bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A regional soil classification framework to improve soil health diagnosis and management
Authors: Devine Scott M. , Steenwerth Kerri L. , O'Geen Anthony T.
Published: November 2020

Soil health research has developed soil tests to validate management strategies for creating healthier soils, such as cover crops, compost, and reduced tillage. Missing in this research agenda are soil health management strategies and diagnostics tailored to the systematic variation of soils. The Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) database offers comprehensive estimates for many properties linked to soil health indicators. This research uses unsupervised classification of soil surface (0–30 cm) properties and root restrictive horizons in an internationally important agricultural region, the Central and Coastal Valleys of California, covering 5.6 million ha of mostly cropland. K‐means clustering of 10 soil properties derived from SSURGO revealed groups distinct from USDA‐NRCS Soil Taxonomy. Clustering metrics, data visualization, and validation tests justified a seven‐region soil health conceptual model that divided the landscape into two broad classes—those with and without performance limitations. Results revealed three pedogenic conditions limiting soil performance: (a) root restrictive horizons that impede root growth into deeper soil; (b) salinity and alkalinity harmful to crops; and (c) shrink–swell properties making soils challenging to cultivate. Soils without performance limitations, soils with restrictive horizons, and salt‐affected soils are further divided by texture and/or organic matter for a total of seven soil health regions. In reality, variation in soil properties is often continuous across the landscape and sometimes fractal in nature, but this research establishes a testable framework for evaluating soil health diagnostics according to geographically coherent differences in soil properties, demonstrating potential for how soil health management and interpretation can be tailor‐made to the landscape.
Robust inference in the joint modeling of multilevel zero‐inflated Poisson and Cox models
Authors: Zandkarimi Eghbal , Moghimbeigi Abbas , Mahjub Hossein
Published: November 2020

A popular method for simultaneously modeling of correlated count response with excess zeros and time to event is by means of the joint models. In these models, the likelihood‐based methods (such as expectation‐maximization algorithm and Newton‐Raphson) are used for estimating the parameters, but in the presence of contaminations, these methods are unstable. To overcome this challenge, we extend the M‐estimator methods and propose a robust estimator approach to obtain a robust estimation of the regression parameters in the joint model. Our proposed algorithm has two steps (Expectation and Solution). In the expectation step, the likelihood function is expected by conditioning on the observed data and in the solution step, the parameters are computed, with solving robust estimating equations. Therefore, this algorithm achieves robustness by applying robust estimating equations and weighted likelihood in the S‐step. Simulation studies under various situations of contaminations show that the robust algorithm gives us consistent estimates with a smaller bias than likelihood‐based methods. The application section uses data on factors affecting fertility and birth spacing.
Multiuser collaborative illustration and visualization for volumetric scientific data
Authors: Liu Richen , Wen Xiaodong , Jiang Meng , Yang Guang , Zhang Chuyu , Chen Xiaojian
Published: November 2020

Multiuser can collaboratively complete complex visualization tasks that cannot be completed by a single user. Although multiuser collaboration system has made great progress, there are many challenges in the collaborative visualization of 3D volumetric scientific data due to the difficulties in multiuser collaboration, and collaborative slice analysis. This article proposes a client‐server based collaborative visualization system, which consists of a 3D volume explorer and a 2D slice analyzer, to help domain experts to fully utilize their background domain knowledge to illustrate different parts of the data. For example, the brain surgeon expert, pulmonologist, and cardiologist can visualize and analyze the different subsets of the volumetric scientific data, that is, the corresponding subvolumes of the brain, heart, lungs, and blood vessels. It also allows taking full advantage of the hardware resources, because all the computation intensive tasks especially for the whole data rendering can be allocated to the powerful server while the light‐weight tasks can be allocated to the portable clients. Besides, we design a seed point tracing algorithm based on flood fill algorithm to illustrate the slice more efficiently. We evaluate the system by collecting the feedback from domain experts and the people who are unfamiliar with data computation or visualization. The evaluation shows that the 3D volume explorer and the 2D slice analyzer are capable of supporting peer‐expert discussion and medical case teaching, respectively.
Quantitative Proteomics in Drosophila with Holidic Stable-Isotope Labeling of Amino Acids in Fruit Flies (SILAF)
Authors: Schober Florian A. , Atanassov Ilian , Freyer Christoph , Wredenberg Anna
Published: November 2020

Protein-focused research has been challenging in Drosophila melanogaster due to few specific antibodies for Western blotting and the lack of effective labeling methods for quantitative proteomics. Herein, we describe the preparation of a holidic medium that allows stable-isotope labeling of amino acids in fruit flies (SILAF). Furthermore, in this chapter, we provide a protocol for mitochondrial enrichments from Drosophila larvae and flies together with a procedure to generate high-quality peptides for further analysis by mass spectrometry. Samples obtained following this protocol can be used for various functional studies such as comprehensive proteome profiling or quantitative analysis of posttranslational modifications upon enrichment. SILAF is based on standard fly routines in a basic wet lab environment and provides a flexible and cost-effective tool for quantitative protein expression analysis.
Introduction: Japanese Theories and Overview of the Chapters in This Book
Authors: Isoda Masami , Olfos Raimundo
Published: November 2020

