bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-term exposure to pemetrexed induces chronic renal dysfunction in patients with advanced and recurrent non-squamous cell lung cancer: a retrospective study
Authors: Umehara Kengo , Yama Kaori , Koike Nozomi , Takayama Shintarou , Wakamoto Azusa , Hatuyama Tae , Kobayashi Michiya , Sato Hideki
Published: October 2020

Background

Pemetrexed (PEM) is administered over a long term to patients with non-squamous cell lung cancer as a maintenance therapy after platinum combination induction chemotherapy. Although decreased renal function owing to long-term PEM exposure has been reported, changes in the renal function of individual patients have not been reported. This study aimed to evaluate serum creatinine (Scr) in individual patients over time and determine whether long-term PEM exposure contributed to increased Scr.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed using 90 non-squamous cell lung cancer patients, who had received maintenance therapy with PEM ± bevacizumab (BEV) after carboplatin + PEM ± BEV therapy at the Sapporo Minami-Sanjo Hospital from February 2012 to February 2019. Using Scr at the start of induction chemotherapy as the baseline, we calculated the correlation coefficient (r) of the rate of Scr change in an individual patient and the number of treatment courses to divide patients into two groups for comparison: patients with + 0.4 < r ≦ + 1.0 and an observed positive correlation (the r+0.4< group), and patients with − 1.0 ≦ r ≦ + 0.4 and no observed positive correlation (the r+0.4≧ group).

Results

Statistically significant differences between the r+0.4< group and the r+0.4≧ group were observed for the following parameters: the median cumulative dose of PEM (interquartile range) [9100 (6365, 12,260) mg/body vs. 5600 (4140, 7440) mg/body, P < 0.01]; the number of patients taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs at the start of treatment [15 patients (31%) vs. 3 patients (7%), P < 0.01]; and the median number of treatment courses starting from induction chemotherapy [11 (8, 14) courses vs. 8 (6, 11) courses, P < 0.01]. Next, the results of univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated that the cumulative dose of PEM (≧ 7000 mg/body vs < 7000 mg/body, OR 2.40; 95% CI, 1.22–4.75, P = 0.01) was an independent explanatory variable of the r+0.4< group.

Conclusions

Long-term PEM exposure may induce chronic renal dysfunction. Hence, maintaining kidney function during PEM treatment by reducing the use of combination drugs and the risk of other renal dysfunctions, such as dehydration, may help patients continue therapy and contribute to their long-term survival.
Impact of using learning analytics in asynchronous online discussions in higher education
Authors: Cerro Martínez Juan Pedro , Guitert Catasús Montse , Romeu Fontanillas Teresa
Published: October 2020

Following asynchronous online discussion activities as a complex communication process is a demanding task for teachers. In this paper, the authors have explored the potential in supporting such activity through learning analytics. From the beginning, the authors acknowledged the limitations of technology to support the complexities of a pedagogical activity. Therefore, the methodology used was participatory design-based research (DBR) divided into two main stages. The first design phase dealt with the engagement of teachers and pedagogical experts in defining the data and metrics to be used to support the pedagogical concepts. The second consisted of an implementation phase including pilots with students and with crucial engagement of teachers in commenting their understanding over students’ learning processes and the feedback the teachers could offer to them. Overall, the students shown improvements in their performance as monitored through the learning analytics group in contrast with control groups. The discussion over the design and its results could be potentially extrapolated to other educational contexts.
Dutch translation and linguistic validation of the U.S. National Cancer Institute’s Patient-Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE™)
Authors: Veldhuijzen Evalien , Walraven Iris , Mitchell Sandra A. , Moore Elizabeth Yohe , McKown Shawn M. , Lauritzen Matthew , Kim Katherine J. , Belderbos José S. A. , Aaronson Neil K.
Published: October 2020

Background

The U.S. National Cancer Institute’s Patient-Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE™) is a library of items for assessing symptomatic adverse events by patient self-report in oncology trials. The aim of this multi-site study was to generate and linguistically validate a Dutch language version of the U.S. PRO-CTCAE for use in the Netherlands and Dutch-speaking Belgium.

Methods

All 124 items in the PRO-CTCAE item library were translated into Dutch using established translation procedures, including dual forward translations, reconciliation, back-translation, reconciliation of the source with the back-translation, and expert reviews. Harmonization of the translation for use in both the Netherlands and Belgium was achieved via an iterative review process in which the translations were discussed and reconciled by consensus of PRO experts, clinicians and bilingual Dutch translators. The translated PRO-CTCAE™ items were completed by a geographically-diverse sample of Dutch speaking patients from the Netherlands (n = 40) and Belgium (n = 60), and who were currently receiving or who had recently completed cancer-directed therapy. Patients were diverse with respect to age, sex, educational attainment, and cancer diagnosis. Cognitive debriefing, using a semi-structured interview guide, probed for comprehension and clarity of PRO-CTCAE symptom terms, attributes (e.g. frequency, severity, interference), response choices, and understanding of ‘at its worst’ and ‘in the last 7 days’. Items for which the patient data indicated possible difficulties were considered for revision.

Results

Three items underwent minor phrasing revision and retesting was not deemed necessary. The symptom term for stretch marks was poorly understood by 12.5% of participants, and this item was revised to include parenthetical phrasing. It was retested with 10 participants from Belgium (n = 5) and the Netherlands (n = 5) and demonstrated acceptable comprehension.

