bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The rapid detection method of brown tide algae concentration based on unthresholded recurrence plots and improved broad learning system
Authors: Chen Ying , Dong Zhiyang , Xu Chongxuan , Liu Junfei , Si Yu , Chen Ting
Published: April 2024

In recent years, there have been frequent outbreaks of harmful algal blooms (HAB) in coastal areas, which have caused serious economic losses to the local community. Therefore, accurate and rapid prediction of microalgal concentrations is necessary for early warning and countermeasures before the occurrence of HAB. This paper presents a model for predicting microalgae concentration based on unthresholded recurrence plots (UTRPs) combined with an improved broad learning system (BLS). Spectral data acquisition of algae species at different concentrations using l-induced fluorescence spectroscopy. Then, the 1D spectral data are dimensionally lifted by UTRPs transformation, recurrence plots (RPs) transformation can fully extract the internal information of 1D sequence data, and at the same time, UTRPs avoids the influence of artificially selected thresholds on the feature transformation results of traditional (RPs). Finally, a lightweight flat network BLS was used for microalgae concentration regression prediction, at the same time the BLS regularization method was improved. When comparing the two most commonly used deep learning regression models and integrated learning models, UTRPs and elastic net (UTRPs-ENBLS) achieves convincing results.
Physics-informed deep-learning applications to experimental fluid mechanics
Authors: Eivazi Hamidreza , Wang Yuning , Vinuesa Ricardo
Published: April 2024

High-resolution reconstruction of flow-field data from low-resolution and noisy measurements is of interest due to the prevalence of such problems in experimental fluid mechanics, where the measurement data are in general sparse, incomplete and noisy. Deep-learning approaches have been shown suitable for such super-resolution tasks. However, a high number of high-resolution examples is needed, which may not be available for many cases. Moreover, the obtained predictions may lack in complying with the physical principles, e.g. mass and momentum conservation. Physics-informed deep learning provides frameworks for integrating data and physical laws for learning. In this study, we apply physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) for super-resolution of flow-field data both in time and space from a limited set of noisy measurements without having any high-resolution reference data. Our objective is to obtain a continuous solution of the problem, providing a physically-consistent prediction at any point in the solution domain. We demonstrate the applicability of PINNs for the super-resolution of flow-field data in time and space through three canonical cases: Burgers’ equation, two-dimensional vortex shedding behind a circular cylinder and the minimal turbulent channel flow. The robustness of the models is also investigated by adding synthetic Gaussian noise. Furthermore, we show the capabilities of PINNs to improve the resolution and reduce the noise in a real experimental dataset consisting of hot-wire-anemometry measurements. Our results show the adequate capabilities of PINNs in the context of data augmentation for experiments in fluid mechanics.
Intelligent fault diagnosis under imbalanced multivariate working conditions leveraging dynamic unsupervised domain adaptation with sample and margin regularization
Authors: Li Zipeng , Liu Xuan , Zhang Kaiyu , Li Chao , Chen Jinglong
Published: April 2024

Utilizing unsupervised domain adaptation for intelligent fault diagnosis (IFD) has demonstrated significant potential for ensuring the security of machinery systems. Nonetheless, the inherent imbalance attribute of collected data affects the performance of diagnostic model. Especially, for machines working under varied conditions, the acquired unlabeled data frequently exhibits diverse degrees of distributional deviations, thus further undermining the transferable model’s generalization capability. To address this challenge, we introduce a method termed Dynamic Unsupervised Imbalanced Domain Adaptation (DUIDA) for IFD. Employment of class rebalancing and label-dependent margin regularization strategies optimizes the selection of decision boundaries which counteract the distributional deviations introduced by the imbalance. In addition, by integrating a dynamic weighting mechanism, encompassing both adversarial-based and MMD-based domain adaptation, our model becomes versatile across varied UIDA tasks, assigning higher weights to fundamental faulty features. Finally, our empirical analyses on two faulty bearing datasets substantiate the efficacy and superior performance of the proposed framework across diverse operational scenarios.
Research on soft sensor modeling method for complex chemical processes based on local semi-supervised selective ensemble learning
Authors: Liu Xuefeng , Li Longhao , Zhang Fan , Li Naiqing
Published: April 2024

To address the adverse effects of nonlinearity and dynamic time-varying in complex chemical processes on the accuracy of the soft sensor model, a local-semi-supervised ensemble learning for soft sensor modeling (local semi-supervised-selective ensemble learning-long short term memory, LS-SEL-LSTM) method is proposed in this article. Firstly, a hierarchical clustering method incorporating spatiotemporal criteria is proposed to reduce the influence of nonlinearity in global model prediction accuracy. The method considers the dynamic time-varying characteristics of temporal data and generates multiple local datasets. Then, to address the issue of multi-rate between auxiliary variables and dominant variables, a semi-supervised weight fusion mechanism based on temporal correlation is proposed, which effectively utilizes auxiliary variables to reconstruct local semi-supervised datasets and establishes local soft sensing models using LSTM. Concurrently, the parameters of the established model were optimized using the flower pollination algorithm. Subsequently, a selective ensemble learning method based on sub-model prediction accuracy and an adaptive combination weight calculation method for sub-models were proposed to improve the prediction accuracy. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method was verified through the actual dataset of the sulfur recovery process. The results indicate that LS-SEL-LSTM performs well in handling complex chemical processes with nonlinear and dynamic time-varying characteristics.
DA-VICReg: a data augmentation-free self-supervised learning approach for diesel engine fault diagnosis
Authors: Chen Tianyou , Xiang Yang , Wang Jiaxing
Published: April 2024

