bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strain softening of concentrated cohesive particulate suspensions prior to yield
Authors: Kusuma Tiara E. , Scales Peter J. , Buscall Richard , Lester Daniel R. , Stickland Anthony D.
Published: March 2021

We study the viscoelastic solid properties of cohesive particulate suspensions using creep and constant rate tests in a vane-in-large-cup geometry. A cup-to-vane diameter ratio larger than 4 is used to ensure that wall effects are minimized. In both the creep and constant rate tests, the modulus becomes nonlinear at strains consistent with scaled interparticle bond distances. Yielding and subsequent flow do not occur until strains of order 1, corresponding to a cage melting or particle crowding failure mechanism. In between the bond and cage melting strains, the modulus shows power-law softening with an index of approximately −0.8, corresponding to progressive bond breakage. The observed behavior in creep correlates with constant rate experiments and demonstrates that strain softening of the modulus prior to yielding is an important component of the rheology of particulate gels and suspensions. The assumption of linear behavior up to yielding appears to be inappropriate. We observe that the transient creep behavior initially shows power-law or Andrade creep that transforms to an exponential decay at long times. For creep stresses that show time-dependent yield, the break time decreases exponentially with stress.
Effect of 8 Weeks of Incremental Aerobic Training on Inflammatory Mediators, Cardiorespiratory Indices, and Functional Capacity in Obese Children With Bronchial Asthma
Authors: Elnaggar Ragab K. , Shendy Mohammed A. , Elfakharany Mahmoud S.
Published: March 2021

Purpose: To appraise the effects of incremental aerobic training (IAT) on systemic inflammatory mediators, cardiorespiratory indices, and functional capacity in obese children with bronchial asthma. Methods: This study included 30 children with asthma (age = 8–16 y) allocated randomly into either the control group (n = 15; received the traditional pulmonary rehabilitation program) or IAT group (n = 15; engaged in 8 weeks of IAT in addition to the traditional pulmonary rehabilitation program). The systemic inflammatory mediators (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and interleukin-6), cardiorespiratory indices (peak oxygen uptake, minute ventilation, maximum heart rate, heart rate recovery at 1 min after exercises, and oxygen pulse), and functional capacity (represented by 6-min walk test) were analyzed pretreatment and posttreatment. Results: A significant reduction in the level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 and increase in peak oxygen uptake, minute ventilation, maximum heart rate, and heart rate recovery at 1 minute after exercises was observed among the IAT group as compared with the control group. In addition, the IAT group covered a longer distance in the 6-minute walk test than the control group, suggesting favorable functional capacity. Conclusion: The study results imply that IAT has the potential to improve the inflammatory profile, cardiorespiratory fitness, and functional capacity of obese children with bronchial asthma.
Sizing up a green carbon sink
Authors: Popkin Gabriel
Published: March 2021

Studies zero in on forests' potential to fight warming.
Seeking a niche
Authors: Kaiser Jocelyn
Published: March 2021

Costa Rica is producing a new generation of skilled tropical biologists. But many can't find jobs at home.
A cortex-like canonical circuit in the avian forebrain
Authors: Stacho Martin , Herold Christina , Rook Noemi , Wagner Hermann , Axer Markus , Amunts Katrin , Güntürkün Onur
Published: March 2021

Basic principles of bird and mammal brains

Mammals can be very smart. They also have a brain with a cortex. It has thus often been assumed that the advanced cognitive skills of mammals are closely related to the evolution of the cerebral cortex. However, birds can also be very smart, and several bird species show amazing cognitive abilities. Although birds lack a cerebral cortex, they do have pallium, and this is considered to be analogous, if not homologous, to the cerebral cortex. An outstanding feature of the mammalian cortex is its layered architecture. In a detailed anatomical study of the bird pallium, Stacho
et al.
describe a similarly layered architecture. Despite the nuclear organization of the bird pallium, it has a cyto-architectonic organization that is reminiscent of the mammalian cortex.

Science
, this issue p.
eabc5534
The endoplasmic reticulum P5A-ATPase is a transmembrane helix dislocase
Authors: McKenna Michael J. , Sim Sue Im , Ordureau Alban , Wei Lianjie , Harper J. Wade , Shao Sichen , Park Eunyong
Published: March 2021

Dissecting membrane dislocation

Mistargeting and misinsertion of membrane proteins causes proteostasis stress and dysfunction of intracellular organelles, which can lead to disease. McKenna
et al.
found that a conserved orphan P-type adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) transporter removes misinserted transmembrane segments from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Functional reconstitutions and cryo–electron microscopy structures show how this ATPase selectively extracts mitochondrial proteins that are mistargeted to the ER and transmembrane segments that are inserted in the wrong orientation. This work identifies polypeptides as a new class of P-type ATPase substrates and defines a new protein quality-control mechanism at the ER.

