Social Network Evolution: The Case of UK Companies Before and After Brexit

The Brexit referendum has impacted both the UK and the EU economies in several ways. The uncertainty around Brexit highlighted the importance of a relationships network between directors of companies to access information and resources that are necessary for optimal decision making. It is difficult to develop informed business and economy policies without a deep understanding of the magnitude of Brexit on business-to-business relationships with EU-based firms. This study aims to analyze the impact of the passage of the Brexit referendum on the evolution of board interlock networks. The study uses network analysis to measure the evolution of UK-EU directors’ relationships over the Brexit period, predominantly between the 2010 and 2020 period. The study models the structural changes in dynamic networks by converting this evolving network into static graphs on yearly basis. The analysis indicates that links formation in the UK is affected negatively by the Brexit referendum. It also has a negative impact on forming a new link with potential companies’ directors in the EU, but it shows a rising tendency for shared affiliation bias analysis. Interestingly, the contradicted trend in 2007, the number of directors’ connection in consumer service and food & drug sectors was decreasing in the UK while rocketing in the EU. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2022-06-01-01 Full Text: PDF

Validation of the estimated glomerular filtration rate equation for Japanese children younger than 2 years

Background We have developed a simple and easy method of estimating the glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of serum creatinine in Japanese children (eGFRUemura). The eGFR equation is for children aged 2–18 years. Therefore Uemura et al. developed an equation for children younger than 2 years (eGFRunder 2). The aim of the present study was to validate this new equation. Methods We collected the data of 13 patients from previous studies and compared the results of eGFRunder 2, eGFRUemura, and updated eGFR developed by Schwartz (eGFRSchwartz) with measured GFR using mean error (ME), root mean square error (RMSE), P30 and Bland–Altman analysis. Results The ME of eGFRunder 2, eGFRUemura and eGFRSchwartz were 2.3 ± 15.9, 7.7 ± 14.5, and 16.0 ± 18.2 ml/min/1.73m2, respectively. The RMSEs were 15.5, 15.9, and 49.6, respectively. The P30 values were 76.9%, 76.9%, and 53.8%, respectively. The graph of Bland–Altman bias analysis showed fan-shape. The eGFRunder 2 equation was the most accurate in the three equations. Conclusion The eGFRunder 2 equation was useful for Japanese children younger than 2 years.

Salmonella enterica Serovar Diversity, Distribution, and Prevalence in Public Access Waters from a Central California Coastal Leafy Green Growing Region during 2011 - 2016

Prevalence and serovar diversity of Salmonella enterica was measured during a five-year survey of surface waters in a 500 mi^2 agricultural region of the Central California Coast. Rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds were sampled bimonthly resulting in 2,979 samples. Overall prevalence was 56.4% with higher levels detected in Spring than in Fall. Small, but significant, differences in prevalence were detected based on sample locations. Detection of Salmonella was correlated positively with both significant rain events and, in some environments, levels of generic Escherichia coli . Analysis of 1,936 isolates revealed significant serovar diversity, with 91 different serovars detected. The most common isolated serovars were S. enterica subsp. enterica serovars I 6,8:d:- (406 isolates, 21.0%, and potentially monophasic Salmonella Muenchen), Give (334 isolates, 17.3%), Muenchen (158 isolates, 8.2%), Typhimurium (227 isolates, 11.7%), Oranienburg (106 isolates, 5.5%), and Montevideo (78 isolates, 4%). Sixteen of the 24 most common serovars detected in the region are among the serovars reported to cause the most human salmonellosis in the United States. Some of the serovars were associated with location and seasonal bias. Analysis of Xba I Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns of strains of serovars Typhimurium, Oranienburg, and Montevideo showed significant intra-serovar diversity. PFGE pulsotypes were identified in the region for multiple years of the survey, indicating persistence or regular re-introduction to the region. Importance Non-typhoidal Salmonella is the among the leading causes of bacterial foodborne illness and increasing numbers of outbreaks and recalls are due to contaminated produce. High prevalence and 91 different serovars were detected in this leafy green growing region. Seventeen serovars that cause most of the human salmonellosis in the United States were detected, with 16 of those serovars detected in multiple locations and multiple years of the 5-year survey. Understanding the widespread prevalence and diversity of Salmonella in the region will assist in promoting food safety practices and intervention methods for growers and regulators.

