bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health system determinants of access to essential medicines for children with cancer in Ghana
Authors: Boateng Rhonda , Renner Lorna , Petricca Kadia , Gupta Sumit , Denburg Avram
Published: September 2020

Background

Evidence of the context-specific challenges related to childhood cancer drug (CCD) access is vital to improving outcomes for children with cancer in low- and middle-income countries, such as Ghana. We sought to determine the availability and cost of essential CCD in Ghana and identify the underlying determinants of access.

Methods

Our study integrated quantitative data on drug prices and availability with qualitative insights into health system and sociopolitical determinants of CCD access in Ghana. We analysed retrospective monthly price and stock data for 41 cancer and supportive care drugs on the WHO Essential Medicines List (EML) from private retail and public institutional pharmacies. Non-parametric analyses evaluated relationships between drug price and availability, and impacts of drug class and formulation on availability and procurement efficiency. We assessed the determinants of drug access through thematic analysis of policy documents and semi-structured interviews (n=21) with key health system stakeholders.

Results

Ghana lists only 47% of essential CCD on its National EML, revealing gaps in domestic formulary inclusion. Stock-outs occurred for 88% of essential CCD, with a 70-day median stock-out duration; 32% had median price ratios above internationally-accepted efficiency thresholds. Drugs procured inefficiently were more susceptible to stock-outs (p=0.0003). Principal determinants of drug access included: (1) lack of sociopolitical priority afforded childhood cancer and (2) the impact of policy and regulatory environments on drug affordability, availability and quality. Establishment of a population-based cancer registry, a nationally-coordinated procurement strategy for CCD, public financing for childhood cancer care and policies to control drug costs emerged as priority interventions to improve drug access in Ghana.

Conclusion

Our study provides context-specific evidence to enable responsive policy development for efficient drug procurement and supply management in Ghana and establishes a rigorous approach to the analysis of childhood cancer drug access in similar health system settings.
Setting the standard: multidisciplinary hallmarks for structural, equitable and tracked antibiotic policy
Authors: Kirchhelle Claas , Atkinson Paul , Broom Alex , Chuengsatiansup Komatra , Ferreira Jorge Pinto , Fortané Nicolas , Frost Isabel , Gradmann Christoph , Hinchliffe Stephen , Hoffman Steven J , Lezaun Javier , Nayiga Susan , Outterson Kevin , Podolsky Scott H , Raymond Stephanie , Roberts Adam P , Singer Andrew C , So Anthony D , Sringernyuang Luechai , Tayler Elizabeth , Rogers Van Katwyk Susan , Chandler Clare I R
Published: September 2020

There is increasing concern globally about the enormity of the threats posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to human, animal, plant and environmental health. A proliferation of international, national and institutional reports on the problems posed by AMR and the need for antibiotic stewardship have galvanised attention on the global stage. However, the AMR community increasingly laments a lack of action, often identified as an ‘implementation gap’. At a policy level, the design of internationally salient solutions that are able to address AMR’s interconnected biological and social (historical, political, economic and cultural) dimensions is not straightforward. This multidisciplinary paper responds by asking two basic questions: (A) Is a universal approach to AMR policy and antibiotic stewardship possible? (B) If yes, what hallmarks characterise ‘good’ antibiotic policy? Our multistage analysis revealed four central challenges facing current international antibiotic policy: metrics, prioritisation, implementation and inequality. In response to this diagnosis, we propose three hallmarks that can support robust international antibiotic policy. Emerging hallmarks for good antibiotic policies are: Structural, Equitable and Tracked. We describe these hallmarks and propose their consideration should aid the design and evaluation of international antibiotic policies with maximal benefit at both local and international scales.
How previous epidemics enable timelier COVID-19 responses: an empirical study using organisational memory theory
Authors: Tsuei Sian Hsiang-Te
Published: September 2020

Introduction

There has been little systematic exploration into what affects timeliness of epidemic response, despite the potential for earlier responses to be more effective. Speculations have circulated that previous exposure to major epidemics helped health systems respond more quickly to COVID-19. This study leverages organisational memory theory to test whether health systems with any, more severe, or more recent exposure to major epidemics enacted timelier COVID-19 policy responses.

Methods

A data set was constructed cataloguing 846 policies across 178 health systems in total, 37 of which had major epidemics within the last 20 years. Hypothesis testing used OLS regressions with World Health Organization region fixed effects, controlling for several health system expenditure and political variables.

Results

Results show that exposure to any major epidemics was associated with providing earlier response in the following policy categories: all policies, surveillance/response, distancing, and international travel policies. The effect was about 6–10 days earlier response. The significance of this variable was largely nullified with the addition of the other two independent variables. Neither total cases nor years since previous epidemics showed no statistical significance.

