bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What’s the Price? Toxicities of Targeted Therapies in Breast Cancer Care
Authors: Anders Carey K. , LeBoeuf Nicole R. , Bashoura Lara , Faiz Saadia A. , Shariff Afreen I. , Thomas Alexandra
Published: May 2020

Agents with mechanisms novel to breast cancer care have been approved to treat breast cancer. These agents include drugs that target cyclin-dependent kinases, phosphoinositide 3-kinase PI3KCA gene mutations, PARP, checkpoint regulation, and novel antibody-drug conjugates. However, these novel approaches bring a risk of toxicities quite different from those of conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy. Here, we review these agents and discuss related adverse events, with particular attention to endocrine, pulmonary, and dermatologic toxicities. Endocrine toxicities associated with novel cancer therapies for breast cancer are distinct and often present with symptoms related to the specific hormonal deficiencies and rarely hormonal excess. Given the complex and sometimes irreversible nature of these toxicities, once recognized, transdisciplinary management with an endocrinologist experienced with managing drug-related toxicities is encouraged. Drug-related pneumonitis is a serious concern with new targeted therapies. Presentation may not be easily distinguished, and a multidisciplinary team approach can optimize patient care. Heightened awareness is crucial for early detection and treatment. Management should follow recommendations provided by the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events and agent-specific guidelines. Cutaneous toxicities from anticancer therapies represent a common and often poorly characterized challenge for patients with breast cancer. Although our understanding of dermatologic effects from novel therapies continues to improve, the breadth of toxicities spans all dermatologic conditions. Targeted therapies offer effective and often novel therapeutic strategies for patients with breast cancer but also bring new adverse event profiles. In this era, it will be important both to closely follow monitoring recommendations and to remain vigilant for emerging toxicities.
Overcoming Resistance to Targeted Therapies in Gastrointestinal Cancers: Progress to Date and Progress to Come
Authors: Chen Christopher , Di Bartolomeo Maria , Corallo Salvatore , Strickler John H. , Goyal Lipika
Published: May 2020

Targeted therapies have transformed the treatment paradigm in diseases such as non–small cell lung cancer and melanoma but have shown relatively modest clinical benefit in gastrointestinal malignancies. Anti-EGFR therapy in RAS wild-type colorectal cancer, anti-HER2 therapy in HER2- amplified esophagogastric cancer, and FGFR and isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) inhibitors in FGFR2 fusion-positive and IDH1-mutant biliary tract cancers offer antitumor efficacy, but the clinical benefit and durability of response in each case are typically limited. We review targeted therapies in each of these therapeutic areas and discuss their clinical efficacy, mechanisms of primary and acquired resistance, and strategies to overcome this resistance. We discuss lessons learned that we hope will lead to an expanded role for molecularly targeted therapy options for patients with gastrointestinal cancers.
Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in High-Risk Soft Tissue Sarcomas: Final Results of a Randomized Trial From Italian (ISG), Spanish (GEIS), French (FSG), and Polish (PSG) Sarcoma Groups
Authors: Gronchi Alessandro , Palmerini Emanuela , Quagliuolo Vittorio , Martin Broto Javier , Lopez Pousa Antonio , Grignani Giovanni , Brunello Antonella , Blay Jean-Yves , Tendero Oscar , Diaz Beveridge Robert , Ferraresi Virginia , Lugowska Iwona , Merlo Domenico Franco , Fontana Valeria , Marchesi Emanuela , Braglia Luca , Donati Davide Maria , Palassini Elena , Bianchi Giuseppe , Marrari Andrea , Morosi Carlo , Stacchiotti Silvia , Bagué Silvia , Coindre Jean Michel , Dei Tos Angelo Paolo , Picci Piero , Bruzzi Paolo , Casali Paolo Giovanni
Published: May 2020

PURPOSE

To determine whether the administration of histology-tailored neoadjuvant chemotherapy (HT) was superior to the administration of standard anthracycline plus ifosfamide neoadjuvant chemotherapy (A+I) in high-risk soft tissue sarcoma (STS) of an extremity or the trunk wall.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a randomized, open-label, phase III trial. Patients had localized high-risk STS (grade 3; size, ≥ 5 cm) of an extremity or trunk wall, belonging to one of the following five histologic subtypes: high-grade myxoid liposarcoma (HG-MLPS); leiomyosarcoma (LMS), synovial sarcoma (SS), malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST), and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS). Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive three cycles of A+I or HT. The HT regimens were as follows: trabectedin in HG-MLPS; gemcitabine plus dacarbazine in LMS; high-dose prolonged-infusion ifosfamide in SS; etoposide plus ifosfamide in MPNST; and gemcitabine plus docetaxel in UPS. Primary and secondary end points were disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS), estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using Cox models adjusted for treatment and stratification factors. The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier NCT01710176 ).

RESULTS

Between May 2011 and May 2016, 287 patients (UPS: n = 97 [33.8%]; HG-MLPS: n = 65 [22.6%]; SS: n = 70 [24.4%]; MPNST: n = 27 [9.4%]; and LMS: n = 28 [9.8%]) were randomly assigned to either A+I or HT. At the final analysis, with a median follow-up of 52 months, the projected DFS and OS probabilities were 0.55 and 0.47 (log-rank P = .323) and 0.76 and 0.66 (log-rank P = .018) at 60 months in the A+I arm and HT arm, respectively. No treatment-related deaths were observed.

