bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of developing children’s Pill School within a UK hospital
Authors: Rashed Asia N , Terry David , Fox Andy , Christiansen Nanna , Tomlin Stephen
Published: November 2020

Objective

We assessed the feasibility of introducing an intervention (children’s Pill School—PS) within a UK hospital to provide swallowing training for children, identified the proportion of children who can be switched from oral liquid medicines to pills and assessed children/parents’ opinions about the PS training.

Methods

30 inpatient children (aged 3–18 years; taking oral liquid medicines; their liquid medications assessed suitable for switching to pills; can (and their parents) speak/understand English were included. Training sessions were delivered using hard sweets of different sizes.

Results

87% (26) of children successfully learnt how to swallow pills after one training session (mean duration 14.5 min), and 92% (24) were discharged on pills. 75 prescribed oral liquid medications were deemed suitable for switching to pills. Of these, 89% (67) were switched successfully.

Conclusion

Children as young as 3 years were successful in swallowing pills after training. Providing children PS training session within hospital is feasible and acceptable to children and their parents.
Microcephaly in Australian children, 2016–2018: national surveillance study
Authors: Nunez Carlos , Morris Anne , Jones Cheryl A , Badawi Nadia , Baynam Gareth , Hansen Michele , Elliott Elizabeth J
Published: November 2020

Objective

To describe infants aged <12 months reported with microcephaly to the Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit (APSU) following emergence of Zika virus infection internationally.

Design, setting and patients

National, active, monthly surveillance for microcephaly using the APSU. Microcephaly was defined as occipitofrontal circumference (OFC) of more than 2 SDs below the mean for age, gender and gestation.

Main outcome measures

Clinical spectrum, aetiology and birth prevalence of microcephaly reported by paediatricians.

Results

Between June 2016 and July 2018, 106 notifications were received, with clinical details provided for 96 (91%). After excluding ineligible notifications, 70 cases were confirmed, giving an annual birth prevalence of 1.12 (95% CI 0.88 to 1.42) per 10 000 live births. Of the total number of cases, 47 (67%) had primary microcephaly (at birth); and 25 (36%) had severe microcephaly (OFC >3 SDs). Birth defects were reported in 42 (60%). Of 49 infants with developmental assessment details available, 25 (51%) had failed to reach all milestones. Vision impairment was reported in 14 (26%). The cause of microcephaly was unknown in 60%: 13 (19%) had been diagnosed with genetic disorders; 22 (39%) had anomalies on neuroimaging. No congenital or probable Zika infection was identified. Severe microcephaly was more often associated with hearing impairment than microcephaly of >2 SDs but ≤3 SDs below the mean (p<0.007). Indigenous children and children with socioeconomic advantage were over-represented among children with microcephaly.

Conclusion

Novel national data on microcephaly highlight the high proportion of idiopathic cases. This has implications for prevention and management and suggests the need for a standardised diagnostic approach and ongoing surveillance mechanism in Australia.
Thyroglossal duct cyst anterior to the sternum: a novel presentation of a common lesion
Authors: Rawl Jordan Whitney , Rossi Nicholas Armando , Yantis Matthew G , Szeremeta Wasyl
Published: November 2020

Thyroglossal duct cysts (TDCs) arise in roughly 7% of the general population and are typically diagnosed in childhood within the first decade of life. Typically, patients present with a painless, midline neck mass in close proximity to the hyoid bone which classically elevates with deglutition and tongue protrusion. We present a case of TDC found anterior to the sternum, a major deviation from the classical understanding of this lesion. The patient was treated successfully with modified Sistrunk procedure. This case underscores the need for clinicians to maintain a wide differential while working up paediatric patients presenting with neck masses. Furthermore, we emphasise that TDC must always be considered in cases of midline paediatric neck masses, even when found in unusual locations such as presented here.
Five biopsies, one diagnosis: challenges in idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease
Authors: Semenchuk Julie , Merchant Asad , Sakhdari Ali , Kukreti Vishal
Published: November 2020

A previously healthy 29-year-old man initially presented to the hospital with pleuritic chest pain and shortness of breath. Over the next 2 months he developed ongoing fevers and night sweats with recurrent exudative pleural effusions and ascites. He had an extensive infectious and autoimmune workup that was unremarkable. He had an initial lymph node biopsy that showed reactive changes only. He had an acute kidney injury and his renal biopsy revealed thrombotic microangiopathy. His liver biopsy showed non-specific inflammatory changes. His bone marrow biopsy showed megakaryocyte hyperplasia and fibrosis, which raised suspicion for the thrombocytopenia, ascites, reticulin fibrosis, renal dysfunction and organomegaly syndrome subtype of multicentric Castleman disease. This prompted a repeat lymph node biopsy, showing changes consistent with mixed type Castleman disease that fit with his clinical picture. He was initiated on steroids and siltuximab with significant clinical improvement.
Parechovirus infection as a cause of necrotising enterocolitis in a premature neonate
Authors: Angley Eleanor , Thomas Niranjan , Kua Eugene , Rasheed Asiyath
Published: November 2020

Parechovirus is becoming increasingly recognised as a cause of morbidity in the neonatal population. It is widely known to cause sepsis, encephalitis and myocarditis. We report a case of parechovirus as a possible cause of necrotising enterocolitis in a premature neonate. The infant, who was born at 28 weeks’ gestation, deteriorated at 1 month of life with fever and abdominal distension and had evidence of intramural bowel gas on imaging. Parechovirus was subsequently isolated from naso-oropharyngeal and rectal swabs, and he was managed medically with antibiotics and cessation of enteral feeds.
Outcomes and risk factors for failure after trabeculectomy in Taiwanese patients: medical chart reviews from 2006 to 2017
Authors: Chiu Hsun-I , Su Huan-I , Ko Yu-Chieh , Liu Catherine Jui-Ling
Published: November 2020

Aims

To determine long-term outcomes and risk factors for failure after mitomycin C (MMC)-augmented initial trabeculectomy (IT) in Taiwanese patients.

