bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Building local capacity for emergency coordination: establishment of subnational Public Health Emergency Operations Centres in Nigeria
Authors: Oyebanji Oyeronke , Ibrahim Abba Fatima , Akande Oluwatosin Wuraola , Aniaku Everistus Chijioke , Abubakar Anwar , Oladejo John , Aderinola Olaolu , Benyeogor Emmanuel , Owoeye Femi , Nguku Patrick M , Bemo Valerie Nkamgang , Ihekweazu Chikwe
Published: October 2021

Public Health Emergency Operations Centres (PHEOCs) provide a platform for multisectoral coordination and collaboration, to enhance the efficiency of outbreak response activities and enable the control of disease outbreaks. Over the last decade, PHEOCs have been introduced to address the gaps in outbreak response coordination. With its tropical climate, high population density and poor socioeconomic indicators, Nigeria experiences large outbreaks of infectious diseases annually. These outbreaks have led to mortality and negative economic impact as a result of large disparities in healthcare and poor coordination systems. Nigeria is a federal republic with a presidential system of government and a separation of powers among the three tiers of government which are the federal, state and local governments. There are 36 states in Nigeria, and as with other countries with a federal system of governance, each state in Nigeria has its budgets, priorities and constitutional authority for health sector interventions including the response to disease outbreaks. Following the establishment of a National PHEOC in 2017 to improve the coordination of public health emergencies, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control began the establishment of State PHEOCs. Using a defined process, the establishment of State PHEOCs has led to improved coordination, coherence of thoughts among public health officials, government ownership, commitment and collaboration. This paper aims to share the experience and importance of establishing PHEOCs at national and subnational levels in Nigeria and the lessons learnt which can be used by other countries considering the use of PHEOCs in managing complex emergencies.
Natural language word embeddings as a glimpse into healthcare language and associated mortality surrounding end of life
Authors: Lau Ivan Shun , Kraljevic Zeljko , Al-Agil Mohammad , Charing Shelley , Quarterman Alan , Parkes Harold , Metaxa Victoria , Sleeman Katherine , Gao Wei , Dobson Richard J B , Teo James T , Hopkins Phil
Published: October 2021

Objectives

To clarify real-world linguistic nuances around dying in hospital as well as inaccuracy in individual-level prognostication to support advance care planning and personalised discussions on limitation of life sustaining treatment (LST).

Design

Retrospective cross-sectional study of real-world clinical data.

Setting

Secondary care, urban and suburban teaching hospitals.

Participants

All inpatients in 12-month period from 1 October 2018 to 30 September 2019.

Methods

Using unsupervised natural language processing, word embedding in latent space was used to generate phrase clusters with most similar semantic embeddings to ‘Ceiling of Treatment’ and their prognostication value.

Results

Word embeddings with most similarity to ‘Ceiling of Treatment’ clustered around phrases describing end-of-life care, ceiling of care and LST discussions. The phrases have differing prognostic profile with the highest 7-day mortality in the phrases most explicitly referring to end of life—‘Withdrawal of care’ (56.7%), ‘terminal care/end of life care’ (57.5%) and ‘un-survivable’ (57.6%).

Conclusion

Vocabulary used at end-of-life discussions are diverse and has a range of associations to 7-day mortality. This highlights the importance of correct application of terminology during LST and end-of-life discussions.
Human pelvis injury risk curves from underbody blast impact
Authors: Yoganandan Narayan , Moore J , Humm J R , Baisden J L , Banerjee A , Pintar F A , Barnes D R , Loftis K L
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Underbody blast loading can result in injuries to the pelvis and the lumbosacral spine. The purpose of this study was to determine human tolerance in this region based on survival analysis.

Methods

Twenty-six unembalmed postmortem human surrogate lumbopelvic complexes were procured and pretest medical images were obtained. They were fixed in polymethylmethacrylate at the cranial end and a six-axis load cell was attached. The specimens were aligned in a seated soldier posture. Impacts were applied to the pelvis using a custom vertical accelerator. The experimental design consisted of non-injury and injury tests. Pretest and post-test X-rays and palpation were done following non-injury test, and after injury test medical imaging and gross dissections were done. Injuries were scored using the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS). Axial and resultant forces were used to develop human injury probability curves (HIPCs) at AIS 3+ and AIS 4 severities using survival analysis. Then ±95% CI was computed using the delta method, normalised CI size was obtained, and the quality of the injury risk curves was assigned adjectival ratings.

Results

At the 50% probability level, the resultant and axial forces at the AIS 3+ level were 6.6 kN and 5.9 kN, and at the AIS 4 level these were 8.4 kN and 7.5 kN, respectively. Individual injury risk curves along with ±95% CIs are presented in the paper. Increased injury severity increased the HIPC metrics. Curve qualities were in the good and fair ranges for axial and shear forces at all probability levels and for both injury severities.

