bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Drivers of abrupt and gradual changes in agricultural systems in Chad
Authors: Nilsson Erik , Becker Per , Uvo Cintia Bertacchi
Published: June 2020

The countries in the Sahel are undergoing rapid changes due to a mixture of demographic, ecological, and economic transformations. Rural livelihoods in these countries are predominantly engaged in agriculture, which is a foundational component of both food security and the general economy. The relationships between ongoing socio-economic transformation and the agricultural sector are clearly important to address poverty and sustainable development, but have received little academic attention on a subnational level of analysis. This paper addresses this by bringing together new datasets on demography, international aid, food security reports, and soil moisture to analyze the drivers of change in the agricultural sector on a subnational level in Chad. Both regression analyses and qualitative methods based on descriptions in food security reports are used to evaluate the relationships between these datasets to agricultural statistics for the period 1990–2016. It finds that changes to crop water availability from rainfall largely are decoupled from the long-term increases in crop production. On the other hand, it shows that population changes and international aid can explain differences in long-term agricultural changes between Chad’s regions. Moreover, stochastic factors such as farm support programs, market prices, access to new markets, and accommodation of refugees are identified as important to grasp abrupt changes in the crop production. Beyond the specific findings for Chad, this study presents a framework for improved evaluation of the drivers behind subnational crop production on multi-annual and decadal time scales, with broad applicability to agricultural systems in the Sahel.
Lower semicontinuity for the Helfrich problem
Authors: Eichmann Sascha
Published: June 2020

We minimise the Canham–Helfrich energy in the class of closed immersions with prescribed genus, surface area, and enclosed volume. Compactness is achieved in the class of oriented varifolds. The main result is a lower-semicontinuity estimate for the minimising sequence, which is in general false under varifold convergence by a counter example by Große-Brauckmann. The main argument involved is showing partial regularity of the limit. It entails comparing the Helfrich energy of the minimising sequence locally to that of a biharmonic graph. This idea is by Simon, but it cannot be directly applied, since the area and enclosed volume of the graph may differ. By an idea of Schygulla we adjust these quantities by using a two parameter diffeomorphism of $${{\mathbb {R}}}^3$$

R

3

.
Training Chaplains and Spiritual Caregivers: The Emergence and Growth of Chaplaincy Programs in Theological Education
Authors: Cadge Wendy , Stroud Irene Elizabeth , Palmer Patricia K. , Fitchett George , Haythorn Trace , Clevenger Casey
Published: June 2020

This paper describes the history of chaplaincy programs in theological education, the content of their curricula, the goals of the programs as described by faculty, and the programs’ approaches to issues of spiritual and religious diversity. It is based on a sample of 21 schools that offer specific chaplaincy education through masters of divinity or masters of arts degrees. We conducted semi-structured interviews with faculty at these schools and reviewed materials from course catalogues and other sources. We found substantial growth in chaplaincy-focused programs in theological schools in the last 20 years as well as the lack of standardization across them that one might expect in a rapidly growing field. The programs mostly developed independent of one another. They have not come to consensus about the skills and competencies chaplains need to do their work and have only engaged in that question across institutions in limited ways. As a group, these programs are also not well connected to clinical chaplaincy training or the day-to-day employment requirements of paid chaplaincy positions. We describe opportunities for collaboration that might strengthen this emerging field and better position it in the changing religious landscape.
Finite element modeling of thermo-active diaphragm walls
Authors: Rui Yi , Yin Mei
Published: June 2020

There are two major challenges faced by modern society: energy security, and lowering carbon dioxide gas emissions. Thermo-active diaphragm walls have a large potential to remedy one of these problems, since they are a renewable energy technology that uses underground infrastructure as a heat exchange medium. However, extensive research is required to determine the effects of cyclic heating and cooling on their geotechnical and structural performance. In this paper, a series of detailed finite element analyses are carried out to capture the fully coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical response of the ground and diaphragm wall. It is demonstrated that the thermal operation of the diaphragm wall causes changes in soil temperature, thermal expansion/shrinkage of pore water, and total stress applied on the diaphragm wall. These, in turn, cause displacements of the diaphragm wall and variations of the bending moments. However, these effects on the performance of diaphragm wall are not significant. The thermally induced bending strain is mainly governed by the temperature differential and uneven thermal expansion/shrinkage across the wall.
Methods for co-creating with older adults in living laboratories: a scoping review
Authors: Knight-Davidson Pamela , Lane Pauline , McVicar Andrew
Published: June 2020

