bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can global aquaculture growth help to conserve wild fish stocks? Theory and empirical analysis
Authors: Bogmans Christian W. J. , van Soest Daan
Published: August 2021

Can fed aquaculture growth alleviate overfishing and foster the conservation of wild fish stocks? To examine this question we present a stylized fishery model of trade in edible fish and fishmeal that incorporates both market linkages and biological (predator–prey) linkages between the aquaculture sector and capture fisheries. We study the effects of local aquaculture growth, as induced by an increase in aquaculture feed‐efficiency (technology shock), and of external or global aquaculture growth as experienced by either a drop in the price of edible fish or as an increase in the price of fishmeal (price shocks). While domestic (or “local”) aquaculture growth increases wild fish stocks due to positive market interactions, the effects of external (or “global”) aquaculture growth are generally ambiguous and depend on the strength of biological linkages. A stylized empirical application of the cod (predator) and capelin (prey) fisheries in the Barents Sea illustrates that the biological linkages between cod and capelin reduce the positive impact of aquaculture on cod conservation roughly by 50%.

Recommendations for Resource Managers:

Fishery managers should differentiate between the effects of local, technology‐driven aquaculture growth and the effects of global, price‐driven aquaculture growth. The latter may have negative impacts on local fish stocks and the economy.

Real fishmeal prices increased substantially since the year 2000. For multispecies fisheries that are not properly managed, this can increase pressure on fish stocks if predator–prey linkages are strong, if prey species regeneration is slow, and if pelagic prey species are relatively easy to catch.

An empirical application shows that predator–prey linkages reduce but not overthrow the positive effects of global aquaculture growth on the conservation of local predator fish stocks. This provides some evidence that a reallocation of fishing effort from higher to lower trophic levels can conserve fish stocks at higher trophic levels.
Corporatization and political ideology: The case of hospitals in Spain
Authors: Alonso José M. , Clifton Judith , Díaz‐Fuentes Daniel
Published: August 2021

Corporatization—arguably as important as privatization regarding public service reform—remains an under‐researched topic in Public Administration. In this paper, we explore the extent to which the implementation of different types of corporatization strategies can be explained by the ideology of the ruling party in the Spanish public healthcare sector, selected for study because this sector was subject to reform, particularly, decentralization and marketization. To do so, we use count‐data regression models to analyze secondary data from the 17 Spanish regional governments for the period 2003–2017. Our estimates reveal that right‐wing controlled regional governments exhibit a clear preference for corporatization strategies that actively involve the private sector, such as Public–Private Partnerships and Public Finance Initiatives. Further analysis suggests that left‐wing governments are positively associated with the implementation of corporatization strategies that do not involve the private sector, such as the creation of Public Enterprises and Public Entities. These results are robust to a variety of alternative specifications.
Influence of different warming temperatures on the vitrified testicular fragments from pre‐pubertal cat
Authors: Fernandes Juliana de Souza , Tabosa Beatriz Evaristo de Almeida , Brito Bruna Farias , Silva Herlon Victor Rodrigues , Lima David Baruc Cruvinel , Silva Lúcia Daniel Machado da
Published: August 2021

Testicular vitrification is an alternative to preserve the genetic material of pre‐pubertal animals. However, there are few studies on post‐vitrification warming. Hence, the aim was to compare the influence of different warming temperatures on vitrified testicular fragments from pre‐pubertal cats. The testicles were fragmented and divided into a control group (non‐vitrified) and vitrified, using an association between dimethylsulphoxide and glycerol. The vitrified fragments were warmed at 50, 55 and 60°C/5 s. Morphological and morphometric evaluations were carried out using classical histology. Afterwards, the mitochondrial activity was evaluated using Rhodamine 123. The data were expressed in mean and standard error. The differences were considered significant when p < .05. In the histomorphological analysis, the testicular fragment presented seminiferous tubules with poorly developed germinal epithelium, compatible with pre‐pubertal animals. The group warmed at 50°C presented similar to the control regarding the maintenance of the integrity of the tubules and cells, without stromal rupture and lamina propria alteration, as well as regarding the maintenance of the junctions between the cells. The group warmed at 55°C showed reduction of the cell junctions, and the one warmed at 60°C had increased detachment of the basement membrane (p < .05). The warming caused a reduction in the tubular diameter inversely proportional and progressive to the increase in temperature, with the highest diameter in the control group and the lowest in the 60°C group. The control group showed a lower incidence of Rhodamine 123, followed in ascending order of the warmings at 55 and 60°C. The higher mitochondrial activity was obtained with 50°C, showing an increase of the metabolic cell function at this temperature. It was concluded that the testicular fragment of pre‐pubertal cats presents a better preserved morphology, morphometry and viability when warmed at 50°C.
Suicide among Veterans receiving Veterans Health Administration Home Based Primary Care and following discharge from Community Living Centers
Authors: Cooper Samantha A. , Szymanski Benjamin R. , Karel Michele J. , Katz Ira R. , McCarthy John F.
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Veterans who receive Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) services and those discharged from VHA Community Living Centers (CLC) may be at increased risk of suicide. No studies to date have assessed suicide risks among HBPC patients. This study examined suicide risks among recipients of VHA HBPC services and following discharge from VHA CLCs, as compared to other Veteran VHA users.

