bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Population Pharmacokinetics of Tenecteplase in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction and Application to Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Tang Fei , Langenhorst Jurgen , Dang Steve , Kassir Nastya , Owen Ryan , Purdon Barbara , Magnusson Mats O. , Deng Rong
Published: October 2022

The pharmacokinetics (PK) of tenecteplase in patients with acute ischemic stroke has not been extensively studied. This study aimed to describe PK characteristics of tenecteplase in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) using a population PK approach and to assess applicability of the findings to patients with acute ischemic stroke by means of external validation. A population PK model was developed using nonlinear mixed‐effects modeling based on the phase II TIMI 10B study in patients with AMI (785 PK observations from 103 patients). The statistical and clinical impact of selected covariates on PK parameters were evaluated by a stepwise covariate modeling procedure and simulations, respectively. The performance of the final model was evaluated for patients with acute ischemic stroke using summary statistics of tenecteplase concentrations of 75 patients from investigator‐initiated study N1811s. Tenecteplase PK was well described by a 2‐compartment linear model, incorporating allometric scaling of clearance and volume parameters and weight‐normalized creatinine clearance on clearance. Simulations showed that the identified covariates (weight and creatinine clearance) were of limited influence on exposure at the intended dosing regimen for patients with acute ischemic stroke. The model overpredicted mean tenecteplase plasma concentrations from N1811s by 39%, but 72% of the distribution from N1811s was within the 90% prediction interval of the model predictions. The PK characteristics of tenecteplase in patients with AMI were well described by the final model. Simulations from the model indicated that no specific dose recommendations based on covariates are warranted for patients with AMI.
Identification of significant imaging features for sensing oocyte viability
Authors: Chen Yizhe , Liu Yaowei , Zuo Xiaoying , Zhao Qili , Sun Mingzhu , Cui Maosheng , Zhao Xin , Du Yue
Published: October 2022

The evaluation of oocyte viability in the laboratory is limited to the morphological assessment by naked eyes, but the realization that most normal‐appearing oocytes may conceal abnormalities prompts the search for automated approaches that can detect the abnormalities imperceptible to naked eyes. In this study, we developed an image processing pipeline applicable to bright‐field microscope images to quantify the causal relationship between the quantitative imaging features and the developmental potential of oocytes. We acquired 19 imaging features of approximately 700 oocytes and determined two imaging subtypes, namely viable and nonviable subtypes that correlated closely with a viability fluorescence indicator and cleavage rates. The causal relationship between these imaging features and oocyte viability was derived from a viability‐oriented Bayesian network that was developed based on the Bayesian information criterion and Tabu search. Our experimental results revealed that entropy with mean Gray Level Co‐Occurrence Matrix energy describing the uniformity and texture roughness of cytoplasm were salient features for the automated selection of promising oocytes that exhibited excellent developmental potential.
An apparatus for plasma cleaning and storage of transmission electron microscopy specimens and specimen holders
Authors: Tang Xu , Gu Li Xin , Li Qiu Li , Du Zhong Ming , Yang Sai Hong , Feng Lian Jun , Li Jin Hua
Published: October 2022

The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) specimen with thickness in nanometer scale is susceptible to hydrocarbon contamination and oxidation, and the specimen holder is also susceptible to contaminants, which would deteriorate the quality of TEM imaging and degrade the efficiency of TEM experiments. Conventional pretreatment devices often have limited functions and low practicability, which may cause problems for TEM specimens and holders. In this work, a multifunctional apparatus for plasma cleaning and storage of TEM specimens and specimen holders is developed based on the specific design of the vacuum joints. The apparatus includes a plasma cleaning system, holder storage station, and specimen storage station, which share the same vacuum system. The cleaning of hydrocarbon contaminants on the specimen and storage of the specimens and holders can be achieved simultaneously in this apparatus. TEM imaging and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) analyses of two treated specimens using the apparatus demonstrated that it could effectively remove hydrocarbon contaminants on the specimen. The holder storage station, used to preserve TEM holders in vacuum conditions, can also be modified as a specimen storage station by an appropriate design of the specimen storage platform, in which specimens are protected from water and contaminations. The designed apparatus not only robustly avoids damage to the ultrathin specimen and holders but also improves the working efficiency and reduces costs. These advantages could make our apparatus more appealing for the complement to the present commercial plasma cleaning and storage devices.

Highlights

An apparatus for the pretreatment of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) specimens and specimen holders with three functions—plasma cleaning, holder storage, and specimen storage—was designed and fabricated. Using this single apparatus, the cleaning of hydrocarbon contaminants on the specimen and storage of the specimens and holders can be achieved simultaneously. The designed apparatus can not only robustly avoid damage to the ultrathin specimen and holders but also improve the working efficiency and reduce costs by adopting a single vacuum system. These advantages could make our apparatus more appealing for the complement to the present commercial plasma cleaning and storage devices.
Angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors reduce community‐acquired pneumonia hospitalization and mortality
Authors: Alexander Donald P. , Nickman Nancy A. , Chhibber Anindit , Stoddard Gregory J. , Biskupiak Joseph E. , Munger Mark A.
Published: October 2022

Background

Pneumonia is a global disorder and a common reason for prolonged hospitalization. Angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) have pleiotropic effects that support a role in modulating pneumonia, but results have been controversial.

