bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increasing incidence and prevalence of multiple sclerosis in the Greater Hobart cohort of Tasmania, Australia
Authors: Simpson-Yap Steve , Atvars Roberts , Blizzard Leigh , van der Mei Ingrid , Taylor Bruce V
Published: May 2022

Background

The Greater Hobart region (42.5°S) of Tasmania has consistently had the highest recorded prevalence and incidence rates of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Australia. We reassessed MS epidemiology in 2009–2019 and assessed longitudinal changes over 68 years.

Methods

Cases recruited from clinic-based datasets and multiple other data sources. 2019 prevalence and 2009–2019 annual incidence and mortality rates estimated, and differences assessed using Poisson regression.

Results

436 MS cases resident on prevalence day were identified, and 130 had symptom onset within 2009–2019. Prevalence 197.1/100 000 (95% CI 179.4 to 216.5; 147.2/100 000 age standardised, 95% CI 126.5 to 171.3), a 36% increase since 2001 and 3.1-fold increase since 1961. 2009–2019 incidence rate=5.9/100 000 person-years, 95% CI 5.0 to 7.0 (6.1/1000 000 age standardised, 95% CI 4.7 to 7.9), a 2.8-fold increase since 1951–1961 and 65% since 2001–2009. 2009–2019 mortality rate=1.5/100 000 person-years, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.2 (0.9/100 000 age standardised, 95% CI 0.4 to 1.7), comparable to 2001–2009 (1.0/100 000) but reduced by 61% from 1951 to 1959 (2.1/100 000). 2001–2009 standardised mortality ratio=1.0 in 2009–2019, decreased from 2.0 in 1971–1979. Female:male prevalence sex ratio was 2.8, comparable to the 2009 value (2.6); incidence sex ratio (2.9) increased from 2001 to 9 (2.1). Comparisons with Newcastle, Australia (latitude=32.5°S) demonstrate a near complete abrogation of the latitudinal gradients for prevalence (ratio=1.0) and incidence (ratio=1.1), largely attributable to changing Hobart demography.

Conclusions

Prevalence and incidence of MS continue to increase significantly in Hobart, alongside marked reductions in mortality and increased case longevity. The marked increase in incidence is of particular note and may reflect longstanding changes in MS risk behaviours including changing sun exposure, obesity rates, and smoking behaviours, particularly in females. Falling mortality contributes to increase longevity and prevalence, likely reflecting improved overall MS healthcare and implementation of disease-modifying therapy.
Effect of sodium phenylbutyrate/taurursodiol on tracheostomy/ventilation-free survival and hospitalisation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: long-term results from the CENTAUR trial
Authors: Paganoni Sabrina , Hendrix Suzanne , Dickson Samuel P , Knowlton Newman , Berry James D , Elliott Michael A , Maiser Samuel , Karam Chafic , Caress James B , Owegi Margaret Ayo , Quick Adam , Wymer James , Goutman Stephen A , Heitzman Daragh , Heiman-Patterson Terry D , Jackson Carlayne , Quinn Colin , Rothstein Jeffrey D , Kasarskis Edward J , Katz Jonathan , Jenkins Liberty , Ladha Shafeeq S , Miller Timothy M , Scelsa Stephen N , Vu Tuan H , Fournier Christina , Johnson Kristin M , Swenson Andrea , Goyal Namita , Pattee Gary L , Babu Suma , Chase Marianne , Dagostino Derek , Hall Meghan , Kittle Gale , Eydinov Mathew , Ostrow Joseph , Pothier Lindsay , Randall Rebecca , Shefner Jeremy M , Sherman Alexander V , Tustison Eric , Vigneswaran Prasha , Yu Hong , Cohen Joshua , Klee Justin , Tanzi Rudolph , Gilbert Walter , Yeramian Patrick , Cudkowicz Merit
Published: May 2022

Background

Coformulated sodium phenylbutyrate/taurursodiol (PB/TURSO) was shown to prolong survival and slow functional decline in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Objective

Determine whether PB/TURSO prolonged tracheostomy/ventilation-free survival and/or reduced first hospitalisation in participants with ALS in the CENTAUR trial.

Methods

Adults with El Escorial Definite ALS ≤18 months from symptom onset were randomised to PB/ TURSO or placebo for 6 months. Those completing randomised treatment could enrol in an open-label extension (OLE) phase and receive PB/TURSO for ≤30 months. Times to the following individual or combined key events were compared in the originally randomised treatment groups over a period spanning trial start through July 2020 (longest postrandomisation follow-up, 35 months): death, tracheostomy, permanent assisted ventilation (PAV) and first hospitalisation.

Results

Risk of any key event was 47% lower in those originally randomised to PB/TURSO (n=87) versus placebo (n=48, 71% of whom received delayed-start PB/TURSO in the OLE phase) (HR=0.53; 95% CI 0.35 to 0.81; p=0.003). Risks of death or tracheostomy/PAV (HR=0.51; 95% CI 0.32 to 0.84; p=0.007) and first hospitalisation (HR=0.56; 95% CI 0.34 to 0.95; p=0.03) were also decreased in those originally randomised to PB/TURSO.

Conclusions

Early PB/TURSO prolonged tracheostomy/PAV-free survival and delayed first hospitalisation in ALS.

