bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Ulam Stability Problem for the Functional Equation $$f(x\star g(y))=f(x)f(y)$$
Authors: Badora Roman
Published: March 2020

We present a solution of Ulam’s stability problem for the functional equation $$f(x\star g(y))=f(x)f(y)$$f(x⋆g(y))=f(x)f(y) with vector-valued map f.
Integrativer Modellentwurf zu Coping und Abwehr ehemaliger BundeswehrsoldatInnen
Authors: Brants Loni , Schuy Katrin , Dors Simone , Horzetzky Marie , Rau Heinrich , Zimmermann Peter L. , Ströhle Andreas , Siegel Stefan
Published: March 2020

Verglichen mit dem profunden Wissen über die Erfahrungen und Bedürfnisse US-amerikanischer Soldaten, ist der Kenntnisstand über die psychische Gesundheit und die Bewältigungsmechanismen aktiver deutscher BundeswehrsoldatInnen eher gering. Über ehemalige EinsatzsoldatInnen, die inzwischen aus dem militärischen System ausgeschieden und Teil der deutschen Zivilgesellschaft geworden sind, ist noch viel weniger bekannt. Ziel der Pilotstudie war die Identifikation und Darstellung von Coping- und Abwehrmechanismen ehemaliger BundeswehrsoldatInnen mithilfe einer methodisch-strukturierten, qualitativen Datenerhebung. Zu diesem Zweck wurden 43 Interviews mit ehemaligen EinsatzsoldatInnen geführt, transkribiert und der thematischen Analyse unterzogen. Die identifizierten Coping- und Abwehrmechanismen wurden den Bereichen Verhalten, Beziehung, Emotion, Reflexion und Zeit zugewiesen und modellhaft in Achsenform veranschaulicht. Durch die bewusste Synthese von kognitiv-behavioralen und psychoanalytischen Perspektiven konnte ein differenziertes Bild erstellt sowie ein eigenständiges, schulenübergreifendes, integratives Achsenmodell zur Darstellung der bewussten und unbewussten Bewältigung belastender Erfahrungen entwickelt werden.
Histologische Diagnostik in der Gelenkpathologie in Zeiten rekonstruktiver Therapieverfahren – besondere Berücksichtigung der Knorpelschäden
Authors: Brochhausen Christoph , Grevenstein David , Mamilos Andreas , Babel Maximilian , Eysel Peer
Published: March 2020

Die operative Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie durchläuft aktuell einen deutlichen Wandel mit Blick auf die interventionellen Therapieverfahren, insbesondere in der Kniechirurgie. Minimalinvasive Techniken und rekonstruktive Verfahren verschieben nicht nur das Spektrum operativer Verfahren, sondern auch das der Fragestellungen an die histopathologische Diagnostik. Neben den klassischen Fragestellungen in der Kniechirurgie und der Endoprothetik hinsichtlich traumatischer, degenerativer und infektiöser Läsionen rücken Fragen nach dem Regenerationsgrad und der Integration von Zell-Material-Konstrukten in den Vordergrund. Außerdem gewinnen Fragestellungen bezüglich der regenerativen Fähigkeit eines potenziellen Implantatbettes und der Güte einer Entnahmestelle zur autologen Zellgewinnung an Bedeutung. Es wird deutlich, dass für spezifische Fragestellungen neue Scoringsysteme in die pathologische Routinediagnostik aufgenommen werden sollten. Am Beispiel der autologen Chondrozytentransplantation wird demonstriert, wie wichtig die histopathologische Beurteilung des Regeneratgewebes für das pathophysiologische Verständnis rekonstruktiver Verfahren in der Kniechirurgie ist. Der vorliegende Beitrag gibt einen Überblick darüber, wie sich aus der raschen Entwicklung regenerativer Therapieverfahren in der Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie neue Anforderungen an die histopathologische Diagnostik ergeben, erhebt dabei jedoch keinen Anspruch auf Vollständigkeit.
Iron deficiency is a common disorder in general population and independently predicts all-cause mortality: results from the Gutenberg Health Study
Authors: Schrage Benedikt , Rübsamen Nicole , Schulz Andreas , Münzel Thomas , Pfeiffer Norbert , Wild Philipp S. , Beutel Manfred , Schmidtmann Irene , Lott Rosemarie , Blankenberg Stefan , Zeller Tanja , Lackner Karl J. , Karakas Mahir
Published: March 2020

Background

Iron deficiency is now accepted as an independent entity beyond anemia. Recently, a new functional definition of iron deficiency was proposed and proved strong efficacy in randomized cardiovascular clinical trials of intravenous iron supplementation. Here, we characterize the impact of iron deficiency on all-cause mortality in the non-anemic general population based on two distinct definitions.

Methods

The Gutenberg Health Study is a population-based, prospective, single-center cohort study. The 5000 individuals between 35 and 74 years underwent baseline and a planned follow-up visit at year 5. Tested definitions of iron deficiency were (1) functional iron deficiency—ferritin levels below 100 µg/l, or ferritin levels between 100 and 299 µg/l and transferrin saturation below 20%, and (2) absolute iron deficiency—ferritin below 30 µg/l.

