bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quality of life assessment in patients on chronic dialysis: Comparison between haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis at a national hospital in Vietnam
Authors: Tran Phuong Que , Nguyen Nhi Truc Y , Nguyen Bach , Bui Quynh Thi Huong
Published: December 2021

Objectives

End‐stage renal disease (ESRD) is a chronic disease that can adversely affect the patient's quality of life (QoL) in terms of functional limitation and cognitive impairment. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with QoL in patients with ESRD undergoing dialysis at a national hospital in Vietnam.

Methods

A descriptive cross‐sectional study was conducted among outpatients aged ≥18 years who underwent haemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD) for at least 3 months at Thong Nhat Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam from May 2020 to July 2021. QoL was measured using the validated Vietnamese version of the EuroQol‐5 Dimensional‐5 Level (EQ‐5D‐5L). The factors associated with the QoL of patients with ESRD undergoing dialysis were identified using multiple linear regression analysis.

Results

In total, 131 (73.6%) and 47 (26.4%) patients underwent HD and PD, respectively. Overall, 178 (55.6%) patients were men (median age, 66 [56–79] years). The mean EQ‐5D‐5L score was significantly higher in patients undergoing PD than in those undergoing HD (0.848 ± 0.183 vs. 0.766 ± 0.231; p = 0.030). Older age (β = −0.006; p < 0.001) and peptic ulcer disease (β = −0.083; p = 0.029) were associated with lower QoL scores. PD treatment was associated with higher QoL scores (β = 0.065; p = 0.046).

Conclusions

It is necessary to improve the QoL of patients undergoing dialysis, especially of elderly patients and patients with peptic ulcer disease. PD may be a better method for maintenance dialysis, if applicable, in terms of QoL.
Use of esmolol for control of tachycardia in 28 dogs and cats (2003–2020)
Authors: Verschoor‐Kirss Michael , Rozanski Elizabeth , Rush John E.
Published: December 2021

Objective

To describe the indications and clinical response for dogs and cats treated with esmolol.

Design

Retrospective case series from 2003 to 2020.

Setting

Single university veterinary teaching hospital.

Animals

Twenty‐two dogs and 6 cats.

Interventions

Animals received either a bolus or bolus and continuous rate infusion of the ultrashort‐acting beta receptor antagonist, esmolol.

Measurements and Main Results

Twenty‐two animals were treated for either a supraventricular or sinus tachycardia, 5 were treated for a ventricular tachycardia, and 1 was treated for atrial fibrillation. Esmolol was most frequently used in dogs (N = 9) who had ingested a toxin such as albuterol, amphetamine, or chocolate. Esmolol was administered at median bolus dose of 330 µg/kg (range 10–1000 µg/kg) and continued as a continuous rate infusion in 15 animals at a median dose of 50 µg/kg/min. Defining success as a reduction in heart rate of 20% or greater, esmolol therapy was considered successful in 13 of 28 animals (46%). Animals treated for a toxicosis were more likely to have a successful rate reduction than those treated for other causes (P = 0.006). Nineteen animals survived to discharge. Both treatment success (P = 0.046) and treatment for a toxicosis (P = 0.003) were associated with survival.

Conclusions

Esmolol administration was well tolerated by dogs and cats with tachycardia due to intoxication. Heart rate reduction by at least 20% was achieved in 46% of cases. Animals with toxin ingestion were more likely to be discharged from the hospital.
Ecological Adaptive Cruise Control of Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle With Connected Infrastructure and On-Road Experiments
Authors: Bae Sangjae , Kim Yeojun , Choi Yongkeun , Guanetti Jacopo , Gill Preet , Borrelli Francesco , Moura Scott J.
Published: December 2021

This paper examines both mathematical formulation and practical implementation of an ecological adaptive cruise controller (ECO-ACC) with connected infrastructure. Human errors are typical sources of accidents in urban driving, which can be remedied by rigorous control theories. Designing an ECO-ACC is, therefore, a classical research problem to improve safety and energy efficiency. We add two main contributions to the literature. First, we propose a mathematical framework of an online ECO-ACC for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). Second, we demonstrate ECO-ACC in a real world, which includes other human drivers and uncertain traffic signals on a 2.6 (km) length of the corridor with eight signalized intersections in Southern California. The demonstration results show, on average, 30.98% of energy efficiency improvement and 8.51% additional travel time.
Solving one-dimensional acoustic systems using the impedance translation theorem and equivalent circuits: A graduate level homework assignment
Authors: Anderson Brian E. , Sommerfeldt Scott D.
Published: December 2021

The natural frequency resonances and sound radiation from one-dimensional acoustic systems are of great interest in the study of musical instruments, human vocal tract effects on speech, automotive exhaust pipes, duct systems for temperature control in buildings, and more. The impedance translation theorem is an approach that may be used to solve for the input impedance and therefore the resonance frequencies of one-dimensional systems. Equivalent circuits offer another approach to solving one-dimensional systems, though with equivalent circuits you can also solve for the response at any location in the system, including the radiated sound pressure. At Brigham Young University, there are two graduate level courses that teach these two techniques. One of the most challenging and memorable homework assignments from these courses is based on using one of these techniques to analyze a particular acoustic system and compare its response with the real thing. This paper discusses the basics of these two techniques and applies them to an analysis of phonemes produced by altering the human vocal tract. Details about the homework assignments are also given.
A Systematic Review of the Relationships Between Physical Activity and Sleep in Early Childhood
Authors: St. Laurent Christine W. , Rodheim Katrina , Spencer Rebecca M.C.
Published: December 2021

