bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sensor fault diagnosis for uncertain dissimilar redundant actuation system of more electric aircraft via bond graph and improved principal component analysis
Authors: Yu Ming , Meng Jie , Zhu Rensheng , Jiang Wuhua , Shen Qiang
Published: October 2022

This paper develops a sensor condition monitoring method integrating the model-based bond graph (BG) technique and data-driven principal component analysis (PCA) for the dissimilar redundant actuation system of more electric aircraft with uncertain parameters. The uncertain dissimilar redundant actuation system is modeled by BG in linear fractional transformation form. After that, the analytical redundancy relations containing the nominal part and the uncertain part can be derived, based on which the adaptive thresholds and the fault signature matrix (FSM) can be obtained for robust fault detection and fault isolation. To improve the fault isolation performance under the multiple faults condition, a new fault isolation method integrating FSM and improved PCA (IPCA) is developed, where the possible fault set generated from the FSM is further refined by the IPCA module with an improved reconstruction algorithm and cyclic PCA monitoring model to achieve a more efficient fault isolation result. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is validated by simulation investigations.
A method for diagnosing rolling bearing faults based on SDAE-ADHKELM
Authors: Li Xinran , Jin Wuyin
Published: October 2022

Aiming to extract useful features from bearing signals for fault classification, an intelligent fault diagnosis method is proposed with a stacked denoising auto-encoder (SDAE) and adaptive deep hybrid kernel extreme learning machine (ADHKELM). The deep network architecture of the SDAE is used automatically to extract deeply important features, and a new HKELM is constructed by combining a polynomial with a wavelet kernel function to overcome a single kernel function not being universal. After that a DHKELM, from stacking multiple HKELMs, and the sparrow search algorithm are introduced to iteratively determine the optimal value of core hyper-parameter combinations of the DHKELM to generate the final fault classifier ADHKELM to enhance the performance of the model. Two experimental verification results show that the SDAE-ADHKELM has better fault classification precision, robustness and generalizability than other related methods.
(P)reheating and gravitational waves in α-attractor models
Authors: Krajewski Tomasz , Turzyński Krzysztof
Published: October 2022

We study post-inflationary evolution in α-attractor T-models of inflation. We
consider the dynamics of both scalar fields present in these models: the inflaton and the
spectator, as a negative field-space curvature may lead to geometrical destabilization of the
spectator. We perform state-of-the-art lattice simulations with a dedicated numerical code
optimized for those models. We corroborate earlier findings that the perturbations of the
spectator field are much more unstable than the perturbations of the inflaton field, so the
dynamics of early stages of preheating is dominated by the evolution of spectator perturbations.
We also calculate the spectrum of gravitational waves originating from scalar fluctuations in
order to determine if the α-attractor T-models can be constrained or even ruled out by
present cosmological observations, but not by direct searches of gravitational waves.
Effect of resistivity on the pedestal MHD stability in JET
Authors: Nyström H. , Frassinetti L. , Saarelma S. , Huijsmans G.T.A. , Perez von Thun C. , Maggi C.F. , Hillesheim J.C. , contributors JET
Published: October 2022

The ELM triggering mechanism in tokamaks is not yet fully understood. For example, in the JET tokamak with ITER-like wall (commonly called JET-ILW), the ELMs are sometimes triggered before the ideal peeling-ballooning (PB) boundary is reached. This typically occurs for shots with high input power and high gas rate. The discrepancy between model and experiment has in previous works been clearly correlated with the relative shift between the electron temperature and density pedestals. The discrepancy has also been correlated with the resistivity in the middle-bottom of the pedestal. The present work shows that resistive MHD can have a significant impact on the PB stability of JET pedestals. The inclusion of resistivity removes the correlation between the discrepancy from the PB stability and the relative shift (the difference between the position of the electron temperature and density pedestals) and significantly improves the agreement between PB model and experimental results. The work also shows that the key parameter is the resistivity at the pedestal bottom, near the separatrix, while the resistivity near the middle/top of the pedestal has a negligible effect on the PB stability of JET plasmas.
Neutron spectroscopy as a method for classical force-field parameterization: Past methods, present successes and future challenges
Authors: Armstrong Jeff
Published: October 2022

Classical molecular dynamics (MD) plays a central role in understanding structural and dynamical phenomena across all disciplines of physical chemistry. These models can be used to interpret experimental data, or as a method of study in their own right. Their legitimacy however rests solely on the accuracy of the underlying force-field, and so the parameterisation of these force-fields is the most crucial aspect of any study. The typical methods of parameterisation are structural or thermodynamic in nature, however this perspective article will examine a little used metric of parametersation; that of neutron spectroscopy, and in particular quasi-elastic neutron spectroscopy (QENS). QENS data contains self-correlation information for the hydrogen atoms of a system, over a wide range of distances and time-scales. These scales are relevant for local and global diffusion and rotation, thus pairing very well to the scales of molecular dynamics for organic systems. This article focuses in particular on the parameterisation of models of porous and surface catalysts. This area is a particularly rich field for the application of QENS, however there is a distinct lack of accurate classical force-fields currently.
Near-term potential of organic waste management infrastructure for soil carbon sequestration in rangelands
Authors: Hall A L , Potts M D , Silver W L
Published: October 2022

