bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selective uptake of different proteins by annealed and quenched cationic spherical polyelectrolyte brushes
Authors: Ye Zhishuang , Li Li , Dai Liheng , Wang Yunwei , Yang Qingsong , von Klitzing Regine , Guo Xuhong
Published: October 2020

The selective uptake of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and β‐glucosidase (β‐G) by annealed and quenched cationic spherical polyelectrolyte brushes (SPB) was systematically studied by combining turbidimetric titration, dynamic light scattering and small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS). These two kinds of SPB consist of a same polystyrene core and a dense shell of poly (2‐aminoethyl methacrylate hydrochloride) (PAEMH) and poly [2‐(methacryloyloxy) ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride (PMAETA), respectively. Results reveal that the adsorption/desorption of proteins on SPB can be easily controlled by changing external conditions (pH and ionic strength). For a particular annealed or quenched SPB, there is a significant difference of the interaction pH regions between the brush and the two proteins, and this difference can be tuned by ionic strength. At low ionic strength, quenched brushes were more suitable for selective adsorption of BSA and β‐G, while annealed brushes performed better at high ionic strength. SAXS analysis demonstrated that volume exclusion effect played a remarkable role in protein uptake by both SPB, and larger proteins were more likely to be adsorbed on the outer layer of the brush. The unique core‐shell structure and controllable chain types make SPB an excellent candidate in selective adsorption/separation of proteins of different sizes.
Finding the five‐year window: A qualitative study examining young women's decision‐making and experience of using tamoxifen to reduce BRCA1/2 breast cancer risk
Authors: Forrest Laura E. , Forbes Shepherd Rowan , Young Mary‐Anne , Keogh Louise A. , James Paul A.
Published: October 2020

Objective

Tamoxifen has been demonstrated to reduce breast cancer risk in high‐risk, premenopausal women. Yet, very few young women with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome in Australia use tamoxifen, despite this being a less‐invasive option compared to risk‐reducing mastectomy. This study aims to examine young women's decision‐making about and experience of taking tamoxifen to reduce their breast cancer risk.

Methods

Young women with a BRCA1/2 mutation participated in semi‐structured qualitative interviews, recruited mainly from a metropolitan clinical genetics service. Data were analysed using an inductive, team‐based approach to thematic analysis.

Results

Forty interviews with women aged 20–40 years with a BRCA1/2 mutation were conducted. Eleven women could not recall discussing tamoxifen with their healthcare provider or were too young to commence cancer risk management. Twenty‐three women chose not to use tamoxifen because it is contraindicated for pregnancy or because it did not offer immediate and great enough risk reduction compared to bilateral risk‐reducing mastectomy. Six women who were definite about not wanting to have children during the following 5‐year period chose to use tamoxifen, and most experienced none or transient side effects.

Conclusions

Decision‐making about tamoxifen was nuanced and informed by considerations characteristic of young adulthood, especially childbearing. Therefore, clinical discussions about tamoxifen with young women with a BRCA1/2 mutation must include consideration of their reproductive plans.
Pancreatic Tissue Proteomics Unveils Key Proteins, Pathways, and Networks Associated with Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Woo Jongmin , Sudhir Putty‐Reddy , Zhang Qibin
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is characterized by autoimmune mediated self‐destruction of the pancreatic islet beta cells and the resultant insulin deficiency. However, little is known about the underlying molecular pathogenesis at the pancreatic tissue level given the limited availability of clinical specimens.

Experimental Design

Quantitative proteomic studies is performed on age‐matched T1D and healthy cadaveric pancreatic tissues (n= 18 each) using TMT 10plex‐based isobaric labeling and BoxCar‐based label‐free LC‐MS/MS approaches. ELISA is used to validate the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs).

Results

Overall, the two quantitative proteomics approaches identified 8824 proteins, of which 261 are DEPs. KEGG pathway and functional network analyses of the DEPs reveal dysregulations to pancreatic exocrine function, complement coagulation cascades, and extracellular matrix receptor interaction pathways in T1D. A selected list of the DEPs associated with pathways, subnetworks, and plasma proteome of T1D are validated using ELISA.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Integrating labeling and label‐free approaches improve the confidence in quantitative profiling of pancreatic tissue proteome, which furthers the understanding of the dysregulated pathways and functional subnetworks associated with T1D pathogenesis and may aid to develop diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for T1D.
Influence of circular permutations on the structure and stability of a six‐fold circular symmetric designer protein
Authors: Mylemans Bram , Noguchi Hiroki , Deridder Els , Lescrinier Eveline , Tame Jeremy R. H. , Voet Arnout R. D.
Published: October 2020

The β‐propeller fold is adopted by a sequentially diverse family of repeat proteins with apparent rotational symmetry. While the structure is mostly stabilized by hydrophobic interactions, an additional stabilization is provided by hydrogen bonds between the N‐and C‐termini, which are almost invariably part of the same β‐sheet. This feature is often referred to as the “Velcro” closure. The positioning of the termini within a blade is variable and depends on the protein family. In order to investigate the influence of this location on protein structure, folding and stability, we created different circular permutants, and a circularized version, of the designer propeller protein named Pizza. This protein is perfectly symmetrical, possessing six identical repeats. While all mutants adopt the same structure, the proteins lacking the “Velcro” closure were found to be significantly less resistant to thermal and chemical denaturation. This could explain why such proteins are rarely observed in nature. Interestingly the most common “Velcro” configuration for this protein family was not the most stable among the Pizza variants tested. The circularized version shows dramatically improved stability, which could have implications for future applications.
Improving early cancer diagnosis in primary care
Authors: Merriel Samuel W D , Hamilton Willie
Published: October 2020

