bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An empirical note on demand for speculation and futures risk premium: A Kalman Filter application
Authors: Kocagil Ahmet E. , Topyan Kudret
Published: July 2002

This study examines the behavior of demand for speculation, and the relationship between futures risk premium, open interest, daily futures trading, and the market index in the case of gold, silver, and copper markets. Following Bessembinder (1992), the paper focuses on the questions of: (a) whether there is a consistent systematic relationship between risk premium and futures trading activity and the market index, and, (b) whether speculative behavior exhibits systematic behavior around the market's expectation. The introduction of the Kalman Filter approach allows for a flexible trend model and obviates the need to specify the nature of trends of series. In order to test the hypotheses the frequency‐domain regression coefficients are compared with their case‐ specific counterparts. The empirical findings show that the speculative behavior is not symmetric in backwardation and contango markets. Furthermore, a negative relationship between the market and risk premia is observed in gold and silver; whereas the same relationship is positive in the case of copper.
Robust event‐based control of nonlinear time‐delay systems with partial state feedback
Authors: Guo Jingjing , Zhang Pengpeng , Liu Tengfei , Jiang Zhong‐Ping
Published: May 2020

This article studies the event‐triggered stabilization problem for a class of nonlinear systems subject to time delays and external disturbances. A new event trigger is developed by introducing an auxiliary variable to estimate the influence of external disturbances, time delays and the unmeasured states, such that infinitely fast sampling is avoided. The time‐delay version of the nonlinear small‐gain theorem is employed to guarantee the stability of the closed‐loop event‐triggered system. The new design is applied to solving the event‐triggered output‐feedback control problem for a class of nonlinear uncertain systems in the output‐feedback form.
Large‐Scale Surfactant Exfoliation of Graphene and Conductivity‐Optimized Graphite Enabling Wireless Connectivity
Authors: Large Matthew J. , Ogilvie Sean P. , Amorim Graf Aline , Lynch Peter J. , O'Mara Marcus A. , Waters Thomas , Jurewicz Izabela , Salvage Jonathan P. , Dalton Alan B.
Published: May 2020

Graphene and other graphitic materials are suggested as a route to cheap, high‐performance, environmentally‐sustainable electronic devices owing to their almost unique combination of properties. Liquid‐phase exfoliation is a family of shear‐based techniques that produce dispersions of nanosheets from bulk layered material crystallites. High‐quality nanosheets of graphene can be produced in solvents or surfactant dispersions; however the lateral size of these sheets limits the network transport properties observed in printed films. A high‐throughput, industrially‐scalable aqueous process for the production of graphene and related layered nanomaterials is presented. By considering not only the exfoliation process, but also the size selection and deposition processes, printable graphitic nanoparticulate materials with conductivities up to 50 000 S m−1 are demonstrated. This value is ten times larger than is typically obtained for few‐layer graphene produced by liquid‐phase exfoliation. The size selection process is critical to obtaining the maximum conductivity of deposited films, with an optimized nanographite having greater performance than few‐layer graphene or graphite that is processed and used without size selection. Building on these results a radio‐frequency antenna application is demonstrated, which is competitive with the state‐of‐the‐art, and a route to recycling of such printed short‐lifetime electronic devices to lower the environmental impact is discussed.
Double Active Layers Constructed with Halide Perovskite and Quantum Dots for Broadband Photodetection
Authors: Guo Ruiqi , Bao Chunxiong , Gao Feng , Tian Jianjun
Published: May 2020

Herein, solution‐processed, high‐performance broadband (300–1100 nm) photodetectors based on double active layers incorporating narrow‐bandgap CuInSe2 (CISe) quantum dots (QDs) and halide perovskite are devised. The CISe QDs/perovskite film as the photoactive layer boosts the photocurrent and suppresses dark current. Due to the joint light absorption effect of CISe QDs and halide perovskite, the photoelectric conversion capacity is improved. Furthermore, CISe QDs as an electron‐blocking layer can effectively block electrons to the hole transport layer and reduce the thermal noise. The optimized photodetector exhibits responsivity over 150 mA W–1 in the visible and more than 20 mA W–1 in the near‐infrared (800–1000 nm) ranges, specific detectivity of more than 7.0 × 1012 Jones in the visible region and 7.7 × 1011 Jones in the near‐infrared region, a transient response time of 277 ns with the active area of 0.013 cm2, and a linear dynamic range of ≈75 dB. Importantly, the CISe QDs layer makes the perovskite denser and more hydrophobic, thus improves the environmental and thermal stability of the detector, even extends the working temperature to exceeding 150 °C. The design concept and the considerable performance of this novel device provide a reference value for polychromatic light detection.
Community Organizing and Counter Narratives in the Response to Domestic Violence in India
Authors: Menon Suvarna V. , Allen Nicole E.
Published: May 2020

