bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Levosimendan and Global Longitudinal Strain Assessment in Sepsis (GLASSES 1): a study protocol for an observational study
Authors: Cappellini Iacopo , Melai Alessandra , Zamidei Lucia , Parise Maddalena , Cipani Simone , Consales Guglielmo
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Cardiogenic shock is a condition of low cardiac output that represents the end stage of a progressive deterioration of cardiac function. The main cause is ischaemic heart disease, but there are several non-ischaemic causes, including sepsis. The use of levosimendan in cardiogenic shock during sepsis is still under debate.

Methods

We are conducting an observational, single-centre, not-for-profit study enrolling patients aged 18–80 years old admitted to the intensive care unit with a diagnosis of septic shock. Patients will be monitored with the EV1000/VolumeView device (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, USA). Patients with cardiac index (CI) values <2.5 L/min/m2 and/or stroke volume index (SVI) <30 mL/beat/m2 are considered eligible for the study. Enrolled participants will undergo an echocardiographic examination using the Vivid S6 ultrasound machine (General Electric, Northville, Michigan) and a 3.6 MHz cardiology probe through which the apical projections of chambers 2, 3 and 4 will be acquired; this is necessary to calculate the global longitudinal strain (GLS) using EchoPAC* Clinical Workstation Software (General Electric). A dobutamine infusion will be started in these patients; 24 hours later CI and SVI will be recalculated using EV1000/VolumeView and then a levosimendan infusion will begin for 24 hours. Once the infusion cycle of the calcium-sensitising drug has been carried out, the infusion of dobutamine will be reduced until it stops, and the CI, SVI, GLS and arterial elastance (Ea):Ventricular Elastance (Ees) will be re-evaluated. The primary endpoint is recovery of GLS ≥15% and the secondary endpoint is a relative reduction in mortality of 15%.

Ethics and dissemination

The investigators declare that the study will be conducted in full compliance with international regulations (EU Directive 2016/679/EC) and national implementation (DM 15 July 1997; 211/2003; 200/2007) regarding the clinical trial and the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Study results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and conferences. Ethical approval for this study has been given by Comitato Etico Regione Toscana - Area Vasta Centro, Florence, Italy (ethical committee number: 13875_oss) on 25 May 2019 (Chairperson Professor Marco Marchi).

Trial registration number

NCT04141410.
Protocol, rationale and design of DAbigatran for Stroke PreVention In Atrial Fibrillation in MoDerate or Severe Mitral Stenosis (DAVID-MS): a randomised, open-label study
Authors: Zhou Mi , Chan Esther W , Hai Jo Jo , Wong Chun Ka , Lau Yuk Ming , Huang Duo , Lam Cheung Chi , Tam Chor Cheung Frankie , Wong Yiu Tung Anthony , Yung See Yue Arthur , Chan Ki Wan Kelvin , Feng Yingqing , Tan Ning , Chen Ji-yan , Yung Chi Yui , Lee Kwok Lun , Choi Chun Wai , Lam Ho , Ng Andrew , Fan Katherine , Jim Man Hong , Yiu Kai Hang , Yan Bryan P. , Siu Chung Wah
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Current international guidelines recommend non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) for stroke prevention among patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) at significant ischaemic stroke risk given the superior safety and comparable efficacy of NOACs over warfarin. Nonetheless, the safety and effectiveness of NOACs have not been evaluated in patients with AF with underlying moderate or severe mitral stenosis (MS), hence the recommended stroke prevention strategy remains warfarin therapy.

Method and analysis

MS remains disproportionately prevalent in Asian countries compared with the developed countries. This prospective, randomised, open-label trial with blinded endpoint adjudication aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of dabigatran for stroke prevention in AF patients with moderate or severe MS. Patients with AF aged ≥18 years with moderate or severe MS not planned for valvular intervention in the coming 12 months will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio to receive dabigatran 110 mg or 150 mg two times per day or warfarin with international normalised ratio 2–3 in an open-label design. Patients with estimated creatinine clearance <30 mL/min, or with a concomitant indication for antiplatelet therapy will be excluded. The primary outcome is a composite of stroke and systemic embolism. Secondary outcomes are ischaemic stroke, systemic embolism, haemorrhagic stroke, intracranial haemorrhage, major bleeding and death. The estimated required sample size is approximately 686 participants.

Ethics and dissemination

The study protocol has been approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong West Cluster, Hospital Authority, Hong Kong for Fung Yiu King Hospital, Grantham Hospital, Queen Mary Hospital and Tung Wah Hospital in Hong Kong. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT04045093); pre-results.
Incidence of chronic wounds in Singapore, a multiethnic Asian country, between 2000 and 2017: a retrospective cohort study using a nationwide claims database
Authors: Goh Orlanda Q , Ganesan Ganga , Graves Nicholas , Ng Yi Zhen , Harding Keith , Tan Kelvin Bryan
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Chronic wounds are common, costly and impair quality of life, yet epidemiological data are scarce. We aimed to estimate the incidence trend of a multiethnic Asian population.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Singapore’s nationwide claims database.

Participants

Singaporeans and permanent residents.

