bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gastric granulomas and Helicobacter pylori: An incidental relationship
Authors: Turner Kevin O. , Lindberg Guy M. , Genta Robert M.
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Aims

Studies investigating the relationship between granulomatous gastritis (GG) and Helicobacter pylori infection have been largely inconclusive. This study was designed to determine whether the analysis of a very large number of patients would provide clearer answers evaluate the association between H. pylori infection and gastric granulomas.

Methods

We used a large national database of clinicopathological data to extract 1,673,086 patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy with gastric biopsies between 2008 and 2020. In a case‐control study, we evaluated the occurrence of H. pylori infection in patients with and without gastric granulomas. We also explored other clinical and histopathological associations.

Results

H. pylori infection was present in 44 of 496 (8.9%) patients with gastric granulomas, compared to 158,949 (9.5%) in the control group (OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.68–1.26). Of the 129 patients with gastric granulomas, 50 had documented inflammatory bowel disease.

Conclusions

The results of this study show that the prevalence of H. pylori infection in patients with gastric granulomas is essentially identical to that of controls with no evidence of granulomas or granulomatous disease. When patients with and without a plausible‐known association for gastric granulomas were analyzed separately, the prevalence of H. pylori infection remained remarkably similar in GG patients and controls. Considering the very large numbers of patients with gastric biopsies analyzed in this study, we submit that there is no basis for suggesting that H. pylori is etiologically related to GG.
Methodology for determining design rules for helical channels in glass components produced by selective laser sintering
Authors: Nissen Joseph , Sassaman Douglas M. , Lee Susanne M. , Desjardins Joseph A. , Beaman Joseph J. , Kovar Desiderio
Published: April 2021

The ability to accurately produce geometric features is one of the main hurdles in advancing additive manufacturing for the production of functional parts. Design rules can be found for parts produced using selective laser sintering for polymers with simple features such as thin walls and through‐holes; however, these rules have not been studied for more complex features such as helical channels produced from glass or ceramic materials. In this study, feature resolution for helical channels is quantified for successful production of both green and final parts after debinding and sintering. We found the ability to clear loose powder was a major factor in determining whether a particular channel/part geometry could be produced. Our experiments suggest a linear relationship between the scaled diameter and tortuosity for successful clearing of channels. Using this, we propose a design rule that can predict success and failure in accurately forming internal helical channels. The proposed methodology was experimentally validated for parts created via indirect selective laser sintering from mixtures of glass and nylon powders.
Contextualizing the Impact of Legal Representation on Juvenile Delinquency Outcomes: A Review of Research and Policy
Authors: Kokkalera Stuti S. , Tallas Annmarie , Goggin Kelly
Published: April 2021

This study examines the empirical research on legal representation in delinquency proceedings and situates it in the broader investigation of how states provide legal assistance to juvenile defendants. Our review of empirical studies found that attorney presence was an aggravating factor in dispositional decisions. After closely examining state statutory provisions on legal representation in juvenile delinquency proceedings, we suggest that the penalty effect of attorney presence is an artifact of the variation in state laws governing access and oversight of juvenile counsel. We conclude with suggestions for future research, policy, and practice.
On the Role of the Collateral Constraint Friction in the North–South Transmission of the 2008–2009 Financial Crisis
Authors: Nguyen Ha M.
Published: April 2021

This paper assesses the role of a popular collateral constraint–based transmission mechanism in the North–South transmission of the 2008–2009 financial crisis. Theoretically, in the presence of collateral constraints, depressed asset prices caused by a negative shock in a large creditor country generate feedback cycles in a smaller debtor country, in which the decline in borrowing capacity and the collapses of investment and output reinforce each other. I find that although the mechanism has appealing qualitative features and is consistent with the data, quantitative results from the model can only account for a very small part of the actual output declines.
Feasibility of assessing progression of transthyretin amyloid polyneuropathy using nerve conduction studies: Findings from the Transthyretin Amyloidosis Outcomes Survey (THAOS)
Authors: Waddington‐Cruz Márcia , Ando Yukio , Amass Leslie , Kiszko Jan , Chapman Doug , Sekijima Yoshiki ,   THAOS investigators
Published: April 2021

