bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validation of the Workplace Integrated Safety and Health (WISH) assessment in a sample of nursing homes using Item Response Theory (IRT) methods
Authors: López Gómez María Andrée , Gundersen Daniel A , Boden Leslie I , Sorensen Glorian , Katz Jeffrey N , Collins Jamie E , Wagner Gregory , Vriniotis Mary G , Williams Jessica AR
Published: June 2021

Objectives

To validate and test the dimensionality of six constructs from the Workplace Integrated Safety and Health (WISH) assessment, an instrument that assesses the extent to which organisations implement integrated systems approaches for protecting and promoting worker health, safety and well-being, in a sample of nursing homes in the USA.

Design

Validation of an assessment scale using data from a cross-sectional survey.

Setting

Nursing homes certified by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare services in three states of the USA: Ohio, California and Massachusetts.

Participants

569 directors of nursing from nursing homes serving adults and with more than 30 beds participated in the study.

Results

Graded response Item Response Theory (IRT) models showed that five out of six constructs were unidimensional based on balanced interpretation of model fit statistics—M2 or C2 with p value >0.05, Comparative Fit Index >0.95, lower bound of the root mean squared error of approximation 90% CI <0.06 and standardised root mean square residual <0.08. Overall measure and construct reliability ranged from acceptable to good. Category boundary location parameters indicated that items were most informative for respondents in lower range of latent scores (ie, β1, β2, β3 typically below 0). A few items were recommended to be dropped from future administrations of the instrument based on empirical and substantive interpretation.

Conclusions

The WISH instrument has utility to understand to what extent organisations integrate protection and promotion of worker health, safety and well-being; however, it is most informative in organisations that present lower scores.
Women’s empowerment and fertility decision-making in 53 low and middle resource countries: a pooled analysis of demographic and health surveys
Authors: Haque Rezwanul , Alam Khorshed , Rahman Syed Mahbubur , Keramat Syed Afroz , Al-Hanawi Mohammed Khaled
Published: June 2021

Objective

Women’s empowerment and its association with fertility preference are vital for central-level promotional health policy strategies. This study examines the association between women’s empowerment and fertility decision-making in low and middle resource countries (LMRCs).

Design

This cross-sectional study uses the Demographic and Health Survey database.

Settings

53 LMRCs from six different regions for the period ranging from 2006 to 2018.

Participants

The data of women-only aged 35 years and above is used as a unit of analysis. The final sample consists of 91 070 married women.

Methods

We considered two outcome variables: women’s perceived ideal number of children and their ability to achieve preferred fertility desire and the association with women empowerment. Women empowerment was measured by their participation in household decision-making and attitude towards wife-beating. The negative binomial regression model was used to assess women’s perceived ideal number of children, and multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate women’s ability to achieve their preferred fertility desire.

Results

Our study found that empowered women have a relatively low ideal number of children irrespective of the measures used to assess women empowerment. In this study, the measures were participation in household decision-making (incidence rate ratio (IRR): 0.92, 95% CI: 0.91 to 0.93) and attitude towards wife-beating (IRR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.95 to 0.97). In the LMRCs, household decision-making and negative attitude towards wife-beating have been found associated with 1.12 and 1.08 times greater odds of having more than their ideal number of children.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that women’s perceived fertility desire can be achieved by enhancing their empowerment. Therefore, a modified community-based family planning programme at the national level is required, highlighting the importance of women’s empowerment on reproductive healthcare as a part of the mission to assist women and couples to have only the number of children they desire.
Dose–response effect of postprocedural elevated cardiac troponin level on adverse clinical outcomes following adult noncardiac surgery: a systematic review protocol of prospective studies
Authors: An Tao , Tian Yue , Guo Jingfei , Kang Wenying , Tian Tao , Zhou Chenghui
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery has been recognised as an important complication associated with short-term and long-term morbidity and mortality. However, whether a higher level of postoperative cardiac troponin (cTn) is associated with a higher incidence of major complications remains controversial. Hence, we will conduct a comprehensive dose–response meta-analysis based on all relevant prospective studies to quantitatively evaluate the association between elevated postoperative cTn levels and short-/long-term adverse clinical outcomes following adult noncardiac surgery.

Methods

We will search the PubMed, EMBase, Cochrane Library, ISI Knowledge via Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang and VIP databases (from inception until October 2020) to identify all prospective cohort studies using the relevant keywords. The primary outcome will be all-cause mortality. The secondary outcomes will include cardiovascular mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). Univariable or multivariable meta-regression and subgroup analyses will be conducted for the comparison between elevated versus nonelevated categories of postoperative cTn levels. Sensitivity analyses will be used to assess the robustness of our results by removing each included study at one time to obtain and evaluate the remaining overall estimates of all-cause mortality or MACE. To conduct a dose–response meta-analysis for the potential linear or restricted cubic spline regression relationship between postoperative elevated cTn levels and all-cause mortality or MACE, studies with three or more categories will be included.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is waived for the systematic review protocol according to the Institutional Review Board/Independent Ethics Committee of Fuwai Hospital. This meta-analysis will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed journal for publication and conference presentations.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020173175.
Everyday life in a Swedish nursing home during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative interview study with persons 85 to 100 years
Authors: Lood Qarin , Haak Maria , Dahlin-Ivanoff Synneve
Published: June 2021

Objective

To understand and report on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the everyday lives of frail older persons living in nursing homes by exploring their experiences of how the pandemic-related restrictions had influenced them and in what way.

