bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MYO5B‐associated diseases: Novel liver‐related variants and genotype‐phenotype correlation
Authors: Wang Li , Qiu Yi‐Ling , Xu Hong‐Mei , Zhu Jing , Li Shuang‐Jie , OuYang Wen‐Xian , Yang Yong‐Feng , Lu Yi , Xie Xin‐Bao , Xing Qing‐He , Wang Jian‐She
Published: November 2021

Background & Aims

Biallelic pathogenic variants in MYO5B cause microvillus inclusion disease (MVID), or familial intrahepatic cholestasis (FIC). The reported FIC patients are scarce and so the genotype‐phenotype correlation has not been fully characterised. This study aimed to report more MYO5B‐associated FIC patients and correlate genotypes to phenotypes in more detail.

Methods

The phenotype and genetic data of 12 newly diagnosed MYO5B‐associated (including 11 FIC) patients, as well as 118 previously reported patients with available genotypes, were summarised. Only patients with biallelic MYO5B variants were enrolled. Nonsense, frameshift, canonical splice sites, initiation codon loss, and single exon or multiexon deletion were defined as null MYO5B variants.

Results

Phenotypically, 50 were isolated MVID, 47 involved both liver and intestine (combined), and 33 were isolated FIC (9 persistent, 15 recurrent, 3 transient, and 6 un‐sub‐classified) patients. The severity of intestinal manifestation was positively correlated to an increased number of null variants (ρ = 0.299, P = .001). All FIC patients carried at least one non‐null variant, and the severity of cholestasis was correlated to the presence of a null variant (ρ = 0.420, P = .029). The proportion of FIC patients (16/29, 55%) harbouring missense/in‐frame variants affecting the non‐motor regions of MYO5B was significantly higher than that of MVID (3/25, 12%, P = .001) and combined patients (3/31, 10%, P = .000). 10 of the 29 FIC patients harboured missense/in‐frame variants at the IQ motifs comparing to none in the 56 MVID and combined patients (P = .000).

Conclusions

The phenotype of MYO5B deficiency was associated with MYO5B genotypes, the nullity or the domain affected.
A Flourishing Brain in the 21st Century: A Scoping Review of the Impact of Developing Good Habits for Mind, Brain, Well‐Being, and Learning
Authors: Ekman Rolf , Fletcher Anna , Giota Joanna , Eriksson Axel , Thomas Bertil , Bååthe Fredrik
Published: November 2021

Emerging scientific knowledge such as the role of epigenetics and neuroplasticity—the brain's capability to constantly rewire with every action, experience, and thought—is fundamentally changing our understanding of the potential impact we can have on our brain. Our brain is formed by our habits in interaction with our body, the environment, influenced by our lifestyle, successes, failures, and traumas. Neuroplasticity proves that every student's brain is a work in progress, and it is never too late to take better care of one's cognitive fitness. This review presents a repertoire of good habits (GHs). Combined, we suggest that these GHs provide conditions for optimal brain health, by acting as a “Mental Vaccine” which enhances the brain's resilience to brain health‐degrading challenges. We argue that schools have a crucial role to play in empowering students to increase their own stress resilience, well‐being, and learning by developing their own GHs profile.
Why do Energy Markets in Europe Rely on One Instrument?
Authors: Kettunen Janne , Nematollahi Eissa , Zinchenko Yuriy
Published: November 2021

A common feature to electricity markets with derivative contracts is that the traded contracts are almost only futures and that they are traded multiple times the overall electricity demand. To understand why this occurs in practice, we study the efficiency of risk aligning in the competitive energy industry through derivative contract trading. We derive conditions that need to hold for a contract to provide the most efficient risk aligning, among all possible derivative contracts imaginable. We develop a game‐theoretical model that includes multiple competing producers and retailers whose decision‐makers are heterogeneous in their risk preferences that are captured using mean‐variance utilities. We derive closed‐form equilibrium quantities for the exchanged contracts and contract prices. We show using a simplified setup that, under an inelastic spot price, the optimal quantity and the price of the traded futures contract are driven by the proportion of the electricity spot price that retailers pass down to the consumers. In particular, this proportion impacts who are the buyers and the sellers of the contracts, what quantities of contracts are traded, and at what price the contracts are traded. We apply the model to the German electricity market and show that the conditions for guaranteeing a futures contract to be the most efficient risk aligning contract hold approximately. Our result can explain the dominance of futures contract trading in the energy industry and also the counter‐intuitively large quantity of traded futures, which exceeds multiple times the supplied quantity of electricity. Our results can aid decision‐makers in deciding on the types, amounts, and prices of contracts to trade. For market regulators, our results are helpful in providing understanding regarding the contract trading behavior on the market.
The max‐p‐compact‐regions problem
Authors: Feng Xin , Rey Sergio , Wei Ran
Published: November 2021