CONCLUSION

In a population of patients with localized high-risk STS, HT was not associated with a better DFS or OS, suggesting that A+I should remain the regimen to choose whenever neoadjuvant chemotherapy is used in patients with high-risk STS.
Congenital Hypoparathyroidism Associated With Elevated Circulating Nonfunctional Parathyroid Hormone Due to Novel PTH Mutation
Authors: Gild Matti L , Bullock Martyn , Luxford Catherine , Field Michael , Clifton-Bligh Roderick J
Published: May 2020

Context

Familial hypoparathyroidism has a heterogeneous presentation where patients usually have low parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels due to impaired production or secretion. This contrasts with pseudohypoparathyroidism, in which PTH resistance is usually associated with an elevated serum PTH. High levels of circulating PTH can also be due to bioinactive PTH, which is difficult to distinguish from pseudohypoparathyroidism on biochemical grounds.

Case Description

We report on 2 sisters from consanguineous parents who presented with tetany at birth and were diagnosed with congenital hypocalcemia. Serum PTH levels were normal for many years, but progressively increased in midadulthood to greater than 100x the upper limit of normal on multiple assays. Homozygosity mapping was performed on 1 sister that demonstrated loss of heterozygosity (LOH) around PTH. Sequencing revealed a previously unreported variant, c.94T>C, predicting a codon change of p.Ser32Pro that is biologically inactive.

Conclusions

This case report shows a previously unreported unusual biochemical phenotype of a rising PTH in the context of a novel PTH mutation. This expands the evolving genotypes associated with hypoparathyroidism without established gene mutations.
The Cultivation of Writerly Habits Is a National Emergency
Authors: Waite Stacey
Published: May 2020

In the “post-truth” moment, educators need to cultivate writerly habits, which include attention to language, precision, imagination, questioning, and sustained inquiry. Writerly habits can foster compassion, creativity, critical thinking, and a politics of hope. The hope is that these habits move students toward a more just future.
Disrupting Diversity Management
Authors: Hubrig Adam , Masterson Jessica , Seibert Desjarlais Stevie K. , Stenberg Shari J. , Thielen Brita M.
Published: May 2020

This article shows how diversity discourse and programming function as a dominant pedagogy by highlighting three commonplace approaches to diversity: as a defense to mitigate a problem, as a commodity to be collected, and as a threat to those in privileged positions. The authors intervene in these approaches by forwarding a difference-driven pedagogy, which seeks to foster movement toward the practice of deliberation, the recognition of difference as in flux, and the willingness to be vulnerable in engaging the complex, messy work of difference.
Human embryoid bodies as a 3D tissue model of the extracellular matrix and α-dystroglycanopathies
Authors: Nickolls Alec R. , Lee Michelle M. , Zukosky Kristen , Mallon Barbara S. , Bönnemann Carsten G.
Published: May 2020

The basal lamina is a specialized sheet of dense extracellular matrix (ECM) linked to the plasma membrane of specific cell types in their tissue context, which serves as a structural scaffold for organ genesis and maintenance. Disruption of the basal lamina and its functions is central to many disease processes, including cancer metastasis, kidney disease, eye disease, muscular dystrophies and specific types of brain malformation. The latter three pathologies occur in the α-dystroglycanopathies, which are caused by dysfunction of the ECM receptor α-dystroglycan. However, opportunities to study the basal lamina in various human disease tissues are restricted owing to its limited accessibility. Here, we report the generation of embryoid bodies from human induced pluripotent stem cells that model the basal lamina. Embryoid bodies cultured via this protocol mimic pre-gastrulation embryonic development, consisting of an epithelial core surrounded by a basal lamina and a peripheral layer of ECM-secreting endoderm. In α-dystroglycanopathy patient embryoid bodies, electron and fluorescence microscopy reveal ultrastructural basal lamina defects and reduced ECM accumulation. By starting from patient-derived cells, these results establish a method for the in vitro synthesis of patient-specific basal lamina and recapitulate disease-relevant ECM defects seen in the α-dystroglycanopathies. Finally, we apply this system to evaluate an experimental ribitol supplement therapy on genetically diverse α-dystroglycanopathy patient samples.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
The OxymiR response to oxygen limitation: a comparative microRNA perspective
Authors: Hadj-Moussa Hanane , Storey Kenneth B.
Published: May 2020

