bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multimodality imaging and histopathology in a young man presenting with fulminant lymphocytic myocarditis and cardiogenic shock after mRNA-1273 vaccination
Authors: Kadwalwala Mazhar , Chadha Bhawneet , Ortoleva Jamel , Joyce Maurice
Published: November 2021

A 38-year-old man presented with several days of chest pain and shortness of breath 8 days after receiving the first dose of an mRNA-1273 vaccine. The patient was found to have new left ventricular ejection fraction of 10% in the setting of hypotension and cardiogenic shock requiring mechanical support with an axial flow catheter pump. The presentation was concerning for acute fulminant myocarditis secondary to an inflammatory response from the recent mRNA-1273 vaccine. The patient was treated with pulse dose steroids for 3 days, ultimately leading to haemodynamic recovery and removal of mechanical circulatory support. Endomyocardial biopsy was performed and showed focal lymphocytic interstitial infiltrate with myocyte damage consistent with lymphocytic myocarditis. The patient had improvement of cardiac function which was seen on serial imaging.
Burn injury from filling balloons with nitrous oxide
Authors: Stone Matthew James , Roberts Natalie Megan , Anwar Mohammad Umair
Published: December 2021

We present the case of a female teenager who sustained nitrous oxide burns to the medial aspect of both thighs from contact with a nitrous oxide canister being used to fill balloons. There was a delay in presentation as the injury was not initially recognised. These burns were initially assessed as being superficial partial-thickness burns but took a prolonged time to heal despite regular wound care. This was complicated by a lack of adherence to recommended treatment for much of the patient care as well as the patient testing positive for COVID-19 during their management, which prevented surgery and significantly extended time to healing. While small numbers of similar cases have been previously described this is the first reported case outside of the Netherlands and in a child. Being aware of such cases ensures early referral to specialist burn care for appropriate management to give patients the best possible outcome.
Reactivation of IgA vasculitis following COVID-19 vaccination
Authors: Maye James A , Chong Hsu Pheen , Rajagopal Vivek , Petchey William
Published: November 2021

A 23-year-old man presented to the acute assessment unit with acute-onset haematuria within 24 hours of receiving his second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. He had been diagnosed with IgA vasculitis 8 months previously. IgA vasculitis is an autoimmune condition characterised by palpable purpura affecting the lower limbs, abdominal pain, arthralgia and renal disease. He was diagnosed with an acute exacerbation of IgA vasculitis and was discharged with oral prednisolone. Reactivation or first presentation of IgA vasculitis is a rare but increasingly recognised complication of COVID-19 vaccination. This is an important new differential in the assessment of patients with haematuria following COVID-19 vaccination.
Optimising a couples-focused intervention to increase couples’ HIV testing and counselling using the person-based approach: a qualitative study in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
Authors: Morton Katherine , Mhlakwaphalwa Tembeka , Msimango Lindani , van Heerden Alastair , Ngubane Thulani , Joseph Philip , Ngcobo Nathi , Feng Z , Hosegood Victoria , van Rooyen Heidi , McGrath Nuala
Published: December 2021

Objectives

This qualitative study explored how to optimise a couples-focused intervention to promote couples HIV testing and counselling (CHTC).

Setting

Community setting in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa.

Participants

Qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 couples who had participated in a couples-focused intervention and five staff members delivering the intervention. Partners were interviewed individually by researchers of the same gender.

Intervention

A couples-focused intervention comprised of two group sessions and four couples counselling sessions was previously shown to significantly increase uptake to CHTC in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. However, more than half of couples participating in the intervention still chose not to test together during follow-up.

Analysis

The transcripts were analysed using the table of changes from the person-based approach. Proposed optimisations were discussed with a community group to ensure the intervention was as persuasive and acceptable as possible.

Results

Many couples found it challenging to discuss CHTC with their partner due to an implied lack of trust. Optimisations to the intervention were identified to increase readiness to discuss CHTC, including education about serodiscordance, discussions about CHTC by peer mentors and open discussion of personal barriers to CHTC during couples’ counselling sessions. Additional training for staff in open questioning techniques could help them feel more comfortable to explore couples’ perceived barriers to CHTC, rather than advising couples to test. A logic model was developed to show anticipated mechanisms through which the optimised intervention would increase uptake to CHTC, including increasing knowledge, increasing positive outcome beliefs and managing negative emotions.

Conclusions

In-depth qualitative research informed optimisations to a couples-focused intervention for further evaluation in South Africa to encourage uptake to CHTC. Suggestions are made for optimal methods to gain open feedback on intervention experiences where participants may be reluctant to share negative views.
Well-being, physical fitness and health profile of 10–12 years old boys in relation to leisure-time sports club activities: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Larsen Malte Nejst , Madsen Mads , Cyril Rasmus , Madsen Esben Elholm , Lind Rune R , Ryom Knud , Christiansen Søren Riis , Elbe Anne-Marie , Krustrup Peter
Published: November 2021

Objectives

This study investigated the correlation between sports club activities and well-being and physical health parameters in 10–12 years old boys.

