bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tests for comparing time‐invariant and time‐varying spectra based on the Anderson–Darling statistic
Authors: Zhang Shibin , Tu Xin M.
Published: November 2021

Based on periodogram‐ratios of two univariate time series at different frequency points, two tests are proposed for comparing their spectra. One is an Anderson–Darling‐like statistic for testing the equality of two time‐invariant spectra. The other is the maximum of Anderson–Darling‐like statistics for testing the equality of two time‐varying spectra. Both of two tests are applicable for independent or dependent time series. Several simulation examples show that the proposed statistics outperform those that are also based on periodogram‐ratios but constructed by the Pearson‐like statistics.
Belt and road initiative and Chinese cross‐border mergers and acquisitions
Authors: Zhang Chi , T. Kandilov Ivan , D. Walker Mark
Published: November 2021

The Belt and Road Initiative was introduced to further economic connections with partner countries and foster development within China. We examine the effect of the Initiative on Chinese cross‐border M&As. We find that the Initiative significantly increases the probability and the transaction amount of M&A deals in target countries. Moreover, the market reacts more positively to these deals. We find that the effect is entirely driven by state‐owned enterprises during our sample period and it is more pronounced in firms that are located on the more‐developed eastern coast of China. The evidence suggests that the announcement of the Belt and Road Initiative was followed by economically meaningful cross‐border M&A in targeted countries.
Utility of reticulocyte haemoglobin content and immature reticulocyte fraction in early diagnosis of latent iron deficiency in whole blood donors
Authors: Suria Nitika , Kaur Ravneet , Mittal Kshitija , Palta Anshu , Sood Tanvi , Kaur Paramjit , Kaur Gagandeep
Published: November 2021

Background and Objectives

The present study was planned to assess the clinical utility of reticulocyte haemoglobin content (CHr) and immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF) in the early detection of latent iron deficiency in blood donors.

Materials and Methods

The prospective longitudinal observational study was conducted using the purposive sampling method. Written informed consent was obtained and donors were allocated into the first‐time (FTD) and regular donor (RD) group. The enrolled blood donors (n = 205 in each group) were followed up for two subsequent whole blood donations. Haemoglobin (Hb), CHr, IRF and serum ferritin values were recorded at enrolment and two follow‐ups.

Results

The sensitivity of CHr in detecting iron‐deficient erythropoiesis (serum ferritin values ≤ 26 μg/dl) was 45% and 56.7%, specificity 96.7%, positive predictive value (PPV) 85.6% and 90.8% and negative predictive value (NPV) 80.1% and 78.7%, respectively in FTD and RD cohorts. The sensitivity of IRF was 45.1% and 44.8%, specificity 93.4% and 97.1%, PPV 74.8% and 90.4% and NPV 79.6% and 74.5%, respectively in both the cohorts.

The sensitivity of CHr in detecting absent iron stores (serum ferritin values ≤ 15 μg/dl) was 66.2% and 74.4%, specificity 92% and 90.6%, PPV 56.7% and 68.7% and NPV 94.5% and 92.8% among FTD and RD cohort, respectively. The sensitivity of IRF was 72.7% and 65.3%, specificity 90.3% and 94.3%, PPV 54.4% and 76% and NPV 95.4% and 90.8%, respectively in both the cohorts.

Conclusion

Reticulocyte hemoglobin content and IRF can be used along with complete blood count for early detection of iron deficiency in blood donors using the same blood sample at no extra cost.
Loosening of Posteromedial Meniscal Root Repairs Affects Knee Mechanics: A Finite Element Study
Authors: Steineman Brett D. , LaPrade Robert F. , Haut Donahue Tammy L.
Published: November 2021

Meniscal root repairs are susceptible to unrecoverable loosening that may displace the meniscus from the initial position reduced during surgery. Despite this, the effects of a loosened meniscal root repair on knee mechanics are unknown. We hypothesized that anatomic root repairs without loosening would restore knee mechanics to the intact condition better than loosened anatomic root repairs, but that loosened repairs would restore mechanics better than untreated meniscal root tears. Finite element knee models were used to evaluate changes in cartilage and meniscus mechanics due to repair loosening. The mechanical response from loosened anatomic root repairs was compared to anatomic repairs without loosening and untreated root tears. All conditions were evaluated at three flexion angles, 0 deg, 30 deg, and 60 deg, and a compressive force of 1000 N to simulate return-to-activity loading. The two-simple suture method was represented within the models to simulate posteromedial meniscal root repairs and the loosening of repairs was derived from previous biomechanical experimental data. Loosening decreased hoop stresses throughout the meniscus, increased posterior extrusion, and shifted loading through the meniscus-cartilage region to the cartilage-cartilage region compared to the anatomic root repair without loosening. Despite differences between repairs and loosened repairs, the changes from loosened repairs more closely resembled the anatomic repair without loosening than the untreated root repair condition. Therefore, meniscal root repairs are susceptible to loosening that will prevent a successful initial repair from remaining in the intended position and will alter cartilage and meniscus mechanics, although repairs that loosen appear better than leaving tears untreated.
A Method of Stall and Surge Prediction in Axial Compressors Based on Three-Dimensional Body-Force Model
Authors: Zeng Hanxuan , Zheng Xinqian , Vahdati Mehdi
Published: November 2021