Domestic violence affects women globally. Domestic violence in India is embedded in structures of patriarchy, cultural norms, and a conservative social structure (Biswas, 2017). Community narratives help to create meaning and impact human behavior and can be tools of empowerment (Rappaport, 1995). They can also provide an important means of detecting changes in norms. Community engagement efforts that focus on empowering communities can play an important role in creating empowering narratives. Organizational settings like grassroots agencies can play a salient role in providing opportunities for community engagement leading to the creation of new community narratives and personal stories. This study sought to examine the work of a grassroots agency in India engaged in community action aimed at social change in the response to domestic violence, with a special focus on understanding shifting community narratives related to the response to domestic violence. Based on data from semi‐structured interviews, archival data, and participant‐observations, and using a modified‐grounded theory approach, our results identified five major themes reflecting counter narratives on domestic violence. These included (a) awareness and discourse on gender related issues, (b) framing domestic violence as a social issue, (c) supporting the empowerment of women, (d) supporting disclosure of violence, and (e) supporting intervening in cases of violence. Implications of our findings for social change work in the response to domestic violence are discussed.
Synthesis, Characterization and Electrochemical Properties of Polymers Based on Dithienothiophene and Bithiazole
Authors: Dikcal Fatma , Topal Sebahat , Unal Murat , Ozturk Turan
Published: May 2020

Conjugated polymers are promising cost‐effective, lightweight, and flexible electrode materials. 3,5‐Dinonyl‐2,6‐di(thiophene‐2‐yl)dithieno[3,2‐b : 2′,3′d]thiophene (M1) as a donor and 4,4′‐dinonyl‐5,5′‐di(thiophen‐2‐yl)‐2,2′‐bithiazole (M2) as an acceptor were synthesized and their polymers poly(3,5‐dinonyl‐2,6‐di(thiophene‐2‐yl)dithieno[3,2 b : 2′,3′‐d]thiophene) (P1) and poly(4,4′‐dinonyl‐5,5′‐di(thiophen‐2‐yl)‐2,2′‐bithiazole) (P2) were obtained via electropolymerization on ITO/glass electrode surface in ACN : DCM (1 : 3 v/v) solution, containing 0.1 M tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate (TBAPF6). Then, a third polymer as a co‐polymer (P3) was synthesized through electropolymerization of a mixture of the monomers M1 and M2 in 1 : 1 ratio. All the polymers were characterized by UV‐Vis, CV and CV‐UV measurements. Moreover, capacitor properties of the polymers by potentiostatic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was performed. The polymers P1, P2 and P3 exhibited absorptions at 456, 453 and 519 nm in neutral state and their optical band gaps were determined to be 2.17, 2.53 and 1.95 eV, respectivetly. EIS measurements indicated that P3 had the highest current density, having lower resistance.
Ultra‐Early Blood Pressure Reduction Attenuates Hematoma Growth and Improves Outcome in Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Li Qi , Warren Andrew D. , Qureshi Adnan I. , Morotti Andrea , Falcone Guido J. , Sheth Kevin N. , Shoamanesh Ashkan , Dowlatshahi Dar , Viswanathan Anand , Goldstein Joshua N.
Published: May 2020

Objective

The aim was to investigate whether intensive blood pressure treatment is associated with less hematoma growth and better outcome in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) patients who received intravenous nicardipine treatment ≤2 hours after onset of symptoms.

Methods

A post‐hoc exploratory analysis of the Antihypertensive Treatment of Acute Cerebral Hemorrhage 2 (ATACH‐2) trial was performed. This was a multicenter, international, open‐label, randomized clinical trial, in which patients with primary ICH were allocated to intensive versus standard blood pressure treatment with nicardipine ≤4.5 hours after onset of symptoms. We have included 913 patients with complete imaging and follow‐up data in the present analysis.

Results

Among the 913 included patients, 354 (38.7%) had intravenous nicardipine treatment initiated within 2 hours. In this subgroup of patients treated within 2 hours, the frequency of ICH expansion was significantly lower in the intensive blood pressure reduction group compared with the standard treatment group (p = 0.02). Multivariable analysis showed that ultra‐early intensive blood pressure treatment was associated with a decreased risk of hematoma growth (odds ratio, 0.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.34–0.92; p = 0.02), higher rate of functional independence (odds ratio, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.28–3.68; p = 0.004), and good outcome (odds ratio, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.01–2.83; p = 0.048) at 90 days. Ultra‐early intensive blood pressure reduction was associated with a favorable shift in modified Rankin Scale score distribution at 3 months (p = 0.04).

Interpretation

In a subgroup of ICH patients with elevated blood pressure given intravenous nicardipine ≤2 hours after onset of symptoms, intensive blood pressure reduction was associated with reduced hematoma growth and improved functional outcome. ANN NEUROL 2020;88:388–395.
Optimization of carbon dioxide refrigerant charge in capillary radiation air conditioning system based on genetic algorithm
Authors: Yu Xi , Li Gang
Published: May 2020

