bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Translation and cultural adaptation of the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire into Danish using the dual-panel approach: comparison with outcomes from an alternative translation approach
Authors: Schmidt Jannie Tygesen , Nielsen Josephine , Riis Allan , Larsen Birgit Tine
Published: June 2021

Objective

Physical activity reduces the risk of pregnancy-related complications. However, pregnant women often reduce their physical activity levels and do not follow the WHO’s physical activity recommendations during pregnancy. To support pregnant women in monitoring physical activity, the self-administered Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire was developed in the US. We translated and cross-cultural adapted the questionnaire using the dual approach method. Meanwhile, and without knowing this, another Danish group simultaneously translated the questionnaire using the method described by Beaton et al. The aim is to present our data and discuss the unplanned purpose of comparing the results from using two different translation methods.

Results

We translated and cross-culturally adapted the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire to Danish with the following findings. Two additional items for cycling were included. Three items about spending time on a computer, reading, writing or talking on the phone were not feasible in terms of differentiating between them and these were merged into one item. The item ‘Taking care of an older adult’ was found to be irrelevant in a Danish setting and was removed. Adaptions were similar comparing the two methods. Consequently, using the dual-panel and the methods suggested by Beaton et al. yield similar results when translating and cultural adapting the PPAQ.
Three-month early change in prostate-specific antigen levels as a predictive marker for overall survival during hormonal therapy for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer
Authors: Nakanishi Shotaro , Goya Masato , Tamaki Mitsuyoshi , Oshiro Takuma , Saito Seiichi
Published: June 2021

Objective

To date, there are no useful markers for predicting the prognosis of metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). We evaluated the effect of early changes in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels after androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) on castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) progression and overall survival (OS) in mHSPC patients.

Results

In 71 primary mHSPC patients treated with ADT, the median times to CRPC and OS were 15 months and 92 months, respectively. In multivariate analysis, a Gleason score of ≥ 8 (p = 0.004), an extent of disease value (EOD) of ≥ 2 (p = 0.004), and a 3-month PSA level > 1% of the pretreatment level (p = 0.017) were independent predictors of shorter time to CRPC. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was feasible at 0.822. A 3-month PSA level > 1% of the pretreatment level was an independent predictor of OS (p = 0.004). Three factors were independent predictors of shorter time to CRPC. A 3-month PSA level > 1% of the pretreatment level correlated with a poor prognosis.
Demographic and policy-based differences in behaviors and attitudes towards driving after marijuana use: an analysis of the 2013–2017 Traffic Safety Culture Index
Authors: Benedetti Marco H. , Li Li , Neuroth Lucas M. , Humphries Kayleigh D. , Brooks-Russell Ashley , Zhu Motao
Published: June 2021

Objective

Marijuana policies in the United States have become more permissive, motivating research on demographic and policy-based differences in behaviors and attitudes towards driving after marijuana use. The Traffic Safety Culture Index is an annual survey with national scope and multiple measures relevant to driving after marijuana use. We tabulated responses to questions about driving after marijuana use from the Traffic Safety Culture Index based on demographic factors, recreational and medical marijuana policies, and per-se marijuana laws.

Results

Male, younger, lower-income, and lower-education respondents self-reported driving after marijuana use more than their demographic counterparts, more often reported such behavior to be personally acceptable, and exhibited lower support per-se laws. Drivers in states that legalized medical marijuana self-reported driving after marijuana use slightly more than drivers in states where both medical and recreational were illegal. Support for per-se laws was higher among those in states that legalized recreational marijuana and in states with per-se laws. Demographic differences in our outcomes were consistent and cohesive. On the other hand, we found no predominant pattern suggesting that those in states with liberal marijuana policies were more tolerant of driving after marijuana use.
Diagnostic methods and therapeutic options of uveal melanoma with emphasis on MR imaging—Part I: MR imaging with pathologic correlation and technical considerations
Authors: Foti Pietro Valerio , Travali Mario , Farina Renato , Palmucci Stefano , Spatola Corrado , Raffaele Luigi , Salamone Vincenzo , Caltabiano Rosario , Broggi Giuseppe , Puzzo Lidia , Russo Andrea , Reibaldi Michele , Longo Antonio , Vigneri Paolo , Avitabile Teresio , Ettorre Giovani Carlo , Basile Antonio
Published: June 2021