The occurrence of stall and surge in axial compressors has a great impact on the performance and reliability of aero-engines. Accurate and efficient prediction of the key features during these events has long been the focus of engine design processes. In this paper, a new body-force model that can capture the three-dimensional and unsteady features of stall and surge in compressors at a fraction of time required for URANS computations is proposed. To predict the rotating stall characteristics, the deviation of local airflow angle from the blade surface is calculated locally during the simulation. According to this local deviation, the computational domain is divided into stalled and forward flow regions, and the body-force field is updated accordingly; to predict the surge characteristics, the local airflow direction is used to divide the computational domain into reverse flow regions and forward flow regions. A single-stage axial compressor and a three-stage axial compressor are used to verify the proposed model. The results show that the method is capable of capturing stall and surge characteristics correctly. Compared to the traditional fully three-dimensional URANS method (fRANS), the simulation time for multistage axial compressors is reduced by 1–2 orders of magnitude.
High-Temperature Thermal Diffusivity Measurements Using a Modified Ångström's Method With Transient Infrared Thermography
Authors: Hu Yuan , Abuseada Mostafa , Alghfeli Abdalla , Holdheim Saurin , Fisher Timothy S.
Published: November 2021

This work reports a method to measure thermal diffusivity of thin disk samples at high temperatures (approximately 900–1150 K) using a modified Ångström's method. Conventionally, samples are heated indirectly from the surroundings to reach high temperatures for such measurements, and this process is time-consuming, typically requiring hours to reach stable temperatures. In this work, samples are heated directly in a custom instrument by a concentrated light source and are able to reach high steady-periodic temperatures in approximately 10 min, thus enabling rapid thermal diffusivity characterization. Further, existing Ångström's methods for high temperature characterization use thermocouples for temperature detection that are commonly attached to samples via drilling and welding, which are destructive to samples and introduce thermal anomalies. We use an infrared camera calibrated to 2000 °C for noncontact, nondestructive, and data-rich temperature measurements and present an image analysis approach to process the infrared (IR) data that significantly reduces random noise in temperature measurements. We extract amplitude and phase from processed temperature profiles and demonstrate that these metrics are insensitive to uncertainty in emissivity. Previous studies commonly use regression approaches for parameter estimation that are ill-posed (i.e., nonunique solutions) and lack rigorous characterization of parameter uncertainties. Here, we employ a surrogate-accelerated Bayesian framework and a “no-U-turn” sampler for uncertainty quantification. The reported results are validated using graphite and copper disks and exhibit excellent agreement within 5% as compared to reference values obtained by other methods.
Numerical Analysis of Heat-Pipe-Based Battery Thermal Management System for Prismatic Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Cheng Jianping , Shuai Shenlong , Zhao Renchen , Tang Zhiguo
Published: November 2021

An effective battery thermal management system (BTMS) is essential for controlling both the maximum temperature and the temperature uniformity of a battery module. In this study, a novel and lightweight BTMS for prismatic batteries based on a heat pipe is proposed. A numerical model is created to study the influence of heat-transfer designs and other factors on the thermal performance of the BTMS, and the simulation results are checked experimentally. The results show that when the condensation section of the heat pipe is cooled by liquid, the maximum temperature of the battery (Tmax) is reduced by 18.1% compared with air cooling. Decreasing the coolant temperature can reduce Tmax, but can also lead to an undesirable temperature nonuniformity. The Tmax and the maximum temperature difference (ΔTmax) in a battery module both increase rapidly as the discharge rate rises. The Tmax and ΔTmax are lower than 40 °C and 5 °C, respectively, when the discharge rate of the battery is lower than 2 °C. Under preheating conditions in cold weather, increasing the temperature of the heating medium can improve the temperature of the batteries, but at the same time it can make the battery module's temperature more nonuniform, and also add to cost. The temperature of the heating medium should therefore be selected with care. It could be concluded that the above results can provide perspectives in designing and optimizing battery thermal management systems.
Focused Plunging Breaking Waves Impact on Pile Group in Finite Water Depth
Authors: Cui Ting , Kamath Arun , Wang Weizhi , Yuan Lihao , Han Duanfeng , Bihs Hans
Published: November 2021

Accuracy estimation of wave loading on cylinders in a pile group under different impact scenarios is essential for both the structural safety and cost of coastal and offshore structures. Differing from the interaction of waves with a single cylinder, less attention has been paid to pile groups under different arrangements. Numerical simulations of interactions between plunging breaking waves and pile group in finite water depth are performed using the two-phase flow model in REEF3D, an open-source computational fluid dynamics program to investigate the wave loads and flow kinematics characteristics. The Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equation with the two equation k − ω turbulence model is adopted to resolve the numerical wave tank. The model is validated by comparing the numerical wave forces and free surface elevation with measurements from experiments. The computational results show fairly good agreement with experimental data. Four cases are simulated with different relative distances, numbers of cylinders, and arrangements. Results show that the wave forces on cylinders in the pile group are effected by the relative distance between cylinders. The staggered arrangement has a significant influence on the wave forces on the first and second cylinder. The interaction inside a pile group mostly happens between the neighboring cylinders. These interactions are also effected by the relative distance and the numbers of the neighboring cylinders.
Phytoseiidae (Acari: Parasitiformes: Mesostigmata) inhabiting native plants from three biomes in Mato Grosso State, Brazil, with description of a new species
Authors: Conceição Eliziane M. , Demite Peterson R. , Rezende José M. , Carniello Maria A. , Lofego Antonio C.
Published: November 2021

Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) is one of the most studied mite families due to their use in biological control programs. The southwestern region of Mato Grosso State, Brazil remains poorly explored concerning its mite fauna. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct a survey of Phytoseiidae mites in the southwestern region of Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Samplings were carried out in three areas, representing the following: Amazon Forest (AF), Cerrado (CE) and Pantanal (PA) biomes. Five species of native plants commonly found throughout the areas were selected, as well as five others exclusive for each area. In total, five individuals from each plant species were collected. Thirty mite species belonging to 16 genera were recorded: AF (14 species), CE (15) and PA (23). The three most abundant species in this study belongs to the genus Amblyseius: A. acalyphus Denmark & Muma, A. aerialis (Muma) and A. chiapensis De Leon. In the AF the most abundant species were A. aerialis, A. chiapensis and Euseius concordis (Chant); in the CE were A. acalyphus, A. chiapensis and Typhlodromips furcus Lofego, Demite & Feres; lastly in the PA were A. acalyphus, A. aerialis and T. furcus. The plants which harbored the highest richness were common to the three biomes: Physocalymma scaberrimum Pohl (Lithraceae) (12), Cecropia pachystachya Trécul (Urticaceae) (11) and Siparuna guianensis Aubl. (Siparunaceae), (11). A new species, Amblyseius matogrossensis sp. nov., is described and illustrated.
Atomic layer deposition of lithium metaphosphate from H3PO4 and P4O10 facilitated via direct liquid injection: Experiment and theory
Authors: Kundrata Ivan , Mošková Antónia , Moško Martin , Mičušík Matej , Dobročka Edmund , Fröhlich Karol
Published: November 2021

We report the use of H3PO4 as a reactant in atomic layer deposition (ALD) of lithium metaphosphate. The ALD growth cycle starts by injection of the lithium tetramethyl heptadionate (LiTMHD) precursor followed by injection of the H3PO4 reactant. Both the reactant and the precursor are injected into the ALD chamber via direct liquid injection, which allows us to achieve ALD without plasma or high temperatures. The liquid H3PO4 solution, injected 10 s after the precursor, evaporates and decomposes into the gaseous mixture of H3PO4, P4O10, and H2O. The H3PO4 and P4O10 molecules finally react with the LiTMHD molecules adsorbed at the sample substrate, which results in the film growth. The obtained films are amorphous, and the x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements reveal the LiPO3 composition. The growth process exhibits the features of the ALD, namely, the saturation of the growth rate with cycle duration and the maximum growth rate when the number of the injected precursor/reactant molecules reaches a critical value. We show theoretically that the growth rate is governed by the gas-phase equilibrium between H3PO4 and P4O10, both of which are reactive but to different degrees. Depending on the temperature and other conditions, we obtain a reactive gas adjustable at will between pure H3PO4 and pure P4O10. Our theory explains essential features of the observed ALD growth. It determines which of the two reactants (H3PO4 or P4O10) causes the growth and which of them provides a faster growth.
Miniature touch mode capacitance vacuum gauge with circular diaphragm
Authors: Han Xiaodong , Li Gang , Xu Mahui , Yan Huangping , Feng Yongjian , Li Detian
Published: November 2021

The shape, size, and working state of the pressure-sensing elements are important factors to determine the pressure sensor performances. A touch mode micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS) capacitance diaphragm gauge with a circular silicon pressure-sensing diaphragm for vacuum pressure measurement is presented. The diaphragm is designed to work in touch mode, and its basic structure and working principle are introduced. The MEMS capacitance diaphragm gauge has been fabricated, packaged, and tested. The results show that the capacitance-pressure curve has the typical characteristics of touch mode, which is consistent with the original design. The gauge exhibits a good performance in the measurement range of 1 Pa to atmospheric pressure, and the maximum and the minimum sensitivities are 22.16 and 2.39 fF/Pa, respectively. Moreover, the piecewise linear fitting of the capacitance-pressure curve is analyzed.
Incorporating photoemission into the theoretical unification of electron emission and space-charge limited current
Authors: Lang Sarah A. , Darr Adam M. , Garner Allen L.
Published: November 2021

Photon emitters are becoming increasingly important due to their ability to generate high brightness, low emittance, and spatiotemporally coherent electron bunches for multiple applications; however, these emitters rarely produce electrons solely due to photoemission. Often, photon emitters are prone to undesired thermionic emission; alternatively, some devices intentionally leverage field and thermionic emission to increase output current. Regardless, attempting to extract higher currents from these devices raises concerns about space-charge buildup. While theories have examined the transitions between many of these mechanisms, none have used a common framework to unify photo-, thermionic, field, and space-charge limited emission simultaneously, typically represented individually by the Fowler–Dubridge (FD), Richardson–Laue–Dushman (RLD), Fowler–Nordheim (FN), and Child–Langmuir (CL) equations, respectively. This paper derives an exact solution unifying these mechanisms and reports conditions where emission bypasses RLD to directly transition from FD to FN based on asymptotically matching the three models at a nexus point. Furthermore, we provide a step-by-step approach for developing nexus phase space plots exhibiting the operating conditions for transitions among FD, RLD, FN, CL, Mott–Gurney for space-charge limited current with collisions, and Ohm's law for an external resistor. We demonstrate the utility of nexus plots for assessing the applicability of the simple well-known theories based on a single mechanism or the necessity to use more complicated solutions combining multiple mechanisms. As such, nexus theory provides a simple framework for guiding theorists in model development, simulation experts in algorithm development and selection, and experimentalists in device design.
A biomarker-authenticated model of schizophrenia implicating NPTX2 loss of function
Authors: Xiao Mei-Fang , Roh Seung-Eon , Zhou Jiechao , Chien Chun-Che , Lucey Brendan P. , Craig Michael T. , Hayes Lindsay N. , Coughlin Jennifer M. , Leweke F. Markus , Jia Min , Xu Desheng , Zhou Weiqiang , Conover Talbot C. , Arnold Don B. , Staley Melissa , Jiang Cindy , Reti Irving M. , Sawa Akira , Pelkey Kenneth A. , McBain Chris J. , Savonenko Alena , Worley Paul F.
Published: November 2021

