bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment and Modeling of Groundwater Potential Zones by using Geospatial and Decision-making approaches: A case study in Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors: Kumar B. Pradeep , Babu K. Raghu , Rajasekhar M. , Ramachandra M.
Published: July 2021

Freshwater scarcity is a major issue in Rayalaseema region in Andhra Pradesh (India). Groundwater is the primary source of drinking and irrigation water in Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Therefore, it is important to identify areas having groundwater potential; however, the current methods of groundwater exploration consume a lot of time and money. Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)-based spatial model is used to identify groundwater potential zones in Anantapur using remote sensing and GIS-based decision support system. Thematic layers considered in this study were geology, geomorphology, soils, land use land cover (LULC), lineament density (LD), drainage density (DD), slope, and rainfall. According to Saaty’s AHP, all these themes and individual features were weighted according to their relative importance in groundwater occurrence. Thematic layers were finally combined using ArcGIS to prepare a groundwater potential zone map. The high weighted value area was considered a groundwater prospecting region. Accordingly, the GWPZ map was classified into four categories: very good, good, moderate, and poor. The very good GWPZ area is 77.37 km2 (24.93%) of the total study area. The northeastern and southeastern sections of the study area, as well as some medium patches in the center and western regions, are covered by moderate GWPZs, which cover an area of 53.07 km2 (17.10%). However, the GWP in the study area’s central, southwestern, and northern portions is poor, encompassing an area of approximately 79.31 km2 (25.56%). Finally, RS and GIS techniques are highly effective and useful for identifying GWPZs.
Revisiting Determinants of Financial Development? The Role of Financial and Monetary Freedom: Empirical Evidence from the Asia-pacific Region
Authors: Ali Wajid , Javid Asif , Ahmad Shakeel , Ahmad Nauman , Khan Aamir
Published: July 2021

This study aims to assess what determines/improves the overall multidimensional nature of the financial development index and its sub-indices. For this purpose, we use data over the period 1998 to 2017 for 9 countries from the Asia-Pacific region. The hypothesis of no long run relationship between variables is tested via the three-panel co-integration test i.e. Kao test, the Pedroni test, and the Johansen test. We also examine the impact of these variables on each index through long-run dynamic estimation. We utilize FMOLS and DOLS for this purpose. All the three-panel co-integration tests suggest a long-run relationship among variables. Findings from long-run dynamic estimation indicate that efficient regulation of financial services and control over prices by the government significantly influences the financial depth, financial efficiency, and financial access indices. The financial freedom index measured by regulation of financial services negatively influences the indices, suggest that too much government regulation could distort the market. Also, an increasing probability of default of the country's banking system adversely affects the sub-indices of financial development. These findings suggest that too much government regulation of financial services and control over prices along with default of country banking system could worsen the country's financial development situation and vice versa. The promulgation of prudent regulatory policies by financial regulatory institutions is the need of the time to ensure full access to financial services, soundness, and stability of the financial sector.
Design, implementation, control and optimization of single stage pilot scale reverse osmosis process
Authors: Guna G. , Prabhakaran D. , Thirumarimurugan M.
Published: July 2021

In this paper, a single-stage pilot-scale reverse osmosis (RO) process is considered. The process is mainly used in various chemical industries such as dye, pharmaceutical, beverage, and so on. Initially, mathematical modeling of the process is to be done followed by linearization of the system. Here a dual loop construction with a master and a slave is used. The slave uses the conventional proportional integral derivative (PID) with a reference model of the RO process and the master uses the fractional order proportional integral derivative (FOPID) with a real time RO process. The slave's output is compared with output of the real time RO process to obtain the error which is in turn used to tune the master. The slave controller is tuned using Ziegler Nichols method and the error criterion such as integral absolute error (IAE), integral squared error (ISE), integral time squared error (ITSE), integral time absolute error (ITAE) are calculated and the minimum among them was chosen as the objective function for the master loop tuning. Hence the tuning of the controller becomes a whole. Therefore two optimization techniques such as particle swarm optimization (PSO) and bacterial foraging optimization algorithm (BFO) are used for the tuning of the master loop. From the calculations, the ITSE had the minimum value among the performance indices, hence it was used as the objective function for the BFO and PSO. The best-tuned values will be obtained with the use of these techniques and the best among all can be considered for various industrial applications. Finally, the performance of the process is compared with both techniques and BFO outperforms the PSO from the simulations.
Wykluczenie dobra sakramentu, dobra wiary oraz dobra potomstwa po stronie pozwanej, a także wykluczenie dobra potomstwa po stronie powodowej (kan. 1101 § 2 KPK) w wyroku Roty Rzymskiej c. Bottone z 2 lutego 2010 roku
Authors: Dzierżon Ginter
Published: July 2021

In the presented study the Author commented on the judgment of the Roman Rota c. Bottone of 2 February 2010. The analysis shows that the legal part of the rotal judgment was based on the general theory of a legal act. In the factual part ponens accumulated two titles exclusion of the good of the sacrament and exclusion of the good of faith. The invalidity of the marriage was proven using indirect proof. In the present case, it has been shown that what prompted the defendant to take such a step was the fact that even before the marriage she had maintained a relationship with another man. It was also proved that the plaintiff's exclusion of offspring was in close connection with the defendant's change of attitude towards him.
Interes prawny a proces kościelny. Glosa aprobująca do wyroku Naczelnego Sądu Administracyjnego z dnia 08 maja 2015 r., II OSK 2416/13
Authors: Niemczycki Dawid
Published: July 2021

This gloss concerns the judgment of the Supreme Administrative Court of 8 May 2015, case II OSK 2416/13, in which the court stated that the legal interest conditioning the disclosure of personal data may be enjoyed not only in a trial before a secular court, but also in proceedings before ecclesiastical court.