The aim of this systematic review was to examine the associations between physical activity and sleep in children aged less than 6 years. Articles were included if participants were primarily aged less than 6 years and study designs were observational or experimental. Study characteristics were extracted, and the Grading Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework was used to assess study quality. Thirty-six studies (16 sleep, 16 physical activity, and three fitness outcomes) from 18 countries reported in 29 articles were included. The majority of sleep and physical activity outcome studies reported mixed effects with very low to low quality of evidence. Fitness outcome studies were limited, and therefore, evidence was insufficient. The high prevalence of mixed and null results could be related to study limitations. Importantly, this review points to the critical need for higher quality studies of sleep and physical activity in young children, which would support health recommendations and intervention strategies for healthier child development.
A Two-Color Haploid Genetic Screen Identifies Novel Host Factors Involved in HIV-1 Latency
Authors: Röling Michael , Mollapour Sisakht Mahsa , Ne Enrico , Moulos Panagiotis , Crespo Raquel , Stoszko Mateusz , De Crignis Elisa , Bodmer Helen , Kan Tsung Wai , Akbarzadeh Maryam , Harokopos Vaggelis , Hatzis Pantelis , Palstra Robert-Jan , Mahmoudi Tokameh
Published: December 2021

A reservoir of latently HIV-1-infected cells persists in the presence of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), representing a major obstacle for viral eradication. Reactivation of the latent HIV-1 provirus is part of curative strategies which aim to promote clearance of the infected cells.
Emergent Myxobacterial Behaviors Arise from Reversal Suppression Induced by Kin Contacts
Authors: Balagam Rajesh , Cao Pengbo , Sah Govind P. , Zhang Zhaoyang , Subedi Kalpana , Wall Daniel , Igoshin Oleg A.
Published: December 2021

In many species, large populations exhibit emergent behaviors whereby all related individuals move in unison. For example, fish in schools can all dart in one direction simultaneously to avoid a predator.
Small and Equipped: the Rich Repertoire of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Candidate Phyla Radiation Genomes
Authors: Maatouk Mohamad , Ibrahim Ahmad , Rolain Jean-Marc , Merhej Vicky , Bittar Fadi
Published: December 2021

To our knowledge, this study is one of the few studies that characterize the defense systems in the CPR group and describes the first repertoire of antibiotic resistance (AR) genes. The use of a BLAST approach with lenient criteria followed by a careful examination of the functional domains has yielded a variety of enzymes that mainly give three different mechanisms of action of resistance.
PAAR Proteins Are Versatile Clips That Enrich the Antimicrobial Weapon Arsenals of Prokaryotes
Authors: Zhang Zheng , Liu Ya , Zhang Peng , Wang Jianing , Li Dandan , Li Yue-zhong
Published: December 2021

Infectious diseases caused by microbial pathogens are severe threats to human health and economic development. To respond to these threats, it is necessary to understand how microorganisms survive in and adapt to complex environments.
Flexural strike-slip basins
Authors: Neuharth Derek , Brune Sascha , Glerum Anne , Morley Chris K. , Yuan Xiaoping , Braun Jean
Published: December 2021

Strike-slip faults are classically associated with pull-apart basins where continental crust is thinned between two laterally offset fault segments. We propose a subsidence mechanism to explain the formation of a new type of basin where no substantial segment offset or syn-strike-slip thinning is observed. Such “flexural strike-slip basins” form due to a sediment load creating accommodation space by bending the lithosphere. We use a two-way coupling between the geodynamic code ASPECT and surface-processes code FastScape to show that flexural strike-slip basins emerge if sediment is deposited on thin lithosphere close to a strike-slip fault. These conditions were met at the Andaman Basin Central fault (Andaman Sea, Indian Ocean), where seismic reflection data provide evidence of a laterally extensive flexural basin with a depocenter located parallel to the strike-slip fault trace.
Supplemental Material: Contemporary and future dust sources and emission fluxes from gypsum- and quartz-dominated eolian systems, New Mexico and Texas, USA
Authors: Sweeney Mark , al. et
Published: December 2021

Methods and Tables S1–S3.
Characteristics and morphology of lipohypertrophic lesions in adults with type 1 diabetes with ultrasound screening: an exploratory observational study
Authors: Hashem Rabab , Mulnier Henrietta , Abu Ghazaleh Haya , Halson-Brown Susan , Duaso Maria , Rogers Rebecca , Karalliedde Janaka , Forbes Angus
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Lipohypertrophy is a common complication of exposure to insulin therapy. Despite the prevalence of lipohypertrophy and its potentially hazardous effects on glucose regulation, it remains a relatively understudied problem in diabetes. The objective of this study was to characterize lipohypertrophic tissue using ultrasound in adults with type 1 diabetes.

