bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parity duality for the amplituhedron
Authors: Galashin Pavel , Lam Thomas
Published: December 2020

The (tree) amplituhedron $\mathcal {A}_{n,k,m}(Z)$ is a certain subset of the Grassmannian introduced by Arkani-Hamed and Trnka in 2013 in order to study scattering amplitudes in $N=4$ supersymmetric Yang–Mills theory. Confirming a conjecture of the first author, we show that when $m$ is even, a collection of affine permutations yields a triangulation of $\mathcal {A}_{n,k,m}(Z)$ for any $Z\in \operatorname {Gr}_{>0}(k+m,n)$ if and only if the collection of their inverses yields a triangulation of $\mathcal {A}_{n,n-m-k,m}(Z)$ for any $Z\in \operatorname {Gr}_{>0}(n-k,n)$. We prove this duality using the twist map of Marsh and Scott. We also show that this map preserves the canonical differential forms associated with the corresponding positroid cells, and hence obtain a parity duality for amplituhedron differential forms.
Zona incerta neurons projecting to the ventral tegmental area promote action initiation towards feeding
Authors: de Git Kathy C.G. , Hazelhoff Esther M. , Nota Minke H.C. , Schele Erik , Luijendijk Mieneke C.M. , Dickson Suzanne L. , van der Plasse Geoffrey , Adan Roger A.H.
Published: December 2020

Key points

The zona incerta (ZI) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) are brain areas that are both implicated in feeding behaviour. The ZI projects to the VTA, although it has not yet been investigated whether this projection regulates feeding.

We experimentally (in)activated the ZI to VTA projection by using dual viral vector technology, and studied the effects on feeding microstructure, the willingness to work for food, general activity and body temperature.

Activity of the ZI to VTA projection promotes feeding by facilitating action initiation towards food, as reflected in meal frequency and the willingness to work for food reward, without affecting general activity or directly modulating body temperature.

We show for the first time that activity of the ZI to VTA projection promotes feeding, which improves the understanding of the neurobiology of feeding behaviour and body weight regulation.

Both the zona incerta (ZI) and the ventral tegmental area (VTA) have been implicated in feeding behaviour. The ZI provides prominent input to the VTA, although it has not yet been investigated whether this projection regulates feeding. Therefore, we investigated the role of ZI to VTA projection neurons in the regulation of several aspects of feeding behaviour. We determined the effects of (in)activation of ZI to VTA projection neurons on feeding microstructure, food‐motivated behaviour under a progressive ratio schedule of reinforcement, locomotor activity and core body temperature. To activate or inactivate ZI neurons projecting to the VTA, we used a combination of canine adenovirus‐2 in the VTA, as well as Cre‐dependent designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADD) or tetanus toxin (TetTox) light chain in the ZI. TetTox‐mediated inactivation of ZI to VTA projection neurons reduced food‐motivated behaviour and feeding by reducing meal frequency. Conversely, DREADD‐mediated chemogenetic activation of ZI to VTA projection neurons promoted food‐motivated behaviour and feeding. (In)activation of ZI to VTA projection neurons did not affect locomotor activity or directly regulate core body temperature. Taken together, ZI neurons projecting to the VTA exert bidirectional control overfeeding behaviour. More specifically, activity of ZI to VTA projection neurons facilitate action initiation towards feeding, as reflected in both food‐motivated behaviour and meal initiation, without affecting general activity.
Adding Energy Storage to the Combined Cycle
Authors: Conlon William M. , Venetos Milton J.
Published: December 2020

The efficient natural gas Combined Cycle Power Plant (CCPP) has driven a substantial reduction in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, while gas turbine peaking plants also provide backup for variable renewable resources. As more wind and solar generation is added to grids around the world, there is a need for more flexible CCPPs with faster startup and ramping capability, storage of increasingly over-abundant renewable energy, and lower GHG emissions from dispatchable power plants. Novel integration of energy storage with the CCPP can meet these needs at lower cost than alternatives like batteries.
Inspection of Electronics Components for Cryogenic Temperature Operations
Authors: Poonthottathil N. , Krennrich F. , Weinstein A. , Eisch J. , Bond L. J. , Barnard D. , Zhang Z. , Koester L.
Published: December 2020

Electronics operating at cryogenic temperatures play a critical role in future science experiments and space exploration programs. The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) uses a cold electronics system for data taking. Specifically, it utilizes custom-designed Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). The main challenge is that these circuits will be immersed in liquid Argon and that they need to function for 20+ years without any access. Ensuring quality is critical, and issues may arise due to thermal stress, packaging, and manufacturing-related defects: if undetected, these could lead to long-term reliability and performance problems. This paper reports an investigation into non-destructive evaluation techniques to assess their potential use in a comprehensive quality control process during prototyping, testing, and commissioning of the DUNE cold electronics system. Scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM) was used to investigate permanent structural changes in the ASICs associated with thermal cycling between room and cryogenic temperatures. Data are assessed using a correlation analysis, which can detect even minimal changes happening inside the ASICs.
On the Macroscopic Response and Field Statistics in Particulate Composites With Elasto-Plastic Phases and Random Microstructures
Authors: Agoras Michalis , Garyfallogiannis Konstantinos , Aravas Nikolaos
Published: December 2020

