bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nonlinear Mechanical Roton
Authors: Duan Zhonglei , Cui Jianguo , Chen Li-Qun , Yang Tianzhi
Published: January 2023

The roton-like dispersions support the “return flow” of acoustic waves; such phenomena were only observed in quantum systems. In this paper, we aim to investigate the nonlinear roton-like dispersion in a mechanical metamaterial with both nonlinear chains and nonlinear resonators with nonlocal connection; both theoretical and numerical methods are used to analyze the system, and some new phenomena such as amplitude-dependent roton-like behaviors are observed. This work opens a new way for designing an extremely low-frequency vibration isolator with a stable configuration.
Biologically Inspired Design Concept Generation Using Generative Pre-Trained Transformers
Authors: Zhu Qihao , Zhang Xinyu , Luo Jianxi
Published: January 2023

Biological systems in nature have evolved for millions of years to adapt and survive the environment. Many features they developed can be inspirational and beneficial for solving technical problems in modern industries. This leads to a specific form of design-by-analogy called bio-inspired design (BID). Although BID as a design method has been proven beneficial, the gap between biology and engineering continuously hinders designers from effectively applying the method. Therefore, we explore the recent advance of artificial intelligence (AI) for a data-driven approach to bridge the gap. This paper proposes a generative design approach based on the generative pre-trained language model (PLM) to automatically retrieve and map biological analogy and generate BID in the form of natural language. The latest generative pre-trained transformer, namely generative pre-trained transformer 3 (GPT-3), is used as the base PLM. Three types of design concept generators are identified and fine-tuned from the PLM according to the looseness of the problem space representation. Machine evaluators are also fine-tuned to assess the mapping relevancy between the domains within the generated BID concepts. The approach is evaluated and then employed in a real-world project of designing light-weighted flying cars during its conceptual design phase The results show our approach can generate BID concepts with good performance.
Time- and Space-Dependent Reliability-Based Design With Envelope Method
Authors: Wu Hao , Du Xiaoping
Published: January 2023

Deterministic optimization may lead to unreliable design results if significant uncertainty exists. Including reliability constraints in reliability-based design (RBD) can solve such a problem. It is difficult to use current RBD methods to deal with time- and space-dependent reliability when responses vary randomly with respect to time and space. This study employs an envelope method for time- and space-dependent reliability for the optimal design. To achieve high accuracy, we propose an inverse envelope method that converts a time- and space-dependent limit-state function into a time- and space-independent counterpart and then use the second-order saddlepoint approximation to compute the probability of failure. The strategy is to find an equivalent most probable point for a given permitted probability of failure for each reliability constraint. To achieve high efficiency, we use a sequential optimization process to decouple the double-loop structure of RBD. The overall optimization is performed with a sequence of cycles consisting of deterministic optimization and reliability analysis. The constraints of the deterministic optimization are formulated using the equivalent most probable points. The accuracy and efficiency are demonstrated with four examples, including one mathematical problem and three engineering problems.
Predicting Behavior of Gas-Solids Systems for Non-Uniform Fluidization
Authors: Battaglia Francine , England Jonas A. , Estejab Bahareh
Published: January 2023

A new method was developed to predict the pressure drop and minimum fluidization velocity as a function of inlet gas velocity for multicomponent fluidized beds. The method attributes the changing bed composition during the fluidization process by using a definition for the mass fractions of the bed not yet fluidized. First, a literature survey presents single and multicomponent system correlations that estimate the minimum fluidization velocity. Then, development of the “MASS method” was described and compared to published experimental data and numerical simulations for pressure drop from single-, binary-, and ternary-component fluidized bed systems, where good agreement was observed. Minimum fluidization velocities predicted using correlations in the literature were compared with the MASS method and corresponding experimental data and numerical simulations. The predicted minimum fluidization velocity from the MASS method provided very good results with a relative error of ±4% compared to experimental data. The MASS method was shown to accurately predict fluidization of complex multicomponent systems of granular material and can be used to predict other systems.
Numerical Study of Composite Percussive Drilling With Consideration of Heat Transfer Between Drilling Fluid and Bottom-Hole Rock in Geothermal Drilling
Authors: Song Hengyu , Xia Yan , Yuan Guangjie , Li Jingcui , Liu Tianen , Shi Huaizhong , Tang Yinhong
Published: January 2023

This article conducted a numerical study of composite percussive drilling with consideration of heat transfer between drilling fluid and bottom-hole rock in geothermal drilling, and analyzed influences of temperature, impact parameters, and heat transfer on rock fragmentation characteristics and energy transfer patterns. In this article, a model for a percussive drilling system based on the coupling of composite percussion and heat transfer was built. The rock fragmentation mechanism and energy transfer efficiency under the coupling of composite percussion and thermal exchange were studied. The main study results are as follows. As the temperature enhances, the total energy transfer efficiency declines, and the tensile damage area shrinks, while the outward extension of tensile cracks enhances. The total energy transfer efficiency enhances with the increase of the heat flux. The thermal load of the rock caused by heat transfer is essentially tensile stress. As the heat flux enhances, the tensile damage areas of the rock gradually expand and interconnect. Under the couplings of composite percussion and heat transfer, the heat transfer can intensify the rock breakage by tensile stress and enhance the energy transfer efficiency, and large deformation of the rock generated by composite percussion can promote the heat transfer process of drilling fluid and high-temperature rock, which in turn enhances the rock thermal damage. This study reveals coupling mechanisms of composite percussion and heat transfer and provides parameter optimization basis for composite percussive drilling in geothermal well.
Integrating Physical and Numerical Simulation of Horizontal Well Steam Flooding in a Heavy Oil Reservoir
Authors: Liu Dong , Liu Yonghui , Lai Nanjun , Hu Tinghui , Pang Zhanxi , Liu Tianyu
Published: January 2023

