bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Plasticizers on Properties, Retrogradation, and Processing of Extrusion‐Obtained Thermoplastic Starch: A Review
Authors: Montilla‐Buitrago Camilo E. , Gómez‐López Rudy A. , Solanilla‐Duque José F. , Serna‐Cock Liliana , Villada‐Castillo Héctor S.
Published: May 2021

Thermoplastic starch (TPS) offers an alternative to petrochemical‐based plastics because as well as being a final product in itself, TPS can be used as a precursor for the production of new materials. In addition to high temperature and shear, the presence of plasticizers is essential in the TPS production process, to break the strong inter‐ and intra‐molecular interactions of the starch chains. The properties of these plasticizers—their functional groups, molecular weight, thermal stability, and compatibility with the polymer, among others—play an important role in the production of TPS. This work therefore brings together research evaluating starch–plasticizer molecular interactions and their effect on the structure, polymer properties, retrogradation, and processing of TPS obtained by extrusion; in addition, it collects and analyzes information on the process conditions used in the extrusion of different starches in the presence of different plasticizers. The objective of this review is to provide a clear description of the importance of the effect of plasticizers on the properties of TPS obtained by extrusion, indicating the potential of some plasticizers to broaden the field of application of TPS.
Becoming an Activist: Ruth Harrison’s Turn to Animal Welfare
Authors: Kirchhelle Claas
Published: May 2021

This chapter focuses on Harrison’s life prior to writing Animal Machines. Together with her siblings, Harrison was brought up in close contact to Britain’s cultural elite. After attending schools in London, Harrison commenced her university studies in 1939. The outbreak of war had a transformative impact on her life. Harrison was evacuated to Cambridge where she likely came into contact with ethologist William Homan Thorpe. She converted to Quakerism and subsequently enrolled in the Friends’ Ambulance Unit. The Quaker principles of non-violence, humanitarianism, and bearing witness to injustice would serve as important reference points throughout Harrison’s campaigning. After the war, she completed her studies in the dramatic arts but abandoned a potential career as a theatre producer. In 1954, she married architect Dexter Harrison. Similar to many Quakers, Harrison’s humanitarian concerns motivated her to become involved in the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and protest perceived technological, moral, and environmental threats to society.
Ideals and Intensification: Welfare Campaigns in a Nation of Animal Lovers
Authors: Kirchhelle Claas
Published: May 2021

This chapter studies the post-war evolution of British animal campaigning. It shows how the 1950s and 1960s saw long-standing concerns about cruelty to animals and wartime tropes of Britain as a Nation of Animal Lovers merge with concerns about the impacts of new intensive animal husbandry systems. So-called factory farms were not ubiquitous. However, in popular discourse, the “factory farm” increasingly functioned as a dystopian sociotechnical imaginary of new and alien technological threats to the English countryside, animal welfare, “British values,” consumer health, and the environment.
A “minority of one”: Harrison and the FAWAC
Authors: Kirchhelle Claas
Published: May 2021

This chapter analyses Harrison’s work on FAWAC and the committee’s wider impact. Agricultural officials had weighted FAWAC membership in favour of producer interests. Within the committee, there were significant tensions over how to define welfare and the status of ethological expertise. Officials, veterinary scientists, and agricultural interests favoured productivity-focused definitions of welfare and prioritised physiological measurements of stress and metabolic conversion. Harrison and other mostly female welfare representatives successfully resisted the passage of weak new welfare codes and called for an inclusion of ethological expertise and wider ethical considerations in FAWAC deliberations. The resulting stalemate between “scientific” and “ethical” factions soon led to a breakdown of FAWAC decision-making, a stagnation of British welfare reforms, and a polarisation of public welfare campaigning.
Anomalous dimensions from Yukawa couplings in SMNEFT: four-fermion operators
Authors: Datta Alakabha , Kumar Jacky , Liu Hongkai , Marfatia Danny
Published: May 2021

Abstract

The Standard Model Neutrino Effective Field Theory (SMNEFT) is the Standard Model Effective Field Theory (SMEFT) augmented with right-handed neutrinos. Building on our previous work, arXiv:2010.12109, we calculate the Yukawa coupling contributions to the one-loop anomalous dimension matrix for the 11 dimension-six four-fermion SMNEFT operators. We also present the new contributions to the anomalous dimension matrix for the 14 four-fermion SMEFT operators that mix with the SMNEFT operators through the Yukawa couplings of the right-handed neutrinos.
Uniqueness and Bifurcation Branches for Planar Steady Navier–Stokes Equations Under Navier Boundary Conditions
Authors: Arioli Gianni , Gazzola Filippo , Koch Hans
Published: May 2021

The stationary Navier–Stokes equations under Navier boundary conditions are considered in a square. The uniqueness of solutions is studied in dependence of the Reynolds number and of the strength of the external force. For some particular forcing, it is shown that uniqueness persists on some continuous branch of solutions, when these quantities become arbitrarily large. On the other hand, for a different forcing, a branch of symmetric solutions is shown to bifurcate, giving rise to a secondary branch of nonsymmetric solutions. This proof is computer-assisted, based on a local representation of branches as analytic arcs.
Laser vs. thermal treatments of green pigment PG36: coincidence and toxicity of processes
Authors: Bauer Elvira Maria , Cecchetti Daniele , Guerriero Ettore , Nisticò Steven , Germinario Giulia , Sennato Simona , Gontrani Lorenzo , Tagliatesta Pietro , Carbone Marilena
Published: May 2021

