bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mac‐2 binding protein glycosylation isomer predicts tolerability and clinical outcome of lenvatinib therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Eso Yuji , Nakano Shigeharu , Mishima Masako , Arasawa Soichi , Iguchi Eriko , Takeda Haruhiko , Takai Atsushi , Takahashi Ken , Taura Kojiro , Seno Hiroshi 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundMany patients with hepatocellular carcinoma present with impaired hepatic function, which often requires interruption or withdrawal of lenvatinib due to associated adverse events. We aimed to identify pre‐treatment predictors of tolerability and clinical outcome of lenvatinib therapy.MethodsEighty patients who received lenvatinib at our institution between 2018 and 2020 were included in this study. We assessed essential factors associated with prolonged progression‐free survival (PFS), using Cox proportional hazards model. We also investigated the correlation between the factor identified as contributing most to PFS and the relative dose intensity (RDI), response rate, and duration of treatment with lenvatinib.ResultsPre‐treatment level of Mac‐2‐binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) showed significant association with PFS (hazard ratio = 0.52, P = .0358). Low M2BPGi levels (<1.5) correlated significantly with longer PFS than higher levels (P = .0003). Patients with M2BPGi <1.5 achieved significantly higher RDI, objective response rate, and disease control rate, and maintained lenvatinib treatment for longer than those with baseline values ≥1.5. Patients with M2BPGi ≥1.5 had a higher incidence of adverse events such as fatigue and anorexia.ConclusionsBaseline M2BPGi levels may predict the tolerability and treatment response to lenvatinib. Patients with high M2BPGi levels may less likely to benefit from lenvatinib therapy.
Integrated model for women empowerment in rural India
Authors: Sharma Eliza , Das Subhankar 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe current study aims to develop an integrated model for women empowerment in rural India using primary data collected from 3000 women across 60 villages from East, West, South, North, and Central India. Exploratory factor analysis came out with the three main dimensions of women empowerment, namely, economic, social and human, and legal empowerment. A conceptual model is thus devised, which throws light on key areas that can be developed. Reforms are required to make rural women economically independent, providing them social freedom and utilities and ensuring a strict and favourable judiciary system for ensuring women empowerment.
Metal‐Free Phthalocyanine as a Hole Transporting Material and a Surface Passivator for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Kim Seung‐Woo , Kim Geunjin , Moon Chan su , Yang Tae‐Youl , Seo Jangwon 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPerovskite solar cells in an n‐i‐p structure record high power conversion efficiency, but issues of insufficient thermal stability and the high cost of p‐type hole transporting materials have been raised as drawbacks. H2‐phthalocyanine (Pc) is introduced as a hole transport material to ensure the thermal stability and simultaneously have served surface passivation effects on hybrid halide perovskites as a Lewis base. Pyrrolic nitrogen in the Pc reacts with uncoordinated Pb2+ ions on the perovskite surface. Upon enhancing the interfacial interaction between phthalocyanine and the perovskite, the open circuit voltage in devices increases as compared to that of devices using a metal‐phthalocyanine complex. While the phthalocyanine‐applied device maintains superior thermal long‐term stability, the power conversion efficiency also exceeds 20%.
Pharmacological treatment trials of agitation in Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review of ClinicalTrials.gov registered trials
Authors: Liu Kathy Y. , Borissova Anya , Mahmood Jansher , Elliott Thomas , Knowles Melanie , Bentham Peter , Reeves Suzanne , Howard Robert 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIntroductionThere is increasing emphasis on the importance of optimizing and standardizing clinical trials of agitation in Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the risks of bias arising from published trials and the number and design of unpublished studies are poorly understood.MethodsUsing the ClinicalTrials.gov database, we systematically reviewed all registered investigational clinical trials for agitation in AD to describe the landscape of agitation drug treatment trials and to assess their quality and generalizability.ResultsWe included 52 clinical studies registered over the past 25 years. Within published randomized controlled trials (RCTs), there was a high rate of participant dropout, poor reporting of randomization procedures, and inconsistent definitions of the sample included for analysis. There was also evidence of publication and funder bias.DiscussionWe discuss factors that limit the internal and external validity of published RCTs and make additional recommendations for the conduct and reporting of future clinical trials of agitation in AD.
Prospects of gravitational waves in the minimal left-right symmetric model
Authors: Li Mingqiu , Yan Qi-Shu , Zhang Yongchao , Zhao Zhijie 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The left-right symmetric model (LRSM) is a well-motivated framework to restore parity and implement seesaw mechanisms for the tiny neutrino masses at or above the TeV-scale, and has a very rich phenomenology at both the high-energy and high-precision frontiers. In this paper we examine the phase transition and resultant gravitational waves (GWs) in the minimal version of LRSM. Taking into account all the theoretical and experimental constraints on LRSM, we identify the parameter regions with strong first-order phase transition and detectable GWs in the future experiments. It turns out in a sizeable region of the parameter space, GWs can be generated in the phase transition with the strength of 10−17 to 10−12 at the frequency of 0.1 to 10 Hz, which can be detected by BBO and DECIGO. Furthermore, GWs in the LRSM favor a relatively light SU(2)R-breaking scalar $$ {H}_3^0 $$

