bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Osteoarthritis: Insights Offered by the Study of Bone Mass Genetics
Authors: Hartley A. , Gregson C. L. , Paternoster L. , Tobias J. H.
Published: February 2021

Purpose of Review

This paper reviews how bone genetics has contributed to our understanding of the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. As well as identifying specific genetic mechanisms involved in osteoporosis which also contribute to osteoarthritis, we review whether bone mineral density (BMD) plays a causal role in OA development.

Recent Findings

We examined whether those genetically predisposed to elevated BMD are at increased risk of developing OA, using our high bone mass (HBM) cohort. HBM individuals were found to have a greater prevalence of OA compared with family controls and greater development of radiographic features of OA over 8 years, with predominantly osteophytic OA. Initial Mendelian randomisation analysis provided additional support for a causal effect of increased BMD on increased OA risk. In contrast, more recent investigation estimates this relationship to be bi-directional. However, both these findings could be explained instead by shared biological pathways.

Pathways which contribute to BMD appear to play an important role in OA development, likely reflecting shared common mechanisms as opposed to a causal effect of raised BMD on OA. Studies in HBM individuals suggest this reflects an important role of mechanisms involved in bone formation in OA development; however further work is required to establish whether the same applies to more common forms of OA within the general population.
Ethical Issues in Consent for the Reuse of Data in Health Data Platforms
Authors: McKeown Alex , Mourby Miranda , Harrison Paul , Walker Sophie , Sheehan Mark , Singh Ilina
Published: February 2021

Data platforms represent a new paradigm for carrying out health research. In the platform model, datasets are pooled for remote access and analysis, so novel insights for developing better stratified and/or personalised medicine approaches can be derived from their integration. If the integration of diverse datasets enables development of more accurate risk indicators, prognostic factors, or better treatments and interventions, this obviates the need for the sharing and reuse of data; and a platform-based approach is an appropriate model for facilitating this. Platform-based approaches thus require new thinking about consent. Here we defend an approach to meeting this challenge within the data platform model, grounded in: the notion of ‘reasonable expectations’ for the reuse of data; Waldron’s account of ‘integrity’ as a heuristic for managing disagreement about the ethical permissibility of the approach; and the element of the social contract that emphasises the importance of public engagement in embedding new norms of research consistent with changing technological realities. While a social contract approach may sound appealing, however, it is incoherent in the context at hand. We defend a way forward guided by that part of the social contract which requires public approval for the proposal and argue that we have moral reasons to endorse a wider presumption of data reuse. However, we show that the relationship in question is not recognisably contractual and that the social contract approach is therefore misleading in this context. We conclude stating four requirements on which the legitimacy of our proposal rests.
Molecular Pathology of Poorly Differentiated and Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer: What Do Pathologists Need to Know?
Authors: Volante Marco , Lam Alfred K. , Papotti Mauro , Tallini Giovanni
Published: February 2021

The molecular characterization of poorly and anaplastic thyroid carcinomas has been greatly improved in the last years following the advent of high throughput technologies. However, with special reference to genomic data, the prevalence of reported alterations is partly affected by classification criteria. The impact of molecular pathology in these tumors is multifaceted and bears diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive implications although its use in the clinical practice is not completely assessed. Genomic profiling data claim that genetic alterations in poorly differentiated and anaplastic thyroid carcinomas include “Early” and “Late” molecular events, which are consistent with a multi-step model of progression. “Early” driver events are mostly RAS and BRAF mutations, whereas “Late” changes include above all TP53 and TERT promoter mutations, as well as dysregulation of gene involved in the cell cycle, chromatin remodeling, histone modifications, and DNA mismatch repair. Gene fusions are rare but represent relevant therapeutic targets. Epigenetic modifications are also playing a relevant role in poorly differentiated and anaplastic thyroid carcinomas, with altered regulation of either genes by methylation/deacetylation or non-coding RNAs. The biological effects of epigenetic modifications are not fully elucidated but interfere with a wide spectrum of cellular functions. From a clinical standpoint, the combination of genomic and epigenetic data shows that several molecular alterations affect druggable cellular pathways in poorly differentiated and anaplastic thyroid carcinomas, although the clinical impact of molecular typing of these tumors in terms of predictive biomarker testing is still under exploration.
SEOM clinical guidelines for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma (2020)
Authors: Nadal E. , Bosch-Barrera J. , Cedrés S. , Coves J. , García-Campelo R. , Guirado M. , López-Castro R. , Ortega A. L. , Vicente D. , de Castro-Carpeño J.
Published: February 2021

Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive tumour with dismal prognosis arising in the pleura and associated with asbestos exposure. Its incidence is on the rise worldwide. In selected patients with early-stage MPM, a maximal surgical cytoreduction in combination with additional antitumour treatment may be considered in selected patients assessed by a multidisciplinary tumor board. In patients with unresectable or advanced MPM, chemotherapy with platinum plus pemetrexed is the standard of care. Currently, no standard salvage therapy has been approved yet, but second-line chemotherapy with vinorelbine or gemcitabine is commonly used. Novel therapeutic approaches based on dual immunotherapy or chemotherapy plus immunotherapy demonstrated promising survival benefit and will probably be incorporated in the future.
Consistent Poplar Clone Ranking Based on Leaf Phenology and Temperature Along a Latitudinal and Climatic Gradient in Northern Europe
Authors: Vico Giulia , Karacic Almir , Adler Anneli , Richards Thomas , Weih Martin
Published: February 2021

In Northern Europe, poplars (Populus) can provide biomass for energy and material use, but most available clones were developed for lower latitudes and are unlikely to be well adapted to higher latitudes, even under warmer climates. We thus need to understand how clones respond to climatic conditions and photoperiod, and how these responses can be predicted. We answer these questions exploiting leaf phenological data ofPopulusclones, grown in six sites across the Baltic region, in Northern Europe, for 2 years with contrasting climatic conditions. Regarding the effects of climatic conditions and photoperiod, within each site, higher temperatures advanced the timing and enhanced the speed of spring and autumn phenology, but reduced the effective growing season length. Across sites, latitude affected the timing of spring and autumn phenology, the speed of spring phenology, and the effective growing season length; clone affected only the timing of phenology. Regarding the predictability of clone response to growing conditions, the growing degree day (GDD) model could not predict spring phenology, because the growing degree day threshold for a specific phenological stage was not only clone-, but also latitude- and year-specific. Yet, this GDD threshold allowed a robust ranking of clones across sites and years, thus providing a tool to determine the relative differences across clones, independently of latitude and temperature. A similar, but not as strong, pattern was observed in the timing of spring and autumn phenological stages. Hence, while prediction of spring phenology remains elusive, the ranking of clones based on observations of their phenology in a single location can provide useful indications on the clones’ relative performance under different latitudes and climates.
Computed Tomography Angiography for the Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease Among Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation
Authors: Meier David , Depierre Arnaud , Topolsky Antoine , Roguelov Christan , Dupré Marion , Rubimbura Vladimir , Eeckhout Eric , Qanadli Salah Dine , Muller Olivier , Mahendiran Thabo , Rotzinger David , Fournier Stephane
Published: February 2021

Background

Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is used to plan TAVI procedures. We investigated the performance of pre-TAVI CTA for excluding coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods

In total 127 patients were included. CTA images were analyzed for the presence of ≥ 50% (significant CAD) and ≥ 70% (severe CAD) diameter stenoses in proximal coronary arteries. Results were compared with invasive coronary angiography (ICA) at vessel and patient levels. Primary endpoint was the negative predictive value (NPV) of CTA for the presence of CAD.

Results

A total of 342 vessels were analyzable. NPV of CTA was 97.5% for significant CAD and 96.3% for severe CAD. Positive predictive value and accuracy were 44.8% and 87.1% for significant CAD and 56.3% and 94.4% for severe CAD. At patient level, NPV for significant CAD was 88.6%.

Conclusion

Pre-TAVI CTA shows good performance for ruling out CAD and could be used as a gatekeeper for ICA in selected patients.

Graphical abstract
Using neural nets to predict transportation mode choice: Amsterdam network change analysis
Authors: Buijs Ruurd , Koch Thomas , Dugundji Elenna
Published: February 2021

In the Amsterdam metropolitan area, the opening of a new metro line along the north–south axis of the city has introduced a significant change in the region’s public transportation network. Mode choice analysis can help in assessment of changes in traveler behavior that occurred after the opening of the new metro line. As it is known that artificial neural nets excel at complex classification problems, this paper aims to investigate an approach where the traveler’s transportation mode is predicted through a neural net, trained on choice sets and user specific attributes inferred from the data. The method shows promising results. It is shown that such models perform better when it is asked to predict the choice of mode for trips which take place on the same underlying transportation network as the data with which the model is trained. This difference in performance is observed to be especially high for trips from and to certain areas that were impacted by the introduction of the north–south line, indicating possible changes in behavioural patterns, entailing interesting possible directions for further research.
Ni-γ-AL2O3 catalysts for obtaining nanocarbon by decomposition of natural gas
Authors: Ibrahimov Hikmet , Malikli Sara , Ibrahimova Zenfira , Babali Rahim , Aleskerova Sevinc
Published: February 2021

