bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Challenges in approximating the Black and Scholes call formula with hyperbolic tangents
Authors: Mininni Michele , Orlando Giuseppe , Taglialatela Giovanni 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIn this paper, we introduce the concept of standardized call function and we obtain a new approximating formula for the Black and Scholes call function through the hyperbolic tangent. Differently from other solutions proposed in the literature, this formula is invertible; hence, it is useful for pricing and risk management as well as for extracting the implied volatility from quoted options. The latter is of particular importance since it indicates the risk of the underlying and it is the main component of the option’s price. That is what trading desks focus on. Further we estimate numerically the approximating error of the suggested solution and, by comparing our results in computing the implied volatility with the most common methods available in the literature, we discuss the challenges of this approach.
The efficacy and safety of pertuzumab plus trastuzumab and docetaxel as a first-line therapy in Japanese patients with inoperable or recurrent HER2-positive breast cancer: the COMACHI study
Authors: Takahashi Masato , Ohtani Shoichiro , Nagai Shigenori E. , Takashima Seiki , Yamaguchi Miki , Tsuneizumi Michiko , Komoike Yoshifumi , Osako Tomofumi , Ito Yoshinori , Ikeda Masahiko , Ishida Kazushige , Nakayama Takahiro , Takashima Tsutomu , Asakawa Takashi , Matsumoto Sho , Shimizu Daisuke , Masuda Norikazu 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Purpose
In the CLEOPATRA study of patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive recurrent or metastatic breast cancer, the Japanese patient subgroup did not demonstrate the improved progression-free survival (PFS) of pertuzumab plus trastuzumab and docetaxel vs. placebo that was seen in the overall population. Therefore, COMACHI was conducted to confirm the efficacy and safety of this treatment regimen in this patient subgroup.

Methods
This was a phase IV study of pertuzumab plus trastuzumab and docetaxel in Japanese patients with histologically/cytologically confirmed inoperable or recurrent HER2-positive breast cancer. All patients received pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and docetaxel intravenously every 3 weeks until disease progression/unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was investigator-assessed PFS. Secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS), investigator-assessed objective response rate, and duration of response (DoR). Safety was also assessed.

Results
At final analysis, median investigator-assessed PFS was 22.8 months (95% CI 16.9–37.5). From first dose, OS rate at 1 year was 97.7%; and at 2 and 3 years were 88.5% and 79.1%, respectively. Of the 118 patients with measurable disease at baseline, response rate was 83.9% (95% CI 77.3–90.5) and median investigator-assessed DoR was 26.3 months (95% CI 17.1–not evaluable). Treatment was well tolerated, with no new safety signals detected.

Conclusions
Our results suggest similar efficacy and safety for pertuzumab plus trastuzumab and docetaxel in Japanese patients compared with the overall population of CLEOPATRA, providing further support for this combination therapy as standard of care for Japanese patients with inoperable or recurrent HER2-positive breast cancer.
Is repeated pulmonary metastasectomy justified?
Authors: Forster Céline , Ojanguren Amaya , Perentes Jean Yannis , Zellweger Matthieu , Federici Sara , Krueger Thorsten , Abdelnour-Berchtold Etienne , Gonzalez Michel 
Published: September 2020

AbstractRecurrence after pulmonary metastasectomy (PM) is frequent, but it is unclear to whom repeated pulmonary metastasectomy (RPM) offers highest benefits. Retrospective analysis of oncological and post-operative outcomes of consecutive patients who underwent PM from 2003 to 2018. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free interval (DFI) were calculated. Cox regression was used to identify variables influencing OS and DFI. In total, 264 patients (female/male: 114/150; median age: 62 years) underwent PM for colorectal cancer (32%), sarcoma (19%), melanoma (16%) and other primary tumors (33%). Pulmonary metastasectomy was approached by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in 73% and pulmonary resection was realized by non-anatomical resection in 76% of cases. The overall median follow-up time was 33 months (IQR 16–56 months) and overall 5-year survival rate was 62%. Local or distant recurrences were observed in 172 patients (65%) and RPM could be performed in 66 patients (25%) for a total of 116 procedures. RPM was realized by VATS in 49% and pulmonary resection by wedge in 77% of cases. In RPM patients, the 5-year survival rate after first PM was 79%. Post-operative cardio-pulmonary complication rate (13% vs. 12%; p = 0.8) and median length of stay (4 vs. 5 days; p = 0.2) were not statistically different between first PM and RPM. Colorectal cancer (HR 0.56), metachronous metastasis (HR 0.48) and RPM (HR 0.5) were associated with better survival. In conclusion, our results suggest that RPM offers favorable survival rates without increasing post-operative morbidity.
Phase II trial of SM-88, a cancer metabolism based therapy, in non-metastatic biochemical recurrent prostate cancer
Authors: Gartrell Benjamin A. , Roach Mack , Retter Avi , Sokol Gerald H. , Del Priore Giuseppe , Scher Howard I. 
Published: September 2020

