bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of the ACMG/NSGC genetic referral guidelines for hereditary renal cell carcinoma at the University of Miami, from 2014 to 2017
Authors: Leuchter Jessica D. , Patel Priyen M. , Fourzali Kayla M. , Donenberg Talia R. , Silva‐Smith Rachel , Vassallo Nicolette C. , Blanton Susan H. , Parekh Dipen J. , Forghani Irman
Published: June 2021

Identifying hereditary syndromes among patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is essential for surveillance of affected individuals and their at‐risk family members and for treatment optimization. We conducted a chart review to determine the percentage of patients with RCC who were seen at the University of Miami Health System (UHealth), and met the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) and the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) genetic referral criteria at the University of Miami. Subsequently, we determined the percentage of those who went on to receive genetic evaluation. Patients selected by International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 9/10 codes corresponding to kidney cancer who were at least 18 years of age at the time of diagnosis were included in the study. We included a total of 1443 patients in the final analysis, and after exclusion of charts with incorrect ICD codes, insufficient clinical data, unknown pathology, and patients who were not seen. We used chi‐square analysis, ANOVA, and t‐test. Of 1443 charts reviewed, 65.7% were male and 34.3% were female. 47.7% self‐identified as White, 39.2% as Hispanic, 9.1% as Black, and 4.0% as “other.” The mean age of RCC diagnosis was 60.0 ± 12.4 years old. In total, 47.0% of patients met ACMG/NSGC referral criteria for genetic evaluation. Of those, only 4.2% had documented genetic assessment. This study showed a low adherence to ACMG/NSGC genetic referral guidelines at our institution and a need for increasing patients' and practitioners' awareness about the significance of genetic assessment for RCC patients and their family members.
Progress and challenges in sustainability, compatibility, and production of eco‐composites: A state‐of‐art review
Authors: Nassar Mahmoud M. A. , Alzebdeh Khalid I. , Pervez Tasneem , Al‐Hinai Nasr , Munam Abdul
Published: June 2021

Owing to economic and environmental benefits, new generations of materials/commodities follow “from waste to wealth” strategy. Recently, there has been a huge upsurge in research on the development of eco‐composites using recycled plastic polymers and agro‐residues because the eco‐composites satisfy the stringent environment regulations and are cost‐effective. Herein, we present a detailed review on the potential use of several types of natural fillers as an efficient reinforcement for recycled plastic polymers. In particular, the characterization of different categories of eco‐composites according to their morphological, physical, thermal, and mechanical properties is extensively reviewed and their results are analyzed, compared, and highlighted. Furthermore, a framework to produce functional eco‐composites, which includes functionalization of ingredients, critical issues on microstructural parameters, processing, and fabrication methods, is outlined and supported with sufficient data from the literature. Finally, the review outlines the emerging challenges and future prospects of eco‐composites to be addressed by interested researchers to bridge the gap between research and commercialization of such a class of material. Overall, the acquired knowledge will guide researchers, scientists, and manufacturers to plan, select, and develop various forms of eco‐composites with enhanced properties and optimized production processes.
The environmental dependence of the stellar mass of active galactic nucleus host galaxies and dependence of the clustering properties of active galactic nucleus host galaxies on the stellar mass
Authors: Deng Xin‐Fa , Wen Xiao‐Qing
Published: June 2021

We used two volume‐limited active galactic nucleus (AGN) host galaxy samples constructed by Deng & Wen (2020, RMxAA, 56, 87), and explored the environmental dependence of the stellar mass of AGN host galaxies. In the luminous volume‐limited AGN host galaxy sample, the stellar mass of AGN host galaxies apparently depends on local environments: high mass AGN host galaxies exist preferentially in the dense regions of the universe, while low mass AGN host galaxies are located preferentially in low density regions. But in the faint volume‐limited AGN host galaxy sample, this dependence is fairly weak. We also examined the dependence of the clustering properties of AGN host galaxies on the stellar mass by cluster analysis, and found that in the luminous volume‐limited AGN host galaxy sample, low mass AGN host galaxies preferentially form isolated galaxies, close pairs, and small groups, while high mass AGN host galaxies preferentially inhabit the dense groups and clusters. A substantial dependence of the clustering properties of AGN host galaxies on the stellar mass is also observed in the faint volume‐limited AGN host galaxy sample, which is inconsistent with the environmental dependence of the stellar mass of AGN host galaxies in the faint volume‐limited AGN host galaxy sample. This is likely due to the galaxy number of the faint volume‐limited AGN host galaxy sample being too small to ensure an ideal statistical analysis.
Bas‐relief layout arrangement via automatic method optimization
Authors: Mao Jiahui , Li Tingting , Zhang Feiyu , Wang Meili , Chang Jian , Lu Xuequan
Published: June 2021

It is significant to achieve automatic arrangement for bas‐relief layout which can be noticeably more efficient than the time‐consuming manual process. In fact, nearly none work has been reported in terms of bas‐relief layout arrangement. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to tackle this problem. Specifically, we first identify the evaluation indicators to account for different aesthetic factors, and model the goodness of each indicator. We then cast the bas‐relief layout as a combinatorial optimization problem based on those evaluation indicators and a geometric mean model. The contribution of this paper is to propose an objective function for bas‐relief layout and apply simulated annealing algorithm for optimization. Experiments show that our method is effective, in terms of layout arrangement for bas‐relief generation. In addition, this method can synthesize a few models arrangement and investigate which evaluation indicators will affect the aesthetic perception of the bas‐relief.
Effect of Liquid Addition on Gas‐Solid Fluidization
Authors: Zhao Yan , Wen Liangying , Liu Bo , Wang Jianxin , Wang Chengshan , Zhang Shengfu
Published: June 2021