Research design and methods

An observational study of 74 people with type 1 diabetes from a diabetes center in South East London. Participants’ insulin exposed areas were scanned with ultrasound, with a high-frequency linear probe (6–13 MHz). The observed tissue changes were described, measured and graded according to nodule size and thickness of the dermal layer.

Results

Participants mean age and diabetes duration were 40.6 (±14.2) and 18.3 (±10.9) years, respectively, and 60% (n=44) were male. A total of 740 lipohypertrophic nodules were observed, ranging from 1.8 mm to 40 mm in width. The mean (SD/range) number of nodules per participants was 10.4 (±6.2/1–29). Delineation between the dermal layers was disrupted in all current injection sites. In 52 participants (70%), there was a 30% increase in dermal thickness compared with local none injected tissue, and in 36 participants (48%) the increase was 50%. The level of thickness was >3 mm in the abdominal areas of 22 (40%) of these participants and in thighs of eight participants (17.8%). Hypoechogenic areas suggestive of necrotic tissue were observed within the lipohypertrophic nodules of 22 (30%) participants. Needle length and nodule depth were correlated (r=0.69, p<0.001). A conceptual model of the insulin exposed tissue changes observed was constructed.

Conclusions

The study confirms that insulin-exposed tissue changes are heterogenous and has provided conceptual and grading frameworks for classifying these changes. Further studies are required to establish the clinical implications of these classifications, in relation to glucose regulation and other clinical parameters.
Hypertension incidence among middle-aged and older adults: findings from a 5-year prospective study in rural South Africa, 2010–2015
Authors: Houle Brian , Gaziano Thomas A , Angotti Nicole , Mojola Sanyu A , Kabudula Chodziwadziwa W , Tollman Stephen M , Gómez-Olivé F Xavier
Published: December 2021

Objectives

There is a scarcity of longitudinal cohort studies in sub-Saharan Africa to understand the epidemiology of cardiovascular disease as a basis for intervention. We estimated incident hypertension and associated sociodemographic, health and behavioural risk factors in a population aged 40 years and older over a 5-year period.

Design

We assessed the association between incident hypertension and sociodemographic, health and behavioural factors using Poisson regression. We adjusted for non-response in 2015 using inverse probability sampling weights from a logistic regression including sex and age at baseline.

Setting

Rural South Africa.

Participants

We used a population-based cohort of normotensive adults in 2010 who were aged 40 years and older at retest in 2015.

Results

Of 676 individuals completing baseline and 5-year follow-up, there were 193 incident cases of hypertension. The overall hypertension incidence rate was 8.374/100 person-years. In multivariable analyses, those who became hypertensive were more likely to be older, have a high waist circumference (incidence rate ratio (IRR): 1.557, 95% CI: 1.074 to 2.259) and be employed (IRR: 1.579, 95% CI: 1.071 to 2.329) at baseline. Being HIV positive and not on antiretroviral therapy at baseline was associated with lower risk of incident hypertension.

Conclusions

Over a 5-year period, 29% of respondents developed hypertension. Given the high burden of hypertension in South Africa, continued longitudinal follow-up is needed to understand the complex interplay of non-communicable and infectious diseases and their underlying and modifiable risk factors to inform public health prevention strategies and programmes.
Do comprehensive deep learning algorithms suffer from hidden stratification? A retrospective study on pneumothorax detection in chest radiography
Authors: Seah Jarrel , Tang Cyril , Buchlak Quinlan D , Milne Michael Robert , Holt Xavier , Ahmad Hassan , Lambert John , Esmaili Nazanin , Oakden-Rayner Luke , Brotchie Peter , Jones Catherine M
Published: December 2021

Objectives

To evaluate the ability of a commercially available comprehensive chest radiography deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) to detect simple and tension pneumothorax, as stratified by the following subgroups: the presence of an intercostal drain; rib, clavicular, scapular or humeral fractures or rib resections; subcutaneous emphysema and erect versus non-erect positioning. The hypothesis was that performance would not differ significantly in each of these subgroups when compared with the overall test dataset.

Design

A retrospective case–control study was undertaken.

Setting

Community radiology clinics and hospitals in Australia and the USA.

Participants

A test dataset of 2557 chest radiography studies was ground-truthed by three subspecialty thoracic radiologists for the presence of simple or tension pneumothorax as well as each subgroup other than positioning. Radiograph positioning was derived from radiographer annotations on the images.

Outcome measures

DCNN performance for detecting simple and tension pneumothorax was evaluated over the entire test set, as well as within each subgroup, using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). A difference in AUC of more than 0.05 was considered clinically significant.

Results

When compared with the overall test set, performance of the DCNN for detecting simple and tension pneumothorax was statistically non-inferior in all subgroups. The DCNN had an AUC of 0.981 (0.976–0.986) for detecting simple pneumothorax and 0.997 (0.995–0.999) for detecting tension pneumothorax.