Contemporary food and agricultural systems degrade soils, pollute natural resources, and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. The waste output from these systems, however, can be repurposed as an agricultural input, reducing emissions associated with organics disposal while actively sequestering atmospheric carbon in soils—thus transitioning the sector from a carbon source to a carbon sink. This research estimates the near-term technical and economic potential of utilizing composted organic feedstocks as a soil amendment to mitigate climate change and improve long-term soil quality, in line with California’s organics diversion policies, by connecting food scraps and organics residuals in California’s municipal solid waste to existing infrastructure and working lands in the state. The multi-objective spatial optimization results indicate considerable carbon sequestration benefits in the range of −1.9 ± 0.5 MMT CO2eq annually, by applying compost to 6 million hectares of California rangelands at a price of approximately $200 per ton, presenting a cost-effective climate change mitigation strategy within proposed federal sequestration credits. Expanding composting capacity is predicted to increase the total amount of carbon sequestered while reducing the cost per ton and per hectare treated. This model aids decision makers in considering the technical, economic, and institutional potential of actively managing the State’s organic materials in municipal waste streams for climate change mitigation.
Defect passivation and electrical conductivity enhancement in perovskite solar cells using functionalized graphene quantum dots
Authors: Rui Yichuan , Jin Zuoming , Fan Xinyi , Li Weitao , Li Bin , Li Tianpeng , Wang Yuanqiang , Wang Liang , Liang Jia
Published: October 2022

Organic–inorganic halide perovskites have been intensively investigated as potential photovoltaic materials due to their exceptional optoelectronic properties and their successful applications in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, a large number of defect states still exist in the PSCs so far and are detrimental to their power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) and stability. Here, an effective strategy of incorporating single-crystalline graphene quantum dots (GQDs) into the perovskite films is proposed to passivate the defect states. Intriguingly, the GQD-modified perovskite films exhibit purer phase structure, higher quality of morphology, and higher electrical conductivity when compared with the control perovskite films. All of the advantages caused by the incorporation of the GQDs lead to fast carrier separation and transport, long carrier lifetime, and low nonradiative recombination in the PSCs based on the GQD-modified perovskite films. As a result, this kind of PSC displays an increase in all photovoltaic parameters, and its PCE shows an enhancement of more than 20% when compared with the control PSC. Moreover, this novel PSC is demonstrated to have long-term stability and resistibility against heat and moisture. Our findings provide an insight into how to passivate the defect states and enhance the electrical conductivities in the perovskites and pave the way for their further exploration to achieve higher photovoltaic performances.
On the ‘definability of definable’ problem of Alfred Tarski, Part II
Authors: Kanovei Vladimir , Lyubetsky Vassily
Published: October 2022

Alfred Tarski [J. Symbolic Logic 13 (1948), pp. 107–111] defined

D

p
m

\mathbf {D}_{pm}

to be the set of all sets of type

p
p

, type-theoretically definable by parameterfree formulas of type

≤
m

{\le m}

, and asked whether it is true that

D

1
m

∈

D

2
m

\mathbf {D}_{1m}\in \mathbf {D}_{2m}

for

m
≥
1

m\ge 1

. Tarski noted that the negative solution is consistent because the axiom of constructibility

V

=

L

\mathbf {V}=\mathbf {L}

implies

D

1
m

∉

D

2
m

\mathbf {D}_{1m}\notin \mathbf {D}_{2m}

for all

m
≥
1

m\ge 1

, and he left the consistency of the positive solution as a major open problem. This was solved in our recent paper [Mathematics 8 (2020), pp. 1–36], where it is established that for any

m
≥
1

m\ge 1

there is a generic extension of

L

\mathbf {L}

, the constructible universe, in which it is true that

D

1
m

∈

D

2
m

\mathbf {D}_{1m}\in \mathbf {D}_{2m}

. In continuation of this research, we prove here that Tarski’s sentences

D

1
m

∈

D

2
m

\mathbf {D}_{1m}\in \mathbf {D}_{2m}

are not only consistent, but also independent of each other, in the sense that for any set

Y
⊆
ω
∖
{
0
}

Y\subseteq \omega \smallsetminus \{0\}

in

L

\mathbf {L}

there is a generic extension of

L

\mathbf {L}

in which it is true that

D

1
m

∈

D

2
m

\mathbf {D}_{1m}\in \mathbf {D}_{2m}

holds for all

m
∈
Y

m\in Y

but fails for all

m
≥
1

m\ge 1

,

m
∉
Y

m\notin Y

. This gives a full and conclusive solution of the Tarski problem.

The other main result of this paper is the consistency of

D

1

∈

D

2

\mathbf {D}_{1}\in \mathbf {D}_{2}

via another generic extension of

L

\mathbf {L}

, where

D

p

=

⋃
m

D

p
m

\mathbf {D}_{p}=\bigcup _m\mathbf {D}_{pm}

, the set of all sets of type

p
p

, type-theoretically definable by formulas of any type.

Our methods are based on almost-disjoint forcing of Jensen and Solovay [Some applications of almost disjoint sets, North-Holland, Amsterdam, 1970, pp. 84–104].
Renoprotection and Its Mechanism of Fasudil in Nitric Oxide Synthase-Deficient Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Zou Wen-bo , Su Jin-zi , Cai Wen-qin , Fan Hou-qiong , Du Feng-ling , Chen Bai-dan
Published: October 2022

Background

To investigate whether fasudil can improve renal microcirculation and protect the kidney in NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME)-induced hypertensive rats by inhibiting Rho/Rho associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase (ROCK) signal pathway.

