bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rebooting consent in the digital age: a governance framework for health data exchange
Authors: Saksena Nivedita , Matthan Rahul , Bhan Anant , Balsari Satchit
Published: July 2021

In August 2020, India announced its vision for the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM), a federated national digital health exchange where digitised data generated by healthcare providers will be exported via application programme interfaces to the patient’s electronic personal health record. The NDHM architecture is initially expected to be a claims platform for the national health insurance programme ‘Ayushman Bharat’ that serves 500 million people. Such large-scale digitisation and mobility of health data will have significant ramifications on care delivery, population health planning, as well as on the rights and privacy of individuals. Traditional mechanisms that seek to protect individual autonomy through patient consent will be inadequate in a digitised ecosystem where processed data can travel near instantaneously across various nodes in the system and be combined, aggregated, or even re-identified.

In this paper we explore the limitations of ‘informed’ consent that is sought either when data are collected or when they are ported across the system. We examine the merits and limitations of proposed alternatives like the fiduciary framework that imposes accountability on those that use the data; privacy by design principles that rely on technological safeguards against abuse; or regulations. Our recommendations combine complementary approaches in light of the evolving jurisprudence in India and provide a generalisable framework for health data exchange that balances individual rights with advances in data science.
Protocol for DexEnceph: a randomised controlled trial of dexamethasone therapy in adults with herpes simplex virus encephalitis
Authors: Whitfield Thomas , Fernandez Cristina , Davies Kelly , Defres Sylviane , Griffiths Michael , Hooper Cory , Tangney Rebecca , Burnside Girvan , Rosala- Hallas Anna , Moore Perry , Das Kumar , Zuckerman Mark , Parkes Laura , Keller Simon , Roberts Neil , Easton Ava , Touati Saber , Kneen Rachel , Stahl J P , Solomon Tom
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis is a rare severe form of brain inflammation that commonly leaves survivors and their families with devastating long-term consequences. The virus particularly targets the temporal lobe of the brain causing debilitating problems in memory, especially verbal memory. It is postulated that immunomodulation with the corticosteroid, dexamethasone, could improve outcomes by reducing brain swelling. However, there are concerns (so far not observed) that such immunosuppression might facilitate increased viral replication with resultant worsening of disease. A previous trail closed early because of slow recruitment.

Method

DexEnceph is a pragmatic multicentre, randomised, controlled, open-label, observer-blind trial to determine whether adults with HSV encephalitis who receive dexamethasone alongside standard antiviral treatment with aciclovir for have improved clinical outcomes compared with those who receive standard treatment alone. Overall, 90 patients with HSV encephalitis are being recruited from a target of 45 recruiting sites; patients are randomised 1:1 to the dexamethasone or control arms of the study. The primary outcome measured is verbal memory as assessed by the Weschler Memory Scale fourth edition Auditory Memory Index at 26 weeks after randomisation. Secondary outcomes are measured up to 72 weeks include additional neuropsychological, clinical and functional outcomes as well as comparison of neuroimaging findings. Patient safety monitoring occurs throughout and includes the detection of HSV DNA in cerebrospinal fluid 2 weeks after randomisation, which is indicative of ongoing viral replication. Innovative methods are being used to ensure recrutiment targets are met for this rare disease.

Discussion

DexEnceph aims to be the first completed randomised controlled trial of corticosteroid therapy in HSV encephalitis. The results will provide evidence for future practice in managing adults with the condition and has the potential to improve outcomes .

Ethics and dissemination

The trial has ethical approval from the UK National Research Ethics Committee (Liverpool Central, REF: 15/NW/0545, 10 August 2015). Protocol V.2.1, July 2019. The results will be published and presented as soon as possible on completion.

Trial registration numbers

ISRCTN11774734, EUDRACT 2015-001609-16.
Potential impact of intervention strategies on COVID-19 transmission in Malawi: a mathematical modelling study
Authors: Mangal Tara , Whittaker Charlie , Nkhoma Dominic , Ng'ambi Wingston , Watson Oliver , Walker Patrick , Ghani Azra , Revill Paul , Colbourn Timothy , Phillips Andrew , Hallett Timothy , Mfutso-Bengo Joseph
Published: July 2021

Background

COVID-19 mitigation strategies have been challenging to implement in resource-limited settings due to the potential for widespread disruption to social and economic well-being. Here we predict the clinical severity of COVID-19 in Malawi, quantifying the potential impact of intervention strategies and increases in health system capacity.

Methods

The infection fatality ratios (IFR) were predicted by adjusting reported IFR for China, accounting for demography, the current prevalence of comorbidities and health system capacity. These estimates were input into an age-structured deterministic model, which simulated the epidemic trajectory with non-pharmaceutical interventions and increases in health system capacity.

