bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complete Circular Genome Sequences of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae Isolates of the Four Different Sequence Types Causing Swine Dysentery in Switzerland
Authors: García-Martín Ana B. , Schmitt Sarah , Zeeh Friederike , Perreten Vincent
Published: September 2021

The complete genomes of four
Brachyspira hyodysenteriae
isolates of the four different sequence types (STs) (ST6, ST66, ST196, and ST197) causing swine dysentery in Switzerland were generated by whole-genome sequencing and
de novo
hybrid assembly of reads obtained from second (Illumina) and third (Oxford Nanopore Technologies and Pacific Biosciences) high-throughput sequencing platforms.
Near-Complete Genome Assembly of the Grapevine Crown Gall Pathogen Allorhizobium vitis Strain K377
Authors: Xi Hangwei , Ryder Maarten , Searle Iain R.
Published: September 2021

Here, we report the annotated, near-complete genome sequence of
Allorhizobium vitis
K377, a phytopathogenic
Rhizobiales
strain isolated from a grapevine in South Australia. The assembled genome sequence is 6.40 Mb long, with 5,855 predicted protein-coding sequences, 56 tRNAs, and 12 rRNAs, and contains
ttuC
(tartrate metabolism; chromosomal) and nopaline synthesis, uptake, and catabolic genes (tumor-inducing plasmid-encoded).
Thermodynamic limits for assimilation of silicate crust in primitive magmas
Authors: Heinonen Jussi S. , Spera Frank J. , Bohrson Wendy A.
Published: September 2021

Some geochemical models for basaltic and more primitive rocks suggest that their parental magmas have assimilated tens of weight percent of crustal silicate wall rock. But what are the thermodynamic limits for assimilation in primitive magmas? We pursue this question quantitatively using a freely available thermodynamic tool for phase equilibria modeling of open magmatic systems—the Magma Chamber Simulator (https://mcs.geol.ucsb.edu)—and focus on modeling assimilation of wall-rock partial melts, which is thermodynamically more efficient compared to bulk assimilation of stoped wall-rock blocks in primitive igneous systems. In the simulations, diverse komatiitic, picritic, and basaltic parental magmas assimilate progressive partial melts of preheated average lower, middle, and upper crust in amounts allowed by thermodynamics. Our results indicate that it is difficult for any subalkaline primitive magma to assimilate more than 20−30 wt% of upper or middle crust before evolving to compositions with higher SiO2 than a basaltic magma (52 wt%). On the other hand, typical komatiitic magmas have thermodynamic potential to assimilate as much as their own mass (59−102 wt%) of lower crust and retain a basaltic composition. The compositions of the parental melt and the assimilant heavily influence both how much assimilation is energetically possible in primitive magmas and the final magma composition given typical temperatures. These findings have important implications for the role of assimilation in the generation and evolution of, e.g., ultramafic to mafic trans-Moho magmatic systems, siliceous high-Mg basalts, and massif-type anorthosites.
Subcutaneous facial emphysema secondary to a dental procedure
Authors: Almeida Sara Isabel , Faustino Joana , Duarte Armindo Rui , Mendonça Vanessa
Published: September 2021

Subcutaneous emphysema is a possible but infrequent consequence of dental procedures. We present the case of a 6-year-old healthy boy transferred from a dental clinic immediately after local anaesthesia for tooth extraction, due to sudden orbital and facial swelling. On physical examination, oedema of the left upper eyelid with fine crepitus on palpation and left hemiface oedema with local pain were observed. Ophthalmologic observation was normal. CT scan of the face and orbits documented extensive infiltration of the subcutaneous tissue planes of the left face by air, with extension to the external part of the body of the mandible, retromaxillary fat, masticatory muscle spaces, parapharyngeal space and adjacent to the orbital roof. After completing initial evaluation, the dentist confirmed the use of an air-driven device during local anaesthesia administration. The patient improved with conservative treatment. Early recognition of this condition is essential to provide an adequate clinical assessment with exclusion of possible life-threatening complications.
Giant pedunculated liver mass: primary hepatocellular carcinoma masquerading as hepatic haemangioma
Authors: Cohen Olivia , Aleem Muhammad , Wolberink Steven , Perenyei Miklos Attila
Published: September 2021

A woman in her mid-60s was referred to surgeons with a 2-week history of worsening right-sided abdominal pain. CT demonstrated a large encapsulated, pedunculated hepatic lesion with active intracapsular bleeding and free fluid but nil further lesions. Findings suggested giant hepatic haemangioma; surgical excision took place the following day. Histopathology however confirmed malignancy. Pedunculated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rare but characteristically large and encapsulated. Sporadic case reports indicate that diagnosis is typically challenging and delayed with liver metastases at presentation. This case describes a patient with no clear risk factors for HCC found to have a well-defined, encapsulated and pedunculated mass but no detected metastasis or other lesions on initial CT. In this instance, subsequent MRI did identify further lesions in the liver. Such cases are limited in the literature: much remains to be learnt regarding presentation, differential diagnoses, investigation and management.
Calcified pseudocyst: an uncommon presentation of chronic pancreatitis
Authors: Mahajan Abhishek , Shetty Athish , Bhat Bharath Kumar , Bhat Ganesh
Published: September 2021