CSF NPTX2 is a biomarker of schizophrenia and supports a model that integrates across genetics, pharmacology, and behavior.
Soft artificial electroreceptors for noncontact spatial perception
Authors: Song Won Jun , Lee Younghoon , Jung Yeonsu , Kang Yong-Woo , Kim Junhyung , Park Jae-Man , Park Yong-Lae , Kim Ho-Young , Sun Jeong-Yun
Published: November 2021

Soft artificial electroreceptors inspired by electroreception mechanism of rays can locate objects in a noncontact manner.
Dendritic synapse geometry optimizes binaural computation in a sound localization circuit
Authors: Yamada Rei , Kuba Hiroshi
Published: November 2021

Biased synaptic arrangement facilitates sublinear integration and binaural spatial hearing for low-frequency sound.
Atomic-scale fatigue mechanism of ferroelectric tunnel junctions
Authors: Yang Yihao , Wu Ming , Zheng Xingwen , Zheng Chunyan , Xu Jibo , Xu Zhiyu , Li Xiaofei , Lou Xiaojie , Wu Di , Liu Xiaohui , Pennycook Stephen J. , Wen Zheng
Published: November 2021

Role of charged defects in resistance fatigue of ferroelectric tunnel junctions has been revealed at atomic scale.
Ligands binding to the prion protein induce its proteolytic release with therapeutic potential in neurodegenerative proteinopathies
Authors: Linsenmeier Luise , Mohammadi Behnam , Shafiq Mohsin , Frontzek Karl , Bär Julia , Shrivastava Amulya N. , Damme Markus , Song Feizhi , Schwarz Alexander , Da Vela Stefano , Massignan Tania , Jung Sebastian , Correia Angela , Schmitz Matthias , Puig Berta , Hornemann Simone , Zerr Inga , Tatzelt Jörg , Biasini Emiliano , Saftig Paul , Schweizer Michaela , Svergun Dmitri , Amin Ladan , Mazzola Federica , Varani Luca , Thapa Simrika , Gilch Sabine , Schätzl Hermann , Harris David A. , Triller Antoine , Mikhaylova Marina , Aguzzi Adriano , Altmeppen Hermann C. , Glatzel Markus
Published: November 2021

Ligand-stimulated enzymatic release or cellular degradation of PrP may interfere with neurodegeneration-associated toxicity.
Rapid Atlantification along the Fram Strait at the beginning of the 20th century
Authors: Tesi Tommaso , Muschitiello Francesco , Mollenhauer Gesine , Miserocchi Stefano , Langone Leonardo , Ceccarelli Chiara , Panieri Giuliana , Chiggiato Jacopo , Nogarotto Alessio , Hefter Jens , Ingrosso Gianmarco , Giglio Federico , Giordano Patrizia , Capotondi Lucilla
Published: November 2021

Subpolar Atlantic dynamics drive Arctic climate at the onset of the 20th century.
Molecular communication relays for dynamic cross-regulation of self-sorting fibrillar self-assemblies
Authors: Groeer Saskia , Schumann Katja , Loescher Sebastian , Walther Andreas
Published: November 2021

Multicomponent self-assemblies cross-regulate their structures by exchange of molecular information using a metabolic network.
Importance of the pig as a human biomedical model
Authors: Lunney Joan K. , Van Goor Angelica , Walker Kristen E. , Hailstock Taylor , Franklin Jasmine , Dai Chaohui
Published: November 2021

Pigs are important biomedical models for studying human development and disease, for xenotransplant organ donors, and for vaccine and drug design.
Extracellular DNA in Environmental Samples: Occurrence, Extraction, Quantification, and Impact on Microbial Biodiversity Assessment
Authors: Bairoliya Sakcham , Koh Zhi Xiang Jonas , Cao Bin
Published: November 2021

Environmental DNA, i.e., DNA extracted directly from environmental samples, has been applied to understand microbial communities in the environment and to monitor contemporary biodiversity in the conservation context. Environmental DNA often contains both intracellular DNA (iDNA) and extracellular DNA (eDNA). eDNA can persist in the environment and complicate environmental DNA sequencing-based analyses of microbial communities and biodiversity.
Enhancing Secretion of Endoglucanase in Zymomonas mobilis by Disturbing Peptidoglycan Synthesis
Authors: Liu Panting , Wu Bo , Chen Mao , Dai Yonghua , Song Chao , Sun Lingling , Huang Yuhuan , Li Shenghao , Hu Guoquan , He Mingxiong
Published: November 2021

