bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Survival advantage of cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for advanced gastric cancer: experience from a Western tertiary referral center
Authors: Rosa Fausto , Galiandro Federica , Ricci Riccardo , Di Miceli Dario , Longo Fabio , Quero Giuseppe , Tortorelli Antonio Pio , Alfieri Sergio 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Selection criteria and prognostic factors for patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC) undergoing cytoreductive surgery (CRS) plus hyperthermic intra-operative peritoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) have not been well defined, and the literature data are not homogeneous. The aim of this study was to compare prognostic factors influencing overall (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in a population of patients affected by AGC with surgery alone and surgery plus HIPEC, both with curative (PCI, peritoneal carcinomatosis index > 1) and prophylactic (PCI = 0) intent.

Methods
A retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database was conducted in patients affected by AGC from January 2006 to December 2015. Uni- and multivariate analyses of prognostic factors were performed.

Results
A total of 85 patients with AGC were analyzed. A 5-year OS for surgery alone, CRS plus curative HIPEC, and surgery plus prophylactic HIPEC groups was 9%, 27% and 33%, respectively. Statistical significance was reached comparing both prophylactic HIPEC vs surgery alone group (p = 0.05), curative HIPEC vs surgery alone group (p = 0.03), and curative vs prophylactic HIPEC (p = 0.04). A 5-year DFS for surgery alone, CRS + curative HIPEC, and surgery + prophylactic HIPEC groups was 9%, 20%, and 30%, respectively. Statistical significance was reached comparing both prophylactic HIPEC vs surgery alone group (p < 0.0001), curative HIPEC vs surgery alone group (p = 0.008), and curative vs prophylactic HIPEC (p = 0.05).

Conclusions
Patients with AGC undergoing surgery plus HIPEC had a better OS and DFS with respect to patients treated with surgery alone.
Parameterized Counting of Partially Injective Homomorphisms
Authors: Roth Marc 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe study the parameterized complexity of the problem of counting graph homomorphisms with given partial injectivity constraints, i.e., inequalities between pairs of vertices, which subsumes counting of graph homomorphisms, subgraph counting and, more generally, counting of answers to equi-join queries with inequalities. Our main result presents an exhaustive complexity classification for the problem in fixed-parameter tractable and $$\#\mathsf {W[1]}$$

#

W
[
1
]