The gloss layout includes the introduction, the thesis of the order, premises of the factual and legal status, arguments of the Supreme Administrative Court, evaluation of the judgment and the conclusion.

The author fully shares the justification of the judgment. Moreover, he points to the ground-breaking approach to the process of nullity of marriage before the ecclesiastical court, which is the basis for granting a legal interest in the procedure of disclosing personal data before a public administration body.
Przeszkody małżeńskie tajne i publiczne według Codex Iuris Canonici z 1917
Authors: Jakubiak Tomasz
Published: July 2021

Umiejętność rozróżnienia przeszkód małżeńskich tajnych (impedimenta occulta) i przeszkód publicznych (impedimenta publica) okazuje się konieczna przy stosowaniu norm prawa kanonicznego Kościoła katolickiego. Do tego podziału odwołują się przepisy KPK 1983 i KKKW dotyczące: dyspensowania od przeszkód małżeńskich (kan. 1079 § 3 KPK/83, kan. 796 § 2 KKKW), zapisu faktu udzielenia dyspensy (kan. 1082 KPK/83, kan. 799 KKKW), a także uważnienia małżeństwa (kan. 1158-1159 KPK/83, kan. 845-846 KPK/83).

Dostrzegając brak jednomyślności wśród współczesnych kanonistów co do tego, jak należy interpretować ustawową definicję przeszkody publicznej i tajnej, zapisaną w kan. 1074 KPK/83 i kan. 791 KKKW, autor niniejszego artykułu postanowił przeanalizować kształtowanie się doktryny i dyscypliny Kościoła katolickiego w tej materii w latach 1917- 1983, czyli w okresie obowiązywania norm ogłoszonych w kodeksie Pio-Benedyktyńskim. Metoda ta wydaje się odpowiednia ze względu na fakt, że we wszystkich kodeksach Kościoła katolickiego promulgowanych po 1917 roku ustawodawca w ten sam sposób definiował przeszkodę publiczną i przeszkodę tajną (Publicum censetur impedimentum, quod probari in foro externo potest; secus est occultum). Wnioski z badań przeprowadzonych na potrzeby niniejszego opracowania ukazują również przyczyny, które miały wpływ na brak jednoznaczności w określeniu zakresu przywołanych przeszkód w doktrynie i dyscyplinie Kościoła w latach 1917-1983.
Terminy i odroczenia sądowe w procesie o stwierdzenie nieważności małżeństwa
Authors: Gałkowski Tomasz
Published: July 2021

Przebieg procesu o stwierdzenie nieważności małżeństwa regulowany jest między innymi przez przepisy, które zawierają określenia czasowe (terminus, dilatio). Autor wskazuje na skutki prawne związane z ich nieprzestrzeganiem. Następnie proponuje uporządkowanie kategorii czasowych poprzez odniesienie ich do działań i zaniechań. Fatalia legis decydują o kolejnych etapach procesowych powodując skutki prawne wynikające z zaniechań w postaci wygaśnięcia uprawnień. Odroczenia zwykłe wiążą się z koniecznością podejmowania działań, ale pozwalają na ich dokonanie po upływie czasu. Nie wyznaczają, ale zabezpieczają poszczególne etapy procesu. Trzecim rodzajem są odroczenia dyscyplinujące, które wpływają na sprawność i czas trwania procesu.
Coumarin-based Fluorescent Probes for Bioimaging: Recent Applications and Developments
Authors: Xie Jinhua , Wang Le , Su Xiqi , Rodrigues Joáo
Published: July 2021

Coumarin-based derivatives have easy modification and tunable properties and
have been synthesized and applied in many areas including pro-drugs, biomedical materials,
and chemical and biological sensing. In this review, recent advances of coumarin-based fluorescent
probes for biosensing are reported for metal ion imaging. Metal detection in living
cells are highlighted with representative examples together with fluorescence response mechanisms
such as Photoinduced Electron Transfer (PET), Intramolecular Charge Transfer (ICT),
and Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET). Some future perspectives are also
briefly mentioned.
Antimicrobial Peptides with pH-Dependent Activity and Alkaline Optima:
Their Origins, Mechanisms of Action and Potential Applications
Authors: Phoenix David A. , Harris Frederick , Dennison Sarah R.
Published: July 2021

:

