bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of standardised programme content for phase II cardiac rehabilitation programmes in Australia using a modified Delphi process
Authors: Cartledge Susie , Thomas Emma , Hollier Kerry , Maddison R
Published: December 2019

Objective

To develop standardised programme content for Australian phase II cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programme.

Design

Using the RAND/UCLA appropriateness method (RAM), a two-phase process including a comprehensive literature review and a two round modified Delphi process was undertaken to develop and validate content of a standardised CR programmes.

Participants

An invited multidisciplinary expert advisory group (EAG; n=16), including CR health professionals (nurses, allied health professionals, cardiologist), academics, policy makers, representation from the Australian Cardiovascular Health and Rehabilitation Association and consumers, provided oversight of the literature review and assisted with development of best practice statements. Twelve members of the EAG went onto participate in the modified Delphi process rating the necessity of statements in two rounds on a scale of 1 (not necessary) to 9 (essential).

Main outcome measure

Best practice statements that achieved a median score of ≥8 on a nine-point scale were categorised as ‘essential’; statements that achieved a median score of ≥6 were categorised as ‘desirable’ and statements with a median score of <6 were omitted.

Results

49 best practice statements were developed from the literature across ten areas of care within four module domains (CR foundations, developing heart health knowledge, psychosocial health and life beyond CR). At the end of a two-round validation process a total of 47 best practice statements were finalised; 29 statements were rated as essential, 18 as desirable and 2 statements were omitted.

Conclusions

For the first time in Australia, an evidence-based and consensus-led standardised programme content for phase II CR has been developed that can be provided to CR coordinators.
Study protocol of the BLANKET trial: a cluster randomised controlled trial on the (cost-) effectiveness of a primary care intervention for fear of cancer recurrence in cancer survivors
Authors: Luigjes-Huizer Yvonne L , van der Lee Marije L , de Wit Niek J , Helsper Charles W
Published: December 2019

Introduction

Many successfully treated patients with cancer suffer from fear of cancer recurrence (FCR), affecting their quality of life and their physical, emotional, cognitive and social functioning. Effective psychological interventions for FCR exist but are not widely available, as they are typically offered by specialised psycho-oncology professionals and institutes. Concurrently, the role of primary care in cancer and survivorship care is increasing. Therefore, there could be a role for general practitioners (GPs) and mental health workers (MHWs) working in primary care in supporting patients with FCR. In the current study, the effectiveness of a primary care delivered FCR intervention will be evaluated.

Methods and analysis

A two-armed cluster randomised trial will be conducted. The primary outcome will be FCR severity; secondary outcomes will be FCR-related distress, healthcare uptake and healthcare costs. Primary care practices in the Netherlands will be invited to participate in the study. Participating practices will be stratified by size and socioeconomic status and randomised. In the control arm, practices will provide care as usual. In the intervention arm, practices will offer the cognitive–behavioural FCR intervention that is being studied, which consists of an intake with the GP and five sessions with the MHW. Patients who have finished successful curative treatment for cancer between 3 months and 10 years ago will be invited to participate in the study by invitation letter from their GPs. Participating patients will fill out questionnaires at baseline, after 3 months and after 12 months. Data on healthcare use will be collected from their electronic health records. Qualitative interviews are held at T1 with patients and practitioners in the intervention group.

Ethics and dissemination

The Medical Research Ethics Committee (METC) Utrecht has reviewed the study in accordance with the Dutch Medical Research Involving Human Subjects Act (WMO) and other applicable Dutch and European regulations. Based on the requirements of the WMO, the METC Utrecht has issued an approval of the above-mentioned study. Any protocol amendments will be communicated to all relevant parties. Written consent is obtained from study participants. Results will be dispersed through peer-reviewed publications and scientific presentations.

Trial registration number

NL7573 in the Netherlands Trial Register on 25-02-2019.
Improved HOM-mitigation for future SPS 33-Cell 200 MHz traveling-wave accelerating structures
Authors: Kramer P. , Vollinger C.
Published: December 2019

The CERN SPS 200 MHz traveling-wave (TW) accelerating structures pose an intensity limitation for the planned High Luminosity (HL-) LHC upgrade. Higher-order modes (HOMs) around 630 MHz have been identified as one of the main sources of longitudinal multi-bunch instabilities. Improved mitigation of these HOMs with respect to today’s HOM-damping scheme is therefore an essential part of the LHC injectors upgrade (LIU) project.

The basic principles of HOM-couplers in cavities and today’s damping scheme are reviewed. Before illustrating the numerous requirements, an improved damping scheme for the future 33-cell structures must be fulfilled. These are, among others, the mitigation of HOMs situated in the lower part of the structure where there are no access ports for extraction, a sufficient overall damping performance and an acceptable influence on the fundamental accelerating passband (FPB). Different approaches tackling these challenges are investigated and their performance, advantages and pitfalls are evaluated by ACE3P and CST electromagnetic (EM) field solver suites.
Statistics effects in extremal black holes ensemble
Authors: Gavrilik A. M. , Nazarenko A. V.
Published: December 2019

