bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Balancing contradictory requirements in homecare nursing—A discourse analysis
Authors: Fjørtoft Ann‐Kristin , Oksholm Trine , Førland Oddvar , Delmar Charlotte , Alvsvåg Herdis
Published: March 2020

Aim

To explore prevailing discourses on nursing competence in homecare nursing to boost understanding of practice within this field.

Design

A qualitative study with a social constructivist perspective.

Methods

Six focus‐group interviews with homecare nurses in six different municipalities in Norway. Adapting a critical discourse analysis, data were linguistically, thematically and contextually analysed in the light of theories on competence, institutional logic and discourses.

Results

The analysis found homecare nursing to be a diverse and contradictory practice with ever‐increasing work tasks. Presented as binary oppositions, we identified the following prevailing discourses: individualized care versus organizing work; everyday‐life care versus medical follow‐up; and following rules versus using professional discretion. The binary oppositions represent contradictory requirements that homecare nurses strive to balance. The findings indicate that medical follow‐up and organizational work have become more dominant in homecare nursing, leaving less time and attention paid to relational and everyday‐life care.
The shadow economy and sustainable development: The role of financial development
Authors: Gharleghi Behrooz , Jahanshahi Asghar Afshar
Published: March 2020

This paper provides fresh evidence concerning the threshold relationship between the shadow economy and financial development. Shadow economy is quoted as an obstacle to sustainable development and therefore the role of financial development is examined in this paper to tackle the issue of shadow economy. It is based on panel data of 29 developed and developing countries over the period of 1975–2015 and use of panel threshold model. Three proxies for financial development—liquid liabilities, private credit to deposit money banks, and stock market capitalisation—were utilised to obtain the threshold value of US$33,600 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita. This threshold helps to determine the impact of financial development on the size of the shadow economy. Empirical results suggest that above this threshold, financial development significantly contributes to the reduction in size of the shadow economy while it has no impact for countries that have per capita income below this threshold. This implies that, countries with lower per capita income (below $33,600) should implement policies to improve accessibility to finance and credit market which leads to a sufficiently higher per capita income that in turn allows for a reduction in the size of the shadow economy.
The influence of nutrition on clinical outcomes in children with cancer
Authors: Barr Ronald D. , Stevens Michael C.G.
Published: March 2020

Adequate and appropriate nutrition is essential for growth and development in children; all put at risk in those with cancer. Overnutrition and undernutrition at diagnosis raise the risk of increased morbidity and mortality during therapy and beyond. All treatment modalities can jeopardize nutritional status with potentially adverse effects on clinical outcomes. Accurate assessment of nutritional status and nutrient balance is essential, with remedial interventions delivered promptly when required. Children with cancer in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) are especially disadvantaged with concomitant challenges in the provision of nutritional support. Cost‐effective advances in the form of ready‐to‐use therapeutic foods (RUTF) may offer solutions. Studies in LMICs have defined a critical role for the gut microbiome in the causation of undernutrition in children and have demonstrated a beneficial effect of selected RUTF in redressing the imbalanced microbiota and improving nutritional status. Challenges in high‐income countries relate both to concerns about the potential disadvantage of preexisting obesity in those newly diagnosed and to undernutrition identified at diagnosis and during treatment. Much remains to be understood but the prospects are bright for offsetting malnutrition in children with cancer, resulting in enhanced opportunity for healthy survival.
Parental experiences in end‐of‐life decision‐making in allogeneic pediatric stem cell transplantation
Authors: Mekelenkamp Hilda , Lankester Arjan C. , Bierings Marc B. , Smiers Frans J.W. , de Vries Martine C. , Kars Marijke C.
Published: March 2020

Background

In pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), the end‐of‐life (EOL) phase and the loss of the child is often characterized by a sudden deterioration of the child following a period of intensive curative treatment. This demands a fast transition for parents. Therefore, an understanding of the parents’ perspective on decision‐making in such a complex situation is needed. This study aims to gain insight in parental experiences in EOL decision‐making in allogeneic pediatric HSCT.

Methods

A qualitative descriptive study was performed among parents of eight families. Data were thematically analyzed.

Results

All parents were aware of their child's deterioration. Six families were confronted with a rapid deterioration, while two families experienced a gradual realization that their child would not survive. Parental EOL decision‐making in pediatric HSCT shows a reflective perspective on the meaning of parenthood in EOL decision‐making. Two central themes were identified: “survival‐oriented decision‐making” and “struggling with doubts in hindsight.” Six subthemes within the first theme described the parents’ goal of doing everything to achieve survival.