Trial registration number

NCT03127514;NCT03488524.
Primary care physician leaders’ perspectives on opportunities and challenges in healthcare leadership: a qualitative study
Authors: Stephenson Amber L , Sullivan Erin E , Hoffman Aaron R
Published: May 2022

Background

There is an increasing demand for physicians to assume leadership roles in hospitals, health systems, clinics and community settings, given the documented positive outcomes of physician leadership and the systemic shifts towards value-based care. The purpose of this study is to examine how primary care physicians (PCPs) perceive and experience leadership roles. Better understanding how PCPs perceive leadership affords the opportunity to influence changes in primary care training in order to more adequately prepare and support physicians for current and future leadership roles.

Methods

This study used qualitative interviews, conducted from January to May 2020. The participants included 27 PCPs, recruited via the Harvard Medical School Center for Primary Care newsletters and through snowball sampling techniques. Participants worked in 22 different organisations, including major urban health systems, corporate pharmacy, public health departments and academic medical centres.

Results

Using content analysis and qualitative comparative analysis methodologies, three major themes and seven subthemes emerged from the interviews. The primary themes included the advantage PCPs have in leadership positions, the lack of leadership training and development, and disincentives to leading.

Conclusions

While PCPs perceive primary care to hold a unique position that would incline them towards leadership, the lack of training and other noted disincentives are barriers to leadership. Therefore, health organisations should seek to invest in, better train and promote PCPs in leadership.
‘Climate change mitigation is a hot topic, but not when it comes to hospitals’: a qualitative study on hospital stakeholders’ perception and sense of responsibility for greenhouse gas emissions
Authors: Quitmann Claudia , Sauerborn Rainer , Danquah Ina , Herrmann Alina
Published: May 2022

Objective

Physical and mental well-being are threatened by climate change. Since hospitals in high-income countries contribute significantly to climate change through their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the medical ethics imperative of ‘do no harm’ imposes a responsibility on hospitals to decarbonise. We investigated hospital stakeholders’ perceptions of hospitals’ GHG emissions sources and the sense of responsibility for reducing GHG emissions in a hospital.

Methods

We conducted 29 semistructured qualitative expert interviews at one of Germany’s largest hospitals, Heidelberg University Hospital. Five patients, 12 clinical and 12 administrative employees on different levels were selected using purposive maximum variation sampling. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using the framework approach.

Results

Concerning GHG emissions, hospital stakeholders perceived energy and waste as most relevant emission sources followed by mobility. Climate change mitigation in general was considered as important. However, in their role as patients or employees, hospital stakeholders felt less responsible for climate change mitigation. They saw providing best possible medical care to be the top priority in hospitals and were often concerned that patients’ health could be jeopardised by climate change mitigation measures.

Conclusion

Perceptions of most important emission sources did not coincide with those in literature, highlighting the need to inform stakeholders, for instance, about pharmaceuticals as important emission source. A frequently perceived conflict between reducing emissions and providing high-quality medical care could be eased, if reducing emissions would not only be justified as a contribution to mitigation, but also as a contribution to preventing ill health—a basic principle of medical ethics.
Surgery should be routinely videoed
Authors: Jesudason Edwin
Published: May 2022

Video recording is widely available in modern operating rooms. Here, I argue that, if patient consent and suitable technology are in place, video recording of surgery is an ethical duty. I develop this as aduty to protect,arguing for professional and institutional duties, as distinguished forduties of rescue.

A professional duty to protect is described in mental healthcare. Practitioners have to take reasonable steps to prevent serious, foreseeable harm to their clients and others, even if that entails a non-consensual breach of confidentiality. I argue surgeons have a similar duty to patients which means that, provided the patient consents, surgery should be routinely videoed. This avoids non-consensual breaches of patient confidentiality and is aligned with stated professional obligations.

An institutional duty to protect means institutions have to take reasonable steps to prevent serious, foreseeable harm at the hands of their surgeons. Rulli and Millum highlighted how institutions can meet their duty using a more consequentialist approach that balances wider interests.

To test the force and scope of such duties, I examine potential impacts of routine videoing on aspects of autonomy, justice, beneficence and non-maleficence. I find routine videoing can benefit areas including safety, candour, consent and fairness in access (to surgical careers and expertise). Countervailing claims, for example, on liability, confidentiality and privacy can be resisted—such that where consent and the technology are in place, routine videoing meets aduty of easy protection. In other words, its use should be standard of care.
Paraneoplastic encephalitis: clinically based approach on diagnosis and management
Authors: Vaišvilas Mantas , Ciano-Petersen Nicolás Lundahl , Macarena Villagrán-García M D , Muñiz-Castrillo Sergio , Vogrig Alberto , Honnorat Jérôme
Published: May 2022

Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNSs) comprise a subset of immune-mediated nervous system diseases triggered by an underlying malignancy. Each syndrome usually shows a distinct clinical presentation and outcome according to the associated neural antibodies. PNSs generally have a subacute onset with rapid progression and severe neurological disability. However, some patients may have hyperacute onset or even show chronic progression mimicking neurodegenerative diseases. Updated diagnostic criteria for PNS have been recently established in order to increase diagnostic specificity and to encourage standardisation of research initiatives related to PNS. Treatment for PNS includes oncological therapy and immunomodulation to halt neurological deterioration although current treatment options are seldom effective in reversing disability. Nevertheless, growing knowledge and better understanding of PNS pathogenesis promise better recognition, earlier diagnosis and novel treatment strategies. Considering that PNSs provide a model of effective anticancer immunity, the impact of these studies will extend far beyond the field of neurology.
Migration intent among Jordanian medical students: a nationwide cross-sectional investigation
Authors: Omar Yousef , Al Refaei Assem , Al-Qawasmeh Abdallah Raed , Ghazzal Hamza , Kalbouneh Heba
Published: May 2022

Purpose of the study

To investigate postgraduation emigration intents of medical students throughout different years and different universities in Jordan.