γ-Al2O3 was synthesized by the Sol–gel method, Ni (NO3)2 was placed in the pores by the impregnation method, and Ni-γ-Al2O3 was obtained by pyrolysis in a hydrogen stream in a CVD device. By the method of chemical vapors phase deposition (CVD) on Ni-Al2O3 catalytic converter with decomposition of methane in the natural gas produced carbon nanotubes (CNT) (Chunduri et al. in Mater Express 4(3):235–241, 2014; Zhou et al. in Appl Catal B 208:44–59, 2017). The catalytic activity of the catalysts in methane decomposition was examined from 650 °C to 900 °C by the method of chemical vapors phase deposition (CVD), the yield of CNTs tends to increase with the growth at the ratio of natural gas supply to hydrogen. The specific surface increases with an increase of nickel content and can reach 265.5 m2/g for a sample of 2% Ni-A12O3 at 850 °C. Growth at the temperature of methane decomposition leads to reduction in its specific surface. It has been established that the use of the Ni-Cu/γ-Al2O3 catalytic system, in which copper acts as a stabilizing additive, makes it possible to double the maximum yield of the carbon product during the decomposition of natural gas.
Woodlot management and livelihoods in a tropical conservation landscape
Authors: Bailey Karen , Salerno Jonathan , Newton Peter , Bitariho Robert , Namusisi Shamilah , Tinkasimire Rogers , Hartter Joel
Published: February 2021

In biodiversity hotspots, there is often tension between human needs and conservation, exacerbated when protected areas prevent access to natural resources. Forest-dependent people may compensate for exclusion by managing unprotected forests or cultivating planted woodlots. Outside Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, household wood product needs are high and population growth puts pressure on the environment. We investigated the role of privately and collectively managed woodlots in provisioning wood products and supporting local livelihoods. We found that households relied heavily on woodlots for daily needs and as resources during time of need. We also found that locally relevant social institutions, called stretcher groups, played a role in the management of woodlots, providing shared community resources. Privately and collectively owned woodlots support local livelihoods and wood product needs in the region. Long-term management of forests in Uganda should consider the value of woodlots and the mechanisms required to support them.
The semiclassical limit on a star-graph with Kirchhoff conditions
Authors: Cacciapuoti Claudio , Fermi Davide , Posilicano Andrea
Published: February 2021

We consider the dynamics of a quantum particle of mass m on a n-edges star-graph with Hamiltonian $$H_K=-(2m)^{-1}\hbar ^2 \Delta $$

H
K

=
-

(
2
m
)

-
1

ħ
2

Δ

and Kirchhoff conditions in the vertex. We describe the semiclassical limit of the quantum evolution of an initial state supported on one of the edges and close to a Gaussian coherent state. We define the limiting classical dynamics through a Liouville operator on the graph, obtained by means of Kreĭn’s theory of singular perturbations of self-adjoint operators. For the same class of initial states, we study the semiclassical limit of the wave and scattering operators for the couple $$(H_K,H_{D}^{\oplus })$$

(

H
K

,

H

D

⊕

)

, where $$H_{D}^{\oplus }$$

H

D

⊕

is the Hamiltonian with Dirichlet conditions in the vertex.
Microimaging of a novel intracochlear drug delivery device in combination with cochlear implants in the human inner ear
Authors: Lehner Eric , Menzel Matthias , Gündel Daniel , Plontke Stefan K. , Mäder Karsten , Klehm Jessica , Kielstein Heike , Liebau Arne
Published: February 2021

The effective delivery of drugs to the inner ear is still an unmet medical need. Local controlled drug delivery to this sensory organ is challenging due to its location in the petrous bone, small volume, tight barriers, and high vulnerability. Local intracochlear delivery of drugs would overcome the limitations of intratympanic (extracochlear) and systemic drug application. The requirements for such a delivery system include small size, appropriate flexibility, and biodegradability. We have developed biodegradable PLGA-based implants for controlled intracochlear drug release that can also be used in combination with cochlear implants (CIs), which are implantable neurosensory prosthesis for hearing rehabilitation. The drug carrier system was tested for implantation in the human inner ear in 11 human temporal bones. In five of the temporal bones, CI arrays from different manufacturers were implanted before insertion of the biodegradable PLGA implants. The drug carrier system and CI arrays were implanted into the scala tympani through the round window. Implanted temporal bones were evaluated by ultra-high-resolution computed tomography (µ-CT) to illustrate the position of implanted electrode carriers and the drug carrier system. The µ-CT measurements revealed the feasibility of implanting the PLGA implants into the scala tympani of the human inner ear and co-administration of the biodegradable PLGA implant with a CI array.

Graphical abstract
Modelling consumer perceptions of service quality for urban public transport systems using statistical models for ordinal data
Authors: Iannario Maria , Monti Anna Clara
Published: February 2021