Science
, this issue p.
eabc5809
Understanding quantum cause and effect
Synchronicity
Paul Halpern
Basic Books, 2020. 304 pp.
Authors: Stairs Allen
Published: March 2021

Correlations at a distance needn't necessarily be “spooky”
The last pieces of a puzzling early meeting
Authors: Schierup Mikkel Heide
Published: March 2021

Y chromosomes transferred from
Homo sapiens
to Neanderthals between 350,000 to 150,000 years ago
The Penicillin-Binding Protein PbpP Is a Sensor of β-Lactams and Is Required for Activation of the Extracytoplasmic Function σ Factor σ
P
in Bacillus thuringiensis
Authors: Nauta Kelsie M. , Ho Theresa D. , Ellermeier Craig D.
Published: March 2021

The bacterial cell envelope is the target for numerous antibiotics. Many antibiotics target the synthesis of peptidoglycan, which is a central metabolic pathway essential for bacterial survival.
Acute coronary thrombosis as a complication of COVID-19
Authors: Genovese Leonard , Ruiz Daniel , Tehrani Behnam , Sinha Shashank
Published: March 2021

COVID-19 has varied cardiovascular manifestations including microvascular and macrovascular thrombi leading to multiorgan system injury and failure. This case describes a patient presenting with acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure from COVID-19 who abruptly developed a large thrombus in the right coronary artery leading to myocardial infarction. This case report reviews the ECG, heart catheterisation images prepercutaneous and postpercutaneous coronary intervention, critical care management and outcome in the context of the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Virginia area. A brief review of relevant literature regarding cardiovascular complications of COVID-19 is also provided. Unfortunately, the patient ultimately passed after 2 weeks of inability to wean off the ventilator.
Acute coronary syndrome leading to a new diagnosis of phaeochromocytoma following a profound intraprocedural hypertensive surge
Authors: Graby John , Goh Zi Wei , Haya Naik , Carson Kevin
Published: March 2021

Phaeochromocytomas are rare neuroendocrine tumours, which can significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. They are also recognised as ‘the great mimic’ and can present in many ways. A 42-year-old male patient presented with a non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome and was medically treated pending an invasive coronary angiogram. During this procedure, he suffered a profound, symptomatic hypertensive surge documented with invasive pressure monitoring. This raised concern for potential secondary causes of hypertension, particularly given his age. He was subsequently diagnosed with a phaeochromocytoma, and after surgical resection of the tumour, his blood pressure control improved and he remains on single therapy only. As clinicians, it is important to remain alert for previously undiagnosed comorbidities contributing to common pathology, including rare, but life-threatening conditions as we present in this case.
Polymorphisms of the cytomegalovirus glycoprotein B genotype in patients with Posner-Schlossman syndrome
Authors: Zhai Ruyi , Wang Zhujian , Sheng Qilian , Fan Xintong , Kong Xiangmei , Sun Xinghuai
Published: March 2021

Aims

The aim of this observational study was to report the distribution of glycoprotein B (gB) genotypes in the eyes of cytomegalovirus (CMV) positive patients with Posner-Schlossman syndrome (PSS), and to investigate their clinical characteristics and outcomes.

Methods

We collected aqueous humour samples from 165 patients clinically diagnosed with PSS between 2017 and 2019. PCR was performed to analyse the CMV DNA and identify the gB genotypes in the samples. Clinical characteristics and responses to antiviral treatment were compared among patients with different gB genotypes.

Results

CMV DNA was detected in 94 (56.97%) of the 165 aqueous humour specimens analysed. Owing to the quantity requirement for CMV gB genotype analysis, results could be obtained from only 14 specimens. CMV gB type 1 was detected in 11 samples (78.6%), whereas CMV gB type 3 was detected in three samples (21.4%). No other gB genotypes or mixed genotypes were detected. Overall, 9.1% (1/11) of the patients in the gB type 1 group and 66.7% (2/3) of the patients in the gB type 3 group had bilateral attacks (p=0.093). The concentration of anti-CMV immunoglobulin G (IgG) in the type 1 group was 0.94±0.79 s/co (ratio of aqueous humour CMV IgG/serum CMV IgG to aqueous humour albumin concentration/serum albumin concentration), whereas that in the type 3 group was 0.67±0.71 s/co.

Conclusion

Genotype 1 was the most prevalent genotype in the aqueous humour of CMV-infected patients with PSS. Bilateral attack was predominant among patients with gB genotype 3. CMV gB gene may be related to the pathogenicity of CMV virus strain in patients with PSS.
Are depressive symptoms associated with quality of care in diabetes? Findings from a nationwide population-based study
Authors: Jung Andreas , Du Yong , Nübel Julia , Busch Markus A , Heidemann Christin , Scheidt-Nave Christa , Baumert Jens
Published: March 2021

Introduction

We investigated whether the presence of depressive symptoms among adults with diagnosed diabetes is associated with adverse quality of diabetes care.

Research design and methods

The study population was drawn from the German national health survey ‘German Health Update’ 2014/2015-European Health Interview Survey and included 1712 participants aged ≥18 years with self-reported diabetes during the past 12 months. Depressive symptoms in the past 2 weeks were assessed by the eight-item depression module of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8), with PHQ-8 sum score values ≥10 indicating current depressive symptoms. We selected 12 care indicators in diabetes based on self-reported information on care processes and outcomes. Associations of depressive symptoms with those indicators were examined in multivariable logistic regression models with stepwise adjustments.

