bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lockdown under lockdown? Pandemic, the carceral and COVID‐19 in British prisons
Authors: Schliehe Anna , Philo Chris , Carlin Bethany , Fallon Caitlín , Penna Giovanni
Published: June 2022

The relationship between pandemic, or chronic infectious diseases, and the carceral, meaning set‐apart spaces of enforced confinement for ‘wrong‐doers,’ has a long, tangled history. It features in Foucault's inquiries into disciplinary power and its associated spatial formations, not least in the shape of the modern prison. Drawing lightly from Foucault's claims about disciplinary and biopolitical power, as well as on his anti‐prison activism, this paper explores three possibilities for penal transformation arising during the early months of COVID‐19 in UK prisons (circa March to August 2020). Consulting primary source material, these possibilities are respectively identified as ‘retrenching,’ ‘reworking’ or ‘reducing’ the carceral. A chief finding is that under the press of pandemic ‘emergency,’ the tilt of emphasis has been towards a retrenched or reworked ‘carceral state,’ disappointing any promise of abolition, let alone more humble reduction in carceral conditions. The ‘biological sub‐citizens’ of prisons are hence being left especially vulnerable to the press of pandemic, in part precisely because of how carceral spatialities are being intensified.
Influence of Radio Broadcasting on Political Participation among People of South-South Nigeria
Authors: Arede Edeinmene , Oji Majority
Published: June 2022

The impact of radio broadcasting on political participation in Nigeria's South-South Zone is investigated in this study. The importance of radio in political participation has been proven by scholars. Thus, this study builds on the success of radio in this area to ascertain if the same result can be replicated in South-South, Nigeria. The study is anchored on a cross-sectional research design and surveyed 400 respondents. Descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) inferential statistics were deployed to test stated hypotheses. In an r{376}0.878;p=0.000 findings, the study reaffirmed the position of scholars on the subject of investigation, indicating that South-South peoples’ behaviour towards political activities is strongly affected by radio broadcast. The study recommends that more effort is needed to ensure the information on the radio is knocked together to positively influence the behaviour of people and their thought on election processes in Nigeria.
Active force generation contributes to the complexity of spontaneous activity and to the response to stretch of murine cardiomyocyte cultures
Authors: Nayir Seyma , Lacour Stéphanie P. , Kucera Jan P.
Published: June 2022

Cardiomyocyte cultures exhibit spontaneous electrical and contractile activity, as in a natural cardiac pacemaker. In such preparations, beat rate variability exhibits features similar to those of heart rate variability in vivo. Mechanical deformations and forces feed back on the electrical properties of cardiomyocytes, but it is not fully elucidated how this mechano‐electrical interplay affects beating variability in such preparations. Using stretchable microelectrode arrays, we assessed the effects of the myosin inhibitor blebbistatin and the non‐selective stretch‐activated channel blocker streptomycin on beating variability and on the response of neonatal or fetal murine ventricular cell cultures against deformation. Spontaneous electrical activity was recorded without stretch and upon predefined deformation protocols (5% uniaxial and 2% equibiaxial strain, applied repeatedly for 1 min every 3 min). Without stretch, spontaneous activity originated from the edge of the preparations, and its site of origin switched frequently in a complex manner across the cultures. Blebbistatin did not change mean beat rate, but it decreased the spatial complexity of spontaneous activity. In contrast, streptomycin did not exert any manifest effects. During the deformation protocols, beat rate increased transiently upon stretch but, paradoxically, also upon release. Blebbistatin attenuated the response to stretch, whereas this response was not affected by streptomycin. Therefore, our data support the notion that in a spontaneously firing network of cardiomyocytes, active force generation, rather than stretch‐activated channels, is involved mechanistically in the complexity of the spatiotemporal patterns of spontaneous activity and in the stretch‐induced acceleration of beating.

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Key points

Monolayer cultures of cardiac cells exhibit spontaneous electrical and contractile activity, as in a natural cardiac pacemaker. Beating variability in these preparations recapitulates the power‐law behaviour of heart rate variability in vivo. However, the effects of mechano‐electrical feedback on beating variability are not yet fully understood.

Using stretchable microelectrode arrays, we examined the effects of the contraction uncoupler blebbistatin and the non‐specific stretch‐activated channel blocker streptomycin on beating variability and on stretch‐induced changes of beat rate.

Without stretch, blebbistatin decreased the spatial complexity of beating variability, whereas streptomycin had no effects.

Both stretch and release increased beat rate transiently; blebbistatin attenuated the increase of beat rate upon stretch, whereas streptomycin had no effects.