Study design

This cross-sectional study was conducted via an online self-administered questionnaire from medical students in six schools of medicine in Jordan. Our questionnaire included two sections with questions regarding sociodemographic, intentions and reasons behind residency and fellowship abroad, and views on Jordanian residency programmes.

Results

Of a sample of 1006, 55.7% were females, and 90.7% were holding Jordanian citizenship. 85% and 63% of respondents intended to pursue residency and fellowship abroad, respectively. Intention to continue residency abroad was associated with males, expatriates and those living in urban areas. The main three destinations were the USA (37.4%), UK (22.3%) and Germany (16.6%). 30% of respondents intended to leave the country permanently, because of low salaries, poor education and lower ranking of Jordan residency programmes. When asked about ranking Jordanian residency programmes, it was found that on average, students ranked military hospitals first and government hospitals last with university hospitals being in second place and private hospitals in third.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, a striking number of Jordanian medical students intended to leave the country postgraduation, which points towards the necessity for Ministry of health to take immediate actions to reduce the loss of our best students.
Eligibility to drive and neurology: the how and the why
Authors: Rees Jeremy , Cooper Paul , Cruickshank Garth , Jenkins Nick
Published: May 2022

Driving is an integral part of adult life and losing a driving licence is potentially a major problem. Many neurological conditions may impact on driving, either by increasing the risk of a sudden disabling event or by affecting cognition, vision, reaction speed, motor coordination, peripheral sensation or visuospatial processing. In the UK, the Drivers Medical Group of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) decides whether an individual’s medical condition meets the appropriate standards for driving. The licensing decision rests with the DVLA and is not at the clinician’s discretion. However, clinicians must inform patients of their legal obligations towards the DVLA and how their neurological symptoms may restrict their driving. We discuss risk assessment, how chronic disabling neurological disease may impact on driving and the general principles of applying medical standards for fitness to drive. We also highlight how legal driving eligibility varies around the world. Finally, we discuss the practical applications relating to a specific case.
Osmotic demyelination syndrome despite appropriate gradual correction of moderate hyponatraemia
Authors: Murphy Patrick Thomas , Auger Stephen , Nandoskar Ashwini
Published: May 2022

Osmotic demyelination syndrome characteristically follows rapid correction of hyponatraemia. We present a young woman with a subacute progressive brainstem syndrome and diffuse pontine signal abnormality on MR imaging, diagnosed as osmotic demyelination syndrome. The case posed a diagnostic challenge due to comorbid Behçet’s disease and the absence of significant fluctuation in her serum sodium concentration. Osmotic demyelination syndrome is not limited to patients with rapidly corrected hyponatraemia, especially when there are other risk factors. These factors, all present in this patient, include hypokalaemia, hypophosphataemia, malnutrition, harmful alcohol use and liver dysfunction.
Antibody response to the COVID-19 ChAdOx1nCov-19 and BNT162b vaccines after temporary suspension of DMARD therapy in immune-mediated inflammatory disease (RESCUE)
Authors: Tran Ai Phuong , Tassone Daniel , Nossent Johannes , Ding Nik Sheng
Published: May 2022

Objective

To assess the antibody response to disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy after the first and second dose of the ChAdOx1nCov-19 (AstraZeneca (AZ)) and BNT162b (Pfizer) vaccines in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory disease (IMID) compared with controls and if withholding therapy following the first vaccination dose has any effect on seroconversion and SARS-CoV-2 antibody (Ab) levels.

Methods

A multicentre three-arm randomised controlled trial compared the immunogenicity of the Pfizer and AZ vaccines in adult patients on conventional synthetic (csDMARD), biologic (bDMARD) or targeted synthetic (tsDMARD) therapy for IMID (n=181) with a control group (n=59). Patients were randomised to continue or withhold DMARD therapy for 1–2 weeks post first dose vaccination only. Serum SARS-CoV-2 IgG detection (IgG ≥1.0 U/mL) and titres against the S1/S2 proteins were measured at baseline, 3–4 weeks post first vaccination and 4 weeks post second vaccination.

Results

AZ vaccination was given to 47.5%, 41.5% and 52.5% in the continue, withhold and control groups, respectively while Pfizer vaccination was given to 52.5%, 58.5% and 47.5% among the continue, withhold and control groups, respectively. Seroconversion rates following the first dose in the AZ and Pfizer groups were only 27.3% vs 79.2% (p=0.000) and 64.58% vs 100% (p=0.000), respectively in the IMID groups who continued therapy compared with the AZ and Pfizer controls, respectively. Withholding DMARD therapy following the first vaccination dose resulted in higher seroconversion to 67.7% and 84.1% in the AZ and Pfizer groups, respectively. Following the second AZ and Pfizer vaccinations when all DMARDs were continued, despite a slightly lower seroconversion rate (83.7% vs 100%, p=0.000 and 95.9% vs 100%, p=0.413), respectively, the mean SARS-CoV2 IgG Ab titres were not significantly different in the csDMARD and bDMARD groups compared with the controls regardless of hold while it was significantly lower in patients taking tsDMARD (12.88 vs 79.49 U/mL, p=0.000).

