bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transparency, trust, and integrated assessment models: An ethical consideration for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Authors: Robertson Simon
Published: October 2020

Following the trenchant criticism of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report concerning the lack of transparency in integrated assessment models (IAMs), much attention has been given to addressing this issue in the preparation of the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6). The issue of IAM transparency has been an ongoing concern for approximately two decades regarding the cloaking of value‐laden assumptions and output uncertainties. Due to the opaque nature of IAMs, the credibility of modeling results and the associated policy recommendations are patently limited, with policymakers inevitably having reservations as to the robustness of modeling outcomes given the deficit of information regarding the underlying assumptions. In an attempt to address the issue of a lack of transparency concerning IAM usage by the IPCC, a database containing the climate mitigation scenario ensemble which underpinned the Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C was made publicly available, the IAMC 1.5°C Scenario Explorer database. Despite this database, the omission of critical model input data and accompanying supporting documentation from its content fails to fulfill its raison d'être, that is to say, to ensure reproducibility and transparency. If the issue of IAM transparency is not fully addressed in the upcoming AR6 with respect to the provision of IAM input data, accompanied by supporting documentation, then the IPCC will have failed to meet its own declared commitment for this assessment cycle.

This article is categorized under:

Integrated Assessment of Climate Change > Integrated Assessment Modeling
Erratum to: Light in the beam dump. Axion-Like Particle production from decay photons in proton beam-dumps
Authors: Döbrich Babette , Jaeckel Joerg , Spadaro Tommaso
Published: October 2020

We correct a number of figures in [1], in which the PYTHIA MC result of secondary π0 mesons was displayed wrongly due to a missing factor of 2. Scrutinizing the corrected data-MC comparsion, we review and model the trigger condition used in the LEBC-EHS experiment, and present an improved data-MC comparison.
Performance on sprint, agility and jump tests have moderate to strong correlations in youth football players but performance tests are weakly correlated to neuromuscular control tests
Authors: Sonesson Sofi , Lindblom Hanna , Hägglund Martin
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study aimed at evaluating the correlation between seven different performance tests and two neuromuscular control tests in youth football players and to evaluate the influence of sex and age groups on test results.

Methods

One-hundred and fifteen football players (66 boys, 49 girls) mean age 14 ± 0.7 (range 13–16) years from youth teams were tested at the start of the second half of the competitive season. A test battery including agility t-test, 505 agility test, single-leg hop for distance test, side-hop test, countermovement jump test, 10-m sprint test, 20-m sprint test, tuck jump assessment (TJA) and drop vertical jump (DVJ) was completed.

Results

Correlations between the seven different performance tests of agility, jump and sprint ability were generally moderate to strong (r = 0.534–0.971). DVJ did not correlate with the performance tests (rho = 0.004 to  –  0.101) or with TJA total score (rho = 0.127). There were weak to moderate correlations between TJA total score and the performance tests (r =  – 0.323–0.523). Boys performed better than girls in all performance tests (p < 0.001) and in TJA total score (p = 0.002). In boys, older players performed better than younger players in the majority of the tests, while there was no clear age influence among girls.

Conclusion

Sprint performance was moderately to strongly correlated with agility and jump performance, and performance tests were weakly to moderately correlated to TJA, while DVJ did not correlate with the other tests. Boys performed better than girls on performance tests and TJA. An age effect on performance was evident in boys but not in girls.

Level of evidence

Level IV

Trial registration

Clinical Trials gov identifier: NCT03251404
Alternative estimation approaches for the factor augmented panel data model with small T
Authors: Breitung Jörg , Hansen Philipp
Published: October 2020

In this paper, we compare alternative estimation approaches for factor augmented panel data models. Our focus lies on panel data sets where the number of panel groups (N) is large relative to the number of time periods (T). The principal component (PC) and common correlated effects (CCE) estimators were originally developed for panel data with largeNandT, whereas the GMM approaches of Ahn et al. (J Econ 728 174:1–14, 2013) and Robertson and Sarafidis (J Econ 185(2):526–541, 2015) assume thatTis small (that isTis fixed in the asymptotic analysis). Our comparison of existing methods addresses three different issues. First, we analyze the possibility of an inappropriate normalization of the factor space (the so-called normalization failure). In particular we propose a variant of the CCE estimator that avoids the normalization failure by adapting a weighting scheme inspired by the analysis of Mundlak (Econometrica 46(1):69–85, 1978). Second, we analyze the effects of estimating versus fixing the number of factors in advance. Third, we demonstrate how the design of the Monte Carlo simulations favors some estimators, which explains the conflicting findings from existing Monte Carlo experiments.
Time to exit: “revolving door effect” or “Schumpeterian gale of creative destruction”?
Authors: Cefis Elena , Malerba Franco , Marsili Orietta , Orsenigo Luigi
Published: October 2020

Over the past decades, exit has been analyzed at the theoretical and empirical levels. From this rich series of contributions, two basic patterns of exit can be identified: the revolving door and the gale of creative destruction. In the first, the liability of newness plays a major role in the exit process, while in the second the displacement of non-innovators is the driver of exit. We have tested these two patterns of exit on the population of Dutch firms that exited in 2018. We find confirmation that the two patterns characterize different types of industries. In industries in which innovation does not play a major role, the revolving door effect is the typical pattern and exit is concentrated among the adolescent firms. These firms are also small in size. On the contrary, in industries in which innovation plays a role, exit takes place both among infant as well as mature firms. Exiters are not necessarily only the smaller firms. While a highly innovative and uncertain environment can threaten the survival of infant firms, the exit of mature firms is driven by the innovation of young firms, following the gale of creative destruction.
Boussinesq system with measure forcing
Authors: Mucha Piotr B. , Xue Liutang
Published: October 2020