From squid at the bottom of the ocean to humans at the top of mountains, animals have adapted to diverse oxygen-limited environments. Surviving these challenging conditions requires global metabolic reorganization that is orchestrated, in part, by microRNAs that can rapidly and reversibly target all biological functions. Herein, we review the involvement of microRNAs in natural models of anoxia and hypoxia tolerance, with a focus on the involvement of oxygen-responsive microRNAs (OxymiRs) in coordinating the metabolic rate depression that allows animals to tolerate reduced oxygen levels. We begin by discussing animals that experience acute or chronic periods of oxygen deprivation at the ocean's oxygen minimum zone and go on to consider more elevated environments, up to mountain plateaus over 3500 m above sea level. We highlight the commonalities and differences between OxymiR responses of over 20 diverse animal species, including invertebrates and vertebrates. This is followed by a discussion of the OxymiR adaptations, and maladaptations, present in hypoxic high-altitude environments where animals, including humans, do not enter hypometabolic states in response to hypoxia. Comparing the OxymiR responses of evolutionarily disparate animals from diverse environments allows us to identify species-specific and convergent microRNA responses, such as miR-210 regulation. However, it also sheds light on the lack of a single unified response to oxygen limitation. Characterizing OxymiRs will help us to understand their protective roles and raises the question of whether they can be exploited to alleviate the pathogenesis of ischemic insults and boost recovery. This Review takes a comparative approach to addressing such possibilities.
Novel Zinc-Based Infinite Coordination Polymer for Highly Selective Ammonia Gas Sensing at Room Temperature
Authors: Zhao Yuming , Shao Lei , Li Linlin , Wang Sha , Song Guoshuai , Gao Zhimin , Zhang Xuemin , Wang Tieqiang , Li Yunong , Zhang Liying , Li Wenze , Meng Fanbao , Fu Yu
Published: May 2020

A novel zinc-based infinite coordination polymer (Zn-ICP) with functionalized ligand is fabricated by a simple dripping method under mild conditions. Zn-ICP as sensing material shows fast response and high selectivity to ammonia at room temperature due to different metal nodes compared with isomorphic Ni-ICP.
Uma história sobre pandemia (Covid-19), isolamento e fundamentos microeconômicos de políticas públicas
Authors: Da Silva Marcos Fernandes Gonçalves
Published: May 2020

Este ensaio tem como objetivo propor algumas hipóteses de estudo sobre o comportamento econômico e social em uma situação de crise sanitária. Estas hipóteses são pertinentes ao estudo de formulação de políticas públicas. A crise sanitária tratada é a causada pelo Covid-19. A história narrada passa-se na Espanha, em particular em Madri. O método usado é a do relato oral subjetivo na forma de roteiro ou da aplicação parcial do storytelling. O referencial analítico usadoconsta de modelos microeconômicos que lidam com tragédia dos comuns, comportamento econômico ampliado para altruísmo ou autointeresse limitado. As conclusões sumarizadas são as sugestões de hipóteses a serem testadas por métodos empíricos experimentais, estatísticos ou etnográficos.
Advantages, Limitations and Recommendations for online learning during COVID-19 pandemic era
Authors: Mukhtar Khadijah , Javed Kainat , Arooj Mahwish , Sethi Ahsan
Published: May 2020

Objective: During COVID-19 pandemic, the institutions in Pakistan have started online learning. This study explores the perception of teachers and students regarding its advantages, limitations and recommendations.Methods: This qualitative case study was conducted from March to April 2020. Using maximum variation sampling, 12 faculty members and 12 students from University College of Medicine and University College of Dentistry, Lahore were invited to participate. Four focus group interviews, two each with the faculty and students of medicine and dentistry were carried out. Data were transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed using Atlas Ti.Results: The advantages included remote learning, comfort, accessibility, while the limitations involved inefficiency and difficulty in maintaining academic integrity. The recommendations were to train faculty on using online modalities and developing lesson plan with reduced cognitive load and increased interactivities.Conclusion: The current study supports the use of online learning in medical and dental institutes, considering its various advantages. Online learning modalities encourage student-centered learning and they are easily manageable during this lockdown situation.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2785

How to cite this:Mukhtar K, Javed K, Arooj M, Sethi A. Advantages, Limitations and Recommendations for online learning during COVID-19 pandemic era. 2020;36(COVID19-S4):COVID19-S27-S31. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2785

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Africa’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic: A review of the nature of the virus, impacts and implications for preparedness
Authors: Badu Kingsley , Thorn Jessica P.R. , Goonoo Nowsheen , Dukhi Natisha , Fagbamigbe Adeniyi Francis , Kulohoma Benard W. , Oyebola Kolapo , Abdelsalam Sara I. , Doorsamy Wesley , Awe Olawale , Sylverken Augustina Angelina , Egeru Anthony , Gitaka Jesse
Published: May 2020

Background: COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc in different countries across the world, claiming thousands of lives, increasing morbidity and disrupting lifestyles. The global scientific community is in urgent need of relevant evidence, to understand the challenges and knowledge gaps, as well as the opportunities to contain the spread of the virus. Considering the unique socio-economic, demographic, political, ecological and climatic contexts in Africa, the responses which may prove to be successful in other regions may not be appropriate on the continent. This paper aims to provide insight for scientists, policy makers and international agencies to contain the virus and to mitigate its impact at all levels.

Methods: The Affiliates of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS), came together to synthesize the current evidence, identify the challenges and opportunities to enhance the understanding of the disease. We assess the potential impact of this pandemic and the unique challenges of the disease on African nations. We examine the state of Africa’s preparedness and make recommendations for steps needed to win the war against this pandemic and combat potential resurgence.

Results: We identified gaps and opportunities among cross-cutting issues which is recommended to be addressed or harnessed in this pandemic. Factors such as the nature of the virus and the opportunities for drug targeting, point of care diagnostics, health surveillance systems, food security, mental health, xenophobia and gender-based violence, shelter for the homeless, water and sanitation, telecommunications challenges, domestic regional coordination and financing.