Design

Cross sectional.

Setting

Danish schools.

Participants

2293 boys took part in the study.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Questionnaires on participation in sports clubs and well-being and testing of physical health profile through measurement of body composition, resting heart rate (RHR), blood pressure and postural balance, jump and Yo-Yo IR1C performance. Data were analysed by participation in sport and according to the five most frequently reported sports.

Results

Boys enrolled in sports clubs had higher physical well-being (51.7±9.7 vs 45.9±8.7) and psychological well-being (53.3±9.6 vs 51.4±10.0), experienced more peers and social support (50.9±9.9 vs 48.0±11.6), and had a more positive perception of the school environment (48.6±7.5 vs 45.9±8.1) than boys not involved in sports clubs. In addition, they showed better Yo-Yo IR1C (+46%), long jump (9%) and balance test performance (+20%). The boys active in sports clubs had higher relative muscle mass (+6%) and lower fat percentage (−3%), body mass index (−6%) and RHR (−5%) compared with boys not involved in sports clubs (p<0.05). Boys enrolled in football clubs had higher aerobic fitness compared with boys not active in clubs (+11%), handball players (+5%), swimmers (+8%) and badminton players (+7%). Moreover, the boys enrolled in football clubs had lower fat percentage (−17%) and higher relative muscle mass (+4%) than swimmers.

Conclusion

Boys participating in club-based sports showed markedly higher levels of well-being and better physical health profiles than boys not involved in sports club activities. Footballers had superior aerobic fitness and body composition compared with those active in other sports. Results suggest that sports club activities seem to be beneficial for young boys’ well-being, fitness and physical health profile, with the greatest benefits achieved by boys involved in football.
Acute estradiol and progesterone therapy in hospitalised adults to reduce COVID-19 severity: a randomised control trial
Authors: Lovre Dragana , Bateman Kristin , Sherman Mya , Fonseca Vivian A , Lefante John , Mauvais-Jarvis Franck
Published: November 2021

Introduction

As of November 2021, COVID-19 has killed more than 5 million people globally, including over 750 000 in the USA. Apart from corticosteroids, most available therapeutic options are at best marginally efficient in reducing disease severity and are extremely expensive. The systematic investigation of clinically approved drugs is a priority to determine what does mitigate disease severity. Oestradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) produce a state of anti-inflammatory immune responses and immune tolerance, and enhanced antibody production. The goal of this trial is to evaluate the efficacy of a short E2 and P4 therapy, in addition to standard of care (SOC), in mitigating disease severity in COVID-19 hospitalised patients.

Methods and analysis

Phase 2, randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled, single-centre trial. Patients hospitalised for confirmed COVID-19, with scores 3–5 on the 9-point WHO ordinal scale are randomised between two arms: (1) Oestradiol cypionate intramuscular (IM) and micronised progesterone oral (PO), in addition to SOC, and (2) placebo, in addition to SOC. The primary outcome is the proportion of patients improving to scores 1 or 2 on the WHO scale through day 28. Secondary outcomes include length of hospital stay, duration of mechanical ventilation, cause of death, readmission rates, change in inflammatory biomarkers between admission and occurrence of primary endpoint, and adverse events. Study sample size will be up to 120 participants. The trial is currently recruiting subjects.

Ethics and dissemination

The sponsor of this study is the Center of Excellence in Sex-Based Biology & Medicine at Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Ethical approval was obtained from the Tulane institutional review board on 14 May 2021. The study was reviewed by the US Food and Drug Administration and granted Investigational New Drug #152 499. Results of the study will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

Trial registration number

NCT04865029; Pre-results.
Exploring patients’ experiences of analgesia after major lower limb amputation: a qualitative study
Authors: Milosevic Sarah , Strange Heather , Morgan Melanie , Ambler Graeme K , Bosanquet David C , Waldron Cherry-Ann , Thomas-Jones Emma , Harris Debbie , Twine Christopher P , Brookes-Howell Lucy
Published: December 2021

Objectives

To explore patient experiences, understanding and perceptions of analgesia following major lower limb amputation.

Design

Qualitative interview study, conducted as part of a randomised controlled feasibility trial.

Setting

Participants were recruited from two general hospitals in South Wales.

Participants

Interview participants were patients enrolled in PLACEMENT (Perineural Local Anaesthetic Catheter aftEr Major lowEr limb amputatioN Trial): a randomised controlled feasibility trial comparing the use of perineural catheter (PNC) versus standard care for postoperative pain relief following major lower limb amputation. PLACEMENT participants who completed 5-day postoperative follow-up, were able and willing to participate in a face-to-face interview, and had consented to be contacted, were eligible to take part in the qualitative study. A total of 20 interviews were conducted with 14 participants: 10 male and 4 female.

Methods

Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted with participants over two time points: (1) up to 1 month and (2) at least 6 months following amputation. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a framework approach.

