bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thrombotic microangiopathy following heart transplant in pediatric Danon disease
Authors: Hummel Kevin , Glotzbach Kristi , Menon Shaji , Griffiths Eric , Lal Ashwin K.
Published: February 2020

This case describes an uncommon acute complication of diffuse thrombotic angiopathy and associated aHUS/TTP in an 11‐year‐old girl with Danon disease who underwent orthotopic heart transplant. Shortly after transplant, despite an uncomplicated operative course, the patient developed severe kidney injury and progressive altered mental status, culminating in cerebral edema, brain herniation, and death. She had received a single dose of tacrolimus (FK506) and a single dose of antithymocyte globulin. Sources of progressive somnolence, including oversedation from impaired renal clearance of opiates, and severe myopathy as has been previously described in Danon disease, were ruled out, and the patient continued to decline. Initial brain CT scan early after transplant showed no signs of cerebral edema, but repeat CT indicated severe cerebral edema. Based on autopsy, diffuse thrombotic angiopathy, with signs of hemolytic anemia with schistocytes, was likely responsible for her deterioration in the broader condition of aHUS/TTP.
Comparison of melphalan‐ And busulfan‐based myeloablative conditioning in children undergoing allogeneic transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplasia
Authors: Oshrine Benjamin , Adams Lauren , Nguyen Anh Thy H. , Amankwah Ernest , Shyr David , Hale Gregory , Petrovic Aleksandra
Published: February 2020

Background

The optimal conditioning regimen for alloHCT in children with myeloid malignancies remains undefined.

Procedure

We performed a retrospective review of children undergoing alloHCT for AML and MDS over a 10‐year period (2008‐2018) at our institution, comparing the outcomes of recipients of either a myeloablative busulfan‐ or reduced toxicity mel/thio‐based conditioning regimen.

Results

A total of 49 patients underwent alloHCT for AML/MDS (mel/thio, N = 21; busulfan, N = 28). Mel/thio recipients were selected due to pretransplant comorbidities. Recipients of mel/thio were more likely to have t‐AML, and less likely to have MRD <0.1% at the time of alloHCT (57.1% vs 82.1%). Graft failure was more common in busulfan recipients; engraftment kinetics were similar between groups. Sinusoidal obstructive syndrome was diagnosed in 21% of busulfan and no mel/thio recipients (P = .03). One patient in each group died from TRM. Relapse incidence was comparable (mel/thio—29% vs busulfan—32%); however, relapse occurred significantly later in recipients of mel/thio conditioning (median d + 396 vs d + 137; P = .01). As a result, there was a trend toward improved OS at 1 and 3 years in mel/thio recipients (95% vs 74%, P = .06; and 75% vs 50%, P = .11; respectively).

Conclusion

In our single institution, when compared to myeloablative busulfan‐based conditioning, use of a mel/thio‐based reduced toxicity regimen resulted in comparable outcomes, despite higher risk patient and disease characteristics. Mel/thio recipients had both more comorbidities and higher risk disease profile, which did not translate into higher rates of either TRM or relapse.
Biodiversity–Ecosystem Functioning (BEF) approach to further understanding aquaculture–environment interactions with application to bivalve culture and benthic ecosystems
Authors: Lacoste Élise , McKindsey Christopher W. , Archambault Philippe
Published: February 2020

Coastal benthic ecosystems may be impacted by numerous human activities, including aquaculture, which continues to expand rapidly. Indeed, today aquaculture worldwide provides more biomass for human consumption than do wild fisheries. This rapid development raises questions about the interactions the practice has with the surrounding environment. In order to design strategies of sustainable ecosystem exploitation and marine spatial planning, a better understanding of coastal ecosystem functioning is needed so that tools to quantify impacts of human activities, including aquaculture, may be developed. To achieve this goal, some possible directions proposed are integrated studies leading to new concepts, model development based on these concepts and comparisons of various ecosystems on a global scale. This review draws on existing literature to (i) briefly summarize the major ecological interactions between off‐bottom shellfish aquaculture and the environment, (ii) introduce research on the influence of benthic diversity on ecosystem functioning (BEF relationships) and (iii) propose a holistic approach to conduct aquaculture–environment studies using a BEF approach, highlighting the need for integrated studies that could offer insights and perspectives to guide future research efforts and improve the environmental management of aquaculture.
From the crisis in acute care to postdischarge resilience – The communication experience of Geriatric patients: A qualitative study
Authors: Gabay Gillie
Published: February 2020

Background

Hospital readmissions due to illness among geriatric patients result in human suffering and psychological trauma. Resilience in chronic illness protects geriatric patients from outcomes of trauma leads to psychological and physical well‐being and enables bouncing back to life. While communication has been linked to improved health outcomes, little is known about communication pathways in the context of postdischarge resilience.

Aim and objective

To explore the role of communication pathways that acute‐care clinicians used with geriatric patients in postdischarge resilience.

Methodological design and justification

Participants were ten geriatric patients who were readmitted several times in the past year. Twenty narrative interviews were conducted, one upon discharge and the other a month thereafter. Data for each phase of interviews were analysed using methods of selection mechanisms and Bricolage.

