bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of paediatric long-term ventilation incidents in the community
Authors: Nawaz Rasanat Fatima , Page Bethan , Harrop Emily , Vincent Charles A 
Published: December 2019

AimTo describe the nature and causes of reported patient safety incidents relating to care in the community for children dependent on long-term ventilation with the further aim of improving safety.MethodsWe undertook an analysis of patient safety incident data relating to long-term ventilation in the community using incident reports from England and Wales’ National Reporting and Learning System occurring between January 2013 and December 2017. Manual screening by two authors identified 220 incidents which met the inclusion criteria. The free text for each report was descriptively analysed to identify the problems in the delivery of care, the contributory factors and the patient outcome.ResultsCommon problems in the delivery of care included issues with faulty equipment and the availability of equipment, and concerns around staff competency. There was a clearly stated harm to the child in 89 incidents (40%). Contributory factors included staff shortages, out of hours care, and issues with packaging and instructions for equipment.ConclusionsThis study identifies a range of problems relating to long-term ventilation in the community, some of which raise serious safety concerns. The provision of services to support children on long-term ventilation and their families needs to improve. Priorities include training of staff, maintenance and availability of equipment, support for families and coordination of care.
Q fever—the superstition of avoiding the word “quiet” as a coping mechanism: randomised controlled non-inferiority trial
Authors: Brookfield Charlotte R , Phillips Patrick P J , Shorten Robert J 
Published: December 2019

Abstract

Objective
To determine the validity of the superstition that utterance of the word “quiet” in a clinical setting increases workload.

Design
Prospective randomised controlled non-inferiority study.

Setting
Microbiology department of a large teaching hospital in Lancashire, UK.

Participants
Two members of the medical microbiology team carried out the duty work on any given week day and an on-call team member on any weekend day. 29 days were assigned in which staff were to say “Today will be a quiet day” and 32 days were assigned in which staff were to refrain from saying the word “quiet” in any context.

Interventions
Each day was randomly allocated to either saying “Today will be a quiet day” (intervention group) or refraining from saying the word “quiet” (control group) in any context.

Main outcome measures
The primary outcome was mean overall workload: a composite of number of clinically related telephone calls, clinically significant results, or validated results processed by the duty medical microbiology team during a 24 hour period referred to collectively as “clinical episodes.” A difference of 30 clinical episodes was considered as the margin of non-inferiority. Secondary outcomes included the individual components of the primary outcome.

Results
Workload was measured each day over a 61 day period (1 May to 30 June 2019). A mean 139.0 clinical episodes occurred on control days compared with 144.9 on days when the experimental intervention was uttered, a difference of 5.9 (95% confidence interval−12.9 to 24.7). The upper bound was less than the specified margin of 30, providing evidence for non-inferiority. No evidence of a difference in workload was found between interventions with any of the four components, whether considering unadjusted or adjusted analyses, or looking at the subgroups of week days or weekends.

Conclusions
The study findings refute the long held superstition that utterance of the word “quiet” impacts on clinical workload, and therefore it should not be avoided. In the era of considerable staff shortages and increased work related stress, doctors should look to other methods to increase resilience and protect their wellbeing and mental health.

Trial registration
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s research department SE-259.
Cross-sectional study of the association between long working hours and pre-diabetes: 2010-2017 Korea national health and nutrition examination survey
Authors: Baek Yunseng , Kim Minseok , Kim Gyu Ri , Park Eun-Cheol 
Published: December 2019

ObjectiveLong working hours have been shown to raise the risk of various health outcomes. However, epidemiological evidence has shown inconsistent result in relation to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and the association between long working hours and pre-diabetes among non-diabetic adults remains largely unexplored. We thus aimed to investigate whether long working hours were linked with pre-diabetes as determined by glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level.DesignCross-sectional survey.ParticipantsThis study included 6324 men and 4001 women without diabetes from the 2010 to 2017 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.Primary outcome measuresThe study outcome of interest was pre-diabetes, defined as HbA1c values 5.7% to 6.4%ResultsLogistic regression was performed to obtain the ORs for pre-diabetes according to categories of work hour (40 hours/week, 41 to 52 hours/week, >52 hours/week), after adjusting for relevant covariates. Of the 10 325 eligible participants, 2261 (34.4%) men and 1317 (31.0%) women had pre-diabetes. No statistically significant relationship was found for women. In men, extended working hours (>52 hours per week) was associated with an increased likelihood of pre-diabetes, after adjustment for age, educational attainment, monthly household income, lifestyle related factors, perceived stress, family history of diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and other covariates (adjusted OR=1.22; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.46). In the subgroup analysis by occupational categories, the association was only apparent among men in blue-collar worker groups.ConclusionExtended working hours were significantly related to pre-diabetes in men, with no statistically significant association observed for women. Further subgroup analysis by occupational categories revealed that the increased odds of pre-diabetes associated with long working hours was only apparent among male workers of blue-collar occupations and shift workers.
Impact of repeated simulation on learning curve characteristics of residents exposed to rare life threatening situations
Authors: E J Sree Kumar , Purva Makani , Chander M Sarat , Parameswari Aruna 
Published: December 2019