Conclusions

This is the first study to develop axial and resultant force-based HIPCs defining human tolerance to injuries to the pelvis from vertical impacts using parametric survival analysis. Data can be used to advance military safety under vertical loading to the seated pelvis.
Innovation in education: the military medical ethics‘playing cards’and smartphone application
Authors: Miron Marina , Bricknell M
Published: October 2021

Military medical personnel need to understand military medical ethics to comply with international humanitarian law, national health practice and professional norms. Teaching this subject is constrained by a lack of educational resources, being further exacerbated by the limits imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper describes an innovative approach to deliver military medical ethics education using 52 scenarios published as a set of playing cards and a smartphone app. The rationale for the methodology and the development of these scenarios is summarised. This package forms a part of a‘d(igital)-learning’educational suite that includes physical cards, the app and a website for teaching both military and military medical ethics. The paper describes the experience of delivering this d-learning package in military medical ethics to UK and international audiences. The final sections offer a look ahead to the next stages for refinement to the current suite and the wider d-learning resources.
Surgical aortic valve replacement in the era of transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a review of the UK national database
Authors: Jahangiri Marjan , Bilkhu Rajdeep , Embleton-Thirsk Andrew , Dehbi Hakim-Moulay , Mani Krishna , Anderson Jon , Avlonitis Vassilios , Baghai Max , Birdi Inderpaul , Booth Karen , Bose Amal , Briffa Norman , Buchan Keith , Bhudia Sunil , Cale Alex , Deglurkar Indu , Farid Shakil , Hadjinikolaou Leonidas , Jarvis Martin , Javadpour Seyed Hossein , Jeganathan Reubendra , Kuduvalli Manoj , Lall Kulvinder , Mascaro Jorge , Mehta Dheeraj , Ohri Sunil , Punjabi Prakash , Venkateswaran Rajamiyer , Ridley Paul , Satur Christopher , Stoica Serban , Trivedi Uday , Zaidi Afzal , Yiu Patrick , Moorjani Narain , Kendall Simon , Freemantle Nick
Published: October 2021

Objectives

To date the reported outcomes of surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) are mainly in the settings of trials comparing it with evolving transcatheter aortic valve implantation. We set out to examine characteristics and outcomes in people who underwent SAVR reflecting a national cohort and therefore ‘real-world’ practice.

Design

Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of consecutive people who underwent SAVR with or without coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery between April 2013 and March 2018 in the UK. This included elective, urgent and emergency operations. Participants’ demographics, preoperative risk factors, operative data, in-hospital mortality, postoperative complications and effect of the addition of CABG to SAVR were analysed.

Setting

27 (90%) tertiary cardiac surgical centres in the UK submitted their data for analysis.

Participants

31 277 people with AVR were identified. 19 670 (62.9%) had only SAVR and 11 607 (37.1%) had AVR+CABG.

Results

In-hospital mortality for isolated SAVR was 1.9% (95% CI 1.6% to 2.1%) and was 2.4% for AVR+CABG. Mortality by age category for SAVR only were: <60 years=2.0%, 60–75 years=1.5%, >75 years=2.2%. For SAVR+CABG these were; 2.2%, 1.8% and 3.1%. For different categories of EuroSCORE, mortality for SAVR in low risk people was 1.3%, in intermediate risk 1% and for high risk 3.9%. 74.3% of the operations were elective, 24% urgent and 1.7% emergency/salvage. The incidences of resternotomy for bleeding and stroke were 3.9% and 1.1%, respectively. Multivariable analyses provided no evidence that concomitant CABG influenced outcome. However, urgency of the operation, poor ventricular function, higher EuroSCORE and longer cross clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times adversely affected outcomes.

Conclusions

Surgical SAVR±CABG has low mortality risk and a low level of complications in the UK in people of all ages and risk factors. These results should inform consideration of treatment options in people with aortic valve disease.
Correlation between neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and overactive bladder in South Korean women: a community-based, cross-sectional study
Authors: Kim Soyeon , Park Jung Ha , Oh Yun Hwan , Kim Hyeon Ju , Kong Mi Hee , Moon Jihyun
Published: October 2021

Objective

Many women with overactive bladder (OAB) do not seek medical care despite urinary symptoms. As the diagnosis and treatment of OAB are often late, there is a need to identify undiagnosed OAB patients and start effective treatment. Furthermore, an objective and appropriate screening biomarker for OAB is needed. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and OAB in South Korean women.

Design

Cross-sectional, retrospective study.

Setting

Jeju National University Hospital.

Participants

This study included a total of 4394 women (mean age=48.6 years) who underwent self-referred health screenings.

Interventions

Blood tests were conducted and the NLR was calculated by dividing the number of neutrophils by the number of lymphocytes.

Outcome measures

The severity of OAB was evaluated using the OAB Symptom Score (OABSS).

Results

Approximately 9.8% of participants (n=432) were diagnosed with OAB. The association pattern between the NLR and urinary tract symptoms was variable; however, NLR was associated with OAB, by the OABSS and OAB severity (p<0.001). The NLR had a significant relationship with OAB after age, body mass index, homoeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, stress status, and medication for hypertension (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.32) were adjusted.

