bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Syncontractional deposition of the Cretaceous Newark Canyon Formation, Diamond Mountains, Nevada: Implications for strain partitioning within the U.S. Cordillera
Authors: Di Fiori Russell V. , Long Sean P. , Fetrow Anne C. , Snell Kathryn E. , Bonde Joshua W. , Vervoort Jeff
Published: January 2020

The timing of deformation and deposition within syntectonic basins provides critical information for understanding the evolution of strain in mountain belts. In the U.S. Cordillera, contractional deformation was partitioned between the Sevier thrust belt in Utah and several structural provinces in the hinterland in Nevada. One hinterland province, the Central Nevada thrust belt (CNTB), accommodated up to ∼15 km of shortening; however, in most places, this deformation can only be bracketed between Permian and Eocene. Cretaceous deposits of the Newark Canyon Formation (NCF), which are sparsely exposed along the length of the CNTB, offer the opportunity to constrain deformation timing. Here, we present mapping and U-Pb zircon geochronology from the NCF in the Diamond Mountains, which demonstrate deposition of the NCF during proximal CNTB deformation. Deposition of the basal NCF member was under way no earlier than ca. 114 Ma, a tuff in the middle part of the section was deposited at ca. 103 Ma, and the youngest member was deposited no earlier than ca. 99 Ma. Intraformational angular unconformities and abrupt along- and across-strike thickness changes indicate that NCF deposition was related to growth of an east-vergent fault-propagation fold. Clast compositions define unroofing of upper Paleozoic sedimentary rocks, which we interpret as the progressive erosion of an anticline ∼10 km to the west. CNTB deformation was contemporaneous with shortening in the Sevier thrust belt, which defines middle Cretaceous strain partitioning between frontal and interior components of the Cordillera. Strain partitioning may have been promoted by renewed underthrusting during a period of high-flux magmatism.
Thyroid nodules: diagnostic evaluation based on thyroid cancer risk assessment
Authors: Singh Ospina Naykky , Iñiguez-Ariza Nicole M , Castro M Regina
Published: January 2020

Thyroid nodules are extremely common and can be detected by sensitive imaging in more than 60% of the general population. They are often identified in patients without symptoms who are undergoing evaluation for other medical complaints. Indiscriminate evaluation of thyroid nodules with thyroid biopsy could cause a harmful epidemic of diagnoses of thyroid cancer, but inadequate selection of thyroid nodules for biopsy can lead to missed diagnoses of clinically relevant thyroid cancer. Recent clinical guidelines advocate a more conservative approach in the evaluation of thyroid nodules based on risk assessment for thyroid cancer, as determined by clinical and ultrasound features to guide the need for biopsy. Moreover, newer evidence suggests that for patients with indeterminate thyroid biopsy results, a combined assessment including the initial ultrasound risk stratification or other ancillary testing (molecular markers, second opinion on thyroid cytology) can further clarify the risk of thyroid cancer and the management strategies. This review summarizes the clinical importance of adequate evaluation of thyroid nodules, focuses on the clinical evidence for diagnostic tests that can clarify the risk of thyroid cancer, and highlights the importance of considering the patient’s values and preferences when deciding on management strategies in the setting of uncertainty about the risk of thyroid cancer.
Public awareness, acceptability and risk perception about infectious diseases dual-use research of concern: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: MacIntyre Chandini Raina , Adam Dillon Charles , Turner Robin , Chughtai Abrar Ahmad , Engells Thomas
Published: January 2020

Objectives

In this study, we aimed to measure the awareness, acceptability and perceptions of current issues in biosecurity posed by infectious diseases dual-use research of concern (DURC) in the community. DURC is conducted today in many locations around the world for the benefit of humanity but may also cause harm through either a laboratory accident or deliberate misuse. Most DURC is approved by animal ethics committees, which do not typically consider harm to humans. Given the unique characteristics of contagion and the potential for epidemics and pandemics, the community is an important stakeholder in DURC.

Design

Self-administered web-based cross-sectional survey.

Participants

Participants over the age of 18 in Australia and 21 in the USA were included in the survey. A total of 604 participants completed the study. The results of 52 participants were excluded due to potential biases about DURC stemming from their employment as medical researchers, infectious diseases researchers or law enforcement professionals, leaving 552 participants. Of those, 274 respondents resided in Australia and 278 in the USA.

Outcomes

Baseline awareness, acceptability and perceptions of current issues surrounding DURC. Changes in perception from baseline were measured after provision of information about DURC.

Results

Presurvey, 77% of respondents were unaware of DURC and 64% found it unacceptable or were unsure. Two-thirds of respondents did not change their views. The baseline perception of high risk for laboratory accidents (29%) and deliberate bioterrorism (34%) was low but increased with increasing provision of information (42% and 44% respectively, p<0.001), with men more accepting of DURC (OR=1.79, 95% CI 1.25 to 2.57, p=0.002). Postsurvey, higher education predicted lower risk perception of laboratory accidents (OR=0.56, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.93, p=0.02) and bioterrorism (OR=0.48, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.80, p=0.004).

