bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Compact MR‐compatible ergometer and its application in cardiac MR under exercise stress: A preliminary study
Authors: He Bo , Chen Yushu , Wang Lei , Yang Yang , Xia Chunchao , Zheng Jie , Gao Fabao
Published: June 2022

Purpose

To develop a compact MR‐compatible ergometer for exercise stress and to initially evaluate the reproducibility of myocardial native T1 and myocardial blood flow (MBF) measurements during exercise stress performed on this ergometer.

Methods

The compact ergometer consists of exercise, workload, and data processing components. The exercise stress can be achieved by pedaling on a pair of cylinders at a predefined frequency with adjustable resistances. Ten healthy subjects were recruited to perform cardiac MRI scans twice in a 3.0T MR scanner, at different days to assess reproducibility. Myocardial native T1 and MBF were acquired at rest and during a moderate exercise. The reproducibility of the two tests was determined by the intra‐group correlation coefficient (ICC) and coefficient of variation (CoV).

Results

The mean exercise intensity in this pilot study was 45 Watts (W), with an exercise duration of 5 min. Stress induced a significant increase in systolic blood pressure (from 113 ± 11 mmHg to 141 ± 12, P < 0.05) and maximal increase in heart rate by 74 ± 19%. The rate pressure product increased two‐fold (P < 0.001). Excellent reproducibility was demonstrated in native T1 during the exercise (CoV = 3.0%), whereas the reproducibility of MBF and myocardial perfusion reserve during the exercise was also good (CoV = 10.7% and 8.8%, respectively).

Conclusion

This pilot study demonstrated that it is possible to acquire reproducible measurements of myocardial native T1 and MBF during the exercise stress in healthy volunteers using our new compact ergometer.
Phosphorus MRS of healthy human spleen
Authors: Weis Jan , Jafar Maysam , Liss Per
Published: June 2022

Phosphorus (31P‐) MRS in vivo enables detection and quantification of important phosphorus‐containing metabolites in biological tissues.31P‐MRS of the normal spleen is challenging due to the relatively small volume and the larger distance between the spleen and surface coil. However, reference spectra of the healthy spleen are invaluable in studies of splenic malignancies and benign causes of splenomegaly, as well as in the study of its physiology. The purpose of this work was to investigate the feasibility of localized31P‐MRS of healthy spleen in situ in a clinically acceptable measurement time using a clinical 3 T MR scanner. In this work,31P spectra of five healthy volunteers were measured using single‐voxel image‐selected in vivo spectroscopy (ISIS). The measurement sequence was augmented by broadband proton decoupling and nuclear Overhauser effect enhancement. It is demonstrated that localized31P‐MRS of the spleen in situ using single‐voxel ISIS is feasible on a clinical 3 T scanner in a clinically acceptable acquisition time. However, results have to be corrected for the transmitter excitation profile, and chemical shift displacement errors need to be taken into consideration during placement of the volume of interest. Results presented here could be used as a reference in future studies of splenomegaly caused by haematological malignancies.
A simple proof of the Gross‐Saccoman multigraph conjecture
Authors: Martínez Mauro , Romero Pablo , Viera Julián
Published: June 2022

An enigmatic conjecture in network synthesis asserts that uniformly most reliable multigraphs are simple. Daniel Gross and John Saccoman proved in 1998 that the answer is affirmative whenever , where and are the number of nodes and edges of the multigraphs, respectively. They conjectured that the optimality is also achieved by simple graphs when . A proof for this conjecture recently appeared. In this article we provide a unified short proof for the previous cases where . Our proof strategy holds whenever the most reliable simple graphs satisfy the self‐similarity property. As a consequence, it could be used to study the multigraph conjecture for larger graph classes.
Develop Standard Operating Procedures for Routine Practice and What‐If Scenarios
Authors: Linder Kevin D. , Brewer Todd F.
Published: June 2022

Amid ever‐changing workforce and working conditions and regulations, today's water and wastewater sectors rely on standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistency and continuity of operations to protect public health.
Review UCMR 5 Requirements
Authors: Moody Chris
Published: June 2022

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5) on Dec. 27, 2021. UCMR is a recurring national water quality monitoring program required by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Under this program, EPA is required to identify up to 30 unregulated contaminants for inclusion in the monitoring program to inform regulatory decisions for drinking water standards. EPA is currently preparing for UCMR 5 monitoring activities, which will begin Jan. 1, 2023, and finish Dec. 31, 2025.
Don't Let Chemicals Get You!
Authors:   AWWA STAFF
Published: June 2022

Water utility operators and laboratory staff often are exposed to chemicals that can cause severe harm or even death. Many chemicals are extremely toxic, and even small quantities of them can be lethal.
Preparation and properties of crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol)/nanofibrillated cellulose based biocomposite by subcritical water/CO2process
Authors: Purkayastha Srijita , Prakash Mayank , Ghosh Anup K. , Saha Sampa
Published: June 2022

