bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced Ehlers transformation and the Majumdar-Papapetrou-NUT spacetime
Authors: Astorino Marco
Published: January 2020

Abstract

The transformation which adds (or removes) NUT charge when it is applied to electrovacuum, axisymmetric and stationary space-times is studied. After analysing the Ehlers and the Reina-Treves transformations we propose a new one, more precise in the presence of the Maxwell electromagnetic field. The enhanced Ehlers transformation proposed turns out to act as a gravitomagnetic duality, analogously to the electromagnetic duality, but for gravity: it rotates the mass charge into the gravomagnetic (or NUT) charge. As an example the Kerr-Newman-NUT black hole is obtained with the help of this enhanced transformation. Moreover a new analytical exact solution is built adding the NUT charge to a double charged black hole, at equilibrium. It describes the non-extremal generalisation of the Majumdar-Papapetrou-NUT solution. From the near-horizon analysis, its microscopic entropy, according to the Kerr/CFT correspondence, is found and the second law of black hole thermodynamics is discussed.
EFT of interacting spin-2 fields
Authors: Alberte Lasma , de Rham Claudia , Momeni Arshia , Rumbutis Justinas , Tolley Andrew J.
Published: January 2020

Abstract

We consider the effective field theory of multiple interacting massive spin-2 fields. We focus on the case where the interactions are chosen so that the cutoff is the highest possible, and highlight two distinct classes of theories. In the first class, the mass eigenstates only interact through potential operators that carry no derivatives in unitary gauge at leading order. In the second class, a specific kinetic mixing between the mass eigenstates is included non-linearly. Performing a decoupling and ADM analysis, we point out the existence of a ghost present at a low scale for the first class of interactions. For the second class of interactions where kinetic mixing is included, we derive the full Λ3-decoupling limit and confirm the absence of any ghosts. Nevertheless both formulations can be used to consistently describe an EFT of interacting massive spin-2 fields which, for a suitable technically natural tuning of the EFT, have the same strong coupling scale Λ3. We identify the generic form of EFT corrections in each case. By using Galileon Duality transformations for the specific case of two massive spin-2 fields with suitable couplings, the decoupling limit theory is shown to be a bi-Galileon.
Clinical implications of intratumor heterogeneity: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Ramón y Cajal Santiago , Sesé Marta , Capdevila Claudia , Aasen Trond , De Mattos-Arruda Leticia , Diaz-Cano Salvador J. , Hernández-Losa Javier , Castellví Josep
Published: January 2020

In this review, we highlight the role of intratumoral heterogeneity, focusing on the clinical and biological ramifications this phenomenon poses. Intratumoral heterogeneity arises through complex genetic, epigenetic, and protein modifications that drive phenotypic selection in response to environmental pressures. Functionally, heterogeneity provides tumors with significant adaptability. This ranges from mutual beneficial cooperation between cells, which nurture features such as growth and metastasis, to the narrow escape and survival of clonal cell populations that have adapted to thrive under specific conditions such as hypoxia or chemotherapy. These dynamic intercellular interplays are guided by a Darwinian selection landscape between clonal tumor cell populations and the tumor microenvironment. Understanding the involved drivers and functional consequences of such tumor heterogeneity is challenging but also promises to provide novel insight needed to confront the problem of therapeutic resistance in tumors.
Does moral play equilibrate?
Authors: Bomze Immanuel , Schachinger Werner , Weibull Jörgen
Published: January 2020

Some finite and symmetric two-player games have no (pure or mixed) symmetric Nash equilibrium when played by partly morally motivated players.The reason is that the “right thing to do” may be not to randomize. We analyze this issue both under complete information between equally moral players and under incomplete information between players of arbitrary degrees of morality. We provide necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of equilibrium and illustrate the results with examples and counter examples.
Surgical treatment of gynaecomastia: a standard of care in plastic surgery
Authors: Mett Tobias R. , Pfeiler Peter P. , Luketina Rosalia , Bingöl Alperen S. , Krezdorn Nicco , Vogt Peter M.
Published: January 2020

Background

Many techniques for the surgical treatment of gynaecomastia have been reported to be effective with reasonable limited scar formation. The aim of this study was to develop a grade adopted algorithm for effective and scar sparing techniques in reconstruction of the male breast dependent on aetiology and grading.

Methods

Operative techniques, results, rates of revisions and complications were recorded between 2006 and 2018 and results of 164 male patients were analysed, retrospectively. Skin resecting methods have been used in the earlier stage but were later replaced by minimal periareolar incisions and subcutaneous mastectomy. Resections were combined with ultrasound-assisted liposuction up to grade 2b and inferior pedicled breast reduction in 3rd degree gynaecomastias resulting in reduction of scars and effective removal of breast tissue.

Results

Retrospective analysis showed that a periareolar mastopexy was used in 24% of patients with gynaecomastia grade I, IIa and IIb to reshape the breast after subcutaneous mastectomy in the early stage of this study from 2006 to 2010. With the established standardised use of ultrasound-assisted liposuction, only 2% of patients required a mastopexy in the following years. In grade 3 gynaecomastia, the classical approach resulting in an inverted t-scar was later abandoned for an approach with a periareolar and submammary scar and inferior dermoglandular flap. The rate of secondary surgery with the used techniques did not increase.

