bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimation of smoking-related mortality and its contribution to educational inequalities in life expectancy in Spain: an observational study, 2016–2019
Authors: Piñeiro Bárbara , Trias-Llimós Sergi , Spijker Jeroen J A , Blanes Llorens Amand , Permanyer Iñaki
Published: August 2022

Objective

To estimate smoking-related mortality and its contribution to educational inequalities in life expectancy in Spain.

Design

Nationwide, observational study from 2016 to 2019. Population-attributable fractions were used to estimate age, sex and education-specific cause-of-death smoking-attributable mortality. Life table techniques and decomposition methods were used to estimate potential gains in life expectancy at age 35 and the cause-specific contributions of smoking-related mortality to life expectancy differences across educational groups.

Setting

Spain.

Participants

We use cause-specific mortality data from population registers and smoking prevalence from the National and the European Health Survey for Spain from 2017 and 2019/2020, respectively.

Results

We estimated 219 086 smoking-related deaths during 2016–2019, equalling 13% of all deaths, 83.7% of those in men. In the absence of smoking, potential gains in male life expectancy were higher among the low-educated than the high-educated (3.1 vs 2.1 years). For women, educational differences were less and also in the opposite direction (0.6 vs 0.9 years). The contribution of smoking to life expectancy differences between high-educated and low-educated groups accounted for 1.5 years among men, and −0.2 years among women. For men, the contribution of smoking to these differences was mostly driven by cancer in middle age, cardiometabolic diseases at younger ages and respiratory diseases at older ages. For women, the contribution to this gap, although negligible, was driven by cancer at older ages among the higher educated.

Conclusions

Smoking remains a relevant preventable risk factor of premature mortality in Spain, disproportionately affecting life expectancy of low-educated men.
COCOS trial: COrticosteroids for COVID-19-induced loss of Smell–protocol for a single-centred, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Schepens Emma J A , Boek Wilbert M , Boesveldt Sanne , Stegeman Inge , Stokroos Robert J , Kamalski Digna M A
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Hyposmia and anosmia are common in COVID-19. Most patients regain normal smell within 4 weeks, but severe loss of smell persists roughly in 20% after 2 months and may last up to a year or longer. These persistent smell disorders greatly influence daily life. It is hypothesised that COVID-19 induces inflammation around the olfactory nerve and in the olfactory pathway, leading to smell disorders. Corticosteroids might reduce this local inflammatory response and improve smell.

Methods and analysis

We will conduct a single-centre, randomised, placebo-controlled trial to determine the efficacy of a short high-dose treatment of oral prednisolone for persistent loss of smell after COVID-19 in the early phase. We will include 116 patients with persistent (>4 weeks) loss of smell within 12 weeks of COVID-19 diagnosis, based on a positive PCR/antigen test. One group receives 40 mg of prednisolone for 10 days and the other group receives matching placebo treatment. In addition, all patients will perform smell training for 12 weeks. The primary outcome is objective olfactory function measured by means of sniffin’ sticks test. Secondary outcomes are objective gustatory function by means of taste strips test and subjective taste and smell ability, trigeminal sensations, quality of life and nasal symptoms, measured by three questionnaires. These outcomes will be measured at inclusion before treatment and 12 weeks later.

Ethics and dissemination

The Institutional Review Board of the University Medical Center Utrecht approved the research protocol (21-635/G-D, October 2021). The trial results will be shared in peer-reviewed medical journals and scientific conferences.

Trial registration number

NL9635. EUCTR2021-004021-71-NL.
rTMS for poststroke pusher syndrome: study protocol for a randomised, patient-blinded controlled clinical trial
Authors: Meng Lijiao , Tsang Raymond C C , Ge Yanlei , Guo Qifan , Gao Qiang
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Poststroke pusher syndrome (PS) prevalence is high. Patients with PS require longer rehabilitation with prolonged length of stay. Effective treatment of PS remains a challenge for rehabilitation professionals. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that is effective and recommended in the clinical guidelines of stroke rehabilitation. However, the role of rTMS for PS has not been examined. The study is to assess the efficacy of a specific rTMS programme for patients with PS in reducing pushing behaviour, enhancing motor recovery and improving mobility, as well as testing the safety of rTMS for patients with PS.

Methods and analysis

A randomised, patient and assessor blinded sham-controlled trial with two parallel groups will be conducted. Thirty-four eligible patients with PS will be randomly allocated to receive either rTMS or sham rTMS for 3 weeks. The primary assessment outcome is the pushing behaviour measured by the Burke Lateropulsion Scale and Scale for Contraversive Pushing. The secondary outcomes are the motor functions and mobility measured by the Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale (motor domain) and Modified Rivermead Mobility Index, and any adverse events. Assessment will be performed at baseline and 1 week, 2 weeks and 3 weeks after intervention. Repeated-measures analysis of variance will be used for data analysis with the level of significance level set at 0.05.

