bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Treatable, motor‐sensory, axonal neuropathies with C5b‐9 complement on endoneurial microvessels
Authors: Trikamji Bhavesh , Pestronk Alan 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIntroductionIdentification and treatment of immune‐mediated polyneuropathies may lead to improved strength and function. We studied the clinical and laboratory features, and treatment response, in patients with motor‐sensory axonal polyneuropathies who were found to have C5b‐9 complement staining on endoneurial microvessels.MethodsRetrospective review of 16 consecutive adults with motor‐sensory axonal polyneuropathies who were then found to have C5b‐9 staining of endoneurial microvessels on nerve biopsy, and subsequently treated with intravenous corticosteroids (1 g methylprednisolone for 5 consecutive days, and then weekly). Strength measurements were done using quantitative handheld dynamometry. Nerve biopsy analysis included frozen and fixed tissue.ResultsPatients (mean onset age, 59 ± 4 years; range, 34‐83 years; 12 of 16 were males; 9 of 16 had diabetes) had progressive (median duration, 2 years), asymmetric, distal weakness, in the lower extremities (16 of 16) and/or upper extremities (7 of 16), and panmodal sensory loss. Electrodiagnostic studies showed axon loss. Nerve pathology showed abnormal C5b‐9 staining on endoneurial microvessels. Axon loss was present in all nerves, often varied among fascicles. Inflammation was uncommon. Distal strength usually improved (mean improvement of 34 ± 6% of normal strength; P = .0003) with corticosteroid treatment.DiscussionMotor‐sensory axonal polyneuropathies having noninflammatory, humoral immune pathology with C5b‐9 staining of endoneurial microvessels (HIEM) frequently manifest progressive asymmetric, distal, lower extremity with or without upper extremity weakness that improves rapidly during corticosteroid treatment. HIEM may represent a new class of noninflammatory‐vasculopathic, treatable axonal motor‐sensory neuropathies.
Research for a three‐level T‐type grid‐connected converter based on the simplified three‐level SVPWM modulation scheme and neutral‐point potential balancing
Authors: Wang Hanwei , Zhang Hui 
Published: December 2020

ABSTRACTT‐type pulse width modulation controlled three‐level circuit is the mainstream topology in current medium power distributed PV inverters, charging station and active power filter system with the advantages of high equivalent switching frequency, high efficiency, small filter inductance and small grid current harmonic. Aiming at the inherent problems of midpoint voltage fluctuation and complex of the traditional three‐level space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) scheme of a three‐level T‐type rectifier, a new equivalent method of SVPWM strategy used in three‐level converter based on acting time equivalence was proposed, which needs no trigonometric function, irrational operation, and complex coordinate transformation. By the means of rotating the target vector in other sectors to the first sector, the dwell time of vectors can be calculated by the unified formula, and the formula for calculating the dwell time is deduced based on two levels SVM. Then, the control problems of the neutral‐point voltage balance in T‐type three‐level converter topology are analyzed and studied. Through the PI control of electric charge of one capacitor, the neutral‐point voltage can be kept to be half of the DC supply voltage stably. To verify the correctness and effectiveness of the proposed control strategy, a complete simulation model and experimental prototype platform under the digital control is established. The results show that the implementation of this method is very simple and it could decrease calculation error and keep the neutral point potential balance, which makes the results more accurate. © 2020 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Item response theory and its applications in educational measurement Part II: Theory and practices of test equating in item response theory
Authors: Hori Kazuki , Fukuhara Hirotaka , Yamada Tsuyoshi 
Published: December 2020

AbstractItem response theory (IRT) is a class of latent variable models, which are used to develop educational and psychological tests (e.g., standardized tests, personality tests, tests for licensure and certification). We offer readers with comprehensive overviews of the theory and applications of IRT through two articles. While Part 1 of the review discusses topics such as foundations of educational measurement, IRT models, item parameter estimation, and applications of IRT with R, this Part 2 reviews areas of test scores based on IRT. The primary focus is on presenting various topics with respect to test equating such as equating designs, IRT‐based equating methods, anchor stability check methods, and impact data analysis that psychometricians would deal with for a large‐scale standardized assessment in practice. These analyses are illustrated in Example section using data from Kolen and Brennan (2014). We also cover the foundation of IRT, IRT‐based person ability parameter estimation methods, and scaling and scale score.This article is categorized under:
Applications of Computational Statistics > Psychometrics
Software for Computational Statistics > Software/Statistical Software
A new nomogram to predict the need for tracheostomy in burned patients
Authors: Janik Stefan , Grasl Stefan , Yildiz Erdem , Besser Gerold , Kliman Jonathan , Hacker Philipp , Frommlet Florian , Fochtmann-Frana Alexandra , Erovic Boban M. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Purpose
To evaluate the impact of tracheostomy on complications, dysphagia and outcome in second and third degree burned patients.

