bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detecting the misuse of 7‐oxo‐DHEA by means of carbon isotope ratio mass spectrometry in doping control analysis
Authors: Piper Thomas , Fusshöller Gregor , Geyer Hans , Toboc Ani , Dănilă Mădălin‐George , Thevis Mario
Published: March 2020

Rationale

The misuse of 7‐oxo‐DHEA (3β‐hydroxyandrost‐5‐ene‐7,17‐dione) is prohibited according to the World Anti‐Doping Agency (WADA) code. Nevertheless, it is easily available as a dietary supplement and from black market sources. In two recent doping control samples, significant amounts of its main metabolite 7β‐OH‐DHEA were identified, necessitating further investigations.

Methods

As both 7‐oxo‐DHEA and 7β‐OH‐DHEA are endogenously produced steroids and no concentration thresholds applicable to routine doping controls exist, the development and validation of a carbon isotope ratio (CIR) mass spectrometry method ha been desirable. Excretion studies encompassing 7‐oxo‐DHEA, 7‐oxo‐DHEA‐acetate, and in‐house deuterated 7‐oxo‐DHEA were conducted and evaluated with regard to urinary CIR and potential new metabolites of 7‐oxo‐DHEA.

Results

Numerous urinary metabolites were identified, some of which have not been reported before, while others corroborate earlier findings on the metabolism of 7‐oxo‐DHEA. The CIRs of both 7‐oxo‐DHEA and 7β‐OH‐DHEA were significantly influenced for more than 50 h after a single oral dose of 100 mg, and a novel metabolite (5α‐androstane‐3β,7β‐diol‐17‐one) was found to prolong this detection time window by approximately 25 h. Applying the validated method to routine doping control specimens presenting atypically high urinary 7β‐OH‐DHEA levels clearly demonstrated the exogenous origin of 7‐oxo‐DHEA and 7β‐OH‐DHEA.

Conclusions

As established for other endogenously produced steroids such as testosterone, the CIR allows for a clear differentiation between endo‐ and exogenous sources of 7‐oxo‐DHEA and 7β‐OH‐DHEA. The novel metabolites detected after administration may help to improve the detection of 7‐oxo‐DHEA misuse and simplify its detection in doping control specimens.
Enhanced photocatalytic activity of Ni doped TiO2 nanowire–nanoparticle hetero–structured films prepared by hydrothermal and sol–gel methods
Authors: Kongsong Peerawas , Jantaporn Waritha , Masae Mahamasuhaimi
Published: March 2020

TiO2 nanowire‐nanoparticle hetero‐structured films were prepared via a sol–gel method and coated on glass substrates by dipping method for photocatalytic activity. In this study 0, 1, 3, and 5 mol% of Ni doped were studied. One‐dimensional TiO2 nanowires (NWs) were prepared by hydrothermal treatment with TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) which are commercially available. XRD, FESEM, DRS, and XPS were used to characterize the prepared nanowire‐nanoparticle hetero‐structures films. 3%Ni doped TiO2 hetero‐structured film (TNi3) had the highest photocatalytic activity on the degradation of methylene blue (MB). TNi3 films provided about 4.3 times of degradation rate compared to undoped TiO2 (T). It revealed that TNi3 film resulted in shifting the absorption wavelength towards narrowing the energy band gap and small crystallite size. Therefore, the TNi3 film exhibited a photocatalytic activity on the degradation of MB under visible light irradiation greater than undoped film.
Relationship between the Auger parameter and the ground state valence charge at the core‐ionized site
Authors: Moretti Giuliano , Beck Horst P.
Published: March 2020

A simple semi‐empirical model that correlates the Auger parameter to the ground state valence charge of the core‐ionized atom with closed valence shell configuration, and which was previously applied to Cu(I) (3d10) compounds, is extended to Ba (II) (5d10), Pb (II) (5d104s2), and Zn (II) (3d10) compounds (halides and chalcogenides). Until now, the Auger parameter was employed to separate initial and final state effects that influence the core electron binding energy. In agreement with our model, a linear relationship is found between the Auger parameter shift and the ground state Bader valence charge obtained by density functional theory (DFT) calculations.
Modelling, Bayesian inference, and model assessment for nosocomial pathogens using whole‐genome‐sequence data
Authors: Cassidy Rosanna , Kypraios Theodore , O'Neill Philip D.
Published: March 2020

Whole‐genome sequencing of pathogens in outbreaks of infectious disease provides the potential to reconstruct transmission pathways and enhance the information contained in conventional epidemiological data. In recent years, there have been numerous new methods and models developed to exploit such high‐resolution genetic data. However, corresponding methods for model assessment have been largely overlooked. In this article, we develop both new modelling methods and new model assessment methods, specifically by building on the work of Worby et al. Although the methods are generic in nature, we focus specifically on nosocomial pathogens and analyze a dataset collected during an outbreak of MRSA in a hospital setting.
A Systems Thinking Analysis of the Supply Chain Social Responsibility Literature
Authors: Basta Mohamed , Lapalme James , Paquet Marc
Published: March 2020