Primary healthcare professionals are in a vital position to help reduce delays to cancer diagnosis, as they can encourage participation in cancer screening programmes and patients often present to their GP practice with symptoms prior to diagnosis. This article discusses some of the measures that can be taken to increase uptake of cancer screening, raise awareness of symptoms of possible cancer, and help identify which patients may benefit from an urgent cancer referral.
The CURE Project: improving NHS smoking cessation services
Authors: Ogden Joy
Published: October 2020

Although there have been modest advances in NHS smoking cessation services over the past few years, there is still more work to be done. This article discusses the progress of the CURE Project, a new approach to tackling tobacco addiction based on the Canadian Ottawa Model for Smoking Cessation and first pioneered in the UK in Greater Manchester, which aims to systematically identify all active smokers admitted to hospital and immediately offer them treatment.
Recurrent time‐to‐event models with ordinal outcomes
Authors: Gebski Val , Byth Karen , Asher Rebecca , Marschner Ian
Published: October 2020

A model to accommodate time‐to‐event ordinal outcomes was proposed by Berridge and Whitehead. Very few studies have adopted this approach, despite its appeal in incorporating several ordered categories of event outcome. More recently, there has been increased interest in utilizing recurrent events to analyze practical endpoints in the study of disease history and to help quantify the changing pattern of disease over time. For example, in studies of heart failure, the analysis of a single fatal event no longer provides sufficient clinical information to manage the disease. Similarly, the grade/frequency/severity of adverse events may be more important than simply prolonged survival in studies of toxic therapies in oncology. We propose an extension of the ordinal time‐to‐event model to allow for multiple/recurrent events in the case of marginal models (where all subjects are at risk for each recurrence, irrespective of whether they have experienced previous recurrences) and conditional models (subjects are at risk of a recurrence only if they have experienced a previous recurrence). These models rely on marginal and conditional estimates of the instantaneous baseline hazard and provide estimates of the probabilities of an event of each severity for each recurrence over time. We outline how confidence intervals for these probabilities can be constructed and illustrate how to fit these models and provide examples of the methods, together with an interpretation of the results.
Habit formation limits growth in teacher effectiveness: A review of converging evidence from neuroscience and social science
Authors: Hobbiss Michael , Sims Sam , Allen Rebecca
Published: October 2020

Teachers become rapidly more effective during the early years of their career but tend to improve increasingly slowly thereafter. This article reviews and synthesises converging evidence from neuroscience, psychology, economics and education suggesting that teachers’ rate of growth slows because their practice becomes habitual. First, we review evidence suggesting that teaching is highly conducive to habit formation and that teachers display characteristic features of habitual behaviour. Next, we review empirical findings that performance asymptotes, as seen in teachers’ learning curves, coincide with the reallocation of behaviour regulation to neural circuits governing habitual behaviour. Finally, original data is presented showing that teachers’ behaviour becomes automatic around the time that teacher effectiveness begins to level off. Collectively, this evidence implies that professional development should involve repeated practice in realistic settings in order to overwrite and upgrade existing habits.
Nitrogen‐Doped Carbonized Polymer Dots: A Potent Scavenger and Detector Targeting Alzheimer's β‐Amyloid Plaques
Authors: Gao Weiqun , Wang Wenjuan , Dong Xiaoyan , Sun Yan
Published: October 2020

The fibrillization and deposition of β‐amyloid protein (Aβ) are recognized to be the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD), which signify the need for the effective detection and inhibition of Aβ accumulation. Development of multifunctional agents that can inhibit Aβ aggregation, rapidly disaggregate fibrils, and image aggregates is one of the effective strategies to treat and diagnose AD. Herein, the multifunctionality of nitrogen‐doped carbonized polymer dots (CPDs) targeting Aβ aggregation is reported. CPDs inhibit the fibrillization of Aβ monomers and rapidly disintegrate Aβ fibrils by electrostatic interactions, hydrogen‐bonding and hydrophobic interactions with Aβ in a time scale of seconds to minutes. Moreover, the interactions make CPDs label Aβ fibrils and emit enhanced red fluorescence by the binding, so CPDs can be used for in vivo imaging of the amyloids in transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans CL2006 as an AD model. Importantly, CPDs are demonstrated to scavenge the in vivo amyloid plaques and to promote the lifespan extension of CL2006 strain by alleviating the Aβ‐triggered toxicity. Taken together, the multifunctional CPDs show an exciting prospect for further investigations in Aβ‐targeted AD treatment and diagnosis, and this study provides new insight into the development of carbon materials in AD theranostics.
Metallic 1T Phase Enabling MoS2 Nanodots as an Efficient Agent for Photoacoustic Imaging Guided Photothermal Therapy in the Near‐Infrared‐II Window
Authors: Zhou Zhan , Li Bowen , Shen Chuang , Wu Di , Fan Huacheng , Zhao Jiangqi , Li Hai , Zeng Zhiyuan , Luo Zhimin , Ma Lufang , Tan Chaoliang
Published: October 2020

Transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) nanomaterials, specially MoS2, are proven to be appealing nanoagents for photothermal cancer therapies. However, the impact of the crystal phase of TMDs on their performance in photoacoustic imaging (PAI) and photothermal therapy (PTT) remains unclear. Herein, the preparation of ultrasmall single‐layer MoS2 nanodots with different phases (1T and 2H phase) is reported to explore their phase‐dependent performances as nanoagents for PAI guided PTT in the second near‐infrared (NIR‐II) window. Significantly, the 1T‐MoS2 nanodots give a much higher extinction coefficient (25.6 L g−1 cm−1) at 1064 nm and subsequent photothermal power conversion efficiency (PCE: 43.3%) than that of the 2H‐MoS2 nanodots (extinction coefficient: 5.3 L g−1 cm−1, PCE: 21.3%). Moreover, the 1T‐MoS2 nanodots also give strong PAI signals as compared to negligible signals of 2H‐MoS2 nanodots in the NIR‐II window. After modification with polyvinylpyrrolidone, the 1T‐MoS2 nanodots can be used as a highly efficient agent for PAI guided PTT to effectively ablate cancer cells in vitro and tumors in vivo under 1064 nm laser irradiation. This work proves that the crystal phase plays a key role in determining the performance of nanoagents based on TMD nanomaterials for PAI guided PTT.
Air Stable Organic–Inorganic Perovskite Nanocrystals@Polymer Nanofibers and Waveguide Lasing
Authors: Wang Zhe , He Haiyong , Liu Sheng , Wang Hong , Zeng Qingsheng , Liu Zheng , Xiong Qihua , Fan Hong Jin
Published: October 2020

Organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites have been considered as promising gain materials for lasing. Despite previous reports of lasing from nanocrystals, thin films and single crystals, the stability of perovskite lasers has been a challenge for its practical applications. Herein, a scalable strategy to prepare ultrastable perovskite@polymer hybrid fibers by employing a facile emulsion electrospinning approach is demonstrated. During the electrospinning process, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) first solidifies into an outer shell layer. Meanwhile, emulsion drops containing poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and perovskite precursor are pushed inward and evolve into perovskite nanocrystals covered by PVDF. The PMMA with smooth surface benefits the light transport and the water‐resistant PVDF blocks the moisture. The methylammonium lead bromide perovskite‐embedded fibers can emit intensive light after storage in humid ambient environment (relative humidity >60%) or even in water. Amplified spontaneous emissions from the fibers network and waveguide lasing from chopped single fiber is demonstrated.
Identifying Carrier Behavior in Ultrathin Indirect‐Bandgap CsPbX3 Nanocrystal Films for Use in UV/Visible‐Blind High‐Energy Detectors
Authors: Xin Bin , Alaal Naresh , Mitra Somak , Subahi Ahmad , Pak Yusin , Almalawi Dhaifallah , Alwadai Norah , Lopatin Sergei , Roqan Iman S.
Published: October 2020

High‐energy radiation detectors such as X‐ray detectors with low light photoresponse characteristics are used for several applications including, space, medical, and military devices. Here, an indirect bandgap inorganic perovskite‐based X‐ray detector is reported. The indirect bandgap nature of perovskite materials is revealed through optical characterizations, time‐resolved photoluminescence (TRPL), and theoretical simulations, demonstrating that the differences in temperature‐dependent carrier lifetime related to CsPbX3 (X = Br, I) perovskite composition are due to the changes in the bandgap structure. TRPL, theoretical analyses, and X‐ray radiation measurements reveal that the high response of the UV/visible‐blind yellow‐phase CsPbI3 under high‐energy X‐ray exposure is attributed to the nature of the indirect bandgap structure of CsPbX3. The yellow‐phase CsPbI3‐based X‐ray detector achieves a relatively high sensitivity of 83.6 μCGyair−1 cm−2 (under 1.7 mGyair s−1 at an electron field of 0.17 V μm−1 used for medical diagnostics) although the active layer is based solely on an ultrathin (≈6.6 μm) CsPbI3 nanocrystal film, exceeding the values obtained for commercial X‐ray detectors, and further confirming good material quality. This CsPbX3 X‐ray detector is sufficient for cost‐effective device miniaturization based on a simple design.
Flexural capacity and ductility of lightweight concrete T‐beams
Authors: Yang Keun‐Hyeok , Mun Ju‐Hyun , Hwang Seung‐Hyeon , Song Jin‐Kyu
Published: October 2020

The present study aims to estimate the flexural capacity and ductility of lightweight concrete T‐beams prepared using the expanded bottom ash and dredged soil granules (LWAC‐BS beams). Eight full‐scale beams were prepared under the main parameters including the unit weight and compressive strength of concrete and amount of longitudinal tensile reinforcement. The moment capacities and displacement ductility ratios measured for the present specimens were compared with those compiled from normal‐weight concrete (NWC) beams and lightweight concrete beams made using the expanded clay and fly ash granules (LWAC‐CF beams) with respect to the longitudinal reinforcement index (ωs). The coefficients for the equivalent rectangular stress block to assess the ultimate moment capacity of LWAC beams were formulated from the actual stress–strain curve of the concrete. The test results showed that the effect of the type of artificially expanded lightweight granules on the normalized cracking and ultimate moment capacities of LWAC beams was insignificant, whereas LWAC‐BS beams exhibited lower displacement ductility ratios than LWAC‐CF beams at the same ωs value. The maximum amount of longitudinal tensile reinforcement specified in ACI 318‐14 provision for preventing brittle failure of the beam needs to be lowered for LWAC beams. When determining the coefficients of the equivalent stress block for LWAC members, the concrete unit weight deserves consideration as a primary factor together with the compressive strength of the concrete.
Transformer Fault Diagnosis Based on Stacking Ensemble Learning
Authors: Wang Xue , Han Tao
Published: October 2020