Conclusion

This study suggests that health systems may learn from past major epidemics. Policymakers ought to institutionalise lessons from COVID-19. Future studies can examine specific generalisable lessons and whether timelier responses correlated with lower health and economic impacts.
Connecting nutrition as a hard science and international knowledge networks: Proceedings of the Fourth International Summit on Medical and Public Health Nutrition Education and Research
Authors: Barrett Eden M , Brown Mhairi , Buckner Luke , Bradfield James , Khalid Ali A , Laur Celia , Ray Sumantra
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Nutrition is a ‘hard’ science in two ways; the scientific rigour required for quality nutrition research, and equally, the challenges faced in evidence translation. Ways in which quality nutrition research can be synthesised and evidence effectively translated into practice were the focus of the Fourth Annual International Summit on Medical and Public Health Nutrition Education and Research.

Setting

Wolfson College, University of Cambridge, and Addenbrookes Hospital at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, in July 2018.

Key findings

Open communication and collaboration across disciplines and systems, including transfer of knowledge, ideas and data through international knowledge application networks, was presented as a key tool in enhancing nutrition research and translation of evidence. Increasing basic nutrition competence and confidence in medical professionals is needed to encourage the implementation of nutrition therapy in prevention and treatment of health outcomes.

Conclusions

A sustained focus on producing quality nutrition research must be coupled with increased efforts in collaboration and building of knowledge networks, including educating and training multidisciplinary health and medical professionals in nutrition. Such efforts are needed to ensure nutrition is both reliable in its messaging and effective in translation into healthcare.
Investigating the benefits and challenges of including bereaved women in research: a multifaceted perinatal audit in a socially disadvantaged French district
Authors: Sauvegrain Priscille , Zeitlin Jennifer
Published: September 2020

Objectives

To describe experiences including interviews with bereaved women in a clinical audit.

Design

The data come from an audit of all stillbirths and neonatal deaths at ≥22 weeks of gestation in Seine-Saint-Denis, a disadvantaged French district in 2014. We included bereaved women using a questionnaire that also contained open-ended questions administered in an interview format by a midwife-investigator several weeks after the death. The study included a referral protocol for bereaved women with unmet needs revealed during the interviews. A psychological support for the three midwife-investigators was set-up, in the form of a support group.

Setting

The 11 maternity hospitals in the district.

Participants

218 women (227 deaths).

Analyses

Data come from medical records, maternal interviews, the reviews of the audit’s expert panel and written narratives of their experiences provided by the midwife-investigators. Quantitative data were analysed statistically, and qualitative data thematically.

Results

One-third (75) of the women agreed to an interview, but acceptance ranged from 6% to 60% by maternity unit. Characteristics of respondents and non-respondents were similar. Members of the audit’s expert panel reported that 41% of the interviews contained new information relevant to their assessment. Of the women interviewed, 35% were referred to a medical professional, psychologist or social worker. Midwife-investigators’ experiences illustrated the benefits of a support group with three main themes identified: improving their interactions with bereaved women as well as medical teams and protecting their psychological well-being.

Conclusion

These results showed that including interviews with bereaved women in audit designs was feasible and provided valuable information on women’s care and social circumstances that were not available in medical records. They also highlight the importance of implementing referral protocols for the bereaved women, used in over one-third of cases, as well as providing support for study investigators.
Overview of systematic reviews on strategies to improve treatment initiation, adherence to antiretroviral therapy and retention in care for people living with HIV: part 1
Authors: Mbuagbaw Lawrence , Hajizadeh Anisa , Wang Annie , Mertz Dominik , Lawson Daeria O , Smieja Marek , Benoit Anita C , Alvarez Elizabeth , Puchalski Ritchie Lisa , Rachlis Beth , Logie Carmen , Husbands Winston , Margolese Shari , Zani Babalwa , Thabane Lehana
Published: September 2020

Objectives

We sought to map the evidence and identify interventions that increase initiation of antiretroviral therapy, adherence to antiretroviral therapy and retention in care for people living with HIV at high risk for poor engagement in care.

Methods

We conducted an overview of systematic reviews and sought for evidence on vulnerable populations (men who have sex with men (MSM), African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) people, sex workers (SWs), people who inject drugs (PWID) and indigenous people). We searched PubMed, Excerpta Medica dataBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsycINFO, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library in November 2018. We screened, extracted data and assessed methodological quality in duplicate and present a narrative synthesis.

Results

We identified 2420 records of which only 98 systematic reviews were eligible. Overall, 65/98 (66.3%) were at low risk of bias. Systematic reviews focused on ACB (66/98; 67.3%), MSM (32/98; 32.7%), PWID (6/98; 6.1%), SWs and prisoners (both 4/98; 4.1%). Interventions were: mixed (37/98; 37.8%), digital (22/98; 22.4%), behavioural or educational (9/98; 9.2%), peer or community based (8/98; 8.2%), health system (7/98; 7.1%), medication modification (6/98; 6.1%), economic (4/98; 4.1%), pharmacy based (3/98; 3.1%) or task-shifting (2/98; 2.0%). Most of the reviews concluded that the interventions effective (69/98; 70.4%), 17.3% (17/98) were neutral or were indeterminate 12.2% (12/98). Knowledge gaps were the types of participants included in primary studies (vulnerable populations not included), poor research quality of primary studies and poorly tailored interventions (not designed for vulnerable populations). Digital, mixed and peer/community-based interventions were reported to be effective across the continuum of care.

