifications. In this review, we discuss current knowledge of the transcription factors that regulate ripening in conjunction with ethylene and environmental signals (light and temperature) in the model plant tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and other fleshy fruits. We emphasize the critical roles of epigenetic regulation, including DNA methylation and histone modification as well as RNA m6A modification, which has been studied intensively. This detailed review was compiled to provide a comprehensive description of the regulatory mechanisms of fruit ripening and guide new strategies for its effective manipulation.
Cytomegalovirus Viremia Predicts Postdischarge Mortality in Kenyan HIV-Exposed Uninfected Children
Authors: Pavlinac Patricia B , Singa Benson , Huang Meei-Li , Shrestha Lasata , Li Vanessa , Atlas Hannah E , Diakhate Mame Mareme , Brander Rebecca , Meshak Liru , Bogonko George , Tickell Kirkby D , McGrath Christine J , Machuara Irine M , Ounga Derrick O , Berkley James A , Richardson Barbra A , John-Stewart Grace , Walson Judd L , Slyker Jennifer
Published: February 2022

Background

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) viremia is associated with mortality in severely ill immunocompetent adults and hospitalized children with HIV (CWH). We measured CMV viremia in HIV-exposed and -unexposed Kenyan children aged 1–59 months discharged from hospital and determined its relationship with postdischarge mortality.

Methods

CMV DNA levels were measured in plasma from 1024 children (97 of which were HIV exposed uninfected [HEU], and 15 CWH). Poisson and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to identify correlates of CMV viremia ≥ 1000 IU/mL  and estimate associations with 6-month mortality, respectively.

Results

CMV viremia was detected in 31% of children, with levels ≥ 1000 IU/mL in 5.8%. HIV infection, age < 2 years, breastfeeding, and midupper arm circumference < 12.5 cm were associated with CMV viremia ≥ 1000 IU/mL. Among HEU children, CMV ≥ 1000 IU/mL (hazard ratio [HR] = 32.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.9–354.0; P = .005) and each 1-log increase in CMV viral load (HR = 5.04; 95% CI, 1.7–14.6; P = .003) were associated with increased risk of mortality. CMV viremia was not significantly associated with mortality in HIV-unexposed children.

Conclusions

CMV levels at hospital postdischarge predict increased risk of 6-month mortality in Kenyan HEU children. CMV suppression may be a novel target to reduce mortality in HEU children.

Clinical Trial Registration

NCT02414399.
Fake news detection platform—conceptual architecture and prototype
Authors: Kozik RafaŁ , Pawlicki Marek , Kula Sebastian , Choraś Michał
Published: February 2022

Countering the fake news phenomenon has become one of the most important challenges for democratic societies, governments and non-profit organizations, as well as for the researchers coming from several domains. This is not a local problem and demands a holistic approach to analyzing heterogeneous data and storing the results. The research problem we face in this paper is the proposition of an innovative distributed architecture to tackle the above-mentioned problems. The architecture uses state-of-the-art technologies with a focus on efficiency, scalability and also openness, so that community-created components and digital content analyzers could be added. Moreover, we prove the usability of the prototype on Kaggle Fake News dataset. In particular, we consider different configurations of the proposed deep neural network and present the results reflecting the effectiveness, scalability and transferability of the proposed solution.
Prediagnosis Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Lung Cancer Survival: A Pooled Analysis of 11 Cohorts
Authors: Yang Jae Jeong , Yu Danxia , White Emily , Lee Dong Hoon , Blot William , Robien Kim , Sinha Rashmi , Park Yikyung , Takata Yumie , Gao Yu-Tang , Smith-Byrne Karl , Monninkhof Evelyn M , Kaaks Rudolf , Langhammer Arnulf , Borch Kristin Benjaminsen , Al-Shaar Laila , Lan Qing , Sørgjerd Elin Pettersen , Zhang Xuehong , Zhu Clair , Chirlaque María Dolores , Severi Gianluca , Overvad Kim , Sacerdote Carlotta , Aune Dagfinn , Johansson Mattias , Smith-Warner Stephanie A , Zheng Wei , Shu Xiao-Ou
Published: February 2022

Background

Little is known about the association between physical activity before cancer diagnosis and survival among lung cancer patients. In this pooled analysis of 11 prospective cohorts, we investigated associations of prediagnosis leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) with all-cause and lung cancer–specific mortality among incident lung cancer patients.

