bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A hub location model in the sustainable supply chain considering customer segmentation
Authors: Heidari Ali , Imani Din Mohammad , Khalilzadeh Mohammad
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to study the hub transportation system in supply chain networks which would contribute to reducing costs and environmental pollution, as well as to economic development and social responsibility. As not all customers tend to buy green products, several customer groups should be considered in terms of need type.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a multi-objective hub location problem is developed for designing a sustainable supply chain network based on customer segmentation. It deals with the aspects of economic (cost reduction), environment (minimizing greenhouse gas emissions by the transport sector) and social responsibility (creating employment and community development). The epsilon-constraint method and augmented epsilon-constraint (AEC) method are used to solve the small-sized instances of this multi-objective problem. Due to the non-deterministic polynomial-time hardness of this problem, two non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II) and multi-objective grey wolf optimizer (MOGWO) metaheuristic algorithms are also applied to tackle the large-sized instances of this problem.

Findings

As expected, the AEC method is able to provide better Pareto solutions according to the goals of the decision-makers. The Taguchi method was used for setting the parameters of the two metaheuristic algorithms. Considering the meaningful difference, the MOGWO algorithm outperforms the NSGA-II algorithm according to the rate of achievement to two objectives simultaneously and the spread of non-dominance solutions indexes. Regarding the other indexes, there was no meaningful difference between the performance of the two algorithms.

Practical implications

The model of this research provides a comprehensive solution for supply chain companies that want to achieve a rational balance between the three aspects of sustainability.

Originality/value

The importance of considering customer diversity on the one hand and saving on hub transportation costs, on the other hand, triggered us to propose a hub location model for designing a sustainable supply chain network based on customer segmentation.
Efficacy and safety of drugs for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Shen Bo , Lu Lun Gen
Published: January 2021

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is an inflammatory type of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and is associated with the development and progression of cirrhosis. Lifestyle intervention is still the predominant treatment for NASH. So far, no drugs have been approved to treat NASH by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Vitamin E has been recommended for patients with NASH without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), whereas a combination of pioglitazone and vitamin E is recommended for patients with both NASH and T2DM. Encouragingly, drugs are currently being developed for different NASH mechanisms. Some of the drugs are at phase III clinical trials, including obeticholic acid (OCA), Elafibranor, Cenicriviroc, Selonsertib, Resmetirom, Emricasan and Aramchol. Due to its positive interim effect in attenuating the degree of hepatic fibrosis OCA was filing in FDA. However, it has been rejected by the U.S FDA and has been advised to conduct long‐term studies. Therefore, in this article, we reviewed the efficacy and safety of drugs currently under clinical trials for NASH.
Meiosis and beyond – understanding the mechanistic and evolutionary processes shaping the germline genome
Authors: Bergero Roberta , Ellis Peter , Haerty Wilfried , Larcombe Lee , Macaulay Iain , Mehta Tarang , Mogensen Mette , Murray David , Nash Will , Neale Matthew J. , O'Connor Rebecca , Ottolini Christian , Peel Ned , Ramsey Luke , Skinner Ben , Suh Alexander , Summers Michael , Sun Yu , Tidy Alison , Rahbari Raheleh , Rathje Claudia , Immler Simone
Published: January 2021

The separation of germ cell populations from the soma is part of the evolutionary transition to multicellularity. Only genetic information present in the germ cells will be inherited by future generations, and any molecular processes affecting the germline genome are therefore likely to be passed on. Despite its prevalence across taxonomic kingdoms, we are only starting to understand details of the underlying micro‐evolutionary processes occurring at the germline genome level. These include segregation, recombination, mutation and selection and can occur at any stage during germline differentiation and mitotic germline proliferation to meiosis and post‐meiotic gamete maturation. Selection acting on germ cells at any stage from the diploid germ cell to the haploid gametes may cause significant deviations from Mendelian inheritance and may be more widespread than previously assumed. The mechanisms that affect and potentially alter the genomic sequence and allele frequencies in the germline are pivotal to our understanding of heritability. With the rise of new sequencing technologies, we are now able to address some of these unanswered questions. In this review, we comment on the most recent developments in this field and identify current gaps in our knowledge.
When do Janzen–Connell effects matter? A phylogenetic meta‐analysis of conspecific negative distance and density dependence experiments
Authors: Song Xiaoyang , Lim Jun Ying , Yang Jie , Luskin Matthew Scott
Published: December 2020

The Janzen–Connell (J‐C) hypothesis suggests that specialised natural enemies cause distance‐ or density‐dependent mortality among host plants and is regarded as an important mechanism for species coexistence. However, there remains debate about whether this phenomenon is widespread and how variation is structured across taxa and life stages. We performed the largest meta‐analysis of experimental studies conducted under natural settings to date. We found little evidence of distance‐dependent or density‐dependent mortality when grouping all types of manipulations. Our analysis also reveals very large variation in response among species, with 38.5% of species even showing positive responses to manipulations. However, we found a strong signal of distance‐dependent mortality among seedlings but not seed experiments, which we attribute to (a) seedlings sharing susceptible tissues with adults (leaves, wood, roots), (b) seedling enemies having worse dispersal than seed enemies and (c) seedlings having fewer physical and chemical defences than seeds. Both density‐ and distance‐dependent mortality showed large variation within genera and families, suggesting that J‐C effects are not strongly phylogenetically conserved. There were no clear trends with latitude, rainfall or study duration. We conclude that J‐C effects may not be as pervasive as widely thought. Understanding the variation in J‐C effects provides opportunities for new discoveries that will refine our understanding of J‐C effects and its role in species coexistence.
Drying in newly intermittent rivers leads to higher variability of invertebrate communities
Authors: Crabot Julie , Polášek Marek , Launay Bertrand , Pařil Petr , Datry Thibault
Published: December 2020