Conclusions

Interventions along the care cascade are mostly focused on adherence and do not sufficiently address all vulnerable populations.
Health impacts and economic costs of residential fires (RESFIRES study): protocol for a population-based cohort study using linked administrative data
Authors: Harvey Lara A , Ghassempour Nargess , Whybro Mark , Tannous W Kathy
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Residential fires remain a significant global public health problem. It is recognised that the reported number of residential fires, fire-related injuries and deaths significantly underestimate the true number. Australian surveys show that around two-thirds of respondents who experience a residential fire are unwilling to call the fire service, and international studies highlight that many individuals who access medical treatment for fire-related injuries do not have an associated fire incident report. The objectives of this study are to quantify the incidence, health impacts, risk factors and economic costs of residential fires in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.

Methods and analysis

The RESFIRE cohort will include all persons living at an NSW residential address which experienced a fire over the period 2005–2014. Nine data sources will be linked to provide a comprehensive picture of individual trajectories from fire event to first responder use (fire and ambulance services), emergency department presentations, hospital admissions, burn out-patient clinic use and death. These data will be used to describe the circumstances and characteristics of residential fires, provide a profile of fire-related injuries, examine trends over time, and explore the relationship between fire circumstance, emergency and health services utilisation, and health outcomes. Regression modelling, including multilevel modelling techniques, will be used to explore factors that impact on these relationships. Costing models will be constructed.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval for this study has been obtained from the NSW Population and Health Service Research Ethics Committee and Western Sydney University Human Research Ethics Committee. The study reference group comprises key stakeholders including Fire and Rescue NSW, policy agencies, health service providers and burns clinicians ensuring wide dissemination of results and translation of data to inform practice and identify areas for targeted prevention. Summary reports in formats designed for policy audiences in parallel with scientific papers will be produced.
Phase II study of concomitant radiotherapy with atezolizumab in oligometastatic soft tissue sarcomas: STEREOSARC trial protocol
Authors: le Guevelou Jennifer , Debaigt Colin , Saada-Bouzid Esma , Viotti Julien , Khalladi Nazim , Thibouw David , Penel Nicolas , Sunyach Marie Pierre , Moureau-Zabotto Laurence , Benchalal Mohamed , Veresezan Ovidiu , Ducassou Anne , le Pechoux Cecile , Jolnerovski Maria , Bazille Celine , Vaur Dominique , Escande Alexandre , Serre Raphael , Lovera Christine , Thariat Juliette
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Up to 50% of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) patients develop metastases in the course of their disease. Cytotoxic therapy is a standard treatment in this setting but yields average tumour response rates of 25% at first line and ≤10% at later lines. In oligometastatic stage, stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) allows reaching high control rates at treated sites (≥80%) and is potentially equally effective to surgery in term of overall survival. In order to shift the balance towards antitumour immunity by multisite irradiation, radiation could be combined with inhibitors of the immunosuppressive pathways.

Methods and analysis

STEREOSARC is a prospective, multicentric, randomised phase II, designed to evaluate the efficacy of SBRT associated with immunotherapy versus SBRT only. Randomisation is performed with a 2:1 ratio within two arms. The primary objective is to evaluate the efficacy, in term of progression-free survival (PFS) rate at 6 months, of immunomodulated stereotactic multisite irradiation in oligometastatic sarcoma patients. The secondary objectives include PFS by immune response criteria, overall survival, quality-of-life evaluation and developing mathematical models of tumour growth and dissemination predictive of oligometastatic versus polymetastatic evolution. Patients will be randomised in two groups: SBRT with atezolizumab and SBRT alone. The total number of included patients should be 103.

Trial registration

The trial is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT03548428).

Ethics and dissemination

This study has been approved by Comité de Protection des Personnes du sud-ouest et outre-mer 4 on 18 October 2019 (Reference CPP2019-09-076-PP) and from National Agency for Medical and Health products Safety (Reference: MEDAECNAT-2019-08-00004_2017-004239-35) on 18 September 2019.

The results will be disseminated to patients upon individual request or through media release from scientific meetings. The results will be communicated through scientific meetings and publications.
New-onset paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in acute myocardial infarction: increased risk of stroke
Authors: Lee Ji Hyun , Kim Sun-Hwa , Lee Wonjae , Cho Youngjin , Kang Si-Hyuck , Park Jin Joo , Oh IL-Young , Yoon Chang-Hwan , Suh Jung-Won , Cho Young-Seok , Youn Tae-Jin , Chae In-Ho , Choi Dong-Ju
Published: September 2020

Objective

To investigate the long-term prognostic implications of transient new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Design

Retrospective observational study.

Setting

Single tertiary centre.

Participants

This study included 2523 patients who presented with AMI from 3 June 2003 to 24 February 2015, after the exclusion of those with prior AF or in-hospital death.

Outcome measures

Patients were divided into three groups according to the occurrence and type of new-onset AF: (1) sinus rhythm (SR) group; (2) paroxysmal AF (PaAF: AF converted to SR prior to discharge) group and (3) persistent AF (PeAF: AF persisted during the hospitalisation) group. Post-discharge all-cause mortality and stroke incidences were compared between the groups.