-complete cases. The proof relies on the framework of linear combinations of homomorphisms as independently discovered by Chen and Mengel (PODS 16) and by Curticapean, Dell and Marx in the recent breakthrough result regarding the exact complexity of the subgraph counting problem (STOC 17). Moreover, we invoke Rota’s NBC-Theorem to obtain an explicit criterion for fixed-parameter tractability based on treewidth. The abstract classification theorem is then applied to the problem of counting locally injective graph homomorphisms from small pattern graphs to large target graphs. As a consequence, we are able to fully classify its parameterized complexity depending on the class of allowed pattern graphs.
Psychometric Properties of the MDADI—A Preliminary Study of Whether Less is Truly More?
Authors: Lin Daniel J. , Altamimi Jenan , Pearce Kim , Wilson Janet A. , Patterson Joanne M. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI) is a 20-item dysphagia-specific QOL questionnaire with four subscales: global, emotional, functional, and physical. It is widely used in clinical practice and in research; however, its psychometric properties have been under-researched. We aim to evaluate the organisation of the MDADI subscales and identify any redundant items. The MDADI is a routinely collected outcome measure at two centres in northeast England. Questionnaires completed at three months following treatment were extracted from these existing databases. Factor analysis was carried out with the aim of reducing redundancy among the set of questionnaire items. Cases with missing values were excluded. A total of 196 complete patient questionnaires were used in factor analysis. A one-factor model accounted for around 50% of the total variance in item responses. The top five endorsed items (abbreviated by the questionnaire item keywords: Excluded, Irritate, Esteem, Social, and Why) in this one factor appeared in three (emotional, functional, and physical) of the four supposed MDADI subscales, i.e. global, emotional, functional, and physical. Our results suggest an overlap of three MDADI subscales across the top five endorsed items. The content of the top five questions all appear related to the psychosocial aspects of swallowing. This implies some redundancy of the items in the original subscales of the questionnaire. Using the most endorsed items, it appears feasible to abbreviate the 20-item MDADI questionnaire to a 5-item “MiniDADI” questionnaire, which is likely to have greater utility in routine clinical practice outside of research settings.
Cone penetration tests in dry and saturated Ticino sand
Authors: Kluger Max O. , Kreiter Stefan , Stähler Florian T. , Goodarzi Majid , Stanski Tim , Mörz Tobias 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIt is commonly assumed that dry and saturated sands exhibit similar cone resistance–relative density relationships. Some studies pointed out that partial saturation and calcareous sands with considerable fines content are potential factors affecting these relationships. However, there is experimental evidence in Shaqour Bull Eng Geol Environ 66:59-70, (2006) that clean uncemented quartz sand may exhibit lower cone resistance in saturated conditions. The present study aims on contributing towards better understanding the effect of water saturation on cone resistance in sand. For this purpose, Ticino sand samples were prepared dry and saturated in a calibration chamber and cone penetration tests were performed over a wide range of relative densities and at two consolidation stresses. Overall, it was observed that dry and saturated samples exhibited similar cone resistances. Only slightly higher cone resistances were observed for dry samples at the lower consolidation stress. Two anomalous samples, which were tested dry at medium relative density, were found to exhibit way higher cone resistances than expected from published cone resistance–relative density relationships. The Young's modulus was observed to be proportional to cone resistance and independent of whether a sample was tested dry or saturated, being therefore considered as more robust soil property for cone resistance relationships.
Correction to: Physical, Emotional, and Psychosocial Challenges Associated with Daily Dosing of HIV Medications and Their Impact on Indicators of Quality of Life: Findings from the Positive Perspectives Study
Authors: de los Rios Patricia , Okoli Chinyere , Castellanos Erika , Allan Brent , Young Benjamin , Brough Garry , Muchenje Marvelous , Eremin Anton , Corbelli Giulio Maria , McBritton Marta , Hardy W. David , Van de Velde Nicolas 
Published: March 2021

The article Physical, Emotional, and Psychosocial Challenges Associated with Daily Dosing of HIV Medications and Their Impact on Indicators of Quality of Life: Findings from the Positive Perspectives Study, written by Patricia de los Rios · Chinyere Okoli · Erika Castellanos · Brent Allan · Benjamin Young · Garry Brough · Marvelous Muchenje · Anton Eremin · Giulio Maria Corbelli · Marta McBritton · W. David Hardy· Nicolas Van de Velde was originally published electronically on the publisher’s internet portal on 17th December 2020 without open access. With the author(s)’ decision to opt for Open Choice the copyright of the article changed on 16th February 2021 to © The Author’s 2021 and the article is forthwith distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution.
Gender disparities in top earnings: measurement and facts for Denmark 1980-2013
Authors: Hansen Niels-Jakob Harbo , Harmenberg Karl , Öberg Erik , Sievertsen Hans Henrik 
Published: March 2021

