bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advancing reliability assessments of photovoltaic modules and materials using combined‐accelerated stress testing
Authors: Owen‐Bellini Michael , Hacke Peter , Miller David C. , Kempe Michael D. , Spataru Sergiu , Tanahashi Tadanori , Mitterhofer Stefan , Jankovec Marko , Topič Marko
Published: September 2020

Previously undiscovered failure modes in photovoltaic (PV) modules continue to emerge in field installations despite passing protocols for design qualification and quality assurance. Failure to detect these modes prior to widespread use could be attributed to the limitations of present‐day standard accelerated stress tests (ASTs), which are primarily designed to identify known degradation or failure modes at the time of development by applying simultaneous or sequential stress factors (usually two at most). Here, we introduce an accelerated testing method known as the combined‐accelerated stress test (C‐AST), which simultaneously combines multiple stress factors of the natural environment. Simultaneous combination of multiple stress factors allows for improved identification of failure modes with better ability to detect modes not known a priori. A demonstration experiment was conducted that reproduced the field‐observed cracking of polyamide‐ (PA‐) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)–based backsheet films, a failure mode that was not detected by current design qualification and quality assurance testing requirements. In this work, a two‐phase testing protocol was implemented. The first cycle (“Tropical”) is a predominantly high‐humidity and high‐temperature test designed to replicate harsh tropical climates. The second cycle (“Multi‐season”) was designed to replicate drier and more temperate conditions found in continental or desert climates. Testing was conducted on 2 × 2‐cell crystalline‐silicon cell miniature modules constructed with both ultraviolet (UV)–transmitting and UV‐blocking encapsulants. Cracking failures were observed within a cumulative 120 days of the Tropical condition for one of the PA‐based backsheets and after 84 days of Tropical cycle followed by 42 days of the Multi‐season cycle for the PVDF‐based backsheet, which are both consistent with failures seen in fielded modules. In addition to backsheet cracking, degradation modes were observed including solder/interconnect fatigue, various light‐induced degradation modes, backsheet delamination, discoloration, corrosion, and cell cracking. The ability to simultaneously apply multiple stress factors may allow many of the test sequences within the standardized design qualification procedure to be performed using a single test setup.
Hydrogen bond mediated self‐assembly of two diblock copolymers
Authors: Anderson Eric R. , Daga Vikram K. , Gido Samuel P. , Watkins James J.
Published: September 2020

Two chemically dissimilar diblock copolymers, polybutadiene‐b‐poly(acrylic acid), PBd‐b‐PAA (Mw = 5.8–4 kg mol−1) and poly(styrene)‐b‐poly(ethylene oxide), PS‐b‐PEO (Mw = 9–5 kg mol−1) were blended in an effort to achieve morphologies typical of triblock copolymers. Blend compatibility was achieved by the hydrogen bond driven association of the PAA block of one diblock with the PEO block of the other. Small angle X‐ray scattering was used to determine the morphologies of the compositions, which were further investigated using transmission electron microscopy and selective staining techniques. The crystallinity of the PEO block was determined by differential scanning calorimetry. The hydrogen bond interactions between PEO and PAA yielded a complex triblock lamellar morphology of the form PS‐b‐(PEO/PAA)‐b‐PBd‐b‐(PEO/PAA). This morphology was stable when crystallization of PEO was suppressed by sufficient interaction with PAA.
Suppression of Electron Trapping in MAPbI3 Perovskite by Sr2+ Doping
Authors: Jasiūnas Rokas , Gegevičius Rokas , Franckevičius Marius , Phung Nga , Abate Antonio , Gulbinas Vidmantas
Published: September 2020

Perovskite‐based solar cells currently are one of the most rapidly developing fields in solar photovoltaics. Chemical doping of perovskites with foreign atoms is a promising way to tailor material properties toward improving the performance and stability of solar cells. Herein, efficiency enhancement of planar MAPbI3 perovskite solar cells by doping them with 0.1–5% Sr2+ is discussed. A small amount (<1%) of Sr2+ added to the perovskite improves the Voc by ≈80 mV and consequently increases the power conversion efficiency (PCE) from 16.8% to 17.8%. Using transient photoluminescence, transient photocurrent, and time‐delayed collection field measurements, it is demonstrated that Sr2+ additives reduce the trap density and increase the perovskite photoluminescence lifetime. However, reaching ≈1% concentration, Sr2+ additives create additional carrier traps, which cause fast photoluminescence quenching and slow carrier recombination.
Hispidulin: A novel natural compound with therapeutic potential against human cancers
Authors: Ashaq Aisha , Maqbool Muhammad F. , Maryam Amara , Khan Muhammad , Shakir Hafiz A. , Irfan Muhammad , Qazi Javed I. , Li Yongming , Ma Tonghui
Published: September 2020

