bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Urinary placental growth factor as a predictor of complications in hypertensive disorders in pregnancy: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Francoeur Camille , Moreau Julie , Lemaire-Paquette Samuel , Battista Marie-Claude , Roy-Lacroix Marie-Eve , Côté Anne-Marie
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Preeclampsia is an important cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Although the diagnostic and prognostic values of circulating placental growth factor (PlGF) have been extensively studied, urinary PlGF represents an excellent alternative to facilitate sample collection in the follow-up of pregnant women. The aim of this study is to determine whether urinary PlGF levels throughout pregnancy can predict severe maternal, fetal/placental and neonatal complications in women with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.

Methods and analysis

Studies that evaluated pregnant women with hypertensive disorders and at least one measurement of urinary PlGF will be included. Studies that measure urinary PlGF after the occurrence of the complications will be excluded. The main outcome will consist of severe maternal complications in women with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. Secondary outcomes will consist of severe fetal/placental and neonatal complications as defined by the International Collaboration to Harmonize Outcomes for Pre-eclampsia. Prospective cohort studies and case–controls studies reporting original data will be included. Studies will be identified by searching MEDLINE and SCOPUS databases. The first literature search was conducted on 2 March 2020, and another search will be performed before analyses. All eligible studies will be assessed for risk of bias with a standardised 10-items study quality assessment tool adapted from the Study Quality Assessment tools developed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Summary of ORs and 95% CIs will be reported to evaluate the association between urinary PlGF levels and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy and its complications. A random-effect meta-analysis will also be performed.

Ethics and dissemination

Review by an ethics committee will not be required for this systematic review. This study will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal as well as for presentation at conferences targeting different stakeholders, including researchers, physicians and patients.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020186313.
Evaluation of the alignment of policies and practices for state-sponsored educational initiatives for sustainable health workforce solutions in selected Southern African countries: a protocol, multimethods study
Authors: Mabunda Sikhumbuzo , Angell Blake , Joshi Rohina , Durbach Andrea
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Health systems across the world are facing challenges with shortages and maldistribution of skilled health professionals. Return-of-service (ROS) initiatives are government-funded strategies used to educate health professionals by contracting beneficiaries to undertake government work on a year-for-year basis after their qualification. It is envisaged that once they have served their contract, they will be attracted to serve in the same area or government establishment beyond the duration of their obligatory period. Little is known about the processes that led to the development and implementation of ROS policies. Furthermore, there is no systematic evaluation of the strategies that demonstrate their utility. This research aims to evaluate the ROS initiatives, explore their efficacy and sustainability in five Southern African countries.

Methods and analysis

This study will be conducted in South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Botswana and Namibia in a phased approach through a multimethods approach of policy reviews, quantitative and qualitative research. First, a review will be conducted to explore current ROS schemes. Second, a quantitative retrospective cohort study of ROS scheme recipients for the period 2000–2010 will be undertaken. Information will be sourced from multiple provincial or national information systems and/or databases. Third, we will conduct semistructured group or individual interviews with senior health, education, ROS managing agency managers (where appropriate) and finance managers and/policy makers in each country to determine managers’ perceptions, challenges and the costs and benefits of these schemes. Fourth, we will interview or conduct group discussions with health professional regulatory bodies to assess their willingness to collaborate with ROS initiative funders.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval for this study was obtained through the Human Research Ethics Committees of the University of New South Wales (HC200519), Australia; South Africa and Lesotho (065/2020); Eswatini (SHR302/2020); Namibia (SK001); and Botswana (HPDME 13/18/1). Relevant findings will be shared through presentations to participating governments, publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at relevant conferences.
Web-based early intervention for children with motor difficulties aged 3–8 years old using multimodal rehabilitation (WECARE): protocol of a patient-centred pragmatic randomised trial of paediatric telerehabilitation to support families
Authors: Camden Chantal , Zwicker Jill G , Morin Melanie , Schuster Tibor , Couture Melanie , Poder Thomas G , Maltais Desiree B , Battista Marie-Claude , Baillargeon Jean-Patrice , Goyette Mathieu , Pratte Gabrielle , Hurtubise Karen , Phoenix Michelle , Nguyen Tram , Berbari Jade , Tousignant Michel
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Mild motor difficulties in children are underdiagnosed despite being highly prevalent, leaving such children often underserved and at higher risk for secondary consequences such as cardiovascular disease and anxiety. Evidence suggests that early patient-oriented interventions, coaching parents and providing children with early stimulation should be provided, even in the absence of a diagnosis. Such interventions may be effectively delivered via telerehabilitation.

