bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expressions of conventional vitellogenin and vitellogenin‐like A in worker brains are associated with a nursing task in a ponerine ant
Authors: Miyazaki S. , Shimoji H. , Suzuki R. , Chinushi I. , Takayanagi H. , Yaguchi H. , Miura T. , Maekawa K.
Published: November 2020

In eusocial insect colonies, non‐reproductive workers often perform different tasks. Tasks of an individual worker are shifted depending on various factors, e.g., age and colony demography. Although a vitellogenin (Vg) gene play regulatory roles in both reproductive and non‐reproductive division of labours in a honeybee, it has been shown that the insect Vg underwent multiple gene duplications and sub‐functionalisation, especially in apical ant lineages. The regulatory roles of duplicated Vgs were suggested to change evolutionarily among ants, whereas such roles in phylogenetically basal ants remain unclear. Here, we examined the expression patterns of conventional Vg (CVg), Vg‐like A, Vg‐like B and Vg‐like C, as well as Vg receptor, during the task shift in an age‐dependent manner and under experimental manipulation of colony demography in a primitive ant Diacamma sp. Expressions of CVg and Vg‐like A in a brain were associated with a nursing task. It is suggested that associations of brain expressions of these Vgs with worker tasks were acquired in the basal ant lineage, and that such Vg functions could have sub‐functionalised in the derived ant lineage.
The experiences of foreign‐educated nurses in Japan: a systematic review
Authors: Abuliezi R. , Kondo A. , Qian H.L.
Published: November 2020

Aim

To conduct a systematic review to understand the experiences of foreign‐educated nurses in Japan.

Background

The experiences of foreign nurses in host countries, and the challenges they face, have been widely investigated around the world. However, no systematic review has focused on the experience of foreign‐educated nurses in Japan.

Methods

A systematic literature review was conducted by following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses Guidelines. Japan Medical Abstract Society, Citation Information by National Institute of Informatics, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and PubMed databases were used for the literature search. Inclusion criteria were research articles published between 2013 and 2020 written in Japanese or English. A quality assessment was performed using Version 2018 of the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Selected articles were read repeatedly, and relevant contents were extracted and summarized thematically.

Results

Twenty‐five studies were selected for the review. The themes generated included (1) reasons for nurses to come to Japan, (2) experiences and current situations among the Economic Partnership Agreement nurses/nurse candidates living in Japan, and (3) experiences and current situation of nurses who had returned to their home countries. The second theme was classified into four categories: language and communication barriers, low pass rates for the national qualification exam, adaptation to workplaces and social environments, and psychological distress.

Conclusion

Foreign nurses in Japan face various challenges and difficulties, even after they return to their home countries. Solving these problems may improve the wellbeing of foreign‐educated nurses in Japan.

Implications for Nursing Policy

The results from the current review highlight the necessity for immediate intervention by policymakers to improve the current support system for Economic Partnership Agreement nurses/nurse candidates. A thorough pre‐arrival orientation should be provided for the nurse candidates to able them to make a well‐informed choice.
Expanding Studio Boundaries: Navigating Tensions in Multidisciplinary Collaboration within and beyond the Higher Education Design Studio
Authors: McAra Marianne , Ross Kirsty
Published: November 2020

In this article the authors set out and critically reflect upon an innovative pedagogical approach to delivering studio‐based learning – drawing on the ‘Collaborative Futures’ project. Collaborative Futures is a live project premised on a futures‐focused design brief written with an external partner. In previous iterations of the project, partners have included Hitachi and the Royal Bank of Scotland. Each year this project brings together a team of students in their final year on the Masters European Design programme to collaborate with a group of early career design graduates. Between 2019 and 2020, the Collaborative Futures project worked with Glasgow City Council’s Centre for Civic Innovation to explore and prototype citizen‐centred scenarios surrounding data experiences set in the context of Glasgow 2030. Throughout the project the student‐graduate team engaged in multidisciplinary collaboration within and beyond the boundaries of the higher education studio context, working with civic, academic and design professionals, public and third sector organisations, and members of the public. The authors reflect on the design process; theoretically unpack the cross‐cultural, studio‐based collaboration that took place; and discuss the complex challenges that emerged and the meditating role design artefacts played. The insights presented in the article have value for design educators seeking new approaches to designing and delivering studio‐based design learning that fosters creative, multidisciplinary communities of practice and collaborative capacity‐building for design students in a professional setting.
A House Divided against Itself. The Intra‐institutional Conflict about the Powers of the European Parliament
Authors: Van der Veer Harmen , Otjes Simon
Published: November 2020

Many authors suggest that MEPs seek to extend the power of the EP in their daily parliamentary work. A central assumption in this literature is that the EP is a unitary actor that desires more power for itself. In other words, scholars assume that the conflict over the power of the EP is inter‐institutional and not intra‐institutional. In this article we seek to test this idea. Informed by the history of the parliamentarization of Europe's national parliaments, we argue that the conflict about the power of the EP is likely to have an intra‐institutional component. An empirical analysis of voting in the EP supports this notion. We find that the question of how much power the EP should have is as important as the question of how much power the EU should have in understanding how MEPs vote.
Assessment of kinetics, effective moisture diffusivity, specific energy consumption, and percentage of thyme oil extracted in a hybrid solar‐electric dryer
Authors: Karami Hamed , Lorestani Ali Nejat , Tahvilian Reza
Published: November 2020