Methods

We reviewed medical records of patients with glaucoma undergoing IT during December 2006–December 2016. We defined complete success as an intraocular pressure (IOP) of >5 or ≤21 mm Hg or IOP reduction of ≥20% from baseline without supplemental medications and qualified success as the aforementioned IOP levels with or without supplemental medications. Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox proportional analyses evaluated success rates and risk factors for failure, respectively.

Results

We enrolled 190 patients (237 eyes; mean age: 54.0±15.3 years; mean postoperative follow-up period: 68.4±35.1 months). Mean IOP and glaucoma medications decreased from 22.2±10.8 to 14.4±5.2 mm Hg (p<0.001) and 3.0±0.7 to 1.8±1.2 (p=0.015), respectively, at the last visit. Cumulative qualified success rates were 93.9%, 93.0%, 86.5% and 67.1% at the 1, 2, 5 and 10 years follow-up, respectively; however, only 7.7% of the eyes reached complete success at the last visit. Eyes with poor preoperative visual acuity were associated with low qualified success rates (HR=1.689, p=0.027); patients aged >70 years had higher complete success rates than did those aged ≤70 years. Five cases (2.11%) exhibited bleb-associated complications.

Conclusion

Despite satisfactory long-term success rates, most eyes needed medication for IOP control, supporting the notion of predisposed scarring vitality in patients of Chinese ethnicity following MMC-augmented trabeculectomy.
Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis in India: electronic medical records-driven big data analytics report IV
Authors: Das Anthony Vipin , Basu Sayan
Published: November 2020

Aims

To describe the clinical profile of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) in patients presenting to a multitier ophthalmology hospital network in India.

Methods

This retrospective hospital-based study included 2 408 819 patients presenting between August 2010 and February 2020. Patients with a clinical diagnosis of EKC in at least one eye with a recent onset (≤1 week) were included as cases. The data were collected using the eyeSmart electronic medical record system.

Results

Overall, 21 196 (0.9%) new patients were diagnosed with EKC, of which 19 203 (90.6%) patients reported a recent onset (≤1 week) and were included for analysis. The median age was 32 (IQR: 22–45) years and adults (84.5%) were commonly affected. Most of the patients were male (62.1%) and unilateral (53.4%) affliction was commoner. The most common presenting symptom was redness (63.7%), followed by watering (42.1%). Preauricular lymphadenopathy or tenderness was documented in 1406 (7.3%) cases at presentation. A minority of the eyes had visual impairment worse than 20/200 (7.8%) due to associated ocular comorbidities. The involvement of the cornea was seen in 7338 (38.2%) patients and corneal signs included subepithelial infiltrates (26.3%), epithelial defect (1.4%), corneal oedema (0.9%) and filaments (0.4%). Of the patients who had corneal involvement, 496 (2.6%) patients had a chronic course beyond 1 month of which 105 (0.5%) had a course beyond 1 year.

Conclusion

EKC is a self-limiting condition that is commonly unilateral and predominantly affects males. About one-third of the patients have corneal involvement which rarely has a chronic course.
Anterior chamber depth, lens thickness and intraocular lens calculation formula accuracy: nine formulas comparison
Authors: Hipólito-Fernandes Diogo , Luís Maria Elisa , Serras-Pereira Rita , Gil Pedro , Maduro Vitor , Feijão João , Alves Nuno
Published: November 2020

Background/Aims

To investigate the influence of anterior chamber depth (ACD) and lens thickness (LT) on 9 intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation formulas accuracy, in patients with normal axial lengths.

Methods

Retrospective case series, including patients having uncomplicated cataract surgery with insertion of a single IOL model, divided into three groups according to preoperative ACD. Each group was further subdivided into three subgroups, according to the LT. Using optimised constants, refraction prediction error was calculated for Barrett Universal II, Emmetropia Verifying Optical (EVO) V.2.0, Haigis, Hill-RBF V.2.0, Hoffer Q, Holladay 1, Kane, PEARL-DGS and SRK/T formulas. Mean prediction error, mean and median absolute error (MedAE) and the percentage of eyes within ±0.25D, ±0.50D and ±1.00D were also calculated.

Results

The study included 695 eyes from 695 patients. For ACD ≤3.0 mm and ≥3.5 mm, mean prediction error of SRK/T, Hoffer Q and Holladay 1 was significantly different from 0 (p<0.05). PEARL-DGS, Kane, EVO V.2.0 and Barrett Universal II were more accurate than the Hoffer Q in ACD ≤3.0 mm (p<0.05). Kane, PEARL-DGS, EVO V.2.0 and Barrett Universal II revealed the lowest variance of mean and MedAE by ACD and LT subgroup. Haigis and Hill-RBF V.2.0 were significantly influenced by LT, independently of the ACD, with a myopic shift with thin lenses and a hyperopic shift with thick lenses (p<0.05).

