bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Particle Inlet Conditions on FCC Riser Hydrodynamics and Product Yields
Authors: Chang S. L. , Golchert B. , Lottes S. A. , Zhou C. Q. , Huntsinger A. , Petrick M.
Published: December 2021

Essential to today’s modern refineries and the gasoline production process are fluidized catalytic cracking units. By using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code developed at Argonne National Laboratory to simulate the riser, parametric and sensitivity studies were performed to determine the effect of catalyst inlet conditions on the riser hydrodynamics and on the product yields. Simulations were created on the basis of a general riser configuration and operating conditions. The results of this work are indications of riser operating conditions that will maximize specific product yields. The CFD code is a three-dimensional, multiphase, turbulent, reacting flow code with phenomenological models for particle-solid interactions, droplet evaporation, and chemical kinetics. The code has been validated against pressure, particle loading, and product yield measurements. After validation of the code, parametric studies were performed on various parameters such as the injection velocity of the catalyst, the angle of injection, and the particle size distribution. The results indicate that good mixing of the catalyst particles with the oil droplets produces a high degree of cracking in the riser.
Computational and Experimental Analysis of a Meso-Scale Heat Exchanger
Authors: Sheu J. C. , Giridharan M. G. , Hong S. H. , Shekarriz R. , Call C.
Published: December 2021

The main objective of this study is to develop an efficient meso-scale thermo-catalytic air purification system for battlefield applications. In this system, heated air is passed through a catalytic reactor to destroy toxic materials. The main constraints in designing this system are size, weight and fuel/power consumption. A successful design of this type of purification system depends to a large extent on the efficiency and performance of the heat exchanger. As a first step, a heat exchanger system that consists of several units of planar counter flow heat exchangers stacked on top of each other has been designed and fabricated. A CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) model has been used to understand the flow and heat transfer characteristics as well as to predict the effectiveness of the heat exchanger. A series of experiments have been performed to collect data to validate the CFD results. It will be shown that the data for temperature and effectiveness are in agreement with CFD predictions. Parametric simulations have also been performed to evaluate the heat exchanger performance as functions of geometric and operating conditions. The results indicate that axial conduction in the exchanger plate and the thermal boundary layer film resistance are the limiting factors in the heat exchanger performance.
Multigrid Numerical Solutions of Non-Isothermal Laminar Recirculating Flows
Authors: de Lemos Marcelo J. S. , Mesquita Maximilian S.
Published: December 2021

The present work investigates the efficiency of the multigrid numerical method applied to solve two-dimensional laminar velocity and temperature fields inside a rectangular domain. Numerical analysis is based on the finite volume discretization scheme applied to structured orthogonal regular meshes. Performance of the correction storage (CS) multigrid algorithm is compared for different inlet Reynolds number (Rein) and number of grids. Up to four grids were used for both V- and W-cycles. Simultaneous and uncoupled temperature-velocity solution schemes were also applied. Advantages in using more than one grid is discussed. Results further indicate an increase in the computational effort for higher Rein and an optimal number of relaxation sweeps for both V- and W-cycles.
Three Dimensional Reconstruction From Limited Projection Data Using a Novel MART Algorithm
Authors: Mishra Debasish , Muralidhar K. , Munshi P.
Published: December 2021

The present work is concerned with the development of a robust three dimensional reconstruction algorithm for applications involving tomography. In an earlier study it was shown that among the ART family of algorithms the multiplicative algebraic reconstruction algorithm (MART) was the most appropriate for tomographic reconstruction. In the present work, the MART algorithm has been extended so that (a) its performance is acceptable over a wider range of relaxation factors, (b) the time requirement for convergence to a solution is lower and (c) its performance is less sensitive to noise in the projection data. Two applications have been considered for evaluating the proposed algorithms namely a circular region with holes and experimental data recorded in a differentially heated fluid layer using an interferometer. The algorithms proposed are seen to be clearly an improvement over those presently available.
Measurement of the Thermal and Velocity Fields in the Liquid Phase of Turbulent Subcooled Bubbly Boiling Flow
Authors: Roy R. P. , Kang S. , Zarate J. A.
Published: December 2021

To investigate the thermal and velocity fields in the liquid phase of turbulent subcooled boiling flow, local measurements were made in the bubbly regime. The boiling flow, of Refrigerant-113, was created in a vertical annular channel whose inner wall was heated. The technique involves the simultaneous use of a two-component laser Doppler Velocimeter (LDV) for measuring the velocity field, and a fast-response cold-wire for measuring the temperature field. The LDV measuring volume (m.v.) dimensions in the liquid were: 290 microns spanwise length × 55 microns diameter. The 3.8 micron diameter tungsten cold-wire had an active length of 300 microns and was placed 250 microns downstream of the center of the LDV m.v. The cold-wire in conjunction with an active phase-lead compensation circuit had a temperature response time constant of 0.3±0.02 ms in the liquid flow.