Conclusion: Based on our synthesis of the current evidence, while there are plans for preparedness in several African countries, there are significant limitations. Multi-sectoral efforts from the science, education, medical, technological, communication, business and industry sectors as well as local communities is required in order to win this fight.
Detrimental effect of zwitterionic buffers on lysosomal homeostasis in cell lines and iPSC-derived neurons
Authors: Cook Sophie R. , Badell-Grau Rafael A. , Kirkham Emily D. , Jones Kimberley M. , Kelly Brendan P. , Winston Jincy , Waller-Evans Helen , Allen Nicholas D. , Lloyd-Evans Emyr
Published: May 2020

Good’s buffers are commonly used for cell culture and, although developed to have minimal to no biological impact, they cause alterations in cellular processes such as autophagy and lysosomal enzyme activity. Using Chinese hamster ovary cells and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons, this study explores the effect of zwitterionic buffers, specifically HEPES, on lysosomal volume and Ca2+levels. Certain zwitterionic buffers lead to lysosomal expansion and reduced lysosomal Ca2+. Care should be taken when selecting buffers for growth media to avoid detrimental impacts on lysosomal function.
Analyses of spike protein from first deposited sequences of SARS-CoV2 from West Bengal, India
Authors: Begum Feroza , Mukherjee Debica , Thagriki Dluya , Das Sandeepan , Tripathi Prem Prakash , Banerjee Arup Kumar , Ray Upasana
Published: May 2020

India has recently started sequencing SARS-CoV2 genome from clinical isolates. Currently only few sequences are available from three states in India. Kerala was the first state to deposit complete sequence from two isolates followed by one from Gujarat. On April 27, 2020, the first five sequences from the state of West Bengal (Eastern India) were deposited on GISAID, a global initiative for sharing avian flu data. In this study, we have analysed the spike protein sequences from all five isolates and also compared their similarities or differences with other sequences reported in India and with isolates of Wuhan origin. We report one unique mutation at position 723 and another at 1124 in the S2 domain of spike protein of the isolates from West Bengal only.  There was one mutation downstream of the receptor binding domain at position 614 in S1 domain which was common with the sequence from Gujarat (a state of western India).  Mutation in the S2 domain showed changes in the secondary structure of the spike protein at region of the mutation. We also studied molecular dynamics using normal mode analyses and found that this mutation decreases the flexibility of S2 domain.  Since both S1 and S2 are important in receptor binding followed by entry in the host cells, such mutations may define the affinity or avidity of receptor binding.
A snapshot of the ongoing clinical research on COVID-19
Authors: Piovani Daniele , Pansieri Claudia , Peyrin-Biroulet Laurent , Danese Silvio , Bonovas Stefanos
Published: May 2020

The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents an unprecedented challenge to rapidly develop new diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic strategies. Currently, thousands of new COVID-19 patients are quickly enrolled in clinical studies. We aimed to investigate the characteristics of the COVID-19 studies registered in ClinicalTrials.gov and report the extent to which they have incorporated features that are desirable for generating high-quality evidence.

On April 28, 2020, a total of 945 studies on COVID-19 have been registered in ClinicalTrials.gov; 586 studies are interventional (62.0%), the most frequent allocation scheme is the parallel group assignment (437; 74.6%), they are open-label and the most common primary purpose is the research on treatment.

Too many of the ongoing interventional studies have a small expected sample size and may not generate credible evidence at completion. This might lead to a delayed recognition of effective therapies that are urgently needed, and a waste of time and resources. In the COVID-19 pandemic era, it is crucial that the adoption of new diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic strategies is based upon evidence coming from well-designed, adequately powered and carefully conducted clinical trials.
Manifestation of Mental Features of China in Intercultural Communication
Authors: Didenko V. , Nur-Akhmet Dosmukhamed , Paudyal Nadezhda , Filindash Larisa
Published: May 2020

The article is devoted to the national mentality as a factor of intercultural communication. The authors highlight such aspects as the relationship between mentality and ethical and religious teachings on the example of China, and also emphasize the complex structure of these concepts. The article reveals how certain provisions of Confucianism affect the formation of certain mental features and how they, in turn, are manifested in the process of intercultural communication. The article considers the essence of such concepts as “globalization”, “mentality”, “intercultural communication”, “macro-and microsphere of intercultural communication”, “cultural shock”. The article focuses on the consequences of globalization for the modern communication process. The article emphasizes the practical significance and relevance of the problem under consideration, since understanding the mental national characteristics and taking them into account is a necessary factor for successful intercultural communication at all levels.
The Exspressiveness in The Speech of Boris Johnson
Authors: Gadzhieva Aytan
Published: May 2020

The article involves the linguistic analysis of Boris Johnson’s speeches and allowed to establish lexical and syntactical expressive means. The analysis revealed the key ideas, values and political principles of the British Prime Minister, implemented through a number of stylistic figures and tropes. His statements represent clearly-build “friend or foe” conceptual relationship, he communicates the words of gratitude and appreciation to his associates and colleagues, however, he severely criticizes his political opponents. The means of creating expressive and emotional load used by Boris Johnson are focused on drawing potential listeners’ attention by using creatively different metaphors and comparisons, dynamic and pictorial reasoning, as well as shocking statements, given the fact that a number of politician’s speeches expose him as a person being behindhand in tolerance to the representatives of other ethnic groups, religions, political views and ideas.
Organizational and Pedagogical Conditions for Teaching Native Languages That Have the Status of State Languages of the Republics in Basic General Education
Authors: Savvinova Anna
Published: May 2020

One of the necessary conditions for the successful functioning of a balanced system of language education is a quality study of Russian and native languages. The study of the mother tongue in high school is based on the education of a person who knows and respects his mother tongue, the formation of language competence, which includes the necessary elements of knowledge about the language system. The formation and increase of motivation to learn the native language of students is carried out with the targeted creation of organizational and pedagogical conditions and their effective management.

