bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acceptability of multiple coated mini-tablets in comparison to syrup in infants and toddlers: a randomised controlled study
Authors: Klingmann Viviane , Hinder Markus , Langenickel Thomas H , Chen Fabian , Khder Yasser , Breitkreutz Jörg , Bosse Hans Martin
Published: March 2023

Objectives

Drug treatment of children is often limited to liquid formulations or manipulation of adult solid oral dosage forms because of the lack of age-appropriate formulations, concerns around particle aspiration and paediatric acceptability. Recent research revealed that the administration of mini-tablets has substantial advantages in improving dose accuracy and avoiding issues related to drug stability, storage conditions, potentially toxic excipients and taste masking (especially effective when the mini-tablets are coated). Most trials were performed with single and multipleuncoatedmini-tablets. This study here aimed to investigate young children’s acceptability and swallowability of multiplecoatedplacebo mini-tablets compared with glucose syrup.

Design

This clinical trial was conducted as a single-centre randomised cross-over study.

Setting

Prospective cross-over study performed at the Children′s University Hospital Düsseldorf.

Patients

This study was conducted on 50 children in five age groups from 1 to <6 years.

Interventions

An age-adapted amount of 16–28 mini-tablets and 3–6 mL syrup was administered in randomised order.

Main outcome measures

Acceptability and swallowability of multiple coated mini-tablets and syrup.

Results

In all age groups, administration of multiple coated mini-tablets and syrup showed good acceptability (mini-tablets 80%–100%, syrup 90%–100%) and swallowability (mini-tablets 30%–70%, syrup 20%–80%) without any clinically meaningful difference. This is consistent with results from large studies with uncoated mini-tablets.

Conclusion

Multiple coated mini-tablets are a suitable age-appropriate alternative to liquid formulations in the paediatric population. No safety concerns with the use of coated mini-tablets were observed in the study.

Trial registration number

DRKS00010395.
Hypothalamic hamartoma: a cause of precocious puberty
Authors: Castro Carolina , Machado Morais Joana , Correia Ana Luísa , Espada Filipa
Published: March 2023

Hypothalamic hamartomas are uncommon congenital malformations that present as precocious puberty, gelastic seizures and/or psychiatric disorders. Characteristic changes in MRI scans lead to a diagnosis. Treatment may include surgery or gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) depending on clinical manifestations.

Here, we describe a case of hypothalamic hamartoma diagnosed in a girl in middle childhood, who presented with early development of secondary sexual characteristics. Physical examination, hormonal study, bone age and pelvic ultrasound findings were consistent with those of precocious puberty. The investigation also included a brain MRI scan, which revealed a small nodule with regular limits in the left hypothalamic region/tuber cinereum. GnRHa treatment and neurosurgical follow-ups were initiated promptly. The patient showed a reversal of secondary sexual characteristics and stable hamartoma size. This case illustrates the importance of brain MRI scans as part of the assessment of suspected precocious puberty because clinical features do not identify patients with an underlying pathology.
Comparative effectiveness of different types of exercise in reducing arterial stiffness in children and adolescents: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Sequi-Dominguez Irene , Mavridis Dimitris , Cavero-Redondo Iván , Saz-Lara Alicia , Martinez-Vizcaino Vicente , Núñez de Arenas-Arroyo Sergio
Published: March 2023

Objective

Arterial stiffness is an early and detectable marker of vascular changes leading to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD). Our objective was to compare the effectiveness of different types of exercise in reducing arterial stiffness in children and adolescents.

Design

A systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) was conducted including experimental studies reporting the effects of exercise interventions on pulse wave velocity (PWV) in children and adolescents.

Data sources

Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE (via Scopus), PubMed (via Medline) and Web of Science from database inception to 25 March 2022.

Eligibility criteria

Experimental studies reporting the effects of exercise interventions on PWV in children and adolescents.

Results

Fourteen studies were included in the NMA, all of them were randomised controlled trials except one quasi-experimental study, with an overall risk of bias of some concern. Regarding PWV reduction, all exercise modalities were more effective than control, with standardised mean difference ranging from −1.93 (95% CI: −2.84 to –1.02) and −1.11 (95% CI: −2.01 to –0.21) for aerobic exercise and high intensity interval training (HIIT), respectively, to −0.59 (95% CI: −1.39 to 0.22) for combined exercise. Only sensorimotor training was not superior to the control group 0.11 (95% CI: −1.10 to 1.32).