Patients with transthyretin amyloid polyneuropathy (ATTR‐PN) show decreased motor and sensory nerve amplitudes and conduction. Electrophysiological changes over time may be sensitive indicators of progression. This analysis from the Transthyretin Amyloidosis Outcomes Survey (THAOS) assessed longitudinal changes in nerve conduction as signals of neurologic disease progression in patients with hereditary ATTR (ATTRv) amyloidosis. Patients with ATTRv in THAOS with recorded nerve conduction values were included (data cut‐off: January 6, 2020); changes in nerve amplitude and velocity over time were assessed. Patients (n = 1389) were 45.0% male; 80.4% were the Val30Met (p.Val50Met) genotype. Mean (SD) age at enrollment was 43.6 (14.5) years; duration of symptoms was 9.3 (6.4) years. Median (10th, 90th percentile) sural nerve amplitude and velocity was 18.0 (4.9, 35.0) μV and 50.7 (41.0, 57.9) m/s; peroneal conduction was 13.0 (4.4, 27.0) μV and 51.0 (41.7, 59.7) m/s, respectively. Median (10th, 90th percentile) percentage change from baseline in sural nerve amplitude was variable, but generally decreased over time from −7.4 (−43.2, 52.4) at year 1 to −14.4 (−76.9, 46.7) at year 8. Percent change from baseline in sural nerve velocity declined similarly: −0.1 (−14.5, 15.3) at year 1 and − 6.4 (−21.3, 10.5) at year 8. The decline was more pronounced in patients with greater disability at baseline. Similar patterns were observed for the peroneal nerve. These data show an association between nerve amplitudes and velocities and disease severity, suggesting progressive deterioration in nerve conduction may be an indicator of ATTRv amyloidosis disease progression.
Melatonin synthesis genes N‐acetylserotonin methyltransferases evolved into caffeic acid O‐methyltransferases and both assisted in plant terrestrialization
Authors: Zhao Dake , Yao Zhengping , Zhang Jiemei , Zhang Renjun , Mou Zongmin , Zhang Xue , Li Zonghang , Feng Xiaoli , Chen Suiyun , Reiter Russel J.
Published: April 2021

Terrestrialization is one of the most momentous events in the history of plant life, which leads to the subsequent evolution of plant diversity. The transition species, in this process, had to acquire a range of adaptive mechanisms to cope with the harsh features of terrestrial environments compared to that of aquatic habitat. As an ancient antioxidant, a leading regulator of ROS signaling or homeostasis, and a presumed plant master regulator, melatonin likely assisted plants transition to land and their adaption to terrestrial ecosystems. N‐acetylserotonin methyltransferases (ASMT) and caffeic acid O‐methyltransferases (COMT), both in the O‐methyltransferase (OMT) family, catalyze the core O‐methylation reaction in melatonin biosynthesis. How these two enzymes with close relevance evolved in plant evolutionary history and whether they participated in plant terrestrialization remains unknown. Using combined phylogenetic evidence and protein structure analysis, it is revealed that COMT likely evolved from ASMT by gene duplication and subsequent divergence. Newly emergent COMT gained a significantly higher ASMT activity to produce greater amounts of melatonin for immobile plants to acclimate to the stressful land environments after evolving from the more environmentally‐stable aquatic conditions. The COMT genes possess more conserved substrate‐binding sites at the amino acid level and more open protein conformation compared to ASMT, and getting a new function to catalyze the lignin biosynthesis. This development directly contributed to the dominance of vascular plants among the Earth's flora and prompted plant colonization of land. Thus, ASMT, together with its descendant COMT, might play key roles in plant transition to land. The current study provides new insights into plant terrestrialization with gene duplication contributing to this process along with well‐known horizontal gene transfer.
Mathematics Interventions for Adolescents with Mathematics Difficulties: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Myers Jonté A. , Brownell Mary T. , Griffin Cynthia C. , Hughes Elizabeth M. , Witzel Bradley S. , Gage Nicolas A. , Peyton David , Acosta Kelly , Wang Jun
Published: April 2021

We quantitatively synthesized findings of quasi‐experimental and randomized control studies of interventions designed to improve the mathematics achievement of secondary school students with mathematics difficulties (MD). We identified 45 studies (49 interventions) published between 1978 and 2020 and classified interventions into five categories: technology‐based interventions (TBI), schema‐based interventions (SBI), use of visual representations, cognitive‐based instruction, and other. We used robust variance estimation (RVE) to address dependency in effect sizes (ESs). The cumulative effect size across 139 outcomes was moderately large (g = 0.52), with a substantial amount of between‐study heterogeneity. A multiple meta‐regression analysis showed several significant moderators of interventions' effectiveness, such as content domain, intervention length, and dependent measure. We discuss limitations and implications for research and classroom practice.
A trait‐based approach across the native and invaded range to understand plant invasiveness and community impact
Authors: Helsen Kenny , Matsushima Hajime , Somers Ben , Honnay Olivier
Published: April 2021

Alien plant species invasiveness and impact on diversity (i.e. species richness and composition) can be driven by the altered competitive interactions experienced by the invader in its invaded range compared to its native range. Trait‐based competition effects on invasiveness can be mediated through size‐asymmetric competition, i.e. a trait suit of the invader that drives competitive dominance, and through ‘niche differences', i.e. trait differentiation and thus minimized competition between invader and the invaded community. In terms of invasion impact, size‐asymmetric competition is expected to result in competitive exclusion of co‐occurring subordinate species, whereas ‘niche differences' might result in competitive exclusion of the most functionally similar co‐occurring species. Although observational work does not allow the full disentanglement of both trait‐based effects, it does allow to verify the occurrence of expected theoretical trait patters. In this study, we explored the trait‐based competition effects on invasiveness and diversity impact for Rosa rugosa in both its invaded range in Belgium and its native range in Japan, based on seven functional traits across 100 vegetation plots. Following the predictions for enhanced invasiveness, we found much lower functional overlap between R. rugosa and the co‐occurring species in the invaded range compared to the native range. This likely also explains the absence of diversity impact in its native range. Despite the absence of changes in species richness in the invaded range, the invader did strongly impact species composition of invaded communities. This impact occurred through strong shade tolerance responses, suggesting size‐asymmetric competition effects and cover loss of co‐occurring dominant species, next to exclusion of co‐occurring species most functionally similar to the invader; suggesting niche difference effects. In conclusion, this case‐study illustrates how exploring functional trait patterns across a species native and invaded range can help in understanding how trait‐based competition processes can affect invasiveness and community impact.
Depth of experiencing and therapeutic alliance: What predicts outcome for whom in emotion‐focused therapy for trauma?
Authors: Harrington Shawn , Pascual‐Leone Antonio , Paivio Sandra , Edmondstone Christopher , Baher Tabarak
Published: April 2021

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which therapeutic processes – working alliance and depth of experiencing – contributed to outcome.

