bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction of Static Characteristics of Hydrodynamic Air Foil Bearing Considering Contact and Friction Between Foils
Authors: Hu Nanrong , Jia Hekun , Yin Bifeng , Zhou Zeyuan , Xu Bo
Published: April 2023

The elastohydrodynamic model of hydrodynamic air foil bearing has been built to study the influence of rotor speed, the friction coefficient between bearing components, load and other parameters on the foil displacement of hydrodynamic air bearing under steady-state conditions. The static characteristics of hydrodynamic air foil bearing are predicted by using the numerical simulation method. The results show that the radial displacement of the foil is the smallest at both ends of the bearing and the largest at the middle of the bearing, while the top foil changes gently along the width of the bearing away from the maximum pressure. After increasing the rotating speed, the maximum fluid pressure improves and the action position shifts, and the increase of rotating speed has a significant impact on the maximum pressure. Improving the friction coefficient µ2 between the bump foil and the bearing sleeve has different effects on the displacement of the foil. When µ1 is 0.1, by promoting µ2, the transverse displacement of the top foil at the pressure peak increases by 20.9%, the longitudinal displacement is reduced by 8.9%, and the transverse displacement and the maximum longitudinal negative displacement of the bump foil are decreased by 53.2% and 31.7%, respectively. Furthermore, the longitudinal displacement of bump foil at the fixed end has been reduced by increasing the load, and the relative size of the friction coefficient between the components affects the size and direction of the foil displacement at the same load.
Guidance on Evaluating the Performance of Multigeneration Systems Based on Energetic and Exergetic Criteria
Authors: Alghamdi Abdulmajeed , Sherif S. A.
Published: April 2023

This paper presents an investigation of the performance indices employed in combined or multigeneration thermal systems. Specifically, the following thermal systems will be considered: (1) combined cooling and power (CCP) systems; (2) combined heating and power (CHP) systems; and (3) combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) systems. The investigation will highlight the main problems and limitations related to using these indices. We will propose a new procedure for evaluating the performance of CCP systems that can be generalized for use in other combined or multigeneration systems. Employing the subsystems forming any multigeneration system as a reference, the relative saving ratios of energy and exergy are calculated. These saving ratios are used as metrics for the goodness of multigeneration systems. We will also use them to calculate equivalent energetic and exergetic efficiencies of multigeneration systems. These equivalent efficiencies will be used as performance indicators of a multigeneration system as if it were producing only one of its products. The new procedure will be applied to three case studies in this paper. Results of this work indicate that the equivalent exergetic efficiency of power generation (ψP,eqv) is the most meaningful and accurate performance index for assessing the performance of multigeneration systems.
Prediction of the Engine Performance and Emission Characteristics of Glycine Max Biodiesel Blends With Nanoadditives and Hydrogen
Authors: Prabhu L. , Shenbagaraman S. , Anbarasu A. , Muniappan A. , Suthan R. , Veza Ibham
Published: April 2023

This study investigates the Glycine max (soybean oil) biodiesel with hydrogen along with MgO nanoadditives on compression ignition engines. A series of tests were conducted at various loading conditions in a water-cooled, single-cylinder, constant-speed engine. The biodiesel-blended soya oil was used as the primary fuel, and hydrogen was added at a constant volume of 25 LPM. Additionally, MgO nanoparticles were dispersed to the blends at concentrations of 50 ppm. In this study, it was found that the addition of hydrogen to the compression ignition (CI) engine resulted in an increase in combustion performance. In addition, hydrogen and oxygen molecules significantly reduced the exhaust gas temperature and brake-specific fuel consumption of biodiesel samples. An increase in nanoparticle concentration resulted in a reduction in emissions of pollutants such CO2, CO, and HC. Inclusion of the hydrogen in the combustion chamber reduces the carbon content burned. Further, the availability of extra molecules in the MgO aids the fuel to reach higher combustion rates. At higher load conditions, biodiesel blends showed a slight decrease in NOx emissions. Overall, from the findings, it is clear that hydrogen addition and nanoparticles enhanced emission and combustion process, which is attributed due to the increase in hydrogen content in the fuel.
Sensitivity Analysis and Feature Selection for Drilling-Oriented Models
Authors: Tariq Sofia , Dan Sui
Published: April 2023

Data-driven models have risen in popularity during the past 10 years, which increase the effectiveness and durability of systems without necessitating a lot of human involvement. Despite all of their advantages, they remain the limitations in terms of model interpretation, data selection, and model evaluation. Sensitivity analysis (SA) is a powerful tool to decipher behaviors of data-driven models to analyze the correlations among inputs and outputs of models, and quantify the severity of inputs’ influence on outputs to effectively interpret these black-box models. Feature selection (FS) is a preprocessing approach used in data-driven modeling to select the crucial parameters as inputs fed to models. For the most of the existing works, the FS is well used to select inputs through the analysis on the drilling data correlations, while SA is seldom employed for data-driven model evaluation and interpretation in drilling applications. Data-driven rate of penetration (ROP) models have consistently outperformed many conventional ROP models, most likely as a result of their strong data analysis capabilities, capacity to learn from data in order to recognize data patterns, and effective policies for making logical decisions automatically. A data-driven ROP model was developed from a benchmarking field drilling dataset in this work. Following the ROP modelling, sensitivity analysis methods were employed to identify the input variables that had the greatest influence on ROP estimations. The FS techniques and the sensitivity analysis were combined during the data preprocessing to identify the most important aspects for modelling. The outcomes demonstrate that using the robust sensitivity analysis techniques to overcome the limits of machine learning models allows for the best interpretation and understanding of the produced data-driven models.
Are Soccer Organizations More Resilient in Crisis Situations? A Scholarly Commentary on the Audiotape Scandal of Real Madrid’s President
Authors: García César
Published: April 2023