Active force generation contributes to the complexity of spatiotemporal patterns of beating variability and to the increase of beat rate upon mechanical deformation. Our study contributes to the understanding of how mechano‐electrical feedback influences heart rate variability.
Broncoespasmo severo inducido por cocaína. A propósito de un caso.
Authors: Cañas Torres Edward Ernesto , Casas Castro Onofre , Parra Cordoba Jose Fernando
Published: June 2022

El consumo de sustancias psicoactivas es un problema de salud pública a nivel mundial. La cocaína ocupa un lugar importante, en cuanto a frecuencia de consumo, asociado a la necesidad de utilización de servicios médicos de urgencia por complicaciones derivadas de sobredosis e intoxicación con la exposición a la misma.  Los efectos clínicos están plenamente caracterizados, pero dentro de estos no se identifica de manera clara y común la presencia de broncoespasmo.  Entre los factores de riesgo para la generación del mismo encontramos exposición por vía inhalatoria y comorbilidad del paciente, entre las cuales el asma representa la gran mayoría de casos.  Por esto se hace importante identificar dicha complicación asociada a contacto con esta sustancia, por lo que presentamos un caso en el cual el paciente desarrolla broncoespasmo severo con requerimiento de ventilación mecánica.
Improving Effectiveness of Flow Measurement by Bypass Method: A Technique Applied to Thermal Mass Flowmeter
Authors: Dasgupta Subhashish , Radhakrishnan Adhithya , Gandigudi Niranjan
Published: June 2022

Fluid velocity or flow rate measurement, by flow sampling or bypassing flow from main pipelines, offers several advantages, like reducing the footprint of the flowmeter and avoiding the stoppage of a process during flowmeter repair or replacement. The flow measurement technique could be thermal mass flowmetry, a popular flow measurement method. A major limitation in the bypassing technique is the low flow rate through the bypass pipe resulting in a weak flowmeter thermal signal or reduced sensitivity to flow. This paper describes the usage of a validated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model to investigate several bypass pipe designs to maximize fluid flow rate through the bypass pipes installed on the main pipeline and consequently maximize the thermal signal generated by an elementary thermal mass flowmeter installed on the bypass pipe. Investigations reveal that bypass design modification can improve thermal signal strength by as much as 38% with respect to that obtained in the baseline bypass design.
Physics and Instantaneous Performance of Radial Turbines in Unsteady Flows: Validity of the Quasi-Steady Assumption for the Rotor
Authors: Binder Nicolas , Bousquet Yanncik , Hermet Florian , Gressier Jérémie
Published: June 2022

Radial turbines are frequently submitted to unsteady inlet flows, for example, in turbocharging applications. Complex flows dominated by waves propagation take place, and advanced methodologies are required. Such complexity is hardly compatible with industrial constraints and design time scales. Also, the validity of the usual performance indicators, such as efficiency, is questionable in unsteady flows. However, the need for simplification led the community to develop modeling strategies for unsteady effects, based on hypotheses. One of those is that the rotor flow is assumed quasi-steady. This assumption is assessed by different criteria of the literature. It also enables an adaptation of performance indicators such as efficiency and pressure ratio. But the validity of such an assumption is still under discussion. The present paper is a contribution to this discussion. It focuses on a physical analysis of the physics involved in unsteady flows and the consequences that it produces on the instantaneous performance. Unsteady numerical simulations are analyzed, performed on a realistic radial turbine stage, which was submitted to different transient phases. An instantaneous overshoot of the turbine torque is observed for some transient regimes. Such a result demonstrates that the rotor flow is not immune to unsteady effects. A discussion is then conducted around the possible validity of the quasi-steady assumption for the rotor. This discussion includes the different criteria already found in the literature, and the alternative formulation proposed in this contribution, based on the ratio of time scales.
Diversity and ecological footprint of Global Ocean RNA viruses
Authors: Dominguez-Huerta Guillermo , Zayed Ahmed A. , Wainaina James M. , Guo Jiarong , Tian Funing , Pratama Akbar Adjie , Bolduc Benjamin , Mohssen Mohamed , Zablocki Olivier , Pelletier Eric , Delage Erwan , Alberti Adriana , Aury Jean-Marc , Carradec Quentin , da Silva Corinne , Labadie Karine , Poulain Julie ,   Tara Oceans Coordinators§, Bowler Chris , Eveillard Damien , Guidi Lionel , Karsenti Eric , Kuhn Jens H. , Ogata Hiroyuki , Wincker Patrick , Culley Alexander , Chaffron Samuel , Sullivan Matthew B.
Published: June 2022

DNA viruses are increasingly recognized as influencing marine microbes and microbe-mediated biogeochemical cycling. However, little is known about global marine RNA virus diversity, ecology, and ecosystem roles. In this study, we uncover patterns and predictors of marine RNA virus community- and “species”-level diversity and contextualize their ecological impacts from pole to pole. Our analyses revealed four ecological zones, latitudinal and depth diversity patterns, and environmental correlates for RNA viruses. Our findings only partially parallel those of cosampled plankton and show unexpectedly high polar ecological interactions. The influence of RNA viruses on ecosystems appears to be large, as predicted hosts are ecologically important. Moreover, the occurrence of auxiliary metabolic genes indicates that RNA viruses cause reprogramming of diverse host metabolisms, including photosynthesis and carbon cycling, and that RNA virus abundances predict ocean carbon export.
Immuno-epidemiology and the predictability of viral evolution
Authors: Saad-Roy Chadi M. , Metcalf C. Jessica E. , Grenfell Bryan T.
Published: June 2022