SummaryBackgroundAndrogen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a standard treatment for high-risk biochemically-recurrent, non-metastatic prostate cancer (BRPC) but is not curative and associated with toxicity. Racemetyrosine (SM-88) is an amino-acid analogue used with methoxsalen, phenytoin, and sirolimus (MPS) to enhance SM-88 activity.MethodA phase 1b/2, open-label trial in BRPC and rising PSA. Patients were given daily SM-88 (230 mg BID), methoxsalen (10 mg), phenytoin (50 mg), and sirolimus (0.5 mg)). Outcome measures included changes in PSA, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and imaging.Results34 subjects were screened, 23 treated and 21 remained on study for ≥12 weeks. The median PSA was 6.4 ng/ml (range 1.7–80.1); doubling-time 6.2 months (range 1.4–36.6) and baseline testosterone 319.1 ng/ml (range 2.5–913.7). Median duration of therapy was 6.5 months (2.6–14.0). CTCs (median 48.5 cells/4 ml (range 15–268) at baseline) decreased a median of 65.3% in 18 of 19 patients. For patients who achieved an absolute CTC nadir count of <10 cells/4 ml (n = 10), disease control was 100% i.e. no metastases or PSA progression, while on trial (p = 0.005). PSA fell by≥50% in 4.3% (1 subject). No patients developed metastatic disease while on treatment (metastases free survival =100%). There were no treatment-related adverse events (AEs) and quality of life was unchanged from baseline on the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-PR25. Testosterone levels rose slightly on SM-88 and were unrelated to efficacy or toxicity.ConclusionsUse of SM-88 was associated with disease control while maintaining QOL. SM-88 may delay the need for ADT and the associated hormonal side effects. Larger trials are planned.Trial registration number, date of registration - NCT02796898, June 13, 2016
Automated demarcation of requirements in textual specifications: a machine learning-based approach
Authors: Abualhaija Sallam , Arora Chetan , Sabetzadeh Mehrdad , Briand Lionel C. , Traynor Michael 
Published: September 2020

AbstractA simple but important task during the analysis of a textual requirements specification is to determine which statements in the specification represent requirements. In principle, by following suitable writing and markup conventions, one can provide an immediate and unequivocal demarcation of requirements at the time a specification is being developed. However, neither the presence nor a fully accurate enforcement of such conventions is guaranteed. The result is that, in many practical situations, analysts end up resorting to after-the-fact reviews for sifting requirements from other material in a requirements specification. This is both tedious and time-consuming. We propose an automated approach for demarcating requirements in free-form requirements specifications. The approach, which is based on machine learning, can be applied to a wide variety of specifications in different domains and with different writing styles. We train and evaluate our approach over an independently labeled dataset comprised of 33 industrial requirements specifications. Over this dataset, our approach yields an average precision of 81.2% and an average recall of 95.7%. Compared to simple baselines that demarcate requirements based on the presence of modal verbs and identifiers, our approach leads to an average gain of 16.4% in precision and 25.5% in recall. We collect and analyze expert feedback on the demarcations produced by our approach for industrial requirements specifications. The results indicate that experts find our approach useful and efficient in practice. We developed a prototype tool, named DemaRQ, in support of our approach. To facilitate replication, we make available to the research community this prototype tool alongside the non-proprietary portion of our training data.
An Empirical Investigation of Relevant Changes and Automation Needs in Modern Code Review
Authors: Panichella Sebastiano , Zaugg Nik 
Published: September 2020

