bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Altered serum calcium homeostasis independently predicts mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome: a retrospective observational cohort study
Authors: Su Wen , Zhu Jie-Gao , Zhao Xue-Qiao , Chen Hui , Li Wei-Ping , Li Hong-Wei
Published: November 2021

Objectives

Serum calcium levels (sCa) were reported to be associated with risk of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to analyse the association between sCa and long-term mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Design

A retrospective observational cohort study.

Setting

Single-centre study with participants recruited from the local area.

Participants

A total of consecutive 13 772 patients with ACS were included in this analysis. Patients were divided based on their sCa profile (≤2.1 mmol/L, 2.1–2.2 mmol/L, 2.2–2.3 mmol/L, 2.3–2.4 mmol/L, 2.4–2.5 mmol/L,>2.5 mmol/L) and followed up for a median of 2.96 years (IQR 1.01–4.07).

Primary outcome

Long-term all-cause mortality.

Results

During a median follow-up period of 2.96 years, patients with sCa ≤2.1 mmol/L had the highest cumulative incidences of all-cause mortality (16.7%), whereas those with sCa 2.4–2.5 mmol/L had the lowest cumulative incidences of all-cause mortality (3.5%). After adjusting for potentially confounding variables, the Cox analysis revealed that compared with the reference group (sCa 2.4–2.5 mmol/L), all the other groups had higher mortality except for the sCa 2.3–2.4 mmol/L group (HR, 1.32, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.87). Restricted cubic splines showed that the relationship between sCa and all-cause mortality seemed to be U shaped. The optimal sCa cut-off point, 2.35 mmol/L, was determined based on the shape of restricted cubic splines.

Conclusions

Altered serum calcium homeostasis at admission independently predicts all-cause mortality in patients with ACS. In addition, a U-shaped relationship between sCa and all-cause mortality exists, and maintaining sCa at approximately 2.35 mmol/L may minimise the risk of mortality.
Assessing the safety, tolerability and efficacy of PLGA-based immunomodulatory nanoparticles in patients with advanced NY-ESO-1-positive cancers: a first-in-human phase I open-label dose-escalation study protocol
Authors: Creemers Jeroen H A , Pawlitzky Inka , Grosios Konstantina , Gileadi Uzi , Middleton Mark R , Gerritsen Winald R , Mehra Niven , Rivoltini Licia , Walters Ian , Figdor Carl G , Ottevanger Petronella B , de Vries I Jolanda M
Published: November 2021

Introduction

The undiminished need for more effective cancer treatments stimulates the development of novel cancer immunotherapy candidates. The archetypical cancer immunotherapy would induce robust, targeted and long-lasting immune responses while simultaneously circumventing immunosuppression in the tumour microenvironment. For this purpose, we developed a novel immunomodulatory nanomedicine: PRECIOUS-01. As a PLGA-based nanocarrier, PRECIOUS-01 encapsulates a tumour antigen (NY-ESO-1) and an invariant natural killer T cell activator to target and augment specific antitumour immune responses in patients with NY-ESO-1-expressing advanced cancers.

Methods and analysis

This open-label, first-in-human, phase I dose-escalation trial investigates the safety, tolerability and immune-modulatory activity of increasing doses of PRECIOUS-01 administered intravenously in subjects with advanced NY-ESO-1-expressing solid tumours. A total of 15 subjects will receive three intravenous infusions of PRECIOUS-01 at a 3-weekly interval in three dose-finding cohorts. The trial follows a 3+3 design for the dose-escalation steps to establish a maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and/or recommended phase II dose (RP2D). Depending on the toxicity, the two highest dosing cohorts will be extended to delineate the immune-related parameters as a readout for pharmacodynamics. Subjects will be monitored for safety and the occurrence of dose-limiting toxicities. If the MTD is not reached in the planned dose-escalation cohorts, the RP2D will be based on the observed safety and immune-modulatory activity as a pharmacodynamic parameter supporting the RP2D. The preliminary efficacy will be evaluated as an exploratory endpoint using the best overall response rate, according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors V.1.1.

Ethics and dissemination

The Dutch competent authority (CCMO) reviewed the trial application and the medical research ethics committee (CMO Arnhem-Nijmegen) approved the trial under registration number NL72876.000.20. The results will be disseminated via (inter)national conferences and submitted for publication to a peer-reviewed journal.

Trial registration number

NCT04751786.
Evaluation of the effects of high-level laser and electrocautery in lingual frenectomy surgeries in infants: protocol for a blinded randomised controlled clinical trial
Authors: Mazzoni Adriana , Navarro Ricardo Scarparo , Fernandes Kristianne Porta Santos , Horliana Anna Carolina Ratto Tempestini , Mesquita-Ferrari Raquel Agnelli , Motta Pamella Barros , Silva Tamiris , Gomes Andréa Oliver , Martimbianco Ana Luiza Cabrera , Sobral Ana Paula Taboada , Santos Elaine Marcilio , Motta Lara Jansiski , Bussadori Sandra Kalil
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Ankyloglossia (tongue-tie) is an anomaly characterised by an abnormally short, thick or small lingual frenulum that restricts tongue movements. This condition is considered one of the factors that can interfere with breast feeding by diminishing the ability of the newborn to latch adequately. According to the Brazilian Health Ministry, the prevalence of this anomaly among newborns is 3%–16%. Frenectomy is the most suitable surgical procedure for the treatment of ankyloglossia. The aim of this study is to compare the performance of electrocautery and high-power diode laser as forms of frenectomy.