Discussion

Parents experienced EOL decision‐making mainly as a process guided by health care professionals (HCPs) based on the child's condition and treatment possibilities. The decision‐making is characterized by following opportunities and focusing on hope for cure. In hindsight parents experienced doubts about treatment steps and their child's suffering. HCPs can strengthen the parental role by an early integration of palliative care, providing timely support to parents in the process of imminent loss. Advance care planning can be used to support communication processes, defining preferences for future care.
A new biology of cell penetrating peptides
Authors: Howl John , Jones Sarah
Published: March 2020

As pharmacokinetic modifiers, cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) have proven utility for the delivery of otherwise impermeable cargoes into the discrete intracellular compartments of eukaryotic cells. Methods for the molecular optimisation of CPP sequences can significantly increase the performance of novel vectors matched to a specific delivery function. Moreover, the ‘information rich’ composition and inherent molecular flexibility of many CPPs can also facilitate their interaction with intracellular proteins and other cellular structures. This proteomimetic property of CPPs has been exploited in the design of bioportides, bioactive CPPs that regulate cellular functions often by binding relatively flat PPI interfaces to achieve a dominant negative action. This new biology of CPPs is rapidly gathering momentum through the design and synthesis of a bewildering variety of peptides that may be, in whole or part, linear, helical, cyclic and/or chimeric in nature. A particular emphasis of contemporary CPP‐centred drug discovery is the unmet medical need of cancer, though the biomedical scope of bioportide applications is impressively broad including cellular signalling and reprogramming. We are hopeful that one or more of the fascinating studies described herein will translate into the clinic to establish bioportide technologies as a viable option for drug discovery.
Radiomics in radiotherapy: Applications and future challenges
Authors: Qiu Qingtao , Duan Jinghao , Yin Yong
Published: March 2020

Radiomics has the potential to personalize patient treatment by using medical images that are already being acquired in clinical practice. Recently, with the development of computational and imaging technology, radiotherapy has brought unlimited opportunities driven by radiomics in individual cancer treatment and precision medicine care. This article reviews the advances in the application of radiomics in lung cancer, head and neck cancer, and other cancer sites. Additionally, we comment on the future challenges of radiomic research.
Luminescence Properties of Nd3+‐Doped AlF3‐Based Fluoride Glass in the Vacuum Ultraviolet Region
Authors: Yamanoi Kohei , Minami Yuki , Shimizu Toshihiko , Sarukura Nobuhiko , Murata Takahiro , Yoshida Hideki , Fujino Shigeru , Cadatal-Raduban Marilou
Published: March 2020

The development and characterization of the optical properties of a neodymium(III)‐doped 42.75AlF3–33.25CaF2–19BaF2–5YF3 (Nd3+‐doped BCA‐5Y) glass in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) region are reported. Photoluminescence peaks at 180 and 227 nm are observed upon excitation with the 157 nm emission of a F2 laser. The dominant 180 nm emission peak is assigned to the 4f25d–4f3 (4I9/2 level) transition in Nd3+. This emission peak exhibits a fast, single exponential luminescence with a 16 ns decay time. The strong luminescence intensity and the fast decay time allude to its prospects for scintillator applications.
Full Stokes Polarimetry for Wide‐Angle Incident Light
Authors: Zhang Yaxin , Jin Jinjin , Pu Mingbo , He Qiong , Guo Yinghui , Li Xiong , Ma Xiaoliang , Luo Xiangang
Published: March 2020

Polarimetry, the process of characterizing the polarization state of light in the target scene, plays a significant role in optical detection. A compact and wide‐angle polarimeter is important in applications such as atmospheric environment and wave‐front detection. However, the existing methods for polarimetry are often restricted to a fixed incident angle, which restrains the potential applications in wide‐angle scenarios. Herein, a new kind of polarimeter, which can detect the incident angle and polarization state of incident light simultaneously, is demonstrated. The metasurface‐based wide‐angle polarimeter consists of 2 × 3 subarrays, which simultaneously controls the polarization and phase of light. The angle of incidence is obtained by the focus displacement of the quadratic lens at a large angle up to 40°. Moreover, the polarimetry for wide‐angle incident light is realized by the modified Stokes parameters. The proposed method enables simple and large‐field‐of‐view optical devices for wave‐front detection, biomedical imaging, and atmospheric environment detection.
Sliding mode observers for a class of linear parameter varying systems
Authors: Chen L. , Edwards C. , Alwi H.
Published: March 2020

In this paper, a new framework for the synthesis of a class of sliding mode observers for affine linear parameter varying (LPV) systems is proposed. The sliding mode observer is synthesized by selecting the design freedom via linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Posing the problem from a small gain perspective allows existing numerical techniques from the literature to be used for the purpose of synthesizing the observer gains. In particular, the framework allows affine parameter‐dependent Lyapunov functions to be considered for analyzing the stability of the state estimation error dynamics, to help reduce design conservatism. Initially a variable structure observer formulation is proposed, but by imposing further constraints on the LMIs, a stable sliding mode is introduced, which can force and maintain the output estimation error to be zero in finite time. The efficacy of the scheme is demonstrated using an LPV model of the short period dynamics of an aircraft and demonstrates simultaneous asymptotic estimation of the states and disturbances.
Prediction of Kumaraswamy distribution in constant‐stress model based on type‐I hybrid censored data
Authors: Fawzy Mohamad A.
Published: March 2020

