bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of antihistamines before or during pregnancy and risk of early-onset pre-eclampsia in allergic women: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Sande Anne K , Torkildsen Erik Andreas , Sande Ragnar Kvie , Dalen Ingvild , Danielsson Kim Christian , Morken Nils-Halvdan
Published: October 2022

Objective

We have previously found that allergy is a risk factor for early-onset pre-eclampsia. The aim of this study was to assess the association between pregestational maternal use of antihistamines and early-onset pre-eclampsia.

Design

A population-based cohort study.

Setting and participants

All women giving birth in Norway 2004–2016, including 692 487 pregnancies. Data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway were linked with data from the Norwegian Prescription Database. Prescriptions of antihistamines were divided into three groups: before pregnancy (<6 months), early pregnancy (<20 weeks) and late pregnancy (20–36 weeks). ORs with 95% CIs for pre-eclampsia <34 and <37 weeks by antihistamine use were estimated by logistic regression and stratified on multiple pregnancy and parity. Predicted proportions (%) with 95% CIs were estimated.

Interventions

Use of antihistamines in relation to pregnancy in allergic women.

Main outcome measures

Development of early-onset pre-eclampsia.

Results

2997 (0.43%) and 5769 (0.83%) women had pre-eclampsia <34 and <37 weeks, respectively. Use of antihistamines before and in early pregnancy was associated with a risk of developing early-onset pre-eclampsia that was comparable to the background population (OR 1.0, 95% CI 0.8 to 1.2 and OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.7 to 1.1, respectively). Antihistamine use only in late pregnancy was not treated as exposure, but as an indicator of allergy, and was associated with an increased risk of early-onset pre-eclampsia (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.5 to 2.2). Predicted proportions of pre-eclampsia <34 weeks were significantly lower in women using antihistamines before (0.41%, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.49) and in early pregnancy (0.37%, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.44), compared with women using antihistamines after placentation (0.69%, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.83). Results were similar for pre-eclampsia <37 weeks.

Conclusions

Antihistamine use before or during placentation was associated with reduced risk of developing early-onset pre-eclampsia in allergic women compared with women using antihistamines after placentation.
Processed foods purchase profiles in urban India in 2013 and 2016: a cluster and multivariate analysis
Authors: Tak Mehroosh , Law Cherry , Green Rosemary , Shankar Bhavani , Cornelsen Laura
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Sales of ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) and beverages are rising in low-income and middle-income countries. Such foods are often linked with weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes and hypertension—diseases that are on the rise in India. This paper analysed patterns in purchases of processed and UPF by urban Indian households.

Setting

Panel data from Kantar —Worldpanel Division, India for 2013 and 2016.

Participants

58 878 urban Indian households.

Methods

We used K-mean partition clustering and multivariate regression to analyse patterns in processed food (PF) and UPF purchase for urban India.

Results

Three-quarters of urban Indian households purchased over ten PF groups. Mean per person annual PF purchase was 150 kg. UPF purchase was low at 6.4 kg in 2016 but had grown by 6% since 2013. Cluster analysis identified three patterns of consumption, characterised by low (54% of the households in 2016), medium (36%) and high (10%) PF purchase quantities. High cluster households purchased over three times as much PFs and UPF as the low cluster households. Notably, salt purchases were persistently high across clusters in both years (>3.3 kg), while sweet snack and ready-to-eat food purchases grew consistently in all clusters between 2013 and 2016. A positive and significant association was found between household purchases of UPF and their socioeconomic status as well as ownership of durables, such as refrigerator, colour television and washing machine (all p<0.001). Spatial characteristics including size of town (p<0.05) in which the household is located were also positively associated with the purchase of UPF.

Conclusion

Results suggest the need for tailored regional and city level interventions to curb the low but growing purchase of UPF. New data on obesity and rise of non-communicable diseases, the results are concerning given the links between lifestyle changes and the speed of urbanisation in Indian cities.
Assessing the impact of COVID-19 measures on COPD management and patients: a simulation-based decision support tool for COPD services in the UK
Authors: Yakutcan Usame , Hurst John R , Lebcir Reda , Demir Eren
Published: October 2022

Objectives

To develop a computer-based decision support tool (DST) for key decision makers to safely explore the impact on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) care of service changes driven by restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Design

The DST is powered by discrete event simulation which captures the entire patient pathway. To estimate the number of COPD admissions under different scenario settings, a regression model was developed and embedded into the tool. The tool can generate a wide range of patient-related and service-related outputs. Thus, the likely impact of possible changes (eg, COVID-19 restrictions and pandemic scenarios) on patients with COPD and care can be estimated.

Setting

COPD services (including outpatient and inpatient departments) at a major provider in central London.

