Ranking Curve Research Articles

Efficacy and safety of anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors for non-small cell lung cancer: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

To assess the efficacy and safety of anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors (ALKIs) for the treatment of advanced-stage ALK rearrangement-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that included patients with ALK-positive NSCLC receiving ALKIs. The outcomes of the study included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), and treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) of grade ≥3. A total of 12 RCTs consisting of 3169 patients with eight treatment options were included in this study. Our results showed that ALKIs have superior efficacy in OS, PFS, and ORR than chemotherapy or crizotinib (first-generation ALKI). Our study showed that only alectinib has a significant improvement in OS compared to chemotherapy (hazard ratio [HR], 0.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.40-0.94). Alectinib appeared to have better OS than crizotinib (HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.45-0.95). Ensartinib has a significant PFS advantage over alectinib (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.40-0.96). The surface under the ranking curve indicated that ensartinib (99.0%) was the highest rank regarding PFS. Moreover, both ensartinib and ceritinib showed significantly higher TRAEs of grade ≥3 compared with chemotherapy (risk ratios [RR], 2.74; 95% CI, 1.45-5.18; RR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.26-2.57, respectively). These results indicated that alectinib could be associated with the best therapeutic efficacy and well-tolerance AEs in the treatment of ALK-positive NSCLC.

A network meta-analysis for efficacies and toxicities of different concurrent chemoradiotherapy regimens in the treatment of locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer

BackgroundConcurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) has become the cornerstone of treatment for patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC). The aim of this study was to compare the efficacies and toxicities of different CCRT regimens in the treatment of LA-NSCLC by adopting a network meta-analysis (NMA).MethodsAn exhaustive search of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) was conducted to identify relevant studies from inception to October 1, 2020. Direct and indirect evidence was combined to calculate the odds radios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), as well as to plot the surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) curves. Cluster analyses were adopted to compare the efficacies and toxicities of different CCRT regimens according to the similarity of 2 variables. Publication bias was detected by comparison-adjusted funnel plots.ResultsTwenty-two studies were enrolled in this NMA, including 18 regimens: CCRT (cisplatin + etoposide), CCRT (carboplatin + paclitaxel), CCRT (pemetrexed + carboplatin), CCRT (pemetrexed + cisplatin), CCRT (docetaxel + cisplatin), CCRT (S-1 + cisplatin), CCRT (mitomycin + vindesine + cisplatin), CCRT (cisplatin + vinorelbine), CCRT (cisplatin), CCRT (etoposide + cisplatin + amifostine), RT, CCRT (5-FU), CCRT (paclitaxel + cisplatin), CCRT (irinotecan + carboplatin), CCRT (nedaplatin), CCRT (carboplatin + etoposide), CCRT (paclitaxel), and CCRT (carboplatin). The results indicated that the regimens with CCRT (cisplatin + etoposide), CCRT (carboplatin + paclitaxel), CCRT (pemetrexed + cisplatin), CCRT (S-1 + cisplatin), and CCRT (cisplatin + vinorelbine) had relatively better efficacies compared with other regimens. As for toxicities of different CCRT regimens, the CCRT (carboplatin + paclitaxel), CCRT (pemetrexed + cisplatin), and CCRT (docetaxel + cisplatin) were relatively lower.ConclusionsOur study demonstrated that CCRT (pemetrexed + cisplatin) and CCRT (carboplatin + paclitaxel) might be the best options for the treatment of LA-NSCLC, and CCRT (pemetrexed + cisplatin) had the highest 3-year overall survival (OS) rate.

Comparisons of the surface micromotions of cementless femoral prosthesis in the horizontal and vertical levels: a network analysis of biomechanical studies

BackgroundNumerous quantitatively biomechanical studies measuring the fixation stability of femoral stem using micromotions at the bone-implant interfaces in different directions and levels remain inconclusive. This network meta-analysis performed systematically aims to explore the rank probability of micromotions at the bone-implant interfaces based on biomechanical data from studies published.MethodsTwo electronic databases, PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase, were utilized to retrieve biomechanical studies providing the data of micromotions at the bone-stem interfaces. After screening and diluting out, the studies that met inclusion criteria will be utilized for statistical analysis. In order to contrast the stability of commonness and differences of the different parts of the femoral stem, the horizontal and vertical comparison of micromotions at the bone-implant interfaces were conducted using the pooled evaluation indexes including the mean difference (MD) and the surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) curve, while inconsistency analysis, sensitivity analysis, subgroup analyses, and publication bias were performed for the stability evaluation of outcomes.ResultsScreening determined that 20 studies involving a total of 249 samples were deemed viable for inclusion in the network meta-analysis. Tip point registered the highest micromotions of 13 measurement points. In the horizontal level, the arrangements of 4 measurement points at the proximal (P1–P4), middle (P5–P8) and distal part of the stem (P9–P12) were P1 = P2 = P3 = P4, P7 > P8 > P6 = P5 and P10 ≥ P12 = P9 = P11, respectively. In the vertical level, the arrangements of 3 measurement points at the anterior, posterior, medial, and lateral directions was P9 > P5 = P1, P10 > P6 > P2, P11 > P7 > P3, and P12 > P8 > P4, respectively.ConclusionThe network meta-analysis seems to reveal that the distal part of the femoral stem is easier to register higher micromotion, and tip point of femoral stem registers the highest micromotions.