Methods

The nitric oxide-deficient hypertension was induced by l-NAME (60 mg/l·d) which was provided in drinking water for 8 weeks in Wistar rats. Then they were randomly divided into l-NAME and l-NAME + fasudil groups. Blood, urine, and left kidney samples were collected after fasudil intervention for 6 weeks. Renal artery blood flow, renal function markers in serum and urine, morphological changes of renal interlobular artery, and expression levels of related proteins were detected.

Results

Compared with normal control rats, the levels of serum creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) increased while creatinine clearance (CCr) decreased in l-NAME rats. Fasudil treatment significantly decreased SCr and BUN, and increased CCr compared with l-NAME group. Compared with normal controls, the intima of renal interlobular artery increased, the lumen narrowed, the expression of ROCK-1, phosphorylated myosin phosphatase 1/myosin phosphatase 1 (p-MYPT1/MYPT1) increased while endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) protein levels decreased in l-NAME group (all P < 0.05). Fasudil treatment reduced intimal hyperplasia and lumen stenosis of renal interlobular artery, downregulated ROCK-1 and p-MYPT protein levels and upregulated eNOS expression in l-NAME rats (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Fasudil treatment improves renal function and structure of renal interlobar artery in nitric oxide-deficient hypertensive rats induced by l-NAME.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Cardiac End-Organ Damage in Women: Findings From an Echocardiographic Study Across the United States
Authors: Shitole Sanyog G , Lazar Jason M , Taub Cynthia C , Furlani Andrea C , Konkle-Parker Deborah J , Dionne-Odom Jodie , Fischl Margaret A , Ofotokun Igho , Adimora Adaora A , Topper Elizabeth F , Golzar Yasmeen , Kassaye Seble G , Gustafson Deborah , Anastos Kathryn , Hanna David B , Xue Xiaonan , Tien Phyllis C , Kaplan Robert C , Kizer Jorge R
Published: October 2022

Background

People with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have been reported to have increased risk of clinical and subclinical cardiovascular disease. Existing studies have focused on men and often have been uncontrolled or lacked adequate HIV-negative comparators.

Methods

We performed echocardiography in the Women's Interagency HIV Study to investigate associations of HIV and HIV-specific factors with cardiac phenotypes, including left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD), isolated LV diastolic dysfunction (LVDD), left atrial enlargement (LAE), LV hypertrophy (LVH), and increased tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TRV).

Results

Of 1654 participants (age 51 ± 9 years), 70% had HIV. Sixty-three (5.4%) women with HIV (WWH) had LVSD; 71 (6.5%) had isolated LVDD. Compared with women without HIV (WWOH), WWH had a near-significantly increased risk of LVSD (adjusted relative risk = 1.69; 95% confidence interval = 1.00 to 2.86; P = .051). No significant association was noted for HIV seropositivity with other phenotypes, but there was a risk gradient for decreasing CD4+ count among WWH that approached or reached significance for isolated LVDD, LAE, and LVH. WWH with CD4+ count <200 cells/mm3 had significantly higher prevalence of LAE, LVH, and high TRV than WWOH. There were no consistent associations for viral suppression or antiretroviral drug exposure.

Conclusions

This study suggests that WWH have a higher risk of LVSD compared with sociodemographically similar WWOH, but their risk for isolated LVDD, LAE, LVH, and high TRV is increased only with reduced CD4+ count. Although these findings warrant replication, they support the importance of cardiovascular risk-factor and HIV-disease control for heart disease prevention in this population.
Booster Vaccination Against SARS-CoV-2 Induces Potent Immune Responses in People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Authors: Fidler Sarah , Fox Julie , Tipoe Timothy , Longet Stephanie , Tipton Tom , Abeywickrema Movin , Adele Sandra , Alagaratnam Jasmini , Ali Mohammad , Aley Parvinder K , Aslam Suhail , Balasubramanian Anbhu , Bara Anna , Bawa Tanveer , Brown Anthony , Brown Helen , Cappuccini Federica , Davies Sophie , Fowler Jamie , Godfrey Leila , Goodman Anna L , Hilario Kathrine , Hackstein Carl-Philipp , Mathew Moncy , Mujadidi Yama F , Packham Alice , Petersen Claire , Plested Emma , Pollock Katrina M , Ramasamy Maheshi N , Robinson Hannah , Robinson Nicola , Rongkard Patpong , Sanders Helen , Serafimova Teona , Spence Niamh , Waters Anele , Woods Danielle , Zacharopoulou Panagiota , Barnes Eleanor , Dunachie Susanna , Goulder Philip , Klenerman Paul , Winston Alan , Hill Adrian V S , Gilbert Sarah C , Carroll Miles , Pollard Andrew J , Lambe Teresa , Ogbe Ane , Frater John
Published: October 2022

Background

People with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) with good CD4 T-cell counts make effective immune responses following vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). There are few data on longer term responses and the impact of a booster dose.