Uveal melanoma is a malignant neoplasm that derives from pigmented melanocytes of the uvea and involves, in order of decreasing prevalence, the choroid, ciliary body and iris. Its prognosis is related to histopathologic and genetic features, tumor size and location, extraocular extension. The diagnosis is fundamentally based on clinical evaluation (ophthalmoscopy, biomicroscopy) and ultrasonography. MRI is useful in case of untransparent lens or subretinal effusion. Moreover, MRI has a significant role to confirm the diagnosis, in the evaluation of the local extent of the disease with implications for treatment planning, and in the follow-up after radiotherapy treatment. Uveal melanoma can show different morphologic features (lentiform, dome or mushroom shape) and often determines retinal detachment. MR appearance of uveal melanoma mainly depends on the melanin content. Uveal melanoma typically displays high signal intensity on T1-weighted images and low signal intensity on T2-weighted images. Nevertheless, imaging appearance may be variable based on the degree of pigmentation and the presence of areas of necrosis or cavitation. Differential diagnosis includes other uveal lesions. The radiologists and in particular MRI play a significant role in the clinical management of uveal melanoma. The purpose of this pictorial review is to provide the radiologists with awareness about diagnostic methods and therapeutic options of uveal melanoma. In the present first section we summarize the MR anatomy of the eye and describe ophthalmological and radiological imaging techniques to diagnose uveal melanomas, with emphasis on the role of MR imaging. Additionally, we review MR imaging appearance of uveal melanomas.
Correction to: Changes in feeding habits promoted the differentiation of the composition and function of gut microbiotas between domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and gray wolves (Canis lupus)
Authors: Lyu Tianshu , Liu Guangshuai , Zhang Huanxin , Wang Lidong , Zhou Shengyang , Dou Huashan , Pang Bo , Sha Weilai , Zhang Honghai
Published: June 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Impact of the VA opioid safety initiative on pain management for cancer patients.
Authors: Marar Mallika , Nalawade Vinit , Panjwani Neil , Riviere Paul , Furnish Timothy , Lin Lewei A. , Thompson Reid F. , Murphy James Don , Vitzthum Lucas K.
Published: June 2021

102

Background: Limited research exists on how risk reduction policies in response to the opioid epidemic have impacted pain management among cancer patients. This study investigated the impact of the Veteran’s Health Administration (VHA) Opioid Safety Initiative (OSI) on opioid prescribing patterns and opioid-related toxicity among patients undergoing definitive cancer treatment. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 42,064 opioid-naïve patients receiving definitive local therapy for prostate, lung, breast, and colorectal cancer at the VHA from 2011-2016. Interrupted time series analysis with segmented regression was used to evaluate the impact of the OSI, which launched October 2013. The primary outcome was the incidence of new opioid prescriptions with diagnosis or treatment. Secondary outcomes included rates of high daily dose opioid (≥ 100 morphine milligram equivalent) and concomitant benzodiazepine prescriptions. Additional long-term outcomes included persistent opioid use, opioid abuse diagnoses, pain-related ED visits, and opioid-related admissions. Results: Prior to OSI implementation, the incidence of opioid prescriptions among new cancer patients increased from 26.7% (95% CI 25.0 – 28.4) in the first quarter (Q1) of 2011 to 50.6% (95% CI 48.3 – 53.0) in Q3 2013. There was a monthly increase in opioid prescription rate pre-OSI followed by a monthly decrease post-OSI (Table). High-dose opioid prescriptions were rare, and the monthly rate was stable before and after the OSI. Monthly incidence of concomitant benzodiazepine prescriptions was stable pre-OSI and decreased post-OSI. Persistent opioid use increased pre-OSI and decreased post-OSI. Pain-related ED visits had an incidence of 0.8% (95% CI 0.4 – 1.0) in Q1 2011, 0.3% (95% CI 0.1 – 0.6) in Q3 2013, and 1.8% (95% CI 0.9 – 2.7) in Q4 2016, with an increasing monthly rate after the OSI. At three years, the cumulative incidence of opioid abuse was 1.2% for both the pre- and post-OSI groups but opioid-related admissions were greater in the pre-OSI cohort than the post-OSI cohort (0.9% vs. 0.5%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The OSI was associated with a decrease in new, persistent, and certain high-risk opioid prescribing as well as an increase in pain-related ED visits. Further research on patient-centered outcomes is required to optimize opioid prescribing policies for patients with cancer.[Table: see text]
Outcome of patients with an ultralow risk 70-gene signature in the MINDACT trial.
Authors: Lopes Cardozo Josephine , Drukker Caroline , Schmidt Marjanka , van 't Veer Laura , Glas Annuska , Witteveen Anke , Cardoso Fatima , Piccart-Gebhart Martine J. , Poncet Coralie , Rutgers Emiel J.
Published: June 2021