Pseudocysts are localised fluid collections, usually developing as a complication of acute or chronic pancreatitis. Pancreatic ductal or parenchymal calcifications are commonly seen in routine radiological imaging, but calcification of pseudocyst is extremely rare. Calcified pseudocysts have been reported in literature as case reports, but a calcified pseudocyst in the lesser sac, without underlying pancreatic calcification, has not been reported. We report a case of a pancreatic pseudocyst with a calcified wall, requiring surgical excision and histological examination confirming the diagnosis.
Fertility preserving management for postpartum haemorrhage secondary to subinvolution of the placental implantation site
Authors: Du Ruoxing , Davies Rebecca , Supramaniam Prasanna Raj
Published: September 2021

A 40-year-old woman presents with recurrent secondary postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) following her third normal vaginal delivery. Histology from subsequent evacuation of the uterus confirmed that she had subinvolution of the placental implantation site. Hysterectomy is the most common method of managing this condition and recurrent PPH, most often due to significant vaginal bleeding. We present a case of subinvolution of the placental implantation site with recurrent PPH managed with medical treatment alone, to offer a fertility-sparing treatment option.
Use of menopausal hormone therapy and risk of dementia: nested case-control studies using QResearch and CPRD databases
Authors: Vinogradova Yana , Dening Tom , Hippisley-Cox Julia , Taylor Lauren , Moore Michael , Coupland Carol
Published: September 2021

Objective

To assess the risks of developing dementia associated with different types and durations of menopausal hormone therapy.

Design

Two nested case-control studies.

Setting

UK general practices contributing to QResearch or the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD), using all links to hospital, mortality, and social deprivation data.

Participants

118 501 women aged 55 and older with a primary diagnosis of dementia between 1998 and 2020, matched by age, general practice, and index date to 497 416 female controls.

Main outcome measures

Dementia diagnoses from general practice, mortality, and hospital records; odds ratios for menopausal hormone treatments adjusted for demographics, smoking status, alcohol consumption, comorbidities, family history, and other prescribed drugs.

Results

Overall, 16 291 (14%) women with a diagnosis of dementia and 68 726 (14%) controls had used menopausal hormone therapy more than three years before the index date. Overall, no increased risks of developing dementia associated with menopausal hormone therapy were observed. A decreased global risk of dementia was found among cases and controls younger than 80 years who had been taking oestrogen-only therapy for 10 years or more (adjusted odds ratio 0.85, 95% confidence interval 0.76 to 0.94). Increased risks of developing specifically Alzheimer’s disease were found among women who had used oestrogen-progestogen therapy for between five and nine years (1.11, 1.04 to 1.20) and for 10 years or more (1.19, 1.06 to 1.33). This was equivalent to, respectively, five and seven extra cases per 10 000 woman years. Detailed risk associations for the specific progestogens studied are also provided.

Conclusion

This study gives estimates for risks of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in women exposed to different types of menopausal hormone therapy for different durations and has shown no increased risks of developing dementia overall. It has shown a slightly increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease among long term users of oestrogen-progestogen therapies.
Development of a dual-factor measure of adolescent mental health: an analysis of cross-sectional data from the 2014 Canadian Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study
Authors: King Nathan , Davison Colleen M , Pickett William
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Studies of adolescent mental health require valid measures that are supported by evidence-based theories. An established theory is the dual-factor model, which argues that mental health status is only fully understood by incorporating information on both subjective well-being and psychopathology.

Objectives

To develop a novel measure of adolescent mental health based on the dual-factor model and test its construct validity.

Design

Cross-sectional analysis of national health survey data.

Setting and participants

Nationally weighted sample of 21 993 grade 6–10 students; average age: 14.0 (SD 1.4) years from the 2014 Canadian Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study.

Measures

Self-report indicators of subjective well-being (life satisfaction, positive and negative affect), and psychopathology (psychological symptoms and overt risk-taking behaviour) were incorporated into the dual-factor measure. Characteristics of adolescents families, specific mental health indicators and measures of academic and social functioning were used in the assessment of construct validity.

Results

Proportions of students categorised to the four mental health groups indicated by the dual-factor measure were 67.6% ‘mentally healthy’, 17.5% ‘symptomatic yet content’, 5.5% ‘asymptomatic yet discontent’ and 9.4% ‘mentally unhealthy’. Being mentally healthy was associated with the highest functioning (greater social support and academic functioning) and being mentally unhealthy was associated with the worst. A one-unit increase (ranges=0–10) in peer support (OR 1.19; 95% CI 1.15 to 1.22), family support (OR 1.32; 95% CI 1.28 to 1.36), student support (OR 1.20; 95% CI 1.17 to 1.24) and average school marks (OR 1.18; 95% CI 1.10 to 1.27) increased the odds of being symptomatic yet content versus mentally unhealthy. Mentally healthy youth were the most likely to live with both parents (77% vs ≤65%) and report their family as well-off (62% vs ≤53%).

