bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BRCA mutation carriers’ perceptions on postmenopausal hormone therapy: An Italian study
Authors: Grandi Giovanni , Boggio Sola Valentina , Cortesi Laura , Toss Angela , Giuliani Giulia Andrea , Del Savio Maria Chiara , Facchinetti Fabio
Published: May 2021

Objective

To evaluate the actual perceptions of postmenopausal hormone therapy (HT) in BRCA mutation carriers (BRCAmc) in comparison with women from the general population.

Methods

Questionnaire‐based study of 83 BRCAmc and a control group of 89 women without a genetic mutation. Perceptions were evaluated by specific questions and Likert scales (−5–+5).

Results

Present and past users of HT were more frequent in the control group (p = 0.01), with a longer time of use (p = 0.03). The preferred route of administration of HT was ‘oral’ (54.6%). The most frequently reported adverse effect of HT was venous thrombosis (0.8), while a protective effect on bone health was reported. No noticeable beneficial effects of HT have been recognised for hot flushes (0.2) and vaginal dryness (0.1). The most frequently perceived beneficial and adverse effects of HT were not significantly different between BRCA mutation carriers and controls. The greatest oncological fear was breast cancer (1.0). The protective role of HT on colorectal cancer was not known (0.1). These oncological impacts were mostly overestimated in BRCAmc, however this was not significant. Few BRCAmc would think of taking HT after risk‐reducing surgeries.

Conclusions

Knowledge of the effects of HT on BRCAmc is relatively poor and they are likely to overstate its negative effects and underestimate its health benefits; however, this is not significant in comparison to the general population. More and better information should be given to BRCAmc to allow them to make informed decisions about the use of HT, especially before undergoing risk‐reducing surgeries.
Alleviation of cisplatin‐induced hepatotoxicity by gliclazide: Involvement of oxidative stress and caspase‐3 activity
Authors: Taghizadeh Fatemeh , Hosseinimehr Seyed Jalal , Zargari Mehryar , Karimpour Malekshah Abbasali , Mirzaei Mansoureh , Talebpour Amiri Fereshteh
Published: May 2021

Aims

Cisplatin (CP), as an effective alkylating agent, is widely used in cancer treatment, while hepatotoxicity is one of its side effects. Gliclazide (GLZ), as an oral hypoglycemic drug, has antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties. This study was designed to investigate the protective effect of GLZ against CP‐induced hepatotoxicity in mice.

Methods

In this experimental study, 64 adult male mice randomly were allocated into eight groups (8 mice/group). Control, GLZ (5, 10, and 25 mg/kg, orally), CP (10 mg/kg, single dose, intraperitoneally), and CP+GLZ (in three doses). GLZ was administrated for 10 consecutive days. CP was injected on the 7th day of the study. At the end of the experiment, hepatotoxicity was evaluated by serum and tissue biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical assessments.

Results

The data were revealed that CP increased oxidative stress (increased MDA and reduced GSH), liver damage enzymes (ALT, AST, and ALP), and immunoreactivity of caspase‐3 in liver tissue of CP‐injected mice. Also, CP induced histopathological changes such as eosinophilic of hepatocytes, dilatation of sinusoids, congestion, and proliferation of Kupffer cells. GLZ administration significantly ameliorated serum functional enzyme and hepatic oxidative stress markers in CP‐injected mice. In addition, the histological and immunohistochemical alterations were ameliorated in GLZ‐treated mice. Of the three doses, 10 and 25 mg/kg were more effective.

Conclusions

In conclusion, GLZ with its antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and anti‐apoptotic activities, can be suggested as a promising drug in the treatment of CP‐induced hepatotoxicity.
Estimating and comparing adverse event probabilities in the presence of varying follow‐up times and competing events
Authors: Stegherr Regina , Schmoor Claudia , Lübbert Michael , Friede Tim , Beyersmann Jan
Published: May 2021

Safety analyses of adverse events (AEs) are important in assessing benefit–risk of therapies but are often rather simplistic compared to efficacy analyses. AE probabilities are typically estimated by incidence proportions, sometimes incidence densities or Kaplan–Meier estimation are proposed. These analyses either do not account for censoring, rely on a too restrictive parametric model, or ignore competing events. With the non‐parametric Aalen‐Johansen estimator as the “gold standard”, that is, reference estimator, potential sources of bias are investigated in an example from oncology and in simulations, for both one‐sample and two‐sample scenarios. The Aalen‐Johansen estimator serves as a reference, because it is the proper non‐parametric generalization of the Kaplan–Meier estimator to multiple outcomes. Because of potential large variances at the end of follow‐up, comparisons also consider further quantiles of the observed times. To date, consequences for safety comparisons have hardly been investigated, the impact of using different estimators for group comparisons being unclear. For example, the ratio of two both underestimating or overestimating estimators may not be comparable to the ratio of the reference, and our investigation also considers the ratio of AE probabilities. We find that ignoring competing events is more of a problem than falsely assuming constant hazards by the use of the incidence density and that the choice of the AE probability estimator is crucial for group comparisons.
Measurement, selection, and visualization of association rules: A compositional data perspective
Authors: Vives‐Mestres Marina , Kenett Ron S. , Thió‐Henestrosa Santiago , Martín‐Fernández Josep Antoni
Published: May 2021

