bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Metal Adsorption from Aqueous Solutions on Coal and Char Remaining After In-situ Underground Coal Gasification (UCG)
Authors: Strugała-Wilczek Aleksandra , Stańczyk Krzysztof , Bebek Krzysztof
Published: March 2020

The aim of the study was to describe the sorption interactions between potentially toxic metals (Cd, Co, Cu, Pb) and materials from an underground coal gasification (UCG) experimental zone. These interactions seem to be significant in terms of the impact of in situ UCG on the groundwater environment. Sorption parameters were determined for two different sample types: subbituminous coal mined from the coal-bed and then subjected to gasification and coal char from the cavity formed by the UCG process. Laboratory-scale tests were carried out using deionized water and aqueous solutions of metals with increasing concentrations. The Freundlich isotherm model was applied to describe sorption phenomena due to nonlinear mass distribution of adsorbed metal ions as a function of equilibrium concentration and assuming physical interactions only. In addition, the efficiency of the tested sorbents for metal removal was calculated. In the case of subbituminous coal, the percent removal ranged from a minimum of 3.6–9.8% (for cobalt) to a maximum of 43.4–79.8% (for lead). Char removed metals more efficiently (min. 26.6–94.8% for cadmium; max. 98.5–99.9% for lead). Furthermore, the sorbates can be ranked according to the metal ion binding efficiency to sorbents in the following order: Co < Cd < Cu < Pb. The sorption characteristics of materials obtained from the post-UCG cavity may be used to evaluate the retardation parameters of inorganic pollutant migration in the environment around a georeactor.
De-escalation of axillary surgery in breast cancer patients treated in the neoadjuvant setting: a Dutch population-based study
Authors: Simons J. M. , Koppert L. B. , Luiten E. J. T. , van der Pol C. C. , Samiei S. , de Wilt J. H. W. , Siesling S. , Smidt M. L.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

An overall trend is observed towards de-escalation of axillary surgery in patients with breast cancer. The objective of this study was to evaluate this trend in patients treated with neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST).

Methods

Patients with cT1-4N0-3 breast cancer treated with NST (2006–2016) were selected from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Patients were classified by clinical node status (cN) and type of axillary surgery. Uni- and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the clinicopathological factors associated with performing ALND in cN+ patients.

Results

A total of 12,461 patients treated with NST were identified [5830 cN0 patients (46.8%), 6631 cN+ patients (53.2%)]. In cN0 patients, an overall increase in sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) only (not followed by ALND) was seen from 11% in 2006 to 94% in 2016 (p < 0.001). SLNB performed post-NST increased from 33 to 62% (p < 0.001). In cN+ patients, an overall decrease in ALND was seen from 99% in 2006 to 53% in 2016 (p < 0.001). Age (OR 1.01, CI 1.00–1.02), year of diagnosis (OR 0.47, CI 0.44–0.50), HER2-positive disease (OR 0.62, CI 0.52–0.75), clinical tumor stage (T2 vs. T1 OR 1.32, CI 1.06–1.65, T3 vs. T1 OR 2.04, CI 1.58–2.63, T4 vs. T1 OR 6.37, CI 4.26–9.50), and clinical nodal stage (N3 vs. N1 OR 1.65, CI 1.28–2.12) were correlated with performing ALND in cN+ patients.

Conclusions

ALND decreased substantially over the past decade in patients treated with NST. Assessment of long-term prognosis of patients in whom ALND is omitted after NST is urgently needed.
ptype: probabilistic type inference
Authors: Ceritli Taha , Williams Christopher K. I. , Geddes James
Published: March 2020

Type inference refers to the task of inferring the data type of a given column of data. Current approaches often fail when data contains missing data and anomalies, which are found commonly in real-world data sets. In this paper, we propose ptype, a probabilistic robust type inference method that allows us to detect such entries, and infer data types. We further show that the proposed method outperforms existing methods.
Recursion relations for gravitational lensing
Authors: Normann Ben David , Clarkson Chris
Published: March 2020

The weak gravitational lensing formalism can be extended to the strong lensing regime by integrating a nonlinear version of the geodesic deviation equation. The resulting ‘roulette’ expansion generalises the notion of convergence, shear and flexion to arbitrary order. The independent coefficients of this expansion are screen space gradients of the optical tidal tensor which approximates to the usual lensing potential in the weak field limit. From lensed images, knowledge of the roulette coefficients can in principle be inverted to reconstruct the mass distribution of a lens. In this paper, we simplify the roulette expansion and derive a family of recursion relations between the various coefficients, generalising the Kaiser–Squires relations beyond the weak-lensing regime.
Vivaldi End-Fire Antenna for THz Photomixers
Authors: Abdullah Mohammad Faraz , Mukherjee Amlan K. , Kumar Rajesh , Preu Sascha
Published: March 2020