The purpose of this literature review is to enhance understanding of methods and processes used in living laboratories, (henceforth living labs), that are concerned with the co-creation of technological and service innovations with older adults. It is relevant to the growing discourse about how to enable the uptake and use of goods and services designed to promote older adults’ independence and how to amplify the potential for economic growth that the demand for such goods and services offers. In this paper, the methods for co-creating with older adults in living labs are explored through a scoping review of the literature. The review utilises a set of tools advanced by Arksey and O’Malley’s (Int J Soc Res Methodol 8(1):19–32, 2005) framework, to collect, evaluate and present the available literature and provide a rigorous and transparent analysis to allow other researchers to replicate the study if they so wish. The findings suggest that a broad range of methods (some of which follow user-centred design and participatory research approaches) are used in living laboratories with older people from being observed interacting with products to them having full involvement in design processes and activities. These might be carried out over short, mid or long durations and in a variety of temporary or permanent settings (e.g., personal homes, mock-up homes, community centres). The analysis also points to greater value being placed on those methods that have high and active user involvement in co-creation, in comparison to methods that have lower engagement with users in the process. However, reflecting on the literature, the authors of this paper suggest that when co-creating with older adults, a level of creative thinking might be necessary, particularly in situations where user needs cannot be readily articulated and this may indicate the need for using less active user involvement methods. This review of the literature suggests that inclusive, user-centred approaches are most conducive with ‘needs finding’ and effective ‘co-creation’ with older adults. Moreover, individual living labs can benefit from adopting a repertoire of methods, borrow from other disciplines, and adapt a flexibility of approach for effective co-creation with older adults.
The Road Map to FAME: A Framework for Mining and Formal Evaluation of Arguments
Authors: Baumann Ringo , Wiedemann Gregor , Heinrich Maximilian , Hakimi Ahmad Dawar , Heyer Gerhard
Published: June 2020

Two different perspectives on argumentation have been pursued in computer science research, namely approaches of argument mining in natural language processing on the one hand, and formal argument evaluation on the other hand. So far these research areas are largely independent and unrelated. This article introduces the agenda of our recently started project “FAME – A framework for argument mining and evaluation”. The main project idea is to link the two perspectives on argumentation and their respective research agendas by employing controlled natural language as a convenient form of intermediate knowledge representation. Our goal is to develop a framework which integrates argument mining and formal argument evaluation to study patterns of empirical argumentation usage. If successful, this combination will allow for new types of queries to be answered by argumentation retrieval systems and large-scale content analysis. Moreover, feeding evaluation results as additional knowledge input to argument mining processes could be utilized to further improve their results.
Analysis of Political Debates through Newspaper Reports: Methods and Outcomes
Authors: Lapesa Gabriella , Blessing Andre , Blokker Nico , Dayanik Erenay , Haunss Sebastian , Kuhn Jonas , Padó Sebastian
Published: June 2020

Discourse network analysis is an aspiring development in political science which analyzes political debates in terms of bipartite actor/claim networks. It aims at understanding the structure and temporal dynamics of major political debates as instances of politicized democratic decision making. We discuss how such networks can be constructed on the basis of large collections of unstructured text, namely newspaper reports. We sketch a hybrid methodology of manual analysis by domain experts complemented by machine learning and exemplify it on the case study of the German public debate on immigration in the year 2015. The first half of our article sketches the conceptual building blocks of discourse network analysis and demonstrates its application. The second half discusses the potential of the application of NLP methods to support the creation of discourse network datasets.
Answering Comparative Questions with Arguments
Authors: Bondarenko Alexander , Panchenko Alexander , Beloucif Meriem , Biemann Chris , Hagen Matthias
Published: June 2020

Question answering platforms such as Yahoo! Answers or Quora always contained questions that ask other humans for help when comparing two or more options. Since nowadays more and more people also “talk” to their devices, such comparative questions are also part of the query stream that major search engines receive. Interestingly, major search engines answer some comparative questions pretty well while for others, they just show the “standard” ten blue links. But a good response to a comparative question might be very different from these ten blue links—for example, a direct answer could show an aggregation of the pros and cons of the different options. This observation motivated our DFG-funded project “ACQuA: Answering Comparative Questions with Arguments” for which we describe the achieved results so far, and ongoing activities like the first shared task on argument retrieval.
A Porous Nano-Micro-Composite as a High-Performance Bi-Functional Air Electrode with Remarkable Stability for Rechargeable Zinc–Air Batteries
Authors: Arafat Yasir , Azhar Muhammad Rizwan , Zhong Yijun , Xu Xiaomin , Tadé Moses O. , Shao Zongping
Published: June 2020

The development of bi-functional electrocatalyst with high catalytic activity and stable performance for both oxygen evolution/reduction reactions (OER/ORR) in aqueous alkaline solution is key to realize practical application of zinc–air batteries (ZABs). In this study, we reported a new porous nano-micro-composite as a bi-functional electrocatalyst for ZABs, devised by the in situ growth of metal–organic framework (MOF) nanocrystals onto the micrometer-sized Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3 (BSCF) perovskite oxide. Upon carbonization, MOF was converted to porous nitrogen-doped carbon nanocages and ultrafine cobalt oxides and CoN4 nanoparticles dispersing inside the carbon nanocages, which further anchored on the surface of BSCF oxide. We homogeneously dispersed BSCF perovskite particles in the surfactant; subsequently, ZIF-67 nanocrystals were grown onto the BSCF particles. In this way, leaching of metallic or organic species in MOFs and the aggregation of BSCF were effectively suppressed, thus maximizing the number of active sites for improving OER. The BSCF in turn acted as catalyst to promote the graphitization of carbon during pyrolysis, as well as to optimize the transition metal-to-carbon ratio, thus enhancing the ORR catalytic activity. A ZAB fabricated from such air electrode showed outstanding performance with a potential gap of only 0.83 V at 5 mA cm−2 for OER/ORR. Notably, no obvious performance degradation was observed for the continuous charge–discharge operation for 1800 cycles over an extended period of 300 h.
Effects of Midfrontal Brain Stimulation on Sustained Attention
Authors: van Schouwenburg Martine R. , Sligte Ilja G. , Giffin Michael R. , Günther Franziska , Koster Dirk , Spronkers Floortje S. , Vos Anna , Slagter Heleen A.
Published: June 2020