Results

Interviews revealed unanticipated benefits of PNC usage for postoperative pain relief. Participants valued the localised and continuous nature of this mode of analgesia in comparison to opioids. Concerns about opioid dependence and side effects of pain relief medication were raised by participants in both treatment groups, with some reporting trying to limit their intake of analgesics.

Conclusions

Findings suggest routine placement of a PNC following major lower limb amputation could reduce postoperative pain, particularly for patient groups at risk of postoperative delirium. This method of analgesic delivery also has the potential to reduce preoperative anxiety, alleviate the burden of pain management and minimise opioid use. Future research could further examine the comparison between patient-controlled analgesia and continuous analgesia in relation to patient anxiety and satisfaction with pain management.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN: 85710690; EudraCT: 2016-003544-37.
Cohort study of the characteristics and outcomes in patients with COVID-19 and in-hospital cardiac arrest
Authors: Holm Astrid , Jerkeman Matilda , Sultanian Pedram , Lundgren Peter , Ravn-Fischer Annica , Israelsson Johan , Giesecke Jasna , Herlitz Johan , Rawshani Araz
Published: November 2021

Objective

We studied characteristics, survival, causes of cardiac arrest, conditions preceding cardiac arrest, predictors of survival and trends in the prevalence of COVID-19 among in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) cases.

Design and setting

Registry-based observational study.

Participants

We studied all cases (≥18 years of age) of IHCA receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the Swedish Registry for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation during 15 March 2020 to 31 December 2020. A total of 1613 patients were included and divided into the following groups: ongoing infection (COVID-19+;n=182), no infection (COVID-19–;n=1062) and unknown/not assessed (n=369).

Main outcomes and measures

We studied monthly trends in proportions of COVID-19 associated IHCAs, causes of IHCA in relation to COVID-19 status, clinical conditions preceding the cardiac arrest and predictors of survival.

Results

The rate of COVID-19+ patients suffering an IHCA increased to 23% during the first pandemic wave (April), then abated to 3% in July, and then increased to 19% during the second wave (December). Among COVID-19+ cases, 43% had respiratory insufficiency or infection as the underlying cause of the cardiac arrest, compared with 18% among COVID-19– cases. The most common clinical sign preceding cardiac arrest was hypoxia (57%) among COVID-19+ cases. OR for 30-day survival for COVID-19+ cases was 0.50 (95% CI 0.33 to 0.76), compared with COVID-19– cases.

Conclusion

During pandemic peaks, up to one-fourth of all IHCAs are complicated by COVID-19, and these patients have halved chance of survival, with women displaying the worst outcomes.
Psilocybin-assisted therapy for the treatment of resistant major depressive disorder (PsiDeR): protocol for a randomised, placebo-controlled feasibility trial
Authors: Rucker James , Jafari Hassan , Mantingh Tim , Bird Catherine , Modlin Nadav Liam , Knight Gemma , Reinholdt Frederick , Day Camilla , Carter Ben , Young Allan
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Psilocybin-assisted therapy may be a new treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD), with encouraging data from pilot trials. In this trial (short name: PsiDeR) we aimed to test the feasibility of a parallel-group, randomised, placebo-controlled design. The primary outcomes in this trial are measures of feasibility: recruitment rates, dropout rates and the variance of the primary outcome measure of depression.

Methods and analysis

We are recruiting up to 60 participants at a single centre in London, UK who are unresponsive to, or intolerant of, at least two evidence-based treatments for MDD. Participants are randomised to receive a single dosing session of 25 mg psilocybin or a placebo. All participants receive a package of psychological therapy. The primary outcome measure for depression is the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale collected by blinded, independent raters. The primary endpoint is at 3 weeks, and the total follow-up is 6 weeks. With further informed consent, this study collects neuroimaging and omics data for mechanism and biomarker analyses and offers participants an open label extension consisting of a further, open label dose of 25 mg of psilocybin.

Ethics and dissemination

All participants will be required to provide written informed consent. The trial has been authorised by the National Research Ethics Committee (20-LO/0206), Health Research Authority (252750) and Medicine’s and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (CTA 14523/0284/001-0001) in the UK. Dissemination of results will occur via a peer-reviewed publication and other relevant media.

Trial registration numbers

EUDRACT2018-003573-97;NCT04959253.
Mindfulness Integrated Cognitive Behavioural Intervention: Effects on Palliative Cancer Care Professionals
Authors: Kaur Amanpreet , Sharma Mahendra P , Chaturvedi Santosh K
Published: November 2021

Objective

Being a palliative cancer care professional is challenging and stressful. In recent decades, there has been more interest in mindfulness to improve overall well-being of healthcare professionals. Mindfulness integrated cognitive behavioural interventions (MICBI) are more practical, flexible and understandable than traditional psychological therapies alone. There is a dearth of studies in India with no psychological intervention in palliative cancer care professionals to date. The aim was to examine the effects of MICBI for professional care workers at palliative cancer care centres in Bengaluru city of Southern India.