Conclusion

New generation formulas, particularly Kane, PEARL-DGS and EVO V.2.0, seem to be more reliable and stable even in eyes with extreme ACD-LT combinations.
Prevalence and incidence of injuries in para athletes: a systematic review with meta-analysis and GRADE recommendations
Authors: Pinheiro Larissa Santos Pinto , Ocarino Juliana Melo , Madaleno Fernanda Oliveira , Verhagen Evert , de Mello Marco Túlio , Albuquerque Maicon Rodrigues , Andrade André Gustavo Pereira , da Mata Carla Patrícia , Pinto Rafael Zambelli , Silva Andressa , Resende Renan Alves
Published: November 2020

Objective

To investigate prevalence, incidence and profile of musculoskeletal injuries in para athletes.

Design

Systematic review.

Data sources

Searches were conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, SPORTSDiscus, CINAHL and hand searching.

Eligibility criteria

Studies were considered if they reported prevalence or incidence of musculoskeletal injuries in para athletes. Study selection, data extraction and analysis followed the protocol. Meta-analyses were conducted to estimate the prevalence and incidence rate among studies and subgroup analyses investigated whether methodological quality and sample size of the studies influenced on the estimated injury prevalence and incidence. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system determined the strength of evidence.

Results

Forty-two studies were included. The prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries was 40.8% (95% CI 32.5% to 49.8%). Because of imprecision, indirectness and inconsistency, the strength of evidence was very low quality. The incidence of musculoskeletal injuries was 14.3 injuries per 1000 athlete-days (95% CI 11.9 to 16.8). The strength of evidence was low quality because of imprecision and indirectness. The subgroup analyses revealed that the sample size influenced on estimated injury prevalence and methodological quality influenced on estimated incidence. Injuries were more prevalent in the shoulder, for non-ambulant para athletes, and in the lower limbs, for ambulant para athletes.

Summary/conclusion

Para athletes show high prevalence and incidence of musculoskeletal injuries. Current very low-quality and low-quality evidence suggests that future high-quality studies with systematic data collection, larger sample size and specificities of para athletes are likely to change estimates of injury prevalence and incidence in para athletes.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020147982.
Patient and nurse perceptions of an innovative TV wellness channel in an acute medical ward: a feasibility study
Authors: Russell Suzy , Ripley Vanya , Elliott Rosalind , Barnes Caryl
Published: November 2020

Background

The Consultation Liaison Psychiatry service attends to the mental health needs of patients treated in a general hospital setting after referral by the treating team. Interventions may include psychoeducation and psychological treatment.

A mindfulness focused ‘TV wellness’ channel was conceptualised as an innovative method of providing psychoeducation and mindfulness/relaxation. The objective was to explore the acceptability of a TV wellness channel to nurses and patients in an acute care inpatient setting and its effect on patient anxiety.

Methods

This was a before and after prospective feasibility study. The intervention was a 30 min audio–visual television programme containing activities designed to reduce anxiety such as breathing and mindfulness exercises, nature film clips and short videos of clinical staff providing well-being tips during hospitalisation. Adult medical patients were requested to report their state anxiety using the Faces Anxiety Scale (1, low to 5 high anxiety) before and after viewing the channel. Patients and nurses reported on the acceptability of the content.

Results

There was a trend to lower state anxiety after patients (n=61) watched the TV wellness channel but this was not clinically significant (mean difference (95 CI) 0.60 (0.36 to 0.87)). The patients and nurses’ evaluations were positive with few areas for improvement.

Conclusion

Pilot evaluation of this innovative adjunct to Consultant Liaison Psychiatry provides evidence of its acceptability and potential to reduce anxiety for medical inpatients. This evaluation confirmed the feasibility of the TV wellness channel and has informed continued development and subsequent clinical research.
BET 1: To debrief or not debrief
Authors: Timms Victoria
Published: November 2020

A short cut review was carried out to establish whether a staff debriefing session after involvement in a traumatic resuscitation reduces stress and anxiety, reduces sickness, improves team working and morale and improves staff retention. Four papers presented the best evidence to answer the question. The author, date and country of publication, group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these papers are tabulated. It is concluded that there is no evidence about the efficacy of team debriefing in the ED. However, there is some desire among staff for it to occur. Further research is needed and in the meantime local advice should be followed.
Path ahead for ‘low risk’ adolescents living with a Fontan circulation
Authors: Baker David W , Dennis Mark R , Zannino Diana , Schilling Chris , Moreno Patricia D , Bullock Andrew , Disney Patrick , Radford Dorothy J , Hornung Tim , Grigg Leeanne , d'Udekem Yves , Ayer Julian , Celermajer David S , Cordina Rachael
Published: November 2020

Objective

A high risk of morbidity and mortality is well documented in adults with a Fontan circulation. The difference in outcomes between those with and without significant morbidity at the time of transition to adult care has not been well characterised.