Conclusions

Elevated NLR is associated with OAB; hence, NLR may be a cost-effective and readily available biomarker of OAB in women.
Association between complement C3 and the prevalence of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease in a Chinese population: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Feng Limin , Zhao Ying , Wang Wei-Lin
Published: October 2021

Objectives

Recently studies demonstrated that adipose tissue can produce and release complement C3 and serum complement C3 levels were associated with diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Thus, we plan to investigate the association of complement C3 levels and the presence of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD).

Design

Observational study with a cross-sectional sample.

Setting

This study surveyed 4729 participants in Zhejiang province, China.

Participants

55 participants were excluded for acute infection and 1001 participants were excluded for lack of ultrasonography diagnoses and complete or partial absence of laboratory tests. The final sample size was 3673 participants.

Outcome measures

Spearman correlation analysis was used to examine the correlations between complement C3 levels and variables. Binary logistic regression was carried out to evaluate the association between complement C3 levels and the presence of MAFLD after adjustment for demographic and biochemical variables. Mediation effects were used to explore whether insulin resistance (IR), hyperlipidaemia and obesity mediated the association between complement C3 and MAFLD.

Results

Participants with MAFLD had higher complement C3 levels and complement C3 levels were closely associated with body mass index, waist circumference, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase and homoeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-IR. The presence of MAFLD increased with the increase of complement C3 levels and the presence of MAFLD were highest in the HOMA-IR ≥2.5 participants. We found the OR and Cl of standardised C3 for MAFLD was 1.333 (1.185–1.500), each 1 SD increase in C3 would increase the presence of MAFLD by 33.3%, and obesity partly mediated the effect of complement C3 on the presence of MAFLD.

Conclusions

The present results suggest that complement C3 can be used as a risk factor for the presence of MAFLD after adjustment for confounding variables and obesity may partly mediate the effect of complement C3 on the presence of MAFLD.
Protocol and statistical analysis plan for the Pragmatic Investigation of optimaL Oxygen Targets (PILOT) clinical trial
Authors: Semler Matthew W , Casey Jonathan D , Lloyd Bradley D. , Hastings Pamela G. , Hays Margaret , Roth Megan , Stollings Joanna , Brems John , Buell Kevin George , Wang Li , Lindsell Christopher J. , Freundlich Robert E. , Wanderer Jonathan P. , Bernard Gordon R. , Self Wesley H. , Rice Todd W.
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Mechanical ventilation of intensive care unit (ICU) patients universally involves titration of the fraction of inspired oxygen to maintain arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2). However, the optimal SpO2target remains unknown.

Methods and analysis

The Pragmatic Investigation of optimaL Oxygen Targets (PILOT) trial is a prospective, unblinded, pragmatic, cluster-crossover trial being conducted in the emergency department (ED) and medical ICU at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. PILOT compares use of a lower SpO2target (target 90% and goal range: 88%–92%), an intermediate SpO2target (target 94% and goal range: 92%–96%) and a higher SpO2target (target 98% and goal range: 96%–100%). The study units are assigned to a single SpO2target (cluster-level allocation) for each 2-month study block, and the assigned SpO2target switches every 2 months in a randomly generated sequence (cluster-level crossover). The primary outcome is ventilator-free days (VFDs) to study day 28, defined as the number of days alive and free of invasive mechanical ventilation from the final receipt of invasive mechanical ventilation through 28 days after enrolment.

Ethics and dissemination

The trial was approved by the Vanderbilt Institutional Review Board. The results will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at one or more scientific conferences.

Trial registration number

The trial protocol was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov on 25 May 2018 prior to initiation of patient enrolment (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier:NCT03537937).
Newly diagnosed cancer and the COVID-19 pandemic: tumour stage migration and higher early mortality
Authors: Guven Deniz Can , Sahin Taha Koray , Yildirim Hasan Cagri , Cesmeci Engin , Incesu Fatima Gul Gulbahce , Tahillioglu Yagmur , Ucgul Enes , Aksun Melek Seren , Gurbuz Suleyman Cagin , Aktepe Oktay Halit , Arik Zafer , Dizdar Omer , Yalcin Suayib , Aksoy Sercan , Kilickap Saadettin , Kertmen Neyran
Published: October 2021

Background

We compared the new outpatient clinic referrals during the first 10 months of the COVID-19 pandemic with the year before.

Methods

We compared baseline characteristics of the 2208 new referrals in 2020 (n=922) and 2019 (n=1286) with Χ2and Mann-Whitney U tests and calculated ORs with binary logistic regression. To evaluate the expected changes in the cancer survival secondary to stage migration, we used the 5-year survival data of Survival, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program 2010–2016.