In the present work, for the first time plasticized poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) based biocomposite was crosslinked by citric acid (CA) using subcritical water/CO2process. Presence of sufficient number of ‐OH groups in the backbone of plasticized PVA (p‐PVA) helps to form H bonding with SC‐NFC, which significantly improves the mechanical property of the biocomposite. Further, crosslinking of the same biocomposite helps to achieve hydrogel with superior modulus than that of PVA hydrogel alone. In subcritical medium, plasticized poly(vinyl alcohol)/nanofibrillated cellulose based biocomposite powder gets melted, fused and cross‐linked in a single step process to develop such hydrogel. Crosslinked plasticized poly(vinyl alcohol)/nanofibrillated cellulose based biocomposites were fully characterized in terms of gel content, thermal and chemical properties, morphology, swelling behavior and rheology. Excellent water swollen property, cellular structure and high storage modulus establish the potential of prepared biocomposite based hydrogels for several biomedical applications.
Renewable isosorbide‐enchained semi‐fluorinated aromatic ether polymers
Authors: Shelar Ketki Eknath , Mukeba Karl M. , Mills Kelly , Smith Dennis W.
Published: June 2022

Isosorbide‐based renewable semi‐fluorinated polymers were synthesized via base‐mediated step‐growth polycondensation of isosorbide diol monomer with bis‐trifluorovinyl ether (TFVE) monomer in excellent yields. As the first example employing secondary alcohols in this addition/elimination polymerization affording fluorinated arylene vinylene ether (FAVE) polymers, reasonable to high‐molecular weights (10–84 kDa) and reproducible glass transition temperatures (Tg) ranging from 120 to 130°C were achieved. Containing 23–31 wt.% renewable isosorbide repeat unit, the amorphous polymers are processable in common organic solvents and form tough, transparent films. Depending on basic conditions, these renewable semi‐fluorinated polymers contain reactive fluoroalkene enchainment for post‐polymerization functionalization and further retain the ability to thermally crosslink without the need for catalysts or initiators. Structural characterization of this complex asymmetric polymer was determined by multi‐nuclear NMR including multiple 2D‐NMR techniques. Renewable FAVE chemistry based on isosorbide presents an intriguing option for alternative renewable materials containing fluorine.
Develop strategies for supporting displaced students
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: June 2022

When natural disasters or wars strike students’ home countries, support from their college or university and the surrounding community is critical.
Blockchain system in the higher education: Storing academical students' records and achievements accumulated in the educational process
Authors: Kataev Mikhail , Bulysheva Larisa
Published: June 2022

The significant interest in using of the blockchain technology in higher education for keeping secure student's records storage and retrieval is noted. This paper describes a new system based on blockchain approach to store students' records accumulated in the educational process at the higher institution in extended format. Every block of the records contains four types of information about student: academic activities, research participation, cultural activities and achievements. The system suggests participation of educational institution, student and potential employers in usage of integrated machine learning and blockchain technologies. The novelty of our paper is that the system allows university and student to keep complete and accurate data about the entire student learning process, avoid forgeries of educational records, e‐portfolio inaccuracies and fabricated degrees. Additionally, it could be used by employers to find qualifying potential employees, using large amount of verified and systematically accumulated data.
The Architecture, Nature, and Mystery of Starch Granules. Part 1: A Concise History of Early Investigations and Certain Granule Parts
Authors: Villwock Kurt , BeMiller James N.
Published: June 2022

A review with 303 references. Part 1 of a summarized history of investigations into the structures of starch granules. It has been a little more than three centuries since scientific studies of starch granules began. During the first 200 years after the microscope is first used to study them, many ideas are put forth about the makeup, properties, and behaviors of starch granules and how they are formed. This review of the unraveling of the mystery of the architecture of starch granules presents the progression of these ideas during this period and aspects of granule structural analysis since then. It is divided into seven sections: Introduction; Overview of early history, The outer layer, Inner layers/growth rings, Granule growth, Granule crystallinity, and Granule porosity.
Effect of masupirdine (SUVN‐502) on cognition in patients with moderate Alzheimer's disease: A randomized, double‐blind, phase 2, proof‐of‐concept study
Authors: Nirogi Ramakrishna , Ieni John , Goyal Vinod Kumar , Ravula Jyothsna , Jetta Satish , Shinde Anil , Jayarajan Pradeep , Benade Vijay , Palacharla Veera Raghava Chowdary , Dogiparti Dhanunjay Kumar , Jasti Venkat , Atri Alireza , Cummings Jeffrey
Published: June 2022

Introduction

This study explored the efficacy and safety of a serotonin‐6 receptor antagonist, masupirdine, as adjunct treatment in patients with moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) concomitantly treated with donepezil and memantine.

Methods

The effects of masupirdine were evaluated in patients with moderate AD dementia on background treatment with donepezil and memantine. Five hundred thirty‐seven patients were expected to be randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio, using permuted blocked randomization. After a 2‐ to 4‐week screening period, the study consisted of a 26‐week double‐blind treatment period, and a 4‐week washout period. The primary efficacy measure was the 11‐item cognitive subscale of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS‐Cog 11). Secondary efficacy measures were Clinical Dementia Rating Scale–Sum of Boxes, Mini‐Mental State Examination, 23‐item Alzheimer's Disease Co‐operative Study Activities of Daily Living, and 12‐item Neuropsychiatric Inventory. Changes from baseline were analyzed using a mixed effects model for repeated measures (MMRM). A total of 564 patients were randomized to receive either daily masupirdine 50 mg (190 patients), masupirdine 100 mg (185 patients), or placebo (189 patients). The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02580305).

Results

The MMRM results showed statistically non‐significant treatment differences in change from baseline in ADAS‐Cog 11 scores at week 26, comparing each masupirdine dose arm to the placebo arm. No significant treatment effects were observed in the secondary evaluations.