In this work, a particular problem of Bayesian prediction concerning future observation from Kumaraswamy distribution under constant‐stress partially accelerated life test is treated. Type‐I hybrid censored data of the observed data are utilized. One‐ and two‐sample Bayesian prediction intervals for an unobserved future sample from Kumaraswamy distribution are settled. Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) procedure is used to get Bayesian predictive intervals. Lastly, simulation study and a numerical example are given to illustrate the consequences of the research.
Quick and Efficient Thermal Stability Enhancement of Micro‐Phase Separated Structure Formed from ABA Triblock Copolymers by Photo Cross‐Linking Approach
Authors: Kawarazaki Isamu , Hayashi Mikihiro , Yamamoto Katsuhiro , Takasu Akinori
Published: March 2020

We here report quick and efficient enhancement of the thermal stability of triblock copolymer‐based bulk morphologies by utilizing photo cross‐linking, which aims for widening the application range of block copolymer‐based materials. First, we synthesized ABA triblock copolymer bearing photo cross‐linkable groups (i. e., benzophenone groups) in the end blocks via two step atom transfer radical polymerizations (ATRP) and subsequent esterification reaction. UV‐light was irradiated for the annealed bulk films at room temperature, and the photo cross‐linking completely progressed within several minutes. Small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) and the model fitting analysis revealed that the original cylinder morphology of the neat sample was nicely preserved after the photo cross‐linking, which enables investigation of intrinsic effects of domain cross‐linking. The temperature ramp SAXS measurements demonstrated the photo cross‐linked cylinder structure remained up to the temperature (∼320 °C) much higher than the disordering temperature (∼240 °C) of the neat uncross‐linked structure.
Facile Synthesis of CuMgFe Layered Double Hydroxides for Efficient Catalytic Phenol Hydroxylation under Mild Conditions
Authors: Shen Jiecan , Liang Jinhua , Fu Xiaomin , Jiang Yong , Yan Shichang , He Haiming , Ren Xiaoqian
Published: March 2020

A series of CuMgFe layered double hydroxides (denoted as X/CuMgFe–LDHs) with different Cu contents were synthesized by co‐precipitation as catalysts for phenol hydroxylation under mild conditions. The as‐prepared samples were analyzed by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy (ICP‐ES), N2 adsorption–desorption, Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), thermogravimetric differential scanning calorimetry (TG‐DSC), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and hydrogen temperature‐programmed reduction (H2‐TPR) to investigate the morphologies and physicochemical properties. As presented by the characterization results, introducing a certain amount of copper not only increased the amount of active metal centers but also formed more oxygen vacancies and lattice oxygen to promote electron transport between the double layers in LDHs. However, the excess copper would significantly disrupt the X/CuMgFe–LDH framework, declining the activity. Therefore, the 20/CuMgFe–LDH sample presented the best catalytic performance among all the catalysts in terms of activity, which was correlated with the layered structure, low‐temperature reducibility, oxygen species and low Cu+/Cu2+ and Fe2+/Fe3+ ratios. The catalyst could maintain good stability even after recycling for five times. Finally, a possible mechanism for phenol hydroxylation via Cu+–OV–Fe2+ and Cu2+–O–Fe3+ redox cycles on CuMgFe–LDHs was proposed.
Technology readiness levels: Shortcomings and improvement opportunities
Authors: Olechowski Alison L. , Eppinger Steven D. , Joglekar Nitin , Tomaschek Katharina
Published: March 2020

The technology readiness level (TRL) scale was developed at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the 1970s as a standardized technology maturity assessment tool for use in complex system development. Today, TRL assessments are used to make multimillion‐dollar decisions at NASA and beyond, yet anecdotal evidence suggests that there are challenges associated with TRL use in practice. In this paper, we systematically uncover the practitioners' view, first via 19 interviews with employees from seven organizations. We identify 15 challenges of TRL implementations in three categories: system complexity, planning and review, and validity of assessment. Next, we prioritize these challenges via a survey of TRL practitioners, using a best‐worst choice experiment. Finally, we identify best practices and proposed extensions to address the challenges. We find that system complexity challenges are most critical to TRL users, despite being addressed in the literature. We posit that addressing these opportunities could result in substantial improvements to decision processes and outcomes in complex engineering projects.
The impact of the Belt and Road Initiative on the expansion of China's higher education in overseas markets along the route
Authors: Gong Siyi , Huo Weiwei , Wu Maoguo , Huang Yi , Gong Jingya , Wang Ding
Published: March 2020

Due to the differences in economic and social conditions among the Belt‐and‐Road (B&R) countries, resources exchange might bring significant effect on companies and organizations in these countries. In recent years, vigorously developing university education and attracting more outstanding international students have become important means for “B&R” countries to expand education market and enhance international influence. However, there is limited research discussing the impact of “B&R” on the internationalization of higher education. Taking the sponsoring country (China) of the “B&R” strategy as an example, this article explores the impact of this strategy on Chinese universities' expansion in the education market, and further analyzes the important relevant factors from the perspectives of international competitiveness. The findings show that the B&R Initiative has a significant impact on the expansion of Chinese universities in overseas markets along the route. Furthermore, we have found “push” factors related to China's macro and micro environments, and “pull” factors associated with countries along the B&R route.
The added value of real options analysis for climate change adaptation
Authors: Wreford Anita , Dittrich Ruth , van der Pol Thomas D.
Published: March 2020