The traditional capillary radiant air conditioning system based on back propagation (BP) neural network optimization model of carbon dioxide refrigerant filling, using neural network algorithm to optimize the carbon dioxide refrigerant filling, there is a big error. Aiming at this problem, a carbon dioxide refrigerant charging and filling optimization model in capillary radiant air conditioning system based on genetic algorithm (GA) is constructed. Based on the idea of solving multiobjective optimization problem with genetic algorithm, an adiabatic capillary steady‐state distribution model is constructed to analyze the change of refrigerant flow rate and critical temperature in capillary tube. Corresponding data samples, the GA‐BP neural network model is calculated based on the sample data, and the optimization of carbon dioxide refrigerant filling capacity is realized through the interpolation and extrapolation test model of condenser heat transfer and refrigerant outlet temperature. The experimental results show that the model has a significant application in optimizing the charging capacity of carbon dioxide refrigerant. The error of optimizing the charging capacity of carbon dioxide is small, and the error range is between (−0.03, 0.03).
Physician Associate Students' Experience of Anatomy Dissection
Authors: Holland Jane C. , Ní Dhónaill Róisín , Clarke Maeve , Joyce Pauline
Published: May 2020

The role of physician assistant/associate (PA) has expanded from its inception in the United States over 50 years ago, to European countries including Ireland. While there is an increasing body of evidence exploring the role and training of PAs in clinical settings, there is a scarcity of research exploring PA students' perspectives in relation to their experience of anatomy dissection, or how these experiences may contribute to the development of their core professional identity. Students in the first two cohorts of PA Program at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland program were invited to interviews which solicited them to reflect and report on their own experiences of anatomical dissection during their course. Participants' responses were analyzed using a thematic inductive approach; common themes and patterns were organized into a hierarchical structure, which generated the final framework of themes. Ten participants took part in the study; only one had previous personal experience of dissection, while two further participants had some familiarity with prosected specimens. The first theme concerned the participants' expectation of anatomical dissection, with sub‐themes of preconceptions, smell, and emotions. The second theme involves discussion of coping strategies that the participants used, including talking, viewing the cadaver as their first patient, and naming (or not naming) the cadaver. The third theme includes how the participants' talked about respect and compassion in the dissection room, development of team working skills, and awareness of bereavement and organ donation. A number of recommendations were also made for the experience and orientation of future students in such a program.
High‐performance PMSM self‐tuning speed control system with a low‐order adaptive instantaneous speed estimator using a low‐cost incremental encoder
Authors: Cao Yihui , Wang Junzheng , Shen Wei
Published: May 2020

In practical industrial applications, the control performance in a wide speed range is hard to ensure, especially under the low‐speed condition with a low‐cost incremental encoder, while the unknown structure parameters may also degrade the tracking performance. This paper proposes a low‐order adaptive instantaneous speed estimator (AISE) and a self‐tuning control strategy to promote the speed control performance in a wide speed range with unknown inertia parameters. Together with the adaptive‐Kalman‐filter‐based AISE, a novel measurement noise variance updating scheme, which allows more appropriate compensation in the different speed range than fixed error variance, is introduced through the theoretical analysis based on probability and stochastic process. Moreover, an easy‐to‐implement self‐tuning law, integrated with an online recursive‐least‐square‐based parameters identification method, is developed to tune the speed controller, while the AISE is also adjusted online to ensure the control performance with a considerable variation of load inertia. All strategies were implemented in a TMS320F28335‐based permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) control system with a low‐cost 2500‐line incremental encoder, and the results demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed techniques.
Oscillations of solar photosphere: 45 years of observations
Authors: Kotov Valery A. , Haneychuk Vasilij I.
Published: May 2020

A summary of the long‐term, 1974–2018, measurements of the line‐of‐sight velocity of the solar photosphere, performed at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory, is presented. The work shows that the Sun is pulsating with two periods: P0 = 9,600.606(12) s and P1 = 9,597.924(13) s. The new measurements, 1996–2018, confirm the remarkable phase stability of the second period. The true origin of both pulsations is unknown, but their beatings are noted to have occurred with a period of 397.7(2.6) days, coinciding well with the synodic period of Jupiter, 398.9 days. A hypothesis is advanced that the shift from P0 to P1 is induced by the gravity field of Jupiter.
A comparison of rate‐based and latency‐based assessments for determining demand aversiveness
Authors: Liollio Stephanie P. , Scheithauer Mindy , Call Nathan
Published: May 2020

Demand assessments are used to determine the relative aversiveness of demands. This study compared two demand assessments (i.e., rate‐based and latency‐based) proposed in past research with three children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We compared the hierarchical outcomes of demand aversiveness and efficiency of the two assessments. Differing degrees of correspondence between the assessments was found across participants. The latency‐based measure was most efficient for a participant with high‐rates of problem behavior. The rate‐based assessment was more efficient for a participant with low‐rates of problem behavior. More research is needed to determine when the different assessments should be conducted.
Advances in chemiluminescence and electrogenerated chemiluminescence based on silicon nanomaterials
Authors: Sun Mingxia , Su Yingying , Lv Yi
Published: May 2020

