bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patterns and predictors of mortality in a semi-urban population-based cohort in Sri Lanka: findings from the Ragama Health Study
Authors: Kasturiratne Anuradhani , Ediriweera Dileepa Senajith , De Silva Shamila Thivanshi , Niriella Madunil Anuk , Thulani Uthuru Beddage , Pathmeswaran Arunasalam , Dassanayake Anuradha Supun , De Silva Arjuna Priyadarsin , Chackrewarthy Sureka , Ranawaka Udaya , Kato Norihiro , Wickremasinghe Ananda Rajitha , de Silva Hithanadura Janaka
Published: September 2020

Objective

To describe patterns and predictors of mortality in a semi-urban population in Sri Lanka.

Design

A prospective population-based cohort study.

Setting

Ragama Medical Officer of Health area in the Gampaha district, Sri Lanka.

Participants

Adults between 35 and 64 years of age were recruited using an age stratified random sampling technique in 2007.

Measures

At baseline, we recorded socio-demographic, lifestyle, anthropometric, biochemical and clinical data of the participants. Over 10 years, we obtained the cause and date of death from the death registration documents of deceased participants. We determined the survival probability of the cohort over 10 years and estimated Hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause mortality (ACM), cardiovascular mortality (CVM) and cancer-related mortality (CRM) using Cox’s proportional hazards model. We also estimated the survival probabilities for men and women in each 10-year age group and standardised mortality ratio relative to the source population.

Results

There were 169 deaths over 10 years with standardised mortality rates of 5.3 and 2.4 per 1000 years of follow-up for men and women, respectively. Independent predictors of: ACM were older age, lower income, smoking and diabetes mellitus while gender, education, occupation, harmful alcohol use, waist circumference and hypertension were not; CVM were older age, lower income, smoking, diabetes and hypertension while gender and harmful alcohol use were not; CRM was older age while gender, smoking and diabetes were not. Those engaged in clerical and technical occupations or unemployed had a lower risk of CRM as compared with those engaged in elementary occupations.

Conclusions

Older age, lower income, smoking, diabetes and hypertension strongly predict mortality in this cohort. Addressing the identified modifiable predictors through behavioural modification will improve longevity in similar populations.
In-hospital cardiac rehabilitation and clinical outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction after percutaneous coronary intervention: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Kanazawa Natsuko , Iijima Hiroaki , Fushimi Kiyohide
Published: September 2020

Objectives

To verify the associations between participation in an in-hospital cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programme and clinical outcomes among patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Design

A retrospective cohort study using the Japanese administrative claims database.

Setting

Japanese acute-care hospitals.

Participants

Patients aged ≥18 years who underwent PCI due to AMI and survived to discharge.

Primary and secondary outcome measure

The primary outcomes were revascularisation, all-cause readmission and cardiac readmission (median follow-up period: 324 days, 236 days and 263 days, respectively). The secondary outcomes were all-cause mortality and cardiac mortality (median follow-up period: both were 460 days).

Result

The data of 13 697 patients were extracted from the database, and 65.4% of them participated in an in-hospital CR. The risks of revascularisation, all-cause readmission and cardiac readmission among CR participants were compared with those of non-participants using two statistical techniques: matched-pair analysis based on propensity score and a 30-day landmark analysis. The results of those analysis were consistent and showed that the CR participants had lower risk of revascularisation (adjusted HR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.65 to 0.84), all-cause readmission (HR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.74 to 0.88) and cardiac readmission (HR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.70 to 0.85). However, all-cause mortality and cardiac mortality were not associated with participation in the CR.

Conclusions

It was suggested that in-hospital CR participation may reduce the risk of revascularisation, all-cause readmission and cardiac readmission among patients with AMI after PCI. In-hospital CR may expand the potential benefits of CR in addition to outpatient CR.
Lived experiences of social support in Paralympic swimmers: A protocol for a qualitative study
Authors: Aitchison Beth , Soundy Andrew , Martin Paul , Rushton Alison , Heneghan Nicola R
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Over the past decade, there has been an increase in awareness of and investment into disability sport as a result of the ‘Paralympic Movement’. The provision of personal and professional support to elite athletes is important for the well-being and success of the athlete, with various studies advocating a holistic approach to performance enhancement. However, little is known about social support experiences in elite para-swimming. Swimming is a popular Paralympic sport and the British para swimmers have been very successful in recent years, most recently winning 47 medals at Rio 2016. This study will be the first to explore the lived experiences of British Paralympic swimmers with respect to the personal and professional support available, perceived use of the support network and the influence it has on well-being and performance.