Results

At baseline, a total of 54.5% of participants showed functional iron deficiency at a mean hemoglobin of 14.3 g/dl; while, the rate of absolute iron deficiency was 11.8%, at a mean hemoglobin level of 13.4 g/dl. At year 5, proportion of newly diagnosed subjects was 18.5% and 4.8%, respectively. Rate of all-cause mortality was 7.2% (n = 361); while, median follow-up was 10.1 years. After adjustment for hemoglobin and major cardiovascular risk factors, the hazard ratio with 95% confidence interval of the association of iron deficiency with mortality was 1.3 (1.0–1.6; p = 0.023) for the functional definition, and 1.9 (1.3–2.8; p = 0.002) for absolute iron deficiency.

Conclusions

Iron deficiency is very common in the apparently healthy general population and independently associated with all-cause mortality in the mid to long term.

Graphic abstract
Safety and feasibility of minimally invasive surgical interventions for esophageal and gastric cancer in the acute setting: a nationwide cohort study
Authors:   the Dutch Upper G.I. Cancer Audit (DUCA) group, Borggreve Alicia S. , Kingma B. Feike , Ruurda Jelle P. , van Hillegersberg Richard
Published: March 2020

Background

Minimally invasive esophagectomy and gastrectomy are increasingly performed and might be superior to their open equivalents in an elective setting. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether minimally invasive approaches can be safely applied in the acute setting as well.

Methods

All patients who underwent an acute surgical intervention for primary esophageal or gastric cancer between 2011 and 2017 were identified from the nationwide database of the Dutch Upper GI Cancer Audit (DUCA). Conversion rates, postoperative complications, re-interventions, postoperative mortality, hospital stay and oncological outcomes (radical resection rates and median lymph node yield) were evaluated.

Results

Between 2011 and 2017, surgery for esophagogastric cancer was performed in an acute setting in 2% (190/8861) in The Netherlands. A total of 14 acute resections for esophageal cancer were performed, which included 7 minimally invasive esophagectomies and 7 open esophagectomies. As these numbers were very low, no comparison between minimally invasive and open esophagectomies was made. A total of 122 acute resections for gastric cancer were performed, which included 39 minimally invasive gastrectomies and 83 open gastrectomies. Conversion occurred in 9 patients (23%). Minimally invasive gastrectomy was at least comparable to open gastrectomy regarding postoperative complications (36% versus 51%), median hospital stay (9 days [IQR: 7–16 days] versus 11 days [IQR: 7–17 days]), readmissions (8% versus 11%) and oncological outcomes (radical resection rate: 87% versus 66%, median lymph node yield: 21 [IQR: 15–32 days] versus 16 [IQR: 11–24 days]).

Conclusions

Minimally invasive surgery for gastric cancer is safe and feasible in the acute setting, with at least comparable postoperative clinical and short-term oncological outcomes compared to open surgery but a relatively high conversion rate.
Knock-on effect of periodontitis to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease?
Authors: Leblhuber Friedrich , Huemer Julia , Steiner Kostja , Gostner Johanna M. , Fuchs Dietmar
Published: March 2020

Background

Alzheimer’s disease has chronic inflammatory components, which can be enhanced by systemic immune activation resulting in inflammation or vice versa.There is growing evidence that chronic periodontitis drives systemic inflammation and finally Alzheimer’s disease. Thus, a link might exist between oral pathogens and Alzheimer’s disease. This may be of special significance as there is an age-related incidence of chronic periodontitis.

Methods

In this study, 20 consecutive patients with probable Alzheimer’s disease were investigated. Diagnosis was established by cognitive tests, routine laboratory tests and cerebral magnetic resonance tomography. In 35% of these patients with cognitive impairment pathogenic periodontal bacteria were found.

Results

The presence ofPorphyromonas gingivalis, the key pathogen and one of the species involved in chronic periodontitis, was found to be associated with lower mini mental state examination scores (p < 0.05) and with a tendency to lower scores in the clock drawing test (p = 0.056). Furthermore, association between lower serum concentrations of the immune biomarker neopterin and the presence ofTreponema denticola(p < 0.01) as well as of kynurenine were found in Alzheimer patients positive vs. negative forTannerella forsytia(p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Data indicate a possible association of specific periodontal pathogens with cognitive impairment,Treponema denticolaandTannerella forsytiamay alter the host immune response in Alzheimer’s disease. Albeit still preliminary, findings of the study may point to a possible role of an altered salivary microbiome as a causal link between chronic periodontitis and cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease.
Correction to: Molecular mechanisms mediating root hydrotropism: what we have observed since the rediscovery of hydrotropism
Authors: Miyazawa Yutaka , Takahashi Hideyuki
Published: March 2020

The article Molecular mechanisms mediating root hydrotropism
The NYU Children’s Health and Environment Study
Authors:   the NYU Children’s Health and Environment Study Team, Trasande Leonardo , Ghassabian Akhgar , Kahn Linda G. , Jacobson Melanie H. , Afanasyeva Yelena , Liu Mengling , Chen Yu , Naidu Mrudula , Alcedo Garry , Gilbert Joseph , Koshy Tony T.
Published: March 2020