The paper analyzes the Navier–Stokes system coupled with the convective-diffusion equation responsible for thermal effects. It is a version of the Boussinesq approximation with a heat source. The problem is studied in the two dimensional plane and the heat source is a measure transported by the flow. For arbitrarily large initial data, we prove global in time existence of unique regular solutions. Measure being a heat source limits regularity of constructed solutions and it requires a non-standard framework of inhomogeneous Besov spaces of the $$L^\infty (0,T;B^s_{p,\infty })$$

L
∞

(
0
,
T
;

B

p
,
∞

s

)

-type. The uniqueness of solutions is proved by using the Lagrangian coordinates.
Discrimination between pathogenic and non-pathogenic E. coli strains by means of Raman microspectroscopy
Authors: Lorenz Björn , Ali Nairveen , Bocklitz Thomas , Rösch Petra , Popp Jürgen
Published: October 2020

Bacteria can be harmless commensals, beneficial probiotics, or harmful pathogens. Therefore, mankind is challenged to detect and identify bacteria in order to prevent or treat bacterial infections. Examples are identification of species for treatment of infection in clinics and E. coli cell counting for water quality monitoring. Finally, in some instances, the pathogenicity of a species is of interest. The main strategies to investigate pathogenicity are detection of target genes which encode virulence factors. Another strategy could be based on phenotypic identification. Raman spectroscopy is a promising phenotypic method, which offers high sensitivities and specificities for the identification of bacteria species. In this study, we evaluated whether Raman microspectroscopy could be used to determine the pathogenicity of E. coli strains. We used Raman spectra of seven non-pathogenic and seven pathogenic E. coli strains to train a PCA-SVM model. Then, the obtained model was tested by identifying the pathogenicity of three additional E. coli strains. The pathogenicity of these three strains could be correctly identified with a mean sensitivity of 77%, which is suitable for a fast screening of pathogenicity of single bacterial cells.
Hepatic magnetic resonance T1-mapping and extracellular volume fraction compared to shear-wave elastography in pediatric Fontan-associated liver disease
Authors: de Lange Charlotte , Thrane Karl Julius , Thomassen Kristian S. , Geier Oliver , Nguyen Bac , Tomterstad Anders , Ording Müller Lil-Sofie , Thaulow Erik , Almaas Runar , Døhlen Gaute , Suther Kathrine Rydén , Möller Thomas
Published: October 2020

Background

Children with Fontan circulation are at risk of developing hepatic fibrosis/cirrhosis. Reliable noninvasive monitoring techniques are lacking or under development.

Objective

To investigate surrogate indicators of hepatic fibrosis in adolescents with Fontan circulation by evaluating hepatic magnetic resonance (MR) T1 mapping and extracellular volume fraction measurements compared to US shear-wave elastography.

Materials and methods

We analyzed hepatic native T1 times and extracellular volume fractions with modified Look-Locker inversion recovery. Liver stiffness was analyzed with shear-wave elastography. We compared results between 45 pediatric patients ages 16.7±0.6 years with Fontan circulation and 15 healthy controls ages 19.2±1.2 years. Measurements were correlated to clinical and hemodynamic data from cardiac catheterization.

Results

MR mapping was successful in 35/45 patients, revealing higher hepatic T1 times (774±44 ms) than in controls (632±52 ms; P<0.001) and higher extracellular volume fractions (47.4±5.0%) than in controls (34.6±3.8%; P<0.001). Liver stiffness was 1.91±0.13 m/s in patients vs. 1.20±0.10 m/s in controls (P<0.001). Native T1 times correlated with central venous pressures (r=0.5, P=0.007). Native T1 was not correlated with elastography in patients (r=0.2, P=0.1) or controls (r = −0.3, P=0.3). Extracellular volume fraction was correlated with elastography in patients (r=0.5, P=0.005) but not in controls (r=0.2, P=0.6).

Conclusion

Increased hepatic MR relaxometry and shear-wave elastography values in adolescents with Fontan circulation suggested the presence of hepatic fibrosis or congestion. Central venous pressure was related to T1 times. Changes were detected differently with MR relaxometry and elastography; thus, these techniques should not be used interchangeably in monitoring hepatic fibrosis.
Die „Facilitative interpersonal skills“-Übung – Messen therapeutischer Kompetenz mit der deutschsprachigen Version
Authors: Gumz Antje , Longley Merle , Schestag Lena , Hirschmeier Constance , Derwahl Leonie , Weinreich Judith , Göttke Tobias , Höltermann Friederike , Koch Tobias , Freund Katharina , Geist Margarita , Schlipfenbacher Carina , Kästner Denise
Published: October 2020

Hintergrund

Sowohl für die Erforschung von Therapeuteneffekten als auch für die Aus- und Weiterbildung ist es von hoher Bedeutung, interpersonelle Fähigkeiten von Psychotherapeuten zu messen. Eines der wenigen dafür zur Verfügung stehenden Instrumente ist die Facilitative-interpersonal-skills(FIS)-Übung.