The flow characteristics within a gas‐solid fluidized‐bed reactor can be intensified by adding liquid. Knowledge on the effect of liquid addition on flow characteristics is important to scale‐up and operation of fluidized beds. In the experiments, a cold‐mode fluidized bed loaded with rutile particles is constructed. The effect of addition position and quantity of liquid on the evolution rule of parameters in the fluidized bed is investigated using numerical simulation. The simulation and experimental pressure fluctuations agree well, and numerical results indicate that the insertion depth has a significant influence on the bed central pressure and radial concentration distribution. The agitating effect of liquid on a fluidized bed increases with the insertion depth and liquid‐solid volume ratio.
How therapists' interpersonal behaviour is perceived by their patients and close others: A longitudinal and cross‐situational study
Authors: Wolfer Christine , Hilpert Peter , Flückiger Christoph
Published: June 2021

Due to their predictive abilities, therapist interpersonal behaviour is of great relevance for psychotherapy. However, there is a lack of knowledge about its stability inside but also outside of the therapy room within and between therapists. The current study investigates interpersonal behaviour of trainee therapists (N = 20) as perceived by four patients each suffering from generalized anxiety disorder and three closely related persons of every therapist (close others). Investigating repeated measures, four patients per therapist completed the Impact Message Inventory (IMI; Kiesler, 1987) three times over the course of their cognitive behavioural therapy. Furthermore, the IMI was completed by three close others at one assessment time. Therapist interpersonal behaviour was perceived as more friendly and less submissive when evaluated by close others compared to patients. Using a multilevel approach, our results indicate that therapists' interpersonal behaviour was perceived considerably stable across patients and over the course of treatment, and there is considerable uniformity of the IMI evaluations in respect to the particular subscales within and between therapists. Our results highlight the potential similarities of observer‐based habitual therapists' interpersonal behaviour inside and outside of the therapy room.
No effect of passive integrated transponder tagging method on survival or body condition in a northern population of Black‐capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus)
Authors: Farr Jonathan J. , Haave‐Audet Elène , Thompson Peter R. , Mathot Kimberley J.
Published: June 2021

Passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags allow a range of individual‐level data to be collected passively and have become a commonly used technology in many avian studies. Although the potential adverse effects of PIT tags have been evaluated in several species, explicit investigations of their impacts on small (<12 g) birds are limited. This is important, because it is reasonable to expect that smaller birds could be impacted more strongly by application of PIT tags. In this study, we individually marked Black‐capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus), a small (circa 10 g) passerine, at the University of Alberta Botanic Garden to evaluate potential lethal and sublethal effects of two PIT tagging methods: attachment to leg bands or subcutaneous implantation. We used a Cox proportional hazards model to compare the apparent survival of chickadees with leg band (N = 79) and implanted PIT tags (N = 77) compared with control birds that received no PIT tags (N = 76) over the subsequent 2 years based on mist net recaptures. We used radio‐frequency identification (RFID) redetections of leg band PIT tags to evaluate sex‐specific survival and increase the accuracy of our survival estimates. We also used a generalized linear regression model to compare the body condition of birds recaptured after overwintering with leg band PIT tags, implanted PIT tags, or neither. Our analysis found no evidence for adverse effects of either PIT tagging method on survival or body condition. While we recommend carefully monitoring study animals and evaluating the efficacy of different PIT tagging methods, we have shown that both leg band and subcutaneously implanted PIT tags ethical means of obtaining individualized information in a small passerine.
Disentangling effects of multiple stressors on matter flow in a lake food web
Authors: Wang Shuran Cindy , Liu Xueqin , Liu Yong , Wang Hongzhu
Published: June 2021

Understanding the relative importance of multiple stressors is valuable to prioritize conservation and restoration measures. Yet, the effects of multiple stressors on ecosystem functioning remain largely unknown in many fresh waters. Here, we provided a methodology combining ecosystem modeling with linear regression to disentangle the effects of multiple stressors on matter flow, an important ecosystem function. Treating a shallow lake as the model ecosystem, we simulated matter flow dynamics during 1950s–2010s with different combinations of stressors by Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) modeling and determined the relative importance of each stressor by generalized linear mixed models. We found that matter flow of the lake food web was highly dynamic, attributing to effects of multiple anthropogenic stressors. Biological invasion played the strongest role in driving the matter flow dynamics, followed by eutrophication, while biomanipulation (i.e., phytoplankton control by planktivorous fish stocking) was of little importance. Eutrophication had a stronger role on primary producers, pelagic food chain, and top predators, while biological invasion on consumers in the middle of food chains. The former was more important in driving the quantity of matter flow, while the latter on trophic transfer efficiencies. Scenario forecasting showed that reducing nutrients contents could largely shape the matter flow pattern, while biomanipulation had little effect. Our findings provided new insights into understanding the mechanistic links between anthropogenic stressors and ecosystem functioning by combining ecosystem modeling with linear regression.
Disentangling biotic and abiotic drivers of intraspecific trait variation in woody plant seedlings at forest edges
Authors: Zheng Shilu , Webber Bruce L. , Didham Raphael K. , Chen Chun , Yu Mingjian
Published: June 2021

