bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sudden out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest in pediatric patients in Kyushu area in Japan
Authors: Yoshinaga Masao , Ishikawa Shiro , Otsubo Yoshikazu , Shida Masanori , Hoshiko Kiyomi , Yatsunami Koichi , Kanaya Yoshiaki , Takagi Junichi , Takamura Kazushi , Ganaha Hitoshi , Sunagawa Makoto , Soeda Osamu , Ogawa Yumi , Ogata Hiromitsu , Kashima Naoko
Published: July 2021

Background

It is well‐known that a neurologically favorable outcome of out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is associated with the presence of bystander‐initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (bystander CPR) and use of an automated external defibrillator. However, little is known about the effect of the presence of pre‐existing conditions, prior activity, and locations on the outcome of pediatric OHCA.

Methods

We analyzed the data from questionnaires about pediatric patients with OHCA aged from 3 days to 19 years in the Kyushu area in Japan between 2012 and 2016.

Results

A total of 594 OHCA cases were collected. The numbers of OHCA cases and the rate of 1 month survival with a favorable neurological outcome during sleeping, swimming / bathing, and exercise were 192 (1.0%), 83 (32.5%), and 44 (65.9%), respectively. When an OHCA occurred at school (n = 56), 88% of children / adolescents received bystander CPR, but when it occurred at home (n = 390), 15% received bystander CPR. Cardiovascular (n = 61), suicide (n = 61), and neurological / neuromuscular (n = 44) diseases were three major pre‐existing conditions. The OHCA of cardiovascular disease was associated with exercise (24/61) and mainly occurred at school (22/61). The OHCA of neurological / neuromuscular disease was associated with swimming/bathing (15/44) and mainly occurred during bathing at home (12/44). Multivariate regression analysis showed that the presence of bystander CPR (P < 0.001) and occurrence of OHCA at school (P < 0.001) were independently predictive of a favorable outcome in pediatric OHCA.

Conclusion

The outcome was different among pre‐existing conditions, prior activity, and location of OHCA. These findings might be useful for preventing OHCA and improving the outcome of pediatric OHCA.
Detection of virulence to septoria tritici blotch (STB) resistance conferred by the winter wheat cultivar Cougar in the Irish Zymoseptoria tritici population and potential implications for STB control
Authors: Kildea Steven , Sheppard Liam , Cucak Mladen , Hutton Fiona
Published: July 2021

Septoria tritici blotch (STB) caused by the fungal pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici continues to be the most economically destructive disease of winter wheat throughout Ireland. Due to the widespread development of fungicide resistance in the Irish Z. tritici population, integrated strategies to control STB are increasingly necessary. A key component of such strategies will be the deployment of winter wheat cultivars with improved levels of STB resistance. Unfortunately, due to the nature of Z. tritici, such resistances are at risk of being overcome by the pathogen. In late summer 2020, foci of STB were observed across a range of winter wheat cultivars under evaluation for recommendation in Ireland. Common amongst these was the cultivar Cougar in each of their pedigree. To determine if the foci observed in 2020 resulted from strains virulent to Cougar, isolate collections were established and virulence screens conducted on Cougar and a range of the cultivars currently under evaluation. These confirmed the presence of Cougar‐virulent strains in the Irish Z. tritici population, and that this virulence affects not just Cougar, but also cultivars derived from it. Although the foci observed in 2020 were in both fungicide‐untreated and ‐treated plots, there was no evidence that these strains are more sensitive or resistant to fungicides compared to the wider Irish Z. tritici population, with moderate resistance to the SDHIs and azoles dominating. Combined, the present study confirms the need to ensure a diversity of control measures for STB, including ensuring a range of STB resistances are used.
Clustering Longitudinal Life-Course Sequences using Mixtures of Exponential-Distance Models
Authors: Murphy Keefe , Murphy T. Brendan , Piccarreta Raffaella , Gormley I. Claire
Published: July 2021

Sequence analysis is an increasingly popular approach for analysing life courses represented by ordered collections of activities experienced by subjects over time. Here, we analyse a survey data set containing information on the career trajectories of a cohort of Northern Irish youths tracked between the ages of 16 and 22. We propose a novel, model-based clustering approach suited to the analysis of such data from a holistic perspective, with the aims of estimating the number of typical career trajectories, identifying the relevant features of these patterns, and assessing the extent to which such patterns are shaped by background characteristics. Several criteria exist for measuring pairwise dissimilarities among categorical sequences. Typically, dissimilarity matrices are employed as input to heuristic clustering algorithms. The family of methods we develop instead clusters sequences directly using mixtures of exponential-distance models. Basing the models on weighted variants of the Hamming distance metric permits closed-form expressions for parameter estimation. Simultaneously allowing the component membership probabilities to depend on fixed covariates and accommodating sampling weights in the clustering process yields new insights on the Northern Irish data. In particular, we find that school examination performance is the single most important predictor of cluster membership.
Incorporating digital platforms into nutritional care in chronic kidney disease
Authors: Dawson Jessica , Lambert Kelly , Campbell Katrina L. , Kelly Jaimon T.
Published: July 2021

