bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bolstering Piscivore Abundance to Restructure Small Impoundment Fish Communities
Authors: Michaletz Paul H.
Published: August 2020

Small impoundments (hereafter, “lakes”) provide close-to-home fishing opportunities for many anglers but do not always provide quality fishing, especially for panfish. Often, these lakes contain populations of slow-growing Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus and crappies Pomoxis spp. The presence of abundant Gizzard Shad Dorosoma cepedianum and Common Carp Cyprinus carpio is known to negatively influence these populations. Chemical and mechanical removal of these nuisance species requires intensive effort, is costly, and usually results in only short-term benefits. An alternative approach is to stock piscivores that prey on these species and reduce their abundances. Hybrid Striped Bass (Striped Bass Morone saxatilis × White Bass Morone chrysops) alone or in combination with Flathead Catfish Pylodictis olivaris were stocked into small lakes to consume Gizzard Shad and Common Carp. To evaluate the success of this approach, I determined whether stockings of hybrid Striped Bass and Flathead Catfish were (1) associated with a consequent reduction in abundances and changes in size structure of Common Carp and Gizzard Shad, (2) related to improved growth rates and size structure of Bluegill and crappie populations, and (3) associated with changes in Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides demographics and aquatic macrophyte coverage. Nine treatment lakes were each paired with a reference lake, and fish population variables and macrophyte coverage were analyzed with a before–after, control–impact design. With a few exceptions, additions of piscivores were largely unsuccessful in reducing Gizzard Shad and Common Carp abundances and in improving growth of panfishes and the additions had little effect on Largemouth Bass or macrophyte coverage. A multi-pronged approach combining several methods (e.g., stocking of piscivores, reducing nutrients, and mechanical or chemical removal) may be necessary to effectively reduce the abundances of Gizzard Shad and Common Carp in these small lakes.
Slice profile effects on quantitative analysis of hyperpolarized pyruvate
Authors: Walker Christopher M. , Gordon Jeremy W. , Xu Zhan , Michel Keith A. , Li Liang , Larson Peder E.Z. , Vigneron Daniel B. , Bankson James A.
Published: August 2020

Magnetic resonance imaging of hyperpolarized pyruvate provides a new imaging biomarker for cancer metabolism, based on the dynamic in vivo conversion of hyperpolarized pyruvate to lactate. Methods for quantification of signal evolution need to be robust and reproducible across a range of experimental conditions. Pharmacokinetic analysis of dynamic spectroscopic imaging data from hyperpolarized pyruvate and its metabolites generally assumes that signal arises from ideal rectangular slice excitation profiles. In this study, we examined whether this assumption could lead to bias in kinetic analysis of hyperpolarized pyruvate and, if so, whether such a bias can be corrected. A Bloch‐McConnell simulator was used to generate synthetic data using a known set of “ground truth” pharmacokinetic parameter values. Signal evolution was then analyzed using analysis software that either assumed a uniform slice profile, or incorporated information about the slice profile into the analysis. To correct for slice profile effects, the expected slice profile was subdivided into multiple sub‐slices to account for variable excitation angles along the slice dimension. An ensemble of sub‐slices was then used to fit the measured signal evolution. A mismatch between slice profiles used for data acquisition and those assumed during kinetic analysis was identified as a source of quantification bias. Results indicate that imperfect slice profiles preferentially increase detected lactate signal, leading to an overestimation of the apparent metabolic exchange rate. The slice profile‐correction algorithm was tested in simulation, in phantom measurements, and applied to data acquired from a patient with prostate cancer. The results demonstrated that slice profile‐induced biases can be minimized by accounting for the slice profile during pharmacokinetic analysis. This algorithm can be used to correct data from either single or multislice acquisitions.
H∞ control for discrete‐time Markovian jump linear systems with partially uncertain transition probabilities
Authors: Sun Hui‐Jie , Zhang Ying , Wu Ai‐Guo
Published: August 2020

This work is concerned with the H∞ state‐feedback control for the discrete‐time Markovian jump systems with incomplete knowledge of transition probabilities. A less conservative criterion is proposed via linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) such that the considered systems are stochastically stable and have a prescribed H∞ disturbance attention level. Furthermore, based on the obtained results, a state‐feedback controller is presented via LMIs to guarantee the stochastic stability of the resulted closed‐loop system with a prescribed H∞ performance level γ. The number of the LMIs to be solved in the developed methods is much less than that in many existing methods. A numerical example and a practical example are provided to verify the effectiveness of the presented methods.
Optimal control and differential game solutions for social distancing in response to epidemics of infectious diseases on networks
Authors: Dashtbali Mohammadali , Malek Alaeddin , Mirzaie Mehdi
Published: August 2020