Results

Overall, 15.6% of adults with diagnosed diabetes reported depressive symptoms, which were higher in women than in men (18.7% vs 12.9%). Adjusted for age, sex, education, social support, health-related behaviors, and diabetes duration, adults with depressive symptoms were more likely to report acute hypoglycemia (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.13 to 2.88) or hyperglycemia (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.30 to 3.37) in the past 12 months, long-term diabetes complications (OR 2.30, 95% CI 1.55 to 3.39) as well as currently having a diet plan (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.39 to 3.29) than adults without depressive symptoms. Significant associations between depressive symptoms and other care indicators were not observed.

Conclusions

The present population-based study of adults with diagnosed diabetes indicates an association between depressive symptoms and adverse diabetes-specific care with respect to outcome but largely not to process indicators. Our findings underline the need for intensified care for persons with diabetes and depressive symptoms. Future research needs to identify underlying mechanisms with a focus on the inter-relationship between diabetes, depression and diabetes-related distress.
Impact of social isolation on mortality and morbidity in 20 high-income, middle-income and low-income countries in five continents
Authors: Naito Ryo , Leong Darryl P , Bangdiwala Shrikant Ishver , McKee Martin , Subramanian S V , Rangarajan Sumathy , Islam Shofiqul , Avezum Alvaro , Yeates Karen E , Lear Scott A , Gupta Rajeev , Yusufali Afzalhussein , Dans Antonio L , Szuba Andrzej , Alhabib Khalid F , Kaur Manmeet , Rahman Omar , Seron Pamela , Diaz Rafael , Puoane Thandi , Liu Weida , Zhu Yibing , Sheng Yundong , Lopez-Jaramillo Patricio , Chifamba Jephat , Rosnah Ismail , Karsidag Kubilay , Kelishadi Roya , Rosengren Annika , Khatib Rasha , K R Leela Itty Amma , Azam Syed Iqbal , Teo Koon , Yusuf Salim
Published: March 2021

Objective

To examine the association between social isolation and mortality and incident diseases in middle-aged adults in urban and rural communities from high-income, middle-income and low-income countries.

Design

Population-based prospective observational study.

Setting

Urban and rural communities in 20 high income, middle income and low income.

Participants

119 894 community-dwelling middle-aged adults.

Main outcome measures

Associations of social isolation with mortality, cardiovascular death, non-cardiovascular death and incident diseases.

Results

Social isolation was more common in middle-income and high-income countries compared with low-income countries, in urban areas than rural areas, in older individuals and among women, those with less education and the unemployed. It was more frequent among smokers and those with a poorer diet. Social isolation was associated with greater risk of mortality (HR of 1.26, 95% CI: 1.17 to 1.36), incident stroke (HR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.40), cardiovascular disease (HR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.25) and pneumonia (HR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.09 to 1.37), but not cancer. The associations between social isolation and mortality were observed in populations in high-income, middle-income and low-income countries (HR (95% CI): 1.69 (1.32 to 2.17), 1.27 (1.15 to 1.40) and 1.47 (1.25 to 1.73), respectively, interaction p=0.02). The HR associated with social isolation was greater in men than women and in younger than older individuals. Mediation analyses for the association between social isolation and mortality showed that unhealthy behaviours and comorbidities may account for about one-fifth of the association.

Conclusion

Social isolation is associated with increased risk of mortality in countries at different economic levels. The increasing share of older people in populations in many countries argues for targeted strategies to mitigate its adverse effects.
Empirical study of the 30-s chair-stand test as an indicator for musculoskeletal disorder risk of sedentary behaviour in Japanese office workers: a cross-sectional empirical study
Authors: Arimoto Azusa , Ishikawa Shoko , Tadaka Etsuko
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Sedentary behaviour among office workers and the risk of adverse health outcomes are public health problems. However, risk indicators for these outcomes require invasive biochemical examination. A proactive screening tool using a non-invasive, easy-to-use method is required to assess the risk focused on musculoskeletal health for primary prevention. However, middle-aged adults have insufficient awareness of musculoskeletal disorders. This study examined to determine whether the 30-s chair-stand test (CS-30) can be used as a proactive screening index for musculoskeletal disorder risk of sedentary behaviour in office workers.

Design

Cross-sectional study using self-administered questionnaires and physical measurements.

Setting

Four workplaces located in a metropolitan area of Japan.

Participants

431 Japanese office workers aged 20–64 years. 406 valid sets of results remained (valid response rate: 94.2%).

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Musculoskeletal function was measured using the CS-30, quadriceps muscle strength. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine the sensitivity, specificity and optimal cut-off value for the CS-30. The risk of future incidence of musculoskeletal disorders was calculated using current quadriceps muscle strength.