This research deals with the analysis process of thyme in a hybrid (solar‐electric) dryer. The drying process was administered using three air velocities of 1, 1.5, and 2 m/s and four temperatures of 40, 50, 60, 70°C. The drying rate developed with the increase in temperature and air velocity, therefore decreased the drying time. Ten mathematical models were applied to predict the drying kinetics of thyme. Consequently, the best model to describe the drying kinetics of thyme was Midilli model. The values activation energy and effective moisture diffusivity were ranged between 10.9 to 16.33 kJ/mol and 2.172 × 10–10 to 1.23 × 10–10 m2/s, respectively. The oil yield was significantly affected by drying situations. The essential oil of the leaves was determined by hydrodistillation. So, the highest essential oil amount equal to 2.4 CC (vol/wt) was obtained at temperature of 40°C and air velocity of 1.5 m/s.

Practical Applications

Drying is the most significant process to maintain agricultural crops. The purpose of drying crops is the decrease of the moisture content to a level that provides secure storage over an extended term, and significant influence on the quality of dried crops. In this research, drying kinetics of Thyme at different air velocity and air temperatures in hybrid dryer were studied. Moreover, simplistic models for the simulation of the drying process were offered. Consequently, the aim of this work was to Introducing a new hybrid dryer for herbal plants, to decrease volatile loss or degradation of essential oil extracted from Thyme. It is application in medicinal plants post‐harvest technology.
High‐Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin I for Risk Stratification in Older Adults
Authors: Tang Olive , Matsushita Kunihiro , Coresh Josef , Hoogeveen Ron C. , Windham B. Gwen , Ballantyne Christie M. , Selvin Elizabeth
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Traditional cardiovascular risk factors are less predictive in older age. High‐sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs‐cTnI) is a marker of subclinical cardiomyocyte damage associated with cardiovascular risk in middle‐aged adults. We hypothesized hs‐cTnI would be indicative of mortality and cardiovascular risk beyond traditional cardiovascular risk factors in older adults and may be more discriminatory compared to hs‐troponin T (hs‐cTnT).

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Population‐based Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study.

PARTICIPANTS

We included 5,876 ARIC participants at Visit 5 (2011–2013).

OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

We used Cox regression for the association of hs‐cTnI categories (women: <4, 4–<10, ≥10 ng/ml; men: <6, 6–<12, ≥12 ng/ml, prevalent cardiovascular disease (CVD)) with mortality and incident CVD (atherosclerotic CVD [ASCVD]: coronary heart disease or stroke, or heart failure).

RESULTS

Participants were ages 66 to 90, 23% black, 42% male, and 24% had prevalent CVD. There were 1,053 (321 CVD) deaths (median follow‐up 6.3 years). Participants with elevated hs‐cTnI and no CVD (7% of participants) had mortality risk similar to those with a history of CVD (55.6 vs 55.7 deaths/1,000 person‐years, P = .99). After adjustment, elevated hs‐cTnI and no CVD (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.85–3.06) and prevalent CVD (HR = 2.21, 95% CI = 1.90–2.57) remained associated with mortality, compared to low hs‐cTnI and no CVD. Elevated hs‐cTnI was independently associated with incident CVD (HR = 3.41, 95% CI = 2.58–4.51), ASCVD (HR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.36–2.98), and heart failure (HR = 6.16, 95% CI = 4.24–8.95). The addition of hs‐cTnI significantly improved C‐statistics for all outcomes and added greater discrimination than hs‐cTnT for cardiovascular mortality and incident heart failure.

CONCLUSIONS

Hs‐cTnI improves mortality and CVD risk stratification in older adults beyond traditional risk factors and improved model discrimination more than hs‐cTnT for certain outcomes. Elevated hs‐cTnI without CVD identifies a high‐risk group with comparable mortality risk as those with a history of clinical CVD.
131treatment in dogs with hyperthyroidism caused by a non‐resectable ectopic thyroid tumour: 5 cases (2008‐2019)
Authors: Lyssens A. , van den Berg M. F. , Peremans K. , Vandermeulen E. , Daminet S.
Published: November 2020

Objectives

This study aimed to describe the clinical and diagnostic characteristics, as well as outcomes of radioiodine treatment in dogs with hyperthyroidism caused by a non‐resectable ectopic thyroid tumour.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective study reviewed the medical records between 2008 and 2018 of dogs diagnosed with hyperthyroidism secondary to a non‐resectable ectopic thyroid tumour and treated with radioiodine.

Results

Five dogs were included in the study. Three dogs had sublingual ectopic tumours, of which one also had a unilateral cervical thyroid tumour. The remaining two dogs were diagnosed with an ectopic thyroid tumour at the level of the caudal pharynx and the heart base, respectively. All cases were treated with radioiodine. The size of the ectopic masses decreased after radioiodine treatment. Total thyroxine concentrations returned to reference ranges in all dogs. Further, clinical signs of hyperthyroidism disappeared after treatment in all patients. One dog developed myelosuppression secondary to radioiodine treatment. The dog with metastasis had a very short survival compared to the four dogs without metastasis (3 months compared to 7, 36, 50 and 24 months, respectively) and succumbed most likely to thyroid‐related problems. In the remaining four dogs, their quality of life improved. They died due to diseases unrelated to the ectopic thyroid tumour.