In this article, we carry out a theoretical investigation of the macroscopic response and field statistics in two-phase particulate composites with elasto-plastic constituents and random microstructures under cyclic loading conditions. To this end, we make use of the “incremental variational homogenization” (IVH) procedure of Agoras et al. (2016, “Incremental Variational Procedure for Elasto-Viscoplastic Composites and Application to Polymer- and Metal-Matrix Composites Reinforced by Spheroidal Elastic Particles,” Int. J. Solid Struct., 97–98, pp. 668–686) and corresponding unit cell finite element simulations. Results are obtained for statistically isotropic distributions of spherical particles and for “spheroidal distributions” of spheroidal particles. It is shown analytically that the IVH estimate of Agoras et al. and that of Lahellec and Suquet (2013, “Effective Response and Field Statistics in Elasto-Plastic and Elasto-Visco-Plastic Composites Under Radial and Non-Radial Loadings,” Int. J. Plasticity, 42, pp. 1–30) are equivalent. In addition, it is illustrated by means of specific numeral comparisons that the IVH estimate is also equivalent (to within numerical accuracy) to the corresponding estimates of Idiart and Lahellec (2016, “Estimates for the Overall Linear Properties of Pointwise Heterogeneous Solids With Application to Elasto-Viscoplasticity,” J. Mech. Phys. Solids, 97, pp. 317–332) and Lucchetta et al. (2019, “A Double Incremental Variational Procedure for Elastoplastic Composites With Combined Isotropic and Linear Kinematic Hardening,” Int. J. Solid Struct., 158, pp. 243–267). Furthermore, it is shown in the context of specific exact results for composite materials with lamellar microstructures that the elastic–plastic coupling and the Bauschinger effect are the macroscopic manifestations of the incompatibility of the local elastic strains. Local strain hardening is incorporate in the IVH model. The predictions of the IVH model for the macroscopic response of particulate composites are found to be in good agreement with the corresponding numerical results, in general. For the extreme cases of rigidly reinforced composites and porous materials, however, the IVH model fails to capture the elastic–plastic coupling and the Bauschinger effect. The underlying reasons for this shortcoming are discussed and a strategy toward the improvement of the IVH model is proposed.
Differing infection of Isaria fumosorosea (Wize) Brown & Smith in an aphid (Myzus persicae [Sulzer]) and predatory mite (Neoseiulus cucumeris [Oudemans]) under a scanning electron microscope

Authors: Chen Xia , Sun Li , Zhang Yan-xuan , Zhao Ling-ling , Lin Jian-zhen
Published: December 2020

Implementing a predator-mediated pathogen dissemination system can meet the goal of simultaneous biocontrol of harmful mites and other pests. But for the system to be effective, it must satisfy the requirement of high lethality of the pathogen to the target pest(s) with low lethality to predatory mites in a suitable environment. Prior testing showed that the fungal entomopathogen Isaria fumosorosea (Wize) Brown & Smith exhibited high toxicity to aphids yet low toxicity to the predatory mite Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans). In practical application, the humidity conditions of conidia carried by predatory mites to plants are not necessarily constant. Therefore, we set two different humidity conditions to observe the changes of spore attachment quantity and the differences of germination and infection between predatory mites and aphids after their bodies were stained with spores. Under 50±1% relative humidity (RH), predatory mites cleaned most spores in a short time; 24 hours after dusting, the number of spores (mean ± SD) on body was (0.64±0.10)×103, just (4.43±0.35)% of that at 0h, but spores on aphids were kept (16.58±1.48)% ((6.46±0.91)×103 spores) of that at beginning. There was a significant difference in the percentage of spores retained on aphids and predatory mites (p=0.000<0.01). Humidity could affect the cleaning behavior; under 95± 1% RH (the suitable humidity for conidia germination), more spores persisted than that under the 50 ± 1% RH condition; at 24h, the numbers of spores on each predatory mite and aphid were (1.00±0.10)×103 and (10.02±2.87)×103. Here, under a scanning electron microscope, we found that spores on the aphid’s body germinated 36 hours after dusting under 95± 1% RH, and the I. fumosorosea mycelium had spread after 48 hours; many new mycelium and spores were produced after 72 hours. In stark contrast, few spores germinated on the mite’s body, thus leading to very little damage to its surface. Different cleaning behavior and different morphological structure of body wall can both affect the attachment and infection of I. fumosorosea to aphids and predatory mites. In the future, chemical substance, enzyme and other factors should also be researched to explain the difference of infection of entomopathogenic fungi to different species.
Generalised surface waves at the boundary of piezo-poroelastic medium with arbitrary anisotropy
Authors: Sharma M. D.
Published: December 2020

This study considers the propagation of surface waves along all directions on the plane boundary of piezo-poroelastic half-space with arbitrary anisotropy. This generalised propagation is characterized through an anisotropic phase velocity, which should ensure the decay of wave-field with depth into the medium. A linear homogeneous system of six equations with complex coefficients governs the existence and propagation of surface waves in the considered medium. The real phase velocity of surface waves lies implicit in a complex determinantal equation, which ensures a non-trivial solution to the system of equations. Through a specific transformation, the system of complex equations is modified to yield a real secular equation, with phase velocity being the only unknown. This equation can always be solved numerically for phase velocity of surface wave along any direction on the plane boundary of anisotropic piezo-poroelastic medium. The phase velocity has been used further to calculate the components of energy flux at the boundary. Horizontal components of energy flux define the group velocity and ray direction for the surface wave. A numerical example is solved to analyse the phase/group velocity curves at the boundary of the medium.
Tweaking genes with CRISPR or viruses fixes blood disorders
Authors: Kaiser Jocelyn
Published: December 2020