500

Background: Gene signatures have proven successful in identifying patients with a low risk of distant recurrence who could forego chemotherapy (CT) and are currently included in international treatment guidelines for breast cancer. For the 70-gene signature (MammaPrint) an additional threshold was established within the low risk category to identify patients with an ultralow risk of distant recurrence. In independent cohorts, these patients had excellent breast cancer specific survival at 15 years, suggesting that ultralow risk cancers represent indolent disease (Esserman, JAMA Oncol 2017, Delahaye, BC Res Treat 2017). Here we evaluate survival of patients with an ultralow risk 70-gene signature who participated in the randomized phase 3 MINDACT trial (Piccart, Lancet Oncol 2021). Methods: Of the 6,693 patients enrolled in the MINDACT trial (EORTC 10041/BIG 3-04) between 2007-2011, profiling revealed an ultralow risk 70-gene signature in 1,000 patients (15%). We assessed 5- and 8-year distant metastasis free interval (DMFI) and breast cancer specific survival (BCSS) in patients stratified by 70-gene signature result (high, low, ultralow), and within the ultralow risk group stratified by clinical risk. For these exploratory analyses, we used Kaplan-Meier estimates for time to event endpoints and Cox-regression models to calculate hazard ratio’s (HR). Results: Median follow-up was 8.7 years. Among the ultralow risk patients (n = 1,000), 67% were ≥50 years, 81% had tumors < 2cm, 80% were lymph node negative, 96% had grade 1 or 2 tumors and 99% were ER-positive. Systemic therapy was received by 83% of patients (69% endocrine therapy (ET), 14% ET + CT) and 16% received no adjuvant systemic treatment (AST). Survival estimates for all endpoints are shown in the table; 8-year DMFI was 97.0% (95% CI 95.8-98.1) for ultralow risk. The 8-year DMFI in ultralow risk patients who received no AST or ET only was 97.8% (95% CI 95.3-100) and 97.4% (95% CI 96.1-98.7), respectively. The HR for DMFI was 0.66 (95% CI 0.46-0.95) for ultralow vs low risk, after adjusting for tumor and treatment characteristics (preliminary results). Conclusions: In this prospective study, patients with an ultralow risk 70-gene signature have an excellent prognosis with 8-year BCSS above 99% regardless of clinical risk status, and with an 8-year DMFI of 95-98%.[Table: see text]
Neoadjuvant talazoparib in patients with germline BRCA1/2 (gBRCA1/2) mutation-positive, early HER2-negative breast cancer (BC): Results of a phase 2 study.
Authors: Litton Jennifer Keating , Beck Joseph Thaddeus , Jones Jason M. , Andersen Jay , Blum Joanne Lorraine , Mina Lida A. , Brig Raymond , Danso Michael A. , Yuan Yuan , Abbattista Antonello , Noonan Kay , Chakrabarti Jayeta , Czibere Akos , Symmans William Fraser , Telli Melinda L.
Published: June 2021

505

Background: Talazoparib (TALA) is a poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor approved as monotherapy for treating adult patients (pts) with g BRCA1/2-mutated HER2-negative locally advanced or metastatic BC. Methods: This phase 2, non-randomized, single-arm, open-label study (NCT03499353) evaluated the efficacy and safety of TALA in the neoadjuvant setting for pts with early g BRCA1/2-mutated HER2− BC. Primary endpoint was evaluation of pathologic complete response (pCR) as assessed by Independent Central Review (ICR) after completing 24 weeks of neoadjuvant TALA monotherapy 1 mg QD (0.75 mg for moderate renal impairment) followed by surgery. Secondary endpoints included pCR by investigator (INV) and residual cancer burden (RCB) by ICR (RCB: 0 [pCR], I [minimal], II [moderate], III [extensive]). The evaluable population included pts who received at least 80% of the TALA dose prescribed at treatment start and underwent breast surgery and pCR assessment, plus those who progressed before pCR could be assessed. The intent-to-treat (ITT) population included all pts who received at least 1 dose of TALA. Results: Of 61 pts treated with TALA (ITT and safety populations), 48 comprised the evaluable population. All pts had triple-negative BC. 60 pts had adenocarcinoma and 1 had squamous cell histology, with the following staging: I=20, II=27, III=14. Mean age was 44.6 years, mean duration of 4.5 wks since disease onset, mean duration of treatment of 23.3 wks, and mean overall relative dose intensity of 84.5% (ITT population). pCR (assessed by ICR and INV) and RCB (by ICR) for the evaluable and ITT populations are shown in the table below. Ten (16.4%) patients discontinued treatment due to progressive disease. One pt had a disruption of treatment as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, 2 pts for other reasons: to undergo surgery early and consent withdrawal; 9 patients received <80% dose. Treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) were reported in 98.4% of pts (27.9% grade [G] 1, 23.0% G2, 45.9% G3, 1.6% G4); the most common were fatigue (78.7%; G1 54.1%; G2 21.3%; G3 3.3%), nausea (68.9%; G1 54.1%; G2 13.1%; G3 1.6%), and alopecia (57.4%; G1 54.1%; G2 3.3%). Three (4.9%) pts discontinued treatment due to AEs (G3 anemia [n=2] and G3 vertigo [n=1]) and continued on study. Conclusions: TALA monotherapy in the neoadjuvant setting was active and showed pCR rates comparable to those observed with combination anthracycline and taxane-based chemotherapy regimens and was generally well tolerated. Clinical trial information: NCT03499353. [Table: see text]
Durvalumab improves long-term outcome in TNBC: results from the phase II randomized GeparNUEVO study investigating neodjuvant durvalumab in addition to an anthracycline/taxane based neoadjuvant chemotherapy in early triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
Authors: Loibl Sibylle , Schneeweiss Andreas , Huober Jens Bodo , Braun Michael , Rey Julia , Blohmer Jens U. , Furlanetto Jenny , Zahm Dirk Michael , Hanusch Claus , Thomalla Jörg , Jackisch Christian , Staib Peter , Link Theresa , Rhiem Kerstin , Solbach Christine , Fasching Peter A. , Burchardi Nicole , Denkert Carsten , Untch Michael
Published: June 2021

