bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preclinical studies of transcranial photobiomodulation in the neurological diseases
Authors: You Jing , Bragin Anatol , Liu Hanli , Li Lin
Published: December 2020

Photobiomodulation (PBM) takes advantage of red and near‐infrared light to induce therapeutic effects on various kinds of diseases, with transcranial PBM (tPBM) attracting most attention on neurological diseases. Displaying a noninvasive superiority over traditional treatment, tPBM is increasingly studied among research groups. Growing numbers of studies have been conducted in the last decade regarding neurological diseases; however, the research objects and lighting parameters among these papers varied from each other. This article introduces the biophotonics nature of PBM, records the experimental parameters of preclinical studies since 2014 and summarizes the application of tPBM on the neurobiological diseases in the past two decades. Under the summarized guidance of parameter setup, tPBM will be shining light in the prevention and treatment of neurological diseases.

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Surface water quality management for drinking use in El‐Beheira Governorate, Egypt
Authors: Hussien Amira Kh. , Rashwan Ibrahim M.H. , Elshemy Mohamed
Published: December 2020

This research was initiated to assess and manage water quality status of fourteen surface drinking water intakes in El‐Beheira Governorate, Egypt. The study was conducted on four main branches of water resources in the governorate. Three water quality indices (WQIs) and two multivariate statistical techniques were applied, based on the Egyptian guidelines for the Nile River. Water quality records were collected for two successive years, 2014 and 2015, and were analyzed by descriptive statistics. The results revealed the critical water quality status of the four branches at the fourteen intakes. The multivariate statistical techniques returned the critical water quality conditions to the agricultural drainage and the domestic wastewater discharges. In addition, a new software application was developed to manage WQIs calculation. An urgent water quality monitoring and assessment system should be initiated for the drinking water resources all over Egypt, based on the developed water quality assessment techniques of this study.

Practitioner points

Three different WQIs and two different statistics tools were applied.

Critical water quality status for the investigated surface drinking water intakes was reported.

Agricultural drainage then domestic effluents are the main pollution sources.

A new software application was developed to calculate WQIs to support decision makers.
Central exclusive production of W boson pairs in pp collisions at the LHC in hadronic and semi-leptonic final states
Authors: Baldenegro C. , Biagi G. , Legras G. , Royon C.
Published: December 2020

Abstract

We present a phenomenology study on central exclusive production of W+W− boson pairs in proton-proton collisions at the Large Hadron Collider at 14 TeV using the forward proton detectors, such as the ATLAS Forward Proton or the CMS-TOTEM Precision Proton Spectrometer detectors. Final states where at least one of the W bosons decay hadronically in a large-radius jet are considered. The latter extends previous efforts that consider solely leptonic final states. A measurement of exclusive W+W− also allows us to further constrain anomalous quartic gauge boson interactions between photons and W bosons. Expected limits on anomalous quartic gauge couplings $$ {a}_{0,C}^W $$

a

0
,
C

W

associated to dimension-six effective operators are derived for the hadronic, semi-leptonic, and leptonic final states. It is found that the couplings can be probed down to one-dimensional values of $$ {a}_0^W=3.7\times {10}^{-7}{\mathrm{GeV}}^{-2} $$

a
0
W

=
3.7
×

10

−
7

GeV

−
2

and $$ {a}_C^W=9.2\times {10}^{-7}{\mathrm{GeV}}^{-7} $$

a
C
W

=
9.2
×

10

−
7

GeV

−
7

at 95% CL at an integrated luminosity of 300 fb−1 by combining all final states, compared to values of about $$ {a}_0^W=4\times {10}^{-6}{\mathrm{GeV}}^{-2} $$

a
0
W

=
4
×

10

−
6

GeV

−
2

and $$ {a}_C^W=1\times {10}^{-5}{\mathrm{GeV}}^{-2} $$

a
C
W

=
1
×

10

−
5

GeV

−
2

at 95% CL expected for the leptonic channel alone.
Topological operators and completeness of spectrum in discrete gauge theories
Authors: Rudelius Tom , Shao Shu-Heng
Published: December 2020

Abstract

In many gauge theories, the existence of particles in every representation of the gauge group (also known as completeness of the spectrum) is equivalent to the absence of one-form global symmetries. However, this relation does not hold, for example, in the gauge theory of non-abelian finite groups. We refine this statement by considering topological operators that are not necessarily associated with any global symmetry. For discrete gauge theory in three spacetime dimensions, we show that completeness of the spectrum is equivalent to the absence of certain Gukov-Witten topological operators. We further extend our analysis to four and higher spacetime dimensions. Since topological operators are natural generalizations of global symmetries, we discuss evidence for their absence in a consistent theory of quantum gravity.
A note on the $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 2 super-$$ {\mathcal{W}}_3 $$ holographic dictionary
Authors: Castro Alejandra , Faraggi Alberto , Osorio Israel
Published: December 2020

Abstract

This is a long-overdue companion paper to [1]. We study the relation between sl(3|2) Chern-Simons supergravity on AdS3 and two-dimensional CFT’s with $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 super-$$ {\mathcal{W}}_3 $$