Cell wall peptidoglycan has the function to maintain cell robustness and acts as the barrier to secret recombinant proteins from the cytoplasm to extracellular space in
Z. mobilis
and other bacteria. Herein, we perturbed the peptidoglycan synthesis network via knocking out PBPs (
ZMO0197
,
ZMO0959
,
ZMO1089
) to enhance recombinant endoglycanase extracellular secretion in
Z. mobilis
S912.
Evolutionary Morphogenesis of Sexual Fruiting Bodies in Basidiomycota: Toward a New Evo-Devo Synthesis
Authors: Virágh Máté , Merényi Zsolt , Csernetics Árpád , Földi Csenge , Sahu Neha , Liu Xiao-Bin , Hibbett David S. , Nagy László G.
Published: November 2021

The development of sexual fruiting bodies is one of the most complex morphogenetic processes in fungi. Mycologists have long been fascinated by the morphological and developmental diversity of fruiting bodies; however, evolutionary developmental biology of fungi still lags significantly behind that of animals or plants.
The ATCC Genome Portal: Microbial Genome Reference Standards with Data Provenance
Authors: Benton Briana , King Stephen , Greenfield Samuel R. , Puthuveetil Nikhita , Reese Amy L. , Duncan James , Marlow Robert , Tabron Corina , Pierola Amanda E. , Yarmosh David A. , Combs Patrick Ford , Riojas Marco A. , Bagnoli John , Jacobs Jonathan L.
Published: November 2021

Lack of data provenance negatively impacts scientific reproducibility and the reliability of genomic data. The ATCC Genome Portal (
https://genomes.atcc.org
) addresses this by providing data provenance information for microbial whole-genome assemblies originating from authenticated biological materials. To date, we have sequenced 1,579 complete genomes, including 466 type strains and 1,156 novel genomes.
Prenatal versus Postnatal Initial Colonization of Healthy Neonates’ Colon Ecosystem by the Enterobacterium Escherichia coli
Authors: Al-Balawi Mohammad , Morsy Fatthy Mohamed
Published: November 2021

The results of this study suggest that the initial postnatal colonization of neonates’ colon by beneficial bacteria is a naturally controlled process in which the prenatal colon’s meconium might play a role in protecting against infection of the babies’ gut during delivery.
Transcriptome of the Maize Leafhopper (
Dalbulus maidis
) and Its Transcriptional Response to Maize Rayado Fino Virus (MRFV), Which It Transmits in a Persistent, Propagative Manner
Authors: Xu Junhuan , Willman Matthew , Todd Jane , Kim Kwang-Ho , Redinbaugh Margaret G. , Stewart Lucy R.
Published: November 2021

The transcriptome of the corn leafhopper,
D. maidis
, revealed conserved biochemical pathways for immunity and discovered transcripts responsive to MRFV-infected plants at two time points, providing a basis for functional identification of genes that either limit or promote the virus-vector interaction. Compared to other hopper species and the propagative plant viruses they transmit,
D. maidis
shared 15 responsive transcripts with
S. furcifera
(to southern rice black-streaked dwarf virus [SRBSDV]), one with
G.
nigrifrons
(to maize fine streak virus [MFSV]), and one with
P. maidis
(to maize mosaic virus [MMV]), but no virus-responsive transcripts identified were shared among all four hopper vector species.
Evaluation of Humoral Immune Response after SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination Using Two Binding Antibody Assays and a Neutralizing Antibody Assay
Authors: Nam Minjeong , Seo Jong Do , Moon Hee-Won , Kim Hanah , Hur Mina , Yun Yeo-Min
Published: November 2021

The Siemens severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) IgG (sCOVG; Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc., NY, USA) and Abbott SARS-CoV-2 IgG II Quant (CoV-2 IgG II; Abbott Laboratories, Sligo, Ireland), which are automated, quantitative SARS-CoV-2-binding antibody assays, have been recently launched. This study aimed to evaluate the humoral immune response of BNT162b2 and ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccines using sCOVG and CoV-2 IgG II and compare the quantitative values with the results of the GenScript surrogate virus neutralization test (cPASS; GenScript, USA Inc., NJ, USA).
Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Molecular Epidemiology of Intestinal Carbapenem-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Hu Yanyan , Qing Yan , Chen Jiawei , Liu Congcong , Lu Jiayue , Wang Qi , Zhen Shufang , Zhou Hongwei , Huang Ling , Zhang Rong
Published: November 2021

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
may become multidrug-resistant (MDR) due to multiple inherited and acquired resistance mechanisms. The human gastrointestinal tract is known as a reservoir of
P. aeruginosa
and its resistance genes.
Genomic Investigation and Successful Containment of an Intermittent Common Source Outbreak of OXA-48-Producing Enterobacter cloacae Related to Hospital Shower Drains
Authors: Nurjadi Dennis , Scherrer Martin , Frank Uwe , Mutters Nico T. , Heininger Alexandra , Späth Isabel , Eichel Vanessa M. , Jabs Jonas , Probst Katja , Müller-Tidow Carsten , Brandt Juliane , Heeg Klaus , Boutin Sébastien
Published: November 2021

The hospital water environment can be a reservoir for a multiward outbreak, leading to acquisitions or transmissions of multidrug-resistant organisms in a hospital setting. The majority of Gram-negative bacteria are able to build biofilms and persist in the hospital plumbing system over a long period of time.
Comparative Genomic Analysis of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Strain W18 Reveals Its Adaptative Genomic Features for Degrading Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Authors: Xiao Yaqian , Jiang Ruhan , Wu Xiaoxiong , Zhong Qi , Li Yi , Wang Hongqi
Published: November 2021