506

Background: The GeparNuevo trial investigated the addition of durvalumab, an anti-PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor (CPI), to standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in patients with early TNBC. Durvalumab increased the pathological complete response (pCR) rate particularly in patients treated with durvalumab alone before start of chemotherapy (Loibl et al. Ann Oncol 2019). Methods: GeparNuevo randomized patients with cT1b-cT4a-d tumors and centrally confirmed TNBC to durvalumab (D) 1.5 g i.v. or placebo every 4 weeks. D/placebo monotherapy (0.75 g i.v.) was given for the first 2 weeks (window phase), followed by D/placebo plus nab-paclitaxel 125 mg/m² weekly for 12 weeks, followed by D/placebo plus epirubicin/cyclophosphamide (EC) q2 weeks for 4 cycles. Randomization was stratified by stromal tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (sTILs) (low (≤10%), intermediate (11-59%), high (≥60%)). The primary objective was pCR (ypT0 ypN0). Secondary time-to-event endpoints included invasive disease-free survival (iDFS), distant disease-free survival (DDFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: A total of 174 patients were enrolled between June 2016 and September 2017. The pCR rate with durvalumab was 53.4% versus placebo 44.2% (OR 1.45, 95% CI 0.80–2.63, unadjusted Wald p = 0.224). Durvalumab effect was seen only in the window cohort (pCR 61.0% versus 41.4%, OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.06–4.64, p = 0.035; interaction p = 0.048). After a median follow-up of 42.2 months, 34 events occurred in 174 patients. 3-year iDFS in pCR vs non pCR was 92.0% vs 71.9% (log-rank p = 0.002). 3-year iDFS was 84.9% with durvalumab vs 76.9% with placebo (HR 0.54, 95%CI 0.27-1.09, stratified log-rank p = 0.0559); 3-year DDFS 91.4% vs 79.5% (HR 0.37, 95%CI 0.15-0.87, p = 0.0148); 3-year OS 95.1% vs 83.1% (HR 0.26, 95%CI 0.09-0.79, p = 0.0076). No difference was seen in iDFS, DDFS and OS between the window and no window cohort. Conclusions: Durvalumab added to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in TNBC significantly improved long-term outcome despite a small pCR increase and no continuation after surgery. It needs to be questioned whether adjuvant therapy with CPI is needed at all. Clinical trial information: NCT02685059.
When form meets function: the cells and signals that shape the lymphatic vasculature during development
Authors: Francois Mathias , Oszmiana Anna , Harvey Natasha L.
Published: June 2021

The lymphatic vasculature is an integral component of the cardiovascular system. It is essential to maintain tissue fluid homeostasis, direct immune cell trafficking and absorb dietary lipids from the digestive tract. Major advances in our understanding of the genetic and cellular events important for constructing the lymphatic vasculature during development have recently been made. These include the identification of novel sources of lymphatic endothelial progenitor cells, the recognition of lymphatic endothelial cell specialisation and heterogeneity, and discovery of novel genes and signalling pathways underpinning developmental lymphangiogenesis. Here, we review these advances and discuss how they inform our understanding of lymphatic network formation, function and dysfunction.
Precise regulation of presenilin expression is required for sea urchin early development
Authors: Bronchain Odile , Philippe-Caraty Laetitia , Anquetil Vincent , Ciapa Brigitte
Published: June 2021

Presenilins (PSENs) are widely expressed across eukaryotes. Two PSENs are expressed in humans, where they play a crucial role in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Each PSEN can be part of the γ-secretase complex, which has multiple substrates, including Notch and amyloid-β precursor protein (AβPP) – the source of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides that compose the senile plaques during AD. PSENs also interact with various proteins independently of their γ-secretase activity. They can then be involved in numerous cellular functions, which makes their role in a given cell and/or organism complex to decipher. We have established the Paracentrotus lividus sea urchin embryo as a new model to study the role of PSEN. In the sea urchin embryo, the PSEN gene is present in unduplicated form and encodes a protein highly similar to human PSENs. Our results suggest that PSEN expression must be precisely tuned to control the course of the first mitotic cycles and the associated intracellular Ca2+ transients, the execution of gastrulation and, probably in association with ciliated cells, the establishment of the pluteus. We suggest that it would be relevant to study the role of PSEN within the gene regulatory network deciphered in the sea urchin.
The Long-Term Clinical Impact of Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR) for Advanced Esophageal Cancer Invading Aorta
Authors: Chen Ke-Cheng , Wu I-Hui , Chang Chih-Yang , Huang Pei-Ming , Lin Mong-Wei , Lee Jang-Ming
Published: June 2021

Background

Advanced esophageal cancer invading the aorta is considered unsuitable for surgery with definitive chemotherapy or chemoradiation as the treatments of choice. In the current study, we evaluated the long-term clinical impact of combining thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) with multimodality treatment in caring for such patients.

Methods

We evaluated 48 patients who had advanced esophageal cancer with aortic invasion. The oncological outcome, including overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), after multimodality treatment with or without TEVAR is evaluated for these patients.

Results

Overall, 25/48 patients (52.1%) received a TEVAR procedure. There was no significant difference in OS (p = 0.223) between patients who did or did not receive TEVAR; however, patients who received TEVAR had significantly less local tumor recurrence (p = 0.020) and longer PFS (p = 0.019). This impact was most evident in patients who received both TEVAR and esophagectomy, with an incremental increase in hazard ratio (HR) for disease progression of 2.89 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.86–9.96) and 4.37 (95% CI 1.33–14.33) observed under multivariable analysis, respectively, in comparison with patients who underwent only one or neither of these procedures (p = 0.005 for trend test).