Methods

A single group study design was adopted with pre, post and 3-month follow-up assessment with a sample of 25 participants working full-time at a hospice. The MICBI programme was for six sessions, once a week for 2–2.5 hours. Outcome variables were professional quality of life measures (burnout, secondary traumatic stress and compassion satisfaction), psychological well-being score and mindfulness skills score (assessed using Professional Quality of Life Scale-V.5, Psychological Well-Being Scale and Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire). Wilcoxon signed rank test and Friedman test analysed differences between pre, post and follow-up data.

Results

The MICBI could significantly reduce burnout and secondary traumatic stress; it improved compassion satisfaction, psychological well-being and mindfulness skills; treatment gains were maintained at 3 months follow-up.

Conclusions

MICBI was feasible and effective for palliative cancer care professionals with implications for training, practice and future research.

PROSPERO registration number

The study was registered under the Clinical Trials Registry- India (CTRI) (number: CTRI/2018/03/019170).
Online computing challenges: detector and read-out requirements
Authors: Brenner Richard , Leonidopoulos Christos
Published: December 2021

The operation at the Z-pole of the FCC-ee machine will deliver the highest possible instantaneous luminosities with the goal of collecting the largest Z boson datasets (Tera-Z), and enable a programme of standard model physics studies with unprecedented precision. The data acquisition and trigger systems of the FCC-ee experiments must be designed to be as unbiased and robust as possible, with the goal of containing the systematic uncertainties associated with these datasets at the smallest possible level, in order to not compromise the extremely small statistical uncertainties. In designing these experiments, we are confronted by questions on detector read-out speeds with an extremely tight material and power budget, trigger systems with a first hardware level or implemented exclusively on software, impact of background sources on event sizes, ultimate precision luminosity monitoring (to the $$10^{-5}$$

10

-
5

–$$10^{-4}$$

10

-
4

level) and sensitivity to a broad range of non-conventional exotic signatures, such as long-lived non-relativistic particles. We will review the various challenges on online selection for the most demanding Tera-Z running scenario and the constraints they pose on the design of FCC-ee detectors.
EVALUATING THE ROLE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN CAPITAL IN POVERTY REDUCTION AND INCLUSIVE GROWTH IN SOUTH ASIA
Authors: LI SICHENG , LI CEMEI , HASAN MOHAMMAD MARUF , MOUDUD-UL-HUQ SYED , IRAM ROBINA
Published: November 2021

Economic growth necessitates the development of human capital and education. It plays a critical and necessary role in the formulation of income distribution policies and alleviating poverty. This study investigates the relationship through ordinary least square (OLS), fully-modified OLS and dynamic OLS models using panel data from the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries from 1990 to 2018. According to the findings, imbalance plays an important role in influencing poverty and concludes that the government should embrace procedures that help improve pay distribution to reduce poverty at the strategy level. Furthermore, the findings state that a bi-directional Granger causality exists between schooling and poverty. In terms of strategy, SAARC countries should continue to increase the proportion of sustainable energy used for financial development, thereby decreasing the use of fossil energy for environmental improvements. Additionally, this study shows that the association of pay disparity hoses the positive effect of financial development on poverty, and it supports the contention that the degree of imbalance reduces the impact of comprehensiveness. Pay disparity is now a critical determinant of poverty.
A Knowledge-Based System for Children’s Music Teaching Strategies Based on the Inheritance of Local Music Culture in Southern Jiangsu
Authors: Su Li , Jiang Qing
Published: November 2021

In order to analyze the feasibility of integrating Sunan music into children’s music teaching through research, a knowledge-based system for children’s music teaching strategies based on case-based reasoning is proposed. The system can collect sufficient data and information, the exact orientation of piano learning, and the exact choice of teaching modes by questionnaires. Research data show that the vast majority of children like music teaching, and they like 76% more than they do not like, and more parents who express an indifferent attitude to music are 84% more than those who feel important. This experimental study shows that most teachers hold a positive attitude toward the development and use of folk music education resources in kindergartens, and parents do not have enough knowledge about folk music. The infiltration of excellent local culture in children’s music activities can improve students’ cultural literacy, let the new generation understand the tradition and the classics, and let children understand the local culture of southern Jiangsu and inherit the excellent culture of the Chinese nation through the understanding, feeling, and understanding of the local culture of southern Jiangsu. This is the new idea of local cultural heritage in southern Jiangsu and also the responsibility of kindergarten education.
TRANSITION AND LAMINAR FLOWS IN A REALISTIC GEOMETRY OF HUMAN UPPER AIRWAY
Authors: TABE REZA , RAFEE ROOHOLLAH , VALIPOUR MOHAMMAD SADEGH , AHMADI GOODARZ
Published: November 2021

