bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Head direction cells in a migratory bird prefer north
Authors: Takahashi Susumu , Hombe Takumi , Matsumoto Sakiko , Ide Kaoru , Yoda Ken
Published: February 2022

Animals exhibit remarkable navigation abilities as if they have an internal compass. Head direction (HD) cells encoding the animal’s heading azimuth are found in the brain of several animal species; the HD cell signals are dependent on the vestibular nuclei, where magnetic responsive cells are present in birds. However, it is difficult to determine whether HD cell signals drive the compass orientation in animals, as they do not necessarily rely on the magnetic compass under all circumstances. Recording of HD cell activities from the medial pallium of shearwater chicks (
Calonectris leucomelas
) just before their first migration, during which they strongly rely on compass orientation, revealed that shearwater HD cells prefer a north orientation. The preference remained stable regardless of geolocations and environmental cues, suggesting the existence of a magnetic compass regulated by internally generated HD signals. Our findings provide insight into the integration of the direction and magnetoreception senses.
Safety and effectiveness of low-dose aspirin for the prevention of gastrointestinal cancer in adults without atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Shami Jessica J P , Zhao Jiaxi , Pathadka Swathi , Wan Eric Yuk Fai , Blais Joseph Edgar , Vora Pareen , Soriano-Gabarró Montse , Cheung Ka Shing , Leung W K , Wong Ian C K , Chan Esther W
Published: February 2022

Objective

To assess the association between low-dose aspirin and the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC), gastric cancer (GC), oesophageal cancer (EC) and gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) in adults without established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Design

Cohort study with propensity score matching of new-users of aspirin to non-users.

Setting

Clinical Data Analysis and Reporting System database, Hong Kong.

Participants

Adults ≥40 years with a prescription start date of either low-dose aspirin (75–300 mg/daily) or paracetamol (non-aspirin users) between 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2008 without a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome was the first diagnosis of gastrointestinal cancer (either CRC, GC or EC) and the secondary outcome was GIB. Individuals were followed from index date of prescription until the earliest occurrence of an outcome of interest, an incident diagnosis of any type of cancer besides the outcome, death or until 31 December 2017. A competing risk survival analysis was used to estimate HRs and 95% CIs with death as the competing risk.

Results

After matching, 49 679 aspirin and non-aspirin users were included. The median (IQR) follow-up was 10.0 (6.4) years. HRs for low-dose aspirin compared with non-aspirin users were 0.83 for CRC (95% CI, 0.76 to 0.91), 0.77 for GC (95% CI, 0.65 to 0.92) and 0.88 for EC (95% CI, 0.67 to 1.16). Patients prescribed low-dose aspirin had an increased risk of GIB (HR 1.15, 95% CI, 1.11 to 1.20), except for patients prescribed proton pump inhibitors or histamine H2-receptor antagonists (HR 1.03, 95% CI, 0.96 to 1.10).

Conclusion

In this cohort study of Chinese adults, patients prescribed low-dose aspirin had reduced risks of CRC and GC and an increased risk of GIB. Among the subgroup of patients prescribed gastroprotective agents at baseline, however, the association with GIB was attenuated.
Preparedness and response to COVID-19 in a quaternary intensive care unit in Australia: perspectives and insights from frontline critical care clinicians
Authors: Sundararajan Krishnaswamy , Bi Peng , Milazzo Adriana , Poole Alexis , Reddi Benjamin , Mahmood Mohammad Afzal
Published: February 2022

Objectives

This study was conducted to explore the perspectives and opinions of intensive care unit (ICU) nurses and doctors at a COVID-19-designated pandemic hospital concerning the preparedness and response to COVID-19 and to consolidate the lessons learnt for crisis/disaster management in the future.

Design

A qualitative study using in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs). Purposeful sampling was conducted to identify participants. A semistructured guide was used to facilitate IDIs with individual participants. Two FGDs were conducted, one with the ICU doctors and another with the ICU nurses. Thematic analysis identified themes and subthemes informing about the level of preparedness, response measures, processes, and factors that were either facilitators or those that triggered challenges.

Setting

ICU in a quaternary referral centre affiliated to a university teaching COVID-19-designated pandemic hospital, in Adelaide, South Australia.

Participants

The participants included eight ICU doctors and eight ICU nurses for the IDIs. Another 16 clinicians participated in FGDs.

Results

The study identified six themes relevant to preparedness for, and responses to, COVID-19. The themes included: (1) staff competence and planning, (2) information transfer and communication, (3) education and skills for the safe use of personal protective equipment, (4) team dynamics and clinical practice, (5) leadership, and (6) managing end-of-life situations and expectations of caregivers.

Conclusion

Findings highlight that preparedness and response to the COVID-19 crisis were proportionate to the situation’s gravity. More enablers than barriers were identified. However, opportunities for improvement were recognised in the domains of planning, logistics, self-sufficiency with equipment, operational and strategic oversight, communication and managing end-of-life care.
Timeliness of diagnosis of breast and cervical cancers and associated factors in low-income and middle-income countries: a scoping review
Authors: Nnaji Chukwudi A , Ezenwankwo Elochukwu F , Kuodi Paul , Walter Fiona M , Moodley Jennifer
Published: February 2022

Objectives

Addressing the barriers to early breast and cervical cancer diagnosis in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) requires a sound understanding and accurate assessment of diagnostic timeliness. This review aimed to map the current evidence on the time to breast and cervical cancer diagnosis and associated factors in LMICs.