Climate change adaptation investment decisions can be made more efficiently if uncertainty and new information are considered in their economic appraisal. Real options analysis (ROA) is a robust decision‐making tool that allows for the incorporation of both uncertainty and new information. In this opinion article, we argue that ROA is a valuable tool, providing the analysis is designed to reflect the real‐world characteristics of the decision context. We highlight the differences between traditional risk‐based ROA, and scenario‐based ROA, and discuss the relative merits of the approaches from the perspective of their assumptions and use of climate information. We also emphasize the need for increased co‐development of ROA design and applications with end‐users. Given the large climate uncertainties for long‐term adaptation planning, we suggest that an emerging strand of scenario‐based ROA methods offers ways to help identify and conditionally value flexibility without aggregating values into precise expected values across states of the world.

This article is categorized under:

Climate Economics > Iterative Risk‐Management Policy Portfolios
Evaluation of Cottontail Pellets Collected in Suboptimal Conditions for DNA Analysis
Authors: Whipps Christopher M. , Cheeseman Amanda E. , Lindsay K. Alice , Cohen Jonathan B.
Published: March 2020

Occupancy monitoring of the New England cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis) relies on collections of fecal pellets made following a snowfall, and subsequent genetic screening to distinguish New England cottontail pellets from those of the eastern cottontail (S. floridanus) and snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus). In years when snowy conditions are not common, less frequent sampling may result in data gaps at long‐term monitoring sites, and jeopardize ongoing field research projects that rely on genetic data from fecal pellets. Such conditions occurred in the lower Hudson Valley, New York, USA, in the winter of 2015–2016, during which we collected pellets from the ground to evaluate performance of genetic testing relative to pellet quality. Pellets were categorized on overall appearance of degradation, assigned a pellet quality score, and then genetically analyzed to identify species using mitochondrial DNA. The pellets identified as being from New England cottontail were further evaluated targeting nuclear microsatellite DNA to obtain a multilocus genotype to identify individual rabbits. Species identification was possible for 89% of the highest quality pellets from the ground, and 68% in the most degraded pellets. A complete multilocus genotype was obtained in 79% of the least degraded pellets, but only 14% of the most degraded pellets. Certain genetic loci strongly influenced this success rate, with some performing better than others. Pellets collected from snow were still most reliable with 100% identified to species, and >97% of New England cottontail with a complete multilocus genotype. Thus, if researchers are genotyping rabbit pellets for applications such as abundance estimations, only the higher quality pellets from the ground or those collected from snow will likely be useful. For occupancy monitoring, a wider range of pellets may be acceptable for species identification, with the understanding that there is a tradeoff with pellet quality and successful DNA analysis. These results indicate that sampling from the ground and qualitative assessment of pellet quality using our categorization scheme is a viable method for New England cottontail monitoring in years with less snow. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.
Self-perceived Fracture Risk in the Global Longitudinal Study of Osteoporosis in Women: Its Correlates and Relationship with Bone Microarchitecture
Authors: Litwic A. E. , Westbury L. D. , Carter S. , Ward K. A. , Cooper C. , Dennison E. M.
Published: March 2020

The purpose of this study is to examine correlates of self-perceived fracture risk (SPR) and relationships between SPR and subsequent bone density and microarchitecture in the UK arm of the Global Longitudinal Study of Osteoporosis in Women. 3912 women completed baseline questionnaires detailing medical history and SPR; 492 underwent HRpQCT scans of the radius and tibia and DXA scans of total body, hip, femoral neck and lumbar spine a median of 7.5 years later. Correlates of SPR were examined and a cluster analysis of potential predictors of SPR performed. SPR in relation to HRpQCT and aBMD parameters was examined using linear regression with and without adjustment for anthropometric, demographic and lifestyle covariates. Mean (SD) baseline age was 69.0 (9.0) years; 56.6% reported a similar SPR; 28.6% lower SPR; 14.9% higher SPR compared to women of similar age. In mutually-adjusted analysis, higher SPR was associated (p < 0.05) with: lower physical activity and educational attainment; use of anti–osteoporosis medications (AOM) and calcium supplements; greater number of falls in the previous year; history of fracture since aged 45; family history of hip fracture; and increased comorbidity. Higher SPR, history of fracture, and use of AOM, calcium and vitamin D clustered together. Even after adjustments that included AOM use, higher SPR was associated with: lower radial trabecular volumetric density and number, and higher trabecular separation; lower tibial cortical area and trabecular volumetric density; and lower aBMD at the femoral neck. Despite greater AOM use, women with higher baseline SPR had poorer subsequent bone health.
Wnt16 Overexpression in Osteoblasts Increases the Subchondral Bone Mass but has no Impact on Osteoarthritis in Young Adult Female Mice
Authors: Törnqvist Anna E. , Grahnemo Louise , Nilsson Karin H. , Funck-Brentano Thomas , Ohlsson Claes , Movérare-Skrtic Sofia
Published: March 2020

