bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcomes for Australian children with relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukaemia treated with blinatumomab
Authors: Sutton Rosemary , Pozza Luciano Dalla , Khaw Seong Lin , Fraser Chris , Revesz Tom , Chamberlain Janis , Mitchell Richard , Trahair Toby N. , Bateman Caroline M. , Venn Nicola C. , Law Tamara , Ong Erika , Heatley Susan L. , McClure Barbara J. , Meyer Claus , Marschalek Rolf , Henderson Michelle J. , Cross Siobhan , White Deborah L. , Kotecha Rishi S.
Published: February 2021

We report on the Australian experience of blinatumomab for treatment of 24 children with relapsed/refractory precursor B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B‐ALL) and high‐risk genetics, resulting in a minimal residual disease (MRD) response rate of 58%, 2‐year progression‐free survival (PFS) of 39% and 2‐year overall survival of 63%. In total, 83% (n = 20/24) proceeded to haematopoietic stem cell transplant, directly after blinatumomab (n = 12) or following additional salvage therapy (n = 8). Four patients successfully received CD19‐directed chimeric antigen receptor T‐cell therapy despite prior blinatumomab exposure. Inferior 2‐year PFS was associated with MRD positivity (20%, n = 15) and in KMT2A‐rearranged infants (15%, n = 9). Our findings highlight that not all children with relapsed/refractory B‐ALL respond to blinatumomab and factors such as blast genotype may affect prognosis.
An update on the future prospects of glycerol polymers
Authors: Goyal Shailja , Hernández Nacú B , Cochran Eric W
Published: February 2021

Glycerol, a water‐soluble polyol, is currently used in a wide variety of markets, e.g. as a sweetener in drinks, as an additive in the food and cosmetics industry, or as an antifreeze agent, to name a few. The blooming biodiesel production has created an excess supply of glycerol by‐product. Researchers all around the world are actively exploring strategies to utilize this cheap and abundantly available biobased molecule. To date, glycerol‐based polymers have only been examined extensively for use in biomedical applications; however, the use of biobased crude glycerol is not viable for such applications due to the presence of impurities such as methanol and residual fatty acids from the biodiesel production process. However, the increased volumes of glycerol generated from biodiesel production have stimulated the research on its use in various other industrial applications such as the production of commodity chemicals, polymers etc. In this article, we summarize some of the efforts to valorize glycerol for polymeric applications such as polyurethanes, polyhydroxyalkanoates and adhesives. © 2021 The Authors. Polymer International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Transglutaminase‐2, RNA‐binding proteins and mitochondrial proteins selectively traffic to MDCK cell‐derived microvesicles following H‐Ras‐induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition
Authors: Shafiq Adnan , Suwakulsiri Wittaya , Rai Alin , Chen Maoshan , Greening David W. , Zhu Hong‐Jian , Xu Rong , Simpson Richard J.
Published: February 2021

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) describes an evolutionary conserved morphogenic process defined by loss of epithelial characteristics and acquisition of mesenchymal phenotype, and altered patterns of intercellular communication, leading to functional changes in cell migration and invasion. In this regard, we have previously reported that oncogenic H‐Ras induced EMT in Madin‐Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells (21D1 cells) trigger changes in the protein distribution pattern in cells, exosomes, and soluble protein factors (secretome) which modulate the tumor microenvironment. Here, we report that shed microvesicles (also termed microparticles/ectosomes) secreted from MDCK cells following oncogenic H‐Ras‐induced EMT (21D1‐sMVs) are biochemically distinct from exosomes and parental MDCK‐sMVs. The protein spectra of RNA‐binding proteins and mitochondrial proteins in 21D1‐sMVs differ profoundly compared to those of exosomes, likewise proteins associated with suppression of anoikis. We show that 21D1‐sMVs promote cell migration, confer anchorage‐independent growth, and induce EMT in parental MDCK cells. An unexpected and novel finding was the selective sorting of tissue transglutaminase‐2 (TGM2) into 21D1‐sMVs; there was no evidence of TGM2 in MDCK‐sMVs. Prior treatment of 21D1‐sMVs with neutralizing anti‐TGM2 or anti‐FN1 antibodies attenuates the invasive capability of fibroblasts. These finding suggest that microvesicle‐associated TGM2 may play an important contributory role in the EMT process and warrants further investigation.
A mechanistic understanding of prebaiting to improve interaction with wildlife management devices
Authors: Bytheway Jenna P , Johnstone Kyla C , Price Catherine J , Banks Peter B
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND

Prebaiting is a technique involving early deployment of ‘unarmed’ devices (e.g. baits and traps) to increase efficacy of wildlife management. Although commonly used, the mechanisms by which prebaiting works are poorly understood. We propose three mechanisms by which prebaiting may increase device interaction probabilities; (1) overcoming neophobia towards novel devices, (2) a ‘trickle in’ effect increasing time for animals to encounter devices; and (3) social information transfer about rewards associated with devices. We conducted a survey of 100 articles to understand how prebaiting has been used. We then tested our proposed prebaiting mechanisms using a global pest (black rats, Rattus rattus) examining how uniquely marked free‐living rats responded to a common yet novel monitoring technique (tracking tunnels).

RESULTS

No studies in our dataset tested how prebaiting functioned. Most studies (61%) did not propose a mechanism for prebaiting, but overcoming neophobia was most commonly mentioned. We only found partial support for the overcoming neophobia hypothesis in our field test. We found the dominant mechanism operating in our system to be the ‘trickle in’ effect with the proportion of individuals visiting the device increasing over time. We found no support for social information transfer as a mechanism of prebaiting.

