bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Standing laparoscopy combined with a conventional inguinal approach to treat extended septic funiculitis in 12 horses
Authors: Comino Francesco , Röcken Michael , Gorvy Dylan
Published: April 2022

Objective

To describe a 2‐step surgical procedure combining standing laparoscopy with a conventional inguinal approach to treat deep intra‐abdominal funiculitis (extended septic funiculitis) after castration.

Study design

Retrospective case series.

Sample population

Twelve client‐owned horses.

Methods

Medical records of horses treated for extended septic funiculitis with the 2‐step surgical procedure were reviewed. Data collected included the initial castration technique, number of surgical interventions for septic funiculitis prior to presentation, clinical signs, diagnostic and surgical procedure, and short‐term and long‐term survival.

Results

Complete resection of the infected spermatic cord was achieved without intraoperative complications. Intra‐abdominal adhesions were documented in 6 horses, involving the ascending colon (4 cases) and descending colon (2 cases). Postoperatively, minor incisional swelling (2/12) and emphysema (3/12) at the laparoscopic portals were observed. All horses survived to discharge. At 3 months, wounds had completely healed without complications. No recurrence of signs was recorded at long‐term follow up (4‐36 months after discharge).

Conclusion

In cases of extended septic funiculitis, complete resection of the infected spermatic cord can be safely performed using a laparoscopic‐assisted surgical approach, reducing postoperative complications and risk of recurrence of infection.
Population Dynamics, Macroeconomic Risks, and the Future of Pensions in Finland
Authors: Kovanen Arto
Published: April 2022

The hybrid pay-as-you-go system currently in use in Finland could become increasingly untenable in the longer run, should macroeconomic developments turn out weaker than expected. Unfavorable population trends would amplify the effects of adverse macroeconomic shocks on the Finnish pension system and its financial health.  Although Finnish government has demonstrated willingness to respond to challenges facing the pension system and has been successful in building consensus for necessary pension reforms, a more strategic approach would serve policymakers and retirees (current and future) better in the longer run. This study focuses on risks to productivity and investment returns and how they would impact the longer-term health of the Finnish pension system, given unfavorable population dynamics. In order to protect the longer-term finances of the pension system, government should transition away from the pay-as-you-go model to an arrangement where pensions are fully funded from investment returns instead of being dependent on the contributions of current working-age population. We suggest alternative options to achieve that but at the same time emphasize that the authorities need to be mindful of burden-sharing between workers and pensioners in their considerations, as pension cuts would hurt retirees while contribution rates are already quite high.
Inner Mongolia Rural E-Commerce Innovation and Development Practice Path
Authors: Zhenqing Gao
Published: April 2022

Inner Mongolia is located in the northern frontier of China, with a rural population of 7.63 million(note1). It is positioned as the "national production base of green agricultural and livestock products". The rural e-commerce market has great potential and broad development prospects. In the case of COVID-19's normalization of prevention and control, rural e-commerce has become the current solution to better solve the "three rural issues"(note2) and promote the new engine of "double cycle"(note3). This article focuses on the rural e-commerce in Inner Mongolia to promote the Rural Revitalization. It studies the current situation and existing problems of the rural e-commerce in Inner Mongolia, and analyzes its realization path, and then puts forward corresponding countermeasures and suggestions.
Familial Vulnerability at the Transition from School to Work
Authors: Möhring Julian Valentin
Published: April 2022

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, families have not only been seen as a place to recover from the demands of public life, but also as a constitutive element for particular vulnerabilities. Public life in general was greatly impacted by pandemic restrictions, thus, increasing the focus and visibility on dangers of regression and injury in one's own home. The article is based on narrative interviews, with emerging adults (18-27 years) who are hard to reach on their perception of the situation. 10 persons were interviewed initially in winter 2017/2018 and 10 other persons during the pandemic in the first half of 2021. This qualitative data was interpreted using the method of objective hermeneutics.Under a magnifying glass, it becomes clear how childhood experiences of injury and neglect by one's own family still influence the ability to cope with the demands placed on them during the transition from school to work. This display of vulnerability in the described experiences is interpreted with regard to the visibility and latency of vulnerability. Exploring the link between trust and vulnerability deepens an understanding of how harmful events in childhood still influence vocational opportunities after leaving school. Depending on their age, the interviewees concentrate on the changed position within the family towards their parents. In this interplay between socializing processes of detachment and the rise from a dependent position to one of responsibility, the retrospective evaluation of the family and what was previously familiar in the world of life assumes a central position.
The monodromy of unit-root F-isocrystals with geometric origin
Authors: Kramer-Miller Joe
Published: April 2022

