bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Population pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of investigational
regimens’ drugs in the TB-PRACTECAL clinical trial (the PRACTECAL-PKPD
study): a prospective nested study protocol in a randomised controlled
trial
Authors: Nyang'wa Bern-Thomas , Kloprogge Frank , Moore David A.J. , Bustinduy Amaya , Motta Ilaria , Berry Catherine , Davies Geraint R
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health threat,
with little over 50% of patients successfully treated. Novel regimens
like the ones being studied in the TB-PRACTECAL trial are urgently
needed. Understanding anti-TB drug exposures could explain the success
or failure of these trial regimens. We aim to study the relationship
between the patients’ exposure to anti-TB drugs in TB-PRACTECAL
investigational regimens and their treatment outcomes.

Methods and analysis

Adults with multidrug-resistant TB randomised to investigational
regimens in TB-PRACTECAL will be recruited to a nested
pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PKPD) study. Venous blood samples will
be collected at 0, 2 and 23 hours postdose on day 1 and 0, 6.5 and 23
hours postdose during week 8 to quantify drug concentrations in plasma.
Trough samples will be collected during week 12, 16, 20 and 24 visits.
Opportunistic samples will be collected during weeks 32 and 72. Drug
concentrations will be quantified using liquid chromatography-tandem
mass spectrometry. Sputum samples will be collected at baseline, monthly
to week 24 and then every 2 months to week 108 for MICs and bacillary
load quantification. Full blood count, urea and electrolytes, liver
function tests, lipase, ECGs and ophthalmology examinations will be
conducted at least monthly during treatment.

PK and PKPD models will be developed for each drug with nonlinear
mixed effects methods. Optimal dosing will be investigated using
Monte-Carlo simulations.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has been approved by the Médecins sans Frontières (MSF)
Ethics Review Board, the LSHTM Ethics Committee, the Belarus RSPCPT
ethics committee and PharmaEthics and the University of Witwatersrand
Human Research ethics committee in South Africa. Written informed
consent will be obtained from all participants. The study results will
be shared with public health authorities, presented at scientific
conferences and published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Trial registration number

NCT04081077;
Pre-results.
Technologies supporting vision screening: a protocol for a scoping
review
Authors: Ali Qasim , Heldal Ilona , Helgesen Carsten Gunnar , Krumina Gunta , Tvedt Marianne Nesbjørg
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Vision problems affect academic performance, social and mental
health. Most traditional vision screening methods rely on human expert
assessments based on a set of vision tests. As technology advances, new
instruments and computerised tools are available for complementing
vision screening. The scoping review based on this protocol aims to
investigate current technologies for vision screening, what vision tests
can be complemented by technologies, and how these can support vision
screening by providing measurements.

Methods and analysis

The planned review will utilise the PRISMA extension for Scoping
Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) tool. Electronic search will be performed in
databases, including Web of Science, MEDLINE (Ovid), Scopus, Engineering
Village, Cochrane and Embase. We will perform a systematic search in
selected reference databases without the limitation on publications
dates, or country of studies. Reference management software, like
EndNote and DistillerSR, will be used to remove duplicate entries. Two
authors will independently analyse the studies for inclusion
eligibility. Conflicts will be resolved by discussion. We will extract
the types of technologies, types of vision tests they complement and the
measurements for the included studies. Overall findings will be
synthesised by thematic analysis and mapping to the logic
model.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required for this review, as it will only
summarise existing published data. We will publish the findings in an
open access, peer-reviewed journal. We expect that the review results
will be useful for vision screening experts, developers, researchers,
and policymakers.
At the frontlines of digitisation: a qualitative study on the challenges and opportunities in maintaining accurate, complete and timely digital health records in India’s government health system
Authors: Scott Kerry , Ummer Osama , Chamberlain Sara , Sharma Manjula , Gharai Dipanwita , Mishra Bibha , Choudhury Namrata , Mohan Diwakar , LeFevre Amnesty Elizabeth
Published: February 2022

Objectives

To understand factors underpinning the accuracy and timeliness of mobile phone numbers and other health information captured in India’s government registry for pregnant and postpartum women. Accurate and timely registration of mobile phone numbers is necessary for beneficiaries to receive mobile health services.

Setting

Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan states in India at the community, clinical, and administrative levels of the health system.

Participants

Interviews (n=59) with frontline health workers (FLHWs), data entry operators, and higher level officials. Focus group discussions (n=12) with pregnant women to discuss experiences with sharing data in the health system. Observations (n=9) of the process of digitization and of interactions between stakeholders for data collection.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Thematic analysis identified how key actors experienced the data collection and digitisation process, reasons for late or inaccurate data, and mechanisms that can bolster timeliness and accuracy.

Results

Pregnant women were comfortable sharing mobile numbers with health workers, but many were unaware that their data moved beyond their FLHW. FLHWs valued knowing up-to-date beneficiary mobile numbers, but felt little incentive to ensure accuracy in the digital record system. Delays in registering pregnant women in the online portal were attributed to slow movement of paper records into the digital system and difficulties in gathering required documents from beneficiaries. Data, including women’s phone numbers, were handwritten and copied multiple times by beneficiaries and health workers with variable literacy. Supervision tended to focus on completeness rather than accuracy. Health system actors noted challenges with the digital system but valued the broader project of digitisation.