To validate the measurement technique, the velocity and thermal fields were first measured in heated single-phase liquid flow in the same channel and compared with the corresponding computed fields. Selected results are presented. Next, measurements in boiling flow at one experimental condition are presented and their intended use in multidimensional two-fluid modeling of the flow is briefly discussed.
Design Competitions Come to Heat Transfer
Authors: Somerton Craig W. , Bénard Andre , Genik Laura J. , Hoke Paul , Schroeder Joseph , Vance Robert
Published: December 2021

Five different design project competitions focused on heat transfer processes are presented. The projects are design, build, test, and report in nature. These elements are described within the paper for each project. A semester ending design competition is held where the student teams present their devices and their performance is evaluated.
Explosion Hazard Analysis for the Brookhaven National Laboratory Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider PHENIX Detector
Authors: Ciccarelli Gaby
Published: December 2021

Currently under construction at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) is a large 3.8 km in circumference collider called the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). The collider is capable of creating thousands of head-on collisions between beams of heavy ions, e.g., gold, or polarized protons traveling at nearly the speed of light Four experiments built along RHIC’s underground ring will measure the particles unleashed when the beams collide. This study deals with the PHENIX Detector which roughly fills an Experimental Hall with a floor area of 18.6 m by 15.8 m and a height of 14.3 m. The RHIC tunnel connects to the Experimental Hall through two opposite walls. The large tunnel openings are almost completely obstructed by massive steel plates which are part of the PHENIX Muon detector system. The Experimental Hall walls are all fixed except for one which is constructed from 1.7 m thick concrete blocks covering an opening which is 18 m wide by 14.0 m high. This block wall has a plug door which is designed to be unstacked so that large PHENIX detector systems can be transferred from the Experimental Hall into the adjacent Assembly Hall when required.

The detector consists of several systems, each with its own role in detecting subatomic particles. Combustible gases such as ethane, isobutane, and methane are used in several of the detector systems. In particular, one of the systems called the Ring Imaging Cherenkov Detector (RICH) uses 80 m3 of pure ethane in two welded aluminum frames each with two large 0.127 mm thick aluminized KAPTON windows. The ethane gas is maintained at a pressure of a fraction of an inch of water above the ambient pressure. The work reported here deals with a safety analysis for a hypothetical accident scenario whereby the RICH windows are damaged and all the ethane inventory is released into the Experimental Hall, mixed with the ambient air and ignited. The objective of the analysis was to determine the scope of damage to the experiment and danger to personnel under various accident scenarios involving the extent of ethane gas release, the degree of mixing with ambient air and the mode of combustion. If all the ethane is assumed to be released and allowed to mix with the entire volume of air contained within the Experimental Hall, the calculations show that ignition of this mixture would not result in the collapse of the block wall.
Anti-Hair Entanglement: Cantilevered Grating Elements
Authors: Poczynok Peter J. , Dybek Adam , Barnett Ralph L.
Published: December 2021

Hair entrapment is a failure mode shared by swimming pools, wading pools, spas, hot tubs, and whirlpool bathtub appliances. When hair is entrained in the discharge flow through a suction fitting or drain, it’s withdrawal will generally be resisted by gravity, drag, friction, buoyancy and interference. Large withdrawal forces obviously lead to a horrifying safety problem. In an attempt to manage the magnitude of these forces the pool industry introduced their first standard relative to hair entrapment on November 3, 1987; ASME/ANSI A112.19.8M - 1987, Suction Fittings for Use in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, and Whirlpool Bathtub Appliances.
Drag Reduction of Polymer Solutions in a Pipe With a Highly Water-Repellent Wall
Authors: Watanabe Keizo , Udagawa Hiroshi
Published: December 2021

By applying a highly water-repellent wall pipe in the drag reduction of polymer solutions, a flow system in which drag reduction is obtained in both laminar and turbulent flow ranges has been realized. Experiments were carried out to measure the pressure drop in pipes with a highly water-repellent wall and an acrylic resin wall by means of a pressure transducer. The diameter of the pipe was 6mm. The polymer solutions tested were PE015 aqueous solutions in the concentration range of 30ppm∼1000ppm. The drag reduction ratio for laminar flow was about 11∼15%. To understand this effect, the pressure drop was measured by using surfactant solutions and degassed water, and by pressurizing tap water in the pipeline. It was shown that the laminar drag reduction does not occur in the case of surfactant solutions although degassed water and pressurizing tap water in the pipeline have no effect on the reduction. In the laminar flow range, the friction factor of a power-law fluid with fluid slip was analyzed by applying the modified boundary condition on fluid slip at the pipe wall, and the analytical results agree with the experimental results in the low Reynolds number range.
Velocity, Potential, and Temperature Distributions in Molten Metals During Electromagnetic Stirring: Part II — Numerical Simulations
Authors: Meir Amnon J. , Schmidt Paul G. , Bakhtiyarov Sayavur I. , Overfelt Ruel A.
Published: December 2021

We describe a novel approach to the mathematical modeling and computational simulation of fully three-dimensional, electromagnetically and thermally driven liquid-metal flow. The phenomenon is governed by the Navier-Stokes equations, Maxwell’s equations, Ohm’s law, and the heat equation, all nonlinearly coupled via Lorentz and electromotive forces, buoyancy forces, and convective and dissipative heat transfer. Employing the electric current density rather than the magnetic field as the primary electromagnetic variable, it is possible to avoid artificial or highly idealized boundary conditions for electric and magnetic fields and to account exactly for the electromagnetic interaction of the fluid with the surrounding media. A finite-element method based on this approach was used to simulate the flow of a metallic melt in a cylindrical container, rotating steadily in a uniform magnetic field perpendicular to the cylinder axis. Velocity, pressure, current, and potential distributions were computed and compared to theoretical predictions.
Effect of the Material Types on the Fundamental Frequencies of Uniaxial Composite Conical Springs
Authors: Yildirim Vebil , Sancaktar Erol , Kiral Erhan
Published: December 2021