Conclusions

The Dutch language version of PRO-CTCAE has been successfully developed and linguistically validated for use in oncology studies in the Netherlands and Dutch-speaking Belgium. Extending the availability of NCI PRO-CTCAE in languages beyond English increases international consistency in the capture of Patient-Reported outcomes in patients participating in cancer clinical trials.
Electronic health record and blockchain architecture: forensic chain hypothesis for human identification
Authors: Nuzzolese E.
Published: October 2020

Background

Forensic dental identification relies on the collection and comparison of antemortem and postmortem dental data and dental evidence. There are software solutions capable of archiving postmortem (PM) and antemortem (AM) data, with search and comparative tools which are user-centric and do not allow open search options and data mining of all dental related data, except through the use of coded data. This reduces interoperability and raises dental data incompatibility challenges. Blockchain technology could help introduce a trusted, secure, and holistic ecosystem in the electronic health record (EHR) system with a forensic interface accessed by experts in forensic pathology and forensic odontology for the purpose of identifying human remains and retrieve identifying data of compatible missing persons from the health and dental electronic record system, with the further advantage of protecting data breaches, redundancies, inconsistencies, and errors. Blockchain technology, and a forensic chain, can enhance forensic data management and human identification process by managing the missing person lists, create AM data repositories as shared data with the EHRs of living individuals, create PM data repositories of recovered from identifying autopsies unidentified persons, and support the preliminary comparison of compatible biological profiles during the final reconciliation phase.

Conclusion

In this hypothesis, author investigates possible applications of blockchain technology as a holistic technical and interoperability solution for managing both health/dental data for a medical as forensic human identification use.
Correction to: Influence of three BALB/c substrain backgrounds on the skin tumor induction efficacy to DMBA and TPA cotreatment
Authors: Kang Mi Ju , Gong Jeong Eun , Kim Ji Eun , Choi Hyeon Jun , Bae Su Ji , Choi Yun Ju , Lee Su Jin , Seo Min-Soo , Kim Kil Soo , Jung Young-Suk , Cho Joon-Yong , Lim Yong , Hwang Dae Youn
Published: October 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
PET/CT and bone marrow biopsy (BMB) in evaluating bone marrow in lymphoma
Authors: Elamir Youstina , Elazab Mohamed , Owis Ahmed S. , Elsayed Huda Fathy
Published: October 2020

Background

Bone marrow assessment is an important part in the Ann Arbor staging system in lymphoma. It is done routinely through posterior iliac crest bone marrow biopsy (BMB) which is an invasive technique with limited examination of one site. 18F-FDG PET/CT is now used for staging of lymphoma. The purpose of this study was to compare the sensitivity of PET/CT and BMB in detecting bone marrow infiltration (BMI) in lymphoma and determine agreement between both in assessing bone marrow and whether we can evaluate the bone marrow by PET/CT without the need of the routine BMB.

Results

PET/CT detected 24 (16.5%) cases with positive BMI that were missed by BMB. BMB detected only 2 (1.4%) cases that were missed by PET/CT. The PET/CT showed a higher sensitivity of 95.6% than BMB 46.7% in detecting BMI in lymphoma. We found a moderate agreement between PET/CT and BMB results in the whole cohort using Cohen’s k computation. It was found that 0.47 with p value less than 0.0001.

Conclusions

PET/CT can detect more bone marrow involvement in lymphoma compared with BMB. It can replace the routine invasive BMB in many cases, especially those showing multifocal uptake in both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. PET/CT can also help to guide the site of the biopsy in some cases. Iliac crest BMB is still needed in cases showing diffuse FDG uptake to differentiate malignant uptake from reactive hyperplasia, and in those with limited FDG avidity and in some cases with negative uptake to exclude early infiltration if management will differ.
Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWMRI) of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: could it be an imaging biomarker for prediction of response to chemoradiation therapy
Authors: Khattab Hanan Mohamed , Montasser Moataz Mohamed , Eid Mohamed , Kandil Alaa , Desouky Salah El-Din
Published: October 2020

Background

Chemoradiation therapy (CRT) has become a primary definitive treatment modality for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC); however, not all patients respond completely to treatment. Ability to identify those patients, who would not achieve complete response, before or early during the course of CRT will allow treatment modifications to improve outcome and overall survival. The aim of this prospective study was to assess the usefulness of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in prediction of early therapeutic response of HNSCC after CRT.

Results

Local control was achieved in 22 patients out of 46 patients with pathologically proven HNSCC treated by chemoradiation therapy and local failure was detected in 24 patients out of 46 patients. Pretreatment mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCpre) was significantly higher in local failure group (1.1 ± 0.2 × 10−3 mm2/s) than local control group (0.89 ± 0.1 × 10−3 mm2/s). An optimal cut-off value of more than 0.94 × 10−3 mm2/s was predictive of local failure with sensitivity 83.33%, specificity 59.9%, PPV 69%, NPV 76.5%. Early intra-treatment percentage change of ADC (ΔADC) was significantly lower in local failure group (21.8% ± 21.3) than in local control group (45.2% ± 27.8). An optimal cut-off value of ≤ 33% was predictive of local failure after CRT with sensitivity of 71.34%, specificity of 60%, PPV of 62.5%, and NPV of 69.2%.