The max‐p‐compact‐regions problem involves the aggregation of a set of small areas into an unknown maximum number (p) of compact, homogeneous, and spatially contiguous regions such that a regional attribute value is higher than a predefined threshold. The max‐p‐compact‐regions problem is an extension of the max‐p‐regions problem accounting for compactness. The max‐p‐regions model has been widely used to define study regions in many application cases since it allows users to specify criteria and then to identify a regionalization scheme. However, the max‐p‐regions model does not consider compactness even though compactness is usually a desirable goal in regionalization, implying ideal accessibility and apparent homogeneity. This article discusses how to integrate a compactness measure into the max‐p regionalization process by constructing a multiobjective optimization model that maximizes the number of regions while optimizing the compactness of identified regions. An efficient heuristic algorithm is developed to address the computational intensity of the max‐p‐compact‐regions problem so that it can be applied to large‐scale practical regionalization problems. This new algorithm will be implemented in the open‐source Python Spatial Analysis Library. One hypothetical and one practical application of the max‐p‐compact‐regions problem are introduced to demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed algorithm.
Instruments for the identification of patients in need of palliative care in the hospital setting: a systematic review of measurement properties
Authors: Teike Lüthi Fabienne , MacDonald Ibo , Rosselet Amoussou Joëlle , Bernard Mathieu , Borasio Gian Domenico , Ramelet Anne-Sylvie
Published: November 2021

Objective:

The objective of this review was to provide a comprehensive overview of the measurement properties of the available instruments used by clinicians for identifying adults in need of general or specialized palliative care in hospital settings.

Introduction:

Identification of patients in need of palliative care has been recognized as an area where many health care professionals need guidance. Differentiating between patients who require general palliative care and patients with more complex conditions who need specialized palliative care is particularly challenging.

Inclusion criteria:

We included development and validation studies that reported on measurement properties (eg, content validity, reliability, or responsiveness) of instruments used by clinicians for identifying adult patients (>18 years and older) in need of palliative care in hospital settings.

Methods:

Studies published until March 2020 were searched in four databases: Embase.com, MEDLINE (Ovid), PubMed, and CINAHL (EBSCO). Unpublished studies were searched in Google Scholar, government websites, hospice websites, the Library Network of Western Switzerland, and WorldCat. The search was not restricted by language; however, only studies published in English or French were eligible for inclusion. The title and abstracts of the studies were screened by two independent reviewers against the inclusion criteria. Full-text studies were reviewed for inclusion by two independent reviewers. The quality of the measurement properties of all included studies were assessed independently by two reviewers according to the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) methodology.

Results:

Out of the 23 instruments identified, four instruments were included, as reported in six studies: the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) criteria, the Necesidades Paliativas (NECPAL), the Palliative Care Screening Tool (PCST), and the Supportive and Palliative Care Indicators Tool (SPICT). The overall psychometric quality of all four instruments was insufficient according to the COSMIN criteria, with the main deficit being poor construct description during development.

Conclusions:

For the early identification of patients needing palliative care in hospital settings, there is poor quality and incomplete evidence according to the COSMIN criteria for the four available instruments. This review highlights the need for further development of the construct being measured. This may be done by conducting additional studies on these instruments or by developing a new instrument for the identification of patients in need of palliative care that addresses the current gaps in construct and structural validity.

Systematic review registration number:

PROSPERO CRD42020150074
Organ donation after medical assistance in dying: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Silva e Silva Vanessa , Ross-White Amanda , Hornby Laura , Lotherington Ken , Silva Amina , Rochon Andrea , Sarti Aimee , Dhanani Sonny
Published: November 2021

Objective:

This scoping review will collate and summarize the current literature on what is known worldwide about organ donation following medical assistance in dying. The information gathered will be used to inform updates of current and future policies on organ donation following medical assistance in dying in Canada.

Introduction:

Medical assistance in dying is a controversial and contentious issue worldwide. While more countries are legalizing medical assistance in this regard, very few allow organ donation after such assistance has been given. At present, Canada, Belgium, and The Netherlands are the only three countries that permit this procedure. This scoping review will be conducted to summarize the current state of evidence and practices regarding organ donation following medical assistance in dying.

Inclusion criteria:

This review will consider articles and documents on individuals who choose organ donation following medical assistance in dying. Articles will be considered for inclusion if they explore organ donation following medical assistance in dying at home or in any health care setting in any country. Quantitative and qualitative studies, text and opinion papers, gray literature, and unpublished materials provided by researchers will be considered for inclusion.

Methods:

This review will be conducted in accordance with the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. Published and unpublished materials will be included. Databases will include MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science – Science Citation Index and Social Science Citation Index, and Academic Search Complete. Relevant gray literature and materials from organ donation organizations will be included. Two independent reviewers will screen all material, extract data, and complete the descriptive examination.
Screening of Lost Circulation Materials for Geothermal Applications: Experimental Study at High Temperature
Authors: Vivas Cesar , Salehi Saeed
Published: November 2021

