bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-quality GaN thin film deposition at low temperature by ECR plasma-assisted sputter deposition method and its dependence of sapphire substrate misorientation angle
Authors: Torii Hironori , Matsui Shinsuke
Published: September 2024

Gallium nitride (GaN) thin films were deposited by electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) plasma-assisted sputtering, which combines GaN-magnetron sputtering with argon and nitrogen plasma assistance using an ECR high-density plasma. GaN films on the misorientation-angle-0.0° (just) sapphire substrate showed very good crystallinity with a GaN(0002) rocking curve (XRC) full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 0.042° and epitaxial growth confirmed by φ-scan measurements at a low heating temperature of 350 °C. However, the GaN thin film had a rough surface with circular grains about 100 nm in diameter and a surface root-mean-square height (Sq) of 1.21 nm. Therefore, the misorientation angle of the sapphire substrate was varied from 0.2° to 10.0°. As a result, the grains observed on the just substrate disappeared at 0.5°. The film had Sq: 0.33 nm, and the FWHM of the XRC of GaN(0002) was 0.066°, indicating improved surface flatness while maintaining crystallinity. This is considered to be due to the step flow, which promotes ECR plasma-assisted diffusion on the terrace even at the low temperature of 350 °C. The polarity of the GaN thin film was analyzed by time-of-flight atomic scattering surface analysis and found to be N-polar on all substrates.
Effects of Stroboscopic Goggles on Standing Balance in the Spatiotemporal and Frequency Domains: An Exploratory Study
Authors: McCreary Madeleine E. , Lapish Chloe M. , Lewis Nora M. , Swearinger Ryland D. , Ferris Daniel P. , Pliner Erika M.
Published: September 2024

Balance training paradigms have been shown to effectively reduce fall risk. Visual feedback is an important sensory mechanism for regulating postural control, promoting visual perturbations for balance training paradigms. Stroboscopic goggles, which oscillate from transparent to opaque, are a form of visual perturbation, but their effect on standing balance has not been assessed. In this study, 29 participants stood in bilateral and tandem stances as the center of pressure was recorded for 6 consecutive minutes wherein there were no stroboscopic perturbations in the first and last minutes. Spatial–temporal, frequency domain, and nonlinear standing balance parameters were calculated for each period. More differences in spatial–temporal parameters due to the strobe were found in the medial–lateral direction than the anterior–posterior direction. More differences in frequency domain parameters were observed in the anterior–posterior direction than the medial–lateral direction, but this did not occur for each variable. The nonlinear parameters were strongly affected by the strobe. Stroboscopic perturbations did not affect the bilateral and tandem stances equally. Spatial–temporal parameters for the tandem stance were greater in magnitude during the strobe period than the no strobe periods. This effect was not seen with the bilateral stance. This indicates that the efficacy of stroboscopic perturbations for challenging standing balance depends on task difficulty. Balance training paradigms that utilize stroboscopic perturbations will need to harmonize these perturbations with task difficulty.
Complete genome sequence of
Serratia marcescens
D1_6, isolated from peat soil
Authors: Isaac Priscilla , Mutusamy Prasanna , Yin Lee Su , Jing Wei Yap , Mohd Salleh Faezah , bin Abu Bakar Muhammad Abdul Latiff , Parimannan Sivachandran , Rajandas Heera
Published: September 2024

We present a complete genome of
Serratia marcescens
D1_6 isolated from peat swamp forest. The complete genome for the isolate D1_6 was constructed using data from Oxford Nanopore Technologies and Illumina. The genome of D1_6 has a total length of 4,996,151 bp, comprising a chromosome and a plasmid.
Complete genome sequence of
Vibrio fischeri
strain H905, a planktonic isolate among squid symbiotic congeners
Authors: Calawa Jennifer , Foxall Randi , Pankey Sabrina , Sebra Robert , Whistler Cheryl A.
Published: September 2024

Here we describe the genome sequence of
Vibrio
(
Aliivibrio
)
fischeri
H905, a non-symbiotic isolate from Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Despite its close phylogenetic relationship to squid symbiont strains, H905 is not adept at colonization. Its genome serves as a valuable comparator, illustrating the complex evolutionary dynamics within
V. fischeri
clades.
Transverse faulting in the Paradox Basin, Colorado Plateau, USA: Active, intermittent faulting over a 300 million year history of strain accommodation and fluid flow
Authors: Davis George H. , Reeher Lauren Jane
Published: September 2024