Conclusions

Diffusion-weighted MRI could be a potential predictive biomarker for therapeutic response of HNSCC to CRT. Primary tumors with higher pretreatment mean ADC, and a smaller early intratreatment percentage increase of mean ADC would be more likely to fail treatment.
Relationship between thyroid dysfunction and dementia
Authors: Elbadawy Ayman M. , Mansour Ahmed E. , Abdelrassoul Ibrahim A. , Abdelmoneim Rasha O.
Published: October 2020

Background

Thyroid hormones are essential for normal development and function of the central nervous system. Thyroid dysfunction is associated with many neuropsychiatric disorders mainly cognitive impairment.

Results

We found a close correlation between thyroid status and cognitive dysfunction. Serum FT3 levels decreased, whereas the serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level increased, with the decline in cognitive functions. Furthermore, the TSH level showed a negative correlation with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores. We suggested that thyroid function was associated with cognitive impairments induced by subcortical ischemic vascular dementia (SIVD).

Conclusion

We found that thyroid dysfunction especially subclinical hypothyroidism is associated with cognitive impairment. Dementia increases more with more increase in TSH, and the MMSE score decreases with the increase of age.
Comparison of Definitive Cervical Cancer Management With Chemotherapy and Radiation Between Two Centers With Variable Resources and Opportunities for Improved Treatment
Authors: Asamoah Francis Adumata , Yarney Joel , Scott Aba , Vanderpuye Verna , Yuan Zhigang , Fernandez Daniel C. , Montejo Michael E. , Agyeman Mervin , Boateng Samuel Ntiamoah , Anarfi Kwabena , Aidoo Charles , Shahzad Mian M. , Chern Jing-Yi , Chon Hye-Sook , Wenham Robert M. , Yamoah Kosj , Ahmed Kamran A.
Published: October 2020

PURPOSE

Cervical cancer remains a major health challenge in low- to middle-income countries. We present the experiences of two centers practicing in variable resource environments to determine predictors of improved radiochemotherapy treatment.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

This comparative review describes cervical cancer presentation and treatment with concurrent chemoradiotherapy with high-dose-rate brachytherapy between 2014 and 2017 at the National Radiotherapy Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Center (NRONMC) in Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana, and Moffitt Cancer Center (MCC), Tampa, FL.

RESULTS

Median follow-up for this study was 16.9 months. NRONMC patients presented with predominantly stage III disease (42% v 16%; P = .002). MCC patients received para-aortic node irradiation (16%) and interstitial brachytherapy implants (19%). Median treatment duration was longer for NRONMC patients compared with MCC patients (59 v 52 days; P < .0001), and treatment duration ≥ 55 days predicted worse survival on multivariable analysis (MVA; P = .02). Stage ≥ III disease predicted poorer local control on MVA. There was a difference in local control among patients with stage III disease (58% v 91%; P = .03) but not in survival between MCC and NRONMC. No significant difference in local control was observed for stage IB, IIA, and IIB disease.

CONCLUSION

Although there were significant differences in disease presentation between the two centers, treatment outcomes were similar for patients with early-stage disease. Longer treatment duration and stage ≥ III disease predicted poor outcomes.
Long-Term Follow-Up of Anti-CD19 Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy
Authors: Cappell Kathryn M. , Sherry Richard M. , Yang James C. , Goff Stephanie L. , Vanasse Danielle A. , McIntyre Lori , Rosenberg Steven A. , Kochenderfer James N.
Published: October 2020

PURPOSE

Anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are artificial fusion proteins that cause CD19-specific T-cell activation. Durability of remissions and incidence of long-term adverse events are critical factors determining the utility of anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy, but long-term follow-up of patients treated with anti-CD19 CAR T cells is limited. This work provides the longest follow-up of patients in remission after anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy.

METHODS

Between 2009 and 2015, we administered 46 CAR T-cell treatments to 43 patients (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00924326 ). Patients had relapsed B-cell malignancies of the following types: diffuse large B-cell lymphoma or primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL/PMBCL; n = 28), low-grade B-cell lymphoma (n = 8), or chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL; n = 7). This report focuses on long-term outcomes of these patients. The CAR used was FMC63-28Z; axicabtagene ciloleucel uses the same CAR. Cyclophosphamide plus fludarabine conditioning chemotherapy was administered before CAR T cells.

RESULTS

The percentages of CAR T-cell treatments resulting in a > 3-year duration of response (DOR) were 51% (95% CI, 35% to 67%) for all evaluable treatments, 48% (95% CI, 28% to 69%) for DLBCL/PMBCL, 63% (95% CI, 25% to 92%) for low-grade lymphoma, and 50% (95% CI, 16% to 84%) for CLL. The median event-free survival of all 45 evaluable treatments was 55 months. Long-term adverse effects were rare, except for B-cell depletion and hypogammaglobulinemia. Median peak blood CAR-positive cell levels were higher among patients with a DOR of > 3 years (98/µL; range, 9-1,217/µL) than among patients with a DOR of < 3 years (18/µL; range, 0-308/μL, P = .0051).