We propose a broadband end-fire antenna for continuous-wave terahertz (THz) photomixing–based devices working in the frequency range of 0.5–1 THz. A compact Vivaldi antenna is presented that does not require any hyper-hemispherical silicon lens to collect and collimate THz radiation unlike the conventionally used broadside antennas. The antenna is tailored to radiate THz into or receive radiation from a dielectric waveguide placed in close vicinity of it. The antenna is fabricated on an indium phosphide (InP) substrate. A silicon (Si) superstrate is used to improve the directionality of the radiated beam. THz power coupled into Si waveguides is measured using two different techniques between 0.1 and 1.15 THz. Firstly, the waveguide is placed in the optical path of a 1550 nm based continuous-wave THz setup with a commercial broadside emitter, focusing optics, and a detector fabricated on the InP substrate with log-periodic broadside antenna. Secondly, the waveguide is placed in direct contact with the designed Vivaldi antenna–based THz receiver and using the commercial broadside emitter as a source. It is observed that the direct coupling technique using the Vivaldi end-fire antenna outperforms the optically coupled approach at frequencies higher than 668 GHz. Efficient THz photoconductive sources and receivers based on the designed compact Vivaldi end-fire antenna will be suitable for launching THz power into on-chip THz circuitry and for compact THz systems.
Evaluation of the Peng–Robinson and the Cubic-Plus-Association Equations of State in Modeling VLE of Carboxylic Acids with Water
Authors: Román-Ramírez Luis A. , Leeke Gary A.
Published: March 2020

The performance of the classic Peng–Robinson (PR) and the modern Cubic-Plus-Association (CPA) equations of state were evaluated in modeling isobaric and isothermal vapor–liquid equilibria (VLE) of binary mixtures of carboxylic acids (formic, acetic, propanoic or butanoic) + water. Two functionalities of the alpha term were tested in PR, the original term proposed by Soave and the Matthias–Copeman term specially developed for modeling polar compounds. Within the Soave functionality, two generalized forms of the acentric factor were studied, the original general form and the Robinson and Peng modification for values of the acentric factor larger than 0.491. In addition, the case of PR with fitted parameters from saturated properties (as commonly obtained for modern equations of state) was also evaluated. VLE calculations without the use of a binary interaction parameter are in general more accurate with the modern CPA due to the association term; however, when a binary interaction parameter is used, the performance of the PR versions studied here are on average similar to those of CPA, and in some cases even superior. The original alpha function used in the PR equation and the original generalized form of the acentric factor are the best options for modeling organic acids + water systems when the binary interaction parameter is available. Temperature-dependent binary interaction parameters are provided as a database in modeling these complex systems.
Two modes of dative and genitive case assignment: Evidence from two stages of Greek
Authors: Anagnostopoulou Elena , Sevdali Christina
Published: March 2020

In this paper, we compare the properties of dative and genitive objects in Classical vs. Modern Greek. Based on the difference in behavior of dative/genitive objects of ditransitives and monadic transitives in the two periods of Greek which correlates with a range of systematic alternations in the case realization of Modern Greek IO arguments depending on the presence and category (DP vs. PP) of lower theme arguments, we argue that there are two distinct modes of dative and genitive objective case assignment: they are eitherprepositionalordependent(structural) cases, as also proposed by Baker and Vinokurova (2010), and Baker (2015) on the basis of cross-linguistic evidence. If we adopt this proposal a number of important implications follow both for the syntax of Modern Greek genitive indirect objects and for the understanding of the change from Classical to Standard Modern Greek which must be seen as a development from a grammatical system where dative and genitive were lexical/inherent/prepositional cases to a system where genitive is a dependent case assigned to DPs in the sense of Marantz (1991). Interestingly, the development from Classical Greek (CG) to Modern Greek (MG) affected the availability of dative/genitive-nominative alternations in passivization, in the opposite direction of what might be expected, i.e. such alternations were possible in CG and are no longer possible in MG. Our paper addresses this puzzle and argues that the availability of such alternations is not always a diagnostic tool for detecting whether an indirect object DP bears lexically specified or structural/dependent Case, contra standard practice in the literature.
Additive multi-effort contests
Authors: Hausken Kjell
Published: March 2020

This article analyzes rent seeking with multiple additive efforts for each of two players. Impact on rent seeking occurs even when a player exerts only one effort. This contrasts with models of multiplicative efforts with impact on rent seeking only when a player exerts all its available efforts. An analytical solution is developed when the contest intensities are below one, and equal to one for one effort. Then, additional efforts causing interior solutions give players higher expected utilities and lower rent dissipation, which contrasts with earlier findings for multiplicative efforts. Players cut back on the effort with contest intensity equal to one, and exert alternative efforts instead. Accounting for solutions which have to be determined numerically, a Nash equilibrium selection method is provided. For illustration, an example with maximum two efforts for each player is provided. Equilibria are shown where both players choose both efforts, or one player withdraws from its most costly effort. Both players may collectively prefer to exclude one of their efforts, though in equilibrium, they may prefer both efforts. When all contest intensities are equal to one or larger than one, only the one most cost-effective effort is exerted, due to the logic of linear or convex production. Rent dissipation increases in the contest intensity, and is maximum when the players are equally advantaged determined by unit effort cost divided by impact.
Analysis of spatial planning documents and strategic environmental assessment reports with regard to hazards of major industrial accidents: a case study involving six Polish cities
Authors: Markiewicz Maria Teresa
Published: March 2020