Methods

We identified three cohorts of 2013 Veteran VHA patients: 47,842 HBPC users, 17,725 with live discharges from CLCs, and 5,554,635 other VHA users. Using proportional hazards regression, we assessed risk of suicide through 2016.

Results

Overall, HBPC recipients did not differ from the other cohorts in suicide risk. Although in unadjusted analyses CLC discharged patients had greater suicide risk than the general VHA patient cohort (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.73, 95% confidence interval = 1.25–2.41), this became nonsignificant when controlling for diagnoses.

Conclusions

Overall findings did not identify differential suicide risk among VHA HBPC recipients in 2013, when compared to other Veteran VHA patient cohorts. Veterans discharged from VHA CLCs have increased mental health morbidity, which was associated with increased suicide risk.
Who is at Risk? Social Support, Relationship Dissolution, and Illness in a Rural Context*
Authors: Ralston Margaret , Jennings Elyse , Schatz Enid
Published: August 2021

This study focuses on a cohort of adults (40‐plus) in rural South Africa to unpack associations between physical health and receipt of social support, and the extent to which these associations were moderated by marital status. We use logistic regression to estimate the odds of having received emotional, physical, or financial support separately for men (N = 2247) and women (N = 2609). Our results suggest having an Activity of Daily Living (ADL) limitation or having at least one chronic condition was not significantly associated with social support receipt for women, but having an ADL limitation was associated with reduced odds of receiving financial support among men. Although marital status was strongly and significantly associated with receipt of social support for both men and women, marital status moderated the relationship between health indicators and social support receipt only for men. Our findings suggest that when men, but not women, experience a marital dissolution and are suffering from a disability or a chronic condition, their networks respond by providing needed social support.
A retrospective study and survival analysis on bitches with mammary tumours spayed at the same time of mastectomy
Authors: Banchi Penelope , Morello Emanuela Maria , Bertero Alessia , Ricci Alessandro , Rota Ada
Published: August 2021

The aim of the present study was to retrospectively assess whether spaying at the same time of mastectomy increased disease‐free survival (DFS) in bitches with mammary tumours and to investigate the utility of clinical data when designing a surgical plan that includes gonadectomy. Characteristics of 225 bitches carrying 489 tumours were retrieved. Of the116 bitches that underwent surgery, 52 bitches underwent mastectomy and ovariectomy, 46 bitches underwent mastectomy alone, whereas 18 bitches were already spayed. Analysis by Kaplan–Meier and in‐between groups comparisons using Student's T, Chi‐square, and one‐way ANOVA tests were performed. DFS was longer for bitches that underwent ovariectomy and mastectomy compared to those that were left intact (p = .00064) or were already spayed (p = .0098). Spaying status affected tumour size (spayed: 2.75 cm ± 2.72; intact: 1.76 cm ± 2.04; p = .039), but not malignancy (p > .05). Differences in age were detected between animals with benign and malignant tumours (years: 9.1 ± 2.8 and 10 ± 2.3; p = .004), with multiple and single tumours (years: 10.18 ± 2.6 and 9.3 ± 2.8; p = .007), and between purebred and mixed breed bitches (years: 10.46 ±1.78 and 9.27 ±2.68; p = .005). Malignant tumours were larger than benign ones (2.17 cm±2.31 and 1.34 cm ±1.82; p = .005) and size increased according to the degree of malignancy. DFS was shorter for animals presenting tumours >2 cm in size (p < .006) and with tumours in the first pair of thoracic mammary glands (p = .00009). Gonadectomy should be suggested to owners of intact bitches carrying mammary tumours and age, size of the tumour, and location should be carefully considered when performing surgery.
UNDRAINED SHEAR STRENGTH PARAMETERS OF SAPROCK FROM A WEATHERING PROFILE OVER PORPHYRITIC BIOTITE GRANITE AT KM 31 OF THE KUALA LUMPUR - KARAK HIGHWAY, PENINSULAR MALAYSIA
Authors: Raj John Kuna
Published: August 2021