Methods
Inpatient mortality, dysphagia, severity of burn injury (ABSI, TBSA) and complications in tracheotomized burn patients were compared to (I) non-tracheotomized burn patients and (II) matched tracheotomized non-burn patients.

Results
134 (30.9%) out of 433 patients who underwent tracheostomy, had a significantly higher percentage of inhalation injury (26.1% vs. 7.0%; p < 0.001), higher ABSI (8.9 ± 2.1 vs. 6.0 ± 2.7; p < 0.001) and TBSA score (41.4 ± 19.7% vs. 18.6 ± 18.8%; p < 0.001) compared to 299 non-tracheotomized burn patients. However, complications occurred equally in tracheotomized burn patients and matched controls and tracheostomy was neither linked to dysphagia nor to inpatient mortality at multivariate analysis. In particular, dysphagia occurred in 6.2% of cases and was significantly linked to length of ICU stay (OR 6.2; p = 0.021), preexisting neurocognitive impairments (OR 5.2; p = 0.001) and patients’ age (OR 3.4; p = 0.046). A nomogram was calculated based on age, TBSA and inhalation injury predicting the need for a tracheostomy in severely burned patients.

Conclusion
Using the new nomogram we were able to predict with significantly higher accuracy the need for tracheostomy in severely burned patients. Moreover, tracheostomy is safe and is not associated with higher incidenc of complications, dysphagia or worse outcome.
Okzipitallappenepilepsie und Parietallappenepilepsie – eine Maskerade
Authors: Gröppel Gudrun , von Oertzen Tim J. 
Published: December 2020

ZusammenfassungWir berichten über ein 7‑jähriges Mädchen mit therapierefraktärer Okzipitallappenepilepsie, welche zu Beginn als Migräne fehlinterpretiert wurde. In weiterer Folge diskutieren wir die klinische Semiologie, die Elektrophysiologie und die Bildgebung v. a. im Hinblick auf die Differenzialdiagnose zur Parietallappenepilepsie.
Systemic cell therapy for muscular dystrophies
Authors: Ausems C. Rosanne M. , van Engelen Baziel G.M. , van Bokhoven Hans , Wansink Derick G. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe intrinsic regenerative capacity of skeletal muscle makes it an excellent target for cell therapy. However, the potential of muscle tissue to renew is typically exhausted and insufficient in muscular dystrophies (MDs), a large group of heterogeneous genetic disorders showing progressive loss of skeletal muscle fibers. Cell therapy for MDs has to rely on suppletion with donor cells with high myogenic regenerative capacity. Here, we provide an overview on stem cell lineages employed for strategies in MDs, with a focus on adult stem cells and progenitor cells resident in skeletal muscle. In the early days, the potential of myoblasts and satellite cells was explored, but after disappointing clinical results the field moved to other muscle progenitor cells, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Most recently, mesoangioblasts and pericytes have been pursued for muscle cell therapy, leading to a handful of preclinical studies and a clinical trial. The current status of (pre)clinical work for the most common forms of MD illustrates the existing challenges and bottlenecks. Besides the intrinsic properties of transplantable cells, we discuss issues relating to cell expansion and cell viability after transplantation, optimal dosage, and route and timing of administration. Since MDs are genetic conditions, autologous cell therapy and gene therapy will need to go hand-in-hand, bringing in additional complications. Finally, we discuss determinants for optimization of future clinical trials for muscle cell therapy. Joined research efforts bring hope that effective therapies for MDs are on the horizon to fulfil the unmet clinical need in patients.