Conclusion

Our results support that exercise interventions, especially aerobic exercise or HIIT, can improve arterial stiffness at early ages. The potential to address ACVD early and mitigate long-term consequences via exercise interventions in children and adolescents with higher arterial stiffness requires further investigation.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022322536.
Finagle’s laws of information: lessons learnt evaluating a complex health intervention in Nigeria
Authors: Alba Sandra , Taylor Callum , van Gurp Margo , Balogun Paul
Published: March 2023

Evaluations cannot support evidence-informed decision making if they do not provide the information needed by decision-makers. In this article, we reflect on our own difficulties evaluating the Geo-Referenced Infrastructure and Demographic Data for Development (GRID3) approach, an intervention that provides high-resolution demographic and geographical information to support health service delivery. GRID3 was implemented in Nigeria’s northern states to support polio (2012–2019) and measles immunisation campaigns (2017–2018). Generalising from our experience we argue that Finagle’s four laws of information capture a particular set of challenges when evaluating complex interventions: the weak causal claims derived from quasi-experimental studies and secondary analyses of existing data (the information we have is not what we want); the limited external validity of counterfactual impact evaluations (the information we want is not what we need); the absence of reliable monitoring data on implementation processes (the information we need is not what we can obtain) and the overly broad scope of evaluations attempting to generate both proof of concept and evidence for upscaling (the information we can obtain costs more than we want to pay). Evaluating complex interventions requires a careful selection of methods, thorough analyses and balanced judgements. Funders, evaluators and implementers share a joint responsibility for their success.
What does equitable global health research and delivery look like? Tackling Infections to Benefit Africa (TIBA) partnership as a case study
Authors: Mutapi Francisca , Banda Geoffrey , Woolhouse Mark
Published: March 2023

There is a current global push to identify and implement best practice for delivering maximum impact from development research in low-income and middle-income countries. Here, we describe a model of research and capacity building that challenges traditional approaches taken by western funders in Africa. Tackling Infections to Benefit Africa (TIBA) is a global health research and delivery partnership with a focus on strengthening health systems to combat neglected tropical diseases, malaria and emerging pathogens in Africa. Partners are academic and research institutions based in Ghana, Sudan, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa and the UK. Fifteen other African countries have participated in TIBA activities. With a starting budget of under £7 million, and in just 4 years, TIBA has had a verified impact on knowledge, policy practice and capacity building, and on national and international COVID-19 responses in multiple African countries. TIBA’s impact is shown in context-specific metrics including: strengthening the evidence base underpinning international policy on neglected tropical diseases; 77% of research publications having Africa-based first and/or last authors; postgraduate, postdoctoral and professional training; career progression for African researchers and health professionals with no net brain drain from participating countries; and supporting African institutions. Training in real-time SARS-CoV-2 viral genome sequencing provided new national capabilities and capacities that contributed to both national responses and global health security through variant detection and tracking. TIBA’s experience confirms that health research for Africa thrives when the agenda and priorities are set in Africa, by Africans, and the work is done in Africa. Here, we share 10 actionable recommendations for researchers and funders from our lessons learnt.
Vestibular syndromes, diagnosis and diagnostic errors in patients with dizziness presenting to the emergency department: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Comolli Lukas , Korda Athanasia , Zamaro Ewa , Wagner Franca , Sauter Thomas C , Caversaccio Marco D , Nikles Florence , Jung Simon , Mantokoudis Georgios
Published: March 2023

Objectives

We aimed to determine the frequency of vestibular syndromes, diagnoses, diagnostic errors and resources used in patients with dizziness in the emergency department (ED).

Design

Retrospective cross-sectional study.

Setting

Tertiary referral hospital.

Participants

Adult patients presenting with dizziness.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

We collected clinical data from the initial ED report from July 2015 to August 2020 and compared them with the follow-up report if available. We calculated the prevalence of vestibular syndromes and stroke prevalence in patients with dizziness. Vestibular syndromes are differentiated in acute (AVS) (eg, stroke, vestibular neuritis), episodic (EVS) (eg, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, transient ischaemic attack) and chronic (CVS) (eg, persistent postural-perceptual dizziness) vestibular syndrome. We reported the rate of diagnostic errors using the follow-up diagnosis as the reference standard.

Results

We included 1535 patients with dizziness. 19.7% (303) of the patients presented with AVS, 34.7% (533) with EVS, 4.6% (71) with CVS and 40.9% (628) with no or unclassifiable vestibular syndrome. The three most frequent diagnoses were stroke/minor stroke (10.1%, 155), benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (9.8%, 150) and vestibular neuritis (9.6%, 148). Among patients with AVS, 25.4% (77) had stroke. The cause of the dizziness remained unknown in 45.0% (692) and 18.0% received a false diagnosis. There was a follow-up in 662 cases (43.1%) and 58.2% with an initially unknown diagnoses received a final diagnosis. Overall, 69.9% of all 1535 patients with dizziness received neuroimaging (MRI 58.2%, CT 11.6%) in the ED.

Conclusions

One-fourth of patients with dizziness in the ED presented with AVS with a high prevalence (10%) of vestibular strokes. EVS was more frequent; however, the rate of undiagnosed patients with dizziness and the number of patients receiving neuroimaging were high. Almost half of them still remained without diagnosis and among those diagnosed were often misclassified. Many unclear cases of vertigo could be diagnostically clarified after a follow-up visit.
Prevalence of self-medication in Ghana: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Opoku Richmond , Dwumfour-Asare Bismark , Agrey-Bluwey Lawrencia , Appiah Nana Esi , Ackah Michael , Acquah Francis , Asenso Priscilla Fordjour , Issaka Abdul-Aziz
Published: March 2023

Objectives

This study estimates the prevalence of self-medication and provides an understanding of the reasons for self-medication in Ghana through the synthesis of relevant literature.