Conclusions

Increased focus on training, supportive supervision, and user-friendly data processes that prioritise accuracy and timeliness should be considered. These inputs can build on existing positive patient–provider relationships and health system actors’ enthusiasm for digitisation.
Protocol for black student well-being study: a multi-site qualitative study on the mental health and well-being experiences of black UK university students
Authors: Stoll Nkasi , Yalipende Yannick , Arday Jason , Smithies Dominic , Byrom Nicola C. , Lempp Heidi , Hatch Stephani L.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

There is an increasing concern about the mental health and mental well-being of university students in the UK. Black university students who report a mental health condition are less likely to complete their course, achieve a first-class or upper second-class degree and progress to further education. This study will document black university students’ accounts of their mental health experiences and perceptions of key turning points of biographical changes to their mental health as they move through the university life cycle.

Methods and analysis

This is a qualitative study. Data will be collected through a biographical narrative interpretive method. Interviews will enable the researcher to study systematically how participants make sense of themselves and account for the complexities of their life experiences, from their own perspectives and language. An interpretative phenomenological approach will be used to offer insights into what black students studying at UK universities report affects their mental health and well-being. Data collection for this study commenced in October 2020. Data collection and analyses will be completed by January 2022.

Ethics and dissemination

Full ethical approval for the current study was obtained from King’s College London Psychiatry, Nursing and Midwifery Research Ethics Subcommittee (Rec Ref: 20489, Project Ref: HR-19/20-20489, 2 October 2020). From the study findings, we aim to contribute to the evidence base, make recommendations for interventions and encourage further study into black student mental health.
Evaluating the feasibility of a web-based discharge education programme to improve general surgical patients’ postdischarge recovery: a pilot randomised controlled trial
Authors: Kang Evelyn , Chaboyer Wendy , Tobiano Georgia , Gillespie Brigid
Published: February 2022

Objective

To assess the feasibility of implementing a web-based discharge education programme for general surgery patients both prior to and after hospital discharge.

Design, setting and participants

This is a prospective, two-arm, pilot randomised controlled trial. Patients who had a general surgery procedure were recruited from a tertiary hospital between October 2020 and January 2021. Patients were randomly assigned to either the standard education or the web-based education intervention.

Intervention

The web-based education comprised of three components designed to enhance patients’ knowledge, skills and confidence to improve their engagement with self-care, and the ability to detect any postoperative issues that can arise during the postdischarge period.

Main outcomes and measures

The primary outcome was feasibility in terms of recruitment, randomisation, retention and treatment fidelity related to intervention delivery, adherence and satisfaction. Secondary outcomes were patient activation, self-care ability and unplanned healthcare utilisation.

Results

Eighty-five patients were recruited and randomised (42 control; 43 intervention). Twenty-three (27%) were lost to follow-up. All patients received their group allocation as randomised and all patients in the intervention group received the web-based education prior to discharge. Postdischarge, patients accessed the education an average of 3 times (SD 3.14), with 4 minutes (SD 16) spent on the website. 28 (97%) of the intervention patients found the content easy to understand, 25 (86%) found it useful and 24 (83%) were satisfied with its content. There was a significant association between the intervention and patient activation (F(1,60)=9.347, p=0.003), but not for self-care ability and unplanned healthcare utilisations.

Conclusion

This pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of implementing a web-based education programme. There was a high number of participants lost to follow-up, requiring additional attention in the design and implementation of a larger trial.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12620000389909p.
Intimate physical contact between people from different households during the COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed-methods study from a large, quasi-representative survey (Natsal-COVID)
Authors: Sonnenberg Pam , Menezes Dee , Freeman Lily , Maxwell Karen J , Reid David , Clifton Soazig , Tanton Clare , Copas Andrew , Riddell Julie , Dema Emily , Bosó Pérez Raquel , Gibbs Jo , Ridge Mary-Clare , Macdowall Wendy , Unemo Magnus , Bonell Chris , Johnson Anne M , Mercer Catherine H , Mitchell Kirstin , Field Nigel
Published: February 2022

Objectives

Physical distancing as a non-pharmaceutical intervention aims to reduce interactions between people to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Intimate physical contact outside the household (IPCOH) may expand transmission networks by connecting households. We aimed to explore whether intimacy needs impacted adherence to physical distancing following lockdown in Britain in March 2020.

Methods

The Natsal-COVID web-panel survey (July–August 2020) used quota-sampling and weighting to achieve a quasi-representative population sample. We estimate reporting of IPCOH with a romantic/sexual partner in the 4 weeks prior to interview, describe the type of contact, identify demographic and behavioural factors associated with IPCOH and present age-adjusted ORs (aORs). Qualitative interviews (n=18) were conducted to understand the context, reasons and decision making around IPCOH.