Conclusion

The community is an important stakeholder in infectious diseases DURC but has a low awareness of this kind of research. Only a minority support DURC, and this proportion decreased with increasing provision of knowledge. There were differences of opinion between age groups, gender and education levels. The community should be informed and engaged in decisions about DURC.
Characterising and predicting persistent high-cost utilisers in healthcare: a retrospective cohort study in Singapore
Authors: Ng Sheryl Hui Xian , Rahman Nabilah , Ang Ian Yi Han , Sridharan Srinath , Ramachandran Sravan , Wang Debby Dan , Khoo Astrid , Tan Chuen Seng , Feng Mengling , Toh Sue-Anne Ee Shiow , Tan Xin Quan
Published: January 2020

Objective

We aim to characterise persistent high utilisers (PHUs) of healthcare services, and correspondingly, transient high utilisers (THUs) and non-high utilisers (non-HUs) for comparison, to facilitate stratifying HUs for targeted intervention. Subsequently we apply machine learning algorithms to predict which HUs will persist as PHUs, to inform future trials testing the effectiveness of interventions in reducing healthcare utilisation in PHUs.

Design and setting

This is a retrospective cohort study using administrative data from an Academic Medical Centre (AMC) in Singapore.

Participants

Patients who had at least one inpatient admission to the AMC between 2005 and 2013 were included in this study. HUs incurred Singapore Dollar 8150 or more within a year. PHUs were defined as HUs for three consecutive years, while THUs were HUs for 1 or 2 years. Non-HUs did not incur high healthcare costs at any point during the study period.

Outcome measures

PHU status at the end of the third year was the outcome of interest. Socio-demographic profiles, clinical complexity and utilisation metrics of each group were reported. Area under curve (AUC) was used to identify the best model to predict persistence.

Results

PHUs were older and had higher comorbidity and mortality. Over the three observed years, PHUs’ expenditure generally increased, while THUs and non-HUs’ spending and inpatient utilisation decreased. The predictive model exhibited good performance during both internal (AUC: 83.2%, 95% CI: 82.2% to 84.2%) and external validation (AUC: 79.8%, 95% CI: 78.8% to 80.8%).

Conclusions

The HU population could be stratified into PHUs and THUs, with distinctly different utilisation trajectories. We developed a model that could predict at the end of 1 year, whether a patient in our population will continue to be a HU in the next 2 years. This knowledge would allow healthcare providers to target PHUs in our health system with interventions in a cost-effective manner.
Midlife socioeconomic position and old-age dementia mortality: a large prospective register-based study from Finland
Authors: Korhonen Kaarina , Einiö Elina , Leinonen Taina , Tarkiainen Lasse , Martikainen Pekka
Published: January 2020

Objectives

To assess the association between multiple indicators of socioeconomic position and dementia-related death, and to estimate the contribution of dementia to socioeconomic differences in overall mortality at older ages.

Design

Prospective population-based register study.

Setting

Finland.

Participants

11% random sample of the population aged 70–87 years resident in Finland at the end of year 2000 (n=54 964).

Main outcome measure

Incidence rates, Kaplan-Meier survival probabilities and Cox regression HRs of dementia mortality in 2001–2016 by midlife education, occupational social class and household income measured at ages 53–57 years.

Results

During the 528 387 person-years at risk, 11 395 individuals died from dementia (215.7 per 10 000 person-years). Lower midlife education, occupational social class and household income were associated with higher dementia mortality, and the differences persisted to the oldest old ages. Compared with mortality from all other causes, however, the socioeconomic differences emerged later. Dementia accounted for 28% of the difference between low and high education groups in overall mortality at age 70+ years, and for 21% of the difference between lowest and highest household income quintiles. All indicators of socioeconomic position were independently associated with dementia mortality, low household income being the strongest independent predictor (HR=1.24, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.32), followed by basic education (HR=1.14, 1.06 to 1.23). Manual occupational social class was related to a 6% higher hazard (HR=1.06, 1.01 to 1.11) compared with non-manual social class. Adjustment for midlife economic activity, baseline marital status and chronic health conditions attenuated the excess hazard of low midlife household income, although significant effects remained.

Conclusion

Several indicators of socioeconomic position predict dementia mortality independently and socioeconomic inequalities persist into the oldest old ages. The results demonstrate that dementia is among the most important contributors to socioeconomic inequalities in overall mortality at older ages.
Levofloxacin versus placebo for the treatment of latent tuberculosis among contacts of patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (the VQUIN MDR trial): a protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Fox Greg J , Nguyen Cam Binh , Nguyen Thu Anh , Tran Phuong Thuy , Marais Ben J , Graham Steve M , Nguyen Binh Hoa , Velen Kavi , Dowdy David W , Mason Paul , Britton Warwick J , Behr Marcel A , Benedetti Andrea , Menzies Dick , Nguyen Viet Nhung , Marks Guy B
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) plays a substantial role in the prevention of drug-susceptible tuberculosis (TB). However, clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy of preventive therapy for presumed multidrug-resistant (MDR) LTBI are lacking. This trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of the antibiotic levofloxacin in preventing the development of active TB among latently infected contacts of index patients with MDR-TB.