Ziele der Arbeit

1. Vorstellung der FIS-Übung, 2. Prüfung der psychometrischen und deskriptiven Eigenschaften und 3. Untersuchung der Zusammenhänge des FIS-Gesamtwerts mit Alter, Geschlecht und Ausbildungsstand der Testteilnehmer.

Material und Methoden

In die Querschnittsuntersuchung wurden Psychologiestudierende und Psychologen in psychotherapeutischer Ausbildung eingeschlossen. Die Teilnehmer sollten in der FIS-Übung auf herausfordernde Therapiesituationen, die in 13 Videoclips nachgestellt sind, verbal reagieren. Die audioaufgezeichneten Reaktionen wurden von je 3 geschulten Ratern eingeschätzt.

Ergebnisse

Der durchschnittliche FIS-Gesamtwert der 115 Studienteilnehmer (Alter: M = 31,97 Jahre, SD ± 7,94 Jahre; weiblich: n = 90, 78,3 %; in psychotherapeutischer Ausbildung: n = 72, 66,1 %) betrug 3,24 (SD ± 0,42). Die Reliabilität erwies sich als gut (Intraklassen-Korrelationskoeffizient[ICC]2FIS-Gesamtwert = 0,69; Cronbachs α = 0,958). Unter den Videoclips befanden sich 3 signifikant leichtere und 4 schwierigere. Über die Clips hinweg wurden sowohl ein Lern- als auch ein Ermüdungseffekt ersichtlich. Ausbildungskandidaten erzielten signifikant höhere Werte als Psychologiestudierende.

Diskussion

Die FIS-Übung erwies sich in einer größeren Stichprobe als reliabel. Es sollten mindestens 3 und maximal 9 Clips eingesetzt werden, die je nach Ausbildungsstand der Durchführenden und Clip-Schwierigkeit ausgewählt werden können. Die FIS-Übung ist zur standardisierten, empirisch fundierten Messung interpersoneller therapeutischer Fähigkeiten in Forschung und in der Aus- und Weiterbildung von großem Nutzen.
Chest X-ray for predicting mortality and the need for ventilatory support in COVID-19 patients presenting to the emergency department
Authors: Balbi Maurizio , Caroli Anna , Corsi Andrea , Milanese Gianluca , Surace Alessandra , Di Marco Fabiano , Novelli Luca , Silva Mario , Lorini Ferdinando Luca , Duca Andrea , Cosentini Roberto , Sverzellati Nicola , Bonaffini Pietro Andrea , Sironi Sandro
Published: October 2020

Objectives

To evaluate the inter-rater agreement of chest X-ray (CXR) findings in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and to determine the value of initial CXR along with demographic, clinical, and laboratory data at emergency department (ED) presentation for predicting mortality and the need for ventilatory support.

Methods

A total of 340 COVID-19 patients who underwent CXR in the ED setting (March 1–13, 2020) were retrospectively included. Two reviewers independently assessed CXR abnormalities, including ground-glass opacities (GGOs) and consolidation. Two scoring systems (Brixiascore and percentage of lung involvement) were applied. Inter-rater agreement was assessed by weighted Cohen’s kappa (κ) or intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Predictors of death and respiratory support were identified by logistic or Poisson regression.

Results

GGO admixed with consolidation (n= 235, 69%) was the most common CXR finding. The inter-rater agreement was almost perfect for type of parenchymal opacity (κ= 0.90),Brixiascore (ICC = 0.91), and percentage of lung involvement (ICC = 0.95). TheBrixiascore (OR: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.34;p= 0.003), age (OR: 1.16; 95% CI: 1.11, 1.22;p< 0.001), PaO2/FiO2ratio (OR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.98, 1;p= 0.002), and cardiovascular diseases (OR: 3.21; 95% CI: 1.28, 8.39;p= 0.014) predicted death. Percentage of lung involvement (OR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.03;p= 0.001) and PaO2/FiO2ratio (OR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.99, 1.00;p< 0.001) were significant predictors of the need for ventilatory support.

Conclusions

CXR is a reproducible tool for assessing COVID-19 and integrates with patient history, PaO2/FiO2ratio, and SpO2values to early predict mortality and the need for ventilatory support.

Key Points

• Chest X-ray is a reproducible tool for assessing COVID-19 pneumonia.

•The Brixia score and percentage of lung involvement on chest X-ray integrate with patient history, PaO2/FIO2ratio, and SpO2values to early predict mortality and the need for ventilatory support in COVID-19 patients presenting to the emergency department.
Laser-induced reactive microplasma for etching of fused silica
Authors: Ehrhardt Martin , Lorenz Pierre , Han Bing , Zimmer Klaus
Published: October 2020