In fragmented forests, edge effects can drive intraspecific variation in seedling performance that influences forest regeneration and plant composition. However, few studies have attempted to disentangle the relative biotic and abiotic drivers of intraspecific variation in seedling performance. In this study, we carried out a seedling transplant experiment with a factorial experimental design on three land‐bridge islands in the Thousand Island Lake, China, using four common native woody plant species. At different distances from the forest edge (2, 8, 32, 128 m), we transplanted four seedlings of each species into each of three cages: full‐cage, for herbivore exclusion; half‐cage, that allowed herbivore access but controlled for caging artifacts; and no‐cage control. In the 576 cages, we recorded branch architecture, leaf traits, and seedling survival for each seedling before and after the experimental treatment. Overall, after one full growing season, edge‐induced abiotic drivers and varied herbivory pressure led to intraspecific variation in seedling performance, including trade‐offs in seedling architecture and resource‐use strategies. However, responses varied across species with different life‐history strategies and depended on the driver in question, such that the abiotic and biotic effects were additive across species, rather than interactive. Edge‐induced abiotic variation modified seedling architecture of a shade‐tolerant species, leading to more vertical rather than lateral growth at edges. Meanwhile, increased herbivory pressure resulted in a shift toward lower dry matter investment in leaves of a light‐demanding species. Our results suggest that edge effects can drive rapid directional shifts in the performance and intraspecific traits of some woody plants from early ontogenetic stages, but most species in this study showed negligible phenotypic responses to edge effects. Moreover, species‐specific responses suggest the importance of interspecific differences modulating the degree of trait plasticity, implying the need to incorporate individual‐level responses when understanding the impact of forest fragmentation on plant communities.
A systematic review and meta‐analysis of the impact of cornelian cherry consumption on blood lipid profiles
Authors: Mohammadi Keyhan , Alizadeh Sani Mahmood , Nattagh‐Eshtivani Elyas , Yaribash Shakila , Rahmani Jamal , Shokrollahi Yancheshmeh Behdad , Julian McClements David
Published: June 2021

Polyphenolic and flavonoid compounds are claimed to improve blood lipid profiles and to provide protective effects against cardiovascular disease. For this reason, we conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of studies that comprehensively investigated the effects of cornelian cherry supplementation on lipid profiles in rat models. Up to December 2020, 855 articles were screened, and finally, seven articles were selected as eligible for the meta‐analysis. This meta‐analysis revealed that cornelian cherry supplementation significantly decreased low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) (WMD = −6.38 mg/dl; 95% CI, −9.93 to–2.84; p < .001), triglyceride (TG) (WMD = −52.36 mg/dl; 95% CI, −80.50 to −24.22; p < .005), and cholesterol level (WMD = −37.16 mg/dl; 95% CI, −51.19 to −23.13; p < .005) in treated rats compared with control groups. A nonsignificant increase in high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) level was observed (WMD = 4.21 mg/dl; 95% CI, −3.25 to 11.66; p = .268). These results suggest that cherry supplementation may have health effects by modifying lipid profiles. However, there is a need for more well‐controlled human clinical trials to make more definitive conclusions about the potential health benefits of cherry supplementation.
Uptake of Primary Care Services and HIV and Syphilis Infection among Transgender Women attending the Tangerine Community Health Clinic, Bangkok, Thailand, 2016 – 2019
Authors: van Griensven Frits , Janamnuaysook Rena , Nampaisan Oranuch , Peelay Jitsupa , Samitpol Kritima , Mills Stephen , Pankam Tippawan , Ramautarsing Reshmie , Teeratakulpisarn Nipat , Phanuphak Praphan , Phanuphak Nittaya
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Transgender women (TGW) need a specific package of primary care services usually not available in the publicly funded healthcare system. In addition, little is known about HIV and syphilis prevalence and incidence in clinic‐based samples of TGW. Here we evaluate the uptake of a transgender‐specific package of primary care services by TGW in Bangkok, Thailand and assess HIV and syphilis prevalence and incidence among them.

Methods

Open cohort study of TGW attending services at the Tangerine Community Health Clinic from 2016 to 2019. Cross‐sectional and longitudinal analysis of routinely collected clinic data was performed to study trends in the number of clients, clinic visits and HIV and syphilis prevalence and incidence.