Comparative laser and thermal treatments were carried out on PG36, a green phthalocyanine-based pigment, permitted in European countries where legislation on tattoo composition was issued. Prior to the treatments, PG36 was characterized by SEM imaging, EDX, IR and UV–Vis spectroscopies, revealing an excess of Si and C and O as compared to the pure halogenated Cu-phthalocyanine. Laser treatments were carried out with a Nd:YAG device applied to H2O and propan-2-ol dispersions. Pyrolysis and calcinations were carried out in air or under N2 flow. The outcome of the different procedures was analyzed by UV–Vis spectroscopy, GC–mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction of the solid residues, SEM microscopy and dynamic light scattering. The comparative analysis indicated the production of different fragment compounds depending on the treatment, (pyrolysis or laser), and, to some extent, to the solvent of the dispersion, with pyrolysis generating a larger number of hazardous compounds. Hydrocarbons and cyclic siloxanes present as additives in PG36 were stable or degraded depending on the treatment. The morphology of the products is also treatment-dependent with nanoparticles < 20 nm and fibers being produced upon laser treatments only. Based on the experimental findings, the equivalence of laser and thermal treatments is evaluated.
Micro-droplet-based calibration for quantitative elemental bioimaging by LA-ICPMS
Authors: Schweikert Andreas , Theiner Sarah , Wernitznig Debora , Schoeberl Anna , Schaier Martin , Neumayer Sophie , Keppler Bernhard K. , Koellensperger Gunda
Published: May 2021

In this work, a novel standardization strategy for quantitative elemental bioimaging is evaluated. More specifically, multi-element quantification by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-TOFMS) is performed by multi-point calibration using gelatin-based micro-droplet standards and validated using in-house produced reference materials. Fully automated deposition of micro-droplets by micro-spotting ensured precise standard volumes of 400 ± 5 pL resulting in droplet sizes of around 200 μm in diameter. The small dimensions of the micro-droplet standards and the use of a low-dispersion laser ablation setup reduced the analysis time required for calibration by LA-ICPMS significantly. Therefore, as a key advance, high-throughput analysis (pixel acquisition rates of more than 200 Hz) enabled to establish imaging measurement sequences with quality control- and standardization samples comparable to solution-based quantification exercises by ICP-MS. Analytical figures of merit such as limit of detection, precision, and accuracy of the calibration approach were assessed for platinum and for elements with biological key functions from the lower mass range (phosphorus, copper, and zinc). As a proof-of-concept application, the tool-set was employed to investigate the accumulation of metal-based anticancer drugs in multicellular tumor spheroid models at clinically relevant concentrations.
Structural alterations in brainstem, basal ganglia and thalamus associated with parkinsonism in schizophrenia spectrum disorders
Authors: Fritze Stefan , Harneit Anais , Waddington John L. , Kubera Katharina M. , Schmitgen Mike M. , Otte Marie-Luise , Geiger Lena S. , Tost Heike , Meyer-Lindenberg Andreas , Wolf Robert C. , Hirjak Dusan
Published: May 2021

The relative roles of brainstem, thalamus and striatum in parkinsonism in schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD) patients are largely unknown. To determine whether topographical alterations of the brainstem, thalamus and striatum contribute to parkinsonism in SSD patients, we conducted structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of SSD patients with (SSD-P, n = 35) and without (SSD-nonP, n = 64) parkinsonism, as defined by a Simpson and Angus Scale (SAS) total score of ≥ 4 and < 4, respectively, in comparison with healthy controls (n = 20). FreeSurfer v6.0 was used for segmentation of four brainstem regions (medulla oblongata, pons, superior cerebellar peduncle and midbrain), caudate nucleus, putamen and thalamus. Patients with parkinsonism had significantly smaller medulla oblongata (p = 0.01, false discovery rate (FDR)-corrected) and putamen (p = 0.02, FDR-corrected) volumes when compared to patients without parkinsonism. Across the entire patient sample (n = 99), significant negative correlations were identified between (a) medulla oblongata volumes and both SAS total (p = 0.034) and glabella-salivation (p = 0.007) scores, and (b) thalamic volumes and both SAS total (p = 0.033) and glabella-salivation (p = 0.007) scores. These results indicate that brainstem and thalamic structures as well as basal ganglia-based motor circuits play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of parkinsonism in SSD.
Conserved, divergent and heterochronic gene expression during Brachypodium and Arabidopsis embryo development
Authors: Hao Zhaodong , Zhang Zhongjuan , Xiang Daoquan , Venglat Prakash , Chen Jinhui , Gao Peng , Datla Raju , Weijers Dolf
Published: May 2021

Key message

Developmental and transcriptomic analysis of Brachypodium embryogenesis and comparison with Arabidopsis identifies conserved and divergent phases of embryogenesis and reveals widespread heterochrony of developmental gene expression.