Epidemiological studies have shown that high bone mineral density (BMD) is associated with an increased risk of osteoarthritis (OA), but the causality of this relationship remains unclear. Both bone mass and OA have been associated with the WNT signaling pathway in genetic studies, there is thus an interest in studying molecular partners of the WNT signaling pathway and OA. Female mice overexpressing WNT16 in osteoblasts (Obl-Wnt16 mice) have an increased bone mass. We aimed to evaluate if the high bone mass in Obl-Wnt16 mice leads to a more severe experimental OA development than in WT control mice. We induced experimental OA in female Obl-Wnt16 and WT control mice by destabilizing the medial meniscus (DMM). The Obl-Wnt16 mice displayed thicker medial and lateral subchondral bone plates as well as increased subchondral trabecular bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV) but un-altered thickness of articular cartilage compared to WT mice. After DMM surgery, there was no difference in OA severity in the articular cartilage in the knee joint between the Obl-Wnt16 and WT mice. Both the Obl-Wnt16 and WT mice developed osteophytes in the DMM-operated tibia to a similar extent. We conclude that although the Obl-Wnt16 female mice have a high subchondral bone mass due to increased WNT signaling, they do not exhibit a more severe OA phenotype than their WT controls. This demonstrates that high bone mass does not result in an increased risk of OA per se.
Localization of claudin-2 and claudin-3 in eutopic and ectopic endometrium is highly similar
Authors: Hoerscher Alena , Horné Fabian , Dietze Raimund , Berkes Eniko , Oehmke Frank , Tinneberg Hans-Rudolf , Meinhold-Heerlein Ivo , Konrad Lutz
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Claudins as the major components of tight junctions are important in maintaining cell–cell integrity and thus function as a barrier. Dysregulation of the claudins is often associated with loss of the epithelial phenotype, a process called epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), which most often results in gain of migrative and invasive properties. However, the role of claudins in the endometrium or endometriosis has only rarely been examined.

Methods

In this study, we investigated localization of claudin-2 and claudin-3 in the eutopic and ectopic endometrium with immunohistochemistry. A detailed quantification with HSCORE was performed for claudin-2 and claudin-3 in endometrium without endometriosis and in cases with endometriosis compared to the three endometriotic entities: peritoneal, ovarian, and deep-infiltrating endometriosis.

Results

We found a preferential localization of both claudins in the glandular and the luminal epithelial cells in the endometrium with and without endometriosis. Quantification of localization of both claudins showed no differences in eutopic endometrium of control cases compared to cases with endometriosis. Furthermore, both claudins are localized highly similar in the ectopic compared to the eutopic endometrium, which is in clear contrast to previously published data for claudin-3.

Conclusion

From our results, we conclude that localization of claudin-2 and claudin-3 is highly stable in eutopic and ectopic endometrium without any loss of the epithelial phenotype and thus do not contribute to the pathogenesis of endometriosis.
Outcomes for a clinically representative cohort of hearing-impaired adults using the Nucleus® CI532 cochlear implant
Authors: Hey Matthias , Neben Nicole , Stöver Timo , Baumann Uwe , Mewes Alexander , Liebscher Tim , Schüssler Mark , Aschendorff Antje , Wesarg Thomas , Büchner Andreas , Greenham Paula , Hoppe Ulrich
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Hearing performance data was collected from a large heterogeneous group of subjects implanted with the Cochlear™ Nucleus® CI532 with Slim Modiolar Electrode, for the purposes of postmarket clinical follow-up. Data was analysed for factors which may predict postoperative speech recognition scores.

Methods

Data was collected retrospectively from five German clinics for 159 subjects from March 2017 to August 2018. Hearing thresholds and recognition scores for monosyllabic words in quiet and sentences in noise were measured preoperatively and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively.

Results

There was a mean gain of 44% points (95% CI 39–49%) at 6 months in monosyllable scores in quiet for implanted ears. Preoperative hearing thresholds in implant ears increased systematically with decreasing age; however, younger subjects had better baseline monosyllable scores with hearing aids compared with older subjects. Baseline performance alone explained 14% of the variation in postoperative scores. Residual hearing was preserved on average to within 22 dB at 250 Hz and 30 dB at 500 Hz of preoperative levels.

Conclusions

In a large and varied cohort of routinely treated hearing-impaired adults, speech recognition with the CI532 for German monosyllabic words in quiet at 6 months was equivalent to performance reported at one year or more in other published studies. Although younger subjects had poorer preoperative pure-tone thresholds, they had better preoperative word recognition scores compared with older subjects, and also had higher post implant scores. Further research is required to identify if this phenomenon is just applicable to German health system assessment and referral practices.
Sense of coherence and its relationship to participation, cancer-related fatigue, symptom burden, and quality of life in women with breast cancer participating in the OptiTrain exercise trial
Authors: Hiensch Anouk E , Bolam Kate A , Mijwel Sara , May Anne M , Wengström Yvonne
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study examined the Sense of Coherence (SOC) of patients participating in the randomized controlled ‘Optimal Training for Women with Breast Cancer’ (OptiTrain) study and assessed how patient characteristics were associated with SOC. Secondary aims were to assess the association between SOC and patients’ participation in this study and to determine whether SOC moderates the effect of the 16-week exercise intervention on fatigue, quality of life (QoL), and symptom burden in women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

Methods

Modified Poisson regression analyses were conducted to determine the relative risk of weak-normal SOC versus strong SOC in terms of exercise session attendance, study and intervention dropout, and long absence rates. Analyses of covariance were performed to assess whether SOC moderated the effect of the exercise intervention (pinteraction ≤ 0.10).

