bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correction to: Protein–protein interaction analysis reveals a novel cancer stem cell related target TMEM17 in colorectal cancer
Authors: Yu Zhao‑liang , Chen Yu‑feng , Zheng Bin , Cai Ze-rong , Zou Yi‑feng , Ke Jia , Lan Ping , Gao Feng , Wu Xiao‑jian
Published: March 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Health state utility values in major depressive disorder treated with pharmacological interventions: a systematic literature review
Authors: Brockbank James , Krause Taryn , Moss Emily , Pedersen Anne Milthers , Mørup Michael Frank , Ahdesmäki Outi , Vaughan Jake , Brodtkorb Thor-Henrik
Published: March 2021

Background

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with decreased patient well-being and symptoms that can cause substantial impairments in patient functioning and even lead to suicide. Worldwide, MDD currently causes the second-most years lived with disability and is predicted to become the leading cause of disability by 2030. Utility values, capturing patient quality of life, are required in economic evaluations for new treatments undergoing reimbursement submissions. We aimed to identify health state utility values (HSUVs) and disutilities in MDD for use in future economic evaluations of pharmacological treatments.

Methods

Embase, PubMed, Econlit, and Cochrane databases, plus gray literature, were searched from January 1998 to December 21, 2018, with no language or geographical restrictions, for relevant studies that reported HSUVs and disutilities for patients with MDD receiving pharmacological interventions.

Results

443 studies were identified; 79 met the inclusion criteria. We focused on a subgroup of 28 articles that reported primary utility data from 16 unique studies of MDD treated with pharmacological interventions. HSUVs were elicited using EQ-5D (13/16, 81%; EQ-5D-3L: 11/16, 69%; EQ-5D-3L or EQ-5D-5L not specified: 2/16), EQ-VAS (5/16, 31%), and standard gamble (1/16, 6%). Most studies reported baseline HSUVs defined by study entry criteria. HSUVs for a first or recurrent major depressive episode (MDE) ranged from 0.33 to 0.544 and expanded from 0.2 to 0.61 for patients with and without painful physical symptoms, respectively. HSUVs for an MDE with inadequate treatment response ranged from 0.337 to 0.449. Three studies reported HSUVs defined by MADRS or HAMD-17 clinical thresholds. There was a large amount of heterogeneity in patient characteristics between the studies. One study reported disutility estimates associated with treatment side effects.

Conclusions

Published HSUVs in MDD, elicited using methods accepted by health technology assessment bodies, are available for future economic evaluations. However, the evidence base is limited, and it is important to select appropriate HSUVs for the intervention being evaluated and that align with clinical health state definitions used within an economic model. Future studies are recommended to elicit HSUVs for new treatments and their side effects and add to the existing evidence where data are lacking.
Translating evidence into practice: a longitudinal qualitative exploration of allied health decision-making
Authors: White Jennifer , Grant Kellie , Sarkies Mitchell , Haines Terrence ,   Evidence Translation in Allied Health (EviTAH) Group, Morris Meg E. , Carey Leeanne , Taylor Nicholas F. , Holland Anne E. , Bardoel Anne , Williams Cylie , O’Brien Lisa , Skinner Elizabeth H. , Martin Jenny
Published: March 2021

Background

Health policy and management decisions rarely reflect research evidence. As part of a broader randomized controlled study exploring implementation science strategies we examined how allied health managers respond to two distinct recommendations and the evidence that supports them.

Methods

A qualitative study nested in a larger randomized controlled trial. Allied health managers across Australia and New Zealand who were responsible for weekend allied health resource allocation decisions towards the provision of inpatient service to acute general medical and surgical wards, and subacute rehabilitation wards were eligible for inclusion. Consenting participants were randomized to (1) control group or (2) implementation group 1, which received an evidence-based policy recommendation document guiding weekend allied health resource allocation decisions, or (3) implementation group 2, which received the same policy recommendation document guiding weekend allied health resource allocation decisions with support from a knowledge broker. As part of the trial, serial focus groups were conducted with a sample of over 80 allied health managers recruited to implementation group 2 only. A total 17 health services participated in serial focus groups according to their allocated randomization wave, over a 12-month study period. The primary outcome was participant perceptions and data were analysed using an inductive thematic approach with constant comparison. Thematic saturation was achieved.

Results

Five key themes emerged: (1) Local data is more influential than external evidence; (2) How good is the evidence and does it apply to us? (3) It is difficult to change things; (4) Historically that is how we have done things; and (5) What if we get complaints?

Conclusions

This study explored implementation of strategies to bridge gaps in evidence-informed decision-making. Results provide insight into barriers, which prevent the implementation of evidence-based practice from fully and successfully occurring, such as attitudes towards evidence, limited skills in critical appraisal, and lack of authority to promote change. In addition, strategies are needed to manage the risk of confirmation biases in decision-making processes.

Trial registration This trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) (ACTRN12618000029291). Universal Trial Number (UTN): U1111-1205-2621.
Conceptualizing researchers’ perspectives on involving professionals in research: a group concept mapping study
Authors: Laustsen Christine E. , Westergren Albert , Petersson Pia , Haak Maria
Published: March 2021

Background

Researchers have shown an increased interest in involving professionals from outside academia in research projects. Professionals are often involved in research on ageing and health when the purpose is to address the gap between research and practice. However, there is a need to acquire more knowledge about what the involvement might lead to by exploring researchers’ experiences of involving professionals in research on ageing and health and developing conceptual areas. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify conceptual areas of professionals’ involvement in research on ageing and health, from the perspective of researchers themselves.