W
3

symmetry. Specifically, we carry out a complete analysis of asymptotic symmetries in a basis that makes the superconformal structure transparent, allowing us to establish the precise dictionary between currents and transformation parameters in the bulk and their boundary counterparts. We also discuss the incorporation of sources and display in full detail the corresponding holographic Ward identities. By imposing suitable hermiticity conditions on the CFT currents, we identify the superalgebra su(2, 1|1, 1) as the appropriate real form of sl(3|2) in Lorentzian signature. We take the opportunity to review some of the properties of the $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 super-$$ {\mathcal{W}}_3 $$

W
3

conformal algebra, including its multiplet structure, OPE’s and spectral flow invariance, correcting some minor typos present in the literature.
Correlation functions in massive Landau-Ginzburg orbifolds and tests of dualities
Authors: Gu Wei
Published: December 2020

Abstract

In this paper we discuss correlation function computations in massive topological Landau-Ginzburg orbifolds, extending old results of Vafa [1]. We then apply these computations to provide further tests of the nonabelian mirrors proposal and two-dimensional Hori-Seiberg dualities with (S)O± gauge groups and their mirrors.
Bootstrapping boundary-localized interactions
Authors: Behan Connor , Di Pietro Lorenzo , Lauria Edoardo , van Rees Balt C.
Published: December 2020

Abstract

We study conformal boundary conditions for the theory of a single real scalar to investigate whether the known Dirichlet and Neumann conditions are the only possibilities. For this free bulk theory there are strong restrictions on the possible boundary dynamics. In particular, we find that the bulk-to-boundary operator expansion of the bulk field involves at most a ‘shadow pair’ of boundary fields, irrespective of the conformal boundary condition. We numerically analyze the four-point crossing equations for this shadow pair in the case of a three-dimensional boundary (so a four-dimensional scalar field) and find that large ranges of parameter space are excluded. However a ‘kink’ in the numerical bounds obeys all our consistency checks and might be an indication of a new conformal boundary condition.
A continuously perturbed Dirichlet energy with area-preserving stationary points that ‘buckle’ and occur in equal-energy pairs
Authors: Bevan Jonathan J. , Deane Jonathan H. B.
Published: December 2020

We exhibit a family of convex functionals with infinitely many equal-energy$$C^1$$C1stationary points that (i) occur in pairs$$v_{\pm }$$v±satisfying$$\det \nabla v_{\pm }=1$$det∇v±=1on the unit ballBin$${\mathbb {R}}^2$$R2and (ii) obey the boundary condition$$v_{\pm }=\text {id}$$v±=idon$$ \partial B$$∂B. When the parameter$$\epsilon $$ϵupon which the family of functionals depends exceeds$$\sqrt{2}$$2, the stationary points appear to ‘buckle’ near the centre ofBand their energies increase monotonically with the amount of buckling to whichBis subjected. We also find Lagrange multipliers associated with the maps$$v_{\pm }(x)$$v±(x)and prove that they are proportional to$$(\epsilon -1/\epsilon )\ln |x|$$(ϵ-1/ϵ)ln|x|as$$x \rightarrow 0$$x→0inB. The lowest-energy pairs$$v_{\pm }$$v±are energy minimizers within the class of twist maps (see Taheri in Topol Methods Nonlinear Anal 33(1):179–204, 2009 or Sivaloganathan and Spector in Arch Ration Mech Anal 196:363–394, 2010), which, for each$$0\le r\le 1$$0≤r≤1, take the circle$$\{x\in B: \ |x|=r\}$${x∈B:|x|=r}to itself;a fortiori, all$$v_{\pm }$$v±are stationary in the class of$$W^{1,2}(B;{\mathbb {R}}^2)$$W1,2(B;R2)mapswobeying$$w=\text {id}$$w=idon$$\partial B$$∂Band$$\det \nabla w=1$$det∇w=1inB.
Diagnostic value of [18F]FDG-PET/CT in polymyalgia rheumatica: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: van der Geest K. S. M. , Treglia G. , Glaudemans A. W. J. M. , Brouwer E. , Jamar F. , Slart R. H. J. A. , Gheysens O.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) can be difficult to diagnose. Whole-body [18F]FDG-PET/CT allows for a comprehensive evaluation of all relevant articular and extra-articular structures affected by PMR. We aimed to summarize current evidence on the diagnostic value of [18F]FDG-PET/CT for a diagnosis of PMR.

Methods

PubMed/MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library database were searched from inception through May 31, 2020. Studies containing patients with PMR who underwent [18F]FDG-PET/CT were included. Screening and full-text review were performed by 3 investigators and data extraction by 2 investigators. Risk of bias was examined with the QUADAS-2 tool. Diagnostic test meta-analysis was performed with a bivariate model.

Results

Twenty studies were included in the systematic review, of which 9 studies (n = 636 patients) were eligible for meta-analysis. [18F]FDG positivity at the following sites was associated with a diagnosis of PMR: interspinous bursae (positive likelihood ratio (LR+) 4.00; 95% CI 1.84–8.71), hips (LR+ 2.91; 95% CI 2.09–4.05), ischial tuberosities (LR+ 2.86; 95% CI 1.91–4.28), shoulders (LR+ 2.57; 95% CI 1.24–5.32) and sternoclavicular joints (LR+ 2.31; 95% CI 1.33–4.02). Negative likelihood ratios (LR−) for these sites, as well as the greater trochanters, were all less than 0.50. Composite [18F]FDG-PET/CT scores, as reported in 3 studies, provided a pooled LR+ of 3.91 (95% CI 2.42–6.32) and LR− of 0.19 (95% CI 0.10–0.36). Moderate to high heterogeneity was observed across the studies, mainly due to differences in patient selection, scanning procedures and/or interpretation criteria.