Methods

We analysed clinical outcomes in patients enrolled in the Australian and New Zealand Fontan Registry ≥16 years of age. Low risk (LR) Fontan patients were defined as those without history of sustained arrhythmia, thromboembolic event, transplantation, Fontan conversion, protein-losing enteropathy, plastic bronchitis, New York Heart Association class III/IV and/or moderate/severe atrioventricular valve regurgitation or ventricular dysfunction. Increased risk (IR) patients had one or more risk factor.

Results

Inclusion criteria were met in 822 patients; mean age 26±8 years, median follow-up from age 16 was 9 years, 203 had atriopulmonary connection (APC) and 619 had total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC). Survival at 30 years was higher in the LR versus IR; 94% versus 82% (p=0.005), 89% versus 77% (p=0.07) for APC and 96% versus 89% (p=0.05) for TCPC. LR patients experienced less Fontan failure (HR 0.34, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.49, p<0.001) and ventricular dysfunction (HR 0.46, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.71, p=0.001) compared with IR patients. For LR TCPC patients, modelled survival projections at 60 years were 49%–67%.

Conclusions

Clinical outcomes for adolescents LR at transition to adult care are markedly superior to those who have established risk factors for Fontan failure, which is an important consideration when formulating individualised long-term risk estimates and counselling patients.
Pharmacovigilance during treatment of multiple sclerosis: early recognition of CNS complications
Authors: Wijburg Martijn T , Warnke Clemens , McGuigan Christopher , Koralnik Igor J , Barkhof Frederik , Killestein Joep , Wattjes Mike P
Published: November 2020

An increasing number of highly effective disease-modifying therapies for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) have recently gained marketing approval. While the beneficial effects of these drugs in terms of clinical and imaging outcome measures is welcomed, these therapeutics are associated with substance-specific or group-specific adverse events that include severe and fatal complications. These adverse events comprise both infectious and non-infectious complications that can occur within, or outside of the central nervous system (CNS). Awareness and risk assessment strategies thus require interdisciplinary management, and robust clinical and paraclinical surveillance strategies. In this review, we discuss the current role of MRI in safety monitoring during pharmacovigilance of patients treated with (selective) immune suppressive therapies for MS. MRI, particularly brain MRI, has a pivotal role in the early diagnosis of CNS complications that potentially are severely debilitating and may even be lethal. Early recognition of such CNS complications may improve functional outcome and survival, and thus knowledge on MRI features of treatment-associated complications is of paramount importance to MS clinicians, but also of relevance to general neurologists and radiologists.
Plasma cutting and exposure to PM2.5metal aerosol in metalworking, Almaty, Kazakhstan, 2020
Authors: Vinnikov Denis , Tulekov Zhangir
Published: November 2020

Objectives

Little is known regarding the metal working subprocesses that determine exposures in the workplace primarily because their segregation from the main process is rather difficult in real-life occupational settings. The present study aimed to identify the subprocesses in a metalworks plant with high personal exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5)metal aerosol in order to plan future risk reduction interventions.

Methods

A total of eighty 8-hour PM2.5metal aerosol samples from the breathing zone of four workers in each of four major operations (plasma cutting, machine operating, assembling and welding) were collected in a metalwork plant in Almaty in January to June 2020. Minimal, maximal, time-weighted average PM2.5metal aerosol mass concentrations were recorded with TSI SidePak AM520 personal aerosol and analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) after normalisation.

Results

The overall sampling time was 640 hours. Maximal 1 min and geometric mean PM2.5concentrations were 8.551 and 1.7268 mg/m3in plasma cutting; 4.844 and 0.9343 mg/m3in machine operating; 2.993 and 0.6898 mg/m3in assembling; and 2.848 and 0.4903 mg/m3in welding. Using a Tukey-Kramer test after a one-way ANOVA, plasma cutting concentrations were significantly higher compared with all other operations (F-ratio 29.6, p<0.001). The fold-range containing 95% of the total variability (R0.95) from all samples was 12.5.

Conclusions

The highest PM2.5concentrations were found in plasma cutting, potentially elevating the risk of systemic inflammatory effects.
Coronary artery disease in patients hospitalised with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection
Authors: Loffi Marco , Piccolo Raffaele , Regazzoni Valentina , Di Tano Giuseppe , Moschini Luigi , Robba Debora , Quinzani Filippo , Esposito Giovanni , Franzone Anna , Danzi Gian Battista
Published: November 2020

Objective

Among patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), coronary artery disease (CAD) has been identified as a high-risk condition. We aimed to assess the clinical outcomes and mortality among patients with COVID-19 according to CAD status.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed data from patients with COVID-19 admitted to the Cremona Hospital (Lombardy region, Italy) between February and March 2020. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. CAD was defined as a history of prior myocardial infarction (MI), prior percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), prior coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or CAD that was being medically treated.

Results

Of 1252 consecutive patients with COVID-19, 124 (9.9%) had concomitant CAD. Patients with CAD were older and had a higher prevalence of comorbidities compared with those without CAD. Although patients with CAD had a higher risk of all-cause mortality than patients without CAD (HR 3.01, 95% CI 2.27 to 3.99), this difference was no longer significant in the adjusted model (HR 1.14, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.63). Results were consistent among patients with prior MI (adjusted HR (aHR) 0.87, 95% CI 0.54 to 1.41), prior PCI (aHR 1.10, 95% CI 0.75 to 1.62), prior CABG (aHR 0.91, 95% CI 0.45 to 1.82), or CAD medically treated (aHR 0.84, 95% CI 0.29 to 2.44). Multivariable analysis showed that age (aHR per 5 year increase 1.62, 95% CI 1.53 to 1.72) and female sex (aHR 0.63, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.82) were the only two independent correlates of mortality.

