bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Statistical analysis and optimal inspection planning for lifetime delayed gamma degradation processes
Authors: Li Zan , Hu Qingpei , Yang Qingyu , Yu Dan
Published: August 2021

Degradation measurements of highly reliable products can be used to extrapolate the failure times, and subsequently, predict the remaining useful time‐to‐failure distribution. Different degradation failure mechanisms should be treated specifically to achieve an accurate estimation and prediction. In this study, a typical sequential hard and soft failure mode is investigated while applying the lifetime delayed degradation processes (LDDP) modeling framework. This study focuses on the gamma process, which is combined with location‐scale‐family lifetime distributions and a general reliability inference approach that is applied based on the likelihood. Furthermore, the optimal inspection planning issue with the corresponding process is formulated. The determination of Fisher information (D‐optimality) is used to evaluate the efficiency of the different inspection plans to obtain more information during the degradation process. This study consisted of comprehensive simulations with a more accurate mean time‐to‐failure (MTTF) estimation for the reliability analysis and the inspection starting time that is optimized for planning. A practical crack inspection dataset is also used in this investigation. Herein, the optimal time was simplified while considering the first inspection time and the equivalent inspection interval. It has been proved from the simulation that the inspection number affects the peak value of the Fisher information. This study helps to reduce the experiment sample size and improve the estimation of reliability effectively in engineering.
Influence of a patient education and care program on women undergoing non‐assisted reproductive technology fertility treatment
Authors: Mori Akiko , Nishii Osamu , Takai Yasushi , Momoeda Mikio , Kamisawa Etsuko , Shimizu Kiyomi , Nozawa Mieko , Takemura Yuri , Fujimoto Akihisa
Published: August 2021

Purpose

To determine the influence of a patient education and care program on the quality of life (QOL) of female patients undergoing non‐assisted reproductive technology (ART) fertility treatment.

Methods

Participants completed the MOS 36‐Item Short‐Form Health Survey and fertility QOL (FertiQoL) questionnaires at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months of treatment. The responses of patients who underwent three sessions of the program (at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months of treatment) were compared with those of patients who did not receive the program.

Results

This study compared 69 patients who received an additional care program with 104 patients in the control group, all from 13 facilities. Treatment FertiQoL responses (p = 0.004) and treatment tolerability (p = 0.043) differed between the program and control groups at 3 months using the repeated measures mixed model. The cost of treatment per pregnancy was lower in the program group than in the control group.

Conclusion

The patient education and care program provided by reproductive fertility specialists or fertility nurses during non‐ART fertility programs improves patient satisfaction.
Influence of interfacial density on tribological performance of VN/TiN multilayers
Authors: Rivera‐Chaverra Maria J. , Escobar Daniel , Ospina Rogelio , Arroyave‐Franco Mauricio , Olaya Jhon J. , Pardo‐Trujillo Andres , Restrepo‐Parra Elisabeth
Published: August 2021

A study of VN/TiN multilayers grown by direct current magnetron sputtering is presented. The systems are produced by maintaining a constant thickness of 500 nm and using three, four, or five bilayers. The coatings are initially characterized using X‐ray diffraction. We observe the formation of TiN and VN phases and obtain values of the texture and stress developed during their growth. The chemical composition of the coatings is analyzed using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A morphological analysis is carried out using atomic force microscopy, with a roughness of 1.57 nm obtained. The coefficient of friction is determined using the ball‐on‐disc method and is ~0.45 for all samples. It is found that the wear rate is improved with decreasing bilayers as a consequence of the higher interfacial density (number of interfaces per total thickness). Finally, the wear mechanisms are identified as abrasive and adhesive.
Regulating Light‐Sensitive Gate of Organic Photoelectrochemical Transistor toward Sensitive Biodetection at Zero Gate Bias
Authors: Lu Meng-Jiao , Chen Feng-Zao , Hu Jin , Zhou Hong , Chen Guangxu , Yu Xiao-Dong , Ban Rui , Lin Peng , Zhao Wei-Wei
Published: August 2021

Although great advances have been achieved in the field of organic electrochemical transistor (OECT) biodetection, its fundamental sensing principles are still highly limited. Different from current dominating protocols for OECT biodetection, herein, the bio‐dependent regulation of light‐sensitive gate electrode for transducing the corresponding biological events is introduced. Exemplified by the enzymatically catalytic growth of gold nanoclusters to gold nanoparticles on the 3D TiO2/carbon fiber matrix gate electrode, the photoelectrochemistry of the hybrid gate photoanode shifts from the type‐II heterojunction to plasmonic type, rendering reduced photon‐to‐electron efficiency and thus decreased current response of the gate photoanode. By connecting to an alkaline phosphatase‐associated sandwich immunoassay event toward the representative analyte of C‐reactive protein, the model system exhibits target‐dependent tunability and good analytical performance at zero gate bias. A new sensing principle for OECT biodetection is manifested, and would spur more creativity to explore the rich light–matter interplay for advanced OECT biodetection.
A perspective on alloy effects between polymer additives in the development of nondust blends: A DSC and spectroscopic evaluation
Authors: Allen Norman S. , Edge Michele , Hussain Sajid
Published: August 2021

