bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE PERISHABLE MATERIAL CULTURE OF THE PONTIC STEPPE SCYTHIANS: SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION OF A FOURTH‐CENTURY BC KURGAN BURIAL AT BULHAKOVO, UKRAINE
Authors: Daragan Marina , Leontyev Leonid , Radivojević Miljana , Brandt Luise Ørsted , Vanden Berghe Ina , Gleba Margarita
Published: October 2022

Using the organic artefacts from the fourth‐century BC grave at Bulhakovo in southern Ukraine, this article discusses the economics of the perishable material culture of the Scythians of the Pontic Steppe region. Thanks to the survival of organic materials (wood, leather, textiles), the burial provides important information about the complex networks of production and exchange that existed in European Scythia. Scientific analyses produced new data regarding materials and techniques used for the production of wooden, leather and textile objects, providing an opportunity for a more nuanced discussion of their production and consumption.
Causes of hypercapnic respiratory failure and associated in‐hospital mortality
Authors: Chung Yewon , Garden Frances L. , Marks Guy B. , Vedam Hima
Published: October 2022

Background and Objective

Hypercapnic respiratory failure (HRF) can occur due to severe respiratory disease but also because of multiple coexistent causes. There are few data on the prevalence of antecedent causes for HRF and the effect of these causes on prognosis, especially where study inclusion has not been biased with respect to primary diagnosis, interventions received or clinical outcome. We sought to determine the prevalence of pre‐specified conditions among patients with HRF and to determine the effect of these causes on in‐hospital mortality.

Methods

Cross‐sectional study of patients with HRF from 2013 to 2017. Inclusion criteria were PaCO2 >45 mm Hg and pH ≤7.45. Causes of interest were identified using diagnosis codes from hospital records. We used directed acyclic graphs to inform logistic regression models for the outcome of in‐hospital death.

Results

We identified 873 persons with HRF in the study period. Mean (SD) age was 69 years and 50.4% were males. Acidosis (pH <7.35) was present in 488 (55%) cases. Most (83%) had one or more of the following: obstructive lung disease, lower respiratory tract infection, congestive cardiac failure, sleep disordered breathing, neuromuscular disease, opioid or benzodiazepine use. In‐hospital mortality was 12.8%. Obstructive lung disease and cardiac failure were associated with a lower risk of death, whereas respiratory tract infection and neuromuscular disease were associated with increased risk of death.

Conclusion

HRF is associated with a range of potentially causative conditions, which significantly impact hospital survival. Systematic evaluation of patients with HRF may increase detection of treatable comorbidities.
Does the presence of oral health teams influence the incidence of ventilator‐associated pneumonia and mortality of patients in intensive care units? Systematic review
Authors: de Araújo Elza Cristina Farias , da Silva Rênnis Oliveira , Raymundo Maria Letícia Barbosa , Vieira Thiago Isidro , de Sousa Simone Alves , Santiago Bianca Marques , Cavalcanti Yuri Wanderley
Published: October 2022

Aims

To verify whether oral health teams influence the oral health status, ventilator‐associated pneumonia incidence and mortality rate of patients in Intensive Care Units (ICU).

Materials and Methods

Bibliographic searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Lilacs, Embase, Livivo, Open Grey, Academic Google, and Cochrane databases. The assessment of the methodological quality and risk of bias of the included studies and a random‐effects meta‐analysis to summarize relative risk data for ventilator‐associated pneumonia (VAP) and mortality were performed. An analysis of the certainty of the evidence was performed for the main outcomes analyzed.

Results

Records of 518 studies were analyzed by reading titles and abstracts. Five studies were included according to eligibility criteria. The meta‐analysis showed that ICU patients undergoing dental care by an oral health team had a lower incidence of VAP (OR = 0.33; 95% CI: 014–0.76) but did not lower mortality rates (OR = 0.46 95% CI: 0.16–1.32). The certainty of the evidence was considered very low.

Conclusion

Dental care provided by oral health teams in a hospital environment did not influence oral health status or mortality, although it contributed to a reduction in VAP of patients admitted to the ICU.
Quantifying visual acuity of Terrapene carolina triunguis utilizing optokinetic response
Authors: Guan Jimmy , Cameron D. Joshua , Eng Curtis
Published: October 2022

Objective

Quantify visual acuity of a semi‐aquatic turtle species, Terrapene carolina triunguis (three‐toed box turtles), utilizing optokinetic response/reflex/nystagmus.

Methods

Ten turtles were placed on a custom platform and an image of white and black gratings of varying sized widths was projected onto a white screen in front of the turtles. Optokinetic response (OKR) was observed through a web camera as well as physically by an observer. The grating sizes were decreased until OKR could not be elicited. The size of grating was recorded and was used to calculate visual acuity.

Results

The average visual acuity was 0.26 cycle per degree (cpd) with the highest recorded value being 0.43 cpd and lowest being 0.15 cpd. Neither sex nor weight were significantly associated with visual acuity (p = .24 and .98, respectively).