Results

During the study period, 2947 TGW clients made a total of 5227 visits to Tangerine. The number of clients significantly increased from 446 in 2016 to 1050 in 2019 (p < 0.001) and the number of visits from 616 to 2198 during the same period (p < 0.001). Prevalence of HIV at first visit was 10.8% and of syphilis 9.8%. HIV incidence was 1.03 per 100 person years (PY) and of syphilis 2.06 per 100 PY of follow‐up. From 2016 to 2019, significant decreases occurred in the annual prevalence of HIV from 14.6% to 9.9% (p < 0.01). The annual prevalence of syphilis significantly increased from 6.6% in 2016 to 14.6% in 2018, and then decreased to 7.3% in 2019 (p < 0.001). The annual HIV incidence decreased during 2016 to 2019, from 1.68 to 1.28 per 100 PY, but this reduction was not statistically significant. The annual incidence of treponemal test seroconversion significantly increased from zero in 2016 to 4.55 per 100 PY in 2019 (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The increasing uptake of a transgender‐specific package of services, including co‐located gender affirmative hormone therapy, suggests this may be an effective model in engaging and retaining TGW in primary care. The decrease in HIV prevalence and low HIV incidence across calendar years point at a possible reduction of HIV acquisition among the TGW population served by Tangerine. The increasing prevalence of syphilis suggests ongoing high‐risk sexual behaviour and underscores the need for screening and treatment for this infection at the time of delivery of HIV services.
Elevated F-EDN correlates with mucosal eosinophil degranulation in patients with IBS—A possible association with microbiota?
Authors: Casado-Bedmar Maite , de-Faria Felipe Meira , Biskou Olga , Lindqvist Carl Mårten , Ranasinghe Purnika Damindi , Bednarska Olga , Peterson Christer , Walter Susanna A , Carlson Marie , Keita Åsa V
Published: June 2021

Eosinophils have been linked to functional dyspepsia; however, less is known about their role in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This study tested the hypothesis of alterations in levels of fecal eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (F-EDN) and eosinophil density and degranulation within the colonic mucosa of IBS patients compared with healthy controls (HC). Colonic biopsies were collected from 37 IBS patients and 20 HC and analyzed for eosinophil numbers and local degranulation of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) by histologic procedures. Fecal samples were collected for F-EDN and microbiota analysis. Differentiated 15HL-60 cells were used in vitro to investigate the direct effect of live bacteria on eosinophil activation measured by a colorimetric assay with o-phenylenediamine (OPD) substrate. We observed a higher number of eosinophils and increased extracellular ECP in the mucosa of IBS patients compared with HC. Moreover, F-EDN levels in IBS samples were elevated compared with HC and positively correlated to extracellular ECP. Metagenomic analysis showed significant correlations between bacterial composition and eosinophil measurements in both HC and IBS patients. In vitro experiments revealed an increased degranulation of 15HL-60 after stimulation with Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella enterica, and Yersinia enterocolitica. To conclude, we could demonstrate alterations related to eosinophils in IBS, and, for the first time, a positive correlation between F-EDN levels and degranulated eosinophils in the colonic mucosa of IBS patients. Together our results suggest that eosinophils play a role in the pathophysiology of IBS and the mechanisms might be linked to an altered microbiota.
Cytokines regulate stemness of mesenchymal stem cells via miR‐628‐5p during periodontal regeneration
Authors: Iwata Tomoyuki , Mizuno Noriyoshi , Nagahara Takayoshi , Kaneda‐Ikeda Eri , Kajiya Mikihito , Sasaki Shinya , Takeda Katsuhiro , Kiyota Mari , Yagi Ryoichi , Fujita Tsuyoshi , Kurihara Hidemi
Published: June 2021

Background

Cytokines play key roles in stimulating periodontal regeneration; however, their exact mechanisms of action remain unclear. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells that have self‐renewal abilities and can differentiate into periodontal tissues such as bone, cementum, and periodontal ligaments following transplantation, like periodontal progenitor cells. Here, we used MSCs to identify the regulatory genes induced by periodontal regenerative cytokines.

Methods

Human MSCs (hMSCs) were cultured under conditions of periodontal regenerative cytokine stimulation or silencing of undifferentiated hMSC transcription factors. To characterize the changes associated with periodontal regenerative cytokine‐regulated microRNAs (miRNAs), miRNA, and mRNA expression was evaluated using miRNA arrays and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, respectively. One of the identified miRNAs, miR‐628‐5p, was then overexpressed or suppressed in hMSCs during osteogenesis; the effect of these changes on osteogenesis was investigated.

Results

Cytokine‐stimulated MSCs showed characteristic miRNA profiles and mRNA levels of undifferentiated hMSC transcription factors ETV1, SOX11, and GATA6. Next, we silenced these transcription factors in MSCs and examined the miRNA profiles. The levels of miR‐628‐5p were decreased upon all cytokine treatments and were increased upon silencing of ETV1, SOX11, and GATA6. Overexpression of miR‐628‐5p suppressed osteogenesis; however, its inhibition enhanced OPN, ALP, OC, BMP2, and RUNX2 mRNA levels, and bone matrix mineralization, but not OSX mRNA or ALP activity.