Objectives

The present study was conducted to elucidate an ACEi‐induced pneumonia benefit in at‐risk neurologically impaired population and to determine whether a mortality benefit exists.

Methods

A cohort study using a large health‐system of 29,011 unique ACEi users and 1635 case patients 65 years of age or older without neurological disorders affecting swallowing who were admitted with community‐acquired pneumonia hospitalization and followed up from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2019 (5 years). The association between ACEi use and pneumonia hospitalization and mortality were determined after propensity score matching using Cox and logistic regression.

Results

The experimental cohort was 74.9 ± 7.3 years and 51% were male. ACEi users had lower odds of acquiring pneumonia versus ACEi non‐users (odds ratio) 0.72 [95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.51 to 0.99]; p = 0.048. The risk of short‐term mortality (<30 days) (HR) 0.42, p < 0.001 and long‐term mortality (≥30 day) (HR) 0.83, p < 0.002 was significantly lower for ACEi users compared with the ACEi non‐users.

Conclusions

ACEi use in patients at risk of pneumonia without neurological swallowing disorders is associated with reduction in hospitalization and lowering of short‐ and long‐term mortality. Given the high incidence of morbidity and mortality associated with pneumonia, and the susceptibility in older populations with underlying cardiovascular or renal disease or social dependencies, our data support the prescribing of ACEi in these populations to reduce pneumonia hospitalization risk as well as short‐ and long‐term mortality.
Identification of three types of O‐glycosylated flavonoids in Dendrobium loddigesii, Dendrobium primulinum, Dendrobium crepidatum, Dendrobium porphyrochilum, and Dendrobium hancockii using mass spectrometry
Authors: Meng Yuanjun , Liang Zhiyun , Zhang Lin , Hu Li , Fu Jingran , Wei Gang , Huang Yuechun
Published: October 2022

Rationale

Flavonoids, representing the pharmacologically active ingredients, are found widely in Dendrobium species. The biodiversity of Dendrobium makes the identification of its varieties all the more complicated. Previous studies showed that C‐glycosylated flavones and a few O‐glycosylated flavonols could be used in the identification of various Dendrobium species. Accordingly, this study further explores the significance of the identification of various types of O‐glycosylated flavonoids in Dendrobium species.

Methods

High‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization multistage tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–ESI–MSn) was used to identify the chemical constituents in five types of Dendrobium: Dendrobium loddigesii, Dendrobium primulinum, Dendrobium crepidatum, Dendrobium porphyrochilum, and Dendrobium hancockii.

Results

A total of 41 O‐glycosylated flavonoids and 3 C‐glycosylated flavones were identified, among which O‐glycosylated dihydroflavones were the main flavonoids in D. loddigesii and D. primulinum, O‐Glycosylated flavonols were rich in both D. crepidatum and D. porphyrochilum characterized by the main aglycone, substituted sugars, and their structural characteristics, and O‐glycosylated flavones were the main constituents in D. hancockii.

Conclusions

In this study, three types of O‐glycosylated flavonoids in the five Dendrobium species were determined to have certain significance. This also provides a reference for the identification of other O‐glycosylated flavonoids in Chinese herbs.
Künstliche Intelligenz bei der Diagnose Seltener Erkrankungen: die Entwicklung der Phänotyp-Analyse
Authors: Krawitz Peter M.
Published: October 2022

Durch die Analyse des Erscheinungsbildes (Phänotyp) von Patient:innen kann die Diagnostik von Seltenen Erkrankungen unterstützt werden, da bei vielen genetischen Erkrankungen charakteristische Abweichungen (Dysmorphologien) auftreten. Diese betreffen z. B. die Merkmale des Gesichts – die „faziale Gestalt“.

In diesem Beitrag wird ein Bereich der künstlichen Intelligenz (KI) beleuchtet, in dem es in den letzten Jahren große Fortschritte gegeben hat: die Erkennung charakteristischer Muster in medizinischen Bilddaten mittels vielschichtiger, gefalteter künstlicher neuronaler Netzwerke (Next-Generation Phenotyping – NGP). Die technischen Grundlagen der Methode werden kurz beschrieben und es wird auf die hohe Relevanz von frei zugänglichen Daten für die Wissenschaftsgemeinschaft zur Entwicklung von KI eingegangen. Des Weiteren wird erläutert, warum Entscheidungen von KI immer nachvollziehbar bleiben sollten und wie es gelingen kann, die Herausforderungen in Hinblick auf Datenschutz und Transparenz zu meistern.