This introductory chapter explains the origin of this book and provides overviews of every chapter in Parts I and II of the book. Part I of the book is aimed at explaining what multiplication and lesson study are in relation to the Japanese approach. It provides an overview of Japanese theories on mathematics education for developing students who learn mathematics by and for themselves and provides necessary ideas to understand the Japanese approach and lesson study. Part II consists of contributions from leading researchers in Ibero-America. Through their contributions, this book provides various perspectives based on different theories of mathematics education which provide the opportunity to reconsider the teaching of multiplication and theories.
Can We Explain Students’ Failure in Learning Multiplication?
Authors: del Carmen Chamorro Maria
Published: November 2020

Teaching multiplication is a compulsory topic in elementary education mathematics programs. Much time is dedicated to teaching multiplication tables and algorithms, obtaining mediocre results. Recent investigations in neuroscience suggest that our way of teaching is not congruent with how the brain works and, as such, important changes should be made in teaching of numerical facts and algorithms. Additionally, other kinds of calculation, like mental calculation and calculations with a calculator, have not yet reached the level of importance of their use in education that citizens require in a contemporary society.
Japanese Lesson Study for Introduction of Multiplication
Authors: Olfos Raimundo , Isoda Masami
Published: November 2020

In Chap. 2, we posed questions about the differences in several national curricula, and some of them were related to the definition of multiplication. In Chap. 3, several problematics for defining multiplication were discussed, particularly the unique Japanese definition of multiplication, which is called definition of multiplication by measurement. It can be seen as a kind of definition by a group of groups, if we limit it to whole numbers. In Chap. 4, introduction of multiplication and its extensions in the Japanese curriculum terminology were illustrated to explain how this unique definition is related to further learning. Multiplicand and multiplier are necessary not only for understanding the meaning of multiplication but also for making sense the future learning. The curriculum sequence is established through the extension and integration process in relation to multiplication. In this chapter, two examples of lesson study illustrate how to introduce the definition of multiplication by measurement in a Japanese class. Additionally, how students develop and change their idea of units—that any number can be a unit in multiplication beyond just counting by one—is illustrated by a survey before and after the introduction of multiplication. After the illustration of the Japanese approach, its significance is discussed in comparison with the Chilean curriculum guidebook. Then, the conclusion illustrates the feature of the Japanese approach as being relatively sense making for students who learn mathematics by and for themselves by setting the unit for measurement (McCallum, W. (2018). Making sense of mathematics and making mathematics make sense. Proceedings of ICMI Study 24 School Mathematics Curriculum Reforms: challenges, changes and Opportunities (pp. 1–8). Tsukuba, Japan: University of Tsukuba.). A comparison with Chile is given in order to demonstrate the sense of it from the teacher’s side. In relation to lesson study, this is a good exemplar of how Japanese teachers develop mathematical thinking. It also illustrates the case for being able to see the situation based on the idea of multiplication (Isoda, M. and Katagiri, S. (2012). Mathematical thinking: How to develop it in the classroom. Singapore: World Scientific; Rasmussen and Isoda Research in Mathematics Education 21:43–59, 2019), as seen in Figs. 4.2 and 4.3 in Chap. 4 of this book.
Composting: A Sustainable Route for Processing of Biodegradable Waste in India
Authors: Mandpe Ashootosh , Kumari Sweta , Kumar Sunil
Published: November 2020

Surging populations, coupled with the ever-increasing demand for sustenance, have led to the generation of behemoth proportions of wastes throughout the globe. The processing of such a considerable amount of waste has raised concerns for environmental planners, policymakers, and researchers in regard to maintaining sustainability. Biodegradable waste is a part of the total waste stream. Consideration should be given to the importance of making better use of biodegradable waste. The technology that is adopted for the management of biodegradable waste should be ecologically sustainable and cost-effective, as well as beneficial to social well-being. The most efficient way of managing biodegradable waste must include different methods for the optimal utilisation of such waste, ranging from the small scale (single household) to the very large scale (entire city). Amid all the other waste processing technologies, composting stands out as a most potent option because of its ability to maintain and restore soil fertility, along with the transformation of waste into a resource. Composting is one of the few technologies which has a benefit–cost ratio higher than 1 at all scales of operation. This chapter analyses the most significant aspects of the composting process, including the recent developments and dynamics involved in it. The chapter discusses various aspects of composting via analysis of the integrated waste management system and composting-related projects implemented at the community level in the Indian context. Finally, the chapter presents policies and the efforts put in place by the Government of India with the aim of encouraging composting practice and related activities.
Urban Waste as a Resource: The Case of the Utilisation of Organic Waste to Improve Agriculture Productivity Project in Accra, Ghana
Authors: Yirenya-Tawiah Dzidzo , Annang Ted , Ofori Benjamin Dankyira , Fosu-Mensah Benedicta Yayra , Lawson Elaine Tweneboah- , Yeboah Richard , Owusu-Afriyie Kwaku , Abudey Benjamin , Annan Ted , Datsa Cecilia , Gordon Christopher
Published: November 2020