This paper deals with the effect of the material types (Graphite-Epoxies and Kevlar-Epoxy) on the fundamental frequencies of uniaxial constant-pitch composite conical helical springs with solid circle section and fixed-fixed ends. The transfer matrix method is used for the determination of the fundamental natural frequencies. The rotary inertia, the shear and axial deformation effects are taken into account in the solution. The free vibrational charts for each material presented in this study cover the following vibrational parameters: n (number of active turns) = 5–10, α = (helix pitch angle) = 5° and 25°, R2/R1, (minimum to maximum radii of the cylinder) = 0.1 and 0.9, and Dmax/d (maximum cylinder to wire diameters) = 5 and 15. These charts can be used for the design of uniaxial composite conical springs.
Effect of Material Properties on Stress Intensity Factor Measurement by the Frozen Stress Method
Authors: Smith C. W. , Liu C. T.
Published: December 2021

After briefly outlining methods of analysis, this paper summarizes a study of the influence of material properties on the stress intensity factor and it’s distribution along the borders of cracks within and parallel to bondlines for both through and part through cracks in plates. Examples of test results are included to support summary assessments.
Novel Perturbation Analysis for a Widely Applicable Curvature Law of the Wall
Authors: Kim Namhyo , Rhode David L.
Published: December 2021

A streamline curvature law of the wall is analytically derived to include very strong curved-channel wall curvature effects through a novel perturbation analysis. The new law allows improved analysis of such flows, and it provides the basis for improved wall function boundary conditions for their computation (CFD) over a wider range of y+, even for very strong curvature cases. The unique derivation is based on the Boussinesq eddy viscosity and curvature-corrected mixing length concepts, which is a linear function of the gradient Richardson number. For the first time, to include more complete curved flow physics, local streamline curvature effects in the gradient Richardson number are kept. To overcome the mathematical difficulty of keeping all of these local streamline curvature terms, a novel perturbation solution approach is successfully developed. This novel perturbation technique allows a closed-form analytical solution to many similar non-linear problems which previously required more complicated techniques. Qualitative and quantitative comparisons with measurements and previous curvature laws of the wall obtained by different approaches reveal that the new law shows improved representation of the wall curvature effects for all of the four test cases.
Particle Transport in Quasistatic Stokes Flow
Authors: Keanini Russell
Published: December 2021

Particle transport associated with quasistatic second-order streaming flow in wavy-walled channels is theoretically investigated. Small amplitude tangential oscillations of both walls drive steady second-order streaming, while superposed, large-amplitude oscillations of one wall produce the time-dependent, quasisteady flows of interest. Short-time transport is characterized by collective particle motion in the direction of large-scale boundary displacement and by filamentary motion in the opposite direction, both consistent with transport in traveling waves [E. Moses and V. Steinburg, Phys. Rev. Lett. 60, 2030 (1988)]. Long time or asymptotic transport is characterized by particle agglomeration toward, or repulsion from, moving elliptic points. Under certain conditions, collective, periodic motion on the periphery of central cells also occurs. These characteristics correspond respectively to attraction or repulsion to or from period-1 elliptic points and attraction toward limit cycles on the Poincare map.
Effect of Matrix Alloying and Reinforcement Coating on Porosity Nucleation in Metal-Matrix Composites
Authors: Ilegbusi Olusegun J. , Yang Jijin
Published: December 2021

The mechanism of porosity nucleation in pressure infiltration casting of metal matrix composites is investigated. Five interfacial configurations are considered for a variety of matrix/reinforcement systems. Interfaces with negative curvature such as cavity are found to be potential sites for porosity formation. The Al/Al2O3 system is most susceptible to porosity nucleation for the systems considered. Appropriate matrix alloying such as Mg in Al/Al2O3 system, and Mg and Cu in Al/SiC system and reinforcement coating such as Cu coating on SiC, could be effective for suppressing porosity formation.
An Experimental Evaluation of Vibration-Assisted Injection Molding During Manufacturing
Authors: Tom Alan M. , Kikuchi Akihisa , Coulter John P.
Published: December 2021

The current investigation focused on contributing to the development of a novel injection molding process by attempting to understand the scientific relationship that exist between the applied vibrational parameters involved in this process and the effect it has on final product polymeric characterization. Although previous and current attempts at understanding the connection between applied oscillatory or vibrational motion to an injection molding process has shown positive quantitative advantages to final product properties, there still exists a void in the scientific explanation on a molecular level linking these effects. This experimental study, in particular, involved an evaluation on a range of processing conditions applied to Polystyrene and the effects it produced on resultant product quality and polymer properties. Optimal control and mechanical vibrational molding conditions were obtained for Polystyrene. As a result of this, optimal opportunities for initial commercial utilization of the technology can be proposed.
Supramammillary regulation of locomotion and hippocampal activity
Authors: Farrell Jordan S. , Lovett-Barron Matthew , Klein Peter M. , Sparks Fraser T. , Gschwind Tilo , Ortiz Anna L. , Ahanonu Biafra , Bradbury Susanna , Terada Satoshi , Oijala Mikko , Hwaun Ernie , Dudok Barna , Szabo Gergely , Schnitzer Mark J. , Deisseroth Karl , Losonczy Attila , Soltesz Ivan
Published: December 2021