The ultra-precise machining (UPM) of surfaces with contact-free, beam-based technologies enables the development of flexible and reliable fabrication methods by non-vacuum processes for future application in advanced industrial fields. Laser machining by laser ablation features limitations for ultra-precise machining due to the depth precision, the surface morphology, and laser-induced defect formation. Contrary to physically-based etching, chemical-based dry and wet processing offer high quality, low damage material removal. In order to take advantage of both principles, a combined laser-plasma process is introduced. Ultra-short laser pulses are used to induce a free-standing microplasma in a CF4 gas atmosphere due to an optical breakdown. CF4 gas, with a pressure of 800–900 mbar, is ionized only near the focal point and reactive species are generated therein. Reactive species of the laser-induced microplasma can interact with the surface atoms of the target material forming volatile products. The release of these products is enhanced by the pulsed, laser-induced plasma resulting in material etching. In the present study, SiO2 surfaces were etched with reactive species of CF4 microplasma generated by their laser-induced break down with 775 nm pulses of an fs-laser (150 fs) at a repetition rate of 1 kHz. The dependency of the depth, the width, and the morphology of the etching pits were analysed systematically against the process parameters used. In particular, a linear increase of the etching depth up to 10 µm was achieved. The etched surface appears smooth without visible cracks, defects, or LIPSS (Laser-induced periodic surface structures).
DNA methylation markers detected in blood, stool, urine, and tissue in colorectal cancer: a systematic review of paired samples
Authors: Laugsand Eivor Alette , Brenne Siv Sellæg , Skorpen Frank
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Methylated cell-free DNA in liquid biopsies are promising non-invasive biomarkers for colorectal cancer (CRC). Optimal markers would have high sensitivity and specificity for early detection of CRC and could be detected in more than one type of material from the patient. We systematically reviewed the literature on DNA methylation markers of colorectal cancer, detected in more than one type of material, regarding their potential as contributors to a panel for screening and follow-up of CRC.

Methods

The databases MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Embase were systematically searched. Data extraction and review was performed by two authors independently. Agreement between methylation status in tissue and other materials (blood/stool/urine) was analyzed using the McNemar test and Cohen’s kappa.

Results

From the 51 included studies, we identified seven single markers with sensitivity ≥ 75% and specificity ≥ 90% for CRC. We also identified one promising plasma panel and two stool panels. The correspondence of methylation status was evaluated as very good for four markers, but only marginal for most of the other markers investigated (12 of 21).

Conclusion

The included studies reported only some of the variables and markers of interest and included few patients. Hence, a meta-analysis was not possible at this point. Larger, prospective studies must be designed to study the discordant detection of markers in tissue and liquid biopsies. When reporting their findings, such studies should use a standardized format.
Bilateral vestibulopathy: beyond imbalance and oscillopsia
Authors: Lucieer F. M. P. , Van Hecke R. , van Stiphout L. , Duijn S. , Perez-Fornos A. , Guinand N. , Van Rompaey V. , Kingma H. , Joore M. , van de Berg R.
Published: October 2020

Objective

To optimize the current diagnostic and treatment procedures for patients with bilateral vestibulopathy (BV), this study aimed to determine the complete spectrum of symptoms associated with BV.

Method

A prospective mixed-method study design was used. Qualitative data were collected by performing semi-structured interviews about symptoms, context, and behavior. The interviews were recorded and transcribed until no new information was obtained. Transcriptions were analyzed in consensus by two independent researchers. In comparison to the qualitative results, quantitative data were collected using the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and a health-related quality of life questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L).

Results

Eighteen interviews were transcribed. Reported symptoms were divided into fourteen physical symptoms, four cognitive symptoms, and six emotions. Symptoms increased in many situations, such as darkness (100%), uneven ground (61%), cycling (94%) or driving a car (56%). These symptoms associated with BV often resulted in behavioral changes: activities were performed more slowly, with greater attention, or were avoided. The DHI showed a mean score of severe handicap (54.67). The HADS questionnaire showed on average normal results (anxiety = 7.67, depression = 6.22). The EQ-5D-5L demonstrated a mean index value of 0.680, which is lower compared to the Dutch age-adjusted reference 0.839 (60–70 years).

Conclusion

BV frequently leads to physical, cognitive, and emotional complaints, which often results in a diminished quality of life. Importantly, this wide range of symptoms is currently underrated in literature and should be taken into consideration during the development of candidacy criteria and/or outcome measures for therapeutic interventions such as the vestibular implant.
Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in COVID-19-related encephalopathy
Authors: Muccioli Lorenzo , Pensato Umberto , Bernabè Giorgia , Ferri Lorenzo , Tappatà Maria , Volpi Lilia , Cani Ilaria , Henry Olivia J. , Ceccaroni Francesca , Cevoli Sabina , Stofella Gloria , Pasini Elena , Fornaro Giacomo , Tonon Caterina , Vidale Simone , Liguori Rocco , Tinuper Paolo , Michelucci Roberto , Cortelli Pietro , Bisulli Francesca
Published: October 2020

Objective

To report on efficacy and safety of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy in a case series of patients with COVID-19-related encephalopathy.

Methods

We retrospectively collected data on all patients with COVID-19 hospitalized at two Italian hospitals who developed encephalopathy during disease course and were treated with IVIg.

Results

Five patients (two females, mean age 66.8 years) developed encephalopathy after a mean of 12.6 days, since the onset of respiratory/constitutional symptoms related to COVID-19. Four patients suffered severe respiratory distress, three of which required invasive mechanical ventilation. Neurological manifestations included impaired consciousness, agitation, delirium, pyramidal and extrapyramidal signs. EEG demonstrated diffuse slowing in all patients. Brain MRI showed non-specific findings. CSF analysis revealed normal cell count and protein levels. In all subjects, RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 in CSF tested negative. IVIg at 0.4 g/kg/die was commenced 29.8 days (mean, range: 19–55 days) after encephalopathy onset, leading to complete electroclinical recovery in all patients, with an initial improvement of neuropsychiatric symptoms observed in 3.4 days (mean, range: 1–10 days). No adverse events related to IVIg were observed.