Findings

The predicted population-level IFR in Malawi, adjusted for age and comorbidity prevalence, is lower than that estimated for China (0.26%, 95% uncertainty interval (UI) 0.12%–0.69%, compared with 0.60%, 95% CI 0.4% to 1.3% in China); however, the health system constraints increase the predicted IFR to 0.83%, 95% UI 0.49%–1.39%. The interventions implemented in January 2021 could potentially avert 54 400 deaths (95% UI 26 900–97 300) over the course of the epidemic compared with an unmitigated outbreak. Enhanced shielding of people aged ≥60 years could avert 40 200 further deaths (95% UI 25 300–69 700) and halve intensive care unit admissions at the peak of the outbreak. A novel therapeutic agent which reduces mortality by 0.65 and 0.8 for severe and critical cases, respectively, in combination with increasing hospital capacity, could reduce projected mortality to 2.5 deaths per 1000 population (95% UI 1.9–3.6).

Conclusion

We find the interventions currently used in Malawi are unlikely to effectively prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission but will have a significant impact on mortality. Increases in health system capacity and the introduction of novel therapeutics are likely to further reduce the projected numbers of deaths.
Relationship between osteonecrosis and antiphospholipid antibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Wei Qijiao , Zhou Meng , Liu Jianwen , Zhang Shengli , Gao Fei , Lin He , Chen Zhihan
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Osteonecrosis (ON) is characterised by the destruction of the normal blood supply to the bone tissue. ON is the main cause of disability in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Studies have reported the existence of many risk factors for SLE complicated by ON, including the use of high-dose glucocorticoids and high disease activity. The correlation between antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) and ON in SLE has been controversial. We aim to conduct a systematic review of the literature related to SLE, aseptic ON and aPLs, to provide a reference for the clinical screening of high-risk patients and for early prevention.

Methods and analysis

The following six databases will be searched: MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Wan-Fang Database and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. The database searches will not be restricted by date. Case–control studies, cohort studies or observational studies that compare aPLs between SLE patients with and without ON will be considered eligible. Articles published in English and Chinese will be included. Two researchers will independently perform the processes of study selection, data extraction and study quality assessment. The Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale will be used to assess the quality of the retrieved studies. A meta-analysis will be performed after screening the studies. Data will be analysed using ORs for dichotomous data.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required because this systematic review will use published data. The systematic review will be electronically disseminated through a peer-reviewed publication or conference presentations.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020209637.
United Kingdom Research study into Ethnicity And COVID-19 outcomes in Healthcare workers (UK-REACH): a retrospective cohort study using linked routinely collected data, study protocol
Authors: Teece Lucy , Gray Laura J , Melbourne Carl , Orton Chris , Ford David V , Martin Christopher A , McAllister David , Khunti Kamlesh , Tobin Martin , John Catherine , Abrams Keith R , Pareek Manish
Published: July 2021

Introduction

COVID-19 has spread rapidly worldwide, causing significant morbidity and mortality. People from ethnic minorities, particularly those working in healthcare settings, have been disproportionately affected. Current evidence of the association between ethnicity and COVID-19 outcomes in people working in healthcare settings is insufficient to inform plans to address health inequalities.

Methods and analysis

This study combines anonymised human resource databases with professional registration and National Health Service data sets to assess associations between ethnicity and COVID-19 diagnosis, hospitalisation and death in healthcare workers in the UK. Adverse COVID-19 outcomes will be assessed between 1 February 2020 (date following first confirmed COVID-19 case in UK) and study end date (31 January 2021), allowing 1-year of follow-up. Planned analyses include multivariable Poisson, logistic and flexible parametric time-to-event regression within each country, adjusting for core predictors, followed by meta-analysis of country-specific results to produce combined effect estimates for the UK. Mediation analysis methods will be explored to examine the direct, indirect and mediated interactive effects between ethnicity, occupational group and COVID-19 outcomes.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval for the UK-REACH programme has been obtained via the expedited HRA COVID-19 processes (REC ref: 20/HRA/4718, IRAS ID: 288316). Research information will be anonymised via the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage Databank before release to researchers. Study results will be submitted for publication in an open access peer-reviewed journal and made available on our dedicated website (https://uk-reach.org/).

Trial registration number

ISRCTN11811602.
Effects of high-load and low-load resistance training in patients with coronary artery disease: rationale and design of a randomised controlled clinical trial
Authors: Kambic Tim , Šarabon Nejc , Hadžić Vedran , Lainscak Mitja
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Resistance training (RT) combined with aerobic training (AT) enhances the effects of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, it remains to be investigated which type of RT (high loads (HLs) vs low loads (LLs)) is more efficacious in improving exercise performance, cardio-metabolic health and quality of life.

Methods and analysis

A randomised, controlled, clinical trial will enrol 20 patients with CAD into each of three study arms (total 60 patients): HL-RT (70%–80% of one repetition maximum (1-RM)) combined with AT; LL-RT (30%–40% of 1-RM) combined with AT and AT alone as standard care. Primary outcomes (maximal aerobic capacity, maximal leg isometric strength) will be assessed at baseline and after 36 training sessions. Other outcomes will include acute haemodynamic responses to LL-RT and HL-RT, body composition, physical performance, blood biomarkers (lipids, glucose metabolism, inflammation, growth factors), physical activity and quality of life. The intention-to-treat principle will be used to analyse the data.

