bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Managing Perishable Inventory Systems with Multiple Priority Classes
Authors: Abouee‐Mehrizi Hossein , Baron Opher , Berman Oded , Chen David 
Published: May 2019

Preferences for different ages of perishable products exist in many applications, including grocery items and blood products. In this paper, we study a multi‐period stochastic perishable inventory system with multiple priority classes that require products of different ages. The firm orders the product with a positive lead time and sells it to multiple demand classes, each only accepting products with remaining lifetime longer than a threshold. In each period, after demand realization, the firm decides how to allocate the on‐hand inventory to different demand classes with different backorder or lost‐sale cost. At the end of each period, the firm can dispose inventory of any age. We formulate this problem as a Markov decision process and characterize the optimal ordering, allocation, and disposal policies. When unfulfilled demand is backlogged, we show that the optimal order quantity is decreasing in the inventory levels and is more sensitive to the inventory level of fresher products, the optimal allocation policy is a sequential rationing policy, and the optimal disposal policy is characterized by n − 1 thresholds. For the lost‐sale case, we show that the optimal allocation and disposal policies have the same structure but the optimal ordering policy may be different. Based on the structure of the optimal policy, we develop an efficient heuristic with a cost that is at most 4% away from the optimal cost in our numerical examples. Using numerical studies, we show that the ordering and allocation policies are close to optimal even if the firm cannot intentionally dispose products. Moreover, ignoring the differences between demand classes and using simple allocation policy (e.g., FIFO) can significantly increase the total cost. We examine how the firm can improve the control of perishable items and show that the benefit of decreasing the lead time is more significant than that of increasing the lifetime of the products or that of decreasing the acceptance threshold of the demand. The analysis is extended to systems with age dependent disposal cost and with stochastic supply.
Invariant discrete flows
Authors: Benson Joseph , Valiquette Francis 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIn this paper, we investigate the evolution of joint invariants under invariant geometric flows using the theory of equivariant moving frames and the induced invariant discrete variational complex. For certain arc length preserving planar curve flows invariant under the special Euclidean group , the special linear group , and the semidirect group , we find that the induced evolution of the discrete curvature satisfies the differential‐difference mKdV, KdV, and Burgers' equations, respectively. These three equations are completely integrable, and we show that a recursion operator can be constructed by precomposing the characteristic operator of the curvature by a certain invariant difference operator. Finally, we derive the constraint for the integrability of the discrete curvature evolution to lift to the evolution of the discrete curve itself.
Initial conditions for the cylindrical Korteweg‐de Vries equation
Authors: Grimshaw Roger 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIn this paper, we find suitable initial conditions for the cylindrical Korteweg‐de Vries equation by first solving exactly the initial‐value problem for localized solutions of the underlying axisymmetric linear long‐wave equation. The far‐field limit of the solution of this linear problem then provides, through matching, an initial condition for the cylindrical Korteweg‐de Vries equation. This initial condition is associated only with the leading wave front of the far‐field limit of the linear solution. The main motivation is to resolve the discrepancy between the exact mass conservation law, and the “mass” conservation law for the cylindrical Korteweg‐de Vries equation. The outcome is that in the linear initial‐value problem all the mass is carried behind the wave front, and then the “mass” in the initial condition for the cylindrical Korteweg‐de Vries equation is zero. Hence, the evolving solution in the cylindrical Korteweg‐de Vries equation has zero “mass.” This situation arises because, unlike the well‐known unidirectional Korteweg‐de Vries equation, the solution of the initial‐value problem for the axisymmetric linear long‐wave problem contains both outgoing and ingoing waves, but in the cylindrical geometry, the latter are reflected at the origin into outgoing waves, and eventually the total outgoing solution is a combination of these and those initially generated.
Glucosylation of the phytoalexin N‐feruloyl tyramine modulates the levels of pathogen‐responsive metabolites in Nicotiana benthamiana
Authors: Sun Guangxin , Strebl Michael , Merz Maximilian , Blamberg Robert , Huang Fong‐Chin , McGraphery Kate , Hoffmann Thomas , Schwab Wilfried 
Published: May 2019