Design

Scoping review.

Sources

MEDLINE (via PubMed), Cochrane Library, Scopus and CINAHL.

Eligibility criteria

Studies describing the time to diagnosis and associated factors in the context of breast and cervical cancer in LMICs published from 1 January 2010 to 20 May 2021.

Study selection and data synthesis

Two reviewers independently screened all abstracts and full texts using predefined inclusion criteria. The review was reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. Evidence was narratively synthesised using predefined themes.

Results

Twenty-six studies conducted across 24 LMICs were included in the review, most (24/26) of which focused on breast cancer. Studies varied considerably in their conceptualisation and assessment of diagnostic time, events, intervals and delays, with a minority of the studies reporting the use of validated methods and tools. Patient-related intervals and delays were more frequently evaluated and reported than provider-related and health system-related intervals and delays. Across studies, there were variations in the estimated lengths of the appraisal, help-seeking, patient and diagnostic intervals for both cancers and the factors associated with them.

Conclusions

Despite the significant burden of breast and cervical cancer in LMICs, there is limited information on the timeliness of diagnosis of these cancers. Major limitations included variations in conceptualisation and assessment of diagnostic events and intervals. These underscore the need for the use of validated and standardised tools, to improve accuracy and translation of findings to better inform interventions for addressing diagnostic delays in LMICs.
Primary care-based interventions addressing social isolation and loneliness in older people: a scoping review
Authors: Galvez-Hernandez Pablo , González-de Paz Luis , Muntaner Carles
Published: February 2022

Objectives

Primary care is well positioned to identify and address loneliness and social isolation in older adults, given its gatekeeper function in many healthcare systems. We aimed to identify and characterise loneliness and social isolation interventions and detect factors influencing implementation in primary care.

Design

Scoping review using the five-step Arksey and O’Malley Framework.

Data sources

MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, COCHRANE databases and grey literature were searched from inception to June 2021.

Eligibility criteria

Empirical studies in English and Spanish focusing on interventions addressing social isolation and loneliness in older adults involving primary care services or professionals.

Data extraction and synthesis

We extracted data on loneliness and social isolation identification strategies and the professionals involved, networks and characteristics of the interventions and barriers to and facilitators of implementation. We conducted a thematic content analysis to integrate the information extracted.

Results

32 documents were included in the review. Only seven articles (22%) reported primary care professionals screening of older adults’ loneliness or social isolation, mainly through questionnaires. Several interventions showed networks between primary care, health and non-healthcare sectors, with a dominance of referral pathways (n=17). Two-thirds of reports did not provide clear theoretical frameworks, and one-third described lengths under 6 months. Workload, lack of interest and ageing-related barriers affected implementation outcomes. In contrast, well-defined pathways, collaborative designs, long-lasting and accessible interventions acted as facilitators.

Conclusions

There is an apparent lack of consistency in strategies to identify lonely and socially isolated older adults. This might lead to conflicts between intervention content and participant needs. We also identified a predominance of schemes linking primary care and non-healthcare sectors. However, although professionals and participants reported the need for long-lasting interventions to create meaningful social networks, durable interventions were scarce. Sustainability should be a core outcome when implementing loneliness and social isolation interventions in primary care.
Phenotype of Coats disease in females
Authors: Daruich Alejandra , Munier Francis L
Published: February 2022

Objective

To determine whether the clinical presentation of Coats disease differs between males and females.

Methods and analysis

Records of patients diagnosed with Coats disease at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic data, main reason for initial consultation, comprehensive ocular examination at diagnosis and modalities of treatments during the follow-up were recorded.

Results

Records from 114 patients with Coats disease were analysed. Ninety-eight patients (86%) were male and 16 (14%) female. Mean age at diagnosis was 6.2 years±6.1 in males and 7.4 years±4.7 in females. The main initial reason for consultation was strabismus in males and decreased visual acuity in females. Stage severity at diagnosis was similar in the two groups with half of the patients presenting with stage 2B2 or lower. The extension of peripheral retinal telangiectasia was also similar (mean: 6.2±3.4 and 5.8±4.0, respectively), as was the extension of intraretinal exudation (mean: 5.0±4.5 and 5.8±4.4) and the frequency of a subfoveal nodule at diagnosis (40% vs 30%, respectively). There was no distinction between the number of laser photocoagulation or cryotherapy sessions required for both groups during the follow-up.

Conclusions

Coats disease presentation does not differ between genders despite being much rarer in females. We propose a pathogenic mechanism accounting for the gender-dependent incidence combined with gender-independent expressivity of Coats disease.
Evaluating patient-reported outcome measures in Peru: a cross-sectional study of satisfaction and net promoter score using the 2016 EnSuSalud survey
Authors: Leslie Hannah H , Lee Hwa-Young , Blouin Brittany , Kruk Margaret E , García Patricia J
Published: February 2022

Background

Patient-reported measures attempt to quantify the value health services provide to users. Satisfaction is a common summative measure, but often has limited utility in identifying poor quality care. We compared satisfaction and the net promoter score (NPS), which was developed to help businesses quantify consumer sentiment, in a nationally representative survey in Peru. We aimed to compare NPS and satisfaction as individual ratings of care, assess the relationship of patient-reported experience ratings to these outcome measures and consider the utility of these measures as indicators of facility performance based on reliability within facilities and capacity to discriminate between facilities.