AbstractRecent research has shown that available tools for Modern Code Review (MCR) are still far from meeting the current expectations of developers. The objective of this paper is to investigate the approaches and tools that, from a developer’s point of view, are still needed to facilitate MCR activities. To that end, we first empirically elicited a taxonomy of recurrent review change types that characterize MCR. The taxonomy was designed by performing three steps: (i) we generated an initial version of the taxonomy by qualitatively and quantitatively analyzing 211 review changes/commits and 648 review comments of ten open-source projects; then (ii) we integrated into this initial taxonomy, topics, and MCR change types of an existing taxonomy available from the literature; finally, (iii) we surveyed 52 developers to integrate eventually missing change types in the taxonomy. Results of our study highlight that the availability of new emerging development technologies (e.g., Cloud-based technologies) and practices (e.g., Continuous delivery) has pushed developers to perform additional activities during MCR and that additional types of feedback are expected by reviewers. Our participants provided recommendations, specified techniques to employ, and highlighted the data to analyze for building recommender systems able to automate the code review activities composing our taxonomy. We surveyed 14 additional participants (12 developers and 2 researchers), not involved in the previous survey, to qualitatively assess the relevance and completeness of the identified MCR change types as well as assess how critical and feasible to implement are some of the identified techniques to support MCR activities. Thus, with a study involving 21 additional developers, we qualitatively assess the feasibility and usefulness of leveraging natural language feedback (automation considered critical/feasible to implement) in supporting developers during MCR activities. In summary, this study sheds some more light on the approaches and tools that are still needed to facilitate MCR activities, confirming the feasibility and usefulness of using summarization techniques during MCR activities. We believe that the results of our work represent an essential step for meeting the expectations of developers and supporting the vision of full or partial automation in MCR.
The Significance of Value Additivity
Authors: Brown Campbell 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWhether value is “additive,” that is, whether the value of a whole must equal the sum of the values of its parts, is widely thought to have significant implications in ethics. For example, additivity rules out “organic unities,” and is presupposed by “contrast arguments.” This paper reconsiders the significance of value additivity. The main thesis defended is that it is significant only for a certain class of “mereologies”, roughly, those in which both wholes and parts are “complete”, in the sense that they can exist independently. For example, value additivity is significant in the case of a mereology of material objects, but not in the case of a mereology of propositions.
Mapping QTLs for tolerance to salt stress at the early seedling stage in rice (Oryza sativa L.) using a newly identified donor ‘Madina Koyo’
Authors: Amoah Nana Kofi Abaka , Akromah Richard , Kena Alex Wireko , Manneh Baboucarr , Dieng Ibnou , Bimpong Isaac Kofi 
Published: September 2020

AbstractSalt stress is a menace to rice production and a threat to food security worldwide. We evaluated 308 F4 families from Sahel 317/Madina Koyo for tolerance to salt stress at the early seedling stage. To better understand genomic regions controlling tolerance in the population, we genotyped the progenies and the two parents using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and regressed the genotypic data on their phenotype to detect QTLs. An average reduction of 63.4% was observed for all fitness-related traits among the F4 families. A total of 46 progenies recorded an average salt injury score (SIS) between 1–3 and were rated as tolerant to salt stress at the early seedling stage. A high-density genetic map was constructed for the 12 rice chromosomes using 3698 SNP markers. Multiple interval mapping identified 13 QTLs for SIS, shoot length, shoot dry weight and root length on chromosomes 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10 and 12, with trait increasing alleles coming from both parents. Two (qSDW2 and qRL2.2) and three (qSL2, qRL2.1 and qSIS2) QTLs at different regions on chromosome 2 and another two on chromosome 7 (qSDW7 and qSL7) were tightly linked. These QTLs could facilitate breeding for salt tolerance at the early seedling stage as direct selection for one, would mean indirectly selecting for the other. Fine mapping of these novel QTLs in a different genetic background is necessary to confirm their stability and usefulness in breeding for tolerance to salinity in rice.
Backward Stochastic Differential Equations Driven by G-Brownian Motion with Double Reflections
Authors: Li Hanwu , Song Yongsheng 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIn this paper, we study the reflected backward stochastic differential equations driven by G-Brownian motion with two reflecting obstacles, which means that the solution lies between two prescribed processes. A new kind of approximate Skorohod condition is proposed to derive the uniqueness and existence of the solutions. The uniqueness can be proved by a priori estimates and the existence is obtained via a penalization method.
Designable elements of integrative learning environments at the boundary of school and work: a multiple case study
Authors: Bouw Erica , Zitter Ilya , de Bruijn Elly 
Published: September 2020