In July 2021, numerous audio recordings dating back to 2006 through 2012 were leaked. In them, Real Madrid’s President Florentino Pérez was heard insulting some of the most beloved legends of Real Madrid fans, including celebrity Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite his lack of manners, the seriousness of the president’s insults, and the lack of a formal apology, the images of Pérez and Real Madrid barely suffered because of this incident. This scholarly commentary examines the variables of culture and country as well as the specific characteristics of the soccer industry and fandom that explain the lack of public accountability when a top executive of a soccer organization commits verbal excesses in form and substance, as in the Pérez case.
The evolution of two transmissible cancers in Tasmanian devils
Authors: Stammnitz Maximilian R. , Gori Kevin , Kwon Young Mi , Harry Edward , Martin Fergal J. , Billis Konstantinos , Cheng Yuanyuan , Baez-Ortega Adrian , Chow William , Comte Sebastien , Eggertsson Hannes , Fox Samantha , Hamede Rodrigo , Jones Menna , Lazenby Billie , Peck Sarah , Pye Ruth , Quail Michael A. , Swift Kate , Wang Jinhong , Wood Jonathan , Howe Kerstin , Stratton Michael R. , Ning Zemin , Murchison Elizabeth P.
Published: April 2023

Tasmanian devils have spawned two transmissible cancer lineages, named devil facial tumor 1 (DFT1) and devil facial tumor 2 (DFT2). We investigated the genetic diversity and evolution of these clones by analyzing 78 DFT1 and 41 DFT2 genomes relative to a newly assembled, chromosome-level reference. Time-resolved phylogenetic trees reveal that DFT1 first emerged in 1986 (1982 to 1989) and DFT2 in 2011 (2009 to 2012). Subclone analysis documents transmission of heterogeneous cell populations. DFT2 has faster mutation rates than DFT1 across all variant classes, including substitutions, indels, rearrangements, transposable element insertions, and copy number alterations, and we identify a hypermutated DFT1 lineage with defective DNA mismatch repair. Several loci show plausible evidence of positive selection in DFT1 or DFT2, including loss of chromosome Y and inactivation ofMGA, but none are common to both cancers. This study reveals the parallel long-term evolution of two transmissible cancers inhabiting a common niche in Tasmanian devils.
Syncytial nerve net in a ctenophore adds insights on the evolution of nervous systems
Authors: Burkhardt Pawel , Colgren Jeffrey , Medhus Astrid , Digel Leonid , Naumann Benjamin , Soto-Angel Joan J. , Nordmann Eva-Lena , Sachkova Maria Y. , Kittelmann Maike
Published: April 2023

A fundamental breakthrough in neurobiology has been the formulation of the neuron doctrine by Santiago Ramón y Cajal, which stated that the nervous system is composed of discrete cells. Electron microscopy later confirmed the doctrine and allowed the identification of synaptic connections. In this work, we used volume electron microscopy and three-dimensional reconstructions to characterize the nerve net of a ctenophore, a marine invertebrate that belongs to one of the earliest-branching animal lineages. We found that neurons in the subepithelial nerve net have a continuous plasma membrane that forms a syncytium. Our findings suggest fundamental differences of nerve net architectures between ctenophores and cnidarians or bilaterians and offer an alternative perspective on neural network organization and neurotransmission.
Female preference for rare males is maintained by indirect selection in Trinidadian guppies
Authors: Potter Tomos , Arendt Jeff , Bassar Ronald D. , Watson Beth , Bentzen Paul , Travis Joseph , Reznick David N.
Published: April 2023

When females prefer mates with rare phenotypes, sexual selection can maintain rather than deplete genetic variation. However, there is no consensus on why this widespread and frequently observed preference might evolve and persist. We examine the fitness consequences of female preference for rare male color patterns in a natural population of Trinidadian guppies, using a pedigree that spans 10 generations. We demonstrate (i) a rare male reproductive advantage, (ii) that females that mate with rare males gain an indirect fitness advantage through the mating success of their sons, and (iii) the fitness benefit that females accrue through their “sexy sons” evaporates for their grandsons as their phenotype becomes common. Counter to prevailing theory, we show that female preference can be maintained through indirect selection.
Rapid Identification of Pathogens Causing Bloodstream Infections by Raman Spectroscopy and Raman Tweezers
Authors: Rebrosova Katarina , Bernatová Silvie , Šiler Martin , Mašek Jan , Samek Ota , Ježek Jan , Kizovsky Martin , Holá Veronika , Zemanek Pavel , Růžička Filip
Published: April 2023