People with sickle cell disease or beta-thalassemia could be freed of debilitating symptoms for a lifetime.
An outside-the-box take on time
The Janus Point: A New Theory of Time
Julian Barbour
Basic Books, 2020. 398 pp.
Authors: Johnson Matthew
Published: December 2020

A physicist's provocative theory offers an optimistic view of our cosmic destiny
Molecular and Epidemiological Characterization of Toxigenic and Nontoxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Corynebacterium belfantii, Corynebacterium rouxii, and Corynebacterium ulcerans Isolates Identified in Spain from 2014 to 2019
Authors: Hoefer Andreas , Pampaka Despina , Herrera-León Silvia , Peiró Sonia , Varona Sarai , López-Perea Noemí , Masa-Calles Josefa , Herrera-León Laura
Published: December 2020

This study examines the microbiological and epidemiological characteristics of toxigenic and nontoxigenic
Corynebacterium
isolates submitted to the national reference laboratory in Spain, between 2014 and 2019, in order to describe the current situation and improve our knowledge regarding these emerging pathogens. Epidemiological information was extracted from the Spanish Surveillance System.
Multicenter Evaluation of the Cepheid Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2/Flu/RSV Test
Authors: Mostafa Heba H. , Carroll Karen C. , Hicken Rachel , Berry Gregory J. , Manji Ryhana , Smith Elizabeth , Rakeman Jennifer L. , Fowler Randal C. , Leelawong Mindy , Butler-Wu Susan M. , Quintero David , Umali-Wilcox Minette , Kwiatkowski Robert W. , Persing David H. , Weir Fred , Loeffelholz Michael J.
Published: December 2020

With the approach of respiratory virus season in the Northern Hemisphere, clinical microbiology and public health laboratories will need rapid diagnostic assays to distinguish severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections for diagnosis and surveillance. In this study, the clinical performance of the Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2/Flu/RSV test (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) for nasopharyngeal swab specimens was evaluated in four centers: Johns Hopkins Medical Microbiology Laboratory, Northwell Health Laboratories, NYC Public Health Laboratory, and Los Angeles County/University of Southern California (LAC+USC) Medical Center.
Neutralizing Activity of Broadly Neutralizing Anti-HIV-1 Antibodies against Primary African Isolates
Authors: Lorenzi Julio C. C. , Mendoza Pilar , Cohen Yehuda Z. , Nogueira Lilian , Lavine Christy , Sapiente Joseph , Wiatr Marie , Mugo Nelly R. , Mujugira Andrew , Delany Sinead , Lingappa Jairam , Celum Connie , Seaman Michael S. , Caskey Marina , Nussenzweig Michel C.
Published: December 2020

HIV remains a major public health problem worldwide, and new therapies and preventive strategies are necessary for controlling the epidemic. Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) have been developed in the past decade to fill this gap.
Characterizing strain between rigid crustal blocks in the southern Cascadia forearc: Quaternary faults and folds of the northern Sacramento Valley, California
Authors: Angster Stephen , Wesnousky Steven , Figueiredo Paula , Owen Lewis A. , Sawyer Thomas
Published: December 2020

Topographic profiles across late Quaternary surfaces in the northern Sacramento Valley (California, USA) show offset and progressive folding on series of active east- and northeast-trending faults and folds. Optically stimulated luminescence ages on deposits draping a warped late Pleistocene river terrace yielded differential incision rates along the Sacramento River and indicate tectonic uplift equal to 0.2 ± 0.1 and 0.6 ± 0.2 mm/yr above the anticline of the Inks Creek fold system and Red Bluff fault, respectively. Uplift rates correspond to a total of 1.3 ± 0.4 mm/yr of north-directed crustal shortening, accounting for all of the geodetically observed contractional strain in the northern Sacramento Valley, but only part of the far-field contraction between the Sierra Nevada–Great Valley and Oregon Coast blocks. These structures define the southern limit of the transpressional transition between the two blocks.
New geodetic constraints on southern San Andreas fault-slip rates, San Gorgonio Pass, California
Authors: Guns Katherine A. , Bennett Richard A. , Spinler Joshua C. , McGill Sally F.
Published: December 2020