Conclusions

Visual acuity of these semi‐aquatic turtles was much lower than previously reported visual acuities of aquatic turtles. This could be due to differences in refractive indices between water and air, behavioral adaptations for the different species and/or method of obtaining visual acuity.
TRPM7 channels regulate breathing during sleep in obesity by acting peripherally in the carotid bodies
Authors: Kim Lenise J. , Shin Mi‐Kyung , Pho Huy , Tang Wan‐Yee , Hosamane Nishitha , Anokye‐Danso Frederick , Ahima Rexford S. , Sham James S. K. , Pham Luu V. , Polotsky Vsevolod Y.
Published: October 2022

Sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB) affects over 50% of obese individuals. Exaggerated hypoxic chemoreflex is a cardinal trait of SDB in obesity. We have shown that leptin acts in the carotid bodies (CB) to augment chemoreflex and that leptin activates the transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) channel. However, the effect of leptin‐TRPM7 signalling in CB on breathing and SDB has not been characterized in diet‐induced obesity (DIO). We hypothesized that leptin acts via TRPM7 in the CB to increase chemoreflex leading to SDB in obesity. DIO mice were implanted with EEG/EMG electrodes and transfected with Leprb short hairpin RNA (shRNA) or Trpm7 shRNA vs. control shRNA in the CB area bilaterally. Mice underwent a full‐polysomnography and metabolic studies at baseline and after transfection. Ventilatory responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia were assessed during wakefulness. Leprb and Trpm7 were upregulated and their promoters were demethylated in the CB of DIO mice. Leprb knockdown in the CB did not significantly affect ventilation. Trpm7 knockdown in the CB stimulated breathing during sleep in normoxia. These effects were not driven by changes in CB chemosensitivity or metabolism. Under sustained hypoxia, Trpm7 shRNA in the CB augmented ventilation during sleep, but decreased oxyhaemoglobin saturation. We conclude that the suppression of TRPM7 in the CB improved sleep‐related hypoventilation and that the respiratory effects of CB TRPM7 channels in obesity are independent of leptin. TRPM7 signalling in the CB could be a therapeutic target for the treatment of obesity‐related SDB.

image

Key points

The leptin‐TRPM7 axis in the carotid bodies may play an important role in the pathogenesis of sleep‐disordered breathing.

TRPM7 channels regulate breathing during sleep by acting peripherally in the carotid bodies.

Suppression of TRPM7 signalling in the carotid bodies improves the obesity‐induced hypoventilation in mice.

Pharmacological blockade of TRPM7 channels in the carotid bodies could be a therapy for sleep‐disordered breathing in obesity.
An Effective Topological Representation and Dimensionality Reduction Approach for Multi-Material Structural Topology Optimization
Authors: Bao Jianwen , Sun Zhaoyou , Liu Pai , Luo Yangjun
Published: October 2022

Topology optimization is among the most effective tools for innovative and lightweight structural designs. Multi-material design is considered to achieve better structural performance than single-material design. To significantly reduce the design space dimensionality and facilitate the optimization of multi-material structural design problems, this study proposes an effective topological representation and dimensionality reduction approach based on the material-field series expansion (MFSE) model. In the proposed method, a specified number of material phases is described within a single material field with a piecewise Heaviside projection function. The topology optimization problem is solved by determining the optimal MFSE coefficients. Owing to the single material-field topological description and series expansion, the number of design variables is independent of the finite element mesh and the number of material phases. In terms of dimensionality reduction, the proposed method outperformed all reported state-of-the-art algorithms for multi-material topology optimization. The validity and universality of the proposed method are illustrated in two- and three-dimensional numerical examples.
Microdosing: Old Wine in a New Bottle? Current State of Affairs and Future Avenues
Authors: Afonso José , Nakamura Fábio Yuzo , Baptista Ivan , Rendeiro-Pinho Gonçalo , Brito João , Figueiredo Pedro
Published: October 2022

Purpose: Microdosing of exercise aims to deliver smaller daily training doses but at a higher weekly frequency, adding up to a similar weekly volume as in nonmicrodosed training. This commentary critically discusses this concept, which appears to be a rebranding of the “old” distributed practice of motor learning. Development: We propose that microdosing should relate to the minimal dose that develops or at least maintains the selected capacities or skills as this training dose matters to practitioners, especially during the in-season period. Moreover, microdosing has been applied mainly to develop strength and endurance, but abilities such as sprinting and changing direction could also be microdosed, as well as technical–tactical skills. Conclusions: The concept of microdosing should be reframed to avoid redundancy with the concept of distributed practice while providing valuable information concerning the minimum doses that still generate the intended effects and the thresholds that determine whether a dose is “micro” or not.
Genomic Analysis of MSM Rectal Chlamydia trachomatis Isolates Identifies Predicted Tissue-Tropic Lineages Generated by Intraspecies Lateral Gene Transfer-Mediated Evolution
Authors: Suchland Robert J. , Carrell Steven J. , Ramsey Stephen A. , Hybiske Kevin , Debrine Abigail M. , Sanchez Jorge , Celum Connie , Rockey Daniel D.
Published: October 2022

Chlamydia trachomatis
is an obligate intracellular bacterium that causes serious diseases in humans. Rectal infection and disease caused by this pathogen are important yet understudied aspects of
C. trachomatis
natural history.
Complete Genome Sequencing Reveals Unusual Equine Rotavirus A of Bat Origin from India
Authors: Pathak A. , Gulati B. R. , Maan S. , Mor S. , Kumar D. , Soman R. , Punia S. , Chaudhary D. , Khurana S. K.
Published: October 2022