CONCLUSION

Applying a mechanistic understanding of how prebaiting functions will improve the efficacy of management devices. Our results suggest that prebaiting allows time for more rats to encounter a device, hence surveys in our system would benefit from long prebaiting periods. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Approaching optimality in blow-up results for Keller–Segel systems with logistic-type dampening
Authors: Fuest Mario
Published: February 2021

Nonnegative solutions of the Neumann initial-boundary value problem for the chemotaxis system in smooth bounded domains$$\Omega \subset {\mathbb {R}}^n$$Ω⊂Rn,$$n \ge 1$$n≥1, are known to be global in time if$$\lambda \ge 0$$λ≥0,$$\mu > 0$$μ>0and$$\kappa > 2$$κ>2. In the present work, we show that the exponent$$\kappa = 2$$κ=2is actually critical in the four- and higher dimensional setting. More precisely, if$$\begin{aligned} \qquad n&\ge 4,&\quad \kappa \in (1, 2) \quad&\text {and} \quad \mu > 0 \\ \text {or}\qquad n&\ge 5,&\quad \kappa = 2 \quad&\text {and} \quad \mu \in \left( 0, \frac{n-4}{n}\right) , \end{aligned}$$n≥4,κ∈(1,2)andμ>0orn≥5,κ=2andμ∈0,n-4n,for balls$$\Omega \subset {\mathbb {R}}^n$$Ω⊂Rnand parameters$$\lambda \ge 0$$λ≥0,$$m_0 > 0$$m0>0, we construct a nonnegative initial datum$$u_0 \in C^0({{\overline{\Omega }}})$$u0∈C0(Ω¯)with$$\int \nolimits _\Omega u_0 = m_0$$∫Ωu0=m0for which the corresponding solution (u, v) of ($$\star $$⋆) blows up in finite time. Moreover, in 3D, we obtain finite-time blow-up for$$\kappa \in (1, \frac{3}{2})$$κ∈(1,32)(and$$\lambda \ge 0$$λ≥0,$$\mu > 0$$μ>0). As the corner stone of our analysis, for certain initial data, we prove that the mass accumulation function$$w(s, t) = \int \nolimits _0^{\root n \of {s}} \rho ^{n-1} u(\rho , t) \,\mathrm {d}\rho $$w(s,t)=∫0snρn-1u(ρ,t)dρfulfills the estimate$$w_s \le \frac{w}{s}$$ws≤ws. Using this information, we then obtain finite-time blow-up ofuby showing that for suitably chosen initial data,$$s_0$$s0and$$\gamma $$γ, the function$$\phi (t) = \int \nolimits _0^{s_0} s^{-\gamma } (s_0 - s) w(s, t)$$ϕ(t)=∫0s0s-γ(s0-s)w(s,t)cannot exist globally.
The mortality burden in patients with hip fractures and dementia
Authors: Ioannidis Ioannis , Mohammad Ismail Ahmad , Forssten Maximilian Peter , Ahl Rebecka , Cao Yang , Borg Tomas , Mohseni Shahin
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Dementia is strongly associated with postoperative death in patients subjected to hip fracture surgery. Nevertheless, there is a distinct lack of research investigating the cause of postoperative mortality in patients with dementia. This study aims to investigate the distribution and the risk of cause-specific postoperative mortality in patients with dementia compared to the general hip fracture population.

Methods

All adults who underwent emergency hip fracture surgery in Sweden between 1/1/2008 and 31/12/2017 were considered for inclusion. Pathological, conservatively managed fractures, and reoperations were excluded. The database was retrieved by cross-referencing the Swedish National Quality Registry for Hip Fracture patients with the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare quality registers. A Poisson regression model was used to determine the association between dementia and all-cause as well as cause-specific 30-day postoperative mortality.

Results

134,915 cases met the inclusion criteria, of which 20% had dementia at the time of surgery. The adjusted risk of all-cause 30-day postoperative mortality was 67% higher in patients with dementia after hip fracture surgery compared to patients without dementia [adj. IRR (95% CI): 1.67 (1.60–1.75), p < 0.001]. The risk of cause-specific mortality was also higher in patients with dementia, with up to a sevenfold increase in the risk cerebrovascular mortality [adj. IRR (95% CI): 7.43 (4.99–11.07), p < 0.001].

Conclusions

Hip fracture patients with dementia have a higher risk of death in the first 30 days postoperatively, with a substantially higher risk of mortality due to cardiovascular, respiratory, and cerebrovascular events, compared to patients without dementia.
Genotyping crossing parents and family bulks can facilitate cost-efficient genomic prediction strategies in small-scale line breeding programs
Authors: Michel Sebastian , Löschenberger Franziska , Ametz Christian , Bürstmayr Hermann
Published: February 2021

Key message

Genomic relationship matrices based on mid-parent and family bulk genotypes represent cost-efficient alternatives to full genomic prediction approaches with individually genotyped early generation selection candidates.