The paper deals with ordinal response models to evaluate urban public transport systems with the purpose of interpreting consumers’ responses with reference to their profiles. New methodological developments provide opportunities for a more thorough and accurate analysis of perceived service quality. The evaluation of the uncertainty component accounts for accuracy in the assessments. Diagnostic procedures allow to evaluate model specification, with respect to the proportional odds assumption, the adequacy of the mean structure and the occurrence of heterogeneity. The impact of the covariates on the discrete distribution of the observed response is appraised through their marginal effects. The selection of the appropriate covariates leads to the identification of clusters of users, which are compared through ordinal superiority measures. Consequently critical situations are detected.
Orthotopic Heart and Combined Heart Liver Transplantation: the Ultimate Treatment Option for Failing Fontan Physiology
Authors: Reardon Leigh C. , Lin Jeannette P. , VanArsdell Glen S. , Kaldas Fady M. , Lluri Gentian , Tan Weiyi , Whalen Katrina M. , Cruz Daniel , Nsair Ali , Deng Mario C. , Moore Melissa A. , Laks Hillel , Biniwale Reshma M. , Saab Sammy , Baird Andrew , Wilson James M. , Lubin Lorraine N. , Marijic Jure , Williams Tiffany M. , Wray Christopher L. , Meltzer Joseph S. , Gudzenko Vadim , Kratzert Wolf B. , Neelankavil Jacques , Venick Robert S. , Aboulhosn Jamil A.
Published: February 2021

Purpose of the Review

This is a comprehensive update on failing Fontan physiology and the role of heart and combined heart and liver transplantation in the current era.

Recent Findings

Single ventricle physiology encompasses a series of rare congenital cardiac abnormalities that are characterized by absence of or hypoplasia of one ventricle. This effectively results in a single ventricular pumping chamber. These abnormalities are rarely compatible with long-term survival if left without surgical palliation in the first few years of life. Surgical treatment of single ventricle physiology has evolved over the past 60 years and is characterized by numerous creative innovations. These include the development of arteriopulmonary shunts, the evolution of partial cavopulmonary connections, and the eventual development of the “Fontan” operation. Regardless of the type of Fontan modification, the long-term consequences of the Fontan operation are predominantly related to chronic central venous hypertension and the multi-organ consequences thereof. Atrial arrhythmias can further compromise this circulation.Patients with single ventricle physiology represent a special sub-segment of congenital cardiac transplants and are arguably the most challenging patients considered for transplantation.

This review describes in detail the challenges and opportunities of heart and liver transplantation in Fontan patients, as viewed and managed by the experienced team at the Ahmanson/UCLA Adult Congenital Heart Center.
The identification of established modifiable mid-life risk factors for cardiovascular disease which contribute to cognitive decline: Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA)
Authors: Boo Yebeen Ysabelle , Jutila Otto-Emil , Cupp Meghan A. , Manikam Logan , Cho Sung-Il
Published: February 2021

Introduction

We explored how different chronic diseases, risk factors, and protective factors highly associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are associated with dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in Korean elders, with a focus on those that manifest in mid-life.

Methods

A CVD-free cohort (n = 4289) from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging was selected to perform Cox mixed-effects proportional hazard regressions. Eighteen control variables with strong associations to CVD were chosen as explanatory variables, and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score cut-off for dementia and MCI were used as outcome variables.

Results

The statistically significant (P < 0.05) adverse factors that contribute in developing dementia were age (aHR 1.07, 1.05–1.09), Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10) (aHR 1.17, 1.12–1.23), diagnosis with cerebrovascular disease (aHR 3.73, 1.81–7.66), living with diabetes (aHR 2.30, 1.22–4.35), and living with high blood pressure (HBP) (aHR 2.05, 1.09–3.87). In contrast, the statistically significant protective factors against developing dementia were current alcohol consumption (aHR 0.67, 0.46–0.99), higher educational attainment (aHR 0.36, 0.26–0.56), and regular exercise (aHR 0.37, 0.26–0.51). The factors with a statistically significant adverse association with progression to MCI were age (aHR 1.02, 1.01–1.03) and CESD-10 (aHR 1.17, 1.14–1.19). In contrast, the statistically significant protective factors against developing MCI were BMI (aHR 0.96, 0.94–0.98), higher educational attainment (aHR 0.33, 0.26–0.43), and regular exercise (aHR 0.83, 0.74–0.92).

Conclusion

In lieu of the protective factor of MCI and dementia, implementing regular exercise routine well before mid-life and cognitive decline is significant, with adjustments made for those suffering from health conditions, so they can continue exercising despite their morbidity. Further attention in diabetes care and management is needed for patients who already show decline in cognitive ability as it is likely that their MCI impacts their ability to manage their existing chronic conditions, which may adversely affect their cognitive ability furthermore.
Contract cheating by STEM students through a file sharing website: a Covid-19 pandemic perspective
Authors: Lancaster Thomas , Cotarlan Codrin
Published: February 2021