Association rule mining is a powerful data analytic technique used for extracting information from transaction databases with a collection of itemsets. The aim is to indicate what item goes with what item (ie, an association rule) in a set of collected transactions. It is extensively used in text analytics of text records or social media. Here we use Compositional Data analysis (CoDa) techniques to generate new visualizations and insights from association rule mining. These CoDa methods show the relationship between itemsets, their strength, and direction of dependency. Moreover, after expressing each association rule as a contingency table, we discuss two statistical tests to guide identification of the relevant rules by analyzing the relative importance of the elements of the table. As an example, we use these visualizations and statistical tests for investigating the association of negative mood emotions to various types of headache/migraine events. Data for those analysis comes from N1‐HeadacheTM, a digital platform where individual users record attacks and symptoms as well as their daily exposure to a list of potential factors.
Resonance study: Effect of partial triples excitation using complex absorbing potential‐based Fock‐space multi‐reference coupled cluster
Authors: Jana Irina , Basumallick Suhita , Pal Sourav , Vaval Nayana
Published: May 2021

Resonances are metastable states with finite lifetime. They play important role in physics, chemistry and biology. The theoretical calculation of resonance state is a challenging problem. In this paper we have studied the shape resonance of Be, Mg, N2 and CO. We have used correlated independent particle approximation to the Fock space multi‐reference coupled cluster singles‐doubles with third‐order triples (CAP‐CIP‐FSMRCCSD(T)) method augmented by complex absorption potential. The resonance energy and decay widths are obtained by solving a non‐Hermitian eigen‐value problem within FSMRCC framework. The effects of the lowest order triples on the resonance energy and decay are studied.
A method of 3D‐3D multi‐stage non‐rigid registration of the spine based on binocular structured light
Authors: Chen Long , Zhang Xin , He Yuhao , Wang Wencong , Zhang Fengfeng , Sun Lining
Published: May 2021

Background

Intraoperative deformation and radiation are common problems in spinal surgery. A three‐dimensional multi‐stage dynamic iterative non‐rigid registration method of the spine based on binocular structured light is proposed in this paper to overcome these problems.

Method

The problem of intraoperative radiation in traditional X‐ray and CT is overcome by using binocular structured light. A three‐dimensional spinal mask based on binary code is designed to reduce the influence of non‐interested regions on the operation. Principal component analysis (PCA) algorithm is used to complete the rough registration between the preoperative CT model of the spine and the reconstructed surface of the intraoperative structured light. A new framework of multi‐stage dynamic iterative non‐rigid registration of the spine is proposed. The Iterative Closest Point (ICP) algorithm based on bidirectional selection is proposed to complete the single‐stage registration of the spine. Then the multi‐stage dynamic iterative registration of the spine is completed to solve the problem of large registration error caused by the deformation of the spine.

Results

The method proposed in this paper is compared with traditional registration methods, and its application is verified experimentally. The results show that the registration accuracy and time of the proposed method are  mm and  s, respectively. The accuracy of the method is 81.5% and 78.2% higher than that of the contour method and the method of marker points, respectively.

Conclusions

The method can effectively avoid intraoperative radiation, reduce the registration error caused by the deformation of the spine, and has a high practicability.
Nanomaterials for cascade promoted catalytic cancer therapy
Authors: Tong Zongrui , Gao Yong , Yang Huang , Wang Weilin , Mao Zhengwei
Published: May 2021

Catalytic therapy utilizing special substances (e.g., hydrogen peroxide and glucose) in tumor sites has attracted wide interest to achieve tumor‐specific therapy or improve the efficacy of other treatments. Benefiting from the selectivity and high activity of catalytic chemistry, efficient cancer therapy is available with negligible side effects. Numerous works, which are focused on further augmenting catalytic therapy with cascade strategies, have been reported with biocompatible nanomaterials composed of natural enzymes and/or nanozymes. Herein, we summarized catalytic reactions and nanomaterials in cascade strategy‐involved cancer therapy. With rapid advances in chemistry and nanomaterials, developing more selective and efficient cascade catalytic strategies will continue to be promising and challenging for cancer therapy.
Central Banks
Authors: Bindseil Ulrich , Fotia Alessio
Published: May 2021

This chapter develops further the role of a central bank and its interplay with commercial banks. Together, the two ensure the provision of liquidity to the economy, such that the real sectors are shielded from flows of funds originating from household and investors. We also disaggregate the banking system into two banks to represent deposit flows between banks and their impact on the central bank’s balance sheet, and to distinguish between what we call “relative” and “absolute” central bank intermediation. We then integrate deposit money creation by commercial banks into our system of financial accounts, and revisit some old debates, such as the limits of bank money creation and the role of related parameters that the central bank can set (not only the reserve requirement ratio, but also the collateral framework). Finally, we explain the concepts of “plain money” and “full reserve banking” within the financial accounts, and also discuss in this framework the recent proposals regarding central bank digital currency (CBDC).
Conventional Monetary Policy
Authors: Bindseil Ulrich , Fotia Alessio
Published: May 2021

