bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
1D Ising model using the Kronecker sum and Kronecker product
Authors: Magare Sourabh , Roy Abhinash Kumar , Srivastava Varun
Published: February 2022

Calculations in the Ising model can be cumbersome and non-intuitive. Here we provide a formulation that addresses these issues for 1D scenarios. We represent the microstates of spin interactions as a diagonal matrix. This is done using two operations: the Kronecker sum and Kronecker product. The calculations thus become a simple matter of manipulating diagonal matrices. We address the following problems in this work: spins in the magnetic field, open-chain 1D Ising model, closed-chain 1D Ising model and the 1D Ising model in an external magnetic field. We believe that this representation will help provide students and experts with a simple yet powerful technique to carry out calculations in this model.
A laboratory course on detector readout for undergraduate students of experimental physics
Authors: Carniti Paolo , Gotti Claudio , Pessina Gianluigi
Published: February 2022

The laboratory course program presented in this paper (96 h in total) aims to give undergraduate students of experimental physics the necessary knowledge to build and manage a complete experimental setup for the readout of a particle detector. Students learn to understand and operate silicon photosensors (SiPMs) in single photon regime; to amplify and shape their analogue signals with feedbacked operational amplifiers; to digitise and trigger them with a microcontroller; and to transmit waveforms via UART on a PC running MATLAB, where they can build typical ‘comb-like’ SiPM spectra that allow to discern single photoelectrons.
Inverse design of ultra-compact photonic gates for all-optical logic operations
Authors: Neşeli Berkay , Yilmaz Yusuf Abdulaziz , Kurt Hamza , Turduev Mirbek
Published: February 2022

Logic gates have great importance in realization of rapid data transmission as well as low loss transfers. In this paper, a multi-objective inverse-design approach is implemented by using objective-first algorithm to design optical AND, OR, NAND and NOT logic gates on Si-platform at the design wavelength of 1.30 μm. For all gates, the design area is fixed to 2.24 μm × 2.24 μm. The optical logic ‘1’ output is accepted to be optical power values greater than 0.8 times of the input optical power. By implementing a Bias waveguide as well as two input ports, we made it possible to achieve logic ‘1’ output for logic operations having no inputs such as ‘0 NAND 0 = 1’ and ‘0 NOT = 1’. We binarized the proposed logic gates, and then numerically analyzed them by using finite-difference time-domain method. Proposed AND gate yields 1.20 times of input power for ‘1 AND 1 = 1’ logic operation and highest logic ‘0’ is obtained for logic operation of ‘1 AND 0 = 0’ as 0.40 times of the input power at the operating wavelength. It is also observed that proposed logic gates can operate not only at the design wavelength of 1.30 μm but also at broad wavelength regions as well. Finally, we demonstrate that it is possible to carry out complex logic operations by combining the proposed logic AND, OR and NAND gates to construct an XOR gate in the same platform.
A dual-band reconfigurable intelligent metasurface with beam steering
Authors: Lin Hai , Yu Wen , Tang Rongxin , Jin Jing , Wang Yumei , Xiong Jie , Wu Yanjie , Zhao Junming
Published: February 2022

In recent years, reconfigurable metasurfaces have become research hotspots since they can manipulate electromagnetic waves dynamically and flexibly. The realisation of cost-effective and energy-efficient wireless communications via reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) is attractive in various application scenerios. In this work, a

+

45

∘

-polarized dual-band reconfigurable metasurface with beam steering ability is proposed to combat signal attenuation in wireless communications. By varying the bias voltages of the integrated varactors in the specially designed meta-atom, 0 and π phase responses have been excited around both 2.4 and 5.8 GHz. Taking advantage of this unique feature, we proposed a one-bit coding RIS device which provides dual-band application. To validate the proposed concepts, a reconfigurable metasurface composed of 16 × 16 elements was fabricated and measured. The measurement results agree well with the simulation, so the proposed prototype is a promising candidate for future intelligent communications.
The distance between the two BBM leaders
Authors: Berestycki Julien , Brunet Éric , Graham Cole , Mytnik Leonid , Roquejoffre Jean-Michel , Ryzhik Lenya
Published: February 2022

We study the distance between the two rightmost particles in branching Brownian motion. Derrida and the second author have shown that the long-time limit d
12 of this random variable can be expressed in terms of PDEs related to the Fisher–KPP equation. We use such a representation to determine the sharp asymptotics of

P

(

d

12

>
a

)

as a → +∞. These tail asymptotics were previously known to ‘exponential order;’ we discover an algebraic correction to this behavior.
Inverse variational principles for control systems
Authors: Wang Tao , Huang Yu
Published: February 2022

Inspired by Katok’s idea in defining measure-theoretic entropy, we introduce several measure-theoretic invariance entropies in control systems via spanning sets. Properties of them are investigated. Especially, we show that the measure-theoretic invariance entropies of a given set can be characterized by its relatively invariant subsets. More importantly, we obtain two inverse variational principles connecting measure-theoretic invariance entropy and topological invariance entropy, which help us to establish two formulae for the measure-theoretic invariance entropies of control sets for linear control systems, including linear continuous-time and discrete-time systems.
Dual-layer collimator for improved spatial resolution in SPECT with CZT camera: an analytical and Monte Carlo study
Authors: Boutaghane Nasreddine , Hesse Michel , Bouzid Boualem , Zaidi Habib , Jamar François , Walrand Stephan
Published: February 2022