Zukünftig können Software-Anwendungen mit KI ärztliche Fachkräfte bei der Diagnostik von Seltenen Erkrankungen unterstützen. Das Vertrauen in den Einsatz von KI wird steigen, wenn Patient:innen ihre Datenhoheit behalten und nachvollziehen können, auf welchem Weg die Diagnose entstanden ist.
Online Survey Evaluation of Three Years of European Society of Thoracic Surgeons Educational Webinars as Part of The E‐learning Platform
Authors: Depypere Lieven P. , Novoa Nuria , Daddi Niccolò , Assouad Jalal , Agrafiotis Apostolos C. , Lauk Olivia , Decaluwé Herbert , Falcoz Pierre Emmanuel , Opitz Isabelle , Brunelli Alessandro , Batirel Hasan Fevzi
Published: October 2022

Background

E‐learning has become an important tool in surgical education in the last decade. The European Society of Thoracic Surgeons launched its e‐learning platform in 2013 and started its educational webinars series in 2018. The aim of this paper is to discuss the introduction, evolution and impact of the educational webinars within this e‐learning platform.

Methods

Twenty‐four English spoken webinars discussing different subdomains in general thoracic surgery (21 expert talks, 2 pro‐con debates and 1 multidisciplinary case discussion) were analyzed. An online questionnaire on timing, quality and technical aspects of the webinars was sent to 3012 registrants.

Results

The webinars reached 3128 unique registrants from 76 countries worldwide. The mean number of registrants was 355 with 171 live attendees (48%) and 155 replay watchers (36%). Hundred and twenty‐six attendees (13.1% of people who registered for at least 4 webinars) completed the questionnaire. Timing and duration of the webinars were rated “very good” to “excellent” in 78%, and the quality of the webinar content and the expertise of the webinar presenters were rated “very good” to “excellent” in 88% and 90%, respectively. The impact on knowledge and clinical practice was scored with a weighted average of 7.27 out of 10 and 6.79 out of 10, respectively.

Conclusions

The ESTS educational webinars were effective in delivering up‐to‐date knowledge to almost half of the countries around the globe. The impact of these events on knowledge and clinical practice were rated high. New e‐learning tools should be added to the surgical educational curriculum.
University students’ strategies and criteria during self-assessment: instructor’s feedback, rubrics, and year level effects
Authors: Panadero Ernesto , Pérez Daniel García , Ruiz Javier Fernández , Fraile Juan , Sánchez-Iglesias Iván , Brown Gavin T. L.
Published: October 2022

This study explores the effects of feedback type, feedback occasion, and year level on student self-assessments in higher education. In total, 126 university students participated in this randomized experiment under three experimental conditions (i.e., rubric feedback, instructor’s written feedback, and rubric feedback plus instructor’s written feedback). Participants, after random assignment to feedback condition, were video-recorded performing a self-assessment on a writing task both before and after receiving feedback. The quality of self-assessment strategies decreased after feedback of all kinds, but the number of strategies increased for the combined feedback condition. The number of self-assessment criteria increased for rubric and combined conditions, while feedback helped shift criteria use from basic to advanced criteria. Student year level was not systematically related to changes in self-assessment after feedback. In general, the combination of rubric and instructor’s feedback produced the best effects.
A new measure for the attitude to mobility of Italian students and graduates: a topological data analysis approach
Authors: Vittorietti Martina , Giambalvo Ornella , Genova Vincenzo Giuseppe , Aiello Fabio
Published: October 2022

Students’ and graduates’ mobility is an interesting topic of discussion especially for the Italian education system and universities. The main reasons for migration and for the so called brain drain, can be found in the socio-economic context and in the famous North–South divide. Measuring mobility and understanding its dynamic over time and space are not trivial tasks. Most of the studies in the related literature focus on the determinants of such phenomenon, in this paper, instead, combining tools coming from graph theory and Topological Data Analysis we propose a new measure for the attitude to mobility. Each mobility trajectory is represented by a graph and the importance of the features constituting the graph are evaluated over time using persistence diagrams. The attitude to mobility of the students is then ranked computing the distance between the individual persistence diagram and the theoretical persistence diagram of the stayer student. The new approach is used for evaluating the mobility of the students that in 2008 enrolled in an Italian university. The relation between attitude to mobility and the main socio-demographic variables is investigated.
Discourses of artificial intelligence in higher education: a critical literature review
Authors: Bearman Margaret , Ryan Juliana , Ajjawi Rola
Published: October 2022

Artificial intelligence (AI) holds significant implications for higher education; however, references to AI in the literature are often vague and open to debate. In order to understand how to progress AI-related research and analysis, this critical review systematically searched top higher education journals for references to the term ‘artificial intelligence’. We reviewed definitions and conducted a discourse analysis of included texts. Our findings identify few, confusing definitions and little overt reference to AI as a research object. We delineated two Discourses. The Discourse of imperative change outlines how AI is seen as an inevitable change to which all must respond. Additionally, the Discourse of altering authority describes how texts position AI as decentring the teacher and spreading authority across staff, machines, corporations and students. Our analysis prompts a call for new research foci that attend to the social implications of AI, including tracing accountability in AI-mediated practices and exploring how AI influences learning and teaching relationships.
Digital Resilience in Dealing with Misinformation on Social Media during COVID-19
Authors: Schmid Stefka , Hartwig Katrin , Cieslinski Robert , Reuter Christian
Published: October 2022

In crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial to support users when dealing with social media content. Considering digital resilience, we propose a web app based on Social Network Analysis (SNA) to provide an overview of potentially misleading vs. non-misleading content on Twitter, which can be explored by users and enable foundational learning. The latter aims at systematically identifying thematic patterns which may be associated with misleading information. Additionally, it entails reflecting on indicators of misleading tweets which are proposed to approach classification of tweets. Paying special attention to non-expert users of social media, we conducted a two-step Think Aloud study for evaluation. While participants valued the opportunity to generate new knowledge and the diversity of the application, qualities such as equality and rapidity may be further improved. However, learning effects outweighed individual costs as all users were able to shift focus onto relevant features, such as hashtags, while readily pointing out content characteristics. Our design artifact connects to learning-oriented interventions regarding the spread of misleading information and tackles information overload by a SNA-based plug-in.
Rehabilitation of the P2X5 receptor: a re-evaluation of structure and function
Authors: King Brian F.
Published: October 2022

Of the extended family of ATP-gated P2X ion-channels, the P2X5 receptor has received comparatively little attention since first cloned over 25 years ago. Disinterest in studying this P2X subtype stems from two commonly held beliefs: (i) canonical human P2X5 is non-functional because the P2X5 subunit is truncated (hP2X5A, 422 aa) and missing the critical peptide sequence (22 aa) encoded by exon 10; (ii) rat and mouse P2X5 subunits are fully formed (455 aa) but the receptor is only weakly functional, and successive ATP responses rapidly run down in amplitude. However, newer studies have re-evaluated these notions. First, a low proportion (around 10%) of humans possess full-length P2X5 subunits (444 aa) and can form competent P2X5 receptors. Full-length P2X5 has been identified only in black Americans, but may occur in a wider population as more ethnicities are screened. Second, replacement of one of three amino acids in rat P2X5 subunits with corresponding residues in human P2X5 subunits (V67I, S191F, or F195H) significantly improves the responsiveness of rat P2X5 to ATP. Replaced residues exert an allosteric action on the left flipper, allowing the docking jaw for ATP to flex the lower body of the subunit and fully open the ion pore. This proposed action may drive the search for naturally occurring modulators which act allosterically on wildtype rat P2X5. This review collates the available information on the structure and function of human and rat P2X5 receptors, with the view to rehabilitating the reputation of these ATP-gated ion channels and stimulating future lines of research.
Genomic alterations in a cohort of pediatric acute myeloid leukemia patients at two cancer centers in Colombia
Authors: Yunis Luz K. , Linares-Ballesteros Adriana , Barros Gisela , Garcia Johnny , Aponte Nelson , Niño Laura , Uribe Gloria , Quintero Edna , Perez Jaime , Martinez Leila , Yunis Juan J.
Published: October 2022

Few studies identifying genomic aspects in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia patients in Latin American countries have been reported. The aim of this study was to identify genomic alterations, clinical characteristics and outcomes in a cohort of pediatric AML patients. This descriptive observational cohort study included patients with confirmed de novo acute myeloid leukemia up to 18 years of age. Cytogenetics and conventional FISH analysis, next-generation sequencing and PCR testing were performed. The correlation of genomic data with treatment response and outcomes were analyzed. Of the 51 patients analyzed, 67.4% had a cytogenetic abnormality and 74.5% had a genetic variant. FLT3 variants (ITD or TKD D835) were found in 27.4%, followed by NRAS (21.6%), KRAS (13.7%) and WT1 and KIT (11.8%). Patients were stratified by risk (66.6% high-risk) after the end of induction. FLT3-ITD was associated with relapse (OR 11.25; CI 1.89–66.72, p 0.006) and NRAS with death during induction (OR 16.71; CI 1.51–184.59, p 0.022). Our study highlights the importance of rapid incorporation of genetic testing in pediatric AML in Colombia, as it directly affects treatment decisions and outcomes. Incorporation of targeted therapies with conventional chemotherapy is an increasingly urgent need in pediatric patients.
Temporal and spatial dynamics of Fusarium spp. and mycotoxins in Swedish cereals during 16 years
Authors: Karlsson Ida , Mellqvist Eva , Persson Paula
Published: October 2022

We analysed the dynamics of Fusarium spp. and mycotoxin contamination in Swedish cereals during 2004–2018. More than 1400 cereal samples from field trials were included, collected in a monitoring programme run by the Swedish Board of Agriculture. Five Fusarium mycotoxins were quantified with LC-MS/MS and fungal DNA from four species was quantified using quantitative real-time PCR. Correlation analyses revealed that deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN) were mainly associated with Fusarium graminearum, but stronger correlations with F. culmorum was seen some years. Nivalenol (NIV) was associated with F. poae and the HT-2 and T-2 toxins with F. langsethiae. Clear differences in mycotoxin contamination between different cereal crops and geographical regions were identified. The highest levels of DON and ZEN were found in spring wheat in Western Sweden. For NIV, HT-2 and T-2 toxins, the levels were highest in spring oats and spring barley. Regional differences were not detected for NIV, while HT-2 and T-2 toxins were associated with the northernmost region. We found that delayed harvest was strongly associated with increased levels of DON and ZEN in several crops. However, harvest date did not influence the levels of NIV or HT-2 and T-2 toxins. Our results suggest similar distribution patterns of DON and ZEN, in contrast to NIV and HT-2 and T-2 toxins, probably mirroring the differences in the ecology of the toxin-producing Fusarium species. Timely harvest is important to reduce the risk of DON and ZEN contamination, especially for fields with other risk factors.
Exploring the challenges of learning quadratic equations and reflecting upon curriculum structure and implementation
Authors: Reid O’Connor Bronwyn , Norton Stephen
Published: October 2022

