bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic Performance of the 4-Item Geriatric Depression Scale for Depression Screening in Older Patients with Cancer: The ELCAPA Cohort Study
Authors: Lafont Charlotte , Chah Wakilian Anne , Lemogne Cédric , Gouraud Clément , Fossey-Diaz Virginie , Orvoen Galdric , Lhuillier Nathalie , Paillaud Elena , Bastuji-Garin Sylvie , Zebachi Sonia , Hanon Olivier , Goldwasser François , Boudou-Rouquette Pascaline , Canouï-Poitrine Florence
Published: March 2021

Background

In older patients with cancer, depression is difficult to assess because of its heterogeneous clinical expression. The 4-item version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-4) is quick and easy to administer but has not been validated in this population. The present study was designed to test the diagnostic performance of the GDS-4 in a French cohort of older patients with cancer before treatment.

Materials and Methods

Our cross-sectional analysis of data from the Elderly Cancer Patient cohort covered all patients with cancer aged ≥70 years and referred for geriatric assessment at two centers in France between 2007 and 2018. The GDS-4’s psychometric properties were evaluated against three different measures of depression: the geriatrician's clinical diagnosis (based on a semistructured interview), the 4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, and a cluster analysis. The scale's sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) were calculated.

Results

In a sample of 2,293 patients (median age, 81 years; women, 46%), the GDS-4’s sensitivity and specificity for detecting physician-diagnosed depression were, respectively, 90% and 89%. The positive and negative likelihood ratios were 8.2 and 0.11, and the AUROC was 92%. When considering the subset of patients with data on all measures of depression, the sensitivity and specificity values were, respectively, ≥90% and ≥72%, the positive and negative likelihood ratios were, respectively, ≥3.4 and ≤ 0.11, and the AUROC was ≥91%.

Conclusion

The GDS-4 appears to be a clinically relevant, easy-to-use tool for routine depression screening in older patients with cancer.

Implications for Practice

Considering the overlap between symptoms of cancer and symptoms of depression, depression is particularly difficult to assess in older geriatric oncology and is associated with poor outcomes; there is a need for a routine psychological screening. Self-report instruments like the 4-item version of the Geriatric Depression Scale appears to be a clinically relevant, easy-to-use tool for routine depression screening in older patients with cancer. Asking four questions might enable physicians to screen older patients with cancer for depression and then guide them toward further clinical evaluation and appropriate care if required.
Disparities in Cancer Care and the Asian American Population
Authors: Lee Richard J. , Madan Ravi A. , Kim Jayoung , Posadas Edwin M. , Yu Evan Y.
Published: March 2021

Asian Americans are the only racial/ethnic group in the U.S. for whom cancer is the leading cause of death in men and women, unlike heart disease for all other groups. Asian Americans face a confluence of cancer risks, with high rates of cancers endemic to their countries of origin due to infectious and cultural reasons, as well as increasing rates of “Western” cancers that are due in part to assimilation to the American diet and lifestyle. Despite the clear mortality risk, Asian Americans are screened for cancers at lower rates than the majority of Americans. Solutions to eliminate the disparity in cancer care are complicated by language and cultural concerns of this very heterogeneous group. This review addresses the disparities in cancer screening, the historical causes, the potential contribution of racism, the importance of cultural perceptions of health care, and potential strategies to address a very complicated problem. Noting that the health care disparities faced by Asian Americans may be less conspicuous than the structural racism that has inflicted significant damage to the health of Black Americans over more than four centuries, this review is meant to raise awareness and to compel the medical establishment to recognize the urgent need to eliminate health disparities for all.

Implications for Practice

Cancer is the leading cause of death in Asian Americans, who face cancers endemic to their native countries, perhaps because of infectious and cultural factors, as well as those faced by all Americans, perhaps because of “Westernization” in terms of diet and lifestyle. Despite the mortality rates, Asian Americans have less cancer screening than other Americans. This review highlights the need to educate Asian Americans to improve cancer literacy and health care providers to understand the important cancer risks of the fastest-growing racial/ethnic group in the U.S. Eliminating disparities is critical to achieving an equitable society for all Americans.
Lifestyle modification program, LIFE is LIGHT, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity: Results from a 48‐week, multicenter, non‐randomized, parallel‐group, open‐label study
Authors: Galstyan Gagik R. , Valeeva Farida V. , Motkova Svetlana I. , Surkova Elena V. , Savelyeva Larisa V. , Rudina Larisa M. , Ramanathan Krishnan , Sokareva Ekaterina , Bondareva Kristina , Shestakova Marina V.
Published: March 2021

Background

Obesity is a potential risk factor for development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). To achieve long‐term weight reduction in patients with T2DM and obesity using comprehensive lifestyle management program (LMP).

Materials and methods

This 48‐week interventional, multicenter, parallel‐group, open‐label study included patients aged ≥18 years with T2DM and a body mass index (BMI) of 27–40 kg/m2. The primary objective was to demonstrate a clinically significant weight reduction (≥5%) from baseline in intensive lifestyle modification (ILM) and standard treatment (ST) groups.