Methods and analysis

A double-blind placebo-controlled parallel group randomised controlled trial will be conducted in 10 provinces of Vietnam. Household contacts living with patients with bacteriologically confirmed rifampicin-resistant or MDR-TB will be eligible for recruitment if they have a positive tuberculin skin test or are known to be immunosuppressed, and do not have active TB. Participants will be randomised to receive either levofloxacin or placebo tablets once per day for 6 months. Screening for incident TB will be performed at 6 months intervals. The primary study outcome is the incidence of bacteriologically confirmed TB within 30 months after randomisation. Analysis will be by intention to treat, using Poisson regression.

Ethics

Ethical approval from the University of Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee was obtained on 29 April 2015 (2014/929), and from the Vietnam Ministry of Health Institutional Review Board on 30 September 2015 (4040/QD-BYT).

Dissemination

Findings of the study will be published in peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12616000215426.
Economic evaluations of clinical pharmacy services in China: a systematic review
Authors: Mi Xue , Su Xuelong , Jin Ziyan , Zeng Linan , Li Zhuo , Wang Xiaowen , Zhang Peng , Zuo Yan
Published: January 2020

Objective

This article reviewed research conducted on economic evaluations of clinical pharmacy services (CPS) in China. We aimed to identify the types of CPS and the possible economic effects of these services and to hopefully provide some suggestions for designing future economic evaluations of pharmacy interventions in the region.

Design

Systematic review.

Data sources

Several English databases (PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database), Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database and WanFang Data) and search engines (Google Scholar and BaiDu Scholar) were searched through December 2017.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

Studies with an economic assessment of CPSs in China were included.

Data extraction and synthesis

Two reviewers independently screened the studies, extracted the data, assessed the quality of the included studies and then qualitatively analysed the results.

Results

Forty articles were included in the final analysis. Most studies were performed in hospitals and the intervention populations mainly included adults. The types of pharmaceutical services included antimicrobial management, chronic disease state management and multidimensional clinical pharmaceutical services. A positive economic benefit associated with CPS was noted in 80% (n=32) of these articles, showing that CPS were associated with cost savings and improved patient outcomes. However, only three studies were full economic evaluations, using the method of cost-effectiveness analysis.

Conclusion

CPS was associated with cost savings and generated positive economic value. With the expanding role of pharmacists in the healthcare sector, it is suggested that new pharmaceutical services be used in future studies and that high-quality full economic evaluations capturing both expenses and cost savings be conducted.
Improving sexual and reproductive health knowledge and practice in Mozambican families with media campaign and volunteer family health champions
Authors: Pires Paulo Henrique , Siemens Ronald , Mupueleque Martins
Published: January 2020

Objective

To increase knowledge, attitudes and practice of sexual and reproductive health and family planning and to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates in Mozambique.

Design

An implementation research project’s intermediate evaluation, applying two cross-sectional surveys. The surveys were planned for 316 subjects before and after interventions.

Setting

Research performed in Natikiri district of Nampula province in northern Mozambique, targeting a suburban and rural populations in their homes.

Participants

452 people were surveyed (91 before, 361 after), all belonging to the Macua ethnic group.

Interventions

A media campaign (2 weekly radio spots, bimonthly theatre performances) was performed for 8 months (2017 to 2018) and family health champions’ teachings (monthly home visits) performed for 3 months, on sexual and reproductive health and family planning. Outcome measures planned and measured were adolescent’s and adult’s knowledge, attitudes and practice about those. Data were analysed by gender, age group and frequencies, using a CI of 95% (p<0.5 statistically significant).

Results

Radio spots, community theatre and volunteer champions increased population’s knowledge about sexual and reproductive health and led to a more positive attitude toward family planning. Concerning attitude, results show differences between adults’ proportions before and after: (1) did you hear about sexual and reproductive health (p=0.0425); (2) knows project key messages (p<0.001); (3) knows prenatal visits importance (p=0.0301); (4) access to contraceptives was easy (p<0.001). Adolescents showed statistically significant differences before and after: (1) knows project key messages (p<0.001); (2) access to contraceptives was easy (p=0.0361). Family planning practice did not increase in both groups.

Conclusion

A health education intervention, using a media campaign and local volunteers, is useful to promote mother and child health. There is an unmet need for family planning and the use of modern contraception is below desired practice, needing further research about cultural barriers. Communication for behaviour change activities will pursue and impact will be assessed to document family planning practice improvement.
Factors for self-assessment score of interprofessional team collaboration in community hospitals in Japan
Authors: Haruta Junji , Ozone Sachiko , Goto Ryohei
Published: January 2020

Objective

Interprofessional collaboration is considered an important strategy in overcoming the complex issues associated with healthcare outcomes. A nationwide, community-based integrated care system developed for the care of older people in individual communities in Japan requires community hospitals to deliver integrated care to coordinate efforts for creating effective environments for health. This study aimed to explore the factors associated with the self-assessment score of interprofessional collaboration in community hospitals.