Cancer is one of the most devastating disease and leading cause of death worldwide. The conventional anticancer drugs are monotarget, toxic, expensive and suffer from drug resistance. Development of multi‐targeted drugs from natural products has emerged as a new paradigm to overcome aforementioned conventionally encountered obstacles. Hispidulin (HIS), is a biologically active natural flavone with versatile biological and pharmacological activities. The anticancer, antimutagenic, antioxidative and anti‐inflammatory properties of HIS have been reported. The aim of this review is to summarize the findings of several studies over the last few decades on the anticancer activity of HIS published in various databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. HIS has been shown to reduce the growth of cancer cells by inducing apoptosis, arresting cell cycle, inhibiting angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis via modulating multiple signaling pathways implicated in cancer initiation and progression. Multitargeted anticancer activity of HIS remains the strongest point for developing it into potential anticancer drug. We also highlighted the natural sources, anticancer mechanism, cellular targets, and chemo‐sensitizing potential of HIS. This review will provide bases for design and conduct of further pre‐clinical and clinical trials to develop HIS into a lead structure for future anticancer therapy.
Comparison of robotic‐assisted versus conventional unicompartmental knee arthroplasty for the treatment of single compartment knee osteoarthritis: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhang Pei , Xu Keteng , Zhang Jiale , Chen Pengtao , Fang Yongchao , Wang Jingcheng
Published: September 2020

Background

The robotic‐assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is proposed to improve the accuracy of component positioning.

Methods

We conducted a literature search in Medline, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library until April 2020.

Results

Our meta‐analysis included 10 articles, involving 1231 knees. Our meta‐analysis demonstrated that the robotic group had significantly better results in outliers of limb alignment (p < 0.001) and outliers of tibial alignment (p < 0.001). No statistical differences were found in the American Knee Society Score (p = 0.63), range of motion (p = 0.93), pain (p = 0.27), rate of revisions (p = 0.73) and rate of complications (p = 0.67).

Conclusions

Robotic‐assisted UKA has better component position accuracy compared with conventional UKA. But there was no significant difference in clinical results. In order to further evaluate the utility of robotic‐assisted UKA, long‐term follow‐up randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed, as well as studies to evaluate the correlation between postoperative alignment and long‐term clinical results.
Investigation of immune cells on elimination of pulmonary‐Infected COVID‐19 and important role of innate immunity, phagocytes
Authors: Farshi Esmaeil , Kasmapur Bahram , Arad Anya
Published: September 2020

We identified types of immune cells that contribute to clearing COVID‐19 during the acute phase of the infection in mouse model and human. Our results suggest that both innate and adaptive immune responses are essential for controlling COVID‐19 infection. Mild infection report of children by COVID‐19 comparing adults' infection causes conclusion of higher resistance of immune system of children comparing adults. Our results show innate immune system including phagocytes contribute severely to the elimination of COVID‐19 in both mouse model and human. Our results also show the elimination of COVID‐19 required the activation of B cells by CD4+ T cells. CD4+ T cells play an important role in elimination of COVID‐19 in primary effection. We measured IgM and IgG in all patients including adults and kids (human) and found IgM and IgG in kids patients are much higher than other adults patients. It causes production of much more natural antibodies in kids' bodies to protect them against COVID‐19 that shows reason of mild effection of kids comparing adults. Our observations have important ramifications for the development of novel vaccination and medicine strategies to alleviate COVID‐19. The most important result is for producing any vaccine for COVID‐19, increasing and producing these factors must be included: (a) Phagocytes (IgM and IgG), (b) T Cells, and (c) White Cells.
Adaptive and maladaptive forms of disengagement coping in caregivers of children with chronic illnesses
Authors: Waugh Christian E. , Leslie‐Miller Calissa J. , Shing Elaine Z. , Furr R. Michael , Nightingale Chandylen L. , McLean Thomas W.
Published: September 2020

Caregivers of children with chronic illnesses experience elevated stress and reduced self‐care. Although self‐care can be beneficial, it is a form of disengagement coping, disengaging from the stressor to try and feel better, which has been characterized as a maladaptive coping strategy. In this study, we test the formulation that avoidance, avoiding the stressor and any thoughts related to it, is a maladaptive disengagement coping strategy, whereas distraction, taking a break from the stressor to do something pleasant, is an adaptive disengagement coping strategy. We assessed these strategies as well as psychosocial outcomes and trait predictors in caregivers of children with chronic illnesses. Results showed that those high in avoidance coping reported lower well‐being, higher depression and higher stress. Alternatively, when controlling for avoidance, those high in distraction reported higher well‐being, lower depression and lower stress. In addition, distraction exhibited strong relationships to increased positive emotions during caregiving situations and was associated with positive personality traits. These results suggest that not all disengagement coping strategies are equal; although avoidance may be a maladaptive strategy, distraction can be an effective positive emotional strategy for coping with the chronic stress of caregiving for a child with a chronic illness.
Lead‐Free Dual‐Phase Halide Perovskites for Preconditioned Conducting‐Bridge Memory
Authors: Han Ji Su , Le Quyet Van , Kim Hyojung , Lee Yoon Jung , Lee Da Eun , Im In Hyuk , Lee Min Kyung , Kim Seung Ju , Kim Jaehyun , Kwak Kyung Ju , Choi Min‐Ju , Lee Sol A , Hong Kootak , Kim Soo Young , Jang Ho Won
Published: September 2020