Given its material impact on bottom lines, social responsibility became essential to supply chain sustainability strategies. The authors of this paper reviewed the relevant literature and discovered its reliance on approaches like corporate social responsibility and its marginalization of systems thinking. This situation undermines the contributions of this literature, as it could be reductionist from a systemic perspective. Reductionism limits solutions to suboptimizations incapable of achieving multifinal and holistic outcomes. To assess this literature, the authors conducted a mapping study to analyse its distribution over four systemic paradigms: functionalism, interpretivism, emancipation, and postmodernism. The results showed that it clustered unevenly around these paradigms and lacked pluralism in perspective. This paper is significant as it revealed the innate inability of most of the supply chain social responsibility literature in offering creative and holistic solutions. Therefore, this literature can only resolve some social responsibility factors allowing the persistence and resurfacing of social responsibility messes.
Local compressive behavior of joint core reinforced with ring beam for connection of polyvinyl chloride fiber‐reinforced polymer confined concrete column and reinforced concrete beam
Authors: Bu Shuangshuang , Yu Feng , Feng Chaochao , Liu Qiqi , Song Jie , Fang Yuan
Published: March 2020

In this paper, seven specimens were designed to study the influence of the height (h), width (b), and reinforcement ratio (ρ) of ring beam on the failure mode, bearing capacity, deformation, and equivalent stress–strain relation of joint core reinforced with ring beam for connection of polyvinyl chloride fiber‐reinforced polymer confined concrete column and reinforced concrete beam. The experimental results indicated that the crushing of concrete in the joint core dominated the failure of specimens. The ultimate, yield bearing capacity and axial strain decreased with the increase of height, while raised with the improvement of width or reinforcement ratio. The growth of the strains of reinforcement and concrete accelerated with the increment of height, while decelerated with the rise of width or reinforcement ratio. Subsequently, based on the local compression theory, confined concrete theory, and the principle of superposition of multiple confinement, considering the influence coefficient of joint height βh and the enhancement coefficient of stirrups αs, a new formula was proposed to estimate the ultimate bearing capacity of specimens under axial local compression. Then, on the basis of Mander's model, taking the correction parameter η into consideration, a new model of equivalent stress–strain relationship was established. Verification results showed that the models proposed in this research agreed well with the experimental results.
Toughened Composite of Polycarbonate/Wollastonite with Styrene–Butadiene Copolymer and Ethylene‐Methyl Acrylate Elastomers
Authors: Tarade Rohit S. , Mahanwar Prakash A.
Published: March 2020

Two kinds of elastomers, styrene–butadiene copolymer (SBC) and ethylene‐methyl acrylate (EMA) were compounded by melt mixing wollastonite into polycarbonate (PC). The result demonstrated that EMA‐filled composites showed better mechanical properties compared to SBC‐filled composites, particularly elongation and impact strength. We observed a 53% increase in Izod impact strength, that is, 5.3‐fold increase in elongation of the PC/wollastonite/EMA composite by incorporating (7%) EMA. The composite also has an encouraging blending effect with a lower decrease in tensile strength of only 13%. Incorporation of EMA and SBC decreased the glass‐transition temperature (Tg) of the system from 148°C to 141°C. The rheological behavior of composites was also examined using a parallel plate rheometer. By increasing the SBC and EMA elastomer content, we observed an increase in shear viscosity, storage, and loss modulus of the composites. Scanning electron micrographs were used to study the phase structure of Izod‐fractured samples. A multiphase morphology was seen with good dispersion of wollastonite and EMA granules in the PC matrix.
Interpolating between asymptotic and near horizon symmetries
Authors: Grumiller Daniel , Sheikh-Jabbari M.M. , Troessaert Cedric , Wutte Raphaela
Published: March 2020

Abstract

We develop basic tools and matching conditions to interpolate between asymptotic and near horizon symmetries. We focus on black holes in three dimensions. In particular, we match Brown-Henneaux boundary conditions at infinity, which yields two Virasoro algebras, to Heisenberg boundary conditions at the horizon yielding two û(1) current algebras. Our construction allows to equip BTZ black holes with soft hair excitations at the horizon invisible to the asymptotic observer.
Multi-channel direct detection of light dark matter: theoretical framework
Authors: Trickle Tanner , Zhang Zhengkang , Zurek Kathryn M. , Inzani Katherine , Griffin Sinéad M.
Published: March 2020

Abstract

We present a unified theoretical framework for computing spin-independent direct detection rates via various channels relevant for sub-GeV dark matter — nuclear re- coils, electron transitions and single phonon excitations. Despite the very different physics involved, in each case the rate factorizes into the particle-level matrix element squared, and an integral over a target material- and channel-specific dynamic structure factor. We show how the dynamic structure factor can be derived in all three cases following the same procedure, and extend previous results in the literature in several aspects. For electron transitions, we incorporate directional dependence and point out anisotropic target materials with strong daily modulation in the scattering rate. For single phonon excitations, we present a new derivation of the rate formula from first principles for generic spin-independent couplings, and include the first calculation of phonon excitation through electron couplings. We also discuss the interplay between single phonon excitations and nuclear recoils, and clarify the role of Umklapp processes, which can dominate the single phonon production rate for dark matter heavier than an MeV. Our results highlight the complementarity between various search channels in probing different kinematic regimes of dark matter scattering, and provide a common reference to connect dark matter theories with ongoing and future direct detection experiments.
Usability of the AAOS Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) for the surgical management of knee osteoarthritis in clinical practice
Authors: Ahmed Ghalib Oudah , ELSweify Kareem , Ahmed Abdulaziz F.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) for the surgical treatment of knee osteoarthritis were developed by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) to guide surgeons in selecting the most evidence-based surgical option. This study aimed to assess the usability of the AUC by comparing the actual surgical treatment provided at our institution with that recommended by the AUC.