LD-N extra-heavy oil reservoir in Bohai Sea is characterized with deep burial and large bottom water. Horizontal-well steam huff “n” puff has been applied, yet due to water coning and serious heat losses, the oil recovery after three cycles turned out to be rather low (1.58%). To find an appropriate follow-up process, this study proposed and analyzed three different flooding schemes: steam flooding, multiple-thermal-fluid flooding, and foam flooding. Scaled 3D physical experiments and corresponding numerical simulation have been conducted to investigate the heating chamber development and fluid production. History match and parametric analyses have been carried out to optimize the well performance and operating conditions. The optimized results include 360 m3/d instantaneous steam injection rate, 1.3–1.4 production-injection ratio, and 13–16 m water avoidance height. In addition, the production well is recommended to be placed above the injection well. These findings provide a useful guidance for the design of thermal recovery schemes and the optimization of production processes for heavy oil reservoirs with bottom water.
A Study of the Velocity Field During Mitigation of Vortex Breakdown in Model Francis Turbine at High Load
Authors: Goyal Rahul , Cervantes Michel J. , Masoodi Faiz Azhar , Sahu Pallav
Published: January 2023

Off-design operation leads to the development of flow instabilities like vortex breakdown phenomenon which manifests as an enlarged vortex core in the draft tube at high load operating conditions. These flow instabilities are known to potentially have detrimental effects on turbine performance necessitating investigations on their formative and mitigation mechanisms. This work clarifies the evolving velocity maps characterizing vortex breakdown seen in a model Francis turbine draft tube during the transition from high load to best efficiency point. Velocity measurements have been performed inside a draft tube cone using a 2D particle image velocimetry system. Results show a wake-like velocity profile characterizing the vortex core in the draft tube cone at high load condition. The vortex core is a centrally located flow feature embodying a quasi-stagnant flow with recirculation regions. Surrounding the core, an axial outflow is seen with shear layers arising at the interface of core and outflow due to a substantial velocity gradient. Mitigation of this vortex core through a load rejection operation was further investigated. It is seen that as the flowrate approaches the best efficiency point, the shear layers between the outflow and central stagnation region break. The breakup leads to an axially dominated and streamlined flow. This is enabled by the reduction of the swirl until no central flow separation at the stagnation point occurs. The flow at the best efficiency point is thus devoid of the vortex core due to the absence of flow stagnation, the primary instability causing the core development.
American and European Hydrostatic Tubular Beam-Column Equation Comparisons
Authors: Ku Albert , Richmond Mark
Published: January 2023

For structural design engineers, there is an apparent gap in how the hydrostatic pressure is treated between the American and European systems. In API RP-2A, the beam-column equations treat the axial and bending capacities the same as there is no hydrostatic pressure. This is physically not correct, as member utilization is a combination of hydrostatic, axial, and bending actions. In contrast, the ISO and NORSOK beam-column equations include reductions of axial and moment capacities due to hydrostatic effect. In this paper, available actual test data are compared with the API and ISO capacity equations. A third set of capacity equations provided by Chen et al. is also considered. Unity check (UC) results show that, although API equations lack the proper hydrostatic reduction in axial/bending capacities, it is compensated by the separate checks of hoop buckling and ultimate strength. For engineering applications, similar member designs will be obtained by either the European or the American systems.
Dynamic Performance Characteristics of a Porous Volumetric Solar Receiver Under Transient Flux Conditions
Authors: Sharma Sonika , Talukdar Prabal
Published: January 2023

The solar flux incident on a volumetric receiver is inherently unsteady, resulting in high thermal stresses, fatigue failures, and reduced component life. The knowledge of transient response characteristics of a porous volumetric receiver used in concentrating solar technologies is cardinal for its reliable and safe working. The dynamic controlling of the solar-to-thermal conversion process is also possible with the prior prediction of the output variations. The present study aims to investigate the transient behavior of a porous volumetric receiver subjected to flux variations approximations occurring in real working scenarios with the help of a coupled transient model. The solid and fluid temperature fields, output fluid temperature, and pressure drop variations are determined for transient flux conditions during start-up, shut-down, clear sky, and cloud passage. The results are used to analyze the thermal response of the receiver during various operating conditions. In addition, the effects of structural parameters of the porous absorber are also investigated. The results indicate that the receiver transient performance is comparatively more affected by the variation in porosity than in pore size for all conditions. Smaller porosities and pore sizes show slower thermal response to transient fluctuations and less temperature changes during cloud passage. Conversely, higher values help in the faster restoration of the steady-state output conditions without dynamic control.
On the charge density and potential near the surface of a field emitter
Authors: Edgcombe C. J.
Published: January 2023