Students are using file sharing sites to breach academic integrity in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. This paper analyses the use of one such site, Chegg, which offers “homework help” and other academic services to students. Chegg is often presented as a file sharing site in the academic literature, but that is just one of many ways in which it can be used. As this paper demonstrates, Chegg can and is used for contract cheating This is despite the apparent existence of an Honour Code on Chegg which asks students not to breach academic integrity. With pandemic led safety considerations leading to increased online teaching and assessment, the paper analyses data relating to how Chegg is used by students in five STEM subjects, namely Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics and Chemistry. The results show that students are using Chegg to request exam style questions. They demonstrate that contract cheating requests can be put live and answered within the short duration of an examination. The number of student requests posted for these five subjects increased by 196.25% comparing the time period April 2019 to August 2019 with the period April 2020 to August 2020. This increase corresponds with the time when many courses moved to be delivered and assessed online. The growing number of requests indicates that students are using Chegg for assessment and exam help frequently and in a way that is not considered permissible by universities. The paper concludes by recommending that academic institutions put interventions in place to minimise the risk to educational standards posed by sites such as Chegg, particularly since increased online teaching and assessment may continue after the pandemic.
Das Fiktionalitätsdilemma
Authors: Bleumer Hartmut
Published: February 2021

Ausgehend von der Beobachtung, dass sich die Literaturwissenschaft offenbar immer wieder ihres Fiktionalitätsbegriffs vergewissern muss, stellt die Skizze die Frage, ob diese Wiederholung nicht Ausdruck eines Dilemmas sein könnte, das die wissenschaftliche Begriffsrationalität im Umgang mit narrativen Strukturen selbst erzeugt. Als Lösungsvorschlag wird am Beispiel des Iwein Hartmanns von Aue darauf hingewiesen, dass der erste programmatisch fiktionale Artusroman dieses Dilemma im Erzählen am Beispiel des Weltverständnisses seines Protagonisten vorführt und ästhetisch auflöst: in der paradoxen Korrelation narrativer Ebenen, die es einer historischen Narratologie erlauben müsste, die metaphorische Ästhetik des Artusromans genauer zu erschließen.
Medialität als Schlüsselkonzept eines sprachbewussten Literaturunterrichts am Beispiel einer Märchen-Stunde
Authors: Wolbring Fabian
Published: February 2021

Analog zur disziplinären Einteilung in Sprach‑, Literatur- und Mediendidaktik werden Sprache, Literatur und Medien im Deutschunterricht häufig suggestiv zu unterrichtspraktisch separaten Phänomenen stilisiert. Der Beitrag wirbt dagegen für ein integratives Miteinander, bei dem die Sprache selbst offensiv als Medium be- und verhandelt wird, wobei insbesondere die ästhetisierte, entpragmatisierte Sprache der Literatur als Display sprachlicher Medialität fungieren kann (Zymner 2009). Nach einer einführenden theoretischen Skizzierung wird das Konzept am Beispiel einer Märchenstunde zum Rumpelstilzchen exemplifiziert. Auf der Suche nach heimlichen MitsprecherInnen erfahren die SuS hier, wie das Medium Sprache gleichzeitig eine Einstimmigkeit suggerieren und Mehrstimmigkeiten ermöglichen kann.
Flow chemistry for process optimisation using design of experiments
Authors: Taylor Connor J. , Baker Alastair , Chapman Michael R. , Reynolds William R. , Jolley Katherine E. , Clemens Graeme , Smith Gill E. , Blacker A. John , Chamberlain Thomas W. , Christie Steven D. R. , Taylor Brian A. , Bourne Richard A.
Published: February 2021

Implementing statistical training into undergraduate or postgraduate chemistry courses can provide high-impact learning experiences for students. However, the opportunity to reinforce this training with a combined laboratory practical can significantly enhance learning outcomes by providing a practical bolstering of the concepts. This paper outlines a flow chemistry laboratory practical for integrating design of experiments optimisation techniques into an organic chemistry laboratory session in which students construct a simple flow reactor and perform a structured series of experiments followed by computational processing and analysis of the results.
Experimental study on fatigue performance of Q420qD high-performance steel cross joint in complex environment
Authors: Cheng Haigen , Hu Cong , Jiang Yong
Published: February 2021

The steel structure under the action of alternating load for a long time is prone to fatigue failure and affects the safety of the engineering structure. For steel structures in complex environments such as corrosive media and fires, the remaining fatigue life is more difficult to predict theoretically. To this end, the article carried out fatigue tests on Q420qD high-performance steel cross joints under three different working conditions, established a 95% survival rate $$S{ - }N$$

S
-
N

curves, and analyzed the effects of corrosive media and high fire temperatures on its fatigue performance. And refer to the current specifications to evaluate its fatigue performance. The results show that the fatigue performance of the cross joint connection is reduced under the influence of corrosive medium, and the fatigue performance of the cross joint connection is improved under the high temperature of fire. When the number of cycles is more than 200,000 times, the design curves of EN code, GBJ code, and GB code can better predict the fatigue life of cross joints without treatment, only corrosion treatment, and corrosion and fire treatment, and all have sufficient safety reserve.
Addressing skewed sex ratio at birth in China: practices and challenges
Authors: Tang Mengjun
Published: February 2021