In the event of an accident in an industrial plant, the damage caused by it can be enormous. There may be environmental contamination in a large area. Injured persons may be both employees of the plant staying on its premises and local residents. The control of major accidents is realised by implementing the procedures regarding: safety analysis, emergency and operational planning, effective land-use planning (LUP), strategic environmental assessment (SEA), environmental impact assessment (EIA) and public consultation. The paper presents findings of a case study aiming to analyse selected spatial planning documents prepared at the municipality and SEA reports accompanying them, with regard to hazards of major industrial accidents in six Polish cities. In addition, changes of relevant Polish legislation taking place from 1995 till now are explained referring to European Union (EU) law. This article is the very first to present the situation concerning LUP around hazardous plants in Poland based on such extensive data. The assessment shows that the way of recording the major accident hazards is varied, but legal norms, binding at the time when the documents were drawn up, were met in each of the analysed documents. Changes of relevant Poland legislation were not the only reason for differences in the ways of recording the hazards of major industrial accidents in these documents. The case study has revealed that relevant Polish regulations can be still improved. The results of the study have useful implications for the control of major accidents, spatial policy-making and environmental management.
Is There a Crisis of Democracy in Europe?
Authors: Kriesi Hanspeter
Published: March 2020

This paper discusses the current prospects of democracy in Europe from four perspectives: the birdʼs-eye view of long-term trends; the perspective of citizens’ support of democratic principles and their dissatisfaction with the way democracy works in their own countries; the voters’ perspective, which points to the rise of populist challengers in reaction to rising democratic dissatisfaction; and the elites’ perspective of populists in power. Overall, there is reason for concern, but no reason to dramatize. The long-term trends point to the expansion of democracy; the citizens’ support for democracy is still massive in Europe. At the same time, democratic dissatisfaction is widespread, giving rise to the surge of populist challengers from the left and the right. However, even if they gain power, populists meet with a large number of constraints that stabilize democracy.
Fluid Dynamics Effects on Microstructure Prediction in Single-Laser Tracks for Additive Manufacturing of IN625
Authors: Sabau Adrian S. , Yuan Lang , Raghavan Narendran , Bement Matthew , Simunovic Srdjan , Turner John A. , Gupta Vipul K.
Published: March 2020

Single-track laser fusion were simulated using a heat-transfer-solidification-only (HTS) model and its extension with fluid dynamics (HTS_FD) model using a parallel open-source code, which included laminar fluid dynamics, flat-free surface of the molten alloy, heat transfer, phase-change, evaporation, and surface tension phenomena. The results illustrate that the fluid dynamics affects the solidification and ensuing microstructure. For the HTS_FD simulations, thermal gradient, G was found to exhibit a maximum at the extremity of the solidified pool (i.e., at the free surface), while for HTS simulations, G exhibited a maximum around the entire edge of the solidified pool. HTS_FD simulations predicted a wider range of cooling rates than the HTS simulations, exhibited an increased spread in the solidification speed, V variation within the melt-pool with respect to the HTS model results. Primary dendrite arm spacing (PDAS) were evaluated based on power law correlations and marginal stability theory models using the (G, V) from HTS and HTS_FD simulations to quantify the effect of the fluid dynamics on the microstructure. At low-laser powers and low-scan speeds, the PDAS obtained with the fluid dynamics model (HTS_FD) was larger by more than 30 pct with respect to the PDAS calculated with the simple HTS model. A new PDAS correlation, i.e.,

$$ \lambda_{1} \left[ {\mu {\text{m}}} \right] = 832\;G\left[ {\text{K/m}} \right]^{ - 0.5} V\left[ {\text{m/s}} \right]^{ - 0.25} $$

λ
1

μ
m

=
832

G

K/m

-
0.5

V

m/s

-
0.25

, which uses the (G, V) results from the HTS_FD model was developed and validated against experimental results.
Technological Frames and Care Robots in Eldercare
Authors: Frennert Susanne , Aminoff Hedvig , Östlund Britt
Published: March 2020

Care robots are often portrayed as an exciting new technology for improving care practices. Whether these robots will be accepted and integrated into care work or not, is likely to be affected by the assumptions, expectations and understandings held by potential end users, such as frontline staff and the people that are cared for. This paper describes how the conceptual framework of technological frames was used to identifythe nature of care robots,care robots in useandcare robot strategyas shared group level assumptions, expectations and understandings of care robots among care staff and potential care receivers. Focus groups were conducted with 94 participants. These groups consisted of line managers, frontline care staff, older people and students training to become carers. The technological frame ofthe nature of care robotsrevealed two complementary components: care robots as a threat to the quality of care, and care robots as substitute for humans and human care, held together by imaginaries of care robots. The technological frame ofcare robots in userevealed aspects of prospective end-users’ uncertainty of their ability to handle care robots, and their own perceived lack of competence and knowledge about care robots. In addition, the following potential criteria for successful use of care robots were identified: adequate training, incentives for usage (needs and motives), usability, accessibility and finances. The technological frame ofcare robot strategywas revealed as believed cost savings and staff reduction. The novelty of the results, and their relevance for science and practice, is derived from the theoretical framework which indicates that adoption of care robots will be dependent on how well societies succeed in collectively shaping congruent technological frames among different stakeholders and aligning technological development accordingly.
Welche Entwicklungszusammenhänge zwischen Sprache, Mathematik und Arbeitsgedächtnis modulieren den Einfluss sprachlicher Kompetenzen auf mathematisches Lernen im (Vor‑)Schulalter?
Authors: Viesel-Nordmeyer Nurit , Ritterfeld Ute , Bos Wilfried
Published: March 2020