Locomotion-related signals in the brain

To calculate where we are in space, continuous knowledge of one’ s speed is necessary. How does the brain know how fast the body is traveling during locomotion? Using in vivo calcium imaging, electrophysiology, optogenetics, cell tracing, and histology, Farrell
et al
. identified neurons in the rodent supramammillary nucleus of the hypothalamus that encode future locomotor speed and potently drive locomotion when stimulated. Because these locomotor neurons have extensive axons in brain areas that support spatial navigation, this cell type distributes this information selectively to areas that require knowledge of speed. This nucleus is functionally positioned between input from a higher-order cognitive center and the downstream midbrain where locomotor nuclei reside. —PRS
A scalable metal-organic framework as a durable physisorbent for carbon dioxide capture
Authors: Lin Jian-Bin , Nguyen Tai T. T. , Vaidhyanathan Ramanathan , Burner Jake , Taylor Jared M. , Durekova Hana , Akhtar Farid , Mah Roger K. , Ghaffari-Nik Omid , Marx Stefan , Fylstra Nicholas , Iremonger Simon S. , Dawson Karl W. , Sarkar Partha , Hovington Pierre , Rajendran Arvind , Woo Tom K. , Shimizu George K. H.
Published: December 2021

A hydrophobic CO
2
physisorbent

Most materials for carbon dioxide (CO
2
) capture of fossil fuel combustion, such as amines, rely on strong chemisorption interactions that are highly selective but can incur a large energy penalty to release CO
2
. Lin
et al
. show that a zinc-based metal organic framework material can physisorb CO
2
and incurs a lower regeneration penalty. Its binding site at the center of the pores precludes the formation of hydrogen-bonding networks between water molecules. This durable material can preferentially adsorb CO2 at 40% relative humidity and maintains its performance under flue gas conditions of 150°C. —PDS
Nitride perovskite becomes polar
Authors: Hong Xia
Published: December 2021

An oxygen-free polar perovskite offers several advantages over perovskite oxides
Missed shots
Authors: Kupferschmidt Kai
Published: December 2021

By total doses delivered, the COVID-19 vaccine rollout was a spectacular success. By other measures, it went tragically awry
To draw down carbon, ocean fertilization gets another look
Authors: Cornwall Warren
Published: December 2021

Panel urges large tests of iron-triggered plankton blooms
Comparison of Whole-Genome Sequence-Based Methods and PCR Ribotyping for Subtyping of Clostridioides difficile
Authors: Baktash A. , Corver J. , Harmanus C. , Smits W. K. , Fawley W. , Wilcox M. H. , Kumar N. , Eyre D. W. , Indra A. , Mellmann A. , Kuijper E. J.
Published: December 2021

Clostridioides difficile
is the most common cause of antibiotic-associated gastrointestinal infections. Capillary electrophoresis (CE)-PCR ribotyping is currently the gold standard for
C. difficile
typing but lacks the discriminatory power to study transmission and outbreaks in detail.
Draft Genome Sequences of Actinobacterial and Betaproteobacterial Strains Isolated from the Stratosphere
Authors: Ellington Adam J. , Bryan Noelle C. , Christner Brent C. , Reisch Christopher R.
Published: December 2021

Here, we report the genome sequences of three bacterial isolates that were cultured from aerosol samples collected at altitudes of 18 to 29 km above sea level. The isolates tolerate desiccation and shortwave UV radiation and are members of the actinobacterial genera
Curtobacterium
and
Modestobacter
and the betaproteobacterial genus
Noviherbaspirillum
.
Rapid retreat of the southwestern Laurentide Ice Sheet during the Bølling-Allerød interval
Authors: Norris Sophie L. , Tarasov Lev , Monteath Alistair J. , Gosse John C. , Hidy Alan J. , Margold Martin , Froese Duane G.
Published: December 2021

