922017 research outputs found
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Multilevel modelling approach to analysing life course socioeconomic status and understanding missingness
No full textThis paper investigated the extent to which parental socioeconomic status was associated with life course socioeconomic status heterogeneity between adult cohort members of the 1958 National Child Development Study and how this association differed depending on methods used to address longitudinal missing data. We compared three variants of the full information maximum likelihood approach, namely available case, complete case and partially observed case and two methods designed to compensate for missing at random data, namely multilevel multiple imputation and multiple imputation chained equations. Our results highlighted the important contribution of parental socioeconomic status in explaining the divergence in achieved socioeconomic status over the adult life course, how the available case approach increasingly overestimated socioeconomic attainment as age increased and survey sample size decreased, and how the complete case approach downwardly biased the effect of parental socioeconomic status on adult socioeconomic status
Hypnotic suggestibility in dissociative and related disorders: A meta-analysis
No full textElevated responsiveness to verbal suggestions is hypothesized to represent a predisposing factor for dissociative disorders (DDs) and related conditions. However, the magnitude of this effect has not been estimated in these populations nor has the potential moderating influence of methodological limitations on effect size variability across studies. This study assessed whether patients with DDs, trauma- and stressor-related disorders (TSDs), and functional neurological disorder (FND) display elevated hypnotic suggestibility. A systematic literature search identified 20 datasets. A random-effects meta-analysis revealed that patients displayed greater hypnotic suggestibility than controls, Hedges’s g=0.92 [0.66, 1.18]. This effect was observed in all subgroups but was most pronounced in the DDs. Although there was some evidence for publication bias, a bias-corrected estimate of the group effect remained significant, g=0.57 [0.30, 0.85]. Moderation analyses did not yield evidence for a link between effect sizes and methodological limitations. These results demonstrate that DDs and related conditions are characterized by elevated hypnotic suggestibility and have implications for the mechanisms, risk factors, and treatment of dissociative psychopathology. Keywords: dissociation; hypnotizability; post-traumatic stress disorder; suggestion; trauma<br/
Advancing OHL Rating Calculations: Modeling Mixed-Convective Cooling and Conductor Geometry
No full textThe existing standard current-temperature calculations for overhead line (OHL) conductors have been adequate for conventional conductors and their operating temperatures. However, these calculations make assumptions and include simplifications about conductor geometry and aero-thermal-dynamics, introducing an error in the High-Temperature Low-Sag conductors operating temperatures. To quantify the error introduced by the shape of strands, the paper employs a Multi-Physics Finite Element Modeling approach that calculates the conjugate heat transfer for trapezoidal stranded OHL conductors. Furthermore, it proposes corrective equations to improve the accuracy of existing methods. The equations incorporate a new Nusselt number correlation for mixed convection and capture the surface area ignored by current calculations. The outer conductor geometry assumptions and the combined natural and forced convective cooling omission in the IEEE and CIGRE methods introduce an error at low (below 0.12 m/s) cross-flow wind speeds suggesting an underestimation of conductor temperature by up to 4%. In medium wind speeds, typically at 0.5 m/s - 0.61 m/s, the standard methods overestimate the conductor temperature limiting its current-carrying capability. A 5% uprating for existing OHLs is potentially feasible, particularly for the trapezoidal stranded conductors, when removing the assumptions made in existing methods
A review of the DTaP-IPV-HB-PRP-T Hexavalent vaccine in pediatric patients