Self-supervised learning (SSL) aims to extract useful representations from unlabeled data by maximizing the agreement between positive pairs. However, traditional SSL relies on carefully designed data augmentation methods to generate positive pairs. When dealing with 1D vibration signals, data augmentation prone to potentially compromise the fault information in the original signals. Therefore, this paper proposes a data augmentation-free SSL framework for diesel engine fault diagnosis called Domain Adaptation Variance Invariance Covariance Regularization (DA-VICReg). The DA-VICReg uses cyclic angular vibrations collected within the same time period as positive pairs and extracts useful features from unlabeled data using a loss function composed of three terms: Variance, Invariance, and Covariance. We found that when positive pairs originate from different operating conditions, such as varying speeds and torques, the model can develop feature extraction capabilities that remain unaffected by changes in operating conditions. In addition, a spatial pyramid pooling layer and a trilinear attention module are used to extract vibration features at different scales and focus on critical spatial locations and channels. Finally, the proposed approach was validated through experiments on two types of diesel engines, and a comparison with prominent SSL methods confirms the superiority of the proposed approach. In engineering practice, this method can utilize a large amount of signals stored in different time periods for self-supervised training and learn useful features for downstream fault diagnosis tasks.
On rationally integrable planar dual multibilliards and piecewise smooth projective billiards
Authors: Glutsyuk Alexey
Published: April 2024

The billiard flow in a planar domain Ω acts on the tangent bundle

T

R

2

|
Ω

as geodesic flow with reflections from the boundary. It has the trivial first integral: squared modulus of the velocity. Bolotin’s conjecture, now a joint theorem of Bialy, Mironov and the author, deals with those billiards whose flow admits an additional integral that is polynomial in the velocity and whose restriction to the unit tangent bundle is non-constant. It states that (1) if the boundary of such a billiard is C
2-smooth, nonlinear and connected, then it is a conic; (2) if it is piecewise C
2-smooth and contains a nonlinear arc, then it consists of arcs of conics from a confocal pencil and segments of ‘admissible lines’ for the pencil; (3) the minimal degree of the additional integral is either 2, or 4. In 1997 Sergei Tabachnikov introduced projective billiards: planar curves equipped with a transversal line field, which defines a reflection acting on oriented lines and the projective billiard flow. They are common generalization of billiards on surfaces of constant curvature, but in general may have no canonical conserved quantity. In a previous paper the author classified those C
4-smooth connected nonlinear planar projective billiards whose flow admits a non-constant integral that is a rational 0-homogeneous function of the velocity (with coefficients depending on the position): these billiards are called rationally 0-homogeneously integrable. It was shown that: (1) the underlying curve is a conic; (2) the minimal degree of integral is equal to two, if the billiard is defined by a dual pencil of conics; (3) otherwise it can be arbitrary even number. In the present paper we classify piecewise C4-smooth rationally 0-homogeneously integrable projective billiards. Unexpectedly, we show that such a billiard associated to a dual pencil of conics may have integral of minimal degree 2, 4, or 12. For the proof of main results we prove dual results for the so-called dual multibilliards introduced in the present paper.
Thin film sensing near exceptional point utilizing terahertz plasmonic metasurfaces
Authors: K N Indu Krishna , Roy Chowdhury Dibakar
Published: April 2024

Non-Hermitian quantum systems along with engineered metasurfaces enable a versatile podium for sensor designs from industrial to medical sectors. The singularity points known as exceptional points (EPs) can be realized in such non-Hermitian systems. EP demonstrates a square root topology on minute perturbations, hence promising to be a potential candidate to sense external parameters, such as temperature, thermal fluctuations, refractive index, and biomolecules. Hence, in this work, through numerical and analytical investigations, we explore the sensing capabilities in the vicinity of EP utilizing suitably designed terahertz metasurfaces. Here, we propose a non-Hermitian metasystem comprising two orthogonally twisted square split ring resonators coupled by near-field Electromagnetic interactions that can exhibit dark-bright modes. In such a system, the presence of an active (photo-doped) material in the split gap of one of the resonators opens up an effective avenue to introduce controllable asymmetric losses, ultimately leading to the emergence of EPs in the polarization space. Hence, thin film sensing at the proximity of the emerged EP is investigated for different refractive indices by coating with an overlayer atop the metasurface. In such a configuration, the sensitivities of the eigenstates are calculated in terms of the refractive index unit, which turns out to be −0.044 THz RIU−1 and −0.063 THz RIU−1 when the system is perturbed near EP. Our proposed metasurface-inspired EP-based sensing strategy can open up novel ways to sense the refractive index of unknown materials besides other physical parameters.
Giant enhancement of vacuum friction in spinning YIG nanospheres
Authors: Khosravi Farhad , Sun Wenbo , Khandekar Chinmay , Li Tongcang , Jacob Zubin
Published: April 2024