Design

Cross-sectional study using the Assessment of Interprofessional Team Collaboration Scale (AITCS).

Setting

This study was conducted in three small community hospitals in Japan.

Participants

All healthcare staff in the hospitals via research collaborators were asked to complete the anonymous self-administered questionnaire of the AITCS comprising questions related to individual factors (age, gender, profession), hospital to which they belonged, relationships with neighbouring facilities, job burden and job satisfaction from July to October 2018. The association between the questionnaire items as explanatory variables and AITCS score as an objective variable was determined using univariate followed by multiple regression analyses.

Results

The data from 325 of 630 participants were analysed, of whom 252 were female (77.5%) and 240 were nurses (73.8%). The mean of the total AITCS score was 117.6 (range 37–185), and the Visual Analogue Scale for relationships with neighbouring facilities, job satisfaction and job burden was 53.0 mm (0–100), 46.1 mm (0–100) and 64.3 mm (0–100), respectively. In univariate analyses of the association with AITCS score, explanatory variables with a significance level of <0.05 were relationships with neighbouring facilities, job satisfaction and job burden. On multiple regression analysis, the total AITCS score was independently associated with age, profession (nurse/non-nurse), relationships with neighbouring facilities and job satisfaction.

Conclusions

Better self-assessment score of interprofessional collaboration is more strongly associated with younger age, a nursing profession, better relationships with neighbouring facilities and greater job satisfaction than with the hospital to which the participant belonged. These findings may help community hospitals enhance the integration of service delivery and benefit to the community through interprofessional collaboration.
Occupational barriers to accessing and adhering to antiretroviral therapy for female sex workers living with HIV in South Africa
Authors: Parmley Lauren E , Comins Carly A , Young Katherine , Mcingana Mfezi , Phetlhu Deliwe Rene , Guddera Vijay , Mkhize Happiness , Hausler Harry , Baral Stefan , Schwartz Sheree
Published: January 2020

Objectives

While female sex workers (FSW) are nearly 14 times more likely to be living with HIV than non-FSW, less than 40% of FSW living with HIV are on antiretroviral therapy (ART). We sought to understand how the work environment influences ART access and adherence for FSW in preparation for the Siyaphambili trial.

Methods

FSW living with HIV (n=24) and key informants (n=15) were recruited to participate in semistructured in-depth interviews using maximum variation and snowball sampling, respectively. FSW were recruited on key variants including type of sex work venue, primary work time and history of ART use. Data were collected between September and November 2017 in Durban, South Africa. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and translated. Data were then coded applying grounded theory in Atlas.ti.

Results

FSW experienced occupational barriers to adherence including work-related migration, substance use and theft of ART on the job. Fear of wage loss due to HIV disclosure to clients and brothel managers prevented some FSW from accessing ART at their clinic and taking medications while working. FSW employed coping strategies to overcome barriers including sharing ART with colleagues, carrying small supplies of ART and visiting the clinic prior to appointments for ART refills. Further, some FSW received adherence support from colleagues who were also living with HIV.

Conclusions

Considering these occupational pressures on FSW and supporting positive coping strategies are important when designing and implementing HIV treatment programmes. Findings suggest strengthening social cohesion and supporting differentiated care efforts to improve HIV outcomes among FSW living with HIV.
Effects of ABCA1 gene polymorphisms on risk factors, susceptibility and severity of coronary artery disease
Authors: Lu Zhan , Luo Zhi , Jia Aimei , Muhammad Irfan , Zeng Wei , Shiganmo Azhe , Chen Xueli , Song Yongyan
Published: January 2020

Background

The relationships between the rs1800976, rs4149313 and rs2230806 polymorphisms in ATP binding cassette protein A1 and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) remain unclear.

Methods

Four hundred and forty-two patients with CAD and 217 CAD-free subjects were enrolled in this study. The rs1800976, rs4149313 and rs2230806 polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR-RFLP. Severity of CAD was evaluated by Gensini score system, number of stenotic coronary vessels and extent of coronary stenosis.

Results

C allele of the rs1800976 polymorphism, G allele of the rs4149313 polymorphism and A allele of the rs2230806 polymorphism were found to be risk alleles for CAD (p<0.05 for all). In patients with CAD, C allele of the rs1800976 polymorphism was associated with high levels of hypersensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP) and cystatin c (CysC), and its frequency increased with percentiles of Gensini score, number of stenotic coronary vessels and extent of coronary stenosis (p<0.05 for all). The subjects with GA genotype of the rs4149313 polymorphism had higher levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein B and hs-CRP than those with AA genotype (p<0.05 for all). The subjects with AA genotype of the rs2230806 polymorphism had higher levels of TC, LDL-C and uric acid than those with GA genotype (p<0.05 for all). No associations between the rs4149313 or rs2230806 polymorphism and severity of CAD were detected.

