bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Automating the Design of Complex Systems
Authors: Brazdil Pavel , van Rijn Jan N. , Soares Carlos , Vanschoren Joaquin
Published: February 2022

This chapter discusses the issue of whether it is possible to automate the design of rather complex workflows needed when addressing more complex data science tasks. The focus here is on symbolic approaches, which continue to be relevant. The chapter starts by discussing some more complex operators, including, for instance, conditional operators and operators used in iterative processing. Next, we discuss the issue of introduction of new concepts and the changes of granularity that can be achieved as a result. We review various approaches explored in the past, such as constructive induction, propositionalization, reformulation of rules, among others, but also draw attention to some new advances, such as feature construction in deep NNs. It is foreseeable that in the future both symbolic and subsymbolic approaches will coexist in systems exhibiting a kind of functional symbiosis. There are tasks that cannot be learned in one go, but rather require a sub-division into subtasks, a plan for learning the constituents, and joining the parts together. Some of these subtasks may be interdependent. Some tasks may require an iterative process in the process of learning. This chapter discusses various examples that can stimulate both further research and some practical solutions in this rather challenging area.
Metadata Repositories
Authors: Brazdil Pavel , van Rijn Jan N. , Soares Carlos , Vanschoren Joaquin
Published: February 2022

This chapter presents a review of online repositories where researchers can share data, code, and experiments. In particular, it covers OpenML, an online platform for sharing and organizing machine learning data automatically. OpenML contains thousands of datasets and algorithms, and millions of experimental results. We describe the basic philosophy involved, and its basic components: datasets, tasks, flows, setups, runs, and benchmark suites. OpenML has API bindings in various programming languages, making it easy for users to interact with the API in their native language. One important feature of OpenML is the integration into various machine learning toolboxes, such as Scikit-learn, Weka, and mlR. Users of these toolboxes can automatically upload all their results, leading to a large repository of experimental results.
Metalearning Approaches for Algorithm Selection I (Exploiting Rankings)
Authors: Brazdil Pavel , van Rijn Jan N. , Soares Carlos , Vanschoren Joaquin
Published: February 2022

This chapter discusses an approach to the problem of algorithm selection, which exploits the performance metadata of algorithms (workflows) on prior tasks to generate recommendations for a given target dataset. The recommendations are in the form of rankings of candidate algorithms. The methodology involves two phases. In the first one, rankings of algorithms/workflows are elaborated on the basis of historical performance data on different datasets. These are subsequently aggregated into a single ranking (e.g. average ranking). In the second phase, the average ranking is used to schedule tests on the target dataset with the objective of identifying the best performing algorithm. This approach requires that an appropriate evaluation measure, such as accuracy, is set beforehand. In this chapter we also describe a method that builds this ranking based on a combination of accuracy and runtime, yielding good anytime performance. While this approach is rather simple, it can still provide good recommendations to the user. Although the examples in this chapter are from the classification domain, this approach can be applied to other tasks besides algorithm selection, namely hyperparameter optimization (HPO), as well as the combined algorithm selection and hyperparameter optimization (CASH) problem. As this approach works with discrete data, continuous hyperparameters need to be discretized first.
Evaluating Recommendations of Metalearning/AutoML Systems
Authors: Brazdil Pavel , van Rijn Jan N. , Soares Carlos , Vanschoren Joaquin
Published: February 2022

This chapter discusses some typical approaches that are commonly used to evaluate metalearning and AutoML systems. This helps us to establish whether we can trust the recommendations provided by a particular system, and also provides a way of comparing different competing approaches. As the performance of algorithms may vary substantially across different tasks, it is often necessary to normalize the performance values first to make comparisons meaningful. This chapter discusses some common normalization methods used. As often a given metalearning system outputs a sequence of algorithms to test, we can study how similar this sequence is from the ideal sequence. This can be determined by looking at a degree of correlation between the two sequences. This chapter provides more details on this issue. One common way of comparing systems is by considering the effect of selecting different algorithms (workflows) on base-level performance and determining how the performance evolves with time. If the ideal performance is known, it is possible to calculate the value of performance loss. The loss curve shows how the loss evolves with time or what its value is at the maximum available time (i.e., the time budget) given beforehand. This chapter also describes the methodology that is commonly used in comparisons involving several metalearning/AutoML systems with recourse to statistical tests.
Automating Workflow/Pipeline Design
Authors: Brazdil Pavel , van Rijn Jan N. , Soares Carlos , Vanschoren Joaquin
Published: February 2022

This chapter discusses the design of workflows (or pipelines), which represent solutions that involve more than one algorithm. This is motivated by the fact that many tasks require such solutions. This problem is non-trivial, as the number of possible workflows (and their configurations) can be rather large. This chapter discusses various methods that can be used to restrict the design options and thus reduce the size of the configuration space. These include, for instance, ontologies and context-free grammars. Each of these formalisms has its merits and shortcomings. Many platforms have resorted to planning systems that use operators. These can be designed to be in accordance with the given ontologies or grammars. As the search space may be rather large, it is important to leverage prior experience. This topic is addressed in one of the sections, which discusses rankings of plans that have proved to be useful in the past. The workflows/pipelines that have proved successful in the past can be retrieved and used as plans in future tasks. Thus, it is possible to exploit both planning and metalearning.
Correction To: Alligators in the Living Room: Terror and Horror in the Capitalocene
Authors: Höglund Johan
Published: February 2022