This chapter introduces conventional monetary policy, i.e. monetary policy during periods of economic and financial stability and when short-term interest rates are not constrained by the zero lower bound. We introduce the concept of an operational target of monetary policy and explain why central banks normally give this role to the short-term interbank rate. We briefly touch macroeconomics by outlining how central banks should set interest rates across time to achieve their ultimate target, e.g. price stability, and we acknowledge the complications in doing so. We then zoom further into monetary policy operations and central bank balance sheets by developing the concepts of autonomous factor, monetary policy instruments, and liquidity-absorbing and liquidity providing balance sheet items. Subsequently we explain how these quantities relate to short-term interest rates, and how the central bank can rely on this relation to steer its operational target, and thereby the starting point of monetary policy transmission. Finally, we explain the importance of the collateral framework and related risk control measures (e.g. haircuts) for the liquidity of banks and for the conduct of central bank credit operations.
Unconventional Monetary Policy
Authors: Bindseil Ulrich , Fotia Alessio
Published: May 2021

This chapter introduces the reader to unconventional monetary policy, i.e. monetary policy using instruments going beyond the steering of short-term interest rates as described in the previous chapter. We start by providing the rationale of unconventional monetary policy, i.e. essentially pursuing an effective monetary policy when conventional policies are not able to provide the necessary monetary accommodation because of the zero lower bound. We then discuss negative interest rate policies, and explain why rates slightly below zero have proven to be feasible despite the existence of banknotes. We also discuss possible unintended side-effects of negative interest rates. We continue with a discussion of non-conventional credit operations: lengthening of their duration, the use of fixed-rate full allotment, the widening of the access of counterparties to the central bank’s credit operation, targeted operations, credit in foreign currency, and widening the collateral set. Finally, we turn to the purposes and effects of securities purchase programmes. We end the chapter by revisiting the classification of central bank instruments in three categories: conventional, unconventional, and lender of last resort.
Financial Instability
Authors: Bindseil Ulrich , Fotia Alessio
Published: May 2021

In this chapter, the central bank is put aside and we review simple models of financial instability, which will be the basis for the subsequent chapter to explain the role of the central bank as lender of last resort. We first recall that financial instability is mostly triggered by a negative shock on asset prices, and thereby on the solvency of debtors, which in turn worsens access to credit and can set in motion a liquidity crisis with vicious circles. We develop the concepts of solvency “conditional” and “unconditional” on liquidity: a decline in asset prices can lead an unconditionally solvent debtor to become only conditionally solvent, such that sufficient liquidity becomes decisive for preventing its default. We then apply these concepts to the stability of bank funding and introduce the problem of bank runs. We subsequently show why asset liquidity in a dealer market deteriorates during a financial crisis (increased volatility and uncertainty increase the required bid-ask spread); how asymmetric information can lead to a freeze of credit markets in a simple adverse selection model; how declining and more volatile asset prices drive increases of haircut, and how these can force fire sales and defaults of borrowers. We finally discuss the interaction between these various crisis channels.
Introduction
Authors: Massari Alice
Published: May 2021

“How do we see refugees? The refugee has become a multifaceted symbol, the most prominent political figure of our time” states the brochure of an art retrospective by Khaled Hourani, a Palestinian artist reflecting on the reduction of refugees to abstract symbols of victimhood by humanitarian representations. In the eyes of the artist, the blue figure (Fig. 1.1), so common in relief organizations´ visual depictions, is the migrating human being, without a specific national, religious, ethnic, or gender identity. Yet, the visual landscape of contemporary displacement is anything but abstract. Images of overcrowded boats in the Mediterranean, refugee camps, improvised shelters along migration routes, children and families in need, and people stranded behind fences and walls have come to constitute a powerful reminder of contemporary conditions of displacement for people on the move. Yet, the question remains: how do we see refugees?
Humanitarianism, Securitization and Humanitarian Communication
Authors: Massari Alice
Published: May 2021

To unpack the role that transnational humanitarian NGOs play in contemporary systems of governance and highlight how they contribute, through their visual production, to the securitization of the refugee issue, it is important to introduce the notions of humanitarianism, global governance, and securitization. Also, since NGOs do not operate in a vacuum but within a highly competitive media environment, it is equally important to reflect on the ways in which humanitarian ideals are translated into their communication strategies and how these fit within the larger communication landscape. This chapter presents the literature and the theoretical framework on which this book is based.
Conclusion
Authors: Massari Alice
Published: May 2021