Conclusion

Patients with COVID-19 and CAD have an exceedingly higher risk of mortality, which is mainly attributable to the burden of comorbidities rather than to a direct effect of CAD per se.
Successful countering of tobacco industry efforts to overturn Thailand's ENDS ban
Authors: Patanavanich Roengrudee , Glantz Stanton
Published: November 2020

Background

After Thailand enacted laws to ban the import and sale of all types of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS, including e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs)) in 2015, pro-ENDS advocacy groups pressured the government to lift the ban, particularly after Philip Morris International (PMI) started promoting its HTP IQOS in 2017.

Methods

We reviewed information related to ENDS in Thailand between 2014 and 2019 from Thai newspaper articles, meeting minutes and letters submitted to government agencies, websites and social media platforms of pro-ENDS networks and Thai tobacco control organisations.

Results

The tobacco industry and the pro-ENDS groups used five tactics to try to reverse the Thai ban on ENDS: creating front groups, lobbying decision-makers, running public relations campaigns, seeking to discredit tobacco control advocates and funding pro-tobacco harm reduction research. ENDS Cigarette Smoking Thailand (ECST), a pro-ENDS group in Thailand, worked in parallel to Philip Morris Thailand Limited (PMTL) to oppose the ban. The group connected with international coalitions that promote harm reduction through the PMI-funded Foundation for a Smoke-Free World.

Conclusion

Although ECST and PMTL continuously worked to revoke the ban since 2017, the government still kept ENDS illegal as of October 2020. This decision resulted from the strong commitment and collaboration among Thai tobacco control organisations and their shared vision to protect the public’s health from harmful tobacco products. The similar strategies used by the pro-ENDS movement in Thailand and the tobacco companies could inform health advocates and policy-makers in other low and middle income countries facing pressure to market ENDS.
‘I’m killing myself, but I’m saving the planet’: rolling tobacco smokers’ perceptions of rolling papers
Authors: Moodie Crawford , O’Donnell Rachel
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Despite the global growth of rolling tobacco, we are unaware of any research that has explored smokers’ perceptions of the types of rolling papers available, or plain rolling papers, which are now required in Canada and Israel.

Methods

Eight focus groups were conducted with rolling tobacco smokers (n=50) in Greater Glasgow (Scotland) between February and March 2020. Participants were shown a number of packs of promotional rolling papers (natural, transparent, prerolled cones, flavoured) and plain rolling papers.

Results

Rolling papers were often viewed as functional, a necessity for making roll-ups. The appeal of papers was based on the packaging, with a booklet-style pack of natural papers viewed very positively, as well as novelty, usability and taste/smell. Participants often associated papers with particular users, with prerolled cones and some flavoured papers thought to be used by cannabis smokers or younger people and those just starting to smoke. In terms of harm perceptions, natural papers were viewed as a healthier choice than standard papers and more environmentally friendly, whereas transparent papers raised concerns about safety to both the user and the environment. Participants were generally ambivalent towards plain papers, which they did not feel would alter their purchasing or smoking behaviour, although some felt they may be less appealing to youth as the branding would be diminished.

Conclusions

The panoply of rolling papers available offers consumers considerable choice. As some promotional papers can increase appeal or create misperceptions of harm then standardising papers would help to counter this.
Analysis of queue estimation process at signalized intersections under low connected vehicle penetration rates
Authors: Osama Osman A. , Bakhit Peter R. , Ishak Sherif
Published: November 2020

This study investigates the factors affecting estimation accuracy of queue length at signalized intersections under low penetration of connected vehicles. A shockwave-based algorithm is proposed to estimate the maximum queue length and residual queue on a cycle-by-cycle basis. Simulation data collected from three consecutive signalized intersections were used to extract trajectories of connected vehicles under five different market penetration rates and two different traffic conditions (under-saturated and moderate). The results confirm that the queue length estimation process is probabilistic and affected by the stochastic changes in traffic conditions. This probabilistic nature is defined by a queue formation coverage index (QI) that proved to significantly affect the queue length estimation accuracy. Overall, the results show that the accuracy of the queue estimates is acceptable when a QI value of at least 50% is achieved. In such limited data environments, the QI showed potential to help as an assessment tool to evaluate the obtained queue estimates.
Full-heavy tetraquarks in constituent quark models
Authors: Jin Xin , Xue Yaoyao , Huang Hongxia , Ping Jialun
Published: November 2020

The full-heavy tetraquarks $$bb{\bar{b}}{\bar{b}}$$

b
b

b

¯

b

¯

and $$cc{\bar{c}}{\bar{c}}$$

c
c

c

¯

c

¯

are systematically investigated within the chiral quark model and the quark delocalization color screening model. Two structures, meson–meson and diquark–antidiquark, are considered. For the full-beauty $$bb{\bar{b}}{\bar{b}}$$

b
b

b

¯

b

¯

systems, there is no any bound state or resonance state in two structures in the chiral quark model, while the wide resonances with masses around $$19.1-19.4$$