The routine usage of genomic selection for improving line varieties has gained an increasing popularity in recent years. Harnessing the benefits of this approach can, however, be too costly for many small-scale breeding programs, as in most genomic breeding strategies several hundred or even thousands of lines have to be genotyped each year. The aim of this study was thus to compare a full genomic prediction strategy using individually genotyped selection candidates with genomic predictions based on genotypes obtained from pooled DNA of progeny families as well as genotypes inferred from crossing parents. A population of 722 wheat lines representing 63 families tested in more than 100 multi-environment trials during 2010–2019 was for this purpose employed to conduct an empirical study, which was supplemented by a simulation with genotypic data from further 3855 lines. A similar or higher prediction ability was achieved for grain yield, protein yield, and the protein content when using mid-parent or family bulk genotypes in comparison with pedigree selection in the empirical across family prediction scenario. The difference of these methods with a full genomic prediction strategy became furthermore marginal if pre-existing phenotypic data of the selection candidates was already available. Similar observations were made in the simulation, where the usage of individually genotyped lines or family bulks was generally preferable with smaller family sizes. The proposed methods can thus be regarded as alternatives to full genomic or pedigree selection strategies, especially when pedigree information is limited like in the exchange of germplasm between breeding programs.
Dislocated hinge fractures are associated with malunion after lateral closing wedge distal femoral osteotomy
Authors: Rupp Marco-Christopher , Winkler Philipp W. , Lutz Patricia M. , Irger Markus , Forkel Philipp , Imhoff Andreas B. , Feucht Matthias J.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

To evaluate the incidence, morphology, and associated complications of medial cortical hinge fractures after lateral closing wedge distal femoral osteotomy (LCW-DFO) for varus malalignment and to identify constitutional and technical factors predisposing for hinge fracture and consecutive complications.

Methods

Seventy-nine consecutive patients with a mean age of 47 ± 12 years who underwent LCW-DFO for symptomatic varus malalignment at the authors’ institution between 01/2007 and 03/2018 with a minimum of 2-year postoperative time interval were enrolled in this retrospective observational study. Demographic and surgical data were collected. Measurements evaluating the osteotomy cut (length, wedge height, hinge angle) and the location of the hinge (craniocaudal and mediolateral orientation, relation to the adductor tubercle) were conducted on postoperative anterior–posterior knee radiographs and the incidence and morphology of medial cortical hinge fractures was assessed. A risk factor analysis of constitutional and technical factors predisposing for the incidence of a medial cortical hinge fracture and consecutive complications was conducted.

Results

The incidence of medial cortical hinge fractures was 48%. The most frequent morphological type was an extension fracture type (68%), followed by a proximal (21%) and distal fracture type (11%). An increased length of the osteotomy in mm (53.1 ± 10.9 vs. 57.7 ± 9.6; p = 0.049), an increased height of the excised wedge in mm (6.5 ± 1.9 vs. 7.9 ± 3; p = 0.040) as well as a hinge location in the medial sector of an established sector grid (p = 0.049) were shown to significantly predispose for the incidence of a medial cortical hinge fracture. The incidence of malunion after hinge fracture (14%) was significantly increased after mediolateral dislocation of the medial cortical bone > 2 mm (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Medial cortical hinge fractures after LCW-DFO are a common finding. An increased risk of sustaining a hinge fracture has to be expected with increasing osteotomy wedge height and a hinge position close to the medial cortex. Furthermore, dislocation of a medial hinge fracture > 2 mm was associated with malunion and should, therefore, be avoided.

Level of evidence

Prognostic study; Level IV.
Antibacterial properties of Allium sativum L. against the most emerging multidrug-resistant bacteria and its synergy with antibiotics
Authors: Magryś Agnieszka , Olender Alina , Tchórzewska Dorota
Published: February 2021

Garlic has long been known as the most effective plant species in treatment of bacterial infections. Considering the vast potential of garlic as a source of antimicrobial drugs, this study is aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity ofAllium sativumextracts and their interactions with selected antibiotics against drug-sensitive and multidrug-resistant isolates of emerging bacterial pathogens that are frequently found in healthcare settings. As shown by the in vitro data obtained in this study, the wholeAllium sativumextract inhibited the growth of a broad range of bacteria, including multidrug-resistant strains with bactericidal or bacteriostatic effects. Depending on the organism, the susceptibility to fresh garlic extract was comparable to the conventional antibiotic gentamycin. Since the combinations of fresh garlic extract with gentamycin and ciprofloxacin inhibited both the drug sensitive and MDR bacteria, in most cases showing a synergistic or insignificant relationship, the potential use of such combinations may be beneficial, especially in inhibiting drug-resistant pathogens. The study results indicate the possibility of using garlic as e.g. a supplement used during antibiotic therapy, which may increase the effectiveness of gentamicin and ciprofloxacin.
Outcome Comparison between Endoscopic Transoral and Bilateral Axillo‐Breast Approach Thyroidectomy Performed by a Single Surgeon
Authors: Liang Tsung‐Jung , Wang Nai‐Yu , Tsai Chung‐Yu , Liu Shiuh‐Inn , Chen I‐Shu
Published: February 2021

Background

The transoral approach and the bilateral axillo‐breast approach (BABA) are remote access approaches for endoscopic thyroidectomy. Both follow a symmetric design and use CO2 insufflation to maintain the working space. The outcome differences between the techniques are rarely compared in the literature.

Methods

All patients who underwent endoscopic transoral (n = 72) and BABA (n = 63) thyroidectomy between October 2018 and August 2020 by a single surgeon were retrospectively reviewed. The following peri‐operative data were collected and compared: operative time, blood loss, postoperative drainage amount, hospital stay, pain score, number of retrieved lymph nodes, and complications.