The optimum synergistic melt blending of 18 antioxidants and light stabilizers has been evaluated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis and melting point phase plots obtained to evaluate any effective true eutectic mixtures. Although only three systems gave true eutectic mixtures, optimum lower temperature melt blends were possible up to 230°C. Systems with Lowilite 26 and Cyasorb 1164 showed effective eutectic mixtures especially with hindered piperidine stabilizers while those based on Anox 20 and Lowilite 62 were poor. Eutectic mixtures between aromatic phenolics and amines infer that they are not simply a mechanical mixture of the two components, but a preferential ordering of atomic planes occurs during their formation associated with intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Fourier transform infra‐red spectroscopy (FTIR) and ultra‐violet (UV) absorption analysis showed in some cases strong bonding interactions between some of the additives where hydroxyl, amine, and carbonyl groups can potentially interact. This was especially notable where strong eutectic behavior was observed for benzophenone absorbers, where alkoxy substitution (Lowilite 22) was replaced by hydroxyl groups (Lowilite 24). Strong interaction between hindered piperidine and phenolic antioxidants also gave effective eutectic lattice phases. The analysis is discussed in relation to potential outcomes for the use of additive melt blends in polymer stabilization.
Advancements in release‐active antimicrobial biomaterials: A journey from release to relief
Authors: Bhattacharjee Brinta , Ghosh Sreyan , Patra Dipanjana , Haldar Jayanta
Published: August 2021

Escalating medical expenses due to infectious diseases are causing huge socioeconomic pressure on mankind globally. The emergence of antibiotic resistance has further aggravated this problem. Drug‐resistant pathogens are also capable of forming thick biofilms on biotic and abiotic surfaces to thrive in a harsh environment. To address these clinical problems, various strategies including antibacterial agent delivering matrices and bactericidal coatings strategies have been developed. In this review, we have discussed various types of polymeric vehicles such as hydrogels, sponges/cryogels, microgels, nanogels, and meshes, which are commonly used to deliver antibiotics, metal nanoparticles, and biocides. Compositions of these polymeric matrices have been elaborately depicted by elucidating their chemical interactions and potential activity have been discussed. On the other hand, various implant/device‐surface coating strategies which exploit the release‐active mechanism of bacterial killing are discussed in elaboration.

This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Cardiovascular Disease

Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanomaterials and Implants

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Infectious Disease
Semi-synthetic Data and Testbed for Long-Distance E-Vehicle Routing
Authors: Barauskas Andrius , Brilingaitė Agnė , Bukauskas Linas , Čeikutė Vaida , Čivilis Alminas , Šaltenis Simonas
Published: August 2021

Electric and autonomous mobility will increasingly rely on advanced route planning algorithms. Robust testing of these algorithms is dependent on the availability of large realistic data sets. Such data sets should capture realistic time-varying traffic patterns and corresponding travel-time and energy-use predictions. Ideally, time-varying availability of charging infrastructure and vehicle-specific charging-power curves should be included in the data to support advanced planning.

We contribute with a modular testbed architecture including a semi-synthetic data generator that uses a state-of-the-art traffic simulator, real traffic distribution patterns, EV-specific data, and elevation data to generate time-dependent travel-time and energy-use weights in a road-network graph. The experimental study demonstrates that the testbed can reproduce travel-time and energy-use patterns for long-distance trips similar to commercially available services.
On Kakeya Conditions for Achievement Sets
Authors: Marchwicki Jacek , Miska Piotr
Published: August 2021

We prove that for each infinite subset C of $${\mathbb {N}}$$
N
there exists a sequence $$(x_n)$$

(

x
n

)

such that $$\{n: x_n>r_n\}=C$$

{
n
:

x
n

>

r
n

}
=
C

and the achievement set $$A(x_n)$$

A
(

x
n

)

is a Cantor set. Moreover, we show that it is possible to construct a sequence $$(x_n)$$

(

x
n

)

such that the set $$\{n: x_n>r_n\}$$

{
n
:

x
n

>

r
n

}

has asymptotic density $$\alpha $$
α
for each $$\alpha \in [0,1)$$

α
∈
[
0
,
1
)

and $$A(x_n)$$

A
(

x
n

)

is a Cantorval.
The Generalized Complex Kernel Affine Projection Algorithms
Authors: Wang Xiaojian , Zhang Ming , Li Jianxing , Chen Wenchao , Zhang Anxue
Published: August 2021