Experimental observations of vacuum radiation and vacuum frictional torque are challenging due to their vanishingly small effects in practical systems. For example, a nanosphere rotating at

1

GHz

in free space slows down due to friction from vacuum fluctuations with a stopping time around the age of the Universe. Here, we show that a spinning yttrium iron garnet (YIG) nanosphere near aluminum or YIG slabs generates vacuum radiation with radiation power eight orders of magnitude larger than other metallic or dielectric spinning nanospheres. We achieve this giant enhancement by exploiting the large near-field magnetic local density of states in YIG systems, which occurs in the low-frequency GHz regime comparable to the rotation frequency. Furthermore, we propose a realistic experimental setup for observing the effects of this large vacuum radiation and frictional torque under experimentally accessible conditions.
Survey of bidirectional transmittance distribution function measurement facilities by multilateral scale comparisons
Authors: Fu Jinglin , Ferrero Alejandro , Quast Tatjana , Esslinger Michael , Santafé-Gabarda Pablo , Tejedor Néstor , Campos Joaquín , Gevaux Lou , Obein Gaël , Aschan Robin , Manoocheri Farshid , Ikonen Erkki , Porrovecchio Geiland , Šmíd Marek , Molloy Ellie , Koo Annette , Jensen Søren A , Oser Rafael , Audenaert Jan , Meuret Youri , Källberg Stefan , Gozhyk Iryna , Kraus Tobias , Schirmacher Alfred
Published: April 2024

In recent years, a growing demand for the capability of performing accurate measurements of the bidirectional transmittance distribution function (BTDF) has been observed in industry, research and development, and aerospace applications. However, there exists no calibration and measurement capabilities-entry for BTDF in the database of the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures and to date no BTDF comparison has been conducted between different national metrology institutes (NMIs) or designated institutes (DIs). As a first step to a possible future key comparison and to test the existing capabilities of determining this measurand, two interlaboratory comparisons were performed. In comparison one, five samples of three different types of optical transmissive diffusers were measured by five NMIs and one DI. By specific sample choice, the focus for this study lay more on orientation-dependent scatter properties. In comparison two, where one NMI, one DI, one university, and three industrial partners investigated their measurement capabilities, the dependence on the orientation was not assessed, but two additional samples of the same material and different thickness were measured. Results of the two comparisons are presented, giving a good overview of existing experimental solutions, and showing specific sample-related problems to be solved for improved future BTDF measurements.
MONKES: a fast neoclassical code for the evaluation of monoenergetic transport coefficients in stellarator plasmas
Authors: Escoto F.J. , Velasco J.L. , Calvo I. , Landreman M. , Parra F.I.
Published: April 2024

MONKES is a new neoclassical code for the evaluation of monoenergetic transport coefficients in stellarators. By means of a convergence study and benchmarks with other codes, it is shown that MONKES is accurate and efficient. The combination of spectral discretization in spatial and velocity coordinates with block sparsity allows MONKES to compute monoenergetic coefficients at low collisionality, in a single core, in approximately one minute. MONKES is sufficiently fast to be integrated into stellarator optimization codes for direct optimization of the bootstrap current and to be included in predictive transport suites. The code and data from this paper are available at https://github.com/JavierEscoto/MONKES/.
Discrete tensor product BGG sequences: Splines and finite elements
Authors: Bonizzoni Francesca , Hu Kaibo , Kanschat Guido , Sap Duygu
Published: April 2024

In this paper, we provide a systematic discretization of the Bernstein-Gelfand-Gelfand diagrams and complexes over cubical meshes in arbitrary dimension via the use of tensor product structures of one-dimensional piecewise-polynomial spaces, such as spline and finite element spaces. We demonstrate the construction of the Hessian, the elasticity, and

div
⁡
div

\operatorname {div}\operatorname {div}

complexes as examples for our construction.
Plasma metabolomic markers underlying skeletal muscle mitochondrial function relationships with cognition and motor function
Authors: Tian Qu , Greig Erin E , Walker Keenan A , Fishbein Kenneth W , Spencer Richard G , Resnick Susan M , Ferrucci Luigi
Published: April 2024

Background

Lower skeletal muscle mitochondrial function is associated with future cognitive impairment and mobility decline, but the biological underpinnings for these associations are unclear. We examined metabolomic markers underlying skeletal muscle mitochondrial function, cognition and motor function.

Methods

We analysed data from 560 participants from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (mean age: 68.4 years, 56% women, 28% Black) who had data on skeletal muscle oxidative capacity (post-exercise recovery rate of phosphocreatine, kPCr) via 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy and targeted plasma metabolomics using LASSO model. We then examined which kPCr-related markers were also associated with cognition and motor function in a larger sample (n = 918, mean age: 69.4, 55% women, 27% Black).