Results

The ILM group (N = 100) received recommendations for dietary and physical activity, and behavioral counseling. The ST group (N = 30) was managed in accordance with routine T2DM clinical practice. The patients in ST group were older (60.6 ± 8.9 vs. 54.6 ± 10.2 years in ILM group); overall more than 60% were women. At Week 48, the mean reduction in body weight was 5.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: −6.9, −4.6) and 1.2% (95% CI: −2.6, 0.2) (p < 0.001) in the ILM and ST group, respectively. At Week 48, a weight loss of ≥5% was achieved by 50% of patients in the ILM group versus 13.3% in the ST group (p = 0.002). The decreases in BMI, waist‐to‐hip ratio and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was significantly greater in the ILM versus ST group with between‐group differences of −1.63 (p ≤ 0.001), −0.03 (р ≤ 0.001) and −0.69% (p = 0.002), respectively.

Conclusion

A clinically significant weight reduction (≥5%) was demonstrated in patients with obesity and T2DM with use of a comprehensive LMP, along with improvements in BMI, waist‐to‐hip ratio, and HbA1c.
Phase 1 study to access safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of kynurenine in healthy volunteers
Authors: Al‐Karagholi Mohammad Al‐Mahdi , Hansen Jakob Møller , Abou‐Kassem Dalia , Hansted Anna Koldbro , Ubhayasekera Kumari , Bergquist Jonas , Vécsei László , Jansen‐Olesen Inger , Ashina Messoud
Published: March 2021

The kynurenine pathway (KP) is the main path for tryptophan metabolism, and it represents a multitude of potential sites for drug discovery in neuroscience, including pain, stroke, and epilepsy. L‐kynurenine (LKYN), the first active metabolite in the pathway, emerges to be a prodrug targeting glutamate receptors. The safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of LKYN in humans have not been previously investigated. In an open‐label, single ascending dose study, six participants received an intravenous infusion of 50, 100, and 150 µg/kg LKYN and new six participants received an intravenous infusion of 0.3, 0.5, 1, and 5 mg/kg LKYN. To compare the pharmacological effects between species, we investigated in vivo the vascular effects of LKYN in rats. In humans, LKYN was safe and well‐tolerated at all dose levels examined. After infusion, LKYN plasma concentration increased significantly over time 3.23 ± 1.12 µg/mL (after 50 µg/kg), 4.04 ± 1.1 µg/mL (after 100 µg/kg), and 5.25 ± 1.01 µg/mL (after 150 µg/kg) (p ≤ 0.001). We observed no vascular changes after infusion compared with baseline. In rats, LKYN had no effect on HR and MAP and caused no dilation of dural and pial arteries. This first‐in‐human study of LKYN showed that LKYN was safe and well‐tolerated after intravenous infusion up to 5 mg/kg over 20 minutes. The lack of change in LKYN metabolites in plasma suggests a relatively slow metabolism of LKYN and no or little feed‐back effect of LKYN on its synthesis. The therapeutic potential of LKYN in stroke and epilepsy should be explored in future studies in humans.
Efficient pesticide formulation and regulation mechanism for improving the deposition of droplets on the leaves of rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Zheng Li , Cao Chong , Chen Zhuo , Cao Lidong , Huang Qiliang , Song Baoan
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND

The effective deposition of pesticide droplets on the target leaf surface is critical for improving the utilization of pesticides. We proposed a new way to enhance the droplet deposition on the target leaf surface by changing the properties of pesticide formulation, and this formulation can be sprayed directly or at a low dilution. In addition, it is a simple method to select a suitable concentration and formulation by evaluating the interfacial dilational rheological properties of pesticide droplets.

RESULTS

The wetting behavior of two types of pesticide formulations prepared by oil‐based solvent on the rice leaf surface was investigated based on the surface free energy, surface tension, contact angle, adhesion tension, and adhesion work. The interfacial dilational rheological properties of different pesticide solutions were measured as a function of concentration. This study clearly demonstrates the fact that water‐in‐oil emulsion has a better wettability than oil‐in‐water emulsion, especially with the increase of the concentration of the solution, the droplets can be wetted and spread faster on the leaves. Compared with vegetable oil (methyl oleate), mineral oil (solvent oil No. 200) has smaller dilational modulus and surface tension, showing excellent wetting properties.

CONCLUSION

The water‐in‐oil emulsion prepared with solvent oil No. 200 has the smallest dilational modulus, and the spray droplets spread rapidly to the maximum wetting area on the rice leaves, which can be used in an ultra‐low volume spray. The results provide new insights into how to increase the deposition of droplets on superhydrophobic leaf surfaces by screening formulations and concentrations. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
A Phase II depth‐based variable dimension EWMA control chart for monitoring process mean
Authors: Yang Su‐Fen , Lin Yi‐Chi , Yeh Arthur B.
Published: March 2021