Conclusions

Following the first vaccination dose, antibody responses were lower in IMID on DMARD therapy, however the final responses were excellent regardless of hold with the exception of the tsDMARD group where withholding therapy is recommended. At least 2 vaccinations are therefore recommended preferably with an messenger RNA vaccine.

Trial registration number

ANZCTR: 12621000661875.
Relationship between impaired BMP signalling and clinical risk factors at early-stage vascular injury in the preterm infant
Authors: Heydarian Motaharehsadat , Oak Prajakta , Zhang Xin , Kamgari Nona , Kindt Alida , Koschlig Markus , Pritzke Tina , Gonzalez-Rodriguez Erika , Förster Kai , Morty Rory E , Häfner Friederike , Hübener Christoph , Flemmer Andreas W , Yildirim Ali Oender , Sudheendra Deepti , Tian Xuefei , Petrera Agnese , Kirsten Holger , Ahnert Peter , Morrell Nick , Desai Tushar J , Sucre Jennifer , Spiekerkoetter Edda , Hilgendorff Anne
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Chronic lung disease, that is, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most common complication in preterm infants and develops as a consequence of the misguided formation of the gas-exchange area undergoing prenatal and postnatal injury. Subsequent vascular disease and its progression into pulmonary arterial hypertension critically determines long-term outcome in the BPD infant but lacks identification of early, disease-defining changes.

Methods

We link impaired bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling to the earliest onset of vascular pathology in the human preterm lung and delineate the specific effects of the most prevalent prenatal and postnatal clinical risk factors for lung injury mimicking clinically relevant conditions in a multilayered animal model using wild-type and transgenic neonatal mice.

Results

We demonstrate (1) the significant reduction in BMP receptor 2 (BMPR2) expression at the onset of vascular pathology in the lung of preterm infants, later mirrored by reduced plasma BMP protein levels in infants with developing BPD, (2) the rapid impairment (and persistent change) of BMPR2 signalling on postnatal exposure to hyperoxia and mechanical ventilation, aggravated by prenatal cigarette smoke in a preclinical mouse model and (3) a link to defective alveolar septation and matrix remodelling through platelet derived growth factor-receptor alpha deficiency. In a treatment approach, we partially reversed vascular pathology by BMPR2-targeted treatment with FK506 in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusion

We identified impaired BMP signalling as a hallmark of early vascular disease in the injured neonatal lung while outlining its promising potential as a future biomarker or therapeutic target in this growing, high-risk patient population.
Application of three-dimensional printed navigation templates to correct lower limb deformities in children by the guided growth technique
Authors: Fan Minjie , Wang Yinming , Pang Haotian , Wang Yiwei , Xu Peng , Lou Yue , Zheng Pengfei , Tang Kai
Published: May 2022

Objective

Currently, individualized navigation templates are rarely applied in pediatric orthopedic surgery. This study aimed to explore the potential of navigation templates obtained using computer-aided design and three-dimensional (3D) printing to correct lower limb deformities in children by the guided growth technique.

Methods

We prospectively studied 45 children with leg length discrepancy (LLD) or lower limb angular deformities, who underwent guided growth surgery involving 8-plate. In total, 21 and 24 children were included in the navigation template (group A) group and in the traditional surgery (group B) group, respectively. Mimics software was used for designing and printing navigation templates. The operation time, X-ray radiation exposure, damage to cartilage, and postoperative complications were recorded.

Results

The mean operation time in groups A and B were 20.78 and 28.39 min, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant. Compared with group B, the intraoperative exposure of X-rays in group A was reduced by 25% on average. After 9–24 months of follow-up, the deformities were corrected in both groups. No significant differences in the treatment effect were noted between the groups, and no complications occurred.

Conclusions

Using the individualized navigation template in the guided growth technique made the surgical procedure convenient and simple to perform. In addition, the operation time and intraoperative exposure to X-rays were reduced. We consider that 3D printed navigation templates can facilitate the accurate completion of corrective surgeries for lower limb deformities in children, which is worthy of promotion and application.
Management of severe spasticity with and without dystonia with intrathecal baclofen in the pediatric population: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Gober Joslyn , Seymour Michelle , Miao Hongyu , Curry Daniel J. , Thomas Sruthi P.
Published: May 2022

Objective

To investigate the differences in delivery mode, daily dose, and catheter tip location in pediatric patients using intrathecal baclofen (ITB) pumps with spasticity plus dystonia versus spasticity alone.

Methods

A single-center, cross-sectional study was performed by collecting retrospective data from electronic medical records. Demographic and diagnostic information was obtained, comparing patients with spasticity with or without dystonia. The data were analyzed for group differences using a two-tailed Student’s t-test. Categorical data were analyzed for group differences using Pearson’s χ2test.

Results

A total of 137 patients met the criteria. The majority (114) had spasticity plus dystonia whereas only 23 were documented as spasticity alone. Simple continuous dosing was the most common delivery mode, but flex dosing was used more than twice as frequently with spasticity plus dystonia compared with spasticity alone (42% vs 17%). Patients with spasticity plus dystonia also had more rostral catheter tip locations.

