bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Objective performance metrics in human robotic neuroendovascular interventions: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Gariscsak Peter J. , Salaheen Zaid , Godfrey Christina , Tampieri Donatella , Appireddy Ramana
Published: September 2022

Objective:

The objective of this scoping review is to review the available information on objective performance metrics used during robotic neuroendovascular intervention procedures on humans.

Introduction:

Robotic neuroendovascular intervention is defined as any endovascular procedure within the vasculature of the central nervous system with the assistance of a robotic system for diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Robotic systems are described as a two-component system consisting of a patient-side mechanical robot, and a separate operator control station. Robotic neuroendovascular intervention is a growing field and there is a need to establish objective performance metrics for furthering evidence-based reporting of the literature.

Inclusion criteria:

This scoping review will consider all studies involving humans that utilize robotic neuroendovascular intervention. We will consider all types of studies, reports, and reviews as well as gray literature. Studies will be included if they describe the use of an objective performance metric during robotic neuroendovascular intervention. This review is not limited to a particular country or health care system, and will consider all study designs, regardless of their rigor or language.

Methods:

Utilizing a three-step framework as a guide, we will perform a systematic search in Embase, Cochrane Library, and MEDLINE. Available literature from inception to the present will be considered. Studies will be independently screened according to the inclusion criteria by two reviewers based on title, abstract, and full text. Data will be extracted, sorted, and presented in both a narrative summary as well as table and diagram based on the objective of the scoping review.
Access to health and social services by women living on a low income in Canada: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Whitfield Martha M. , Waite Jennifer , Duhn Lenora , Ross-White Amanda , Godfrey Christina M. , Camargo-Plazas Pilar
Published: September 2022

Objective:

The objective of this scoping review is to map the current evidence about access to health and social services for women living on a low income in Canada.

Introduction:

Women, especially those living on a low income, are disproportionately likely to suffer inequities in access to health and social services. There is insufficient understanding of how the interaction of socioeconomic factors and gender can affect women's access to these services. This review will provide an initial picture of what exists in the literature about access to health and social services for women living on a low income in Canada. The results of this scoping review may be used to inform subsequent qualitative and quantitative reviews on this subject.

Inclusion criteria:

Literature addressing access to health and social services by women who are 18 years or older and living on a low income in Canada will be considered for inclusion. Health services will include health promotion and disease prevention; treatment of medical conditions; and rehabilitation, palliative, and end-of-life care. Social services are non-medical services designed to help members of a society who may need extra support or are considered to have social or behavioral risk factors.

Methods:

We will search relevant electronic databases (eg, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO) and gray literature. The review will include all study designs, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods methodologies (excluding economic analyses or clinical practice guideline development documents). Two reviewers will test the screening criteria and data extraction protocol.
Effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation programs in improving medication adherence in patients with cardiovascular disease: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Gebremichael Lemlem G. , Beleigoli Alline , Champion Stephanie , Nesbitt Katie , Bulto Lemma N. , Pinero de Plaza Maria Alejandra , Pearson Vincent , Noonan Sara , Hendriks Jeroen M. , Hines Sonia , Clark Robyn A.
Published: September 2022

Objective:

The objective of this review is to measure the effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation programs versus standard care on medication adherence in patients with cardiovascular disease.

Introduction:

Poor adherence to long-term medications increases the risk of morbidity and mortality, and decreases quality of life in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Several strategies have been trialed to improve medication adherence, one of which is cardiac rehabilitation programs. Although evidence has indicated that such programs increase medication adherence, the extent of their effectiveness and translation into clinical practice is not well documented. Our systematic review will collect and analyze the available evidence for clinical practice implementation.

Inclusion criteria:

The search will aim to locate randomized controlled trials. Where randomized controlled trials are not available, quasi-experimental studies, case-control studies, observational studies, and other study designs will be included. Studies that measure effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation programs compared with standard care on medication adherence in cardiovascular disease patients will be included.

Methods:

Databases, including MEDLINE (Ovid), Emcare (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), Cochrane CENTRAL, Scopus, CINAHL (EBSCO), and unpublished sources will be searched. Articles in English and non-English-language articles with an English abstract, published from database inception to the present, will be included. Articles will be screened and reviewed by 2 independent reviewers for inclusion. Critical appraisal tools will be applied to the included studies. Data will be extracted using the appropriate extraction tools and synthesized for the objectives of the study.

Systematic review registration number:

PROSPERO CRD42021284705
Effectiveness of using activity-monitoring devices on patients with cardiovascular disease participating in cardiac rehabilitation programs: an umbrella review protocol
Authors: Dafny Hila Ariela , Champion Stephanie , Gebremichael Lemlem G. , Pearson Vincent , Nesbitt Katie , de Plaza Maria Alejandra Pinero , Bulto Lemma N , Noonan Sara , Hines Sonia , Hendriks Jeroen M , Clark Robyn A , Beleigoli Alline
Published: September 2022

Objective:

The objective of the review is to investigate the effectiveness of activity-monitoring devices and mobile applications on physical activity and health outcomes of patients with cardiovascular disease who are participating in cardiac rehabilitation programs.

