bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Racial and ethnic disparities in pediatric cancer incidence among children and young adults in the United States by single year of age
Authors: Marcotte Erin L. , Domingues Allison M. , Sample Jeannette M. , Richardson Michaela R. , Spector Logan G.
Published: June 2021

Background

Incidence rates of pediatric cancers in the United States are typically reported in 5‐year age groups, obscuring variation by single year of age. Additionally, racial and ethnic variation in incidence is typically presented in broad categories rather than by narrow age ranges.

Methods

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 18 data (2000‐2017) were examined to calculate frequencies and age‐adjusted incidence rates among individuals aged birth to 39 years. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were estimated as the measure of association for rate comparisons by race and Hispanic origin overall and by single year of age.

Results

Several histologic types showed substantial variation in race/ethnicity‐specific and overall rates by single year of age. Overall, Black children and young adults experienced substantially decreased incidence of acute lymphoid leukemia (IRR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.49‐0.55) compared to Whites, and this decreased incidence was strongest at ages 1 through 7 years and 16 through 20 years. Hispanic individuals experienced decreased overall incidence of Hodgkin lymphoma (IRR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.48‐0.52) and astrocytoma (IRR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.52‐0.56) and increased risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (IRR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.42‐1.51) compared to non‐Hispanic Whites, and the increased risk was strongest at ages 10 through 23 years. Substantial decreased risk across many tumor types was also observed for Asian/Pacific Islanders and American Indian/Alaska Natives.

Conclusions

Examination of incidence rates for pediatric cancers by narrow age groups may provide insights regarding etiological differences in subgroups. Additionally, variation in age‐specific incidence rates by race and ethnicity may enable hypothesis generation on drivers of disparities observed.
Towards a Molecular Understanding of Cation‐Anion Interactions and Self‐aggregation of Adeninate Salts in DMSO by NMR and UV Spectroscopy and Crystallography
Authors: Buyens Dominique M. S. , Pilcher Lynne A. , Roduner Emil
Published: June 2021

Rare anionic forms of nucleic acids play a significant biological role and lead to spontaneous mutations and replication and translational errors. There is a lack of information surrounding the stability and reactivity of these forms. Ion pairs of mono‐sodium and ‐potassium salts of adenine exist in DMSO solution with possible cation coordination sites at the N1, N7 and N9 atoms of the purine ring. At increasing concentrations π‐π stacked dimers are the predominant species of aggregates followed by higher order aggregation governed by coordination to metal cations in which the type of counter ion present has a central role in the aggregate formation.
Contributions from terrestrial and marine resources stabilize predator populations in a rapidly changing climate
Authors: Nater Chloé R. , Eide Nina E. , Pedersen Åshild Ø. , Yoccoz Nigel G. , Fuglei Eva
Published: June 2021

Climate change has different and sometimes divergent effects on terrestrial and marine food webs, and in coastal ecosystems, these effects are tightly interlinked. Responses of opportunistic coastal predators and scavengers to climate change may thus be complex and potentially highly flexible, and can simultaneously serve as indicators of, and have profound impacts on, lower trophic levels. Gaining mechanistic understanding of these responses is therefore important, but often not feasible due to lack of long‐term data from marked individuals. Here, we used a Bayesian integrated population model (IPM) to elucidate the effects of arctic warming and concurrent changes in terrestrial and marine resource availability on population dynamics of the opportunistic arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) in Svalbard. Joint analysis of four types of data (den survey, age‐at‐harvest, placental scars, mark‐recovery) revealed relatively stable population size and age structure over the last 22 yr (1997–2019) despite rapid environmental change linked to climate warming. This was related to the fact that terrestrial resources (reindeer carcasses, geese) became more abundant while the availability of marine resources (seal pups/carrion) decreased, and was driven by divergent trends in different vital rates (e.g., increased pregnancy rate but decreased pup survival). Balanced contributions of survival vs. reproduction and of immigration vs. local demography further stabilized population size. Our study thus sheds light on the mechanisms underlying population dynamics of opportunistic carnivores exploiting terrestrial and marine resources and suggests that exploitation of resources across different ecosystems can buffer predators against climate change. Additionally, it highlights the large potential of IPMs as tools to understand and predict the effects of environmental change on wildlife populations, even when data on marked individuals are sparse.
Electrochemical Nanobiosensors as Point‐of‐Care Testing Solution to Cytokines Measurement Limitations
Authors: Pérez David J. , Patiño Edwin B. , Orozco Jahir
Published: June 2021

Most cytokines are present at reduced amounts in body fluids due to their biological features of production, release, and action mechanisms. The required time between sampling and their measurement is critical for diagnosis and treatment. Electrochemical nanobiosensors offer the possibility to be tailor‐made and cost affordable, producing direct and rapid readouts with low sample volume, explaining their feasibility in timely measurements and potential in designing unique and multiplexed Point‐Of‐Care (POC) testing platforms. This review summarizes and discusses the measurement limitations of the standard methods and the recent progress on electrochemical nanobiosensors as a plausible alternative to measuring them.
Credit evaluation method of generating companies considering the market behavior in China electricity market
Authors: Xie Jingdong , Wang Shiyao , Zhou Xuemei , Sun Bo , Sun Xin
Published: June 2021