Methods and analysis

A hermeneutic phenomenological study will be undertaken using a subtle-realist paradigmatic view. A purposive sample of British Paralympic swimmers will be recruited to enable exploration of social support experiences. In-depth semistructured interviews will explore participants’ experiences of being an elite para-athlete, their support network, the social support available and how they perceive it relates to their well-being and performance. Strategies including reflexivity and member checking will be used to ensure trustworthiness. Data will be analysed following the Framework Method; a seven-stage process used for qualitative data analysis.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has ethical approval (ERN_20–0344) granted by the University of Birmingham in April 2020. The findings of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and disseminated to key stakeholders in elite para-sport to inform support services and improve athlete well-being and performance.
Study protocol for the COPE study: COVID-19 in Older PEople: the influence of frailty and multimorbidity on survival. A multicentre, European observational study
Authors: Price Angeline , Barlow-Pay Fenella , Duffy Siobhan , Pearce Lyndsay , Vilches-Moraga Arturo , Moug Susan , Quinn Terry , Stechman Michael , Braude Philip , Mitchell Emma , Myint Phyo Kyaw , Verduri Alessia , McCarthy Kathryn , Carter Ben , Hewitt Jonathan
Published: September 2020

Introduction

This protocol describes an observational study which set out to assess whether frailty and/or multimorbidity correlates with short-term and medium-term outcomes in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in a European, multicentre setting.

Methods and analysis

Over a 3-month period we aim to recruit a minimum of 500 patients across 10 hospital sites, collecting baseline data including: patient demographics; presence of comorbidities; relevant blood tests on admission; prescription of ACE inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers/non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs/immunosuppressants; smoking status; Clinical Frailty Score (CFS); length of hospital stay; mortality and readmission. All patients receiving inpatient hospital care >18 years who receive a diagnosis of COVID-19 are eligible for inclusion. Long-term follow-up at 6 and 12 months is planned. This will assess frailty, quality of life and medical complications.

Our primary analysis will be short-term and long-term mortality by CFS, adjusted for age (18–64, 65–80 and >80) and gender. We will carry out a secondary analysis of the primary outcome by including additional clinical mediators which are determined statistically important using a likelihood ratio test. All analyses will be presented as crude and adjusted HR and OR with associated 95% CIs and p values.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has been registered, reviewed and approved by the following: Health Research Authority (20/HRA1898); Ethics Committee of Hospital Policlinico Modena, Italy (369/2020/OSS/AOUMO); Health and Care Research Permissions Service, Wales; and NHS Research Scotland Permissions Co-ordinating Centre, Scotland. All participating units obtained approval from their local Research and Development department consistent with the guidance from their relevant national organisation.

Data will be reported as a whole cohort. This project will be submitted for presentation at a national or international surgical and geriatric conference. Manuscript(s) will be prepared following the close of the project.
Duration of gargling and rinsing among frequent mouthwash users: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Phillips Tiffany Renee , Fairley Christopher , Maddaford Kate , Trumpour Sabrina , Wigan Rebecca , Bradshaw Catriona , Hocking Jane S , Chow Eric P F
Published: September 2020

Objective

To examine the rinsing and gargling mouthwash practices among frequent mouthwash users to determine if there are differences in use between gender, sexual orientation and sex work status.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Data obtained from patients attending a sexual health centre located in Melbourne, Australia.

Participants

200 frequent mouthwash users (four or more times per week), 50 for each of the following patient groups: men who have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers (FSW), females who are not sex workers and men who have sex with women only (MSW). Participants were observed and audio recorded using mouthwash.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Descriptive analyses were conducted to calculate the median age, time rinsing and gargling, amount of mouthwash used and proportion of participants who rinsed, gargled or both, as determined from the audio files. Kruskal-Wallis H test and χ2 test were used to examine differences between the patient groups.

Results

Median age was 28 years (IQR: 24–33). During the study, most (n=127; 63.5%) rinsed and gargled, but 70 (35.0%) rinsed only and three (1.5%) gargled only. Median time rinsing was 13.5 s (IQR: 8.5–22.0 s), gargling was 4.0 s (IQR: 2.5–6.0 s) and the median total duration was 17.0 s (IQR: 11.5–25.8 s). Median duration of mouthwash did not differ significantly between the groups (females not sex workers: 18.8 s (IQR: 12.5–24.5 s); FSW: 14.0 s (9.0–22.0 s); MSM: 22.3 s (13.0–26.5 s); MSW: 15.8 s (12.0–25.0 s); p=0.070) but males used mouthwash longer than females (median 20.3 s compared with 15.5 s; p=0.034). The median volume of mouthwash used was 20 mL (IQR: 15–27 mL). And most (n=198; 99.0%) did not dilute mouthwash with water.

Conclusion

Over a quarter of frequent users do not gargle mouthwash at all (35%) and used it for a substantially shorter period of time than it was used in the randomised trial (1 min) where it was shown to be effective at inhibiting Neisseria gonorrhoeae growth. Our findings suggest that many frequent mouthwash users do not follow the manufacturer instructions for using mouthwash and may not use mouthwash in a way that was shown to reduce the growth of oropharyngeal gonorrhoea.
Yoga-based exercise to prevent falls in community-dwelling people aged 60 years and over: study protocol for the Successful AGEing (SAGE) yoga randomised controlled trial
Authors: Oliveira Juliana S , Sherrington Catherine , Lord Stephen , Sesto Romina , Youkhana Sabrina , Camara Giane C , Grunseit Anne C , Bauman Adrian , Anstey Kaarin J , Shepherd Roberta B , Tiedemann Anne
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Falls significantly reduce independence and quality of life in older age. Balance-specific exercise prevents falls in people aged 60+ years. Yoga is growing in popularity and can provide a high challenge to balance; however, the effect of yoga on falls has not been evaluated. This trial aims to establish the effect on falls of a yoga exercise programme compared with a yoga relaxation programme in community-dwellers aged 60+ years.