Design

Empirical qualitative interview study.

Setting

A publicly run nursing home in an urban area in Sweden in June 2020. The nursing home had visitor restrictions, cancelled activities and physical distancing requirements since March 2020.

Participants

A total of 10 persons, 85–100 years, living in a Swedish nursing home during the COVID-19 pandemic, were recruited through nursing home management and interviewed in June 2020 using medically approved visors and physical distancing.

Analysis

Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis, which involves familiarisation, coding and definition of themes. Transcripts were coded into data-driven categories before being organised into categories that described and explained the data.

Results

The analysis resulted in the main theme ‘It is like living in a bubble’, that describes everyday life in the nursing home during the pandemic as a world of its own in which the older persons felt both protected and isolated. This is described in four subthemes: living 1 day at a time, without fear of the virus; feeling taken care of; having limited freedom and missing out on the little extras.

Conclusions

Contributing to the growing area of COVID-19-related research, our findings provide novel insights into how pandemic-related restrictions in nursing homes represent a risk of isolating older people from the outside world and diminishing their freedom. Put in relation to the previous research, these findings could be applied beyond the pandemic, to develop research and practice that puts focus on how to support older people to decide for themselves how to spend the rest of their lives.
Patient experiences and perceptions of chronic disease care during the COVID-19 pandemic in India: a qualitative study
Authors: Singh Kavita , Kaushik Aprajita , Johnson Leslie , Jaganathan Suganthi , Jarhyan Prashant , Deepa Mohan , Kong Sandra , Venkateshmurthy Nikhil Srinivasapura , Kondal Dimple , Mohan Sailesh , Anjana Ranjit Mohan , Ali Mohammed K , Tandon Nikhil , Narayan K M Venkat , Mohan Viswanathan , Eggleston Karen , Prabhakaran Dorairaj
Published: June 2021

Objective

People with chronic conditions are known to be vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to describe patients’ lived experiences, challenges faced by people with chronic conditions, their coping strategies, and the social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design, setting and participants

We conducted a qualitative study using a syndemic framework to understand the patients’ experiences of chronic disease care, challenges faced during the lockdown, their coping strategies and mitigators during the COVID-19 pandemic in the context of socioecological and biological factors. A diverse sample of 41 participants with chronic conditions (hypertension, diabetes, stroke and cardiovascular diseases) from four sites (Delhi, Haryana, Vizag and Chennai) in India participated in semistructured interviews. All interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, translated, anonymised and coded using MAXQDA software. We used the framework method to qualitatively analyse the COVID-19 pandemic impacts on health, social and economic well-being.

Results

Participant experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic were categorised into four themes: challenges faced during the lockdown, experiences of the participants diagnosed with COVID-19, preventive measures taken and lessons learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic. A subgroup of participants faced difficulties in accessing healthcare while a few reported using teleconsultations. Most participants reported adverse economic impact of the pandemic which led to higher reporting of anxiety and stress. Participants who tested COVID-19 positive reported experiencing discrimination and stigma from neighbours. All participants reported taking essential preventive measures.

Conclusion

People with chronic conditions experienced a confluence (reciprocal effect) of COVID-19 pandemic and chronic diseases in the context of difficulty in accessing healthcare, sedentary lifestyle and increased stress and anxiety. Patients’ lived experiences during the pandemic provide important insights to inform effective transition to a mixed realm of online consultations and ‘distanced’ physical clinic visits.
Ten years of implementation outcome research: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Lengnick-Hall Rebecca , Proctor Enola K , Bunger Alicia C , Gerke Donald R
Published: June 2021

Introduction

A 2011 paper proposed a working taxonomy of implementation outcomes, their conceptual distinctions and a two-pronged research agenda on their role in implementation success. Since then, over 1100 papers citing the manuscript have been published. Our goal is to compare the field’s progress to the originally proposed research agenda, and outline recommendations for the next 10 years. To accomplish this, we are conducting the proposed scoping review.