In this paper, the problem of social distancing in the spread of infectious diseases in the human network is extended by optimal control and differential game approaches. Hear, SEAIR model on simulation network is used. Total costs for both approaches are formulated as objective functions. SEAIR dynamics for groupkthat contacts withkindividuals including susceptible, exposed, asymptomatically infected, symptomatically infected and improved or safe individuals is modeled. A novel random model including the concept of social distancing and relative risk of infection using Markov process is proposed. For each group, an aggregate investment is derived and computed using adjoint equations and maximum principle. Results show that for each group, investments in the differential game are less than investments in an optimal control approach. Although individuals' participation in investment for social distancing causes to reduce the epidemic cost, the epidemic cost according to the second approach is too much less than the first approach.
Children prefer pattern over shape during complex categorization
Authors: Li Fuhong , Li Zixia , Cao Bihua , Hu Lijuan , Zhang Zhao
Published: August 2020

Numerous studies have shown that children tend to view objects with similar shapes as having the same category. However, these studies often adopt simple categorization tasks and ignore the perceptual dimension (e.g., surface pattern of objects) that likely attract children's attention. The purpose of this study was to test how children categorize when pattern competes against shape. In Experiment 1a children were presented with a target and several testing objects that shared the same shape, color, or texture as the target. The results indicated that children preferentially selected the shape‐sharing objects. However, when the texture was replaced by pattern (Experiment 1b), there was no significant difference between shape and pattern choices. When shared features were intricately overlapped between different pairs of stimuli (Experiment 2), children preferentially chose objects that shared patterns over those that shared shapes. These findings are the first to reveal children's pattern preference in categorization, supporting the view that children's categorization is flexible.
Prenatal diagnosis of laryngo‐tracheo‐esophageal anomalies in fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia by ultrasound evaluation of the vocal cords and fetal laryngoesophagoscopy
Authors: Cruz‐Martínez Rogelio , Gámez‐Varela Alma , Martínez‐Rodríguez Miguel , Luna‐García Jonahtan , López‐Briones Hugo , Chavez‐González Eréndira , Juárez‐Martínez Israel , Razo‐Nava Areli , Villalobos‐Gómez Rosa , Favela‐Heredia César
Published: August 2020

Background

To evaluate the incidence of laryngeal ultrasound (US) abnormalities in fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and to assess the utility of fetal laryngoesophagoscopy for prenatal diagnosis of laryngo‐tracheo‐esophageal anomalies.

Study design

A cohort of CDH fetuses with laryngeal ultrasound abnormalities were selected for diagnostic fetal laringoesophagoscopy in a single fetal surgery center at Queretaro, Mexico.

Results

During the study period, 210 CDH fetuses were evaluated. US examination of the vocal cords was successfully performed in all fetuses, and abnormal ultrasound findings were observed in four cases (1.9%). Fetal laringoesophagoscopy was successfully performed in all four cases at a median gestational age of 29.5 (range, 28.1‐30.6) weeks. During fetal intervention, a laryngo‐tracheo‐esophageal cleft (TEC) extending from the larynx to the carina (type IV) was endoscopically visualized in three cases, and laryngeal atresia coexisting with TEC was confirmed in the remaining case. Fetal karyotype was normal in all cases, but abnormal chromosomal microarray analysis was reported in two cases (50%). All cases were delivered liveborn with severe respiratory failure presenting cardiac arrest and immediate neonatal death.

Conclusions

Laryngeal anomalies in CDH fetuses can be presumed by ultrasound evaluation of the vocal cords and confirmed by fetal laryngoesophagoscopy during pregnancy.
In Colladon's Footsteps
Authors: Gaebelein Jens , Hribar Jeroen
Published: August 2020

The first real water jet guided laser was developed and applied in the mid 1980's, using a Nd:YAG laser. Today, a new generation of water jet guided laser technology enables reliable use of modern high‐power IR fiber laser sources.
Current status of the multinational Arabidopsis community
Authors: Parry Geraint , Provart Nicholas J. , Brady Siobhan M. , Uzilday Baris ,   The Multinational Arabidopsis Steering Committee
Published: August 2020

The multinational Arabidopsis research community is highly collaborative and over the past thirty years these activities have been documented by the Multinational Arabidopsis Steering Committee (MASC). Here, we (a) highlight recent research advances made with the reference plant Arabidopsis thaliana; (b) provide summaries from recent reports submitted by MASC subcommittees, projects and resources associated with MASC and from MASC country representatives; and (c) initiate a call for ideas and foci for the “fourth decadal roadmap,” which will advise and coordinate the global activities of the Arabidopsis research community.
The Origins of Organellar Mapping by Protein Correlation Profiling
Authors: Mann Matthias
Published: August 2020

Cells have a rich inner structure that is commonly explored by microscopy. Classical biochemical methods that break apart the cells and fractionate them along a gradient have now gotten a new lease on life through modern methods of mass spectrometry‐based proteomics. Their common principle is to comprehensively measure all the proteins in each of the fractions. The resulting quantitative profile then associates thousands of proteins to their cellular homes. Here, the author recounts how protein correlation profiling, the first such technique, was conceived and how it was applied to answer intricate cell biological questions.
Maximum likelihood least squares‐based iterative methods for output‐error bilinear‐parameter models with colored noises
Authors: Chen Mengting , Ding Feng , Lin Rongming , Ng Teng Yong , Zhang Yanliang , Wei Wei
Published: August 2020