Conclusions

The rs1800976 polymorphism is significantly associated with the occurrence and severity of CAD, which is possibly mediated by hs-CRP and CysC.
Association of serum chloride level alterations with in-hospital mortality
Authors: Thongprayoon Charat , Cheungpasitporn Wisit , Hansrivijit Panupong , Thirunavukkarasu Sorkko , Chewcharat Api , Medaura Juan , Mao Michael A , Kashani Kianoush
Published: January 2020

Background

We aimed to assess the association between alterations in serum chloride levels during hospitalisation and mortality.

Methods

We reviewed all adult patients admitted to our hospital from the year 2009 to 2013, who had at least two serum chloride measurements during hospitalisation. The serum chloride change during hospitalisation, defined as the absolute difference between the highest and lowest serum chloride levels, was categorised into seven groups; 0–2, 3–4, 5–6, 7–8, 9–10, 11–12 and ≥13 mEq/L. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess the independent association between serum chloride change and in-hospital mortality, using the serum chloride change of 0–2 mEq/L as the reference group.

Results

A total of 57 880 patients, with median serum chloride change of 5 (IQR 3–9) mEq/L, were studied. The in-hospital mortality was progressively increased with larger chloride change, from 0.6% in group of 0–2 mEq/L to 5.9% in group of ≥13 mEq/L (p<0.001). In adjusted analysis, serum chloride change of ≥7 mEq/L was significantly associated with increased in-hospital mortality. For upward trend, serum chloride change of ≥3 mEq/L was significantly associated with increased in-hospital mortality, whereas, for downward trend, serum chloride change was not consistently associated with in-hospital mortality.

Conclusion

Alterations in serum chloride during hospitalisation were associated with increased hospital mortality. The association was more prominent with upward than downward trend of serum chloride.
Seismic fragility assessment of multi-span concrete highway bridges in British Columbia considering soil–structure interaction
Authors: Billah A.H.M. Muntasir , Alam M. Shahria
Published: January 2020

Fragility curve is an effective tool for identifying the potential seismic risk and consequences during and after an earthquake. Recent seismic events have shown that bridges are highly sensitive and vulnerable during earthquakes. There has been limited research to evaluate the seismic vulnerability of the existing bridges in British Columbia (BC), which could help in the decision-making process for seismic upgrade. This study focuses on developing seismic fragility curves for typical multi-span continuous concrete girder bridges in BC. Ground motions compatible with the seismic hazard were used as input excitations for vulnerability assessment. Uncertainties in material and geometric properties were considered to represent the bridges with similar structural characteristics and construction period. The fragility of the bridge is largely attributable to the fragilities of the columns, and to a lesser extent, the abutment and bearing components. The results of this study show that, although not very significant, the soil–structure interaction has some effect on the component fragility where this effect is not very significant at the bridge system level.
DeepXS: fast approximation of MSSM electroweak cross sections at NLO
Authors: Otten Sydney , Rolbiecki Krzysztof , Caron Sascha , Kim Jong-Soo , Ruiz de Austri Roberto , Tattersall Jamie
Published: January 2020

We present a deep learning solution to the prediction of particle production cross sections over a complicated, high-dimensional parameter space. We demonstrate the applicability by providing state-of-the-art predictions for the production of charginos and neutralinos at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at the next-to-leading order in the phenomenological MSSM-19 and explicitly demonstrate the performance for $$pp\rightarrow \tilde{\chi }^+_1\tilde{\chi }^-_1,$$pp→χ~1+χ~1-,$$\tilde{\chi }^0_2\tilde{\chi }^0_2$$χ~20χ~20 and $$\tilde{\chi }^0_2\tilde{\chi }^\pm _1$$χ~20χ~1± as a proof of concept which will be extended to all SUSY electroweak pairs. We obtain errors that are lower than the uncertainty from scale and parton distribution functions with mean absolute percentage errors of well below $$0.5\,\%$$0.5% allowing a safe inference at the next-to-leading order with inference times that improve the Monte Carlo integration procedures that have been available so far by a factor of $$\mathscr {O}(10^7)$$O(107) from $$\mathscr {O}(\mathrm{min})$$O(min) to $$\mathscr {O}(\mu \mathrm{s})$$O(μs) per evaluation.
Mapping collinear in-medium parton splittings
Authors: Domínguez Fabio , Milhano José Guilherme , Salgado Carlos A. , Tywoniuk Konrad , Vila Víctor
Published: January 2020