Method and Analysis

This randomised controlled trial will involve 560 community-dwelling people aged 60+ years. Participants will be randomised to either: (1) the Successful AGEing (SAGE) yoga exercise programme or (2) a yoga relaxation programme. Primary outcome is rate of falls in the 12 months post randomisation. Secondary outcomes include mental well-being, physical activity, health-related quality of life, balance self-confidence, physical function, pain, goal attainment and sleep quality at 12 months after randomisation. The number of falls per person-year will be analysed using negative binomial regression models to estimate between-group difference in fall rates. Generalised linear models will assess the effect of group allocation on the continuously scored secondary outcomes, adjusting for baseline scores. An economic analysis will compare the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of the two yoga programmes.

Ethics and dissemination

Protocol was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee at The University of Sydney, Australia (approval 2019/604). Trial results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed articles, conference presentations, lay summaries.

Trial registration number

The protocol for this trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12619001183178).
Reliability of assessment of medical students’ non-technical skills using a behavioural marker system: does clinical experience matter?
Authors: Clarke Benjamin , Smith Samantha E , Phillips Emma Claire , Hamilton Ailsa , Kerins Joanne , Tallentire Victoria R
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Non-technical skills are recognised to play an integral part in safe and effective patient care. Medi-StuNTS (Medical Students’ Non-Technical Skills) is a behavioural marker system developed to enable assessment of medical students’ non-technical skills. This study aimed to assess whether newly trained raters with high levels of clinical experience could achieve reliability coefficients of >0.7 and to compare differences in inter-rater reliability of raters with varying clinical experience.

Methods

Forty-four raters attended a workshop on Medi-StuNTS before independently rating three videos of medical students participating in immersive simulation scenarios. Data were grouped by raters’ levels of clinical experience. Inter-rater reliability was assessed by calculating intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC).

Results

Eleven raters with more than 10 years of clinical experience achieved single-measure ICC of 0.37 and average-measures ICC of 0.87. Fourteen raters with more than or equal to 5 years and less than 10 years of clinical experience achieved single-measure ICC of 0.09 and average-measures ICC of 0.59. Nineteen raters with less than 5 years of clinical experience achieved single-measure ICC of 0.09 and average-measures ICC 0.65.

Conclusions

Using 11 newly trained raters with high levels of clinical experience produced highly reliable ratings that surpassed the prespecified inter-rater reliability standard; however, a single rater from this group would not achieve sufficiently reliable ratings. This is consistent with previous studies using other medical behavioural marker systems. This study demonstrated a decrease in inter-rater reliability of raters with lower levels of clinical experience, suggesting caution when using this population as raters for assessment of non-technical skills.
Derivation and validation of a predictive model for advanced colorectal neoplasia in asymptomatic adults
Authors: Imperiale Thomas F , Monahan Patrick O , Stump Timothy E , Ransohoff David F
Published: September 2020

Objective

Knowing risk for advanced colorectal neoplasia (AN) could help patients and providers choose among screening tests, improving screening efficiency and uptake. We created a risk prediction model for AN to help decide which test might be preferred, a use not considered for existing models.

Design

Average-risk 50-to-80-year olds undergoing first-time screening colonoscopy were recruited from endoscopy units in Indiana. We measured sociodemographic and physical features, medical and family history and lifestyle factors and linked these to the most advanced finding. We derived a risk equation on two-thirds of the sample and assigned points to each variable to create a risk score. Scores with comparable risks were collapsed into risk categories. The model and score were tested on the remaining sample.

Results

Among 3025 subjects in the derivation set (mean age 57.3 (6.5) years; 52% women), AN prevalence was 9.4%. The 13-variable model (c-statistic=0.77) produced three risk groups with AN risks of 1.5% (95% CI 0.72% to 2.74%), 7.06% (CI 5.89% to 8.38%) and 27.26% (CI 23.47% to 31.30%) in low-risk, intermediate-risk and high-risk groups (p value <0.001), containing 23%, 59% and 18% of subjects, respectively. In the validation set of 1475 subjects (AN prevalence of 8.4%), model performance was comparable (c-statistic=0.78), with AN risks of 2.73% (CI 1.25% to 5.11%), 5.57% (CI 4.12% to 7.34%) and 25.79% (CI 20.51% to 31.66%) in low-risk, intermediate-risk and high-risk subgroups, respectively (p<0.001), containing proportions of 23%, 59% and 18%.