Purpose. Current hole matching pixel detector (HMPD) collimators for SPECT imaging exist in two configurations: one hole per pixel (1HMPD) or four holes per pixel (4HMPD). The aim of this study was to assess the performance of a dual-layer collimator made by stacking up these two collimator types (1H/4HMDP) for low- and medium energy gamma emitters. Method. Analytical equations describing geometrical efficiency and full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the 1H/4HMDP collimator were derived. In addition, a fast dedicated Monte Carlo (MC) code neglecting scattering and designed for the collimator geometry was developed to assess the collimator’s point spread function and to simulate planar and SPECT acquisitions. Results. A relative agreement between analytical equations and MC simulations better than 3% was observed for the efficiency and for the FWHM. The length of the two layers was optimized to get the best spatial resolution while keeping the geometrical efficiency equal to that of the 45 mm length 1HMPD collimator. An optimized combination of the 1H/4HMPD configuration with respective hole lengths of 20 and 13 mm has been derived. For source-collimator distances above 5 cm and equal collimator geometrical efficiency, the spatial resolution of this optimal 1H/4HMDP collimator supersedes that of the 45 mm length 1HMPD collimator, and that of the 19.1 mm length 4HMPD collimator. This improvement was observed in simulations of bar phantom planar images and of hot rods phantom SPECT. Remarkably, the spatial resolution was preserved along the whole radial range within the Jaszczak phantom. Conclusion. The 1H/4HMDP collimator is a promising solution for CZT SPECT imaging of low- and medium energy emitters.
Study on interfacial interactions and optoelectronic properties of MEH-PPV/SnO2 hetero-structure
Authors: Ashok Kumar Sangeetha , Shankar Jaya Seeli , Periyasamy Bhuvana K
Published: February 2022

The exciton dynamics in nanocomposites of tin oxide (SnO2) nanoparticles with a conjugated polymer (poly (2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethylhexyloxy) 1,4-phenylenevinylene) (MEH-PPV) have been investigated by steady-state, time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry (CV) analysis. SnO2 is an air-stable, optically transparent, electrically conductive deep valance band metal oxide which is suitable as an electron-accepting material in organic photovoltaics (PVs). Results reveals that SnO2 is an efficient electron-accepting material in comparison with titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles. Efficient charge separation takes places at SnO2/MEH-PPV interfaces when the polymer is excited, leading to enhancement in quenching of PL efficiency (10%) and shortening of the measured PL lifetime. In addition, the reduction in recombination rate of MEH-PPV/SnO2 nanocomposite show that the incorporation of nanoparticles in the polymer chain reduce disorders in the polymer chains. The blue-shift in the absorbance and emission maxima denotes that the process of in situ polymerization resulted in shortening of polymer chain conjugation. The electrochemical analysis for MEH-PPV/SnO2 nanocomposite shows increase in current density compared to MEH-PPV/TiO2 and pristine MEH-PPV. Moreover, the PL degradation experiments showed that MEH-PPV/SnO2 exhibited enhanced stability. MEH-PPV/SnO2 film attained 50% of the original intensity in ∼10 d, while pristine MEH-PPV and MEH-PPV/TiO2 exhibited half-life of ∼5 d when exposed to an ambient environment. The effect of TiO2 nanoparticles to stabilize MEH-PPV is though less important than that of SnO2. Thus MEH-PPV/SnO2 nanocomposite with enhanced absorbance, conductivity, stability and lowered bandgap formed an effective type-II band structure suitable for the PV active layer.
Metal-nitride dual-anode AlGaN/GaN heterostructure Schottky barrier diodes with tunable turn-on voltage and reverse leakage current
Authors: Wang Ting-Ting , Wang Xiao , Cui Zhen-Hai , Hong Wen , Li Yang , Li Liu-An , He Yue , Jia Mao , Guo Chen , Bai Li-Hua , Geng Ying-Zhao , Hao Yue , Ao Jin-Ping
Published: February 2022

AlGaN/GaN heterostructure lateral Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) with TiN and NiN dual anode (DA) on sapphire substrates are investigated in this letter. The NiN anode with its high work-function leads to low leakage current and high breakdown voltage, while TiN anode with its low work-function determines the low turn-on voltage of the DA SBDs. Tunable turn-on voltage and leakage current are obtained in the DA SBDs by varying the radius of the TiN anode. As the radius of the TiN anode decreases from 80 to 8 μm, the turn-on voltage increases from 0.64 to 0.94 V, while the reverse leakage current decreases from 1 × 10−2 to 1 × 10−4 mA mm−1 at a reverse bias of −10 V and cathode–anode distance of 20 μm. The differential specific on-resistance at 100 mA mm−1 is 4.5 mΩ cm2 and barely changes with various radius of the TiN anode. A high breakdown voltage of 1.49 kV is achieved in the AlGaN/GaN DA SBDs with the radius of 80 μm of the TiN anode, obtaining a power Baliga’s figure of merit of 0.48 GW cm−2 at the cathode–anode distance of 20 μm. Besides, dynamic on-resistance increases less than 15% under pulse voltage bias at −60 V which may account on the good interface between metal nitrides and AlGaN, which is beneficial to the high frequency and high power application.
Review of the temporal stability of the magnetic field for ultra-high field superconducting magnets with a particular focus on superconducting joints between HTS conductors
Authors: Takeda Y , Maeda H , Ohki K , Yanagisawa Y
Published: February 2022