Conclusion

Significant [18F]FDG uptake at a combination of anatomic sites is informative for a diagnosis of PMR. [18F]FDG-PET/CT might be an important diagnostic tool in patients with suspected PMR. This study also highlights the need for adherence to published procedural recommendations and standardized interpretation criteria for the use of [18F]FDG-PET/CT in PMR.
18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT for response assessment in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma undergoing tyrosine kinase or checkpoint inhibitor therapy: preliminary results
Authors: Mittlmeier L. M. , Unterrainer M. , Rodler S. , Todica A. , Albert N. L. , Burgard C. , Cyran C. C. , Kunz W. G. , Ricke J. , Bartenstein P. , Stief C. G. , Ilhan H. , Staehler M.
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Tyrosine kinase (TKI) and checkpoint inhibitors (CI) prolonged overall survival in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Early prediction of treatment response is highly desirable for the individualization of patient management and improvement of therapeutic outcome; however, serum biochemistry is unable to predict therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, we compared 18F-PSMA-1007 PET imaging for response assessment in mRCC patients undergoing TKI or CI therapy compared to CT-based response assessment as the current imaging reference standard.

Methods

18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT was performed in mRCC patients prior to initiation of systemic treatment and 8 weeks after therapy initiation. Treatment response was evaluated separately on 18F-PSMA-PET and CT. Changes on PSMA-PET (SUVmean) were assessed on a per patient basis using a modified PERCIST scoring system. Complete response (CRPET) was defined as absence of any uptake in all target lesions on posttreatment PET. Partial response (PRPET) was defined as decrease in summed SUVmean of > 30%. The appearance of new, PET-positive lesions or an increase in summed SUVmean of > 30% was defined as progressive disease (PDPET). A change in summed SUVmean of ± 30% defined stable disease (SDPET). RECIST 1.1 criteria were used for response assessment on CT. Results of radiographic response assessment on PSMA-PET and CT were compared.

Results

Overall, 11 mRCC patients undergoing systemic treatment were included. At baseline PSMA-PET1, all mRCC patients showed at least one PSMA-avid lesion. On follow-up PET2, 3 patients showed CRPET, 3 PRPET, 4 SDPET, and 1 PDPET. According to RECIST 1.1, 1 patient showed PRCT, 9 SDCT, and 1 PDCT. Overall, concordant classifications were found in only 2 cases (2 SDCT + PET). Patients with CRPET on PET were classified as 3 SDCT on CT using RECIST 1.1. By contrast, the patient classified as PRCT on CT showed PSMA uptake without major changes during therapy (SDPET). However, among 9 patients with SDCT on CT, 3 were classified as CRPET, 3 as PRPET, 1 as PDPET, and only 2 as SDPET on PSMA-PET.

Conclusion

On PSMA-PET, heterogeneous courses were observed during systemic treatment in mRCC patients with highly diverging results compared to RECIST 1.1. In the light of missing biomarkers for early response assessment, PSMA-PET might allow more precise response assessment to systemic treatment, especially in patients classified as SD on CT.
Population cycles and outbreaks of small rodents: ten essential questions we still need to solve
Authors: Andreassen Harry P. , Sundell Janne , Ecke Fraucke , Halle Stefan , Haapakoski Marko , Henttonen Heikki , Huitu Otso , Jacob Jens , Johnsen Kaja , Koskela Esa , Luque-Larena Juan Jose , Lecomte Nicolas , Leirs Herwig , Mariën Joachim , Neby Magne , Rätti Osmo , Sievert Thorbjörn , Singleton Grant R. , van Cann Joannes , Vanden Broecke Bram , Ylönen Hannu
Published: December 2020

Most small rodent populations in the world have fascinating population dynamics. In the northern hemisphere, voles and lemmings tend to show population cycles with regular fluctuations in numbers. In the southern hemisphere, small rodents tend to have large amplitude outbreaks with less regular intervals. In the light of vast research and debate over almost a century, we here discuss the driving forces of these different rodent population dynamics. We highlight ten questions directly related to the various characteristics of relevant populations and ecosystems that still need to be answered. This overview is not intended as a complete list of questions but rather focuses on the most important issues that are essential for understanding the generality of small rodent population dynamics.
A Systematic Review of Household and Family Alcohol Use and Childhood Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Authors: Huq Tausif , Alexander Emma C. , Manikam Logan , Jokinen Tahir , Patil Priyanka , Benjumea Darrin , Das Ishani , Davidson Leslie L.
Published: December 2020

Childhood exposure to alcohol misuse by household adults has been related to childhood developmental delay, cognitive impacts, mental illness, and problem behaviours. Most evidence comes from high income countries. This systematic review only included studies from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Five databases were searched from 1990–2020. Twenty-eight studies of children 0–12 years were included, with 42,599 participants from 11 LMICs. The most common outcome was behavioural problems/disorders (19 studies). Despite varying study designs, this review found that alcohol misuse by household members in LMICs is associated with adverse child neurodevelopmental outcomes, although casual inferences cannot be drawn in the absence of well conducted prospective studies. Statistically significant correlations were described between parental alcohol misuse and child emotional and behavioural difficulties, cognitive delay, and risky behaviours. In future, prospective cohort studies are recommended, with adjustment for confounders.
Surface Tension and Density of Liquid Hot Work Tool Steel W360 by voestalpine BÖHLER Edelstahl GmbH & Co KG Measured with an Electromagnetic Levitation Apparatus
Authors: Leitner Thomas , Werkovits Anna , Kleber Siegfried , Pottlacher Gernot
Published: December 2020