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol has been approved by the Biomedical Ethics Committee of West China Hospital, Sichuan University on 23 March 2022 (2022-133). The trial findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2200058015).
Effects of salt substitutes on clinical outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yin Xuejun , Rodgers Anthony , Perkovic Adam , Huang Liping , Li Ka-Chun , Yu Jie , Wu Yangfeng , Wu J H Y , Marklund Matti , Huffman Mark D , Miranda J Jaime , Di Tanna Gian Luca , Labarthe Darwin , Elliott Paul , Tian Maoyi , Neal Bruce
Published: August 2022

Objectives

The Salt Substitute and Stroke Study (SSaSS) recently reported blood pressure-mediated benefits of a potassium-enriched salt substitute on cardiovascular outcomes and death. This study assessed the effects of salt substitutes on a breadth of outcomes to quantify the consistency of the findings and understand the likely generalisability of the SSaSS results.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library up to 31 August 2021. Parallel group, step-wedge or cluster randomised controlled trials reporting the effect of salt substitute on blood pressure or clinical outcomes were included. Meta-analyses and metaregressions were used to define the consistency of findings across trials, geographies and patient groups.

Results

There were 21 trials and 31 949 participants included, with 19 reporting effects on blood pressure and 5 reporting effects on clinical outcomes. Overall reduction of systolic blood pressure (SBP) was −4.61 mm Hg (95% CI −6.07 to −3.14) and of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was −1.61 mm Hg (95% CI −2.42 to −0.79). Reductions in blood pressure appeared to be consistent across geographical regions and population subgroups defined by age, sex, history of hypertension, body mass index, baseline blood pressure, baseline 24-hour urinary sodium and baseline 24-hour urinary potassium (all p homogeneity >0.05). Metaregression showed that each 10% lower proportion of sodium choloride in the salt substitute was associated with a −1.53 mm Hg (95% CI −3.02 to −0.03, p=0.045) greater reduction in SBP and a −0.95 mm Hg (95% CI −1.78 to −0.12, p=0.025) greater reduction in DBP. There were clear protective effects of salt substitute on total mortality (risk ratio (RR) 0.89, 95% CI 0.85 to 0.94), cardiovascular mortality (RR 0.87, 95% CI 0. 81 to 0.94) and cardiovascular events (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.85 to 0.94).

Conclusions

The beneficial effects of salt substitutes on blood pressure across geographies and populations were consistent. Blood pressure-mediated protective effects on clinical outcomes are likely to be generalisable across population subgroups and to countries worldwide.

Trial registration number

CRD42020161077.
Diagnostic role of multislice spiral computed tomography combined with clinical manifestations and laboratory tests in acute appendicitis subtypes
Authors: Li Guang-Ming , Zhou Hui , Liang Ming-Yu , Wu Shao-Ying , Jiang Fang-Xu , Wang Zhong-Ling
Published: August 2022

The study aimed to investigate the diagnostic role of multislice spiral CT (MSCT) combined with clinical manifestations and laboratory tests in acute appendicitis subtypes. Patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis were included for retrospective analysis and their clinical manifestations and MSCT signs were analyzed. The clinical manifestations of different subtypes of acute appendicitis, including simple appendicitis, suppurative appendicitis and gangrenous appendicitis, were compared. The clinical manifestations were anorexia in 51.1% of patients, nausea and vomiting in 62.0%, shifting right lower abdominal pain in 51.1%, elevated body temperature in 31.2%, right lower quadrant abdominal tenderness in 91.4%, rebound tenderness in 91.4%, increased white cell count in 89.1%, high neutrophil count in 88.2%, increased appendiceal diameter enlargement in 100%, surrounding exudate in 95.0%, fecal stones in 51.6%, appendiceal wall thickening in 94.6%, lymph node in 82.8% and intestinal stasis in 18.6%. There were statistically significant differences in body temperature and neutrophil percentage among the subtypes of appendicitis and they were lowest in simple appendicitis and highest in gangrenous appendicitis. There were statistically significant differences in appendix diameter and the surrounding exudate among the subtypes of appendicitis and they were lowest in simple appendicitis and highest in gangrenous appendicitis. Clinical manifestations and MSCT signs, especially body temperature, percentage of neutrophils and the surrounding exudate, might have significant diagnostic value in acute appendicitis.
Wars and sweets: microbes, medicines and other moderns in and beyond the(ir) antibiotic era
Authors: Hutchison Coll
Published: August 2022

Once upon a time, many of us moderns dreamt that our future was bright, squeaky clean, germ-free. Now, we increasingly fear that bacterial resistance movements and hordes of viruses are cancelling our medicated performances, and threatening life as many of us have come to know it. In order for our modern antibiotic theatre of war to go on, we pray for salvation through our intensive surveillance of microbes, crusades for more rational antibiotic wars, increased recruitment of resistance fighters and development of antibiotic armaments through greater investment in our medical-industrial-war complex. But not all of us are in favour of the promise of perpetual antimicrobial wars, no matter how careful or rational their proponents aspire to be. An increasing vocal and diverse opposition has amassed in academic journals, newspapers and other fields of practice denouncing medicalisation and pharamceuticalisation of our daily lives, as well as our modern medicine as overly militaristic. In this paper, rather than simply rehearsing many of these well-made and meaning debates to convert you to yet another cause, I enrol them in redescriptions of our modern medical performances in the hope of awakening you from your aseptic dream. What follows is my invitation for you to re-enact our mythic antibiotic era in all its martial g(l)ory. I promise that it will bring you no physically harm, yet I can't promise it will leave your beliefs unscathed, as you follow its playful redescription of how our objective scientific descriptions, clinical prescriptions, economic strategies, political mandates and military orders, not to mention our warspeak, have always been deeply entangled with triumphs and devastations of The(ir) Great anti-Microbial Wars (aka our antibiotic era).
Shift work with and without night shifts and breast cancer risk in a cohort study from Finland
Authors: Härmä Mikko , Ojajärvi Anneli , Koskinen Aki , Lie Jenny-Anne , Hansen Johnni
Published: August 2022

Objectives

To examine the association of shift work with and without night work with breast cancer among women in the public sector.