Organometallic and all‐inorganic halide perovskites (HPs) have recently emerged as promising candidate materials for resistive switching (RS) nonvolatile memory due to their current–voltage hysteresis caused by fast ion migration. Lead‐free and all‐inorganic HPs have been researched for non‐toxic and environmentally friendly RS memory devices. However, only HP‐based devices with electrochemically active top electrode (TE) exhibit ultra‐low operating voltages and high on/off ratio RS properties. The active TE easily reacts to halide ions in HP films, and the devices have a low device durability. Herein, RS memory devices based on an air‐stable lead‐free all‐inorganic dual‐phase HP (AgBi2I7‐Cs3Bi2I9) are successfully fabricated with inert metal electrodes. The devices with Au TE show filamentary RS behavior by conducting‐bridge involving Ag cations in HPs with ultra‐low operating voltages (<0.15 V), high on/off ratio (>107), multilevel data storage, and long retention times (>5 × 104 s). The use of a closed‐loop pulse switching method improves reversible RS properties up to 103 cycles with high on/off ratio above 106. With an extremely small bending radius of 1 mm, the devices are operable with reasonable RS characteristics. This work provides a promising material strategy for lead‐free all‐inorganic HP‐based nonvolatile memory devices for practical applications.
Ameliorative effect of ferruginol on isoprenaline hydrochloride‐induced myocardial infarction in rats
Authors: Zhang Xudong , Li Xiaojiang , Wang Chunlan , Li Haijun , Wang Lijun , Chen Yu , Feng Jingbin , Ali Alharbi Sulaiman , Deng Yue
Published: September 2020

Cardiovascular‐related diseases continue to be a leading cause of death globally. Among ischemic‐induced cardiac diseases, myocardial infarction (MI) is reported to be of an alarming value. Despite numerous improvements in the medical intrusions, still this armamentarium fails to be effective in managing the illness without setbacks. Ferruginol (FGL) is a major polyphenols and terpenoids with numerous pharmacological activities including antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory. Following, this work was aimed to explore the cardio protective effect of FGL (50 mg/kg) in isoprenaline hydrochloride (ISO)‐induced MI in experimental rats. After treatment with FGL in ISO‐induced MI in rats, noticeable changes were observed in the experimental rats. Injection of ISO to rats resulted in the augmented cardiac weight, serum cardiac markers (creatine kinase, creatine kinase‐MB, cardiac troponin T, and Cardiac troponin I), lipid peroxidation end products (thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substance and lipid hydroperoxides), reduced endogenous antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione), reduced ATPase activity, and escalated pro‐inflammatory cytokines (interleukin‐6, tumor necrosis factor‐α, and nuclear factor‐κB) levels. Interestingly, the FGL supplementation to the ISO‐treated rats revealed the diminished heart weight, reduced cardiac markers, and lipid peroxidation. FGL also possessed the improved antioxidants status and diminished pro‐inflammatory mediator levels. The outcomes of histological analysis also evidenced the cardio protective role of FGL. Treatment with FGL reduced the cardiac damage biomarkers maintained to near normal levels in ISO‐induced rats. These study findings disclose the prospective capability of FGL in the treatment of MI in the future.
Jet substructure from dark sector showers
Authors: Cohen Timothy , Doss Joel , Freytsis Marat
Published: September 2020

Abstract

We examine the robustness of collider phenomenology predictions for a dark sector scenario with QCD-like properties. Pair production of dark quarks at the LHC can result in a wide variety of signatures, depending on the details of the new physics model. A particularly challenging signal results when prompt production induces a parton shower that yields a high multiplicity of collimated dark hadrons with subsequent decays to Standard Model hadrons. The final states contain jets whose substructure encodes their non-QCD origin. This is a relatively subtle signature of strongly coupled beyond the Standard Model dynamics, and thus it is crucial that analyses incorporate systematic errors to account for the approximations that are being made when modeling the signal. We estimate theoretical uncertainties for a canonical substructure observable designed to be sensitive to the gauge structure of the underlying object, the two-point energy correlator $$ {e}_2^{\left(\beta \right)} $$

e
2

β

, by computing envelopes between resummed analytic distributions and numerical results from Pythia. We explore the separability against the QCD background as the confinement scale, number of colors, number of flavors, and dark quark masses are varied. Additionally, we investigate the uncertainties inherent to modeling dark sector hadronization. Simple estimates are provided that quantify one’s ability to distinguish these dark sector jets from the overwhelming QCD background. Such a search would benefit from theory advances to improve the predictions, and the increase in statistics using the data to be collected at the high luminosity LHC.
The neutrino Casimir force
Authors: Costantino Alexandria , Fichet Sylvain
Published: September 2020

Abstract

In the low energy effective theory of the weak interaction, a macroscopic force arises when pairs of neutrinos are exchanged. We calculate the neutrino Casimir force between plates, allowing for two different mass eigenstates within the loop. We also provide the general potential between point sources. We discuss the possibility of distinguishing whether neutrinos are Majorana or Dirac fermions using these quantum forces.
Recidivism at the puerto rico trauma hospital
Authors: Suárez-Cruz Adriana , Ramos-Meléndez Ediel O. , Nieves-Plaza Mariely , Guerrios Lourdes , Rodríguez-Ortiz Pablo
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Although trauma represents a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, there is limited and heterogeneous evidence regarding trauma recidivism and its outcomes. This analysis determined the rate and independent risk factors of trauma recidivism and compared the first and second injury episode among recidivists.