Discussion

Masupirdine was generally safe and well tolerated. Possible reasons for the observed trial results are discussed.

Highlights

Masupirdine was evaluated in moderate Alzheimer's disease patients.

First trial in class with background treatment of donepezil and memantine.

Masupirdine was generally safe and well tolerated.

Possible reasons for the observed trial results are discussed.
Ongoing reanalysis of prenatal exome sequencing data leads to higher diagnostic yield
Authors: Li L.‐S. , Li D.‐Z.
Published: June 2022

Linked article: This Correspondence comments on Mone et al. Click here to view the article.
The Strands of Klaus Hasselmann’s Science
Authors: von Storch Hans
Published: June 2022

While Klaus Hasselmann began, as many theoretical physicists do, expecting to find a solution to the “turbulence problem” (whatever that is), he noticed that this would be a rather big challenge, and that it may also be good to tackle easier problems. And that is what he did before returning to the old dream when he retired, although he was not particularly successful in attracting praise and recognition.
Statistics
Authors: von Storch Hans
Published: June 2022

See also https://pure.mpg.de/cone/persons/resource/persons37172?lang=en.
Triple-leptoquark interactions for tree- and loop-level proton decays
Authors: Doršner Ilja , Fajfer Svjetlana , Sumensari Olcyr
Published: June 2022

Abstract

We study the impact of triple-leptoquark interactions on matter stability for two specific proton decay topologies that arise at the tree- and one-loop level if and when they coexist. We demonstrate that the one-loop level topology is much more relevant than the tree-level one when it comes to the proton decay signatures despite the usual loop-suppression factor. We subsequently present detailed analysis of the triple-leptoquark interaction effects on the proton stability within one representative scenario to support our claim, where the scenario in question simultaneously features a tree-level topology that yields three-body proton decay p → e+e+e− and a one-loop level topology that induces two-body proton decays p → π0e+ and p → π+$$ \overline{\nu} $$

ν
¯

. We also provide a comprehensive list of the leading-order proton decay channels for all non-trivial cubic and quartic contractions involving three scalar leptoquark multiplets that generate triple-leptoquark interactions of our interest, where in the latter case one of the scalar multiplets is the Standard Model Higgs doublet.
Medizinische Kompressionsstrümpfe bei chronischen venösen Erkrankungen und Lymphödem
Authors: Stücker Markus , Rabe Eberhard
Published: June 2022

Hintergrund und Ziele

Medizinische Kompressionsstrümpfe (MKS) sind bei chronischer venöser Insuffizienz (CVI) aller Stadien indiziert und beim Lymphödem eine unverzichtbare Therapiekomponente; 8 % der deutschen Bevölkerung tragen vom Arzt verordnete MKS, Frauen häufiger als Männer (12 % vs. 5 %) und insbesondere Personen ab 60 Jahren (17 %). Die Adhärenz der Patienten ist relevant für eine erfolgreiche Behandlung mit MKS. Untersucht wurde die Versorgung mit MKS aus Patientensicht.

Patienten und Methodik

Die vorliegende Studie untersuchte 2019 die Versorgungsqualität durch strukturierte Interviews mit 414 repräsentativ ausgewählten Nutzern. Die Erkenntnisse werden vor dem Hintergrund wissenschaftlicher Evidenz zur Wirkung der MKS diskutiert.

Ergebnisse

Venenprobleme sind der häufigste Verordnungsgrund (44 %), gefolgt von Lymphödemen (22 %) bzw. Mehrfachindikationen (27 %). Patienten tragen MKS zumeist täglich und durchschnittlich 11 h/Tag; 89 % der Patienten waren zufrieden bzw. sehr zufrieden mit den MKS und berichteten je nach Indikation ein differenziertes Wirkprofil. Dieses reflektiert die umfangreiche wissenschaftliche Evidenz zur klinischen Wirksamkeit der MKS. Ein wichtiger Faktor für die Patientenadhärenz ist die ärztliche Schulung und Aufklärung.

Schlussfolgerungen

MKS werden von Patienten sehr gut akzeptiert. Bei der Verordnung sollen praktischen Aspekte wie An- und Ausziehen, empfohlene Tragedauer und -häufigkeit sowie der Wirkmechanismus der MKS vermittelt werden.

Graphic abstract
Prevalence and prognostic impact of chronic kidney disease and anaemia across ACC/AHA precursor and symptomatic heart failure stages
Authors: Gerhardt Louisa M. S. , Kordsmeyer Maren , Sehner Susanne , Güder Gülmisal , Störk Stefan , Edelmann Frank , Wachter Rolf , Pankuweit Sabine , Prettin Christiane , Ertl Georg , Wanner Christoph , Angermann Christiane E.
Published: June 2022

Background

The importance of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and anaemia has not been comprehensively studied in asymptomatic patients at risk for heart failure (HF) versus those with symptomatic HF. We analysed the prevalence, characteristics and prognostic impact of both conditions across American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) precursor and HF stages A–D.