Clinical Significance

Radioiodine therapy should be considered as a treatment option in dogs diagnosed with hyperthyroidism due to a non‐resectable ectopic thyroid tumour.
Acute kidney injury associated with COVID‐19—Cumulative evidence and rationale supporting against direct kidney injury (infection)
Authors: Parmar Malvinder S.
Published: November 2020

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication, affecting up to 37% of hospitalized patients with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and is proportional to its severity and portends poor prognosis. Diverse mechanisms have been proposed and studies reported conflicting results. Moreover, renal tropism of SARS‐CoV‐2 does not equate to its renal pathogenicity. For a virus to be pathogenic, in addition to its affinity (tropism) for specific tissue(s), host cells must allow viral entry, and discuss the important role played by transmembrane protease, serine 2 (TMPRSS2) and coexpression of both ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in the same cells is important to cause damage. Lack of coexpression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in the same cells of the kidneys is the limiting factor of SARS‐CoV‐2 direct effects in the kidney. We present the rationale and cumulative evidence supporting that AKI is secondary to hemodynamic and immunologic effects of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection than the direct injury or infection.
Depth‐resolved variations in visibility of retinal nerve fibre bundles across the retina in enface OCT images of healthy eyes
Authors: Cheloni Riccardo , Denniss Jonathan
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Recent developments in optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology enable direct enface visualisation of retinal nerve fibre bundle (RNFB) loss in glaucoma. However, the optimum depth at which to visualise RNFBs across the retina is unknown. We aimed to evaluate the range of depths and optimum depth at which RNFBs can be visualised across the retina in healthy eyes.

Methods

The central ± 25° retina of 10 healthy eyes from 10 people aged 57–75 years (median 68.5 years) were imaged with spectral domain OCT. Slab images of maximum axial resolution (4 μm) containing depth‐resolved attenuation coefficients were extracted from 0 to 193.5 μm below the inner limiting membrane (ILM). Bundle visibility within 10 regions of a superimposed grid was assessed subjectively by trained optometrists (n = 8), according to written instructions. Anterior and posterior limits of RNFB visibility and depth of best visibility were identified for each grid sector. Effects of retinal location and individual eye on RNFB visibility were explored using linear mixed modelling with likelihood ratio tests. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to measure overall agreement and repeatability of grading. Spearman’s correlation was used to measure correlation between depth range of visible RNFBs and retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (RNFLT).

Results

Retinal location and individual eye affected anterior limit of visibility (χ2(9) = 58.6 and 60.5, both p < 0.0001), but none of the differences exceeded instrument resolution, making anterior limit consistent across the retina and different eyes. Greater differences were observed in the posterior limit of visibility across retinal areas (χ2(9) = 1671.1, p < 0.0001) and different eyes (χ2(9) = 88.7, p < 0.0001). Optimal depth for visualisation of RNFBs was around 20 µm below the ILM in most regions. It varied slightly with retinal location (χ2(9) = 58.8, p < 0.0001), but it was not affected by individual eye (χ2(9) = 10.7, p = 0.29). RNFB visibility showed good agreement between graders (ICC 0.89, 95%CI 0.87–0.91), and excellent repeatability (ICC 0.96–0.99). Depth range of visible RNFBs was highly correlated with RNFLT (ρ = 0.9, 95%CI: 0.86–0.95).

Conclusions

The range of depths with visible RNFBs varies markedly across the healthy retina, consistently with RNFLT. To extract all RNFB information consistently across the retina, slab properties should account for differences across retinal locations and between individual eyes.
Sustaining statehood: A comparative analysis of vertical policy‐process integration in Denmark and Italy
Authors: Knill Christoph , Steinbacher Christina , Steinebach Yves
Published: November 2020

In response to societal demands, democratic governments constantly adopt new policies. As existing policies are rarely abandoned, policies accumulate over time. Policy accumulation bears the challenge of overburdening implementation bodies, hence undermining policy effectiveness. Any escape from this situation requires democratic governments to strike a balance between policy responsiveness and effectiveness. We posit that the extent to which countries are able to achieve this depends on the vertical integration of processes of policy formulation and implementation. We provide a novel conceptualization of vertical policy‐process integration (VPI) that is based on two channels. While bottom‐up integration captures the extent to which policy implementers can communicate reasons for potential policy failure from the bottom up, top‐down integration indicates the degree to which the policy formulation level has to cover the implementation costs of the policies they produce. We illustrate our argument by an empirical analysis of VPI patterns in Denmark and Italy.
The Effect of Ketamine on Acute and Chronic Wound Pain in Patients Undergoing Breast Surgery: A Meta‐Analysis and Systematic Review
Authors: Bi Yaodan , Ye Yu , Zhu Yinchao , Ma Jun , Zhang Xiuqian , Liu Bin
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Perioperative use of ketamine has been discussed widely in many kinds of surgery. The aim of our study was to evaluate the short‐term and long‐term benefits and safety of ketamine after breast surgery.