Digital health is increasingly recognized for its value to enhance patient care and clinical care processes. People with chronic kidney disease often find dietary self‐management challenging. There is promising evidence that digital health interventions can support people with chronic kidney disease to self‐manage their diet, by providing more frequent access to nutritional information and dietitians and by facilitating regular monitoring and feedback. There is some emerging evidence of the impact of digital interventions in chronic kidney disease; however, more research is needed to provide meaningful interpretation of how digital interventions can enhance current practice. Importantly, a number of factors need to be considered when designing, developing, implementing, and evaluating the impact of digital interventions. Consideration of the nutrition service and patients' needs, motivation and digital literacy, type of digital intervention, and the ability to embed the digital intervention into current care processes are critical. This paper overviews the current literature on digital health and self‐management, factors to consider when embedding digital interventions and platforms into nutrition care and practical considerations for designing and implementing digital health interventions to enhance the nutritional care of people with chronic kidney disease.
Molecular phylogeny of moss‐inhabiting flea beetles from the Chabria group (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Alticini) reveals multiple colonizations and radiations in Taiwan
Authors: Damaška Albert F. , Konstantinov Alexander , Lee Chi‐Feng , Ruan Yongying , Mohagan Dale Joy , Fikáček Martin
Published: July 2021

Moss‐inhabiting flea beetles form a very diverse and understudied ecological group of leaf beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) characterized by cryptic lifestyle, loss of flight ability and feeding on mosses as both adults and larvae. We present the first DNA‐based study of the phylogenetic position of moss‐inhabiting flea beetle genera Ivalia Jacoby and Cangshanaltica Konstantinov et al., based on sequences of two mitochondrial and three nuclear genes. We confirm that both genera are members of the monophyletic Chabria group, along with Chabria Jacoby, Parathrylea Duvivier, Chabriosoma Chen and Sutrea Baly. Moss‐inhabiting species form at least three independent lineages within the Chabria group, indicating multiple parallel origin of the association with mosses within the clade. We reveal the monophyly of Cangshanaltica and confirm its separate generic status from Ivalia. Ivalia is revealed as polyphyletic, consisting of at least two unrelated moss‐inhabiting lineages. In contrast, the externally similar moss‐ and leaf‐litter inhabiting genera Mniophila Stephens, Adamastoraltica Biondi et al. and Clavicornaltica Scherer are not closely related to the Chabria group. Our study specifically focused on the moss‐inhabiting flea beetles of Taiwan. We reveal that the Taiwanese fauna is a result of four independent colonizations of the island: one from China (Cangshanaltica) and three from the Philippines (three lineages morphologically assigned to Ivalia). Two of these lineages (Cangshanaltica and the core Ivalia) radiated in Taiwan and gave rise to the majority of modern Taiwanese species. The evolutionary history of Cangshanaltica and its diversification in China are also discussed.
Museomics of a rare taxon: placing Whalleyanidae in the Lepidoptera Tree of Life
Authors: Twort Victoria G. , Minet Joël , Wheat Christopher W. , Wahlberg Niklas
Published: July 2021

Museomics is a valuable approach that utilizes the diverse biobanks that are natural history museums. The ability to sequence genomes from old specimens has expanded not only the variety of interesting taxa available to study but also the scope of questions that can be investigated in order to further knowledge about biodiversity. Here, we present whole genome sequencing results from the enigmatic genus Whalleyana (comprising two species – occurring in drier biomes of Madagascar – previously placed in a monotypic superfamily, Whalleyanoidea), as well as from certain species of the families Callidulidae and Hyblaeidae (Calliduloidea and Hyblaeoidea, respectively). Library preparation was carried out on four museum specimens and one existing DNA extract and sequenced with Illumina short reads. De novo assembly resulted in highly fragmented genomes with the N50 ranging from 317 to 2078 bp. Mining of a manually curated gene set of 331 genes from these draft genomes had an overall gene recovery rate of 64–90%. Phylogenetic analysis places Whalleyana as sister to Callidulidae and Hyblaea as sister to Pyraloidea. Since the former sister‐group relationship turns out to be also supported by ten morphological synapomorphies, we propose to formally assign the Whalleyanidae to the superfamily Calliduloidea. These results highlight the usefulness of not only museum specimens but also existing DNA extracts, for whole genome sequencing and gene mining for phylogenomic studies.
Characterization of a novel HLA‐C*04:01:01:102 allele in an individual from West Bengal
Authors: Tambe Manisha , Phuntsok Tenzin , D'Silva Selma Z. , Rajak Jyoti , Singh Meenakshi
Published: July 2021

The novel HLA‐C*04:01:01:102 allele differs from HLA‐C*04:01:01:01 by G → A nucleotide change at gDNA 2591.
Description of two new HLA alleles: HLA‐B*46:80 and HLA‐B*46:81 identified in Chinese individuals
Authors: Zhao Shuoxian , He Yizhen , Zhang Wei , He Ji , Zhu Faming
Published: July 2021

Compared with HLA‐B*46:01:01:01, the alleles HLA‐B*46:80 and HLA‐B*46:81 each show one nucleotide substitution, respectively.
CT features of malignant and benign oral tumors in 28 dogs
Authors: Lee Suhyun , Jang Youjung , Lee Gahyun , Jeon Sunghoon , Kim Dongeun , Choi Jihye
Published: July 2021

