bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sexuelle Gesundheit und Medizin im WIR – Walk In Ruhr: Vorstellung des Zentrums und Ergebnisse der Evaluation
Authors: Potthoff Anja , Skaletz-Rorowski Adriane , Nambiar Sandeep , Knebel-Brockmeyer Wiltrud , Kasper Andre , Wach Janet , Kayser Arne , Köhler Britta , Brockmeyer Norbert H.
Published: July 2021

Hintergrund

Ein ganzheitliches Konzept sexueller Gesundheit und Medizin berücksichtigt die Diversität von Lebenswelten, um Klient*innen für Prävention, Testung, Beratung und Behandlung sexuell übertragbarer Infektionen (STI) zu gewinnen. Mit diesem Verständnis arbeiten die Immunologische Ambulanz, das Gesundheitsamt, die Aidshilfe sowie weitere Selbsthilfeorganisationen im WIR – Walk In Ruhr, Zentrum für Sexuelle Gesundheit und Medizin, in Bochum zusammen.

Ziel der Arbeit

Am Beispiel des WIR, das mit seinem innovativen Konzept eines Versorgungszentrums multiprofessionell innerhalb eines Settings sektor- und rechtsformübergreifend arbeitet, wird gezeigt, dass Erreichbarkeit, Test- und Behandlungsquote und HIV/STI-Risiko-Selbsteinschätzung sich verbessern. Das WIR wurde zudem im Auftrag des Bundesministeriums für Gesundheit über 3 Jahre extern evaluiert auch diese Ergebnisse werden dargestellt.

Methode

Das Konzept des WIR und die im WIR durchgeführten Studien werden deskriptiv dargestellt. Bei der externen Evaluation wurde ein Mixed-Method-Design aus quantitativen und qualitativen Erhebungen angewandt.

Ergebnis

Durch die Kooperation werden häufiger Frauen (27,7 %) und Heterosexuelle (56,4 %) als in der Ambulanz allein erreicht. Die Rate positiver Testergebnisse im WIR stieg von 2017 bis 2018 von 9,3 % auf 12,6 %.

Diskussion

Durch das integrative Versorgungskonzept des WIR gelingt es, Menschen mit HIV/STI früh zu erreichen und zu behandeln. Der Übergang von Prävention zu medizinischer Versorgung ist im WIR von zentraler Bedeutung. Gesundheitsberater sind ein wichtiges Instrument für die aufsuchende Arbeit. Psychosoziale sowie psychotherapeutische Beratung werden in hohem Maße genutzt. Durch die vielschichtigen Angebote von Prävention, Test, Beratung werden bessere medizinische Ergebnisse erreicht sowie die Eigenverantwortung für sexuelle Gesundheit gesteigert. Die Übertragung des Konzeptes in die Fläche kann einen Beitrag zur besseren Versorgung zu sexueller Gesundheit leisten.
Aligning artificial intelligence with human values: reflections from a phenomenological perspective
Authors: Han Shengnan , Kelly Eugene , Nikou Shahrokh , Svee Eric-Oluf
Published: July 2021

Artificial Intelligence (AI) must be directed at humane ends. The development of AI has produced great uncertainties of ensuring AI alignment with human values (AI value alignment) through AI operations from design to use. For the purposes of addressing this problem, we adopt the phenomenological theories of material values and technological mediation to be that beginning step. In this paper, we first discuss the AI value alignment from the relevant AI studies. Second, we briefly present what are material values and technological mediation and reflect on the AI value alignment through the lenses of these theories. We conclude that a set of finite human values can be defined and adapted to the stable life tasks that AI systems will be called upon to accomplish. The AI value alignment can also be fostered between designers and users through technological mediation. Upon that foundation, we propose a set of common principles to understand the AI value alignment through phenomenological theories. This paper contributes the unique knowledge of phenomenological theories to the discourse on AI alignment with human values.
Computational advances for spatio-temporal multivariate environmental models
Authors: Cappello Claudia , De Iaco Sandra , Palma Monica
Published: July 2021