Methods

Using self-reported data on regular engagement in exercise and sports activities collected at study enrollment, we assessed metabolic equivalent hours (MET-h) of prediagnosis LTPA per week. According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, prediagnosis LTPA was classified into inactivity, less than 8.3 and at least 8.3 MET-h per week (the minimum recommended range). Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence interval (CIs) for all-cause and lung cancer–specific mortality after adjustment for major prognostic factors and lifetime smoking history.

Results

Of 20 494 incident lung cancer patients, 16 864 died, including 13 596 deaths from lung cancer (overall 5-year relative survival rate = 20.9%, 95% CI = 20.3% to 21.5%). Compared with inactivity, prediagnosis LTPA of more than 8.3 MET-h per week was associated with a lower hazard of all-cause mortality (multivariable-adjusted HR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.88 to 0.99), but not with lung cancer–specific mortality (multivariable-adjusted HR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.95 to 1.04), among the overall population. Additive interaction was found by tumor stage (Pinteraction = .008 for all-cause mortality and .003 for lung cancer–specific mortality). When restricted to localized cancer, prediagnosis LTPA of at least 8.3 MET-h per week linked to 20% lower mortality: multivariable-adjusted HRs were 0.80 (95% CI = 0.67 to 0.97) for all-cause mortality and 0.80 (95% CI = 0.65 to 0.99) for lung cancer–specific mortality.

Conclusions

Regular participation in LTPA that met or exceeded the minimum Physical Activity Guidelines was associated with reduced hazards of mortality among lung cancer patients, especially those with early stage cancer.
What Drives Trust in Chairs of Multilateral Negotiations? Rational, Relational, Reputational, and Emergent Trust: A Multidimensional Model
Authors: Walker Hayley
Published: February 2022

Trust is the condition on which multilateral delegates permit chairs to play a more active and substantive role in mediating a positive outcome, for example, through tabling compromise proposals. What drives this trust? Whereas the development of trust between negotiating states has been subject to considerable analysis, the negotiator–chair dynamic has received remarkably little attention. This article contributes to filling this gap and in so doing brings two new theoretical strands into the literature on trust in international relations and multilateral diplomacy: organizational behavior and the “practice turn.” Data collected from a practitioner survey, twenty-one in-depth interviews, and an extended period of participatory research at multilateral negotiations are used to build upon prior theoretical insights and develop a multidimensional model of trust in chairs that distinguish, first, between trust as a rationalist risk-calculation and trust as an intersubjective relational state and, second, between a static form of trust as a preexisting exogenous resource (reputational trust) and a dynamic form of trust that emerges from the negotiation process through the competent performance of a set of chairing practices (emergent trust). Preliminary results suggest that trust is primarily driven by what chairs do during the negotiation process, as opposed to who they are.
The content of counselling received about interchangeable medicines and generic substitution—a survey of pharmacy customers
Authors: Rainio Riikka , Ahonen Riitta , Timonen Johanna
Published: February 2022

Objectives

This study explored from pharmacy customers’ perspective what information they receive about interchangeable medicines and generic substitution (GS) in pharmacies and from physicians, and whether there were differences in the information received concerning customer characteristics.

Methods

Questionnaire survey of pharmacy customers. Analytical methods: descriptive methods, Chi-square test and Fischer’s exact test.

Key findings

The response rate was 40.0% (n = 1043). Of respondents, 64.4% had not received information about the possibility of GS from their physician. Of respondents, 55.6% never discussed medicine prices with their physician, whereas 39.9% sometimes discussed prices. In the pharmacy, respondents reported most commonly that they were told about the possibility of substitution (79.5%), price differences (52.0%) and the option to decline the substitution (38.5%). There were differences in the issues reported in relation to customers’ education, current use of medicine, experience of GS and age. Of respondents, 89.0% considered the information received sufficient. Respondents who found the information insufficient were more frequently aged 18–34 years or had no experience of GS.