SummaryEnzyme promiscuity, a common property of many uridine diphosphate sugar‐dependent glycosyltransferases (UGTs) that convert small molecules, significantly hinders the identification of natural substrates and therefore the characterization of the physiological role of enzymes. In this paper we present a simple but effective strategy to identify endogenous substrates of plant UGTs using LC‐MS‐guided targeted glycoside analysis of transgenic plants. We successfully identified natural substrates of two promiscuous Nicotiana benthamiana UGTs (NbUGT73A24 and NbUGT73A25), orthologues of pathogen‐induced tobacco UGT (TOGT) from Nicotiana tabacum, which is involved in the hypersensitive reaction. While in N. tabacum, TOGT glucosylated scopoletin after treatment with salicylate, fungal elicitors and the tobacco mosaic virus, NbUGT73A24 and NbUGT73A25 produced glucosides of phytoalexin N‐feruloyl tyramine, which may strengthen cell walls to prevent the intrusion of pathogens, and flavonols after agroinfiltration of the corresponding genes in N. benthamiana. Enzymatic glucosylation of fractions of a physiological aglycone library confirmed the biological substrates of UGTs. In addition, overexpression of both genes in N. benthamiana produced clear lesions on the leaves and led to a significantly reduced content of pathogen‐induced plant metabolites such as phenylalanine and tryptophan. Our results revealed some additional biological functions of TOGT enzymes and indicated a multifunctional role of UGTs in plant resistance.
Genome analysis of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from pigs: Detection of the clonal lineage ST398 in Cameroon and South Africa
Authors: Founou Luria Leslie , Founou Raspail Carrel , Allam Mushal , Ismail Arshad , Finyom Djoko Cyrille , Essack Sabiha Yusuf 
Published: May 2019

AbstractFood animals are considered reservoirs of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and are implicated in their zoonotic transmission in the farm‐to‐plate continuum. LA‐MRSA has been reported as a zoonotic agent that has the potential to spread to humans and may cause infections in at‐risk groups. In this study, whole genome sequencing was used to describe the genetic environment (resistance mechanisms, virulence factors and mobile genetic elements) and investigate the genetic lineages of MRSA isolates from pigs in Cameroonian and South African abattoirs. During March–October 2016, 288 nasal and rectal pooled samples from 432 pigs as well as nasal and hand swabs from 82 humans were collected. Genomic DNA was sequenced using an Illumina MiSeq platform. Generated reads were de novo‐assembled using the Qiagen CLC Genomics Workbench and SPAdes. The assembled contigs were annotated, and antibiotic resistance genes, virulence factors, plasmids, SCCmec and phage elements were identified with ResFinder, Virulence Finder, PlasmidFinder, SCCmec Finder and PHAST, respectively. Core genome single nucleotide analysis was undertaken to assess clonal relatedness among isolates. A lower MRSA prevalence was observed in pigs in Cameroon (n = 1/13; 0.07%) compared with South Africa (n = 4/22; 18.18%), and none of the workers were colonized by MRSA. Genome analysis identified various antibiotic resistance genes along with six virulence factors in all isolates. All MRSA isolates belonged to the clonal lineage ST398 (spa‐type t011) and harboured the type Vc SCCmec and several plasmids. Our study shows that the livestock‐associated MRSA clonal lineage ST398 is already present in both Cameroon and South Africa and is probably underestimated in the absence of molecular epidemiological studies. It reveals the serious food safety and public health threat associated with this animal strain and underscores the need for interventions to contain this resistant clone.
Leucine rich repeat kinase 2: a paradigm for pleiotropy
Authors: Lewis Patrick A. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe LRRK2 gene, coding for leucine rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2), is a key player in the genetics of Parkinson's disease. Despite extensive efforts, LRRK2 has proved remarkably evasive with regard to attempts to understand both the role it plays in disease and its normal physiological function. At least part of why LRRK2 has been so difficult to define is that it appears to be many things to many cellular functions and diseases – a pleiotropic actor at both the genetic and the molecular level. Gaining greater insight into the mechanisms and pathways allowing LRRK2 to act in this manner will have implications for our understanding of the role of genes in the aetiology of complex disease, the molecular underpinnings of signal transduction pathways in the cell, and drug discovery in the genome era.
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Health state utility values in schizophrenia: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Aceituno David , Pennington Mark , Iruretagoyena Barbara , Prina Matthew A , McCrone Paul 
Published: May 2019