Conclusions

When using standardised techniques in reshaping the male breast, an aesthetically pleasing and safe result can be achieved by scar sparing techniques in a safe single-stage procedure.

Level of evidence

Level IV, therapeutic study.
Microwave Thermoablation of Colorectal Liver Metastases Close to Large Hepatic Vessels Under Pringle Maneuver Minimizes the “Heat Sink Effect”
Authors: Rhaiem R. , Kianmanesh R. , Minon M. , Tashkandi A. , Aghaei A. , Ledoux G. , Hoeffel Ch. , Bouche O. , Sommacale D. , Piardi T.
Published: January 2020

Background

Liver resection and thermoablation are the mainstay of the surgical management of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). The main limitation of thermoablation is the “heat‐sink” effect for nodules next to large vessels. Herein, we report the preliminary results of microwave ablation (MWA) with associated Pringle maneuver to overcome this flaw.

Methods

From November 2017, we performed intraoperative MWA with Pringle maneuver for nodules ≤3 cm with immediate proximity to large vessels (distance ≤ 5 mm, diameter ≥ 3 mm). We collected characteristics of nodules, surgical procedures and postoperative morbidity. Diameter of the ablation area, especially the ablative minimal margin, was calculated for each nodule. Recurrence was also evaluated.

Results

Nineteen patients underwent MWA with Pringle maneuver for 23 nodules. Nineteen (83%) ablated nodules were located in segments VI, VII and VIII, and one nodule was in segment I. Median size of nodules was 15 mm (10–21). No deaths occurred. Six patients (38%) experienced complications, among them only one was subsequent to the thermal ablation. Ablative minimal margin was ≥5 mm for 19 (83%) nodules. Margin was not sufficient for four nodules, among them only 2/23 cases (8.7%) of in situ recurrence occurred after 12 months of median follow‐up.

Conclusions

In this preliminary study, MWA with Pringle maneuver was associated with a low related morbidity rate and favorable oncological outcome, especially when the radiological minimal margin was sufficient.
Neue Möglichkeiten zur Ermittlung der Nähr- und Schadstoffbelastung in kleinen Fließgewässern – Stationärer Organik- und Anorganik-Sammler
Authors: Flödl Peter , Stelzer Sophie , Zoboli Ottavia , Aman Arabel , Mayer Tobias , Zessner Matthias , Hauer Christoph
Published: January 2020

Die anthropogen verursachte Schadstoffbelastung stellt für das Ökosystem ein potenzielles Risiko dar, weshalb in der EU-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie Zielzustände definiert wurden, um eine nachhaltige Nutzung von Oberflächengewässern auch zukünftig zu sichern. Die hohe Anzahl an Schadstoffen, die oft auch nur in sehr geringen Konzentrationen in der aquatischen Umwelt auftreten, erschweren jedoch deren Nachweis. Die Erforschung der Eintragspfade in Fließgewässer, die Schadstoffmobilität sowie deren mögliche Folgen stellen daher eine besondere Herausforderung dar. Für die Ermittlung der auftretenden Nährstoffe, Schwermetalle und Spurenstoffe wurden deshalb unterschiedliche Messgeräte und Probenahmetechniken entwickelt, die eine Beprobung der Schwebstoffe, der Sedimente und des Oberflächenwassers ermöglichen. Hierbei zeigen sich je nach Methode Vor- und Nachteile, wobei oft eine Limitierung der Anwendbarkeit auf mittlere bis große Gewässer besteht. Für die Ermittlung der Schadstoffkonzentrationen in kleinen Gewässern mit geringen Fließgeschwindigkeiten gibt es hingegen nur eine kleine Auswahl an Messmethoden, die jedoch meist eine gute Infrastruktur vor Ort benötigen. In diesem Beitrag wird gezeigt, dass eine adaptierte Version eines mobilen Geschiebefängers zum Sammeln einer ausreichenden Menge Feinmaterial (Korngrößen <1 mm) sowie Schwimmstoffe genutzt werden kann, um diese anschließend im Labor auf Schadstoffkonzentrationen untersuchen zu können. Die ersten Untersuchungen zeigen hierbei interessante Erkenntnisse in Bezug auf die Verteilung der Schadstoffkonzentrationen und auf das Forschungspotenzial im Bereich des Schadstoffeintrags und -transports in kleinen Einzugsgebieten (<100 km2).
Vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) in breast cancer survivors (BCS) is still an unmet medical need: results of an Italian Delphi Panel
Authors: Biglia Nicoletta , Del Pup Lino , Masetti Riccardo , Villa Paola , Nappi Rossella E.
Published: January 2020

Purpose

VVA is a common disease, with approximately 50% of all postmenopausal women having related symptoms. VVA has a significant impact on the personal and sexual lives and on many aspects of women’s self-esteem and emotional well-being. It is particularly frequent and severe in patients treated for BC, where it originates significant economic and social costs.

