bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conservative transport of dissolved sulfate across the Rio Madre de Dios floodplain in Peru
Authors: Burt Emily I. , Bill Markus , Conrad Mark E. , Quispe Adan Julian Ccahuana , Christensen John N. , Hilton Robert G. , Dellinger Mathieu , West A. Joshua
Published: May 2021

Mineral weathering plays a primary role in the geologic carbon cycle. Silicate weathering by carbonic acid consumes CO2 and stabilizes Earth's climate system. However, when sulfuric acid drives weathering, CO2 can be released to the atmosphere. Recent work has established that sulfuric acid weathering resulting from sulfide mineral oxidation is globally significant and particularly important in rapidly eroding environments. In contrast, if SO42− produced by sulfide oxidation is reduced during continental transit, then CO2 release may be negated. Yet, little is known about how much SO42− reduction takes place in terrestrial environments. We report oxygen and sulfur stable isotope ratios of SO42− in river waters and mass budget calculations, which together suggest that SO42− released from pyrite oxidation in the Peruvian Andes mountains is conservatively exported across ∼300 km of the Amazon floodplain. In this system, floodplain SO42− reduction does not counteract the large SO42− flux from Andean pyrite weathering or measurably affect the stable isotope composition of riverine SO42−. These findings support the hypothesis that uplift and erosion of sedimentary rocks drive release of CO2 from the rock reservoir to the atmosphere.
Case report of a pancreatic insulinoma misdiagnosed as epilepsy
Authors: Williams Barbara Anna , Lampart Simon , Metzger Jürg , Fischli Stefan
Published: May 2021

A 55-year-old patient had spent 12 years with unexplained seizures, initially diagnosed as epilepsy and then as a psychiatric disorder. When she was admitted with hypoglycaemia, a fasting test was performed showing blood sugar levels as low as 1 mmol/L with symptoms of neuroglycopenia. Insulinoma was suspected and an MRI showed a large tumour in the tail region of the pancreas. A Dodecanetetraacetic acid-Tyr3-octreotate (DOTATATE) positron emission tomography CT indicated no malignancy and showed no signs of metastasis. The patient underwent surgery, leaving her asymptomatic.
Preseptal cellulitis and infraorbital abscess as a complication of a routine COVID-19 swab
Authors: Fazekas Balazs , Fazekas Bence , Darraj Eyad , Jayakumar Delicia
Published: May 2021

This case report describes a significant complication of a routine COVID-19 swab in a previously fit and well young patient who developed preseptal cellulitis and an infraorbital abscess as a consequence of the mentioned nasal swabbing. Other authors have previously reported various complications in connection with the use of nasal swabs, including retained swab fragments, epistaxis and cerebrospinal fluid leakage. To our knowledge, to date, this is the first reported case of an abscess as a consequence of COVID-19 swabbing. There has been a clear growth in the use of nasal swabbing worldwide over the last 9 months and many healthcare workers involved in COVID-19 prevention may not be aware of the potential risks of nasopharyngeal swabbing. The presented case highlights the need for better awareness of the complications of these routine tests and we hope that it will also lead to their safer implementation.
Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia: emergency blood transfusion
Authors: Nasse Sian Angela
Published: May 2021

A 50-year-old woman, with a background of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia, presented to the emergency department with lethargy and shortness of breath. Investigations revealed a haemoglobin level of 50 g/L. High dose steroids were administered and blood transfusion prescribed. However, the blood transfusion was delayed due to a positive antibody screen and concerns regarding administering blood when the patient was pyrexic. The delay resulted in a significant deterioration in the patient’s clinical state with her haemoglobin level falling to 26 g/L 24 hours later. She was urgently transfused with blood and made a full recovery. This report analyses the delays for transfusion and how these could have been minimised. First, guidelines advise that emergency blood should be considered in life-threatening circumstances. Second, fever is not always a contraindication for transfusion, particularly in an emergency setting.
Managing challenging pain and irritability inOSTM1mutation-related infantile malignant osteopetrosis
Authors: Alotaibi Qutaibah , Dighe Manjiri
Published: May 2021

Osteopetrosis describes a heterogeneous group of diseases characterised by increased bone density due to impaired osteoclast. The malignant infantile autosomal recessive (MIOP) form caused by mutations inOSTM1is the most severe form of osteopetrosis. Children with this phenotype exhibit multisystemic complications, of which the neuropathic manifestations are the most severe. Infants with MIOP may present with pain and irritability that are likely to become continuous and debilitating as the disease progresses. There is limited understanding of the aetiology and management of pain in MIOP. Here, we describe a 2 month-old infant withOSTM1mutation-related MIOP presenting with severe irritability and pain. This case provides the opportunity to discuss the cause and management of these distressing symptoms. We also review similar cases and the possible underlying mechanisms of pain and irritability to help provide a conceptual framework for the management of these symptoms in infants withOSTM1MIOP.
Infant presenting with pyloric stenosis and autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease at 36 weeks’ postmenstrual age (PMA)
Authors: Nuzum Tatiana A , Cohen I Thomas , Ferrucci - Da Silva Christina , Qualter Erin
Published: May 2021