Superconducting magnets used in applications such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) require significant temporal magnetic field stability, which can be achieved when the MRI and NMR magnets are operated in the persistent current mode (persistent-mode) using superconducting joints. However, the ultra-high field MRI and NMR magnets are sometimes operated in the driven mode. Herein, we present an analysis of the temporal magnetic field drift and fluctuations observed for MRI and NMR magnets operating in the driven mode and an exploration of effective methods for stabilizing the temporal magnetic field fluctuations. In the last decade, substantial improvements have been achieved in superconducting joints between high-temperature superconductors (HTSs). These superconducting joints enable the development of persistent-mode ultra-high field magnets using HTS coils. Therefore, we herein review the superconducting joint technology for HTS conductors and describe the results of the persistent-mode operation achieved by a medium-field NMR magnet using an HTS coil. Particularly, the cutting-edge progress achieved concerning HTS superconducting joints, including joining methods, superconducting properties, and future prospects, is highlighted along with the issues that need to be addressed.
Enhanced radio-frequency performance of niobium films on copper substrates deposited by high power impulse magnetron sputtering
Authors: Arzeo M , Avino F , Pfeiffer S , Rosaz G , Taborelli M , Vega-Cid L , Venturini-Delsolaro W
Published: February 2022

We present a study of radio frequency properties of niobium films deposited on copper by two different approaches based on High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering, namely with a DC voltage biased substrate and with bipolar target voltage. Such approaches enable the synthesis of dense superconducting (SC) layers. The SC radio frequency losses of these films are characterized as a function of the applied RF magnetic field using a dedicated calorimetric method. We report on a significant reduction of the Q-slope phenomenon and the residual surface resistance in the characterized films, achieving similar values as those obtained on bulk niobium surfaces qualified with the same technique. Our results pave the way towards the realization of Nb/Cu coated accelerating cavities featuring a surface resistance 2–3 times lower than the state-of-the-art values at working frequencies of 400 and 800 MHz, making this technology even more appealing for future particle accelerators and colliders.
A topological dynamical system with two different positive sofic entropies
Authors: Airey Dylan , Bowen Lewis , Lin Yuqing
Published: February 2022

A sofic approximation to a countable group is a sequence of partial actions on finite sets that asymptotically approximates the action of the group on itself by left-translations. A group is sofic if it admits a sofic approximation. Sofic entropy theory is a generalization of classical entropy theory in dynamics to actions by sofic groups. However, the sofic entropy of an action may depend on a choice of sofic approximation. All previously known examples showing this dependence rely on degenerate behavior. This paper exhibits an explicit example of a mixing subshift of finite type with two different positive sofic entropies. The example is inspired by statistical physics literature on 2-colorings of random hyper-graphs.
Stability of Captisol-enabled versus propylene glycol–based melphalan at room temperature and after refrigeration
Authors: Kawedia Jitesh D , Ramchandran Sumankalai , Liu Xiaoqian , Gulbis Alison M , Titus Mark , Bashir Qaiser , Qazilbash Muzaffar H , Champlin Richard E , Ciurea Stefan O
Published: February 2022

Purpose

To compare the chemical stability of Captisol-enabled (CE) melphalan (“CE-melphalan”; Evomela, Acrotech Biopharma LLC) and propylene glycol (PG)–based melphalan (“PG-melphalan”; Alkeran, GlaxoSmithKline) admixtures prepared with 0.9% sodium chloride injection in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) bags or reconstituted vials stored at room temperature (RT) and under refrigeration.

Methods

Lyophilized CE-melphalan and generic PG-melphalan were reconstituted to 5 mg/mL with 0.9% sodium chloride injection or manufacturer-supplied diluent, respectively. The reconstituted vials were then diluted to the desired concentrations with 0.9% sodium chloride injection in PVC bags and were stored at RT (23oC) or under refrigeration (4oC). Aliquots were withdrawn from the bags and reconstituted vials of CE-melphalan and PG-melphalan immediately after preparation and at predetermined time intervals. Melphalan concentrations were measured using a validated high-performance liquid chromatography method.

Results

CE-melphalan reconstituted in PVC bags at concentrations of 1 and 2 mg/mL was stable for 6 and 24 hours, respectively, at RT and for 8 and 24 hours, respectively, at 4oC. PG-melphalan reconstituted in bags at 1, 1.5, and 2 mg/mL was stable for 1, 2, and 2 hours, respectively, at RT and for 2, 4, and 4 hours, respectively, at 4oC. Reconstituted CE-melphalan vials were stable for 48 hours at both RT and 4oC, whereas PG-melphalan vials were stable for 6 hours at RT but formed precipitate within 2 hours at 4oC.