We consider the grand canonical ensemble of the static and extremal black holes, when the equivalence of the electric charge and mass of individual black hole is postulated. Assuming uniform distribution of black holes in space, we are finding the effective mass of test particle and mean time dilation at the admissible points of space, taking into account the gravitational action of surrounding black holes. Having specified the statistics that governs extremal black holes, we study its effect on those quantities. Here, the role of statistics is to assign a statistical weight to the configurations of certain fixed number of black holes. We borrow these weights from Bose–Einstein, Fermi–Dirac, classical and infinite statistics. Using mean field approximation, the aforementioned characteristics are calculated and visualized, which permits us to draw the conclusions on visible effect of each statistics.
Topology and Broken Symmetry in Floquet Systems
Authors: Harper Fenner , Roy Rahul , Rudner Mark S. , Sondhi S.L.
Published: December 2019

Floquet systems are governed by periodic, time-dependent Hamiltonians. Prima facie they should absorb energy from the external drives involved in modulating their couplings and heat up to infinite temperature. However, this unhappy state of affairs can be avoided in many ways. Instead, as has become clear from much recent work, Floquet systems can exhibit a variety of nontrivial behavior—some of which is impossible in undriven systems. In this review, we describe the main ideas and themes of this work: novel Floquet drives that exhibit nontrivial topology in single-particle systems, the existence and classification of exotic Floquet drives in interacting systems, and the attendant notion of many-body Floquet phases and arguments for their stability to heating.
A Composite Single Particle Lithium-ion Battery Model through System Identification
Authors: Gopalakrishnan Krishnakumar , Offer Gregory
Published: December 2019

In the realm of Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery modeling, owing to its simplicity, the Single Particle Model (SPM) has long been considered to be a promising Reduced Order Model (ROM) candidate to usher in the era of Physics-Inspired Models (PIMs) in embedded applications. However, at high load currents, the standard SPM exhibits poor accuracies in computing the cell’s terminal voltage, thereby rendering it unsuitable as the plant model in state-estimation tasks. A comprehensive evaluation of the salient electrolyte-enhanced SPMs from literature reveals that current solutions are either mathematically intractable or overly simplistic. For the ionic concentration in the electrolyte, the well-known quadratic approximation model, which straddles the boundary of computational complexity and mathematical tractability, reveals a poor temporal performance, particularly at the current collector interfaces. In this work, we retain the spatial dynamics of the quadratic approximation model, whilst proposing a novel approach using system identification techniques for its temporal dynamics. By employing linear approximations for the relevant subsystems, we identify discrete-time transfer functions of the de-biased number of moles per unit area of lithium ions in the electrolyte within each electrode region, yielding improved spatiotemporal accuracies for the electrolyte concentration profile. We then augment the standard SPM with the new system identificationbased electrolyte dynamics to arrive at an Electrolyte-Enhanced Composite Single Particle Model (EECSPM). Finally, we demonstrate superior performance of the EECSPM when compared with the incumbent state-of-the-art, thereby representing a concrete advancement towards the goal of using PIMs in real-time applications.
Bromocriptine improves glucose tolerance independent of circadian timing, prolactin, or the melanocortin-4 receptor
Authors: Framnes-DeBoer Sarah N. , Bakke Ellen , Yalamanchili Suma , Peterson Hannah , Sandoval Darleen A. , Seeley Randy J. , Arble Deanna M.
Published: December 2019

Bromocriptine, a dopamine D2 receptor agonist originally used for the treatment of hyperprolactinemia, is largely successful in reducing hyperglycemia and improving glucose tolerance in type 2 diabetics. However, the mechanism behind bromocriptine’s effect on glucose intolerance is unclear. Here, we tested three hypotheses, that bromocriptine may exert its effects on glucose metabolism by 1) decreasing prolactin secretion, 2) indirectly increasing activity of key melanocortin receptors in the central nervous system, or 3) improving/restoring circadian rhythms. Using a diet-induced obese (DIO) mouse model, we established that a 2-wk treatment of bromocriptine is robustly effective at improving glucose tolerance. We then demonstrated that bromocriptine is effective at improving the glucose tolerance of both DIO prolactin-deficient and melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R)-deficient mice, pointing to bromocriptine’s ability to affect glucose tolerance independently of prolactin or MC4R signaling. Finally, we tested bromocriptine’s dependence on the circadian system by testing its effectiveness in environmental (e.g., repeated shifts to the light-dark cycle) and genetic (e.g., the Clock mutant mouse) models of circadian disruption. In both models of circadian disruption, bromocriptine was effective at improving glucose tolerance, indicating that a functional or well-aligned endogenous clock is not necessary for bromocriptine’s effects on glucose metabolism. Taken together, these results do not support the role of prolactin, MC4R, or the circadian clock as integral to bromocriptine’s underlying mechanism. Instead, we find that bromocriptine is a robust diabetic treatment and resilient to genetically induced obesity, diabetes, and circadian disruption.
Sexual dimorphism in human skeletal muscle mitochondrial bioenergetics in response to type 1 diabetes
Authors: Monaco Cynthia M. F. , Bellissimo Catherine A. , Hughes Meghan C. , Ramos Sofhia V. , Laham Robert , Perry Christopher G. R. , Hawke Thomas J.
Published: December 2019