The aims of the NYU Children’s Health and Environment Study (CHES) are to evaluate influences of prenatal non-persistent chemical exposures on fetal and postnatal growth and pool our data with the US National Institutes of Health Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program to answer collaborative research questions on the impact of the preconceptual, prenatal, and postnatal environment on childhood obesity, neurodevelopment, pre/peri/postnatal outcomes, upper and lower airway outcomes, and positive health. Eligible women were ≥ 18 years old, < 18 weeks pregnant, had a pregnancy that is not medically threatened, and planned to deliver at NYU Langone Hospital—Manhattan, Bellevue Hospital, or NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn. Between March 22, 2016 and April 15, 2019, we recruited 2469 pregnant women, from whom 2193 completed an initial questionnaire and continued into NYU CHES. Of the 2193, 88 miscarried, 28 terminated, and 20 experienced stillbirth, while 57 were lost to follow up. We report here demographic and other characteristics of the 2000 live deliveries (2037 children), from whom 1624 (80%) consented to postnatal follow-up. Data collection in pregnancy was nested in clinical care, with questionnaire and specimen collection conducted during routine prenatal visits at < 18, 18–25, and > 25 weeks gestation. These have been followed by questionnaire and specimen collection at birth and regular postpartum intervals.
Impact of contraception and IVF hormones on metabolic, endocrine, and inflammatory status
Authors: Coussa Ayla , Hasan Hayder A. , Barber Thomas M.
Published: March 2020

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) represent commonly utilized management strategies for infertility with multifactorial causes (including genetically predisposed diseases). Amongst ART, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most popular. IVF treatment may predispose the mother to increased risks and complications during pregnancy, and there may be adverse fetal outcomes. Hormonal therapies, including oral contraceptives, may impair glucose and lipid metabolism, and promote insulin resistance and inflammation. IVF treatment involves administration of reproductive hormones, similar in composition but in much higher doses than those used for oral contraception. The provision of IVF reproductive hormones to mice associates with glucose intolerance. In addition, the physiological and hormonal changes of pregnancy can trigger an inflammatory response, and metabolic and endocrine changes. There is controversy regarding the potential effects of IVF hormonal therapies in the promotion of diabetogenic and inflammatory states, additional to those that occur during pregnancy, and which may therefore predispose women with IVF-conceived pregnancies to adverse obstetric outcomes compared with women with spontaneously conceived pregnancies. This review summarizes the limited published evidence regarding the effect of IVF-based fertility therapies on glucose homeostasis, insulin resistance, cardio-metabolic profile, and markers of inflammation.
The Creation of Twist by Reconnection of Flux Tubes
Authors: Priest E. R. , Longcope D. W.
Published: March 2020

A fundamental process in a plasma is the magnetic reconnection of one pair of flux tubes (such as solar coronal loops) to produce a new pair. During this process magnetic helicity is conserved, but mutual helicity can be transformed to self-helicity, so that the new tubes acquire twist. However, until recently, when Wright (Astrophys. J.878, 102, 2019) supplied a solution, the partition of self-helicity between the two tubes was an outstanding puzzle. Here we examine Wright’s result in detail and apply it to a variety of cases. The simplest case, which Wright himself used to illustrate the result, is that of thin ribbons or flux sheets. We first explicitly apply his method to the usually expected standard case (when the tubes approach one another without twisting before reconnection) and confirm his result is valid for flux sheaths and tubes as well as sheets.

For the reconnection of sheets, it is shown that the orientation of the sheets needs to be chosen carefully. For flux sheaths and tubes, Wright’s results are demonstrated to hold for the standard case. There is both a local and a global aspect to the effect of reconnection. The local effect of reconnection is to produce an equipartition of the added self-helicity (and therefore of twist), but the extra global effect of the location and orientation of the feet of the sheet, shell or tube in general adds different amounts of magnetic helicity to the two structures.

It is important, as Wright realized, to account for any twist or writhe already existing in the fluxes prior to reconnection. Here we show explicitly that, if a section of a flux sheet is twisted by a multiple of $\pi $π with its ends held fixed and is then reconnected with another sheet, then the effect of the reconnection is to add that multiple of $\pi $π to one sheet and subtract it from the other, while conserving the total helicity. If, on the other hand, the central part of a flux sheath is twisted before reconnection by any angle, then the effect of reconnection is to add that amount of twist to one sheath and subtract it from the other, while conserving the total helicity. Thus, for the local part of the process in both sheets and sheaths, there is no longer helicity equipartition.

Finally, we apply Wright’s results explicitly to flux tubes, and in particular to determine the twist that is acquired by an erupting flux rope due to reconnection during an eruptive solar flare or coronal mass ejection.
Uranus and Neptune: Origin, Evolution and Internal Structure
Authors: Helled Ravit , Nettelmann Nadine , Guillot Tristan
Published: March 2020

There are still many open questions regarding the nature of Uranus and Neptune, the outermost planets in the Solar System. In this review we summarize the current-knowledge about Uranus and Neptune with a focus on their composition and internal structure, formation including potential subsequent giant impacts, and thermal evolution. We present key open questions and discuss the uncertainty in the internal structures of the planets due to the possibility of non-adiabatic and inhomogeneous interiors. We also provide the reasoning for improved observational constraints on their fundamental physical parameters such as their gravitational and magnetic fields, rotation rates, and deep atmospheric composition and temperature. Only this way will we be able to improve our understating of these planetary objects, and the many similar-sized objects orbiting other stars.
Temperamentally inhibited children are at risk for poorer maths performance: self-concept as mediator
Authors: Viljaranta Jaana , Aunola Kaisa , Mullola Sari , Luonua Marjaana , Tuomas Anne , Nurmi Jari-Erik
Published: March 2020