The investigation of the four relief agencies’ organizational models – undertaken by combining analysis of websites, strategic documents and policy guidelines with fieldwork and interviews with NGO staffers – has shown the different ways in which each organization works. Exploration of the different sectors of intervention has highlighted the different roles NGOs want to have not only in the lives of their beneficiaries but more generally in the governance system of their communities. As illustrated in Chap. 5, the spectrum of activities is quite wide. Save the Children focuses on education and child protection (mainly through psychosocial support) complementary advocacy to secure policy change to enable a better world for children; Oxfam prioritizes ‘giving voice’ to the voiceless, water and sanitation, psychosocial support, legal counselling, combined also with a vigorous advocacy and influencing program to create lasting solutions to injustice and poverty. CARE has a similar focus on voice and empowerment especially for women and girls. Its gender transformative approach informs its work on protection, responses to gender-based violence) distribution of relief items, and, to a lesser extent, water and sanitation. As with Save the Children and Oxfam, CARE sets store by advocacy for policy reforms to end poverty and gender inequality. For its part, MSF operations focused on medical assistance, ranging from primary health care, surgery, mental health and psychosocial support, and medical evacuation. For MSF, belief in the power of témoignage has driven denunciations of those who hinder humanitarian action or divert aid and also critique of the wider disfunctionalities of the humanitarian system itself.
The impact of different parameterizations on the interpretation of CP violation in neutrino oscillations
Authors: Denton Peter B. , Pestes Rebekah
Published: May 2021

Abstract

CP violation in the lepton mass matrix will be probed with good precision in upcoming experiments. The amount of CP violation present in oscillations can be quantified in numerous ways and is typically parameterized by the complex phase δPDG in the standard PDG definition of the lepton mixing matrix. There are additional parameterizations of the lepton mixing matrix as well. Through various examples, we explore how, given the current data, different parameterizations can lead to different conclusions when working with parameterization dependent variables, such as δ. We demonstrate how the smallness of |Ue3| governs the scale of these results. We then demonstrate how δ can be misleading and argue that the Jarlskog is the cleanest means of presenting the amount of CP violation in the lepton sector. We also confirm that, among the different parameterizations considered, the standard PDG parameterization has a number of convenient features.
Deformed Shatashvili-Vafa algebra for superstrings on AdS3 × ℳ7
Authors: Fiset Marc-Antoine , Gaberdiel Matthias R.
Published: May 2021

Abstract

String backgrounds of the form 𝕄3× ℳ7 where 𝕄3 denotes 3-dimensional Minkowski space while ℳ7 is a 7-dimensional G2-manifold, are characterised by the property that the world-sheet theory has a Shatashvili-Vafa (SV) chiral algebra. We study the generalisation of this statement to backgrounds where the Minkowski factor 𝕄3 is replaced by AdS3. We argue that in this case the world-sheet theory is characterised by a certain $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 superconformal $$ \mathcal{W} $$
W
-algebra that has the same spin spectrum as the SV algebra and also contains a tricritical Ising model $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 subalgebra. We determine the allowed representations of this $$ \mathcal{W} $$
W
-algebra, and analyse to which extent the special features of the SV algebra survive this generalisation.
Peripheral immune circadian variation, synchronisation and possible dysrhythmia in established type 1 diabetes
Authors: Beam Craig A. , Beli Eleni , Wasserfall Clive H. , Woerner Stephanie E. , Legge Megan T. , Evans-Molina Carmella , McGrail Kieran M. , Silk Ryan , Grant Maria B. , Atkinson Mark A. , DiMeglio Linda A.
Published: May 2021

Aims/hypothesis

The circadian clock influences both diabetes and immunity. Our goal in this study was to characterise more thoroughly the circadian patterns of immune cell populations and cytokines that are particularly relevant to the immune pathology of type 1 diabetes and thus fill in a current gap in our understanding of this disease.

Methods

Ten individuals with established type 1 diabetes (mean disease duration 11 years, age 18–40 years, six female) participated in a circadian sampling protocol, each providing six blood samples over a 24 h period.

Results

Daily ranges of population frequencies were sometimes large and possibly clinically significant. Several immune populations, such as dendritic cells, CD4 and CD8 T cells and their effector memory subpopulations, CD4 regulatory T cells, B cells and cytokine IL-6, exhibited statistically significant circadian rhythmicity. In a comparison with historical healthy control individuals, but using shipped samples, we observed that participants with type 1 diabetes had statistically significant phase shifts occurring in the time of peak occurrence of B cells (+4.8 h), CD4 and CD8 T cells (~ +5 h) and their naive and effector memory subsets (~ +3.3 to +4.5 h), and regulatory T cells (+4.1 h). An independent streptozotocin murine experiment confirmed the phase shifting of CD8 T cells and suggests that circadian dysrhythmia in type 1 diabetes might be an effect and not a cause of the disease.

Conclusions/interpretation

Future efforts investigating this newly described aspect of type 1 diabetes in human participants are warranted. Peripheral immune populations should be measured near the same time of day in order to reduce circadian-related variation.