Results

The LASSO model revealed 24 metabolites significantly predicting kPCr, with the top 5 being asymmetric dimethylarginine, lactic acid, lysophosphatidylcholine a C18:1, indoleacetic acid and triacylglyceride (17:1_34:3), also significant in multivariable linear regression. The kPCr metabolite score was associated with cognitive or motor function, with 2.5-minute usual gait speed showing the strongest association (r = 0.182). Five lipids (lysophosphatidylcholine a C18:1, phosphatidylcholine ae C42:3, cholesteryl ester 18:1, sphingomyelin C26:0, octadecenoic acid) and 2 amino acids (leucine, cystine) were associated with both cognitive and motor function measures.

Conclusion

Our findings add evidence to the hypothesis that mitochondrial function is implicated in the pathogenesis of cognitive and physical decline with aging and suggest that targeting specific metabolites may prevent cognitive and mobility decline through their effects on mitochondria. Future omics studies are warranted to confirm these findings and explore mechanisms underlying mitochondrial dysfunction in aging phenotypes.
The role of multiple birth and birth complications in the association between assisted reproductive technology conception and autism diagnosis
Authors: Winter Alix S , Yartel Anthony K , Fountain Christine , Cheslack-Postava Keely , Zhang Yujia , Schieve Laura A , Kissin Dmitry M , Bearman Peter
Published: April 2024

In recent decades, the use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) has increased rapidly. To assess the relationship between ART and autism diagnosis, we linked California birth records from 2000 through 2016 with contemporaneous records from the National ART Surveillance System (NASS) and autism caseload records from California’s Department of Developmental Services from 2000 through November 2019. All 95 149 birth records that were successfully linked to a NASS record, indicating an ART birth, were matched 1:1 using propensity scores to non-ART births. We calculated the hazard risk ratio for autism diagnosis and the proportions of the relationship between ART conception and autism diagnosis mediated by multiple birth pregnancy and related birth complications. The hazard risk ratio for autism diagnosis following ART compared with non-ART conception is 1.26 (95% CI, 1.17-1.35). Multiple birth, preterm birth, and cesarean delivery jointly mediate 77.9% of the relationship between ART conception and autism diagnosis. Thus, increased use of single embryo transfer in the United States to reduce multiple births and related birth complications may be a strategy to address the risk of autism diagnosis among ART-conceived children.
Educational inequalities and alcohol-related consequences in Brazil
Authors: Oliveira Leandro Machado , Demarco Flávio Fernando , Zanatta Fabrício Batistin
Published: April 2024

Aims

This study aimed to test whether the alcohol harm paradox (AHP) is observed in Brazil by investigating (i) the association between educational attainment and alcohol-related consequences (ARC) and (ii) the contribution of average alcohol volume consumed (AVC), past-month heavy episodic drinking (HED), smoking, body mass index (BMI), and depression in accounting for the disparities in ARC.

Methods

We analysed data from the 2019 Brazilian National Health Survey, a nationally representative household survey. The composite ARC outcome was considered present when an individual reported a past-year episode of activity failure, amnesia, and concern by others due to alcohol consumption. Adjusted binary logistic regression models were fitted using a hierarchical approach to calculate the odds ratios (OR) and respective 95% confidence intervals (CI), and to assess the contribution of each set of variables in attenuating the educational differences in ARC.

Results

Those from the lowest educational strata (incomplete elementary school) exhibited higher odds of ARC than their counterparts (OR: 2.03; 95% CI: 1.73–2.37). Although smoking, BMI, and depression attenuated the educational gradient (i.e. reduced the difference between reference and riskier categories) in ARC by ~13%, the adjustment for AVC and HED amplified inequalities by 0.3% and 5.7%, respectively.

Conclusion

We found evidence of the AHP in Brazil. Educational inequalities in ARC were scarcely attenuated by behavioural factors, and a suppression effect was noted when adjusting for AVC and HED.
Efficacy of Digital and Non-Digital Compensatory Strategies in Supporting Prospective Memory Task Completion among Community-Dwelling Mid-Life and Older Adults
Authors: Beech Brooke F , Almeria Audrey T , Schmitter-Edgecombe Maureen
Published: April 2024

Objective

Compensatory strategies can be used to help mid-life and older adults successfully manage instrumental activities of daily living that rely upon prospective memory. This study compared the quality of digital and non-digital compensatory strategies in supporting accurate completion of naturalistic, real-world prospective memory tasks.

Method

Participants included 70 community-dwelling mid-life and older adults. In this cross-sectional study, participants were tested remotely via Zoom in their homes. They were tasked with completing four real-world prospective memory tasks and encouraged to use their typical compensatory strategies. Utilized strategies were categorized, counted, and assigned quality scores (rating of thoroughness and utility), and prospective memory performance was coded.

Results

Participants who used any digital strategies utilized significantly more (ηp2 = .17) and better quality (ηp2 = .12) strategies than participants who did not use any digital strategies. However, the groups demonstrated equivalent prospective memory performance (ηp2 = .006). Within the digital group, participants’ digital and non-digital strategies were of similar quality (d = .14) and resulted in similar prospective memory task accuracy (d = .01).