W360 is a hot work tool steel produced by voestalpine BÖHLER Edelstahl GmbH & Co KG, a special steel producer located in Styria, Austria. Surface tension and density of liquid W360 were studied as a function of temperature in a non-contact, containerless fashion using the oscillating drop method inside an electromagnetic levitation setup. For both, surface tension and density, a linear model was adapted to present the temperature dependence of these measures, including values for the uncertainties of the fit parameters found. The data obtained are compared to pure iron (with 91 wt% the main component of W360), showing an overlap for the liquid density while there is a significant difference in surface tension (− 5.8 % at the melting temperature of pure iron of 1811 K).
Speeds of Sound in n-Hexane and n-Heptane at Temperatures from (233.33 to 353.21) K and Pressures up to 20 MPa
Authors: Scholz Christian W. , Richter Markus
Published: December 2020

The speed of sound in high-purity n-hexane and n-heptane was experimentally studied utilizing the double-path length pulse-echo technique. Measurements with each alkane were carried out at temperatures from (233 to 353) K with pressures up to 20 MPa. Considering the uncertainty contributions from temperature, pressure, path-length calibration, pulse timing and sample purity, the relative expanded combined uncertainty (k = 2) in the speed of sound in n-hexane ranges from (0.012 to 0.042) % over the investigated ranges of pressure and temperature; for n-heptane, the uncertainty varies from (0.014 to 0.018) %. The sound speed data measured in n-hexane were among the data used for the development of a new fundamental equation of state, which is, however, not described in this work. The experimental data of n-heptane can be considered appropriate for modeling purposes and validation of existing equations of state.
From Lay Depression Narratives to Secular Ritual Healing: An Online Ethnography of Mental Health Forums
Authors: Sik Domonkos
Published: December 2020

The article aims at analysing online depression forums enabling lay reinterpretation and criticism of expert biomedical discourses. Firstly, two contrasting interpretations of depression are reconstructed: expert psy-discourses are confronted with the phenomenological descriptions of lay experiences, with a special emphasis on online forums as empirical platforms hosting such debates. After clarifying the general theoretical stakes concerning contested ‘depression narratives’, the results of an online ethnography are introduced: the main topics appearing in online discussions are summarised (analysing how the abstract tensions between lay and expert discourses appear in the actual discussions), along with the idealtypical discursive logics (analysing pragmatic advises, attempts of reframing self-narratives and expressions of unconditional recognition). Finally, based on these analyses an attempt is made to explore the latent functionality of online depression forums by referring to a secular ‘ritual healing’ existing as an unreflected, contingent potential.
Repurposing clinical drugs is a promising strategy to discover drugs against Zika virus infection
Authors: Song Weibao , Zhang Hongjuan , Zhang Yu , Li Rui , Han Yanxing , Lin Yuan , Jiang Jiandong
Published: December 2020

Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging pathogen associated with neurological complications, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults and microcephaly in fetuses and newborns. This mosquito-borne flavivirus causes important social and sanitary problems owing to its rapid dissemination. However, the development of antivirals against ZIKV is lagging. Although various strategies have been used to study anti-ZIKV agents, approved drugs or vaccines for the treatment (or prevention) of ZIKV infections are currently unavailable. Repurposing clinically approved drugs could be an effective approach to quickly respond to an emergency outbreak of ZIKV infections. The well-established safety profiles and optimal dosage of these clinically approved drugs could provide an economical, safe, and efficacious approach to address ZIKV infections. This review focuses on the recent research and development of agents against ZIKV infection by repurposing clinical drugs. Their characteristics, targets, and potential use in anti-ZIKV therapy are presented. This review provides an update and some successful strategies in the search for anti-ZIKV agents are given.
Local limit of nonlocal traffic models: Convergence results and total variation blow-up
Authors: Crippa Gianluca , Marconi Elio , Spinolo Laura V. , Colombo Maria
Published: December 2020

Consider a nonlocal conservation law where the flux function depends on the convolution of the solution with a given kernel. In the singular local limit obtained by letting the convolution kernel converge to the Dirac delta one formally recovers a conservation law. However, recent counter-examples show that in general the solutions of the nonlocal equations do not converge to a solution of the conservation law. In this work we focus on nonlocal conservation laws modeling vehicular traffic: in this case, the convolution kernel is anisotropic. We show that, under fairly general assumptions on the (anisotropic) convolution kernel, the nonlocal-to-local limit can be rigorously justified provided the initial datum satisfies a one-sided Lipschitz condition and is bounded away from 0. We also exhibit a counter-example showing that, if the initial datum attains the value 0, then there are severe obstructions to a convergence proof.
Facilitated Regional Collaboration and In-Hospital Surgical Complication
Authors: Lockett Mark A. , Mauldin Patrick D. , Zhang Jingwen , Marsden Justin E. , Taber David J. , Gebregziabher Mulugeta , Chung Catherine , Hebbar Preetha , Adams Larry , Baliga Prabhakar K.
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND:

Surgical quality improvement efforts are challenging due to the multidisciplinary nature of care, difficulties obtaining reliable data, and variability in quality metrics. The objective of this analysis was to assess whether participation in a regional collaborative quality initiative was associated with decreased in-hospital surgical complication in South Carolina.