The recently computed result for charge density penetrating into the barrier region of a capped (5,5) carbon nanotube in zero applied field is compared with the analysis of Kohn and Mattsson for a narrow region near the Fermi equipotential. The decrease of charge density with distance into the barrier is found to be faster for the computed result, possibly resulting from a limitation in the density functional used.
In vitro cellular reprogramming to model gonad development and its disorders
Authors: Gonen Nitzan , Eozenou Caroline , Mitter Richard , Elzaiat Maëva , Stévant Isabelle , Aviram Rona , Bernardo Andreia Sofia , Chervova Almira , Wankanit Somboon , Frachon Emmanuel , Commère Pierre-Henri , Brailly-Tabard Sylvie , Valon Léo , Barrio Cano Laura , Levayer Romain , Mazen Inas , Gobaa Samy , Smith James C. , McElreavey Kenneth , Lovell-Badge Robin , Bashamboo Anu
Published: January 2023

During embryonic development, mutually antagonistic signaling cascades determine gonadal fate toward a testicular or ovarian identity. Errors in this process result in disorders of sex development (DSDs), characterized by discordance between chromosomal, gonadal, and anatomical sex. The absence of an appropriate, accessible in vitro system is a major obstacle in understanding mechanisms of sex-determination/DSDs. Here, we describe protocols for differentiation of mouse and human pluripotent cells toward gonadal progenitors. Transcriptomic analysis reveals that the in vitro–derived murine gonadal cells are equivalent to embryonic day 11.5 in vivo progenitors. Using similar conditions, Sertoli-like cells derived from 46,XY human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) exhibit sustained expression of testis-specific genes, secrete anti-Müllerian hormone, migrate, and form tubular structures. Cells derived from 46,XY DSD female hiPSCs, carrying anNR5A1variant, show aberrant gene expression and absence of tubule formation. CRISPR-Cas9–mediated variant correction rescued the phenotype. This is a robust tool to understand mechanisms of sex determination and model DSDs.
Tomography of ultrarelativistic nuclei with polarized photon-gluon collisions
Authors:   STAR Collaboration
Published: January 2023

A linearly polarized photon can be quantized from the Lorentz-boosted electromagnetic field of a nucleus traveling at ultrarelativistic speed. When two relativistic heavy nuclei pass one another at a distance of a few nuclear radii, the photon from one nucleus may interact through a virtual quark-antiquark pair with gluons from the other nucleus, forming a short-lived vector meson (e.g., ρ
0
). In this experiment, the polarization was used in diffractive photoproduction to observe a unique spin interference pattern in the angular distribution of ρ
0
→ π
+
π
−
decays. The observed interference is a result of an overlap of two wave functions at a distance an order of magnitude larger than the ρ
0
travel distance within its lifetime. The strong-interaction nuclear radii were extracted from these diffractive interactions and found to be 6.53 ± 0.06 fm (
197
Au) and 7.29 ± 0.08 fm (
238
U), larger than the nuclear charge radii. The observable is demonstrated to be sensitive to the nuclear geometry and quantum interference of nonidentical particles.
Natural killer cells for antiviral therapy
Authors: Smith Davey M. , Schafer Jolie R. , Tullius Brian , Witkam Laura , Paust Silke
Published: January 2023

Natural killer (NK) cell–based immunotherapy is being explored for treating infectious diseases, including viral infections. Here, we discuss evidence of NK cell responses to different viruses, ongoing clinical efforts to treat such infections with NK cell products, and review platforms to generate NK cell products.
Decreased serotonin transporter activity in the mitral valve contributes to progression of degenerative mitral regurgitation
Authors: Castillero Estibaliz , Fitzpatrick Emmett , Keeney Samuel J. , D’Angelo Alex M. , Pressly Benjamin B. , Simpson Michael T. , Kurade Mangesh , Erwin W. Clinton , Moreno Vivian , Camillo Chiara , Shukla Halley J. , Inamdar Vaishali V. , Aghali Arbi , Grau Juan B. , Salvati Elisa , Nissim Itzhak , Rauova Lubica , Oyama Mark A. , Stachelek Stanley J. , Brown Chase , Krieger Abba M. , Levy Robert J. , Ferrari Giovanni
Published: January 2023

Degenerative mitral valve (MV) regurgitation (MR) is a highly prevalent heart disease that requires surgery in severe cases. Here, we show that a decrease in the activity of the serotonin transporter (SERT) accelerates MV remodeling and progression to MR. Through studies of a population of patients with MR, we show that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) use and
SERT
promoter polymorphism 5-HTTLPR LL genotype were associated with MV surgery at younger age. Functional characterization of 122 human MV samples, in conjunction with in vivo studies in
SERT
−/−
mice and wild-type mice treated with the SSRI fluoxetine, showed that diminished SERT activity in MV interstitial cells (MVICs) contributed to the pathophysiology of MR through enhanced serotonin receptor (HTR) signaling. SERT activity was decreased in LL MVICs partially because of diminished membrane localization of SERT. In mice, fluoxetine treatment or
SERT
knockdown resulted in thickened MV leaflets. Similarly, silencing of
SERT
in normal human MVICs led to up-regulation of transforming growth factor β1 (
TGF
β
1
) and collagen (
COL1A1
) in the presence of serotonin. In addition, treatment of MVICs with fluoxetine not only directly inhibited SERT activity but also decreased
SERT
expression and increased
HTR2B
expression. Fluoxetine treatment and LL genotype were also associated with increased
COL1A1
expression in the presence of serotonin in MVICs, and these effects were attenuated by HTR2B inhibition. These results suggest that assessment of both 5-HTTLPR genotype and SERT-inhibiting treatments may be useful tools to risk-stratify patients with MV disease to estimate the likelihood of rapid disease progression.
Identification of a Novel Coumarins Biosynthetic Pathway in the Endophytic Fungus Fusarium oxysporum GU-7 with Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Sun Yifan , Ren Guangxi , Shi Qijin , Zhu Hongyu , Zhou Na , Kong Xianghe , Jiang Dan , Liu Chunsheng
Published: January 2023