Sustained attention is defined as the ability to maintain attention over longer periods of time, which typically declines with time on task (i.e., the vigilance decrement). Previous studies have suggested an important role for the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in sustained attention. In two experiments, we aimed to enhance sustained attention by applying transcranial electrical current stimulation over the mPFC during a sustained attention task. In the first experiment, we applied transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in a between-subject design (n = 97): participants received either anodal, cathodal, or sham stimulation. Contrary to our prediction, we found no effect of stimulation on the vigilance decrement. In the second experiment, participants received theta and alpha transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) in two separate sessions (n = 47, within-subject design). Here, we found a frequency-dependent effect on the vigilance decrement, such that contrary to our expectation, participants’ performance over time became worse after theta compared with alpha stimulation. However, this result needs to be interpreted with caution given that this effect could be driven by differential side effects between the two stimulation frequencies. To conclude, across two studies, we were not able to reduce the vigilant decrement using tDCS or theta tACS.
Weight changes and mobility in the early phase after hip fracture in community-dwelling older persons
Authors: Rosendahl-Riise Hanne , Dierkes Jutta , Ådnanes Svanhild , Skodvin Vilde Aabel , Strand Elin , Ranhoff Anette Hylen
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Hip fractures in older persons are associated with reduced mobility and loss of independence. Few studies address the nutritional status and mobility in the early phase after hip fracture. The objective of the present study was, therefore, to investigate weight changes and their effect on mobility during the first two months following hip fracture in community-dwelling older persons without dementia.

Methods

Patients (> 60 years) admitted for a first hip fracture were recruited from two tertiary referral hospitals in Bergen, Norway. The patients' weights and dietary intakes were determined in the hospital and at home after two months. Mobility was assessed based on the New Mobility Score (NMS) (scale 0–9, with values > 5 regarded as sufficient mobility).

Results

We included 64 patients (median age 80 years, 48 women, 16 men) with information on weight collected in the hospital. Follow-up measurements were available for 32 patients, corresponding to an attrition rate of 50%. The patients had a median weight loss of 1.8 kg (IQR = − 3.7, 0 kg). Most of them had reduced mobility at two months after the surgery [median NMS = 5 (IQR = 3–6)]. Both age and the weight change after surgery were predictors of the NMS at follow-up.

Conclusion

Bodyweight loss was observed in three out of four patients in the early phase after hip fracture and was associated with decreased mobility measured by the NMS. The results should be interpreted with caution as half of the patients dropped out of the study and did not participate in the follow-up visit.
Efficacy of UV-C disinfection in hyperbaric chambers
Authors: Warren Bobby Glenn , Masker Jason , Brown Gregory , Gamez Isabella , Smith Becky , Anderson Deverick J. , Turner Nicholas
Published: June 2020

Ultraviolet C (UV-C) light reduces contamination on high-touch clinical surfaces. We assessed the efficacy of 2 UV-C devices at eradicating important clinical pathogens in hyperbaric chambers. Both devices were similarly efficacious against MRSA but differed significantly against C. difficile. Additionally, direct UV-C exposure was more efficacious against both species than indirect exposure.
Negotiating the pedagogical requirements of both explicit instruction and culturally responsive pedagogy in Far North Queensland: teaching explicitly, responding responsively
Authors: D'Aietti Karen , Lewthwaite Brian , Chigeza Philemon
Published: June 2020

Abstract
This article documents a teaching journey in a 6/7 class with 20 Torres Strait Islander students in the curriculum area of literacy, over the course of one academic year. Specifically, this action research study explores a classroom teacher's efforts to navigate and respond to the prominent teaching model of explicit instruction and culturally responsive teaching, both of which inform policy statements in Far North Queensland. Using a reflective journal, teacher observations, informal student dialogue sessions, yarning circles and student work samples, the first author (D'Aietti) endeavoured to adjust her teaching practice to determine how best to meet her learners' needs. Through on-going critical reflection, engagement with two critical friends and in consultation with a cultural mentorship group, her teaching underwent transformation. One of the key findings of this study was that students want to learn, and for this to occur, teachers must independently navigate the curriculum documents, and in doing so, the explicit instruction model must be re-aligned, re-adjusted and re-positioned to suit Torres Strait Islander student needs.
Simultaneous cochlear implantation and removal of acoustic neuroma: implications for hearing
Authors: Roberts S , Levin B , Sanli H , Ferch R , Kong K , Eisenberg R
Published: June 2020

Objective

To present our data evaluating the feasibility of simultaneous cochlear implantation with resection of acoustic neuroma.