On the rank of elliptic curves arising from Pythagorean quadruplets

By a Pythagorean quadruplet $(a,b,c,d)$, we mean an integer solution to the quadratic equation $a^2 + b^2 = c^2 + d^2$. We use this notion to construct infinite families of elliptic curves of higher rank as far as possible. Furthermore, we give particular examples of rank eight.

Research protocol local ingredients-based supplementary food as an alternative to corn-soya blends plus for treating moderate acute malnutrition among children aged 6 to 59\u2009months: a randomized controlled non-inferiority trial in Wolaita

BackgroundIn Ethiopia, 12.5% of children below 5 years are wasted, and 9.7% are moderately wasted. The present strategy for the management of moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) is a supplementary feeding program; however, this is only provided to chronically food-insecure areas. This randomized controlled non-inferiority trial examines if Local ingredients-based supplement (LIBS) is as effective as corn-soya blends plus (CSB+) in treating moderate acute malnutrition among children aged 6–59 months.MethodsA randomized controlled non-inferiority trial will be conducted with moderately wasted children aged 6 to 59 months in Wolaita, Ethiopia. The calculated sample size is 324 (i.e. with 162 children in each of two arms, to be assigned by randomization). The daily ration will be: 100 g of LIBS plus 25.2 g of sugar with 8 ml oil in the intervention group, and 150 g of CSB+ with 16 ml of oil in the control group. These interventions will be provided for a maximum period of 12 weeks, with follow-up performed on a weekly basis. Data analysis will be done using SPSS and STATA software. Both intention-to-treat and per protocol analyses will be done. Hazard ratio and Kaplan-Meier (log rank) curves of survival analysis will be done to predict the probability of recovery rate. Logistic regression will be used to test for interactions between independent and dependent variables. Analysis of variances, t-tests, fisher’s exact test and chi-square tests will be used to assess baseline characteristics.ConclusionsThis paper will introduce to the existing research locally available nutritious foods which have the potential to enhance recovery from moderate acute malnutrition and to reduce the burden of malnutrition. The perceptions of mothers on feeding children with local ingredient-based supplementary food to assist recovery from moderate acute malnutrition will be the focus of in a qualitative study to follow; this will provide a further contribution in an evolving area of research.Trial registrationPan-African Clinical Trial Registration number: PACTR201809662822990, retrospectively registered on 11/09/2018.

Empirical investigation of active learning strategies

Abstract Many predictive tasks require labeled data to induce classification models. The data labeling process may have a high cost. Several strategies have been proposed to optimize the selection of the most relevant examples, a process referred to as active learning. However, a lack of empirical studies comparing different active learning approaches across multiple datasets makes it difficult identifying the most promising strategies, or even assessing the relative gain of active learning over the trivial random selection of instances. In this study, a comprehensive comparison of active learning strategies is presented, with various instance selection criteria, different classification algorithms and a large number of datasets. The experimental results confirm the effectiveness of active learning and provide insights about the relationship between classification algorithms and active learning strategies. Additionally, ranking curves with bands are introduced as a means to summarize in a single chart the performance of each active learning strategy for different classification algorithms and datasets.

A network meta-analysis of the short-term efficacy of five chemotherapy regimens based on cisplatin and fluorouracil for esophagogastric junctional adenocarcinoma