Plant-produced coumarins have been shown to play an important role in assembly of the plant microbiomes and iron acquisition. Coumarins can also be produced by some microorganisms.
Natural Recombination among Type I Restriction-Modification Systems Creates Diverse Genomic Methylation Patterns among Xylella fastidiosa Strains
Authors: O’Leary Michael L. , Burbank Lindsey P.
Published: January 2023

Economic impacts on agricultural production due to
X. fastidiosa
have been severe in the Americas, Europe, and parts of Asia. Despite a long history of research on this pathogen, certain fundamental questions regarding the biology, pathogenicity, and evolution of
X. fastidiosa
have still not been answered.
Monkeypox Outbreak 2022: Clinical and Virological Features of 30 Patients at the Sexually Transmitted Diseases Centre of Sant’ Orsola Hospital, Bologna, Northeastern Italy
Authors: Gaspari Valeria , Rossini Giada , Robuffo Silvia , Rapparini Luca , Scagliarini Alessandra , Mistral De Pascali Alessandra , Piraccini Bianca Maria , Lazzarotto Tiziana
Published: January 2023

Monkeypox infection is a zoonosis first described in humans in 1970 in Congo. While previously manifesting in small, confined outbreaks, the disease is rapidly spreading globally.
Suicidal Phenotype of Proofreading-Deficient Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Polymerase Mutants
Authors: Brunialti Marika , Höfler Thomas , Nascimento Mariana , Trimpert Jakob
Published: January 2023

Recovery of fully exonuclease-deficient herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) DNA polymerase mutants has been so far unsuccessful. However, exonuclease activity is not known to be directly essential for virus replication, and the lethal phenotype of certain HSV-1 polymerase mutants is thus attributed to factors other than exonuclease activity.
A Long-Running Arms Race between
APOBEC1
Genes and Retroviruses in Tetrapods
Authors: Wang Wenqiang , Han Guan-Zhu
Published: January 2023

APOBEC3
(
A3
) genes have been thought to function in defense against retroviruses, whereas the evolutionary significance of A1 proteins in antiviral defense remains largely obscure. In this study, we identify the
A1
gene repertoire, characterize the A1-mediated mutation footprints in endogenous retroviruses (ERVs), and explore the evolutionary arms race between
A1
genes and ERVs across vertebrate species.
The C-Type Lectin Receptor Dectin-2 Is a Receptor for Aspergillus fumigatus Galactomannan
Authors: Reedy Jennifer L. , Crossen Arianne J. , Negoro Paige E. , Harding Hannah Brown , Ward Rebecca A. , Vargas-Blanco Diego A. , Timmer Kyle D. , Reardon Christopher M. , Basham Kyle J. , Mansour Michael K. , Wüthrich Marcel , Fontaine Thierry , Latgé Jean-Paul , Vyas Jatin M.
Published: January 2023

Aspergillus fumigatus
is a fungal pathogen that causes serious and often fatal disease in humans. The surface of
Aspergillus
is composed of complex sugar molecules.
A Manganese-independent Aldolase Enables Staphylococcus aureus To Resist Host-imposed Metal Starvation
Authors: Párraga Solórzano Paola K. , Bastille Talina S. , Radin Jana N. , Kehl-Fie Thomas E.
Published: January 2023

Staphylococcus aureus
and other pathogens consume glucose during infection. Glucose utilization increases the demand for transition metals, such as manganese, a nutrient that the host limits as a defense mechanism against invading pathogens.
Draft Metagenome-Assembled Genome Sequence of a Novel
Citricoccus
Species from Agricultural Soil in Western Colorado
Authors: O’Toole Paul , Daly Rebecca A. , Keshavarz Afshar Reza , Shaffer Michael , Wrighton Kelly C. , McGivern Bridget B.
Published: January 2023

Members of the genus
Citricoccus
are recognized as salt-tolerant soil microorganisms. Here, we report the metagenome-assembled genome sequence of a novel
Citricoccus
species recovered from untilled, surface agricultural soils in western Colorado.
Complete Genome Sequence and Annotation of Malacoplasma iowae Type Strain 695, Generated Using PacBio Sequencing
Authors: Ghanem Mostafa , Hashish Amro , Chundru Dhiraj , El-Gazzar Mohamed
Published: January 2023

Malacoplasma iowae
, previously known as “
Mycoplasma iowae
,” is associated with embryo mortality, reduced hatchability, and leg abnormalities in turkeys, leading to considerable economic losses. Here, we report the complete and annotated genome sequence of
Malacoplasma iowae
type strain 695.
Complete Genome Sequences of Infectious Bronchitis Virus Genotype JP-II (GI-7) and JP-III (GI-19) Strains Isolated in Japan
Authors: Mase Masaji , Hiramatsu Kanae , Watanabe Satoko , Iseki Hiroshi
Published: January 2023