STUDY DESIGN:

In-hospital surgical complication rates were determined using a statewide all-payer claims data set. Retrospective, univariate, and longitudinal multivariable analyses were performed and adjustments were made to account for aggregated hospital-level patient characteristics.

RESULTS:

The analysis included 275,387 general surgery cases performed in South Carolina hospitals between January 2016 and December 2018. Eight hospitals involved in the South Carolina Surgical Quality Collaborative (SCSQC) performed 56,179 cases and 51 non-SCSQC hospitals performed 219,208 cases. Univariate analysis revealed SCSQC hospitals performed operations in older patients (p < 0.0001) and patients with higher mean Charlson Comorbidity Index scores (p < 0.0001). SCSQC hospitals had higher mean in-hospital surgical complication rates at the surgery level compared with non-SCSQC hospitals (8.3% vs 7.0%; p < 0.0001). However, in multivariable analyses, the rate ratio for in-hospital surgical complication in SCSQC hospitals was 0.994 (95% CI, 0.989 to 0.998; p = 0.008) per month compared with non-SCSQC hospitals. This suggests a 21.6% (95% CI, 7.2% to 39.6%) proportional decrease in the rate of in-hospital surgical complication during 3 years associated with participation in the regional collaborative quality initiative.

CONCLUSIONS:

Structured collaboration between facilities, reliable data abstraction support, timely data review, and active member participation resulted in outcomes improvements for participating hospitals compared with hospitals that did not participate in a regional collaborative quality initiative.
Preoperative Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)-Physical Function and Perioperative Complication in Major Abdominal Colorectal Operations
Authors: Otegbeye Ebunoluwa E. , Chapman William C. , Bauer Philip S. , Smith Radhika K. , Glasgow Sean C. , Wise Paul E. , Hunt Steven R. , Silviera Matthew L. , Mutch Matthew G.
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND:

Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) physical function (PF) is a validated tool for capturing a patient's perception of their physical capacity. The goal of this study was to determine whether preoperative PF correlates with a risk of postoperative complications.

STUDY DESIGN:

Patients from a single-institution American College of Surgeons NSQIP database undergoing elective colorectal abdominal operations from January 2018 to June 2019 with a preoperative PROMIS-PF T-score were eligible for this retrospective study. Patients were divided into moderate to severe (score <40) and minimal to mild (score ≥40) physical disability cohorts. Primary outcomes were any complication and any Clavien-Dindo grade III or higher complication. Multivariate logistic regression was performed.

RESULTS:

In total, 249 patients were included: 78 (31%) with self-scored moderate to severe disability and 171 (69%) with minimal to mild disability. Patients who scored as moderate to severe disability had a higher frequency of comorbidities and an open operative approach compared with patients with minimal to mild disability. These patients then had higher rates of any complication (37.2% vs 19.9%; p = 0.0036) and Clavien-Dindo grade III or higher complications (14.1% vs 7.6%; p = 0.017). After adjusting for patient factors, surgical procedure, and approach, patients scoring as moderate to severe disability were 2.00 times more likely (95% CI, 1.05 to 3.84; p = 0.036) to have any complication and 2.76 times more likely (95% CI, 1.07 to 7.14; p = 0.036) to have a Clavien-Dindo grade III or higher complication.

CONCLUSIONS:

Moderate to severe PF disability score is associated with increased risk of postoperative complications among patients undergoing colorectal operations. PROMIS-PF T-score can be a useful tool to identify patients who would benefit from targeted preoperative interventions, such as patient education, nutritional optimization, and prehabilitation.
Development of Disaster Nursing in China: From the Spirit of Nightingale to COVID-19
Authors: Zhang Di , Zhang Liyan , Gong Aihua
Published: December 2020

As an emerging discipline, disaster nursing is very important in disaster emergency management, but there are few mature practice models and theoretical discussions. In particular, the contribution of nursing staff in disaster emergency has not yet received widespread attention and recognition. After more than 10 y of rapid development, China’s disaster nursing has gradually formed a Chinese model and Chinese experience. During the global fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), this article takes the nursing work in disaster emergency rescue as the perspective and briefly describes the development process of disaster nursing in China to introduce the practice and theoretical development of disaster nursing in China to nursing workers around the world. Analyzing the role of Chinese nurses in national disaster emergency response provides a reference for global disaster nursing talent capacity building. By sharing the Nightingale spirit of Chinese nurses in disaster emergency, we will show people all over the world the professional value of disaster nursing practitioners and pay tribute to the nursing staff engaged in disaster emergency work.
A derivation of the Liouville equation for hard particle dynamics with non-conservative interactions
Authors: Goddard Benjamin D. , Hurst Tim D. , Wilkinson Mark
Published: December 2020