H
3
0

, which is largely complementary to the direct searches of a long-lived neutral scalar at the high-energy colliders. It is found that the other heavy scalars and the right-handed neutrinos in the LRSM also play an important part for GW signal production in the phase transition.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Quantitative Imaging Biomarkers in the Differentiation of Benign and Malignant Vertebral Lesions
Authors: Schmeel Frederic Carsten , Enkirch Simon Jonas , Luetkens Julian Alexander , Faron Anton , Lehnen Nils , Sprinkart Alois Martin , Schmeel Leonard Christopher , Radbruch Alexander , Attenberger Ulrike , Kukuk Guido Matthias , Mürtz Petra 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Purpose
To compare and combine the diagnostic performance of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) derived from diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and proton density fat fraction (PDFF) derived from chemical-shift encoding (CSE)-based water-fat magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for distinguishing benign and malignant vertebral bone marrow lesions (VBML).

Methods
A total of 55 consecutive patients with 53 benign (traumatic, inflammatory and primary) and 36 malignant (metastatic and hematologic) previously untreated VBMLs were prospectively enrolled in this IRB-approved study and underwent sagittal DWI (single-shot spin-echo echo-planar with multi-slice short TI inversion recovery fat suppression) and CSE-based MRI (gradient-echo 6‑point modified Dixon) in addition to routine clinical spine MRI at 1.5 T or 3.0 T. Diagnostic reference standard was established according to histopathology or imaging follow-up. The ADC = ADC (0, 800) and PDFF = fat / (water + fat) were calculated voxel-wise and examined for differences between benign and malignant lesions.

Results
The ADC and PDFF values of malignant lesions were significantly lower compared to benign lesions (mean ADC 861 × 10−6 mm2/s vs. 1323 × 10−6 mm2/s, p < 0.001; mean PDFF 3.1% vs. 28.2%, p < 0.001). The areas under the curve (AUC) and diagnostic accuracies were 0.847 (p < 0.001) and 85.4% (cut-off at 1084.4 × 10−6 mm2/s) for ADC and 0.940 (p < 0.001) and 89.9% for PDFF (cut-off at 7.8%), respectively. The combined use of ADC and PDFF improved the diagnostic accuracy to 96.6% (malignancy if ADC ≤ 1118.2 × 10−6 mm2/s and PDFF ≤ 20.0%, otherwise benign).

Conclusion
Quantitative evaluation of both ADC and PDFF was useful in differentiating benign VBMLs from malignancy. The combination of ADC and PDFF improved the diagnostic performance and yielded high diagnostic accuracy for the differentiation of benign and malignant VBMLs.
Methodological and Measurement Advances in Social Determinants of HIV: View from NIH
Authors: Greenwood Gregory , Gaist Paul , Namkung Ann , Rausch Dianne 
Published: March 2021