Methods and analysis

The proposed study will be a randomised, controlled, blind clinical trial involving the participation of healthy infants 0–3 months of age with breastfeeding difficulty and a diagnosis of tongue-tie with an indication for lingual frenectomy. The guardians will receive clarifications regarding the procedures and will authorise the participation of the infants by signing a statement of informed consent. A non-blinded researcher will perform the screening and procedures and a blinded researcher will perform the postoperative evaluations. Fifty-six infants will be randomly allocated into two groups (n=28): the electrocautery group or the high-power laser group. The preparation of the patients, asepsis and infection control procedures will rigorously follow biosafety norms. For both groups, patient histories will be taken, clinical evaluations will be performed and a standardised photograph of the lingual frenulum will be taken before surgery. The Bristol Tongue Assessment Tool will be used. We will evaluate pain in the mother during breast feeding before, immediately after, and 15 days after surgery.

Ethics and dissemination

This protocol was submitted to the Research Ethics Committee of Nove de Julho University, having been given a favourable opinion (Number: 4387769). Results will be submitted to international peer-reviewed journals and presented at international conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT04487418.
Outcomes after perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with proximal femoral fractures: an international cohort study
Authors:   COVIDSurg Collaborative
Published: November 2021

Objectives

Studies have demonstrated high rates of mortality in people with proximal femoral fracture and SARS-CoV-2, but there is limited published data on the factors that influence mortality for clinicians to make informed treatment decisions. This study aims to report the 30-day mortality associated with perioperative infection of patients undergoing surgery for proximal femoral fractures and to examine the factors that influence mortality in a multivariate analysis.

Setting

Prospective, international, multicentre, observational cohort study.

Participants

Patients undergoing any operation for a proximal femoral fracture from 1 February to 30 April 2020 and with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection (either 7 days prior or 30-day postoperative).

Primary outcome

30-day mortality. Multivariate modelling was performed to identify factors associated with 30-day mortality.

Results

This study reports included 1063 patients from 174 hospitals in 19 countries. Overall 30-day mortality was 29.4% (313/1063). In an adjusted model, 30-day mortality was associated with male gender (OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.68 to 3.13, p<0.001), age >80 years (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.31, p=0.013), preoperative diagnosis of dementia (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.16, p=0.005), kidney disease (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.18 to 2.55, p=0.005) and congestive heart failure (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.48, p=0.025). Mortality at 30 days was lower in patients with a preoperative diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.6 (0.42 to 0.85), p=0.004). There was no difference in mortality in patients with an increase to delay in surgery (p=0.220) or type of anaesthetic given (p=0.787).

Conclusions

Patients undergoing surgery for a proximal femoral fracture with a perioperative infection of SARS-CoV-2 have a high rate of mortality. This study would support the need for providing these patients with individualised medical and anaesthetic care, including medical optimisation before theatre. Careful preoperative counselling is needed for those with a proximal femoral fracture and SARS-CoV-2, especially those in the highest risk groups.

Trial registration number

NCT04323644
Best-BRA (Is subpectoral or prepectoral implant placement best in immediate breast reconstruction?): a protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial of subpectoral versus prepectoral immediate implant-based breast reconstruction in women following mastectomy
Authors: Roberts Kirsty , Mills Nicola , Metcalfe Chris , Lane Athene , Clement Clare , Hollingworth William , Taylor Jodi , Holcombe Chris , Skillman Joanna , Fairhurst Katherine , Whisker Lisa , Cutress Ramsey , Thrush Steven , Fairbrother Patricia , Potter Shelley
Published: November 2021

Background

Implant-based breast reconstruction (IBBR) is the most commonly performed reconstructive procedure following mastectomy. IBBR techniques are evolving rapidly, with mesh-assisted subpectoral reconstruction becoming the standard of care and more recently, prepectoral techniques being introduced. These muscle-sparing techniques may reduce postoperative pain, avoid implant animation and improve cosmetic outcomes and have been widely adopted into practice. Although small observational studies have failed to demonstrate any differences in the clinical or patient-reported outcomes of prepectoral or subpectoral reconstruction, high-quality comparative evidence of clinical or cost-effectiveness is lacking. A well-designed, adequately powered randomised controlled trial (RCT) is needed to compare the techniques, but breast reconstruction RCTs are challenging. We, therefore, aim to undertake an external pilot RCT (Best-BRA) with an embedded QuinteT Recruitment Intervention (QRI) to determine the feasibility of undertaking a trial comparing prepectoral and subpectoral techniques.