AbstractLearning environment designs at the boundary of school and work can be characterised as integrative because they integrate features from the contexts of school and work. Many different manifestations of such integrative learning environments are found in current vocational education, both in senior secondary education and higher professional education. However, limited research has focused on how to design these learning environments and not much is known about their designable elements (i.e. the epistemic, spatial, instrumental, temporal and social elements that constitute the learning environments). The purpose of this study was to examine manifestations of two categories of integrative learning environment designs: designs based on incorporation; and designs based on hybridisation. Cross-case analysis of six cases in senior secondary vocational education and higher professional education in the Netherlands led to insights into the designable elements of both categories of designs. We report findings about the epistemic, spatial, instrumental, temporal and social elements of the studied cases. Specific characteristics of designs based on incorporation and designs based on hybridisation were identified and links between the designable elements became apparent, thus contributing to a deeper understanding of the design of learning environments that aim to connect the contexts of school and work.
Polynomials under Ornstein–Uhlenbeck noise and an application to inference in stochastic Hodgkin–Huxley systems
Authors: Höpfner Reinhard 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWe discuss estimation problems where a polynomial $$s\rightarrow \sum _{i=0}^\ell \vartheta _i s^i$$

s
→

∑

i
=
0

ℓ

ϑ
i

s
i

with strictly positive leading coefficient is observed under Ornstein–Uhlenbeck noise over a long time interval. We prove local asymptotic normality (LAN) and specify asymptotically efficient estimators. We apply this to the following problem: feeding noise $$dY_t$$

d

Y
t

into the classical (deterministic) Hodgkin–Huxley model in neuroscience, with $$Y_t=\vartheta t + X_t$$

Y
t

=
ϑ
t
+

X
t

and X some Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process with backdriving force $$\tau $$
τ
, we have asymptotically efficient estimators for the pair $$(\vartheta ,\tau )$$

(
ϑ
,
τ
)

; based on observation of the membrane potential up to time n, the estimate for $$\vartheta $$
ϑ
converges at rate $$\sqrt{n^3\,}$$

n
3

.
A Review of HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Streamlining Strategies
Authors: Siegler Aaron J. , Steehler Kevin , Sales Jessica M. , Krakower Douglas S. 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Purpose of Review
Standard care for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in the USA creates substantial burdens for patients, clinicians, and the healthcare system; to optimize uptake, there is a need for innovative strategies to streamline its provision.

Recent Findings
Our review, structured by the expanded chronic care model, identified eleven promising strategies to streamline PrEP care. Approaches ranged widely in mechanism of action. Using text messages to support care was the only strategy with clinical trial evidence supporting its use. Other modalities such as patient navigation, telemedicine PrEP models, alternate dosing availability, same-day prescription, and provider training have promising pilot or associational data and seem likely to lower barriers to entering into or remaining in care. Many of the strategies have established success in related domains such as HIV care, meriting consideration in evaluating their use for PrEP.