The article discusses the issue of creating organizational and pedagogical conditions for teaching native languages that have the status of the state languages of the republics. The main organizational and pedagogical conditions that are of paramount importance for the formation of balanced bilingualism in children in organizations of basic general education, conducting educational activities in their native languages: motivational, organizational, personnel, material and technical, control and evaluation are identified. The results of a study of the current state of functioning of native languages in the republics of Altai, Komi, Sakha (Yakutia), Tatarstan, Tyva are presented. The concepts of «organizational and pedagogical conditions» and its components are clarified. Based on the results obtained, methodological recommendations have been developed for creating the organizational and pedagogical conditions for teaching mother tongues in educational institutions where two state languages are taught.
Optimization of Communicative and Educational Potential Using Multimedia Resources in Classes in Legal Disciplines
Authors: Semuhin O. , Semuhina E.
Published: May 2020

The relevance of this article is dictated by the requirements of time, as it reflects the inclusion of a mechanism for optimizing the communicative and educational potential by means of multimedia resources in the development of legal disciplines in a specialized University. Multimedia technologies have become a feature of modern communication in the context of professional education. It is impossible not to take into account and even more so not to use this factor in the educational process: this is one of the conditions for successful training of a lawyer. One of the ways to optimize the communicative and educational potential of professional education is to use multimedia resources. The article presents ways, techniques and methods of using multimedia resources in classroom classes in legal disciplines, in particular, by the example of teaching the discipline «Administrative law». The authors summarize and analyze the experience of foreign and Russian studies of the concept of thematic potential, updating the meaning of communication and educational, and present their own methodology for optimizing it.
El poder de Twitter en la comunicación investigativa en la áreas de la educación, marketing y política
Authors: Restrepo Betancur Luis Fernando
Published: May 2020

Twitter es una red social de amplio uso a nivel mundial, caracterizada por suministrar información en tiempo real, permitiendo la interacción entre personas en relación con un tema en particular. El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar el uso de Twitter a nivel de Sudamérica, en las áreas de educación, marketing y política, en los últimos cinco años. Para procesar la información se emplearon las técnicas estadísticas: análisis Biplot, clúster y comparativo, mediante la técnica del Modelo Lineal General (GLM). Como resultado, se destaca que los países de Sudamérica que más utilizan Twitter en las áreas citadas son: Argentina, Brasil y Chile. Twitter tiene múltiples aplicaciones de gran utilidad en el área científica para la toma rápida de decisiones, lo que minimiza costos y maximiza la probabilidad de éxito en un objetivo dado.
Feature-Based Dynamic Pricing
Authors: Cohen Maxime C. , Lobel Ilan , Paes Leme Renato
Published: May 2020

We consider the problem faced by a firm that receives highly differentiated products in an online fashion. The firm needs to price these products to sell them to its customer base. Products are described by vectors of features and the market value of each product is linear in the values of the features. The firm does not initially know the values of the different features, but can learn the values of the features based on whether products were sold at the posted prices in the past. This model is motivated by applications such as online marketplaces, online flash sales, and loan pricing. We first consider a multidimensional version of binary search over polyhedral sets and show that it has a worst-case regret which is exponential in the dimension of the feature space. We then propose a modification of the prior algorithm where uncertainty sets are replaced by their Löwner-John ellipsoids. We show that this algorithm has a worst-case regret which is quadratic in the dimension of the feature space and logarithmic in the time horizon. We also show how to adapt our algorithm to the case where valuations are noisy. Finally, we present computational experiments to illustrate the performance of our algorithm.

This paper was accepted by Yinyu Ye, optimization.
A Hybrid Metaheuristic for Single Truck and Trailer Routing Problems
Authors: Accorsi Luca , Vigo Daniele
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we propose a general solution approach for a broad class of vehicle routing problems that all use a single vehicle, composed of a truck and a detachable trailer, to serve a set of customers with known demand and accessibility constraints. A more general problem, called the extended single truck and trailer routing problem (XSTTRP), is used as a common baseline to describe and model this class of problems. In particular, the XSTTRP contains, all together, a variety of vertex types previously considered only separately: truck customers, vehicle customers with and without parking facilities, and parking-only locations. To solve the XSTTRP, we developed a fast and effective hybrid metaheuristic, consisting of an iterative core part, in which routes that define high-quality solutions are stored in a pool. Eventually, a set-partitioning-based postoptimization selects the best combination of routes that forms a feasible solution from the pool. The algorithm is tested on extensively studied problems from the literature, such as the multiple depot vehicle routing problem, the location routing problem, the single truck and trailer routing problem with satellite depots, and the single truck and trailer routing problem. Finally, computational results and a thorough analysis of the main algorithm’s components on newly designed XSTTRP instances are provided. The obtained results show that the proposed hybrid metaheuristic is highly competitive with previous approaches designed to solve specific specialized problems, both in terms of computing time and solution quality.
Kaolin-loaded chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol electrospun scaffold as a wound dressing material:in vitroandin vivostudies
Authors: Salehi Majid , Farzamfar Saeed , Ehterami Arian , Paknejad Zahrasadat , Bastami Farshid , Shirian Sadegh , Vahedi Hamid , Koehkonan Gholamreza Savari , Goodarzi Arash
Published: May 2020

Objective:

To evaluate the application of a fabricated dressing containing kaolin for skin regeneration in a rat model of excisional wounds.