Outcomes

Patients were identified by International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision, Australian Modification (ICD-9-AM) and ICD-10-AM codes from all admissions between 2000 and 2017, and categorised according to aetiology: venous, arterial, diabetic and pressure. Comorbidities were extracted from a national database of Charlson Comorbidity Index scores.

Results

Between 2000 and 2017, 124 023 wound-related claims among 86 631 patients were identified. Age-specific rate (ASR) and age-adjusted incidence rates of all wounds increased over 18 years, with greatest increases among those aged ≥80. In 2017, the median age of patients was 74 (IQR 63–84). Half were male (51%). 70% were ethnic Chinese, 15% Malay and 9% Indian. In 2017, the crude incidence rate (CIR) was 15 per 100 000 persons (95% CI 14 to 16) for venous wounds, 56 (95% CI 53 to 58) for arterial, 168 (95% CI 164 to 173) for diabetic and 183 (95% CI 179 to 188) for pressure wounds. The CIR of any chronic wound was 296 (95% CI 291 to 301). ASRs were greatest in patients aged ≥80: 92 (95% CI 74 to 112) for venous, 478 (95% CI 436 to 522) for arterial, 1791 (95% CI 1710 to 1876) for diabetic, 3647 (95% CI 3530 to 3766) for pressure and 4277 (95% CI 4151 to 4407) for any wound. Compared with the Chinese, Indians had thrice the ASRs of venous and arterial wounds and double the ASR of diabetic wounds. Malays had double the ASRs of arterial and diabetic wounds.

Conclusions

Chronic wounds are common in the elderly with significant ethnic disparities in this Asian cohort. With the incidence expected to rise with ageing populations, it is crucial to address health disparities and evaluate utilisation and cost to inform clinical practice and health policy.
Patch validation: an observational study protocol for the evaluation of a multisignal wearable sensor in patients during anaesthesia and in the postanaesthesia care unit
Authors: Le Guen Morgan , Squara Pierre , Ma Sabrina , Adjavon Shérifa , Trillat Bernard , Merzoug Messaouda , Aegerter Philippe , Fischler Marc
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Except for operating rooms, postanaesthesia care units and intensive care units, where the monitoring of vital signs is continuous, intermittent care is standard practice. However, at a time when only the patients with the most serious conditions are hospitalised and only a fraction of these patients are in intensive care units, this type of monitoring is no longer sufficient. Wireless monitoring has been proposed, but it requires rigorous validation. The aim of this observational study is to compare vital signs obtained from a precordial patch sensor to those obtained with conventional monitoring.

Methods and analysis

This patch validation trial will be an observational, prospective, single-centre open study of 115 anaesthetised adult patients monitored with both a wireless sensor (myAngel VitalSigns, Devinnova, Montpellier, France) and a standard bedside monitor (Carescape Monitor B850, GE Healthcare, Chicago, Illinois). Both sensors will be used to record peripheral oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, heart rate, body temperature and blood pressure (systolic and diastolic). The main objective will be to assess the degree of agreement between the two systems during the patients’ stay in the postanaesthesia care unit, both at the raw signal level and at the clinical parameter level. The secondary objectives will be to assess the same performance under anaesthesia, the frequency of missing data or artefacts, the diagnostic performance of the systems, the influence of patients’ characteristics on agreement between the two systems, the adverse events and the acceptability of the patch to patients. Bland-Altman plots will be used in the main analysis to detect discrepancies and estimate the limits of agreement.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval was obtained from the Ethical Committee (Toulouse, France) on 10 April 2020. We are not yet recruiting subjects for this study. The results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

NCT04344093.
How to rapidly design and operationalise PPE donning and doffing areas for a COVID-19 care facility: quality improvement initiative
Authors: Wundavalli LaxmiTej , Singh Sheetal , Singh Angel Rajan , Satpathy Sidhartha
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Effective implementation of standard precautions specific to COVID-19 is a challenge for hospitals within the existing constraints of time and resources.

Aim

To rapidly design and operationalise personal protective equipment (PPE) donning and doffing areas required for a COVID-19 care facility.

Methods

Literature review was done to identify all issues pertaining to donning and doffing in terms of Donabedian’s structure, process and outcome. Training on donning and doffing was given to hospital staff. Donning and doffing mock drills were held. 5S was used as a tool to set up donning and doffing areas. Instances of donning and doffing were observed for protocol deviations and errors. Plan–do–study–act cycles were conducted every alternate day for 4 weeks. The initiative was reported using Standards for QUality Improvement Reporting Excellence (SQUIRE) guidelines.

Results

Best practices in donning and doffing were described. Our study recommends a minimum area of 16 m2each for donning and doffing rooms. Verbally assisted doffing was found most useful than visual prompts.

Discussion

Challenges included sustaining the structure and process of donning and doffing, varied supplies of PPE which altered sequencing of donning and/or doffing, and training non-healthcare workers such as plumbers, electricians and drivers who were required during emergencies in the facility.