Conclusions

We developed a novel, construct valid dual-factor measure of adolescent mental health. This potentially provides a nuanced and comprehensive approach to the assessment of adolescent mental health that is direly needed.
Postnatal exercise interventions: a systematic review of adherence and effect
Authors: Mullins Edward , Sharma Shalini , McGregor Alison H
Published: September 2021

Objective

To evaluate adherence to and effect of postnatal physical activity (PA) interventions.

Design

Systematic review of PA intervention randomised controlled trials in postnatal women. The initial search was carried out in September 2018, and updated in January 2021.

Data sources

Embase, MEDLINE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases, hand-searching references of included studies. The 25 identified studies included 1466 postnatal women in community and secondary care settings.

Eligibility criteria

Studies were included if the PA interventions were commenced and assessed in the postnatal year.

Data extraction and synthesis

Data were extracted using a prespecified extraction template and assessed independently by two reviewers using Cochrane ROB 1 tool.

Results

1413 records were screened for potential study inclusion, full-text review was performed on 146 articles, 25 studies were included. The primary outcome was adherence to PA intervention. The secondary outcomes were the effect of the PA interventions on the studies’ specified primary outcome. We compared effect on primary outcome for supervised and unsupervised exercise interventions. Studies were small, median n=66 (20–130). PA interventions were highly variable, targets for PA per week ranged from 60 to 275 min per week. Loss to follow-up (LTFU) was higher (14.5% vs 10%) and adherence to intervention was lower (73.6% vs 86%) for unsupervised versus supervised studies.

Conclusions

Studies of PA interventions inconsistently reported adherence and LTFU. Where multiple studies evaluated PA as an outcome, they had inconsistent effects, with generally low study quality and high risk of bias. Agreement for effect between studies was evident for PA improving physical fitness and reducing fatigue. Three studies showed no adverse effect of PA on breast feeding. High-quality research reporting adherence and LTFU is needed into how and when to deliver postnatal PA interventions to benefit postnatal physical and mental health.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42019114836.
Evaluation of a knowledge translation strategy to improve policymaking and practices in health promotion and disease prevention setting in French regions: TC-REG, a realist study
Authors: Martin-Fernandez Judith , Aromatario Olivier , Prigent Ollivier , Porcherie Marion , Ridde Valéry , Cambon Linda
Published: September 2021

Objective

This paper presents the results of a realist evaluation of a knowledge translation (KT) intervention implemented in the field of health promotion and disease prevention at the local level in France.

Design

Realist evaluation study.

Setting

The target population comprised decision-makers and field professionals working in prevention and public health services operating in regions of France (ie, ARS (Agence Régionale de Santé: regional health agency), IREPS (Instance Régionale d'Education et de Promotion de la Santé pour tous: regional organisation for health promotion and education) and their partners).

Participants

This evaluation was based on data collected from 2 seminars, 82 interviews, 18 observations and 4 focus groups over 18 months.

Intervention

The TC-REG intervention aimed to increase the use of evidence in cancer prevention, health promotion and disease prevention across four geographical regions in France. The intervention combined various activities: Supporting access to and adaptation of usable evidence, strengthening professionals’ skills in analysing, adopting and using policy briefs, and facilitating the use of evidence in organisations and processes.

Results

The collected data was used to define favourable/unfavourable contexts for the use of scientific data and mechanisms to be activated to encourage the use of scientific knowledge. From these raw results eight final refined middle-range theories were defined. Organised around the mechanisms to be activated, these middle-range theories illustrate how to activate knowledge and under what conditions. These analyses provided a basis for the production of seven operational and contextualised recommendations to develop KT to inform regional policymaking regarding health promotion and disease prevention.

Conclusion

The results obtained from the analyses led us to formulate two perspectives of an operational nature for the benefit of those involved in prevention and health promotion.
Accidental death during pregnancy and puerperium from 2009 to 2019 in Hunan, China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Kong Fanjuan , Wang Aihua , Su Jinping , He Jian , Xie Donghua , Xiong Lili , Sheng Xiaoqi , Liu Zhiyu
Published: September 2021

Objective

Few studies have analysed accidental maternal deaths. This study analysed the basic situation and classification of maternal accidental deaths and compared the differences between urban and rural areas.

Design

A cross-sectional study on accidental deaths during pregnancy and puerperium from 2009 to 2019 in Hunan Province.

Setting

Hunan Province, with a population of 74 million, has an area of 210 000 km2and 123 counties/districts.

Participants

A collection of 239 cases of accidental death during pregnancy and puerperium in Hunan Province from 2009 to 2019, including 181 cases of rural pregnancy and puerperium and 58 cases of urban pregnancy and puerperium.

Main outcome measure

Classification of accidental mortality of pregnant women.

