bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diet and physical activity in pregnancy to prevent gestational diabetes: a protocol for an individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis on the differential effects of interventions with economic evaluation
Authors: Coomar Dyuti , Hazlehurst Jonathan M , Austin Frances , Foster Charlie , Hitman Graham A , Heslehurst Nicola , Iliodromiti Stamatina , Betran Ana Pilar , Moss Ngawai , Poston Lucilla , Nirantharakumar Krishnarajah , Roberts Tracy , Simpson Sharon A , Teede Helena J , Riley Richard , Allotey John , Thangaratinam Shakila 
Published: June 2021

IntroductionMothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at increased risk of pregnancy-related complications and developing type 2 diabetes after delivery. Diet and physical activity-based interventions may prevent GDM, but variations in populations, interventions and outcomes in primary trials have limited the translation of available evidence into practice. We plan to undertake an individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis of randomised trials to assess the differential effects and cost-effectiveness of diet and physical activity-based interventions in preventing GDM and its complications.MethodsThe International Weight Management in Pregnancy Collaborative Network database is a living repository of IPD from randomised trials on diet and physical activity in pregnancy identified through a systematic literature search. We shall update our existing search on MEDLINE, Embase, BIOSIS, LILACS, Pascal, Science Citation Index, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects and Health Technology Assessment Database without language restriction to identify relevant trials until March 2021. Primary researchers will be invited to join the Network and share their IPD. Trials including women with GDM at baseline will be excluded. We shall perform a one and two stage random-effect meta-analysis for each intervention type (all interventions, diet-based, physical activity-based and mixed approach) to obtain summary intervention effects on GDM with 95% CIs and summary treatment–covariate interactions. Heterogeneity will be summarised using I2and tau2statistics with 95% prediction intervals. Publication and availability bias will be assessed by examining small study effects. Study quality of included trials will be assessed by the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool, and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations approach will be used to grade the evidence in the results. A model-based economic analysis will be carried out to assess the cost-effectiveness of interventions to prevent GDM and its complications compared with usual care.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval is not required. The study is registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42020212884). Results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
Phase II trial of the IDO pathway inhibitor indoximod plus pembrolizumab for the treatment of patients with advanced melanoma
Authors: Zakharia Yousef , McWilliams Robert R , Rixe Olivier , Drabick Joseph , Shaheen Montaser F , Grossmann Kenneth F , Kolhe Ravindra , Pacholczyk Rafal , Sadek Ramses , Tennant Lucinda L , Smith Christopher M , Kennedy Eugene P , Link Jr Charles J , Vahanian Nicholas N , Yu Jiayi , Shen Steven S , Brincks Erik L , Rossi Gabriela R , Munn David , Milhem Mohammed 
Published: June 2021

BackgroundThe indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) pathway is a key counter-regulatory mechanism that, in cancer, is exploited by tumors to evade antitumor immunity. Indoximod is a small-molecule IDO pathway inhibitor that reverses the immunosuppressive effects of low tryptophan (Trp) and high kynurenine (Kyn) that result from IDO activity. In this study, indoximod was used in combination with a checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) pembrolizumab for the treatment for advanced melanoma.MethodsPatients with advanced melanoma were enrolled in a single-arm phase II clinical trial evaluating the addition of indoximod to standard of care CPI approved for melanoma. Investigators administered their choice of CPI including pembrolizumab (P), nivolumab (N), or ipilimumab (I). Indoximod was administered continuously (1200 mg orally two times per day), with concurrent CPI dosed per US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved label.ResultsBetween July 2014 and July 2017, 131 patients were enrolled. (P) was used more frequently (n=114, 87%) per investigator’s choice. The efficacy evaluable population consisted of 89 patients from the phase II cohort with non-ocular melanoma who received indoximod combined with (P).The objective response rate (ORR) for the evaluable population was 51% with confirmed complete response of 20% and disease control rate of 70%. Median progression-free survival was 12.4 months (95% CI 6.4 to 24.9). The ORR for Programmed Death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1)-positive patients was 70% compared with 46% for PD-L1-negative patients. The combination was well tolerated, and side effects were similar to what was expected from single agent (P).ConclusionIn this study, the combination of indoximod and (P) was well tolerated and showed antitumor efficacy that is worth further evaluation in selected patients with advanced melanoma.
Models of stochastic $$\hbox {Ca}^{2+}$$ spiking
Authors: Friedhoff Victor Nicolai , Ramlow Lukas , Lindner Benjamin , Falcke Martin 
Published: June 2021