The complex kernel adaptive filter (CKAF) has been widely applied to the complex-valued nonlinear problem in signal processing and machine learning. However, most of the CKAF applications involve the complex kernel least mean square (CKLMS) algorithms, which work in a pure complex or complexified reproducing kernel Hilbert space (RKHS). In this paper, we propose the generalized complex kernel affine projection (GCKAP) algorithms in the widely linear complex-valued RKHS (WL-RKHS). The proposed algorithms have two main notable features. One is that they provide a complete solution for both circular and non-circular complex nonlinear problems and show many performance improvements over the CKAP algorithms. The other is that the GCKAP algorithms inherit the simplicity of the CKLMS algorithm while reducing its gradient noise and boosting its convergence. The second-order statistical characteristics of WL-RKHS have also been developed. An augmented Gram matrix consists of a standard Gram matrix and a pseudo-Gram matrix. This decomposition provides more underlying information when the real and imaginary parts of the signal are correlated and learning is independent. In addition, some online sparsification criteria are compared comprehensively in the GCKAP algorithms, including the novelty criterion, the coherence criterion, and the angle criterion. Finally, two nonlinear channel equalization experiments with non-circular complex inputs are presented to illustrate the performance improvements of the proposed algorithms.
Magnetization Transfer Ratio of Peripheral Nerve and Skeletal Muscle
Authors: Fösleitner Olivia , Schwehr Véronique , Godel Tim , Preisner Fabian , Bäumer Philipp , Heiland Sabine , Bendszus Martin , Kronlage Moritz
Published: August 2021

Purpose

To assess the correlation of peripheral nerve and skeletal muscle magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) with demographic variables.

Methods

In this study 59 healthy adults evenly distributed across 6 decades (mean age 50.5 years ±17.1, 29 women) underwent magnetization transfer imaging and high-resolution T2-weighted imaging of the sciatic nerve at 3 T. Mean sciatic nerve MTR as well as MTR of biceps femoris and vastus lateralis muscles were calculated based on manual segmentation on six representative slices. Correlations of MTR with age, body height, body weight, and body mass index (BMI) were expressed by Pearson coefficients. Best predictors for nerve and muscle MTR were determined using a multiple linear regression model with forward variable selection and fivefold cross-validation.

Results

Sciatic nerve MTR showed significant negative correlations with age (r = −0.47, p < 0.001), BMI (r = −0.44, p < 0.001), and body weight (r = −0.36, p = 0.006) but not with body height (p = 0.55). The multiple linear regression model determined age and BMI as best predictors for nerve MTR (R2 = 0.40). The MTR values were different between nerve and muscle tissue (p < 0.0001), but similar between muscles. Muscle MTR was associated with BMI (r = −0.46, p < 0.001 and r = −0.40, p = 0.002) and body weight (r = −0.36, p = 0.005 and r = −0.28, p = 0.035). The BMI was selected as best predictor for mean muscle MTR in the multiple linear regression model (R2 = 0.26).

Conclusion

Peripheral nerve MTR decreases with higher age and BMI. Studies that assess peripheral nerve MTR should consider age and BMI effects. Skeletal muscle MTR is primarily associated with BMI but overall less dependent on demographic variables.
Does position of the wrist during cast immobilisation in patients with distal radius fractures affect outcome?
Authors: van Delft Eva Anna Klazina , van Gelder Tamara Geertruda , Vermeulen Jefrey , Schep Niels Willem Luitzen , Bloemers Frank Willen
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The position of the wrist during cast immobilisation following closed reduction of distal radius fractures is disputed. A systematic review was initiated to assess if there was any relation between wrist position in the cast and outcome in adult patients with non-operatively treated distal radius fractures.

Methods

A comprehensive search was performed in the bibliographic databases Medline, Embase and Wiley/Cochrane Library from inception up to 27 November 2020. Eligible studies were: randomised controlled trials, prospective and retrospective comparative cohort studies, analysing different positions of the wrist in cast-immobilisation following closed reduction. Primary outcome of the study was functional outcome measured by range of motion. Secondary outcomes were functional outcomes measured by grip strength, patient-reported outcome, radiological outcome and complications such as secondary dislocation and pain.

Results

The initial search yielded 2733 studies. Five trials, with 519 patients, were included in this systematic review. Range of motion and radiological outcome was significantly better in patients who were immobilised in dorsiflexion compared to palmar flexion or neutral position, although no clinical important difference was found. There were no significant differences in patient-reported outcome, pain, grip strength or complications. Due to heterogeneity of the included studies, data were unsuitable for a meta-analysis.

Conclusion

This systematic review showed statistically significant better results in favour of cast immobilisation in dorsiflexion, although this small difference does not seem to be relevant in patients daily activities.

Systematic review registration number

Systematic review registration number: PROSPERO 2018 CRD42018085546.
Language Family Engineering with Product Lines of Multi-level Models
Authors: de Lara Juan , Guerra Esther
Published: August 2021

Modelling is an essential activity in software engineering. It
typically involves two meta-levels: one includes meta-models that
describe modelling languages, and the other contains models built by
instantiating those meta-models.
Multi-level modelling
generalizes this approach by allowing models to span an arbitrary
number of meta-levels. A scenario that profits from multi-level
modelling is the definition of language families that can be
specialized (e.g., for different domains) by successive refinements
at subsequent meta-levels, hence promoting language reuse. This
enables an
open
set of variability options given by all
possible specializations of the language family. However,
multi-level modelling lacks the ability to express
closed
variability regarding the availability of language primitives or the
possibility to opt between alternative primitive realizations. This
limits the reuse opportunities of a language family. To improve this
situation, we propose a novel combination of product lines with
multi-level modelling to cover both open and closed variability. Our
proposal is backed by a formal theory that guarantees correctness,
enables top-down and bottom-up language variability design, and is
implemented atop the
MetaDepth
multi-level modelling tool.
The equal collective gains value in cooperative games
Authors: Ramón Emilio Calvo , Gutiérrez-López Esther
Published: August 2021