Statistical process control consists of tools and techniques that are useful for improving a process or ensuring that a process is in a stable and satisfactory state. In many modern industrial applications, it is critically important to simultaneously monitor two or more correlated process quality variables, thus necessitating the development of multivariate statistical process control (MSPC) as an important area of research for the new century. Nevertheless, the existing MSPC research is mostly based on the assumption that the process data follow a multinormal distribution or a known distribution. However, it is well recognized that in many applications the underlying process distribution is unknown. In practice, among a set of correlated variables to be monitored, there is oftentimes a subset of variables that are easy and/or inexpensive to measure, whereas the remaining variables are difficult and/or expensive to measure but contain information that may help more quickly detect a shift in the process mean. We are motivated to develop a Phase II control chart to monitor variable dimension (VD) mean vector for unknown multivariate processes. The proposed chart is based on the exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) of a depth‐based statistic. The proposed chart is shown to lead to faster detection of mean shifts than the existing VDT2 and VD EWMAT2 charts studied in Aparisi et al. and Epprecht et al., respectively.
Trichoderma asperellum alters fungal community composition in saline–alkaline soil maize rhizospheres
Authors: Fu Jian , Xiao Yao , Wang Yu‐Feng , Liu Zhi‐Hua , Zhang Yi‐Fei , Yang Ke‐Jun
Published: March 2021

The Songnen Plain is an important agricultural region in China with an abundance of saline–alkaline soil that significantly restricts maize growth. Trichoderma spp., free‐living fungi, are commonly used biofertilizers. The effects of Trichoderma asperellum on the fungal community in saline–alkaline soils remain unclear; hence, in this study, three T. asperellum conidium suspension concentrations were used: 0 g (control), 0.7 g (low dose), and 1.4 g (high dose) over three consecutive years, following which high‐throughput sequencing was conducted to analyze the effect of T. asperellum on fungal diversity in the rhizosphere soil. Changes in crop yield, soil salt ion content, and pH were also monitored. T. asperellum treatment effectively regulated the soil salt ion balance, lowered the pH, and improved the crop yield by 4.88–20.26%. Additionally, the T. asperellum treatment significantly increased the relative abundance of T. asperellum and Ceratobasidium sp and inhibited that of the pathogenic fungi Neonectria and Fusarium. Changes in the soil fungal community composition were closely associated with soil properties and yield. Our findings suggest that long‐term T. asperellum exposure can alleviate saline–alkaline stress for maize growth by decreasing soil pH and salt ion content and regulating the fungal microbial community, thereby increasing crop yield.
Graphene‐Based Nanomaterials for Flexible and Stretchable Batteries
Authors: Kim Seong Dae , Sarkar Arijit , Ahn Jong‐Hyun
Published: March 2021

Recently, as flexible and wearable electronic devices have become widely popular, research on light weight and large‐capacity batteries suitable for powering such devices has been actively conducted. In particular, graphene has attracted considerable attention from researchers in the battery field owing to its good mechanical properties and its applicability in various processes to fabricate electrodes for batteries. Graphene is classified into two types: flake‐type, fabricated from graphite, and film‐type, synthesized using chemical vapor deposition. The unique processes involved in these two types enable the fabrication of flexible and stretchable batteries with various shapes and functions. In this article, the recent progress in the development of flexible and stretchable batteries based on graphene, as well as its important technical issues are reviewed.
Evaluating Phospholipid‐Functionalized Gold Nanorods for In Vivo Applications
Authors: Roach Lucien , Booth Mary E. , Ingram Nicola , Paterson Daniel A. , Batchelor Damien V. B. , Moorcroft Samuel C. T. , Bushby Richard J. , Critchley Kevin , Coletta P. Louise , Evans Stephen D.
Published: March 2021

Gold nanorods (AuNRs) have attracted a great deal of attention due to their potential for use in a wide range of biomedical applications. However, their production typically requires the use of the relatively toxic cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) leading to continued demand for protocols to detoxify them for in vivo applications. In this study, a robust and facile protocol for the displacement of CTAB from the surface of AuNRs using phospholipids is presented. After the displacement, CTAB is not detectable by NMR spectroscopy, surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy, or using pH‐dependent ζ‐potential measurements. The phospholipid functionalized AuNRs demonstrated superior stability and biocompatibility (IC50 > 200 µg mL−1) compared to both CTAB and polyelectrolyte functionalized AuNRs and are well tolerated in vivo. Furthermore, they have high near‐infrared (NIR) absorbance and produce large amounts of heat under NIR illumination, hence such particles are well suited for plasmonic medical applications.
On presenting nomenclatural status
Authors: van Rijckevorsel Paul
Published: March 2021

Figure 1 of The Code decoded is reviewed. It is pointed out that, although quite traditional, this does not recognize a category of many thousands of names, and, moreover, one of the categories it does recognize is non‐existent.
Traumatic atlantoaxial subluxation associated with congenital aplasia of the odontoid process of the axis in an English Springer Spaniel
Authors: Gilbert Emma , Driver Colin
Published: March 2021

We describe a three‐year‐old English Springer Spaniel presented with peracute and traumatic onset of cervical spinal cord signs of non‐ambulatory tetraparesis and bilateral Horner's syndrome. MRI and CT revealed aplasia of the odontoid process, dramatic dorsal displacement of the axis and marked compression of the spinal cord with changes consistent with oedema and inflammation. Surgical reduction of the vertebrae and atlantoaxial arthrodesis was successful, with recovery of ambulation over six weeks. A follow‐up CT six weeks later confirmed stability of the implants. The dog is clinically stable 19 months on. Traumatic atlantoaxial subluxation associated with congenital dysplasia of the odontoid process is rarely reported in medium breed dogs.
Effect of single variable factor of electron‐acceptor on the luminescence quantum yield of terbium complex
Authors: Liu Min , Tao Peng , Chen Yun , Jiang Yefei , Li Ling , Ding Liwen , Zhao Yongli
Published: March 2021