Since the reformation of the electricity market of China is increasing and the modernization of the national governance system is being promoted, the electricity market management system needs to be gradually improved. Credit evaluation is an essential part of the electricity market management system. Therefore, a complete credit evaluation system plays a fundamental role in ensuring that the electricity market can operate safely, stably, efficiently, and reliably. The traditional credit evaluation methods focus on the financial situation and credit records of the generating companies. With the gradual development of the electricity market transactions, the market behavior needs to be included in the credit evaluation indicator system to standardize the behavior of the generating companies and reduce the risks of the market transactions. This study establishes a complete credit evaluation system from three perspectives: market behavior, financial situation, and social responsibility. In addition, to determine the weight of indicators in the credit evaluation, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) algorithm, fuzzy theory, and the non‐dominated sorted genetic algorithm II (NSGA‐II) algorithm are combined. The variance of the evaluation results and the deviation degree of the indicator weight are considered the objective functions of the NSGA‐II algorithm to optimize the indicator weight. Finally, comparing as an example the results of the credit evaluation before and after the optimization of an electricity market shows that the credit evaluation method can effectively distinguish the generating companies that adopt different market behaviors and has a high practical significance.
Influence and variability of monsoon trough and front on rainfall in Thailand
Authors: Tomkratoke Saifhon , Sirisup Sirod
Published: June 2021

High variabilities in rainfall and the subsequent consequences have caused severe water‐related issues for Thailand over recent decades. In this study, the factors that affect rainfall variability over Thailand were determined. The spatio‐temporal structures of the monthly rainfall in Thailand between 1979 and 2018 were extracted via an empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis. With a unimodal temporal structure, the first EOF mode suggests the overall phenomenon governing rain characteristics in Thailand. The higher modes, consisting of bimodal temporal structures, indicate different rain phenomena in various regions. A significantly high correlation between the 3‐month average of the monsoon trough index and rainfall was observed, while wet adiabatic front and convective available potential energy (CAPE) data had a moderately high correlation. Only the local front index, within the Gulf of Thailand, correlated to the rain characteristics along the east coast of southern Thailand. The cross‐wavelet analysis indicated that most of the rainfall variability correlates with monsoon trough. However, the front can involve extreme events. The interannual variability of monsoon trough and rainfall with a dominant time scale between 3.0 and 6.0 years has significantly increased since 1995. Meanwhile, the intra‐annual variability is more intermittent, indicating rare intensified strong tropical cyclones along the monsoon troughs in Thailand. The interannual variability of the monsoon trough and front indices also intermittently connects with the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI). However, the relationship in annual and intra‐annual cycles is mostly weak. Therefore, the dependence of interannual variability of rainfall in Thailand on SOI or monsoon trough is comparable. Notably, the intra‐annual rainfall variability is heavily influenced by the monsoon trough and front. This study is the first to identify the crucial factors behind the seasonal rain phenomena in Thailand. This information will benefit seasonal rainfall predictors and increase preparedness for hydro‐climatic related disasters in the Indo‐China region.
Waterbird habitat loss: fringes of the Yellow and Bohai Seas along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway
Authors: Duan Houlang , Yu Xiubo , Xia Shaoxia , Zhang Guangshuai
Published: June 2021

Natural wetlands along the coasts of the Yellow and Bohai Seas provide key stopover sites for migratory waterbirds. However, these wetlands are facing land loss. Understanding how natural wetland loss influences habitat is important for habitat management. We used species distribution models to report changes in area of suitable habitat and analysed the effects of natural wetland loss on habitat for 80 waterbird species of four functional categories (shorebirds, ducks, herons, gulls) between 2000 and 2015 beside the Yellow and Bohai Seas. Between 2000 and 2015, 1794.8 km2(29.27%) of coastal wetland was lost to development, most of which were tidal flats that were lost by conversion into aquaculture and salt pan habitat or land for construction. Consequently, habitat for 73 of these 80 species has decreased in area over this time period. Generally, the proportional decline in habitat suitable for duck species was less than that for shorebirds, and the proportional decline in suitable habitat was not significantly different between National Protected Species and Non‐National Protected Species. The proportional loss of tidal flats that formerly represented suitable habitat was also significantly higher for shorebirds, herons and gulls than for ducks. Because more duck species exploit aquaculture and salt pan habitat that was converted from tidal flats habitats, such conversion of tidal flats poses a greater threat to shorebirds, herons and gulls than to ducks. Preventing further reclamation of tidal flats and managing artificial wetlands are priorities for waterbird conservation.
Combination Therapy for the Treatment of Complex Vascular Lesions
Authors: Herold Mitchell , Goldberg Gerald
Published: June 2021

Background and Objectives

Combination treatment with debulking surgical procedures, vascular and ablative lasers, and topical and intralesional vascular therapies may improve outcomes in nodular hypertrophic and mixed complex vascular malformations; however, there is a paucity of data reporting specific combinations of these treatments. We report 15 cases of complex vascular malformations, which were successfully treated with novel combinations of these modalities.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

We performed a review of 15 patients treated with combination vascular laser therapy, electrosurgery, ablative laser technologies, and topical and intralesional vascular therapies from May 2000 to October 2020. Photographs were taken at intervals with attempts made for consistent lighting and positioning.