Understanding viral evolution depends on a synthesis of evolutionary biology and immuno-epidemiology
Doubly stereoconvergent crystallization enabled by asymmetric catalysis
Authors: de Jesús Cruz Pedro , Cassels William R. , Chen Chun-Hsing , Johnson Jeffrey S.
Published: June 2022

Synthetic methods that enable simultaneous control over multiple stereogenic centers are desirable for the efficient preparation of pharmaceutical compounds. Herein, we report the discovery and development of a catalyst-mediated asymmetric Michael addition/crystallization–induced diastereomer transformation of broad scope. The sequence controls three stereogenic centers, two of which are stereochemically labile. The configurational instability of 1,3-dicarbonyls and nitroalkanes, typically considered a liability in stereoselective synthesis, is productively leveraged by merging enantioselective Brønsted base organocatalysis and thermodynamic stereocontrol using a single convergent crystallization. The synthesis of useful γ-nitro β-keto amides containing three contiguous stereogenic centers is thus achieved from Michael acceptors containing two prochiral centers.
Late-onset Fabry disease: the cardiac sequela
Authors: Tremblay John , Kim Samuel , Philbin Edward , Beers Kelly , Lightle Andrea , Belov Dmitri
Published: June 2022

We describe a patient with Fabry disease (FD) who initially presented with atrial fibrillation without left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) 14 years before being correctly diagnosed with FD. In the interim, he survived a myocardial infarction complicated by ventricular fibrillation, and his severe LVH was misdiagnosed as sarcomeric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. In the following 4 years, he developed proteinuric kidney disease, neuropathy, sensorineural hearing loss and gastrointestinal symptoms. The patient was eventually readmitted for an overt heart failure (HF) exacerbation and was seen by an HF cardiologist. The constellation of systemic findings led to further diagnostic testing, including an endomyocardial biopsy, tests to determine alpha-galactosidase A enzyme activity and α-galactosidase A gene (GLA) analysis. The results of the patient’s tests were consistent with FD and he was started on enzyme replacement therapy. To our knowledge, this is the first detailed description of a late-onset phenotype of FD with c.146 G>C GLA variant. In addition, this case serves as a potent reminder to pay meticulous attention to ‘red flags’ accompanying LVH.
Regional variations and associations between colonoscopy resource availability and colonoscopy utilisation: a population-based descriptive study in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Webber Colleen , Flemming Jennifer A , Birtwhistle Richard , Rosenberg Mark , Groome Patti A
Published: June 2022

Objective

There is substantial variation in colonoscopy use and evidence of long wait times for the procedure. Understanding the role of system-level resources in colonoscopy utilisation may point to a potential intervention target to improve colonoscopy use. This study characterises colonoscopy resource availability in Ontario, Canada and evaluates its relationship with colonoscopy utilisation.

Design

We conducted a population-based study using administrative health data to describe regional variation in colonoscopy availability for Ontario residents (age 18–99) in 2013. We identified 43 colonoscopy networks in the province in which we described variations across three colonoscopy availability measures: colonoscopist density, private clinic access and distance to colonoscopy. We evaluated associations between colonoscopy resource availability and colonoscopy utilisation rates using Pearson correlation and log binomial regression, adjusting for age and sex.

Results

There were 9.4 full-time equivalent colonoscopists per 100 000 Ontario residents (range across 43 networks 0.0 to 21.8); 29.5% of colonoscopies performed in the province were done in private clinics (range 1.2%–55.9%). The median distance to colonoscopy was 3.7 km, with 5.9% travelling at least 50 km. Lower colonoscopist density was correlated with lower colonoscopy utilisation rates (r=0.53, p<0.001). Colonoscopy utilisation rates were 4% lower in individuals travelling 50 to <200 km and 11% lower in individuals travelling ≥200 km to colonoscopy, compared to <10 km. There was no association between private clinic access and colonoscopy utilisation.

Conclusion

The substantial variations in colonoscopy resource availability and the relationship demonstrated between colonoscopy resource availability and use provides impetus for health service planners and decision-makers to address these potential inequalities in access in order to support the use of this medically necessary procedure.
The health workforce status in the WHO African Region: findings of a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ahmat Adam , Okoroafor Sunny C , Kazanga Isabel , Asamani James Avoka , Millogo Jean Jacques Salvador , Illou Mourtala Mahaman Abdou , Mwinga Kasonde , Nyoni Jennifer
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Several efforts have been made globally to strengthen the health workforce (HWF); however, significant challenges still persist especially in the African Region. This study was conducted by the WHO Regional Office for Africa to present the status of the HWF in 47 countries as a baseline in measuring countries’ progress in implementing the Global Strategy for HWF by 2030.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional survey of 47 countries in the African Region using a semistructured questionnaire. Data were collected from January 2018 to April 2019. Before data collection, a tool was developed and piloted in four countries. The completed tools were validated in the countries by relevant stakeholders in the 47 countries. Data were collated and analysed in Epi Info and Microsoft Excel.