Two series of terbium complexes of Tb2(4‐BMBA)6(phen)2 (Tb−Br, 4‐BMBA=4‐Br‐3‐methylbenzoic acid, phen=1,10‐phenanthroline) and Tb2(4‐IMBA)6(phen)2 (Tb−I, 4‐IMBA=4‐I‐3‐methylbenzoic acid) are synthesized by varying the single factor of electron‐acceptor property of substituent group Br and I at para‐position of 3‐methylbenzoic acid. They crystalize in the same space group, ligand and metal ions are arranged in the same mode. Interestingly, the luminescence quantum yield (QY) of Tb−Br is greater than Tb−I, indicating that weaker electron‐acceptor group of I at para‐position of 3‐methylbenzoic acid leads to lower luminescence QY than Br in terbium complex. This is the first work to control the single variable factor to study the substituent group property on the luminescence QY of lanthanide complex. Further study reveals that Tb−I is a multiplex sensor for Fe2+, Co2+, and Ni2+.
Non-perturbative geometries for planar $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 4 SYM amplitudes
Authors: Arkani-Hamed Nima , Lam Thomas , Spradlin Marcus
Published: March 2021

Abstract

There is a remarkable well-known connection between the G(4, n) cluster algebra and n-particle amplitudes in $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 SYM theory. For n ≥ 8 two long-standing open questions have been to find a mathematically natural way to identify a finite list of amplitude symbol letters from among the infinitely many cluster variables, and to find an explanation for certain algebraic functions, such as the square roots of four-mass-box type, that are expected to appear in symbols but are not cluster variables. In this letter we use the notion of “stringy canonical forms” to construct polytopal realizations of certain compactifications of (the positive part of) the configuration space Confn(ℙk−1) ≅ G(k, n)/T that are manifestly finite for all k and n. Some facets of these polytopes are naturally associated to cluster variables, while others are naturally associated to algebraic functions constructed from Lusztig’s canonical basis. For (k, n) = (4, 8) the latter include precisely the expected square roots, revealing them to be related to certain “overpositive” functions of the kinematical invariants.
Erratum to: Higher-order tree-level amplitudes in the nonlinear sigma model
Authors: Bijnens Johan , Kampf Karol , Sjö Mattias
Published: March 2021

In the original paper the supplementary material was incorrect and incomplete. The correct supplementary material is attached to this erratum.
A path integral formulation for particle detectors: the Unruh-DeWitt model as a line defect
Authors: Burbano Ivan M. , Perche T. Rick , de S. L. Torres Bruno
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Particle detectors are an ubiquitous tool for probing quantum fields in the context of relativistic quantum information (RQI). We formulate the Unruh-DeWitt (UDW) particle detector model in terms of the path integral formalism. The formulation is able to recover the results of the model in general globally hyperbolic spacetimes and for arbitrary detector trajectories. Integrating out the detector’s degrees of freedom yields a line defect that allows one to express the transition probability in terms of Feynman diagrams. Inspired by the light-matter interaction, we propose a gauge invariant detector model whose associated line defect is related to the derivative of a Wilson line. This is another instance where nonlocal operators in gauge theories can be interpreted as physical probes for quantum fields.
Study of the effect of inter-pass temperature on weld overlap start-stop defects and mitigation by application of laser defocusing
Authors: Lai Wai Jun , Ganguly Supriyo , Suder Wojciech
Published: March 2021

Laser keyhole initiation and termination-related defects, such as cracking and keyhole cavities due to keyhole collapse, are a well-known issue in laser keyhole welding of thick section steels. In longitudinal welding, run-on and run-off plates are used to avoid this problem. However, such an approach is not applicable in circumferential welding where start/stop defects remain within the workpiece. These issues can hinder industry from applying laser keyhole welding for circumferential welding applications. In this paper, the effect of inter-pass temperature on laser keyhole initiation and termination at the weld overlap start-stop region was investigated. This study has identified that defects occurring within this region were due to laser termination rather than laser initiation because of keyhole instabilities regardless of the thermal cycle. The laser termination defects were mitigated by applying a laser defocusing termination regime to reduce the keyhole depth gradually and control the closure of the keyhole.
Positive Solutions of Transport Equations and Classical Nonuniqueness of Characteristic curves
Authors: Brué Elia , Colombo Maria , De Lellis Camillo
Published: March 2021

The seminal work of DiPerna and Lions (Invent Math 98(3):511–547, 1989) guarantees the existence and uniqueness of regular Lagrangian flows for Sobolev vector fields. The latter is a suitable selection of trajectories of the related ODE satisfying additional compressibility/semigroup properties. A long-standing open question is whether the uniqueness of the regular Lagrangian flow is a corollary of the uniqueness of the trajectory of the ODE for a.e. initial datum. Using Ambrosio’s superposition principle, we relate the latter to the uniqueness of positive solutions of the continuity equation and we then provide a negative answer using tools introduced by Modena and Székelyhidi in the recent groundbreaking work (Modena and Székelyhidi in Ann PDE 4(2):38, 2018). On the opposite side, we introduce a new class of asymmetric Lusin–Lipschitz inequalities and use them to prove the uniqueness of positive solutions of the continuity equation in an integrability range which goes beyond the DiPerna–Lions theory.
Protein-templated copper nanoclusters for fluorimetric determination of human serum albumin
Authors: Lettieri Mariagrazia , Palladino Pasquale , Scarano Simona , Minunni Maria
Published: March 2021