Methods and analysis

A family-centred, pragmatic randomised controlled trial will be carried out to evaluate the real-world effectiveness of a Web-based Early intervention for Children using multimodAl REhabilitation (WECARE). Families of children with motor difficulties, 3–8 years of age, living in Quebec, Canada, and receiving no public rehabilitation services (n=118) will be asked to determine up to 12 performance goals, evaluated using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM, the primary outcome). Families will be randomised to receive either usual care or the WECARE intervention. The WECARE intervention will be delivered for 1 year via a web-based platform. Families will have access to videoconferences with an assigned rehabilitation therapist using a collaborative coaching approach, a private chat function, a forum open to all intervention arm participants and online resources pertaining to child development. Participants will be asked to re-evaluate the child’s COPM performance goals every 3 months up to 1 year post allocation. The COPM results will be analysed using a mixed Poisson regression model. Secondary outcomes include measures of the child’s functional ability, parental knowledge and skills and health-related quality of life, as well as qualitative outcomes pertaining to parental satisfaction and service delivery trajectories. Investigators and quantitative data analysts will be blinded to group allocation.

Ethics and dissemination

The CIUSSS de l’Estrie—CHUS ethics committee approved this trial (2020-3429). Study results will be communicated via peer-reviewed journal publications, conference presentations and stakeholder-specific knowledge transfer activities.

Trial registration number

NCT04254302.
Processes of care and outcomes for homeless patients hospitalised for cardiovascular conditions at safety-net versus non-safety-net hospitals: cross-sectional study
Authors: Miyawaki Atsushi , Khullar Dhruv , Tsugawa Yusuke
Published: April 2021

Objectives

Evidence suggests that homeless patients experience worse quality of care and poorer health outcomes across a range of medical conditions. It remains unclear, however, whether differences in care delivery at safety-net versus non-safety-net hospitals explain these disparities. We aimed to investigate whether homeless versus non-homeless adults hospitalised for cardiovascular conditions (acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and stroke) experience differences in care delivery and health outcomes at safety-net versus non-safety-net hospitals.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Data including all hospital admissions in four states (Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, and New York) in 2014.

Participants

We analysed 167 105 adults aged 18 years or older hospitalised for cardiovascular conditions (age mean=64.5 years; 75 361 (45.1%) women; 2123 (1.3%) homeless hospitalisations) discharged from 348 hospitals.

Outcome measures

Risk-adjusted diagnostic and therapeutic procedure and in-hospital mortality, after adjusting for patient characteristics and state and quarter fixed effects.

Results

At safety-net hospitals, homeless adults hospitalised for AMI were less likely to receive coronary angiogram (adjusted OR (aOR), 0.42; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.50; p<0.001), percutaneous coronary intervention (aOR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.62; p<0.001) and coronary artery bypass graft (aOR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.26 to 0.71; p<0.01) compared with non-homeless adults. Homeless patients treated for strokes at safety-net hospitals were less likely to receive cerebral arteriography (aOR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.16 to 0.34; p<0.001), but were as likely to receive thrombolysis therapy. At non-safety-net hospitals, we found no evidence that the probability of receiving these procedures differed between homeless and non-homeless adults hospitalised for AMI or stroke. Finally, there were no differences in in-hospital mortality rates for homeless versus non-homeless patients at either safety-net or non-safety-net hospitals.

Conclusion

Disparities in receipt of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for homeless patients with cardiovascular conditions were observed only at safety-net hospitals. However, we found no evidence that these differences influenced in-hospital mortality markedly.
Predictors of poor health and functional recovery following road trauma: protocol of a British Columbian inception cohort study
Authors: Shum Leona K , Chan Herbert , Erdelyi Shannon , Pei Lulu X , Brubacher Jeffrey R
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Road trauma (RT) is a major public health problem affecting physical and mental health, and may result in prolonged absenteeism from work or study. It is important for healthcare providers to know which RT survivors are at risk of a poor outcome, and policy-makers should know the associated costs. Unfortunately, outcome after RT is poorly understood, especially for RT survivors who are treated and released from an emergency department (ED) without the need for hospital admission. Currently, there is almost no research on risk factors for a poor outcome among RT survivors. This study will use current Canadian data to address these knowledge gaps.

Methods and analysis

We will follow an inception cohort of 1500 RT survivors (16 years and older) who visited a participating ED within 24 hours of the accident. Baseline interviews determine pre-existing health and functional status, and other potential risk factors for a poor outcome. Follow-up interviews at 2, 4, 6, and 12 months (key stages of recovery) use standardised health-related quality of life tools to determine physical and mental health outcome, functional recovery, and healthcare resource use and lost productivity costs.

Ethics and dissemination

TheRoad Trauma Outcome Studyis approved by our institutional Research Ethics Board. This study aims to provide healthcare providers with knowledge on how quickly RT survivors recover from their injuries and who may be more likely to have a poor outcome. We anticipate that this information will be used to improve management of all road users following RT. Healthcare resource use and lost productivity costs will be collected to provide a better cost estimate of the effects of RT. This information can be used by policy-makers to make informed decisions on RT prevention programmes.
Efficacy of vision-based treatments for children and teens with amblyopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Brin Taylor Adrian , Chow Amy , Carter Caitlin , Oremus Mark , Bobier William , Thompson Benjamin
Published: April 2021

Objective

To identify differences in efficacy between vision-based treatments for improving visual acuity (VA) of the amblyopic eye in persons aged 4–17 years old.

Data sources

Ovid Embase, PubMed (Medline), the Cochrane Library, Vision Cite and Scopus were systematically searched from 1975 to 17 June 2020.