A number of disorders and diseases are associated with conditions of high pH, and many
conventional antibiotics lose their efficacy under these pH conditions, generating a need for novel
antimicrobials. A potential solution to fulfill this need is Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) with high
pH optima. This review shows that a variety of anionic and cationic AMPs with this pH dependency
are produced by creatures across the eukaryotic kingdom, including rabbits, cattle, sheep, fish, crabs
and frog. These AMPs exhibit activity against viruses, bacteria, and fungi that involve membrane
interactions and appear to be facilitated by a variety of mechanisms that generally promote passage
across membranes to attack intracellular targets, such as DNA or protein synthesisand/or membrane
lysis. Some of these mechanisms are unknown, but those elucidated include the use of bacterial
pores and transporters, the self-promoted uptake pathway, and established models of membrane
interaction, such as the carpet mechanism, toroidal pore formation, the adoption of tilted peptide,
and the SHM model. A variety of potential roles have been proposed for these AMPs, including use
as antivirals, antibacterials, antifungals, adjuvants to antimicrobial therapy, biomarkers of disease,
and probes for pathogenic microbes. In this review, these properties are described and discussed,
emphasizing the antimicrobial mechanisms used by these AMPs and the pH dependency of these
mechanisms.
Clinical Development of Cell Therapies to Halt Lysosomal Storage Diseases:
Results and Lessons Learned
Authors: Graceffa Valeria
Published: July 2021

:

Although cross-correction was discovered more than 50 years ago, and held the promise of
drastically improving disease management, still no cure exists for lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs).
Cell therapies have the potential to halt disease progression: either a subset of autologous cells can be
ex vivo/ in vivo transfected with the functional gene or allogenic wild type stem cells can be transplanted.
However, the majority of cell-based attempts have been ineffective, due to the difficulties in
reversing neuronal symptomatology, in finding appropriate gene transfection approaches, in inducing
immune tolerance, reducing the risk of graft versus host disease (GVHD) when allogenic cells are
used and that of immune response when engineered viruses are administered, coupled with a limited
secretion and uptake of some enzymes. In the last decade, due to advances in our understanding of lysosomal
biology and mechanisms of cross-correction, coupled with progresses in gene therapy, ongoing
pre-clinical and clinical investigations have remarkably increased. Even gene editing approaches
are currently under clinical experimentation. This review proposes to critically discuss and compare
trends and advances in cell-based and gene therapy for LSDs. Systemic gene delivery and transplantation
of allogenic stem cells will be initially discussed, whereas proposed brain targeting methods will
be then critically outlined.
Design of Novel Phosphopantetheine Adenylyltransferase Inhibitors: A Potential New Approach to Tackle Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Primi Marina C. , Tavares Maurício T. , Klein Larry L. , Izard Tina , Sant'Anna Carlos M. R. , Franzblau Scott G. , Ferreira Elizabeth I.
Published: July 2021

Background:

Tuberculosis (TB) has been a challenging disease worldwide, especially for
the neglected poor populations. Presently, there are approximately 2 billion people infected with TB
worldwide and 10 million people in the world fell ill with active TB, leading to 1.5 million deaths.

Introduction:

The classic treatment is extensive and the drug- and multi-drug resistance of Mycobacterium
tuberculosis has been a threat to the efficacy of the drugs currently used. Therefore, the rational
design of new anti-TB candidates is urgently needed.

Methods:

With the aim of contributing to face this challenge, 78 compounds have been proposed
based on SBDD (Structure-Based Drug Design) strategies applied to target the M. tuberculosis phosphopantetheine
adenylyltransferase (MtPPAT) enzyme. Ligand-Based Drug Design (LBDD) strategies
were also used for establishing Structure-Activity Relationships (SAR) and for optimizing the
structures. MtPPAT is important for the biosynthesis of coenzyme A (CoA) and it has been studied
recently toward the discovery of new inhibitors.

Results:

After docking simulations and enthalpy calculations, the interaction of selected compounds
with MtPPAT was found to be energetically favorable. The most promising compounds were then
synthesized and submitted to anti-M. tuberculosis and MtPPAT inhibition assays.

Conclusion:

One of the compounds synthesized (MCP163), showed the highest activity in both of
these assays.
Identification of Natural Compounds with Analgesic and Antiinflammatory Properties Using Machine Learning and Molecular Docking Studies
Authors: Khan Mohammad Firoz , Rashid Ridwan Bin , Rashid Mohammad A.
Published: July 2021

Background:

Natural products have been a rich source of compounds for drug discovery. Usually, compounds obtained from natural sources have little or no side effects, thus searching for new lead compounds from traditionally used plant species is still a rational strategy.

Introduction:

Natural products serve as a useful repository of compounds for new drugs; however, their use has been decreasing, in part because of technical barriers to screening natural products in highthroughput assays against molecular targets. To address this unmet demand, we have developed and validated a high throughput in silico machine learning screening method to identify potential compounds from natural sources.

Methods:

In the current study, three machine learning approaches, including Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF) and Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM) have been applied to develop the classification model. The model was generated using the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors reported in the ChEMBL database. The developed model was validated by evaluating the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, Matthews correlation coefficient and Cohen’s kappa statistic of the test set. The molecular docking study was conducted on AutoDock vina and the results were analyzed in PyMOL.

Results:

The accuracy of the model for SVM, RF and GBM was found to be 75.40 %, 74.97 % and 74.60 %, respectively, which indicates the good performance of the developed model. Further, the model has demonstrated good sensitivity (61.25 % - 68.60 %) and excellent specificity (77.72 %- 81.41 %). Application of the model on the NuBBE database, a repository of natural compounds, led us to identify a natural compound, enhydrin possessing analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. The ML methods and the molecular docking study suggest that enhydrin likely demonstrates its analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions by inhibiting COX-2.