Methods and analysis

Our approach is informed by Arksey and O’Malley’s methodological framework for conducting scoping reviews. We will adhere to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. We first aim to assess the degree to which each implementation outcome has been investigated in the literature, including healthcare settings, clinical populations and innovations represented. We next aim to describe the relationship between implementation strategies and outcomes. Our last aim is to identify studies that empirically assess relationships among implementation and/or service and client outcomes. We will use a forward citation tracing approach to identify all literature that cited the 2011 paper in the Web of Science (WOS) and will supplement this with citation alerts sent to the second author for a 6-month period coinciding with the WOS citation search. Our review will focus on empirical studies that are designed to assess at least one of the identified implementation outcomes in the 2011 taxonomy and are published in peer-reviewed journals. We will generate descriptive statistics from extracted data and organise results by these research aims.

Ethics and dissemination

No human research participants will be involved in this review. We plan to share findings through a variety of means including peer-reviewed journal publications, national conference presentations, invited workshops and webinars, email listservs affiliated with our institutions and professional associations, and academic social media.
Physical activity referral scheme components: a study protocol for systematic review and meta-regression
Authors: Mino Eriselda , Geidl Wolfgang , Naber Inga , Weissenfels Anja , Klamroth Sarah , Gelius Peter , Abu-Omar Karim , Pfeifer Klaus
Published: June 2021

Introduction

In its attempt to establish effective physical activity promotion methods, research on physical activity referral schemes (PARS) is attracting significant attention. Sometimes known as physical activity on prescription schemes, PARS involve a well-defined procedure whereby a primary healthcare professional introduces a participant to the topic of physical activity and employs prescription or referral forms to connect the participant to physical activity opportunities, such as local fitness offers. The planned systematic review will focus on these referral routes and scheme components and how they are integrated into various PARS models worldwide. We seek to identify the evidence-based core components that play the most important roles in the effectiveness of PARS.

Methods and analysis

The development and reporting of the protocol follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols guidelines. We plan to conduct a systematic main literature search on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, HTA, SpringerLink and other databases. We will include studies that report outcomes on physical activity, PARS uptake and adherence rates or descriptive information about PARS models. We intend for all review stages, citation screening, data extraction and risk of bias assessment to be conducted by at least two independent reviewers. As a broad spectrum of study designs, including randomised and non-randomised studies of interventions and mixed methods, will be eligible, we will use three separate tools to assess the risk of bias in individual studies. The data will be primarily synthesised narratively, following Intervention Component Analysis. If the data allow, we will perform a random-effects meta-analysis and meta-regression to investigate the impact of specific PARS components on effect sizes.

Ethics and dissemination

This systematic review does not require formal ethics approval. The results will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal and international conferences to reach the scientific community.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021233229.
Co-morbid anaemia and stunting among children 2–5 years old in southern Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Orsango Alemselam Zebdewos , Loha Eskindir , Lindtjørn Bernt , Engebretsen Ingunn Marie Stadskleiv
Published: June 2021

Background

In Ethiopia, 38% of children less than 5 years of age are stunted and 57% are anaemic. Both have a negative impact later in life on physical growth and cognitive development and often coexist. There are few studies in Ethiopia that assessed co-morbid anaemia and stunting (CAS) and context-specific factors associated with it.

Objective

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of CAS, and factors associated with CAS among children aged 2 to 5 years, in southern Ethiopia.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 331 randomly selected children in 2017. Mothers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire to obtain child and household information. Anthropometric measurements and blood samples for haemoglobin were collected. Stunting was defined as height-for-age Z-scores (HAZ) less than −2 SDs and anaemia was defined as altitude-adjusted haemoglobin levels less than 11.0 g/dL. CAS was defined when a child was both stunted and anaemic. Crude and adjusted multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with CAS.

Results

Out of 331 children studied, 17.8% (95% CI 13.87% to 22.4%) had CAS. Factors found significantly linked with higher odds of CAS were increased child age (adjusted OR (AOR) 1.0 (1.0 to 1.1)) and no iron supplementation during the last pregnancy (AOR (95% CI) 2.9 (1.3 to 6.2)). One factor found significantly linked to lower odds of CAS was food secured households (AOR (95% CI) 0.3 (0.1 to 0.9)).

Conclusions

Co-morbid anaemia and stunting among children in the study area is of concern; it is associated with household food security, iron supplementation during pregnancy and child age. Therefore, comprehensive interventions focusing on improving household food security and promoting iron supplementation for pregnant women are suggested.
Music therapy effectiveness by duration in patients with cancer: a meta-regression
Authors: Chow Ronald , Bergner Robert , Prsic Elizabeth
Published: June 2021

Objectives

Several reviews and meta-analyses have reported on music therapy for physical and emotional well-being among patients with cancer. However, the duration of music therapy offered may range from less than 1 hour to several hours. The aim of this study is to assess whether longer duration of music therapy is associated with different levels of improvement in physical and mental well-being.

Methods

Ten studies were included in this paper, reporting on the endpoints of quality of life and pain. A meta-regression, using an inverse-variance model, was performed to assess the impact of total music therapy time. A sensitivity analysis was conducted for the outcome of pain, among low risk of bias trials.