Der Entwicklungszusammenhang zwischen sprachlichen und mathematischen Fähigkeiten ist hoch komplex und noch nicht gut verstanden. Deshalb wurden Kompetenzdaten von sprachlich unauffälligen Kindern aus dem Nationalen Bildungspanel (NEPS) genutzt, um interdependente Einflüsse von sprachlichen Kompetenzen (Grammatik und Wortschatz) sowie kognitiven Fähigkeiten (zentrale Exekutive, phonologische Schleife, indirekte Maße des Arbeitsgedächtnisses) und mathematischem Lernen in der Altersspanne zwischen 4 und 8 Jahren zu untersuchen (n = 354). Dabei zeigte sich, dass langfristig insbesondere die grammatikalischen Fähigkeiten das mathematische Lernen beeinflussen. Zudem wurde deutlich, dass Sprache innerhalb des Zusammenspiels zwischen kognitiven Fähigkeiten und mathematischen Kompetenzen unterschiedliche Funktionen einnehmen kann: So stellt sie einerseits im Vorschulalter eine Voraussetzung für die Leistungsfähigkeit einzelner mit mathematischen Kompetenzen in Zusammenhang stehender kognitiver Fähigkeiten (zentrale Exekutive, phonologische Schleife) dar. Andererseits mediiert Sprache sowohl im Vorschul- wie auch im Grundschulalter den Einfluss der kognitiven Fähigkeiten auf das mathematische Lernen. Zudem weisen die Ergebnisse darauf hin, dass sprachliche Kompetenzen insbesondere im Vorschulalter eine Voraussetzung zur Speicherung mathematischer Informationen bilden.
Composition of scrub-type cosmetics from the perspective of product ecology and microplastic content
Authors: Piotrowska Anna , Czerwińska-Ledwig Olga , Serdiuk Marta , Serdiuk Katarzyna , Pilch Wanda
Published: March 2020

Objective

Civilisational progress causes bigger and bigger interference in the natural environment. The demand for plastics and their production is constantly growing what is the source of wastes. One of the sources of such waste is cosmetic industry. The main source of fragmented polyethylene is the generally used mechanical peelings.

Methods

The analysis included 130 scrub-type cosmetic preparations available in the Polish market. Proportional shares of the preparations with polyethylene, natural or mixed abrasive ingredient were determined. The types and frequencies of using natural abrasive materials and biodegradable polymers were characterised. It was analysed if the professional and generally available products differ in this respect.

Results

Among the analysed cosmetics, 72 (55%) included polyethylene, and for professional cosmetics, this proportion was 100. Compositions of drugstore cosmetics are varied, with many abrasive substances of natural origin, and only sometimes with polyethylene.

Conclusions

The differences observed between generally available cosmetics and professional cosmetics are surprising and indicate a greater ecological awareness of individual clients. The problem will be raised in the coming years more and more frequently, and, as proved by this analysis, manufacturers of professional cosmetics are not ready for this yet, and they have no alternative ecological solutions.
Dysfunctional ABCG2 gene polymorphisms are associated with serum uric acid levels and all-cause mortality in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Nakashima Akio , Ichida Kimiyoshi , Ohkido Ichiro , Yokoyama Keitaro , Matsuo Hirotaka , Ohashi Yuki , Takada Tappei , Nakayama Akiyoshi , Suzuki Hiroshi , Shinomiya Nariyoshi , Urashima Mitsuyoshi , Yokoo Takashi
Published: March 2020