Conclusion

Among average-risk persons, this model estimates AN risk with high discrimination, identifying a lower risk subgroup that may be screened non-invasively and a higher risk subgroup for which colonoscopy may be preferred. The model could help guide patient–provider discussions of screening options, may increase screening adherence and conserve colonoscopy resources.
Impact of population tobacco control interventions on socioeconomic inequalities in smoking: a systematic review and appraisal of future research directions
Authors: Smith Caroline E , Hill Sarah E , Amos Amanda
Published: September 2020

Background

While price increases and targeted cessation support have been found to reduce inequalities in smoking by socioeconomic status (SES), evidence on other measures is mixed. We aimed to update the most recent (2014) previous review by identifying and appraising evidence published since 2013 on the equity impact of population tobacco control measures.

Methods

Systematic searching of 10 electronic databases and hand-searching of four key journals identified 68 primary research articles published since 2013 that sought to examine the equity impact of population tobacco control measures in high-income countries with a negative socioeconomic gradient in smoking. Reported equity impacts were categorised as positive (greater impact among lower SES), neutral (no difference by SES), negative (greater impact among higher SES) or mixed/unclear.

Results

There was substantial growth in research seeking to evaluate the equity impact of tobacco control interventions, but the majority of new studies showed mixed/unclear results. Findings for price increases and targeted cessation support continue to suggest an equity-positive impact, but limitations in the available evidence make further assessment difficult. Substantial differences in the context, scale and implementation of tobacco control policies make straightforward comparison of findings from the previous 2014 and current reviews problematic.

Conclusion

Researchers need to adopt more sophisticated, multidisciplinary approaches in evaluating the equity impact of tobacco control measures—developing robust measures of equity effect and using frameworks that take account of context, existing systems/processes and the likely mechanisms of action. Socioeconomic differences in intervention impact within low-income and middle-income countries require evaluation.
Shedding ‘light’ on cigarette pack design: colour differences in product perceptions, use and exposure following the US descriptor ban
Authors: Mercincavage Melissa , Albelda Benjamin , Mays Darren , Souprountchouk Valentina , Giovenco Daniel P , Audrain-McGovern Janet , Strasser Andrew A
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Many countries removed misleading descriptors (eg, ‘light,’ ‘mild’) from cigarette packaging because they falsely conveyed messages of reduced risk. It is unclear if relabelled products currently promote misperceptions or differences in product use and toxicant exposure. We compared product perceptions, use and exposure between a US sample of Marlboro Gold (formerly ‘light’) and Red smokers.

Methods

240 non-treatment-seeking adult daily Marlboro smokers (70% male, 71% White, mean cigarettes/day=16.4 (SD=8.3)) completed two laboratory sessions over a 5-day period. During sessions, participants smoked two cigarettes through a topography device to capture their puffing behaviour, provided precigarette and postcigarette carbon monoxide (CO) assessments, and completed risk perception and subjective rating questionnaires. Self-reported cigarettes per day were verified via daily filter collection; urine collected at the end of the period was assayed for nicotine metabolites.

Results

Gold (n=49) smokers were more likely than Red (n=191) to incorrectly believe their cigarettes had less nicotine and tar than regular cigarettes (ps<0.001), and rated them as weaker, less harsh, and mild tasting (ps<0.05). Differences between Red and Gold smokers in cigarettes per day and puffing behaviours trended towards significance (ps<0.1). Notably, there were no group differences on CO boost or total nicotine equivalents (ps>0.1).

Conclusions

Misperceptions about nicotine and tar exist years after rebranding Marlboro Lights as Marlboro Gold. Biological results support that Gold smokers do not have lower toxicant exposure. The US should consider comprehensive packaging or product design regulations to properly inform smokers of product risks.

Trial registeration number

NCT02301351.
Light-nuclei production and search for the QCD critical point
Authors: Shuryak Edward , Torres-Rincon Juan M.
Published: September 2020

We discuss the potential of light-nuclei measurements in heavy-ion collisions at intermediate energies for the search of the hypothetical QCD critical end-point. A previous proposal based on neutron density fluctuations has brought appealing experimental evidences of a maximum in the ratio of the number of tritons times protons, divided over deuterons square, $$\mathcal{O}_{tpd}$$

O

tpd

. However these results are difficult to reconcile with the state-of-the-art statistical thermal model predictions. Based on the idea that the QCD critical point can lead to a substantial attraction among nucleons, we propose new light-nuclei multiplicity ratios involving $$^4$$

4

He in which the maximum would be more noticeable. We argue that the experimental extraction is feasible by presenting these ratios formed from actual measurements of total and differential yields at low and high collision energies from FOPI and ALICE experiments, respectively. We also illustrate the possible behavior of these ratios at intermediate energies applying a semiclassical method based on flucton paths using the preliminary NA49 and STAR data for $$\mathcal{O}_{tpd}$$

O

tpd

as input.
Collapse in f(R) gravity and the method of R matching
Authors: Chowdhury Sandip , Pal Kunal , Pal Kuntal , Sarkar Tapobrata
Published: September 2020