Methods

Using the Finnish Public Sector cohort study (N=33 359, mean age of 40.6 years at baseline), we investigated the associations of shift work and potential confounders with incident breast cancer. Exposure to permanent day work or shift work was defined from first two consecutive surveys from 2000, 2004, 2008 or 2012 and past information on exposure in a subcohort (n=20 786). Incident cases of breast cancer (n=1129) were retrieved from the National Cancer Register and the cohort members were followed to the end of 2016. HR and 95% CI from Cox proportional hazard regression models were calculated.

Results

Shift work with and without night shifts was not overall associated with breast cancer. When stratified according to age, both shift work without nights (HR 2.01, 95% CI 1.12 to 3.60) and shift work with nights (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.04 to 4.01) were associated with an increased risk after a period of 10 years or more follow-up among women aged 50 years or older, when adjusted for age, socioeconomic status, children, smoking, alcohol and body mass index. In a subgroup with past information on exposure to shift work, the increased risk by longer exposure to shift work was not significant.

Conclusions

This study provides support for an increased risk of breast cancer among elderly shift workers. However, insufficient information on exposure and intensity of night work may attenuate the risk estimates.
Performance status and survival in cancer patients undergoing palliative care: retrospective study
Authors: Allende-Pérez Silvia , Rodríguez-Mayoral Oscar , Peña-Nieves Adriana , Bruera Eduardo
Published: August 2022

Objective

Accurate forecasting the life expectancy of patients with cancer is adamantly needed for adequate decision-making in the Palliative Care Services (PCS) context. Nonetheless, physician forecast is often inaccurate, hindering end of life (EOL) decisions. In this study, we determined the prognostic value of two oncology performance status (PS) scales at first referral to PCS.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of 6310 patients consecutively admitted to PCS at the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología (2012–2018). Demographic and PS (as per Karnofsky (KPS) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scales) information was retrieved and the overall survival of patients calculated according to PS. Concordance of each scale was assessed in the overall population and according to age.

Results

Overall survival was significantly associated with ECOG and KPS (p<0.05). A total of 2278 (36.1%) and 2296 (36.4%) patients were referred to PCS in their last month of life and most had a poor PS (ECOG 3–4, 59.1%; KPS <50, 54.4%). Both PS scales had high concordance in the overall population (K=0.6189 (KPS); K=0.6058 (ECOG)), but a higher value was observed among the subgroup of patients aged ≥65 (K=0.6339 (KPS); 0.6252 (ECOG)). Concordance was lowest among younger (≤39) patients.

Conclusions

PS as assessed by the most widely known tools is strongly associated with overall survival of patients with cancer attending PCS. No large differences were observed among the scales, though results slightly favour the use of KPS. Early referral to PCS and accurate survival prediction can aid in relevant decision-making for patients approaching EOL.
Oscillatory positive expiratory pressure therapy in COPD (O-COPD): a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Alghamdi Saeed M , Alsulayyim Abdullah S , Alasmari Ali M , Philip Keir E J , Buttery Sara C , Banya Winston A S , Polkey Michael I , Birring Surinder S , Hopkinson Nicholas S
Published: August 2022

Background

Oscillatory positive expiratory pressure (OPEP) devices are intended to facilitate sputum clearance and reduce cough, but there is limited evidence for their effectiveness in COPD, or to guide patient selection. We aimed to assess the impact of OPEP therapy on quality of life and objective measures of cough and sleep disturbance in patients with COPD with regular sputum production.

Methods

We enrolled stable patients with COPD, who reported sputum production every day or most days, into an assessor-blind, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial comparing 3 months of using an Acapella device against usual care (including use of the active cycle of breathing technique). The primary outcome was cough-related quality of life measured using the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ). Secondary outcomes included fatigue (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy, FACIT score) and generic quality of life (EuroQol-5 Dimensions, EQ-5D). In a substudy (n=45), objective monitoring of cough and disturbance/movement during sleep were also available.

Results

122 participants (61/61 OPEP/control) were recruited, 40% female, 17% smokers, FEV1 38 (25–56)% predicted, and age 62±10 years. 103 completed the study (55/48 OPEP/control). Use of OPEP was associated with an improvement in LCQ compared with controls; MD (95% CI) 1.03 (0.71 to 2.10); (p=0.03), FACIT score 4.68 (1.34 to 8.02); (p<0.001) and EQ-5D 4.00 (0.49 to 19.75); (p=0.04). There was also an improvement in cough frequency −60 (−43 to −95) coughs/24 hours (p<0.001), but no statistically significant effect on sleep disturbance was identified.

Conclusions

Regular use of an Acapella device improves symptoms and quality of life in people with COPD who produce sputum daily or most days.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN44651852.
Mesenchymal stromal cells-derived extracellular vesicles reprogramme macrophages in ARDS models through the miR-181a-5p-PTEN-pSTAT5-SOCS1 axis
Authors: Su Yue , Silva Johnatas Dutra , Doherty Declan , Simpson David A , Weiss Daniel J , Rolandsson-Enes Sara , McAuley Daniel F , O'Kane Cecilia M , Brazil Derek P , Krasnodembskaya Anna D
Published: August 2022

Rationale

A better understanding of the mechanism of action of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and their extracellular vesicles (EVs) is needed to support their use as novel therapies for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Macrophages are important mediators of ARDS inflammatory response. Suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS) proteins are key regulators of the macrophage phenotype switch. We therefore investigated whether SOCS proteins are involved in mediation of the MSC effect on human macrophage reprogramming.