Results

The total stock of health workers was approximately 3.6 million across 47 countries. Among these, 37% of the health workers were nurses and midwives, 9% were medical doctors, 10% were laboratory personnel, 14% were community health workers, 14% were other health workers, and 12% were administrative and support staff. Results show uneven distribution of health workers within the African Region. Most health workers (85%) are in the public sector. Regional density of physicians, nurses and midwives per 1000 population was 1.55, only 4 countries had densities of more than 4.45 physicians, nurses and midwives per 1000 population.

Conclusion

This survey has demonstrated that the shortage and maldistribution of health workers in the WHO African Region remain a big challenge towards the attainment of universal access to health services. This calls for the need to substantially increase investment in the HWF based on contextual evidence in line with the current and future health needs.
Early mobilisation and rehabilitation in the PICU: a UK survey
Authors: Thompson Jacqueline Y , Menzies Julie C , Manning Joseph C , McAnuff Jennifer , Brush Emily Clare , Ryde Francesca , Rapley Tim , Pathan Nazima , Brett Stephen , Moore David J , Geary Michelle , Colville Gillian A , Morris Kevin P , Parslow Roger Charles , Feltbower Richard G , Lockley Sophie , Kirkham Fenella J , Forsyth Rob J , Scholefield Barnaby R
Published: June 2022

Objective

To understand the context and professional perspectives of delivering early rehabilitation and mobilisation (ERM) within UK paediatric intensive care units (PICUs).

Design

A web-based survey administered from May 2019 to August 2019.

Setting

UK PICUs.

Participants

A total of 124 staff from 26 PICUs participated, including 22 (18%) doctors, 34 (27%) nurses, 28 (23%) physiotherapists, 19 (15%) occupational therapists and 21 (17%) were other professionals.

Results

Key components of participants’ definitions of ERM included tailored, multidisciplinary rehabilitation packages focused on promoting recovery. Multidisciplinary involvement in initiating ERM was commonly reported. Over half of respondents favoured delivering ERM after achieving physiological stability (n=69, 56%). All age groups were considered for ERM by relevant health professionals. However, responses differed concerning the timing of initiation. Interventions considered for ERM were more likely to be delivered to patients when PICU length of stay exceeded 28 days and among patients with acquired brain injury or severe developmental delay. The most commonly identified barriers were physiological instability (81%), limited staffing (79%), sedation requirement (73%), insufficient resources and equipment (69%), lack of recognition of patient readiness (67%), patient suitability (63%), inadequate training (61%) and inadequate funding (60%). Respondents ranked reduction in PICU length of stay (74%) and improvement in psychological outcomes (73%) as the most important benefits of ERM.

Conclusion

ERM is gaining familiarity and endorsement in UK PICUs, but significant barriers to implementation due to limited resources and variation in content and delivery of ERM persist. A standardised protocol that sets out defined ERM interventions, along with implementation support to tackle modifiable barriers, is required to ensure the delivery of high-quality ERM.
Effects of digital devices and online learning on computer vision syndrome in students during the COVID-19 era: an online questionnaire study
Authors: Seresirikachorn Kasem , Thiamthat Warakorn , Sriyuttagrai Wararee , Soonthornworasiri Ngamphol , Singhanetr Panisa , Yudtanahiran Narata , Theeramunkong Thanaruk
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Computer vision syndrome (CVS) describes a group of eye and vision-related problems that result from prolonged digital device use. This study aims to assess the prevalence and associated factors of CVS among students during the lockdown resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A cross-sectional, online, questionnaire-based study performed among high school students in Thailand.

Results

A total of 2476 students, with mean age of 15.52±1.66 years, were included in this study. The mean number of hours of digital device use per day (10.53±2.99) increased during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with before its advent (6.13±2.8). The mean number of hours of online learning was 7.03±2.06 hours per day during the pandemic. CVS was found in 70.1% of students, and its severity correlated with both the number of hours of online learning and the total number of hours of digital device usage (p<0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the factors associated with CVS included age ≤15 years (adjusted OR (AOR)=2.17), overall digital device usage >6 hours per day (AOR=1.91), online learning >5 hours per day (AOR=4.99), multiple digital device usage (AOR=2.15), refractive errors (AOR=2.89), presence of back pain (AOR=2.06) and presence of neck pain (AOR=2.36).

Conclusions

The number of hours of digital device usage increased during lockdown. Over 70% of children had CVS, whose associated factors, including hours of digital device usage, hours of online learning, ergonomics and refractive errors, should be adjusted to decrease the risk of acquiring this condition. Online learning will remain, along with CVS, after this pandemic, and we hope our research will be taken into account in remodelling our education system accordingly.
Multicentre paired non-inferiority study of the cardiorespiratory monitoring performance of the wireless and non-adhesive Bambi® belt measuring diaphragm activity in neonates: study protocol
Authors: Scholten Anouk W J , Zhan Zhuozhao , Niemarkt Hendrik J , Vervoorn Marieke , van Leuteren Ruud W , de Jongh Frans H , van Kaam Anton H , van den Heuvel Edwin R , Hutten G. Jeroen
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Cardiorespiratory monitoring is used in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to assess the clinical status of newborn infants and detect critical deteriorations in cardiorespiratory function. Currently, heart rate (HR) is monitored by electrocardiography (ECG) and respiration by chest impedance (CI). Disadvantages of current monitoring techniques are usage of wired adhesive electrodes which may damage the skin and hinder care. The Bambi® belt is a wireless and non-adhesive alternative that enables cardiorespiratory monitoring by measuring electrical activity of the diaphragm via transcutaneous electromyography. A previous study showed feasibility of the Bambi® belt and this study compares the belt performance to ECG and CI.