Results

Our meta-regression found a trend for positive association between greater total music therapy time and improved better pain control, but it was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

There is a need for more high-quality studies examining music therapy for patients with cancer, with a focus on total music therapy time and patient-related outcomes including quality of life and pain.
Calprotectin: from biomarker to biological function
Authors: Jukic Almina , Bakiri Latifa , Wagner Erwin F. , Tilg Herbert , Adolph Timon E.
Published: June 2021

The incidence of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) emerged with Westernisation of dietary habits worldwide. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic debilitating conditions that afflict individuals with substantial morbidity and challenge healthcare systems across the globe. Since identification and characterisation of calprotectin (CP) in the 1980s, faecal CP emerged as significantly validated, non-invasive biomarker that allows evaluation of gut inflammation. Faecal CP discriminates between inflammatory and non-inflammatory diseases of the gut and portraits the disease course of human IBD. Recent studies revealed insights into biological functions of the CP subunits S100A8 and S100A9 during orchestration of an inflammatory response at mucosal surfaces across organ systems. In this review, we summarise longitudinal evidence for the evolution of CP from biomarker to rheostat of mucosal inflammation and suggest an algorithm for the interpretation of faecal CP in daily clinical practice. We propose that mechanistic insights into the biological function of CP in the gut and beyond may facilitate interpretation of current assays and guide patient-tailored medical therapy in IBD, a concept warranting controlled clinical trials.
Effectiveness of the population-based ‘check your health preventive programme’ conducted in a primary care setting: a pragmatic randomised controlled trial
Authors: Bjerregaard Anne-Louise , Dalsgaard Else-Marie , Bruun Niels-Henrik , Norman Kasper , Witte Daniel R , Stovring Henrik , Maindal Helle Terkildsen , Sandbæk Annelli
Published: June 2021

Background

Health checks have been suggested as an early detection approach aiming at lowering the risk of chronic disease development. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a health check programme offered to the general population, aged 30–49 years.

Methods

The entire population aged 30–49 years (N=26 216) living in the municipality of Randers, Denmark, was invited to a health check during 5 years. A pragmatic household cluster-randomised controlled trial was conducted in 10 505 citizens. The intervention group (IG, N=5250) included citizens randomised to the second year and reinvited in the 5th year. The comparison group (CG, N=5255) included citizens randomised to the 5th year. Outcomes were modelled cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk; self-reported physical activity (PA) and objectively measured cardio respiratory fitness (CRF); self-rated health (short-form 12 (SF-12)), self-rated mental health (SF-12_Mental Component Score (MCS)) and, registry information on sick-leave and employment. Due to low participation, we compared groups matched on propensity scores for participation when reinvited.

Results

Participation in the first health check was 51% (N=2698) in the IG and 40% (N=2120) in the CG. In the IG 26% (N=1340) participated in both the first and second health checks. No intervention effects were found comparing IG and CG. Mean differences were (95% CI): modelled CVD risk: −0.052 (95% CI −0.107 to 0.003)%, PA: −0.156 (−0.331 to 0.019) days/week with 30 min moderate PA, CRF: 0.133 (−0.560 to 0.826) mL O2/min/kg, SF-12: −0.003 (−0.032 to 0.026), SF-12_MCS: 0.355 (-0.423 to 1.132), sick leave periods ≥3 weeks: −0.004 (−0.025 to 0.017), employment: −0.004 (−0.032 to 0.024).

Conclusions

Preventive health checks offered to the general population, aged 30–49 years, had no effects on a wide range of indicators of chronic disease risk.

Trial registration number

NCT02028195.
Standardizing nomenclature in regional anesthesia: an ASRA-ESRA Delphi consensus study of abdominal wall, paraspinal, and chest wall blocks
Authors: El-Boghdadly Kariem , Wolmarans Morné , Stengel Angela D , Albrecht Eric , Chin Ki Jinn , Elsharkawy Hesham , Kopp Sandra , Mariano Edward R , Xu Jeff L , Adhikary Sanjib , Altıparmak Başak , Barrington Michael J , Bloc Sébastien , Blanco Rafael , Boretsky Karen , Børglum Jens , Breebaart Margaretha , Burckett-St Laurent David , Capdevila Xavier , Carvalho Brendan , Chuan Alwin , Coppens Steve , Costache Ioana , Dam Mette , Egeler Christian , Fajardo Mario , Gadsden Jeff , Gautier Philippe Emmanuel , Grant Stuart Alan , Hadzic Admir , Hebbard Peter , Hernandez Nadia , Hogg Rosemary , Holtz Margaret , Johnson Rebecca L , Karmakar Manoj Kumar , Kessler Paul , Kwofie Kwesi , Lobo Clara , Ludwin Danielle , MacFarlane Alan , McDonnell John , McLeod Graeme , Merjavy Peter , Moran EML , O'Donnell Brian D , Parras Teresa , Pawa Amit , Perlas Anahi , Rojas Gomez Maria Fernanda , Sala-Blanch Xavier , Saporito Andrea , Sinha Sanjay Kumar , Soffin Ellen M , Thottungal Athmaja , Tsui Ban C H , Tulgar Serkan , Turbitt Lloyd , Uppal Vishal , van Geffen Geert J , Volk Thomas , Elkassabany Nabil M
Published: June 2021

Background

There is heterogeneity in the names and anatomical descriptions of regional anesthetic techniques. This may have adverse consequences on education, research, and implementation into clinical practice. We aimed to produce standardized nomenclature for abdominal wall, paraspinal, and chest wall regional anesthetic techniques.