Since 1950, when chemiluminescence (CL) of siloxane upon treatment with strong oxidants was discovered by Kurtz, many silicon‐based nanomaterials with different elements, specific molecules, shapes and sizes have been developed as light emitters, energy acceptors, and catalyzers to provide valuable CL and electrogenerated CL (ECL) detection platforms in analytical chemistry fields. This review mainly focuses on the recent development of their mechanisms and sensing methodologies for small molecules, free radicals, ion, enzyme, protein, DNA, cancer cells, and metabolites based on specific reactions such as aptamer sensing and enzymatic reaction. Additionally, the future trend is discussed.
Quality of adverse event reporting in phase III randomized controlled trials of breast and colorectal cancer: A systematic review
Authors: Komorowski Adam S. , MacKay Helen J. , Pezo Rossanna C.
Published: May 2020

Background

Clinical trial reports often emphasize efficacy over harms, leading to misinterpretation of the risk‐to‐benefit ratio of new therapies. Clear and sufficiently detailed reporting of methods and results is especially important in the abstracts of trial reports, as readers often base their assessment of a trial on such information. In this study, we evaluated the quality of adverse event (AE) reporting and abstract quality in phase III randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of systemic therapies in breast and colorectal cancer.

Methods

Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of RCTs, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched from November 2005 to September 2018. Phase III RCTs evaluating systemic therapies in breast or colorectal cancer were included. Each article was independently reviewed by two investigators using a standardized data extraction form based on guidelines developed by the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) group. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and multivariable linear regression were used to analyze data. All statistical tests were two‐sided.

Results

Of 166 RCTs identified, 99.4% reported harms in the manuscript body, and 59.6% reported harms in the abstract. Reporting was restricted to severe harms in 15.6% of RCTs. Statistical comparison of AE rates went unreported in 59.0% of studies. Information regarding AEs leading to dose reductions, treatment discontinuations, or study withdrawals went unreported in 59.3%, 18.7%, and 86.8% of studies, respectively. Recently published RCTs (P = .009) and those sponsored at least partially by for‐profit companies (P = .003) had higher abstract quality scores.

Conclusions

Breast and colorectal cancer phase III RCTs inadequately report CONSORT‐compliant AE data. Improved guideline adherence and abstract reporting is required to properly weigh benefits and harms of new oncologic therapies.

Systematic Review Registration Number

CRD42019140673.
Association between lactate dehydrogenase levels and oncologic outcomes in metastatic prostate cancer: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Li Fan , Xiang Hui , Pang Zisen , Chen Zejia , Dai Jinlong , Chen Shu , Xu Bin , Zhang Tianyu
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Previous studies have provided evidence of the high expression of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in multiple solid tumors; however, its prognostic relationship with metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa) remains controversial. We performed a meta‐analysis to better understand the prognostic potential of LDH in mPCa.

Methods

In our investigation, we included PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library as web‐based resources, as well as studies published before January 2020 on the predictive value of LDH in mPCa. We independently screened the studies according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, evaluated the quality of the literature, extracted the data, and used RevMan 5.3 and STATA12.0 software for analysis.

Result

From the 38 published studies, the records of 9813 patients with mPCa were included in this meta‐analysis. We observed that higher levels of LDH in patients with mPCa were significantly associated with poorer overall survival (OS) (HR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.91‐2.47, P < .00001) and progression‐free survival (PFS) (HR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.20‐2.13, P = .001). The subgroup analyses indicated that the negative prognostic impact of higher levels of LDH on the oncologic outcomes of mPCa was significant regardless of ethnicity, publication year, sample size, analysis type, treatment type, age, and disease state.

Conclusion

Our analysis suggested the association between a higher level of LDH and poorer OS and PFS in patients with mPCa. As a parameter that can be conveniently evaluated, the LDH levels should be included as a valuable biomarker in the management of mPCa.
Why disadvantaged older adults engage in community consultation: A world café study
Authors: Wright‐Bevans Katie , Walker Alison , Vosper Emma
Published: May 2020

Community consultation is increasingly favoured as a means of ensuring that health services adequately meet population needs, yet research, has highlighted the frequency of inadequate and tokenistic consultation. Our aim was to address the gap in understanding of the mechanisms of successful community consultation by being the first study to examine consultation events for older adults in one of the most deprived local authority areas in the UK. A naturalistic world café was co‐designed with a community engagement service. Adults aged 68–91 years (n = 103) participated in one of two world café discussions. Qualitative findings demonstrated the mechanisms behind and the added value of consultation with disadvantaged older adults. Forums were found to not only offer space within which opinions could be voiced, they also supported information gathering, the adoption of civic responsibilities and social activities. Understanding of the added value of consultation forums may incentivise service providers to facilitate more meaningful consultation and encourage scholars to examine think more critically about social mechanisms that promote active ageing.
Highly Sensitive Electrochemical Detection of Reactive Oxygen Species in Living Cancer Cells Using Monolithic Metallic Foam Electrodes
Authors: Yang Yang , Zhang Heng , Wang Zhe , Li Xuepeng , Abdelsamie Abdelrahim Abdelsamie Abdalla , Yuan Xichen , Fan Xiaomeng , Zhang Ruirong , Chang Honglong
Published: May 2020