AbstractComplexity and limited knowledge render it impractical to write down the equations describing a cellular system completely. Cellular biophysics uses hypotheses-based modelling instead. How can we set up models with predictive power beyond the experimental examples used to develop them? The two textbook systems of cellular biophysics,$$\hbox {Ca}^{2+}$$Ca2+signalling and neuronal membrane potential dynamics, both face this question. Both systems also have a non-equilibrium feature in common: on different time scales and for different observables, they exhibit stochastic spiking, i.e., sequences of stereotypical events that are separated by statistically distributed intervals, the interspike intervals (ISI). Here we review recent progress on the description of$$\hbox {Ca}^{2+}$$Ca2+spikes in terms of blips, puffs and cellular$$\hbox {Ca}^{2+}$$Ca2+spikes and focus on stochastic models that can explain the statistics of the single ISIs, in particular its mean and variance and the cell-to-cell variability of these statistics. We also review models of the stochastic integrate-and-fire type and measures like the spike-train power spectrum or the serial correlation coefficient that are used to describe neuronal spike trains. These concepts from computational neuroscience might be applicable for understanding long-term memory effects in$$\hbox {Ca}^{2+}$$Ca2+spiking that extend beyond a single ISI, such as cumulative refractoriness.
Comparison between crystal structure and dielectric properties Nd(Mg1/2Ti1/2)O3 (NMT) and Nd(Zn1/2Ti1/2)O3 (NZT)
Authors: Khamoushi Kouros , Mitic Vojislav V. , Manojlovic Jelena , Paunovic Vesna , Cvetkovic Zlata , Lazovic Goran 
Published: June 2021

The dielectric properties of Neodymium zinc titanium oxide (NZT) and Neodymium magnesium titanium oxide (NMT) were investigated. The single-phase ceramic was synthesized at various temperatures below 1650[Formula: see text]C.The result shows that the value of temperature of resonant frequency [Formula: see text] for NMT is higher than NZT.Our findings also indicate that the rare earth materials produce high property dielectric materials, despite the fact some elements produce lower negative value of temperature of resonant frequency [Formula: see text]. By doping a compound such as CaTiO3which has a very positive temperature of resonant frequency ([Formula: see text] ppm/[Formula: see text]C) and a very high relative permittivity [Formula: see text], it is possible to tune NZT and MNT to achieve an excellent dielectric material. This work is under consideration. The results of this scientific research could be very important for modern advance applications in microelectronic miniaturization.
Non-semi-simple TQFT of the sphere with four punctures
Authors: Martel Jules 
Published: June 2021

In this work, we compute the representation of the mapping class group of the sphere with [Formula: see text] punctures arising from the non-semi-simple TQFT [C. Blanchet, F. Costantino, N. Geer and B. Patureau, Non-semi-simple TQFTs, Reidemeister torsion and Kashaev’s invariants, Adv. Math. 301 (2016) 1–78]. We show that it is faithful. Lastly, we compare quantum representations of punctured spheres in general with those of braid groups.
Dom Pedro II nos Estados Unidos (1876) : Impressões do roteiro de um monarca viajante.
Authors: Marcelino Jorge Henrique 
Published: June 2021