Methods and results

2496 participants from three non-pharmacological German Competence Network HF studies were categorized by ACC/AHA stage; stage C patients were subdivided into C1 and C2 (corresponding to NYHA classes I/II and III, respectively). Overall, patient distribution was 8.1%/35.3%/32.9% and 23.7% in ACC/AHA stages A/B/C1 and C2/D, respectively. These subgroups were stratified by the absence ( – ) or presence ( +) of CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] < 60 mL/min/1.73m2) and anaemia (haemoglobin in women/men < 12/ < 13 g/dL). The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at 5-year follow-up. Prevalence increased across stages A/B/C1 and C2/D (CKD: 22.3%/23.6%/31.6%/54.7%; anaemia: 3.0%/7.9%/21.7%/33.2%, respectively), with concordant decreases in median eGFR and haemoglobin (all p < 0.001). Across all stages, hazard ratios [95% confidence intervals] for all-cause mortality were 2.1 [1.8–2.6] for CKD + , 1.7 [1.4–2.0] for anaemia, and 3.6 [2.9–4.6] for CKD + /anaemia + (all p < 0.001). Population attributable fractions (PAFs) for 5-year mortality related to CKD and/or anaemia were similar across stages A/B, C1 and C2/D (up to 33.4%, 30.8% and 34.7%, respectively).

Conclusions

Prevalence and severity of CKD and anaemia increased across ACC/AHA stages. Both conditions were individually and additively associated with increased 5-year mortality risk, with similar PAFs in asymptomatic patients and those with symptomatic HF.

Graphical abstract
The Moving-Frame Method for the Iterated-Integrals Signature: Orthogonal Invariants
Authors: Diehl Joscha , Preiß Rosa , Ruddy Michael , Tapia Nikolas
Published: June 2022

Geometric, robust-to-noise features of curves in Euclidean space are of great interest for various applications such as machine learning and image analysis. We apply Fels–Olver’s moving-frame method (for geometric features) paired with the log-signature transform (for robust features) to construct a set of integral invariants under rigid motions for curves in $${\mathbb {R}}^d$$

R

d

from the iterated-integrals signature. In particular, we show that one can algorithmically construct a set of invariants that characterize the equivalence class of the truncated iterated-integrals signature under orthogonal transformations, which yields a characterization of a curve in $${\mathbb {R}}^d$$

R

d

under rigid motions (and tree-like extensions) and an explicit method to compare curves up to these transformations.
Autonomic Dysregulation in Child Social Anxiety Disorder: An Experimental Design Using CBT Treatment
Authors: Asbrand Julia , Vögele Claus , Heinrichs Nina , Nitschke Kai , Tuschen-Caffier Brunna
Published: June 2022

Models of social anxiety disorder (SAD) stress the relevance of physiological arousal. So far, limited research has been conducted in children with SAD in experimental stress designs. Thus, examining autonomic arousal, children with and without SAD completed a standardized social stressor (Trier Social Stress Test for Children-C; TSST-C). Pre-existing differences to healthy controls (HC) were expected to decrease after receiving cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). Children with SAD (n = 64) and HC children (n = 55) completed a TSST-C. Children with SAD participated in a second TSST-C after either cognitive-behavioral treatment or a waitlist-control period (WLC). As expected, children with SAD showed blunted heart rate reactivity compared to HC children. Further, children with SAD had elevated levels of tonic sympathetic arousal as indexed by skin conductance level compared to HC. Children with SAD showed lower parasympathetic arousal during the baseline compared to HC. Children receiving treatment did not differ from children in the WLC condition in a repeated social stress test. Psychophysiological differences between children with SAD and HC children could be confirmed as indicated by previous research. The lack of physiological effects of the intervention as an experimental manipulation might be related to slower changes in physiology compared to e.g. cognition.
Direct transcriptomic comparison of xenobiotic metabolism and toxicity pathway induction of airway epithelium models at an air–liquid interface generated from induced pluripotent stem cells and primary bronchial epithelial cells
Authors: Djidrovski Ivo , Georgiou Maria , Tasinato Elena , Leonard Martin O. , Van den Bor Jelle , Lako Majlinda , Armstrong Lyle
Published: June 2022

The airway epithelium represents the main barrier between inhaled air and the tissues of the respiratory tract and is therefore an important point of contact with xenobiotic substances into the human body. Several studies have recently shown that in vitro models of the airway grown at an air–liquid interface (ALI) can be particularly useful to obtain mechanistic information about the toxicity of chemical compounds. However, such methods are not very amenable to high throughput since the primary cells cannot be expanded indefinitely in culture to obtain a sustainable number of cells. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have become a popular option in the recent years for modelling the airways of the lung, but despite progress in the field, such models have so far not been assessed for their ability to metabolise xenobiotic compounds and how they compare to the primary bronchial airway model (pBAE). Here, we report a comparative analysis by TempoSeq (oligo-directed sequencing) of an iPSC-derived airway model (iBAE) with a primary bronchial airway model (pBAE). The iBAE and pBAE were differentiated at an ALI and then evaluated in a 5-compound screen with exposure to a sub-lethal concentration of each compound for 24 h. We found that despite lower expression of xenobiotic metabolism genes, the iBAE similarly predicted the toxic pathways when compared to the pBAE model. Our results show that iPSC airway models at ALI show promise for inhalation toxicity assessments with further development.