Dysfunctional variants of ATP-binding cassette transporter subfamily G member 2 (ABCG2), a urate transporter in the kidney and intestine, are the major causes of hyperuricemia and gout. A recent study found that ABCG2 is a major transporter of uremic toxins; however, few studies have investigated the relationship between ABCG2 gene polymorphisms and mortality. This prospective cohort study of 1214 hemodialysis patients investigated the association between serum uric acid levels and ABCG2 genotype and mortality. Genotyping of dysfunctional ABCG2 variants, Q126X (rs72552713) and Q141K (rs2231142), was performed using the patients’ DNA. During the study period, 220 patients died. Lower serum uric acid levels were associated with higher mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14–3.10, P ≤ 0.001). ABCG2 dysfunction, estimated by genetic variants, had a significant positive association with serum uric acid levels (full function: 7.4 ± 1.2 mg/dl, 3/4 function: 7.9 ± 1.3 mg/dl, 1/2 function: 8.2 ± 1.4 mg/dl, ≤ 1/4 function: 8.7 ± 1.3 mg/dl, P ≤ 0.001). This association remained significant on multiple regression analysis. The Cox proportional hazard analysis indicated that the ABCG2 ≤ 1/4 function type was significantly associated with higher mortality (HR 6.66, 95% CI 2.49 to 17.8, P ≤ 0.001) than the other function types. These results showed that ABCG2 plays a physiologically important role in uric acid excretion, and that ABCG2 dysfunction is a risk factor for mortality in hemodialysis patients.
Kasumi leukemia cell lines: characterization of tumor genomes with ethnic origin and scales of genomic alterations
Authors: Kasai Fumio , Asou Hiroya , Ozawa Midori , Kobayashi Kazuhiko , Kuramitsu Hiroyuki , Satoh Motonobu , Kohara Arihiro , Kaneko Yasuhiko , Kawamura Machiko
Published: March 2020

Kasumi-1 has played an important role in an experimental model with t(8;21) translocation, which is a representative example of leukemia cell lines. However, previous studies using Kasumi-1 show discrepancies in the genome profile. The wide use of leukemia cell lines is limited to lines that are well-characterized. The use of additional cell lines extends research to various types of leukemia, and to further explore leukemia pathogenesis, which can be achieved by uncovering the fundamental features of each cell line with accurate data. In this study, ten Kasumi cell lines established in Japan, including five that were previously unknown, have been characterized by SNP microarray and targeted sequencing. SNP genotyping suggested that the genetic ancestry in four of the ten Kasumi cell lines was not classified as Japanese but covered several different east-Asian ethnicities, suggesting that patients in Japan are genetically diverse. TP53 mutations were detected in two cell lines with complex array profiles, indicating chromosomal instability (CIN). A quantitative assessment of tumor genomes at the chromosomal level was newly introduced to reveal total DNA sizes and Scales of Genomic Alterations (SGA) for each cell line. Kasumi-1 and 6 derived from relapsed phases demonstrated high levels of SGA, implying that the level of SGA would reflect on the tumor progression and could serve as an index of CIN. Our results extend the leukemia cellular resources with an additional five cell lines and provide reference genome data with ethnic identities for the ten Kasumi cell lines.
Imidacloprid markedly affects hemolymph proteolysis, biomarkers, DNA global methylation, and the cuticle proteolytic layer in western honeybees
Authors: Paleolog Jerzy , Wilde Jerzy , Siuda Maciej , Bąk Beata , Wójcik Łukasz , Strachecka Aneta
Published: March 2020

Imidacloprid (IMD) may affect proteolysis, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and global DNA methylation in honeybees. Queens, drones, and workers aged 1 or 20 days were exposed (free-flying colonies) to IMD (5 ppb and 200 ppb) in their diet. As a result, the colony depopulation did not occurred. IMD disturbed hemolymph/cuticle proteolysis; deactivated most of the cuticle protease inhibitors, activated hemolymph thiol and metal proteases and cuticle thiol proteases; downregulated ALP, ALT, AST; and increased DNA methylation in a caste- and age-dependent manner. The response in queens and workers differed, possibly due to eusocial evolution. Higher IMD dose had greater effects. The responses of ALP, ALT, AST, and DNA may reflect acceleration of biochemical senescence and epigenetic adaptation to IMD. All these biochemical side effects may lead to colony depopulation during future biotic/abiotic stress.
Potential Linkages Between Social Capital, Flood Risk Perceptions, and Self-Efficacy
Authors: Hudson Paul , Hagedoorn Liselotte , Bubeck Philip
Published: March 2020

A growing focus is being placed on both individuals and communities to adapt to flooding as part of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030. Adaptation to flooding requires sufficient social capital (linkages between members of society), risk perceptions (understanding of risk), and self-efficacy (self-perceived ability to limit disaster impacts) to be effective. However, there is limited understanding of how social capital, risk perceptions, and self-efficacy interact. We seek to explore how social capital interacts with variables known to increase the likelihood of successful adaptation. To study these linkages we analyze survey data of 1010 respondents across two communities in Thua Tien-Hue Province in central Vietnam, using ordered probit models. We find positive correlations between social capital, risk perceptions, and self-efficacy overall. This is a partly contrary finding to what was found in previous studies linking these concepts in Europe, which may be a result from the difference in risk context. The absence of an overall negative exchange between these factors has positive implications for proactive flood risk adaptation.
Awareness of strategy execution barriers in decision-making process: moderated mediation analysis
Authors: Radomska Joanna , Kozyra Cyprian
Published: March 2020