It has repeatedly been found that temperamental inhibition and low academic achievement are associated with each other: children with cautious and wary or shy behaviour are at risk for low academic achievement. Several suggestions about the mechanism behind this association have been made, these highlighting for example, the fewer learning opportunities of cautious and wary children and more negative interaction between teachers and inhibited children. However, the empirical studies about these mechanisms are rare and, thus, they have remained unclear. This study examined whether children’s maths-related self-concept of ability acts as a mediator between their temperamental inhibition and maths performance. 156 children (Mage 7.25 years) were followed during the first grade of primary school. Children’s temperamental inhibition was assessed in the beginning of Grade 1. Their maths performance was tested twice, in the beginning and at the end of Grade 1, and their self-concept of ability was measured at the end of Grade 1. The research question was analysed using structural equation modelling. The results showed that children’s self-concept of ability did mediate the association between temperamental inhibition and maths performance at Grade 1: that more inhibited children feel they are less capable and competent in maths than less inhibited children, and this contributes to their poorer maths performance. The findings highlight that it is important for teachers and other practitioners to be aware of this effect of temperamental inhibition on self-concept and put effort on promoting positive views of children’s competencies and abilities.
Improving lipid mapping in Genome Scale Metabolic Networks using ontologies
Authors: Poupin Nathalie , Vinson Florence , Moreau Arthur , Batut Aurélie , Chazalviel Maxime , Colsch Benoit , Fouillen Laetitia , Guez Sarah , Khoury Spiro , Dalloux-Chioccioli Jessica , Tournadre Anthony , Le Faouder Pauline , Pouyet Corinne , Van Delft Pierre , Viars Fanny , Bertrand-Michel Justine , Jourdan Fabien
Published: March 2020

Introduction

To interpret metabolomic and lipidomic profiles, it is necessary to identify the metabolic reactions that connect the measured molecules. This can be achieved by putting them in the context of genome-scale metabolic network reconstructions. However, mapping experimentally measured molecules onto metabolic networks is challenging due to differences in identifiers and level of annotation between data and metabolic networks, especially for lipids.

Objectives

To help linking lipids from lipidomics datasets with lipids in metabolic networks, we developed a new matching method based on the ChEBI ontology. The implementation is freely available as a python library and in MetExplore webserver.

Methods

Our matching method is more flexible than an exact identifier-based correspondence since it allows establishing a link between molecules even if a different level of precision is provided in the dataset and in the metabolic network. For instance, it can associate a generic class of lipids present in the network with the molecular species detailed in the lipidomics dataset. This mapping is based on the computation of a distance between molecules in ChEBI ontology.

Results

We applied our method to a chemical library (968 lipids) and an experimental dataset (32 modulated lipids) and showed that using ontology-based mapping improves and facilitates the link with genome scale metabolic networks. Beyond network mapping, the results provide ways for improvements in terms of network curation and lipidomics data annotation.

Conclusion

This new method being generic, it can be applied to any metabolomics data and therefore improve our comprehension of metabolic modulations.
Household airborne endotoxin associated with asthma and allergy in elementary school-age children: a case–control study in Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Authors: Yen Yu-Chuan , Yang Chun-Yuh , Wang Tsu-Nai , Yen Pei-Chun , Ho Chi-Kung , Mena Kristina D. , Lee Tzu-Chi , Chen Kang-Shin , Lin Yuan-Chung , Chen Pei-Shih
Published: March 2020

To evaluate the association between the presence of asthma and allergy, and airborne endotoxin in homes of school-age children in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, with a case–control study design by matching the age and class exposure. Data collection of home visits included an interviewer-administered questionnaire and air sampling of participants’ homes for endotoxin, bacteria, and fungi, as well as temperature and relative humidity measurements. Endotoxin was detected in all air samples with a median value of 0.67 EU m−3. In the adjusted logistic regression model, household airborne endotoxin was associated with higher prevalence of asthma and allergy; OR = 4.88 (95% CI 1.16–20.55) for Q3 (between 0.67 and 1.97 EU m −3) vs. Q1 (< 0.31 EU m −3), with statistical significance. Airborne fungi were associated with higher prevalence of asthma and allergy; OR = 4.47 (95% CI 1.13–17.69) for Q3 (between 314 and 699 CFU m −3) vs. Q1 (< 159 CFU m −3) in adjusted logistic regression models. Airborne endotoxin and fungi were significantly associated with children’s asthma and allergy.
Concurrent isolation of hepatic stem cells and hepatocytes from the human liver
Authors: Lee Serene M. L. , Bertinetti-Lapatki Cristina , Schiergens Tobias S. , Jauch Karl-Walter , Roth Adrian B. , Thasler Wolfgang E.
Published: March 2020

Hepatocytes differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells or stem cells have the potential to be representative in vitro models of the human liver for research as well as early safety assessment programs. However, up until now, there has been no definitive proof that differentiated hepatocytes recapitulate the phenotype and functional characteristics of primary hepatocytes from the same individual. Thus, a method for the concurrent isolation of hepatocytes and hepatic stem cells is presented here to provide the cells necessary for the evaluation of the required benchmarking. The method presented here generated high-quality hepatocytes with a purity of 94 ± 1% and a high percentage viability of 79 ± 2%. Furthermore, the hepatic stem cells isolated were found to be actively proliferating and have a purity of 98 ± 1%. Thus, these isolated cells can be used as a powerful tool for the validation of differentiated hepatocyte in vitro models.
Adversarial Attacks and Defenses in Images, Graphs and Text: A Review
Authors: Xu Han , Ma Yao , Liu Hao-Chen , Deb Debayan , Liu Hui , Tang Ji-Liang , Jain Anil K.
Published: March 2020