Results

All 15 patients achieved an excellent clinical response to combination therapy with visible improvement of the hypertrophic, textural, and vascular components of their lesions. No major complications or adverse events were encountered during any of the treatments.

Conclusion

Combination multimodality therapy with surgical debulking, laser technologies, and topical and injection therapies can be highly effective and efficient in treating complex vascular malformations. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Three‐dimensional slope stability predictions using artificial neural networks
Authors: Meng Jingjing , Mattsson Hans , Laue Jan
Published: June 2021

To enable assess slope stability problems efficiently, various machine learning algorithms have been proposed recently. However, these developments are restricted to two‐dimensional slope stability analyses (plane strain assumption), although the two‐dimensional results can be very conservative. In this study, artificial neural networks are adopted and trained to predict three‐dimensional slope stability and a program, SlopeLab has been developed with a graphical user interface. To reduce the number of variables, groups of dimensionless parameters to express stability of slopes in classic stability charts are adopted to construct the neural network architecture. The model has been trained with a dataset from slope stability charts for fully cohesive and cohesive‐frictional soils. Furthermore, the impact of concave plan curvature on slope stability that is usually found by excavation in practice is investigated by introducing a dimensionless parameter, relative curvature radius. Slope stability analyses have been conducted with numerical calculations and the artificial neural networks are trained with dimensionless data. The performance of the trained artificial neural networks has been evaluated with the correlation coefficient (R) and root mean square error (RMSE). High accuracy has been found in all the trained models in which R > 0.999 and RMSE < 0.15. Most importantly, the proposed program can help engineers to estimate 3D effects of a slope quickly from the ratio of the factors of safety, FS3D/FS2D. When FS3D/FS2D is large (such as larger than 1.2), a 3D numerical modelling on slope stability analyses that can consider complex 3D geometry and boundary condition is advised.
A modified phase field model for predicting the fracture behavior of quasi‐brittle materials
Authors: Yun Kumchol , Kim Myong‐Hyok , Chu Pom‐Hyang
Published: June 2021

Phase field models have a very good capability in predicting the crack path, but most of them represent the dependence of the regularization parameter on the load‐carrying capacity of structures. In this paper, a phase field model is coupled with isotropic damage model aiming to resolve this issue in the fracture simulations of quasi‐brittle materials. Damage variables are calculated by a continuum damage mechanics model based on accurate energy reduction and then regularized by the phase field model. Since the continuum damage mechanics model is combined with phase field method, tensile strength of material is employed for calculating the damage field and phase field. Our approach can predict the accurate load‐carrying capacity independent of the regularization parameter while maintaining the precision of the crack path prediction. Three benchmark problems are solved to demonstrate good performance of our approach, and results are compared with those by the damage mechanics model or by the standard phase field model.
Coaxial electrospun membranes of poly(ε‐caprolactone)/poly(lactic acid) with reverse core‐shell structures loaded with curcumin as tunable drug delivery systems
Authors: Viscusi Gianluca , Lamberti Elena , Vittoria Vittoria , Gorrasi Giuliana
Published: June 2021

Nano fibrous membranes core‐shell of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL), encapsulating 1 wt% of curcumin, are fabricated by coaxial electrospinning technique. Morphology and physical properties, as well as the release of curcumin, are studied and compared with neat PLA and PCL individually spinned. Morphological analysis shows for all the samples the obtainment of fiber oriented in random way, without defect and with a narrow distribution of the fiber dimensions (344 nm for PCL fibers and 450 nm for PLA fibers). Mechanical performances and barrier properties are evaluated on all membranes and found to be dependent on the fibers' composition and morphology. Water contact angle for all membranes is found higher than 90° (from 103° for PLA‐Curc to 128° for PCL‐Curc), expected since the hydrophobic behavior of the micro/nano electrospun morphology. The curcumin release from the coaxial fibers, modeled with a modified Weibull equation, shows the possibility of a fine tuning of drug release (up to 15 days) for the produced materials, depending on the required application.
Relationships between physical therapy intervention and opioid use: A scoping review
Authors: Brown‐Taylor Lindsey , Beckner Aaron , Scaff Katie E. , Fritz Julie M. , Buys Michael J. , Patel Shardool , Bayless Kim , Brooke Benjamin S.
Published: June 2021

Objective

To synthesize available evidence that has examined the relationship between physical therapy (PT) and opioid use.

Type

Scoping Review

Literature Survey

Data sources including Google Scholar, Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL were searched for English articles up to October 24, 2019 using terms (“physical therapy”[Title/Abstract] OR physiotherapy[Title/Abstract] OR rehabilitation[Title/Abstract]) AND (opiate*[Title/Abstract] OR opioid*[Title/Abstract]).