Results

New-onset AF was observed in 271 patients (10.7%; PaAF: 230, PeAF: 41). The median follow-up period was 7.2 years (IQR: 5.2–9.4). The incidence of all-cause death and stroke was highest in the PeAF group, followed by the PaAF and SR groups (all-cause mortality: 48.8% vs 26.5% vs 14.7%, p<0.001; stroke 22.0% vs 8.3% vs 4.4%, p<0.001). In the multivariable analysis, PaAF and PeAF were associated with an increased risk of stroke (PaAF, HR: 1.972, 95% CI: 1.162–3.346; PeAF, HR: 5.160, CI: 2.242–11.873) compared with SR. The PaAF group showed a higher incidence of post-discharge AF than the SR group (29.1% vs 4.2%, p<0.001).

Conclusions

New-onset AF following AMI is associated with poor long-term outcomes. Even when AF episodes are brief and are converted to SR, new-onset AF remains associated with an increased risk of recurrent AF and stroke.
Silk fibroin safety in the eye: a review that highlights a concern
Authors: Madden Peter W , Klyubin Igor , Ahearne Mark J
Published: September 2020

The biomedical use of silk as a suture dates back to antiquity. Fibroin is the structural element that determines the strength of silk and here we consider the safety of fibroin in its role in ophthalmology. The high mechanical strength of silk meant sufficiently thin threads could be made for eye microsurgery, but such usage was all but superseded by synthetic polymer sutures, primarily because silk in its entirety was more inflammatory. Significant immunological response can normally be avoided by careful manufacturing to provide high purity fibroin, and it has been utilised in this form for tissue engineering an array of fibre and film substrata deployed in research with cells of the eye. Films of fibroin can also be made transparent, which is a required property in the visual pathway. Transparent layers of corneal epithelial, stromal and endothelial cells have all been demonstrated with maintenance of phenotype, as have constructs supporting retinal cells. Fibroin has a lack of demonstrable infectious agent transfer, an ability to be sterilised and prepared with minimal contamination, long-term predictable degradation and low direct cytotoxicity. However, there remains a known ability to be involved in amyloid formation and potential amyloidosis which, without further examination, is enough to currently question whether fibroin should be employed in the eye given its innervation into the brain.
Inequalities in awareness and availability of bereavement services in North-East England
Authors: Wakefield Donna , Fleming Elizabeth , Howorth Kate , Waterfield Kerry , Kavanagh Emily , Billett Hannah C , Kiltie Rachel , Robinson Lucy , Rowley Grace , Brown Jolene , Woods Elizabeth , Dewhurst Felicity
Published: September 2020

Objectives

National guidance recommends equality in access to bereavement services; despite this, awareness and availability appears inconsistent. The aim of this study was to explore availability and accessibility of bereavement services across the North-East of England and to highlight issues potentially applicable across the UK, at a time of unprecedented need due to the impact of COVID-19.

Methods

Phase 1: an eight item, web-based survey was produced. A survey link was cascaded to all GP practices (General Practitioners) in the region. Phase 2: an email was sent to all services identified in phase 1, requesting details such as referral criteria and waiting times.

Results

All 392 GP practices in the region were invited to participate. The response rate was 22% (85/392). Twenty-one per cent (18/85) of respondents reported that they do not refer patients, comments included ‘not aware of any services locally’. A total of 36 services were contacted with 72% responding with further information. Most bereavement specific support was reliant on charity-funded services including hospices, this sometimes required a pre-existing link with the hospice. Waiting times were up to 4 months.

Conclusions

Although multiple different, usually charity-funded services were identified, awareness and accessibility were variable. This survey was conducted prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, where complex situations surrounding death is likely to impact on the usual grieving process and increase the need for bereavement support. Meanwhile, charities providing this support are under severe financial strain. There is an urgent need to bridge the gap between need and access to bereavement services.
COVID-19 mental health care toolkit: an international collaborative effort by Early Career Psychiatrists section
Authors: Adiukwu Frances , Orsolini Laura , Gashi Bytyçi Drita , El Hayek Samer , Gonzalez-Diaz Jairo M , Larnaout Amine , Grandinetti Paolo , Nofal Marwa , Pereira-Sanchez Victor , Pinto da Costa Mariana , Ransing Ramdas , Schuh Teixeira Andre Luiz , Shalbafan Mohammadreza , Soler-Vidal Joan , Syarif Zulvia , Kudva Kundadak Ganesh , Ramalho Rodrigo
Published: September 2020