The Paradox Basin (Colorado Plateau, USA) is dominated by major, first-order northwest-trending structures commonly 40 km or more in trace length, including (1) regional salt wall corridors related to passive diapirism during Pennsylvanian to Jurassic time, (2) gentle upright folds produced by Laramide shortening during the Late Cretaceous through early Cenozoic, (3) late Laramide normal faults, and (4) normal faults representing Neogene salt dissolution collapse. Less obvious at a regional scale are the fault zones aligned perpendicular (northeast-trending) to the dominant structural grain. There are 16 such faults zones, marked by short trace lengths (3–12 km), small offsets (10–100 m), and predominantly extensional kinematics. Based on published geological maps, field observations of fault zone properties (including fluid flow indicators), and kinematic analysis, we interpret these structures as transverse accommodation faults. Co-spatial structural associations reveal the transverse fault zones were active intermittently, likely as a means of minimizing along-strike strain incompatibility that accrued along the first-order structures as they evolved during late Paleozoic to Late Jurassic halokinesis, (mild) Late Cretaceous to Eocene folding, late Laramide normal faulting, and Neogene to recent collapse faulting. Locally, transverse faulting was influenced by reactivation of northeast-striking faults that offset sub-salt formations, including basement. Active, intermittent transverse faulting over the past ~300 m.y. is consistent with the synthesis of published interpretations and age determinations focusing on the timing of diverse fluids that exploited the permeability of the transverse fault zones. The Paradox Basin, with its enormous subsurface salt volume and enduring fluid flow, has been an ideal dynamic environment for producing intermittently active transverse accommodation faulting.
Supplemental Material: Alkali-carbonate melts in the cratonic mantle evidenced by a wehrlite xenolith from the Majuagaa kimberlite, West Greenland
Authors: Kiseeva Ekaterina S. , al. et
Published: September 2024

Description of the Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd isotopic analyses and results, Table S1, Figures S1–S6, and additional references.  
Multiancestry transferability of a polygenic risk score for diverticulitis
Authors: Ueland Thomas E , Mosley Jonathan D , Neylan Christopher , Shelley John P , Robinson Jamie , Gamazon Eric R , Maguire Lillias , Peek Richard , Hawkins Alexander T
Published: September 2024

Objective

Polygenic risk scores (PRS) for diverticular disease must be evaluated in diverse cohorts. We sought to explore shared genetic predisposition across the phenome and to assess risk stratification in individuals genetically similar to European, African and Admixed-American reference samples.

Methods

A 44-variant PRS was applied to theAll of UsResearch Program. Phenome-wide association studies (PheWAS) identified conditions linked with heightened genetic susceptibility to diverticular disease. To evaluate the PRS in risk stratification, logistic regression models for symptomatic and for severe diverticulitis were compared with base models with covariates of age, sex, body mass index, smoking and principal components. Performance was assessed using area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROC) and Nagelkerke’s R2.

Results

The cohort comprised 181 719 individuals for PheWAS and 50 037 for risk modelling. PheWAS identified associations with diverticular disease, connective tissue disease and hernias. Across ancestry groups, one SD PRS increase was consistently associated with greater odds of severe (range of ORs (95% CI) 1.60 (1.27 to 2.02) to 1.86 (1.42 to 2.42)) and of symptomatic diverticulitis ((95% CI) 1.27 (1.10 to 1.46) to 1.66 (1.55 to 1.79)) relative to controls. European models achieved the highest AUROC and Nagelkerke’s R2(AUROC (95% CI) 0.78 (0.75 to 0.81); R20.25). The PRS provided a maximum R2increase of 0.034 and modest AUROC improvement.

Conclusion

Associations between a diverticular disease PRS and severe presentations persisted in diverse cohorts when controlling for known risk factors. Relative improvements in model performance were observed, but absolute change magnitudes were modest.
Multicentre investigation on the effect of decompressive surgery on Balance and physical ActiviTy Levels amongst patients with lumbar Spinal stenosis (B-ATLAS): protocol for a prospective cohort study
Authors: Zielinski Oliver Bremerskov , Hallager Dennis Winge , Jensen Kasper Yde , Carreon Leah , Andersen Mikkel Østerheden , Diederichsen Louise Pyndt , Bech Rune Dueholm
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Patients with lumbar spinal stenosis may have poor balance, decreased physical function and problems maintaining physical activity levels due to radiculopathy. Decompressive surgery is often indicated if conservative management fails to achieve a satisfactory clinical outcome. While surgical management has proven effective at treating radiculopathy, and patients report increased physical function postoperatively, objective measures of postural control and physical activity remain sparse. This study aims to investigate the effects of decompressive surgery on postural control and activity levels of elderly patients with lumbar spinal stenosis using objective measurements.

Methods and analysis

This is a 24-month, multicentre, prospective cohort study. Patients ≥65 years of age with MRI-verified symptomatic lumbar central canal stenosis will be recruited from two separate inclusion centres, and all participants will undergo decompressive surgery. Preoperative data are collected up to 3 months before surgery, with follow-up data collected at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months postoperatively. Postural control measurements are performed using the Wii Balance Board, mini Balance Evaluation Systems Test and Tandem test, and data concerning physical activity levels are collected using ActiGraph wGT3X-BT accelerometers. Patient-reported outcomes regarding quality-of-life and physical function are collected from the EuroQol-5D, 36-Item Short Form Health Survey and Zurich Claudication Questionnaire. Primary outcomes are the change in the sway area of centre of pressure and total activity counts per day from baseline to follow-up at 24 months. A sample size of 80 participants has been calculated.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has been approved by the Regional Ethics Committee of Region Zealand (ID EMN-2022-08110) and the Danish Data Protection Agency (ID REG-100-2022). Written informed consent will be required from all participants before enrolment. All results from the study, whether positive, negative or inconclusive, will be published in international peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international scientific meetings. Study findings will be further disseminated through national patient associations.