Aquatic invertebrate communities inhabiting intermittent rivers that are characterised by recurrent drying events (flow cessation or complete disappearance of surface water) often show rapid recovery upon flow resumption. Such rapid recovery is possible thanks to specific resistance and resilience traits that species adapted to river drying often exhibit. However, differences in community response to drying can be expected between historically drying (HD) networks—those IRs with a long history of flow intermittence—and recently drying (RD) networks, where drying is a novel, often human‐induced, phenomenon. The invertebrate species found in RD networks may lack the adaptations that are known to facilitate quick community recovery upon rewetting and could thus be dramatically affected by drying. Unfortunately, the responses of aquatic communities in RD networks are still poorly explored, limiting our capacity to predict and mitigate future biodiversity changes.

Here, we compared the responses of aquatic invertebrate communities to drying in nine pairs of intermittent and perennial river reaches from HD networks across France and nine pairs from RD networks across the Czech Republic. Using both taxonomic and functional perspectives, differences in α‐ and β‐diversity patterns between perennial and intermittent sites were evaluated separately for HD and RD groups, and before and after drying over several years.

Drying had stronger effects on taxonomic richness in RD compared to HD networks. In addition, drying greatly altered spatial and temporal β‐diversity in RD networks, but it marginally affected β‐diversity in HD networks. Communities of HD networks showed a higher proportion of resistant taxa than RD networks.

These results suggest that recent drying can have, at least on a short time scale (i.e. years), stronger effects on aquatic communities in RD networks compared to those in HD networks.

Because drying duration, frequency, and spatial extent are increasing with climate change, RD networks could soon reach tipping points, calling for long‐term monitoring of biodiversity in these novel ecosystems.
UV‐induced DNA damage disrupts the coordination between replication initiation, elongation and completion
Authors: Wendel Brian M. , Hollingsworth Suzanne , Courcelle Charmain T. , Courcelle Justin
Published: December 2020

Replication initiation, elongation and completion are tightly coordinated to ensure that all sequences replicate precisely once each generation. UV‐induced DNA damage disrupts replication and delays elongation, which may compromise this coordination leading to genome instability and cell death. Here, we profiled the Escherichia coli genome as it recovers from UV irradiation to determine how these replicational processes respond. We show that oriC initiations continue to occur, leading to copy number enrichments in this region. At late times, the combination of new oriC initiations and delayed elongating forks converging in the terminus appear to stress or impair the completion reaction, leading to a transient over‐replication in this region of the chromosome. In mutants impaired for restoring elongation, including recA, recF and uvrA, the genome degrades or remains static, suggesting that cell death occurs early after replication is disrupted, leaving partially duplicated genomes. In mutants impaired for completing replication, including recBC, sbcCD xonA and recG, the recovery of elongation and initiation leads to a bottleneck, where the nonterminus region of the genome is amplified and accumulates, indicating that a delayed cell death occurs in these mutants, likely resulting from mis‐segregation of unbalanced or unresolved chromosomes when cells divide.
Novel and rare forms of oesophagitis
Authors: Malone Victoria , Sheahan Kieran
Published: December 2020

Our understanding of inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, including those of the oesophagus, has expanded in recent years. Once attributed almost exclusively to gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease or infection, it is now recognised that oesophagitis may occur due to a variety of distinct disease entities. Many of these conditions cause debilitating and persistent symptoms, impacting upon quality of life and necessitating ongoing surveillance and treatment. This review will consider the clinical, endoscopic and histopathological features of these novel and rare forms of oesophagitis.
Survey on the attitudes of dental hygiene students towards treating elderly patients
Authors: Grandjean Marie‐Laure , Morier Chloé , Piccardi Carlotta , Srinivasan Murali
Published: December 2020

Objective

This questionnaire‐based survey assessed the attitudes of dental hygiene students towards treating elderly patients.

Methods

The 14‐item UCLA 14‐item Geriatrics Attitudes Scale (GAS‐14) questionnaire was used in this survey. A further set of nine questions evaluated the opinions of the students towards the existing geriatric curriculum in their respective institutions. Students from five dental hygiene schools from three countries (Switzerland, Belgium and Canada) participated in this survey. General demographic information from the participants was collected. Mean GAS‐14 scores were calculated; ANOVA and Bonferroni's tests were used for statistical analyses (p < 0.05).

Results

Three hundred eighty‐five students (Switzerland: n = 157, mean age = 25.38 ± 4.6 years; Belgium: n = 82, mean age = 27.58 ± 12.8 years; Canada: n = 146, mean age = 25.95 ± 12.3 years) completed the survey for a response rate of 86.3%. The overall GAS‐14 scores for Switzerland, Belgium and Canada were 3.61 ± 0.42, 3.24 ± 0.37 and 3.32 ± 0.36, respectively. Switzerland scored significantly higher than Belgium and Canada (p < 0.0001). Overall scores revealed a significant effect of progressive training (p = 0.010). The GAS‐14 score was influenced by the nationality of the participants (p < 0.0001), but not influenced by sex, age, origin, religion, or marital and accommodation statuses. Majority of the students (75.8%) agreed that geriatric dentistry was an important part of their education. 77.4% agreed that they would like hands on experience in treating the elderly patient during their education. 85.1% of the participants considered mobile dental clinics as a good solution for the provision of dental care to the institutionalized elders.