Dom Pedro II governou o Brasil por quase meio século, entre 1840 e 1889, possuindo uma bibliografia elogiosa a cerca não apenas de seus feitos governamentais, mas também de sua instrução e curiosidade diante das inovações tecnológicas que brindaram a sua contemporaneidade. Àquela altura, cansado dos conflitos políticos brasileiros e da morosidade europeia, voltou os seus olhos à próspera nação da América do Norte, que possuía aspectos muito semelhantes ao seu Império tropical. Uma viagem para conhecer as inovações e o progresso estadunidenses muito lhe convinha. A análise das impressões do último monarca do Império do Brasil, Dom Pedro II, em viagem aos Estados Unidos abarca a micro-história e a História da Ciência e da Técnica, destarte, a contextualização da viagem e os aspectos anotados pelo monarca em seu extenso diário de viagem são as diretrizes para uma pesquisa que analisará os interesses do Imperador durante a sua estadia, propondo-se a apresentar o objetivo e os pormenores da viagem do monarca brasileiro, cujos fatos tão bem anotados por Dom Pedro II, a torna patrimônio da humanidade em memória do mundo pela UNESCO. Consistindo a fundamentação desta pesquisa está a metodologia micro-histórica, perfazendo do historiador um minucioso perseguidor das fontes e dos minúsculos acontecimentos históricos que preencham as lacunas dos episódios e dos personagens que compõem a História, alterando, portanto, os pontos de vista a partir da fonte primária e concebendo a História de baixo para cima. A historicização micro-histórica embasar-se-á na análise do volume 17 dos diários do Imperador e na crítica de bibliografias que permitam as respostas dos problemas a cerca da viagem, reconstituindo os caminhos feitos por Dom Pedro II durante os meses que passou nos Estados Unidos da América.
Parcellation-induced variation of empirical and simulated brain
connectomes at group and subject levels
Authors: Domhof Justin W. M. , Jung Kyesam , Eickhoff Simon B. , Popovych Oleksandr V. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Recent developments of whole-brain models have demonstrated their potential when investigating resting-state brain activity. However, it has not been systematically investigated how alternating derivations of the empirical structural and functional connectivity, serving as the model input, from MRI data influence modeling results. Here, we study the influence from one major element: the brain parcellation scheme that reduces the dimensionality of brain networks by grouping thousands of voxels into a few hundred brain regions. We show graph-theoretical statistics derived from the empirical data and modeling results exhibiting a high heterogeneity across parcellations. Furthermore, the network properties of empirical brain connectomes explain the lion’s share of the variance in the modeling results with respect to the parcellation variation. Such a clear-cut relationship is not observed at the subject-resolved level per parcellation. Finally, the graph-theoretical statistics of the simulated connectome correlate with those of the empirical functional connectivity across parcellations. However, this relation is not one-to-one, and its precision can vary between models. Our results imply that network properties of both empirical connectomes can explain the goodness-of-fit of whole-brain models to empirical data at a global group level but not at a single-subject level, which provides further insights into the personalization of whole-brain models.
Neck Dissection in Salvage Surgery for Larynx Cancer: National Cancer Database Review
Authors: Patel Tirth R. , Toor Jaijeet , Tajudeen Bobby A. , Bhayani Mihir , Al-Khudari Samer 
Published: June 2021

Objective: Salvage laryngeal surgery is the preferred treatment after failure of non-surgical treatment of larynx cancer. This study aims to identify the impact of ND in salvage surgery on survival and factors predictive of nodal metastasis. Methods: The National Cancer Database was used to identify patients who received salvage laryngeal surgery. Demographics, disease characteristics, and survival were compared between the subgroups of patients stratified according to performance of ND and presence of nodal metastasis. Results: Sixty-two percent of patients underwent ND. A total of 26% of patients undergoing ND had nodal metastasis. Younger age and lesser time since radiation were associated with nodal metastasis. While undergoing ND did not significantly affect survival, those with nodal metastasis had poorer survival ( P = .001). Conclusions: Although ND did not show a survival benefit, younger patients and those who have had a shorter time elapsed between the start of radiation and salvage surgery may benefit from the prognostic data provided by ND. Nonetheless, the risks and benefits of elective ND in salvage larynx cancer treatment should be evaluated on an individual case basis as the data do not support a broadly applicable recommendation.
Differences, Switches and ‘Consistently Side by Side’: Krishna Bharadwaj and the Sraffian Critique of Economic Theory
Authors: Gehrke Christian 
Published: June 2021