Three broad zones can be differentiated at the weathering profile; an upper, 9.4 m thick, pedological soil (zone I), an intermediate, 31.7 m thick, saprock (zone II) and the bottom bedrock (zone III). The saprock (zone II) comprises gravelly silty sands that distinctly preserve the minerals, textures and structures of the original granite and can be separated into sub-zones II A, II B, II C, and II D, based on differences in preservation of relict structures and content of litho-relicts (core-boulders). To characterize the undrained strength of saprock, samples were collected from sub-zones II A, II B, II C and II D and their physical and soil index properties determined before unconsolidated undrained triaxial tests were carried out on remolded samples. Three to four individual samples from each sub-zone were compressed under confining pressures of 138 kPa, 207 kPa, 276 kPa and/or 345 kPa. Plots of pf = [(σ1 + σ3)/2] versus qf = [(σ1 - σ3)/2] were then used to calculate apparent cohesions of 41.9 kPa, 100.3 kPa, 76.1 kPa and 73.9 kPa, and friction angles of 32.2o, 28.1o, 26.6o and 27.8o, for the samples from sub-zones II A, II B, II C, and II D, respectively.
Regression analyses show apparent cohesions to decrease with increasing clay contents, and degrees of saturation; features indicating the influence of negative pore water (or suction) pressures. Regression analyses also show apparent friction angle to increase with increasing sand contents; a feature attributed to greater inter-locking and resistance to displacement of these particles. It is concluded that the undrained shear strength parameters of saprock are characterized by an average apparent cohesion of 54.6 kPa, and friction angle of 30.5o; the parameters influenced by the degree of saturation as well as clay and sand contents.
Creating a Core Innovation Capability in Airbus
Authors: Kim Hyeonjoo
Published: August 2021

Flight in modern age caused our society more global than that of past age. People can go to school aboard, go to work aboard, and travel aboard with airplanes. Airplane has changed our society. Airplane manufacturing industry requires sophisticated technology and innovative management. This most intelligent industry’s innovation strategy can be one of epitomes for business strategy. Airplane manufacturing can be one long-term oriented business. Airplane industry requires many different fields of study not only natural science, but also social science. To manage both engineering team and management team, significant organization strategy could be one crucial factor to maintain its organization effective. Airplane industries must innovate to offer more reliable service with safety, low price and fast travel. New version of motor, car, aircraft and TV takes usually high system level and incremental innovation. Airbus is one of leading aircraft manufacturer and its market share is second largest globally. This study would bring about understanding of innovation management at highest technology and cutting-edge industry.
Novel stability and passivity analysis for three types of nonlinear LRC circuits
Authors: Ates Muzaffer , Kadah Nezir
Published: August 2021

In this paper, the global asymptotic stability and strict passivity of three types of nonlinear RLC circuits are investigated by utilizing the Lyapunov direct method. The stability conditions are obtained by constructing appropriate Lyapunov function, which demonstrates the practical application of the Lyapunov theory with a clear perspective.  The meaning of Lyapunov functions is not clear by many specialists whose studies based on Lyapunov theory. They construct Lyapunov functions by using some properties of Lyapunov functions with much trial and errors or for a system choose candidate Lyapunov functions. So, for a given system Lyapunov function is not unique. But we insist that Lyapunov (energy) function is unique for a given physical system. In this study we highly simplified Lyapunov’s direct method with suitable tools. Our approach constructing energy function based on power-energy relationship that also enable us to take the derivative of integration of energy function. These aspects have not been addressed in the literature. This paper is an attempt towards filling this gap. The results are provided within and are of central importance for the analysis of nonlinear electrical, mechanical, and neural systems which based on the system energy perspective. The simulation results given from Matlab successfully verifies the theoretical predictions.
Water Quality From Gualaxo Do Norte And Carmo Rivers (Minas Gerais, Brazil) After The Fundão Dam Failure
Authors: Nogueira Leonardo Brandão , Sousa Sabriny Melo , Santos Camila Gonçalves Lobo , Araújo Gustavo Simões , Oliveira Laser , Nogueira Katiane Oliveira Pinto Coelho
Published: August 2021

Mining waste is rich in trace elements, which present a high toxic potential and may represent a risk for aquatic ecosystems. The Fundão dam failure, considered the largest environmental disaster in the world, affected 663.2 km of watercourses, including Carmo and Gualaxo do Norte Rivers. The ore tail also affected the riverside communities, destroying villages, killing people and affecting the subsistence farming. To evaluate the influence of the mine tailing wave on the water quality of the Carmo and Gualaxo do Norte Rivers water samples were collected at nine points located in Barra Longa during the rainy season. Physicochemical parameters (conductivity, resistivity, EH, total dissolved solids, pH and temperature) and major, minor and trace elements concentrations (Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Sc, Sr, V, Zn, As, Pb, Al, Fe, Mn, Ca, K, Mg and P) were evaluated and compared with previous studies and conformity limits established by a national resolution (CONAMA Resolution N°357/2005). Only conductivity, Fe and Mn presented non-conformity values according to CONAMA Resolution N°357/2005. These results may be related not only to the dam burst but also to the rainy season and non-detectable pollution sources. Furthermore, the decreased levels in the toxic elements in the rivers over time, may be related to its association with sediments in addition to their flux to the Atlantic Ocean. Thus, after nearly six years, the environmental and social impacts are still alive and the minerals dragged to the riverbed could bring cumulative effects for the entire environment what means an uncertain future to the Rio Doce Basin and adjacent coastal zone.
Urbanização e Comportamento Eleitoral
Authors: Sant'Anna Marina , Freire Lucy
Published: August 2021