Embryogenesis, transforming the zygote into the mature embryo, represents a fundamental process for all flowering plants. Current knowledge of cell specification and differentiation during plant embryogenesis is largely based on studies of the dicot model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. However, the major crops are monocots and the transcriptional programs associated with the differentiation processes during embryogenesis in this clade were largely unknown. Here, we combined analysis of cell division patterns with development of a temporal transcriptomic resource during embryogenesis of the monocot model plant Brachypodium distachyon. We found that early divisions of the Brachypodium embryo were highly regular, while later stages were marked by less stereotypic patterns. Comparative transcriptomic analysis between Brachypodium and Arabidopsis revealed that early and late embryogenesis shared a common transcriptional program, whereas mid-embryogenesis was divergent between species. Analysis of orthology groups revealed widespread heterochronic expression of potential developmental regulators between the species. Interestingly, Brachypodium genes tend to be expressed at earlier stages than Arabidopsis counterparts, which suggests that embryo patterning may occur early during Brachypodium embryogenesis. Detailed investigation of auxin-related genes shows that the capacity to synthesize, transport and respond to auxin is established early in the embryo. However, while early PIN1 polarity could be confirmed, it is unclear if an active response is mounted. This study presents a resource for studying Brachypodium and grass embryogenesis and shows that divergent angiosperms share a conserved genetic program that is marked by heterochronic gene expression.
Assessing volume responsiveness using right ventricular dynamic indicators of preload
Authors: Graessler Michael F. , Wodack Karin H. , Pinnschmidt Hans O. , Nishimoto Sarah , Behem Christoph R. , Reuter Daniel A. , Trepte Constantin J. C.
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Dynamic indicators of preload currently only do reflect preload requirements of the left ventricle. To date, no dynamic indicators of right ventricular preload have been established. The aim of this study was to calculate dynamic indicators of right ventricular preload and assess their ability to predict ventricular volume responsiveness.

Materials and methods

The study was designed as experimental trial in 20 anaesthetized pigs. Micro-tip catheters and ultrasonic flow probes were used as experimental reference to enable measurement of right ventricular stroke volume and pulse pressure. Hypovolemia was induced (withdrawal of blood 20 ml/kg) and thereafter three volume-loading steps were performed. ROC analysis was performed to assess the ability of dynamic right ventricular parameters to predict volume response.

Results

ROC analysis revealed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.82 (CI 95% 0.73–0.89; p < 0.001) for right ventricular stroke volume variation (SVVRV), an AUC of 0.72 (CI 95% 0.53–0.85; p = 0.02) for pulmonary artery pulse pressure variation (PPVPA) and an AUC of 0.66 (CI 95% 0.51–0.79; p = 0.04) for pulmonary artery systolic pressure variation (SPVPA).

Conclusions

In our experimental animal setting, calculating dynamic indicators of right ventricular preload is possible and appears promising in predicting volume responsiveness.
Progressive Damage Behaviours of Triaxially Confined Rocks under Multiple Dynamic Loads
Authors: Liu K. , Zhao J.
Published: May 2021

Investigation of rock progressive damage under static confinement and strain rates facilitates the generation mechanism of natural fault damage zones. A triaxial Hopkinson bar apparatus is used to perform dynamic triaxial compression tests to examine the damage and degradation process of rocks subjected to multiple impacts. Dynamic mechanical properties are determined under a static triaxial pre-stress of (30, 20, 10) MPa and multiple dynamic loadings, with the repetitive impact velocity of 27 m/s and strain rates from 50 to 150/s. The acoustic characteristics are identified by ultrasonic measurement to qualify the damage values. The micro-crack parameters, including crack area and volumes are detected using synchrotron X-ray micro-computed tomography (μCT) to characterize the progressive damage. In addition, the microcrack orientation, density and fractal dimension are analysed from thin section. Experimental results show that dynamic stress-strain curves can be divided to elastic, nonlinear deformation and unloading phases. Dynamic peak stress, Young’s modulus and ultrasonic wave velocity decrease with increasing impact times. The high frequency of ultrasonic wave is filtered by the induced microcracks. The progressive damage and evolution of fracture networks are associated highly with microcrack initiation, propagation, branching and coalescence. Shear bands are commonly generated in granite, and tensile cracks are dominant in marble, while sandstone is mainly failed by compaction and deformation band. The absorbed energy of rock increases nonlinearly with increasing crack surface and volume. Besides, microcracks propagate primarily along the maximum principal stress; the density and fractal dimension exhibit an anisotropic distribution controlled by true triaxial confinement and dynamic impacts.
Increased Above- and Belowground Plant Input Can Both Trigger Microbial Nitrogen Mining in Subarctic Tundra Soils
Authors: Hicks Lettice C. , Yuan Mingyue , Brangarí Albert , Rousk Kathrin , Rousk Johannes
Published: May 2021