This article is concerned with the parameter identification of output‐error bilinear‐parameter models with colored noises from measurement data. An auxiliary model least squares‐based iterative method is developed through the overparameterization model. It examines the difficulty of estimating the overparameterized vector, which usually presents a heavy computational burden in the identification process. To overcome this drawback, a parameter separation technique is introduced and the nonlinear model is reformulated as a refined identification model through eliminating the crossmultiplying terms. In this regard, a parameter separation least squares‐based iterative (PS‐LSI) algorithm is derived by avoiding estimating the redundant parameters. On the basis of the PS‐LSI algorithm, we derive a maximum likelihood least squares‐based iterative method to further improve the numerical accuracy. The identification is dependent on the formulation of a pseudolinear regression relationship, which contains two linear prefilters constructed from the system and noise models. The performance of this proposed method is confirmed by the numerical simulations as well as direct comparisons with other existing algorithms.
Generalized homogenization of linear controllers: Theory and experiment
Authors: Wang Siyuan , Polyakov Andrey , Zheng Gang
Published: August 2020

A procedure for an “upgrade” of a linear proportional‐integral‐differential (PID) controller to a nonlinear homogeneous one is developed and verified by real experiments with quadrotor. The controller design is based on a generalized homogeneity (dilation symmetry) of the system. Its parameters are obtained from the gains of linear controller. The issues of digital implementation of the proposed controller are discussed. Finally, the stability and robustness properties of the homogeneous PID controller are validated on the quadrotor QDrone platform of QuanserTM.
Multivariate Hidden Markov Models for disease progression
Authors: Martino Andrea , Guatteri Giuseppina , Paganoni Anna Maria
Published: August 2020

Disease progression models are a powerful tool for understanding the development of a disease, given some clinical measurements obtained from longitudinal events related to a sample of patients. These models are able to give some insights about the disease progression through the analysis of patients histories and can be also used to predict the future course of the disease for an individual. In particular, Hidden Markov Models are suitable for disease progression since they model the latent unobservable states of the disease. In this work, we propose a HMM where the outcome is multivariate and its components are not independent; to accomplish our aim, since we do not make any usual normality assumptions, we model the outcome using copulas. We first test the performance of our model in a simulation setting and show the validity of the method. Then, we study the course of Heart Failure, applying our model to an administrative dataset from Lombardia Region in Italy, showing how episodes of hospitalization can give information about the disease status of a patient.
‘If you kill tobacco, you kill Malawi’: Structural barriers to tobacco diversification for sustainable development
Authors: Smith Julia , Fang Jennifer
Published: August 2020

There is growing recognition that diversifying away from tobacco farming can contribute to progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals in lower‐ and middle‐income countries. However, diversification projects are often limited in scope and impact. This paper analyses structural barriers to tobacco diversification and opportunities to challenge them, based on the perceptions of those engaged in policy processes in Malawi, the most tobacco dependent country in the world. Through analysis of 11 key informant interviews, four structural barriers are identified: perceived economic importance, lack of alternatives, vested industry interests, and the polarised conflict between tobacco control advocates and farmers. Respondents suggest these might be overcome through import substitution, a focus on securing alternative markets, and the inclusion of tobacco farmers in global processes. In ratifying the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, the Government of Malawi would be able to access diversification support, build a positive relationship with the global tobacco control community and address industry influence.
Clinical and molecular consequences of fusion genes in myeloid malignancies
Authors: Matsukawa Toshihiro , Aplan Peter D.
Published: August 2020

Leukemias are heterogeneous diseases characterized by aberrant hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). Oncogenic fusion genes and proteins, produced via gross chromosomal rearrangements, such as chromosomal translocation, insertion, and inversion, play important roles in hematologic malignancies. These oncoproteins alter fundamental cellular properties, such as self-renewal, differentiation, and proliferation, and confer leukemogenic potential to HSPCs. In addition to providing fundamental insights into the process of leukemic transformation, these fusion genes provide targets for treatment and monitoring of myeloid leukemias. Furthermore, new technologies such as next-generation sequencing have allowed additional insights into the nature of leukemic fusion genes. In this review, we discuss the history, biologic effect, and clinical impact of fusion genes in the field of myeloid leukemias.
Emergence of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2 in China in 2020
Authors: Hu Bo , Wei Houjun , Fan Zhiyu , Song Yanhua , Chen Mengmeng , Qiu Rulong , Zhu Weifeng , Xu Weizhong , Xue Jiabin , Wang Fang
Published: August 2020

Rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) is an acute fatal disease caused by the Lagovirus rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV), which was first reported in 1984 in China. Strains of two different genotypes (GI.1a and GI.1c) have been detected in China to date. In 2010, a new RHDV variant with a unique genetic and antigenic profile was identified in France, designated RHDV2, which rapidly spread throughout continental Europe and nearby islands. Here, we report the first outbreak of RHD induced by RHDV2 (GI.2) in rabbit farms in the Sichuan province of China. We conducted haemagglutination tests and phylogenetic analysis of the new RHDV isolate SC2020/04, which was identified as a non‐haemagglutinating strain belonging to the RHDV2 (GI.2) genogroup. Considering the serious risk of RHDV2 to the Chinese rabbit industry, the circulation of RHDV2 in the population should be carefully monitored in China.
A toxicological exploration of the opioid crisis
Authors: Krug Samuel A. , Scott Karen S.
Published: August 2020

With the discovery of opium dating back to Ancient Greek and Ancient Egyptian civilizations, there is a rich history stemming from the early use of the poppy plant to the new synthetic opioids that are emerging in drug seizures today. The phrase “opioid crisis” has been used to describe a public health emergency that has developed due to a combination of the over‐prescription of opioid medication, increase in heroin use, and clandestine synthesis of research chemicals previously discovered to have opioid receptor activity. Throughout the rise in opioid use, media outlets have helped inform the public, but they have also helped to rapidly spread misinformation. While receptor binding and metabolism studies have been thoroughly conducted for regulated medications, research chemicals and fentanyl analogs have not received as much attention regarding their pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties. Sample screening in forensic laboratories routinely uses commercially available enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kits and time‐of‐flight analysis. With the ever evolving landscape of emerging drugs, quantitative analytical methods have been developed for both gas chromatography mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, however, the relevance of these methods truly depends on what drugs are being currently seen in casework, making it imperative to track regional trends.

This article is categorized under:

Toxicology > Analytical Toxicology

Toxicology > New Psychoactive Substances

Toxicology > Opioids
Gender Implications of Farmers’ Indigenous Climate Change Adaptation Strategies Along Agriculture Value Chain in Nigeria
Authors: Deji Olanike F.
Published: August 2020

Climate change contributes significantly to the looming food insecurity in the rain-fed agricultural countries of Africa, including Nigeria. There is a gender dimension in climate change impacts and adaptation strategies along Agriculture Value Chain (AVC) in Nigeria. The chapter gender analyzed the aspects of climate change impacts; identified the indigenous and expert-based artificial adaptation strategies; assessed the gender differences in the adaptation strategies; and provided the gender implications of the indigenous adaptation strategies among actors along the AVC. The chapter adopted a value chain-based exploratory design with gender analysis as the narrative framework with Gender Response Theory as the theoretical background. There were gender differences in the production, economic, and social dimensions of the climate change impacts along the AVC. The indigenous climate change adaptation strategies were availability, low cost, and easily accessible; hence they were popularly adopted by male and female AVC actors. The adopted indigenous adaptation strategies challenged the social relations, influenced reordering of social and gender relations, participation, and power relation among the male and female actors along the AVC.
TAS-303 effects on urethral sphincter function in women with stress urinary incontinence: phase I study
Authors: Yono Makoto , Irie Shin , Gotoh Momokazu
Published: August 2020

Introduction and hypothesis

TAS-303, which selectively inhibits noradrenaline reuptake, was developed for treating stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The proximal urethra mainly comprises smooth muscle fibers in which α1 adrenergic receptors are abundant. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of TAS-303 on urethral function and its safety profile in female patients with SUI.

Methods

In total, 16 women (age, 20–64 years) with SUI and > 5.0 g of leakage in the 1-h pad test at screening were randomized and administered the assigned treatment in a double-blind manner. The primary end point was change in the maximal urethral closure pressure (MUCP) at 6 h post-dose. The secondary end point was change in the urethral closure pressure of the entire urethra and each urethral region (proximal, middle, and distal) at 6 h post-dose. The results were analyzed using a t-test.

Results

The mean change ± standard deviation in MUCP at 6 h post-dose was 3.473 ± 12.154 cmH2O for TAS-303 and 2.615 ± 9.794 cmH2O for placebo (between-group difference: 0.858 cmH2O, P = 0.8047). The mean changes ± standard deviation in urethral closure pressure of the proximal urethra at 6 h after the administration of TAS-303 18 mg and placebo were 3.863 ± 10.941 and 1.634 ± 12.093, respectively (between-group difference: 2.229 cmH2O, P = 0.5976).