BackgroundLittle is known about the learning curve characteristics of residents undertaking simulation-based education. It is important to understand the time for acquisition and decay of knowledge and skills needed to manage rare and difficult clinical situations.MethodTen anaesthesiology residents underwent simulation-based education to manage a cannot intubate cannot ventilate scenario during general anaesthesia for caesarean section. Their performance was measured using an assessment tool and debriefed by two experienced anaesthesiologists. The parameters against which the performance was judged were grouped into preoperative assessment, preoperative patient care, equipment availability, induction sequence, communication and adherence to airway algorithm protocol. The scenario was repeated at 6 and 12 months thereafter. The residents’ acquisition of knowledge, technical and non-technical skills were assessed and compared at baseline, 6 months and end of 12 months.ResultThe skills of preoperative assessment, preoperative care and communication quickly improved but the specific skill of managing a difficult airway as measured by adherence to an airway algorithm required more than 6 months (CI at 6 vs 12 months: −3.4 to –0.81, p=0.016). The skills of preoperative assessment and preoperative care improved to a higher level quickly and were retained at this improved level. Communication (CI at 0 vs 6 months: −3.78 to −0.22, p=0.045 and at 6 vs 12 months : −3.39 to −1.49, p=0.007) and difficult airway management skill were slower to improve but continued to do so over the 12 months. The compliance to machine check was more gradual and showed an improvement at 12 months.ConclusionOur study is unique in analysing the learning curve characteristics of different components of a failed obstetric airway management skill. Repeated simulations over a longer period of time help in better reinforcement, retention of knowledge, recapitulation and implementation of technical and non-technical skills.
Efficacy of faecal microbiota transplantation for patients with irritable bowel syndrome in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Authors: El-Salhy Magdy , Hatlebakk Jan Gunnar , Gilja Odd Helge , Bråthen Kristoffersen Anja , Hausken Trygve 
Published: December 2019

ObjectiveFaecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from healthy donors to patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been attempted in two previous double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. While one of those studies found improvement of the IBS symptoms, the other found no effect. The present study was conducted to clarify these contradictory findings.DesignThis randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study randomised 165 patients with IBS to placebo (own faeces), 30 g FMT or 60 g FMT at a ratio of 1:1:1. The material for FMT was obtained from one healthy, well-characterised donor, frozen and administered via gastroscope. The primary outcome was a reduction in the IBS symptoms at 3 months after FMT (response). A response was defined as a decrease of 50 or more points in the total IBS symptom score. The secondary outcome was a reduction in the dysbiosis index (DI) and a change in the intestinal bacterial profile, analysed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, at 1 month following FMT.ResultsResponses occurred in 23.6%, 76.9% (p<0.0001) and 89.1% (p<00.0001) of the patients who received placebo, 30 g FMT and 60 g FMT, respectively. These were accompanied by significant improvements in fatigue and the quality of life in patients who received FMT. The intestinal bacterial profiles changed also significantly in the groups received FMT. The FMT adverse events were mild self-limiting gastrointestinal symptoms.ConclusionsFMT is an effective treatment for patients with IBS. Utilising a well-defined donor with a normal DI and favourable specific microbial signature is essential for successful FMT. The response to FMT increases with the dose.Trial registrationwww.clinicaltrials.gov(NCT03822299) andwww.cristin.no(ID657402).
Sensory attributes of e-cigarette flavours and nicotine as mediators of interproduct differences in appeal among young adults
Authors: Leventhal Adam , Cho Junhan , Barrington-Trimis Jessica , Pang Raina , Schiff Sara , Kirkpatrick Matthew 
Published: December 2019