Methods

Two independent reviewers screened search results for randomised controlled trials of vision-based amblyopia treatments that specified change in amblyopic eye VA (logMAR) as the primary outcome measure. Quality was assessed via risk of bias and GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations).

Results

Of the 3346 studies identified, 36 were included in a narrative synthesis. A random effects meta-analysis (five studies) compared the efficacy of binocular treatments versus patching: mean difference −0.03 logMAR; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.04 (p<0.001), favouring patching. An exploratory study-level regression (18 studies) showed no statistically significant differences between vision-based treatments and a reference group of 2–5 hours of patching. Age, sample size and pre-randomisation optical treatment were not statistically significantly associated with changes in amblyopic eye acuity. A network meta-analysis (26 studies) comparing vision-based treatments to patching 2–5 hours found one statistically significant comparison, namely, the favouring of a combination of two treatment arms comparing combination and binocular treatments, against patching 2–5 hours: standard mean difference: 2.63; 95% CI 1.18 to 4.09. However, this result was an indirect comparison calculated from a single study. A linear regression analysis (17 studies) found a significant relationship between adherence and effect size, but the model did not completely fit the data: regression coefficient 0.022; 95% CI 0.004 to 0.040 (p=0.02).

Conclusion

We found no clinically relevant differences in treatment efficacy between the treatments included in this review. Adherence to the prescribed hours of treatment varied considerably and may have had an effect on treatment success.
Rates and risk factors for suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and suicide deaths in persons with HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Pelton Matt , Ciarletta Matt , Wisnousky Holly , Lazzara Nicholas , Manglani Monica , Ba Djibril M , Chinchillli Vernon M , Du Ping , Ssentongo Anna E , Ssentongo Paddy
Published: April 2021

Background

People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) must contend with a significant burden of disease. However, current studies of this demographic have yielded wide variations in the incidence of suicidality (defined as suicidal ideation, suicide attempt and suicide deaths).

Aims

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the lifetime incidence and prevalence of suicidality in PLWHA.

Methods

Publications were identified from PubMed (MEDLINE), SCOPUS, OVID (MEDLINE), Joanna Briggs Institute EBP and Cochrane Library databases (from inception to before 1 February 2020). The search strategy included a combination of Medical Subject Headings associated with suicide and HIV. Researchers independently screened records, extracted outcome measures and assessed study quality. Data were pooled using a random-effects model. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were conducted to explore the associated risk factors and to identify the sources of heterogeneity. Main outcomes were lifetime incidence of suicide completion and lifetime incidence and prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt.

Results

A total of 185 199 PLWHA were identified from 40 studies (12 cohorts, 27 cross-sectional and 1 nested case-control). The overall incidence of suicide completion in PLWHA was 10.2/1000 persons (95%CI: 4.5 to 23.1), translating to 100-fold higher suicide deaths than the global general population rate of 0.11/1000 persons. The lifetime prevalence of suicide attempts was 158.3/1000 persons (95%CI: 106.9 to 228.2) and of suicidal ideation was 228.3/1000 persons (95%CI: 150.8 to 330.1). Meta-regression revealed that for every 10-percentage point increase in the proportion of people living with HIV with advanced disease (AIDS), the risk of suicide completion increased by 34 per 1000 persons. The quality of evidence by Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations for the suicide deaths was graded as ‘moderate’ quality.

Conclusions

The risk of suicide death is 100-fold higher in people living with HIV than in the general population. Lifetime incidence of suicidal ideation and attempts are substantially high. Suicide risk assessments should be a priority in PLWHA, especially for those with more advanced disease.
Impact of lockdown on key workers: findings from the COVID-19 survey in four UK national longitudinal studies
Authors: Topriceanu Constantin-Cristian , Wong Andrew , Moon James C , Hughes Alun D , Chaturvedi Nishi , Conti Gabriella , Bann David , Patalay Praveetha , Captur Gabriella
Published: April 2021

Background

Key workers played a pivotal role during the national lockdown in the UK’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although protective measures have been taken, the impact of the pandemic on key workers is yet to be fully elucidated.

Methods

Participants were from four longitudinal age-homogeneous British cohorts (born in 2001, 1990, 1970 and 1958). A web-based survey provided outcome data during the first UK national lockdown (May 2020) on COVID-19 infection status, changes in financial situation, trust in government, conflict with people around, household composition, psychological distress, alcohol consumption, smoking and sleep duration. Generalised linear models with logit link assessed the association between being a key worker and the above outcomes. Adjustment was made for cohort design, non-response, sex, ethnicity, adult socioeconomic position (SEP), childhood SEP, the presence of a chronic illness and receipt of a shielding letter. Meta-analyses were performed across the cohorts.

Findings

13 736 participants were included. During lockdown, being a key worker was associated with increased chances of being infected with COVID-19 (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.22 to 1.68) and experiencing conflict with people around (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.37). However, key workers were less likely to be worse off financially (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.65), to consume more alcohol (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.79 to 0.98) or to smoke more (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.80) during lockdown. Interestingly, being a key worker was not associated with psychological distress (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.05).