Results

The percentage of patients with inoperable or metastatic disease was significantly increased during the pandemic (49.8% vs 39%, OR: 1.553, 95% CI: 1.309 to 1.843, p<0.001). We observed a significant decrease in the percentage of patients diagnosed via the screening methods (18.8% vs 28.7%, OR: 1.698, 95% CI: 1.240 to 2.325, p=0.001). The 90-day mortality after the cancer diagnosis was significantly higher during the pandemic (10.5% vs 6.6%, OR: 1.661, 95% CI: 1.225 to 2.252, p=0.001). Due to the increased advanced-stage disease rate at first referral, significant decreases in 5-year survival rates were expected for breast cancer (−8.9%), colorectal cancer (−11.1%), cervix cancer (−10.3%) and melanoma (−7%).

Conclusion

We think that collaborative efforts are paramount to prevent the pandemic of late cancer diagnoses and ensure patient safety during the pandemic.
Prognostic importance of the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score in patients undergoing cardiac resynchronisation therapy
Authors: Ikeya Yukitoshi , Saito Yuki , Nakai Toshiko , Kogawa Rikitake , Otsuka Naoto , Wakamatsu Yuji , Kurokawa Sayaka , Ohkubo Kimie , Nagashima Koichi , Okumura Yasuo
Published: October 2021

Aims

Malnutrition is common and associated with worse clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF). The Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score is an integrated index for evaluating diverse aspects of the complex mechanism of malnutrition. However, the relationship between the severity of malnutrition assessed by the CONUT score and clinical outcomes of HF patients receiving cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) has not been fully clarified.

Methods

Clinical records of 263 patients who underwent pacemaker or defibrillator implantation for CRT between March 2003 and October 2020 were retrospectively evaluated. The CONUT score was calculated from laboratory data obtained before CRT device implantation. Patients were divided into three groups: normal nutrition (CONUT scores 0–1, n=58), mild malnutrition (CONUT scores 2–4, n=132) and moderate or severe malnutrition (CONUT scores 5–12, n=73). The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality.

Results

The moderate or severe malnutrition group had a lower body mass index, more advanced New York Heart Association functional class, higher Clinical Frailty Scale score, lower levels of haemoglobin and higher levels of N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (all p<0.05). In the moderate or severe malnutrition group, the CRT response rate was significantly lower than for the other two groups (p=0.001). During a median follow-up period of 31 (10–67) months, 103 (39.1%) patients died. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the moderate or severe malnutrition group had a significantly higher mortality rate (log-rank p<0.001). A higher CONUT score and CONUT score ≥5 remained significantly associated with all-cause mortality after adjusting for previously reported clinically relevant factors and the conventional risk score (VALID-CRT risk score) (all p<0.05).

Conclusions

A higher CONUT score before CRT device implantation was strongly associated with HF severity, frailty, lower CRT response rate and subsequent long-term all-cause mortality.
Impact of selected clinical pharmacy services on medication safety and prescription cost of patients attending a selected primary healthcare setting: a translational experience from a resource-limited country
Authors: Herath Kaumada Binoli , Rodrigo U A A , Senadheera G P S G , Samaranayaka Shyamalee , Samaranayake Nithushi R
Published: October 2021

Purpose of the study

The impact of clinical pharmacy (CP) services on primary healthcare (PH) is less well studied in resource-limited countries. We aimed to evaluate the effect of selected CP services on medication safety and prescription cost at a PH setting in Sri Lanka.

Study design

Patients attending a PH medical clinic with medications prescribed at the same visit were selected using systematic random sampling. A medication history was obtained and medications were reconciled and reviewed using four standard references. Drug-related problems (DRPs) were identified and categorised, and severities were assessed using the National Coordinating Council Medication Error Reporting and Prevention Index. Acceptance of DRPs by prescribers was assessed. Prescription cost reduction due to CP interventions was assessed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test at 5% significance.

Results

Among 150 patients approached, 51 were recruited. Nearly half (58.8%) reported financial difficulties in purchasing medications. DRPs identified were 86. Of them, 13.9% (12 of 86) DRPs were identified when taking a medication history (administration errors (7 of 12); self-prescribing errors (5 of 12)), 2.3% (2 of 86) during reconciliation, and 83.7% (72 of 86) during medication reviewing (wrong indication (18 of 72), wrong strength (14 of 72), wrong frequency (19 of 72), wrong route of administration (2 of 72), duplication (3 of 72), other (16 of 72)). Most DRPs (55.8%) reached the patient, but did not cause harm. Prescribers accepted 65.8% (56 of 86) DRPs identified by researchers. The individual prescription cost reduced significantly due to CP interventions (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Implementing CP services could potentially improve medication safety at a PH level even in resource-limited settings. Prescription cost could be significantly reduced for patients with financial difficulties in consultation with prescribers.
Influence of cigarillo packaging characteristics on young adults’ perceptions and intentions: findings from three online experiments
Authors: Jeong Michelle , Wackowski Olivia A , Schroth Kevin R J , Strasser Andrew A , Delnevo Cristine D
Published: October 2021

Objectives

Packaging is an important component of tobacco marketing that influences product perceptions and use intentions. However, little research exists on cigar packaging. We leveraged variability in existing Swisher Sweets cigarillo packaging to extend the evidence base.

