bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synergistic toughening effect of hybrid clay particles on poly(lactic acid)/natural rubber blend
Authors: Ahn Jung Hyun , Hong Joung Sook , Ahn Kyung Hyun
Published: November 2020

In this study, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is toughened by blending with natural rubber (NR). In order to induce additional toughening, the hybrid of two clays (natural clay (CNa+) and organically‐modified clay (C20A)) showing different localization in the blend is added to the PLA/NR 70/30 blend. For the blend with CNa+ localized in the PLA matrix, linear viscoelastic response (G′, G″) of the blend does slightly change with the decreased drop size or the coarsening of NR as CNa+ content increases. On the other hand, the addition of C20A brings notable rheological response with a significant change in morphology from co‐continuous structure (< 0.5 wt%) to compatibilized morphology (> 0.5 wt%). With a small amount of clay (0.75 wt%) where G′ and G″ crossover, the mixture of two clays (CNa+/C20A 0.3/0.45 wt%) inducing different morphologies to the blend causes a synergistic effect to form cocontinuous structure, leading to a synergistic elongation at break over 100%. This study shows that the addition of a small amount of clays less than 1 wt% can induce toughening of PLA/NR by morphology control of well‐designed particle localization. Also, linear viscoelasticity analysis is useful to detect a subtle change in blend morphology.
Integrated simulation for the 2030 agenda†
Authors: Pedercini Matteo , Arquitt Steve , Chan Derek
Published: November 2020

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN 2030 Agenda are today's global roadmap to sustainable development. Adopted in 2015, the SDGs are the culmination of 50 years of debate and consensus building on the imperatives of sustainable development. The 2030 Agenda explicitly calls for integrated methods for SDG achievement. Two multisector modeling frameworks have emerged to address integration in SDG policy: the system dynamics based Integrated Sustainable Development Goal (iSDG) model and the multimethod International Futures (IFs) model. Both are feedback rich and thoroughly integrated, and we term them as Integrated Systems Models (ISMs). ISMs enable quantification of policy impacts across SDG sectors, helping identify policies that benefit numerous SDGs as well as potential trade‐offs. These benefits have been witnessed in countries where these ISMs have been put to task on SDG policy. As the sustainable development paradigm becomes increasingly integrated, a central role is being created for further development of ISMs. © 2020 System Dynamics Society
Maximum approximate Bernstein likelihood estimation in proportional hazard model for interval‐censored data
Authors: Guan Zhong
Published: November 2020

Maximum approximate Bernstein likelihood estimates of the baseline density function and the regression coefficients in the proportional hazard regression models based on interval‐censored event time data result in smooth estimates of the survival functions which enjoys an almost n1/2‐rate of convergence faster than the n1/3‐rate for the existing estimates. The proposed method was shown by a simulation to have better finite sample performance than its main competitors. Some examples including real data are used to illustrate the usage of the proposed method.
Understanding of the Kinetic Stability of cis‐ Isomer of Azobenzenes through Kinetic and Computational Studies
Authors: Das Dhiraj , Yadav Manish K. , Singla Labhini , Kumar Atul , Karanam Maheswararao , Dev Sagarika , Choudhury Angshuman R.
Published: November 2020

A library of halogen‐substituted azobenzenes (ABs) have been synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction technique. Azobenzenes studied herein display fast photo switching properties. Kinetics of cis‐ → trans‐ isomerization has been studied using UV‐VIS spectroscopy and the rate constant for this transformation were determined. Optimization of probable conformers of the cis‐ isomer and the corresponding transition state (TS) were carried out to determine the energy of activation. The Time‐Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD‐DFT) calculations were also performed to gain insight into the photo‐isomerization. Our results indicate that the fluorinated compounds display better kinetic stability of the cis‐ isomer compared to the corresponding chloro and bromo analogues.
Bioinspired Functional Black Phosphorus Electrospun Fibers Achieving Recruitment and Biomineralization for Staged Bone Regeneration
Authors: Cheng Liang , Chen Zhijie , Cai Zhengwei , Zhao Jingwen , Lu Min , Liang Jing , Wang Fei , Qi Jin , Cui Wenguo , Deng Lianfu
Published: November 2020

The ideal bone repair material should firstly recognize and recruit osteoblast precursor cells to initiate the repair process, then promote the differentiation of osteoblasts and accelerate the mineralization of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Here, a bioinspired staged bone regeneration strategy which loads bone morphogenetic protein2 (BMP2)‐modified black phosphorus (BP@BMP2) nanosheets to a polylactic acid (PLLA) electrospun fibrous scaffold, with a combination of recruiting osteoblast precursor cells and biomineralization properties for bone regeneration, is constructed successfully by micro‐sol electrospinning technique. BP, acting as carriers, can not only provide a negative surface and a strong BMP2 loading ability but can also promote biomineralization in a 3D manner on the electrospun fibrous scaffold, while the BMP2 is to target osteoblast precursor cells for recruitment and osteogenesis differentiation, which endows BP@BMP2 nanosheets with staged bone regeneration ability. Furthermore, the in vitro and in vivo data showed that the BP@BMP2 loaded electrospun fibrous scaffold have good biocompatibility and a strong osteogenesis ability resulting in rapid new bone tissue regeneration. Altogether, this newly developed bioinspired BMP2‐modified BP electrospun fiber with staged bone regeneration properties via recruiting osteoblast precursor cells to the bone injured site and accelerating biomineralization can be a promising approach in physiologic bone repair.
Cost risk analysis for instance recommendation in a sustainable Cloud‐cyber‐physical system framework
Authors: Jiang Wenjing , Xu Zichen , Gao Cuiying , Gu Jingyun , Wang Yuhao
Published: November 2020