Interpretation

Being a key worker during the first UK COVID-19 lockdown was a double-edged sword, with both benefits and downsides. The UK government had the basic duty to protect its key workers from SARS-CoV-2 infection, but it may have failed to do so, and there is an urgent need to rectify this in light of the ongoing third wave.
Intratumoral OH2, an oncolytic herpes simplex virus 2, in patients with advanced solid tumors: a multicenter, phase I/II clinical trial
Authors: Zhang Bo , Huang Jing , Tang Jialin , Hu Sheng , Luo Suxia , Luo Zhiguo , Zhou Fuxiang , Tan Shiyun , Ying Jieer , Chang Qing , Zhang Rui , Geng Chengyun , Wu Dawei , Gu Xiangyong , Liu Binlei
Published: April 2021

Background

OH2 is a genetically engineered oncolytic herpes simplex virus type 2 designed to selectively amplify in tumor cells and express granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor to enhance antitumor immune responses. We investigated the safety, tolerability and antitumor activity of OH2 as single agent or in combination with HX008, an anti-programmed cell death protein 1 antibody, in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Methods

In this multicenter, phase I/II trial, we enrolled patients with standard treatment-refractory advanced solid tumors who have injectable lesions. In phase I, patients received intratumoral injection of OH2 at escalating doses (106, 107 and 108CCID50/mL) as single agent or with fixed-dose HX008. The recommended doses were then expanded in phase II. Primary endpoints were safety and tolerability defined by the maximum-tolerated dose and dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) in phase I, and antitumor activity assessed per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST version 1.1) and immune-RECIST in phase II.

Results

Between April 17, 2019 and September 22, 2020, 54 patients with metastatic cancers were enrolled. Forty patients were treated with single agent OH2, and 14 with OH2 plus HX008. No DLTs were reported with single agent OH2 in phase I. Four patients, having metastatic mismatch repair-proficient rectal cancer or metastatic esophageal cancer, achieved immune-partial response, with two from the single agent cohort and two from the combination cohort. The duration of response were 11.25+ and 14.03+ months for the two responders treated with single agent OH2, and 1.38+ and 2.56+ months for the two responders in the combination cohort. The most common treatment-related adverse event (TRAE) with single agent OH2 was fever (n=18, 45.0%). All TRAEs were of grade 1–2, except one case of grade 3 fever in the 108CCID50/mL group. No treatment-related serious AEs occurred. Single agent OH2 induced alterations in the tumor microenvironment, with clear increases in CD3+ and CD8+ cell density and programmed death-ligand 1 expression in the patients’ post-treatment biopsies relative to baseline.

Conclusions

Intratumoral injection of OH2 was well-tolerated, and demonstrated durable antitumor activity in patients with metastatic esophageal and rectal cancer. Further clinical development of OH2 as single agent or with immune checkpoint inhibitors in selected tumor types is warranted.
IL-6 modulation for COVID-19: the right patients at the right time?
Authors: Ascierto Paolo Antonio , Fu Binqing , Wei Haiming
Published: April 2021

The ongoing pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has disrupted the global economy and strained healthcare systems to their limits. After the virus first emerged in late 2019, the first intervention that demonstrated significant reductions in mortality for severe COVID-19 in large-scale trials was corticosteroids. Additional options that may reduce the burden on the healthcare system by reducing the number of patients requiring intensive care unit support are desperately needed, yet no therapy has conclusively established benefit in randomized studies for the management of moderate or mild cases of disease. Severe COVID-19 disease is characterized by a respiratory distress syndrome accompanied by elevated levels of several systemic cytokines, in a profile that shares several features with known inflammatory pathologies such as hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and cytokine release syndrome secondary to chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy. Based on these observations, modulation of inflammatory cytokines, particularly interleukin (IL)-6, was proposed as a strategy to mitigate severe disease. Despite encouraging recoveries with anti-IL-6 agents, especially tocilizumab from single-arm studies, early randomized trials returned mixed results in terms of clinical benefit with these interventions. Later, larger trials such as RECOVERY and REMAP-CAP, however, are establishing anti-IL-6 in combination with steroids as a potential option for hypoxic patients with evidence of hyperinflammation. We propose that a positive feedback loop primarily mediated by macrophages and monocytes initiates the inflammatory cascade in severe COVID-19, and thus optimal benefit with anti-IL-6 therapies may require intervention during a finite window of opportunity at the outset of hyperinflammation but before fulminant disease causes irreversible tissue damage—as defined clinically by C reactive protein levels higher than 75 mg/L.
How to best handle vaccine decliners: scientific facts and psychological approach
Authors: Xantus Gabor Zoltan , Burke Derek , Kanizsai Peter
Published: April 2021