Conclusions

Pharmacy customers are well informed about interchangeable medicines and GS. Counselling in pharmacies focuses on those issues that are most relevant to the substitution. Some customer characteristics may affect the content of counselling. Price counselling should be provided equally to everyone. Neither the possibility of substitution nor prices are commonly discussed in the physician’s office, which emphasizes the importance of pharmacy-based counselling.
An estimate of the stochastic gravitational wave background from the MassiveBlackII simulation
Authors: Sykes Bailey , Middleton Hannah , Melatos Andrew , Di Matteo Tiziana , DeGraf Colin , Bhowmick Aklant
Published: February 2022

A population of supermassive black hole (SMBH) binaries is expected to generate a stochastic gravitational wave background (SGWB) in the pulsar timing array (PTA) frequency range of 10−9 to $10^{-7}\, {\rm Hz}$. Detection of this signal is a current observational goal and so predictions of its characteristics are of significant interest. In this work, we use SMBH binary mergers from the MassiveBlackII simulation to estimate the characteristic strain of the stochastic background. We examine both a gravitational wave (GW) driven model of binary evolution and a model which also includes the effects of stellar scattering and a circumbinary gas disc. Results are consistent with PTA upper limits and similar to estimates in the literature. The characteristic strain at a reference frequency of $1\, {\rm yr}^{-1}$ is found to be $A_{\rm {yr}^{-1}}= 6.9 \times 10^{-16}$ and $A_{\rm {yr}^{-1}}= 6.4 \times 10^{-16}$ in the GW-driven and stellar scattering/gas disc cases, respectively. Using the latter approach, our models show that the SGWB is mildly suppressed compared to the purely GW-driven model as frequency decreases inside the PTA frequency band.
Infantile hepatic hemangiomas: looking backwards and forwards
Authors: Gong Xue , Li Yanan , Yang Kaiying , Chen Siyuan , Ji Yi
Published: February 2022

Infantile hepatic hemangiomas (IHHs) are common benign tumors seen in the liver of infants. IHHs are true infantile hemangiomas (IHs) and have phases of proliferation and involution parallel to those of cutaneous IHs. The definition and classification of IHH are still confusing in the literature. The mechanisms during the pathogenesis of IHH have yet to be discovered. The clinical manifestations of IHH are heterogeneous. Although most IHH lesions are asymptomatic, some lesions can lead to severe complications, such as hypothyroidism, consumptive coagulopathy, and high-output congestive cardiac failure. Consequently, some patients can possibly encounter a fatal clinical condition. The heterogeneity of the lesions and the occurrence of disease-related comorbidities can make the treatment of IHH challenging. Oral propranolol is emerging as an effective systemic approach to IHH with obvious responses in tumor remission and symptom regression. However, the precise clinical characteristics and treatment strategies for patients with severe IHH have not yet been well established. Here, we summarize the epidemiology, pathogenic mechanism, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of IHH. Recent updates and future perspectives for IHH will also be elaborated.
Natural History of Abortive Medication Withdrawal in the Management of Pediatric Medication Overuse Headache
Authors: Pierce Emily L , Mandel Alexandra A , Strelzik Jeffrey A , Langdon Raquel L , McClintock William M , Cameron Mark W , McCracken Emily E , DiSabella Marc T
Published: February 2022

Objective

The objective of this study is to document pain scores during withdrawal of abortive medication in patients diagnosed with medication overuse headache.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Children’s National Hospital’s Headache Program.

Subjects

Patients 6–18 years of age who presented to the Headache Clinic at Children’s National Hospital with presumed medication overuse headache between March 2017 and March 2019 were invited to participate.

Methods

Patients were instructed to abruptly discontinue overused medications and record their headache characteristics daily in a diary for 8 weeks.