Conclusions

The general attitudes of DH students towards treating the elderly patients are on an acceptable level and improved as they progressed through their dental hygiene academic programmes.
Acute kidney injury in COVID‐19: Identification of risk factors and potential biomarkers of disease in a large UK cohort
Authors: Phillips Thomas , Stammers Matthew , Leggatt Gary , Bonfield Becky , Fraser Simon , Armstrong Kirsten , Veighey Kristin
Published: January 2021

Background

COVID‐19 is associated with increased risk of acute kidney injury (AKI). Risk factors and biomarkers linked to AKI have now been recognized by national guidelines in the United Kingdom. This analysis aims to validate and expand the comorbidities and biomarkers associated with the presence and severity of AKI in these patients.

Methods

Data were extracted via structured query language for patients with COVID‐19 at University Hospital Southampton between 1 March and 10 June 2020. Demographics, comorbidities, common biomarkers and AKI stage within 48 hours of admission, peak during admission and the last measurement prior to patient outcome (discharge or death) were collected and statistically analysed.

Results

Six hundred and thirty‐two COVID‐19 positive patients were admitted during this period; 34.2% had an AKI during their entire admission, 20.3% had AKI stage 1, 8.5% stage 2 and 5.4% stage 3. This was higher when compared with data from the same period in 2019. AKI carried an increased risk of death, 50.0% vs 21.1% (P = <.001). AKI stage was significantly associated with age over 65, diabetes, heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, haematological malignancy, hypertension, respiratory rate, albumin, C‐reactive protein (CRP), d‐dimer, ferritin, high‐sensitivity troponin‐I, neutrophil count, total white cell counts, National Early Warning Score‐2 (NEWS‐2), Charlson comorbidity index and alanine‐aminotransferase. COVID‐19 specific treatment, including dexamethasone, reduced discharge creatinine.

Conclusion

COVID‐19 increases the risk of AKI and this kidney injury may be responsive to treatment. This analysis identified that AKI is associated with both previously described and new comorbidities and biomarkers.
The rediscovery of thiamine deficiency disorders at a secondary level mission hospital in Northeast India
Authors: Koshy Roshine Mary , Thankaraj Shajin , Ismavel Vijay Anand , Solomi Carolin V.
Published: January 2021

In this article, we report the different presentations of thiamine deficiency disorders seen at a remote rural mission hospital in Northeast India, including investigations, treatment, and recovery. Two case studies, one of an infant with cardiac beriberi and the other of a nonalcoholic adult presenting with peripheral neuropathy, cardiomyopathy, and metabolic acidosis and responding to thiamine supplementation, are described in detail. We share our experience with these clinical entities over the past two decades, including recent research and lessons learned, and suggest ways forward to identify at‐risk populations in Northeast India, improve early diagnosis and treatment, and promote preventive public health strategies.
Friction characteristics of preventative wound dressings under clinically‐relevant conditions
Authors: Sprigle Stephen , Caminiti Riley , Varenberg Michael
Published: January 2021

Wound dressings can be used prophylactically or during actual treatment. Preventative dressings have become a standard of care to prevent pressure ulcers in patients while in bed. While the mechanism of the preventative benefit has not been completely explained, the friction between the dressing and linen is hypothesized as being a key performance factor. The objective of this project was to quantify the static and kinetic coefficients of friction (COF) of various brands of prophylactic dressings under the stresses experienced in situ, while the dressings are in contact with bed linen materials. The COF of six commercial dressings were calculated using tribometer measurements. The ranges of static COF were 0.333‐0.542 and kinetic COF were 0.333‐0.513. Four dressings exhibited COF that were consistent with skin‐linen values reported in the literature and all dressing COF appear to be lower than the COF of moist skin against linen.
Responses of avermectin-resistant and susceptible strains of Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) on sweet potato

Authors: Chen Xia , Sun Li , Zhang Yu-ping , Zhang Yan-xuan , Lin Jian-zhen
Published: December 2020

To identify the searching ability of avermectin-resistant and susceptible strains of Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans), the responses of the two strains to stimuli from Tetranychus urticae Koch on sweet potato leaves were examined in the laboratory. The results showed that avermectin-resistant and susceptible adult N. cucumeris females responded to different stages and intact webs (spider mite, egg, feces, and leaf damage) of T. urticae, but not to the destroyed webs and feces of and feeding damage by T. urticae. Moreover, no significant differences were observed in the responses of the avermectin-resistant and susceptible strains of N. cucumeris. Both strains of N. cucumeris were often observed inside the intact webs of T. urticae. These results show that the avermectin-resistant and susceptible strains of N. cucumeris have the ability to search actively for T. urticae on sweet potato leaves. This behavior clearly increases the searching efficiency of N. cucumeris and may help its use in the biocontrol of T. urticae.
New species of the genera Lupaeus and Rubroscirus (Acari: Cunaxidae) from Southern Brazil