This study provided the latest comparative genomic analysis on
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
strains and focused on analyzing their genomic features that allow them to adapt to natural environments. In this study, we set
S. maltophilia
W18 as a typical PAH-degrading strain of this species. By discussing the genomic adaptative features of degrading PAH, we can predict genomic adaptative features of other
S. maltophilia
PAH-degrading strains since the core function of this species is stable.
Effect of mobile application user interface improvements on minimum expected home visit coverage by community health workers in Mali: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Yang Jane E , Lassala Diego , Liu Jenny X , Whidden Caroline , Holeman Isaac , Keita Youssouf , Djiguiba Yasamba , N’Diaye Sory Ibrahima , Fall Fatou , Kayentao Kassoum , Johnson Ari D
Published: November 2021

Background

Proactive community case management (ProCCM) has shown promise to advance goals of universal health coverage (UHC). ProCCM community health workers (CHWs) face operational challenges when pursuing their goal of visiting every household in their service area at least twice monthly to proactively find sick patients. We developed a software extension (UHC Mode) to an existing CHW mobile application featuring user interface design improvements to support CHWs in planning daily home visits. We evaluated the effect of UHC Mode on minimum expected home visit coverage.

Methods

We conducted a parallel-group, two-arm randomised controlled trial of ProCCM CHWs in two separate regions in Mali. CHWs were randomly assigned to UHC Mode or the standard mobile application (control) with a 1:1 allocation. Randomisation was stratified by health catchment area. CHWs and other programme personnel were not masked to arm allocation. CHWs used their assigned intervention for 4 months. Using a difference-in-differences analysis, we estimated the mean change in minimum expected home visit coverage from preintervention to postintervention between arms.

Results

Enrolment occurred in January 2019. Of 199 eligible CHWs randomised to the intervention or control arm, 196 were enrolled and 195 were included in the analysis. Households whose CHW used UHC Mode had 2.41 times higher odds of minimum expected home visit coverage compared with households whose CHW used the control (95% CI 1.68 to 3.47; p<0.0005). Minimum expected home visit coverage in the UHC Mode arm increased 13.6 percentage points (95% CI 8.1 to 19.0) compared with the control arm.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest UHC Mode is an effective tool that can improve home visit coverage and promote progress towards UHC when implemented in the ProCCM context. User interface design of health information systems that supports health workers’ daily practices and meets their requirements can have a positive impact on health worker performance and home visit coverage.

Trial registration number

NCT04106921.
Diabetes Prevention Education Program in a population with pre-diabetes in Nepal: a study protocol of a cluster randomised controlled trial (DiPEP)
Authors: Shakya Pushpanjali , Shrestha Archana , Karmacharya Biraj Man , Shrestha Abha , Kulseng Bård Eirik , Skovlund Eva , Sen Abhijit
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Evidence suggests that diabetes burden can be reduced by implementing early lifestyle intervention programmes in population with pre-diabetes in high-income countries. However, little is known in developing nations like Nepal. This study aims to assess effectiveness of community-based Diabetes Prevention Education Program (DiPEP) on haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level, proportion of pre-diabetes reverting to normoglycaemia, diet, physical activity, weight reduction, diabetes knowledge and health literacy after 6 months of follow-up. Furthermore, we will also conduct qualitative studies to explore experiences of participants of intervention sessions and perception of healthcare workers/volunteers about DiPEP.

Methods and analyses

This is a community-based two-arm, open-label, cluster randomised controlled trial. We will randomise 14 clusters into intervention arm and control arm. Estimated total sample size is 448. We will screen individuals without diabetes, aged 18–64 years, and permanent residents of study sites. HbA1c test will be only performed if both Indian Diabetes Risk Score and random blood sugar value are ≥60 and 140–250 mg/dL, respectively. At baseline, participants in intervention arm will receive DiPEP package (including intensive intervention classes, diabetes prevention brochure, exercise calendar and food record booklet), and participants in control arm will be provided only with diabetes prevention brochure. The change in outcome measures will be compared between intervention to control arm after 6 months of follow-up by linear mixed models. Also, we will conduct individual interviews among participants and healthcare workers as part of a qualitative study. We will use thematic analysis to analyse qualitative data.

Ethics and dissemination

Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics, Norway; Nepal Health Research Council, Nepal and Institutional Review Committee, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences have approved the study. The DiPEP package can be implemented in other communities of Nepal if it is effective in preventing diabetes.

Trial registration number

NCT04074148, 2019/783.
Predicting opioid-induced oversedation in hospitalised patients: a multicentre observational study
Authors: Garrett John , Vanston Anneliese , Ogola Gerald , da Graca Briget , Cassity Cindy , Kouznetsova Maria A , Hall Lauren R , Qiu Taoran
Published: November 2021

Objectives

Opioid-induced respiratory depression (OIRD) and oversedation are rare but potentially devastating adverse events in hospitalised patients. We investigated which features predict an individual patient’s risk of OIRD or oversedation; and developed a risk stratification tool that can be used to aid point-of-care clinical decision-making.

Design

Retrospective observational study.

Setting

Twelve acute care hospitals in a large not-for-profit integrated delivery system.

Participants

All inpatients ≥18 years admitted between 1 July 2016 and 30 June 2018 who received an opioid during their stay (163 190 unique hospitalisations).