This case report describes a premature male infant born after a pregnancy complicated by oligohydramnios of unknown aetiology but otherwise unremarkable prenatal scans. He had sudden onset of projectile emesis and severe hypertension in the third week of life, and further investigations revealed both pyloric stenosis and polycystic kidneys, at just 36 weeks’ postmenstrual age (PMA). His course thereafter was complicated by severe refractory hypertension requiring multiple antihypertensive agents in order to gain control, although his renal function remained normal. Few case reports have previously described this unusual association, but none have presented with both entities at such an early PMA.
A rare case of retroperitoneal teratoma with obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal anomaly (OHVIRA) syndrome
Authors: Mitani Kazuki , Uebayashi Elena Yukie , Fujino Hisanori , Sumimoto Shinichi
Published: May 2021

A 9-month-old girl presented with progressive abdominal distension. Imaging revealed a huge cystic mass in the left retroperitoneum with solid components. The right kidney was absent and hydrometrocolpos was found. Tumour drainage and complete surgical excision were performed. A bulge in the right side of the uterus, suggestive of a uterine anomaly, was seen on laparoscopic observation. Pathology was consistent with teratoma with a small portion of immature neural tissue. The patient was discharged in good condition and was advised regular follow-up.
Utility of routinely collected electronic health records data to support effectiveness evaluations in inflammatory bowel disease: a pilot study of tofacitinib
Authors: Rudrapatna Vivek Ashok , Glicksberg Benjamin Scott , Butte Atul Janardhan
Published: May 2021

Objectives

Electronic health records (EHR) are receiving growing attention from regulators, biopharmaceuticals and payors as a potential source of real-world evidence. However, their suitability for the study of diseases with complex activity measures is unclear. We sought to evaluate the use of EHR data for estimating treatment effectiveness in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), using tofacitinib as a use case.

Methods

Records from the University of California, San Francisco (6/2012 to 4/2019) were queried to identify tofacitinib-treated IBD patients. Disease activity variables at baseline and follow-up were manually abstracted according to a preregistered protocol. The proportion of patients meeting the endpoints of recent randomised trials in ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) was assessed.

Results

86 patients initiated tofacitinib. Baseline characteristics of the real-world and trial cohorts were similar, except for universal failure of tumour necrosis factor inhibitors in the former. 54% (UC) and 62% (CD) of patients had complete capture of disease activity at baseline (month −6 to 0), while only 32% (UC) and 69% (CD) of patients had complete follow-up data (month 2 to 8). Using data imputation, we estimated the proportion achieving the trial primary endpoints as being similar to the published estimates for both UC (16%, p value=0.5) and CD (38%, p-value=0.8).

Discussion/Conclusion

This pilot study reproduced trial-based estimates of tofacitinib efficacy despite its use in a different cohort but revealed substantial missingness in routinely collected data. Future work is needed to strengthen EHR data and enable real-world evidence in complex diseases like IBD.
Our journey, our story: a study protocol for the evaluation of a co-design framework to improve services for Aboriginal youth mental health and well-being
Authors: Wright Michael , Brown Alex , Dudgeon Patricia , McPhee Rob , Coffin Juli , Pearson Glenn , Lin Ashleigh , Newnham Elizabeth , King Baguley Kiarnee , Webb Michelle , Sibosado Amanda , Crisp Nikayla , Flavell Helen Louise
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Mainstream Australian mental health services are failing Aboriginal young people. Despite investing resources, improvements in well-being have not materialised. Culturally and age appropriate ways of working are needed to improve service access and responsiveness. This Aboriginal-led study brings Aboriginal Elders, young people and youth mental health service staff together to build relationships to co-design service models and evaluation tools. Currently, three Western Australian youth mental health services in the Perth metropolitan area and two regional services are working with local Elders and young people to improve their capacity for culturally and age appropriate services. Further Western Australian sites will be engaged as part of research translation.

Methods and analysis

Relationships ground the study, which utilises Indigenous methodologies and participatory action research. This involves Elders, young people and service staff as co-researchers and the application of a decolonising, strengths-based framework to create the conditions for engagement. It foregrounds experiential learning and Aboriginal ways of working to establish relationships and deepen non-Aboriginal co-researchers’ knowledge and understanding of local, place-based cultural practices. Once relationships are developed, co-design workshops occur at each site directed by local Elders and young people. Co-designed evaluation tools will assess any changes to community perceptions of youth mental health services and the enablers and barriers to service engagement.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has approval from the Kimberley Aboriginal Health Planning Forum Kimberley Research Subcommittee, the Western Australian Aboriginal Health Ethics Committee, and the Curtin University Human Research Ethics Committee. Transferability of the outcomes across the youth mental health sector will be directed by the co-researchers and is supported through Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal organisations including youth mental health services, peak mental health bodies and consumer groups. Community reports and events, peer-reviewed journal articles, conference presentations and social and mainstream media will aid dissemination.
Healthcare experiences of perpetrators of domestic violence and abuse: a systematic review and meta-synthesis
Authors: Calcia Marilia A , Bedi Simran , Howard Louise M , Lempp Heidi , Oram Sian
Published: May 2021

Objectives

Domestic violence and abuse (DVA) is highly prevalent, with severe adverse consequences to the health and well-being of survivors. There is a smaller evidence base on the health of DVA perpetrators and their engagement with healthcare services. This review examines the experiences of perpetrators of DVA of accessing healthcare services and the barriers and facilitators to their disclosure of abusive behaviours in these settings.