Ethical issues

The ethics committee approved the study. Participants signed an informed‐consent form for participation and publication.

Findings

Communication in acute care that enhanced health literacy, perceived control and reflection, contributed to higher comprehensibility and manageability during the hospitalisation and postdischarge meaningfulness postdischarge, contributing resilience. Participants who experienced other forms of communication demonstrated anxiety and helplessness with lingering psychological trauma postdischarge.

Conclusions

Acute care may provide clinicians with opportunities to alleviate the suffering of geriatric patients and contribute to their postdischarge resilience. The suggested T.E.R model delineates communication pathways to fuel the trajectory from psychological trauma to postdischarge resilience in practice.
Non‐Gaussian geostatistical modeling using (skew) t processes
Authors: Bevilacqua Moreno , Caamaño‐Carrillo Christian , Arellano‐Valle Reinaldo B. , Morales‐Oñate Víctor
Published: February 2020

We propose a new model for regression and dependence analysis when addressing spatial data with possibly heavy tails and an asymmetric marginal distribution. We first propose a stationary process with t marginals obtained through scale mixing of a Gaussian process with an inverse square root process with Gamma marginals. We then generalize this construction by considering a skew‐Gaussian process, thus obtaining a process with skew‐t marginal distributions. For the proposed (skew) t process, we study the second‐order and geometrical properties and in the t case, we provide analytic expressions for the bivariate distribution. In an extensive simulation study, we investigate the use of the weighted pairwise likelihood as a method of estimation for the t process. Moreover we compare the performance of the optimal linear predictor of the t process versus the optimal Gaussian predictor. Finally, the effectiveness of our methodology is illustrated by analyzing a georeferenced dataset on maximum temperatures in Australia.
Single subduction zone for the generation of Devonian ophiolites and high‐P metamorphic belts of the Variscan Orogen (NW Iberia)
Authors: Díez Fernández Rubén , Arenas Ricardo , Sánchez Martínez Sonia , Novo‐Fernández Irene , Albert Richard
Published: February 2020

Within the Variscan Orogen, Early Devonian and Late Devonian high‐P belts separated by mid‐Devonian ophiolites can be interpreted as having formed in a single subduction zone. Early Devonian convergence nucleated a Laurussia‐dipping subduction zone from an inherited lithospheric neck (peri‐Gondwanan Cambrian back‐arc). Slab‐retreat induced upper plate extension, mantle incursion and lower plate thermal softening, favouring slab‐detachment within the lower plate and diapiric exhumation of deep‐seated rocks through the overlying mantle up to relaminate the upper plate. Upper plate extension produced mid‐Devonian suprasubduction ocean floor spreading (Devonian ophiolites), while further convergence resulted in plate coupling and intraoceanic ophiolite imbrication. Accretion of the remaining Cambrian ocean heralded Late Devonian subduction of inner sections of Gondwana across the same subduction zone and the underthrusting of mainland Gondwana (culmination of NW Iberian allochthonous pile). Oblique convergence favoured lateral plate sliding, and explained the different lateral positions along Gondwana of terranes separated by Palaeozoic ophiolites.
Improving geospatial query performance of an interoperable geographic situation‐awareness system for disaster response
Authors: Zhang Chuanrong , Zhao Tian , Usery E. Lynn , Varanka Dalia , Li Weidong
Published: February 2020

Disaster response operations require fast and coordinated actions based on real‐time disaster situation information. Although crowdsourced geospatial data applications have been demonstrated to be valuable tools for gathering real‐time disaster situation information, they only provide limited utility for disaster response coordination because of the lack of semantic compatibility and interoperability. To help overcome the semantic incompatibility and heterogeneity problems, we use Geospatial Semantic Web (GSW) technologies. We then combine GSW technologies with Web Feature Service requests to access multiple servers. However, a GSW‐based geographic information system often has poor performance due to the complex geometric computations required. The objective of this research is to explore how to use optimization techniques to improve the performance of an interoperable geographic situation‐awareness system (IGSAS) based on GSW technologies for disaster response. We conducted experiments to evaluate various client‐side optimization techniques for improving the performance of an IGSAS prototype for flood disaster response in New Haven, Connecticut. Our experimental results show that the developed prototype can greatly reduce the runtime costs of geospatial semantic queries through on‐the‐fly spatial indexing, tile‐based rendering, efficient algorithms for spatial join, and caching, especially for those spatial‐join geospatial queries that involve a large number of spatial features and heavy geometric computation.
Tonality in Steve Reich's Nagoya Marimbas
Authors: Atkinson Sean
Published: February 2020

This article explores the remarkable tonal qualities of Steve Reich's Nagoya Marimbas . While most of Reich's output might be considered diatonic, rarely do those collections move in tonal paradigms. But in Nagoya Marimbas the two melodic voices combine in various canonic
patterns to create a background tonal progression in E minor. The two marimba parts are always heard in phase with one another, playing the same music but at constantly varying intervals of displacement. The result is a long introduction that establishes E minor as tonic, followed by music
that features more rapid changes yet continues to reinforce E minor as a tonal center. The piece, though an outlier in Reich's harmonic language, represents an important example of late twentieth-century tonality.
Onset of Cavity Oscillation From Transverse to Longitudinal Mode in a Supersonic Flow
Authors: Pandian S. , Desikan S. L. N. , Niranjan Sahoo
Published: February 2020