An important topic of study in secondary mathematics is non-linear functions, including quadratic equations. In this study, findings from 25 Year 11 students indicated that difficulties with critical prerequisite concepts such as algebraic conventions impeded students’ success in understanding and working with quadratics. Analysis of student errors identified misconceptions associated with the null factor law, and the nature of quadratic equations. This paper proposes that these findings are a result of limited timeframes nominated for learning quadratic topics outlined in the enacted curriculum. The implication of this is that the enactment of the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics F-10 did not support the development of conceptual understanding or procedural fluency with key mathematical concepts for these students. Without purposeful attention to prerequisite knowledge, and suitable time allocated to develop understanding and fluency, students’ proficiency with topics such as quadratics is negatively influenced. A mastery approach to the hierarchically organised curriculum is supported by findings of this study.
Popper’s Critical Rationalism as a Response to the Problem of Induction: Predictive Reasoning in the Early Stages of the Covid-19 Epidemic
Authors: Peltonen Tuomo
Published: October 2022

The extent of harm and suffering caused by the coronavirus pandemic has prompted a debate about whether the epidemic could have been contained, had the gravity of the crisis been predicted earlier. In this paper, the philosophical debate on predictive reasoning is framed by Hume’s problem of induction. Hume argued that it is rationally unjustified to move from the finite observations of past incidences to the predictions of future events. Philosophy has offered two major responses to the problem of induction: the pragmatic induction of Peirce and the critical rationalism of Popper. It is argued that of these two, Popper’s critical rationalism provides a more potent tool for preparing for unanticipated events such as the Covid-19 pandemic. Popper’s notion of risky predictions equips strategic foresight with clear hypotheticals regarding potential crisis scenarios. Peirce’s pragmatic induction, instead, leans on probabilities that are slower to be amended as unexpected events start unfolding. The difference between the two approaches is demonstrated through a case study of the patterns of reasoning within the World Health Organization in the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic.
Workplace Supported Recovery from Substance Use Disorders: Defining the Construct, Developing a Model, and Proposing an Agenda for Future Research
Authors: Frone Michael R. , Chosewood L. Casey , Osborne Jamie C. , Howard John J.
Published: October 2022

Substance use disorders (SUDs) represent a critical public and occupational health issue. Therefore, understanding the process of SUD recovery has become an issue of growing importance among substance use and recovery professionals. Nonetheless, despite the acknowledged importance of employment for SUD recovery, little conceptual or empirical work exists on how the workplace might support or undermine SUD recovery. In this article, we address this limitation in several ways. First, to promote a better understanding of SUD recovery for occupational health researchers, we provide a brief overview of the nature of a SUD, prior definitions of SUD recovery, and general themes associated with the recovery process. Second, we develop a working definition of workplace supported recovery. Third, we present a heuristic conceptual model showing how the workplace might impact the SUD recovery process. Fourth, using this model and research from the substance use and occupational health literatures, we develop a series of general research propositions. These propositions highlight broad directions requiring more detailed conceptualization and empirical research to understand better how work conditions may support or undermine the process of employee SUD recovery. Our overarching goal is to motivate innovative conceptualization and research on workplace supported recovery from SUDs. Such research may inform the development and evaluation of workplace interventions and policies supporting SUD recovery and highlight the benefits of workplace supported SUD recovery for employees, employers, and communities. Research on this issue may allow occupational health researchers to impact a significant societal and occupational health issue.
Deep learning schemes for parabolic nonlocal integro-differential equations
Authors: Castro Javier
Published: October 2022

In this paper we consider the numerical approximation of nonlocal integro differential parabolic equations via neural networks. These equations appear in many recent applications, including finance, biology and others, and have been recently studied in great generality starting from the work of Caffarelli and Silvestre by Lius and Lius (Comm PDE 32(8):1245–1260, 2007). Based on the work by Hure, Pham and Warin by Hure et al. (Math Comp 89:1547–1579, 2020), we generalize their Euler scheme and consistency result for Backward Forward Stochastic Differential Equations to the nonlocal case. We rely on Lévy processes and a new neural network approximation of the nonlocal part to overcome the lack of a suitable good approximation of the nonlocal part of the solution.
Acceptance or rejection of welfare migration—an experimental investigation
Authors: Huber Jürgen , Hueber Laura , Kleinlercher Daniel , Stöckl Thomas
Published: October 2022