Given the lack of published evidence on this subject, a Delphi Panel was carried out to evaluate:

The epidemiology of VVA and of its risk-factors/comorbidities in Italy

The present standard of care and unmet medical needs

The comparison between recent US epidemiological data and the Italian situation

The health resources used in VVA BC

The burden of illnessDespite the considerable negative impact on quality of life, a disparity between the high prevalence of this condition and the infrequent clinical diagnosis is documented in medical practice and in surveys. This inaccuracy is thought to be primarily a consequence of patients’ unwillingness and/or reluctance to report symptoms in the clinical setting and of health-care professional’s difficulty in approaching this sensitive topic during routine consultations.

Methods

A Delphi Panel methodology was used: a first round of written questionnaires, followed by a plenary meeting with a facilitator and by two additional rounds of telephone interviews.

Results

The prevalence of the condition in Italy can be estimated in 115,000 cases out of 380,000 BC survivors.

The Panel confirmed that the epidemiological findings of a recent pharmacoeconomic analysis of a US claims database can be applied to Italian patient population.

The Panel confirmed also an estimate of 4.25 additional cases/100/yr of UTI (urinary tract infection) in VVA BC patients (vs. a non-VVA-matched population), of 3.68 additional cases of vulvovaginitis, of 6.97 cases of climacteric symptoms, and of 3.64 cases of bone and joint disorders.

As far as the resource use is concerned, in the VVA BC populations, 33.4 additional gynecological visits/100/year can be expected, along with 22.8 additional cancer screenings, 7.07 additional outpatient visits and 5.04 screenings for HPV.

Conclusions

Even in Italy, a diagnosis of VVA, especially in a BC population, is associated with a relevant increase in the burden of illness and social costs, compared to a control population matched for age without VVA. This is due essentially to an increase in comorbidities and resource utilization with the consequence that an adequate treatment could reduce the impact of the condition.
Peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC) in outpatient and inpatient oncological treatment
Authors: Mielke Dorothea , Wittig Andrea , Teichgräber Ulf
Published: January 2020

Purpose

So far there is little evidence on peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC) in radiation oncology patients maintaining the access during the periods of ambulatory and hospital treatment.

Methods

A total of 522 PICC placements in 484 patients were performed between 11/2011 and 07/2016 at the Department of Radiation Oncology and analysed retrospectively for complications and treatment- and patient-related factors during ambulatory and hospital inpatient use. On initial hospitalization, all patients received a multimodal radio-oncological treatment consisting of radiation and intravenous therapy administered via the PICC.

Results

A total of 18,292 catheter days were documented. Median follow-up from catheter insertion to their removal was 37 days (1–97). The overall complication rate was 4.1 per 1000 catheter days (n = 75, 14.4%). Complications were similar between the cohort of outpatient 3.6 per 1000 catheter days and the cohort of inpatient 4.8 per 1000 catheter days (OR 0.976; 95% CI [0.598; 1.619]; p = 0.924). Severe bloodstream infections occurred at a rate of 0.60 per 1000 catheter days (n = 11, 2.1%), deep vein thrombosis at a rate of 0.82 per 1.000 catheter days (n = 15, 2.9%) and local inflammation at a rate of 1.26 per 1.000 catheter days (n = 23, 4.4%). Only immunotherapy could be identified as an independent risk factor for complications (OR 5.6; 95% CI [2.4; 13.1]; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Using PICC in outpatients is not associated with an elevated risk of complications. Particular attention should be payed to early identification of PICC associated bloodstream infections. Immunotherapy is an independent risk factor for local skin complication.
Retention of organics and degradation of micropollutants in municipal wastewater using impregnated ceramics
Authors: Tsapovsky Lev , Simhon Michal , Calderone Vincenzo Roberto , Rothenberg Gadi , Gitis Vitaly
Published: January 2020

Pesticides, personal care products, industrial chemicals often pollute surface- and groundwater sources. With trace concentrations and low molecular weights, these micropollutants (MPs) easily penetrate through treatment systems and impose a real health threat on drinking water consumers. The absence of a dedicated MP-retaining treatment technology at water treatment plants results in a constant consumption of MP-contaminated water. Advanced oxidation processes, and in particular the Fenton reaction, can successfully degrade MPs if other, larger, fractions of organics are retained. Here, we suggest a novel combined two-stage retention–degradation approach. Ceramic membranes retain large organics such as bovine serum albumin (BSA). Fenton processes disintegrate nonretained MPs such as methylene blue (MB) and bisphenol A (BPA) that penetrate through the membrane. The efficiency of the suggested approach is high. Single-layered ultrafiltration membrane retains more than 96% BSA and degrades 40–50% of MB and BPA. The degree of degradation depends on both the impregnated metal oxide and the concentration of hydrogen peroxide. Vanadium-based catalysts retain more than 90% MPs but leach into permeate. Ferric oxides were the only stable catalysts that performed better in membranes than when impregnated on α-Al2O3 pellets. A combined retention–degradation can be optimized to result in superior degree of retention. Catalytic ceramic membranes can retain large organic molecules and decompose MPs simultaneously. Three parameters affect the process efficiency: the dynamics of the influent fluid, the catalyst dose and the contact time.