Experiments are carried out in supersonic flow past cavities (L/D = 1–3) to comprehend cavity oscillation from transverse to longitudinal mode. To characterize this, time-resolved schlieren images and unsteady pressure measurements are carried out. For L/D = 1, the cavity oscillation is in the transverse direction which is characterized by a single vortex along with low frequency oscillations. In the present studies, for the given length and depth, the L/D = 2 cavity shows both transverse and longitudinal mode of oscillations. This dual nature is ascertained through high-speed schlieren images and large rise in the fluctuating pressure. For L/D = 3, the cavity oscillation is in the longitudinal direction accompanied by low values of fluctuating pressure component and number of discrete modes/tones. Hence, it is believed that the transverse to longitudinal mode of cavity oscillation in the present studies occurs between L/D = 2 and 3. These cavities are driven by a thick shear layer where the vortex convection is found to be nonlinear. The comparison of dominant modes/tones with modified Rossiter and Handa relations indicates the necessity to develop a suitable model for transitional cavities. In-depth analyzes in terms of cross-correlation as well as wavelet transform divulge the basis that generates cavity modes/tones and mode switching phenomena, respectively.
Multilayer Analysis of Phan-Thien-Tanner Immiscible Fluids Under Electro-Osmotic and Pressure-Driven Effects in a Slit Microchannel
Authors: Escandón Juan P. , Gómez Juan R. , Hernández Clara G.
Published: February 2020

Because the pumping of samples by viscous drag forces and the use of flow-focusing for several sheath flows are widely used in microfluidic devices applications, the present investigation treats about the transport of multilayer immiscible viscoelastic fluids into a slit microchannel by electro-osmotic and pressure-driven effects. The mathematical formulation for the steady-state analysis of the flow field is based on the Poisson–Boltzmann equation and the Cauchy momentum equation. Each fluid layer has independent physical and electrical properties and is formed by a mixture of an electrolyte with a fluid that provides a viscoelastic behavior that follows the simplified Phan-Thien-Tanner (sPTT) rheological model. In the problem, the fluids are conductive and the walls of the microchannel are dielectrics, yielding electric double layers in the liquid–liquid and solid–liquid interfaces; therefore, the flow field is controlled by interfacial electrostatic conditions. The semi-analytical results are centered in the description of the velocity profiles and in the flowrate as a function of a series of dimensionless parameters arising from the mathematical modeling, where we can observe that the multilayer flow characteristics are related to the type of electrolyte solutions, since when the flow field is formed by two or more, interesting interfacial effects appear that modify the shape of velocity profiles and change the magnitude of flowrate in favor or against, depending of the positions of each fluid layer; in addition, the flow raises or diminishes by applying an external pressure gradient.
Multiobjective Reliability-Based Design of Ship Structures Subjected to Fatigue Damage and Compressive Collapse
Authors: Garbatov Yordan , Huang Ying Cai
Published: February 2020

This work deals with the reliability-based design and optimization of ship structural components subjected to stochastic loads and accounting for the local fatigue damage and buckling and ultimate global strength of the ship hull. The multi-objective structural optimization is performed in minimizing the component net-section area, lateral deflection, and fatigue damage, avoiding local buckling. The probability of compressive collapse and fatigue damage of the ship hull and associated cost is used as a base to define the best design solution. The Pareto frontier solutions, calculated by the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II), are employed in defining the feasible solutions of the design variables. The first-order reliability method (FORM) is employed to estimate the Beta reliability index based on the topology of the structural component as a part of the Pareto frontier solutions. Comparing with the original design solution, the optimized section of the identified best design solution area decreased by 9%.
A Critical Examination of the Hysteresis in Wells Turbines Using Computational Fluid Dynamics and Lumped Parameter Models
Authors: Ghisu Tiziano , Cambuli Francesco , Puddu Pierpaolo , Virdis Irene , Carta Mario , Licheri Fabio
Published: February 2020

The hysteretic behavior of oscillating water column (OWC)-installed Wells turbines has been known for decades. The common explanation invokes the presence of unsteady aerodynamics due to the continuously varying incidence of the flow on the turbine blades. This phenomenon is neither new nor unique to Wells turbines, as an aerodynamic hysteresis is present in rapidly oscillating airfoils and wings, as well as in different types of turbomachinery, such as wind turbines and helicopter rotors, which share significant similarities with a Wells turbine. An important difference is the non-dimensional frequency: the hysteresis appears in oscillating airfoils only at frequencies orders of magnitude larger than the ones Wells turbines operate at. This work contains a re-examination of the phenomenon, using both computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and a lumped parameter model, and shows how the aerodynamic hysteresis in Wells turbines is negligible and how the often measured differences in performance between acceleration and deceleration are caused by the capacitive behavior of the OWC system. Results have been verified with respect to both spatial and temporal discretization, for unstalled and stalled operating conditions.
Numerical Fluid–Structure Interaction Analysis of a Wells Turbine With Flexible Blades
Authors: Kincaid Kellis C. , MacPhee David W.
Published: February 2020