Let $C$ be a smooth curve over a finite field of characteristic $p$ and let $M$ be an overconvergent $\mathbf {F}$-isocrystal over $C$. After replacing $C$ with a dense open subset, $M$ obtains a slope filtration. This is a purely $p$-adic phenomenon; there is no counterpart in the theory of lisse $\ell$-adic sheaves. The graded pieces of this slope filtration correspond to lisse $p$-adic sheaves, which we call geometric. Geometric lisse $p$-adic sheaves are mysterious, as there is no $\ell$-adic analogue. In this article, we study the monodromy of geometric lisse $p$-adic sheaves with rank one. More precisely, we prove exponential bounds on their ramification breaks. When the generic slopes of $M$ are integers, we show that the local ramification breaks satisfy a certain type of periodicity. The crux of the proof is the theory of $\mathbf {F}$-isocrystals with log-decay. We prove a monodromy theorem for these $\mathbf {F}$-isocrystals, as well as a theorem relating the slopes of $M$ to the rate of log-decay of the slope filtration. As a consequence of these methods, we provide a new proof of the Drinfeld–Kedlaya theorem for irreducible $\mathbf {F}$-isocrystals on curves.
Investigation of the Effect of Simulated Atmospheric Conditions at Different Altitudes on the Combustion Process in a Heavy-Duty Diesel Engine Based on Zero-Dimensional Modeling
Authors: Liu Zhentao , Liu Jinlong
Published: April 2022

Plateau diesel engines suffer from increased fuel consumption and deteriorating emissions. These problems were mainly caused by the combustion worsening inside the chamber. However, limited research has been done specifically on the effect of altitude on the combustion process of diesel engine cycles, which would obviate the feasibility of optimizing high altitude engines. As a result, the goal of this study was to apply the zero-dimensional modeling approach to deeply analyze the influence of altitude on diesel engine combustion. A triple Wiebe function model was calibrated based on the experimental results of a turbocharged direct injection compression ignition engine operating at simulated atmospheric conditions from sea level to 5000 meters, where only the effect of pressure reduction was considered, but the intake temperature and oxygen to nitrogen ratio were kept constant. The analyses indicated that the increase in altitude lengthened the ignition delay, resulting in more fuel fraction being burned in the premixed combustion stage and therefore extending the duration of this phase. As for the main mixing-controlled combustion phase, operation at high altitude retarded the combustion initiation angle, advanced the combustion end angle, shortened the burning duration, and reduced the diesel mass burned in this stage. Moreover, the higher altitude operation increased the energy release and prolonged the duration of the late combustion period, which was detrimental to clean emissions. All these impacts contributed to the reduced thermal and combustion efficiency of the highland engines. However, the engine phasing did not change with increasing altitude, suggesting that it was mainly the combustion degradation that caused the reduction in power output. Consequently, finding solutions to improve the spray formation quality or the spray spatial distribution in lower density backgrounds is the key to compensate for the altitude negative effects.
Experimental Study of Cyclic Variations of RCCI Diesel–Methanol Engines at Multiple Simulated Elevations
Authors: Li Jiehui , Zhang Weizhen
Published: April 2022

The cyclic variations of reactivity-controlled compression ignition (RCCI) combustion are studied in this work via experiments conducted in an in-house diesel–methanol dual-fuel (DMDF) engine at multiple simulated elevations. The test engine is maintained at 1800 rpm, with simulated elevations of 10, 700, and 1670 m. Engine load, methanol substitution rate (MSR), and injection parameters are varied to investigate their effects on cyclic variations at multiple elevations. We employ in-cylinder pressure parameters, such as the maximum pressure (Pmax) and indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP), to quantify cyclic variations. According to the results, the stability of DMDF combustion in plateau conditions displays a similar trend to that in plain conditions. However, with the increase in elevation, there is a significant increase in the Pmax coefficient of variation (COVPmax), while that of the IMEP (COVIMEP) shows an opposite trend. The distribution of crank angle at high elevations corresponding to Pmax tends to be more concentrated, and the increase in pilot injections reduces the COVPmax in the plateau environment. At all elevations, there is no effect of injection timing on COVIMEP, while COVPmax is more sensitive to injection timing (range from 10 deg CA before top dead center (BTDC) to 3 deg CA BTDC). Compared with other injection parameters, the cyclic variations caused by injection pressure (range from 92 MPa to 112 MPa) are relatively minor.
Static and Rotordynamic Characteristics for Two Types of Novel Hole-Pattern Seals Operating in Supercritical CO2 Turbomachinery
Authors: Li Zhigang , Li Zhuocong , Li Jun , Feng Zhenping
Published: April 2022

In this paper, two novel hole-pattern seals were assessed for applications at the balance piston in a 14 MW supercritical CO2 turbine, focusing on the improvement of the seal leakage and rotordynamic performances. These two novel hole-pattern seals were derived from the conventional straight-through hole-pattern seal (HPS) with the same sealing clearance, diameter, axial length, hole diameter and depth, including a stepped hole-pattern damper seal (SHPS) and a grooved hole-pattern damper seal (GHPS). To enhance the seal net damping capability at high inlet preswirl condition, a straight swirl brake also was designed and employed at seal entrance for each type seal. A comprehensive assessment and comparison was conducted on the conventional HPS and the present two novel hole-pattern seals (SHPS and GHPS) with a static concentric rotor. The leakage flow rates, rotordynamic force coefficients, cavity pressure, and swirl velocity developments were analyzed for three hole-pattern seal designs with/without swirl brakes at two inlet preswirl ratios (0.1, 0.5), using a transient computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-based perturbation method based on the multiple-frequency elliptical-orbit rotor whirling model and the mesh deformation technique. To take into account of real gas effect with high accuracy, a table look-up procedure based on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) database was implemented, using an in-house code, for the fluid properties of CO2 in both supercritical and subcritical conditions. Results show that the present two novel hole-pattern seals have better sealing capability, especially for the GHPS seal which leaks less by a factor of 44%. In general, the GHPS seal possesses the lowest positive effective stiffness, highest effective damping, and the lowest crossover frequency of 60–70 Hz, especially at high inlet preswirl case. From a viewpoint of the rotor stability and unbalance sensitivity analysis, the GHPS seal without entrance swirl brake is a better seal design scheme for the balance piston seal in sCO2 turbine.
Comparative Genomic Analysis of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Isolates from Passerines Reveals Two Lineages Circulating in Europe, New Zealand, and the United States
Authors: Fu Yezhi , M’ikanatha Nkuchia M. , Dudley Edward G.
Published: April 2022