Methods

We conducted an international consensus study involving experts using a three-round Delphi method to produce a list of names and corresponding descriptions of anatomical targets. After long-list formulation by a Steering Committee, the first and second rounds involved anonymous electronic voting and commenting, with the third round involving a virtual round table discussion aiming to achieve consensus on items that had yet to achieve it. Novel names were presented where required for anatomical clarity and harmonization. Strong consensus was defined as ≥75% agreement and weak consensus as 50% to 74% agreement.

Results

Sixty expert Collaborators participated in this study. After three rounds and clarification, harmonization, and introduction of novel nomenclature, strong consensus was achieved for the names of 16 block names and weak consensus for four names. For anatomical descriptions, strong consensus was achieved for 19 blocks and weak consensus was achieved for one approach. Several areas requiring further research were identified.

Conclusions

Harmonization and standardization of nomenclature may improve education, research, and ultimately patient care. We present the first international consensus on nomenclature and anatomical descriptions of blocks of the abdominal wall, chest wall, and paraspinal blocks. We recommend using the consensus results in academic and clinical practice.
Evaluation of flow liquefaction and liquefied strength using the cone penetration test: an update
Authors: Robertson P.K.
Published: June 2021

A method to evaluate the susceptibility of soils to undrained strength loss that could result in flow liquefaction as well as a method to estimate the resulting liquefied undrained shear strength of predominately sand-like soils using the cone penetration test (CPT) were outlined by Robertson in 2010. Based on published data and recent case histories, this technical note describes a recommended update to these methods to estimate the large-strain liquefied or remolded undrained shear strength for both sand-like and clay-like soils as well as soils that transition from sand-like to clay-like. The proposed update acknowledges that soil behavior can vary from sand-like to clay-like and that CPT interpretation to estimate large-strain undrained shear strength changes due to the changing drainage conditions during the CPT. The updated method builds upon previously published data combined with recent experience and case histories.
MiR-145-5p modulates lipid metabolism and M2 macrophage polarization by targeting PAK7 and regulating β-catenin signaling in hyperlipidemia
Authors: Chen Huijun , Gao Jing , Xu Qian , Wan Dongmei , Zhai Wenji , Deng Limei , Qie Rui
Published: June 2021

The present study aims to explore the role of microRNA 145-5p (miR-145-5p) in hyperlipidemia. Using bioinformatics tools and a wide range of function and mechanism assays, we attempted to understand the specific function and potential mechanism of miR-145-5p in hyperlipidemia. A cholesterol-enriched diet induced an increase of serum cholesterol and triacylglycerol but a decrease of serum high-density lipoprotein. MiR-145-5p level was decreased in hyperlipidemia rat models. MiR-145-5p regulated lipid metabolism by antagonizing the alteration of high-density lipoprotein, cholesterol, and triacylglycerol in serum mediated by a cholesterol-enriched diet. In mechanism, miR-145-5p directly bound with p21 protein (RAC1)-activated kinase 7 (PAK7) and negatively regulated mRNA and protein levels of PAK7 in THP-1 cells. Furthermore, miR-145-5p level was negatively associated with PAK7 level in rat cardiac tissues. Finally, overexpression of PAK7 reversed the effects of miR-145-5p on β-catenin activation and M2 macrophages polarization in THP-1 cells. In conclusion, MiR-145-5p modulated lipid metabolism and M2 macrophage polarization by targeting PAK7 and regulating β-catenin signaling in hyperlipidemia, which may provide a potential biomarker for the treatment of hyperlipidemia-induced cardiovascular diseases.
Pulse-shape calculations and applications using the AGATAGeFEM software package
Authors: Ljungvall J.
Published: June 2021

A software package for modeling segmented High-Purity Segmented Germanium detectors, AGATAGeFEM, is presented. The choices made for geometry implementation and the calculations of the electric and weighting fields are discussed and models used for charge-carrier velocities are described. Numerical integration of the charge-carrier transport equation is explained. The impact of noise and crosstalk on the achieved position resolution in AGATA detectors is investigated. The results suggest that crosstalk, as seen in the AGATA detectors, is of minor importance for the position resolution. The sensitivity of the pulse shapes to the parameters in the pulse-shape calculations is determined as a function of position in the detectors. Finally, AGATAGeFEM has been used to produce pulse-shape data bases for pulse-shape analyses of experimental data. The results with the new data base indicate improvement with respect to those with the standard AGATA data base. The AGATAGeFEM package sets itself apart with its high precision of the detector geometry description. This lends itself to numerical studies of the impact of segmentation lines and charge diffusion in the next step of code development.
A new theoretical approach to the strain dependence of magnetic crystal-field anisotropy
Authors: Stöter T. , Doerr M. , Rotter M.
Published: June 2021