Method

Individual differences in these processes were examined at the early and working phases to determine their impact on symptom reduction. An archival data set of N = 42 individuals who underwent emotion‐focused therapy for trauma for childhood maltreatment was used to examine the differential quality of client processes throughout treatment.

Results

For those who had difficulty forming an alliance early in therapy, alliance scores during the working phase were the best predictor of outcome (β = −.42). This was complemented by a process change of improvement in alliance from the early to working phases (d = 1.0). In contrast, for those who had difficulty engaging in deepened experiencing early in therapy, depth of experiencing in the working phase was the best predictor of outcome (β = −.36). This was complemented by an improvement in depth of experiencing from the early to working phases (d = .69).

Conclusions

The findings of this study suggest that focusing on the process that clients have trouble with early in therapy contributes to the best treatment outcome.

Practitioner points

Sometimes early treatment sessions reveal an abundance of one kind of processing but limitations to another, which poses a puzzle for treatment planning. Our findings suggest that within the first four sessions, therapists could develop tailored treatments based on the relative presence or absence of critical therapeutic changes processes. When it becomes evident that therapy is progressing with a weaker alliance between client and therapist, therapists should redouble their efforts in alliance‐building. However, when therapy is developing in a fashion that lacks deep emotional experiencing on the part of the client, treatment efforts should aim to facilitate a richer exploration of moment‐by‐moment experience. As such, our findings suggest relying on the existing processing strengths within a dyad (e.g., emphasis on an already strong relationships, or augmenting an existing aptitude for deeper experiencing) while shortcomings exist in another kind of process is not optimal responding. Therapists should focus their work on the process that clients have trouble with early in therapy to facilitate the best treatment outcome.
Simple and reliable protocol for identifying talented junior players in team sports using small‐sided games
Authors: Wilson Robbie S. , Hunter Andrew H. , Camata Thiago V. , Foster Charles S. P. , Sparkes Gabriella R. , Moura Felipe A. , Santiago Paulo R. P. , Smith Nicholas M. A.
Published: April 2021

We designed and tested a protocol for measuring the performance of individuals in small‐sided soccer games. We tested our protocol on three different groups of youth players from elite Brazilian football academies. Players in each group played a series of 3v3 games, in which individuals were randomly assigned into new teams and against new opponents for each game. We calculated each individual's average individual goals scored, goals scored by teammates, goals conceded, and net team goals per game. Our protocol was consistent across days and repeatable across groups, with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of 0.57–0.69 for average net goals per game across testing days. Players could achieve high success by scoring goals or ensuring their team concede few goals. We also calculated the first and second dimension of a principal component analysis based on each player's number of goals scored, goals scored by teammates, and number of goals conceded per game. Players that were overall high performers had higher PC1 scores, while PC2 scores represented the type of contribution made by a player to overall performance. Positive PC2 values were indicative of high number of individual goals while negative values were associated with more goals from teammates and fewer conceded goals. Our design allows coaches and scouts to easily collect a robust metric of individual performance using randomly designed, small‐sided games. We also provide simulations that allow one to apply our methodology for individual talent identification to other small‐sided games in any team sport.
Barriers to water use efficiency in rural and peri‐urban areas of South Africa
Authors: Onyenankeya Kevin , Onyenankeya Oluwayemisi M. , Osunkunle Oluyinka
Published: April 2021

Using the quantitative method, this paper examined barriers to water‐efficiency behaviour amongst rural and peri‐urban residents in Eastern Cape, South Africa and identify opportunities for promoting it. The result showed positive associations between water‐efficiency behaviour and income, personal capabilities and poor knowledge of efficient water conservation measures. Rural and peri‐urban households identified cost as the overarching barrier to installing water‐efficient appliances. Financial incentives emerged as a significant opportunity for promoting water‐efficient behaviour. The result suggests rural and peri‐urban residents are open to water efficiency behaviour where financial incentives are provided for the voluntary installation of efficient taps and other water‐saving devices. The findings underscore the need to educate the rural populace about the use and benefits of water‐efficient appliances. The study contributes to methodological approaches in household water behaviour studies and provides further insights on water efficiency behaviour within a specific African population often overlooked in mainstream academic endeavours of this kind.
Epitaxial integration of BaTiO3 on Si for electro-optic applications
Authors: Guo Wei , Posadas Agham B. , Demkov Alexander A.
Published: April 2021