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome was occurrence of sedation or respiratory depression severe enough that emergent reversal with naloxone was required, as determined from medical record review; if naloxone reversal was unsuccessful or if there was no evidence of hypoxic encephalopathy or death due to oversedation, it was not considered an oversedation event.

Results

Age, sex, body mass index, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, concurrent sedating medication, renal insufficiency, liver insufficiency, opioid naïvety, sleep apnoea and surgery were significantly associated with risk of oversedation. The strongest predictor was concurrent administration of another sedating medication (adjusted HR, 95% CI=3.88, 2.48 to 6.06); the most common such medications were benzodiazepines (29%), antidepressants (22%) and gamma-aminobutyric acid analogue (14.7%). The c-statistic for the final model was 0.755. The 24-point Oversedation Risk Criteria (ORC) score developed from the model stratifies patients as high (>20%, ≥21 points), moderate (11%–20%, 10–20 points) and low risk (≤10%, <10 points).

Conclusions

The ORC risk score identifies patients at high risk for OIRD or oversedation from routinely collected data, enabling targeted monitoring for early detection and intervention. It can also be applied to preventive strategies—for example, clinical decision support offered when concurrent prescriptions for opioids and other sedating medications are entered that shows how the chosen combination impacts the patient’s risk.
Modified tissue-selecting therapy stapler combined with complete anal canal epithelial preservation operation for the treatment of circumferential mixed haemorrhoids: a protocol for single-blind randomised controlled study
Authors: Huang Hua , Gu Yunfei , Li Youran , Ji Lijiang
Published: November 2021

Introduction

This protocol designed a randomised controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the effectiveness, safety and prognostic outcomes of modified tissue selecting technique (M-TST) combined with complete anal canal epithelial preservation (CACP) among patients with circumferential mixed haemorrhoids.

Methods and analysis

This study will be single-blinded, and recruit 348 patients who are admitted to the Changshu Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine and fulfil the inclusion criteria from January 2022 to December 2022. Patients will be randomly assigned to the treatment group and the control group in a 1:1 ratio. The statistician will be blinded for the allocation. The treatment group will receive M-TST combined with CACP (M-TST–CACP), while the control group will receive the procedure for prolapse and haemorrhoids. The two groups will receive the same preoperative and postoperative care. The primary outcome will be recurrence rate. The secondary outcomes will be operation time, intraoperative bleeding, incontinence, pain, postoperative complications (severe bleeding, perianal oedema, urinary retention, faecal urgency, skin tags and anal stenosis), prolapse, recovery time, quality of life, Haemorrhoid Severity Score, and Symptom Severity Score.

Ethics and dissemination

This protocol has been approved by the Clinical Ethics Committee of the Changshu Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine (approval no. 202102001).

Trial registration number

ChiCTR2100042750.
Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in women attending antenatal care in eastern Ethiopia: a facility-based surveillance
Authors: Assefa Nega , Regassa Lemma Demissie , Teklemariam Zelalem , Oundo Joseph , Madrid Lola , Dessie Yadeta , Scott JAG
Published: November 2021

Objective

We conducted serosurveillance of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among pregnant women attending their first antenatal care.

Setting

The surveillance was set in one referral hospital in Harar, one district hospital and one health centre located in Haramaya district in rural eastern Ethiopia.

Participants

We collected questionnaire data and a blood sample from 3312 pregnant women between 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2021. We selected 1447 blood samples at random and assayed these for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies at Hararghe Health Research laboratory using WANTAI SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Test for total immunoglobulin.

Outcome

We assayed for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and temporal trends in seroprevalence were analysed with a χ2test for trend and multivariable binomial regression.

Results

Among 1447 sera tested, 83 were positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies giving a crude seroprevalence of 5.7% (95% CI 4.6% to 7.0%). Of 160 samples tested in April–May 2020, none was seropositive; the first seropositive sample was identified in June and seroprevalence rose steadily thereafter (χ2test for trend, p=0.003) reaching a peak of 11.8% in February 2021. In the multivariable model, seroprevalence was approximately 3% higher in first-trimester mothers compared with later presentations, and rose by 0.75% (95% CI 0.31% to 1.20%) per month of calendar time.

Conclusions

This clinical convenience sample illustrates the dynamic of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in pregnant women in eastern Ethiopia; infection was rare before June 2020 but it spread in a linear fashion thereafter, rather than following intermittent waves, and reached 10% by the beginning of 2021. After 1 year of surveillance, most pregnant mothers remained susceptible.
Emergency department and hospital utilisation and expenditures in the last year of life: retrospective chronic diseases cohort study
Authors: Antunes Ana , Gomes Barbara , Campos Luís , Coelho Miguel , Lopes Sílvia
Published: November 2021

Objectives

We aimed to examine the influence of chronic diseases in emergency department (ED) and inpatient utilisation and expenditures in the 12 months before death.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study of ED and inpatient database. Adults deceased at a hospital in Portugal in 2013 were included. We tested the influence of chronic diseases on the number of ED visits, hospital admissions and expenditures using generalised linear models.