Methods

A retrospective review of the medical charts and radiographs of all patients who underwent surgery for knee osteoarthritis (OA) at our hospital was performed between January and December 2017. Data including each patient’s age, gender, pain level, mechanical symptoms, range of motion (ROM) and instability, radiographic pattern and severity, limb alignment, and type of surgical interventions received were collected.

The collected data were input into the AUC application to determine the rate of appropriateness of the treatments. Afterwards, the agreement between the actual treatment provided and the AUC recommendation was assessed.

Results

A consecutive series of 100 patients were included. The mean age was 63.1 years, with the majority of the patients aged (73%) between 50 and 69 years. Most of the patients were females (74%), and 61% had left knee OA. The most frequent type of patient was a middle-aged patient with function-limiting pain at short distances, no mechanical symptoms or functional instability with full ROM, severe knee multicompartmental radiographic features, and varus or valgus malalignment. Out of the 100 patients, total knee arthroplasty (TKA) was performed in 85 patients, unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) was performed in 11 patients, and high tibial osteotomy (HTO) was performed in four patients.

According to the AUC, 90 (90%) cases were treated with an appropriate surgical treatment, whereas 10 (10%) cases were treated with a maybe appropriate treatment. The actual surgical treatment performed at our hospital was in agreement with the AUC recommendation in 100% of the TKA cases, 90.9% of the UKA cases, and 100% of the HTO cases. Thus, the agreement rate with the AUC was 99% in all surgical cases.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that the AUC for the surgical treatment of knee OA can be applied easily in a clinical setting. Most of the treatments provided at our institution were appropriate and in agreement with the AUC recommendations. Additionally, the AUC had a web-based application that was easy to use and simple for identifying treatment recommendations.

Level of evidence

Retrospective study, level IV.
Tumor-treating fields (TTFields) induce immunogenic cell death resulting in enhanced antitumor efficacy when combined with anti-PD-1 therapy
Authors: Voloshin Tali , Kaynan Noa , Davidi Shiri , Porat Yaara , Shteingauz Anna , Schneiderman Rosa S. , Zeevi Einav , Munster Mijal , Blat Roni , Tempel Brami Catherine , Cahal Shay , Itzhaki Aviran , Giladi Moshe , Kirson Eilon D. , Weinberg Uri , Kinzel Adrian , Palti Yoram
Published: March 2020

Tumor-treating fields (TTFields) are alternating electric fields in a specific frequency range (100–300 kHz) delivered to the human body through transducer arrays. In this study, we evaluated whether TTFields-mediated cell death can elicit antitumoral immunity and hence would be effectively combined with anti-PD-1 therapy. We demonstrate that in TTFields-treated cancer cells, damage-associated molecular patterns including high-mobility group B1 and adenosine triphosphate are released and calreticulin is exposed on the cell surface. Moreover, we show that TTFields treatment promotes the engulfment of cancer cells by dendritic cells (DCs) and DCs maturation in vitro, as well as recruitment of immune cells in vivo. Additionally, our study demonstrates that the combination of TTFields with anti-PD-1 therapy results in a significant decline of tumor volume and increase in the percentage of tumor-infiltrating leukocytes in two tumor models. In orthotopic lung tumors, these infiltrating leukocytes, specifically macrophages and DCs, showed elevated expression of PD-L1. Compatibly, cytotoxic T-cells isolated from these tumors demonstrated increased production of IFN-γ. In colon cancer tumors, T-cells infiltration was significantly increased following long treatment duration with TTFields plus anti-PD-1. Collectively, our results suggest that TTFields therapy can induce anticancer immune response. Furthermore, we demonstrate robust efficacy of concomitant application of TTFields and anti-PD-1 therapy. These data suggest that integrating TTFields with anti-PD-1 therapy may further enhance antitumor immunity, hence achieve better tumor control.
Low-threshold spiking interneurons perform feedback inhibition in the lateral amygdala
Authors: Ünal Çağrı Temuçin , Ünal Bengi , Bolton M. McLean
Published: March 2020