Methods and analysis

Best-BRA is a pragmatic, two-arm, external pilot RCT with an embedded QRI and economic scoping for resource use. Women who require a mastectomy for either breast cancer or risk reduction, elect to have an IBBR and are considered suitable for both prepectoral and subpectoral reconstruction will be recruited and randomised 1:1 between the techniques.

The QRI will be implemented in two phases: phase 1, in which sources of recruitment difficulties are rapidly investigated to inform the delivery in phase 2 of tailored interventions to optimise recruitment of patients.

Primary outcomes will be (1) recruitment of patients, (2) adherence to trial allocation and (3) outcome completion rates. Outcomes will be reviewed at 12 months to determine the feasibility of a definitive trial.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has been approved by the National Health Service (NHS) Wales REC 6 (20/WA/0338). Findings will be presented at conferences and in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN10081873.
Evaluating the role of orange juice, HESPERidin in vascular HEALTH benefits (HESPER-HEALTH study): protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Verny Marie-Anne , Milenkovic Dragan , Macian Nicolas , Pereira Bruno , Evrard Rémy , Gilcher Caroline , Steingass Christof B , Mosoni Pascale , Gladine Cécile , Monfoulet Laurent-Emmanuel , Schweiggert Ralf , Pickering Gisèle , Morand Christine
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Although epidemiological studies associate the consumption of sugary beverages with adverse health effects, human experimental studies have demonstrated substantially different metabolic responses when 100% fruit juices are compared with artificial beverages. Fruit juices do not just provide sugars and associated calories, but they are also rich in bioactive compounds. Flavanones are bioactives specifically and abundantly found in citrus foods, with hesperidin as the major representative in sweet oranges. Flavanone intake has been associated with a lower incidence of mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, clinical evidence are too scarce to confirm the vasculoprotective effects of 100% orange juice (OJ) presumably mediated by flavanones and thereby do not allow firm conclusions to be drawn about their efficacy.

Methods and analysis

The HESPER-HEALTH study aims to assess the efficacy of OJ in improving vascular function and the contribution of hesperidin to these effects. This double-blind, randomised, controlled, crossover study will be carried out in 42 volunteers predisposed to CVD, based on age and on overweight. It includes three 6-week periods of consumption of 330 mL/d of OJ versus control drinks with and without hesperidin at a dose in agreement with a daily OJ serving (approx. 200–215 mg). The primary outcome is endothelial function, assessed by flow mediated dilation, with measurements performed at fasting and postprandially in response to a challenge meal. The secondary outcomes include bioavailability and metabolism of flavanones, changes in other markers of vascular function, systemic biomarkers of cardiovascular risk, endothelial dysfunction and inflammation, vitamin C and carotenoids status, anthropometry and body composition, gut microbiota composition, nutrigenomic response and in oxylipin profiling.

Ethics and dissemination

This ongoing study was approved by the Ethics committee Sud-Est III, Bron, France on 17 November 2020. The trial is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

NCT04731987; Pre-results.
A risk-adjusted and anatomically stratified cohort comparison study of open surgery, endovascular techniques and medical management for juxtarenal aortic aneurysms—the UK COMPlex AneurySm Study (UK-COMPASS): a study protocol
Authors: Patel Shaneel R , Ormesher David C , Smith Samuel R , Wong Kitty H F , Bevis Paul , Bicknell Colin D , Boyle Jonathan R , Brennan John A , Campbell Bruce , Cook Andrew , Crosher Alastair P , Duarte Rui V , Flett Murray M , Gamble Carrol , Jackson Richard J , Juszczak Maciej T , Loftus Ian M , Nordon Ian M , Patel Jai V , Platt Kellie , Psarelli Eftychia-Eirini , Rowlands Peter C , Smyth John V , Spachos Theodoros , Taggart Leigh , Taylor Claire , Vallabhaneni Srinivasa Rao
Published: November 2021

Introduction

In one-third of all abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs), the aneurysm neck is short (juxtarenal) or shows other adverse anatomical features rendering operations more complex, hazardous and expensive. Surgical options include open surgical repair and endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) techniques including fenestrated EVAR, EVAR with adjuncts (chimneys/endoanchors) and off-label standard EVAR. The aim of the UK COMPlex AneurySm Study (UK-COMPASS) is to answer the research question identified by the National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment (NIHR HTA) Programme: ‘What is the clinical and cost-effectiveness of strategies for the management of juxtarenal AAA, including fenestrated endovascular repair?’

Methods and analysis

UK-COMPASS is a cohort study comparing clinical and cost-effectiveness of different strategies used to manage complex AAAs with stratification of physiological fitness and anatomical complexity, with statistical correction for baseline risk and indication biases. There are two data streams. First, a stream of routinely collected data from Hospital Episode Statistics and National Vascular Registry (NVR). Preoperative CT scans of all patients who underwent elective AAA repair in England between 1 November 2017 and 31 October 2019 are subjected to Corelab analysis to accurately identify and include every complex aneurysm treated. Second, a site-reported data stream regarding quality of life and treatment costs from prospectively recruited patients across England. Site recruitment also includes patients with complex aneurysms larger than 55 mm diameter in whom an operation is deferred (medical management). The primary outcome measure is perioperative all-cause mortality. Follow-up will be to a median of 5 years.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has received full regulatory approvals from a Research Ethics Committee, the Confidentiality Advisory Group and the Health Research Authority. Data sharing agreements are in place with National Health Service Digital and the NVR. Dissemination will be via NIHR HTA reporting, peer-reviewed journals and conferences.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN85731188.
Predictors of relapse in MOG antibody associated disease: a cohort study
Authors: Huda Saif , Whittam Daniel , Jackson Richard , Karthikeayan Venkatraman , Kelly Patricia , Linaker Sam , Mutch Kerry , Kneen Rachel , Woodhall Mark , Murray Katy , Hunt David , Waters Patrick , Jacob Anu
Published: November 2021