We map the spectrum of $$1\rightarrow 2$$1→2 parton splittings inside a medium characterized by a transport coefficient $${\hat{q}}$$q^ onto the kinematical Lund plane, taking into account the finite formation time of the process. We discuss the distinct regimes arising in this map for in-medium splittings, pointing out the close correspondence to a semi-classical description in the limit of hard, collinear radiation with short formation times. Although we disregard any modifications of the original parton kinematics in course of the propagation through the medium, subtle modifications to the radiation pattern compared to the vacuum baseline can be traced back to the physics of color decoherence and accumulated interactions in the medium. We provide theoretical support to vacuum-like emissions inside the medium by delimiting the regions of phase space where it is dominant, identifying also the relevant time-scales involved. The observed modifications are shown to be quite general for any dipole created in the medium.
Compact stars described by a charged model
Authors: Estevez-Delgado Joaquin , Soto-Espitia Rafael , Cleary-Balderas Arthur , Murguía Aurelio Taméz
Published: January 2020

A charged stellar model is presented by constructing a solution to the Einstein–Maxwell equations system in a spherically symmetrical static time-space. The rate of compactness for the model depends on two parameters [Formula: see text], one of them [Formula: see text] associated to the charge, which allows a value of compactness [Formula: see text] higher than the neutral case. The density and pressure are regular functions, positive and monotonically decreasing and the function of charge is positive regular and monotonically increasing, its shown that the model satisfies the condition of causality, the geometry is regular and as such the model is physically acceptable. Although the model can be applicable for a variety of stars, considering a star with mass [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text] the range of compactness is [Formula: see text] and radius [Formula: see text], in this case the range of values for the central density is [Formula: see text] greater than the value of the nuclear density and consistent with that expected for stars with this compactness rate.
NANOSTRUCTURED EPOXY-BASED ANTICORROSIVE COATINGS
Authors: RAMÍREZ-PALMA MARÍA TERESA , HERNÁNDEZ-PADRÓN GENOVEVA , GÓMEZ JOSÉ MOJICA , ROJAS-GONZÁLEZ FERNANDO , CASTAÑO VÍCTOR M.
Published: January 2020

A functionalized epoxy resin (DGEBA) was synthesized from abietic acid, through the esterification and condensation reactions between the carboxyl groups of abietic acid and the basic functional groups of an epoxy resin. This method of synthesis increases the epoxy resin surface adhesion, as well as the chemical and thermal stability, for being used as a protective coating against corrosion of copper plates. Characterization analyses included FTIR and SEM of both raw and functionalized epoxy resin substrates performed. The corrosion performance of these coatings when applied onto Cu and stainless plates was tested in terms of: (i) immersion in a misty saline chamber, under accelerated corrosive conditions; (ii) Taber abrasion and (iii) hardness, adhesion and potentiodynamic polarization. The obtained results indicate the existence of a chemical bond between the epoxy ring and the carboxyl functional groups of abietic acid. This chemical bonding provided an increased adhesion as well as better chemical and thermal stabilities than those of the original resin. The corrosion resistance lining the functionalized epoxy resin films indicated that their anticorrosive efficiency was up to 30% higher than that of the functionalized resin.
Memory effects in quantum processes
Authors: Taranto Philip
Published: January 2020

Understanding temporal processes and their correlations in time is of paramount importance for the development of near-term technologies that operate under realistic conditions. Capturing the complete multi-time statistics that define a stochastic process lies at the heart of any proper treatment of memory effects. This is well understood in classical theory, where a hierarchy of joint probability distributions completely characterizes the process at hand. However, attempting to generalize this notion to quantum mechanics is problematic: observing realizations of a quantum process necessarily disturbs the state of the system, breaking an implicit, and crucial, assumption in the classical setting. This issue can be overcome by separating the experimental interventions from the underlying process, enabling an unambiguous description of the process itself and accounting for all possible multi-time correlations for any choice of interrogating instruments.

In this paper, using a novel framework for the characterization of quantum stochastic processes, we first solve the long standing question of unambiguously describing the memory length of a quantum processes. This is achieved by constructing a quantum Markov order condition, which naturally generalizes its classical counterpart for the quantification of finite-length memory effects. As measurements are inherently invasive in quantum mechanics, one has no choice but to define Markov order with respect to the interrogating instruments that are used to probe the process at hand: different memory effects are exhibited depending on how one addresses the system, in contrast to the standard classical setting. We then fully characterize the structural constraints imposed on quantum processes with finite Markov order, shedding light on a variety of memory effects that can arise through various examples. Finally, we introduce an instrument-specific notion of memory strength that allows for a meaningful quantification of the temporal correlations between the history and the future of a process for a given choice of experimental intervention.