Passerine-associated
S.
Typhimurium strains have been linked to human salmonellosis outbreaks in recent years. Here, we investigated the phylogenetic relationship of globally distributed passerine isolates and profiled their genomic similarity and diversity.
Potential of the Signal Peptide Derived from the
PAS_chr3_0030
Gene Product for Secretory Expression of Valuable Enzymes in
Pichia pastoris
Authors: Shen Qi , Zhou Xiao-Ting , Guo Qian , Xue Yu-Zhen , Xue Ya-Ping , Zheng Yu-Guo
Published: April 2022

Although
P. pastoris
is widely used for the secretory production of pharmaceutical proteins, its successful applications in the secretory production of industrial enzymes are limited. The α-mating factor pre-pro leader is the most widely used secretion signal in
P. pastoris
, but numerous industrial enzymes cannot be secreted using it.
Membrane Proteins and Proteomics of Cronobacter sakazakii Cells: Reliable Method for Identification and Subcellular Localization
Authors: Novotný Jiří , Svobodová Barbora , Šantrůček Jiří , Fukal Ladislav , Karamonová Ludmila
Published: April 2022

Cronobacter
spp. are opportunistic pathogens that can cause rare and, in many cases, life-threatening infections, such as meningitis, necrotizing enterocolitis, and sepsis. Such infections are mainly linked to the consumption of contaminated powdered infant formula, with
Cronobacter sakazakii
clonal complex 4 considered the most frequent agent of serious neonatal infection.
SUN2 Modulates the Propagation of HSV-1
Authors: Cruz-Palomar Kendra , Hawkins Josiane , Vandal Catherine , Quenneville Jordan , Gagnon Étienne , Lippé Roger
Published: April 2022

The large size of herpesviruses prevents them from travelling across the nuclear pores, and they instead egress across the two nuclear membranes, generating short-lived enveloped perinuclear virions. This poses a challenge as the perinuclear space is smaller than the virions.
Elucidating the Mechanisms of Action of Antimicrobial Agents
Authors: Hudson M. Ashley , Lockless Steve W.
Published: April 2022

Despite the ever-growing antibiotic resistance crisis, the rate at which new antimicrobials are being discovered and approved for human use has rapidly declined over the past 75 years. A barrier for advancing newly identified antibiotics beyond discovery is elucidating their mechanism(s) of action.
The Histone H1-Like Protein AlgP Facilitates Even Spacing of Polyphosphate Granules in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Chawla Ravi , Klupt Steven , Patsalo Vadim , Williamson James R. , Racki Lisa R.
Published: April 2022

The mechanisms underpinning polyP’s pleiotropic effects on bacterial starvation physiology remain elusive. This simple polyanion’s lack of protein binding specificity has impeded validation of bona fide polyP-binding proteins.
Advances in the Structural Biology, Mechanism, and Physiology of Cyclopropane Fatty Acid Modifications of Bacterial Membranes
Authors: Cronan John E. , Luk Tiit
Published: April 2022

Cyclopropane fatty acid (CFA) synthase catalyzes a remarkable reaction. The
cis
double bonds of unsaturated fatty acyl chains of phospholipid bilayers are converted to cyclopropane rings by transfer of a methylene moiety from S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM).
Genomic Evidence for the Recycling of Complex Organic Carbon by Novel
Thermoplasmatota
Clades in Deep-Sea Sediments
Authors: Zheng Peng-Fei , Wei Zhanfei , Zhou Yingli , Li Qingmei , Qi Zhao , Diao Xiaoping , Wang Yong
Published: April 2022

Deep oceans receive large amounts of complex organic carbon and anthropogenic pollutants. The deep-sea sediments of the continental slopes serve as the biggest carbon sink on Earth.
Multiplexed Strain Phenotyping Defines Consequences of Genetic Diversity in Mycobacterium tuberculosis for Infection and Vaccination Outcomes
Authors: Carey Allison F. , Wang Xin , Cicchetti Nico , Spaulding Caitlin N. , Liu Qingyun , Hopkins Forrest , Brown Jessica , Sixsmith Jaimie , Sutiwisesak Rujapak , Behar Samuel M. , Ioerger Thomas R. , Fortune Sarah M.
Published: April 2022