Cloud markets advocate powerful instances to take computation over from the cyber‐physical system (CPS). Combining the Cloud and CPS layer, the whole Cloud–CPS framework is designed to achieve both accurate data sensing and fast data analysis. While most researchers trust the computation side, and focus on the actuator in the physical space to ensure the service‐level objectives, SLO, that is, deadline misses, cloud can be a threat to the service sustainability as instance may fail, especially when one tries to make a cost‐effective design. Specifically, users must bear the risk of instance failure. These risks can cause the entire cyber‐physical system to collapse. Our work tackles the cloud aspect of the sustainability challenge from the cloud side in a cloud–CPS framework. We have studied the instance selection problem for the CPS systems, and propose a Cost‐Risk Analysis for Instance Recommendation, or CRAIR, to support a sustainable Cloud–CPS framework. We have adopted the classic risk analysis process from the portfolio management in hedge financial market, combining with the system modeling for the CPS instance selection, as an optimization problem. To solve this problem, we formulate it as a multi‐armed bandit problem and solve it with our upper confidence bound bandit algorithm together, our CRAIR can provide an online risk analysis to maximize the profit with a comparative ratio of O(1+). We have evaluated CRAIR based on simulations using real‐world Google and Alibaba workloads and cloud market numbers. The results show that, compared to traditional approaches, our approach provides the best tradeoff between SLOs and costs. All users achieve their SLOs goals while minimizing their average expenses by 34.6%. By using CRAIR for instance selection, the CPS service can maximize its benefit under a controlled risk.
Statistical inference for nonparametric censored regression
Authors: Mao Guangcai , Zhang Jing
Published: November 2020

Nonparametric regression is of primary importance in many statistical applications. For the data with censored outcomes, how to construct a confidence band for a regression function is a basic issue but has limited research. We propose a procedure to construct the pointwise and simultaneous confidence bands for a regression function based on a debiased estimator, which is proposed by correcting the bias of the original kernel regression estimator. The corresponding theoretical properties such as consistency, convergence rates, and the asymptotic distribution of the proposed estimator are also derived. Furthermore, we carry out extensive simulation studies and a real data example from the German Breast Cancer study to evaluate the finite sample performance of the proposed method.
Praeruptorin A reduces metastasis of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells by targeting ERK/MMP1 signaling pathway
Authors: Yu Chen‐Lin , Yu Yung‐Luen , Yang Shun‐Fa , Hsu Chung‐En , Lin Chia‐Liang , Hsieh Yi‐Hsien , Chiou Hui‐Ling
Published: November 2020

Praeruptorin A (PA) is one of the active ingredients found in the dried root of Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn, has been reported to possess anticancer effects against various types of cancer. However, the effect of PA on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains uncleared. In this study, our results indicated that PA did not induce cytotoxicity or alter cell cycle distribution in human HCC cells (Huh‐7, SK‐Hep‐1, and PLC/PRF/5 cells). Instead, PA inhibited the migration and invasion of human HCC cells while downregulating the expression of matrix metalloproteinase‐1 (MMP1) and activating the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathways. Furthermore, blocking the ERK signaling pathway through siERK restored the expression of MMP1 and the invasive ability of PA‐treated HCC cells. In conclusion, our results demonstrate the antimetastatic activity of PA against human HCC cells, supporting its potential as a therapeutic agent of HCC treatments.
N‐acetylcysteine reduced the immunotoxicity effects induced in vitro by azoxystrobin and iprodione fungicides in mice
Authors: Naasri Sahar , Helali Imen , Aouni Majoub , Mastouri Maha , Harizi Hedi
Published: November 2020