Methods

This paper describes a case series of eight adult patients with a radiologically suspected acoustic neuroma, treated at a tertiary referral centre in Newcastle, Australia, between 2012 and 2015. Patients underwent cochlear implantation concurrently with removal of an acoustic neuroma. The approach was translabyrinthine, with facial nerve monitoring and electrically evoked auditory brainstem response testing. Standard post-implant rehabilitation was employed, with three and six months’ follow-up data collected. The main outcome measures were: hearing, subjective benefit of implant, operative complications and tumour recurrence.

Results

Eight patients underwent simultaneous cochlear implantation with resection of acoustic neuroma over a 3-year period, and had 25–63 months’ follow up. There were no major complications. All patients except one gained usable hearing and were daily implant users.

Conclusion

Simultaneous cochlear implantation with resection of acoustic neuroma has been shown to be a safe treatment option, which will be applicable in a wide range of clinical scenarios as the indications for cochlear implantation continue to expand.
Nutritional composition of Patagonian marine gastropods during reproductive seasonality
Authors: Cumplido Mariano , Marinho Carmen , Bigatti Gregorio
Published: June 2020

Marine gastropods are consumed worldwide due to their nutritional quality, having important economic value in international markets. In the gulfs of Northern Patagonia (Argentina), marine gastropods are captured as complementary resources during bivalve artisanal fisheries. In this study, we determined the biochemical composition during the reproductive cycle of four edible marine gastropods abundant along the South-western Atlantic coast:Odontocymbiola magellanica,Buccinanops deformis,Buccinanops cochlidiumandTrophon geversianus. All the studied species presented high protein (36–70.8%), low lipids (0.02–1.50%) and intermediate glycogen content (3.22–14.08%). The main oviposition season was during spring and summer. The mean nutritional values indicate that the species studied provide a good source of nutrients appropriate to the human diet, reaffirming their value as a commercial resource. Taking into account the nutritional contribution and the reproductive season, the best period for the capture of these resources is during summer forO. magellanicaandT. geversianus, and during autumn forB. deformisandB. cochlidium. This work will help promote the consumption of Patagonian gastropods while ensuring their responsible capture, contributing to the sustainability of these valuable resources.
First discovery of the sessile barnacle Eochionelasmus (Cirripedia: Balanomorpha) from a hydrothermal vent field in the Indian Ocean
Authors: Chan Benny K. K. , Ju Se-Jong , Kim Dong-Sung , Kim Se-Joo
Published: June 2020

A new species of chionelasmatid sessile vent barnacle, Eochionelasmus coreana sp. nov., is described and illustrated on the basis of specimens collected from the Solitaire hydrothermal vent field in the Central Indian Ridge of the Indian Ocean. This new species is morphologically very similar to E. ohtai, the type species of the genus Eochionelasmus. However, it differs from E. ohtai in its distribution, the status of the notch on the maxillule, and the positions of rl1 and cl1 on whorls of the imbricating plates. In addition, a molecular phylogenetic tree indicated that the chionelasmatid Eochionelasmus was closely related to the waikalasmatid Waikalasma with high supporting values rather than the other chionelasmatid Chionelasmus. The new species is not only the first record of a sessile vent barnacle from outside of the Pacific Ocean, but is also the first sessile barnacle from the Indian Ocean.
A national effectiveness trial of an eHealth program to prevent alcohol and cannabis misuse: responding to the replication crisis
Authors: Newton Nicola C. , Chapman Cath , Slade Tim , Birrell Louise , Healy Annalise , Mather Marius , McBride Nyanda , Hides Leanne , Allsop Steve , Mewton Louise , Andrews Gavin , Teesson Maree
Published: June 2020

Background

The burden of disease attributable to alcohol and other drug (AOD) use in young people is considerable. Prevention can be effective, yet few programs have demonstrated replicable effects. This study aimed to replicate research behind Climate Schools: Alcohol and Cannabis course among a large cohort of adolescents.

Methods

Seventy-one secondary schools across three States participated in a cluster-randomised controlled trial. Year 8 students received either the web-based Climate Schools: Alcohol and Cannabis course (Climate, n = 3236), or health education as usual (Control, n = 3150). Outcomes were measured via self-report and reported here for baseline, 6- and 12-months for alcohol and cannabis knowledge, alcohol, cannabis use and alcohol-related harms.

Results

Compared to Controls, students in the Climate group showed greater increases in alcohol- [standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.51, p < 0.001] and cannabis-related knowledge (SMD 0.49, p < 0.001), less increases in the odds of drinking a full standard drink[(odds ratio (OR) 0.62, p = 0.014], and heavy episodic drinking (OR 0.49, p = 0.022). There was no evidence for differences in change over time in the odds of cannabis use (OR 0.57, p = 0.22) or alcohol harms (OR 0.73, p = 0.17).

Conclusions

The current study provides support for the effectiveness of the web-based Climate Schools: Alcohol and Cannabis course in increasing knowledge and reducing the uptake of alcohol. It represents one of the first trials of a web-based AOD prevention program to replicate alcohol effects in a large and diverse sample of students. Future research and/or adaptation of the program may be warranted with respect to prevention of cannabis use and alcohol harms.
Cannabis use and posttraumatic stress disorder: prospective evidence from a longitudinal study of veterans
Authors: Metrik Jane , Stevens Angela K. , Gunn Rachel L. , Borsari Brian , Jackson Kristina M.
Published: June 2020

Background

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the most highly co-occurring psychiatric disorder among veterans with cannabis use disorder (CUD). Despite some evidence that cannabis use prospectively exacerbates the course of PTSD, which in turn increases the risk for CUD, the causal nature of the relationship between cannabis and psychiatric comorbidity is debated. The longitudinal relationship between PTSD diagnosis and traumatic intrusion symptoms with cannabis use and CUD was examined using cross-lagged panel model (CLPM) analysis.