Methods

We analysed the 2016 National Survey on User Satisfaction of Health Services, a cross-sectional outpatient exit survey. We assessed ratings by patient characteristics and compared the distributions of satisfaction and NPS categories. We tested the association of patient-reported experience measures with each outcome using multilevel ordinal logistic regression. We used intraclass correlation (ICC) from these models to predict minimum sample for reliable assessment and compared patient-reported experience measures in facilities with average satisfaction but below or above average NPS.

Results

13 434 individuals rated services at 184 facilities. Satisfaction (74% satisfied) and NPS (17% reported at least 9 out of 10) were largely concordant within individuals but weakly correlated (0.37). Ratings varied by individual factors such as age and visit purpose. Most domains of patient-reported experience were associated with both outcomes. Adjusted ICC was higher for NPS (0.26 vs 0.11), requiring a minimum of 7 (vs 20) respondents for adequate reliability. Within the 70% of facilities classified as average based on satisfaction, NPS-based classification revealed systematic differences in patient-reported experience measures.

Conclusion

While satisfaction and NPS were broadly similar at an individual level, this evidence suggests NPS may be useful for benchmarking facility performance as part of national efforts in Peru and throughout Latin America to identify deficits in health service quality.
Evaluating the efficacy of a priming dose of cyclophosphamide prior to pembrolizumab to treat metastatic triple negative breast cancer
Authors: Anders Carey K , Woodcock Mark G , Van Swearingen Amanda E D , Moore Dominic T , Sambade Maria J , Laurie Sonia , Robeson Alexander , Kolupaev Oleg , Cuaboy Luz A , Garrett Amy L , McKinnon Karen , Cowens Kristen , Bortone Dante , Calhoun Benjamin C , Wilkinson Alec D , Carey Lisa , Jolly Trevor , Muss Hyman , Reeder-Hayes Katherine , Kaltman Rebecca , Jankowitz Rachel , Gudena Vinay , Olajide Oludamilola , Perou Charles , Dees E Claire , Vincent Benjamin G , Serody Jonathan S
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by the presence of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment, however, the response to single-agent immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy is modest. Preclinical models have demonstrated that intratumoral regulatory T cells (Tregs) dampen the antitumor response to ICI. We performed a single-arm phase II trial to evaluate the efficacy of a single low dose of cyclophosphamide (Cy) to deplete Tregsadministered before initiating pembrolizumab.

Patients and methods

40 patients with pretreated metastatic TNBC were enrolled. The primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and change in peripheral blood Tregsafter Cy. Secondary endpoints included overall response rate (ORR), duration of response, overall survival, treatment-related adverse events (AEs), and correlative evaluations.

Results

Median PFS was 1.8 months, and the ORR was 21%. Tregswere not significantly decreased after Cy prior to ICI (−3.3%, p=0.19), and increased significantly after the first cycle of therapy (+21% between cycles 1 and 2, p=0.005). Immune-related AEs were similar to historical pembrolizumab monotherapy, and were associated with response to therapy (p=0.02). Patients with pretreatment tumors harboring increased expression of B cell metagene signatures and increased circulating B cell receptor repertoire diversity were associated with clinical response and immune-related toxicity (IRT).

Conclusions

Among patients with heavily pretreated TNBC, Cy prior to pembrolizumab did not significantly deplete Tregs, and in those with decreased numbers there was rapid recovery following therapy. Increased B cell gene expression in baseline samples was associated with clinical response and IRT.
Single-cell transcriptomics reveals a low CD8+T cell infiltrating state mediated by fibroblasts in recurrent renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Peng Yu-Lu , Xiong Long-Bin , Zhou Zhao-Hui , Ning Kang , Li Zhen , Wu Ze-Shen , Deng Min-Hua , Wei Wen-Su , Wang Ning , Zou Xiang-Peng , He Zhi-Song , Huang Ji-Wei , Luo Jun-Hang , Liu Jian-Ye , Jia Nan , Cao Yun , Han Hui , Guo Sheng-Jie , Dong Pei , Yu Chun-Ping , Zhou Fang-Jian , Zhang Zhi-Ling
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Recurrent renal cell carcinoma(reRCC) is associated with poor prognosis and the underlying mechanism is not yet clear. A comprehensive understanding of tumor microenvironment (TME) of reRCC may aid in designing effective anticancer therapies, including immunotherapies. Single-cell transcriptomics holds great promise for investigating the TME, however, this technique has not been used in reRCC. Here, we aimed to explore the difference in the TME and gene expression pattern between primary RCC (pRCC) and reRCC at single-cell level.

Experimental design

We performed single-cell RNA sequencing analyses of 32,073 cells from 2 pRCC, 2 reRCC, and 3 adjacent normal kidney samples. 41 pairs of pRCC and reRCC samples were collected as a validation cohort to assess differences observed in single-cell sequencing. The prognostic significance of related cells and markers were studied in 47 RCC patients underwent immunotherapy. The function of related cells and markers were validated via in vitro and in vivo experiments.