Azoxystrobin (AZO) and Iprodione (IPR) fungicides are extensively used worldwide, and therefore, contaminate all environmental compartments. The toxicity and the mechanisms by which they affected immune cells are complex and remain unknown. This study investigated the impact of AZO and IPR on the in vitro function of mice peritoneal macrophages including lysosomal enzyme activity and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α and nitric oxide (NO) production in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, the proliferation of mice splenocytes stimulated by concanavalin (Con)A and LPS, and the production of the Th1cytokine interferon‐gamma (IFNγ) and the Th2 cytokine interleukin (IL)‐4 and IL‐10 by ConA‐activated splenocytes. This is the first report indicating that AZO and IPR fungicides dose‐dependently inhibited mice macrophage lysosomal enzyme activity and LPS‐stimulated production of TNFα and NO. Mitogen‐induced proliferation of mice splenocytes was also suppressed by AZO and IPR in a dose‐dependent manner. More pronounced impact was observed on ConA‐induced response. The production of IFNγ by ConA‐stimulated splenocytes was dose‐dependently inhibited; however, the production of IL‐4 and IL‐10 increased in the same conditions. These results suggested that AZO and IPR polarized Th1/Th2 cytokine balance towards Th2 response. Overall, marked immunosuppressive effects were observed for AZO. The immunomodulatory effects caused by AZO and IPR were partially reversed by the pharmacological antioxidant N‐acetylcysteine (NAC), suggesting that both fungicides exerted their actions through, at least in part, oxidative stress‐dependent mechanism. Collectively, our data showed that AZO and IPR fungicides exerted potent immunomodulatory effects in vitro with eventually strong consequences on immune response and immunologically based diseases.
Differentiating among stages of cognitive impairment in aging: Version 3 of the Uniform Data Set (UDS) neuropsychological test battery and MoCA index scores
Authors: Dodge Hiroko H. , Goldstein Felicia C. , Wakim Nicole I , Gefen Tamar , Teylan Merilee , Chan Kwun C.G. , Kukull Walter A. , Barnes Lisa L. , Giordani Bruno , Hughes Timothy M. , Kramer Joel H. , Loewenstein David A. , Marson Daniel C. , Mungas Dan M. , Mattek Nora , Sachs Bonnie C. , Salmon David P. , Willis‐Parker Monica , Welsh‐Bohmer Kathleen A. , Wild Katherine V. , Morris John C. , Weintraub Sandra ,   National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC)
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Federally funded Alzheimer's Disease Centers in the United States have been using a standardized neuropsychological test battery as part of the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center Uniform Data Set (UDS) since 2005. Version 3 (V3) of the UDS replaced the previous version (V2) in 2015. We compared V2 and V3 neuropsychological tests with respect to their ability to distinguish among the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) global scores of 0, 0.5, and 1.

Methods

First, we matched participants receiving V2 tests (V2 cohort) and V3 tests (V3 cohort) in their cognitive functions using tests common to both versions. Then, we compared receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) area under the curve in differentiating CDRs for the remaining tests.

Results

Some V3 tests performed better than V2 tests in differentiating between CDR 0.5 and 0, but the improvement was limited to Caucasian participants.

Discussion

Further efforts to improve the ability for early identification of cognitive decline among diverse racial groups are required.
MicroRNA‐99 family in cancer and immunity
Authors: Eniafe Joseph , Jiang Shuai
Published: November 2020

The microRNA (miR)‐99 family comprising miR‐99a, miR‐99b, and miR‐100 is an evolutionarily conserved family with existence dating prior to the bilaterians. Members are typically oncogenic in leukemia while their functional roles in other cancers alternate between that of a tumor suppressor and a tumor promoter. Targets of the miR‐99 family rank in the lists of oncogenes and tumor suppressors, thereby illustrating the dual role of this miR family as oncogenic miRs (oncomiRs) and tumor suppressing miRs (TSmiRs) in different cellular contexts. In addition to their functional roles in cancers, miR‐99 family is implicated in the modulation of macrophage inflammatory responses and T‐cell subsets biology, thereby exerting critical roles in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis, establishment of peripheral tolerance as well as resolution of an inflammatory reaction. Here, we review emerging knowledge of this miR family and discuss remaining concerns linked to their activities. A better dissection of the functional roles of miR‐99 family members in cancer and immunity will help in the development of novel miR‐99‐based therapeutics for the treatment of human cancer and immune‐related diseases.

This article is categorized under:

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease
Innovative Governance Model for a Sustainable State-Wide University-Based Telemedicine Program
Authors: Weinstein Ronald S. , Sodhi Nandini , Barker Gail P. , Holcomb Michael J. , Erps Kristine A. , Holtrust Angelette , Latifi Rifat , Krupinski Elizabeth A.
Published: November 2020

Governance of a telemedicine program can influence the sustainability of a state-wide telemedicine program. Concerns of the founding ATP director regarding governance at the University of Arizona’s College of Medicine, in Tucson, 115 miles from the State Capitol in Phoenix, AZ, were addressed by legislative leaders through their creation of the Arizona Telemedicine Council (ATC). This blue-ribbon “non-statutory overarching authority” holds its quarterly 2-hour luncheon meetings in the Board Room of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee on the Arizona State Capitol Campus, in Phoenix. The ATP director creates the ATC meeting agendas. He has moderated all 92 ATC meetings, dating back to October 1996. Chairs of Appropriations Committees in the AZ House of Representatives and AZ State Senate have chaired the meetings. ATC’s meetings provide the opportunity for direct communication between AZ State Legislators, the ATP, and other Arizona stakeholders. This highly visible interest in telemedicine and telehealth on the AZ State Capitol campus, the regularity of ATC meetings, and the free exchange of information among stakeholders has encouraged establishment and success of many high-quality Arizona-based telemedicine programs over the years.
Survey of the Direct-to-Hospital (DTH) Telemedicine and Telehealth Service Industry (2014–2018)
Authors: Weinstein Ronald S. , Rolig Nicholas , Rowe Nancy , Barker Gail P. , Erps Kristine A. , Holcomb Michael J. , Latifi Rifat , Krupinski Elizabeth A.
Published: November 2020