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) distribute in most mammalian cells in living organisms, and play a necessary role in signaling molecule to regulate various biological processes. To quantitatively and accurately monitor the ROS level releasing from living cells, electrochemical techniques have drawn great attention and ubiquitous innovations. However, its practicability is hindered by the sluggish electron transfer and poor mass transport efficiency between functional catalysts and their supports. Herein, we develop a three‐dimensional monolithic and metallic foam (Ag‐wire foam) to detect one typical ROS, i. e. hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in three cancer cells. The high electrical conductivity of Ag and the substrate‐free configuration guarantee the rapid electron flow within the metal scaffolds. The numerical model is established to depict the concentration distributions of H2O2 and reaction products. It shows the inter‐fiber voids throughout the foam can provide fast reactant diffusion channels and further facilitate the mass transport. We fabricate a microfluidic chip‐based three‐electrode system to detect the trace H2O2 concentration. A low detection limit of 15 nM H2O2 in human leukemia K562 cancer cells and less than 20 s response time 0is observed, outperforming many previous reports. Importantly, the concept of building three‐dimensional metal wire foams demonstrated herein is hopeful to guide the designing and promote high‐performance ROS‐detection in living cells.
Procedural outcomes and learning curve of cardiac arrhythmias catheter ablation using remote magnetic navigation: Experience from a large‐scale single‐center study
Authors: Li Xiang , Jin Qi , Zhang Ning , Ling Tianyou , Lin Changjian , Jia Kangni , Bao Yangyang , Xie Yun , Wei Yue , Chen Kang , Pan Wenqi , Xie Yucai , Wu Liqun
Published: May 2020

Background

Remote magnetic navigation (RMN)‐guided ablation has become an inspiring method of catheter ablation for tachyarrhythmias.

Hypothesis

Data from a large‐scale single center may provide further insight into the safety of and the learning curve for RMN‐guided ablation.

Methods

A total of 1003 catheter ablation procedures using RMN for conditions including supraventricular ventricular tachycardia, atrial tachyarrhythmias, and premature ventricular contraction/ventricular tachycardia (PVC/VT) were retrospectively analyzed from an ablation registry. Procedural outcomes, including procedure time, mapping time, X‐ray time, and RF time, were assessed. The complications were classified into two categories: major and minor. A subanalysis was used to illustrate the learning curve of RMN‐guided ablation by assessing procedure time and total X‐ray time of 502 atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation procedures.

Results

Among these procedures, 556 (55.4%) were AF and 290 (28.9%) were PVC/VT. Electrical pulmonary vein isolation was achieved in 99.0% of AF procedures, and acute success reached 90.3% in PVC/VT procedures. The overall complication rate was 0.5%. In the subanalysis of AF procedures, the overall procedure time and X‐ray time of procedures were short (125.9 ± 54.6 and 5.3 ± 3.9 minutes, respectively) and proceeded to decrease from the initial 30 procedures to about 300 procedures, where the learning curve reached plateau, demonstrating maximum procedure efficiency.

Conclusions

RMN‐guided ablation is safe, as verified by very low overall complication rate and reduced X‐ray time. In our study, even the first AF procedures had a relatively low procedure time and total X‐ray time, and procedure efficiency improved during the learning curve.
Patterns of metastases of prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Ranasinghe Weranja K. B. , Brooks Nathan A. , Elsheshtawi Mohamed A. , Davis John W. , Bathala Tharakeswara K. , Tang Chad , Troncoso Patricia , Aparicio Ana , Tu Shi‐Ming , Pisters Louis L. , Chapin Brian F.
Published: May 2020

Background

The current study was conducted to investigate the patterns of metastases in men with metastatic prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma (DAC) and recurrence patterns after therapy.

Methods

All patients with a new diagnosis of DAC with de novo metastases and those with localized disease who developed metastases after treatment and were treated at the study institution from January 2005 to November 2018 were included. All patient and tumor characteristics and outcome data were collected.

Results

A total of 164 patients (37.7%) had metastatic DAC, including 112 with de novo metastases and 52 who developed metastases after treatment. Men with de novo metastases were found to have a significantly higher median prostate‐specific antigen level and International Society of Urological Pathology grade but a lower cT3 and/or T4 classification compared with those with metastases that developed after treatment (all P < .05). Approximately 87% of men with de novo metastases progressed despite multiple systemic therapies, 37.6% required intervention for the palliation of symptoms, and 10.1% responded to systemic therapy and underwent treatment of the primary tumor. Men with de novo metastatic DAC and those who developed metastases after treatment had multiple metastatic sites (including bone and viscera), with higher rates of lung metastases noted in the posttreatment group (23.2% vs 44.2%; P = .01). A total of 45 patients who were treated with curative intent developed metastases at a median of 22 months (range, 0.9‐74.8 months) after treatment, at low prostate‐specific antigen levels (median, 4.4 ng/mL [interquartile range, 1.7‐11.1 ng/mL]).