Results

reRCC had reduced CD8+T cells but increased cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) infiltration compared with pRCC. Reduced CD8+T cells and increased CAFs infiltration were significantly associated with a worse response from immunotherapy. Remarkably, CAFs showed substantial expression of LGALS1 (Gal1). In vitro, CAFs could induce CD8+T cells apoptosis via Gal1. In vivo, knockdown of Gal1 in CAFs suppressed tumor growth, increased CD8+T cells infiltration, reduced the proportion of apoptotic CD8+T cells and enhanced the efficacy of immunotherapy.

Conclusions

We delineated the heterogeneity of reRCC and highlighted an innovative mechanism that CAFs acted as a suppressor of CD8+T cells via Gal1. Targeting Gal1 combined with anti-PD1 showed promising efficacy in treating RCC.
Effectiveness of electronic drug monitoring feedback to increase adherence in patients with RA initiating a biological DMARD: a randomised clinical trial
Authors: Hebing Renske CF , Aksu Iremnur , Twisk Jos WR , Bos Wouter , Van den Bemt Bart , Nurmohamed Michael T
Published: February 2022

Objective

Medication non-adherence in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with disease flares, increased disability and increased costs. This study assessed the effectiveness of electronic monitoring feedback (EMF) on medication adherence in patients with RA starting with or switching to a new biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (bDMARD).

Methods

In this randomised controlled trial, bDMARD starters were assigned to the intervention or control group and followed for 1 year. The intervention group received a needle container with a Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS) cap registering patient’s adherence to injections. Scores were calculated every 3 months with MEMS and motivational interviewing feedback was given. The control group received usual care. Effectiveness of EMF on adherence was measured with the medication possession ratio (MPR).

Results

104 consecutive intervention patients were included and 102 controls. MPR was 0.95 (SD: 0.10) and 0.90 (0.16) after 12 months (B: 0.036, 95% CI: 0.001 to 0.007, p=0.045). bDMARD-naive patients receiving EMF achieved low disease activity (LDA) sooner compared with the control group, adjusted for baseline DAS (HR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.00 to 2.81, p=0.050). Side effects and DAS28 were similar.

Conclusion

EMF increased adherence for patients with RA starting with or switching to a bDMARD. Especially bDMARD-naive patients achieved LDA sooner compared with the control group, which holds promise for the future.
Long-term safety and efficacy of upadacitinib or adalimumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: results through 3 years from the SELECT-COMPARE study
Authors: Fleischmann Roy , Mysler Eduardo , Bessette Louis , Peterfy Charles G , Durez Patrick , Tanaka Yoshiya , Swierkot Jerzy , Khan Nasser , Bu Xianwei , Li Yihan , Song In-Ho
Published: February 2022

Objectives

To assess the long-term safety and efficacy of the Janus kinase inhibitor upadacitinib versus adalimumab over 3 years in the ongoing long-term extension (LTE) of SELECT-COMPARE, a randomised controlled phase 3 trial of patients with active rheumatoid arthritis and inadequate response to methotrexate (MTX).

Methods

Patients on stable background MTX were randomised 2:2:1 to upadacitinib 15 mg, placebo or adalimumab 40 mg. Patients with an insufficient response were switched by week 26 from placebo to upadacitinib, upadacitinib to adalimumab or adalimumab to upadacitinib. Patients who completed the 48-week double-blind period could enter an LTE for up to 10 years. Safety and efficacy results were analysed here through 3 years. Treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) were summarised based on exposure to upadacitinib and adalimumab. Efficacy was analysed by original randomised groups (non-responder imputation), as well as separately by treatment sequence (as observed).

Results

Rates of several AEs were generally comparable between upadacitinib and adalimumab, including AEs leading to discontinuation, serious infections and serious AEs, malignancies, major adverse cardiac events, venous thromboembolism and deaths. Consistent with earlier results, herpes zoster, lymphopaenia, hepatic disorder and CPK elevation were reported at higher rates with upadacitinib versus adalimumab. In terms of efficacy, upadacitinib continued to show numerically better clinical responses than adalimumab over 3 years across all endpoints, including low disease activity and remission.

Conclusion

The safety profile of UPA 15 mg was consistent with previous study-specific and integrated safety reports. Higher levels of clinical response continued to be observed with upadacitinib versus adalimumab through 3 years of treatment.
Development of radiographic classification criteria for hand osteoarthritis: a methodological report (Phase 2)
Authors: Haugen Ida K , Felson David , Abhishek Abhishek , Berenbaum Francis , Edwards John James , Herrero Beaumont Gabriel , Hermann-Eriksen Merete , Hill Catherine L , Ishimori Mariko , Jonsson Helgi , Karjalainen Teemu , Leung Ying Ying , Maheu Emmanuel , Mallen Christian D , Moe Rikke Helene , Ramonda Roberta , Ritschl Valentin , Stamm Tanja A , Szekanecz Zoltan , van der Giesen Florus J , Ritt Marco J P F , Wittoek Ruth , Kjeken Ingvild , Osteras Nina , van de Stadt Lotte A , Englund Martin , Dziedzic Krysia S , Marshall M , Bierma-Zeinstra Sita , Hansen Paul , Greibrokk Elsie , Smeets Wilma , Kloppenburg Margreet
Published: February 2022

Objectives

In Phase 1 of developing new hand osteoarthritis (OA) classification criteria, features associated with hand OA were identified in a population with hand complaints. Radiographic findings could better discriminate patients with hand OA and controls than clinical examination findings. The objective of Phase 2 was to achieve consensus on the features and their weights to be included in three radiographic criteria sets of overall hand OA, interphalangeal OA and thumb base OA.