The original version of chapter 6 “Alligators in the Living Room: Terror and Horror in the Capitalocene” was previously published non-open access.
Prediabetes blunts DPP4 genetic control of postprandial glycaemia and insulin secretion
Authors: Patarrão Rita S. , Duarte Nádia , Coelho Inês , Ward Joey , Ribeiro Rogério T. , Meneses Maria João , Andrade Rita , Costa João , Correia Isabel , Boavida José Manuel , Duarte Rui , Gardete-Correia Luís , Medina José Luís , Pell Jill , Petrie John , Raposo João F. , Macedo Maria Paula , Penha-Gonçalves Carlos
Published: February 2022

Aims/hypothesis

Imbalances in glucose metabolism are hallmarks of clinically silent prediabetes (defined as impaired fasting glucose and/or impaired glucose tolerance) representing dysmetabolism trajectories leading to type 2 diabetes. CD26/dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) is a clinically proven molecular target of diabetes-controlling drugs but the DPP4 gene control of dysglycaemia is not proven.

Methods

We dissected the genetic control of post-OGTT and insulin release responses by the DPP4 gene in a Portuguese population-based cohort of mainly European ancestry that comprised individuals with normoglycaemia and prediabetes, and in mouse experimental models of Dpp4 deficiency and hyperenergetic diet.

Results

In individuals with normoglycaemia, DPP4 single-nucleotide variants governed glycaemic excursions (rs4664446, p=1.63x10−7) and C-peptide release responses (rs2300757, p=6.86x10−5) upon OGTT. Association with blood glucose levels was stronger at 30 min OGTT, but a higher association with the genetic control of insulin secretion was detected in later phases of the post-OGTT response, suggesting that the DPP4 gene directly senses glucose challenges. Accordingly, in mice fed a normal chow diet but not a high-fat diet, we found that, under OGTT, expression of Dpp4 is strongly downregulated at 30 min in the mouse liver. Strikingly, no genetic association was found in prediabetic individuals, indicating that post-OGTT control by DPP4 is abrogated in prediabetes. Furthermore, Dpp4 KO mice provided concordant evidence that Dpp4 modulates post-OGTT C-peptide release in normoglycaemic but not dysmetabolic states.

Conclusions/interpretation

These results showed the DPP4 gene as a strong determinant of post-OGTT levels via glucose-sensing mechanisms that are abrogated in prediabetes. We propose that impairments in DPP4 control of post-OGTT insulin responses are part of molecular mechanisms underlying early metabolic disturbances associated with type 2 diabetes.

Graphical abstract
Colorectal cancer chemotherapy: can sex-specific disparities impact on drug toxicities?
Authors: De Francia Silvia , Berchialla Paola , Armando Tiziana , Storto Silvana , Allegra Sarah , Sciannameo Veronica , Soave Giulia , Sprio Andrea Elio , Racca Silvia , Caiaffa Maria Rosaria , Ciuffreda Libero , Mussa Maria Valentina
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Given the biological differences between females and males, sex-specific evaluations should be carried out to obtain better cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies. To this purpose, our aim was to evaluate sex differences for toxicity in a cohort of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Methods

We performed a retrospective study in 329 CRC patients. Differences between males and females were tested performing the Mann-Whitney U test or the Fisher exact test. Multivariate logistic regression models were computed to evaluate the association between sex and risk of chemotherapy agent-related toxicity.

Results

According association sex toxicity, significant differences were observed in the median number of episodes of nausea (p = 0.044), vomit (p = 0.007), heartburn (p = 0.022), thrombocytopenia (p = 0.005), mucositis (p = 0.024). Moreover, statistically significant differences between males and females were observed in the distribution of the highest toxicity grades of nausea (p = 0.024), heartburn (p = 0.016), and thrombocytopenia (p = 0.034). Females have an increased risk of vomit (p = 0.002), alopecia (p = 0.035), heartburn (p = 0.005), mucositis (p = 0.003), and lower risk for thrombocytopenia (p = 0.005).

Conclusion

According to the association of sex chemotherapy agent-related toxicities, females resulted on average at a significant increased risk of more common adverse events (constipation, dysgeusia, alopecia, heartburn, vomit, asthenia, nausea, pain events, and mucositis). Sex-tailored CRC chemotherapy treatment is necessary to obtain efficacy avoiding toxicity, based on patients’ biological and genetic characteristics, a vision that would change CRC setting, a stable disease but still orphan of a real tailored approach.
Revidierte Fassung der S3-Leitlinie Zervixkarzinom 2021 – Anforderungen an die Pathologie
Authors: Horn Lars-Christian , Beckmann Matthias W. , Follmann Markus , Koch Martin C. , Nothacker Monika , Pöschel Birgit , Stübs Frederik , Schmidt Dietmar , Höhn Anne Kathrin ,   Kommission zur Erstellung der S3-Leitlinie Zervixkarzinom
Published: February 2022