Methodology

Included studies evaluated a PT intervention and reported an opioid‐use outcome. Data were extracted to describe the PT intervention, patient sample, opioid‐use measurement, and results of any time or group comparisons. Study quality was evaluated with Joanna Briggs checklists based on study design.

Synthesis

Thirty studies were included that evaluated PT in at least one of these seven categories: interdisciplinary program (n = 8), modalities (n = 3), treatment (n = 3), utilization (n = 2), content (n = 3), timing (n = 13), and location (n = 2). Mixed results were reported for reduced opioid‐use after interdisciplinary care and after PT modalities. Utilizing PT was associated with lower odds (ranging from 0.2–0.8) of using opioid medication for persons with low back pain (LBP) and injured workers; however, guideline‐adherent care did not further reduce opioid use for persons with LBP. Early PT utilization after index visit for spine or joint pain and after orthopedic surgery was also associated with lower odds of using opioid medications (ranging from 0.27–0.93). Emergency department PT care was not associated with fewer opioid prescriptions than standard emergency department care. PT in a rehabilitation center after total knee replacement was not associated with lower opioid use than inpatient PT.

Conclusions

The relationship between timing of PT and opioid use was evaluated in 13 of 30 studies for a variety of patient populations. Eight of these 13 studies reported a relationship between early PT and reduced subsequent opioid use, making the largest sample of studies in this scoping review with supporting evidence. There is limited and inconclusive evidence to establish whether the content and/or location of PT interventions improves outcomes because of heterogeneity between studies.
Novel variants of engineered water soluble mu opioid receptors with extensive mutations and removal of cysteines
Authors: Xi Jin , Yang Nanmu , Perez‐Aguilar Jose Manuel , Selling Bernard , Grothusen John R. , Lamichhane Rajan , Saven Jeffery G. , Liu Renyu
Published: June 2021

We have shown that water‐soluble variants of the human mu opioid receptor (wsMOR) containing a reduced number of hydrophobic residues at the lipid‐facing residues of the transmembrane (TM) helices can be expressed in E. coli. In this study, we tested the consequences of increasing the number of mutations on the surface of the transmembrane domain on the receptor's aqueous solubility and ligand binding properties, along with mutation of 11 cysteine residues regardless of their solvent exposure value and location in the protein. We computationally engineered 10 different variants of MOR, and tested four of them for expression in E. coli. We found that all four variants were successfully expressed and could be purified in high quantities. The variants have alpha helical structural content similar to that of the native MOR, and they also display binding affinities for the MOR antagonist (naltrexone) similar to the wsMOR variants we engineered previously that contained many fewer mutations. Furthermore, for these full‐length variants, the helical content remains unchanged over a wide range of pH values (pH 6 ~ 9). This study demonstrates the flexibility and robustness of the water‐soluble MOR variants with respect to additional designed mutations in the TM domain and changes in pH, whereupon the protein's structural integrity and its ligand binding affinity are maintained. These variants of the full‐length MOR with less hydrophobic surface residues and less cysteines can be obtained in large amounts from expression in E. coli and can serve as novel tools to investigate structure‐function relationships of the receptor.
Sofosbuvir‐based therapies in genotype 2 hepatitis C virus cirrhosis: A real‐life experience with focus on ribavirin dose
Authors: Smirne Carlo , D'Avolio Antonio , Bellan Mattia , Gualerzi Alessandro , Crobu Maria G. , Pirisi Mario
Published: June 2021

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir‐based therapies for the treatment of cirrhosis from hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 2 infection. Data of all consecutive HCV genotype 2 cirrhotic patients who started sofosbuvir‐based treatments between January 2015 and March 2017 in eight Italian tertiary hospitals were collected retrospectively. Overall, 273 patients (Child A: 94.5%) were enrolled. In the 194 subjects treated with sofosbuvir/ribavirin, median initial ribavirin dosage was 13.9 mg/kg/day, and therapy duration was 16 weeks. Sustained virological response (SVR) rates were 93.8% in intention‐to‐treat (ITT) and 95.3% in per‐protocol (PP) analyses for the 129 treatment‐naïve patients, and 96.9% (ITT) and 98.4% (PP) for the 65 treatment‐experienced subjects. Adverse events were reported in 142 patients (73.2%), but only 1.5% discontinued treatment. Eighty‐eight subjects with treatment‐induced anemia (mild: 34.5%, moderate: 7.7%, severe: 3.1%) had to reduce ribavirin dosage, but SVR rates were comparable to the weight‐based dose group, both in ITT (95.4% and 94.3%) and PP (97.7% and 95.2%) analyses, respectively. Moreover, ITT and PP SVR rates were similar between shorter (<20 weeks) (94.1% and 96.0%, respectively) and prolonged (≥20 weeks) regimens (95.7% and 96.7%, respectively). SVR rates in the 79 subjects treated with sofosbuvir/daclatasvir (without ribavirin) were similar (ITT: 96.2%; PP: 97.4%, respectively), without de novo/worsening anemia. In conclusion, in a real‐life study centered on genotype 2 patients with well‐compensated cirrhosis, sofosbuvir‐based regimens were associated with good SVR and tolerability rates, regardless of previous antiviral treatments, without a significant impact of on treatment ribavirin dose reductions.
A mixed effects model for analyzing area under the curve of longitudinally measured biomarkers with missing data
Authors: Shi Luoxi , Hatsukami Dorothy K. , Koopmeiners Joseph S. , Le Chap T. , Benowitz Neal L. , Donny Eric C. , Luo Xianghua
Published: June 2021