The primary purpose of this study was to explore the short-term efficacy of different cisplatin and fluorouracil-based chemotherapy regimens in the treatment of patients with esophagogastric junctional adenocarcinoma (EGJA) using a network meta-analysis (NMA). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to chemotherapy regimens based on cisplatin and fluorouracil for EGJA were included from the PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library electronic databases (from inception to June 2016). Direct and indirect evidence were combined to calculate the pooled odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (95% CI) as well as to draw the surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) curves. This NMA finally enrolled ten eligible RCTs with the following five regimens: cisplatin plus fluorouracil (cisplatin+fluorouracil), cisplatin+fluorouracil-based chemotherapy (cisplatin+fluorouracil+docetaxel/epirubicin/irinotecan), fluorouracil-based chemotherapy (fluorouracil+docetaxel/doxorubicin/methotrexate/irinotecan), cisplatin-based chemotherapy (cisplatin+docetaxel/epirubicin/irinotecan/capecitabine/s-1) and other drug-based chemotherapy (docetaxel/irinotecan/capecitabine). These results revealed that compared with a cisplatin+ fluorouracil-based chemotherapy regimen, the fluorouracil-based chemotherapy regimen had a lower overall response rate (ORR) and partial response (PR) for EGJA patients (ORR: OR=0.43, 95% CI=0.22–0.86; PR: OR=0.46, 95% CI=0.23–0.91). Cluster analyses suggested that the cisplatin+fluorouracil-based chemotherapy regimen had the best short-term efficacy for EGJA in terms of the complete response (CR), PR, ORR, stable disease (SD) and progression disease (PD). Our results indicated that cisplatin+fluorouracil-based chemotherapy regimens may have the best short-term efficacy in the treatment of EGJA.

An investigation of the impact of using different methods for network meta-analysis: a protocol for an empirical evaluation

BackgroundNetwork meta-analysis, a method to synthesise evidence from multiple treatments, has increased in popularity in the past decade. Two broad approaches are available to synthesise data across networks, namely, arm- and contrast-synthesis models, with a range of models that can be fitted within each. There has been recent debate about the validity of the arm-synthesis models, but to date, there has been limited empirical evaluation comparing results using the methods applied to a large number of networks. We aim to address this gap through the re-analysis of a large cohort of published networks of interventions using a range of network meta-analysis methods.MethodsWe will include a subset of networks from a database of network meta-analyses of randomised trials that have been identified and curated from the published literature. The subset of networks will include those where the primary outcome is binary, the number of events and participants are reported for each direct comparison, and there is no evidence of inconsistency in the network. We will re-analyse the networks using three contrast-synthesis methods and two arm-synthesis methods. We will compare the estimated treatment effects, their standard errors, treatment hierarchy based on the surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) curve, the SUCRA value, and the between-trial heterogeneity variance across the network meta-analysis methods. We will investigate whether differences in the results are affected by network characteristics and baseline risk.DiscussionThe results of this study will inform whether, in practice, the choice of network meta-analysis method matters, and if it does, in what situations differences in the results between methods might arise. The results from this research might also inform future simulation studies.

Log Ramification via Curves in Rank 1

We prove that in rank 1, the Abbes-Saito log conductor is determined by its restriction to curves. This result is essentially established by analyzing Artin-Schreier-Witt extensions. Consequently, we confirm an expectation of H. Esnault and M. Kerz. We also conjecture that this result holds in arbitrary finite rank. As an application, we translate recent results in higher class field theory of M. Kerz and S. Saito to the log-ramification context.

Curves of restricted type in euclidean spaces

Submanifolds of restricted type were introduced in [7]. In the present study we consider restricted type of curves in Em. We give some special examples. We also show that spherical curve in S2(r) C E3 is of restricted type if and only if either ƒ(s) is constant or a linear function of s of the form ƒ(s) = ±s + b and every closed W - curve of rank k and of length 2(r in E2k is of restricted type.

Conditionally bounding analytic ranks of elliptic curves

We describe a method for bounding the rank of an elliptic curve under the assumptions of the Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer conjecture and the generalized Riemann hypothesis. As an example, we compute, under these conjectures, exact upper bounds for curves which are known to have rank at least as large as 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24. For the known curve of rank at least 28, we get a bound of 30.

Elliptic Curves of High Rank and the Riemann Zeta Function on the One Line

We describe some experiments that show a connection between elliptic curves of high rank and the Riemann zeta function on the one line. We also discuss a couple of statistics involving L-functions in which the zeta function on the one line plays a prominent role.

Ranks of Elliptic Curves with Prescribed Torsion over Number Fields

We study the structure of the Mordell--Weil group of elliptic curves over number fields of degree 2, 3, and 4. We show that if $T$ is a group, then either the class of all elliptic curves over quadratic fields with torsion subgroup $T$ is empty, or it contains curves of rank~0 as well as curves of positive rank. We prove a similar but slightly weaker result for cubic and quartic fields. On the other hand, we find a group $T$ and a quartic field $K$ such that among the elliptic curves over $K$ with torsion subgroup $T$, there are curves of positive rank, but none of rank~0. We find examples of elliptic curves with positive rank and given torsion in many previously unknown cases. We also prove that all elliptic curves over quadratic fields with a point of order 13 or 18 and all elliptic curves over quartic fields with a point of order 22 are isogenous to one of their Galois conjugates and, by a phenomenon that we call \emph{false complex multiplication}, have even rank. Finally, we discuss connections with elliptic curves over finite fields and applications to integer factorization.