The purpose of the following discussion is to review the literature which links urbanization to electoral behavior. Three ceneral schools of thought on the subject were analysed and the linkage at urbanization with participation in each of these schools is considered. The conclusionof the paoer sumarizes the literature review and presents the nroposition that must be accepted.
A Time Marching Integration for Semianalytical Solutions of Nonlinear Oscillators Based on Synchronization
Authors: Yao R. Z. , Chen Y. M. , Liu Q. X.
Published: August 2021

An efficient method is proposed in this study for solving the semi-analytical solutions of periodic responses of nonlinear oscillators. The basic ideas come from the fact that any periodic response can be described by Fourier series. By transforming the Fourier series into a system of harmonic oscillators, we thus establish an efficient numerical scheme for tracking the periodic responses, as long as a synchronized motion can be achieved between the system of harmonic oscillators and the nonlinear oscillators considered. The presented method can be implemented by conducting time marching integration only, but it is capable of providing semi-analytical solutions straightforwardly. Different from some widely used methods such as harmonic balance method and its improved forms, this method can solve solutions involving high order harmonics without incorporating any tedious derivations as it is totally a numerical scheme. Several typical oscillators with smooth as well as nonsmooth nonlinearities are taken as numerical examples to test the validity and efficiency.
Clinical supervisors’ perceptions of podiatry students’ preparedness for clinical placement and graduates’ preparedness for podiatry practice in Australia: An exploratory study
Authors: Reynolds Katrina , McLean Michelle
Published: August 2021

Introduction: Little is known about Australian podiatry students’ preparedness for clinical placement and graduates’ preparedness for clinical practice. This qualitative study explored clinical supervisors’ perceptions of podiatry students’ and graduates’ preparedness-related challenges and their recommendations for improvement.Methods: Eleven registered podiatrists who had supervised or were still supervising students were interviewed. Transcribed interviews were thematically analysed. Benner’s (1984) stages of clinical competence from novice to expert informed the study.Results: Clinical supervisors were divided about students’ preparedness for clinical placements, with their perceptions ranging from generally prepared (n = 2) to unsure (n = 5) to unprepared (n = 4). They commented on junior versus senior students, institutional differences and specific clinical skill deficiencies, e.g., scalpel debridement and patient communication skills. Perceived challenges for students on placement included poorly developed clinical skills and low self-efficacy, both stemming primarily from insufficient hands-on experience. Participants suggested that for improved placement preparedness, students required better quality clinical experiences and communication skills training. Being work-ready, which most graduating Australian podiatrists were reported to be, involved being safe and self-efficacious. Participants also suggested that a supportive clinical environment, an internship and more advanced interpersonal skills would facilitate preparedness. Conclusion: In terms of Benner’s (1984) framework, during training, podiatry students should be considered novices, and they should be considered advanced beginners on graduation. An entry-level graduate should not be expected to be competent across all areas of clinical practice. Hands-on clinical practice during placements was needed for moving successfully through Benner’s (1984) stages of clinical competence. While clinical supervisors believed that podiatry training generally prepared students for clinical practice immediately following graduation, they asserted that manual clinical and communication skills improvement is required for clinical placements.
Dichotic listening performance and effort as a function of spectral resolution and interaural symmetry
Authors: DeRoy Milvae Kristina , Kuchinsky Stefanie E. , Stakhovskaya Olga A. , Goupell Matthew J.
Published: August 2021

One potential benefit of bilateral cochlear implants is reduced listening effort in speech-on-speech masking situations. However, the symmetry of the input across ears, possibly related to spectral resolution, could impact binaural benefits. Fifteen young adults with normal hearing performed digit recall with target and interfering digits presented to separate ears and attention directed to the target ear. Recall accuracy and pupil size over time (used as an index of listening effort) were measured for unprocessed, 16-channel vocoded, and 4-channel vocoded digits. Recall accuracy was significantly lower for dichotic (with interfering digits) than for monotic listening. Dichotic recall accuracy was highest when the target was less degraded and the interferer was more degraded. With matched target and interferer spectral resolution, pupil dilation was lower with more degradation. Pupil dilation grew more shallowly over time when the interferer had more degradation. Overall, interferer spectral resolution more strongly affected listening effort than target spectral resolution. These results suggest that interfering speech both lowers performance and increases listening effort, and that the relative spectral resolution of target and interferer affect the listening experience. Ignoring a clearer interferer is more effortful.
Longer days on early Earth set stage for complex life
Authors: Pennisi Elizabeth
Published: August 2021

Extra light spurred oxygen release by mats of photosynthetic bacteria, models and sinkhole data suggest
Neurorobotics for neurorehabilitation
Authors: Raspopovic Stanisa
Published: August 2021

Peripheral neuromodulation boosts health and cognitive benefits in leg amputees
Therapy based on functional RNA elements
Authors: Perry Rotem Ben-Tov , Ulitsky Igor
Published: August 2021

Fragments of long noncoding RNAs show potential in treating a metabolic disorder in mice
Complete and Circularized Genome Sequences of 17
Xanthomonas
Strains Responsible for Common Bacterial Blight of Bean
Authors: Briand Martial , Ruh Mylène , Darrasse Armelle , Jacques Marie-Agnès , Chen Nicolas W. G.
Published: August 2021