Methods

A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Science Direct and African Journals Online to identify observational studies published from inception to March 2022. Google scholar and institutional websites were searched for grey literature. We included studies reporting primary data on the prevalence and/or reasons for self-medication in Ghana. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to estimate the prevalence of self-medication. Subgroup analysis was performed with the study population (pregnant women, patients and students), geopolitical zone (coastal, middle and northern) and study setting (rural and urban). Using inductive thematic analysis, reasons for self-medication were classified and tallied under key themes.

Results

Thirty studies involving 9271 participants were included in this review. The pooled prevalence of self-medication in Ghana was 53.7% (95% CI 46.2% to 61.0%; I²=98.51%, p<0.001). Prevalence of self-medication was highest among pregnant women (65.5%; 95% CI 58.1% to 72.5%; I2=88%), in the middle belt of the country (62.1%; 95% CI 40.9% to 82.0%; I²=98%; p<0.001) and in rural settings (61.2%; 95% CI 36.5% to 84.5%; I²=98%; p<0.001). The most cited reasons for self-medication included long waiting time at health facilities (73.3%), previous use of drugs (66.7%) and the perceived unseriousness of diseases (53.3%).

Conclusion

This study has revealed that self-medication is still an unresolved public health challenge in Ghana, with a high prevalence estimate. Self-medication is influenced by inconveniences associated with accessing healthcare coupled with poor health seeking behaviours. There is the need for improved access to quality healthcare and the promotion of appropriate health-seeking behaviours.
Older people’s experience of the partial lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Märki-Germann Daphné , Seematter-Bagnoud Laurence , Fustinoni Sarah , Spaltenstein Julia , Bula Christophe , Henchoz Yves
Published: March 2023

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate older people’s experience of a COVID-19 partial lockdown (16 March–11 May 2020) in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Setting and participants

Community-dwelling participants of the Lausanne cohort (Lc65+) in 2020, aged 71–86 years (n=2642).

Design and outcome

This cross-sectional study was nested within the Lc65+ longitudinal study. A specific COVID-19 questionnaire was sent on 17 April 2020 to evaluate participants’ experience of the lockdown (outcome). Multinomial logistic regression models were used to determine the sociodemographic, living environment, health and social factors associated.

Results

Out of 2642 participants, 67.8% described the lockdown as ‘somewhat’ difficult (reference group), 21.5% as ‘not at all’ difficult (positive) and 10.7% as ‘very or extremely’ difficult (negative). The relative risk of a positive experience was higher in participants living alone (relative risk ratio, RRR=1.93, 95% CI 1.52 to 2.46) or in a house (RRR=1.49, 1.03 to 2.16); lower in those who reported fear of falling (RRR=0.68, 0.54 to 0.86), functional difficulties (RRR=0.78, 0.61 to 0.99), feeling of loneliness (RRR=0.67, 0.49 to 0.91), unfamiliarity with communication technologies (RRR=0.69, 0.52 to 0.91), usual social support (RRR=0.71, 0.50 to 0.93), previous participation in group activities (RRR=0.74, 0.59 to 0.92) and among women (RRR=0.75, 0.59 to 0.95). The relative risk of a negative experience was higher in participants with fear of falling (RRR=1.52, 1.07 to 2.15), and lower in those who had a terrace/garden (RRR=0.66, 0.44 to 0.99) and owned a dog (RRR=0.32, 0.11 to 0.90).

Conclusions

Only one in 10 participants experienced the lockdown as very or extremely difficult. Specific interventions targeting vulnerability factors, such as fear of falling, could lessen the impact of any future similar situation.
General practitioners’ perspectives on the management of refugee health: a qualitative study
Authors: Davison Rachel , Hobbs Megan , Quirk Frances , Guppy Michelle
Published: March 2023

Objective

To explore general practitioners’ (GPs) perceptions of the challenges and facilitators to managing refugee healthcare needs in regional Australia.

Setting

A regional community in Australia involved in the resettlement of refugees.

Participants

Nine GPs from five practices in the region.

Design

A qualitative study based on semistructured interviews conducted between September and November 2020.

Results

The main challenges identified surrounded language and communication difficulties, cultural differences and health literacy and regional workforce shortages. The main facilitators were clinical and community supports, including refugee health nurses and trauma counselling services. Personal benefits experienced by GPs such as positive relationships, satisfaction and broadening scope of practice further facilitated ongoing healthcare provision.

Conclusions

Overall, GPs were generally positive about providing care to refugees. However, significant challenges were expressed, particularly surrounding language, culture and resources. These barriers were compounded by the regional location. This highlights the need for preplanning and consultation with healthcare providers in the community both prior to and during the settlement of refugees as well as ongoing support proportional to the increase in settlement numbers.
Behavioural economic interventions to embed palliative care in community oncology (BE-EPIC): study protocol for the BE-EPIC randomised controlled trial
Authors: Parikh Ravi B , Sedhom Ramy , Ferrell William J , Villarin Katherine , Berwanger Kara , Scarborough Bethann , Oyer Randall , Kumar Pallavi , Ganta Niharika , Sivendran Shanthi , Chen Jinbo , Volpp Kevin G , Bekelman Justin E
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Palliative care (PC) is a medical specialty focusing on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of serious illnesses such as cancer. Early outpatient specialty PC concurrent with cancer-directed treatment improves quality of life and symptom burden, decreases aggressive end-of-life care and is an evidence-based practice endorsed by national guidelines. However, nearly half of patients with advanced cancer do not receive specialty PC prior to dying. The objective of this study is to test the impact of an oncologist-directed default PC referral orders on rates of PC utilisation and patient quality of life.