Methods

Adults with HIV were enrolled into a single arm open label study. Two doses of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 were followed 12 months later by a third heterologous vaccine dose. Participants had undetectable viraemia on ART and CD4 counts >350 cells/µL. Immune responses to the ancestral strain and variants of concern were measured by anti-spike immunoglobulin G (IgG) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), MesoScale Discovery (MSD) anti-spike platform, ACE-2 inhibition, activation induced marker (AIM) assay, and T-cell proliferation.

Findings

In total, 54 participants received 2 doses of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19. 43 received a third dose (42 with BNT162b2; 1 with mRNA-1273) 1 year after the first dose. After the third dose, total anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG titers (MSD), ACE-2 inhibition, and IgG ELISA results were significantly higher compared to Day 182 titers (P < .0001 for all 3). SARS-CoV-2 specific CD4+ T-cell responses measured by AIM against SARS-CoV-2 S1 and S2 peptide pools were significantly increased after a third vaccine compared to 6 months after a first dose, with significant increases in proliferative CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 S1 and S2 after boosting. Responses to Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta variants were boosted, although to a lesser extent for Omicron.

Conclusions

In PWH receiving a third vaccine dose, there were significant increases in B- and T-cell immunity, including to known variants of concern (VOCs).
Rapid Selection of Sotrovimab Escape Variants in Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Omicron-Infected Immunocompromised Patients
Authors: Gliga Smaranda , Lübke Nadine , Killer Alexander , Gruell Henning , Walker Andreas , Dilthey Alexander T , Thielen Alexander , Lohr Carolin , Flaßhove Charlotte , Krieg Sarah , Pereira Joanna Ventura , Seraphin Tobias Paul , Zaufel Alex , Däumer Martin , Orth Hans-Martin , Feldt Torsten , Bode Johannes G , Klein Florian , Timm Jörg , Luedde Tom , Jensen Björn-Erik Ole
Published: October 2022

Background

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that target severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are predominantly less effective against Omicron variants. Immunocompromised patients often experience prolonged viral shedding, resulting in an increased risk of viral escape.

Methods

In an observational, prospective cohort, 57 patients infected with Omicron variants who received sotrovimab alone or in combination with remdesivir were followed. The study end points were a decrease in SARS-CoV-2 RNA <106 copies/mL in nasopharyngeal swabs at day 21 and the emergence of escape mutations at days 7, 14, and 21 after sotrovimab administration. All SARS-CoV-2 samples were analyzed using whole-genome sequencing. Individual variants within the quasispecies were subsequently quantified and further characterized using a pseudovirus neutralization assay.

Results

The majority of patients (43 of 57, 75.4%) were immunodeficient, predominantly due to immunosuppression after organ transplantation or hematologic malignancies. Infections by Omicron/BA.1 comprised 82.5%, while 17.5% were infected by Omicron/BA.2. Twenty-one days after sotrovimab administration, 12 of 43 (27.9%) immunodeficient patients had prolonged viral shedding compared with 1 of 14 (7.1%) immunocompetent patients (P = .011). Viral spike protein mutations, some specific for Omicron (e.g., P337S and/or E340D/V), emerged in 14 of 43 (32.6%) immunodeficient patients, substantially reducing sensitivity to sotrovimab in a pseudovirus neutralization assay. Combination therapy with remdesivir significantly reduced emergence of escape variants.

Conclusions

Immunocompromised patients face a considerable risk of prolonged viral shedding and emergence of escape mutations after early therapy with sotrovimab. These findings underscore the importance of careful monitoring and the need for dedicated clinical trials in this patient population.
Clinical Presentation, Treatment Response, and Virology Outcomes of Women Who Seroconverted in the Dapivirine Vaginal Ring Trials—The Ring Study and DREAM
Authors: Steytler John , van der Ryst Elna , Craig Charles , Van Baelen Ben , Nuttall Jeremy , van Niekerk Neliëtte , Mellors John , Parikh Urvi , Wallis Carole ,   for the IPM 007 Study Team
Published: October 2022

Background

Participants with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroconversion in The Ring Study, a phase 3 trial of dapivirine vaginal ring (DVR), or in the open-label extension trial dapivirine ring extended access and monitoring (DREAM) were offered enrollment in an observational cohort study (IPM 007) to assess clinical presentation and response to antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Methods

Participants’ HIV infection was managed at local treatment clinics according to national treatment guidelines. IPM 007 study visits occurred 3 and 6 months after enrollment and every 6 months thereafter. Assessments included plasma HIV-1 RNA, CD4+ T-cell counts, and recording of HIV/AIDS-associated events and antiretroviral use. Post hoc virology analyses were performed for participants identified with virologic failure.

Results

One hundred fifty-one of 179 eligible participants (84.4%) enrolled into IPM 007; 103 had previously received the DVR in the Ring or DREAM studies, and 48 had received placebo in The Ring Study. HIV-1 RNA and CD4+ T-cell counts after 12 months’ follow-up were similar for participants who used the DVR in The Ring Study and DREAM, compared to those who received placebo. Of the 78 participants with a study visit approximately 6 months after ART initiation, 59 (75.6%) had HIV-1 RNA <40 copies/mL (The Ring Study: placebo: 13/23 [56.5%]; DVR: 32/39 [82.1%]; DREAM [DVR]: 14/16 [87.5%]). Post hoc virology analysis indicated that genotypic patterns observed at virologic failure were as expected of a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)–based regimen.