Results

Two hundred and forty women with early breast cancer (mean age 53 ± 10) participated in the OptiTrain study. Women with strong SOC reported less fatigue, lower symptom burden, and higher QoL. Women with weak-normal SOC were significantly more likely to drop out from the OptiTrain study and tended to have slightly poorer exercise session attendance. Women with breast cancer and weaker SOC benefitted as much from the exercise intervention, in terms of fatigue and QoL, as those with stronger SOC (pinteraction > 0.10).

Conclusions

Strong SOC appears to be associated with a more positive subjective state of health. Women with weak-normal SOC may need additional support to encourage participation and adherence in exercise trials. Assessing SOC may assist clinicians to identify and provide extra support for participants with weak SOC, who may be less inclined to participate in exercise programs.
On the topology of metric f–K-contact manifolds
Authors: Goertsches Oliver , Loiudice Eugenia
Published: March 2020

We observe that the class of metric f–K-contact manifolds, which naturally contains that of K-contact manifolds, is closed under forming mapping tori of automorphisms of the structure. We show that the de Rham cohomology of compact metric f–K-contact manifolds naturally splits off an exterior algebra, and relate the closed leaves of the characteristic foliation to its basic cohomology.
Complete genome sequence and analysis of a novel lymphocystivirus detected in whitemouth croaker (Micropogonias furnieri): lymphocystis disease virus 4
Authors: Doszpoly Andor , Kaján Győző L. , Puentes Rodrigo , Perretta Alejandro
Published: March 2020

A novel lymphocystivirus causing typical signs of lymphocystis virus disease in whitemouth croaker (Micropogonias furnieri) on the coast of Uruguay was detected and described recently. Based on genetic analysis of some partially sequenced core genes, the virus seemed to differ from previously described members of the genus Lymphocystivirus. In this study, using next-generation sequencing, the whole genome of this virus was sequenced and analysed. The complete genome was found to be 211,086 bp in size, containing 148 predicted protein-coding regions, including the 26 core genes that seem to have a homologue in every iridovirus genome sequenced to date. Considering the current species demarcation criteria for the family Iridoviridae (genome organization, G+C content, amino acid sequence similarity, and phylogenetic relatedness of the core genes), the establishment of a novel species (“Lymphocystis disease virus 4”) in the genus Lymphocystivirus is suggested.
Investment and labor income shares
Authors: Chortareas Georgios , Noikokyris Emmanouil
Published: March 2020

We explore empirically the determinants of labor shares focusing on the role of investment. We use a cross-country framework and consider up to 99 countries for the period 2004–2015. Our results reveal that the level of a country’s investment is a significant driving factor of the labor share of income. This evidence is in line with the predictions of neoclassical mechanisms for the role of investment in labor share. Among several other factors that we consider, as suggested by the extant empirical literature, we find strong evidence only for the degree of a country’s exposure to the international financial system, which is inversely related to the labor shares. Moreover, economic freedom amplifies the positive effect of gross fixed capital formation on labor income shares.
Bullous pemphigoid associated with the use of dipeptidil peptidase-4 inhibitors: analysis from studies based on pharmacovigilance databases
Authors: Molina-Guarneros Juan A. , Sainz-Gil María , Sanz-Fadrique Rosario , García Pilar , Rodríguez-Jiménez Pedro , Navarro-García Ester , Martin Luis H.
Published: March 2020