Copper nanoclusters (CuNCs) are attractive for their unique optical properties, providing sensitive fluorescent detection of several kinds of targets even in complex matrices. Their ability in growing on suitable protein and nucleic acid templates make CuNCs efficient optical reporters to be exploited in bioanalysis. In this work, we report the specific and sensitive determination of human serum albumin (HSA) in human serum (HS) and urine via CuNCs fluorescence. HSA is the most abundant protein in plasma, and plays a key role in the early diagnosis of serious pathological conditions such as albuminuria and albuminemia. Recently, HSA has become clinically central also as a biomarker to assess severity, progression, and prognosis of various cancers. We report the controlled and reproducible growth of CuNCs directly on the target analyte, HSA, which results in a fine dose-dependent fluorescent emission at 405 nm. The protocol is optimized in water, and then applied to serum and urine specimens, without matrix pretreatment. The method linearly responds within the whole concentration of clinical interest, with a sensitivity of 1.8 ± 0.1 × 10−3 g L−1 and 0.62 ± 0.03 × 10−3 g L−1 in serum and urine, respectively, and excellent reproducibility (CVav% ca. 3% for both). The assay is designed to have a single protocol working for both matrices, with recovery of 95% (HS) and 96% (urine). The stability of the fluorescence after CuNCs formation was tested over 3 days, displaying good results (yet higher in urine than in serum).

Graphical abstract
Detecting space–time clusters of COVID-19 in Brazil: mortality, inequality, socioeconomic vulnerability, and the relative risk of the disease in Brazilian municipalities
Authors: Martines M. R. , Ferreira R. V. , Toppa R. H. , Assunção L. M. , Desjardins M. R. , Delmelle E. M.
Published: March 2021

The first case of COVID-19 in South America occurred in Brazil on February 25, 2020. By July 20, 2020, there were 2,118,646 confirmed cases and 80,120 confirmed deaths. To assist with the development of preventive measures and targeted interventions to combat the pandemic in Brazil, we present a geographic study to detect “active” and “emerging” space–time clusters of COVID-19. We document the relationship between relative risk of COVID-19 and mortality, inequality, socioeconomic vulnerability variables. We used the prospective space–time scan statistic to detect daily COVID-19 clusters and examine the relative risk between February 25–June 7, 2020, and February 25–July 20, 2020, in 5570 Brazilian municipalities. We apply a Generalized Linear Model (GLM) to assess whether mortality rate, GINI index, and social inequality are predictors for the relative risk of each cluster. We detected 7 “active” clusters in the first time period, being one in the north, two in the northeast, two in the southeast, one in the south, and one in the capital of Brazil. In the second period, we found 9 clusters with RR > 1 located in all Brazilian regions. The results obtained through the GLM showed that there is a significant positive correlation between the predictor variables in relation to the relative risk of COVID-19. Given the presence of spatial autocorrelation in the GLM residuals, a spatial lag model was conducted that revealed that spatial effects, and both GINI index and mortality rate were strong predictors in the increase in COVID-19 relative risk in Brazil. Our research can be utilized to improve COVID-19 response and planning in all Brazilian states. The results from this study are particularly salient to public health, as they can guide targeted intervention measures, lowering the magnitude and spread of COVID-19. They can also improve resource allocation such as tests and vaccines (when available) by informing key public health officials about the highest risk areas of COVID-19.
A framework for incorporating 3D hyperelastic vascular wall models in 1D blood flow simulations
Authors: Coccarelli Alberto , Carson Jason M. , Aggarwal Ankush , Pant Sanjay
Published: March 2021

We present a novel framework for investigating the role of vascular structure on arterial haemodynamics in large vessels, with a special focus on the human common carotid artery (CCA). The analysis is carried out by adopting a three-dimensional (3D) derived, fibre-reinforced, hyperelastic structural model, which is coupled with an axisymmetric, reduced order model describing blood flow. The vessel transmural pressure and lumen area are related via a Holzapfel–Ogden type of law, and the residual stresses along the thickness and length of the vessel are also accounted for. After a structural characterization of the adopted hyperelastic model, we investigate the link underlying the vascular wall response and blood-flow dynamics by comparing the proposed framework results against a popular tube law. The comparison shows that the behaviour of the model can be captured by the simpler linear surrogate only if a representative value of compliance is applied. Sobol’s multi-variable sensitivity analysis is then carried out in order to identify the extent to which the structural parameters have an impact on the CCA haemodynamics. In this case, the local pulse wave velocity (PWV) is used as index for representing the arterial transmission capacity of blood pressure waveforms. The sensitivity analysis suggests that some geometrical factors, such as the stress-free inner radius and opening angle, play a major role on the system’s haemodynamics. Subsequently, we quantified the differences in haemodynamic variables obtained from different virtual CCAs, tube laws and flow conditions. Although each artery presents a distinct vascular response, the differences obtained across different flow regimes are not significant. As expected, the linear tube law is unable to accurately capture all the haemodynamic features characterizing the current model. The findings from the sensitivity analysis are further confirmed by investigating the axial stretching effect on the CCA fluid dynamics. This factor does not seem to alter the pressure and flow waveforms. On the contrary, it is shown that, for an axially stretched vessel, the vascular wall exhibits an attenuation in absolute distension and an increase in circumferential stress, corroborating the findings of previous studies. This analysis shows that the new model offers a good balance between computational complexity and physics captured, making it an ideal framework for studies aiming to investigate the profound link between vascular mechanobiology and blood flow.
Increasing Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Conduct Problems in Children and Adolescents: What Can We Learn from Neuroimaging Studies?
Authors: Matthys Walter , Schutter Dennis J. L. G.
Published: March 2021