This study presents a laboratory experimental research to determine the characteristics of lost circulation materials (LCMs) capable of addressing thermal degradation, providing bridging and sealing in geothermal conditions. Eleven different materials were tested: Walnut Fine, Walnut Medium, Sawdust, Altavert, Graphite Blend, Bentonite Chips, Micronized Cellulose (MICRO-C), Magma Fiber Fine, diatomaceous earth/amorphous silica powder (DEASP), Cotton Seed Hulls, and a Calcium Carbonate Blend. The filtration and sealing pressure of the LCMs were measured with HPHT equipment up to 149 °C (300 °F). Besides, the particle size distribution (PSD) of fine granular materials was measured. The results show that the performance of some LCM materials commonly used in geothermal operations is affected by high temperature. Characteristics such as shape and size made some materials more prone to thermal degradation. Also, it was found that the PSD of LCMs is a key factor in the effectiveness of bridging and sealing fractures. The results suggest that granular materials with a wide particle size distribution PSD are suitable for geothermal applications.
Multisensory Virtual Reality for Delivering Training Content to Machinery Operators
Authors: Bordegoni Monica , Carulli Marina , Spadoni Elena
Published: November 2021

The issue of training operators in the use of machinery is topical in the industrial field and in many other contexts, such as university laboratories. Training is about learning how to use machinery properly and safely. Beyond the possibility of studying manuals to learn how to use a machine, operators typically learn through on-the-job training. Indeed, learning by doing is in general more effective, tasks done practically are remembered more easily, and the training is more motivating and less tiresome. On the other hand, this training method has several negative factors. In particular, safety may be a major issue in some training situations. An approach that may contribute overcoming negative factors is using Virtual Reality and digital simulation techniques for operators training. The research work presented in this paper concerns the development of a multisensory virtual reality application for training operators to properly use machinery and personal protective equipment (PPE). The context selected for the study is a university laboratory hosting manufacturing machinery. The application allows user to navigate the laboratory, to approach a machine and learn about how to operate it, and also to use proper PPE while operating a machine. Specifically, the paper describes the design and implementation of the application and presents the results of preliminary testing sessions.
Variation of Lubricant Distribution Across the Radial Direction in a Journal Bearing
Authors: Wei Shanshan , Kligerman Yuri , Goltsberg Roman , Etsion Izhak
Published: November 2021

A computational fluid dynamics analysis of two-phase flow was used to obtain the distribution of lubricant in a journal bearing, including inlet tube and groove. It was found that for an incomplete starting film, the oil spread-length varies along the groove depth and film thickness. The magnitude of variation was found to be independent of the inlet mass flowrate. Numerical simulations of the proposed model show that in the cavitation region, the streamlets do not fill the entire film thickness. The present numerical model agrees with experimental observations.
Perception of gender in children's voices
Authors: Barreda Santiago , Assmann Peter F.
Published: November 2021

To investigate the perception of gender from children's voices, adult listeners were presented with /hVd/ syllables, in isolation and in sentence context, produced by children between 5 and 18 years. Half the listeners were informed of the age of the talker during trials, while the other half were not. Correct gender identifications increased with talker age; however, performance was above chance even for age groups where the cues most often associated with gender differentiation (i.e., average fundamental frequency and formant frequencies) were not consistently different between boys and girls. The results of acoustic models suggest that cues were used in an age-dependent manner, whether listeners were explicitly told the age of the talker or not. Overall, results are consistent with the hypothesis that talker age and gender are estimated jointly in the process of speech perception. Furthermore, results show that the gender of individual talkers can be identified accurately well before reliable anatomical differences arise in the vocal tracts of females and males. In general, results support the notion that the transmission of gender information from voice depends substantially on gender-dependent patterns of articulation, rather than following deterministically from anatomical differences between male and female talkers.
A causal and talker-independent speaker separation/dereverberation deep learning algorithm: Cost associated with conversion to real-time capable operation
Authors: Healy Eric W. , Taherian Hassan , Johnson Eric M. , Wang DeLiang
Published: November 2021

The fundamental requirement for real-time operation of a speech-processing algorithm is causality—that it operate without utilizing future time frames. In the present study, the performance of a fully causal deep computational auditory scene analysis algorithm was assessed. Target sentences were isolated from complex interference consisting of an interfering talker and concurrent room reverberation. The talker- and corpus/channel-independent model used Dense-UNet and temporal convolutional networks and estimated both magnitude and phase of the target speech. It was found that mean algorithm benefit was significant in every condition. Mean benefit for hearing-impaired (HI) listeners across all conditions was 46.4 percentage points. The cost of converting the algorithm to causal processing was also assessed by comparing to a prior non-causal version. Intelligibility decrements for HI and normal-hearing listeners from non-causal to causal processing were present in most but not all conditions, and these decrements were statistically significant in half of the conditions tested—those representing the greater levels of complex interference. Although a cost associated with causal processing was present in most conditions, it may be considered modest relative to the overall level of benefit.
International Swimming League: Do Successive Events Lead to Improve Swimming Performance?
Authors: Pla Robin , Leroy Arthur , Raineteau Yannis , Hellard Philippe
Published: November 2021