Collapsing solutions inf(R) gravity are restricted due to junction conditions that demand continuity of the Ricci scalar and its normal derivative across the time-like collapsing hypersurface. These are obtained via the method ofR-matching, which is ubiquitous inf(R) collapse scenarios. In this paper, we study spherically symmetric collapse with the modification term$$\alpha R^2$$αR2, and useR-matching to exemplify a class of new solutions. After discussing some mathematical preliminaries by which we obtain an algebraic relation between the shear and the anisotropy in these theories, we consider two metric ansatzes. In the first, the collapsing metric is considered to be a separable function of the co-moving radius and time, and the collapse is shear-free, and in the second, a non-separable interior solution is considered, that represents gravitational collapse with non-zero shear viscosity. We arrive at novel solutions that indicate the formation of black holes or locally naked singularities, while obeying all the necessary energy conditions. The separable case allows for a simple analytic expression of the energy-momentum tensor, that indicates the positivity of the pressures throughout collapse, and is further used to study the heat flux evolution of the collapsing matter, whose analytic solutions are presented under certain approximations. These clearly highlight the role of modified gravity in the examples that we consider.
Dynamics of the nonequilibrium flow in a duct with obstruction
Authors: da Silva Costa G. , Santos F. Rodrigues , Lira D. , da Cunha Lima I. C. , da Cunha Lima A. T.
Published: September 2020

This work aims to numerically simulate the dynamics of a channel flow with an obstruction since the moment we inject a fluid with an homogeneous velocity profile. The simulations uses the open source tools of the OpenFOAM platform, the pisoFoam and the LES turbulence model, describing in detail the velocity profiles of laminar and turbulent flows. We also perform a boundary layer mapping in the presence of an obstacle. We used three different domains to follow the evolution of the velocity profile while the fluid progresses downstream and passes the obstruction. The results reproduce the well-known results of laminar flow in a channel, as well as the average velocity profile in the turbulent regime and the occurrence of attachments by the obstruction. These preliminary results are used to validate the solvers and the mesh used. Next, an analysis of the velocity profile dynamics resulted in determining an exponential decay of the root mean square deviations of the homogeneous to the parabolic, and to the turbulent regime in the channel.
Laser cladding of FeCoCrNi high-entropy alloy on Ti-6Al-4V alloy: Microstructure, phase transformation and bonding region
Authors: Zhan Xiaohong , Qi Chaoqi , Wu Mengyao , Liu Lijun , Gao Zhuanni
Published: September 2020

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) have shown considerable promise from both a scientific and an application perspective due to their outstanding comprehensive properties. In this study, an equiatomic FeCoCrNi HEA is used as input material for laser cladding on Ti-6Al-4V alloy. The HEA coating is characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) to investigate the bonding region, element distribution and microstructure evolution. The results show that the HEA coating is mainly composed of face-centered cubic (FCC) phase and body-centered cubic (BCC) phase, precipitating a small amount of (Fe, Cr)-rich phase and (Ni, Ti)-rich phase. Otherwise, the bonding region, which is between coating and substrate, is emphatically concerned in this paper. The bonding region is formed by the convection zone which is resulted from the density difference of HEA and TC4. In addition, the convection in molten pool plays a key role in the morphology of bonding region.
Edge-preserving maps of the nonseparating curve graphs, curve graphs and rectangle preserving maps of the Hatcher–Thurston graphs
Authors: Irmak Elmas
Published: September 2020

Let [Formula: see text] be a compact, connected, orientable surface of genus [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] boundary components with [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. Let [Formula: see text] be the nonseparating curve graph, [Formula: see text] be the curve graph and [Formula: see text] be the Hatcher–Thurston graph of [Formula: see text]. We prove that if [Formula: see text] is an edge-preserving map, then [Formula: see text] is induced by a homeomorphism of [Formula: see text]. We prove that if [Formula: see text] is an edge-preserving map, then [Formula: see text] is induced by a homeomorphism of [Formula: see text]. We prove that if [Formula: see text] is closed and [Formula: see text] is a rectangle preserving map, then [Formula: see text] is induced by a homeomorphism of [Formula: see text]. We also prove that these homeomorphisms are unique up to isotopy when [Formula: see text].
Performance Optimization of DPSK and QPSK for Super Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing System
Authors: Kumar Ghanendra , Kumar Chakresh
Published: September 2020

This paper investigates the performances of differential phase shift keying (DPSK) and quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) for 400 channels super dense system for the data rate of 160, 170, 180 and 200[Formula: see text]Gbps, respectively. Evaluation has also been investigated in terms of bit error rate (BER), quality factor and received output power with varying input power. Final analysis has reflected that DPSK modulation has shown the acceptable performance in terms of better communication with minor effect of nonlinearity and dispersion using RAMAN-EDFA hybrid optical amplifier (HOA) for the distance of 250[Formula: see text]km.
Born geometry on ρ-commutative algebra
Authors: Bagheri Zahra , Peyghan Esmaeil
Published: September 2020