Conclusion

CE-melphalan remained stable longer than generic PG-melphalan under the test conditions. CE-melphalan at 2 mg/mL has 24-hour stability at RT and can be used for extended infusion times or may be compounded ahead of time. Reconstituted CE-melphalan vials are stable for 48 hours at both RT and 4oC.
Reducing healthcare disparities using multiple multiethnic data distributions with fine-tuning of transfer learning
Authors: Toseef Muhammad , Li Xiangtao , Wong Ka-Chun
Published: February 2022

Healthcare disparities in multiethnic medical data is a major challenge; the main reason lies in the unequal data distribution of ethnic groups among data cohorts. Biomedical data collected from different cancer genome research projects may consist of mainly one ethnic group, such as people with European ancestry. In contrast, the data distribution of other ethnic races such as African, Asian, Hispanic, and Native Americans can be less visible than the counterpart. Data inequality in the biomedical field is an important research problem, resulting in the diverse performance of machine learning models while creating healthcare disparities. Previous researches have reduced the healthcare disparities only using limited data distributions. In our study, we work on fine-tuning of deep learning and transfer learning models with different multiethnic data distributions for the prognosis of 33 cancer types. In previous studies, to reduce the healthcare disparities, only a single ethnic cohort was used as the target domain with one major source domain. In contrast, we focused on multiple ethnic cohorts as the target domain in transfer learning using the TCGA and MMRF CoMMpass study datasets. After performance comparison for experiments with new data distributions, our proposed model shows promising performance for transfer learning schemes compared to the baseline approach for old and new data distributation experiments.
Sorting out Parkinson’s disease: one cell at a time
Authors: Lin Hsin-Pin , Narendra Derek P.
Published: February 2022

This scientific commentary refers to ‘Single-cell sequencing of human midbrain reveals glial activation and a Parkinson-specific neuronal state’ by Smajić et al. (https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awab446).
Impact of Tamoxifen on Vorinostat-Induced Human Immunodeficiency Virus Expression in Women on Antiretroviral Therapy: AIDS Clinical Trials Group A5366, The MOXIE Trial
Authors: Scully Eileen P , Aga Evgenia , Tsibris Athe , Archin Nancie , Starr Kate , Ma Qing , Morse Gene D , Squires Kathleen E , Howell Bonnie J , Wu Guoxin , Hosey Lara , Sieg Scott F , Ehui Lynsay , Giguel Francoise , Coxen Kendyll , Dobrowolski Curtis , Gandhi Monica , Deeks Steve , Chomont Nicolas , Connick Elizabeth , Godfrey Catherine , Karn Jonathan , Kuritzkes Daniel R , Bosch Ronald J , Gandhi Rajesh T
Published: February 2022

Background

Biological sex and the estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) modulate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) activity. Few women have enrolled in clinical trials of latency reversal agents (LRAs); their effectiveness in women is unknown. We hypothesized that ESR1 antagonism would augment induction of HIV expression by the LRA vorinostat.

Methods

AIDS Clinical Trials Group A5366 enrolled 31 virologically suppressed, postmenopausal women on antiretroviral therapy. Participants were randomized 2:1 to receive tamoxifen (arm A, TAMOX/VOR) or observation (arm B, VOR) for 5 weeks followed by 2 doses of vorinostat. Primary end points were safety and the difference between arms in HIV RNA induction after vorinostat. Secondary analyses included histone 4 acetylation, HIV DNA, and plasma viremia by single copy assay (SCA).

Results

No significant adverse events were attributed to study treatments. Tamoxifen did not enhance vorinostat-induced HIV transcription (between-arm ratio, 0.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], .2–2.4). Vorinostat-induced HIV transcription was higher in participants with increases in H4Ac (fold increase, 2.78; 95% CI, 1.34–5.79) vs those 9 who did not (fold increase, 1.04; 95% CI, .25–4.29). HIV DNA and SCA plasma viremia did not substantially change.

Conclusions

Tamoxifen did not augment vorinostat-induced HIV RNA expression in postmenopausal women. The modest latency reversal activity of vorinostat, postmenopausal status, and low level of HIV RNA expression near the limits of quantification limited assessment of the impact of tamoxifen. This study is the first HIV cure trial done exclusively in women and establishes both the feasibility and necessity of investigating novel HIV cure strategies in women living with HIV.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT03382834.
Utility of Epstein–Barr Virus DNA in Nasopharynx Swabs as a Reflex Test to Triage Seropositive Individuals in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Screening Programs
Authors: Chen Geng Hang , Liu Zhiwei , Yu Kelly J , Coghill Anna E , Chen Xiao Xia , Xie Shang Hang , Lin Dong Feng , Huang Qi Hong , Lu Yu Qiang , Ling Wei , Lin Chu Yang , Lu Zi Jian , Fan Yu Ying , Tang Lin Quan , Sampson Joshua N , Li Hui , King Ann D , Middeldorp Jaap M , Hildesheim Allan , Cao Su Mei
Published: February 2022

Background

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) DNA detection in the nasopharynx is considered a biomarker for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We evaluated its performance as a reflex test to triage EBV seropositives within an NPC screening program in China.

Methods

The study population was embedded within an ongoing NPC screening trial and included 1111 participants who screened positive for anti-EBV VCA (antibodies against EBV capsid antigens)/EBNA1 (EBV nuclear antigen1)-IgA antibodies (of 18 237 screened). Nasopharynx swabs were collected/tested for EBNA1 gene EBV DNA load. We evaluated performance of EBV DNA in the nasopharynx swab as a reflex test to triage EBV serological high-risk (those referred to endoscopy/MRI) and medium-risk (those referred to accelerated screening) individuals.