Low nitrogen (N) availability in the Arctic and Subarctic constrains plant productivity, resulting in low litter inputs to soil. Increased N availability and litter inputs as a result of climate change, therefore, have the potential to impact the functioning of these ecosystems. We examined plant and microbial responses to chronic inorganic N (5 g m−2 year−1) and/or litter (90 g m−2 year−1), supplied during three growing seasons. We also compared the response to more extreme additions, where the total cumulative additions of N (that is, 15 g m−2) and litter (that is, 270 g m−2) were concentrated into a single growth season. Plant productivity was stimulated by N additions and was higher in the extreme addition plots than those with chronic annual additions. Microbial community structure also differed between the chronic and extreme plots, and there was a significant relationship between plant and microbial community structures. Despite differences in microbial structure, the field treatments had no effect on microbial growth or soil C mineralization. However, gross N mineralization was higher in the N addition plots. This led to a lower ratio of soil C mineralization to gross N mineralization, indicating microbial targeting of N-rich organic matter (“microbial N-mining”), likely driven by the increased belowground C-inputs due to stimulated plant productivity. Surprisingly, aboveground litter addition also decreased ratio of soil C mineralization to gross N mineralization. Together, these results suggest that elevated N availability will induce strong responses in tundra ecosystems by promoting plant productivity, driving changes in above- and belowground community structures, and accelerating gross N mineralization. In contrast, increased litter inputs will have subtle effects, primarily altering the ratio between C and N derived from soil organic matter.
Exploring Perceived Barriers and Facilitators of PrEP Uptake among Young People in Uganda, Zimbabwe, and South Africa
Authors: Muhumuza Richard , Ssemata Andrew Sentoogo , Kakande Ayoub , Ahmed Nadia , Atujuna Millicent , Nomvuyo Mangxilana , Bekker Linda-Gail , Dietrich Janan Janine , Tshabalala Gugulethu , Hornschuh Stefanie , Maluadzi Mamakiri , Chibanda-Stranix Lynda , Nematadzira Teacler , Weiss Helen Anne , Nash Stephen , Fox Julie , Seeley Janet
Published: May 2021

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective HIV prevention strategy. Few studies have explored adolescents and young people’s perspectives toward PrEP. We conducted 24 group discussions and 60 in-depth interviews with males and females aged 13–24 years in Uganda, Zimbabwe, and South Africa between September 2018 and February 2019. We used the framework approach to generate themes and key concepts for analysis following the social ecological model. Young people expressed a willingness to use PrEP and identified potential barriers and facilitators of PrEP uptake. Barriers included factors at individual (fear of HIV, fear of side effects, and PrEP characteristics), interpersonal (parental influence, absence of a sexual partner), community (peer influence, social stigma), institutional (long waiting times at clinics, attitudes of health workers), and structural (cost of PrEP and mode of administration, accessibility concerns) levels. Facilitators included factors at individual (high HIV risk perception and preventing HIV/desire to remain HIV negative), interpersonal (peer influence, social support and care for PrEP uptake), community (adequate PrEP information and sensitization, evidence of PrEP efficacy and safety), institutional (convenient and responsive services, provision of appropriate and sufficiently resourced services), and structural (access and availability of PrEP, cost of PrEP) levels. The findings indicated that PrEP is an acceptable HIV prevention method. PrEP uptake is linked to personal and environmental factors that need to be considered for successful PrEP roll-out. Multi-level interventions needed to promote PrEP uptake should consider the social and structural drivers and focus on ways that can inspire PrEP uptake and limit the barriers.
Higher genera Catalan numbers and Hirota equations for extended nonlinear Schrödinger hierarchy
Authors: Carlet G. , Leur J. van de , Posthuma H. , Shadrin S.
Published: May 2021

We consider the Dubrovin–Frobenius manifold of rank 2 whose genus expansion at a special point controls the enumeration of a higher genera generalization of the Catalan numbers, or, equivalently, the enumeration of maps on surfaces, ribbon graphs, Grothendieck’s dessins d’enfants, strictly monotone Hurwitz numbers, or lattice points in the moduli spaces of curves. Liu, Zhang, and Zhou conjectured that the full partition function of this Dubrovin–Frobenius manifold is a tau-function of the extended nonlinear Schrödinger hierarchy, an extension of a particular rational reduction of the Kadomtsev–Petviashvili hierarchy. We prove a version of their conjecture specializing the Givental–Milanov method that allows to construct the Hirota quadratic equations for the partition function, and then deriving from them the Lax representation.
Toxicity of Mining-Contaminated Lake Sediments to Lumbriculus variegatus
Authors: Wallin Jaana , Karjalainen Juha , Väisänen Ari , Karjalainen Anna K.
Published: May 2021

Boreal lakes with soft water and low buffering capacity are susceptible to excess ion loading resulting from metal mining. The impact of two Finish mining sites in downstream lakes was assessed with a chronic sediment toxicity test using a laboratory-reared freshwater Lumbriculus variegatus (Oligochaeta). The test organisms were exposed to mining-contaminated natural lake sediments and hypolimnion water (HLW) or artificial freshwater (AFW) as overlying water in two independent experimental setups. In both test setups, growth and reproduction of L. variegatus were lower in sediments from the lakes receiving high amount of mining effluents from the mines nearby. In the biomining site, the main contaminants in the recipient lakes were the ore metals Ni and Zn, while in the lakes affected by the conventional underground mine, they were Cu and Zn. These metals accumulated in L. variegatus especially in the setup with natural HLW above the sediment. Growth and reproduction were lower in the HLW than in the AFW setup. The mining-contaminated sediments did not support optimum growth or reproduction of L. variegatus in comparison to the local reference sediments. Decline of pH in the unbuffered natural sediments brought up challenges in the assessment of metal-contaminated lake sediments with high sulfur content, and a need to develop new tools for their risk assessment.
Cardiac medication use in patients with suspected ischaemia without obstructive coronary arteries: sex differences and psychological distress
Authors: Mommersteeg P. M. C. , Roeters van Lennep J. , Widdershoven J.
Published: May 2021