Results

A total of 239 accidental deaths occurred in Hunan Province, with an accidental mortality rate of 2.8 per 100 000 live births. The accidental mortality rate in rural areas (3.2 per 100 000 live births) was higher than in urban areas (2.0 per 100 000 live births). The proportion of accidental deaths among pregnancy-related deaths showed an upward trend. The main types of accidental deaths were suicide (1.0 per 100 000 live births), traffic accidents (0.8 per 100 000 live births), accidental poisoning/overdose and assault/homicide (0.2 per 100 000 live births), and other accidents (0.6 per 100 000 live births). Maternal accidental deaths were mainly concentrated in low-income families, in rural areas and in those with low level of education. 74.5% of accidental deaths occurred before childbirth. 49.2% of pregnant women gave birth by caesarean section.

Conclusion

In response to the different causes of accidental maternal death, public health programmes and policy interventions should pay special attention to maternal suicide and traffic injuries.
‘We have been in lockdown since he was born’: a mixed methods exploration of the experiences of families caring for children with intellectual disability during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK
Authors: Wolstencroft Jeanne , Hull Laura , Warner Lauren , Akhtar Tooba Nadeem , Mandy William ,   IMAGINE-ID consortium, Skuse David
Published: September 2021

Objectives

This study aimed to explore the experiences of parents caring for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) during the UK national lockdown in spring 2020, resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design

Participants were identified using opportunity sampling from the IMAGINE-ID national (UK) cohort and completed an online survey followed by a semistructured interview. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis.

Setting

Interviews were conducted over the telephone in July 2020 as the first UK lockdown was ending.

Participants

23 mothers of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities aged 5–15 years were recruited.

Results

Themes reported by parents included: managing pre-existing challenges during a time of extreme change, having mixed emotions about the benefits and difficulties that arose during the lockdown and the need for appropriate, individualised support.

Conclusions

Our findings confirm observations previously found in UK parents of children with IDD and provide new insights on the use of technology during the pandemic for schooling and healthcare, as well as the need for regular check-ins.
Pre-admission interventions (prehabilitation) to improve outcome after major elective surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Perry Rachel , Herbert Georgia , Atkinson Charlotte , England Clare , Northstone Kate , Baos Sarah , Brush Tim , Chong Amanda , Ness Andy , Harris Jessica , Haase Anne , Shah Sanjoy , Pufulete Maria
Published: September 2021

Objective

To determine the benefits and harms of pre-admission interventions (prehabilitation) on postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing major elective surgery.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) (published or unpublished). We searched Medline, Embase, CENTRAL, DARE, HTA and NHS EED, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsychINFO and ISI Web of Science (June 2020).

Setting

Secondary care.

Participants

Patients (≥18 years) undergoing major elective surgery (curative or palliative).

Interventions

Any intervention administered in the preoperative period with the aim of improving postoperative outcomes.

Outcomes and measures

Primary outcomes were 30-day mortality, hospital length of stay (LoS) and postoperative complications. Secondary outcomes included LoS in intensive care unit or high dependency unit, perioperative morbidity, hospital readmission, postoperative pain, heath-related quality of life, outcomes specific to the intervention, intervention-specific adverse events and resource use.

Review methods

Two authors independently extracted data from eligible RCTs and assessed risk of bias and the certainty of evidence using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation. Random-effects meta-analyses were used to pool data across trials.

Results

178 RCTs including eight types of intervention were included. Inspiratory muscle training (IMT), immunonutrition and multimodal interventions reduced hospital LoS (mean difference vs usual care: −1.81 days, 95% CI −2.31 to −1.31; −2.11 days, 95% CI −3.07 to −1.15; −1.67 days, 95% CI −2.31 to −1.03, respectively). Immunonutrition reduced infective complications (risk ratio (RR) 0.64 95% CI 0.40 to 1.01) and IMT, and exercise reduced postoperative pulmonary complications (RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.80, and RR 0.54, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.75, respectively). Smoking cessation interventions reduced wound infections (RR 0.28, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.64).

Conclusions

Some prehabilitation interventions may reduce postoperative LoS and complications but the quality of the evidence was low.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42015019191.
Understanding transnational healthcare use in immigrant communities from a cultural systems perspective: a qualitative study of Dutch residents with a Turkish background
Authors: Şekercan Aydin , Harting Janneke , Peters Ron J G , Stronks Karien
Published: September 2021

Objectives

Transnational utilisation of healthcare by people with an immigrant background carries risks, including medicalisation and adverse iatrogenic outcomes. We investigated the drivers behind such transnational healthcare use from a cultural perspective on health systems.

Design

Qualitative interview study (2018).

Setting

Two primary care practices in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Participants

Thirteen Dutch patients of Turkish background, who had obtained healthcare in Turkey, and who in general visited the primary care practice more than once a month.

Results

In the respondents’ stories, we observed how: (1) cross-border healthcare use was encouraged by cultural mismatches between expected and provided services and by differing explanatory models of illness upheld by patients and Dutch providers; (2) both transnationalism in patients and entitlements to insurance reimbursement facilitated the use of Turkish health services to bypass perceived barriers in the Dutch system; (3) cultural mismatches were reinforced during general practitioner consultations after the patients’ return to the Netherlands, thereby inducing further service use abroad.

