bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improving interim decisions in randomized trials by exploiting information on short‐term endpoints and prognostic baseline covariates
Authors: Van Lancker Kelly , Vandebosch An , Vansteelandt Stijn 
Published: April 2020

SummaryConditional power calculations are frequently used to guide the decision whether or not to stop a trial for futility or to modify planned sample size. These ignore the information in short‐term endpoints and baseline covariates, and thereby do not make fully efficient use of the information in the data. We therefore propose an interim decision procedure based on the conditional power approach which exploits the information contained in baseline covariates and short‐term endpoints. We will realize this by considering the estimation of the treatment effect at the interim analysis as a missing data problem. This problem is addressed by employing specific prediction models for the long‐term endpoint which enable the incorporation of baseline covariates and multiple short‐term endpoints. We show that the proposed procedure leads to an efficiency gain and a reduced sample size, without compromising the Type I error rate of the procedure, even when the adopted prediction models are misspecified. In particular, implementing our proposal in the conditional power approach enables earlier decisions relative to standard approaches, whilst controlling the probability of an incorrect decision. This time gain results in a lower expected number of recruited patients in case of stopping for futility, such that fewer patients receive the futile regimen. We explain how these methods can be used in adaptive designs with unblinded sample size re‐assessment based on the inverse normal P‐value combination method to control Type I error. We support the proposal by Monte Carlo simulations based on data from a real clinical trial.
Towards an unbiased stratospheric analysis
Authors: Laloyaux P. , Bonavita M. , Dahoui M. , Farnan J. , Healy S. , Hólm E. , Lang S. T. K. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe standard, strong‐constraint formulation of 4D‐Var is designed to correct for random, zero‐mean errors from the model forecast and the observations. However, significant systematic errors are generated by the forecast models used in global numerical weather prediction (NWP), and the Integrated Forecast System (IFS) model of the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is no exception. To deal with this type of error, a modification of the standard 4D‐Var algorithm, weak‐constraint 4D‐Var, has long been proposed and was implemented in operations at ECMWF in 2009. In the original implementation, the model error corrections were only active in the upper stratosphere, as a full application of the algorithm would lead to unacceptable degradation of forecast scores. Thus the impact of weak‐constraint 4D‐Var on ECMWF analyses and forecasts has always been small heretofore.In a companion article, it was shown through theoretical considerations and experiments with a simplified model that weak‐constraint 4D‐Var can correct accurately for model errors and initial‐state errors only when background and model errors have different spatial scales and when the observing system has a component, sufficient in number, that is unbiased and spatially homogeneous. This article presents new diagnostics based on radio occultation (RO) temperature retrievals and shows how those assumptions are verified in the IFS model. A new model‐error covariance matrix is derived and reduces the analysis and first‐guess temperature bias in the stratosphere by up to 50%. We also present how the model error tendencies diagnosed by weak‐constraint 4D‐Var can be used to reduce mean errors in medium‐range forecasts and discuss how they can also be applied in a reanalysis context to improve the fidelity and continuity of climate reconstructions.
The role of cross‐domain error correlations in strongly coupled 4D‐Var atmosphere–ocean data assimilation
Authors: Smith Polly J. , Lawless Amos S. , Nichols Nancy K. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractStrongly coupled atmosphere–ocean data assimilation offers the ability to improve information exchange across the modelled air‐sea interface by enabling observations in one domain to have a direct influence on the analysis in the other. For incremental 4D‐Var assimilation a strongly coupled approach enables both domains to be updated at the beginning of the assimilation window, whether they are observed or not, and is hence more likely to produce consistent initial model states. This is made possible by the explicit inclusion of cross‐domain forecast error covariance information in the coupled forecast error covariance matrix. In this study we use an idealised 1D single‐column coupled atmosphere–ocean model to examine the extent to which explicit cross‐domain forecast error covariances play a role in shaping the coupled analysis increments compared to those implicitly generated in the inner‐loop of the incremental formulation of the 4D‐Var algorithm. This is done via a set of single‐observation experiments with and without initial cross‐domain forecast error covariances prescribed. Using single observations allows us to obtain explicit expressions for the atmosphere and ocean analysis updates, separating out the individual effects of the explicitly prescribed and implicitly generated cross‐domain covariances. Our experiments show that when only one domain is observed, including explicit cross‐domain error covariances allows more consistent adjustment of the unobserved domain. Neglecting the cross‐domain terms and relying solely on the covariances implicitly generated by the coupled tangent linear and adjoint models restricts the ability of the covariance matrix to impose balance between the two domains. In this case the coupling is essentially one‐way; the update to the observed domain is independent of the unobserved domain and so is likely to produce atmosphere and ocean updates that are inconsistent with one another. As we show, this has important consequences for the balance of the coupled analysis state.