Conclusions

Our preliminary findings suggest that IVIg may represent a safe and effective treatment for COVID-19-associated encephalopathy. Clinical efficacy may be driven by the anti-inflammatory action of IVIg, associated with its anti-cytokine qualities.
Application of clockwise modularized laparoscopic lymphadenectomy in the suprapancreatic area, a propensity score matching study and comparison with open gastrectomy
Authors: Yang Hua , Zhang Wei-Han , Liu Kai , Dan Yu-Qing , Chen Xin-Zu , Yang Kun , Chen Zhi-Xin , Chen Jia-Ping , Zhou Zong-Guang , Hu Jian-Kun
Published: October 2020

Background

Suprapancreatic lymphadenectomy is the essence of D2 radical gastric cancer surgery. The present study aimed to describe clockwise modularized laparoscopic lymphadenectomy in the suprapancreatic area.

Methods

The data from gastric cancer patients who underwent surgical treatment from September 2016 to December 2018 were collected. Patients were divided into clockwise modularized lymphadenectomy (CML) and traditional open gastrectomy (OG) groups according to the surgical treatment strategy. The propensity score matching method was utilized to balance the baseline characteristics between the two groups.

Results

Finally, 551 gastric cancer patients were included in the present study. Following propensity score matching, 106 pairs of patients in the CML group and OG group were included in the final analysis. The CML group had more total examined lymph nodes (36, IQR 28–44.74 vs. 29, IQR 29–39.5, p = 0.002) and no. 9 station nodes (2, IQR 1–5 vs. 2, IQR 1–3, p = 0.007) than the OG group. There was less intraoperative blood loss (30, IQR 20–80 ml vs. 80, IQR 50–80 ml, p < 0.001) and a longer surgical duration (262.5 min, IQR 220–303.25 min vs. 232, IQR 220–255 min, p < 0.001) in the CML group than in the OG group. The incidence of postoperative complications (19.8% vs. 16.0%, p = 0.591) and postoperative hospital stay (8, IQR 7–9 days vs. 8, IQR 7–9 days, p = 0.452) were comparable between the CML and OG groups.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer surgery is technically demanding. Clockwise modularized laparoscopic lymphadenectomy in the suprapancreatic area can attain similar effects as traditional open surgery and without an increase in postoperative adverse events.
Physical exercise during adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer—a non-randomized feasibility study
Authors: Hatlevoll I. , Oldervoll L. M. , Wibe A. , Stene G. B. , Stafne S. N. , Hofsli E.
Published: October 2020

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide, and a large proportion of the patients receive adjuvant oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy. Most of these experience chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), affecting quality of life. Evidence to advise exercise to reduce CIPN is limited. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an exercise intervention and data collection among CRC patients during adjuvant chemotherapy.

Material and methods

This non-randomized feasibility study included CRC patients admitted to adjuvant chemotherapy to an intervention consisting of supervised aerobic endurance, resistance, and balance exercises twice a week at the hospital in addition to home-based exercise once a week. A physiotherapist supervised the patients, and the intervention lasted throughout the period of adjuvant chemotherapy (12–24 weeks). Participants performed physical tests and filled in questionnaires at baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months.

Results and conclusion

Nineteen (63%) of 30 invited patients consented. A major barrier to recruit or consent to participation was long travel distance to the hospital. The completion rate of questionnaires and physical tests were near 100%. Seven participants dropped out, five before the intervention started. Median attendance to supervised exercise was 85%. There were no serious adverse events related to the intervention. Except for a planned higher intensity of endurance exercise, we found the intervention feasible and safe. Based on experiences in this study, some adjustments have been made for an upcoming randomized trial, including the supervised exercise taking place close to participants’ homes.

Trial registration

NCT03885817, March 22, 2019, retrospectively registered.
An integration of enhanced social force and crowd control models for high-density crowd simulation
Authors: Kolivand Hoshang , Rahim Mohd Shafry , Sunar Mohd Shahrizal , Fata Ahmad Zakwan Azizul , Wren Chris
Published: October 2020

Social force model is one of the well-known approaches that can successfully simulate pedestrians’ movements realistically. However, it is not suitable to simulate high-density crowd movement realistically due to the model having only three basic crowd characteristics which are goal, attraction, and repulsion. Therefore, it does not satisfy the high-density crowd condition which is complex yet unique, due to its capacity, density, and various demographic backgrounds of the agents. Thus, this research proposes a model that improves the social force model by introducing four new characteristics which are gender, walking speed, intention outlook, and grouping to make simulations more realistic. Besides, the high-density crowd introduces irregular behaviours in the crowd flow, which is stopping motion within the crowd. To handle these scenarios, another model has been proposed that controls each agent with two different states: walking and stopping. Furthermore, the stopping behaviour was categorized into a slow stop and sudden stop. Both of these proposed models were integrated to form a high-density crowd simulation framework. The framework has been validated by using the comparison method and fundamental diagram method. Based on the simulation of 45,000 agents, it shows that the proposed framework has a more accurate average walking speed (0.36 m/s) compared to the conventional social force model (0.61 m/s). Both of these results are compared to the real-world data which is 0.3267 m/s. The findings of this research will contribute to the simulation activities of pedestrians in a highly dense population.
Kinder- und Jugendrehabilitation in Österreich: aktueller Stand
Authors: Sperl Wolfgang
Published: October 2020