Sexual dimorphism in mitochondrial respiratory function has been reported in young women and men without diabetes, which may have important implications for exercise. The purpose of this study was to determine if sexual dimorphism exists in skeletal muscle mitochondrial bioenergetics in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). A resting muscle microbiopsy was obtained from women and men with T1D ( n = 10/8, respectively) and without T1D (control; n = 8/7, respectively). High-resolution respirometry and spectrofluorometry were used to measure mitochondrial respiratory function, hydrogen peroxide (mH2O2) emission and calcium retention capacity (mCRC) in permeabilized myofiber bundles. The impact of T1D on mitochondrial bioenergetics between sexes was interrogated by comparing the change between women and men with T1D relative to the average values of their respective sex-matched controls (i.e., delta). These aforementioned analyses revealed that men with T1D have increased skeletal muscle mitochondrial complex I sensitivity but reduced complex II sensitivity and capacity in comparison to women with T1D. mH2O2 emission was lower in women compared with men with T1D at the level of complex I (succinate driven), whereas mCRC and mitochondrial protein content remained similar between sexes. In conclusion, women and men with T1D exhibit differential responses in skeletal muscle mitochondrial bioenergetics. Although larger cohort studies are certainly required, these early findings nonetheless highlight the importance of considering sex as a variable in the care and treatment of people with T1D (e.g., benefits of different exercise prescriptions).
Glucose alters the symbiotic relationships between gut microbiota and host physiology
Authors: Anhê Fernando F. , Barra Nicole G. , Schertzer Jonathan D.
Published: December 2019

Bacteria and mammals exhibit all aspects of symbiosis. Metabolic flux in bacteria and in specific host cells can influence host-microbe symbiotic relationships and tip the balance between mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism. The relationship between microbes and host metabolism is bidirectional: microbes can influence host blood glucose, but glucose levels can influence the microbiota and host response to specific bacteria. A key consideration determining symbiotic relationships is compartmentalization of bacterial niches by mucosal, chemical, and physical barriers of the gut. We propose that compartmentalization of glucose levels in the blood versus the intestinal lumen is another important factor dictating host-microbe symbiosis. Host glucose and specific bacteria can modify the intestinal barrier, immune function, and antimicrobial defenses, which can then break down compartmentalization of microbes, alter glucose levels and impact symbiosis. Determining how glucose metabolism promotes mutualistic, commensal, and parasitic relationships within the entire microbiota community is relevant to glucose control in diabetes and enteric infections, which occur more often and have worse outcomes in diabetics.
Traditional Chinese Medicine-Guided Dietary Intervention for Male Youth Undergoing Drug Detoxification: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Zhang Li-wan , Guo Qing , Fang Rui , Lin Li , Ye Bin-hua , Zheng Kai-lin , Lin Min , Yang Zhao-yang , Fang Ji-qian , Li Can-dong
Published: December 2019

Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine- (TCM-) guided dietary interventions in improving yang-qi deficiency and yin-blood deficiency TCM syndromes according to the principles of TCM syndrome differentiation theory in male youths undergoing drug detoxification during the rehabilitation period who stayed in a compulsory isolation detoxification center. Methods. Male youths undergoing drug detoxification who met the criteria to be included in the study were randomly divided into the intervention group (n = 62) and the control group (n = 61) according to a random number table in a 1 : 1 ratio. The intervention group received a TCM-guided diet, and the control group received routine food support. Over an intervention period of 3 months, we observed changes in the TCM syndrome element scores in the two groups before and after intervention. Results. After 3 months, the qi deficiency, yin deficiency, blood deficiency, and yin-blood deficiency syndrome in the intervention group improved significantly (P values 0.009, 0.000, 0.005, and 0.001, respectively). In the control group, yang deficiency, qi deficiency, and yang-qi deficiency syndromes worsened significantly (P values 0.003, 0.032, and 0.009, respectively). The differences (post-pre) in yang deficiency, qi deficiency, yang-qi deficiency, yin deficiency, blood deficiency, and yin-blood deficiency syndromes between the two groups were statistically significant (P values 0.003, 0.003, 0.003, 0.001, 0.005, and 0.002, respectively). Conclusion. A TCM-guided diet can delay the worsening of yang-qi deficiency syndrome symptoms and improve yin-blood deficiency syndrome and the prognosis of male youth undergoing drug detoxification during the rehabilitation period.
Rhabdomyolysis in a Young Patient due to Hypothyroidism without Any Precipitating Factor
Authors: Gurala Dhineshreddy , Rajdev Kartikeya , Acharya Roshan , Idiculla Pretty Sara , Habib Saad , Krzyzak Michael
Published: December 2019

Hypothyroidism is characterized by decreased hormone production, which results in various clinical manifestations in different organ systems. Muscular symptoms are common in patents with clinical hypothyroidism which includes muscle cramps, myalgia, and mild to moderate elevation of creatinine kinase less than five times the upper limit of normal. However, rhabdomyolysis due to hypothyroidism is rare and in most of the reported cases a precipitating factor has been found. We report a unique case of a 35-year-old male with no past medical history who presented with rhabdomyolysis due to newly diagnosed hypothyroidism without any precipitating factors and was treated successfully with intravenous fluids and levothyroxine.
A Rare Case of Disseminated Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Presenting as Proctitis
Authors: Chime Chukwunonso , Bhandari Peter , Niazi Masooma , Patel Harish
Published: December 2019