Im Jahr 2015 wurde die S3-Leitlinie für Diagnostik und Therapie des Zervixkarzinoms erstellt, die 2021 in ihrer revidierten Fassung vorliegt. Neu für die Pathologie sind die Aufnahme der International Endocervical Adenocarcinoma Classification (IECC), die zwischen HPV-assoziierten und non-HPV-assoziierten Karzinomen unterschiedet, sowie des prognostisch relevanten morphologischen Wachstumsmusters bei (HPV-assoziierten) Adenokarzinomen (sog. Silva-Pattern). Die Multifokalität beim mikroinvasiven Zervixkarzinom ist nun definiert als der Nachweis voneinander histologisch klar separierter invasiver Foci mit einem minimalen Abstand von 0,2 cm. Aufgrund einer möglichen intratumoralen Heterogenität sollen Zervixkarzinome ≤ 2 cm vollständig und Tumoren > 2 cm mit einem Block pro Zentimeter größter Ausdehnung eingebettet werden. Bei der (radikalen) Trachelektomie/Hysterektomie sollen der vaginale Resektionsrand und das parametrane Gewebe vollständig eingebettet werden. Neu ist die Empfehlung zur Aufarbeitung von Sentinellymphknoten. Diese sollen entlang ihrer Längsachse in 0,2 cm Abstand lamelliert, vollständig eingebettet und mittels Ultrastaging aufgearbeitet werden. Die FIGO-Klassifikation von 2009 bzw. TNM-Kategorisierung von 2017 wird beibehalten, die Angabe der FIGO-Klassifikation 2018/19 ist optional. Molekulare Marker spielen derzeit noch keine relevante Rolle in der Prognose und zum Therapieentscheid.
A regional (land–ocean) comparison of the seasonal to decadal variability of the Northern Hemisphere jet stream 1871–2011
Authors: Hallam Samantha , Josey Simon A. , McCarthy Gerard D. , Hirschi Joël J.-M.
Published: February 2022

Seasonal to decadal variations in Northern Hemisphere jet stream latitude and speed over land (Eurasia, North America) and oceanic (North Atlantic, North Pacific) regions are presented for the period 1871–2011 from the Twentieth Century Reanalysis dataset. Significant regional differences are seen on seasonal to decadal timescales. Seasonally, the jet latitude range is lower over the oceans compared to land, reduced from 20° over Eurasia to 10° over the North Atlantic where the ocean meridional heat transport is greatest. The mean jet latitude range is at a minimum in winter (DJF), particularly along the western boundary of the North Pacific and North Atlantic, where the land-sea contrast and SST gradients are strongest. The 141-year trends in jet latitude and speed show differences on a regional basis. The North Atlantic has significant increasing jet latitude trends in all seasons, up to 3° in winter. Eurasia has significant increasing trends in winter and summer, however, no increase is seen across the North Pacific or North America. Jet speed shows significant increases evident in winter (up to 4.7 ms−1), spring and autumn over the North Atlantic, Eurasia and North America however, over the North Pacific no increase is observed. Long term trends are generally overlaid by multidecadal variability, particularly evident in the North Pacific, where 20-year variability in jet latitude and jet speed are seen, associated with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation which explains 50% of the winter variance in jet latitude since 1940. The results highlight that northern hemisphere jet variability and trends differ on a regional basis (North Atlantic, North Pacific, Eurasia and North America) on seasonal to decadal timescales, suggesting that different mechanisms are influencing the jet latitude and speed. This is important from a climate modelling perspective and for climate predictions in the near and longer term.
Potentially effective drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 or MIS-C in children: a systematic review
Authors: Wang Zijun , Zhao Siya , Tang Yuyi , Wang Zhili , Shi Qianling , Dang Xiangyang , Gan Lidan , Peng Shuai , Li Weiguo , Zhou Qi , Li Qinyuan , Mafiana Joy James , Cortés Rafael González , Luo Zhengxiu , Liu Enmei , Chen Yaolong
Published: February 2022

The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of using potential drugs: remdesivir and glucocorticoid in treating children and adolescents with COVID-19 and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in treating MIS-C. We searched seven databases, three preprint platform, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Google from December 1, 2019, to August 5, 2021, to collect evidence of remdesivir, glucocorticoid, and IVIG which were used in children and adolescents with COVID-19 or MIS-C. A total of nine cohort studies and one case series study were included in this systematic review. In terms of remdesivir, the meta-analysis of single-arm cohort studies have shown that after the treatment, 54.7% (95%CI, 10.3 to 99.1%) experienced adverse events, 5.6% (95%CI, 1.2 to 10.1%) died, and 27.0% (95%CI, 0 to 73.0%) needed extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or invasive mechanical ventilation. As for glucocorticoids, the results of the meta-analysis showed that the fixed-effect summary odds ratio for the association with mortality was 2.79 (95%CI, 0.13 to 60.87), and the mechanical ventilation rate was 3.12 (95%CI, 0.80 to 12.08) for glucocorticoids compared with the control group. In terms of IVIG, most of the included cohort studies showed that for MIS-C patients with more severe clinical symptoms, IVIG combined with methylprednisolone could achieve better clinical efficacy than IVIG alone.

Conclusions: Overall, the current evidence in the included studies is insignificant and of low quality. It is recommended to conduct high-quality randomized controlled trials of remdesivir, glucocorticoids, and IVIG in children and adolescents with COVID-19 or MIS-C to provide substantial evidence for the development of guidelines.

What is Known:• The efficacy and safety of using potential drugs such as remdesivir, glucocorticoid, and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in treating children and adolescents with COVID-19/MIS-C are unclear.