There is currently no curative drug therapy for COVID-19. The spread of the virus seems relentless despite the unprecedented epidemiological measures. Prevention remains the only feasible option to stop the pandemic; without population-level vaccination, we are unlikely to regain the quality of social life and the unrestricted economy/commerce we enjoyed before. Anti-vaxxers and conspiracy theorists are seemingly oblivious to the detrimental effect of COVID-19 both at an individual and societal level. These groups have (and probably will) continue to attempt to undermine efforts to eradicate the virus despite the fact that the major reduction in morbidity/and mortality of infectious diseases of the past century was achieved through the development of vaccines and improved hygiene. Conspiracy theories are directly associated with reduced vaccine uptake and unfortunately neither anti-vaxxers nor vaccine hesitants cannot be persuaded (debunked) with logical arguments; hence, prescribers must not only be aware of the truth underlying the dense web of misinformation but must fully understand the psychological aspects as well to be able to efficiently counsel about the potential benefits and harms. Such knowledge is pivotal to help the lay public to make informed decisions about SARS CoV-2 in general and vaccination in particular; as the COVID-19 situation can probably be best controlled with mass inoculation and novel immune therapies. The lessons learnt regarding the importance of efficient communication and the adherence to the proven epidemiological measures hopefully would be leaving us better prepared for the future if challenged by novel communicable diseases of pandemic potential.
Analysis of wedding appeals on cigarette packs in China
Authors: Trimble Deana G , Yu Lingwei , Welding Kevin , Clegg Smith Katherine , Cohen Joanna E
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Exchanging or gifting cigarettes is a common practice in Chinese culture, often occurring during weddings to connote celebrations and happiness. We examined Chinese cigarette packs for wedding terminology and imagery to assess the extent to which packs are marketed for such occasions.

Methods

Cigarette packs were collected from Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Kunming and Chengdu in February 2017 using a systematic protocol designed to capture unique packs. Packs were coded by two independent coders for text and imagery of traditional Chinese wedding symbols, such as double happiness, dragon and phoenix, and other culturally specific phrases and images associated with weddings in China.

Results

From the sample of 738 unique cigarette packs, 68 (9.2%) contained either lexical and/or imagery appeals for wedding gifting. Of these 68 packs, 65 contained both lexical and imagery appeals, 1 pack had only a lexical appeal and 2 packs only included an imagery appeal. The most common appeal was ‘double happiness’ found on 56 packs (82.4%) for both lexical and imagery, followed by ‘dragon and phoenix’ found lexically on 12 packs (17.6%), and through imagery on 15 packs (22.1%).

Conclusions

Chinese tobacco manufacturers take full advantage of the cigarette gifting and sharing culture demonstrated by packs with imagery and terminology specific to weddings. With only a 35% text health warning label, manufacturers have much real estate to make packs attractive for gifting on such occasions. Implementing plain packaging policies may be effective in decreasing gifting attractiveness for cigarette packs.
40Ar/39Ar dating of Paleoproterozoic shear zones in the Ellesmere–Devon crystalline terrane, Nunavut, Canadian Arctic
Authors: Caswell Brandon , Gilotti Jane A. , Webb Laura E. , McClelland William C. , Kośmińska Karolina , Piepjohn Karsten , von Gosen Werner
Published: April 2021

Paleoproterozoic gneisses of the Ellesmere–Devon crystalline terrane on southeastern Ellesmere Island are deformed by metre-scale, east-striking mylonite zones. The shear zones commonly offset pegmatitic dikes and represent the last episode of ductile deformation. Samples were dated by the 40Ar/39Ar step-heating method to put an upper limit on the time of deformation. Biotite from one tonalitic protolith and five shear zones give geologically meaningful results. Clusters of unoriented biotite grains pseudomorph granulite-facies orthopyroxene in some of the weakly deformed gneisses, whereas the shape-preferred orientation of biotite defines the mylonitic fabric. The intrusive age of the tonalitic protolith is 1958 ± 12 Ma, based on previous U–Pb dating of zircon. 40Ar/39Ar analysis of biotite from the same sample gave a plateau age of 1929 ± 23 Ma, which is interpreted as cooling from regional granulite facies metamorphism. Three nearby samples of mylonitic tonalite have 40Ar/39Ar ages in the range of ≈1870–1840 Ma. Biotite from two granitic mylonites over 80 km away return high-resolution Ar spectra in the same range, implying that widespread ductile shearing occurred at ≈1870–1840 Ma, or ≈90 million years after cooling from regional metamorphism. Although the 2.0–1.9 Ga gneisses of southeastern Ellesmere Island correlate with the Inglefield Mobile Belt in North-West Greenland and the Thelon Tectonic Zone, the late shear zones are superimposed on that juvenile arc long after the 1.97 Ga Thelon orogeny.
Cone characteristics and insect predation levels vary across years in mast seeding white spruce
Authors: Leeper Abigail C. , LaMontagne Jalene M.
Published: April 2021