Although many studies have discussed the strategy execution process and the reasons for its ineffectiveness, there is a need to consider the relations and interactions between the factors that hinder strategy implementation. The purpose of this article is to explore the interrelations between the strategy execution barriers by considering six factors and understanding the influence of these factors on a company’s performance measured by its achievement of strategic goals (as one of the strategy execution measures) and its revenue dynamics (as a financial measure). In order to achieve the research goal, structural equation modelling was performed for the path analysis. The research sample, which consisted of 150 companies of different sizes and from different industries, was selected from the population of companies registered on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. The initial model of relationships was modified to create the final model from which insignificant paths had been removed. Our main finding is that the strategy implementation process should be perceived as a set of integrated factors, which should be analysed from an aggregated perspective in decision-making process. We believe that, rather than focusing only on the efficiency of final results, attention should be paid to ensure the effectiveness of all the factors aggregated in one construct and hence that it is necessary to regard the implementation process as an execution-as-learning concept. As revealed by our study, the awareness of strategy execution barriers directly impacts the achievement of strategic goals and indirectly impacts the revenue dynamics.
The International Rule of Law and the Idea of Normative Authority
Authors: Gorobets Kostiantyn
Published: March 2020

Domestic and international jurisprudence exist and develop as two ‘pocket universes’ in a sense that they belong to the same fabric of reality, but at the same time many concepts shift their meaning when moved from one pocket to another. This is of a paramount importance for the idea of the rule of law, which in domestic setting was forged in the flame of civil wars and struggles against the rulers. This history and such struggles are something international law has never known, and thus any direct transplantation of the domestic images of the rule of law to international realm are doomed to fail. This entails a need in deconstructing the rule of law. Its core meaning (‘laws must be obeyed’), brings a normative claim relevant to any legal order. The idea of the (international) rule of law appears to be linked to the idea of authority of (international) law. There are differences of the structures of authority in domestic and international law as authority can be mediated or unmediated. Mediation of authority, typical for domestic law, presupposes the existence of officials that are functionally and institutionally differentiated from the subjects of law. Authority of international law is by and large unmediated because of its horizontal nature. Such reconstruction allows to reframe the central concern of the international rule of law enquiries. Instead of trying to fit it to the procrustean bed of domestic theories, international legal scholarship must focus on defining conditions under which international law’s claim to authority is realisable.
The Daily Therapy With L-Arginine 2,500 mg and Tadalafil 5 mg in Combination and in Monotherapy for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction: A Prospective, Randomized Multicentre Study
Authors: Gallo Luigi , Pecoraro Stefano , Sarnacchiaro Pasquale , Silvani Mauro , Antonini Gabriele
Published: March 2020

Introduction

A synergistic effect of the combination therapy tadalafil plus L-Arginine is conceivable in patients affected by erectile dysfunction (ED).

Aim

To evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of tadalafil 5 mg and L-Arginine 2.5 grams in monotherapy and combination therapy.

Methods

Recruited patients completed the International Index of Erectile Function – Erectile Function domain (IIEF-EF) and Sexual Encounter Proﬁle diaries completed at baseline and after treatment. The survey was randomized into 3 groups with an equal allocation ratio. Group A received daily L-Arginine 2,500 mg, group B received daily tadalafil 5 mg, and group C received both daily L-Arginine 2,500 mg plus daily tadalafil 5 mg. The duration of therapy in all 3 groups was 12 weeks. Safety was assessed by evaluating all reported treatment-emergent adverse events.

Main Outcome Measure

The main outcome measure was the change in IIEF-EF score and in per-patient percentage of “yes” responses to Sexual Encounter Profile Question 3 from baseline to after treatment.

Results

300 eligible patients were enrolled, and 100 subjects for each group were allocated. Based on the IIEF-EF score, the participants were divided into 3 categories: severe, moderate, and mild ED. IIEF-EF score increased in group A from 15 ± 7 to 18.1 ± 9.2, in group B from 14.8 ± 6.9 to 20.8 ± 7.3, and in group C from 14.9 ± 7.1 to 22 ± 7.5. In mild ED group, the mean IIEF-EF score increased from 22.1 ± 2.2 to 27.5 ± 2.3 in group A; from 22.1 ± 2.2 to 27.8 ± 2 in group B, and from 22.2 ± 2.2 to 29.3 ± 0.9 in group C. We report a total of 11, 53, and 67 cases of adverse events in group A, B, and C respectively.

Conclusions

Combination therapy was superior to monotherapies.

Gallo L, Pecoraro S, Sarnacchiaro P, et al. The Daily Therapy With L-Arginine 2,500 mg and Tadalafil 5 mg in Combination and in Monotherapy for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction: A Prospective, Randomized Multicentre Study. Sex Med 2020;8:178–185.
Hb Sun Prairie
Authors: Jain Ankur , Prasad Pooja , Chaudhry Sumita , Gupta D.K. , Saluja Sumita
Published: March 2020