Methods

An IRB-approved retrospective cohort study was performed with data from the Puerto Rico Trauma Hospital Registry. Bivariate analyses were done using Pearson’s Chi squared, Wilcoxon rank-sum, McNemar, Stuart-Maxwell or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, as appropriate. Independent predictors for recidivism were determined through a logistic regression model. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results

24,650 patients were admitted to the hospital during 2000–2017. Recidivism rate was 14 per 1,000 patients discharged alive. Males and individuals aged 15–24 years old were 3.88 (95% CI: 2.21–6.80) and 3.80 (95% CI: 2.24–6.46) times more likely to be recidivists, respectively. Contrariwise, an ISS $$\ge$$
≥
25 [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.44; 95% CI: 0.28–0.68] and a GCS $$\le$$
≤
8 (AOR = 0.56; 95% CI 0.34–0.92) were protective factors. Furthermore, recidivists exhibited less in-hospital mortality than their non-recidivist counterparts (7.2% vs. 10.7%; p = 0.045).

For recidivists, the median (interquartile range) time to reinjury was 42 (59) months; and the second injury episode was more severe than the first one, as the proportion of patients with ISS $$\ge$$
≥
25 increased (7.9% vs. 14.1%; p = 0.022).

Conclusion

The independent predictors of trauma recidivism and the median time to reinjury identified in this study provide valuable information to the development of prevention strategies aimed at reducing the burden of injury.
Safety and effectiveness of coronary intravascular lithotripsy in eccentric calcified coronary lesions: a patient-level pooled analysis from the Disrupt CAD I and CAD II Studies
Authors: Blachutzik Florian , Honton Benjamin , Escaned Javier , Hill Jonathan M. , Werner Nikos , Banning Adrian P. , Lansky Alexandra J. , Schlattner Sophia , De Bruyne Bernard , Di Mario Carlo , Dörr Oliver , Hamm Christian , Nef Holger M.
Published: September 2020

Background

The aim of this study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) in treating eccentric calcified coronary lesions.

Methods

Between December 2015 and March 2019, 180 patients were enrolled in the Disrupt CAD I and CAD II studies across 19 sites in 10 countries. Patient-level data were pooled from these two studies (n = 180), within which 47 eccentric lesions (26%) and 133 concentric lesions were identified.

Results

Clinical success, defined as residual stenosis < 50% after stenting and no in-hospital MACE, was similar between the eccentric and concentric cohorts (93.6% vs. 93.2%,p = 1.0). There were no perforations, abrupt closure, slow flow or no reflow events observed in either group, and there were low rates of flow-limiting dissections (Grade D–F: 0% eccentric, 1.7% concentric;p = 0.54). Final acute gain and percent residual stenosis were similar between the two groups. Final residual stenosis of 8.6 ± 9.8% in eccentric and 10.0 ± 9.0% (p = 0.56) in concentric stenosis confirms the significant effect of IVL in calcified coronary lesions.

Conclusion

In this first report from a pooled patient-level analysis of coronary IVL from the Disrupt CAD I and CAD II studies, IVL use was associated with consistent improvement in procedural and clinical outcomes in both eccentric and concentric calcified lesions.
Besteht ein Zusammenhang zwischen der peripheren arteriellen Verschlusskrankheit und Parodontitis?
Authors: Aarabi G. , Jacobi N. , Kaschwich M. , Walther C. , Raedel M. , Debus E. S. , Larena-Avellaneda A. , Seedorf U. , Heydecke G. , Behrendt C.-A.
Published: September 2020

Die periphere arterielle Verschlusskrankheit (PAVK) ist die häufigste Durchblutungsstörung peripherer Gefäße. Die PAVK wird durch Risikofaktoren und Komorbiditäten, wie zum Beispiel Rauchen, Bluthochdruck, Dyslipidämie, Diabetes und chronische Niereninsuffizienz begünstigt. Epidemiologische Studien weisen allerdings auch darauf hin, dass zusätzlich die Parodontitis (PA) das Risiko für eine PAVK erhöhen kann. Die PA ist eine häufige, durch bakteriellen Biofilm ausgelöste, chronische Entzündung des Zahnhalteapparates. Parodontitis wird durch mangelhafte Mundhygiene, Rauchen und Diabetes begünstigt und die Prävalenz steigt mit dem Alter an. Beide Erkrankungen bzw. deren Symptome sind therapierbar, wenn die Behandlung frühzeitig einsetzt. Deshalb ist die Früherkennung besonders wichtig. Obwohl der Nachweis einer kausalen Rolle der PA für die Entstehung der PAVK noch aussteht, unterstützen die in diesem Artikel zusammengefassten Daten den Vorschlag einer interdisziplinären Zusammenarbeit zwischen Gefäß- und Zahnmedizinern. Es kann in der gefäßmedizinischen Praxis erwogen werden, PAVK-Patienten, unabhängig vom Stadium ihrer Erkrankung, zwecks Diagnose und Behandlung einer PA an Zahnärzt*innen zu verweisen. Umgekehrt sollten auch Zahnärzt*innen erwägen, Patienten, die an einer schweren Form der PA leiden, an Gefäßmediziner zu verweisen.
Non-porous organic crystals and their interaction with guest molecules from the gas phase
Authors: Casco Mirian Elizabeth , Krupp Felix , Grätz Sven , Schwenger Alexander , Damakoudi Vassiliki , Richert Clemens , Frey Wolfgang , Borchardt Lars
Published: September 2020