Direct energy conversion from ocean waves requires some method of rectifying the oscillatory motion to produce a unidirectional output. The Wells turbine accomplishes this with horizontally mounted symmetric blades, which produce a net torque output when combined with an oscillating water column. Previous studies have been conducted, which investigate the effects of blade profile, turbine solidity, stator tip gap clearance, and a number of guide vane designs intended to improve performance. Both experimental and computational methods have been employed, with computational models typically relying on commercially available computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code and assuming steady-state flow conditions. In this work, the open-source code foam-extend is used to study the transient behavior of a Wells turbine, with both a standard rigid blade and a blade with a flexible trailing edge. A validated model is established, and the effects of various Young’s Moduli are tested and their flow fields analyzed. Significant performance gains are realized, with a nearly 17% increase in output torque in some cases.
Assessing Wellbore Stability With a Modified Lade Failure Criterion
Authors: Bahrami Babak , Sadatshojaie Ali , Wood David A
Published: February 2020

The importance of evaluating wellbore stability in analyzing and estimating the efficiency of drilling directionally into oil and gas reservoirs is well known. Geomechanical data and failure criterion can be used to model and control rock mass behavior in response to the stresses imposed upon it. Understanding and managing the risks of rock mass deformation significantly improve operational processes such as wellbore stability, sand production, and hydraulic fracturing. The modified Lade failure criterion is established as the most precise failure criterion based on previous studies. By combining it with tensions around the wellbore, a novel relationship is derived for determining the stable mud window. To investigate the accuracy of the new relationship, two geomechanical models (neural network and empirical correlations) for a one-directional wellbore are developed and their performance compared with two other failure criteria (Hoek–Brown and Mogi–Coulomb). The geomechanical parameters (Young’s modulus, Poisson ratio, uniaxial compressive strength, and internal friction coefficient) obtained from the models show that neural network configurations perform better than those built with the empirical equation. The horizontal minimum and maximum stress values across the depth interval of interest (2347–2500 m) are established for a case study reservoir. The model provides an accurate prediction of wellbore instability when applying the modified Lade criterion; the stable mud weight is derived with improved precision compared to the other failure criteria evaluated. A key advantage of the developed method is that it does not require input knowledge of the reservoir’s structural boundaries (e.g., the fault regime) or core test data.
Trypanosoma brucei Pex13.2 Is an Accessory Peroxin That Functions in the Import of Peroxisome Targeting Sequence Type 2 Proteins and Localizes to Subdomains of the Glycosome
Authors: Crowe Logan P. , Wilkinson Christina L. , Nicholson Kathleen R. , Morris Meredith T.
Published: February 2020

Trypanosoma brucei
causes human African trypanosomiasis and a wasting disease called Nagana in livestock. Current treatments are expensive, toxic, and difficult to administer. Because of this, the search for new drug targets is essential.
T. brucei
has glycosomes that are essential to parasite survival; however, our ability to target them in drug development is hindered by our lack of understanding about how these organelles are formed and maintained. This work forwards our understanding of how the parasite-specific protein Pex13.2 functions in glycosome protein import and lays the foundation for future studies focused on blocking Pex13.2 function, which would be lethal to bloodstream-form parasites that reside in the mammalian bloodstream.
Perinatal Antibiotic Exposure Affects the Transmission between Maternal and Neonatal Microbiota and Is Associated with Early-Onset Sepsis
Authors: Zhou Ping , Zhou Yanxia , Liu Bin , Jin Zhenchao , Zhuang Xueling , Dai Wenkui , Yang Zhenyu , Feng Xin , Zhou Qian , Liu Yanhong , Xu Ximing , Zhang Lian
Published: February 2020

Perinatal antibiotic prophylaxis is an effective method for preventing group B
Streptococcus
(GBS) infection in newborns. Antibiotic exposure unbalances women’s vaginal microbiota, which is associated with the establishment of the newborn gut microbiota. However, the influence of perinatal antibiotic exposure on neonatal gut microbiota colonization and health outcomes remains unclear. In this study, we found that perinatal antibiotic exposure induced microbiota dysbiosis in a woman’s vagina and the neonatal gut, and we highlight a significant decrease in the abundance of
Lactobacillus
spp. The influence of antibiotic use on the microbiota was greater than that from gestational age. Additionally, full-term newborns without antibiotic exposure had no evidence of early-onset sepsis, whereas in full-term or preterm newborns with antibiotic exposure before birth, at least one infant was diagnosed with early-onset sepsis. These results suggest an association between perinatal antibiotic exposure and microbial dysbiosis in maternal vaginal and neonatal gut environments, which may be related to the occurrence of early-onset sepsis.
Mobile health application platform ‘Corrie’ personalises and empowers the heart attack recovery patient experience in the hospital and at home for an underserved heart attack survivor
Authors: Hung George , Yang William E , Marvel Francoise A , Martin Seth S
Published: February 2020