Introduction:

Supporting patients with cardiovascular conditions to achieve and maintain healthy physical activity levels is the cornerstone of cardiac rehabilitation programs. The effectiveness of activity-monitoring devices and mobile applications (such as physical activity interventions) utilizing consumer-grade monitoring devices and applications to support patients to improve exercise levels during and after program completion has been investigated. Several systematic reviews evaluating the effectiveness of monitoring devices and applications have indicated varying clinical impact, depending on patient characteristics, stage of rehabilitation, and type of intervention.

Inclusion criteria:

This review will consider systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials of patients who participated in cardiac rehabilitation programs that included a physical activity intervention that incorporated activity monitoring using electronic devices and/or mobile applications and reported activity and patient health outcomes.

Methods:

MEDLINE, Embase, Sport Discus, The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Scopus, CINAHL, The International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment (INAHTA) database, Epistemonikos, and Web of Science will be searched from inception to the present. PROSPERO will be searched for unpublished reviews. Articles will be screened by two independent reviewers for inclusion, and methodological quality will be assessed using a JBI critical appraisal tool. Data will be extracted from systematic reviews and a data synthesis of findings will be presented. The certainty will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE).

Systematic review registration number:

PROSPERO CRD42022298877
Minimal COVID-19 quieting measured in the deep offshore waters of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf
Authors: Miksis-Olds Jennifer L. , Martin Bruce S. , Lowell Kim , Verlinden Christopher , Heaney Kevin D.
Published: September 2022

Using a 2-year time series (2019–2020) of 1-min sound pressure level averages from seven sites, the extension of COVID-related quieting documented in coastal soundscapes to deep (approximately 200–900 m) waters off the southeastern United States was assessed. Sites ranged in distance to the continental shelf break and shipping lanes. Sound level decreases in 2020 were observed at sites closest to the shelf break and shipping lanes but were inconsistent with the timing of shipping changes related to a COVID-19 slowdown. These observations are consistent with increased numbers of vessel tracks in 2020 compared to 2019 at a majority of sites.
Sequence Learning in an Online Serial Reaction Time Task: The Effect of Task Instructions
Authors: Kaur Jaskanwaljeet , Balasubramaniam Ramesh
Published: September 2022

The serial reaction time task (SRTT) is commonly used to study motor learning and memory. The task is traditionally administered in a lab setting with participants responding via button box or keyboard to targets on a screen. By comparing response times of sequential versus random trials and accuracy across sequential trials, different forms of learning can be studied. The present study utilized an online version of the SRTT to study the effects of instructions on learning. Participants were randomly assigned to an explicit learning condition (with instructions to learn the visual sequence and associated tone) or an implicit learning condition (without instructions). Stimuli in both learning conditions were presented in two phases: auditory and visual (training phase), followed by auditory only (testing phase). Results indicated that learning occurred in both training and testing phases, as shown by a significant decrease in response times. There was no significant main effect of learning condition (explicit or implicit) on sequence learning. This suggests that providing explicit instructions does not seem to influence sequence learning in the SRTT learning paradigm. Future online studies utilizing the SRTT should explore varying task instructions in a parametric manner to better understand cognitive processes that underlie sequence learning.
Natural corrosion-induced gold nanoparticles yield purple color of Alhambra palaces decoration
Authors: Cardell Carolina , Guerra Isabel
Published: September 2022

Despite its fame as a chemically inert noble metal, gold (alloys) may suffer degradation under specific scenarios. Here, we show evidence of electrochemically corroded gilded tin plasterwork in the Alhambra (Granada, Spain) driving spontaneously made gold nanospheres with the optimal size (ca. 70 nm) to impart purple color at the surface. Purple gold on damaged artworks is found sparsely, and its formation is not fully explained yet. We prove that our decayed gold/silver-tin ornament is due to sequential/coexisting galvanic corrosion, differential aeration corrosion, and dealloying of nonperfectly bonded and defect-based metals. Damage is enhanced by exposure to a chloride-rich atmosphere. A white gypsum coat applied during the 19th century to overlap the unaesthetic gilding assists observation of the gold-based purple color. Our work demonstrates gold dissolution, millimetric migration, physical translocation, and deposition as secondary pure gold nanospheres over a centurial time scale under natural environmental conditions.
ArabidopsisTIE1 and TIE2 transcriptional repressors dampen cytokinin response during root development
Authors: He Qing , Yuan Rongrong , Zhang Tiantian , An Fengying , Wang Ning , Lan Jingqiu , Wang Xinxue , Zhang Zeliang , Pan Yige , Wang Xuanzhi , Zhang Jinzhe , Guo Dongshu , Qin Genji
Published: September 2022