Graphic abstract
A non-inferiority study of the novel selective urate reabsorption inhibitor dotinurad versus febuxostat in hyperuricemic patients with or without gout
Authors: Hosoya Tatsuo , Furuno Kazuki , Kanda Shingo
Published: January 2020

Background

Dotinurad is a novel, selective urate reabsorption inhibitor, which reduces serum uric acid levels by selective inhibition of the urate transporter 1. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of dotinurad versus febuxostat, a widely used drug in Japan, in hyperuricemic Japanese patients with or without gout.

Methods

This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, parallel-group, forced-titration study in hyperuricemic patients. Study treatment in the dotinurad and febuxostat groups was initiated at 0.5 and 10 mg/day, followed by dose titration to 2 and 40 mg/day, respectively, over 14 weeks. The primary endpoint was the percent change in serum uric acid level from the baseline to the final visit.

Results

A total of 203 hyperuricemic patients with or without gout were enrolled in the study and randomized to receive dotinurad or febuxostat. The percent change in serum uric acid level from the baseline to the final visit was 41.82% in the dotinurad group and 44.00% in the febuxostat group. The mean difference was − 2.17% (two-sided 95% confidence interval − 5.26% to 0.92%). The lower limit of the interval was above the non-inferiority margin (− 10%), demonstrating the non-inferiority of dotinurad to febuxostat. The profiles of adverse events and adverse drug reactions raised no noteworthy safety concerns in either group.

Conclusion

The non-inferiority of dotinurad to febuxostat in terms of serum uric acid lowering effect was confirmed. No noteworthy safety concerns arose.
The interaction of linguistic and arithmetic factors affects adult performance on arithmetic word problems
Authors: Daroczy Gabriella , Meurers Detmar , Heller Jürgen , Wolska Magdalena , Nürk Hans-Christoph
Published: January 2020

Performance on word problems is influenced by linguistic and arithmetic factors, and by their interaction. To study these factors and interactions, we manipulated linguistic and arithmetic factors independently in a within-participant design that included complexity parameters (a) in the domain of arithmetic: carry/borrow (no-carry/borrow vs. carry/borrow), operation (addition vs. subtraction), (b) in the domain of linguistics: nominalization (nominalized vs. verbalized form), and (c) linking the two domains: lexical consistency (linguistic predicate locally consistent vs. inconsistent with mathematical operation). Response times of 25 students solving 320 one-step word problems were measured. All four factors showed a main effect on response times, and interactions between linguistic and arithmetic factors affected response times. These interactions were observed when the linguistic and arithmetic factors were conceptually linked. Our results highlight that not only the linguistic and arithmetic complexities of an item contribute to the difficulty of a word problem, but linguistic and arithmetic factors interact. We discuss the theoretical implications for the numerical and the linguistic domain as well as the possible impact of domain-general characteristics, such as working memory limitations as a potential reason for the observed interactions between numerical and linguistic attributes.
Adaptive force and velocity control based on intrinsic contact sensing during surface exploration of dynamic objects
Authors: Sun Teng , Liu Hongbin
Published: January 2020

Haptic exploration is a process of using haptic feedback to interact and perceive an unknown object. It is an essential approach to understand the physical and geometrical properties of the object. While numerous research has been carried out for haptic exploration on static objects, haptic exploration on objects with dynamic movements has not been reported. It is due to the significant challenges to achieve robust force and velocity control when the object is nonstationary. In this work, a novel adaptive force and velocity control algorithm based on intrinsic contact sensing (ICS) for haptic surface exploration of dynamic objects is presented. A fuzzy-logic control framework making use of the information obtained from ICS has been developed. To validate the proposed control algorithm, extensive surface exploration experiments have been carried out on objects with different surface properties, geometries, stiffness, and concave or convex patterns. The validation results demonstrate the high accuracy and robustness of the proposed algorithm using different experimental platforms.
Involvement of the central nervous system in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: opinions on molecular mechanisms and clinical implications based on recent data
Authors: Lenk Lennart , Alsadeq Ameera , Schewe Denis M.
Published: January 2020

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood cancer. One of the major clinical challenges is adequate diagnosis and treatment of central nervous system (CNS) involvement in this disease. Intriguingly, there is little solid evidence on the mechanisms sustaining CNS disease in ALL. Here, we present and discuss recent data on this topic, which are mainly derived from preclinical model systems. We thereby highlight sites and routes of leukemic CNS infiltration, cellular features promoting infiltration and survival of leukemic cells in a presumably hostile niche, and dormancy as a potential mechanism of survival and relapse in CNS leukemia. We also focus on the impact of ALL cytogenetic subtypes on features associated with a particular CNS tropism. Finally, we speculate on new perspectives in the treatment of ALL in the CNS, including ideas on the impact of novel immunotherapies.
The perception of emotional cues by children in artificial background noise
Authors: Parada-Cabaleiro Emilia , Batliner Anton , Baird Alice , Schuller Björn
Published: January 2020