The study discusses Krishna Bharadwaj’s elaboration of the Sraffian critique of the currently dominating supply-and-demand equilibrium theories that are based on the marginalist approach by making use of documents from the Sraffa archive. Starting from Krishna Bharadwaj’s astute observation that the law of diminishing returns ‘was the thin end of the wedge by which the marginal analysis was introduced and generalised’ the study is concerned with Sraffa’s critique of the marginalist treatment of intensive diminishing returns and his return to a pre-marginalist and non-mechanical analysis of the intensification of land use. In the opening part of the article, the development of the friendship and collaboration between Piero Sraffa and Krishna Bharadwaj is briefly recalled, based on information provided in the correspondence files and diary entries in Sraffa’s papers. JEL Code: B24, B31, B51
Administrative convergence in the United Nations system? Patterns of administrative reform in four United Nations organizations over time
Authors: Grohs Stephan , Rasch Daniel 
Published: June 2021

This article asks how and why United Nations organizations reform their administrative structure and processes over time. It explores whether we can observe a convergence towards a coherent administrative model in the United Nations system. Like in most nation states, reform discussions according to models like New Public Management or post-New Public Management have permeated international public administrations. Against this background, the question of administrative convergence discussed for national administrative systems also arises for United Nations international public administrations. On the one hand, similar challenges, common reform ‘fashions’ and an increasing exchange within the United Nations system make convergence likely. Yet, on the other hand, distinct tasks, administrative styles and path dependencies might support divergent reform trajectories. This question of convergence is addressed by measuring the frequency, direction and rationales for reforms, using a sample of four international public administrations from the United Nations’ specialized agencies (the Food and Agriculture Organization, International Labour Organization, International Monetary Fund and World Bank). We find that convergence depends on the area of reform (human resources or organizational matters are more harmonized than others) and time (some international public administrations are faster or earlier than others). Points for practitioners This article identifies different drivers of reforms, as well as several supporting conditions, and obstacles to reform in international public administration, which is useful for understanding and planning change management. It highlights the issues policymakers should consider when implementing reform measures, especially institutional context, administrative styles and relevant actor constellations. Among other things, it shows that: the establishment of coordination bodies clearly leads to more homogeneous administrative practices; executive heads have a decisive role in the shaping of administrative reforms and have a specific interest to foster coordination and control in public organizations; and autonomy enables organizations to pursue reform policies apt to their individual challenges.
A literature review of building energy simulation and computational fluid dynamics co-simulation strategies and its implications on the accuracy of energy predictions
Authors: Singh Manan , Sharston Ryan 
Published: June 2021

The paper presents a review of existing literature in the field of coupling Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) with Building Energy Simulations (BES) to better predict indoor environmental conditions and building energy implications. CFD is capable of providing a detailed analysis of airflow profile and temperature gradients in the space as well as better prediction of heat transfer involving convection and radiation. Whereas BES can provide dynamically changing boundary conditions to CFD to facilitate a precise transient analysis. Combining the two simulations provides a powerful framework to accurately predict building performance parameters. The review examines the variables exchanged between the two simulations and establishes that the Convective Heat Transfer Coefficient (CHTC) as the most important exchanged variable that can significantly improve the accuracy of energy simulations. Issues regarding the application of co-simulation mechanism are then discussed in terms of simulation discontinuities, along with strategies adopted by researchers to overcome the same. In the later sections, the review evaluates the applicability of co-simulation from the perspective of year-long building energy simulations and presents an overview of methods used in research to implement the same. Finally, the conclusions are discussed and the scope for future research in the field is presented. Practical implication: The review presents a critical analysis of essentially all major coupling strategies that can be used to perform a BES-CFD coupled analysis along with their strengths, limitations and possible application scenarios. Additionally, the problems associated with establishing the co-simulation are examined and various adopted solutions are presented along with methods implemented towards extending the practical applicability of such an analysis to encapsulate year-long simulations.
A prospective observational study of emboli exposure in open versus closed chamber cardiac surgery
Authors: Jabur Ghazwan NS , Donnelly Joseph , Merry Alan F , Mitchell Simon J 
Published: June 2021