Results

Of 6654 participants aged 18–59 years, 9.9% (95% CI 9.1% to 10.6%) reported IPCOH. IPCOH was highest in those aged 18–24 (17.7%), identifying as gay or lesbian (19.5%), and in steady non-cohabiting relationships (56.3%). IPCOH was associated with reporting risk behaviours (eg, condomless sex, higher alcohol consumption). IPCOH was less likely among those reporting bad/very bad health (aOR 0.54; 95% CI 0.32 to 0.93) but more likely among those with COVID-19 symptoms and/or diagnosis (aOR 1.34; 95% CI 1.10 to 1.65). Two-thirds (64.4%) of IPCOH was reported as being within a support bubble. Qualitative interviews found that people reporting IPCOH deliberated over, and made efforts to mitigate, the risks.

Conclusions

Given 90% of people did not report IPCOH, this contact may not be a large additional contributor to SARS-CoV-2 transmission, although heterogeneity exists within the population. Public health messages need to recognise how single people and partners living apart balance sexual intimacy and relationship needs with adherence to control measures.
Republished:Delayed aneurysm rupture following treatment with the WEB embolization device
Authors: Gross Bradley A , Lang Michael J
Published: February 2022

Delayed rupture of an aneurysm following WEB embolization has not yet been reported. We present a case of a multiply ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm treated via WEB embolization. A post-treatment CT scan confirmed no evidence of rebleeding during treatment. Four hours after treatment, the patient developed an acute, significant increase in intracranial pressure with bloody ventriculostomy output, with CT scan demonstrating new parenchymal and intraventricular hemorrhage. The aneurysm was subsequently treated via microsurgical clipping that did not identify an “uncovered” bleb or rupture source.
Postoperative complications of colectomy and J-pouch with ileostomy versus without ileostomy in children with inflammatory bowel diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Oltean Irina , Travis Nicole , Kaur Manvinder , Grandpierre Viviane , Hayawi Lamia , Tsampalieros Anne , Nasr Ahmed
Published: February 2022

Background

The efficacy of performing a restorative proctocolectomy and J-pouch ileoanal anastomosis without diverting ileostomy in children with inflammatory bowel disease has been a longstanding debate. A systematic review and meta-analysis is presented comparing the occurrence of postoperative complications in children who underwent either the pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) with ileostomy (diverted) versus the undiverted procedure.

Methods

Records were sourced from CINAHL, CENTRAL, EMBASE and MEDLINE databases. Studies followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and compared postoperative complications in pediatric patients diagnosed with inflammatory diseases aged less than 18 years who underwent J-pouch with ileostomy versus without ileostomy. The primary outcome was the occurrence of postoperative leaks, and the secondary outcomes were presence of postoperative small bowel obstruction (SBO), pouchitis, stricture and fistula complications. A random-effects meta-analysis was used.

Results

Twenty-three observational studies in the systematic review were included with 658 patients (83% diverted, 17% undiverted). Pooled estimates showed no difference in occurrence of leaks in children who underwent J-pouch/IPAA with ileostomy versus without (odds ratio (OR) 0.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.17 to 1.64, I2=16%). There was no difference in the occurrence of SBO, pouchitis or strictures in children who underwent J-pouch/IPAA with ileostomy versus without (SBO: OR 2.27, 95% CI 0.52 to 9.92, I2=0%, pouchitis: OR 1.76, 95% CI 0.95 to 3.24, I2=0%, strictures: OR 2.72, 95% CI 0.44 to 16.69, I2=66%).

Conclusion

The meta-analysis did not find differences in the occurrence of complications in pediatric patients who underwent the IPAA with ileostomy procedure versus without ileostomy.
Optimizing the parameters for force, temperature, and metal removal rate: a multi-feature fusion model for titanium alloy milling
Authors: Li Songyuan , Li Shuncai , Li Yuqing , Popov Eugene
Published: February 2022

In the processing of titanium alloy, the milling parameters determine the process temperature and force. Increasing the milling temperature and force can affect the quality of the titanium alloy produced. In this study, we developed a multi-feature fusion model for high-quality titanium alloy workpieces. In the milling experiments with different milling parameters, an infrared thermal imager and a three-dimensional dynamometer were used to collect the time-domain signals for temperature near the tip of the milling cutter and the milling force. Based on the experimental data, a multi-feature fusion model was established with the milling temperature, milling force, and metal removal rate as the targeted variables, and the milling parameters as the optimized parameters. Based on the particle swarm optimization algorithm, the optimal milling parameters within the test parameters were resolved using the multi-feature fusion model. The results show that: within the milling parameter range of the experimental design, the optimal solutions for the milling parameters are: milling speed of 22.14 m/min; feed speed of 8.25 mm/min; milling depth of 1.36 mm. The multi-feature fusion model resulted in lower milling temperature and force, and provides theoretical guidance for scientifically designing the parameters for the milling process.
Retesting the no-hair theorem with GW150914
Authors: Wang Ke
Published: February 2022