Bloodstream infections are among the most common causes of hospitalizations and are often life-threatening. To establish an effective therapy for a patient, the timely identification of the causative agent and characterization of its antimicrobial susceptibility and resistance profiles are essential.
MARCO Inhibits Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Infection through Intensifying Viral GP5-Induced Apoptosis
Authors: Zhang Xiaoxiao , Chen Yongjie , Li Songbei , Wang Jinling , He Zhan , Yan Jiecong , Liu Xiaohong , Guo Chunhe
Published: April 2023

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) has been one of the most serious threats to the global swine industry. Glycoprotein 5 (GP5) exposed on the surface of PRRSV virions is a major glycoprotein, and it is involved in viral entry into host cells.
Late Cretaceous tectonothermal events of the Gangdese belt, southern Tibet
Authors: Ma Xuxuan , Xu Zhiqin , Lusk Alexander D. , Erdmann Saskia , Chen Xijie , Ma Shiwei
Published: April 2023

The Gangdese belt of the southern Lhasa terrane (southern Tibet) records a Chileantype accretionary orogeny driven by subduction of Neotethyan oceanic lithosphere, prior to Indo-Asian collision and formation of the Tibetan Plateau. We present detailed structural analysis of outcrops and a drill core in the Jiama copper ore district along with 40Ar-39Ar cooling ages from white mica, plagioclase, and potassium feldspar and zircon U-Pb geochronology of granitoids and sandstone. These data add new constraints to the formation of a major angular unconformity, deformation along and within the footwall of the Gangdese décollement, and the coupling between deformation and magmatism. Structural analysis indicates that top- to- the- south motion along the décollement produced southvergent folding and thrusting of Upper Jurassic to Cretaceous strata in the Gangdese back-arc basin. A synthesis of new and compiled age data reveals that the décollement and associated south-vergent deformation occurred between ca. 90 and 65 Ma, contemporaneous with the formation of a major ca. 85–69 Ma angular unconformity between the overlying Paleocene–Eocene Linzizong Formation and the underlying Upper Cretaceous Shexing Formation. We posit that this deformation in the Gangdese belt resulted from flat-slab subduction of the Neotethyan oceanic slab beneath the southern margin of the Asian continent. A flat-slab subduction geometry is consistent with previously documented synchronous thrusting in the forearc and back-arc basins as well as the observed arc magmatic lull of the Gangdese belt between ca. 80 and 65 Ma.
Channels of Filaments of Axially Asymmetric Optical Vortices at a Wavelength of 1800 nm in a LiF Crystal
Authors: Shlenov S. A. , Kompanets V. O. , Kandidov V. P. , Chekalin S. V. , Vasil’ev E. V.
Published: April 2023

The formation of a set of filaments and plasma channels in a femtosecond optical vortex has been studied experimentally and numerically. A longitudinal distribution of color center tracks with a length of 1 cm written in a LiF crystal by an axially asymmetric beam in the single-pulse regime has been detected experimentally for the first time. It has been shown that, at a sufficient excess of the peak power over the critical value, two hot points on the annular profile of vortex beam separated by the phase dislocation region form sequences of color center tracks; each sequence in the cross section of the beam is localized near the initial hot point. Secondary filaments and the corresponding tracks appear with an increase in the pulse energy. The parameters of femtosecond filaments in LiF have been numerically estimated.
Observation of Spatiotemporal Self-Compression of Pulses in One-Dimensional Waveguide Arrays Fabricated by Laser Writing
Authors: Arkhipova A. A. , Zhuravitskii S. A. , Skryabin N. N. , D’yakonov I. V. , Kalinkin A. A. , Kulik S. P. , Chekalin S. V. , Kartashov Ya. V. , Zadkov B. N. , Kompanets V. O.
Published: April 2023

The features of nonlinear propagation of high-intensity pulses in the short-wavelength infrared range in extended one-dimensional waveguide arrays with different spatial periods, formed in fused silica by laser writing, are studied. More than tenfold self-compression of femtosecond pulses up to a duration of several periods of the light field is experimentally observed.
Screening for prostate cancer: evidence, ongoing trials, policies and knowledge gaps
Authors: Bratt Ola , Auvinen Anssi , Arnsrud Godtman Rebecka , Hellström Mikael , Hugosson Jonas , Lilja Hans , Wallström Jonas , Roobol Monique J
Published: April 2023

Long-term screening with serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and systematic prostate biopsies can reduce prostate cancer mortality but leads to unacceptable overdiagnosis. Over the past decade, diagnostic methods have improved and the indolent nature of low-grade prostate cancer has been established. These advances now enable more selective detection of potentially lethal prostate cancer. This non-systematic review summarises relevant diagnostic advances, previous and ongoing screening trials, healthcare policies and important remaining knowledge gaps.