Nach jahrelangen Vorarbeiten wurde nach Erstellung eines Rehabilitationsplans für Kinder und Jugendliche, der Betten- und Indikationszuordnungen zu die jeweiligen Gesundheitsregionen und auch der Klärung der Finanzierung der Tagessätze nun die Errichtung von Kinder- und Jugendlichenrehabilitationszentren in Österreich durchgeführt. Der Start ist gelungen, engagierte MitarbeiterInnen konnten in allen Berufsbereichen für eine kinder- und jugendlichensspezifische Rehabilitation gewonnen werden. Kritische Punkte sind die Mitaufnahme von Begleitpersonen bzw. anderer Familienangehöriger, wobei eine Z-Diagnose für Begleitpersonen analog der familienorientierten Rehabilitation hämatoonkologischer Kinder für alle Indikationen wichtig wäre, um die entsprechende Freistellung vom Arbeitgeber zu bekommen. Ein wesentlicher Punkt ist auch die fallweise Ausweitung der familienorientierten Rehabilitation über die Hämatoonkologie hinaus. Die Transition sollte ebenfalls geregelt werden, gerade an der Schnittstelle zum Erwachsenenalter gibt es Überlappungsbereiche wie z.B. bei Stoffwechselindikationen oder Hämatoonkologie. Wesentlich ist eine optimale und akkordierte Gestaltung der kinder- und jugendpsychiatrischen Rehabilitation in Absprache mit der kinder- und jugendpsychiatrischen Fachgesellschaft. Wichtig ist außerdem, die Rehabilitation der jeweiligen Indikationsgruppe in die Gesamtversorgungskonzepte einzubauen, dieser Prozess ist derzeit im Gange. Zuletzt ist eine abgestimmte Qualitätssicherung aller Rehabilitationseinrichtungen sinnvoll. Die Entwicklung einer entsprechenden Rehabilitationskultur ist wichtig, ebenso die enge Zusammenarbeit zwischen Rehabilitationszentren und Zuweisern, um das vorhandene Potential optimal nutzen zu können.
Divergent minute virus of canines strains identified in illegally imported puppies in Italy
Authors: Campalto M. , Carrino M. , Tassoni L. , Rizzo G. , Rossmann M. C. , Cocchi M. , De Benedictis P. , Beato Maria Serena
Published: October 2020

Minute virus of canines (MVC) belongs to the family Parvoviridae, genus Bocaparvovirus, and has been mainly described during enteritis episodes in young dogs. This study reports the characterization of four divergent MVC strains detected between 2012 and 2018, three of which were from dogs illegally imported into Italy, most probably from Eastern Europe, that cluster together phylogenetically but share low genetic similarity with the fourth MVC from an autochthonous dog and other available MVC sequences. Our data indicate that the introduction of genetically distinct MVC strains occurred through the illegal movement of dogs from a geographic area where a distinct MVC lineage was most likely circulating. Enforced surveillance of MVC in the dog population of Eastern Europe and its neighboring countries may shed light on, and eventually trace back to, illegal animal movements.
Comparative NMR Relaxivity Study of Polyoxometalate-Based Clusters [Mn4(H2O)2(P2W1SO56)2]16− and [{Dy(H2O)6}2Mn4(H2O)2(P2W15O56)2]10− from 20 MHz to 1.2 GHz
Authors: Ibrahim Masooma , Rudszuck Thomas , Kerdi Banan , Krämer Steffen , Guthausen Gisela , Powell Annie K.
Published: October 2020

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance relaxivities are a measure for the sensitivity of a contrast agent (CA), i.e. the potential of a paramagnetic moiety to enhance longitudinal and transverse relaxation of molecules in its near neighbourhood. The underlying mechanism is called Paramagnetic Relaxation Enhancement (PRE). The relaxivity, characterizing PRE, depends not only on the external applied magnetic field but also depends on numerous factors, such as number of coordinated water molecules, water exchange rate, rotational diffusion, first and second coordination hydration sphere, electronic and magnetic properties of paramagnetic centers and the molecular shape/size of the CA. Relaxation rates are usually normalized to the concentration of the contrast agent to provide the relaxivities. To investigate the influence of these factors on PRE of newly synthesized potential CA, two paramagnetic metals containing polyoxometalates (POMs) [Mn4(H2O)2(P2W15O56)2]16− (Mn4-P2W15) and [{Dy(H2O)6}2Mn4(H2O)2(P2W15O56)2]10− (Dy2Mn4-P2W15) were selected as models to be studied at 1H Larmor frequencies from 20 MHz to 1.2 GHz. Structurally, the POM Dy2Mn4-P2W15 is similar to the tetra-nuclear manganese(II)-substituted sandwich-type POM Mn4-P2W15, with the two coordinated DyIII cations acting as linkers connecting Mn4-P2W15 units, thus forming a 1D ladder-like chain structure based on sandwich-type rungs strung together by the dysprosium cations. This study shows that POM (Dy2Mn4-P2W15) is a promising CA at high magnetic fields and proves that the use of heterometallic clusters is an effective strategy to increase PRE due to the synergistic effects from different metal ions.
High-frequency trading with fractional Brownian motion
Authors: Guasoni Paolo , Mishura Yuliya , Rásonyi Miklós
Published: October 2020