We report on the derivation of analytical equations forab-initiocalculations of the strain dependence of crystal-electric-field (CEF) parameters for arbitrary deformations. The calculation is based on the fundamental assumption that the charge distribution deforms in the same way as the crystal. Based on this deformed-charge model, simple formulas for the practical usage are given for various site symmetries of cubic lattices under uniform strain. These formulas can be used to predict the change of the magnetic crystal-field anisotropy under strain, which is important for the design of magnetic materials and devices. As an example for the power of the method, we present a calculation of the magnetic contribution to the thermal expansion in some rare-earth-based materials.
Balanced Colorings and Bifurcations in Rivalry and Opinion Networks
Authors: Stewart Ian
Published: June 2021

Balanced colorings of networks classify robust synchrony patterns — those that are defined by subspaces that are flow-invariant for all admissible ODEs. In symmetric networks, the obvious balanced colorings are orbit colorings, where colors correspond to orbits of a subgroup of the symmetry group. All other balanced colorings are said to be exotic. We analyze balanced colorings for two closely related types of network encountered in applications: trained Wilson networks, which occur in models of binocular rivalry, and opinion networks, which occur in models of decision making. We give two examples of exotic colorings which apply to both types of network, and prove that Wilson networks with at most two learned patterns have no exotic colorings. We discuss in general terms how exotic colorings affect the existence and stability of branches for local bifurcations of the corresponding model ODEs, both to equilibria and to periodic states.
TSSM: Three-State Switchable Memristor Model Based on Ag/TiOx Nanobelt/Ti Configuration
Authors: Ji Xiaoyue , Qi Donglian , Dong Zhekang , Lai Chun Sing , Zhou Guangdong , Hu Xiaofang
Published: June 2021

Memristive technologies are attractive due to their nonvolatility, high density, low power, nanoscale geometry, nonlinearity, binary/multiple memory capacity, and negative differential resistance. For memristive devices, a model corresponding with practical behavioral characteristics is highly favorable for the realization of its neuromorphic system and applications. In this paper, we propose a novel memristor model based on the Ag/TiOx nanobelt/Ti configuration, which can reflect three different states (i.e. original stage, transition stage, and resistive switching state) of the physical memristor with a satisfactory fitting precision (greater than 99.88%). Meanwhile, this work gives (1) an insight onto the electrical characteristics of the memristor model under different humidity conditions; (2) the influence of the water molecular concentration on the memristor behavior, which is of importance for the memristor fabrication and subsequent applications. For verification purposes, the proposed three-state switchable memristor is applied into the memristor-based logic implementation. The experimental results demonstrate that the constructed circuit is able to realize basic Boolean logic operations with fast response speed and high efficiency.
Properties of Dynamical Systems on Dendrites and Graphs
Authors: Kočan Zdeněk , Kurková Veronika , Málek Michal
Published: June 2021

Dynamical systems generated by continuous maps on compact metric spaces can have various properties, e.g. the existence of an arc horseshoe, the positivity of topological entropy, the existence of a homoclinic trajectory, the existence of an omega-limit set containing two minimal sets and other. In [Kočan et al., 2014] we consider six such properties and survey the relations among them for the cases of graph maps, dendrite maps and maps on compact metric spaces.

In this paper, we consider fourteen such properties, provide new results and survey all the relations among the properties for the case of graph maps and all known relations for the case of dendrite maps. We formulate some open problems at the end of the paper.
Dynamics of Infectious Diseases: Local Versus Global Awareness
Authors: Tiwari Pankaj Kumar , Rai Rajanish Kumar , Misra Arvind Kumar , Chattopadhyay Joydev
Published: June 2021