Conclusion

TEVAR is a feasible procedure for esophageal cancers invading the aorta and can be used for curative-intent resection to improve local tumor control and PFS.
Using Synthetic Controls: Feasibility, Data Requirements, and Methodological Aspects
Authors: Abadie Alberto
Published: June 2021

Probably because of their interpretability and transparent nature, synthetic controls have become widely applied in empirical research in economics and the social sciences. This article aims to provide practical guidance to researchers employing synthetic control methods. The article starts with an overview and an introduction to synthetic control estimation. The main sections discuss the advantages of the synthetic control framework as a research design, and describe the settings where synthetic controls provide reliable estimates and those where they may fail. The article closes with a discussion of recent extensions, related methods, and avenues for future research. (JEL B41, C32, C54, E23, F15, O47)
Global Public Goods: A Survey
Authors: Buchholz Wolfgang , Sandler Todd
Published: June 2021

This survey investigates the increasing importance of global public goods (GPGs) in today’s interdependent world, driven by ever-growing, cross-border externalities and public good spillovers. Novel technologies, enhanced globalization, and population increases are among the main drivers of the rise of GPGs. Key GPGs include curbing climate change, instituting universal regulatory practices, eradicating infectious diseases, preserving world peace, discovering scientific breakthroughs, and limiting financial crises. The survey presents a compact theoretical foundation for GPGs, grounded in the provision of public goods. Because countries may be contributors or noncontributors to a particular GPG, coalition formation and behavior play a role, as do strategic interactions between a contributor coalition and other countries. In the survey, recurrent themes include strategic considerations, alternative institutional arrangements, GPGs’ defining properties, new actors’ roles, and collective action concerns. The four properties of GPGs—benefit non-rivalry, benefit non-excludability, aggregator technology, and spillover range—influence the GPGs’ supply prognoses and the need for and form of provision intervention, which may affect the requisite institutional changes. Three representative case studies illustrate how theoretical insights inform policy and empirical tests. Regional public goods are shown to involve a question of subsidiarity and different actors compared to GPGs. (JEL C71, C72, D62, D70, H41, Q54)
Φιλοσοφικές προϋποθέσεις λειτουργίας του θρησκευτικού φαινομένου στο έργο του Ludwig Wittgenstein
Authors: Μπζιώτας Παρασκευάς
Published: June 2021

Στο πρώιμο έργο του Wittgenstein η φιλοσοφία αποτελεί μια κριτική της γλώσσας ενώ στο ύστερο αποτελεί ένα είδος πορείας προς τη γνώση της ουσίας του όντος απαλλαγμένη από λανθασμένες και άσκοπες εννοιολογικές συγχύσεις.Εξετάζοντας στην παρούσα διατριβή το πλαίσιο λειτουργίας του θρησκευτικού στοιχείου αποδεχόμαστε την ύπαρξή του, ενώ οι φιλοσοφικοί όροι στους οποίους εστιάσαμε είναι η έννοια του θείου,της ηθικής,της μεταφυσικής, του μυστικού και του σολιψισμού.Συμπερασματικά στα έργα του φιλοσόφου αναζητείται η απόδοση νοήματος μέσω ενός κώδικα με σκοπό τη "θεραπεία" της γλώσσας από τα μεταφυσικά ερωτήματα γνωστά ως ψευδοπροβλήματα.
In Memorium: The Contribution of Dr. Arthur Wesley Cragg
Authors: Schwartz Mark
Published: June 2021

The author comments on two journal articles authored by his former PhD supervisor, Dr. Arthur Wesley Cragg.
Parameterized Algorithms for Power-Efficiently Connecting Wireless Sensor Networks: Theory and Experiments
Authors: Bentert Matthias , van Bevern René , Nichterlein André , Niedermeier Rolf , Smirnov Pavel V.
Published: June 2021

We study a problem of energy-efficiently connecting a symmetric wireless communication network: given an n-vertex graph with edge weights, find a connected spanning subgraph of minimum cost, where the cost is determined by each vertex paying the heaviest edge incident to it in the subgraph. The problem is known to be NP-hard. Strengthening this hardness result, we show that even o(log n)-approximating the difference d between the optimal solution cost and a natural lower bound is NP-hard. Moreover, we show that under the exponential time hypothesis, there are no exact algorithms running in 2o(n) time or in [Formula: see text] time for any computable function f. We also show that the special case of connecting c network components with minimum additional cost generally cannot be polynomial-time reduced to instances of size cO(1) unless the polynomial-time hierarchy collapses. On the positive side, we provide an algorithm that reconnects O(log n)-connected components with minimum additional cost in polynomial time. These algorithms are motivated by application scenarios of monitoring areas or where an existing sensor network may fall apart into several connected components because of sensor faults. In experiments, the algorithm outperforms CPLEX with known integer linear programming (ILP) formulations when n is sufficiently large compared with c.