Some organic molecules encapsulate solvents upon crystallization. One class of compounds that shows a high propensity to form such crystalline solvates are tetraaryladamantanes (TAAs). Recently, tetrakis(dialkoxyphenyl)-adamantanes have been shown to encapsulate a wide range of guest molecules in their crystals, and to stabilize the guest molecules against undesired reactions. The term ‘encapsulating organic crystals’ (EnOCs) has been coined for these species. In this work, we studied the behavior of three TAAs upon exposition to different guest molecules by means of sorption technique. We firstly measured the vapor adsorption/desorption isotherms with water, tetrahydrofuran and toluene, and secondly, we studied the uptake of methane on dry and wet TAAs. Uptake of methane beyond one molar equivalent was detected for wet crystals, even though the materials showed a lack of porosity. Thus far, such behavior, which we ascribe to methane hydrate formation, had been described for porous non-crystalline materials or crystals with detectable porosity, not for non-porous organic crystals. Our results show that TAA crystals have interesting properties beyond the formation of conventional solvates. Gas-containing organic crystals may find application as reservoirs for gases that are difficult to encapsulate or are slow to form crystalline hydrates in the absence of a host compound.

Wet tetraaryladamantane crystals take up methane in form of methane hydrate structure I, even though they appear non-porous to argon.
Bark decomposition in white oak soil outperforms eastern hemlock soil, while bark type leads to consistent changes in soil microbial composition
Authors: Malik Rondy J. , Trexler Ryan V. , Eissenstat David M. , Bell Terrence H.
Published: September 2020

Bark decomposition is an underexamined component of soil carbon cycling and soil community assembly. Numerous studies have shown faster decomposition of leaf litter in “home” environments (i.e. within soil adjacent to the plant that produced the leaves), suggesting potential legacy effects from previous deposition of similar litter. This is expected to occur through, in part, accumulation of microorganisms that metabolize substrates the litter provides. Whether a similar “home-field advantage” (HFA) exists for bark decomposition is unknown, but this dynamic may differ because annual bark deposits to soil are minimal relative to leaf deposits. We hypothesized that (1) as with leaf litter, bark will be better decomposed near to the tree from which it was collected, and (2) that decomposing bark can initiate change in soil microbial composition. To test these hypotheses, we used a full factorial design that included two bark types (collected from eastern hemlock,Tsuga canadensis, and white oak,Quercus alba) and two soil types (‘home’ and ‘away’) within a temperate mixed hardwood forest at the Shale Hills Catchment in central Pennsylvania, USA. Bark was excised from 25 replicates of each tree type, buried in either home or away soil, and incubated belowground from July 2017 to June 2018. Decomposition was assessed through proportionate mass loss over time, while microbial composition in the bark and adjacent soil was assessed through high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene and fungal ITS fragments. Overall, bark degraded faster in white oak soils, and there was also an effect of bark type on decomposition. Although white oak bark decomposed more quickly in its home environment, this could be due to either soil conditioning or inherent differences in the soils in which each species grows. Soil microbial assemblages also sorted according to bark type rather than soil type, suggesting that bark strongly influences the composition of nearby microorganisms during decomposition. Our results suggest that both bark type and soil type are important factors during bark decomposition, but our findings suggest no clear evidence for HFA.
The prognostic and predictive role of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and the monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio in early breast cancer, especially in the HER2+ subtype
Authors: Tiainen Satu , Rilla Kirsi , Hämäläinen Kirsi , Oikari Sanna , Auvinen Päivi
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic impact of two systemic inflammatory markers, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and their possible predictive role regarding the efficacy of adjuvant trastuzumab, in 209 early breast cancer cases, 107 of which were HER2-positive.

Methods

Baseline NLR and MLR values were divided into two groups, high and low, according to cut-off-points determined from the ROC curve (2.2 for NLR and 0.22 for MLR). Cox’s model was utilized for survival analyses.

Results

High NLR and MLR correlated with poor overall survival (OS) and breast cancer specific survival (BCSS) among all the patients (p ≤ 0.030). Among the HER2+ patients whose adjuvant treatment did not include trastuzumab (n = 64), the survival rates were remarkably lower in patients with a high NLR as compared to those with low; 31% vs. 71% for OS and 42% vs. 74% for BCSS (p ≤ 0.014). Similarly, high MLR correlated with poor survival among these patients (p ≤ 0.020). On the contrary, among the patients who had received adjuvant trastuzumab (n = 43), NLR or MLR did not correlate with survival. Furthermore, trastuzumab was beneficial for the HER2+ patients with high NLR/MLR, while the survival of the HER2+ patients with low NLR/MLR was good irrespective if they received adjuvant trastuzumab.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that trastuzumab modulates the systemic inflammatory conditions and overcomes the poor prognostic impact of high NLR/MLR. This finding may also provide a rationale for combining trastuzumab with immuno-oncological treatments in HER2+ breast cancer.
Direct Current Cardioversion in Atrial Fibrillation Patients on Edoxaban Therapy Versus Vitamin K Antagonists: a Real-world Propensity Score–Matched Study
Authors: Rago Anna , Papa Andrea Antonio , Attena Emilio , Parisi Valentina , Golino Paolo , Nigro Gerardo , Russo Vincenzo
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of the present study was to compare the long-term effectiveness and safety of newly initiated anticoagulation with edoxaban (EDO) versus uninterrupted vitamin K antagonist (VKA) therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) scheduled for transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)-guided direct electrical current cardioversion (DCC).