Graphical abstract
Novel anti-arthritic mechanisms of trans-cinnamaldehyde against complete Freund’s adjuvant-induced arthritis in mice: involvement of NF-кB/TNF-α and IL-6/IL-23/ IL-17 pathways in the immuno-inflammatory responses
Authors: El-Tanbouly Ghada S. , Abdelrahman Rehab S.
Published: June 2022

Trans-cinnamaldehyde (TCA), a natural cinnamaldehyde derivative of cinnamon oil, is known for anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-diabetic, and anti-cancer activities. However, no study has examined the protective mechanisms of TCA on complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis. Chronic arthritis was induced in mice by triple dose injection of 0.1 ml CFA in the first two days, then a treatment with TCA (100 mg/kg, i.p.) and the anti-arthritic drug; methotrexate (MTX, 0.75 mg/kg, i.p., 3 times/week) started from day 10 after CFA and continued till day 35.TCA ameliorated the CFA-induced arthritis features, indicated by the decrease in serum rheumatoid factor, paw swelling, arthritis index and the arthritis changes in limb histology. Additionally, TCA treatment showed anti-inflammatory actions through downregulation of TNF-α, NF-κB and COX-2 expressions and marked reduction in IL-1β, IL-6, IL-23 and IL-17 levels in inflamed paw tissues.Consequently, TCA can decrease arthritis progression and inhibit the immune/inflammatory responses initiated by TNF-α/IL-1β/IL-6/IL-23/IL-17 signals, via NF-κB modulation, almost to the same extent accomplished by MTX. Therefore, TCA could be a promising anti-arthritic drug.
How Much Do We Really Care What We Pick? Pre-verbal and Verbal Investment in Choices Concerning Faces and Figures
Authors: Mouratidou Alexandra , Zlatev Jordan , van de Weijer Joost
Published: June 2022

Every day we make choices, but our degree of investment in them differs, both in terms of pre-verbal experience and verbal justification. In an earlier experimental study, participants were asked to pick the more attractive one among two human faces, and among two abstract figures, and later to provide verbal motivations for these choices. They did not know that in some of the cases their choices were manipulated (i.e., they were asked to motivate the item they had not chosen). Against claims about our unreliability as conscious agents (Nisbett et al. in Psychol Rev 84:231–259, 2013; Johansson et al. in Science 310:116–119, 2005), the study found that in about half the cases the manipulations were detected. In the present study, we investigated whether varying degrees of choice investment could be an explanatory factor for such findings. We analysed the verbal justifications of the participants along a set of semantic categories, based on theoretical ideas from phenomenology and cognitive linguistics, and formulated a matrix of elevenmarkers of choice investment. We predicted a greater degree of investment when motivating (a) choices of faces than figures, (b) manipulated than actual choices, and (c) detected than non-detected manipulations. These predictions were confirmed, but with various strength. This allows us to argue for both consilience and differences between pre-verbal choice investment and the corresponding verbal motivations of the choices made, and thus for (degrees of) conscious awareness of choice making.
Development of an image-based measurement instrument for gloss characterization
Authors: Beuckels Stijn , Audenaert Jan , Hanselaer Peter , Leloup Frédéric B.
Published: June 2022

Gloss is one of the main attributes to describe the appearance of surfaces and objects, as it contributes to the general quality perception. Gloss is a multidimensional quantity of which ‘specular gloss’ is the most commonly applied attribute. Specular gloss meters are standardized and widely used in industry. However, their readings correlate only partially to the general visual gloss impression, which also comprises distinctness-of-the-reflected-image (DOI), haze, contrast and surface-uniformity attributes. This study presents a more profound image-based gloss meter (iGM) which incorporates a CMOS camera detector. This concept is not new, but limited research has been conducted on the inclusion of various image processing evaluations for gloss attributes. The designed iGM is compatible to 60° specular gloss meter standards. The CMOS detector captures the reflected source image, which is processed to measure four perceptual attributes of surface gloss. The obtained results validate the 60° specular gloss evaluation and indicate a promising capability in characterizing DOI, haze, and contrast. Contrast is an important attribute that is not available yet in industrial gloss meters. It is measured using a diffuse aspecular light source. Generally, this iGM maintains the hardware principles of specular gloss meters, while evolving toward a representative gloss perception meter.
Reduced Sexual Desire in Young Norwegian Women: A Mixed-Methods Study
Authors: Bell Ashley Rebecca , Giil Ebba , Træen Bente
Published: June 2022

Sexuality has become an area of social competence in which individuals strive to be recognized as sexually competent performers. However, a large proportion of young women experience reduced sexual desire. In this study, both quantitative and qualitative methods were applied. Using data from a questionnaire, the aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of, and the factors associated with, lack of sexual interest and desire among young women in Norway. Further, with the help of in-depth interviews, we investigated how young women with reduced sexual desire experience living with their desire problems and what they experience as the cause of their problems. The sample in the quantitative study consisted of 505 Norwegian women between the ages of 18 and 29 years. ANOVA was employed to explore differences in scores on psychological factors and relational factors, as well as between participants who experienced a lack of sexual interest and desire, and those who did not. The results indicate a high prevalence of lack of sexual interest and desire among women (37.1%), while low appearance satisfaction and low relationship satisfaction were central predictors of lack of sexual interest and desire. The sample in the qualitative study consisted of ten Norwegian women with reduced sexual desire between the ages of 18 and 29 years. Through thematic analysis, four themes emerged as experiences of living with reduced sexual desire: (1) physical and mental health, (2) being a young woman in today’s society, (3) relational factors, (4) negative experiences, personal expectations toward sexuality, and sexual trauma.
Development and modelling of a school-based mental health intervention: the co-production of the R.E.A.C.T. programme
Authors: Neill Ruth D. , Lloyd Katrina , Best Paul , Williamson Janet , Allen Jack , Tully Mark. A.
Published: June 2022