Cytokinin plays critical roles in root development. Cytokinin signaling depends on activation of key transcription factors known as type BArabidopsisresponse regulators (ARRs). However, the mechanisms underlying the finely tuned regulation of type B ARR activity remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that the ERF-associated amphiphilic repression (EAR) motif–containing protein TCP interactor containing ear motif protein2 (TIE2) forms a negative feedback loop to finely tune the activity of type B ARRs during root development. Disruption ofTIE2and its close homolog TIE1 causes severely shortened roots. TIE2 interacts with type B ARR1 and represses transcription of ARR1 targets. The cytokinin response is correspondingly enhanced intie1-1 tie2-1. We further show that ARR1 positively regulatesTIE1andTIE2by directly binding to their promoters. Our findings demonstrate that TIEs play key roles in controlling plant development and reveal an important negative feedback regulation mechanism for cytokinin signaling.
Nanotoxoid vaccination protects against opportunistic bacterial infections arising from immunodeficiency
Authors: Zhou Jiarong , Krishnan Nishta , Guo Zhongyuan , Ventura Christian J. , Holay Maya , Zhang Qiangzhe , Wei Xiaoli , Gao Weiwei , Fang Ronnie H. , Zhang Liangfang
Published: September 2022

The rise in nosocomial infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens is a major public health concern. Patients taking immunosuppressants or chemotherapeutics are naturally more susceptible to infections. Thus, strategies for protecting immunodeficient individuals from infections are of great importance. Here, we investigate the effectiveness of a biomimetic nanotoxoid vaccine in defending animals with immunodeficiency against
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. The nanotoxoids use a macrophage membrane coating to sequester and safely present bacterial virulence factors that would otherwise be too toxic to administer. Vaccination with the nanoformulation results in rapid and long-lasting immunity, protecting against lethal infections despite severe immunodeficiency. The nanovaccine can be administered through multiple routes and is effective in both pneumonia and septicemia models of infection. Mechanistically, protection is mediated by neutrophils and pathogen-specific antibodies. Overall, nanotoxoid vaccination is an attractive strategy to protect vulnerable patients and could help to mitigate the threat posed by antibiotic-resistant superbugs.
Making and breaking of chemical bonds in single nanoconfined molecules
Authors: Bunjes Ole , Hedman Daniel , Rittmeier Alexandra , Paul Lucas A. , Siewert Inke , Ding Feng , Wenderoth Martin
Published: September 2022

Nanoconfinement of catalytically active molecules is a powerful strategy to control their chemical activity; however, the atomic-scale mechanisms are challenging to identify. In the present study, the site-specific reactivity of a model rhenium catalyst is studied on the subnanometer scale for complexes confined within quasi–one-dimensional molecular chains on the Ag(001) surface by scanning tunneling microscopy. Injection of tunneling electrons causes ligand dissociation in single molecules. Unexpectedly, while half of the complexes show only the dissociation, the confined molecules show also the reverse reaction. On the basis of density functional theory calculations, this drastic difference can be attributed to the limited space in confinement. That is, the split-off ligand adsorbs closer to the molecule and the dissociation causes less structural disruption. Both of these facilitate the reverse reaction. We demonstrate formation and disruption of single chemical bonds of nanoconfined molecules with potential application in molecular data storage.
Early tetrapod cranial evolution is characterized by increased complexity, constraint, and an offset from fin-limb evolution
Authors: Rawson James R. G. , Esteve-Altava Borja , Porro Laura B. , Dutel Hugo , Rayfield Emily J.
Published: September 2022

The developmental underpinnings and functional consequences of modifications to the limbs during the origin of the tetrapod body plan are increasingly well characterized, but less is understood about the evolution of the tetrapod skull. Decrease in skull bone number has been hypothesized to promote morphological and functional diversification in vertebrate clades, but its impact during the initial rise of tetrapods is unknown. Here, we test this by quantifying topological changes to cranial anatomy in fossil and living taxa bracketing the fin-to-limb transition using anatomical network analysis. We find that bone loss across the origin of tetrapods is associated not only with increased complexity of bone-to-bone contacts but also with decreasing topological diversity throughout the late Paleozoic, which may be related to developmental and/or mechanical constraints. We also uncover a 10-Ma offset between fin-limb and cranial morphological evolution, suggesting that different evolutionary drivers affected these features during the origin of tetrapods.
Public access is not equal access
Authors: Parikh Sudip , Malcom Shirley M. , Moran Bill
Published: September 2022