The sex ratio at birth (SRB) in China began to rise rapidly in the 1980s and declined after 2009. The ratio has maintained a downward trend since 2009, but is still higher than the normal level. The government of China has committed to redress the distortions in SRB and has initiated multiple actions to accomplish that end. Against a background of economic development, accelerating modernization and the empowerment of women, China has strengthened governance and made significant progress in balancing the sex ratio at birth. This paper examines the trend for SRB in China, summarizes the practices that address gender imbalance at birth, and analyzes the challenges ahead.
Seasonal Disorder in Urban Traffic Patterns: A Low Rank Analysis
Authors: Karve Vaibhav , Yager Derrek , Abolhelm Marzieh , Work Daniel B. , Sowers Richard B.
Published: February 2021

This article proposes several advances to sparse nonnegative matrix factorization (SNMF) as a way to identify large-scale patterns in urban traffic data. The input to our model is traffic counts organized by time and location. Nonnegative matrix factorization additively decomposes this information, organized as a matrix, into a linear sum of temporal signatures. Penalty terms encourage this factorization to concentrate on only a few temporal signatures, with weights which are not too large. Our interest here is to quantify and compare the regularity of traffic behavior, particularly across different broad temporal windows. In addition to the rank and error, we adapt a measure introduced by Hoyer to quantify sparsity in the representation. Combining these, we construct several curves which quantify error as a function of rank (the number of possible signatures) and sparsity; as rank goes up and sparsity goes down, the approximation can be better and the error should decreases. Plots of several such curves corresponding to different time windows leads to a way to compare disorder/order at different time scalewindows. In this paper, we apply our algorithms and procedures to study a taxi traffic dataset from New York City. In this dataset, we find weekly periodicity in the signatures, which allows us an extra framework for identifying outliers as significant deviations from weekly medians. We then apply our seasonal disorder analysis to the New York City traffic data and seasonal (spring, summer, winter, fall) time windows. We do find seasonal differences in traffic order.
Biologia Futura: Emerging antigen-specific therapies for autoimmune diseases
Authors: Sármay Gabriella
Published: February 2021

Autoimmune diseases are caused by breaking the central and/or peripheral tolerance against self, leading to uncontrolled immune response to autoantigens. The incidences of autoimmune diseases have increased significantly worldwide over the last decades; nearly 5% of the world's population is affected. The current treatments aim to reduce pain and inflammation to prevent organ damage and have a general immunosuppressive effect, but they cannot cure the disease. There is a huge unmet need for autoantigen-specific therapy, without affecting the immune response against pathogens. This goal can be achieved by targeting autoantigen-specific T or B cells and by restoring self-tolerance by inducing tolerogenic antigen-presenting cells (APC) and the development of regulatory T (Treg) cells, for example, by using autoantigenic peptides bound to nanoparticles. Transferring in vitro manipulated autologous tolerogenic APC or autologous autoantigen-specific Treg cells to patients is the promising approach to develop cellular therapeutics. Most recently, chimeric autoantibody receptor T cells have been designed to specifically deplete autoreactive B cells. Limitations of these novel autoantigen-specific therapies will also be discussed.
What Makes a Robot Social? A Review of Social Robots from Science Fiction to a Home or Hospital Near You
Authors: Henschel Anna , Laban Guy , Cross Emily S.
Published: February 2021

Purpose of Review

We provide an outlook on the definitions, laboratory research, and applications of social robots, with an aim to understand what makes a robot social—in the eyes of science and the general public.

Recent Findings

Social robots demonstrate their potential when deployed within contexts appropriate to their form and functions. Some examples include companions for the elderly and cognitively impaired individuals, robots within educational settings, and as tools to support cognitive and behavioural change interventions.

Science fiction has inspired us to conceive of a future with autonomous robots helping with every aspect of our daily lives, although the robots we are familiar with through film and literature remain a vision of the distant future. While there are still miles to go before robots become a regular feature within our social spaces, rapid progress in social robotics research, aided by the social sciences, is helping to move us closer to this reality.
A Decade of Marketing Authorization Applications of Anticancer Drugs in the European Union: An Analysis of Procedural Timelines
Authors: Garsen Marjolein , Steenhof Maaike , Zwiers Alex
Published: February 2021

Background

Cancer is a serious global health problem and a major cause of death. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has established several regulatory initiatives to expedite the development and authorization of drugs to ensure timely access of patients. In this study, we analyzed the procedural timelines of marketing authorization applications for anticancer drugs in the EU, with a specific focus to special regulatory programs, scientific advice and company size.

Methods

Anticancer drugs that received an opinion from the EMA between January 2010 and December 2019 were included in the study. Public assessment reports were used to obtain publicly available information of the drugs.

Results

We identified 96 applications for new anticancer drugs. 34 applications were granted access to at least one expedited program offered by the EMA. Total procedure time was reduced from average 370 to 200–215 days when accelerated assessment was granted. Granting of a conditional marketing authorization or an orphan designation, as well as having scientific advice, only mildly affected total procedure time. Average total procedure time of small companies was much longer compared with medium-sized and large companies (483 versus 356 days), which was caused by an increased clock stop time.