Conclusion

Our study used evidence-based literature and quality improvement (QI) tools to design and operationalise donning and doffing areas with focus on people, task and environment. Our QI will enable healthcare facilities to rapidly prototype donning and doffing areas in a systematic way.
Seven features of safety in maternity units: a framework based on multisite ethnography and stakeholder consultation
Authors: Liberati Elisa Giulia , Tarrant Carolyn , Willars Janet , Draycott Tim , Winter Cathy , Kuberska Karolina , Paton Alexis , Marjanovic Sonja , Leach Brandi , Lichten Catherine , Hocking Lucy , Ball Sarah , Dixon-Woods Mary
Published: September 2020

Background

Reducing avoidable harm in maternity services is a priority globally. As well as learning from mistakes, it is important to produce rigorous descriptions of ‘what good looks like’.

Objective

We aimed to characterise features of safety in maternity units and to generate a plain language framework that could be used to guide learning and improvement.

Methods

We conducted a multisite ethnography involving 401 hours of non-participant observations 33 semistructured interviews with staff across six maternity units, and a stakeholder consultation involving 65 semistructured telephone interviews and one focus group.

Results

We identified seven features of safety in maternity units and summarised them into a framework, namedFor Us(For Unit Safety). The features include: (1) commitment to safety and improvement at all levels, with everyone involved; (2) technical competence, supported by formal training and informal learning; (3) teamwork, cooperation and positive working relationships; (4) constant reinforcing of safe, ethical and respectful behaviours; (5) multiple problem-sensing systems, used as basis of action; (6) systems and processes designed for safety, and regularly reviewed and optimised; (7) effective coordination and ability to mobilise quickly. These features appear to have a synergistic character, such that each feature is necessary but not sufficient on its own: the features operate in concert through multiple forms of feedback and amplification.

Conclusions

This large qualitative study has enabled the generation of a new plain language framework—For Us—that identifies the behaviours and practices that appear to be features of safe care in hospital-based maternity units.
Intimate partner violence among pregnant women reporting to the emergency department: findings from a nationwide sample
Authors: Murugan Vithya , Holzer Katherine J , Termos Mirvat , Vaughn Michael
Published: September 2020

Objective

Intimate partner violence (IPV) describes physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse. During pregnancy, IPV has substantial negative implications for maternal and child health. The aim of the present study was to better understand the prevalence and sociodemographic and psychiatric correlates of IPV among pregnant females in the emergency department (ED).

Methods

Using the 2016 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS), logistic regression was employed to examine the relationship between IPV during pregnancy, sociodemographic factors, substance abuse and mental health disorders.

Results

Bivariate analyses indicated that approximately 0.06% of pregnant women who visited EDs in 2016 were coded as experiencing abuse by a spouse or partner. Pregnant women abused by a spouse or partner were more likely to have a diagnosis of each of the disorders coded as complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium examined in this study, including alcohol use (0.77%, aOR 8.38, 95% CI 2.80 to 29.50), drug use (2.26%, aOR 3.49, 95% CI 1.60 to 6.15), tobacco use (11.05%, aOR 1.90, 95% CI 1.34 to 2.54) and general mental disorders (4.13%, aOR 2.64, 95% CI 1.60 to 4.79).

Conclusion

Screening for IPV in EDs, especially among at-risk women identified in this study, may lead to referrals and coordination of care that could reduce the violence and improve maternal and child health outcomes.
Introduction and switching of biologic agents are associated with antidepressant and anxiolytic medication use: data on 42 815 real-world patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease
Authors: Bournia Vasiliki-Kalliopi , Tektonidou Maria G , Vassilopoulos Dimitrios , Laskari Katerina , Panopoulos Stylianos , Fragiadaki Kalliopi , Mathioudakis Konstantinos , Tsolakidis Anastasios , Mitrou Panagiota , Sfikakis Petros P
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Depression and anxiety are linked bi-directionally with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs) activity, which in turn, depends on subjective patient reported outcomes that can be distorted by comorbid mood disorders. We tested the hypothesis that introduction and/or switching of biologic agents for IRDs are associated with treatment for depression and/or anxiety, by analysing real-world data.

Methods

Using a country-wide electronic prescription database (10 012 604 registered, 99% population coverage), we captured almost all patients with rheumatoid arthritis (n=12 002), psoriatic arthritis (n=5465) and ankylosing spondylitis (n=6423) who received biologic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) during a 2-year period (8/2016–7/2018). Concomitant antidepressant/anxiolytic medication use was documented in patients who started or switched bDMARDs and compared with those who remained on conventional synthetic (cs)DMARDs or the same bDMARD, respectively, by multivariate regression analysis.

Results

Two-year data analysis on 42 815 patients revealed that bDMARD introduction was associated with both antidepressant [OR: 1.248, 95% CI 1.153 to 1.350, p<0.0001] and anxiolytic medication use [OR: 1.178, 95% CI 1.099 to 1.263, p<0.0001]. Moreover, bDMARD switching was also associated with antidepressant [OR: 1.502, 95% CI 1.370 to 1.646, p<0.0001] and anxiolytic medication use [OR: 1.161, 95% CI 1.067 to 1.264, p=0.001]. Notably, all these associations were independent of age, gender, underlying disease diagnosis and concomitant glucocorticoid or csDMARD medication use.