An improved understanding of the computed tomographic (CT) features for malignant versus benign oral tumors would be helpful for guiding prognosis and treatment planning decisions in dogs. This retrospective, multi‐center, observational study compared the CT features of malignant and benign tumors in 28 dogs with 31 oral masses. Malignant tumors were present in 20 dogs, including malignant melanoma (n = 14), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC, n = 4), adenocarcinoma (n = 1), and fibrosarcoma (n = 1). Eight dogs had benign tumors, including giant cell granuloma (n = 2), peripheral odontogenic fibroma (n = 2), acanthomatous ameloblastoma (n = 2), plasmacytoma (n = 1), and oncocytoma (n = 1). Common CT features of malignant tumors included heterogeneous enhancement, tumor invasion into the adjacent bone, tooth loss, and ipsilateral mandibular lymphadenopathy. Malignant tumors were significantly larger than benign tumors. Bone lysis was found in benign tumors (n = 4) such as acanthomatous ameloblastoma, giant cell granuloma, and plasmacytoma. The bone lysis was a well‐defined geographic area regardless of malignancy and tumor type. In periosteal reactions, amorphous patterns were seen in both malignant (n = 2) and benign tumors (n = 2); the latter subgroup also showed solid patterns. Bone expansion (n = 2) was identified in malignant melanoma and acanthomatous ameloblastoma. Findings supported a diagnosis of possible malignancy for dogs with oral tumors having the following CT characteristics: large size, heterogeneous contrast enhancement pattern, bone lysis, tooth loss, and ipsilateral lymphadenopathy. However, there was a considerable overlap of CT findings among the different types of oral tumors and between benign and malignant tumors. Histological evaluation therefore remains necessary for definitive diagnosis.
Multi-Stability Property of Magneto-Kresling Truss Structures
Authors: Yang Xinyan , Keten Sinan
Published: July 2021

The Kresling truss structure, derived from Kresling origami, has been widely studied for its bi-stability and various other properties that are useful for diverse engineering applications. The stable states of Kresling trusses are governed by their geometry and elastic response, which involves a limited design space that has been well explored in previous studies. In this work, we present a magneto-Kresling truss design that involves embedding nodal magnets in the structure, which results in a more complex energy landscape, and consequently, greater tunability under mechanical deformation. We explore this energy landscape first along the zero-torque folding path and then release the restraint on the path to explore the complete two-degree-of-freedom behavior for various structural geometries and magnet strengths. We show that the magnetic interaction could alter the potential energy landscape by either changing the stable configuration, adjusting the energy well depth, or both. Energy wells with different minima endow this magneto-elastic structure with an outstanding energy storage capacity. More interestingly, proper design of the magneto-Kresling truss system yields a tri-stable structure, which is not possible in the absence of magnets. We also demonstrate various loading paths that can induce desired conformational changes of the structure. The proposed magneto-Kresling truss design sets the stage for fabricating tunable, scalable magneto-elastic multi-stable systems that can be easily utilized for applications in energy harvesting, storage, vibration control, as well as active structures with shape-shifting capability.
Turbulence Measurements at the Inlet of an Automotive Turbocharger Compressor Using Stereoscopic Particle Image Velocimetry
Authors: Banerjee Deb , Dehner Rick , Selamet Ahmet
Published: July 2021

The present work uses stereoscopic particle image velocimetry (SPIV) to analyze the compressor inlet flow field, with specific emphasis on its turbulence characteristics during flow reversal in order to gain further insight into the inlet flow structures. SPIV experiments were carried out at the inlet of a centrifugal compressor without any recirculation channel at four different rotational speeds (from 80 to 140 krpm) and over the entire mass flow range (from choke to surge) at each speed. Detailed analyses have been carried out for the mean velocity field, the mean vorticity field, and the turbulent statistics including turbulent kinetic energy, Reynolds stress, and the one-dimensional energy spectra. The turbulent kinetic energy at the compressor inlet was observed to increase rapidly along a speed line with decreasing mass flowrate once flow reversal started, and the turbulence became more anisotropic. As the flowrate was reduced (along a speed line), the zone with maximum turbulent kinetic energy moved from the periphery toward the center of the inlet duct and also occurred further upstream from the impeller. The Reynolds stress distributions suggest that the Boussinesq assumption of an isotropic eddy viscosity may not be appropriate after the detection of flow reversal. The Reynolds shear stresses were observed to change signs with their corresponding velocity gradients at the tested mass flowrates at different rotational speeds. At the investigated flowrates, the radial gradients in the axial and tangential velocities were found to be most dominant.
Metamodel-Driven Data Mining Model to Support Three-Dimensional Design of Centrifugal Compressor Stage
Authors: Qin Ruihong , Ju Yaping , Spence Stephen , Zhang Chuhua
Published: July 2021