CONCLUSION

Complete remissions of a variety of B-cell malignancies lasting ≥ 3 years occurred after 51% of evaluable anti-CD19 CAR T-cell treatments. Remissions of up to 9 years are ongoing. Late adverse events were rare.
Ixazomib as Postinduction Maintenance for Patients With Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Not Undergoing Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation: The Phase III TOURMALINE-MM4 Trial
Authors: Dimopoulos Meletios A. , Špička Ivan , Quach Hang , Oriol Albert , Hájek Roman , Garg Mamta , Beksac Meral , Bringhen Sara , Katodritou Eirini , Chng Wee-Joo , Leleu Xavier , Iida Shinsuke , Mateos María-Victoria , Morgan Gareth , Vorog Alexander , Labotka Richard , Wang Bingxia , Palumbo Antonio , Lonial Sagar ,   on behalf of the TOURMALINE-MM4 study group
Published: October 2020

PURPOSE

Maintenance therapy prolongs progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) not undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) but has generally been limited to immunomodulatory agents. Other options that complement the induction regimen with favorable toxicity are needed.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The phase III, double-blind, placebo-controlled TOURMALINE-MM4 study randomly assigned (3:2) patients with NDMM not undergoing ASCT who achieved better than or equal to partial response after 6-12 months of standard induction therapy to receive the oral proteasome inhibitor (PI) ixazomib or placebo on days 1, 8, and 15 of 28-day cycles as maintenance for 24 months. The primary endpoint was PFS since time of randomization.

RESULTS

Patients were randomly assigned to receive ixazomib (n = 425) or placebo (n = 281). TOURMALINE-MM4 met its primary endpoint with a 34.1% reduction in risk of progression or death with ixazomib versus placebo (median PFS since randomization, 17.4 v 9.4 months; hazard ratio [HR], 0.659; 95% CI, 0.542 to 0.801; P < .001; median follow-up, 21.1 months). Ixazomib significantly benefitted patients who achieved complete or very good partial response postinduction (median PFS, 25.6 v 12.9 months; HR, 0.586; P < .001). With ixazomib versus placebo, 36.6% versus 23.2% of patients had grade ≥ 3 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs); 12.9% versus 8.0% discontinued treatment because of TEAEs. Common any-grade TEAEs included nausea (26.8% v 8.0%), vomiting (24.2% v 4.3%), and diarrhea (23.2% v 12.3%). There was no increase in new primary malignancies (5.2% v 6.2%); rates of on-study deaths were 2.6% versus 2.2%.

CONCLUSION

Ixazomib maintenance prolongs PFS with no unexpected toxicity in patients with NDMM not undergoing ASCT. To our knowledge, this is the first PI demonstrated in a randomized clinical trial to have single-agent efficacy for maintenance and is the first oral PI option in this patient population.
Towards a Continuous Manufacturing Process of Protein-Loaded Polymeric Nanoparticle Powders
Authors: Schiller Stefan , Hanefeld Andrea , Schneider Marc , Lehr Claus-Michael
Published: October 2020

To develop a scalable and efficient process suitable for the continuous manufacturing of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles containing ovalbumin as the model protein. PLGA nanoparticles were prepared using a double emulsification spray-drying method. Emulsions were prepared using a focused ultrasound transducer equipped with a flow cell. Either poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) or poloxamer 407 (P-407) was used as a stabilizer. Aliquots of the emulsions were blended with different matrix excipients and spray dried, and the yield and size of the resuspended nanoparticles was determined and compared against solvent displacement. Nanoparticle sizes of spray-dried PLGA/PVA emulsions were independent of the matrix excipient and comparable with sizes from the solvent displacement method. The yield of the resuspended nanoparticles was highest for emulsions containing trehalose and leucine (79%). Spray drying of PLGA/P-407 emulsions led to agglomerated nanoparticles independent of the matrix excipient. PLGA/P-407 nanoparticles pre-formed by solvent displacement could be spray dried with limited agglomeration when PVA was added as an additional stabilizer. A comparably high and economically interesting nanoparticle yield could be achieved with a process suitable for continuous manufacturing. Further studies are needed to understand the robustness of a continuous process at commercial scale.
Mammalian nuclear TRUB1, mitochondrial TRUB2, and cytoplasmic PUS10 produce conserved pseudouridine 55 in different sets of tRNA
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Shaoni , Deogharia Manisha , Gupta Ramesh
Published: October 2020

Most mammalian cytoplasmic tRNAs contain ribothymidine (T) and pseudouridine (Ψ) at positions 54 and 55, respectively. However, some tRNAs contain Ψ at both positions. Several Ψ54-containing tRNAs function as primers in retroviral DNA synthesis. The Ψ54 of these tRNAs is produced by PUS10, which can also synthesize Ψ55. Two other enzymes, TRUB1 and TRUB2, can also produce Ψ55. By nearest-neighbor analyses of tRNAs treated with recombinant proteins and subcellular extracts of wild-type and specific Ψ55 synthase knockdown cells, we determined that while TRUB1, PUS10, and TRUB2 all have tRNA Ψ55 synthase activities, they have different tRNA structural requirements. Moreover, these activities are primarily present in the nucleus, cytoplasm, and mitochondria, respectively, suggesting a compartmentalization of Ψ55 synthase activity. TRUB1 produces the Ψ55 of most elongator tRNAs, but cytoplasmic PUS10 produces both Ψs of the tRNAs with Ψ54Ψ55. The nuclear isoform of PUS10 is catalytically inactive and specifically binds the unmodified U54U55 versions of Ψ54Ψ55-containing tRNAs, as well as the A54U55-containing tRNAiMet. This binding inhibits TRUB1-mediated U55 to Ψ55 conversion in the nucleus. Consequently, the U54U55 of Ψ54Ψ55-containing tRNAs are modified by the cytoplasmic PUS10. Nuclear PUS10 does not bind the U55 versions of T54Ψ55- and A54Ψ55-containing elongator tRNAs. Therefore, TRUB1 is able to produce Ψ55 in these tRNAs. In summary, the tRNA Ψ55 synthase activities of TRUB1 and PUS10 are not redundant but rather are compartmentalized and act on different sets of tRNAs. The significance of this compartmentalization needs further study.
Case Report: Unusual association of gubernacular canal, supernumerary tooth and odontoma with an impacted canine on cone beam computed tomography
Authors: Elsayed Lubna K. , El Khateeb Sara M. , Alzahrani Suzan A. , ALHarthi Shatha Subhi , Ba-Hattab Raidan
Published: October 2020