Ethics and dissemination

The study design and protocol have been approved by the National Medical Ethics Committee of Slovenia (registration number: 0120-573/2019/15). The study will be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. The results of the study will be published as peer-reviewed manuscripts and congress presentations, communicated with patients and the clinical community, and shared through posts on social media. The findings of the study will be disseminated among the national CR clinical community (CR centres, Slovenian association of coronary clubs) with active participation of the patients enrolled in the study. This study will expand our knowledge of RT in combination with AT in CR. We expect to find different effects of HL-RT versus LL-RT, with implications for RT strategies in rehabilitation of patients with CAD.

Trial registration number

NCT04638764.
Early essential newborn care is associated with improved newborn outcomes following caesarean section births in a tertiary hospital in Da Nang, Vietnam: a pre/post-intervention study
Authors: Tran Hoang Thi , Murray John Charles Scott , Sobel Howard Lawrence , Mannava Priya , Huynh Le Thi , Nguyen Phuong Thi Thu , Giang Hoang Thi Nam , Le Tuyen Thi Mong , Hoang Tuan Anh , Nguyen Vinh Duc , Li Zhao , Pham Nga Thi Quynh
Published: July 2021

Background

To improve maternal and neonatal outcomes, Vietnam implemented early essential newborn care (EENC) using clinical coaching and quality improvement self-assessments in hospitals to introduce policy, practice and environmental changes. Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children began EENC with caesarean section births to inform development of national guidelines. This study compared newborn outcomes after caesarean sections pre/post-EENC introduction.

Methods

Maternity records of all live in-born hospital caesarean births and separate case records of the subpopulation admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were reviewed pre-EENC (November 2013–October 2014) and post-EENC (November 2014–October 2015) implementation. NICU admissions and adverse outcomes on NICU admission were compared using descriptive statistics.

Findings

A total of 16 927 newborns were delivered by caesarean section: 7928 (46.8%) pre-EENC and 8999 post-EENC (53.2%). Total NICU admissions decreased from 16.7% to 11.8% (relative risk 0.71; 95% CI 0.66 to 0.76) after introduction of EENC. Compared with the pre-EENC period, babies with hypothermia on admission to the NICU declined from 5.0% to 3.7% (relative risk 0.73; 95% CI 0.63 to 0.84) and cases of sepsis from 3.2% to 0.8% (relative risk 0.26; 95% CI 0.20 to 0.33) post-EENC implementation. While more than half of all newborns in the NICU were fed something other than breastmilk pre-EENC introduction, 85.8% were exclusively breast fed post-EENC (relative risk 1.86; 95% CI 1.75 to 1.98). Preterm newborns <2000 g receiving kangaroo mother care (KMC) increased from 50% to 67% (relative risk 1.33; 95% CI 1.12 to 1.59).

Conclusion

The EENC quality improvement approach with caesarean section births was associated with reduced NICU admissions, admissions with hypothermia and sepsis, and increased rates of exclusive breast feeding and KMC in the NICU.
Substitutions of physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep: associations with mental health in middle-aged and elderly persons
Authors: Hofman Amy , Voortman Trudy , Ikram M. Arfan , Luik Annemarie I
Published: July 2021

Background

Physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep are potential risk factors of mental health disorders, but previous studies have not considered the dependency between these activity domains. Therefore, we examined the associations of reallocations of time among older adults’ physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep with depressive and anxiety symptoms using compositional isotemporal substitution analyses.

Methods

We included 1943 participants (mean age 71 years, SD: 9; 52% women) from the population-based Rotterdam Study. Between 2011 and 2016, we collected accelerometer data (mean duration 5.8 days, SD: 0.4) on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep and self-reported data on depressive symptoms and anxiety.

Results

A reallocation of 30 min more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was associated with a −0.55 (95% CI −1.04 to −0.06) points lower depressive symptoms score when replacing sleep and a −0.59 (95% CI −1.06 to −0.12) points lower score when replacing sedentary behaviour, but not when replacing light physical activity (−0.70, 95% CI −1.63 to 0.24). No associations were found for anxiety.

Conclusion

Replacing sedentary behaviour or sleep with more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was associated with less depressive symptoms, suggesting that mainly intensive types of physical activity are important for middle-aged and older adults in relation to depressive symptoms.
ATM/NEMO signaling modulates the expression of PD-L1 following docetaxel chemotherapy in prostate cancer
Authors: Wang Zongren , Zhang Xueling , Li Wuguo , Su Qiao , Huang Zhaoyang , Zhang Xinyao , Chen Haiqi , Mo Chengqiang , Huang Bin , Ou Wei , Chen Junxing , Zhao Guangyin , Chen Lingwu , Shao Lan
Published: July 2021

Background

The efficacy of docetaxel-based chemotherapy is limited by the development of drug resistance. Recent studies demonstrated the efficacy of anti-programmed death-1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) immunotherapies in metastatic prostate cancer. The ataxia telangiectasia mutation (ATM) protein plays a crucial role in maintaining genome stability and function of mitosis. Here, we aimed to determine whether PD-1/PD-L1 signaling contributes to the resistance to DTX and to elucidate the mechanism underlying DTX-induced PD-L1 expression.

Methods

In this retrospective study, PD-L1 expression was analyzed in 33 tumor tissue samples from prostate cancer patients. Prostate cell lines were used to perform functional assays and examine underlying mechanisms in vitro. A fully mouse prostate cancer model and a humanized chimeric mouse bearing human prostate tumors and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were used for in vivo assays.