Immune responses and pathogenesis of SARS‐CoV‐2 during an outbreak in Iran: Comparison with SARS and MERS
Authors: Rokni Mohsen , Ghasemi Vida , Tavakoli Zahra 
Published: April 2020

SummaryThe beginning of 2020 has seen the emergence of COVID‐19, an outbreak caused by a novel coronavirus, SARS‐CoV‐2, an important pathogen for humans. There is an urgent need to better understand this new virus and to develop ways to control its spread. In Iran, the first case of the COVID‐19 was reported after spread from China and other countries. Fever, cough, and fatigue were the most common symptoms of this virus. In worldwide, the incubation period of COVID‐19 was 3 to 7 days and approximately 80% of infections are mild or asymptomatic, 15% are severe, requiring oxygen, and 5% are critical infections, requiring ventilation. To mount an antiviral response, the innate immune system recognizes molecular structures that are produced by the invasion of the virus. COVID‐19 infection induces IgG antibodies against N protein that can be detected by serum as early as day 4 after the onset of disease and with most patients seroconverting by day 14. Laboratory evidence of clinical patients showed that a specific T‐cell response against SARS‐CoV‐2 is important for the recognition and killing of infected cells, particularly in the lungs of infected individuals. At present, there is no specific antiviral therapy for COVID‐19 and the main treatments are supportive. In this review, we investigated the innate and acquired immune responses in patients who recovered from COVID‐19, which could inform the design of prophylactic vaccines and immunotherapy for the future.
An Internet of Things‐enabled decision support system for circular economy business model
Authors: Mboli Julius Sechang , Thakker Dhavalkumar , Mishra Jyoti L. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe traditional linear economy using a take‐make‐dispose model is resource intensive and has adverse environmental impacts. Circular economy (CE) which is regenerative and restorative by design is recommended as the business model for resource efficiency. While there is a need for businesses and organisations to switch from linear to CE, there are several challenges that needs addressing such as business models and the criticism of CE projects often being small scale. Technology can be an enabler toward scaling up CE; however, the prime challenge is to identify technologies that can allow predicting, tracking and proactively monitoring product's residual value to motivate businesses to pursue circularity decisions. In this paper, we propose an IoT‐enabled decision support system (DSS) for CE business model that effectively allows tracking, monitoring, and analysing products in real time with the focus on residual value. The business model is implemented using an ontological model. This model is complemented by a semantic decision support system. The semantic ontological model, first of its kind, is evaluated for technical compliance. We applied DSS and the ontological model in a real‐world use case and demonstrate viability and applicability of our approach.
Toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics of the fentanyl homologs cyclopropanoyl-1-benzyl-4´-fluoro-4-anilinopiperidine and furanoyl-1-benzyl-4-anilinopiperidine
Authors: Gampfer Tanja M. , Wagmann Lea , Park Yu Mi , Cannaert Annelies , Herrmann Jennifer , Fischmann Svenja , Westphal Folker , Müller Rolf , Stove Christophe P. , Meyer Markus R. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe two fentanyl homologs cyclopropanoyl-1-benzyl-4´-fluoro-4-anilinopiperidine (4F-Cy-BAP) and furanoyl-1-benzyl-4-anilinopiperidine (Fu-BAP) have recently been seized as new psychoactive substances (NPS) on the drugs of abuse market. As their toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic characteristics are completely unknown, this study focused on elucidating their in vitro metabolic stability in pooled human liver S9 fraction (pHLS9), their qualitative in vitro (pHLS9), and in vivo (zebrafish larvae) metabolism, and their in vitro isozyme mapping using recombinant expressed isoenzymes. Their maximum-tolerated concentration (MTC) in zebrafish larvae was studied from 0.01 to 100 µM. Their µ-opioid receptor (MOR) activity was analyzed in engineered human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 T cells. In total, seven phase I and one phase II metabolites of 4F-Cy-BAP and 15 phase I and four phase II metabolites of Fu-BAP were tentatively identified by means of liquid chromatography high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry, with the majority detected in zebrafish larvae. N-Dealkylation, N-deacylation, hydroxylation, and N-oxidation were the most abundant metabolic reactions and the corresponding metabolites are expected to be promising analytical targets for toxicological analysis. Isozyme mapping revealed the main involvement of CYP3A4 in the phase I metabolism of 4F-Cy-BAP and in terms of Fu-BAP additionally CYP2D6. Therefore, drug-drug interactions by CYP3A4 inhibition may cause elevated drug levels and unwanted adverse effects. MTC experiments revealed malformations and changes in the behavior of larvae after exposure to 100 µM Fu-BAP. Both substances were only able to produce a weak activation of MOR and although toxic effects based on MOR activation seem unlikely, activity at other receptors cannot be excluded.
Pointwise Bounds for Joint Eigenfunctions of Quantum Completely Integrable Systems
Authors: Galkowski Jeffrey , Toth John A. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractLet (M, g) be a compact Riemannian manifold of dimensionnand$$P_1:=-h^2\Delta _g+V(x)-E_1$$P1:=-h2Δg+V(x)-E1so that$$dp_1\ne 0$$dp1≠0on$$p_1=0$$p1=0. We assume that$$P_1$$P1is quantum completely integrable (ACI) in the sense that there exist functionally independent pseuodifferential operators$$P_2,\dots P_n$$P2,⋯Pnwith$$[P_i,P_j]=0$$[Pi,Pj]=0,$$i,j=1,\dots n$$i,j=1,⋯n. We study the pointwise bounds for the joint eigenfunctions,$$u_h$$uhof the system$$\{P_i\}_{i=1}^n$${Pi}i=1nwith$$P_1u_h=E_1u_h+o(1)$$P1uh=E1uh+o(1). In Theorem 1, we first give polynomial improvements over the standard Hörmander bounds for typical points inM. In two and three dimensions, these estimates agree with the Hardy exponent$$h^{-\frac{1-n}{4}}$$h-1-n4and in higher dimensions we obtain a gain of$$h^{\frac{1}{2}}$$h12over the Hörmander bound. In our second main result (Theorem 3), under a real-analyticity assumption on the QCI system, we give exponential decay estimates for joint eigenfunctions at points outside the projection of invariant Lagrangian tori; that is at points$$x\in M$$x∈Min the “microlocally forbidden” region$$p_1^{-1}(E_1)\cap \dots \cap p_n^{-1}(E_n)\cap T^*_xM=\emptyset .$$p1-1(E1)∩⋯∩pn-1(En)∩Tx∗M=∅.These bounds are sharp locally near the projection of the invariant tori.
Topological computation of Stokes matrices of some weighted projective lines
Authors: Sattelberger Anna-Laura 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBy mirror symmetry, the quantum connection of a weighted projective line is closely related to the localized Fourier–Laplace transform of some Gauß–Manin system. Following an article of D’Agnolo, Hien, Morando, and Sabbah, we compute the Stokes matrices for the latter at$$\infty $$∞for the cases$${\mathbb {P}}(1,3)$$P(1,3)and$${\mathbb {P}}(2,2)$$P(2,2)by purely topological methods. We compare them to the Gram matrix of the Euler–Poincaré pairing on$$D^b(\mathrm{Coh}({\mathbb {P}}(1,3)))$$Db(Coh(P(1,3)))and$$D^b(\mathrm{Coh}({\mathbb {P}}(2,2)))$$Db(Coh(P(2,2))), respectively. This article is based on the doctoral thesis of the author.