Mycobacterium avium intracellulare (MAI) infections are common in Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) positive patients. MAI infection can have localized or disseminated presentation, patients with low CD4 count presenting with disseminated infection. Fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss are generally the presenting symptoms of disseminated MAI. We present a rare case of a patient with HIV and low CD4 count presenting with proctitis as manifestation of disseminated MAI infection. A 25 year-old-man with HIV came to the emergency room (ER) with complaints of intermittent rectal bleeding for two months. His CD4 count was less than 20 cells/µL. He was MSM (men having sex with men) and has receptive anal intercourse with men. His stool work-up was unrevealing for infectious etiology. Swabs for gonorrhea and chlamydia were negative. Colonoscopy revealed erythematous, congested, friable rectal mucosa with two superficial ulcers. Biopsies of the ulcer were positive for acid fast staining bacteria and the culture grew MAI. His blood culture was negative for growth of acid-fast bacteria (AFB). However, liver biopsy performed for elevated alkaline phosphatase of 958 units/L revealed noncaseating granuloma. Gastro-duodenoscopy with duodenal biopsy did not reveal any mucosal abnormality. He was managed as with disseminated MAI infection using clarithromycin, ethambutol, and rifabutin in addition to HAART therapy. Interval Colonoscopy in 20 months showed resolution of rectal ulcer. The gut is often involved in patients with disseminated MAI infection, with the duodenum being the most common site. MAI infection should be suspected as possible etiology for proctitis in HIV positive patient with low CD4 count, as proctitis, though infrequent can be the sole presentation for disseminated MAI infection in patients with HIV and low CD4 count.
Skeletal Muscle Metastasis to Vastus Lateralis from a Urothelial Carcinoma: A Case Report and Review of Its Diagnosis and Management
Authors: Mainwaring A. M. , Wells H. , Banks T. , Ellul T. , Bose P.
Published: December 2019

Bladder cancer is a common genitourinary tract malignancy. Urothelial carcinoma is the most frequent type of bladder cancer and it commonly metastasises to lymph nodes, bone, lung and liver by a haematogenous route. Skeletal metastases are very rare and are usually present in patients with advanced metastatic disease. We present an unusual case of a 71-year-old male with a urothelial carcinoma metastasis to the vastus lateralis muscle 3 months following a cystoprostatectomy for muscle invasive bladder cancer.
Local Excision of a Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of the Anal Margin (Extramammary Paget’s Disease) and Reconstruction with a Bilateral V-Y Flap
Authors: Pagnanelli Michele , De Nardi Paola , Martella Stefano , Caruso Luca , Rosati Riccardo
Published: December 2019

The case of a 75-year-old female with invasive extramammary Paget’s disease of the anal margin, without involvement of the anal canal, is reported. The patient underwent wide local excision of the lesion with reconstruction with a double V-Y flap, a biopsy of the inguinal sentinel node, and a laparoscopic temporary colostomy. No guidelines exist on the treatment of this rare disease, and both wide local excision and abdominoperineal resection have been proposed. In the present case, the absence of invasion of the anal canal, also confirmed by intraoperative biopsies on the resection margins, and of local lymph node metastasis, as confirmed by the sentinel lymph node biopsy, allowed a sphincter-sparing operation with good functional and oncological results.
Association of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes with Homologous Recombination Deficiency and BRCA1/2 Status in Patients with Early Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Pooled Analysis
Authors: Telli Melinda L. , Chu Charles , Badve Sunil S. , Vinayak Shaveta , Silver Daniel P. , Isakoff Steven J. , Kaklamani Virginia , Gradishar William , Stearns Vered , Connolly Roisin M. , Ford James M. , Gruber Joshua J. , Adams Sylvia , Garber Judy , Tung Nadine , Neff Chris , Bernhisel Ryan , Timms Kirsten M. , Richardson Andrea L.
Published: December 2019

Purpose:

Patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) with homologous recombination deficient tumors achieve significantly higher pathologic complete response (pCR) rates when treated with neoadjuvant platinum-based therapy. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) are prognostic and predictive of chemotherapy benefit in early stage TNBC. The relationship between TILs, BRCA1/2 mutation status, and homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) status in TNBC remains unclear.

Experimental Design:

We performed a pooled analysis of five phase II studies that included patients with TNBC treated with neoadjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy to evaluate the association of TILs with HRD status (Myriad Genetics) and tumor BRCA1/2 mutation status. Furthermore, the relationship between pathologic response assessed using the residual cancer burden (RCB) index and HRD status with adjustment for TILs was evaluated.

Results:

Among 161 patients, stromal TIL (sTIL) density was not significantly associated with HRD status (P = 0.107) or tumor BRCA1/2 mutation status (P = 0.391). In multivariate analyses, sTIL density [OR, 1.23; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.94–1.61; P = 0.139] was not associated with pCR, but was associated with RCB 0/I status (OR 1.62; 95% CI, 1.20–2.28; P = 0.001). HRD was significantly associated with both pCR (OR 12.09; 95% CI, 4.11–44.29; P = 7.82 × 10−7) and RCB 0/I (OR 10.22; 95% CI, 4.11–28.75; P = 1.09 × 10−7) in these models.