Rotaviruses are globally prevalent diarrheal pathogens in young animals including foals, piglets, calves, goats, sheep, cats, and dogs along with humans. The genome of rotaviruses consists of 11 segments, which enables them to undergo reshuffling by reassortment of segments from multiple species during mixed infections.
Role of Enzymatic Activity in the Biological Cost Associated with the Production of AmpC β-Lactamases in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Barceló Isabel M. , Jordana-Lluch Elena , Escobar-Salom María , Torrens Gabriel , Fraile-Ribot Pablo A. , Cabot Gabriel , Mulet Xavier , Zamorano Laura , Juan Carlos , Oliver Antonio
Published: October 2022

The growing antibiotic resistance of the top nosocomial pathogen
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
pushes research to explore new therapeutic strategies, for which the resistance-versus-virulence balance is a promising source of targets. While resistance often entails significant biological costs, little is known about the bases of the virulence attenuations associated with a resistance mechanism as extraordinarily relevant as β-lactamase production.
HABIT: Health visitors delivering Advice in Britain on Infant Toothbrushing – an early-phase feasibility study of a complex oral health intervention
Authors: Giles Erin , Wray Faye , Eskyte Ieva , Gray-Burrows Kara A , Owen Jenny , Bhatti Amrit , Zoltie Tim , McEachan Rosemary , Marshman Z , Pavitt Sue , West Robert M , Day Peter F
Published: October 2022

Objectives

To conduct an early-phase feasibility study of an oral health intervention, Health visitors delivering Advice on Britain on Infant Toothbrushing (HABIT), delivered by Health Visitors to parents of children aged 9–12 months old.

Design

A mixed-methods, early-phase, non-controlled, feasibility study.

Participants

Recruitment consisted of Group A—HABIT-trained Health Visitors (n=11) and Group B—parents of children aged 9–12 months old about to receive their universal health check (n=35).

Setting

Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK.

Intervention

A multidisciplinary team co-developed digital and paper-based training resources with health visitors and parents of young children. The intervention comprised of two components: (A) training for health visitors to deliver the HABIT intervention and (B) HABIT resources for parents, including a website, videos, toothbrushing demonstration and a paper-based leaflet with an oral health action plan.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Recruitment, retention and intervention delivery were analysed as key process outcomes for Groups A and B. Group B demographics, self-reported toothbrushing behaviours, dietary habits and three objective measures of toothbrushing including plaque scores were collected at baseline, 2 weeks and 3 months post intervention.

Results

HABIT intervention delivery was feasible. Although the intended sample size was recruited (Group A=11 and Group B=35) it was more challenging than anticipated. Retention of Group B participants to final data collection was satisfactory (n=26). Total compliance with toothbrushing guidelines at baseline was low (30%), but significantly improved and was maintained 3 months after the intervention (68%). Plaque scores improved post intervention and participants found video recording of toothbrushing acceptable. Dietary habits remained largely unchanged.

Conclusion

This feasibility study has demonstrated that HABIT is an appropriate oral health intervention. Adaptions to the study design are recommended to maximise recruitment and data collection in a definitive study. These quantitative findings have demonstrated an early signal of impact for improved oral health behaviours for young children at high risk of decay.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN55332414.
Association between COVID-19 incidence and postponement or cancellation of elective surgeries in Japan until September 2020: a cross-sectional, web-based survey
Authors: Kurokawa Tomohiro , Ozaki Akihiko , Bhandari Divya , Kotera Yasuhiro , Sawano Toyoaki , Kanemoto Yoshiaki , Kanzaki Norio , Ejiri Tomozo , Saito Hiroaki , Kaneda Yudai , Tsubokura Masaharu , Tanimoto Tetsuya , Katanoda Kota , Tabuchi Takahiro
Published: October 2022

Objectives

This study aimed to examine whether and how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the postponement or cancellation of elective surgeries in Japan.

Design and setting

A cross-sectional, web-based, self-administered survey was conducted nationwide from August 25 to September 30 2020. We used data from the Japan ‘COVID-19 and Society’ Internet Survey collected by a large internet research agency, Rakuten Insight, which had approximately 2.2 million qualified panellists in 2019.

Participants

From a volunteer sample of 28 000 participants, we extracted data from 3678 participants with planned elective surgeries on any postponement or cancellation of elective surgeries.

Outcome measures

The main outcome measure was any postponement or cancelltion of elective surgeries. In addition, for all respondents, we extracted data on sociodemographic, health-related characteristics, psychological characteristics and prefectural-level residential areas. We used weighted logistic regression approaches to fulfil the study objectives, minimising potential bias relating to web-based surveys.

Results

Of the 3678 participants, 431 (11.72%) reported experiencing postponement or cancellation of their elective surgeries. Notably, the participants living in prefectures where the declaration of the state of emergency was made on 7 April 2020 were significantly more likely to experience postponement or cancellation of elective surgeries than those residing in prefectures with the state of emergency beginning on 16 April 2020 (174 (26.02%) vs 153 (12.15%)).