Objective

To identify factors predictive of relapse risk and disability in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein associated disease (MOGAD).

Setting

Patients were seen by the neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) service in Liverpool, UK, a national referral centre for adult patients with MOGAD, NMOSD and related conditions.

Participants

Patients with MOGAD=76 from England, Northern Ireland and Scotland were included in this cohort study.

Results

Relapsing disease was observed in 55% (42/76) of cases. Steroid treatment>1 month (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.80; p=0.022), transverse myelitis (TM) at first attack (OR 0.03, 95% CI 0.004 to 0.23; p=0.001) and male sex (OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.68; p=0.014) were associated with monophasic disease (area under the curve=0.85). Male sex (HR 0.46, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.89; p=0.011) and TM at disease onset (HR 0.42, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.82; p=0.011) were also associated with an increased latency to first relapse. 45% (32/71) of patients became MOG-antibody negative and in relapsing patients negative seroconversion was associated with a lower relapse risk (relative risk 0.11 95% CI 0.05 to 0.26; p<0.001). No specific factors were predictive of visual or overall disability.

Conclusions

Male patients with spinal cord involvement at disease onset have a lower risk of relapsing disease and longer latency to first relapse. Steroid treatment for at least 1 month at first attack was also associated with a monophasic disease course. MOG-antibody negative seroconversion was associated with a lower risk of relapse and may help inform treatment decisions and duration.
A qualitative study of abortion care providers’ perspectives on telemedicine medical abortion provision in the context of COVID-19
Authors: Reynolds-Wright John Joseph , Boydell Nicola , Cameron Sharon , Harden Jeni
Published: November 2021

Background

Telemedicine for medical abortion care was rapidly introduced in Great Britain in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A growing body of literature demonstrates that telemedicine abortion care is safe, effective and highly acceptable to patients. Less is known about the perspectives of abortion care providers (ACPs).

Methods

Qualitative research within the telemedicine abortion service in Lothian (Edinburgh and surrounding region), UK. We conducted qualitative in-depth interviews with ACPs between May and July 2020 (doctors, n=6; nurses, n=10) and analysed the data thematically.

Results

We present three themes from our qualitative analysis: (1) Selective use of ultrasound – the move away from routine ultrasound for determination of gestational age was generally viewed positively. Initial anxiety about non-detection of ectopic pregnancy and later gestations was expressed by some ACPs, but concerns were addressed through clinical practice and support structures within the clinic. (2) Identifying safeguarding issues – in the absence of visual cues some ACPs reported concerns about their ability to identify safeguarding issues, specifically domestic violence. Conversely it was acknowledged that teleconsultations may improve detection of this in some situations. (3) Provision of information during the consultation – telephone consultations were considered more focused than in-person consultations and formed only part of the overall ‘package’ of information provided to patients, supplemented by online and written information.

Conclusions

ACPs providing telemedicine abortion care value this option for patients and believe it should remain beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. Safeguarding patients and the selective use of ultrasound can be initially challenging; however, with experience, staff confidence improves.
Host ancestry and morphology differentially influence bacterial and fungal community structure of Rhododendron leaves, roots, and soil
Authors: Medeiros Juliana S. , Mann Michael A. , Burns Jean H. , Kyker Sarah , Burke David
Published: November 2021

Rhododendron are popular ornamental plants that are well-known for forming mycorrhizal associations with ericoid fungi, but little is known about how host traits influence their microbiome more broadly. This study investigated leaf, root, rhizosphere soil, and bulk soil bacterial and fungal community structure for 12 Rhododendron species, representing four taxonomic clades with different leaf habits. Samples were collected when ephemeral hair roots colonized by ericoid mycorrhizae were absent, and microbial community structure was compared to leaf and root morphology for the same plants. Root morphology and the fungal communities of roots and rhizosphere soil were primarily structured by host ancestry. Leaf bacterial and fungal communities were even more distinct across clades than for roots or rhizosphere, and microbial communities of leaves and bulk soil were similarly structured by clade-wise differences in leaf morphology, suggesting a role for Rhododendron leaf litter in belowground microbial community structure. This work sheds new light on host traits influencing microbial community structure of ericaceous plants, showing a strong influence of ancestry, but also that different host traits drive bacterial and fungal communities across different plant compartments, suggesting future work on factors that drive similarity among close relatives in the non-ericoid microbes associating with Rhododendron.
Scaling behaviors of heavy flavor meson suppression and flow in different nuclear collision systems at the LHC
Authors: Li Shu-Qing , Xing Wen-Jing , Wu Xiang-Yu , Cao Shanshan , Qin Guang-You
Published: November 2021