Graphical abstract
Der Einsatz autonomer Waffensysteme aus psychologischer Perspektive
Authors: Schaub Harald 
Published: December 2020

ZusammenfassungNeue Einsatzbedingungen gekoppelt mit der Einführung neuer, smarter und autonomer Technologien bedürfen ein neues Denken für den Einsatz militärischen Personals und der Berücksichtigung der psychologischen Aspekte autonomer Führungs- und Wirksysteme. Die technologiedominierten Denkmuster der Einsatzplanung und -führung müssen durch einen Ansatz ersetzt werden, der den handelnden militärischen Führer als ein systemisches Element einer intelligenten und smarten Einsatzführung begreift.
Slag Chemistry and Behavior of Nickel and Tin in Black Copper Smelting with Alumina and Magnesia-Containing Slags
Authors: Dańczak Anna , Klemettinen Lassi , O’Brien Hugh , Taskinen Pekka , Lindberg Daniel , Jokilaakso Ari 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe global amount of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is growing fast. Non-ferrous metals represent a large portion of this waste, and they can be potentially recovered via black copper smelting. Alumina and magnesia, originating from the e-waste or fluxes, can be present in the feed of a secondary copper smelter in varying concentrations. Our study focuses on the impact of MgO on the slag chemistry of high-alumina iron silicate slags. The distributions of tin and nickel as minor elements were also investigated and compared with literature data. The equilibrium study was performed at 1300 °C in reducing conditions. Three different slag mixtures with 0, 3, and 6 wt% MgO were used in the study. The MgO addition significantly reduced the solubility of alumina in the slag and changed the primary spinel phase composition. The combined effects of increasing MgO and decreasing Al2O3 concentration in the slag regarding the distribution of tin were noticeable, i.e., its deportment to metal phase increased, but for nickel the effect was negligible. Theoretical calculations were performed for estimating the isolated effect of MgO on the distributions and they confirmed the beneficial effect on the behavior of tin but showed no impact for nickel.
Graphical Abstract
A new percussion hammer mechanism for a borehole deployable subglacial sediment corer
Authors: Makinson Keith , Ashurst Daniel , Anker Paul G. D. , Smith James A. , Hodgson Dominic A. , Davis Peter E. D. , Smith Andrew M. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractSubglacial sediments have the potential to reveal information about the controls on glacier flow, changes in ice-sheet history and characterise life in those environments. Retrieving sediments from beneath the ice, through hot water drilled access holes at remote field locations, present many challenges. Motivated by the need to minimise weight, corer diameter and simplify assembly and operation, British Antarctic Survey, in collaboration with UWITEC, developed a simple mechanical percussion corer. At depths over 1000 m however, manual operation of the percussion hammer is compromised by the lack of clear operator feedback at the surface. To address this, we present a new auto-release-recovery percussion hammer mechanism that makes coring operations depth independent and improves hammer efficiency. Using a single rope tether for both the corer and hammer operation, this modified percussion corer is relatively simple to operate, easy to maintain, and has successfully operated at a depth of >2130 m.