Trial registration numbers

NCT06075862andNCT06057428.
Social, economic and food insecurity among people living with HIV in Kenya during coinciding public health and environmental emergencies: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Lyons Carrie , Ching Jennifer , Tran Dan N , Kafu Catherine , Wachira Juddy , Koros Hillary , Venkataramani Maya , Said Jamil , Pastakia Sonak D , Galárraga Omar , Genberg Becky
Published: September 2024

Introduction

During the COVID-19 response, Kenya experienced widespread regional floods, resulting in the displacement of communities and agricultural loss. This study aimed to characterise food insecurity and other social and economic impacts of these emergencies on people living with HIV and to investigate whether and how existing microfinance activities in place before the events influenced social and economic instability.

Methods

We used sequential explanatory mixed methods guided by a conceptual model. Interviewer-administered surveys (n=200) and follow-up in-depth interviews (n=40) were conducted by phone with people living with HIV in Busia and Trans Nzoia counties between October and December 2020. Socioeconomic factors (microfinance participation, income and social support) and food insecurity were examined with Poisson regression using survey data. Qualitative data were analysed using content analysis to contextualise quantitative findings.

Results

Among 200 participants, 59.0% were female, median age was 45 years and 73.0% reported being severely food insecure. Microfinance participation was not associated with severe food insecurity (adjusted prevalence ratio, aPR 0.98; 95% CI 0.82, 1.18), but income loss (aPR 1.94; 95% CI 1.13, 3.30; p=0.015) and loss of social support (aPR 1.48; 95% CI 1.18, 1.84; p=0.001) were associated with severe food insecurity. Three main themes emerged: compounding effects of COVID-19 and flooding on food and economic insecurity are early indicators of upstream barriers to HIV treatment; microfinance groups may not have mitigated socioeconomic consequences of COVID-19 and flooding because of unexpected income loss and limits on gathering and displacement; and social support bolsters mental health and medication adherence among microfinance members despite lack of in-person activities.

Conclusions

In the context of coinciding public health and environmental emergencies, people living with HIV in Kenya experienced widespread food insecurity. Programmatic efforts to support HIV treatment disbursement, coverage and adherence alone are not sufficient during an economic crisis affecting food insecurity. Integrating antiretroviral therapy (ART) dispensing efforts alongside interventions to support food security for people living with HIV could improve ART adherence and reduce mortality during widespread emergencies.
‘The National Health Insurance scheme would be good and beneficial but I don’t trust the system …’: a cross-sectional mixed-methods study assessing the awareness and perceptions towards Uganda’s proposed National Health Insurance scheme among informal sector workers in Iganga and Mayuge districts, Uganda
Authors: Namuhani Noel , Kisakye Angela N , Kiwanuka Suzanne
Published: September 2024

Background

Most low-income countries have prioritised implementing national health insurance schemes (NHIs) as a solution to reducing the high out-of-pocket expenditures on health and enhancing access to healthcare, especially among informal sector workers. However, their perceptions remain unexplored in Uganda. This study aimed to assess the awareness and perceptions of the informal sector workers towards the proposed NHIs in Iganga and Mayuge districts, Uganda.

Methodology

A cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted in the Iganga and Mayuge districts of eastern Uganda between April and May 2019. Informal sector workers were randomly selected to participate in the study. Six key informant interviews with health workers and seven focus group discussions with informal sector workers were also conducted. Quantitative data was analysed using STATA V.14. Qualitative data was analysed using a thematic analysis approach.

Results

A total of 853 respondents participated in the survey: 327/853 (38.3%) were peasant farmers, 248/853 (29.1%) were fishermen, 146/853 (17.1%) were business people and 132/853 (15.5%) were commercial cyclists. Very few, 14/853 (1.6%), were considered knowledgeable about health insurance. The majority 743/853 (87.1%) of the respondents believed that the proposed scheme was beneficial, with a few reservations about lack of trust. Qualitatively, most participants had never heard about health insurance. Most community and health workers welcomed the idea of introducing NHIs in Uganda, although many indicated their lack of trust in the system to deliver a beneficial scheme.

Conclusion

There was a high level of support for the proposed National Health Insurance scheme since many believed it would be beneficial. However, there was low awareness and a lack of trust in the system to successfully implement a beneficial scheme due to corruption. There is a need for intensive sensitisation campaigns to raise awareness and boost confidence and trust.
Identifying climatic drivers of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) seasonality in Antananarivo, Madagascar, 2011–2021: a sentinel surveillance study
Authors: Randriambolamanantsoa Tsiry Hasina , Razanajatovo Norosoa Harline , Ranaivoson Hafaliana Christian , Randrianasolo Laurence , Rabarison Hasina Joelinotahiana , Razafimanjato Helisoa , Ratsimbazafy Arvé , Rakoto Danielle Aurore Doll , Heraud Jean-Michel , Lacoste Vincent , Brook Cara E
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a primary source of acute lower respiratory tract infection, the leading cause of death in children under 5. Over 99% of RSV-attributed deaths occur in low-income countries, including Madagascar. RSV transmission is linked to climate, driving highly seasonal dynamics.