This report describes a clinical case of asymptomatic compound odontoma in the anterior left side of the maxilla associated with an impacted canine and supernumerary tooth with a gubernacular canal of a 47- year-old female with no relevant medical history. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) was performed for precise three-dimensional localization of each structure and assessment of their spatial relationship with the associated structures before surgery. The treatment protocol involved surgical enucleation of the odontoma and open extraction of both impacted and supernumerary teeth. Patient had uneventful healing and proceeded with the prosthodontic treatment plan.

An experienced clinician can accurately diagnose a compound odontoma, as it has distinctive clinical and radiographic features. Thus, early detection and management of odontomas can help correction of any dental irregularity and avoid further complications.
Ascertaining and classifying cases of congenital anomalies in the ALSPAC birth cohort
Authors: Taylor Kurt , Thomas Richard , Mumme Mark , Golding Jean , Boyd Andy , Northstone Kate , Caputo Massimo , A Lawlor Deborah
Published: October 2020

Congenital anomalies (CAs) are structural or functional disorders that occur during intrauterine life. Longitudinal cohort studies provide unique opportunities to investigate potential causes and consequences of these disorders. In this data note, we describe how we identified cases of major CAs, with a specific focus on congenital heart diseases (CHDs), in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). We demonstrate that combining multiple sources of data including data from antenatal, delivery, primary and secondary health records, and parent-reported information can improve case ascertainment. Our approach identified 590 participants with a CA according to the Euro Registers of Congenital Anomalies (EUROCAT) guidelines, 127 of whom had a CHD. We describe the methods that identified these cases and provide statistics on subtypes of anomalies. The data note contains details on the processes required for researchers to access these data.
When Consumers Learn, Money Burns: Signaling Quality via Advertising with Observational Learning and Word of Mouth
Authors: Joshi Yogesh V. , Musalem Andres
Published: October 2020

When consumers learn via observations or word of mouth, a firm may strategically spend more on advertising to credibly signal its quality.
The Unintended Impact of Academic Research on Asset Returns: The Capital Asset Pricing Model Alpha
Authors: Horenstein Alex R.
Published: October 2020

This paper explores a channel whereby asset-pricing anomalies can appear as investors alter portfolios according to findings in academic research. In particular, I find that assets with low realized capital asset pricing model (CAPM) alphas outperform those with high alphas, but this finding only appears after the CAPM’s publication in the 1960s. I find evidence consistent with the widespread application of the CAPM generating incentives to tilt portfolios systematically away from low CAPM alpha assets, causing such assets to be undervalued.

This paper was accepted by Kay Giesecke, finance.
Speed Acquisition
Authors: Huang Shiyang , Yueshen Bart Zhou
Published: October 2020

Speed is a salient feature of modern financial markets. This paper studies investors’ speed acquisition together with their information acquisition. Speed heterogeneity arises in equilibrium, fragmenting the information aggregation process with a nonmonotone impact on price informativeness. Various competition effects drive speed and information to be either substitutes or complements. The model cautions the possible dysfunction of price discovery: An improving information technology might complement speed acquisition, which shifts the concentration of price discovery over time, possibly hurting price informativeness. Novel predictions are discussed regarding investor composition and their investment performance.

This paper was accepted by Gustavo Manso, finance.
Assortment Optimization Under Consider-Then-Choose Choice Models
Authors: Aouad Ali , Farias Vivek , Levi Retsef
Published: October 2020

Consider-then-choose models, borne out by empirical literature in marketing and psychology, explain that customers choose among alternatives in two phases, by first screening products to decide which alternatives to consider and then ranking them. In this paper, we develop a dynamic programming framework to study the computational aspects of assortment optimization under consider-then-choose premises. Although nonparametric choice models generally lead to computationally intractable assortment optimization problems, we are able to show that for many empirically vetted assumptions on how customers consider and choose, our resulting dynamic program is efficient. Our approach unifies and subsumes several specialized settings analyzed in previous literature. Empirically, we demonstrate the predictive power of our modeling approach on a combination of synthetic and real industry data sets, where prediction errors are significantly reduced against common parametric choice models. In synthetic experiments, our algorithms lead to practical computation schemes that outperform a state-of-the-art integer programming solver in terms of running time, in several parameter regimes of interest.

This paper was accepted by Yinyu Ye, optimization.
Adapting to Radical Change: The Benefits of Short-Horizon Investors
Authors: Giannetti Mariassunta , Yu Xiaoyun
Published: October 2020

We show that, following shocks that change an industry’s competitive environment, firms with more short-term institutional investors experience smaller drops in sales and investment and have better long-term performance than similar firms affected by the shocks. To do so, these firms introduce new products, file more trademarks, intensify their innovation efforts, conduct more diversifying acquisitions, and have higher executive turnover in the aftermath of the shocks. Our findings suggest that firms with more short-term investors adapt better to the new competitive environment. Endogeneity of institutional ownership and other selection problems do not appear to drive our findings.