The lack of effective school-based interventions for addressing mental health issues and psychological well-being in young people, particularly those with stakeholder involvement, for reducing test anxiety in adolescents has caused a call for interventions to be developed through the process of co-production with the key stakeholders, i.e. teachers and students. The purpose of this paper is to present the development and modelling of a coproduced school-based intervention to improve mental health and psychological well-being in adolescents in the post-primary setting. The intervention was developed through a six step co-production model. This included an extensive evidence review, interviews (n = 7), focus groups (n = 6), observations in three school settings and initial modelling of the intervention programme and resources in the co-research partner school. Findings were used to identify the preferred structure and content of the intervention. A six-week intervention for 12–14 year olds was co-produced along with relevant teacher resources and student work books. The intervention consisting of a psycho-educational component and physical activity component underpinned by cognitive, behavioural and self-regulation theories aimed to reduce test anxiety and improve psychological well-being. The co-production model was a successful series of six steps used to create and refine the intervention. The programme represents a theoretically informed intervention comprising multiple components. This study contributes to a better understanding of the determinants of mental health issues among young people and how an intervention can be effectively co-produced. The results suggest that a feasibility study is warranted with teachers delivering the programme.
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation amid the COVID-19 pandemic: a nationwide analysis of the first COVID-19 wave in the Netherlands
Authors: Rooijakkers M. J. P. , Li W. W. L. , Stens N. A. , Vis M. M. , Tonino P. A. L. , Timmers L. , Van Mieghem N. M. , den Heijer P. , Kats S. , Stella P. R. , Roolvink V. , van der Werf H. W. , Stoel M. G. , Schotborgh C. E. , Amoroso G. , Porta F. , van der Kley F. , van Wely M. H. , Gehlmann H. , van Garsse L. A. F. M. , Geuzebroek G. S. C. , Verkroost M. W. A. , Mourisse J. M. , Medendorp N. M. , van Royen N.
Published: June 2022

Introduction

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has put tremendous pressure on healthcare systems. Most transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) centres have adopted different triage systems and procedural strategies to serve highest-risk patients first and to minimise the burden on hospital logistics and personnel. We therefore assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patient selection, type of anaesthesia and outcomes after TAVI.

Methods

We used data from the Netherlands Heart Registration to examine all patients who underwent TAVI between March 2020 and July 2020 (COVID cohort), and between March 2019 and July 2019 (pre-COVID cohort). We compared patient characteristics, procedural characteristics and clinical outcomes.

Results

We examined 2131 patients who underwent TAVI (1020 patients in COVID cohort, 1111 patients in pre-COVID cohort). EuroSCORE II was comparable between cohorts (COVID 4.5 ± 4.0 vs pre-COVID 4.6 ± 4.2, p = 0.356). The number of TAVI procedures under general anaesthesia was lower in the COVID cohort (35.2% vs 46.5%, p < 0.001). Incidences of stroke (COVID 2.7% vs pre-COVID 1.7%, p = 0.134), major vascular complications (2.3% vs 3.4%, p = 0.170) and permanent pacemaker implantation (10.0% vs 9.4%, p = 0.634) did not differ between cohorts. Thirty-day and 150-day mortality were comparable (2.8% vs 2.2%, p = 0.359 and 5.2% vs 5.2%, p = 0.993, respectively).

Conclusions

During the COVID-19 pandemic, patient characteristics and outcomes after TAVI were not different than before the pandemic. This highlights the fact that TAVI procedures can be safely performed during the COVID-19 pandemic, without an increased risk of complications or mortality.
Exploring the Link Between Self-compassion and Compulsive Exercise Amongst Women
Authors: Cuesta-Zamora Cristina , Parra Marta , Toledano-González Abel , Ricarte Jorge , Plateau Carolyn R.
Published: June 2022

Objectives

Self-compassion, defined as the ability to be accepting and loving towards oneself, has been identified as a potential protective factor against the development of body dissatisfaction and eating disorders (ED). In contrast, compulsive exercise is a core feature in the development and progression of EDs and is often employed as a maladaptive coping strategy for negative emotions and body image concerns. However, the relationships between self-compassion and compulsive exercise attitudes and behaviours are as yet unexplored.

Methods

A total of 539 Spanish female university students (Mage = 20.03, SD = 2.22) completed measures of compulsive exercise, frequency of compensatory exercise, self-compassion, eating disorder symptoms, and anxiety and depression.

Results

Hierarchical multiple regressions showed that lower levels of self-compassion significantly predicted some compulsive exercise elements (namely, weight control exercise and lack of exercise enjoyment) after controlling for ED symptoms, anxiety, depression and age. However, frequency of compensatory exercise was unrelated to self-compassion elements. Findings from the mediation models suggest an indirect effect of self-compassion on the association between compulsive exercise and ED symptoms.