Methods

Human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or plasma samples from patients with ARDS (these samples were previously classified into hypo-inflammatory and hyper-inflammatory phenotype) and treated with MSC conditioned medium (CM) or EVs. Protein expression was measured by Western blot. EV micro RNA (miRNA) content was determined by miRNA sequencing. In vivo: LPS-injured C57BL/6 mice were given EVs isolated from MSCs in which miR-181a had been silenced by miRNA inhibitor or overexpressed using miRNA mimic.

Results

EVs were the key component of MSC CM responsible for anti-inflammatory modulation of human macrophages. EVs significantly reduced secretion of tumour necrosis factor-α and interleukin-8 by LPS-stimulated or ARDS plasma-stimulated MDMs and this was dependent on SOCS1. Transfer of miR-181a in EVs downregulated phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and subsequently activated phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (pSTAT5) leading to upregulation of SOCS1 in macrophages. In vivo, EVs alleviated lung injury and upregulated pSTAT5 and SOCS1 expression in alveolar macrophages in a miR181-dependent manner. Overexpression of miR-181a in MSCs significantly enhanced therapeutic efficacy of EVs in this model.

Conclusion

miR-181a-PTEN-pSTAT5-SOCS1 axis is a novel pathway responsible for immunomodulatory effect of MSC EVs in ARDS.
Interactive decision support and trade-off analysis for sustainable forest landscape planning under deep uncertainty
Authors: Shavazipour Babooshka , Podkopaev Dmitry , Miettinen Kaisa
Published: August 2022

Sustainable environmental management often involves long-term time horizons and multiple conflicting objectives and, by nature, is affected by different sources of uncertainty. Many sources of uncertainty, such as climate change or government policies, cannot be addressed using probabilistic models, and, therefore, they can be seen to contain deep uncertainty. In this setting, the variety of possible future states is represented as a set of scenarios lacking any information about the likelihood of occurring. Integrating deep uncertainty into multiobjective decision support increases complexity, calling for the elaboration of appropriate methods and tools. This paper proposes a novel interactive multi-scenario multiobjective approach to support decision-making and trade-off analysis in sustainable forest landscape planning under multiple sources of uncertainty. It includes new preference simulation models aimed at reducing the decision-maker’s cognitive load and supporting the preference elicitation process. The proposed approach is applied in a case study of long-term forest landscape planning with four sustainability objectives in 12 scenarios and a forestry expert as the decision-maker. The approach is demonstrated to be efficient in exploring trade-offs in different scenarios, helping the expert gain deep insights into the problem, understand the consequences of alternative strategies, and find the most preferred robust strategy.
Scheduling adequate irrigation mitigates postharvest soft scald disorder of Ambrosia™ apples grown in a semiarid eco-zone
Authors: Lu Changwen , Toivonen Peter
Published: August 2022

The effect of irrigation on soft scald (SS) disorder in Ambrosia™ apples was surveyed over 4 years in various orchards in Cawston, BC which is located in a valley having a semiarid eco-zone. The observations were further validated by manipulating irrigation programs in a series of experiments in three commercial orchards. Adequate irrigation (AI) was defined as the amount of water application required to maintain sustainable production as defined in the provincial irrigation guide, while deficit irrigation (DI) reduced irrigation to less than 40% of AI at the same site. Records from the survey study indicated that SS incidence was negatively correlated with the amount of watering ( r = −0.9). The validation study confirmed that correlation at three different commercial sites. These results suggest that intensive water deficit can cause fruit to be susceptible to SS and that adequate watering during fruit expansion and late season exerts a mitigating effect on SS in Ambrosia™ apples grown in a dry climate region. They also suggest that conducting DI prior to midsummer does not irrevocably cause SS susceptibility in this apple.
Search for highly-ionizing particles in pp collisions at the LHC’s Run-1 using the prototype MoEDAL detector
Authors: Acharya B. , Alexandre J. , Benes P. , Bergmann B. , Bertolucci S. , Bevan A. , Bhattacharyya R. , Branzas H. , Burian P. , Campbell M. , Cecchini S. , Cho Y. M. , de Montigny M. , De Roeck A. , Ellis J. R. , El Sawy M. , Fairbairn M. , Felea D. , Frank M. , Hays J. , Hirt A. M. , Hung P. Q. , Janecek J. , Kalliokoski M. , Korzenev A. , Lacarrére D. H. , Leroy C. , Levi G. , Lionti A. , Margiotta A. , Maselek R. , Maulik A. , Mauri N. , Mavromatos N. E. , Musumeci E. , Mieskolainen M. , Millward L. , Mitsou V. A. , Orava R. , Ostrovskiy I. , Ouimet P.-P. , Papavassiliou J. , Parker B. , Patrizii L. , Păvălaş G. E. , Pinfold J. L. , Popa L. A. , Popa V. , Pozzato M. , Pospisil S. , Rajantie A. , Ruiz de Austri R. , Sahnoun Z. , Sakellariadou M. , Sakurai K. , Santra A. , Sarkar S. , Semenoff G. , Shaa A. , Sirri G. , Sliwa K. , Soluk R. , Spurio M. , Staelens M. , Suk M. , Tenti M. , Togo V. , Tuszyński J. A. , Upreti A. , Vento V. , Vives O. ,   MoEDAL COLLABORATION
Published: August 2022