This paper was accepted by Gustavo Manso, finance.
Information Avoidance and Medical Screening: A Field Experiment in China
Authors: Li Yufeng , Meng Juanjuan , Song Changcheng , Zheng Kai
Published: October 2020

Will individuals, especially high-risk individuals, avoid a disease test because of information avoidance? We conduct a field experiment to investigate this issue. We vary the price of a diabetes test (price experiment) and offer both a diabetes test and a cancer test (disease experiment) after eliciting participants’ subjective beliefs about their disease risk. We find evidence that, first, some people avoid the test even when there is neither a monetary nor a transaction cost, and second, both low- and high-risk individuals select out of the test as the price increases. We explain our findings using three classes of models of anticipatory utility.

This paper was accepted by Yan Chen, decision analysis.
A cidade “perigosa” e sua instituição “tranquilizadora”: o Recife no contexto da reforma prisional do Oitocentos
Authors: Britto Aurélio De Moura
Published: October 2020

Este artigo enfatiza a discussão em torno das representações e usos efetivos da Casa de Detenção do Recife no contexto da reforma prisional do império. Símbolo da civilidade e modernidade penal, mas também de controle e segurança pública, a Casa de Detenção do Recife era apreendida pelos gestores da cidade como um instrumento cuja finalidade era dirimir e sanear as práticas criminosas de parcela da população reputada como desregrada e afeita ao delito. Por outro lado, um conjunto de segmentos populares, longe de endossar essa representação da instituição prisional, apropriaram-se da prisão como uma zona de comércio. Entre a “instituição tranquilizadora” e a “casa de comércio”, entre as representações da parcela da elite e as usos efetivos da instituição, que reconstituiremos aspectos da história da reforma prisional tal qual vivenciada no Recife na segunda metade do Oitocentos.
COTA JUNIOR, Eustáquio Ornelas. A formação da coleção latino-americana do MoMA: Arte, cultura e política (1931-1943). Jundiaí, SP: Paco, 2019. 236 p.
Authors: Moreira Igor Lemos
Published: October 2020

Resenha de: COTA JUNIOR, Eustáquio Ornelas. A formação da coleção latino-americana do MoMA: Arte, cultura e política (1931-1943). Jundiaí, SP: Paco, 2019. 236 p.
A trajetória de Pedro Barbosa Leal e as redes de conquistas no sertão da capitania da Bahia, 1690-1730
Authors: Conceição Hélida Santos
Published: October 2020

Este artigo apresenta a trajetória do coronel e sertanista baiano Pedro Barbosa Leal, a partir da análise circunstanciada dos serviços por ele prestados nas ações de conquista do sertão baiano. Busca analisar sua posição estratégica na rede governativa atlântica articulada entre os governos de D. João de Lencastre e do vice-rei Vasco Fernandes César de Meneses que funcionou entre as décadas de 1690 e 1730. O ineditismo de sua trajetória reside no fato dele ter sido um personagem que viveu entre dois mundos: como senhor de engenho inseriu-se nos principais espaços da nobreza baiana, mas foi como sertanista que conseguiu ampliar o escopo de sua nobreza. A partir da análise de um significativo conjunto de fontes produzidos a partir de suas relações com administradores régios, pode-se atestar a sua agência na rede clientelar articulada entre o vice-rei, o sertanistas e a Coroa. Deseja-se demonstrar que como sertanista experiente ele colaborou com a administração colonial ao enviar informações estratégicas sobre a ecologia, a geografia e os recursos ambientais disponíveis no sertão da capitania da Bahia.
Administrar a justiça d’El Rei no Reino e no Ultramar: a trajetória do bacharel José Álvares Ferreira (1772-1810)
Authors: Menezes Wanderlei De Oliveira
Published: October 2020

Este texto aborda a trajetória do bacharel José Álvares Ferreira e sua atuação a frente de cargos administrativos da magistratura portuguesa de antigo regime. Destacamos os dados relativos a seu nascimento, estudos e vida familiar, porém nos ocupamos da carreira que ele desempenhou nas vilas do reino de Portugal e, principalmente, das ações na comarca de Sergipe d’El Rei, onde conseguiu o título de desembargador. Esta pesquisa evidenciou aspectos da carreira da magistratura e do papel desempenhado pelas comarcas ultramarinas na ascensão profissional de bacharéis oriundos de famílias dos estratos medianos da sociedade. Assim, procuramos por meio de informações diversas reconstruir uma trajetória no intuito de explicitar a cultura política de antigo regime e como ela operava a partir de indivíduos.
Salvador, Rio de Janeiro e o donativo para o casamento da Rainha da Grã-Bretanha e para a Paz de Holanda (1662-1679)
Authors: Ferreira Letícia Dos Santos
Published: October 2020