Deep neural networks (DNN) have achieved unprecedented success in numerous machine learning tasks in various domains. However, the existence of adversarial examples raises our concerns in adopting deep learning to safety-critical applications. As a result, we have witnessed increasing interests in studying attack and defense mechanisms for DNN models on different data types, such as images, graphs and text. Thus, it is necessary to provide a systematic and comprehensive overview of the main threats of attacks and the success of corresponding countermeasures. In this survey, we review the state of the art algorithms for generating adversarial examples and the countermeasures against adversarial examples, for three most popular data types, including images, graphs and text.
Crosstalk Between Mast Cells and Adipocytes in Physiologic and Pathologic Conditions
Authors: Elieh Ali Komi Daniel , Shafaghat Farzaneh , Christian Mark
Published: March 2020

Excessive fatty acids and glucose uptake support the infiltration of adipose tissue (AT) by a variety of immune cells including neutrophils, pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages, and mast cells (MCs). These cells promote inflammation by releasing pro-inflammatory mediators. The involvement of MCs in AT biology is supported by their accumulation in the AT of obese individuals along with significantly higher serum levels of MC-derived tryptase. AT-resident MCs under the influence of locally derived adipokines such as leptin become activated and release pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNFα that worsens the inflammatory state. MCs support angiogenesis in AT by releasing chymase and inducing preadipocyte differentiation and also the proliferation of adipocytes through 15-deoxy-delta PGJ2/PPARγ interaction. Additionally, they contribute to the remodeling of the AT extracellular matrix (ECM) and play a role in the recruitment and activation of leukocytes. MC degranulation has been linked to brown adipocyte activation, and evidence indicates an important link between MCs and the appearance of BRITE/beige adipocytes in white AT. Cell crosstalk between MCs and AT-resident cells, mainly adipocytes and immune cells, shows that these cells play a critical role in the regulation of AT homeostasis and inflammation.
Beyond Their HIV Status: the Occurrence of Multiple Health Risk Behavior Among Adolescents from a Rural Setting of Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Ssewanyana Derrick , Newton Charles R. , van Baar Anneloes , Hassan Amin S. , Stein Alan , Taylor H. Gerry , Van De Vijver Fons , Scerif Gaia , Abubakar Amina
Published: March 2020

Background

Health risk behaviors during adolescence may cluster into patterns that might be predicted by specific factors, among which HIV may have an important role.

Method

In a cross-sectional study conducted between 2017 and 2018, clustering of HRB and its associated factors was investigated in rural Kenya among 588 adolescents (36% perinatally HIV infected; 28% perinatally HIV exposed but uninfected; and 36% HIV unexposed/uninfected). Latent class analysis of 22 behaviors followed by multinomial logistic regression were conducted. Four risk behavior classes were identified.

Results

No significant differences were found in behavioral class membership across the three HIV groups (p = 0.366). The risk of membership to the higher risk behavioral classes relative to class 1 (the substance and drug abstinent low risk takers) increased with older adolescent age (p = 0.047), increased among adolescent who experienced mental distress (p < 0.001), and those who felt unsafe in their neighborhood (p < 0.002). Better working memory (p = 0.0037) was found to be protective.

Conclusion

The results highlight a need to include screening and interventions for internalizing mental health problems and deficits in executive functioning, as well as steps to involve family members and communities to address psychosocial risk factors in adolescents in Kenya.
Folgen sozialer Hilfen
Authors: Dollinger Bernd , Weinbach Hanna
Published: March 2020

Der Beitrag stellt Ausgangsüberlegungen des DFG-Graduiertenkollegs Folgen sozialer Hilfen in komprimierter Form dar. Es handelt sich um den Versuch, zwei Schwerpunkte in der Erforschung sozialer Hilfen aufeinander zu beziehen: Einerseits wird von der breiten interdisziplinären Debatte zu Wirkungsforschung ausgegangen. Es wird gegenwärtig kontrovers diskutiert, in welcher Form Wirkungen sozialer Hilfen bestimmt und gemessen werden können, insofern soziale Hilfen Besonderheiten mit sich führen, die sich möglicherweise einer standardisierten, kontextunabhängigen Wirkungsbestimmung widersetzen. Andererseits wird an einen Fokus auf die Adressat*innen sozialer Hilfen angeschlossen. Sie stehen zunehmend im Interesse der Forschung und ausgehend von ihnen werden Hilfen praktisch realisiert. Das Graduiertenkolleg integriert diese beiden Perspektiven in einer interdisziplinären „Folgenforschung“. Sie soll ebenso intendierte wie nicht-intendierte Folgen und Nebenfolgen sozialer Hilfen fokussieren und Kernfragen der Themenstellung grundlegend aufarbeiten.
An Empirical Study on Spatial Presence in Immersive Geo-Environments
Authors: Hruby Florian , Sánchez León F. Álvarez , Ressl Rainer , Escobar-Briones Elva G.
Published: March 2020