OP208 Did Health Technology Assessments Make the Wrong Call? Quantitative Bias Analysis: Alectinib versus Ceritinib in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

IntroductionThe German health technology assessment (HTA) rejected additional benefit of alectinib for second line (2L) ALK+ NSCLC, citing possible biases from missing ECOG performance status data and unmeasured confounding in real-world evidence (RWE) for 2L ceritinib that was submitted as a comparator to the single arm alectinib trial. Alectinib was approved in the US and therefore US post-launch RWE can be used to evaluate this HTA decision.MethodsWe compared the real-world effectiveness of alectinib with ceritinib in 2L post-crizotinib ALK+ NSCLC using the nationwide Flatiron Health electronic health record (EHR)-derived de-identified database. Using quantitative bias analysis (QBA), we estimated the strength of (i) unmeasured confounding and (ii) deviation from missing-at-random (MAR) assumptions needed to nullify any overall survival (OS) benefit.ResultsAlectinib had significantly longer median OS than ceritinib in complete case analysis. The estimated effect size (Hazard Ratio: 0.55) was robust to risk ratios of unmeasured confounder-outcome and confounder-exposure associations of <2.4.Based on tipping point analysis, missing baseline ECOG performance status for ceritinib-treated patients (49% missing) would need to be more than 3.4-times worse than expected under MAR to nullify the OS benefit observed for alectinib.ConclusionsOnly implausible levels of bias reversed our conclusions. These methods could provide a framework to explore uncertainty and aid decision-making for HTAs to enable patient access to innovative therapies.

The association between caregiver education on adult T2DM and patient’s outcomes in community: A systematic review

Introduction: Adult type 2 diabetes (T2DM) threatens public health and most patients manage their diabetic condition while in the community. As it is challenging for patients to properly manage diabetes alone, caregiver involvement in T2DM patient care is encouraged. This study aimed to examine the association between caregiver involvement in T2DM education within a community and the patients’ diabetes care outcomes (e.g., glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level, behavior, or hospitalization). Methods: The available scientific literature in PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE, and CINAHL was searched. The methodological quality of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Results: A total of 13 out of 741 published studies were synthesized in this review. There is evidence that caregiver involvement in T2DM education is effective in the reduction of HbA1C and BMI, but not necessarily effective in reducing lipids. Study results indicate that caregiver related interventions can significantly improve patient diabetes knowledge, physical activity, and self-efficacy, but results were more mixed regarding medication adherence. Risk of bias analysis classified the majority of studies (77%) to be moderate or high quality. Conclusion: This review aimed to explore the association between caregiver involvement in adult T2DM education in the community and patients’ diabetes care outcomes. The findings show an improvement in biological and behavioral self-management outcomes with caregivers involved in T2DM education, though no studies examined the direct association between complications or hospital readmission. Future research focused on tailored interventions and longer follow-up of patient outcomes are recommended.

Improving GSMaP V06 Precipitation Products Over the Upper Tocantins River Basin in the Brazilian Cerrado, Based on Local Rain-Gauge Network

This study aimed to evaluate the performance of GSMaP (Global Satellite Mapping of Precipitation) in estimating rainfall in central Brazil, using the Upper Tocantins River sub-basin as a specific area of ​​analysis. GSMaP data were compared with data from a rain gauge network between 2000 and 2019. Evaluations were made at daily and monthly temporal scales. In general, GSMaP products show an overestimate bias for drizzle (0.1~1 mm day−1) and underestimate for rainfalls above 10 mm day−1. The use of monthly scale data significantly reduces the bias observed in the daily scale, but with an underestimation trend of -28.3% and -39.7% for the dry and rainy periods, respectively. Categorical indices showed that the GSMaP system had better hit rates for rain detection in the rainy season (October-April) than in the dry season (May-September). For the studied region, the use of GSMaP data on daily and monthly scales should be preceded by a bias analysis as a function of rain gauge network data. The use of bias coefficient corrected observed rainfall data underestimation on daily and monthly scales, improved correlation between GSMaP and observed rainfall data and reduced errors associated with rainfall network data within the basin influence area.