Graphical abstract
Rates and predictors of uptake of mental health support during the COVID-19 pandemic: an analysis of 26,720 adults in the UK in lockdown
Authors: Bu Feifei , Mak Hei Wan , Fancourt Daisy
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has put a great strain on people’s mental health. A growing number of studies have shown worsening mental health measures globally during the pandemic. However, there is a lack of empirical study on how people support their mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to examine a number of formal and informal mental health support. Further, it explored factors that might be associated with the use of different types mental health support.

Methods

Data from 26,720 adults in the UCL COVID-19 Social Study were analysed between 13th April 2020 and 3rd July 2020. Data were analysed using logistic and Poisson regression models.

Results

About 45% of people reported talking to friends or family members to support their mental health, 43% engaging in self-care activities, 20% taking medication, 9% speaking to mental health professionals, 8% talking to a GP or other health professional, and another 8% using helpline or online services. Gender, education, living status, loneliness, pre-existing mental health conditions, general depression and anxiety, coping and personality were found to be associated with the use of mental health support.

Conclusion

While the negative impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are inevitable, people can play an active role in managing their mental health. Understanding the patterns and predictors of various kinds of mental health support during the pandemic is crucial for future service planning and delivery through recognising potential barriers to mental health care faced by certain groups.
Towards quantifying changes in forest cover in the Araucaria forest-grassland mosaic in southern Brazil
Authors: Piraquive Bermúdez Daniela , Theuerkauf Martin , Giesecke Thomas
Published: May 2021

Quantitative estimates of past vegetation cover are needed both regionally so human-landscape interactions can be better understood, and globally to evaluate the effects of changing vegetation cover on the climate system. Models reducing the bias in the pollen representation of vegetation cover have been developed in the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, while experience applying them in other parts of the world is limited. The Araucaria forest-grassland mosaic of southern Brazil is an area where open and forested plant communities exist naturally and have changed their cover over time due to changing climate and human activities. Therefore, this area is of particular interest for such studies. Modern pollen and vegetation comparisons were carried out in two protected areas: Vila Velha State Park in Paraná state and Aparados da Serra National Park in Rio Grande do Sul. Vegetation mapping and analysis focused on Araucaria angustifolia as the characteristic tree of this vegetation type. In the Araucaria forest-grassland mosaic open vegetation and woodland change at a scale of hundreds of metres. These changes are difficult to capture based on pollen proportions in surface samples. While the abundance of Poaceae pollen is not a good indicator of locally open conditions, several pollen taxa can be used as indicators of the local vegetation cover. Pollen vegetation ratios (R-values) compare well between the two study regions, indicating that pollen production of individual species within the large plant families of Poaceae and Asteraceae are similar within the overall region. Araucaria angustifolia pollen is underrepresented with regards to its vegetation cover, while Poaceae are among the highest pollen producers in the region. Diverse woodland species other than A. angustifolia were grouped as one forest taxon and as the species composition of woodlands differed between the two study areas, so did the estimated pollen productivity of this group. It would be rewarding in future investigations to estimate pollen productivity for groups of trees with the same pollen dispersal syndrome. The application of pollen dispersal models designed for closed canopy in the protected areas was challenging. Further model development is required to deal with pollen released at different levels in semi-open vegetation types.
Impact of cyclones on hard coral and metapopulation structure, connectivity and genetic diversity of coral reef fish
Authors: Gerlach Gabriele , Kraemer Philipp , Weist Peggy , Eickelmann Laura , Kingsford Michael J.
Published: May 2021

Cyclones have one of the greatest effects on the biodiversity of coral reefs and the associated species. But it is unknown how stochastic alterations in habitat structure influence metapopulation structure, connectivity and genetic diversity. From 1993 to 2018, the reefs of the Capricorn Bunker Reef group in the southern part of the Great Barrier Reef were impacted by three tropical cyclones including cyclone Hamish (2009, category 5). This resulted in substantial loss of live habitat-forming coral and coral reef fish communities. Within 6–8 years after cyclones had devastated, live hard corals recovered by 50–60%. We show the relationship between hard coral cover and the abundance of the neon damselfish (Pomacentrus coelestis), the first fish colonizing destroyed reefs. We present the first long-term (2008–2015 years corresponding to 16–24 generations ofP. coelestis) population genetic study to understand the impact of cyclones on the meta-population structure, connectivity and genetic diversity of the neon damselfish. After the cyclone, we observed the largest change in the genetic structure at reef populations compared to other years. Simultaneously, allelic richness of genetic microsatellite markers dropped indicating a great loss of genetic diversity, which increased again in subsequent years. Over years, metapopulation dynamics were characterized by high connectivity among fish populations associated with the Capricorn Bunker reefs (2200 km2); however, despite high exchange, genetic patchiness was observed with annual strong genetic divergence between populations among reefs. Some broad similarities in the genetic structure in 2015 could be explained by dispersal from a source reef and the related expansion of local populations. This study has shown that alternating cyclone-driven changes and subsequent recovery phases of coral habitat can greatly influence patterns of reef fish connectivity. The frequency of disturbances determines abundance of fish and genetic diversity within species.
Exploring intensity-dependent modulations in EEG resting-state network efficiency induced by exercise
Authors: Büchel Daniel , Sandbakk Øyvind , Baumeister Jochen
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Exhaustive cardiovascular load can affect neural processing and is associated with decreases in sensorimotor performance. The purpose of this study was to explore intensity-dependent modulations in brain network efficiency in response to treadmill running assessed from resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) measures.