Design

A systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative studies.

Data sources

A systematic search was conducted in Cochrane, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, HMIC, BNID, CINAHL, ASSIA, IBSS, SSCI (peer-reviewed literature) and NDLTD, OpenGrey and SCIE Online (grey literature). Each database was searched from its start date to 15 March 2020. Eligibility criteria required that studies used qualitative or mixed methods to report on the experiences of healthcare use by perpetrators of DVA. A meta-ethnographic method was used to analyse the extracted data.

Results

Of 30,663 papers identified, six studies (n=125 participants; 124 men, 1 woman) met the inclusion criteria. Barriers to disclosure of DVA to healthcare staff included perpetrators’ negative emotions and attitudes towards their abusive behaviours; fear of consequences of disclosure; and lack of trust in healthcare services’ ability to address DVA. Facilitators of disclosure of DVA and engagement with healthcare services were experiencing social consequences of abusive behaviours; feeling listened to by healthcare professionals; and offers of emotional and practical support for relationship problems by healthcare staff.

Conclusions

DVA perpetration is a complex issue with multiple barriers to healthcare engagement and disclosure. However, healthcare services can create positive conditions for the engagement of individuals who perpetrate abuse.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42017073818.
Prediction models for acute kidney injury in critically ill patients: a protocol for systematic review and critical appraisal
Authors: Wang Danqiong , Zhang Weiwen , Luo Jian , Fang Honglong , Jing Shanshan , Mei Zubing
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Acute kidney injury (AKI) has high morbidity and mortality in intensive care units, which can lead to chronic kidney disease, more costs and longer hospital stay. Early identification of AKI is crucial for clinical intervention. Although various risk prediction models have been developed to identify AKI, the overall predictive performance varies widely across studies. Owing to the different disease scenarios and the small number of externally validated cohorts in different prediction models, the stability and applicability of these models for AKI in critically ill patients are controversial. Moreover, there are no current risk-classification tools that are standardised for prediction of AKI in critically ill patients. The purpose of this systematic review is to map and assess prediction models for AKI in critically ill patients based on a comprehensive literature review.

Methods and analysis

A systematic review with meta-analysis is designed and will be conducted according to the CHecklist for critical Appraisal and data extraction for systematic Reviews of prediction Modelling Studies (CHARMS). Three databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library and EMBASE from inception through October 2020 will be searched to identify all studies describing development and/or external validation of original multivariable models for predicting AKI in critically ill patients. Random-effects meta-analyses for external validation studies will be performed to estimate the performance of each model. The restricted maximum likelihood estimation and the Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman method under a random-effects model will be applied to estimate the summary C statistic and 95% CI. 95% prediction interval integrating the heterogeneity will also be calculated to pool C-statistics to predict a possible range of C-statistics of future validation studies. Two investigators will extract data independently using the CHARMS checklist. Study quality or risk of bias will be assessed using the Prediction Model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval and patient informed consent are not required because all information will be abstracted from published literatures. We plan to share our results with clinicians and publish them in a general or critical care medicine peer-reviewed journal. We also plan to present our results at critical care international conferences.

OSF registration number

10.17605/OSF.IO/X25AT.
Identifying the critically ill paediatric oncology patient: a study protocol for a prospective observational cohort study for validation of a modified Bedside Paediatric Early Warning System score in hospitalised paediatric oncology patients
Authors: Soeteman Marijn , Kappen Teus H , van Engelen Martine , Kilsdonk Ellen , Koomen Erik , Nieuwenhuis Edward E S , Tissing Wim J E , Fiocco Marta , van den Heuvel-Eibrink Marry , Wösten-van Asperen Roelie M
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Hospitalised paediatric oncology patients are at risk to develop acute complications. Early identification of clinical deterioration enabling adequate escalation of care remains challenging. Various Paediatric Early Warning Systems (PEWSs) have been evaluated, also in paediatric oncology patients but mostly in retrospective or case–control study designs. This study protocol encompasses the first prospective cohort with the aim of evaluating the predictive performance of a modified Bedside PEWS score for non-elective paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission or cardiopulmonary resuscitation in hospitalised paediatric oncology patients.

Methods and analysis

A prospective cohort study will be conducted at the 80-bed Dutch paediatric oncology hospital, where all national paediatric oncology care has been centralised, directly connected to a shared 22-bed PICU. All patients between 1 February 2019 and 1 February 2021 admitted to the inpatient nursing wards, aged 0–18 years, with an International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (ICD-O) diagnosis of paediatric malignancy will be eligible. A Cox proportional hazard regression model will be used to estimate the association between the modified Bedside PEWS and time to non-elective PICU transfer or cardiopulmonary arrest. Predictive performance (discrimination and calibration) will be assessed internally using resampling validation. To account for multiple occurrences of the event of interest within each patient, the unit of study is a single uninterrupted ward admission (a clinical episode).