A simple approach for analyzing longitudinally measured biomarkers is to calculate summary measures such as the area under the curve (AUC) for each individual and then compare the mean AUC between treatment groups using methods such as t test. This two‐step approach is difficult to implement when there are missing data since the AUC cannot be directly calculated for individuals with missing measurements. Simple methods for dealing with missing data include the complete case analysis and imputation. A recent study showed that the estimated mean AUC difference between treatment groups based on the linear mixed model (LMM), rather than on individually calculated AUCs by simple imputation, has negligible bias under random missing assumptions and only small bias when missing is not at random. However, this model assumes the outcome to be normally distributed, which is often violated in biomarker data. In this paper, we propose to use a LMM on log‐transformed biomarkers, based on which statistical inference for the ratio, rather than difference, of AUC between treatment groups is provided. The proposed method can not only handle the potential baseline imbalance in a randomized trail but also circumvent the estimation of the nuisance variance parameters in the log‐normal model. The proposed model is applied to a recently completed large randomized trial studying the effect of nicotine reduction on biomarker exposure of smokers.
Robust guaranteed cost rate anti‐bump switching control for switched systems
Authors: Zhao Ying , Pang Mingchuan , Ma Dan , Yu Shuanghe
Published: June 2021

A multi‐objective switching control strategy is presented in this paper to capture both the robust guaranteed cost (GC) performance and the rate anti‐bump switching performance of switched systems (SSs). The rate anti‐bump switching performance refers to the alleviation of big instantaneous jumps in the switched system rate. Through co‐construct of a switching law and a switching controller, the multi‐objective switching control scheme is attained. A condition is builded to capture the robust GC performance and the rate anti‐bump switching performance, conquering the possible conflict in both performance demands. Moreover, this condition claims that subsystems can capture none of the robust GC performance and the rate anti‐bump switching performance. A verification on the efficiency of the formed multi‐objective switching control approach is provided by regulating the acceleration of a switched engine model.
Robust observer‐based‐controller design for uncertain fractional‐order time‐varying‐delay systems
Authors: Boukal Yassine , Darouach Mohamed , Zasadzinski Michel , Radhy Nour Eddine
Published: June 2021

This article focuses on the robust observer‐based controller (‐ROBC) for Uncertain Fractional‐Order Systems with Time‐Varying‐Delay (DU‐FOS‐TVD). First, the existence conditions of ‐ROBC are given. Then, based on the diffusive representation of the fractional‐order derivative and the indirect Lyapunov approach, a new sufficient condition is obtained and presented as a convex optimization problem with a Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI) constraint, which guarantees the robust stability of the estimation errors and the stabilization of the DU‐FOS‐TVD simultaneously. All observer matrices gains and control laws can be computed by solving the given LMI. A Numerical example is given to illustrate the validity of the proposed method.
Recent Development of Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction Application to Energy Conversion
Authors: Liang Feng , Zhang Kaiwen , Zhang Lei , Zhang Yingjie , Lei Yong , Sun Xueliang
Published: June 2021

Carbon dioxide (CO2) emission has caused greenhouse gas pollution worldwide. Hence, strengthening CO2 recycling is necessary. CO2 electroreduction reaction (CRR) is recognized as a promising approach to utilize waste CO2. Electrocatalysts in the CRR process play a critical role in determining the selectivity and activity of CRR. Different types of electrocatalysts are introduced in this review: noble metals and their derived compounds, transition metals and their derived compounds, organic polymer, and carbon‐based materials, as well as their major products, Faradaic efficiency, current density, and onset potential. Furthermore, this paper overviews the recent progress of the following two major applications of CRR according to the different energy conversion methods: electricity generation and formation of valuable carbonaceous products. Considering electricity generation devices, the electrochemical properties of metal–CO2 batteries, including Li–CO2, Na–CO2, Al–CO2, and Zn–CO2 batteries, are mainly summarized. Finally, different pathways of CO2 electroreduction to carbon‐based fuels is presented, and their reaction mechanisms are illustrated. This review provides a clear and innovative insight into the entire reaction process of CRR, guiding the new electrocatalysts design, state‐of‐the‐art analysis technique application, and reaction system innovation.
Recent advances of transition Ir(III) complexes as photosensitizers for improved photodynamic therapy
Authors: Zhang Liping , Ding Dan
Published: June 2021