Results

Patients in the transoral group were younger (44.7 vs. 49.3 years, p = 0.022) and had smaller tumors (2.4 vs. 2.8 cm, p = 0.020) than those in the BABA group. The operative times were significantly longer in the transoral group than in the BABA group (lobectomy, 194.1 vs. 177.0 min, p = 0.026; total thyroidectomy, 246.0 vs. 214.3 min, p = 0.042). Nevertheless, the time difference became insignificant after completing the initial 20 cases of transoral thyroidectomy. The drainage fluid collected after the surgery was serosanguinous, and a lower drainage volume was observed in the transoral group than that in the BABA group (64.9 vs. 78.5 ml, p = 0.017). However, there was no significant difference regarding the blood loss, hospital stay, postoperative pain score, and lymph nodes retrieved. The rate of postoperative complications, such as hypoparathyroidism and vocal cord palsy was comparable between the two groups.

Conclusions

Transoral approach and BABA are comparable with regard to surgical outcomes. Selected patients may choose either technique based on their preferences.
Pure Laparoscopic Hepatectomy for Tumors Close to the Major Hepatic Veins: Intraparenchymal Identification of the Major Hepatic Veins using the Ventral Approach
Authors: Kim Ji Hoon , Jang Je‐Ho , Cho Byung Sun
Published: February 2021

Background

Laparoscopic hepatectomy for tumors close to the major hepatic veins (HVs) is a technically demanding procedure that is relatively contraindicated. We investigated this surgical technique and the outcomes of intraparenchymal identification of the major HVs using the ventral approach in pure laparoscopic hepatectomy for tumors close to the major HVs.

Methods

In the present study, tumors < 10 mm from the major HVs were defined as lesions in proximity to the major HVs. The cranio‐ventral part of the liver parenchyma along the targeted major hepatic veins was opened to facilitate an open cutting plane. After a wide exposure of the surgical plane, the targeted major HVs were identified.

Results

Thirteen patients with tumors close to the major HVs underwent laparoscopic hepatectomy. The median operative time was 260 min (range, 160–410 min), while the intraoperative blood loss was 100 mL (range, 30–310 mL). The median Pringle maneuver time was 45 min (range, 40–75 min). The median tumor size was 50 mm (range, 17–140 mm), and the median tumor margin was 4 mm (range, 0–10 mm). Three patients (23.1%) experienced minor postoperative complications. The median postoperative hospital stay was 7 days (range, 4–25 days).

Conclusions

Pure laparoscopic hepatectomy for tumors close to the major HVs is technically feasible in selected patients. Intraparenchymal identification of the major HVs using the ventral approach achieves transection plane accuracy and avoids inadvertent injury to the major HVs.
The prognostic value of fat invasion and tumor expansion in the hilar veins in pT3a renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Stühler Viktoria , Rausch Steffen , Kroll Katharina , Scharpf Marcus , Stenzl Arnulf , Bedke Jens
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The 7th TNM classification summarizes renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with perirenal (PFI) and/or sinus fat invasion (SFI) as well as hilar vein involvement (RVI) as pT3a tumors. In this study, we aimed to determine the prognostic value of fat invasion (FI) in the different compartments and RVI for medium-term cancer-specific-survival (CSS) in pT3a RCC.

Materials and methods

Patients with pT3a RCC were identified using an institutional database. All original pathological reports were reclassified according to the 7th TNM edition. The prognostic value of FI as well as divided into PFI, SFI, combined PFI + SFI, and RVI for CSS was assessed using univariate and multivariate Cox-regression analysis. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

Median follow-up in 184 pT3a tumors was 38 months. FI was detectable in 153 patients (32.7% PFI, 45.1% SFI, 22.2% PFI + SFI), 31 patients showed RVI alone. Combined PFI + SFI increased the risk of cancer-related death compared to PFI (HR 3.11, p < 0.01), SFI (HR 1.84, p = 0.023) or sole RVI (HR 2.12, p = 0.025). In multivariate analysis, a combined PFI + SFI vs. PFI or SFI as the only compartment involved was confirmed as independent prognostic factor (HR 1.83, p = 0.029). Patients with FI and simultaneous RVI had significantly shorter CSS (HR 2.63, p < 0.01). In an unweighted model, the difference between patients with combined PFI + SFI and RVI and those with PFI alone was highest (HR 4.01, p = 0.029).

Conclusions

These results underline the subdivision of pT3a RCC depending on the location of FI and RVI for patient stratification.
A Pilot Study Examining the Effect of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as Parent Counseling
Authors: Bodden Denise H. M. , Matthijssen Denise
Published: February 2021

There is some scientific evidence to support the applicability and preliminary effects of ACT as a parent intervention but more research is needed. In this pilot research, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is provided as a parent counseling therapy in order to increase psychological flexibility which in turn helps parents to choose attuned parenting behavior, invest in a helpful parent-child relationship, deal with feelings of incompetence, and cope with their own psychopathology. ACT parent counseling is developed for parents of children (3–18 years old) with psychiatric problems. The mean age of the parents (n = 101) was 47.1 years (range = 30–66). A repeated measures design was used including pretreatment, posttreatment, and 6-month follow-up measurements. The main outcomes were ACT measures (psychological flexibility, parental psychological inflexibility, and cognitive fusion). Secondary outcomes included parenting behavior, the quality of the parent-child interaction, parental competence, parental psychopathology, and the satisfaction with the treatment program. This is the first study we know of that showed statistically significant improvements on parental psychological flexibility, parenting behavior (except behavioral control), parent-child relations, parental competence, and parental internalizing psychopathology directly after treatment. At 6-month follow-up, significantly less conflicts, more parental competence, and less parental psychopathology was found. However, the improvements were not clinically significant, as calculated with the RCI. No control group was used in this uncontrolled pilot study but preliminary findings indicate that ACT parent counseling can help parents to increase psychological flexibility in order to choose more flexible and effective parenting behavior.
Regional difference of sea surface salinity variations in the western tropical pacific
Authors: Ouyang Yating , Zhang Yuhong , Chi Jianwei , Sun Qiwei , Du Yan
Published: February 2021