Methods

We used generalised additive models (GAMs) to identify correlates of reported RSV infections in Antananarivo, Madagascar, from January 2011 to December 2021, then fit catalytic models to cumulative age-structured incidence to estimate age-specific force of infection (FOI). We fit a time-series susceptible-infected-recovered (TSIR) model to the dataset to estimate weekly RSV transmission, then evaluated associations with precipitation, humidity and temperature using generalised linear models. We used GAMs to quantify interannual trends in climate and assess whether significant deviations in RSV burden occurred in years representing climatic anomalies.

Results

Reported RSV infections in Antananarivo were significantly associated with patients aged ≤2 years. Highest FOI was estimated in patients aged ≤1 year, with transmission declining to near-zero by age 5 before rising in older (60+) cohorts. TSIR models estimated a January to February peak in RSV transmission, which was strongly positively associated with precipitation and more weakly with temperature but negatively related to relative humidity. Precipitation, humidity and temperature all increased across the study period in Antananarivo, while reported RSV infections remained stable. Significant deviations in RSV burden were not associated with clear climate anomalies.

Conclusions

Stable rates of reported RSV infections in Antananarivo across the past decade may reflect contrasting impacts of elevated precipitation and increased humidity on transmission. If future climate changes yield more rapidly accelerating precipitation than humidity, this could accelerate RSV burden. Introduction of recently developed public health interventions to combat RSV in low-income settings like Madagascar is essential to mitigating disease burden, in particular to combat any future climate-driven increases in transmission or severity.
Laparoscopic treatment of early-stage endometrial cancer: benefits of sentinel lymph node mapping and impact on lower extremity lymphedema
Authors: Casarin Jvan , Schivardi Gabriella , Artuso Valeria , Giudici Anna , Meschini Tommaso , De Vitis Luigi , Granato Vincenzo , Lembo Antonio , Cromi Antonella , Mariani Andrea , Bogani Giorgio , Multinu Francesco , Ghezzi Fabio
Published: September 2024

Objective

To evaluate the lymphatic-specific morbidity (specifically, lower extremity lymphedema) associated with laparoscopic management of early-stage endometrial cancer using the sentinel lymph node (SLN) algorithm by type of actual nodal assessment.

Methods

An ambispective study was conducted on consecutive patients surgically treated for apparent early-stage endometrial cancer who underwent laparoscopic staging according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network SLN algorithm at a single institution from January 2020 to August 2023. Data on patient characteristics, surgical details, and post-operative complications were collected. Lymphedema screening was performed using a validated questionnaire.

Results

A total of 239 patients were analyzed, with a questionnaire response rate of 85.4%. The study population was grouped based on actual surgical staging: hysterectomy+SLN (54.8%), hysterectomy+systematic pelvic lymphadenectomy (27.2%), and hysterectomy only (18%). The prevalence of lymphedema was significantly lower in the hysterectomy+SLN group compared with the hysterectomy+systematic pelvic lymphadenectomy group (21.4% vs 44.6%, p=0.003). Multivariable analysis showed a threefold increase in the risk of lymphedema for the hysterectomy+systematic pelvic lymphadenectomy group compared with the hysterectomy+SLN group: OR 3.11 (95% CI 1.47 to 6.58). No significant associations were found between lymphedema and other patient or tumor characteristics.

Conclusion

In the setting of a laparoscopic approach for early-stage endometrial cancer surgery, SLN mapping is associated with a significant reduction in lymphatic complications compared with a systematic lymph node dissection. Our findings provide additional evidence endorsing the adoption of SLN mapping during minimally invasive surgery for endometrial cancer. This technique ensures comparable diagnostic accuracy and also minimizes complications.
Vestibular neurology for the generalist
Authors: Mahmud Mohammad , Kaski Diego
Published: September 2024

This review of vestibular neurology for the general neurologist delves into the multifaceted realm of vestibular neurology where we address the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges associated with dizziness, vertigo and balance disorders. We outline the standard vestibular assessments that can be understood and incorporated by the generalist, discussing their use in common vestibular disorders. Key disorders covered include acute and chronic syndromes, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, Meniere disease, vestibular migraine and persistent postural-perceptual dizziness. We also touch on emerging advances in vestibular genotyping and novel treatment approaches for balance problems.
Gender challenges within the UK Defence Medical Services: recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce
Authors: Swain Cara , Evans C , Kinkaid V , Keogh J , Orr L , King K
Published: September 2024

While there are women represented in some notable positions within the UK Defence Medical Services (DMS), the challenges and barriers to successful female progression have not disappeared. The DMS needs highly talented, motivated doctors working to support operations, yet we struggle to recruit and retain female personnel. This is in clear contrast to the increased proportion of female personnel working within the civilian medical workforce.

This article seeks to communicate this problem, illustrated by the lived experiences of DMS female doctors, by exploring the six gender bias barriers (‘Glass Walls’) that hold women back in the workplace.