Conclusions

miR‐628‐5p negatively regulates MSC stemness during periodontal regeneration. Periodontal regenerative cytokines act as miR‐628‐5p suppressors to support periodontal regeneration. Thus, selection of effective cytokines for different MSCs, based on miRNA profiling, is important for advancing regenerative therapies.
A fatigue model for spiral bevel gears under mixed elastohydrodynamic lubrication conditions
Authors: Cao Wei , Pu Wei , Wang Di , Yang Yu , Li Xuanqiu , Liu Cunbo
Published: June 2021

Many contributions have focused on the pitting analysis in gear transmissions. However, studies on pitting fatigue in spiral bevel gears are limited due to the complexity of tooth contact and lubrication analysis. This paper is to present a reasonable methodology to simulate the pitting crack nucleation of spiral bevel gears considering the real three‐dimensional (3D) rough surface contact where the intermittent asperity stress concentrations is prominent. The proposed model includes a loaded tooth contact analysis model, a mixed elastohydrodynamic lubrication model proposed previously, 3D stress filed formulation, and multi‐axial fatigue criterions. In order to determine an appropriate multi‐axial fatigue criterion for spiral bevel gear, a characteristic plane approach and a conventional critical plane approach are employed in this study. The predicted micro‐pitting lives are compared to published micro‐pitting investigations to assess the reliability of two fatigue criterions in simulation of the micro‐pitting failure. It is observed that the characteristic plane approach is better to reveal the failure mechanism in spiral bevel gears.
Insight into the nondestructive performance evaluation of fiber‐reinforced polymer composite laminate immersed in produced water using embedded fiber Bragg grating sensor
Authors: Mohanta Santoshi , Padarthi Yashwanth , Gupta Jeetendra , Neogi Swati
Published: June 2021

Fiber‐reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are exposed to various corrosive media during their service life, which adversely affects their material properties. Here, a novel approach is developed to investigate the long‐term performance of glass FRP composite laminate immersed in produced water generated in oil fields. This is achieved by monitoring the internal hygroscopic strain developed over the aging time using embedded fiber Bragg grating sensor. Composite material strength reduction over the immersion time is evaluated by conducting destructive mechanical tests at regular intervals, and the mechanism of property degradation is established. It is observed that property degradation follows first‐order kinetics and absorption of produced water medium obeys dual‐sorption diffusion kinetics. Moreover, the strain developed within the composite laminate is formulated by considering the unified influence of swelling and chemical degradation. The predicted strain closely interprets the experimentally recorded strain. This work proves that the strain measurement is an effective nondestructive technique to estimate the property of FRP composite laminates on a real‐time basis.
Post‐consumer recycled high density polyethylene/polypropylene blend with improved overall performance through modification by impact polypropylene copolymer: morphology, properties and fracture resistance
Authors: Mehrabi‐Mazidi Majid , Sharifi Hossein
Published: June 2021

The effect of an impact polypropylene copolymer (IPC) having excellent stiffness–toughness balance on the microstructure and properties of a blend comprising 80 wt% recycled high density polyethylene (rHDPE) and 20 wt% recycled isotactic polypropylene (rPP) was studied. Morphological observations revealed improved interfacial interactions, a finer dispersion state and a more homogeneous phase morphology upon IPC incorporation into the blend up to 20 wt%. Flexural modulus, flexural strength, tensile strength and tensile ductility were steadily increased with IPC loading, and exhibited 13%, 14%, 35% and 520% improvement at 20 wt% IPC. A monotonic rise in Izod impact energy, accompanied by a transition from semi‐brittle to fully ductile failure mode, was observed with IPC concentration, so that this parameter showed 110% increment at 20 wt% IPC. The change in properties was attributed to the compatibilization, toughening as well as reinforcing effects of the IPC phase in the modified blends. Melting and crystallization of the blends were studied by the DSC technique. Failure mechanisms and micro‐deformations accompanying the impact fracture process of the blends were closely examined, and the role of IPC in improving the toughness and fracture resistance of the modified blends was clarified. The results were interpreted in terms of interfacial strength, efficiency of stress transfer across the phase boundaries, and stability of plastic micro‐deformations during the fracture process. The results clearly demonstrate that simultaneous improvement in stiffness, strength and (impact) toughness of the incompatible rHDPE/rPP blend can be achieved by modification with a properly chosen IPC. The present work addresses some challenges, with respect to stiffness and strength, encountered with the use of conventional elastomeric and/or plastomeric olefin copolymers as common modifiers for polyolefin blends. © 2021 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Cost‐effectiveness analysis of telephone‐based cognitive behaviour therapy compared to treatment as usual CBT for cancer patients: Evidence from a small, randomised controlled trial
Authors: Rodrigues Pedro , Watson Maggie , White Charlotte , Lynch Andrea , Mohammed Kabir , Sagoo Gurdeep S.
Published: June 2021

Objective

A previous equivalence randomised trial indicated that Telephone‐based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (T‐CBT) was not inferior to Treatment as Usual CBT (TAU‐CBT) delivered face to face in terms of psychological benefit with both groups showing post‐therapy improvements compared to pre‐therapy baseline. The aim here is to clarify costs and benefits through an economic evaluation of the two therapy models.

Method

The cost‐effectiveness analysis (cost per quality‐adjusted life year [QALY]) was derived from a single‐centre (UK‐based), two‐arm randomised control trial. Data from 78 patients were available for the main analysis, which includes both an NHS cost perspective and a societal perspective which includes the cost of time off work and any additional private care. Sensitivity analyses were undertaken, which included patients only completing the four core therapy sessions (46 patients) and considering only patients taking both core and the additional therapy sessions which were optional (32 patients).