Regional difference of sea surface salinity (SSS) variations in the western tropical Pacific is investigated with Ocean Reanalysis System 5 datasets. Three robust zonal bands of SSS variations have been identified in the northwestern tropical Pacific (NWTP), the western equatorial tropical Pacific (WEqP), and the southwestern tropical Pacific (SWTP), respectively. SSS in the WEqP and the SWTP has a strong interannual variability that is related to ENSO. In the WEqP, SSS variations are mainly controlled by anomalous freshwater flux, while in the SWTP they are governed by both freshwater forcing and oceanic processes. In the NWTP, SSS variations present a low-frequency variability that is correlated with Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO), which is mostly dominated by the freshwater flux and strongly adjusted by the ocean advection and mixed layer changes. After removing interannual signals, the SSS in all three regions are highly related to IPO, indicating that IPO has a general influence on the western tropical Pacific.
Visualizing correlations among Parkinson biomedical data through information retrieval and machine learning techniques
Authors: Frasca Maria , Tortora Genoveffa
Published: February 2021

In the last few years, the integration of researches in Computer Science and medical fields has made available to the scientific community an enormous amount of data, stored in databases. In this paper, we analyze the data available in the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), a comprehensive observational, multi-center study designed to identify progression biomarkers important for better treatments for Parkinson’s disease. The data of PPMI participants are collected through a comprehensive battery of tests and assessments including Magnetic Resonance Imaging and DATscan imaging, collection of blood, cerebral spinal fluid, and urine samples, as well as cognitive and motor evaluations. To this aim, we propose a technique to identify a correlation between the biomedical data in the PPMI dataset for verifying the consistency of medical reports formulated during the visits and allow to correctly categorize the various patients. To correlate the information of each patient’s medical report, Information Retrieval and Machine Learning techniques have been adopted, including the Latent Semantic Analysis, Text2Vec and Doc2Vec techniques. Then, patients are grouped and classified into affected or not by using clustering algorithms according to the similarity of medical reports. Finally, we have adopted a visualization system based on the D3 framework to visualize correlations among medical reports with an interactive chart, and to support the doctor in analyzing the chronological sequence of visits in order to diagnose Parkinson’s disease early.
A multidimensional phenomenal space for pain: structure, primitiveness, and utility
Authors: Coninx Sabrina
Published: February 2021

Pain is often used as the paradigmatic example of a phenomenal kind with a phenomenal quality common and unique to its instantiations. Philosophers have intensely discussed the relation between the subjective feeling, which unites pains and distinguishes them from other experiences, and the phenomenal properties of sensory, affective, and evaluative character along which pains typically vary. At the center of this discussion is the question whether the phenomenal properties prove necessary and/or sufficient for pain. In the empirical literature, sensory, affective, and evaluative properties have played a decisive role in the investigation of psychophysical correspondence and clinical diagnostics. This paper addresses the outlined philosophical and empirical issues from a new perspective by constructing amultidimensional phenomenal spacefor pain. First, the paper will construe the phenomenal properties of pains in terms of a property space whosestructurereflects phenomenal similarities and dissimilarities by means of spatial distance. Second, philosophical debates on necessary and sufficient properties are reconsidered in terms of whether there is a phenomenal space formed of dimensions along which all and only pains vary. It is concluded that there is no space of this kind and, thus, that pain constitutes aprimitivephenomenal kind that cannot be analyzed entirely in terms of its varying phenomenal properties. Third, the paper addresses theutilityof continued reference to pain and its phenomenal properties in philosophical and scientific discourses. It is argued that numerous insights into the phenomenal structure of pain can be gained that have thus far received insufficient attention.
UltraSynth: Insights of a CGRA Integration into a Control Engineering Environment
Authors: Wolf Dennis , Engel Andreas , Ruschke Tajas , Koch Andreas , Hochberger Christian
Published: February 2021

Coarse Grained Reconfigurable Arrays (CGRAs) or Architectures are a concept for hardware accelerators based on the idea of distributing workload over Processing Elements. These processors exploit instruction level parallelism, while being energy efficient due to their simplistic internal structure. However, the incorporation into a complete computing system raises severe challenges at the hardware and software level. This article evaluates a CGRA integrated into a control engineering environment targeting a Xilinx Zynq System on Chip (SoC) in detail. Besides the actual application execution performance, the practicability of the configuration toolchain is validated. Challenges of the real-world integration are discussed and practical insights are highlighted.
Multidisciplinary expert consensus on secondary fracture prevention in Spain
Authors: Casado E. , Blanch J. , Carbonell C. , Bastida J. C. , Pérez-Castrillón J. L. , Canals L. , Lizán L.
Published: February 2021

The study aimed to achieve expert consensus to optimize secondary fracture prevention in Spain. Relevant gaps in current patient management were identified. However, some aspects were considered difficult to apply. Future efforts should focus on those items with greatest divergences between importance and feasibility.

