bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Short-term Safety and Quality of Life Outcomes Following Radioembolization in Primary and Secondary Liver Tumours: a Multi-centre Analysis of 200 Patients in France
Authors: Loffroy Romaric , Ronot Maxime , Greget Michel , Bouvier Antoine , Mastier Charles , Sengel Christian , Tselikas Lambros , Arnold Dirk , Maleux Geert , Pelage Jean-Pierre , Pellerin Olivier , Peynircioglu Bora , Sangro Bruno , Schaefer Niklaus , Urdániz María , Kaufmann Nathalie , Bilbao José Ignacio , Helmberger Thomas , Vilgrain Valérie ,   On behalf of the CIRT-FR Principal Investigators, Piana Gilles , Frandon Julien , Tasu Jean-Pierre , Kobeiter Hicham 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Purpose
Radioembolization has emerged as a treatment modality for patients with primary and secondary liver tumours. This observational study CIRT-FR (CIRSE Registry for SIR-Spheres Therapy in France) aims to evaluate real-life clinical practice on all patients treated with transarterial radioembolization (TARE) using SIR-Spheres yttrium-90 resin microspheres in France. In this interim analysis, safety and quality of life data are presented. Final results of the study, including secondary effectiveness outcomes, will be published later. Overall, CIRT-FR is aiming to support French authorities in the decision making on reimbursement considerations for this treatment.

Methods
Data on patients enrolled in CIRT-FR from August 2017 to October 2019 were analysed. The interim analysis describes clinical practice, baseline characteristics, safety (adverse events according to CTCTAE 4.03) and quality of life (according to EORTC QLQ C30 and HCC module) aspects after TARE.

Results
This cohort included 200 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (114), metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC; 38) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (33) amongst others (15). TARE was predominantly assigned as a palliative treatment (79%). 12% of patients experienced at least one adverse event in the 30 days following treatment; 30-day mortality was 1%. Overall, global health score remained stable between baseline (66.7%), treatment (62.5%) and the first follow-up (66.7%).

Conclusion
This interim analysis demonstrates that data regarding safety and quality of life generated by randomised-controlled trials is reflected when assessing the real-world application of TARE.

Trial Registration
Clinical Trials.gov NCT03256994.
PFASST-ER: combining the parallel full approximation scheme in space and time with parallelization across the method
Authors: Schöbel Ruth , Speck Robert 
Published: September 2020

AbstractTo extend prevailing scaling limits when solving time-dependent partial differential equations, the parallel full approximation scheme in space and time (PFASST) has been shown to be a promising parallel-in-time integrator. Similar to space–time multigrid, PFASST is able to compute multiple time-steps simultaneously and is therefore in particular suitable for large-scale applications on high performance computing systems. In this work we couple PFASST with a parallel spectral deferred correction (SDC) method, forming an unprecedented doubly time-parallel integrator. While PFASST provides global, large-scale “parallelization across the step”, the inner parallel SDC method allows integrating each individual time-step “parallel across the method” using a diagonalized local Quasi-Newton solver. This new method, which we call “PFASST with Enhanced concuRrency” (PFASST-ER), therefore exposes even more temporal concurrency. For two challenging nonlinear reaction-diffusion problems, we show that PFASST-ER works more efficiently than the classical variants of PFASST and can use more processors than time-steps.
Ambulante Entlassung aus der Notfallstation
Authors: Exadaktylos A. , Srivastava D. 
Published: September 2020