Results

The base‐case analysis, adopting an NHS perspective, showed that T‐CBT was associated with an incremental cost of £50 (95% CI: −£759 to £989) and a 0.03 QALY (95% CI: −0.09 to 0.03) decrement per patient when compared to TAU‐CBT. The analysis adopting a societal perspective yielded similar results, with T‐CBT providing an incremental cost of £171 (95% CI: −£769 to £1112) and a 0.03 QALY (95% CI: −0.08 to 0.03) decrement per patient in comparison to TAU‐CBT. The first sensitivity analysis, considering patients only taking the core therapy sessions, showed that T‐CBT provided an incremental cost of £100 (95% CI: −£945 to £1247) and yielded a decrement of 0.01 QALY (95% CI: −0.03 to 0.01) per patient compared to TAU‐CBT. The second sensitivity analysis, which focused solely on patients who also underwent optional sessions, showed that T‐CBT was associated with an incremental cost of £17 (95% CI: −£1307 to £1454) and a 0.04 QALY (95% CI: −0.11 to 0.03) decrement per patient when compared to TAU‐CBT.

Conclusions

Based on this single trial, T‐CBT is not cost‐effective as a therapy option for cancer patients with high psychological needs when compared to TAU‐CBT.
Robust design under cumulative damage due to dynamic failure mechanisms
Authors: Engel Avner , Teller Amit , Shachar Shalom , Reich Yoram
Published: June 2021

The purpose of this paper is to broaden the practical notion of Taguchi's Quality Loss Function (QLF) from a static, one‐stage concept into a dynamic time‐varying tool. Taguchi challenged the old‐age notion of engineering tolerance and proposed a quadratic QLF that quantifies loss to society, caused by deviation of products and systems from their target values. Accordingly, design engineers attempt to set each technical parameter to minimize such systems' losses. Traditionally, failure mechanisms are assumed to affect systems' performance stochastically under a steady state. So often, technical parameters are set at the mid‐point between the lower and upper specification limits where they are least likely to cause a system failure. However, in reality, many failure mechanisms affect systems over time in a predictable and directional manner rather than stochastically. Such mechanisms are designated as “Directional Degrading Failure Mechanisms”. The paper describes an optimized robust design method based on setting the operating points of technical parameters to explicitly counteract the effects of such failure mechanisms. Then, the paper describes how to minimize the lifetime societal loss of a given system utilizing a cardiac pacemaker system. The consequence of this approach suggests an extension to the Taguchi's QLF from its current static confines to a dynamic, time‐varying concept achieving, in our example, ≈65% reduction in lifetime societal losses.
Statistical Reliability of 10 Years of Cyber Security User Studies
Authors: Groß Thomas
Published: June 2021

Background.In recent years, cyber security user studies have been appraised in meta-research, mostly focusing on the completeness of their statistical inferences and the fidelity of their statistical reporting. However, estimates of the field’s distribution of statistical power and its publication bias have not received much attention.

Aim.In this study, we aim to estimate the effect sizes and their standard errors present as well as the implications on statistical power and publication bias.

Method.We built upon a published systematic literature review of 146 user studies in cyber security (2006–2016). We took into account 431 statistical inferences includingt-,$$\chi ^2$$χ2-,r-, one-wayF-tests, andZ-tests. In addition, we coded the corresponding total sample sizes, group sizes and test families. Given these data, we established the observed effect sizes and evaluated the overall publication bias. We further computed the statistical power vis-à-vis of parametrized population thresholds to gain unbiased estimates of the power distribution.

Results.We obtained a distribution of effect sizes and their conversion into comparable log odds ratios together with their standard errors. We, further, gained funnel-plot estimates of the publication bias present in the sample as well as insights into the power distribution and its consequences.

Conclusions.Through the lenses of power and publication bias, we shed light on the statistical reliability of the studies in the field. The upshot of this introspection is practical recommendations on conducting and evaluating studies to advance the field.
On a Polyanalytic Approach to Noncommutative de Branges–Rovnyak Spaces and Schur Analysis
Authors: Alpay Daniel , Colombo Fabrizio , Diki Kamal , Sabadini Irene
Published: June 2021

In this paper we begin the study of Schur analysis and of de Branges–Rovnyak spaces in the framework of Fueter hyperholomorphic functions. The difference with other approaches is that we consider the class of functions spanned by Appell-like polynomials. This approach is very efficient from various points of view, for example in operator theory, and allows us to make connections with the recently developed theory of slice polyanalytic functions. We tackle a number of problems: we describe a Hardy space, Schur multipliers and related results. We also discuss Blaschke functions, Herglotz multipliers and their associated kernels and Hilbert spaces. Finally, we consider the counterpart of the half-space case, and the corresponding Hardy space, Schur multipliers and Carathéodory multipliers.
Prävention der exzessiven Mediennutzung im Kindes- und Jugendalter
Authors: Hansen J. , Hanewinkel R. , Goecke M. , Morgenstern M.
Published: June 2021

Hintergrund

Für Kinder und Jugendliche ist die Nutzung digitaler Medien ein zentraler Bestandteil der Freizeitgestaltung. Bei etwa 8 % der 12- bis 17-Jährigen ist von einer computerspiel- oder internetbezogenen Störung auszugehen.