Photodynamic therapy (PDT), a minimally invasive procedure, usually required photosensitizer (PS) under light irradiation to convert the absorbed light energy into reactive oxygen species (ROS) to cause cancer cell apoptosis. The PSs with abundant excited triplet state play a critical role to guarantee the PDT effect. Transition Ir(III) complexes has been proved to be an effective PSs for PDT, owing to their high intersystem crossing (ISC) ability, tunable optical properties, long excited state lifetimes. However, poor biocompatibility, short excitation wavelength, and high oxygen dependence limit their biomedical applications. This review summarizes important progress of Ir(III) complexes as PS in improved PDT, including: (1) the strategy of nanoparticles is employed to improve their biocompatibility, and significantly enhance the cellular intracellular efficiency at the same time. (2) Their excitation wavelength is successfully extended by combining fluorophores, forming nanoscale Metal‐Organic frameworks (nMOFs) or two‐photon excited therapy. (3) Their therapeutic effect for antihypoxic tumors is enhanced by constructing mitochondrial‐targeted PS or type I PDT. In addition, simple modification of the precursor is beneficial to obtain a more excellent therapeutic effect. Finally, we brief summarize the current challenges and future research opportunities for Ir(III) complexes in this research field.
‘Our Most Foreign Refugees’: Refugees from Vietnam in Britain
Authors: Taylor Becky
Published: June 2021

Britain’s response to the ‘boat people’ crisis, as Becky Taylor shows in this chapter, had at its heart a contradiction. On the one hand, Margaret Thatcher’s government was keen to be seen as an ally of the US in the Cold War, and still a leader on the international stage. On the other, the arrival of 19,000 Vietnamese ‘boat people’ after 1979 came at a time of growing anti-immigration rhetoric, Britain’s deepest recession for fifty years and just as Thatcher’s New Right government’s marketisation and anti-statist policies were being enacted. This chapter explores how the tension between these different elements shaped Britain’s reception of the ‘boat people’, in particular pointing to the central place of voluntary organisations and multiculturalism in the resettlement programme.
Improving the Flexibility of Production Scheduling in Flat Steel Production Through Standard and AI-Based Approaches: Challenges and Perspectives
Authors: Iannino Vincenzo , Colla Valentina , Maddaloni Alessandro , Brandenburger Jens , Rajabi Ahmad , Wolff Andreas , Ordieres Joaquin , Gutierrez Miguel , Sirovnik Erwin , Mueller Dirk , Schirm Christoph
Published: June 2021

In recent years, the European Steel Industry, in particular flat steel production, is facing an increasingly competitive market situation. The product price is determined by competition, and the only way to increase profit is to reduce production and commercial costs. One method to increase production yield is to create proper scheduling for the components on the available machines, so that an order is timely completed, optimizing resource exploitation and minimizing delays. The optimization of production using efficient scheduling strategies has received ever increasing attention over time and is one of the most investigated optimization problems. The paper presents three approaches for improving flexibility of production scheduling in flat steel facilities. Each method has different scopes and modelling aspects: an auction-based multi-agent system is used to deal with production uncertainties, a multi-objective mixed-integer linear programming-based approach is applied for global optimal scheduling of resources under steady conditions, and a continuous flow model approach provides long-term production scheduling. Simulation results show the goodness of each method and their suitability to different production conditions, by highlighting their advantages and limitations.
Proportional lumpability and proportional bisimilarity
Authors: Marin Andrea , Piazza Carla , Rossi Sabina
Published: June 2021

In this paper, we deal with the lumpability approach to cope with the state space explosion problem inherent to the computation of the stationary performance indices of large stochastic models. The lumpability method is based on a state aggregation technique and applies to Markov chains exhibiting some structural regularity. Moreover, it allows one to efficiently compute the exact values of the stationary performance indices when the model is actually lumpable. The notion of quasi-lumpability is based on the idea that a Markov chain can be altered by relatively small perturbations of the transition rates in such a way that the new resulting Markov chain is lumpable. In this case, only upper and lower bounds on the performance indices can be derived. Here, we introduce a novel notion of quasi-lumpability, named proportional lumpability, which extends the original definition of lumpability but, differently from the general definition of quasi-lumpability, it allows one to derive exact stationary performance indices for the original process. We then introduce the notion of proportional bisimilarity for the terms of the performance process algebra PEPA. Proportional bisimilarity induces a proportional lumpability on the underlying continuous-time Markov chains. Finally, we prove some compositionality results and show the applicability of our theory through examples.
A Budget Impact Model for the use of Drug-Eluting Stents in Patients with Symptomatic Lower-Limb Peripheral Arterial Disease: An Australian Perspective
Authors: Altaf Nishath , Ariyaratne Thathya Venu , Peacock Adrian , Deltetto Irene , El-Hoss Jad , Thomas Shannon , Taylor Colman , Mwipatayi Bibombe Patrice
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Improvement in long-term outcomes through innovative, cost-effective medical technologies is a focus for endovascular procedures aimed at treating symptomatic lower-limb peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The advent of drug-eluting stents (DES) has improved symptomatic PAD treatment via a reduction in high rates of target lesion revascularisation (TLR). The present study aimed to compare the 5-year financial impact of treatment with Eluvia, a new paclitaxel-eluting stent, versus treatment with Zilver PTX, a drug-coated stent, among patients in Australia by developing a budget impact model (BIM).