AbstractExtending the work of Atkinson et al. (J. Econ. Inequal. 16, 225–256, 2018), we decompose top-earnings gender disparities into a glass-ceiling coefficient and a top-earnings gender gap. The decomposition uses that both male and female top earnings are Pareto distributed. If interpreting top-earnings gender disparities as caused by a female-specific earnings tax, the top-earnings gender gap and glass-ceiling coefficient measure the tax level and tax progressivity, respectively. Using Danish data on earnings, we show that the top-earnings gender gap and the glass-ceiling coefficient evolve differently across time, the life cycle, and educational groups. In particular, while the top-earnings gender gap has been decreasing in Denmark over the period 1980-2013, the glass-ceiling coefficient has been remarkably stable.
The dissemination of relevant information on wildlife utilization and its connection with the illegal trade in wildlife
Authors: Song Zhifan , Wang Qiang , Miao Zhen , Zhang Wei , Zhou Xuehong 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe analyzed the generation and dissemination of relevant information on wildlife utilization based on the African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana Blumenbach.), the tiger (Panthera tigris L.) and the totoaba, a species of marine fish, (Totoaba macdonaldi Gilbert) as examples, whose populations are more threatened by the illegal wildlife trade. We compared the illegal trade in wildlife with related information in order to find possible associations, searched for relevant information on major international websites to summarize similarities in information production and dissemination, and used a “Zhiwei” dissemination analysis platform to analyze the dissemination of information circulated at Microblog. The results show that the most influential information related to the trade in wildlife is mainly generated from news media websites and new self-media platforms, usually from non-governmental organizations concerned with wildlife protection. The main factors that affect the depth and breadth of disseminating relevant information on wildlife utilization include the participation of relatively influential opinion leaders, the verification ratio of forwarding users, the number of followers, and affective identification. Misleading information can stimulate and promote poaching and smuggling, regardless of their real market demand or their products. Therefore, all links in the course of information dissemination should be carefully examined in order to purify the information environment and reduce adverse effects of misleading information on wildlife protection.
Online reviews generated through product testing: can more favorable reviews be enticed with free products?
Authors: Garnefeld Ina , Krah Tabea , Böhm Eva , Gremler Dwayne D. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractOnline reviews have profound impacts on firm success in terms of sales volume and how much customers are willing to pay, yet firms remain highly dependent on customers’ voluntary contributions. A popular way to increase the number of online reviews is to use product testing programs, which offer participants free products in exchange for writing reviews. Firms that employ this practice generally hope to increase review quality and secure higher product rating scores. However, a qualitative study, experimental study, and multilevel analysis of a field study dataset of more than 200,000 online reviews by product testers combine to reveal that product testing programs do not necessarily generate higher quality reviews, nor better product ratings. Only in certain circumstances (e.g., higher priced products) does offering a product testing program generate these benefits for the firm. Therefore, companies should consider carefully if and when they want to offer product testing programs.
Zur Debatte um die Reform der gesetzlichen Voraussetzungen einer Unterbringung in der Entziehungsanstalt
Authors: Schalast Norbert 
Published: March 2021