The Arizona Telemedicine Program and its Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)-funded telehealth resource center established a Telemedicine/Telehealth Service Provider Directory (SPD) in 2015. This was established in tandem with a national Service Provider Showcase, a direct-to-hospital (DTH) telemedicine service vendor national meeting which helped launch the SPD. The Service Provider Directory (SPD) was designed to provide healthcare system telemedicine service users critical and convenient information about DTH vendors at a single, reliable, web site. The primary aim of this chapter is to analyze the SPD’s database to help characterize the telemedicine/telehealth DTH service industry. As of 2018, 129 DTH companies were listed in the directory (currently 168 companies). Eighty-four percent of companies listed in the SPD as of 2018 indicated they were medical specialty telemedicine service vendors to healthcare systems; 57% were medical specialty telehealth service vendors to non-healthcare systems, such as prisons; and 25% of companies classified themselves as patient education/engagement service providers. The most common telemedicine services, telepsychiatry and tele-mental health, were offered by 44% and 41% of companies, respectively. Remote patient monitoring and mobile health (mHealth) were available from 30% of companies. Targets for marketing of DTH services were rural hospitals (85%), urban/suburban hospitals (75%), and private physician practices, for 65%. Collectively, the 129 DTH telehealth service companies were marketing 70 teleservices and 8 ancillary services in all 50 states. Only 41% of companies said they use an EHR that is ONC certified.
Dressed minimal surfaces in AdS4
Authors: Katsinis Dimitrios , Manolopoulos Dimitrios , Mitsoulas Ioannis , Pastras Georgios
Published: November 2020

Abstract

We apply an arbitrary number of dressing transformations to a static minimal surface in AdS4. Interestingly, a single dressing transformation, with the simplest dressing factor, interrelates the latter to solutions of the Euclidean non linear sigma model in dS3. We present an expression for the area element of the dressed minimal surface in terms of that of the initial one and comment on the boundary region of the dressed surface. Finally, we apply the above formalism to the elliptic minimal surfaces and obtain new ones.
Notfallmedizin in der Deutschen Gesellschaft zur Rettung Schiffbrüchiger – Auswertung medizinischer Notfälle auf der Nord- und Ostsee über 2 Jahre
Authors: Schemke S. , Schwalbe H. , Grunewald L. , Maurer H.
Published: November 2020

Hintergrund

Die logistischen Besonderheiten eines maritimen Notfallortes und die häufig zusätzlich drohende akzidentelle Hypothermie machen die Versorgung medizinischer Notfälle auf dem Meer besonders anspruchsvoll. In dieser Arbeit sollen die Charakteristika notfallmedizinischer Einsätze der Deutschen Gesellschaft zur Rettung Schiffbrüchiger (DGzRS) als Hauptträgerin der nichthelikopterbasierten medizinischen Seenotrettung auf den Meeren vor der deutschen Küste beschrieben werden.

Material und Methoden

Es erfolgte eine retrospektive Analyse aller Einsätze der DGzRS der Jahre 2017 und 2018. Die Einsatzdaten und –zeiten sowie die Erkrankungsschwere der Patienten (graduiert mittels NACA-Score) wurden ausgewertet und exemplarisch mit denen eines NEF der Hansestadt Lübeck verglichen.

Ergebnisse

Bei insgesamt 182 medizinischen Einsätzen wurden 224 Patienten behandelt. Die Einsatzeinheiten der DGzRS benötigten im Mittel 30 ± 21 min bis zur Ankunft und 43 ± 30 min für Rettung, Behandlung und Transport. Bei 63 Einsätzen wurden die Patienten durch einen Notarzt betreut, der bei 44 Einsätzen durch die Landrettung herangeführt wurde. Durch die Wartezeit auf bordfremdes Personal wurde bei 26 Einsätzen die Abfahrt um im Mittel 18 ± 7 min verzögert.

Die durchschnittliche Erkrankungsschwere in der Seenotrettung war signifikant höher als im Lübecker Notarztdienst; es gab vergleichbar häufig Reanimationen und Todesfälle.

Schlussfolgerung

Trotz der hohen Krankheitsschwere medizinischer Notfälle auf den Meeren vor Deutschlands Küste treffen Notärzte dort häufig mit erheblicher Verzögerung ein. Es gibt den dringenden Bedarf effektiverer Unterstützung der DGzRS durch für den maritimen Einsatz ausgebildetes ärztliches Personal.
Reactivity of arsenoplatin complex versus water and thiocyanate: a DFT benchmark study
Authors: Tolbatov Iogann , Coletti Cecilia , Marrone Alessandro , Re Nazzareno
Published: November 2020

Seven different density functionals, including GGAs, meta-GGAs, hybrids and range-separated hybrids, and considering Grimme’s empirical dispersion correction (M06-L, M06-2X, PBE0, B3LYP, B3LYP-D3, CAM-B3LYP, ωB97X) have been tested for their performance in the prediction of molecular structures, energies and energy barriers for a class of newly developed antitumor platinum complexes involving main group heavy elements such as arsenic. The calculated structural parameters, energies and energy barriers have been compared to the available experimental data. The results show that range-separated hybrid functionals CAM-B3LYP and ωB97X give good results in predicting both geometrical parameters and isomerization energies and barrier heights and are promising new tools for the theoretical study of novel platinum(II) arsenic compounds.
Ultra-processed food consumption patterns among older adults in the Netherlands and the role of the food environment
Authors: Pinho Maria Gabriela M. , Lakerveld Jeroen , Harbers Marjolein C. , Sluijs Ivonne , Vermeulen Roel , Huss Anke , Boer Jolanda M. A. , Verschuren W. M. Monique , Brug Johannes , Beulens Joline W. J. , Mackenbach Joreintje D.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

To describe the patterns of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) consumption in the Netherlands; to test if exposure to the food environment is associated with UPFs consumption; and if this association differed across educational levels and neighbourhood urbanisation.