Methods

Multidisciplinary, international expert panels were convened. Patient vignettes were used to identify important features consistent with hand OA. A consensus-based decision analysis approach implemented using 1000minds software was applied to identify the most important features and their relative importance influencing the likelihood of symptoms being due to hand OA. Analyses were repeated for interphalangeal and thumb base OA. The reliability and validity of the proposed criteria sets were tested.

Results

The experts agreed that the criteria sets should be applied in a population with pain, aching or stiffness in hand joint(s) not explained by another disease or acute injury. In this setting, five additional criteria were considered important: age, morning stiffness, radiographic osteophytes, radiographic joint space narrowing and concordance between symptoms and radiographic findings. The reliability and validity were very good.

Conclusion

Radiographic features were considered critical when determining whether a patient had symptoms due to hand OA. The consensus-based decision analysis approach in Phase 2 complemented the data-driven results from Phase 1, which will form the basis of the final classification criteria sets.
Crowd behaviour in Canadian football stadia — Part 2: Modelling
Authors: Chin Kathryn , Young Timothy , Chorlton Bronwyn , Aucoin Danielle , Gales John
Published: February 2022

In Part 1, a novel data collection exercise of a Canadian Stadium was conducted. Demographic distribution, pedestrian speed, exit and route choice, and areas of congestion were quantified using high resolution cameras. Herein, a numerical model space is built to simulate these observations in conventional software while exemplifying proper techniques. The simulations showed that using real-world behavioural data can significantly improve the accuracy of the model. When using lowest cost inputs rather than behavioural inputs, the maximum percent difference between the model and the observed egress was 15% higher. Parametric simulations showed that individual walking speeds impact overall egress time. This is in addition to crowd density also being a factor that further reduced speed. In simulations with only the fastest and slowest demographics, the maximum percent difference was 9%. Further parametric simulations increased the amount of two directional flow by 10%, which (non-linearly) increased the total egress time.
Effect of parthenolide, an NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor, on insulin resistance in high-fat diet-obese mice
Authors: Chinta Pavan Kumar , Tambe Suhas , Umrani Dhananjay , Pal Ajay Kumar , Nandave Mukesh
Published: February 2022

The activation of Nod-like receptor proteins (NLRP3) containing the pyrin domain inflammasome is a hallmark of the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders. Inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome by phytoconstituents has been attempted as a strategy to mitigate these disorders. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor, parthenolide (PN; 5 mg/kg i.p.) against inflammation and insulin resistance in high-fat diet (HFD) – obese mice. Treatment with PN and pioglitazone (PIO; 30 mg/kg p.o.) attenuated lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 1 ng/ml) – induced elevation of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β in mouse peritoneal macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. Sixty days of PN and PIO treatment marginally reduced obesity-induced insulin resistance in HFD-obese mice. PN treatment also decreased blood glucose from 14th to 60th day, supporting the hypothesis of simultaneous attenuation of inflammation and insulin resistance in obese mice. Thus, PN treatment was also evident with significant improvement in glucose tolerance and peripheral insulin resistance validated through the respective tolerance tests. Therefore, the present study suggests that PN, an NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor, could be a possible therapeutic agent for attenuating obesity-induced insulin resistance.
Measuring the electron Yukawa coupling via resonant s-channel Higgs production at FCC-ee
Authors: d’Enterria David , Poldaru Andres , Wojcik George
Published: February 2022

The Future Circular Collider (FCC-ee) offers the unique opportunity of studying the Higgs Yukawa coupling to the electron, $$y_\mathrm {e}$$

y
e

, via resonant s-channel production, $$\mathrm {e^+e^-}\rightarrow \mathrm {H}$$

e
+

e
-

→
H

, in a dedicated run at $$\sqrt{s} = m_\mathrm {H}$$

s

=

m
H

. The signature for direct Higgs production is a small rise in the cross sections for particular final states, consistent with Higgs decays, over the expectations for their occurrence due to Standard Model (SM) background processes involving $$\mathrm {Z}^*$$

Z

∗

, $$\gamma ^*$$

γ
∗

, or t-channel exchanges alone. Performing such a measurement is remarkably challenging for four main reasons. First, the low value of the e$$^\pm $$

±

mass leads to a tiny $$y_\mathrm {e}$$

y
e

coupling and correspondingly small cross section: $$\sigma _\mathrm {ee\rightarrow H} \propto m_\mathrm {e}^2 = 0.57$$

σ

ee
→
H

∝

m

e

2

=
0.57

 fb accounting for initial-state $$\gamma $$
γ
radiation. Second, the $$\mathrm {e^+e^-}$$

e
+

e
-

beams must be monochromatized such that the spread of their centre-of-mass (c.m.) energy is commensurate with the narrow width of the SM Higgs boson, $$\varGamma _\mathrm {H} = 4.1$$