Most typically developed individuals have the ability to perceive emotions encoded in speech; yet, factors such as age or environmental conditions can restrict this inherent skill. Noise pollution and multimedia over-stimulation are common components of contemporary society, and have shown to particularly impair a child’s interpersonal skills. Assessing the influence of such features on the perception of emotion over different developmental stages will advance child-related research. The presented work evaluates how background noise and emotionally connoted visual stimuli affect a child’s perception of emotional speech. A total of 109 subjects from Spain and Germany (4–14 years) evaluated 20 multi-modal instances of nonsense emotional speech, under several environmental and visual conditions. A control group of 17 Spanish adults performed the same perception test. Results suggest that visual stimulation, gender, and the two sub-cultures with different language background do not influence a child’s perception; yet, background noise does compromise their ability to correctly identify emotion in speech—a phenomenon that seems to decrease with age.
Exploring Pathways to Gambling: Proposing the Integrated Risk and Protective Factors Model of Gambling Types
Authors: Hearn Natalie L. , Ireland Jane L. , Eslea Mike , Fisk John E.
Published: January 2020

Three linked studies, testing key aspects of the Pathways towards Problem and Pathological Gambling Model (Blaszczynski and Nower in Addiction 87(5):487–499, 2002), are presented. Study one comprised 204 students and 490 gambling forum users. It predicted differences in gambling severity, mental health and substance use across different motives for gambling. Those with a primary social motive for gambling displayed less severe gambling and anxiety than those without, with the primary coping subgroup displaying the most anxiety and depression. Those who gambled primarily to enhance positive affect reported severe gambling. Study two comprised 404 gambling forum users and 265 students. Similar groups to the Pathways Model emerged, with a behaviourally conditioned and an emotionally vulnerable group. Unexpectedly, however, those in the emotionally vulnerable group reported more severe cognitive distortions than the behaviourally conditioned group. The final study, 378 gambling forum users and 201 students, found, as predicted, that three distinct gambling groups emerged; (1) those with lower levels of psychopathology and higher levels of protective factors; (2) those with heightened pre-existing anxiety and depression, and moderate levels of protective factors; and (3) those with heightened impulsivity, psychopathology, offending behaviour and the least protective factors. Three gambling groups are consequently presented (Social Gambler; Affect-Regulation Gambler; Antisocial Gambler) alongside the proposed Integrated Risk and Protective Factors Model of Gambling Types (IRPF-MGT). Directions for future research and implications for practice are outlined.
Automatic exposure algorithms for digital photography
Authors: Bernacki Jarosław
Published: January 2020

In this paper we deal with the problem of calculating Automatic Exposure (AE) in digital cameras. The main problem that often occurs when taking pictures is correct exposure setting. Typically, smartphones with built-in cameras, as well as “cheap” compact digital cameras do not offer possibility of manual exposure setting. The reason is that users do not have knowledge how to set the optimal exposure, or just simply do not want to do this. Therefore, it forces that user has to rely on automatic exposure algorithms implemented in the camera. Unfortunately, these algorithms often do not perform well what causes improperly exposed images. In this paper, new algorithms for automatic exposure are proposed with the special focus on minimizing overexposed areas in the images. We have implemented proposed algorithms and conducted experiments for their efficiency, comparing with some modern cameras or smartphones. Experimental verification (enhanced by statistical analysis) shows that proposed algorithms give statistically less overexposed areas than comparative AEs.
An authentication protocol based on chaos and zero knowledge proof
Authors: Major Will , Buchanan William J. , Ahmad Jawad
Published: January 2020

Port Knocking is a method for authenticating clients through a closed stance firewall, and authorising their requested actions, enabling severs to offer services to authenticated clients, without opening ports on the firewall. Advances in port knocking have resulted in an increase in complexity in design, preventing port knocking solutions from realising their potential. This paper proposes a novel port knocking solution, named Crucible, which is a secure method of authentication, with high usability and features of stealth, allowing servers and services to remain hidden and protected. Crucible is a stateless solution, only requiring the client memorise a command, the server’s IP and a chosen password. The solution is forwarded as a method for protecting servers against attacks ranging from port scans, to zero-day exploitation. To act as a random oracle for both client and server, cryptographic hashes were generated through chaotic systems.
A parametric study of an unbalanced Jeffcott rotor supported by a rolling-element bearing
Authors: Haslam Alexander H. , Schwingshackl Christoph W. , Rix Andrew I. J.
Published: January 2020