Haemolytic anaemia is a commonly encountered condition in clinical haematology practise. Dissecting the aetiology of haemolytic anaemia is of paramount importance for appropriate management. We describe a 29-years-old lady of Indian origin, who presented with fatigue and recurrent jaundice for 2 years. Examination revealed pallor, mild icterus, and splenomegaly. Blood tests showed anaemia, reticulocytosis, indirecthyperbilirubinemia, and high serum lactate dehydrogenase, consistent with haemolytic anaemia. Peripheral smear showed severely microcytic hypochromic red cells and polychromasia. Heinz bodies and inclusion bodies were seen with supravital staining. Haemoglobin high pressure liquid chromatography showed low HbA2 and normal HbF. Work-up for iron deficiency was negative. Polymerase chain reaction of the genomic DNA failed to identify common deletions in the HBA genes. Sangers sequencing of HBA2 gene revealed a homozygous missense mutation NM_000517.6: c.391G > C (p.Ala131- Pro) leading to a highly unstable hemoglobin, Hb Sun Prairie. Mother was heterozygous for the same mutation, and father was unavailable for genetic testing. We highlight the role of sangers sequencing in unravelling the underlying aetiology of haemolytic anaemia. Pathophysiology and existing literature of Hb Sun Prairie has been discussed.
Alternative donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for sickle cell disease in Europe
Authors: Gluckman Eliane , Cappelli Barbara , Scigliuolo Graziana Maria , Fuente Josu De la , Corbacioglu Selim
Published: March 2020

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is, to date, the only curative treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD). Because an human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched sibling donor is not always available, alternative stem cell sources such as unrelated or haploidentical related donors have been explored. To date, few series of SCD patients transplanted with an unrelated donor, cord blood, and haploidentical related donor have been reported, but the high rates of rejection and chronic graft versus host disease have limited their widespread application. We describe the outcomes of a retrospective, registry-based, survey on 144 alternative donor HSCT performed for SCD in 30 European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation centers between 1999 and 2017. Data on 70 unrelated adult donors (49%), six cord blood (4%), and 68 haploidentical donors (47%; including post-HSCT Cy, ex vivo T-cell depleted, and other haplo-HSCTs) were reported and missing information was updated by the centers. Overall, 16% patients experienced graft failure, Grade II–IV acute GVHD at 100 days was 24%, whereas Grade III–IV was 10%. Chronic GVHD was observed in 24% (limited for 13 patients and extensive for 18 patients). Overall, the 3-year overall survival (OS) was 86% ± 3% and 3-year event-free survival (EFS; considering death and graft failure as events) was 72% ± 4%. We therefore conclude that alternative donor HSCT for SCD can be feasible but efforts in decreasing relapse and GVHD should be promoted to increase its safe and successful utilization. Moreover, a better knowledge of HLA matching and the tailoring of conditioning could help improve EFS and OS.
Reactivation of tuberculosis following ruxolitinib therapy for primary myelofibrosis
Authors: Khalid Farhan , Damlaj Moussab , AlZahrani Mohsen , Abuelgasim Khadega A. , Gmati Giamal Edin
Published: March 2020

Primary myelofibrosis (PMF) is a subtype of BCR-ABL1 negative myeloproliferative neoplasm. Its characteristic features include clonal myeloproliferation, dysregulation of kinase signaling pathway, abnormal release of cytokines leading to fibrosis in the bone marrow, osteosclerosis, and extramedullary hematopoiesis. Approximately 20% of deaths occur because of disease progression, but death may also result occur because of cardiovascular complications or as a consequence of either infection or bleeding. The only and curative option for PMF is allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT); however, the Janus kinase (JAK) 1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib is highly effective in reducing constitutional symptoms and spleen volume, and has been found to improve survival. Ruxolitinib decreases the activity of type I T-helper cells, leading to decreased release of cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL- 6, interferon-γ, and production of IL-12, which can be a risk factor for opportunistic infections. In this report, we describe three cases of tuberculosis reactivation shortly after initiation of ruxolitinib therapy followed by a literature review.
Estimation of Pregnant Women Possibly Left Behind in Tsunami Predicted Areas of Nagoya City: A Simulation for Rescue Planning
Authors: Hattori Ritsuko , Miyagawa Shoko , Hattori Kanetoshi
Published: March 2020

Objective:

In case of an outbreak of Nankai Trough Mega-earthquake, it is predicted that a tsunami would invade Nagoya City within 100 minutes, hitting about one third of the City of Nagoya. If the administrative plan of the city and midwives’ expertise are coordinated, pregnant women’s chances of survival will increase. The authors carried out this simulation study in an attempt to improve consistency of the two efforts.

Method:

We estimated the number of pregnant women using a machine learning model. The evacuation distance of pregnant women was estimated on the basis of the data of road center line.

Results:

Through this simulation study, it became clear that preparation for approximately 2600 pregnant women escaping from tsunami predicted area and for about 1200 pregnant women possibly left in the area is needed.