The advanced design of a centrifugal compressor with high efficiency and wide operating range is a challenging task due to the complex flow field arising from the three-dimensional geometry, especially for the high-speed, highly loaded centrifugal compressor stage, which typically has a relatively narrow operating range. A great effort has been undertaken recently to solve the time-costly three-dimensional design problem with the assistance of a metamodel. Some effort has been done to gain insight into the design space with the assistance of the data mining method. However, the published works lack any study that systematically performs the data mining between the performance and three-dimensional geometry data due to two unsolved issues, i.e., lack of reliable systematic data mining model and unresolved high-dimensional data problem in the centrifugal compressor community. To tackle these issues, a systematic metamodel-driven data mining (MDDM) model including six general modules (i.e., problem understanding, data understating, metamodeling, data set preparation, knowledge discovery, and deployment) has been proposed and implemented to the knowledge discovery of the well-known Radiver high-speed centrifugal compressor stage. Particular attention has been paid to develop the design principle of operating range extension for the examined high-speed stage. Four specific data mining techniques, i.e., descriptive statistics, self-organization map, k–d tree, and Sobol index, were used for the statistical, correlation, cluster, and sensitivity analysis. The results showed the performance improvement probabilities, the trade-off relationships between efficiency and pressure ratio/operating range, and the characteristic variation of the performance. Specifically, the wide operating range design subspace and the narrow operating range design subspace were split away from the whole design space. In these subspaces, the two most sensitive geometry parameters that controlled the meridional curvature made a large contribution to the stage performance, especially for the meridional curvature at the shroud side near the impeller outlet. The appropriate variation ranges of the two sensitive geometry parameters were recommended, and the flow mechanism behind them was clarified. The statistical results showed that over 90% of the design stages in the recommended variation ranges had a wide operating range. A design case was chosen randomly in the recommended range to verify the performance improvement via computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The outcomes of this work are particularly relevant for the advanced design of compressors with high efficiency and a wide operating range for flexibility.
Cellular interactions with polystyrene nanoplastics—The role of particle size and protein corona
Authors: Kihara Shinji , Ashenden Alexander , Kaur Manmeet , Glasson Judith , Ghosh Sunandita , van der Heijden Nadine , Brooks Anna E. S. , Mata Jitendra P. , Holt Stephen , Domigan Laura J. , Köper Ingo , McGillivray Duncan J.
Published: July 2021

Plastic waste is ubiquitously spread across the world and its smaller analogs—microplastics and nanoplastics—raise particular health concerns. While biological impacts of microplastics and nanoplastics have been actively studied, the chemical and biological bases for the adverse effects are sought after. This work explores contributory factors by combining results from in vitro and model mammalian membrane experimentation to assess the outcome of cell/nanoplastic interactions in molecular detail, inspecting the individual contribution of nanoplastics and different types of protein coronae. The in vitro study showed mild cytotoxicity and cellular uptake of polystyrene (PS) nanoplastics, with no clear trend based on nanoplastic size (20 and 200 nm) or surface charge. In contrast, a nanoplastic size-dependency on bilayer disruption was observed in the model system. This suggests that membrane disruption resulting from direct interaction with PS nanoplastics has little correlation with cytotoxicity. Furthermore, the level of bilayer disruption was found to be limited to the hydrophilic headgroup, indicating that transmembrane diffusion was an unlikely pathway for cellular uptake—endocytosis is the viable mechanism. In rare cases, small PS nanoplastics (20 nm) were found in the vicinity of chromosomes without a nuclear membrane surrounding them; however, this was not observed for larger PS nanoplastics (200 nm). We hypothesize that the nanoplastics can interact with chromosomes prior to nuclear membrane formation. Overall, precoating PS particles with protein coronae reduced the cytotoxicity, irrespective of the corona type. When comparing the two types, the extent of reduction was more apparent with soft than hard corona.
Iterative channel estimation-based soft successive interference cancellation for multiuser underwater acoustic communications
Authors: Yin Jing-wei , Zhu Guang-jun , Han Xiao , Ge Wei , Li Lin , Tian Ya-nan
Published: July 2021

This paper presents a single-carrier multiuser receiver in underwater acoustic communications with strong multiple access interference (MAI) combining passive time-reversal (PTR) and direct-adaptation-based turbo equalization. The receiver works in an iterative block by block manner. In the first iteration, when the symbols of all users are detected by successive interference cancellation (SIC) in the block, the channel impulse response (CIR) of each user is then updated by post-SIC signal to achieve more accurate MAI reconstruction and PTR combination for the next block. In the following iterations, the a priori mean of symbol in the current block is available and used to further improve the accuracy of reconstructed MAI and the updated CIR. The proposed receiver is demonstrated using experimental data collected at Songhua Lake, China, in 2019. The results show that single-carrier nine-user communication data with quadrature phase-shift keying can be successfully recovered, with an average data rate of 1.67 kbps for each user.
Updated Genome Sequence for the Probiotic Bacterium Bifidobacterium animalis subsp.
lactis
BB-12
Authors: Jensen Kristian , Al-Nakeeb Kosai , Koza Anna , Zeidan Ahmad A.
Published: July 2021

The genome of
Bifidobacterium animalis
subsp.
lactis
BB-12 was sequenced using Oxford Nanopore Technologies long-read and Illumina short-read sequencing platforms. A hybrid genome assembly approach was used to construct an updated complete genome sequence for BB-12 containing 1,944,152 bp, with a G+C content of 60.5% and 1,615 genes.
Complete Genome Sequences of Mycobacteriophages Dallas and Jonghyun
Authors: London Laricca Y. , Ayuk Mary A. , Effiom Diana , Fashina Folasade , Louis Briana J. , Tolsma Sara S. , Allen Adrian D. , Dickson Leon A. , Ghosh Somiranjan , Gugssa Ayele , Ullah Hemayet , Bassey Glory B. , Fernando Lourds M. , Moore Madison M. , Oliver Jerome J. , Irabor Esohe G. , Roy Swagota D. , Quagraine Benedict K. , Smith Michael ,   Howard University SEA-PHAGES Students,, Anderson Winston A. , Robinson Courtney J.
Published: July 2021