Conclusions

The current study described the metastatic patterns of DAC in both patients with de novo metastatic disease and those who later progress to metastases. Men receiving treatment for DAC with curative intent require stringent long‐term follow‐up with imaging modalities, including chest imaging given the predilection toward lung metastases noted among these patients.
A multi‐institutional phase 2 trial of regorafenib in refractory advanced biliary tract cancer
Authors: Kim Richard D. , Sanoff Hanna K. , Poklepovic Andrew S. , Soares Heloisa , Kim Jongphil , Lyu Jing , Liu Yingmiao , Nixon Andrew B. , Kim Dae Won
Published: May 2020

Background

Regorafenib is an oral multikinase inhibitor targeting angiogenesis, oncogenesis, and cancer proliferation/metastasis. This study evaluated the efficacy of regorafenib in refractory biliary tract cancer (BTC) in a multi‐institutional phase 2 study.

Methods

Patients with BTC who progressed on at least 1 line of systemic therapy received regorafenib at 160 mg daily for 21 days on and 7 days off. The primary endpoint was 6‐month overall survival (OS), and the secondary endpoints were median OS, progression‐free survival (PFS), and objective response rates. Pretreatment plasma was collected for cytokine evaluation.

Results

A total of 39 patients were enrolled, and 33 were evaluable for efficacy. The median PFS and OS were 3.7 and 5.4 months, respectively, with survival rates of 46.2% at 6 months, 35.9% at 12 months, and 25.6% at 18 months for the intention‐to‐treat population. For the 33 evaluable patients who received regorafenib for at least 3 weeks, the median PFS and OS were 3.9 and 6.7 months, respectively, with survival rates of 51.5% at 6 months, 39.4% at 12 months, and 27.3% at 18 months. The objective response rate was 9.1%, and the disease control rate was 63.6%. Twenty‐eight patients (71.8%) experienced grade 3/4 adverse events. Among the 23 cytokines analyzed, elevated baseline vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGF‐D) was associated with shorter PFS, whereas elevated baseline interleukin 6 (IL‐6) and glycoprotein 130 (GP130) were associated with shorter OS.

Conclusions

Regorafenib demonstrated modest clinical efficacy in heavily pretreated patients with BTC. Further exploration of biomarkers is warranted to identify a group of patients with BTC who may benefit from regorafenib.
Cancer classification from microarray data for genomic disorder research using optimal discriminant independent component analysis and kernel extreme learning machine
Authors: Nguyen Tram Thi Huyen , Nguyen Pol Van , Tran Quang Vinh , Vo Nam Xuan , Vo Trung Quang
Published: May 2020

One of the challenging tasks in the medicinal field is genomic disorder investigation and its classification from the microarray dataset. The microarray dataset reorganization and its classification is more complex and expensive in the biomedical research area due to the larger number of features in the microarray dataset. In this paper, we construct a hybrid feature selection method such as t test, Fisher ration, and Bayesian logistic regression to select genes and that reduce the time cost. Based on the features, the top‐ranked features are selected via the best hybrid rank method. Thereafter, the features are extracted using the modified firefly optimization‐based discriminant independent component analysis (MF‐DICA). Especially, the modified firefly optimization algorithm is capable of improving the search efficiency of DICA. From the high dimensional microarray dataset, MF‐DICA is used to obtain the best features within the entire search space. The kernel extreme learning machine classifies the gene features depending upon the most relevant class. Experimentally, six datasets namely Leukemia dataset, Diffuse Larger B‐cell Lymphomas, Lung cancer, Breast cancer, Prostate tumor, and Colon dataset are chosen to evaluate the performance of proposed approaches. Finally, the experimental data demonstrate that the proposed method is well suitable to classify the microarray data.
Pharmacokinetics and Bioequivalence of Clopidogrel Hydrogen Sulfate Tablets in Fed and Fasted Conditions: An Open‐Label, Randomized, Semireplicated Crossover Study in Healthy Chinese Volunteers
Authors: Pei Tong , Yang Jing , Hu Chaoying , Chen Xiaoping , Gong Shili , Hu Xiao , Li Lin , Zhang Lan
Published: May 2020

Clopidogrel is an antiplatelet drug with high intraindividual variability in systemic exposure and efficacy. It has been used for treating atherosclerosis and acute coronary syndrome and in preventing stent restenosis and thrombotic complications after stent implantation in clinical practice for nearly 20 years. In this study we aimed to evaluate the bioequivalence of 2 clopidogrel hydrogen sulfate formulations (75‐mg tablets) under fed (n = 66) and fasted (n = 66) conditions by using the reference‐scaled average bioequivalence method. An open‐label, randomized, 3‐sequence and 3‐period crossover (3×3), semireplicated study was designed and conducted. Clopidogrel concentration of plasma samples was measured by high‐precision liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. The pharmacokinetic parameters were derived by a noncompartmental model. In the fed condition the geometric least‐squares mean ratios of peak concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration‐time curve (AUC0‐t) were, respectively, 103.38% and 98.97%, and the corresponding 90%CIs were 95.68% to 111.70% and 94.67% to 103.47%. In the fasted condition the geometric least squares mean ratios of Cmax and AUC0‐t were, respectively, 106.53% and 105.77%, and the corresponding 90%CIs were 97.62% to 116.25% and 96.96% to 115.38%. According to the criteria for bioequivalence (80.00% to 125.00%), the test formulations of clopidogrel and Plavix were determined to be bioequivalent.
A robust interclass and intraclass loss function for deep learning based tongue segmentation
Authors: Cai Yuanzheng , Wang Tao , Liu Wei , Luo Zhiming
Published: May 2020