Purpose

To establish a Spanish multidisciplinary expert consensus on secondary fracture prevention.

Methods

A two-round Delphi consensus was conducted, guided by a Scientific Committee. The 43-item study questionnaire was designed from a literature review and a subsequent multidisciplinary expert group (n = 12) discussion. The first-round questionnaire, using a 7-point Likert scale, assessed the experts’ opinion of the current situation, their wish for items to happen, and their prognosis that items would be implemented within 5 years. Items for which consensus was not achieved were included in the second round. Consensus was defined as ≥ 75% agreement or ≥ 75% disagreement. A total of 102 experts from 14 scientific societies were invited to participate.

Results

A total of 75 (response rate 73.5%) and 69 (92.0%) experts answered the first and second Delphi rounds, respectively. Participants mean age was 51.8 years [standard deviation (SD): 10.1 years]; being 24.0% rheumatologists, 21.3% primary care physicians, 14.7% geriatricians, 8.0% internal medicine specialists, 8.0% rehabilitation physicians, and 8.0% gynecologists. Consensus was achieved for 79.1% of items (wish, 100%; prognosis, 58.1%). Effective secondary prevention strategies identified as requiring improvement included: clinical report standardization, effective hospital primary care communication (telephone/mail and case managers), health-related quality of life (HRQoL) questionnaires use, and treatment compliance monitoring (prognosis agreement 33.3%, 47.8%, 18.8%, and 55.1%, respectively).

Conclusion

A consensus was reached by health professionals in their wish to implement strategies to optimize secondary fracture prevention; however, they considered some difficult to apply. Efforts should focus on those items with currently low application and those with greatest divergence between wish and prognosis.
Differences in Mental Health, Help-Seeking and Barriers to Care Between Civilians and Sworn Members Working in Law Enforcement: A Research Note
Authors: Martin Krystle , Siddiqui Alifa , Ricciardelli Rosemary , Lentz Liana , Carleton R. Nicholas
Published: February 2021

Recent Canadian research indicates 44.5% of public safety personnel (PSP) self-report symptoms consistent with at least one type of mental disorder; however, researchers have typically not focused on the mental wellness of civilians working within PSP sectors. Given that the number of civilians working in Canadian law enforcement organizations has doubled since 2003, with more than 30% of all police personnel in Canada being civilians, more research is needed to support this understudied sub-population within law enforcement. The current study used a survey to compare civilian members (n = 80) and sworn (n = 112) police officers working within a law enforcement organization on issues regarding mental disorders, perceived barriers to care and help-seeking behaviours. Results indicate that civilian members self-report a high prevalence of mental disorders and lower resilience compared with police officers in the same organization. Civilians reported similar barriers to accessing mental health compared with police officers but were less likely to indicate willingness to access supports within their place of employment. Our results support the need for equitable access to mental health resources for civilian staff working within law enforcement organizations.
Partial splenic embolization combined with endoscopic therapies and NSBB decreases the variceal rebleeding rate in cirrhosis patients with hypersplenism: a multicenter randomized controlled trial
Authors: Sun Xin , Zhang Anzhong , Zhou Tao , Wang Minghui , Chen Yong , Zhou Ting , Chen Xiaoning , Xiu Aiyuan , Peng Zhi , Cheng Baoquan , Liu Xiaofeng , Gao Yanjing
Published: February 2021

Background

Global research on endoscopic therapies in combination with partial splenic embolization (PSE) for variceal hemorrhage (VH) is limited. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopy plus PSE (EP) treatment in comparison to endoscopic (E) treatment for the secondary prophylaxis of VH in cirrhosis patients with hypersplenism.

Methods

Cirrhosis patients with hypersplenism (platelet count < 100, 000/µL) and those who had recovered from an episode of VH were enrolled in a multicenter randomized controlled trial. The participants were randomly assigned into EP and E groups in a 1:1 ratio. The primary endpoint was variceal rebleeding, and the secondary endpoints were severe variceal recurrence and mortality during the 2-year follow-up. Hematological indices, serum biochemical parameters, and the Child–Pugh score were measured at each time point.

Results

From June 2016 to December 2019, 108 patients were enrolled in the study, among which 102 patients completed the protocol (51 in EP and 51 in E group). The rebleeding rate of the varices was significantly reduced in the EP group compared to that in the E group during the 2 years (16% vs. 31%, p < 0.001). The EP group showed a significantly lower variceal recurrence rate than the E group (22% vs. 67%, p < 0.001). The COX proportional hazard models revealed that grouping was an independent predictor for variceal rebleeding (H = 0.122, 95% CI 0.055–0.270, p < 0.001) and variceal recurrence (hazard ratio, H = 0.160, 95% CI 0.077–0.332, p < 0.001). The peripheral blood cell count, Child–Pugh class/score, albumin concentration, and coagulation function in the EP group improved significantly compared to the values observed in the E group at any time point (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The EP treatment was more effective in preventing variceal rebleeding and variceal recurrence than the conventional E treatment during the secondary prophylaxis of VH in cirrhosis patients with hypersplenism. Furthermore, the EP treatment could significantly increase the peripheral blood cell count and albumin concentration and also improved the coagulation function and the Child–Pugh score.