Ethics and dissemination

The study protocol has been approved by the institutional ethical review board of our hospital (MEC protocol number 16-572/C). We adapted our enrolment procedure to General Data Protection Regulation compliance. Results will be disseminated at scientific conferences, regional educational sessions and publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

Netherlands Trial Registry (NL8957).
Exploring patient safety outcomes for people with learning disabilities in acute hospital settings: a scoping review
Authors: Louch Gemma , Albutt Abigail , Harlow-Trigg Joanna , Moore Sally , Smyth Kate , Ramsey Lauren , O'Hara Jane K
Published: May 2021

Objectives

To produce a narrative synthesis of published academic and grey literature focusing on patient safety outcomes for people with learning disabilities in an acute hospital setting.

Design

Scoping review with narrative synthesis.

Methods

The review followed the six stages of the Arksey and O’Malley framework. We searched four research databases from January 2000 to March 2021, in addition to handsearching and backwards searching using terms relating to our eligibility criteria—patient safety and adverse events, learning disability and hospital setting. Following stakeholder input, we searched grey literature databases and specific websites of known organisations until March 2020. Potentially relevant articles and grey literature materials were screened against the eligibility criteria. Findings were extracted and collated in data charting forms.

Results

45 academic articles and 33 grey literature materials were included, and we organised the findings around six concepts: (1) adverse events, patient safety and quality of care; (2) maternal and infant outcomes; (3) postoperative outcomes; (4) role of family and carers; (5) understanding needs in hospital and (6) supporting initiatives, recommendations and good practice examples. The findings suggest inequalities and inequities for a range of specific patient safety outcomes including adverse events, quality of care, maternal and infant outcomes and postoperative outcomes, in addition to potential protective factors, such as the roles of family and carers and the extent to which health professionals are able to understand the needs of people with learning disabilities.

Conclusion

People with learning disabilities appear to experience poorer patient safety outcomes in hospital. The involvement of family and carers, and understanding and effectively meeting the needs of people with learning disabilities may play a protective role. Promising interventions and examples of good practice exist, however many of these have not been implemented consistently and warrant further robust evaluation.
Anxiety and depression levels of the general population during the rapid progressing stage in the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak: a cross-sectional online investigation in China
Authors: Shi Zeya , Qin Yuelan , Chair Sek Ying , Liu Yanhui , Tian Yu , Li Xin , Hu Wanqin , Wang Qun
Published: May 2021

Objective

The outbreak of COVID-19 has major impacts on the psychological health of the public. This study aimed to investigate the anxiety and depression levels of the general population during the rapid progressing stage of COVID-19 pandemic in China and to explore the associated factors.

Design and setting

A cross-sectional online survey.

Participants

2651 Chinese people.

Measures

The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to measure their psychological health. A structured questionnaire collected possible associated factors, including sociodemographic characteristics, health information, contact history-related information, experience and perceptions, knowledge and education and adopted precautions. Multiple linear regression was conducted to explore the factors associated with anxiety and depression.

Results

The mean score of anxiety and depression was 4.35 and 4.38, respectively. The rates of people with anxiety and depressive symptoms (with >7 score in the subscale) were 14.15% and 17.35%, respectively. Participants without political party membership, with contact history of COVID-19, going out or gathering, taking Chinese medicine herbs, being unsatisfied with current precautions, perceiving higher risks of infection, lower knowledge and poorer health presented higher anxiety and depression levels. Moreover, those who were females, married, lived alone and wore mask were more anxious; whereas people who were younger, experienced public health crisis, did not take precautions (regular work-rest, exercise) had higher depression level.

Conclusions

During the rapid progressing stage of COVID-19 pandemic in China, one-seventh and one-sixth respondents presented anxiety and depression symptoms, respectively. The risk factors for anxiety and depression included the following: without political party membership, with contact history of COVID-19, going out or gathering, wearing masks, taking Chinese medicine herbs, being unsatisfied with current precautions, perceiving higher susceptibility, lower knowledge and poorer health status. Extensive information and psychological support should be provided to improve the mental health of the general population.
Systematic review of child passenger safety laws and their associations with child restraint system use, injuries and deaths
Authors: Sartin Emma B , Lombardi Leah R , Mirman Jessica H
Published: May 2021

Background and objective

Many countries and all US states have legislation that mandates how children of certain ages and/or sizes should be restrained in vehicles. The objective of the current systematic review was to describe the associations between legislation and three outcomes: child restraint system use, correct child restraint system use and child passenger injuries/deaths.

Methods

Included studies were published between 2004 and 2020 and evaluated associations between child passenger safety laws and the outcomes described above. Three literature searches using three search terms (child passenger safety, car seat use, booster seat use) were completed in PubMed and PsycINFO, with the last search occurring in January 2021. Studies are presented based on the outcome(s) they evaluated. The original protocol for this review is registered with PROSPERO (ID: CRD42019149682).