We report the complete and circularized genome sequences of 17 strains of
Xanthomonas citri
pv. fuscans and
Xanthomonas phaseoli
pv. phaseoli, which cause common bacterial blight of bean. These new assemblies combining PacBio and short-read sequencing methods provide high-quality material for studying the evolution of these plant pathogens.
Genome Sequence of Brevibacillus brevis HK544, an Antimicrobial Bacterium Isolated from Soil in Daejeon, South Korea
Authors: Kim Bomin , Kim Yeong Seok , Han Jae Woo , Choi Gyung Ja , Kim Hun
Published: August 2021

The
Brevibacillus brevis
HK544 strain, which was isolated from soil, exhibited antimicrobial activity against plant pathogens such as
Botrytis cinerea
,
Phytophthora infestans
, and
Erwinia amylovora
. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of the
B. brevis
HK544 strain, which consists of one circular chromosome of 6,486,246 bp with a GC content of 47.3%.
Seasonal Sampling of a Microbial Community in the Sediment of Geoje-Hansan Bay, Republic of Korea
Authors: Park Seongsik , Woo Hee-Eun , Kim Jong-Oh , Lee In-Cheol , Yoon Seokjin , Kim Kyunghoi
Published: August 2021

Several oyster farms are concentrated in Geoje-Hansan Bay, Republic of Korea, and there is concern about marine pollution. Hence, we monitored the sediment at this site for a year using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The predominant phyla were
Proteobacteria
(69.9 to 79.1%) and
Bacteroidetes
(8.2 to 10.6%) in all seasons.
Telephony and trade-offs in fieldwork with the ‘unreached’: on the conduct of telephonic interviews with indigenous study participants in southern India
Authors: Nambiar Devaki , Benny Gloria
Published: August 2021

When COVID-19 hit India, a qualitative research study had been underway the southern state of Kerala, to understand the perspectives of the front-line health workers and the Kattunayakan tribal community towards health service utilisation. This community is relatively underserved, and a great deal of our emphasis was on understanding health system barriers experienced on both demand and supply side. COVID-19 showed us that these barriers pertain not just to heath systems, but also to the conduct of health research. We completed fieldwork in one hamlet before lockdowns were announced and changed our fieldwork approach for the remaining two different hamlets. The main change was a shift to the use of mobile telephony for fieldwork. This technological shift necessitated substantial changes in the design of fieldwork, the scope of our inquiry, as well as the composition and power dynamics within our team. First, adjusting to technology-driven fieldwork posed restrictions but also enhanced the agency and comfort of participants in some ways. Study design changes attributable to COVID-19 restrictions were brought about, but also gave us critical insight into the impact of COVID-19 and related outbreaks. There was de fact greater reliance on community researchers, which meant we ceded control to the community itself, upsetting typical research power dynamics, which can be quite top-down. We present these methodological reflections for wider consideration.
Detection of subclinical rheumatic heart disease in children using a deep learning algorithm on digital stethoscope: a study protocol
Authors: Ali Fatima , Hasan Babar , Ahmad Huzaifa , Hoodbhoy Zahra , Bhuriwala Zainab , Hanif Muhammad , Ansari Shahab U , Chowdhury Devyani
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Rheumatic heart diseases (RHDs) contribute significant morbidity and mortality globally. To reduce the burden of RHD, timely initiation of secondary prophylaxis is important. The objectives of this study are to determine the frequency of subclinical RHD and to train a deep learning (DL) algorithm using waveform data from the digital auscultatory stethoscope (DAS) in predicting subclinical RHD.

Methods and analysis

We aim to recruit 1700 children from a group of schools serving the underprivileged over a 12-month period in Karachi (Pakistan). All consenting students within the age of 5–15 years with no underlying congenital heart disease will be eligible for the study. We will gather information regarding sociodemographics, anthropometric data, history of symptoms or diagnosis of rheumatic fever, phonocardiogram (PCG) and electrocardiography (ECG) data obtained from DAS. Handheld echocardiogram will be performed on each study participant to assess the presence of a mitral regurgitation (MR) jet (>1.5 cm), or the presence of aortic regurgitation (AR) in any view. If any of these findings are present, a confirmatory standard echocardiogram using the World Heart Federation (WHF) will be performed to confirm the diagnosis of subclinical RHD. The auscultatory data from digital stethoscope will be used to train the deep neural network for the automatic identification of patients with subclinical RHD. The proposed neural network will be trained in a supervised manner using labels from standard echocardiogram of the participants. Once trained, the neural network will be able to automatically classify the DAS data in one of the three major categories—patient with definite RHD, patient with borderline RHD and normal subject. The significance of the results will be confirmed by standard statistical methods for hypothesis testing.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval has been taken from the Aga Khan University, Pakistan. Findings will be disseminated through scientific publications and to collaborators.