Research on immersive virtual reality (VR) indicates that VR technologies facilitate understanding through the formation of spatial presence, which is the user’s feeling of “being there” in a virtual place. These findings make VR a highly interesting tool for geographic information science and the visualization of geospatial phenomena. However, immersion and presence are often studied under laboratory conditions, while research on virtual representations of real-world environments is still rare. This paper aims to reduce this gap empirically through a user study on spatial presence in immersive geo-environments. A total of 60 subjects entered a VR replica of a coral reef in the Mexican Caribbean built upon WorldView2 imagery. After testing within- and between-subject performance under both VR headset- and desktop-based visualization conditions, all users completed the IPQ self-report questionnaire to evaluate the sense of presence experienced. The results indicate a strong effect of immersion, leading to statistically significant higher levels of spatial presence in immersive geo-environments.
Harnessing the power of simulation for assessment: Consensus recommendations for the use of simulation-based assessment in emergency medicine
Authors: Hall Andrew K. , Chaplin Timothy , McColl Tamara , Petrosoniak Andrew , Caners Kyla , Rocca Nicole , Gardner Carlyn , Bhanji Farhan , Woods Rob
Published: March 2020

Objectives

To address the increasing demand for the use of simulation for assessment, our objective was to review the literature pertaining to simulation-based assessment and develop a set of consensus-based expert-informed recommendations on the use of simulation-based assessment as presented at the 2019 Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP) Academic Symposium on Education.

Methods

A panel of Emergency Medicine (EM) physicians from across Canada, with leadership roles in simulation and/or assessment, was formed to develop the recommendations. An initial scoping literature review was conducted to extract principles of simulation-based assessment. These principles were refined via thematic analysis, and then used to derive a set of recommendations for the use of simulation-based assessment, organized by the Consensus Framework for Good Assessment. This was reviewed and revised via a national stakeholder survey, and then the recommendations were presented and revised at the consensus conference to generate a final set of recommendations on the use of simulation-based assessment in EM.

Conclusion

We developed a set of recommendations for simulation-based assessment, using consensus-based expert-informed methods, across the domains of validity, reproducibility, feasibility, educational and catalytic effects, acceptability, and programmatic assessment. While the precise role of simulation-based assessment will be a subject of continued debate, we propose that these recommendations be used to assist educators and program leaders as they incorporate simulation-based assessment into their programs of assessment.
Thermodynamic formalism for Haar systems in noncommutative integration: transverse functions and entropy of transverse measures
Authors: LOPES ARTUR O. , MENGUE JAIRO K.
Published: March 2020

We consider here a certain class of groupoids obtained via an equivalence relation (the so-called subgroupoids of pair groupoids). We generalize to Haar systems in these groupoids some results related to entropy and pressure which are well known in thermodynamic formalism. We introduce a transfer operator, where the equivalence relation (which defines the groupoid) plays the role of the dynamics and the corresponding transverse function plays the role of the a priori probability. We also introduce the concept of invariant transverse probability and of entropy for an invariant transverse probability, as well as of pressure for transverse functions. Moreover, we explore the relation between quasi-invariant probabilities and transverse measures. Some of the general results presented here are not for continuous modular functions but for the more general class of measurable modular functions.
Lack of utility of tracheal aspirates in the management of suspected pneumonia in intubated neonates
Authors: Langston Seth J. , Pithia Neema , Sim Myung Shin , Garg Meena , de St Maurice Annabelle , Chu Alison
Published: March 2020

Objectives:

To evaluate the utility of tracheal aspirates in suspected pneumonia in intubated neonates and to measure the burden of antibiotic use associated with a positive tracheal aspirate culture.

Design:

Retrospective cohort study between January 2016 and December 2017.

Setting:

A level IV neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Patients:

Intubated patients with a tracheal aspirate culture.

Methods:

Data on temporally associated clinical measures of illness, laboratory and radiographic testing, and clinical demographic information were analyzed.

Results:

Positive tracheal aspirate cultures were associated with lower birth weight and a normal immature to total neutrophil ratio (I/T ratio). Positive tracheal aspirates were not significantly associated with clinical, laboratory, or radiographic markers used in clinical practice to screen for infection. Despite the lack of positive clinical associations, a positive tracheal aspirate culture was associated with increased risk of prolonged antibiotic exposure.

Conclusion:

These findings suggest that positive tracheal aspirates do not always represent clinical infection and may result in unnecessary antibiotic exposure.
The Consequences of Organized Labor and Mass Protest for Social Spending in Latin America
Authors: Zárate-Tenorio Bárbara A.
Published: March 2020

I am very pleased to participate in this dialogue on the effect of collective protest on social spending in Latin America, which initiated when the editors of LAPS invited me to review the research note titled “Organized Labor Strikes and Social Spending in Latin America: The Synchronizing Effect of Mass Protest.” Dongkyu Kim, Mi-son Kim, and Cesar Villegas engage with my paper, published in Comparative Political Studies (Zarate-Tenorio 2014), which analyzes the effects of organized labor strikes and mass protests on social security and welfare, health and education spending in Latin America, 1970–2007.
PKS 2250–351: A giant radio galaxy in Abell 3936
Authors: Seymour N. , Huynh M. , Shabala S. S. , Rogers J. , Davies L. J. M. , Turner R. J. , O’Brien A. , Ishwara-Chandra C. H. , Thorne J. E. , Galvin T. J. , Jarrett T. , Andernach H. , Anderson C. , Bunton J. , Chow K. , Collier J. D. , Driver S. , Filipovic M. D. , Gürkan G. , Hopkins A. M. , Kapińska A. D. , Leahy D. A. , Marvil J. , Manojlovic P. , Norris R. P. , Phillips C. , Robotham A. , Rudnick L. , Singh V. , White S. V.
Published: March 2020