Purpose: To quantify the impact of successive competitions on swimming performance in world-class swimmers. Methods: An entire data set of all events swum during a new competition named the International Swimming League was collected. A Bayesian linear mixed model has been proposed to evaluate whether a progression could be observed during the International Swimming League’s successive competitions and to quantify this effect according to event, age, and gender. Results: An overall progression of 0.0005 (0.0001 to 0.0010) m/s/d was observed. The daily mean progression (ie, faster performance) was twice as high for men as for women (0.0008 [0.00 to 0.0014] vs 0.0003 [−0.0003 to 0.0009] m·s−1). A tendency toward higher progression for middle distances (200 and 400 m) and for swimmers of a higher caliber (above 850 FINA [Fédération Internationale de Natation] points) was also observed. Swimmers between 23 and 26 years of age seemed to improve their swimming speed more in comparison with the other swimmers. Conclusions: This new league format, which involves several competitions in a row, seems to allow for an enhancement in swimming performance. Coaches and their support staff can now adapt their periodization plan in order to promote competition participation.
Patching up B cells
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: November 2021

Lysosome-mediated plasma membrane repair promotes antigen internalization by B cells.
SOS-Independent Pyocin Production in P. aeruginosa Is Induced by XerC Recombinase Deficiency
Authors: Baggett Nina S. , Bronson Adam S. , Cabeen Matthew T.
Published: November 2021

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is a versatile and ubiquitous bacterium that frequently infects humans as an opportunistic pathogen.
P. aeruginosa
competes with other strains within the species by producing killing complexes termed pyocins, which are only known to be induced by cells experiencing DNA damage and the subsequent SOS response. Here, we discovered that strains lacking a recombinase enzyme called XerC strongly produce pyocins independently of the SOS response.
Genome-Guided Discovery of Natural Products through Multiplexed Low-Coverage Whole-Genome Sequencing of Soil Actinomycetes on Oxford Nanopore Flongle
Authors: Rajwani Rahim , Ohlemacher Shannon I. , Zhao Gengxiang , Liu Hong-Bing , Bewley Carole A.
Published: November 2021

Short-read sequencing of GC-rich genomes such as those from actinomycetes results in a fragmented genome assembly and truncated biosynthetic gene clusters (often 10 to >100 kb long), which hinders our ability to understand the biosynthetic potential of a given strain and predict the molecules that can be produced. The current study demonstrates that contiguous DNA assemblies, suitable for analysis of BGCs, can be obtained through low-coverage, multiplexed sequencing on Flongle, which provides a new low-cost workflow ($30 to 40 per strain) for sequencing actinomycete strain libraries.
Beating Adolescent Self-Harm (BASH): a randomised controlled trial comparing usual care versus usual care plus a smartphone self-harm prevention app (BlueIce) in young adolescents aged 12–17 who self-harm: study protocol
Authors: Greenhalgh Isobel , Tingley Jessica , Taylor Gordon , Medina-Lara Antonieta , Rhodes Shelley , Stallard P
Published: November 2021

Introduction

A mobile app, BlueIce, was codesigned with young people with a history of self-harm to provide them with more accessible and available evidence-based support at times of distress. A preliminary evaluation found that BlueIce was acceptable, safe and used by young people and helped to reduce self-harm. The present study is designed to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of adding BlueIce to usual Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).

Methods and analysis

This study is a single-blind, randomised controlled trial comparing usual CAMHS care with usual care plus BlueIce. A total of 138 adolescents aged 12–17 with current or a history of self-harm will be recruited through the Oxford Health National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust via their CAMHS clinician. The primary outcome is self-harm at 12 weeks assessed using the Risk Taking and Self-Harm Inventory for Adolescents. Secondary outcomes include mood, anxiety, hopelessness, general behaviour, sleep and impact on everyday life at 12 weeks and 6 months. Health-related quality of life and healthcare resource utilisation data will be collected at baseline, 12 weeks and 6 months. Postuse interviews at 12 weeks will determine the acceptability, safety and usability of BlueIce.

Ethics and dissemination

The study was approved by the NHS South Central—Oxford B NHS Research Ethics Committee (19/SC/0212) and by the Health Research Authority (HRA) and Health and Care Research Wales. Findings will be disseminated in peer review open-access journals and at academic conferences.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN10541045.
Nordic study on human milk fortification in extremely preterm infants: a randomised controlled trial—the N-forte trial
Authors: Jensen Georg Bach , Ahlsson Fredrik , Domellöf Magnus , Elfvin Anders , Naver Lars , Abrahamsson Thomas
Published: November 2021

Introduction

The mortality rate of extremely low gestational age (ELGA) (born <gestational week 28+0) infants remains high, and severe infections and necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) are common causes of death. Preterm infants receiving human milk have lower incidence of sepsis and NEC than those fed a bovine milk-based preterm formula. Despite this, fully human milk fed ELGA infants most often have a significant intake of cow’s milk protein from bovine-based protein fortifier. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether the supplementation of human milk-based, as compared with bovine-based, nutrient fortifier reduces the prevalence of NEC, sepsis and mortality in ELGA infants exclusively fed with human milk.