The aim of this paper is to establish a generalization of the Born geometry to [Formula: see text]-commutative algebras. We introduce the notion of Born [Formula: see text]-commutative algebras and study the existence and uniqueness of a torsion connection which preserves the Born structure. Also, an analogue of the fundamental theorem of Riemannian geometry will be proved for these algebras.
Surface Ground Movement Around a Steel Pipe Pile Foundation During Liquefaction Measured by Effective Stress Analysis
Authors: Trung Nguyen Thanh , Cuong Dinh Quang , Kiyomiya Osamu
Published: September 2020

Several studies on liquefaction using physical model tests and numerical analysis have been conducted in recent years; however, few studies have investigated the effect of liquefaction-induced settlement on structures. Especially, this settlement seriously influences on gravity foundation during earthquake. This study aims to investigate the settlement of the surrounding ground of steel pipe sheet pile (SPSP) foundation during liquefaction by using an effective stress analysis. 2D numerical modeling was used in this study and the behavior of undrained soil was idealized using a cocktail glass model. The numerical results were compared with experimental results from a 1-G shaking table test with a scale of 1:60. The results indicate that the settlement of surface ground and SPSP foundation rapidly increase when the liquefaction occurs and is significantly influenced by permeability coefficient of ground.
NGUARD+
Authors: Xu Jiarong , Luo Yifan , Tao Jianrong , Fan Changjie , Zhao Zhou , Lu Jiangang
Published: September 2020

Game bots are automated programs that assist cheating users, leading to an imbalance in the game ecosystem and the collapse of user interest. Online games provide immersive gaming experience and attract many loyal fans. However, game bots have proliferated in volume and method, evolving with the real-world detection methods and showing strong diversity, leaving game bot detection efforts extremely difficult. Existing game bot detection techniques mostly rely on handcrafted features or time-series based features instead of fully utilizing player behavior sequences. In this regard, a more reasonable way should be learning user patterns from player behavior sequences when facing the fast-changing nature of game bots. Here we propose a general game bot detection framework for massively multiplayer online role playing games termed NGUARD+ (denoting NetEase Games’ Guard), which captures user patterns in order to identify game bots from player behavior sequences. NGUARD+ mainly employs attention-based methods to automatically differentiate game bots from humans. We provide a combination of supervised and unsupervised methods for game bot detection to detect game bots and new type of game bots even when the labels of game bots are limited. Specifically, we propose the following two variants for attention-based sequence modeling: Attention based Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory Networks (ABLSTM) and Hierarchical Self-Attention Network (HSAN) as our supervised models. ABLSTM is keen on inducing certain inductive biases which makes learning more reasonable as well as capturing local dependency and global information, while HSAN could handle much longer behavior sequences with less memory and higher computational efficiency. Experiments conducted on a real-world dataset show that NGUARD+ can achieve remarkable performance improvement compared to traditional methods. Moreover, NGUARD+ can reveal outstanding robustness for game bots in mutated patterns and even in completely unseen patterns.
Oracle-efficient Online Learning and Auction Design
Authors: Dudík Miroslav , Haghtalab Nika , Luo Haipeng , Schapire Robert E. , Syrgkanis Vasilis , Vaughan Jennifer Wortman
Published: September 2020

We consider the design of computationally efficient online learning algorithms in an adversarial setting in which the learner has access to an offline optimization oracle. We present an algorithm called Generalized Follow-the-Perturbed-Leader and provide conditions under which it is oracle-efficient while achieving vanishing regret. Our results make significant progress on an open problem raised by Hazan and Koren [31], who showed that oracle-efficient algorithms do not exist in general [30] and asked whether one can identify properties under which oracle-efficient online learning may be possible.

Our auction-design framework considers an auctioneer learning an optimal auction for a sequence of adversarially selected valuations with the goal of achieving revenue that is almost as good as the optimal auction in hindsight, among a class of auctions. We give oracle-efficient learning results for: (1) VCG auctions with bidder-specific reserves in single-parameter settings, (2) envy-free item pricing in multi-item auctions, and (3) s-level auctions of Morgenstern and Roughgarden [43] for single-item settings. The last result leads to an approximation of the overall optimal Myerson auction when bidders’ valuations are drawn according to a fast-mixing Markov process, extending prior work that only gave such guarantees for the i.i.d. setting.

Finally, we derive various extensions, including: (1) oracle-efficient algorithms for the contextual learning setting in which the learner has access to side information (such as bidder demographics), (2) learning with approximate oracles such as those based on Maximal-in-Range algorithms, and (3) no-regret bidding in simultaneous auctions, resolving an open problem of Daskalakis and Syrgkanis [14].
Large-scale Data Exploration Using Explanatory Regression Functions
Authors: Savva Fotis , Anagnostopoulos Christos , Triantafillou Peter , Kolomvatsos Kostas
Published: September 2020