We explore the system size dependence of heavy-quark-QGP interaction by studying the heavy flavor meson suppression and elliptic flow in Pb–Pb, Xe–Xe, Ar–Ar and O–O collisions at the LHC. The space-time evolution of the QGP is simulated using a $$(3+1)$$

(
3
+
1
)

-dimensional viscous hydrodynamic model, while the heavy-quark-QGP interaction is described by an improved Langevin approach that includes both collisional and radiative energy loss inside a thermal medium. Within this framework, we provides a reasonable description of the D meson suppression and flow coefficients in Pb–Pb collisions, as well as predictions for both D and B meson observables in other collision systems yet to be measured. We find a clear hierarchy for the heavy meson suppression with respect to the size of the colliding nuclei, while their elliptic flow coefficient relies on both the system size and the geometric anisotropy of the QGP. Sizable suppression and flow are predicted for both D and B mesons in O–O collisions, which serve as a crucial bridge of jet quenching between large and small collision systems. Scaling behaviors between different collision systems are shown for heavy meson suppression factor and the bulk-eccentricity-rescaled heavy meson elliptic flow as functions of the number of participant nucleons in heavy-ion collisions.
Revisiting the role of CP-conserving processes in cosmological particle–antiparticle asymmetries
Authors: Ghosh Avirup , Ghosh Deep , Mukhopadhyay Satyanarayan
Published: November 2021

We point out qualitatively different possibilities on the role of CP-conserving processes in generating cosmological particle–antiparticle asymmetries, with illustrative examples from models in leptogenesis and asymmetric dark matter production. In particular, we consider scenarios in which the CP-violating and CP-conserving processes are either both decays or both scatterings, thereby being naturally of comparable rates. This is in contrast to the previously considered CP-conserving processes in models of leptogenesis in different see-saw mechanisms, in which the CP-conserving scatterings typically have lower rates compared to the CP-violating decays, due to a Boltzmann suppression. We further point out that the CP-conserving processes can play a dual role if the asymmetry is generated in the mother sector itself, in contrast to the conventional scenarios in which it is generated in the daughter sector. This is because, the CP-conserving processes initially suppress the asymmetry generation by controlling the out-of-equilibrium number densities of the bath particles, but subsequently modify the ratio of particle antiparticle yields at the present epoch by eliminating the symmetric component of the bath particles through pair-annihilations, leading to a competing effect stemming from the same process at different epochs. We find that the asymmetric yields for relevant particle–antiparticle systems can vary by orders of magnitude depending upon the relative size of the CP-conserving and violating reaction rates.
Infrared thermography of hypersonic boundary layer transition induced by isolated roughness elements
Authors: Liu Shicheng , Wang Meng , Dong Hao , Xia Tianyu , Chen Lin , Zhao Aihong
Published: November 2021

Roughness element induced hypersonic boundary layer transition on a flat plate is investigated using infrared thermography at Ma = 5 and 6 flow condition. Surface Stanton number is acquired to analyze the effect of roughness element shape and height on the transition process. The correlation between the vortex structure induced by roughness element and the wall heat streaks is established. The results indicate that higher roughness element would induce stronger streamwise heat flux streaks, lead to transition advance in streamwise centerline and increase the width of spanwise wake. Moreover, for low roughness element, the effect of the shape is not obvious, and the height plays a leading role in the transition; for tall roughness element, the effect on accelerating transition for the diamond roughness element is the best, the square is the worst, and the shape plays a leading role in the transition.
Integrable variable-coefficient derivative Spin-1 Gross–Pitaevskii equations and their explicit solutions
Authors: Su Ting , Yao Junhong , Huang Yanan
Published: November 2021

Based on the generalized dressing method, we propose a new integrable variable coefficient Spin-1 Gross–Pitaevskii equations and derive their Lax pair. Using separation of variables, we have derived explicit solutions of the equations. In order to analyze the characteristic of derived solution, the graphical wave of the solutions is plotted with the aid of Matlab.
Strong gravitational lensing around dilaton–axion black holes having special coupling with electromagnetic field
Authors: Ghosh Tanwi , Ali Amna
Published: November 2021

Recent observational evidence reveals the existence of black holes in the galaxy. Using strong field lensing effect, we find out the expressions of the radius of the photon sphere, the deflection angle, the separation between the first and the other images, the ratio between the flux of the first image as well as the flux coming from all the other images for dilaton–axion black holes and compare the results with Reissner–Nordstrom black holes. We also investigate the variations of primary and secondary image positions as well as their magnifications with respect to the source position for this kind of black holes.
ALONE OR IN COOPERATION: WHAT IS THE BEST STRATEGY FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF RADICAL PRODUCT INNOVATION IN THE VIDEO GAME INDUSTRY?
Authors: HAMOUTI RHIZLANE
Published: November 2021