We present a detailed analysis of the radio galaxy PKS$2250{-}351$, a giant of 1.2 Mpc projected size, its host galaxy, and its environment. We use radio data from the Murchison Widefield Array, the upgraded Giant Metre-wavelength Radio Telescope, the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder, and the Australia Telescope Compact Array to model the jet power and age. Optical and IR data come from the Galaxy And Mass Assembly (GAMA) survey and provide information on the host galaxy and environment. GAMA spectroscopy confirms that PKS$2250{-}351$lies at$z=0.2115$in the irregular, and likely unrelaxed, cluster Abell 3936. We find its host is a massive, ‘red and dead’ elliptical galaxy with negligible star formation but with a highly obscured active galactic nucleus dominating the mid-IR emission. Assuming it lies on the localM–$\sigma$relation, it has an Eddington accretion rate of$\lambda_{\rm EDD}\sim 0.014$. We find that the lobe-derived jet power (a time-averaged measure) is an order of magnitude greater than the hotspot-derived jet power (an instantaneous measure). We propose that over the lifetime of the observed radio emission (${\sim} 300\,$Myr), the accretion has switched from an inefficient advection-dominated mode to a thin disc efficient mode, consistent with the decrease in jet power. We also suggest that the asymmetric radio morphology is due to its environment, with the host of PKS$2250{-}351$lying to the west of the densest concentration of galaxies in Abell 3936.
Reanalysis of the Atmospheric Radiocarbon Calibration Record from Lake Suigetsu, Japan
Authors: Bronk Ramsey Christopher , Heaton Timothy J , Schlolaut Gordon , Staff Richard A , Bryant Charlotte L , Brauer Achim , Lamb Henry F , Marshall Michael H , Nakagawa Takeshi
Published: March 2020

Terrestrial plant macrofossils from the sedimentary record of Lake Suigetsu, Japan, provide the only quasi-continuous direct atmospheric record of radiocarbon (14C) covering the last 50 ka cal BP (Bronk Ramsey et al. 2012). Since then, new high precision data have become available on U-Th dated speleothems from Hulu Cave China, covering the same time range (Cheng et al. 2018). In addition, an updated varve-based chronology has also been published for the 2006 core from Lake Suigetsu (SG06) based on extended microscopic analysis of the sediments and improved algorithms for interpolation (Schlolaut et al. 2018). Here we reanalyze the radiocarbon dataset from Suigetsu based on the new varve counting information and the constraints imposed by the speleothem data. This enables the new information on the calendar age scale of the Suigetsu dataset to be used in the construction of the consensus IntCal calibration curve. Comparison of the speleothem and plant macrofossil records provides insight into the mechanisms underlying the incorporation of carbon into different types of record and the relative strengths of different types of archive for calibration purposes.
Severe below-maintenance feed intake increases methane yield from enteric fermentation in cattle
Authors: Goopy J. P. , Korir D. , Pelster D. , Ali A. I. M. , Wassie S. E. , Schlecht E. , Dickhoefer U. , Merbold L. , Butterbach-Bahl K.
Published: March 2020

The relationship between feed intake at production levels and enteric CH4 production in ruminants consuming forage-based diets is well described and considered to be strongly linear. Unlike temperate grazing systems, the intake of ruminants in rain-fed tropical systems is typically below maintenance requirements for part of the year (dry seasons). The relationship between CH4 production and feed intake in animals fed well below maintenance is unexplored, but changes in key digestive parameters in animals fed at low levels suggest that this relationship may be altered. We conducted a study using Boran yearling steers (n 12; live weight: 162·3 kg) in a 4 × 4 Latin square design to assess the effect of moderate to severe undernutrition on apparent digestibility, rumen turnover and enteric CH4 production of cattle consuming a tropical forage diet. We concluded that while production of CH4 decreased (1133·3–65·0 g CH4/d; P < 0·0001), over the range of feeding from about 1·0 to 0·4 maintenance energy requirement, both CH4 yield (29·0−31·2 g CH4/kg DM intake; P < 0·001) and CH4 conversion factor (Ym 9·1–10·1 MJ CH4/MJ gross energy intake; P < 0·01) increased as intake fell and postulate that this may be attributable to changes in nutrient partitioning. We suggest there is a case for revising emission factors of ruminants where there are seasonal nutritional deficits and both environmental and financial benefits for improved feeding of animals under nutritional stress.
Examining the sentence superiority effect for sentences presented and reported in forwards or backwards order
Authors: Roverud Elin , Bradlow Ann R. , Kidd Gerald
Published: March 2020