Conclusions:

In patients with TNBC treated with neoadjuvant platinum-based therapy, TIL density was not significantly associated with either tumor BRCA1/2 mutation status or HRD status. In this pooled analysis, HRD and sTIL density were independently associated with treatment response, with HRD status being the strongest predictor.
Eribulin Suppresses Clear Cell Sarcoma Growth by Inhibiting Cell Proliferation and Inducing Melanocytic Differentiation Both Directly and Via Vascular Remodeling
Authors: Nakai Sho , Tamiya Hironari , Imura Yoshinori , Nakai Takaaki , Yasuda Naohiro , Wakamatsu Toru , Tanaka Takaaki , Outani Hidetatsu , Takenaka Satoshi , Hamada Kenichiro , Myoui Akira , Araki Nobuhito , Ueda Takafumi , Yoshikawa Hideki , Naka Norifumi
Published: December 2019

Clear cell sarcoma (CCS) is a rare but chemotherapy-resistant and often fatal high-grade soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) characterized by melanocytic differentiation under control of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF). Eribulin mesilate (eribulin) is a mechanistically unique microtubule inhibitor commonly used for STS treatment, particularly liposarcoma and leiomyosarcoma. In this study, we examined the antitumor efficacy of eribulin on four human CCS cell lines and two mouse xenograft models. Eribulin inhibited CCS cell proliferation by inducing cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis, shrunk CCS xenograft tumors, and increased tumor vessel density. Eribulin induced MITF protein upregulation and stimulated tumor cell melanocytic differentiation through ERK1/2 inactivation (a MITF negative regulator) in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, tumor reoxygenation, probably caused by eribulin-induced vascular remodeling, attenuated cell growth and inhibited ERK1/2 activity, thereby upregulating MITF expression and promoting melanocytic differentiation. Finally, downregulation of MITF protein levels modestly debilitated the antiproliferative effect of eribulin on CCS cells. Taken together, eribulin suppresses CCS through inhibition of cell proliferation and promotion of tumor differentiation by acting both directly on tumor cells and indirectly through tumor reoxygenation.
Breast Cancer Characteristics and Survival among Users versus Nonusers of Raloxifene
Authors: Pinsky Paul F. , Miller Eric A. , Heckman-Stoddard Brandy M. , Minasian Lori
Published: December 2019

Raloxifene reduces breast cancer incidence. However, it is unclear whether it also reduces mortality from breast cancer. For raloxifene to reduce incidence but not mortality, breast cancer survival would have to be worse for raloxifene users than nonusers. Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results-Medicare was used to identify women with invasive breast cancer diagnosed from 2007 to 2015 at ages 65–89 who had prior Medicare Part D (prescription drug) enrollment; breast cancer characteristics and survival were assessed among raloxifene regular users (≥180 days in past year) versus nonusers. Logistic regression was used to assess cancer characteristics. Two methods utilizing proportional hazards models were employed to assess breast cancer–specific survival. In method 1, survival was assessed adjusting for demographics, mammography use, and chronic conditions in the subset with Medicare fee-for-service enrollment. In method 2, predicted survival as a function of breast cancer characteristics was modeled in nonusers and the model applied to users to predict survival. A total of 116,317 raloxifene nonusers and 1,223 regular users were identified. Users were significantly more likely to have hormone receptor (HR)-negative cancers, but less likely to have T2+, N1+, and metastatic disease. There were 10,869 and 101 breast cancer–related deaths in nonusers and regular users, respectively. The HR (users vs. nonusers) for breast cancer–specific survival in method 1 was 0.94 (95% confidence interval, 0.73–1.22). In method 2, predicted survival was higher in users than nonusers (8-year survival 84.9% vs. 83.4%). Breast cancer–specific survival in raloxifene users was not worse than in nonusers, providing indirect evidence that raloxifene reduces breast cancer–related mortality.
Previsão de retornos e preços das ações a partir de dados contábeis condicionado ao ciclo de vida das firmas
Authors: Mikosz Karina da Silva Carvalho , Roma Carolina Magda da Silva , Louzada Luiz Cláudio , Macedo Marcos Roberto Gois de Oliveira
Published: December 2019

Este artigo investiga o efeito dos estágios do ciclo de vida das firmas na determinação dos retornos e preços esperados de ações brasileiras a partir do modelo contábil de avaliação desenvolvido por Lyle, Callen e Elliott (2013). Para definição dos estágios do ciclo de vida, adotou-se a metodologia de Dickinson (2011), utilizando uma proxy parcimoniosa para as firmas, estruturada a partir da demonstração do fluxo de caixa com forte aderência as teorias econômicas. Os dados foram coletados nas bases de dados Bloomberg, Quantum e do NEFIN/FEA/USP e as informações foram geradas no nível das firmas. Os resultados sugerem que o modelo para o período analisado não apresenta capacidade de previsão de retornos no Brasil, dada pela não significância das variáveis mesmo considerando os ativos em diferentes estágios de ciclo de vida da firma, já para as previsões de preços houve considerável poder explicativo, especialmente no estágio de maturidade.
A metáfora como recurso expressivo na Sonata no. 1 para violino e piano de Almeida Prado
Authors: Caixeta Luciana de Araújo , Corvisier Fernando
Published: December 2019