ZusammenfassungWie auch durch Müller (2019) vor einiger Zeit in dieser Zeitschrift wird in diesem Beitrag die Forderung nach einer Justierung der rechtlichen Rahmenbedingungen für die Unterbringung in einer Entziehungsanstalt erhoben. Nur begrenzte Übereinstimmung besteht jedoch hinsichtlich Begründung und Ausgestaltung der gebotenen Reform. Die Tendenz zu einem erheblichen Konsum von Rauschmitteln ist bei Straffälligen sehr verbreitet. Die aktuelle Rechtslage, die maßgeblich mit Reformgesetzen in 2007 und 2016 weiterentwickelt wurde, nötigt Angeklagte bei höherer Straferwartung geradezu, ihre Einlassung auf das Ziel der Unterbringung abzustellen, da ein wesentlich kürzerer Freiheitsentzug in Aussicht steht. Gerichte haben einen geringen Ermessensspielraum hinsichtlich der Anordnung der Unterbringung, wenn diese nach Lage der Dinge in Betracht kommt. Trotz Kapazitätserweiterungen stehen die Einrichtungen und Träger des Maßregelvollzugs unter wachsendem Druck. Es wird u. a. begründet, warum die – gutachterlich erforderliche – Prognose der voraussichtlichen Behandlungsdauer sich im ursprünglichen Rahmen von 2 Jahren bewegen sollte. Vor allem aber bedarf es im Hinblick auf die Anordnung der Unterbringung eines realen richterlichen Ermessensspielraums, auf den die Ausgestaltung des § 64 StGB als Sollregelung im Jahre 2007 eigentlich abzielte.
Inter- and intra-city comparisons of PM2.5 concentration changes under COVID-19 social distancing in seven major cities of South Korea
Authors: Kwak Kyung-Hwan , Han Beom-Soon , Park Kyeongjoo , Moon Sungju , Jin Han-Gyul , Park Seung-Bu , Baik Jong-Jin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has prompted governments around the world to impose mitigation strategies of unprecedented scales, typically involving some form of restrictions on social activities and transportation. The South Korean government has been recommending a collection of guidelines now known as social distancing, leading to reduced human activities. This study analyzes changes in the concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) during the 30-day periods before and since the start of social distancing on 29 February 2020 using measurement data from air quality monitoring stations at various locations of the seven major cities of South Korea, namely, Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Daegu, Daejeon, Gwangju, and Ulsan. All seven cities experienced decreased levels of PM2.5 concentration by up to 25% and smaller fluctuations during the period of social distancing. Inter-city comparisons show that the PM2.5 concentration changes are positively correlated with the city-wide PM2.5 emission fractions for mobile sources and negatively correlated with the city-wide PM2.5 emission fractions for combustion and industrial process sources. In addition, the meteorological influences favorable for transboundary pollutant transport have weakened during the period under COVID-19 social distancing. Intra-city comparisons show that decreases in the intra-city variability of PM2.5 concentration were larger in coastal cities than in inland cities. Comparisons between the inter- and intra-city variabilities in the PM2.5 concentration changes under social distancing highlight the importance of taking into account intra-city variabilities in addition to inter-city variabilities.
Uncovering Statistical Links Between Gene Expression and Structural Connectivity Patterns in the Mouse Brain
Authors: Timonidis Nestor , Llera Alberto , Tiesinga Paul H. E. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractFinding links between genes and structural connectivity is of the utmost importance for unravelling the underlying mechanism of the brain connectome. In this study we identify links between the gene expression and the axonal projection density in the mouse brain, by applying a modified version of the Linked ICA method to volumetric data from the Allen Institute for Brain Science for identifying independent sources of information that link both modalities at the voxel level. We performed separate analyses on sets of projections from the visual cortex, the caudoputamen and the midbrain reticular nucleus, and we determined those brain areas, injections and genes that were most involved in independent components that link both gene expression and projection density data, while we validated their biological context through enrichment analysis. We identified representative and literature-validated cortico-midbrain and cortico-striatal projections, whose gene subsets were enriched with annotations for neuronal and synaptic function and related developmental and metabolic processes. The results were highly reproducible when including all available projections, as well as consistent with factorisations obtained using the Dictionary Learning and Sparse Coding technique. Hence, Linked ICA yielded reproducible independent components that were preserved under increasing data variance. Taken together, we have developed and validated a novel paradigm for linking gene expression and structural projection patterns in the mouse mesoconnectome, which can power future studies aiming to relate genes to brain function.
Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)-Based Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A) of Trophectoderm Biopsy for Recurrent Implantation Failure (RIF) Patients: a Retrospective Study
Authors: Tong Jing , Niu Yichao , Wan Anran , Zhang Ting 
Published: March 2021