Methods

Prospective data from a longitudinal observational study of 361 veterans deployed post-9/11/2001 included PTSD and CUD diagnoses, cannabis use, and PTSD-related traumatic intrusion symptoms from the Inventory of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms.

Results

A random intercept CLPM analysis that leveraged three waves (baseline, 6 months and 12 months) of cannabis use and PTSD-related intrusion symptoms to account for between-person differences found that baseline cannabis use was significantly positively associated with 6-month intrusion symptoms; the converse association was significant but reduced in magnitude (baseline use to 6-month intrusions: β = 0.46, 95% CI 0.155–0.765; baseline intrusions to 6-month use: β = 0.22, 95% CI −0.003 to 0.444). Results from the two-wave CLPM reveal a significant effect from baseline PTSD to 12-month CUD (β = 0.15, 95% CI 0.028–0.272) but not from baseline CUD to 12-month PTSD (β = 0.12, 95% CI −0.022 to 0.262).

Conclusions

Strong prospective associations capturing within-person changes suggest that cannabis use is linked with greater severity of trauma-related intrusion symptoms over time. A strong person-level directional association between PTSD and CUD was evident. Findings have significant clinical implications for the long-term effects of cannabis use among individuals with PTSD.
Faith without hope is dead: moral arguments and the theological virtues
Authors: PHILLIPS RORY LAWRENCE
Published: June 2020

It is well-known that Kant defends a conception of God and the final end of our moral striving, called the highest good. In this article, I outline Kant's argument for why we ought to have faith in God and hope for the highest good, and argue that the Kantian argument can be extended in such a way as to show the unity of the theological virtues. This feature of the Kantian account can then have ramifications in further questions regarding the relationship of faith and moral action.
Soft Robotic Finger Embedded with Visual Sensor for Bending Perception
Authors: Zhang Shixin , Shan Jianhua , Fang Bin , Sun Fuchun
Published: June 2020

The various vision-based tactile sensors have been developed for robotic perception in recent years. In this paper, the novel soft robotic finger embedded with the visual sensor is proposed for perception. It consists of a colored soft inner chamber, an outer structure, and an endoscope camera. The bending perception algorithm based on image preprocessing and deep learning is proposed. The boundary of color regions and the position of marker dots are extracted from the inner chamber image and label image, respectively. Then the convolutional neural network with multi-task learning is trained to obtain bending states of the finger. Finally, the experiments are implemented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Improving trust and reputation assessment with dynamic behaviour
Authors: Player Caroline , Griffiths Nathan
Published: June 2020

Trust between agents in multi-agent systems (MASs) is critical to encourage high levels of cooperation. Existing methods to assess trust and reputation use direct and indirect past experiences about an agent to estimate their future performance; however, these will not always be representative if agents change their behaviour over time.

Real-world distributed networks such as online market places, P2P networks, pervasive computing and the Smart Grid can be viewed as MAS. Dynamic agent behaviour in such MAS can arise from seasonal changes, cheaters, supply chain faults, network traffic and many other reasons. However, existing trust and reputation models use limited techniques, such as forgetting factors and sliding windows, to account for dynamic behaviour.

In this paper, we propose Reacting and Predicting in Trust and Reputation (RaPTaR), a method to extend existing trust and reputation models to give agents the ability to monitor the output of interactions with a group of agents over time to identify any likely changes in behaviour and adapt accordingly. Additionally, RaPTaR can provide ana prioriestimate of trust when there is little or no interaction data (either because an agent is new or because a detected behaviour change suggests recent past experiences are no longer representative). Our results show that RaPTaR has improved performance compared to existing trust and reputation methods when dynamic behaviour causes the ranking of the best agents to interact with to change.
The Prevalence of Hearing, Vision, and Dual Sensory Loss in Older Canadians: An Analysis of Data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging
Authors: Mick Paul Thomas , Hämäläinen Anni , Kolisang Lebo , Pichora-Fuller M. Kathleen , Phillips Natalie , Guthrie Dawn , Wittich Walter
Published: June 2020

The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of hearing loss (HL), vision loss (VL), and dual sensory loss (DSL) in Canadians 45–85 years of age. Audiometry and visual acuity were measured. Various levels of impairment severity were described. Results were extrapolated to the 2016 Canadian population. In 2016, 1,500,000 Canadian males 45–85 years of age had at least mild HL, 1,800,000 had at least mild VL, and 570,000 had DSL. Among females, 1,200,000 had at least mild HL, 2,200,000 had at least mild VL, and 450,000 had DSL. Among Canadians 45–85 years of age, mild, moderate, and severe HL was prevalent among 13.4 per cent, 3.7 per cent, and 0.4 per cent of males, and among 11.3 per cent, 2.3 per cent, and 0.2 per cent of females, respectively. Mild and moderate, or severe VL was prevalent among 19.8 per cent and 2.4 per cent of males, and among 23.9 per cent and 2.6 per cent of females, respectively. At least mild DSL was prevalent among 6.4 per cent of males and 6.1 per cent of females.
Sidgwick's Distinction Passage
Authors: Shaver Robert
Published: June 2020