Results

Four different scenarios (reflecting the UK government’s Plan A, Plan B and Plan C in addition to a benchmark scenario) were run for 1 year. 856, 616 and 484 face-to-face appointments (among 1226 clinic visits) are expected in Plans A, B and C, respectively. Clinic visit quality in Plan A is found to be marginally better than in Plans B and C. Under coronavirus restrictions, lung function tests decreased more than 80% in Plan C as compared with Plan A. Fewer COPD exacerbation-related admissions were seen (284.1 Plan C vs 395.1 in the benchmark) associated with stricter restrictions. Although the results indicate that fewer quality-adjusted life years (in terms of COPD management) would be lost during more severe restrictions, the wider impact on physical and mental health must also be established.

Conclusions

This DST will enable COPD services to examine how the latest developments in care delivery and management might impact their service during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, and in the event of future pandemics.
Low-doseinterleukin 2 for the reduction ofvascular inflammation in acute coronarysyndromes (IVORY): protocol and study rationale for a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase II clinical trial
Authors: Sriranjan Rouchelle , Zhao Tian Xiao , Tarkin Jason , Hubsch Annette , Helmy Joanna , Vamvaka Evangelia , Jalaludeen Navazh , Bond Simon , Hoole Stephen P , Knott Philip , Buckenham Samantha , Warnes Victoria , Bird Nick , Cheow Heok , Templin Heike , Cacciottolo Paul , Rudd James H F , Mallat Ziad , Cheriyan Joseph
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Inflammation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, the leading cause of ischaemic heart disease (IHD). Studies in preclinical models have demonstrated that an increase in regulatory T cells (Tregs), which have a potent immune modulatory action, led to a regression of atherosclerosis. The Low-dose InterLeukin 2 (IL-2) in patients with stable ischaemic heart disease and Acute Coronary Syndromes (LILACS) study, established the safety of low-dose IL-2 and its biological efficacy in IHD. The IVORY trial is designed to assess the effects of low-dose IL-2 on vascular inflammation in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS).

Methods and analysis

In this study, we hypothesise that low-dose IL-2 will reduce vascular inflammation in patients presenting with ACS. This is a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase II clinical trial. Patients will be recruited across two centres, a district general hospital and a tertiary cardiac centre in Cambridge, UK. Sixty patients with ACS (unstable angina, non-ST elevation myocardial infarction or ST elevation myocardial infarction) with high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP) levels >2 mg/L will be randomised to receive either 1.5×106 IU of low-dose IL-2 or placebo (1:1). Dosing will commence within 14 days of admission. Dosing will comprise of an induction and a maintenance phase. 2-Deoxy-2-[fluorine-18] fluoro-D-glucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/CT (PET/CT) scans will be performed before and after dosing. The primary endpoint is the change in mean maximum target to background ratios (TBRmax) in the index vessel between baseline and follow-up scans. Changes in circulating T-cell subsets will be measured as secondary endpoints of the study. The safety and tolerability of extended dosing with low-dose IL-2 in patients with ACS will be evaluated throughout the study.

Ethics and dissemination

The Health Research Authority and Health and Care Research Wales, UK (19/YH/0171), approved the study. Written informed consent is required to participate in the trial. The results will be reported through peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations.

Trial registration number

NCT04241601.
Outcomes and outcome measurement instruments reported in randomised controlled trials of anxiety disorder treatments in children and adolescents: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Patton Megan C , Desai Riddhi , Noureddine Yasmine , Prebeg Matthew J , Krause Karolin Rose , Vohra Sunita , Butcher Nancy J , Monga Suneeta
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Paediatric anxiety disorders (AD) are prevalent and persistent mental health conditions worldwide affecting between 10% and 20% of children and adolescents. Despite the high prevalence of paediatric AD, there is limited understanding of which treatments work best. Outcome heterogeneity across paediatric mental health trials has been a significant factor in hindering the ability to compare results and assess the efficacy of such trials. This scoping review will help to identify and synthesise the outcomes reported in paediatric AD trials to date.

Methods and analysis

Following the Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review methodology, a comprehensive electronic bibliographic database search (MEDLINE, APA PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL) strategy will be applied to identify articles examining interventions for children diagnosed with an AD. Articles will be eligible for inclusion if they assess at least one AD intervention (eg, psychological), in children 4–18 years of age inclusive. Initial title and abstract screening will be completed by two trained reviewers independently and in duplicate. Full-text screening of each included article will be completed independently and in duplicate by two of three trained reviewers. Identified outcomes will be mapped to a standard outcome taxonomy developed for core outcome sets. Trial and outcome characteristics will be synthesised using quantitative metrics (counts and frequencies).