The aim of this research is to study the impact of inter-organisational strategies on performance of radical product innovation. We distinguish three kinds of strategies: (1) individual strategy, (2) cooperation with non-rivals strategy, and (3) coopetition strategy. We study innovation at the product level, and we analyse the market performance. We develop and test the hypotheses comparing the effects of these three strategies on the market performance of radical product innovation. An empirical research is carried out to study the video game publishing industry. We perform a quantitative analysis on a sample of 100 video games that involve radical innovations, identified among 822 video games launched between 2006 and 2011. The main results show that coopetition is the most fruitful strategy for developing a radical innovation. In this process, a direct competitor becomes the best and the most viable partner for that type of innovation.
The effects of printing directions on the compression behavior of the Re-entrant structure produced by 3D printing technology
Authors: Dong Hang , Chang Li
Published: November 2021

In this work, a re-entrant structure having a negative Poisson’s ratio (NPRs) was designed and produced with polylactic acid (PLA) using 3D printing technology. A series of samples was prepared with the different printing directions, namely, printed following (PF) the structure orientation, at 0[Formula: see text] (PZ) and at 90[Formula: see text] (PN). Results showed that the printing direction plays a crucial role in determining the mechanical properties of the printed meta-materials. In particular, PF specimens achieved the highest energy absorption at break, which is [Formula: see text]2 times as high as PZ or PN samples. The PF specimens also showed the highest stiffness under compression. However, the Poisson’s ratio was less sensitive to the changes in printing directions. The measured Poisson’s ratios for PF, PZ and PN samples are −1.68, −1.87 and −1.70, respectively. Based on the experimental results, the effects of the printing direction and the geometry configuration of the structure on the deformation behavior of the printed meta-material were further discussed.
Contrastive Trajectory Learning for Tour Recommendation
Authors: Zhou Fan , Wang Pengyu , Xu Xovee , Tai Wenxin , Trajcevski Goce
Published: November 2021

The main objective of Personalized Tour Recommendation (PTR) is to generate a sequence of point-of-interest (POIs) for a particular tourist, according to the user-specific constraints such as duration time, start and end points, the number of attractions planned to visit, and so on. Previous PTR solutions are based on either heuristics for solving the orienteering problem to maximize a global reward with a specified budget or approaches attempting to learn user visiting preferences and transition patterns with the stochastic process or recurrent neural networks. However, existing learning methodologies rely on historical trips to train the model and use the next visited POI as the supervised signal, which may not fully capture the coherence of preferences and thus recommend similar trips to different users, primarily due to the data sparsity problem and long-tailed distribution of POI popularity. This work presents a novel tour recommendation model by distilling knowledge and supervision signals from the trips in a self-supervised manner. We propose Contrastive Trajectory Learning for Tour Recommendation (CTLTR), which utilizes the intrinsic POI dependencies and traveling intent to discover extra knowledge and augments the sparse data via pre-training auxiliary self-supervised objectives. CTLTR provides a principled way to characterize the inherent data correlations while tackling the implicit feedback and weak supervision problems by learning robust representations applicable for tour planning. We introduce a hierarchical recurrent encoder-decoder to identify tourists’ intentions and use the contrastive loss to discover subsequence semantics and their sequential patterns through maximizing the mutual information. Additionally, we observe that a data augmentation step as the preliminary of contrastive learning can solve the overfitting issue resulting from data sparsity. We conduct extensive experiments on a range of real-world datasets and demonstrate that our model can significantly improve the recommendation performance over the state-of-the-art baselines in terms of both recommendation accuracy and visiting orders.
Simultaneous Past and Current Social Interaction-aware Trajectory Prediction for Multiple Intelligent Agents in Dynamic Scenes
Authors: Zhu Yanliang , Ren Dongchun , Xu Yi , Qian Deheng , Fan Mingyu , Li Xin , Xia Huaxia
Published: November 2021

Trajectory prediction of multiple agents in a crowded scene is an essential component in many applications, including intelligent monitoring, autonomous robotics, and self-driving cars. Accurate agent trajectory prediction remains a significant challenge because of the complex dynamic interactions among the agents and between them and the surrounding scene. To address the challenge, we propose a decoupled attention-based spatial-temporal modeling strategy in the proposed trajectory prediction method. The past and current interactions among agents are dynamically and adaptively summarized by two separate attention-based networks and have proven powerful in improving the prediction accuracy. Moreover, it is optional in the proposed method to make use of the road map and the plan of the ego-agent for scene-compliant and accurate predictions. The road map feature is efficiently extracted by a convolutional neural network, and the features of the ego-agent’s plan is extracted by a gated recurrent network with an attention module based on the temporal characteristic. Experiments on benchmark trajectory prediction datasets demonstrate that the proposed method is effective when the ego-agent plan and the the surrounding scene information are provided and achieves state-of-the-art performance with only the observed trajectories.
An Uncertainty-based Neural Network for Explainable Trajectory Segmentation
Authors: Bi Xin , Zhang Chao , Wang Fangtong , Liu Zhixun , Zhao Xiangguo , Yuan Ye , Wang Guoren
Published: November 2021