Almeida Prado (1943-2010) foi um dos maiores compositores brasileiros, com um catálogo de mais de 600 obras. Na música de câmara, produziu um repertório considerável que abrange as diversas fases estéticas. O compositorutiliza frequentemente indicações metafóricas não convencionais, como “Granítico”, “Luminoso”e “Como um cristal transparente”.Busca-se, portanto, compreender essa maneira bastante particular de empregar a metáfora como recurso expressivo e como ela pode ser traduzida no gesto físico que produz o resultado sonoro na performance dessas obras, em particular da Sonata nº 1 para violino e piano.
Connecting theory to practice
Authors: Bailey Kieren Laura-Marie , Jacobsen Michele
Published: December 2019

This design-based research study of library instruction was developed using the Community of Inquiry theoretical framework. Three different instructional approaches were developed and evaluated as part of this study: the one-shot session approach, the partially embedded librarian approach and the fully embedded librarian approach. Surveys, interviews and journaling were used to gather data from faculty, undergraduate students and the researcher–librarian about their experiences. This research study is unique given the combined use of design-based research methodology and the Community of Inquiry theoretical framework to collaboratively design and evaluate library instruction.
On the taxonomy of the genus Thyridanthrax Osten Sacken in Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with description of a new species (Diptera: Bombyliidae)
Authors: EL-HAWAGRY MAGDI S. , ABDEL-DAYEM MAHMOUD S. , DHAFER HATHAL M. AL
Published: December 2019

Egyptian and Saudi Arabian Thyridanthrax spp. collected in field trips or preserved in the Efflatoun’s insect collection in Cairo University were taxonomically studied. One new species, T. elegansoides sp. nov., is herein described, and two species, T. decipulus (Austen) and T. polyphemus (Wiedemann), are newly recorded from Egypt. Ten species are treated: one species from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, T. anomalus Greathead; two species from Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, T. decipulus (Austen) and T. perspicillaris (Loew); and seven species from Egypt: T. elegans (Wiedemann), T. elegansoides sp. nov., T. griseolus (Klug), T. incanus (Klug), T. lotus (Loew), T. obliteratus (Loew), and T. polyphemus (Wiedemann). Taxonomic comments, an identification key to species, diagnoses, and photographs of some species and genitalia are provided. Based on wing morphology and male genitalic characters, T. lotus clearly does not fit in the genus Thyridanthrax, and may need to be placed elsewhere, nevertheless it is not clear whether it can be included in any of the other currently recognized genera in the tribe Villini. It is here kept in Thyridanthrax until a more rigorous study can be conducted to better ascertain its position in the Villini.
Redescription and lectotype designation of Gynaikothrips microchaetus Ananthakrishnan & Jagadish (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae)
Authors: SHYAM M. , JOHNSON T.H. , RACHANA R. R. , VARATHARAJAN R. , MOUND L.A.
Published: December 2019

Gynaikothrips microchaetus Ananthakrishnan and Jagadish (1969) was described from Dharwar in Karnataka, and until now has been known only from southern India (Ananthakrishnan & Sen 1980). The original description was based on an unspecified number of syntypes, with no depositary indicated. However, one of the authors (R. Varatharajan) acquired four slides that are labelled by Ananthakrishnan as this species and bear the same collection details as given in the original description. These are assumed to be syntypes, and one female is here designated as lectotype. The other three slides are of males and are considered as paralectotypes. Further, during extensive surveys for thrips at Dampa Tiger Reserve, Mizoram (23.320 N 92.130 E) and Manipur University campus (24.820 N 93.900 E) during 2014–18, we have collected both sexes of this species from the leaves of Ficus curtipes. The freshly collected specimens were mounted onto microscope slides in Canada balsam, and identified using the keys provided by Ananthakrishnan and Sen (1980). Hence, the species is illustrated and re-described with additional features, based on the type material together with freshly collected specimens from north eastern India, Manipur and Mizoram. The following abbreviations are used for pronotal setae: am—anteromarginals; aa—anteroangulars; pa—posteroangulars; ml—midlaterals; po—postocular; epim—epimerals; abdominal tergite IX setae S1, S2 & S3—setal pairs I, II and III respectively (S1 nearest the mid-line).
A clinical staging approach to improving diagnostics in anxiety disorders: Is it the way to go?
Authors: Bokma Wicher A , Batelaan Neeltje M , Hoogendoorn Adriaan W , Penninx Brenda WJH , van Balkom Anton JLM
Published: December 2019

Background:

Clinical staging is a paradigm in which stages of disease progression are identified; these, in turn, have prognostic value. A staging model that enables the prediction of long-term course in anxiety disorders is currently unavailable but much needed as course trajectories are highly heterogenic. This study therefore tailored a heuristic staging model to anxiety disorders and assessed its validity.

Methods:

A clinical staging model was tailored to anxiety disorders, distinguishing nine stages of disease progression varying from subclinical stages (0, 1A, 1B) to clinical stages (2A–4B). At-risk subjects and subjects with anxiety disorders ( n = 2352) from the longitudinal Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety were assigned to these nine stages. The model’s validity was assessed by comparing baseline (construct validity) and 2-year, 4-year and 6-year follow-up (predictive validity) differences in anxiety severity measures across stages. Differences in depression severity and disability were assessed as secondary outcome measures.