For a distorted black hole (BH), its ringdown waveform is a superposition of quasi-normal modes (QNMs). In general relativity (GR), the lower order QNM frequencies and damping rates can be well approximated by a polynomial of BH’s dimensionless spin and overall scaled by BH’s mass. That is to say, we can test the no-hair theorem of BH in GR model-independently by allowing not only an overall fractional deviation (as M. Isi et al. did) but also a set of fractional deviation for every coefficient. In the paper, we will apply the latter method to retest the no-hair theorem with GW150914 and probe hairs’ behaviors if hairs exist. Eventually, we find the data favors GR.
Traversable wormhole models in f(R) gravity
Authors: Mishra B. , Agrawal A. S. , Tripathy S. K. , Ray Saibal
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we analyze the wormhole solutions in [Formula: see text] gravity. Specifically we sought for wormhole geometry solutions for the following three shape functions: (i) [Formula: see text], (ii) [Formula: see text] and (iii) [Formula: see text], under some legitimate physical conditions on the parameters as well as constants involved here with the shape functions. It is observed from the graphical plots that the behavior of the physical parameters are interesting and viable.
Consensus dynamics in noisy trees with given parameters
Authors: Hu Tongchun , Li Leilei , Wu Yongqing , Sun Weigang
Published: February 2022

In this paper, the leaderless coherence and leader–follower coherence defined by the Laplacian spectrum are applied to noisy trees with given parameters. The asymmetry of the trees is controlled by the degrees of hub nodes. Based on the tree’s structures, analytical solutions are obtained for these two types of consensus algorithms. In order to compare the leaderless and leader–follower coherence, two trees with the same network size are selected and then explicit expressions of the coherence are given. Obtained results reveal that bigger difference of the degrees of the hubs leads to higher coherence and the consensus of a tree without a leader becomes better. Finally, it is found that the leader–follower coherence changes higher with more leaders and larger network parameters.
Factors Affecting Delay in Initial Treatment of Patients with Soft Tissue Sarcomas
Authors: FUJIHARA Nasa , HAMADA Shunsuke , YOSHIDA Masahiro , TSUKUSHI Satoshi , FUJIHARA Yuki
Published: February 2022

Background: Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are rare, and little is known about the factors that affect the delays in the initial treatment. The aim of this study is to quantify the period between onset of symptoms and start of treatment of STS and determine the factors affecting delays in initial treatment.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of all STS treated in our institution between October 2009 and March 2019. We analysed patient record to determine the period from onset of symptoms to start of initial treatment. We also collected data with regard to patient characteristics and features of the tumour. Tumours were classified into upper extremity, lower extremity, trunk and others based on location of the tumour. Statistical tests were done to identify factors that affected delay in initial treatment.

Results: The study included 134 patients (76 male and 58 female) with STS with an average age of 56.6 years. The tumours involved the upper extremity in 20 patients, lower extremity and trunk in 50 patients each and other areas in 14 patients. The most frequent histological subtypes were liposarcomas (n = 31, 23.5%) and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas (n = 24, 18.2%). Initial treatment was delayed by an average of 9.9 months for all groups. The period of treatment delay for tumours involving the upper extremity was shorter (7.9 months) and these tumours were smaller at initial presentation (57.6 mm) compared to tumours in other locations (p < 0.05). Other factors that were positively associated with treatment delays were a history of diabetes mellitus (p = 0.037) and smoking (p = 0.026).

Conclusion: Patients with upper-extremity STS may have the benefit of a relatively better prognosis as they present earlier and with a smaller tumour. In addition, factors, such as diabetes and smoking, which indicate a low interest in health also influenced the delay in the initial treatment.

Level of Evidence: Level III (Therapeutic)
A Meta-Analysis of the Outcomes of Ligament Reconstruction Compared to No Reconstruction with or without Tendon Interposition Following Trapeziectomy for Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis
Authors: ROSALES Roberto S. , GONZALEZ-GARCIA Ana , DORTA-FERNANDEZ Agustin , HERAS-PALOU Carlos
Published: February 2022

Background: The outcomes of trapeziectomy with ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition (LRTI) compared to the trapeziectomy (T) alone or in combination with tendon interposition (TIA) in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) of the carpometacarpal joint (CMCJ) of the thumb are still debated. The aim of this study is to conduct a meta-analysis to determine whether the outcomes of LRTI were better compared to T or TIA.

Methods: A meta-analysis of randomised trials that included the outcomes of patients with thumb CMCJ OA that underwent LRTI, T or TIA with at least 1 year follow-up. The outcomes included number of patients with pain 1 year after surgery (NPP), Visual Analog Scale for Pain (VAS Pain), key pinch strength, patient reported outcome measurements (PROMs) and number of adverse effect (AEs). The effect was assessed using mean difference for quantitative variables (VAS pain and key pinch), standardised mean difference for PROMs and relative risk for binary variables (NPP and AEs).

Results: Seven studies met the inclusion criteria (857 participants: 438 LRTI vs 419 T/TIA). We did not find significant differences between LRTI and T/TIA in NPP, VAS pain, key pinch at 1 year and 5 years or more, PROMs, and AEs at 1 year and at 5 years or more after surgery.

Conclusions: The outcomes of LRTI are not superior to T or TIA in the treatment of OA of the thumb CMCJ.