A search for highly electrically charged objects (HECOs) and magnetic monopoles is presented using 2.2 $$\hbox {fb}{^{-1}}$$

fb

-
1

of $$p-p$$

p
-
p

collision data taken at a centre of mass energy (E$$_{CM}$$

CM

) of 8 TeV by the MoEDAL detector during LHC’s Run-1. The data were collected using MoEDAL’s prototype Nuclear Track Detectord array and the Trapping Detector array. The results are interpreted in terms of Drell–Yan pair production of stable HECO and monopole pairs with three spin hypotheses (0, 1/2 and 1). The search provides constraints on the direct production of magnetic monopoles carrying one to four Dirac magnetic charges and with mass limits ranging from 590 GeV/c$$^{2}$$

2

to 1 TeV/c$$^{2}$$

2

. Additionally, mass limits are placed on HECOs with charge in the range 10e to 180e, where e is the charge of an electron, for masses between 30 GeV/c$$^{2}$$

2

and 1 TeV/c$$^{2}$$

2

.
First-order processes of the de Sitter QED in the rest frame vacuum
Authors: Cotăescu Ion I.
Published: August 2022

The processes in the first order of perturbations of de Sitter quantum electrodynamics (QED) in Coulomb gauge are studied but setting our recently proposed rest frame vacuum of the Dirac field instead of the traditional adiabatic one. This vacuum gives rise to a new phenomenology favouring the transitions between neutral states, i.e. the pair creation from a photon and the lepton creation from vacuum, while the transitions between charged states are inhibited. The probabilities per unit of volume and unit of time are derived in the conformal chart according to a new definition that holds even if the energy is no longer conserved. Surprisingly, these probabilities have new logarithmic singularities apart from the poles usually arising in perturbations. These singularities affect the probabilities in the critical positions in which the fermion momenta are either parallel or anti-parallel and the helicity is conserved. To remove all these singularities, a regularization is first performed to extract the logarithmic one before removing the poles, applying the usual reduction procedure. It is shown that the resulting reduced probabilities reach their maxima only in the critical positions, thus complying with the helicity conservation. The corresponding time-dependent probabilities in the physical local chart govern a simple model of fermion creation from vacuum, $$vac\rightarrow \gamma +e^++e^-\rightarrow (e^++e^-)+e^++e^-$$

v
a
c
→
γ
+

e
+

+

e
-

→

(

e
+

+

e
-

)

+

e
+

+

e
-

, which rapidly reaches saturation because of the pair creation which is dominant.
Parton distributions: Functional complexity and Lorentz parametrization
Authors: Anikin I. V. , Szymanowski L.
Published: August 2022

In this paper, we focus on the study of the functional complexity of the Lorentz parametrizing functions in connection with the time-reversal transformations. We argue that the interactions encoded in the corresponding correlators of nonlocal quark(–gluon) operators generate additional sources of functional complexity for the parametrizing functions which are not discussed in the literature. We also revisit the Lorentz parametrization of different correlators given by the hadron matrix elements of the nonlocal operators. The evidences for the new parametrizing function existence have been presented.
Gravitational collapse of dissipative fluid in f(R,G) gravity
Authors: Shah Hassan , Khan Suhail , Lu Dianchen , Ahmad Zahid , Hussain Sardar Muhmmad , Shah Hasrat Hussain
Published: August 2022

This investigation deals with the dynamics of spherical collapse of dissipative perfect fluid in [Formula: see text] gravity theory. We construct the dynamical equation of the collapsing stellar fluid by adopting the Misner–Sharp technique. Furthermore, we derive the heat transport equation and couple it with the dynamical equation to obtain the collapsing rate. We observe that the contribution due to extra terms of [Formula: see text] in Einstein’s field equations increases the rate of collapse for some cases, while decreases it for some other cases.
INFLUENCE OF VELOCITY, CONCENTRATION, AND SIZE OF SILT PARTICLES ON EROSION OF THERMAL SPRAYED Ni/TiO2/Al2O3 COATINGS
Authors: SHARMA VIBHU , KAUR MANPREET , BHANDARI SANJEEV , SINGH SURINDER
Published: August 2022

The presence of silt sediments in the flowing river is the primary reason for the severe failure of hydro-power turbine components. This study insights the effect of erosion parameters on the performance of two multi-dimensional novel compositions (namely Ni-40TiO2 and Ni-20TiO2-20Al2O3) developed on the CA6NM turbine steel by high velocity flame spray (HVFS) method. The Ni-40TiO2 coating with lower porosity, higher fracture toughness, and microhardness, showed the highest slurry erosion resistance than the other counterparts. This outstanding performance is attributed to the uniform distribution of the multi-dimensional TiO2 grains in the coating, which effectively reduces the material loss rate during slurry erosion. The Ni-40TiO2 coating indicated a mixed mechanism of material removal, while the brittle mechanism was observed in the case of Ni-20TiO2-20Al2O3 coating. A model has been proposed to estimate the erosion rate of these proposed coatings.
EFFECTIVENESS AND SAFETY OF SPINEJACK SYSTEM IN THE MANAGEMENT OF VERTEBRAL FRAGILITY FRACTURES: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Authors: Davide Bizzoca , Nemore Elisabetta , Andrea Abbaticchio , Alessandro Pulcrano , Andrea Piazzolla , Solarino Giuseppe , Moretti Biagio
Published: August 2022

Introduction: The SpineJackⓇ (SJ) system received FDA clearance in 2018, therefore this device is currently available to perform kyphoplasty in osteoporotic vertebral fractures. This study aims to assess the outcome of the SJ system in the management of vertebral fragility fractures (VFFs).