ZusammenfassungDie Entlassung aus der Notfallstation in die ambulante Weiterbehandlung stellt den größten Teil des „outflow“ aus den Notfallstationen dar. Um die steigende Anzahl der Patienten sicher in die ambulante Betreuung zu entlassen, sollte der Entlassungsprozess ebenso wie Diagnostik und Therapie einen Platz im Behandlungsplan einnehmen. Werden die Maßnahmen zur Sicherung einer guten Kommunikation und Instruktion der Patienten vor der Entlassung richtig umgesetzt, können Patientensicherheit und medizinisches Outcome verbessert werden. Diese Strategie unterstützt eine patientenzentrierte Behandlung und reduziert oftmals eine ungeplante Wiedervorstellung und folglich Gesundheitskosten. Der nachfolgende Text basiert auf der Veröffentlichung „Improving the emergency department discharge process: environmental scan report“ des Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality an der der Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine für die Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality in den Vereinigten Staaten. Hier werden Begriffe definiert, die eine qualitativ hochwertige Entlassung ausmachen; welche Risikofaktoren eine qualitativ schlechte Entlassung verursachen können und welche Maßnahmen die Qualität der Entlassung erhöhen. Natürlich sollte man dabei die Unterschiede im Setting und im Gesundheitssystem sowie der Notfallstationen bedenken und an die eigenen Gegebenheiten anpassen.
Global assessment of C-reactive protein and health-related outcomes: an umbrella review of evidence from observational studies and Mendelian randomization studies
Authors: Markozannes Georgios , Koutsioumpa Charalampia , Cividini Sofia , Monori Grace , Tsilidis Konstantinos K. , Kretsavos Nikolaos , Theodoratou Evropi , Gill Dipender , Ioannidis John PA , Tzoulaki Ioanna 
Published: September 2020

AbstractC-reactive protein (CRP) has been studied extensively for association with a large number of non-infectious diseases and outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the breadth and validity of associations between CRP and non-infectious, chronic health outcomes and biomarkers. We conducted an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses and a systematic review of Mendelian randomization (MR) studies. PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were systematically searched from inception up to March 2019. Meta-analyses of observational studies and MR studies examining associations between CRP and health outcomes were identified, excluding studies on the diagnostic value of CRP for infections. We found 113 meta-analytic comparisons of observational studies and 196 MR analyses, covering a wide range of outcomes. The overwhelming majority of the meta-analyses of observational studies reported a nominally statistically significant result (95/113, 84.1%); however, the majority of the meta-analyses displayed substantial heterogeneity (47.8%), small study effects (39.8%) or excess significance (41.6%). Only two outcomes, cardiovascular mortality and venous thromboembolism, showed convincing evidence of association with CRP levels. When examining the MR literature, we found MR studies for 53/113 outcomes examined in the observational study meta-analyses but substantial support for a causal association with CRP was not observed for any phenotype. Despite the striking amount of research on CRP, convincing evidence for associations and causal effects is remarkably limited.
Classical Logic with n Truth Values as a Symmetric Many-Valued Logic
Authors: Salibra A. , Bucciarelli A. , Ledda A. , Paoli F. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWe introduce Boolean-like algebras of dimension n ($$n{\mathrm {BA}}$$

n
BA

s) having n constants $${{{\mathsf {e}}}}_1,\ldots ,{{{\mathsf {e}}}}_n$$

e
1

,
…
,

e
n

, and an $$(n+1)$$

(
n
+
1
)

-ary operation q (a “generalised if-then-else”) that induces a decomposition of the algebra into n factors through the so-called n-central elements. Varieties of $$n{\mathrm {BA}}$$

n
BA

s share many remarkable properties with the variety of Boolean algebras and with primal varieties. The $$n{\mathrm {BA}}$$

n
BA

s provide the algebraic framework for generalising the classical propositional calculus to the case of n–perfectly symmetric–truth-values. Every finite-valued tabular logic can be embedded into such a n-valued propositional logic, $$n{\mathrm {CL}}$$

n
CL

, and this embedding preserves validity. We define a confluent and terminating first-order rewriting system for deciding validity in $$n{\mathrm {CL}}$$