Method

We performed a quantitative systematic review. We included randomized controlled trials that compared intravenous administration of ketamine to a placebo control group, or compared bupivacaine in combination with ketamine to bupivacaine alone in thoracic paravertebral blocks or pectoral blocks among patients undergoing breast surgery. The primary outcome was postoperative pain intensity. Secondary outcomes included cumulative opioid consumption during the 0‐ to 24‐hour postoperative period, the effect on postmastectomy pain syndrome, the effect on postoperative depression, and the adverse events associated with the use of ketamine.

Results

Thirteen randomized controlled trials with 1,182 patients were included for analysis. Compared with placebo, intravenous ketamine was effective in reducing wound pain intensity during the first 6 hours after surgery (weighted mean difference [WMD] −0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI] −1.65, −0.01; P = 0.048) and during the first 24 hours after surgery (WMD −0.65; 95% CI −0.95, −0.35; P < 0.001), and in decreasing opioid consumption (WMD −4.14; 95% CI −8.00, −0.29; P = 0.035) during the first 24 hours after surgery, without increasing the risks for gastrointestinal and central nervous system adverse events. Adding ketamine to bupivacaine in thoracic paravertebral blocks was also effective in reducing postoperative wound pain during the first 6 hours after surgery (WMD −0.59; 95% CI, −1.06, −0.12; P = 0.014) and during the first 24 hours after surgery (WMD −0.90; 95% CI −1.27, −0.53; P < 0.001), and in decreasing opioid consumption (WMD − 4.59; 95% CI −5.76, −3.42; P < 0.001) during the first 24 hours after surgery. Perioperative use of ketamine was associated with improved postoperative depression symptoms (standardized mean difference −0.80; 95% CI − 1.34, −0.27; P = 0.003) and less incidence of postmastectomy pain syndrome (relative risk 0.79; 95% CI 0.63, 0.99; P = 0.043).

Conclusion

Ketamine is an effective and safe multimodal analgesic in patients undergoing breast surgery, administered both intravenously and when added to bupivacaine in paravertebral blocks. In addition, ketamine showed a long‐term benefit for preventing postoperative depression and postmastectomy pain syndrome.
Data‐Driven Approaches to Targeting Promotion E‐mails: The Case of Delayed Incentives
Authors: Kadiyala Bharadwaj , Özer Özalp , Şimşek A. Serdar
Published: November 2020

This paper empirically investigates using the e‐mail channel to target customers with a delayed incentive promotion—specifically, gift card promotion—and derives data‐driven e‐mail targeting policies. Gift card promotions are popular across retailers because they incentivize customers to spend more than a fixed expenditure level on regularly priced products by rewarding customers with a gift card to be redeemed against a future purchase. The e‐mail channel provides retailers with new sources of customer‐level data, which enables better prediction of customers' responsiveness to e‐mails (e.g., clicking) and the sales promotion that comes with it (e.g., participation in the promotion). We formulate the retailer's promotion e‐mail targeting problem by maximizing two objectives—the promotion's profitability (i.e., profit‐based targeting) and e‐mail click‐through rate (i.e., CTR‐based targeting). We also take into account the retailer's promotion budget and exclusivity concerns in targeting e‐mails. We use a comprehensive dataset from a Fortune 500 luxury fashion retailer's online channel and utilize both parametric and non‐parametric methods to predict customers' response to promotion e‐mails. Our data‐driven targeting policies improve the promotion's profitability by 5.57% and e‐mail CTR by 472.57%, on average, compared to our partner retailer's current e‐mail policy. We also find that the CTR‐based targeting policy lowers the promotion profitability by, on average, 9.09% compared to the profit‐based one. However, the CTR‐based policy recuperates the short‐term losses in the long‐term and increases the long‐term profitability by 3.94%, on average, compared to the profit‐based targeting policy.
Factors associated with ewe and lamb survival, and subsequent reproductive performance of sheep undergoing emergency caesarean section
Authors: Voigt Katja , Najm Nour‐Addeen , Zablotski Yury , Rieger Anna , Vassiliadis Panajota , Steckeler Patricia , Schabmeyer Simone , Balasopoulou Viktoria , Zerbe Holm
Published: November 2020