BaTiO3 (BTO) is a highly promising material for the fabrication of electro-optic (EO) modulators due to the large effective Pockels coefficient of the material, particularly in an epitaxial form. It also has the added benefit of being readily integrated on a Si material platform via a SrTiO3 template. These two characteristics make epitaxial BTO ideal for use in next generation silicon photonics applications. Being a ferroelectric, BTO has a unique crystallographic direction in which the ferroelectric polarization points. For EO modulators, because the polarization direction controls the coupling between light and an external electric field, it is important to understand how different growth methods and subsequent processing affect the direction of the ferroelectric polarization. Certain electro-optic devices may require polarization to be in the plane of the film (in-plane switching liquid crystal devices), while other applications may require it to be normal to the plane of the film (Mach–Zehnder modulator). Here, we review the growth of epitaxial BTO on Si by a variety of deposition methods including molecular beam epitaxy, pulsed laser deposition, and RF sputtering. We summarize the resulting BTO film structure and quality based on the reported characterization results. We also discuss EO measurements of basic devices made from this material platform where such data are available.
Nanometer-scale capillary-driven flow and molecular weight govern polymer nanostructure deposition from a heated tip
Authors: Chen Sihan , King William P.
Published: April 2021

This paper investigates the physical process of polymer nanostructure deposition from a heated atomic force microscope (AFM) tip and focuses on the role of capillary-driven flow on deposited feature sizes during thermal dip-pen nanolithography. We used a heated AFM tip to deposit 50–350 nm wide poly(methyl methacrylate) nanoribbons by varying tip temperature, tip speed, and polymer molecular weight. For polymers of different molecular weights, the width of the deposited polymer nanoribbons decreases with capillary number (Ca), independent of tip temperature, tip speed, and polymer molecular weight. These results indicate that the capillary-driven flow governs polymer nanostructure deposition from a heated tip. For high molecular weight polymers deposited with feature size close to the polymer radius of gyration Rg, the molecular weight also influences the size of the deposited polymer ribbon. Using scaling arguments, we show that the feature size can be predicted by Ca and Rg. Uniform and continuous deposition occurs only when Ca << 1, confirming that the polymer flow is driven by the capillary force. The results of this study enable better control of speed and resolution at which polymer nanostructures can be fabricated using AFM.
Genes Encoding Microbial Acyl Coenzyme A Binding Protein/Diazepam-Binding Inhibitor Orthologs Are Rare in the Human Gut Microbiome and Show No Links to Obesity
Authors: Thomas Andrew Maltez , Asnicar Francesco , Kroemer Guido , Segata Nicola
Published: April 2021

Acyl coenzyme A (CoA) binding protein (ACBP) can be encoded by several organisms across the domains of life, including microbes, and has shown to play major roles in human metabolic processes. However, little is known about its presence in the human gut microbiome and whether its microbial counterpart could also play a role in human metabolism.
Identification of Amino Acid Residues Required for Inhibition of Host Gene Expression by Influenza Virus A/Viet Nam/1203/2004 H5N1 PA-X
Authors: Chiem Kevin , López-García Darío , Ortego Javier , Martinez-Sobrido Luis , DeDiego Marta L. , Nogales Aitor
Published: April 2021

Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses continue to pose a huge threat to global animal and human health. Despite of the limited genome size of Influenza A virus (IAV), the virus encodes eight main viral structural proteins and multiple accessory nonstructural proteins, depending on the IAV type, subtype, or strain.
Dietary Fiber Ameliorates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Intestinal Barrier Function Damage in Piglets by Modulation of Intestinal Microbiome
Authors: Sun Xiao , Cui Yalei , Su Yingying , Gao Zimin , Diao Xinying , Li Ju , Zhu Xiaoyan , Li Defeng , Li Zhentian , Wang Chengzhang , Shi Yinghua
Published: April 2021

Adding DF to the diet of LPS-challenged piglets alleviated intestinal and systemic inflammation, improved intestinal barrier function, and ultimately alleviated the growth retardation of piglets. In addition, the addition of DF significantly increased the relative abundance of SCFA-producing bacteria and the production of SCFAs.
On the Possibility of Aerobic Methane Production by Pelagic Microbial Communities of the Laptev Sea
Authors: Samylina O. S. , Rusanov I. I. , Tarnovetskii I. Yu. , Yakushev E. V. , Grinko A. A. , Zakharova E. E. , Merkel A. Yu. , Kanapatskiy T. A. , Semiletov I. P. , Pimenov N. V.
Published: April 2021

Abstract—

The taxonomic diversity and metabolic activity of microbial communities in the Laptev Sea water column above and outside the methane seep field were studied. The concentrations of dissolved methane in the water column at both stations were comparable until the depth of the pycnocline (25 m). At this depth, local methane maxima were recorded, with the highest concentration (116 nM CH4) found at the station outside the methane seep field. Results of the 16S rRNA gene sequencing and measurements of the rates of hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis indicated the absence of methanogenesis caused by the methanogenic archaea in the pycnocline and in other horizons of the water column. The 16S rRNA-based analysis of microbial phylogenetic diversity, as well as radiotracer analysis of the rates of primary production (PP), dark CO2 assimilation (DCA), and methane oxidation (MO), indicated the functioning of a diverse community of pelagic microorganisms capable of transforming a wide range of organic compounds under oligotrophic conditions of the Arctic basin. Hydrochemical prerequisites and possible microbial agents of aerobic methane production via demethylation of methylphosphonate and decomposition of dimethylsulfoniopropionate using dissolved organic matter synthesized in the PP, DCA, and MO processes are discussed.
COVID-19 pneumonia successfully managed with high-flow nasal cannula in a 15-year-old boy
Authors: van Gorp GAP , Sanders PJLT , van Waardenburg DA , Engel Monique
Published: April 2021