The property of equal collective gains means that each player should obtain the same benefit from the cooperation of the other players in the game. We show that this property jointly with efficiency characterize a new solution, called the equal collective gains value (ECG-value). We introduce a new class of games, the average productivity games, for which the ECG-value is an imputation. For a better understanding of the new value, we also provide four alternative characterizations of it, and a negotiation model that supports it in subgame perfect equilibrium.
Epidemiology and aetiology of male and female sexual dysfunctions related to pelvic ring injuries: a systematic review
Authors: Rovere Giuseppe , Perna Andrea , Meccariello Luigi , De Mauro Domenico , Smimmo Alessandro , Proietti Luca , Falez Francesco , Maccauro Giulio , Liuzza Francesco
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Pelvic ring injuries, frequently caused by high energy trauma, are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality (5–33%), often due to significant blood loss and disruption of the lumbosacral plexus, genitourinary system, and gastrointestinal system. The aim of the present study is to perform a systematic literature review on male and female sexual dysfunctions related to traumatic lesions of the pelvic ring.

Methods

Scopus, Cochrane Library MEDLINE via PubMed, and Embase were searched using the keywords: “Pelvic fracture,” “Pelvic Ring Fracture,” “Pelvic Ring Trauma,” “Pelvic Ring injury,” “Sexual dysfunction,” “Erectile dysfunction,” “dyspareunia,” and their MeSH terms in any possible combination. The following questions were formulated according to the PICO (population (P), intervention (I), comparison (C), and outcome (O)) scheme: Do patients suffering from pelvic fracture (P) report worse clinical outcomes (C), in terms of sexual function (O), when urological injury occurs (I)? Is the sexual function (O) influenced by the type of fracture (I)?

Results

After screening 268 articles by title and abstract, 77 were considered eligible for the full-text analysis. Finally 17 studies that met inclusion criteria were included in the review. Overall, 1364 patients (902 males and 462 females, M/F ratio: 1.9) suffering from pelvic fractures were collected.

Discussion

Pelvic fractures represent challenging entities, often concomitant with systemic injuries and subsequent morbidity. Anatomical consideration, etiology, correlation between sexual dysfunction and genitourinary lesions, or pelvic fracture type were investigated.

Conclusion

There are evidences in the literature that the gravity and frequency of SD are related with the pelvic ring fracture type. In fact, patients with APC, VS (according Young-Burgess), or C (according Tile) fracture pattern reported higher incidence and gravity of SD. Only a week association could be found between GUI and incidence and gravity of SD, and relationship between surgical treatment and SD. Electrophysiological tests should be routinely used in patient suffering from SD after pelvic ring injuries.
Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Non-Cross-Linked Hyaluronic Acid Combined with L-carnosine for Horizontal Neck Wrinkles Treatment
Authors: Wang Shiwei , Niu Huanyun , Liu Yao , Tan Yawen , Gao He , Ren Shuang , Wang Lin
Published: August 2021

Background Horizontal neck wrinkle formation is gaining more attention among cosmetic practitioners and clients. To date, hyaluronic acid products are one of the most common treatment options for this aesthetic concern. However, different therapeutic strategies should be given to solve the problem due to multiple etiological reasons. Given that oxidative damage plays a critical role in neck wrinkle formation, anti-oxidative compounds are now considered by physicians when making a treatment plan. Aims To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid filler in combination with L-carnosine in treating horizontal neck wrinkles. Methods Thirteen patients with a Wrinkle Assessment Scale (WAS) of 2–5 for horizontal neck wrinkles were treated with L-carnosine-containing non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid. Participants were followed-up for 3 months after treatment. The post-treated WAS scores evaluated by physicians were collected when patient satisfaction was surveyed. Any post-treatment adverse events were recorded. Results With a single injection of the above filler, the physician-evaluated WAS scores improved by at least one score at one month and the improvement kept consistent as far as three months after injection. According to the last follow-up visit, 11/13 patients were satisfied with the treatment effect of their neck wrinkle. Moreover, adverse events were rare after filler injection, except for local complications that were considered common reactions to the filler injection procedure. Conclusion The non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid filler containing L-carnosine is safe and effective for treating horizontal neck wrinkles.