On 25 August, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy provided guidance for scientific publishing aimed at making publications and their supporting data—the products of federally funded research—publicly available without an embargo by the end of 2025. The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS, the publisher of
Science
and the
Science
family of journals) strongly supports this guidance. As written, several paths to public access remain possible. It will matter greatly to the scientific enterprise which become predominant.
Stabilized HIV-1 envelope immunization induces neutralizing antibodies to the CD4bs and protects macaques against mucosal infection
Authors: Saunders Kevin O. , Edwards Robert J. , Tilahun Kedamawit , Manne Kartik , Lu Xiaozhi , Cain Derek W. , Wiehe Kevin , Williams Wilton B. , Mansouri Katayoun , Hernandez Giovanna E. , Sutherland Laura , Scearce Richard , Parks Robert , Barr Maggie , DeMarco Todd , Eater Chloe M. , Eaton Amanda , Morton Georgeanna , Mildenberg Benjamin , Wang Yunfei , Rountree R. Wes , Tomai Mark A. , Fox Christopher B. , Moody M. Anthony , Alam S. Munir , Santra Sampa , Lewis Mark G. , Denny Thomas N. , Shaw George M. , Montefiori David C. , Acharya Priyamvada , Haynes Barton F.
Published: September 2022

A successful HIV-1 vaccine will require induction of a polyclonal neutralizing antibody (nAb) response, yet vaccine-mediated induction of such a response in primates remains a challenge. We found that a stabilized HIV-1 CH505 envelope (Env) trimer formulated with a Toll-like receptor 7/8 agonist induced potent HIV-1 polyclonal nAbs that correlated with protection from homologous simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) infection. The serum dilution that neutralized 50% of virus replication (ID
50
titer) required to protect 90% of macaques was 1:364 against the challenge virus grown in primary rhesus CD4
+
T cells. Structural analyses of vaccine-induced nAbs demonstrated targeting of the Env CD4 binding site or the N156 glycan and the third variable loop base. Autologous nAb specificities similar to those elicited in macaques by vaccination were isolated from the human living with HIV from which the CH505 Env immunogen was derived. CH505 viral isolates were isolated that mutated the V1 to escape both the infection-induced and vaccine-induced antibodies. These results define the specificities of a vaccine-induced nAb response and the protective titers of HIV-1 vaccine–induced nAbs required to protect nonhuman primates from low-dose mucosal challenge by SHIVs bearing a primary transmitted/founder Env.
Murine Broadly Reactive Antineuraminidase Monoclonal Antibodies Protect Mice from Recent Influenza B Virus Isolates and Partially Inhibit Virus Transmission in the Guinea Pig Model
Authors: Tan Jessica , Chromikova Veronika , O'Dell George , Sordillo Emilia Mia , Simon Viviana , van Bakel Harm , Krammer Florian , McMahon Meagan
Published: September 2022

The global health burden of influenza B viruses, especially in children, has long been underappreciated. Although two antigenically distinct influenza B virus lineages cocirculated before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the commonly used trivalent seasonal vaccines contain antigens from only one influenza B virus, providing limited cross-protection against viruses of the other lineage.
Burden of neurological diseases in Asia from 1990 to 2019: a systematic analysis using the Global Burden of Disease Study data
Authors: Kang Seungji , Eum Seuhyun , Chang Yoonkyung , Koyanagi Ai , Jacob Louis , Smith Lee , Shin Jae Il , Song Tae-Jin
Published: September 2022

Objectives

The burden of neurological disorders is increasing worldwide, including Asia. The purpose of this study was to determine the burden of neurological disorders between 1990 and 2019 in Asia using the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Sociodemographic Index.

Design, setting, outcome and participants

The GBD Study is updated every year and the most recent version provides the burden of diseases according to age, gender and region from 1990 to 2019. The burden of neurological disorders was evaluated as incidence, prevalence, mortality, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), years of life lost and years lived with disability.

Results

In 2019, DALYs of neurological diseases were 64.4 million in South-East Asia (95% uncertainty interval (UI) 45.2 to 94.2) and 85.0 million in Western Pacific regions (95% UI 63.0 to 118.5). Stroke, migraine, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias had the highest DALYs in the WHO South-East Asia and WHO Western Pacific regions in 2019. DALYs of stroke, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, Parkinson’s disease, brain and central nervous system cancer, multiple sclerosis, migraine and tension-type headache increased in both regions in 2019 compared with 1990. Infectious diseases such as tetanus, meningitis and encephalitis decreased in both regions. DALYs of idiopathic epilepsy and motor neuron disease increased in the WHO South-East Asia region and decreased in the WHO Western Pacific region.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated the burden of neurological diseases in Asia. To reduce the burden of neurological diseases, strategies suitable for each country’s real healthcare needs and challenges are needed; this study can serve as the cornerstone of these strategies.
Pulsed electromagnetic fields for the management of knee osteoarthritis: multicentre, randomised, controlled, non-inferiority trial protocol
Authors: Xiang Xiao-Na , Zhu Si-Yi , Song Kang-Ping , Wang Xiao-Yi , Liu Hui-Zhen , Yang Wen-Jie , Wang Haiming , Zhang Chi , Yang Lin , He Chengqi
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) is an available treatment for knee osteoarthritis (KOA), which is the most common cause of pain and disability. Nonetheless, whether the clinical effects are like that of most used drugs is unclear. Thus, this study aims to determine the effect of PEMF on pain relief by comparing them with the positive drug (celecoxib). Furthermore, this clinical trial aims to evaluate the effect of PEMF on function and quality of life with a long-term follow-up.