Populations of many tree species exhibit synchronous and highly temporally variable seed crops across years. This is called mast seeding, and there are two predominant hypotheses for this pattern of reproduction: pollination efficiency and seed-predator satiation. Mast seeding studies typically involve records of population-level reproduction, with less information on the characteristics of reproductive structures. Here, we use data across 6 years (2012–2017), spanning a range of population-level cone conditions, to characterize (i) white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) cone lengths and seeds per cone, and (ii) levels of seed predation. We quantified population-level cone production and collected 1399 cones from a total of 38 trees in the Huron Mountains, Michigan, USA. Linear mixed models showed that mean and minimum cone lengths varied significantly across years; both being longest during the greatest cone production year. Larger cones had more seeds and the slopes of the relationships as well as the intercepts varied significantly across years. Generalized linear mixed models and Akaike’s information criterion model selection showed that cones with insect predation damage was greatest when population-level reproduction was the lowest, with a mean proportion of cones damaged 0.82 in that year. Our findings show that white spruce cone characteristics and losses to insect seed predation vary temporally, and follow expectations based on mast seeding hypotheses.
Evaluation of selected cider apple (Malus domesticaBorkh.) cultivars grown in Ontario. II. Juice attributes
Authors: Plotkowski Derek J. , Cline John A.
Published: April 2021

Twenty-eight apple cultivars were selected for their potential for hard cider production in Ontario; their juice characteristics were measured in 2017 and 2018, beginning two years after planting in 2015. After being harvested and pressed, each juice sample underwent analyses to determine soluble solids concentration (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), pH, yeast assimilable nitrogen (YAN), and polyphenolic concentration. Soluble solids concentration ranged from 10.6 °Brix in Brown’s Apple to 18.3 °Brix in Ashmead’s Kernel. Titratable acidity ranged from 31 as mg malic acid per 100 mL juice in Sweet Alford to 191 as mg malic acid per 100 mL juice in Bramley’s Seedling. The pH ranged from 2.88 in Breakwell to 4.76 in Sweet Alford. Yeast assimilable nitrogen concentration ranged from 60 mg YAN·L−1juice in Medaille d’Or to 256 mg YAN·L−1juice in Bulmer’s Norman. Polyphenols in juice ranged from 131 μg gallic acid equivalents (gae)·mL−1juice in Tolman Sweet to 1042 μg gae·mL−1juice in Stoke Red. Firmness ranged from 6.3 kg in Yarlington Mill to 11.7 kg in GoldRush. The relationships between these variables were also analyzed, showing a connection between acidity and juicing efficiency as well as a relationship between polyphenol concentration and fruit weight. Exploratory analyses indicated that juice attributes can be used to distinguish between cultivars and their origins. Cider producers can use these data to determine what to expect in juice from these cultivars.
Rye cover crop improves vegetable crop nitrogen use efficiency and yield in a short season growing region
Authors: Farzadfar Soudeh , Knight J. Diane , Congreves Kate A.
Published: April 2021

Cover crops have the potential to immobilize nitrogen (N) that would otherwise be lost before or after the main crop production, leading to improved N management. However, information on how cover crops influence N management in intensive vegetable cropping systems is scarce. This study aimed to determine how an overwintering rye cover crop impacts crop yield and N cycling, for three common prairie vegetable crops. From 2017 to 2019, a broccoli – sweet corn – root crop sequence was tested (in which all crops of rotation were present each year), with each crop type receiving five N fertilizer treatments, ranging from 0 to 300 kg N·ha−1. After harvest each year, sub-plots were established with vs. without a rye cover crop, and the effect on vegetable yield, soil inorganic N, and N use efficiency (NUE) was followed into the subsequent growing season. In most cases, the cover crop increased vegetable crop productivity and N content in the subsequent growing season. The cover crop also lowered soil inorganic N levels at vegetable planting but increased levels at harvest. Vegetable crop NUE indices were frequently improved with vs. without the cover crop. As for the N fertilizer response, increasing N fertilizer rate did not continually increase vegetable crop productivity and N content. Higher N fertilizer rates increased soil inorganic N levels at vegetable planting and harvest, and often lowered vegetable crop NUE indices. These results demonstrate the importance of adjusting soil N levels to better align with crop needs — and that including a rye cover crop in the vegetable rotation is one method of doing so.
Characterization of SABRE crystal NaI-33 with direct underground counting
Authors: Antonello M. , Arnquist I. J. , Barberio E. , Baroncelli T. , Benziger J. , Bignell L. J. , Bolognino I. , Calaprice F. , Copello S. , Dafinei I. , D’Angelo D. , D’Imperio G. , D’Incecco M. , Di Carlo G. , Diemoz M. , Di Giacinto A. , Di Ludovico A. , Dix W. , Duffy A. R. , Hoppe E. , Ianni A. , Iannone M. , Ioannucci L. , Krishnan S. , Lane G. J. , Mahmood I. , Mariani A. , Milana S. , Mould J. , Nuti F. , Orlandi D. , Pettinacci V. , Pietrofaccia L. , Rahatlou S. , Scutti F. , Souza M. , Stuchbery A. E. , Suerfu B. , Tomei C. , Urquijo P. , Vignoli C. , Wallner A. , Wada M. , Williams A. G. , Zani A. , Zurowski M.
Published: April 2021