Conclusions

Hidden stratification has significant implications for potential failures of deep learning when applied in clinical practice. This study demonstrated that a comprehensively trained DCNN can be resilient to hidden stratification in several clinically meaningful subgroups in detecting pneumothorax.
Effects of demolishing abandoned buildings on firearm violence: a moderation analysis using aerial imagery and deep learning
Authors: Jay Jonathan , de Jong Jorrit , Jimenez Marcia P , Nguyen Quynh , Goldstick Jason
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Demolishing abandoned buildings has been found to reduce nearby firearm violence. However, these effects might vary within cities and across time scales. We aimed to identify potential moderators of the effects of demolitions on firearm violence using a novel approach that combined machine learning and aerial imagery.

Methods

Outcomes were annual counts of fatal and non-fatal shootings in Rochester, New York, from 2000 to 2020. Treatment was demolitions conducted from 2009 to 2019. Units of analysis were 152×152 m grid squares. We used a difference-in-differences approach to test effects: (A) the year after each demolition and (B) as demolitions accumulated over time. As moderators, we used a built environment typology generated by extracting information from aerial imagery using convolutional neural networks, a deep learning approach, combined withk-means clustering. We stratified our main models by built environment cluster to test for moderation.

Results

One demolition was associated with a 14% shootings reduction (incident rate ratio (IRR)=0.86, 95% CI 0.83 to 0.90, p<0.001) the following year. Demolitions were also associated with a long-term, 2% reduction in shootings per year for each cumulative demolition (IRR=0.98, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.00, p=0.02). In the stratified models, densely built areas with higher street connectivity displayed following-year effects, but not long-term effects. Areas with lower density and larger parcels displayed long-term effects but not following-year effects.

Conclusions

The built environment might influence the magnitude and duration of the effects of demolitions on firearm violence. Policymakers may consider complementary programmes to help sustain these effects in high-density areas.
Microalbuminuria on admission for acute exacerbation of COPD as a predictor of all-cause mortality and future exacerbations
Authors: Bartziokas Konstantinos , Kyriakopoulos Christos , Dounousi Evangelia , Kostikas Konstantinos
Published: December 2021

Objectives

Microalbuminuria (MAB) is a sensitive biomarker of cardiovascular risk that is directly associated with cardiovascular events and mortality. Recent studies have evaluated the presence of MAB in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or hospitalised for acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD).

Methods

We evaluated 320 patients admitted for AECOPD in respiratory medicine departments of two tertiary hospitals. On admission, demographic, clinical and laboratory values and COPD severity were assessed. Patients were evaluated monthly for 1 year, recording new AECOPD and death from any cause.

Results

Patients with documented MAB (urinary albumin excretion of 30–300 mg/24 hours) on admission had worse lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 s, %) (mean (SD) 34.2 (13.6)% vs 61.5 (16.7)%), higher modified Medical Research Council (3.6 (1.2) vs 2.1 (0.8)), lower 6 min walk test (171 (63) vs 366 (104)) and more hospitalisation days (9 (2.8) vs 4.7 (1.9)) (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). MAB was also correlated with Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease 2020 COPD stages (p < 0.001). In multivariate regression analysis, MAB was a significant predictor of longer hospitalisation duration (OR 6.847, 95% CI 3.050 to 15.370, p < 0.0001). Twelve-month follow-up revealed that patients with MAB experienced more AECOPDs (4.6 (3.6) vs 2.2 (3.5), p < 0.0001) and deaths, n (%) (52 (36.6) vs 14 (7.8), p < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival curves demonstrated that patients with MAB presented with increased mortality, AECOPD and hospitalisation for AECOPD risk at 1 year (p < 0.001 for all comparisons).

Conclusions

The presence of MAB on admission for AECOPD was associated with more severe COPD and prolonged hospitalisation, as well as with higher rates of AECOPD and mortality risk at 1-year follow-up.
Sex-associated and gender-associated differences in the diagnosis and management of axial spondyloarthritis: addressing the unmet needs of female patients
Authors: Chimenti Maria-Sole , Alten Rieke , D'Agostino Maria-Antonieta , Gremese Elisa , Kiltz Uta , Lubrano Ennio , Moreno Mireia , Pham Thao , Ramonda Roberta , Spinelli Francesca-Romana , Perella Chiara , Andreoli Laura
Published: December 2021

Emerging evidence suggests that axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) should not be seen as a predominantly male disease, as the non-radiographic form occurs with roughly equal frequency in women and men. However, men and women experience this disease differently. The purpose of this review is to highlight sex-associated and gender-associated differences in the patient’s journey through the diagnosis and management of axSpA, in order to increase the awareness about the unmet needs of female axSpA patients.

Female patients experience a longer diagnostic delay compared with men, possibly due to the different pattern of clinical presentations across genders. Therefore, it is crucial to sensitise physicians to pay attention and identify the red flags of axSpA in women and promote early referral to a rheumatologist. Women with a diagnosis of axSpA experience greater limitations in physical function, although they have less structural spinal damage compared with men. Women tend to have less adherence and a lower response to treatment, so more gender-oriented data are needed about drugs used for axSpA, especially biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.