We report an otherwise healthy, fully immunised 15-year-old boy who was transferred to our Pediatric intensive care unit with 4 days of fever, dry cough, increased work of breathing and impending respiratory failure. Two days prior, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid was prescribed for lower airway symptoms resembling pneumonia. PCR of the nasopharyngeal swab revealed an active COVID-19 infection (Ct 19). The CT scan showed significant ground-glass opacities highly associated with COVID-19 (COVID-19 reporting and data system 4). Antibiotics were continued and chloroquine was given for 5 days. High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) was started as respiratory support therapy with rapid decrease of tachypnoea and oxygen demand. HFNC was successfully stopped after 7 days. The patient made full clinical recovery. This case illustrates HFNC as a successful respiratory support therapy in a paediatric patient with an active COVID-19 pneumonia.
Zonisamide as treatment option in persistent migraine aura
Authors: Kaltseis Katharina , Frank Florian , Broessner Gregor
Published: April 2021

Persistent migraine aura without infarction is a rare but debilitating condition. Treatment options are mostly anecdotal and limited due to inefficacy and side effects. We present a 16-year-old female patient with triple X syndrome, having persistent aura symptoms for over 2 years, consisting of continuous visual and sensory sensations. Previous treatments with seven different migraine preventatives were not successful. The patient successfully responded to zonisamide against refractory prolonged aura and remained symptom-free under the ongoing treatment without any relevant side effects. Zonisamide may be considered a new and safe treatment option for patients with persistent migraine aura.
Does withdrawal of immunosuppression in rheumatoid arthritis after SARS-CoV-2 infection increase the risk of vasculitis?
Authors: Singh Sukhraj , Vaghaiwalla Zareen , Thway Myint , Kaeley Gurjit Singh
Published: April 2021

We describe a case of a 48-year-old woman who presented with acute respiratory failure due to diffuse alveolar haemorrhage and acute renal failure due to pauci-immune glomerulonephritis consistent with a new diagnosis of microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). The patient had a recent SARS-CoV-2 infection 6 weeks before MPA diagnosis and had stopped immunosuppression for her rheumatoid arthritis (RA) at that time. The patient was treated with pulse intravenous steroids, plasma exchange therapy and rituximab, which induced remission of her illness. This case highlights a timely dilemma of holding immunosuppression in a RA patient with low disease activity on combination therapy with SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the potential risk of developing an additional autoimmune disease, such as vasculitis, given their existing autoimmunity due to RA.
Dual retrotympanic aural mass
Authors: Che Ab Rahim Nurul Asma , Saniasiaya Jeyasakthy , Kulasegarah Jeyanthi
Published: April 2021

High-riding jugular bulb (HRJB), although rare, may pose a challenge as it may be mistaken for other non-alarming condition, such as middle ear effusion. Patients with HRJB classically present with pulsatile tinnitus. We report a unique case of a 26-year-old patient with underlying beta thalassaemia who presented with a 2-month history of intermittent epistaxis and rhinorrhoea. Otoscopic examinations revealed a pulsatile bluish mass behind the right tympanic membrane and a dull left tympanic membrane. Imaging performed revealed a finding of dual retrotympanic pathology, which consisted of a right dehiscent HRJB and left cholesterol granuloma. We highlight a rare case of dual retrotympanic mass as well as its management.
COVID-19-associated inflammatory syndrome in an adult woman with unexplained multiple organ failure: staying vigilant for COVID-19 complications as the pandemic surges
Authors: Veyseh Maedeh , Webster Patrick , Blanco Irene
Published: April 2021

Since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, clinicians have been challenged with a wide spectrum of disease severity. One of the serious complications associated with the virus is multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). It is characterised by inflammation leading to organ damage, in the setting of positive SARS-CoV-2 infection. MIS-C is thought to be a postviral reaction where most children are negative on PCR testing but are positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently defined the same phenomenon occurring in adults as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A) and emphasised on the use of antibody testing in this population. Here we describe an adult woman with an exposure to SARS-CoV-2 who presented with unexplained organ failure and shock. Positive antibody testing was the only clue to the diagnosis of MIS-A. We stress the importance of SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection in order to identify these cases.
Expert consensus on moving towards a value-based healthcare system in the Netherlands: a Delphi study
Authors: Steinmann Gijs , Delnoij Diana , van de Bovenkamp Hester , Groote Rogier , Ahaus Kees
Published: April 2021

Objectives

While the uptake of value-based health care (VBHC) is remarkable, uncertainty prevails regarding the most important actions and practices in establishing a value-based healthcare system. In this paper, we generate expert consensus on the most important aspects of VBHC.