Methods and analysis

This single-centre two-arm pragmatic randomised trial randomises four clinician-led pods, caring for approximately 250 patients who meet guideline-based criteria for PC referral, in a 1:1 fashion into a control or intervention arm. Intervention oncologists receive a nudge consisting of an electronic health record message indicating a patient has a default pended order for PC. Intervention oncologists are given an opportunity to opt out of referral to PC. Oncologists in pods randomised to the control arm will receive no intervention beyond usual practice. The primary outcome is completed PC visits within 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes are change in quality of life and absolute quality of life scores between the two arms.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board at the University of Pennsylvania. Study results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences using methods that describe the results in ways that key stakeholders can best understand and implement.

Trial registration number

NCT05365997.
Three double-dose reinforced hepatitis B revaccination scheme for patients with cirrhosis unresponsive to the standard regimen: an open-label randomised clinical trial
Authors: Giráldez-Gallego Álvaro , Rodríguez-Seguel Elisa del Pilar , Valencia-Martín Raquel , Morillo-García Áurea , Salamanca-Rivera Celia , Ruiz-Pérez Ricardo , Cuaresma-Duque María , Rosso-Fernández Clara , Ferrer-Ríos María Teresa , Sousa-Martín José Manuel , Praena-Fernández Juan Manuel , Desongles-Corrales Trinidad , Rodríguez-Pérez Aitana , Camino-Durán Francisco , Gasch-Illescas Antonia , Ampuero-Herrojo Javier , Pascasio-Acevedo Juan Manuel
Published: March 2023

Objective

We aimed to compare the response rates between two different hepatitis B virus vaccination schedules for cirrhotic subjects who were non-responders to the first three 40 µg doses (month 0-1-2), and identify factors associated with the final response.

Design

A total of 120 cirrhotic patients (72.5% decompensated) were randomised at a 1:1 ratio to receive a single 40 µg booster vaccination at month 6 (classical arm) versus an additional round of three new 40 µg doses administered at monthly intervals (experimental arm). The main outcome was the rate of postvaccinal anti-hepatitis B surface antibodies levels ≥10 mIU/mL.

Results

Efficacy by ITT analysis was higher in the experimental arm (46.7%) than in the classical one (25%); OR 2.63, p=0.013. The experimental arm increased response rates compared with the classical one from 31% to 68% (OR 4.72; p=0.007), from 24.4% to 50% (OR 3.09; p=0.012) and from 24.4% to 53.8% (OR 3.62; p=0.007), in Child A, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) <15 and MELD-Na<15 patients, respectively. Patients with more advanced liver disease did not benefit from the reinforced scheme. Both regimens showed similar safety profiles. Multivariable analysis showed that the experimental treatment was independently response associated when adjusted across three logistic regression models indicating equivalent cirrhosis severity.

Conclusion

For cirrhotic patients, the revaccination of non-responders to the first three dose cycle, with three additional 40 µg doses, achieved significantly better response rates to those obtained with an isolated 40 µg booster dose.

Trial registration number

NCT01884415.
The time is now: advancing shared risk and protective factor approaches to injury and violence prevention
Authors: Gilmartin Sharon , Mayberry Taylor
Published: March 2023

Using a shared risk and protective factor (SRPF) approach to prevention acknowledges a shift in the ways we work. The fundamental question at the root of our efforts should no longer be how we address a single, specific public health issue. Instead, we should be asking how we can develop a system that supports well-being holistically. We should be striving to increase the resources to which people have access in a way that proactively prevents multiple public health issues, improves the context in which people live out their lives, and develops a broad spectrum of resilience.

The fields of injury and violence prevention (IVP) and public health are at a critical juncture to address the true causes of injuries and violence. It is imminently vital for all stakeholders across IVP to work upstream and align funding, interventions, and evaluations in ways that embrace SRPF approaches. The value of this approach is multifold: it tackles multiple population health outcomes through multisector interventions, it positively impacts social determinants of health; it is sustainable and it maximises financial resources. While theoretical buy-in for the SRPF approach is high, there remain challenges in the field to operationalise such an approach. The time is now for the field to collectively embrace an SRPF approach and rally together to strengthen the evidence base. Researchers, practitioners, funders and national organisations must align their goals in prioritising upstream, primary prevention through addressing SRPF to enhance public health infrastructure and reduce societal inequities.
Pathophysiology, emerging techniques for the assessment and novel treatment of aortic stenosis
Authors: Shah Syed Muneeb , Shah Jay , Lakey Samuel Mark , Garg Pankaj , Ripley David Paul
Published: March 2023

Our perspectives on aortic stenosis (AS) are changing. Evolving from the traditional thought of a passive degenerative disease, developing a greater understanding of the condition’s mechanistic underpinning has shifted the paradigm to an active disease process. This advancement from the ‘wear and tear’ model is a result of the growing economic and health burden of AS, particularly within industrialised countries, prompting further research. The pathophysiology of calcific AS (CAS) is complex, yet can be characterised similarly to that of atherosclerosis. Progressive remodelling involves lipid-protein complexes, with lipoprotein(a) being of particular interest for diagnostics and potential future treatment options.