Authors: Wurlitzer Wesley Borges , Johann Liana , Ferla Noeli Juarez , Da Silva Guilherme Liberato
Published: December 2020

Two new species of Cunaxidae from Brazilian Atlantic Forest biome are described. Lupaeus stolli Wurlitzer & Ferla sp. nov. was from Varronia curassavica Jacq. (Boraginaceae), on Santa Catarina state, and Rubroscirus grilloi Wurlitzer & Ferla sp. nov. was from Vernonanthura tweediana (Baker) H. Rob., soil and leaf litter, on Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil.
Association of naturally occurring antibodies to β-amyloid with cognitive decline and cerebral amyloidosis in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Liu Yu-Hui , Wang Jun , Li Qiao-Xin , Fowler Christopher J. , Zeng Fan , Deng Juan , Xu Zhi-Qiang , Zhou Hua-Dong , Doecke James D. , Villemagne Victor L. , Lim Yen Ying , Masters Colin L. , Wang Yan-Jiang
Published: January 2021

NAbs to different epitopes of Aβ are differentially associated with the severity and progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
MBD2 serves as a viable target against pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting macrophage M2 program
Authors: Wang Yi , Zhang Lei , Wu Guo-Rao , Zhou Qing , Yue Huihui , Rao Li-Zong , Yuan Ting , Mo Biwen , Wang Fa-Xi , Chen Long-Min , Sun Fei , Song Jia , Xiong Fei , Zhang Shu , Yu Qilin , Yang Ping , Xu Yongjian , Zhao Jianping , Zhang Huilan , Xiong Weining , Wang Cong-Yi
Published: January 2021

Liposomes carrying
MBD2
siRNA protect mice against BLM-induced lung injury and fibrosis by targeting macrophage M2 program.
Near-infrared oxidative phosphorylation inhibitor integrates acute myeloid leukemia–targeted imaging and therapy
Authors: Zhang Chi , Liu Tao , Luo Peng , Gao Li , Liao Xingyun , Ma Le , Jiang Zhongyong , Liu Dengqun , Yang Zeyu , Jiang Qingzhi , Wang Yu , Tan Xu , Luo Shenglin , Wang Yang , Shi Chunmeng
Published: January 2021

A near-infrared mitochondrial dye serves as novel oxidative phosphorylation inhibitor for acute myeloid leukemia–targeted imaging.
Linking mobile money networks to “e-ROSCAs”: An experimental study
Authors: Francois Patrick , Squires Munir
Published: January 2021

Peer-to-peer banking groups in the DRC show high rates of contribution, suggesting a way to reach the unbanked globally.
Zero–trade-off multiparameter quantum estimation via simultaneously saturating multiple Heisenberg uncertainty relations
Authors: Hou Zhibo , Tang Jun-Feng , Chen Hongzhen , Yuan Haidong , Xiang Guo-Yong , Li Chuan-Feng , Guo Guang-Can
Published: January 2021

Experiments demonstrate very high precisions achieved simultaneously for multiple parameters with noncommuting generators.
Low-temperature gas-phase formation of indene in the interstellar medium
Authors: Doddipatla Srinivas , Galimova Galiya R. , Wei Hongji , Thomas Aaron M. , He Chao , Yang Zhenghai , Morozov Alexander N. , Shingledecker Christopher N. , Mebel Alexander M. , Kaiser Ralf I.
Published: January 2021

Low-temperature indene synthesis could form a molecular building block for non-planar polycyclic aromatics and fullerenes.
Capsid opening enables genome release of iflaviruses
Authors: Škubník Karel , Sukeník Lukáš , Buchta David , Füzik Tibor , Procházková Michaela , Moravcová Jana , Šmerdová Lenka , Přidal Antonín , Vácha Robert , Plevka Pavel
Published: January 2021

To enable genome release, capsids of iflaviruses crack into pieces or open like flowers.
A general approach to composites containing nonmetallic fillers and liquid gallium
Authors: Wang Chunhui , Gong Yan , Cunning Benjamin V. , Lee Seunghwan , Le Quan , Joshi Shalik R. , Buyukcakir Onur , Zhang Hanyang , Seong Won Kyung , Huang Ming , Wang Meihui , Lee Jaeseon , Kim Gun-Ho , Ruoff Rodney S.
Published: January 2021

Presenting a versatile method to make soft, deformable, functional metallic “putty” from liquid gallium and nonmetallic fillers.
Nanoscale chromatin imaging and analysis platform bridges 4D chromatin organization with molecular function
Authors: Li Yue , Eshein Adam , Virk Ranya K.A. , Eid Aya , Wu Wenli , Frederick Jane , VanDerway David , Gladstein Scott , Huang Kai , Shim Anne R. , Anthony Nicholas M. , Bauer Greta M. , Zhou Xiang , Agrawal Vasundhara , Pujadas Emily M. , Jain Surbhi , Esteve George , Chandler John E. , Nguyen The-Quyen , Bleher Reiner , de Pablo Juan J. , Szleifer Igal , Dravid Vinayak P. , Almassalha Luay M. , Backman Vadim
Published: January 2021

nano-ChIA combines multiple nanoimaging modalities to uncover 4D chromatin organization and its relationship to molecular function.
S100A8/S100A9 cytokine acts as a transcriptional coactivator during breast cellular transformation
Authors: Song Ruisheng , Struhl Kevin
Published: January 2021