Evidence synthesis and conclusions: The strong association between low serum PSA values and minimal long-term risk of prostate cancer death allows for adjusting screening intervals. Use of risk calculators, biomarkers and MRI to select men with a raised PSA value for biopsy and lesion-targeting rather than systematic prostate biopsies reduce the detection of low-grade cancer and thereby overdiagnosis. These improvements recently led the European Union to recommend its member states to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of organised screening programmes for prostate cancer. Nonetheless, important knowledge gaps remain such as the performance of modern diagnostic methods in long-term screening programmes and their impact on mortality. The knowledge gaps are currently being addressed in three large randomised screening trials. Population-based pilot programmes will contribute critical practical experience.
Mixed-methods feasibility study to inform a randomised controlled trial of proton pump inhibitors to reduce strictures following neonatal surgery for oesophageal atresia
Authors: Mitchell Tracy Karen , Hall Nigel J , Yardley Iain , Cole Christina , Hardy Pollyanna , King Andy , Murray David , Nuthall Elizabeth , Roehr Charles , Stanbury Kayleigh , Williams Rachel , Pearce John , Woolfall Kerry
Published: April 2023

Objectives

This mixed-methods feasibility study aimed to explore parents’ and medical practitioners’ views on the acceptability and design of a clinical trial to determine whether routine prophylactic proton pump inhibitors (PPI) reduce the incidence of anastomotic stricture in infants with oesophageal atresia (OA).

Design

Semi-structured interviews with UK parents of an infant with OA and an online survey, telephone interviews and focus groups with clinicians. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis and descriptive statistics.

Participants and setting

We interviewed 18 parents of infants with OA. Fifty-one clinicians (49 surgeons, 2 neonatologists) from 20/25 (80%) units involved in OA repair completed an online survey and 10 took part in 1 of 2 focus groups. Interviews were conducted with two clinicians whose survey responses indicated they had concerns about the trial.

Outcome Measures

Parents and clinicians ranked the same top four outcomes (‘Severity of anastomotic stricture’, ‘Incidence of anastomotic stricture’, ‘Need for treatment of reflux’ and ‘Presence of symptoms of reflux’) as important to measure for the proposed trial.

Results

All parents and most clinicians found the use, dose and duration of omeprazole as the intervention medication, and the placebo control, as acceptable. Parents stated they would hypothetically consent to their child’s participation in the trial. Concerns of a few parents and clinicians about infants suffering with symptomatic reflux, and the impact of this for study retention, appeared to be alleviated through the symptomatic reflux treatment pathway. Hesitant clinician views appeared to change through discussion of parental support for the study and by highlighting existing research that questions current practice of PPI treatment.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that parents and most clinicians view the proposed Treating Oesophageal Atresia with prophylactic proton pump inhibitors to prevent STricture (TOAST) trial to be feasible and acceptable so long as infants can be given PPI if clinicians deem it clinically necessary. This insight into parent and clinician views and concerns will inform pilot phase trial monitoring, staff training and the development of the trial protocol.
Vitamin B12status in infancy and the effect of a vitamin B12injection in infants with subclinical vitamin B12deficiency: study protocol for a register-based randomised controlled trial
Authors: Bakken Kjersti S , Kvestad Ingrid , Bjørkevoll Sol Maja Graasvold , Solvik Beate Stokke , Kaldenbach Siri , McCann Adrian , Holten-Andersen Mads Nikolaj , Ersvær Elisabeth , Konijnenberg Carolien , Strand Tor A
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Vitamin B12(cobalamin) is crucial for optimal child development and growth, yet deficiency is common worldwide. The aim of this study is twofold; (1) to describe vitamin B12status and the status of other micronutrients in Norwegian infants, and (2) in a randomised controlled trial (RCT), investigate the effect of vitamin B12supplementation on neurodevelopment in infants with subclinical vitamin B12deficiency.

Methods and analysis

Infant blood samples, collected at public healthcare clinics, are analysed for plasma cobalamin levels. Infants with plasma cobalamin <148 pmol/L are immediately treated with hydroxocobalamin and excluded from the RCT. Remaining infants (cobalamin ≥148 pmol/L) are randomly assigned (in a 1:1 ratio) to either a screening or a control group. In the screening group, baseline samples are immediately analysed for total homocysteine (tHcy), while in the control group, the baseline samples will be analysed after 12 months. Screening group infants with plasma tHcy >6.5 µmol/L, are given an intramuscular injection of hydroxocobalamin (400 µg). The primary outcomes are cognitive, language and motor development assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development at 12 months of age.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has been approved by the Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics (ref: 186505). Investigators who meet the Vancouver requirements will be eligible for authorship and be responsible for dissemination of study findings. Results will extend current knowledge on consequences of subclinical vitamin B12deficiency during infancy and may inform future infant feeding recommendations.

Trial registration number

NCT05005897.
Investigating point-of-care diagnostics for sexually transmitted infections and antimicrobial resistance in antenatal care in Zimbabwe (IPSAZ): protocol for a mixed-methods study
Authors: Martin Kevin , Dziva Chikwari Chido , Dauya Ethel , Mackworth-Young Constance R S , Bath David , Tucker Joseph , Simms Victoria , Bandason Tsitsi , Ndowa Francis , Katsidzira Leolin , Mugurungi Owen , Machiha Anna , Marks Michael , Kranzer Katharina , Ferrand Rashida
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause serious morbidity, including pelvic inflammatory disease, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. In low/middle-income countries, limited laboratory infrastructure has resulted in a syndrome-based approach being used for management of STIs, which has poor sensitivity and specificity, leading to considerable underdiagnosis and overtreatment. The WHO has called for development and evaluation of strategies to inform replacement of syndromic management by diagnostic testing.