Method:

In the present study, kaolin was loaded into electrospun polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/chitosan polymer blend to develop a composite nanofibrous dressing. To make the yarns, kaolin with weight ratio of 5% was added to PVA/chitosan polymer blend and subsequently formed into nanofibres using the electrospinning method. Scaffolds were evaluated for to their microstructure, mechanical properties, surface wettability, water vapour transmission rate, water-uptake capacity, blood uptake capacity, blood compatibility, microbial penetration test, the number of colonies, and cellular response with the L929 cell line. Rats with full-thickness excisional wounds were treated with kaolin-containing and kaolin-free dressings.

Results:

The study showed that rats treated with the kaolin-incorporated mats demonstrated a significant closure to nearly 97.62±4.81% after 14 days compared with PVA/chitosan and the sterile gauze, which showed 86.15±8.11% and 78.50±4.22% of wound closure, respectively. The histopathological studies showed that in the PVA/chitosan/kaolin group, dense and regular collagen fibres were formed, while wounds treated with sterile gauze or PVA/chitosan scaffolds had random and loose collagen fibres.

Conclusion:

Our results show the potential applicability of PVA/chitosan/kaolin scaffolds as a wound care material.
Phantom pain as an adverse effect after maggot (Lucilia sericata) debridement therapy: a case study
Authors: Lipiński Przemysław , Trzciński Radzisław , Dziki Łukasz , Mik Michał
Published: May 2020

Maggot debridement therapy, also known as larval therapy, is a well known method of treatment for hard-to-heal and intractable wounds. This case study describes severe phantom pain as a rare adverse event of maggot therapy in patients after post-traumatic amputation of the leg. We also hypothesise and discuss the possibility that the phantom pain may be a result of maggot activity, not only through tissue debridement but also through nerve nourishment and nerve regeneration.
Facial Analysis: Correlation Between Cephalometric Angles and Types of Facial Profile
Authors: Borja de Melo Téssia Richelly Nóbrega , Alves Brasileiro Tarcila de Oliveira , Germano Diniz Matheus de Almeida , Costa Poliana de Santana , De Oliveira Júnior Augusto Garcia
Published: May 2020

Objective: to correlate the nasolabial angles (ANL) and mentholabial groove (ASML) with the straight, concave and convex facial profiles, determined through subjective analysis, for application in orthodontic facial analysis.
Method: a cross-sectional, retrospective and analytical study was carried out, with a sample of 184 documents from patients aged between 21 and 36 years old, being 107 woman and 77 man; belonging to the collection of the Specialization Course in Orthodontics, UNIFIP / PB, Brazil. The profile photographs were analyzed, through the subjective method, by visual analysis, under inter-examiner calibration, for classification of the profiles in: straight, concave and convex. For this, the projections of the upper and lower lips were considered, as well as their relationship with the projection of the chin and nose. In lateral radiographs, ANL and ASML angles were drawn for cephalometric analysis. The angles were transcribed through the construction of the facial profile of soft tissues from teleradiographies, in a negatoscope, outlined with ultrafan paper, through the contour of the anatomical soft tissue profile. The data were tabulated on a specific form for this purpose.
Results: the majority of the sample consisted of women (58.2%); by brown patients (63.6%); convex profiles (50.0%); and with woman ANL angles 103.53º (± 9.78) and man 103.27º (± 11.65); and ASML, within the normal range 132, 07º (± 9.54º) for both sexes, respectively. There was no significant correlation between facial profiles and ANL and ASML angles.
Conclusion: the ANL and ASML angles did not influence the facial profiles for the studied sample.
Photoinduced hole dipoles’ mechanism of liquid crystal
photoalignment
Authors: Muravsky A. A. , Murauski A. A. , Kukhta I. N.
Published: May 2020

Polarized light absorption in photoalignment material induces anisotropic long-range interactions that orient liquid crystals. The main physical mechanisms behind anisotropic interactions are photocrosslinking and photodestruction of polymers, and photoisomerization and photorotation of azo dyes. Investigation of AtA-2 azo dye azimuthal anchoring versus exposure dose revealed the presence of an unusually strong anchoring peak at low doses, which is beyond our understanding of the known mechanisms. Here we explain these observations and demonstrate the existence of a photoalignment mechanism based on photoinduced hole dipole moments in the azo dye layer. Strong azimuthal anchoring energy

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is obtained with a

<

0.5

J

/

c

m

2

exposure dose.
Consideration of temperature-dependent emissivity of selective emitters in thermophotovoltaic systems
Authors: Bhatt Rajendra , Kravchenko Ivan , Gupta Mool
Published: May 2020