Background

Ischaemia without obstructive coronary arteries (INOCA) is more prevalent in women and associated with psychological distress. Pharmacological treatment goals are angina relief and cardiovascular risk management. The present study aims to examine sex differences in cardiac and non-cardiac medication use, as well as medication and sex differences related to consistent psychological distress in patients with suspected INOCA.

Design

A TweeSteden mild stenosis observational cohort study in patients with suspected INOCA as detected by ischaemic reason for referral and non-obstructive arteries based on coronary angiography or computed tomography.

Methods

Medication documented in the hospital records of 488 patients (53% women) was coded as angina relief medication, blood-pressure-lowering medication, antithrombotics, statins, and non-cardiac medication, using the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical code. Depressive symptoms and anxiety were recoded as ‘consistent distress’ (above the cut-off score for depression and anxiety on validated questionnaires), ‘inconsistent distress’ (above the cut-off for depression or anxiety) or ‘no distress’ (below the cut-off).

Results

No sex differences were observed in cardiac medication use. Women used anxiolytic benzodiazepines more often (12% vs 4%, p = 0.002) compared to men. Consistent distress was more prevalent in women (22% vs 15%, p = 0.004) and was related to the use of more angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers and diuretics in women and to calcium antagonist use as well as lower adherence levels in men. Women who reported chest pain more often received angina relief medication and blood-pressure-lowering medication than men.

Conclusion

No sex differences were observed in cardiac medication use in patients with suspected INOCA. Psychological distress may reflect hypertension and subsequent medication use in women, and experiencing chest pain and subsequent medication use in men.
Tilt mapping for zigzag-shaped concrete panel in retaining structure using terrestrial laser scanning
Authors: Seo Hyungjoon
Published: May 2021

Traditional monitoring systems are not able to monitor the global behavior of large retaining structures, and terrestrial laser scanning was performed for monitoring a retaining structure for this paper. The three-dimensional point cloud was obtained by scanning at seven locations with seven reference targets to cover the retaining structure having 180 m length and 25 m high. To evaluate the long-term behavior of the retaining structure, point clouds obtained by performing eight laser scanning at the same locations over 4 years were compared with each other. In this paper, the tilt mapping method was applied to define the global behavior of the entire retaining structure. The P2P-TA (Plane-to-Plane-Tilt Angle) comparison method was used to calculate the tilt angle by comparing the normal vectors of the planes created by the point clouds, because simple comparison methods are not able to be applied to compare points clouds of zigzag-shaped concrete panels. A laboratory test was conducted to determine the applicability of laser scanning and P2P-TA analysis, and the error range was conservatively set to 0.15°. The results of laser scanning and P2P-TA analysis applied to 231 concrete panels are shown in the tilt mapping of the retaining structure. The differential tilt angle was significantly increased every year at the bottom of the concrete panel adjacent to the tunnel. It can be seen that the concrete panel having a large differential tilt angle affects the differential tilt angles of others, because it is linked to other concrete panels.
Innovative laboratory unit for pre-testing of oxygen carriers for chemical-looping combustion
Authors: Fleiß B. , Fuchs J. , Penthor S. , Arlt S. , Pachler R. , Müller S. , Hofbauer H.
Published: May 2021

Chemical-looping combustion (CLC) is a highly efficient CO2 separation technology with no direct contact between combustion air and fuel. A metal oxide is used as an oxygen carrier (OC) and acts in a dual fluidized bed as a separation tool and supplies the fuel with oxygen, which as an oxidation medium causes combustion to CO2 and H2O. The use of solid fuels, especially biomass, is the focus of current investigations. The OC plays a key role, because it must meet special requirements for solid fuels, which are different to gaseous fuels. The ash content, special reaction mechanisms, and increased abrasion make research into new types of OC essential. Preliminary testing of OC before their use in larger plants regarding their suitability is recommended. For this reason, this work shows the design and the results of a laboratory reactor, which was planned and built for fundamental investigation of OC. Designed as a transient fluidized bed, the reactor, equipped with its own fuel conveying system and an in situ solid sampling, is intended to be particularly suitable for cheap and rapid pre-testing of OC materials. During the tests, it was shown that the sampling device enables non-selective sampling. Different OC were tested under various operating conditions, and their ability to convert different fuels could be quantified. The results indicate that OC can be sufficiently investigated to recommend operation in larger plants.
Case report. 71-jarige man met progressieve onderbuikspijn en onvermogen tot mictie
Authors: Mensink Jolien T. M. , Zijta Frank M. , Tong Tan Q. T.
Published: May 2021