Methods

Cross-sectional study using 2015-data of 8104 older adults from the Dutch EPIC cohort. Proportion of UPFs consumption was calculated from a validated food-frequency questionnaire. Exposure to the food environment was defined as proximity and availability of supermarkets, fast-food restaurants, full-service restaurants, convenience stores, candy stores and cafés. Consumption of UPFs was expressed as both percentage of total grams and total kilocalories.

Results

The study population was aged 70(± 10 SD) years and 80.5% was female. Average UPFs consumption was 17.8% of total food intake in grams and 37% of total energy intake. Those who consumed greater amounts of UPFs had a poorer overall diet quality. Adjusted linear regression models showed that closer proximity and larger availability to any type of food retailer was associated with lower UPFs consumption (both in grams and kilocalories). Somewhat stronger significant associations were found for proximity to restaurants (β = − 1.6%, 95% confidence interval (CI) = − 2.6; − 0.6), and supermarkets (β = − 2.2%, 95%CI = − 3.3; − 1.1); i.e., Individuals living within 500 m from the closest supermarket, as compared to 1500 m, had 2.6% less calories from UPFs. No differences were found on analyses stratified for urbanisation and education.

Conclusions

Using various measures of exposure to the food environment, we found that exposure to restaurants and supermarkets was associated with somewhat lower consumption of UPFs.
Effect of standardized post-coercion review session on symptoms of PTSD: results from a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wullschleger Alexandre , Vandamme Angelika , Mielau Juliane , Renner Lara , Bermpohl Felix , Heinz Andreas , Montag Christiane , Mahler Lieselotte
Published: November 2020

Objective

Post-coercion review is increasingly regarded as a mean to reduce the negative consequences of coercive interventions, including the development of posttraumatic symptoms. However, the efficacy of this intervention in preventing posttraumatic symptoms or PTSD has not been sufficiently studied. The objective of this study is to examine the influence of a single, standardized post-coercion review session on the development or exacerbation of PTSD symptoms in patients with psychotic disorders.

Methods

In a multi-center, two-armed, randomized controlled trial, patients who experienced coercive interventions during current hospitalization were either randomized to standard treatment or an intervention group receiving a guideline-based, standardized reflecting review session. Factorial MANCOVA and subsequent ANCOVAs investigated the effects of the post-coercion reflecting review session on post-traumatic symptoms as measured by the subscales of the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R). Similarly, the effect of the intervention on the intensity of the peritraumatic reactions measured by the Peritraumatic Distress Inventory (PDI) was analyzed by conducting a factorial ANCOVA.

Results

N = 82 patients were included in an intention-to-treat analysis. MANCOVA and post hoc ANCOVAs revealed a significant main effect of the intervention for the IES-R subscales intrusion and hyperarousal, when controlling for levels of peritraumatic distress, whereby intervention group participants presented lower respective mean scores. There was no significant difference regarding the intensity of the peritraumatic reaction.

Conclusion

Standardized post-coercion review contributes to a reduction of the burden of PTSD symptoms in patients with psychotic disorders experiencing coercive interventions in acute settings and shall be recommended as a measure of trauma-informed care.

The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (ID NCT03512925) on 01/30/2018 (retrospectively registered).
Mitochondrial DNA analysis efficiently contributes to the identification of metastatic contralateral breast cancers
Authors: Girolimetti Giulia , Marchio Lorena , De Leo Antonio , Mangiarelli Miriam , Amato Laura Benedetta , Zanotti Simone , Taffurelli Mario , Santini Donatella , Gasparre Giuseppe , Ceccarelli Claudio
Published: November 2020

Purpose

In daily practice, a contralateral breast cancer (CBC) is usually considered as a new independent tumor despite the indications of several studies showing that the second neoplasia may be a metastatic spread of the primary tumor. Recognition of clonal masses in the context of multiple synchronous or metachronous tumors is crucial for correct prognosis, therapeutic choice, and patient management. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequencing shows high informative potential in the diagnosis of synchronous neoplasms, based on the fact that somatic mtDNA mutations are non-recurrent events, whereas tumors sharing them have a common origin. We here applied this technique to reveal clonality of the CBC with respect to the first tumor.

Methods

We analyzed 30 sample pairs of primary breast cancers and synchronous or metachronous CBCs with detailed clinical information available and compared standard clinico-pathological criteria with mtDNA sequencing to reveal the metastatic nature of CBCs.

Results

MtDNA analysis was informative in 23% of the cases, for which it confirmed a clonal origin of the second tumor. In addition, it allowed to solve two ambiguous cases where histopathological criteria had failed to be conclusive and to suggest a clonal origin for two additional cases that had been classified as independent by pathologists.

Conclusion

Overall, the mtDNA-based classification showed a more accurate predictive power than standard histopathology in identifying cases of metastatic rather than bilateral breast cancers in our cohort, suggesting that mtDNA sequencing may be a more precise and easy-to-use method to be introduced in daily routine to support and improve histopathological diagnoses.
Therapie der angeborenen Thoraxfehlbildungen – Rückblick und Ausblick
Authors: Weinhandl Anja Christina , Rebhandl Winfried
Published: November 2020

Thoraxfehlbildungen umfassen ein breites Spektrum angeborener Fehlbildungen mit unterschiedlichster phänotypischer und klinischer Manifestation. Diagnostik und Betreuung der Patientinnen und Patienten erfordern viel Erfahrung und Expertise sowie die Anbindung an ein multidisziplinäres Behandlungsteam. Die operative Korrektur erfolgt meist im Kindes- und Jugendalter und ist daher seit Jahrzehnten eine Domäne der Kinder- und Jugendchirurgie.