Conclusions

Although cultural system influences are difficult to bridge, measures to reduce the unwelcome consequences of transnational healthcare use may include (1) strengthening the provision of culturally sensitive care in the country of residence and (2) restricting the reimbursement of care in the country of origin while maintaining the option to obtain care abroad.
Men and sexual and reproductive healthcare in the Nordic countries: a scoping review
Authors: Baroudi Mazen , Stoor Jon Petter , Blåhed Hanna , Edin Kerstin , Hurtig Anna-Karin
Published: September 2021

Context

Men generally seek healthcare less often than women and, other than traditional gender norms, less is known about the explanation. The aim was to identify knowledge gaps and factors influencing men regarding sexual and reproductive healthcare (SRHC) in the Nordic countries.

Methods

We searched PubMed and SveMed+ for peer-reviewed articles published between January 2010 and May 2020. The analyses identified factors influencing men’s experiences of and access to SRHC.

Results

The majority of the 68 articles included focused on pregnancy, birth, infertility and sexually transmitted infections including HIV. During pregnancy and childbirth, men were treated as accompanying partners rather than individuals with their own needs. The knowledge and attitudes of healthcare providers were crucial for their ability to provide SRHC and for the experiences of men. Organisational obstacles, such as women-centred SRHC and no assigned healthcare profession for men’s sexual and reproductive health issues, hindered men’s access to SRHC. Lastly, the literature rarely discussed the impact of health policies on men’s access to SRHC.

Conclusions

The literature lacked the perspectives of specific groups of men such as migrants, men who have sex with men and transmen, as well as the experiences of men in SRHC related to sexual function, contraceptive use and gender-based violence. These knowledge gaps, taken together with the lack of a clear entry point for men into SRHC, indicate the necessity of an improved health and medical education of healthcare providers, as well as of health system interventions.
Implementation of serological and molecular tools to inform COVID-19 patient management: protocol for the GENCOV prospective cohort study
Authors: Taher Jennifer , Mighton Chloe , Chowdhary Sunakshi , Casalino Selina , Frangione Erika , Arnoldo Saranya , Bearss Erin , Binnie Alexandra , Bombard Yvonne , Borgundvaag Bjug , Chertkow Howard , Clausen Marc , Devine Luke , Faghfoury Hanna , Friedman Steven Marc , Gingras Anne-Claude , Khan Zeeshan , Mazzulli Tony , McGeer Allison , McLeod Shelley L , Pugh Trevor J , Richardson David , Simpson Jared , Stern Seth , Strug Lisa , Taher Ahmed , Lerner-Ellis Jordan
Published: September 2021

Introduction

There is considerable variability in symptoms and severity of COVID-19 among patients infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Linking host and virus genome sequence information to antibody response and biological information may identify patient or viral characteristics associated with poor and favourable outcomes. This study aims to (1) identify characteristics of the antibody response that result in maintained immune response and better outcomes, (2) determine the impact of genetic differences on infection severity and immune response, (3) determine the impact of viral lineage on antibody response and patient outcomes and (4) evaluate patient-reported outcomes of receiving host genome, antibody and viral lineage results.

Methods and analysis

A prospective, observational cohort study is being conducted among adult patients with COVID-19 in the Greater Toronto Area. Blood samples are collected at baseline (during infection) and 1, 6 and 12 months after diagnosis. Serial antibody titres, isotype, antigen target and viral neutralisation will be assessed. Clinical data will be collected from chart reviews and patient surveys. Host genomes and T-cell and B-cell receptors will be sequenced. Viral genomes will be sequenced to identify viral lineage. Regression models will be used to test associations between antibody response, physiological response, genetic markers and patient outcomes. Pathogenic genomic variants related to disease severity, or negative outcomes will be identified and genome wide association will be conducted. Immune repertoire diversity during infection will be correlated with severity of COVID-19 symptoms and human leucocyte antigen-type associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Participants can learn their genome sequencing, antibody and viral sequencing results; patient-reported outcomes of receiving this information will be assessed through surveys and qualitative interviews.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was approved by Clinical Trials Ontario Streamlined Ethics Review System (CTO Project ID: 3302) and the research ethics boards at participating hospitals. Study findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and end-users.
An Evaluation of the Medical Training Application Service as Experienced by Defence Medical Service Medical Officers
Authors: Owen J. P.
Published: September 2021

Objectives

In 2007 Defence Medical Service (DMS) Medical Officers (MOs) applying to train within hospital based specialities were selected using the Medical Training Application Service (MTAS). Recognising the problems being reported about MTAS, the Defence Postgraduate Medical Deanery (DPMD) conducted an evaluation in order to assess whether DMS MOs had also experienced problems with the MTAS process.

Methods

DMS MO applicants were sent an email questionnaire, requesting both graded (Likert scale) and narrative responses, to gauge their opinion about the application service. The questionnaire covered the technical aspects of the process, the support available and the ability to demonstrate appropriate knowledge and skills.