Level of Evidence: Level I (Therapeutic)
A Prospective Trial Comparing Outcomes at 11 Months of a Standard Cross-Finger Flap versus a Laterally Based Thenar Flap for Fingertip Reconstruction
Authors: CHAKRABORTY Sourabh Shankar , DIXIT Pawan Kumar , KALA Prakash Chandra , SAHU Ranjit Kumar , KATROLIA Deepti , K Suresh
Published: February 2022

Background: The standard cross-finger flap (CFF) and laterally based thenar flap (LTF) are the time-tested modalities of fingertip reconstruction. We were unable to find any studies that have compared these two flaps for fingertip reconstruction. The aim of this study is compare the outcomes of these two flaps at 11 months after fingertip reconstruction.

Methods: This is a prospective study of 40 patients with fingertip amputation who underwent reconstruction with either a standard CFF or an LTF. Data with regards to the patient, the injury, treatment and complications were recorded. Patients were followed up weekly for the first 6 weeks and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months thereafter. Outcome measures assessed at final follow-up included passive range of motion, two-point discrimination, cold intolerance, patient aesthetic satisfaction with the flap, assessment of donor scar and psychosocial benefit.

Results: Fingertip reconstruction was done with 23 CFFs and 17 thenar flaps. Partial necrosis was noted in three thenar flaps. The mean follow-up period was 11 months. The sensory recovery and aesthetic satisfaction with the flap were greater in thenar flap group. There were no differences between the two flaps in the other outcome measures.

Conclusions: Sensory recovery and aesthetic outcomes were better in thenar flaps compared to a CFF. However, thenar flap were associated with a greater incidence of partial flap loss.

Level of Evidence: Level III (Therapeutic)
Penrose Drain Interposition – A Novel Approach to Preventing Adhesion Formation after Tenolysis
Authors: CHEN Wei F. , KIM Bong-Sung , LIN Yu-Te
Published: February 2022

Peritendinous adhesions represent a common problem without a satisfactory solution despite several studies. We have been using a conventional silicone Penrose drain in patients undergoing tenolysis in the hand since 2006. The Penrose drain is wrapped around the segment of the tendon after tenolysis. Therapy is started on the second post-operative day and the Penrose drain removed after one week in the outpatient clinic. We have had good outcomes with this technique. It is inexpensive, readily available and effective.

Level of Evidence: Level V (Therapeutic)
The structure and tectonics of the Guyana Basin
Authors: Trude James , Kilsdonk Bill , Grow Tim , Ott Bryan
Published: February 2022

The Guyana Basin formed during the Jurassic opening of the North Atlantic. The basin margins vary in tectonic origin and include the passive extensional volcanic margin of the Demerara Plateau in Suriname, an oblique extensional margin inboard at the Guyana–Suriname border, a transform margin parallel to the shelf in NW Guyana, and an ocean–ocean margin to the NE, which morphed from transform to oblique extension. Plate reconstructions suggest rifting and early seafloor spreading began with NNW/SSE extension (
c.
190–160 Ma) but relative plate motion later changed to NW/SE. The fraction of magmatic basin floor decreases westwards and the transition from continental to oceanic crust narrows from 200 km in Suriname to less than 50 km in Guyana. The geometry and position of the onshore Takutu Graben suggest it formed a failed arm of a Jurassic triple junction that likely captured the Berbice river during post-rift subsidence and funneled sediment into the Guyana Basin. Berriasian to Aptian shortening caused crustal-scale folds and thrusts in the NE margin of the basin along with minor inversions of basin margin and basin-segmenting faults. Stratigraphically trapped Liza trend hydrocarbon discoveries are located outboard of inverted basement faults, suggesting a link between transform margin structure and their formation.
Exploring the predictive power of seismic geomorphology to assess sedimentary characteristics of gravity-flow deposits: examples from offshore East and West Africa reservoirs
Authors: Scarselli Nicola
Published: February 2022

This research seeks to test the hypothesis that the rheology of submarine gravity-flows influences the planform geometry of associated fan lobe deposits. If this control exists, seismic geomorphology has the potential to predict the sedimentary characteristics of these deposits by analysing relatively simple seismic outputs such as time structure maps and amplitude maps. This predictive power could potentially aid the identification of prospective reservoirs through automated processes of seismic interpretation. In this work, Upper Cretaceous and Neogene deep-water reservoirs from East and West Africa with porosity in excess of 20% and multi-Darcy permeability were analysed. The overall external geometry of the reservoirs was described by integrating seismic amplitude extractions, structure and isochron maps derived from high-quality 3D seismic data. The maps were generated from detailed interpretation of the top and base reservoir reflections. Core photos of the reservoirs were integrated into the seismic project and their examination allowed the identification of dominant sedimentary facies, enabling a proposal for the classification of these deposits in terms of flow processes. The research indicates that the confinement of flows exerts an obvious control on the shape of the deposits and results in sedimentary bodies with marked elongation at the seismic scale. However, analysis of the reservoirs at the core scale indicated that they are dominated by massive, poorly sorted, medium- to coarse-grained sandstones, commonly with floating oversize clasts, as well as beds with disrupted laminae and sandy conglomerates. These characteristics may indicate ‘depositional freezing’ from high-density flows with yield strength, which may also have contributed to the limited lateral spread of the deposits analysed. The research also highlights the importance of the non-unique relationship between sedimentary processes and external geometries of the resulting deposits at the seismic scale. This means that deposits with similar geometries may have markedly different sedimentary characteristics. This work highlights the increasing importance of integrating detailed seismic geomorphology studies with an accurate examination of core data to validate models of gravity flow processes and test their predictive value.
Rendering of Subjective Speckle Formed by Rough Statistical Surfaces
Authors: Steinberg Shlomi , Yan Ling-Qi
Published: February 2022