The timing of Laurentide Ice Sheet deglaciation along its southwestern margin controlled the evolution of large glacial lakes and has implications for human migration into the Americas. Accurate reconstruction of the ice sheet's retreat also constrains glacial isostatic adjustment models and is important for understanding ice-sheet sensitivity to climate forcing. Despite its significance, retreat of the southwestern Laurentide Ice Sheet (SWLIS) is poorly constrained by minimum-limiting 14C data. We present 26 new cosmogenic 10Be exposure ages spanning the western Interior Plains, Canada. Using a Bayesian framework, we combine these data with geomorphic mapping, 10Be, and high-quality minimum-limiting 14C ages to provide an updated chronology. This dataset presents an internally consistent retreat record and indicates that the initial detachment of the SWLIS from its convergence with the Cordilleran Ice Sheet began by ca. 15.0 ka, concurrent with or slightly prior to the onset of the Bølling-Allerød interval (14.7–12.9 ka) and retreated >1200 km to its Younger Dryas (YD) position in ~2500 yr. Ice-sheet stabilization at the Cree Lake Moraine facilitated a meltwater drainage route to the Arctic from glacial Lake Agassiz within the YD, but not necessarily at the beginning. Our record of deglaciation and new YD constraints demonstrate deglaciation of the Interior Plains was ~60% faster than suggested by minimum 14C constraints alone. Numerical modeling of this rapid retreat estimates a loss of ~3.7 m of sea-level equivalent from the SWLIS during the Bølling-Allerød interval.
Outcome of non-cooled asphyxiated infants with under-recognised or delayed-onset encephalopathy
Authors: Parmentier Corline E J , Steggerda Sylke J , Weeke Lauren C , Rijken Monique , De Vries Linda S , Groenendaal Floris
Published: December 2021

Objective

To describe the clinical characteristics, MRI findings and neurodevelopmental outcome of infants with documented perinatal asphyxia and seizure onset within 24 hours after birth who were not selected for therapeutic hypothermia (TH).

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting and patients

(Near-)term infants with documented perinatal asphyxia referred to two Dutch level III neonatal units with neonatal encephalopathy (NE) and seizures <24 hours after birth not treated with TH. Infants with a diagnosis other than NE following perinatal asphyxia causing the seizures were excluded.

Main outcome measures

Clinical characteristics, findings on cranial MRI performed within 8 days after birth and neurodevelopmental outcome assessed using the Griffiths Mental Development Scales at 18 months or Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development–Third Edition at 2 years of age.

Results

39 infants were included. All had abnormalities on MRI. Predominant white matter/watershed injury was the most common pattern of injury, 23 (59%). 7 (18%) infants had predominant basal ganglia/thalamus injury, 3 (8%) near total brain injury, 5 (13%) arterial ischaemic stroke, 1 (3%) an intraventricular haemorrhage. Adverse outcome was seen in 51%: 6 died, 11 developed cerebral palsy (spastic n=8, dyskinetic n=3), 2 had neurodevelopmental delay, 1 had severe hearing impairment.

Conclusions

All infants with documented perinatal asphyxia and seizure onset within 24 hours after birth who did not receive TH had abnormalities on MRI. 51% had an adverse outcome. Better methods for recognition of infants who might benefit from TH and careful neurodevelopmental follow-up are urgently needed.
Roll-out of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis: a gateway to mental health promotion
Authors: Ikeda Daniel J , Kidia Khameer , Agins Bruce D , Haberer Jessica E , Tsai Alexander C
Published: December 2021

HIV remains a pressing global health problem, with 1.5 million new infections reported globally in 2020. HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can lower the likelihood of HIV acquisition among populations at elevated risk, yet its global roll-out has been discouragingly slow. Psychosocial factors, such as co-occurring mental illness and substance use, are highly prevalent among populations likely to benefit from PrEP, and have been shown to undermine persistence and adherence. In this analysis, we review the high burden of mental health problems among PrEP candidates and contend that inattention to mental health stands to undermine efforts to implement PrEP on a global scale. We conclude that integration of mental health screening and treatment within PrEP scale-up efforts represents an important strategy for maximising PrEP effectiveness while addressing the high burden of mental illness among at-risk populations. As implementers seek to integrate mental health services within PrEP services, efforts to keep access to PrEP as low-threshold as possible should be maintained. Moreover, programmes should seek to implement mental health interventions that are sensitive to local resource constraints and seek to reduce intersecting stigmas associated with HIV and mental illness.
Information and communication technologies for the improvement of cognitive function in healthy older adults: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Pastells-Peiró Roland , Fernández-Lago Helena , Rubinat Arnaldo Esther , Bellon Filip , Martínez-Soldevila Jordi , Gea-Sánchez Montserrat
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Mild cognitive impairment is one of the consequences of ageing, causing functional disability, a poor quality of life and an increased socioeconomic expenditure. Evidence shows that patients go through a long preclinical stage in which cognitive deficits appear subtly until they reach the threshold of dementia. Non-pharmacological interventions have been gaining ground as prevention of modifiable factors of cognitive decline such as obesity, diabetes, physical inactivity or social isolation. Along these lines, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) can be a tool for cognitive stimulation, cognitive training and cognitive rehabilitation. The main objective of the systematic review will be to review and analyse the use of ICTs for the improvement of cognitive functions in healthy older adult population aged 50 and over, for the prevention of cognitive impairment

Methods

A systematic review will be conducted including randomised clinical trials in adults without diseases or accidents associated with cognitive impairment, and whom have used ICTs for the improvement of cognitive functions between 2010 and 2020 in English or Spanish. The articles that report data on cognitive function by domain, for example, memory or executive functions, or by test will be included. The databases Medline (PubMed), CinahlPlus, Scopus, ISI WoS, CENTRAL and IEEE Xplore will be searched. Studies that meet the inclusion criteria will be analysed according to the Cochrane RoB2 tool for risk of bias assessment.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not necessary as this is a systematic review. The results will be published in scientific journals, as well as in specialised congresses on the subject of study.
Topical or oral antibiotics for children with acute otitis media presenting with ear discharge: study protocol of a randomised controlled non-inferiority trial
Authors: Hullegie Saskia , Venekamp Roderick P , van Dongen Thijs M A , Mulder Sanne , van Schaik Willem , de Wit G Ardine , Hay Alastair D , Little Paul , Moore Michael V , Sanders Elisabeth A M , Bonten Marc J M , Bogaert Debby , Schilder Anne GM , Damoiseaux Roger A M J
Published: December 2021