Results

Only 42 responses (32%) were received. However, having considered areas of potential bias, the graded questionnaire results and thematic analysis of the narrative responses showed a clear consensus amongst the applicants in many areas. More than three quarters (78%) of DMS applicants criticised the opportunity to record their abilities and achievements, and 91 % recorded that the questions were unable to differentiate between candidates. These views were mirrored in the narrative responses, with more than 130 statements covering five topic areas highlighting areas for improvement. Strong support was recorded for the work and advice provided by DPMD in support of the candidates.

Conclusions

DMS MOs presented very negative opinions of their experiences of MTAS, highlighting their perceptions that they were unable to record their particular skills and experiences and that the questions were unable to discriminate between specialties. Particular difficulties were reported in presenting non-NHS experiences and skills.
Sea of bodies: a medical discourse of the refugee crisis inTears of Salt: A Doctor’s Story
Authors: Asaad Lava , Spencer Matthew
Published: September 2021

In the memoirTears of Salt: A Doctor’s Story, Pietro Bartolo (2018) relates visceral descriptions of illness, injury and death endured by refugees on their journey of escape to the shores of Lampedusa in the Mediterranean. The medical gaze of the doctor/author further complicates the political and philosophical discourse of mass migration, foregrounding and calling into question the myriad ways in which the migrating human body is subjugated to forms of structural violence that render it ungrievable and inhuman. The migrating body, a production of and outcast from nation-states, is destined to make its way to news outlets where its suffering is gazed upon, sympathised with and later forgotten about. The surge of images revealing the realities of migrating bodies afflicted with pain, disease, trauma and sexual assault is illustrative of the asymmetric power of biopolitics at work, in which some bodies are, according to the formulations of Judith Butler and Giorgio Agamben, allowed to die or made killable. This paper will examine issues of illness, death and dying in relation to Bartolo’s accounts of refugees in order to observe what is gained and what is lost in applying a medical gaze to the ‘refugee crisis’. In addition to the memoir, we examine the scholarship of violence against the refugee body, the realities of ignoring their pain and how these exploited bodies are portrayed within a global narrative. This article reconfigures the detachment between the human as a socially constructed centre of subjectivity and the body in pain. The corporeality of illness and death that migrants face positions them in an abject position and distances them farther from the rhetoric of human rights. The ontological being of these individuals in medical discourse rarely goes beyond acknowledging that it is normal and expected for these bodies to be in pain. In what ways can we in the humanities gear the discussion towards the raw physicality of fragmentation, distortion and rejection of refugees and immigrants? What role can such a view play in building an ethic of lasting care for the dispossessed? Our research addresses these questions through our reading of the memoir.
Nonseparable CCR algebras
Authors: Farah Ilijas , Manhal Najla
Published: September 2021

Extending a result of the first author and Katsura, we prove that for every UHF algebra [Formula: see text] of infinite type, in every uncountable cardinality [Formula: see text] there are [Formula: see text] nonisomorphic approximately matricial C*-algebras with the same [Formula: see text] group as [Formula: see text]. These algebras are group C*-algebras “twisted” by prescribed canonical commutation relations (CCR), and they can also be considered as nonseparable generalizations of noncommutative tori.
Link prediction based on heterogeneous degree penalization with extending neighbors and clustering coefficient
Authors: Song Rongrong , Ling Guang , Fan Qingju , Ge Ming-Feng , Wang Fang
Published: September 2021

Link prediction, aiming to find missing links in a current network or to predict some possible new links in a future network, is a challenging problem in complex networks. Many existing link prediction algorithms perform the task by optimizing the node similarity measures, and then determining the possibility of the link between any pair of similar nodes. In this paper, we propose a novel node similarity index named heterogeneous degree penalization (HDP), which incorporates the quasi-local structure information of extending neighborhood of each pair of nodes to be predicted and the clustering coefficient of their common neighbors. For specific networks with different statistical properties, we can achieve a good performance of link prediction through adjusting the penalty weights. The experiment results show that, comparing with the other existing approaches, the proposed method can remarkably improve the accuracy of link prediction.
DYNAMIC CONNECTEDNESS OF FINANCIAL STRESS ACROSS ADVANCED AND EMERGING ECONOMIES: EVIDENCE FROM TIME AND FREQUENCY DOMAINS
Authors: LONG TRINH QUANG , NGUYEN LAN HOANG , MORGAN PETER J.
Published: September 2021