As a variant task of time-series segmentation, trajectory segmentation is a key task in the applications of transportation pattern recognition and traffic analysis. However, segmenting trajectory is faced with challenges of implicit patterns and sparse results. Although deep neural networks have tremendous advantages in terms of high-level feature learning performance, deploying as a blackbox seriously limits the real-world applications. Providing explainable segmentations has significance for result evaluation and decision making. Thus, in this article, we address trajectory segmentation by proposing a Bayesian Encoder-Decoder Network (BED-Net) to provide accurate detection with explainability and references for the following active-learning procedures. BED-Net consists of a segmentation module based on Monte Carlo dropout and an explanation module based on uncertainty learning that provides results evaluation and visualization. Experimental results on both benchmark and real-world datasets indicate that BED-Net outperforms the rival methods and offers excellent explainability in the applications of trajectory segmentation.
Enhancing the Security of FPGA-SoCs via the Usage of ARM TrustZone and a Hybrid-TPM
Authors: Gross Mathieu , Hohentanner Konrad , Wiehler Stefan , Sigl Georg
Published: November 2021

Isolated execution is a concept commonly used for increasing the security of a computer system. In the embedded world, ARM TrustZone technology enables this goal and is currently used on mobile devices for applications such as secure payment or biometric authentication. In this work, we investigate the security benefits achievable through the usage of ARM TrustZone on FPGA-SoCs. We first adapt Microsoft’s implementation of a firmware Trusted Platform Module (fTPM) running inside ARM TrustZone for the Zynq UltraScale+ platform. This adaptation consists in integrating hardware accelerators available on the device to fTPM’s implementation and to enhance fTPM with an entropy source derived from on-chip SRAM start-up patterns. With our approach, we transform a software implementation of a TPM into a hybrid hardware/software design that could address some of the security drawbacks of the original implementation while keeping its flexibility. To demonstrate the security gains obtained via the usage of ARM TrustZone and our hybrid-TPM on FPGA-SoCs, we propose a framework that combines them for enabling a secure remote bitstream loading. The approach consists in preventing the insecure usages of a bitstream reconfiguration interface that are made possible by the manufacturer and to integrate the interface inside a Trusted Execution Environment.
Hipernetch: High-Performance FPGA Network Switch
Authors: Papaphilippou Philippos , Meng Jiuxi , Gebara Nadeen , Luk Wayne
Published: November 2021

We present Hipernetch, a novel FPGA-based design for performing high-bandwidth network switching. FPGAs have recently become more popular in data centers due to their promising capabilities for a wide range of applications. With the recent surge in transceiver bandwidth, they could further benefit the implementation and refinement of network switches used in data centers. Hipernetch replaces the crossbar with a “combined parallel round-robin arbiter”. Unlike a crossbar, the combined parallel round-robin arbiter is easy to pipeline, and does not require centralised iterative scheduling algorithms that try to fit too many steps in a single or a few FPGA cycles. The result is a network switch implementation on FPGAs operating at a high frequency and with a low port-to-port latency. Our proposed Hipernetch architecture additionally provides a competitive switching performance approaching output-queued crossbar switches. Our implemented Hipernetch designs exhibit a throughput that exceeds 100 Gbps per port for switches of up to 16 ports, reaching an aggregate throughput of around 1.7 Tbps.
Political Control
Authors: Hassan Mai , Mattingly Daniel , Nugent Elizabeth R.
Published: November 2021

Political leaders use different tactics to ensure widespread compliance with state policies and to minimize resistance. Scholarship tends to treat different tactics individually, suggesting fundamental dissimilarities in underpinning logic and goals. We introduce political control as a concept that unifies these different tactics within a single framework and demonstrate the analytical utility of considering seemingly disparate strategies in conversation rather than in isolation. We synthesize a growing recent literature on political control, including innovative approaches to repression as well as studies of indoctrination, distribution, and infiltration. We argue that tactics of political control can be understood to vary along two primary dimensions: the level of violence and the materiality of state actions. We highlight recent inquiry into the downstream effects of political control. We conclude with a call for more research on political control that considers combinations of different tactics, across regime types, in a world where tolerance of violent repression is diminishing.
High baseline ROMK activity in the mouse late distal convoluted and early connecting tubule probably contributes to aldosterone-independent K+ secretion
Authors: Nesterov Viatcheslav , Bertog Marko , Korbmacher Christoph
Published: November 2021

ROMK-mediated renal K+ secretion is essential for maintaining K+ balance and requires a lumen negative transepithelial potential critically dependent on activity of the ENaC. Using microdissected distal mouse tubules, we demonstrated that baseline apical ROMK activity is high in the DCT2/CNT. Aldosterone-independent baseline ENaC activity is also high in the DCT2/CNT and downregulated by a low-K+ diet, which highlights the important role of the DCT2/CNT in regulating K+ secretion in an aldosterone-independent manner.
Effects of caloric restriction and aerobic exercise on circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA in patients with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease
Authors: Jaramillo-Morales Javier , Korucu Berfu , Pike Mindy M. , Lipworth Loren , Stewart Thomas , Headley Samuel A. E. , Germain Michael , Begue Gwenaelle , Roshanravan Baback , Tuttle Katherine R. , Himmelfarb Jonathan , Robinson-Cohen Cassianne , Ikizler T. Alp , Gamboa Jorge L.
Published: November 2021