Methods and analysis

A randomised-controlled multicentre trial comparing the effect of a human breast milk-based fortifier with a standard bovine protein-based fortifier in 222–322 ELGA infants fed human breast milk (mother’s own milk and/or donor milk). The infants will be randomised to either fortifier before reaching 100 mL/kg/day in oral feeds. The intervention, stratified by centre, will continue until the target postmenstrual week 34+0. The primary outcome is a composite of NEC, sepsis or death. Infants are characterised with comprehensive clinical and nutritional data collected prospectively from birth until hospital discharge. Stool, urine, blood and breast milk samples are collected for analyses in order to study underlying mechanisms. A follow-up focusing on neurological development and growth will be performed at 2 and 5.5 years of age. Health economic analyses will be made.

Ethics and dissemination

The study is conducted according to ICH/GCP guidelines and is approved by the regional ethical review board in Linköping Sweden (Dnr 2018/193-31, Dnr 2018/384-32). Results will be presented at scientific meetings and published in peer-reviewed publications.

Trial registration number

The study was registered with ClinicalTrials.govNCT03797157, 9 January 2019.
Outcome and right ventricle remodelling after valve replacement for pulmonic stenosis
Authors: Laflamme Emilie , Wald Rachel M , Roche S Lucy , Silversides Candice K , Thorne Sara A , Colman Jack M , Benson Lee , Osten Mark , Horlick Eric , Oechslin Erwin , Alonso-Gonzalez Rafael
Published: November 2021

Background

Complications and need for reinterventions are frequent in patients with pulmonary valve stenosis (PVS). Pulmonary regurgitation is common, but no data are available on outcome after pulmonary valve replacement (PVR).

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of 215 patients with PVS who underwent surgical valvotomy or balloon valvuloplasty. Incidence and predictors of reinterventions and complications were identified. Right ventricle (RV) remodelling after PVR was also assessed.

Results

After a median follow-up of 38.6 (30.9–49.4) years, 93% of the patients were asymptomatic. Thirty-nine patients (18%) had at least one PVR. Associated right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) intervention and the presence of an associated defect were independent predictors of reintervention (OR: 4.1 (95% CI 1.5 to 10.8) and OR: 3.6 (95% CI 1.9 to 6.9), respectively). Cardiovascular death occurred in 2 patients, and 29 patients (14%) had supraventricular arrhythmia. Older age at the time of first intervention and the presence of an associated defect were independent predictors of complications (OR: 1.0 (95% CI 1.0 to 1.1) and OR: 2.1 (95% CI 1.1 to 4.2), respectively). In 16 patients, cardiac magnetic resonance before and after PVR was available. The optimal cut-off values for RV volume normalisation were 193 mL/m2for RV end-diastolic volume indexed(sensitivity 80%, specificity 64%) and 100 mL/m2for RV end-systolic volume indexed(sensitivity 80%, specificity 56%).

Conclusions

Previous RVOT intervention, presence of an associated defect and older age at the time of first repair were predictors of outcome. More data are needed to guide timing of PVR, and extrapolation of tetralogy of Fallot guidelines to this population is unlikely to be appropriate.
Cardiac stereotactic ablative radiotherapy for control of refractory ventricular tachycardia: initial UK multicentre experience
Authors: Lee Justin , Bates Matthew , Shepherd Ewen , Riley Stephen , Henshaw Michael , Metherall Peter , Daniel Jim , Blower Alison , Scoones David , Wilkinson Michele , Richmond Neil , Robinson Clifford , Cuculich Phillip , Hugo Geoffrey , Seller Neil , McStay Ruth , Child Nicholas , Thornley Andrew , Kelland Nicholas , Atherton Philip , Peedell Clive , Hatton Matthew
Published: November 2021

Background

Options for patients with ventricular tachycardia (VT) refractory to antiarrhythmic drugs and/or catheter ablation remain limited. Stereotactic radiotherapy has been described as a novel treatment option.

Methods

Seven patients with recurrent refractory VT, deemed high risk for either first time or redo invasive catheter ablation, were treated across three UK centres with non-invasive cardiac stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR). Prior catheter ablation data and non-invasive mapping were combined with cross-sectional imaging to generate radiotherapy plans with aim to deliver a single 25 Gy treatment. Shared planning and treatment guidelines and prospective peer review were used.

Results

Acute suppression of VT was seen in all seven patients. For five patients with at least 6 months follow-up, overall reduction in VT burden was 85%. No high-grade radiotherapy treatment-related side effects were documented. Three deaths (two early, one late) occurred due to heart failure.

Conclusions

Cardiac SABR showed reasonable VT suppression in a high-risk population where conventional treatment had failed.
Efficacy and safety of colchicine in COVID-19: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Mehta Kedar Gautambhai , Patel Tejas , Chavda Paragkumar D , Patel Parvati
Published: November 2021

Background

Colchicine, an anti-inflammatory drug is prescribed nowadays for COVID-19. In this meta-analysis, we evaluated efficacy and safety of colchicine in patients with COVID-19.

Methods

We searched databases for randomised controlled studies evaluating efficacy and/or safety of colchicine as compared with supportive care in patients with COVID-19. The efficacy outcomes were mortality, ventilatory support, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and length of hospital stay. The safety outcomes were adverse events, serious adverse events and diarrhoea. A meta-analytical summary was estimated using random effects model through Mantle-Hanzle method. An I2 test was used to assess heterogeneity. The Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to assess quality of evidence for each outcome.