Conclusion:

Our developed and validated in silico high throughput ML screening methods may assist in identifying drug-like compounds from natural sources.
Quality Assessment of Pre-Clinical Studies of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy Products: A Point of Focus on Safety
Authors: Maharshi Vikas , Diksha Diksha , Gupta Pooja
Published: July 2021

Background:

Serious adverse reactions have been reported with the use of Chimeric
Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in a clinical setting despite the success of these products in
pre- clinical stages of development.

Objective:

We evaluated the quality of available pre-clinical safety data of CAR T-cell therapy
products.

Methods:

A 21 items safety checklist was designed specifically for CAR T-cell. Literature was
searched using search/MeSH terms in PubMed (October 2019 – February 2020). Studies were
screened from title and abstract. Original pre-clinical researches related to CAR T-cell anti-cancer
therapy were included.

Results:

Of the search results, 152 studies (3 in vivo, 39 in vitro, and 110 combined) were included.
Only 7.9% of studies were specifically designed to evaluate/ improve product safety. Eleven
studies included target antigen(s), and no study included co-stimulatory molecule(s) expressed exclusively
by the tumor tissue and/or CAR T-cells. One study used CRISPR-Cas9 for CAR gene
insertion. The use of switch-off mechanism and purity assessment of CAR T-cell products were reported
in 13.2% and 8.6% studies, respectively. Of the 113 studies with in vivo components, immuno-
competent animal models were used in 24.8%. Measurements of blood pressure, temperature,
body weight, and serum cytokines were reported in 0, 2.7, 29.2, and 27.4% studies, respectively.
The tissue distribution and CAR T-cells persistence were reported in 26.5% of studies. The surface
expression level of CAR, functional characterization of the product, and use of control were reported
in >90% of studies.

Conclusion:

The majority of the checklist parameters were not reported in the pre-clinical publications
to be adequately predictive of the safety of CAR T-cells in a clinical setting.
The New Jersey Perspective on Cannabis Legalization
Authors: Chatlos John Calvin , Petti Theodore A.
Published: July 2021

Background:

Between 2010 and 2020, New Jersey went from treating
cannabis as an illegal substance in all circumstances to allowing medical use and
subsequently recreational use.
The Medical Marijuana Program (MMP) was originally very strict and was
progressively liberalized. After attempts to legalize recreational use failed in the
legislature, voters passed a referendum to amend the New Jersey constitution to
allow recreational use. Our objectives are to document this process and provide the
perspectives of psychiatrists treating adolescents.

Method:

We describe the legislative process and the multiple pressures for
legalization and decriminalization.

Discussion :

Issues germane to youth as a vulnerable population have been
inadequately considered by policymakers, the media, and the general population.
Greater attention to the process and outcome to mitigate this finding is needed.
The Top 102 Most Cited Publications Relevant to Dental Education
Authors: Yeung Andy Wai Kan , Tanaka Ray , Leung Wai Keung
Published: July 2021

Background:

Growth and development in dental education globally depend on effective
experience sharing and advocation of evidence-based practice, preferably tested via vigorous peer
evaluation.

Objective:

This study aimed to evaluate the most cited dental education publications. The objectives
were to identify the most productive entities, and the most frequently investigated themes and
specialties.

Methods:

A keyword literature search was performed on 1st June 2020 to identify publications relevant
to dental education. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, and Campbell Collaboration
databases were searched. Publications that dealt with dental education were included. Irrelevant
publications were manually excluded by the authors, and disagreement was resolved by the senior
author. Bibliographic data of the top 102 entries (some with equal citation ranks) were obtained
from Scopus and analyzed using Bibliometrix and VOSviewer for characterization of recurring contributors
and themes.

Results:

The top publications included 83 original articles, 15 reviews, 3 books, and 1 online document,
written by 30 different authors, with 38 publications from dental journals not dedicated to education,
and with an average of 5.5 citations per year. The most productive author was William
Hendrickson. The most productive institutions were from Europe and the United States. There
were 11 papers focused on operative dentistry, 9 on endodontology, 4 on special care dentistry, 2
on community dentistry, 2 on periodontology, and 2 on implantology. Within the top 102 list, 21
publications focused on the stress experienced by dental students at school. A multiple ANCOVA
indicates that citation counts in these highly cited publications are associated with a number of authors
and document types, such as “reviews/books/online document” compared with original articles
(p<0.001).

Conclusion:

Influential dental education studies were published on a variety of platforms. Over the
past 20 years, the field witnessed the emergence of highly cited reports/articles. Similar to influential
papers in various fields, the number of authors per top-cited dental education publications appeared
to be associated with high citations indicating top quality and high appreciation/acceptance
of the articles involved.
Динамика локализованной кольцевой нелинейной волны в углеродной нанотрубке
Authors: Глухова О.Е. , Четвериков А.П. , Шунаев В.В.
Published: July 2021