In this study, a realistic respiratory airway model extending from oral to the end of the trachea including all the key details of the passage was produced. A series of CT scan images were used to generate the topological data of airway cross-sections that were used to generate the computational model, as well as the three-dimensional (3D) printed model of the passage for experimental study. The airflow velocity field and pressure drop in the airway for different breathing rates of 5, 7.5, 10, and 12.5[Formula: see text]L/min were investigated numerically (by laminar and transition models) and experimentally. The velocity distributions, pressure variation, and streamlines along the oral–trachea airway model were studied. The maximum pressure drop was shown to occur in the narrowest part of the larynx region. It was also concluded that the laryngeal jet could significantly influence the airway flow patterns in the trachea. A comparison between the numerical results and experimental data showed that the transition [Formula: see text]–kl–[Formula: see text] model can give better predictions of pressure losses, especially for flow rates higher than 10[Formula: see text]L/min. The simulation results for the velocity profiles in the trachea were also compared with the available particle image velocimetry (PIV) data and earlier simulations. Despite inter-personal variability and difference in the flow regime, the qualitative agreement was found.
Knowledge Management and Innovation Performance a Mediated-Moderation Model
Authors: Koster Ferry
Published: November 2021

This study aims at explaining innovation performance of organizations as a combination of resources and capabilities. This study starts with asking the question how the relationship between firm-specific knowledge and innovation performance can be explained. To answer this question, insights from the resource-based view (RBV) and the dynamic capabilities approach (DCA) are combined. This leads to a set of hypotheses. The first hypothesis states that knowledge-specificity and innovation performance are positively related. The second hypothesis states that organizational learning practices mediate the relationship between knowledge-specificity and innovation performance. Then, two contrasting hypotheses are formulated stating that the relationship between knowledge-specificity and organizational learning practices of organizations is strengthened or weakened by the level of autonomy. Together these hypotheses lead to a mediated-moderation model of knowledge-specificity and innovation performance. The model is tested using a mediated-moderation analysis on a sample of 673 private organizations in the Netherlands. The analyses show that there is a positive relationship between knowledge-specificity and innovation performance and that this relationship is mediated by the extent to which organizations apply learning practices. Hypotheses 1 and 2 are thus supported. Furthermore, the level of autonomy weakens the relationship between knowledge-specificity and organizational learning practices. This study’s main contribution lies in combining theoretical insights from the RBV and the DCA, applying them to the field of knowledge management, and testing them empirically. The analyses lead to two insights for organizations interested in increasing their innovation performance. First, investing in learning capabilities enhances innovation performance. Second, organizations based on general knowledge can grant work autonomy to employees to enhance their ability to learn.
Chen inequalities on lightlike hypersurfaces of a GRW spacetime
Authors: Poyraz Nergiz Önen
Published: November 2021

In this paper, we introduce [Formula: see text]-Ricci curvature and [Formula: see text]-scalar curvature on lightlike hypersurfaces of a GRW spacetime. Using these curvatures, we establish some inequalities for lightlike hypersurfaces of a GRW spacetime. Using these inequalities, we obtain some characterizations on lightlike hypersurfaces. We also get Chen–Ricci inequality and Chen inequality on a screen homothetic lightlike hypersurfaces of a GRW spacetime.
Gravitational collapse of compact stars in f(R) = ξR4 gravity
Authors: Solanki Jay
Published: November 2021

In this paper, model of gravitational collapse of anisotropic compact stars in a new theory of [Formula: see text] gravity has been developed. The author considers the modified gravity model of [Formula: see text] to investigate a physically acceptable model of gravitational collapse of anisotropic compact stars. First, the author presents a brief review of the development of field equations of gravitational collapse in [Formula: see text] gravity for a particular interior metric for compact stars. Then analytical solutions for various physical quantities of collapsing anisotropic compact stars in [Formula: see text] gravity have been developed. By analyzing plots of various physical parameters and conditions, it is shown that the model is physically acceptable for describing the gravitational collapse of anisotropic compact stars in [Formula: see text] gravity.
Fukaya A∞-structures associated to Lefschetz fibrations. V
Authors: Seidel Paul
Published: November 2021

We (re)consider how the Fukaya category of a Lefschetz fibration is related to that of the fiber. The distinguishing feature of the approach here is a more direct identification of the bimodule homomorphism involved.
Deep Siamese Metric Learning: A Highly Scalable Approach to Searching Unordered Sets of Trajectories
Authors: Löffler Christoffer , Reeb Luca , Dzibela Daniel , Marzilger Robert , Witt Nicolas , Eskofier Björn M. , Mutschler Christopher
Published: November 2021

This work proposes metric learning for fast similarity-based scene retrieval of unstructured ensembles of trajectory data from large databases. We present a novel representation learning approach using Siamese Metric Learning that approximates a distance preserving low-dimensional representation and that learns to estimate reasonable solutions to the assignment problem. To this end, we employ a Temporal Convolutional Network architecture that we extend with a gating mechanism to enable learning from sparse data, leading to solutions to the assignment problem exhibiting varying degrees of sparsity.