AbstractSocial determinants are increasingly understood as key contributors to patterns of heightened risk for HIV acquisition and suboptimal care and treatment outcomes. Yet, the ability to rigorously model, map and measure these nuanced social dynamics has been a challenge, resulting in limited examples of effective interventions and resource allocation. In 2016, the United States National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) issued a Request for Applications calling for methodological innovations around the social determinants of HIV. In May of 2019, NIMH, in collaboration with American University’s Center on Health, Risk and Society and the DC Center for AIDS Research, sponsored a symposium to bring together the funded teams to share accomplishments, distill lessons learned and reflect on the state of the science with other key stakeholders. Presentations focused on causal inference, multi-level analysis and mathematical modeling (Models); geospatial analytics and ecological momentary assessments (Maps); and measurement of social and structural determinants including inequalities and stigmas (Measures). Cross-cutting and higher-level themes were discussed and largely focused on the importance of critical and careful integration of social theory, community engagement and mixed methodologies into research on the social determinants of HIV.
A Two-Day Case Study: Comparison of Turbulence Data from an Unmanned Aircraft System with a Model Chain for Complex Terrain
Authors: zum Berge Kjell , Schoen Martin , Mauz Moritz , Platis Andreas , van Kesteren Bram , Leukauf Daniel , El Bahlouli Asmae , Letzgus Patrick , Knaus Hermann , Bange Jens 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe airborne measurement platform MASC-3 (Multi-Purpose Airborne Sensor Carrier) is used for measurements over a forested escarpment in the Swabian Alps to evaluate the wind field. Data from flight legs between 20 and 200 m above the ground on two consecutive days with uphill (westerly) flow in September 2018 are analyzed. In the lowest 140 m above the ground a speed-up is found with increased turbulence and changes in wind direction directly over the escarpment, whereas in the lowest 20 to 50 m above the ground a deceleration of the flow is measured. Additionally, simulation results from a numerical model chain based on the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model and an OpenFOAM (Open Source Field Operation and Manipulation) model, developed for complex terrain, are compared to the data captured by MASC-3. The models and measurements compare well for the mean wind speed and inclination angle.
Inhibition of the Axl pathway impairs breast and prostate cancer metastasis to the bones and bone remodeling
Authors: Tanaka Mai , Dykes Samantha S. , Siemann Dietmar W. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractApproximately 90% of cancer-related deaths result from cancer metastasis. In prostate and breast cancers, bone is the most common site of cancer cell dissemination. Key steps in the metastatic cascade are promoted through upregulation of critical cell signaling pathways in neoplastic cells. The present study assessed the role of the receptor tyrosine kinase Axl in prostate and breast cancer cell metastasis to bones using (i) Axl knockdown neoplastic cells and osteoclast progenitor cells in vitro, (ii) intracardiac injection of Axl knockdown tumor cells in vivo, and (iii) selective Axl inhibitor BGB324. Axl inhibition in neoplastic cells significantly decreased their metastatic potential, and suppression of Axl signaling in osteoclast precursor cells also reduced the formation of mature osteoclasts. In vivo, Axl knockdown in prostate and breast cancer cells significantly suppressed the formation and progression of bone metastases. Hence, therapeutic targeting of Axl may impair tumor metastasis to the bones through neoplastic and host cell signaling axes.
Novel iterative ensemble smoothers derived from a class of generalized cost functions
Authors: Luo Xiaodong 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIterative ensemble smoothers (IES) are among the state-of-the-art approaches to solving history matching problems. From an optimization-theoretic point of view, these algorithms can be derived by solving certain stochastic nonlinear-least-squares problems. In a broader picture, history matching is essentially an inverse problem, which is often ill-posed and may not possess a unique solution. To mitigate the ill-posedness, in the course of solving an inverse problem, prior knowledge and domain experience are often incorporated, as a regularization term, into a suitable cost function within a respective optimization problem. Whereas in the inverse theory there is a rich class of inversion algorithms resulting from various choices of regularized cost functions, there are few ensemble data assimilation algorithms (including IES) which in their practical uses are implemented in a form beyond nonlinear-least-squares. This work aims to narrow this noticed gap. Specifically, we consider a class of more generalized cost functions, and establish a unified formula that can be used to construct a corresponding group of novel ensemble data assimilation algorithms, called generalized IES (GIES), in a principled and systematic way. For demonstration, we choose a subset (up to 30 +) of the GIES algorithms derived from the unified formula, and apply them to two history matching problems. Experiment results indicate that many of the tested GIES algorithms exhibit superior performance to that of an original IES developed in a previous work, showcasing the potential benefit of designing new ensemble data assimilation algorithms through the proposed framework.
Commentary to “Practicing Dialectics of Technoscience During the Anthropocene” by Hub Zwart
Authors: Rheinberger Hans-Jörg 
Published: March 2021