The collaborative effort of an international research team from the Early Career Psychiatrists section of the World Psychiatry Association has brought about an easy-to-use, quick and stepwise mental health care toolkit for the identification and appropriate referral of those in need of mental health care during the pandemic. This simple guide can be applied in the general outpatient setting and is catered for all healthcare professionals, regardless of their expertise within the mental health field with minimal training. It is our hope that by incorporating this toolkit into our daily clinical care during the pandemic for high-risk patients and patients with non-specific complaints, we will be able to bridge the mental health gap present in our society.
Ethnic-specific BRCA1/2 variation within Asia population: evidence from over 78 000 cancer and 40 000 non-cancer cases of Indian, Chinese, Korean and Japanese populations
Authors: Bhaskaran Shanmuga Priya , Huang Teng , Rajendran Barani Kumar , Guo Maoni , Luo Jiangtao , Qin Zixin , Zhao Bojin , Chian Jiasheng , Li Suicheng , Wang San Ming
Published: September 2020

Background

Germline mutation in BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA) is genetic predisposition for breast and ovarian cancer. Identification of mutation carriers is a critical step to prevent and treat the cancer in the mutation carriers. Human BRCA variation has been well determined as ethnic-specific by studies in Ashkenazi Jewish, Polish and Icelandic populations in the 1990s. However, sufficient evidence is lacking to determine if ethnic-specific BRCA variation is also present in Asia population, which is the largest and the most diversified in modern humans. Our current study aims to investigate ethnic-specific BRCA variation in Asian population.

Methods

We performed a comprehensive data mining to collect BRCA variation data in Indian, Chinese, Korean and Japanese populations derived from over 78 000 cancer and 40 000 non-cancer cases. We standardised all BRCA variation data following the international standard. We made a systematic comparison between the datasets including variant composition, variation spectrum, variant type, clinical class, founder mutation and high-frequent variants.

Results

Our analysis showed that over half of the Asian BRCA variants were Asian-specific, and significant differences were present between the four Asia populations in each category analysed.

Conclusion

Data from our study reveal that ethnic-specific BRCA variation is commonly present in Asia population as existing in non-Asian populations. Our study indicates that ethnicity should be an important factor to consider in prevention and treatment of BRCA mutation-related cancer in the Asia population. We recommend that the current BRCA variation databases should include ethnic variation information in order to function as true global BRCA references.
Occupational radiation and haematopoietic malignancy mortality in the retrospective cohort study of US radiologic technologists, 1983–2012
Authors: Linet Martha S , Little Mark P , Kitahara Cari M , Cahoon Elizabeth K , Doody Michele M , Simon Steven L , Alexander Bruce H , Preston Dale L
Published: September 2020

Objectives

To evaluate cumulative occupational radiation dose response and haematopoietic malignancy mortality risks in the US radiologic technologist cohort.

Methods

Among 110 297 radiologic technologists (83 655 women, 26 642 men) who completed a baseline questionnaire sometime during 1983–1998, a retrospective cohort study was undertaken to assess cumulative, low-to-moderate occupational radiation dose and haematopoietic malignancy mortality risks during 1983–2012. Cumulative bone marrow dose (mean 8.5 mGy, range 0–430 mGy) was estimated based on 921 134 badge monitoring measurements during 1960–1997, work histories and historical data; 35.4% of estimated doses were based on badge measurements. Poisson regression was used to estimate excess relative risk of haematopoietic cancers per 100 milligray (ERR/100 mGy) bone-marrow absorbed dose, adjusting for attained age, sex and birth year.

Results

Deaths from baseline questionnaire completion through 2012 included 133 myeloid neoplasms, 381 lymphoid neoplasms and 155 leukaemias excluding chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). Based on a linear dose-response, no significant ERR/100 mGy occurred for acute myeloid leukaemia (ERR=0.0002, 95% CI <−0.02 to 0.24, p-trend>0.5, 85 cases) or leukaemia excluding CLL (ERR=0.05, 95% CI <−0.09 to 0.24, p-trend=0.21, 155 cases). No significant dose-response trends were observed overall for CLL (ERR<−0.023, 95% CI <−0.025 to 0.18, p-trend=0.45, 32 cases), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (ERR=0.03, 95% CI <−0.2 to 0.18, p-trend=0.4, 201 cases) or multiple myeloma (ERR=0.003, 95% CI −0.02 to 0.16, p-trend>0.5, 112 cases). Findings did not differ significantly by demographic factors, smoking or specific radiological procedures performed.

Conclusion

After follow-up averaging 22 years, there was little evidence of a relationship between occupational radiation exposure and myeloid or lymphoid haematopoietic neoplasms.
Impact of three annual tobacco tax rises on tobacco sales in remote Australian Aboriginal community stores
Authors: Thomas David P , McMahon Emma , Wang Zhiqiang , Scollo Michelle M , Durkin Sarah J
Published: September 2020

Background

There is strong evidence from many settings that tobacco tax rises which increase prices reduce tobacco consumption, but only limited evidence from Indigenous settings.

Methods

We analysed 3 years (2016–2018) of weekly sales data from 32 stores in remote Aboriginal communities. We used interrupted time series analysis to estimate the immediate impact of the price rice following annual 12.5% tobacco tax rises on sales on (A) stick equivalents of tobacco and (B) fruit and vegetables (kg) per $A1000 of grocery sales, and on the trend in sales between price rises.