I suggest that Sidgwick, in his controversial “distinction passage,” has Schopenhauer in mind as someone who denies egoism on the ground that there are no separate individuals. I then reconstruct Sidgwick's argument in the passage. I take him to be defending a presupposition of the case for choosing egoism over utilitarianism. He is claiming that there are separate individuals. I close by rejecting alternative interpretations, on which Sidgwick is arguing directly for egoism.
Sodium and salt content of Portuguese rolls produced in a city of southern Brazil: a comparison of laboratory analysis, food labelling and nutrition standards
Authors: Bernardo GL , Inoue TB , Höfelmann DA , Feldman CH , Veiros MB
Published: June 2020

Objective:

To analyse the Na content of bread by comparing the amount of salt and Na among the label, laboratory analysis and international guidelines.

Design:

Ten selected bakeries provided 3239 randomly selected samples of bread, which were weighed on-site. Triplicate samples were retrieved from each bakery (thirty samples) for analysis. Bread production was observed, and ingredient labels were queried to determine salt weights, which were used for comparison with the laboratory analysis. Flame photometry and the method for chlorides were utilised for analysing Na. Laboratory findings were compared to nine different international nutritional guidelines for Na consumption.

Setting:

Florianopolis, south of Brazil.

Participants:

Ninety independent bakeries locally producing Portuguese rolls were queried; rolls from ten conveniently selected bakeries were retrieved for further analysis.

Results:

The average weight of the rolls was 50·2 ± 5·3 g. The average amount of salt (g) per roll, by laboratory and label analyses, was 0·69 ± 0·0 and 0·62 ± 0·1 g, respectively. The mean level of Na (mg) reported on nutrient labels (478·2 ± 93·4/100 g) was significantly lower than by laboratory analysis (618·2 ± 73·8/100 g), P < 0·001. There was a difference for Na in rolls produced in the bakeries considering the unit weight of rolls (P ≤ 0·001) per 100 g (P = 0·026) and the mode of production. The consumption of two averaged units of rolls was equivalent to 51·7 % of the Brazilian guideline daily amount for Na for children and 31 % for adults.

Conclusions:

The nutrient labels underreported Na values. This study strengthens the importance of monitoring Na of breads in Brazil.
Changing radiotherapy review practice in response to COVID-19 in a radiotherapy satellite centre
Authors: Mason Tracy , Bennett Rachael , White Alison , Rembielak Agata
Published: June 2020

Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic has required a rapid and evolving response in order to enable the continued delivery of radiotherapy, whilst effectively managing the risk of infection to patients and staff. In early March 2020, we were presented with the challenge of achieving safe delivery of care in clinical practice for a group of patients that are already at higher risk of morbidity from COVID-19 with only limited guidance.

Purpose:

This article outlines the adjustments made at The Christie at Oldham satellite centre in order to promote optimal care to our patients receiving radiotherapy, and to mitigate infection risk at the department for both patients and staff.

Materials and Methods:

We share insight into some of the evolving processes that our team have developed since March 2020 in promoting optimal care to patients receiving radiotherapy at The Christie at Oldham satellite centre. These include changes to the department floor, paper flow, supportive care and staffing.

Results and Conclusions:

As we continue to progress through this pandemic, we accept that there will be an ongoing journey of learning with adjustments to practice and evolving ‘new norm’, thereby ensuring we keep our patients and team safe and well. We also hoped that our experience would support radiotherapy-related practices in surges of the pandemic in other parts of the world or in case of the second wave.
Percy Dearmer Goes to America
Authors: Shaw Jane
Published: June 2020

Percy Dearmer’s time as a visiting lecturer at Berkeley Divinity School in Connecticut, USA, at the invitation of Dean William Palmer Ladd, from July 1918 to February 1919, marked a turning point in his life and career. As author of The Parson’s Handbook (1899) and Vicar of St Mary’s Primrose Hill (1901–1915), he was immersed in the Church of England. From 1919, when he left Berkeley Divinity School, with no offer of a clergy post until 1931, he worked on the margins of the church as a university lecturer, writer, and co-director of an experimental worshipping community. The experiences he had between 1915 and 1919 shaped this ‘second’ Dearmer: loss in the war; a second wife and new family; work with the YMCA in France and India; travels in the Anglican Communion and, not least, time at Berkeley where he consolidated these experiences, becoming attuned to those who wanted a spiritual life but were disillusioned by institutional religion, as expressed in The Art of Worship (1919).
The Military Academic Motivation Scale (MAMS)
Authors: Filosa Lorenzo , Cepale Gianluca , Perinelli Enrico , Cinque Luigi , Coscarelli Alessandra , Alessandri Guido
Published: June 2020