Conclusions

No significant difference in MUCP and urethral closure pressure was found between TAS-303 and placebo. However, the change in the proximal urethral closure pressure with TAS-303 was larger than that with placebo. This suggests that TAS-303 has pharmacological effects on urethral sphincteric function.
Real-world efficacy of brentuximab vedotin plus bendamustine as a bridge to autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in primary refractory or relapsed classical Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Pinczés László Imre , Szabó Roxána , Illés Árpád , Földeák Dóra , Piukovics Klára , Szomor Árpád , Gopcsa László , Miltényi Zsófia
Published: August 2020

Up to 30% of patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) are not responsive to frontline therapy or relapse after primary treatment. In these cases, autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) is the standard of care. The combination of brentuximab vedotin and bendamustine (BV + B) is an effective salvage regimen in this challenging subpopulation. This nationwide multicenter study investigated the real-world efficacy and safety of the BV + B regimen as a bridge to AHSCT in patients with primary refractory or relapsed cHL. A total of 41 cHL patients underwent AHSCT after receiving at least 1 cycle of BV + B (with brentuximab vedotin given at 1.8 mg/kg on day 1 and bendamustine at 90 mg/m2 on days 1–2 every 4 weeks). After a median of 3 (1–6) cycles of BV + B, the objective response rate was 78%, with 29 (70.7%) patients achieving complete remission. Twelve (29.3%) patients relapsed after AHSCT, 2 (4.9%) of them died, while 2 (4.9%) patients are lost to follow-up. After a median of 17 months of follow-up, the estimated 2-year overall- and progression-free survival after AHSCT was 93 and 62%, respectively. Features of advanced disease at recurrence (p = 0.038) and the presence of stage IV cHL at relapse (p = 0.024) are strong predictor markers of unfavorable outcomes. Twenty-four (58.5%) patients experienced adverse events of any grade, while no grade IV toxicities were reported. BV + B is an effective salvage option with a manageable toxicity profile in cHL. The real-world safety and efficacy of this combination are similar to the observations made on the study population.
Non-coding RNAs: emerging players in cardiomyocyte proliferation and cardiac regeneration
Authors: Abbas Naisam , Perbellini Filippo , Thum Thomas
Published: August 2020

Soon after birth, the regenerative capacity of the mammalian heart is lost, cardiomyocytes withdraw from the cell cycle and demonstrate a minimal proliferation rate. Despite improved treatment and reperfusion strategies, the uncompensated cardiomyocyte loss during injury and disease results in cardiac remodeling and subsequent heart failure. The promising field of regenerative medicine aims to restore both the structure and function of damaged tissue through modulation of cellular processes and regulatory mechanisms involved in cardiac cell cycle arrest to boost cardiomyocyte proliferation. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) are functional RNA molecules with no protein-coding function that have been reported to engage in cardiac regeneration and repair. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of both the biological functions and molecular mechanisms of ncRNAs involved in cardiomyocyte proliferation. Furthermore, we discuss their impact on the structure and contractile function of the heart in health and disease and their application for therapeutic interventions.
Ramsay Hunt syndrome: long-term facial palsy outcome assessed face-to-face by three different grading scales and compared to patient self-assessment
Authors: Kanerva Mervi , Jones Sanna , Pitkaranta Anne
Published: August 2020

Purpose

To determine the long-term facial palsy outcome of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome by face-to-face grading by House–Brackmann Grading System, Facial Nerve Grading System 2.0, and Sunnybrook Facial Grading System concomitantly. To compare the applicability of the grading scales. To compare patients’ self-assessed facial palsy outcome results to gradings performed by the investigator. To compare the face-to-face assessed facial palsy outcome to the initial palsy grade.

Methods

Fifty-seven patients self-assessed their facial palsy outcome and came to a one-time follow-up visit. The palsy outcome was graded by one investigator using the three above-mentioned grading systems concomitantly. The median time from syndrome onset to follow-up visit was 6.6 years.

Result

A good long-term face-to-face assessed palsy outcome was enjoyed by 84% of the patients. Trying to assess only one House–Brackmann grade to represent the palsy outcome was impossible for most patients. Facial Nerve Grading System 2.0 worked better, but needed adjustments and certain sequelae findings needed to be neglected for it to be executable. The Sunnybrook system worked the best. Nearly 20% of the patients assessed themselves differently from the investigator: both better and worse.

Conclusion

The Sunnybrook scale was the most applicable system used. With antiviral medication, the outcome of facial palsy in Ramsay Hunt syndrome starts to resemble that of Bell’s palsy and emphasizes the importance of recognizing the syndrome and treating it accordingly. The results give hope to patients instead of the gloomy prospects that have stigmatized the syndrome.
Immunological combination treatment holds the key to improving survival in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Sodergren M. H. , Mangal N. , Wasan H. , Sadanandam A. , Balachandran V. P. , Jiao L. R. , Habib N.
Published: August 2020

Advances in surgery, peri-operative care and systemic chemotherapy have not significantly improved the prognosis of pancreatic cancer for several decades. Early clinical trials of immunotherapy have yielded disappointing results proposing other means by which the tumour microenvironment serves to decrease the immune response. Additionally, the emergence of various subtypes of pancreatic cancer has emerged as a factor for treatment responses with immunogenic subtypes carrying a better prognosis. Herein we discuss the reasons for the poor response to checkpoint inhibitors and outline a rationale why combination treatments are likely to be most effective. We review the therapies which could provide optimal synergistic effects to immunotherapy including chemotherapy, agents targeting the stroma, co-stimulatory molecules, vaccinations and methods of immunogenic tumour priming including radiofrequency ablation. Finally, we discuss reasons why peri-operative and in particular neoadjuvant combination treatments are likely to be most effective and should be considered for early clinical trials.
What is known about the role of rural-urban residency in relation to self-management in people affected by cancer who have completed primary treatment? A scoping review
Authors: Nelson David , McGonagle Ian , Jackson Christine , Kane Ros
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Despite wide acknowledgement of differences in levels of support and health outcomes between urban and rural areas, there is a lack of research that explicitly examines these differences in relation to self-management in people affected by cancer following treatment. This scoping review aimed to map the existing literature that examines self-management in people affected by cancer who were post-treatment from rural and urban areas.