We study decisions on welcoming or opposing welfare migration in a laboratory setting with two societies in which one subject can migrate from the poorer to the richer society, provided a majority in the richer society votes to allow that. In each society, subjects indicate their preference for a percentage contribution to a public pool. The median of these rates sets the contributions paid by everybody; a feature that results in high contribution rates with an average of 90%. Varying the multiplier with which contributions are magnified before redistribution to society members, and thus the expected gain/loss associated with migration, we find that subjects overwhelmingly welcome migrants if they expect an economic benefit, while most participants oppose migration if they would be negatively affected by it. Regarding participants’ attitudes, we find that more altruistic people are more in favor of migration than more selfish people and that center right–wing oriented subjects propose lower contribution levels than center left–wing oriented subjects. We conclude that economic motives are a crucial factor for accepting or rejecting welfare migration. Therefore, a key to promoting acceptance of new migrants is to ensure and then communicate that their net effect on growth, society, and the public purse is positive.
Risk factors for mortality over 18 years in 317 ICUs in 9 Asian countries: The impact of healthcare-associated infections
Authors: Rosenthal Victor Daniel , Jin Zhilin , Rodrigues Camilla , Myatra Sheila Nainan , Divatia Jigeeshu Vasishth , Biswas Sanjay K. , Shrivastava Anjana Mahesh , Kharbanda Mohit , Nag Bikas , Mehta Yatin , Sarma Smita , Todi Subhash Kumar , Bhattacharyya Mahuya , Bhakta Arpita , Gan Chin Seng , Low Michelle Siu Yee , Bt Madzlan Kushairi Marissa , Chuah Soo Lin , Wang Qi Yuee , Chawla Rajesh , Jain Aakanksha Chawla , Kansal Sudha , Bali Roseleen Kaur , Arjun Rajalakshmi , Davaadagva Narangarav , Bat-Erdene Batsuren , Begzjav Tsolmon , Mohd Basri Mat Nor , Tai Chian-Wern , Lee Pei-Chuen , Tang Swee-Fong , Sandhu Kavita , Badyal Binesh , Arora Ankush , Sengupta Deep , Yin Ruijie
Published: October 2022

Objective:

To identify risk factors for mortality in intensive care units (ICUs) in Asia.

Design:

Prospective cohort study.

Setting:

The study included 317 ICUs of 96 hospitals in 44 cities in 9 countries of Asia: China, India, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Participants:

Patients aged >18 years admitted to ICUs.

Results:

In total, 157,667 patients were followed during 957,517 patient days, and 8,157 HAIs occurred. In multiple logistic regression, the following variables were associated with an increased mortality risk: central-line–associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI; aOR, 2.36; P < .0001), ventilator-associated event (VAE; aOR, 1.51; P < .0001), catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI; aOR, 1.04; P < .0001), and female sex (aOR, 1.06; P < .0001). Older age increased mortality risk by 1% per year (aOR, 1.01; P < .0001). Length of stay (LOS) increased mortality risk by 1% per bed day (aOR, 1.01; P < .0001). Central-line days increased mortality risk by 2% per central-line day (aOR, 1.02; P < .0001). Urinary catheter days increased mortality risk by 4% per urinary catheter day (aOR, 1.04; P < .0001). The highest mortality risks were associated with mechanical ventilation utilization ratio (aOR, 12.48; P < .0001), upper middle-income country (aOR, 1.09; P = .033), surgical hospitalization (aOR, 2.17; P < .0001), pediatric oncology ICU (aOR, 9.90; P < .0001), and adult oncology ICU (aOR, 4.52; P < .0001). Patients at university hospitals had the lowest mortality risk (aOR, 0.61; P < .0001).

Conclusions:

Some variables associated with an increased mortality risk are unlikely to change, such as age, sex, national economy, hospitalization type, and ICU type. Some other variables can be modified, such as LOS, central-line use, urinary catheter use, and mechanical ventilation as well as and acquisition of CLABSI, VAE, or CAUTI. To reduce mortality risk, we shall focus on strategies to reduce LOS; strategies to reduce central-line, urinary catheter, and mechanical ventilation use; and HAI prevention recommendations.
Implementation of a 24-hour empiric antibiotic duration for negative early-onset sepsis evaluations to reduce early antibiotic exposure in premature infants
Authors: Kumar Rupin , Setiady Initha , Bultmann Charlene R. , Kaufman David A. , Swanson Jonathan R. , Sullivan Brynne A.
Published: October 2022

Objective:

Antibiotic exposure increases the risk of morbidity and mortality in premature infants. Many centers use at least 48 hours of antibiotics in the evaluation of early-onset sepsis (EOS, <72 hours after birth), yet most important pathogens grow within 24 hours. We investigated the safety and efficacy of reducing empiric antibiotic duration to 24 hours.

Design:

Quality improvement study.

Setting:

A tertiary-care neonatal intensive care unit.

Patients:

Inborn infants <35 weeks gestational age at birth (ie, preterm) admitted January 2019 through December 2020.

Intervention:

In December 2019, we changed the recommended duration of empiric antibiotics for negative EOS evaluations from 48 hours to 24 hours.

Results:

Patient characteristics before and after the intervention were similar. After the intervention, 71 preterm infants (57%) with negative EOS evaluations received ≤24 hours of antibiotics, an increase from 15 (10%) before the intervention. These 71 infants comprised 77% of infants with negative EOS blood cultures after excluding those treated as clinical sepsis (≥5 days of antibiotics). For all negative EOS blood cultures, the mean treatment duration decreased by 0.5 days from 3.9 days to 3.4 days. This finding equated to 2.4 fewer antibiotic days per 100 patient days for negative EOS blood cultures but similar antibiotic days per 30 patient days (7.2 days vs 7.5 days). This measure did not change over time. Subsequent sepsis evaluations <7 days after a negative EOS blood culture did not increase. Excluding contaminants, the median time to positivity was 13.2 hours (range, 8–23) in 8 positive blood cultures.