Poor municipal solid waste management continues to be a daunting issue for municipal authorities in Ghana. Major cities generate 2000 tonnes of mixed municipal waste per day, of which about 80% is collected and disposed of at open dump sites and/or at the limited number of landfills available. About 60% of this waste is organic. The Utilization of Organic Waste to Improve Agricultural Productivity (UOWIAP) project sought to co-create knowledge through a private-public engagement for the development of organic waste value chain opportunities to sustainably manage municipal organic waste and, at the same time, improve urban farm soils and increase food productivity in the Ga-West Municipal Assembly in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Through the project, identified key stakeholders in the waste and agricultural sectors, such as market traders, informal waste collectors, unemployed persons, farmers, landscapers, media, agricultural extension officers, Municipal Assembly officers and the general public, were engaged and made aware of sustainable organic waste management processes, including organic waste segregation from source, collection and compost production. Four formal markets were selected for the piloting of organic waste segregation from source. Interested persons were trained in organic waste collection, compost production and entrepreneurship. The lessons learned draw attention to the need for a massive effort to generate demand for compost use as this will invariably drive removal of organic waste from the unsorted waste stream.
Finland: Success Through Equity—The Trajectories in PISA Performance
Authors: Ahonen Arto K.
Published: November 2020

The Finnish education system has gone through an exciting developmental path from a follower into a role model. Also on the two-decade history of PISA studies, Finland’s performance has provided years of glory as of the world’s top-performing nation, but also a substantial decline. This chapter examines Finland’s educational outcomes in recent PISA-study and the trends across previous cycles. Boys’ more unsatisfactory performance and the increasing effect of students’ socio-economic background are clear predictors of the declining trend, but they can explain it only partly. Some of the other possible factors are discussed.
Biomechanical and Tribological Aspects of Orthopaedic Implants
Authors: Gotman Irena
Published: November 2020

Orthopaedic and dental implant treatments have allowed to enhance the quality of life of millions of patients. Total hip/knee arthroplasty is a surgical replacement of the hip/knee joint with an artificial prosthesis. The aim of joint replacement surgery is to relieve pain improve function, often for sufferers of osteoarthritis, which affects around a third of people aged over fifty. Nowadays, total hip and knee replacement (THR) surgeries are considered routine procedures with generally excellent outcomes. Given the increasing life expectancy of the world population, however, many patients will require revision or removal of the artificial joint during their lifetime. The most common cause of failure of hip and knee replacements is mechanical instability secondary to wear of the articulating components. Thus, tribological and biomechanical aspects of joint arthroplasty are of specific interest in addressing the needs of younger, more active patients. The most significant improvements in the longevity of artificial joints have been achieved through the introduction of more wear resistant bearing surfaces. These innovations, however, brought about new tribocorrosion phenomena, such as fretting corrosion at the modular junctions of hip implants. Stiffness mismatch between the prosthesis components, non-physiological stress transfer and uneven implant-bone stress distribution are all involved in premature failure of hip arthroplasty. The development of more durable hip and knee prostheses requires a comprehensive understanding of biomechanics and tribocorrosion of implant materials. Some of these insights can also be applied to the design and development of dental implants.
The Co-production of Pilot Projects and Society
Authors: Ryghaug Marianne , Skjølsvold Tomas Moe
Published: November 2020

This chapter discusses the shaping of pilot projects. Against a critique that such projects tend to be shaped top-down by powerful actors, our discussion notes how such projects are also shaped locally by materiality, culture, actors, interests and issues. Through this we show how projects end up looking very different from each other while enacting diverse socio-technical futures. We discuss three types of pilot projects: technology-oriented projects, geographically bound projects and national laboratories. We argue that pilot projects, in either form tend to mirror and amplify the interests of involved actors, and we proceed to discuss the potential politics of such projects. We do this by discussing processes of scaling up pilot projects, and through upscaling, shaping broader aspects of society. As these projects often have wide transformational ambitions, we conclude that a focus on who participates and who does not is central for future research.
Democratic and Participatory Pilot Projects?
Authors: Ryghaug Marianne , Skjølsvold Tomas Moe
Published: November 2020

This chapter starts from the normative assumption that since pilot projects are key sites in the shaping of future societies, it is essential that they are conducted in an inclusive and democratic way. Building on key perspectives from STS, we focus on two aspects: First, we consider participation as an orchestrated and distributed phenomenon, highlighting the fact that the way actors participate in such innovation activities will be shaped by technologies, assumptions and the work of a series of actors related to pilot projects. Consequently, we also note how new forms of participation can be actively nurtured. Second, we explore the role of technologies in shaping material participation. Here, we explore how material traits might produce new forms of awareness, knowledge or literacy, and new practices or action, amounting to what we call energy citizenship.
Autonomy, Evidence and Methods in Global Health
Authors: Ackers Louise , Ackers-Johnson Gavin , Welsh Joanne , Kibombo Daniel , Opio Samuel
Published: November 2020