Two temperate mycobacteriophages, Dallas and Jonghyun, were isolated from soil in Washington, DC, using the bacterial host
Mycobacterium smegmatis
mc
2
155. Analysis of the genomes revealed that Dallas and Jonghyun belong to clusters J and G, respectively. The structures of the genomes are typical of their respective clusters.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Coralloluteibacterium stylophorae
LMG 29479
T
Authors: Karlyshev Andrey V. , Kudryashova Ekaterina B. , Ariskina Elena V. , Conroy Ava P. , Abidueva Elena Y.
Published: July 2021

Here, we report a draft genome sequence of the strain
Coralloluteibacterium stylophorae
LMG 29479
T
acquired from the Belgian Coordinated Collections of Microorganisms. The genus
Coralloluteibacterium
currently includes only one species with a validly published name. These genome sequencing data are important for the phylogeny of the
Lysobacteraceae
family.
Seasonal Variation of Microbial Diversity of Coastal Sediment in Tongyeong, South Korea, Using 16S rRNA Gene Amplicon Sequencing
Authors: Oktavitri Nur Indradewi , Kim Jong-Oh , Kim Kyunghoi
Published: July 2021

Benthic microbial diversity in Tongyeong, South Korea, was analyzed using next-generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes, to reveal the effects of seasonal variations on the microbial community in sediment.
Proteobacteria
was the dominant phylum, with a relative abundance of 61.5 to 68.1%.
Metagenome-Assembled Genome Sequences from Different Wastewater Treatment Stages in Germany
Authors: Schneider Dominik , Zühlke Daniela , Poehlein Anja , Riedel Katharina , Daniel Rolf
Published: July 2021

Metagenome-assembled genome sequences (MAGs) were generated from two wastewater treatment systems in two German cities (Göttingen and Greifswald), based on metagenomes derived from hospital effluent, different wastewater treatment stages, and adjacent water bodies. The MAGs mainly originated from bacterial members of
Proteobacteria
,
Bacteroidota
,
Firmicutes
, “
Candidatus
Patescibacteria,”
Actinobacteriota
,
Chloroflexota
,
Desulfobacterota
, and
Verrucomicrobiota
.
Smartphone videos to predict the severity of obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: Thomas Rahul J , Dalton Samuel , Harman Katharine , Thacker Julie , Horne Rosemary S C , Davey Margot J , Nixon Gillian M
Published: July 2021

Objective

Diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is made on overnight polysomnography (PSG). Given the widespread availability of smartphone video technology, we aimed to develop and test a standardised scoring system for smartphone videos and compare these scores to PSG results.

Methods

Children aged 1–16 years undergoing PSG for suspected OSA were included. Parents were asked to take 1–2 min videos of the breathing they were concerned about. Videos were scored using a newly developed and tested tool on five components: inspiratory obstructive noises (1–4), presence of obstructive events (0–1), increased work of breathing (0–1), mouth breathing (0–1) and neck extension (0–1). Video scores and the Obstructive Apnoea Hypopnoea Index (OAHI) were compared using Spearman correlation. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were calculated for different cut-off scores to achieve the best results.

Results

Videos from 43 children (28 men (65.1%), median age 5.7 years (range 2.6–14.0 years), median OAHI 3.8/hour (range 0–82 events/hour) were included. Nine children (20.9%) had a video score of <3, all of whom had an OAHI of ≤5 events/hour. For a video score of ≥3, sensitivity was 100%; specificity was 36%; positive predictive value was 53%; and negative predictive value 100% for moderate to severe OSA (OAHI>5 events/hour) .

Conclusion

We have developed and validated a simple clinical tool (the Monash Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Video Score) to quantify abnormalities in breathing seen on short video recordings made on a smartphone. A low score rules out moderate–severe OSA and may be valuable in the triage of children with symptoms of OSA.
Prediagnosis pathway benchmarking audit in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Gowda Vasantha Lakshmi , Fernandez Miguel , Prasad Manish , Childs Anne-Marie , Hughes Imelda , Tirupathi Sandya , De Goede Christian Gaudentius Engelbert Lour , O’Rourke Declan , Parasuraman Deepak , Willis Tracey , Saberian Samira , Davidson Ian
Published: July 2021

Objective

To describe age and time at key stages in the Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) prediagnosis pathway at selected centres to identify opportunities for service improvement.

Design

A multicentre retrospective national audit.

Setting

Nine tertiary neuromuscular centres across the UK and Ireland. A prior single-centre UK audit of 20 patients with no DMD family history provided benchmark criteria.

Patients

Patients with a definitive diagnosis of DMD documented within 3 years prior to December 2018 (n=122).

Main outcome measures

Mean age (months) at four key stages in the DMD diagnostic pathway and mean time (months) of presentational and diagnostic delay, and time from first reported symptoms to definitive diagnosis. Type of symptoms was also recorded.