Conclusion:

Implementation of a 24-hour antibiotic course for negative EOS evaluations safely reduced antibiotic exposure in 77% of infants <35 weeks gestational age at birth in whom EOS was ruled out. All clinically significant pathogens grew within 24 hours.
Reduced modelling and global instability of finite-Reynolds-number flow in compliant rectangular channels
Authors: Wang Xiaojia , Christov Ivan C.
Published: October 2022

Experiments have shown that flow in compliant microchannels can become unstable at a much lower Reynolds number than the corresponding flow in a rigid conduit. Therefore, it has been suggested that the wall's elastic compliance can be exploited towards new modalities of microscale mixing. While previous studies mainly focused on the local instability induced by the fluid–structure interactions (FSIs) in the system, we derive a one-dimensional (1-D) model to study the FSI's effect on the global instability. The proposed 1-D FSI model is tailored to long, shallow rectangular microchannels with a deformable top wall, similar to the experiments. Going beyond the usual lubrication flows analysed in these geometries, we include finite fluid inertia and couple the reduced flow equations to a novel reduced 1-D wall deformation equation. Although a quantitative comparison with previous experiments is difficult, the behaviours of the proposed model show, qualitatively, agreement with the experimental observations, and capture several key effects. Specifically, we find the critical conditions under which the inflated base state of the 1-D FSI model is linearly unstable to infinitesimal perturbations. The critical Reynolds numbers predicted are in agreement with experimental observations. The unstable modes are highly oscillatory, with frequencies close to the natural frequency of the wall, suggesting that the observed instabilities are resonance phenomena. Furthermore, during the start-up from an undeformed initial state, self-sustained oscillations can be triggered by FSI. Our modelling framework can be applied to other microfluidic systems with similar geometric scale separation under different operating conditions.
The Indian Pulsar Timing Array: First data release
Authors: Tarafdar Pratik , Nobleson K , Rana Prerna , Singha Jaikhomba , Krishnakumar M. A. , Joshi Bhal Chandra , Paladi Avinash Kumar , Kolhe Neel , Batra Neelam Dhanda , Agarwal Nikita , Bathula Adarsh , Dandapat Subhajit , Desai Shantanu , Dey Lankeswar , Hisano Shinnosuke , Ingale Prathamesh , Kato Ryo , Kharbanda Divyansh , Kikunaga Tomonosuke , Marmat Piyush , Pandian B. Arul , Prabu T. , Srivastava Aman , Surnis Mayuresh , Susarla Sai Chaitanya , Susobhanan Abhimanyu , Takahashi Keitaro , Arumugam P. , Bagchi Manjari , Banik Sarmistha , De Kishalay , Girgaonkar Raghav , Gopakumar A. , Gupta Yashwant , Maan Yogesh , Manoharan P. K. , Naidu Arun , Pathak Dhruv
Published: October 2022

We present the pulse arrival times and high-precision dispersion measure estimates for 14 millisecond pulsars observed simultaneously in the 300

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500 MHz and 1260

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1460 MHz frequency bands using the upgraded Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope. The data spans over a baseline of 3.5 years (2018-2021), and is the first official data release made available by the Indian Pulsar Timing Array collaboration. This data release presents a unique opportunity for investigating the interstellar medium effects at low radio frequencies and their impact on the timing precision of pulsar timing array experiments. In addition to the dispersion measure time series and pulse arrival times obtained using both narrowband and wideband timing techniques, we also present the dispersion measure structure function analysis for selected pulsars. Our ongoing investigations regarding the frequency dependence of dispersion measures have been discussed. Based on the preliminary analysis for five millisecond pulsars, we do not find any conclusive evidence of chromaticity in dispersion measures. Data from regular simultaneous two-frequency observations are presented for the first time in this work. This distinctive feature leads us to the highest precision dispersion measure estimates obtained so far for a subset of our sample. Simultaneous multi-band upgraded Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope observations in 300

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500 MHz and 1260

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1460 MHz are crucial for high-precision dispersion measure estimation and for the prospect of expanding the overall frequency coverage upon the combination of data from the various Pulsar Timing Array consortia in the near future. Parts of the data presented in this work are expected to be incorporated into the upcoming third data release of the International Pulsar Timing Array.
Fuzzy logic approach for estimation of longitudinal aircraft parameters
Authors: Yaacob M. S. , Jamaluddin H. , Wong K. C.
Published: October 2022