IntroductionCost-effectiveness analyses that use quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) allow comparing the value for money of interventions across different health problems. Health state utility values (HSUVs) are crucial to calculate QALYs. These are weights attached to a given health state reflecting preferences in health-related quality of life (HRQoL). In schizophrenia, there is extensive evidence about the consequences of this condition on HRQoL. Besides, several interventions have claimed to be cost-effective in terms of QALYs gained. Despite this evidence, a systematic review of HSUVs has not been conducted. Therefore, we aim to synthesise the evidence about HSUVs in schizophrenia.Methods and analysisWe will conduct a systematic review of the literature about HSUVs in people with schizophrenia following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis and the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research task force recommendations. The submissions records of eight electronic peer-reviewed databases and three health technology assessment (HTA) agencies will be searched. Quantitative synthesis will be carried out in comparable studies, using random-effects meta-analysis. Heterogeneity will be explored using meta-regression if more than 10 studies per covariate are found. A narrative synthesis and methodological quality of included studies will be also reported.DiscussionThis review will provide a synthesis of the HSUVs estimated for different states experienced by people with schizophrenia. This will inform analysts when calculating QALYs, using values in a more transparent and accountable manner. Finally, it will shed light on evidence gaps and limitations about this measure in mental health.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42019123582.
Retraction: The 1/2 correction forms in geometric quantization of the symmetric free rigid body
Authors: Hedrea Ciprian , Negrea Romeo , Zaharie Ioan 
Published: May 2019

The Romanian National Committee of Ethics has detected plagiarism in this article. Its publication status is now retracted with immediate effect from IJGMMP. Publisher's Note: As of 8th June 2020, the case is under dispute and pending for final court decision. http://portal.just.ro/30/SitePages/Dosar.aspx?id_dosar=3000000000111746&id_inst=30 https://curteadeapeltimisoara.eu/Detalii_Dosar.aspx?id=9556%2f30%2f2015&idinstanta=59
Advancing Drug Development in Gynecologic Malignancies
Authors: Beaver Julia A. , Coleman Robert L. , Arend Rebecca C. , Armstrong Deborah K. , Bala Sanjeeve , Mills Gordon B. , Sood Anil K. , Herzog Thomas J. 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
Gynecologic malignancies continue to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States despite recent advances in oncologic therapies. To realize the promise of immunotherapy and biomarker-driven approaches to improve clinical outcomes for patients, better communication among stakeholders in the drug development and approval pathways is needed. To this end, the FDA-AACR-SGO Drug Development in Gynecologic Malignancies Workshop brought together clinicians, patient advocates, researchers, industry representatives, and regulators in June 2018, to review the state of the science in gynecologic cancers and explore how scientific advances impact approval processes. Topics of discussion and key takeaways are summarized in this Perspectives in Regulatory Science and Policy article. Single-agent immunotherapies have demonstrated variable and often modest response rates among gynecologic cancers. Combination therapies and other novel approaches, such as cell-based therapies, may show improved efficacy compared with single-agent immunotherapies; however, utilizing innovative clinical trial designs will be necessary to progress further. Companion and complementary diagnostics inform physicians of potential benefits of specific therapeutics for patients; however, they serve different functions that have important regulatory implications, thus trialists should understand the distinctions between diagnostic types. PARP inhibitors hold great promise for treating ovarian cancers, both as monotherapies and in combination with chemotherapeutics, other targeted agents, and immunotherapies. Rare gynecologic cancers often exhibit unique molecular characteristics that can serve as effective targets to which novel therapeutics can be developed. This workshop highlighted the importance of future open discussions on scientific and regulatory challenges in drug development for gynecologic malignancies.
Propofol Sedation in the Endoscopy Room versus Operation Room during Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Gastric Tumors: A Propensity Score-Matching Analysis
Authors: Takeuchi Yuki , Yamaguchi Daisuke , Yamaguchi Naoko , Ikeda Kei , Yoshioka Wataru , Fukuda Hiroko , Morisaki Tomohito , Ario Keisuke , Tsunada Seiji , Katsuki Ryo , Tominaga Naoyuki , Yamasaki Satoko , Eguchi Yuichiro , Ogata Shinichi , Fujimoto Kazuma 
Published: May 2019