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide with an estimated 17.5 million deaths annually, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). CVD prevention efforts have the potential to prevent the majority of these deaths by supporting guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) and lifestyle modification. Mobile health (mHealth) has the potential to address this gap, but has limited evaluation in clinical studies to date. We present the case of a middle-aged patient of low socioeconomic status, with multiple comorbidities, and no prior smartphone experience, who suffered an acute myocardial infarction (MI) and was given the Corrie intervention while hospitalised. The patient demonstrated improvement in lifestyle modification, adherence to GDMT and post-MI recovery through 2.4 years follow-up. This case supports (1) the potential of mHealth interventions to enhance patient experience and outcomes, (2) intuitive design for adoption and improvement in end user experience and (3) the capability of mHealth to reach and empower underserved patients.
Complications of measles: a case series
Authors: Xerri Thelma , Darmanin Nicola , Zammit Maria Alessandra , Fsadni Claudia
Published: February 2020

Measles, which was once thought to be a disappearing viral infection due to effective vaccination, has been re-emerging globally, with increasing cases in adolescents and adults. This has been attributed to anti-vaccination campaigning in the early 21st century, which has resulted in a drop in overall herd immunity. In this case series we report three patients with complications secondary to measles who presented to a hospital in Malta in 2019. Through this series, we discuss the range of possible complications caused by the measles virus, ranging from mild viraemic symptoms to multiorgan involvement which could possibly lead to high-dependency care and may even be fatal. We also highlight recent global statistics which reflect the exponential increase in the incidence of measles, with a special focus on Europe. It is emphasised that vaccine education and compliance with the two-dose measles vaccine should be implemented worldwide.
International Olympic Committee consensus statement: methods for recording and reporting of epidemiological data on injury and illness in sport 2020 (including STROBE Extension for Sport Injury and Illness Surveillance (STROBE-SIIS))
Authors: Bahr Roald , Clarsen Ben , Derman Wayne , Dvorak Jiri , Emery Carolyn A , Finch Caroline F , Hägglund Martin , Junge Astrid , Kemp Simon , Khan Karim M , Marshall Stephen W , Meeuwisse Willem , Mountjoy Margo , Orchard John W , Pluim Babette , Quarrie Kenneth L , Reider Bruce , Schwellnus Martin , Soligard Torbjørn , Stokes Keith A , Timpka Toomas , Verhagen Evert , Bindra Abhinav , Budgett Richard , Engebretsen Lars , Erdener Uğur , Chamari Karim
Published: February 2020

Injury and illness surveillance, and epidemiological studies, are fundamental elements of concerted efforts to protect the health of the athlete. To encourage consistency in the definitions and methodology used, and to enable data across studies to be compared, research groups have published 11 sport-specific or setting-specific consensus statements on sports injury (and, eventually, illness) epidemiology to date. Our objective was to further strengthen consistency in data collection, injury definitions and research reporting through an updated set of recommendations for sports injury and illness studies, including a new Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist extension. The IOC invited a working group of international experts to review relevant literature and provide recommendations. The procedure included an open online survey, several stages of text drafting and consultation by working groups and a 3-day consensus meeting in October 2019. This statement includes recommendations for data collection and research reporting covering key components: defining and classifying health problems; severity of health problems; capturing and reporting athlete exposure; expressing risk; burden of health problems; study population characteristics and data collection methods. Based on these, we also developed a new reporting guideline as a STROBE Extension—the STROBE Sports Injury and Illness Surveillance (STROBE-SIIS). The IOC encourages ongoing in- and out-of-competition surveillance programmes and studies to describe injury and illness trends and patterns, understand their causes and develop measures to protect the health of the athlete. Implementation of the methods outlined in this statement will advance consistency in data collection and research reporting.
Ethnic variation in the conversion of prediabetes to diabetes among immigrant populations relative to Canadian-born residents: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Fazli Ghazal S , Moineddin Rahim , Bierman Arlene S , Booth Gillian L
Published: February 2020

Objective

The aim of this study was to compare absolute and relative rates of conversion from prediabetes to diabetes among non-European immigrants to Europeans and Canadian-born residents, overall, and by age and level of glycemia.

Research design and methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort population-based study using administrative health databases from Ontario, Canada, to identify immigrants (n=23 465) and Canadian born (n=1 11 085) aged ≥20 years with prediabetes based on laboratory tests conducted between 2002 and 2011. Individuals were followed until 31 December 2013 for the development of diabetes using a validated algorithm. Immigration data was used to assign ethnicity based on country of origin, mother tongue, and surname. Fine and Gray’s survival models were used to compare diabetes incidence across ethnic groups overall and by age and glucose category.

Results

Over a median follow-up of 5.2 years, 8186 immigrants and 39 722 Canadian-born residents developed diabetes (7.1 vs 6.1 per 100 person-years, respectively). High-risk immigrant populations such as South Asians (HR: 1.72, 95% CI 1.55 to 1.99) and Southeast Asians (HR: 1.65, 95% CI 1.46 to 1.86) had highest risk of converting to diabetes compared with Western Europeans (referent). Among immigrants aged 20–34 years, the adjusted cumulative incidence ranged from 18.4% among Eastern Europeans to 52.3% among Southeast Asians. Conversion rates increased with age in all groups but were consistently high among South Asians, Southeast Asians and Sub-Saharan African/Caribbeans after the age of 35 years. On average, South Asians converted to diabetes 3.1–4.6 years earlier than Western Europeans and at an equivalent rate of conversion to Western Europeans who had a 0.5 mmol/L higher baseline fasting glucose value.