The propagation of nonlinear localized soliton-like super-acoustic longitudinal waves in a carbon nanotube was explored by the molecular dynamics modeling. Ring waves were excited by pulsed action on all the atoms of the edge zigzag layer and they got an initial velocity along the axis of the nanotube. It was shown that the velocity of a localized (soliton-like) ring super-acoustic wave increased with an increase in the initial velocity of the edge atoms. The calculated dependence of the propagating wave velocity on the initial velocity of the edge atoms was given.
Неравновесные состояния в ВТСП-композитах второго поколения при сверхкритических импульсных токовых воздействиях
Authors: Анищенко И.В. , Покровский С.В. , Осипов М.А. , Абин Д.А. , Грицаенко Д.И. , Руднев И.А.
Published: July 2021

This paper presents the results of studying the processes of еру HTS composites switching from the superconducting to the resistive state at microsecond current pulses. Two modes of pulsed current load were used: with an amplitude of ~ 1.1 Ic (the so-called "soft" mode) and with an amplitude of ~ 3 Ic ("hard" mode). The possibility of passing supercritical currents through the tape without superconductor characteristics degradation is shown. To explain the processes occurring in the tape during the current pulse, 2D FEA (finite element analyzes) was developed, with the help of which the dynamic resistance of the HTS composite superconducting layer was calculated in the "hard" load mode and nonstationary processes of current redistribution between the different tape layers were demonstrated.
Термодинамическая стабильность твердых растворов In-=SUB=-x-=/SUB=-Ga-=SUB=-1-x-=/SUB=-N
Authors: Кукушкин С.А. , Осипов А.В.
Published: July 2021

A group-theoretical analysis of solid solutions of indium and gallium nitrides InxGa1-xN was carried out, and all the main symmetry groups were found for these solutions with the initial hexagonal structure. The thermodynamic potentials of the main phases with different compositions x are calculated using the density functional theory. It is shown that for small and large x, i.e. at 0 <x <0.2 and 0.8 <x <1, there is a large number of monoclinic phases Pm and P2_1, which are stable with respect to decomposition into InN and GaN at room temperature. In the range 0.2 <x <0.8, there are only two stable orthorhombic phases Cmc2_1 with compositions x = 1/3 and x = 2/3. All basic geometric and thermodynamic properties of various InxGa1-xN phases have been calculated. It was found that the stability of InxGa1-xN epitaxial films increases with growth on InN and decreases with growth on GaN.
Efficacy of Telemedicine in Hypertension Care Through Home Blood Pressure Monitoring and Videoconferencing: Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Yatabe Junichi , Yatabe Midori Sasaki , Okada Rika , Ichihara Atsuhiro
Published: July 2021

Background

The burden of time is often the primary reason why patients discontinue their treatment. Telemedicine may help patients adhere to treatment by offering convenience.

Objective

This study examined the efficacy and safety of telemedicine for the management of hypertension in Japan.

Methods

Patients with uncomplicated hypertension were recruited through web advertising between November 2015 and February 2017. They were then screened, stratified by office systolic blood pressure (SBP), and randomized into two groups: usual care (UC) and telemedicine. The telemedicine group used a 3G network–attached home blood pressure (BP) monitoring device, consulted hypertension specialists from an academic hospital through web-based video visits, and received prescription medication by mail for 1 year. The UC group used the same BP monitoring device but was managed using self-recorded BP readings, which included their diary entries and office BP taken in a community practice setting.

Results

Initial screening was completed by 99 patients, 54% of whom had untreated hypertension. Baseline BP was similar between the groups, but the weekly average SBP at the end of the 1-year study period was significantly lower in the telemedicine group (125, SD 9 mmHg vs 131, SD 12 mmHg, respectively; P=.02). SBP in the telemedicine group was 3.4 mmHg lower in the morning and 5.8 mmHg lower in the evening. The rate of SBP control (135 mmHg) was better in the telemedicine group (85.3% vs 70.0%; P=.01), and significant adverse events were not observed.

Conclusions

We present evidence suggesting that antihypertensive therapy via home BP telemonitoring and web-based video visits achieve better BP control than conventional care and is a safe treatment alternative that warrants further investigation.

Trial Registration

UMIN-CTR UMIN000025372; https://tinyurl.com/47ejkn4b
Measuring the Impact of COVID-19 on Siyan Mental Health Patients Using the Epidemic-Pandemic Impacts Inventory: Survey Study (Preprint)
Authors: Shah Anish , Darling Michele , Arstein-Kerslake Olivia , Morgan Tiffany , Vance Tovrea Aubreen , Young James , Laines Helen
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

Recent research has shown that the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and social isolation on people’s mental health are quite extensive, but there are limited studies on the effects of the pandemic on patients with mental health disorders.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to assess the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals who have previously sought treatment for a mental health disorder.

METHODS

This study uses the newly developed Epidemic-Pandemic Impacts Inventory (EPII) survey. This tool was designed to assess tangible impacts of epidemics and pandemics across personal and social life domains. From November 9, 2020, to February 18, 2021, a total of 245 adults recruited from a mental health clinic completed the consent form and responded to the survey link from the Siyan Clinical Corporation and Siyan Clinical Research practices located in Santa Rosa, California, USA.