Cultural change requires a determined effort, driven persistently from the top and at every level of leadership and management. The first step requires recognition and acceptance of the problem. Progress is likely to be slow, or fail, if driven by the female minority alone. While the DMS remains a majority-male organisation, male allies are pivotal in advocating for their female colleagues, to promote change, in an effort to recruit and retain talented individuals.
Predicting the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event in systemic lupus erythematosus: a Chinese SLE treatment and research group study XXVI
Authors: Huang Can , Li Yutong , Wang Ziqian , Lin Shudian , Zhao Jiu-Liang , Wang Qian , Tian Xinping , Wang Yanhong , Duan Xinwang , Wang Yongfu , Zhao Cheng , Wu Zhenbiao , Xu Jian , Han Chen , Yang Min , Wu Rui , Zeng Xiaofeng , Li Mengtao
Published: September 2024

Objective

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have an increased risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (CCEs). Furthermore, CCE was a significant factor contributing to mortality in patients with SLE. However, no clinical model exists that can predict which patients are at high risk. The purpose of this study was to develop a practical model for predicting the risk of CCE in people with SLE.

Methods

This study was based on the Chinese SLE Treatment and Research Group cohort. A total of 2399 patients, who had a follow-up period of over 3 years and were diagnosed with SLE for less than 1 year at the start of the study, were included. Cox proportional hazards regression and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression were used to establish the model. Internal validation was performed, and the predictive power of the model was evaluated.

Results

During the follow-up period, 93 patients had CCEs. The prediction model included nine variables: male gender, smoking, hypertension, age of SLE onset >40, cutaneous involvement, arthritis, anti-β2GP1 antibody positivity, high-dose glucocorticoids and hydroxychloroquine usage. The model’s C index was 0.801. Patients with a prognostic index over 0.544 were classified into the high-risk group.

Conclusion

We have developed a predictive model that uses clinical indicators to assess the probability of CCE in patients diagnosed with SLE. This model has the ability to precisely predict the risk of CCE in patients with SLE. We recommended using this model in the routine assessment of patients with SLE.
Bimekizumab provided rapid improvements in patient-reported symptoms and health-related quality of life in patients with active psoriatic arthritis: pooled 16-week results from two phase 3 studies
Authors: Husni M Elaine , Mease Philip J , Merola Joseph F , Tillett William , Goldammer Nadine , Ink Barbara , Coarse Jason , Lambert Jérémy , Taieb Vanessa , Gladman Dafna D
Published: September 2024

Objectives

To assess impact of bimekizumab treatment on patient-reported outcomes and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA), using 16-week data from two phase 3 studies.

Methods

BE OPTIMAL (NCT03895203; biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (bDMARD)-naïve) and BE COMPLETE (NCT03896581; tumour necrosis factor inhibitor inadequate response/intolerance (TNFi-IR)) are phase 3 studies of subcutaneous bimekizumab 160 mg Q4W; both were double-blind and placebo-controlled to 16 weeks. Patients were randomised 3:2:1 to bimekizumab, placebo or reference (subcutaneous adalimumab 40 mg Q2W) in BE OPTIMAL; 2:1 to bimekizumab or placebo in BE COMPLETE. Patient-reported outcomes for pain, fatigue, physical function and HRQoL are reported to week 16 using pooled and individual study data for bimekizumab and placebo patients.

Results

1073/1112 (96.5%) patients completed week 16 (bimekizumab:‍ 677/698 [97.0%]; placebo: 396/414 [95.7%]). Bimekizumab-treated patients achieved rapid improvements vs placebo in pain, fatigue, physical function and HRQoL by week 4, after a single dose. Improvements continued to week 16 for all patient-reported outcomes, including Pain Visual Analogue Scale (VAS; mean (95% CI) change from baseline: bimekizumab: –‍25.2 [–27.2, –23.1]; placebo:‍ –‍5.7 [–8.2, –3.3]) and FACIT-Fatigue (bimekizumab: 4.5 [3.9, 5.1]; placebo: 1.1 [0.3, 2.0]); both nominal p<0.001. Greater proportions of bimekizumab-treated patients achieved minimal clinically important differences for patient-reported symptoms vs placebo, including FACIT-Fatigue (bimekizumab: 53.1%; placebo: 36.3%) and HAQ-DI (bimekizumab:‍ 53.0%; placebo: 28.7%); both nominal p<0.001.

Conclusion

Bimekizumab treatment demonstrated rapid and greater improvements in patient-reported pain, fatigue, physical function and HRQoL to week 16 vs placebo in bDMARD-naïve and TNFi-IR patients.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT03895203;NCT03896581.
Long versus short-term opioid therapy for fibromyalgia syndrome and risk of depression, sleep disorders and suicidal ideation: a population-based, propensity-weighted cohort study
Authors: Hurtado Isabel , Robles Celia , Peiró Salvador , García-Sempere Aníbal , Llopis Fran , Sánchez Francisco , Rodríguez-Bernal Clara , Sanfélix Gabriel
Published: September 2024

Objective

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is characterised by widespread pain and is associated with mood disorders such as depression as well as poor sleep quality. These in turn have been linked to increased risk of suicidal ideation. Clinical guidelines generally do not recommended opioids in FMS, but they are routinely prescribed to a considerable proportion of FMS patients. We assessed the association of long-term opioid prescription for FMS with risk of depression, sleep disorders and suicidal ideation, when compared with short-term opioid use.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study combing several population-wide databases covering a population of five million inhabitants, including all adults who received an initial opioid prescription from 2014 to 2018 specifically prescribed for FMS. We examined the occurrence of depression, sleep disorders or suicidal ideation outcomes in patients with an initial long-term opioid prescription (>90 days) versus those who received a short-term treatment (<29 days). We employed multivariable Cox regression modelling and inverse probability of treatment weighting based on propensity scores and we performed several sensitivity analyses.