Conclusions

Digital and non-digital strategies led to similar performance on naturalistic prospective memory tasks. Findings suggest that many different types of strategies can provide adequate prospective memory support to healthy mid-life and older adults. To inform development of compensatory strategy interventions, future studies should explore other factors that lead to successful prospective memory, such as the specific strategy type and task type match, across the continuum of cognitive impairment.
Multiscale characterization of polymer electrolyte fuel cells elucidated by quantum beam analysis
Authors: Yoshimune Wataru
Published: April 2024

Polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) offer promising alternatives to conventional gasoline engines in automobiles and have been commercialized over the past decade. This progress can be attributed to state-of-the-art materials with high performance, long-term durability, and robust manufacturing technologies. The multiscale hierarchical structure inherent in PEFCs facilitates the transfer of protons, electrons, oxygen, and water. As various phenomena in PEFCs occur at different scales, multiscale analysis, including quantum beam analysis, is of great interest for materials development and for understanding the processes that take place in PEFCs. In particular, advancements in this field have enabled the further tailoring of properties in a controlled manner and the design of nanostructures processing superior material properties. Additionally, the expansion of quantum beam sources has facilitated the study of manufacturing protocols. This review presents the achievements in the use of synchrotron x-ray and neutron sources in the field of PEFCs, while also addressing remaining issues for the widespread commercialization of fuel cell electric vehicles.
Cortical volume reductions in men transitioning to first-time fatherhood reflect both parenting engagement and mental health risk
Authors: Saxbe Darby , Martínez-García Magdalena
Published: April 2024

Perinatal reductions in gray matter volume have been observed in human mothers transitioning to parenthood, with preliminary evidence for similar changes in fathers. These reductions have been theorized to support adaptation to parenting, but greater investigation is needed. We scanned 38 first-time fathers during their partner’s pregnancy and again after 6 months postpartum, and collected self-report data prenatally and 3, 6, and 12 months postpartum. Significant gray matter volume reductions were observed across the entire cortex but not the subcortex. Fathers who reported stronger prenatal bonding with the unborn infant, and planned to take more time off from work after birth, subsequently showed larger cortical volume decreases. Larger reductions in gray matter volume also emerged among fathers who reported stronger postpartum bonding with the infant, lower parenting stress, and more time spent with their infant. Larger volume reductions predicted more postpartum sleep problems and higher levels of postpartum depression, anxiety, and psychological distress, controlling for prenatal sleep and mental health. Volume reductions were smaller among fathers whose infants were older at the postpartum scan, indicating potential rebound. These results suggest that perinatal gray matter volume reductions might reflect not only greater parenting engagement but also increased mental health risk in new fathers.
Potential of focal cortical dysplasia in migraine pathogenesis
Authors: Fila Michal , Przyslo Lukasz , Derwich Marcin , Pawlowska Ezbieta , Blasiak Janusz
Published: April 2024

Focal cortical dysplasias are abnormalities of the cerebral cortex associated with an elevated risk of neurological disturbances. Cortical spreading depolarization/depression is a correlate of migraine aura/headache and a trigger of migraine pain mechanisms. However, cortical spreading depolarization/depression is associated with cortical structural changes, which can be classified as transient focal cortical dysplasias. Migraine is reported to be associated with changes in various brain structures, including malformations and lesions in the cortex. Such malformations may be related to focal cortical dysplasias, which may play a role in migraine pathogenesis. Results obtained so far suggest that focal cortical dysplasias may belong to the causes and consequences of migraine. Certain focal cortical dysplasias may lower the threshold of cortical excitability and facilitate the action of migraine triggers. Migraine prevalence in epileptic patients is higher than in the general population, and focal cortical dysplasias are an established element of epilepsy pathogenesis. In this narrative/hypothesis review, we present mainly information on cortical structural changes in migraine, but studies on structural alterations in deep white matter and other brain regions are also presented. We develop the hypothesis that focal cortical dysplasias may be causally associated with migraine and link pathogeneses of migraine and epilepsy.
Effective synthesis of triphylite NaMnPO4 through acid–base reaction in aqueous solution
Authors: Nagata Hiroshi , Akimoto Junji , Kataoka Kunimitsu
Published: April 2024

Triphylite structure NaMnPO4 is expected to be an excellent candidate as the positive active material of a Na-ion battery. However, NaMnPO4 tends to generate a maricite phase that does not have a valid sodium-ion conduction path. Thus, it undergoes several complex reaction steps, such as ion exchange, to obtain the triphylite phase to have an effective sodium-ion conduction path. This study provides an effective direct synthesis method for triphylite NaMnPO4 through an acid–base reaction in aqueous solution under mild conditions.
Retrospective Monkeypox Virus Surveillance Among Male Users of I Want the Kit in Maryland, United States
Authors: Manabe Yukari C , Hardick Justin , Uhteg Katherine , Ramdeep Nisha , Armington Gretchen , Mostafa Heba H , Hamill Matthew M
Published: April 2024

Retrospective surveillance leveraging male rectal swab sample remnants from I Want the Kit from July 2021 through October 2023 identified 1 symptomatic and 1 asymptomatic mpox case at the peak of transmission in 2022. Although sporadic cases continue to be reported in Maryland, additional asymptomatic cases were not identified in this leveraged surveillance.
Vaccine-Preventable Disease Outbreaks Among Healthcare Workers: A Scoping Review
Authors: Hasan Tasnim , Lynch Michelle , King Catherine , Wehbe Charbel , Plymoth Martin , Islam Md Saiful , Iannuzzi Theodore , Dao Aiken , Lai Jana , Martiniuk Alexandra , Desai Shalini , Sheel Meru
Published: April 2024

Background

Outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) in healthcare workers (HCWs) can result in morbidity and mortality and cause significant disruptions to healthcare services, patients, and visitors as well as an added burden on the healthcare system. This scoping review aimed to describe the epidemiology of VPD outbreaks in HCWs caused by diseases that are prevented by the 10 vaccines recommended by the World Health Organization for HCWs.