Background

Around 15%–20% of children with acute otitis media present with ear discharge due to a spontaneous tear or perforation of the eardrum (AOMd). Current guidance recommends clinicians to consider oral antibiotics as first-line treatment in this condition. The opening in the eardrum however should allow topical antibiotics to enter the middle ear directly. Local administration of antibiotics does not expose children to systemic side effects and may put less selective resistance pressure on bacteria. Evidence on the effectiveness of this approach in children with AOMd is lacking.

Methods and analysis

A primary care-based, open, individually randomised, controlled, non-inferiority trial. The trial aims to recruit 350 children aged 6 months to 12 years with AOMd and ear pain and/or fever. Participants will be randomised to 7 days of hydrocortisone-bacitracin-colistin eardrops five drops three times daily or amoxicillin oral suspension 50 mg/kg body weight per day, divided over three doses. Parents will keep a daily diary of AOM symptoms, adverse events and complications for 2 weeks. In addition, they will record AOM recurrences, healthcare utilisation and societal costs for 3 months. The primary outcome is the proportion of children without ear pain and fever at day 3. Secondary outcomes include ear pain and fever intensity/severity; days with ear discharge; eardrum perforation at 2 weeks; adverse events during first 2 weeks; costs; and cost effectiveness at 2 weeks and 3 months. The primary analyses will be intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses will be conducted as well.

Ethics and dissemination

The medical research ethics committee Utrecht, The Netherlands has given ethical approval (17-400/G-M). Parents/guardians of participants will provide written informed consent. Study results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed medical journals and presented at relevant (inter)national scientific meetings.

Trial registration number

The Netherlands National Trial Register; NTR6723. Date of registration: 27 November 2017.
Cerebrospinal fluid leakage costs after craniotomy and health economic assessment of incidence reduction from a hospital perspective in the Netherlands
Authors: van Lieshout Chris , Slot Emma M H , Kinaci Ahmet , Kollen Mare H , Hoving Eelco W , Frederix Geert W J , van Doormaal Tristan P C
Published: December 2021

Objectives

We aim to quantify the cost difference between patients with incisional cerebrospinal fluid (iCSF) leakage and those without after intradural cranial surgery. Second, the potential cost savings per patient when a decrease in iCSF leakage rate would be achieved with and without added costs for preventative measures of various price and efficacy are modelled.

Design

Health economic assessment from a hospital perspective based on a retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Dutch tertiary referral centre.

Participants

We included 616 consecutive patients who underwent intradural cranial surgery between 1 September 2017 and 1 September 2018. Patients undergoing burr hole surgery or transsphenoidal surgery, or who died within 1 month after surgery or were lost to follow-up were excluded.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Outcomes of the cost analysis include a detailed breakdown of mean costs per patient for patients with postoperative iCSF leakage and patients without, and the mean cost difference. For the scenario analyses the outcomes are the potential cost savings per 1000 patients when a decrease in iCSF leakage would be achieved.

Results

Mean cost difference between patients with and without iCSF leakage was €9665 (95%CI, €5125 to €14 205). The main cost driver was hospital stay with a difference of 8.5 days. A 25% incidence reduction would result in a mean cost saving of −€94 039 (95% CI, −€218 258 to −€7077) per 1000 patients. A maximum cost reduction of −€653 025 (95% CI, −€1 204 243 to −€169 120) per 1000 patients could be achieved if iCSF leakage would be reduced with 75% in all patients, with 72 cases of iCSF leakage avoided.

Conclusions

Postoperative iCSF leakage after intradural cranial surgery increases healthcare costs significantly and substantially. From a health economic perspective preventative measures to avoid iCSF leakage should be pursued.
Collaborative model of intrapartum care: qualitative study on barriers and facilitators to implementation in a private Brazilian hospital
Authors: Colomar Mercedes , Gonzalez Mora Franco , Betran Ana Pilar , Opiyo Newton , Bohren Meghan A , Torloni Maria Regina , Siaulys Monica
Published: December 2021

Introduction

A collaborative (midwife-obstetrician) model of intrapartum care (CMIC) is associated with lower caesarean section (CS) rates than physician-led models. In 2019, the largest private maternity hospital in Latin America (14.000 deliveries/year, 89% CS) created a quality improvement initiative to optimise intrapartum care and safely reduce CS in low-risk women managed by its internal team of healthcare providers (HCP). We conducted formative research to identify potential barriers and facilitators to the implementation of a CMIC.

Methods

Three groups of stakeholders participated in focus groups and interviews: hospital managers and clinical coordinators, HCP working in labour/delivery wards and pregnant women intending to give birth in the hospital. We explored participants’ views about the acceptability of implementing a CMIC where a nurse-midwife (NM) on shift would be the main intrapartum HCP, with continuous support/supervision of a dedicated, in-house, obstetrician-gynaecologist (OB-GYN). A thematic analysis approach was used.