ObjectiveTo estimate the extent to which specific sensory attributes, for example, smoothness, mediate differences in electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) appeal between products in non-tobacco versus tobacco flavours and varying nicotine content in young adults.MethodE-cigarette users (n=100; aged 18–34 years) administered standardised two-puff e-cigarette doses of different products varying in a flavour (fruit, menthol, tobacco) × nicotine (nicotine-containing (6 mg/mL freebase), nicotine-free) within-subject design. Participants rated sensory attributes (sweetness, bitterness, smoothness and harshness) and appeal on 100-unit visual analogue scales after administering each product. Sensory ratings were tested as simultaneous mediators of flavour, nicotine and flavour × nicotine effects on appeal.ResultsAppeal preferences for fruit versus tobacco flavours were mediated by sweetness-enhancing (βindirect=0.092), smoothness-enhancing (βindirect=0.045) and bitterness-reducing (βindirect=0.072) effects of fruit flavours. Appeal preferences for menthol versus tobacco flavours were mediated by menthol’s smoothness-enhancing (βindirect=0.039) and bitterness-reducing (βindirect=0.034) effects. Lower appeal of nicotine-containing versus nicotine-free products was mediated by nicotine’s sweetness-reducing (βindirect=–0.036), smoothness-reducing (βindirect=–0.156) and bitterness-increasing (βindirect=0.045) effects. Flavour × nicotine interaction effects on appeal were explained by menthol-related suppression of nicotine’s bitterness-enhancing and sweetness-reducing mediation pathways and fruit-related suppression of nicotine’s bitterness-enhancing mediation pathway. Harshness did not mediate appeal after adjusting for other sensory attributes.ConclusionBitterness and smoothness may be cross-cutting mediators of interproduct variation in the effects of types of non-tobacco flavours and nicotine on e-cigarette appeal in young adults. Sweetness may also mediate appeal-enhancing effects of fruit and appeal-reducing effects of nicotine. Non-tobacco flavours may suppress appeal-reducing effects of nicotine in e-cigarettes through attenuation of nicotine’s aversive taste attributes.
Observational constraint on interacting Tsallis holographic dark energy in logarithmic Brans–Dicke theory
Authors: Aditya Y. , Mandal Sanjay , Sahoo P. K. , Reddy D. R. K. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn this paper, we investigate the dark energy phenomenon by studying the Tsallis holographic dark energy within the framework of Brans–Dicke (BD) scalar–tensor theory of gravity (Brans and Dicke in Phys. Rev. 124:925, 1961). In this context, we choose the BD scalar field $$\phi $$ϕ as a logarithmic function of the average scale factor a(t) and Hubble horizon as the IR cutoff ($$L=H^{-1}$$L=H-1). We reconstruct two cases of non-interacting and interacting fluid (dark sectors of cosmos) scenario. The physical behavior of the models are discussed with the help of graphical representation to explore the accelerated expansion of the universe. Moreover, the stability of the models are checked through squared sound speed $$v_s^2$$vs2. The well-known cosmological plane i.e., $$\omega _{de}-\omega ^{\prime }_{de}$$ωde-ωde′ is constructed for our models. We also include comparison of our findings of these dynamical parameters with observational constraints. It is also quite interesting to mention here that the results of deceleration, equation of state parameters and $$\omega _{de}-\omega ^{\prime }_{de}$$ωde-ωde′ plane coincide with the modern observational data.
The lattice properties of 𝔛-local formations of finite groups
Authors: Tsarev Aleksandr 
Published: December 2019

Let [Formula: see text] be a class of simple groups with a completeness property [Formula: see text]. Förster introduced the concept of [Formula: see text]-local formation in order to obtain a common extension of well-known theorems of Gaschütz–Lubeseder–Schmid and Baer [Publ. Mat. UAB 29(2–3) (1985) 39–76]. In this paper, it is proved that the lattice of all [Formula: see text]-local formations of finite groups is modular.
On the minimum degree of the power graph of a finite cyclic group
Authors: Panda Ramesh Prasad , Patra Kamal Lochan , Sahoo Binod Kumar 
Published: December 2019

The power graph [Formula: see text] of a finite group [Formula: see text] is the undirected simple graph whose vertex set is [Formula: see text], in which two distinct vertices are adjacent if one of them is an integral power of the other. For an integer [Formula: see text], let [Formula: see text] denote the cyclic group of order [Formula: see text] and let [Formula: see text] be the number of distinct prime divisors of [Formula: see text]. The minimum degree [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] is known for [Formula: see text], see [R. P. Panda and K. V. Krishna, On the minimum degree, edge-connectivity and connectivity of power graphs of finite groups, Comm. Algebra 46(7) (2018) 3182–3197]. For [Formula: see text], under certain conditions involving the prime divisors of [Formula: see text], we identify at most [Formula: see text] vertices such that [Formula: see text] is equal to the degree of at least one of these vertices. If [Formula: see text], or that [Formula: see text] is a product of distinct primes, we are able to identify two such vertices without any condition on the prime divisors of [Formula: see text].
Retracted on December 2, 2020
: On the Value of Look-Ahead in Competitive Online Convex Optimization
Authors: Shi Ming , Lin Xiaojun , Jiao Lei 
Published: December 2019

NOTICE OF RETRACTION: "On the Value of Look-Ahead in Competitive Online Convex Optimization," by Shi et al., ACM SIGMETRICS Performance Evaluation Review, Volume 47, Issue 1, Article No. 22, has been retracted at the request of the authors because they found a critical mistake in the main result Theorem 3.1.
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3376930.3376952
A New Flexible Multi-flow LRU Cache Management Paradigm for Minimizing Misses
Authors: Quan Guocong , Tan Jian , Eryilmaz Atilla , Shroff Ness 
Published: December 2019