Conclusions

The proportion of patients whose elective surgery had been postponed was limited during Japan’s first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, although the declaration of a state of emergency increased the likelihood of postponement. It is imperative to increase awareness of the secondary health effects related to policy intervention in pandemics and other health crises and to use appropriate countermeasures such as standard infectious control measures and triage of surgical patients.
Preterm delivery and its associated factors among mothers in Bangladesh: survey in Rajshahi district
Authors: Hossain Md Aslam , Al Mamun Abu Sayed M , Aik Saw , Karim Md Reazul , Zeshan Mahir Hossain Labib , Sabiruzzaman Md , Islam Md Shariful , Ahmed Sharmin , Hossain Md Golam
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Preterm delivery (PD) is a worldwide health burden particularly in low-income and middle-income countries such as Bangladesh. It is a key indicator of neonatal mortality and a risk of morbidity in later life. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of PD and its associated factors among mothers in Northern region of Bangladesh.

Setting and participants

Multistage sampling technique was used to select samples covering all the population from 9 Upazilas in Rajshahi district with 233 community clinics. A total of 540 mothers and their under-5 children were enrolled for the study. Descriptive statistics, χ2 test and logistic regression model were used to analyse the data.

Results

Among all live births, the prevalence of PD was found to be 14.6%. Multiple binary logistic regression model suggested five factors of PD: (1) mothers who used contraceptive pill had lower chance of PD (p<0.05); (2) mothers with high fever during pregnancy period were more likely to have PD (p<0.05); (3) mothers who did not receive antenatal care service less than four times during pregnancy period had higher chance of PD (p<0.01); (4) mothers first married before 18 years who were more likely to have PD (p<0.01); (5) PD delivered mothers had more chance to get low birth weight children (p<0.05). In addition, unadjusted model demonstrated that mothers delivered first baby before their age<20 years were more risk to get PD (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Approximately one in seven infants was born preterm in our study area. Family planning method, number of antenatal care visit, mothers’ age at marriage and high fever during pregnancy were the most important predictors of PD, these factors could be considered to reduce PD among Bangladeshi mothers. PD risk could be reduced by counselling and encouraging women to take antenatal care facilities from trained health providers.
Why do ambulance employees (not) seek organisational help for mental health support? A mixed-methods systematic review protocol of organisational support available and barriers/facilitators to uptake
Authors: Johnston Sasha , Sanderson Kristy , Bowes Lucy , Wild Jennifer
Published: October 2022

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating a wide range of symptoms of poor mental health among emergency medical service (EMS) ambulance populations. Evidence suggests that using organisational support can improve employee outcomes and in turn, patient outcomes. Understanding why EMS staff do and do not use support services is therefore critical to improving uptake, ensuring equitable access, and potentially influencing workforce well-being, organisational sustainability and patient care delivery. This systematic review aims to identify what support is available and any perceived barriers and facilitators to accessing and utilising organisational support.

Methods and analysis

Searches performed between 18 February 2022 and 23 February 2022 will be used to identify studies that report barriers and facilitators to EMS employee support among all government/state commissioned EMS ambulance systems. Electronic databases, AMED, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, EMBASE, EMCARE, HMIC, Medline and PsycINFO will be searched. All relevant English-language studies of adult employees of government/state commissioned EMS ambulance organisations published since December 2004 will be screened and relevant data extracted by two independent reviewers. A third reviewer will resolve any disagreements.

The primary outcome is the identification of perceived barriers or facilitators to EMS staff using organisational support for mental health. The secondary outcome is the identification of supportive interventions offered through or by ambulance trusts. Study selection will follow Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, and the methodological quality of included studies will be appraised by administering rating checklists. A narrative synthesis will be conducted to report qualitative and quantitative data and will include population characteristics, methodological approach and information about barriers and facilitators.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required because only available published data will be analysed. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication and conference presentation.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022299650.
“We don’t routinely check vaccination background in adults”: a national qualitative study of barriers and facilitators to vaccine delivery and uptake in adult migrants through UK primary care
Authors: Carter Jessica , Mehrotra Anushka , Knights Felicity , Deal Anna , Crawshaw Alison F , Farah Yasmin , Goldsmith Lucy Pollyanna , Wurie Fatima , Ciftci Yusuf , Majeed Azeem , Hargreaves Sally
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Explore primary care professionals’ views around barriers/facilitators to catch-up vaccination in adult migrants (foreign-born; over 18 years of age) with incomplete/uncertain vaccination status and for routine vaccines to inform development of interventions to improve vaccine uptake and coverage.

Design

Qualitative interview study with purposive sampling and thematic analysis.

Setting

UK primary care.

Participants

64 primary care professionals (PCPs): 48 clinical-staff including general practitioners, practice nurses and healthcare assistants; 16 administrative-staff including practice managers and receptionists (mean age 45 years; 84.4% women; a range of ethnicities).