Design

The Delphi technique was used to reach consensus on the most important practices in moving towards a value-based healthcare system.

Setting and participants

A Dutch expert panel consisting of nine members participated in a two-round survey.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

We developed 39 initial items based on the pioneering literature on VBHC and recent health policies in the Netherlands. Experts rated the importance of each item on a 4-point Likert scale. Experts could change items or add new ones as they saw fit. We retained items that were rated (very) important by ≥80% of the panel.

Results

After two survey rounds, 32 items (72%) were included through expert consensus. Experts unanimously agree on the importance of shared decision-making, with this item uniquely obtaining the maximum score. Experts also reached consensus on the importance of outcome measurements, a focus on medical conditions, and full cycles of care. No consensus was reached on the importance of benchmarking.

Conclusion

This paper provides new insight into the most important actions and practices for establishing a value-based healthcare system in the Netherlands. Interestingly, several of our findings contrast with the pioneering literature on VBHC. This raises the question whether VBHC’s widespread international uptake indicates its actual implementation, or rather that the original concept primarily serves as an inspiring idea.
Practitioners’ perceptions of acceptability of a question prompt list about palliative care for advance care planning with people living with dementia and their family caregivers: a mixed-methods evaluation study
Authors: van der Steen Jenny T , Heck Sten , Juffermans Carla CM , Garvelink Mirjam Marjolein , Achterberg Wilco P , Clayton Josephine , Thompson Genevieve , Koopmans Raymond TCM , van der Linden Yvette M
Published: April 2021

Objectives

In oncology and palliative care, patient question prompt lists (QPLs) with sample questions for patient and family increased patients’ involvement in decision-making and improved outcomes if physicians actively endorsed asking questions. Therefore, we aim to evaluate practitioners’ perceptions of acceptability and possible use of a QPL about palliative and end-of-life care in dementia.

Design

Mixed-methods evaluation study of a QPL developed with family caregivers and experts comprising a survey and interviews with practitioners.

Setting

Two academic medical training centres for primary and long-term care in the Netherlands.

Participants

Practitioners (n=66; 73% woman; mean of 21 (SD 11) years of experience) who were mostly general practitioners and elderly care physicians.

Outcomes

The main survey outcome was acceptability measured with a 15–75 acceptability scale with ≥45 meaning ‘acceptable’.

Results

The survey response rate was 21% (66 of 320 participated). The QPL was regarded as acceptable (mean 51, SD 10) but 64% felt it was too long. Thirty-five per cent would want training to be able to answer the questions. Those who felt unable to answer (31%) found the QPL less acceptable (mean 46 vs 54 for others; p=0.015). We identified three themes from nine interviews: (1) enhancing conversations through discussing difficult topics, (2) proactively engaging in end-of-life conversations and (3) possible implementation.

Conclusion

Acceptability of the QPL was adequate, but physicians feeling confident to be able to address questions about end-of-life care is crucial when implementing it in practice, and may require training. To facilitate discussions of advance care planning and palliative care, families and persons with dementia should also be empowered to access the QPL themselves.
Drassanes Exprés: a public and confidential testing service for asymptomatic STIs with same-day result notification
Authors: Hoyos-Mallecot Yannick , Garcia Jorge Nestor , Sulleiro Elena , Esperalba Juliana , Salmeron Paula , Zarzuela Francesc , Blanco Albert , Arando Maider , Descalzo Vicente , Lopez Luis , Vall-Mayans Martí , Barberá María Jesús , Serra-Pladevall Judit , LLinas Montserrat , Almirante Benito , Pumarola Tomas , Espasa Mateu
Published: April 2021

Background

STIs are a major public health concern. Screening programmes for asymptomatic users are key components of STI control. Traditional limitations of screening programmes include low population coverage and delays in treatments, thus reducing the expected impact on STI control. In our centre, the normal time from test to results was 4 days, and 7 days until treatment was established.

To reduce time to treatment and to increase population coverage, we developed ‘Drassanes Exprés’, a testing service for asymptomatic STIs. The objectives of this study were to provide a guide for the implementation of a service with these characteristics and to evaluate the results of this intervention.

Methods

The Drassanes Exprés programme was launched in Spain on 07 November 2016 as a public, confidential and free-of-charge testing service for asymptomatic STIs, with same-day result notification. For this walk-in service, confidentiality was obtained by registering all information into the Laboratory Internal Software instead of the Electronic Patient Records. Samples were processed in a point-of-care laboratory and result notification was provided via mail or short message service.

Information about workflow, screening protocols and result interpretation is detailed. Additionally, demographic characteristics, STI prevalence, and time from patients’ sample collection to notification and treatment are analysed.

Results

Between 07 November 2016 and 07 November 2019, 13 993 users attended the Drassanes Exprés screening programme. Of these, 0.5% were transgender people, 29.3% women, 45.2% men who have sex with men and 25.1% men who have sex with women. The median age was 31 years (range: 26–39 years). Overall, 14.6% of users tested positive for at least one STI. The most prevalent infection was Chlamydia trachomatis (8.3%), followed by Neisseria gonorrhoeae (5.7%), syphilis (1.8%), HIV (0.4%) and hepatitis C virus (0.2%). The median time from test to results was 2.4 hours (range: 2–3.1 hours). Of 2049 users diagnosed with an STI, treatment was achieved in 97.0% of cases; the average time to treatment was 2.0 days.