S100A8/S100A9, a secreted cytokine, also acts in the nucleus as a transcriptional coactivator to promote cellular transformation.
Geospatial distributions reflect temperatures of linguistic features
Authors: Kauhanen Henri , Gopal Deepthi , Galla Tobias , Bermúdez-Otero Ricardo
Published: January 2021

The geographical distributions of features of language contain a footprint of the cultural evolutionary dynamics of language.
Diagnostic accuracy of adrenal imaging for subtype diagnosis in primary aldosteronism: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhou Yaqiong , Wang Dan , Jiang Licheng , Ran Fei , Chen Sichao , Zhou Peng , Wang Peijian
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Accurate subtype classification in primary aldosteronism (PA) is critical in assessing the optimal treatment options. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of adrenal imaging for unilateral PA classification.

Methods

Systematic searches of PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane databases were performed from 1 January 2000 to 1 February 2020, for all studies that used CT or MRI in determining unilateral PA and validated the results against invasive adrenal vein sampling (AVS). Summary diagnostic accuracies were assessed using a bivariate random-effects model. Subgroup analyses, meta-regression and sensitivity analysis were performed to explore the possible sources of heterogeneity.

Result

A total of 25 studies, involving a total of 4669 subjects, were identified. The overall analysis revealed a pooled sensitivity of 68% (95% CI: 61% to 74%) and specificity of 57% (95% CI 50% to 65%) for CT/MRI in identifying unilateral PA. Sensitivity was higher in the contrast-enhanced (CT) group versus the traditional CT group (77% (95% CI 66% to 85%) vs 58% (95% CI 50% to 66%). Subgroup analysis stratified by screening test for PA showed that the sensitivity of the aldosterone-to-renin ratio (ARR) group was higher than that of the non-ARR group (78% (95% CI 69% to 84%) vs 66% (95% CI 58% to 72%)). The diagnostic accuracy of PA patients aged ≤40 years was reported in four studies, and the overall sensitivity was 71%, with 79% specificity. Meta-regression revealed a significant impact of sample size on sensitivity and of age and study quality on specificity.

Conclusion

CT/MRI is not a reliable alternative to invasive AVS without excellent sensitivity or specificity for correctly identifying unilateral PA. Even in young patients (≤40 years), 21% of patients would have undergone unnecessary adrenalectomy based on imaging results alone.
Remote monitoring of marginalised populations affected by COVID-19: a retrospective review
Authors: Ko Stephanie Q , Hooi Benjamin M Y , Koo Chieh-Yang , Chor Daniel W P , Ling Zheng Jye , Chee Yen-Lin , Jen Wei-Ying
Published: December 2020

Objectives

The COVID-19 outbreak in Singapore has largely centred around migrant worker dormitories, comprising over 90% of all cases in the country. Dormitories are home to a culturally and linguistically distinct, low-income population, without on-site healthcare after-hours. The primary objective of this study was to assess the engagement and utilisation of a simple, low-cost, accessible, mobile health solution for remote self-reporting of vital parameters in dormitory residents with COVID-19.

Design

Retrospective review of medical care.

Setting

Two large migrant worker dormitories with a combined population of 31 546.

Participants

All COVID-19-affected residents housed in dormitories during the study period.

Intervention

All residents were taught to use a chat assistant to self-report their temperature, heart rate and oxygen saturations. Results flowed into a dashboard, which alerted clinicians of abnormal results.

Outcomes

The primary outcome measure was engagement rate. This was derived from the total number of residents who registered on the platform over the total number of COVID-19-affected residents in the dormitories during the study period. Secondary outcome measures included outcomes of the alerts and subsequent escalations of care.

Results

800 of the 931 COVID-19-affected residents (85.9%) engaged with the platform to log a total of 12 511 discrete episodes of vital signs. Among 372 abnormal readings, 96 teleconsultations were initiated, of which 7 (1.8%) were escalated to emergency services and 18 (4.9%) were triaged to earlier physical medical review on-site.

Conclusions

A chat-assistant-based self-reporting platform is an effective and safe community-based intervention to monitor marginalised populations with distinct cultural and linguistic backgrounds, living communally and affected by COVID-19. Lessons learnt from this approach may be applied to develop safe and cost-effective telemedicine solutions across similar settings.
Qualitative study to explore what patients with heart failure find significant during integrated palliative care sessions in a Danish clinic
Authors: Roikjær Stine Gundtoft , Simonÿ Charlotte Paaske , Timm Helle Ussing
Published: December 2020

Objective

In the field of palliative care (PC) as it is integrated into heart failure (HF) treatment, it is essential to explore the patient experience and build on this knowledge for the further development of PC practice and policy. Based on an intervention study, this paper explores what patients with HF find significant in integrated sessions using a narrative S’ approach.

Design

We conducted a semistructured interview study with a qualitative analysis focused on meaning making. The study follows the guidelines of Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research.

Participants and setting

The inclusion criteria for the PC intervention were (1) a new diagnosis of HF, (2) follow-up treatment at this local Danish HF clinic and (3) informed consent to participate in the integrated PC intervention. The only exclusion criterion was if the patient was already engaged in a PC programme. 20 patients agreed to participate in the intervention, and 12 of these completed the S’ approach sessions and participated in this interview study.