Γ
H

=
4.1

 MeV, while keeping large beam luminosities. Third, the Higgs mass must also be known beforehand with a few-MeV accuracy in order to operate the collider at the resonance peak, $$\sqrt{s} = m_\mathrm {H}$$

s

=

m
H

. Last but not least, the cross sections of the background processes are many orders-of-magnitude larger than those of the Higgs decay signals. A preliminary generator-level study of 11 Higgs decay channels using a multivariate analysis, which exploits boosted decision trees to discriminate signal and background events, identifies two final states as the most promising ones in terms of statistical significance: $$\mathrm {H}\rightarrow gg$$

H
→
g
g

and $$\mathrm {H}\rightarrow \mathrm {W}\mathrm {W}^*\!\rightarrow \ell \nu $$

H
→
W

W

∗

→
ℓ
ν

 + 2 jets. For a benchmark monochromatization with 4.1-MeV c.m. energy spread (leading to $$\sigma _\mathrm {ee\rightarrow H} = 0.28$$

σ

ee
→
H

=
0.28

 fb) and 10 ab$$^{-1}$$

-
1

of integrated luminosity, a $$1.3\sigma $$

1.3
σ

signal significance can be reached, corresponding to an upper limit on the e$$^\pm $$

±

Yukawa coupling at 1.6 times the SM value: $$|y_\mathrm {e}|<1.6|y^\mathrm {\textsc {sm}}_\mathrm {e}|$$

|

y
e

|
<
1.6
|

y
e

S
M

|

at 95% confidence level, per FCC-ee interaction point per year. Directions for future improvements of the study are outlined.
Impact of lane function layout on the performance of urban traffic system
Authors: Hu Xue-Dong , Hu Mao-Bin , Cheng Meng-Qin , Shi Cong-Ling
Published: February 2022

In urban traffic systems, alleviating traffic congestion originated from left-turn/U-turn lanes at highly demanded intersections plays an important role in enhancing the traffic efficiency. For a typical intersection, the layout with double left-turn (DLT) lanes is a relatively common geometric feature. However, the effect of DLT scheme on the performance of the entire traffic system is not clear. This paper compares the performance of urban traffic system with different lane function schemes with extended cellular automaton (CA) model considering the car-following, lane-changing, intersection-traversing and route-choice behavior of vehicles. Using the flow-density relation, three macroscopic parameters (average trip completion rate, average traffic flow and average velocity) are examined to evaluate the system performance. With the wide application of DLT scheme, the vehicles can be distributed more evenly among the lanes. As a result, the traffic flow and the trip completion rate will be higher, especially at high density. Case studies of realistic Hefei city network and Sioux Falls networks are also carried out. The results show that the performance of traffic network will be better if more intersections adopt the DLT scheme.
Purity as a measure of entanglement between two distant mechanical mirrors
Authors: Benrass Noureddine , Lakhfif Abderrahim , Amazioug Mohamed , Habiballah Nabil , Nassik Mostafa
Published: February 2022

Characterizing and quantifying quantum entanglement in states of open quantum systems are at the heart of quantum information theory. In this work, we study the mixedness and entanglement of a two-mode symmetrical Gaussian state evolving in a thermal Markovian environment. The considered state is that of two movable end-mirrors of two distant Fabry–Pérot cavities coupled via a two-mode squeezed light and driven by coherent lasers. We use the logarithmic negativity to consistently quantify the degree of entanglement between the two mechanical modes. The purity is employed as a witness of mixedness and characterize of entanglement in the two-mode mechanical bi-partition. By comparing the behavior of the logarithmic negativity with that of the purity under the effect of various parameters and based on the entanglement classification established in [G. Adesso, A. Serafini and F. Illuminati, Phys. Rev. Lett. 92, 087901 (2004)], we found that the purity can be used as a characterize and measure of entanglement in the two-mode symmetrical state when the squeezing parameter is fixed. The effects of thermal noise, squeezing and optomechanical coupling are also discussed in detail.
Numerical solution of micropolar fluid flow with heat transfer by finite difference method
Authors: Ahmad Salman , Khan Z. H.
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we focused on time-dependent flow of micropolar fluid between parallel permeable plates. Fluid is electrically conducting. Magnetic field is applied in the transverse direction to flow. Energy equation is modeled in the presence of viscous dissipation, thermal radiation and Joule heating. Suction is considered at lower plate while injection is considered at upper plate. Appropriate dimensionless variables are employed to reduce the governing PDE’s system into dimensionless one. Nondimensional PDE system is tackled numerically by finite difference technique. Effects of flow parameters on velocity, micro-rotation, temperature, couple and shear stresses at plates and Nusselt number are discussed. The obtained outputs show that for nonzero electric field parameter the velocity increases with Hartmann number. For zero electric field parameter the velocity decreases with Hartmann number. Temperature increases with both electric and magnetic field parameters. Micro-rotation decreases with micro-rotation material parameter and it increases with time.
Color Image Segmentation by Utilizing Coarse-to-Fine Strategy
Authors: Chen Yingxia , Chen Yan , Yi Shanji , Cao Kun
Published: February 2022