We report the complete genome sequences of strains JP/Yamanashi/93 and JP/Shimane/98, which are classified in JP-II (GI-7) and JP-III (GI-19), respectively, the major genotypes of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) in Japan. This information will be useful for the in-depth understanding of the evolution of IBV in Japan.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Sulfur-Oxidizing Bacterium, Alcaligenes faecalis Strain NLF5-7, Isolated from Livestock Wastewater
Authors: Han Kook-Il , Jeong Sang Eun , Nam Young Ho , Jin Hyun Mi , Kim Jong-Guk , Lee Mi-Hwa
Published: January 2023

The complete genome sequence of
Alcaligenes faecalis
strain NLF5-7, which was isolated from livestock wastewater, is reported. The genome of strain NLF5-7 contains genes for assimilatory sulfate reduction, dissimilatory sulfate reduction and oxidation, and an SOX system, based on its functional genetic characteristics.
Genome Sequence of
Vibrio
sp. Strain CCB-PB317, Isolated from a Malaysian Mangrove, and Its Arsenic Resistance Mechanisms
Authors: Miswan Noorizan , Lau Nyok-Sean , Azami Nor Azura , Furusawa Go
Published: January 2023

Vibrio
sp. strain CCB-PB317 with potential arsenic detoxification was isolated from a mangrove in Pulau Betong, Malaysia. Here, we report a draft genome sequence of strain CCB-PB317, which comprised 5,157,574 bp with a G+C content of 44.9%. The genome contains genes related to an arsenic resistance system coupled with glycolytic metabolism.
Experimental Infection of Mexican Free-Tailed Bats (
Tadarida brasiliensis
) with SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Hall J. S. , Hofmeister E. , Ip H. S. , Nashold S. W. , Leon A. E. , Malavé C. M. , Falendysz E. A. , Rocke T. E. , Carossino M. , Balasuriya U. , Knowles S.
Published: January 2023

As the COVID-19 pandemic has continued for 3+ years, there has been increasing concern that the SARS-CoV-2 virus will enter wildlife populations and potentially create new reservoirs where the virus could adapt to a new host and create variants. This is particularly possible with species that reside in man-made structures, in proximity to infected human populations.
Intrabacterial Regulation of a Cytotoxic Effector by Its Cognate Metaeffector Promotes Legionella pneumophila Virulence
Authors: Chauhan Deepika , Joseph Ashley M. , Shames Stephanie R.
Published: January 2023

Legionella pneumophila
replicates within phagocytic host cells using hundreds of effector protein virulence factors, which canonically subvert the function of host proteins and pathways.
L. pneumophila
encodes a unique family of translocated effectors called metaeffectors, which bind and regulate the function of a cognate effector in host cells. The metaeffector MesI promotes
L. pneumophila
virulence by regulating the cytotoxic effector SidI; however, the MesI regulatory mechanism is poorly understood.
Genetic and Phenotypic Characterization of Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae from Liver Abscess
Authors: Qian Changrui , Zhang Siqin , Xu Mengxin , Zeng Weiliang , Chen Lijiang , Zhao Yining , Zhou Cui , Zhang Ying , Cao Jianming , Zhou Tieli
Published: January 2023

Pyogenic liver abscess is a potentially life-threatening suppurative infection of hepatic parenchyma.
K. pneumoniae
has emerged as a predominant pathogen of pyogenic liver abscess. Liver abscess-causing
K. pneumoniae
is generally considered hypervirulent
K. pneumoniae
and is susceptible to most antibiotics.
An early analysis of the World Bank’s Pandemic Fund: a new fund for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response
Authors: Boyce Matthew R , Sorrell Erin M , Standley Claire J
Published: January 2023

In response to shortcomings in epidemic preparedness and response that were revealed by the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been numerous proposals for ways to improve preparedness and response financing. Included among these is the World Bank’s Pandemic Fund, formerly known as the Financial Intermediary Fund for Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response, which was launched in September 2022. This analysis piece examines the Pandemic Fund, where it fits into ongoing discussions surrounding financing for preparedness and response efforts and discusses emerging apprehensions about the new financing mechanism. Briefly, the Pandemic Fund is not the first time that the World Bank has hosted a financing mechanism to provide support for pandemic response. Notably the Pandemic Emergency Financing Facility (PEF)—which was launched in 2017 and closed in 2021—was criticised for generally failing to realise its potential. However, the Pandemic Fund seems to be addressing several of these critiques by placing a greater emphasis on prevention and preparedness financing, as opposed to response financing. Still, there is an important need for response funding mechanisms, and concerningly, the Pandemic Fund seems to support response efforts in name only. While it is clearly desirable to prepare for and prevent outbreaks for a multitude of reasons, it is also naive to assume that strengthening preparedness capacities will eliminate outbreaks and the need for response financing altogether. Accordingly, there is a need to complement this new financing mechanism with dedicated funding for responding to infectious disease outbreaks and to closely link this response financing with health security frameworks and instruments.
Prevalence of, and factors associated with, alcohol use disorder among young adults (aged 15–24 years) living with HIV/AIDS in low-income and middle-income countries: protocol for a systematic review
Authors: Odokonyero Raymond Felix , Ocan Moses , Kinengyere Alison Annet , Nakasujja Noeline , Muhwezi Wilson W , Camlin Carol S , Hahn JA
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Alcohol use is a global driver of HIV infection and disease progression, mediated through risky behaviour and poor antiretroviral adherence. Most studies about the burden of alcohol use among people living with HIV (PLWH)/AIDS have been done in adult populations, but less is known about young people with HIV, especially in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), despite the high level of alcohol use in these settings. The aim of this review is to collate evidence on the prevalence of, and factors associated with, alcohol use disorder (AUD) among young adults (aged 15–24 years) living with HIV/AIDS in LMICs.