AbstractHub Zwart’s article is about the idea—and the practice—of an embedded philosophy of science, that is, a philosophy participating in and at the same time reflecting about the current state of the sciences facing the Anthropocene, to which I am very sympathetic. There are, however, two caveats. The first is that participation is always in danger to end up in a more or less uncritical eulogy, in the present case of synthetic biology. The second is that I have doubts about packing the historical path of scientific development into the Procrustes bed of Hegelian dialectics. This usually leads to one or the other form of teleology.
Motivation matters: predicting students’ career decidedness and intention to drop out after the first year in higher education
Authors: Bargmann Carina , Thiele Lisa , Kauffeld Simone 
Published: March 2021

AbstractHigher education institutions are striving to lower student dropout rates to increase the number of academically qualified persons in the labour market and decrease misguided investment. Researchers generally acknowledge that students who are firmly decided on their studies tend to drop out of their studies less frequently. Building on the extended expectancy-value model via the cost component, this longitudinal study investigates changes in and the impact of students’ motivation on career decidedness and intention to drop out. We analysed data from 351 first-year university students aiming to become teachers across three measurement points, finding that the task effort of students and, to a lesser degree, their interest value was related to career decidedness and, indirectly, to the intention to drop out after the first year in higher education. Moreover, the results revealed that these students’ ability beliefs increased and interest value decreased from the beginning to the end of the first year at higher education. Accordingly, we discuss the theoretical and practical implications taken from these findings.
Prognostic impact of antiplatelet therapy in Takotsubo syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature
Authors: Rizzetto Francesca , Lia Micaela , Widmann Maddalena , Tavella Domenico , Zanolla Luisa , Pighi Michele , Ferrero Valeria , Ribichini Flavio Luciano 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWhile the most recent evidence suggests a lack of benefit, antithrombotic therapy is still extensively prescribed in patients with Takotsubo syndrome (TTS). The objective of this study was to determine whether patients with TTS benefit from anti-aggregation, in terms of either short-term or long-term outcomes. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted. A comprehensive search of the literature included MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Clinicaltrials.gov, EU Clinical Trial Register, References, and contact with the authors. Methodological quality assessment and data extraction were systematically performed. The review adhered to the PRISMA framework guidelines. A total of 86 citations were identified, six being eligible for inclusion, for a total of 1997 patients. One of them considered both short-term and long-term outcomes. One reported outcomes during the index event, while the remaining four focused on potential long-term benefits. They were all retrospective cohort studies.Based on our data, the long-term use of antiplatelet therapy (AT) led to a significantly higher incidence of the composite outcome (OR: 1.54; 95% CI 1.09–2.17; p = 0.014) and overall mortality (OR 1.72; 95% CI 1.07–2.77; p = 0.027). The analysis did not show a statistically significant difference in TTS recurrences, stroke/TIA, and MI or CAD worsening with AT compared with no anti-aggregation. The AT in this settings did not show any clear benefit in improving the long-term outcomes, and it may be even detrimental and it may be detrimental. These results warrant further future research and the design of adequately powered randomized controlled trials focusing on the impact of aspirin on the outcomes in patients presenting with TTS.
Determinants of prepaid systems of healthcare financing: a worldwide country-level perspective
Authors: Leiter Andrea M. , Theurl Engelbert 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn this paper we examine determinants of prepaid modes of health care financing in a worldwide cross-country perspective. We use three different indicators to capture the role of prepaid modes in health care financing: (i) the share of total prepaid financing as percent of total current health expenditures, (ii) the share of voluntary prepaid financing as percent of total prepaid financing, and (iii) the share of compulsory health insurance as percent of total compulsory prepaid financing. In the econometric analysis, we refer to a panel data set comprising 154 countries and covering the time period 2000–2015. We apply a static as well as a dynamic panel data model. We find that the current structure of prepaid financing is significantly determined by its different forms in the past. The significant influence of GDP per capita, governmental revenues, the agricultural value added, development assistance for health, degree of urbanization and regulatory quality varies depending on the financing structure we look at. The share of the elderly and the education level are only of minor importance for explaining the variation in a country’s share of prepaid health care financing. The importance of the mentioned variables as determinants for prepaid health care financing also varies depending on the countries’ socio-economic development. From our analysis we conclude that more detailed information on indicators which reflect the distribution of individual characteristics (such as income, family size and structure and health risks) within a country’s population would be needed to gain deeper insight into the decisive determinants for prepaid health care financing.
Synthesis, crystal structures, Hirshfeld surface analysis and physico-chemical characterization of two new ZnII and CdII halidometallates
Authors: Rayes Ali , Moncer Manel , Ara Irene , Dege Necmi , Ayed Brahim 
Published: March 2021