Rolling-element bearings are widely used in industrial rotating machines, and hence there is a strong need to accurately predict their influence on the response of such systems. However, this can be challenging due to an interaction between the dynamics of the rotor and the bearing nonlinearities, and it becomes difficult to provide a physical explanation for the nonlinear response. A novel approach, combining a Jeffcott rotor supported by a detailed bearing model with the generalised harmonic balance method, is presented, enabling an in-depth study of the complex rotor–stator interaction. This allows the quasi-periodic response of the rotor, due to variable compliance, to be captured, and the impact of clearance, ring and stator compliance, and centrifugal loading of the bearing on the response to be investigated. A strongly nonlinear response was observed due to the bearing, leading to large shifts in frequency as the excitation amplitude was increased, and the emergence of stable and unstable operating regions. The variable compliance effect generated sub-synchronous forcing, which led to sub-resonances when the ball pass frequency coincided with the frequency of one of the modes. Radial clearance in the bearing had by far the largest influence on the unbalance response, the self-excitation due to variable compliance, and the stability. Introducing outer ring compliance was found to slightly soften the system, and centrifugal loading on the bearing elements marginally increased the system’s region of instability, but neither of these effects had a significant impact on the response for the investigated bearing. When the bearing was mounted on a sufficiently compliant stator, the system was found to behave linearly.
Health-related quality of life in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: an Australian cross-sectional study
Authors: Eaton-Fitch N. , Johnston S. C. , Zalewski P. , Staines D. , Marshall-Gradisnik S.
Published: January 2020

Background

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a serious and debilitating disorder associated with significant disruptions in daily life including. This study aimed to examine the impact of sociodemographic and patient symptom characteristics on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of Australians with ME/CFS.

Methods

Self-reported data collected from 480 individuals diagnosed with ME/CFS were obtained between August 2014 and August 2018. This cross-sectional survey analysed sociodemographic, symptom characteristics and HRQoL according to the 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36). Multivariate linear regression models were used to determine ME/CFS symptoms associated with eight domains of HRQoL.

Results

Reported HRQoL was significantly impaired in ME/CFS patients across all domains compared with the general population. Scores were the lowest for physical role (4.11 ± 15.07) and energy/fatigue (13.54 ± 13.94). Associations with females, higher body mass index (BMI), employment status, cognitive difficulties, sensory disturbances and cardiovascular symptoms were observed in the physical functioning domain. Impaired pain domain scores were associated with high BMI, annual visits to their general practitioner, flu-like symptoms and fluctuations in body temperature. Reduced well-being scores were associated with smoking status, psychiatric comorbidity, cognitive difficulties, sleep disturbances and gastrointestinal difficulties.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence that ME/CFS has a profound and negative impact on HRQoL in an Australian cohort.
Median Relative Partial Income Polarization Indices: Investigating Economic Polarization in Poland During the Years 2005–2015
Authors: Panek Tomasz , Zwierzchowski Jan
Published: January 2020

In recent years, more and more attention has been focused on the effects of economic growth and inequality changes on income polarization, as well as on the changes in the middle income class fraction. A significant part of the literature that deals with these issues is focused on polarization indices. However, the polarization indices proposed by researchers do not allow for an assessment of impact of the income distribution changes on the disappearance of the middle income class. Moreover, the general income polarization indices do not allow for assessment of polarization within the distinguished income classes. This study proposes a class of median relative polarization partial indices, which allows for a comprehensive assessment of the median relative polarization over time, within the distinguished income classes, as well as the impact of income distribution changes (its polarization or convergence) on the change of the middle income class fraction (its disappearance or increase). Using Social Diagnosis panel data (a study carried out by the Social Monitoring Council), the proposed new tool has been used to verify the hypothesis of whether changes in the household income distribution in Poland during the years 2005–2015 have led to income polarization within the three distinguished income groups—lower, middle and upper income classes. Empirical analysis shows that despite the lack of overall polarization of incomes in the household population, there was a convergence of incomes in the upper and lower income classes and polarization of incomes within the middle income class. It implies that the income distribution has not been petrified, and as on average individuals in the lower and upper income classes tend to reduce the distance to the median income, whereas the members of the middle income class tend to be pushed out of the middle class. Moreover, the flows of households into the middle income class were higher than the outflows from this class, resulting in economic convergence, i.e. changes in income distribution leading to an increase of the middle income class fraction.
Visualising alignment to support students’ judgment of confidence in open learner models
Authors: Al-Shanfari Lamiya , Demmans Epp Carrie , Baber Chris , Nazir Mahvish
Published: January 2020

Knowledge monitoring is a component of metacognition which can help students regulate their own learning. In adaptive learning software, the system’s model of the student can be presented as an open learner model (OLM) which is intended to enable monitoring processes. We explore how presenting alignment, between students’ self-assessed confidence and the system’s model of the student, supports knowledge monitoring. When students can see their confidence and their performance (either combined within one skill meter or expanded as two separate skill meters), their knowledge monitoring and performance improves, particularly for low-achieving students. These results indicate the importance of communicating the alignment between the system’s evaluation of student performance and student confidence in the correctness of their answers as a means to support metacognitive skills.
Performance Analysis of Novel Multi-band Monopole Antenna for Various Broadband Wireless Applications
Authors: Sediq Hiwa Taha , Mohammed Yasser Nozad
Published: January 2020