Spectral emissivity control is paramount for designing a high-efficiency selective emitter surface required for thermophotovoltaic (TPV) applications. Owing to the temperature dependency of materials optical constants, the spectral properties of a selective emitter surface changes with the emitter temperature. This paper presents the fabrication of a multilayer metal-dielectric (

S
i

3

N

4

/

W

/

S

i

3

N

4

) coated tungsten selective emitter aimed for GaSb-based TPV systems and studies the dependence of its surface spectral emissivity,

ε
(
λ
)

, upon a temperature ranging from 300 K to 1500 K. Both the simulation and experimental methods were used to characterize

ε
(
λ
)

as a function of temperature. For wavelengths less than 1.4 µm,

ε
(
λ
)

was found to have a minimal dependence on temperature. Beyond 1.4 µm,

ε
(
λ
)

increases with the temperature. At 1.55 µm, the simulation and experimental data estimated a

∼

4

%

greater emissivity at 1500 K than at room temperature. At 1500 K, the increased

ε
(
λ
)

at longer wavelengths lowered the spectral conversion efficiency of the selective emitter from 58% to 47%. The output power density, sub-bandgap loss, and TPV conversion efficiency (

η

T
P
V

) for a GaSb cell illuminated by the selective thermal emitter at 1500 K were estimated.

η

T
P
V

drops from 13.7% to 11% due to the increased sub-bandgap emission at 1500 K. Essential approaches for mitigating the sub-bandgap losses to further improve

η

T
P
V

are also discussed.
Characterizing the spatiotemporal envelope of the human visual system through the visibility of temporal aliasing artifacts
Authors: Mackin Alex , Bull David
Published: May 2020

Previous studies have demonstrated that the onset of temporal aliasing artifacts occurs when the spatial displacement between samples reaches a critical distance, and that subsequently a linear relationship exists between stimulus speed and critical sampling rates. In this paper, we carry out further experimentation using a novel experimental setup, in which a strobe light is used to emulate impulsive temporal sampling, in order to investigate the spatiotemporal envelope of the human visual system and the effect of a stimulus. For non-periodic stimuli, experimental results show that critical sampling rates increase with motion speed and decrease with stimulus width. These interactions can be described using simple log-linear models, and characterized using the temporal aliasing visibility function, where maximum critical frame rates up to 1500 Hz are predicted. For periodic stimuli, we demonstrate that both perceptible temporal aliasing artifacts and stimulus aliasing can cause stroboscopic effects.
A compact high-precision periodic-error-free heterodyne interferometer
Authors: Joo Ki-Nam , Clark Erin , Zhang Yanqi , Ellis Jonathan D. , Guzmán Felipe
Published: May 2020

We present the design, bench-top setup, and experimental results of a
compact heterodyne interferometer that achieves picometer-level
displacement sensitivities in air over frequencies above 100 MHz. The
optical configuration with spatially separated beams prevents
frequency and polarization mixing, and therefore eliminates periodic
errors. The interferometer is designed to maximize common-mode optical
laser beam paths to obtain high rejection of environmental
disturbances, such as temperature fluctuations and acoustics. The
results of our experiments demonstrate the short- and long-term
stabilities of the system during stationary and dynamic measurements.
In addition, we provide measurements that compare our interferometer
prototype with a commercial system, verifying our higher sensitivity
of 3 pm, higher thermal stability by a factor of two, and
periodic-error-free performance.
Phase-locked terahertz plasmonic laser array with 2  W output power in a single spectral mode
Authors: Jin Yuan , Reno John L. , Kumar Sushil
Published: May 2020

Plasmonic lasers suffer from low output power and divergent beams due
to their subwavelength metallic cavities. We developed a phase-locking
scheme for such lasers to significantly enhance their radiative
efficiency and beam quality. An array of metallic microcavities is
longitudinally coupled through traveling plasmon waves, which leads to
radiation in a single spectral mode and a diffraction limited
single-lobed beam in the surface normal direction. We implemented our
scheme for terahertz plasmonic quantum-cascade lasers (QCLs) and
measured peak output power in excess of

2

W

for a single-mode

3.3

T
H
z

QCL radiating in a narrow
single-lobed beam, when operated at

58

K

in a compact Stirling cooler. We
thereby demonstrated an order of magnitude increase in power and
thirty-times higher average intensity for monolithic single-mode
terahertz QCLs compared to prior work. The number of photons radiated
from the cavity outnumber those absorbed within its claddings and
semiconductor medium, which constitutes

>

50
%

radiative efficiency and is
significantly greater than that achieved for previous single-mode
mid-infrared or terahertz QCLs.
Short-wavelength, ultrafast thulium-doped fiber laser system for three-photon microscopy
Authors: Nomura Yutaka , Murakoshi Hideji , Fuji Takao
Published: May 2020

An ultrafast, thulium-doped fiber laser system is developed for three-photon microscopy. The system generates 150 fs pulses at the center wavelength of 1.82 µm with a pulse energy of 1.1 µJ at the repetition rate of 1 MHz. The generated pulses are applied to a three-photon fluorescence microscope, with which biological samples expressing red fluorescent proteins are observed through three-photon excitation processes.
El impacto del arbolado de alineación en el microclima urbano. Bahía Blanca, Argentina
Authors: Duval Valeria Soledad , Benedetti Graciela María , Baudis Katherine
Published: May 2020