Dissolved gas analysis is an important way to diagnose transformer faults. Compared with the method of establishing a single classifier based on artificial intelligence for diagnosis, ensemble learning (EL) can combine multiple classifiers to achieve stronger generalization ability and better diagnostic performance. But the traditional EL belongs to homogenous ensemble in which the base learners are based on the same algorithm, so this kind of EL method lacks the differences among the base learners, as well as systematic combination strategy. For this problem, in the paper the Stacking ensemble strategy is applied to fault diagnosis. Multilayer perceptron, k‐nearest neighbor, decision tree and support vector machine are used as component learners, and random forest algorithm is used as a combination strategy to establish a Stacking diagnosis model. In addition, homogenous ensemble methods are applied to the above four algorithms. In the method, the content of five characteristic gases are taken as the input characteristic parameters. Primary diagnostic results can be obtained with each base classifier. Then the meta‐learner random forest model organizes the base classifiers, and uses the primary diagnostic output as the input of the meta‐learner for secondary diagnosis to get the final diagnosis. The experimental results show that the ensemble of multiple heterogeneous component learners can enhance the generalization ability of the model, and the diagnostic accuracy is better than single classifier and the homogenous ensemble classifier. © 2020 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Lists in Flux, Lives on Hold? Technologies of Waiting in Liver Transplant Medicine
Authors: Rehsmann Julia
Published: October 2020

This chapter examines waiting in liver transplant medicine, a field characterized by immediacy, urgency and delay. By taking a close look at waiting lists, allocating algorithms and mobile phones, it engages with the technological and material features that generate, shape and mediate waiting and hope when livers fail. Based on ethnographic research in Germany, I analyse the powerful workings of ephemeral waiting lists and discuss how these lists in flux put the lives of those looking for an organ on hold. By doing so, I contribute to understandings of how immobilities are produced and their affective dimensions. I approach waiting lists for liver transplants as part of transplant medicine’s invisible digital infrastructure and contend that the mobile phone becomes a critical feature therein, significantly affecting those waiting for a transplant. Firstly, I discuss the wait list as bureaucratic technology, marker of eligibility and symbol for patients’ chances to receive live-saving treatment. I then show, secondly, how complex algorithms create these ephemeral lists. Thirdly, I turn in more detail to the experiences of a patient listed for a transplant. I demonstrate how, in this time of waiting-in-uncertainty, the mobile phone becomes an extension and tangible manifestation of this ephemeral list as well as a reminder of one’s dependency on medical care. I show how the mobile phone transforms from a mere communication tool to an ambivalent marker of people’s simultaneous mobility and immobility during their wait.
What Is the “Middle Income Trap”?
Authors: Zhou Shaojie , Hu Angang
Published: October 2020

In 2007, Indermit Gill and Homi Kharas (2007), two World Bank economists, published a report titled An East Asian Renaissance: Ideas for Economic Growth, which suggested that East Asia would soon develop into a middle-income region and proposed the concept of the “middle income trap”. It should be noted that the report did not provide an in-depth interpretation of the concept, nor did it offer a clear income range for the “middle income trap”. In 2011, Homi Kharas and Harinder Kohli (2011) further elaborated on the concept, specifying that when a country escapes the poverty trap in the low-income development stage and enters into the middle-income development phase, the country may face growth stagnation and inability to further move up the ladder into the high-income range.
Will China Fall into the “Middle Income Trap”?
Authors: Zhou Shaojie , Hu Angang
Published: October 2020

As the 2008 financial crisis unfurled with its impact on global trade and economy, China also saw a transition. The country’s high (even super high) speed growth, which peaked at 14.2% in 2007, slackened to medium-to-high growth, thus entering the new normal era of economic development. In response, international organizations such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank began to adjust downward projections of Chinese economic growth. In some international media, the prevailing sentiment toward China’s economic development was one of pessimism.
Generalized dualities and higher derivatives
Authors: Codina Tomas , Marqués Diego
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Generalized dualities had an intriguing incursion into Double Field Theory (DFT) in terms of local O(d, d) transformations. We review this idea and use the higher derivative formulation of DFT to compute the first order corrections to generalized dualities. Our main result is a unified expression that can be easily specified to any generalized T-duality (Abelian, non-Abelian, Poisson-Lie, etc.) or deformations such as Yang-Baxter, in any of the theories captured by the bi-parametric deformation (bosonic, heterotic strings and HSZ theory), in any supergravity scheme related by field redefinitions. The prescription allows further extensions to higher orders. As a check we recover some previously known particular examples.
Optimierung der mikrobiellen Diagnostik durch Einführung einer Standard Operating Procedure „Blutkulturen“ in der zentralen Notaufnahme
Authors: Orth H. M. , Al Agha S. , Kempe M. , Mackenzie C. , Michael M. , Bernhard M. , Jensen B. -E. O.
Published: October 2020

Einleitung

Zentrale Notaufnahmen stellen die Eintrittspforte für viele stationär aufzunehmende Patienten in einem Krankenhaus dar und sind häufig der Ausgangspunkt für die antiinfektive Diagnostik und Therapie von Notfallpatienten. In dieser retrospektiven Untersuchung soll der Frage nachgegangen werden, wie die Etablierung einer Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) „Blutkulturen“ und deren Schulung die mikrobielle Diagnostik in einer zentralen Notaufnahme verbessern kann.