Amygdala plays crucial roles in emotional learning. The lateral amygdala (LA) is the input station of the amygdala, where learning related plasticity occurs. The LA is cortical like in nature in terms of its cellular make up, composed of a majority of principal cells and a minority of interneurons with distinct subtypes defined by morphology, intrinsic electrophysiological properties and neurochemical expression profile. The specific functions served by LA interneuron subtypes remain elusive. This study aimed to elucidate the interneuron subtype mediating feedback inhibition. Electrophysiological evidence involving antidromic activation of recurrent LA circuitry via basolateral amygdala stimulation and paired recordings implicate low-threshold spiking interneurons in feedback inhibition. Recordings in somatostatin-cre animals crossed with tdtomato mice have revealed remarkable similarities between a subset of SOM+ interneurons and LTS interneurons. This study concludes that LTS interneurons, most of which are putatively SOM+, mediate feedback inhibition in the LA. Parallels with cortical areas and potential implications for information processing and plasticity are discussed.
Automated fact-value distinction in court opinions
Authors: Cao Yu , Ash Elliott , Chen Daniel L.
Published: March 2020

This paper studies the problem of automated classification of fact statements and value statements in written judicial decisions. We compare a range of methods and demonstrate that the linguistic features of sentences and paragraphs can be used to successfully classify them along this dimension. The Wordscores method by Laver et al. (Am Polit Sci Rev 97(2):311–331, 2003) performs best in held out data. In an application, we show that the value segments of opinions are more informative than fact segments of the ideological direction of U.S. circuit court opinions.
Nitrogen fixation and productivity of winter annual legume cover crops in Upper Midwest organic cropping systems
Authors: Perrone Sharon , Grossman Julie , Liebman Alex , Sooksa-nguan Thanwalee , Gutknecht Jessica
Published: March 2020

Legume cover crops can play a valuable role in maintaining and increasing soil quality and nitrogen availability, but are infrequently grown in the Upper Midwest due to short growing seasons with minimal management windows; cold, wet springs; and harsh winters. This study was performed to assess the viability of winter annual legume species in northern climates as a potential source of nitrogen (N) fertility to a 75-day sweet corn (Zea maysconvar. saccharatavar.rugosa) cash crop in Lamberton and Grand Rapids, MN in 2016 and 2017. Treatments included medium red clover (Trifolium pratense), two cold-hardy ecotypes of hairy vetch (Vicia villosaRoth), a cereal rye-hairy vetch biculture (Secale cerealeL.,Vicia villosaRoth), cereal rye as a non-legume control, and a fallow weed-free control. Legumes were split into rhizobia inoculated and non-inoculated treatments. Inoculation had no effect on nodulation, biomass production, or N fixation likely due to competition with endogenous rhizobia strains. The rye monoculture and biculture produced the most biomass at all site-years averaging 7.7 and 7.0 Mg ha−1respectively while the two vetch ecotypes averaged 4.5 and 3.9 Mg ha−1. Both vetch ecotypes contributed among the most nitrogen in all site-years, contributing up to 211 kg N ha−1from aboveground biomass. Data from natural abundance isotopic approaches indicate that 75% of vetch tissue N in Grand Rapids and 59% of vetch tissue N in Lamberton was derived from atmospheric N fixation, with equal or higher percent fixation of vetch in biculture at all site-years. More studies should be performed to better understand controls on N fixation of legume cover crops in cold climates.
A generalization of the octonion Fourier transform to 3-D octonion-valued signals: properties and possible applications to 3-D LTI partial differential systems
Authors: Błaszczyk Łukasz
Published: March 2020

The paper is devoted to the development of the octonion Fourier transform (OFT) theory initiated in 2011 in articles by Hahn and Snopek. It is also a continuation and generalization of earlier work by Błaszczyk and Snopek, where they proved few essential properties of the OFT of real-valued functions, e.g. symmetry properties. The results of this article focus on proving that the OFT is well-defined for octonion-valued functions and almost all well-known properties of classical (complex) Fourier transform (e.g. argument scaling, modulation and shift theorems) have their direct equivalents in octonion setup. Those theorems, illustrated with some examples, lead to the generalization of another result presented in earlier work, i.e. Parseval and Plancherel Theorems, important from the signal and system processing point of view. Moreover, results presented in this paper associate the OFT with 3-D LTI systems of linear PDEs with constant coefficients. Properties of the OFT in context of signal-domain operations such as derivation and convolution of $$\mathbb {R}$$
R
-valued functions will be stated. There are known results for the QFT, but they use the notion of other hypercomplex algebra, i.e. double-complex numbers. Considerations presented here require defining other higher-order hypercomplex structure, i.e. quadruple-complex numbers. This hypercomplex generalization of the Fourier transformation provides an excellent tool for the analysis of 3-D LTI systems.
Anarchy in the Game of Thrones
Authors: Larsson Simon , Lundström Markus
Published: March 2020

Recent scholarship has come to rethink how the concept of anarchy captures the fragmented plurality of contemporary world politics. This article continues that inquiry through an interpretative reading of the popular TV-series Game of Thrones. The appeal of this show partly derives from its animation of medieval tropes to interpellate with contemporary global politics; it echoes power struggles constitutive of today’s international relations. However, while the fantasy show portrays conflictual relations between different claimants of the Iron Throne in Westeros, it also composes subaltern voices amidst these violent claims to power. This article concludes that such an interpretation diversifies the meanings of anarchy, as both violence and freedom, in the ‘game of thrones’ of contemporary politics.
New Foundations for Branching Space-Times
Authors: Belnap N. , Müller T. , Placek T.
Published: March 2020