Results

In total participants, 47.0% were male and the mean sitting time in work duration was 455.6 min/day (SD=111.2 min). The mean lower limb quadriceps muscle strength was 444.8 N (SD=131.3 N). For the optimum cut-off value of 23 on the CS-30 for all participants, sensitivity was 0.809 and specificity was 0.231. For men, the optimum cut-off was 25, with a sensitivity of 0.855 and a specificity 0.172. For women, the optimum cut-off was 21, with a sensitivity of 0.854 and a specificity 0.275.

Conclusions

Sensitivity was high, but specificity was insufficient. The CS-30 may be a potential proactive screening index for musculoskeletal disorder risk of sedentary behaviour, in combination with other indicators.
Retinal arteriolar calibre and venular fractal dimension predict progression of proliferative diabetic retinopathy 6 months after panretinal photocoagulation: a prospective, clinical interventional study
Authors: Torp Thomas Lee , Kawasaki Ryo , Wong Tien Yin , Peto Tunde , Grauslund Jakob
Published: March 2021

Objective

We examined the hypothesis that baseline retinal vascular geometry in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) predicts disease activity 6 months after panretinal photocoagulation (PRP).

Methods and analysis

We included 47 eyes from 40 patients with treatment-naïve PDR in a 6-month prospective study. Diagnosis of PDR and disease activity was evaluated by wide-ﬁeld ﬂuorescein angiography (Optomap, Optos, Dunfermline, Scotland, UK). At baseline and 6-month follow-up, the retinal vessel geometry was measured on optic disc centred images using semiautomated software Vessel Assessment and Measurement Platform for Images of the Retina (VAMPIRE, Dundee, Scotland).

Results

At baseline, mean age and duration of diabetes was 51.6 and 21.4 years, and 62.5% were men. Seventeen eyes (36.2%) had progression of PDR during follow-up. At baseline, we found higher retinal arteriolar calibre (31.3±0.8 vs 28.8±0.8 pixels, p=0.02) and venous fractal dimension (FD) (1.257±0.011 vs 1.222±0.011, p=0.02) in eyes with progression of PDR as compared with eyes with non-progression. In a multiple logistic regression model, both higher retinal arteriolar calibre (OR 1.34, 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.64, p<0.01) and venular FD(OR 1.15, 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.27, p<0.01) predicted progression of PDR. Venular calibre was seen to increase from baseline to month six regardless of disease progression (non-progression 45.0±0.7 vs 52.7±1.8 pixels, p<0.01; progression 46.2±0.8 vs 51.0±1.7 pixels, p<0.01).

Conclusion

Our prospective study showed that arteriolar calibre and venular FDat baseline were predictive of disease activity 6 months after PRP treatment in patients with treatment-naïve PDR.
Hyperlipidaemia and mortality among patients hospitalised with pneumonia: retrospective cohort and propensity score matched study
Authors: Yousufuddin Mohammed , Sharma Umesh M , Bhagra Sumit , Murad Mohammad Hassan
Published: March 2021

Objective

To characterise the potential association of hyperlipidaemia (HLP) versus no HLP with all-cause mortality among patients hospitalised for pneumonia.

Design

Propensity score matched retrospective study.

Participants

The study cohort consisted of consecutive 8553 adults hospitalised at a large academic centre with a discharge diagnosis of pneumonia from 1996 through 2015, followed until death or end of the study period, 17 August 2017.

Outcomes

The outcome was HR for mortality at 28 days and in the long term in patients with pneumonia with concurrent HLP compared with those with no HLP. We first constructed multivariable Cox proportional regression models to estimate the association between concurrent HLP versus no HLP and mortality after pneumonia hospitalisation for the entire cohort. We then identified 1879 patients with pneumonia with concurrent HLP and propensity score matched in a 1:1 ratio to 1879 patients with no HLP to minimise the imbalance from measured covariates for further analysis.

Results

Among 8553 unmatched patients with pneumonia, concurrent HLP versus no HLP was independently associated with lower mortality at 28 days (HR 0.52, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.66) and at a median follow-up of 3.9 years (HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.80). The risk difference in mortality was consistent between 1879 propensity score matched pairs both at 28 days (HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.86) and at a median follow-up of 4 years (HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.81 to 0.96). In the subgroup of patients with clinically measured low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), graded inverse associations between LDL-C levels and mortality were found in both unmatched and matched cohorts.

Conclusions

Among hospitalised patients with pneumonia, a diagnosis of HLP is protective against both short-term and long-term risk of death after adjustment for other major contributors to mortality in both unmatched and propensity score matched cohorts. These findings should be further investigated.
Tumour immune microenvironment biomarkers predicting cytotoxic chemotherapy efficacy in colorectal cancer
Authors: Wilkinson Kate , Ng Weng , Roberts Tara Laurine , Becker Therese M , Lim Stephanie Hui-Su , Chua Wei , Lee Cheok Soon
Published: March 2021