Abstract. The purpose of the present paper is to introduce the Military Academic Motivation Scale (MAMS), a short and reliable instrument for assessing the different types of motivation among military cadets. Three representative samples of military cadets completed the MAMS. In Study 1 ( N = 452), the hypothesized five-factor structure of the MAMS was empirically tested and supported. In Study 2 ( N = 1,372), the factorial invariance across both gender and cohorts of the MAMS was explored and confirmed. Study 3 ( N = 520) provided evidence of the external validity of the five MAMS factors with respect to important organizational outcomes (work engagement, organizational commitment, job performance, extra-role behaviors, burnout, and intention to quit). The potential applications of the MAMS were extensively discussed, and recommendations for use in the military academy setting were given.
Microphysical Effects of Water Content and Temperature on the Triboelectrification of Volcanic Ash on Long Time Scales
Authors: Méndez Harper Joshua , Courtland Leah , Dufek Josef , McAdams Julian
Published: June 2020

The effects of water and temperature on the triboelectrification of granular materials have been reported by numerous authors, but have not been studied robustly in the context of volcanic plumes. Here, we present the results of a set of experiments designed to elucidate how environmental conditions modulate the triboelectric characteristics of volcanic ash in the upper region of the convective column. We find that small amounts of water can reduce the charge collected by submillimeter‐sized ash grains by up to an order of magnitude. Increasing temperature at a constant relative humidity also appears to decrease the amount of charge gained by particles. Analysis of our data shows that if particles undergo low‐energy, low‐frequency collisions in humid environments under minute‐long time scales, charge dissipation dominates over charge accumulation. Thus, our work suggests that triboelectric charging may be an inefficient electrification mechanism outside of the gas‐thrust region where collision energies and rates are high and residence times are low.
The Contributions of the Largest Erosive Events to Sediment Yields in Karst Catchments
Authors: Li Zhenwei , Xu Xianli , Zhu Jingxuan , Xu Chaohao , Wang Kelin
Published: June 2020

A large proportion of the soil loss is generally produced by a small number of large erosive events; these events are primarily responsible for the time compression of geomorphic processes. This issue, however, has received little attention in subtropical humid karst areas where extreme rainfall events frequently occur and soil erosion is relatively severe. The objective of this study was to examine the contributions of the largest daily erosive events to the annual sediment yield and to investigate whether these contributions depend on flow variability, catchment size, and karst coverage in 40 selected karst catchments. The time series data of the largest daily erosive events at each catchment were ranked by magnitude, and the percentage of the sediment yield produced by the n‐largest erosive events was calculated. The results indicated that a few large erosive events governed the annual sediment yield. Specifically, the 5‐largest erosive events produced, on average, 56% of the annual sediment yield, while the 10‐ and 25‐largest erosive events contributed 69% and 83% of the annual sediment yield, respectively. A catchment with a high flow variability generally had a great percentage of the sediment yield produced by largest events. The sediment produced by n‐largest erosive events (%) significantly decreased by catchment size as a power function and thus were scale dependent, while the karst coverage had no significant effect on these contributions. This study is helpful to effectively controlling sediment delivery and provides a more in‐depth understanding of the soil erosion processes in subtropical humid karst regions.
Effect of bolus enteral tube feeding on body weight in ambulatory adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes: a feasibility pilot randomized trial
Authors: Beale E. O. , Lee W. , Lee A. , Lee C. , Soffer E. , Crookes P. F. , Eagilen K. , Chen R. , Mack W. J. , Tong H.
Published: June 2020

Background/objectives

To ascertain the effect on body weight of 14 days of bolus enteral feeding with mixed meal (MM) and electrolyte solution (ES) in ambulatory adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity, and also the safety and feasibility of using a modified, intraorally anchored enteral feeding tube for this purpose.

Subjects/methods

We conducted a randomized, crossover pilot trial with 16 participants. A 140 cm, 8-French feeding tube was placed in the jejunum under electromagnetic guidance and anchored intraorally. Participants were randomized to self-administer 120 mL 523 kJ (125 kcal) MM, or 50 kJ (12 kcal) ES four times/day for 14 days. After ≥14 days without the tube, participants crossed over to the other treatment. The primary outcome compared weight change between treatments. Thereafter, participants could elect to undergo additional MM cycles. Participants were encouraged to continue with all usual activities including eating ad lib throughout the study.

Results

Ten participants withdrew prior to completing two randomized 14-day cycles (4 social, 3 intolerant of anchor, and 3 intolerant of tube). Six participants were assessed for the primary outcome and showed no significant difference in weight loss between MM and ES (p = 0.082). For the secondary outcome of within-group weight loss, average weight loss from baseline was significant for MM but not for ES: −2.40 kg (95% CI: −3.78, −1.02; p = 0.008) vs. −0.64 kg (95% CI: −2.01, 0.74; p = 0.27). A total of 23 2-week cycles were completed (12 paired, 2 unpaired, and 9 additional), with no significant adverse events for 334 days of tube use.