Results

12 HCPs, 5 clinical coordinators, 2 hospital managers and 7 women participated. OB-GYNs, coordinators and managers highlighted health system, organisational and structural factors (NMs’ limited experience/skills, professional roles, financial reimbursement) as potential barriers. NMs identified logistical and human resources as additional barriers. Women viewed the CMIC with perplexity and insecurity because of cultural beliefs about the dominant role of OB-GYNs, and limited information about NM’s capabilities. All professionals agreed that women’s acceptance of a CMIC will require educational interventions and communication strategies to inform potential users about the advantages and safety of this model.

Conclusion

There are important barriers and facilitators to implement a CMIC in a private Brazilian maternity hospital. Factors related to health system structure and organisation may have the greatest impact. A CMIC is more likely to succeed if stakeholders’ concerns about responsibilities, power and financial revenues are addressed, and educational interventions targeted at users are deployed prior to its implementation.
Mobile technology and delegated work in specialist community services: the EnComPaSS Integration project
Authors: Ariss Steven Mark Brian , Taylor Paul , Fitzsimmons Deborah , Kyeremateng Sam , Mawson Susan
Published: December 2021

Objectives

The current UK healthcare workforce crisis is particularly severe in community services. A key limitation with traditional service-delivery models is the reliance on practitioners with levels of training and experience to enable them to operate independently. This paper describes a real-world evaluation of the implementation of digital health technology designed to provide remote, real-time support and task delegation in community palliative care services. It explores the ability of technology to support sustainable community workforce models and reports on key indicators of quality and efficiency.

Methods

The study was a mixed-methods, theory-driven evaluation, incorporating interviews, observations and analysis of routine data. The focus of this paper is the reporting of findings from pre–post implementation comparison and interrupted time series analysis. Data include community hospice service visits, hospital use by hospice patients and patient reported experiences.

Results

The digital health intervention allowed the service to include a more junior workforce (p<0.001, Cramer’s V=0.241), requiring fewer joint visits (p<0.001, Cramer’s V=0.087). No negative changes in hospitalisation were observed and patient reported experiences improved (p=0.023). Changes in hospital non-emergency bed days were inconclusive. However, emergency department admissions reduced significantly (−76.9 /month at 17 months, p=0.001). The cost per hour for visits reduced from £16.71 to £16.23 and annual savings of £135 153 are estimated for reduced emergency admissions.

Conclusions

The evaluation demonstrates the value of digital innovation to support programmes of service redesign and begin to address the healthcare workforce crisis, while having a positive economic effect and indicating an improvement to patient experiences.
Hospice delivery models and survival differences in the terminally ill: a large cohort study
Authors: Lai Wei-Shu , Liu I-Ting , Tsai Jui-Hung , Su Pei-Fang , Chiu Pin-Hsuan , Huang Ying-Tzu , Chiu Ge-Lin , Chen Yu-Yeh , Lin Peng-Chan
Published: December 2021

Objective

A common difficulty at the end of life (EOL) is to determine an appropriate service model, such as hospice share care (HSC), hospice inpatient care (HIC) and hospice home care (HHC). This study aimed to recommend the appropriate hospice delivery model based on the physical, psychosocial and spiritual needs of patients referred for hospice care.

Methods

This cohort study included patients who received only one kind of hospice delivery model between 2006 and 2020. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics, Fisher’s exact test, non-parametric analysis of variance, Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards model that determined the patients’ clinical characteristics for a hospice delivery model and overall survival.

Results

A total of 8874 hospice patients were recruited, of which 7076 (79.7%) were HSC patients, 918 (10.4%) were HIC patients and 880 (9.9%) were HHC patients. There were significant differences in the physical symptoms and demographic, psychosocial and spiritual factors among the three groups (p<0.001). The patients who received the HHC were less to have dyspnoea (18.5%) and dysphagia (28.7%). The HIC patients showed higher severity of symptoms and experienced greater psychosocial distress (73.2%). The HSC is appropriate for noncancer patients . Patients with cancer were associated with less dyspnoea (32.4%) and dysphagia (46.5%). Patients with lung cancer who received the HHC had better survival than those who received other types of hospice care (HR=0.75, 95% CI: 0.66 to 0.86, p<0.001).

Conclusions

This study provides guidance regarding the appropriate hospice service model, based on individualised palliative needs, targeting improvement in EOL care.
Surprising genetic and pathological findings in a patient with giant bilateral periadrenal tumours: PEComas and mutations of PTCH1 in Gorlin-Goltz syndrome
Authors: Igaz Peter , Toth Geza , Nagy Peter , Dezső Katalin , Turai Peter Istvan , Medvecz Marta , Wikonkal Norbert , Huszty Gergely , Piros László , Toth Erika , Bozsik Aniko , Likó István , Patócs Attila , Butz Henriett
Published: December 2021