Conclusions

While it has been discussed anecdotally, this study confirms the supposition that patients with spasticity plus dystonia have increased dose requirements when compared with those with spasticity alone. Although there are no clear standards of care when managing these patients, they are often on higher daily dosages, are more likely to require flexed dosing method, and have higher catheter placements. Still, there are few studies that demonstrate improvements in dystonia with the use of ITB. In general, these patients would benefit from the development of universal standardizations as well as the confirmation that this is an appropriate treatment.
Neutrino emission from binary neutron star mergers: characterising light curves and mean energies
Authors: Cusinato Marco , Guercilena Federico Maria , Perego Albino , Logoteta Domenico , Radice David , Bernuzzi Sebastiano , Ansoldi Stefano
Published: May 2022

Neutrinos are copiously emitted by neutron star mergers, due to the high temperatures reached by dense matter during the merger and its aftermath. Neutrinos influence the merger dynamics and shape the properties of the ejecta, including the resulting r-process nucleosynthesis and kilonova emission. In this work, we analyse neutrino emission from a large sample of binary neutron star merger simulations in Numerical Relativity, covering a broad range of initial masses, nuclear equation of state and viscosity treatments. We extract neutrino luminosities and mean energies, and compute quantities of interest such as the peak values, peak broadnesses, time averages and decrease time scales. We provide a systematic description of such quantities, including their dependence on the initial parameters of the system. We find that for equal-mass systems the total neutrino luminosity (several $$10^{53}{\hbox {erg}~{\hbox {s}}^{-1}}$$

10
53

erg

s

-
1

) decreases as the reduced tidal deformability increases, as a consequence of the less violent merger dynamics. Similarly, tidal disruption in asymmetric mergers leads to systematically smaller luminosities. Peak luminosities can be twice as large as the average ones. Electron antineutrino luminosities dominate (initially by a factor of 2-3) over electron neutrino ones, while electron neutrinos and heavy flavour neutrinos have similar luminosities. Mean energies are nearly constant in time and independent on the binary parameters. Their values reflect the different decoupling temperature inside the merger remnant. Despite present uncertainties in neutrino modelling, our results provide a broad and physically grounded characterisation of neutrino emission, and they can serve as a reference point to develop more sophisticated neutrino transport schemes.
Holographic modeling of nuclear matter and neutron stars
Authors: Järvinen Matti
Published: May 2022

I review holographic models for (dense and cold) nuclear matter, neutron stars, and their mergers. I start by a brief general discussion on current knowledge of cold QCD matter and neutron stars, and go on discussing various approaches to model cold nuclear and quark matter by using gauge/gravity duality, pointing out their strengths and weaknesses. Then I focus on recent results for a complex bottom-up holographic framework (V-QCD), which also takes input from lattice QCD results, effective field theory, and perturbative QCD. Dense nuclear matter is modeled in V-QCD through a homogeneous non-Abelian bulk gauge field. Feasible “hybrid” equations of state for cold nuclear (and quark) matter can be constructed by using traditional methods (e.g., effective field theory) at low densities and the holographic V-QCD model at higher densities. I discuss the constraints from this approach to the properties of the nuclear to quark matter transition as well as to properties of neutron stars. Using such hybrid equations of state as an input for numerical simulations of neutron star mergers, I also derive predictions for the spectrum of produced gravitational waves.
Semileptonic D meson decays to the vector, axial vector and scalar mesons in Hard-Wall AdS/QCD correspondence
Authors: Momeni S. , Saghebfar M.
Published: May 2022

In this work, a Hard-Wall AdS/QCD model with 4 flavours is utilized to calculate the transition form factors for the semileptonic $$D\rightarrow (V, A, S)\,\ell \,\nu _{\ell }$$

D
→

(
V
,
A
,
S
)

ℓ

ν
ℓ

. These decays occur by $$c \rightarrow d\,\ell \,\nu _{\ell }$$

c
→
d

ℓ

ν
ℓ

transition at quark level for $$D^{0} \rightarrow \rho ^{-}(b_{1}^{-}, a_{1}^{-}, a_{0}^{-})\,\ell \,\nu _{\ell }$$

D
0

→

ρ
-

(

b

1

-

,

a

1

-

,

a

0

-

)

ℓ

ν
ℓ

, $$D_{s}^{+} \rightarrow K_{0}(K_{1A}^{0}, K_{1B}^{0})\,\ell \,\nu _{\ell }$$

D

s

+

→

K
0

(

K

1
A

0

,

K

1
B

0

)

ℓ

ν
ℓ

decays while the semileptonic decays $$D^{0} \rightarrow K^{_{*-}}(K_{1A}^{_-}, K_{1B}^{_-}, K_{0}^{_-})$$

D
0

→

K

∗
-

(

K

1
A

-

,

K

1
B

-

,

K

0

-

)

$$\ell \,\nu _{\ell }$$

ℓ

ν
ℓ

and $$D^{+} \rightarrow {\bar{K}}_{0}({\bar{K}}_{1A}^{0}, {\bar{K}}_{1B}^{0})\,\ell \,\nu _{\ell }$$

D
+

→

K

¯

0

(

K

¯

1
A

0

,

K

¯

1
B

0

)