Samenvatting

Deze casus beschrijft een patiënt met progressieve onderbuikspijn en onvermogen tot mictie op basis van een uitzonderlijk grote mediane intraprostatische cyste. Een dergelijke cyste is een zeldzame, benigne, vaak asymptomatische aandoening en kan onderverdeeld worden in een utriculus cyste en een Müllerian duct cyste. Na drainage van de cyste bleef de patiënt in deze beschreven casus klachtenvrij.
Case report. Behoud van testiculaire functie ondanks lang bestaande torsio monotestis
Authors: Hernandez Yenty Qiona M. , Christiaansen Charlotte E. , de Vries Peter , Callewaert Piet R. H.
Published: May 2021

Samenvatting

Torsio testis is een relatief veel voorkomend acuut urologisch probleem bij voornamelijk kinderen en pubers, met een prevalentie van 3,8 per 100.000. Indien gemist of te laat gediagnosticeerd kan torsio testis tot verlies van testiculaire functie leiden. In dit case report bespreken wij een patiënt met een monotestis bij wie, ondanks al dagen bestaande pijnklachten, toch voor operatieve detorsie en fixatie is gekozen en daarbij het sparen van de testis. Follow-up toonde behoud van testiculaire functie aan met beweeglijke zaadcellen en een adequaat testosterongehalte.
Das polyzystische Ovar-Syndrom – Entstehung, Behandlung und neue Erkenntnisse
Authors: Borzan Valentin , Mayr Anna , Obermayer-Pietsch Barbara
Published: May 2021

Das polyzystische Ovar-Syndrom (PCOS) ist die häufigste Endokrinopathie bei Frauen im gebärfähigen Alter. In den letzten Jahren gab es zahlreiche Fortschritte im Verständnis zu Definition, Pathogenese und Behandlungsmöglichkeiten. Diese Übersichtsarbeit gibt Einblick in diese Erkenntnisse und erläutert mögliche neue Therapiezweige anhand der aktuellen Literatur.

Die Symptome des PCOS sind vielfältig und ihre Ausprägung entlang eines breiten Spektrums verteilt. Die wichtigsten klinischen Hinweise sind Hirsutismus, Oligo‑/Amenorrhö, Infertilität sowie Insulinresistenz, Übergewicht/Adipositas und die namensgebenden polyzystischen Ovarien. Da es keine ursächliche Therapie für das Syndrom gibt, sollte die symptomatische Behandlung mit der Patientin und ihren Bedürfnissen abgestimmt werden. Die wichtigsten Therapiemöglichkeiten sind Lebensstilinterventionen, Metformin, hormonelle Kontrazeptiva, (hormonelle) Ovulationsinduktoren sowie chirurgische Eingriffe.

In den letzten Jahren haben sich mit dem Zusammenhang von Darmmikrobiom, Hormonen und Energiestoffwechsel weitere potenzielle Behandlungsmöglichkeiten aufgetan, deren Einfluss aktuell untersucht wird. Probiotika könnten dabei helfen, hormonelle und metabolische Prozesse zu modifizieren und dadurch PCOS-typische Symptome zu lindern.
Diagnosis and Management of Sciatic Endometriosis at the Greater sciatic Foramen: a Case Report
Authors: Trager Robert J. , Prosak Sarah E. , Leonard Kellee A. , Sigel Jessica E. , Dusek Jeffery A.
Published: May 2021

Sciatic endometriosis is a rare condition in which endometrial tissue invades or compresses the lumbosacral plexus and/or sciatic nerve and causes sciatic pain, which is often cyclical. Its diagnosis depends on the recognition of signs and symptoms atypical to common degenerative lumbar disorders and its treatment requires timely and coordinated care. A 26-year-old woman presented to a chiropractor at a hospital-based outpatient clinic with a 6-month exacerbation of radiating pain and paresthesia from the right gluteal region into the leg and foot. She was previously treated for over 3 months for suspected lumbosacral radiculopathy with physical therapy. Multisegmental neurologic deficits inconsistent with her prior lumbar imaging prompted further investigation. Pelvis and hip MRI identified a 7×5 cm mass extending through the greater sciatic foramen which compressed and infiltrated the lumbosacral plexus, sciatic nerve, and superior gluteal nerve, and was confirmed via biopsy to be endometriosis. Referral and co-management with a neurologist and obstetrician resulted in a conservative strategy of hormone therapy with the option of having surgical excision if needed. Sciatic endometriosis is a rare disorder that may be misdiagnosed due to its tendency to mimic common lumbar disorders. This case highlights the role of a chiropractor coordinating care for a complex disorder that benefits from early diagnosis for optimal management. It also illustrates how integration of chiropractors into a hospital system can facilitate their ability to manage neuro-musculoskeletal disorders as they can easily refer to and communicate with other medical specialties within the network.
Generating a dataset for learning setplays from demonstration
Authors: Simões Marco A. C. , Nobre Jadson , Sousa Gabriel , Souza Caroline , Silva Robson M. , Campos Jorge , Souza Josemar R. , Nogueira Tatiane
Published: May 2021