Ethics and dissemination

As this is a scoping review of the literature and patient information or records were not accessed, institutional ethics approval was not required. Results of this scoping review will be disseminated to clinicians, researchers inclusive of trialists and other stakeholders invested in outcome selection, measurement and reporting in paediatric AD trials. In addition, scoping review results will inform the development of a Core Outcome Set for paediatric AD trials—a minimum set of outcomes that should be measured across trials in an area of health, without precluding the inclusion of other outcomes.
Do bisphosphonates and RANKL inhibitors alter the progression of coronary artery calcification? A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol
Authors: Saunders Samantha Louise , Chaudhri Kanika , McOrist Nathan Scott , Gnanenthiran Sonali R , Shalaby Grant
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Whether bisphosphonates and RANKL inhibitors play a novel role in delaying cardiovascular calcification is unknown. Their action on regulatory enzymes in the mevalonic acid pathway, which is implicated in both bone and lipid metabolism, may be a novel therapeutic target to manage coronary artery disease (CAD). Such therapies may particularly be relevant in those for whom traditional cardiovascular therapies are no longer sufficient to control disease progression.

Methods and analysis

We will perform a systematic review which aims to synthesise evidence regarding whether use of bisphosphonates or use of the RANKL inhibitor denosumab delays coronary artery calcium (CAC) progression. Eligible studies will include longitudinal studies investigating CAC progression in patients aged >18 years taking either a bisphosphonate or denosumab compared with those who do not. Embase, MEDLINE and Cochrane will be searched using prespecified search terms. Studies will be screened by title and abstract independently and then in full to determine suitability for inclusion in the review. Extracted data will include that relating to study and participant characteristics. The primary outcome will be the CAC score. Secondary outcomes will include aortic and carotid artery calcification. Meta-analysis will be performed if sufficient data are available.

Ethics and dissemination

This study does not require ethics as it is a systematic review of the literature. The results of the review described within this protocol will be distributed via presentations at relevant conferences and publication within a peer-reviewed journal.

PROSPERO registration number

The systematic review pertaining to this protocol is registered with PROSPERO (Registration ID: CRD42022312377).
Living systematic review and meta-analysis of the prostate MRI diagnostic test with Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) assessment for the detection of prostate cancer: study protocol
Authors: Oerther Benedict , Schmucker Christine , Schwarzer Guido , Schoots Ivo , Sigle August , Gratzke Christian , Bamberg Fabian , Benndorf Matthias
Published: October 2022

Introduction

The Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) standardises reporting of prostate MRI for the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer. We provide the protocol of a planned living systematic review and meta-analysis for (1) diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity and specificity), (2) cancer detection rates of assessment categories and (3) inter-reader agreement.

Methods and analysis

Retrospective and prospective studies reporting on at least one of the outcomes of interest are included. Each step that requires literature evaluation and data extraction is performed by two independent reviewers. Since PI-RADS is intended as a living document itself, a 12-month update cycle of the systematic review and meta-analysis is planned.

This protocol is in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses—Protocols statement. The search strategies including databases, study eligibility criteria, index and reference test definitions, outcome definitions and data analysis processes are detailed. A full list of extracted data items is provided.

Summary estimates of sensitivity and specificity (for PI-RADS ≥3 and PI-RADS ≥4 considered positive) are derived with bivariate binomial models. Summary estimates of cancer detection rates are calculated with random intercept logistic regression models for single proportions. Summary estimates of inter-reader agreement are derived with random effects models.

Ethics and dissemination

No original patient data are collected, ethical review board approval, therefore, is not necessary. Results are published in peer-reviewed, open-access scientific journals. We make the collected data accessible as supplemental material to guarantee transparency of results.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022343931.
Promoters and inhibitors for quality improvement work in general practice: a qualitative analysis of 2715 free-text replies
Authors: Eide Torunn Bjerve , Øyane Nicolas , Høye Sigurd
Published: October 2022

Background

Continuous quality improvement (QI) is necessary to develop and maintain high quality general practice services. General Practitioners (GPs’) motivation is an important factor in the success of QI initiatives. We aimed to identify factors that impair or promote GPs’ motivation for and participation in QI projects.

Material and methods

We analysed 2715 free-text survey replies from 2208 GPs participating in the QI intervention ‘Correct Antibiotic Use in the Municipalities’. GPs received reports detailing their individual antibiotic prescriptions for a defined period, including a comparison with a corresponding previous period. The content was discussed in peer group meetings. Each GP individually answered work-sheets on three separate time-points, including free-text questions regarding their experiences with the intervention. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

Results

We identified three overarching themes in the GPs’ thoughts on inhibitors and promoters of QI work: (1) the desire to be a better doctor, (2) structural and organisational factors as both promoters and inhibitors and (3) properties related to different QI measures. The provision of individual prescription data was generally very well received. The participants stressed the importance of a safe peer group, like the Continuous Medical Education group, for discussions, and also underlined the motivating effect of working together with their practice as a whole. Lack of time was essential in GPs’ motivation for QI work. QI tools should be easily available and directly relevant in clinical work.