A field study to evaluate PMI estimation methods for advanced decomposition stages
Authors: Pittner Stefan , Bugelli Valentina , Weitgasser Katharina , Zissler Angela , Sanit Sangob , Lutz Lena , Monticelli Fabio , Campobasso Carlo P. , Steinbacher Peter , Amendt Jens 
Published: April 2020

AbstractEstimating the postmortem interval (PMI) is one of the major tasks and a continuous challenge in forensic pathology. It is often an exclusion process of available methods, which ultimately can lead to an unsatisfactory outcome due to poor reliability. This problem is most acute in the late PMI, when decomposition proceeds and some methods (such as rigor, livor, and algor mortis) are no longer applicable. Several methods, such as forensic entomology, skeletal muscle protein degradation, and the study of body decomposition by application of a morphological scoring, are expected to provide further information; however, all have certain limitations and weaknesses. Availability of a tool-box of methods allows a case-specific selection of the most appropriate one(s), or eventually provides improvements in the overall accuracy and precision of the PMI estimation by merging and combining methods. To investigate practical (field) application, eventual interferences, and/or synergetic effects, as well as the robustness of these methods towards specific influencing factors, a field study was conducted, using eight pig cadavers of different body weights and physical coverage, left to decompose under natural conditions for 16 days. Morphological changes during decomposition were assessed using the total body score (TBS), muscle samples were collected to analyze protein degradation, and insect colonization was evaluated. The results reveal strengths and current limitations of all tested methods, as well as promising synergistic effects, and thus, provide a baseline for targeted future research.
A survey of school’s preparedness for managing anaphylaxis in pupils with food allergy
Authors: Raptis George , Perez-Botella Mercedes , Totterdell Rebecca , Gerasimidis Konstantinos , Michaelis Louise J. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAllergic diseases are on the increase and can affect the child’s well-being. The aim of this survey was to assess regional schools’ preparedness in dealing with anaphylaxis following the publication of national and international guidelines for schools in 2014. The survey was developed in 2015 and distributed to schools in Cumbria, North West England, UK between 2015 and 2016. Only 47% of the respondents (95% CI, 39–57%) felt confident to manage anaphylaxis. Schools without allergic pupils were significantly less likely to have a standard management protocol in place for emergencies compared to those with allergic pupils (p < 0.001). The majority of the schools indicated that further training was needed (81% (95% CI, 74–88%).Conclusion: At the time of the survey, schools’ preparedness in the region, did not meet safety standards recommended by national and international organisations. Although schools have shown eagerness in accessing training in the management of anaphylaxis, tailored training for schools is not yet widely available. There is now an urgent need to design feasible training strategies that create a safe environment for allergic pupils across all UK schools.

What is Known:• One quarter of the severe allergic reactions take place for the first time while at school with some of them being fatal.• School staff is ill-prepared in the management of anaphylaxis. Access to formal training is not widely available.

What is New:• School staff remains unconfident in managing the severe allergic child.Training in the management of anaphylaxis is scarce, and when available, it does not offer the required depth to cover the holistic needs of allergic pupils.• Schools would welcome generic adrenaline autoinjectors and a national policy with central funding which would describe step by step the necessary measures for the management of anaphylaxis.
The experimental study of the effectiveness of Kohonen maps and autoassociative neural networks in the qualitative analysis of multidimensional data by the example of real data describing coal susceptibility to fluidal gasification
Authors: Jamróz Dariusz 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe qualitative analysis of multidimensional data using their visualization allows to observe some characteristics of data in a way which is the most natural for a human, through the sense of sight. Thanks to such an approach, some characteristics of the analyzed data are simply visible. This allows to avoid using often complex algorithms allowing to examine specific data properties. Visualization of multidimensional data consists in using the representation transforming a multidimensional space into a two-dimensional space representing a computer screen. The important information which can be obtained in this way is the possibility to separate points belonging to different classes in the multidimensional space. Such information can be directly obtained if images of points belonging to different classes occupy other areas of the picture presenting these data. The paper presents the effectiveness of the qualitative analysis of multidimensional data conducted in this way through their visualization with the application of Kohonen maps and autoassociative neural networks. The obtained results were compared with results obtained using the perspective-based observational tunnels method, PCA, multidimensional scaling and relevance maps. Effectiveness tests of the above methods were performed using real seven-dimensional data describing coal samples in terms of their susceptibility to fluidal gasification. The methods’ effectiveness was compared using the criterion for the readability of the multidimensional visualization results, introduced in earlier papers.