The aim of this project is to evaluate a strategy of point-of-care testing for six STIs in antenatal care (ANC) in Zimbabwe.

Methods and analysis

A prospective interventional study will be conducted in ANC clinics in Harare province, Zimbabwe. One thousand pregnant women will be recruited when registering for routine ANC. Alongside routine HIV and syphilis testing, participants will be offered an integrated screening package including testing forChlamydia trachomatis(CT),Neisseria gonorrhoeae(NG),Trichomonas vaginalis(TV) and hepatitis B. All individuals with STIs will receive treatment, partner notification services, risk reduction counselling and referral if needed according to national guidelines. Gonorrhoea samples will be cultured and tested for antimicrobial resistance as per WHO enhanced gonococcal antimicrobial surveillance programme guidelines.

The primary outcome measure is the composite prevalence of CT, NG, TV, syphilis and hepatitis B. A mixed-methods process evaluation and economic evaluation will be conducted to understand the acceptability, feasibility and cost-effectiveness of integrated STI testing, compared with standard of care (syndromic management).

Ethics and dissemination

The study protocol was approved by the Medical Research Council of Zimbabwe, the Biomedical Research and Training Institute Institutional Review Board, and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Research Ethics Committee. Results will be submitted to open-access peer-reviewed journals, presented at academic meetings and shared with participating communities and with national and international policymaking bodies.

Trial registration number

NCT05541081
Optimum duration of extended adjuvant endocrine therapy in patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer: protocol for a network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Hu Qiancheng , Ye Daoli , Xudong Zhao , Wang Qingfeng , Gou Hongfeng , Luo Ting
Published: April 2023

Introduction

The type of extended adjuvant endocrine therapy is not clear, nor is the optimum duration of extended adjuvant endocrine therapy for patients with early breast cancer. Our study aims to satisfy the requirements for systematically identifying and synthesising the available evidence on the clinical safety and efficacy of extended adjuvant endocrine therapy for patients with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer.

Methods and analysis

A comprehensive electronic literature database search will be performed using three electronic databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase (Ovid interface). Our main outcomes of interest were overall survival, disease-free survival, relapse-free survival, invasive contralateral breast cancer, acceptability and grades 3 and 4 non-haematological toxicities in this study. We will assess the risk of bias and overall quality of evidence using the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool and Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation, respectively. We will perform subgroup and sensitivity analyses in the selected trials. We will assess the three key assumptions of network meta-analysis: transitivity, consistency and homogeneity.

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol was preregistered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) database. Ethics approval and patient consent are not required for the network meta-analysis. The final results of this network meta-analysis will be disseminated through national and international conferences and published in a peer-reviewed journal.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021278271.
Genetic coding variant in complement factor B (CFB) is associated with increased risk for perianal Crohn’s disease and leads to impaired CFB cleavage and phagocytosis
Authors: Akhlaghpour Marzieh , Haritunians Talin , More Shyam K , Thomas Lisa S , Stamps Dalton T , Dube Shishir , Li Dalin , Yang Shaohong , Landers Carol J , Mengesha Emebet , Hamade Hussein , Murali Ramachandran , Potdar Alka A , Wolf Andrea J , Botwin Gregory J , Khrom Michelle ,   International IBD Genetics Consortium, Ananthakrishnan Ashwin N , Faubion William A , Jabri Bana , Lira Sergio A , Newberry Rodney D , Sandler Robert S , Sartor R Balfour , Xavier Ramnik J , Brant Steven R , Cho Judy H , Duerr Richard H , Lazarev Mark G , Rioux John D , Schumm L Philip , Silverberg Mark S , Zaghiyan Karen , Fleshner Phillip , Melmed Gil Y , Vasiliauskas Eric A , Ha Christina , Rabizadeh Shervin , Syal Gaurav , Bonthala Nirupama N , Ziring David A , Targan Stephan R , Long Millie D , McGovern Dermot P B , Michelsen Kathrin S
Published: April 2023

Objective

Perianal Crohn’s disease (pCD) occurs in up to 40% of patients with CD and is associated with poor quality of life, limited treatment responses and poorly understood aetiology. We performed a genetic association study comparing CD subjects with and without perianal disease and subsequently performed functional follow-up studies for a pCD associated SNP inComplement Factor B(CFB).

Design

Immunochip-based meta-analysis on 4056 pCD and 11 088 patients with CD from three independent cohorts was performed. Serological and clinical variables were analysed by regression analyses. Risk allele of rs4151651 was introduced into human CFB plasmid by site-directed mutagenesis. Binding of recombinant G252 or S252 CFB to C3b and its cleavage was determined in cell-free assays. Macrophage phagocytosis in presence of recombinant CFB or serum fromCFBrisk, or protective CD or healthy subjects was assessed by flow cytometry.