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is particularly relevant for children from 7 years on and adolescents with clinical levels of conduct problems. CBT provides these children and adolescents with anger regulation and social problem-solving skills that enable them to behave in more independent and situation appropriate ways. Typically, CBT is combined with another psychological treatment such as behavioral parent training in childhood or an intervention targeting multiple systems in adolescence. The effectiveness of CBT, however, is in the small to medium range. The aim of this review is to describe how the effectiveness of CBT may be improved by paying more attention to a series of psychological functions that have been shown to be impaired in neuroimaging studies: (1) anger recognition, (2) the ability to generate situation appropriate solutions to social problems, (3) reinforcement-based decision making, (4) response inhibition, and (5) affective empathy. It is suggested that children and adolescents first become familiar with these psychological functions during group CBT sessions. In individual sessions in which the parents (and/or child care workers in day treatment and residential treatment) and the child or adolescent participate, parents then learn to elicit, support, and reinforce their child’s use of these psychological functions in everyday life (in vivo practice). In these individual sessions, working on the psychological functions is tailored to the individual child’s characteristic impairments of these functions. CBT therapists may also share crucial social-learning topics with teachers with a view to creating learning opportunities for children and adolescents at school.
Bi-objective design-for-control of water distribution networks with global bounds
Authors: Ulusoy Aly-Joy , Pecci Filippo , Stoianov Ivan
Published: March 2021

This manuscript investigates the design-for-control (DfC) problem of minimizing pressure induced leakage and maximizing resilience in existing water distribution networks. The problem consists in simultaneously selecting locations for the installation of new valves and/or pipes, and optimizing valve control settings. This results in a challenging optimization problem belonging to the class of non-convex bi-objective mixed-integer non-linear programs (BOMINLP). In this manuscript, we propose and investigate a method to approximate the non-dominated set of the DfC problem with guarantees of global non-dominance. The BOMINLP is first scalarized using the method of $$\epsilon $$
ϵ
-constraints. Feasible solutions with global optimality bounds are then computed for the resulting sequence of single-objective mixed-integer non-linear programs, using a tailored spatial branch-and-bound (sBB) method. In particular, we propose an equivalent reformulation of the non-linear resilience objective function to enable the computation of global optimality bounds. We show that our approach returns a set of potentially non-dominated solutions along with guarantees of their non-dominance in the form of a superset of the true non-dominated set of the BOMINLP. Finally, we evaluate the method on two case study networks and show that the tailored sBB method outperforms state-of-the-art global optimization solvers.
Correction to: Fostering integrated mental models of different professional knowledge domains: instructional approaches and model-based analyses
Authors: Lehmann Thomas , Pirnay-Dummer Pablo , Schmidt-Borcherding Florian
Published: March 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-021-09971-w
High Genetic Addiction Risk Score (GARS) in Chronically Prescribed Severe Chronic Opioid Probands Attending Multi-pain Clinics: an Open Clinical Pilot Trial
Authors: Moran Mark , Blum Kenneth , Ponce Jessica Valdez , Lott Lisa , Gondré–Lewis Marjorie C. , Badgaiyan Sampada , Brewer Raymond , Downs B. William , Fynman Philip , Weingarten Alexander , Cadet Jean Lud , Smith David E. , Baron David , Thanos Panayotis K. , Modestino Edward J. , Badgaiyan Rajendra D. , Elman Igor , Gold Mark S.
Published: March 2021

Millions of Americans experience pain daily. In 2017, opioid overdose claimed 64,000 lives increasing to 84,000 lives in 2020, resulting in a decrease in national life expectancy. Chronic opioid use results in dependency, drug tolerance, neuroadaptation, hyperalgesia, potential addictive behaviors, or Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) caused by a hypodopaminergia. Evaluation of pain clinic patients with the Genetic Addiction Risk Score (GARS) test and the Addiction Severity Index (ASI- Media Version V) revealed that GARS scores equal to or greater than 4 and 7 alleles significantly predicted drug and alcohol severity, respectively. We utilized RT-PCR for SNP genotyping and multiplex PCR/capillary electrophoresis for fragment analysis of the role of eleven alleles in a ten-reward gene panel, reflecting the activity of brain reward circuitry in 121 chronic opioid users. The study consisted of 55 males and 66 females averaging ages 54 and 53 years of age, respectively. The patients included Caucasians, African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians. Inclusion criteria mandated that the Morphine Milligram Equivalent (MME) was 30–600 mg/day (males) and 20 to 180 mg/day (females) for treatment of chronic pain over 12 months. Ninety-six percent carried four or more risk alleles, and 73% carried seven or more risk alleles, suggesting a high predictive risk for opioid and alcohol dependence, respectively. These data indicate that chronic, legally prescribed opioid users attending a pain clinic possess high genetic risk for drug and alcohol addiction. Early identification of genetic risk, using the GARS test upon entry to treatment, may prevent iatrogenic induced opioid dependence.
Corporate social responsibility in unionised network industries
Authors: Fanti Luciano , Buccella Domenico
Published: March 2021