Our experimental results on professional soccer tracking data provides insights on learned features and embeddings, as well as on generalization, sensitivity, and network architectural considerations. Our low approximation errors for learned representations and the interactive performance with retrieval times several magnitudes smaller shows that we outperform previous state of the art.
Let Trajectories Speak Out the Traffic Bottlenecks
Authors: Luo Hui , Bao Zhifeng , Cong Gao , Culpepper J. Shane , Khoa Nguyen Lu Dang
Published: November 2021

Traffic bottlenecks
are a set of road segments that have an unacceptable level of traffic caused by a poor balance between road capacity and traffic volume. A huge volume of trajectory data which captures realtime traffic conditions in road networks provides promising new opportunities to identify the traffic bottlenecks. In this paper, we define this problem as
trajectory-driven traffic bottleneck identification
: Given a road network
R
, a trajectory database
T
, find a representative set of seed edges of size
K
of traffic bottlenecks that influence the highest number of road segments not in the seed set. We show that this problem is NP-hard and propose a framework to find the traffic bottlenecks as follows. First, a traffic spread model is defined which represents changes in traffic volume for each road segment over time. Then, the traffic
diffusion probability
between two connected segments and the
residual ratio
of traffic volume for each segment can be computed using historical trajectory data. We then propose two different algorithmic approaches to solve the problem. The first one is a best-first algorithm

BF

, with an approximation ratio of 1-1/
e
. To further accelerate the identification process in larger datasets, we also propose a sampling-based greedy algorithm
SG
. Finally, comprehensive experiments using three different datasets compare and contrast various solutions, and provide insights into important efficiency and effectiveness trade-offs among the respective methods.
Optimal Bounds for the
k
-cut Problem
Authors: Gupta Anupam , Harris David G. , Lee Euiwoong , Li Jason
Published: November 2021

In the
k
-cut problem, we want to find the lowest-weight set of edges whose deletion breaks a given (multi)graph into
k
connected components. Algorithms of Karger and Stein can solve this in roughly
O
(
n

2k

) time. However, lower bounds from conjectures about the
k
-clique problem imply that Ω (
n

(1-
o
(1))
k

) time is likely needed. Recent results of Gupta, Lee, and Li have given new algorithms for general
k
-cut in
n
1.98k + O(1)
time, as well as specialized algorithms with better performance for certain classes of graphs (e.g., for small integer edge weights).

In this work, we resolve the problem for general graphs. We show that the Contraction Algorithm of Karger outputs any fixed
k
-cut of weight α λ
k
with probability Ω
k
(
n
-

α
k

), where λ
k
denotes the minimum
k
-cut weight. This also gives an extremal bound of

O
k

(

n
k

) on the number of minimum
k
-cuts and an algorithm to compute λ
k
with roughly

n
k

polylog(
n
) runtime. Both are tight up to lower-order factors, with the algorithmic lower bound assuming hardness of max-weight
k
-clique.

The first main ingredient in our result is an extremal bound on the number of cuts of weight less than 2 λ

k

/
k
, using the Sunflower lemma. The second ingredient is a fine-grained analysis of how the graph shrinks—and how the average degree evolves—in the Karger process.
A Survey of AIOps Methods for Failure Management
Authors: Notaro Paolo , Cardoso Jorge , Gerndt Michael
Published: November 2021

Modern society is increasingly moving toward complex and distributed computing systems. The increase in scale and complexity of these systems challenges O&M teams that perform daily monitoring and repair operations, in contrast with the increasing demand for reliability and scalability of modern applications. For this reason, the study of automated and intelligent monitoring systems has recently sparked much interest across applied IT industry and academia. Artificial Intelligence for IT Operations (AIOps) has been proposed to tackle modern IT administration challenges thanks to Machine Learning, AI, and Big Data. However, AIOps as a research topic is still largely unstructured and unexplored, due to missing conventions in categorizing contributions for their data requirements, target goals, and components. In this work, we focus on AIOps for Failure Management (FM), characterizing and describing 5 different categories and 14 subcategories of contributions, based on their time intervention window and the target problem being solved. We review 100 FM solutions, focusing on applicability requirements and the quantitative results achieved, to facilitate an effective application of AIOps solutions. Finally, we discuss current development problems in the areas covered by AIOps and delineate possible future trends for AI-based failure management.
How Members of Covert Networks Conceal the Identities of Their Leaders
Authors: Waniek Marcin , Michalak Tomasz P. , Wooldridge Michael , Rahwan Talal
Published: November 2021

Centrality measures are the most commonly advocated social network analysis tools for identifying leaders of covert organizations. While the literature has predominantly focused on studying the effectiveness of existing centrality measures or developing new ones, we study the problem from the opposite perspective, by focusing on how a group of leaders can avoid being identified by centrality measures as key members of a covert network. More specifically, we analyze the problem of choosing a set of edges to be added to a network to decrease the leaders’ ranking according to three fundamental centrality measures, namely, degree, closeness, and betweenness. We prove that this problem is NP-complete for each measure. Moreover, we study how the leaders can construct a network from scratch, designed specifically to keep them hidden from centrality measures. We identify a network structure that not only guarantees to hide the leaders to a certain extent but also allows them to spread their influence across the network.
Comparative Politics in Borderlands: Actors, Identities, and Strategies
Authors: Braun Robert , Kienitz Otto
Published: November 2021