Results

Perianal complications were associated with colonic involvement, OmpC and ASCA serology, and serology quartile sum score. We identified a genetic association for pCD (rs4151651), a non-synonymous SNP (G252S) inCFB, in all three cohorts. Recombinant S252 CFB had reduced binding to C3b, its cleavage was impaired, and complement-driven phagocytosis and cytokine secretion were reduced compared with G252 CFB. Serine 252 generates a de novo glycosylation site in CFB. Serum from homozygous risk patients displayed significantly decreased macrophage phagocytosis compared with non-risk serum.

Conclusion

pCD-associated rs4151651 inCFBis a loss-of-function mutation that impairs its cleavage, activation of alternative complement pathway, and pathogen phagocytosis thus implicating the alternative complement pathway and CFB in pCD aetiology.
Impact on stable chest pain pathways of CT fractional flow reserve
Authors: O'Leary Rachel A , Burn Julie , Urwin Samuel G , Sims Andrew J , Beattie Anna , Bagnall Alan
Published: April 2023

Objectives

To evaluate the impact of introducing CT fractional flow reserve (FFRCT) on stable chest pain pathways, concordance with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) chest pain guidelines, resource usage and revascularisation of patients from a tertiary UK cardiac centre rapid access chest pain clinic (RACPC).

Methods

Single-centre before and after study comparing data from electronic records and Strategic Tracing Service of all RACPC patients attending between 1 July 2017 and 31 December 2017, and 1 August 2018 and 31 January 2019.

Results

Two hundred and sixty-eight and 287 patients (overall mean age 62 years, range 26–89 years, 48.3% male), were eligible for first-line CT coronary angiography (CTCA) pre-FFRCTand post-FFRCT, respectively. First-line CTCA use per NICE Guideline CG95 increased (50.6% pre-FFRCTvs 75.7% post-FFRCT, p<0.001). More patients reached pathway endpoint (revascularisation or assumed medical management) after one investigation (74.9% pre-FFRCTvs 84.9% post-FFRCT, p=0.005). There were fewer stress (22.8% pre-FFRCTvs 7.7% post-FFRCT, p<0.001) and rest (10.4% pre-FFRCTvs 4.2% post-FFRCT, p=0.007) myocardial perfusion scans and diagnostic-only angiograms (25.5% vs 13.7%, p<0.001). Despite fewer invasive procedures (29.3% pre-FFRCTvs 17.6% post-FFRCT, p=0.002), revascularisation rates remained similar (10.4% pre-FFRCTvs 8.8% post-FFRCT, p=0.561). Avoiding invasive investigations reduced inpatient admissions (39.0% pre-FFRCTvs 24.3% post-FFRCT, p<0.001). Time to revascularisation was unchanged (153.5 days pre-FFRCTvs 142.0 post-FFRCT, p=0.925). Unplanned hospital attendances, emergency admissions and adverse events were similar.

Conclusions

FFRCTadoption was associated with greater compliance with NICE guidelines, reduced invasive diagnostic angiography, planned admissions and needing more than one test to reach a pathway endpoint.
Rescue intracranial permanent stenting for refractory occlusion following thrombectomy: a propensity matched analysis
Authors: Ifergan Heloise , Dargazanli Cyril , Ben Hassen Wagih , Hak Jean-Francois , Gory Benjamin , Ognard Julien , Premat Kevin , Marnat Gaultier , Kerleroux Basile , Zhu François , Bellanger Guillaume , Sporns Peter B , Charbonnier Guillaume , Forestier Géraud , Caroff Jildaz , Fauché Cédric , Clarençon Frédéric , Janot Kevin , Lapergue Bertrand , Boulouis Gregoire
Published: April 2023

Background

Rescue intracranial stenting (RIS) can be used in refractory large vessel occlusion (LVO) after mechanical thrombectomy (MT). We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of RIS versus a propensity matched sample of patients with persistent LVO.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed a multicenter retrospective pooled cohort of patients with anterior LVO (2015−2021) treated with MT, and identified patients with at least three passes and a modified Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) score of 0 to 2a. Propensity score matching was used to account for determinants of outcome in patients with or without RIS. The study outcomes included 3 months modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation (HT).

Results

420 patients with a refractory anterior occlusion were included, of which 101 were treated with RIS (mean age 69 years). Favorable outcome (mRS 0–2) was more frequent in patients with a patent stent at day 1 (53% vs 6%, P<0.001), which was independently associated with an early dual antiplatelet regimen (P<0.05). In the propensity matched sample, patients treated with RIS versus without RIS had similar rates of favorable outcomes (36.8% vs 30.3%, P=0.606). Patients with RIS showed a favorable shift in the overall mRS distributions (common adjusted OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.91, P=0.006). Symptomatic HT was marginally more frequent in the RIS group (9% vs 3%, P=0.07), and there was no difference in 3-month mortality.

Conclusion

In selected patients with a refractory intracranial occlusion despite at least three thrombectomy passes, RIS may be associated with an overall shift towards more favorable clinical outcome, and no significant increase in the odds of symptomatic HT or death.
Visual dysfunction is a better predictor than retinal thickness for dementia in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Hannaway Naomi , Zarkali Angeliki , Leyland Louise-Ann , Bremner Fion , Nicholas Jennifer M , Wagner Siegfried K , Roig Matthew , Keane Pearse A , Toosy Ahmed , Chataway Jeremy , Weil Rimona Sharon
Published: April 2023

Background

Dementia is a common and devastating symptom of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Visual function and retinal structure are both emerging as potentially predictive for dementia in Parkinson’s but lack longitudinal evidence.