Methodik

In einer Vorher-und-nachher-Untersuchung wurde über einen jeweils 3‑monatigen Zeitraum (11/2017 bis 01/2018 und 11/2018 bis 01/2019) die Anzahl der abgenommenen Blutkulturen, die Rate an Blutkulturen/1000 Fälle, die Anzahl positiver Blutkulturen und die Häufigkeit typischer Hautkeime analysiert. Im Zeitraum zwischen den evaluierten Zeitabschnitten wurde eine SOP „Blutkulturen“ in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Antibiotic-Stewardship(ABS)-Teams und der zentrale Notaufnahme entwickelt, implementiert und geschult. Ein positives Votum der Ethikkommission der Heinrich-Heine-Universität (2019-392-RetroDEuA) lag vor.

Ergebnisse

Die pflegerischen und ärztlichen Mitarbeiter wurden zu 92 % bzw. 93 % geschult. Die Anzahl der abgenommenen Blutkulturen stieg von 1757 auf 2872 um 64 % ebenso wie die Anzahl der Blutkulturen/1000 Fälle von 287 auf 481 (68 %). Die Anzahl der positiven Blutkulturen reduzierte sich von 18,6 auf 13,7 % (p < 0,05). Typische Hautkeime fanden sich in 34,4 % und 26,4 % der Fälle (p < 0,05).

Interpretation

Die durch Schulungen begleitete Einführung einer SOP „Blutkulturen“ in der zentralen Notaufnahme kann einen relevanten Beitrag zur antimikrobiellen Diagnostik leisten und sowohl die Quantität als auch die Qualität erhöhen.
Efficient abrasive water jet milling for near-net-shape fabrication of difficult-to-cut materials
Authors: Uhlmann Eckart , Männel Constantin , Braun Thomas
Published: October 2020

The utilization of materials with high strength to density ratio enables efficiency improvements and is therefore demanded for many applications, particularly in the aerospace and other mobility sectors. However, the machining of these typically difficult-to-cut materials poses a challenge for conventional manufacturing technologies due to the high tool wear. Abrasive water jet (AWJ) machining is a promising alternative manufacturing technology for machining difficult-to-cut materials, since the tool wear is low and material independent. However, AWJ machining is limited regarding the producible geometries when conducting cuts through a material. This limitation can be resolved with AWJ milling operations which on the other hand are time-consuming. To approach this challenge, an enhanced AWJ milling operation is presented and investigated in this paper with the aim to expand the producible geometries. This operation consists of two kerfs, inserted from different sides of the workpiece, which intersect at their kerf ground. Consequently, a piece of material is separated without the cut material being entirely chipped. Thus, the operation possesses a high aggregated material removal rate. The investigations presented in this paper show and evaluate the effects that occur during the milling of kerfs with variable depths on titanium aluminide TNM-B1. Furthermore, a method to compensate these effects is introduced and thus the producible geometries for effective AWJ milling could be enhanced.
Is there a gender effect in polycythemia vera?
Authors: Palandri Francesca , Mora Barbara , Gangat Naseema , Catani Lucia
Published: October 2020

In recent times, there has been a growing interest in understanding the impact of gender on disease biology and clinical outcomes in Philadelphia-negative chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms. Among those, polycythemia vera (PV) is characterized by increased thrombotic risk, systemic symptoms, and overall reduced survival. Here, we aim to summarize data on whether and to what extent female sex can affect PV biology and outcome. To this end, we will discuss the latest acquisitions in terms of pathogenesis, diagnosis, epidemiology, clinical presentation and symptoms burden, thrombotic risk and related treatment strategies, and prognosis in female patients affected by PV.
Transkulturelle Kompetenz: Spezialkompetenz oder psychotherapeutische Kernkompetenz?
Authors: Steinhäuser Theresa , von Agris Anna-Sophie , Büssemeier Clara , Schödwell Steffen , Auckenthaler Anna
Published: October 2020

Hintergrund

Es existieren zahlreiche theoretische Überlegungen dazu, was unter transkulturellen Kompetenzen von Psychotherapeuten zu verstehen ist. Die Frage, was sich jedoch Psychotherapeuten und Patienten selbst unter transkultureller Kompetenz vorstellen, ist bislang nicht untersucht worden. Unklar ist auch, inwiefern es sich bei transkultureller Kompetenz um eine Spezialkompetenz oder um eine Teilkomponente allgemeiner psychotherapeutischer Kernkompetenzen handelt.