Level of Evidence IV This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.
Checking for model consistency in optimal fingerprinting: a comment
Authors: McKitrick Ross
Published: August 2021

Allen and Tett (1999, herein AT99) introduced a Generalized Least Squares (GLS) regression methodology for decomposing patterns of climate change for attribution purposes and proposed the “Residual Consistency Test” (RCT) to check the GLS specification. Their methodology has been widely used and highly influential ever since, in part because subsequent authors have relied upon their claim that their GLS model satisfies the conditions of the Gauss-Markov (GM) Theorem, thereby yielding unbiased and efficient estimators. But AT99 stated the GM Theorem incorrectly, omitting a critical condition altogether, their GLS method cannot satisfy the GM conditions, and their variance estimator is inconsistent by construction. Additionally, they did not formally state the null hypothesis of the RCT nor identify which of the GM conditions it tests, nor did they prove its distribution and critical values, rendering it uninformative as a specification test. The continuing influence of AT99 two decades later means these issues should be corrected. I identify 6 conditions needing to be shown for the AT99 method to be valid.
Effects of a conservative in-patient voice treatment on the voice-related self-concept
Authors: Lehnert Bernhard , Nusseck Manfred , Lu Fei , Keilmann Annerose
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Observational study to determine if the voice-related self-concept as measured via the Fragebogen zur Erfassung des Stimmlichen Selbstkonzepts FESS (questionnaire for the assessment of the voice self-concept) can be improved through in-patient voice therapy.

Methods

234 female and 80 male patients that underwent an intensive 3- to 4-week in-patient voice treatment due to varying types of dysphonia. After imputation of missing items but not missing questionnaires, 255 patients were eligible for FESS evaluation, 313 for VHI-12 evaluation.

The German questionnaire for the assessment of the voice self-concept (FESS) and the German 12-item short-form of the Voice Handicap Index (VHI-12) were administered at the beginning and at the end of the hospital stay. Before–after comparisons are made visually and via t test.

Results

The Voice Handicap was significantly reduced, demonstrating the effectiveness of the administered therapy. Of the three scales of the FESS, the relationship with one's own voice and the awareness of the use of one's own voice was increased and thus improved. The connection between voice and emotional changes decreased significantly but only slightly.

Conclusion

Conservative voice rehabilitation can not only reduce the voice handicap, but also improve the voice self-concept and the results can be measured.
Nuclear Structure at the Crossroads
Authors: Furnstahl R. J. , Hammer H.-W. , Schwenk A.
Published: August 2021

Steven Weinberg’s seminal papers from 1990–92 initiated the use of effective field theories (EFTs) for nuclei. We summarize progress, priorities, and open questions for nuclear EFT developments based on the 2019 INT program “Nuclear Structure at the Crossroads.”
Modelling Marine Predator Habitat Using the Abundance of Its Pelagic Prey in the Tropical South-Western Pacific
Authors: Receveur Aurore , Allain Valerie , Menard Frederic , Lebourges Dhaussy Anne , Laran Sophie , Ravache Andreas , Bourgeois Karen , Vidal Eric , Hare Steven R. , Weimerskirch Henri , Borsa Philippe , Menkes Christophe
Published: August 2021

Understanding the ecological mechanisms underpinning distribution patterns is vital in managing populations of mobile marine species. This study is a first step towards an integrated description of the habitats and spatial distributions of marine predators in the Natural Park of the Coral Sea, one of the world’s largest marine-protected areas at about 1.3 million km2, covering the entirety of New Caledonia’s pelagic waters. The study aims to quantify the benefit of including a proxy for prey abundance in predator niche modelling, relative to other marine physical variables. Spatial distributions and relationships with environmental data were analysed using catch per unit of effort data for three fish species (albacore tuna, yellowfin tuna and dolphinfish), sightings collected from aerial surveys for three cetacean guilds (Delphininae, Globicephalinae and Ziphiidae) and foraging locations identified from bio-tracking for three seabird species (wedge-tailed shearwater, Tahiti petrel and red-footed booby). Predator distributions were modelled as a function of a static covariate (bathymetry), oceanographic covariates (sea surface temperature, chlorophyll-aconcentration and 20 °C-isotherm depth) and an acoustically derived micronekton preyscape covariate. While distributions were mostly linked to bathymetry for seabirds, and chlorophyll and temperature for fish and cetaceans, acoustically derived prey abundance proxies slightly improved distribution models for all fishes and seabirds except the Tahiti petrel, but not for the cetaceans. Predicted spatial distributions showed that pelagic habitats occupied by predator fishes did not spatially overlap. Finally, predicted habitats and the use of the preyscapes in predator habitat modelling were discussed.
Health-related quality of life in advanced gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer with second-line pembrolizumab in KEYNOTE-061
Authors: Van Cutsem Eric , Amonkar Mayur , Fuchs Charles S. , Alsina Maria , Özgüroğlu Mustafa , Bang Yung-Jue , Chung Hyun Cheol , Muro Kei , Goekkurt Eray , Benson Al B. , Sun Weijing , Wainberg Zev A. , Norquist Josephine M. , Chen Xinqun , Shih Chie-Schin , Shitara Kohei
Published: August 2021

Background

In the primary analysis population (i.e., PD-L1 combined positive score [CPS] ≥ 1) of the phase 3 KEYNOTE-061 study (NCT02370498), pembrolizumab did not significantly prolong overall survival or progression-free survival. Pembrolizumab had a favorable safety profile in the all-patient population. We present results of prespecified health-related quality of life (HRQoL) analyses.