Results

Eighteen studies from five different countries evaluating a variety of different types of legislation were included. Overall, positive associations between legislation and the three outcomes were reported. However, there were important nuances across studies, including negative associations between booster seat legislation and correct child restraint use. Further, there were also negative associations between various types of legislation and outcomes for populations with less formal education and lower incomes, and for racial and ethnic minorities.

Conclusion

Overall, child passenger safety legislation appears to be positively associated with child restraint system use, correct child restraint use and child passenger injuries/deaths. However, there is a need to more comprehensively characterise how different types of legislation influence child passenger safety outcomes to promote equitable effects across populations.
Biochemical abnormalities in COVID-19: a comparison of white versus ethnic minority populations in the UK
Authors: Taylor David R , Buchanan Devon , Al-Hasani Wiaam , Kearney Jessica , Mazaheri Tina , Ranasinghe Ruvini N K , Dimitriadis Georgios K , Vincent Royce P
Published: May 2021

Aims

Public Health England has identified that in COVID-19, death rates among ethnic minorities far exceeds that of the white population. While the increase in ethnic minorities is likely to be multifactorial, to date, no studies have looked to see whether values for routine clinical biochemistry parameters differ between ethnic minority and white individuals.

Methods

Baseline biochemical data for 22 common tests from 311 SARS-CoV-2 positive patients presenting to hospital in April 2020 in whom ethnicity data were available was retrospectively collected and evaluated. Data comparisons between ethnic minority and white groups were made for all patient data and for the subset of patients subsequently admitted to intensive care.

Results

When all patient data were considered, the ethnic minority population had statistically significant higher concentrations of C reactive protein (CRP), aspartate aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transferase, while troponin T was higher in the white group. A greater proportion of ethnic minority patients were subsequently admitted to intensive care, but when the presenting biochemistry of this subset of patients was compared, no significant differences were observed between ethnic minority and white groups.

Conclusion

Our data show for the first time that routine biochemistry at hospital presentation in COVID-19 differs between ethnic minority and white groups. Among the markers identified, CRP was significantly higher in the ethnic minority group pointing towards an increased tendency for severe inflammation in this group.
Risk factors evaluation of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation with comparison between paediatric and adult
Authors: Chen Ding Bao , Liu Xiao Yang , Kong Fang Zhou , Jiang Qian , Shen Dan Hua
Published: May 2021

To describe the clincopathological features and evaluate risk factors of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplants (allo-HSCT), with comparison between paediatric and adult .

Clinicopathological features of 81 cases of PTLD after allo-HSCT were analysed by histopatholgy, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridisatioin.

The cases included 58 males and 23 females with a median age of 26.7 years (range 6–55 years) and the PTLDs developed 1–60 months post-transplant (mean 5.9 months). The histological types indicated 10 cases of non-destructive PTLD, including 4 of plasmacytic hyperplasia, 5 of infectious mononucleosis and 1 of florid follicular hyperplasia. Fifty-six cases were polymorphic PTLD, and 15 were monomorphic PTLD, including thirteen of diffuse large B cell lymphoma, 1 of extranodal nasal type natural killer (NK)/T cell lymphoma and 1 of plasmablastic lymphoma. Foci and sheets of necrosis were observed in 31 cases. The infected ratio of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was 91.4%. Some cases were treated by reduction of immunosuppression, antiviral therapy, donor lymphocyte infusion or anti-CD20 monoclonal rituximab. Thirty-three cases died. Compared with that of adult, overall survival of paediatric recipient may be better.

The first half year after allo-HSCT is very important for the development of PTLD. Type of PTLD, EBV infection and graft-versus-host disease are risk factors. The prognosis of PTLD is poor, and PTLD after allo-HSCT exhibits some features different from that after solid organ transplantation and some differences existing between adult and paediatric recipients.
Intraspecific variation in phenology offers resilience to climate change for Eriophorum vaginatum
Authors: Parker Thomas C. , Unger Steven L. , Moody Michael L. , Tang Jianwu , Fetcher Ned
Published: May 2021

The phenology of Arctic plants is an important determinant of the pattern of carbon uptake and may be highly sensitive to continued rapid climate change. Eriophorum vaginatum L. (Cyperaceae) has a disproportionate influence over ecosystem processes in moist acidic tundra, but it is unclear whether its growth and phenology will remain competitive in the future. We investigated whether northern tundra ecotypes of E. vaginatum could extend their growing season in response to direct warming and transplanting into southern ecosystems. At the same time, we examined whether southern ecotypes could adjust their growth patterns in order to thrive further north, should they disperse quickly enough. Detailed phenology measurements across three reciprocal transplant gardens over a 2-year period showed that some northern ecotypes were capable of growing for longer when conditions were favourable, but their biomass and growing season length was still shorter than those of the southern ecotype. Southern ecotypes retained large leaf length when transplanted north and mirrored the growing season length better than the others, mainly owing to immediate green-up after snowmelt. All ecotypes retained the same senescence timing, regardless of environment, indicating a strong genetic control. Eriophorum vaginatum may remain competitive in a warming world if southern ecotypes can migrate north.
Influence of halo single-neutron transfer on near barrier $$^{15}$$C + $$^{12}$$C total fusion
Authors: Keeley N. , Kemper K. W. , Rusek K.
Published: May 2021