Methods and analysis

This multicentre non-inferiority paired study will be performed in the NICU of the Máxima Medical Center (MMC) in Veldhoven and the Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centre (AmsterdamUMC) in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 39 infants in different postmenstrual age groups (minimally 10 infants<30 weeks, between 30–32 weeks and >32 weeks) will be recruited. These infants will be monitored with the Bambi® belt in addition to standard ECG and CI for 24 hours. The primary outcome is the HR, studied with three criteria: (1) the limits of agreement of the HR measurements in terms of the second-to-second difference in the HR between the belt and standard ECG, (2) the detection of cardiac events consisting of bradycardia and tachycardia and (3) the quality of HR-monitoring. The secondary outcome is the respiratory rate (RR), studied with the criteria (1) agreement in RR-trend monitoring, (2) apnoea and tachypnoea detection and (3) reliable registrations.

Ethics and dissemination

This protocol was approved by the Medical Ethical Committee of the MMC and the Central Committee for Human Research. The MMC started patient recruitment in July and the AmsterdamUMC in August 2021. The results will be presented at conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

NL9480.
Effects of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation delivery modes on exercise capacity and health-related quality of life in heart failure: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Tegegne Teketo Kassaw , Rawstorn Jonathan C , Nourse Rebecca Amy , Kibret Kelemu Tilahun , Ahmed Kedir Yimam , Maddison Ralph
Published: June 2022

Background

This review aimed to compare the relative effectiveness of different exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (ExCR) delivery modes (centre-based, home-based, hybrid and technology-enabled ExCR) on key heart failure (HF) outcomes: exercise capacity, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), HF-related hospitalisation and HF-related mortality.

Methods and results

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published through 20 June 2021 were identified from six databases, and reference lists of included studies. Risk of bias and certainty of evidence were evaluated using the Cochrane tool and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation, respectively. Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed using R. Continuous and binary outcomes are reported as mean differences (MD) and ORs, respectively, with 95% credible intervals (95% CrI). One-hundred and thirty-nine RCTs (n=18 670) were included in the analysis. Network meta-analysis demonstrated improvements in VO2peak following centre-based (MD (95% CrI)=3.10 (2.56 to 3.65) mL/kg/min), home-based (MD=2.69 (1.67 to 3.70) mL/kg/min) and technology-enabled ExCR (MD=1.76 (0.27 to 3.26) mL/kg/min). Similarly, 6 min walk distance was improved following hybrid (MD=84.78 (31.64 to 138.32) m), centre-based (MD=50.35 (30.15 to 70.56) m) and home-based ExCR (MD=36.77 (12.47 to 61.29) m). Incremental shuttle walk distance did not improve following any ExCR delivery modes. Minnesota living with HF questionnaire improved after centre-based (MD=−10.38 (−14.15 to –6.46)) and home-based ExCR (MD=−8.80 (−13.62 to –4.07)). Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire was improved following home-based ExCR (MD=20.61 (4.61 to 36.47)), and Short Form Survey 36 mental component after centre-based ExCR (MD=3.64 (0.30 to 6.14)). HF-related hospitalisation and mortality risks reduced only after centre-based ExCR (OR=0.41 (0.17 to 0.76) and OR=0.42 (0.16 to 0.90), respectively). Mean age of study participants was only associated with changes in VO2peak.

Conclusion

ExCR programmes have broader benefits for people with HF and since different delivery modes were comparably effective for improving exercise capacity and HRQoL, the selection of delivery modes should be tailored to individuals’ preferences.
Elevated cardiovascular disease risk in low-income women with a history of pregnancy loss
Authors: Tsulukidze Maka , Reardon David , Craver Christopher
Published: June 2022

Objective

Pregnancy is associated with elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), but little is known regarding the association between CVD and specific types of pregnancy losses. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of pregnancy loss on the risk of subsequent CVD of any type.

Methods

This prospective longitudinal study examines medical records between 1999 and 2014 for Medicaid beneficiaries born after 1982 who lived in a state that funds all reproductive health services, including induced abortion. Unique pregnancy outcomes, history of diabetes, hyperlipidaemia or CVD (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9): 401–459) prior to their first pregnancy outcome for each woman. Cumulative incidence rates of a first CVD diagnosis following a first pregnancy were calculated for the observed period, exceeding 12 years.