Results

Overall, the analysis showed that the integrated S’ approach sessions were successful in joining an embodied patient perspective with a medical perspective. The thematic analysis resulted in three themes supporting the overall findings: sessions bring comfort, telling your story provides a sense of meaningfulness, and integrating perspectives of HF into everyday life.

Conclusion

The method using the S’ approach in integrated PC and HF sessions was significant in various ways. First, patients experienced a calm and safe atmosphere and perceived that the nurse was truly interested in them. Second, the integrated sessions based on the S’ approach were able to bring comfort to lived physical, psychosocial and existential issues. Last, it allowed patients to combine their embodied understanding of HF with a medical perspective, thereby finding meaning in the sense of how everything is connected.
Measuring the Outcomes of Maternal COVID-19-related Prenatal Exposure (MOM-COPE): study protocol for a multicentric longitudinal project
Authors: Provenzi Livio , Grumi Serena , Giorda Roberto , Biasucci Giacomo , Bonini Renza , Cavallini Anna , Decembrino Lidia , Drera Bruno , Falcone Rossana , Fazzi Elisa , Gardella Barbara , Giacchero Roberta , Nacinovich Renata , Pisoni Camilla , Prefumo Federico , Scelsa Barbara , Spartà Maria Valentina , Veggiotti Pierangelo , Orcesi Simona , Borgatti Renato
Published: December 2020

Introduction

COVID-19 is a highly infectious respiratory disease that rapidly emerged as an unprecedented epidemic in Europe, with a primary hotspot in Northern Italy during the first months of 2020. Its high infection rate and rapid spread contribute to set the risk for relevant psychological stress in citizens. In this context, mother–infant health is at risk not only because of potential direct exposure to the virus but also due to high levels of stress experienced by mothers from conception to delivery. Prenatal stress exposure associates with less-than-optimal child developmental outcomes, and specific epigenetic mechanisms (eg, DNA methylation) may play a critical role in mediating this programming association.

Methods and analysis

We present the methodological protocol for a longitudinal, multicentric study on the behavioural and epigenetic effects of COVID-19-related prenatal stress in a cohort of mother–infant dyads in Northern Italy. The dyads will be enrolled at 10 facilities in Northern Italy. Saliva samples will be collected at birth to assess the methylation status of specific genes linked with stress regulation in mothers and newborns. Mothers will provide retrospective data on COVID-19-related stress during pregnancy. At 3, 6 and 12 months, mothers will provide data on child behavioural and socioemotional outcomes, their own psychological status (stress, depressive and anxious symptoms) and coping strategies. At 12 months, infants and mothers will be videotaped during semistructured interaction to assess maternal sensitivity and infant’s relational functioning.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee (Pavia). Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international scientific conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT04540029; Pre-results.
Lattice Boltzmann Method for Marangoni forcing soap film
Authors: Xia Yuxian , Qiu Xiang , Qian Yuehong
Published: January 2021

Marangoni surface tension forcing soap film is numerically solved by Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM). A delicate false force term in the LBM equation is proposed to describe the Marangoni forcing soap film. The validity of LBM is elucidated by the linear theory of surface tension profile as a function of the vertical position of the soap film. The effect of thickness on the statistical behaviors of the Marangoni forcing soap film is discussed from three aspects: the energy spectrum, energy transfer and intermittency. It is found that the scaling behavior of energy spectrum is independent of the scaling constant of thickness [Formula: see text] where the range of [Formula: see text] is from 0.2 to 0.3. The scaling behavior of energy spectrum is [Formula: see text], which is in accordance with the Kraichnan theory in the inverse cascade. In the large-scale range, the energy flux cascades to the small scale which is called as a forward cascade process. In this scale range, more energy flux cascades to the small scale when the value of [Formula: see text] becomes larger. On the contrary, the backward cascade is involved in the small-scale range of the thinned film where more energy transfers to the large scale as the value of [Formula: see text] is smaller. The intermittency measured by PDF of the velocity increment exists in the turbulent soap film. The universal scaling law of the velocity structure function is identical with the 3D S-L intermittency model and our 2D intermittency theory.
Low-frequency band gaps within a local resonance structures
Authors: Zhang Yong Yan , Gao Nan Sha , Xu Guang Shen , Wu Jiu Hui , Cao Min , Zhou Zong Tuan
Published: December 2020

Local resonance structure (LRS) can effectively suppress wave transmission, but the design of LRS with tunable band gaps is still a challenge. This work proposes an LRS with two tunable band gaps, where the first bandwidth is successfully enlarged almost five times, and finally a low-frequency broadband with 60–420 Hz is obtained with the second disappearing because of the remarkable modification of band gaps obtained only by adjusting the stiffness rather than by large deformation or changing geometric configuration in traditional methods. The mechanism of tunable band gaps would have important implications for designing metamaterials with broadband, and potential applications for vibration and noise attenuation.
Gravitational collapse of an anisotropic fluid and interacting vacuum energy density: The curvature effect
Authors: Shah Hasrat Hussain , Chu Y. M. , Abbas S. Z. , Issakhov Alibek , Khan Suliman
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we study the gravitational collapse of a spherical symmetric star constituted of matter interacting with vacuum energy density [Formula: see text] in the background of spacetime curvature. We consider the gravitational collapse for closed, flat, and hyperbolic spacetime geometry [Formula: see text]. We take the process of gravitational collapse for an anisotropic fluid interacting with a growing vacuum energy density by taking a complete physically general-relativistic approach in the background of spacetime curvature. Here, we achieved analytic solutions with some assumptions of physical significance. We executed and interpreted the solutions for several cases of the equation of state parameters, [Formula: see text]. In all physical cases, we investigate the formation of a black hole and the naked singularity.
Are latest detected events of gravitational waves in favor of some models of inflation based on string theory?
Authors: Ghayour Basem , Khodagholizadeh Jafar , Afkani M. , Torkamani M. R. , Vahedi Ali
Published: January 2021