Background/Aims: The present study was performed to compare the safety of sedation with propofol during endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for gastric tumors under sedation in the endoscopy room by an endoscopist versus sedation in the operation room by an anesthesiologist. Methods: In total, 638 patients with gastric tumors who underwent ESD from January 2011 to August 2017 at Ureshino Medical Center and Saga Medical Center Koseikan were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into 2 groups: those who underwent ESD in the endoscopy room (Group E, n = 532) and those who underwent ESD in the operation room (Group O, n = 106). Propensity score matching was applied for evaluation. The treatment outcome of ESD and the adverse events of sedation during ESD (desaturation, hypotension, bradycardia, and arrhythmia) were compared between the 2 groups to consider the safety of ESD. Results: The propensity score-matching analysis created 82 matched pairs. Adjusted comparisons between Groups E and O showed similar treatment outcomes of ESD for gastric tumors. There were no significant differences in the treatment outcomes, anesthesia time, and mean propofol dose between the 2 groups. With respect to adverse events, desaturation occurred more often in Group E than Group O (18.3 vs. 3.7%, respectively; p = 0.005). There were no significant differences in other adverse events (hypotension, bradycardia, and arrhythmia) between the 2 groups. Conclusion: Sedation with propofol in the operation room might be required to ensure safer application of ESD for gastric tumors. However, a decrease in the desaturation rate was the only disadvantage of sedation in the endoscopy room.
An Evaluation of Model Output Statistics for Subseasonal Streamflow Forecasting in European Catchments
Authors: Schick Simon , Rössler Ole , Weingartner Rolf 
Published: May 2019

AbstractSubseasonal and seasonal forecasts of the atmosphere, oceans, sea ice, or land surfaces often rely on Earth system model (ESM) simulations. While the most recent generation of ESMs simulates runoff per land surface grid cell operationally, it does not typically simulate river streamflow directly. Here, we apply the model output statistics (MOS) method to the hindcast archive of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). Linear models are tested that regress observed river streamflow on surface runoff, subsurface runoff, total runoff, precipitation, and surface air temperature simulated by ECMWF’s forecast systems S4 and SEAS5. In addition, the pool of candidate predictors contains observed precipitation and surface air temperature preceding the date of prediction. The experiment is conducted for 16 European catchments in the period 1981–2006 and focuses on monthly average streamflow at lead times of 0 and 20 days. The results show that skill against the streamflow climatology is frequently absent and varies considerably between predictor combinations, catchments, and seasons. Using streamflow persistence as a benchmark model further deteriorates skill. This is most pronounced for a catchment that features lakes, which extend to about 14% of the catchment area. On average, however, the predictor combinations using the ESM runoff simulations tend to perform best.
Association between hydroxychloroquine levels and disease activity in a predominantly Hispanic systemic lupus erythematosus cohort
Authors: Geraldino-Pardilla L , Perel-Winkler A , Miceli J , Neville K , Danias G , Nguyen S , Dervieux T , Kapoor T , Giles J , Askanase A 
Published: May 2019