Conclusion

The desire to be good doctor is a strong motivator for improvement, but the framework for general practice must allow for QI initiatives. QI tools must be easily obtainable and relevant for practice. Better tools for obtaining clinical data for individual GPs are needed.
Intimate relationships in residential aged care: what factors influence staff decisions to intervene?
Authors: McAuliffe Linda , Fetherstonhaugh Deirdre , Syme Maggie
Published: October 2022

Intimacy contributes to our well-being and extends into older age, despite cognitive or physical impairment. However, the ability to enjoy intimacy and express sexuality is often compromised—or even controlled—when one moves into residential aged care. The aim of this study was to identify what factors influence senior residential aged care staff when they make decisions regarding resident intimate relationships and sexual expression. The study used vignette methodology and a postal survey to explore reactions to a fictionalised case study of a couple—Norm and Carol—who develop a close, mutually satisfying relationship. Staff were first asked whether they would intervene in the relationship. Using an innovative approach, several variations to the case study were then presented to explore whether views about intervening changed according to varying contextual factors. Findings indicated that over 90% of respondents initially agreed that the relationship should continue, and only 10% indicated they would intervene. However, when the case study was varied, respondents indicated they were more likely to intervene, particularly if Norm was exhibiting distress in Carol’s presence (89%), but also if Norm was married and his wife was living in the community (40%). Other factors including level of cognitive impairment and family disapproval were also found to influence staff views. This study provides insight into how residential aged care staff make decisions regarding the intimacy and sexuality of older people living in residential aged care and how personal views and values likely guide practice in the absence of formal policies.
Levetiracetam versus fosphenytoin as a second-line treatment after diazepam for adult convulsive status epilepticus: a multicentre non-inferiority randomised control trial
Authors: Nakamura Kensuke , Marushima Aiki , Takahashi Yuji , Mochizuki Masaki , Kimura Akio , Fukuda Yu , Asami Masahiro , Nakamoto Hidetoshi , Egawa Satoshi , Kaneko Junya , Unemoto Kyoko , Kondo Yutaka , Yonekawa Chikara , Uchida Masatoshi , Hoshiyama Eisei , Yamada Takeshi , Maruo Kazushi , Ishikawa Eiichi , Matsumaru Yuji , Inoue Yoshiaki
Published: October 2022

Objective

Status epilepticus (SE) is an emergency condition for which rapid and secured cessation is crucial. Although fosphenytoin (FPHT) is recommended as a second-line treatment, levetiracetam (LEV) reportedly has similar efficacy, but higher safety. Therefore, we herein compared LEV with FPHT in adult SE.

Methods

We initiated a multicentre randomised control trial in emergency departments with adult patients with convulsive SE. Diazepam was initially administered, followed intravenously by FPHT at 22.5 mg/kg or LEV at 1000–3000 mg. The primary outcome was assigned as the seizure cessation rate within 30 min of the administration of the study drug.

Results

A total of 176 adult patients with SE were enrolled (82 FPHT and 94 LEV), and 3 were excluded from the full analysis set. Seizure cessation rates within 30 min were 83.8% (67/80) in the FPHT group and 89.2% (83/93) in the LEV group. The difference in these rates was 5.5% (95% CI −4.7 to 15.7, p=0.29). The non-inferiority of LEV to FPHT was confirmed with p<0.001 by the Farrington-Manning test. No significant differences were observed in the seizure recurrence rate or intubation rate within 24 hours. Serious adverse events developed in three patients in the FPHT group and none in the LEV group (p=0.061).

Conclusion

The efficacy of LEV was similar to that of FPHT for adult SE following the administration of diazepam. LEV may be recommended as a second-line treatment for SE along with phenytoin/FPHT.

Trial registration number

jRCTs031190160.
Herbicide use in farming and other jobs in relation to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) risk
Authors: De Roos Anneclaire J , Fritschi Lin , Ward Mary H , Monnereau Alain , Hofmann Jonathan , Bernstein Leslie , Bhatti Parveen , Benavente Moreno Yolanda , Benke Geza , Casabonne Delphine , Clavel Jacqueline , Cocco Pierluigi , Huynh Tran , 't Mannetje Andrea , Miligi Lucia , Piro Sara , Rothman Nathaniel , Schinasi Leah H , Vajdic Claire M , Wang Sophia S , Zhang Yawei , Slager Susan L , Cerhan James R
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Given mixed evidence for carcinogenicity of current-use herbicides, we studied the relationship between occupational herbicide use and risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) in a large, pooled study.

Methods

We pooled data from 10 case-control studies participating in the International Lymphoma Epidemiology Consortium, including 9229 cases and 9626 controls from North America, the European Union and Australia. Herbicide use was coded from self-report or by expert assessment in the individual studies, for herbicide groups (eg, phenoxy herbicides) and active ingredients (eg, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), glyphosate). The association between each herbicide and NHL risk was estimated using logistic regression to produce ORs and 95% CIs, with adjustment for sociodemographic factors, farming and other pesticides.