The general potential of power-law inflation is as [Formula: see text] with scalar field [Formula: see text]. The behavior of inflation is often known as power-law expansion like [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text]. In this paper, the theoretical spectra of relic gravitational waves are compared with the measured strain sensitivity of Advanced LIGO and VIRGO, corresponding to the latest detected events of gravitational waves. The results show tight constraints on [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Also, the obtained constraints indicate that special types of the potential of inflation, prototype, and KKLTI models, which are originated from string theory, may be good candidates for potential of inflation. Also these results may emphasize the evidence of stochastic GWs that originated from inflation based on 12:5-year pulsar timing data set of North American Nanohertz Observatory for GWs.
Nuclear transition matrix elements for neutrinoless double-β decay of 76Ge within mechanisms involving sterile neutrinos, Majorons and composite neutrinos
Authors: Rath P. K. , Kumar A. , Gautam R. , Chandra R. , Raina P. K. , Dixit B. M.
Published: January 2021

Using HFB wave functions generated with a realistic KUO and an empirical JUNE45 effective two-body interactions, nuclear transition matrix elements (NTMEs) [Formula: see text] for the [Formula: see text] transition of neutrinoless double-[Formula: see text] decay of [Formula: see text]Ge isotope are calculated within mechanisms involving sterile neutrinos, Majorons and compositeness scenario. Uncertainties in nuclear transition matrix elements are estimated by calculating sets of 12 NTMEs with these two sets of wave functions, two alternative forms of finite size effects (FNS) and three different parametrizations of short range correlations (SRC). Uncertainties in NTMEs within mechanisms involving sterile neutrinos, Majorons and composite neutrinos turn out to be about 10%–36% depending on the mass of sterile neutrinos, 10% and 37%, respectively.
Comparative analysis of s-wave and p-wave breakups in 37Mg +208Pb reaction
Authors: Mukeru B.
Published: January 2021

A comparative study of [Formula: see text]-wave and [Formula: see text]-wave breakups in the [Formula: see text] reaction around the Coulomb barrier is presented. The elastic scattering, breakup and reaction cross-sections, corresponding to the three [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] possible single-particle configurations in the [Formula: see text] ground state, calculated with two different [Formula: see text] ground-state binding energies, namely 0.22 and 0.49[Formula: see text]MeV are analyzed.

As in the breakup of other neutron-halo systems such as [Formula: see text], it is found that for all three ground-state configurations, couplings to the breakup channels suppress the Coulomb–nuclear interference peak in the elastic scattering cross-section. It is shown that the breakup through [Formula: see text]-wave ground state is dominated by couplings to continuum [Formula: see text]-waves, whereas the breakup through [Formula: see text]-wave ground state, is largely dominated by couplings to continuum [Formula: see text]-wave. Substantially larger [Formula: see text] ground state total, Coulomb and nuclear breakup cross-sections than their [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] ground states counterparts are obtained. This is understood to mainly originate from a larger electric dipole response function of the transition from [Formula: see text] ground state to the continuum, and from the fact that the Coulomb breakup cross-section is directly proportional to this function.

In conclusion, the breakup of [Formula: see text] nucleus exhibits a similar breakup behavior as other one-neutron loosely bound systems. The results presented in this paper may provide some guidance for experimentalists to analyze possible future experimental data.
INHIBITION EFFECT OF ADMIXED CITRUS PARADISE AND CYMBOPOGON OIL DISTILLATES ON THE CORROSION RESISTANCE MILD STEEL IN DILUTE ACID ELECTROLYTES
Authors: LOTO ROLAND TOLULOPE , CHUKWUEBUKA OKPALEKE PRECIOUS , UFANSI UDOH
Published: January 2021

Corrosion suppression effect of the combination of citrus paradise and cymbopogon oil distillates on mild steel (MS) in 0.5[Formula: see text]M H2SO4and HCl solution was studied by potentiodynamic polarization, open circuit potential measurement, optical microscopy characterization, and ATF-FTIR spectroscopy. The distillates performed adequately in both acids at all concentrations considered with average inhibition efficiency above 90%. Corrosion rate of the non-inhibited steel at 7.690 and 2.819[Formula: see text]mm/y from both acids were substantially reduced to values between 0.465 and 0.466[Formula: see text]mm/y in H2SO4while the values in HCl are 0.081 and 0.034[Formula: see text]mm/y. The distillates exhibit mixed type inhibition performance in both acids. However, polarization plots displayed cathodic passivation effect at higher distillate concentration in H2SO4while cathodic-anodic passivation plots were observed at all distillate concentrations in HCl solution. Corrosion potential plots from open circuit measurement at specific distillate concentrations were significantly electropositive compared to the non-inhibited steel which was electronegative. Inhibition effect of the distillates occurred through chemisorption adsorption mechanism with Gibbs free energy values greater than [Formula: see text]40[Formula: see text]KJ/Mol, in agreement with Langmuir isotherm model. Optical images of the non-inhibited steel displayed a severely degraded exterior which significantly contrast the protected exterior of the inhibited steel.
ARGON-ARC CLADDING OF Q235 LOW-CARBON STEEL BY CO BASE ALLOY DEPOSITION
Authors: YE ZHIYUN , LIU ZHIYUAN , LI JIANING , SU QIAN , ZHAO BO , ZHANG SHENGZU , GUAN DONGWEI , LI HUABIN , LI HANG , ZHANG ZHANFENG
Published: January 2021