Ziel der Arbeit

Ziel war die Überprüfung der Wirksamkeit eines schulbasierten „Peer-to-peer“-Programms zur Prävention der exzessiven Mediennutzung im Kindes- und Jugendalter („Net-Piloten“). Das primärpräventive Programm wird Schulen mit Sekundarstufe I von der Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) in Zusammenarbeit mit den Landesstellen für Suchtfragen kostenfrei zugänglich gemacht.

Material und Methode

Die Wirksamkeit von „Net-Piloten“ wurde in einer kontrollierten Studie (1:1-Matching) überprüft. Die Datenerhebung erfolgte über einen Online-Fragebogen im 1. Schulhalbjahr 2019/2020, an der insgesamt 834 Kinder und Jugendliche teilnahmen (mittleres Alter: 12 Jahre). Die Interventionsgruppe nahm an einem von Peers durchgeführten Workshop zur Sensibilisierung für die Risiken von exzessiver Mediennutzung und zur Förderung der Selbstreflexion teil.

Ergebnisse

Schüler*innen der Interventionsbedingung verfügten über ein höheres Wissen über negative Konsequenzen exzessiver Mediennutzung und wiesen geringere Nutzungszeiten (Computerspieldauer F (1,832) = 6,45, p = 0,011) auf als die Vergleichsgruppe. Der Anteil an Schüler*innen mit problematischer Mediennutzung war nach „Net-Piloten“-Teilnahme geringer im Vergleich zur Kontrolle (F (1,832) = 14,76, p < 0,001).

Diskussion

Die Befunde stehen im Einklang mit früheren Studien zur Effektivität von schulbasierten Programmen zur Vermeidung der problematischen Mediennutzung. Sie deuten darauf hin, dass schulbasierte Programme einer exzessiv-dysfunktionalen Mediennutzung vorbeugen können.
When hazard avoidance is not an option: lessons learned from monitoring the postdisaster Oso landslide, USA
Authors: Reid Mark E. , Godt Jonathan W. , LaHusen Richard G. , Slaughter Stephen L. , Badger Thomas C. , Collins Brian D. , Schulz William H. , Baum Rex L. , Coe Jeffrey A. , Harp Edwin L. , Schmidt Kevin M. , Iverson Richard M. , Smith Joel B. , Haugerud Ralph A. , George David L.
Published: June 2021

On 22 March 2014, a massive, catastrophic landslide occurred near Oso, Washington, USA, sweeping more than 1 km across the adjacent valley flats and killing 43 people. For the following 5 weeks, hundreds of workers engaged in an exhaustive search, rescue, and recovery effort directly in the landslide runout path. These workers could not avoid the risks posed by additional large-scale slope collapses. In an effort to ensure worker safety, multiple agencies cooperated to swiftly deploy a monitoring and alerting system consisting of sensors, automated data processing and web-based display, along with defined communication protocols and clear calls to action for emergency management and search personnel. Guided by the principle that an accelerating landslide poses a greater threat than a steadily moving or stationary mass, the system was designed to detect ground motion and vibration using complementary monitoring techniques. Near real-time information was provided by continuous GPS, seismometers/geophones, and extensometers. This information was augmented by repeat-assessment techniques such as terrestrial and aerial laser scanning and time-lapse photography. Fortunately, no major additional landsliding occurred. However, we did detect small headscarp failures as well as slow movement of the remaining landslide mass with the monitoring system. This was an exceptional response situation and the lessons learned are applicable to other landslide disaster crises. They underscore the need for cogent landslide expertise and ready-to-deploy monitoring equipment, the value of using redundant monitoring techniques with distinct goals, the benefit of clearly defined communication protocols, and the importance of continued research into forecasting landslide behavior to allow timely warning.
Persistence and Stability for a Class of Forced Positive Nonlinear Delay-Differential Systems
Authors: Franco D. , Guiver C. , Logemann H.
Published: June 2021

Persistence and stability properties are considered for a class of forced positive nonlinear delay-differential systems which arise in mathematical ecology and other applied contexts. The inclusion of forcing incorporates the effects of control actions (such as harvesting or breeding programmes in an ecological setting), disturbances induced by seasonal or environmental variation, or migration. We provide necessary and sufficient conditions under which the states of these models are semi-globally persistent, uniformly with respect to the initial conditions and forcing terms. Under mild assumptions, the model under consideration naturally admits two steady states (equilibria) when unforced: the origin and a unique non-zero steady state. We present sufficient conditions for the non-zero steady state to be stable in a sense which is reminiscent of input-to-state stability, a stability notion for forced systems developed in control theory. In the absence of forcing, our input-to-sate stability concept is identical to semi-global exponential stability.
Multi-level performance-based design optimisation of steel frames with nonlinear viscous dampers
Authors: De Domenico Dario , Hajirasouliha Iman
Published: June 2021