What is New:• Overall, the current evidence cannot adequately demonstrate the effectiveness and safety of using remdesivir, glucocorticoids, and IVIG in treating children and adolescents with COVID-19 or MIS-C.• We are calling for the publication of high-quality clinical trials and provide substantial evidence for the development of guidelines.
Weniger Operationen und Kosten wegen Rückenschmerzen in einem Versorgungsprogramm mit interdisziplinärem Zweitmeinungsverfahren
Authors: Wagner Christoph J. , Lindena Gabriele , Ayyad Grit , Otzdorff Andrea , Marnitz Ulf , Bienek Karen , von Pickardt Björn , Sehlen Stephanie , Wyrwich Werner
Published: February 2022

Hintergrund

Für interdisziplinäre Zweitmeinungsverfahren (IZMV) bei empfohlenen Rückenoperationen (ROP) fehlen Wirksamkeitsbelege. Die AOK Nordost bietet seit 2015 das Versorgungsprogramm RückenSPEZIAL an. Es enthält Vorbefundprüfung, IZMV und optional eine interdisziplinär-multimodale Schmerztherapie (IMST). Ziel dieser Studie ist die Ermittlung der Wirksamkeit von RückenSPEZIAL für ROP und rückenschmerzbezogene Kosten (RBK) im Vergleich zu Patienten mit ROP-Empfehlung ohne RückenSPEZIAL.

Methoden

Versicherte der AOK Nordost legten im AOK-Servicecenter einen ROP-Krankenhauseinweisungsschein vor und erhielten eine dokumentierte Beratung zur RückenSPEZIAL-Teilnahme. Nach einer 1:1-Matched-pairs-Ziehung wurden Patienten, die nach dieser Beratung (= Stichtag) an RückenSPEZIAL teilnahmen (Interventionsgruppe [IG]), mit Patienten verglichen, die nach der Beratung nicht teilnahmen (Vergleichsgruppe [VG]). Patientenmerkmale, ROP und RBK wurden aus Daten der AOK Nordost operationalisiert.

Ergebnisse

Von 108 IG-Patienten und 108 VG-Patienten hatten 34 (42 %) weniger IG-Patienten eine oder mehr ROP in 365 Folgetagen (relatives Risiko [RR] 0,58; p < 0,001). Die Subgruppenanalyse zeigte für 21 IG-Patienten mit IZMV und IMST ein RR von 0,13 (p < 0,001) und für 67 IG-Patienten mit alleinigem IZMV ohne IMST ein RR von 0,59 (p < 0,001). Die Veränderung der RBK von Vorjahr auf Folgejahr war für die IG um 50,2 %-Punkte geringer als für die VG (p = 0,088).

Diskussion

Die ROP-Unterschiede zugunsten des Selektivvertrags RückenSPEZIAL waren signifikant (p < 0,05). Für die spezifische Population ist eine Refinanzierung der Interventionskosten von RückenSPEZIAL tendenziell erwartbar (näherungsweise signifikant, geringe Fallzahl). Es ist eine Verzerrung aufgrund von Selbstselektion anzunehmen.
Numerical 3D modeling of burial and temperature history, source rock maturity, and hydrocarbon generation in the onshore northeastern Netherlands
Authors: Amberg Sebastian , Back Stefan , Sachse Victoria , Littke Ralf
Published: February 2022

Numerical 3D basin modeling is used to reconstruct the burial and temperature histories in onshore northeastern Netherlands, incorporating the four main geological structural elements Groningen Platform, Lauwerszee Trough, Friesland Platform, and Lower Saxony Basin. The structural framework is based on recently published open access depth surface data; public temperature and vitrinite reflectance data from 28 wells are used to evaluate burial and temperature histories. Four modeled burial histories and the maturity evolution of the structural elements are presented. The hydrocarbon generation in major source rock intervals in the Carboniferous, Jurassic, and Cretaceous is simulated using recently published kinetic and literature data. Modeling results indicate highest present-day temperatures and maturities of the Paleozoic sedimentary succession in the Lauwerszee Trough and the Lower Saxony Basin, where the deepest burial occurred. Two major phases of deep burial and subsequent uplift occurred in Carboniferous to Permian times and from the Triassic to the Jurassic. Both intervals strongly influenced the maturation and transformation of kerogen from Paleozoic source rocks. The highest modeled maturities of the Mesozoic groups are observed in depressions between salt diapirs in the Lower Saxony Basin. Out of the two major source rock intervals within the Mesozoic, the Cretaceous Wealden Shale generated hydrocarbons from Late Cretaceous times.
Classification of synoptic and local-scale wind patterns using k-means clustering in a Tyrrhenian coastal area (Italy)
Authors: Di Bernardino Annalisa , Iannarelli Anna Maria , Casadio Stefano , Pisacane Giovanna , Mevi Gabriele , Cacciani Marco
Published: February 2022

In coastal regions, the complex interaction of synoptic-scale dynamics and breeze regimes influence the local atmospheric circulation, permitting to distinguish typical yet alternative patterns. In this paper, the k-means clustering algorithm is applied to the hourly time series of wind intensity and direction collected by in-situ weather stations at seven locations within 30 km from the western coastline of central Italy, in the proximity of Rome, over the period 2014–2020. The selection of both wind-integral quantities and ad hoc objective parameters allows for the identification of three characteristic clusters, two of which are closely related to the synoptic circulation and governed by persistent winds, blowing from either the northeast or the southeast direction throughout the day. In the latter case, synoptic and mesoscale contributions add up, giving rise to a complex circulation at the ground level. On the contrary, the third cluster is closely related to the sea breeze regime. The results allow the identification of some general information about the low-level circulation, showing that the synoptic circulation dominates in winter and, partly, in spring and autumn, when high ventilation and low recirculation conditions occur. Conversely, during summer the sea breeze regime is more frequent and stronger, generating intense air recirculation. Our analysis permits to discern rigorously and objectively the typical coastal meteorological patterns, only requiring anemological in-situ data.
Strategic bidding in freight transport using deep reinforcement learning
Authors: van Heeswijk W. J. A.
Published: February 2022