Methods and analysis

Two experienced librarians will conduct an independent article search in PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase and Web of Science databases, using relevant Medical Subject Headings terms and Boolean operators (‘AND’, ‘OR’). We will include English-language articles that were published in peer-reviewed journals from 1 January 2000, to 25 July 2022, that documented the prevalence of AUD among young people (15–24 years) living with HIV in LMICs. We shall exclude systematic review articles and qualitative studies. Two independent reviewers will screen the articles for eligibility and data will be extracted onto a preset Excel spreadsheet. Data analysis will be done using Stata V.14.0. Heterogeneity will be assessed by use of theI2statistic and data will be pooled in meta-analyses where appropriate. Publication bias will be assessed using the funnel plot.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not needed as this systematic review will be based on published studies. Findings from this study will be disseminated via submission for publication in a peer-reviewed journal, at conference presentations, and made available to health professionals, scientists and policy makers. Our data set can be made available on request.

Registration details

PROSPERO, CRD42022308955
Quality improvement tools to manage emergency callbacks from patients with diabetes in a prehospital setting
Authors: Farhat Hassan , Alinier Guillaume , El Aifa Kawther , Athemneh Khawla , Gangaram Padarath , Romero Ricardo , Khenissi Mohamed Chaker , Al Shaikh Loua , Laughton James
Published: January 2023

Diabetes is rising at an alarming rate, as 1 in 10 adults worldwide now lives with the disease. In Qatar, a middle eastern Arab country, diabetes prevalence is equally concerning and is predicted to increase from 17% to 24% among individuals aged 45 and 54 years by 2050. While most healthcare strategies focus on preventative and improvement of in-hospital care of patients with diabetes, a notable paucity exists concerning diabetes in the prehospital setting should ideally be provided. This quality improvement study was conducted in a middle eastern ambulance service and aimed to reduce ambulance callbacks of patients with diabetes-related emergencies after refusing transport to the hospital at the first time. We used iterative four-stage problem-solving models. It focused on the education and training of both paramedics and patients. The study showed that while it was possible to reduce the rate of ambulance callbacks of patients with diabetes, this was short-lived and numbers increased again. The study demonstrated that improvements could be effective. Hence, changes that impacted policy, systems of care and ambulance protocols directed at managing and caring for patients with diabetes-related prehospital emergencies may be required to reify them.
National, longitudinal NASCITA birth cohort study: prevalence of overweight at 12 months of age in children born healthy
Authors: Clavenna Antonio , Morabito Eleonora , Cartabia Massimo , Campi Rita , Pandolfini Chiara Liz , Bonati Maurizio
Published: January 2023

Objective

To estimate the prevalence of overweight at 12 months in an Italian birth cohort and to identify factors related to an increased likelihood of being overweight.

Methods

The Italian NASCITA birth cohort was analysed. Infants were classified as underweight (<5th), normal weight (5–84th) and overweight (≥85th centile) at 12 months of age according to the WHO percentiles of body mass index (BMI) and the prevalence of overweight was estimated. To test the association between the chance of being overweight and parental and newborn characteristics, and infant feeding, healthy newborns (no preterm/low birth weight and with no malformations), with appropriate-for-gestational-age birth weight were selected, and univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.

Results

The prevalence of overweight was 23.5% (95% CI 22.2% to 24.8%) in all cohort members with 12-month data (N=4270), and 23.1% in the appropriate-for-gestational age subsample (N=2835).

A big infant appetite (OR 3.92, 95% CI 2.40 to 6.40) and living in southern Italy (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.29 to 1.94) were the main variables associated with a greater likelihood of being overweight. Breastfeeding practice did not influence the chance of being overweight, but was associated with an increase (exclusive breast feeding for at least 6 months) or a decrease (breast feeding for at least 12 months) in BMI z score at 12 months.

Conclusions

The sociodemographic factors (eg, area of residence, maternal employment status) seem to be the most relevant determinants influencing the chance of being overweight at 12 months. Early interventions, with particular attention to vulnerable families, may be helpful in preventing childhood and adult obesity.
Testing and refining middle-range theory in evaluations of public-health interventions: evidence from recent systematic reviews and trials
Authors: Bonell Chris , Ponsford Ruth , Meiksin Rebecca , Melendez-Torres GJ
Published: January 2023