Methods

Arksey and O’Malley’s framework for conducting a scoping review was utilised. Keyword searches were performed in the following: Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus and Web of Science. Supplementary searching activities were also conducted.

Results

A total of 438 articles were initially retrieved and 249 duplicates removed leaving 192 articles that were screened by title, abstract and full text. Nine met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. They were published from 2011 to 2018 and conducted in the USA (n = 6), Australia (n = 2) and Canada (n = 1). None of the studies offered insight into self-managing cancer within a rural-urban context in the UK. Studies used qualitative (n = 4), mixed methods (n = 4) and quantitative designs (n = 1).

Conclusion

If rural and urban populations define their health in different ways as some of the extant literature suggests, then efforts to support self-management in both populations will need to be better informed by robust evidence given the increasing focus on patient-centred care. It is important to consider if residency can be a predictor of as well as a barrier or facilitator to self-management.
Targeting the immune milieu in gastrointestinal cancers
Authors: Turkes Fiona , Mencel Justin , Starling Naureen
Published: August 2020

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are among the most common and lethal solid tumors worldwide. Unlike in malignancies such as lung, renal and skin cancers, the activity of immunotherapeutic agents in GI cancers has, on the whole, been much less remarkable and do not apply to the majority. Furthermore, while incremental progress has been made and approvals for use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in specific subsets of patients with GI cancers are coming through, in a population of ‘all-comers’, it is frequently unclear as to who may benefit most due to the relative lack of reliable predictive biomarkers. For most patients with newly diagnosed advanced or metastatic GI cancer, the mainstay of treatment still involves chemotherapy and/or a targeted agent however, beyond the second-line this paradigm confers minimal patient benefit. Thus, current research efforts are concentrating on broadening the applicability of ICIs in GI cancers by combining them with agents designed to beneficially remodel the tumor microenvironment (TME) for more effective anti-cancer immunity with intention of improving patient outcomes. This review will discuss the currently approved ICIs available for the treatment of GI cancers, the strategies underway focusing on combining ICIs with agents that target the TME and touch on recent progress toward identification of predictors of sensitivity to immune checkpoint blockade in GI cancers.
Systemic treatment options for advanced biliary tract carcinoma
Authors: Xie Changqing , McGrath Nicole A. , Monge Bonilla Cecilia , Fu Jianyang
Published: August 2020

Advanced biliary tract cancers (BTC) include a diverse collection of rare and heterogenous tumors with poor prognosis. The combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin is the established first-line therapy for advanced BTC. There are no accepted standard treatments in the second line setting, though there are several ongoing clinical trials that implement chemotherapy as a therapeutic strategy. The understanding of the molecular landscape of BTC has offered hope of targeted therapies to the identified actionable genomic aberrations, such as FGFR2 gene fusions, mutations of IDH1/2, HER2, BRAC1/2 and BRAF. Pembigatinib has become the first approved targeted therapy for BTC with FGFR2 fusion or other rearrangements. Recent immunotherapy has opened new therapy avenues in BTC with pembrolizumab approved for either microsatellite instability high (MSI-H) or DNA mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) advanced solid tumors, including BTC. The combination of immunotherapy with other modalities is currently being evaluated in different clinical trials, since single agent immunotherapy appears to provide modest benefits in advanced BTC. In this review, we summarize the current status of treatment options, including systemic chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and various combinations in advanced BTC.
An improved shear deformation theory for bending beams with symmetrically varying mechanical properties in the depth direction
Authors: Magnucki Krzysztof , Lewinski Jerzy , Magnucka-Blandzi Ewa
Published: August 2020

The paper is devoted to simply supported beams under three-point bending. Their mechanical properties symmetrically vary in the depth direction. The individual shear deformation theory for beams of such features is proposed. Based on the principle of stationary total potential energy the differential equations of equilibrium are obtained. The system of the equations is analytically solved, and the shear coefficients and deflections of example beams are calculated. The solution is compared with other analytical results obtained with the use of another deformation function. Moreover, the bending problem of these beams is also numerically studied using the finite element method. Results of analytical and numerical studies are presented in Figures and Tables.
Anticholinergic burden, oral hygiene practices, and oral hygiene status—cross-sectional findings from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966
Authors: Tiisanoja Antti , Syrjälä Anna-Maija , Anttonen Vuokko , Ylöstalo Pekka
Published: August 2020

Objectives

To study the association between anticholinergic burden and oral hygiene practices and oral hygiene status among 46-year-old people.