Este artigo busca investigar a dinâmica fiscal através do donativo para o casamento da Rainha da Grã-Bretanha, Catarina de Bragança e para paz com a Holanda partindo da implantação da contribuição na Bahia e no Rio de Janeiro. O donativo tem sido citado pela historiografia, mas conhece poucos trabalhos com caráter mais analítico. Partindo da sua natureza extraordinária, voluntária e proporcional objetivamos destrinchar as resoluções tomadas pelas câmaras evidenciando-as com um locus privilegiado de discussões políticas. Tal exercício funcionará como uma lente de aumento que nos permitirá visualizar questões e procedimentos fiscais. De uma maneira geral, podemos afirmar que o estudo acabará por evidenciar uma maleabilidade na estrutura fiscal que em última instância estava aberta a negociação. Neste sentido, uma primeira impressão trazida pela historiografia poderá ser desfeita, a saber: a longa duração da cobrança como uma imposição dos poderes metropolitanos, uma vez que identificamos solicitações por parte das câmaras para o prolongamento dos pagamentos do donativo do dote e paz.
Artificial intelligence and surgical innovation: lower limb arthroplasty
Authors: Magan AA , Kayani B , Chang JS , Roussot M , Moriarty P , Haddad FS
Published: October 2020

The number of patients requiring hip and knee arthroplasty continues to rise each year. Patients are living longer and expecting to remain active into later life following joint replacement. Developments in computer-assisted surgery and robotic technology may optimise surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction following lower limb arthroplasty. The use of artificial intelligence in healthcare is rapidly growing and has gained momentum in lower limb arthroplasty. This article reviews the use of artificial intelligence and surgical innovation in lower limb arthroplasty, with a particular focus on robotic-assisted surgery in total knee arthroplasty.
Proactively providing training and education to care homes: a local initiative
Authors: McCarthy Natalie
Published: October 2020

Lack of regulation and oversight when it comes to training staff in care homes has often been an undermining factor in the provision of effective care to residents with more complex health needs. Natalie McCarthy outlines the training initiative launched in her local area and discusses its impact on staff confidence and proficiency and resident care
Care work and the future of recruitment
Authors: Werth Louie
Published: October 2020

Recruitment and retention has been, and will continue to be, a massive issue for the adult care sector. This problem can only be exacerbated by the financial and cultural impact of COVID-19. Louie Werth outlines his research into governmental recruitment campaigns and whether they are actually working to close the gap
PROFILE OF SAWMILLS IN THE UBÁ FURNITURE HUB IN THE STATE OF MINAS GERAIS
Authors: Castro Vinícius Resende de , Costa Luciano Junqueira , Almeida Filho Wilton Ribeiro de
Published: October 2020

The objective of this work was to identify, diagnose and characterize the sawmills in four municipalities in the State of Minas Gerais (Divinésia, Senador Firmino, Brás Pires and Dores do Turvo) that provide lumber for the industries in the Furniture Hub in Ubá, State of Minas Gerais. A semi-structured questionnaire with open questions, answered in loco and accompanied by a responsible person (interviewer), with information on the identification of the potentialities and fragilities of the local lumber sector as well as to know the raw material (logs), the wood split processes, the internal management, the qualification of the employees, the machinery, products, market and prospects of the sector in these municipalities. It was found that Eucalyptus wood is the most used. The diameter of the logs is shown as the factor that affects the yield in 100% of the analyzed sawmills, where cracking and variability of the logs are the main difficulties of working with the raw material. The lumber sector in the analyzed municipalities needs a greater qualification, both managerial and technical, to improve the activity. In addition, it is necessary to better organize the companies related to the lumber sector through associations and support from local entities and greater exposure of the products to the local consumers.
‘We are constantly overdrawn, despite not spending money on anything other than bills and food’: a mixed-methods, participatory study of food and food insecurity in the context of income inequality
Authors: Pybus Katie , Power Madeleine , Pickett Kate E.
Published: October 2020

This article reports on a participatory, mixed-methods study, of the causes and lived experiences of food insecurity in the context of an unequal city in England. Among families with young children, we find that income and housing tenure are strongly associated with food insecurity and food bank use, and these impacts extend to higher socioeconomic status groups. Higher costs of food, housing and transport associated with life in an unequal context, meant that food formed part of a series of competing pressures on household budgets. We urge future food insecurity research to focus further on these broader socioeconomic drivers of poverty.
Multi-speckle diffuse correlation spectroscopy to measure cerebral blood flow
Authors: Murali K. , Varma Hari M.
Published: October 2020

We present a multi-speckle diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) system for measuring cerebral blood flow in the healthy adult human brain. In contrast to the need for a high frame rate camera to measure the multi-speckle intensity auto-correlation, we employ a low frame rate camera to measure the auto-correlation using the recently introduced multi-step volterra integral method (MVIM). The results are validated by comparison against the blood flow measured using standard DCS system.
Non-invasive in situ monitoring of bone scaffold activity by speckle pattern analysis
Authors: Farzam Rad Vahideh , Panahi Majid , Jamali Ramin , Darudi Ahmad , Moradi Ali-Reza
Published: October 2020

Scaffold-based bone tissue engineering aims to develop 3D scaffolds that mimic the extracellular matrix to regenerate bone defects and damages. In this paper, we provide a laser speckle analysis to characterize the highly porous scaffold. The experimental procedure includes in situ acquisition of speckle patterns of the bone scaffold at different times under preserved environmental conditions, and follow-up statistical post-processing toward examining its internal activity. The activity and overall viscoelastic properties of scaffolds are expressed via several statistical parameters, and the variations in the computed parameters are attributed to time-varying activity of the samples during their internal substructure migration.
Experimental investigation of the jet-on-jet physical phenomenon in laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT)
Authors: Mikšys Justinas , Arutinov Gari , Feinaeugle Matthias , Römer Gert-willem
Published: October 2020