Coordination is an important requirement for most Multiagent Systems. A setplay is a particular instance of a coordinated plan for multi-robot systems in collective sports. Setplays are usually designed by robotics specialists using some existing tools, like the SPlanner, or by hand-coding. This work presents recent improvements to the Strategy Planner (SPlanner) and its corresponding FCPortugal Setplays Framework (FSF) to provide sophisticated setplays. This toolkit is useful to design strategic plans for robotic soccer teams as a particular case of Multi-Agent Systems (MASs). The new enhancements enable more realistic setplays, including, but not limited to, the definition of better pass strategies and defensive setplays. The enhanced tool is used to populate a dataset with demonstrations made by soccer experts and used in a Learning from Demonstration (LfD) approach to allow robotic soccer teams to learn new setplays. A new demonstration mode in the RoboCup Soccer Simulation 3D (SSIM3D) viewer RoboViz was also introduced to integrate this tool with SPlanner. Domain experts can use this set of tools to capture a specific scene in a game in RoboViz and use it as an initial step for a new setplay recommendation in SPlanner. The resulting dataset is organized into fuzzy clusters to be used in a reinforcement learning strategy. This paper describes the whole process.

Article Highlights

This paper’s main contribution is generating a dataset of setplays to support
learning from demonstration in robotic soccer.

A set of new features were added to the Strategic Planner(SPlanner) to enable
the design of more realistic setplays.

The official RoboCup viewer (Roboviz) was integrated with SPlanner using a
new demonstration mode.
Binary classification with classical instances and quantum labels
Authors: Caro Matthias C.
Published: May 2021

In classical statistical learning theory, one of the most well-studied problems is that of binary classification. The information-theoretic sample complexity of this task is tightly characterized by the Vapnik-Chervonenkis (VC) dimension. A quantum analog of this task, with training data given as a quantum state has also been intensely studied and is now known to have the same sample complexity as its classical counterpart. We propose a novel quantum version of the classical binary classification task by considering maps with classical input and quantum output and corresponding classical-quantum training data. We discuss learning strategies for the agnostic and for the realizable case and study their performance to obtain sample complexity upper bounds. Moreover, we provide sample complexity lower bounds which show that our upper bounds are essentially tight for pure output states. In particular, we see that the sample complexity is the same as in the classical binary classification task w.r.t. its dependence on accuracy, confidence and the VC-dimension.
Information Sharing in the Dublin System: Remedies for Asylum Seekers In-Between Gaps in Judicial Protection and Interstate Trust
Authors: Vavoula Niovi
Published: May 2021

In most EU policy areas, procedural cooperation between national administrations takes place through the shared implementation of “composite” decision-making procedures, facilitated by the operation of multijurisdictional networks or horizontal or vertical information exchange. In the context of asylum policy, such administrative cooperation has been necessary in the distribution of asylum seekers—in accordance with the Dublin III Regulation, which allocates responsibility among Member States to examine an asylum application. In addition to rules in the Regulation itself—Article 34—information sharing also takes place through Eurodac, an EU-wide centralized information system. This Article examines whether the Dublin system ensures effective judicial and administrative remedies in the operationalization of multijurisdictional information networks. It analyzes the relevant Eurodac and Dublin-related legislation, national implementation, and national case law through the lens of administrative cooperation. The assumption that the data exchanged has been acquired and processed lawfully, due to interstate trust, and the extent to which that assumption is rebuttable, are central themes throughout this Article. It is argued that administrative cooperation through information sharing takes precedence over the right to an effective remedy, and that, in practice, judicial and extrajudicial remedies are insufficient to protect asylum seekers.
Improving the Accountability of the EU Budget’s Multi-Level Implementation: Strengthening the Contribution of the European Court of Auditors
Authors: Cipriani Gabriele
Published: May 2021

EU spending—more than €1.800 billion for the next seven years—is spread over a large number of programs and financial mechanisms. Implemented under the Commission’s responsibility, its day-to-day management is mostly ensured by a plurality of actors, in particular by member states’ nominated bodies. This unique context places the responsibility to undertake influential audit work that could support the EU achieving longterm benefits on the European Court of Auditors (ECA). In this respect, this Article highlights a number of issues. First, this Article discusses the annual audit opinion, to which the ECA devotes at least 40% of its audit capacity—about 400 auditors—despite the limited assurance it provides. This Article argues that the audit opinion should focus on the operation of the Commission’s internal control framework and enlarge its scope to “value for money,” thus fostering responsibility at management level and sustaining the emergence of a performance culture. Furthermore, to fully capture the synergies, the risks of double funding and competition between different programs pursuing similar objectives—for example, through cohesion, transport, energy, and research spending—the ECA should undertake a scrutiny across its audit chambers’ thematic responsibilities. The ECA should also consider increasing the number of member states covered by its performance reports. Moreover, the ECA’s recommendations would benefit from an indication about their importance, and their followup should be extended at member states’ level. Finally, this Article welcomes the ECA’s intention to assess the added value of EU spending as compared to national spending alone, hence opening up the prospect of an ECA performance “assurance” assessment.
The Notion of “Transnationality” in Administrative Law: Taxonomy and Judicial Review
Authors: Chevalier Emilie , Dubos Olivier
Published: May 2021