This chapter discusses the growing impact that funding bodies have on the design, delivery and evaluation of global health interventions with specific emphasis on the UK’s Commonwealth Partnerships for Antimicrobial Stewardship (CwPAMS) funding programme. It explains the reasons for focusing the antimicrobial resistance intervention on maternal sepsis and describes the context within which the Maternal Sepsis Intervention took place; in a Regional Referral Hospital in Western Uganda.
The Role of Microbiology Testing in Controlling Infection and Promoting Antimicrobial Stewardship
Authors: Ackers Louise , Ackers-Johnson Gavin , Welsh Joanne , Kibombo Daniel , Opio Samuel
Published: November 2020

This chapter discusses the Role of Microbiology Testing in Controlling Infection and Promoting Antimicrobial Stewardship. It details the role that culture and sensitivity testing has played in creating the ‘objective’ evidence base that facilitated and nurtured midwifery empowerment, task shifting and multi-disciplinary team working. The chapter presents findings of resistance patterns of isolates from women with suspected sepsis.
M-theoretic genesis of topological phases
Authors: Cho Gil Young , Gang Dongmin , Kim Hee-Cheol
Published: November 2020

Abstract

We present a novel M-theoretic approach of constructing and classifying anyonic topological phases of matter, by establishing a correspondence between (2+1)d topological field theories and non-hyperbolic 3-manifolds. In this construction, the topological phases emerge as macroscopic world-volume theories of M5-branes wrapped around certain types of non-hyperbolic 3-manifolds. We devise a systematic algorithm for identifying the emergent topological phases from topological data of the internal wrapped 3-manifolds. As a benchmark of our approach, we reproduce all the known unitary bosonic topological orders up to rank 4. Remarkably, our construction is not restricted to an unitary bosonic theory but it can also generate fermionic and/or non-unitary anyon models in an equivalent fashion. Hence, we pave a new route toward the classification of topological phases of matter.
More on Wilson toroidal networks and torus blocks
Authors: Alkalaev Konstantin , Belavin Vladimir
Published: November 2020

Abstract

We consider the Wilson line networks of the Chern-Simons 3d gravity theory with toroidal boundary conditions which calculate global conformal blocks of degenerate quasi-primary operators in torus 2d CFT. After general discussion that summarizes and further extends results known in the literature we explicitly obtain the one-point torus block and two-point torus blocks through particular matrix elements of toroidal Wilson network operators in irreducible finite-dimensional representations of sl(2, ℝ) algebra. The resulting expressions are given in two alternative forms using different ways to treat multiple tensor products of sl(2, ℝ) representations: (1) 3mj Wigner symbols and intertwiners of higher valence, (2) totally symmetric tensor products of the fundamental sl(2, ℝ) representation.
Human RNase3 immune modulation by catalytic-dependent and independent modes in a macrophage-cell line infection model
Authors: Lu Lu , Wei RanLei , Prats-Ejarque Guillem , Goetz Maria , Wang Gang , Torrent Marc , Boix Ester
Published: November 2020

The human RNase3 is a member of the RNaseA superfamily involved in host immunity. RNase3 is expressed by leukocytes and shows broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Together with a direct antimicrobial action, RNase3 exhibits immunomodulatory properties. Here, we have analysed the transcriptome of macrophages exposed to the wild-type protein and a catalytic-defective mutant (RNase3-H15A). The analysis of differently expressed genes (DEGs) in treated THP1-derived macrophages highlighted a common pro-inflammatory “core-response” independent of the protein ribonucleolytic activity. Network analysis identified the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as the main central regulatory protein. Expression of selected DEGs and MAPK phosphorylation were inhibited by an anti-EGFR antibody. Structural analysis suggested that RNase3 activates the EGFR pathway by direct interaction with the receptor. Besides, we identified a subset of DEGs related to the protein ribonucleolytic activity, characteristic of virus infection response. Transcriptome analysis revealed an early pro-inflammatory response, not associated to the protein catalytic activity, followed by a late activation in a ribonucleolytic-dependent manner. Next, we demonstrated that overexpression of macrophage endogenous RNase3 protects the cells against infection byMycobacterium aurumand the human respiratory syncytial virus. Comparison of cell infection profiles in the presence of Erlotinib, an EGFR inhibitor, revealed that the receptor activation is required for the antibacterial but not for the antiviral protein action. Moreover, the DEGs related and unrelated to the protein catalytic activity are associated to the immune response to bacterial and viral infection, respectively. We conclude that RNase3 modulates the macrophage defence against infection in both catalytic-dependent and independent manners.
On the Field-Induced Transport of Magnetic Nanoparticles in Incompressible Flow: Existence of Global Solutions
Authors: Grün G. , Weiß P.
Published: November 2020