Assessing fault-slip rates in diffuse plate boundary systems such as the San Andreas fault in southern California is critical both to characterize seismic hazards and to understand how different fault strands work together to accommodate plate boundary motion. In places such as San Gorgonio Pass, the geometric complexity of numerous fault strands interacting in a small area adds an extra obstacle to understanding the rupture potential and behavior of each individual fault. To better understand partitioning of fault-slip rates in this region, we build a new set of elastic fault-block models that test 16 different model fault geometries for the area. These models build on previous studies by incorporating updated campaign GPS measurements from the San Bernardino Mountains and Eastern Transverse Ranges into a newly calculated GPS velocity field that has been removed of long- and short-term postseismic displacements from 12 past large-magnitude earthquakes to estimate model fault-slip rates. Using this postseismic-reduced GPS velocity field produces a best-fitting model geometry that resolves the long-standing geologic-geodetic slip-rate discrepancy in the Eastern California shear zone when off-fault deformation is taken into account, yielding a summed slip rate of 7.2 ± 2.8 mm/yr. Our models indicate that two active strands of the San Andreas system in San Gorgonio Pass are needed to produce sufficiently low geodetic dextral slip rates to match geologic observations. Lastly, results suggest that postseismic deformation may have more of a role to play in affecting the loading of faults in southern California than previously thought.
Haemolytic anaemia: a consequence of COVID-19
Authors: Jawed Memoona , Hart Elizabeth , Saeed Malik
Published: December 2020

A man in his early 50s presented with jaundice, mild shortness of breath on exertion and dark urine. He had had coryzal symptoms 2 weeks prior to admission. Medical history included obstructive sleep apnoea and hypertension. His initial blood tests showed a mild hyperbilirubinaemia and acute kidney injury stage 1. Chest X-ray and CT pulmonary angiogram were negative for features suggestive of COVID-19. He later developed a drop in haemoglobin and repeat bloods showed markedly raised lactate dehydrogenase and positive direct antiglobulin test. These results were felt to be consistent with a haemolytic anaemia. A nasopharyngeal swab came back positive for COVID-19. We suspect the cause of his symptoms was an autoimmune haemolytic anaemia secondary to COVID-19 which has recently been described in European cohorts.
Two-year follow up of a cluster randomised controlled trial for women experiencing intimate partner violence: effect of screening and family doctor-delivered counselling on quality of life, mental and physical health and abuse exposure
Authors: Hegarty Kelsey , Valpied Jodie , Taft Angela , Brown Stephanie Janne , Gold Lisa , Gunn Jane , O'Doherty Lorna
Published: December 2020

Objectives

This was a 2-year follow-up study of a primary care-based counselling intervention (weave) for women experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV). We aimed to assess whether differences in depression found at 12 months (lower depression for intervention than control participants) would be sustained at 24 months and differences in quality in life, general mental and physical health and IPV would emerge.

Design

Cluster randomised controlled trial. Researchers blinded to allocation. Unit of randomisation: family doctors.

Setting

Fifty-two primary care clinics, Victoria, Australia.

Participants

Baseline: 272 English-speaking, female patients (intervention n=137, doctors=35; control n=135, doctors=37), who screened positive for fear of partner in past 12 months. Twenty-four-month response rates: intervention 59% (81/137), control 63% (85/135).

Interventions

Intervention doctors received training to deliver brief, woman-centred counselling. Intervention patients were invited to receive this counselling (uptake rate: 49%). Control doctors received standard IPV information; delivered usual care.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Twenty-four months primary outcomes: WHO Quality of Life-Bref dimensions, Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) mental health. Secondary outcomes: SF-12 physical health and caseness for depression and anxiety (Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale), post-traumatic stress disorder (Check List-Civilian), IPV (Composite Abuse Scale), physical symptoms (≥6 in last month). Data collected through postal survey. Mixed-effects regressions adjusted for location (rural/urban) and clustering.

Results

No differences detected between groups on quality of life (physical: 1.5, 95% CI −2.9 to 5.9; psychological: −0.2, 95% CI −4.8 to 4.4,; social: −1.4, 95% CI −8.2 to 5.4; environmental: −0.8, 95% CI −4.0 to 2.5), mental health status (−1.6, 95% CI −5.3 to 2.1) or secondary outcomes. Both groups improved on primary outcomes, IPV, anxiety.

Conclusions

Intervention was no more effective than usual care in improving 2-year quality of life, mental and physical health and IPV, despite differences in depression at 12 months. Future refinement and testing of type, duration and intensity of primary care IPV interventions is needed.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12608000032358.
Safety and feasibility evaluation of planning and execution of surgical revascularisation solely based on coronary CTA and FFRCT in patients with complex coronary artery disease: study protocol of the FASTTRACK CABG study
Authors: Kawashima Hideyuki , Pompilio Giulio , Andreini Daniele , Bartorelli Antonio L , Mushtaq Saima , Ferrari Enrico , Maisano Francesco , Buechel Ronny R , Tanaka Kaoru , La Meir Mark , De Mey Johan , Schneider Ulrich , Doenst Torsten , Teichgräber Ulf , Stone Gregg W , Sharif Faisal , de Winter Robbert , Thomsen Brian , Taylor Charles , Rogers Campbell , Leipsic Jonathon , Wijns William , Onuma Yoshinobu , Serruys Patrick W
Published: December 2020

Introduction

The previously published SYNTAX III REVOLUTION trial demonstrated that clinical decision-making between coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention based on coronary CT angiography (CCTA) had a very high agreement with the treatment decision derived from invasive coronary angiography (ICA). The study objective of the FASTTRACK CABG is to assess the feasibility of CCTA and fractional flow reserve derived from CTA (FFRCT) to replace ICA as a surgical guidance method for planning and execution of CABG in patients with three-vessel disease with or without left main disease.