n
CL

, and, via the embeddings, in all the finite tabular logics.
Avoiding taxes: banks’ use of internal debt
Authors: Reiter Franz , Langenmayr Dominika , Holtmann Svea 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis paper investigates how multinational banks use internal debt to shift profits to low-taxed affiliates.
Using regulatory data on multinational banks headquartered in Germany, we show that banks use this tax avoidance channel more aggressively than non-financial multinationals do. We find that a ten percentage points higher corporate tax rate increases the internal net debt ratio by 5.7 percentage points, corresponding to a 20% increase at the mean. Our study also takes into account the existence of conduit entities, which simply pass through financial flows. If conduit entities are systematically located in low-tax countries, previous studies may have underestimated the extent of debt shifting.
Existence of Solutions for Implicit Obstacle Problems of Fractional Laplacian Type Involving Set-Valued Operators
Authors: Motreanu Dumitru , Nguyen Van Thien , Zeng Shengda 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe paper is devoted to a new kind of implicit obstacle problem given by a fractional Laplacian-type operator and a set-valued term, which is described by a generalized gradient. An existence theorem for the considered implicit obstacle problem is established, using a surjectivity theorem for set-valued mappings, Kluge’s fixed point principle and nonsmooth analysis.
PRRT: identikit of the perfect patient
Authors: Albertelli M. , Dotto A. , Di Dato C. , Malandrino P. , Modica R. , Versari A. , Colao A. , Ferone D. , Faggiano A. ,   on behalf of NIKE
Published: September 2020

AbstractPeptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) has been strengthened since the publication of NETTER-1. Nevertheless, the correct positioning in the therapeutic algorithm is debated, and no optimal sequence has yet been standardized. Possible criteria to predict the response to PRRT in neuroendocrine tumors (NET) have been proposed. The aim of this review is to define the perfect identity of the eligible patient who can mostly benefit from this therapy. Possible predictive criteria which have been analysed were: primary tumor site, grading, tumor burden, FDG PET and 68Ga-PET uptake. Primary tumor site and 68Ga-PET uptake do not play a pivotal role in predicting the response, while tumor burden, FDG PET uptake and grading seem to represent predictive/prognostic factors for response to PRRT. The heterogeneity in trial designs, patient populations, type of radionuclides, previous therapies and measurement of outcomes, inevitably limits the strength of our conclusions, therefore care must be taken in applying these results to clinical practice. In conclusion, the perfect patient, selected by 68Ga-PET uptake, will likely have a relatively limited liver tumor burden, a ki67 index <20% and will respond to PRRT irrespective to primary tumor. Nevertheless, we have mostly prognostic than predictive factors to predict the efficacy of PRRT in individual patients, while a promising tool could be the NETest. However, to date, the identikit of the perfect patient for PRRT is a puzzle without some pieces and still we cannot disregard a multidisciplinary discussion of the individual case to select the patients who will mostly benefit from PRRT.
Transformative dimensions of lifelong learning: Mezirow, Rorty and COVID-19
Authors: Eschenbacher Saskia , Fleming Ted 
Published: September 2020

AbstractCOVID-19 has done significant damage to individuals, families, workers and the economy. What is not known about the virus is part of the problem, and the knowledge gap drives an unprecedented and urgent search for knowledge. This article explores the challenges for lifelong learning and the relevance of transformative learning. Disorientation, disorienting dilemmas and critical reflection are the ingredients of such learning, since we can only learn our way out of this situation. The authors present American adult educator Jack Mezirow’s theory of transformative learning (TL) as an appropriate learning framework for lifelong learning. They draw on the work of American philosopher Richard Rorty and German philosopher and sociologist Jürgen Habermas to re-shape TL so that it supports the kind of learning that is sufficiently complex and nuanced to enable us to deal with contradictions, ambivalence and meaning-making in a world where not-knowing is the new normal.
Oil sludge washing with surfactants and co-solvents: oil recovery from different types of oil sludges
Authors: Ramirez Diego , Shaw Liz J. , Collins Chris D. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractDifferent physicochemical and biological treatments have been used to treat oil sludges, and oil recovery techniques are preferred such as oil sludge washing (OSW) with surfactants and co-solvents. Toluene is commonly used as co-solvent, but it is non-benign to the environment. This study tested alternative co-solvents (n-pentane, n-hexane, cyclohexane, and isooctane) at 1:1 and 2:1 C/OS (co-solvent to oil sludge ratio). Also, this study evaluated the effect on the oil recovery rate (ORR) of three main parameters in the washing: type, concentration, and application ratio (S/OS) of surfactants to oil sludges. To date, no study has assessed these parameters in the washing of oil sludges from different sources. Four types of oil sludges and five surfactants (Triton X-100 and X-114, Tween 80, sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), and rhamnolipid) were used. The results showed that cyclohexane had high ORR and could be used instead of toluene because it is more benign to the environment. The S/OS ratio had a high effect on the ORR and depended on the type of oil sludge. Rhamnolipid, Triton X-100, and Triton X-114 had the highest oil recovery rates (40 – 70%). In addition, it was found that the surfactant concentration had no effect on the ORR. Consequently, the addition of surfactant was not significantly different compared to the washing with no surfactants, except for one sludge. The use of the surfactant in the washing solution can help in the selective extraction of specific oil hydrocarbon fractions in the recovered oil to assess its potential reuse as fuel. Further recommendations were given to improve the OSW process.
Distal triceps tendinopathies
Authors: Lappen Sebastian , Geyer Stephanie , Scheiderer Bastian , Macken Craig , Mazzocca Augustus D. , Imhoff Andreas B. , Siebenlist Sebastian 
Published: September 2020