Tuberculosis, caused by the bacterium
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
, is a remarkably heterogeneous disease, a feature that complicates clinical care and public health interventions. The contributions of pathogen genetic diversity to this heterogeneity are uncertain, in part due to the challenges of experimentally manipulating
M. tuberculosis
, a slow-growing, biosafety level 3 organism.
Comprehensive Analysis of the Nocardia cyriacigeorgica Complex Reveals Five Species-Level Clades with Different Evolutionary and Pathogenicity Characteristics
Authors: Xu Shuai , Wei Ming , Li Gang , Li Zhenpeng , Che Yanlin , Han Lichao , Jia Wei , Li Fang , Li Dan , Li Zhenjun
Published: April 2022

Nocardia
species are opportunistic bacterial pathogens that can affect all organ systems, primarily the skin, lungs, and brain.
N. cyriacigeorgica
is the most prevalent species within the genus, exhibits clinical significance, and can cause severe infections when disseminated throughout the body. However, the evolution, diversity, and pathogenicity of
N. cyriacigeorgica
remain unclear.
Global Transcriptomic Analysis of Bacteriophage-Host Interactions between a Kayvirus Therapeutic Phage and Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Finstrlová Adéla , Mašlaňová Ivana , Blasdel Reuter Bob G. , Doškař Jiří , Götz Friedrich , Pantůček Roman
Published: April 2022

Bacterium
Staphylococcus aureus
is a common human and veterinary pathogen that causes mild to life-threatening infections. As strains of
S. aureus
are becoming increasingly resistant to multiple antibiotics, the need to search for new therapeutics is urgent.
The Association between Circulating microRNAs and the Risk of Active Disease Development from Latent Tuberculosis Infection: a Nested Case-Control Study
Authors: Xin Henan , Cao Xuefang , Du Ying , Yan Jiaoxia , He Rui , Liu Zisen , Zhang Haoran , He Yijun , Zhang Bin , Wang Dakuan , Guan Ling , Shen Fei , Feng Boxuan , Quan Zhusheng , He Yongpeng , Liu Jianmin , Jin Qi , Pan Shouguo , Gao Lei
Published: April 2022

Approximately a quarter of the world population are infected with
M. tuberculosis
and about 5% to 10% of these might develop active disease in their lifetime. Preventive treatment could effectively protect individuals at a high risk of developing active disease from LTBI, and is regarded as a critical component of End TB Strategies.
The Chronic Wound Phageome: Phage Diversity and Associations with Wounds and Healing Outcomes
Authors: Verbanic Samuel , Deacon John M. , Chen Irene A.
Published: April 2022

Chronic wounds are an increasing medical burden. These wounds are known to be rich in microbial content, including both bacteria and bacterial viruses (phages).
A Flight of the Proton-M Launch Vehicle Carrying the Yamal-601 Satellite: Optical Effects Observed in a Distant Zone of the Launch Site
Authors: Mikhalev A. V. , Beletskii A. B. , Lebedev V. P. , Syrenova T. E. , Khakhinov V. V.
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we consider disturbances in the airglow of the Earth’s upper atmosphere caused by a launch of the Yamal-601 satellite on May 30, 2019. For this purpose, we used the data acquired with an optical system of the Institute of Solar−Terrestrial Physics, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences (ISTP SB RAS). The measurements were carried out at the Geophysical Observatory (GPO) of the ISTP SB RAS (~52° N, ~103° E) with a complex of optical instruments—a whole-sky camera, a spectrograph, and a Fabry–Pérot interferometer. According to the data of the KЕО Sentinel camera, an extensive area of airglow was observed along the flightpath; it appeared approximately 2−4 min after the spacecraft’s passage over the GPO and existed for ~20 min. A transversal scale of the spacecraft’s flightpath is estimated approximately as 95–110 km if the spontaneous-emission altitude is assumed to be at ~150 km (and it is about 190–220 km if the spontaneous-emission altitude is ~300 km). We discuss the mechanisms that may result in forming the observed area of airglow, including the mechanisms connected with the physical and chemical interaction of fuel products with atmospheric components and the influence of propagation of a shock wave or short-period internal gravitational waves. Probable causes of the delay observed in appearing the airglow after the spacecraft’s flyby are analyzed.
Parkinson’s disease, temporomandibular disorder pain and bruxism and its clinical consequences: a protocol of a single-centre observational outpatient study
Authors: Verhoeff Merel Charlotte , Koutris Michail , Berendse Henk W , van Dijk Karin D , Lobbezoo F
Published: April 2022

Introduction

A recent questionnaire-based study suggested that bruxism and painful temporomandibular disorders (TMD pain) may be more prevalent in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) compared with controls. The presence of both bruxism and TMD pain may negatively influence patients’ quality of life. The present study is designed to clinically and more objectively investigate the presence of bruxism and TMD pain in patients with PD. The secondary aim of the study is to identify factors associated with bruxism and TMD pain in patients with PD, such as disease severity and dopaminergic medication usage. Furthermore, the presence of tooth wear in patients with PD will be studied as this can be a major consequence of bruxism. Finally, deviations in saliva composition that may contribute to tooth wear will be studied.