This paper presents a multi-agent reinforcement learning algorithm to represent strategic bidding behavior by carriers and shippers in freight transport markets. We investigate whether feasible market equilibriums arise without central control or communication between agents. Observed behavior in such environments serves as a stepping stone towards self-organizing logistics systems like the Physical Internet, while also offering valuable insights for the design of contemporary transport brokerage platforms. We model an agent-based environment in which shipper and carrier actively learn bidding strategies using policy gradient methods, posing bid- and ask prices at the individual container level. Both agents aim to learn the best response given the expected behavior of the opposing agent. Inspired by financial markets, a neutral broker allocates jobs based on bid-ask spreads. Our game-theoretical analysis and numerical experiments focus on behavioral insights. To evaluate system performance, we measure adherence to Nash equilibria, fairness of reward division and utilization of transport capacity. We observe good performance both in predictable, deterministic settings ($$\sim $$
∼
 95% adherence to Nash equilibria) and highly stochastic environments ($$\sim $$
∼
 85% adherence). Risk-seeking behavior may increase an agent’s reward share, yet overly aggressive strategies destabilize the system. The results suggest a potential for full automation and decentralization of freight transport markets. These insights ease the design of real-world market platforms, suggesting an innate tendency of markets to reach equilibria without behavioral models, information sharing or explicit incentives.
Business group affiliation and entrepreneurial orientation: Contingent effect of level of internationalization and firm’s performance
Authors: Purkayastha Anish , Gupta Vishal K.
Published: February 2022

This paper explores effect of business group affiliation on entrepreneurial orientation of the affiliated firms. Building on the argument that organizational and governance structure influence entrepreneurship, we argue that despite some potential advantage that business group affiliation has on a firm through intermediate market filling roles, the entrenchment behavior of business groups discourages entrepreneurial orientation of affiliated firms. Taking a firm-specific contingent perspective we also posit that the level of internationalization of a firm and its performance helps to alleviate- even counter–the negative influence of business group affiliation on the firm’s entrepreneurial orientation. We find support for our predictions in a longitudinal data set of 419 Indian firms for the period from 2006 to 2019. The implications and directions for future research are discussed in the context of business group affiliation in emerging economies.
Sex Under the Influence of Drugs Among People Who Use Drugs in Cambodia: Findings From a National Survey
Authors: Saing Chan Hang , Chhoun Pheak , Chann Navy , Uk Ponha , Mun Phalkun , Tuot Sovannary , Yi Siyan
Published: February 2022

Studies in drug use settings rarely use sex under the influence of drugs as an indicator of sexual risk behaviors. This study explored the prevalence of sex under the influence of drugs and its correlates among people who use drugs (PWUD) in Cambodia. We included 1147 PWUD from 12 provinces in this study. A multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with sex under the influence of drugs. Of the total, 39.7% reported having had sex under the influence of drugs in the past three months. After adjustment, sex under the influence of drugs was significantly associated with living in urban areas (AOR 2.97, 95% CI 1.68–5.27), having two to three (AOR 2.48, 95% CI 1.76–3.49) and four or more sexual partners (AOR 6.46, 95% CI 4.24–9.85), engaging in transactional sex (AOR 1.69, 95% CI 1.19–2.39), using methamphetamine (AOR 2.97, 95% CI 2.06–4.31), using drugs for three years or longer (AOR 1.67, 95% CI 1.15–2.41), having been to a drug rehabilitation center (AOR 1.77, 95% CI 1.18–2.41), having a network of ten or more PWUD (AOR 1.82, 95% CI 1.25–2.66), and having high psychological distress (AOR 1.66, 95% CI 1.25–2.22). This study documents the high prevalence of sex under the influence of drugs and its risk factors among male and female PWUD in Cambodia. These findings point to the need for integrating HIV and harm-reduction programs using innovative approaches to address the overlapping risks in this key population.
Real-world clinical outcomes of patients with BRCA-mutated, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative metastatic breast cancer: a CancerLinQ® study
Authors: Miller Robert S. , Mokiou Stella , Taylor Aliki , Sun Ping , Baria Katherine
Published: February 2022

Purpose

To investigate real-world clinical outcomes in patients with BRCA-mutated (BRCAm), HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (mBC) according to BRCA and hormone receptor (HR) status.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with HER2-negative mBC between 01 January 2010 and 31 December 2018 were retrospectively identified from the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s CancerLinQ Discovery® database. Time to first subsequent therapy or death (TFST) from date of mBC diagnosis and start of first-line treatment for mBC and overall survival (OS) from date of mBC diagnosis were investigated according to BRCA status (BRCAm, BRCA wild type [BRCAwt] or unknown BRCA [BRCAu]) and HR status (positive/triple negative breast cancer [TNBC]). Follow-up continued until 31 August 2019 (i.e. minimum of 8 months).