Evidence Acquisition and Synthesis: OVID-MEDLINEⓇ, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, Springer Link, Web of Science, Google Scholar and PubMed were searched from January 2015 to November 2021 to identify relevant studies. The methodological qualities of the studies were evaluated, and relevant data were extracted.

Seven clinical trials, recruiting 644 patients with 690 VFFs were included. Although PVP, balloon kyphoplast (BKP) and SJ showed comparable effectiveness in back pain relief in patients with VFFs, SJ showed a faster and higher pain relief and a better quality of life, compared with the other two augmentation techniques. Moreover, patients treated with SJ, compared with PVP and BKP, showed a better vertebral body height (VBH) restoration and kyphotic correction; these findings were confirmed also at long-term follow-up. Asymptomatic cement leakage and adjacent level fractures (ALFs) were observed in patients treated with SJ, but with a lower incidence compared with PVP and BKP.

Conclusions: This systematic review shows that SJ has an excellent risk/benefit profile and is more effective than the other augmentation techniques in VBH restoration and kyphotic correction. These findings correlate with a better postoperative quality of life.
Ranking of Classification Algorithm in Breast Cancer Based On Estrogen Receptor Using MCDM Technique
Authors: Lamba Monika , Munjal Geetika , Gigras Yogita
Published: August 2022

Classification algorithm selection is an important concern for breast cancer diagnosis. The traditional routine of adopting a unique performance metric for evaluating classifiers is not adequate in the case of micro-array gene expression dataset. This paper introduces an MCDM technique to evaluate classification algorithms in breast cancer forecasting by seeing different performance measure along with feature space. An empirical study is designed to support an overall assessment of classifiers on micro-array datasets using well-known MCDM technique. TOPSIS is used to rank 11 prominent assessment criteria of different classifiers. First, the sequence order of 20 classifiers along with 11 assessment criteria is generated. Further topmost classifiers are grounded on their performances highlighting the role of feature selection in the overall process supporting the genuine assessment of classifiers over any solitary performance criteria. Result indicates that AdaBoostM1 and Iterative Classifier Optimizer are graded as topmost classifiers without and with feature selection, respectively, grounded on their performances on different measures. Furthermore, the proposed MCDM-based model can reconcile distinct or even inconsistent evaluation performance to grasp a group agreement in a complicated decision-making environment.
A Concurrent Topology Optimization Model for Dynamic Property of Structures with Connectable Graded Microstructures
Authors: Wu Wenjun , Zhang Huikai , Wang Yiqiang , Liu Pai , Kang Zhan
Published: August 2022

Lattice structures composed of porous microstructures have attracted considerable attention due to their useful light-weight and multiphysical properties. Their mechanical properties are often a major concern in the design problem. However, unlike in the case of static stiffness maximization, few theoretical results can be used to guide the dynamic property design of such structures and their microstructures. In this paper, we present a numerical method of concurrent topology optimization for maximizing the natural frequencies of structures consisting of layer-wise graded microstructures. Both the configurations of graded microstructures and their spatial distribution in the macrostructural design domain are simultaneously optimized under constraints imposed on the macro- and microscales. The applied microscale design constraint still retains desired design space by allowing designable volume fractions of different microstructures under the total material usage restriction. The designable connective region technique is employed to guarantee the connectivity between different layers of microstructures. Numerical examples demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Compared to the uniform-lattice structural design, the proposed method is able to yield improved dynamic performance.
Progress of Monodispersed Nano-Hydroxyapatite-Based Biological Tracing
Authors: Jiang Zhijie
Published: August 2022

Nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp)-based dual-/multi-modal bioimaging systems have received significant attention due to their excellent bioactivity and biocompatibility. However, it is difficult to obtain highly sensitive imaging results. On the one side, the high surface energy of nHAp tends to enable the agglomerations of nHAp, which could further limit the clinical applications. On the other side, the main strategy for the construction of co-doped nHAp nanocrystals depends on high temperature and techniques of post-modification, resulting in inevitable nHAp crystal polymerization and increased particle size. In order to overcome the current shortcomings of nonmonodispersed nHAp, such as uneven distribution and easy aggregation, the construction of monodispersed nHAp is expected to ensure the imaging performance of traceable nHAp by reducing the aggregation of nHAp in vivo and improving the imaging sensitivity. Thus, in this review, the approaches of monodispersed nHAp based on hydrothermal, biomimetic and microwave synthesis methods are summarized. Furthermore, the development of single/multi-mode traceable monodispersed nHAp for biological imaging applications is also discussed.
Analytical modeling and calculation of mechanical characteristics for few-piece main-auxiliary parabolic leaf spring with root diagonal segment
Authors: Yu Yuewei , Zhao Leilei , Yang Lin , Zhou Changcheng , Zhu Zhaohui , Tian Lianshun
Published: August 2022