Experimental investigation of the in-plane cyclic behaviour of calcium silicate brick masonry walls
Authors: Messali F. , Esposito R. , Ravenshorst G. J. P. , Rots J. G. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe material and structural performance of calcium silicate (CS) brick masonry has received relatively little attention in the past, although this material is often used for the construction of low-rise buildings in Central and Northern Europe. Upon the occurrence of induced seismicity in the north of the Netherlands, an extensive testing programme has been conducted since 2014 at Delft University of Technology. The paper presents the outcomes of eight quasi-static cyclic tests performed within this program on CS brick masonry walls under vertical and lateral in-plane loads. Different dimensions, boundary conditions and applied pre-compression loads were considered. Overall, the tests allowed to characterise the in-plane behaviour of CS brick masonry walls. The results confirmed the influence of the shear ratio (i.e. the ratio between the effective height and the length of the wall) on the wall response in terms of prevailing failure mode, initial stiffness, force and deformation capacity, energy dissipation. Besides, the experimental outcomes stressed the difficulty in estimating the effective stiffness and near collapse drift capacity. Additionally, an empirical equation is proposed to predict the peak lateral force. The equation, calibrated against the tests presented in this paper, was validated against an extended dataset of tests performed on CS masonry walls. The equation, which does not need any input of material parameters and is applicable irrespectively of the expected failure mode, can be used to estimate the force capacity of CS masonry walls when no or limited data on the material properties are available.
Hydrogel bacterial cellulose: a path to improved materials for new eco-friendly textiles
Authors: Kamiński Kamil , Jarosz Magdalena , Grudzień Joanna , Pawlik Justyna , Zastawnik Filip , Pandyra Piotr , Kołodziejczyk Agata Maria 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
In this paper, we present a novel, ecologically friendly technology for the synthesis and modification of kombucha-derived bacterial cellulose in order to produce textiles of desired physicochemical and mechanical properties. The procedure of manufacturing cellulose in the form of a stable hydrogel bacterial cellulose (HGBC) ensures the desired properties for the application of such a material, e.g., in the textile industry. Bacterial cellulose was obtained from a yeast/bacteria kombucha culture (a symbiotic consortium also known as “tea fungus” or SCOBY) that is easy and cheap to breed. The process of bacterial cellulose manufacturing and modification was optimized in order to obtain a maximum recovery of raw materials, minimal energy consumption and ensure the use of only natural and renewable resources. The obtained materials were characterized in terms of their wettability, mechanical properties, and flame resistance. Moreover, the morphology and composition of the materials were determined by using scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy, respectively. Additionally, it was proven that the HGBC materials might be used to manufacture various articles of clothing using commonly available sewing techniques, which are not adequate for non-modified cellulose-based materials. Finally, the synthesized fabrics were used as wristbands and parts of T-shirts and tested on volunteers to determine a skin-to-skin contact behaviour of the prepared fabrics. The reported results allow for confirming that the HGBC fabric may be used as a new textile and the proposed synthesis method is in accordance with the “green chemistry.”

Graphic abstract
The Lycan–Stich Argument and the Plasticity of “Belief”
Authors: Poslajko Krzysztof 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to argue against the claim that the term “belief”, as it functions in philosophical psychology, has natural-kind term semantics; this thesis is central to the famous Lycan–Stich argument against eliminative materialism. I will argue that the current debate concerning the discrepancy between the professed opinions and actions, especially the debate concerning the idea of aliefs, shows that the concept of belief is plastic and amenable to conceptual engineering. The plasticity and amenability to conceptual engineering of the concept of belief give us, in turn, a reason to doubt that “belief” functions in a way that is presupposed in the Lycan–Stich argument. Finally, I point to an alternative to both eliminativism and the natural kind view, namely the idea that we should treat belief as a human kind.