We prove global-in-time existence of weak solutions to a pde-model for the motion of dilute superparamagnetic nanoparticles in fluids influenced by quasi-stationary magnetic fields. This model has recently been derived in Grün and Weiß(On the field-induced transport of magnetic nanoparticles in incompressible flow: modeling and numerics, Mathematical Models and Methods in the Applied Sciences, in press). It couples evolution equations for particle density and magnetization to the hydrodynamic and magnetostatic equations. Suggested by physical arguments, we consider no-flux-type boundary conditions for the magnetization equation which entails $$H({\text {div}},{\text {curl}})$$

H
(
div
,
curl
)

-regularity for magnetization and magnetic field. By a subtle approximation procedure, we nevertheless succeed to give a meaning to the Kelvin force $$(\mathbf {m}\cdot \nabla )\mathbf {h}$$

(
m
·
∇
)
h

and to establish existence of solutions in the sense of distributions in two space dimensions. For the three-dimensional case, we suggest two regularizations of the system which each guarantee existence of solutions, too.
Semiflow Selection to Models of General Compressible Viscous Fluids
Authors: Basarić Danica
Published: November 2020

We prove the existence of a semiflow selection with range the space of càglàd, i.e. left-continuous and having right-hand limits functions defined on$$[0,\infty )$$[0,∞)and taking values in a Hilbert space. Afterwards, we apply this abstract result to the system arising from a compressible viscous fluid with a barotropic pressure of the type$$a\varrho ^{\gamma }, \gamma \ge 1$$aϱγ,γ≥1, with a viscous stress tensor being a nonlinear function of the symmetric velocity gradient.
Radiation oncology as part of medical education—current status and possible digital future prospects
Authors: Dapper Hendrik , Wijnen-Meijer Marjo , Rathfelder Salome , Mosene Katharina , von Kirchbauer Isabelle , Bernhardt Denise , Berberat Pascal O. , Combs Stephanie E.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Education as part of medical education is currently changing rapidly. Not least because of the corona crisis, more and more digital teaching formats and innovative teaching concepts such as the flipped classroom model are finding their way into teaching. We analyzed the acceptance and effectiveness of traditional teaching methods as well as the interest in innovative e‑learning methods among medical students in the field of radiation oncology at the medical school of the Technical University of Munich.

Methods

We carried out an online-based survey as well as a knowledge test on all students from two terms who had completed the seminar series of radiation oncology. The survey comprised seven questions on the frequency of participation, acceptance, and judgment of the effectiveness in terms of learning and on a potential use of e‑learning methods using a six-point Likert scale. The test consisted of 10 multiple-choice questions.

Results

Traditional teaching methods are largely accepted by students and most students consider the current learning format to be effective in terms of the teaching effect in the field of radiation oncology. However, only about 50% of all knowledge questions were answered correctly. The possible use of e‑learning methods was judged critically or desired in roughly equal parts among the students.

Conclusion

Traditional seminars enjoy a high level of acceptance among students. Effectiveness with regard to the internalization of content taught, however, should be increased. After all, the future seems to lie in the integration of e‑learning in the form of educational videos and practical seminars.
Lifetime risk of diabetes in metropolitan cities in India
Authors: Luhar Shammi , Kondal Dimple , Jones Rebecca , Anjana Ranjit M. , Patel Shivani A. , Kinra Sanjay , Clarke Lynda , Ali Mohammed K. , Prabhakaran Dorairaj , Kadir M. Masood , Tandon Nikhil , Mohan Viswanathan , Narayan K. M. Venkat
Published: November 2020

Aims/hypothesis

We aimed to estimate the lifetime risk of diabetes and diabetes-free life expectancy in metropolitan cities in India among the population aged 20 years or more, and their variation by sex, age and BMI.

Methods

A Markov simulation model was adopted to estimate age-, sex- and BMI-specific lifetime risk of developing diabetes and diabetes-free life expectancy. The main data inputs used were as follows: age-, sex- and BMI-specific incidence rates of diabetes in urban India taken from the Centre for Cardiometabolic Risk Reduction in South Asia (2010–2018); age-, sex- and urban-specific rates of mortality from period lifetables reported by the Government of India (2014); and prevalence of diabetes from the Indian Council for Medical Research INdia DIABetes study (2008–2015).

Results

Lifetime risk (95% CI) of diabetes in 20-year-old men and women was 55.5 (51.6, 59.7)% and 64.6 (60.0, 69.5)%, respectively. Women generally had a higher lifetime risk across the lifespan. Remaining lifetime risk (95% CI) declined with age to 37.7 (30.1, 46.7)% at age 60 years among women and 27.5 (23.1, 32.4)% in men. Lifetime risk (95% CI) was highest among obese Indians: 86.0 (76.6, 91.5)% among 20-year-old women and 86.9 (75.4, 93.8)% among men. We identified considerably higher diabetes-free life expectancy at lower levels of BMI.

Conclusions/interpretation

Lifetime risk of diabetes in metropolitan cities in India is alarming across the spectrum of weight and rises dramatically with higher BMI. Prevention of diabetes among metropolitan Indians of all ages is an urgent national priority, particularly given the rapid increase in urban obesogenic environments across the country.
Risk and resilience: a mixed methods investigation of Aboriginal Australian women’s perinatal mental health screening assessments
Authors: Carlin Emma , Seear Kimberley H. , Ferrari Katherine , Spry Erica , Atkinson David , Marley Julia V.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

To describe the psychosocial protective and risk factors for perinatal mental health identified in a sample of Aboriginal women’s Kimberley Mum’s Mood Scale (KMMS) assessments and explore the role of these factors in their screening assessment and diagnostic outcome.