The effects of prolonged exercise on circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA (ccf-mtDNA) have not been explored in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We showed that 4-mo aerobic exercise is associated with an increase in plasma ccf-mtDNA levels in patients with stages 3 or 4 CKD. These changes were not associated with markers of systemic inflammation. Future studies should determine the mechanisms by which healthy lifestyle interventions influence biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with CKD.
Design Forces of Horizontal Braces Unlocated at Middle of Columns considering Random Initial Geometric Imperfections
Authors: Zhao Jinyou , Wei Junming , Wang Jun
Published: November 2021

The horizontal bracing forces of column‐bracing systems derived from past studies and current design codes were considered only located at middle of columns. Actually, the horizontal braces used to reduce the out‐of‐plane effective column lengths are frequently designed not to locate at middle of columns. In this paper, a large number of column‐bracing systems with the horizontal braces unlocated at middle of columns were modelled and analyzed using the finite element method, in which the random initial geometric imperfections of both the columns and the horizontal braces unlocated at middle of columns were well considered by the Monte Carlo method. Based on the numerical calculations, parametric analysis, and probability statistics, the probability density function of the horizontal bracing forces was found, so that the corresponding design forces of horizontal braces unlocated at middle of columns were proposed which were compared with the design mid‐height horizontal bracing forces in the previous study and the relevant codes. The results indicate that the design forces of the horizontal braces located at 0.6 column height are smaller than the mid‐height horizontal bracing forces in the previous study while the design forces of horizontal braces located at 0.7 column height are larger than the mid‐height horizontal bracing forces in the previous study. The proposed design forces of the horizontal braces located and unlocated at middle of columns are both smaller than the mid‐height horizontal bracing forces stipulated in GB50017‐2017, Eurocode 3‐1992, and AS4100‐1998. The above conclusions provide references for the engineering applications and further related code revisions.
Comparison of the Effectiveness of Three Different Acupuncture Methods for TMD-Related Pain: A Randomized Clinical Study
Authors: Serritella Emanuela , Galluccio Gabriella , Impellizzeri Alessandra , Di Giacomo Paola , Di Paolo Carlo
Published: November 2021

Purpose. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of three acupuncture methods for temporomandibular disorders- (TMDs-) related pain. Materials and Methods. Different locations of pain, according to DC/TMD clinical assessment, were considered: temporomandibular joint (TMJ), masticatory muscles, head, and neck. Sixty patients were assigned randomly to one of three treatment groups (20 patients in each): group BA received body acupuncture, group EA received electroacupuncture, and group CA received acupuncture + cupping. The groups were compared in terms of pain (verbal numeric scale), pain-related disability (Brief Inventory Pain, BPI), and impression of the treatment’s effectiveness (Patients' Global Impression of Improvement Scale, PGI-I). These were recorded before sessions of acupuncture treatment (T0), after 8 sessions of acupuncture treatment (T1), and after 4 weeks of follow-up after treatment (T2). The between-group and within-group differences in the data were analyzed statistically. The baseline characteristics were similar in all groups (

p
>
0.05

). Results. Significant improvements were noted in all types of pain compared to baseline values in all groups (all

p
<
0.05

). No significant differences were noted in the improvement of TMDs-related pain according to the different acupuncture techniques (all

p
>
0.05

). All acupuncture methods used resulted to be significantly effective in improving the pain-related interference in the patient’s common activities and quality of life. EA resulted to be significantly more effective than BA and CA in improving the interference of pain with patients’ mood (

p
=
0.015

) and quality of sleep (

p
=
0.014

). Conclusion. BA, EA, and CA are all effective acupuncture methods in reducing pain and pain interference with common activities and quality of life in patients affected by TMD.
Methods to Analyze Time‐to‐Event Data: The Cox Regression Analysis
Authors: Abd ElHafeez Samar , D’Arrigo Graziella , Leonardis Daniela , Fusaro Maria , Tripepi Giovanni , Roumeliotis Stefanos
Published: November 2021

The Cox model is a regression technique for performing survival analyses in epidemiological and clinical research. This model estimates the hazard ratio (HR) of a given endpoint associated with a specific risk factor, which can be either a continuous variable like age and C‐reactive protein level or a categorical variable like gender and diabetes mellitus. When the risk factor is a continuous variable, the Cox model provides the HR of the study endpoint associated with a predefined unit of increase in the independent variable (e.g., for every 1‐year increase in age, 2 mg/L increase in C‐reactive protein). A fundamental assumption underlying the application of the Cox model is proportional hazards; in other words, the effects of different variables on survival are constant over time and additive over a particular scale. The Cox regression model, when applied to etiological studies, also allows an adjustment for potential confounders; in an exposure‐outcome pathway, a confounder is a variable which is associated with the exposure, is not an effect of the exposure, does not lie in the causal pathway between the exposure and the outcome, and represents a risk factor for the outcome.