Ziel der Arbeit

Die Studie geht der Frage nach, was sich Patienten und Psychotherapeuten unter transkultureller Kompetenz vorstellen, und ob es sich bei dieser Kompetenz um eine Spezialkompetenz oder um eine Teilkomponente allgemeiner psychotherapeutischer Kernkompetenzen handelt.

Material und Methoden

Zwölf problemzentrierte Interviews wurden leitfadengestützt mit Patienten mit Migrationshintergrund und Psychotherapeuten geführt und mithilfe der inhaltlich-strukturierenden qualitativen Inhaltsanalyse (Mayring 2008) ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse

Aus Sicht von Psychotherapeuten und Patienten bilden sich transkulturelle Kompetenzen in allgemeinen psychotherapeutischen Kernkompetenzen ab. Insbesondere das Eingehen auf die individuellen Anliegen der Patienten wurde als transkulturell kompetentes Handeln beschrieben.

Schlussfolgerung

Für die Entwicklung transkultureller Kompetenz bedarf es langfristiger Reflexionsprozesse und unmittelbarer Behandlungserfahrungen mit Patienten mit Migrationshintergrund. Diese Aspekte sollten in Konzeptionen für eine verbesserte Psychotherapeuten-Ausbildung berücksichtigt werden.
Pipe flow: a gateway to turbulence
Authors: Eckert Michael
Published: October 2020

Pipe flow has been a challenge that gave rise to investigations on turbulence—long before turbulence was discerned as a research problem in its own right. The discharge of water from elevated reservoirs through long conduits such as for the fountains at Versailles suggested investigations about the resistance in relation to the different diameters and lengths of the pipes as well as the speed of flow. Despite numerous measurements of hydraulic engineers, the data could not be reproduced by a commonly accepted formula, not to mention a theoretical derivation. The resistance of air flow in long pipes for the supply of blast furnaces or mine air appeared even more inaccessible to rational elaboration. In the nineteenth century, it became gradually clear that there were two modes of pipe flow, laminar and turbulent. While the former could be accommodated under the roof of hydrodynamic theory, the latter proved elusive. When the wealth of turbulent pipe flow data in smooth tubes was displayed as a function of the Reynolds number, the empirically observed friction factor served as a guide for the search of a fundamental law about turbulent skin friction. By 1930, a logarithmic “wall law” seemed to resolve this quest. Yet pipe flow has not been exhausted as a research subject. It still ranks high on the agenda of turbulence research—both the transition from laminar to turbulent flow and fully developed turbulence at very large Reynolds numbers.
A model ensemble generator to explore structural uncertainty in karst systems with unmapped conduits
Authors: Fandel Chloé , Ferré Ty , Chen Zhao , Renard Philippe , Goldscheider Nico
Published: October 2020

Karst aquifers are characterized by high-conductivity conduits embedded in a low-conductivity fractured matrix, resulting in extreme heterogeneity and variable groundwater flow behavior. The conduit network controls groundwater flow, but is often unmapped, making it difficult to apply numerical models to predict system behavior. This paper presents a multi-model ensemble method to represent structural and conceptual uncertainty inherent in simulation of systems with limited spatial information, and to guide data collection. The study tests the new method by applying it to a well-mapped, geologically complex long-term study site: the Gottesacker alpine karst system (Austria/Germany). The ensemble generation process, linking existing tools, consists of three steps: creating 3D geologic models using GemPy (a Python package), generating multiple conduit networks constrained by the geology using the Stochastic Karst Simulator (a MATLAB script), and, finally, running multiple flow simulations through each network using the Storm Water Management Model (C-based software) to reject nonbehavioral models based on the fit of the simulated spring discharge to the observed discharge. This approach captures a diversity of plausible system configurations and behaviors using minimal initial data. The ensemble can then be used to explore the importance of hydraulic flow parameters, and to guide additional data collection. For the ensemble generated in this study, the network structure was more determinant of flow behavior than the hydraulic parameters, but multiple different structures yielded similar fits to the observed flow behavior. This suggests that while modeling multiple network structures is important, additional types of data are needed to discriminate between networks.
Evolution of national climate adaptation agendas in Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia: the role of national leadership and international donors
Authors: Pardoe Joanna , Vincent Katharine , Conway Declan , Archer Emma , Dougill Andrew J. , Mkwambisi David , Tembo-Nhlema Dorothy
Published: October 2020

In this paper, we use an inductive approach and longitudinal analysis to explore political influences on the emergence and evolution of climate change adaptation policy and planning at national level, as well as the institutions within which it is embedded, for three countries in sub-Saharan Africa (Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia). Data collection involved quantitative and qualitative methods applied over a 6-year period from 2012 to 2017. This included a survey of 103 government staff (20 in Malawi, 29 in Tanzania and 54 in Zambia) and 242 interviews (106 in Malawi, 86 in Tanzania and 50 in Zambia) with a wide range of stakeholders, many of whom were interviewed multiple times over the study period, together with content analysis of relevant policy and programme documents. Whilst the climate adaptation agenda emerged in all three countries around 2007–2009, associated with multilateral funding initiatives, the rate and nature of progress has varied—until roughly 2015 when, for different reasons, momentum slowed. We find differences between the countries in terms of specifics of how they operated, but roles of two factors in common emerge in the evolution of the climate change adaptation agendas: national leadership and allied political priorities, and the role of additional funding provided by donors. These influences lead to changes in the policy and institutional frameworks for addressing climate change, as well as in the emphasis placed on climate change adaptation. By examining the different ways through which ideas, power and resources converge and by learning from the specific configurations in the country examples, we identify opportunities to address existing barriers to action and thus present implications that enable more effective adaptation planning in other countries. We show that more socially just and inclusive national climate adaptation planning requires a critical approach to understanding these configurations of power and politics.
An Evolutionary Approach to the History of Barley (Hordeum vulgare) Cultivation in the Canary Islands
Authors: Hagenblad Jenny , Morales Jacob
Published: October 2020