Conclusions

Seroconversion during DVR use did not negatively affect clinical presentation or treatment outcome. Mutation patterns at virologic failure were in line with individuals failing an NNRTI-based regimen.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT01618058.
Development of a Core Outcome Set for Real-world Data in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation [ECCO] Position Paper
Authors: Hanzel Jurij , Bossuyt Peter , Pittet Valerie , Samaan Mark , Tripathi Monika , Czuber-Dochan Wladyslawa , Burisch Johan , Leone Salvatore , Saldaña Roberto , Baert Filip , Kopylov Uri , Jäghult Susanna , Adamina Michel , Arebi Naila , Gecse Krisztina
Published: October 2022

Background and Aims

The utility of real-world data is dependent on the quality and homogeneity of reporting. We aimed to develop a core outcome set for real-world studies in adult patients with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD].

Methods

Candidate outcomes and outcome measures were identified and categorised in a systematic review. An international panel including patients, dietitians, epidemiologists, gastroenterologists, nurses, pathologists, radiologists, and surgeons participated in a modified Delphi consensus process. A consensus meeting was held to ratify the final core outcome set.

Results

A total of 26 panellists from 13 countries participated in the consensus process. A total of 271 items [130 outcomes, 141 outcome measures] in nine study domains were included in the first-round survey. Panellists agreed that real-world studies on disease activity should report clinical, endoscopic, and biomarker disease activity. A disease-specific clinical index [Harvey–Bradshaw Index, Partial Mayo Score, Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index] should be used, rather than physician global assessment. In ulcerative colitis [UC], either the UC Endoscopic Index of Severity or the Mayo Endoscopic Score can be used, but there was no consensus on an endoscopic index for Crohn’s disease, nor was there consensus on the use of the presence of ulcers. There was consensus on using faecal calprotectin and C-reactive protein. There was no consensus on the use of histology in real-world studies.

Conclusions

A core outcome set for real-world studies in IBD has been developed based on international multidisciplinary consensus. Its adoption will facilitate synthesis in the generation of real-world evidence.
Home monitoring of arterial pulse-wave velocity during COVID-19 total or partial lockdown using connected smart scales
Authors: Bruno Rosa Maria , Pépin Jean Louis , Empana Jean Philippe , Yang Rui Yi , Vercamer Vincent , Jouhaud Paul , Escourrou Pierre , Boutouyrie Pierre
Published: October 2022

Aims

To investigate the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 lockdown on trajectories of arterial pulse-wave velocity in a large population of users of connected smart scales that provide reliable measurements of pulse-wave velocity.

Methods and results

Pulse-wave velocity recordings obtained by Withings Heart Health & Body Composition Wi-Fi Smart Scale users before and during lockdown were analysed. We compared two demonstrative countries: France, where strict lockdown rules were enforced (n = 26 196) and Germany, where lockdown was partial (n = 26 847). Subgroup analysis was conducted in users of activity trackers and home blood pressure monitors. Linear growth curve modelling and trajectory clustering analyses were performed. During lockdown, a significant reduction in vascular stiffness, weight, blood pressure, and physical activity was observed in the overall population. Pulse-wave velocity reduction was greater in France than in Germany, corresponding to 5.2 month reduction in vascular age. In the French population, three clusters of stiffness trajectories were identified: decreasing (21.1%), stable (60.6%), and increasing pulse-wave velocity clusters (18.2%). Decreasing and increasing clusters both had higher pulse-wave velocity and vascular age before lockdown compared with the stable cluster. Only the decreasing cluster showed a significant weight reduction (−400 g), whereas living alone was associated with increasing pulse-wave velocity cluster. No clusters were identified in the German population.

Conclusions

During total lockdown in France, a reduction in pulse-wave velocity in a significant proportion of French users of connected smart bathroom scales occurred. The impact on long-term cardiovascular health remains to be established.
Trends in Frailty Between 1990 and 2020 in Sweden Among 75-, 85-, and 95-Year-Old Women and Men: A Nationwide Study from Sweden
Authors: Wennberg Alexandra M , Ebeling Marcus , Ek Stina , Meyer Anna , Ding Mozhu , Talbäck Mats , Modig Karin
Published: October 2022

Background

Aging is the primary risk factor for frailty, which is defined as an inability to respond to acute or chronic stressors. Individuals are living longer with greater multimorbidity, but there is a paucity of evidence examining frailty across birth cohorts and ages.

Methods

We investigated frailty prevalence and its association with mortality at ages 75, 85, and 95 in the 1895–1945 birth cohorts in Sweden with data from population registries. Frailty was assessed with the Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS).

Results

We observed that frailty increased with increasing age and that it has become more common in more recent birth cohorts. At age 75, the percent frail in the Total Population Register increased from 1.1% to 4.6% from birth cohorts 1915–1945, corresponding to calendar years 1990–2020. At age 85, the percentage of frail increased from 3.5% to 11.5% from birth cohorts 1905–1935, and at age 95 from birth cohorts 1895–1925, from 4.7% to 18.7%. Our results show that the increase was primarily driven by an increase in the distribution of individuals with scores in the highest quartile of HFRS, while the bottom 3 quartiles remained relatively stable across birth cohorts. Women accounted for a greater distribution of the overall population and frail population, though these disparities decreased over time. Despite increasing levels of frailty, the relationship between frailty and mortality did not change over time, nor did it differ by sex.