Methods

In April 2022, CINAHL, MEDLINE, Global Health, and EMBASE were searched for all articles reporting on VPD outbreaks in HCWs since the year 2000. Articles were included regardless of language and study type. Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of VPD outbreaks were described.

Results

Our search found 9363 articles, of which 216 met the inclusion criteria. Studies describing 6 of the 10 VPDs were found: influenza, measles, varicella, tuberculosis, pertussis, and rubella. Most articles (93%) were from high- and upper-middle-income countries. While most outbreaks occurred in hospitals, several influenza outbreaks were reported in long-term-care facilities. Based on available data, vaccination rates among HCWs were rarely reported.

Conclusions

We describe several VPD outbreaks in HCWs from 2000 to April 2022. The review emphasizes the need to understand the factors influencing outbreaks in HCWs and highlights the importance of vaccination among HCWs.
Effects of Kt/Vurea on outcomes according to age in patients on maintenance hemodialysis
Authors: Jeon Junseok , Kim Gui Ok , Kim Bo Yeon , Son Eun Jung , Do Jun Young , Lee Jung Eun , Kang Seok Hui
Published: April 2024

Background

The guidelines recommended target and minimum single-pool Kt/Vurea are 1.4 and 1.2, respectively, in hemodialysis patients. However, the optimal hemodialysis dose remains controversial. We investigated the effects of Kt/Vurea on patient outcomes according to age, with a focus on older patients.

Methods

This study used the hemodialysis quality assessment program and claims datasets. Patients were divided into four subgroups according to age (<65, 65–74, 75–84, and ≥85 years). Each group was divided into three subgroups according to Kt/Vurea : reference (ref) (1.2 ≤ Kt/Vurea ≤ 1.4), low (< 1.2), and high (> 1.4).

Results

The low, ref, and high Kt/Vurea groups included 1668, 8156, and 16 546 (< 65 years); 474, 3058, and 7646 (65–74 years); 225, 1362, and 4194 (75–84 years); and 14, 126, and 455 (≥85 years) patients, respectively. The low Kt/Vurea group had higher mortality rates than the ref Kt/Vurea group irrespective of age [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR), 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.23, 1.11–1.36; 1.14, 1.00–1.30; 1.28, 1.09–1.52; and 2.10, 1.16–3.98, in patients aged <65, 65–74, 75–84, and ≥85 years, respectively]. The high Kt/Vurea group had lower mortality rates than the ref Kt/Vurea group in patients aged <65 and 65–74 years (aHR, 95% Cl: 0.87, 0.82–0.92 and 0.93, 0.87–0.99 in patients aged <65 and 65–74 years, respectively).

Conclusions

These results support the current recommendations of a minimum Kt/Vurea of 1.2 even in patients age ≥85 years. In young patients, Kt/Vurea above the recommended threshold can be beneficial for survival.
Cerebral haemorrhage in the patient with atrial fibrillation: do we employ the direct oral anticoagulants without waiting too long?
Authors: Vassiliki’ Coutsoumbas Gloria , Di Pasquale Giuseppe
Published: April 2024

Intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) is the most feared haemorrhagic complication of oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT), although the risk is significantly lower with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) compared with warfarin. Intracranial haemorrhage is generally considered, by clinicians, to be an absolute contraindication to starting or resuming OAT in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). On the other hand, the pivotal trials with DOACs excluded patients with previous ICH. Observational studies actually indicate a net clinical benefit in favour of DOAC in patients with AF and previous ICH. This benefit is confirmed by randomized clinical trials which, however, have the limitation of the small number of cases, but larger clinical trials comparing DOACs vs. aspirin or no therapy are underway. While OAT is certainly contraindicated in patients with lobar ICH and cerebral amyloid angiopathy, in other cases, the decision must be made in the individual patient through an accurate balance between thromboembolic risk and haemorrhagic risk and a multidisciplinary cardio-neurological evaluation.
Abnormal conduction-induced cardiomyopathy: a poorly explored entity
Authors: Lalario Andrea , Rossi Maddalena , Allegro Valentina , Gagno Giulia , Perotto Maria , De Luca Antonio , Merlo Marco , Sanna Giuseppe Damiano , Sinagra Gianfranco
Published: April 2024