Methods and analysis

This is a single-centre observational outpatient study at the Amsterdam University Medical Centres, location VUmc. All patients with a clinical diagnosis of PD will be eligible for inclusion. Participants will fill in a set of questionnaires. Subsequently, patients will be examined clinically for, among others, TMD pain, presence and severity of tooth wear, and deviations in saliva composition. Sleep-time registrations will take place for 5 nights with the GrindCare GC4 (ie, a portable, single-channel electromyographic recorder) to assess sleep bruxism and simultaneously by the use of the BruxApp for 5 days to assess awake bruxism. We will partly use data collected during standard clinical care to minimise patient burden.

Ethics and dissemination

The scientific and ethical aspects of this study protocol have been approved by the Medical Ethics Review Committee of the Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc; NL. 2019.143. Informed consent will be obtained from all participants. The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal, if relevant presented at conferences, and published as part of a PhD thesis.

Trial registration number

NL8307.
Balance on the Brain: a randomised controlled trial evaluating the effect of a multimodal exercise programme on physical performance, falls, quality of life and cognition for people with mild cognitive impairment—study protocol
Authors: Burton Elissa , Hill Keith , Ellis Kathryn A , Hill Anne-Marie , Lowry Meggen , Moorin Rachael , McVeigh Joanne A , Jacques Angela , Erickson Kirk I , Tate Joel , Bernard Sarah , Orr Carolyn F , Bongiascia Luke , Clarnette Roger , Clark Melanie L , Williams Shannon , Lautenschlager Nicola
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Exercise and physical activity have been shown to improve cognition for people living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). There is strong evidence for the benefits of aerobic exercise and medium evidence for participating in regular strength training for people with MCI. However, people living with MCI fall two times as often as those without cognitive impairment and the evidence is currently unknown as to whether balance training for people with MCI is beneficial, as has been demonstrated for older people without cognitive impairment. The aim of this study is to determine whether a balance-focused multimodal exercise intervention improves balance and reduces falls for people with MCI, compared with a control group receiving usual care.

Methods and analysis

This single blind randomised controlled trial (Balance on the Brain) will be offered to 396 people with MCI living in the community. The multimodal exercise intervention consists of two balance programmes and a walking programme to be delivered by physiotherapists over a 6-month intervention period. All participants will be followed up over 12 months (for the intervention group, this involves 6-month intervention and 6-month maintenance). The primary outcomes are (1) balance performance and (2) rate of falls. Physical performance, levels of physical activity and sedentary behaviour, quality of life and cognition are secondary outcomes. A health economic analysis will be undertaken to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the intervention compared with usual care.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval has been received from the South Metropolitan Health Service Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC), Curtin University HREC and the Western Australia Department of Health HREC; and approval has been received to obtain data for health costings from Services Australia. The results will be disseminated through peer-review publications, conference presentations and online platforms.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12620001037998; Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR).
Using qualitative methods in pilot and feasibility trials to inform recruitment and retention processes in full-scale randomised trials: a qualitative evidence synthesis
Authors: Elfeky Adel , Treweek Shaun , Hannes Karin , Bruhn Hanne , Fraser Cynthia , Gillies Katie
Published: April 2022

Objectives

To systematically review published pretrial qualitative research studies and explore how their findings were used to inform recruitment and retention processes in full-scale trials.

Design

Qualitative evidence synthesis using thematic analysis.

Data sources and eligibility criteria

We conducted a comprehensive search of databases; Dissertation Abstracts International, CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, Sociological Abstracts and PsycINFO. We included all reports of pretrial qualitative data on recruitment and retention in clinical trials up to March 2018.

Data extraction and synthesis

Two authors independently extracted data using a predefined data extraction form that captured study aims, design, methodological approach and main findings, including barriers and facilitators to recruitment and or retention. The synthesis was undertaken using Thomas and Harden’s thematic synthesis method and reported following the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research guidelines. Confidence was assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation-Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research approach.

Results

Thirty-five papers (connected to 31 feasibility studies) from three different countries, published between 2010 and 2017 were included. All studies were embedded in pilot or feasibility studies to inform design aspects in preparation for a subsequent full-scale trial. Twelve themes were identified as recruitment barriers and three as recruitment facilitators. Two themes were identified as barriers for retention and none as retention facilitators. The findings from qualitative research in feasibility or pilot trials are often not explicitly linked to proposed changes to the recruitment and retention strategies to be used in the future or planned full-scale trial.

Conclusions

Many trial teams do pretrial qualitative work with the aim of improving recruitment and retention in future full-scale trials. Just over half of all reports of such work do not clearly show how their findings will change the recruitment and retention strategy of the future trial. The scope of pretrial work needs to expand beyond looking for problems and also look for what might help and spend more time on retention.
Impacts of using different standard populations in calculating age-standardised death rates when age-speciﬁc death rates in the populations being compared do not have a consistent relationship: a cross-sectional population-based observational study on US state HIV death rates
Authors: Tai Shu-Yu , Liang Fu-Wen , Hng Yen-Yee , Lo Yi-Hsuan , Lu Tsung-Hsueh
Published: April 2022

Objective

To examine if the rankings of state HIV age-standardised death rates (SDRs) would be different if different standard populations (SPs) were used when age-speciﬁc death rates (ASDRs) in states being compared do not have a consistent relationship.