Methods

HRQoL was measured using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (QLQ-C30), EORTC QLQ gastric cancer questionnaire (QLQ-STO22), and EuroQol 5-dimension, 3-level questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L). Data were analyzed from patients who received ≥ 1 dose of study treatment and who completed ≥ 1 HRQoL assessment. Key analyses included baseline to week 12 least-squares mean (LSM) change in global health status (GHS)/QoL, functional/symptom subscales, and time to deterioration (TTD; ≥ 10-point decrease from baseline) for specific subscales.

Results

The HRQoL population included 371 patients (pembrolizumab,n = 188; paclitaxel,n = 183). Compliance and completion rates for all 3 questionnaires were similar in both groups at baseline and week 12. There was no difference in LSM change between groups (– 3.54; 95% CI – 8.92 to 1.84) in GHS/QoL at week 12. LSM change from baseline to week 12 for most QLQ-C30, QLQ-STO22, and EQ-5D-3L subscales indicated some worsening of QoL in both groups. TTD for GHS/QoL, nausea/vomiting, and appetite loss subscales in QLQ-C30 and the pain subscales in QLQ-STO22 were similar between treatment groups.

Conclusions

In this population with advanced gastric and GEJ cancer receiving second-line treatment, HRQoL was similar in patients receiving pembrolizumab and those receiving paclitaxel.

Clinical trial registry and number

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02370498.
Clinical epidemiological analysis of cohort studies investigating the pathogenesis of kidney disease
Authors: Tanaka Shigeru , Nakano Toshiaki , Tsuruya Kazuhiko , Kitazono Takanari
Published: August 2021

In recent years, large cohort studies of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have been established all over the world. These studies have attempted to analyze the pathogenesis of CKD using a large body of published evidence. The design of cohort studies is characterized by the measurement of the exposure prior to the occurrence of the outcome, which has the advantage of clarifying the temporal relationship between predictors and outcomes and estimating the strength of the causal relationship between predictors and multiple outcomes. Recent advances in biostatistical analysis methods, such as propensity scores and risk prediction models, are facilitating causal inference using higher quality evidence with greater precision in observational studies. In this review, we will discuss clinical epidemiological research of kidney disease based on the analysis of observational cohort data sets, with a focus on our previous studies.
Risk management methodology in the supply chain: a case study applied
Authors: Hermoso-Orzáez M. J. , Garzón-Moreno J.
Published: August 2021

This work provides a general risk management procedure applied to synchronized supply chains. After conducting a literature review and taking the international standard ISO 28000 and ISO 31000 as a reference. The most important steps that enable organizations to carry out supply chain risk management are described. Steps such as defining the context, identifying and analyzing risks or avoiding them, controlling them and mitigating them are some of the main points of this work. On the other hand, we carried out a practical case in which the execution of this procedure is carried out in a real supply chain located in the city of Jaén. In this specific case study, the most important risks and those that require early treatment will be discussed. In addition, a series of suggestions and ideas will be established, by way of conclusions, that allow said organization to improve the results that we have obtained in risk management.
Biological invasion risk assessment of Tuta absoluta: mechanistic versus correlative methods
Authors: Ponti Luigi , Gutierrez Andrew Paul , de Campos Mateus Ribeiro , Desneux Nicolas , Biondi Antonio , Neteler Markus
Published: August 2021

The capacity to assess invasion risk from potential crop pests before invasion of new regions globally would be invaluable, but this requires the ability to predict accurately their potential geographic range and relative abundance in novel areas. This may be unachievable using de facto standard correlative methods as shown for the South American tomato pinworm Tuta absoluta, a serious insect pest of tomato native to South America. Its global invasive potential was not identified until after rapid invasion of Europe, followed by Africa and parts of Asia where it has become a major food security problem on solanaceous crops. Early prospective assessment of its potential range is possible using physiologically based demographic modeling that would have identified knowledge gaps in T. absoluta biology at low temperatures. Physiologically based demographic models (PBDMs) realistically capture the weather-driven biology in a mechanistic way allowing evaluation of invasive risk in novel areas and climes including climate change. PBDMs explain the biological bases for the geographic distribution, are generally applicable to species of any taxa, are not limited to terrestrial ecosystems, and hence can be extended to support ecological risk modeling in aquatic ecosystems. PBDMs address a lack of unified general methods for assessing and managing invasive species that has limited invasion biology from becoming a more predictive science.
Elastin-Derived Peptides in the Central Nervous System: Friend or Foe
Authors: Szychowski Konrad A. , Skóra Bartosz , Wójtowicz Anna K.
Published: August 2021

Elastin is one of the main structural matrix proteins of the arteries, lung, cartilage, elastic ligaments, brain vessels, and skin. These elastin fibers display incredible resilience and structural stability with long half-life. However, during some physiological and pathophysiological conditions, elastin is prone to proteolytic degradation and, due to the extremely low turnover rate, its degradation is practically an irreversible and irreparable phenomenon. As a result of elastin degradation, new peptides called elastin-derived peptides (EDPs) are formed. A growing body of evidence suggests that these peptides play an important role in the development of age-related vascular disease. They are also detected in the cerebrospinal fluid of healthy people, and their amount increases in patients after ischemic stroke. Recently, elastin-like polypeptides have been reported to induce overproduction of beta-amyloid in a model of Alzheimer's disease. Nevertheless, the role and mechanism of action of EDPs in the nervous system is largely unknown and limited to only a few studies. The article summarizes the current state of knowledge on the role of EDPs in the nervous system.
Nudging for Cleaner Air: Experimental Evidence from an RCT on Wood Stove Usage
Authors: Ruiz-Tagle J. Cristobal , Schueftan Alejandra
Published: August 2021