Methods

Group concept mapping, a participatory and mixed method, was used to conceptualize areas. Researchers with experience of involving professionals in research projects on ageing and health participated in qualitative data collection through brainstorming sessions (n = 26), and by sorting statements (n = 27). They then took part in quantitative data collection, where they rated statements according to how much a statement strengthened research (n = 26) and strengthened practice (n = 24). Data were analysed using multidimensional scaling analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis. In addition, a qualitative analysis of the latent meaning of the cluster map was conducted.

Results

Analysis of the sorting stage generated five clusters illustrating conceptual areas of professionals’ involvement in research projects on ageing and health. The five clusters are as follows: complex collaboration throughout the research process; adaptation of research to different stakeholders, mutual learning through partnership; applicable and sustainable knowledge; legitimate research on ageing and health. The qualitative latent meaning of the cluster map showed two themes: the process of involvement and the outcome of involvement. A positive strong correlation (0.87) was found between the rating of strengthened research and practice.

Conclusions

This study reveals conceptual areas on a comprehensive and illustrative map which contributes to the understanding of professionals’ involvement in research on ageing and health. A conceptual basis for further studies is offered, where the aim is to investigate the processes and outcomes entailed in involving professionals in research on ageing and health. The study also contributes to the development of instruments and theories for optimizing the involvement of professionals in research.
Histone deacetylase 3 inhibition alleviates type 2 diabetes mellitus-induced endothelial dysfunction via Nrf2
Authors: Huang Shuai , Chen Gen , Sun Jia , Chen Yunjie , Wang Nan , Dong Yetong , Shen Enzhao , Hu Zhicheng , Gong Wenjie , Jin Litai , Cong Weitao
Published: March 2021

Background

The mechanism underlying endothelial dysfunction leading to cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains unclear. Here, we show that inhibition of histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) reduced inflammation and oxidative stress by regulating nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), which mediates the expression of anti-inflammatory- and pro-survival-related genes in the vascular endothelium, thereby improving endothelial function.

Methods

Nrf2 knockout (Nrf2 KO) C57BL/6 background mice, diabetic db/db mice, and control db/m mice were used to investigate the relationship between HDAC3 and Nrf2 in the endothelium in vivo. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) cultured under high glucose-palmitic acid (HG-PA) conditions were used to explore the role of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) –Nrf2–NAPDH oxidase 4 (Nox4) redox signaling in the vascular endothelium in vitro. Activity assays, immunofluorescence, western blotting, qRT-PCR, and immunoprecipitation assays were used to examine the effect of HDAC3 inhibition on inflammation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and endothelial impairment, as well as the activity of Nrf2-related molecules.

Results

HDAC3 activity, but not its expression, was increased in db/db mice. This resulted in de-endothelialization and increased oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory marker expression in cells treated with the HDAC3 inhibitor RGFP966, which activated Nrf2 signaling. HDAC3 silencing decreased ROS production, inflammation, and damage-associated tube formation in HG-PA-treated HUVECs. The underlying mechanism involved the Keap1–Nrf2–Nox4 signaling pathway.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest the potential of HDAC3 as a therapeutic target for the treatment of endothelial dysfunction in T2DM.
Prognostic factors and predictors of outcome in children with autism spectrum disorder: the role of the paediatrician
Authors: Di Renzo Magda , di Castelbianco Federico Bianchi , Alberto Villani , Antonio Del Vecchio , Giovanni Corsello , Vanadia Elena , Petrillo Massimiliano , Davide Trapolino , Racinaro Lidia , Rea Monica
Published: March 2021

Background

Autism spectrum disorder is a complex condition with wide variation in type and severity that involves persistent challenges in social interaction, speech and nonverbal communication, restricted/repetitive behaviours and adaptive behaviours. In recent years, research has deepened the study of the predictive factors of optimal outcome, intended as indicators of positive trajectory in children with a previous diagnosis of autism who, after a therapeutic path, show a significant reduction in the “core” symptoms of autism and a positive evolution in social, adaptive, affective, and relational skills.

Methods

The study included 40 children aged 21 to 66 months, enrolled between 2015 and 2016 for an autism spectrum disorder clinical suspicious. Children were re-evaluated after at least 2 years of therapy and they were divided into two groups: the ASD-ASD group included children with a confirmed diagnosis of ASD, and the ASD-OO comparison group included children who no longer met the criteria for an autism classification. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the presence of cognitive, emotional and relational predictors capable of predicting the presence of optimal outcome in with a diagnosis of autism; the predictors taken into consideration were the intelligence quotient, the play, the emotional contagion and the understanding of other’s intentions. In this way, it is possible to support clinicians in defining a more complete diagnostic framework of autism, using assessment tools that can be administered quickly and therefore suitable for short observation sessions in paediatric patients.

Results

The findings showed that 15 out of 40 children, after at least for 2 years, no longer fell into the diagnostic ASD category based on the ADOS-2, DSM-5 and clinical criteria. The children in the ASD-OO group initially had a higher IQ than those in the ASD-ASD group, lower severity of autistic symptoms, greater understanding of intentions, more emotional contagion, and better quality of play. The results suggest that the initial coexistence of skills in these areas at the time of the first diagnostic assessment may allow us to predict the possibility of achieving optimal outcome after 2 years of therapy.