Design

A cross-sectional population-based observational study.

Setting

36 states in the USA.

Participants

Residents living in the 36 states.

Main outcome measures

HIV SDR by state using two SPs, namely US2000 and US2020.

Results

US HIV ASDR by state did not have consistent relationships. Of 36 states analysed, the HIV death rates of people aged 55–64 years were higher than people aged 45–54 years in 20 states; on the contrary, the HIV death rates of people aged 55–64 years were lower than people aged 45–54 years in 16 states. No change in ranking in 19 states and change in ranking in 17 states. Of the 17 states whose rankings changed, the rankings of 9 states calculated using US2000 were higher (lower SDR) than those calculated using US2020; in 8 states, the rankings were lower (higher SDR). The states with the greatest changes in rankings between US2000 and US2020 were Kentucky (12th and 9th, respectively) and Massachusetts (8th and 11th, respectively).

Conclusions

Calculating SDR using elder SP (US2020) would disproportionately increase the SDR in states with peak HIV death rate in older adults than those used younger SP (US2000).
Emergency department antimicrobial use in a low-resource setting: results from a retrospective observational study at a referral hospital in Liberia
Authors: Yi Sojung , Ramachandran Anu , Epps Lane , Mayah Alex , Burkholder Taylor W , Jaung Michael Senyu , Haider Ahson , Whesseh Paul , Shakpeh John , Enriquez Kayla , Bills Corey
Published: April 2022

Objective

Data on antimicrobial use in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) remain limited. In Liberia, the absence of local data impedes surveillance and may lead to suboptimal treatment, injudicious use and resistance against antimicrobials. This study aims to examine antimicrobial prescribing patterns for patients in the emergency department (ED) of a large Liberian public hospital. Secondarily, this prescribing was compared with WHO prescribing indicators.

Design

Retrospective observational study.

Setting

An adult ED of a large public hospital in Monrovia, Liberia.

Participants

A total of 1082 adult patients (>18 years of age) were recorded in the ED, from 1 January to 30 June 2019.

Main outcome measures

Number, type and name of antimicrobials ordered per patient were presented as number and percentages, with comparison to known WHO prescribing indicators. Pearson χ2 tests were used to assess patient variables and trends in medication use.

Results

Of the total patients, 44.0% (n=476) were female and the mean age was 40.2 years (SD=17.4). An average of 2.78 (SD=2.02) medicines were prescribed per patient encounter. At least one antimicrobial was ordered for 64.5% encounters (n=713) and two or more antimicrobials for 35.7% (n=386). All antimicrobial orders in our sample used the generic name. Ceftriaxone, metronidazole and ampicillin were the most common and accounted for 61.2% (n=743) of antimicrobial prescriptions. The majority (99.9%, n=1211) of antimicrobials prescribed were from the WHO Essential Drugs List.

Conclusion

This study is one of the first on ED-specific antimicrobial use in LMICs. We revealed a high rate of antimicrobial prescription, regardless of patient demographic or diagnosis. While empiric antimicrobial use is justified in certain acute clinical scenarios, the high rate from this setting warrants further investigation. The results of this study underscore the importance of ED surveillance to develop targeted antimicrobial stewardship interventions and improve patient care.
A pilot multicentre cluster randomised trial to compare the effect of trauma life support training programmes on patient and provider outcomes
Authors: Gerdin Wärnberg Martin , Berg Johanna , Bhandarkar Prashant , Chatterjee Anirban , Chatterjee Shamita , Chintamani Chintamani , Felländer-Tsai Li , Gadgil Anita , Ghag Geeta , Hasselberg Marie , Juillard Catherine , Khajanchi Monty , Kizhakke Veetil Deepa , Kumar Vineet , Kundu Debabrata , Mishra Anurag , Patil Priti , Roy Nobhojit , Roy Amit , David Siddarth , Singh Rajdeep , Solomon Harris , Soni Kapil Dev , Strömmer Lovisa , Tandon Megha
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Trauma accounts for nearly 10% of the global burden of disease. Several trauma life support programmes aim to improve trauma outcomes. There is no evidence from controlled trials to show the effect of these programmes on patient outcomes. We describe the protocol of a pilot study that aims to assess the feasibility of conducting a cluster randomised controlled trial comparing advanced trauma life support (ATLS) and primary trauma care (PTC) with standard care.

Methods and analysis

We will pilot a pragmatic three-armed parallel, cluster randomised controlled trial in India, where neither of these programmes are routinely taught. We will recruit tertiary hospitals and include trauma patients and residents managing these patients. Two hospitals will be randomised to ATLS, two to PTC and two to standard care. The primary outcome will be all-cause mortality at 30 days from the time of arrival to the emergency department. Our secondary outcomes will include patient, provider and process measures. All outcomes except time-to-event outcomes will be measured both as final values as well as change from baseline. We will compare outcomes in three combinations of trial arms: ATLS versus PTC, ATLS versus standard care and PTC versus standard care using absolute and relative differences along with associated CIs. We will conduct subgroup analyses across the clinical subgroups men, women, blunt multisystem trauma, penetrating trauma, shock, severe traumatic brain injury and elderly. In parallel to the pilot study, we will conduct community consultations to inform the planning of the full-scale trial.