Methods

Between 2017 and 2019, we conducted three online experiments with 774 young adult past-year cigar smokers recruited via Amazon Mechanical Turk. After viewing Swisher package images that differed by flavour descriptor and/or colour, participants rated them on perceptions and purchase intentions. In study 1, participants viewed one of four cigarillos (‘Wild Rush Encore’, ‘Wild Rush Limited’, ‘Twisted Berry’ and ‘Strawberry’). In study 2, participants viewed two different watermelon rum-flavoured cigarillos (‘Boozy Watermelon’ and ‘Island Madness’). In study 3, participants viewed two of three ‘Wild Rush’ cigarillo versions (‘Encore’ with or without an explicit flavour descriptor or ‘Limited’).

Results

In study 1, more participants perceived ‘Twisted Berry’ and ‘Wild Rush Limited’ as tasting good and less harsh tasting compared with ‘Wild Rush Encore’. In study 2, compared with ‘Island Madness’, more participants perceived ‘Boozy Watermelon’ as tasting good, less harsh tasting and used by younger users but less by masculine users; female participants were more likely to purchase ‘Boozy Watermelon’. In study 3, participants perceived ‘Wild Rush Encore’ with the explicit flavour descriptor as tasting better than packages without and being used by younger users but less by masculine users.

Conclusions

Variations in cigarillo packaging, even among cigarillos with the same flavour, may have differential consumer appeal, suggesting packaging features should be considered in cigar product regulation.
Potential for codends with shortened lastridge ropes to replace mandated selection devices in demersal trawl fisheries
Authors: Sistiaga Manu , Brinkhof Jesse , Herrmann Bent , Larsen Roger B. , Grimaldo Eduardo , Cerbule Kristine , Brinkhof Ilmar , Jørgensen Terje
Published: October 2021

In many trawl fisheries, codend size selectivity is supplemented by adding selection devices to the gear. In the Barents Sea gadoid fishery, combining diamond mesh codends with sorting grids is compulsory. However, the use of grids increases the costs and complexity of the gear, causing discontent among fishermen and prompting researchers to seek alternative solutions. Lastridge ropes are ropes attached to the selvedges of the codend. In this study, we tested the effect of shortening the lastridge ropes of two diamond mesh codends with different mesh sizes on the size selectivity of cod (Gadus morhua), haddock (Melanogramus aeglefinnus), and redfish (Sebastes spp.). Shortening the lastridge ropes by 15% increased the mesh opening during the fishing process, which significantly improved the size-selective properties of the codends. Further, the L50 values were always higher for the codends in the short lastridge configuration. Therefore, codends with shortened lastridge ropes may be a simpler alternative to sorting grids in this fishery, and they may be applicable to many other fisheries in which additional selection devices are used.
Economics of forest bioeconomy: new results
Authors: Miettinen Jenni , Ollikainen Markku
Published: October 2021

We examine the emerging forest bioeconomy as an integrated, multi-product industrial ecosystem, where the traditional pulp mills allocate the use of side streams to independent biochemical companies manufacturing bioproducts in the vicinity of the pulp mills. Biochemical companies benefit from the proximity by receiving wood-based side streams at lower costs, and at the same time, pulp mills benefit from having a new source of revenue from selling side streams. We focus on the economic interaction between the pulp mill and the biochemical company, and we study the impacts on the use of wood and profits under perfect and imperfect competition. We demonstrate that the new industrial ecosystem uses more wood than traditional pulp mills, but depending on the side stream, it may promote cascading use of wood-based side streams.
A Multiplayer Virtual Intelligent System Based on Distributed Virtual Reality
Authors: You Zhen , Huang Jiewen , Xue Jinyun , Chen Jiaxiang , Liu Jiaxin , Yu Qihong , Hu Hongwen
Published: October 2021

Distributed Virtual Reality (DVR) is a combination of network and virtual reality technology, it could facilitate to construct a uniformly shared Distributed Virtual Environment (DVE) by using network to connect geographically distributed multiplayers. This paper concentrates on the theoretical research and practical development about Multiplayer Virtual Intelligent System (MVIS), and the main contribution could be summarized as two points. (1) Based on the DVR technology, this paper presented some theoretical research on MVIS, including the classification of virtual entities, communication pattern of entities, and the behavioral consistency research. Furthermore, a Multiplayer Earliest Deadline First (MEDF) program was proposed in order to guarantee the consistency of entities. (2) A prototype algorithm experiment system, called Multiplayer Graph-algorithm Intelligent System (MGIS), was designed. MGIS not onlyefficiently solves many problems in traditional computer algorithm teaching, such as high-abstraction, difficulty to understand, and lack of interaction mechanism; but also extends the application of DVR to cultural tourism, because MGIS is developed on the 3D scene of Lushan Mountain, which is one of the notable tourist attractions in China, and was included in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1996. What i’s more, MGIS illustrates the ability of expression, applicability and generality of the theoretical research about MVIS.
A Novel Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Approach for Intellectual Property Risk Assessment in Crowdsourcing Design
Authors: Yin Chao , Pan Ligao , Li Xiaobin
Published: October 2021