Conclusions

The data of this study highlight the importance of considering, during assessment, intelligence quotient, play, emotional contagion, and understanding of the intentions of others as potential prognostic predictors that can become useful tools for clinicians and paediatricians. This allows us to focus attention, in both the diagnostic and prognostic phases, on emotional-relational variables that can support the clinician in defining a more complete diagnostic framework and in planning a more personalized therapeutic path.
Eribulin, Child-Pugh score, and liver-function tests: lessons from pivotal breast cancer studies 301 and 305
Authors: Macpherson Iain R. , He Yaohua , Palmieri Carlo
Published: March 2021

Background

The recommended starting dose of eribulin in patients with hepatic impairment is based on the Child-Pugh score, largely informed by a pharmacokinetic study of 18 patients. In the pivotal studies of eribulin in metastatic breast cancer (Study 301 and Study 305 [EMBRACE]), entry criteria and dose modifications were based on liver-function test (LFT) results rather than Child-Pugh score. In populations such as patients with metastatic breast cancer, in which metastatic infiltration is the predominant cause of hepatic impairment, using Child-Pugh score may be problematic; in clinical practice, it has been more common for oncologists to make dosing decisions based on LFTs. To address this, the effects of abnormal baseline LFT results on eribulin efficacy and safety were investigated.

Methods

In this pooled post hoc analysis, 1062 patients who were randomized to receive eribulin in Studies 301 and 305 were divided into 4 groups: (A) no elevated LFT results (no liver impairment); (B) increased levels of aspartate aminotransferase and/or alanine aminotransferase; (C) decreased albumin and/or increased levels of aspartate aminotransferase and/or alanine aminotransferase but not increased bilirubin; and (D) increased bilirubin. Patients were subcategorized by presence of liver metastasis. Drug exposure, dose intensity, and treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were analyzed.

Results

Eribulin mesylate mean dosage was 0.82 (group A)–0.65 mg/m2/week (group D). Group D had shorter treatment, more dose reductions/delays, more TEAEs leading to dose modifications, and numerically lower objective response rates and clinical benefit rates versus groups A–C. TEAE rates leading to dose modification were similar between group D (45.5%) and groups A–C (range, 43.5–54.9%) in the absence of liver metastases, but higher in group D (91.3%) compared with groups A–C (range, 41.7–54.3%) if liver metastases were present.

Conclusions

Mild elevations in bilirubin levels were associated with increased toxicity and a greater requirement for dose modifications. Based both on these study data and existing recommendations, we propose a novel scheme to guide initial dose selection in patients with metastatic breast cancer and hepatic impairment that is based on LFTs rather than Child-Pugh score.
Description of a new species of Aplectana (Nematoda: Ascaridomorpha: Cosmocercidae) using an integrative approach and preliminary phylogenetic study of Cosmocercidae and related taxa
Authors: Chen Hui-Xia , Gu Xiao-Hong , Ni Xue-Feng , Li Liang
Published: March 2021

Background

Nematodes of the family Cosmocercidae (Ascaridomorpha: Cosmocercoidea) are mainly parasitic in the digestive tract of various amphibians and reptiles worldwide. However, our knowledge of the molecular phylogeny of the Cosmocercidae is still far from comprehensive. The phylogenetic relationships between Cosmocercidae and the other two families, Atractidae and Kathlaniidae, in the superfamily Cosmocercoidea are still under debate. Moreover, the systematic position of some genera within Cosmocercidae remains unclear.

Methods

Nematodes collected from Polypedates megacephalus (Hallowell) (Anura: Rhacophoridae) were identified using morphological (light and scanning electron microscopy) and molecular methods [sequencing the small ribosomal DNA (18S), internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1), large ribosomal DNA (28S) and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) target regions]. Phylogenetic analyses of cosmocercoid nematodes using 18S + 28S sequence data were performed to clarify the phylogenetic relationships of the Cosmocercidae, Atractidae and Kathlaniidae in the Cosmocercoidea and the systematic position of the genus Aplectana in Cosmocercidae.

Results

Morphological and genetic evidence supported the hypothesis that the nematode specimens collected from P. megacephalus represent a new species of Aplectana (Cosmocercoidea: Cosmocercidae). Our phylogenetic results revealed that the Cosmocercidae is a monophyletic group, but not the basal group in Cosmocercoidea as in the traditional classification. The Kathlaniidae is a paraphyletic group because the subfamily Cruziinae within Kathlaniidae (including only the genus Cruzia) formed a seperate lineage. Phylogenetic analyses also showed that the genus Aplectana has a closer relationship to the genus Cosmocerca in Cosmocercidae.

Conclusions

Our phylogenetic results suggested that the subfamily Cruziinae should be moved from the hitherto-defined family Kathlaniidae and elevated as a separate family, and the genus Cosmocerca is closely related to the genus Aplectana in the family Cosmocercidae. The present study provided a basic molecular phylogenetic framework for the superfamily Cosmocercoidea based on 18S + 28S sequence data for the first time to our knowledge. Moreover, a new species, A. xishuangbannaensis n. sp., was described using integrative approach.