Clinical trials registration

Trial registration number ClincialTrials.gov: NCT02778425. The URL of the clinical trial: https://clinicaltrials.gov/
Percentage tax designation institutions. On Sugden’s contractarian account
Authors: Silvestri Paolo
Published: February 2021

“Percentage Tax Designation Institutions”, also known as “Percentage Philanthropy Laws”, are fiscal institutions through which taxpayers can freely designate a certain percentage of their income tax to organizations whose main activity is of public interest: churches, third-sector organizations, political parties, etc. A comprehensive explanation of such systems is still lacking. InThe Community of Advantage, Robert Sugden provides an original theoretical account of the Italian “8 × 1000” institution as one of those forms of regulation that “would be justified as ways of expanding opportunity for mutually beneficial transactions” and, more particularly, as a liberal and “contractarian approach to the provision of public goods”. This article is an attempt to expand and deepen the understanding not only of the 8 × 1000 but also of the 5 × 1000 and 2 × 1000 institutions, by reflecting on and possibly refining Sugden’s contractarian account, at least with regard to the part that relies on and develops the voluntary exchange tradition (Wicksell, Lindahl and Buchanan). To remain faithful to two normative premises of Sugden’s approach—the opportunity criterion and the correlated freedom of choice—we must introduce some theoretical adjustments to take into due account the way in which taxpayers’ freedoms—not only freedom of choice but also autonomy—are affected by default rules and the related redistribution procedures. In addition, these institutions also go beyond the voluntary exchange tradition—insofar as they go beyond its basic assumptions: the benefit principle of taxation, taxpayers’ self-interest and the very logic of exchange—and, at the same time, they can be read as a new form of voluntary tax justice.
Rapunzel Syndrome in a Seven-Year-Old Girl
Authors: Gupta Aviral , Mishra Sarvesh C. , Upadhyay Vijay D. , Kanneganti Pujana
Published: February 2021

Rapunzel syndrome is a rare entity with less than hundred case reports cited in the literature. In this, there is presence of a trichobezoar in the stomach which extends into the small intestine or beyond. It can typically cause abdominal pain and nausea, but can also present as an asymptomatic abdominal mass, progressing to abdominal obstruction and perforation. Many of these patients have associated psychiatric disorder. The gold standard for diagnosis is upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and treatment is surgical removal. Herein, we present surgical images of Rapunzel syndrome in a seven-year-old girl.
A follow-up study of a randomized controlled study evaluating safety and efficacy of leuprorelin acetate every-3-month depot for 2 versus 3 or more years with tamoxifen for 5 years as adjuvant treatment in premenopausal patients with endocrine-responsive breast cancer
Authors: Kurebayashi Junichi , Shiba Eiichi , Toyama Tatsuya , Matsumoto Hiroshi , Okazaki Minoru , Nomizu Tadashi , Ohtake Tohru , Fujii Takaaki , Ohashi Yasuo
Published: February 2021

Background

Previously, we conducted the 5-year open-label, randomized controlled trial (RCT) of leuprorelin adjuvant therapy in post-operative premenopausal patients with endocrine-responsive breast cancer, which was a pilot study to investigate the optimal duration of leuprorelin treatment. Since, however, long-term outcomes became required for the adjuvant endocrine therapy, we performed this follow-up observation study.

Methods

Follow-up observation study was performed up to 10th year after randomization, continuing RCT to evaluate the efficacy and safety of leuprorelin every 3 months for ≥ 3 versus 2 years, with daily tamoxifen for 5 years. Primary endpoints were disease-free survival (DFS) and 2-year landmark DFS.

Results

Eligible patients (N = 222) were randomly assigned to receive leuprorelin for either 2 years (N = 112) or ≥ 3 years (N = 110) with tamoxifen. Leuprorelin treatment for ≥ 3 years versus 2 years provided no significant difference in DFS (HR 0.944, 95% CI 0.486–1.8392) or 2-year landmark DFS (N = 99 and 102 in 2-year and ≥ 3-year groups, HR 0.834, 0.397–1.753). In small, higher-risk subgroup (n = 17); however, 2-year landmark DFS in ≥ 3-year group was significantly longer (HR 0.095, 0.011–0.850) than that in 2-year group. The incidence of bone-related adverse events was around 5% in both groups.

Conclusions

Adjuvant leuprorelin treatment for ≥ 3 years with tamoxifen only showed similar efficacy and safety profiles to those for 2 years in analyses among all patients but suggested greater benefit in higher-risk patients. No new safety signal was identified for long-term leuprorelin treatment.

Trial registration number

Not applicable. This was an observational study.
Hydrogen Peroxide Oxidation Reaction on a 4-Mercaptopyridine Self-Assembled Monolayer on Au(111) Metallized by Platinum Nanoislands
Authors: Piescheck Mathias , Abdelrahman Areeg , Hermann Johannes M. , Müller Heiko , Jacob Timo , Kibler Ludwig A.
Published: February 2021

A systematic investigation of the hydrogen peroxide oxidation reaction (HPOR) in phosphate buffer (pH = 7.3) on an Au(111) single crystal modified with a 4-mercaptopyridine self-assembled monolayer (SAM) has been conducted before and after metallization with Pt. While bare Au(111) shows considerable electrocatalytic activity towards the HPOR, the inhibition of the oxidation reaction after modification with the SAM implies that adsorbed 4-mercaptopyridine molecules do not catalyze the HPOR. However, SAM-modified Au(111) recovers catalytic activity for the HPOR already after a single metallization step fabricating Pt islands on-top. Hydrogen peroxide (HP) may then either react at the (non-metallic) Pt nanoislands or on reactivated Au sites, made accessible by structural changes of the SAM induced by the metallization. The shape of the voltammetric profiles for the HPOR on repeatedly metallized SAMs suggests that the contribution of Au to the total current density gradually diminishes with increasing Pt coverage while the contribution of the Pt islands increases. The electrochemical behavior is dominated by the Pt islands at a coverage of 0.5 ML obtained by three subsequent metallization steps.