Summary
Making PrEP care less burdensome will be an important part of bringing it to scale. Text message interventions have proven efficacy and merit broad adoption. Encouraging preliminary evidence for other strategies indicates the importance of building a stronger evidence base to clarify the effect of each strategy. Ongoing development of an evidence base should not delay the use of these promising strategies; instead, it calls for careful consideration for how each program may best match its environment to facilitate PrEP prescribing and use.
Forests in common: Learning from diversity of community forest arrangements in Europe
Authors: Lawrence Anna , Gatto Paola , Bogataj Nevenka , Lidestav Gun 
Published: September 2020

AbstractEurope has a wealth of community forest arrangements. This paper aims to transcend the diversity of locally specific terms and forms, to highlight the value of considering them inclusively. Building on methods to make sense of diversity, we use reflexive grounded inquiry in fifteen cases in Italy, Scotland, Slovenia and Sweden. Within four dimensions (forest, community, relationships between them, and relationships with wider society), we identify 43 subdimensions to describe them collectively. Our approach shows how European arrangements contribute to wider discourses of collective natural resource management. Both tradition and innovation in Europe inform options for environmental governance. Arrangements challenge the distinction between ‘communities of place’ and ‘communities of interest’, with implications for social and environmental justice. They exemplify multilevel environmental governance through both vertical and horizontal connections. Emerging from long histories of political and environmental pressures, they have a role in enhancing society’s connection with nature and adaptive capacity.
The missing pieces for better future predictions in subarctic ecosystems: A Torneträsk case study
Authors: Pascual Didac , Åkerman Jonas , Becher Marina , Callaghan Terry V. , Christensen Torben R. , Dorrepaal Ellen , Emanuelsson Urban , Giesler Reiner , Hammarlund Dan , Hanna Edward , Hofgaard Annika , Jin Hongxiao , Johansson Cecilia , Jonasson Christer , Klaminder Jonatan , Karlsson Jan , Lundin Erik , Michelsen Anders , Olefeldt David , Persson Andreas , Phoenix Gareth K. , Rączkowska Zofia , Rinnan Riikka , Ström Lena , Tang Jing , Varner Ruth K. , Wookey Philip , Johansson Margareta 
Published: September 2020

AbstractArctic and subarctic ecosystems are experiencing substantial changes in hydrology, vegetation, permafrost conditions, and carbon cycling, in response to climatic change and other anthropogenic drivers, and these changes are likely to continue over this century. The total magnitude of these changes results from multiple interactions among these drivers. Field measurements can address the overall responses to different changing drivers, but are less capable of quantifying the interactions among them. Currently, a comprehensive assessment of the drivers of ecosystem changes, and the magnitude of their direct and indirect impacts on subarctic ecosystems, is missing. The Torneträsk area, in the Swedish subarctic, has an unrivalled history of environmental observation over 100 years, and is one of the most studied sites in the Arctic. In this study, we summarize and rank the drivers of ecosystem change in the Torneträsk area, and propose research priorities identified, by expert assessment, to improve predictions of ecosystem changes. The research priorities identified include understanding impacts on ecosystems brought on by altered frequency and intensity of winter warming events, evapotranspiration rates, rainfall, duration of snow cover and lake-ice, changed soil moisture, and droughts. This case study can help us understand the ongoing ecosystem changes occurring in the Torneträsk area, and contribute to improve predictions of future ecosystem changes at a larger scale. This understanding will provide the basis for the future mitigation and adaptation plans needed in a changing climate.
Nordic Bioeconomy Pathways: Future narratives for assessment of water-related ecosystem services in agricultural and forest management
Authors: Rakovic Jelena , Futter Martyn N. , Kyllmar Katarina , Rankinen Katri , Stutter Marc I. , Vermaat Jan , Collentine Dennis 
Published: September 2020

AbstractFurther development of the bioeconomy, the substitution of bioresources for fossil resources, will lead to an increased pressure on land and water resources in both agriculture and forestry. It is important to study whether resultant changes in land management may in turn lead to impairment of water services. This paper describes the Nordic Bioeconomy Pathways (NBPs), a set of regional sectoral storylines nested within the global Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP) framework developed to provide the BIOWATER research program with land management scenarios for projecting future developments to explore possible conflicts between land management changes and the Water Framework Directive (WFD). The NBPs are a set of narrative storylines capturing a range of plausible future trajectories for the Nordic bioeconomy until 2050 and that are fit for use within hydrological catchment modelling, ecosystem service studies and stakeholder dialogue about possible changes in agricultural and forestry management practices.