Abstract Two new organic–inorganic hybrid materials, based on 1,3-CycloHexaneBis-(Methyl Amine), abbreviated CHBMA, namely (H2CHBMA)ZnCl4·2H2O (CP1) and (H2CHBMA)CdI4·2H2O (CP2), have been synthesized under mild conditions in acidic media and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, spectroscopic techniques (13C NMR, FTIR, RAMAN) and thermal analysis. The crystal structures of the two compounds were solved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Both compounds show a 3-dimensional supramolecular structure directed by various interactions between tetrahalidometallate anions (ZnCl42−, CdI42−), water molecule and organic cations (H2CHBMA)2+. For both compounds, the cyclohexane ring of the template cation is in a chair conformation with the methylammonium substituent in the equatorial positions and the two terminal ammonium groups in a cis conformation but with two different orientations (upward for CP1 and downward for CP2) which influences the supramolecular architecture of the two structures. Hirshfeld surface analysis and the associated two-dimensional finger print plots were used to explore and quantify the intermolecular interactions in the crystals.
Clinical validation of a computerized algorithm to determine mean systemic filling pressure
Authors: Meijs Loek P.B. , van Houte Joris , Conjaerts Bente C. M. , Bindels Alexander J. G. H. , Bouwman Arthur , Houterman Saskia , Bakker Jan 
Published: March 2021

AbstractMean systemic filling pressure (Pms) is a promising parameter in determining intravascular fluid status. Pms derived from venous return curves during inspiratory holds with incremental airway pressures (Pms-Insp) estimates Pms reliably but is labor-intensive. A computerized algorithm to calculate Pms (Pmsa) at the bedside has been proposed. In previous studies Pmsa and Pms-Insp correlated well but with considerable bias. This observational study was performed to validate Pmsa with Pms-Insp in cardiac surgery patients. Cardiac output, right atrial pressure and mean arterial pressure were prospectively recorded to calculate Pmsa using a bedside monitor. Pms-Insp was calculated offline after performing inspiratory holds. Intraclass-correlation coefficient (ICC) and assessment of agreement were used to compare Pmsa with Pms-Insp. Bias, coefficient of variance (COV), precision and limits of agreement (LOA) were calculated. Proportional bias was assessed with linear regression. A high degree of inter-method reliability was found between Pmsa and Pms-Insp (ICC 0.89; 95%CI 0.72–0.96, p = 0.01) in 18 patients. Pmsa and Pms-Insp differed not significantly (11.9 mmHg, IQR 9.8–13.4 vs. 12.7 mmHg, IQR 10.5–14.4, p = 0.38). Bias was −0.502 ± 1.90 mmHg (p = 0.277). COV was 4% with LOA –4.22 − 3.22 mmHg without proportional bias. Conversion coefficient Pmsa ➔ Pms-Insp was 0.94. This assessment of agreement demonstrates that the measures Pms-Insp and the computerized Pmsa-algorithm are interchangeable (bias −0.502 ± 1.90 mmHg with conversion coefficient 0.94). The choice of Pmsa is straightforward, it is non-interventional and available continuously at the bedside in contrast to Pms-Insp which is interventional and calculated off-line. Further studies should be performed to determine the place of Pmsa in the circulatory management of critically ill patients. (www.clinicaltrials.gov; TRN NCT04202432, release date 16-12-2019; retrospectively registered).Clinical Trial Registrationwww.ClinicalTrials.gov, TRN: NCT04202432, initial release date 16-12-2019 (retrospectively registered).