Methods

We prospectively examined higher order vision (skew tolerance and biological motion) and retinal thickness (spectral domain optical coherence tomography) in 100 people with PD and 29 controls, with longitudinal cognitive assessments at baseline, 18 months and 36 months. We examined whether visual and retinal baseline measures predicted longitudinal cognitive scores using linear mixed effects models and whether they predicted onset of dementia, death and frailty using time-to-outcome methods.

Results

Patients with PD with poorer baseline visual performance scored lower on a composite cognitive score (β=0.178, SE=0.05, p=0.0005) and showed greater decreases in cognition over time (β=0.024, SE=0.001, p=0.013). Poorer visual performance also predicted greater probability of dementia (χ² (1)=5.2, p=0.022) and poor outcomes (χ² (1) =10.0, p=0.002). Baseline retinal thickness of the ganglion cell–inner plexiform layer did not predict cognitive scores or change in cognition with time in PD (β=−0.013, SE=0.080, p=0.87; β=0.024, SE=0.001, p=0.12).

Conclusions

In our deeply phenotyped longitudinal cohort, visual dysfunction predicted dementia and poor outcomes in PD. Conversely, retinal thickness had less power to predict dementia. This supports mechanistic models for Parkinson’s dementia progression with onset in cortical structures and shows potential for visual tests to enable stratification for clinical trials.
Paradigm lost? Reflections on the effectiveness of NHS approaches to improving employment relations
Authors: Kline Roger
Published: April 2023

The National Health Service in England has largely relied on a human resources trilogy of policies, procedures and training to improve organisational culture. Evidence from four interventions using this paradigm—disciplinary action, bullying, whistleblowing and recruitment and career progression—confirms research findings that this approach, in isolation, was never likely to be effective. An alternative methodology is proposed, elements of which are beginning to be adopted, which is more likely to be effective.
Physical functioning following spinal cord stimulation: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: ElSaban Mariam , Kleppel Donald J , Kubrova Eva , Martinez Alvarez Gabriel A , Hussain Nasir , D'Souza Ryan S
Published: April 2023

Background

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has emerged as an important treatment for chronic pain disorders. While there is evidence supporting improvement in pain intensity with SCS therapy, efforts to synthesize the evidence on physical functioning are lacking.

Objective

The primary objective of this meta-analysis was to assess long-term physical function following 12 months of SCS for chronic back pain.

Evidence review

PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and CENTRAL databases were searched for original peer-reviewed publications investigating physical function following SCS. The primary outcome was physical function at 12 months following SCS therapy for chronic back pain compared with baseline. A random effects model with an inverse variable method was used. The Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework was used to determine the certainty of evidence.

Findings

A total of 518 studies were screened, of which 36 were included. Twenty-two studies were pooled in the meta-analysis. There was a significant reduction in Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores at all time frames up to 24 months following implantation. Pooled results revealed significant improvement in ODI scores at 12 months with a mean difference of −17.00% (95% CI −23.07 to −10.94, p<0.001). There was a very low certainty of evidence in this finding as per the GRADE framework. There was no significant difference in subgroup analyses based on study design (randomised controlled trials (RCTs) vs non-RCTs), study funding, or stimulation type.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis highlights significant improvements in physical function after SCS therapy. However, this finding was limited by a very low GRADE certainty of evidence and high heterogeneity.
Spatiotemporal variability of soil physical properties and water, salt, nitrogen, and phosphorus contents for farm level
Authors: Lin Shudong , Wei Kai , Wang Quanjiu , Deng Mingjiang , Su Lijun , Shao Fanfan , Jiang Zhanbo
Published: April 2023

Soil water, salt, and nutrient variability are essential factors that impact crop productivity in agriculture systems. However, effective management of small farms requires access to fine-scale data on soil water, salt, and nutrients. Large-scale assessments of spatial variability using classical statistics and geostatistical methods can help identify nutrient-deficient zones. In Xinjiang, China, inadequate water and nutrient management has resulted in low crop productivity in agriculture systems. To address this issue, this study evaluated the mechanical composition, bulk density, and contents of water, salt, ammonium nitrogen ([Formula: see text]), nitrate nitrogen ([Formula: see text]), and available phosphorus (A-P) in soil at the farm level in the Xinjiang region. Results showed low variability in soil bulk density, medium variability in soil water content, mechanical composition, [Formula: see text], and A-P, and high variability in soil salt content and [Formula: see text]. Mechanical composition and A-P showed a small range of variation across different soil depths, while soil water content and [Formula: see text] in the surface layer varied significantly more than in other soil layers. [Formula: see text] variability increased with soil depth. Soil properties showed minimal differences over time. Multi-factor deficiencies, particularly in nitrogen, were observed throughout the study area. The generated maps offer a useful tool for farm managers and policymakers. In summary, this study highlights the significance of evaluating the spatial variability of soil properties for identifying zones deficient in water and nutrients, as well as those with salt accumulation. This information can be utilized to develop effective strategies for site-specific nutrient management.
Swarm-FHE: Fully Homomorphic Encryption-based Swarm Learning for Malicious Clients
Authors: Madni Hussain Ahmad , Umer Rao Muhammad , Foresti Gian Luca
Published: April 2023