This study investigates a novel concept of using slot and Coplanar Waveguide fed antenna to obtain multiband operation. The compact antenna includes a star monopole patch with a slit gap and a Star-shape slot on the patch as the radiating part and Dual Square shaped slots on the material as the ground plane. The presentation of techniques in the star-shaped patch and ground plane expands the total length of the current path. This increasing makes the multiband antenna to operate at 4.9 (WLAN), 5.9 (upper WiMAX), 8.2 (satellite TV), 11.8 (X-band) and 17.7 GHz (Ku-band), respectively. The antenna has a physical dimension of $$0.32\lambda_{0} \times 0.24\lambda_{0} \times 0.01\lambda_{0} = (20 \times 15 \times 1)$$0.32λ0×0.24λ0×0.01λ0=(20×15×1) mm3, at the minimum frequency of 4.9 GHz. The proposed configuration operates at 4.9, 5.9, 8.2, 11.8 and 17.7 GHz with bandwidth (S11 < −10 dB) of about 90%, 74.7%, 53.8%, 8.4% and 4.7%, respectively for simulation part. The antenna exhibits measured bandwidth (S11 < −10 dB) of about 108%, 84%, 64%, 9%, and 7% at resonant frequencies of 4.69, 6.03, 7.99, 11.88, and 17.53 GHz, respectively. The stability of the radiation features, VSWR < 1.5 and good agreement impedance are noticed across the operating bandwidth of the multiband antenna.
External validity and assignment of experimental vs. control treatment providers within small work groups: a research note
Authors: Sherman Lawrence W. , van Mastrigt Sarah , Gade Christian B. N. , Ammann Theresa , Strang Heather
Published: January 2020

Objectives

When offenders or victims are randomly assigned to receive experimental vs. current treatments, the external validity of results may depend on whether different treatments are delivered by similar kinds of treatment providers. When treatment providers volunteer to deliver innovative practices in an experiment, it is unclear whether outcomes depend on the content of the treatment, enthusiasm of the providers for the new practice, or both. In such situations, the potential for what we describe as differential predisposition of volunteers for a new treatment raises a question of external validity.

Methods

We describe the process by which 14 out of 29 mediators across seven Danish police districts came to deliver a new, restorative conferencing method of conducting face-to-face meetings between offenders and their victims, in comparison to longstanding mediation methods.

Results

We negotiated with all seven District mediation leaders and all 29 of their mediators to use partial random assignment of 14 of the mediators to deliver the new, restorative model. The 14 trained providers of the new method were substantially similar in several measureable characteristics to the 15 other mediators who continued to use the preexisting model, but we cannot measure directly the extent or balance of their predispositions for delivering each model.

Conclusions

While small work teams pose obstacles to simple random assignment of treatment providers to deliver experimental practices, the random assignment of victims and offenders to two different models of service might be made more externally valid by use of partial random assignment of service providers.
On the road again: Wie kann die Arbeitsgestaltung zur Arbeitsfreude bei mobiler Arbeit beitragen?
Authors: Rieder Kerstin , Kraus Sylvia , Vogl Gerlinde
Published: January 2020

In dem Beitrag geht es um die Frage, welche Merkmale berufsbedingt mobiler Arbeit einen Zusammenhang mit Arbeitsfreude – als Indikator von intrinsischer Motivation – haben. In einer Studie wurden 407 mobil Beschäftigte schriftlich und 59 mittels Intensivinterviews befragt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass sowohl allgemeine arbeitsbezogene Ressourcen (Handlungsspielraum, Vielseitigkeit der Arbeitsinhalte, Führungsqualität) als auch mobilitätsbezogene Ressourcen (technisch-organisatorische Unterstützung unterwegs) die Arbeitsfreude stärken. In der Diskussion werden Empfehlungen für die Unternehmenspraxis abgeleitet.
Opioids in Cancer Development, Progression and Metastasis: Focus on Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Szczepaniak Adrian , Fichna Jakub , Zielińska Marta
Published: January 2020

Opinion statement

So far, opioids have been successfully used to reduce cancer pain in patients in order to improve their quality of life. However, the use of opioids leads to numerous side effects such as constipation, drowsiness, nausea, itching, increased sweating and hormonal changes. In this review, we described the action of opioids in several molecular pathways significant for maintenance of the intestinal homeostasis including the impact on the intestinal epithelium integrity, changes in microbiome composition, modulation of the immune system or induction of apoptosis and inhibition of angiogenesis. We summed up the role of individual opioids in the processes involved in the growth and development of cancer and elucidated if targeting opioid receptors may constitute novel therapeutic option in colon cancer.
The lncRNA Fer1L4 is an adverse prognostic parameter in clear-cell renal-cell carcinoma
Authors: Cox A. , Tolkach Y. , Kristiansen G. , Ritter M. , Ellinger J.
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) are involved in oncogenesis and tumor progression in various tumor entities. At present, little is known about the role in tumor biology of the lncRNA Fer-1 like family member 4 (Fer1L4) in clear-cell renal-cell carcinoma (ccRCC). The aim of this study is to evaluate the expression of Fer1L4 in patients with ccRCC, its association with clinicopathological parameters, and value as prognostic biomarker.