For the shortcomings of the analytical calculation method and the design of few-piece main-auxiliary parabolic leaf springs, based on the theory of material mechanics, through analyzing the actual structural characteristics of the few-piece main-auxiliary parabolic leaf spring with root diagonal segment, an analytical calculation model of the deformation and stress for the few piece main-auxiliary parabolic leaf spring with root diagonal segment was established. The reliability of the analytical calculation model was verified by using the leaf spring mechanical characteristics test platform. The results show that the maximum deviation between the analytical calculation values of the deformation and stress obtained by the calculation model and the test value is only 4.76% and 6.06%, respectively, which can effectively characterize the mechanical characteristics of the actual few-piece main-auxiliary parabolic leaf spring. The research can quickly and accurately realize the stiffness check, strength check, and forward design of the few-piece main-auxiliary parabolic leaf spring with root diagonal segment, which provides an effective theoretical basis and technical reference for the parabolic leaf spring design.
Evaluation of dielectric, energy storage and multiferroic properties of PrFeO3-PbTiO3 solid solutions
Authors: Arora Mehak , Kaur Shubhpreet , Kumar Sunil , Malhi Parambir Singh , Singh Mandeep , Singh Anupinder
Published: August 2022

This work promotes the room temperature energy storage properties of the multiferroics. In this approach, impacts of PrFeO3 doping on PT-based solid solutions (Pb[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]Pr[Formula: see text]Ti[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]Fe[Formula: see text]O3, [Formula: see text] = 0.21, 0.22, 0.23, 0.24, 0.25 and 0.26) have been explored. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns were used to estimate the crystallographic parameters, confirming the single phase tetragonal structure. The ferroelectric Curie temperature ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]) is observed to drop from 410 K to below room temperature as the Pr concentration increases. The ferroelectric P-E loops were used to determine the energy storage values at room temperature. The sample [Formula: see text] = 0.24 achieved the maximum value of energy storage density of 362.25 mJ/cm3 with the efficiency of 40.5%. The ferroelectric P-E loops were used to determine the energy storage values at room temperature. The validity of magnetoelectric coupling in all samples was confirmed by magneto-dielectric studies and found that the sample [Formula: see text] = 0.24 shows the maximum response with the coupling coefficient ([Formula: see text]) = 15.54 g2/emu2.
Palaeomagnetic investigations across Hinlopenstretet border zone: from Caledonian metamorphosed rocks of Ny Friesland to foreland facies of Nordaustlandet (NE Svalbard)
Authors: Michalski Krzysztof , Manby Geoffrey M. , Nejbert Krzysztof , Domańska-Siuda Justyna , Burzyński Mariusz
Published: August 2022

New demagnetization results of 286 palaeomagnetic specimens from 15 sites in Neoproterozoic–Lower Paleozoic sequences of Ny Friesland–Nordaustlandet (the Caledonian Eastern Svalbard Terrane) are presented. New
in situ
40
Ar/
39
Ar ultraviolet mass spectrometry (Uv-MS) age determinations on amphibolites and mylonites from the Ny Friesland cluster in the 340–460 Ma interval correspond broadly to the Caledonian thermal event. Older ages are observed but are more scattered and probably reflect partial resetting or argon gain of Proterozoic micas. Palaeomagnetic, petrological and structural data confirm a west to east decrease in the degree of the Caledonian metamorphism and remagnetization across Hinlopenstretet, which is interpreted here to coincide with the limit of Caledonian east-directed overthrusting. No pre-Caledonian palaeomagnetic record was identified in investigated amphibolites and metacarbonates of Ny Friesland. Pre-folding pre-Caledonian, potentially Neoproterozoic (primary?) magnetization was recognized only in non-metamorphosed Murchisonfjorden (Nordaustlandet) carbonates. However, selective palaeomagnetic palaeopoles from Murchisonfjorden also fall into Caledonian
sensu lato
and Mesozoic sectors of the Laurussia reference path. This also indicates that regions east of Hinlopenstretet and east of the Caledonian front could be partially subjected to Caledonian remagnetization. Mesozoic palaeomagnetic overprints are potentially related to the injection of Mesozoic dolerites in eastern Svalbard. Here, we discuss two concepts of post-Caledonian rotations that could affect the palaeomagnetic record of the Eastern Svalbard Terrane: rotations around vertical axes related to strike-slip faults and rotations around horizontal axes related to normal listric faults that originated during extension in the Devonian basin and the opening of the Atlantic and Arctic oceans.

Supplementary material:
(1) A detailed description of applied rock-magnetic and palaeomagnetic procedures, (2) detailed description of investigated geochronological samples, (3)
in situ
Uv-MS
40
Ar/
39
Ar isotopic age determination results, (4) mineralogy of ferromagnetic phases, (5) hysteresis parameters, (6) distribution of the NRM components and great circles in palaeomagnetic sites and (7) anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6132018
Sampling-based Sublinear Low-rank Matrix Arithmetic Framework for Dequantizing Quantum Machine Learning
Authors: Chia Nai-Hui , Gilyén András Pal , Li Tongyang , Lin Han-Hsuan , Tang Ewin , Wang Chunhao
Published: August 2022