This Article deals with the issues related to the judicial review of transnational acts which are adopted particularly within the context of the European integration process. The European Union is a privileged playground for the development of administrative acts of this type, primarily because of the existence of various and diverse administrative cooperation mechanisms. Transnational administrative acts are, either because of their adoption process or because of their conditions of enforcement, governed by at least two national legal orders. The question of the availability of judicial review in the context of transnational administrative acts is a complex one, because the presence of one exogeneous element may disrupt the straightforward path toward the right of access to courts—as both the determination of the competent court and the scope of the review carried out by the court seized become uncertain. This Article first draws up a typology of transnational administrative acts. Second, on the basis of this typology, this Article analyzes the solutions developed by the case law of the Court of Justice and assesses them in the light of the principles of territoriality of administrative law and the right to effective judicial protection.
CORRUPTION AND PERCEIVED FAIRNESS: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM EAST ASIAN COUNTRIES
Authors: Chang Wen-Chun
Published: May 2021

Corruption can erode political trust and a well-functioning democratic system, but it is unclear whether perceptions of corruption are significantly associated with citizens’ perceptions about the fairness of income distribution. This study thus examines the role of political trust in shaping the relationship between perceptions of corruption and perceived fairness of income distribution for East Asian countries. The findings show that perceived corruption has strong detrimental effects on political trust, and that those who have lower levels of political trust are more likely to perceive the income distribution as unfair in their countries. Causal mediation analysis results indicate that political trust plays an important role in mediating the negative effect of perceived corruption on perceived fairness of income distribution. Moreover, the results from examining the mutual causality linking corruption, political trust, and perceived fairness suggest that the reciprocal causal effects are also significant and robust.
The triggers of the disaggregation of Voyeykov Ice Shelf (2007), Wilkes Land, East Antarctica, and its subsequent evolution
Authors: Arthur Jennifer F. , Stokes Chris R. , Jamieson Stewart S. R. , Miles Bertie W. J. , Carr J. Rachel , Leeson Amber A.
Published: May 2021

The weakening and/or removal of floating ice shelves in Antarctica can induce inland ice flow acceleration. Numerical modelling suggests these processes will play an important role in Antarctica's future sea-level contribution, but our understanding of the mechanisms that lead to ice tongue/shelf collapse is incomplete and largely based on observations from the Antarctic Peninsula and West Antarctica. Here, we use remote sensing of structural glaciology and ice velocity from 2001 to 2020 and analyse potential ocean-climate forcings to identify mechanisms that triggered the rapid disintegration of ~2445 km2of ice mélange and part of the Voyeykov Ice Shelf in Wilkes Land, East Antarctica between 27 March and 28 May 2007. Results show disaggregation was pre-conditioned by weakening of the ice tongue's structural integrity and was triggered by mélange removal driven by a regional atmospheric circulation anomaly and a less extensive latent-heat polynya. Disaggregation did not induce inland ice flow acceleration, but our observations highlight an important mechanism through which floating termini can be removed, whereby the break-out of mélange and multiyear landfast sea ice triggers disaggregation of a structurally-weak ice shelf. These observations highlight the need for numerical ice-sheet models to account for interactions between sea-ice, mélange and ice shelves.
Normativity, power, and agency: On the chronotopic organization of orthographic conventions on social media
Authors: Sanei Taraneh
Published: May 2021

This article examines Iranian social media users’ understandings of normative behavior by focusing on a new online ‘nonstandard’ orthographic norm: the ‘hekasreh’. Adopting a chronotopic approach to the study of discourse, I analyze Iranian Twitter users’ social positionings towards the ‘hekasreh’ phenomenon. I show how tweeters invoke different spatiotemporal configurations, and the normative behaviors associated with them, to argue for and/or against this new orthographic norm. Focusing on the argumentative dynamics of the invoked chronotopes, I investigate the agentive and creative ways in which power is claimed and maintained in online spaces. This study, on the one hand, provides more empirical data to highlight the significance of attending to the online-offline nexus, and on the other hand argues for a more dynamic conceptualization of the interaction between normativity, power, and agency in online communication. (Social media, Farsi/Persian orthography, sociolinguistic normativity, chronotope, power, agency)*
Views and experiences of adult children concerning intergenerational relationships with their older kin: a qualitative study from South India
Authors: Jothikaran Teddy Andrews Jaihind , Meershoek Agnes , Ashok Lena , Krumeich Anja
Published: May 2021

The tradition of intergenerational care and support exchanges in Indian families is assumed to be disturbed because of changes in family structure brought on by modern life, which is mainly based on studies investigating experiences of older adults regarding the impact of socio-economic change on their care arrangement. However, there is a large gap in understanding the experiences of adult children from a larger relational perspective, more than just care provision to their older relatives. Drawing on 26 in-depth interviews with adult children living in modern and traditional living arrangements from South India, the study explores their experiences with their parents with regard to reciprocity of care and support, the challenges they experience and strategies they adopt to overcome those challenges. The analysis shows adult children perceive the increased demands of modern work life and their older kin's preferences to be heard, lack of flexibility and related extra domestic work and costs, do cause a bigger burden for them in both living arrangements. However, adult children strive to uphold the traditional values of caring for their older kin and sharing emotional bonding with them. This inspiration helps them to employ strategies to accept their older relatives as they are, focus their attention on the benefits they receive from them and distribute care tasks with other relatives to overcome the challenges.