Summary of Contribution: Wireless sensor networks are used to monitor air pollution, water pollution, and machine health; in forest fire and landslide detection; and in natural disaster prevention. Sensors in wireless sensor networks are often battery-powered and disposable, so one may be interested in lowering the energy consumption of the sensors in order to achieve a long lifetime of the network. We study the min-power symmetric connectivity problem, which models the task of assigning transmission powers to sensors so as to achieve a connected communication network with minimum total power consumption. The problem is NP-hard. We provide perhaps the first parameterized complexity study of optimal and approximate solutions for the problem. Our algorithms work in polynomial time in the scenario where one has to reconnect a sensor network with n sensors and O(log n)-connected components by means of a minimum transmission power increase or if one can find transmission power lower bounds that already yield a network with O(log n)-connected components. In experiments, we show that, in this scenario, our algorithms outperform previously known exact algorithms based on ILP formulations.
Do Electronic Health Record Systems Increase Medicare Reimbursements? The Moderating Effect of the Recovery Audit Program
Authors: Ganju Kartik K. , Atasoy Hilal , Pavlou Paul A.
Published: June 2021

Electronic health record (EHR) systems allow physicians to automate the process of entering patient data relative to manual entry in traditional paper-based records. However, such automated data entry can lead to increased reimbursement requests by hospitals from Medicare by overstating the complexity of patients. The EHR module that has been alleged to increase reimbursements is the Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE) system, which populates patient charts with default templates and allows physicians to copy and paste data from previous charts of the patient and other patients’ records. To combat increased reimbursements by hospitals from Medicare, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services implemented the Recovery Audit Program first as a pilot in six states between 2005 and 2009 and then, nationwide in the entire United States in 2010. We examine whether the adoption of CPOE systems by hospitals is associated with an increase in reported patient complexity and if the Recovery Audit Program helped to attenuate this relationship. We find that the adoption of CPOE systems significantly increases patient complexity reported by hospitals, corresponding to an estimate of $1 billion increase in Medicare reimbursements per year. This increase was attenuated when hospitals were regulated by the Recovery Audit Program. Notably, those recovery auditors who developed the ability to identify the use of default templates, copied and pasted data, and cloned records were the most effective in reducing increased reimbursements. These findings have implications on how to combat Medicare reimbursements paid by taxpayer dollars with the Recovery Audit Program and how this information technology (IT) audit can prevent the misuse of information systems to create artificial business value of IT by hospitals. Contributions to information systems and healthcare research, practice, and public policy are discussed.

This paper was accepted by Chris Forman, information systems.
Interplay of Rhizobial Inoculants and Fungicide on Chickpea (Cicer Arietinum) and Faba Bean (Vicia Faba L.) Nodulation and Seed Yield in Central Ethiopian Highland
Authors: Ygrem Abere Mnalku , Benti Getahun Mitiku
Published: June 2021

Field and green house experiments were conducted on faba bean and chickpea during 2016-2017 to investigate the effect of fungicides and rhizobial inoculant interaction on nodulation and biomass accumulation of chickpea under Vertisol condition and (ii) faba bean under Nitisol condition. Chickpea seed was treated with Apron Star, Imidalm and both, and co-dressed with EAL-029 rhizobia simultaneously or a week later. Likewise, in one of the two sets, faba bean seed was treated with Apron Star and simultaneously dressed with FB-1017 or FB-1035 rhizobial strain. The other set had the same strains as pre inoculant and sprayed with Mancozeb at 30th day after sowing. Sole inoculants and N (faba bean) were used as check. The application rates of Apron Star, Imidalm, and inoculant were 2.5, 0.75, and 3.12 g kg-1 of seed while for Mancozeb is 2.5kg/ha. All treatments were replicated 4x and laid in RCB design. The result generally depicted that Apron Star application was compatible to EAL-029 rhizobia on chickpea. Staggered dressing of Apron Star and EAL-029 had better chickpea shoot dry matter accumulation. With regards to faba bean, co-dressing of Apron Star with FB-1017 or FB-1035 produced the highest nodulation. This confirmed the synergy of Apron Star with FB-1017 on Nitisol of central high land of Ethiopia. Moreover, spraying mancozeb on the 30th day after sowing to FB-1017 or FB-1035 preinoculated faba bean plant showed enhanced seed yield on Nitisol.
Productivity Improvement of Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) through Elite Rhizobial Inoculants in the Central Highlands of Ethiopia
Authors: Mekonnen Mulugeta , Mnalku Abere
Published: June 2021

This study envisioned to assess the inoculation response of faba bean to six indigenous rhizobial isolates, 100 kg ha-1 DAP as a positive control and non-inoculated negative control under farmers’ field conditions at Welmera district, Ethiopia. The results revealed the presence of significantly different treatments (p ≤ 0.05) in grain yield. The highest grain yields (3966 kg ha-1and 3694 kg ha-1) were obtained from inoculation of rhizobial isolates (FB-AR-13 and FB-1018) during the 2019/20 and 2020/21 cropping seasons. Based on the two successive year’s average grain yield response, FB-AR-13 (3966 kg ha-1) became the first most performing isolate. The partial budget analysis results also showed that FB-AR-13 was the most promising isolate that showed a higher MRR 6422 %, which is 43% higher than the MRR of the local standard check FB-1018. Therefore, isolate FB-AR-13 is the best promising candidate for the development of commercial faba bean rhizobial inoculant in the central high lands of Ethiopia after further verification over different farmers' fields at different agro-ecologies.
CPD: Five things schools should…
Authors: Cunningham Maria
Published: June 2021

Are you planning next year's CPD programme for your school/s? Maria Cunningham suggests five things the evidence says you should leave out
Apple Disease Recognition Based on Small-scale Data Sets
Authors: Song Chenyong , Wang Dongwei , Bai Haoran , Sun Weihao
Published: June 2021

Highlights

The proposed data enhancement method can be used for small-scale data sets with rich sample image features.