Graphical abstract
Towards achieving efficient MAC protocols for WBAN-enabled IoT technology: a review
Authors: Olatinwo Damilola D. , Abu-Mahfouz Adnan M. , Hancke Gerhard P.
Published: March 2021

Internet of things (IoT) is a concept that is currently gaining a lot of popularity as a result of its potential to be incorporated into many heterogeneous systems. Because of its diversity, integrating IoT is conceivable in almost all fields, including the healthcare sector. For instance, a promising technology in the healthcare sector known as wireless body area network (WBAN) could be integrated with the IoT to enhance its productivity. However, in order to guarantee the optimization of the operation of the healthcare applications facilitated by the WBAN-enabled IoT technology, there must be enough support from all the different protocol stack layers so as to satisfy the critical quality-of-service (QoS) requirements of the WBAN systems. Consequently, the medium access control (MAC) protocol has recently been gaining lots of attention in the area of WBANs due to its ability to manage and coordinate when a shared communication channel can be accessed. For the purpose of achieving efficient MAC protocols for WBAN-enabled IoT technology, this paper investigates some key MAC protocols that could be exploited in WBANs based on their characteristics, service specifications, technical issues such as energy wastage issues, and possible technical solutions were provided to enhance energy efficiency, channel utilization, data transmission rate, and dealy rate. Also, these MAC protocols were grouped and compared based on short- and long-range communication standards. Following this, future directions and open research issues are pointed out.
Concept Inventories as a Complement to Learning Progressions
Authors: Reed Charlotte R. , Wolfson Adele J.
Published: March 2021

Concept inventories and learning progressions are both incomplete frameworks, but alignment between them allowed conclusions to be drawn about the validity of a learning progression. It also identified gaps in measuring student understanding about acids and bases in the various inventories.
An Updated Reference for Calculating Bone Mineral Density T-Scores
Authors: Xue Shanshan , Zhang Yuzheng , Qiao Wenjing , Zhao Qianqian , Guo Dingjie , Li Binbin , Shen Xue , Feng Lijie , Huang Fengyi , Wang Na , Oumer Kemal Sherefa , Getachew Charkos Tesfaye , Yang Shuman
Published: March 2021

Context

Bone mineral density (BMD) T-score references may be updated when the peak BMD of the population is unclear and warrants reevaluation.

Objective

To update BMD T-score references using the peak BMD from the most recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used NHANES data from 2005 to 2014. Non-Hispanic White females between the ages of 10 and 40 years (N = 1549) were our target population to estimate peak BMD (SD). Individuals aged ≥ 50 years (N = 5523) were used to compare the percentages of osteoporosis and low bone mass based on existing and updated BMD T-score references. BMD data within the age at attainment of peak BMD ± 5 years were used to calculate updated BMD T-score references.

Results

The updated average of BMD (SD) for diagnosing osteoporosis at the femoral neck and lumbar spine were 0.888 g/cm2 (0.121 g/cm2) and 1.065 g/cm2 (0.122 g/cm2), respectively. The percentages of individuals with osteoporosis at the femoral neck and low bone mass at the femoral neck and lumbar spine based on the updated BMD T-score references were higher than the percentages of people designated with these outcomes under the existing guidelines (P < 0.001). However, we observed the opposite pattern for lumbar spine osteoporosis (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

We calculated new BMD T-score references at the femoral neck and lumbar spine. We found significant differences in the percentages of individuals classified as having osteoporosis and low bone mass between the updated and existing BMD T-score references.
Murine myeloid cell MCPIP1 suppresses autoimmunity by regulating B-cell expansion and differentiation
Authors: Dobosz Ewelina , Lorenz Georg , Ribeiro Andrea , Würf Vivian , Wadowska Marta , Kotlinowski Jerzy , Schmaderer Christoph , Potempa Jan , Fu Mingui , Koziel Joanna , Lech Maciej
Published: March 2021

Myeloid-derived cells, in particular macrophages, are increasingly recognized as critical regulators of the balance of immunity and tolerance. However, whether they initiate autoimmune disease or perpetuate disease progression in terms of epiphenomena remains undefined.

Here, we show that depletion of MCPIP1 in macrophages and granulocytes (Mcpip1fl/fl-LysMcre+ C57BL/6 mice) is sufficient to trigger severe autoimmune disease. This was evidenced by the expansion of B cells and plasma cells and spontaneous production of autoantibodies, including anti-dsDNA, anti-Smith and anti-histone antibodies. Consequently, we document evidence of severe skin inflammation, pneumonitis and histopathologic evidence of glomerular IgG deposits alongside mesangioproliferative nephritis in 6-month-old mice. These phenomena are related to systemic autoinflammation, which secondarily induces a set of cytokines such as Baff, Il5, Il9 and Cd40L, affecting adaptive immune responses. Therefore, abnormal macrophage activation is a key factor involved in the loss of immune tolerance.

Overall, we demonstrate that deficiency of MCPIP1 solely in myeloid cells triggers systemic lupus-like autoimmunity and that the control of myeloid cell activation is a crucial checkpoint in the development of systemic autoimmunity.
The ROS scavenger PDTC affects adaptation to treadmill running in mice: distinct effects on murine body mass, resting heart rate and skeletal muscle fiber type composition
Authors: Röchner Franziska , Schmitt Angelika , Brändle Anne-Lena , Fragasso Annunziata , Munz Barbara
Published: March 2021