AbstractTendinopathy of the distal triceps represents a rare pathology in the upper extremity. Although there is scant scientific evidence published to date, the association with risk factors such as internal diseases or steroid use is commonly described in various reports. Due to traumatic incidents or sporting overuse, partial or complete ruptures can occur. Clinically, stress-related posterior elbow pain, swelling, ecchymosis, loss of strength in extension, and a palpable gap in the tendon can be seen. Physical examination shows reduced extension force and increasing pain with forced extension against resistance. Tendinopathies and resulting partial or complete ruptures can be detected by ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. Conservative therapy with temporary immobilization is recommended for tendinopathies or minor ruptures of the triceps tendon. Complete ruptures or larger partial ruptures should be treated surgically with anatomical refixation of the tendon.
Biomarkers of Neurological Outcome After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage as Early Predictors at Discharge from an Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Kedziora Jaroslaw , Burzynska Malgorzata , Gozdzik Waldemar , Kübler Andrzej , Kobylinska Katarzyna , Adamik Barbara 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Subarachnoid bleeding is associated with brain injuries and ranges from almost negligible to acute and life threatening. The main objectives were to study changes in brain-specific biomarker levels in patients after an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) in relation to early clinical findings, severity scores, and intensive care unit (ICU) outcome. Analysis was done to identify specific biomarkers as predictors of a bad outcome in the acute treatment phase.

Methods
Analysis was performed for the proteins of neurofilament, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT), and for the proteins of glial cells, S100B, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Outcomes were assessed at discharge from the ICU and analyzed based on the grade in the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Patients were classified into two groups: with a good outcome (Group 1: GOS IV–V, n = 24) and with a bad outcome (Group 2: GOS I–III, n = 31). Blood samples were taken upon admission to the ICU and afterward daily for up to 6 days.

Results
In Group 1, the level of S100B (1.0, 0.9, 0.7, 2.0, 1.0, 0.3 ng/mL) and NSE (1.5, 2.0, 1.6, 1.2, 16.6, 2.2 ng/mL) was significantly lower than in Group 2 (S100B: 4.7, 4.8, 4.4, 4.5, 6.6, 6.8 ng/mL; NSE: 4.0, 4.1, 4.3, 3.8, 4.4, 2.5 1.1 ng/mL) on day 1–6, respectively. MAPT was significantly lower only on the first and second day (83.2 ± 25.1, 132.7 ± 88.1 pg/mL in Group 1 vs. 625.0 ± 250.7, 616.4 ± 391.6 pg/mL in Group 2). GFAP was elevated in both groups from day 1 to 6. In the ROC analysis, S100B showed the highest ability to predict bad ICU outcome of the four biomarkers measured on admission [area under the curve (AUC) 0.81; 95% CI 0.67–0.94, p < 0.001]. NSE and MAPT also had significant predictive value (AUC 0.71; 95% CI 0.54–0.87, p = 0.01; AUC 0.74; 95% CI 0.55–0.92, p = 0.01, respectively). A strong negative correlation between the GOS and S100B and the GOS and NSE was recorded on days 1–5, and between the GOS and MAPT on day 1.