A recent comparison of the average fusion cross section, $$\left\langle \sigma _\mathrm {F}\right\rangle $$

σ
F

, for energies just above the Coulomb barrier for the $$^{12-15}$$

12
-
15

C + $$^{12}$$

12

C systems found that the behaviour as a function of projectile neutron excess could not be satisfactorily explained by static barrier penetration model calculations and suggested that the neutron dynamics plays an important rôle. In this work we demonstrate that the ($$^{15}$$

15

C,$$^{14}$$

14

C) single neutron transfer has a significant influence on the above barrier $$^{15}$$

15

C + $$^{12}$$

12

C total fusion, although not quite in the way expected since it leads to a reduction in the cross section, contrary to the trend in the measured $$\left\langle \sigma _\mathrm {F}\right\rangle $$

σ
F

. However, this result underlines the danger of ignoring the effect of neutron transfer reactions on fusion in systems involving neutron halo nuclei.
EVALUATION OF THE COUPLING BETWEEN ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAM (EEG) AND GALVANIC SKIN RESPONSE (GSR) SIGNALS VERSUS THE COMPLEX STRUCTURE OF MUSIC
Authors: NAMAZI HAMIDREZA , OMAM SHAFIUL , KUCA KAMIL , KREJCAR ONDREJ
Published: May 2021

Since skin activity, like other organs, is controlled by the brain, we decoded the correlation among the brain and skin responses in auditory stimulation by complexity-based analysis of EEG and GSR signals. Three pieces of music were selected according to the difference in the fractal exponent and sample entropy of embedded noises in them. We calculated the fractal dimension and sample entropy of EEG and GSR signals for 11 subjects in rest and response to these music pieces. The correlation coefficients of 0.9525 and 0.9822 in the case of fractal dimension and sample entropy demonstrated a strong correlation between the complexities of the GSR and EEG signals. Therefore, we can state that the skin and brain responses are coupled. This method can be applied to evaluate the relationship between the human brain and other organs.
The inviscid limit for the incompressible stationary magnetohydrodynamics equations in three dimensions
Authors: Yan Weiping , Rădulescu Vicenţiu D.
Published: May 2021

This paper is concerned with the zero-viscosity limit of the three-dimensional (3D) incompressible stationary magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) equations in the 3D unbounded domain [Formula: see text]. The main result of this paper establishes that the solution of 3D incompressible stationary MHD equations converges to the solution of the 3D incompressible stationary Euler equations as the viscosity coefficient goes to zero.
Analyzing Transaction Confirmation in Ethereum Using Machine Learning Techniques
Authors: Oliveira Vinicius C. , Almeida Valadares Julia , A. Sousa Jose Eduardo , Borges Vieira Alex , Bernardino Heder Soares , Moraes Villela Saulo , Dias Goncalves Glauber
Published: May 2021

Ethereum has emerged as one of the most important cryptocurrencies in terms of the number of transactions. Given the recent growth of Ethereum, the cryptocurrency community and researchers are interested in understanding the Ethereum transactions behavior. In this work, we investigate a key aspect of Ethereum: the prediction of a transaction confirmation or failure based on its features. This is a challenging issue due to the small, but still relevant, fraction of failures in millions of recorded transactions and the complexity of the distributed mechanism to execute transactions in Ethereum. To conduct this investigation, we train machine learning models for this prediction, taking into consideration carefully balanced sets of confirmed and failed transactions. The results show high-performance models for classification of transactions with the best values of F1-score and area under the ROC curve approximately equal to 0.67 and 0.87, respectively. Also, we identified the gas used as the most relevant feature for the prediction.
Message from the organizers of WAIN
Authors: Vassio Luca , Zhang Zhi-Li , Giordano Danilo , Chandra Abhishek
Published: May 2021

We are pleased to welcome you to the 2nd Workshop on AI in Networks and Distributed Systems. This year we have expanded the scope of the workshop to include applications of Machine Learning and AI not merely in Networking, but also in Distributed Systems. The scale and complexity of today's networks and distributed systems make their design, analysis, optimization, and management a daunting task. Hence smart and scalable approaches leveraging machine learning solutions are increasingly called for to take full advantage of these systems and infrastructures.
Machine Learning based KPI Monitoring of Video Streaming Traffic for QoE Estimation
Authors: Celenk Özge , Bauschert Thomas , Eckert Marcus
Published: May 2021