Results

Out of 69 full texts assessed, 6 studies (16148 patients with COVID-19) were included in meta-analysis. Patients receiving colchicine did not show significant reduction in mortality (risk difference, RD −0.00 (95% CI −0.01 to 0.01), I2=15%), ventilatory support (risk ratio, RR 0.67 (95% CI 0.38 to 1.21), I2=47%), ICU admission (RR 0.49 (95% CI 0.19 to 1.25), I2=34%), length of hospital stay (mean difference: −1.17 (95% CI −3.02 to 0.67), I2=77%) and serious adverse events (RD −0.01 (95% CI −0.02 to 0.00), I2=28%) than those who received supportive care only. Patients receiving colchicine had higher rates of adverse events (RR 1.58 (95% CI 1.07 to 2.33), I2=81%) and diarrhoea (RR 1.93 (95% CI 1.62 to 2.29), I2=0%) than supportive care treated patients. The GRADE quality of evidence was moderate for most outcomes.

Conclusion

The moderate quality evidence suggests no benefit of addition of colchicine to the standard care regimen in patients with COVID-19.
Diet reveals potential for competition and coexistence among coyotes (Canis latrans), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), and gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus)
Authors: Masters Henry M. , Maher Christine R.
Published: November 2021

Species can alleviate competition by reducing diet overlap. Non-native coyotes (Canis latrans Say, 1823) and historically native gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus (Schreber, 1775)) have expanded their ranges and may compete with native red foxes (Vulpes vulpes (Linnaeus, 1758)). To examine potential competition among canids in Maine, USA, we compared δ13C and δ15N from muscle and hair samples to assess relative resource use, and we compared frequency of occurrence of prey items from stomach contents to assess diets. For these species, red foxes consumed anthropogenically based foods the most in fall and early winter, gray foxes consumed anthropogenically based foods the most in summer, and coyotes consumed anthropogenically based foods the least in all seasons. Coyotes held the highest relative trophic position in fall and early winter, red foxes held the highest relative trophic position in summer, and gray foxes held the lowest relative trophic position. Based on stomach contents, gray foxes had the broadest diet and consumed the most plants, and coyotes had the narrowest diet. Red foxes were the only species to show isotopic niche overlap with both potential competitors across seasons. Thus, they may be most susceptible to competitive exclusion among these canids, with implications for community dynamics as ranges shift due to human activity.
Thrust measurement and thrust balance development at DLR’s electric propulsion test facility
Authors: Neumann Andreas , Simon Jens , Schmidt Jens
Published: November 2021

Electric space propulsion thrusters only produce low thrust forces. For the fulfillment of a space mission this implies long thruster runtimes, and this entails long qualification times on ground. For such long testing times, a ground facility requires a vacuum chamber and a powerful pumping system which can guarantee high vacuum over extended times and under thruster gas load. DLR’s STG-ET is such a ground test facility. It has a high pumping capability for the noble gases typically used as propellants. One basic diagnostic tool is a thrust measurement device, among various other diagnostic systems required for electric propulsion testing, e.g. beam diagnostics. At DLR we operate a thrust balance developed by the company AST with a thrust measurement range of 250 mN and capable of thruster weights up to 40 kg. Adversely, it is a bulky and heavy device and all upgrades and qualification work needs to be done in a large vacuum chamber. In order to have a smaller device at hand a second thrust stand is under development at DLR. The idea is to have a light and compact balance that could also be placed in one of the smaller DLR vacuum chambers. Furthermore, the calibration is more robust and the whole device is equipped with a watercooled housing. First tests are promising and showed a resolution well below 1 mN. In this paper we give background information about the chamber, describe the basics of thrust measurement and the development of a new balance.
Synchronization and Global Dynamics of a Cournot Model with Nonlinear Demand and R&D Spillovers
Authors: Zhou Wei , Cui Mengfan
Published: November 2021

In this paper, a dynamical Cournot model with nonlinear demand and R&D spillovers is established. The system is symmetric when the duopoly firms have same economic environments, and it is proved that both the diagonal and the coordinate axes are the one-dimensional invariant manifolds of system. The results show that Milnor attractor of system can be found through calculating the transverse Lyapunov exponents. The synchronization phenomenon is verified through basins of attraction. The effects of adjusting speed and R&D spillovers on the dynamical behaviors of the system are discussed. The topological structures of basins of attraction are analyzed through critical curves, and the evolution process of “holes” in the feasible region is numerically simulated. In addition, various global bifurcation behaviors, such as two kinds of contact bifurcation and the blowout bifurcation, are shown.
An Economy Can Have a Lorenz-Type Chaotic Attractor
Authors: Yang Xiao-Song
Published: November 2021

This paper presents a stylized construction of an economy with price dynamics described in tâtonnement process. Based on the well-known SMD theorem, it is shown that this model exhibits the same dynamical behavior as the famous Lorenz-type chaotic attractor.
SINH-ACCELERATION FOR B-SPLINE PROJECTION WITH OPTION PRICING APPLICATIONS
Authors: BOYARCHENKO SVETLANA , LEVENDORSKIĬ SERGEI , KYRKBY J. LARS , CUI ZHENYU
Published: November 2021