Conclusions

Drassanes Exprés is the first public programme for rapid, asymptomatic, STI screening and treatment in Spain. Assessing high-risk practices and providing confidentiality, easy access and rapid results/treatments are key elements in the development of STI screening programmes.
Probing heavy charged Higgs bosons through bottom flavored hadrons in the $$H^+\rightarrow \bar{b}t\rightarrow B+X$$ channel in 2HDM
Authors: Moosavi Nejad S. Mohammad , Sartipi Yarahmadi Pegah
Published: April 2021

Observing light or heavy charged Higgs bosons $$H^\pm $$

H
±

, lighter or heavier than the top quark, would be instant evidence of physics beyond the Standard Model. For this reason, in recent years searches for charged Higgs bosons have been in the center of attention of current colliders such as the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC). In spite of all efforts, no signal has been yet observed. Especially, the results of CMS and ATLAS experiments have excluded a large region in the MSSM $$m_{H^+}-\tan \beta $$

m

H
+

-
tan
β

parameter space for $$m_{H^+}=80{-}160$$

m

H
+

=
80
-
160

 GeV corresponding to the entire range of $$\tan \beta $$

tan
β

up to 60. Therefore, it seems that one should concentrate on probing heavy charged Higgs bosons ($$m_{H^\pm }>m_t$$

m

H
±

>

m
t

) so in this context each new probing channel is welcomed. In this work, we intend to present our proposed channel to search for heavy charged Higgses through the study of scaled-energy distribution of bottom-flavored mesons (B) inclusively produced in charged Higgs decay, i.e., $$H^+\rightarrow t\bar{b}\rightarrow B+X$$

H
+

→
t

b

¯

→
B
+
X

. Our study is carried out within the framework of the generic two Higgs doublet model (2HDM) using the massless scheme where the zero mass parton approximation is adopted for bottom quark.
Low scale leptogenesis in a model with promising CP structure
Authors: Suematsu Daijiro
Published: April 2021

We consider a simple extension of the standard model, which could give a solution to its CP issues through both the Peccei–Quinn mechanism and the Nelson–Barr mechanism. Its low energy effective model coincides with the scotogenic model in the leptonic sector. Although leptogenesis is known not to work well at lower reheating temperature than $$10^9$$

10
9

 GeV in simple seesaw and scotogenic frameworks, such low reheating temperature could be consistent with both neutrino mass generation and thermal leptogenesis via newly introduced fields without referring to the resonance effect. An alternative dark matter candidate to axion is prepared as an indispensable ingredient of the model.
A Green’s function perspective on the nonequilibrium thermodynamics of open quantum systems strongly coupled to baths
Authors: Bergmann Nicolas , Galperin Michael
Published: April 2021

We give a nonequilibrium Green’s function (NEGF) perspective on thermodynamics formulations for open quantum systems that are strongly coupled to baths. A scattering approach implying thermodynamic consideration of a supersystem (system plus baths) that is weakly coupled to external superbaths is compared with the consideration of thermodynamics of a system that is strongly coupled to its baths. We analyze both approaches from the NEGF perspective and argue that the latter yields a possibility of thermodynamic formulation consistent with a dynamical (quantum transport) description.
Smoothing Approximation to the New Exact Penalty Function with Two Parameters
Authors: Qiu Jing , Yu Jiguo , Lian Shujun
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we propose a new non-smooth penalty function with two parameters for nonlinear inequality constrained optimization problems. And we propose a twice continuously differentiable function which is smoothing approximation to the non-smooth penalty function and define the corresponding smoothed penalty problem. A global solution of the smoothed penalty problem is proved to be an approximation global solution of the non-smooth penalty problem. Based on the smoothed penalty function, we develop an algorithm and prove that the sequence generated by the algorithm can converge to the optimal solution of the original problem.
Error Bounds for Inverse Mixed Quasi-Variational Inequality via Generalized Residual Gap Functions
Authors: Zhang Yinfeng , Yu Guolin
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we investigate error bounds of an inverse mixed quasi variational inequality problem in Hilbert spaces. Under the assumptions of strong monotonicity of function couple, we obtain some results related to error bounds using generalized residual gap functions. Each presented error bound is an effective estimation of the distance between a feasible solution and the exact solution. Because the inverse mixed quasi-variational inequality covers several kinds of variational inequalities, such as quasi-variational inequality, inverse mixed variational inequality and inverse quasi-variational inequality, the results obtained in this paper can be viewed as an extension of the corresponding results in the related literature.
Ground performance tests and evaluation of RF ion microthrusters for Taiji-1 satellite
Authors: He Jian-Wu , Duan Li , Kang Qi ,   On behalf of The Taiji Scientific Collaboration
Published: April 2021