Objective: Exposure to cerebral emboli is ubiquitous and may be harmful in cardiac surgery utilizing cardiopulmonary bypass. This was a prospective observational study aiming to compare emboli exposure in closed-chamber with open-chamber cardiac surgery, distinguish particulate from gaseous emboli and examine cerebral laterality in distribution. Methods: Forty patients underwent either closed-chamber procedures ( n = 20) or open-chamber procedures ( n = 20). Emboli (gaseous and solid) were detected using transcranial Doppler in both middle cerebral arteries in two monitoring phases: 1, initiation of bypass to the removal of the aortic cross-clamp; and 2, removal of aortic cross-clamp to 20 minutes after venous decannulation. Results: Total (median (interquartile range)) emboli counts (both phases) were 898 (499–1366) and 2617 (1007–5847) in closed-chamber and open-chamber surgeries, respectively. The vast majority were gaseous; median 794 (closed-chamber surgery) and 2240 (open-chamber surgery). When normalized for duration, there was no difference between emboli exposures in closed-chamber and open-chamber surgery in phase 1: 6.8 (3.6–15.2) versus 6.4 (2.0–18.1) emboli per minute, respectively. In phase 2, closed-chamber surgery cases were exposed to markedly fewer emboli than open-chamber surgery cases: 9.6 (5.1–14.9) versus 43.3 (19.7–60.3) emboli per minute, respectively. More emboli (total) passed into the right cerebral circulation: 985 (397–2422) right versus 376 (198–769) left. Conclusions: Patients undergoing open-chamber surgery are exposed to considerably higher numbers of cerebral arterial emboli after removal of the aortic cross-clamp than those undergoing closed-chamber surgery, and more emboli enter the right middle cerebral artery than the left. These results may help inform the evaluation of the pathophysiological impact of emboli exposure.
Brazilian version of the Neck Bournemouth Questionnaire does not have a well-defined internal structure in patients with chronic neck pain
Authors: Araujo Gabriel Gardhel Costa , Fidelis-de-Paula-Gomes Cid André , Pontes-Silva André , Pinheiro Jocassia Silva , Mendes Leticia Padilha , Gonçalves Maria Cláudia , Dibai-Filho Almir Vieira 
Published: June 2021

Objective: To investigate the structural validity of the Brazilian version of the Neck Bournemouth Questionnaire in patients with chronic neck pain. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Community participants collected via online platform. Subjects: Participants with neck pain (minimal pain intensity of 3 points at rest on 11-point Numerical Rating Scale), both genders and aged ⩾18 years old. Main measure: The Numerical Rating Scale, Neck Disability Index, Pain-Related Catastrophizing Thoughts Scale, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia and the Neck Bournemouth Questionnaire were completed. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to identify dimensionality and to compare different structures of the Neck Bournemouth Questionnaire. Results: We included 103 participants. The sample consisted mostly of adults (mean age = 33.64 years, standard deviation = 10.48 years), females (n = 82, 79.6%), lean, single and with higher education. The exploratory factor analysis with implementation of the parallel analysis identified the one-dimensional structure of the Neck Bournemouth Questionnaire, with a Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value of 0.80 and Bartlett’s test significant ( P < 0.05). We observed that all structures tested in this study presented a high amount of residues in confirmatory factor analysis, which were identified by the value of root mean square error of approximation > 0.08 and chi-square/degree of freedom > 3.00. Conclusion: The internal structure of the Brazilian version of the Neck Bournemouth Questionnaire is not clear and well-defined. It was not possible to identify the construct measured by the instrument in individuals with chronic neck pain.