Evaluations of public-health interventions might potentially be used to test and refine middle-range theory (ie, theory about the mechanisms, which generate outcomes that is analytically generalisable enough to span a range of contexts, interventions or outcomes, but specific enough to be salient in a given application). This approach has been suggested as one means of developing more informed assessments of how different interventions work and whether mechanisms might transfer across contexts. However, we have noticed that studies included in some of our recent systematic reviews are not oriented towards helping test middle-range theory because interventions draw on multiple middle-range theories (so that it is difficult to draw any conclusions about each middle-range theory based on their results) and these middle-range theories are insufficiently clear (with vague constructs) or parsimonious (with too many constructs) to be readily testable. Some studies might in future better contribute to testing and refining middle-range theory via focusing on interventions informed by one middle-range theory and focused on one mechanism at a time. Such ‘proof-of-principle’ studies should draw on middle-range theory that is sufficiently clear and parsimonious to allow such testing. These evaluations might facilitate more rigorous testing of middle-range theory and hence refinement of scientific knowledge. They might inform broader assessments of how mechanisms transfer across contexts aiding the development of future public-health interventions. Such studies would be a complement not an alternative to pragmatic studies of scalable complex interventions, often informed by more than one middle-range theory.
Importance of inclusive leadership in the pandemic response: the critical role of the physician
Authors: Destino Lauren , Lin Anna , Mathew Roshni , Lee Tzielan , Aziz Natali , Claura Rebecca , Kim Joe , Lee Grace
Published: January 2023

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in multiple logistical and communication challenges in the face of ever-changing guidance, disease prevalence and increasing evidence.

Methods

At Stanford Children’s Health (SCH), we felt physician input was an important element of pandemic response infrastructure, given our lens into patient care across its continuum. We formed the COVID-19 Physician Liaison Team (CPLT) consisting of representative physicians across the care continuum. The CPLT met regularly and communicated to the SCH’s COVID-19 task force responsible for the ongoing organisation pandemic response. The CPLT problem-solved around various issues including testing, patient care on our COVID-19 inpatient unit and communication gaps.

Results

The CPLT contributed to conservation of rapid COVID-19 tests for critical patient care needs, decreased incident reports on our COVID-19 inpatient unit and helped enhance communication across the organisation, with a focus on physicians.

Conclusion

In retrospect, the approach taken was in line with a distributed leadership model with physicians as integral members contributing to active lines of communication, continual problem-solving and new pathways to provide care.
Tapering glucocorticoids and risk of flare in rheumatoid arthritis on biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs)
Authors: Adami Giovanni , Fassio Angelo , Rossini Maurizio , Bertelle Davide , Pistillo Francesca , Benini Camilla , Viapiana Ombretta , Gatti Davide
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Glucocorticoids are still a mainstream of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment. Reducing glucocorticoids should be attempted in all patients. However, choosing the right tapering strategy is challenging. The primary aim of our study is to determine the dose–response association between glucocorticoid tapering and risk of flare in RA.

Methods

We conducted a case-crossover study to determine the factors associated to higher risk of flare in patients with RA. In case-crossover studies time-varying factors are assessed before events (hazard periods) and before control periods. We defined hazard periods as the 6 months immediately preceding flares of RA. Control periods were the 6 months prior to visits without flare. Exposure of interest was the tapering of glucocorticoids to various doses.

Results

508 patients with RA were included in the study and 267 (52.5%) had at least a flare and served as the case-crossover study population. 1545 visits were available for analysis and 345 (22.3%) flares were recorded. Discontinuation of glucocorticoids (ie, tapering to doses of 0 mg/day) and tapering to 0–2.5 mg/day was associated with higher risk of flare (adjusted OR (aOR) of 1.45, 95% CI: 1.13 to 2.24 and aOR of 1.37; 95% CI: 1.06 to 2.01, respectively). Tapering to doses >2.5 mg/day was not associated with significantly higher risk of flare.

Conclusions

We found that tapering to doses of >2.5 mg/day was generally effective in terms of risk of flare. Flare risk was higher when glucocorticoids were tapered to doses ≤2.5 mg/day. Our study might help design new tapering strategies in patients with RA on biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.
Haemorrhage risk of brain arteriovenous malformation during pregnancy and puerperium
Authors: Liu Junyu , Zhang Honghao , Luo Chun , Guo Yuxin , Li Yifeng , Yuan Dun , Jiang Weixi , Yan Junxia
Published: January 2023

Background

This study aimed to assess whether pregnancy and puerperium were associated with the risk of brain arteriovenous malformation (bAVM) haemorrhage.

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted in Xiangya Hospital, Central South University from January 2012 to December 2021. A case–crossover design was adopted to calculate the incidence density of bAVM-related haemorrhage among female patients in risk (pregnancy and puerperium) and control (non-pregnancy and non-puerperium) periods, according to four scenarios observed in different populations (scenario I: patients with haemorrhagic bAVM of all ages; scenario II: patients with haemorrhagic bAVM of all ages, with at least one previous pregnancy; scenario III: patients with haemorrhagic bAVM who are of reproductive age (15–45 years); scenario IV: patients with haemorrhagic bAVM of reproductive age (15–45 years), with at least one previous pregnancy. Next, a comprehensive literature aggregation (up to April 2022) was performed for evidence synthesis.

Results

Among the 311 female patients with haemorrhagic bAVM, a significant haemorrhage risk during pregnancy and puerperium was found in Scenarios I (relative risk [RR], 2.08; 95% CI, 1.28 to 3.39), II (RR, 3.21; 95% CI, 1.95 to 5.31) and IV (RR, 2.92; 95% CI, 1.73 to 4.93); however, a suggestive risk was found in scenario III (RR, 1.62; 95% CI, 0.99 to 2.67). Evidence synthesis revealed a consistent haemorrhage risk among patients of all ages (RR, 3.15; 95% CI, 1.93 to 5.15) and those of reproductive age (RR, 1.29; 95% CI, 0.89 to 1.86).