Lessons learned from the reimbursement policy for immune checkpoint inhibitors and real-world data collection in Taiwan
Authors: Huang Li Ying , Gau Churn-Shiouh 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
This paper describes the reimbursement policy for immune checkpoint inhibitors in Taiwan and provides a perspective to improve the quality, consistency, and transparency of decision making. Global trends for cancer treatment have shifted from chemotherapies to targeted therapies and immuno-oncology (IO) medicine, leading to significant increases in treatment costs. To enhance the accessibility of advanced therapy, the Taiwan National Health Insurance Administration announced two pathways for high-cost medicine: the managed entry agreement and a set of general rules of reimbursement submission for high-cost drugs. To further manage the financial burden on Taiwan's national health insurance system, the policy makers introduced novel inhibitory drugs for cancer immune checkpoints, subject to a maximum annual budget of NT$800 million (≈US$26.7 million). In April 2019, a national registry was established for patients undergoing cancer immunotherapy. Clinical characteristics, treatment duration, toxicity, and the outcome of the postcheckpoint inhibitor treatments were recorded. By analyzing real-world data, we assess the therapeutic effect of IO treatment in Taiwanese patients, thereby enabling payers to adjust payment regulations and rules for reimbursement. The Health Technology Assessment Team plays an important role in drawing upon the evidence to support policy making. Under an implemented cost-management mechanism, Taiwan's high-cost drug policy has enabled patients to access new medicines and maximized patient benefits.
BOUNDARY THINGS IN THE EASTERN MAYA LOWLANDS: NEGOTIATING ALLIED RELATIONS FROM TERMINAL CLASSIC TO POSTCLASSIC TIMES
Authors: Harrison-Buck Eleanor , Pugh Timothy W. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn this study, we offer a relational approach to theorizing boundaries for the Maya, adapting Mills’ (2018) concept of “boundary objects” as a means of understanding how people and things bridge or cross boundaries and were critical for developing and maintaining allied relations. We trace a network of sites on both sides of the Guatemala–Belize border dating to the Terminal Classic and Postclassic, which are generally characterized as times of increased conflict, movement and migration of people, and disruption in dynastic succession with an emphasis on shared governance. We examine the introduction of northern-style traits in the eastern Maya lowlands during the Terminal Classic and Postclassic periods, including circular and colonnaded buildings and distinctive portable goods such as molded-carved ceramics, phallic and turtle effigies, and other material forms. We suggest that during fractious periods in Maya history, northern traits were implicated in boundary crossing negotiations and entangled relations, which included marriage alliances with “foreigners” as a means of elite legitimation.
Cultural adaptations of cognitive behavioural therapy for Latin American patients: unexpected findings from a systematic review
Authors: Hernandez Hernandez Maria Elena , Waller Glenn , Hardy Gillian 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe current literature extensively recommends making cultural adaptations to psychological therapies, in order to address the differences in values, beliefs and attitudes that patients from different ethnic groups might hold. Although this approach has shown positive outcomes in some settings, it is not well established yet whether such adaptations are needed for all therapies and in all cultures. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to systematically review the literature regarding culturally adapted and ‘conventional’ cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for Latin American patients, within Latin American and non-Latin American countries. Sixty empirical studies regarding the effectiveness of culturally adapted and conventional CBT were included in this review. The included studies were carried out in Latin American and non-Latin American countries. The information from all studies was synthesized and assessed, including intervention effect sizes, patient retention rates, methodological quality of the papers, and the type of cultural adaptation made to the therapy. There were no differences between the sets of studies in terms of effectiveness, retention rates, methodological quality, or proportion of statistically significant interventions. Most of the cultural adaptations were peripheral or unspecified. The evidence to date indicates that both conventional and culturally adapted CBT offer the same benefits for Latin American patients in terms of effectiveness and retention rates. Rather than focusing on cultural adaptations, clinicians are encouraged to improve the way they deliver CBT through training and supervision.Key learning aims(1)Cultural adaptations of CBT do not seem to offer any significant benefits to conventional, non-adapted CBT in Latin American patients.(2)Most of the adaptations made to CBT for Latin American patients are either peripheral or not disclosed.(3)We discuss the implications of adapting CBT for Latin American patients when there is no apparent need to do so.