The use of rule-based fuzzy logic system for estimating the stability and control derivatives for the longitudinal aircraft motion is proposed. The capabilities of the fuzzy logic system in estimating both the short-period and the phugoid mode of motions are explored. The flight data used in the estimation process were generated using the three nonlinear longitudinal equation of motion for a small remotely piloted vehicle with all the aerodynamic coefficients obtained from the wind-tunnel tests. The preferred method of perturbation of the aircraft elevator for data collection is also highlighted. The stability and control derivatives are estimated as the change in the aerodynamic force or moment due to small variation in one of the motion or control variables about its nominal value when the rest of the variables are held constant at their respective nominal values. The changes in the aerodynamic force and moment are predicted using the fuzzy logic system. The results show that the fuzzy logic system has a good potential as alternative tools for parameter estimation from flight data. The proposed method does not require any guesses of the initial values of the flight parameters.
Flow visualisation of the orthogonal blade-vortex interaction using particle image velocimetry
Authors: Early J. M. , Green R. B. , Coton F. N.
Published: October 2022

The flow field produced by the orthogonal blade-vortex interaction (BVI) was examined through the application of a particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique, and acquisition of comparative unsteady surface pressure measurements. The velocity vector maps obtained revealed a significant radial flow from the vortex core after severing, in the form of an outward flow from the core when the flow is directed towards the surface (lower), and inward when directed away (upper). With progression of the vortex over the chord of the blade, the interaction led to a decrease in peak vorticity levels on the lower surface, but a steady level was maintained on the upper surface. Assessment of the effect of the interaction on the out-of-plane mass flux was performed through calculation of the divergence, revealing that there is no further variation in the axial flow on either side of the blade after the initial cut.
Aeroelasticity of two-dimensional lifting surfaces via indicial function approach
Authors: Marzocca P. , Librescu L. , Chiocchia G.
Published: October 2022

An aeroelastic formulation of 2D lifting surfaces in an incompressible flow field via the use of aerodynamic indicial functions is presented. The approach carried out in time and frequency domains yields the proper aerodynamic loads necessary to the study of the subcritical aeroelastic response and flutter of lifting surfaces, respectively. The expressions of the unsteady lift and aerodynamic twist moment in the frequency domain are given in terms of the Theodorsen’s function, while in the time domain, these are obtained directly with the help of the Wagner’s function. Closed form expressions of unsteady aerodynamic derivatives, helpful in an unified approach of response and flutter analyses, and results related to aeroelastic response to gust and blast loads are supplied. In this context, a novel representation of the aeroelastic response in the phase - space was supplied and pertinent conclusions on the implications of some basic parameters have been outlined.
Utilising CFD in the investigation of high-speed unsteady spiked body flows
Authors: Feszty D. , Badcock K. J. , Richards B. E.
Published: October 2022

Unsteady spiked body flows were simulated by a second order time-accurate CFD method. Laminar, axisymmetric flow was considered at Mach 2.21 and Mach 6 freestreams and Reynolds’ numbers based on the blunt body diameter of 0.12 million and 0.13 million, respectively. A spiked forward facing cylinder with spike lengths between LID = 1.00 and LID = 2.40 was used as the model geometry. Following the numerical method’s verification, the individual flow modes of oscillation and pulsation were examined. The frequency of the events was found in good agreement with the experiment, while the pressure amplitudes were overpredicted in the Mach 6 cases. Analysis of the numerical results showed that the oscillation flow mode was driven by a viscous mechanism, whereas the pulsation by an inviscid one. The hysteresis phenomenon in the transition between the two flow modes was predicted qualitatively.
Examining the effect of exit separation on aircraft evacuation performance during 90-second certification trials using evacuation modelling techniques
Authors: Blake S. J. , Galea E. R. , Gwynne S. , Lawrence P. J. , Filippidis L.
Published: October 2022

This paper examines the influence of exit separation, exit availability and seating configuration on aircraft evacuation efficiency and evacuation time. The purpose of this analysis is to explore how these parameters influence the 60-foot exit separation requirement found in aircraft certification rules. The analysis makes use of the airEXODUS evacuation model and is based on a typical wide-body aircraft cabin section involving two pairs of Type-A exits located at either end of the section with a maximum permissible loading of 220 passengers located between the exits. The analysis reveals that there is a complex relationship between exit separation and evacuation efficiency. A main finding of this work is that for the cabin section examined, with a maximum passenger load of 220 and under certification conditions, exit separations up to 170ft will result in approximately constant total evacuation times and average personal evacuation times. This practical exit separation threshold is decreased to 114ft if another combination of exits is selected. While other factors must also be considered when determining maximum allowable exit separations, these results suggest it is not possible to mandate a maximum exit separation without taking into consideration exit type, exit availability and aircraft configuration.
The case for flight simulation in general aviation
Authors: Allerton D. J.
Published: October 2022

This paper sets out the case to extend the role of flight simulation in general aviation. It outlines the benefits that flight simulation has brought to airline safety but observes that the majority of pilots worldwide receive no simulator-based training or checking. The paper reviews the potential benefits of synthetic training and provides an analysis of accidents in general aviation to show that a significant reduction in fatal accidents is achievable by instituting recurrent pilot checks in a flight simulator, similar to the simulator checks undertaken by airline pilots. The paper summarises the advances in simulator technology which have occurred in recent years and outlines a scheme to fund the introduction of flight training devices in general aviation, based on compulsory recurrent checks for PPL and CPL pilots. The paper surmises that flight simulation offers a practical means to reduce the accident rate in general aviation and concludes by outlining a financial case to fund the introduction of mandatory simulation-based recurrent checks in general aviation.