The theory of branching space-times, put forward by Belnap (Synthese92, 1992), considers indeterminism as local in space and time. In the axiomatic foundations of that theory, so-called choice points mark the points at which the (local) possible future can turn out in different ways. Working under the assumption of choice points is suitable for many applications, but has an unwelcome topological consequence that makes it difficult to employ branching space-times to represent a range of possible physical space-times. Therefore it is interesting to develop a branching space-times theory without choice points. This is what we set out to do in this paper, providing new foundations for branching space-times in terms of choice sets rather than choice points. After motivating and developing the resulting theory in formal detail, we show that it is possible to translate structures of one style into structures of the other style and vice versa. This result shows that the underlying idea of indeterminism as the branching of spatio-temporal histories is robust with respect to different implementations, making a choice between them a matter of expediency rather than of principle.
Multiplex microsatellite PCR panels for the neotropical red mangrove, Rhizophora mangle: combining efforts towards a cost-effective and modifiable tool to better inform conservation and management
Authors: Kennedy John Paul , Craig Hayley , Jara-Cavieres Antonella , Lundy Agnessa , Preziosi Richard F. , Rowntree Jennifer K.
Published: March 2020

Better-informed mangrove conservation and management practices are needed as the ecosystem services provided by these intertidal forests continue to be threatened by increasing anthropogenic pressures and climate change. Multiple layers of knowledge are required to achieve this goal, including insights into population genetics of mangrove species. Understanding the importance of population-genetic insights to conservation, multiple research groups have developed microsatellite loci for the widespread, neotropical red mangrove, Rhizophora mangle. However, although a wealth of genetic markers exist, empirical research is limited in the number of these loci employed. Here, we designed two multiplex PCR panels that combine seven novel loci developed for this work and eight previously-developed loci from three research groups to generate 15-locus genotypes, more than twice the average number of loci used in previous research, in only two PCR. We demonstrated utility in R. mangle from four sites across ~ 2500 km near this species’ northern latitudinal limits, and that these multiplex panels were better able to delineate populations than data subsets with numbers of loci comparable to previous research. We focus our discussion on how this tool is a more-informative, efficient (both in terms of time and resources), and easily-modifiable alternative to address many pressing conservation and management issues, such as the generation of baseline genetic data for areas not yet studied, better defining management units, and monitoring genetic effects of restoration projects. We also provide a quick protocol that outlines each step in this procedure to facilitate the use of this tool by others.
Extracellular signal regulated kinase 5 promotes cell migration, invasion and lung metastasis in a FAK-dependent manner
Authors: Jiang Weiwei , Cai Fangfang , Xu Huangru , Lu Yanyan , Chen Jia , Liu Jia , Cao Nini , Zhang Xiangyu , Chen Xiao , Huang Qilai , Zhuang Hongqin , Hua Zi-Chun
Published: March 2020

This study was designed to evaluate ERK5 expression in lung cancer and malignant melanoma progression and to ascertain the involvement of ERK5 signaling in lung cancer and melanoma. We show that ERK5 expression is abundant in human lung cancer samples, and elevated ERK5 expression in lung cancer was linked to the acquisition of increased metastatic and invasive potential. Importantly, we observed a significant correlation between ERK5 activity and FAK expression and its phosphorylation at the Ser910 site. Mechanistically, ERK5 increased the expression of the transcription factor USF1, which could transcriptionally upregulate FAK expression, resulting in FAK signaling activation to promote cell migration. We also provided evidence that the phosphorylation of FAK at Ser910 was due to ERK5 but not ERK1/2, and we then suggested a role for Ser910 in the control of cell motility. In addition, ERK5 had targets in addition to FAK that regulate epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and cell motility in cancer cells. Taken together, our findings uncover a cancer metastasis-promoting role for ERK5 and provide the rationale for targeting ERK5 as a potential therapeutic approach.
Non-technical Skills Simulation Training
Authors: Magill Jennifer C. , Tolley Neil
Published: March 2020

Purpose of Review

“Non-technical skills” are critical to patient safety and form an important part of a surgeon’s competency. Inter-disciplinary team training is now considered essential to train these valuable skills. This review discusses the importance of non-technical skills, and the role these skills have in simulation training within Otolaryngology.

Recent Findings

Otolaryngologists are uniquely positioned to encounter airway emergencies. Consequently, team-based training in crisis scenarios is especially important. Simulation can occur in situ or in the simulated setting, with “boot-camps” becoming a popular training intervention. Whilst team training within otolaryngology has been shown to be highly effective, formal assessment of these skills is not currently routine, with no assessment tool specifically tailored to ENT.