19.1
-
19.4

GeV and the quantum numbers $$J^{P}=0^{+}$$

J
P

=

0
+

, $$1^{+}$$

1
+

, and $$2^{+}$$

2
+

are possible in the quark delocalization color screening model. For the full-charm $$cc{\bar{c}}{\bar{c}}$$

c
c

c

¯

c

¯

systems, the results are qualitative consistent in two quark models. No bound state can be found in the meson–meson configuration, while in the diquark–antidiquark configuration there may exist the resonance states, with masses range between 6.2 to 7.4 GeV, and the quantum numbers $$J^{P}=0^{+}$$

J
P

=

0
+

, $$1^{+}$$

1
+

, and $$2^{+}$$

2
+

. And the separation between the diquark and the antidiquark indicates that these states may be the compact resonance states. The reported state X(6900) is possible to be explained as a compact resonance state with $$IJ^{P}=00^{+}$$

I

J
P

=

00
+

in present calculation. All these full-charm resonance states are worth searching in the experiments further.
On the Rankin–Selberg method for vector-valued Siegel modular forms
Authors: Bouganis Thanasis , Mercuri Salvatore
Published: November 2020

In this work, we use the Rankin–Selberg method to obtain results on the analytic properties of the standard [Formula: see text]-function attached to vector-valued Siegel modular forms. In particular we provide a detailed description of its possible poles and obtain a non-vanishing result of the twisted [Formula: see text]-function beyond the usual range of absolute convergence. Our results include also the case of metaplectic Siegel modular forms. We remark that these results were known in this generality only in the case of scalar weight Siegel modular forms. As an interesting by-product of our work we establish the cuspidality of some theta series.
Seismic facies, stratigraphy, geomorphology, and seismic modelling of a Lower Cretaceous carbonate platform
Authors: Embry Jean-Christophe , Hunt David W. , Colpaert Arnout , Dræge Anders , Zahm Laura
Published: November 2020

Globally, Lower Cretaceous carbonate platforms form important hydrocarbon reservoirs. An exceptional seismic dataset allowed us to examine controls on the stratigraphy, seismic geomorphology, facies architecture and along-strike variability of a Lower Cretaceous platform. Within the platform succession, a partitioning of facies is developed between Transgressive, Highstand and Forced Regressive seismic sequences. Spectacular seismic geomorphological images of the platform using spectral decomposition techniques reveal spatial organization within both depositional and diagenetic (i.e. palaeokarst) patterns. The study was undertaken in order to optimize a well location. Predrill seismic facies interpretations were interpreted with the aid of offset well data and drill cores. Core data encompass a range of slope, platform margin and platform interior facies with inferred palaeoenvironments that are matched to the seismic geomorphology of the platform. 2D seismic forward modelling was integrated in our workflow to investigate the extent of potential sealing lithologies and the reservoir potential of the individual seismic sequences. Nearby wells were used to calibrate a modified rock physics model for the different lithofacies. Multiple seismic model realizations were generated to assess reservoir quality in alternative well locations and the continuity and quality of sealing strata. Results of the predrill forward-modelled poro-perm prediction are presented, showing a good fit with the final well observations after drilling.
Review—Open-Framework Structure Based Cathode Materials Coupled with Metallic Anodes for Rechargeable Multivalent Ion Batteries
Authors: Xiong Ya , Lin Yueqiang , Xue Qingzhong
Published: November 2020

Rechargeable batteries based on multivalent chemistry represent a promising avenue in grid-scale and portable energy storage devices, especially when multivalent metal with high energy density is used as the anode. Owing to the unique advantages of large 3D diffusion channels, multiple oxidation states of metal ions, and the ability to modulate the size of the intercalation channels for multivalent ions (Zn2+, Mg2+, Al2+, Ca2+) intercalation/deintercalation, open framework materials are regarded as ideal cathodes. Herein, this review firstly provides an introduction of recent open-framework structure based cathode materials including Prussian blue and its analogs (PB/PBAs), NASICONs, Zinc vanadate (zinc pyrovanadate, e.g., Zn3V2O7(OH)2·2H2O and α-Zn2V2O7, zinc n-vanadate, e.g., Zn(OH)VO4), and Molybdenum-vanadium oxide (Mo2.5+yVO9+z) along with a presentation of their energy storage mechanisms. Afterwards, representative examples of such intercalated materials applied to multivalent ion batteries are considered. Some strategies to further improve the electrochemical performances of open-framework structure based cathode materials are also presented. Finally, the challenges and development directions of these materials in rechargeable multivalent ion battery systems are discussed.
Effect of Abrasive Particle Size Distribution on Removal Rate of Silicon Wafers
Authors: Wang Hanxiao , Zhao Qun , Xie Shunfan , Zhou Hongyu , He Yangang
Published: November 2020