Analysts wishing to explore multivariate data spaces, typically issue queries involving selection operators, i.e., range or equality predicates, which define data subspaces of potential interest. Then, they use aggregation functions, the results of which determine a subspace’s interestingness for further exploration and deeper analysis. However, Aggregate Query (AQ) results are scalars and convey limited information and explainability about the queried subspaces for enhanced exploratory analysis. Analysts have no way of identifying how these results are derived or how they change w.r.t query (input) parameter values. We address this shortcoming by aiding analysts to explore and understand data subspaces by contributing a novel explanation mechanism based on machine learning. We explain AQ results using functions obtained by a three-fold joint optimization problem which assume the form of explainable piecewise-linear regression functions. A key feature of the proposed solution is that the explanation functions are estimated using past executed queries. These queries provide a coarse grained overview of the underlying aggregate function (generating the AQ results) to be learned. Explanations for future, previously unseen AQs can be computed without accessing the underlying data and can be used to further explore the queried data subspaces, without issuing more queries to the backend analytics engine. We evaluate the explanation accuracy and efficiency through theoretically grounded metrics over real-world and synthetic datasets and query workloads.
Plant Viruses and Bacteriophage-Based Reagents for Diagnosis and Therapy
Authors: Shukla Sourabh , Hu He , Cai Hui , Chan Soo-Khim , Boone Christine E. , Beiss Veronique , Chariou Paul L. , Steinmetz Nicole F.
Published: September 2020

Viral nanotechnology exploits the prefabricated nanostructures of viruses, which are already abundant in nature. With well-defined molecular architectures, viral nanocarriers offer unprecedented opportunities for precise structural and functional manipulation using genetic engineering and/or bio-orthogonal chemistries. In this manner, they can be loaded with diverse molecular payloads for targeted delivery. Mammalian viruses are already established in the clinic for gene therapy and immunotherapy, and inactivated viruses or virus-like particles have long been used as vaccines. More recently, plant viruses and bacteriophages have been developed as nanocarriers for diagnostic imaging, vaccine and drug delivery, and combined diagnosis/therapy (theranostics). The first wave of these novel virus-based tools has completed clinical development and is poised to make an impact on clinical practice.
Electrochemical Discrimination of Dihydroxybenzene Isomer at Different Thiols Self-Assembled Monolayers on Gold and Simultaneous Determination of Catechol and Hydroquinone
Authors: Li Zhiguo , Liu Yuge , Jia Yongmei , Zhou Guohua , Ye Cui , Zhang Lingling
Published: September 2020

The discrimination effect of dihydroxybenzene isomer including catechol (CAT), hydroquinone (HQ) and resorcinol (RE) on bare gold, and a series of thiols self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) including mercaptohexanol (MCH), 6-mercaptohexanoic acid (MHA), mercaptoethylamine (MEA), thiol-modified double-stranded DNA (ds-DNA), single-stranded DNA (ss-DNA) is first investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and linear scan voltammetry (LSV). Results show that CAT, HQ and RE can not be electrochemically discriminated simultaneously by bare gold or thiols SAMs based on their oxidation or reduction peaks. Furthermore, RE has a big interference on the electrochemical response of CAT and HQ. At acidic solution (pH 4.4), in presence of RE, CAT and HQ can not be discriminated on bare gold, ds-DNA or ss-DNA SAMs. However, CAT and HQ can be discriminated well at MCH, MHA, and MEA SAMs on gold based on the difference of reduction peak potentials (ΔEpc) as 219, 212 and 165 mV respectively. MCH SAMs is chosen to study simultaneous determination of CAT and HQ due to bigger ΔEpcand current response. We fix the potential at 0.7 V for 60 s to enrich the oxidation products of CAT and HQ, then investigated the relationships of reduction peak current (ipc) with the concentrations of CAT and HQ. Theipcvalues are linear with the concentrations of CAT and HQ in the range of 7.0 × 10−6∼1.04 × 10−3M. The limit of detection (LOD) is calculated to be 5.9 × 10−7M for CAT and 8.3 × 10−7M for HQ (S/N = 3). The MCH SAMs on gold is applied to the simultaneous determination of CAT and HQ in lake water sample and satisfactory result is obtained.
PVA/Silver Nanoparticles Electrospun Fiber As a New Platform of Antiviral Personal Protective Equipment for COVID-19
Authors: Kalil Haitham , Maher Shaimaa , El-falouji Abdullah , Samir Omar , Gad Emad , Youssef M. F.
Published: September 2020

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged as a worldwide challenge to researchers and scientists. All research communities are working relentlessly in their labs hoping to find cure for the current COVID-19 pandemic. Developing a new vaccine for COVID-19 is not down on the road, it is a long process that needs numerous clinical trials. Moving the battle out of the body requires personal protective equipment (PPE), particularly masks and gloves. Together, they will limit spread of the virus, whether by reinforcing the PPE through developing an effective antiviral material or by finding the clinically proved vaccine to COVID-19.Virus infection is one of the major global health challenges. In the meantime, several antiviral agents have been under testing to assess their efficacy as potential therapies for COVID-19. The viral resistance and the side effects associated with antiviral agents are adding more challenges, which resulted in lagging of their effectiveness as antiviral treatment. This opens the door for the development of safe and potent alternative antiviral drugs. In the current study, silver nanoparticles loaded poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber-mat have emerged as a new antiviral platform in terms of its capability to deactivate a wide array of viruses. Silver nanoparticles have been studied exhaustively for their antimicrobial activity against wide-ranging of bacteria. Besides they have also shown promising activity versus several types of viruses including hepatitis B, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), herpes simplex, monkey pox, and respiratory syncytial virus. Silver nanoparticles provide an alternative route as a new antiviral material. Interestingly, silver metals have the power to attack multiple targets in the virus, which results in diminishing its possibility to develop resistance as compared to imitative antivirals.Considering the ongoing challenge, our lab has been preparing silver nanoparticles loaded on filter papers, cellulose membrane, polymer dressings, and cotton fabrics. These new generation of fiber mats will be fully characterized and tested against several viruses. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) will be used to determine the morphology of our fibers and measure the particle size of the embedded nanoparticles.
A new model for organizing curriculum alignment initiatives
Authors: Shaltry Chris
Published: September 2020