Regular exercise induces a broad spectrum of adaptation reactions in a variety of tissues and organs. However, the respective mechanisms are incompletely understood. In the context of their analysis, animal model systems, specifically rodent treadmill running protocols, play an important role. However, few researchers have studied different aspects of adaptation, such as cardiorespiratory and skeletal muscle training effects, within one set of experiments. Here, we analyzed physiological adaptation to 10 weeks of regular, moderate-intensity, uphill treadmill running in mice, a widely used model for endurance exercise training. To study the effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which have been suggested to be major regulators of training adaptation, a subgroup of mice was treated with the ROS scavenger PDTC (pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate). We found that mass gain in mice that exercised under PDTC treatment lagged behind that of all other experimental groups. In addition, both exercise and PDTC significantly and additively decreased resting heart rate. Furthermore, there was a trend towards an enhanced proportion of type 2A skeletal muscle fibers and differential expression of metabolism-associated genes, indicating metabolic and functional adaptation of skeletal muscle fibers. By contrast, there were no effects on grip strength and relative mass of individual muscles, suggesting that our protocol of uphill running did not increase skeletal muscle hypertrophy and strength. Taken together, our data suggest that a standard protocol of moderate-intensity uphill running induces adaptation reactions at multiple levels, part of which might be modulated by ROS, but does not enhance skeletal muscle hypertrophy and force.
Adaptation to Exercise Training in Conduit Arteries and Cutaneous Microvessels in Humans: An Optical Coherence Tomography Study
Authors: ARGARINI RADEN , CARTER HOWARD H. , SMITH KURT J. , NAYLOR LOUISE H. , MCLAUGHLIN ROBERT A. , GREEN DANIEL J.
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Exercise training has antiatherogenic effects on conduit and resistance artery function and structure in humans and induces angiogenic changes in skeletal muscle. However, training-induced adaptation in cutaneous microvessels is poorly understood, partly because of technological limitations. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a novel high-resolution imaging technique capable of visualizing cutaneous microvasculature at a resolution of ~30 μm. We utilized OCT to visualize the effects of training on cutaneous microvessels, alongside assessment of conduit artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD).

Methods

We assessed brachial FMD and cutaneous microcirculatory responses at rest and in response to local heating and reactive hyperemia: pretraining and posttraining in eight healthy men compared with age-matched untrained controls (n = 8). Participants in the training group underwent supervised cycling at 80% maximal heart rate three times a week for 8 wk.

Results

We found a significant interaction (P = 0.04) whereby an increase in FMD was observed after training (post 9.83% ± 3.27% vs pre 6.97% ± 1.77%, P = 0.01), with this posttraining value higher compared with the control group (6.9% ± 2.87%, P = 0.027). FMD was not altered in the controls (P = 0.894). There was a significant interaction for OCT-derived speed (P = 0.038) whereby a significant decrease in the local disk heating response was observed after training (post 98.6 ± 3.9 μm·s−1 vs pre 102 ± 5 μm·s−1, P = 0.012), whereas no changes were observed for OCT-derived speed in the control group (P = 0.877). Other OCT responses (diameter, flow rate, and density) to local heating and reactive hyperemia were unaffected by training.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that vascular adaptation to exercise training is not uniform across all levels of the arterial tree; although exercise training improves larger artery function, this was not accompanied by unequivocal evidence for cutaneous microvascular adaptation in young healthy subjects.
Optimisation of a composite difference metric for prompt error detection in real-time portal dosimetry of simulated volumetric modulated arc therapy
Authors: Bedford James L , Hanson Ian M
Published: March 2021

Objectives:

In real-time portal dosimetry, thresholds are set for several measures of difference between predicted and measured images, and signals larger than those thresholds signify an error. The aim of this work is to investigate the use of an additional composite difference metric (CDM) for earlier detection of errors.

Methods:

Portal images were predicted for the volumetric modulated arc therapy plans of six prostate patients. Errors in monitor units, aperture opening, aperture position and path length were deliberately introduced into all 180 segments of the treatment plans, and these plans were delivered to a water-equivalent phantom. Four different metrics, consisting of central axis signal, mean image value and two image difference measures, were used to identify errors, and a CDM was added, consisting of a weighted power sum of the individual metrics. To optimise the weights of the CDM and to evaluate the resulting timeliness of error detection, a leave-pair-out strategy was used. For each combination of four patients, the weights of the CDM were determined by an exhaustive search, and the result was evaluated on the remaining two patients.

Results:

The median segment index at which the errors were identified was 87 (range 40–130) when using all of the individual metrics separately. Using a CDM as well as multiple separate metrics reduced this to 73 (35–95). The median weighting factors of the four metrics constituting the composite were (0.15, 0.10, 0.15, 0.00). Due to selection of suitable threshold levels, there was only one false positive result in the six patients.

Conclusion:

This study shows that, in conjunction with appropriate error thresholds, use of a CDM is able to identify increased image differences around 20% earlier than the separate measures.

Advances in knowledge:

This study shows the value of combining difference metrics to allow earlier detection of errors during real-time portal dosimetry for volumetric modulated arc therapy treatment.
Ολοκληρώσιμες δομές στη θεωρία πεδίου και τη θεωρία χορδών και ο ρόλος των συμμετριών στην επίτευξη ακριβών υπολογισμών
Authors: Σαγκριώτη Ευτυχία
Published: March 2021

Στα πλαίσια της παρούσας διδακτορικής διατριβής γίνεται μελέτη διδιάστατων ολοκληρώσιμων θεωριών πεδίου, οι οποίες κατασκευάζονται από την παραμόρφωση σύμμορφων θεωριών με τρόπο τέτοιο, ώστε να διατηρείται η ολοκληρωσιμότητά τους. Οι συμμετρίες που διέπουν αυτές τις θεωρίες καθιστούν δυνατό τον επακριβή υπολογισμό φυσικών μεγεθών ως προς την παράμετρο της παραμόρφωσης, και έμφαση δίνεται στον προσδιορισμό των συναρτήσεων της ομάδας επανακανονικοποίησης καθώς και της συνάρτησης κεντρικού φορτίου. Τα αποτελέσματα που προκύπτουν γενικεύονται και επεκτείνονται και για την περίπτωση μη ολοκληρώσιμων παραμορφώσεων σύμμορφων θεωριών πεδίου.
Η αναπαράσταση της Ελληνίδας δασκάλας, λoγίας και διανοουμένης στην ελληνική εικονογραφία κατά το δεύτερο ήμισυ του 19ου αιώνα, αρχές του 20ου
Authors: Αντιπάτη Ιωάννα
Published: March 2021