Conclusions

The findings suggest a significant link between low self-compassion and greater harmful exercise attitudes and behaviours towards exercise. Further research is needed to clarify whether self-compassion may be a core feature in the development and maintenance of harmful attitudes and behaviours towards exercise.
Wie kann eine assistierte Technologie pflegende Angehörige im Pflegealltag unterstützen? Ergebnisse einer Machbarkeitsstudie zur App Liv
Authors: Jansen Eva , Horn Annett , Herrmann Wolfram
Published: June 2022

Hintergrund

Aufgrund der älter werdenden Bevölkerung und der Zunahme von Menschen mit chronischen Erkrankungen im Alter, steigt die Zahl der pflegenden Angehörigen sowie deren Wert für die Versorgung. Dabei agieren sie meist ohne Vorerfahrungen im Bereich der Versorgung, haben begrenztes Verständnis für das Gesundheitssystem und erfüllen die Aufgabe neben der Bewältigung des eigenen Alltags. Daher gewinnen technische Unterstützungsmöglichkeiten wie die App Liv (entwickelt im Projekt münster.land.leben) an Bedeutung. Ziel der App Liv ist die Verbesserung der digitalen Gesundheitskompetenz der vulnerablen Gruppe der pflegenden Angehörigen in Deutschland.

Ziel der Arbeit (Fragestellung)

Ziel dieser Studie war, einen Prototyp der App Liv partizipativ mit pflegenden Angehörigen zu testen und das Konzept der App weiterzuentwickeln.

Material und Methoden

Mit 10 pflegenden Angehörigen wurden unter Zuhilfenahme eines Prototyps der App qualitative online Interviews geführt, mittels qualitativer Inhaltsanalyse ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse

Die pflegenden Angehörigen bewerteten das Layout und die Einfachheit der Funktionen insgesamt positiv. Als Voraussetzung für die Nutzung betonten die Interviewten die Einfachheit der Anwendung und eine Vielfalt an Dokumentationsmöglichkeiten. Erweiterungsvorschläge erfolgten in den Bereichen Spezifizierung der Aktivitäten, Hinzufügung von weiteren Kommunikationsformen, Reminder oder Bestätigungen für erledigte oder zu erledigende Aufgaben, Verweis auf weiterführende Informationen, Verknüpfung mit anderen digitalen Systemen und Hinterlegung wichtiger Dokumente.

Diskussion

Aus Sicht der Betroffenen stößt die App auf eine Versorgungslücke. Auf Grundlage der Vorschläge der Interviewteilnehmerinnen werden 6 Erweiterungen für die App diskutiert. Um die App nicht zu überfrachten, müssen diese in einer weiteren Studie auf ihre Nützlichkeit getestet werden.
Cost-based analyses of random neighbor and derived sampling methods
Authors: Novick Yitzchak , Bar-Noy Amotz
Published: June 2022

Random neighbor sampling, or RN, is a method for sampling vertices with a mean degree greater than that of the graph. Instead of naïvely sampling a vertex from a graph and retaining it (‘random vertex’ or RV), a neighbor of the vertex is selected instead. While considerable research has analyzed various aspects of RN, the extra cost of sampling a second vertex is typically not addressed. This paper explores RN sampling from the perspective of cost. We break down the cost of sampling into two distinct costs, that of sampling a vertex and that of sampling a neighbor of an already sampled vertex, and we also include the cost of actually selecting a vertex/neighbor and retaining it for use rather than discarding it. With these three costs as our cost-model, we explore RN and compare it to RV in a more fair manner than comparisons that have been made in previous research. As we delve into costs, a number of variants to RN are introduced. These variants improve on the cost-effectiveness of RN in regard to particular costs and priorities. Our full cost-benefit analysis highlights strengths and weaknesses of the methods. We particularly focus on how our methods perform for sampling high-degree and low-degree vertices, which further enriches the understanding of the methods and how they can be practically applied. We also suggest ‘two-phase’ methods that specifically seek to cover both high-degree and low-degree vertices in separate sampling phases.
Point-of-Care Ultrasound Findings in a Case of Botfly Myiasis Contracted in the United States
Authors: Davis Christopher A. , Patterson Jasmine , Hampton Katarzyna A.
Published: June 2022

Botfly infiltration is a rare cause of pediatric skin manifestations in the United States, but should be considered in nonhealing wounds even in nontravelers. We describe the case of a healthy 6-y-old female who had never traveled outside of the southeast United States, presenting with a nonhealing skin lesion. The point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) findings suggested subcutaneous parasitic infiltration. This case demonstrates the role of POCUS in identification of subcutaneous parasitic infiltration, and differentiation from other, more common skin lesions.
Offenbach Performance in Budapest, 1920–1956
Authors: Bozó Péter
Published: June 2022

As a legacy of the Habsburg Empire, performances of Jacques Offenbach's musical stage works played an important role in Budapest musico-theatrical life in the twentieth century. However, between the collapse of the Empire and the 1956 anti-Soviet revolution, political ideologies strongly influenced the character of these productions, when they took place. Public performances of Offenbach's works were prohibited between 1938 and 1945 and they became the bases for propagandadistic adaptations in the 1950s. This element explores how the local operetta tradition and the vogue of operettas featuring composers as characters during the interwar period were also important factors in how Offenbach's stage works were performed in mid-twentieth century Budapest in versions that sometimes bore little resemblance to the originals.
From dependence to conviviality: unaccompanied youth and host communities at the Zimbabwean–South African borderland
Authors: Levy Noa
Published: June 2022