Methods and analysis

This two-armed, non-inferiority, randomised, controlled trial will be conducted in the outpatient physiatry/physiotherapy clinic or inpatient ward of 17 hospitals in China. A total of 428 individuals will be included who are more than 40 years of age with diagnosed KOA. The participants will be randomly allocated to the PEMF group: receiving a 6-week PEMF (15 Hz, 30 mT) at a frequency of 40 min per day, 5 days per week plus sham drug (n=214), or drug group: receiving a 6-week celecoxib 200 mg combined with sham PEMF (n=214). Clinical outcomes will be measured at baseline (T0), mid-term of intervention (T1), post-intervention (T2), 10, 18 and 30 weeks (T3–5) of follow-up after randomisation. The primary outcome will be the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) pain index. The secondary outcomes will be WOMAC function and stiffness, pain measured by numerical rating score, quality of life, 6-minute walk test, pain catastrophising scale and responder index.

Ethics and dissemination

The trial is performed following the Declaration of Helsinki. The study protocol and consent form have been approved by the Ethics Committee on Biomedical Research of West China Hospital of Sichuan University (#2021-220). All patients will give informed consent before participation and the trial is initiated after approval. Results of this trial will be disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR2100052131.
Prevalence and changes of low-value care at acute care hospitals: a multicentre observational study in Japan
Authors: Miyawaki Atsushi , Ikesu Ryo , Tokuda Yasuharu , Goto Rei , Kobayashi Yasuki , Sano Kazuaki , Tsugawa Yusuke
Published: September 2022

Objectives

We aimed to examine the use and factors associated with the provision of low-value care in Japan.

Design

A multicentre observational study.

Setting

Routinely collected claims data that include all inpatient and outpatient visits in 242 large acute care hospitals (accounting for approximately 11% of all acute hospitalisations in Japan).

Participants

345 564 patients (median age (IQR): 62 (40–75) years; 182 938 (52.9%) women) seeking care at least once in the hospitals in the fiscal year 2019.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

We identified 33 low-value services, as defined by clinical evidence, and developed two versions of claims-based measures of low-value services with different sensitivity and specificity (broader and narrower definitions). We examined the number of low-value services, the proportion of patients receiving these services and the proportion of total healthcare spending incurred by these services in 2019. We also evaluated the 2015–2019 trends in the number of low-value services.

Results

Services identified by broader low-value care definition occurred in 7.5% of patients and accounted for 0.5% of overall annual healthcare spending. Services identified by narrower low-value care definition occurred in 4.9% of patients and constituted 0.2% of overall annual healthcare spending. Overall, there was no clear trend in the prevalence of low-value services between 2015 and 2019. When focusing on each of the 17 services accounting for more than 99% of all low-value services identified (narrower definition), 6 showed decreasing trends from 2015 to 2019, while 4 showed increasing trends. Hospital size and patients’ age, sex and comorbidities were associated with the probability of receiving low-value service.

Conclusions

A substantial number of patients received low-value care in Japan. Several low-value services with high frequency, especially with increasing trends, require further investigation and policy interventions for better resource allocation.
Cluster randomised controlled trial of screening for atrial fibrillation in people aged 70 years and over to reduce stroke: protocol for the pilot study for the SAFER trial
Authors: Williams Kate , Modi Rakesh Narendra , Dymond Andrew , Hoare Sarah , Powell Alison , Burt Jenni , Edwards Duncan , Lund Jenny , Johnson Rachel , Lobban Trudie , Lown Mark , Sweeting Michael J , Thom H , Kaptoge Stephen , Fusco Francesco , Morris Stephen , Lip Gregory , Armstrong Natalie , Cowie Martin R , Fitzmaurice David A , Freedman Ben , Griffin Simon J , Sutton Stephen , Hobbs FD Richard , McManus Richard J , Mant Jonathan , SAFER Authorship Group The
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia associated with 30% of strokes, as well as other cardiovascular disease, dementia and death. AF meets many criteria for screening, but there is limited evidence that AF screening reduces stroke. Consequently, no countries recommend national screening programmes for AF. The Screening for Atrial Fibrillation with ECG to Reduce stroke (SAFER) trial aims to determine whether screening for AF is effective at reducing risk of stroke. The aim of the pilot study is to assess feasibility of the main trial and inform implementation of screening and trial procedures.