Results

Overall, mean age at definitive diagnosis, age at first engagement with healthcare professional (HCP) and age at first reported symptoms were 53.9±29.7, 49.9±28.9 and 36.4±26.8 months, respectively. The presentational delay and time to diagnosis were 21.1 (±21.1) and 4.6 (±7.9) months, respectively. The mean time from first reported symptoms to definitive diagnosis was 24.2±20.9. The percentages of patients with motor and/or non-motor symptoms recorded were 88% (n=106/121) and 47% (n=57/121), respectively.

Conclusions

Majority of data mirrored the benchmark audit. However, while the time to diagnosis was shorter, a presentational delay was observed. Failure to recognise early symptoms of DMD could be a contributing factor and represents an unmet need in the diagnosis pathway. Methods determining how to improve this need to be explored.
Trial protocol: a randomised controlled trial to verify the non-inferiority of a partially covered self-expandable metal stent to an uncovered self-expandable metal stent for biliary drainage during neoadjuvant therapy in patients with pancreatic cancer with obstructive jaundice (PUN-NAC trial)
Authors: Kuwatani Masaki , Kawakubo Kazumichi , Sugimori Kazuya , Inoue Hiroyuki , Kamada Hideki , Ishiwatari Hirotoshi , Kato Shin , Iwashita Takuji , Yoshida Makoto , Hashimoto Shinichi , Itonaga Masahiro , Mizukami Yusuke , Nomura Yusuke , Katanuma Akio , Sakamoto Naoya
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy or neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NAC/NACRT) for resectable/borderline resectable pancreatic cancers was recently performed to improve clinical outcomes and led to good results, although it remains controversial whether NAC/NACRT is beneficial for resectable pancreatic cancer. A few recent studies revealed longer patency and lower cost related to the stent occlusion of a metal stent than those of a plastic stent during NAC/NACRT. It also remains controversial which type of self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) is the most suitable for patients with resectable/borderline resectable pancreatic cancer during NAC/NACRT: an uncovered SEMS (USEMS), a fully covered SEMS (FCSEMS) or a partially covered SEMS (PCSEMS). So far, two randomised controlled trials indicated that a USEMS and an FCSEMS were similar in preoperative stent dysfunction and adverse event rate. Thus, we aimed to verify the non-inferiority of a PCSEMS to a USEMS in this multicentre randomised controlled trial.

Methods and analysis

We designed a multicentre randomised controlled trial, for which we will recruit 100 patients with resectable/borderline resectable pancreatic cancer and distal biliary obstruction scheduled for NAC/NACRT from 13 high-volume institutions. Patients will be randomly allocated to the PCSEMS group or USEMS group. The primary outcome measure is the preoperative biliary event rate. Data will be analysed after completion of the study. We will calculate the 95% CIs of the incidence of preoperative biliary events in each group and analyse whether the difference between them is within the non-inferiority margin (10%).

Ethics and dissemination

This study has been approved by the institutional review board of Hokkaido University Hospital. The results will be submitted for presentation at an international medical conference and published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Trial registration number

UMIN000041737; jRCT1012200002.
RunIn3: the development process of a running-related injury prevention programme
Authors: Vallio Caio Sain , Oliveira Gabriela Martins de , Mota Giovana Araujo Kretli , Lopes Alexandre Dias , Hespanhol Luiz
Published: July 2021

Background

Running is an important type of exercise to keep people physically active. However, running also carries a risk of developing running-related injuries (RRI). Therefore, effective and evidence-based RRI prevention programmes are desirable, but are scarce in practice. An approach to face this problem might be the application of methods to develop RRI prevention programmes based on theories of behaviour change.

Objective

The purpose of the study was to develop an RRI prevention programme based on perspectives of behavioural and social science theories, as well as taking a framework development approach.

Methods

This was a qualitative study using the Intervention Mapping (IM) framework held between February and March 2018 in São Paulo, Brazil. The participants were involved in running practice. The data collection was conducted during focus group meetings. The data analysis was based on semantic thematic approach using a content analysis orientation based on inductive reasoning.

Results

The target population of the RRI prevention programme identified was ‘adult recreational runners’. The objectives of the RRI prevention programme were established in two broad actions: (1) to provide feedback on individual training characteristics and RRI risk; and (2) provide/enhance knowledge, skills and self-efficacy on RRI preventive behaviours. The programme is aimed to be delivered through an online system.

Conclusion

An RRI prevention programme was developed using the IM framework and a participatory approach. The programme was named ‘RunIn3’, and it is based on providing feedback on running volume and RRI risk, as well as providing knowledge, skills and self-efficacy on RRI preventive behaviours.
Consultant staffing in UK congenital cardiac services: a 10-year survey of leavers and joiners
Authors: Crossland David Steven , Ferguson Richard , Magee Alan , Jenkins Petra , Bulock Frances A , Parry Andrew , Babu-Narayan Sonya V , Carroll Aisling , Daubeney Piers EF , Simpson John
Published: July 2021

Objectives

To report the numbers of consultant congenital cardiac surgeons and cardiologists who have joined and left UK practice over the last 10 years and explore the reasons for leaving.

Methods

Retrospective observational questionnaire study completed between 11 June 2019 and 1 July 2020 by UK level 1 congenital cardiac centres of 10-year consultant staff movement and reasons suggested for leaving UK practice.