Methods

A propensity score-matched cohort observational study was performed comparing the safety and effectiveness of edoxaban versus well-controlled VKA therapy among a cohort of consecutive non-valvular AF patients scheduled for DCC. The primary safety outcome was major bleeding. The primary efficacy outcome was the composite of stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), and systemic embolism (SE).

Findings

A total of 130 AF patients receiving edoxaban 60-mg (EDO) treatment were compared with the same number of VKA recipients. The cumulative incidence of major bleedings was 1.54% in the EDO group and 3.08% in the VKA group (P = 0.4). The cumulative incidence of thromboembolic events was 1.54% in the EDO group and 2.31% in the VKA group (P = 0.9). A non-significant trend in improved adherence was observed between the EDO and VKA groups with a total anticoagulant therapy discontinuation rate of 4.62% (6/130) vs 6.15% (8/130), respectively (P = 0.06).

Implications

Our study provides the evidence of a safe and effective use of edoxaban in this clinical setting, justified by no significant difference in major bleedings and thromboembolic events between edoxaban and well-controlled VKA treatments.
Past Wars in Present Stories: An Analysis of the Picturebook Vanishing Colors
Authors: Neraas Silje
Published: September 2020

In a time when war has forced a vast number of children to flee their homes, flight from war is an important and timely topic explored in a variety of ways in contemporary picturebooks. The Norwegian picturebook Fargene som forsvant (2017)—or Vanishing Colors (2019)—addresses the topic through the story of an unnamed girl’s experience of having to leave her home. Vanishing Colors does not shield the reader from the terrible harm war does to individuals; it examines the experience of losing one’s home and former life. By analysing the picturebook in light of the concept of cultural memory, this article explores Vanishing Colors’ use of intertextual and intervisual references to past narratives of war and flight. I examine these references as part of our “collective knowledge” (Assmann 1995, p. 132), which allows the picturebook to recount both the story of an individual and a collective experience of war and flight.
Issues on the use of a modified Bunch and Kaufman decomposition for large scale Newton’s equation
Authors: Caliciotti Andrea , Fasano Giovanni , Potra Florian , Roma Massimo
Published: September 2020

In this work, we deal with Truncated Newton methods for solving large scale (possibly nonconvex) unconstrained optimization problems. In particular, we consider the use of a modified Bunch and Kaufman factorization for solving the Newton equation, at each (outer) iteration of the method. The Bunch and Kaufman factorization of a tridiagonal matrix is an effective and stable matrix decomposition, which is well exploited in the widely adopted SYMMBK (Bunch and Kaufman in Math Comput 31:163–179, 1977; Chandra in Conjugate gradient methods for partial differential equations, vol 129, 1978; Conn et al. in Trust-region methods. MPS-SIAM series on optimization, Society for Industrial Mathematics, Philadelphia, 2000; HSL, A collection of Fortran codes for large scale scientific computation, http://www.hsl.rl.ac.uk/; Marcia in Appl Numer Math 58:449–458, 2008) routine. It can be used to provide conjugate directions, both in the case of $$1\times 1$$

1
×
1

and $$2\times 2$$

2
×
2

pivoting steps. The main drawback is that the resulting solution of Newton’s equation might not be gradient–related, in the case the objective function is nonconvex. Here we first focus on some theoretical properties, in order to ensure that at each iteration of the Truncated Newton method, the search direction obtained by using an adapted Bunch and Kaufman factorization is gradient–related. This allows to perform a standard Armijo-type linesearch procedure, using a bounded descent direction. Furthermore, the results of an extended numerical experience using large scale CUTEst problems is reported, showing the reliability and the efficiency of the proposed approach, both on convex and nonconvex problems.
Quality matters: how reflecting on the utility value of mathematics affects future teachers’ interest
Authors: Liebendörfer Michael , Schukajlow Stanislaw
Published: September 2020

Interest is a key motivational variable in higher mathematics education, yet there is a lack of theory-based interventions that are designed to increase interest. On the basis of the expectancy-value theory of achievement motivation, we investigated how reflecting on the utility value of mathematics affects interest. The current research was aimed at identifying effects and key characteristics of interest-fostering reflections. In a randomized controlled trial, N = 58 German preservice teachers were asked either to reflect on the utility value of mathematics or write a mathematical text. Interest was measured before and after the intervention. Unlike findings from prior studies, the path analysis did not reveal any effect of these reflections on interest. However, the quality of the reflections predicted future interest in addition to prior interest, indicating possible benefits of utility-value interventions. To better understand the underlying relation between reflections and interest, we performed an in-depth analysis of the quality of students’ reflections and presented characteristics of interest-fostering reflections.
Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine retinal safety concerns during COVID-19 outbreak
Authors: Nicolò Massimo , Ferro Desideri Lorenzo , Bassetti Matteo , Traverso Carlo Enrico
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been declared by the World Health Organization a global pandemic. Chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) have been largely adopted in the clinical setting for the management of SARS-CoV-2 infection; however, their known retinal toxicity has raised some safety concerns, especially considering the higher-dosage employed for COVID-19 patients as compared with their suggested posology for their usual indications, including systemic lupus erythematosus and other rheumatic diseases.