Ultra-pure NaI(Tl) crystals are the key element for a model-independent verification of the long standing DAMA result and a powerful means to search for the annual modulation signature of dark matter interactions. The SABRE collaboration has been developing cutting-edge techniques for the reduction of intrinsic backgrounds over several years. In this paper we report the first characterization of a 3.4 kg crystal, named NaI-33, performed in an underground passive shielding setup at LNGS. NaI-33 has a record low $$^{39}$$

39

K contamination of 4.3 ± 0.2 ppb as determined by mass spectrometry. We measured a light yield of 11.1 ± 0.2 photoelectrons/keV and an energy resolution of 13.2% (FWHM/E) at 59.5 keV. We evaluated the activities of $$^{226}$$

226

Ra and $$^{228}$$

228

Th inside the crystal to be $$5.9\pm 0.6~\upmu $$

5.9
±
0.6

μ

Bq/kg and $$1.6\pm 0.3~\upmu $$

1.6
±
0.3

μ

Bq/kg, respectively, which would indicate a contamination from $$^{238}$$

238

U and $$^{232}$$

232

Th at part-per-trillion level. We measured an activity of 0.51 ± 0.02 mBq/kg due to $$^{210}$$

210

Pb out of equilibrium and a $$\alpha $$
α
quenching factor of 0.63 ± 0.01 at 5304 keV. We illustrate the analyses techniques developed to reject electronic noise in the lower part of the energy spectrum. A cut-based strategy and a multivariate approach indicated a rate, attributed to the intrinsic radioactivity of the crystal, of $$\sim $$
∼
1 count/day/kg/keV in the [5–20] keV region.
Multiple explicit solutions of the 2D variable coefficients Chafee–Infante model via a generalized expansion method
Authors: Cimpoiasu Rodica
Published: April 2021

In this work, we do apply a generalized expansion method to the realistic two-dimensional (2D) Chafee–Infante model with time-variable coefficients which is encountered in physical sciences.The key ideas of this method consist in: (i) to choose a nonlinear wave variable in respect to time-variable into the general finite series solution of the governing model; (ii) to take a full advantage from the general elliptic equation introduced as an auxiliary equation which can degenerate into sub-equations such as Riccati equation, the Jacobian elliptic equations, the generalized Riccati equation. Based upon this powerful technique, we successfully construct for the first time several types of non-autonomous solitary waves as well as some non-autonomous triangular solutions, rational or doubly periodic type ones. We investigate the propagation of non-autonomous solitons and we emphasize as well upon the influence of the variable coefficients. We are providing and analyzing a few graphical representations of some specific solutions. The results of this paper will be valuable in the study of nonlinear physical phenomena. The above- mentioned method could be employed to solve other partial differential equations with variable coefficients which describe various complicated natural phenomena.
The build-up construction of quasi self-dual codes over a non-unital ring
Authors: Alahmadi Adel , Altassan Alaa , Shoaib Hatoon , Alkathiry Amani , Bonnecaze Alexis , Solé Patrick
Published: April 2021

There is a local ring [Formula: see text] of order [Formula: see text] without identity for the multiplication, defined by generators and relations as [Formula: see text] We study a recursive construction of self-orthogonal codes over [Formula: see text] We classify, up to permutation equivalence, self-orthogonal codes of length [Formula: see text] and size [Formula: see text] (called here quasi self-dual codes or QSD) up to the length [Formula: see text]. In particular, we classify Type IV codes (QSD codes with even weights) up to [Formula: see text].
Vulnerability Rating of Source Code with Token Embedding and Combinatorial Algorithms
Authors: Barr Joseph R. , Shaw Peter , Abu-Khzam Faisal N. , Thatcher Tyler , Yu Sheng
Published: April 2021

We present an empirical analysis of the source code of the Fluoride Bluetooth module, which is a part of standard Android OS distribution, by exhibiting a novel approach for classifying and scoring source code and vulnerability rating. Our workflow combines deep learning, combinatorial optimization, heuristics and machine learning. A combination of heuristics and deep learning is used to embed function (and method) labels into a low-dimensional Euclidean space. Because the corpus of the Fluoride source code is rather limited (containing approximately 12,000 functions), a straightforward embedding (using, e.g. code2vec) is untenable. To overcome the challenge of dearth of data, it is necessary to go through an intermediate step of Byte-Pair Encoding. Subsequently, we embed the tokens from which we assemble an embedding of function/method labels. Long short-term memory network (LSTM) is used to embed tokens. The next step is to form a distance matrix consisting of the cosines between every pairs of vectors (function embedding) which in turn is interpreted as a (combinatorial) graph whose vertices represent functions, and edges correspond to entries whose value exceed some given threshold. Cluster-Editing is then applied to partition the vertex set of the graph into subsets representing “dense graphs,” that are nearly complete subgraphs. Finally, the vectors representing the components, plus additional heuristic-based features are used as features to model the components for vulnerability risk.
A Curious Case of MRSA Bacteremia and Septic Pulmonary Embolism Secondary to Peripheral Venous Catheter
Authors: Twito Joshua , Sahra Syeda , Jahangir Abdullah , Mobarakai Neville
Published: April 2021