Results:

Results showed that the anxiety disorder staging model has construct and predictive validity. At baseline, differences in anxiety severity, social avoidance behaviors, agoraphobic avoidance behaviors, worrying, depressive symptoms and levels of disability existed across all stages (all p-values < 0.001). Over time, these differences between stages remained present until the 6-year follow-up. Differences across stages followed a linear trend in all analyses: higher stages were characterized by the worst outcomes. Regarding the stages, subjects with psychiatric comorbidity (stages 2B, 3B, 4B) showed a deteriorated course compared with those without comorbidity (stages 2A, 3A, 4A).

Conclusion:

A clinical staging tool would be useful in clinical practice to predict disease course in anxiety disorders.
An overlooked treatise in Greek political thought: An essay on 2 Maccabees as a Hellenistic politico-theological manifest
Authors: Mendels Doron
Published: December 2019

This essay does not dwell yet again on traditional issues associated with 2 Maccabees usually discussed through a Jewish lens by dozens of modern scholars. It also does not view the book within its traditional Jewish Hellenistic “Sitz im Leben,” with its self-evident Hellenistic-Jewish reading audience, and its aim is neither to draw a distinction between Greek topoi and biblical motifs nor to discuss its values as an historical text. Rather, the article assumes a pagan reading publicum alongside a Jewish Hellenistic one that, in contradistinction with its Jewish audience, could easily see in 2 Maccabees a standard narrative of a life in a Greek polis under foreign rule, where the “ancestral constitution” plays a significant role, so typical of Greek poleis from the classical period (Delian league) through the Hellenistic era (Macedonian Ptolemaic and Seleucid empires). Reading the book as a Greek would have can give us new insights concerning its socio-political and theological message (independently of its Jewish one). The article reconstructs a politeia as a learned Greek would have done. The book can actually be read as a reflection, or rather a microcosmos of the second century B.C.E. in the Greek sphere during the Hellenistic period. The overall message of the book emerges different than that broadcasted to the Hellenistic Jews, and constitutes a rich mine of theoretical information about the relationship between a subject city and an empire.
Fuzzy control of the dual-stage feeding system consisting of a piezoelectric actuator and a linear motor for electrical discharge machining
Authors: Bani Melhem Muyad K , Simic Milan , Lai Chow Yin , Feng Yong , Ding Songlin
Published: December 2019

Gap width is an important factor that affects material removal rate, surface finish, and machining stability in electrical discharge machining processes. This research is to develop a novel control method for a new hybrid positioning system which consists of a linear motor and a piezoelectric actuator for high-efficiency electrical discharge machining processes. In the new system, the linear motor provides the macro feeding while the piezoelectric actuator feeds the workpiece in micro scale at high frequency. To reduce the delay caused by separate movements of the linear motor and piezoelectric actuator, a new control algorithm was developed to synchronize the movements of the motor and piezoelectric actuator. A fuzzy control system was used to control the feeding process. Piezoelectric actuator position and its speed were selected as the fuzzy inputs, while the fuzzy output was the linear motor speed. Cutting experiments were conducted, and results show that the fuzzy system is more powerful than the conventional algorithm and the new algorithm with constant motor speed. An increase in material removal rate of 1.6 times was achieved using the proposed fuzzy control algorithm.
Camille Flammarion on the powers of the soul; with an introduction by Carlos S
Authors: Alvarado Carlos S , Zingrone Nancy L
Published: December 2019

There is a long conceptual tradition that interprets phenomena such as clairvoyance and apparitions as evidence for a spiritual component in human beings. Examples of this appear in the literatures of mesmerism, Spiritualism and psychical research. The purpose of this Classic Text is to present excerpts from a book by French astronomer Camille Flammarion touching on this perspective. They are selected from the introduction and conclusion of Flammarion’s L’Inconnu: The Unknown (1900), a translation of L’Inconnu et les problèmes psychiques (1900), in which he published and commented on cases of apparitions and other phenomena he collected. In his view, these phenomena showed the existence of the soul. Similar beliefs regarding ideas of the nonphysical nature of human beings and psychic phenomena have continued to the present.
Assessment of Acute Kidney Injury in Neurologically Injured Patients Receiving Hypertonic Sodium Chloride: Does Chloride Load Matter?
Authors: Sigmon Jana , May Casey C. , Bryant Ayesha , Humanez Jose , Singh Vinodkumar
Published: December 2019

Background: Increasing evidence suggests that large-volume infusions of 0.9% sodium chloride (NaCl) for resuscitation are associated with hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis, renal vasoconstriction, and increased risk of acute kidney injury (AKI). Patients with neurological injury may require hypertonic NaCl for therapeutic hypernatremia, treatment of cerebral salt wasting, hyponatremia, or elevated intracranial pressure. Consequently, this increased exposure to chloride may result in an increased risk for development of AKI. Objective: The primary aim of this study was to describe the risk for development of AKI in neurologically injured patients receiving large volumes of intravenous hypertonic NaCl. Methods: This single-center, retrospective study looked at neurologically injured patients who received hypertonic NaCl and sodium acetate. Data were collected to assess renal function, hyperchloremia, and acidemia. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the predictive association between the amount of daily and overall chloride exposure and development of AKI. Results: A total of 301 patients were screened, and of those, 142 were included. Of the 142 patients included, 13% developed AKI, and 38% developed hyperchloremia. Additionally, 32% of patients were switched from NaCl to sodium acetate after an average of 3.4 ± 1.5 days of NaCl therapy. The ROC curve demonstrated that if patients received greater than 2055 mEq of chloride over 7 days, they were more likely to develop AKI (sensitivity 72%, specificity 70%; P = 0.002; area under the curve = 0.7). Conclusion and Relevance: Neurologically injured patients receiving hypertonic sodium therapy with a high chloride load are at risk of developing hyperchloremia and AKI.
The Effect of Patient-Centered Communication and Racial Concordant Care on Care Satisfaction Among U.S. Immigrants
Authors: Chu Jun , Wang Nianyang , Choi Yoon Soon , Roby Dylan H.
Published: December 2019