Results

The study included 484 patients (81.8% ≥65 years, median two chronic diseases). Nearly all (91.3%) attended the ED in the 12 months before death. The median number of admissions was 1, median expenditure was €6159. Adjusting for confounders, chronic pulmonary disease increased ED and inpatient utilisation (1.49; 95% CI: 1.22 to 1.83; 95% CI 1.29, 1.09 to 1.51). Increased ED utilisation was observed for patients with renal disease, dementia and metastatic solid tumour (1.40, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.71; 1.39, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.75; 1.31, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.60). Other malignancies showed increased inpatient utilisation (1.24, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.42). The number of chronic conditions had a considerable effect on expenditures (3: 2.08, 95% CI 1.44 to 2.99; ≥4: 4.02, 95% CI 2.51 to 6.45).

Conclusion

We found a high use of hospitals at the end of life, particularly EDs. Our findings suggest that people with cancer, renal disease, chronic pulmonary disease and dementia are relevant when developing cost-effective alternatives to hospital care.
Using electronic health record’s data to assess daily dose of opioids prescribed for outpatients with chronic non-cancer pain
Authors: Tuan Wen-Jan , Sehgal Nalini , Zgierska Aleksandra E
Published: November 2021

This research intended to examine electronic health record (EHR) based methods for automated estimation of morphine equivalent daily dose (MEDD) of prescribed opioids in primary care research and practice. The study leveraged the health system’s audit of adults treated with long-term opioids for chronic non-cancer pain to compare two EHR-based automated MEDD calculation methods: RxSignature (active prescriptions’ signature information) and RxQuantity (quantity dispensed for prescriptions issued within the past 90 days). Prescribed opioid EHR data were extracted from the target population at a large US academic health system in a 2-year assessment period. Forty-five ‘target patients’ were selected by the health system for a manual audit by an expert physician who then ‘manually’ calculated the actual MEDD over the past 90 days (RxAudit) for those with discrepancies in the MEDD calculated with RxSignature and RxQuantity. Paired samples t-test compared the MEDD generated by the RxSignature and RxQuantity methods by opioid type in the target population. The audit (n=45) revealed the RxSignature and RxQuantity methods yielded comparable MEDD results for 20 patients and discrepant results for 25 patients. The former group had opioid prescriptions issued at regular intervals for stable, scheduled doses of opioids; the latter group had opioid prescriptions issued irregularly or for changed daily dosing regimen, for as-needed use, or had changes in the dosing regimen or inactive prescriptions mislabeled as active. RxAudit of the EHR of those with discrepant MEDD results (n=25) produced consistent results with those yielded by the RxQuantity, but not the RxSignature, method. Significant differences in MEDD were found for most opioid types when the MEDD was calculated for the target population using the RxSignature and RxQuantity methods. In conclusion, different EHR-based methods for MEDD calculation can lead to vastly different estimates, with implications for research and clinical care outcomes. Standardising data extraction and MEDD calculation algorithms could overcome these challenges, enabling a more accurate and reproducible approach to the dose calculation for prescribed opioids, improving the quality of research and patient safety.
COVID-19 hospital activity and in-hospital mortality during the first and second waves of the pandemic in England: an observational study
Authors: Gray William K , Navaratnam Annakan V , Day Jamie , Wendon Julia , Briggs Tim W R
Published: November 2021

Introduction

We aimed to examine the profile of, and outcomes for, all people hospitalised with COVID-19 across the first and second waves of the pandemic in England.

Methods

This was an exploratory retrospective analysis of observational data from the Hospital Episode Statistics data set for England. All patients aged ≥18 years in England with a diagnosis of COVID-19 who had a hospital stay that was completed between 1 March 2020 and 31 March 2021 were included. In-hospital mortality was the primary outcome of interest. The second wave was identified as starting on 1 September 2020. Multilevel logistic regression modelling was used to investigate the relationship between mortality and demographic, comorbidity and temporal covariates.

Results

Over the 13 months, 374 244 unique patients had a diagnosis of COVID-19 during a hospital stay, of whom 93 701 (25%) died in hospital. Adjusted mortality rates fell from 40%–50% in March 2020 to 11% in August 2020 before rising to 21% in January 2021 and declining steadily to March 2021. Improvements in mortality rates were less apparent in older and comorbid patients. Although mortality rates fell for all ethnic groups from the first to the second wave, declines were less pronounced for Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani, other Asian and black African ethnic groups.

Conclusions

There was a substantial decline in adjusted mortality rates during the early part of the first wave which was largely maintained during the second wave. The underlying reasons for consistently higher mortality risk in some ethnic groups merits further study.
Genomic regions associated with resistance to Fusarium wilt in castor identified through linkage and association mapping approaches
Authors: Shaw Ranjan K. , Shaik Mobeen , Prasad M. Santha Lakshmi , Prasad R.D. , Mohanrao Manmode Darpan , Senthilvel S.
Published: November 2021

Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ricini, is the most destructive disease in castor. Host plant resistance is the best strategy for the management of wilt. Identification of molecular markers linked to wilt resistance will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of breeding for wilt resistance. In the present study, genomic regions linked to wilt resistance were mapped using a bi-parental population of 185 F6–RILs and a genetically diverse panel of 300 germplasm accessions. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis performed using a linkage map consisting of 1090 SNP markers identified a major QTL on chromosome 7 with an LOD score of 18.7, which explained 44% of the phenotypic variance. The association mapping performed using genotypic data from 3465 SNP loci revealed 69 significant associations (p < 1 × 10−4) for wilt resistance. The phenotypic variance explained by the individual SNPs ranged from 0.063 to 0.210. The QTL detected in the bi-parental mapping population was not identified in the association analysis. Thus, the results of this study indicate the possibility of vast gene diversity for Fusarium wilt resistance in castor.