A dyssynchronous biventricular activation, which can be determined by left bundle branch block, chronic right ventricular pacing, frequent premature ventricular complexes, or pre-excitation, can cause a global abnormal contractility, thus leading to systolic dysfunction and left ventricular remodelling in a unique nosological entities: abnormal conduction-induced cardiomyopathies. In this clinical scenario, the mainstay therapy is eliminating or improving LV dyssynchrony, removing the trigger. This usually ensures the improvement and even recovery of cardiac geometry and left ventricular function, especially in the absence of genetic background. A multidisciplinary approach, integrating advanced multimodal imaging, is essential for the systematic aetiological definition and the subsequent evaluation and aetiology-guided therapies of patients and their families. This review aims to describe mechanisms, prevalence, risk factors, and diagnostic and therapeutic approach to the various abnormal conduction-induced cardiomyopathies, starting from reasonable certainties and then analysing the grey areas requiring further studies.
Educational inequalities in major depressive disorder prevalence, timing and duration among adults over the life course: a microsimulation analysis based on the Lifelines Cohort Study
Authors: Lepe Alexander , Hoveling Liza A , Boissonneault Michaël , de Beer Joop A A , Reijneveld Sijmen A , de Kroon Marlou L A , Liefbroer Aart C
Published: April 2024

Background

Educational inequalities in major depressive disorder (MDD) pose a major challenge. Tackling this issue requires evidence on the long-term impact of intervening on modifiable factors, for example lifestyle and psychosocial factors. For this reason, we aimed to simulate the development of educational inequalities in MDD across the life course, and to estimate the potential impact of intervening on modifiable factors.

Methods

We used data from the prospective Dutch Lifelines Cohort Study to estimate the required input for a continuous-time microsimulation. The microsimulation allowed us to project the development of educational inequalities in MDD between ages 18 and 65, and to assess the potential benefit of intervening on quality of social contacts, health literacy and smoking.

Results

On average, an additional 19.1% of individuals with low education will ever experience MDD between ages 18 and 65 compared with those with high education. Additionally, individuals with low education generally will develop MDD 0.9 years earlier and spend 1.2 years more with MDD, than individuals with high education. Improving the quality of social contacts in individuals with low education produced the largest effect; it would reduce the inequalities in the prevalence, onset and duration of MDD by an average of 18.4%, 18.3% and 28.6%, respectively.

Conclusions

Intervening on modifiable factors, particularly quality of social contacts, in individuals with low education could help reduce the estimated educational inequalities in MDD over the life course.
‘The Black Prince of Baker Street’ and the Black Presence in Britain, 1837–1849
Authors: Scriven Tom
Published: April 2024

Between 1838 and 1849 a man repeatedly visited London claiming to be ‘Louis Christophe’, seeking access to money deposited in the Bank of England by his ‘brother’ the deceased King of Haiti, Henri Christophe. By following this impostor around London and the wider Atlantic, this article makes an important contribution to understanding of the Black presence in Britain during the early Victorian period. Alongside his interactions with the Black community, it documents how ‘Louis Christophe’ was able to defraud British philanthropists, the forms of racial prejudice he received during the decade, and the legacy of the Haitian Revolution.
Exact mixed-integer quadratic formulation and solution for large-scale thermal unit commitment
Authors: Kang Chuanxiong , Wang Yongwen , Wu Shaofei , Ding Guili , Chen Chen
Published: April 2024

Thermal unit commitment (UC) is a nonlinear combinatorial optimization problem that minimizes total operating costs while considering system load balance, on/off restrictions and other constraints. Successfully solving the thermal UC problem contributes to a more reliable power system and reduces thermal costs. This paper presents an exact mixed-integer quadratic programming (EMIQP) method for large-scale thermal UC problems. EMIQP revolutionizes the landscape by seamlessly translating the intricate nonlinear combinatorial optimization problem of UC into an exact mixed-integer quadratic formulation. This approach also elegantly reimagines on/off constraints as mixed-integer linear equations, employing both the sum and respective approaches. Our case studies unequivocally demonstrate the exceptional prowess of the EMIQP method, consistently securing the global optimum. Moreover, the mathematical-based EMIQP method produces identical results at each run, which is extremely important for UC in the real world.
Inappropriate prescribing contributes to high antibiotic exposure in young children in Australia
Authors: Netea Stejara A , Messina Nicole L , Gardiner Kaya , Pittet Laure F , Curtis Nigel ,   the MIS BAIR trial consortium, Casalaz Dan , Donath Susan , Flanagan Katie L , Freyne Bridget , Ponsonby Anne-Louise , Robins-Browne Roy M , Shann Frank , South Mike , Vuillermin Peter , Abruzzo Veronica , Bellamy Karen , Brophy Clare , Elia Sonia , Free Jackie , Gentile-Andrit Marie , Mitchell Kirsten , Morrison Clare , O'Neill Brooke , Owald Monica , Reilly Faith , Quinn Julie , Wall Kate , Goodall Casey , Ormond Gill
Published: April 2024

Background

Antibiotic exposure increases antimicrobial resistance and has also been associated with long-term harms, including allergies, inflammatory diseases and weight gain. We assessed antibiotic exposure in the first 2 years of life in Australian children, the factors influencing this and its appropriateness.

Methods

Data from 1201 participants in the MIS BAIR randomized controlled trial were used. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with antibiotic exposure.