Conclusions:

Our study suggests that triage point planning is needed in areas where pregnant women are evacuated. The triage makes it possible to transport women to appropriate hospitals.
Modeling industrial engineering change processes using the design structure matrix for sequence analysis: a comparison of multiple projects
Authors: Arnarsson Ívar Örn , Gustavsson Emil , Jirstrand Mats , Malmqvist Johan
Published: March 2020

The problem at hand is that vast amount of data on industrial changes is captured and stored; yet the present challenge is to systematically retrieve and use them in a purposeful way. This paper presents an industrial case study where complex product development processes are modeled using the design structure matrix (DSM) to analyze engineering change requests sequences. Engineering change requests are documents used to initiate a change process to enhance a product. Due to the amount of changes made in different projects, engineers want to be able to analyze these change processes to identify patterns and propose the best practices. The previous work has not specifically explored modeling engineering change requests in a DSM to holistically analyze sequences. This case study analyzes engineering change request sequences from four recent industrial product development projects and compares patterns among them. In the end, this research can help to identify and guide process improvement work within projects.
Attending to Place and Time: Seasonality in Early Modern Scotland and Cyprus
Authors: Given Michael
Published: March 2020

Far from being a simple annual round determined by the calendar, seasonality in human societies is a complex system of interdependence between humans and non-humans. It requires close attentiveness to the variability of soils, weather, topography, plants, and animals across both time and space. In this article, the author investigates mobile systems of interdependence that take advantage of topographical and seasonal variation. He uses a range of case studies from early modern Scotland and Cyprus, focusing on summer grazing in the uplands and lowland agriculture carried out by mountain communities. After a comparative discussion of seasonality, the article examines the role of topography and movement, and then puts the ‘margins at the centre’ in order to highlight the central role played by seasonal activity and movement in rural society.
Assessing the impact of incomplete species sampling on estimates of speciation and extinction rates
Authors: Warnock Rachel C. M. , Heath Tracy A. , Stadler Tanja
Published: March 2020

Estimating speciation and extinction rates is essential for understanding past and present biodiversity, but is challenging given the incompleteness of the rock and fossil records. Interest in this topic has led to a divergent suite of independent methods—paleontological estimates based on sampled stratigraphic ranges and phylogenetic estimates based on the observed branching times in a given phylogeny of living species. The fossilized birth–death (FBD) process is a model that explicitly recognizes that the branching events in a phylogenetic tree and sampled fossils were generated by the same underlying diversification process. A crucial advantage of this model is that it incorporates the possibility that some species may never be sampled. Here, we present an FBD model that estimates tree-wide diversification rates from stratigraphic range data when the underlying phylogeny of the fossil taxa may be unknown. The model can be applied when only occurrence data for taxonomically identified fossils are available, but still accounts for the incomplete phylogenetic structure of the data. We tested this new model using simulations and focused on how inferences are impacted by incomplete fossil recovery. We compared our approach with a phylogenetic model that does not incorporate incomplete species sampling and to three fossil-based alternatives for estimating diversification rates, including the widely implemented boundary-crosser and three-timer methods. The results of our simulations demonstrate that estimates under the FBD model are robust and more accurate than the alternative methods, particularly when fossil data are sparse, as the FBD model incorporates incomplete species sampling explicitly.
Accountability for the Local Economy at All Levels of Government in United States Elections
Authors: DE BENEDICTIS-KESSNER JUSTIN , WARSHAW CHRISTOPHER
Published: March 2020

Retrospective voting is a crucial component of democratic accountability. A large literature on retrospective voting in the United States finds that the president’s party is rewarded in presidential elections for strong economic performance and punished for weak performance. By contrast, there is no clear consensus about whether politicians are held accountable for the local economy at other levels of government, nor how voters react to the economy in a complex system of multilevel responsibility. In this study, we use administrative data on county-level economic conditions from 1969 to 2018 and election results across multiple levels of government to examine the effect of the local economy on elections for local, state, and federal offices in the United States. We find that the president’s party is held accountable for economic performance across nearly all levels of government. We also find that incumbents are held accountable for the economy in U.S. House and gubernatorial elections. Our findings have broad implications for literatures on representation, accountability, and elections.
How do pigs deal with dietary phosphorus deficiency?
Authors: Misiura Maciej M. , Filipe João A. N. , Walk Carrie L. , Kyriazakis Ilias
Published: March 2020

Feeding strategies for growing monogastric livestock (particularly pigs) must focus on maximising animal performance, while attempting to reduce environmental P load. Achieving these goals requires a comprehensive understanding of how different P feeding strategies affect animal responses and an ability to predict P retention. Although along with Ca, P is the most researched macromineral in pig nutrition, knowledge gaps still exist in relation to: (1) the effects of P feed content on feed intake (FI); (2) the impact of P intake on body composition; (3) the distribution of absorbed P to pools within the body. Here, we address these knowledge gaps by gathering empirical evidence on the effects of P-deficient feeds and by developing a predictive, mechanistic model of P utilisation and retention incorporating this evidence. Based on our statistical analyses of published literature data, we found: (1) no change in FI response in pigs given lower P feed contents; (2) the body ash–protein relationship to be dependent upon feed composition, with the isometric relationship only holding for pigs given balanced feeds and (3) the priority to be given towards P retention in soft tissue over P retention in bones. Subsequent results of the mechanistic model of P retention indicated that a potential reduction in P feeding recommendations could be possible without compromising average daily gain; however, such a reduction would impact P deposition in bones. Our study enhances our current knowledge of P utilisation and by extension excretion and could contribute towards developing more accurate P feeding guidelines.