Methods and analysis

SAFER is planned to be a pragmatic randomised controlled trial (RCT) of over 100 000 participants aged 70 years and over, not on long-term anticoagulation therapy at baseline, with an average follow-up of 5 years. Participants are asked to record four traces every day for 3 weeks on a hand-held single-lead ECG device. Cardiologists remotely confirm episodes of AF identified by the device algorithm, and general practitioners follow-up with anticoagulation as appropriate. The pilot study is a cluster RCT in 36 UK general practices, randomised 2:1 control to intervention, recruiting approximately 12 600 participants. Pilot study outcomes include AF detection rate, anticoagulation uptake and other parameters to incorporate into sample size calculations for the main trial. Questionnaires sent to a sample of participants will assess impact of screening on psychological health. Process evaluation and qualitative studies will underpin implementation of screening during the main trial. An economic evaluation using the pilot data will confirm whether it is plausible that screening might be cost-effective.

Ethics and dissemination

The London—Central Research Ethics Committee (19/LO/1597) and Confidentiality Advisory Group (19/CAG/0226) provided ethical approval. Dissemination will be via publications, patient-friendly summaries, reports and engagement with the UK National Screening Committee.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN72104369.
TOwards enhancing Paediatric Intensive Care for Children with Medical Complexity (ToPIC CMC): a mixed-methods study protocol using Experience-based Co-design
Authors: Rennick Janet , Buchanan Francine , Cohen Eyal , Carnevale Franco , Dryden-Palmer Karen , Fontela Patricia , Patel Hema , Razack Saleem , St-Sauveur Isabelle , Law Susan
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Advances in medical technology and postoperative care have led to increased survival of children with medical complexity (CMC). Parents of CMC develop substantial caregiver expertise and familiarity with paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) staff and treatment procedures which may give rise to tensions regarding respective roles, caretaking preferences, treatment goals and expected outcomes. A therapeutic alliance built through strong partnerships constitutes the foundation of patient and family-centred care (PFCC), contributing to improvements in experiences and outcomes. Yet acute care settings continue to struggle with integrating PFCC into practice. This study aims to enhance PFCC for CMC in the PICU using an innovative approach to integrated knowledge translation.

Methods

A mixed-method concurrent triangulation design will be used to develop, implement and evaluate PFCC practice changes for CMC in the PICU. Qualitative data will be collected using an Experience-based Co-design (EBCD) approach. Parents, CMC and staff will reflect on their PICU care experiences (stages 1 and 2), identify priorities for improvement (stage 3), devise strategies to implement changes (stage 4), evaluate practice changes and study process, and disseminate findings (stage 5). The quantitative arm will consist of a prepractice and postpractice change evaluation, compared with a control site. Analysis of qualitative and quantitative data will provide insights regarding the impact of PICU practice changes on PFCC.

Ethics and dissemination

The McGill University Health Centre Research Ethics Board (Ref. #2019-5021) and the Hospital for Sick Children Research Ethics Board (Ref. #1000063801) approved the study. Knowledge users and researchers will be engaged as partners throughout the study as per our participatory approach. Knowledge products will include a short film featuring themes and video/audio clips from the interviews, recommendations for improvements in care, and presentations for healthcare leaders and clinical teams, in addition to traditional academic outputs such as conference presentations and publications.
Clinical research nurse and midwife as an integral member of the Trial Management Group (TMG): much more than a resource to manage and recruit patients
Authors: Pye Clare , Tinkler Linda , Metwally Mostafa
Published: September 2022

Background

The clinical research nurse/midwife (CRN/M) makes a unique contribution to research delivery in the National Health Service, resulting from a close therapeutic relationship with research participants. Investment in research infrastructure has led to nurses and midwives undertaking extended roles to deliver clinical research and evidence demonstrates the important contributions they make to the clinical research process, quality of research outcomes and most importantly the safe expert care of research participants. The value of the CRN/M’s contribution to the broader research team and acknowledgement of the importance of their input, however, remains unspecified and tacit in nature.

Aim

To demonstrate the value a CRN/M has on overall trial design and performance when funded as a co-applicant and member of the Trial Management Group (TMG).

Method

This briefing paper outlines the development and implementation of the CRN/M role and will describe its impact to promote the benefits of such a role as much more than a resource to recruit and manage participants.

Results

Recognising CRN/Ms expertise, knowledge and contribution within this context is a positive step for the research agenda, individual career development and opportunity to introduce innovative ways of working to benefit the research landscape, ultimately contributing to the growth of the body of evidence available to influence patient care.

Conclusion

When a CRN/M is funded as a co-applicant and member of the TMG, the role has a positive demonstrable impact on overall trial success.
Association of diet quality and hormonal status in exercising women with menstrual disturbances
Authors: Łagowska Karolina , Strock Nicole C.A. , Koltun Kristen J. , Williams Nancy I. , De Souza Mary Jane
Published: September 2022