There is an unmet clinical need for asymptomatic patient management; no pharmacotherapies are proven to slow progression and intervention timing varies. Novel approaches are developing to address this through: (1) screening with circulating biomarkers; (2) development of drugs to slow disease progression and (3) early valve intervention guided by medical imaging. Existing biomarkers (troponin and brain natriuretic peptide) are non-specific, but cost-effective predictors of ventricular dysfunction. In addition, their integration with cardiovascular MRI can provide accurate risk stratification, aiding aortic valve replacement decision making. Currently, invasive intervention is the only treatment for AS. In comparison, the development of lipoprotein(a) lowering therapies could provide an alternative; slowing progression of CAS, preventing left ventricular dysfunction and reducing reliance on surgical intervention.

The landscape of AS management is rapidly evolving. This review outlines current understanding of the pathophysiology of AS, its management and future perspectives for the condition’s assessment and treatment.
Associations between power Doppler ultrasound findings and B-mode synovitis and clinical arthritis in juvenile idiopathic arthritis using a standardised scanning approach and scoring system
Authors: Sande Nina Krafft , Lilleby Vibke , Aga Anna-Birgitte , Kirkhus Eva , Flatø Berit , Bøyesen Pernille
Published: March 2023

Objectives

To describe power Doppler (PD) ultrasound findings in joint regions with B-mode (BM) synovitis using a standardised scanning protocol and scoring system in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Further, to examine associations between PD findings and BM synovitis, clinical arthritis, patient characteristics and disease activity.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, one experienced ultrasonographer, blinded to clinical findings, performed ultrasound examinations in 27 JIA patients with suspected clinical arthritis. The elbow, wrist, metacarpophalangeal 2–3, proximal interphalangeal 2–3, knee, ankle and metatarsophalangeal 2–3 joints were assessed bilaterally and scored semiquantitatively (grades 0–3) for BM and PD findings using a joint-specific scoring system with reference atlas. Multilevel mixed-effects ordered regression models were used to explore associations between PD findings and BM synovitis, clinical arthritis, age, sex, JIA subgroups, disease duration and 10-joint Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score (JADAS10).

Results

Twenty-one girls and six boys, median age (IQR) 8 years (6–12 years) were included. Overall, 971 joint regions were evaluated by ultrasound, 129 had BM synovitis and were assessed for PD. PD findings were detected in 45 joint regions (34.9%), most frequently in the parapatellar recess of the knee (24.4%). Increasing PD grades were associated with higher BM grades (OR=5.0,p<0.001) and with clinical arthritis (OR=7.4,p<0.001) but not with age, sex, JIA subgroups, disease duration or JADAS10.

Conclusion

Increasing severity of PD findings were significantly associated with BM synovitis and with clinical arthritis. This suggests that PD signals detected using a standardised ultrasound examination and scoring system can reflect active disease in JIA patients.
Adaptive group-wise modeling of thermally induced errors of a turning center
Authors: Zhao Haitao , Tang Yongbo , Zhang Shuixiang
Published: March 2023

Traditional multivariate regression analysis-based thermal error models use only one polynomial of several temperature variables to predict thermal errors, which will produce lower local prediction accuracy for a longer machining process with sudden changes of machining parameters, and hence the group-wise modeling method is proposed in this paper. Resorting to hard break points and soft break points, the grouping work is completed in two steps: hard grouping and soft grouping. The positions of hard break points are optimized using the genetic algorithm toolbox in Matlab software to realize adaptive grouping. The mechanism for updating the thermal error model coefficients vectors for different soft groups is developed. The modeling test is carried out on a turning center for which the positions of thermal key points are optimized. The prediction results for radial and axial thermal errors show that four hard break points can basically meet the requirements at the di value of 80%, so the group-wise modeling method is helpful to advance the prediction accuracy of thermal errors.
Equating Schur functions
Authors: Morozov A.
Published: March 2023

We wonder if there is a way to make all Schur functions in all representations equal. This is impossible for fixed value of time variables, but can be achieved for averages. It appears that the corresponding measure is just Gaussian in times, which are all independent. The generating function for the number of Young diagrams does not straightforwardly appear as a product, but is reproduced in a non-trivial way.
Model selection applied to reconstructions of the Dark Energy
Authors: Escamilla Luis A. , Vazquez J. Alberto
Published: March 2023