Gorlin-Goltz syndrome (GGS) or nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome is a rare tumour-overgrowth syndrome associated with multiple developmental anomalies and a wide variety of tumours. Here, we describe a case of a man aged 23 years with GGS with bilateral giant tumours adjacent to both adrenals that raised the suspicion of malignancy on imaging. Histological analysis of both surgically resected tumours revealed perivascular epitheloid cell tumours (PEComas) that were independent of the adrenals. Exome sequencing of the patient’s blood sample revealed a novel germline heterozygous frameshift mutation in the PTCH1 gene. As a second hit, a somatic five nucleotide long deletion in the PTCH1 gene was demonstrated in the tumour DNA of both PEComas. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on PEComa in GGS, and this finding also raises the potential relevance of PTCH1 mutations and altered sonic hedgehog signalling in PEComa pathogenesis. The presence of the same somatic mutation in the bilateral tumours might indicate the possibility of a postzygotic somatic mutation that along with the germline mutation of the same gene could represent an intriguing genetic phenomenon (type 2 segmental mosaicism).
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy with related inflammation masquerading as crescendo transient ischaemic attacks
Authors: Maddox Duncan , Ward Kayla , Robertson Thomas , Boggild Mike
Published: December 2021

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy with related inflammation (CAA-RI) is an uncommon inflammatory subtype of CAA, with a variety of presentations that can mimic other focal and diffuse neurological disorders. We present a 63-year-old man with recurrent stereotyped focal neurological symptoms, who was initially diagnosed as capsular warning syndrome and treated with antithrombotic therapy. Atypical imaging led to further investigation including a cerebral biopsy, which confirmed CAA-RI; he improved clinically and radiologically with immunosuppression. This case highlights how CAA-RI is often under-recognised and that patients risk receiving inappropriate anticoagulation and delay in starting immunosuppression.
Circulating mitochondrial DNA copy numbers represent a sensitive marker for diagnosis and monitoring of disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Giaglis Stavros , Daoudlarian Douglas , Voll Reinhard E , Kyburz Diego , Venhoff Nils , Walker Ulrich A
Published: December 2021

Objectives

Cell-free DNA is involved in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) but the clinical value of cell-free DNA measurements in SLE is unknown. Our aim was therefore to examine the utility of mitochondrial (mt) DNA and nuclear (n) DNA quantification in SLE.

Methods

EDTA plasma was drawn from 103 consecutive patients with SLE and from 56 healthy blood donors. mtDNA and nDNA copy numbers were quantified by PCR from cell-free plasma. Clinical parameters were recorded prospectively.

Results

Circulating mtDNA copy numbers were increased 8.8-fold in the plasma of patients with SLE (median 6.6×107 /mL) compared with controls (median 7.6×106 /mL, p<0.0001). Among all 159 individuals, a cut-off set at 1.8×107 mtDNA copies in a receiver operated curve identified patients with SLE with 87.4% sensitivity and 94.6% specificity; the area under the curve was 0.95 (p<0.0001). mtDNA levels were independent of age or gender, but correlated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) on multivariable analysis (p=0.004). Conversely, SLEDAI was associated with prednisone dose (p<0.001), anti-double stranded DNA-titres (p=0.003) and mtDNA levels (p=0.005), but not nDNA copy numbers. In 33 patients with SLE with available follow-up, the changes of mtDNA, but not those of nDNA concentrations, robustly correlated with the evolution of the SLEDAI (r=0.55, p=0.001).

Conclusions

Circulating mtDNA unlike nDNA molecules are markedly increased in SLE plasma. Regardless of disease activity, circulating mtDNA levels distinguish patients with SLE from healthy controls with high sensitivity and represent an independent marker of SLE activity.
AAC Perform red spring wheat
Authors: Randhawa H.S. , Brown P.D. , Mitchell Fetch J. , Dhariwal R. , Fetch T. , McCallum B. , Henriquez M. A. , Aboukhaddour R.
Published: December 2021

AAC Perform, an awned hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar, combines high grain yield and good agronomic characteristics with excellent resistance to leaf, stem, and stripe rust. Based on 43 station years of registration trial data from 2017 to 2019, the grain yield of AAC Perform was about 6% higher than AAC Foray and about 12% over AAC Penhold. AAC Perform was significantly shorter than AAC Foray and had straw strength similar to AAC Penhold. It was about two days later maturing than AAC Foray. AAC Perform had similar test weight, smaller kernel size and lower protein concentration as compared with AAC Foray. AAC Perform had milling and baking quality suitable for grades of the Canada Prairie Spring Red wheat market class.
Offline computing resources for FCC-ee and related challenges
Authors: Helsens Clément , Ganis Gerardo
Published: December 2021

The international Future Circular Collider (FCC) study aims at designing $$\mathrm {pp}$$
pp
, $$\mathrm {e^{+}e^{-}}$$

e
+

e
-

, $$\mathrm {e^{\pm }p}$$

e
±

p

colliders to be built in a new 100-km tunnel in the Geneva region. The electroweak, Higgs and top factory (FCC-ee) is designed to provide collisions at a centre-of-mass energy range between 90 (Z-pole) and 365 GeV ($$\mathrm {t}\bar{\mathrm {t}}$$

t

t

¯

) and unprecedented integrated luminosities, producing huge amounts of data which will pose significant challenges to data processing. In this study, we discuss the needs in terms of storage and CPU for the diverse phases of the project, and the possible solutions mostly based on the models developed for HL-LHC.