In a duopoly network industry with decentralised union wage setting, this paper studies the impact of the firms’ engagement in consumer-friendly corporate social responsibility (CSR) on profitability and welfare. It is shown that, regardless of whether the wage setting occurs prior to or after the choice of the CSR levels, being a CSR-type firm rather than a simple profit-maximiser can lead to larger profits and thus higher welfare for their owners/stakeholders. However, the welfare analysis reveals that there is always conflict of interest between the firms’ owners on the one side and consumers, unions, and society on the other side, with respect for the timing of the decision about CSR relative to that of the wage setting.
Understanding transitions in farming systems and their effects on livestock rearing and smallholder livelihoods in Telangana, India
Authors: Kuchimanchi Bhavana Rao , De Boer Imke J. M. , Ripoll-Bosch Raimon , Oosting Simon J.
Published: March 2021

Increasing food demands are causing rapid transitions in farming systems, often involving intensified land and resource use. While transitioning has benefits regarding poverty alleviation and food outputs, it also causes environmental and social issues over time. This study aims to understand the transitions in farming systems in a region in Telangana, from 1997 to 2015, and their effect on livestock rearing and smallholder livelihoods. We also examine the impact of the transitions on lower caste groups and women in particular. We collected data using a combination of methods, i.e., a household survey, focus group discussions, and secondary data sources, to build a comprehensive picture of the transitions in the region. We found that subsistence mixed farming systems transitioned to market-orientated specialized systems over a short time span. As the transition process gained momentum, households either intensified their production or got marginalized. Technological interventions, development programs with integrated approaches, and market demand for certain agricultural produce triggered increased regional production but also led to the scarcity of water, land, and labor. The transitions marginalized some of the households, changed the role of livestock in farming, and have been inclusive of both lower caste groups and women in terms of increased ownership of large ruminants and access to technologies. However, for women specifically, further increase in workload in the context of farming is also found.
An improved framework for brain tumor analysis using MRI based on YOLOv2 and convolutional neural network
Authors: Sharif Muhammad Irfan , Li Jian Ping , Amin Javeria , Sharif Abida
Published: March 2021

Brain tumor is a group of anomalous cells. The brain is enclosed in a more rigid skull. The abnormal cell grows and initiates a tumor. Detection of tumor is a complicated task due to irregular tumor shape. The proposed technique contains four phases, which are lesion enhancement, feature extraction and selection for classification, localization, and segmentation. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images are noisy due to certain factors, such as image acquisition, and fluctuation in magnetic field coil. Therefore, a homomorphic wavelet filer is used for noise reduction. Later, extracted features from inceptionv3 pre-trained model and informative features are selected using a non-dominated sorted genetic algorithm (NSGA). The optimized features are forwarded for classification after which tumor slices are passed to YOLOv2-inceptionv3 model designed for the localization of tumor region such that features are extracted from depth-concatenation (mixed-4) layer of inceptionv3 model and supplied to YOLOv2. The localized images are passed toMcCulloch'sKapur entropy method to segment actual tumor region. Finally, the proposed technique is validated on three benchmark databases BRATS 2018, BRATS 2019, and BRATS 2020 for tumor detection. The proposed method achieved greater than 0.90 prediction scores in localization, segmentation and classification of brain lesions. Moreover, classification and segmentation outcomes are superior as compared to existing methods.
Photonic applications of azobenzene molecules embedded in amorphous polymer
Authors: De Martino S. , Mauro F. , Netti P. A.
Published: March 2021

The incorporation of azobenzene chromophores into polymer systems gives rise to a number of unique effects under UV and visible light irradiation. The light-driven isomerization of the azobenzene element acts as a light-to-mechanical energy converter, translating the nanoscopic structural movement of the isomerization azobenzene into macroscopic topographic film modulation in the form of surface relief. This review focuses on the study of reversible changes in shape in various systems incorporating azobenzene, including large-scale superficial photo-patterned glassy materials, light-driven reshaping of tridimensional superficial azo-textures and contractions of stimuli-responsive liquid crystalline networks (LCNs). Further, promising applications of azo systems are investigated as smart biointerfaces able to mimic time-varying biological systems.
Evaluation of tramadol human pharmacokinetics and safety after co-administration of magnesium ions in randomized, single- and multiple-dose studies
Authors: Rudzki Piotr J. , Jarus-Dziedzic Katarzyna , Filist Monika , Gilant Edyta , Buś-Kwaśnik Katarzyna , Leś Andrzej , Sasinowska-Motyl Małgorzata , Nagraba Łukasz , Bujalska-Zadrożny Magdalena
Published: March 2021

Background

Magnesium ions (Mg2+) increase and prolong opioid analgesia in chronic and acute pain. The nature of this synergistic analgesic interaction has not yet been explained. Our aim was to investigate whether Mg2+ alter tramadol pharmacokinetics. Our secondary goal was to assess the safety of the combination.