Methods and analysis

The FASTTRACK CABG is an investigator-initiated single-arm, multicentre, prospective, proof-of-concept and first-in-man study with feasibility and safety analysis. Surgical revascularisation strategy and treatment planning will be solely based on CCTA and FFRCT without knowledge of the anatomy defined by ICA. Clinical follow-up visit including CCTA will be performed 30 days after CABG in order to assess graft patency and adequacy of the revascularisation with respect to the surgical planning based on non-invasive imaging (CCTA) with functional assessment (FFRCT) and compared with ICA. Primary feasibility endpoint is CABG planning and execution solely based on CCTA and FFRCT in 114 patients. Primary safety endpoint based on 30 day CCTA is graft assessment and topographical adequacy of the revascularisation procedure. Automatic non-invasive assessment of functional coronary anatomy complexity is also evaluated with FFRCT for functional Synergy Between percutaneous coronary intervention With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery Score assessment on CCTA. CCTA with FFRCT might provide better anatomical and functional analysis of the coronary circulation leading to appropriate anatomical and functional revascularisation, and thereby contributing to a better outcome.

Ethics and dissemination

Each patient has to provide written informed consent as approved by the ethical committee of the respective clinical site. Results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals and will be disseminated at scientific conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT04142021.
Protocol for an implementation and realist evaluation of a new organisational model for primary care practices in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland
Authors: Schutz Leuthold Muriel , Schwarz Joelle , Marti Joachim , Perraudin Clémence , Hudon Catherine , Peytremann-Bridevaux Isabelle , Senn Nicolas , Cohidon Christine
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Continuity of care, especially for patients with complex needs, is a major challenge for healthcare systems in many high-income countries, including Switzerland. Since 2015, a collaborative project between Unisanté-Department of Family Medicine (DMF), some general practitioners (GPs) and canton of Vaud’s public health authorities has sought to develop a new organisational model for the provision of primary care to ensure better care coordination and to provide adapted care deliveries to patients’ healthcare needs. The model’s main component is the addition of a primary care nurse to GPs practices. Three additional tools are individualised patient care plans, electronic medical records and patient empanelment. To assess this model, a 2-year pilot study has begun in nine GPs’ practices in the canton. This paper presents the protocol for an evaluation of the implementation and effectiveness of the new organisational model.

Method and analysis

We will conduct a before-and-after study using a mixed-methods and a realist approach. First, we will use quantitative and qualitative data to assess the new organisational model’s implementation (feasibility, fidelity, acceptability and costs) and effectiveness (healthcare services use, patient experience, staff experience and patient-level costs). Combining this data with focus group data will enable a realist evaluation of the pilot project, which will help understand the elements of context and mechanism that affect implementation.

Ethics and dissemination

The evaluation will inform the canton of Vaud’s health authorities about the limits of and perspectives for this organisational model. All results will also be made available to the practices and the patients involved. At the end of the project, we will propose organisational adaptations and a sustainable financial model for extending the model to other practices in the canton and potentially to the national level.

The canton of Vaud’s Human Research Ethics Committee approved the study, and Data Protection and Information Law Authority gave a favourable opinion concerning data processing procedures.
Quality appraisal of clinical guidelines for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in patients undergoing hip and knee arthroplasty: a systematic review
Authors: Wang Yu , Zhu Li-Yun , Deng Hai-Bo , Yang Xu , Wang Lei , Xu Yuan , Wang Xiao-Jie , Pang Dong , Sun Jian-Hua , Cao Jing , Liu Ge , Liu Ying , Ma Yu-Fen , Wu Xin-Juan
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) occurs in up to 40%–80% of patients after hip and knee arthroplasty. Clinical decision-making aided by guidelines is the most effective strategy to reduce the burden of VTE. However, the quality of guidelines is dependent on the strength of their evidence base. The objective of this article is to critically evaluate the quality of VTE prevention guidelines and the strength of their recommendations in VTE prophylaxis in patients undergoing hip and knee arthroplasty.

Methods

Relevant literature up to 16 March 2020 was systematically searched. We searched databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and WanFang and nine guidelines repositories. The identified guidelines were appraised by two reviewers using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II and appraised the strength of their recommendations independently. Following quality assessment, a predesigned data collection form was used to extract the characteristics of the included guideline.

Results

We finally included 15 guidelines. Ten of the included guidelines were rated as ‘recommended’ or ‘recommended with modifications’. The standardised scores were relatively high in the domains of Clarity of Presentation, and Scope and Purpose. The lowest average standardised scores were observed in the domains of Applicability and Stakeholder Involvement. In reference to the domains of Rigour of Development and Editorial Independence, the standardised scores varied greatly between the guidelines. The agreement between the two appraisers is almost perfect (intraclass correlation coefficients higher than 0.80). A considerable proportion of the recommendations is based on low-quality or very-low-quality evidence or is even based on working group expert opinion.

Conclusions

In summary, the majority of the recommendations are based on low-quality evidence, and further confirmation is needed. Furthermore, guideline developers should pay more attention to methodological quality, especially in the Stakeholder Involvement domain and the Applicability domain.
Early detection of COVID-19 in China and the USA: summary of the implementation of a digital decision-support and disease surveillance tool
Authors: Hswen Yulin , Brownstein John S , Xu Xiang , Yom-Tov Elad
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Rapid detection and surveillance of COVID-19 is essential to reducing spread of the virus. Inadequate screening capacity has hampered COVID-19 detection, while traditional infectious disease response has been delayed due to significant demands for healthcare resources, time and personnel. This study investigated whether an online health decision-support tool could supplement COVID-19 surveillance and detection in China and the USA.