The role of the local tumour and stromal immune landscape is increasingly recognised to be important in cancer development, progression and response to therapy. The composition, function, spatial orientation and gene expression profile of the infiltrate of the innate and adaptive immune system at the tumour and surrounding tissue has an established prognostic role in colorectal cancer (CRC). Multiple studies have confirmed that a tumour immune microenvironment (TIME) reflective of a type 1 adaptive immune response is associated with improved prognosis. There have been significant efforts to evolve these observations into validated, histopathology-based prognostic biomarkers, such as the Immunoscore. However, the clinical need lies much more in the development of predictive, not prognostic, biomarkers which have the potential to improve patient outcomes. This is particularly pertinent to help guide cytotoxic chemotherapy use in CRC, which remains the standard of care. Cytotoxic chemotherapy has recognised immunomodulatory activity distinct from its antimitotic effects, including mechanisms such as immunogenic cell death (ICD) and induction/inhibition of key immune players. Response to chemotherapy may differ with regard to molecular subtype of CRC, which are strongly associated with immune phenotypes. Thus, immune markers are potentially useful, though under-reported, predictive biomarkers. In this review, we discuss the impact of the TIME on response to cytotoxic chemotherapy in CRC, with a focus on baseline immune markers, and associated genomic and transcriptomic signatures.
Should higher-income countries pay their citizens to move to foreign care homes?
Authors: de Vries Bouke
Published: March 2021

Faced with relatively old and ageing populations, a growing number of higher-income countries are struggling to provide affordable and decent care to their older citizens. This contribution proposes a new policy for dealing with this challenge. Under certain conditions, I argue that states should pay their citizens to move to foreign care homes in order to ease the pressure on domestic care institutions. This is the case if—but not necessarily only if—(1) a significant proportion of resident citizens do not currently have access to adequate aged and nursing care; (2) the care in the foreign care homes is not worse than the one that is available in domestic care homes; (3) sending states conduct regular checks to ascertain that the level of care abroad is not worse or delegate this task to reliable local monitoring bodies; (4) appropriate measures have been taken to ensure that this type of migration does not harm local residents; and (5) the public money spent on the payments is not better spent on other ways of easing the pressure on domestic care institutions. I end by defending the proposed payments against the objection that they create morally problematic inequalities by exerting greater pressure on members of lower socioeconomic classes to migrate than on their more affluent compatriots.
A world away and here at home: a prioritisation framework for US international patient programmes
Authors: Berkman Emily , Clark Jonna , Diekema Douglas , Jecker Nancy S
Published: March 2021

Programmes serving international patients are increasingly common throughout the USA. These programmes aim to expand access to resources and clinical expertise not readily available in the requesting patients’ home country. However, they exist within the US healthcare system where domestic healthcare needs are unmet for many children. Focusing our analysis on US children’s hospitals that have a societal mandate to provide medical care to a defined geographic population while simultaneously offering highly specialised healthcare services for the general population, we assume that, given their mandate, priority will be given to patients within their catchment area over other patients. We argue that beyond prioritising patients within their region and addressing inequities within US healthcare, US institutions should also provide care to children from countries where access to vital medical services is unavailable or deficient. In the paper, we raise and attempt to answer the following: (1) Do paediatric healthcare institutions have a duty to care for all children in need irrespective of their place of residence, including international patients? (2) If there is such a duty, how should this general duty be balanced against the special duty to serve children within a defined geographical area to which an institution is committed, when resources are strained? (3) Finally, how are institutional obligations manifest in paradigm cases involving international patients? We start with cases, evaluating clinical and contextual features as they inform the strength of ethical claim and priority for access. We then proceed to develop a general prioritisation framework based on them.
Risk factors of recurrent acute pancreatitis after conservative treatment in pediatric population: a single-center study
Authors: Zheng Qipeng , Yan Xueqiang , Ge Liang , Zhang Shujian , Sun Yan , Jia Jinfu , Zhao Shengqiao , Xu Xiaodan , Dou Ran , Gou Qingyun , Zhao Jinfeng , Zhan Jianghua
Published: March 2021

Background

Although complete resolution and recovery occurs in most children with an initial attack of acute pancreatitis (AP), a subset of children may progress to recurrent AP (RAP). RAP has serious effects to the individual and the socioeconomic burden. The aim of this project was to identify the independent risk factors for pediatric RAP so as to provide evidence for its prevention, early diagnosis and treatment.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of children discharged from Tianjin Children’s Hospital from June 2017 to January 2020 was performed. Demographic and clinical variables, treatment strategies, clinical course and outcomes were collected. Independent risk factors of RAP were identified using the logistic regression model.

Results

Of the total 96 enrolled children, 30 (31.3%) developed RAP during the follow-up period. The majority (27/30, 90%) of the children with AP developed RAP within 6 months of their first AP attack. The presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) [odds ratio (OR)=6.652, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.989 to 22.247], fasting time (OR=1.267, 95% CI 1.104 to 1.583), whether meet all three AP diagnostic criteria (OR=7.438, 95% CI 1.346 to 41.103) and abnormal amylase/lipase value on the seventh day of hospitalization (OR=3.601, 95% CI 0.972 to 13.342) were independent risk factors of RAP in children.