Results

Participants highlighted direct and indirect barriers to catch-up vaccines in adult migrants who may have missed vaccines as children, missed boosters and not be aligned with the UK’s vaccine schedule, from both personal and service-delivery levels, with themes including: lack of training and knowledge of guidance among staff; unclear or incomplete vaccine records; and lack of incentivisation (including financial) and dedicated time and care pathways. Adult migrants were reported as being excluded from many vaccination initiatives, most of which focus exclusively on children. Where delivery models existed, they were diverse and fragmented, but included a combination of opportunistic and proactive programmes. PCPs noted that migrants expressed to them a range of views around vaccines, from positivity to uncertainty, to refusal, with specific nationality groups reported as more hesitant about specific vaccines, including measles, mumps and rubella (MMR).

Conclusions

WHO’s new Immunization Agenda 2030 calls for greater focus to be placed on delivering vaccination across the life course, targeting underimmunised groups for catch-up vaccination at any age, and UK primary care services therefore have a key role. Vaccine uptake in adult migrants could be improved through implementing new financial incentives or inclusion of adult migrant vaccination targets in Quality Outcomes Framework, strengthening care pathways and training and working directly with local community-groups to improve understanding around the benefits of vaccination at all ages.
Burnout and coping strategies among nurses in Malaysia: a national-level cross-sectional study
Authors: Zakaria Nursyahda , Zakaria Nor Haniza , Bin Abdul Rassip Muhammad Nur Amir , Lee Kun Yun
Published: October 2022

Objective

This national-level study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of burnout, as well as the coping strategies among nurses in the Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia.

Design

Using a complex sampling design, a two-stage stratified cluster sampling was performed to recruit MOH nurses between August and November 2019.

Setting and participants

A total of 2428 nurses from 32 hospitals and 28 district health offices answered the questionnaires based on Maslach Burnout Inventory for Human Services and Brief COPE. Complex sampling analysis was applied.

Outcome measures

The outcome of interest was the prevalence of burnout and its three domains of emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalisation (DP) and low personal accomplishment. ORs using 95% CIs were calculated. Significant factors at the univariate level were entered into the multivariate logistic regression to identify independent predictors of burnout.

Results

One in four (24.4%) nurses experienced burnout. Younger, single, and childless nurses had a higher prevalence of burnout. Shift working nurses were 1.6 times more likely to develop burnout. Those who performed >6 night shifts per month were 1.5 times more predisposed to burnout (95% CI 1.01 to 2.36; p<0.05). While encountering traumatic events at work led to 4.2 times (95% CI 2.31, 7.63; p<0.05) higher risk of burnout, those who received post-traumatic psychological support were better protected. The use of dysfunctional coping strategies was detrimental as it was positively correlated with EE and DP.

Conclusion

Addressing modifiable stressors of burnout at individual and institutional levels identified in this study can be potentially beneficial in reducing burnout and its undesirable effects among nurses. Interventions that promote positive coping strategies should be implemented. Organisational-driven efforts must target the improvement of work schedules for nurses and the establishment of a structured debriefing service for post-trauma counselling.
United Kingdom Early Detection Initiative (UK-EDI): protocol for establishing a national multicentre cohort of individuals with new-onset diabetes for early detection of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Oldfield Lucy , Stott Martyn , Hanson Robert , Jackson Richard J , Reynolds William , Chandran-Gorner Vatshala , Van Der Meer Robert , Alison Laurence , Tejeiro Ricardo , Purewal Tejpal , Ghaneh Paula , Palmer Daniel , Greenhalf William , Halloran Chris , Costello Eithne
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Pancreatic cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Screening for this disease has potential to improve survival. It is not feasible, with current screening modalities, to screen the asymptomatic adult population. However, screening of individuals in high-risk groups is recommended. Our study aims to provide resources and data that will inform strategies to screen individuals with new-onset diabetes (NOD) for pancreatic cancer.

Methods and analysis

The United Kingdom Early Detection Initiative (UK-EDI) for pancreatic cancer is a national, prospective, observational cohort study that aims to recruit 2500 individuals with NOD (<6 months postdiagnosis) aged 50 years and over, with follow-up every 6 months, over a 3-year period. For study eligibility, diagnosis of diabetes is considered to be clinical measurement of haemoglobin A1c ≥48 mmol/mol. Detailed clinical information and biospecimens will be collected at baseline and follow-up to support the development of molecular, epidemiological and demographic biomarkers for earlier detection of pancreatic cancer in the high-risk NOD group. Socioeconomic impacts and cost-effectiveness of earlier detection of pancreatic cancer in individuals with NOD will be evaluated. The UK-EDI NOD cohort will provide a bioresource for future early detection research to be conducted.

Ethics and dissemination

The UK-EDI study has been reviewed and approved by the London-West London and GTAC Research Ethics Committee (Ref 20/LO/0058). Study results will be disseminated through presentations at national and international symposia and publication in peer-reviewed, Open Access journals.
Patient survey examining the experience of care of a hospital-based opt-out tobacco dependency treatment service (the CURE Project)
Authors: Hryhorskyj Lynn , Howle Freya , Groom Kathryn , Moore Ryan , Clegg Hannah , Shackley David , Pearce Cheryl , Baugh Monique , Rutherford Michael , Huddart Helen , Mawson Alyshia , Manley Emily , Hewitt Kath , Coyne Jane , Benbow Elizabeth , Crossfield Andrea , Murray Rachael L , Evison Matthew
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Treating tobacco dependency in patients admitted to hospital is a key priority in the National Health Service long-term plan. This service evaluation assessed the perception, needs and experience of care within an opt-out hospital-based tobacco dependency treatment service (the Conversation, Understand, Replace, Experts and Evidence Base (CURE) team) in North-West England.