Article focus

This study focuses on determining the frequency of subclinical RHD in school-going children in Karachi, Pakistan and developing a DL algorithm to screen for this condition using a digital stethoscope.
Effect of smoke-free legislation on respiratory health services use in children with asthma: a population-based open cohort study in Ontario, Canada
Authors: To Teresa , Fong Ivy , Zhu Jingqin , McGihon Rachel , Zhang Kimball , Terebessy Emilie
Published: August 2021

Objective

This study will add to existing literature by examining the impact of smoke-free legislation in outdoor areas among children with asthma. We aimed to examine the effect of the 2015 Smoke-Free Ontario Act (SFOA) amendment, which prohibited smoking on patios, playgrounds and sports fields, on health services use (HSU) rates in children with asthma.

Methods

We conducted a population-based open cohort study using health administrative data from the province of Ontario, Canada. Each year, all Ontario residents aged 0–18 years with physician diagnosed asthma were included in the study. Annual rates of HSU (emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalisations and physician office visits) for asthma and asthma-related conditions (eg, bronchitis, allergic rhinitis, influenza and pneumonia) were calculated. Interrupted time-series analysis, accounting for seasonality, was used to estimate changes in HSU following the 2015 SFOA.

Results

The study population ranged from 618 957 individuals in 2010 to 498 812 in 2018. An estimated average increase in ED visits for asthma in infants aged 0–1 years of 0.42 per 100 individuals (95% CI: 0.09 to 0.75) and a 57% relative increase corresponding to the 2015 SFOA was observed. A significant decrease in ED visits for asthma-related conditions of 0.19 per 100 individuals (95% CI: −0.37 to –0.01) and a 22% relative decrease corresponding to the 2015 SFOA was observed.

Conclusion

Based on the observed positive effect of restricting smoking on patios, playgrounds and sports fields on respiratory morbidity in children with asthma, other jurisdictions globally should consider implementing similar smoke-free policies.
Relationship between adverse childhood experiences and Alzheimer’s disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol
Authors: Corney Kayla B , Pasco Julie A , Stuart Amanda L , West Emma C , Quirk Shae E , Azimi Manavi Behnaz , Williams Lana J
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Alzheimer’s disease has a high prevalence and a substantial impact on society, as well as the individual. Findings from clinical studies to date, suggest that multiple factors are likely to contribute to the variability seen in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. However, despite this accumulating evidence, current identified factors do not explain the full extent of disease onset. Thus, the role of additional factors needs to be explored further.

One such factor is exposure to adverse childhood experiences. However, the degree of this association is unknown. This systematic review will examine the literature investigating the associations between adverse childhood experiences and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Methods and analysis

Articles investigating associations between exposure to adverse childhood experiences and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease will be identified systematically by searching CINAHL, MEDLINE and PsycInfo using Ebscohost. No restrictions on date of publication will be applied. The search strategy will be built combining the main key elements of the Population, Exposure, Comparator, and Outcomes inclusion criteria. A meta-analysis is planned and statistical methods will be used to identify and control for heterogeneity, if possible. The development of this protocol was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols.

Ethics and dissemination

Only published data will be used for this study, thus, ethical approval will not be required. Findings of the review will be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, and presented at national and international conferences.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020191439.
‘Unfocused groups’: lessons learnt amid remote focus groups in the Philippines
Authors: Aligato Mila F , Endoma Vivienne , Wachinger Jonas , Landicho-Guevarra Jhoys , Bravo Thea Andrea , Guevarra Jerric Rhazel , Landicho Jeniffer , McMahon Shannon A , Reñosa Mark Donald C
Published: August 2021

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has required tremendous shifts in data collection techniques. While an emerging body of research has described experiences conducting remote interviews, less attention has been paid to focus group discussions (FGDs). Herein, we present experiences conducting remote FGDs (n=9) with healthcare workers and caretakers of small children in the Philippines. We used ‘Facebook Messenger Room’ (FBMR), the preferred platform of participants. Despite some success, we generally encountered considerable challenges in terms of recruiting, retaining and moderating remote FGDs, particularly among caretakers of small children. Finding a quiet, private place proved unfeasible for many participants, who were juggling family demands in tight, locked down quarters. Connectivity issues and technological missteps compromised the flow of FGDs and minimised the ability to share and compare opinions. For the research team, remote FGDs resulted in a dramatic role shift for notetakers—from being passive observers to active tech supporters, chatbox referees and co-moderators (when audio disruptions occurred). Finally, we note that remote FGDs via FBMR are associated with ethical complexities, particularly as participants often chose to use their personal Facebook accounts, which can compromise anonymity. We developed and continuously refined strategies to mitigate challenges, but ultimately decided to forgo FGDs. We urge fellow researchers with more successful experiences to guide the field in terms of capturing high-quality data that respond to research questions, while also contending with privacy concerns, both in online spaces, as well as physical privacy despite lockdowns in tight quarters.
Pooled safety analysis of tisagenlecleucel in children and young adults with B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Levine John E , Grupp Stephan A , Pulsipher Michael A , Dietz Andrew C , Rives Susana , Myers G Douglas , August Keith J , Verneris Michael R , Buechner Jochen , Laetsch Theodore W , Bittencourt Henrique , Baruchel Andre , Boyer Michael W , De Moerloose Barbara , Qayed Muna , Davies Stella M , Phillips Christine L , Driscoll Timothy A , Bader Peter , Schlis Krysta , Wood Patricia A , Mody Rajen , Yi Lan , Leung Mimi , Eldjerou Lamis K , June Carl H , Maude Shannon L
Published: August 2021