Material and methods

The expression of Fer1L4 was analyzed in the TCGA ccRCC cohort (n = 603; ccRCC n = 522, normal n = 81) and subsequently validated by quantitative real-time PCR in an independent cohort (n = 103, ccRCC n = 69, normal n = 34). Expression profiles were statistically correlated with clinicopathological and survival data.

Results

Fer1L4 lncRNA is overexpressed in ccRCC compared to adjacent normal tissues. Increased expression significantly correlates with tumor aggressiveness: high expression levels of Fer1L4 RNA were found in higher grade, higher stage, and metastatic tumors. Furthermore, Fer1L4 overexpression is an independent prognostic factor for overall, cancer-specific, and progression-free survival of patients with ccRCC.

Conclusion

Fer1L4 expression significantly correlates with aspects of tumor aggressiveness. Based on this impact on tumor progression and its influence as an independent prognostic factor, Fer1L4 appears to exert properties as an oncogene in ccRCC. As a prognostic tissue biomarker, further functional investigations are warranted to investigate Fer1L4 as a potential therapeutic target.
The results of lithic experiments performed on glass cores are applicable to other raw materials
Authors: Dogandžić Tamara , Abdolazadeh Aylar , Leader George , Li Li , McPherron Shannon P. , Tennie Claudio , Dibble Harold L.
Published: January 2020

About 10 years ago, a new experimental design, based on a mechanical flaking apparatus, allowed complete control over several independent variables essential to flintknapping. This experimental setting permitted the investigation of more fundamental aspects of stone technology, including the effect of particular platform attributes, core surface morphology, and the application of force on flake size and shape. These experiments used cores made of glass that were molded to exact configurations. Here we set out to investigate whether results obtained from experiments on glass cores can be extended to other materials, in this case varieties of basalt, flint, and obsidian that were cut to the exact core configurations. We focused on the relationships between the independent variables of exterior platform angle and platform depth and dependent variables of overall size (weight or mass), volume, and linear dimensions. It was found that in almost every comparison, all four materials show similar relationships in nature and degree. What differs instead is the amount of force needed to detach a flake. In other words, given the same core morphology and platform attributes the resulting flakes will be the same, but harder materials require more force to remove the flake. These results were additionally verified on Middle Paleolithic archeological materials made mostly on Late Cretaceous flints. Our results demonstrate that experiments using glass cores are valid and can be generalized and extended to other materials.
Optimum Design of the Dental Air-Turbine Handpiece System Using the Design of Experiment Method
Authors: Juraeva Makhsuda , Song Dong Joo , Kang Dong Jin
Published: January 2020

An air-turbine and associated air supply tube was optimized as a dental air-turbine handpiece system. The system consists of an air-turbine with an impeller and a housing, and an air supply tube which supplies compressed-air to the air-turbine. The flow characteristics of the dental air-turbine handpiece system were investigated using ANSYS CFX. The study aimed to find the significant design parameters, and optimize them in terms of the maximum torque. The number of blades, the blade angle of the impeller and the gap between the impeller and the housing were chosen as the three major design parameters. The design of experiment technique was used to optimize two dental air-turbine handpiece systems: Type 1 was an air turbine alone and Type 2 was the air-turbine with an air supply tube. The optimization results showed that the gap between the impeller and the housing was not a significant parameter for Type 1. The maximum torque was lower for Type 2 than for Type 1. The optimized optimum blade number was the same for both types, but the blade angle and the gap differed between the two types. The blade angle and blade number were significant for Type 1, and all three design parameters were significant for Type 2. The performance improvement was greater for Type 2 than for Type 1. The performance of both optimized handpiece systems was reviewed in terms of the experimental measurements of noise level, rotational speed, and withdrawal force.
Towards concerted government efforts? Assessing nutrition policy integration in Uganda
Authors: Namugumya Brenda Shenute , Candel Jeroen J.L. , Talsma Elise F. , Termeer Catrien J.A.M.
Published: January 2020

To tackle malnutrition more effectively, Sub-Saharan African governments have developed overarching, integrative policy strategies over the past decade. Despite their popularity, little is known about their follow-up and ultimately their success (or failure). Consequently, tracking the progress of such political commitment has gained global importance. Various studies provide insights into changes in nutrition-related policies. Nevertheless, it is generally acknowledged that we have limited understanding of how nutrition concerns are explicitly addressed in policies of different ministries. This study uses a novel policy integration perspective to investigate the extent to which eight ministries in Uganda integrated nutrition concerns across their policy outputs between 2001 and 2017. The approach used assumes nutrition policy integration is a dynamic process occurring in different policy dimensions. We performed a qualitative content analysis to assess 103 policy outputs for changes in subsystems involved, policy goals, and instruments used. Overall, we found a shift towards increased integrated government action on nutrition over time. The 2011–2015 analysis period was a critical juncture where increased integration of nutrition was observed in all policy integration dimensions across all ministries. However, considerable variations in actor networks, goals, and instruments exist across sectors and over time. The sustainability of nutrition integration efforts remains contentious, because of which continuous monitoring will be essential.