Results

10 334 patients initiated short-term (8309, 80.40%) or long-term (2025, 19.60%) opioids for FMS. In main adjusted analyses, long-term opioid use was associated with an increased risk for depression (HR: 1.58, 95% CI 1.29 to 1.95) and sleep disorder (HR: 1.30, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.55) but not with suicidal ideation (HR: 1.59, 95% CI 0.96 to 2.62). In models assessing outcomes since day 90, an increased risk for suicidal ideation was observed (HR: 1.76, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.98).

Conclusion

These findings suggest that continued opioid use for 90 days or more may aggravate depression and sleep problems in patients with FMS when compared with patterns of short-term treatment.
Effect of plastic fine particles on shear strength at the critical state of sand–clay mixture
Authors: Shan Yi , Tan Songming , Cui Jie , Yuan Jie , Li Yadong , Huang Zhentong
Published: September 2024

A large number of engineering cases have shown that there is significant presence of the sand–clay mixtures during the engineering geological accidents. Static liquefaction or loss of bearing capacity is frequently observed due to the rise in pore water pressure from large deformation in such engineering geology. This study investigates the static behavior of sand–clay mixtures with varying fines contents and various plasticity indices of fines by means of the monotonic drained consolidation triaxial shear tests in conjunction with the binary packing model. Factors influencing the active fines content ( b) of the sand–clay mixtures are examined based on the mixtures’ critical state. This study also discusses the reasons for variations in the critical friction angle ( M) of the sand–clay mixtures using environmental scanning electron microscope tests. Results indicated that the changes of fines content and the plastic index of fines have a certain effect on the static behavior, active fines content ( b), and the friction angle ( M) of the sand–clay mixture. This study presents an equation with reliable predictive results. These findings hold considerable importance for a deeper understanding of the mechanical properties of the sand–clay mixture with and the influencing mechanisms of different plasticity index of fines.
A 1,4-benzoquinone with counteracting inductive donor and acceptor substituents
Authors: Palidwar Shaune , Hahn Nolan , Boeré René T.
Published: September 2024

Investigation of a published route to produce 3,5-di- tert-butylphenol, starting from commercial 3,5-di- tert-butylbenzoic acid via 3,5-di- tert-butylanlinium hydrogen sulfate, unexpectedly yielded 2,6-dintitro-3,5-di- tert-butylphenol. Attempts to increase the yield of the latter resulted, instead, in the previously unreported 2,6-dinitro-3,5-di- tert-butylcyclohexa-2,5-dien-1,4-dione. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction structures are reported for the anilinium salt, the nitrated phenol, and the quinone. Voltammetry of the quinone shows two chemically reversible reductions in anhydrous solution and the radical anion produced from the first reduction step has been characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. This compound fits well to the middle range of electron-poor quinones, indicating that the inductive effects of the tert-butyl and nitro groups counteract each other. This conclusion is also supported by the infrared spectroscopic data where the ν(C=O) and ν(C=C) bands are of very similar energy to those of 2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-1,4-benzoquinone.
An investigation of subaqueous failures triggered by the 1935 CE Mw 6.1 Témiscaming earthquake, Quebec, Canada, as an analogue for a paleoseismic study
Authors: Brooks Gregory R. , Grenier Alain , Brewer Kevin
Published: September 2024

Subaqueous mass transport deposits (MTDs) attributed to the Mw 6.1 1935 CE Témiscaming earthquake were mapped at 17 sub-bottom acoustic profile survey areas on 11 lakes near Témiscaming, Quebec. Distributed over about 1270 km2, MTDs are the product of shallow failures, up to several metres thick, that occurred along planar surfaces and involved primarily lacustrine sediments. Core samples of unfailed deposits indicate that the failure planes occurred within soft sediments at the top of a glaciolacustrine unit or at the base of overlying lacustrine deposits. Radioisotope dating of sediment samples from six coring sites on Tee and Kipawa lakes confirm that the MTDs are the product of failures triggered by the 1935 CE earthquake. To assess the application of such a mapping study to a paleoseismic investigation, the minimum magnitude of an earthquake that can generate an MTD distribution of 1270 km2 was extrapolated from a published empirical plot. The resulting magnitude of Mw/Ms 5.7–5.8 is less than the instrumental Mw 6.1 magnitude and deemed a reasonable estimation of minimum earthquake magnitude. The distribution of MTDs triggered by the 1935 CE earthquake forms the only such signature within the Témiscaming study area since roughly 8 ka cal B.P. The lack of an analogous, older signature(s) is consistent with the absence of equivalent shaking to the 1935 CE earthquake over this period, but the actual timespan may be shorter and begin when gyttja deposits on slopes became thick enough to be prone to failure from such an event.
Simulated warming reduced greenhouse gas emissions by lowering soil moisture in a Pinus tabulaeformis forest of the temperate zone
Authors: Yao Huifang , Feng Ru , Ma Xiuzhi , Li Xiaoyang , Feng Hui , Li Shunshun , Liang Lei , Han Xiaorong
Published: September 2024