Clinical records of all 212 ewes undergoing emergency caesarean surgery at a veterinary teaching hospital between January 2008 and December 2019 were evaluated retrospectively. Their age ranged from 1 to 10 years (median = 4 years), with German merino the predominant breed (48.1% of cases). The most frequently diagnosed indications were insufficient cervical dilatation (n = 94, 44.3%), uterine torsion (n = 50, 23.6%), foetopelvic disproportion (n = 31, 14.6%) and vaginal prolapse intra partum (n = 11, 5.2%). Fifty‐four (25.5%) of the 212 ewes additionally suffered from one or more concurrent, pre‐existing conditions. Overall ewe mortality until hospital discharge was 10.8% (23/212), and 3.8% (n = 6) for the 158 ewes without a history of concurrent disorders. Mortality during hospitalization increased to 31.5% (17/54) for those with pre‐existing conditions. Total lamb mortality was 49.1% (173/352) until hospital discharge. Pre‐existing conditions (p = .001) and the presence of post‐surgical complications (p = .025) were identified as significant factors influencing dam mortality, while delayed presentation for veterinary attention with an observed duration of labour of >12 hr was identified as the most influential factor on total lamb mortality (p = .010). The presence of dead or emphysematous foetuses was not significant for ewe mortality. Follow‐up information on further outcomes was available for 156 (82.5%) of the 189 discharged ewes. Eighty‐nine animals (57.1%) were re‐bred in the following season and achieved a 93.3% (83/89) pregnancy rate, while the remainder had either been slaughtered (n = 56, 35.9%), sold (n = 5, 3.2%) or had died of unknown causes (n = 3, 1.9%). The subsequent incidence of dystocia was 15.6% (n = 12) in the 77 ewes with available information on lambing ease. Adequate management of underlying conditions and timely intervention are important factors for best possible short‐term outcomes. In the long term, the subsequent pregnancy rate was good and the incidence of subsequent dystocia was within the normal range.
Effectiveness of physical stimulation on injection pain in adults receiving intramuscular injections: a systematic review protocol
Authors: CMC Serena , Lord Heidi , Vargese Saritha Susan , Kurian Nisha , Cherian Sunu Alice , Mathew Elsheba , Fernandez Ritin
Published: November 2020

Objective:

The objective of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness of physical stimulation on injection pain in adults receiving intramuscular injections.

Introduction:

Intramuscular injections are the most commonly used modality for administration of pharmacological treatments. Despite this, pain from intramuscular injections is the most commonly reported side effect. Reducing patients’ pain from intramuscular injections is important; however, the challenge is in selecting from the current methods available to alleviate pain, which are varied. The findings of this review may identify the most effective physical stimulation method to reduce the side effect of pain from an intramuscular injection.

Inclusion criteria:

This review will consider studies that include adults aged 18 years and over that use physical stimulation interventions during intramuscular injections. Any physical stimulation strategies used during intramuscular injections including devices, skin tapping, manual pressure, massage, pinch, and traction will be considered. Studies that evaluate pain using validated tools such as pain scales will be included.

Methods:

The review will undertake to find both published and unpublished studies. The key information sources to be searched are MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Google Scholar, Dissertation Abstracts International, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, and MedNar. Two independent reviewers will conduct a critical appraisal of eligible studies, assess the methodological quality, and extract the data. Studies will, where possible, be pooled in a statistical meta-analysis.

Systematic review registration number:

PROSPERO CRD42020168586
Numerical Consideration of LTNE and Darcy Extended Forchheimer Models for the Analysis of Forced Convection in a Horizontal Pipe in the Presence of Metal Foam
Authors: Jadhav Prakash H. , Gnanasekaran N. , Arumuga Perumal D.
Published: November 2020

The intent of the current research work is to emphasize the computational modeling of forced convection heat dissipation in the presence of high porosity and thermal conductivity metallic foam in a horizontal pipe for different regimes of the fluid flow for a range of Reynolds number. A two-dimensional physical domain is considered in which Darcy extended Forchheimer (DEF) model is adopted in the aluminum metallic foam to predict the features of fluid flow and local thermal nonequilibrium (LTNE) model is employed for the analysis of heat transfer in a horizontal pipe for different flow regimes. The numerical results are initially matched with experimental and analytical results for the purpose of validation. The average Nusselt number for fully filled foam is found to be higher compared to other filling rate of metallic foams and the clear pipe at the cost of pressure drop. As an important finding, it has been observed that the laminar and transition flow gives higher heat transfer enhancement ratio and thermal performance factor compared to turbulent flow. This work resembles numerous industrial applications such as solar collectors, heat exchangers, electronic cooling, and microporous heat exchangers. The novelty of the work is the selection of suitable flow and thermal models in order to clearly assimilate the flow and heat transfer in metallic foam. The presence of aluminum metal foam is highlighted for the augmentation of heat dissipation in terms of PPI and porosity. The parametric study proposed in this work surrogates the complexity and cost involved in developing an expensive experimental setup.
Controlled thin-film deposition of α or β Ga2O3 by ion-beam sputtering
Authors: Becker Martin , Benz Sebastian L. , Chen Limei , Polity Angelika , Klar Peter J. , Chatterjee Sangam
Published: November 2020