Image segmentation is an important processing technology, which is the basis of image recognition and has been widely used in many fields. In this paper, we propose a method, termed coarse-to-fine strategy-based image segmentation (CSIS), for color image segmentation. The basic idea is to segment an image by three phases: (1) the original image is first segmented into several distinct regions by using the mean shift method; (2) the segmented regions are converted to a weighted region adjacency graph (RAG), and a new graph cut method, called multi-cut algorithm, is proposed to partition the RAG into multiple regions; (3) a one-step Chan–Vese algorithm is applied to smooth the boundaries of the segmented objectives. In each of the last two phases, a method is applied to refine the result obtained in the previous phase. By carefully balancing the efforts used in each phase, CSIS could segment color images both efficiently and effectively. These advantages are demonstrated by applying the proposed method to a variety of test instances, and the statistical results also show that it is comparable with some state-of-the-art methods.
Decompositions of matrices into potent and square-zero matrices
Authors: Danchev Peter , García Esther , Lozano Miguel Gómez
Published: February 2022

In order to find a suitable expression of an arbitrary square matrix over an arbitrary finite commutative ring, we prove that every such matrix is always representable as a sum of a potent matrix and a nilpotent matrix of order at most two when the Jacobson radical of the ring has zero-square. This somewhat extends results of ours in Linear Multilinear Algebra (2022) established for matrices considered on arbitrary fields. Our main theorem also improves on recent results due to Abyzov et al. in Mat. Zametki (2017), Šter in Linear Algebra Appl. (2018) and Shitov in Indag. Math. (2019).
THE CORRELATION BETWEEN FLUID FLOW AND HEAT TRANSFER OF UNSATURATED SHALE RESERVOIR BASED ON FRACTAL GEOMETRY
Authors: QIAO XIANWU , SHEN YUQING , TAN XIAOHUA , QIU SHUXIA , JIANG ZHOUTING , SASMITO AGUS PULUNG , XU PENG
Published: February 2022

The dissimilar multi-scale structures of shale to conventional reservoirs make it a challenge to understand the fluid flow and heat transfer through unsaturated shale formations. In this paper, the pore structure and moisture content of shale samples are measured by low-field nuclear magnetic resonance technique and thermogravimetric differential scanning calorimetry test, respectively. A pore-scale model is accordingly developed for the immiscible two-phase fluid flow and heat conduction through unsaturated shale based on the statistically self-similar fractal scaling law of pore size distribution. The analytical expressions of effective and relative permeability, as well as effective thermal conductivity (ETC), are proposed, which indicate good agreement with experimental results. It has been shown that the capillary pressure and gas slippage play important role in multiphase flow through unsaturated shale. Both pore and tortuosity fractal dimensions show significant influence on the relative permeability for nonwetting phase (RPNW), while they indicate the marginal effect on the relative permeability for the wetting phase (RPW). The ETC decreases with the increase of pore and tortuosity fractal dimensions, and it is positively and negatively correlated with RPW and RPNW, respectively. The correlation between ETC and relative permeability is found to follow a logistic function. The present fractal model can characterize the multiscale structures of shale reservoirs and may help understand transport mechanisms of immiscible multiphase flow and heat transfer through unsaturated shale.
EXAMINING THE FRACTAL MARKET HYPOTHESIS CONSIDERING DAILY AND HIGH FREQUENCY FOR CRYPTOCURRENCY ASSETS
Authors: KRISTJANPOLLER WERNER , FERNANDES LEONARDO H. S. , TABAK BENJAMIN M.
Published: February 2022

Cryptocurrencies play a pivotal role in the financial market. Given this, we perform the asymmetric multifractal cross-correlation analysis to examine the weak form of the Efficient Market Hypotheses (EMH) considering two temporal scales. In the daily scale, we find that the pair Bitcoin–Litecoin displays the largest multifractal spectrum. While, in the hourly scale, the pair Bitcoin–Ethereum presents the largest multifractal spectrum. Our empirical evidence has rejected the weak form of the EMH and clearly suggests that the dynamics of the analyzed cryptocurrency pairs are in line with the Fractal Market Hypothesis (FMH). Cross-correlation asymmetries are more persistent for small fluctuations than for large fluctuations. The results are essential for investors, portfolio and risk managers, and policymakers.
METALLOGRAPHIC STUDY AND WEAR BEHAVIOR OF Cu-BASED FeTi-REINFORCED COMPOSITES
Authors: YILMAZ SERDAR OSMAN , TEKER TANJU , KARABEYOĞLU SENCER SÜREYYA
Published: February 2022

Cu-based FeTi-reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs) were produced with FeTi reinforcement additions of 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18[Formula: see text]wt.% by powder metallurgy. Microstructural characterization of Cu-based FeTi-reinforced composites was made by using scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and hardness test. The effect of sintering temperatures on the densification of the synthesized powders was investigated. Sliding analyses were conducted to determine the wear behavior. The interface microstructure between FeTi and Cu at 1000∘C showed a significant difference. The hardness changed proportionally with the increase in the FeTi particles. The formation of the intermetallic phases CuTi, CuTi2, Cu4Ti3 and TiCu4 after sintering caused a higher wear resistance. A 75% reduction in wear rate was achieved by adding 18-wt.% FeTi to pure copper powder.
Multilateral Cooperation on International Migration Governance in the Context of Community of Shared Human Destiny Based on Big Data Sharing
Authors: Chen Ma
Published: February 2022