Materials and methods

The study included 1945 participants from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 (NFBC1966), who had a complete dental status. The participants underwent clinical medical and dental examinations, and their medication data were gathered by combining self-reported drug use with information from the National Prescription Register. Anticholinergic burden was measured using nine previously published anticholinergic scales. Oral hygiene practices were assessed with toothbrushing frequency and oral hygiene status with the presence of visible dental plaque. Poisson regression with robust variance estimation and negative binomial regression models were used to estimate relative risks (RR).

Results

Thirty percent of the participants reported brushing their teeth twice a day and about 25% of their teeth had dental plaque on them. Fifteen percent of the participants used at least one anticholinergic drug or had an anticholinergic burden according to the nine anticholinergic scales. After adjustments for confounding factors, the RRs of anticholinergic burden varied between 0.95 and 1.11 for toothbrushing frequency. Anticholinergic burden (according to Anticholinergic Activity Scale, Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden, Chew’s scale) was associated statistically significantly with the number of teeth with dental plaque. For the three scales, RRs varied from 1.24 to 1.50.

Conclusions

Anticholinergic burden associated with poor oral hygiene.

Clinical relevance

The findings stress the importance of providing oral hygiene instructions and prophylactic measures to patients taking anticholinergic drugs.
Tuning hydrogen sorption properties of Pd by its alloying with Ru, Rh, and Pt: the study of binary alloys in concentrated alkaline media
Authors: Hubkowska K. , Czerwiński A.
Published: August 2020

The hydrogen electrosorption process was examined in 6 M KOH on Pd binary alloys, containing Rh, Ru, and Pt. Pd-alloys were electrochemically deposited on Au substrate. The electrodes were subjected to activation procedure—hydrogen pretreatment procedure (HPP) at first in 0.5 M H2SO4 and then in 6 M KOH. It was noticed that it was possible to achieve comparable reversibility of hydrogen electrosorption process in acid and in concentrated base. The obtained values of the α→β phase transition potential, hysteresis extent, and maximum hydrogen absorption capacity show good agreement with the data from acidic medium. The observed kinetics of hydrogen electrosorption were strongly hindered in concentrated alkaline media, whereas the influence of the electrolyte on the thermodynamic functions of hydrogen absorption is less pronounced.
Simple and effective neural-free soft-cluster embeddings for item cold-start recommendations
Authors: Puthiya Parambath Shameem A. , Chawla Sanjay
Published: August 2020

Recommender systems are widely used in online platforms for easy exploration of personalized content. The best available recommendation algorithms are based on using the observed preference information among collaborating entities. A significant challenge in recommender system continues to be item cold-start recommendation: how to effectively recommend items with no observed or past preference information. Here we propose a two-stage algorithm based on soft clustering to provide an efficient solution to this problem. The crux of our approach lies in representing the items as soft-cluster embeddings in the space spanned by the side-information associated with the items. Though many item embedding approaches have been proposed for item cold-start recommendations in the past—and simple as they might appear—to the best of our knowledge, the approach based on soft-cluster embeddings has not been proposed in the research literature. Our experimental results on four benchmark datasets conclusively demonstrate that the proposed algorithm makes accurate recommendations in item cold-start settings compared to the state-of-the-art algorithms according to commonly used ranking metrics like Normalized Discounted Cumulative Gain (NDCG) and Mean Average Precision (MAP). The performance of our proposed algorithm on the MovieLens 20M dataset clearly demonstrates the scalability aspect of our algorithm compared to other popular algorithms. We also propose the metricCold Items Precision(CIP) to quantify the ability of a system to recommend cold-start items. CIP can be used in conjunction with relevance ranking metrics like NDCG and MAP to measure the effectiveness of the cold-start recommendation algorithm.
The keyword effect: A conceptual replication, effects on bias, and an optimization
Authors: Waldeyer Julia , Roelle Julian
Published: August 2020

Prompting learners to generate keywords after a delay is a promising means to enhance relative judgment accuracy in learning from texts. However, to date, conceptual replications of the keyword effect without the involvement of the researcher who originally proposed it are still scarce. Furthermore, it is unclear whether generating delayed keywords could reduce bias and whether the benefits of generating delayed keywords could be optimized by having learners compare their keywords with expert ones. Against this background, we conducted an experiment with N = 109 university students who read four expository texts and then were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions: (a) Generation of keywords after reading, (b) generation of keywords after reading and a comparison with external standards in the form of expert keywords, (c) no keyword generation (control condition). We found that generating delayed keywords significantly increased relative accuracy but did not reduce bias. Furthermore, we found that the comparison with expert keywords enhanced relative accuracy beyond the established keyword effect. However, we also found that the comparison with expert keywords increased bias (here: underconfidence). Overall, these findings suggest that generating and comparing keywords is an effective means to enhance relative accuracy.
Einstellungen und Motivation bezogen auf kulturell-ethnisch heterogene Schülerinnen- und Schülergruppen und ihre Bedeutung für differenzielle Instruktion im Unterricht
Authors: Gebauer Miriam M. , McElvany Nele
Published: August 2020