Comparativists are increasingly researching national border regions. Yet the distinct way in which proximity to borders independently shapes politics is rarely theorized explicitly. Drawing on the emerging subdiscipline of border studies, we identify three types of border effects: Borders involve specific actors, shape local identities, and provide distinct strategies, each of which directly affects key areas of comparative politics. An in-depth review of work on political violence and state formation shows that specifying these effects ( a) demands that comparativists consider the ways in which borderlands differ from other regions and be careful in attributing processes found there to nations as a whole, ( b) improves theories by elucidating scope conditions, and ( c) scrutinizes the validity of our research designs and measurement strategies. We end with a call to move from a comparative politics in border regions to a comparative politics of border regions that contextualizes how borders alter political processes.
The American Political Economy: Markets, Power, and the Meta Politics of US Economic Governance
Authors: Hacker Jacob S. , Hertel-Fernandez Alexander , Pierson Paul , Thelen Kathleen
Published: December 2021

This article provides an overview of the emerging field of American political economy (APE). Methodologically eclectic, this field seeks to understand the interaction of markets and government in America's unequal and polarized polity. Though situated within American politics research, APE draws from comparative political economy to develop a broad approach that departs from the American politics mainstream in two main ways. First, APE focuses on the interaction of markets and governance, a peripheral concern in much American politics research. Second, it invokes a theoretical orientation attentive to what we call meta politics—the processes of institution shaping, agenda setting, and venue shopping that unfold before and alongside the more visible processes of mass politics that figure so centrally in American politics research. These substantive and theoretical differences expand the study of American politics into neglected yet vital domains, generating fresh insights into the United States’ distinctive mix of capitalism and democracy.
Historical Persistence
Authors: Cirone Alexandra , Pepinsky Thomas B.
Published: November 2021

This article reviews the literature on historical persistence in political science and the related social sciences. Historical persistence refers to causal effects that ( a) operate over time scales of a decade or more and ( b) explain spatial variation in political, economic, or social outcomes. Although political scientists have always drawn from history, the historical persistence literature represents a new approach to historical research in the social sciences that places a premium on credible research designs for causal inference. We discuss regional and national coverage, state-of-the-art research designs, analytical and inferential challenges, and mechanisms and theories of persistence, drawing broadly from the contemporary literature in political science and economics.
Insulin resistance induced by long-term sleep deprivation in rhesus macaques can be attenuated by Bifidobacterium
Authors: Zhao Ying , Shu Yan , Zhao Ning , Zhou Zili , Jia Xiong , Jian Chenxing , Jin Si
Published: November 2021

Our findings demonstrated that long-term sleep deprivation is closely associated with metabolic syndromes. Bifidobacterium administration showed a superior effect on insulin resistance caused by sleep deprivation. Overall, we provide prevention and treatment methods for long-term sleep deprivation, a bad lifestyle habit among specific occupational practitioners, such as irregular shift workers.
Dysregulation of the sensory and regulatory pathways controlling cellular iron metabolism in unilateral obstructive nephropathy
Authors: Votava James A. , Reese Shannon R. , Deck Kathryn M. , Nizzi Christopher P. , Anderson Sheila A. , Djamali Arjang , Eisenstein Richard S.
Published: November 2021

This study demonstrates that iron metabolism and hypoxia signaling are dysregulated in unilateral obstructive nephropathy. Expression of IRPs, central regulators of cellular iron metabolism, and the iron uptake (transferrin receptor 1) and storage (ferritins) proteins they target is strongly altered. This suggests a role of IRPs in previously observed changes in iron metabolism in progressive renal disease. Hypoxia signaling is disrupted and appeared to dominate the action of IRP1 in controlling erythropoietin expression.
The Opto-Respiratory Compromise: Balancing Oxygen Supply and Light Transmittance in the Retina
Authors: Damsgaard Christian , Country Michael W.
Published: November 2021

The light-absorbing retina has an exceptionally high oxygen demand, which imposes two conflicting needs: high rates of blood perfusion and an unobstructed light path devoid of blood vessels. This review discusses mechanisms and physiological trade-offs underlying retinal oxygen supply in vertebrates and examines how these physiological systems supported the evolution of vision.
Treadmill Exercise Training Ameliorates Functional and Structural Age-Associated Kidney Changes in Male Albino Rats
Authors: Salem Heba R. , Faried Manar A.
Published: November 2021