Results

We have shown that DTX, a chemotherapeutic drug which causing microtubule interference, could significantly induce the expression of PD-L1 in prostate cancer cells. This effect is blocked by the inhibition of ATM, suggesting that it plays an essential role in PD-L1 expression upregulated by DTX. Mechanistic studies have shown that ATM activity in cancer cells enhances the stability of the NF-κB essential modulator (NEMO), which leading to an increase in the NF-κB activity and PD-L1 expression. Using the mouse model, it was further demonstrated that a combination of ATM and NEMO inhibitors along with DTX augmented the antitumor efficacy of chemotherapy, which are comparable to that of PD-L1 antibody.

Conclusions

Our findings have revealed that a previously unrecognized ATM-NEMO signaling which induced by DTX is capable of suppressing tumor immunity by activating the expression of PD-L1, suggesting that the ATM-NEMO-NF-κB axis can be exploited to restore the immune balance and overcome cancer resistance triggered by DTX.

Graphic Abstract: supplementary file 1
Antiviral antibody responses to systemic administration of an oncolytic RNA virus: the impact of standard concomitant anticancer chemotherapies
Authors: Roulstone Victoria , Mansfield David , Harris Robert J , Twigger Katie , White Christine , de Bono Johann , Spicer James , Karagiannis Sophia N , Vile Richard , Pandha Hardev , Melcher Alan , Harrington Kevin
Published: July 2021

Background

Oncolytic reovirus therapy for cancer induces a typical antiviral response to this RNA virus, including neutralizing antibodies. Concomitant treatment with cytotoxic chemotherapies has been hypothesized to improve the therapeutic potential of the virus. Chemotherapy side effects can include immunosuppression, which may slow the rate of the antiviral antibody response, as well as potentially make the patient more vulnerable to viral infection.

Method

Reovirus neutralizing antibody data were aggregated from separate phase I clinical trials of reovirus administered as a single agent or in combination with gemcitabine, docetaxel, carboplatin and paclitaxel doublet or cyclophosphamide. In addition, the kinetics of individual antibody isotypes were profiled in sera collected in these trials.

Results

These data demonstrate preserved antiviral antibody responses, with only moderately reduced kinetics with some drugs, most notably gemcitabine. All patients ultimately produced an effective neutralizing antibody response.

Conclusion

Patients’ responses to infection by reovirus are largely unaffected by the concomitant drug treatments tested, providing confidence that RNA viral treatment or infection is compatible with standard of care treatments.
Predictive value of 3′-deoxy-3′-18F-fluorothymidine PET in the early response to anti-programmed death-1 therapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Sato Masayuki , Umeda Yukihiro , Tsujikawa Tetsuya , Mori Tetsuya , Morikawa Miwa , Anzai Masaki , Waseda Yuko , Kadowaki Maiko , Kiyono Yasushi , Okazawa Hidehiko , Ishizuka Tamotsu
Published: July 2021

Background

Anti-programmed death-1 (anti-PD-1) therapy has shown clinical success in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, it is difficult to evaluate the early response to anti-PD-1 therapy. We determined whether changes in 3′-deoxy-3′-[18F]-fluorothymidine (18F-FLT) PET parameters before and soon after treatment initiation predicted the therapeutic effect of anti-PD-1 antibody.

Methods

Twenty-six patients with advanced NSCLC treated with anti-PD-1 antibody were enrolled prospectively and underwent18F-FLT PET before and at 2 and 6 weeks after treatment initiation. Changes in maximal standardized uptake value (ΔSUVmax), proliferative tumor volume (ΔPTV) and total lesion proliferation (ΔTLP) of the lesions were calculated and evaluated for their associations with the clinical response to therapy.

Results

The disease control rate was 64%. Patients with non-progressive disease (non-PD) had significantly decreased TLP at 2 weeks, and decreased SUVmax, PTV, and TLP at 6 weeks, compared with those with PD, while three of eight (37.5%) patients who responded had increased TLP from baseline at 2 weeks (ie, pseudoprogression). Among the parameters that changed between baseline and 2 weeks, ΔPTV0-2 and ΔTLP0-2 had the highest accuracy (76.0%) to predict PD. Among the parameters that changed between baseline and 6 weeks, ΔSUVmax0-6, ΔPTV0-6 and ΔTLP0-6 had the highest accuracy (90.9%) to predict PD. ΔTLP0-2 (≥60%, HR 3.41, 95% CI 1.34–8.65, p=0.010) and ΔTLP0-6 (≥50%, HR 31.4, 95% CI 3.55 to 276.7, p=0.0019) were indicators of shorter progression-free survival.

Conclusions

Changes in18F-FLT PET parameters may have value as an early predictive biomarker for the response to anti-PD-1 therapy in patients with NSCLC. However, it should be noted that pseudoprogression was observed in18F-FLT PET imaging at 2 weeks after treatment initiation.