Results

At survey completion there were 218 (202 whole time equivalent (WTE)) consultant cardiologists and surgeons working within level 1 centres made up of 39 (38 WTE) surgeons, 137 (128.5 WTE) paediatric cardiologists, 42 (35.5 WTE) adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) cardiologists. 161 (74%) consultants joined in the last 10 years of whom 103 (64%) were UK trained. There were 91 leavers giving a staff turnover rate 42% (surgeons 56%, paediatric cardiologists 42%, ACHD cardiologists 29%). Of those, leaving 43% moved to work abroad (surgeons 55%, paediatric cardiologists 40%, ACHD cardiologists 67%). Among the 65 reported reasons for leaving 16 were financial, 9 for work life balance, 6 to working conditions within the National Health Service (NHS) and 12 related to the profession in the UK including six specifically highlighting the national review process.

Conclusions

There has been a high turnover rate of consultant staff within UK congenital cardiac services over the last 10 years with almost half of those leaving moving to work overseas. Financial reasons and pressures relating to working in the NHS or the specialty in the UK were commonly reported themes for leaving. This has major implications for future planning and staff retention within this specialised service.
Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis after ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccination with a misleading first cerebral MRI scan
Authors: Ikenberg Benno , Demleitner Antonia Franziska , Thiele Thomas , Wiestler Benedikt , Götze Katharina , Mößmer Georg , Lingor Paul
Published: July 2021

Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) have been recently described as rare complications following vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 with vector vaccines. We report a case of a young woman who presented with VITT and cerebral CVST 7 days following vaccination with ChAdOx1 nCov-19 (AstraZeneca). While the initial MRI was considered void of pathological findings, MRI 3 days later revealed extensive CVST of the transversal and sigmoidal sinus with intracerebral haemorrhage. Diagnostic tests including a platelet-factor-4-induced platelet activation assay confirmed the diagnosis of VITT. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins and argatroban resulted in a normalisation of platelet counts and remission of CVST.
Risk of asbestosis, mesothelioma, other lung disease or death among motor vehicle mechanics: a 45-year Danish cohort study
Authors: Thomsen Reimar Wernich , Riis Anders Hammerich , Flachs Esben Meulengracht , Garabrant David H , Bonde Jens Peter Ellekilde , Sørensen Henrik Toft
Published: July 2021

Introduction

The risk of asbestosis, malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer among motor vehicle mechanics is of concern because of potential exposure to chrysotile asbestos during brake, clutch and gasket repair and maintenance. Asbestos has also been used in insulation and exhaust systems.

Methods

We examined the long-term risk of incident mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis and other lung diseases and mortality due to mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis and other lung diseases in a nationwide cohort of all men registered as motor vehicle mechanics since 1970 in Denmark. This was compared with the corresponding risk in a cohort of male workers matched 10:1 by age and calendar year, with similar socioeconomic status (instrument makers, dairymen, upholsterers, glaziers, butchers, bakers, drivers, farmers and workers in the food industry, trade or public services).

Results

Our study included 138 559 motor vehicle mechanics (median age 24 years; median follow-up 20 years (maximum 45 years)) and 1 385 590 comparison workers (median age 25 years; median follow-up 19 years (maximum 45 years)). Compared with other workers, vehicle mechanics had a lower risk of morbidity due to mesothelioma/pleural cancer (n=47 cases) (age-adjusted and calendar-year-adjusted HR=0.74 (95% CI 0.55 to 0.99)), a slightly increased risk of lung cancer (HR=1.09 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.14)), increased risk of asbestosis (HR=1.50 (95% CI 1.10 to 2.03)) and a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease risk close to unity (HR=1.02 (95% CI 0.99 to 1.05)). Corresponding HRs for mortality were 0.86 (95% CI 0.64 to 1.15) for mesothelioma/pleural cancer, 1.06 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.12) for lung cancer, 1.79 (95% CI 1.10 to 2.92) for asbestosis, 1.06 (95% CI 0.86 to 1.30) for other lung diseases caused by external agents and 1.00 (95% CI 0.98 to 1.01) for death due to all causes.

Conclusions

We found that the risk of asbestosis was increased among vehicle mechanics. The risk of malignant mesothelioma/pleural cancers was not increased among vehicle mechanics.
Seasonal residency, activity space, and use of deep-water channels by Greenland sharks (Somniosus microcephalus) in an Arctic fjord system
Authors: Edwards Jena E. , Hedges Kevin J. , Hussey Nigel E.
Published: July 2021

As Arctic ecosystems become increasingly vulnerable to climate- and human-induced stressors, effective marine management will rely on the characterization of fish movements. Over a six-year study period, the movements of 65 Greenland sharks (Somniosus microcephalus) (41 males, 24 females; mean LT = 2.48 ± 0.50 m) were monitored using static acoustic telemetry. Shark presence in a typical deep-water fjord was restricted to the summer open-water period. Residency duration varied based on age class (juvenile, n = 17; subadult, n = 48); however, activity space size and extent were comparable. A quarter of tagged sharks (n = 16) returned to the system in subsequent years after tagging, with individuals redetected for a maximum of 4 years. Movements between coastal and offshore waters occurred primarily via a deep-water channel with sharks detected along the channel banks. These multiyear data depict how a potentially vulnerable Arctic predator utilizes a deep-water fjord in the context of the regional development of community inshore and offshore commercial fisheries.
Erratum to: Decoupling of the right-handed neutrino contribution to the Higgs mass in supersymmetric models
Authors: Drapera Patrick , Haber Howard E.
Published: July 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: 10.1140/epjc/s10052-013-2522-7
Fractional Matching Preclusion for Data Center Networks
Authors: Zhu Bo , Ma Tianlong , Zhang Shuangshuang , Zhang He
Published: July 2021