Elliptic curves and Triangles with three rational medians

Abstract In his paper Triangles with three rational medians , Buchholz proves that each such triangle corresponds to a point on a one-parameter family of elliptic curves whose rank is at least 2. We prove that in fact the exact rank of the family in Buchholz paper is 3. We also exhibit a subfamily whose rank is at least 4 and we prove the existence of infinitely many curves of rank 5 over Q parametrized by an elliptic curve of positive rank. Finally, we show particular examples of curves within those families having rank 9 and 10 over Q .

Regularity results for sub-Riemannian geodesics

We study length minimality of abnormal curves in rank 2 sub-Riemannian manifolds of polynomial type. As a corollary, we prove a \(C^{1,\delta }\) regularity result for Carnot-Caratheodory geodesics in a class of rank 2 Carnot groups.

Airport capacity constraints: future avenues for growth of global traffic

Current air traffic forecasts are mainly based on the hypothesis that airports have ample capacity to accommodate future growth, or, if this is not the case, that increasing airport capacity more than marginally is possible within an acceptable time frame. Improving airport capacity more than marginally usually means adding new runways; however, especially in highly developed countries, this may take many years to complete and for some airports, it is even an insurmountable task. This paper gives a brief overview over the historic development of global air traffic and compares it with the more recent developments at specific airports, which are important hubs in the global air traffic network. Thereafter, we develop an index of airport capacity utilisation to assess the capacity reserve of an airport. This index is designed to be applied on a global level and it is based on the concepts of the 5% peak hour and the average hour of an airport which is deduced from so-called “ranking curves”, i.e. operating hours of an airport are ranked according to their traffic volume in descending order. The more this curve is inclined, the greater is the capacity reserve of an airport. This procedure is carried out for around 2,500 airports worldwide on the basis of Official Airline Guide data. The number of flights of an airport serves as a measure for its importance in the global air traffic network. In connection with the airport capacity utilisation index, we are able to categorise airports with regard to the dimensions “level of importance for the global air traffic system” and “level of capacity reserve”, thereby, we are able to identify those airports that are critical for future growth of air traffic, i.e. those airports that serve a large share of the global flight volume and at the same time have only a small capacity reserve.

The Analytical Method of the Construction of the Profile of the Basic Rack for Equal Conjugate Curvature

After an extensive research on the fundamental theory, the theoretical basis for the Logix gearing will be presented in this paper. This includes the theory for gear meshing with high degree of contact. In comparison to previous studies, the theory of this paper is more restricted going beyond third order parameters into the fourth order, the teeth profile had one order of contact higher than that of the Logix gearing. So that further improved the contact strength of tooth profile. A large category of gearings with high order of contact was presented, while the Logix gear is only one of them, or the special example in realization of my theory. In the Logix gearing, the zigzag curvature center curve of media rank does not always lay about the pitch line and does not extend along the pitch line continuously and steadily. It goes forward and returns. So that, in terms of properties of the transverse engagement, the Logix gearing has not much improvement over the traditional Novikov gearing (in which the transverse engagement is temporally). In my gearing the curvature center of media rank extend along the pitch line continuously and steadily. The transverse engagement factor is larger than that of Logix gearing.

High rank elliptic curves with torsion group $\mathbb {Z}/(2\mathbb {Z})$

We develop an algorithm for bounding the rank of elliptic curves in the family $y^2=x^3-B x$, all of them with torsion group $\mathbb {Z} /(2 \mathbb {Z})$ and modular invariant $j=1728$. We use it to look for curves of high rank in this family and present four such curves of rank $13$ and $22$ of rank $12$.

Rank Computations for the Congruent Number Elliptic Curves

In a companion paper, Rubin and Silverberg relate the question of unboundedness of rank in families of quadratic twists of elliptic curves to the convergence or divergence of certain series. Here we give a computational application of their ideas on counting the rational points in such families; namely, to find curves of high rank in families of quadratic twists. We also observe that the algorithm seems to find as many curves of positive even rank as it does curves of odd rank. Results are given in the case of the congruent number elliptic curves, which are the quadratic twists of the curve y2 = x3 – x; for this family, the highest rank found is 6.

Multiplicities of non-arithmetic ternary quadratic forms and elliptic curves of positive rank

In this note we will characterize all non-arithmetic ternary quadratic forms with unbounded multiplicities. It turns out that their existence is closely related with certain classes of elliptic curves whose investigation is interesting on its own.