The wide bandgap of oxide semiconductors enables solid-state devices with functionalities beyond the reach of technologically more well-established materials such as silicon, germanium, or gallium nitride. These functionalities, among others, include optical transparency paving the way for transparent (opto-)electronics like ultraviolet light emitters or solar-blind detectors as well as large breakdown fields enabling high-power electronic applications. In particular, Ga2O3 is considered as oxide compatible with the nitride III-V materials. As a particular challenge, Ga2O3 may crystallize in different polymorphs. All possess large optical bandgaps beyond 4.8 eV and, thus, are of great interest for such devices. Nowadays, Ga2O3 thin films are prepared by a plethora of different synthesis methods including physical as well as chemical variants, however, reports on a controlled manufacturing process of individual Ga2O3 phases with sputtering techniques are currently scarce. Here, we grow Ga2O3 thin films by ion-beam sputtering on sapphire substrates of different orientation and demonstrate that selective controlled synthesis of different Ga2O3 polymorphs is feasible. The monoclinic β-phase and the corundum-type α-phase are stabilized when deposited on (0001) and (10–10) sapphire substrates, respectively. A stacking rather than a mixture of both phases is observed when thin films of α-phase exceed a certain thickness. Thus, thickness control enables the transition between the two phases. The proposed technique holds promise for ion-beam sputter methods to be employed in Ga2O3-related device build-up.
Supplemental Material: Quantifying the competing influences of lithology and throw rate on bedrock river incision
Authors: Kent E. , Whittaker A.C. , al. et
Published: November 2020

Methods; Tables S1–S15; and Figures S1–S4.
Supplemental Material: Magmatic record of continuous Neo-Tethyan subduction after initial India-Asia collision in the central part of southern Tibet
Authors: Huang Feng , al. et
Published: November 2020

Analytical methods, data (Tables S1–S4), and modeling results (Tables S5–S6).
Perceptions and experiences of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK
Authors: Vindrola-Padros Cecilia , Andrews Lily , Dowrick Anna , Djellouli Nehla , Fillmore Harrison , Bautista Gonzalez Elysse , Javadi Dena , Lewis-Jackson Sasha , Manby Louisa , Mitchinson Lucy , Mulcahy Symmons Sophie , Martin Sam , Regenold Nina , Robinson Hannah , Sumray Kirsi , Singleton Georgina , Syversen Aron , Vanderslott Samantha , Johnson Ginger
Published: November 2020

Objective

The COVID-19 pandemic has set unprecedented demand on the healthcare workforce around the world. The UK has been one of the most affected countries in Europe. The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of healthcare workers (HCWs) in relation to COVID-19 and care delivery models implemented to deal with the pandemic in the UK.

Methods

The study was designed as a rapid appraisal combining: (1) a review of UK healthcare policies (n=35 policies), (2) mass media and social media analysis of front-line staff experiences and perceptions (n=101 newspaper articles, n=1 46 000 posts) and (3) in-depth (telephone) interviews with front-line staff (n=30 interviews). The findings from all streams were analysed using framework analysis.

Results

Limited personal protective equipment (PPE) and lack of routine testing created anxiety and distress and had a tangible impact on the workforce. When PPE was available, incorrect size and overheating complicated routine work. Lack of training for redeployed staff and the failure to consider the skills of redeployed staff for new areas were identified as problems. Positive aspects of daily work reported by HCWs included solidarity between colleagues, the establishment of well-being support structures and feeling valued by society.

Conclusion

Our study highlighted the importance of taking into consideration the experiences and concerns of front-line staff during a pandemic. Staff working in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic advocated clear and consistent guidelines, streamlined testing of HCWs, administration of PPE and acknowledgement of the effects of PPE on routine practice.
Perceptions of medical students towards online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic: a national cross-sectional survey of 2721 UK medical students
Authors: Dost Samiullah , Hossain Aleena , Shehab Mai , Abdelwahed Aida , Al-Nusair Lana
Published: November 2020

Objectives

To investigate perceptions of medical students on the role of online teaching in facilitating medical education during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design

Cross-sectional, online national survey.

Setting

Responses collected online from 4th May 2020 to 11th May 2020 across 40 UK medical schools.

Participants

Medical students across all years from UK-registered medical schools.

Main outcome measures

The uses, experiences, perceived benefits and barriers of online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results

2721 medical students across 39 medical schools responded. Medical schools adapted to the pandemic in different ways. The changes included the development of new distance-learning platforms on which content was released, remote delivery of lectures using platforms and the use of question banks and other online active recall resources. A significant difference was found between time spent on online platforms before and during COVID-19, with 7.35% students before versus 23.56% students during the pandemic spending >15 hours per week (p<0.05). The greatest perceived benefits of online teaching platforms included their flexibility. Whereas the commonly perceived barriers to using online teaching platforms included family distraction (26.76%) and poor internet connection (21.53%).

Conclusions

Online teaching has enabled the continuation of medical education during these unprecedented times. Moving forward from this pandemic, in order to maximise the benefits of both face-to-face and online teaching and to improve the efficacy of medical education in the future, we suggest medical schools resort to teaching formats such as team-based/problem-based learning. This uses online teaching platforms allowing students to digest information in their own time but also allows students to then constructively discuss this material with peers. It has also been shown to be effective in terms of achieving learning outcomes. Beyond COVID-19, we anticipate further incorporation of online teaching methods within traditional medical education. This may accompany the observed shift in medical practice towards virtual consultations.
Evaluation of the uptake and delivery of the NHS Health Check programme in England, using primary care data from 9.5 million people: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Patel Riyaz , Barnard Sharmani , Thompson Katherine , Lagord Catherine , Clegg Emma , Worrall Robert , Evans Tim , Carter Slade , Flowers Julian , Roberts Dave , Nuttall Michaela , Samani Nilesh J , Robson John , Kearney Matt , Deanfield John , Waterall Jamie
Published: November 2020

Objectives

To describe the uptake and outputs of the National Health Service Health Check (NHSHC) programme in England.