Simulation-based training is an effective and feasible method of teaching non-technical skills in Otolaryngology. With the shift towards competency-based medical education, formal assessment of these skills is important to perform.
Self-Focused Reasons for Having Sex: Associations Between Sexual Goals and Women's Pain and Sexual and Psychological Well-being for Couples Coping with Provoked Vestibulodynia
Authors: Corsini-Munt Serena , Bergeron Sophie , Rosen Natalie O.
Published: March 2020

Background

For couples coping with provoked vestibulodynia (PVD), interpersonal sexual goals are associated with sexual and psychological functioning as well as women’s pain during intercourse, however, self-focused sexual goals (eg, having sex for personal pleasure, having sex to avoid feeling bad about oneself) have not been studied in this clinical population.

Aim

The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between self-focused approach and avoidance sexual goals and women's pain during intercourse and sexual satisfaction and depressive symptoms for both women and their partners.

Methods

Women diagnosed with PVD (N = 69) and their partners completed measures of self-focused sexual goals, sexual satisfaction, and depressive symptoms. Women also reported on pain experienced during sexual intercourse.

Outcomes

Outcomes included the Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction, the Beck Depression Inventory-II, and a Numerical Rating Scale of pain during sexual intercourse.

Results

When women reported higher self-focused approach sexual goals, they also reported lower pain intensity. Women's higher self-focused avoidance sexual goals were associated with their own higher depressive symptoms, whereas men's higher self-focused approach goals were associated with their own higher depressive symptoms. When controlling for frequency of sexual intercourse, there were no significant associations between women or partners' sexual goals and sexual satisfaction.

Clinical Implications

Within a clinical context where many interpersonal pressures for sex exist, interventions should target self-focused sexual goals alongside interpersonal sexual goals to improve pain and psychological adjustment.

Strengths & Limitations

This is the first study to examine self-focused sexual goals among women with PVD and their partners. This study is cross-sectional, and the direction of associations cannot be inferred. Couples were in mixed-sex relationships, and results may not generalize to same-sex couples.

Conclusion

Findings suggest that self-focused goals are relevant to the psychological adjustment of women with PVD and their male partners and for women's pain.
Validation of a Sagittal Section Technique for Measuring Clitoral Blood Flow. Volume Flow: A New Parameter in Clitoral Artery Doppler
Authors: Fernández Pérez Maite , Fernández Agís Inmaculada , La Calle Marcos Pedro , Campos Caballero Raquel , Molero Rodríguez Francisca , González Fernández Mónica , Rodríguez Torreblanca Carmelo
Published: March 2020

Background

Clitoral artery Doppler has been used as an objective technique to measure changes in genital women response. However, the technique has not been fully validated, and arterial volume flow has never been used as an outcome measure.

Aims

To validate the technique clitoral artery Doppler measured in a sagittal section and explore arterial volume flow as a new parameter in clitoral Doppler.

Methods

We examined 90 healthy volunteers by clitoral artery Doppler using the sagittal section approach described by Battaglia et al in 2008. We calculated intraobserver, interobserver, and intraobserver intersession variability and reliability for all Doppler parameters and described and validated arterial volume flow as a new parameter in clitoral artery Doppler.

Outcomes

We calculated peak systolic velocity (PSV), time-averaged maximum velocity, time-averaged mean velocity, end-diastolic velocity, pulsatility index, resistance index, and volume flow (v-flow) in all groups. We conducted reliability analyses using the intraclass correlation coefficient for agreement. We explored differences between and within observers and calculated agreement limits using the Bland-Altman test.

Results

The intraclass correlation coefficient analysis showed correlation values higher than 0.75 (good reliability) for most of the variables and higher than 0.60 (moderate reliability) for the remaining ones. There were statistically significant differences between PSV and time-averaged maximum velocity in the intraobserver intersession measurements. For the remaining groups and variables, no statistically significant differences were observed. Bland-Altman analyses showed that the limits of agreement were acceptable and the regressions were not significant. The v-flow parameter also showed good reliability and low variability between groups.

Clinical Implications

We found that PSV was not a good outcome measure because of its high intraobserver and intersession variability. Moreover, it is possible to measure v-flow in the clitoral artery using the sagittal technique described by Battaglia et al, and it seems that this measure is reliable and reproducible. This could be the best parameter to assess clinical changes.

Strengths & Limitations

This study provided full validation of the sagittal section approach and of a new parameter, v-flow, which could beuseful for assessing clitoral blood flow. The main limitation of the study is its retrospective nature for validating v-flow.

Conclusion

We found that clitoral artery Doppler measured using a sagittal approach is a valid and reliable technique for studying clitoral blood flow in women. The v-flow variable is a promising and reliable parameter for measuring changes in clitoral blood flow.
A model for the dynamics of face-to-face interactions in social groups
Authors: Hoffman Marion , Block Per , Elmer Timon , Stadtfeld Christoph
Published: March 2020