Conclusion

In real-world settings, both introduction and switching of bDMARDs in patients with IRDs were associated with the presence of mood disorders. Although a causal relationship is uncertain, the impact of depression and anxiety should always be considered by physicians facing the decision to introduce or switch bDMARDs in patients with active IRDs.
Ranaviruses in captive and wild Australian lizards
Authors: Maclaine Alicia , Wirth Wytamma T. , McKnight Donald T. , Burgess Graham W. , Ariel Ellen
Published: September 2020

Ranaviral infections have been associated with mass mortality events in captive and wild amphibian, fish, and reptile populations globally. In Australia, two distinct types of ranaviruses have been isolated: epizootic haematopoietic necrosis virus in fish and a Frog virus 3-like ranavirus in amphibians. Experimental studies and serum surveys have demonstrated that several Australian native fish, amphibian, and reptile species are susceptible to infection and supported the theory that ranavirus is naturally circulating in Australian herpetofauna. However, ranaviral infections have not been detected in captive or wild lizards in Australia. Oral-cloacal swabs were collected from 42 wild lizards from northern Queensland and 83 captive lizards from private collections held across three states/territories. Samples were tested for ranaviral DNA using a quantitative PCR assay. This assay detected ranaviral DNA in 30/83 (36.1%) captive and 33/42 (78.6%) wild lizard samples. This is the first time molecular evidence of ranavirus has been reported in Australian lizards.
Prediction of oil film thickness in trochoidal pump
Authors: Tomović Radoslav , Ivanović Lozica , Mačkić Tihomir , Stojanović Blaža , Glišović Jasna
Published: September 2020

A model for predicting the oil film thickness between the contact surfaces of the gerotor pump teeth is given in this paper. Gerotor pumps are rotary pumps with inner trochoidal gearing. The working process of the pump is followed by mechanical losses due to friction that occurs between the coupled surfaces. To reduce these losses and avoid wearing of the teeth’s active surfaces, it is necessary to provide a minimum thickness of the oil film between the contact surfaces. The minimum thickness of the oil film depends on many different factors, but in this paper for its determination, the Hamrock and Dowson empirical equation is used. Previously, the mathematical model that follows the change of relative velocities in contact, sliding velocity, rolling velocity, and contact force at the contact points of the coupled teeth profiles is developed. The influence of different parameters on the lubrication regime has been analyzed, and it has been shown that the trochoidal pump operates most with the limit EHD lubrication regime. The most unfavorable period occurs when the resulting rolling velocity decreases significantly, and this period dominates during coupling. The results of this research provide guidelines for the design of the tooth profile’s shape and the choice of operating parameters of the pump with high reliability.
Stuckelberg SUSY QED and infrared problem
Authors: Vinze Radhika , Govindarajan T. R. , Misra Anuradha , Ramadevi P.
Published: September 2020

We review gauge invariant [Formula: see text] supersymmetric massive U(1) gauge theory coupled to matter and Stuckelberg superfields. We focus on the leading order self-energy and vertex correction to the matter field in the massless limit of both the U(1) vector superfield and the Stuckelberg superfield. We explicitly verify that the theory is infrared divergence free in the massless limit. Hence the Stuckelberg mechanism appears to be the efficient route to handle infrared divergences seen in supersymmetric quantum electrodynamics. Since these additional particles have very small masses they can serve as dark matter candidates through “Ultralight particles” mechanism.
A pure connection formulation with real fields for gravity
Authors: Rosales-Quintero J. E.
Published: September 2020

We study an [Formula: see text] pure connection formulation in four dimensions for real-valued fields, inspired by the Capovilla, Dell and Jacobson complex self-dual approach. By considering the CMPR BF action, also, taking into account a more general class of the Cartan–Killing form for the Lie algebra [Formula: see text] and by refining the structure of the Lagrange multipliers, we integrate out the metric variables in order to obtain the pure connection action. Once we have obtained this action, we impose certain restrictions on the Lagrange multipliers, in such a way that the equations of motion led us to a family of torsionless conformally flat Einstein manifolds, parametrized by two numbers. Finally, we show that, by a suitable choice of parameters, self-dual spaces (Anti-) de Sitter can be obtained.
Failure Behavior of Double-Layer-Domes Subjected to Impact
Authors: Nazari E. , Shekastehband B.
Published: September 2020

The dynamic failure behavior of double-layer-domes subjected to impact is studied numerically through the nonlinear finite element software LS-DYNA. The parameters considered in this work include the mass, velocity, and size of impactor, impact direction, roof weigh, geometric imperfection, rise-to-span ratio, and depth of dome. The dynamic time-history response and energy conversion of the structure are utilized to distinguish between the failure mechanism types. For the cases studied, it is found that failure of the structures falls into one of the three categories: (1) local shear failure, (2) partial progressive failure, and (3) full progressive failure. Non-failure case dominates the dome response when the kinetic energy of the impactor is small enough, and the structure can convert most of the kinetic energy into the strain energy, thereby absorbing the impact. Local shear failure occurs in a double-layer-dome when an impactor with very high kinetic energy strikes the dome. For an impactor striking with a mass of 5 to 300[Formula: see text]ton and a velocity of 50 to 120[Formula: see text]m/s, the double-layer-dome studied will suffer from partial progressive failure. Varying mass and velocity of the impactor in the range of 1 to 300[Formula: see text]ton and 200 to 400[Formula: see text]m/s, respectively, results in a tendency of the dome to exhibit local shear failure. Although impact direction does not cause a change in the failure mechanism type, there is a reduction in the severity of failure of the system as the impact angle increases. Roof weight has no dominant effect on the failure mechanism of the double-layer-dome. A small initial member imperfection with amplitude 0.001[Formula: see text] does not change the progressive failure type. A large member imperfection of 0.01[Formula: see text] triggers member buckling and leads to local shear failure of the dome. Except for some loading cases, the change in the rise to span ratio and depth of the dome does not seriously affect the failure mode.
A general formulation based on algebraic spinors for the quantum computation
Authors: Trindade Marco A. S. , Floquet Sergio , Vianna J. David M.
Published: September 2020