The effects of silica abrasives of five different particle sizes (10 nm, 40 nm, 60 nm, 80 nm and 100 nm) on the removal rate of silicon wafers were studied. The experiments were performed under two conditions, by taking the abrasive particles of uniform size and of two different sizes. The mixture of abrasive particles of two sizes increased the removal rate of the silicon wafer, and this improvement was more apparent when 10 nm particles were mixed with any other particle size. According to the stability of the slurry, the size pair of 10 nm and 60 nm presented the optimal result for the particle size mixing of abrasives. The physical model of the abrasive distribution between the silicon wafer and the polishing pad was established. The mechanism of the effect of mixed abrasive on the increase of silicon wafer removal rate was presented. Further, the contact area between the abrasive and silicon wafer was calculated by MATLAB. Based on this, the removal rate of the silicon wafer by the abrasive with mixed-sized particles was predicted with an error value of less than 10%.
Relation of diet-induced thermogenesis to brown adipose tissue activity in healthy men
Authors: Loeliger Rahel Catherina , Maushart Claudia Irene , Gashi Gani , Senn Jaël Rut , Felder Martina , Becker Anton S. , Müller Julian , Balaz Miroslav , Wolfrum Christian , Burger Irene A. , Betz Matthias Johannes
Published: November 2020

Cold-induced thermogenesis (CIT) was related to BAT activity as determined by FDG-PET/MRI after stimulation of BAT. Diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT) was not related to stimulated BAT activity. Supraclavicular skin temperature was related to CIT but not to DIT. DIT in humans is probably not a function of BAT.
ChREBP downregulates SNAT2 amino acid transporter expression through interactions with SMRT in response to a high-carbohydrate diet
Authors: Velázquez-Villegas Laura , Noriega Lilia G. , López-Barradas Adriana M. , Tobon-Cornejo Sandra , Méndez-García Ana Luisa , Tovar Armando R. , Torres Nimbe , Ortiz-Ortega Victor M.
Published: November 2020

This study highlights the key role of carbohydrate responsive element-binding protein (ChREBP) in the fine-tuned regulation between glucose and amino acid metabolism in the liver via regulation of the amino acid transporter small neutral amino acid transporter 2 (SNAT2) expression after the consumption of a high-carbohydrate diet. ChREBP binds to a carbohydrate response element (ChoRE) site in the SNAT2 promoter region and recruits silencing mediator of retinoic acid and thyroid hormone receptor (SMRT) corepressor to reduce SNAT2 transcription. This study revealed that ChREBP prevents the uptake of glucogenic amino acids upon the consumption of a high-carbohydrate diet.
Characterization of mRNA Profiles of Exosomes from Diverse Forms of M2 Macrophages
Authors: Yue Yuan , Huang Suiqing , Wu Zixuan , Wang Keke , Li Huayang , Hou Jian , Huang Xiaolin , Luo Li , Liu Quan , Wu Zhongkai
Published: November 2020

Exosomes transmit certain amounts of molecules to specific recipient cells for intercellular communication. Among these molecules, messenger RNAs (mRNAs) may be delivered and translated into proteins in the recipient cells, and these mRNAs are thought to be critical mediators of exosomal functions. There are three subtypes of M2 macrophages (M2Ф), M2aФ, M2bФ, and M2cФ, which have different specific functional programs. The aim of the present study was to screen the mRNA profiles in the exosomes of these macrophage subtypes and to analyze the transcriptomic profile features associated with their specific functions. The mRNA contents of the exosomes isolated from the culture supernatants of the M2Ф subtypes were analyzed and compared using the Illumina HiSeq platform. The results indicated that the exosomes contained particular mRNAs from their source cells and were messengers of cellular functions. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that the exosomal mRNAs from M2bФs are enriched in the Toll‐like receptor (TLR), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), NOD‐like receptor (NLR), and NF‐kappa B (NF‐κB) signaling pathways. The mRNA profile of exosomes from M2bФ was distinctly different from that of exosomes from M2aФ and M2cФ and was consistent with the M2bФ cytological characteristic of maintaining a high level of proinflammatory cytokine and regulatory factor production. Therefore, the mRNA profiles revealed several characteristics of the exosomes from diverse forms of M2Ф. Further functional investigations based on these results may advance the understanding of the physiological roles of exosome‐transferred mRNAs in MФ functions.
Radiosensitivity‐Related Genes and Clinical Characteristics of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Dai Yongmei , Zhang Yue , Yang Mi , Zhou Liang , Pan Hua , Xiao Ting , Yuan Lu , Wu Yuting , Chen Min , Chen Longhua , Guan Jian
Published: November 2020

Background and Purpose. Radioresistance is one of the main obstacles limiting the therapeutic efficacy of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and favorable patient prognoses, and the molecular mechanisms underlying this type of resistance remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to identify characteristic genes involved in chemoradiotherapy resistance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Materials and Methods. Clinicopathological data of 185 patients with NPC treated at Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University between January 2013 and December 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. SPSS statistical software was used to analyze the clinicopathological data related to radiotherapy efficacy. Three patients who achieved complete remission and three with disease progression after CRT were selected. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened via mRNA microarray analysis of primary diagnostic endoscopy specimens. Results. The peripheral blood leukocyte count, platelet count, and EBV‐DNA copy number in NPC patients who were resistant to radiotherapy were higher than those in NPC patients who were sensitive to radiotherapy. The RobustRankAggreg (RRA) analysis method identified 392 DEGs, and the 66 most closely related genes among the DEGs were identified from the PPI network. Conclusion. The results of this study indicate that screening for DEGs and pathways in NPC using integrated in silico analyses can help identify a series of genetic and clinical signatures for NPC patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy.
Vaginal Microbiota Diversity of Patients with Embryonic Miscarriage by Using 16S rDNA High-Throughput Sequencing
Authors: Xu Linfen , Huang Lingna , Lian Chengying , Xue Huili , Lu Yanfang , Chen Xiujuan , Xia Yong
Published: November 2020