These findings are directly relevant to both characterizing and exploiting memory effects that persist for a finite duration. In particular, immediate applications range from developing efficient compression and recovery schemes for the description of quantum processes with memory to designing coherent control protocols that efficiently perform information-theoretic tasks, amongst a plethora of others.
Modelling subduction sources for probabilistic seismic hazard analysis
Authors: Pagani M. , Johnson K. , Garcia Pelaez J.
Published: January 2020

Subduction zones are highly productive seismic sources both at the interface and within the slab, and have produced many of the highest-impact earthquakes throughout history. Several current probabilistic seismic hazard analyses model interface sources as faults with rates constrained by only seismicity or tectonics singularly, and intraslab sources as gridded points, sometimes smoothing rates according to former occurrences. Here, we propose a subduction source modelling methodology that improves on current standards for both source types. We use cross-sections of earthquake catalogues, focal mechanisms and geophysical models to define the locked subduction interface and slab volume, and to classify seismicity. We divide these geometries along-strike to impose segment boundaries. For the interface, we combine tectonic and seismicity components to assign occurrence properties, considering fault area, convergence rate and seismic coupling. We use ruptures that are confined to the slab volume to demarcate intraslab sources, enhancing their utility with ground motion prediction equations that use site-to-rupture distance. We demonstrate the proposed approach on the Nazca subduction zone of South America, validating the source model parameters against observed earthquakes and palaeoseismic information when available, and showing that the resulting magnitude–frequency distributions better fit the observed occurrences than traditional approaches.
Historical and geological evidence for the seventeenth-century tsunamis along Kuril and Japan trenches: implications for the origin of the AD 1611 Keicho earthquake and tsunami, and for the probable future risk potential
Authors: Tetsuka Hiroshi , Goto Kazuhisa , Ebina Yuichi , Sugawara Daisuke , Ishizawa Takashi
Published: January 2020

Historical documents indicate that the AD 1611 Keicho earthquake tsunami struck the Pacific coast of Tohoku, northern Japan. Meanwhile, geological records suggest that a large earthquake occurred along the Kuril Trench in the same century. Although historians and geologists have investigated the events intensively, understanding of those events remains insufficient because of limited evidence. As described herein, we suggest future research directions for the huge seventeenth-century tsunamis based on a comprehensive review of earlier works and simulation of the directivity of tsunamis. Our results suggest the possibility that one extremely large or two or three closely spaced large earthquakes and tsunamis occurred in a short time interval along the Kuril and Japan trenches. If this is the case, we must devote attention to the risk of a future occurrence of a Kuril Trench event because the situation after the AD 2011 Tohoku-oki tsunami might be similar to the seventeenth-century events. The key research directions to clarify the seventeenth-century events are a careful review of historical documents during several decades after the AD 1611 earthquake and accurate constraint of the event age of tsunami deposits.
Gradient Polarity Solvent Wash for Separation and Analysis of Electrolyte Decomposition Products on Electrode Surfaces
Authors: Fang Chen , Liu Zhimeng , Lau Jonathan , Elzouka Mahmoud , Zhang Guangzhao , Khomein Piyachai , Lubner Sean , Ross Philip N. , Liu Gao
Published: January 2020

The solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formed during the cycling of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) by decomposition of electrolyte molecules has key impact on device performance. However, the detailed decomposition process and distribution of products remain a mystery due to the wide variety of electrochemical pathways and the lack of facile analytical methods for chemical characterization of SEIs. In this report, a gradient polarity solvent wash technique involving the use of solvents with gradually increased polarities is employed to sequentially remove different SEI components from electrode surfaces. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is utilized to characterize the SEI composition. The impacts of electrolyte additives and discharge rates over SEI formation are illustrated. This study presents a new concept of rationally controlled solvent wash technique for electrode surface analysis that can selectively remove targeted components. The findings in this study provide experimental support for the slow charge formation processes commonly employed for LIBs in industry.
Downregulation of microRNA-873 attenuates insulin resistance and myocardial injury in rats with gestational diabetes mellitus by upregulating IGFBP2
Authors: Han Na , Fang Hai-Yan , Jiang Jie-Xuan , Xu Qian
Published: January 2020

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance, and patients with GDM have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Multiple microRNAs (miRNAs) are reported to be involved in the regulation of myocardial injury. Moreover, miR-873 was predicted to target insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP2) through bioinformatic analysis, which was further confirmed using a luciferase assay. Thus, our objective was to assess whether microRNA-873 (miR-873) affects insulin resistance and myocardial injury in an established GDM rat model. The GDM rats were treated with miR-875 mimic or inhibitor or IGFBP2 siRNA. The effects of miR-875 and IGFBP2 on the cardiac function, insulin resistance, and myocardial injury were evaluated by hemodynamic measurements, determination of biochemical indices of myocardium and serum, and insulin homeostatic model assessment. The results indicated that downregulation of miR-873 upregulated the expression of IGFBP2 and promoted the activation of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) axis. With downregulation of miR-873 in GDM rats, the cardiac function was improved and the myocardial apoptosis was inhibited, coupled with elevated activity of superoxide dismutase, carbon monoxide synthase, and the nitric oxide content. In addition, the inhibition of miR-873 in GDM rats modulated the insulin resistance and reduced myocardial apoptosis. Overall, the data showed that inhibition of miR-873 by targeting IGFBP2 may regulate the insulin resistance and curtail myocardial injury in GDM rats through activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis, thus providing a potential means of impeding the progression of GDM.
Identifying Synergistic Mechanisms of Multiple Ingredients in Shuangbai Tablets against Proteinuria by Virtual Screening and a Network Pharmacology Approach
Authors: Ma Xiaoqin , Yu Meixiang , Hao Chenxia , Yang Wanhua
Published: January 2020