The Least Recently Used (LRU) caching and its variants are used in large-scale data systems in order to provide high-speed data access for a wide class of applications. Nonetheless, a fundamental question still remains: in order to minimize the miss probabilities, how should the cache space be organized to serve multiple data flows? Commonly used strategies can be categorized into two designs: pooled LRU (PLRU) caching and separated LRU (SLRU) caching. However, neither of these designs can satisfactorily solve this problem. PLRU caching is easy to implement and self-adaptive, but does not often achieve optimal or even efficient performance because its set of feasible solutions are limited. SLRU caching can be statically configured to achieve optimal performance for stationary workload, which nevertheless could suffer in a dynamically changing environment and from a cold-start problem.
To this end, we propose a new insertion based pooled LRU paradigm, named I-PLRU, where the data flows can be inserted at different positions of a pooled cache. This new design can achieve the optimal performance of the static SLRU, but retains the adaptability of PLRU for resource sharing. Theoretically, we characterize the asymptotic miss probabilities of I-PLRU, and prove that, for any given SLRU design, there always exists an I-PLRU configuration that achieves the same asymptotic miss probability, and vice versa. We next design a policy to minimize the miss probabilities. However, the miss probability minimization problem turns out to be non-convex under the I-PLRU paradigm. Notably, we utilize an equivalence mapping between I-PLRU and SLRU to efficiently find the optimal I-PLRU configuration. We prove that I-PLRU outperforms PLRU and achieves the same miss probability as the optimal SLRU under a stationary request arrival process. From an engineering perspective, the flexibility of I-PLRU avoids separating the memory space, supports dynamic and refined configurations, and alleviates the cold-start problem, potentially yielding better performance than both SLRU and PLRU.
A Distributed Algorithm to Calculate Max-Min Fair Rates Without Per-Flow State
Authors: Jose Lavanya , Ibanez Stephen , Alizadeh Mohammad , McKeown Nick 
Published: December 2019

Most congestion control algorithms, like TCP, rely on a reactive control system that detects congestion, then marches carefully towards a desired operating point (e.g. by modifying the window size or adjusting a rate). In an effort to balance stability and convergence speed, they often take hundreds of RTTs to converge; an increasing problem as networks get faster, with less time to react.
This paper is about an alternative class of congestion control algorithms based on proactive-scheduling: switches and NICs "proactively" exchange control messages to run a distributed algorithm to pick "explicit rates" for each flow.We call these Proactive Explicit Rate Control (PERC) algorithms. They take as input the routing matrix and link speeds, but not a congestion signal. By exploiting information such as the number of flows at a link, they can converge an order of magnitude faster than reactive algorithms.
Global Attraction of ODE-based Mean Field Models with Hyperexponential Job Sizes
Authors: Van Houdt Benny 
Published: December 2019

Mean field modeling is a popular approach to assess the performance of large scale computer systems. The evolution of many mean field models is characterized by a set of ordinary differential equations that have a unique fixed point. In order to prove that this unique fixed point corresponds to the limit of the stationary measures of the finite systems, the unique fixed point must be a global attractor. While global attraction was established for various systems in case of exponential job sizes, it is often unclear whether these proof techniques can be generalized to non-exponential job sizes.
In this paper we show how simple monotonicity arguments can be used to prove global attraction for a broad class of ordinary differential equations that capture the evolution of mean field models with hyperexponential job sizes. This class includes both existing as well as previously unstudied load balancing schemes and can be used for systems with either finite or infinite buffers.
The main novelty of the approach exists in using a Coxian representation for the hyperexponential job sizes and a partial order that is stronger than the componentwise partial order used in the exponential case.
Hyper-Scalable JSQ with Sparse Feedback
Authors: van der Boor Mark , Borst Sem , van Leeuwaarden Johan 
Published: December 2019

Load balancing algorithms play a vital role in enhancing performance in data centers and cloud networks. Due to the massive size of these systems, scalability challenges, and especially the communication overhead associated with load balancing mechanisms, have emerged as major concerns. Motivated by these issues, we introduce and analyze a novel class of load balancing schemes where the various servers provide occasional queue updates to guide the load assignment.
We show that the proposed schemes strongly outperform JSQ(d) strategies with comparable communication overhead per job, and can achieve a vanishing waiting time in the many-server limit with just one message per job, just like the popular JIQ scheme. The proposed schemes are particularly geared however towards the sparse feedback regime with less than one message per job, where they outperform corresponding sparsified JIQ versions.
We investigate fluid limits for synchronous updates as well as asynchronous exponential update intervals. The fixed point of the fluid limit is identified in the latter case, and used to derive the queue length distribution. We also demonstrate that in the ultralow feedback regime the mean stationary waiting time tends to a constant in the synchronous case, but grows without bound in the asynchronous case.