Face-to-face interactions in social groups are a central aspect of human social lives. Although the composition of such groups has received ample attention in various fields—e.g., sociology, social psychology, management, and educational science—their micro-level dynamics are rarely analyzed empirically. In this article, we present a new statistical network model (DyNAM-i) that can represent the dynamics of conversation groups and interpersonal interaction in different social contexts. Taking an actor-oriented perspective, this model can be applied to test how individuals’ interaction patterns differ and how they choose and change their interaction groups. It moves beyond dyadic interaction mechanisms and translates central social network mechanisms—such as homophily, transitivity, and popularity—to the context of interactions in group settings. The utility and practical applicability of the new model are illustrated in two social network studies that investigate face-to-face interactions in a small party and an office setting.
Effects of grape seed extract on dyslipidaemia: a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Anjom-Shoae Javad , Milajerdi Alireza , Larijani Bagher , Esmaillzadeh Ahmad
Published: March 2020

Data on the effect of grape seed extract (GSE) on lipid profiles are inconclusive. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled clinical trials on the effect of GSE on serum lipid profiles. The online databases of PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest, Science Direct and Embase were searched for relevant publications until March 2019, using MeSH and non-MeSH keywords. Study selection, data extraction and quality assessment were completed independently by two investigators. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses were performed to identify the source of heterogeneity. Assessment of study quality was conducted using the Jadad scale. Eleven randomised clinical trials involving 536 participants were included in the present meta-analysis. Combining effect sizes from earlier studies, we found that GSE supplementation significantly decreased serum levels of LDL-cholesterol (−0·17 mmol/l; 95 % CI −0·34, −0·01) and TAG (−0·11 mmol/l; 95 % CI −0·18, −0·05). Although no overall significant effect of GSE supplementation on circulating total- and HDL-cholesterol levels was observed, there were significant reductions in these lipids in studies with <10 weeks of intervention and those that had administered the dosages of <300 mg/d of GSE. In conclusion, GSE supplementation seems to favourably affect serum levels of LDL and TAG concentrations, but it did not affect total- and HDL-cholesterol concentrations.
Looking beyond depression: a meta-analysis of the effect of behavioral activation on depression, anxiety, and activation
Authors: Stein Aliza T. , Carl Emily , Cuijpers Pim , Karyotaki Eirini , Smits Jasper A. J.
Published: March 2020

Background

Depression is a prevalent and impairing condition. Behavioral activation (BA) is a parsimonious, cost-effective, and easily disseminated psychological intervention for depression. The current meta-analysis expands on the existing literature supporting the efficacy of BA for depression by examining the effects of BA on additional relevant outcomes for patients with depression, namely the reduction in anxiety symptoms and increase in activation.

Methods

Randomized controlled trials of BA for depression compared to active and inactive control were identified via a systematic review. Effect sizes using Hedges's g were calculated for each outcome compared to both active and inactive control using random effects models. Subgroup analyses were used to examine the inclusion of a discussion of values as a moderator of depression symptom outcome in BA.

Results

Twenty-eight studies were included. Meta-analyses of symptom change between groups from baseline-to-post intervention indicated that BA outperformed inactive control conditions for improvements in depression (g = 0.83), anxiety (g = 0.37), and activation (g = 0.64). The difference between BA and active control conditions was not significant for improvements in depression (g = 0.15), anxiety (g = 0.03), and activation (g = 0.04). There was no evidence for a discussion of values augmenting BA efficacy. Study quality was generally low, and there was evidence of publication bias.

Conclusions

In addition to improving depression, BA shows efficacy for reducing symptoms of anxiety and increasing activation. BA may not offer better outcomes relative to other active interventions. There is room for improvement in the quality of research in this area.
Transdiagnostic dimensions in obsessive-compulsive and related disorders: associations with internalizing and externalizing symptoms
Authors: Snorrason Ivar , Beard Courtney , Peckham Andrew D. , Björgvinsson Thröstur
Published: March 2020

Background

Hierarchical structural models of psychopathology rarely extend to obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders. The current study sought to examine the higher-order structure of the obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (OCRDs) in DSM-5: obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), hoarding disorder (HD), body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder; HPD) and excoriation (skin-picking) disorder (SPD).

Methods

Adult patients in a partial hospital program (N = 532) completed a dimensional measure of the five OCRDs. We used confirmatory factor analysis to identify the optimal model of the comorbidity structure. We then examined the associations between the transdiagnostic factors and internalizing and externalizing symptoms (i.e. depression, generalized anxiety, neuroticism, and drug/alcohol cravings).

Results

The best fitting model included two correlated higher-order factors: an obsessions-compulsions (OC) factor (OCD, BDD, and HD), and a body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB) factor (HPD and SPD). The OC factor, not the BFRB factor, had unique associations with internalizing symptoms (standardized effects = 0.42–0.66) and the BFRB factor, not the OC factor, had small marginally significant unique association with drug/alcohol cravings (standardized effect = 0.22, p = 0.088).