We present an algorithmic framework for quantum-inspired classical algorithms on close-to-low-rank matrices, generalizing the series of results started by Tang’s breakthrough quantum-inspired algorithm for recommendation systems [STOC’19]. Motivated by quantum linear algebra algorithms and the quantum singular value transformation (SVT) framework of Gilyén et al. [STOC’19], we develop classical algorithms for SVT that run in time independent of input dimension, under suitable quantum-inspired sampling assumptions. Our results give compelling evidence that in the corresponding QRAM data structure input model, quantum SVT does not yield exponential quantum speedups. Since the quantum SVT framework generalizes essentially all known techniques for quantum linear algebra, our results, combined with sampling lemmas from previous work, suffice to generalize all prior results about dequantizing quantum machine learning algorithms. In particular, our classical SVT framework recovers and often improves the dequantization results on recommendation systems, principal component analysis, supervised clustering, support vector machines, low-rank regression, and semidefinite program solving. We also give additional dequantization results on low-rank Hamiltonian simulation and discriminant analysis. Our improvements come from identifying the key feature of the quantum-inspired input model that is at the core of all prior quantum-inspired results: ℓ
2
-norm sampling can approximate matrix products in time independent of their dimension. We reduce all our main results to this fact, making our exposition concise, self-contained, and intuitive.
Independence in Infinite Probabilistic Databases
Authors: Grohe Martin , Lindner Peter
Published: August 2022

Probabilistic databases (PDBs) model uncertainty in data. The current standard is to view PDBs as finite probability spaces over relational database instances. Since many attributes in typical databases have infinite domains, such as integers, strings, or real numbers, it is often more natural to view PDBs as infinite probability spaces over database instances. In this article, we lay the mathematical foundations of infinite probabilistic databases. Our focus then is on independence assumptions. Tuple-independent PDBs play a central role in theory and practice of PDBs. Here we study infinite tuple-independent PDBs as well as related models such as infinite block-independent disjoint PDBs. While the standard model of PDBs focuses on a set-based semantics, we also study tuple-independent PDBs with a bag semantics and independence in PDBs over uncountable fact spaces.

We also propose a new approach to PDBs with an open-world assumption, addressing issues raised by Ceylan et al. (Proc. KR 2016) and generalizing their work, which is still rooted in finite tuple-independent PDBs.

Moreover, for countable PDBs we propose an approximate query answering algorithm.
Decentralized Asynchronous Crash-resilient Runtime Verification
Authors: Bonakdarpour Borzoo , Fraigniaud Pierre , Rajsbaum Sergio , Rosenblueth David , Travers Corentin
Published: August 2022

Runtime verification
is a lightweight method for monitoring the formal specification of a system during its execution. It has recently been shown that a given state predicate can be monitored consistently by a set of crash-prone asynchronous
distributed
monitors observing the system, only if each monitor can emit verdicts taken from a
large enough
finite set. We revisit this impossibility result in the concrete context of linear-time logic (
ltl
) semantics for runtime verification, that is, when the correctness of the system is specified by an
ltl
formula on its execution traces. First, we show that monitors synthesized based on the 4-valued semantics of
ltl
(
rv-ltl
) may result in inconsistent distributed monitoring, even for some simple
ltl
formulas. More generally, given any
ltl
formula φ, we relate the number of different verdicts required by the monitors for consistently monitoring φ, with a specific structural characteristic of φ called its
alternation number
. Specifically, we show that, for every
k ≥ 0
, there is an
ltl
formula φ with alternation number 
k
that cannot be verified at runtime by distributed monitors emitting verdicts from a set of cardinality smaller than
k
+ 1. On the positive side, we define a family of logics, called
distributed
ltl
(abbreviated as
dltl
), parameterized by
k
≥ 0, which refines
rv-ltl
by incorporating
2k
+ 4 truth values. Our main contribution is to show that, for every
k
≥ 0, every
ltl
formula φ with alternation number 
k
can be consistently monitored by distributed monitors, each running an automaton based on a (2 ⌈
k
/2 ⌉ +4)-valued logic taken from the
dltl
family.
Going Beyond Multiple Choice
Authors: Moon Brian
Published: August 2022

This is the first in a series of articles covering advancements in eAssessment. The series will feature educators, developers, and researchers from around the world who are innovating how learning is assessed while meeting the challenges of efficiency, scalability, usability, and accessibility.
Effects of Doping Cadmium Atoms on the Electronic and Optical Properties of (n, 0) Zigzag SWCNTs: DFT Approach
Authors: Rashko Mohammad Najat , Othman Mazin Sherzad , Hamad Abubaker Hassan
Published: August 2022

Effects of doping cadmium atoms on the electronic and optical properties of (n, 0) zigzag single-wall carbon nanotubes SWCNTs are investigated by density functional theory DFT, using ultrasoft pseudopotential generalized gradient approximation GGA approach. The electronic and optical properties of the zigzag SWCNTs are susceptible and dependent on the n index and diameter of the tube; these features have only in nanotubes. Adding any impurity to the Zigzag SWCNTs must be caused to change in properties. The density of states for Cd-doped and un-doped SWCNTs increases with an increase in n index because of overlap valence and conduction bands in all situations (small bandgap). All samples have metallic characteristics. Almost all absorption and reflectivity spectra peaks are produced in the UV range. It can be noted that the peaks of the un-doped samples are higher than that of Cd-doped. Consequently, the material’s ability to store energy and photon absorption for un-doped nanotubes is larger than Cd-doped zigzag SWCNTs. These results are achieved in the figures of dielectric functions.