Conclusions

High-risk ethnic groups converted to diabetes more rapidly, at younger ages, and at lower fasting glucose values than European populations, leading to a shorter window for diabetes prevention.
Risk factors of perioperative mortality from complicated peptic ulcer disease in Africa: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Peiffer Sarah , Pelton Matthew , Keeney Laura , Kwon Eustina G , Ofosu-Okromah Richard , Acharya Yubraj , Chinchilli Vernon M , Soybel David I , Oh John S , Ssentongo Paddy
Published: February 2020

Introduction

In 2013, peptic ulcer disease (PUD) caused over 300 000 deaths globally. Low-income and middle-income countries are disproportionately affected. However, there is limited information regarding risk factors of perioperative mortality rates in these countries.

Objective

To assess perioperative mortality rates from complicated PUD in Africa and associated risk factors.

Design

We performed a systematic review and a random-effect meta-analysis of literature describing surgical management of complicated PUD in Africa. We used subgroup analysis and meta-regression analyses to investigate sources of variations in the mortality rates and to assess the risk factors contributing to mortality.

Results

From 95 published reports, 10 037 patients underwent surgery for complicated PUD. The majority of the ulcers (78%) were duodenal, followed by gastric (14%). Forty-one per cent of operations were for perforation, 22% for obstruction and 9% for bleeding. The operations consisted of vagotomy (38%), primary repair (34%), resection and reconstruction (12%), and drainage procedures (6%). The overall PUD mortality rate was 6.6% (95% CI 5.4% to 8.1%). It increased to 9.7% (95% CI 7.1 to 13.0) when we limited the analysis to studies published after the year 2000. The correlation was higher between perforated PUD and mortality rates (r=0.41, p<0.0001) than for bleeding PUD and mortality rates (r=0.32, p=0.001). Non-significant differences in mortality rates existed between sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and North Africa and within SSA.

Conclusion

Perioperative mortality rates from complicated PUD in Africa are substantially high and could be increasing over time, and there are possible regional differences.
Clinical indicators to identify neuropathic pain in low back-related leg pain: protocol for a modified Delphi study
Authors: Mistry Jai , Falla Deborah , Noblet Tim , Heneghan Nicola R , Rushton Alison B
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Neuropathic low back-related leg pain (LBLP) can be a challenge to healthcare providers to diagnose and treat. Accurate diagnosis of neuropathic pain is fundamental to ensure appropriate intervention is given. However, to date there is no gold standard to diagnose neuropathic LBLP. A Delphi study will therefore be conducted to obtain an expert-derived consensus list of clinical indicators to identify a neuropathic component to LBLP.

Methods/analysis

Included participants will be considered experts within the field as measured against a predefined eligibility criterion. Through an iterative multistage process, participants will rate their agreement with a list of clinical indicators and suggest any missing clinical indicators during each round. Agreement will be measured using a 5-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics will be used to measure agreement; median, IQR and percentage of agreement. A priori consensus criteria will be defined for each round. Data analysis at the end of round three will enable a list of clinical indicators to be derived.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was gained from the University of Birmingham (ERN_19-1142). On completion of the study, findings will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at relevant conferences.
Development of a casemix classification to predict costs of home care in the Netherlands: a study protocol
Authors: Elissen Arianne Mathilda Josephus , Verhoeven Gertjan Sebastiaan , de Korte Maud Hortense , van den Bulck Anne Odilia Emile , Metzelthin Silke Friederike , van der Weij Lieuwe Christiaan , Stam Jaap , Ruwaard Dirk , Mikkers Misja Chiljon
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Compared with fee-for-service systems, prospective payment based on casemix classification is thought to promote more efficient, needs-based care provision. We aim to develop a casemix classification to predict the costs of home care in the Netherlands.

Methods and analysis

The research is designed as a multicentre, cross-sectional cohort study using quantitative methods to identify the relative cost predictors of home care and combine these into a casemix classification, based on individual episodes of care. The dependent variable in the analyses is the cost of home care utilisation, which is operationalised through various measures of formal and informal care, weighted by the relative wage rates of staff categories. As independent variables, we will use data from a recently developed Casemix Short-Form questionnaire, combined with client information from participating home care providers’ (nursing) classification systems and data on demographics and care category (ie, a classification mandated by health insurers). Cost predictors are identified using random forest variable importance measures, and then used to build regression tree models. The casemix classification will consist of the leaves of the (pruned) regression tree. Internal validation is addressed by using cross-validation at various stages of the modelling pathways. The Transparent Reporting of a multivariable prediction model for Individual Prognosis or Diagnosis statement was used to prepare this study protocol.