Memory for speech benefits from linguistic structure. Recall is better for sentences than for random strings of words (the “sentence superiority effect”; SSE), and evidence suggests that ongoing speech may be organized advantageously as clauses in memory (recall by word position shows within-clause U shape). In this study, we examined the SSE and clause-based organization for closed-set speech materials with low semantic predictability and without typical prosody. An overall SSE was observed and accuracy by word position was enhanced at the clause boundaries for these materials. Next, we tested the effects of mental manipulation on the SSE and clause-based organization. Listeners heard word strings that were syntactic, were arranged syntactically then presented backwards, or were random draws. Participants responded to materials as presented or in reversed order, requiring mental manipulation. Clause-level organization was apparent only for materials presented in syntactic order regardless of response order. After accounting for benefits due to reductions in uncertainty for these close-set materials, an SSE was present for syntactic materials regardless of response order, and for the syntactic backwards condition with reverse-order response (yielding a syntactically correct sentence in the response). Thus, the SSE was both resistant to and could be obtained following mental manipulation.
Congenital right ventricular aneurysm with characteristics of a pseudoaneurysm
Authors: Umapathi Krishna K. , Bokowski John W. , Nguyen Hoang H.
Published: March 2020

We report a case of an isolated congenital right ventricular outpouching detected incidentally on foetal echocardiogram that was performed due to suspicion of CHD. Subsequent echocardiogram after birth revealed an aneurysm with features of a pseudoaneurysm having a thin and hypokinetic wall connected to the ventricleʼs cavity via a narrow neck. This pseudoaneurysm appears to be stable in size and of no clinical significance during the short-term follow-up.
Device-Measured Physical Activity and Cognitive Processing Speed Impairment in a Large Sample of Persons with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Sandroff Brian M. , Motl Robert W.
Published: March 2020

Objective:

There is accumulating evidence regarding the beneficial effects of physical activity (PA) on cognitive processing speed in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, one overarching limitation of this research is that researchers have not recruited samples who have the actual problem of being studied (i.e., cognitive processing speed impairment). This study examined associations between device-measured PA and cognitive processing speed in a large sample of persons with MS overall and between those with and without cognitive processing speed impairment.

Method:

Three hundred eighty-five persons with MS underwent the oral Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) and wore an accelerometer for 7 days for PA measurement. We divided the overall sample into subsamples with (n = 140) and without (n = 245) cognitive processing speed impairment based on age, sex, and education-adjusted SDMT Z-scores.

Results:

After controlling for age and disability status, higher levels of device-measured PA were significantly associated with faster cognitive processing speed overall, and the association was significantly stronger among persons with MS who presented with cognitive processing speed impairment.

Conclusions:

This examination provides initial cross-sectional support for informing the development of PA interventions as a possible approach for managing MS-related cognitive processing speed impairment. This highlights the importance of developing purposefully designed trials involving PA interventions for targeting cognitive processing speed as a primary end point among persons with MS with impaired cognitive processing speed.
Effect of drought stress on agro-morphological traits in sunflower (Helianthus annuusL.) genotypes and identification of informative ISSR markers
Authors: Darbani S. P. , Mehrabi A. A. , Pordad S. S. , Maleki A. , Farshadfar M.
Published: March 2020

The aims of the current study were to investigate the effect of drought stress on phenological and morphological traits of sunflower genotypes and to determine the important traits for identifying drought-tolerant and drought-sensitive cultivars. For this purpose, a lattice square-design experiment was conducted with 64 sunflower genotypes in an 8 × 8 pattern with two replications under non-stress and moisture-stress conditions (irrigation holding at the flowering stage) during 2 years 2016 and 2017. Measured and recorded traits were included the some phenological and morphological traits seeds. Sil-96 genotype showed the highest yield under both non-stress and moisture-stress conditions. Among the morphological traits, the head and stem diameters were highly significant to determine the final yield. In comparing the genotypes, it was concluded that the number of seeds per head was the most influential component affecting the yield. Furthermore, 1000-seed weight was the most important factor affecting grain yield under moisture-stress conditions. The result of association analysis study shows that 45 of inter-simple sequence repeat markers in a general linear model are associated with yield and yield component traits and 23 of them were verified in a mixed linear model (MLM) association approach. Also, 32 markers were informative for morpho-physiological traits and 24 of them verified using the MLM. Finally, 19 informative markers were identified for phenological traits and 10 of them were verified by the MLM.
Suicide Prevention in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Authors: Rezaeian Mohsen , Khan Murad Moosa
Published: March 2020

Abstract. The WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) consists of 22 countries including Afghanistan, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Islamic Republic of Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Yemen. According to Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data, death from self-harm has increased by 100% between 1990 and 2015 in this region. Although this increase is substantial, it appears trivial in comparison to the 1027% increase in deaths due to war and legal interventions. This might partly explain why suicide prevention does not have a high priority in these countries and why there are currently no suicide prevention strategies in place. Despite the above, some important activities in the area of suicide prevention have been carried out in the region. And while peace and stability may take time to come to the region, it should not prevent suicide prevention programs from being developed and implemented.
Suicide Prevention in the Western Pacific Region
Authors: Pirkis Jane , Amadeo Stephane , Beautrais Annette , Phillips Michael , Yip Paul S. F.
Published: March 2020

Abstract. This chapter draws on internationally available data to describe the epidemiology of suicide and self-harm in the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region. It then describes the suicide prevention activities in the region, using in-depth case studies to highlight some key suicide prevention activities in certain countries/areas and the Global Survey on Suicide Prevention conducted in 2013 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and WHO. It demonstrates that there is considerable variability both between and within low and middle income countries and high income countries, both in terms of rates of suicide and self-harm and in terms of the preventive efforts that have been mobilised to address them. Adequate funding for suicide prevention efforts in the region should be a priority, as should the delivery of a range of suicide prevention approaches. Evaluation and monitoring efforts are also crucial.