Results

3744 patients with HER2-negative mBC were identified (BRCAwt, n = 460; BRCAm, n = 83; BRCAu, n = 3201) (HR-positive, n = 2738). Median (Q1, Q3) age was 63.0 (54.0, 73.0) years. Median (95% confidence interval [CI]) TFST (months) from mBC diagnosis was as follows: HR-positive, 7.7 (5.0, 11.2), 8.3 (6.6, 10.2) and 9.4 (8.7, 10.1); TNBC, 5.4 (3.9, 12.4), 5.6 (4.7, 6.6) and 5.4 (5.0, 6.2) for BRCAm, BRCAwt and BRCAu, respectively. Median (95% CI) OS (months) was as follows: HR-positive, 41.1 (31.5, not calculable), 55.1 (43.5, 65.5) and 33.0 (31.3, 34.8); TNBC, 13.7 (11.1, not calculable), 14.4 (10.7, 17.0) and 11.7 (10.3, 12.8) for BRCAm, BRCAwt and BRCAu, respectively.

Conclusion

When stratified by HR status, TFST and OS were broadly similar for patients with HER2-negative mBC, irrespective of BRCA status. Further global real-world studies are needed to study outcomes of this patient population.
Unburied Practices of Memory: The Holocaust and the Polish-Jewish Relations in Joanna Rudniańska’s Kotka Brygidy (2007) and XY (2012)
Authors: Świetlicki Mateusz , Michułka Dorota
Published: February 2022

In many Polish children’s books published in the last twenty years the relationship between Jews and Poles during the Holocaust is presented as an unburied theme which can be interpreted in the context of both collective and private/individual cultures of remembrance. Therefore, in this case, we deal with experiences confirmed in the cultural and written order rather than existentially faced. In contemporary Poland, a practically monoethnic and predominantly Catholic country, where the largest number of Jews killed by the Nazis lived before World War II, there is a syndrome of silence concerning the Holocaust. This paper focuses on analysing Joanna Rudniańska’s Kotka Brygidy [Brygida’s Cat] (2007) and XY (2012), two unique works in the genre of Polish Holocaust children’s fiction which combine parable, magic realism, and postmodern fairy tale. The authors argue that Rudniańska’s texts belong not only to the group of literary works known as children’s literature of atrocity or the literature of genocide for young people but also literature of testimony with its authenticity and referentiality as an element of figural realism. Analysing Rudniańska’s works, they show how she, the daughter of a Holocaust survivor who did not want to talk about the traumatic war experience, not only writes about the unburied themes but also crosses genre boundaries by mixing realistic figures with stories firmly rooted in a poetic, metaphorical, and magic atmosphere with subjective and expressive narration.
Learning Strategies in Self-directed Language Learning Using Mobile Technology in Higher Education: A Systematic Scoping Review
Authors: Lai Yuzhi , Saab Nadira , Admiraal Wilfried
Published: February 2022

Language learners in higher education increasingly use out-of-class self-directed learning facilitated by mobile technology. In order to make informed educational decisions, this study sets out to provide an overview of empirical research into learning strategies that self-directed learners use with the support of mobile technology in language learning. Twenty studies were selected and systematically analysed, revealing the cognitive, metacognitive, social and affective strategies that self-directed learners used in their language learning processes. Low-cognitive strategies appeared to be more commonly reported than high-cognitive strategies. The use of metacognitive strategies was more closely associated with the forethought phase and performance phase than with the self-reflection phase, yet only a few articles reported all three metacognitive phases. Three kinds of social strategies were examined, and only one affective strategy was reported. Finally, implications of these findings and directions for future research are provided for self-directed learners, practitioners and researchers to facilitate self-directed learning and future work.
Macrophyte communities as indicators of the ecological status of drainage canals and regulated rivers (Eastern Poland)
Authors: Tarkowska-Kukuryk Monika , Grzywna Antoni
Published: February 2022

Macrophytes are one of the biological elements for assessing the ecological status. Macrophyte communities were studied in six artificial (drainage canal and ditches) or modified watercourses (regulated rivers). In order to assess the ecological status of the watercourses, studies were carried out with the use of the Macrophyte Index for Rivers (MIR) proposed in the Water Framework Directive. Macrophyte communities were mainly represented by helophytes (12 species in total), and the highest percentage area cover (50–75% of the site) was observed for pleustophytes (Lemna spp.). Macrophytes communities were affected by the gradients of hydromorphological (canal modification, flow type, and shading) and parameters water quality (nutrients and water transparency). The relationships were highly species-specific. In accordance with the MIR values, the ecosystems were classified as having poor (drainage canal), moderate (regulated rivers), or good (drainage ditches) ecological status.
Trends and potential human health risk of trace elements accumulated in transplanted blue mussels during restoration activities of Flekkefjord fjord (Southern Norway)
Authors: Parolini Marco , Panseri Sara , Håland Gaeta Federico , Rossi Luciana , Dell’Anno Matteo , Ceriani Federica , De Felice Beatrice , Rafoss Trond , Arioli Francesco , Pilu Salvatore , Chiesa Luca Maria
Published: February 2022