The accuracy of the new model reaches 98.5%, which is better than the traditional CNN method.

Abstract: GoogLeNet offers far better performance in identifying apple disease compared to traditional methods. However, the complexity of GoogLeNet is relatively high. For small volumes of data, GoogLeNet does not achieve the same performance as it does with large-scale data. We propose a new apple disease identification model using GoogLeNet’s inception module. The model adopts a variety of methods to optimize its generalization ability. First, geometric transformation and image modification of data enhancement methods (including rotation, scaling, noise interference, random elimination, color space enhancement) and random probability and appropriate combination of strategies are used to amplify the data set. Second, we employ a deep convolution generative adversarial network (DCGAN) to enhance the richness of generated images by increasing the diversity of the noise distribution of the generator. Finally, we optimize the GoogLeNet model structure to reduce model complexity and model parameters, making it more suitable for identifying apple tree diseases. The experimental results show that our approach quickly detects and classifies apple diseases including rust, spotted leaf disease, and anthrax. It outperforms the original GoogLeNet in recognition accuracy and model size, with identification accuracy reaching 98.5%, making it a feasible method for apple disease classification. Keywords: Apple disease identification, Data enhancement, DCGAN, GoogLeNet.
Diffuse optical tomography by simulated annealing via a spin
Hamiltonian
Authors: Jiang Yu , Machida Manabu , Todoroki Norikazu
Published: June 2021

Diffuse optical tomography (DOT) is an imaging modality that uses near-infrared light. Although iterative numerical schemes are commonly used for its inverse problem, correct solutions are not obtained unless good initial guesses are chosen. We propose a numerical scheme of DOT, which works even when good initial guesses of optical parameters are not available. We use simulated annealing (SA), which is a method of the Markov-chain Monte Carlo. To implement SA for DOT, a spin Hamiltonian is introduced in the cost function, and the Metropolis algorithm or single-component Metropolis–Hastings algorithm is used. By numerical experiments, it is shown that an initial random spin configuration is brought to a converged configuration by SA, and targets in the medium are reconstructed. The proposed numerical method solves the inverse problem for DOT by finding the ground state of a spin Hamiltonian with SA.
Photography-based real-time long-wave infrared scattering estimation technique
Authors: Luo Tianqi , Lin Di , Mah Merlin , Hashemi Connor , Leger James R. , Talghader Joseph J.
Published: June 2021

The scattered light distribution of surfaces in the long-wave infrared (λ∼8−12µm) is measured using a small set of thermal camera images. This method can extract scatter patterns considerably faster than standard laboratory bidirectional reflectance distribution function measurements and is appropriate for passive homogeneous surfaces. Specifically, six images are used in this study, each taken with respect to a thermal light source at an angle ranging from 10° to 60° to the normal of the surface. This data is deconvolved with the shape of the light source to estimate the scattering pattern. Both highly specular (black Masonite) and diffuse (painted drywall) surfaces are tested. Errors between the estimated scattering distribution and a directly measured one using a goniometer stage and quantum-cascade laser (QCL) are less than or equal to 3% except for extremely specular surfaces where viable QCL measurements cannot be made due to the increased relative contribution of speckle noise.
Optical forces on a cylinder induced by surface waves and the conservation of the canonical momentum of light
Authors: Wang Neng , Zhang Ruo-Yang , Wang Shubo , Wang Guo Ping , Chan C. T.
Published: June 2021

Based on rigorous derivations using the electromagnetic energy-momentum tensor, we established a generic relationship between the longitudinal optical force (along the surface wave propagating direction) on a cylinder induced by surface waves and the energy flux of each surface mode supported on the interface between air and a lossless substrate possessing continuous translational symmetry along the longitudinal direction. The longitudinal optical force is completely attributed to the canonical momentum of light. Our theory is valid for generic types of surface waves and lays the theoretical foundation for the research and applications of optical manipulations by surface waves.
Two-step maskless fabrication of compound fork-shaped gratings in nanomultilayer structures based on chalcogenide glasses
Authors: Porfirev Alexey , Khonina Svetlana , Meshalkin Alexei , Ivliev Nikolay , Achimova Elena , Abashkin Vladimir , Prisacar Alexandr , Podlipnov Vladimir
Published: June 2021

We demonstrate an easy two-step maskless method for the fabrication of so-called compound fork-shaped gratings in nanomultilayer structures (NMLSs) based on chalcogenide glasses. Such elements allow one to generate different configurations of optical vortex (OV) beams with given topological charges (TCs). The used NMLS is particularly interesting because it enables one to realize the direct one-step writing of the surface relief without selective etching. We show that it is possible to control TCs of the generated OV beam arrays, their locations, and intensity. The proposed approach can easily be adapted to the fabrication of compound diffractive gratings performing the desired one- and two-dimensional generation and splitting of other structured laser beams.
Multiport all-logic optical switch based on thermally altered light paths in a multimode waveguide
Authors: Dang Zhangqi , Chen Tao , Ding Zhenming , Liu Zexu , Zhang Xiaodong , Jiang Xinhong , Zhang Ziyang
Published: June 2021