Eine operative Korrektur ist nur dann sinnvoll, wenn dadurch eine wesentliche Besserung der Symptomatik erzielt werden kann. Bei weniger schwerwiegenden Deformitäten oder auch in Grenzfällen ist zunächst ein konservatives Vorgehen bestehend aus gezielter Physiotherapie und Anwendung entsprechender Orthesen ratsam. Bei Ausbleiben des gewünschten Therapieerfolgs oder wenn die Betroffenen einer konservativen Therapie gänzlich ablehnend gegenüberstehen, ist die nächste Behandlungsoption die Operation. Hier haben sich hauptsächlich die minimal-invasiven Vorgehensweisen durchgesetzt, da diese mit kürzerer Operationsdauer, früherer Mobilisierung, besserem und stabilerem postoperativen Ergebnis und geringerem Narbenbildungsrisiko einhergehen.

Zusammenfassend lässt sich also festhalten, dass zahlreiche an den jeweiligen Schweregrad der Deformierung angepasste Therapiekonzepte für angeborene Thoraxdeformitäten existieren. Sobald ein Wunsch nach Behandlung besteht bzw. körperliche Beschwerden in Erscheinung treten, ist die Anbindung jener Patientinnen und Patienten an ein Spezialzentrum mit auf diese Fehlbildungen spezialisierten Kinder- und Jugendchirurgen und -chirurginnen empfohlen. Dort können diese Patientinnen und Patienten entsprechend den neuesten wissenschaftlichen und operativen Standards und größtmöglicher fachlicher Expertise betreut werden.
Static analysis for discovering IoT vulnerabilities
Authors: Ferrara Pietro , Mandal Amit Kr , Cortesi Agostino , Spoto Fausto
Published: November 2020

The Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), released the “OWASP Top 10 Internet of Things 2018” list of the high-priority security vulnerabilities for IoT systems. The diversity of these vulnerabilities poses a great challenge toward development of a robust solution for their detection and mitigation. In this paper, we discuss the relationship between these vulnerabilities and the ones listed by OWASP Top 10 (focused on Web applications rather than IoT systems), how these vulnerabilities can actually be exploited, and in which cases static analysis can help in preventing them. Then, we present an extension of an industrial analyzer (Julia) that already covers five out of the top seven vulnerabilities of OWASP Top 10, and we discuss which IoT Top 10 vulnerabilities might be detected by the existing analyses or their extension. The experimental results present the application of some existing Julia’s analyses and their extension to IoT systems, showing its effectiveness of the analysis of some representative case studies.
Videogame Addiction Scale for Children: Psychometric Properties and Gamer Profiles in the Italian Context
Authors: Monacis Lucia , Griffiths Mark D. , Cassibba Rosalinda , Sinatra Maria , Musso Pasquale
Published: November 2020

Given the few studies examining the evaluation of screening tools for videogame addiction among children aged 12 years and under, the present study analyzed (i) the psychometric properties (factorial structure, reliability indices and criterion validity) of the Italian version of the Videogame Addiction Scale for Children (VASC) and (ii) its construct validity using a person-centered approach. Two studies were carried out. In study 1, 728 participants completed a survey including demographic information, questions concerning the amount of time spent in playing videogames, and the Italian version of the VASC. In study 2, 1008 participants completed a survey comprising demographic information, the Italian version of the VASC, the Big Five Questionnaire for Children, and the social dimension subscale of the Multidimensional Self-Concept Scale. Findings supported (i) the four-dimensional first-order factor structure, (ii) full scalar invariance across age groups and partial scalar equivalence across gender, and (iii) reliability and criterion validity of the VASC. The construct validity of the VASC was confirmed by the identification of two distinct profiles (high videogame players vs. low videogame players) and their specific patterns of associations with personality traits and social self-concept. Interaction effects of gender × profiles on personality traits were evidenced. Overall, the findings provided validity for the use of the Italian version of the VASC and extending the body of literature on videogame addiction.
News repertoires and information behavior in Austria—What is the role of social inequality?
Authors: Prandner Dimitri , Glatz Christoph
Published: November 2020

The changes in the global mediascape have had a tremendous impact on societal news flows. Using data from the Social Survey Austria 2018 and a quantitative application of the media repertoire approach, the article illustrates how information behavior and news seeking relate to social status, political orientation and sociodemographics. The results confirm that the developments in Austria—often referred to as a representative of a traditional media landscape—are mostly in line with international trends, as new media have been added to the media repertoires of approximately two-thirds of the sample. Effects tied to social inequality generally match previous assumptions: Higher educational achievements and income lead to more diversified news repertoires. Additionally, the overall structure of the data indicates that the online-only users are still a small minority, consisting of younger individuals who are less likely to work and more likely to vote for left-wing parties.
In-process calibration of smart structures produced by incremental forming
Authors: Al-Baradoni Nassr , Krech Martin , Groche Peter
Published: November 2020