Results

We found no substantial association of all NHL risk with ever-use of any herbicide (OR=1.10, 95% CI: 0.94 to 1.29), nor with herbicide groups or active ingredients. Elevations in risk were observed for NHL subtypes with longer duration of phenoxy herbicide use, such as for any phenoxy herbicide with multiple myeloma (>25.5 years, OR=1.78, 95% CI: 0.74 to 4.27), 2,4-D with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (>25.5 years, OR=1.47, 95% CI: 0.67 to 3.21) and other (non-2,4-D) phenoxy herbicides with T-cell lymphoma (>6 years, lagged 10 years, OR=3.24, 95% CI: 1.03 to 10.2). An association between glyphosate and follicular lymphoma (lagged 10 years: OR=1.48, 95% CI: 0.98 to 2.25) was fairly consistent across analyses.

Conclusions

Most of the herbicides examined were not associated with NHL risk. However, associations of phenoxy herbicides and glyphosate with particular NHL subtypes underscore the importance of estimating subtype-specific risks.
The carbon footprint of a hospice
Authors: Dokal Kitt , Morris Mungo , Spooner Rosie , Perkins Paul
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Environmental sustainability is an important concern within the National Health Service. Compared with other specialties, there has been little research within palliative care. This study aims to calculate the carbon footprint of a specialist palliative care unit.

Methods

Resources grouped into medical, non-medical, travel, energy and waste were collected for the year 2021 in a hospice in the South West of England. Following a top-down approach, the activity used for each resource was multiplied by an emissions factor to calculate the carbon footprint. Staff attitudes were also surveyed.

Results

The hospice carbon footprint was calculated as 420 tonnes kgCO2e. Travel (35%) was the highest contributor to emissions followed by gas (33%) and non-medical supplies (17%). There were 95 responses to the staff survey (59% response rate) with strong enthusiasm towards sustainable practices.

Conclusion

This is the first study to estimate the carbon footprint of a specialist palliative care unit. Compared with other specialties, palliative care has relatively low greenhouse gas emissions. Identifying sources of carbon equivalent production can be a first step into developing interventions to reduce this use. Our carbon footprint study will be used by the Hospice Sustainability Group to reduce our unit’s carbon footprint.
Minor stall modifications and outdoor access can help improve dairy cow welfare in tie-stalls
Authors: Palacio Santiago , Adam Steve , Bergeron Renée , Pellerin Doris , de Passillé Anne Marie , Rushen Jeff , Haley Derek , DeVries Trevor J. , Vasseur Elsa
Published: October 2022

Tie-stalls are the most confining method of housing for dairy cows and remain commonly used to house cows in many countries. Finding methods to improve animal welfare through housing modifications and alternative management strategies are of increasing importance. Twelve tie-stall dairy farms in Ontario and Quebec, Canada were visited four times in a 12 month period. Visits were spread to observe the effects of pasture (visit 1), short-term effects of stall modifications (visit 2), effects of winter confinement (visit 3), and final measures after 1 year (visit 4). Lameness, injuries, cow cleanliness, lying and rising behaviors, and production parameters were assessed at each visit. Outdoor access had the largest effect: cows with access to pasture had a lower prevalence of various outcome measures throughout all four visits. Also, cows in modified stalls had a higher prevalence of dirty udders compared to cows in unmodified stalls, but only on farms that provided outdoor access. Although applying minor stall modifications to tie-stalls can help improve aspects of animal welfare, providing year-round outdoor access may represent a more effective method; the continued provision of time outside the stall helps maintain the positive impact of outdoor/pasture access on the welfare of tie-stall dairy cows.
Quasi-Gorenstein projective and quasi-Gorenstein injective modules
Authors: Aghjeh Mashhad Fatemeh Mohammadi
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we introduce quasi-Gorenstein projective and quasi-Gorenstein injective modules, study some of their properties and investigate their behavior with respect to short exact sequences. Also, we give homological descriptions of quasi-Gorenstein homological dimensions of modules when they are finite and in this case, we prove that quasi-Gorenstein projective precover and quasi-Gorenstein injective preenvelope exist.
Pedestrian evacuation dynamics considering information guidance
Authors: Xu Hai-Hong , Guo Ren-Yong , Wu Pei-Yang
Published: October 2022

Suitable information of routes and exits can help guide evacuees to approach the expected destinations more efficiently in case of emergencies, such as fire accidents, terrorist attacks and power failures. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the dynamics of two patterns of guided crowd evacuation. One is source-guided crowd evacuation, and the other is leader-guided crowd evacuation. In source-guided crowd evacuation, sources located in fixed positions diffuse information to evacuees around them in a certain form such as light, sound and smell. However, in the leader-guided crowd evacuation, leaders convey information to evacuees they encounter along their trajectories by means of word-of-mouth communication. First, considering wall-following, herding, and inertia behaviors, a mesoscopic model is established to formulate the movement of uninformed pedestrians without information guidance. Then, considering information guidance, a set of movement rules are constructed to describe the evolution dynamics of crowds comprising uninformed and informed pedestrians. Further, the implementation of the simulation models reveals the subtle effects of the initial position of information sources, the propagation velocity of information sources, and the initial distribution of leaders on the evacuation efficiency of crowds. This study gives new insights into the design of information guidance systems in pedestrian walking facilities.
Modeling the influence of vaccine passport on the outbreak of epidemic with asymptomatic infection
Authors: Chen Yahong , Zhou Li , Chu Hongrui
Published: October 2022