The main aim of this paper is to perform a model comparison for some reconstructions of the key properties that describe the dark energy of the Universe i.e. energy density and the equation of state (EoS). We carry out this process by using a binning and a linear interpolation methodologies, and on top of that, we incorporate a correlation function mechanism. An extension of the two of them was also introduced, where internal amplitudes are allowed to vary in height as well as in position. The reconstructions were made with data from the Hubble parameter, Supernovae Type Ia and Baryon Acoustic Oscillations (H+SN+BAO), all of which span a range from $$z=0.01$$

z
=
0.01

to $$z=2.34$$

z
=
2.34

. First we perform the parameter estimation for each of the reconstructions to then provide a model selection through the Bayesian Evidence. Throughout our process we found a better fit to the data, up to $$4\sigma $$

4
σ

compared to $$\Lambda $$
Λ
CDM, and the presence of some interesting features, i.e. an oscillatory behaviour at late times, a decrease in the dark energy density component at early times and a transition to the phantom divide-line in the EoS. To discern these features from noisy contributions, we include a principal component analysis and found that some of these characteristics should be taken into account to satisfy current observations.
The NCT-WES directional neutron spectrometer: validation of the response with monoenergetic neutron fields
Authors: Bedogni R. , Calamida A. , Napolitano T. , Cantone C. , Fontanilla A. M. , Campoy A. I. Castro , Abbatini G. , Pietropaolo A. , Monti V. , Mafucci E. M. , Bunce M. , Thomas D. , Gomez-Ros J.-M. , Altieri S.
Published: March 2023

A directional neutron spectrometer named NCT-WES (Neutron Capture Therapy Wide Energy Spectrometer) was developed for quality assurance of the therapeutic neutron beam in Neutron Capture Therapy (NCT). NCT-WES operates as a “parallelized” Bonner spheres spectrometer, embedding six semiconductor-based thermal neutron detectors in a collimated cylindrical moderator. With the objective of validating the simulation model used to derive its response matrix, irradiations in reference monoenergetic fields were performed at National Physical Laboratory (UK). As the energy distributions of neutron beams in NCT extend from keV to a few MeV, monoenergetic fields in this domain were chosen, namely 71.5 keV, 144.2 keV, 565.1 keV, 841.9 keV and 1200.4 keV. The results of the experiment confirm the correctness of the NCT-WES simulation model, within an overall uncertainty lower than ± 2%.
Traffic-driven SIR epidemic spread dynamics on scale-free networks
Authors: Zhang Yongqiang , Li Shuang , Li Xiaotian , Ma Jinlong
Published: March 2023

Traffic flow affects the transmission and distribution of pathogens. The large-scale traffic flow that emerges with the rapid development of global economic integration plays a significant role in the epidemic spread. In order to more accurately indicate the time characteristics of the traffic-driven epidemic spread, new parameters are added to represent the change of the infection rate parameter over time on the traffic-driven Susceptible–Infected–Recovered (SIR) epidemic spread model. Based on the collected epidemic data in Hebei Province, a linear regression method is performed to estimate the infection rate parameter and an improved traffic-driven SIR epidemic spread dynamics model is established. The impact of different link-closure rules, traffic flow and average degree on the epidemic spread is studied. The maximum instantaneous number of infected nodes and the maximum number of ever infected nodes are obtained through simulation. Compared to the simulation results of the links being closed between large-degree nodes, closing the links between small-degree nodes can effectively inhibit the epidemic spread. In addition, reducing traffic flow and increasing the average degree of the network can also slow the epidemic outbreak. The study provides the practical scientific basis for epidemic prevention departments to conduct traffic control during epidemic outbreaks.
Risk countermeasures of international wheat trade under the network reconstruction
Authors: Ma Jinlong , Li Meng , Niu Junfang
Published: March 2023

In today’s globalized world, grain is not only food, but also a strategic weapon, a trump card in the game of nations. As one of the three staple grains, international trade of wheat faces high supply risk. Each country should not only pay attention to the ways in which trade risks are spread, but also pay high attention to how resources are reallocated between countries to reduce losses from supply risks. Therefore, based on complex network theory and global wheat trade data, we construct an international wheat trade network (IWTN) and analyze the feedback of network robustness under random and targeted attacks. Then, we propose a global wheat trade redistribution model through the maximum entropy principle to simulate the resource redistribution among wheat trading countries under different supply risks. Finally, changes in trade relations among major countries are analyzed. The results of the study provide an important reference for the recovery of national resources after wheat supply risk and new ideas for researchers related to international trade.
Effects of geometry, boundary condition and dynamical rules on the magnetic relaxation of Ising ferromagnet
Authors: Tikader Ishita , Mallick Olivia , Acharyya Muktish
Published: March 2023