In this work, we explore the structure of Clifford algebras and the representations of the algebraic spinors in quantum information theory. Initially, we present a general formulation through elements of minimal left ideals in tensor products of Clifford algebras. Posteriorly, we perform some applications in quantum computation: qubits, entangled states, quantum gates, representations of the braid group, quantum teleportation, Majorana operators and supersymmetry. Finally, we discuss advantages compared to standard Hilbert space formulation.
Analytical Solution for Strain Gradient Plasticity of Rotating Functionally Graded Thick Cylinders
Authors: Varmazyari Saeid , Shokrollahi Hassan
Published: September 2020

The elastic-plastic deformation of rotating functionally graded (FG) cylinders is investigated based on strain gradient theory. The governing equations are obtained based on the modified von Mises yield criterion, linear work hardening and plane strain assumptions. An analytical solution for the obtained equations is presented by which the deformation, strain and stress components for any point of the cylinder can be obtained. After verification of the formulation by comparing the obtained results with the reported results in the literature, some studies are presented to investigate the effects of cylinder size on the stress distribution and elastic-plastic interface radius of the rotating FG cylinder under internal and external pressure. The effects of the strain gradient coefficient, angular velocity, and the heterogeneity constant of the material are investigated. The results show that increasing the heterogeneity constant of the material and decreasing the cylinder radius lead to increasing the strength of material and decreasing the elastic-plastic interface radius. Moreover, classical theory is compared with this study and the range of the sizes in which both the theories leading to the same results, are defined.
On α-prime and weakly α-prime ideals in semirings
Authors: Bonde Dipak Ravindra , Chaudhari Jayprakash Ninu
Published: September 2020

Characterizations of [Formula: see text]-prime ideals, weakly [Formula: see text]-prime ideals in a semiring [Formula: see text] are investigated. If [Formula: see text] is a [Formula: see text]-ideal of a semiring [Formula: see text], then a relation between the set of [Formula: see text]-prime ideals (weakly [Formula: see text]-prime ideals) in [Formula: see text] and the set of [Formula: see text]-prime ideals (weakly [Formula: see text]-prime ideals) in the quotient semiring [Formula: see text] is obtained.
The Possibilities and Limitations of Private Prediction Markets
Authors: Cummings Rachel , Pennock David M. , Vaughan Jennifer Wortman
Published: September 2020

We consider the design of
private prediction markets
, financial markets designed to elicit predictions about uncertain events without revealing too much information about market participants’ actions or beliefs. Our goal is to design market mechanisms in which participants’ trades or wagers influence the market’s behavior in a way that leads to accurate predictions, yet no single participant has too much influence over what others are able to observe. We study the possibilities and limitations of such mechanisms using tools from differential privacy. We begin by designing a private one-shot wagering mechanism in which bettors specify a belief about the likelihood of a future event and a corresponding monetary wager. Wagers are redistributed among bettors in a way that more highly rewards those with accurate predictions. We provide a class of wagering mechanisms that are guaranteed to satisfy truthfulness, budget balance on expectation, and other desirable properties while additionally guaranteeing ε-joint differential privacy in the bettors’ reported beliefs, and analyze the trade-off between the achievable level of privacy and the sensitivity of a bettor’s payment to her own report. We then ask whether it is possible to obtain privacy in dynamic prediction markets, focusing our attention on the popular cost-function framework in which securities with payments linked to future events are bought and sold by an automated market maker. We show that under general conditions, it is impossible for such a market maker to simultaneously achieve bounded worst-case loss and ε-differential privacy without allowing the privacy guarantee to degrade extremely quickly as the number of trades grows (at least logarithmically in number of trades), making such markets impractical in settings in which privacy is valued. We conclude by suggesting several avenues for potentially circumventing this lower bound.
Pennington Corner: PRiME Directive: Adapting to the Realities of a Global Pandemic
Authors: Jannuzzi Christopher J.
Published: September 2020

First and foremost, I hope this missive finds you and yours fairing well in these unprecedented times. It is hard to believe that it is nearly six months since the ECS offices closed and we transitioned to working remotely.
Electro-organic Syntheses for Green Chemical Manufacturing
Authors: Biddinger Elizabeth J. , Modestino Miguel A.
Published: September 2020