Crowdsourcing design is a knowledge-intensive innovative design mode, in which there are various intellectual property risks. This paper proposes a novel multi-criteria decision-making approach for intellectual property risk assessment in crowdsourcing design. First, domain experts are invited to identify and evaluate various risk factors in the given crowdsourcing design environment, and the interval-valued Pythagorean fuzzy sets theory (IVPF) is used to eliminate the vagueness and ambiguity of risk assessment opinions from experts. A combination weight method based on the Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) and entropy weight (EW) is designed to measure the importance degree of risk evaluation parameters, which includes risk probability (P), risk frequency (F) and risk severity (S). Then, a TODIM method is used to calculate the risk value of various factors to identify the largest intellectual property risk. Finally, the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed approach are verified by a case. The experimental results show that the proposed approach can effectively evaluate the intellectual property risks in crowdsourcing design.
Wage Bargaining and Minimum Wages in a Search–Matching Model
Authors: Dittrich Marcus
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we analyze the introduction of a nonbinding minimum wage in a search–matching model with wage bargaining. Applying the Kalai–Smorodinsky bargaining solution instead of the commonly applied Nash solution, we provide a theoretical explanation for spillover effects of minimum wages on other wages higher up in the wage distribution. The labor market equilibrium in the Kalai–Smorodinsky solution with a minimum wage is characterized by lower market tightness, a higher unemployment rate, and lower vacancy rate than the equilibrium in the Nash solution. Moreover, we show that a nonbinding minimum wage can increase social welfare.
Geometry-Driven Criterion Function for Predicting Shrinkage Porosity in Stainless Steel Castings with T-Junction
Authors: Sata Amit , Dharaiya Vishesh
Published: October 2021

Metal castings with the presence of shrinkage porosity are often recycled or rejected and in turn reduce productivity of the process as well as increase energy cost involved in the process. This can be overcome by prevention of its occurrence using a suitable prediction technique. A detailed study of literature reveals that several Criterion Functions (an empirical model that connects solidification phenomena with formation of shrinkage porosity) have been employed to predict the location of shrinkage porosity in castings manufactured using particular process-alloy combination by values of process parameters (mostly thermal gradient, cooling rate, and velocity of molten metal). However, criterion function considering the effect of geometric variation in stainless steel castings on an extent of shrinkage porosity need to be established. In the present work, a benchmark casting, a combination of three T junctions, has been cast and used for the development of geometry-driven criterion function for stainless steel castings. Real experimental results with the presence of shrinkage porosity were used for superimposing on virtual experimental results (simulated results) for establishment of local simulation conditions. These conditions are further used in extrapolating results using casting simulation. The developed geometry-driven criterion function was further validated and found to be effective in prediction of shrinkage porosity.
Hydrothermal Synthesis of Carbon Dots from Luochuan Red Fuji Apple Peel and Application for the Detection of Fe3+ Ions
Authors: Zhao Shun-Sheng , Wang Yakun , Yang Zaiwen , Liu Xiangrong , Yang Zheng , Jia Xiaodan , Song Ci , Wang Yu-Bo , Chen Xinjuan
Published: October 2021

Carbon dots (CDs) synthesized from natural products received considerable attention due to their unique properties. In this work, CDs were synthesized using Luochuan Red Fuji apple peels as carbon source (Ap-CDs) by direct hydrothermal reaction, and were characterized by Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Raman spectra, Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Ultraviolet and visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectra and Fluorescence (FL) spectroscopy. The effect of reaction temperature, reaction time and the amount of carbon source used on the fluorescent intensity of Ap-CDs was studied. Fluorescent properties measurement indicated that when irradiated by ultraviolet at the wavelength of 350[Formula: see text]nm, the Ap-CDs give out bright blue emitting at the maximum wavelength of 433[Formula: see text]nm with quantum yield of 9.43%. Meanwhile, it was found that the fluorescent intensity of Ap-CDs could be selectively quenched by Fe[Formula: see text] ions. The fluorescent quenching of Ap-CDs was linearly related to the concentration of Fe[Formula: see text] ion in the range of 0.05–300[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]M with the detection limit of 1.56[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]M. Accordingly, the concentration of Fe[Formula: see text] ion in the tap water and pork liver samples were tried to be measured by the fluorescent quenching Ap-CDs.
About this title - Stable Isotope Studies of the Water Cycle and Terrestrial Environments
Authors: Bojar A.-V. , Pelc A. , Lécuyer C.
Published: October 2021