The forest soil carbon represents the largest carbon pool in the terrestrial ecosystem. To clarify the effect of climate warming on the soil carbon pool of a Pinus tabulaeformis plantation in the northern temperate zone, an open-top chamber was used to study the effects of warming on soil temperature and moisture, soil enzyme activity, soil active organic carbon, and greenhouse gas emissions in different soil layers. The results showed that (1) warming increased the temperature and decreased the moisture content of the atmosphere and soil. Atmospheric temperature increased by 0.9 °C on average, and atmospheric moisture decreased by 0.05%. The average annual temperatures of the surface soil (5 cm) and deep soil (40 cm) increased by 1.18 and 0.66 °C, respectively, and soil moisture decreased by 2.55% on average. (2) Warming had no significant effect on soil active organic carbon or enzyme activity, but had a significant effect on the active organic carbon content and enzyme activity in individual soil layers in individual months. For example, warming significantly altered the soil sucrase and catalase activities in the 10–20 cm soil layer in September, and also had a significant effect on readily organic carbon content in the 10–20 cm soil layer in July. (3) The seasonal variation of soil CO2 flux showed a unimodal pattern, peaking in July and, ranging from 116.75 to 420.45 mg·m−2·h−1. Warming reduced soil CO2 emissions from the control treatment, from 996.35 to 781.57 g·m−2. The soil of the P. tabulaeformis forest in Daqing Mountain is a sink of atmospheric CH4. The seasonal variation range is −32.34 to −76.43 µg·m−2·h−1, and the flux value is at its lowest in September. Warming promoted the absorption of soil CH4, and the seasonal absorption values of CH4 in the warming and control treatments were 172.03 and 136.90 mg·m−2, respectively. Therefore, after the short-term warming treatment, the soil moisture was reduced; greenhouse gas emissions were significantly reduced, and the warming formed a negative feedback with soil greenhouse gas flux.
Fission of $$^{180}$$Hg and $$^{264}$$Fm: a comparative study
Authors: Bernard Rémi N. , Simenel Cédric , Blanchon Guillaume , Lau Ngee-Wein T. , McGlynn Patrick
Published: September 2024

$$^{180}$$

180

Hg is experimentally found to fission asymmetrically. This result was not expected as a naive fragment shell effects study would support the symmetric mode to be the most probable. In the present study we investigate both symmetric and asymmetric $$^{180}$$

180

Hg fission modes at the mean field level using various multipole moment constraints. Potential energy surfaces are analysed in terms of shell effects that shape their topographies and connections to fragment shell effects are made. The non-occurrence of low energy symmetric fission is interpreted in terms of $$^{90}$$

90

Zr fragment properties. Throughout this study a comparison with $$^{264}$$

264

Fm and its symmetric doubly magic $$^{132}$$

132

Sn fission fragments is done.
Influence of demagnetizing effects on the magnetization curves of finite-size rectangular slabs
Authors: Kiss L. F. , Varga L. K. , Gubicza J. , Péter L. , Bakonyi I.
Published: September 2024

According to some recent studies, the magnetoresistance curves of ferromagnetic strip-shaped samples can significantly differ depending on whether the in-plane external applied magnetic field H is oriented in parallel to either the long or the short edge of the strip. To address this problem, in the present work magnetization curves M(H) were measured for similarly shaped samples with both magnetic field orientations used in the magnetoresistance measurements. It was found that the M(H) curves strongly depend on the saturation magnetization and shape of the samples as well as on the magnetic field orientations. For some samples with sufficiently large saturation magnetization, the effective demagnetizing factors could be deduced from the measured M(H) curves. By considering the investigated samples as a ferromagnetic slab, and approximating them with a general ellipsoid, the demagnetizing factors were calculated from known formulae and compared to the experimental values. A fairly good matching was observed, although the latter data were systematically slightly larger, certainly due to the not completely homogeneous magnetization within the rectangular slab as opposed to the case of a general ellipsoid. The differences in the M(H) curves for the two orientations of the magnetic field could be completely attributed to demagnetizing effects.
Construction of Kinetic Model of Vacuum Arc Magnetic Fluid Under External Magnetic Field
Authors: Juan Huang
Published: September 2024

The external magnetic field is an important control method of vacuum arc at present. Because of its high efficiency and economy, it has become an important method to study the kinetic model of vacuum arc magnetic fluid. Therefore, the kinetic model of vacuum arc magnetic fluid under the external magnetic field is constructed. Firstly, the mass conservation equation, radial momentum conservation equation, axial momentum conservation equation, energy conservation equation, electromagnetic equations are analyzed. The boundary conditions of the dynamic model are cathode boundary, anode boundary and fluid wall boundary. The fluid dynamics calculation software FLUENT is used as the calculation platform, and its secondary development is carried out. Combining VC++self-programming and self-defined macro functions, according to the boundary conditions, the kinetic model of vacuum arc magnetic fluid under external magnetic field is solved, and the kinetic model analysis of vacuum arc magnetic fluid under external magnetic field is realized. Experimental analysis shows under the action of longitudinal magnetic field, the intensity of longitudinal magnetic field increases, the maximum point of ion rotation speed in the magnetic fluid of vacuum arc moves outward along the edge of vacuum arc, the number density of electrons gradually moves from the central axis to the radial direction, and the high density area increases first and then decreases; Under the action of transverse magnetic field, the intensity of transverse magnetic field increases, the ion pressure in vacuum arc magnetic fluid gradually shifts and increases, and the ion number density also increases.
Design and Implementation of Multi-mode Natural Interaction of Game Animation Characters in Mixed Reality: A Novel User Experience Method
Authors: Peng Chen , Ling Wu
Published: September 2024