Results

A history of pregnancy loss was associated with 38% (OR=1.38; 95% CI=1.37 to 1.40) higher risk of a CVD diagnosis in the period observed. After controlling for history of diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, age, year of first pregnancy, race, state of residence, months of eligibility, number of pregnancies, births, number of losses before and after the first live birth, exposure to any pregnancy loss was associated with an 18% (adjusted OR=1.18; 95% CI=1.15 to 1.21) increased risk of CVD. Our analyses also reveal an important temporal relationship between the CVD and pregnancy loss. Immediate and short-term increased CVD risk is more characteristic for women whose first pregnancy ended in live birth while a delayed and more prolonged increased risk of CVD is associated with a first pregnancy loss.

Conclusions

Our findings corroborate previous research showing that pregnancy loss is an independent risk factor for CVD, especially for diseases more chronic in nature. Our research contributes to understanding the specific needs for cardiovascular health monitoring for pregnant women and developing a consistent, evidence-based screening tools for both short-term and long-term follow-up.
Effect of biochar on permeability of compacted soil and its microscopic mechanism
Authors: Wan Yong , Dong Zhiwei , He Xingxing , Liu Ruiqi , Cai Yangyang , Liu Lei , Qin Linbo , Xue Qiang
Published: June 2022

Biochar has attracted much attention in the field of geo-environmental engineering as a carbon-neutral alternative for soil amendment. In this study, the effects of biochar dosage, type, and particle size on the permeability and physical properties of compacted silty clay were investigated. And the prediction model of permeability coefficient of biochar-amended soil (BAS) was established. Based on the microscopy test results, the influence mechanism of biochar on the permeability of compacted soil was analyzed. Results revealed that adding different biochar types affected the consistency limits, specific gravity, and compaction curves of soil obviously. As the biochar content increased, the permeability coefficient of compacted BAS initially decreased before increasing. The permeability coefficient of compacted BAS with peanut-shell biochar was much higher than with other biochar types. Additionally, reducing the particle size of biochar can effectively decrease the permeability coefficient of BAS due to the pore-filling effect. Microscopy test results show that the permeability coefficient of BAS is affected by both the most probable pore size and the main-peak area of the pore-size distribution curve. Results suggest that controlling the biochar content at 5% and reducing the particle size of biochar are more beneficial to improve the impermeability of compacted BAS.
The complex relationship between weight and length of Atlantic cod off the south coast of Newfoundland
Authors: Cadigan Noel , Robertson Matthew D. , Nirmalkanna Kunasekaran , Zheng Nan
Published: June 2022

The relationship between the length and weight of fish is used to assess their growth and condition. This relationship is often assumed to be the same spatially and temporally. However, variability in the weight–length relationship can occur, which provides important information about stock productivity. We developed a spatiotemporal model for the weight–length relationship that is useful for predictions in un-sampled areas. We applied the model to survey data for Atlantic cod off the southern coast of Newfoundland, Canada. We found that weight-at-length was higher inshore, oscillated over time, was below average in recent years, declined during late-January to early-June especially for intermediate sized cod, and that the temporal oscillations were correlated with several local environmental time series. Finally, the model estimated a decrease in the allometric coefficient for intermediate sized cod (40–80 cm), indicating that those cod may be experiencing additional feeding deficiencies. Spatiotemporal variation in the weight-at-length relationship should be accounted for in the stock assessment process when fishery catch numbers are derived from tonnes landed and when estimating stock and fishery weights-at-age.
Drivers of winter population cycles in the Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius)
Authors: Koenig Walter D. , Knops Johannes M.H.
Published: June 2022

The drivers of year-to-year difference in winter abundance patterns, particularly dramatic in the “eruptions” of many boreal seed-eating birds, are poorly understood. Varied Thrush ( Ixoreus naevius (Gmelin, 1789)), endemic to the Pacific Northwest of North America, is a boreal species that exhibits pronounced, often biennially cyclic, changes in winter abundance within most of its normal wintering range. Although the drivers of this variability have not previously been explored, it has been suggested that differences in acorn abundance, a key winter food resource, might be important. Here, we examine three hypotheses for the drivers of this pattern: the acorn crop within the bird's normal winter range, weather within the bird's winter range, and weather during the previous breeding season within the bird's breeding range. Analyses supported the importance of breeding season conditions, particularly breeding season rainfall, with more birds wintering following wetter years. No support was found for the hypotheses that winter conditions, neither the acorn crop nor winter weather, correlate with winter abundance patterns. For this forest species, year-to-year differences in winter abundance patterns are apparently not driven by the “pull” of winter food supply or winter conditions, but by environmental factors during the prior breeding season that presumably affect reproductive success and subsequent population size.
Changes in dental wear and breakage in arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) across space and time: evidence for anthropogenic food subsidies?
Authors: Ungar P.S. , Van Valkenburgh B. , Sokolova N. , Fufachev I. , Filippova V. , Shklyar K. , Sokolov A.
Published: June 2022