Results

By the end of 2019, we detected 20 NPC cases from 317 serological high-risk individuals and 4 NPC cases from 794 medium-risk individuals. When used to triage serological high-risk individuals, nasopharynx swab EBV DNA was detected in 19/20 cases (positivity rate among cases: 95.0%; 95% CI, 75.1%–99.9%), with a referral rate of 63.4% (201/317, 95% CI, 57.8%–68.7%) and NPC detection rate among positives of 9.5% (19/201, 95% CI, 5.8%–14.4%). The performance of an algorithm that combined serology with triage of serology high-risk individuals using EBV DNA testing yielded a sensitivity of 72.4% (95% CI, 3.0%-81.4%) and specificity of 97.6% (95% CI, 97.2%-97.9%). When used to triage EBV serological medium-risk individuals, the positivity rate among cases was 75.0% (95% CI, 19.4%-99.4%), with a referral rate of 61.8% (95% CI, 58.4%-65.2%) and NPC detection rate among positives of 0.6% (95% CI, 0.1%-1.8%).

Conclusions

Nasopharynx swab EBV DNA showed promise as a reflex test to triage serology high-risk individuals, reducing referral by ca. 40% with little reduction in sensitivity compared to a serology-only screening program.
A Self-Stabilizing Distributed Algorithm for the Generalized Dominating Set Problem With Safe Convergence
Authors: Kobayashi Hisaki , Sudo Yuichi , Kakugawa Hirotsugu , Masuzawa Toshimitsu
Published: February 2022

A self-stabilizing distributed algorithm is guaranteed eventually to reach and stay at a legitimate configuration regardless of the initial configuration of a distributed system. In this paper, we propose the generalized dominating set problem, which is a generalization of the dominating set and $k$-redundant dominating set problems. In the generalized dominating set we propose in this paper, each node $P_{i}$ is given its set of domination wish sets, and a generalized dominating set is a set of nodes such that each node is contained in the set or has a wish set in which all its members are in the set. We propose a self-stabilizing distributed algorithm for finding a minimal generalized dominating set in an arbitrary network under the unfair distributed daemon. The proposed algorithm converges in $O(n^{3}m)$ steps and $O(n)$ rounds, where $n$ (resp., $m$) is the number of nodes (resp., edges). Furthermore, it has the safe convergence property with safe convergence time in $O(1)$ rounds. The space complexity of the proposed algorithm is $O(\Delta \log n)$ bits per node, where $\Delta $ is the maximum degree of nodes.
Modelling and Predictive Analytics of COVID-19 Transmission Using Gustafson–Kessel Fuzzy Clustering Approach
Authors: Vijayakarthick M , Sivaraman E , Sathishbabu S , Vinoth N , Sivaraj S N
Published: February 2022

A novel Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is declared as the international public health emergency concern by the World Health Organization in the month of March 2020. This viral disease invented from China in the month of December 2019 has previously caused havoc around the world, including India. In this paper, efficient mathematical models using Gustafson–Kessel fuzzy clustering approach for the transmission of the COVID-19 are developed by considering the actual reported cases in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The results proved a good concord between the reported data and the estimated data given by the proposed models. Moreover, the developed models are also capable to predict the requirements of beds in hospitals on the month of August 2020 in Tamil Nadu, India. Also, this work suggests strictly implementing/extending the complete lockdown for at least 21 days in the month of August 2020 and immediate separation of infected cases are the positive steps to reduce the spread of novel corona virus in Tamil Nadu state, India.
Decentralized Data Flows for the Functional Scalability of Service-Oriented IoT Systems
Authors: Arellanes Damian , Lau Kung-Kiu , Sakellariou Rizos
Published: February 2022

Horizontal and vertical scalability have been widely studied in the context of computational resources. However, with the exponential growth in the number of connected objects, functional scalability (in terms of the size of software systems) is rapidly becoming a central challenge for building efficient service-oriented Internet of Things (IoT) systems that generate huge volumes of data continuously. As systems scale up, a centralized approach for moving data between services becomes infeasible because it leads to a single performance bottleneck. A distributed approach avoids such a bottleneck, but it incurs additional network traffic as data streams pass through multiple mediators. Decentralized data exchange is the only solution for realizing totally efficient IoT systems, since it avoids a single performance bottleneck and dramatically minimizes network traffic. In this paper, we present a functionally scalable approach that separates data and control for the realization of decentralized data flows in service-oriented IoT systems. Our approach is evaluated empirically, and the results show that it scales well with the size of IoT systems by substantially reducing both the number of data flows and network traffic in comparison with distributed data flows.
Paternal grandmother’s smoking in pregnancy is associated with extreme aversion to bitter taste in their grandchildren
Authors: Golding Jean , Pembrey Marcus E , Gregory Steven , Suderman Matthew , Iles-Caven Yasmin , Northstone Kate
Published: February 2022