In the high-frequency limit, conditionally expected increments of fractional Brownian motion converge to a white noise, shedding their dependence on the path history and the forecasting horizon and making dynamic optimisation problems tractable. We find an explicit formula for locally mean–variance optimal strategies and their performance for an asset price that follows fractional Brownian motion. Without trading costs, risk-adjusted profits are linear in the trading horizon and rise asymmetrically as the Hurst exponent departs from Brownian motion, remaining finite as the exponent reaches zero while diverging as it approaches one. Trading costs penalise numerous portfolio updates from short-lived signals, leading to a finite trading frequency, which can be chosen so that the effect of trading costs is arbitrarily small, depending on the required speed of convergence to the high-frequency limit.
Apatinib exhibits synergistic effect with pyrotinib and reverses acquired pyrotinib resistance in HER2-positive gastric cancer via stem cell factor/c-kit signaling and its downstream pathways
Authors: Su Beibei , Huang Tingting , Jin Yu , Yin Han , Qiu Hong , Yuan Xianglin
Published: October 2020

Background

Recently, progress has been made in the development of targeted therapies for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive gastric cancer (GC). However, drug resistance has severely limited the efficacy of anti-HER2 therapies. Pyrotinib is a novel pan-HER inhibitor. Although it is effective in HER2-positive GC treatment, its efficacy in combination with apatinib and associated resistance mechanisms in HER2-positive GC remains unclear.

Methods

In this study, the combination effects of pyrotinib and apatinib were examined in two pyrotinib-sensitive GC cells and xenografts. The RNA sequencing was used to determine the underlying mechanisms of acquired pyrotinib resistance. The role of imatinib and apatinib in reversing pyrotinib resistance was tested in pyrotinib-resistant cells and xenografts.

Results

Here, we reported that a combination of pyrotinib and apatinib exhibits synergistic effect in HER2-positive NCI-N87 xenografts, and showed enhanced antitumor efficacy in HER2-positive GC, both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, up-regulation of the stem cell factor (SCF) levels, and the PI3K/AKT and MAPK pathways was associated with acquired pyrotinib resistance in HER2-positive GC. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that the activation of the SCF/c-kit signaling and its downstream PI3K/AKT and MAPK pathways mediated pyrotinib resistance by promoting cell survival and proliferation. Imatinib and apatinib augmented the sensitivity of pyrotinib-resistant cells and xenografts to pyrotinib, by blocking SCF/c-kit signaling.

Conclusion

These results highlight the effectiveness of pyrotinib combined with apatinib in HER2-positive GC and acquired pyrotinib resistance, thus providing a theoretical basis for new treatment methods.
The emergence of leadership in students’ group interaction in a school-based makerspace
Authors: Leskinen Jasmiina , Kumpulainen Kristiina , Kajamaa Anu , Rajala Antti
Published: October 2020

This case study is an examination of the emergence of leadership in students’ group interaction in a school-based makerspace. The data comprised video records of 20 primary school students’ group work within this context, encompassing student-driven creative engagement in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) learning activities. Interaction analysis was applied to analyze the students’ leadership moves and to depict how students’ leadership was related to their collaboration. The analysis resulted in a typology of students’ leadership moves in a makerspace context, namely, coordination of joint work, exploring new ideas, seeking out resources,

and offering guidance and supporting others, adding to the existing literature on student leadership and collaboration in novel learning environments. The study also illustrates how the students’ leadership moves in group interactions can lead to dominating and/or shared leadership, with consequences for students’ collaboration. The study points to the importance of more research and development of pedagogical practices that support students’ symmetric participation and opportunities to lead collaborative work and to promote advanced collaboration in school-based makerspaces.
Erratum zu: Vom Fuße des Himalaya – Wertschöpfungskette Äpfel in Indien
Authors: Golombek Sabine , Blanke Michael
Published: October 2020

Durch ein technisches Problem wurde in dem Artikel „Vom Fuße des Himalaya – Wertschöpfungskette Äpfel in Indien“ von Sabine Golombek und Michael Blanke die falsche Copyrightzeile eingetragen. Die Copyrightzeile lautet: © Der/die Autor(en) 2020.

Der Originalartikel wurde …
Fibroblast growth factor 8 overexpression is predictive of poor prognosis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Jomrich Gerd , Wilfing Lavinia , Radosavljevic Sanja , Parak Ario , Winkler Daniel , Timelthaler Gerald , Schindl Martin , Schoppmann Sebastian F. , Klösch Bernhard
Published: October 2020

Background

Despite distinctive advances in the field of pancreatic cancer therapy over the past few years, patient survival remains poor. Fibroblast growth factors 8 (FGF8) and 18 (FGF18) both play a role in modulating the activity of malignant cells and have been identified as promising biomarkers in a number of cancers. However, no data exist on the expression of FGF8 and FGF18 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Methods

Protein expression levels of FGF8 and FGF18 in postoperative specimens of neoadjuvantly treated and primarily resected patients were investigated using immunohistochemistry. Immunostaining scores were calculated as the products of the staining intensity and the staining rate. Scores exceeding the median score were considered as high expression.

Results

Specimens from 78 patients with PDAC were available and met the eligibility criteria for analysis of protein expression using immunohistochemistry. 15 (19.2%) patients had received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. High protein levels of FGF8 and FGF18 were detected in 40 (51.8%) and 33 (42.3%) patients, respectively. Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated significantly shorter overall survival in patients with high expression of FGF8 (p = 0.04). Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models revealed that high expression of FGF8 (Hazard ratio [HR] 0.53, 95% Confidence interval [CI] 0.32–0.89, p = 0.016) was an independent prognostic factor for diminished overall survival in patients with PDAC. By contrast, no statistical significance was found for FGF18 overexpression. In addition, the FGF8 protein level correlated with the factor resection margin (p = 0.042).