The Liouville equation is of fundamental importance in the derivation of continuum models for physical systems which are approximated by interacting particles. However, when particles undergo instantaneous interactions such as collisions, the derivation of the Liouville equation must be adapted to exclude non-physical particle positions, and include the effect of instantaneous interactions. We present the weak formulation of the Liouville equation for interacting particles with general particle dynamics and interactions, and discuss the results using two examples.
Chew on it: influence of oral processing behaviour on in vitro protein digestion of chicken and soya-based vegetarian chicken
Authors: Chen Yao , Capuano Edoardo , Stieger Markus
Published: December 2020

Oral processing behaviour can affect the bioavailability of macronutrients. The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of oral processing behaviour on bolus properties and in vitro protein digestion of chicken and soya-based vegetarian chicken. Natural chewing time and chewing frequency of both foods were determined in healthy adults (n 96). While natural chewing time differed considerably between consumers (chicken: 7·7–39·4 s; soya-based vegetarian chicken: 7·8–46·2 s), chewing frequency (1·4 chews/s) did not differ considerably between consumers and was independent of product type. Natural chewing times of 11 and 24 s were found for clusters of consumers showing shortest and longest chewing time for both products. Chicken and soya-based vegetarian chicken were chewed for 11 and 24 s and boli expectorated by n 16 consumers to determine in vitro gastric digestion and by n 7 to determine in vitro intestinal digestion. For both foods, longer chewing time resulted in the formation of significantly (P < 0·05) more and smaller bolus fragments and higher in vitro degree of protein hydrolysis (DH%) than shorter chewing time (chicken: DH%11s = 7 ± 23 % and DH%24s = 89 ± 26 %; soya-based vegetarian chicken: DH%11s = 57 ± 18 % and DH%24s = 70 ± 21 %, P < 0·001). In vitro degree of protein hydrolysis was higher for chicken than that for soya-based vegetarian chicken regardless of chewing time. We conclude that naturally occurring longer chewing time leads to more and smaller bolus particles of chicken and soya-based vegetarian chicken and thereby increases in vitro protein hydrolysis compared with shorter chewing time.
Validation of New Interactive Nutrition Assistant - Diet in India Study of Health (NINA-DISH) FFQ with multiple 24-h dietary recalls among pregnant women in Pune, India
Authors: Rajagopalan Kripa , Alexander Mallika , Naik Shilpa , Patil Nikhil , Mehta Shivani , Leu Cheng-Shiun , Bhosale Ramesh , Mathad Jyoti S. , Caulfield Laura E. , Gupta Amita , Talegawkar Sameera A. , Shivakoti Rupak
Published: December 2020

Adequate dietary intake is critical to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes. India has a high burden of maternal and child morbidity and mortality, but there is a lack of adequate tools to assess dietary intake. We validate an FFQ, New Interactive Nutrition Assistant - Diet in India Study of Health (NINA-DISH), among pregnant women living with and without HIV in Pune, India. Women were selected from a cohort study investigating immune responses to HIV and latent tuberculosis during pregnancy. The FFQ was administered during the third trimester and validated against multiple 24-h dietary recalls (24-HDR) collected in second and third trimesters. Data for analysis were available from fifty-eight women out of seventy enrolled into this sub-study, after excluding those with incomplete data or implausible energy intake. The median (Q1, Q3) age of study participants was 23 (20, 25) years. Median (Q1, Q3) daily energy intakes were 10 552 (8000, 11 958) and 10 673 (8510, 13 962) kJ by 24-HDR and FFQ, respectively, with FFQ overestimating nutrient intake. Pearson correlations between log-transformed estimates from FFQ and 24-HDR for energy, protein, carbohydrate, fat, Fe and Zn were 0·47, 0·48, 0·45, 0·33, 0·4 and 0·54, respectively. Energy-adjusted and de-attenuated correlations ranged from 0·41 (saturated fat) to 0·73 (Na). The highest misclassification into extreme tertiles was observed for fat (22 %), saturated fat (21 %) and Na (21 %). Bias existed at higher intake levels as observed by Bland–Altman plots. In conclusion, NINA-DISH is a valid and feasible tool for estimating dietary intakes among urban pregnant women in Western India.
Early Jurassic palaeopolar marine reptiles of Siberia
Authors: Zverkov Nikolay G. , Grigoriev Dmitry V. , Danilov Igor G.
Published: December 2020

Marine reptile occurrences are rare in the Lower Jurassic Series outside of Europe. Here we describe diverse marine reptile faunas from the Lower Jurassic Series (Pliensbachian and Toarcian stages, including the Toarcian–Aalenian boundary interval) of Eastern Siberia. The taxonomic composition of Toarcian marine reptile assemblages of Siberia highlight their cosmopolitan nature, with the presence of taxa previously known nearly exclusively from coeval strata of Europe, such as ichthyosauriansTemnodontosaurusandStenopterygius, microcleidid plesiosaurians (including the genusMicrocleidus), rhomaleosaurids and basal pliosaurids. The palaeogeographic reconstruction places these faunas to the palaeopolar region, north of the 80th northern parallel and up to the palaeo north pole (upper value within the 95% confidence interval for some of the localities). The materials include remains of both mature and juvenile (or even infant, judging by their very small size and poor ossification) animals, indicating a possibility that these polar seas may serve as a breeding area. The diversity and abundance of plesiosaurians and ichthyosaurians, along with a lack of thalattosuchian remains (considering their wide distribution elsewhere at low latitudes), is an additional argument that plesiosaurians and neoichthyosaurians were able to live and reproduce in a polar environment. There is no certainty whether these animals lived in polar seas permanently, or whether they were taking seasonal migrations. However, given the polar night conditions at high latitudes, the latter seems more plausible, and both these scenarios are further indirect evidence that these groups likely had a high metabolism.
THE LEBANESE STUDY COMMITTEE: A CHRISTIAN THINK TANK IN WARTIME LEBANON (1975–1982)
Authors: KATTAR CHLOE
Published: December 2020