Tremendous effort has been extended by the computer graphics community to advance the level of realism of material appearance reproduction by incorporating increasingly more advanced techniques. We are now able to re-enact the complicated interplay between light and microscopic surface features—scratches, bumps and other imperfections—in a visually convincing fashion. However, diffractive patterns arise even when no explicitly defined features are present: Any random surface will act as a diffracting aperture and its statistics heavily influence the statistics of the diffracted wave fields. Nonetheless, the problem of rendering diffraction effects induced by surfaces that are defined purely statistically remains wholly unexplored. We present a thorough derivation, from core optical principles, of the intensity of the scattered fields that arise when a natural, partially coherent light source illuminates a random surface. We follow with a probability theory analysis of the statistics of those fields and present our rendering algorithm. All of our derivations are formally proven and verified numerically as well. Our method is the first to render diffraction effects produced by a surface described statistically only, and bridges the theoretical gap between contemporary surface modelling and rendering.
Exploiting HBM on FPGAs for Data Processing
Authors: Shi Runbin , Kara Kaan , Hagleitner Christoph , Diamantopoulos Dionysios , Syrivelis Dimitris , Alonso Gustavo
Published: February 2022

Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) are increasingly being used in data centers and the cloud due to their potential to accelerate certain workloads as well as for their architectural flexibility, since they can be used as accelerators, smart-NICs, or stand-alone processors. To meet the challenges posed by these new use cases, FPGAs are quickly evolving in terms of their capabilities and organization. The utilization of High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) in FPGA devices is one recent example of such a trend. In this article, we study the potential of FPGAs equipped with HBM from a data analytics perspective. We consider three workloads common in analytics-oriented databases and implement them on an FPGA showing in which cases they benefit from HBM: range selection, hash join, and stochastic gradient descent for linear model training. We integrate our designs into a columnar database (MonetDB) and show the trade-offs arising from the integration related to data movement and partitioning. We consider two possible configurations of the HBM, using a single and a dual clock version design. With the right design, FPGA+HBM-based solutions are able to surpass the highest performance provided by either a two-socket POWER9

1

system or a 14-core Xeon

2

E5 by up to 5.9× (range selection), 18.3× (hash join), and 6.1× (SGD).
Regulation of immune cell function by nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase
Authors: Regan Thomas , Conway Rachel , Bharath Leena P.
Published: February 2022

Redox homeostasis is elemental for the normal physiology of all cell types. Cells use multiple mechanisms to tightly regulate the redox balance. The onset and progression of many metabolic and aging-associated diseases occur due to the dysregulation of redox homeostasis. Thus, it is critical to identify and therapeutically target mechanisms that precipitate abnormalities in redox balance. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced within the immune cells regulate homeostasis, hyperimmune and hypoimmune cell responsiveness, apoptosis, immune response to pathogens, and tumor immunity. Immune cells have both cytosolic and organelle-specific redox regulatory systems to maintain appropriate levels of ROS. Nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase (NNT) is an essential mitochondrial redox regulatory protein. Dysregulation of NNT function prevents immune cells from mounting an adequate immune response to pathogens, promotes a chronic inflammatory state associated with aging and metabolic diseases, and initiates conditions related to a dysregulated immune system such as autoimmunity. Although many studies have reported on NNT in different cell types, including cancer cells, relatively few studies have explored NNT in immune cells. This review provides an overview of NNT and focuses on the current knowledge of NNT in the immune cells.
Evaluation of Deodorizing Effects of Saccharina japonica in 10-Month-Old ICR Mice Using a Novel Odor Marker Associated with Aging
Authors: Kim Ji Eun , Choi Yun Ju , Lee Su Jin , Gong Jeong Eun , Seong Ji Eun , Park So Hae , Hwang Dae Youn
Published: February 2022