ℓ

ν
ℓ

proceed by $$c \rightarrow \, s\, \ell \,\nu _{\ell }$$

c
→

s

ℓ

ν
ℓ

transition. The masses and decay constants of scalar mesons as well as the form factors and the branching ratios of aforementioned decays are calculated in our model, and a comparison is also made between our results and predictions of other theoretical methods and the existing experimental values.
Real-Time Design and Implementation of Soft Error Mitigation Using Embedded System
Authors: Das Bhagwan , Mushtaque Ayesha , Memon Farida , Dhanaraj Rajesh Kumar , Thirumalaisamy Manikandan , Shaikh Muhammad Zakir , Nighat Arbab , Gismalla Mohammed S. M.
Published: May 2022

Soft errors are the most common aspect of errors that are incurred in the memory devices during transmission. The common and fundamental reason of these soft errors is radiation that produces leakage of current and results in misleading information which is sent to various transmission stations via satellite and microwave communication. In this paper, the real-time embedded system is designed and implemented to mitigate the soft error using hybrid Hamming code. The work also develops the hardware system for soft error mitigation. The designed system is compared with the other coding schemes that are commonly available for error mitigation. The performance of real-time embedded system for soft error mitigation is carried out using signal-to-noise ratio and other performance metrics. The timing diagram analysis is the key metrics of the paper that defined the performance of the designed soft error mitigation design using the proposed technique. Furthermore, the results of the designed systems are demonstrated using bit error probability, Pb and channel symbol error probability (CSEP). The impact of the designed system will be that from now onwards using the proposed system, the soft error produced due to radiation and other reasons would not affect too much on transmission and reception of important data via satellite and microwave communication.
Flag-transitive automorphism groups of 2-designs with λ ≥ (r,λ)2 and k odd
Authors: Liang Hongxue , Zhang Zhilin , Zhang Yongli
Published: May 2022

This paper aims to prove that flag-transitive automorphism groups of [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text] designs with [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] odd are not of product action type.
Optimisation of German Language Database Query for Foreign Companies Based on Hybrid Learning
Authors: Chengcheng Yan
Published: May 2022

Traditional database query optimisation methods use stochastic algorithms to approximate the query optimisation results by continuously adjusting the optimisation plan. Since the stochastic algorithm only performs query optimisation from a single perspective, it leads to no significant improvement of the optimised database query efficiency. To address the above problems, we studied the query optimisation method of foreign enterprises’ German language data database based on hybrid learning. By reducing the database query search space and selecting query optimisation strategy, the data query complexity is reduced. After estimating the cost of database query optimisation, the policy selection algorithm is trained using the hybrid learning theory to obtain the database query optimisation path. The simulation experimental results show that the average query response of the optimised database after applying the studied method saves about 13.6%, and the query cost is lower and the optimisation effect is better.
Design of Interactive Teaching System of Physical Training Based on Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Xu Min , Liu DongAo , Zhang Yan
Published: May 2022

Nowadays, with the continuous change and innovation of teaching methods in Colleges and universities, the curriculum system of students is also constantly enriched and developed. Therefore, people’s requirements for teaching management and teaching system are also improving. Physical education curriculum is usually based on outdoor teaching, and some schools have not established a complete teaching system. Therefore, the interactive teaching system of physical training based on artificial intelligence is designed. First of all, through the construction of the interactive teaching system of the total control circuit, determine the corresponding circuit address decoding, improve the audio control circuit, associated video connection interactive drive three parts, the intelligent sports training interactive system hardware design. Then, through the creation of intelligent training function module, the design of training database and the realisation of effective training and teaching of intelligent sports, the software design of intelligent sports training interactive system is carried out. Finally, through the test of the system, to verify the corresponding effect, further improve the relevant system, make it more safe and accurate, improve the efficiency of sports training interactive system, enhance the integrity of the teaching process.
Magnetoelectric gradient structures: Properties and applications
Authors: Nikitin A. O. , Kiselev V. A. , Misilin V. A. , Kiliba Yu. V. , Petrov R. V.
Published: May 2022

This paper is devoted to a comprehensive study on a new type of microwave structures named magnetoelectric (ME) gradient structures. These structures are studied in this paper to understand the possibilities and application principles in feasible devices. The structure under study was calculated at different values of the applied electric field and different values of the relative permittivity of the artificial dielectric layer. The layered multiferroic structure in inhomogeneous electric and magnetic fields was calculated on the basis of the previously proposed mathematical model. The eigenwaves spectrum for several considered cases was the result of the performed calculation. The concept of using ME gradient structures in the design of electronically controlled microwave devices is formed on the basis of the results of a numerical experiment. Structures of this type will preferably be used in electronically controlled devices for the directional transmission of microwave signals, as it was shown in the theoretical part of the paper.
Temperature-activation mechanism of the temperature dependence of the dielectric constant of ferroelectric ceramics PZT
Authors: Kuzenko D. V.
Published: May 2022

The theoretical possibility of the temperature-activation process of the temperature dependence of the dielectric constant of samples of ferroelectric ceramics lead zirconate titanate (PZT) at temperatures below the Curie point is considered. The model takes into account the 180° motion of the domain wall, which is located in the potential well. The values of activation energies ([Formula: see text] 0.01, 0.1, 1 eV) were obtained from the experimental dependences of the logarithm of the dielectric constant on the reciprocal temperature. This is associated with three processes: initial vibrations of domain walls; separation of domain walls (DWs) from oxygen vacancies; the motion of DWs as a result of the motion of oxygen vacancies.
Jurassic tectonics of northeastern Gondwana: evidence from the detrital zircon record of the Nambour Basin
Authors: Henderson Robert A. , Foley Elliot K. , Roberts Eric M.
Published: May 2022