Vaccine passport is recognized as a necessary policy to revive the economy during the outbreak of epidemic with asymptomatic infection, and has been widely adopted in the global world. But implementing vaccine passport inevitably increases the infection risk when the vaccine efficacy is not perfect. Choosing a suitable level of vaccine passport with the consideration of vaccine imperfection is extremely important, which is less studied in the existing literature. In this paper, a novel epidemic model is proposed to consider the mixed impacts of vaccination, including vaccination coverage, vaccine efficacy, and vaccine passport, and the heterogeneous mean-filed (HMF) method is used to analyze the model. Both analytical and numerical results indicate that the introduction of vaccine passport will largely weaken the effect of vaccination and decrease the epidemic threshold in either homogeneous or heterogeneous network structure. Especially, when the efficacy of vaccine is lower than a certain value, if vaccine passport is implemented, increasing vaccination coverage may instead increase the number of infections. The results suggest that the proper vaccination-related combinations are: medium/high vaccination coverage, high vaccine efficacy, and low/medium vaccine passport. In addition, the upper bounds of vaccine passport under different combinations of vaccination coverage and vaccine efficacy are explored based on the epidemic threshold.
CHARACTERISTICS AND DRIVING FACTORS OF REGIONAL ECONOMY COORDINATED DEVELOPMENT EFFICIENCY UNDER URBAN DIGITALIZATION: EVIDENCE FROM THE YANGTZE RIVER ECONOMIC BELT
Authors: GUO SILIANG , MA HENG
Published: October 2022

Regional economy coordinated development (RECD) is an important symbol of social progress and an important guarantee of social harmony, political stability and economic sustainable development. Previous studies mainly focus on the relationship between digitalization and RECD, but they fail to investigate the RECD efficiency (RECDE) driven by urban digitalization. This paper characterizes and explores the RECDE in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) from 2011 to 2019 from the perspective of urban digitalization by constructing a novel evaluation indicator system and using an EBM model. Meanwhile, this paper analyses the regional differences, temporal–spatial evolution characteristics, and the influencing factors of urban digitalization driving RECDE via the methods of spatial autocorrelation, the Gini coefficient, kernel density estimation and a geo-detector. The results indicate that: (1) the RECDE of YREB is on the rise as a whole, but the efficiency level is low. The RECDE shows a stepwise increase in the order of upper, middle and lower reaches. The RECDE also shows obvious spatial differentiation characteristics. (2) From the perspective of temporal and spatial evolution, the RECDE has changed from a dispersed state to a contiguous agglomerated state as a whole. The average RECDE of the YREB has varied significantly over the years. High-efficiency cities are relatively dispersed, while low-efficiency cities are relatively concentrated. (3) Government intervention, physical capital level and economic development level are the primary influencing factors of RECDE. These results imply that the government should attach great importance to the role of digitalization in improving the RECDE. When formulating regional coordinated development policies, the government should first formulate differentiation strategies according to the economic development level of different cities, and then give full play to the promoting role of government intervention and digital capital investment.
Beam loss background with magnet errors and beam–beam effect in CEPC
Authors: Bai Sha , Wang Yiwei , Gao Jie
Published: October 2022

The Circular Electron Positron Collider (CEPC) is a proposed Higgs factory with center-of-mass energy of 240[Formula: see text]GeV to measure the properties of Higgs boson and test the standard model accurately. Beam loss background in detectors is an important topic at CEPC. During manufacture and installation, magnets are not perfect and with many kinds of errors. Beam–beam interaction in high-energy electron positron collider is the action of external field force, which changes the momentum of each beam bunch. Thus, beam loss background can be affected by the magnet errors and beam–beam effect. In this paper, the beam loss background with magnet errors and beam–beam effect is simulated in CEPC.
Imperfection and error correction for the CEPC CDR lattice
Authors: Wang Bin , Wei Y. Y. , Wang Y. W. , Yu C. H. , Zhang Y.
Published: October 2022

This paper describes the imperfection and correction for the CEPC CDR lattice in the Higgs mode. The correction scheme contains closed orbit correction, optics correction and the betatron coupling correction. Two error cases with 1000 lattice seeds are studied and statistically analyzed. The dynamic aperture after correction is also studied to compare the on-axis beam injection requirement.
(g−2)μ and SUSY
Authors: Chakraborti Manimala , Heinemeyer Sven , Saha Ipsita
Published: October 2022