Conclusions

Repeated bolus nutrient administration via enteral feeding tube is associated with weight loss in adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes, with no significant difference seen between MM and ES feeds. The prototype device was safe, but requires development for further investigation into the effect of bolus jejunal feeding on weight and to improve acceptability.
Dietary sodium and potassium intake in people with diabetes: are guidelines being met?
Authors: Baqar Sara , Michalopoulos Adrian , Jerums George , Ekinci Elif I.
Published: June 2020

Objective

Despite public health bodies advocating for lowering dietary sodium and increasing potassium intake to improve cardiovascular outcomes, people with diabetes are not meeting these targets. We hypothesize that (i) both at an individual level and within the cohort, there will be a low adherence to the guidelines and (ii) sodium and potassium intake will remain stable over time.

Methods

We conducted this prospective study in a cohort of 904 participants with diabetes who provided 24-h urine collections from 2009 to 2015. Dietary sodium and potassium intake were estimated from 24-h urinary sodium (uNa) and potassium (uK) measurements. Additional data were collected for: 24-h urinary volume (uVol), creatinine (uCr),; serum creatinine, urea, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting glucose, lipids); clinical characteristics (age, blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI) and duration of diabetes). Adherence to recommended dietary sodium (uNa < 2300 mg/24 h (100mmol/24 h)) and potassium (uK > 4680 mg/24 h(120 mmol/24)) intake were the main outcome measures.

Results

Participants (n = 904) completed 3689 urine collections (average four collections/participant). The mean ± SD (mmol/24 h) for uNa was 181 ± 73 and uK was 76 ± 25. After correcting uNa for uCr, 7% and 5% of participants met dietary sodium and potassium guidelines respectively. Males were less likely to meet sodium guidelines (OR 0.40, p < 0.001) but were more likely to meet potassium guidelines (OR 6.13, p < 0.001). Longer duration of diabetes was associated with higher adherence to sodium and potassium guidelines (OR 1.04, p < 0.001 and OR 0.96, p = 0.006 respectively). Increasing age was significantly associated with adherence to potassium guidelines (OR 0.97, p = 0.007).

Conclusions

People with diabetes do not follow current dietary sodium and potassium guidelines and are less likely to change their dietary intake of sodium and potassium over time.
p53 destabilizing protein skews asymmetric division and enhances NOTCH activation to direct self-renewal of TICs
Authors: Choi Hye Yeon , Siddique Hifzur R. , Zheng Mengmei , Kou Yi , Yeh Da-Wei , Machida Tatsuya , Chen Chia-Lin , Uthaya Kumar Dinesh Babu , Punj Vasu , Winer Peleg , Pita Alejandro , Sher Linda , Tahara Stanley M. , Ray Ratna B. , Liang Chengyu , Chen Lin , Tsukamoto Hidekazu , Machida Keigo
Published: June 2020

Tumor-initiating stem-like cells (TICs) are defective in maintaining asymmetric cell division and responsible for tumor recurrence. Cell-fate-determinant molecule NUMB-interacting protein (TBC1D15) is overexpressed and contributes to p53 degradation in TICs. Here we identify TBC1D15-mediated oncogenic mechanisms and tested the tumorigenic roles of TBC1D15 in vivo. We examined hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in alcohol Western diet-fed hepatitis C virus NS5A Tg mice with hepatocyte-specific TBC1D15 deficiency or expression of non-phosphorylatable NUMB mutations. Liver-specific TBC1D15 deficiency or non-p-NUMB expression reduced TIC numbers and HCC development. TBC1D15–NuMA1 association impaired asymmetric division machinery by hijacking NuMA from LGN binding, thereby favoring TIC self-renewal. TBC1D15–NOTCH1 interaction activated and stabilized NOTCH1 which upregulated transcription of NANOG essential for TIC expansion. TBC1D15 activated three novel oncogenic pathways to promote self-renewal, p53 loss, and Nanog transcription in TICs. Thus, this central regulator could serve as a potential therapeutic target for treatment of HCC.
The integrated genomic and epigenomic landscape of brainstem glioma
Authors: Chen Lee H. , Pan Changcun , Diplas Bill H. , Xu Cheng , Hansen Landon J. , Wu Yuliang , Chen Xin , Geng Yibo , Sun Tao , Sun Yu , Zhang Peng , Wu Zhen , Zhang Junting , Li Deling , Zhang Yang , Wu Wenhao , Wang Yu , Li Guangyu , Yang Jie , Wang Xiaoyue , Xu Ce , Wang Sizhen , Waitkus Matthew S. , He Yiping , McLendon Roger E. , Ashley David M. , Yan Hai , Zhang Liwei
Published: June 2020

Brainstem gliomas are a heterogeneous group of tumors that encompass both benign tumors cured with surgical resection and highly lethal cancers with no efficacious therapies. We perform a comprehensive study incorporating epigenetic and genomic analyses on a large cohort of brainstem gliomas, including Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas. Here we report, from DNA methylation data, distinct clusters termed H3-Pons, H3-Medulla, IDH, and PA-like, each associated with unique genomic and clinical profiles. The majority of tumors within H3-Pons and-H3-Medulla harbors H3F3A mutations but shows distinct methylation patterns that correlate with anatomical localization within the pons or medulla, respectively. Clinical data show significantly different overall survival between these clusters, and pathway analysis demonstrates different oncogenic mechanisms in these samples. Our findings indicate that the integration of genetic and epigenetic data can facilitate better understanding of brainstem gliomagenesis and classification, and guide future studies for the development of novel treatments for this disease.