Conclusion

FGF8 is a promising target for new anticancer therapies using FGF inhibitors in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas.
Seismic vulnerability of above-ground storage tanks with unanchored support conditions for Na-tech risks based on Gaussian process regression
Authors: Phan Hoang Nam , Paolacci Fabrizio , Di Filippo Rocco , Bursi Oreste S.
Published: October 2020

This paper aims to investigate the seismic vulnerability of an existing unanchored steel storage tank ideally installed in a refinery in Sicily (Italy), along the lines of performance-based earthquake engineering. Tank performance is estimated by means of component-level fragility curves for specific limit states. The assessment is based on a framework that relies on a three-dimensional finite element (3D FE) model and a low-fidelity demand model based on Gaussian process regression, which allows for cheaper simulations. Moreover, to approximate the system response corresponding to the random variation of both peak ground acceleration and liquid filling level, a second-order design of experiments method is adopted. Hence, a parametric investigation is conducted on a specific existing unanchored steel storage tank. The relevant 3D FE model is validated with an experimental campaign carried out on a shaking table test. Special attention is paid to the base uplift due to significant inelastic deformations that occur at the baseplate close to the welded baseplate-to-wall connection, offering extensive information on both capacity and demand. As a result, the tank performance is estimated by means of component-level fragility curves for the aforementioned limit state which are derived through Monte Carlo simulations. The flexibility of the proposed framework allows fragility curves to be derived considering both deterministic and random filling levels. The comparison of the seismic vulnerability of the tank obtained with probabilistic and deterministic mechanical models demonstrates the conservatism of the latter. The same trend is also exhibited in terms of risk assessment.
Numerical and Experimental Analysis of the Hydrodynamic Performance of a Three-Dimensional Finite-Length Rotating Cylinder
Authors: Wang Wei , Wang Yuwei , Zhao Dagang , Pang Yongjie , Guo Chunyu , Wang Yifan
Published: October 2020

The hydrodynamic performance of a three-dimensional finite-length rotating cylinder is studied by means of a physical tank and numerical simulation. First, according to the identified influencing factors, a hydrodynamic performance test of the rotating cylinder was carried out in a circulating water tank. In order to explore the changing law of hydrodynamic performance with these factors, a particle image velocimetry device was used to monitor the flow field. Subsequently, a computational field dynamics numerical simulation method was used to simulate the flow field, followed by an analysis of the effects of speed ratio, Reynolds number, and aspect ratio on the flow field. The results show that the lift coefficient and drag coefficient of the cylinder increase first and then decrease with the increase of the rotational speed ratio. The trend of numerical simulation and experimental results is similar.
Treatment of Cheyne–Stokes respiration with adaptive servoventilation—analysis of patients with regard to therapy restriction
Authors: Stieglitz Sven , Galetke Wolfgang , Esquinas Antonio
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The SERVE-HF study revealed no benefit of adaptive servoventilation (ASV) versus guideline-based medical treatment in patients with symptomatic heart failure, an ejection fraction (EF) ≤45% and a predominance of central events (apnoea-hypopnea Index [AHI] > 15/h). Because both all-cause and cardiovascular mortality were higher in the ASV group, an EF ≤ 45% in combination with AHI 15/h, central apnoea-hyponoea index [CAHI/AHI] > 50% and central apnoea index [CAI] > 10/h were subsequently listed as contraindications for ASV. The intention of our study was to analyse the clinical relevance of this limitation.

Methods

Data were analysed retrospectively for patients treated with ASV who received follow-up echocardiography to identify contraindications for ASV.

Results

Echocardiography was conducted in 23 patients. The echocardiogram was normal in 10 cases, a left ventricular hypertrophy with normal EF was found in 8 patients, there was an EF 45–50% in 2 cases and a valvular aortic stenosis (grade II) with normal EF was found in 1 case. EF <45% was present in just 2 cases, and only 1 of these patients also had more than 50% central events in the diagnostic night.

Conclusion

The population typically treated with ASV is entirely different from the study population in SERVE-HF, as nearly half of the patients treated with ASV showed a normal echocardiogram. Thus, the modified indication for ASV has little impact on the majority of treated patients. The current pathomechanistic hypothesis of central apnoea must be reviewed.
Current Knowledge of Content and Composition of Oat Oil—Future Perspectives of Oat as Oil Source
Authors: Banaś Karol , Harasym Joanna
Published: October 2020

The oat oil composition is unique among cereals; however, the industrial exploitation of oat oil still needs more attention. The health claims authorized by the FDA and the EFSA have led to a significant increase in the industry’s interest in oats as an industrial crop. The current focus is put on the extraction of fibre/beta-glucan or oat proteins. In contrast, the fat present in oats and especially its functional components do not attract sufficient industrial attention. The paper presents a concise analysis of the current state of knowledge about the content and composition of oat oil (perceived as oil as product, not fat content) regarding oil extraction methods and analysis. The profound study suggests that oil separation should be obviously taken into account during oat fractionation for industrial products. Such an approach will be in agreement with sustainable management of natural resources and should be taken into account when planning full utilization of each plant crop.