RESULTS

We found that the least affected age group included individuals aged 75 years or older. This was followed closely by the 65- to 75-year-old age group. People with children under the age of 18 years also reported both more negative indicators associated with the pandemic and more positive indicators compared to those without children at home. Gender queer, nonconforming, and transgender individuals may also be at higher risk for more negative impacts associated with the pandemic. When respondents were assessed with regard to their mental health diagnosis, no differences were noted. Substance use also increased during the pandemic.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, the data collected here may serve as foundational research in the prevention, care, and treatment of mental health disorders during pandemics such as COVID-19. Populations such as those with previously diagnosed mental health disorders are particularly at risk for negative effects of pandemic-related stressors such as social isolation, especially if they have children in the household, are part of a younger age group, or have substance use disorder. Gender may also be a factor. Further, the EPII survey may prove to be a useful tool in understanding these effects. Overall, these data may be a critical step toward understanding the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on populations with a mental health diagnosis, which may aid mental health practitioners in understanding the consequences of pandemics on their patients’ overall well-being.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04568135; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04568135
COVID-19’s Influence on Information and Communication Technologies in Long-Term Care: Results From a Web-Based Survey With Long-Term Care Administrators (Preprint)
Authors: Schuster Amy M , Cotten Shelia R
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of COVID-19 in the United States led to mandated lockdowns for long-term care (LTC) facilities, resulting in loss of in-person contact with social ties for LTC residents. Though information and communication technologies (ICTs) can be used by LTC residents to support their socioemotional needs, residents must have access to ICTs to use them.

OBJECTIVE

This study explored ICT access and use in LTC facilities and how LTC facilities adapted to try to enhance social connections for their residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

LTC administrators in South Carolina (United States) were invited to complete a web-based survey exploring ICT access and use in LTC facilities and whether access and use changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESULTS

LTC administrators (N=70, 12 nursing homes [NHs], and 58 assisted living facilities [ALFs]) completed the web-based survey. Since March 2020, a total of 53% (37/70) of the LTC facilities have purchased ICTs for residents’ use. ICTs have mainly been used for videoconferencing with family members (31/36, 86%), friends (25/36, 69%), and health care providers (26/36, 72%). NHs were 10.23 times more likely to purchase ICTs for residents’ use during the COVID-19 pandemic than ALFs (odds ratio 11.23, 95% CI 1.12-113.02; P=.04). Benefits of ICT use included residents feeling connected to their family members, friends, and other residents. Barriers to ICT use included staff not having time to assist residents with using the technology, nonfunctional technology, and residents who do not want to share technology.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that over half of the LTC facilities in this study were able to acquire ICTs for their residents to use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional research is needed to explore how residents adapted to using the ICTs and whether LTC facilities developed and adopted technology integration plans, which could help them be prepared for future situations that may affect LTC residents’ engagement and communication opportunities, such as another pandemic.
Crecimiento económico en términos de… ¿libertad o intervencionismo?: modelo nórdico versus modelo de los países del sur de Europa
Authors: García Gordillo Miguel Ángel
Published: July 2021

El uso eficiente de recursos escasos debería ser un argumento suficiente para combatir al socialismo. Algunos gobernantes insisten en la figura del Estado como una condición necesaria en la preservación de los derechos de las clases más empobrecidas. Y en parte es cierto, ya que es muy difícil que una persona con escasos recursos pueda progresar cuando es el Estado quien criminaliza al progreso. Por otro lado, aquellos gobernantes que apuestan por liberalizar el mercado laboral y reducir el gasto público, consiguen que su política se refleje en un mayor progreso económico; con un mayor nivel y calidad de vida. En Iberoamérica, muchos países han buscado continuas fórmulas para tener un crecimiento sostenible. Chile ha sido un ejemplo de crecimiento económico para todos aquellos países que han imitado (en mayor o menor medida) un sistema pro-liberal, como ha sido el caso de su vecina Perú. No obstante, la actual clase política chilena piensa que ha llegado el momento de cambiar el sistema pro-liberal por un sistema más intervencionista, más europeo. Sin embargo, en ese recorrido ideológico se suele hacer referencia, únicamente, a los países nórdicos como aspiración política. Este trabajo pretende aclarar ciertos conceptos económicos y dar a conocer las implicaciones que serían necesarias si se quiere ser coherente con la aplicación de la política pública nórdica.
Clinical Outcomes and Efficacy of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy in Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults with Metastatic Solid Tumors
Authors: Baliga Sujith , Matsui Jennifer , Klamer Brett , Cetnar Ashley , Ewing Ashlee , Cadieux Catherine , Gupta Ajay , Setty Bhuvana , Roberts Ryan , Olshefski Randal , Cripe Timothy , Scharschmidt Thomas , Aldrink Jennifer , Mardis Elaine , Yeager Nicholas , Palmer Joshua
Published: July 2021