Background Bullous pemphigoid has been associated to dipeptidase-4 inhibitors. Objectives Addressing the potential Bullous pemphigoid-dipeptidase-4 inhibitors association based on pharmacovigilance data currently available in Spain in order to obtain a composite disproportionality estimator from all the data generated by the case-non case studies conducted to this date. Setting The Spanish Pharmacovigilance System for Human Use Drugs database. Method Case-non case study based on the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System for Human Use Drugs notifications submitted between 2007 and 2018 (n = 169,280), using the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities term (Preferred Term) ‘pemphigoid’ for sitagliptin, vildagliptin, saxagliptin, linagliptin, and alogliptin (n = 1952). As negative control, we used acetaminophen, while furosemide was the positive control. A pooled reported odds ratio analysis in the French, Japanese, and Spanish national pharmacovigilance databases was performed. On The Spanish Pharmacovigilance System for Human Use Drugs, we conducted a bullous pemphigoid-metformin association analysis within the period 1982–2018. Main outcome measure Adverse reaction cases in pharmacovigilance databases and the disproportionality through the reporting odds ratio. Results Within The Spanish Pharmacovigilance System for Human Use Drugs, we found 45 cases of bullous pemphigoid in dipeptidase-4 inhibitors patients. Median age was 77 years (range 72–82). The median latency period was 7 months (range 0.23–86). The Bullous pemphigoid-dipeptidase-4 inhibitors association was established with a reporting odd ratio = 70.0 (95% confidence intervals 49.1–10.1). In the combined analysis of the three aforementioned pharmacovigilance databases, the pooled reporting odd ratio was 81.0 (95% confidence intervals 69.5–94.4). Conclusion The composite estimator for the three national pharmacovigilance databases yields clear evidence of a Bullous pemphigoid-dipeptidase-4 inhibitors association, which was statistically significant for both the pharmacological class as a whole and each of the dipeptidase-4 inhibitors agents under investigation. Metformin’s role in the incidence of bullous pemphigoid appeared casual rather than causal. No differences between Caucasian and Asian populations were noted.
Ready, Willing and Able? An Investigation of the Theory of Planned Behaviour in Help-Seeking for a Community Sample with Current Untreated Depressive Symptoms
Authors: Tomczyk S. , Schomerus G. , Stolzenburg S. , Muehlan H. , Schmidt S.
Published: March 2020

Applying health behaviour change models, such as the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), to help-seeking for mental health problems can address the deficit in health care utilisation. However, previous studies largely focused on help-seeking intentions and not behaviour, which might be problematic due to the intention-behaviour gap. Hence, TPB and help-seeking were examined in a German community sample with current untreated depressive symptoms: 188 adults (Mage = 50.34; SD = 16.19; 70.7% female) participated in a baseline interview and survey measuring components of the TPB (attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control) and help-seeking intentions. They reported actual help-seeking from mental health professionals via telephone surveys 3 and 6 months later. To better understand the potential gap between help-seeking intentions and behaviour and to investigate the contributions of readiness, willingness and ability to seek help, two path models were constructed in accordance with the TPB controlling for covariates. Attitudes (β = .24), subjective norms (β = .25) and self-efficacy (β = .15) were significantly associated with intentions (R2 = 26%), which predicted help-seeking (Cox and Snell’s pseudo-R2 = 23%); controllability did not predict help-seeking. In sum, the TPB provides a reliable framework to explore help-seeking behaviour for mental health problems. Based on these findings, prevention efforts should focus on readiness and willingness to seek help (e.g. foster positive attitudes and social support of treatment). However, the role of ability, operationalised as perceived behavioural control and (perceived) barriers to help-seeking, warrants further research, as self-efficacy but not controllability was associated with help-seeking.
Against overconfidence: arguing for the accessibility of memorial justification
Authors: Egeland Jonathan
Published: March 2020

In this article, I argue that access internalism should replace preservationism, which has been called “a received view” in the epistemology of memory, as the standard position about memorial justification. My strategy for doing so is two-pronged. First, I argue that the considerations which motivate preservationism also support access internalism. Preservationism is mainly motivated by its ability to answer the explanatory challenges posed by the problem of stored belief and the problem of forgotten evidence. However, as I will demonstrate, access internalism also has the resources to provide plausible solutions to those problems. Second, I argue that preservationism faces a couple of problems which access internalism avoids. Doing so, I present a new scenario which, on the one hand, functions as a counterexample to preservationism, and, on the other hand, provides intuitive support for access internalism. Moreover, I also demonstrate how preservationism, in light of recent research in cognitive psychology, is vulnerable to skepticism about memorial justification, whereas access internalism remains unthreatened.
A Geometry-Based Multiple Testing Correction for Contingency Tables by Truncated Normal Distribution
Authors: Basak Tapati , Nagashima Kazuhisa , Kajimoto Satoshi , Kawaguchi Takahisa , Tabara Yasuharu , Matsuda Fumihiko , Yamada Ryo
Published: March 2020

Inference procedure is a critical step of experimental researches to draw scientific conclusions especially in multiple testing. The false positive rate increases unless the unadjusted marginal p-values are corrected. Therefore, a multiple testing correction is necessary to adjust the p-values based on the number of tests to control type I error. We propose a multiple testing correction of MAX-test for a contingency table, where multiple χ2-tests are applied based on a truncated normal distribution (TND) estimation method by Botev. The table and tests are defined geometrically by contour hyperplanes in the degrees of freedom (df) dimensional space. A linear algebraic method called spherization transforms the shape of the space, defined by the contour hyperplanes of the distribution of tables sharing the same marginal counts. So, the stochastic distributions of these tables are transformed into a standard multivariate normal distribution in df-dimensional space. Geometrically, the p-value is defined by a convex polytope consisted of truncating hyperplanes of test’s contour lines in df-dimensional space. The TND approach of the Botev method was used to estimate the corrected p. Finally, the features of our approach were extracted using a real GWAS data.
Determination of the elemental composition and antioxidant properties of dates (Phoenix dactyliferia) originated from different regions
Authors: Kuras Marzena Joanna , Zielińska-Pisklak Monika , Duszyńska Justyna , Jabłońska Joanna
Published: March 2020