Conclusions

Most children who developed RAP had progressed within 6 months after their first episode of AP. RAP was more common in children who met all three AP diagnostic criteria at initial attack and in children with SIRS, long fasting time and abnormal amylase/lipase value on the seventh day of hospitalization.
On the nature of near-threshold bound and virtual states
Authors: Matuschek Inka , Baru Vadim , Guo Feng-Kun , Hanhart Christoph
Published: March 2021

Physical states are characterised uniquely by their pole positions and the corresponding residues. Accordingly, in those parameters also the nature of the states should be encoded. For bound states (poles on the real s-axis below the lowest threshold on the physical sheet) there is an established criterion formulated originally by Weinberg in the 1960s, which allows one to estimate the amount of compact and molecular components in a given state. We demonstrate in this paper that this criterion can be straightforwardly extended to shallow virtual states (poles on the real s-axis below the lowest threshold on the unphysical sheet) which should be classified as molecular. We argue that predominantly non-molecular or compact states exist either as bound states or as resonances (poles on the unphysical sheet off the real energy axis) but not as virtual states. We also discuss the limitations of the mentioned classification scheme.
A simple method to determine charge-dependent curvature biases in track reconstruction in hadron collider experiments
Authors: Barter William , Pili Martina , Vesterinen Mika
Published: March 2021

A new data-driven method, using $$Z\rightarrow \mu ^+\mu ^-$$

Z
→

μ
+

μ
-

decays, is proposed to correct for charge-dependent curvature biases in spectrometer experiments at hadron colliders. The method is studied assuming a detector with a “forward-spectrometer” geometry similar to that of the LHCb experiment, and is shown to reliably control several simplified detector mis-alignment configurations. The applicability of the method for use in measurements of precision electroweak observables is evaluated.
Hopf Bifurcation in a Delayed Single Species Network System
Authors: Wu Ranchao , Zhang Chuanying , Feng Zhaosheng
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we focus on a network system which describes spatiotemporal dynamics of single species population at different patches since species can have different features in various life stages and different behaviors in various spatial environments. With the effect of time delay and spatial dispersion, homogenous, periodic and spatiotemporally nonhomogeneous distributions are identified. The stability analysis is carried out for the discrete-space and continuous-time network on single species with time delay and the Hopf bifurcation of the single species population model in a network is explored. Formulas for determining the direction of Hopf bifurcation are derived by using the center manifold method and the normal form theorem. It is found that the network can generate spatial patterns only when time delay is present. Finally, numerical simulations are performed which agree well with our theoretical result, i.e. this discrete-space and continuous-time model admits regular temporal patterns since the delay induces Hopf bifurcations with network structure.
Oscillatory and Stationary Patterns in a Diffusive Model with Delay Effect
Authors: Guo Shangjiang , Li Shangzhi , Sounvoravong Bounsanong
Published: March 2021

In this paper, a reaction–diffusion model with delay effect and Dirichlet boundary condition is considered. Firstly, the existence, multiplicity, and patterns of spatially nonhomogeneous steady-state solution are obtained by using the Lyapunov–Schmidt reduction. Secondly, by means of space decomposition, we subtly discuss the distribution of eigenvalues of the infinitesimal generator associated with the linearized system at a spatially nonhomogeneous synchronous steady-state solution, and then we derive some sufficient conditions to ensure that the nontrivial synchronous steady-state solution is asymptotically stable. By using the symmetric bifurcation theory of differential equations together with the representation theory of standard dihedral groups, we not only investigate the effect of time delay on the pattern formation, but also obtain some important results on the spontaneous bifurcation of multiple branches of nonlinear wave solutions and their spatiotemporal patterns.
No Chaos in Dixon’s System
Authors: Seiler Werner M. , Seiß Matthias
Published: March 2021

The so-called Dixon system is often cited as an example of a two-dimensional (continuous) dynamical system that exhibits chaotic behavior, if its two parameters take their values in a certain domain. We provide first a rigorous proof that there is no chaos in Dixon’s system. Then we perform a complete bifurcation analysis of the system showing that the parameter space can be decomposed into 16 different regions in each of which the system exhibits qualitatively the same behavior. In particular, we prove that in some regions two elliptic sectors with infinitely many homoclinic orbits exist.
Palettes of Dehn colorings for spatial graphs and the classification of vertex conditions
Authors: Oshiro Kanako , Oyamaguchi Natsumi
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we study Dehn colorings of spatial graph diagrams, and classify the vertex conditions, equivalently the palettes. We give some example of spatial graphs which can be distinguished by the number of Dehn colorings with selecting an appropriate palette. Furthermore, we also discuss the generalized version of palettes, which is defined for knot-theoretic ternary-quasigroups and region colorings of spatial graph diagrams.
Schur–Weyl duality and the product of randomly-rotated symmetries by a unitary Brownian motion
Authors: Demni Nizar , Hamdi Tarek
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we introduce and study a unitary matrix-valued process which is closely related to the Hermitian matrix-Jacobi process. It is precisely defined as the product of a deterministic self-adjoint symmetry and a randomly-rotated one by a unitary Brownian motion. Using stochastic calculus and the action of the symmetric group on tensor powers, we derive an ordinary differential equation for the moments of its fixed-time marginals. Next, we derive an expression of these moments which involves a unitary bridge between our unitary process and another independent unitary Brownian motion. This bridge motivates and allows to write a second direct proof of the obtained moment expression.
Does CEO Power Affect the Association Between CEO Compensation and Tangible Assets Impairments?
Authors: Lee Kin-Wai , Lee Cheng-Few , Yeo Gillian Hian-Heng
Published: March 2021