Unaccompanied child and youth migrants negotiate with local host communities in their attempts to find a place to belong to, yet research has generally neglected their participation in the making of relationships with the people around them. Providing a perspective of the longue durée, the Zimbabwean–South African borderland teaches us that time is critical in young migrants’ ability to negotiate their positioning and actively shape relationships with host communities, based on mutual interest. While at the beginning of their stay, unaccompanied children and youth were at the mercy of others, time enabled them to accumulate knowledge and develop skills that were in demand, shifting their place in society and setting the ground for conviviality.
A (Dis)entangled History of Early Modern Cannibalism: Theory and Practice in Global History
Authors: McManus Stuart M. , Tworek Michael T.
Published: June 2022

This article offers a new approach to early modern global history, dubbed (dis)entangled history as a way to combine the conventional focus on the history of connections with a necessary appreciation of the elements of disconnection and disintegration. To exemplify this approach, it offers a case study related to the history of cannibalism as both a disputed anthropophagic practice and a cultural reference point across the early modern world. Through a rich multilingual and multimedia source base, we trace how the idea of Indigenous Tapuya endo-cannibalism in Brazil travelled across the Atlantic through Europe and Africa to East Asia. The idea of Tapuya cannibalism crossed some linguistic borders, stopped at others and interacted unevenly with long-standing Ottoman, Polish, West African, Islamic and Chinese ideas about ‘cannibal countries’, of which it was just one more example. This trajectory challenges the historiographical consensus that early modern ideas about cannibalism were centred on the Atlantic world. By tracing how one particular discourse did and did not travel around the globe, this article offers not just a theoretical statement, but a ‘fleshed out’ and concrete approach to writing about intermittent connectedness during the period 1500–1800.
The effects of adult child migration and migration duration on the emotional health of rural elders in China
Authors: Li Aihong
Published: June 2022

A large body of literature shows that the emotional health of rural elders in China is negatively affected by the migration of their adult children. However, the precise mechanism that underpins this relationship has yet to be fully uncovered. This paper introduces two new dimensions of analysis to expand the understanding of this ‘left behind’ phenomenon, and offers statistical insights, theoretical explanations and policy recommendations, as well as suggestions for further study. Firstly, in this paper, rural elders have been distinguished based on whether all, or any, of their adult children have migrated. This distinction leads to the finding that rural elders suffer more adverse mental health impacts when all adult children from a household move away. Secondly, the temporal dimension of migration is investigated, finding that there is a ‘turning point’ after which the mental health of rural elders appears to recover after the migration of their adult children. Comparison of the two groups shows that rural elders who see any of their adult children migrate recover from depression twice as quickly as those who see all of their children migrate. Receiving financial support or providing child care can only partly mediate the negative influence of migration. Also, the level of depression and wellbeing of rural elders can be significantly moderated by the emotional closeness between them and their adult children. Providing (grand)child-care assistance and receiving economic support is shown to have smaller mitigating effects. This paper concludes with a discussion of how the notion of ‘filial piety’ could, directly and indirectly, play a role in the emotional health of rural elders, with policy implications provided.
Race and the language of incels
Authors: Bogetić Ksenija
Published: June 2022

It is often observed that in modern English no political movement has created an internet jargon with the speed and range of the alt-right. Recently, however, we are seeing a specifically misogynist strand of this jargon shoot up, coming from the growing online anti-feminist network known as the Manosphere, and specifically its popularly best known outpost of ‘incels’. The neologisms being produced by incels have come to form a true cryptolect, developing at a rate that almost escapes linguistic description; at the same time, the elements of this cryptolect are quickly infiltrating broader popular culture and global vernacular contexts, from social media to Urban Dictionary (Ging, Lynn & Rosati, 2020).
Late Paleozoic Flexural Extension and Overprinting Shortening in the Southern Ozark Dome, Arkansas, USA: Evolving Fault Kinematics in the Foreland of the Ouachita Orogen
Authors: Hudson Mark R. , Turner Kenzie J.
Published: June 2022

Faults and folds on the southern flank of the Ozark dome in northern Arkansas, USA, record flexural extension in a foreland area followed by shortening in response to the late Paleozoic Ouachita orogeny. Map‐scale structures and an analysis of fault‐slip data collected systematically during geologic mapping demonstrate that most deformation in the area accommodated north‐south extension as the southern margin of Laurentia was flexed beneath the thrust load of the Ouachita belt, probably during Middle Pennsylvanian. Extension was concentrated in northeast‐ and west‐northwest‐trending structural zones having sets of discontinuous, often en echelon normal and strike‐slip faults and associated monoclinal folds. Reactivation of basement weaknesses that underlie these zones is indicated by their close match to oblique‐rift models in which both the proportions of normal and strike‐slip faulting and the internal extension directions vary with orientation of the zones. Subsequent propagation of north‐south Ouachita shortening into the foreland formed small‐offset strike‐slip and sparse reverse faults that overprinted older extensional structures. Strike‐slip faults were concentrated in reactivated northeast‐trending structural zones. In two areas, reverse faults and local anticlines were developed in the footwalls of older normal faults, both near intersections of northeast‐ and west‐northwest‐trending structural zones. These are interpreted as areas of incipient inversion due to compressional stress concentrations at fault‐block corners. Spatial overlap of areas of north‐south shortening and fluid flux marked by silicification or lead‐zinc mineralization indicates that regional fluid flow of brines was coeval with and may have enhanced inversion during Late Pennsylvanian to early Permian.