Methods

A BIM was developed from an Australian public hospital payer perspective using Australian national cost weights (AUD), published literature, and public hospital audit data. Clinical outcomes, including clinically driven TLRs (CD-TLRs), adverse events, and length of stay, were based on the 2-year results of the IMPERIAL trial, which compared Eluvia DES to Zilver PTX.

Results

Assuming EVP eligibility rate of 80% and DES uses rate ranging from 10 to 28% (superficial femoral artery lesions only), the 5-year model forecasted a treatment population between 14,428 and 40,399 patients. The model estimated 1499–4198 fewer CD-TLRs and 16,515–46,243 fewer hospital days with Eluvia DES use. This translated to 5-year potential savings of $4.3–$12.1 million to the Australian public hospital payer attributable to reduced CD-TLRs for Eluvia DES and $33.1–$92.6 million to Australian public hospitals owing to reduced adverse events and hospital bed days.

Conclusion

Eluvia DES use as treatment for symptomatic lower-limb PAD could lead to potential savings for the Australian public healthcare system based on improved patient outcomes.
An analytical and experimental comparison of maximal lottery schemes
Authors: Brandl Florian , Brandt Felix , Stricker Christian
Published: June 2021

Maximal lottery ($$ ML $$ML) schemes constitute an interesting class of randomized voting rules that were proposed by Peter Fishburn in 1984 and have been repeatedly recommended for practical use. However, the subtle differences between different$$ ML $$MLschemes are often overlooked. Two canonical subsets of$$ ML $$MLschemes are "Image missing"schemes (which only depend on unweighted majority comparisons) and "Image missing"schemes (which only depend on weighted majority comparisons). We prove that "Image missing"schemes are the only homogeneous$$ ML $$MLschemes that satisfy$$ SD $$SD-efficiency and$$ SD $$SD-participation, but are also among the most manipulable$$ ML $$MLschemes. While all$$ ML $$MLschemes are manipulable and even violate monotonicity, they are never manipulable when a Condorcet winner exists and satisfy a relative notion of monotonicity. We also evaluate the frequency of manipulable preference profiles and the degree of randomization of$$ ML $$MLschemes via extensive computer simulations. In summary,$$ ML $$MLschemes are rarely manipulable and often do not randomize at all, especially for few alternatives. The average degree of randomization of "Image missing"schemes is consistently lower than that of "Image missing"schemes.
Active transcutaneous bone-anchored hearing implant: how I do it
Authors: Arndt S. , Rauch A. K. , Speck I.
Published: June 2021

Background

The Cochlear™ Osia® System leaves a retroauricular bump that can cause discomfort and poor aesthetic outcome.

Method

To reduce the retroauricular bump, we introduced an implant well in the bone behind the ear for the transducer. We used cutting and diamond drills to create the implant well with an average depth of 4–5 mm. The surgical time including the implant well (40 min) was within the range of reported average surgical time (52 min).

Conclusion

Introduction of an implant well resulted in a better aesthetic outcome and improved patients’ comfort. The reduced distance between BI300 and ear canal might improve audiological outcome.
Correction to: DRPLA: understanding the natural history and developing biomarkers to accelerate therapeutic trials in a globally rare repeat expansion disorder
Authors: Chaudhry Aiysha , Athanasiou-Fragkouli Alkyoni , Garcia-Moreno Hector , Abadias Silvia Prades , Greenfield Julie , Shiloh-Malawsky Yael , Giunti Paola , Houlden Henry
Published: June 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-021-10644-0
Intrapartal cardiotocographic patterns and hypoxia-related perinatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Tarvonen Mikko , Hovi Petteri , Sainio Susanna , Vuorela Piia , Andersson Sture , Teramo Kari
Published: June 2021

Aims

In previous reports, cardiotocographic (CTG) fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring has shown only limited benefits in decreasing adverse perinatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether an association exists between the recently reported ZigZag pattern (FHR baseline amplitude changes of > 25 bpm with a duration of 2–30 min) and asphyxia-related neonatal outcomes in GDM pregnancies.

Methods

Intrapartal CTGs were recorded in a one-year cohort of 5150 singleton childbirths. The following CTG changes were evaluated: ZigZag pattern, saltatory pattern, late decelerations, episodes of tachycardia and bradycardia, reduced variability, and uterine tachysystole. The cohort was divided into three groups: women with GDM, women with normal oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and women with no OGTT performed. Umbilical artery (UA) blood gases, Apgar scores, neonatal respiratory distress, and neonatal encephalopathy were used as outcome variables.

Results

GDM was diagnosed in 624 (12.1%), OGTT was normal in 4115 (79.9%), and OGTT was not performed in 411 (8.0%) women. Hypoxia-related ZigZag patterns (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.64–2.34) and late decelerations (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.27–2.13) of FHR, as well as a greater risk of fetal asphyxia (UA pH < 7.10 and/or UA BE < -12.0 meq/L and/or Apgar scores < 7 at 5-min) (OR 6.64, 95% CI 1.84–12.03) were observed in those with GDM compared with those without GDM.