Embryonic miscarriage severely affects the life quality and physical and mental state of pregnant women. However, the detailed mechanism underlying embryonic miscarriage is not fully understood. This study is aimed at analyzing embryonic miscarriage. We collected samples from 25 normal pregnant women and 25 embryonic miscarriage patients of similar age to analyze microbiota isolated from the vagina. Crude examination of the vagina isolates showed that compared with the control group, 80% of the embryonic miscarriage group contained a significantly lower number of Lactobacillus, the major healthy microbe in the vagina. Furthermore, the levels of Th1 and Th2 secreted cytokine interleukin 2 (IL-2) and interleukin10 (IL-10), respectively, were examined. Results showed that the IL2 level was higher, and IL10 level was lower in the embryonic miscarriage group than in the control group, whereas the IL2/IL10 level was higher in the embryonic miscarriage group than in the control group. This finding suggested that the immune response was suppressed in the embryonic miscarriage group. To further dissect the microbiota of the vagina in the two groups, 16S rDNA sequencing was performed. Bioinformatics analysis showed that 1096 and 998 overlapped operational taxonomic units were identified from the embryonic miscarriage and control groups, respectively. At the genus level, the relative abundance of Fam_Finegoldia, Lac_Coprococcus_3, and Lac_Roseburia significantly differed in the embryonic miscarriage group. Overall, our analyses provided potential biomarkers for embryonic miscarriage and elucidated the causative relationship between microbiota and immune responses and may enable the possible diagnosis and therapeutics of early pregnancy loss.
A Conceptual Investigation of a Large Radio Telescope Support Point Number Effect on Its Pointing Accuracy
Authors: Xue Song , Ma Kaitong , Wang Congsi , Lian Peiyuan , Wang Yan , Yan Yuefei , Xu Qian , Zheng Yuanpeng , Wang Na
Published: November 2020

The purpose of this paper is to investigate a large radio telescope support point number effect on its pointing accuracy and provide a useful guideline for the large radio telescope design engineer. In a large radio telescope system, the azimuth track is used to support the whole telescope structure and the mounting error as well as the telescope wheel-track contact in a long term can cause unevenness on the azimuth track, which can further deteriorate the telescope pointing accuracy. Even though various compensation methods have been proposed to compensate for this pointing error, it remains as one of the challenges for the telescope pointing error reduction. In this paper, a general telescope pointing error estimation formula has been proposed to investigate different telescope support-point number designs on its pointing accuracy. In this approach, the azimuth track unevenness has been modelled as the Fourier function using the least square method after the raw track profile has been measured. Next, the elevation position matrix, azimuth position matrix, and the azimuth profile matrix can be constructed for different telescope support point numbers, and the telescope pointing error can then be obtained based on the proposed general formula. The telescope pointing error root mean square (RMS) value is used to quantify the effect of the telescope support point number on the pointing accuracy. Two interesting results can be observed in the numerical example. The first one is that the telescope pointing error curves have different dominant peaks during one azimuth track rotation, which is corresponding to the support point number. Another interesting finding is that the RMS value experienced a complex trend with the support point number change, and they are not a simple monotonous increasing or decreasing relationship with the support number. All the results in this paper can provide a useful guideline for reducing the telescope pointing error in the initial design stage.
A Nonlinear Fractional Problem with Mixed Volterra-Fredholm Integro-Differential Equation: Existence, Uniqueness, H-U-R Stability, and Regularity of Solutions
Authors: Khaldi Somia , Mecheraoui Rachid , Mukheimer Aiman
Published: November 2020

This paper considers nonlinear fractional mixed Volterra-Fredholm integro-differential equation with a nonlocal initial condition. We propose a fixed-point approach to investigate the existence, uniqueness, and Hyers-Ulam-Rassias stability of solutions. Results of this paper are based on nonstandard assumptions and hypothesis and provide a supplementary result concerning the regularity of solutions. We show and illustrate the wide validity field of our findings by an example of problem with nonlocal neutral pantograph equation, involving functional derivative and

ψ

-Caputo fractional derivative.
Optimization and Realization of the Continuous Reactor with Improved Automatic Disturbance Rejection Control
Authors: Ouyang Mingsan , Wang Yunlong
Published: November 2020

In the chemical production process, the temperature of the continuous reactor has nonlinear characteristics such as large inertia. An improved autodisturbance control method is proposed. By improving the tracking differentiator with adjustable parameters, the expanded state observer and the control structure obtained an improved automatic disturbance rejection control model and realized the optimal control of the nonlinear and large-delay systems. On the process control training system, the experiment of the continuous system process flow is compared with the anti-interference of the Smith predictive compensation system, which uses an optimal set of data. The reactor temperature fluctuates, but the self-resistance is improved. The optimal overshoot of the disturbance is close to 0. Compared with the original antidisturbance controller, the antidisturbance time is not affected by the number of iterations, which reduces the high requirements on the accuracy of the parameters. Therefore, the improved automatic disturbance rejection control improves the operation and enhances the ability to resist external disturbance that changes the controlled object.