The persistent [Formula: see text] discrepancy between the experimental result from Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) for the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon, [Formula: see text], and its Standard Model (SM) prediction, was confirmed recently by the “MUON G-2” result from Fermilab. The combination of the two measurements yields a deviation of [Formula: see text] from the SM value. Here, we review an analysis of the parameter space of the electroweak (EW) sector of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM), which can provide a suitable explanation of the anomaly while being in full agreement with other latest experimental data like the direct searches for EW particles at the LHC and dark matter (DM) relic density and direct detection constraints. Taking the lightest supersymmetric particle (LSP) (the lightest neutralino in our case) to be the DM candidate, we discuss the case of a mixed bino/wino LSP, which can account for the full DM relic density of the universe and that of wino and higgsino DM, where we take the relic density only as an upper bound. We observe that an upper limit of [Formula: see text] can be obtained for the LSP and next-to (N)LSP masses establishing clear search targets for the future HL-LHC EW searches, but in particular for future high-energy [Formula: see text] colliders such as the ILC or CLIC.
Rényi holographic dark energy models in teleparallel gravity
Authors: Bhardwaj Vinod Kumar , Dixit Archana , Pradhan Anirudh , Krishnannair Syamala
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we have investigated the physical behavior of cosmological models in the framework of modified teleparallel gravity. This model is established using a Rényi holographic dark energy (RHDE) model with a Hubble cut-off. Here, we have considered a homogeneous and isotropic Friedman universe filled with perfect fluid. The physical parameters are derived for the present model in compliances with 43 observational Hubble data sets. The equation-of-state parameter in terms of [Formula: see text] describes the transition of the universe between phantom and nonphantom phases in the context of [Formula: see text] gravity. Our model shows the violation of strong energy condition and the weak energy condition over the accelerated phantom regime. We also observed that these models occupy freezing regions through [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] plane. Consequently, our RHDE model is supported to the consequences of general relativity in the framework of [Formula: see text] modified gravity.
Intrusion Detection for In-Vehicle CAN Bus Based on Lightweight Neural Network
Authors: Ding Defeng , Wei Yehua , Cheng Can , Long Jing
Published: October 2022

With the rapid development of automobile intelligent and networking, substantial information is exchanged between in-vehicle network system and the outside world, thereby threatening the automobile security. Intrusion detection is an important technology to realize the security of in-vehicle networks. The existing research on in-vehicle network intrusion detection mainly focuses on the improvement of detection accuracy, but it lacks consideration of timeliness, whereas the in-vehicle network is a time-sensitive system. This study proposes an anomaly detection method for in-vehicle Controller Area Network (CAN) based on lightweight neural network to reduce the operation time while maintaining the detection accuracy. The redundant neuron screening method and model compression algorithm for layer-by-layer neuron pruning are designed. This presented method can delete the neurons with small contribution and obtain lightweight neural network model. The detection performance of model compression and noncompression is compared through experiments. Results show that under the two real in-vehicle datasets, the detection time is accelerated by 47.7 times and 34.2 times at most, and the average accuracy is increased by 14.5% and 15.7%.
Design and Lifetime Estimation of Low-Power 6-Input Look-Up Table Used in Modern FPGA
Authors: Singh Vivek Kumar , Nag Abhishek , Bhattacharjee Abhishek , Pradhan Sambhu Nath
Published: October 2022

Due to technological advancements and voltage scaling, leakage power has become an important concern in CMOS design. The implementation of a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) circuit utilizes a portion of the FPGA’s resources as compared to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Both the utilized and unutilized parts of the FPGA dissipate leakage power. In this work, two dynamic power gating techniques, PSG-1 and PSG-2, are proposed, which are able to reduce the leakage power of the 6-input look-up table (LUT) used in the Xilinx Spartan-6 series. The obtained results show that the proposed approaches PSG-1 and PSG-2 reduce average leakage power by 54.61% and 66.69%, respectively, at the expense of nominal area and delay overhead. The proposed method is also capable of lowering the average total power of the 6-input LUT. The suggested PSG-1 and PSG-2 approaches reduce average power by 53.75% and 60.83%, respectively. However, header-based power supply gating is extremely vulnerable to the negative-bias temperature instability (NBTI) aging effect and, due to this, the lifetime of the circuit is reduced considerably. Therefore, in this work, lifetime estimation-based analysis is performed by varying the stress probability of the sleep transistor. The results show that the LUT with PSG-1 and PSG-2 techniques has a lifetime of 4.55 years and 11.13 years, respectively. The stress time of the sleep transistor is 50% for the PSG-1 technique and 25% for the PSG-2 technique, respectively.
Isogeometric variational multiscale modeling of stably stratified flow over complex terrains
Authors: Cen Haoyang , Zhou Qi , Korobenko Artem
Published: October 2022