Statin in Combination with Xuezhikang Capsules Get More Lipid-Regulating Effects Than Statin Only: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background To compare the lipid-regulating effects and safety of statin combined with Xuezhikang capsules and statin used alone for hyperlipidemia. Methods CNKI, Wanfang database, VIP Chinese Journals, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library were searched to comprehensively collect and screen RCTs of Xuezhikang combined with statin compared with statin used alone for lipid modifying treatment in hyperlipidemia patients from the database built as of September 2021, and the Cochrane 5.1.0 quality evaluation form was used to evaluate the quality of the included literature and The Cochrane 5.1.0 quality assessment form was used to evaluate the quality of the included literature and bias analysis, extract basic study information, primary and secondary outcome indicators, and meta-analysis of the outcome indicators was performed using RevMan 5.3. Results A total of 14 studies with a total of 2042 patients were included, and the quality of the included studies was low to medium. ①Effectiveness rate: OR=3.63,95%CI[2.69,4.90]; Funnel plot: all within the funnel, but not in accordance with the principle of "aggregation at the top and dispersion at the bottom". ②Total cholesterol: MD=-0.61,95%CI[-0.84,-0.39], The forest plots of each subgroup are to the left. ③Triglycerides: MD=-0.30,95%CI[-0.41,-0.19], The forest plots of each subgroup are to the left,. ④ LDL: MD=-0.33,95%CI[-0.46,-0.20], The forest plots of each subgroup are to the left. ⑤ HDL: MD=0.23,95%CI[0.12,0.35], The forest plots of each subgroup are to the right. ⑥Adverse effects: OR=0.32, 95% CI[0.19,0.55]. Conclusion The combination of statin with Xuezhikang capsule has better effect on lipid regulation in patients with hyperlipidemia, and can effectively reduce the incidence of adverse events and has better safety. It is recommended that the treatment of Xuezhikang combined with statin can be used as a safer and more effective treatment for patients with hyperlipidemia.

Clinical Features and Laboratory Examination to Identify Severe Patients with COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background. With the COVID-19 epidemic breakout in China, up to 25% of diagnosed cases are considered to be severe. To effectively predict the progression of COVID-19 via patients’ clinical features at an early stage, the prevalence of these clinical factors and their relationships with severe illness were assessed. Methods. In this study, electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Chinese database) were searched to obtain relevant studies, including information on severe patients. Publication bias analysis, sensitivity analysis, prevalence, sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratio, diagnosis odds ratio calculation, and visualization graphics were achieved through software Review Manager 5.3, Stata 15, Meta-DiSc 1.4, and R. Results. Data of 3.547 patients from 24 studies were included in this study. The results revealed that patients with chronic respiratory system diseases (pooled positive likelihood 6.07, 95% CI: 3.12-11.82), chronic renal disease (4.79, 2.04-11.25), cardiovascular disease (3.45, 2.19-5.44), and symptoms of the onset of chest tightness (3.8, 1.44-10.05), shortness of breath (3.18, 2.24-4.51), and diarrhea (2.04, 1.38-3.04) exhibited increased probability of progressing to severe illness. C-reactive protein, ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate increased a lot in severe patients compared to nonsevere. Yet, it was found that clinical features including fever, cough, and headache, as well as some comorbidities, have little warning value. Conclusions. The clinical features and laboratory examination could be used to estimate the process of infection in COVID-19 patients. The findings contribute to the more efficient prediction of serious illness for patients with COVID-19 to reduce mortality.

Neuronal origins of biases in economic choices under sequential offers

Economic choices are characterized by a variety of biases. Understanding their origins is a long-term goal for neuroeconomics, but progress on this front has been limited. Here we examined choice biases observed when two goods are offered sequentially. In the experiments, rhesus monkeys chose between different juices offered simultaneously or in sequence. Choices under sequential offers were less accurate (higher variability). They were also biased in favor of the second offer (order bias) and in favor of the preferred juice (preference bias). Analysis of neuronal activity recorded in orbitofrontal cortex revealed that these phenomena emerged at different computational stages. The lower choice accuracy reflected weaker offer value signals (valuation stage), the order bias emerged during value comparison (decision stage), and the preference bias emerged late in the trial (post-comparison). Our approach, leveraging recent notions on the neural mechanisms of economic decisions, may shed light on other aspects of choice behavior.