While large-scale electrochemical manufacturing is currently practiced in processes such as chloro-alkali production or aluminum refining, significant opportunities exist to implement electrosynthesis routes more broadly for the sustainable production of organic chemicals. This article discusses green chemistry advantages of electro-organic syntheses for chemical manufacturing. Specifically, we discuss how organic electrosynthesis routes may enable the decarbonization of chemical manufacturing, how the use of electrons as products and reagents can reduce the generation of waste or the use hazardous reagents, and how the implementation of modular reactors may enable the use of non-fossil distributed chemical feedstocks or the production of chemicals on-demand. Lastly, we provide a perspective on the research and development needs to implement electrosynthesis processes at scale.
Sustainable Green Processes Enabled by Pulse Electrolytic Principles
Authors: Hall Timothy D. , Inman Maria E. , Taylor E. Jennings (EJ)
Published: September 2020

Electrochemical and solid state science, engineering, and technology have an important role to play in society’s sustainable future. Early discussions of the potential environmental contributions by academic, government, and industrial electrochemists were presented in Electrochemistry of Cleaner Environments (1972), Electrochemistry for a Cleaner Environment (1992), and Environmental Aspects of Electrochemical Technology (2000). Some important electrochemical technologies include batteries and fuel cells for mobile (electric vehicle) power and stationary energy storage (wind, solar), conversion and capture of greenhouse (carbon dioxide) gases, contaminate destruction (PFAS), and electrochemical recycling of electronics in support of a circular economy among others. Additionally, many have noted that electrochemical processes are inherently environmentally friendly as “electrons are green.” While we agree with this notion, we also note that many electrochemical processes based on direct current (DC) electrolysis, such as electrodeposition (plating) and surface finishing (electropolishing and electrochemical machining), use environmental and worker “unfriendly” electrolytes. By altering the electrochemical paradigm from one based on DC electrolysis to one based on pulse/pulse reverse current (P/PRC) electrolytic principles, simpler electrolytes with favorable manufacturing/worker and environmental impacts may be accrued. After a brief introduction to the author’s perspective, we present examples of sustainable technologies enabled by P/PRC electrolysis: 1) green electrodeposition of chromium for functional applications, 2) worker friendly electropolishing of niobium for particle accelerator applications, and 3) zero-discharge electrochemical machining of cannon barrels.
Factor VIII Intron 22 Inversion in Severe Hemophilia A Patients in Palestine
Authors: Mahmoud Abu Arra Caesar , Samarah Fekri , Sudqi Abu Hasan Nael
Published: September 2020

Background. Hemophilia A is an X-linked recessive bleeding disorder caused by mutations in FVIII gene with an incidence of 1 in 5,000 to 10,000 live born males. The Inv22 mutation is a major cause of the disease worldwide, accounting for up to 40%–50% of severe FVIII mutations. The aim of the present study was to screen Inv22 of the FVIII gene in Palestinian patients with severe HA and reveal its role as a predisposing factor for the development of inhibitors. Materials and Methods. A cohort of 77 HA individuals including 5 carrier females from 52 unrelated families registered at governmental hemophilia centers in the West Bank area of Palestine was investigated. The demographic data and the clinical history were retrieved from medical files. Molecular analysis of Inv22 mutation in severe HA (30 cases) from Palestine was performed using the subcycling polymerase reaction (S-PCR). FVIII coagulant activities were carried out on an aPTT-based 1-stage clotting assay. FVIII inhibitors were quantified using the Nijmegen modification of the Bethesda assay. Result. Overall, 41.7% (30/72) of the studied cases were classified as having severe HA, 22.2% (16/72) had moderate HA, and 36.1% (26/72) had mild HA. Five randomly selected carrier mothers were screened for the Inv22 mutation to confirm its transmission to their sons. The Inv22 mutation was detected in 11 severe HA patients (36.6%). Among the severe HA patients with positive Inv22, 45.5% (5/11) had developed inhibitors. The current study showed that there was no association (p=0.53) between inhibitor development and the Inv22 mutation. Conclusion. Findings on Inv22 are in agreement with worldwide reports, being a major genetic mutation in severe HA. The S-PCR is a simple, rapid, and cost-effective method for the diagnosis of Inv22 in severe HA patients. Although the Inv22 mutation was associated with 36.6% of severe HA phenotype cases, it was not a major predisposing factor for inhibitor formation.
RAFT Copolymerization of Styrene and Maleic Anhydride with Addition of Ascorbic Acid at Ambient Temperature
Authors: Luo Juxiang , Cheng Deshu , Li Mingchun , Xin Meihua , Sun Weifu , Xiao Wangchuan
Published: September 2020

A novel method for RAFT copolymerization of styrene (St) and maleic anhydride (MAh) at ambient temperature using ascorbic acid (Asc) as an initiator is reported. Various experimental conditions including reaction component, monomer composition, the amount of Asc, and temperature were investigated in terms of monomer conversion, molecular weight, and molecular weight distribution. In this system, the copolymer of styrene/maleic anhydride (SMA) with well-regulated molecular weight and low molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn=1.30) was obtained, and the conversion of monomer was 70.4% after 12 hours at 25°C. The NMR spectra demonstrated that the copolymer synthesized possesses a strictly alternating structure. Furthermore, the proposed mechanism adapted to the RAFT copolymerization of St and MAh initiated by Asc at ambient temperature is presented. Using this new methodology, it is possible to achieve well-defined SMA under mild conditions by RAFT copolymerization.
Cytotoxic Constituents of the Bark of Hypericum roeperianum towards Multidrug‐Resistant Cancer Cells
Authors: Guefack Michel-Gael F. , Damen Francois , Mbaveng Armelle T. , Tankeo Simplice Beaudelaire , Bitchagno Gabin T. M. , Çelik İlhami , Simo Mpetga James D. , Kuete Victor
Published: September 2020