This study analyzes the dynamic connectedness (i.e., spillovers and spillbacks) of financial stress across advanced and emerging economies. As proxy for financial stress, we reconstruct the financial stress index (FSI) for 16 advanced economies and 15 emerging economies from January 1997 to August 2020. The constructed FSIs reflect combined stress level in banking sectors, equity markets, capital markets and exchange rate markets. Using frameworks proposed by Diebold and Yilmaz (Better to give than to receive: Predictive directional measurement of volatility spillovers. International Journal of Forecasting, 28(1), 57–66) and Baruník and Křehlík (Measuring the frequency dynamics of financial connectedness and systemic risk. Journal of Financial Econometrics, 16(2), 271–296), we find that there is strong connectedness of financial stress across economies. Moreover, the connectedness of the financial stress is stronger after the global financial crisis and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the spillover of shocks is strongest in the short-term horizon, the spillovers in the longer-term horizons are not trivial. Our results also show that the US is the largest shock transmitter as well as one of the largest shock receivers. Our results also suggest that shocks originating in advanced economies have strong effects on other economies, but shocks originating in emerging economies also play an increasing role. Global factors such as global economic policy uncertainty and geopolitical risks influence the magnitude of the spillover of financial stress.
Design and Optimization of Parallel Algorithm for Kalman Filter on SW26010 Many-Core Processors
Authors: Yang Aiqiang
Published: September 2021

Kalman filter algorithm, an effective data processing algorithm, has been widely used in space monitoring, wireless communications, tracking systems, financial industry, big data and so on. On Sunway TaihuLight platform, we present an optimized Kalman filter parallel algorithm which is according to new architecture of the SW26010 many-core processors (260 cores) and new programming mode (master and slave heterogeneous collaboration mode). Furthermore, we propose a pipelined parallel mode for Kalman filter algorithm based on seven-level pipeline of SW26010 processor. The vector optimization strategy and double buffering mechanisms are provided to improve parallel efficiency of Kalman filter parallel algorithm on SW26010 processors. The vector optimization strategy can improve data concurrency in parallel computing. In addition, the communication time can be hidden by double buffering mechanisms of SW26010 processors. The experimental results show that the performance and scalability of the parallel Kalman filter algorithm based on SW26010 are greatly improved compared with the CPU algorithm for five data sets, and is also improved compared to the algorithm on GPU.
The Gordian complex of theta-curves
Authors: Joshi Sahil , Prabhakar Madeti
Published: September 2021

In this paper, we study the Gordian metric on the set of all theta-curves and give a lower bound of it. We define the Gordian complex of theta-curves, which is a simplicial complex whose vertices consist of all theta-curves in the 3-dimensional Euclidean space [Formula: see text]. We show that for any given theta-curve [Formula: see text], there exists an infinite family of theta-curves containing [Formula: see text] such that the Gordian distance between any two distinct members of this family is equal to one.
The reduced Dijkgraaf–Witten invariant of double twist knots in the Bloch group of 𝔽p
Authors: Karuo Hiroaki
Published: September 2021

In 2004, Neumann showed that the complex hyperbolic volume of a hyperbolic 3-manifold [Formula: see text] can be obtained as the image of the Dijkgraaf–Witten invariant of [Formula: see text] by a certain 3-cocycle. After that, Zickert gave an analogue of Neumann’s work for free fields containing finite fields. The author formulated a geometric method to calculate a weaker version of Zickert’s analogue, called the reduced Dijkgraaf–Witten invariant, for finite fields and gave a formula for twist knot complements and [Formula: see text] in his previous work. In this paper, we show concretely how to calculate the reduced Dijkgraaf–Witten invariants of double twist knot complements and [Formula: see text], and give a formula of them for [Formula: see text].
Quantum field theory with boundary conditions at the horizons
Authors: ’t Hooft Gerard
Published: September 2021

A procedure to derive a unitary evolution law for a quantised black hole has been proposed by the author. The proposal implies several assumptions, which seem almost unavoidable to this author. We start off with the question how to describe the energy eigenstates of a black hole. The background metric required for this cannot be the Vaidya metric let alone the metric proposed by Hawking, who included the effect of the final evaporation of the black hole. This however leads to the formation if firewalls at both the future and the past event horizon, unless one anticipates the effects that the firewalls have. These effects can be handled as new boundary conditions at the horizons, describing the flow of the participating particles. It is subsequently explained how these boundary conditions must involve the antipodes of the outside world. Imposing unitarity and continuity then automatically leads to a unique, unitary evolution operator. We exhibit the resulting, quite coherent picture.
Study of nonlocality effects in direct capture reactions with Lagrange-mesh R-matrix method
Authors: Phuc Nguyen Hoang , Phuc Nguyen Tri Toan , Cuong Do Cong
Published: September 2021

We apply the Lagrange-mesh [Formula: see text]-matrix method to calculate the [Formula: see text]-factor for the [Formula: see text]C[Formula: see text]N and [Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text]F direct radiative capture reactions. By comparing the astrophysical [Formula: see text]-factors calculated with nonlocal and local potentials, we investigate the nonlocality effects coming from the nuclear potentials in the direct capture reactions. Our calculations are in good agreement with the experimental data and indicate a nonnegligible difference in the results of local and nonlocal potentials. The use of small diffuseness narrow potentials also provides a remarkably good fit in the case with multiple broad resonances. Our findings suggest that the nonlocal potential improves the calculated results although the difference between the local and nonlocal potentials is smaller than uncertainties from other sources. We propose the nonlocality potential should be used in the potential model calculation of future astrophysics rates evaluation.
USER-ORIENTED INTELLIGENCE MINING UNDER THE EXISTENCE OF SOLUTIONS TO INTEGRAL BOUNDARY VALUE PROBLEMS FOR FUZZY PARTIAL FRACTIONAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
Authors: WU SHAOFEI , SHARAF SANAA , XU WEI
Published: September 2021