We have studied the magnetic relaxation behavior of a two-dimensional Ising ferromagnet by Monte Carlo simulation. Our primary goal is to investigate the effects of the system’s geometry (area preserving), boundary conditions and dynamical rules on the relaxation behavior. The Glauber and Metropolis dynamical rules have been employed. The systems with periodic and open boundary conditions are studied. The major findings are the exponential relaxation and the dependence of relaxation time ([Formula: see text]) on the aspect ratio [Formula: see text] (length over breadth having fixed area). A power law dependence ([Formula: see text]) has been observed for larger values of aspect ratio ([Formula: see text]). The exponent ([Formula: see text]) has been found to depend linearly ([Formula: see text]) on the system’s temperature ([Formula: see text]). The transient behaviors of the spin-flip density have been investigated for both surface and bulk/core. The size dependencies of saturated spin-flip density significantly differ for the surface and the bulk/core. Both the saturated bulk/core and saturated surface spin-flip density was found to follow the logarithmic dependence [Formula: see text] with the system size. The faster relaxation was observed for open boundary condition with any kind (Metropolis/Glauber) of dynamical rule. Similarly, Metropolis algorithm yields faster relaxation for any kind (open/periodic) of boundary condition.
Therapeutic Effects ofAlisma orientaleand its Active Constituents on Cardiovascular Disease and Obesity
Authors: Wu Yinqi , Wang Xijun , Yang Le , Kang Shuyu , Yan Guangli , Han Ying , Fang Heng , Sun Hui
Published: March 2023

The treatment of cardiovascular diseases and obesity, two diseases posing a major risk to human health, has been plagued by the scarcity of potent and effective medication with fewer side effects. To address this problem, numerous efforts, and some progress, have been made. Among possible treatments are some medicinal herbs; particularly promising is Alisma orientale (AO). In the last decade, an increasing amount of research has shown that AO has some desirable therapeutic effects on cardiovascular diseases and obesity. Because of its efficacy, natural origin, and minimal adverse effects, AO has aroused great attention. Based on this, this review provides an overview of the latest progress from the last decade regarding the pharmacological and therapeutic effects, molecular mechanisms, and related effective constituents of AO in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and obesity. Results from the research currently available reveal that active constituents of AO, such as alisol B 23-acetate, alisol A 24-acetace, and alisol A, have been proven to be effective for treating cardiovascular diseases by modulating the lipid metabolism of macrophages, improving the biological behavior of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and enhancing anti-inflammatory effects. Moreover, the active constituents of AO can also intervene in obesity by modulating abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism and fat decomposition of the body by activating the AMPK- and PPAR-related signaling pathways. In summation, based upon our research of available literature, this review reveals that AO and its active constituents have a great potential to be used as drugs for treating cardiovascular diseases and ameliorating obesity.
Geometric symmetries of the physical space of the Einstein–Skyrme model and quantum cosmology: A Noether symmetry analysis
Authors: Bhaumik Roshni , Lakshmanan Muthusamy , Chakraborty Subenoy
Published: March 2023

In the background of homogeneous Kantowski–Sachs (KS) space-time geometry, the anisotropic Skyrme fluid with zero heat flux has been considered in the framework of Einstein gravity. The homothetic group of the physical space is determined and the generation of the Noether point symmetry is discussed. Further, the Wheeler–DeWitt equation is constructed for studying quantum cosmology of the system and the wave function of the Universe is evaluated using the conserved Noether charge. The present model shows a bouncing nature of evolution that is a singularity free model.
Computational finite element analysis of electromagnetic radiative nanofluid containing motile germs with chemical reactive process
Authors: Pasha Amjad Ali , Jamshed Wasim , Juhany Khalid Ahmed , Al-Bahi Ali , Ibrahim Rabha W.
Published: March 2023

In this paper, to characterize the appearances of bio-convection and influencing microorganisms in movements of influenced Walters-B nanofluid, we built a process in a stretchable sheet utilizing Fourier’s and Fick’s laws. The mass and temperature diffusion hypothesis proposed by Cattaneo and Christov has been considered. Also, the Buongiorno phenomenon for nanofluid wave in the Walters-B fluid is used, according to the Cattaneo–Christov connection. A system of regulating partial differential equations (PDEs) is transformed into ordinary differential equations (ODEs) using similarity transformations. Due to the Galerkin finite element mode, the software COMSOL is utilized to derive mathematical solutions for nonlinear equations (G-FEM). Temperature, velocity, and microorganism analysis are all investigated using logical and pictorial metrics. Nanoparticle concentrations are also calculated by considering various approximations of well-known physical characteristics. The simulations of this model demonstrate a straight association between the heat field and the current Biot number and factor of the Walters-B liquid. The temperature field is improved to increase the thermal Biot amount and factor approximations for the Walters-B fluid.
New (3+1)-dimensional conformable KdV equation and its analytical and numerical solutions
Authors: Şenol Mehmet , Gençyiğit Mehmet , Ntiamoah Daniel , Akinyemi Lanre
Published: March 2023

In this research, we used the Riccati equation approach to establish new exact solution sets for a new [Formula: see text]-dimensional Korteweg–de Vries (KdV) equation, which is an enlarged version of the time-fractional Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equation. Additionally, using the Mathematica symbolic computation program, approximate solutions to the equation, applying the residual power series method (RPSM), have been obtained. A comparison table and various graphical representations have been presented to demonstrate the validity of the solutions. The numerical findings indicate the effectiveness of both approaches in finding exact and approximate solutions to nonlinear fractional differential equations.
Dynamical behaviors with various exact solutions to a (2+1)-dimensional asymmetric Nizhnik–Novikov–Veselov equation using two efficient integral approaches
Authors: Kumar Amit , Kumar Sachin
Published: March 2023