AbstractRecurrent implantation failure (RIF) is an intrigue condition during in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatments. The purpose of this retrospective study is to explore the value of next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) of trophectoderm biopsy in the clinical outcomes for RIF patients with advanced age. A total of 265 RIF patients, who underwent 346 oocyte retrieval cycles and 250 PGT-A cycles, were classified as two groups according to the female age, including < 38 and ≥ 38 years old groups. The two groups were statistically comparable in baseline characteristics. The component of aneuploid embryos was significantly higher in advanced age group than in younger age group (68.9 vs 39.9%, P < 0.001). But there were no statistically significant differences in pregnancy rate (43.5 vs 64.7%), clinical pregnancy rate (39.1 vs 48.0%), implantation rate (39.1 vs 51.0%), and miscarriage rate (4.3 vs 7.8%) per embryo transfer (ET) between the two groups. Results suggest that the embryo-related factor plays a crucial role in RIF. Maternal age does not influence the implantation potential of euploid blastocysts. The NGS-based PGT-A involving trophectoderm biopsy is valuable for RIF patients of advanced age by improving their clinical outcomes. In conclusion, the NGS-based PGT-A involving trophectoderm biopsy may represent a valuable supplement to the current RIF management. Nonetheless, these findings should be further validated in a well-designed randomized controlled trial.
Why are there so few hard facts about the impact of cluster policies in Germany? A critical review of evaluation studies
Authors: Rothgang Michael , Lageman Bernhard , Scholz Anne-Marie 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBased on empirical findings on the effects of cluster policies in Germany, this paper scrutinises the available knowledge on cluster policies impact. There is a growing body of insights on direct effects of policy measures on cluster actors, cluster organisations and innovation networks of the promoted clusters. For some industries such as biotechnology, there are indications that cluster policies had a substantial influence on the formation of new firms and emerging sectoral structures. While the available information seems to support the hypothesis that cluster policies can provide positive impulses for the development of clusters, the actual knowledge on far-reaching impacts of cluster policies on economic structures and processes is still rather limited. The paper asks for the reasons of this knowledge gap between expectations placed in cluster policies and the available evidence on their impact. We identify five reasons: (i) problems in addressing the systemic nature of cluster policy interventions and their effects, (ii) deficiencies regarding the methodologies used, (iii) a lacking informational basis, (iv) practical contexts (e.g., a lack of interest of policy makers) leading to deficiencies in incentive mechanisms and (v) the limited transferability of evaluation results to other cluster policy contexts. For future evaluations, we propose among others the use of system-related approaches to impact analyses based on mixed-method designs as well as comparative case studies based on new methods like process tracing. In order to improve the incentives for evaluators, an increasing awareness of policy makers about the relevance of evaluation studies would be important.
Short-beam shear fatigue life assessment of thermally cycled carbon–aluminium laminates with protective glass interlayers
Authors: Surowska Barbara , Dadej Konrad , Jakubczak Patryk , Bieniaś Jarosław 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Fibre metal laminates (FMLs) are attractive construction materials, especially for use in aerospace and transport facilities. Throughout their service life, thin-walled structures made of FMLs are exposed to static and dynamic loads, as well as corrosion and the unfavourable influence of environmental conditions. The paper presents an experimental analysis of the combined mechanical and environmental long-term behaviour of carbon-based fibre metal laminates and their variants with protective glass layers. The Al alloy/CFRP and Al alloy/GFRP/CFRP laminates in a 3/2 configuration were used. The tested laminates were subjected to 1500 thermal cycles with a temperature range of 130 °C. The static and fatigue interlaminar shear strengths were tested before and after thermal conditioning. It was shown that the stable stiffness reduction in the tested laminates was observed with increasing fatigue cycles, due to the progressive fatigue damage accumulation. The thermally cycled laminates feature slightly smoother stiffness loss, while a more rapid decrease was observed in thermally untreated laminates. Moreover, the fatigue life of the tested laminates subjected to thermal cycling revealed nine times fewer fatigue cycles of laminates with glass protectors after thermal cycles in comparison to the laminates not subjected to thermal cycling.
Net-zero emission vehicles shift and equitable ownership in low-income households and communities: why responsible and circularity business models are essential
Authors: Bonsu Nana O. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe UK Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution aims to ban petrol and diesel cars by 2030 and transition to electric vehicles (EVs). Current business models for EV ownership and the transition to net-net zero emissions are not working for households in the lowest income brackets. However, low-income communities bear the brunt of environmental and health illnesses from transport air pollution caused by those living in relatively more affluent areas. Importantly, achieving equitable EV ownership amongst low-and middle-income households and driving policy goals towards environmental injustice of air pollution and net-zero emissions would require responsible and circular business models. Such consumer-focused business models address an EV subscription via low-income household tax rebates, an EV battery value-chain circularity, locally-driven new battery technological development, including EV manufacturing tax rebates and socially innovative mechanisms. This brief communication emphasises that consumer-led business models following net-zero emission vehicles shift and decisions must ensure positive-sum outcomes. And must focus not only on profits and competitiveness but also on people, planet, prosperity and partnership co-benefits.