Η διατριβή πραγματεύεται την αναπαράσταση της Ελληνίδας δασκάλας, λογίας και διανοουμένης στην εικονογράφηση πέντε βασικών εντύπων του ελληνικού περιοδικού Τύπου: των «Ευτέρπη», «Πανδώρα», «Άστυ», «Εφημερίς των Κυριών» και «Εθνικόν Ημερολόγιον» του Κωνσταντίνου Φ. Σκόκου. Κυκλοφόρησαν στην ελληνική επικράτεια και στον εκτός συνόρων Ελληνισμό από το 1847 έως το 1917. Εφαρμόστηκε η ιστορική έρευνα στοχεύοντας στη διερεύνηση της βασικής υπόθεσης πως οι Ελληνίδες δασκάλες, λόγιες και διανοούμενες αναπαρίστανται, στην εικονογράφηση, ως άσχημες και κακοφτιαγμένες, με μη θηλυκά και εξανδρισμένα χαρακτηριστικά. Παρουσιαζόμενες, επίσης, με το προφίλ της σπληνικής γεροντοκόρης μεταδίδεται το μήνυμα της ασυμβατότητας της ανώτερης μόρφωσης με την ομορφιά, τη θηλυκότητα και την έκφραση της σεξουαλικότητάς τους. Στόχο επίσης αποτέλεσε η διερεύνηση επιμέρους ερευνητικών υποθέσεων όπως η αναπαράσταση των λογίων, διανοουμένων και διδασκαλισσών ως καρικατούρες με κωμικό τρόπο και ιδιότροπη ενδυμασία, ώστε να αποτρέπονται οι γυναίκες από περαιτέρω διεκδικήσεις. Εξετάστηκε, επίσης, αν οι εκσυγχρονιστικές τάσεις που εμφανίστηκαν, εντάσσοντας την Ελλάδα στο πλαίσιο των δυτικών καπιταλιστικών κοινωνιών, επηρέασαν την εικόνα τους. Εξίσου μελετήθηκε πώς οι όποιες αλλαγές στους ρόλους της Ελληνίδας -ως μητέρα, σύζυγος και οικοδέσποινα- και τη γυναικεία εκπαίδευση επηρέασαν την εικόνα των λογίων-διανοουμένων-δασκαλισσών. Με την ολοκλήρωση της έρευνας διαπιστώθηκε η ισχύς των ερευνητικών υποθέσεων. Από τις αρχές του 1900 παρατηρούμε αλλαγές στην εικόνα των λογίων, διανοουμένων, διδασκαλισσών τείνοντας να γίνεται ηπιότερη, θηλυκότερη, πιο χαριτωμένη. Συμβαδίζουν με τις αντίστοιχες στην ευρύτερη κοινωνικοπολιτιστική, οικονομική και πολιτική ζωή της χώρας, τις εκπαιδευτικές μεταρρυθμιστικές προσπάθειες και την παρουσία των γυναικών στη δημόσια-κοινωνική ζωή. Η πρόοδος, ως προς το τελευταίο, μεταφέρθηκε στην Ελλάδα από λόγιους υπέρμαχους της γυναικείας εκπαίδευσης και τις λόγιες που μετέβησαν στο εξωτερικό για σπουδές. Συνετέλεσε επίσης θετικά η προσπάθεια της παρουσίας των γυναικών στα κέντρα εξουσίας και λήψης αποφάσεων, βάσει του νεοεμφανιζόμενου φεμινιστικού κινήματος, ενάντια σε κατεστημένο, στερεότυπα και προκαταλήψεις. Παρ΄ όλες όμως τις συντελούμενες αλλαγές στην εικονογράφηση των λογίων, διδασκαλισσών και διανοουμένων δεν αμφισβητήθηκαν ριζικά οι παρωχημένες αντιλήψεις. Συνυπήρχε, αντιθέτως, ο προοδευτισμός με τα συντηρητικά στοιχεία και ο συμβιβασμός στους κανόνες με την απελευθέρωση από αυτούς.
Cross-sectional study to assess etiology and associated factors for anaemia during first trimester of pregnancy in Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka: a protocol
Authors: Amarasinghe Gayani , Mendis Vasana , Agampodi Thilini
Published: March 2021

Background: Anaemia in pregnancy, which can lead to adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, is a significant global health problem. Despite Sri Lanka’s strong public health system and commitment towards prevention, maternal anaemia remains a major problem in the country. While prevention is focused on iron deficiency, detailed etiological studies on this topic are scarce. Moreover, estimates of socio demographic and economic factors associated with anaemia in pregnancy, which can provide important clues for anaemia control, are also lacking. This study aims to evaluate the hemoglobin distribution, spatial distribution, etiology and associated factors for anaemia in pregnant women in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

Methods: This is a cross sectional study of pregnant women in their first trimester registered for antenatal care from July to September 2019 in the Anuradhapura district. The minimal sample size was calculated to be 1866. Initial data collection has already been carried out in special field clinics for pregnant women between June to October 2019. An interviewer-administered questionnaire, a self-completed dietary questionnaire and an examination checklist were used for data collection. In addition, all participants underwent complete blood count testing. Further investigations are being conducted for predicting the etiology of anaemia based on a developed algorithm (such as high-performance liquid chromatography [HPLC] and peripheral blood film analysis).