The main goal of this research work is to explore novel soliton solutions and dynamics of solitonic structures to asymmetric Nizhnik–Novikov–Veselov (ANNV) equations by two methods, namely, the generalized exponential rational function (GERF) method and the modified extended tanh expansion (METE) method. These techniques are the most effective and reliable tools for solving nonlinear equations with partial derivatives. The used methods provide a wide range of soliton solutions that can motivate applied scientists and researchers for these specific structures. These acquired solutions are in the form of exponential, trigonometric and hyperbolic functions including, [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] and of their combinations. It has also been observed that the obtained soliton solutions of the ANNV equations are bell-shape, anti-bell-shape, periodic solution, multisoliton and different types of soliton solutions. To illustrate the physical features and dynamics characteristics of some obtained solutions, three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) figures are exhibited through the Mathematica software. The methods applied in this paper are suitable to study the soliton solutions for the ANNV equation without producing the complexities in some other known analytical method. Finally, the employed methods can be earmarked easily for solving various classes of nonlinear evolution equations appearing in mathematical physics, fluid dynamics, plasma physics, nonlinear waves and nonlinear sciences.
DFT-based study of the buckling variation effects on optical and electronic aspects of TH-carbon monolayer
Authors: Alborznia Hamidreza
Published: March 2023

By using the first-principles calculations established on density functional theory (DFT), the electronic aspects of the tetrahexcarbon (TH-carbon) monolayer as a two-dimensional carbon allotrope which is a direct bandgap semiconductor have been investigated under variations of buckling parameter ([Formula: see text]) by the PBE-GGA. Also, optical properties of this nanosheet are projected in out-of-plane polarization in buckling variation situations up to [Formula: see text]. Its optic behaviors in the visible light spectrum match its electronic ones. The results propose that the TH-carbon monolayer is an appropriate material for designing optoelectronic devices.
Time-dependent mixed stagnation point hybrid nanofluid flow with radiative heat flux and viscous dissipation effects over a movable EMHD Riga plate
Authors: Ali Ghazwani Hassan
Published: March 2023

This research communication scrutinizes the time-dependent radiated stagnation point flow by a movable Riga surface in the presence of porous medium, mixed convection, viscous dissipation and radiative heat flux. Both electro-magneto effects are accounted for. The considered flow problem comprises Copper (Cu) as a nanoparticle in a continuous phase fluid water (H2O). The mathematical modeling depends on two main expressions, i.e., momentum equation of Navier-Stokes equation under certain conditions and temperature expression. The coupled system is further simplified via similarity transformations. Computational outcomes are computed by implementing bvp4c technique with the shooting concept. The obtained results are displayed graphically. It is noticed from the computations that both Nusselt number (NN) and skin friction coefficient (SFC) declined subject to increasing estimations of the unsteady variable. The final outcomes and main key points are listed in the conclusion section.
Security Evaluation Method of Smart Home Cloud Platform
Authors: Wu Chensi , Yang Lulin , Cai Maobin , Zhao Xiaoying , Sun Qifeng
Published: March 2023

The application of artificial intelligence of things (AIoT) is becoming increasingly widespread. With its rapid development, it has raised many complex network security issues. These have brought crushing security threats and risks to all stakeholders. AIoT cloud platform in the smart home plays a vital role in the security management of devices and is the current research hotspot. This paper discusses the security of the AIoT cloud platform, represented by the smart home. The indicator system describing the protection of the smart home cloud platform is proposed, and the security risk evaluation method of the cloud service is formed. Based on the evaluation method, a lightweight security evaluation framework for smart home cloud service is designed to evaluate the typical cloud platform’s security. The evaluation identifies some technical and administrative issues. Finally, to improve the security of the cloud console of AIoT and discover potential security risks in time, a security self-test model of the scalable cloud console is proposed.
Key–Value Pair Identification from Tables Using Multimodal Learning
Authors: Chu Jung Soo , Pyo Bryan , Parth Vik , Hussein Ahmed , Wang Patrick
Published: March 2023

Computer vision and optical character recognition techniques have rapidly advanced in order to accurately capture text and other features from paper documents. While state-of-the-art tools in these fields now yield high accuracy, analyzing their outputs requires more research. Since tables are common in such documents, a new pipeline, based on multimodal learning, is proposed to better extract key–value pairs from tables. Its performance is evaluated with a synthetically generated dataset with randomly generated tables and a dataset of mechanical part documents provided by SiliconExpert Technologies. Its performance is also compared with another state-of-the-art model built for similar tasks, LayoutLM. The proposed pipeline provides a fully automated, end-to-end scalable solution, beginning with image processing and computer vision components to a machine learning model that uses data from optical character recognition and natural language processing to make the final decisions. In the best configuration, the pipeline achieved a 96.26% accuracy on a large, synthetically generated training and test set. When comparing the proposed pipeline with LayoutLM, the proposed pipeline performed similarly on the synthetic dataset and better on the real dataset. These results show the potential of the multimodal approach in extracting key–value pairs from tables from real paper documents.