Conclusion

Total procedure time for anticancer is mainly affected by the granting of accelerated assessment, which reduced the total procedure time, and company size, where total procedure time is much longer for small companies. Small companies are advised to have, and especially adhere to scientific advice to reduce procedure time and increase the chance of success.
Infection prevention practices in the United States, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Japan: Results from national surveys
Authors: Greene M. Todd , Krein Sarah L. , Huis Anita , Hulscher Marlies , Sax Hugo , Sakamoto Fumie , Sakihama Tomoko , Tokuda Yasuharu , Fowler Karen E. , Saint Sanjay
Published: February 2021

Objective:

To assess the extent to which evidence-based practices are regularly used in acute care hospitals in different countries.

Design:

Cross-sectional survey study. Participants and setting: Infection preventionists in acute care hospitals in the United States (US), the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Japan.

Methods:

Data collected from hospital surveys distributed between 2015 and 2017 were evaluated to determine the use of practices to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), central-line–associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI), ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), and Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). Descriptive statistics were used to examine hospital characteristics and the percentage of hospitals reporting regular use of each infection prevention practice.

Results:

Survey response rates were 59% in the United States, 65% in the Netherlands, 77% in Switzerland, and 65% in Japan. Several recommended practices were used in the majority of hospitals: aseptic catheter insertion and maintenance (CAUTI), maximum sterile barrier precautions (CLABSI), semirecumbent patient positioning (VAP), and contact precautions and routine daily cleaning (CDI). Other prevention practices for CAUTI and VAP were used less frequently, particularly in Swiss and Japanese hospitals. Established surveillance systems were also lacking in Dutch, Swiss and Japanese hospitals.

Conclusions:

Most hospitals in the United States, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Japan have adopted certain infection prevention practices. Clear opportunities for reducing HAI risk in hospitals exist across all 4 countries surveyed.
Assessment of public health notification thresholds for Clostridioides difficile in acute-care hospitals—Colorado and Tennessee, 2018
Authors: Parikh Meghana P. , Dale Ariella P. , Bamberg Wendy M. , Kainer Marion A.
Published: February 2021

Objectives:

We aimed to identify a threshold number of Clostridioides difficile infections (CDI) for acute-care hospitals (ACHs) to notify public health agencies of outbreaks and we aimed to determine whether thresholds can be used with existing surveillance strategies to further infection reduction goals.

Design:

Descriptive analysis of laboratory-identified CDI reported to the National Healthcare Safety Network by Colorado and Tennessee ACH inpatient units in 2018.

Methods:

Threshold levels of ≥2, ≥3, and ≥4 CDI events per calendar month per unit (unit month) were assessed to identify units that would trigger facility reporting to public health. Values meeting thresholds were defined as alerts. Recurrent alerts were defined as alerts from units meeting the threshold ≥2 times within 12 months. The presence of alerts was compared to the number of excess infections to identify high-burden facilities.

Results:

At an alert threshold of ≥2 CDI events per unit month, 204 alerts occurred among 43 Colorado ACHs and 290 among 78 Tennessee ACHs. At a threshold of ≥3, there were 59 and 61 alerts, and at a threshold of ≥4, there were 17 and 10 alerts in Colorado and Tennessee, respectively. In both Colorado and Tennessee, at a threshold of ≥3 nearly 50% of alerts were recurrent, and facilities with at least one alert in 2018 accounted for ∼85% of the statewide excess infections.

Conclusions:

An alert threshold of ≥3 CDI events per unit month is feasible for rapid identification of outbreaks in ACHs. This threshold can facilitate earlier assessments and interventions in high-burden facilities.
Association between body mass index and macronutrients differs along the body mass index range of German adults: results from the German National Nutrition Survey II
Authors: Moon Kilson , Krems Carolin , Heuer Thorsten , Hoffmann Ingrid
Published: February 2021

The aim of the present study was to determine whether the association between body mass index (BMI) and the intake of macronutrients varies along the BMI distribution of German adults. Based on a sample of 9214 men and women aged 18–80 years from the representative cross-sectional German National Nutrition Survey (NVS) II, quantile regression was used to investigate the association between BMI and the intake of macronutrients independent of energy intake and other predictors. In both sexes, BMI was positively associated with the intake of total protein and animal protein over its entire range and negatively associated with vegetable protein. A negative association between BMI and the intake of polysaccharides was found along the entire range of BMI in men. There was a weak negative association between BMI and the intake of total fat and saturated fatty acids observed in normal-weight-range women only. In conclusion, the association between BMI and the intake of macronutrients varies along the BMI range. Animal protein intake is positively associated with BMI independent of energy intake in both sexes whereas only in men an inverse association of polysaccharide intake with BMI was shown.
Foundations, Market Failures and the Funding of New Music
Authors: DROTT ERIC
Published: February 2021