Diet plays a role in the pathophysiology and treatment of women with hyperandrogenic menstrual disturbances; however, limited research exists examining components of dietary intake in women with subclinical menstrual disturbances. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the relationship between diet quality and hormonal status in exercising women with menstrual disturbances. Eighty exercising women with ovulatory menstrual cycles (OV; n = 32), women with oligo/amenorrhea without evidence of hyperandrogenism (Oligo/Amen-LowFAI; n = 28), and women with oligo/amenorrhea and evidence of subclinical hyperandrogenism (Oligo/Amen-HighFAI; n = 32) participated in the cross-sectional observational study (Clinical Trial Number: NCT00392873). Self-reported menstrual history, resting energy expenditure, body composition, hormonal and metabolic hormone concentrations determined reproductive and metabolic status. Serum androgens and calculated free androgen index (FAI) determined androgen status. The Diet Quality Index International (DQI-I) and the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) evaluated quality of diet. Oligo/Amen-HighFAI group had the highest androgen concentrations ( P < 0.05) and lower DQI-I score compared to OV group and Oligo/Amen-LowFAI ( P < 0.05). The Oligo/Amen-HighFAI group consumed less of vitamin A, B2, B6, B12, magnesium, and potassium compared to the Oligo/Amen-LowFAI group (all P < 0.05). In the women with menstrual disturbances with subclinically elevated androgens, poor diet quality is related to altered hormonal parameters which may have implications for future nutritional treatment strategies.
A comparative study of antioxidant capacity of amino acids using the Fe(II)/1-nitroso-2-naphthol-3,6-disulfonic complex and the Folin–Ciocalteu reagent: application in blood serum
Authors: de Carvalho Luísa Menezes , de Souza Maryane Woth , Fonseca Fernando Luiz Affonso , Moya Horacio Dorigan
Published: September 2022

The oxidation of 20 amino acids (AA; alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine (Cys), glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine) by Fe(III) in a buffered aqueous solution (pH 8.0, Tris) containing 1-nitroso-2-naphthol-3,6-disulfonic acid (H2NRS) was spectrophotometrically evaluated. Under the employed conditions, Fe(III) was reduced to Fe(II) to afford greenish Fe(NRS)34−, the absorbance of which at λmax = 730 nm was correlated to AA reducing capacity and expressed as ascorbic acid equivalents (ASE). Comparison of the thus obtained ASE values with those determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu reagent (FCR) revealed that all analyzed AA preferentially reacted with Fe(III)–H2NRS rather than with the FCR. The obtained insights were utilized to develop a spectrophotometric procedure for the quantitation of the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of blood serum samples in solution containing Fe(III) and H2NRS (pH 8.0, Tris). The TAC values (in mgCys mL−1 serum) of 22 serum samples determined by the Fe(III)–NRS method were well correlated with those determined using the FCR method ( r = 0.788), which suggested that the proposed procedure can be used to quantify the TAC of other protein-rich biological samples.
Connecting dark matter, baryogenesis and neutrinoless double beta decay in a A4⊗Z8-based ν2HDM
Authors: Sarma Lavina , Paul Partha Kumar , Das Mrinal Kumar
Published: September 2022

In this paper, we discuss the impact of neutrino phenomenology and related cosmology on an [Formula: see text] symmetric [Formula: see text]2HDM along with an addition of a new particle, i.e. a gauge singlet [Formula: see text]. The additional particle is a sterile neutrino which is considered to be a probable dark matter (DM) candidate in our work. With the choice of sterile neutrino mass in keV range, we evaluate the active-DM mixing angle, decay rate and relic abundance considering various cosmological constraints. Simultaneously, a detailed analysis on baryogenesis and neutrinoless double beta decay is also carried out for low-scale right-handed neutrino masses. We have considered various bounds from experiments such as Lyman-[Formula: see text], X-ray observation, Planck data and KamLAND-Zen limit to validate the model with respect to the phenomena studied in it.
Evacuation schemes on Cayley graphs and non-amenability of groups
Authors: Guba Victor
Published: September 2022

In this paper, we introduce a concept of an evacuation scheme on the Cayley graph of an infinite finitely generated group. This is a collection of infinite simple paths bringing all vertices to infinity. We impose a restriction that every edge can be used a uniformly bounded number of times in this scheme. An easy observation shows that the existence of such a scheme is equivalent to non-amenability of the group. A special case happens if every edge can be used only once. These schemes are called pure. We obtain a criterion for the existence of such a scheme in terms of isoperimetric constant of the graph. We analyze R. Thompson’s group [Formula: see text], for which the amenability property is a famous open problem. We show that pure evacuation schemes do not exist for the set of generators [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text]. However, the question becomes open if edges with labels [Formula: see text] can be used twice. The existence of pure evacuation schemes for this version is implied by some natural conjectures.
BL-global representations
Authors: Vaggione D.
Published: September 2022