Lifestyle factors have a strong impact on the disease course. Interventions regarding physical activity, smoking cessation and diet should be communicated to the patients, with particular attention to the gender-related cultural background.

Patients of childbearing age living with axSpA should be engaged in a discussion about reproductive health, in terms of preservation of fertility, management of pregnancy and delivery and use of biologic drugs during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Flipped $$\mathbf {g_\mu - 2}$$
Authors: Ellis John , Evans Jason L. , Nagata Natsumi , Nanopoulos Dimitri V. , Olive Keith A.
Published: December 2021

We analyze the possible magnitude of the supersymmetric contribution to $$g_\mu - 2$$

g
μ

-
2

in a flipped SU(5) GUT model. Unlike other GUT models which are severely constrained by universality relations, in flipped SU(5) the U(1) gaugino mass and the soft supersymmetry-breaking masses of right-handed sleptons are unrelated to the other gaugino, slepton and squark masses. Consequently, the lightest neutralino and the right-handed smuon may be light enough to mitigate the discrepancy between the experimental measurement of $$g_\mu - 2$$

g
μ

-
2

and the Standard Model calculation, in which case they may be detectable at the LHC and/or a 250 GeV $$e^+ e^-$$

e
+

e
-

collider, whereas the other gauginos and sfermions are heavy enough to escape detection at the LHC.
A model-independent analysis of $$b{\rightarrow }s\mu ^{+}\mu ^{-}$$transitions with GAMBIT ’s FlavBit
Authors: Bhom Jihyun , Chrzaszcz Marcin , Mahmoudi Farvah , Prim Markus T. , Scott Pat , White Martin
Published: December 2021

The search for flavour-changing neutral current effects in B-meson decays is a powerful probe of physics beyond the Standard Model. Deviations from SM behaviour are often quantified by extracting the preferred values of the Wilson coefficients of an operator product expansion. We use the module of the package to perform a simultaneous global fit of the Wilson coefficients $$C_7$$

C
7

, $$C_9$$

C
9

, and $$C_{10}$$

C
10

using a combination of all current data on $$b{\rightarrow }s\mu ^{+}\mu ^{-}$$

b
→
s

μ
+

μ
-

 transitions. We further extend previous analyses by accounting for the correlated theoretical uncertainties at each point in the Wilson coefficient parameter space, rather than deriving the uncertainties from a Standard Model calculation. We find that the best fit deviates from the SM value with a significance of 6.6$$\sigma $$
σ
. The largest deviation is associated with a vector coupling of muons to b and s quarks.
Imagine a Walkable City: Physical activity and urban imageability across 19 major cities
Authors: Constantinides Marios , Joglekar Sagar , Šćepanović Sanja , Quercia Daniele
Published: December 2021

Can the shape of a city promote physical activity? The question of why individuals engage in physical activity has been widely researched, but that research has predominantly focused on socio-demographic characteristics (e.g., age, gender, economic status) and coarse-grained spatial characteristics (e.g., population density), overlooking key urban characteristics of, say, whether a city is navigable or, as urban theorist Kevin Lynch put it, whether it is ‘imageable’ (whether its spatial configuration is economic of mental effort). That is mainly because, at scale, it is neither easy to model imageability nor feasible to measure physical activity. We modeled urban imageability with a single scalable metric of entropy, and then measured physical activity from 233K wearable devices over three years, and did so across 19 major cities in the developed world. We found that, after controlling for greenery, wealth, walkability, presence of landmarks, and weather conditions, the legibility hypothesis still holds: the more imageable a city, the more its dwellers engage in physical activity. Interestingly, wealth (GDP per capita) has a positive association with physical activity only in cities with inclement climate, effectively acting as a compensation mechanism for bad weather.
Activity-induced instabilities of brain organoids
Authors: Thijssen Kristian , Kusters Guido L. A. , Doostmohammadi Amin
Published: December 2021

We present an analytical and numerical investigation of the activity-induced hydrodynamic instabilities in model brain organoids. While several mechanisms have been introduced to explain the experimental observation of surface instabilities in brain organoids, the role of activity has been largely overlooked. Our results show that the active stress generated by the cells can be a, previously overlooked, contributor to the emergence of surface deformations in brain organoids.
Quantum anonymous collision detection for quantum networks
Authors: Khan Awais , Khalid Uman , ur Rehman Junaid , Lee Kyesan , Shin Hyundong
Published: December 2021

Quantum mechanics offers new opportunities for diverse information processing tasks in communication and computational networks. In the last two decades, the notion of quantum anonymity has been introduced in several networking tasks that provide an unconditional secrecy of identity for the communicating parties. In this article, we propose a quantum anonymous collision detection (QACD) protocol which detects not only the collision but also guarantees the anonymity in the case of multiple senders. We show that the QACD protocol serves as an important primitive for a quantum anonymous network that features tracelessness and resource efficiency. Furthermore, the security analysis shows that this protocol is robust against the adversary and malicious participants.
On completeness and generalized symmetries in quantum field theory
Authors: Casini Horacio , Magán Javier M.
Published: December 2021