The author discusses the benefits of curriculum alignment and the development of a new database system called e-CMS (electronic curriculum mapping system) for organizing curriculum alignment initiatives. Fundamental to the systematic organization of curriculum is understanding the interplay between three alignment factors present in all courses: assessments, TLAs (teaching and learning activities), and objectives, also known as the triadic model of alignment. Also important to this process is the inclusion of external alignment factors, such as cognitive level, professional skills, and the core concepts of physiology. When organized properly, alignment of internal and external factors provides a common language for discussing and comparing courses across departments and institutions. Databases such as e-CMS not only help organize curriculum, but also offer almost unlimited ways to combine, analyze, and share resultant data. This could provide value to students and their future employers by communicating with confidence the evidence-based knowledge, skills, and abilities gained in a course or program. The next phase of the alignment initiative that produced e-CMS is to develop a distributed online database for housing and sharing aligned assessments.
Physiology core concepts in the classroom: reflections from faculty
Authors: Crosswhite Patrick L. , Anderson Lisa C.
Published: September 2020

It is increasingly difficult for faculty to cover all of the content in a physiology course. Given this constraint, recent efforts in the physiology teaching community, and in particular the Physiology Majors Interest Group (P-MIG), have promoted using core concepts to help students master key physiological principles. This report summarizes the experiences of four faculty members who teach physiology using the core concepts in various educational environments and identifies several common strengths and challenges they have encountered thus far. Strengths of using the core concepts include the transfer of knowledge to solve unknown problems and providing a framework to build a course. Challenges include applying them in a teach-taught course and balancing time spent on content and the core concepts. This is the first report to document the use of the physiology core concepts in a course, and the authors encourage additional faculty to not only adopt the core concepts for their own use, but share their approaches and experiences with the entire teaching community.
Evaluation of core concepts of physiology in undergraduate physiology curricula: results from faculty and student surveys
Authors: Stanescu Claudia I. , Wehrwein Erica A. , Anderson Lisa C. , Rogers Jennifer
Published: September 2020

Unlike other STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) disciplines, program guidelines for undergraduate physiology degree programs have yet to be firmly established. The purpose of this study was to examine the use of physiology core concepts within undergraduate physiology curricula to discern whether a common subset could be broadly recommended for inclusion in programmatic guidelines. A curricular survey tool was developed to evaluate the depth to which each core concept was included in physiology curricula. Seven self-selected physiology programs assessed core concept inclusion across all courses within the major (0 = not covered, 1 = minimally covered, and 2 = covered to a great extent). The top core concepts ranked by each institution varied considerably, but all were robustly represented across programs. The top five combined rankings for all institutions were as follows: 1) interdependence (1.47 ± 0.63); 2) structure/function (1.46 ± 0.72); 3) homeostasis (1.45 ± 0.71); 4) scientific reasoning (1.44 ± 0.70); and 5) cell-cell communication (1.38 ± 0.75). No common subset of specific core concepts was evident among the seven participating institutions. Next, results were compared with recent Physiology Majors Interest Group (P-MIG) faculty and student surveys that ascertained perceptions of the top five most important core concepts. Three core concepts (homeostasis, structure/function, cell-cell communication) appeared in the top five in more than one-half of survey questions included. We recommend that future programmatic guidelines focus on inclusion of the core concepts of physiology as general models to scaffold learning in physiology curricula, but the programmatic guidelines should allow flexibility in the core concepts emphasized based on program objectives.
Reflections on core concepts for undergraduate physiology programs
Authors: McFarland Jenny L. , Michael Joel A.
Published: September 2020

Undergraduate education should help students build a deep, conceptual understanding of their discipline, not merely compel them to acquire factual knowledge. The core concepts for physiology (described in 2011), conceptual frameworks, and conceptual assessments are available to focus undergraduate physiology education on helping students understand and apply principles that govern and describe physiological processes. We review the context in which physiology core concepts were identified by a community of physiology educators. We explain the structure of conceptual frameworks and concept inventories and their benefit. We describe how core concepts have been used in physiology courses and departments, as communicated in publications, through presentations at physiology and biology education meetings, and within the Physiology Majors Interest Group (P-MIG). Finally, we share our recommendations and hopes for the next decade.