The potential deodorizing effects of Saccharina japonica have been evaluated by determining their deodorizing performance, but they are yet to be validated in experimental animals. The deodorizing effects of S. japonica were examined in an animal model using a novel odor marker associated with aging by comparing the concentration of odor component in urine obtained from two- and 10-month-old ICR mice using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and the changes in the trimethylamine (TMA) concentration, ammonia level, and structure of sweat gland were determined after exposing 10-month-old ICR mice to 70% ethanol extract of S. japonica (EESJ) for four weeks. In vitro analysis was performed to confirm the composition of EESJ with respect to the total flavonoid contents (TFC, 28.6 ± 2.5 mg/g), total polyphenol contents (TPC, 107.3 ± 8.9 mg/g), and total condensed tannin contents (TTC, 65.7 ± 5.2 mg/g) contents, as well as to the deodorizing performance to ammonia and acetic acid (91.2 ± 7.8% and 54.8 ± 6.3%, respectively). In vivo analysis revealed TMA to be the novel odor marker associated with aging among the 19 odor components evaluated, considering the higher concentration in the urine of 10-month-old ICR mice. The peak area of TMA on the gas chromatogram was significantly lower in the 10-month-old ICR mice treated with EESJ than in the two-month-old mice. A similar decrease was observed in the level of ammonia obtained from the dirty bedding of the EESJ-treated group. Moreover, tissues obtained from the mouse foot of the group exposed to EESJ showed a dose-dependent decrease in the gland tube number of sweat glands and the TMA dehydrogenase transcription level. Overall, these results provide novel evidence that the administration of EESJ helps reduce the body TMA and ammonia concentrations, resulting in reduced odor and a decrease in the number of sweat glands and the expression of TMA dehydrogenase in the ICR mouse feet.
Intelligent Recommendation Model of Contemporary Pop Music Based on Knowledge Map
Authors: Zhang Yan
Published: February 2022

With the advent of the era of big data, the rise of Web2.0 completely subverts the traditional Internet model and becomes the trend of today’s information age. Simultaneously, massive amounts of data and information have infiltrated various Internet companies, resulting in an increase in the problem of information overload. In the online world, learning how to quickly and accurately select the parts we are interested in from a variety of data has become a hot topic. Intelligent music recommendation has become a current research hotspot in music services as a viable solution to the problem of information overload in the digital music field. On the basis of precedents, this paper examines the characteristics of music in a comprehensive and detailed manner. A knowledge graph-based intelligent recommendation algorithm for contemporary popular music is proposed. User-defined tags are described as the free genes of music in this paper, making it easier to analyze user behavior and tap into user interests. It has been confirmed that this algorithm’s recommendation quality is relatively high, and it offers a new development path for improving the speed of searching for health information services.
NUTRIC Score Is Not Superior to mNUTRIC Score in Prediction of Mortality of COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Kucuk Berkay , Baltaci Ozen Sevil , Kocabeyoglu Gul Meral , Mutlu Nevzat Mehmet , Cakir Esra , Ozkocak Turan Isil
Published: February 2022

Objectives. The NUTRIC (nutrition risk in the critically ill) score and the modified NUTRIC score are two scoring systems that show the nutritional risk status and severity of acute disease of patients. The only difference between them is the examination of interleukin-6 (IL-6) level. The aim of this study was to investigate whether or not the NUTRIC score is superior to the mNUTRIC score in the prediction of mortality of patients with COVID-19 followed up in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Material and Method. This retrospective study included 322 patients followed up in ICU with a diagnosis of COVID-19. A record was made of demographic data, laboratory values, clinical results, and mortality status. All the data of the patients were compared between high and low variations of the NUTRIC score and the mNUTRIC score. Results. A high NUTRIC score was determined in 62 patients and a high mNUTRIC score in 86 patients. The need for invasive mechanical ventilation, the use of vasopressors in ICU, the development of acute kidney injury, and mortality rates were statistically significantly higher in the patients with high NUTRIC and high mNUTRIC scores than in those with low scores (

p

 = 0.0001 for all). The AUC values were 0.791 for high NUTRIC score and 0.786 for high mNUTRIC score (

p

 = 0.0001 for both). No statistically significant difference was determined between the two scoring systems. Conclusion. Although the NUTRIC score was seen to be superior to the mNUTRIC score, no statistically significant difference was determined. Therefore, when IL-6 cannot be examined, the mNUTRIC score can be considered safe and effective for the prediction of mortality in COVID-19 patients.
Identification of Critical Nodes and Accident Chains of Power Systems under the Effect of Geomagnetic Storms
Authors: Liu Qing , Ding Nan , Li Jin-Long , Yi Xiao-Hu
Published: February 2022

Geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) generated by geomagnetic disturbances (GMD) during strong magnetic storms may trigger chain failures in power systems. In this paper, a critical node identification method based on the improved LeaderRank algorithm considering the effects of geomagnetic storms is proposed. A chain fault identification process based on the fragility theory of complex systems is proposed to determine the initial fault line by critical nodes and simulate the fault development process to obtain the accident chain set. The effectiveness of the method is verified by using the IEEE RTS79 node system as an example. The research results show that the method can reflect the critical nodes and accident chain set of power systems under different geomagnetic storm effects, and the research results can provide a reference for geomagnetic storm disaster quantification, assessment, and prevention.
Application of High-Quality Nursing Intervention Based on Humanistic Care Combined with the Project Teaching Method in Patients with Acute Leukemia Undergoing Chemotherapy
Authors: Wang Zhiyan
Published: February 2022