This article seeks to shed light on the Lebanese Study Committee, an overlooked centre of intellectual production and political activity during the Lebanese Civil War. It was comprised of legal experts and Maronite monks of the Lebanese Maronite Order, and emerged at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik in 1975. The committee was created at the initiative of the Catholic clergy in order to endow the Christian war effort with an ‘intellectual pole’ capable of studying recent developments and provide solutions aimed at defending the interests of the Christian society. By making use of hitherto inaccessible primary sources, its internal and external publications, the article elucidates the activities and ideas of the committee, which worked to counteract leftist discourse and propaganda. By paying attention to the context of the Lebanese Study Committee's emergence, the article also brings to light a history of interaction between lay, clerical, state, and para-military institutions. It concludes that its creation is the direct consequence of the grassroots mobilization of conservative agents, which is reminiscent of the ways in which Western conservatism was revived in the same years.
OP206 Expert Elicitation Of Probabilistic Distributions to Inform Survival Modelling of CD19 Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapies
Authors: Carey Niamh , Hickey Conor , Mc Cullagh Laura , Barry Michael
Published: December 2020

Introduction

In 2018, the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) was commissioned to conduct a health technology assessment (HTA) of one of the first commercially available chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies, tisagenlecleucel. CAR T-cells are a major advance in personalized cancer treatment, demonstrating promising outcomes in relapsed/refractory pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (pALL). However, the results are based on short-term follow up, limiting their value in predicting long-term survival and leading to uncertainty about the most appropriate survival modeling method to employ. This study aimed to address these limitations by means of expert elicitation.

Methods

An expert elicitation method, the histogram technique, was employed. A predefined discrete numerical scale was presented in Microsoft Excel® and the expert was asked to place twenty crosses on a frequency chart. These crosses represented the expert's beliefs about the distribution of particular quantities. Each cross represented five percent of the probabilistic distribution. Individual distributions were then aggregated across experts using linear pooling.

Results

A total of seventeen experts were invited to take part; eight agreed to participate and five completed the exercise. Three experts did not consider tisagenlecleucel to be a “curative” therapy because patients had a higher risk of death, compared with the age- and sex-matched general population. The aggregated distributions indicated the five-year overall survival rate to be thirty-three percent (95% CI 8.65–56.88) in patients who do not receive a subsequent stem cell transplant and twenty percent (95% CI 2.38 -52.04) in those who do.

Conclusions

The results of this study will be used to calibrate CD19 CAR T-cell therapy survival estimates presented in HTA submissions to the NCPE to ensure more robust assessments. They will also be used to inform the construction of a de novo cost-utility model for examining the cost effectiveness of CD19 CAR T-cell therapies for relapsed/refractory pALL in the Irish healthcare setting.
OP441 Testing The Sensitivity And Precision Of The Cochrane MEDLINE Randomized Controlled Trial Search Filters
Authors: Glanville Julie , Kotas Eleanor , Featherstone Robin , Dooley Gordon
Published: December 2020

Introduction

The Cochrane Handbook of Systematic Reviews contains two search filters to find randomized controlled trials (RCT) in Ovid MEDLINE: a sensitivity maximizing RCT filter and a sensitivity and precision maximizing RCT filter. The RCT search strategies were originally published in 1994 have been adapted and updated, most recently in 2008. To determine whether the Cochrane filters are still performing adequately to inform Cochrane reviews, we tested the performance of the Cochrane filters and 36 other MEDLINE filters in a large new gold standard set of relevant records.

Methods

We identified a gold standard set of RCT reports published in 2016 from the Cochrane CENTRAL database of controlled clinical trials. We retrieved the records in Ovid MEDLINE using their PubMed identifiers. Each RCT filter was run in MEDLINE and combined with the gold standard set of records, to determine their sensitivity, precision and f-scores.

Results

The gold standard comprised 27,617 records and the searches were run on 16 July 2019. The most sensitive RCT filter was Duggan (sensitivity 0.99). The Cochrane sensitivity maximizing RCT filter had a sensitivity of 0.96, but was more precise than Duggan (0.14 compared to 0.04 for Duggan). The most precise RCT filter was Chow, Glanville/Lefebvre, Royle/Waugh, Dumbrique (precision 0.97, sensitivity 0.83). The best precision Cochrane filter was the sensitivity and precision maximising RCT filter.

Conclusions

The Cochrane MEDLINE sensitivity maximizing RCT filter can continue to be used by Cochrane reviewers and CENTRAL compilers as it has very high sensitivity but a more acceptable precision than many higher sensitivity filters. Slightly more sensitive filters are available, but with lower precision than the Cochrane sensitivity maximizing RCT filter. These other filters may be preferred when combining with a subject search when record numbers may be more manageable than searching the whole of MEDLINE.
OP509 Do They Care? Debates About Nursing And Health Technology Assessment In The German Bundestag
Authors: Wübbeler Markus , Geis Sebastian
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Opposition parties in Germany are allowed to send formal requests to the government to control actions and pass important political debates to the parliament. These formal requests include a comprehensive analysis report issued by the scientific service of the German parliament. A systematic overview of these reports would support a deeper understanding about healthcare topics and assessments discussed by parties in the highest German decision body, particularly in the field of nursing.