Air pollution from wood burning is a serious problem in the developing world. In the cities of south-central Chile, households experience extremely high ambient air pollution levels due to massive combustion of wood as fuel for residential heating. To address this problem, in recent years new residential wood stoves—equipped with improved combustion technologies that are designed to be less-polluting—have replaced high-polluting ones. However, users’ behaviour in operating these improved stoves is a key factor that drives actual emissions. When users ‘choke the damper’ to extend the burning time of their wood fuel, it constrains the air flow in the wood stoves and creates a highly polluting combustion process. To address this issue, a behavioural intervention was designed to provide users with real-time feedback on their wood stoves’ air pollution emissions with the goal of ‘nudging’ them to use their stoves in a less polluting way. The intervention consists of an information sign that aligns with the wood stove’s damper lever and informs users about pollution emission levels according to the chosen setting of the wood stove’s damper. The information sign is complemented by the visit of a field assistant that explains the sign and provides an informational flyer (fridge magnet). To assess the effectiveness of this behavioural intervention a randomized controlled trial was conducted with selected households in the city of Valdivia, Chile. Results from this intervention show that households that were provided with the information sign reduced the frequency with which they used the most polluting settings of their stoves, inducing a behavioural change that results in a 10.8% reduction in residential pollution emissions.
Decision spaces in agricultural risk management: a mental model study of Austrian crop farmers
Authors: Hanger-Kopp Susanne , Palka Marlene
Published: August 2021

Drought has become a dominant climate risk both around the world and in Europe, adding to the already challenging task of farming and governing the agricultural sector under climate change. Drought risk management is extremely complex. Apart from irrigation, most drought risk management options have more than one goal and may potentially have negative trade-offs with other risk management objectives. Moreover, government regulations and market mechanisms influence farmers’ decision-making. However, previous studies, both in developed and in developing countries, have predominantly focused on attitudinal and structural influencing factors on farmers’ risk management behavior. In this paper, we comprehensively investigate farmers’ decision spaces with respect to drought risk management. We address two applied research questions: (1) What are farmers’ preferred drought risk management measures? (2) From a farmer’s perspective, what are the dominant factors influencing drought risk management decisions? We find that farmers primarily think of production-based rather than financial measures with respect to drought risk management. At the same time, natural and technical constraints and enabling factors dominate their mental decision space, followed by public and private institutional aspects. This research provides a basis for the design of integrated and holistic drought risk management policy and the drought risk governance needed for sustainable use of land and water resources such as needed to address systemic risks and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Moreover, we introduce a novel approach using mental models extracted from interviews to explore cognitive representations of farmers' decision spaces. This approach has the potential to complement mainstream research using standardized surveys and behavioral models to analyze drivers of risk management.
Evaluation of spray pyrolysed In:ZnO nanostructures for CO gas sensing at low concentration
Authors: Ani Aninamol , Poornesh P. , Nagaraja K. K. , Hegde Gopalkrishna , Kolesnikov E. , Shchetinin Igor V. , Antony Albin , Kulkarni Suresh D.
Published: August 2021

Herein, we report the role of indium (In) on the carbon monoxide sensing of ZnO thin films using a low-cost spray pyrolysis technique. The decrease in crystalline size was observed from XRD studies and hexagonal wurtzite structure was confirmed. Photoluminescence and XPS studies proved the presence of various defects in the films. The gas-sensing properties of films toward carbon monoxide (CO) gas indicate that 15 wt% of In in ZnO thin films (IZO) exhibit high response (1.84) to a low concentration of the gas (1 ppm) at 300 °C compared to undoped ZnO (0.53). The observed high response of 15 wt% IZO can be mainly endorsed to the oxygen vacancy defects as observed from the photoluminescence and XPS analysis. Further, the high response is complemented by high surface area and smaller grain size (~ 13.1 nm) with well-defined grain boundaries as evident from SEM analysis as well as XRD studies.
A note on pessimism in education and its economic consequences
Authors: Mazur Karol
Published: August 2021

Investigating interaction of the lumpy nature of educational investments and informational frictions on returns to and costs of education, I show that pessimistic beliefs can be self-confirmed in equilibrium. Among some of its consequences, I argue that the commonly pursued research methods may not always identify the true underlying skill distributions.
Negation Processing in Children with ADHD: The Generic Problem of Using Negation in Instructions
Authors: Dudschig Carolin , Kaup Barbara , Svaldi Jennifer , Gulewitsch Marco Daniel
Published: August 2021