This paper examines the association between CEO compensation and tangible long-lived assets impairment. We find that the level of CEO compensation is negatively associated with the tangible long-lived assets impairment charges. We also document that in firms with CEOs who have more decision-making power, the negative association between CEO compensation and tangible long-lived assets impairment charges is mitigated. Specifically, the negative association between CEO compensation and tangible long-lived assets impairment charges is less pronounced (1) when CEO chairs the board, (2) when CEO is the founder of the firm, (3) when the CEO is involved in the director selection process, and (4) when overall board independence is low.
Discrete cubic spline technique for solving one-dimensional Bratu’s problem
Authors: Khandelwal Pooja , Khan Arshad , Sultana Talat
Published: March 2021

In this paper, discrete cubic spline method based on central differences is developed to solve one-dimensional (1D) Bratu’s and Bratu’s type highly nonlinear boundary value problems (BVPs). Convergence analysis is briefly discussed. Four examples are given to justify the presented method and comparisons are made to confirm the advantage of the proposed technique.
The Frobenius and Factor Universality Problems of the Kleene Star of a Finite Set of Words
Authors: Mika Maksymilian , Szykuła Marek
Published: March 2021

We solve open problems concerning the Kleene star

of a finite set

of words over an alphabet

. The
Frobenius monoid
problem is the question for a given finite set of words

, whether the language

is cofinite. We show that it is PSPACE-complete. We also exhibit an infinite family of sets

such that the length of the longest words not in

(when

is cofinite) is exponential in the length of the longest words in

and subexponential in the sum of the lengths of words in

. The
factor universality
problem is the question for a given finite set of words

, whether every word over

is a factor (substring) of some word from

. We show that it is also PSPACE-complete. Besides that, we exhibit an infinite family of sets

such that the length of the shortest words not being a factor of any word in

is exponential in the length of the longest words in

and subexponential in the sum of the lengths of words in

. This essentially settles in the negative the longstanding Restivo’s conjecture (1981) and its weak variations. All our solutions are based on one shared construction, and as an auxiliary general tool, we introduce the concept of
set rewriting systems
. Finally, we complement the results with upper bounds.
The non-psychopath's guide to managing an open source project
Authors: Neville-Neil George V.
Published: March 2021

Respect your staff, learn from others, and know when to let go.
Thickness Dependence of Resistance Components of a LiNixCoyMn1-x-yO2-Based Positive Electrode for Lithium Ion Batteries
Authors: Araki Chieko , Tsubouchi Shigetaka , Noie Akihiko , Nishimura Etsuko , Kawaji Jun , Suzuki Shuichi
Published: March 2021

Dependence of charge-transfer resistance (R

ct
) on thickness of positive electrodes for high-power lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) was investigated. The results of the investigation show that R

ct
of a LiNixCoyMn1-x-yO2 (NCM)-based positive electrode is increased by decreasing electrode thickness to less than 15 μm, while R

ct
of electrodes with thickness greater than 15 μm stayed almost constant. Scanning spreading resistance microscopy indicated that the electronic resistances of thinner electrodes were higher than those of thicker electrodes. Given that result, we consider that the formation of an electrically conductive network in the thinner electrode is insufficient compared to that formed in the thicker electrode. Focused-ion-beam scanning-electron-microscopy observation of an electrode with a higher R

ct
revealed that acetylene black (AB) as an electron conductor and poly-vinylidene-difluoride binder were agglomerated non-uniformly, and large pores formed among the non-uniform aggregates. Presumably, the non-uniform distribution of aggregates and formation of large pores resulted in an insufficient electrically conductive network between the aggregates, which resulted in increased R

ct
.
Synthesis and Characterization of Er3+-Doped SrNb2O6 Phosphor for FIR Based Thermometer
Authors: Zhu Xiao , Huang Ximing , He Can , Lin Fankai , Liu Xianjie , Yang Yifan , Yang Chen , Huang Zhaohui , Min Xin , Mi Ruiyu
Published: March 2021

A new optical thermometer material—Er3+-doped SrNb2O6—based on the fluorescence intensity ratio was synthesized and investigated by both theoretical calculation and experimental measurement, combining X-ray diffractometry (XRD), XRD Rietveld refinement, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photon emission spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL) and PL excitation of qualitative and quantitative analysis, to develop a novel green-emitting phosphor with excellent thermometry sensitivity. The Er3+ ions occupied 4e sites of SrNb2O6, and the stable activator occupation induces luminescence properties of emissions at 525, 531, and 550 nm. The SrNb2O6: Er3+ phosphor possesses an outstanding thermal sensitivity in the measurement region of 298–523 K, where Sa and Sr can achieve 6.15 × 10−3 K−1 and 1093.2711/T2, respectively, at 323 K. The optical thermal properties originated from the thermal excitation and formation of quashing thermal equilibrium between 2H11/2 and 4S3/2 levels, leading to photons on 4S3/2 → 4I15/2 transfer process thermally populate onto 2H11/2 → 4I15/2 transfer process. This work will lay a foundation for further exploration of activator suitability in columbite phosphors, making it practicable to foreseeably improve thermal sensitivity and PL for emergent applications in optical thermometer.
Intonation Characteristics of Singing Based on Artificial Intelligence Technology and Its Application in Song-on-Demand Scoring System
Authors: Wei E.
Published: March 2021