Trial registration number

jRCTs051180147.
Characteristics of cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction and association with quality of life in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Zinglersen Amanda Hempel , Iversen Katrine Kjær , Leffers Henrik Christian Bidstrup , Laugesen Esben , Fleischer Jesper , Jacobsen Søren
Published: July 2021

Objectives

Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) may affect the clinical course of SLE leading to reduced quality of life. CAN is assessed by heart rate variability (HRV) measures and cardiovascular autonomic reflex tests (CARTs). In patients with SLE, we aimed to determine the characteristics of CAN and if CAN associates with health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods

Patients with SLE and healthy controls (HCs) were CAN tested with 5 min HRV and three CARTs to determine parameters reflecting parasympathetic and mixed sympathetic–parasympathetic function. Subjects were classified as having no, early or definitive CAN by having none, one or more than one abnormal CART, respectively. HRQoL as determined by the Short Form 12 (SF-12) was assessed in SLE.

Results

Of 111 patients with SLE, 92 answered the SF-12 and 54 were matched with 54 HCs for characterisation of CAN. Definitive CAN was present in 24.1% (95% CI 15% to 37%) patients with SLE and 1.9% (95% CI 0.3% to 9.8%) HCs (OR 16.8, 95% CI 2.1 to 133.8, p=0.008). The corresponding prevalences of any CAN were 53.7% (95% CI 41% to 66%) and 22.6% (95% CI 13% to 35%). SLE patients with definitive CAN showed signs of mixed sympathetic–parasympathetic dysfunction, whereas patients without CAN primarily presented with impaired parasympathetic activity. Signs of parasympathetic as well as sympathetic–parasympathetic dysfunction were associated with low physical SF-12 component score (all: β>0.211, p<0.05). The mental SF-12 component score was not associated with any CAN indices.

Conclusions

CAN was a frequent finding in SLE and associated to self-report on impaired physical HRQoL. Even patients without CAN showed signs of impaired parasympathetic function compared with controls.
Pre- and post-weaning performance of piglets offered different types of creep feed
Authors: Sands Jade M. , Rodrigues Lucas A. , Wellington Michael O. , Panisson Josiane C. , Columbus Daniel A.
Published: July 2021

We determined the impact of creep feed provision and type on pre- and post-weaning growth performance of piglets. At 2 wk post farrow, litters (n = 50) were given no creep feed or provided a simple creep feed, a complex creep feed, or both until weaning at ∼28 d. Creep feed, regardless of type, resulted in increased growth (P < 0.05) of piglets in the final week pre-weaning and immediate week post-weaning, which was not maintained at the end of the nursery period. Piglets showed no preference for creep feed type (P > 0.05).
Study on concrete cracking caused by non-uniform corrosion of steel bar
Authors: Shang Huaishuai , Liu Jirui
Published: July 2021

In this paper, the cracking of concrete cover caused by steel bar corrosion was discussed and studied based on the three-period model of steel bar corrosion in concrete. In the analysis, the contour of the corrosion layer was simplified into a semi-ellipse according to the non-uniformity of steel bars in reinforced concrete under a natural environment. The steel bar corrosion was divided into three different periods by two corrosion points, namely, the void to be filled was exactly filled and the concrete cover was exactly cracked. Different assumptions are made for each corrosion period. Before the concrete cover cracks, it is developed into an elastic plate. Based on the theory of elastic mechanics, the maximum corrosion depth of steel bar when concrete cover cracks is predicted. After the concrete cover cracks, a model of the relationship between the crack width of the concrete cover and the maximum corrosion depth of steel bar was established by considering the filling of cracks by corrosion products. The rationality of the model was tested by employing experimental data from the literature, and it was found that the calculated value of the model was in good agreement with the experimental data in the literature.
Leveraging in situ resources for lunar base construction
Authors: Ellery Alex
Published: July 2021

We explore the limits of in situ resource utilization (ISRU) on the Moon to maximize living off the land by building lunar bases from in situ material. We adopt the philosophy of indigenous peoples who excelled in sustainability. We are interested in leveraging lunar resources to manufacture an entire lunar base in such a fashion that is fully sustainable and minimizes supplies required from Earth. A range of metals, ceramics and volatiles can be extracted from lunar minerals to support construction of a lunar base that include structure, piping and electrical distribution systems. To 3D print a lunar base, we must 3D print the load-bearing structure, electrical distribution system, water-based heating system, drinking water system, air system and orbital transport system from in situ resources. We also address the manufacture of the interior of the lunar base from local resources. The majority of systems constituting a lunar base can be manufactured from in situ resources.
Economic optimum plant density of irrigated early-maturity soybean in southern Alberta
Authors: Thai Tram T.N. , Le Roy Danny G. , Bandara Manjula S. , Thomas James E. , Larney Francis J.
Published: July 2021

With soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] seed cost increasing in Alberta, understanding economic optimum plant density (EOPD) could help growers save on input expenses. A study was conducted at two irrigated locations in southern Alberta (Bow Island and Lethbridge), in three growing seasons (2014–2016), using two maturity group (MG) 00 soybean genotypes, two row spacings (RS; narrow, 17.5 cm; wide, 35 cm), and three seeding densities (SD; 30, 50 and 80 seeds·m−2). Exponential plant density–yield relationships were used to estimate EOPD. The earlier MG 00.4 genotype compensated yield at lower plant density (39 vs. 43 plants·m−2) and emergence (74% vs. 80%) than the later MG 00.8 genotype. The EOPD gaps between environments, genotypes, and RS were minimal (from 1–3 plants·m−2), resulting in only 1.3%–2.0% differences in grain yield (37–56 kg·ha−1), and gross revenue at EOPD ($16–24·ha−1). The overall EOPD estimate was 46 plants·m−2, regardless of environment, genotype or RS. The study highlighted the difference between agronomic production and profit maximization in choosing an optimum plant density, and the need to establish a seeding density calculator for irrigated soybean in southern Alberta.
Royal society of Canada COVID-19 report: Enhancing COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Canada
Authors: MacDonald Noni E. , Comeau Jeannette , Dubé Ève , Graham Janice , Greenwood Margo , Harmon Shawn , McElhaney Janet , Meghan McMurtry C. , Middleton Alan , Steenbeek Audrey , Taddio Anna
Published: July 2021

COVID-19 vaccine acceptance exists on a continuum from a minority who strongly oppose vaccination, to the “moveable middle” heterogeneous group with varying uncertainty levels about acceptance or hesitancy, to the majority who state willingness to be vaccinated. Intention for vaccine acceptance varies over time. COVID-19 vaccination decisions are influenced by many factors including knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs; social networks; communication environment; COVID-19 community rate; cultural and religious influences; ease of access; and the organization of health and community services and policies.

Reflecting vaccine acceptance complexity, the Royal Society of Canada Working Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance developed a framework with four major factor domains that influence vaccine acceptance (people, communities, health care workers; immunization knowledge; health care and public health systems including federal/provincial/territorial/indigenous factors)—each influencing the others and all influenced by education, infection control, extent of collaborations, and communications about COVID-19 immunization. The Working Group then developed 37 interrelated recommendations to support COVID vaccine acceptance nested under four categories of responsibility: 1. People and Communities, 2. Health Care Workers, 3. Health Care System and Local Public Health Units, and 4. Federal/Provincial/Territorial/Indigenous. To optimize outcomes, all must be engaged to ensure co-development and broad ownership.
Production cross sections of tetraquark states in elementary hadronic collisions
Authors: Balassa Gábor , Wolf György
Published: July 2021

Inclusive production cross sections of the possible exotic stateX(3872) in proton–proton, pion-proton and proton–antiproton collisions are calculated using a statistical based model, which is previously used to describe inclusive charmed and bottomed hadron production cross sections in the low energy region. With the extensions made here the model is capable to include tetraquarks as well, using the diquark picture of tetraquarks. The evaluated cross section ratio of$$\varPsi (2S)$$Ψ(2S)andX(3872) at$$\sqrt{s}=7$$s=7TeV agrees well with the measured value.
Quantum technologies in the telecommunications industry
Authors: Martin Vicente , Brito Juan Pedro , Escribano Carmen , Menchetti Marco , White Catherine , Lord Andrew , Wissel Felix , Gunkel Matthias , Gavignet Paulette , Genay Naveena , Le Moult Olivier , Abellán Carlos , Manzalini Antonio , Pastor-Perales Antonio , López Victor , López Diego
Published: July 2021

Quantum based technologies have been fundamental in our world. After producing the laser and the transistor, the devices that have shaped our modern information society, the possibilities enabled by the ability to create and manipulate individual quantum states opens the door to a second quantum revolution. In this paper we explore the possibilities that these new technologies bring to the Telecommunications industry.
SpinQ Gemini: a desktop quantum computing platform for education and research
Authors: Hou Shi-Yao , Feng Guanru , Wu Zipeng , Zou Hongyang , Shi Wei , Zeng Jinfeng , Cao Chenfeng , Yu Sheng , Sheng Zikai , Rao Xin , Ren Bing , Lu Dawei , Zou Junting , Miao Guoxing , Xiang Jingen , Zeng Bei
Published: July 2021

SpinQ Gemini is a commercial desktop quantum computing platform designed and manufactured by SpinQ Technology. It is an integrated hardware-software system. The first generation product with two qubits was launched in January 2020. The hardware is based on NMR spectrometer, with permanent magnets providing ∼1 T magnetic field. SpinQ Gemini operates under room temperature (0–30°C), highlighting its lightweight (55 kg with a volume of$70\times 40 \times 80\text{ cm}^{3}$70×40×80 cm3), cost-effective (under 50k USD), and maintenance-free. SpinQ Gemini aims to provide real-device experience for quantum computing education for K-12 and at the college level. It also features quantum control design capabilities that benefit the researchers studying quantum control and quantum noise. Since its first launch, SpinQ Gemini has been shipped to institutions in Canada, Taiwan and Mainland China. This paper introduces the system of design of SpinQ Gemini, from hardware to software. We also demonstrate examples for performing quantum computing tasks on SpinQ Gemini, including one task for a variational quantum eigensolver of a two-qubit Heisenberg model. The next generations of SpinQ quantum computing devices will adopt models of more qubits, advanced control functions for researchers with comparable cost, as well as simplified models for much lower cost (under 5k USD) for K-12 education. We believe that low-cost portable quantum computing products will facilitate hands-on experience for teaching quantum computing at all levels, well-prepare younger generations of students and researchers for the future of quantum technologies.
SIMPLICITY FROM COMPLEXITY: ON THE SIMPLE AMPLITUDE DYNAMICS UNDERLYING COVID-19 OUTBREAKS IN CHINA
Authors: FRANK T. D.
Published: July 2021