Although there are many examples in the experimental literature of an environmental exposure in one generation impacting the phenotypes of subsequent generations, there are few studies that can assess whether such associations occur in humans. The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) has, however, been able to determine whether there are associations between grandparental exposures and their grandchildren’s development. Several of our studies, including sensitivity to loud noise, have shown associations between a grandmother smoking in pregnancy and the phenotype of the grandchild. These results were mostly specific to the sex of the grandchild and to whether the prenatal (i.e. during pregnancy) smoking occurred in the maternal or paternal grandmother. Here, we have used ancestral data on prenatal smoking among the grandmothers of the ALSPAC index children to examine possible effects on the grandchild’s ability to detect the bitter taste of PROP (6 n-propylthiouracil), distinguishing between the 10% deemed ‘extreme tasters’, and the rest of the population (total N = 4656 children). We showed that grandchildren whose paternal (but not maternal) grandmothers had smoked in pregnancy were more likely than those of non-smoking grandmothers to be extreme tasters [odds ratio (OR) 1.28; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03, 1.59] and that this was more likely in granddaughters (OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.03, 1.95) than grandsons (OR 1.18; 95% CI 0.88, 1.60). This pattern of association between paternal foetal exposure and the granddaughter’s development has been found with several other outcomes, suggesting that investigations should be undertaken to investigate possible mechanisms.
Understanding online dual practice of public hospital doctors in China: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Xu Duo , Zhan Jiajia , Cheng Terence , Fu Hongqiao , Yip Winnie
Published: February 2022

Telemedicine and telehealth hold promise for reducing access barriers, improving quality and containing medical costs. As Internet companies enter the healthcare market, a rising number of online healthcare platforms have emerged worldwide. In some countries like China, public hospital doctors are providing direct-to-consumer telemedicine services on these commercial platforms as independent providers. Such online service provision creates a new form of dual practice, which we refer to as ‘online dual practice’ in this study. Using a mixed-methods design, this study aims to investigate the prevalence of online dual practice, doctors’ time allocation and motivations for engaging in it and its potential impacts on the health system in China. We use the web-crawled data from four leading online health platforms to examine the prevalence of online dual practice in China. Then we conduct in-depth interviews with 38 active doctors on these platforms to investigate their time allocation, motivations and perception regarding online service provision. We find that the nationwide prevalence of online dual practice in China reaches at least 16.5% in 2020 and that it is more common among senior public hospital doctors. Public hospital doctors mainly use small pockets of time during working hours and after-hours to render services on the platforms The five most commonly cited motivations for their engagement in online dual practice are efficiency improvement, personal control, career development, financial rewards and serving the patients. Interviewed doctors believe that their online service provision is conducive to increasing healthcare access and improving efficiency, but some also express their concerns about the quality of care. Further analysis shows that the impact of online dual practice on health system performance remains an open question and regulatory policies on it should be health-system specific.
An evaluation of training using singing as a tool for community building in changing societies
Authors: Garry Fran , Phelan Helen
Published: February 2022

This article investigates lived experiences of participation in a training programme entitled ‘Singing as a Tool for Community Building in Changing Societies’, facilitated by Musicians Without Borders (MWB) and coordinated in partnership with the Health Research Institute PART-IM (Participatory and Arts-Based Methods for Involving Migrants in Health Research) research cluster at the University of Limerick. The aim of this qualitative study is to enhance understanding of participant experience regarding programme delivery, skill acquisition and community building. The research methodology uses an ethnographic framework. Data collection approaches included participant observation, author fieldnotes, individual semi-structured interviews, and an anonymous, post-training, feedback questionnaire. Thematic analysis of the data resulted in three key themes: the importance of expert facilitation; culturally aware contextualizing and conceptualizing of singing; and professional, whole-person support. These themes were cross-referenced against the research categories of delivery, skill and community building. The findings propose the importance of experienced, expert facilitators, contextualized understandings of diverse artistic traditions delivered by a culturally diverse team, and attention to the whole-person needs of both facilitators and participants. This research enhances understanding of participant experiences of arts-based training programmes in singing and the potential application of this learning for using singing as an arts-based research (ABR) method in migrant health research.
High S100B Levels Predict Antidepressant Response in Patients With Major Depression Even When Considering Inflammatory and Metabolic Markers
Authors: Navinés Ricard , Oriolo Giovanni , Horrillo Igor , Cavero Myriam , Aouizerate Bruno , Schaefer Martin , Capuron Lucile , Meana J Javier , Martin-Santos Rocio
Published: February 2022

Background

The relationship between antidepressant response and glial, inflammatory, and metabolic markers is poorly understood in depression. This study assessed the ability of biological markers to predict antidepressant response in major depressive disorder (MDD).

Methods

We included 31 MDD outpatients treated with escitalopram or sertraline for 8 consecutive weeks. The Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) was administered at baseline and at week 4 and 8 of treatment. Concomitantly, blood samples were collected for the determination of serum S100B, C-reactive protein (CRP), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL)-C levels. Treatment response was defined as ≥50% improvement in the MADRS score from baseline to either week 4 or 8. Variables associated with treatment response were included in a linear regression model as predictors of treatment response.

Results

Twenty-seven patients (87%) completed 8 weeks of treatment; 74% and 63% were responders at week 4 and 8, respectively. High S100B and low HDL-C levels at baseline were associated with better treatment response at both time points. Low CRP levels were correlated with better response at week 4. Multivariate analysis showed that high baseline S100B levels and low baseline HDL-C levels were good predictors of treatment response at week 4 (R2 = 0.457, P = .001), while S100B was at week 8 (R2 = 0.239, P = .011). Importantly, baseline S100B and HDL-C levels were not associated with depression severity and did not change over time with clinical improvement.