Results

Fourteen diaries were returned and analyzed at a 4-week follow-up visit. Ninety-three percent of the patients were females, with a median age of 14.9 years (standard deviation [SD] = 2.0). The average headache intensity upon study entry was 4.7 out of 10 (SD = 2.5), and the average headache intensity upon study completion was 3.1 (SD = 2.5). Of the patients, 57% had daily headaches upon study entry, 71% had improved pain intensity from the first diary entry to the last diary entry, and 57% had complete headache resolution at an average of 7.6 days from medication discontinuation (SD = 5.1). Ibuprofen was the most overused medication (71%).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that medication overuse headache will improve in the majority of pediatric patients who abruptly stop the offending medication(s) in an average of 8 days from withdrawal. Average pain intensity was reduced by more than one point among all patients who stopped taking abortive medications. Further larger-scale studies on medication withdrawal in pediatric patients with medication overuse headache could help us better understand whether this management strategy is effective.
Inequalities and the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil: analyzing un-coordinated responses in social assistance and education
Authors: Segatto Catarina Ianni , Santos Fernando Burgos Pimentel dos , Bichir Renata Mirandola , Morandi Eliana Lins
Published: February 2022

This paper contributes to discussions about subnational responses to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in federal countries. In the scholarship on federalism and public policy, few studies seek to understand the factors that shape subnational differences in welfare levels. This article seeks to better understand this issue in Brazil by exploring how, in a context with little national-level coordination, subnational governments tackle the inequalities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study analyzes two social policy areas with distinct national-level coordination mechanisms and federal responsibilities: social assistance and education. Two multi-level cases are examined: the states of Amazonas and São Paulo and the cities of Manaus and São Paulo. This analysis relies on quantitative data, mainly social indicators, and qualitative data collected through documents and in-depth interviews. Social assistance and education policy actors in Amazonas and São Paulo faced at times significant obstacles adapting and/or creating policies to tackle inequalities, resulting in a fend-for-yourself federalism and fragmented subnational policies. Differences in subnational responses can be explained by distinct policy legacies and previous capacity, which were key in organizing a useful response to the pandemic. However, to fully explain subnational responses, the role of actors within institutional contexts must also be taken into account. In social assistance, shared responsibilities among different levels of government led to competition and credit claiming dynamics, reinforcing fragmented and uncoordinated responses. In education, decentralization and more stable funding allowed political leadership to activate and mobilize subnational capacities and other actors at the subnational level, producing more sustainable responses.
Impact of sleep timing on attention, sleepiness, and sleep quality among real-life night shift workers with shift work disorder: a cross-over clinical trial
Authors: Cheng Wan-Ju , Hang Liang-Wen , Kubo Tomohide , Vanttola Päivi , Huang Sheng-Che
Published: February 2022

Study Objectives

To examine the effect of sleep timing intervention on sleep quality, attention, and sleepiness at work among night shift workers with shift work disorder.

Methods

We recruited 60 real-life night shift workers through advertisements to participate this cross-over clinical trial. Shift work disorder was confirmed with interview and sleep log. Participants were designated to follow evening sleep (15:00–23:00) and morning sleep (09:00–17:00) schedules in a randomized order. Chronotype was confirmed by the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire. Sleep behaviors and light exposure were recorded using actigraphy. Outcome measures were sleepiness evaluated by the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale, sleep quality evaluated by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and attention performance assessed with psychomotor vigilance test. Differences in outcome between the morning and evening sleep schedules were compared using repeated measures ANOVA.

Results

The participants slept for longer durations during evening sleep schedules compared with morning sleep schedules. Lower sleepiness scores, higher sleep quality, and shorter reaction times and less lapse numbers in the psychomotor vigilance test were observed for participants during evening sleep schedules than morning sleep schedules after adjustment for light exposure and sleep duration. Significant interaction effects were observed for reaction time and lapse number between chronotype and sleep schedule, where the differences between sleep schedules were most prominent among those with late chronotypes.

Conclusions

It is recommended that night shift workers with shift work disorder arrange to sleep in the evening instead of the morning for better sleep and attention performance, especially those with late chronotypes.

Trial registration

Sleep Schedule Intervention Study Among Night Shift Workers, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04160572, ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NTC04160572.
Trusts of imperfect obligation
Authors: Wilde David
Published: February 2022

This article seeks to briefly examine what is known about the so-called ‘trusts of imperfect obligation’—valid non-charitable purpose trusts for monuments, animals, and (probably) religious ceremonies. In particular, it considers the suggestions sometimes made that the ‘Pettingall order’ provides an enforcement mechanism for them, or that they are really ‘powers’ misclassified as ‘trusts’.