An edge subset [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] is a fractional matching preclusion set (FMP set for short) if [Formula: see text] has no fractional perfect matchings. The fractional matching preclusion number (FMP number for short) of [Formula: see text], denoted by [Formula: see text], is the minimum size of FMP sets of [Formula: see text]. A set [Formula: see text] of edges and vertices of [Formula: see text] is a fractional strong matching preclusion set (FSMP set for short) if [Formula: see text] has no fractional perfect matchings. The fractional strong matching preclusion number (FSMP number for short) of [Formula: see text], denoted by [Formula: see text], is the minimum size of FSMP sets of [Formula: see text]. Data center networks have been proposed for data centers as a server-centric interconnection network structure, which can support millions of servers with high network capacity by only using commodity switches. In this paper, we obtain the FMP number and the FSMP number for data center networks [Formula: see text], and show that [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. In addition, all the optimal fractional strong matching preclusion sets of these graphs are categorized.
A decade of discoveries by the Daya Bay reactor neutrino experiment
Authors: Jaffe David E.
Published: July 2021

With the end of Daya Bay experimental operations in December 2020, I review the history, discoveries, measurements and impact of the Daya Bay reactor neutrino experiment in China.
Artificial neural network spectral light curve template for type Ia supernovae and its cosmological constraints
Authors: Cheng Qiao-Bin , Feng Chao-Jun , Zhai Xiang-Hua , Li Xin-Zhou
Published: July 2021

The spectral energy distribution (SED) sequence for type Ia supernovae (SN Ia) is modeled by an artificial neural network. The SN Ia luminosity is characterized as a function of phase, wavelength, a color parameter and a decline rate parameter. After training and testing the neural network, the SED sequence could give both the spectrum with wavelength range from 3000 Åto 8000 Åand the light curve with phase from 20 days before to 50 days after the maximum luminosity for the supernovae with different colors and decline rates. Therefore, we call this the Artificial Neural Network Spectral Light Curve Template (ANNSLCT) model. We retrain the Joint Light-curve Analysis (JLA) supernova sample by using the ANNSLCT model and obtain the parameters for each supernova to make a constraint on the cosmological [Formula: see text]CDM model. We find that the best fitting values of these parameters are very close to those from the JLA sample trained with the Spectral Adaptive Lightcurve Template 2 (SALT2) model. It is expectable that the ANNSLCT model has potential to analyze more SN Ia multi-color light curves measured in future observation projects.
On the discrete version of the Kerr geometry
Authors: Khatsymovsky V. M.
Published: July 2021

In this paper, a Kerr-type solution in the Regge calculus is considered. It is assumed that the discrete general relativity, the Regge calculus, is quantized within the path integral approach. The only consequence of this approach used here is the existence of a length scale at which edge lengths are loosely fixed, as considered in our earlier paper. In addition, we previously considered the Regge action on a simplicial manifold on which the vertices are coordinatized and the corresponding piecewise constant metric is introduced, and found that for the simplest periodic simplicial structure and in the leading order over metric variations between four-simplices, this reduces to a finite-difference form of the Hilbert–Einstein action. The problem of solving the corresponding discrete Einstein equations (classical) with a length scale (having a quantum nature) arises as the problem of determining the optimal background metric for the perturbative expansion generated by the functional integral. Using a one-complex-function ansatz for the metric, which reduces to the Kerr–Schild metric in the continuum, we find a discrete metric that approximates the continuum one at large distances and is nonsingular on the (earlier) singularity ring. The effective curvature [Formula: see text], including where [Formula: see text] (gravity sources), is analyzed with a focus on the vicinity of the singularity ring.
Initial state effect on waveform control of high-order harmonic spectrum and attosecond pulse generation
Authors: Liu Hang , Jing Xiaodan , Qiao Yan , McCain John , Feng Liqiang
Published: July 2021

In this paper, the waveform control of high-order harmonic generation and attosecond pulse generation from a different initial state of He atom has been investigated. The results show that (i) by properly controlling the carrier-envelope phases, the time delays and the laser intensities of a 3-color laser pulse, the best waveforms for the harmonic cut-off extension can be found. Although the harmonic cut-offs from the ground initial state and the superposition initial state are almost the same, the harmonic intensities from the superposition initial state are 4 to 5 orders of magnitudes higher than those from the ground initial state. (ii) With the introduction of the inhomogeneous effect, the harmonic cut-offs can be further extended. However, the harmonic intensities from the superposition initial state are remarkably decreased compared with those from the homogeneous pulses, which is unbeneficial to generate the intense attosecond pulses. (iii) When the ground state is chosen to be the initial and with the assistance of the 4th UV pulse, not only the larger harmonic cut-offs can be obtained, but also the stronger harmonic plateaus can be found, which is favorable for producing the intense attosecond pulses. Thus, at the end of this paper, by superposing the harmonics from the best harmonic spectra, the single attosecond pulses with the duration of 36 as can be obtained.