Setting

Daily website traffic to Thermia was collected from China and the USA, and cross-correlation analyses were used to assess the designated lag time between the daily time series of Thermia sessions and COVID-19 case counts from 22 January to 23 April 2020.

Participants

Thermia is a validated health decision-support tool that was modified to include content aimed at educating users about Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations on COVID-19 symptoms. An advertising campaign was released on Microsoft Advertising to refer searches for COVID-19 symptoms to Thermia.

Results

The lead times observed for Thermia sessions to COVID-19 case reports was 3 days in China and 19 days in the USA. We found negative cross-correlation between the number of Thermia sessions and rates of influenza A and B, possibly due to the decreasing prevalence of influenza and the lack of specificity of the system for identification of COVID-19.

Conclusion

This study suggests that early deployment of an online campaign and modified health decision-support tool may support identification of emerging infectious diseases like COVID-19. Researchers and public health officials should deploy web campaigns as early as possible in an epidemic to detect, identify and engage those potentially at risk to help prevent transmission of the disease.
Single-arm prospective interventional study assessing feasibility of using gallium-68 ventilation and perfusion PET/CT to avoid functional lung in patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Bucknell Nicholas , Hardcastle Nicholas , Jackson Price , Hofman Michael , Callahan Jason , Eu Peter , Iravani Amir , Lawrence Rhonda , Martin Olga , Bressel Mathias , Woon Beverley , Blyth Benjamin , MacManus Michael , Byrne Keelan , Steinfort Daniel , Kron Tomas , Hanna Gerard , Ball David , Siva Shankar
Published: December 2020

Background

In the curative-intent treatment of locally advanced lung cancer, significant morbidity and mortality can result from thoracic radiation therapy. Symptomatic radiation pneumonitis occurs in one in three patients and can lead to radiation-induced fibrosis. Local failure occurs in one in three patients due to the lungs being a dose-limiting organ, conventionally restricting tumour doses to around 60 Gy. Functional lung imaging using positron emission tomography (PET)/CT provides a geographic map of regional lung function and preclinical studies suggest this enables personalised lung radiotherapy. This map of lung function can be integrated into Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) radiotherapy planning systems, enabling conformal avoidance of highly functioning regions of lung, thereby facilitating increased doses to tumour while reducing normal tissue doses.

Methods and analysis

This prospective interventional study will investigate the use of ventilation and perfusion PET/CT to identify highly functioning lung volumes and avoidance of these using VMAT planning. This single-arm trial will be conducted across two large public teaching hospitals in Australia. Twenty patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer will be recruited. All patients enrolled will receive dose-escalated (69 Gy) functional avoidance radiation therapy. The primary endpoint is feasibility with this achieved if ≥15 out of 20 patients meet pre-defined feasibility criteria. Patients will be followed for 12 months post-treatment with serial imaging, biomarkers, toxicity assessment and quality of life assessment.

Discussion

Using advanced techniques such as VMAT functionally adapted radiation therapy may enable safe moderate dose escalation with an aim of improving local control and concurrently decreasing treatment related toxicity. If this technique is proven feasible, it will inform the design of a prospective randomised trial to assess the clinical benefits of functional lung avoidance radiation therapy.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was approved by the Peter MacCallum Human Research Ethics Committee. All participants will provide written informed consent. Results will be disseminated via publications.

Trials registration number

NCT03569072; Pre-results
Development of a national neonatal intensive care unit-specific antimicrobial stewardship programme in Canada: protocol for a cohort study
Authors: Ting Joseph Y. , Roberts Ashley , Tilley Peter , Robinson Joan L , Dunn Michael S , Paquette Vanessa , Lee Kyong-Soon , Shah Vibhuti , Yoon Eugene , Richter Lindsay L , Lodha Abhay , Shivananda Sandesh , Thampi Nisha , Autmizguine Julie , Shah Prakesh S
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Early empiric treatment with broad-spectrum antimicrobials is common in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) due to the non-specific clinical presentation of infection. However, excessive and inappropriate antimicrobial use can lead to the emergence of drug-resistant organisms and adverse neonatal outcomes. This study aims to develop and implement a nationwide NICU-specific antimicrobial stewardship programme (ASP) to promote judicious antimicrobial use and control the emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in Canada.

Methods and analysis

Our study population will include all very low-birth-weight neonates admitted to participating tertiary NICU in Canada. Based on the existing limited literature, we will develop consensus on NICU antimicrobial stewardship interventions to enhance best practices. Using an expanded Canadian Neonatal Network (CNN) platform, we will collect data on antimicrobial use and the susceptibility of organisms identified in clinical samples from blood and cerebrospinal fluid over a period of 2 years. These data will be used to provide all NICU stakeholders with benchmarked centre-adjusted antimicrobial use and MDRO prevalence reports. An ASP plan will be developed at both individual unit and national levels in the subsequent years. Knowledge translation strategies will be implemented through the well-established Evidence-based Practice for Improving Quality methodology.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics for the study has been granted by the University of British Columbia Children’s & Women’s Research Ethics Board (H19-02490) and supported by CNN Executive Committee. The study results will be disseminated through national organisations and open access peer-reviewed publications.