Background

Tisagenlecleucel, an anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy, has demonstrated efficacy in children and young adults with relapsed/refractory B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) in two multicenter phase 2 trials (ClinicalTrials.gov,NCT02435849(ELIANA) andNCT02228096(ENSIGN)), leading to commercialization of tisagenlecleucel for the treatment of patients up to age 25 years with B-ALL that is refractory or in second or greater relapse.

Methods

A pooled analysis of 137 patients from these trials (ELIANA: n=79; ENSIGN: n=58) was performed to provide a comprehensive safety profile for tisagenlecleucel.

Results

Grade 3/4 tisagenlecleucel-related adverse events (AEs) were reported in 77% of patients. Specific AEs of interest that occurred ≤8 weeks postinfusion included cytokine-release syndrome (CRS; 79% (grade 4: 22%)), infections (42%; grade 3/4: 19%), prolonged (not resolved by day 28) cytopenias (40%; grade 3/4: 34%), neurologic events (36%; grade 3: 10%; no grade 4 events), and tumor lysis syndrome (4%; all grade 3). Treatment for CRS included tocilizumab (40%) and corticosteroids (23%). The frequency of neurologic events increased with CRS severity (p<0.001). Median time to resolution of grade 3/4 cytopenias to grade ≤2 was 2.0 (95% CI 1.87 to 2.23) months for neutropenia, 2.4 (95% CI 1.97 to 3.68) months for lymphopenia, 2.0 (95% CI 1.87 to 2.27) months for leukopenia, 1.9 (95% CI 1.74 to 2.10) months for thrombocytopenia, and 1.0 (95% CI 0.95 to 1.87) month for anemia. All patients who achieved complete remission (CR)/CR with incomplete hematologic recovery experienced B cell aplasia; however, as nearly all responders also received immunoglobulin replacement, few grade 3/4 infections occurred >1 year postinfusion.

Conclusions

This pooled analysis provides a detailed safety profile for tisagenlecleucel during the course of clinical trials, and AE management guidance, with a longer follow-up duration compared with previous reports.
Optimization of grouting method and axial performance of pressure-grouted helical piles
Authors: Mansour Mohamed A. , El Naggar M. Hesham
Published: August 2021

Pressure-grouted helical pile (PGHP) is an innovative piling system that allows a significant increase in helical pile capacity with relatively low additional cost. The pile is constructed by applying pressurized grout during the installation of conventional helical piles. The grout is injected into the ground through two nozzles welded to the hollow pile shaft. This paper presents a comprehensive laboratory study to investigate the effect of three different nozzle configurations on the shape and axial performance of PGHP. The results reveal a significant increase in the PGHP shaft resistance over that of the un-grouted helical pile due to the formation of a continuous grout column with a larger diameter, higher friction angle at the pile–soil interface, and higher lateral earth pressure around the pile. The shape and diameter of the grout column created depend on the nozzle configuration used for grout injection. An increase in the end-bearing resistance is observed due to grout dissipation into the supporting soil voids. The study also shows that PGHPs installed with the third nozzle configuration have the fastest installation rate and the highest compression and pullout resistances. Thus, the third nozzle configuration is recommended for PGHP construction.
Non-invasive assessment of plasma parameters inside an ion thruster combining optical emission spectroscopy and principal component analysis
Authors: Nauschütt Benny T. , Chen Limei , Holste Kristof , Klar Peter J.
Published: August 2021

We present a non-invasive approach for determining plasma parameters such as electron temperature and density inside a radio-frequency ion thruster (RIT) using optical emission spectroscopy (OES) in conjunction with principal component analysis (PCA). Instead of relying on a theoretical microscopic model of the plasma emission to extract plasma parameters from the OES, an empirical correlation is established on the basis of conducting simultaneous OES and Langmuir diagnostics. The measured reference spectra are simplified and a PCA is performed. The PCA results are correlated with the plasma parameters of the Langmuir measurements yielding a one-to-one correspondence. This correlation allows us to derive the plasma parameters by analysis of a non-invasively determined emission spectrum without additional Langmuir measurements. We show how the plasma parameters can be calculated from OES measurements using this correlation. Under the assumption that the electronic system thermalizes on much shorter time scales than the period of the RF signal driving the thruster, we can also use time-resolved spectral data to determine the time evolution of plasma parameters. In future, this method may contribute to shorter test and qualification times of RITs and other ion thrusters.
R&D of CEPC injector linac
Authors: Zhang Jingru , Meng Cai , Li Dazhang , Wang Dou , Pei Guoxi , Shi Hua , Gao Jie , He Xiang , Li Xiaoping , Chi Yunlong
Published: August 2021