We clarify the relations among different Fourier-based approaches to option pricing, and improve the B-spline probability density projection method using the sinh-acceleration technique. This allows us to efficiently separate the control of different sources of errors better than the FFT-based realization allows; in many cases, the CPU time decreases as well. We demonstrate the improvement of the B-spline projection method through several numerical experiments in option pricing, including European and barrier options, where the SINH acceleration technique proves to be robust and accurate.
Shadow wave solutions for a scalar two-flux conservation law with Rankine–Hugoniot deficit
Authors: Krunić Tanja , Nedeljkov Marko
Published: November 2021

This paper deals with hyperbolic conservation laws exhibiting a flux discontinuity at the origin and which does not admit a weak solution satisfying the Rankine–Hugoniot jump condition. We therefore seek unbounded solutions in the form of shadow waves supported by at the origin. The shadow waves are defined as nets of piecewise constant functions approximating a shock wave to which we add a delta function and possibly another unbounded part.
The Goursat problem at the horizons for the Klein–Gordon equation on the de Sitter–Kerr metric
Authors: Millet Pascal
Published: November 2021

The main topic of this paper is the Goursat problem at the horizon for the Klein–Gordon equation on the De Sitter–Kerr metric when the angular momentum (per unit of mass) of the black hole is small. Indeed, we solve the Goursat problem for fixed angular momentum [Formula: see text] of the field (with the restriction that [Formula: see text] is not zero in the case of a massless field).
Local existence with low regularity for the 2D compressible Euler equations
Authors: Zhang Huali
Published: November 2021

We prove the local existence, uniqueness and stability of local solutions for the Cauchy problem of two-dimensional compressible Euler equations, where the initial data of velocity, density, specific vorticity [Formula: see text] and the spatial derivative of specific vorticity [Formula: see text].
Global existence results for semi-linear structurally damped wave equations with nonlinear convection
Authors: Dao Tuan Anh , Takeda Hiroshi
Published: November 2021

In this paper, we consider the Cauchy problem for semi-linear wave equations with structural damping term [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is a constant. As is now well known, the linear principal part brings both the diffusion phenomenon and the regularity loss of solutions. This implies that, for the nonlinear problems, the choice of solution spaces plays an important role to obtain the global solutions with the sharp decay properties in time. Our main purpose in this paper is to prove the global (in time) existence of solutions for the small data and their decay properties for the supercritical nonlinearities.
Evidence for an N-Halohistidyl Intermediate in the Catalytic Cycle of Vanadium Chloroperoxidase (VCPO) and an Artificial Enzyme Derived from VCPO: A Computational Investigation
Authors: Anderson Gregory A. , Behera Raghu Nath , Gomatam Ravi
Published: November 2021

Vanadium haloperoxidases play an important catalytic role in the natural production of antibiotics which are difficult to make in the laboratory. Understanding the catalytic mechanism of these enzymes will aid in the production of artificial enzymes useful in bioengineering the synthesis of drugs and useful chemicals. However, the catalytic mechanism remains not fully understood yet. In this paper, we investigate one of the key steps of the catalytic mechanism using QM/MM. Our investigation reveals a new N-halohistidyl intermediate in the catalytic cycle of vanadium chloroperoxidase (VCPO). This new intermediate, in turn, can explain the known inhibition of the enzyme by substrate under acidic conditions (pH[Formula: see text]4). Additionally, we examine the possibility of replacing V in VCPO by Nb or Ta using QM modeling. We report the new result that the Gibbs free energy barriers of several steps of the catalytic cycle are lower in the case of artificial enzymes, incorporating NbO[Formula: see text] or TaO[Formula: see text] instead of VO[Formula: see text]. Our results suggest that these new artificial enzymes may catalyze the oxidation of halide faster than the natural enzyme.
IoTranx: Transactions for Safer Smart Spaces
Authors: Chen Chao , Helal Abdelsalam (Sumi) , Jin Zhi , Zhang Mingyue , Lee Choonhwa
Published: November 2021

Smart spaces such as smart homes deliver digital services to optimize space use and enhance user experience. They are composed of an Internet of Things (IoT), people, and physical content. They differ from traditional computer systems in that their cyber-physical nature ties intimately with the users and the built environment. The impact of ill-programmed applications in such spaces goes beyond loss of data or a computer crash, risking potentially physical harm to the space and its users. Ensuring smart space safety is therefore critically important to successfully deliver intimate and convenient services surrounding our daily lives. By modeling smart space as a highly dynamic database, we present IoT Transactions, an analogy to database transactions, as an abstraction for programming and executing the services as the handling of the devices in smart space. Unlike traditional database management systems that take a “clear room approach,” smart spaces take a “dirty room approach” where imperfection and unattainability of full control and guarantees are the new normal. We identify Atomicity, Isolation, Integrity and Durability (AI
2
D) as the set of properties necessary to define the safe runtime behavior for IoT transactions for maintaining “permissible device settings” of execution and to avoid or detect and resolve “impermissible settings.” Furthermore, we introduce a lock protocol, utilizing variations of lock concepts, that enforces AI
2
D safety properties during transaction processing. We show a brief proof of the protocol correctness and a detailed analytical model to evaluate its performance.
A Survey on Embedding Dynamic Graphs
Authors: Barros Claudio D. T. , Mendonça Matheus R. F. , Vieira Alex B. , Ziviani Artur
Published: November 2021