Numerical modeling of stratified boundary layer over complex terrain has been an ongoing challenge in the field of environmental fluid dynamics. In this work, we present a computational framework aiming to tackle that challenge. The key components of the framework are residual-based variational multiscale method, isogeometric analysis, and weak imposition of Dirichlet boundary condition. The framework is validated against a laboratory experiment on strongly stratified flow past a three-dimensional bell-shaped hill. Good agreement is observed for qualitative flow physics, with the predicted occurrences of flow separation, recirculation, and hydraulic jump closely matching those in the experiment. In addition, the dividing-streamline height and wavelength of lee wave computed from the present framework compare well to the theoretical predictions. We show that the present framework is able to tackle various degrees of stratifications. The effect of weak imposition of Dirichlet boundary condition on the performance of the framework is also examined. This paper is concluded with an outlook toward applying the present framework to modeling microscale stratified flow past real-world terrains by simulating stratified flow past a two-dimensional environmental terrain.
Space, time and heat
Authors: Samuel Joseph
Published: October 2022

The local conservation law for energy in classical general relativity is subtle and has been extensively discussed. We propose a new physical interpretation for this law which naturally brings out a thermodynamic flavor of general relativity theory. Given a reference system, we are able to rewrite the local conservation law so that it separates into “work” and “heat” terms. This gives a striking geometric interpretation for “heat” in general relativity. The interpretation offered here assumes direct physical reality once quantum effects are considered. The ideas proposed here have implications at the intersection of gravity, thermodynamics and quantum theory.
GUP corrections to black hole thermodynamics in the extended phase-space approach
Authors: López Eduardo , Bargueño Pedro , Contreras Ernesto
Published: October 2022

In this work, we study corrections to black hole (BH) temperature and entropy in the context of the generalized uncertainty principle. In particular, we obtain corrected asymptotically Anti-de Sitter BH solutions following the extended phase-space scheme in which the cosmological constant is considered as a thermodynamic pressure satisfying certain equation of state (EoS). Among all the possibilities, we consider that the cosmological pressure satisfies either a polytropic or a Chaplygin EoS. The physical plausibility of the solutions is studied based on the energy conditions and the associated heat capacity.
Multiplicity distribution of backward shower particle in total disintegrated events revisited with Weibull distribution
Authors: Bhattacharyya Swarnapratim , Neagu Alina Tania , Firu Elena
Published: October 2022

The well-known statistical distribution function, Weibull distribution function, has been employed to study the multiplicity distribution and multiplicity moments for the backward shower particles produced in case of total disintegrated events of [Formula: see text]O–AgBr, [Formula: see text]Ne–AgBr and [Formula: see text]Si–AgBr interactions at (4.1–4.5) AGeV/c. Multiplicity fluctuation of backward shower particles in case of total disintegrated events by the method of scaled variance and the forward–backward asymmetry parameter had also been investigated.
The average values of a kind of functionals in LP and concentration without measure
Authors: Liu Cheng-Shi
Published: October 2022

This paper focuses on the average values of functionals like [Formula: see text] on the set [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text]. The densities of coordinates of points in M are derived out. The formula of average value EY of functional Y is obtained. The variance DY of Y is proven to be zero, which shows the phenomenon of concentration without measure, and then the nonlinear commutation identity Eh(Y) = h(EY) is obtained for continuous function [Formula: see text]. Finally, particularly, it is proven that the average value depends on the discretization.
A white noise approach to stochastic currents of Brownian motion
Authors: Grothaus Martin , Suryawan Herry Pribawanto , Da Silva José Luís
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we study stochastic currents of Brownian motion [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], by using white noise analysis. For [Formula: see text] and for [Formula: see text] we prove that the stochastic current [Formula: see text] is a Hida distribution. Moreover for [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] we show that the stochastic current is not a Hida distribution.
Magnetostrictive Vibration Harvester with a Multistage Amplifier and Its Application in Human Walking Energy Harvesting
Authors: Liu Huifang , Li Wencheng , Yang Jiaxin , Zhao Xinxin
Published: October 2022

In this paper, as a theoretical basis, a foot vibration harvester with a finite support mechanism is proposed based on the Villari effect of magnetostrictive materials and Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction, where a rod-shaped Terfenol-D is used as a core element for energy conversion, and a multi-stage force amplification mechanism is used as a core mechanical structure. The purpose of the amplification mechanism is to amplify the input force provided to the Terfenol-D rod and increase the output electric power. Moreover, the amplification mechanism is designed based on the bridge amplification structure, microlever amplification structure, and wedge amplification mechanism. A mathematical model of the amplification mechanism was developed using the force analysis and unit stiffness matrix methods, and the size and structure were designed and optimized. The performed simulations yielded an output force amplification ratio of 18.04. Based on the optimization results, a prototype was fabricated, and experiments were conducted. Specifically, experiments on the effect of the bias magnetic field on the harvester’s harvesting capability were performed, and the operating characteristics were tested for one complete cycle. Moreover, the effects of the amplification mechanism and vibration harvester were tested for practical applications. The peak output voltage of the harvester was 397.5[Formula: see text]mV under 100 N excitation, and the output electrical power on a resistive load could reach 3.33[Formula: see text]mW. In the application of the human walking process, the voltage could reach a maximum value of 387.3[Formula: see text]mV. The results of the study initially prove that the designed vibration harvester can stably collect human walking vibration.