The global cancer burden remains a serious concern with the alarming incidence of one in eight men and one in eleven women dying in developing countries. This situation is aggravated by the multidrug resistance (MDR) of cancer cells that hampers chemotherapy. In this study, the cytotoxicity of the methanol extract (HRB), fractions (HRBa, HRBb, and HRBa1‐5), and compounds from the bark of Hypericum roeperianum (HRB) was evaluated towards a panel of 9 cancer cell lines. The mode of action of the HRB and trichadonic acid (1) was also studied. Column chromatography was applied to isolate the constituents of HRB. The cytotoxicity of botanicals and phytochemicals was evaluated by the resazurin reduction assay (RRA). Caspase‐Glo assay was used to evaluate the activity of caspases, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) (H2DCFH‐DA) were assessed by flow cytometry. Phytochemicals isolated from HRB were trichadonic acid (1), fridelan‐3‐one (2), 2‐hydroxy‐5‐methoxyxanthone (3), norathyriol (4), 1,3,5,6‐tetrahydroxyxanthone (5), betulinic acid (6), 3′‐hydroxymethyl‐2′‐(4″‐hydroxy‐3″,5″‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐5′,6′:5,6‐(6,8‐dihydroxyxanthone)‐1′,4′‐dioxane (7), and 3′‐hydroxymethyl‐2′‐(4″‐hydroxy‐3″,5″‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐5′,6′:5,6‐(xanthone)‐1′,4′‐dioxane (8). Botanicals HRB, HRBa, HRBa2‐4, HRBb, and doxorubicin displayed cytotoxic effects towards the 9 tested cancer cell lines. The recorded IC50 values ranged from 11.43 µg/mL (against the P‐glycoprotein (gp)‐overexpressing CEM/ADR5000 leukemia cells) to 26.75 µg/mL (against HCT116 (p53+/+) colon adenocarcinoma cells) for the crude extract HRB. Compounds 1, 5, and doxorubicin displayed cytotoxic effects towards the 9 tested cancer cell lines with IC50 values varying from 14.44 µM (against CCRF‐CEM leukemia cells) to 44.20 µM (against the resistant HCT116 (p53−/−) cells) for 1 and from 38.46 µM (against CEM/ADR5000 cells) to 112.27 µM (against the resistant HCT116 (p53−/−) cells) for 5. HRB and compound 1 induced apoptosis in CCRF‐CEM cells. The apoptotic process was mediated by enhanced ROS production for HRB or via caspases activation and enhanced ROS production for compound 1. This study demonstrated that Hypericum roeperianum is a potential source of cytotoxic phytochemicals such as trichadonic acid and could be further exploited in cancer chemotherapy.
A Novel Picture Fuzzy n-Banach Space with Some New Contractive Conditions and Their Fixed Point Results
Authors: Asif Awais , Aydi Hassen , Arshad Muhammad , Ali Zeeshan
Published: September 2020

A picture fuzzy n-normed linear space (NPF), a mixture of a picture fuzzy set and an n-normed linear space, is a proficient concept to cope with uncertain and unpredictable real-life problems. The purpose of this manuscript is to present some novel contractive conditions based on NPF. By using these contractive conditions, we explore some fixed point theorems in a picture fuzzy n-Banach space (BPF). The discussed modified results are more general than those in the existing literature which are based on an intuitionistic fuzzy n-Banach space (BIF) and a fuzzy n-Banach space. To express the reliability and effectiveness of the main results, we present several examples to support our main theorems.
Compact High-Voltage Pulse Generator for Pulsed Electric Field Applications: Lab-Scale Development
Authors: Kasri N. F. , Piah M. A. M. , Adzis Z.
Published: September 2020

Square wave pulses have been identified as more lethal compared to exponential decay pulses in PEF applications. This is because of the on-time which is longer causes a formidable impact on the microorganisms in the food media. To have a reliable high-voltage pulse generator, a technique of capacitor discharge was employed. Four units of capacitor rated 100 μF 1.2 kV were connected in series to produce 25 μF 4.8 kV which were used to store the energy of approximately 200 J. The energy stored was discharged via HTS 181-01-C to the load in the range of nano to microseconds of pulse duration. The maximum voltage applied was limited to 4 kV because it is a lab-scale project. The electrical circuit diagram and the development procedure, as well as experimental results, are presented.
Association between Helicobacter pylori Infection and Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study in China
Authors: Man Sailimai , Ma Yuan , Jin Cheng , Lv Jun , Tong Mingkun , Wang Bo , Li Liming , Ning Yi
Published: September 2020