Results

At 1 and 2 years of age, exposure to at least one course of antibiotics was 43% and 67%, with the highest first antibiotic prescription rate between 9 and 18 months. Amoxicillin was the most frequently used antibiotic (59%), followed by cefalexin (7%). The most common diagnoses for which antibiotics were prescribed were respiratory tract infections from 0 to 6 months of age and otitis media from 6 to 12 months. Factors associated with antibiotic exposure from 0 to 12 months of age were delivery by Caesarean section (adjusted odd-ratio (aOR) 1.5, 95%CI 1.1–1.9), birth in winter (aOR 1.7, 95%CI 1.2–2.4), maternal antibiotic exposure during the last trimester of pregnancy (aOR 1.6, 95%CI 1.1–2.3), cessation of breastfeeding by 6 months of age (aOR 1.5, 95%CI 1.1–2.0) and day-care attendance (aOR 1.4, 95%CI 1.1–1.8). Based on parent-reported questionnaires, 27% of infants were treated in the first year of life for conditions unlikely to need antibiotic treatment.

Conclusion

At least two-thirds of children were prescribed antibiotics in the first 2 years of life, and more than a quarter of these exposures may have been unnecessary.
Occurrence and characterization of rmtB-harbouring Salmonella and Escherichia coli isolates from a pig farm in the UK
Authors: Navickaite Indre , Holmes Harry , Dondi Letizia , Randall Luke , Fearnley Catherine , Taylor Emma , Fullick Edward , Horton Robert , Williamson Susanna , AbuOun Manal , Teale Christopher , Anjum Muna F
Published: April 2024

Objectives

To characterize and elucidate the spread of amikacin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae isolates from environmental samples on a pig farm in the UK, following the previous identification of index Salmonella isolates harbouring the rmtB gene, a 16S rRNA methylase.

Methods

Environmental samples were collected during two visits to a pig farm in the UK. Isolates were recovered using selective media (amikacin 128 mg/L) followed by real-time PCR and WGS to analyse rmtB-carrying Salmonella and Escherichia coli isolates.

Results

Salmonella and E. coli isolates harbouring the rmtB gene were detected at both farm visits. All Salmonella isolates were found to be monophasic S. enterica serovar Typhimurium variant Copenhagen of ST34. rmtB-harbouring E. coli isolates were found to be one of three STs: ST4089, ST1684 and ST34. Long-read sequencing identified the rmtB gene to be chromosomally located in Salmonella isolates and on IncFII-type plasmids in E. coli isolates. The results showed the rmtB gene to be flanked by IS26 elements and several resistance genes.

Conclusions

We report on the occurrence of rmtB-harbouring Enterobacteriaceae on a pig farm in the UK. rmtB confers resistance to multiple aminoglycosides and this work highlights the need for surveillance to assess dissemination and risk.
8 Burn Shock: What Defines a Failing Fluid Resuscitation?
Authors: Plum Abigail , Johnson Ryan M , Galicia Kevin E , Kubasiak John
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Major burn injuries often elicit burn shock requiring acute fluid resuscitation for patient survival. Successful resuscitation is a significant challenge for patient management as under-resuscitation and over-resuscitation can lead to greater adverse events. At the ABA-State of the Science in 2021, proposed definitions included >1,500ml IVF per hour, although no clear clinical data supported this expert consensus. A clear definition of a failing resuscitation may better guide physician decision-making for additional interventions. The primary objective of this study was to examine the association between intervention provided within three hours following a defined indication of failing resuscitation and patient survival.

Methods

The study utilized the Acute Burn ResUscitation Multicenter Prospective Trial (ABRUPT), consisting of patients ≥18 years with burns ≥20% of total body surface area (TBSA), to examine three indications of failing resuscitation. Three mutually exclusive analyses were conducted on patients that had fluid resuscitation of ≥1000 mL in one hour, fluid resuscitation of ≥1500 mL in one hour, or two consecutive hours of urine output < 30 mL. Intervention was defined as the patient having new vasopressors or a new ventilator within three hours of the first indication of failing resuscitation. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the associations of interest and to adjust for confounders.

Results

Patients with a failing resuscitation indicator of ≥1000 mL/hr who received an intervention were 46% more likely to be alive at the end of the study (OR=0.54: 95% CI=0.22-1.33). Patients with a failing resuscitation indicator of ≥1500 mL/hr who received an intervention were 50% less likely to be alive at the end of the study (OR=1.5: 95% CI=0.47-5.01). Patients with a failing resuscitation indicator of urine output < 30 mL who received an intervention were 6% less likely to be alive at the end of the study (OR=1.06: 95% CI=0.51-2.22). These results were adjusted for age, TBSA %, and inhalation injury.

Conclusions

A lower indication for failing resuscitation (≥1000 mL/hr) followed by an intervention shows potential for increased patient survival, although adjusted analyses were insignificant likely due to the small patient sample size. Further work is needed to conclude a sufficient definition of failing resuscitation for burn shock.

Applicability of Research to Practice

Identifying a clear definition of failing resuscitation will serve as a consistent guide for physician response to burn shock.