Public awareness programs may deeply influence the epidemic pattern of a contagious disease by altering people’s perception of risk and individuals behavior during the course of the epidemic outbreak. Regardless of the veracity, social media advertisements are expected to execute an increasingly prominent role in the field of infectious disease modeling. In this paper, we propose a model which portrays the interplay between dissemination of awareness at local and global levels, and prevalence of disease. Our sensitivity results determine the correlations between some epidemiologically important parameters and disease prevalence. The growth rate of broadcasting information through social media is found to destabilize the system through limit cycle oscillations whereas the baseline number of social media advertisements stabilize the system by terminating persistent oscillations. The system first undergoes supercritical Hopf-bifurcation and then subcritical Hopf-bifurcation on gradual increase in dissemination rate of awareness at local/global level. Moreover, the disease is eradicated if the dissemination rates of awareness and baseline number of social media advertisements are too large. We also study the effect of seasonal variation of the growth rate of social media advertisements. Our nonautonomous system generates globally attractive positive periodic solution if the growth rate of social media advertisements lies between certain ranges. However, the global attractivity is affected on enhancement in growth rate of social media advertisements and three-periodic solution is observed. Our findings show that baseline number of social media advertisements and dissemination of awareness at individual as well as community levels play a tremendous role in eliminating the burden of disease. Furthermore, a comparison of the effects of local and global awareness reveals that the latter is more effective in curtailing the disease. We believe these findings may be beneficial to understand the contagion characteristics of real epidemics and help to adopt suitable precautionary measures in the form of nonpharmaceutical interventions.
The Grothendieck rings of Wu–Liu–Ding algebras and their Casimir numbers (I)
Authors: Yang Ruifang , Yang Shilin
Published: June 2021

Wu–Liu–Ding algebras are a class of affine prime regular Hopf algebras of GK-dimension one, denoted by [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we consider their quotient algebras [Formula: see text] which are a new class of non-pointed semisimple Hopf algebras. We describe the Grothendieck rings of [Formula: see text] when [Formula: see text] is odd. It turns out that the Grothendieck rings are commutative rings generated by three elements subject to some relations. Then we compute the Casimir numbers of the Grothendieck rings for [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text].
An Improved Multivariate Weather Prediction Model Using Deep Neural Networks and Particle Swarm Optimisation
Authors: Jaseena K U , Kovoor Binsu C
Published: June 2021

Accurate weather prediction is always a challenge for meteorologists. This paper suggests a Deep Neural Network (DNN) model to predict minimum and maximum values of temperature based on various weather parameters such as humidity, dew point, and wind speed. Particle Swarm Optimisation (PSO) algorithm is applied to select relevant and important features of the datasets to improve the prediction accuracy of the model. The grid search algorithm is employed to determine the hyperparameters of the proposed DNN model. The statistical indicators Mean Square Error, Mean Absolute Error, Mean Absolute Percentage Error, Nash–Sutcliffe model efficiency coefficient, and Correlation Coefficient are used to evaluate the accuracy of the prediction model. Performance comparison of the proposed model is performed with the Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Vector Autoregression (VAR) models. The experimental outcomes show that the proposed model optimised using PSO achieves better prediction accuracy than traditional approaches.
A sum of three nonzero triangular numbers
Authors: Kim Daejun , Lee Jeongwon , Oh Byeong-Kweon
Published: June 2021

Finding all integers which can be written as a sum of three nonzero squares of integers has been studied by a number of authors. This question is solved under the assumption of the Generalized Riemann Hypothesis (GRH), but still remains unsolved unconditionally. In this paper, we show that out of all integers that are sums of three squares, all but finitely many can be written as [Formula: see text] for some integers [Formula: see text]. Furthermore, we explicitly describe this finite set under the GRH. From this result, we also describe further generalizations for sums of nonzero polygonal numbers. Precisely, we find all integers, under the GRH only when [Formula: see text], which are sums of [Formula: see text] nonzero triangular (generalized pentagonal and generalized octagonal, respectively) numbers for any integer [Formula: see text].
Corporate governance in relationship with bank risk management
Authors: Permatasari Ika
Published: June 2021

The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between corporate governance and risk management of Indonesian banks. Bank risk managements are measured by market risk, credit risk, and liquidity risk. The samples used in this study were all banks registered in Indonesia during the 2010–2016 period. The data sources were obtained from the annual reports and bank financial reports. The results show that corporate governance implementation in Indonesia was able to affect credit risk and liquidity risk. There were differences in credit risk and liquidity risk in banks with different governance ratings, but not at market risk.
Efficient Directed Densest Subgraph Discovery
Authors: Ma Chenhao , Fang Yixiang , Cheng Reynold , Lakshmanan Laks V.S. , Zhang Wenjie , Lin Xuemin
Published: June 2021

Given a directed graph G, the directed densest subgraph (DDS) problem refers to the finding of a subgraph from G, whose density is the highest among all the subgraphs of G. The DDS problem is fundamental to a wide range of applications, such as fraud detection, community mining, and graph compression. However, existing DDS solutions suffer from efficiency and scalability problems: on a threethousand- edge graph, it takes three days for one of the best exact algorithms to complete. In this paper, we develop an efficient and scalable DDS solution. We introduce the notion of [x, y]-core, which is a dense subgraph for G, and show that the densest subgraph can be accurately located through the [x, y]-core with theoretical guarantees. Based on the [x, y]-core, we develop both exact and approximation algorithms. We have performed an extensive evaluation of our approaches on eight real large datasets. The results show that our proposed solutions are up to six orders of magnitude faster than the state-of-the-art.
Extension of Plant Phenotypes by the Foliar Microbiome
Authors: Hawkes Christine V. , Kjøller Rasmus , Raaijmakers Jos M. , Riber Leise , Christensen Svend , Rasmussen Simon , Christensen Jan H. , Dahl Anders Bjorholm , Westergaard Jesper Cairo , Nielsen Mads , Brown-Guedira Gina , Hestbjerg Hansen Lars
Published: June 2021