A generic multiport optical switch capable of generating all-logic outputs is demonstrated by altering the mode profiles and propagation characteristics in a multimode waveguide through a combination of microheaters. The principles and design rules are introduced. As proof of concept, a 3-bit all-logic switch is fabricated on a polymer waveguide platform. The experimental results are in good agreement with the simulations based on a heat solver and the eigenmode expansion method. The device shows polarization insensitive and colorless operation from 1520 to 1600 nm with an extinction ratio between “On” and “Off” states larger than 11.9 dB in all cases. The maximum heat power is 43.9 mW (for (1, 0, 0) state). The simple, compact, and easily scalable device can be used to construct

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switch networks, showing promising applications in on-chip photonic signal processing and computation.
Small-scale integrated farming systems can abate continental-scale nutrient leakage
Authors: Eshel Gidon
Published: June 2021

Beef is the most resource intensive of all commonly used food items. Disproportionate synthetic fertilizer use during beef production propels a vigorous one-way factory-to-ocean nutrient flux, which alternative agriculture models strive to rectify by enhancing in-farm biogeochemical cycling. Livestock, especially cattle, are central to these models, which advocates describe as the context most likely to overcome beef’s environmental liabilities. Yet the dietary potential of such models is currently poorly known. Here, I thus ask whether nitrogen-sparing agriculture (NSA) can offer a viable alternative to the current US food system. Focusing on the most common eutrophication-causing element, N, I devise a specific model of mixed-use NSA comprising numerous small farms producing human plant-based food and forage, the latter feeding a core intensive beef operation that forgoes synthetic fertilizer and relies only on locally produced manure and N fixers. Assuming the model is deployed throughout the high-quality, precipitation-rich US cropland (delimiting approximately 100 million ha, less than half of today’s agricultural land use) and neglecting potential macroeconomic obstacles to wide deployment, I find that NSA could produce a diverse, high-quality nationwide diet distinctly better than today’s mean US diet. The model also permits 70%–80% of today’s beef consumption, raises today’s protein delivery by 5%–40%, and averts approximately 60% of today’s fertilizer use and approximately 10% of today’s total greenhouse gas emissions. As defined here, NSA is thus potentially a viable, scalable environmentally superior alternative to the current US food system, but only when combined with the commitment to substantially enhance our reliance on plant food.
Automated phenotyping of mosquito larvae enables high-throughput screening for novel larvicides and offers potential for smartphone-based detection of larval insecticide resistance
Authors: Buckingham Steven D. , Partridge Frederick A. , Poulton Beth C. , Miller Benjamin S. , McKendry Rachel A. , Lycett Gareth J. , Sattelle David B.
Published: June 2021

Pyrethroid-impregnated nets have contributed significantly to halving the burden of malaria but resistance threatens their future efficacy and the pipeline of new insecticides is short. Here we report that an invertebrate automated phenotyping platform (INVAPP), combined with the algorithm Paragon, provides a robust system for measuring larval motility in Anopheles gambiae (and An. coluzzi) as well as Aedes aegypti with the capacity for high-throughput screening for new larvicides. By this means, we reliably quantified both time- and concentration-dependent actions of chemical insecticides faster than using the WHO standard larval assay. We illustrate the effectiveness of the system using an established larvicide (temephos) and demonstrate its capacity for library-scale chemical screening using the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) Pathogen Box library. As a proof-of-principle, this library screen identified a compound, subsequently confirmed to be tolfenpyrad, as an effective larvicide. We have also used the INVAPP / Paragon system to compare responses in larvae derived from WHO classified deltamethrin resistant and sensitive mosquitoes. We show how this approach to monitoring larval response to insecticides can be adapted for use with a smartphone camera application and therefore has potential for further development as a simple portable field-assay with associated real-time, geo-located information to identify hotspots.
Short Report: Adult Aedes abundance and risk of dengue transmission
Authors: Ong Janet , Aik Joel , Ng Lee Ching
Published: June 2021

Dengue is transmitted mainly by the adult female Aedes aegypti mosquito. However, little is known about the impact of adult Aedes abundance on the risk of dengue transmission. Here we analysed nationally representative dengue case and vector surveillance data collected from Singapore, to determine the effect of adult Aedes abundance on the risk of dengue transmission. A case was an area with active dengue transmission as indicated by the presence of dengue cluster. A control was an area where no dengue cluster was reported. Using multivariate logistic regression, we analysed 88 cases and 602 controls and estimated the odds of dengue cluster formation at various adult Aedes abundance levels, estimated by the mean number of adult female Aedes per Gravitrap per week and categorised into Low, Moderate, High and Very High abundance level. We found that the risk of dengue cluster formation was positively associated with adult Ae. aegypti abundance. We observed a three to four-fold increase in the odds of dengue clusters forming in areas with High (AOR: 3.40, 95% CI: 2.09, 5.52) and Very High (AOR: 3.99, 95% CI: 2.46, 6.46) adult Aedes aegypti abundance level compared to those with low Ae. aegypti abundance level. Our study strengthens the evidence for the use of adult Aedes indices for dengue risk assessment and early warning for dengue outbreaks. Entomological indicators of adult Ae. aegypti could be used to anticipate and prioritize areas for dengue control.