Results

We detected 5.8% and 8.2% immediate declines in tobacco sales following the price rises associated with annual 12.5% tax rises in 2016 and 2018, and a non-significant decline (1.6%) following the 2017 tax rise. Decreased sales were mainly driven by declines in mainstream and premium factory-made cigarettes. Fruit and vegetable sales did not change at the time of tobacco price rises.

Conclusion

For the first time, we demonstrated evidence of price-sensitivity and the immediate impact of price rises from tobacco tax rises on tobacco sales in remote Aboriginal communities. We acknowledge that Australia already has very high tobacco taxation and prices, but recommend further increases to the taxation of roll-your-own (RYO) tobacco to prevent smokers and industry using cheaper RYO cigarettes to undermine this impact of high tobacco taxes and prices.
Attitudes of Bavarian bovine veterinarians towards pain and pain management in cattle
Authors: Tschoner Theresa , Sauter‐Louis Carola , Peinhofer Verena , Feist Melanie
Published: September 2020

Background

Pain recognition in cattle is difficult, but the control and treatment of pain are essential for animal welfare. Pain evaluation depends on the observer's experience and opinion, resulting in different approaches towards pain and the use of analgesics.

Methods

A questionnaire to assess the attitudes of veterinarians towards pain and pain management in cattle was sent to 1097 bovine practitioners in Bavaria. Out of 287 returned questionnaires, 274 could be analysed.

Results

Claw amputation, extirpation of the eye bulb and caesarean section were considered to be the most painful procedures in adult cattle, and castration, umbilical surgery and laparotomy in calves. Orthopaedic diseases like bone fractures or arthritis were estimated to be the most painful conditions in both cattle and calves, and ileus and meningitis in calves. Female veterinarians scored pain higher than their male colleagues. Even though 75.5 per cent of veterinarians stated that they used analgesics adequately, pain management during surgery was low, especially for castration and dehorning in calves.

Conclusion

Bavarian bovine veterinarians differ in their opinions about pain in cattle and the results of this study indicate that there a mismatch between their use of analgesics and the pain scores they awarded.
A cooperative evacuation strategy for mass passenger flow in urban rail transit transfer stations
Authors: Hong-Fei Jia , Heng Sang , Qing-Yu Luo , Jin-Ling Yang , Hong-Zhi Miao
Published: September 2020

In reviewing the evacuation problem of mass passenger flow in urban rail transit transfer stations, the cooperative evacuation strategy considering urban rail transit and emergency bus simultaneously is found to be an efficient way. In this work, firstly, the dynamic characteristics of mass passenger flow are analyzed based on the abstraction and simplification of major entities of urban rail transit, including passengers, stations and trains. Then, the operations of the urban rail transit system are modeled, including the boarding, landing and transferring processes of the passengers and the status updating flows of the trains and stations. To realize the cooperative evacuation, a multi-objective optimization model considering the evacuation speed, the number of passengers transferred, and the amount of emergency buses is proposed. The NSGA-II algorithm is adopted to solve the proposed model, which can balance the theoretical validity and computational convenience. Last, the proposed strategy is applied in a real-life case based on the Shanghai Metro line, and the results verify its effectiveness and efficiency.
Numerical simulation of mixed convection in a two-sided lid-driven square cavity with four inner cylinders based on diamond arrays
Authors: Tang Guyue , Lou Qin , Li Ling
Published: September 2020

The hydrodynamics and thermal characteristics due to mixed convection in a vertical two-sided lid-driven differentially square cavity containing four hot cylinders in a diamond array are investigated by the lattice Boltzmann equation model. The moving walls of the cavity are cold while the others are adiabatic. The flow in the cavity is driven by both the temperature difference and the moving vertical walls. The influence of different flow governing parameters, including the direction of the moving walls (the left wall moves up and the right wall moves down (Case I), both the left and right walls are moving upward (Case II), both the left and right walls are moving downwards (Case III)), the distance between neighboring cylinders [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]), and the Richardson number [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]) on the fluid flow and heat transfer are investigated with the Reynolds number in the range of [Formula: see text], the Grashof number of [Formula: see text] and the Prandtl number of [Formula: see text]. Flow and thermal performances in the cavity are analyzed in detail by considering the streamlines and isotherms profiles, the average Nusselt number, as well as the total Nusselt number. It is found that the heat transfer efficiency is highest when [Formula: see text] for the cases of the walls moving in the opposite direction. When the walls move in the same directions, the heat transfer efficiency obtained by [Formula: see text] is maximum among the considered values of [Formula: see text]. On the other hand, compared with the cases of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], the cylinder positions corresponding to the largest and the smallest Nusselt numbers are very sensitive to the moving direction of the walls for [Formula: see text]. Moreover, the results also show that in terms of the value of Nusselt number and the stability the case of both walls moving downwards works well. Besides, the effect of the distance between neighboring cylinders is also discussed, it is found that increasing or decreasing the spacing between cylinders could enhance heat transfer to different degrees for the range of [Formula: see text] number considered. Finally, the empirical relationships among [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and the spacing between the cylinders ([Formula: see text]) are given, and predictive results match with the computed values very well.
Correlating USA COVID-19 cases at epidemic onset days to domestic flights passenger inflows by state
Authors: Ruiz-Gayosso J. A. , del Castillo-Escribano M. , Hernández-Ramírez E. , del Castillo-Mussot M. , Pérez-Riascos A. , Hernández-Casildo J.
Published: September 2020