Chemotherapy, the main treatment method of AL, can produce varying degrees of toxic and side effects on patients while killing tumor cells, resulting in decreased immune function of patients. We aim to explore the application effect of high-quality nursing intervention based on humanistic care combined with the project teaching method on patients with acute leukemia (AL) undergoing chemotherapy and its effect on their psychological state and satisfaction. 114 AL patients undergoing chemotherapy in the Department of Hematology of our hospital from July 2018 to July 2020 were chosen as the research objects and equally randomized into the experimental group (EG) and control group (CG). CG received routine nursing during chemotherapy, while EG received high-quality nursing intervention based on humanistic care combined with the project teaching method. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) was adopted to evaluate the psychological state of patients in both groups after intervention, and the self-made nursing satisfaction questionnaire in our hospital was applied to evaluate the clinical nursing satisfaction. The HAD-A and HAD-D scores in the CG (

P
<
0.001

) were significantly higher than the HAD-A and HAD-D scores in the EG after intervention. The scores of various coping styles in the EG after intervention were better than those in the CG (

P
<
0.05

). Compared with the CG, the total nursing satisfaction after intervention was remarkably higher in the EG (

P
<
0.001

), while the total incidence of adverse reactions during intervention was notably lower (

P
<
0.05

). High-quality nursing intervention based on humanistic care combined with the project teaching method for AL patients undergoing chemotherapy can effectively relieve negative emotions, improve clinical nursing satisfaction, and reduce adverse reactions during chemotherapy.
Investigating the Influence of Bath Temperature on the Chemical Bath Deposition of Nanosynthesized Lead Selenide Thin Films for Photovoltaic Application
Authors: Abel Saka , Tesfaye Jule Leta , Gudata Lamessa , Lamessa Fekede , Shanmugam Ramaswamy , Dwarampudi L. Priyanka , Nagaprasad N. , Krishnaraj Ramaswamy
Published: February 2022

Thin films of CBD are formed on metal surfaces from an aqueous solution containing Pb(NO3)2 and Na2O4Se. The impact of the bath temperature upon lead selenide NPs is analyzed. The evaluation of X‐ray diffraction demonstrates that the produced NPs were polycrystalline with (111) orientation. The morphological analysis of the surface shows that the grains are spherical gemstones. As the bath temperature was raised from 20 to 85 degrees Celsius, the energy bandgap decreased from 2.4 to 1.2 eV, indicating a reduction in the band gap. Micron‐sized nanoparticles produced at 85 degrees Celsius exhibited the best crystallinity and were uniformly spread across the surface of the substrate with excellent particle sizes. If the solution bath temperature increases from 20°C to 85°C, the average strength of PL decreases. The maximum photoluminescence strength is predominantly because of self‐trapped exciton recombination, formed from O2 vacancy and particle size called defect centers, for the deposited thin films at 45°C and 85°C. The photoluminescence intensity rises sequentially with all temperatures. Therefore, the finest solution temperature is 85 degrees Celsius.
Effect of Glucocorticoid Administration in Intravenous Pulses on Selected Parameters of the Coagulation System
Authors: Kłosowski Przemysław , Świątkowska-Stodulska Renata , Stodulski Dominik , Kaszubowski Mariusz , Karaszewski Bartosz , Sworczak Krzysztof
Published: February 2022

Background. Changes of the coagulation system are promoted by serious infectious or noninfectious diseases, surgical procedures, and exogenous substances, including drugs. This study aimed to assess the effect of methylprednisolone pulses on selected parameters of the coagulation system. Methods. The study group consisted of patients suffering from multiple sclerosis, thyroid orbitopathy, or sudden sensorineural hearing loss. 48 patients and 20 healthy volunteers were examined. The hemostatic parameters: activity of coagulation factors (VIII, IX, and XI), antithrombin activity, protein C and S activity, and concentration of soluble tissue factor were analyzed at baseline and after 3 g and 5 g of methylprednisolone administration. Results. A statistically significant increase was noted in the activity of all the studied plasma coagulation factors, plasma coagulation inhibitors (except protein S activity), and the concentration of soluble tissue factor after methylprednisolone administration. Conclusion. The glucocorticoids administered in the intravenous pulses of methylprednisolone shift the balance toward thromboembolic complications.
Proteomic Analysis of the Antibacterial Effect of Improved Dian Dao San against Propionibacterium acnes
Authors: Ren Shuaijun , Wang Wenjiao , Jia Min , An Lili , Tang Ting , Liu Xin
Published: February 2022

Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is a major pathogen of acne vulgaris. The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compound prescription, Dian Dao San (DDS), is effective for treating P. acnes. Previous clinical work by our team demonstrated that improved Dian Dao San (IDDS) has better antibacterial effects. However, the mechanism of IDDS inhibition of P. acnes is still unknown. Hence, the isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) technology was applied to explore the antibacterial mechanism of IDDS against P. acnes. Our results suggested that the antibacterial mechanism of IDDS was related to the glycolytic pathway. gap, pgk, and tpiA enzymes were found to be potential target proteins in the bacterial glycolytic pathway as an antibacterial mechanism of inhibition. In addition, SEM and TEM analyses revealed that IDDS may destruct bacterial plasma membrane and cell wall. The results provide a reliable, direct, and scientific theoretical basis for wide application of IDDS.