Understanding the physics behind the ejection dynamics in laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT) is of key importance in order to develop new printing techniques and overcome their limitations. In this work, a new jet-on-jet ejection phenomenon is presented and its physical origin is discussed. Time-resolved shadowgraphy imaging was employed to capture the ejection dynamics and is complemented with the photodiode intensity measurements in order to capture the light emitted by laser-induced plasma. A focus scan was conducted, which confirmed that the secondary jet is ejected due to laser-induced plasma generated at the center of the laser spot, where intensity is the highest. Five characteristic regions of the focus scan, with regards to laser fluence level and laser spot size, were distinguished. The study provides new insights in laser-induced jet dynamics and shows the possibility of overcoming the trade-off between the printing resolution and printing distance.
Electrically tunable polarization of random lasing from dye-doped nematic liquid crystals
Authors: Yao Fengfeng , Hong Rongqu , Zhang Boao , Pei Yanbo , Hou Chunfeng , Sun Xiudong
Published: October 2020

Tunable polarizing direction of random lasing emission by an applied electric field which radiated from the lateral end face of homogeneously aligned, dye-doped nematic liquid crystal (NLC) cell was demonstrated for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. The lasing emission was partially polarized in the direction along the director of the NLC without the applied electric field. By tuning the applied electric field, the NLC director could be rotated to arbitrary direction from homogeneous to homeotropic alignment, resulting in the polarizing direction of lasing emission to any direction from parallel to perpendicular to the substrate surface in the end face.
Sub-pixel dimensional measurement algorithm based on intensity integration threshold
Authors: Chu Menglin , Huang Wei , Xu Mingfei , Jia Shuqiang , Zhang Xiaofei , Lu Yongnan
Published: October 2020

In this paper, we proposed a sub-pixel measurement algorithm based on intensity integration threshold (IIT). The proposed method can localize the sub-pixel edges in an inexpensive way by calculating the integration of the intensity across the edge and finding the point where the integration reaches the threshold. Comparative tests show our method realized better efficiency and robustness in practical applications than other state-of-the-art algorithms.
CO-OFDM for bandwidth-reconfigurable optical interconnects using gain-switched comb
Authors: Narayanan Venkatasubramani Lakshmi , Lin Yi , Browning Colm , Vijay Anirudh , Smyth Frank , David Koilpillai R. , Venkitesh Deepa , P Barry Liam
Published: October 2020

We experimentally demonstrate superchannel transmission using CO-OFDM with higher cardinality QAM corresponding to total data rates up to 760 Gbps over 25 km fiber using optical carriers generated from an externally injection locked gain-switched comb source with linewidth ≈19 kHz. Bandwidth re-configurability is demonstrated by operating the comb with different line spacing (20 GHz, 11 GHz) for the choice of (16-/32-/64-) QAM considered and we show the BER performance is within the SD-FEC limit. The system proposed can be used in any short reach application including DCIs and in access networks.
Digitale Plattformen: Strategien für KMU
Authors: Bender Benedict , Habib Natalie , Gronau Norbert
Published: October 2020

Obwohl digitale Plattformen vornehmlich von Großunternehmen betrieben werden, bieten sie klein- und mittelständischen Unternehmen (KMU) Potenziale zur Verbreitung innovativer Technologien und für den Ausbau ihres Geschäftsmodells. Für die Umsetzung digitaler Plattformen stehen Unternehmen mehrere Strategien zur Verfügung. Der Beitrag vergleicht und bewertet grundlegende Strategien am Beispiel eines Maschinenbauunternehmens. Die Ergebnisse dienen als Grundlage für die Entscheidungsfindung von KMU.
O Deus Pai junto à mesa
Authors: Piza Pedro Luís De Toledo
Published: October 2020

O desenvolvimento de uma autoridade concentrada em uma única pessoa é, certamente, um dos principais processos sociais do cristianismo dos dois primeiros séculos d.C. e também um dos que deixaram um legado mais duradouro e influente na Igreja cristã dos séculos seguintes. Nesse sentido, Inácio de Antioquia vem a ser não somente uma testemunha histórica das dinâmicas envolvendo tal processo na Ásia Proconsular de seu tempo, mas também, e sobretudo, um agente histórico que trabalha, usando de sua habilidade retórica e de sua condição de prisioneiro, para reorganizar as comunidades cristãs às quais se dirigia em torno daquele que defendia ser a própria representação do Deus Pai na ceia sagrada.
La objeción de Aristóteles en contra de las Formas en Metafísica M.9
Authors: González-Varela Edgar
Published: October 2020

En Metafísica M.9 Aristóteles expone una aporía sobre las Formas, según la cual, los que introducen Formas las hacen substancias universales y, al mismo tiempo, entidades separadas y, por ello, particulares. Pero, sostiene, no es posible que ambos atributos, ser universal y particular, se den en la misma cosa. La interpretación que los especialistas han defendido de esta objeción es externa, en tanto que sostienen que se deriva de la propia concepción aristotélica de la separación: solo lo que es particular está separado. Aquí defiendo una interpretación interna que afirma que la objeción se deriva de un supuesto sobre el rol explicativo de las Formas que Aristóteles le atribuye a los platónicos.