Conclusion

Increased frailty with improved survival points to a chronic condition that could be intervened upon.
Ethnic, gender and other sociodemographic biases in genome-wide association studies for the most burdensome non-communicable diseases: 2005–2022
Authors: Fitipaldi Hugo , Franks Paul W
Published: October 2022

Introduction: Since 2005, disease-related human genetic diversity has been intensively characterized using genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Understanding how and by whom this work was performed may yield valuable insights into the generalizability of GWAS discoveries to global populations and how high-impact genetics research can be equitably sustained in the future. Materials and Methods: We mined the NHGRI-EBI GWAS Catalog (2005–2022) for the most burdensome non-communicable causes of death worldwide. We then compared (i) the geographic, ethnic and socioeconomic characteristics of study populations; (ii) the geographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the regions within which researchers were located and (iii) the extent to which male and female investigators undertook and led the research. Results: The research institutions leading the work are often US-based (37%), while the origin of samples is more diverse, with the Nordic countries having contributed as much data to GWAS as the United States (~17% of data). The majority of first (60%), senior (75%) and all (66%) authors are male; although proportions vary by disease and leadership level, male co-authors are the ubiquitous majority. The vast majority (91%) of complex trait GWAS has been performed in European ancestry populations, with cohorts and scientists predominantly located in medium-to-high socioeconomically ranked countries; apart from East Asians (~5%), other ethnicities rarely feature in published GWAS. See: https://hugofitipaldi.shinyapps.io/gwas_results/ to browse all results. Conclusion: Most GWAS cohorts are of European ancestry residing outside the United States, with a smaller yet meaningful proportion of East Asian ancestry. Papers describing GWAS research are predominantly authored by male scientists based in medium-to-high income countries.
Process mean selection and price differentiation in an imperfectly segmented market for a risk-averse firm
Authors: Asif Raza Syed , Madhumohan Govindaluri Srikrishna
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we propose an integrated model for optimizing the process mean, the price of products and the production quantity. This optimization is conducted considering the impact of price differentiation in an imperfectly segmented market where demand leakages are common. The products that are produced by the production process are assigned to two market segments using sampling inspection. For optimization of the process mean, pricing and production quantities, a multi-objective model is formulated that maximizes (i) The expected total risk-adjusted profit across segments for a risk-tolerant firm, (ii) The satisficing level, that is, the probability of exceeding a target set for total risk-adjusted expected profit and (iii) The two conflicting objectives, expected total risk-adjusted profit and satisficing level. Depending on the complexity of models, either derivative-based closed form solutions or heuristic solution procedures are developed. The problem finds applications in process industries. A detailed numerical simulation is performed to corroborate the models, and it shows that a higher risk aversion results in a lower total expected risk-adjusted profit but a higher probability of achieving the target profit.
Complexity of sparse polynomial solving 2: renormalization
Authors: Malajovich Gregorio
Published: October 2022

Renormalized homotopy continuation on toric varieties is introduced as a tool for solving sparse systems of polynomial equations or sparse systems of exponential sums. The cost of continuation depends on a renormalized condition length, defined as a line integral of the condition number along all the lifted renormalized paths. The theory developed in this paper leads to a continuation algorithm tracking all the solutions between two generic systems with the same structure. The algorithm is randomized, in the sense that it follows a random path between the two systems. The probability of success is one. In order to produce an expected cost bound, several invariants depending solely on the supports of the equations are introduced. For instance, the mixed area is a quermassintegral that generalizes surface area in the same way that mixed volume generalizes ordinary volume. The facet gap measures for each 1-cone in the fan and for each support polytope, how close is the supporting hyperplane to the nearest vertex. Once the supports are fixed, the expected cost depends on the input coefficients solely through two invariants: the renormalized toric condition number and the imbalance of the absolute values of the coefficients. This leads to a nonuniform polynomial complexity bound for polynomial solving in terms of those two invariants.
Telehealth care before and during COVID-19: trends and quality in a large health system
Authors: Luna Paulina , Lee Megan , Vergara Greeno Rebeca , DeLucia Nikki , London Yollanda , Hoffman Pamela , Burg Matthew , Harris Kristie , Spatz Erica S , Mena-Hurtado Carlos , Smolderen Kim G
Published: October 2022

Objective

COVID-19 accelerated telehealth use to ensure care delivery, but there is limited data on the patient perspective. This study aimed to examine telehealth visit uptake before and during COVID-19 and correlates of patient satisfaction and interest in future telehealth visits.

Materials and Methods

This was a cross-sectional observational study between October 2019 and April 2020. Participants included patients who completed satisfaction surveys following telehealth visits.