Quality of Experience (QoE) monitoring of video streaming traffic is crucial task for service providers. Nowadays it is challenging due to the increased usage of end-to-end encryption. In order to overcome this issue, machine learning (ML) approaches for QoE monitoring have gained popularity in the recent years. This work proposes a framework which includes a machine learning pipeline that can be used for detecting key QoE related events such as buffering events and video resolution changes for ongoing YouTube video streaming sessions in real-time. For this purpose, a ML model has been trained using YouTube streaming traffic collected from Android devices. Later on, the trained ML model is deployed in the framework's pipeline to make online predictions. The ML model uses statistical traffic information observed from the network-layer for learning and predicting the video QoE related events. It reaches 88% overall testing accuracy for predicting the video events. Although our work is yet at an early stage, the application of the ML model for online detection and prediction of video events yields quite promising results.
Extending the Möbius Modeling Environment with the Advanced Replication Operator
Authors: Masetti Giulio , Chiaradonna Silvano , Di Giandomenico Felicita , Sanders William H. , Feddersen Brett
Published: May 2021

Mobius is well known as a modeling and evaluation environment for performance and dependability indicators. It has been conceived in a modular and flexible fashion, to be easily expanded to incorporate new features, formalisms and tools. The need of modeling systems characterized by a large population of heterogeneous interacting components, which are nowadays more and more common in a variety of application contexts, provided the opportunity to focus on a new operator to efficiently manage non-anonymous replication, as requested for these systems. This tool paper presents the implementation of a new replication operator, called Advanced Rep, in Mobius. Efficiency of Advanced Rep is evaluated against a recently developed alternative solution.
Investigation of Electrochemical and Chemical Processes Occurring at Positive Potentials in “Water-in-Salt” Electrolytes
Authors: Maffre Marion , Bouchal Roza , Freunberger Stefan A. , Lindahl Niklas , Johansson Patrik , Favier Frédéric , Fontaine Olivier , Bélanger Daniel
Published: May 2021

Lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) based water-in-salt electrolytes (WiSEs) has recently emerged as a new promising class of electrolytes, primarily owing to their wide electrochemical stability windows (∼3–4 V), that by far exceed the thermodynamic stability window of water (1.23 V). Upon increasing the salt concentration towards superconcentration the onset of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) shifts more significantly than the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) does. The OER shift has been explained by the accumulation of hydrophobic anions blocking water access to the electrode surface, hence by double layer theory. Here we demonstrate that the processes during oxidation are much more complex, involving OER, carbon and salt decomposition by OER intermediates, and salt precipitation upon local oversaturation. The positive shift in the onset potential of oxidation currents was elucidated by combining several advanced analysis techniques: rotating ring-disk electrode voltammetry, online electrochemical mass spectrometry, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, using both dilute and superconcentrated electrolytes. The results demonstrate the importance of reactive OER intermediates and surface films for electrolyte and electrode stability and motivate further studies of the nature of the electrode.
Graphene and Spherical CeO2-ZrO2 Support Pt Nanoparticles as Anode Catalysts for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells
Authors: Wang Qingchun , Wang Zihao , Liang Xiaolong , An Shengli , Cai Changkun , Liu Yuanyuan , Bao Jinxiao , Song Xiwen
Published: May 2021

Spherical CeO2 and CeO2-ZrO2 solid solutions are prepared using a hydrothermal method, Pt/CeO2-ZrO2/GO and Pt-CeO2/GO catalysts are prepared using graphene as a carrier, and the effects of the addition of a CeO2-ZrO2 solid solution on the electrocatalytic activity, stability and anti-CO poisoning performance of methanol fuel cell anodes are investigated. The catalyst samples are characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the electrochemical properties of the catalysts are investigated using an electrochemical workstation (IVIUM). The results show that Pt/CeO2-ZrO2/GO has a higher electrocatalytic activity and stability against CO oxidation than Pt-CeO2/GO, Pt/GO and commercial Pt/C catalysts, which is attributed to ZrO2. When Zr4+ is added into the CeO2 lattice, the activity of oxygen in the CeO2 lattice, the oxygen mobility and the oxygen vacancies are increased, the oxygen storage capacity is improved, and the intermediate product of CO is more easily oxidized. This finding indicates that Pt/CeO2-ZrO2/GO is a methanol oxidation anode catalyst with a good catalytic activity, stability and resistance to CO poisoning.
Simultaneous Electrochemical Determination of L-Dopa and Melatonin at Reduced Graphene Oxide-Cu0.5Co0.5Fe2O4Modified Platinum Electrode
Authors: Madhavan Arya S. , Kunjappan Lineesh M. , Rajith Leena
Published: May 2021

A novel nanocomposite of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and spinel Cu0.5Co0.5Fe2O4was synthesized and was characterized using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A selective and novel sensor was fabricated using this nanocomposite by modifying a Platinum (Pt) electrode by employing the simple drop-casting technique. The modified electrode was then used for the simultaneous electrochemical detection of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-dopa) and melatonin. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), square wave voltammetry (SWV), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used for the electrochemical characterization and applications of the developed sensor. The results of the optimization processes confirmed that PBS buffer with pH 7 can be used as the best experimental medium for the further studies. The electrooxidation of L-dopa and melatonin was found to be quasi reversible and diffusion controlled. Various electrochemical parameters such as charge transfer coefficient, diffusion coefficient and number of electrons involved in the electrochemical reaction of L-dopa and melatonin were experimentally calculated. The limit of detection from the simultaneous electrochemical determination was found to be 5.83 × 10−8M for melatonin and 4.80 × 10−8M for L-dopa.
Analysis of Ionic Transport and Electrode Interfacial Reaction, and NMR One-Dimensional Imaging of Ether-Based Polymer Electrolytes
Authors: Hiraoka Koji , Inoue Minori , Takahashi Keitaro , Hayamizu Kikuko , Watanabe Masayoshi , Seki Shiro
Published: May 2021