Conclusions

The results mirror findings from twin research and indicate that OCD, BDD, and HD share liability that is significantly associated with internalizing symptoms, but this liability may be relatively less important for BFRBs. Further research is needed to better examine the associations between BFRBs and addictive disorders.
What do family care-givers want from domiciliary care for relatives living with dementia? A qualitative study
Authors: Pollock Kristian , Wilkinson Samantha , Perry-Young Lucy , Turner Nicola , Schneider Justine
Published: March 2020

In the current ecology of care, social, rather than medical, support is critical in enabling frail older people to live at home. This paper reports findings from a qualitative study about how home care workers (HCWs) support persons with dementia living in the community. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were carried out in England with 14 family care-givers (FCGs) recruited from a single private home care provider. A thematic analysis of the data was undertaken using the constant comparative method. In every instance, it was FCGs who initiated domiciliary care for the person with dementia, highlighting ambiguity about who is the ‘client’. Rather than focusing on the HCWs’ work in undertaking practical tasks and personal care, respondents prioritised HCWs as companions, providing emotional and social support for their relatives. From an organisational perspective, respondents valued the capacity of the provider to deliver a consistent, personal, reliable and punctual service. These attributes were important in supporting their relative's agency and dignity. Respondents described HCWs engaging in skilled and sensitive communication with clients but considered ‘character’ and ‘innate’ caring abilities to be more important than those derived from training. The results highlight the need to acknowledge the family, rather than the individual client, as the functioning unit of care, and to recognise the highly skilled communicative and emotional work undertaken by HCWs.
“Precocious Girls”: Age of Consent, Class and Family in Late Nineteenth-Century England
Authors: Lammasniemi Laura
Published: March 2020

A fixed legal age of consent is used to determine when a person has the capacity to consent to sex yet in the late Victorian period the idea became a vehicle through which to address varied social concerns, from child prostitution and child sexual abuse to chastity and marriageability of working-class girls. This article argues that the Criminal Law Amendment Act (CLAA) 1885, the Act that raised the age of consent from thirteen to sixteen, and its application were driven by constructions of gender in conjunction with those of social class and working class family. The article firstly argues that CLAA 1885 and related campaigns reinforced class boundaries, and largely framed the working class family as absent, thereby, requiring the law to step in as a surrogate parent to protect the girl child. Secondly, the paper focuses on narratives emerging from the archives and argues that while narratives of capacity and protection in particular were key concepts behind reforms, the courts showed limited understanding of these terms. Instead, the courts focused on notions resistance, consent, and untrustworthiness of the victim, even when these concepts were not relevant to the proceedings due to victims' young age.
BetweenSollenandSein: The CJEU’s reliance on international law in the interpretation of economic agreements covering occupied territories
Authors: Kassoti Eva
Published: March 2020

This contribution focuses on the Court of Justice of the European Union (Court or CJEU) reliance on international law in cases involving economic agreements covering occupied territories. In its earlier case law, the Court adopted a formalistic approach by ignoring the broader international legal framework of the dispute in an effort to achieve conformity with international law, while at the same time avoiding being drawn into political storms. The article continues by identifying an even more worrisome trend in the Court’s latest judgments in theFront PolisarioandWestern Sahara Campaign UKcases. In these two cases the Court showed its willingness to stretch the international rules of treaty interpretation to a breaking point in order to avoid pronouncing on the politically sensitive question of the de facto application of the EU’s agreements with Morocco in the territory of Western Sahara. The article concludes by asserting that the Court’s line of argumentation brings another dimension to theVölkerrechtsfreundlichkeitdebate. The classical, binary understanding of the Court’s approach as ‘open/hostile’ to international law only provides us with a partial picture of how international law was actually used in these cases. The Court’s apparent willingness to rely on international law as a heuristic device to reinforce an outcome that radically departs from the logic and structure of international law and international legal argumentation requires a more in-depth engagement with both the content of the international law rules invoked in those judgments and with the Court’s use of such rules.
APPROXIMATION OF AND BY COMPLETELY MONOTONE FUNCTIONS
Authors: LOY R. J. , ANDERSSEN R. S.
Published: March 2020

We investigate convergence in the cone of completely monotone functions. Particular attention is paid to the approximation of and by exponentials and stretched exponentials. The need for such an analysis is a consequence of the fact that although stretched exponentials can be approximated by sums of exponentials, exponentials cannot in general be approximated by sums of stretched exponentials.
Optimization of inscribed hexagonal fractal slotted microstrip antenna using modified lightning attachment procedure optimization
Authors: Anand Rohit , Chawla Paras
Published: March 2020

An inscribed hexagonal fractal slotted patch antenna with some additional geometry and slots is proposed for the optimization in this paper. This research work is concerned with the optimization of this slotted fractal antenna with the help of the curve-fitting method in conjunction with the modified version of Lightning Attachment Procedure Optimization (MLAPO) technique. The data required for the curve-fitting technique and for the optimization technique have been obtained by varying some of the parameters of the proposed antenna. Different equations are developed to know the relations between these parameters of the proposed antenna. The MLAPO technique is applied thereafter to calculate the different optimized geometrical parameters to optimize the bandwidth for the proposed antenna. The optimized geometrical parameters are verified with the help of a parametric variation to justify the reliable optimization. The bandwidth obtained by the MLAPO technique has been found to be better than that obtained by PSO and normal LAPO algorithm. The prototype of the optimized antenna is fabricated and the experimental results are found to be compatible with the results obtained by simulation. The proposed optimized antenna may be utilized in various applications in C and X bands.