The Nambour Basin provides the easternmost record of Jurassic sedimentation for Australia. U–Pb detrital zircon age spectra constrain basin infill as Early–Middle Jurassic (
c.
195–163 Ma). Early Jurassic samples are dominated by 650–500 Ma detrital zircon sourced from the Lachlan Orogen of southeastern Australia. Distal Jurassic upland associated with this orogen was generated by epeiric uplift. Sediment sourced from it was transported northwards and eastwards into the Nambour Basin as corroborated by basinal paleocurrent data. In contrast, Devonian to Triassic detrital zircon from the New England Orogen, which abuts the Nambour Basin margin, are scarce. Topographic relief across this orogen generated by the Permo-Triassic (
c.
260–230 Ma) Hunter Bowen Orogeny, had been largely eliminated by the Early Jurassic. Dominant Jurassic detrital zircon for one sample of this age, combined with related paleocurrent data and the absence of a Jurassic zircon source in eastern Australia, reflects an easterly Jurassic igneous assemblage now located on submerged northern Zealandia. The detrital zircon data presented herein constrains tectonic interpretations proposed for Jurassic east Gondwana, continental margin sedimentary assemblages in New Caledonia and New Zealand. Documentation of continental epeiric uplift from detrital zircon age data obtained from basin fill has potential yet to be explored.

Supplementary material:
Tables S1 and S2 are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5988017
A Comprehensive Survey on Imputation of Missing Data in Internet of Things
Authors: Adhikari Deepak , Jiang Wei , Zhan Jinyu , He Zhiyuan , Rawat Danda B. , Aickelin Uwe , Khorshidi Hadi A.
Published: May 2022

The Internet of Things (IoT) is enabled by the latest developments in smart sensors, communication technologies, and Internet protocols with broad applications. Collecting data from IoT and generating information from these data become tedious tasks in real-life applications when missing data are encountered in datasets. It is of critical importance to deal with the missing data timely for intelligent decision-making. Hence, this survey attempts to provide a structured and comprehensive overview of the research on the imputation of incomplete data in IoT. The article starts by providing an overview of incomplete data based on the architecture of IoT. Then, it discusses the various strategies to handle the missing data, the assumptions used, the computing platform, and the issues related to them. The article also explores the application of imputation in the area of IoT. We encourage researchers and data analysts to use known imputation techniques and discuss various issues and challenges. Finally, potential future directions regarding the method are suggested. We believe this survey will provide a better understanding of the research of incomplete data and serve as a guide for future research.
Memory-aware Partitioning, Scheduling, and Floorplanning for Partially Dynamically Reconfigurable Systems
Authors: Ding Bo , Huang Jinglei , Xu Qi , Wang Junpeng , Chen Song , Kang Yi
Published: May 2022

Partially dynamic reconfiguration (PDR) technology can accelerate the reconfiguration process and overcome hardware resource constraints when facing the challenge of high performance with respect to applications and resources constraints on field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). On FPGAs with PDR technology, the available on-chip Block RAM (BRAM) resources may not satisfy the memory requirements for all data. If we reserve more BRAM resources, then the total area of the dynamically reconfigurable region (DRR) that is used for calculation will decrease, with a reduction in system performance. We propose a memory-aware optimization framework to search for the optimal solution considering partitioning, scheduling, and floorplanning, where we make a tradeoff between performance and on-chip memory resources utilization. We then propose methods for memory allocation: An ILP model and a heuristic algorithm are provided to determine the minimum memory requirements and the number of corresponding memory blocks for data, as well as to determine whether the memory block with its stored data is assigned on-chip or off-chip by formulating the problem into a 0-1 knapsack problem and solving it using dynamic programming. Experimental results show that the memory-aware optimization framework and methods of memory allocation can increase the amount of on-chip data access to 29.65% of the total data volume with guaranteed performance.
Preparation of Iron-Copper Oxalates and Oxides for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Ye Cuizhu , Wang Zixu , Shen Yi
Published: May 2022

Recently, great efforts have been directed in searching for electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In this work, a series of earth-abundant and low-cost iron-copper oxalates and oxides with varying iron/copper ratios were prepared and further examined as OER electrocatalysts. The structures of the samples were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The catalytic performance of the samples was evaluated by linear scanning voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and chronoamperometry. The electrochemical results indicated that the oxides are better OER candidates than the corresponding oxalates. The coexistence of copper oxide and iron oxide is beneficial for OER activity. Among the samples, the 6CuO-Fe2O3 exhibited the best OER activity. To yield a current density of 10 mA cm−2, only a potential of 1.74 V was required. In addition, the oxide catalysts also had good stability, as confirmed by chronoamperometry tests.
A Stabilized Assisted Method for the Synthesis of Fe-N-C Catalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Maouche Chanez , Zhou Yazhou , Li Bing , Cheng Chao , Wu Zirui , Han Xue , Rao Shaosheng , Li Yi , Rahman Nasir , Yang Juan
Published: May 2022