Shuangbai Tablets (SBT), a traditional herbal mixture, has shown substantial clinical efficacy. However, a systematic mechanism of its active ingredients and pharmacological mechanisms of action against proteinuria continues being lacking. A network pharmacology approach was effectual in discovering the relationship of multiple ingredients and targets of the herbal mixture. This study aimed to identify key targets, major active ingredients, and pathways of SBT against proteinuria by network pharmacology approach combined with thin layer chromatography (TLC). Human phenotype (HP) disease analysis, gene ontology (GO) analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis, and molecular docking were used in this study. To this end, a total of 48 candidate targets of 118 active ingredients of SBT were identified. Network analysis showed PTGS2, ESR1, and NOS2 to be the three key targets, and beta‐sitosterol, quercetin, and berberine were the three major active ingredients; among them one of the major active ingredients, quercetin, was discriminated by TLC. These results of the functional enrichment analysis indicated that the most relevant disease including these 48 candidate proteins is proteinuria, SBT treated proteinuria by sympathetically regulating multiple biological pathways, such as the HIF‐1, RAS, AGE‐RAGE, and VEGF signaling pathways. Additionally, molecular docking validation suggested that major active ingredients of SBT were capable of binding to HIF‐1A and VEGFA of the main pathways. Consequently, key targets, major active ingredients, and pathways based on data analysis of SBT against proteinuria were systematically identified confirming its utility and providing a new drug against proteinuria.
Thyroid-Disrupting Activities of Groundwater from a Riverbank Filtration System in Wuchang City, China: Seasonal Distribution and Human Health Risk Assessment
Authors: Kong Dongdong , Liu Hedan , Liu Yun , Wang Yafei , Li Jian
Published: January 2020

The recombinant thyroid hormone receptor (TR) gene yeast assay was used to evaluate thyroid disruption caused by groundwater from the riverbank filtration (RBF) system in Wuchang City, China. To investigate seasonal fluctuations, groundwater was collected during three seasons. Although no TR agonistic activity was found, many water samples exhibited TR antagonistic activity. The bioassay-derived amiodarone hydrochloride (AH) equivalents ranged from 2.99 to 274.40 μg/L. Water samples collected from the riverbank filtration system during the dry season had higher TR antagonistic activity. All samples presented adverse 3,3′,5-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) equivalent levels, ranging from −2.00 to −2.12 μg/kg. Following exposure to water samples with substantial TR antagonist activity, predicted hormonal changes in humans of different gender and age ranged from 0.65 to 1.48 μg/kg of T3, being 47% to 231% of normal. No obvious difference was found between genders or among age groups. Overall, the results revealed that the RBF system could remove the thyroid-disrupting chemicals in the river water to some extent. Considering the varying degrees of risk to human health, further treatment is needed to remove the potential thyroid-disrupting chemicals in pumping water after riverbank filtration to ensure drinking water safety.
Foreign Object Damage Performance and Constitutive Modeling of Titanium Alloy Blade
Authors: Xu Yu , Cheng Li , Shu Chang , Chen Xuan , Li Peiyuan
Published: January 2020

Foreign object damage (FOD) to fan blades has been identified as one of the main factors affecting the safety of aeroengine operation. Numerical simulations are an important means of studying FOD, but the selection of the material’s parameters in modeling is a key problem. In this work, a FOD test was carried out with titanium alloy blades as the sample, and the damage types suffered by the blades subjected to impacts from foreign objects under different conditions are obtained. A blade material test was carried out to obtain its parameters in terms of the Johnson-Cook material model, and finite element models of the impacting foreign objects are constructed. When comparing the test results with the simulated results, excellent correlation between them is found.
Data Analysis and Classification of Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Principal Component Analysis
Authors: Shihab Ammar I. , Dawood Faten A. , Kashmar Ali H.
Published: January 2020

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an early developmental disorder characterized by mutation of enculturation associated with attention deficit disorder in the visual perception of emotional expressions. An estimated one in more than 100 people has autism. Autism affects almost four times as many boys than girls. Data analysis and classification of ASD is still challenging due to unsolved issues arising from many severity levels and range of signs and symptoms. To understanding the functions which involved in autism, neuroscience technology analyzed responses to stimuli of autistic audio and video. The study focuses on analyzing the data set of adults and children with ASD using practical component analysis method. To satisfy this aim, the proposed method consists of three main stages including: (1) data set preparation, (2) Data analysis, and (3) Unsupervised Classification. The experimental results were performed to classify adults and children with ASD. The classification results in adults give a sensitivity of 78.6% and specificity of 82.47%, while the classification results in children give a sensitivity of 87.5% and specificity of 95.7%.