Background. Central venous catheters (CVCs) have been frequently associated with septic thrombophlebitis, bacteremia, and septic emboli. Right-sided infective endocarditis is seen concurrently in patients with septic pulmonary emboli. A case of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia and septic pulmonary emboli secondary to infected peripheral venous catheter (PVC) is reported. Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) showed no evidence of infective endocarditis. Case Presentation. A 44-year-old female presented to E.R. with left upper extremity pain and swelling at the previously inserted peripheral 18-gauge intravenous catheter site. She also had chest pain, which worsened with inspiration. The patient was found to be in septic shock. Her clinical condition deteriorated acutely. Right upper extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary emboli were seen on imaging. Blood cultures grew MRSA. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiograms showed no vegetations. The patient responded well to appropriate antibiotics and anticoagulation. Conclusion. Peripherally inserted catheters are an important portal for pathogen entry and need periodic site assessment and frequent evaluation of their need for insertion. Septic pulmonary emboli can also be seen without any evidence of right-sided infective endocarditis.
The Underlying Molecular Mechanisms Involved in Traditional Chinese Medicine Smilax china L. for the Treatment of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Authors: Zhang Yunsen , Zhao Zikuang , Chen Huimin , Fu Yutong , Wang Wenxiang , Li Qi , Li Xuanhao , Wang Xiaobo , Fan Gang , Zhang Yi
Published: April 2021

Smilax china L. (SCL) is extensively used in the treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This study aimed to clarify the potential active ingredients of SCL and mechanisms on PID. SCL was widely distributed in Japan, South Korea, and China, which was traditionally considered heat-clearing, detoxicating, and dampness-eliminating medicine. Systems pharmacology revealed that 32 compounds in SCL may interact with 19 targets for immunoenhancement, antiapoptosis, anti-inflammation, and antioxidant activity of the PID model. Molecular docking revealed that isorhamnetin, moracin M, rutin, and oxyresveratrol may have higher binding potential with prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1), siderocalin (LCN2), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and matrix metalloprotein-9 (MMP9), respectively. Molecular dynamics simulation showed that the binding modes of moracin M-MAPK1, rutin-TNF, and oxyresveratrol-MMP9 complexes were more stable, evidenced by relatively smaller fluctuations in root mean square deviation values. Conclusively, SCL may treat PID by inhibiting inflammatory factors, antitissue fibrosis, and microbial growth.
Overview of Lower Cretaceous Achimov Formation: Physical Properties and Their Distribution Pattern in West Siberian Basin, Russia
Authors: He Mingyu , Xie Qingbin , Lobusev A. V. , Lobusev M. A. , Liang Xinping
Published: April 2021

The Achimov Formation is one of the most important oil- and gas-bearing strata in the West Siberian basin in Russia. The total estimated reserves of this stratum exceed one billion tons. The formation was first explored in 1981, but it remains largely underdeveloped due to its deep burial depth and poor physical properties. Therefore, further research on the genetic mechanisms and distribution characteristics of the reservoirs in the formation can contribute to its further exploitation. The Achimov Formation is dominated by of fine- to medium-grained sandstones interbedded with shale. Based on analysis of well logging data, hand specimens, and previous research, this study analyzed the properties of three members (Ach1, Ach2, and Ach3) of the Achimov Formation and summarized their distribution patterns. Research on reservoir rocks from different oil and gas fields reveals varying physical properties across the formation with permeability and porosity increasing from the northern to central areas and decreasing from the central to the southern areas. Burial depth is one of the major controlling factors for reservoir properties in the formation. Reservoirs in both the northern and southern parts of the formation are buried deeper than those in the central areas, resulting in a disparity in reservoir quality.
DL-MRI: A Unified Framework of Deep Learning-Based MRI Super Resolution
Authors: Liu Huanyu , Liu Jiaqi , Li Junbao , Pan Jeng-Shyang , Yu Xiaqiong
Published: April 2021

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used in the detection and diagnosis of diseases. High-resolution MR images will help doctors to locate lesions and diagnose diseases. However, the acquisition of high-resolution MR images requires high magnetic field intensity and long scanning time, which will bring discomfort to patients and easily introduce motion artifacts, resulting in image quality degradation. Therefore, the resolution of hardware imaging has reached its limit. Based on this situation, a unified framework based on deep learning super resolution is proposed to transfer state-of-the-art deep learning methods of natural images to MRI super resolution. Compared with the traditional image super-resolution method, the deep learning super-resolution method has stronger feature extraction and characterization ability, can learn prior knowledge from a large number of sample data, and has a more stable and excellent image reconstruction effect. We propose a unified framework of deep learning -based MRI super resolution, which has five current deep learning methods with the best super-resolution effect. In addition, a high-low resolution MR image dataset with the scales of ×2, ×3, and ×4 was constructed, covering 4 parts of the skull, knee, breast, and head and neck. Experimental results show that the proposed unified framework of deep learning super resolution has a better reconstruction effect on the data than traditional methods and provides a standard dataset and experimental benchmark for the application of deep learning super resolution in MR images.