No full textIntroduction: Hexaxim is a hexavalent vaccine approved in 2013 for use the EU as primary and booster vaccination in infants 6 weeks and older, protecting against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type b.Areas Covered: To evaluate the immunogenicity and reactogenicity (safety) of Hexaxim (Hexyon, Hexacima) in primary and booster vaccine schedules; long-term antibody persistence; concomitant use with other childhood vaccines and use in immunocompromised infants. Hexaxim was found to be noninferior to other hexavalent vaccines on the market, being highly immunogenic for all toxoids/antigens and with an acceptable safety profile. It can be administered concomitantly with other childhood vaccines and provides long lasting immune protection against all diseases, including hepatitis B. Hexaxim can be given as a booster for infants primed with Infanrix Hexa and can be given in a pentavalent-hexavalent-pentavalent series. Hexaxim elicits a similar immune response and safety profile in Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive infants. It has the benefit of being a ready to use liquid formulation, minimising dosage errors and preparation time.Expert Opinion: Hexaxim has an acceptable safety profile and provides immunity against all six targeted diseases, including long lasting hepatitis B antibody persistence. It is an acceptable alternative to other hexavalent vaccines on the market. Further studies are required on the use in immunocompromised patients as well as the antibody persistence of each of the vaccine components
A genotype-first approach in carriers of CDH1 rare germline variants: a European Reference Network on Genetic Tumour Risk Syndromes (ERN-GENTURIS) multicentre study
No full textBackgroundTruncating CDH1 pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants (PV/LPV) cause Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer (HDGC), predisposing to diffuse gastric (DGC) and to lobular breast cancer (LBC). Rare CDH1 missense variants often classify as variants of unknown significance (VUS). We conducted a genotype-phenotype analysis in CDH1 rare-variant carrier families, comparing the cancer landscape of PV/LPV and missense-VUS, assessing frequency of LBC-centered families among PV/LPV carrier families, and testing performance of LBC-expanded criteria for CDH1 testing.MethodsThis genotype-first study used retrospective diagnostic and clinical data from 854 carriers of 398 CDH1 rare-variants and 1021 relatives, irrespective of HDGC clinical criteria, from ten European Reference Network on Tumour Risk Syndromes (ERN-GENTURIS) countries. Variants were classified for molecular type and clinical actionability with ACMG/AMP CDH1 guidelines v2. Families were categorized for compliance with 2015 and 2020 HDGC clinical criteria. From 1971 phenotypes (probands and relatives aged 1-93 years), 460 had gastric and breast cancer histology available. Genotype-phenotype associations were analysed by student’s t-test, Kruskal Wallis, chi-square and multivariable logistic regression models. Performance of HDGC clinical criteria sets were tested with equivalence test, Youden index, and the Area Under the Curve (AUC) of the Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were compared with Z-test.FindingsCDH1-truncating PV/LPV occurred in 176/854 (21%) and missense-VUS in 169/854 (20%) families. Multivariable logistic regression comparing phenotypes presented by PV/LPVs and Missense-VUS carrier families showed that LBC has the greatest positive-association with presence of PV/LPVs (OR=12·4, 95% CI [2·66-57·7], p=0·0014), followed by DGC (8·00, 95%; [2·18-29·4], p=0·0017) and gastric cancer (GC) (7·81, 95%, [2·03-30·0], p=0·0027). 136/176 (77%) PV/LPV carrying families fulfilled HDGC 2015 criteria and 40/176 (23%) did not. 11/40 fulfilled 2020 HDGC criteria, and 18/40 presented LBC-only or LBC+GC, but no criteria. No specific CDH1 variant seemed predisposing specifically to LBC, although 7% (12/176) of all PV/LPV-carrier families were LBC-only. Addition of three new LBC-centered criteria improved testing sensitivity while retaining high specificity. Probability of finding CDH1 PV/LPV in patients fulfilling LBC-expanded criteria compared to former criteria increased significantly (AUC: 0·92 vs. 0·88; z-score=3·536; p<0·0001).InterpretationCDH1 PV/LPV are positively associated with HDGC-related phenotypes (LBC, DGC and GC), and no evidence for a positive association was found for CDH1 missense-VUS. CDH1 PV/LPV occurred often in LBC-enriched families lacking 2020 HDGC criteria, supporting the expansion of LBC-centered criteria
Vortex collision against static and spinning round cylinders: A lattice Boltzmann study