The CEPC includes a main ring and an injector. The injector consists of a booster and a linac. In order to meet the requirements of the booster, the baseline design of the linac is a 10 GeV electron and positron linac. Two alternative linac designs have also been introduced in this paper. For the linac baseline design, one-bunch-per-pulse is adopted. A 1.1 GeV damping ring is used to reduce the transverse emittance of positron beam. The main RF system of the linac adopts normal conducting S-band structure. Some key technologies of linac are development. The S-band structure and pulse compressor have been researched and studied. In the damping ring, two cavities used to provide 2 MV voltage. The preliminary cavity design has finished.
Possibility Clustering Algorithm for Incomplete Data Based on a Deep Computing Model
Authors: Li Dongping , Yang Yingchun , Yue Qiang , Cheng Liqi , Song Jie , Liu Yuyan
Published: August 2021

Clustering is an essential part of data analytics and in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN). It becomes a problem for causes such as insufficient, unavailable, or compromised data in the face of uncertainties. A solution to tackle the instability of clusters due to missed values has been proposed. The fundamental theory determines whether to incorporate an entity into a group if it is not clear and probable. One of the main issues is identifying requirements for three forms of decision definition, including an entity in a cluster, removing an object from a group, or delaying a decision (defer) to involve or rule out a group. Current studies do not adequately discuss threshold identification and use their fixed values implicitly. This work explores using the game theory-based Possibility Clustering Algorithm for Incomplete Data (PCA-ID) framework to address this problem. In specific, a game theory will be described in which thresholds are determined based on a balance between the groups’ precision and generic characteristics. The points calculated are used to elicit judgments for the grouping of unknown objects. Experimental findings on the deep learning datasets show that the PCA-ID increases the overall quality considerably while maintaining comparable precision levels in competition with similar systems.
Distribution Fairness in Emergency Material Vehicle Scheduling Based on Uncertain Time and Demand
Authors: Li Jian , Xiong Yingying , Jiang Bao
Published: August 2021

In the emergency rescue of emergencies, the dispatch of emergency materials is one of the most important tasks. The fastest and most equitable distribution of emergency supplies to the affected areas is at the heart of the rescue effort. Considering the transport time between each affected point and the affected people for emergency supplies demand fairness, it is necessary to minimize delivery time. Thus, this paper builds a multi-objective optimization model based on the uncertainty theory to minimize the total cost and maximize the affected rate of demand. Second, this paper establishes a multi-objective optimization model for emergency supplies of vehicle scheduling. Third, the principle of genetic algorithm and the steps of emergency supplies are applied to solve the vehicle scheduling model combined with the case study of the Ya’an earthquake.
Exact Forecasting for COVID-19 Data: Case Study for Turkey
Authors: Dinçkal Çiğdem
Published: August 2021

The novel coronavirus COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) with the first clinical case emerged in the city of Wuhan in China in December 2019. Then it has spread to the entire world in very short time and turned into a global problem, namely, it has rapidly become a pandemic. Within this context, many studies have attempted to predict the consequences of the pandemic in certain countries. Nevertheless, these studies have focused on some parameters such as reproductive number, recovery rate and mortality rate when performing forecasting.

This study aims to forecast COVID-19 data in Turkey with use of a new technique which is a combination of classical exponential smoothing and moving average. There is no need for reproductive number, recovery rate and mortality rate computation in this proposed technique.

Simulations are carried out for the number of daily cases, active cases (those are cases with no symptoms), daily tests, recovering patients, patients in the intensive care unit, daily intubated patients, and deaths forecasting and results are tested on Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) criterion.

It is shown that this technique captured the system dynamic behavior in Turkey and made exact predictions with the use of real time dataset.
Iterative Text-Based Editing of Talking-Heads Using Neural Retargeting
Authors: Yao Xinwei , Fried Ohad , Fatahalian Kayvon , Agrawala Maneesh
Published: August 2021

We present a text-based tool for editing talking-head video that enables an iterative editing workflow. On each iteration users can edit the wording of the speech, further refine mouth motions if necessary to reduce artifacts, and manipulate non-verbal aspects of the performance by inserting mouth gestures (e.g., a smile) or changing the overall performance style (e.g., energetic, mumble). Our tool requires only 2 to 3 minutes of the target actor video and it synthesizes the video for each iteration in about 40 seconds, allowing users to quickly explore many editing possibilities as they iterate. Our approach is based on two key ideas. (1) We develop a fast phoneme search algorithm that can quickly identify phoneme-level subsequences of the source repository video that best match a desired edit. This enables our fast iteration loop. (2) We leverage a large repository of video of a source actor and develop a new self-supervised neural retargeting technique for transferring the mouth motions of the source actor to the target actor. This allows us to work with relatively short target actor videos, making our approach applicable in many real-world editing scenarios. Finally, our, refinement and performance controls give users the ability to further fine-tune the synthesized results.