This volume is devoted to Earth surface environmental reconstructions and environmental changes that may be deciphered and modelled using stable isotopes along with mineralogical/chemical, sedimentological, palaeontological/biological and climatological methodologies. The book is divided into two sections, both using stable isotopes (δD, δ
18
O, δ
13
C, d
15
N, δ
34
S, clumped isotopes Δ
47
) in various samples and phases as the main research tool. The first section is devoted to studies focusing on the distribution of isotopes in precipitation, groundwater, lakes, rivers, springs, tap water, mine water and their relationship with terrestrial environments at regional to continental scale. In relation to this, the second section includes case studies from a range of continental settings, investigating cave deposits (stalagmites, bat guano), animal skeletons (dinosaurs, alligators, turtles, bivalves), present and past soils (palaeosols) and limestones. The sections focus on the interaction between the surficial water cycle and underground water storage with deposits acting as archives of short- to long-term climatic and environmental changes. Examples from the Early Cretaceous to present time come from Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America.
Tight Bounds for Asymptotic and Approximate Consensus
Authors: Függer Matthias , Nowak Thomas , Schwarz Manfred
Published: October 2021

Agreeing on a common value among a set of agents is a fundamental problem in distributed computing, which occurs in several variants: In contrast to exact consensus, approximate variants are studied in systems where exact agreement is not possible or required, e.g., in human-made distributed control systems and in the analysis of natural distributed systems, such as bird flocking and opinion dynamics.

We study the time complexity of two classical agreement problems: non-terminating asymptotic consensus and terminating approximate consensus. Asymptotic consensus, requires agents to repeatedly set their outputs such that the outputs converge to a common value within the convex hull of initial values; approximate consensus requires agents to eventually stop setting their outputs, which must then lie within a predefined distance of each other.

We prove tight lower bounds on the contraction ratios of asymptotic consensus algorithms subject to oblivious message adversaries, from which we deduce bounds on the time complexity of approximate consensus algorithms. In particular, the obtained bounds show optimality of asymptotic and approximate consensus algorithms presented by Charron-Bost et al. (ICALP’16) for certain systems, including the strongest oblivious message adversary in which asymptotic and approximate consensus are solvable. As a corollary we also obtain asymptotically tight bounds for asymptotic consensus in the classical asynchronous model with crashes.

Central to the lower-bound proofs is an extended notion of valency, the set of reachable limits of an asymptotic consensus algorithm starting from a given configuration. We further relate topological properties of valencies to the solvability of exact consensus, shedding some light on the relation of these three fundamental problems in dynamic networks.
An Evaluation of Screen Parallax, Haptic Feedback, and Sensory-Motor Mismatch on Near-Field Perception-Action Coordination in VR
Authors: Brickler David , Babu Sabarish V.
Published: October 2021

Virtual reality
(
VR
) displays have factors such as vergence-accommodation conflicts that negatively impact depth perception and cause users to misjudge distances to select objects. In addition, popular large-screen immersive displays present the depth of any target rendered through screen parallax information of points, which are encapsulated within stereoscopic voxels that are a distinct unit of space dictating how far an object is placed in front of or behind the screen. As they emanate from the viewers’ eyes (left and right center of projection), the density of voxels is higher in front of the screen (in regions of negative screen parallax) than it is behind the screen (in regions of positive screen parallax), implying a higher spatial resolution of depth in front of the screen than behind the screen. Our experiment implements a near-field fine-motor pick-and-place task in which users pick up a ring and place it around a targeted peg. The targets are arranged in a linear configuration of 3, 5, and 7 pegs along the front-and-back axis with the center peg placed in the same depth as the screen. We use this to evaluate how users manipulate objects in positive versus negative screen parallax space by the metrics of efficiency, accuracy, and economy of movement. In addition, we evaluate how users’ performance is moderated by haptic feedback and mismatch between visual and proprioceptive information. Our results reveal that users perform more efficiently in negative screen parallax space and that haptic feedback and visuo-proprioceptive mismatch have effects on placement efficiency. The implications of these findings are described in the later sections of the article.
A meme-based approach for enhancing student engagement and learning in renal physiology
Authors: Subbiramaniyan Vivekananth , Apte Chandrashekhar , Ali Mohammed Ciraj
Published: October 2021

As educators around the world are exploring new approaches to keep students involved in remote learning during the pandemic, we investigated the utility of memes in promoting engagement in the online environment. Medical students enrolled in a human physiology course at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sohar, Oman were provided with an option to create memes related to the learning outcomes in renal physiology. One hundred forty-six of 280 students chose to create memes (52%), and the remaining students chose to submit either a labeled diagram or a concept map. Students uploaded their work in the discussion forum of the learning management system. All students enrolled in the course were given an opportunity for interaction with the uploaded content by commenting and upvoting thereafter. Students were requested to give anonymous feedback on their experience specifically on the activity related to memes. Feedback received from 142 of 280 students through anonymous comments was subjected to thematic analysis. Based on the analysis of the data, we found that memes elicited interest in the topic, facilitated peer interaction, simplified complex ideas, enhanced retention of associated concepts, and fostered a positive learning environment.
Physiological responses and perceived comfort to high-flow nasal cannula therapy in awake adults: effects of flow magnitude and temperature
Authors: Narang I. , Carberry J. C. , Butler J. E. , Gandevia S. C. , Chiang A. K. I. , Eckert D. J.
Published: October 2021