Background. Studies suggest an association between H. pylori infection and extragastrointestinal disease. Limited studies provided conflicting results on the association between H. pylori infection and diabetes. The present study was aimed at examining the association between H. pylori infection and diabetes in a large health checkup population in China. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted; participants who attended health checkups at Beijing MJ Health Screening Center during 2017-2018 were included. H. pylori infection was diagnosed by 13C-urea breath test. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between H. pylori infection and diabetes. Results. The mean age of 13,397 participants was 43.8±12 years. The prevalence of H. pylori infection and diabetes was 28.2% and 8.1%, respectively. The prevalence of diabetes was higher among H. pylori-positive participants compared with their counterparts (8.9% vs 7.8%, p=0.05). After adjustment of age, sex, family history of diabetes, smoking, education, stroke, coronary heart disease, BMI, SBP, TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C, multivariate logistic regression analysis found no association between H. pylori infection and diabetes (OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.88-1.18). Additionally, subgroup analysis indicated that H. pylori infection was significantly associated with increased risk of diabetes in the female group (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.08-1.09). Conclusions. No significant association was found between H. pylori infection and diabetes. However, the subgroup analysis suggested that H. pylori infection was possibly associated with increased risk of diabetes among females. Future cohort studies are needed to verify this association in females and to address possible implication in the prevention of diabetes.
Dynamic Reliability of Continuous Rigid-Frame Bridges under Stochastic Moving Vehicle Loads
Authors: Lu Naiwei , Wang Kai , Wang Honghao , Liu Yang , Luo Yuan , Xiao Xinhui
Published: September 2020

The current volume of freight traffic has increased significantly during the past decades, impacted by the fast development of the national transportation market. As a result, the phenomena of truck overloading and traffic congestion emerge, which have resulted in numerous bridge collapse events or damage due to truck overloading. Thus, it is an urgent task to evaluate bridge safety under actual traffic loads. This study evaluated probabilistic dynamic load effects on rigid-frame bridges under highway traffic monitoring loads. The site-specific traffic monitoring data of a highway in China were utilized to establish stochastic traffic models. The dynamic effect was considered in a vehicle-bridge coupled vibration model, and the probability estimation was conducted based on the first-passage criterion of the girder deflection. The prototype bridge is a continuous rigid-frame bridge with a midspan length of 200 m and a pier height of 182 m. It is demonstrated that the dynamic traffic load effect follows Gaussian distribution, which can be treated as a stationary random process. The mean value and standard deviation of the deflections are 0.071 m and 0.088 m, respectively. The dynamic reliability index for the first passage of girder deflection is 6.45 for the current traffic condition. However, the reliability index decreases to 5.60 in the bridge lifetime, accounting for an average traffic volume growth ratio of 3.6%.
PD-L1 Expression Level Displays a Positive Correlation with Immune Response in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Zhao Lei , Cao Yaming
Published: September 2020

The expression of PD-L1 could be a novel biomarker which predicts that patients are more likely to respond to immunotherapy. Our study investigated the relationship among clinicopathological characteristics, prognosis, PD-L1 expression levels, and FOXP3+ Treg infiltration. In addition, the relationship among clinicopathological characteristics, prognosis, PD-L1 expression levels, and FOXP3+ Treg infiltration was explored. Furthermore, the relationship between PD-L1 expression and FOXP3+ Treg infiltration was examined. We found that 41.3% of pancreatic cancer patients had PD-L1-positive staining; both PD-L1 expression levels and FOXP3+ Treg infiltration were significantly associated with depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, and pTNM. In addition, PD-L1 expression and FOXP3+ Treg infiltration also could be prognostic biomarkers for pancreatic cancer.
Cardiopulmonary Bypass Induces Acute Lung Injury via the High-Mobility Group Box 1/Toll-Like Receptor 4 Pathway
Authors: Deng Yuxiao , Hou Lei , Xu Qiaoyi , Liu Qi , Pan Su , Gao Yuan , Dixon Richard A. F. , He Zhengyu , Wang Xiangrui
Published: September 2020

During cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), pulmonary ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury can cause acute lung injury (ALI). Our previous research confirmed that abnormal high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) release after CPB was closely related to ALI. However, the mechanism underlying the HMGB1-mediated induction of ALI after CPB is unclear. Our previous study found that HMGB1 binds Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), leading to lung injury, but direct evidence of a role for these proteins in the mechanism of CPB-induced lung injury has not been shown. We examined the effects of inhibiting HMGB1 or reducing TLR4 expression on CPB-induced lung injury in rats administered anti-HMBG1 antibody or TLR4 short-hairpin RNA (shTLR4), respectively. In these rat lungs, we studied the histologic changes and levels of interleukin- (IL-) 1β, tumour necrosis factor- (TNF-) α, HMGB1, and TLR4 after CPB. After CPB, the lung tissues from untreated rats showed histologic features of injury and significantly elevated levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, HMGB1, and TLR4. Treatment with anti-HMGB1 attenuated the CPB-induced morphological inflammatory response and protein levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, HMGB1, and TLR4 in the lung tissues and eventually alleviated the ALI after CPB. Treatment with shTLR4 attenuated the CPB-induced morphological inflammatory response and protein levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and TLR4 in the lung tissues and eventually alleviated the ALI after CPB, but could not alleviate the HMGB1 protein levels induced by CPB. In summary, the present study demonstrated that the HMGB1/TLR4 pathway mediated the development of ALI induced by CPB.