This paper presents a practical multi-level performance-based optimisation method of nonlinear viscous dampers (NVDs) for seismic retrofit of existing substandard steel frames. A Maxwell model is adopted to simulate the behaviour of the combined damper-supporting brace system, with a fractional power-law force–velocity relationship for the NVDs, while a distributed-plasticity fibre-based section approach is used to model the beam-column members thus incorporating the nonlinearity of the parent steel frame in the design process. The optimum height-wise distribution of the damping coefficients of NVDs satisfying given performance requirements is identified via a uniform damage distribution (UDD) design philosophy. The efficiency of the proposed multi-level performance-based design optimisation is illustrated through nonlinear time-history analysis of 3-, 7- and 12-storey steel frames under both artificial and natural spectrum-compatible earthquakes. Sensitivity analysis is performed to investigate the effects of initial height-wise damping distribution, convergence factor and uncertainty in design ground-motion prediction on the optimisation strategy. The efficiency of the final optimum design solution is also investigated by using drift-based, velocity-based, and energy-based UDD approaches to identify the most efficient performance index parameter for optimisation purposes. It is found that regardless of the selected performance parameter, the optimum damping distribution identified by the proposed methodology leads to frames exhibiting lower maximum inter-storey drift, local damage (maximum plastic rotation) and global damage index compared to an equal-cost uniform damping distribution. However, using drift-based UDD approach generally results in a better seismic performance. It is shown that the proposed UDD optimisation method can be efficiently used to satisfy multiple performance objectives at different intensity levels of the earthquake excitation, in line with performance-based design recommendations of current seismic codes. The proposed method is easy to implement for practical design purposes and represents a simple yet efficient tool for optimum seismic retrofit of steel frames with NVDs.
Why Not a Sound Postulate?
Authors: Cheng Bryan , Read James
Published: June 2021

What, if anything, would be wrong with replacing the light postulate in Einstein’s 1905 formulation of special relativity with a ‘sound postulate’, stating that the speed of sound is independent of the speed of the source? After reviewing the historical reasons underlying the particular focus on light in the special theory, we consider the circumstances under which such a theory of ‘sonic relativity’ would be justified on empirical grounds. We then consider the philosophical upshots of ‘sonic relativity’ for four contemporary areas of investigation in the philosophy of spacetime: (i) global versus subsystem symmetries, (ii) dynamical versus geometrical approaches to spacetime, (iii) the possibility of a preferred frame in theories of quantum gravity, and (iv) spacetime functionalism.
Polymer-metal complexes as emerging catalysts for electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide
Authors: Sassone Daniele , Zeng Juqin , Fontana Marco , Sacco Adriano , Farkhondehfal M. Amin , Periolatto Monica , Pirri Candido F. , Bocchini Sergio
Published: June 2021

A class of metal-doped polyanilines (PANIs) was synthesized and investigated as electrocatalysts for the carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR). These materials show good affinity for the electrode substrate and allow to obtain stable binder-free electrodes, avoiding the utilization of expensive ionomer and additives. The emeraldine-base polyaniline (EB-PANI), in absence of metal dopant, shows negligible electrocatalytic activity and selectivity toward the CO2RR. Such behavior significantly improves once EB-PANI is doped with an appropriate cationic metal (Mn, Cu or Sn). In particular, the Sn-PANI outperforms other metal-doped samples, showing a good turnover frequency of 72.2 h−1 for the CO2RR at − 0.99 V vs the reversible hydrogen electrode and thus satisfactory activity of metal single atoms. Moreover, the Sn-PANI also displays impressive stability with a 100% retention of the CO2RR selectivity and an enhanced current density of 4.0 mA cm−2 in a 10-h test. PANI, a relatively low-cost substrate, demonstrates to be easily complexed with different metal cations and thus shows high tailorability. Complexing metal with conductive polymer represents an emerging strategy to realize active and stable metal single-atom catalysts, allowing efficient utilization of metals, especially the raw and precious ones.

Graphic abstract
Model Completeness, Uniform Interpolants and Superposition Calculus
Authors: Calvanese Diego , Ghilardi Silvio , Gianola Alessandro , Montali Marco , Rivkin Andrey
Published: June 2021

Uniform interpolants have been largely studied in non-classical propositional logics since the nineties; a successive research line within the automated reasoning community investigated uniform quantifier-free interpolants (sometimes referred to as “covers”) in first-order theories. This further research line is motivated by the fact that uniform interpolants offer an effective solution to tackle quantifier elimination and symbol elimination problems, which are central in model checking infinite state systems. This was first pointed out in ESOP 2008 by Gulwani and Musuvathi, and then by the authors of the present contribution in the context of recent applications to the verification of data-aware processes. In this paper, we show how covers are strictly related to model completions, a well-known topic in model theory. We also investigate the computation of covers within the Superposition Calculus, by adopting a constrained version of the calculus and by defining appropriate settings and reduction strategies. In addition, we show that computing covers is computationally tractable for the fragment of the language used when tackling the verification of data-aware processes. This observation is confirmed by analyzing the preliminary results obtained using the mcmt tool to verify relevant examples of data-aware processes. These examples can be found in the last version of the tool distribution.
Residual Estimates for Post-processors in Elliptic Problems
Authors: Dedner Andreas , Giesselmann Jan , Pryer Tristan , Ryan Jennifer K
Published: June 2021

In this work we examine a posteriori error control for post-processed approximations to elliptic boundary value problems. We introduce a class of post-processing operator that “tweaks” a wide variety of existing post-processing techniques to enable efficient and reliable a posteriori bounds to be proven. This ultimately results in optimal error control for all manner of reconstruction operators, including those that superconverge. We showcase our results by applying them to two classes of very popular reconstruction operators, the Smoothness-Increasing Accuracy-Conserving filter and superconvergent patch recovery. Extensive numerical tests are conducted that confirm our analytic findings.