Conclusions

GDM is associated with intrapartal ZigZag pattern and late decelerations, cord blood acidemia and low 5-min Apgar scores at birth indicating increased occurrence of fetal hypoxia in GDM pregnancies.
Mercury and selenium in developing and mature fruiting bodies of Amanita muscaria
Authors: Hanć Anetta , Fernandes Alwyn R. , Falandysz Jerzy , Zhang Ji
Published: June 2021

Both mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) occur in many mushroom species, but the morphological distribution of these elements during different developmental stages of the fruiting bodies is not known. Although Amanita muscaria can be consumed after suitable processing, they are often ignored by mushroom foragers, leaving an abundance for investigative study. Multiple specimens in each of six developmental stages (button to fully mature) were collected in excellent condition during a single morning from the same forested location and composited. With an average of 30 specimens per composite, and low temporal, spatial, and measurement uncertainty, the data are likely to be representative of the typical concentrations of Hg and Se for each developmental stage. Hg (range 0.58–0.74 mg kg-1 dry weight cap; 0.33 to 0.44 mg kg-1 dw stipe) and Se (range 8.3–11 mg kg-1 dw cap; 2.2 to 4.3 mg kg-1 dw stipe) levels were observed to vary during the developmental stages, and the variability may relate to the demands in growth. In common with some other species, the lower stipe concentrations may be consistent with nutrient/contant transport and support functions. Both Hg and Se levels were lowest during periods of maximum sporocarp growth. Selenium occurs at almost an order of magnitude greater levels than Hg. Due to its role in mitigating the effects of Hg toxicity, this property is of significance to those who consume the species either for nutritional, medicinal, or recreational purposes, although the losses of both these elements during processing are not known.
Rivers in the making; the definition of “Nahr” as a hybrid watercourse based on geoarchaeological evidence from Southwestern Iran
Authors: Rashidian Elnaz
Published: June 2021

This paper explores a new perspective to study the settlement dynamics of riverine landscapes by addressing human–environment interaction in the Ancient Near East through integration of remote sensing, new geodata, and developing a definition of a new category of a watercourse. The complex and entangled network of watercourses in the archaeologically crucial region of southwestern Iran, the Greater Susiana, hinders a clear view of the spatial relations between ancient settlements and their respective environments. The watercourses are known to be of either natural (rivers) or anthropogenic (canals) origin. However, many current watercourses do not fit into either category, which causes misinterpretations of the archaeological record. This paper introduces a third category, which consists of a hybrid of the two existing categories and suggests using the term “Nahr” to address such watercourses. The author implements this idea to a case study, Nahr-e Atiq, a watercourse in north Susiana, which passes two prominent sites, Abu Fanduweh and Haft Tappeh. Based on the results of a geoarchaeological investigation(including a survey, eight sediment cores, and several soil profiles, as well as 58 known archaeological sites), several hydro-morphologic elements are presented for identifying Nahrs. These include sedimentation, morphology, and physical characteristics. The most crucial aspect is the biography of a Nahr, as these hybrid watercourses might consist of different sections with different genesis. The author argues that Nahr, as defined here, must be considered an artifact, and studied as such in the landscape archaeology of the Ancient Near East.
Correction to: Framing Effects and Fuzzy Traces: ‘Some’ Observations
Authors: Fisher Sarah A.
Published: June 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13164-021-00565-2
A Review of Research Studying Film and Television Representations of ASD
Authors: Dean Michelle , Nordahl-Hansen Anders
Published: June 2021

An increasing number of characters with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are appearing in film and television, leading to increased public perceptions of ASD. This review examined the current state of research focused on ASD representations in film and television, and the extent to which characterizations of ASD have been studied. Eighty-seven characters with ASD were discussed across the 26 articles. Characters were culturally and linguistically diverse, and portrayals of ASD appear to be moving away from typical disability-tropes. Researchers studying ASD portrayals were also culturally and academically diverse, with the majority representing fields outside of traditional ASD research disciplines. Connecting diverse methodological procedures may be a useful next-step to enhance empirical studies of ASD representations.
A comparison of dietary quality and nutritional adequacy of popular energy-restricted diets against the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating and the Mediterranean Diet
Authors: Bracci Ella L. , Keogh Jennifer B. , Milte Rachel , Murphy Karen J.
Published: June 2021

There is limited information regarding the nutrition profile and diet quality of meal plans from currently popular weight loss (WL) diets in Australia. This includes the energy content (kilojoules), the macronutrient distribution and the micronutrient composition. Further, these diets have not been compared with current government guidelines and healthy eating principles (HEP) for nutritional adequacy. Popular diets were identified through grey literature, trending searches and relative popularity in Australia. Meal plans for each diet were analysed using Foodworks Dietary Software to determine food group intake, micronutrient and macronutrient distribution. The results indicated that all popular diets assessed deviated from government recommended HEP such as the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating and the Mediterranean diet. In most cases, both popular diets and the HEP had low intakes of multiple food groups, low intakes of essential micronutrients and a distorted macronutrient distribution. Popular diets may not provide adequate nutrition to meet needs, particularly in the long term and potentially resulting in micronutrient deficiency. When energy restricting for WL, meal plans should be highly individualised in conjunction with a qualified nutrition professional to ensure adequate dietary intake.