Smart load-bearing structures are created by forming integration of functional materials into passive metallic components with target-oriented pre-stress conditions by rotary swaging. Their sensory capability cannot only be used during the utilization but also during the manufacturing phase. Previous works demonstrated how this capability paves the way for efficient monitoring and controlling of the used integration process. In search of an even higher overall efficiency of the manufacturing chain, the subsequent costly calibration step deserves closer attention. Therefore, a cost- and time-efficient approach for the process-integrated calibration of a sensor-integrated structure is proposed in this paper. During the in-process calibration, the acting process forces are measured both in the integrated sensor and in a special-built clamping fixture. The measured data can be transferred into calibration slopes of the sensory structures. A suitable signal processing based on the process characteristics is performed to compensate interference effects on the raw signals. As a result, an accuracy of the calibration better than 2% of the nominal value compared to an offline standardized calibration is achieved with the in-line calibration method. Consequently, efficiency in the manufacturing of sensory structures is further boosted by avoidance of setup or logistical operations.
New Approaches to Critical Illness Polyneuromyopathy: High-Resolution Neuromuscular Ultrasound Characteristics and Cytokine Profiling
Authors: Fisse Anna Lena , May Caroline , Motte Jeremias , Pedreiturria Xiomara , Breuer Thomas G. K. , Schneider-Gold Christiane , Marcus Katrin , Gold Ralf , Yoon Min-Suk , Pitarokoili Kalliopi
Published: November 2020

Background

Diagnosis of intensive care unit acquired weakness (ICUAW) is challenging. Pathogenesis of underlying critical illness polyneuromyopathy (CIPNM) remains incompletely understood. This exploratory study investigated whether longitudinal neuromuscular ultrasound examinations and cytokine analyses in correlation to classical clinical and electrophysiological assessment contribute to the understanding of CIPNM.

Methods

Intensive care unit patients were examined every 7 days until discharge from hospital. Clinical status, nerve conduction studies, electromyography as well as ultrasound of peripheral nerves and tibial anterior muscle were performed. Cytokine levels were analyzed by a bead-based multiplex assay system.

Results

Of 248 screened patients, 35 patients were included at median of 6 days (IQR: 8) after admission to intensive care unit. Axonal damage was the main feature of CIPNM. At the peak of CIPNM (7 days after inclusion), nerve ultrasound showed cross-sectional area increase of tibial nerve as a sign of inflammatory edema as well as hypoechoic nerves as a possible sign of inflammation. Cytokine analyses showed signs of monocyte and macrophage activation at this stage. Fourteen days after inclusion, cytokines indicated systemic immune response as well as profiles associated to neovascularization and regeneration.

Conclusions

Exploratory neuromuscular ultrasound and cytokine analyses showed signs of inflammation like macrophage and monocyte activation at the peak of CIPNM followed by a systemic immune response parallel to axonal damage. This underlines the role of both axonal damage and inflammation in pathogenesis of CIPNM.
Optimal progressivity of personal income tax: a general equilibrium evaluation for Spain
Authors: Serrano-Puente Darío
Published: November 2020

Is the Spanish economy positioned at its optimal progressivity level in personal income tax? This article quantifies the aggregate, distributional, and welfare consequences of moving toward such an optimal level. A heterogeneous households general equilibrium model featuring both life cycle and dynastic elements is calibrated to replicate some characteristics of the Spanish economy and used to evaluate potential reforms of the tax system. The findings suggest that increasing progressivity would be optimal, even though it would involve an efficiency loss. The optimal reform of the tax schedule would reduce wealth and income inequality at the cost of negative effects on capital, labor, and output. Finally, these theoretical results are evaluated using tax microdata and describe a current scenario where the income-top households typically face suboptimal effective average tax rates.
A novel anti-slip control approach for railway vehicles with traction based on adhesion estimation with swarm intelligence
Authors: Zirek Abdulkadir , Onat Altan
Published: November 2020

Anti-slip control systems are essential for railway vehicle systems with traction. In order to propose an effective anti-slip control system, adhesion information between wheel and rail can be useful. However, direct measurement or observation of adhesion condition for a railway vehicle in operation is quite demanding. Therefore, a proportional–integral controller, which operates simultaneously with a recently proposed swarm intelligence-based adhesion estimation algorithm, is proposed in this study. This approach provides determination of the adhesion optimum on the adhesion-slip curve so that a reference slip value for the controller can be determined according to the adhesion conditions between wheel and rail. To validate the methodology, a tram wheel test stand with an independently rotating wheel, which is a model of some low floor trams produced in Czechia, is considered. Results reveal that this new approach is more effective than a conventional controller without adhesion condition estimation.
Source Apportionment and Elemental Composition of Atmospheric Total Suspended Particulates (TSP) Over the Red Sea Coast of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Cusack M. , Arrieta J. M. , Duarte C. M.
Published: November 2020