Results

A total of 8930 patients completed the satisfaction survey using 4-point Likert Scales. Multivariable, hierarchical, cumulative logit models were constructed to examine correlates of satisfaction with quality of care and interest in future telehealth visits. Most patients were satisfied with the patient portal, video quality, and instructions (92.7%–96.8%). Almost half reported saving 1–2 h (46.9%). Correlates positively associated with quality of care and interest in future telehealth visits were ease of patient portal (odds ratio [OR], 1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.30–1.58; OR, 1.56, 95% CI, 1.41–1.73, respectively), video quality (OR, 1.62, 95% CI, 1.50–1.75; OR, 1.26, 95% CI, 1.16–1.37, respectively), instructions (OR, 5.62, 95% CI, 5.05–6.26; OR, 1.80, 95% CI, 1.62–2.01, respectively), and time saved (>4 h: OR, 1.69, 95%,CI, 1.22–2.34; OR, 3.49, 95% CI, 2.47–4.93, respectively). Being seen after the COVID-19 surge in telehealth (OR, 0.76, 95% CI, 0.63–0.93) or by providers with higher visit volume (OR, 0.71, 95% CI, 0.60–0.85) was associated with lower interest in future telehealth visits.

Conclusions

Patients expressed relatively high satisfaction levels with telehealth. Better technical quality, quality of instructions, and greater time saved were associated with higher satisfaction ratings. To maintain interest in future telehealth use and improve the patient experience, we must enhance the quality of telehealth delivery platforms and instructions provided to patients.
Use of Real Time Specimen Radiography to Evaluate the Number of Stereotactic Core Biopsy Specimens Containing Calcifications Required for Diagnosis
Authors: Kwait Dylan C , Chikarmane Sona A , Semine-Misbach Laura , Agoston Agoston , Lester Susan , Giess Catherine S
Published: October 2022

Objective

To determine the minimum number of stereotactic biopsy specimens containing calcifications sufficient for pathologic diagnosis and the minimum number of specimens containing calcifications sufficient for immunohistochemistry (IHC) in cases of malignancy.

Methods

In this IRB-exempt quality assurance initiative, individual specimens from 126 patients with 129 calcified targets retrieved using a stereotactic system with real time specimen imaging were prospectively analyzed. Pathology was reported independently for each specimen containing calcifications. In every case, the pathologist reported which specimen containing calcifications was sufficient for diagnosis and, in cases of malignancy, which calcified specimen was sufficient for diagnosis and IHC.

Results

A diagnosis was made from the first calcified specimen in 74% of cases (95/129), from the first two calcified specimens in 92% (119/129) of cases, and from the first three calcified specimens in 100% of cases. Pathology was benign in 66% (85/129) of cases, with the diagnosis made from the first calcified specimen in 78% (66/85) of cases. High-risk lesions were the primary pathology in 8% (11/129) of cases, with 55% (6/11) diagnosed from the first calcified specimen. Pathology was malignant in 26% (33/129) of cases. The first calcified specimen was sufficient for diagnosis and IHC in 73% (24/33) of malignancies and the first three calcified specimens were sufficient for diagnosis and IHC in all cases of malignancy.

Conclusion

Three cores verified to contain calcifications on real time specimen imaging were sufficient to make a diagnosis in all cases and to make a diagnosis and obtain IHC in nearly all cases of malignancy.
Learning by Doing: Lessons from the Graduate Students in the Boston Human Rights City Pilot Project
Authors: Mnisi Weeks Sindiso , MacNaughton Gillian , Annunziato Matthew , Kamau Esther , Sajadi Shahrzad , Tarimo Prisca
Published: October 2022

This article describes the experience and lessons learned by graduate students and supervising faculty in piloting an action-research project aimed at realizing positive economic and social change by advancing the vision of Boston as a human rights city that was articulated in a city council resolution adopted in 2011. It details the efforts led by the graduate students in their roles as paid outreach coordinators and research assistants to resuscitate the latent social movement that had resulted in the adoption of the Boston Human Rights City resolution. Against the backdrop of the Boston Human Rights City pilot project’s success at inspiring the re-establishment of the long-defunct city-level human rights commission, each of the graduate student leaders shares their reflections on and analysis of their experience of ‘learning by doing’. They detail the challenges they confronted and what key lessons were yielded by their trial and error. The article concludes with a summary of insights that readers (including the human rights commissioners) might find helpful with respect to both transdisciplinary human rights pedagogy in higher education, especially at the graduate level, and development of social movements, particularly in the advancement of the Human Rights Cities movement. The article therefore contributes to ongoing elucidation in the Journal of Human Rights Practice of what makes for effective human rights education—both in academic environments and in society more generally—outside of the prevalent disciplinary focus on law. Through the lens of the authors’ example of the direct, hands-on experience provided to students by the project, the article invites deeper engagement with transdisciplinary experiential learning as human rights education praxis that aims to reach members of local communities outside the classroom by creating a city-level culture of valuing, protecting and promoting economic and social rights.
Evaluation of Oxidative Stress by Dynamic Thiol/Disulfide Homeostasis and Ischemia-Modified Albumin Levels in Children with β-Thalassemia Major
Authors: Güler Kazancı Elif , Korkmaz Muhammet Furkan , Eren Funda , Erel Özcan
Published: October 2022

Objective

β-thalassemia major (β-TM) is a hemoglobinopathy characterized by reduced or absent β-globin production. A balance remains between the production of free radicals and suppression of increased levels of reactive oxygen species by the antioxidant system. This study aimed to examine thiol/disulfide homeostasis (TDH) and serum ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels to evaluate the oxidant/antioxidant balance in healthy children and persons with β-TM receiving and not receiving chelation therapy.