Methods

A survey was offered to all eligible patients between 1 July 2020 and 30 September 2020. Eligibility criteria were adult patients identified as an active smoker being approached by the CURE team as part of the standard opt-out service model, on a non-covid ward without a high suspicion of COVID-19 infection and able to read and write in English.

Results

106 completed surveys were evaluated. Participants demonstrated high levels of tobacco dependency with an average of 37 years smoking history and 66% describing the onset of cravings within 30 min of hospital admission. The average number quit attempts in the previous 12 months was 1.3 but only 9% had used the most effective National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended treatments. 100% felt the opt-out service model was appropriate and 96% stated the treatment and support they had received had prompted them to consider a further quit attempt. 82% of participants rated their experience of care as 9/10 or 10/10. Participants wanted a broad range of support post discharge with the most popular option being with their general practitioner. 66% and 65% of participants would have been interested in a vaping kit as stop smoking intervention and support vaping-friendly hospital grounds respectively.

Conclusion

These results suggest this hospital-based, opt-out tobacco dependency treatment service delivers high-quality experience of care and meets the needs of the patients it serves. It also highlights the opportunity to enhance outcomes by providing access to NICE recommended most-effective interventions (varenicline, vaping and combination nicotine replacement therapy) and providing flexible, individualised discharge pathways.
Supply Chain Management of Marginal Cost-Intensive Green Products under Random Demand Model
Authors: Wang Yi , Du Mengxue
Published: October 2022

Our manuscript analyzes the performance of supply chain of marginal cost-intensive green products under random demand. This model contains two members: one manufacturer and one retailer. We study how different parameters influence performance of both centralized and decentralized channel. Our results suggest that: (1) overall profit in centralized channel is always higher comparing to decentralized channel; (2) centralized channel has higher production quantity and lower retail price; (3) the green-level is equal in these two channels; (4) in decentralized channel, the retailer will get more profits than the manufacturer.
Efficient tripartite scheme of remotely sharing single-qubit operation with five-qubit Brown state
Authors: Yuan Hao , Zhang Gang , Kong Min , Zhang Zhanjun
Published: October 2022

A tripartite operation sharing scheme is put forward by employing a five-qubit entangled state [proposed by Brown et al., J. Phys. A 38, 1119 (2005)] as quantum channel. Its sharer asymmetry and its success determinacy are both identified. Moreover, its security is ensured via analyses. In terms of current techniques, its experimental feasibility is discussed and thus confirmed. Furthermore, its comparison with Ye et al.’s scheme [Chin. Phys. Lett. 30, 020301 (2013)] utilizing the same quantum channel is made and shows its distinct advantage of degrading the intensity and difficulty of necessary operations.
Fracture Analysis of Sheet Aluminum Alloy AA2024-T3 Through a Complex-Loading Cross-Die Test
Authors: Jantarasricha Tanakorn , Chongbunwatana Komkamol , Panich Sansot
Published: October 2022

Lightweight materials such as aluminum alloys are, nowadays, well recognized as one of the most popular choices in the aerospace industry owing to their fantastic strength-to-weight ratio. Their fabricability is, nevertheless, doubtful down to their low elongation, especially in the present day where geometrical complexity is hugely demanded. Truly understanding fracture behaviors of such sheet metal would benefit all involved parties. To achieve that challenging goal, proper fracture-analysis models and implementation methods are definitely crucial. This work proposes the recent Lou–Huh fracture criterion to describe the rupture behavior of sheet aluminum alloy AA2024-T3. To build such a damage mechanics model, a string of Nakajima stretching and notched tensile tests must be performed to acquire critical strain data, precisely measured using the 2D-DIC principle. The data are used to calibrate the model. A fracture locus (FL), defining an extensive AA2024-T3 fracture threshold, is then established out of the fine-tuned model. The FL is directly coupled into an ABAQUS/Explicit FE process simulation model via the Fortran-based subroutine VUMAT. This leading-edge implementation can supposedly emulate realistic damage evolution by monitoring and actively removing the elements whose degree of injury has reached a certain limit. At the end, the complete integrative FE model is empirically validated through an industrial X-shaped specimen, deformed under nonlinear strain paths. Fracture locations, shapes and development on the FE-simulated specimen are observed and contrasted with those on the experimental one. It is obviously shown that the results from both approaches agree remarkably well in all aspects. When compared with the famous fracture forming limit curve (FFLC), the Lou–Huh FL combined with the element-removal VUMAT implementation clearly outperforms. In summary, the proposed model and the implementation procedure are practically outstanding fracture evaluators of AA2024-T3, wonderfully predicting and vividly laying bare crack appearance and growth.
Tensor products and strong products of soft graphs
Authors: George Bobin , Jose Jinta , Thumbakara Rajesh K.
Published: October 2022