The Co base layer was obtained without obvious defects by argon-arc cladding (AAC) of Co42A mixed powders (the welding current 160[Formula: see text]A and the welding speed 14[Formula: see text]mm/s). Then, the effect of different process parameters on the microstructure properties of this layer was investigated in detail. The compact clad zone was obtained, which consisted primarily of the fine dendrites; the sizes of the columnar crystals decreased significantly with increasing of the welding speeds. This AAC Co42A layer (the welding current 160[Formula: see text]A and the welding speed 14[Formula: see text]mm/s) had a high hardness due to the actions of the fine grain/solid solution strengthening and the produced multi-phase.
EFFECT AND MECHANISM OF CeO2 ON THE MICROSTRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES OF Ni60A–Cr3C2 LASER CLADDING LAYER
Authors: ZHANG DONGNI , FU HANGUANG , XING ZHENGUO , PING XUELONG , LIN JIAN
Published: January 2021

Using laser cladding technology, a Ni60A alloy cladding layer added with rare earth oxides CeO2 and Cr3C2 was prepared on the surface of Cr12MoV die steel. Through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analyses, the influence of CeO2 on the microstructure, hardness and wear resistance of Ni60A–Cr3C2 laser cladding layer was studied, and the mechanism of action of CeO2 was discussed. The results show that in the laser cladding Ni60A–Cr3C2 coating, after adding CeO2 powder, the cladding layer is well formed and the microstructure is significantly refined. As the addition of CeO2 increases, the microhardness of the cladding layer increases first and then decreases. When the addition amount of CeO2 is 2[Formula: see text]wt.%, the microhardness of the coating is the largest, which is 1107[Formula: see text]HV. As the content of CeO2 continues to increase, the hardness decreases. As the content of CeO2 in the cladding layer increases, the wear loss of the sample first decreases and then increases. When the mass fraction of CeO2 is 1[Formula: see text]wt.%, the wear loss of the cladding layer is the least and the wear resistance is the best. The wear morphology of the Ni60A[Formula: see text]+[Formula: see text]Cr3C2 cladding layer without adding CeO2 appears with a lot of abrasive debris, and the main mechanism is adhesive wear. When the addition amount of CeO2 is 1[Formula: see text]wt.%, the wear mainly appears as furrow, which denotes abrasive wear.
MIXTURE OF CONSISTENT STOCHASTIC UTILITIES AND A PRIORI RANDOMNESS
Authors: MOHAMED MRAD
Published: January 2021

The purpose of this paper is to develop an explicit construction of consistent utilities, using the stochastic flows approach developed in El Karoui & Mrad (2013, 2020). Starting from a family of utility functions indexed by some parameter [Formula: see text] (for example, the risk aversion coefficient or any other parameter), the idea is to randomize [Formula: see text] and to construct nonstandard stochastic utility processes. Two approaches are developed. The first one consists of building directly from the class [Formula: see text] a global utility [Formula: see text] as a sup-convolution. The second approach which is very different, consists to define from the class [Formula: see text] of monotonic optimal processes, associated with the class [Formula: see text], a global pair [Formula: see text] as a mixture. The nonstandard stochastic utility is then obtained by composing stochastic flows and is interpreted as the aggregate utility of all considered agents.
Second cohomology group of the finite-dimensional simple Jordan superalgebra 𝒟t, t≠0
Authors: Gómez González F. A. , Ramírez Bermúdez J. A.
Published: January 2021

The second cohomology group (SCG) of the Jordan superalgebra [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], over an algebraically closed field [Formula: see text] of characteristic zero is calculated by using the coefficients which appear in the regular superbimodule [Formula: see text]. Contrary to the case of algebras, this group is nontrivial thanks to the non-splitting caused by the Wedderburn Decomposition Theorem [F. A. Gómez-González, Wedderburn principal theorem for Jordan superalgebras I, J. Algebra 505 (2018) 1–32]. First, to calculate the SCG of a Jordan superalgebra we use split-null extension of the Jordan superalgebra and the Jordan superalgebra representation. We prove conditions that satisfy the bilinear forms [Formula: see text] that determine the SCG in Jordan superalgebras. We use these to calculate the SCG for the Jordan superalgebra [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. Finally, we prove that [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text].
Strongly transitive geometric spaces on hypergroups from strongly U-regular relations
Authors: Shirvani M. , Mirvakili S. , Davvaz B.
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we determine a family [Formula: see text] of subsets of a hypergroup [Formula: see text] such that the geometric space [Formula: see text] is strongly transitive. We show that if [Formula: see text] is a hypergroup and [Formula: see text] is strongly regular relation then [Formula: see text] is an equivalence relation.