The Canary Islands are an archipelago that lies about 100 km west of North Africa. Barley (Hordeum vulgare) has been continuously cultivated since the colonization of the islands. To investigate the agricultural history of the islands, the DNA from multiple individuals of six extant landraces of barley was sequenced, and the resulting data were analyzed with ABC modeling. Estimates of separation times of barley populations on the different islands and the mainland were congruent with archaeological dating of the earliest settlements on the islands. The results of the genetic analyses were consistent with the continuous cultivation of barley on Lanzarote island since it was first colonized, but suggested cultivation was carried out at a smaller scale than on Gran Canaria and Tenerife. Contrary to archaeological evidence and early written historical sources, the genetic analyses suggest that barley was cultivated on a larger scale on Tenerife than on Gran Canaria. The genetic analysis of contemporary barley added support to the dating of the colonization of the islands and pointed to the need for more archaeological data concerning barley cultivation on Tenerife.
Peripheral Blood S100B Levels in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zheng Zhen , Zheng Peng , Zou Xiaobing
Published: October 2020

The S100 calcium-binding protein beta subunit (S100B) protein, which mostly exists in the central nervous system, is commonly noted as a marker of neuronal damage. We conducted the first systematic review with meta-analysis to compare peripheral blood S100B levels in individuals with ASD with those in healthy controls. A systematic search was carried out for studies published before May 5, 2020. In total, this meta-analysis involved ten studies with 822 participants and 451 cases. The meta-analysis revealed that individuals with ASD had higher peripheral blood S100B levels than healthy controls [standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.97, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 0.41–1.53; p < 0.001]. Peripheral blood S100B levels may have potential as a useful biomarker for ASD.
Determination of phthalates in particulate matter and gaseous phase emitted in indoor air of offices
Authors: Szewczyńska Małgorzata , Dobrzyńska Elżbieta , Pośniak Małgorzata
Published: October 2020

Phthalate esters (PAEs) are endocrine disrupters and can disrupt the functioning of different hormones, causing adverse effects on human health. Due to the potential exposure to phthalates in office rooms, their concentrations in the air of these premises after their renovation and furnishing were determined. The aim of the study was to determine the content of these compounds in the gas phase and adsorbed on the particles. Thus, the combined sampler with filters and adsorption tube was used for air sampling. Samples were analyzed by GC-MS. The gas fraction was dominated by dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), and the inhalable fraction by dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and 2-(diethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). The total concentration of phthalates in the respirable fraction in the furnished rooms was as much as 92% of the phthalates determined in the inhalable fraction. In the rooms immediately after renovation and those arranged and used by employees for 7 months, their concentration in the respirable fraction did not exceed 25% of the phthalates in the inhalable fraction. Phthalate concentration in the renovated rooms after 7 months of their usage dropped by 84% in relation to PAEs concentration in newly arranged rooms and by 68% in relation to the phthalate concentration in empty rooms.
Punishment the Easy Way
Authors: Nathan Christopher
Published: October 2020

Some argue against coercive preventive measures on the grounds that they amount to cloaked forms of punishment. Others offer a qualified defence of such measures on the grounds that such measures have substantively different goals and purposes from punishment. Focusing on the case of civil preventive injunctions, I clear the ground and provide reasons for a third logical possibility: that coercive preventive measures are relevantly similar to punishment, but this does not itself give us a reason to oppose them. ‘Punishment’ has a great deal of rhetorical force, and it thereby distracts us from the justificatory work that we need to do to specify proper restrictions on the state’s coercive powers. Whereas many commentators have proposed that legal theory provides grounds for challenging civil preventive orders, I argue for the opposite view. If we understand properly the function of civil preventive orders, we will endorse them at least in principle, and will come to rethink some central ideas in the grounding of the criminal justice processes.
„Ich bin perfekt – ich brauche kein Coaching!“
Authors: Diller S. J. , Stadlinger C. , Eberhard I. , Jonas E.
Published: October 2020

Bisher wurden Schwierigkeiten im Coaching wenig erforscht. Dieser Beitrag berichtet daher von Forschung, die zeigt, welche Herausforderungen im Coaching von Klienten mit narzisstischen Tendenzen auftreten können. Klienten mit narzisstischen Tendenzen wurden von den Coaches der Studien nicht nur als schwierig erlebt, sondern führten bei den Coaches auch zu impliziter Angst und Disstress. Dieses Ergebnis zeigt die Notwendigkeit von erfolgreichen Coaching-Strategien im Umgang mit narzisstischen Klienten auf. Eine mögliche Strategie, um als Coach nach solch einem Klienten die entstandene Angst und Disstress zu reduzieren, ist laut ersten Studien das Praktizieren von Achtsamkeit.
Recent trends in the incidence of hip fracture in Tottori Prefecture, Japan: changes over 32 years
Authors: Hagino Hiroshi , Osaki Mari , Okuda Reiko , Enokida Shinpei , Nagashima Hideki
Published: October 2020

The incidence rate of hip fracture in Tottori Prefecture tended to increase until 2018 in men, but it did not increase after 2010 in women. By type of fracture, the incidence rate of femoral neck fractures also increased over time in men, but no other changes were observed from 2010.