With the continuous progress of my country’s cultural industry, how to apply artificial intelligence technology to song on demand has become an issue of concern. This research mainly discusses the research of singing intonation characteristics based on artificial intelligence technology and its application in song-on-demand scoring system. This paper uses the combination of ant colony algorithm and DTW algorithm to measure the similarity between speech signals with the average distortion distance, so as to expect accurate recognition results. The design of the song-on-demand scoring function module uses a combination of MVC mode and command mode based on artificial intelligence technology. The view component in the MVC mode is mainly used to display the content that the user needs to sing and realize the interaction with the user. The singer selects a song to start playing, and the scoring terminal device queries the music library server for song information according to the song number, then starts playing the song through the FTP file sharing service according to the audio file path in the song information, and at the same time displays the song on the display according to the timeline Show song and pitch information. The singer sings according to the screen prompts. The microphone collects the voice signal and transmits it to the scoring terminal. After the scoring algorithm is calculated, the result is fed back to the screen in real time. The singer can view his singing status in real time and make corresponding adjustments to obtain a higher score. After the singing, the scoring terminal will display the final result on the screen to inform the user and upload the singing record to the server for recording. In the tested on-demand retrieval engine, the average hit rate of the top 3 has reached more than 90% under various humming methods, basically maintaining the high hit rate characteristics of the original retrieval engine. The system designed in this research helps to effectively improve the singing level.
The Effect of Chronic and Inhospital Exposure to Renin-Angiotensin System Inhibitors on the Outcome and Inflammatory State of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Adult Inpatients
Authors: Gaspar Pedro , Parreira Inês , Antunes Meireles Pedro , Bessa Filipe , Dias Silva Virgílio , Abrantes Ana Mafalda , Pais de Lacerda António , Mota Catarina
Published: March 2021

Background. Controversies exist about the effect of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASi) on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcome. The inhospital use of RASi and its effect on inflammatory sate are still poorly studied during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives. We aimed to compare the impact of previous and inhospital RASi exposure on the outcome and inflammatory response of COVID-19 patients. Methods. Single-centre, ambispective analysis of hospitalized adult COVID-19 patients at Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisbon, between March and August 2020 was performed. We excluded asymptomatic patients and those admitted due to another disease. The primary outcome was inhospital all-cause mortality. Illness severity was assessed based on the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome/acute lung injury (ARDS/ALI), intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and need for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). We used C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, and interleukin 6 (IL-6) as surrogate markers of the inflammatory response. Results. From a total of 432 patients, 279 were selected, among whom 133 (47.7%) were receiving a RASi. Chronic treatment with RASi was not associated with the risk of death (OR 1.24, 95% CI 0.66–2.31,

p
=
0.500

), ARDS/ALI development (OR 1.12, 95% CI 0.67–1.86,

p
=
0.676

), ICU admission (OR 1.11, 95% CI 0.67–1.84, p = 0.686), and IMV need (OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.58–1.84,

p
=
0.917

) in a univariable and multivariable analysis. Inhospital RASi withdrawing was associated with the risk of death (OR 4.38, 95% CI 1.11–17.21,

p
=
0.035

) and ARDS/ALI development (OR 4.33, 95% CI 1.49–12.6,

p
=
0.007

), the latter remaining significant after adjustment. Previous exposure to RASi was associated with lower CRP levels at admission (

p
=
0.018

). IL-6 levels were significantly higher in those patients whose RASi were stopped (

p
=
0.024

). Conclusion. Previous and inhospital exposure to RASi was not associated with mortality nor severity of COVID-19. This study supports current guidance on RASi management during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Medical Cloud Computing Data Processing to Optimize the Effect of Drugs
Authors: Li Fengxia , Qu Zhi , Li Ruiling
Published: March 2021

In recent years, cloud computing technology is maturing in the process of growing. Hadoop originated from Apache Nutch and is an open-source cloud computing platform. Moreover, the platform is characterized by large scale, virtualization, strong stability, strong versatility, and support for scalability. It is necessary and far-reaching, based on the characteristics of unstructured medical images, to combine content-based medical image retrieval with the Hadoop cloud platform to conduct research. This study combines the impact mechanism of senile dementia vascular endothelial cells with cloud computing to construct a corresponding data retrieval platform of the cloud computing image set. Moreover, this study uses Hadoop’s core framework distributed file system HDFS to upload images, store the images in the HDFS and image feature vectors in HBase, and use MapReduce programming mode to perform parallel retrieval, and each of the nodes cooperates with each other. The results show that the proposed method has certain effects and can be applied to medical research.