Objectives Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is a key therapy in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Medication non-adherence is reported in up to 80% of lupus patients and results in increased morbidity, mortality, and health care utilization. HCQ levels are a sensitive and reliable method to assess medication adherence. Our study evaluated the role of HCQ level measurement in routine clinical care and its association with disease activity in a predominantly Hispanic population. Methods SLE patients from the Columbia University Lupus cohort treated with HCQ for ≥ 6 months and reporting medication adherence were included. HCQ levels were measured by whole blood high performance liquid chromatography. Non-adherence was defined as an HCQ level <500 ng/ml. The association between HCQ levels and disease activity measured by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) was evaluated. Results One hundred and eight patients were enrolled; the median age was 38 years, 91% were female, and 63% were Hispanic. The median SLEDAI-2K was 4.3 (0–20). Forty-one percent of patients had an HCQ level <500 ng/ml consistent with non-adherence, of which 19% had undetectable levels. A higher SLEDAI-2K score was associated with low HCQ levels ( p = 0.003). This association remained significant after adjusting for depression ( p = 0.0007). Conclusion HCQ levels < 500 ng/ml were associated with higher disease activity and accounted for 32% of the SLEDAI-2K variability. HCQ blood measurement is a simple and reliable method to evaluate medication adherence in SLE. Reasons for non-adherence (levels < 500 ng/ml) should be further explored and addressed.
An Alternative Approach to Treatment of Hypophosphatemia in Nonsurgical Critically Ill Patients in Countries With Limited Resources
Authors: Kovačević Tijana , Kovačević Peđja , Tomić Boris , Dragić Saša , Momčičević Danica 
Published: May 2019

Background: Hypophosphatemia can complicate and prolong the treatment of critically ill patients, and it is even thought to be related to mortality rate. Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine whether using extemporary prepared phosphate buffer in pharmacy would help correct serum phosphate in critically ill patients. Methods: A prospective study was conducted at the medical intensive care unit over a period of 1 year and included 50 patients who were diagnosed with hypophosphatemia. Phosphate buffer was prepared at the pharmacy, and the dose range was recommended by a clinical pharmacist. Results: Patients were administered phosphate buffer via the nasogastric tube, and the doses chosen by the physicians depended on serum phosphate level and the severity of the patients’ clinical status. Serum phosphate levels were successfully corrected in all treated patients. The most frequently used dose was 60 mmoL/d, and in most patients 1-day therapy was sufficient. No adverse effects were observed. Conclusion: The phosphate buffer is an adequate alternative for the treatment of hypophosphatemia of nonsurgically critically ill patients. One-day therapy with the 60 mmoL phosphate dose divided into 3 single doses resulted in normalization of serum phosphate values in most patients.
Design Strategies to Improve Emergency Departments’ Performance During Mass Casualty Incidents: A Survey of Caregivers
Authors: Valipoor Shabboo , Hakimjavadi Hesamedin , De Portu Giuliano 
Published: May 2019

Objectives: To identify effective facility design strategies to improve the performance of healthcare providers and patient flow during mass casualty incidents (MCIs) in emergency departments. Background: Emergency departments (EDs) are the first line of medical care in MCIs. While operational surge management plans are well described in literature, physical design strategies to improve performance and patient flow during disasters are discussed scarcely. Method: An online questionnaire was sent to EDs’ caregivers nationwide asking them to rate the effectiveness of nine physical design strategies, discussed in the literature, to improve caregivers’ performance and patient flow during MCIs. Assessed strategies were about providing expandable departments and care areas, alternate care facilities for the least sick to maximize care areas for critical patients, care areas from nonemergency units, increased number of decontamination units, dedicated isolation units, within-hospital and close emergency operation centers, and within-hospital media areas. Results: All suggested strategies were rated as effective. The most effective and agreed-upon solution was identified as maximizing the care area for critical patients by establishing an alternate care facility with separate entrance and exit doors from the emergency department for the least critical patients. The least effective and agreed-upon strategy was identified as locating a media unit within the hospital outside of the ED. Conclusions: Caregivers who work in EDs consider design strategies to be effective in surge management during disasters. Designers can consider implementing identified strategies in designing new emergency departments or expansion and renovation projects.