In the USA, COVID-19 first infection cases were imported by external travelers. At the epidemic onset days, we assume that the disease partially spreads due to domestic passengers air transportation in its densely connected airport network. Taking into account all USA states, we arranged COVID-19 infected cases data in a convenient common time origin timeline as if the beginning of the epidemic would have occurred simultaneously in every state. Looking for a trend between cases and air passengers, we obtained with this timeline very good statistical Pearson and Spearman correlations between accumulated infected cases by state and a positive power of the product [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the domestic flight passengers (travelers) inflow by state before the epidemic and [Formula: see text] is its population. We also found a good correlation between percentages of urban area by state and their COVID-19 daily new cases growth rates at onset days.
Isogeometric Free Vibration Analysis of Curved Euler–Bernoulli Beams with Particular Emphasis on Accuracy Study
Authors: Sun Zhuangjing , Wang Dongdong , Li Xiwei
Published: September 2020

An isogeometric free vibration analysis is presented for curved Euler–Bernoulli beams, where the theoretical study of frequency accuracy is particularly emphasized. Firstly, the isogeometric formulation for general curved Euler–Bernoulli beams is elaborated, which fully takes the advantages of geometry exactness and basis function smoothness provided by isogeometric analysis. Subsequently, in order to enable an analytical frequency accuracy study, the general curved beam formulation is particularized to the circular arch problem with constant radius. Under this circumstance, explicit mass and stiffness matrices are derived for quadratic and cubic isogeometric formulations. Accordingly, the coupled stencil equations associated with the axial and deflectional displacements of circular arches are established. By further invoking the harmonic wave assumption, a frequency accuracy measure is rationally attained for isogeometric free analysis of curved Euler–Bernoulli beams, which theoretically reveals that the isogeometric curved beam formulation with [Formula: see text]th degree basis functions is [Formula: see text]th order accurate regarding the frequency computation. Numerical results well confirm the proposed theoretical convergence rates for both circular arches and general curved beams.
Moving Element Analysis of High-Speed Train-Slab Track System Considering Discrete Rail Pads
Authors: Lei Tuo , Dai Jian , Ang Kok Keng , Li Kun , Liu Yi
Published: September 2020

This paper presents a study of the dynamic behavior of a coupled train-slab track system considering discrete rail pads. The slab track is modeled as a three-layer Timoshenko beam. The study is carried out using the moving element method (MEM). By introducing a convected coordinate system moving at the same speed as the vehicle, the governing equations of motion of the slab track are formulated in a moving frame-of-reference. By adopting Galerkin’s method, the element stiffness, mass and damping matrices of a truncated slab track in the moving coordinate system are derived. The vehicle is modeled as a multi-body with 10 degrees of freedom. The nonlinear Hertz contact model is used to account for the wheel–rail interaction. The Newmark integration method, in conjunction with a global Newton–Raphson iteration algorithm, is employed to solve the nonlinear dynamic equations of motion of the vehicle–track coupled system. The proposed MEM model of the system is validated through comparison with available results in the literature. Further study is then made to investigate the vehicle–track system accounting for track irregularities modeled as short harmonic wave forms. Results showed that irregularities with short wavelengths have a significant effect on wheel–rail contact force and rail acceleration, and the dynamic response of the track structure does not increase monotonously with the increase of the vehicle speed.
INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP: EVIDENCE FROM AFRICA
Authors: AJIDE FOLORUNSHO M.
Published: September 2020

Closing the infrastructural gaps and fostering the entrepreneurial processes are considered the key to reduce African unemployment and boost productivity to achieve inclusive development. Therefore, investment in infrastructure is crucial for creating a conducive entrepreneurial environment. In this paper, we provide a contribution for this purpose, by evaluating the impact of infrastructure on entrepreneurship in a panel of twenty African countries for a period of 2006–2018. Consistent with previous studies, we find that infrastructures play a significant role in improving entrepreneurial development. In specific, we show that transport, electricity, water and sanitation facilities, ICT and broadband infrastructures have a positive and significant effect on entrepreneurial startups in Africa. Our reports show clearly there is a positive association between infrastructures and entrepreneurial startups at a one percent significance level. These findings are robust to alternative estimation. It points out that physical infrastructure is more relevant in the case of less developed countries in promoting entrepreneurial development.
ENTREPRENEURIAL STRATEGIES OF IMMIGRANT WOMEN IN THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY IN BURKINA FASO, WEST AFRICA
Authors: SONG-NABA FLORENT
Published: September 2020