The “Taiji-1” satellite is a test satellite for the verification of those key technologies involved in the “Taiji Program in Space”, China’s space gravitational wave detection project; and the spacecraft drag-free control technology is one of its key technologies used to improve the microgravity level of spacecraft. Thus, a demand for a high-precision and continuously adjustable micronewton-level thrust has been proposed on the spacecraft micro-propulsion system. In allusion to such a task, a set of micronewton-level RF ion propulsion system was designed based on the principle of self-sustained discharge of RF plasma so as to conduct studies on the parameter optimization and engineering of RF ion thruster, and an engineering prototype of the micronewton-level continuously adjustable RF ion thruster was successfully developed to meet the design index requirements. The operating parameters have been solidified through further studies on the extreme operating conditions of the engineering prototype, and a series of ground simulation tests of space environment were successfully passed. The ground test and calibration experiment results of the micro-propulsion engineering prototype show that the engineering prototype has fully met the requirements of the Taiji-1 mission, thus having laid a solid foundation for the successful space verification of the key technologies for the “Taiji-1” satellite.
H∞ Constrained Pareto Suboptimal Strategy for Stochastic LPV Time-Delay Systems
Authors: Mukaidani Hiroaki , Xu Hua , Zhuang Weihua
Published: April 2021

Not only in control problems, but also in dynamic games, several sources of performance degradation, such as model variation, deterministic and stochastic uncertainties and state delays, need to be considered. In this paper, we present an [Formula: see text] constrained Pareto suboptimal strategy for stochastic linear parameter-varying (LPV) time-delay systems involving multiple decision makers. The goal of developing the [Formula: see text] constrained Pareto suboptimal strategy set is to construct a memoryless state feedback strategy set, so that the closed-loop stochastic LPV system is stochastically mean-square stable. In the paper, the existence condition of the extended bounded real lemma is first established via linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Then, a quadratic cost bound for cost performance is derived. Based on these preliminary results, sufficient conditions for the existence of such a strategy set under the [Formula: see text] constraint are derived by using cross-coupled bilinear matrix inequalities (BMIs). To determine the strategy set, a viscosity iterative scheme based on the LMIs is established to avoid the processing of BMIs. Finally, two numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the reliability and usefulness of the proposed method.
Spatial distribution of Palaeolithic sites in relation to raw material sources in the central Narmada Valley, India
Authors: Singh Vivek
Published: April 2021

Landscape adaptation in central India is quite exceptional, as more than 300 Lower Palaeolithic occurrences have been reported in different contexts. The present work deals with these assemblages and associated raw material sources in the central Narmada Valley. The central Narmada Valley is rich in various rock types that were used as raw material by various hominin populations. The Narmada River divides the region into northern and southern parts. In the north, there are mainly the Vindhyan Supergroup and Deccan Trap, whereas, in the south, there are primarily the Gondwana Supergroup, the Deccan Traps and the Mahakoshal Group. Along the river, there are exposures of the Vindhyan Supergroup and thick deposits of Quaternary alluvium. The main raw material types in the north of Narmada are quartzite and sandstone (Vindhyan Supergroup), whereas, in the south of Narmada, the main raw materials are quartzite (Gondwana Supergroup) and chert (Deccan Trap). Acheulean sites are mostly found along the foothills of Vindhyan, as well as along the banks of the Narmada River and its tributaries. In this chapter, the author has tried to link these raw material sources with the occurrences of Palaeolithic sites in order to have a better understanding of past hominin land-use patterns and ecological adaptations.
Geoarchaeology in India in the 21st Century: an Outsider's Perspective
Authors: Dennell Robin
Published: April 2021

Progress over the last 20 years in establishing reliable benchmarks in the Paleolithic of India has been uneven but major successes have been the dating of the earliest Acheulean assemblages in India; the dating of the onset of the Middle Stone Age; the dating of the earliest microlithic assemblages in India; and the dating of the antiquity of human occupation of rain forests in South India and Sri Lanka. Also important is our greater understanding of the Younger Toba Tuff and the impact of the Toba megaeruption 74 ka ago on hominin populations in India. Major uncertainties persist over when the genus Homo first entered South Asia; when our own species, H. sapiens first entered South Asia; the age of the earliest blade assemblages in India; and the antiquity of its rock art.
Characteristics of Silicon Oxide Thin Film Deposited via Remote Plasma Atomic Layer Deposition
Authors: Jung Chanwon , Song Seokhwi , Lee Namgue , Kim Youngjoon , Lee Eun Jong , Lee Sung Gwon , Jeon Hyeongtag
Published: April 2021

Recently, high-quality SiO2 thin films deposited at low temperatures have become popular because of their excellent dielectric properties. In this study, SiO2 thin films were deposited through remote plasma atomic layer deposition (RPALD) using a bis(tertiary-butylamino)silane (BTBAS) precursor and O2 plasma. The growth rate was saturated at 1.0 Å/cycle between 300 °C and 400 °C and was maintained throughout the process. The SiO2 thin film was oxygen rich according to Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), and the Si–O–Si bond structure was analyzed by measuring the binding energy differences using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The leakage current density was 2.0 × 10–7 A cm−2 at 2 MV cm−1. As the deposition temperature increased from 300 °C to 400 °C, the breakdown voltage increased from 8.5 MV cm−1 to 10.5 MV cm−1 and the dielectric constant decreased from 3.85 to 3.72, which is slightly lower than for typical SiO2.