Methods

This prospective study was carried out from January to June 2021 among 46 individuals with β-TM and 35 healthy controls. A spectrophotometric method was used to analyze TDH and IMA concentrations.

Results

We found that, compared to controls, native thiol (NT) (P = .048) and total thiol (TT) (P = .027) values were lower in the patient group, whereas disulfide (P < .001), disulfide/native thiol (D/NT) (P = .004), disulfide/total thiol (D/TT) (P = .005), native thiol/total thiol (NT/TT) (P = .004) and IMA (P = .045) values were higher. NT and TT levels were significantly lower in the chelation− group compared to the chelation+ and control groups (P = .002, P = .001). D/NT, D/TT, and NT/TT levels were higher in the chelation+ group than the control group (P = .007), and IMA levels were significantly higher in the chelation+ and chelation− groups compared to the control group (P = .002). The receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated that IMA levels were significantly higher in the children with β-TM not taking regular chelation therapy.

Conclusion

Thiol/disulfide homeostasis was observed to be weakened in children with β-TM in our study. Our findings show that when children with β-TM do not receive regular chelation therapy, their oxidant imbalance worsens.
Simulations of black hole fueling in isolated and merging galaxies with an explicit, multiphase ISM
Authors: Sivasankaran Aneesh , Blecha Laura , Torrey Paul , Kelley Luke Zoltan , Bhowmick Aklant , Vogelsberger Mark , Losacco Rachel , Weinberger Rainer , Hernquist Lars , Marinacci Federico , Sales Laura V , Qi Jia
Published: October 2022

We study gas inflows on to supermassive black holes using hydrodynamics simulations of isolated galaxies and idealized galaxy mergers with an explicit, multiphase interstellar medium (ISM). Our simulations use the recently developed ISM and stellar evolution model called Stars and MUltiphase Gas in GaLaxiEs (SMUGGLE). We implement a novel super-Lagrangian refinement scheme that increases the gas mass resolution in the immediate neighbourhood of the black holes (BHs) to accurately resolve gas accretion. We do not include black hole feedback in our simulations. We find that the complex and turbulent nature of the SMUGGLE ISM leads to highly variable BH accretion. BH growth in SMUGGLE converges at gas mass resolutions ≲3 × 103 M⊙. We show that the low resolution simulations combined with the super-Lagrangian refinement scheme are able to produce central gas dynamics and BH accretion rates very similar to that of the uniform high resolution simulations. We further explore BH fueling by simulating galaxy mergers. The interaction between the galaxies causes an inflow of gas towards the galactic centres and results in elevated and bursty star formation. The peak gas densities near the BHs increase by orders of magnitude resulting in enhanced accretion. Our results support the idea that galaxy mergers can trigger AGN activity, although the instantaneous accretion rate depends strongly on the local ISM. We also show that the level of merger-induced enhancement of BH fueling predicted by the SMUGGLE model is much smaller compared to the predictions by simulations using an effective equation of state model of the ISM.
The Three Hundred project: galaxy groups do not survive cluster infall
Authors: Haggar Roan , Kuchner Ulrike , Gray Meghan E , Pearce Frazer R , Knebe Alexander , Yepes Gustavo , Cui Weiguang
Published: October 2022

Galaxy clusters grow by accreting galaxies as individual objects, or as members of a galaxy group. These groups can strongly impact galaxy evolution, stripping the gas from galaxies, and enhancing the rate of galaxy mergers. However, it is not clear how the dynamics and structure of groups are affected when they interact with a large cluster, or whether all group members necessarily experience the same evolutionary processes. Using data from The Three Hundred project, a suite of 324 hydrodynamical resimulations of large galaxy clusters, we study the properties of 1340 groups passing through a cluster. We find that half of group galaxies become gravitationally unbound from the group by the first pericentre, typically just 0.5–1 Gyr after cluster entry. Most groups quickly mix with the cluster satellite population; only $8{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of infalling group haloes later leave the cluster, although for nearly half of these, all of their galaxies have become unbound, tidally disrupted or merged into the central by this stage. The position of galaxies in group-centric phase space is also important – only galaxies near the centre of a group (r ≲ 0.7R200) remain bound once a group is inside a cluster, and slow-moving galaxies in the group centre are likely to be tidally disrupted, or merge with another galaxy. This work will help future observational studies to constrain the environmental histories of group galaxies. For example, groups observed inside or nearby to clusters have likely approached very recently, meaning that their galaxies will not have experienced a cluster environment before.
Asymptotic Green’s function solutions of the general relativistic thin disc equations
Authors: Mummery Andrew
Published: October 2022

The leading order Green’s function solutions of the general relativistic thin disc equations are computed, using a pseudo-Newtonian potential and asymptotic Laplace mode matching techniques. This solution, valid for a vanishing innermost stable circular orbit (ISCO) stress, is constructed by ensuring that it reproduces the leading order asymptotic behaviour of the near-ISCO, Newtonian, and global Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin limits. Despite the simplifications used in constructing this solution, it is typically accurate, for all values of the Kerr spin parameter a and at all radii, to less than a per cent of the full numerically calculated solutions of the general relativistic disc equations. These solutions will be of use in studying time-dependent accretion discs surrounding Kerr black holes.