El conocimiento de la dinámica del sistema ambiental urbano es esencial para diseñar estrategias de planificación y gestión que permitan una mejor urbanística. El arbolado viario forma parte de la infraestructura verde y brinda múltiples beneficios sociales y ambientales a los ciudadanos. Entre ellos, contribuye al mejoramiento del confort térmico humano. La vegetación modifica el clima local ya que regula la temperatura y la humedad relativa generando un microclima. Por tal motivo, el objetivo del trabajo fue analizar la influencia del arbolado de alineación sobre el microclima de la localidad de Bahía Blanca, Argentina. Para ello, se midió la temperatura del aire, la humedad relativa y la velocidad del viento debajo del árbol y fuera de su copa. Estas mediciones se realizaron considerando especies con estructuras de copa distintas. Los datos se registraron durante la mañana, el mediodía y la tarde en dos días típicos de verano. Se seleccionaron calles con distinta orientación en cuatro barrios con tipologías diferentes. El análisis demostró que la temperatura debajo del árbol fue menor en relación con la del exterior, siendo más visible entre las 12 h y 15 h. La humedad relativa fue superior debajo del árbol principalmente durante la mañana y la velocidad del viento fue en general inferior bajo el árbol. Esta investigación contribuye a revalorizar los beneficios generados por el arbolado en las ciudades desde el aspecto climático.
Karaktererősségek az iskolában
Authors: Fodor Szilvia , Molnár Adrienn
Published: May 2020

A pozitív pszichológia egyik központi eleme a karaktererősségek fogalma, illetve a 2004-ben kialakított VIA karaktererősségek rendszere (Peterson és Seligman, 2004). Az ebben leírt erősségek és személyes jellemzők a pozitív pszichológiai kutatások és intervenciók egyik fókuszpontját jelentik, melyek működéséről és hatásmechanizmusáról már elég sokat tudunk (Peterson, Park és Seligman, 2006; Vela és mtsai, 2016). Ugyanakkor az erősségek iskolai megjelenése, illetve az azok fejlesztésére irányuló iskolai gyakorlatok még kevésbé ismertek, alkalmazásuk nem gyakori. Cikkünkben ezért bemutatjuk a karaktererősségek fogalmát és működését, az erősségekkel kapcsolatos pszichológiai munka általános jellemzőit, valamint az ennek fejlesztésére irányuló intervenciókat. Ezen túl részletesebben ismertetjük a pozitív pszichológiai irányú, különösen az erősségek fejlesztésére irányuló beavatkozások iskolai lehetőségeit, melyek megteremtik az erősségorientált iskolai szervezeti kultúra és tanítási-tanulási folyamat tudományos alapjait. A tanulmány végén olyan rövid gyakorlatokat mutatunk be (pl. erősségek azonosítása, 360 fokos értékelés, erősség-megfigyelés), melyek lehetőséget teremtenek a rövid és egyszerűen kivitelezhető erősségfókuszú intervenciók iskolai kipróbálására, megismerésére.
THE ANALYSIS OF UNSAFE DRIVING IN JEEP CAR DRIVER AT LAVA TOUR AREA OF MERAPI VOLCANO
Authors: Maruti Risdha Ayu , Rifai Muchamad , Agustin Helfi
Published: May 2020

Merapi Lava Tour is a tourist destination to enjoy the natural beauty of Merapi with a jeep. Jeep accidents on Merapi Lava Tour have occurred several times, killing at least two passengers. The purpose of this study is to analyze the unsafe driving behavior of Merapi Lava Tour jeep drivers. The type of the research is qualitative research with purposive sampling technique, involving 9 informants that consist of 4 jeep drivers, the chairman of the association and 4 jeep passengers. The data were collected through interview and observation. The research site was at Merapi Lava Tour area. The result of the research suggests that the drivers’ knowledge about safety driving is good and they also have positive driving attitudes. However, in practice, there are drivers who violated the regulation and committed unsafe behavior while driving. Merapi Lava Tour has been equipped with accident insurance, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for jeep drivers, but there are also still inadequate facilities, i.e. first aid kit that has not been evenly distributed and training on safety driving that is not available for all drivers yet.Wisata Lava Tour Merapi adalah tujuan wisata untuk menikmati keindahan alam Merapi dengan jeep. Kecelakaan jeep di wisata Lava Tour Merapi telah terjadi beberapa kali, yang menyebabkan setidaknya dua penumpang meninggal dunia. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk menganalisis perilaku tidak aman pengemudi jeep Lava Tour Merapi. Tipe penelitian ini jenis penelitian kualitatif dengan teknik Purposive sampling, terdiri dari 9 informan yaitu pengemudi jeep, ketua asosiasi jeep, dan penumpang jeep. Metode pengumpulan data dengan wawancara dan observasi. Lokasi penelitian di kawasan Lava Tour Merapi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pengetahuan pengemudi sudah baik terkait mengemudi dan bersikap positif tetapi dalam praktiknya ada pengemudi yang melanggar dan berperilaku tidak aman saat mengemudi. Lava Tour Merapi telah dilengkapi asuransi kecelakaan, Standar Operasional Prosedur (SOP) dan Alat Pelindung Diri (APD) untuk mengendarai jeep, tetapi ada fasilitas yang tidak memadai yaitu kotak P3K belum merata dan belum ada pelatihan keselamatan mengemudi jeep.