Trial registration number

NCT04388293.
EPHA mutation as a predictor of immunotherapeutic efficacy in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Bai Hua , Duan Jianchun , Li Chengcheng , Xie Wenzhuan , Fang Wenfeng , Xu Yu , Wang Guoqiang , Wan Rui , Sun Jing , Xu Jiachen , Wang Xin , Fei Kailun , Zhao Zhengyi , Cai Shangli , Zhang Li , Wang Jie , Wang Zhijie
Published: December 2020

Background

Ephrin type-A receptors (EPHA) are members of family of receptor tyrosine kinases and are related to tumor immunogenicity and immune microenvironment, however, the association betweenEPHAmutation (EPHAmut) and efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has not been investigated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

Multiple cohorts were used to assess the immunotherapeutic predictive performance ofEPHAmut, including one discovery cohort (n=79) and two public validation cohort (cohort 1: NSCLC, n=165; cohort 2: pan-cancer, n=1662). The Cancer Genome Atlas cohort was used for prognostic analysis and mechanism exploration.

Results

In the discovery cohort, patients withEPHAmuthad superior disease control rate (72.2% vs 36.1%, p=0.01) and progression-free survival (PFS) (HR 0.38; 95% CI 0.21 to 0.68; p<0.001) compared with those with wide-typeEPHA(EPHAwt) in NSCLC. The association betweenEPHAmutand immunotherapy outcomes in NSCLC was consistently observed in the validation cohorts by multivariable models (cohort 1, PFS HR 0.59; 95% CI 0.37 to 0.96; p=0.03; cohort 2, overall survival (OS) HR 0.63; 95% CI 0.41 to 0.98; p=0.04). Further pooled estimates of the discovery and validation cohorts showed that patients withEPHAmutexhibited a significantly longer PFS and OS in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) while not squamous cell lung cancer (LUSC). Consistently, mechanism analysis revealed that patients withEPHAmutwas associated with increased T cell signatures and downregulatedtransforming growth factor-βsignaling compared with patients withEPHAwtin LUAD while not LUSC.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated thatEPHAmutis an independent classifier that could stratify patients with LUAD for ICIs therapy. Further prospective studies are warranted.

Trial registration number

NCC2016JZ-03, NCC2018-092.
On the log canonical ring with Kodaira dimension two
Authors: Liu Haidong
Published: December 2020

We prove that the log canonical ring of a projective log canonical pair with Kodaira dimension two is finitely generated.
The Effect of Korean Red Ginseng on Bisphenol A-Induced Fatty Acid Composition and Lipid Metabolism-Related Gene Expression Changes
Authors: Park Joonwoo , Choi KeunOh , Lee Jeonggeun , Jung Jong-Min , Lee YoungJoo
Published: December 2020

Bisphenol A (BPA), which is known to be an endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC), is associated not only with estrogen activity and reproductive toxicity but also with a variety of metabolic disorders. BPA affects glucose tolerance, cholesterol biosynthesis, and fatty acid synthesis. Ginseng is a traditional medicinal plant that has been widely used in East Asia for more than 2000 years, and a number of health effects have been reported. Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) has also been shown to have effects on lipid metabolism and body weight reduction in vivo in obese mice. In this study, we administered BPA and KRG to ovariectomized (OVX) ICR mice. BPA (800 mg/kg/day) and KRG (1.2 g/kg/day) were orally administered to OVX mice for 3 days. KRG inhibited the increase in total fatty acid level by BPA as determined by lipid profiling in the liver of OVX mice. In addition, transcriptome analysis showed that KRG inhibited BPA-induced changes in lipid metabolic process-related genes. Our findings suggest that KRG can regulate BPA-induced changes in lipid metabolism.
Chaotic Behaviors of One-Dimensional Wave Equations with van der Pol Boundary Conditions Containing a Source Term
Authors: Chen Zhijing , Huang Yu , Sun Haiwei , Zhou Tongyang
Published: December 2020

For one-dimensional wave equations with the van der Pol boundary conditions, there have been several different ways in the literature to characterize the complexity of their solutions. However, if the right-end van der Pol boundary condition contains a source term, then a considerable technical difficulty arises as to how to describe the complexity of the system. In this paper, we take advantage of a topologically dynamical method to characterize the dynamical behaviors of the systems, including sensitivity, transitivity and Li–Yorke chaos. For this end, we consider a system [Formula: see text] induced by a sequence of continuous maps and its functional envelope [Formula: see text], and show that, under some considerable condition, [Formula: see text] is transitive if and only if [Formula: see text] is weakly mixing of order [Formula: see text]; [Formula: see text] is Li–Yorke chaotic and sensitive if [Formula: see text] is strongly mixing. Those abstract results have their own significance and can be applied to such kind of equations.
The Effects of a Constant Excitation Force on the Dynamics of an Infinite-Equilibrium Chaotic System Without Linear Terms: Analysis, Control and Circuit Simulation
Authors: Kamdjeu Kengne L. , Njitacke Z. Tabekoueng , Pone J. R. Mboupda , Tagne H. T. Kamdem
Published: December 2020