Swarm Learning (SL) is a promising approach to perform the distributed and collaborative model training without any central server. However, data sensitivity is the main concern for privacy when collaborative training requires data sharing. A neural network, especially Generative Adversarial Network (GAN), is able to reproduce the original data from model parameters, i.e. gradient leakage problem. To solve this problem, SL provides a framework for secure aggregation using blockchain methods. In this paper, we consider the scenario of compromised and malicious participants in the SL environment, where a participant can manipulate the privacy of other participant in collaborative training. We propose a method, Swarm-FHE, Swarm Learning with Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE), to encrypt the model parameters before sharing with the participants which are registered and authenticated by blockchain technology. Each participant shares the encrypted parameters (i.e. ciphertexts) with other participants in SL training. We evaluate our method with training of the convolutional neural networks on the CIFAR-10 and MNIST datasets. On the basis of a considerable number of experiments and results with different hyperparameter settings, our method performs better as compared to other existing methods.
Forest-skein groups II: Construction from homogeneously presented monoids
Authors: Brothier Arnaud
Published: April 2023

Inspired by the reconstruction program of conformal field theories of Vaughan Jones we recently introduced a vast class of the so-called forest-skein groups. They are built from a skein presentation: a set of colors and a set of pairs of colored trees. Each nice skein presentation produces four groups similar to Richard Thompson’s group [Formula: see text] and the braided version [Formula: see text] of Brin and Dehornoy.

In this paper, we consider forest-skein groups obtained from one-dimensional skein presentations; the data of a homogeneous monoid presentation. We decompose these groups as wreath products. This permits to classify them up to isomorphisms. Moreover, we prove that a number of properties of the fraction group of the monoid pass through the forest-skein groups such as the Haagerup property, homological and topological finiteness properties, and orderability.
Congestion analysis in a modified coupled map car-following model considering the velocity difference and headway difference under V2X environment
Authors: Li Linqi , Zhao Min , Zhang Yicai , Sun Dihua , Cai Jihao
Published: April 2023

With the incredible advancement of information technology, the communication between vehicles (V2V), vehicle and infrastructure (V2I) improves the traffic efficiency and safety. In this work, we present a modified coupled map car-following model with the control terms of the velocity difference and headway difference under V2X (vehicle to everything) environment. Then we study the impact of the control term on the stability and dynamic performance, respectively. The stability of the modified model is analyzed and the conditions for the stability of the traffic flow are presented. Besides, the simulations are carried out from the micro and macro perspectives. The numerical simulation results are consistent with the theory, and the validity of the model is verified. Moreover, in order to study the macro properties of traffic, through sumo numerical experiments, the evolution of the macro quantity of the traffic system has also been studied.
A Study of Congestion-Based Information Guidance Policy for Hierarchical Healthcare Systems
Authors: Yu Miao , Xu Jie , Li Xiangling , Yu Dandan
Published: April 2023

This paper develops a queueing system model to analyze the operations of a hierarchical healthcare system consisting of general hospitals (GHs) and community healthcare centers (CHCs). GHs typically provide a higher level of health care service than CHCs, and thus are preferred choices for many patients’ healthcare service needs. Consequently, GHs are often heavily congested and patients often incur excessive waiting time. In contrast, CHCs are often idle and resources are underutilized. To help balance the utilization of resources in GHs and CHCs, a congestion-based information guidance policy is proposed in this paper to inform patients in the GH service queue about the anticipated delay. Upon being informed the delay for GH service, patients may balk, remain in queue for GH service, or switch to receive service at CHCs. This policy is thus expected to relieve the congestion at GHs and promote CHC usage. To study the effects of the proposed policy, a hierarchical healthcare system is modeled as a queueing system with strategic patients. Stationary performance measures of the system are analytically characterized using a Markov chain model. Stochastic and numerical analyses provide insights on how to design information guidance policy that would help improve overall health care service quality under different scenarios.
On inflation potentials in kinetic coupling scenarios
Authors: Belhaj A. , Benali M. , Lamaaoune M. , Sedra M. B.
Published: April 2023

In this work, we propose and investigate an inflationary model with a kinetic coupling term [Formula: see text] and a combined scalar potential [Formula: see text]. Exploiting the dynamical system analysis, we identify the stationary points and examine their stability showing certain restrictions on the involved parameters [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Then, we compute and study the relevant observable quantities such as the spectral index [Formula: see text] and the tensor-to-scalar ratio [Formula: see text] from slow-roll approximations. For certain values of the restricted parameters, we find that [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are in a good agreement with the current observation data. To support such findings, we consider the limit corresponding to the vanishing kinetic coupling contribution. We find that this limit provides a boomerang-like geometry intersecting almost all Planck contours associated with the [Formula: see text] curves.