We review a notion of completeness in QFT arising from the analysis of basic properties of the set of operator algebras attached to regions. In words, this completeness asserts that the physical observable algebras produced by local degrees of freedom are the maximal ones compatible with causality. We elaborate on equivalent statements to this completeness principle such as the non-existence of generalized symmetries and the uniqueness of the net of algebras. We clarify that for non-complete theories, the existence of generalized symmetries is unavoidable and further that they always come in dual pairs with precisely the same “size”. Moreover, the dual symmetries are always broken together, be it explicitly or effectively. Finally, we comment on several issues raised in recent literature, such as the relationship between completeness and modular invariance, dense sets of charges, and absence of generalized symmetries in the bulk of holographic theories.
A wave-oriented variable cell transmission model in an urban road
Authors: Shi Zeyu , Chen Yangzhou , Zhan Jingyuan , Guo Xiangyu , An Shuke
Published: December 2021

To describe the dynamics of traffic flow in the urban link accurately, the waves which generate at intersections are adopted as the influencing factors of traffic flow. Based on the urban traffic waves, a wave-oriented variable cell transmission model (WVCTM) is proposed to illustrate the urban traffic flow. In this model, the average density and length are the state variables. The cells are divided by traffic waves. The upstream cell is the influence area of the waves at the upstream intersection, the downstream cell is the influence area of the waves at the downstream intersection, and the rest is the mediate cell. Consistent with the fundamental diagram and the cell division, the traffic states of urban links are divided into six modes. The variation of modes is explained by hybrid automata. Finally, an experiment is designed to verify the feasibility of WVCTM. The data in the experiment come from the actual scene. Compared with the cell transmission model (CTM) and variable-length CTM (VCTM), WVCTM possesses the valuable performance to predict the traffic states. Likewise, it is rational that WVCTM can correctly illustrate the urban traffic flow.
Bifurcation Analysis of an Ecological System with State-Dependent Feedback Control and Periodic Forcing
Authors: He Mengqi , Tang Sanyi , Tang Guangyao , Xiang Changcheng
Published: December 2021

By assuming a periodic variation in the intrinsic growth rate of the prey, a nonlinear ecological system with periodic forcing and state-dependent feedback control is proposed. The main purpose of the present paper is to study the dynamical behavior generated by periodic forcing and nonlinear impulse perturbations and their effects on pest control. To do this, we first investigate the existence and stability of the boundary periodic solution, and then we employ the numerical bifurcation techniques, mainly including one-dimensional and two-dimensional parameter bifurcation analyses, to reveal that the system exhibits rich and complex dynamic behaviors. Especially, period-adding bifurcation with chaos is found in the two-parameter bifurcation plane. Moreover, we find the periodic structure similar to Arnold tongues, and they are arranged according to the sequence of a Farey tree. In addition, one-dimensional bifurcation diagrams reveal the existence of order-[Formula: see text] periodic, and chaotic solutions, multiple coexisting attractors, period-doubling bifurcations, period-halving bifurcations, and so on. Finally, the effects of the initial population density of pests and natural enemies on the pulse frequency and the biological significance related to the numerical results are studied and discussed.
Sliding Bifurcation in Planar Piecewise Smooth Systems with Two Zones Separated by an Ellipse
Authors: Wu Fang , Huang Lihong , Wang Jiafu
Published: December 2021

The objective of this paper is to study the sliding bifurcation in a planar piecewise smooth system with an elliptic switching curve. Some new phenomena are observed, such as a crossing limit cycle containing four intersections with the switching curve, sliding cycles having four sliding segments, and sliding cycles consisting of the entire switching curve. Firstly, we investigate the bifurcation of sliding cycle from a sliding heteroclinic connection to two cusps and show the appearance of one sliding cycle with two folds. To plot the bifurcation diagram, a planar piecewise linear system with two zones separated by an ellipse are considered. Moreover, we study in more detail the unfolding of a sliding cycle connecting four cusps by exhibiting its complete bifurcation diagram. More precisely, we explore the necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of limit cycles and derive the concrete bifurcation curves. Additionally, a simple piecewise smooth system with nonlinear subsystems is studied, which shows the possibility of the existence of two nested limit cycles. Finally, numerical simulations are given to confirm the theoretical analysis.
Chaos in the Rulkov Neuron Model Based on Marotto’s Theorem
Authors: Ge Penghe , Cao Hongjun
Published: December 2021

The existence of chaos in the Rulkov neuron model is proved based on Marotto’s theorem. Firstly, the stability conditions of the model are briefly renewed through analyzing the eigenvalues of the model, which are very important preconditions for the existence of a snap-back repeller. Secondly, the Rulkov neuron model is decomposed to a one-dimensional fast subsystem and a one-dimensional slow subsystem by the fast–slow dynamics technique, in which the fast subsystem has sensitive dependence on the initial conditions and its snap-back repeller and chaos can be verified by numerical methods, such as waveforms, Lyapunov exponents, and bifurcation diagrams. Thirdly, for the two-dimensional Rulkov neuron model, it is proved that there exists a snap-back repeller under two iterations by illustrating the existence of an intersection of three surfaces, which pave a new way to identify the existence of a snap-back repeller.
Measuring and Locating Zones of Chaos and Irregularity by Application of High Spectral Chaotic Global Variants
Authors: Garner David Matthew , Ling Bingo Wing-Kuen
Published: December 2021