To enhance users’ novel experiences in gaming, the design method of multi-mode natural interaction of game animation characters in mixed reality is studied. Through the process of skeleton modeling, interpolation of position and orientation, time alignment and time transformation of character posture, the game animation character in mixed reality is constructed. The multi-role interactive game animation is synthesized using a random graph and uniform network, and the edge of the depth of field image collected by the Kinect somatosensory sensor is extracted. According to the transfer model and observation model of the Kalman filter algorithm, the motion trajectory of the game animation characters is obtained and the game animation characters are tracked. The IRS recognition algorithm is used for optical multi-touch processing in mixed reality, and the natural interaction of multi-mode game animation characters in interaction–perception mode, natural interaction mode and interactive feedback mode is realized. The experimental results demonstrate that this method can achieve multi-mode natural interaction of game animation characters in mixed reality and provide users with a novel game experience.
Evaluation Method of Residents’ Satisfaction with Healthcare Consumption Based on Data Mining and Knowledge Mapping
Authors: Yi Zhimin
Published: September 2024

Residents’ healthcare consumption involves many aspects such as residents’ expectations, medical institutions’ reputation, and residents’ trust, resulting in a large difference between the evaluation results and the actual value, and low residents’ satisfaction. Therefore, a method for evaluating residents’ satisfaction with healthcare consumption based on data mining and knowledge mapping is proposed. Under the framework and connotation of evaluation indicators, the evaluation indicator system of residents’ satisfaction with healthcare consumption is constructed to obtain evaluation indicators; the AHP method was used to calculate the weight of the above indicators of residents’ satisfaction with healthcare consumption; combined with the index weight, the improved hierarchical clustering method in data mining is used to cluster the evaluation indexes of residents’ satisfaction with healthcare consumption; according to the clustering results, an evaluation model was built through the knowledge map to evaluate the residents’ satisfaction with healthcare consumption. The experimental results show that the evaluation value of residents’ satisfaction with healthcare consumption is basically consistent with the actual value, and residents’ satisfaction is high.
Chaos and Sub-Harmonic Bifurcations in a Simple SIR Model with Periodically and Parametrically Nonlinear Incidence Rate
Authors: Hu Sengen , Zhou Liangqiang
Published: September 2024

Chaos and sub-harmonic bifurcations of a simple SIR model with periodically and parametrically nonlinear incidence rate are investigated analytically with the Melnikov method and sub-harmonic Melnikov method, respectively. The critical curves of chaos for the model with the periodically and parametrically nonlinear incidence rate are studied analytically for the first time. Some new interesting dynamic phenomena are presented and proved rigorously, including the nonchaotic band, controllable frequencies and even controllable frequency interval, which may exist for some system parameters in this model. The sub-harmonic periodic orbit family is derived. It is presented that sub-harmonic bifurcations with even order and integer order may exist in the system. The sub-harmonic bifurcation conditions are obtained rigorously for two different starting points. Numerical simulations including phase portraits, Poincaré sections, basins of attraction and Lyapunov exponents are given to verify the chaos threshold obtained by the analytical results. It is also shown that the system can undergo chaos through even-order sub-harmonic bifurcations.
The DR3 Milky Way Rotation Curve within the Framework of General Relativity Without Dark Matter
Authors: Canac Michel
Published: September 2024

The GAIA DR3 measurement campaign has produced a MW rotation curve with significantly improved accuracy compared with previous campaigns. In 2023, several authors presented accurate rotation curves calculated from these measurements, within the framework of the dark matter hypothesis. They established new estimates of the Milky Way’s dynamical mass of around [Formula: see text]. Some of these authors showed that, from a radial distance of around 18[Formula: see text]kpc, the Milky Way presents a significant Keplerian decay in the rotation curve, rather than a plateau zone. In this paper, we use a set of data tables from four different authors in a single database. Without making any assumptions about the existence or absence of dark matter, we analyze the observed radial acceleration as a function of the baryonic acceleration. We show that the observed acceleration is an accurate linear function of the baryonic acceleration, making the dark matter hypothesis problematic. Furthermore, we prove that the MW rotation curve can be calculated within the framework of General Relativity without dark matter, using the dynamic metric we published earlier in 2023: “On the incompleteness’ of Birkhoff’s theorem: A new approach to the central symmetric Gravitational Field in Vacuum Space.” In particular, this metric allows us to predict and model the Keplerian decay zone of the rotation curve. Our dynamical mass evaluation does not differ significantly from the value [Formula: see text].