Methods

Sixteen trained participants were tested for individual peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak) and performed an incremental treadmill exercise at 50% (10 min), 70% (10 min) and 90% speed VO2 peak(all-out) followed by cool-down running and active recovery. Before the experiment and after each stage, borg scale (BS), blood lactate concentration (BLa), resting heartrate (HRrest) and 64-channel EEG resting state were assessed. To analyze network efficiency, graph theory was applied to derive small world index (SWI) from EEG data in theta, alpha-1 and alpha-2 frequency bands.

Results

Analysis of variance for repeated measures revealed significant main effects for intensity on BS, BLa, HRrestand SWI. While BS, BLaand HRrestindicated maxima after all-out, SWI showed a reduction in the theta network after all-out.

Conclusion

Our explorative approach suggests intensity-dependent modulations of resting-state brain networks, since exhaustive exercise temporarily reduces brain network efficiency. Resting-state network assessment may prospectively play a role in training monitoring by displaying the readiness and efficiency of the central nervous system in different training situations.
Long-term outcome of biopsy-proven idiopathic tubulointersitial nephritis with or without uveitis in children—a nationwide follow-up study
Authors: Rytkönen Sari , Tainio Juuso , Saarela Ville , Endén Kira , Kataja Janne , Arikoski Pekka , Nuutinen Matti , Jahnukainen Timo
Published: May 2021

Background

Only a few studies reporting the long-term outcome of children with idiopathic tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) and uveitis syndrome (TINU) are available. We studied the long-term kidney and ocular outcome in a nationwide cohort of children with TIN or TINU.

Methods

All patients followed up for a minimum of 1 year by a paediatrician and an ophthalmologist were enrolled. The data on plasma creatinine (P-Cr), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), proteinuria, hypertension and uveitis were collected retrospectively.

Results

Fifty-two patients were studied. Median age at time of diagnosis was 13.1 (1.8–16.9) years and median follow-up time was 5.7 (1.1–21.2) years. Forty-five (87%) patients were initially treated with glucocorticoids. The median of the maximum P-Cr was 162 μmol/l (47–1,016) and that of eGFR 47 ml/min/1.73m2(8–124). Uveitis was diagnosed in 33 patients (63%) and 21 (40%) patients developed chronic uveitis. P-Cr normalised in a median of 2 months. Eleven (21%) patients had nephritis recurrence during or after discontinuation of glucocorticoids. At the latest follow-up, 13 (25%) patients had eGFR < 90 ml/min/1.73m2(median 83; 61–89 ml/min/1.73m2). Six patients had tubular proteinuria; all presented with TIN without uveitis. Seven (13%) patients were hypertensive. Eleven (21%) patients had uveitis. One patient developed uraemia and was later transplanted.

Conclusions

Our study questions the previously reported good long-term kidney and ocular outcome of patients with TIN/TINU. Decreased kidney function and/or ocular co-morbidities may persist for several years; thus, both kidney and ocular follow-up for at least 1 year is warranted.

Graphical abstract

A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information
Dear old peonies–for gene banks and gardeners; microsatellite fingerprinting of herbaceous peonies in Fennoscandia
Authors: Tanhuanpää Pirjo , Juhanoja Sirkka , Oskarsson Linnea , Marstein Mari , Hartikainen Merja
Published: May 2021

The genetic diversity of 334 herbaceous peonies from Fennoscandia was analysed using 18 microsatellites (simple sequence repeats, SSRs). The samples included peonies mostly from Finnish home gardens (284) and nurseries (5) as well as from Norwegian (20) and Swedish (25) peony collections. The study focused on the following species and hybrids: Paeonia anomala L., P. × hybrida Pall., P. officinalis ‘Nordic Paradox’ (Marstein 2015), P. tenuifolia L., and P. × festiva Tausch. The 18 microsatellites amplified a total of 249 alleles and were used to calculate genetic distances between samples and to build a dendrogram. In the dendrogram, samples formed clear groups according to their species. The outcome from the genetic analysis was mainly confirmed by preliminary morphological observations of the Finnish home garden samples performed within the project and the previous morphological study of peonies in Norwegian clone archives. The results of the study will be used to create a Finnish genetic resources collection of the most diverse and vigorous peonies, and to update the Norwegian and Swedish collections.
Visual experience in the predictive brain is univocal, but indeterminate
Authors: Nave Kathryn
Published: May 2021

Among the exciting prospects raised by advocates of predictive processing [PP] is the offer of a systematic description of our neural activity suitable for drawing explanatory bridges to the structure of conscious experience (Clark, 2015). Yet the gulf to cross seems wide. For, as critics of PP have argued, our visual experience certainly doesn’t seem probabilistic (Block, 2018; Holton, 2016).