Conclusion

Compared with most previous studies, a higher but relatively moderate risk for bAVM-related haemorrhage was identified during pregnancy and puerperium. Individualised prevention and treatment strategies should be preferred when neurosurgeons make clinical decisions.
Nutrient digestibility in broiler chickens fed diets containing high levels of soybean oil is affected by the source of fiber
Authors: Faryadi Samira , Lashkari Saman , Ndou Saymore P. , Woyengo Tofuko A.
Published: January 2023

This study evaluated the effects of including soluble and insoluble dietary fiber sources in soybean oil-containing diet for broiler chickens on coefficient of apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of amino acids, coefficient of apparent retention (AR) of nutrients, and nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn). A total of 180 broilers were divided into 30 groups and fed 3 diets from day 14 to 21 of age. The diets were corn–soybean meal containing 6.8% soybean oil without or with soybean hulls (SBH) or sugar beet pulp (SBP) at 8.0% as sources of insoluble and soluble fiber, respectively. The SBH and SBP contained 6.0% and 14.7% of soluble dietary fiber and 60.5% and 37.0% of insoluble dietary fiber, respectively. The AID of indispensable amino acids was decreased ( P < 0.05) due to dietary inclusion of SBH, but not of SBP. Dietary SBH and SBP reduced the AR of gross energy (by 14% and 8%, respectively) and AMEn (by 20% and 14%, respectively). Overall, inclusion of SBH or SBP at 8.0% in a corn–soybean meal-based diet for broilers that contains high level of soybean oil might not improve nutrient digestibility. However, SBP has less detrimental effects on nutrient digestibility than SBH.
Trends in recurrence analysis of dynamical systems
Authors: Marwan Norbert , Kraemer K. Hauke
Published: January 2023

The last decade has witnessed a number of important and exciting developments that had been achieved for improving recurrence plot-based data analysis and to widen its application potential. We will give a brief overview about important and innovative developments, such as computational improvements, alternative recurrence definitions (event-like, multiscale, heterogeneous, and spatio-temporal recurrences) and ideas for parameter selection, theoretical considerations of recurrence quantification measures, new recurrence quantifiers (e.g. for transition detection and causality detection), and correction schemes. New perspectives have recently been opened by combining recurrence plots with machine learning. We finally show open questions and perspectives for futures directions of methodical research.
A Production Plan Considering Parallel Machines and Deteriorating Effects: Minimizing the Makespan in the Section of Steel Box Girder Processing
Authors: Yang Xiaohua , Ma Ran
Published: January 2023

With the popularization of energy conservation and emission reduction, amounts of industrial production has taken energy conservation as a goal to achieve. The paper considers an online parallel-batch scheduling problem with deteriorating and incompatible families on identical machines to minimize the makespan, which minimizes the maximum energy consumption of machines. Specifically, the processing time of job [Formula: see text] is defined by an increasing function of its starting time [Formula: see text], i.e., [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the deterioration rate of job [Formula: see text]. For the problem, we propose an online algorithm with a competitive ratio of [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the largest deterioration rate in an instance. Furthermore, the paper presents a concise computational study of the numerical experiment to show that our algorithm performs very well in practice of this model.
The Impact of Intelligent Pedagogical Agents’ Interventions on Student Behavior and Performance in Open-Ended Game Design Environments
Authors: Yalçın Özge Nilay , Lallé Sébastien , Conati Cristina
Published: January 2023

Research has shown that free-form
Game-Design (GD)
environments can be very effective in fostering
Computational Thinking (CT)
skills at a young age. However, some students can still need some guidance during the learning process due to the highly open-ended nature of these environments.
Intelligent Pedagogical Agents (IPAs)
can be used to provide personalized assistance in real-time to alleviate this challenge. This paper presents our results in evaluating such an agent deployed in a real-word free-form GD learning environment to foster CT in the early K-12 education, Unity-CT. We focus on the effect of repetition by comparing student behaviors between no intervention, 1-shot, and repeated intervention groups for two different errors that are known to be challenging in the online lessons of Unity-CT. Our findings showed that the agent was perceived very positively by the students and the repeated intervention showed promising results in terms of helping students make fewer errors and more correct behaviors, albeit only for one of the two target errors. Building from these results, we provide insights on how to provide IPA interventions in free-form GD environments.
Learning Reliable Neural Networks with Distributed Architecture Representations
Authors: Li Yinqiao , Cao Runzhe , He Qiaozhi , Xiao Tong , Zhu Jingbo
Published: January 2023

Neural architecture search (NAS) has shown the strong performance of learning neural models automatically in recent years. But most NAS systems are unreliable due to the architecture gap brought by discrete representations of atomic architectures. In this article, we improve the performance and robustness of NAS via narrowing the gap between architecture representations. More specifically, we apply a general contraction mapping to model neural networks with distributed representations (Neural Architecture Search with Distributed Architecture Representations (ArchDAR)). Moreover, for a better search result, we present a joint learning approach to integrating distributed representations with advanced architecture search methods. We implement our ArchDAR in a differentiable architecture search model and test learned architectures on the language modeling task. On the Penn Treebank data, it outperforms a strong baseline significantly by 1.8 perplexity scores. Also, the search process with distributed representations is more stable, which yields a faster structural convergence when it works with the differentiable architecture search model.