The fast and robust segmentation of tongue images is a prerequisite to achieve automatic tongue diagnosis in traditional Chinese medicine. In order to assist tongue diagnosis in real‐life scenarios, an ideal tongue segmentation method would need to obtain the entire tongue body as well as its precise contours. However, the similar appearance among the tongue body, the coating, and the lips hinders the performance for most unsupervised learning methods that primarily utilize low‐level visual features. On the other hand, although the supervised deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs) that typically depend on the widely used crossentropy loss can achieve better accuracy, they are very prone to segment image to multiple trivially areas. To address both of the above issues, we make an attempt to boost the segmentation performance of DCNNs with a novel auxiliary loss function that seeks to exploit large margin learning for end‐to‐end tongue segmentation models. Specifically, we first propose a loss function that involves interclass and intraclass costs to directly measure the distance among pixels that belong to different connected regions. Then, we explore the potential ability of this loss function as a regularization for different segmentation networks such as those with attention modules and the deeply supervised network. Finally, a theoretical analysis for this learning scheme is presented. Through experiments on challenging datasets, we show that the proposed approach can be easily integrated into state‐of‐the‐art networks to boost their performance at the tongue segmentation task without bells and whistles.
How do you define recovery? A qualitative study of patients with eating disorders, their parents, and clinicians
Authors: Richmond Tracy K. , Woolverton G. Alice , Mammel Kathy , Ornstein Rollyn M. , Spalding Allegra , Woods Elizabeth R. , Forman Sara F.
Published: May 2020

Objective

Recovery from an eating disorder (ED) may be defined differently by different stakeholders. We set out to understand the definition of ED recovery from the perspective of patients, their parents, and clinicians.

Method

We recruited patients with EDs (n = 24, ages 12–23 years) representing different diagnoses (anorexia nervosa n = 17, bulimia nervosa n = 4, binge‐ED n = 2, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder n = 1), along with their parents (n = 20), dietitians (n = 11), therapists (n = 14), and primary care providers (n = 9) from three sites: Boston Children's Hospital, University of Michigan C. S. Mott Children's Hospital, and Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital. In‐depth, semi‐structured, qualitative interviews explored participants' definitions of recovery. Interviews were analyzed using inductive data‐driven thematic analysis. Statistical analyses followed to examine the distribution within each theme by respondent type.

Results

Qualitative analysis resulted in the emergence of four overarching themes of ED recovery: (a) psychological well‐being, (b) eating‐related behaviors/attitudes, (c) physical markers, and (d) self‐acceptance of body image. Endorsement of themes two and four did not significantly differ between patients, parents, and clinicians. Clinicians were significantly more likely to endorse theme one (χ2 = 9.90, df = 2, p = .007, φc = 0.356) and theme three (χ2 = 6.42, df = 2, p = .04, φc = 0.287) than patients and parents.

Discussion

Our study demonstrates overwhelming support for psychological markers as indicators of ED recovery by all three groups. Clinicians should remain open to additional markers of recovery such as body acceptance and eating‐related behaviors/emotions that may be of critical importance to patients and their caregivers.
Trait‐based life strategies, ecological niches, and niche overlap in the nekton of the data‐poor Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Koutsidi Martha , Moukas Catherine , Tzanatos Evangelos
Published: May 2020

Biological traits can determine species ecological niches and define species responses to environmental variation. Species have a specific functional position in the biological community, resulting in interactions like interspecific competition. In this study, we used biological traits in order to define the life strategies of 205 nektonic species of the Mediterranean Sea. Furthermore, traits related to resource use were analyzed to determine the level of trait and niche overlap and their relationship to life strategies. Focusing on habitats of importance (Posidonia beds, coralligène formations, and lagoons), we investigated strategies and niches of the species present there. Finally, we examined the life strategy of Lessepsian species and investigated the niche overlap between them and indigenous species. Archetypal analysis indicated the existence of three life histories corresponding to strategies already documented for fish (equilibrium, periodic, and opportunistic), with some species also placed in intermediate positions. Niche overlap was evaluated by multiple correspondence analysis and the generation of a single distance metric between all species pairs. This identified species occupying relatively empty (underexploited) ecological niches, like the Lessepsian species Siganus luridus and S. rivulatus, a finding that can also be associated with their establishment in the Mediterranean. Most Lessepsian species were associated with the opportunistic life history strategy, again an important aspect related to their establishment. Also, we documented that most species occurring in important habitats have a relatively high overlap of niches. No significant differences were found in the life strategies across Mediterranean habitats; however, variation in niche overlap and traits related to habitat use was detected. The findings can be useful to determine theoretical competition between species and to identify empty ecological niches. Fisheries science can also benefit from comprehending the dynamics of competing stocks or predict the responses of data‐poor stocks to anthropogenic stressors from known examples of species with shared life strategies.
Critical transition to woody plant dominance through microclimate feedbacks in North American coastal ecosystems
Authors: Huang Heng , Anderegg Leander D. L. , Dawson Todd E. , Mote Safa , D’Odorico Paolo
Published: May 2020