Purpose Pediatric patients with metastatic solid tumors historically
have a poor overall survival. Some pediatric patients may still be
potentially curable with aggressive local therapy to metastatic disease.
The purpose of this study is to report results of the use of SBRT in the
treatment of pediatric metastatic disease. Materials and Methods
Pediatric patients who received SBRT between the years 2000-2020. Study
endpoints included local control (LC), progression free survival (PFS),
overall survival (OS), cumulative incidence (CI) of death or local
failure and toxicity. The endpoints with respect to survival and LC were
calculated using the Kaplan-Meier estimate. The cumulative incidence of
local failure was calculated using death as a competing risk. Results 16
patients with 36 lesions irradiated met inclusion criteria. The median
OS and PFS was 17 months and 15.7 months, respectively. The 1-year OS
was 75%. The 6- and 12-month LC was 85% and 78%, respectively. There
were no local failures in lesions receving a BED10≥100 Gy. Patients who
had ≤5 metastatic lesions at first recurrence had a superior 1-year OS
of 100% versus 50% with >5 lesions. One patient (6.3%)
experienced a grade 3 CNS toxicity. Conclusions LC was excellent with
SBRT delivered to metastatic disease, particularly for lesions receiving
a BED10≥100 Gy. High-grade toxicity was rare in our patient population.
Patients with ≤5 metastatic sites have a significantly better OS
compared to >5 sites. Future prospective trials with
multi-institutional collaboration will be necessary to evaluate
appropriate patient selection and the optimal radiation dose regimen.
Demonstration of a Rocking Prosthetic Mitral Valve Using 3-Dimentional Echocardiography and Live Surgical Imaging
Authors: Baskin Sean , Laney Rece , Nathan Senthil , Mahmood Feroze , Haering J. Michael
Published: July 2021

Prosthetic valve endocarditis is a complication of bacteremia which can
cause damage to the prosthetic valve or the tissue to which it was sewn.
Extensive tissue damage can result in a loss of anchoring and allow for
abnormal valvular motion. Dehiscence can lead to excessive motion of the
valve which is termed rocking. Through advances in imaging technology,
live 3-dimentional (3-D) transesophageal echocardiography can allow for
precise identification of the location of, and amount of dehiscence. We
present a 37-year old male with a rocking prosthetic valve demonstrated
on 3-D echocardiography and correlated to surgical manipulation.
Cost-effectiveness of an insertable cardiac monitor in a high-risk population in the US
Authors: Elkind Mitchell , Witte Klaus , Kasner Scott , Sawyer Laura , Jones Frank Grimsey , Rinciog Claudia , Tsintzos Stelios , Rosemas Sarah , Lanctin David , Ziegler Paul , Reynolds Matthew
Published: July 2021

Objective: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of insertable cardiac
monitors (ICMs) compared to standard of care (SoC) for detecting atrial
fibrillation (AF) in patients at high risk of stroke (CHADS2
>2), in the US. Background: ICMs are a clinically effective
means of detecting AF in high-risk patients, prompting the initiation of
non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs). Their cost-effectiveness from
a US clinical payer perspective is not yet known. Methods: Using patient
data from the REVEAL AF trial (n= 446, average CHADS2 score= 2.9), a
Markov model estimated the lifetime costs and benefits of detecting AF
with an ICM or with SoC (namely, intermittent use of electrocardiograms
[ECGs] and 24-hour Holter monitors). Ischemic and hemorrhagic
strokes, intra- and extra-cranial hemorrhages, and minor bleeds were
modelled. Diagnostic and device costs were included, plus costs of
treating stroke and bleeding events and of NOACs. Costs and health
outcomes, measured as quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), were
discounted at 3% per annum. One-way deterministic and probabilistic
sensitivity analyses (PSA) were undertaken. Results: Lifetime
per-patient cost for ICM was $58,132 vs. $52,019 for SoC. ICMs
generated a total 7.75 QALYs vs. 7.59 for SoC, with 34 fewer strokes
projected per 1,000 patients. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio
(ICER) was $35,452 per QALY gained. ICMs were cost-effective in 72% of
PSA simulations, using a $50,000 per QALY threshold. Conclusions: The
use of ICMs to identify AF in a high-risk population is likely to be
cost-effective in the US healthcare setting.
Access to early phase clinical trials for children with relapsed and refractory neuroblastoma. A multicentre international study.
Authors: Cortes Marta , Carceller Fernando , Rubio-San-Simon Alba , Vaidya Sucheta , Bautista Francisco , Moreno Lucas
Published: July 2021

Objectives. Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial tumour in
children, and prognosis for refractory and relapsed disease is still
poor. Early Phase clinical trials play a pivotal role in the development
of novel drugs. Ensuring adequate recruitment is crucial. The primary
aim was to determine the rate of participation trials for children with
refractory/relapsed neuroblastoma in two of the largest Drug Development
European institutions. Methods. Data from patients diagnosed with
refractory/relapsed neuroblastoma between January 2012 and December 2018
at the two institutions were collected and analysed. Results. Overall,
48 patients were included. A total of 31 (65%) refractory/relapsed
cases were enrolled in early Phase trials. The main reasons for not
participating in clinical trials included: not fulfilling eligibility
criteria prior to consent (12/17, 70%) and screening failure (2/17,
12%). Median time on trial was 4.3 months (range 0.6-13.4). Most common
cause for trial discontinuation was disease progression (67.7%). Median
overall survival was longer in refractory (28 months, 95% CI,
20.9-40.2) than in relapsed patients (14 months, 95% CI, 8.1-20.1))
[p=0,034]. Conclusions. Although two thirds of children with
refractory/relapsed neuroblastoma were enrolled in early Phase trials,
recruitment rates can still be improved. The main cause for not
participating on trials was not fulfilling eligibility criteria prior to
consent, mainly due to performance status and short life expectancy.
This study highlights the hurdles to access to innovative therapies for
children with relapsed/refractory neuroblastomas and identifies key
areas of development to improve recruitment to early phase trials.
AGGREGATE EARNINGS AND RETURNS IN BRAZIL
Authors: Brugni Talles , Klotzle Marcelo Cabus , Pinto Antonio Carlos Figueiredo , Fávero Luiz Paulo Lopes , Sial Muhhamad Safdar
Published: July 2021