Methods

We used a mixed methods approach to retrospectively analyse a cross-sectional study dataset of 91 completed KMMS assessments. This included: categorising the clinical notes from the KMMS psychosocial yarn into ‘risk’ and ‘protective’ factors and describing these categories, describing the number and type of risk and protective factors associated with different KMMS risk assessment categories (no, low, medium, high), and exploring relationships between these risk and protective factors and diagnosis of perinatal depression and/or anxiety.

Results

Protective factors were recorded for the vast majority of the women; the most prominent was positive family relationships. When protective and risk factors were stratified by KMMS risk category, women in the higher risk group less commonly had specific protective factors (11–33% high vs 61–100% no risk) and more commonly had risk factors (22–67% high vs 6–28% no risk) than women with lower KMMS assessed risk. The average number of protective factors decreased with increasing KMMS risk category (4.9 ± 1.1 to 1.6 ± 1.3), with the inverse pattern for risk factors (1.1 ± 1.1 to 3.8 ± 1.0). Having protective factors also appeared to reduce the risk of developing clinical depression or anxiety.

Conclusion

Assessing protective factors in mental health screening for perinatal Aboriginal women increases the effectiveness of screening and provides a foundation for the delivery of local structured psychosocial care.
Flow boiling heat transfer capabilities of R134a low GWP substitutes inside a 4 mm id horizontal smooth tube: R600a and R152a
Authors: Longo Giovanni A. , Mancin Simone , Righetti Giulia , Zilio Claudio
Published: November 2020

R134a was recognized as probably one of the most important refrigerants of the two past decades. Among the proposed alternative fluids, there are certainly isobutane (R600a) and R152a. This article presents about 200 new heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop data obtained during flow boiling of R152a and R600a inside a smooth copper tube having an internal diameter of 4 mm. Three saturation temperatures were considered for each refrigerant, from 5 °C to 20 °C. Furthermore, for each temperature studied, the heat flux was varied between 15 and 30 kW m−2 and the refrigerant mass flux from 100 to 400 kg m−2 s−1. After presenting the new data, a critical comparison was proposed between the performance of these refrigerants and R134a. Finally, some classic correlations available in the literature have been implemented. The deviations between the calculated and experimental values were reported and commented.
Delaying BCG immunotherapy onset after transurethral resection of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer is associated with adverse survival outcomes
Authors: Krajewski Wojciech , Moschini Marco , Chorbińska Joanna , Nowak Łukasz , Poletajew Sławomir , Tukiendorf Andrzej , Afferi Luca , Teoh Jeremy Yuen-Chun , Muilwijk Tim , Joniau Steven , Tafuri Alessandro , Antonelli Alessandro , Cianflone Francesco , Mari Andrea , Di Trapani Ettore , Hendricksen Kees , Alvarez-Maestro Mario , Rodríguez-Serrano Andrea , Simone Giuseppe , Zamboni Stefania , Simeone Claudio , Marconi Maria Cristina , Mastroianni Riccardo , Ploussard Guillaume , Laukhtina Ekaterina , Tully Karl , Kołodziej Anna , Krajewska Joanna , Piszczek Radosław , Xylinas Evanguelos , Zdrojowy Romuald ,   European Association of Urology—Young Academic Urologists (EAU-YAU): Urothelial carcinoma working group
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This study was carried out to assess whether a prolonged time between primary transurethral resection of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (TURB) and implementation of bacillus Calmette–Guerin (BCG) immunotherapy (time to BCG; TTBCG) is associated with adverse oncological survival in patients with T1 high-grade (HG) non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

Materials and methods

Data on 429 patients from 13 tertiary care centers with primary T1HG NMIBC treated with reTURB and maintenance BCG between 2001 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Change-point regression was applied following Muggeo’s approach. The population was divided into subgroups according to TTBCG, whereas the recurrence-free survival (RFS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were estimated with log-rank tests. Additionally, Cox regression analyses were performed. Due to differences in baseline patient characteristics, propensity-score-matched analysis (PSM) and inverse-probability weighting (IPW) were implemented.

Results

The median TTBCG was 95 days (interquartile range (IQR): 71–127). The change-point regression analysis revealed a gradually increasing risk of recurrence with growing TTBCG. The risk of tumor progression gradually increased until a TTBCG of approximately 18 weeks. When the study population was divided into two subgroups (time intervals: ≤ 101 and > 101 days), statistically significant differences were found for both RFS (p = 0.029) and PFS (p = 0.005). Furthermore, in patients with a viable tumor at reTURB, there were no differences in RFS and PFS. After both PSM and IPW, statistically significant differences were found for both RFS and PFS, with worse results for longer TTBCG.