Ethics and dissemination

We will apply for ethics approvals to the local institutional review board in each hospital. The protocol will be published to Clinical Trials Registry—India and ClinicalTrials.gov. The results will be published and the anonymised data and code for analysis will be released publicly.
The early story of growth hormone-releasing factor in rats, swine, and cattle
Authors: Morisset Jean
Published: April 2022

Following the discovery of the growth hormone-releasing factor from a human pancreatic tumor by the group of Guillemin at the Salk Institute in California, research on this factor has exploded. This review article is focused on the results obtained early after this discovery and summarizes the biological effects of this releasing factor on the rat digestive system development and above all on pig, steer, and gilt growth as well as on milk production in lactating sows and cows.
Subnetwork Preclusion of (n,k)-Star Networks
Authors: Feng Kai
Published: April 2022

The [Formula: see text]-star graph [Formula: see text], which is introduced to address scaling issues of the star graph, is recognized as an attractive interconnection network topology for building multiprocessor systems because of its desirable properties. Let [Formula: see text] be the minimum number of faulty vertices that make every subgraph isomorphic to [Formula: see text] faulty in [Formula: see text] under vertex-failure model, where [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we prove that [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text].
Dynamics of the “Cognitive” Brain Wave P3b at Rest for Alzheimer Dementia Prediction in Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Porcaro Camillo , Vecchio Fabrizio , Miraglia Francesca , Zito Giancarlo , Rossini Paolo Maria
Published: April 2022

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia that involves a progressive and irrevocable decline in cognitive abilities and social behavior, thus annihilating the patient’s autonomy. The theoretical assumption that disease-modifying drugs are most effective in the early stages hopefully in the prodromal stage called mild cognitive impairment (MCI) urgently pushes toward the identification of robust and individualized markers of cognitive decline to establish an early pharmacological intervention. This requires the combination of well-established neural mechanisms and the development of increasingly sensitive methodologies. Among the neurophysiological markers of attention and cognition, one of the sub-components of the ‘cognitive brain wave’ P300 recordable in an odd-ball paradigm -namely the P3b- is extensively regarded as a sensitive indicator of cognitive performance. Several studies have reliably shown that changes in the amplitude and latency of the P3b are strongly related to cognitive decline and aging both healthy and pathological. Here, we used a P3b spatial filter to enhance the electroencephalographic (EEG) characteristics underlying 175 subjects divided into 135 MCI subjects, 20 elderly controls (EC), and 20 young volunteers (Y). The Y group served to extract the P3b spatial filter from EEG data, which was later applied to the other groups during resting conditions with eyes open and without being asked to perform any task. The group of 135 MCI subjects could be divided into two subgroups at the end of a month follow-up: 75 with stable MCI (MCI-S, not converted to AD), 60 converted to AD (MCI-C). The P3b spatial filter was built by means of a signal processing method called Functional Source Separation (FSS), which increases signal-to-noise ratio by using a weighted sum of all EEG recording channels rather than relying on a single, or a small sub-set, of channels.

A clear difference was observed for the P3b dynamics at rest between groups. Moreover, a machine learning approach showed that P3b at rest could correctly distinguish MCI from EC (80.6% accuracy) and MCI-S from MCI-C (74.1% accuracy), with an accuracy as high as 93.8% in discriminating between MCI-C and EC. Finally, a comparison of the Bayes factor revealed that the group differences among MCI-S and MCI-C were 138 times more likely to be detected using the P3b dynamics compared with the best performing single electrode (Pz) approach.

In conclusion, we propose that P3b as measured through spatial filters can be safely regarded as a simple and sensitive marker to predict the conversion from an MCI to AD status eventually combined with other non-neurophysiological biomarkers for a more precise definition of dementia having neuropathological Alzheimer characteristics.
Whale optimization algorithm based on Levy flight and memory for static smooth path planning
Authors: Zong Xinlu , Liu Jiajie , Ye Zhiwei , Liu Yin
Published: April 2022

In this paper, a whale optimization algorithm based on Levy flight and memory (WOALFM) is proposed to solve the curvature discontinuity problem in the global path planning of unmanned vehicles. Levy flight and chaotic mapping are introduced to disturb the solutions of each generation and enhance the diversity of solutions. A memory strategy based on fractional-order expansion is presented to remember the influence of the positions of individuals in previous generations on the positions of current generation. This strategy based on Levey flight and memory can enhance searching ability and avoid falling into local optimum. Furthermore, the ratio of global searching to local searching can be adjusted to achieve desired results in WOALFM algorithm. The proposed WOALFM algorithm is tested and compared with five algorithms including whale optimization algorithm (WOA), Moth-Flame Optimization (MFO), particle swarm optimization (PSO), Fractional-Order Velocity based Particle Swarm Optimization (FOPSO) and Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO) on 23 standard benchmark functions. The experimental results show the effectiveness of WOALFM. The proposed algorithm is applied to smooth path planning problem of unmanned vehicles. Three factors, including the length, curvature and curvature derivative of a path are considered in order to obtain the shortest smooth path without collisions. The experimental results show that more collision-free paths can be obtained in lower computational cost by the presented method.
Parallel Machines Scheduling with Deteriorating Maintenance Activities and Job Rejection
Authors: Zou Juan , Sui Yu-Kang , Gao Jie , Zhang Xian-Zhao
Published: April 2022