Increased human presence in the Arctic may affect its vulnerable ecosystems. Effects on arctic and red foxes provide notable examples. Both have been documented to take anthropogenic subsidies when available, which can change diet and ranging patterns in complex ways that can either benefit or harm populations, depending on the situation. Understanding this complexity requires new tools to study impacts of increasing human presence on endemic mammals at high latitudes. We propose that dental ecology, specifically tooth wear and breakage, can offer important clues. Based on samples of arctic foxes ( Vulpes lagopus (Linnaeus, 1758)) trapped prior to ( n = 78) and following ( n = 57) rapidly growing human presence on the Yamal Peninsula, Russia, we found that foxes trapped recently in proximity to human settlement had significantly less tooth wear and breakage. This is likely explained by a dietary shift from consumption of reindeer ( Rangifer tarandus (Linnaeus, 1758)) carcasses including bone to softer human-derived foods, especially when preferred smaller prey (e.g., West Siberian lemmings, Lemmus sibiricus (Kerr, 1792), and arctic lemmings, Dicrostonyx torquatus (Pallas, 1778)) are unavailable. These results suggest that tooth wear and breakage can be a useful indicator of the consumption of anthropogenic foods by arctic foxes.
Variation of local fundamental group and local first homology group
Authors: Gurjar R. V. , Gurjar S. R. , Hajra B.
Published: June 2022

In this paper, we discuss various results about variation of the local fundamental group of normal complex spaces. It is proved that the finite Galois descent of upper semicontinuity of the local fundamental group holds at a factorial complex analytic germ. We also show by an example that finite Galois descent of upper semicontinuity of the local first homology group at a smooth germ is not true in general. We prove that the local fundamental groups of a normal complex algebraic variety are finite in number upto isomorphism.
Multiple control strategies against human papilloma virus spread: A mathematical model
Authors: Ogunmiloro Oluwatayo Michael , Adebayo Kayode James
Published: June 2022

In this paper, a model describing the transmission of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) in a bisexually active human host community is presented. We analyze the model in a feasible region where the model is realistic in the sense of HPV transmission. Since the trivial equilibrium does not exist, we obtain the HPV-free equilibrium solutions and make use of the next generation matrix method to compute the basic reproduction number [Formula: see text], which governs HPV extinction and persistence whenever it is less or greater than unity, respectively. We perform the sensitivity analysis of the model parameters of [Formula: see text] as to HPV prevalence and found that parameters [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], which are the effective HPV transmission and progression to recovery parameters, are positively sensitive to [Formula: see text]. In order to minimize the increasing effect of [Formula: see text] as regards the positive sensitive parameters, we re-construct the model via optimal control theory to incorporate controls of condom usage [Formula: see text], vaccination [Formula: see text] and medical counseling [Formula: see text] respectively. With these controls, we characterize and discuss the existence and uniqueness of the control model and solve the optimality system using the forward–backward Runge–Kutta fourth-order technique via the Matlab computational software. Simulations show that each of the control strategies is potent in combating HPV but the combination of the three controls proved more efficient in minimizing HPV infection in the human bisexual host community.
Improving Single-Stage Object Detectors for Nighttime Pedestrian Detection
Authors: Devi S , Thopalli Kowshik , Malarvezhi P , Thiagarajan Jayaraman J.
Published: June 2022

Improving the reliability of nighttime pedestrian detection is a crucial challenge towards the design of robust autonomous systems. Not surprisingly, most pedestrian fatalities occur in low-illumination settings, thus emphasizing the need for new algorithmic advances. This work presents a novel pedestrian detection approach that makes a number of crucial modifications to the state-of-the-art YOLOV5-PANet architecture, in order to improve the reliability of features extracted from nighttime images. More specifically, the proposed architecture systematically incorporates powerful shuffle attention mechanisms and a transformer module to improve the feature learning pipeline. Instead of advocating the use of other sensing modalities that are better suited for nighttime detection, our approach relies only on conventional RGB cameras and is hence broadly applicable. Our empirical studies with nighttime pedestrian detection benchmarks show that with only minimal increase in model complexity, our approach provides significant improvements in detection efficacy over existing solutions. Finally, we explore the impact of post-hoc network pruning on the speed-accuracy trade-off of our approach and demonstrate that it is well suited for reduced memory/compute requirements.
Identification Method of Grape Leaf Diseases Based on Improved CCT Model
Authors: Li Cheng , Li Ming , Zhu Xinghui , Chen Yineng , Wu Yanbin , Deng Nan , Fang Kui
Published: June 2022