Conclusion
Our findings provide evidence that brain biomarkers such as S100B, NSE, GFAP, and MAPT increase significantly in patients following aSAH. There is a direct relationship between the neurological outcome in the acute treatment phase and the levels of S100B, NSE, and MAPT. The detection of brain-specific biomarkers in conjunction with clinical data may constitute a valuable diagnostic and prognostic tool in the early phase of aSAH treatment.
Impact of SO42−, Ca2+, and Mg2+ ions in Caspian Sea ion-engineered water on the rate of wettability alteration in carbonates
Authors: Bazhanova Meruyet , Pourafshary Peyman 
Published: September 2020

AbstractTuning the salinity and concentration of potential-determining ions, such as Mg2+, Ca2+, and SO42−, could alter the wettability toward a more water-wet state. The rate of alteration in carbonate rock wettability is a critical parameter to design the duration of the ion-engineered water flooding. Characteristic experiments, such as dynamic contact angle and pH measurements, ion chromatography, and spontaneous imbibition, are applied to study the rate of wettability alteration using different samples of ion-engineered water. Our study shows that the Caspian Sea water (CSW) with a salinity of 15,000 ppm is an efficient displacing fluid as it can initiate the multi-ion exchange (MIE) mechanism and alter the wettability from 86° to 35° within 2 d. The adjustment of salinity and active ion concentration makes the MIE mechanism much faster. For example, with five times diluted CSW, the same change in wettability is only achieved only within 9 h. Spiking the concentration of Ca2+ and SO42− ions is used to further shift the contact angle to 22° within 9 h. Spontaneous imbibition tests demonstrate that the rate of oil production doubles as a result of the ion-engineered brine due to the faster MIE process. The results obtained from this research work suggest that even a short period of interaction with optimized engineered water can affect the brine, oil, and carbonates interactions and change the reservoir rock initial wettability from neutral to strongly water-wet state. This allows to efficiently design engineered water flooding based on CSW in the field scale and make such projects more profitable.
Gender Discrimination and Excess Female Under-5 Mortality in India: A New Perspective Using Mixed-Sex Twins
Authors: Kashyap Ridhi , Behrman Julia 
Published: September 2020

AbstractSon preference has been linked to excess female under-5 mortality in India, and considerable literature has explored whether parents invest more resources in sons relative to daughters—which we refer to as explicit discrimination—leading to girls’ poorer health status and, consequently, higher mortality. However, this literature has not adequately controlled for the implicit discrimination processes that sort girls into different types of families (e.g., larger) and at earlier parities. To better address the endogeneity associated with implicit discrimination processes, we explore the association between child sex and postneonatal under-5 mortality using a sample of mixed-sex twins from four waves of the Indian National Family Health Survey. Mixed-sex twins provide a natural experiment that exogenously assigns a boy and a girl to families at the same time, thus controlling for selectivity into having an unwanted female child. We document a sizable impact of explicit discrimination on girls’ excess mortality in India, particularly compared with a placebo analysis in sub-Saharan Africa, where girls have a survival advantage. We also show that explicit discrimination weakened for birth cohorts after the mid-1990s, especially in northern India, but further weakening has stalled since the mid-2000s, thus contributing to understandings of how the micro-processes underlying the female mortality disadvantage have changed over time.
Appointee vacancies in US executive branch agencies
Authors: Resh William G. , Hollibaugh Gary E. , Roberts Patrick S. , Dull Matthew M. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWe analyse United States presidential appointee positions subject to Senate confirmation without a confirmed appointee in office. These “vacant” positions are byproducts of American constitutional design, shaped by the interplay of institutional politics. Using a novel dataset, we analyse appointee vacancies across executive branch departments and single-headed agencies from 1989 to 2013. We develop a theoretical model that uncovers the dynamics of vacancy onset and length. We then specify an empirical model and report results highlighting both position and principal–agent relations as critical to the politics of appointee vacancies. Conditional on high status positions reducing the frequency and duration of vacancies, we find important principal–agent considerations from a separation of powers perspective. Appointee positions in agencies ideologically divergent from the relevant Senate committee chair are vacant for less time than in ideologically proximal agencies. Importantly, this relationship strengthens as agency ideology diverges away from the chair and towards the chair’s party extreme.