COVID-19 confronts societies and individuals with unprecedented challenges. It is advocated that complex systems theory, in general, and synergetics, in particular, provide a valuable and comprehensive repertoire of tools and concepts such as the concept of amplitude equations and order parameters to study the spread of COVID-19 in human populations. Specifically, within the framework of SIR and SEIR compartment models COVID-19 trajectories are described in terms of amplitude equations and order parameters. By plotting simulated and semi-empirical COVID-19 case trajectories it is shown that the initial epidemics in China, in general, and Wuhan city, in particular, during the first quarter of the year 2020 followed relatively simple amplitude dynamics in SIR and SEIR model state spaces describing interaction classes of individuals. The amplitudes evolve along certain paths or directions determined by order parameters that are well known to exist in complex systems. In summary, the present work highlights that COVID-19 outbreaks are constrained by general principles that hold for a broad class of phenomena in living and non-living systems.
A compactness theorem for Frozen planets
Authors: Frauenfelder Urs
Published: July 2021

In this paper, we study the moduli space of frozen planet orbits in the Helium atom for an interpolation between instantaneous and mean interactions and show that this moduli space is compact.
20世纪上半叶新加坡中医研究之现代化与本土化
Authors: 杨 妍
Published: July 2021

中医现代化是医学史研究的重要议题。海外中医的现代化与中国中医是否相似，有何联系？本文聚焦于中医研究在新加坡本土情境中的发展，通过解析20世纪上半叶新加坡中医个人及群体的学术活动、出版刊物，从体系制度、学理实践两个层面，来探讨中医在当地历史社会情境中的现代化与本土化。这些特征和进程，既反映出西方经验和中国经验的外源影响，更体现了海外华人在本土社会中的创造和调适，透视出医学发展与所处社会文化的联系与互动，亦能回应海外华人的传统与现代化议题。
Understanding the Belt and Road Initiative from the Relational Perspective
Authors: Wang Zhaohui
Published: July 2021

Western International Relations (IR) theoriests have examined the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) through different theoretical lenses and produced inconclusive interpretations. This paper suggests that the relational theory of world politics, developed by the Chinese IR scholar Qin Yaqing, tends to look at IR from a different perspective. The logic of relationality and the relational concepts, such as relational management, relational governance and relational system, are applied to analyze the BRI. First, the relational perspective sheds light on Beijing’s efforts to manage and improve the relations with its neighbouring countries, rather than to pursue regional domination and compete with Washington. Second, the relational perspective suggests relational governance as a new possibility of regional governance to facilitate regional development and cooperation, which is different from the Western rule-based governance. Last, should BRI be carried out successfully, there might exist a relational international system in Asia, which is also different from the Westphalian nation-state system.
Intelligent Traffic Signal Control Based on Reinforcement Learning with State Reduction for Smart Cities
Authors: Kuang Li , Zheng Jianbo , Li Kemu , Gao Honghao
Published: July 2021

Efficient signal control at isolated intersections is vital for relieving congestion, accidents, and environmental pollution caused by increasing numbers of vehicles. However, most of the existing studies not only ignore the constraint of the limited computing resources available at isolated intersections but also the matching degree between the signal timing and the traffic demand, leading to high complexity and reduced learning efficiency. In this article, we propose a traffic signal control method based on reinforcement learning with state reduction. First, a reinforcement learning model is established based on historical traffic flow data, and we propose a dual-objective reward function that can reduce vehicle delay and improve the matching degree between signal time allocation and traffic demand, allowing the agent to learn the optimal signal timing strategy quickly. Second, the state and action spaces of the model are preliminarily reduced by selecting a proper control phase combination; then, the state space is further reduced by eliminating rare or nonexistent states based on the historical traffic flow. Finally, a simplified Q-table is generated and used to optimize the complexity of the control algorithm. The results of simulation experiments show that our proposed control algorithm effectively improves the capacity of isolated intersections while reducing the time and space costs of the signal control algorithm.
A Multi-graph Convolutional Network Framework for Tourist Flow Prediction
Authors: Wang Wei , Chen Junyang , Zhang Yushu , Gong Zhiguo , Kumar Neeraj , Wei Wei
Published: July 2021

With the advancement of Cyber Physic Systems and Social Internet of Things, the tourism industry is facing challenges and opportunities. We can now able to collect, store, and analyze large amounts of travel data. With the help of data science and artificial intelligence, smart tourism enables tourists with great autonomy and convenience for an intelligent trip. It is of great significance to make full use of these massive data to provide better services for smart tourism. However, due to the skewed and imbalanced visiting for point of interest located at different places, it is of great significance to predict the tourist flow of each place, which can help the service providers for designing a better schedule visiting strategy in advance. Against this background, this article proposes a multi-graph convolutional network framework, named AMOUNT, for tourist flow prediction. To capture the diverse relationships among POIs, AMOUNT first constructs three subgraphs, including the geographical graph, interaction graph, and the co-relation graph. Then, a multi-graph convolution network is utilized to predict the future tourist flow. Experimental results on two real-world datasets indicate that the proposed AMOUNT model outperforms all other baseline tourist flow prediction approaches.
Investigating the Spread of Coronavirus Disease via Edge-AI and Air Pollution Correlation
Authors: Gomathy V. , Janarthanan K. , Al-Turjman Fadi , Sitharthan R. , Rajesh M. , Vengatesan K. , Reshma T. Priya
Published: July 2021

Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) is a highly infectious viral disease affecting millions of people worldwide in 2020. Several studies have shown that COVID-19 results in a severe acute respiratory syndrome and may lead to death. In past research, a greater number of respiratory diseases has been caused by exposure to air pollution for long periods of time. This article investigates the spread of COVID-19 as a result of air pollution by applying linear regression in machine learning method based edge computing. The analysis in this investigation have been based on the death rates caused by COVID-19 as well as the region of death rates based on hazardous air pollution using data retrieved from the Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite. The results obtained in the investigation prove that the mortality rate due to the spread of COVID-19 is 77% higher in areas with polluted air. This investigation also proves that COVID-19 severely affected 68% of the individuals who had been exposed to polluted air.
Neural-Network-Based Cross-Channel Intra Prediction
Authors: Li Yue , Yi Yan , Liu Dong , Li Li , Li Zhu , Li Houqiang
Published: July 2021

To reduce the redundancy among different color channels, e.g., YUV, previous methods usually adopt a linear model that tends to be oversimple for complex image content. We propose a neural-network-based method for cross-channel prediction in intra frame coding. The proposed network utilizes twofold cues, i.e., the neighboring reconstructed samples with all channels, and the co-located reconstructed samples with partial channels. Specifically, for YUV video coding, the neighboring samples with YUV are processed by several fully connected layers; the co-located samples with Y are processed by convolutional layers; and the proposed network fuses the twofold cues. We observe that the integration of twofold information is crucial to the performance of intra prediction of the chroma components. We have designed the network architecture to achieve a good balance between compression performance and computational efficiency. Moreover, we propose a transform domain loss for the training of the network. The transform domain loss helps obtain more compact representations of residues in the transform domain, leading to higher compression efficiency. The proposed method is plugged into HEVC and VVC test models to evaluate its effectiveness. Experimental results show that our method provides more accurate cross-channel intra prediction compared with previous methods. On top of HEVC, our method achieves on average 1.3%, 5.4%, and 3.8% BD-rate reductions for Y, Cb, and Cr on common test sequences, and on average 3.8%, 11.3%, and 9.0% BD-rate reductions for Y, Cb, and Cr on ultra-high-definition test sequences. On top of VVC, our method achieves on average 0.5%, 1.7%, and 1.3% BD-rate reductions for Y, Cb, and Cr on common test sequences.
Semantic Correspondence with Geometric Structure Analysis
Authors: Wang Rui , Liang Dong , Cao Xiaochun , Guo Yuanfang
Published: July 2021

This article studies the correspondence problem for semantically similar images, which is challenging due to the joint visual and geometric deformations. We introduce the Flip-aware Distance Ratio method (FDR) to solve this problem from the perspective of geometric structure analysis. First, a distance ratio constraint is introduced to enforce the geometric consistencies between images with large visual variations, whereas local geometric jitters are tolerated via a smoothness term. For challenging cases with symmetric structures, our proposed method exploits Curl to suppress the mismatches. Subsequently, image correspondence is formulated as a permutation problem, for which we propose a Gradient Guided Simulated Annealing (GGSA) algorithm to perform a robust discrete optimization. Experiments on simulated and real-world datasets, where both visual and geometric deformations are present, indicate that our method significantly improves the baselines for both visually and semantically similar images.
Secure Chaff-less Fuzzy Vault for Face Identification Systems
Authors: Dong Xingbo , Kim Soohyong , Jin Zhe , Hwang Jung Yeon , Cho Sangrae , Teoh Andrew Beng Jin
Published: July 2021

Biometric cryptosystems such as fuzzy vaults represent one of the most popular approaches for secret and biometric template protection. However, they are solely designed for biometric verification, where the user is required to input both identity credentials and biometrics. Several practical questions related to the implementation of biometric cryptosystems remain open, especially in regard to biometric template protection. In this article, we propose a face cryptosystem for identification (FCI) in which only biometric input is needed. Our FCI is composed of a one-to-N search subsystem for template protection and a one-to-one match chaff-less fuzzy vault (CFV) subsystem for secret protection. The first subsystem stores N facial features, which are protected by index-of-maximum (IoM) hashing, enhanced by a fusion module for search accuracy. When a face image of the user is presented, the subsystem returns the top k matching scores and activates the corresponding vaults in the CFV subsystem. Then, one-to-one matching is applied to the k vaults based on the probe face, and the identifier or secret associated with the user is retrieved from the correct matched vault. We demonstrate that coupling between the IoM hashing and the CFV resolves several practical issues related to fuzzy vault schemes. The FCI system is evaluated on three large-scale public unconstrained face datasets (LFW, VGG2, and IJB-C) in terms of its accuracy, computation cost, template protection criteria, and security.