In this paper, the effects of a bias term modeling a constant excitation force on the dynamics of an infinite-equilibrium chaotic system without linear terms are investigated. As a result, it is found that the bias term reduces the number of equilibrium points (transition from infinite-equilibria to only two equilibria) and breaks the symmetry of the model. The nonlinear behavior of the system is highlighted in terms of bifurcation diagrams, maximal Lyapunov exponent plots, phase portraits, and basins of attraction. Some interesting phenomena are found including, for instance, hysteretic dynamics, multistability, and coexisting bifurcation branches when monitoring the system parameters and the bias term. Also, we demonstrate that it is possible to control the offset and amplitude of the chaotic signals generated. Compared to some few cases previously reported on systems without linear terms, the plethora of behaviors found in this work represents a unique contribution in comparison with such type of systems. A suitable analog circuit is designed and used to support the theoretical analysis via a series of Pspice simulations.
The Cramer–Rao lower bound in a non-AWGN model for the affine phase retrieval
Authors: Zhuang Zhitao , Wang Kaixin
Published: December 2020

In this paper, we derive the Cramer–Rao lower bound (CRLB) in a non-additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) model for the affine phase retrieval (APR) and simulate the difference of CRLB and mean square error produced by PhaseLift of phase retrieval and APR in AWGN and non-AWGN cases.
Provenance in Collaborative in Silico Scientific Research
Authors: Jandre Eduardo , Diirr Bruna , Braganholo Vanessa
Published: December 2020

Science is a collaborative activity by definition. Research is usually conducted by several scientists working together, and this behavior has been intensified in recent years. Furthermore, experiments are increasingly performed in silico, which demands proper support tools. Provenance-aware Workflow Management Systems and script-based tools have been popular ways of running in silico experiments, but these tools often neglect the collaboration aspect. Even solutions that aim at collaborative experiments do not always address the collaborators- needs. Literature shows surveys discussing subjects related to in silico experiments. However, they either focus on provenance collection and applications, thus treating collaboration as just another possible application, or focus on Workflow Management Systems, only listing collaboration as a possible challenge. This article surveys available tools and approaches that aim at aiding scientists to conduct collaborative in silico experiments. Particularly, we focus on challenges related to the provenance of these collaborative experiments. We devise a taxonomy with the aspects of collaboration in scientific research and discuss each of these aspects. We also identify literature gaps that provide future opportunities.
Report on the Second International Workshop on Semantic Web Meets Health Data Management (SWH 2019)
Authors: Kondylakis Haridimos , Stefanidis Kostas , Rao Praveen , Parry Dave
Published: December 2020

The advancements in health-care have brought to the foreground the need for flexible access to health-related information and created an ever-growing demand for efficient data management infrastructures. To this direction, many challenges must be first overcome, enabling seamless, effective and efficient access to several health data sets and novel methods for exploiting the existing information. The second international workshop on semantic Web technologies for health data management aimed at putting together an interdisciplinary audience that is interested in the fields of semantic web, data management and health informatics to discuss the challenges in health-care data management and to propose new solutions for the next generation data-driven health-care systems. In this article, we summarize the outcomes of the workshop, and we present a number of key observations and research directions that emerge.
Association of Polymorphisms in RANK and RANKL Genes with Osteopenia in Arab Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Abdi Saba , Bukhari Ihtisham , Ansari Mohammed G. A. , BinBaz Rawan A. , Mohammed Abdul Khader , Hussain Syed Danish , Aljohani Naji , Al-Daghri Nasser M.
Published: December 2020

The RANKL/RANK/OPG pathway regulates bone remodelling and turnover. However, the genetic background of bone mineral density (BMD) and osteopenia in Saudi postmenopausal women is yet to be studied. We studied the genetic polymorphism of RANKL/RANK/OPG with BMD and other associated factors in Saudi postmenopausal osteopenic women. A total of 439 (223 osteopenia and 216 control) postmenopausal women were recruited from the orthopaedic department of the King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, KSA. Genetic variants of RANK (rs1805034 and rs35211496), RANKL (rs2277438 and rs9533156), and OPG (rs2073618 and rs3102735) were genotyped using RT-PCR. Anthropometrics, bone mineral density, and other bone markers were measured. The levels of bone turnover markers, PTH, and RANKL were found to be significantly different between control and the osteopenia group. The odds ratio of 2.37 (1.00–5.69) for RANK SNP (rs1805034) indicates that subjects with CC genotype are more vulnerable to developing osteopenia as compared to subjects with TT genotype. Similarly, for RANKL SNP (rs2277438), the significant odds ratio of 20.56 (9.82–43.06) indicates that the subjects with GG genotype are at significantly higher risk of having osteopenia compared with the AA genotype subjects. In addition, G allele in rs2277438 also found to be a risk factor for osteopenia 4.54 (3.18–6.49) compared with A allele. However, none of the OPG genotypes shows association with osteopenia. The association of RANK polymorphisms with osteopenia shows its clinical importance in the diagnosis and prognosis of the bone diseases; here, we suggest that the subjects with RANK and RANKL polymorphisms may develop osteoporosis.