Polyether-based polymer electrolytes containing an M
x
[N(SO2CF3)2] salt (x = 1 for Li and Na, 0.5 for Mg and Ca) were investigated for their thermal stabilities and ionic conductivities, owing to their high electrochemical stability and interfacial compatibility at electrodes as the electrolyte layer of all-solid-state batteries. The properties of an electrolyte / Na metal electrode interface were also explored. The thermal stability and ionic conductivity exhibited a strong correlation with the Coulombic interaction energy originating from cationic-radii and charge density derived from the cation’s valance number. The ionic conductivity of random copolymers of poly(ethyleneoxide) and poly(propyleneoxide) (P(EO/PO)) electrolytes increased slightly with decreasing cationic radii and decreased appreciably with valence number. In the [metallic electrode ∣ polymer electrolyte ∣ metallic electrode] cells, the interfacial resistances and their apparent activation energies at the polymer electrolyte / metallic electrode interfaces tended to be higher for the Na systems than for the Li systems. The calculated Na+ transport number exhibited a local maximum value when [Na]/[O] ∼0.04. To further evaluate the diffusive properties of active ions, nuclear magnetic resonance one-dimensional imaging was performed. The self-diffusion coefficient of TFSA was confirmed to correspond to the valence number of cation in the P(EO/PO)-M
x
[N(SO2CF3)2] electrolytes.
Thermodynamic Considerations in the Design of Electrochemical Atomic Layer Etching of Copper
Authors: Gong Yukun , Akolkar Rohan
Published: May 2021

Electrochemical atomic layer etching (e-ALE) is a unique approach for etching metals one atomic layer at a time. If practiced under optimal conditions, e-ALE ensures minimal evolution of surface roughness due to the atomic layer-by-layer etching characteristics. During e-ALE of copper (Cu), the crucial first step is the formation of a cuprous sulfide (Cu2S) monolayer via the surface-limited sulfidization reaction. In this paper, we investigate the surface coverage of this sulfide layer as a function of the sulfidization potential, and show that the equilibrium coverage attained can be modeled using the Frumkin adsorption isotherm. At a potential of –0.74 V vs SHE, sulfidization provides near-complete monolayer coverage of Cu by Cu2S, which then facilitates e-ALE in a layer-by-layer etching mode thereby maintaining a smooth post-etch surface. Operation at potentials negative with respect to –0.74 V provides sub-monolayer coverage, which manifests in roughness amplification during etching. This work provides a thermodynamics-guided foundation for the selection of operating conditions during Cu e-ALE.
Combustion Characteristics of Nanoaluminium-Based Composite Solid Propellants: An Overview
Authors: Jayaraman Kandasamy , Sivakumar Ponnurengam Malliappan , Zarrabi Ali , Sivakumar R. , Jeyakumar S.
Published: May 2021

The nanosized powders have gained attention to produce materials exhibiting novel properties and for developing advanced technologies as well. Nanosized materials exhibit substantially favourable qualities such as improved catalytic activity, augmentation in reactivity, and reduction in melting temperature. Several researchers have pointed out the influence of ultrafine aluminium (∼100 nm) and nanoaluminium (<100 nm) on burning rates of the composite solid propellants comprising AP as the oxidizer. The inclusion of ultrafine aluminium augments the burning rate of the composite propellants by means of aluminium particle’s ignition through the leading edge flames (LEFs) anchoring above the interfaces of coarse AP/binder and the binder/fine AP matrix flames as well. The sandwiches containing 15% of nanoaluminium solid loading in the binder lamina exhibit the burning rate increment of about 20–30%. It was noticed that the burning rate increment with nanoaluminium is around 1.6–2 times with respect to the propellant compositions without aluminium for various pressure ranges and also for different micron-sized aluminium particles in the composition. The addition of nano-Al in the composite propellants washes out the plateaus in burning rate trends that are perceived from non-Al and microaluminized propellants; however, the burning rates of nanoaluminized propellants demonstrate low-pressure exponents at the higher pressure level. The contribution of catalysts towards the burning rate in the nanoaluminized propellants is reduced and is apparent only with nanosized catalysts. The near-surface nanoaluminium ignition and diffusion-limited nano-Al particle combustion contribute heat to the propellant-regressing surface that dominates the burning rate. Quench-collected nanoaluminized propellant residues display notable agglomeration, although a minor percentage of the agglomerates are in the 1–3 µm range; however, these are within 5 µm in size. Percentage of elongation and initial modulus of the propellant are decreased when the coarse AP particles are replaced by aluminium in the propellant composition.