Methods

Tramadol was administered to healthy Caucasian subjects with and without Mg2+ as (1) single 100-mg and (2) multiple 50-mg oral doses. Mg2+ was administered orally at doses of 150 mg and 75 mg per tramadol dosing in a single- and multiple-dose study, respectively. Both studies were randomized, open label, laboratory-blinded, two-period, two-treatment, crossover trials. The plasma concentrations of tramadol and its active metabolite, O-desmethyltramadol, were measured.

Results

A total of 25 and 26 subjects completed the single- and multiple-dose study, respectively. Both primary and secondary pharmacokinetic parameters were similar. The 90% confidence intervals for Cmax and AUC0-t geometric mean ratios for tramadol were 91.95–102.40% and 93.22–102.76%. The 90% confidence intervals for Cmax,ss and AUC0-τ geometric mean ratios for tramadol were 93.85–103.31% and 99.04–105.27%. The 90% confidence intervals for primary pharmacokinetic parameters were within the acceptance range. ANOVA did not show any statistically significant contribution of the formulation factor (p > 0.05) in either study. Adverse events and clinical safety were similar in the presence and absence of Mg2+.

Conclusions

The absence of Mg2+ interaction with tramadol pharmacokinetics and safety suggests that this combination may be used in the clinical practice for the pharmacotherapy of pain.

Graphic abstract
Uniformly factoring weakly compact operators and parametrised dualisation
Authors: Antunes L. , Beanland K. , Braga B. M.
Published: March 2021

This article deals with the problem of when, given a collection

$\mathcal {C}$

of weakly compact operators between separable Banach spaces, there exists a separable reflexive Banach space Z with a Schauder basis so that every element in

$\mathcal {C}$

factors through Z (or through a subspace of Z). In particular, we show that there exists a reflexive space Z with a Schauder basis so that for each separable Banach space X, each weakly compact operator from X to

$L_1[0,1]$

factors through Z.

We also prove the following descriptive set theoretical result: Let

$\mathcal {L}$

be the standard Borel space of bounded operators between separable Banach spaces. We show that if

$\mathcal {B}$

is a Borel subset of weakly compact operators between Banach spaces with separable duals, then for

$A \in \mathcal {B}$

, the assignment

$A \to A^*$

can be realised by a Borel map

$\mathcal {B}\to \mathcal {L}$

.
Prevalence of low protein intake in 80+-year-old community-dwelling adults and association with dietary patterns and modifiable risk factors: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Buhl Sussi F. , Beck Anne M. , Christensen Britt , Kock Gry , Boyle Eleanor , Caserotti Paolo
Published: March 2021

Low protein intake may accelerate age-related loss of lean mass and physical function. We investigated the prevalence of low protein intake (<1·0 g/kg/day) and the associations between dietary patterns, modifiable risk factors and low protein intake in self-reliant community-dwelling adults ≥ 80 years. This cross-sectional study consisted of two home visits. Data collection consisted of physical measurements (e.g. physical function, physical activity) and self-report of nutritional intake (4-d food records), appetite, eating symptoms and medical conditions. Binary analyses were performed to compare participants with low and normal protein intake. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate associations between low protein intake, dietary patterns and modifiable risk factors adjusted for age, sex, BMI categories and diseases. One hundred twenty-six were included in the study. Prevalence of low protein intake was 54 %. A greater day-to-day variation in protein intake was associated with low protein intake (adjusted OR 2·5; 95 % CI 1·14, 5·48). Participants with low protein intake had a higher prevalence of nausea, diarrhoea and mouth dryness. Reduced appetite, mouth dryness and pain increased odds of low protein intake (adjusted OR 3·06, 95 % CI 1·23, 7·63; OR 3·41, 95 % CI 1·51, 7·7; OR 1·54, 95 % CI 1·00, 2·36, respectively). There was a high prevalence of low protein intake in community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 80 years. Day-to-day variability, appetite, mouth dryness and pain may be potentially modifiable risk factors. Targeting dietary patterns and risk factors in primary prevention strategies may potentially improve intake of protein and minimise risk of physical frailty.
The State's Developmentalist Illusion and the Origins of Illegal Coca Cultivation in Peru's Alto Huallaga Valley (1960–80)
Authors: Paredes Maritza , Manrique Hernán
Published: March 2021

The origin of illicit economies has been understood as a consequence of ‘low stateness’ (i.e. low reach of the state). Given the limited stateness in many regions, however, this article seeks to explain how only some sub-national territories have become vulnerable to illegal drug trafficking. To make this case, the representative example of the Alto Huallaga valley, in the Peruvian Amazon, is analysed. This article argues that ineffective development and settlement efforts by the Peruvian state in the Alto Huallaga, rather than the absence of the state, produced socio-ecological conditions in the region, in the late 1970s, that made it more vulnerable to the illegal economy. At the same time as international demand for illegal cocaine was expanding, two conditions resulting from frustrated state development plans came together: an enclave of poor peasants who were not self-sufficient and a natural environment impoverished by soil degradation and intensive deforestation, paradoxically not suitable for any crop except coca.