Ethics and dissemination

The study was classified by an accredited Medical Research Ethics Committee as not subject to the Dutch Medical Research Involving Human Subjects Act. Findings are expected in 2020 and will serve as input for the development of a new payment system for home care in the Netherlands, to be implemented at the discretion of the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports. The results will also be published in peer-reviewed publications and policy briefs, and presented at (inter)national conferences.
Mediterranean diet intervention alters the gut microbiome in older people reducing frailty and improving health status: the NU-AGE 1-year dietary intervention across five European countries
Authors: Ghosh Tarini Shankar , Rampelli Simone , Jeffery Ian B , Santoro Aurelia , Neto Marta , Capri Miriam , Giampieri Enrico , Jennings Amy , Candela Marco , Turroni Silvia , Zoetendal Erwin G , Hermes Gerben D A , Elodie Caumon , Meunier Nathalie , Brugere Corinne Malpuech , Pujos-Guillot Estelle , Berendsen Agnes M , De Groot Lisette C P G M , Feskins Edith J M , Kaluza Joanna , Pietruszka Barbara , Bielak Marta Jeruszka , Comte Blandine , Maijo-Ferre Monica , Nicoletti Claudio , De Vos Willem M , Fairweather-Tait Susan , Cassidy Aedin , Brigidi Patrizia , Franceschi Claudio , O'Toole Paul W
Published: February 2020

Objective

Ageing is accompanied by deterioration of multiple bodily functions and inflammation, which collectively contribute to frailty. We and others have shown that frailty co-varies with alterations in the gut microbiota in a manner accelerated by consumption of a restricted diversity diet. The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is associated with health. In the NU-AGE project, we investigated if a 1-year MedDiet intervention could alter the gut microbiota and reduce frailty.

Design

We profiled the gut microbiota in 612 non-frail or pre-frail subjects across five European countries (UK, France, Netherlands, Italy and Poland) before and after the administration of a 12-month long MedDiet intervention tailored to elderly subjects (NU-AGE diet).

Results

Adherence to the diet was associated with specific microbiome alterations. Taxa enriched by adherence to the diet were positively associated with several markers of lower frailty and improved cognitive function, and negatively associated with inflammatory markers including C-reactive protein and interleukin-17. Analysis of the inferred microbial metabolite profiles indicated that the diet-modulated microbiome change was associated with an increase in short/branch chained fatty acid production and lower production of secondary bile acids, p-cresols, ethanol and carbon dioxide. Microbiome ecosystem network analysis showed that the bacterial taxa that responded positively to the MedDiet intervention occupy keystone interaction positions, whereas frailty-associated taxa are peripheral in the networks.

Conclusion

Collectively, our findings support the feasibility of improving the habitual diet to modulate the gut microbiota which in turn has the potential to promote healthier ageing.
Treat-to-target in PsA: methods and necessity
Authors: Dures Emma , Shepperd Sasha , Mukherjee Sandeep , Robson Jo , Vlaev Ivo , Walsh Nicola , Coates Laura C
Published: February 2020

With increasing recognition of the high burden and impact of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and the growing number of therapeutic options, there has been an intensifying focus on treatment strategy in recent years. In 2015, the Tight Control of Psoriatic Arthritis study confirmed the clinical benefit of using a treat-to-target approach in PsA. This randomised controlled trial found benefits in both arthritis and psoriasis disease activity as well as lower disease impact reported by patients, although participants allocated to tight control experienced a higher rate of serious adverse events. European and international recommendations support the use of a treat-to-target approach in PsA and have offered specific advice on how to do this using outcomes such as the minimal disease activity criteria. However, implementation of this approach in routine practice is low, with real-world data highlighting undertreatment as a result. Recent qualitative work with physicians in the UK has helped researchers to understand the barriers to implementation of treat-to-target in PsA. We now need to address these barriers, provide education and support to non-specialist clinicians in routine practice, and aid the translation of optimal care to the clinic.
Wetlands in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region: the nexus between wetland hydrological function and resource extraction
Authors: Volik Olena , Elmes Matthew , Petrone Richard , Kessel Eric , Green Adam , Cobbaert Danielle , Price Jonathan
Published: February 2020

Oil sands development within the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR) has accelerated in recent decades, causing alteration to natural ecosystems including wetlands that perform many vital ecosystem functions such as water and carbon storage. These wetlands comprise more than half of the landscape, and their distribution and local hydrology are the result of interactions among a subhumid climate, topography, and spatially heterogeneous surficial and bedrock geology. Since hydrology plays a fundamental role in wetland ecological functioning and determines wetland sensitivity to human disturbances, the characterization of anthropogenic impacts on wetland hydrology in the AOSR is necessary to assess wetland resilience and to improve current best management practices. As such, this paper reviews the impacts of oil sands development and related disturbances including infrastructure construction, gravel extraction, and land clearing on wetland function in the AOSR. Hydrologic disturbances in wetlands in the AOSR include changes to soil hydrophysical properties that control water table position, the interruption of recharge–discharge patterns, and alteration of micrometeorological conditions; these in turn govern wetland ecological structure and wetland ecosystem processes (e.g., evapotranspiration, nutrient cycling). Given that anthropogenic disturbance can affect natural wetland succession, long-term hydrological monitoring is crucial for predicting the response of these ecosystems to varying levels of human impact.
A sterile neutrino search at compact materials irradiation facility
Authors: Chen Liangwen , Cai Han-Jie , Ciuffoli Emilio , Evslin Jarah , Fu Fen , Zhang Sheng , Chen Xurong , Yang Lei , Zhan Wenlong
Published: February 2020