Molodtsov developed soft set theory in 1999 as an approach for modeling vagueness and uncertainty. Many academics currently employ soft set theory to solve decision-making problems. A parameterized point of view for graphs is provided using the idea of soft graphs. Soft graph theory is a rapidly growing field in graph theory because of its adaptability to parameterization techniques. In graph theory, the topic of graph products has attracted much attention. It is a binary operation on graphs that has many combinatorial applications. Analogous to the definitions of graph products, we can define product operations on soft graphs. In this paper, we introduce the tensor product, the restricted tensor product, the strong product, and the restricted strong product of soft graphs. We prove that these products of soft graphs are also soft graphs, and we derive formulas for finding vertex count, edge count, and the sum of part degrees in them.
Asymptotic properties of GEE with diverging dimension of covariates
Authors: Zhu Chunhua , Gao Qibing , Yao Yi
Published: October 2022

In this paper, for the generalized estimating equation (GEE) with diverging number of covariates, the asymptotic properties of GEE estimator are considered. Under the weaker assumption on the minimum eigenvalue of Fisher information matrix and some other regular conditions, we prove the asymptotic existence, consistency and asymptotic normality of the GEE estimator and the asymptotic distribution of the test statistics of linear combination of the unknown parameters. The results are illustrated by Monte-Carlo simulations.
Adaptive Selection and Clustering of Partial Reconfiguration Modules for Modern FPGA Design Flow
Authors: Zhao Kang , Ma Yuchun , He Ruining , Zhang Jixing , Xu Ning , Bian Jinian
Published: October 2022

Dynamic Partially Reconfiguration (DPR)
on FPGA has attracted significant research interest in recent years since it provides benefits such as reduced area and flexible functionality. However, due to the lack of supporting synthesis tools in the current DPR design flow, leveraging benefits from DPR requires specific design expertise with laborious manual design effort. Considering the complicated concurrency relations among various functions, it is challenging to select appropriate
Partial Reconfiguration Modules (PR Modules)
and cluster them into proper groups with a proper reconfiguration schedule so that the hardware modules can be swapped in and out correctly during the run time. Furthermore, the design of PR Modules also impacts reconfiguration latency and resource utilization greatly. In this paper, we propose a Maximum-Weight Independent Set model to formulate the PR Module selection and clustering problem so that the original manual exploration can be solved efficiently and automatically. We also propose a step-wise adjustment configuration prefetching strategy incorporated in our model to generate optimized reconfiguration schedules. Our proposed approach not only supports various design constraints but also can consider multiple objectives such as area and reconfiguration delay. Experimental results show that our approach can optimize resource utilization and reduce reconfiguration delay with good scalability. Especially, the implementation of the real design case shows that our approach can be embedded in Xilinx's DPR design flow successfully.
Impact of LiF Particle Morphology on Overpotential and Structure of Li Metal Deposition
Authors: Guo Rui , Kim Kyeong-Ho , Gallant Betar M.
Published: October 2022

It has been widely suggested in literature that a lithium fluoride (LiF)-rich solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) affects Coulombic efficiency (CE) of the Li metal anode used with liquid electrolytes. Yet, the influence of LiF on Li metal deposition has been challenging to examine. Herein, we developed a method to synthesize LiF nanoscale particles with tunable sizes (30–300 nm) on Cu electrodes by electrochemical reduction of fluorinated gases under controlled discharge rates and capacities. The impact of LiF nanoparticles on overpotential and morphology of Li deposition was further studied in a conventional carbonate electrolyte. By cyclic voltammetry, Li plating overpotentials exhibit a clear correlation with the total surface area of LiF particles. Additionally, Li metal deposits (10 μAh cm−2) nucleated under galvanostatic conditions (0.5 mA cm−2) on Cu/LiF showed increasing feature sizes with a lower average LiF particle size and higher coverage of LiF. However, no significant improvement in CE was observed for LiF-coated Cu. Our findings provide evidence that a particle-based mode of SEI fluorination can influence early-stage Li nucleation to a modest degree, and this effect is maximized when LiF is uniformly and densely distributed. However, sparser and larger LiF have vanishing or even detrimental effect on cycling performance.
ECG Paper Digitization and R Peaks Detection Using FFT
Authors: Fathail Ibraheam , Bhagile Vaishali D.
Published: October 2022

An electrocardiogram (ECG) uses electrodes to monitor the heart rhythm and identify minute electrical changes that occur with each beat. It is employed to investigate particular varieties of aberrant heart activity, such as arrhythmias and conduction problems. One of the most essential tools for detecting heart problems is the electrocardiogram (ECG). The majority of ECG records are still on paper. Manual ECG paper record analysis can be difficult and time-consuming. It is possible to digitally digitize these paper ECG recordings for automated analysis and diagnosis. In this paper, we proposed a system to digitize the ECG paper, automatically detecting R peaks, calculating the average heart rate, and sending SMS to the doctor via cloud in the event of detection of abnormality. The method of the system is uploading an ECG image, then dimensionality reduction, feature extraction in the form of digital signals, and saving it in a CSV file format using the MATLAB programming language. After that, the system retrieves the signals for further processing of the raw signals. We used the fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm to calculate R peaks and calculate the heart rate. If the heart rate is abnormal, the system sends SMS messages to doctors via a technology platform (Twilio) using the Python programming language.
Changes in Respiratory Pathogens before and after the COVID‐19 Pandemic (2018–2021)
Authors: Kim Ki Yeon , Kim Jae Soo , Lee Young Ki , Kim Ga Yeon , Jung Bo Kyeung
Published: October 2022