Conclusion

This study shows that delaying BCG immunotherapy after TURB of T1HG NMIBC is associated with an increased risk of tumor recurrence and progression.
3D pelvimetry and biometric measurements: a surgical perspective for colorectal resections
Authors: Lorenzon Laura , Bini Fabiano , Landolfi Federica , Quinzi Serena , Balducci Genoveffa , Marinozzi Franco , Biondi Alberto , Persiani Roberto , D’Ugo Domenico , Tirelli Flavio , Iannicelli Elsa
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Male sex, high BMI, narrow pelvis, and bulky mesorectum were acknowledged as clinical variables correlated with a difficult pelvic dissection in colorectal surgery. This paper aimed at comparing pelvic biometric measurements in female and male patients and at providing a perspective on how pelvimetry segmentation may help in visualizing mesorectal distribution.

Methods

A 3D software was used for segmentation of DICOM data of consecutive patients aged 60 years, who underwent elective abdominal CT scan. The following measurements were estimated: pelvic inlet, outlet, and depth; pubic tubercle height; distances from the promontory to the coccyx and to S3/S4; distance from S3/S4 to coccyx’s tip; ischial spines distance; pelvic tilt; offset angle; pelvic inlet angle; angle between the inlet/sacral promontory/coccyx; angle between the promontory/coccyx/pelvic outlet; S3 angle; and pelvic inlet to pelvic depth ratio. The measurements were compared in males and females using statistical analyses.

Results

Two-hundred patients (M/F 1:1) were analyzed. Out of 21 pelvimetry measurements, 19 of them documented a significant mean difference between groups. Specifically, female patients had a significantly wider pelvic inlet and outlet but a shorter pelvic depth, and promontory/sacral/coccyx distances, resulting in an augmented inlet/depth ratio when comparing with males (p < 0.0001). The sole exceptions were the straight conjugate (p = 0.06) and S3 angle (p = 0.17). 3D segmentation provided a perspective of the mesorectum distribution according to the pelvic shape.

Conclusion

Significant differences in the structure of pelvis exist in males and females. Surgeons must be aware of the pelvic shape when approaching the rectum.
Aetiology of Ludwig van Beethoven’s hearing impairment: hypotheses over the past 100 years – A systematic review
Authors: Thomas Jan Peter , Dazert Stefan , Prescher Andreas , Voelter Christiane
Published: November 2020

Objectives

Even 250 years after Beethoven’s birth, the irrevocable cause of his hearing impairment remains unclear despite multiple publications by different professional groups. This study aimed to analyse the development of the most likely aetiologies during the last 100 years by a systematic review of the relevant medical literature.

Methods

A systematic review of medical literature in PubMed®, PubMed Central®, and Web of Science® for the period 1920–2020 was conducted. Medical publications between 1920 and 1935 were additionally searched manually by review of reference lists. Studies were eligible when a statement regarding the most likely aetiology of the hearing loss of Beethoven was the aimed objective of the publication.

Results

48 publications were included. The following aetiologies were supposed: otosclerosis (n = 10), syphilis (n = 9), Paget’s disease (n = 6), neural deafness (n = 5), immunopathy with inflammatory bowel disease, neural deafness with otosclerosis, sarcoidosis or lead intoxication (n = 2), and systemic lupus erythematosus, trauma, labyrinthitis or inner ear disease (n = 1). There is an ongoing effort with a mean publication frequency in this topic of 0.48/year. From 1920 to 1970, otolaryngologists were the group with the highest interest in this field (67%), whereas since 1971 most authors have belonged to non-otolaryngologic subspecialities (81%).

Conclusion

Over the past 100 years, otosclerosis and syphilis were predominantly supposed to be the underlying causes. The hypothesis of syphilis—although rejected for a long time—has had a remarkable revival during the past 20 years. Regarding the outcome following therapeutic intervention by cochlear implantation, the differential diagnosis of neural deafness would be relevant today.
Causes behind error rates for predictive biomarker testing: the utility of sending post-EQA surveys
Authors: Keppens Cleo , Schuuring Ed , Dequeker Elisabeth M. C.
Published: November 2020

External quality assessment (EQA) schemes assess the performance of predictive biomarker testing in lung and colorectal cancer and have previously demonstrated variable error rates. No information is currently available on the underlying causes of incorrect EQA results in the laboratories. Participants in EQA schemes by the European Society of Pathology between 2014 and 2018 for lung and colorectal cancer were contacted to complete a survey if they had at least one analysis error or test failure in the provided cases. Of the 791 surveys that were sent, 325 were completed including data from 185 unique laboratories on 514 incorrectly analyzed or failed cases. For the digital cases and immunohistochemistry, the majority of errors were interpretation-related. For fluorescence in situ hybridization, problems with the EQA materials were reported frequently. For variant analysis, the causes were mainly methodological for lung cancer but variable for colorectal cancer. Post-analytical (clerical and interpretation) errors were more likely detected after release of the EQA results compared to pre-analytical and analytical issues. Accredited laboratories encountered fewer reagent problems and more often responded to the survey. A recent change in test methodology resulted in method-related problems. Testing more samples annually introduced personnel errors and lead to a lower performance in future schemes. Participation to quality improvement projects is important to reduce deviating test results in laboratories, as the different error causes differently affect the test performance. EQA providers could benefit from requesting root cause analyses behind errors to offer even more tailored feedback, subschemes, and cases.
Could a careful clinical examination distinguish physiologic phimosis from balanitis xerotica obliterans in children?
Authors: Ghidini Filippo , Virgone Calogero , Pulvirenti Rebecca , Trovalusci Emanuele , Gamba Piergiorgio
Published: November 2020