Design

Observational study.

Setting

National primary care data extracted directly by NHS Digital from 90% of general practices (GP) in England.

Participants

Individuals aged 40–74 years, invited to or completing a NHSHC between 2012 and 2017, defined using primary care Read codes.

Intervention

The NHSHC, a structured assessment of non-communicable disease risk factors and 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, with recommendations for behavioural change support and therapeutic interventions.

Results

During the 5-year cycle, 9 694 979 individuals were offered an NHSHC and 5 102 758 (52.6%) took up the offer. There was geographical variation in uptake between local authorities across England ranging from 25.1% to 84.7%. Invitation methods changed over time to incorporate greater digitalisation, opportunistic delivery and delivery by third-party providers.

The population offered an NHSHC resembled the English population in ethnicity and deprivation characteristics. Attendees were more likely to be older and women, but were similar in terms of ethnicity and deprivation, compared with non-attendees. Among attendees, risk factor prevalence reflected population survey estimates for England. Where a CVD risk score was documented, 25.9% had a 10-year CVD risk ≥10%, of which 20.3% were prescribed a statin. Advice, information and referrals were coded as delivered to over 2.5 million individuals identified to have risk factors.

Conclusion

This national analysis of the NHSHC programme, using primary care data from over 9.5 million individuals offered a check, reveals an uptake rate of over 50% and no significant evidence of inequity by ethnicity or deprivation. To maximise the anticipated value of the NHSHC, we suggest continued action is needed to invite more eligible people for a check, reduce geographical variation in uptake, prioritise engagement with non-attendees and promote greater use of evidence-based interventions especially where risk is identified.
Efficacy of spoken word comprehension therapy in patients with chronic aphasia: a cross-over randomised controlled trial with structural imaging
Authors: Fleming Victoria , Brownsett Sonia , Krason Anna , Maegli Maria A , Coley-Fisher Henry , Ong Yean-Hoon , Nardo Davide , Leach Rupert , Howard David , Robson Holly , Warburton Elizabeth , Ashburner John , Price Cathy J , Crinion Jenny T , Leff Alexander P
Published: November 2020

Objective

The efficacy of spoken language comprehension therapies for persons with aphasia remains equivocal. We investigated the efficacy of a self-led therapy app, ‘Listen-In’, and examined the relation between brain structure and therapy response.

Methods

A cross-over randomised repeated measures trial with five testing time points (12-week intervals), conducted at the university or participants' homes, captured baseline (T1), therapy (T2-T4) and maintenance (T5) effects. Participants with chronic poststroke aphasia and spoken language comprehension impairments completed consecutive Listen-In and standard care blocks (both 12 weeks with order randomised). Repeated measures analyses of variance compared change in spoken language comprehension on two co-primary outcomes over therapy versus standard care. Three structural MRI scans (T2-T4) for each participant (subgroup, n=25) were analysed using cross-sectional and longitudinal voxel-based morphometry.

Results

Thirty-five participants completed, on average, 85 hours (IQR=70–100) of Listen-In (therapy first, n=18). The first study-specific co-primary outcome (Auditory Comprehension Test (ACT)) showed large and significant improvements for trained spoken words over therapy versus standard care (11%, Cohen’s d=1.12). Gains were largely maintained at 12 and 24 weeks. There were no therapy effects on the second standardised co-primary outcome (Comprehensive Aphasia Test: Spoken Words and Sentences). Change on ACT trained words was associated with volume of pretherapy right hemisphere white matter and post-therapy grey matter tissue density changes in bilateral temporal lobes.

Conclusions

Individuals with chronic aphasia can improve their spoken word comprehension many years after stroke. Results contribute to hemispheric debates implicating the right hemisphere in therapy-driven language recovery. Listen-In will soon be available on GooglePlay.

Trial registration number

NCT02540889.
Effect of vitamin D supplementation on asthma control in patients with vitamin D deficiency: the ACVID randomised clinical trial
Authors: Andújar-Espinosa Rubén , Salinero-González Lourdes , Illán-Gómez Fátima , Castilla-Martínez Manuel , Hu-Yang Chunshao , Ruiz-López Francisco José
Published: November 2020

Background

The relationship between asthma and vitamin D deficiency has been known for some time. However, interventional studies conducted in this regard have shown conflicting results.

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in asthmatic patients in improving the degree of control of asthma.

Methods

Randomised, triple-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study in adult asthmatic patients with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D3 <30 ng/mL. The intervention group received oral supplementation with 16 000 IU of calcifediol per week, and the control group had placebo added to their usual asthma treatment. The study period was 6 months. The primary endpoint was the degree of asthma control as determined by the asthma control test (ACT). Secondary endpoints included quality of life measured using the mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire, the number of asthma attacks, oral corticosteroid cycles, the dose of inhaled corticosteroids, number of emergency visits, unscheduled consultations with the primary care physician and hospitalisations for asthma.