In this review, we will discuss the optimal dosages recommended for COVID-19 patients when treated with HCQ and CQ.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, Cochrane library, Embase and Scopus, by using the following search terms: "chloroquine retinal toxicity" and "hydroxychloroquine retinal toxicity" alone or in combination with "coronavirus", "COVID-19", " SARS-CoV-2 infection " from inception to August 2020.

Results

Although there is still no consistent evidence about HCQ/CQ retinal toxicity in patients with COVID-19, these possible drug-related retinal adverse events may represent a major safety concern. For this reason, appropriate screening strategies, including telemedicine, should be developed in the near future.

Conclusion

A possible future clinical perspective for patients with COVID-19 treated with HCQ/CQ could reside in the multidisciplinary collaboration between ophthalmologists monitoring the risk of HCQ/CQ-related retinal toxicity and those physicians treating COVID-19 infection.
Total Variation and Mean Curvature PDEs on the Homogeneous Space of Positions and Orientations
Authors: Smets Bart M. N. , Portegies Jim , St-Onge Etienne , Duits Remco
Published: September 2020

Two key ideas have greatly improved techniques for image enhancement and denoising: the lifting of image data to multi-orientation distributions and the application of nonlinear PDEs such as total variation flow (TVF) and mean curvature flow (MCF). These two ideas were recently combined by Chambolle and Pock (for TVF) and Citti et al. (for MCF) for two-dimensional images. In this work, we extend their approach to enhance and denoise images of arbitrary dimension, creating a unified geometric and algorithmic PDE framework, relying on (sub-)Riemannian geometry. In particular, we follow a different numerical approach, for which we prove convergence in the case of TVF by an application of Brezis–Komura gradient flow theory. Our framework also allows for additional data adaptation through the use of locally adaptive frames and coherence enhancement techniques. We apply TVF and MCF to the enhancement and denoising of elongated structures in 2D images via orientation scores and compare the results to Perona–Malik diffusion and BM3D. We also demonstrate our techniques in 3D in the denoising and enhancement of crossing fiber bundles in DW-MRI. In comparison with data-driven diffusions, we see a better preservation of bundle boundaries and angular sharpness in fiber orientation densities at crossings.
Facile synthesis of cubic cuprous oxide for electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide
Authors: Zeng Juqin , Castellino Micaela , Bejtka Katarzyna , Sacco Adriano , Di Martino Gaia , Farkhondehfal M. Amin , Chiodoni Angelica , Hernández Simelys , Pirri Candido F.
Published: September 2020

High level of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration is considered one of the main causes of global warming. Electrochemical conversion of CO2 into valuable chemicals and fuels has promising potential to be implemented into practical and sustainable devices. In order to efficiently realize this strategy, one of the biggest efforts has been focused on the design of catalysts which are inexpensive, active and selective and can be produced through green and up-scalable routes. In this work, copper-based materials are simply synthesized via microwave-assisted process and carefully characterized by physical/chemical/electrochemical techniques. Nanoparticle with a cupric oxide (CuO) surface as well as various cuprous oxide (Cu2O) cubes with different sizes is obtained and used for the CO2 reduction reaction. It is observed that the Cu2O-derived electrodes show enhanced activity and carbon monoxide (CO) selectivity compared to the CuO-derived one. Among various Cu2O catalysts, the one with the smallest cubes leads to the best CO selectivity of the electrode, attributed to a higher electrochemically active surface area. Under applied potentials, all Cu2O cubes undergo structural and morphological modification, even though the cubic shape is retained. The nanoclusters formed during the material evolution offer abundant and active reaction sites, leading to the high performance of the Cu2O-derived electrodes.

Graphic abstract
The Impact of a Brief Home-Based Intervention on Families with a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Mullan Audrey , Boyd Kerry , McConkey Roy
Published: September 2020

A brief intervention is described and evaluated that aimed to build and strengthen relationships for families of children diagnosed with ASD aged 12 and under. A particular focus was on socially disadvantaged parents. Parents were offered around five home visits which took place on weekdays during working hours; each lasting around 90 min. They were given individualised practical tools and support to manage their children’s behaviours alongside providing a listening ear to parents’ concerns. In all, 456 children and 427 families participated over a four-year period with a take-up rate of 87% of all referrals. The drop-out rate was low (4.5%) as was the proportion of missed and cancelled appointments. Parents’ satisfaction ratings were high and most found the number of sessions provided was ‘just right’. Children improved in their personal care, had less difficulty with change, showed less anger and had fewer meltdowns. Parents reported being less stressed, not feeling so down and managing their child better. The evaluations suggested that a brief home-based intervention is a viable and effective means of providing personalized, post-diagnostic support to parents at periodic intervals, although socially disadvantaged families may require additional assistance beyond managing their child’s ASD. The project also highlighted broader issues that impede effective support for families.
Does Losing on a Previous Betting Day Predict How Long it Takes to Return to the Next Session of Online Horse Race Betting?
Authors: Kainulainen Tuomo
Published: September 2020