The diagnosis of balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO) in children may be challenging, since clinical examination only could lead to an underestimation of its incidence. The aim of this retrospective and single-centre study is to assess the diagnostic performance of clinical examination, together with clinical history, in identifying BXO. Ninety-seven children underwent circumcision for phimosis from 2015 to 2019. Histology was routinely performed. Cohen’s kappa coefficient, sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, likelihood ratios and accuracy of macroscopic appearance of the foreskin, steroid administration and past medical history were estimated. Forty-eight patients (50%) were affected by BXO; 31 of them (69%) presented with suggestive clinical signs. A strictured or whitish urethral meatus was detected during surgery in nine cases (19%); this was associated to allergic or immune diseases (p = 0.046). Foreskin appearance alone mildly correlated with histology (k = 0.494; p < 0.001) and it showed a diagnostic accuracy of 75%. The specificity and positive predictive value of abnormal macroscopic findings at examination, together with a positive clinical history for other allergic or immune diseases, and/or for balanitis, were 100% and the positive likelihood ratio was greater than 10. Conversely, sensitivity decreased to 4.5% (95% CI 0–11%).

Conclusion: Foreskin appearance together with clinical history could predict BXO with certainty. However, since the absence of a positive medical history could not exclude the diagnosis, foreskin histology is still highly recommended.

What is Known:• Occurrence of balanitis xerotica obliterans may be underestimated in children and it could lead to long-term complications.• The diagnostic accuracy of clinical examination is controversial.

What is New:• Clinical signs together with patients’ medical history present high specificity and positive predictive values but low sensitivity.• When suggestive clinical aspects are present, patient should be referred to surgery avoiding prolonged conservative treatment; and preputial histology is highly recommended.
Zu Fragen der Charakterisierung und Aufarbeitung metallhaltiger Rest- und Kreislaufstoffe aus aufbereitungstechnischer Sicht – Vorstellung eines Dissertationsvorhabens
Authors: Marousek Lukas , Öfner Wolfgang , Flachberger Helmut
Published: November 2020

Die überaus komplexen Zusammensetzungen und die sich daraus ergebenden wechselnden Eigenschaften von metallhaltigen Rest- und Kreislaufstoffen aus den unterschiedlichsten Stadien der Wertschöpfungskette verlangen nach fachübergreifenden Kenntnissen und Fertigkeiten zur Charakterisierung und Verarbeitung dieser Stoffgemenge. Das Potenzial solcher sekundären Lagerstätten liegt in ihren vergleichsweise hohen Metallgehalten. Eine Investitionsentscheidung kann jedoch nur auf der Basis einer Evaluierung ihrer Verarbeitbarkeit getroffen werden. Für Unternehmen und Investoren ist es eine große Herausforderung, derartige Reststoffe mit ausreichender Sicherheit bewerten zu können. Für primäre Lagerstätten der Rohstoffindustrie haben sich dafür bereits Zertifizierungsschemen wie der „JORC Code“ oder „NI 43-101“ etabliert, diese sind jedoch für sekundäre Reststoffe aufgrund ihrer i. d. R. ausgesprochen heterogenen Zusammensetzungen kaum praktikabel anwendbar.

Drei Lehrstühle der Montanuniversität Leoben – „Geologie und Lagerstättenlehre“, „Nichteisenmetallurgie“ und „Aufbereitung und Veredlung“ – bildeten dazu eine Forschungsgemeinschaft im Rahmen des COMET-Projektes „Competence network for the assessment of metal bearing by-products“ (Kurzbezeichnung COMMBY). Durch die Zusammenführung der speziellen Kompetenzen dieser Lehrstühle soll ein standardisiertes Zertifizierungsschema für Reststoffe aus der metallproduzierenden Industrie entwickelt werden.

Der Forschungsgegenstand der in dieser Veröffentlichung vorgestellten Dissertation ist die Charakterisierung dieser Reststoffe aus aufbereitungstechnischer Sichtweise, darauf aufbauend das Aufzeigen von zur Trennung nutzbarer Merkmalsunterschiede, sowie die Mitarbeit an für die jeweilige Aufgabenstellung bestmöglich geeigneten Verfahrenskonzepten. Die zu untersuchenden Stoffe stammen zum Beispiel aus der Eisen, Blei, Zink und Aluminium verarbeitenden Industrie und haben ihren Ursprung entweder in primären Bergbautätigkeiten oder sekundären Kreislaufprozessen.