Grape is an important cash crop that is susceptible to diseases when growing, resulting in lower yield and quality. In recent years, transformers have achieved excellent performance in a variety of natural language processing and image recognition tasks through the self-attention mechanism. Therefore, this paper proposes a grape leaf disease recognition model named Dense Convolutional Transformer (DensCT). The compact convolutional transformer (CCT) is used as the backbone in this model, which improves the convolutional module of the original model by introducing densely connected modules, enhancing the transfer and reuse of features between networks. This also modifies the single-scale feature extraction method of the original model to multi-scale, which improves the feature extraction performance. Finally, the model was trained on two small-scale datasets from scratch, and the recognition accuracy of the final model on the test sets reached 89.19% and 93.92%. Compared with CCT, DenseNet121, ResNet50, MobileNetV3 and ViT, the recognition accuracy improved by 4.73%, 3.38%, 10.81%, 0.68% and 18.24% on the first dataset and 6.08%, 5.41%, 1.35%, 3.38% and 12.84% on the second dataset. The experimental results show that the proposed model can effectively identify grape leaf diseases, which can provide a reference for building disease leaf recognition models on small-scale datasets.
Intelligent Wear Debris Identification of Gearbox Based on Virtual Ferrographic Images and Two-Level Transfer Learning
Authors: Fan Hongwei , Gao Shuoqi , Liu Qi , Ma Ningge , Zhang Xuhui , Cao Xiangang
Published: June 2022

Ferrography analysis is one of main means to identify wear state of mechanical equipment, and its key is the intelligent recognition of wear debris ferrographic images. Ferrographic image acquisition is a complex and time-consuming work, so the direct deep learning cannot been carried out for the small tested samples. A virtual ferrographic image dataset is prepared firstly and then two-level transfer learning scheme is proposed to improve the identification rate of the tested samples based on the deep learning model trained by the virtual samples. A combined network of YOLOv3 and DarkNet53 is constructed, and the application effect of model is improved by two-level transfer learning of virtual dataset to open dataset and then open dataset to tested dataset, and the model errors before and after twice transfer learning are analyzed. The average identification accuracy of the model in the validation dataset is 86.1%, which is 44.5% higher than that without two-level transfer learning, and the average recall reaches 95.8%. The experimental results prove the proposed method have a high identification rate for the tested ferrographic images of an actual gearbox.
Adaptive Compute Offloading Algorithm for Metasystem Based on Deep Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Wang Chunxin , Wang Wensheng , Li Wenjing , Liu Zhu , Zhu Jinhong , Zhang Nan
Published: June 2022

There has been a lot of research on edge-computing task offloading in deep reinforcement learning (DRL). Deep reinforcement learning is one of the important algorithms in the current AI field, but there is still room for improvement in the time cost and adaptive correction ability of the algorithm. This paper studies the application of DRL algorithms in edge-computing task offloading, and its key innovation is to propose an MADRLCO algorithm, which is based on the design idea of the Actor–Critic framework, uses the DNN model to act as an Actor, and can more accurately locate the initial decision through iterative training, and use the LSTM model to optimize the Critic, which can be more accurate. The optimal decision can be located in a short period of time. The main work of this paper is divided into three parts: (1) The AC algorithm of the Actor–Critic framework in DRL is proposed to be applied to edge-computing task offloading. (2) To address the weak generalization ability of the basic version of the Actor–Critic algorithm in multi-objective optimization, the sequential quantitative correction and adaptive correction parameter K method are used to optimize the Critic frame, thereby improving the generalization ability of the model in multi-objective decision-making and improving the rationality of decision-making results. (3) Aiming at the problem of large time cost in the critical framework of the model, a search algorithm for resource allocation-related parameters based on the time-series prediction method is proposed (time-series forecasting is a research branch of pattern recognition), which reduces the time overhead of the algorithm and improves the adaptive correction capability of the model. The algorithm in this paper can adapt to not only the time-varying network channel state, but also the time-varying number of device connections. Finally, it is proved by experiments that compared with the DRL calculation offloading algorithm based on DNN plus binary search, the MADRLCO algorithm reduces the model training time by 66.27%, and in the environment of the time-varying number of devices in the metasystem, the average model average. The standard calculation rate is 0.0403 higher than that of the current optimal algorithm.
The Improved Cooperative Particle Swarm Optimization (ICPSO) with Dynamic Information Adjustment and Controllable Speed and Its Application in Neural Network Optimization
Authors: Fu Li-Hui , Dai Junfeng
Published: June 2022

In view of the premature convergence of particle swarm optimization (PSO) that is often caused by the loss of diversity, an improved cooperative PSO (ICPSO) is proposed. The method can dynamically combine the optimum values of the particles themselves, the global particles and the optimum values in groups, use the current optimization stage to dynamically adjust the shared proportion of information and effectively fuse various reference information, which can obtain superior global and local optimization performance. Additionally, to improve the diversity of the algorithm, a dynamic adjustment method using the grouping coefficient [Formula: see text] for the convergence rate is put forward. This method makes the algorithm have a more appropriate convergence rate while improving the convergence precision and enhancing the performance of the algorithm. Finally, the algorithm is used to optimize a neural network. The convergence condition and convergence rate of the algorithm are assessed by theoretical analysis and simulation experiments. The results show that ICPSO has more advantages in its diversity and the adjustment of the convergence rate compared to other related algorithms. Regarding neural network optimization, the training speed and optimization precision of the ICPSO-BP neural network are the highest, which has reached the best and average level of classification accuracy 98.5%, 96.3% for 20 iterations in Iris, and 98.7%, 95.1% in Wine. Its average iteration times score the best in five problems out of six.