This study examined how recent losses predict the frequency of play in online betting. Previous studies have suggested that players tend to decrease betting volume and consequently take on less risk after a losing session. We used a daily panel of actual gambling data and survival regression to investigate how incurring losses predicts the duration to the next betting day. Our main findings were that, after a losing betting day, a bettor typically abstained from betting for a 27% longer time than after a day he or she broke even. Further, we found that either untypically high wins or loses significantly predicted the amount of time to the next gambling event. This study adds to the gambling literature by presenting evidence on a reduction in betting activity following a losing session.
Spatial analysis for an evaluation of monitoring networks: examples from the Italian seismic and accelerometric networks
Authors: Siino Marianna , Scudero Salvatore , Greco Luca , D’Alessandro Antonino
Published: September 2020

In this work, we propose a statistical approach to evaluate the coverage of a network based on the spatial distribution of its nodes and the target information, including all those data related to the final objectives of the network itself. This statistical approach encompasses descriptive spatial statistics in combination with point pattern techniques. As case studies, we evaluate the spatial arrangements of the stations within the Italian National Seismic Network and the Italian Strong Motion Network. Seismic networks are essential tools for observing earthquakes and assessing seismic hazards, while strong motion (accelerometric) networks allow us to describe seismic shaking and to measure the expected effects on buildings and infrastructures. The capability of both networks is a function of an adequate number of optimally distributed stations. We compare the seismic network with the spatial distributions of historical and instrument seismicity and with the distribution of well-known seismogenic sources, and we compare the strong motion station distribution with seismic hazard maps and the population distribution. This simple and reliable methodological approach is able to provide quantitative information on the coverage of any type of network and is able to identify critical areas that require optimization and therefore address areas of future development.
There is no dilemma for conceptual engineering. Reply to Max Deutsch
Authors: Koch Steffen
Published: September 2020

Max Deutsch (in: Philosophical studies, online-first. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11098-020-01416-z, 2020) has recently argued that conceptual engineering is stuck in a dilemma. If it is construed as the activity of revising the semantic meanings of existing terms, then it faces an unsurmountable implementation problem. If, on the other hand, it is construed as the activity of introducing new technical terms, then it becomes trivial. According to Deutsch, this conclusion need not worry us, however, for conceptual engineering is ill-motivated to begin with. This paper responds to Deutsch by arguing, first, that there is a third construal of conceptual engineering, neglected by him, which renders it both implementable and non-trivial, and second, that even the more ambitious project of changing semantic meanings is no less feasible than other normative projects we currently pursue. Lastly, the value of conceptual engineering is defended against Deutsch’s objections.
The cultural evolution of mind-modelling
Authors: Moore Richard
Published: September 2020

I argue that uniquely human forms of ‘Theory of Mind’ (or ‘ToM’) are a product of cultural evolution. Specifically, propositional attitude psychology is a linguistically constructed folk model of the human mind, invented by our ancestors for a range of tasks and refined over successive generations of users. The construction of these folk models gave humans new tools for thinking and reasoning about mental states—and so imbued us with abilities not shared by non-linguistic species. I also argue that uniquely human forms of ToM are not required for language development, such that an account of the cultural origins of ToM does not jeopardise the explanation of language development. Finally, I sketch a historical model of the cultural evolution of mental state talk.
Stranded investment associated with rapid energy system changes under the mid-century strategy in Japan
Authors: Oshiro Ken , Fujimori Shinichiro
Published: September 2020

Japan’s mid-century strategy to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80% by 2050 requires rapid energy system changes, which may lead to stranded assets in fossil fuel-related infrastructure. Existing studies have shown that massive stranding of assets in the energy supply side is possible; few studies have involved economy-wide stranded asset analysis. In this study, we estimated stranded investments in both the energy supply and demand sectors in Japan in the context of near-term goals for 2030 and the mid-century strategy. To this end, multiple emission scenarios for Japan were assessed based on various emission reduction targets for 2030 and 2050. The results show that stranded investments in the energy supply sectors occur mainly in coal power plants without carbon capture and storage (CCS), especially in scenarios without enhanced near-term mitigation targets. Increases of stranded investment in demand sectors were observed primarily under stringent mitigation scenarios, which exceed the 80% reduction target. In particular, investment for oil and gas heating systems in the buildings sector may be stranded at levels up to $20 billion US between 2021 and 2050. We further simulated a scenario incorporating a subsidy for devices that do not use fossil fuels as a sector-specific policy; this reduced the amount of stranded investment in the buildings sector. We confirmed the benefit of enhancing near-term mitigation targets to avoid generating stranded investments. These findings support the importance of inclusive energy and climate policy design involving not only pricing of carbon emissions but also complementary cross-sector economy-wide policies.