In order to accurately perceive user intention and improve the reliability of user intention information mining, the existence of solution of integral boundary value problem of fuzzy partial fractional differential equation is used to mine the information of user intention. Firstly, the periodic boundary value problem of fractional order fuzzy linear differential equation, periodic boundary value problem of fractional order fuzzy nonlinear differential equation and periodic boundary value problem of fractional order fuzzy coupled differential system are described in this research. The existence of the solution of the integral boundary value problem of the fuzzy partial fractional order differential equation is proved. Then a user-oriented information mining framework and an evaluation model based on the existence of solutions for the integral boundary value problem of fuzzy partial fractional differential equations are constructed. Finally, this research makes a case study and a comprehensive evaluation of user-oriented information mining based on the existence of solutions of integral boundary value problems for fuzzy partial fractional differential equations. The results show that the method based on the existence of the solution of the integral boundary value problem of fuzzy partial fractional order differential equation is feasible and scientific for the information mining of user intention. It is also concluded that this method is suitable for the modelling and solving of intelligence mining with complicated and unclear user intention. The research provides a good guidance for information mining oriented to user intention.
Modeling and analysis of the transmission dynamics of mosquito-borne disease with environmental temperature fluctuation
Authors: Misra O. P. , Dhar Joydip , Sisodiya Omprakash Singh
Published: September 2021

Most of the vector-borne diseases show a clear dependence on seasonal variation, including climate change. In this paper, we proposed a nonautonomous mathematical model consisting of a periodic system of nonlinear differential equations. In the proposed model, the realistic functional forms for the different temperature-dependent parameters are considered. The autonomous system of the proposed model is also analyzed. The nontrivial solution of the autonomous model is locally asymptotically stable if [Formula: see text]. It is shown that a unique endemic equilibrium point of the autonomous model exists when [Formula: see text] and proved that endemic solution is linearly stable when [Formula: see text]. The nonautonomous model is shown to have a nontrivial disease-free periodic state, which is globally asymptotically stable whenever temperature-dependent reproduction number is less than unity. It is observed that a unique positive endemic periodic solution of the nonautonomous system exists only when a temperature-dependent reproduction number greater than unity, which makes for the persistence of the disease. Numerical simulation has been carried out to support the analytical results and shows the effects of temperature variability in the life span of mosquitoes as well as the persistence of the disease.
NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) SHOCK AND REVERBERATIONS IN PAKISTAN
Authors: AHMED ATHER MAQSOOD , ALI IRFAN
Published: September 2021

Nearly a century after the Spanish flu of 1918, the world is confronting reverberations of the pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus, labeled as COVID-19. As time passes, there has been a serious loss of life and well-being all across the world. According to the latest data issued by the Johns Hopkins University, more than 185 million people have been infected and slightly over 4 million people have already lost their lives. With some respite during the July–October 2020 period, the world economy is once again plunging down as a result of subsequent waves of the pandemic. According to the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the world GDP has already suffered a loss in the range of US$8–12 trillion due to disruptions in economic activities. Even though Pakistan is among those countries where a relatively mild health-related impact was recorded during the first wave, the situation is fast deteriorating on the health and economic fronts with the severity of the latest wave. The objective of this study is to capture the impact of COVID-19 on the healthcare system and the economy of Pakistan. In particular, an attempt has been made to understand how this new normal situation has encouraged e-commerce (online) commercial and trade activities, on the one hand, and inculcated the concept of work from home among the corporate and public sector employees, on the other. The initial evidence confirms that despite a limited support from the formal banking and financial sector due to insufficient financial deepening, the commerce and trade sector has recorded a substantial growth in its online transactions. Moreover, in view of the contagion hazard, a large number of corporate entities and most of the education sector employees have been allowed to work from home thereby challenging the orthodoxy about shirking and mistrust.
On the Impact of Affine Loop Transformations in Qubit Allocation
Authors: Kong Martin
Published: September 2021

Most quantum compiler transformations and qubit allocation techniques to date are either peep-hole focused or rely on sliding windows that depend on a number of external parameters including the topology of the quantum processor. Thus, global optimization criteria are still lacking.

In this article, we explore the synergies and impact of affine loop transformations in the context of qubit allocation and mapping. With this goal in mind, we designed and implemented

AXL

, a domain specific language and source-to-source compiler for quantum circuits that can be directly described with affine relations. We conduct an extensive evaluation spanning circuits from the recently introduced QUEKO benchmark suite, eight quantum circuits taken from the literature, three distinct coupling graphs, four affine transformations (including the Pluto dependence distance minimization and Feautrier’s minimum latency algorithms), four qubit allocators, and two back-end quantum compilers. Our results demonstrate that affine transformations using global optimization criteria can cooperate effectively in several scenarios with quantum qubit mapping algorithms to reduce the circuit depth, size and allocation time.