In 1965, a short article entitled ‘On the Performing Arts: An Anatomy of their Economic Problems’ appeared in the American Economic Review, the flagship journal of the American Economic Association.1 Written by two Princeton-affiliated economists, William J. Baumol and William G. Bowen, the article laid out in eight short pages a powerful explanation for why the operating costs of so many performing arts organizations consistently overran their earnings, and why this tendency had become more pronounced over time. The problem was not that lavish budgets were being spent on productions, nor that musicians’ unions had wrung too many concessions from management. Rather, the problem was more prosaic, having to do with ‘differential rates of growth in the economy’.2 To illustrate the argument, Baumol and Bowen asked readers to perform a thought experiment: ‘Think of an economy divided into two sectors: one in which productivity is rising and another where productivity is stable.’3 For the sake of simplicity, they explicitly assumed a number of useful fictions: that labour can easily and frictionlessly move between the two sectors; that wage increases across the board will keep pace with productivity growth (a standard if problematic assumption in modern economic theory);4 and that the monetary supply is sufficiently controlled to maintain overall price stability. What, given these assumptions, is the outcome of such a stark split in the economy? In the productive sector, the increase in wages that workers receive will be offset by increased productivity. In the stagnant sector, wages will rise but output will not. And if an organization is to avoid bankruptcy, the only way to do so is by raising prices to cover the rise in labour costs. (Remember, one of Baumol and Bowen’s working assumptions is that wage increases will keep pace with productivity growth, in both productive and stagnant sectors.) Yet this solution to the problem creates another one, since over time prices in the unproductive sector will increase at a much faster rate than those in the productive one, making the products of the former unaffordable to an increasing number of workers.
The magnetic helicity density patterns from non-axisymmetric solar dynamo
Authors: Pipin Valery V.
Published: February 2021

We study the helicity density patterns which can result from the emerging bipolar regions. Using the relevant dynamo model and the magnetic helicity conservation law we find that the helicity density patterns around the bipolar regions depend on the configuration of the ambient large-scale magnetic field, and in general they show a quadrupole distribution. The position of this pattern relative to the equator can depend on the tilt of the bipolar region. We compute the time–latitude diagrams of the helicity density evolution. The longitudinally averaged effect of the bipolar regions shows two bands of sign for the density distributions in each hemisphere. Similar helicity density patterns are provided by the helicity density flux from the emerging bipolar regions subjected to surface differential rotation.
A systematic review of anti-Entamoeba histolytica activity of medicinal plants published in the last 20 years
Authors: Nezaratizade Saeed , Hashemi Nooshin , Ommi Davood , Orhan Ilkay Erdogan , Khamesipour Faham
Published: February 2021

Amoebiasis has emerged as a major health problem worldwide. It is endemic in the present scenario is different and sub-tropical regions especially in Asia, Latin America and also in Africa. Causative of amoebiasis is a protozoan known as Entamoeba histolytica. We screened all the databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, Medline and Google Scholar by using the keywords ‘anti-Entamoeba histolytica activity of medicinal plants, anti-Entamoeba histolytica activity of herbal drugs, the anti-amoebic activity of natural drugs’. In the present study, we found 7861 articles, where all articles were screened for bias analysis and included 32 full-matching articles in total reporting the use of medicinal plants as a remedy for amoebiasis. Through these articles, we found 42 herbs having anti-amoebic activity. In bias analysis, we also found four articles under high bias risk. In our study, seven medicinal plants were concluded to possess the most potent anti-amoebic activity based on their IC50 value, which was less than 1 μg mL−1. On bias analysis, we found four articles with high bias risk, hence these studies can be repeated for better results.
Variable Inverted Pendulum Applied to Humanoid Motion Design
Authors: Zielinska Teresa , Rivera Coba Gabriel R. , Ge Weimin
Published: February 2021

Double inverted pendulum model, stationary or on a cart, is computationally the simplest out of the range of reasonable models used for anthropomorphic robots motion synthesis. However, it is still not sufficient for describing more complex situations. The novel concept of variable double inverted pendulum (VDIP) for static postures and VDIP on cart (VDIPC) for dynamic cases is proposed. It provides a simplified but a sufficiently accurate tool for planning the human-like static and dynamic robot postures. Its variable parameters enable the description of both human static postures and motion dynamics. The variable length of the lower link is essential for the representation of postures attained by bending legs. The studies of a set of static and dynamic postures were used for deducing and verifying the locations of lower and upper joint of a double pendulum and the point masses. To justify the concept, human body and pendulum behaviors are compared taking into account a typical model of the human body. Static analysis was conducted by considering static human postures. Dynamic conditions were analyzed using the data acquired from human motion and thus the VDIPC definition was established. The zero moment point trajectories of the human and of VDIPC were compared, validating the correctness of VDIPC in dynamic situations. The formal description of VDIPC is provided together with the torques equilibrium condition needed for evaluating the dynamic postural stability, with the VDPIC representing the robot configuration. The VDPIC state equations are formulated in a form required by the predictive control method. The paper contributes to the motion synthesis methods of anthropomorphic robots taking into account postural control.