The protocol followed was analogous to that by Garner and Ling [2014]. High spectral Entropy and high spectral Detrended Fluctuation Analysis have been established as more sensitive to the chaotic responses in forward problems in subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), youth obesity and child malnutrition. From 50 linearly increasing starting points, we applied the objective functions (hsCTF1 to hsCTF7) to attain an optimized value, [Formula: see text] which should increase the chaotic response when substituted back into the appropriate model. The mean percentage increase in Kolmogorov–Sinai Entropy and [Formula: see text]-values when the models were compared statistically by Kruskal–Wallis and One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA1) tests were monitored. Normal distributions were considered by Anderson–Darling, Ryan–Joiner and Lilliefors tests. Effect sizes by Cohen’ [Formula: see text] and Hedges [Formula: see text] were computed as sometimes the ANOVA1 and Kruskal–Wallis tests were not discriminative. The optimal statistical results were Duffing (hsCTF1: 29.4%); Brusselator (hsCTF6: 24.7%); Lorenz (hsCTF6: 28.8%). Multivariate analysis was required to determine which of the seven combinations of chaotic globals were most influential. Following Principal Component Analysis (PCA) hsCTF1 and hsCTF3 were the preferred objective functions delivering the highest increases in mean KS-Entropy with most influential PCA. These methods could be advantageous to increase yields and consequently profits in industrial processes such as yeast glycolysis for alcoholic beverages, Systems Biology, inverse and optimization problems, generally.
Dynamic Analysis in a Plankton Ecosystem Involving Two Delays
Authors: Jiang Zhichao , Zhang Weicong , Bai Xueli , Jie Maoyan
Published: December 2021

In this paper, a phytoplankton and zooplankton relationship system with two delays is investigated whose coefficients are related to one of the two delays. Firstly, the dynamic behaviors of the system with one delay are given and the stability of positive equilibrium and the existence of periodic solutions are obtained. Using the fact that the system may occur, the stable switching phenomenon is verified. Under certain conditions, the periodic solutions will exist in a wide range as the delay gets away from critical values. Fixing the delay [Formula: see text] in the stable interval, it is revealed that the effect of [Formula: see text] can also cause the vibration of system. This explains that two delays play an important role in the oscillation behavior of the system. Furthermore, using the crossing curve methods, the stable changes of the positive equilibrium in two-delays plane are given, which generalizes the results of systems for which the coefficients do not depend on delay. Some numerical simulations are provided to verify the theoretical results.
A Wind Tunnel Study on the Aerodynamic Characteristics of Ice-Accreted Twin Bundled Conductors
Authors: Wan Zhiyu , Zhang Dandan , Li Zhenbiao , Mo Shi , Zhang Yu
Published: December 2021

Galloping of twin bundled overhead conductors accreted by ice is a frequent phenomenon during freezing weather, which may damage the operation of transmission lines. To analyze the galloping behavior of iced conductors, their aerodynamic characteristics must be studied. In this study, models with two different outlines were designed and tested to determine a more suitable ice-accreted conductor testing model. Subsequently, the influences of the conductor type, ice thickness, wind turbulence intensity, and wake effect of the windward conductor on the aerodynamic coefficients of the conductors with crescent-shape ice are investigated. The results show that the strand outline of overhead conductors must be considered to improve the accuracy of aerodynamic tests. With increasing ice thickness, the aerodynamic stability becomes rapidly deteriorated. Under the wind turbulence intensity of 4%, the aerodynamic stability gets the most enhancement. Moreover, different conductor types have little impact on the aerodynamic coefficients. The wake caused by the windward conductor is the leading cause for the twin bundled iced conductors to have weaker aerodynamic stability than a single conductor. The aerodynamic coefficients determined in this study are essential for predicting the galloping amplitudes of ice-accreted twin bundled overhead conductors under different weather conditions.
Approximating the asymptomatic infectious cases of the COVID-19 disease in Algeria and India using a mathematical model
Authors: Djilali Salih , Bentout Soufiane , Kumar Sunil , Touaoula Tarik Mohammed
Published: December 2021

In this research, we are interested in discussing the evolution of the COVID-19 infection cases and predicting the spread of COVID-19 disease in Algeria and India. To this aim, we will approximate the transmission rate in terms of the measures taken by the governments. The least square method is used with an accuracy of 95% for fitting the artificial solution with the real data declared by WHO for the purpose of approximating the density of asymptomatic individuals for COVID-19 disease. As a result, we obtained the different values of the basic reproduction number (BRN) corresponding to each measure taken by the governments. Moreover, we estimate the number of asymptomatic infected persons at the epidemic peak for each country. Further, we will determine the needed ICU beds (intense medical carte beds) and regular treatment beds. Also, we provide the outcome of governmental strategies in reducing the spread of disease. Combining all these components, we offer some suggestions about the necessity of using the recently discovered vaccines as Pfizer/Bioentec and Moderna for limiting the spread of the COVID-19 disease in the studied countries.
Geomorphology and Earth system science
Authors: Dadson Simon J.
Published: December 2021