A subdirect product [Formula: see text] is global if there is a topology on [Formula: see text] which makes of [Formula: see text] the algebra of all global sections of a sheaf whose stalks are the algebras [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text]. A quasivariety [Formula: see text] has BL-global representations if there is a class [Formula: see text] containing but close to the class of all relatively subdirectly irreducible members of [Formula: see text], satisfying that every member of [Formula: see text] is isomorphic to a global subdirect product whose factors are in [Formula: see text]. The adjective “BL” refers to “Birkhoff-like” since this type of representations are analogous to the classical Birkhoff subdirect representation by relatively subdirectly irreducibles. This paper has two main contributions. The first one is a generalization of a theorem proved in [D. Vaggione, Sheaf representation and Chinese remainder theorems, Algebra Universalis 29 (1992) 232–272] which characterizes the existence of a global representation of an algebra in terms of the solvability of certain congruence systems. The second one is a theorem assuring the existence of BL-global representations for quasivarieties with a near unanimity term.
DRIIS: Research on Automatic Recognition of Artistic Conception of Classical Poems Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Cui Min
Published: September 2022

Poetry is the jewel in the crown of our country’s classical culture and has been praised and studied by countless people for thousands of years. In recent years, with the rapid development of computer technology and the leap-forward improvement of hardware computing power, natural language processing (NLP) technology has achieved remarkable results in practice. We applied NLP to the text analysis of classical poetry, proposed a set of methods to automatically recognize the artistic conception in classical poetry, and established the classical poetry artistic conception dataset for experimentation through the crawler method. In the experiment, we studied the application of different machine learning algorithms in text classification, combined such algorithms with different document vectorization methods, compared their performance on the topic classification problem of poetry, and concluded that there are some better accuracy rates under the classical machine learning framework. Comparing the effects of word-based vectors and word-based vectors, we concluded that the ancient poetry word vectors constructed based on characters have a higher accuracy rate. We also further introduced deep learning methods into the research, analyzed the pros and cons of various neural networks, and studied the neural network architectures that have good results in the practice of NLP, such as TextCNN and BiLSTM models. We also introduced mature NLP pre-training models such as BERT to classify the artistic conception of classical poetry. In addition, we also constructed an emotional dictionary matching method based on word vectors for sentiment analysis. The experimental results have shown that the method proposed in this paper has a good effect of automatic recognition of classical poetry mood, which can be used to recommend similar poems and select poems with emotion as the theme through the poetry mood.
Energy Absorption of Thin-Walled Circular Tubes with a Sinusoidal Spiral Structure
Authors: Zhang Ning , Tian Xiaogeng
Published: September 2022

A thin-walled tube with a predesigned spiral structure, named as the sinusoidal spiral tube (SST), was proposed to improve the energy absorption performance of the traditional circular straight tube and sinusoidal corrugation tube (SCT). A prototype of the SST was fabricated through additive manufacturing and its mechanical properties were tested. The numerical results were consistent with the tests. The effect of geometric features involving amplitude and pitch on energy absorption has been investigated through a series of numerical simulations. The results showed that there are six representative deformation modes and these modes transformed clearly under the action of amplitude and number of turns. On the other hand, the initial peak force was significantly reduced by 53.57–85.34% compared to the straight tube. The stability of plateau force was greatly improved by the spiral structure. The specific energy absorption increased by more than 15% compared to the SCTs under pinned–pinned and fixed–fixed boundary conditions, attributed to the transformation of the deformation mode and the increased number of folded lobes in the straight part. Last but not least, a theoretical model was proposed to predict the mean crushing force of the novel structure under free–free boundary conditions. It showed a good agreement with the numerical results.
Some convergent subseries of the harmonic series
Authors: Saha Sudip , Pal Amit Kumar , Chakraborty Bikash
Published: September 2022

The harmonic series diverges. But, Kempner [A curious convergent series, Amer. Math Monthly 21 (1914) 48–50] proved that by removing those terms from the harmonic series whose denominators contain a digit [Formula: see text] anywhere, the resulting sub-series converges. Thus, Kempner allowed no 9’s at all, but in this short note, we allow 9’s with some restrictions and without tampering the convergence of the resultant series. Some results of our note generalize a recent note of Mukherjee and Sarkar [A short note on a curious convergent series, Asian-Eur. J. Math. 14(09) (2021) 2150158, doi:10.1142/S1793557121501588 ].
A Lyapunov Approach to Consensus of Linear Multi-Agent Systems with Infinite Distributed Communication Delays
Authors: Zhou Qianghui , Feng Gang , Xu Xiang
Published: September 2022

This paper considers the leaderless consensus problem of linear time-invariant multi-agent systems with infinite distributed communication delays. A novel distributed low gain controller is proposed based on the solution to a parametric algebraic Riccati equation. It is shown via the newly developed Lyapunov-like method that not only the consensus of linear time-invariant multi-agent systems can be achieved exponentially under some mild assumptions but also an estimate of the exponential convergence rate of consensus is given in this work. The Lyapunov-like method is also extended to handle a special case of linear time-varying multi-agent systems. In addition, the obtained results include the results on the leaderless consensus of linear multi-agent systems with bounded distributed communication delays as special cases. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work that develops the Lyapunov-like method for the leaderless consensus problems of both time-invariant and time-varying linear multi-agent systems with infinite distributed communication delays. Finally, a numerical example is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed controller.