No full textIn this paper, the flow physics generated by the collision of a vortex dipole that moves against a spinning round cylinder is investigated numerically. Fluid dynamics is predicted by a combined central-moments-based lattice Boltzmann-immersed boundary method. First, the model is validated against well established consolidated benchmark problems, showing very high accuracy properties. Then, results from a comprehensive numerical campaign are presented. A wide set of values of the Reynolds number (Re) is investigated, ranging from 10 to 1000. The cylinder is forced to spin around its centre with different angular velocities, which are obtained by varying the spinning number(Sp) between 0 (corresponding to the static case) and 0.75. The generation of secondary vortices as a consequence of the impact is elucidated and linked to the time evolution of the kinetic energy, enstrophy and hydrodynamic forces. Interestingly, we find that the flow physics changes drastically when Re ≥ 250, independently from the value of Sp. Through a closer look at the vorticity field, we find that the impact creates two primary-secondary structures and a second impingement takes place when Re ≥ 250. Interestingly, the normalised drag force (𝐶𝑑) is found to constantly fluctuates around a mean value. Oscillations are due to the vorticity created by the rotation of the cylinder and are moreemphasised as Sp grows. Specifically, 𝐶𝑑 can achieve marked negative values as a consequence of thevelocity field created by the cylinder during its rotation.<br/
Antiracism CoaliTION in Pain Research (ACTION-PR): Guiding Principles for Equity in Reporting
No full textLong-term antibody response following COVID-19 vaccination in patients receiving peritoneal dialysis
No full textPeople in a Pandemic: Rethinking the role of ‘Community’ in Community Resilience Practices
No full textHow has the idea of community featured in attempts to build resilience to emergencies? The paper explores this question by presenting evidence from interviews with emergency responders across the world in the midst of the early and uncertain phases of the Covid-19 pandemic. Although reflecting different contexts, we discern two ways in which the notion of community featured in authorities’ narrations of their efforts to respond to the pandemic. Firstly, we demonstrate how community was deployed as a discursive mechanism that offered a particular framing of the vulnerabilities the pandemic instigated. Departing from accounts that reduce people’s identities to demographic categories, the deployment of community stressed that the pandemic’s effects should be understood by the different, yet coexistent, vulnerabilities it brought to the surface for people. Such renditions of vulnerability paved the way for styles of governance that prioritised adapting to the pandemic’s uncertain and indeterminate unfolding in the absence of prepared plans. Secondly, addressing a register of collective social life between individuals and the state, an emphasis on community engendered the decentralised arrangement of emergency governance with which resilience has become synonymous. Here, community proved pivotal in temporarily expanding resources to deal with an emergency whose effects threatened to exceed governments’ pre-existing capabilities. We substantiate this claim through examining how allusions to community worked to enrol non-state based efforts at response into a broader public security apparatus. Enveloped within the broader politics of emergency resilience, community shaped how the pandemic’s effects were understood whilst also ensuring adequate provisions for its governance
Selective laser melting of Er modified AlSi7Mg alloy: Effect of processing parameters on forming quality, microstructure and mechanical properties
No full textSelective Laser Melting (SLM) was used to fabricate Erbium-modified AlSi7Mg alloy. The work aims to investigate the effects of laser volumetric energy density and focus shift on surface quality, internal defects and microstructure during the SLM process. Based on the optimized process parameters, the effect of rare earth element Er to AlSi7Mg alloy on its microstructure and mechanical properties were studied. With a raise of volumetric energy density, the size of aluminum sub-cells increases, and the high energy density promotes the in-situ precipitation of supersaturated silicon elements in the form of dispersed silicon particles. It was thought that the laser focus shift could change the energy density and the molten pool size, which affected the internal defects and the size of sub-cells plus eutectic silicon particles. The alloy (A357 + 0.2Er wt.%) fabricated by SLM was operating with the optimized processing parameters, then a small amount of equiaxed grains were formed at the boundary of the molten pool, which would promote the refinement of columnar grains and improve the mechanical properties. Meanwhile, the yield strength was 297 MPa, the tensile strength was 441 MPa and the elongation was 8%