The monitoring of contaminants represents a priority to preserve the integrity of marine ecosystems, as well as to plan and to manage restoration activities in order to protect environmental and human health. In the present study, a 6-months active biomonitoring was performed to explore the levels of eighteen trace and toxic elements, including heavy metals (TEs; i.e. Al, As, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Sr, Ti, and Zn), accumulated in soft tissues of blue mussel (Mytilus edulis Linnaeus, 1758) individuals transplanted at different depths (5- and 15-m depth) in five locations within the Flekkefjord fjord (Southern Norway). As this area suffered a long-lasting contamination due to both organic and inorganic contaminants, a series of restoration activities were activated to tackle and to prevent potential risks for ecosystem and local population. Our results demonstrated that the levels of TEs accumulated in edible tissues of transplanted mussels in the Flekkefjord fjord were generally low before the beginning of the restoration activities. However, location- and time-specific differences in the accumulation of TEs were noted after the implementation of such activities. Interestingly, the levels of Fe and Mn significantly increased after the beginning of the restoration activities, likely because the release of these TEs from the slag used in such operations and/or resuspension of contaminated sediments. However, assuming that native mussels can accumulate the same TEs at levels measured in transplanted individuals, our results suggest a substantial safety for human consumption of native mussels from the Flekkefjord fjord, regardless of restoration activities.
Homogeneity and Best Practice Analyses in Hospital Performance Management: An Analytical Framework
Authors: Zarrin Mansour , Schoenfelder Jan , Brunner Jens O.
Published: February 2022

Performance modeling of hospitals using data envelopment analysis (DEA) has received steadily increasing attention in the literature. As part of the traditional DEA framework, hospitals are generally assumed to be functionally similar and therefore homogenous. Accordingly, any identified inefficiency is supposedly due to the inefficient use of inputs to produce outputs. However, the disparities in DEA efficiency scores may be a result of the inherent heterogeneity of hospitals. Additionally, traditional DEA models lack predictive capabilities despite having been frequently used as a benchmarking tool in the literature. To address these concerns, this study proposes a framework for analyzing hospital performance by combining two complementary modeling approaches. Specifically, we employ a self-organizing map artificial neural network (SOM-ANN) to conduct a cluster analysis and a multilayer perceptron ANN (MLP-ANN) to perform a heterogeneity analysis and a best practice analysis. The applicability of the integrated framework is empirically shown by an implementation to a large dataset containing more than 1,100 hospitals in Germany. The framework enables a decision-maker not only to predict the best performance but also to explore whether the differences in relative efficiency scores are ascribable to the heterogeneity of hospitals.
Effect of Anthropogenic Activities on the Population of Moor Macaques (Macaca maura) in South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Authors: Beltrán Francés Víctor , Spaan Denise , Amici Federica , Maulany Risma Illa , Putu Oka Ngakan , Majolo Bonaventura
Published: February 2022

Forest loss due to anthropogenic activities is one of the main causes of plant and animal species decline. Studying the species’ population status (i.e., density, abundance, and geographic distribution) on a regular basis is one of the main tools to assess the effect of anthropogenic activities on wildlife, to monitor population dynamics and to intervene with effective conservation strategies when the population of an endangered species declines. On Sulawesi Island, Indonesia, anthropogenic activities, such as agriculture, are decreasing the remaining natural habitats available for several endemic and endangered species. The effect of this forest loss on the threatened moor macaques (Macaca maura) in South Sulawesi is unknown, and data on the population status of this species are needed to design effective conservation strategies. To assess the population status of the moor macaques, we walked linear transects (N = 29, survey effort = 114 km) at six sites between November 2019 and March 2020 to estimate macaque population density and encounter rate. We tested the effect of anthropogenic activities on macaque encounter rate. Our global density estimate (24 individuals/km2) was lower than the overall estimate from the most detailed survey conducted on this species, which covered its whole geographic distribution (36.1 individuals/km2). However, these results should be interpreted with caution because the previous density estimate falls within the confidence intervals of our estimate. Furthermore, we found regional declines in moor macaque encounter rates in at least two sites compared with previous studies. We found a high presence of anthropogenic activity in the forests inhabited by macaques. Moor macaques were less abundant in open areas with no forest (i.e., clear cuttings) than in forested areas, and in the presence of nonspecies-specific hunting traps (i.e., wire-loop traps). Moreover, moor macaques were more abundant in areas with a higher presence of humans and domestic animals. Overall, our data suggest that the population of this species may be declining in certain regions but further surveys are needed to corroborate whether this is occurring across the entire geographic distribution.
Addressing inequity and underachievement: Intervening to improve middle leaders’problem-solving conversations
Authors: Patuawa Jacqueline Margaret , Sinnema Claire , Robinson Viviane , Zhu Tong
Published: February 2022

Reducing inequity is the moral imperative confronting today’s educational leaders. Central to reducing inequity is leaders’ ability to solve the school-based problems that contribute to it, while building the positive and trusting professional relationships required for teachers to commit to the hard work of improvement. A theory of collaborative problem-solving informed our intervention designed to improve the effectiveness of leaders’ behaviour as they worked with their teachers to accelerate the reading achievement of students yet to reach age-related standards. A concurrent mixed methods design was used to evaluate the impact of the intervention by analysing transcripts of interviews and leader-teacher conversations and student reading achievement data. Leaders’ effectiveness in their conversations improved significantly as did the reading outcomes of their target students. Our findings suggest that even short interventions grounded in strong theory with appropriate learning opportunities can affect a positive change in leadership behaviour and student outcomes.
Initial experience of temperature-controlled irrigated radiofrequency ablation for ischaemic cardiomyopathy ventricular tachycardia ablation
Authors: Al-Sheikhli Jaffar , Patchett Ian , Lim Ven Gee , Marshall Leeann , Foster Will , Kuehl Michael , Yusuf Shamil , Panikker Sandeep , Patel Kiran , Osman Faizel , Banerjee Prithwish , Lellouche Nicolas , Dhanjal Tarvinder
Published: February 2022

Background

The DiamondTemp ablation (DTA) catheter system delivers high power, open-irrigated, temperature-controlled radiofrequency (RF) ablation. This novel ablation system has not been previously used for ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation.