While Clark (2018) proposes a means to make PP compatible with the experience of a determinate world, I argue that we should not rush to do so. Two notions of determinacy are conflated in the claim that perception is determinate: ‘univocality’ and ‘full detail’. The former, as Clark argues, is only to be expected in any PP agent that (like us) models its world for the purpose of acting on it. But as Husserl argued, and as perceptual psychology has borne out, we significantly overestimate the degree of detail with which we perceive a univocal world.

This second form of indeterminacy is due not to the probabilistic nature of PP’s model, but rather to its hierarchical structure, with increasingly coarse-grained representations as we move further from the sensory periphery. A PP system may, or may not, deliver a univocal hypothesis at each of these levels. An action-oriented PP system would only be expected to do so only at the level needed for successful action guidance. A naïve reporter’s overestimation of the degree of determinate detail in their visual experience can thereby be accounted for with a more gradual version of the ‘refrigerator light’ effect: we experience determinate details just to the degree that they’re needed – immediately as they’re needed.
The Existence of Arguments in Classical Islamic Thought: Reply to Hannah Erlwein
Authors: Mihirig Abdurrahman Ali
Published: May 2021

In recent years, there has been notable interest in Islamic philosophy and theology from an analytic and not merely historical perspective. One important area of research that has garnered a great deal of research is the arguments for the existence of God. Recent work by Hannah Erlwein seeks to argue that this research has been in vain, for there are no arguments for the existence of God in classical Islamic thought. This paper analyzes Erlwein’s strategies in justifying this position, revealing that her research ignores an enormous amount of evidence that runs contrary to her thesis, in addition to demonstrating many of the errors and shortcomings in her work. Most disturbingly, the book seeks to present the Islamic philosophical tradition as fideistic and unintellectual based on a series of contrived interpretations of rather clear texts. In response, this paper demonstrates the importance of independent inquiry in the Islamic tradition by looking at a wide range of different relevant texts.
Mobile Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback as a Complementary Intervention After Myocardial Infarction: a Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Limmer Anja , Laser Martin , Schütz Astrid
Published: May 2021

Background

To enhance effective prevention programs after myocardial infarction (MI), the study examined the effects and feasibility of mobile biofeedback training on heart rate variability (HRV-BF).

Methods

Forty-six outpatients aged 41 to 79 years with a documented MI were randomized to HRV-BF versus usual care. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) analyses were performed to test improvements in measures of short- and long-time HRV, namely, the standard deviation of the normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN) and well-being after 12 weeks of HRV-BF.

Results

There were intervention effects for short-time HRV (d > 0.4, p < 0.04), which were partly replicated in the GEE models that accounted for control variables: In the HRV-BF group, the high-frequency HRV (group × time interaction: β = 0.59, p = 0.04) compensated for significantly lower baseline levels than the group with usual care. In an optimal dose sample (on average two HRV-BF sessions a day), SDNN significantly increased after HRV-BF (p = 0.002) but not in the waitlist control group. Compensatory trends of HRV-BF were also found for high-frequency HRV and self-efficacy. No adverse effects of the intervention were found but neither were effects on long-time HRV measures.

Conclusion

The results showed the feasibility of self-guided HRV-BF for almost all post-MI patients. HRV-BF as an adjunctive behavioral treatment increased HRV, which is an indicator of lower cardiovascular risk, and self-efficacy, which suggests heightened psychological resilience. These benefits warrant confirmation and tests of sustainability in larger studies.

Trial Registration

The trial has not been registered due to its starting point in 2017 predating the publication of the applicable CONSORT extension for reporting social and psychological intervention trials in 2018.
The epistemic consequences of pragmatic value-laden scientific inference
Authors: Kubiak Adam P. , Kawalec Paweł
Published: May 2021

In this work, we explore the epistemic import of the value-ladenness of Neyman-Pearson’s Theory of Testing Hypotheses (N-P) by reconstructing and extending Daniel Steel’s argument for the legitimate influence of pragmatic values on scientific inference. We focus on how to properly understand N-P’s pragmatic value-ladenness and the epistemic reliability of N-P. We develop an account of the twofold influence of pragmatic values on N-P’s epistemic reliability and replicability. We refer to these two distinguished aspects as “direct” and “indirect”. We discuss the replicability of experiments in terms of the indirect aspect and the replicability of outcomes in terms of the direct aspect. We argue that the influence of pragmatic values is beneficial to N-P’s epistemic reliability and replicability indirectly. We show that while the direct influence of pragmatic values can be beneficial, its negative effects on reliability and replicability are also unavoidable in some cases, with the direct and indirect aspects possibly being incongruent.
Hepatocellular cancer selection systems and liver transplantation: from the tower of babel to an ideal comprehensive score
Authors: Lerut Jan , Foguenne Maxime , Lai Quirino
Published: May 2021