The foliar microbiome can extend the host plant phenotype by expanding its genomic and metabolic capabilities. Despite increasing recognition of the importance of the foliar microbiome for plant fitness, stress physiology, and yield, the diversity, function, and contribution of foliar microbiomes to plant phenotypic traits remain largely elusive. The recent adoption of high-throughput technologies is helping to unravel the diversityand spatiotemporal dynamics of foliar microbiomes, but we have yet to resolve their functional importance for plant growth, development, and ecology. Here, we focus on the processes that govern the assembly of the foliar microbiome and the potential mechanisms involved in extended plant phenotypes. We highlight knowledge gaps and provide suggestions for new research directions that can propel the field forward. These efforts will be instrumental in maximizing the functional potential of the foliar microbiome for sustainable crop production.
Communication—Anode-Free Lithium Metal Batteries: A Case Study of Compression Effects on Coin Cell Performance
Authors: Zhou Chengtian , Samson Alfred Junio , Garakani Mohammad Akbari , Thangadurai Venkataraman
Published: June 2021

Here, we demonstrate that altering the cell configuration can increase the compression level inside a coin cell, resulting in superior charge and discharge cycle performance. A normal anode-free coin cell’s capacity drops to zero within 20 cycles, while the more compressed cell retains 150 mAh g−1 at the 20th cycle, which is 87.3% of the first cycle discharge capacity. EIS shows that the compressed cell possesses lower bulk resistance and charge transfer resistance through SEI. It also leads to homogeneous Li deposition free of dendrites. Our finding enables a more accurate assessment of anode-free Li-metal batteries in a coin cell.
Type-2 Fuzzy Expert System Approach for Decision-Making of Financial Assets and Investing under Different Uncertainty
Authors: Janková Zuzana , Dostál Petr
Published: June 2021

Extensive research results of stock market time series using classical fuzzy sets (type-1) are available in the literature. However, type-1 fuzzy sets cannot fully capture the uncertainty associated with stock market developments due to their limited descriptiveness. This paper fills a scientific gap and focuses on type-2 fuzzy logic applied to stock markets. Type-2 fuzzy sets may include additional uncertainty resulting from unclear, uncertain, or inaccurate financial data through which model inputs are calculated. Here we propose four methods based on type-2 fuzzy logic, which differ in the level of uncertainty contained in fuzzy sets and compared with the type-1 fuzzy model. The case study aims to create a model to support investment decisions in Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) listed on international equity markets. The created models of type-2 fuzzy logic are compared with the classic type-1 fuzzy logic model. Based on the results of the comparison, it can be said that type-2 fuzzy logic with dual fuzzy sets is able to better describe data from financial time series and provides more accurate outputs. The results reflect the capability and effectiveness of the approach proposed in this document. However, the performance of type-2 fuzzy logic models decreases with the inclusion of increasing uncertainty in fuzzy sets. For further research, it would be appropriate to examine the different levels of uncertainty in the input parameters themselves and monitor the performance of such a modified model.
Characterization of a Tumor-Microenvironment-Relevant Gene Set Based on Tumor Severity in Colon Cancer and Evaluation of Its Potential for Dihydroartemisinin Targeting
Authors: Liang Bo , Zheng Biao , Zhou Yan , Lai Zheng-Quan , Zhang Citing , Yan Zilong , Li Zhangfu , Li Xuefei , Gong Peng , Qu Jianhua , Liu Jikui
Published: June 2021

Colon cancer (COAD) is a leading cause of cancer mortality in the world. Most patients with COAD die as a result of cancer cell metastasis. However, the mechanisms underlying the metastatic phenotype of COAD remain unclear. Instead, particular features of the tumor microenvironment (TME) could predict adverse outcomes including metastasis in patients with COAD, and the role of TME in governing COAD progression is undeniable. Therefore, exploring the role of TME in COAD may help us better understand the molecular mechanisms behind COAD progression which may improve clinical outcomes and quality of patients. Here, we identified a Specific TME Regulatory Network including AEBP1, BGN, POST, and FAP (STMERN) that is highly involved in clinical outcomes of patients with COAD. Comprehensive in silico analysis of our study revealed that the STMERN is highly correlated with the severity of COAD. Meanwhile, our results reveal that the STMERN might be associated with immune infiltration in COAD. Importantly, we show that dihydroartemisinin (DHA) potentially interacts with the STMERN. We suggest that DHA might contribute to immune infiltration through regulating the STMERN in COAD. Taken together, our data provide a set of biomarkers of progression and poor prognosis in COAD. These findings could have potential prognostic and therapeutic implications in the progression of COAD.