This research aims to analyze the strategies of immigrant women in the mid-range restaurant industry in Burkina Faso. It is precisely a question of identifying and characterizing the strategic choices that enable these women to establish themselves in this sector of activity. The results show that the restaurateurs studied rely on their (ethnic) culinary capital to serve a non-ethnic clientele; this corresponds to an integration strategy or an intermediate minority attitude. However, these restaurateurs often have to go through the enclave strategy before the integration phase. Highlighting this dynamic approach to entrepreneurial strategies contributes to enriching the literature on immigrant entrepreneurship in general, especially immigrant women’s entrepreneurship.
An inequality between finite analogues of rank and crank moments
Authors: Eyyunni Pramod , Maji Bibekananda , Sood Garima
Published: September 2020

The inequality between rank and crank moments was conjectured and later proved by Garvan himself in 2011. Recently, Dixit and the authors introduced finite analogues of rank and crank moments for vector partitions while deriving a finite analogue of Andrews’ famous identity for smallest parts function. In the same paper, they also conjectured an inequality between finite analogues of rank and crank moments, analogous to Garvan’s conjecture. In this paper, we give a proof of this conjecture.
Linear periods and distinguished local parameters
Authors: Smith Jerrod Manford
Published: September 2020

Let [Formula: see text] be a non-Archimedean local field of characteristic zero. Let [Formula: see text] be the [Formula: see text]-adic symmetric space [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. We verify a conjecture of Sakellaridis and Venkatesh on the Langlands parameters of certain representations in the discrete spectrum of [Formula: see text].
A further q-analogue of Van Hamme’s (H.2) supercongruence for primes p ≡ 3(mod4)
Authors: Guo Victor J. W.
Published: September 2020

Long and Ramakrishna [Some supercongruences occurring in truncated hyper- geometric series, Adv. Math. 290 (2016) 773–808] generalized the (H.2) supercongruence of Van Hamme to the modulus [Formula: see text] case. In this paper, we give a [Formula: see text]-analogue of Long and Ramakrishna’s result for [Formula: see text]. A [Formula: see text]-congruence modulo the fourth power of a cyclotomic polynomial, which is a deeper [Formula: see text]-analogue of the (A.2) supercongruence of Van Hamme for [Formula: see text], is also formulated.
Facile Preparation of N/F Co-Doped Mesoporous TiO2 vis-Photocatalyst based on a Bi-Functional Template
Authors: Lin Licheng , Gu Deen , Ma Yonghai , Li Yatao , Yuan Kai
Published: September 2020

Developing nonmetal-doped mesoporous TiO2 is highly attractive for preparing semiconductor visible photocatalyst with high activities. Here, we prepare N/F co-doped mesoporous TiO2 with high vis-photocatalytic activities by a simple liquid phase deposition process followed by annealing in air using C[Formula: see text]TAB as a bi-functional template (forming mesoporous and providing dopants). N2 adsorption isotherms, low-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicate the formation of wormhole-like mesoporous structure. Wide-angle XRD and high-resolution TEM demonstrate the presence of anatase TiO2 mesopore wall. XPS analyses reveal that N is doped into TiO2 lattice in the forms of substitutional and interstitial N species, and that F is doped into the TiO2 lattice in the form of interstitial F. The mesopore-forming and doping mechanisms are thoroughly discussed based on the bi-function of C[Formula: see text]TAB template. Mesoporous structure results in a high BET surface area of TiO2. High-concentration nitrogen species in anatase lattice and mesoporous structure remarkably increase the visible absorption of TiO2. As a result, the reaction rate constant of MB degradation catalyzed by N/F co-doped mesoporous TiO2 photocatalysts is about 7 times that by P25.
Brittle–ductile fabrics and
P
–
T
conditions of deformation in the East Pernambuco shear zone (Borborema Province, NE Brazil)
Authors: Castellan Paulo , Viegas Gustavo , Faleiros Frederico M.
Published: September 2020

Fabrics of the East Pernambuco shear zone (EPSZ) were studied via microstructural analysis, mineral chemistry and isochemical phase diagram modelling to constrain the pressure and temperature conditions of deformation during shearing. Granitic mylonites show fractured feldspar porphyroclasts embedded in a fine-grained, recrystallized quartzo-feldspathic matrix. These mylonites grade laterally into banded ultramylonites characterized by stretched feldspar clasts alternated with recrystallized quartz bands. Fractures in these ultramylonites are filled by phyllosilicates. The mineral chemistry of the feldspars points to systematic changes between porphyroclasts, grains within fractures and fine-grained mixtures. Quartz crystallographic fabrics in the mylonites suggest activation of prism slip, while the ultramylonites show the activation of both rhomb and basal slip systems. Thermodynamic modelling suggests that the mylonites were formed at 4.75 ± 0.25 kbar and 526 ± 9°C, while the ultramylonites yield conditions of 5.9 ± 1 kbar and 437 ± 17°C. These observations suggest that the EPSZ records a heterogeneous path of strain accommodation, marked by decreasing temperature from its western sector to its eastern termination. The differences in metamorphic conditions are consistent with a transitional, brittle–ductile strain regime. Such characteristics indicate that the EPSZ is a Neoproterozoic shear belt nucleated and heterogeneously exhumed at the brittle–ductile transition, possibly in an intracontinental setting.

Supplementary Material:
EPMA analysis of feldspars in Caruaru and Gravatá domains and T-X(O
2
) pseudosections are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5125957