We used the method employed in Kothari, Lewellen and Warner (2006) to show the relationship between aggregate earnings and market returns in Brazil in the period from 1995 to 2017. Considering the findings found by Kothari, Lewellen and Warnet (2006), our results indicate that the theory of Bernard and Thomas (1990) is more consistent with the US market than with the Brazilian market, signaling that the aggregate post-earnings announcement drift tends to be larger in markets with higher earnings persistence, like Brazil. Our findings also indicate that the relationship between aggregate returns and earnings in Brazil tends to be positive for the current period and the next two quarters, corroborating the Sadka and Sadka (2009) study. Considering that the predictability of earnings in the US market is higher than that in Brazil, our results also support the argument by He and Hu (2014) that the relationship between aggregate earnings and returns is linked to each country’s level of disclosure. However, new evidences reveal the influence of high interest rates on financial market results, suggesting that expectations of increased interest rates tend to reduce aggregate current returns in Brazil due to the possible migration of capital to lower risk, given the attractiveness of their returns in an environment of high inflation.
GERENCIAMENTO DE RESULTADOS PARA EVITAR A VIOLAÇÃO DOS COVENANTS CONTÁBEIS: EVIDÊNCIAS DO BRASIL
Authors: Konraht Jonatan Marlon , Colauto Romualdo Douglas
Published: July 2021

A violação dos covenants implica uma série de consequências econômicas negativas para as empresas. Consequentemente, o risco de violá-los tende a incentivar as empresas a adotarem estratégias contábeis para evitar a violação. Estudos internacionais mostram que os gestores podem adotar estratégias contábeis para evitar a violação dos covenants, incluindo alterações explícitas de políticas contábeis, gerenciamento de resultados por accruals discricionários ou por decisões operacionais. Esta pesquisa analisa a relação entre a proximidade de violação dos covenants contábeis e o gerenciamento de resultados por meio de accruals discricionários, tendo como objetivo testar se as empresas brasileiras usam accruals discricionários para evitar a violação dos covenants. O estudo utiliza regressões com dados em painel, analisando 1223 observações trimestrais, correspondentes a 100 empresas de capital aberto que emitiram debêntures entre 2010 e 2016. As cláusulas referentes aos covenants consistiram nos indicadores Dívida Líquida/EBITDA e Dívida Líquida/Patrimônio Líquido. Os resultados indicam que gestores utilizam accruals discricionários para evitar a violação dos covenants contábeis à medida que eles se tornam mais próximos de serem estourados. A pesquisa contribui à literatura ao indicar que empresas brasileiras realizam escolhas contábeis alternativas às alterações em políticas contábeis divulgadas em notas explicativas, para tentar evitar a violação técnica da dívida. Esta pesquisa abre caminho para novos testes desta relação no Brasil, uma vez que sinaliza uma possível preferência de os gestores usarem acrruals discricionários ao invés de mudanças explícitas nas políticas contábeis para evitar a violação.
CONTABILIDADE SOCIETÁRIA X CONTABILIDADE REGULATÓRIA: VALUE RELEVANCE DAS INFORMAÇÕES CONTÁBEIS DO SETOR ELÉTRICO BRASILEIRO
Authors: Ferreira Marília Paranaíba , Ribeiro Alex Mussoi , Milhomem Jackelline Ferreira Cordeiro , Carmo Carlos Henrique Silva do
Published: July 2021

Nas empresas do setor de energia elétrica as demonstrações contábeis devem ser apresentadas conforme a Contabilidade Societária e a Contabilidade Regulatória. Sendo assim, esta pesquisa objetiva verificar, entre o modelo contábil societário e regulatório, qual melhor explica a variação do preço das ações das companhias elétricas brasileiras no período entre 2011 e 2018. As informações foram coletadas na base de dados da Economatica® e no sítio eletrônico da Agência Nacional de Energia Elétrica (ANEEL). A análise foi feita por meio de regressões múltiplas com dados em painel e os modelos foram estimados com base na metodologia de Collins, Maydew e Weiss (1997), desenvolvida a partir de Ohlson (1995). Os resultados apontaram que o modelo societário apresenta poder explicativo superior (R² de 65,39%) em comparação ao modelo regulatório (R² de 58,96), portanto não se rejeita a hipótese de pesquisa levantada de que as informações contábeis societárias são mais relevantes para os investidores em relação às informações contábeis regulatórias. Além disso, a análise adicional indicou que, ao segregar o período de investigação em 2011-2014 (período anterior à vigência da Orientação Técnica do Comitê de Pronunciamentos Contábeis (OCPC) 08) e em 2015-2018 (período posterior à vigência da OCPC 08), no anterior somente as informações contábeis regulatórias foram estatisticamente significativas e no posterior o modelo societário (R² de 73,37%) denotou maior relevância em relação ao modelo regulatório (R² de 65,41%). Essa maior relevância pode estar atrelada ao fato de que enquanto as demonstrações contábeis societárias têm como base os princípios, as demonstrações contábeis regulatórias do setor elétrico se fundamentam em regras fiscais e tarifárias específicas.