Objective

Feasibility of using the DTA catheter system for VT ablation in ischaemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) patients.

Method

Ten ICM patients with optimal anti-arrhythmic drug therapy and implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICD) were recruited. VT inducibility testing was performed at the end of the procedure. ICD data for device detected VT episodes and device treated VT episodes were collected for 6-months pre- and post-ablation.

Results

Substrate analysis demonstrated reductions in the borderzone area of 4.4 cm2 (p = 0.026) and late potential area of 3.5 cm2 (p = 0.0449) post-ablation, with reductions in the mean bipolar and unipolar voltages of the ablation target areas (0.14 mV (p = 0.0007); 0.59 mV (p = 0.0072) respectively). Complete procedural success was achieved in 9 procedures. Post-ablation VT inducibility testing was not performed in 1 procedure due to a steam pop complication resulting in pericardial tamponade requiring drainage. Mean follow-up of 214 ± 33 days revealed an 88% reduction in total VT episodes (n = 266 median 16 [IQR 3–57] to n = 33 median 0; p = 0.0164) and 77% reduction in ICD therapies (n = 128 median 5 [IQR 2–15] to n = 30 median 0; p = 0.0181).

Conclusion

The DTA system resulted in adequate lesion characteristics with effective substrate modification, acute procedural success and improved outcomes at intermediate-term follow-up. Randomised controlled trials are required to compare the performance of the DTA system against conventional ablation catheters.
The jump-like PTCR effect in a Ni-BaTiO3 magnetic composite
Authors: Zajc Igor , Drofenik Mihael
Published: February 2022

The ceramic composites BaTiO3@Ni, composed of a conducting nickel and a highly resistive ferroelectric BaTiO3 phase, exhibiting a positive temperature coefficient of electrical resistivity (PTCR), are prepared using a conventional ceramic method at less than 1000 °C. The BaTiO3@Ni composites show a jump-like PTCR effect in electrical resistivity by about eight orders of magnitude (ρmax/ρmin ≈ 108) with ρmin < 1 Ωcm. This is the first example of a standard PTCR element with a relatively high magnetization. The grain relocations (a microstructural rearrangement) on a microscopic scale in the composite are filmed using a transmission electron microscope while heating through the ferroelectric phase transition (Curie temperature), which induces the PTCR anomaly. The resistivity anomaly of the composite is explained in terms of the ferroelectric phase transition-assisted anomaly in the electrical resistivity.
The p-Lagrangian relaxation for separable nonconvex MIQCQP problems
Authors: Andrade Tiago , Belyak Nikita , Eberhard Andrew , Hamacher Silvio , Oliveira Fabricio
Published: February 2022

This paper presents a novel technique to compute Lagrangian bounds for nonconvex mixed-integer quadratically constrained quadratic programming problems presenting a separable structure (i.e., a separable problems) such as those arising in deterministic equivalent representations of two-stage stochastic programming problems. In general, the nonconvex nature of these models still poses a challenge to the available solvers, which do not consistently perform well for larger-scale instances. Therefore, we propose an appealing alternative algorithm that allows for overcoming computational performance issues. Our novel technique, named the p-Lagrangian decomposition, is a decomposition method that combines Lagrangian decomposition with mixed-integer programming-based relaxations. These relaxations are obtained using the reformulated normalised multiparametric disaggregation technique and can be made arbitrarily precise by means of a precision parameter p. We provide a technical analysis showing the convergent behaviour of the approach as the approximation is made increasingly precise. We observe that the proposed method presents significant reductions in computational time when compared with a previously proposed techniques in the literature and the direct employment of a commercial solver. Moreover, our computational experiments show that the employment of a simple heuristic can recover solutions with small duality gaps.
The Comparative Roles of Mentor Self-Efficacy and Empathy in Fostering Relationship Quality with Youth
Authors: Deane Kelsey L. , Boat Ashley A. , Haddock Shelley A. , Henry Kimberly L. , Zimmerman Toni S. , Weiler Lindsey M.
Published: February 2022

Youth mentors’ efficacy beliefs and relational skills should both influence the quality of their connections with their mentees, but a lack of research based on large, dyadic and longitudinal samples limits understanding of how mentor characteristics impact relationship quality. This study used three staged and process-focused structural equation models to (1) investigate the mutually reinforcing effects of mentor self-efficacy and empathy over time; (2) compare the longitudinal effects of mid-program mentor efficacy and empathy on end of program mentor and mentee perceptions of relationship quality; and (3) test a similar comparative model using cross-sectional end of program assessments to account for developmental changes in these variables over time. The sample consisted of 664 college-age mentor (76.5% female;$${\bar{x}}$$x¯age = 24.5, range = 21–53; 23.5% non-White) and youth mentee (41% female;$${\bar{x}}$$x¯age = 14.1, range = 10–19; 41.9% non-White) dyads. Mentor empathy predicted mentor perceptions of relationship quality at both time points and mentee perceptions at the end of the program. Mentor efficacy only predicted mentor reported relationship quality at the end of the program. The findings emphasize the importance of investing in empathy training for mentors to support both partners’ positive evaluation of the relationship. Program support to increase mentor self-efficacy should also have added value for mentors.