Discussion: Being the largest study on anaemia during pregnancy in a single geographical area in Sri Lanka, this study will provide important clues about geographical clustering of anaemia cases with similar etiology, associated factors and etiologies which would help to develop interventions to improve the health of pregnant women in the area. The possibility of selection bias is a potential limitation associated with the study design.
Spatial distribution analysis of dentists, dental technicians, and dental therapists in Indonesia
Authors: Gofur Nanda Rachmad Putra , Aghasy Achmad Zam Zam , Gofur Aisyah Rachmadani Putri
Published: March 2021

Background: Access to health services is needed around the world, from healthcare providers to doctors. One of the needs in public health is a system that is accessible for everyone, but, unequal distribution of healthcare provider and health workers, especially in dentistry fields is still a main problem in several countries, including Indonesia. The aim of this study is to analyze the spatial distribution of dentists, dental technicians, and dental therapists.

Methods: This spatial analysis study was conducted after obtaining secondary data in Indonesia. All data were collected between September 1st, 2020 and October 1st, 2020 from open access sources of de-identified data. The data of dentists per area, dental technicians per area, and dental therapists per area were calculated for analysis. A spatial distribution map was prepared using the Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS Desktop, version 3.10.6).

Results: The results of this study found a ratio of dentists to members of the population in Indonesia of 1:17,105. The average number of dental technicians that work in the public health centers in each province (dental technicians per area) in Indonesia was calculated to be 0.13. The average number of dental therapists that work in the public health centers in each province (dental therapists per area) in Indonesia was calculated to be 0.40. This spatial autocorrelation illustrates that there is a relationship between values of dentists per area and dental therapists per area between provinces in Indonesia, and shows geographic clustering relationships or patterns that are grouped and have similar characteristics in adjacent locations. This spatial autocorrelation did not occur in the value of dental technicians.

Conclusions: From this study we can conclude that there is an unequal distribution of dental personnel in Indonesia.
Hacia una reivindicación de la espacialidad como factor determinante y fundacional de la estructura del Dasein.
Authors: Basso Monteverde Leticia
Published: March 2021

En este trabajo nos introduciremos en algunos escritos y cursos de Martin Heidegger del período de Marburgo (1923-1928) para examinar la noción de espacialidad (Räumlichkeit) en su sentido existencial. A propósito, pretendemos dilucidar la función metodológica que cumple esta noción en la estructura del Dasein. Con esta intención, analizaremos ciertos datos que nos llevan a advertir que en la “analítica existencial” hay una fuerte tendencia a exponer la cuestión en clave topológica. Pues bien, la caracterización que el filósofo ofrece del hombre, el mundo y el sentido de lo dado invitan a descubrir al ser en una modalidad y contenido puntuales de manifestación que refieren al plano sensible y refuerzan su carácter situacional.
El "psyché" y el giro fenomenológico-hermenéutico de la ontología.
Authors: Rodríguez Pérez Jezabel
Published: March 2021

Tras la puesta en suspenso del dualismo ontoepistemológico moderno –definido en virtud de la dicotomía res cogitans-res extensa (en nuestros días reformulada a través del par conceptual mente-cuerpo)–, tres son los frentes que, de manera interrelacionada, se nos abren para analizar la problemática cuestión de la psyché: por un lado, el frente hermenéutico que críticamente rompe con toda clausura semántica o significación heredada de la misma; por otro lado, el frente fenomenológico, que tras la revelación hermenéutica de los prejuicios propicia la descripción de la psyché como fenómeno; por último, el frente ontológico, que dirige nuestra mirada fenomenológica a aquel lugar primigenio en el que acontece lo que Heidegger vino a llamar comprensión preontológica.
La psiquiatría y la destrucción fenomenológica del concepto tradicional de «psique» en el Zollikoner-Seminare.
Authors: Rodríguez Suárez Luisa Paz
Published: March 2021

Este trabajo se centra en la destrucción fenomenológica de la concepción mecanicistanaturalista de la «psique» implicada en el problema de lo psicosomático. Un problema que fue abordado por Heidegger en los Zollikoner Seminare y que supone una revisión de los presupuestos antropológico-metafísicos en los que se fundamenta la diferenciación entre «soma» y «psique», propia de la visión objetivante de la psiquiatría del momento.
Negatividad y evento. Un diálogo entre Adorno y Heidegger desde la perspectiva de la hermenéutica de Gianni Vattimo.
Authors: Mariano Leiro Daniel
Published: March 2021

Este trabajo tiene la intención de ofrecer un esbozo de una interpretación más radical de la ontología heideggeriana que a la crítica destructiva de Adorno le pasaba inadvertida. El propósito de esta presentación es rescatar las aspiraciones de disolución del dominio y emancipación que alentaron los esfuerzos teóricos del autor de Negative Dialectik. Esos esfuerzos quedaron sin concretarse en el pensamiento de Adorno porque su crítica se movía en el horizonte de la metafísica. Para mostrarlo hemos elegido como hilo conductor la lectura que el filósofo italiano Gianni Vattimo propone en su última hermenéutica nihilista. Esta lectura que viene a sumarse a los intentos más actuales que tratan de desarrollar un “heideggerianismo de izquierda”. Su particularidad consiste en que ha vuelto a entablar un original diálogo con Nietzsche y la tradición hegelo-marxistapara desplegar el potencial transformador y diferenciador que aún late en la filosofía del último Heidegger.
Jan Karłowicz w świetle materiałów archiwalnych: Dialektologia, etnolingwistyka i lituanistyka
Authors: Rak Maciej
Published: March 2021