Conclusions

Serum S100B levels appear to be a useful biomarker of antidepressant response in MDD even when considering inflammatory and metabolic markers.
Touchless Computing for Everyone
Authors: Visram Sheena
Published: February 2022

Touchless technologies are going through a revival. Sheena Visram tells Johanna Hamilton AMBCS about this new era in inclusive and intuitive touchless computing.
Northern Ireland Digital Awareness Week
Authors: Melsom Blair
Published: February 2022

Rachel Steenson FBCS, Business Development Manager and Aine McCaughey, Principal Software Engineer at Civica, created and ran Northern Ireland’s inaugural Digital Awareness Week for students and teachers. Here, they talk to Blair Melsom MBCS about its resounding success.
Strategic Risk in Enterprise IT
Authors: Denning Nick
Published: February 2022

Keep mission critical applications at peak performance while creating a path to migrate legacy IT systems to the cloud, says Nick Denning MBCS, CEO of Diegesis.
Global Internet Outages Explained
Authors: Barber Craig
Published: February 2022

Is the internet down? What do global internet outages reveal about how the internet works and its core vulnerabilities. Craig Barber CITP MCIIS MBCS explains.
Is Solution Architecture Compatible with Agile?
Authors: Lovatt Mark
Published: February 2022

Big design up front is anathema to many agile afficionados, so how can solution architecture and agile work together successfully? Mark Lovatt, Deputy Chief Examiner for Solution Development BCS, explores.
Population pharmacokinetics of piperacillin/tazobactam in critically ill Korean patients and the effects of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Kim Yong Kyun , Kim Hyoung Soo , Park Sunghoon , Kim Hwan-il , Lee Sun Hee , Lee Dong-Hwan
Published: February 2022

Objectives

To explore extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)-related alterations of the pharmacokinetics (PK) of piperacillin/tazobactam and determine an optimal dosage regimen for critically ill adult patients.

Methods

Population PK models for piperacillin/tazobactam were developed using a non-linear mixed effect modelling approach. The percentage of time within 24 h for which the free concentration exceeded the MIC at a steady-state (50%fT>MIC, 100%fT>MIC, and 100%fT>4×MIC) for various combinations of dosage regimens and renal function were explored using Monte-Carlo simulation.

Results

A total of 226 plasma samples from 38 patients were used to develop a population PK model. Piperacillin/tazobactam PK was best described by two-compartment models, in which estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), calculated using CKD-EPI equation based on cystatin C level, was a significant covariate for total clearance of each piperacillin and tazobactam. ECMO use decreased the central volume of distribution of both piperacillin and tazobactam in critically ill patients. Patients with Escherichia coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae infection, but not those with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, exhibited a PK/pharmacodynamic target attainment >90% when the target is 50%fT>MIC, as a result of applying the currently recommended dosage regimen. Prolonged or continuous infusion of 16 g/day was required when the treatment goal was 100%fT>MIC or 100%fT>4×MIC, and patients had an eGFR of 130–170 mL/min/1.73 m2.

Conclusions

ECMO use decreases piperacillin/tazobactam exposure. Prolonged or continuous infusion can achieve the treatment target in critically ill patients, particularly when MIC is above 8 mg/L or when patients have an eGFR of 130–170 mL/min/1.73 m2.
Challenges and strategies for promoting health equity in virtual care: findings and policy directions from a scoping review of reviews
Authors: Budhwani Suman , Fujioka Jamie , Thomas-Jacques Tyla , De Vera Kristina , Challa Priyanka , De Silva Ryan , Fuller Kaitlin , Shahid Simone , Hogeveen Sophie , Chandra Shivani , Bhatia R Sacha , Seto Emily , Shaw James
Published: February 2022

Objective

We sought to understand and synthesize review-level evidence on the challenges associated with accessibility of virtual care among underserved population groups and to identify strategies that can improve access to, uptake of, and engagement with virtual care for these populations.

Materials and Methods

A scoping review of reviews was conducted (protocol available at doi: 10.2196/22847). A total of 14 028 records were retrieved from MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, and Epistemonikos databases. Data were abstracted, and challenges and strategies were identified and summarized for each underserved population group and across population groups.

Results

A total of 37 reviews were included. Commonly occurring challenges and strategies were grouped into 6 key thematic areas based on similarities across communities: (1) the person’s orientation toward health-related needs, (2) the person’s orientation toward health-related technology, (3) the person’s digital literacy, (4) technology design, (5) health system structure and organization, and (6) social and structural determinants of access to technology-enabled care. We suggest 4 important directions for policy development: (1) investment in digital health literacy education and training, (2) inclusive digital health technology design, (3) incentivizing inclusive digital health care, and (4) investment in affordable and accessible infrastructure.