Due to the growing interest in running a healthy life, including the diet a special interest has been put in searching for products that are rich in nutrients, macro and micronutrients and vitamins. Dates are the fruits that meet these requirements and show multidirectional pro-health effects. These fruits are a source of potassium and other macro- and micronutrients. They have antioxidant properties thanks to the content of flavonoids and polyphenols. The elemental composition (Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, P, Sr and Zn) and antioxidant properties (total equivalent antioxidant capacity, total polyphenol content, total flavonoid content) of various dates from different regions of the world was determined. The results have shown that the peel and flesh of dates differ significantly in chemical composition. The peel is significantly richer in chemical components of biological importance. Discriminant analysis of the results obtained for dates originated from various regions indicated that the main factor determining the tested chemical composition is the place of cultivation, not the variety.
Prevalence of CD8+ cytotoxic lymphocytes in human neoplasms
Authors: Blessin Niclas C. , Spriestersbach Patrick , Li Wenchao , Mandelkow Tim , Dum David , Simon Ronald , Hube-Magg Claudia , Lutz Florian , Viehweger Florian , Lennartz Maximillian , Fraune Christoph , Nickelsen Vera , Fehrle Wilfried , Göbel Cosima , Weidemann Sören , Clauditz Till , Lebok Patrick , Möller Katharina , Steurer Stefan , Izbicki Jacob R. , Sauter Guido , Minner Sarah , Jacobsen Frank , Luebke Andreas M. , Büscheck Franziska , Höflmayer Doris , Wilczak Waldemar , Burandt Eike , Hinsch Andrea
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have recently been approved by the US FDA as first and/or second line therapy in a subset of cancer types. Recent evidence suggests that the quantity of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) influences the likelihood of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Here, we set out to assess the density of CD8+lymphocytes in a wide range of different cancer types and subtypes.

Methods

The density of CD8+lymphocytes was compared across different cancer types using tissue microarrays (TMAs) composed of up to 50 tumor samples each from 84 different cancer types and subtypes. In total 2652 cancers and 608 normal tissues were successfully analyzed by CD8 immunohistochemistry followed by automated image analysis of digitized slides.

Results

We found that the median CD8+lymphocyte counts ranged from 6 cells/mm2in pleomorphic adenoma up to 1573 cells/mm2in Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The CD8 counts were generally lower in normal tissues compared to cancer tissues. Blood vessels of the spleen were the only non-lymphatic tissue staining positive for CD8. Tumor types approved for checkpoint inhibitor therapy, including malignant melanoma (81), muscle invasive urothelial carcinoma (119), small cell lung cancer (120), clear cell renal cell cancer (153), squamous cell carcinoma (189) and adenocarcinoma of the lung (328) as well as Hodgkin’s lymphoma (1573) were all ranking among the upper half of our list. Comparably high CD8 densities (median cells/mm2) were also found in several rare and aggressive cancer types including Merkel cell carcinoma (70), angiosarcoma (95), anaplastic thyroid cancer (156) and embryonal carcinoma of the testis (186). In 73 of the 84 analyzed cancer types, the highly variable CD8 counts occasionally exceeded the average CD8 count of tumors for which checkpoint inhibitors have been approved.

Conclusion

These data support the concept that among most tumor types at least some individual cancers may benefit from treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Effect of cavity flow control on high-speed train pantograph and roof aerodynamic noise
Authors: Kim Hogun , Hu Zhiwei , Thompson David
Published: March 2020

The pantograph and its recess on the train roof are major aerodynamic noise sources on high-speed trains. Reducing this noise is particularly important because conventional noise barriers usually do not shield the pantograph. However, less attention has been paid to the pantograph recess compared with the pantograph. In this paper, the flow features and noise contribution of two types of noise reduction treatments rounded and chamfered edges are studied for a simplified high-speed train pantograph recess, which is represented as a rectangular cavity and numerically investigated at 1/10 scale. Improved delayed detached-eddy simulations are performed for the near-field turbulent flow simulation, and the Ffowcs Williams and Hawkings aeroacoustic analogy is used for far-field noise prediction. The highly unsteady flow over the cavity is significantly reduced by the cavity edge modifications, and consequently, the noise radiated from the cavity is reduced. Furthermore, effects of the rounded cavity edges on the flow and noise of the pantographs (one raised and one folded) are investigated by comparing the flow features and noise contributions from the cases with and without rounding of the cavity edges. Different train running directions are also considered. Flow analysis shows that the highly unsteady flow within the cavity is reduced by rounding the cavity edges and a slightly lower flow speed occurs around the upper parts of the raised pantograph, whereas the flow velocity in the cavity is slightly increased by the rounding. Higher pressure fluctuations occur on the folded pantograph and the lower parts of the raised pantograph, whereas weaker fluctuations are found on the panhead of the raised pantograph. This study shows that by rounding the cavity edges, a reduction in radiated noise at the side and the top receiver positions can be achieved. Noise reductions in the other directions can also be found.