Embedding static graphs in low-dimensional vector spaces plays a key role in network analytics and inference, supporting applications like node classification, link prediction, and graph visualization. However, many real-world networks present dynamic behavior, including topological evolution, feature evolution, and diffusion. Therefore, several methods for embedding dynamic graphs have been proposed to learn network representations over time, facing novel challenges, such as time-domain modeling, temporal features to be captured, and the temporal granularity to be embedded. In this survey, we overview dynamic graph embedding, discussing its fundamentals and the recent advances developed so far. We introduce the formal definition of dynamic graph embedding, focusing on the problem setting and introducing a novel taxonomy for dynamic graph embedding input and output. We further explore different dynamic behaviors that may be encompassed by embeddings, classifying by topological evolution, feature evolution, and processes on networks. Afterward, we describe existing techniques and propose a taxonomy for dynamic graph embedding techniques based on algorithmic approaches, from matrix and tensor factorization to deep learning, random walks, and temporal point processes. We also elucidate main applications, including dynamic link prediction, anomaly detection, and diffusion prediction, and we further state some promising research directions in the area.
The Wireless Control Bus: Enabling Efficient Multi-Hop Event-Triggered Control with Concurrent Transmissions
Authors: Trobinger Matteo , de Albuquerque Gleizer Gabriel , Istomin Timofei , Mazo Manuel , Murphy Amy L. , Picco Gian Pietro
Published: November 2021

Event-triggered control
(
ETC
) holds the potential to significantly improve the efficiency of wireless networked control systems. Unfortunately, its real-world impact has hitherto been hampered by the lack of a network stack able to transfer its benefits from theory to practice specifically by supporting the latency and reliability requirements of the aperiodic communication ETC induces. This is precisely the contribution of this article.

Our

Wireless Control Bus

(

WCB

) exploits carefully orchestrated network-wide floods of concurrent transmissions to minimize overhead during quiescent, steady-state periods, and ensures timely and reliable collection of sensor readings and dissemination of actuation commands when an ETC triggering condition is violated. Using a cyber-physical testbed emulating a water distribution system controlled over a real-world multi-hop wireless network, we show that ETC over
WCB
achieves the same quality of periodic control at a fraction of the energy costs, therefore unleashing and concretely demonstrating its full potential for the first time.
AutoProfile: Towards Automated Profile Generation for Memory Analysis
Authors: Pagani Fabio , Balzarotti Davide
Published: November 2021

Despite a considerable number of approaches that have been proposed to protect computer systems, cyber-criminal activities are on the rise and forensic analysis of compromised machines and seized devices is becoming essential in computer security.

This article focuses on memory forensics, a branch of digital forensics that extract artifacts from the volatile memory. In particular, this article looks at a key ingredient required by memory forensics frameworks: a precise model of the OS kernel under analysis, also known as
profile
. By using the information stored in the profile, memory forensics tools are able to
bridge the semantic gap
and interpret raw bytes to extract evidences from a memory dump.

A big problem with profile-based solutions is that custom profiles must be created for each and every system under analysis. This is especially problematic for Linux systems, because profiles are not
generic
: they are strictly tied to a specific kernel version and to the configuration used to build the kernel. Failing to create a valid profile means that an analyst cannot unleash the true power of memory forensics and is limited to primitive carving strategies.

For this reason, in this article we present a novel approach that combines source code and binary analysis techniques to automatically generate a profile from a memory dump,
without
relying on any non-public information. Our experiments show that this is a viable solution and that profiles reconstructed by our framework can be used to run many plugins, which are essential for a successful forensics investigation.
Functional Diversification of Chromatin on Rapid Evolutionary Timescales
Authors: Brand Cara L. , Levine Mia T.
Published: November 2021

Repeat-enriched genomic regions evolve rapidly and yet support strictly conserved functions like faithful chromosome transmission and the preservation of genome integrity. The leading resolution to this paradox is that DNA repeat–packaging proteins evolve adaptively to mitigate deleterious changes in DNA repeat copy number, sequence, and organization. Exciting new research has tested this model of coevolution by engineering evolutionary mismatches between adaptively evolving chromatin proteins of one species and the DNA repeats of a close relative. Here, we review these innovative evolution-guided functional analyses. The studies demonstrate that vital, chromatin-mediated cellular processes, including transposon suppression, faithful chromosome transmission, and chromosome retention depend on species-specific versions of chromatin proteins that package species-specific DNA repeats. In many cases, the ever-evolving repeats are selfish genetic elements, raising the possibility that chromatin is a battleground of intragenomic conflict.