Discussion and Conclusion

Challenges associated with accessibility of virtual care among underserved population groups can occur at the individual, technological, health system, and social/structural determinant levels. Although the policy approaches suggested by our review are likely to be difficult to achieve in a given policy context, they are essential to a more equitable future for virtual care.
Pre-Existing Autoimmune Disease and Mortality in Patients Treated with Anti-PD-1 and Anti-PD-L1 Therapy
Authors: Tang Kimberly , Tiu Bruce C , Wan Guihong , Zhang Shijia , Nguyen Nga , Leung Bonnie , Gusev Alexander , Reynolds Kerry L , Kwatra Shawn G , Semenov Yevgeniy R
Published: February 2022

Although indications for immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have dramatically increased in the past decade, ICIs have been associated with autoinflammatory immune-related adverse events, which can resemble autoimmune diseases (ADs). Little is known about the impact of baseline AD on mortality in cancer patients treated with ICIs. Here, we identified 17 497 patients with preexisting autoimmune diagnoses prior to treatment with antiprogrammed cell death receptor-1 or antiprogrammed cell death ligand-1 therapy and 17 497 matched controls through the TriNetX Diamond network of more than 200 million patients across the United States and Europe. Using a Cox proportional hazards model, we found that patients with history of AD were not at higher risk of mortality than non-AD patients (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1 to 1.07; P = .05). Additionally, history of Hashimoto disease (HR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.62 to 0.90; P = .002) and vitiligo (HR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.34 to 0.81; P = .003) were statistically significantly associated with decreased mortality. This suggests that underlying AD need not be a contraindication to inclusion in clinical trials and administration of ICI for treatment of cancer.
Multiple small pneumatoceles as a complication of a SARS-CoV-2 infection in a child from Myanmar
Authors: He Daqian , Sun Cong , Shang Zhongjun , Yang Yuansong , Chen Ying
Published: February 2022

During the COVID-19 pandemic, pneumatoceles caused by 2019-nCoV are easily neglected, particularly in children. Which may potentially increase the risk of pneumothorax and pulmonary infection, we need to pay special attention to the management of population migration, especially for children.
The Agency of Music in Industrial Society: A Comparative Study of the Royal Manchester Institution, Manchester Athenaeum and Manchester Mechanics’ Institution, 1834-1860
Authors: Johnson Rachel
Published: February 2022

Three institutions dedicated to education, rational recreation and moral improvement existed concurrently in early Victorian Manchester: the Royal Manchester Institution, the Manchester Mechanics’ Institution and the Manchester Athenaeum. Their archives reveal the prominent place of music within each institution’s programmes, in the form of lectures, classes and concerts, yet so far the significance of such music has been overlooked. Alarmed by civil unrest and radical activism, the industrial elite of Manchester – frequently described as the world’s first industrial city – hoped to shape the ‘lower orders’ to align with existing societal ideals. Music, through the institutions, was frequently employed as an agent of ideology and social control. But the intent behind the institutions’ musical programming did not always reflect how the music was used or received in practice. This article asks what the institutions aimed to achieve and how music acted in ways not always envisaged by the organizing committees. It critiques existing literature that views these institutions as primarily a means of social control, arguing that such an approach risks diminishing the experiences of those involved and obscuring more nuanced reasons for the promotion of and engagement with music. Exploring the activities and musical participation of protagonists within these institutions and in their wider lives affords new understanding of the agency of music in industrial society.
The cooling of massive white dwarfs from Gaia EDR3
Authors: Fleury Leesa , Caiazzo Ilaria , Heyl Jeremy
Published: February 2022

We determine the distribution of cooling ages of massive Gaia EDR3 white dwarfs identified with over 90 per cent probability within 200 pc and with mass in the range 0.95–1.25 M⊙. Using three sets of publicly available models, we consider sub-samples of these white dwarfs sorted into three equally spaced mass bins. Under the assumption of a constant white dwarf formation rate, we find an excess of white dwarfs, both along the Q branch and below it, corresponding respectively to stars that are in the process of freezing and those that are completely frozen. We compare the cooling age distributions for each of these bins to the recently determined time-varying star formation rate of Gaia DR2 main sequence stars. For white dwarfs in the two lightest mass bins, spanning the mass range 0.95–1.15 M⊙, we find that the cumulative cooling age distribution is statistically consistent with the expectation from the star formation rate. For white dwarfs in the heaviest mass bin, 1.15–1.25 M⊙, we find that their cumulative distribution is inconsistent with the star formation rate for all of the models considered; instead, we find that their cooling age distribution is well fitted by a linear combination of the distribution expected for single stellar evolution products and the distribution expected for double white dwarf merger products when approximately 40–50 per cent of the 1.15–1.25 M⊙ white dwarfs that formed over the past 4 Gyr are produced through double white dwarf mergers.
A three-component model for cosmic ray spectrum and dipole anisotropy
Authors: Zhang Yiran , Liu Siming , Zeng Houdun
Published: February 2022

Using a three-component, multiscale diffusion model, we show that the cosmic ray (CR) proton and helium spectra and the dipole anisotropy can be explained with reasonable parameters. The model includes a nearby source associated with the supernova remnant (SNR) that gave rise to the Geminga pulsar, a source at the Galactic Centre, and a component associated with the Galactic disc. The CR flux below TeV is dominated by the disc component. The centre source with a continuous injection of CRs starting about 18 Myr ago is needed to explain the anisotropy above 100 TeV. With the assumption of universal CR spectra injected by all SNRs, the nearby source can produce a TeV spectral bump observed at Earth via slow diffusion across the interstellar magnetic field, which needs to have an angle θ ≈ 5° between the field line and the line of sight towards the source, and have weak magnetic turbulence with the Alfvén Mach number MA ≈ 0.1. Considering the modulation of the Galactic-scale anisotropy by this magnetic field, in a quasi-local approach the field may be directed at a right ascension about −90° and a declination about −7.4° in the equatorial coordinate system.