In view of the noise of the data collected by the traditional multilateral cooperation mode of international migration governance, which leads to the small value of the actual task completion degree of the final mode, this paper designs a multilateral cooperation mode of international migration governance under the background of the community of human destiny based on big data sharing. Taking the governance process as the guidance, the multilateral cooperation database of international migration governance is constructed. In the multi direction of development, we should rely on the background of the community of human destiny to set up the legal construction system. The middleware data sharing model is built on the model of international migration governance, and the multi-lateral cooperation model structure of international migration governance is created by using big data sharing technology. After building the big data sharing architecture, simulate and set the data group of multilateral cooperation mode, and prepare two traditional multilateral cooperation modes and the designed multilateral cooperation mode for experiment. The results show that the designed multilateral cooperation mode has the highest task completion degree.
Investigations on the Choice of Johnson–Cook Constitutive Model Parameters for the Orthogonal Cutting Simulation of Inconel 718
Authors: Gurusamy Muralimohan , Sriram Siddharth
Published: February 2022

The Johnson–Cook model is the popular constitutive relation for the simulation of metal cutting process because of the availability of various sets of parameters for different materials. Different sets of Johnson–Cook parameters are observed to be available for a particular material due to dissimilarity in the initial condition of the material and experimental methods utilized for the calibration. Hence, it is difficult to choose an accurate parameter set for modeling the behavior of a material for the finite element simulation of its cutting process. In this regard, a strategy is proposed and validated in this study for choosing an accurate Johnson–Cook parameter set for Inconel 718. Twelve sets of Johnson–Cook parameters were collected from the literature for Inconel 718 and their flow stress predictions were investigated by comparing with experimental flow stress values for wide ranges of strain rates and temperatures as encountered during the cutting process. The Johnson–Cook parameter sets corresponding to the predicted flow stress curves that agree with the experimental values are chosen for modeling the behavior of Inconel 718. This comparison also helps in indexing the parameter sets according to the initial condition of the material since it is not reported mostly in the literature. The chosen material parameter sets are validated further for the orthogonal cutting simulation of Inconel 718 for a wide range of cutting conditions by comparing the cutting force and chip thickness predictions with the experimental values. Thus, the analysis of predicted flow stress values helps in choosing the accurate Johnson–Cook parameters for an Inconel 718 specimen which in turn helps in conducting accurate orthogonal cutting simulations. The finite element simulation of metal cutting helps in identifying the optimum cutting parameters which would help to reduce energy consumption and thus make the process more efficient and sustainable.
Performance of Multivariate Homogeneously Weighted Moving Average Chart for Monitoring the Process Mean in the Presence of Measurement Errors
Authors: Yousefi Sahand , Maleki Mohammad Reza , Salmasnia Ali , Anbohi Maryam Kiani
Published: February 2022

Multivariate control charts are useful tools for monitoring the product quality in which the process outcome is expressed by several correlated variables. The multivariate homogeneously weighted moving average (MHWMA) control chart is one of the most efficient extensions of the multivariate exponentially weighted moving average (MEWMA) procedure. However, this control chart has been proposed under the assumption of precise measurements. This paper explores the impact of the measurement system inability on sensitivity of MHWMA control chart in Phase II monitoring of the mean vector of multivariate normally distributed quality characteristics. Through simulation studies, the run length (RL) properties of MHWMA chart in the presence of measurement errors are investigated and compared to without-error scenario. The results indicate that the imprecise measurements degrade the detection ability of MHWMA control chart in detecting different process disturbances. The undesired impact of gauge measurement errors increases as the error variance increases. Moreover, multiple measurements on each sampled item are utilized to compensate for the undesired effect of the measurement errors on run length characteristics of the MHWMA control chart. It is also concluded that, as the number of measurements on each sampled point increases, the detection capability of MHWMA chart reduces and approaches the without-error case. Finally, a realistic illustrative example from a healthcare system is utilized to elaborate on the impact of imprecise measurements on chart performance.
On some locally symmetric embedded spaces with non-negative scalar curvature and their characterization
Authors: Sherif Abbas M. , Dunsby Peter K. S. , Goswami Rituparno
Published: February 2022

In this work, we perform a general study of properties of a class of locally symmetric embedded hypersurfaces in spacetimes admitting a [Formula: see text] spacetime decomposition. The hypersurfaces are given by specifying the form of the Ricci tensor with respect to the induced metric. These are slices of constant time in the spacetime. First, the form of the Ricci tensor for general hypersurfaces is obtained and the conditions under which the general case reduces to those of constant time slices are specified. We provide a characterization of these hypersurfaces, with key physical quantities in the spacetime playing a role in specifying the local geometry of these hypersurfaces. Furthermore, we investigate the case where these hypersurfaces admit a Ricci soliton structure. The particular cases where the vector fields associated with the solitons are Killing or conformal Killing vector fields are analyzed. Finally, in the context of spacetimes with local rotational symmetry, it is shown that only spacetimes in this class with vanishing rotation and spatial twist can admit the hypersurface types considered, and that the hypersurfaces are necessarily flat. If such hypersurface does admit a Ricci soliton structure, the soliton is steady, with the components of the soliton field being constants.