Immigrants living in the United States experience disparities in satisfaction with medical care. Practicing patient-centered communication and providing racially (or race-concordant) concordant care are suggested as effective approaches to improve care satisfaction. Using the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, we found that immigrant patients with medical providers who practiced patient-centered communication were more likely to be satisfied with the care they received regardless of patient–provider racial concordance, and that simply having racially concordant medical providers did not significantly affect the satisfaction level for immigrant patients. The findings suggest that providing patient-centered communication may mitigate racial and cultural differences between providers and patients, and is key to reducing disparities and improving immigrant patients’ satisfaction level with medical care.
Randomization of endovascular treatment with stent-retriever and/or thromboaspiration versus best medical therapy in acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion trial: Rationale and design
Authors: Nogueira Raul G , Lima Fabricio O , Pontes-Neto Octávio M , S Silva Gisele , José Mont’Alverne Francisco , Abud Daniel G , Frudit Michel , Passos Paulo , Haussen Diogo C , Dabus Guilherme , de Freitas Gabriel R , Oliveira-Filho Jamary , Bezerra Daniel C , Liebeskind David S , Wagner Mario B , Passos José EF , Molina Carlos A , Broderick Joseph , Saver Jeffrey L , Martins Sheila O
Published: December 2019

Background

RESILIENT is a prospective, multicenter, randomized phase III trial to test the safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy as compared to medical treatment alone in patients treated under the less than ideal conditions typically found in the public healthcare system of a developing country.

Methods

Subjects must fulfill the following main inclusion criteria: symptom onset ≤8 h, age ≥18 years, baseline NIHSS ≥8, evidence of intracranial ICA or proximal MCA (M1 segment) occlusion, ASPECTS ≥6 on CT or >5 on DWI-MRI and be either ineligible for or unresponsive to intravenous alteplase. The primary end-point is the distribution of disability levels (on the modified Rankin Scale, mRS) at 90 days under the intention-to-treat principle.

Randomization

Randomization is performed under a minimization process using age, baseline NIHSS, intravenous alteplase use, occlusion site and center.

Design

The trial is designed with an expectation of a 10% difference in the proportion of favorable outcome (mRS 0–2 at 90 days) common odds ratio of 1.615.

Primary outcome

Projected sample size is 690 subjects with pre-planned interim analyses at 174, 346, and 518 subjects.

Secondary outcomes

Secondary end-points include: 90-day functional independence (mRS ≤2), mRS shift stratified for treatment with IV rt-PA at 90 days, infarct volume on 24 h CT or MRI, early dramatic response (NIHSS 0–2 or improvement ≥8 points) at 24 h, vessel recanalization evaluated by CTA or MRA at 24 h, and the post-procedure rate of successful reperfusion (defined as a modified Treatment in Cerebral Infarction 2b or greater). Safety variables are mortality at 90 days, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage at 24 h and procedure-related complications.
Residential greenness and increased physical activity in patients after coronary artery bypass graft surgery
Authors: Sadeh Maya , Brauer Michael , Chudnovsky Alexandra , Ziv Arnona , Dankner Rachel
Published: December 2019

Aims

Physical activity is a fundamental component of rehabilitation following coronary artery bypass (CABG) surgery. Proximity to neighbourhood green spaces may encourage physical activity. We investigated the association between residential greenness and exercise-related physical activity post-CABG surgery.

Methods

Participants in a prospective cohort study of 846 patients (78% men) who underwent CABG surgery at seven cardiothoracic units during the time period 2004–2007 were interviewed regarding their physical activity habits one day before and one year after surgery. Exposure to residential neighbourhood greenness (within a 300 m buffer around their place of residence) was measured using the Normalized Difference Vegetative Index. Participation in exercise-related physical activity (yes/no), weekly duration of exercise-related physical activity and the change in exercise-related physical activity between baseline and follow-up were examined for associations with residential greenness, adjusting for socio-demographic factors, propensity score adjusted participation in cardiac rehabilitation and health-related covariates after multiple imputation for missing variables.

Results

Living in a higher quartile of residential greenness was associated with a 52% greater odds of being physically active (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.22–1.90). This association persisted only (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.35–2.27) among patients who did not participate in cardiac rehabilitation following surgery and was stronger in women (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.40–4.07) than in men (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.07–1.75). Participants who lived in greener areas were more likely to increase their post-surgical physical activity than those who lived in less green areas (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.25–2.01).

Conclusions

Residential greenness appears to be beneficial in increasing exercise-related physical activity in cardiac patients, especially those not particpating in cardiac rehabilitation after CABG surgery.