Objective. This study is aimed at investigating the pattern of change occurring in respiratory pathogens before and after the outbreak of COVID‐19, a type of viral pneumonia for which a pandemic was declared (March 2020). The results were analyzed by gender and age to identify the association between personal hygiene and prevention of infection by respiratory pathogens. Methods. A retrospective analysis was performed on 39,814 sputum, bronchial aspirate, and transtracheal aspirate samples obtained from 15,398 patients visiting a university hospital, located in Chungcheongnam‐do, South Korea, between January 2018 and December 2021. From 4,454 patients whose samples were culture positive for bacteria, 6,389 strains were isolated and further cultured. Results. The mean age of the outpatients with respiratory pathogens was 66.2 years, and the comparison of the culture test results by gender showed that 64.9% (2,892/4,454) were male and 35.1% (1,562/4,454) were female. Compared to the pre‐COVID‐19 pandemic period, the number of outpatients with a request for respiratory microbial cultures after the onset of the pandemic was reduced by 20.7% and the number of outpatients with a positive culture result was reduced by 23.0%. The number of respiratory samples received was reduced by 6.7% after the pandemic, while the sample positive rate was reduced by 18.3%. Among the isolated microbial strains, there was a significant decrease of 43.1% for the Acinetobacter baumannii complex, 60.5% for Streptococcus pneumoniae, 67.2% for Haemophilus influenzae, and 78.1% for Moraxella catarrhalis when compared with pre‐COVID‐19 levels. The distribution of respiratory microbial strains by age group showed that the highest percentage of isolated strains was in patients in their 70s. Conclusions. The improvements in personal hygiene due to the COVID‐19 pandemic exerted a substantial influence on the pattern of change in other common respiratory microorganisms, which highlights the importance of personal hygiene management in the prevention of respiratory infections.
Effects of Albumin Supplements on In-Hospital Mortality in Patients with Sepsis or Septic Shock: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Liu Pei , Zhi Deyuan , Wang Yajun , Lin Jin , Zhang Meng , Duan Meili
Published: October 2022

Objective. To explore the clinical effects of albumin supplements on the basis of crystalloid solution in patients with sepsis or septic shock. Methods. The online databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE were comprehensively searched from inception to June 28, 2021, with the keywords including “albumin,” “sepsis,” or “septic shock.” Retrospective cohort (RC) and randomized controlled trials (RCT) were included for analysis. Two authors independently searched and analyzed the literature. The in-hospital mortality at 7 days and 28 days, duration of mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapy, length of ICU stay, and length of hospital stay were compared between patients with albumin supplements and crystalloid solution and those with crystalloid alone. Results. A total of 10 studies with 6463 patients were eventually included for meta-analysis. The in-hospital mortality of patients at 7 days (OR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.81–1.23) and 28 days (OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.91–1.13) did not show a significant difference between the two groups of patients. Also, the pooled results demonstrated no significant differences in duration of mechanical ventilation (OR = 0.29, 95% CI: −0.05–0.63), renal replacement therapy (WMD = 1.15, 95% CI: 0.98–1.35), length of ICU stay (WMD = −0.07, 95% CI: −0.62–0.48), and length of hospital stay (WMD = −0.09, 95% CI: −0.70–0.52) between patients receiving albumin plus crystalloid solution and those with crystalloid solution alone. Conclusion. Albumin supplements on the basis of crystalloid solution did not improve the 7-day and 28-dayin-hospital mortality in patients with sepsis or septic shock compared with those with crystalloid solution alone.
Performance Evaluation of Rural Agricultural Informatization Management Based on Interval Intuition Fuzzy Information
Authors: Huang Jiayan , Fu Shaohui , Xiong Chunlin
Published: October 2022

The scientific evaluation of agricultural informatization construction level has important theoretical and practical significance, especially with the development of “national rural informatization demonstration province construction pilot,” and the establishment of a comprehensive evaluation of agricultural informatization results of the index system has become an urgent problem to develop China’s agricultural informatization. This paper draws on relevant research results to build an index system for evaluating the performance of agricultural informatization in three dimensions: the external environment, the internal environment, and the operational effect of agricultural informatization, and the study uses SPSS software to conduct factor analysis and improve the constructed index system. Then the interval intuitionistic fuzzy mathematics is applied to construct the RAIM performance evaluation model, which is verified by Hunan Province, and on this basis, the improvement measures of rural agricultural information management construction are proposed.
Quantum Derivation of the Bloch Equations Excluding Relaxation
Authors: Johnston Eric R.
Published: October 2022

The equation of motion of the density matrix of an ensemble of identical spin-1/2 nuclei subject to a rotating-frame radiofrequency field and Zeeman frequency offset is derived from the Schrodinger equation and shown to be equivalent to the magnetization differential equations originally proposed by Bloch (excluding relaxation). The quantum and classical differential equations are then integrated.