We consider parallel identical machines scheduling problems with deteriorating maintenance activities and the option of job rejection. Each machine has at most one deteriorating maintenance activity. The length of each maintenance activity increases linearly with its starting time. The location of the maintenance activity on each machine needs to be determined. The goal is to find the sequence of jobs to minimize scheduling cost; we further the model by allowing job rejection. A job is either accepted and processed on one of machines, or rejected. The goal is to determine the sequence of the accepted jobs to minimize scheduling cost of the accepted jobs plus total rejection penalty of the rejected jobs. When the scheduling cost is the makespan, we design a pseudo-polynomial time algorithm, a 2-approximation algorithm and a fully polynomial time approximation scheme. When the scheduling cost is the total completion time, we provide a polynomial time algorithm for the problem. When the scheduling costs are the total weighted completion time under the agreeable ratio assumption and the maximum lateness, we present pseudo-polynomial time algorithms to solve these problems, respectively.
Foreword to this special issue
Authors: Giuggioli Luca , Tiwari Mukesh , Sen Surajit
Published: April 2022

This foreword is to introduce the reason for this special issue of the journal. Professor Vasudev Mangesh (Nitant) Kenkre has had a distinguished career as a statistical physicist, teacher, educator and a magnet for a great many statistical physicists from around the world across nearly five decades. This volume is to celebrate Nitant’s work. The contributors are mostly his former students, friends and collaborators. This foreword captures a fraction of what Nitant means to us.
Identification of topological measures of visibility graphs for analyzing transitions in complex time series
Authors: Tiwari Mukesh , Wong Yiu-Man
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we investigate signatures of variation in the behavior of correlated time series by analyzing changes in the topological properties of the corresponding visibility graph. Variations in six different network measures: assortativity, average path length, clustering, transitivity, density, and the average of the mean link length, are explored. We construct visibility graphs from the original and the magnitude and sign of its increment series. Both the horizontal and the natural visibility graphs are studied. Through extensive numerical studies on the time series of fractional Brownian motion (fBm), we first identify network measures that can reflect the changes in correlations in the time series. The efficacy of these markers is examined to identify the transitions in two systems, a two-dimensional (2D) Ising spin system and EEG data with seizures. While all the identified network measures capture the change in the thermal equilibrium correlations for the Ising spin system, they have limited success in the case of the time-dependent fluctuations in the EEG data. We identify some markers relevant to detecting seizures in the EEG data set.
First-principles study of electronic structure and optical and mechanical properties of SiGeSn alloy
Authors: Zhang Xiaoying , Wen Shumin
Published: April 2022

The unique optical properties of SiGeSn alloy contribute to its remarkable potential in Si photonics applications. In this paper, the first-principles plane-wave super-soft pseudo-potential generalized gradient approximation [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] method was used to investigate the 96-atom supercell structure of Si[Formula: see text]Ge[Formula: see text]Sn[Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]) alloy. The lattice constants, electronic structure, mechanical properties and optical properties of the alloy were discussed. Results show that the lattice constant increases, the bandgap width decreases, resist external forces is weakened, and the bulk is easily deformed of Si[Formula: see text]Ge[Formula: see text]Sn[Formula: see text] alloy with the increase in silicon-tin content. The dielectric function, refractive index, and photoconductivity of Si[Formula: see text]Ge[Formula: see text]Sn[Formula: see text] alloy vary with the concentration of silicon and tin. The increase in silicon-tin concentration leads to an increase in infrared (IR) light absorption, resulting in a red shift. The effective mass of the electron decreases, the effective mass of the hole increases in the alloy, and the ratio [Formula: see text] gradually increases, indicating that the carrier life is prolonged with the increase in Si and Sn concentrations.
Multi-band simultaneous fits of transport data on p-type ScNiSb with including impurity conduction
Authors: Kajikawa Yasutomo
Published: April 2022

The experimental data of the electrical conductivity [Formula: see text] and the Seebeck coefficient [Formula: see text] in the temperature range from 2 K to 950 K, together with those of the Hall coefficient [Formula: see text] in the temperature range from 2 K to 300 K, on the polycrystalline sample of [Formula: see text]-type ScNiSb reported by Ciesielski et al. [Phys. Rev. Appl. 14, 054046 (2020)] have been critically analyzed with including both nearest-neighbor and Mott variable-range hopping (VRH) conduction. Through the simultaneous fits to the experimental data of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], various transport parameters such as the bandgap energy, the effective masses of holes and electrons, and the electron-to-hole mobility ratio, are deduced together with the ionization energy and the concentration of the acceptor level. It is shown that nearest-neighbor hopping (NNH) conduction exhibits a significant effect on the Seebeck coefficient at low temperatures while VRH conduction has an only small effect on it. Contrary to the speculation by Ciesielski et al., the electron mobility is proved to be lower than the hole mobility.