The compact material irradiation facility (CMIF) is a current project in China that will provide a compact deuteron-beryllium neutron source. The target of this facility will be an intense and compact Isotope Decay-At-Rest (IsoDAR) neutrino source. In this paper, we propose to test the sterile neutrino hypothesis using CMIF as the neutrino source. At CMIF platform, the electron antineutrino production rate can be up to$$2.0\times 10^{19}$$2.0×1019per day. When paired with an 80 t liquid scintillator detector to study short baseline electron antineutrino disappearance, the inverse beta decay (IBD) event rate is large enough to investigate the parameter ranges of interest for neutrino anomalies. Our sensitivity analysis shows that a short baseline experiment at this platform will provide a very competitive sterile neutrino search, especially in the high-$$\Delta m^2$$Δm2region ($$\Delta m^2 >10\,\text {eV}^2$$Δm2>10eV2).
The role of transverse momentum on the nuclear valence and sea quark distribution functions
Authors: Nematollahi H.
Published: February 2020

We investigate the transverse momentum dependence of valence and sea quark distribution functions of light asymmetric nuclei ($$^{3}He$$3He and $$^{7}Li$$7Li). To this end, we first calculate the valence and sea distributions of these nuclei applying a parametrization method in which the parton distribution functions (PDFs) of nucleus are related to those of free nucleon via a weight function that contains the nuclear modifications. Then we obtain the unpolarized transverse momentum dependent (TMD) PDFs of the nucleus using the covariant parton model (CPM) approach. We also compute the valence and sea quark distributions ratios of $$^{3}He$$3He and $$^{7}Li$$7Li to those of deuteron and present the results with respect to x (Bjorken variable) at fixed values of transverse momentum. It is found that these ratios shift to the larger values of x by increasing the transverse momentum value as expected and they are not transverse momentum dependent in large x region.
The complement value problem for non-local operators
Authors: Sun Wei
Published: February 2020

Let [Formula: see text] be a bounded Lipschitz domain of [Formula: see text]. We consider the complement value problem [Formula: see text] Under mild conditions, we show that there exists a unique bounded continuous weak solution. Moreover, we give an explicit probabilistic representation of the solution. The theory of semi-Dirichlet forms and heat kernel estimates play an important role in our approach.
Smartphone coupled with a paper-based optode: Towards a selective cyanide detection
Authors: Lvova Larisa , Pomarico Giuseppe , Mandoj Federica , Caroleo Fabrizio , Di Natale Corrado , Kadish Karl M. , Nardis Sara
Published: February 2020

A low-cost on-paper sensor based on 5,10,15-tritolylcorrolatocobalt(III) triphenylphosphine, CoTTCorr(PPh3), was developed for cyanide detection in aqueous solutions. The sensor was coupled to a smartphone and used a home-written color intensity analysis software in order to record and interpret the colorimetric response. The detection of cyanide was possible down to 0.053 mg/L, an order of magnitude lower than the value of 0.5 mg/L set by the World Health Organization (WHO) for safe short-term exposure of cyanide in potable water. The colorimetric sensor had selectivity toward cyanide ions over the anions Cl-, Br, F-, NO2, SCN-, OA[Formula: see text]-,ClO4-, H2PO4- and HCO3- while the influence of NO3- ions on the sensor optical response towards cyanide was overcome by optimization of the ionophore/anion-exchanger ratio inside the sensing material. The best performance was obtained for the optode with an ionophore to exchanger ratio of 1:3. The optimized optodes were employed for quantification of cyanide content added to potable water and saliva.
Palaeogeographical evolution of the Rattray Volcanic Province, Central North Sea
Authors: Quirie Ailsa K. , Schofield Nick , Jolley David W. , Archer Stuart G. , Hole Malcolm J. , Hartley Adrian , Watson Douglas , Burgess Roger , Pugsley Jessica H. , Underhill John R. , Holford Simon P.
Published: February 2020

The Rattray Volcanics Member, at the triple junction of the North Sea rift, is here subdivided into two informal sub-members based on analysis of core, wireline and seismic data. The Lower and Upper Rattray Volcanics were emplaced during two distinct phases of volcanism separated by a sustained volcanic hiatus. The presence of hyaloclastite and abundant freshwater algae at the base of the Lower Rattray indicates that large lakes were present in the area prior to the volcanism, possibly indicating that collapse of the regional Jurassic Central North Sea dome began prior to volcanism. Pulsed subsidence probably occurred through the duration of the volcanism with lacustrine conditions becoming re-established during the mid-volcanic hiatus. Sediments were deposited across the Rattray Volcanic Province in fluvial systems and floodplain coal swamps after the final cessation of volcanism, with later marine transgression leading to drowning of the area in the Callovian to Oxfordian. In terms of hydrocarbon prospectivity, no evidence is currently found to confirm the presence of an intra-basaltic play analogous to the Rosebank Field in the Faroe–Shetland Basin, although post-volcanic Pentland Formation sedimentary sequences in the Fisher Bank Basin area indicate the possibility of supra-basaltic prospectivity in the triple junction.

Supplementary material:
A table containing the complete palynological record is available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4857195