Results

One hundred and twelve patients were randomised (mean age 55 years, with 87 (78%) being women). Of the 112 patients, 106 (95%) completed the trial. Half the patients (56) were assigned to the intervention group and the other half to the control group. A statistically significant clinical improvement was observed in the intervention group (+3.09) compared with the control group (−0.57) (difference 3.66 (95% CI 0.89 to 5.43); p<0.001) as measured using ACT scores. Among the secondary endpoints, a significant improvement in the quality of life was found in the intervention group (5.34), compared with the control group (4.64) (difference 0.7 (95% CI 0.15 to 1.25); p=0.01).

Conclusion

Among adults with asthma and vitamin D deficiency, supplementation with weekly oral calcifediol compared with placebo improved asthma control over 6 months. Further research is needed to assess long-term efficacy and safety.

Trial registration number

NCT02805907.
Plate of ribs: single institution’s matched comparison of patients managed operatively and non-operatively for rib fractures
Authors: Griffard Jared , Daley Brian , Campbell Marc , Martins Danilo , Beam Zach , Rowe Sean , Taylor Jessica
Published: November 2020

Background

Rib fractures are associated with significant morbidity and mortality in polytraumatized patients. There is considerable variability in the management (operative vs. non-operative) and timing of operative intervention. Although Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST) guidelines recommend early operative intervention in patients with flail chest, there are no strong recommendations regarding operative fixation in patients with a non-flail chest rib fracture pattern.

Methods

We reviewed our Trauma Quality Improvement Program database for patients aged 18 to 99 who underwent operative intervention of ribs from January 2016 to July 2019. We examined hospital length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit (ICU) LOS, ventilator days, Injury Severity Score, age, discharge disposition and packed red blood cell transfusions. Similarly, we collected data from patients aged 18 to 99 who had one or more rib fractures in this time frame. We compared results in a 4:1 ratio of patients managed non-operatively to patients managed operatively. The patient groups were matched based on age, number of rib fractures and presence of bilateral rib fractures.

Results

Between January 2016 and July 2019, 33 of 4189 total patients diagnosed with rib fractures underwent operative fixation; the matched non-operative group consisted of 132 patients. The statistically significant differences included presence of bilateral rib fractures, displaced rib fractures and flail chest segments. The median ICU days were longer in the operative group (6.0 vs. 3.5 days). A subgroup analysis of patients without flail segments demonstrated a significant presence of displaced rib fractures.

Our single-institution matched comparison of outcomes in operative intervention versus Non-operative Management (NOM) of rib fractures found an increased median number of ICU days. Patients who underwent operative intervention often stayed in the ICU preoperatively and postoperatively for aggressive pulmonary hygiene and pain control, suggesting observer bias. The increased incidence of displaced rib fractures and the presence of a flail segment in the operative group demonstrate congruence with EAST guidelines. A subgroup analysis of patients without flail segment did not demonstrate differences in outcomes nor shoulder girdle injury characteristics.

Level of evidence

This article presents level III evidence that can be used by other clinicians to analyze eligibility for patients to undergo surgical stabilization of rib fracture (SSRF) and to provide counterarguments for performing SSRF in a heterogenous group of patients.
Automated evaluation of electroweak Sudakov logarithms in SHERPA
Authors: Bothmann Enrico , Napoletano Davide
Published: November 2020

We present an automated implementation for the calculation of one-loop double and single Sudakov logarithms stemming from electroweak radiative corrections within the SHERPA event generation framework, based on the derivation in Denner and Pozzorini (Eur Phys J C 18:461–480, 2001). At high energies, these logarithms constitute the leading contributions to the full NLO electroweak corrections. As examples, we show applications for relevant processes at both the LHC and future hadron colliders, namely on-shell W boson pair production, EW-induced dijet production and electron–positron production in association with four jets, providing the first estimate of EW corrections at this multiplicity.
Scholarly migration within Mexico: analyzing internal migration among researchers using Scopus longitudinal bibliometric data
Authors: Miranda-González Andrea , Aref Samin , Theile Tom , Zagheni Emilio
Published: November 2020

The migration of scholars is a major driver of innovation and of diffusion of knowledge. Although large-scale bibliometric data have been used to measure international migration of scholars, our understanding of internal migration among researchers is very limited. This is partly due to a lack of data aggregated at a suitable sub-national level. In this study, we analyze internal migration in Mexico based on over 1.1 million authorship records from the Scopus database. We trace the movements of scholars between Mexican states, and provide key demographic measures of internal migration for the 1996–2018 period. From a methodological perspective, we develop a new framework for enhancing data quality, inferring states from affiliations, and detecting moves from modal states for the purposes of studying internal migration among researchers. Substantively, we combine demographic and network science techniques to improve our understanding of internal migration patterns within country boundaries. The migration patterns between states in Mexico appear to be heterogeneous in size and direction across regions. However, while many scholars remain in their regions, there seems to be a preference for Mexico City and the surrounding states as migration destinations. We observed that over the past two decades, there has been a general decreasing trend in the crude migration intensity. However, the migration network has become more dense and more diverse, and has included greater exchanges between states along the Gulf and the Pacific Coast. Our analysis, which is mostly empirical in nature, lays the foundations for testing and developing theories that can rely on the analytical framework developed by migration scholars, and the richness of appropriately processed bibliometric data.