Iron-nitrogen-carbon graphitic (Fe-N-C), a noble metal-free catalyst holds a lot of promise to substitute platinum (Pt) as an efficient catalyst in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). However, the synthesis process and the stabilization of single atoms that tend to aggregate, without jeopardizing the catalytic activity remain challenging. Here we demonstrate a stabilized assisted method for the preparation of Fe-N-C electrocatalyst by using graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanosheet as a template. Fe ions are absorbed on the surface of g-C3N4 and imprisoned after the addition of pyrrole, preventing Fe migration that may result in nanoparticles. During the pyrolysis, Fe atoms coordinated with N provided by g-C3N4 and pyrrole on graphitic carbon to form Fe-N-C with a metal loading of 5.4 wt%. Moreover, FeNx species were introduced in the graphitic carbon, where the coexistence of micro and mesopores were favorable to offer a larger density of active sites compared to Fe/NP without pyrrole. Fe-N-C demonstrated a good electrocatalytic performance with a half-wave potential (E
1/2) of 0.82 V (vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE)) higher than Fe/NP (0.76 V) and close to Pt/C, with a superior long stability of 85% in alkaline media after 40000 s.
Incidence and Risk Factors of Thyroid Malignancy in Patients with Toxic Nodular Goiter
Authors: Mohamed Tarek Zaghloul , Sultan Ahmed Abd El Aal , Tag El-Din Mohamed , Mostafa Ahmed A. Elfattah , Nafea Mohammed A. , Kalmoush Abd-Elfattah , Nassar Mohammed Shaaban , Abdalgaleel Mohamad Adel , Hegab Ahmed M. , Ibrahim Ayman Helmy , Baheeg Mohamad
Published: May 2022

Background. Although hyperfunctioning thyroid disorders were thought to be protective against malignancy, some recent studies reported a high incidence of incidentally discovered cancer in patients with hyperfunctioning benign thyroid disorders. We performed this study to estimate the incidence and predictors of malignant thyroid disease in patients with toxic nodular goiter (TNG). Patients and Methods. The data of 98 patients diagnosed with TNG were reviewed (including toxic multinodular goiter SMNG and single toxic nodule STN). The collected data included patients age, gender, systemic comorbidities, family history of thyroid malignancy, previous neck radiation, type of disease (multinodular or single), size of the dominant nodule by the US, operative time, and detection of significant lymph nodes during operation. Based on the histopathological analysis, the cases were allocated into benign and malignant groups. Results. Malignancy was detected in 21 patients (21.43%). Although age distribution was comparable between the two groups, males showed a significant increase in association with malignancy. Medical comorbidities and family history of cancer did not differ between the two groups. However, TMNG showed a statistically higher prevalence in the malignant group. Operative data, including operative time and lymph node detection, were comparable between the two groups. On regression analysis, both male gender and TMNG were significant predictors of malignancy. Conclusion. The presence of thyroid hyperfunction is not a protective factor against malignancy, as malignancy was detected in about 1/5 of cases. Male gender and TMNG were significant risk factors of malignancy in such patients.
Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Related to Osteoporosis and Correlates of Perceived High Risk among People Living in Two Main Districts of Lebanon
Authors: Nohra Joanna , Sacre Yonna , Abdel-Nour Afif , Mannan Haider
Published: May 2022

Background. The prevalence of osteoporosis is increasing in Lebanon. Aim. We evaluated the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to osteoporosis and correlates of its perceived high risk among people living in Beirut and Mount Lebanon districts of Lebanon. Methods. This study is a cross-sectional study which consisted of 376 participants that were selected from the two districts within two or three households after two geographical areas were randomly selected from each stratum classified by education and altitude. They were then asked to fill a KAP survey on osteoporosis and provide information on factors likely related to its perceived high risk. Results. The majority of participants had a low (20.2%) and moderate (65.4%) knowledge of osteoporosis, with a higher knowledge in females than in males. A higher percentage of young people perceived it as a serious health risk than that of older people. In contrast, 85.9% participants reported drinking caffeinated beverages and 51.6% participants reported that they do not exercise. Glucose intolerance due to epigenetic and genetic factors, female sex, and older age were risk factors of a perceived high risk of osteoporosis, while any physical exercise, abstention from caffeine for 48 to 72 hours, and higher education were protective factors. Conclusion. A nationwide KAP study should be conducted; likewise, awareness campaigns should be adopted.
Inhibition of Oxidative Stress: An Important Molecular Mechanism of Chinese Herbal Medicine (Astragalus membranaceus, Carthamus tinctorius L., Radix Salvia Miltiorrhizae, etc.) in the Treatment of Ischemic Stroke by Regulating the Antioxidant System
Authors: Zhao Xixi , He Yu , Zhang Yangyang , Wan Haofang , Wan Haitong , Yang Jiehong
Published: May 2022

Ischemic stroke is a severe cerebrovascular disease with high mortality and morbidity. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been utilized for thousands of years in China and is becoming increasingly popular all over the world, especially for the treatments of ischemic stroke. More and more evidences have implicated that oxidative stress has been closely related with ischemic stroke. This review will concentrate on the evidence of the action mechanism of Chinese herbal medicine and its active ingredient in preventing ischemic stroke by modulating redox signaling and oxidative stress pathways and providing references for clinical treatment and scientific research applications.