This chapter surveys the history of geomorphology and Earth system science from 1965 to 2000. With roots in Enlightenment thought from Hutton, Somerville, Humboldt and Darwin, we see a preoccupation with a holistic form of Earth system science develop through the reductionist, mechanistic ideas of the nineteenth and twentieth century to be reawoken in the 1960s and 1970s environmental movements and the space age, culminating in the major research programmes set by NASA and others subsequently. At the same time the chapter charts the evolution in geomorphology to consider plate tectonics and the origins of mountain ranges, geochemistry and its links between surfaces systems and the atmosphere, to later ideas emphasizing the interplay between landforms and life. This chapter surveys changing interconnected ideas within this field and draws parallels and contrasts between the holistic depictions of Earth system science in the early part of the subject's history and the fundamental challenges facing us today as we grapple to find science-led solutions to global environmental change.
The lncRNA Signatures of Genome Instability to Predict Survival in Patients with Renal Cancer
Authors: Huang Liang , Xie Yu , Jiang Shusuan , Han Weiqing , Zeng Fanchang , Li Daoyuan
Published: December 2021

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) exert an increasingly important effect on genome instability and the prognosis of cancer patients. The present research established a computational framework originating from the mutation assumption combining lncRNA expression profile and somatic mutation profile in the genome of renal cancer to assess the effect of lncRNAs on the gene instability of renal cancer. A total of 45 differentially expressed lncRNAs were evaluated to be genome-instability-associated from the high and low cumulative somatic mutations groups. Then we established a prognosis model based on three genome-instability-associated lncRNAs (AC156455.1, AC016405.3, and LINC01234)-GlncScore. The GlncScore was then verified in testing cohort and the total TCGA renal cancer cohort. The GlncScore was evaluated to have an accurate prediction for the survival of patients. Furthermore, GlncScore was associated with somatic mutation patterns, indicating its capacity of reflecting genome instability in renal cancer. In conclusion, this study evaluated the effect of lncRNAs on genome instability of renal cancer and provided new hidden cancer biomarkers related to genome instability in renal cancer.
A Comparison Study of Numerical Techniques for Solving Ordinary Differential Equations Defined on a Semi-Infinite Domain Using Rational Chebyshev Functions
Authors: Ramadan Mohamed A. , Radwan Taha , Nassar Mahmoud A. , Abd El Salam Mohamed A.
Published: December 2021

A rational Chebyshev (RC) spectral collocation technique is considered in this paper to solve high-order linear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) defined on a semi-infinite domain. Two definitions of the derivative of the RC functions are introduced as operational matrices. Also, a theoretical study carried on the RC functions shows that the RC approximation has an exponential convergence. Due to the two definitions, two schemes are presented for solving the proposed linear ODEs on the semi-infinite interval with the collocation approach. According to the convergence of the RC functions at the infinity, the proposed technique deals with the boundary value problem which is defined on semi-infinite domains easily. The main goal of this paper is to present a comparison study for differential equations defined on semi-infinite intervals using the proposed two schemes. To demonstrate the validity of the comparisons, three numerical examples are provided. The obtained numerical results are compared with the exact solutions of the proposed problems.
Combination use of core decompression for osteonecrosis of the femoral head: A systematic review and meta-analysis using Forest and Funnel Plots
Authors: Wang Linghanqing , Tian XuRong , Li Keda , Liu Chunlei
Published: December 2021

Problem statement. Core decompression (CD) is a very significant process of dealing in the treatment of femoral head necrosis. And CD combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation has been widely used in clinical practice, but its effectiveness is controversial. This study is carried out to observe its efficacy and outcomes. Objective. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of CD combined with bone marrow stem cells in the treatment of femoral head necrosis by systematic review and meta-analysis. Methodology. PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI, Google Scholar and MEDLINE, etc. databases were searched for clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing core decompression combined with autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells versus core decompression alone in the treatment of femoral head necrosis. The retrieval period is from the establishment of each database to May 20, 2021. After literature was extracted and literature quality was evaluated, meta-analysis was conducted by using RevMan5.3 software. Results. A total of 420 osteonecrosis of the femoral head 452 patients' data were collected from all studies. Compared with the core decompression alone group, the CD combined with bone marrow stem cell showed marked reduction in the Visual analog scale (VAS), enhanced Harris hip score (HHS) at 12 months and 24 months, slowed down the progression of the disease, decreased the number of hips conversed to total hip arthroplasty (THA) in the future. Conclusion. Core decompression therapy is a very effective and safe treatment process used for ONFH. Moreover, CD combined autologous bone marrow stem cell transplantation can improve the survival rate of the necrotic head, reduce hip pain and delay the disease progression, the rate of THA postoperatively.