Recent studies have suggested that negation comprehension falls back onto inhibitory brain systems that are also crucial for impulse control and other non-linguistic control domains (Beltran et al., 2018, 2019; de Vega et al., 2016; Liu et al., 2020). Against this backdrop, the present pilot study investigated the use of negation within directional instructions (i.e., “not left”, “now left”, “not right”, “now right”) in children with ADHD and a control group. The results indicate that children in general have a long response delay following negative compared to affirmative instructions. Additionally, there was a tendency for this effect to be more pronounced in the ADHD group. Together, these results suggest that negation processing might indeed demand inhibitory control processes, which are differently available across different subgroups. Thus, the current study provides evidence that using negation in imperatives or instructions is generally rather critical and should be avoided if possible, but that negation use is probably even more problematic in specific clinical populations. Potential implications of these results will be discussed.
The New Vertical Merger Guidelines: Muddying the Waters
Authors: Salinger Michael A.
Published: August 2021

The new U.S. Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission Vertical Merger Guidelines focus on how vertical mergers are likely to affect static pricing incentives. While vertical mergers can create incentives to increase prices, they can also provide incentives to decrease prices. Which of the possible outcomes is likely to occur depends on details that are generally difficult to measure. Potential competition between dominant firms, the theory of potential harm to competition that the 1984 Department of Justice Merger Guidelines stressed, remains a more compelling rationale for blocking vertical mergers than the likely effect on static pricing incentives.
Should pluralists be pluralists about pluralism?
Authors: Passmann Robert
Published: August 2021

How many correct logics are there? Monists endorse that there is one, pluralists argue for many, and nihilists claim that there are none. Reasoning about these views requires a logic. That is the meta-logic. It turns out that there are some meta-logical challenges specifically for the pluralists. I will argue that these depend on an implicitly assumed absoluteness of correct logic. Pluralists can solve the challenges by giving up on this absoluteness and instead adopt contextualism about correct logic. This contextualism is naturalistically appealing.
Analytical Solutions of Carbonate Acidizing in Radial Flow
Authors: Strongylis Polyneikis , Papamichos Euripides
Published: August 2021

The flow of reactive fluids into porous media, a phenomenon known as reactive infiltration, is important in natural and engineered systems. While most of the studies in this area cover theoretical and experimental analyses in linear acid flow, the present work concentrates on radial flow conditions from a wellbore in the field and on finding exact analytical solutions to moving boundary problems of the uniform dissolution front. Closed-form solutions are obtained for the transient convection–diffusion which allow the demarcation of the range of applicability of the quasi-static limit. The fluid velocity dependency of the diffusion–dispersion coefficient is also examined by comparing results from analytical solutions from constant and velocity-dependent coefficients. These contributions form the basis for linear stability analyses to describe acid fingering encountered in reservoir stimulation.
Purinergic ATP triggers moxibustion-induced local anti-nociceptive effect on inflammatory pain model
Authors: Yin Hai-Yan , Fan Ya-Peng , Liu Juan , Li Dao-Tong , Guo Jing , Yu Shu-Guang
Published: August 2021

Purinergic signalling adenosine and its A1 receptors have been demonstrated to get involved in the mechanism of acupuncture (needling therapy) analgesia. However, whether purinergic signalling would be responsible for the local analgesic effect of moxibustion therapy, the predominant member in acupuncture family procedures also could trigger analgesic effect on pain diseases, it still remains unclear. In this study, we applied moxibustion to generate analgesic effect on complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)-induced inflammatory pain rats and detected the purine released from moxibustioned-acupoint by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) approach. Intramuscular injection of ARL67156 into the acupoint Zusanli (ST36) to inhibit the breakdown of ATP showed the analgesic effect of moxibustion was increased while intramuscular injection of ATPase to speed up ATP hydrolysis caused a reduced moxibustion-induced analgesia. These data implied that purinergic ATP at the location of ST36 acupoint is a potentially beneficial factor for moxibustion-induced analgesia.
Geographic and Temporal Access to Basic Banking Services Offered through Post Offices in Wales
Authors: Sonea Andra , Westerholt René
Published: August 2021

Access to ‘universal banking services’ through the post office network has been a goal of the UK governments over the last twenty years. Various policies and mechanisms have been put in place in an attempt to maintain national geographical coverage with access points while increasing the financial viability of the network. One such mechanism is represented by the six official criteria for access to post offices, expressed as a percentage of the UK population living within one mile, three miles, and six miles of a post office. The method for calculating compliance with these access criteria is not published. Nor will any granular results be published, but only an annual statement that the criteria are being met. This article examines geographical and temporal access to post offices in order to understand the territorial coverage of the network and the impact this has on the provision of basic banking services. The area under investigation is Wales, for which we are reviewing the Government’s official access criteria. Through the Post Office Ltd website, we are collecting up-to-date information on the locations and opening hours of post offices in Wales. In addition, a detailed population grid is combined with calculated areas of equidistant geographical access, called isochrones, to determine the number of people who have access to the post office network. The isochrones are based on the Welsh road network and are calculated for different travel modes and thresholds using a powerful routing engine. Our results show that the official access criteria are largely unmet in Wales. In addition, and in contrast to previous studies, we show a rural-urban divide not in terms of spatial access, but in the combination of spatial and temporal access. The results are of both practical and theoretical value and will hopefully inform policy makers.