Der Beitrag widmet sich der Frage, inwieweit Aspekte der professionellen Kompetenz von Lehrkräften von Bedeutung für einen diversitätssensiblen Unterricht sind. Der Fokus liegt dabei auf Einstellungen und motivationaler Orientierung von Lehrkräften und untersucht die Bedeutsamkeit für einen differenziellen Unterricht im Kontext kulturell-ethnischer Diversität. Daten vonN = 250 Lehrkräften wurden anhand von Strukturgleichungsmodellen analysiert sowie geschlechtsspezifische Unterschiede anhand von Mehrgruppenstrukturgleichungsmodellen geprüft. Die Ergebnisse weisen darauf hin, dass Einstellungen und motivationale Orientierung von substanzieller Relevanz für eine diversitätssensible Unterrichtsgestaltung sind. Eine Prüfung geschlechtsspezifischer Differenzen für die gefundenen Zusammenhangsmuster zeigen nur geringe Unterschiede. Die Ergebnisse heben die Bedeutung der professionellen Kompetenz von Lehrkräften für diversitätssensiblen Unterricht hervor und werden hinsichtlich ihrer Implikation für Forschung und Praxis diskutiert.
A New Design for Friction Stir Spot Joining of Al Alloys and Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Composites
Authors: Bolouri Amir , Fotouhi Mohamad , Moseley William
Published: August 2020

Friction stir spot welding (FSSW) has been recently developed to join dissimilar materials. However, the traditional requirement for a rotating tool consists of a pin and shoulder in FSSW leads to a complex joining process and unpredictable defects. In this study, a new static-shoulder design in FSSW was proposed and developed to join Al alloys to carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites. The main joining parameters, including pin rotational speed, pin feed rate and pin plunge depth, were varied to investigate their effects on the joining temperature, materials interaction and the strength of joints. The pin rotational speed had the largest influence on the joining temperature. Lap shear tensile testing was conducted to evaluate the performance of the joints. The joints exhibited the ultimate lap shear force from 230 to 260 N. A brittle fracture occurred with the displacement-at-fracture load of 0.35-0.41 mm. Cross-sectional images revealed the creation of undulations on the surface of Al alloys in the joining zone. The undulations created a macro-mechanical interlocking bonding between the materials, which determined the performance of the joints. For a flat pin, by increasing the plunge depth from 1.25 to 1.30 mm, the undulation size increased from 0.21 to 0.26 mm, which can enhance the macro-mechanical interlocking bonding between Al alloys and CFRP and accordingly increased the ultimate shear force of the joints from 230 to 241 N. Use of a fluted pin significantly influenced the flow of the plasticized Al alloy which created pronounced undulations and large Al alloy spikes of 0.46 mm. These features seemed to establish an efficient macro-mechanical interlocking bonding, which resulted in a noticeable improvement in the performance of the joint. For a plunge depth of 1.30 mm, the ultimate shear force increased to 261 N using the fluted pin.
Delphi survey on conventional conservative treatment of functional posterior shoulder instability
Authors: Festbaum Christian , Danzinger Victor , Kibler William , Boileau Pascal , Lambert Simon , Porcellini Giuseppe , Gerhardt Christian , Scheibel Markus , Tauber Mark , Wellmann Mathias , Adamczewski Christiane , Vital-Schmid Seraina , Moroder Philipp
Published: August 2020

Background

Posterior shoulder instability is caused by structural or functional defects. While the former are mostly treated surgically, physiotherapy is considered the treatment of choice in functional shoulder instability. However, it often has limited success unless very specific and intensive training programs are applied by trained experts. Currently, there is no consensus on the treatment of functional posterior shoulder instability.

Objective

To improve treatment of this pathology, a standardized treatment recommendation is required to serve as a guideline for physiotherapy. The aim of this study was to establish expert consensus for treatment recommendations for functional posterior shoulder instability.

Design

The Delphi survey technique was employed.

Methods

A standardized training program for treatment of functional posterior shoulder instability was developed by a local expert committee. Two rounds of an online Delphi survey were then conducted. The panel of the Delphi survey comprised nine leading scientific experts in the field of functional shoulder instability who treat patients with shoulder-related problems conservatively and operatively.

Results

The response rate was 100% and there were no dropouts. The final program consists of three groups of exercises with increasing difficulty. The exercises are mostly easy to perform and focus on the scapula-retracting muscles and the muscles responsible for external rotation of the shoulder. The treatment program should be executed under the supervision of a therapist at the beginning and later may be performed by the patients themselves.

Conclusion

Consensus on a new exercise guideline dedicated to the treatment of functional posterior shoulder instability was achieved. This guideline should not only help to treat this challenging pathology but also provide a starting point for further scientific research and ongoing improvement.