This study evaluated upper airway muscle function, breathing, and comfort across different HFNC flows and temperatures. There were no increases in genioglossus muscle activity at higher flows despite greater negative epiglottic pressure swings. Increasing negative pressure swings was associated with increasing discomfort in the nonheated mode. HFNC was associated with ∼7 cmH2O increase in positive airway pressure, which may be the primary mechanism for upper airway stability with HFNC rather than increases in pharyngeal muscle activity.
Distribution of motor unit properties across human muscles
Authors: Duchateau Jacques , Enoka Roger M.
Published: October 2021

The purpose of our review was to compare the distribution of motor unit properties across human muscles of different sizes and recruitment ranges. Although motor units can be distinguished based on several different attributes, we focused on four key parameters that have a significant influence on the force produced by muscle during voluntary contractions: the number of motor units, average innervation number, the distributions of contractile characteristics, and discharge rates within motor unit pools. Despite relatively few publications on this topic, current data indicate that the most influential factor in the distribution of these motor unit properties between muscles is innervation number. Nonetheless, despite a fivefold difference in innervation number between a hand muscle (first dorsal interosseus) and a lower leg muscle (tibialis anterior), the general organization of their motor unit pools, and the range of discharge rates appear to be relatively similar. These observations provide foundational knowledge for studies on the control of movement and the changes that occur with aging and neurological disorders.
Evidence of reduced peripheral microvascular function in young Black women across the menstrual cycle
Authors: D’Agata Michele N. , Hoopes Elissa K. , Berube Felicia R. , Hirt Alexandra E. , Kuczmarski Andrew V. , Ranadive Sushant M. , Wenner Megan M. , Witman Melissa A.
Published: October 2021

This is the first study to compare peripheral microvascular function between young, otherwise healthy Black women and White women at multiple phases of the menstrual cycle. Our novel findings demonstrate a significant effect of race on peripheral microvascular function such that Black women exhibit significant attenuations in microvascular function across the menstrual cycle compared with White women.
Targeting Ferroptosis: Pathological Mechanism and Treatment of Ischemia‐Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Li Xinye , Ma Ning , Xu Juping , Zhang Yanchi , Yang Pan , Su Xin , Xing Yanfeng , An Na , Yang Fan , Zhang Guoxia , Zhang Lijing , Xing Yanwei
Published: October 2021

Ischemia‐reperfusion (I/R) is a pathological process that occurs in many organs and diseases. Reperfusion, recovery of blood flow, and reoxygenation often lead to reperfusion injury. Drug therapy and early reperfusion therapy can reduce tissue injury and cell necrosis caused by ischemia, leading to irreversible I/R injury. Ferroptosis was clearly defined in 2012 as a newly discovered iron‐dependent, peroxide‐driven, nonapoptotic form of regulated cell death. Ferroptosis is considered the cause of reperfusion injury. This discovery provides new avenues for the recognition and treatment of diseases. Ferroptosis is a key factor that leads to I/R injury and organ failure. Given the important role of ferroptosis in I/R injury, there is considerable interest in the potential role of ferroptosis as a targeted treatment for a wide range of I/R injury‐related diseases. Recently, substantial progress has been made in applying ferroptosis to I/R injury in various organs and diseases. The development of ferroptosis regulators is expected to provide new opportunities for the treatment of I/R injury. Herein, we analytically review the pathological mechanism and targeted treatment of ferroptosis in I/R and related diseases from the perspectives of myocardial I/R injury, cerebral I/R injury, and ischemic renal injury.
A New Estimation Study of the Stress-Strength Reliability for the Topp–Leone Distribution Using Advanced Sampling Methods
Authors: Almarashi Abdullah M. , Algarni Ali , Hassan Amal S. , Elgarhy M. , Jamal Farrukh , Chesneau Christophe , Alrashidi Khudir , Mashwani Wali Khan , Nagy Heba F.
Published: October 2021

In this manuscript, we investigate the estimation of the unknown reliability measure R = P [Y < X], in the case where Y and X are two independent random variables with Topp–Leone distributions. As the main contribution, various advanced sampling strategies are studied. The suggested strategies are simple random, ranked set, and median ranked set samplings. Firstly, based on the maximum likelihood, we give an efficient estimator of R when the observations of the two random variables are selected from the same simple random sample. Secondly, such an estimator is addressed when the observations of the two random variables are selected from the ranked set sampling method. Then, based on median ranked set sampling, the maximum likelihood estimator of R is addressed in all the four cases. When the observations from the two random variables are selected from the same set size, two cases are considered, while the other two cases are considered at different set sizes. A simulation research is developed to evaluate the behavior of the obtained estimates based on standard and median ranked set samplings with their simple random sampling equivalents. The ratio of mean square error is used to assess the effectiveness of these estimates.