Aging is a biological process that impacts multiple organs. Unfortunately, kidney aging affects the quality of life with high mortality rate. So, searching for innovative nonpharmacological modality improving age-associated kidney deterioration is important. This study aimed to throw more light on the beneficial effect of treadmill exercise on the aged kidney. Thirty male albino rats were divided into three groups: young (3-4 months old), sedentary aged (23-24 months old), and exercised aged (23-24 months old, practiced moderate-intensity treadmill exercise 5 days/week for 8 weeks). The results showed marked structural alterations in the aged kidney with concomitant impairment of kidney functions and increase in arterial blood pressure with no significant difference in kidney weight. Also, it revealed that treadmill exercise alleviated theses effects in exercised aged group with reduction of urea and cystatin C. Exercise training significantly decreased glomerulosclerosis index, tubular injury score, and % area of collagen deposition. Treadmill exercise exerted its beneficial role via a significant reduction of C-reactive protein and malondialdehyde and increase in total antioxidant capacity. In addition, exercise training significantly decreased desmin immunoreaction and increased aquaporin-3, vascular endothelial growth factor, and beclin-1 in the aged kidney. This study clarified that treadmill exercise exerted its effects via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, podocyte protection, improving aquaporin-3 and vascular endothelial growth factor expression, and inducing autophagy in the aged kidney. This work provided a new insight into the promising role of aerobic exercise to ameliorate age-associated kidney damage.
Publicly Verifiable M + 1st-Price Auction Fit for IoT with Minimum Storage
Authors: Hsu Po-Chu , Miyaji Atsuko
Published: November 2021

In an

M
+
1

st-price auction, all bidders submit their bids simultaneously, and the

M

highest bidders purchase

M

identical goods at the

M
+
1

st bidding price. Previous research is constructed based on trusted managers such as a trusted third party (TTP), trusted mix servers, and honest managers. All of the previous auctions are not fit for edge-assisted IoT since they need TTP. In this paper, we formalize a notion of commutative bi-homomorphic multiparty encryption and achieve no-TTP

M
+
1

-st auction based on blockchain with public verifiability. Our

M
+
1

st auction guarantees financial fairness, robustness, and correctness without TTP and is secure under a malicious model for the first time. Our

M
+
1

st auction can be executed over a distributed network and is thus fit for edge-assisted IoT. Furthermore, our formalized commutative bi-homomorphic multiparty encryption can be used in various applications for edge-assisted IoT, which needs to protect privacy and correctness.
Poly(vinyl alcohol) Hydrogels: The Old and New Functional Materials
Authors: Wang Menghan , Bai Jianzhong , Shao Kan , Tang Wenwei , Zhao Xueling , Lin Donghai , Huang Shan , Chen Cheng , Ding Zheng , Ye Jiayi
Published: December 2021

Hydrogels have three-dimensional network structures, high water content, good flexibility, biocompatibility, and stimulation response, which have provided a unique role in many fields such as industry, agriculture, and medical treatment. Poly(vinyl alcohol) PVA hydrogel is one of the oldest composite hydrogels. It has been extensively explored due to its chemical stability, nontoxic, good biocompatibility, biological aging resistance, high water-absorbing capacity, and easy processing. PVA-based hydrogels have been widely investigated in drug carriers, articular cartilage, wound dressings, tissue engineering, and other intelligent materials, such as self-healing and shape-memory materials, supercapacitors, sensors, and other fields. In this paper, the discovery, development, preparation, modification methods, and applications of PVA functionalized hydrogels are reviewed, and their potential applications and future research trends are also prospected.
Efficacy of Bladder Intravesical Chemotherapy with Three Drugs for Preventing Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer Recurrence
Authors: Zhang Jianglei , Li Miao , Chen Ze , OuYang Jun , Ling Zhixin
Published: November 2021

Epirubicin, gemcitabine, and pirarubicin are widely used as first-line drugs for intravesical chemotherapy to prevent tumor recurrence after transurethral bladder tumor resection for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). However, which drug is better is less discussed. A total of 335 NMIBC patients administered intravesical chemotherapy underwent transurethral bladder tumor resection (TURBT) in our hospital from October 2015 to October 2019. After TURBT, all the patients received standard intravesical chemotherapy. Through clinical data collection and telephone follow-up, the tumor recurrence and adverse reactions of all patients after bladder perfusion treatment were counted. Recurrence was defined as new tumor appearance in the bladder. Of the 335 patients who underwent intravesical chemotherapy, 109 patients received epirubicin and 114 patients and 112 patients were given gemcitabine and pirarubicin, respectively. According to the general information of the patients, the patients were divided into intermediate-risk and high-risk bladder cancer and compared separately. There was no statistical difference in clinical and pathological features between different groups (

P
>
0.05

). The recurrence rate of intermediate-risk bladder cancer patients shows no difference between three groups (

P
>
0.05

). As for the high-risk bladder cancer patients, it is found that the 1-year recurrence rate between three groups was not statistically significant (

P
>
0.05

), whereas the 2-year recurrence rate of patients given gemcitabine (9.87%) was significantly lower than that of epirubicin (25.37%) and pirarubicin (24.32%), and the difference was statistically significant (

P
<
0.017

, Bonferroni adjusted

P

value). The Kaplan–Meier survival curves showed that the recurrence-free survival rate of patients received gemcitabine was significantly higher than that of the other two groups. Comparing the incidence of adverse reactions during the infusion of the three groups of patients, the differences were not statistically significant (

P
>
0.05

). In patients with high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, the application of gemcitabine intravesical chemotherapy is related with a relatively lower recurrence rate but similar incidence of adverse reactions.