Responses of Thermospheric Mass Densities to the October 2016 and September 2017 Geomagnetic Storms Revealed From Multiple Satellite Observations
Authors: Li Ruoxi , Lei Jiuhou 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn this study, the thermospheric mass densities based on satellite Precise Orbit Determination (POD) data from Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE), Swarm‐A, and Swarm‐B were used to explore the thermospheric variations in response to the October 2016 and September 2017 geomagnetic storms which occurred around the equinox. Two of the three satellites were nearly coplanar and the third one flew at a separated orbital plane. Based on the nearly coplanar observations of GRACE and Swarm, the thermospheric mass densities showed different hemispheric asymmetries depending on altitudes. The observations from different local times (LTs) revealed that the density enhancements were similar between the two hemispheres when the LTs were 8–10/20–22 LTs. However, the enhancements were stronger in the southern hemisphere than those in the northern hemisphere at around 16 LT. Moreover, the density enhancements at low latitudes underwent significant day‐night variation as the daytime densities at low latitudes increased more rapidly and strongly than the nightside. Our results demonstrated that the satellite POD data could be used to retrieve high‐cadence thermospheric density to study the variations of the upper atmosphere.
Low-flux scanning electron diffraction reveals substructures inside the ordered membrane domain
Authors: Kinoshita Masanao , Yamaguchi Shimpei , Matsumori Nobuaki 
Published: December 2020

AbstractOrdered/disordered phase separation occurring in bio-membranes has piqued researchers’ interest because these ordered domains, called lipid rafts, regulate important biological functions. The structure of the ordered domain has been examined with artificial membranes, which undergo macroscopic ordered/disordered phase separation. However, owing to technical difficulties, the local structure inside ordered domains remains unknown. In this study, we employed electron diffraction to examine the packing structure of the lipid carbon chains in the ordered domain. First, we prepared dehydrated monolayer samples using a rapid-freezing and sublimation protocol, which attenuates the shrinkage of the chain-packing lattice in the dehydration process. Then, we optimised the electron flux to minimise beam damage to the monolayer sample. Finally, we developed low-flux scanning electron diffraction and assessed the chain packing structure inside the ordered domain formed in a distearoylphosphatidylcholine/dioleoylphosphatidylcholine binary monolayer. Consequently, we discovered that the ordered domain contains multiple subdomains with different crystallographic axes. Moreover, the size of the subdomain is larger in the domain centre than that near the phase boundary. To our knowledge, this is the first study to reveal the chain packing structures inside an ordered domain.
Connectivity-based time centrality in time-varying graphs
Authors: Cludia Ana , de Souza M. , Vieira Alex Borges , Wehmuth Klaus , Ziviani Artur 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Time-varying graphs (TVGs) enable the study and understanding of the dynamics of many real-world networked systems. The notion of centrality in TVG scenarios generally refers to metrics that assess the relative importance of nodes over time in the evolution of a complex dynamic network. In contrast, the notion of Time Centrality, which evaluates the relative importance of time instants in dynamic complex networks, is still little explored. Indeed, the few works on Time Centrality base their findings on the study of diffusion processes, for example, identifying the best time instant to start the dissemination of a message envisaging a more efficient diffusion given the expected network dynamics. In contrast, in this work, we study Time Centrality from a network connectivity perspective. In this context, we propose two connectivity-based metrics to identify the most important time instants in the network. The first metric is the Time Degree Centrality that, analogously to node degree centrality, computes the number of connections that each time instant has. The second metric, Time PageRank Centrality, searches for the time instants that receive the largest number of accumulated connections since they are considered weights at each time instant. To validate the metrics, we model a public multimodal transport network considering time as an aspect of each node. We then apply the proposed metrics and analyse the results from a connectivity-based time centrality perspective. Our results show that the two metrics can identify the most important time instants in different scenarios of complex network dynamics.