The Milan criteria (MC) remain the cornerstone for the selection of patients with hepatocellular cancer (HCC) to be listed for liver transplantation (LT). Recently, several expanded criteria have been proposed to increase the transplantability of HCC patients without compromising their (oncologic) outcome. This paper aims to systematically review the different reported HCC-LT selection systems looking thereby at their ability to increase the number of transplantable patients and the overall survival and oncological outcome. A systematic review of the literature covering the period 1993 (date of the first reported HCC-LT selection system)–2021 identified 59 different inclusion criteria of HCC for LT. Among the 59 studies reporting HCC-LT selection systems, 15 (28.3%) were exclusively based on morphological aspects of the tumor; 29 (54.7%) included biologic, seven (13.2%) radiological, and two (3.8%) only included pathological tumor features. Overall, 31% more patients could be transplanted when adhering to the new HCC-LT selection systems. Despite the increased number of LT, 5-year patient and disease-free survival rates were similar between MC-IN and MC-OUT/new HCC-LT-IN criteria. A careful extension of the inclusion criteria should allow many more patients to access a potentially curative LT without compromising their outcome. The development of a widely accepted “comprehensive” HCC-LT Score able to offer a fair chance of justified transplantation to more patients should become a priority within the liver transplant community. Further studies are needed to develop internationally accepted, expanded selection criteria for liver transplantation of HCC patients.
The Perception of Flood Risks: A Case Study of Babessi in Rural Cameroon
Authors: Buchenrieder Gertrud , Brandl Julian , Balgah Azibo Roland
Published: May 2021

Although risk perception of natural hazards has been identified as an important determinant for sound policy design, there is limited empirical research on it in developing countries. This article narrows the empirical literature gap. It draws from Babessi, a rural town in the Northwest Region of Cameroon. Babessi was hit by a severe flash flood in 2012. The cross-disciplinary lens applied here deciphers the complexity arising from flood hazards, often embedded in contexts characterized by poverty, a state that is constrained in disaster relief, and market-based solutions being absent. Primary data were collected via snowball sampling. Multinomial logistic regression analysis suggests that individuals with leadership functions, for example, heads of households, perceive flood risk higher, probably due to their role as household providers. We found that risk perception is linked to location, which in turn is associated with religious affiliation. Christians perceive floods riskier than Muslims because the former traditionally reside at the foot of hills and the latter uphill; rendering Muslims less exposed and eventually less affected by floods. Finally, public disaster relief appears to have built up trust and subsequently reduced risk perception, even if some victims remained skeptical of state disaster relief. This indicates strong potential benefits of public transfers for flood risk management in developing countries.
Practical stability for Riemann–Liouville delay fractional differential equations
Authors: Agarwal Ravi , Hristova Snezhana , O’Regan Donal
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we study a system of nonlinear Riemann–Liouville fractional differential equations with delays. First, we define in an appropriate way initial conditions which are deeply connected with the fractional derivative used. We introduce an appropriate generalization of practical stability which we call practical stability in time. Several sufficient conditions for practical stability in time are obtained using Lyapunov functions and the modified Razumikhin technique. Two types of derivatives of Lyapunov functions are used. Some examples are given to illustrate the introduced definitions and results.
‘Ethics is transcendental’ (Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus, 6.421)
Authors: FAIRHURST JORDI
Published: May 2021

In this paper I offer a novel interpretation of Wittgenstein's claim that ‘ethics is transcendental’ (TLP 6.421). Initially, I set out to offer said interpretation by resorting to both Wittgenstein's understanding of ethics and his understanding of the transcendentality of logic—which entails taking Wittgenstein as endorsing a Kantian understanding of the notion ‘transcendental’. This leads to the claim that ethics is transcendental insofar as it is the condition of a certain ethical experience. Nevertheless, this interpretation involves some inadequacies due to certain incompatibilities between theTractatus Logico-Philosophicusand the aforementioned Kantian understanding of the notion ‘transcendental’. I identify the peculiarities of Wittgenstein's understanding of the notion ‘transcendental’, and on this basis, I set forth a novel interpretation of 6.421. Specifically, I argue that ethics is transcendental insofar as it is internal to or constitutive of a certain mystical view: viewing the world sub specie aeterni as something valuable.
ON THE ELL FAMILY OF DISTRIBUTIONS WITH ACTUARIAL APPLICATIONS
Authors: Bhati Deepesh , Calderín-Ojeda Enrique
Published: May 2021

In this paper, a new three-parameter discrete family of distributions, the $r{\mathcal B}ell$ family, is introduced. The family is based on series expansion of the r-Bell polynomials. The proposed model generalises the classical Poisson and the recently proposed Bell and Bell–Touchard distributions. It exhibits interesting stochastic properties. Its probabilities can be computed by a recursive formula that allows us to calculate the probability function of the amount of aggregate claims in the collective risk model in terms of an integral equation. Univariate and bivariate regression models are presented. The former regression model is used to explain the number of out-of-use claims in an automobile insurance portfolio, by showing a good out-of-sample performance. The latter is used to describe the number of out-of-use and parking claims jointly. This family provides an alternative to other traditionally used distributions to describe count data such as the negative binomial and Poisson-inverse Gaussian models.