Methods

We conducted a review using the German parliament “Bundestag” database for all formal requests since 1949. To systemize the formal requests we performed a quantitative category analysis using descriptive statistics.

Results

We identified 26,197 formal requests with 146 reports related to nursing issued between 1978 and 2019. The 146 reports related to nursing accounted for 0.54 percent of all requests. Almost 30 percent of these requests were related to recruitment and qualification. The second major topic, with 15 percent, was financing of the nursing sector. Of all 146 formal requests in the history of the Bundestag, 55 percent (n = 81) were issued in the last 10 years.

Conclusions

Nursing is an emerging topic in the German parliament, highlighting the demographic shift in Germany and the growing pressure in the nursing care sector. Health Technology Assessment bodies should be informed and work together with the scientific services of parliamentary bodies. This would support a more transparent and evidence based healthcare system, aside from lobbyism.
OP513 Disparities In Cancer Premature Mortality In Brazil: Predictions Up To 2030 And Sustainable Development Goals
Authors: Cancela Marianna De Camargo , Schilithz Arthur Correa , de Souza Leonardo Borges , Martins Luís Felipe , de Souza Dyego Bezerra , Hanly Paul , Barchuk Anton , Soerjomataram Isabelle , Sharp Linda , Pearce Alison
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Premature mortality affects the economy directly due to the loss of productivity of individuals who die, thus ceasing to contribute economically to the country. The one-third reduction in premature mortality (30–69 years) from chronic noncommunicable diseases is goal 3.4 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG). Although cancer is a chronic disease, it comprises more than 100 different conditions, with different risk factors and prognosis. This study aimed to calculate current and predicted premature mortality by 2030 for Brazil and regions, compared with the SDG 3.4 target and identify regional progress and future needs.

Methods

Mortality data were extracted from the National Mortality Information System of Brazil (SIM) and subsequently corrected for ill-defined causes. Crude and age-standardized mortality rates per 100,000 inhabitants were calculated. NordPred package by software R was used to calculate predictions up to 2030 and compared with the goal of one-third reduction of premature deaths.

Results

Comparison of observed (2011–2015) and predicted (2026–2030) mortality rates show a 12.0% reduction in the likelihood of death among men and 4.6 percent among women nationally. Although predicted rates for 2026–2030 are lower than those observed in 2011–2015, the predicted number of deaths increases by 75,341 for men and 90,513 for women. Lung cancer mortality rates are predicted to decrease more among men than women, while colorectal cancer mortality will increase for both sexes.

Conclusions

The profile of cancer premature mortality is diverse in Brazil. Nationally, only male lung cancer will be close to reaching the SDG 3.4 target, endorsing the government's long-term efforts to reduce tobacco consumption. Colorectal cancer mortality increases in most regions, reflecting the epidemiological transition. Despite progress in cervical cancer control, it will continue to be a major challenge, especially in the North and Northeast. Our results provide a baseline for public policies for both prevention and access to treatment to reduce premature mortality in Brazil. Differences in cancer patterns show the need to plan and to adapt regionally for each reality.
OP535 Cost-Effectiveness Of Internet-Based HIV Screening In Men Who Have Sex With Men in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Zhang Wei , de Anda José , Irvine Michael , Chang Hsiu-Ju , Gilbert Mark
Published: December 2020

Introduction

In Canada, individuals test for HIV commonly through clinic-based screening services (CBSS). However, gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) may face barriers accessing such services due to, for example, feeling discomfort disclosing their sexual history or fearing judgment from healthcare providers. To reduce barriers and increase uptake and frequency of screening for sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV, the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control implemented an internet-based screening service, GetCheckedOnline.com (GCO), in September 2014 in Vancouver, Canada. We assessed the cost-effectiveness of GCO at different uptake scenarios compared to CBSS in Vancouver GBMSM.

Methods

Cost-utility analyses were conducted from a healthcare payer's perspective using an established dynamic GBMSM HIV compartmental model. The model estimated the probability of becoming infected with HIV, progressing through diagnosis, disease stages, and treatment over a 30-year time horizon. The base case assumed 4.7 percent uptake of GCO, and 74 percent of high-risk and 44 percent of low-risk infrequent testers becoming regular testers in five years. Scenario analyses tested GCO 10 and 15 percent uptakes.

Results

Compared with the conventional CBSS alone, a 4.7 percent GCO uptake increased the costs by CAD90,059 (USD75,680; 95% confidence interval (CI): -CAD420,836, CAD273,987) and gained 3 (95% CI: 0, 6) quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) in a 30-year time horizon. There was a 71 percent probability that GCO was cost-effective at a cost-effectiveness threshold of CAD50,000 (USD42,000) per QALY. The results were consistent in other two uptake scenarios.

Conclusions

Expanding HIV screening for GBMSM through increasing uptake of GCO is a cost-effective alternative to expanding the conventional CBSS. We noted that difference in total costs might be smaller if a battery of STI tests is considered, which in turn may affect our cost-effectiveness estimate. For the next phase of cost-utility analysis, we will expand our model to include testing for other STIs.