Graphical abstract
Enhanced aging and thermal shock performance of Mn1.95−xCO0.21Ni0.84SrxO4 NTC ceramics
Authors: Li Haibing , Zhang Huimin , Thayil Slapley , Chang Aimin , Sang Xu , Ma Xiuhua
Published: February 2021

The Mn1.95−xCo0.21Ni0.84SrxO4(MCNS) (0 ≼x≼ 0.15) based negative temperature coefficient (NTC) materials are prepared by co-precipitation method. The replacement of Mn by Sr plays a critical role in controlling the lattice parameter, relative density, microstructure, and electrical properties. The lattice parameter and relative density increase with the increase of Sr content. A small amount of Sr restrains the grain growth and increases the bulk density. Moreover, the room resistivityρ25, material constantB25/50, activation energyEa, and temperature coefficientαvalues of MCNS ceramics are influenced by the Sr content and ranged in 1535.0–2053.6 Ω·cm, 3654–3709 K, 0.3149–0.3197 eV, and (−4.173%)–(−4.111%), respectively. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results explain the transformation of MCNS ceramics from n- to p-type semiconductors. The conduction could arise from the hopping polaron between Mn3+/Mn4+and Co2+/Co3+in the octahedral sites. The impedance data analysis also discusses the conduction mechanism of the MCNS ceramic, whereas grain resistance dominates the whole resistance of the samples. Furthermore, the aging coefficient (ΔR/R) of MCNS ceramics is found to be < 0.2%, which indicates the stable distribution of cations in the spinel. Finally, the MCNS ceramics demonstrate excellent thermal durability with < 1.3% of resistance shift after100 thermal shock cycles.
Simultaneous energy harvesting and tribological property improvement
Authors: Wang Xiaofan , Mo Jiliang , Ouyang Huajiang , Xiang Zaiyu , Chen Wei , Zhou Zhongrong
Published: February 2021

In this study, piezoelectric elements were added to a reciprocating friction test bench to harvest friction-induced vibration energy. Parameters such as vibration acceleration, noise, and voltage signals of the system were measured and analyzed. The results show that the piezoelectric elements can not only collect vibration energy but also suppress friction-induced vibration noise (FIVN). Additionally, the wear of the friction interface was examined via optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and white-light interferometry (WLI). The results show that the surface wear state improved because of the reduction of FIVN. In order to analyze the experimental results in detail and explain them reasonably, the experimental phenomena were simulated numerically. Moreover, a simplified two-degree-of-freedom numerical model including the original system and the piezoelectric system was established to qualitatively describe the effects, dynamics, and tribological behaviors of the added piezoelectric elements to the original system.
Non-linear MHD convective flow of Carreau nanofluid over an exponentially stretching surface with activation energy and viscous dissipation
Authors: Babu K. S. Srinivasa , Parandhama A. , Vijaya R. Bhuvana
Published: February 2021

Numerical approach for a non-linear mixed convective magnetohydrodynamic two-dimensional Carreau nanofluid through an exponentially permeable stretching surface with viscous dissipation and velocity slip under the influence of Arrhenius activation energy in chemical reaction is reported. The effects of thermophoresis and Brownian motion are considered. The governing nonlinear equations of this model are transmuted into ODE’s through similarity variables and solved them with a shooting method based on R-K 4th order. Responses of fluid velocity, transfer rates (heat and mass) versus pertinent parameters of the problem for suitable values are obtained and the computational calculations for friction coefficient, Nusselt number and Sherwood number for the both suction and injections regions are presented in plots and tables. It is found that fluid velocity is an increasing function of Weissenberg number. Momentum boundary layer thickness is depressed by magnetic field impact. Increasing trend in Carreau fluid temperature is noticed due to larger values of thermophoresis and Brownian motion effects. Concentration field is a decreasing function of Brownian motion but an increasing function of thermophoresis. Activation energy augments the concentration curves and lowered by Schmidt number. Comparison of the results is made with already published results and we got good agreement.
Evaluation of surface grinding of AISI 304 stainless steel using dry and compressed air cooling techniques
Authors: Tamil Vanan Sathish Kumar , Olugu Ezutah Udoncy , Ang Chun Kit , Lawal Sunday Albert , Aja Ogboo Chikere
Published: February 2021

The abundant use of cutting fluids in surface grinding process and the corresponding costs and energy consumption have been a major sustainability concern. This paper identified the optimum depth of cut for surface grinding under controlled grinding parameters using compressed air cooling technique and dry cutting. The surface morphology and subsurface defects of the workpiece material (AISI 304 stainless steel) were measured and compared. It was observed that lower depth of cut had a better surface morphology than higher depth of cut. The effects of compressed air on tool life were equally evaluated. The heat dissipations on the grinding wheels were observed and analysed for both grinding conditions. In addition, the influence of compressed air on the surface integrity of the workpiece was also investigated. The results showed that lower depth of cut proved to have a better quality surface compared to higher depth of cut.