Climate warming is facilitating the expansion of many cold‐sensitive woody species in woodland–grassland ecotones worldwide. Recent research has demonstrated that this range expansion can be further enhanced by positive vegetation–microclimate feedbacks whereby woody canopies induce local nocturnal warming, which reduces freeze‐induced damage and favors the establishment of woody plants. However, this local positive feedback can be counteracted by biotic drivers such as browsing and the associated consumption of shrub biomass. The joint effects of large‐scale climate warming and local‐scale microclimate feedbacks on woody vegetation dynamics in these ecotones remain poorly understood. Here, we used a combination of experimental and modeling approaches to investigate the effects of woody cover on microclimate and the consequent implications on ecological stability in North American coastal ecosystems. We found greater browsing pressure and significant warming (~2°C) beneath shrub canopies compared to adjacent grasslands, which reduces shrub seedlings’ exposure to cold damage. Cold sensitivity is evidenced by the significant decline in xylem hydraulic conductivity in shrub seedlings when temperatures dropped below −2°C. Despite the negative browsing–vegetation feedback, a small increase in minimum temperature can induce critical transitions from grass to woody plant dominance. Our framework also predicts the threshold temperature of −7°C for mangrove–salt marsh ecotones on the Atlantic coast of Florida. Above this reference temperature a critical transition may occur from salt marsh to mangrove vegetation, in agreement with empirical studies. Thus, the interaction between ongoing global warming trends and microclimate feedbacks may significantly alter woody vegetation dynamics and ecological stability in coastal ecosystems where woody plant expansion is primarily constrained by extreme low temperature events.
Spatial and temporal changes in aeolian redistribution of sediments and nutrients following fire
Authors: Roehner Clayton , Pierce Jennifer L. , Yager Elowyn M.
Published: May 2020

Wildfires can profoundly alter rates, magnitudes, and ecological influences of aeolian redistribution of sediments and nutrients. This study examines the influence of fire in a semi‐arid ecosystem using 2 years of continuous passive dust trap data in the northern Great Basin, USA. We analyse the mass flux, organic material content, grain size distribution, and geochemistry of the collected samples to trace the fingerprint of the 2015 Soda Fire through space and time. In areas not affected by fire, dust is characterized by silt‐sized median grains, a geochemical signature consistent with a playa source area, and spatially consistent but seasonally variable dust flux rates. Following fire, dust flux increases significantly within and near the burned area. At burned and topographically sheltered sites, dust deposition in the eighth month following fire was 190% higher than dust deposition 2 years post‐revegetation. Topographically exposed sites recorded only modest increases in dust deposition following fire. Analysis of organic matter indicates all dust samples (both burned and unburned) contained an average of 45% organic matter compared to a watershed average of 1.6% organic matter in soils.

Geochemical and seasonal dust deposition data from 12 dust traps at a range of elevations indicate that with the removal of stabilizing vegetation after wildfire, differences in topographic position and wind direction lead to preferential redistribution of material across a burned landscape over hillslope scales (0–10 km). We posit post‐fire aeolian redistribution of locally derived material to topographically controlled positions is an important control on the spatial variability of soil depth and characteristics in drylands with complex topography. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Moral Foundations
Authors: Hubin Donald C.
Published: May 2020

Institutional researchers can be confronted with ethical quandaries. Pressures from their institutions can conflict with professional standards and general ethical requirements. Analyses that appear to be neutral can conceal hidden assumptions that are unintentionally harmful to those individuals whom institutions have a responsibility to protect. Resolving these quandaries ethically requires recognizing them when they occur and understanding that they cannot be adequately addressed by appeal to a simple professional code of conduct. An ethical resolution requires the application of moral imagination and impartial judgment.
A Statement for a New Era: The Association for Institutional Research Statement of Ethical Principles
Authors: Appel Michelle S.
Published: May 2020

This chapter begins with an overview of the history of the Association for Institutional Research's use of ethical guidelines. The Association reworked these principles during 2019, the next chapter discusses the rationale and process for this rework. Next, AIR's new Statement of Ethical Principles is presented and discussed, and finally the chapter closes with a discussion of next steps.
Bisphosphonate‐Induced Deterioration of Osteomalacia in Undiagnosed Adult Fanconi Syndrome
Authors: Cundy Tim , Que Lorna , Hassan Ibrahim M , Hughes Louise
Published: May 2020

We describe two women with a misdiagnosed fracturing bone disease who were treated erroneously with i.v. zoledronate. Over the next year, they suffered marked clinical and radiographic deterioration in skeletal disease. Both were eventually diagnosed with hypophosphatemic osteomalacia secondary to acquired Fanconi syndrome (caused by light‐chain myeloma in one case and tenofovir treatment in the other). Appropriate treatment with phosphate supplementation was instituted with clinical improvement. These cases illustrate the importance of not missing osteomalacia in adults presenting with fractures, and the potentially damaging effects of treatment with long‐acting inhibitors of bone resorption in these circumstances. © 2020 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.