Purpose

The aims of this study were to determine the sex-, age-, and fracture-type-specific incidence rates of hip fractures in Tottori Prefecture between 2007 and 2018 and to compare the results with our past results to identify changes over time.

Methods

All hip fractures in people aged 35 years or older living in Tottori Prefecture were surveyed from 2007 to 2018 throughout the entire prefecture, and the age- and sex-specific incidence rates were calculated. The incidence rates from 1986 to 1988, 1992 to 1994, 1998 to 2000, and 2004 to 2006 previously reported were used for the analysis.

Results

In men, the age-adjusted number of patients adjusted by demographic structure based on the mean incidence rate for each 3-year period from 1986 to 2018 showed an increase in incidence over time compared with the incidence for 1986–1988 (p < 0.001). In women, the incidence rose over time compared with the incidence for 1986–1988 until 2004–2006 (p < 0.001), and no further increase was observed from 2010. The age-specific incidence rates of neck fracture in men were higher in 2010–2012 and 2016–2018 compared with 2004–2006 (p < 0.001), but those in women showed no increase with time. Those of trochanteric fracture did not change over time in either men or women.

Conclusion

The hip fracture incidence rate in Tottori Prefecture, Japan, tended to increase until 2018 in men, but it did not increase after 2010 in women.
Contactless Ultrasonic Treatment in Direct Chill Casting
Authors: Tonry Catherine E. H. , Bojarevics Valdis , Djambazov Georgi , Pericleous Koulis
Published: October 2020

Uniformity of composition and grain refinement are desirable traits in the direct chill (DC) casting of non-ferrous alloy ingots. Ultrasonic treatment is a proven method for achieving grain refinement, with uniformity of composition achieved by additional melt stirring. The immersed sonotrode technique has been employed for this purpose to treat alloys both within the launder prior to DC casting and directly in the sump. In both cases, mixing is weak, relying on buoyancy-driven flow or in the latter case on acoustic streaming. In this work, we consider an alternative electromagnetic technique used directly in the caster, inducing ultrasonic vibrations coupled to strong melt stirring. This ‘contactless sonotrode’ technique relies on a kilohertz-frequency induction coil lowered towards the melt, with the frequency tuned to reach acoustic resonance within the melt pool. The technique developed with a combination of numerical models and physical experiments has been successfully used in batch to refine the microstructure and to degas aluminum in a crucible. In this work, we extend the numerical model, coupling electromagnetics, fluid flow, gas cavitation, heat transfer, and solidification to examine the feasibility of use in the DC process. Simulations show that a consistent resonant mode is obtainable within a vigorously mixed melt pool, with high-pressure regions at the Blake threshold required for cavitation localized to the liquidus temperature. It is assumed that extreme conditions in the mushy zone due to cavitation would promote dendrite fragmentation and coupled with strong stirring, would lead to fine equiaxed grains.
Design of an automatic optical system to measure anthropometric hand parameters
Authors: Bianchi Matteo , Ridolfi Alessandro , Secciani Nicola , Servi Michaela , Volpe Yary
Published: October 2020

Personalized medicine is an effective tool to improve the quality of rehabilitation and treatment for patients with disabilities. This study deals with the development of a low-cost hand scanner for the acquisition of anthropometric measures. The data acquired by the scanner is used, thanks to the developed procedure, to tailor the dimensions of a hand exoskeleton. The exoskeleton is used for assistive and rehabilitation purposes.
Financial Stress and Subjective Wellbeing among Children -Evidence from Finland
Authors: Lindberg Marja , Nygård Mikael , Nyqvist Fredrica , Hakovirta Mia
Published: October 2020

In this article we analyse how subjective wellbeing amongst Finnish children is associated with experiences of financial stress, that is, worries about money and one’s financial situation. We focus on both affective and cognitive components of subjective wellbeing in order to receive a broader understanding on children’s subjective wellbeing. We use Finnish data from the International survey of children’s lives conducted by the Children’s Worlds Project during the years 2013–2014. The results show that experienced financial stress is negatively and more strongly associated with cognitive subjective wellbeing than with affective subjective wellbeing, even when controlling for socioeconomic and other factors found to be influential for subjective wellbeing in previous research.
Measuring creativity: an account of natural and artificial creativity
Authors: Moruzzi Caterina
Published: October 2020

Despite the recent upsurge of interest in the investigation of creativity, the question of how to measure creativity is arguably underdiscussed. The aim of this paper is to address this gap, proposing a multidimensional account of creativity which identifies problem-solving, evaluation, and naivety as measurable features that are common among creative processes. The benefits that result from the adoption of this model are twofold: integrating discussions on creativity in various domains and offering the tools to assess creativity across systems of different kinds. By situating creativity within this framework, I aim to contribute to a non-anthropocentric, more comprehensive understanding of the notion, and to debates on natural and artificial creativity.