JAN KARŁOWICZ IN THE LIGHT OF ARCHIWAL MATERIALS: DIALECTOLOGY, ETHNOLINGUISTICS AND THE STUDY OF LITHUANIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE The book refers to the scientific activity of Jan Karłowicz, and, in particular, to the three areas to which he contributed much of his work: dialectology, ethnolinguistics, and the study of Lithuanian Language and Culture. The material basis includes the researcher’s archival works (files of the Lexicon of Polish Dialects [Słownik gwar polskich], Lexicon of Polish Mythology [Słownik mitologii polskiej] and the Little Lexicon of Lithuanian Mythology [Słowniczek mitologii litewskiej]), found in 2017 in the Scientific Archive of PAN and PAU in Kraków. The objective of this book is to publish these documents and re-analyse the Lexicon of Polish Dialects. For more than a hundred years, i. e. since the time in which the lexicon was finished in 1911, nobody has probably read those manuscripts. One of the reasons for this is the fact that they were catalogued in a wrong manner.
Dynamic Inventory Allocation for Seasonal Merchandise at Dillard’s
Authors: Li Junxuan , Toriello Alejandro , Wang He , Borin Seth , Gallarno Christina
Published: March 2021

We consider how to allocate inventory of seasonal goods in a two-echelon distribution network for Dillard’s Inc., a large department store chain in the United States. Our objective is to allocate products with limited inventory from a distribution center to multiple retail stores over the selling season to maximize total sales revenue. Under the assumption that the true demand distributions are available to the retailer, we develop an effective dynamic inventory allocation heuristic. We further consider a more realistic and challenging setting for seasonal goods, where demand distributions are unknown to the retailer, and propose two “learning-while-doing” extensions of our inventory allocation heuristic; these policies update demand distribution estimates in a rolling horizon using censored point-of-sales data. We evaluate the performance of the policies using simulation on Dillard’s historical sales data. Dillard’s Inc. has incorporated the proposed policy into their current replenishment methodology and has been using the policy to set order levels for its seasonal merchandise.
Can Non-tiered Customer Loyalty Programs Be Profitable?
Authors: Gopalakrishnan Arun , Jiang Zhenling , Nevskaya Yulia , Thomadsen Raphael
Published: March 2021

We show that a simple, nontiered loyalty program can substantially increase customer lifetime value and that most of this benefit comes from increasing customer retention.
Management Practices and Mergers and Acquisitions
Authors: Bai John (Jianqiu) , Jin Wang , Serfling Matthew
Published: March 2021

Using a novel data set of establishment-level management practices from the U.S. Census Bureau, we show that firms with more specific, formal, frequent, or explicit (i.e., “structured”) management practices tend to acquire establishments with less structured management practices and, following the acquisition, adopt more structured practices at the target establishments. These changes are larger when acquirers have a greater incentive and ability to make changes and are also associated with improvements in establishment performance. Overall, our findings suggest that the adoption of more structured management practices constitutes an important source of value creation in mergers and acquisitions.

This paper was accepted by Tomasz Piskorski, finance.
Relationships Under Stress: Relational Outsourcing in the U.S. Airline Industry After the 2008 Financial Crisis
Authors: Gil Ricard , Kim Myongjin , Zanarone Giorgio
Published: March 2021

This paper studies how firms restructure their relational contracts in the face of permanent shocks to the value of their relationships. In the context of the U.S. airline industry, we argue that major carriers enter self-enforcing agreements with their outsourced regional partners because a key aspect of airline operations—the exchange of landing slots under adverse weather—is formally noncontractible. We show empirically that major and regional airlines did not terminate their relational contracts after the 2008 crisis but rather, restructured the scope of such contracts in a way that restored their credibility. In particular, we show that a major airline was less likely to continue outsourcing a route to a regional partner after the 2008 crisis the lower the present discounted value of their preexisting relationship and hence, the larger the negative effect of the crisis on the relational contract’s “self-enforcing range.”

This paper was accepted by Joshua Gans, business strategy.
Pure Nash Equilibria and Best-Response Dynamics in Random Games
Authors: Amiet Ben , Collevecchio Andrea , Scarsini Marco , Zhong Ziwen
Published: March 2021

In finite games, mixed Nash equilibria always exist, but pure equilibria may fail to exist. To assess the relevance of this nonexistence, we consider games where the payoffs are drawn at random. In particular, we focus on games where a large number of players can each choose one of two possible strategies and the payoffs are independent and identically distributed with the possibility of ties. We provide asymptotic results about the random number of pure Nash equilibria, such as fast growth and a central limit theorem, with bounds for the approximation error. Moreover, by using a new link between percolation models and game theory, we describe in detail the geometry of pure Nash equilibria and show that, when the probability of ties is small, a best-response dynamics reaches a pure Nash equilibrium with a probability that quickly approaches one as the number of players grows. We show that various phase transitions depend only on a single parameter of the model, that is, the probability of having ties.