This work presents a comprehensive study on concentrations and elemental composition of total suspended atmospheric particulates for a semi-urban site on the Red Sea coast, and on-board a research vessel, which collected off-shore samples along the Red Sea. We conducted one of the most extended measurement campaigns of atmospheric particulates ever for the region, with continuous measurements over 27 months. The overall mean concentrations (± st. dev.) of TSP were 125 ± 197 µg m−3 for the permanent semi-urban site, and 108 ± 193 µg m−3 for the off-shore mobile site. The region is frequently severely impacted by both localised and widespread dust storms, which on occasion, can increase atmospheric particulate concentrations to levels above mg m−3 (> 1000 µg m−3). Median concentrations were not as variable between seasons, indicating a stable, permanent presence of atmospheric particulates independent of the time of year. The primary chemical elements contributing to particulate mass were Na, Ca, S, Al and Fe. We employed Positive Matrix Factorisation (EPA PMF v5.0.14) to identify different major sources of particulates, which were crustal, marine, fuel oil combustion/secondary sulphate and mixed anthropogenic. The crustal source was characterised by tracers Al, Fe, K, Mg and Sn, and was present to some extent in the other identified sources due to the permanent presence of dust particles in the atmosphere. The fuel oil combustion/secondary sulphate source was identifiable by the almost exclusive presence of S, and to a lesser extent V, emitted from oil combustion as primary emissions and also secondary sulphate formation following the release of S to the atmosphere. A mixed anthropogenic source was characterised by Zn, Ni, Cr, Cu and Pb, emitted from traffic, industry, power generation and water desalination. This study highlights that the natural sources of particulates in this desert region give rise to frequent episodes of extremely poor air quality, and this problem is compounded by significant emissions of anthropogenic pollution, which has an impact across the entire Red Sea basin. Further stringent measures should be adopted to improve air quality across the region and prevent long-term damage to the health of the local population and ecosystems.
Nachbetreuung von PatientInnen mit „sustained virologic response“
Authors: Semmler Georg , Mandorfer Mattias
Published: November 2020

Da die Therapie der chronischen Hepatitis C aufgrund der neuen direkt antiviral wirkenden Therapeutika („direct-acting antivirals“, DAA) aus virologischer Sicht bei nahezu allen PatientInnen zur nachhaltigen Ausheilung („sustained virologic response“, SVR) der Infektion führt, hat sich das Hauptaugenmerk auf Eliminationsprojekte sowie die Nachsorge von PatientInnen mit ausgeheilter Hepatitis-C-Infektion verschoben. In diesem Übersichtsartikel werden rezente Studien und Empfehlungen zum Thema Nachsorge nach HCV-Eradikation zusammengefasst, um den LeserInnen einen Leitfaden für die klinische Praxis zur Verfügung zu stellen.
Social stigma, ego‐resilience, and depressive symptoms in adolescent school dropouts
Authors: Kwon Taeyeon
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Adolescent dropouts experience various psychosocial difficulties such as social stigma, depressive symptoms, and anxiety after they leave school. This study examined the longitudinal effects of social stigma on depressive symptoms, and the mediating effects of ego‐resilience in the relationship between these two variables among South Korean adolescent dropouts aged 14 to 19.

Methods

This study utilized four waves of data from the Out of School Panel Survey (N = 278), assessed annually from 2013 to 2017, which were analyzed using latent growth curve modeling.

Results

Both social stigma and depressive symptoms showed positive linear growth over time, while ego‐resilience showed negative linear growth. The increase in social stigma was associated with an increase in depressive symptoms and a decrease in ego‐resilience. Initial levels of ego‐resilience mediated the relationship between the initial levels of social stigma and depressive symptoms. Moreover, changes in ego‐resilience mediated the relationship between changes in social stigma and depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the need for tailored interventions and strategies for preventing depressive symptoms and building ego‐resilience to help dropouts overcome social stigma.
APPLYING STATE SPACE MODELS TO STOCHASTIC CLAIMS RESERVING
Authors: Hendrych Radek , Cipra Tomas
Published: November 2020

The paper solves the loss reserving problem using Kalman recursions in linear statespace models. In particular, if one orders claims data from run-off triangles to time series with missing observations, then state space formulation can be applied for projections or interpolations of IBNR (Incurred But Not Reported) reserves. Namely, outputs of the corresponding Kalman recursion algorithms for missing or future observations can be taken as the IBNR projections. In particular, by means of such recursive procedures one can perform effectively simulations in order to estimate numerically the distribution of IBNR claims which may be very useful in terms of setting and/or monitoring of prudency level of loss reserves. Moreover, one can generalize this approach to the multivariate case of several dependent run-off triangles for correlated business lines and the outliers in claims data can be also treated effectively in this way. Results of a numerical study for several sets of claims data (univariate and multivariate ones) are presented.
Statistical risk warnings in gambling
Authors: NEWALL PHILIP W.S. , WALASEK LUKASZ , HASSANNIAKALAGER ARMAN , RUSSELL ALEX M.T. , LUDVIG ELLIOT A. , BROWNE MATTHEW
Published: November 2020

Gambling is considered a public health issue by many researchers, similarly to alcohol or obesity. Statistical risk warnings on gambling products can be considered a public health intervention that encourages safer gambling while preserving freedom of consumer choice. Statistical risk warnings may be useful to gamblers, given that net gambling losses are the primary driver of harm and that gambling products vary greatly in the degree to which they facilitate losses. However, there is some doubt as to whether statistical risk warnings are, in their current form, effective at reducing gambling harm. Here, we consider current applications and evidence, discuss product-specific issues around a range of gambling products and suggest future directions. Our primary recommendation is that current statistical risk warnings can be improved and also applied to a wider range of gambling products. Such an approach should help consumers to make more informed judgements and potentially encourage gambling operators to compete more directly on the relative ‘price’ of gambling products.