In multivariate Geostatistics, the linear coregionalization model (LCM) has been widely used over the last decades, in order to describe the spatial dependence which characterizes two or more variables of interest. However, in spatio-temporal multiple modeling, the identification of the main elements of a space–time linear coregionalization model (ST-LCM), as well as of the latent structures underlying the analyzed phenomenon, represents a tough task. In this paper, some computational advances which support the selection of an ST-LCM are described, gathering all the necessary steps which allow the analyst to easily and properly detect the basic space–time components for the phenomenon under study. The implemented algorithm is applied on space–time air quality data measured in Scotland in 2017.
Analysis of microplastics in drinking water and other clean water samples with micro-Raman and micro-infrared spectroscopy: minimum requirements and best practice guidelines
Authors: Schymanski Darena , Oßmann Barbara E. , Benismail Nizar , Boukerma Kada , Dallmann Gerald , von der Esch Elisabeth , Fischer Dieter , Fischer Franziska , Gilliland Douglas , Glas Karl , Hofmann Thomas , Käppler Andrea , Lacorte Sílvia , Marco Julie , Rakwe Maria EL , Weisser Jana , Witzig Cordula , Zumbülte Nicole , Ivleva Natalia P.
Published: July 2021

Microplastics are a widespread contaminant found not only in various natural habitats but also in drinking waters. With spectroscopic methods, the polymer type, number, size, and size distribution as well as the shape of microplastic particles in waters can be determined, which is of great relevance to toxicological studies. Methods used in studies so far show a huge diversity regarding experimental setups and often a lack of certain quality assurance aspects. To overcome these problems, this critical review and consensus paper of 12 European analytical laboratories and institutions, dealing with microplastic particle identification and quantification with spectroscopic methods, gives guidance toward harmonized microplastic particle analysis in clean waters. The aims of this paper are to (i) improve the reliability of microplastic analysis, (ii) facilitate and improve the planning of sample preparation and microplastic detection, and (iii) provide a better understanding regarding the evaluation of already existing studies. With these aims, we hope to make an important step toward harmonization of microplastic particle analysis in clean water samples and, thus, allow the comparability of results obtained in different studies by using similar or harmonized methods. Clean water samples, for the purpose of this paper, are considered to comprise all water samples with low matrix content, in particular drinking, tap, and bottled water, but also other water types such as clean freshwater.

Graphical abstract
Feature-based molecular networking for identification of organic micropollutants including metabolites by non-target analysis applied to riverbank filtration
Authors: Oberleitner Daniela , Schmid Robin , Schulz Wolfgang , Bergmann Axel , Achten Christine
Published: July 2021

Due to growing concern about organic micropollutants and their transformation products (TP) in surface and drinking water, reliable identification of unknowns is required. Here, we demonstrate how non-target liquid chromatography (LC)-high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and the feature-based molecular networking (FBMN) workflow provide insight into water samples from four riverbank filtration sites with different redox conditions. First, FBMN prioritized and connected drinking water relevant and seasonally dependent compounds based on a modification-aware MS/MS cosine similarity. Within the resulting molecular networks, forty-three compounds were annotated. Here, carbamazepine, sartans, and their respective TP were investigated exemplarily. With chromatographic information and spectral similarity, four additional TP (dealkylated valsartan, dealkylated irbesartan, two oxygenated irbesartan isomers) and olmesartan were identified and partly verified with an authentic standard. In this study, sartans and TP were investigated and grouped regarding their removal behavior under different redox conditions and seasons for the first time. Antihypertensives were grouped into compounds being well removed during riverbank filtration, those primarily removed under anoxic conditions, and rather persistent compounds. Observed seasonal variations were mainly limited to varying river water concentrations. FBMN is a powerful tool for identifying previously unknown or unexpected compounds and their TP in water samples by non-target analysis.

Graphical abstract
Simultaneous determination of 137 drugs of abuse, new psychoactive substances, and novel synthetic opioids in meconium by UHPLC-QTOF
Authors: López-Rabuñal Ángela , Di Corcia Daniele , Amante Eleonora , Massano Marta , Cruz-Landeira Angelines , de-Castro-Ríos Ana , Salomone Alberto
Published: July 2021

New psychoactive substances (NPS) have been introduced into the market in recent years, with new analytes reported every year. The use of these substances in women can occur at any stage of life, even in the childbearing age. Drug use during pregnancy presents significant risks for the mother and the fetus, so it is important to have tools that allow to detect prenatal exposure to these substances of abuse. Therefore, an analytical method for the determination of 137 NPS and other drugs of abuse in meconium by UHPLC-QTOF was developed and validated for semi-quantitative purpose. Linearity range, limit of detection (LOD), precision, matrix effect, selectivity, and specificity were evaluated. For all analytes, the calibration curves were studied in the ranges between 2, 10, or 50 ng/g and 750 or 1000 ng/g, (depending on the analyte) and the LOD ranged between 0.04 and 2.4 ng/g. The method was applied to 30 meconium specimens from cases in which fentanyl had been administered as epidural anesthesia at the time of delivery or cases in which the maternal hair was positive to other drug of abuse. Four meconium samples tested positive for fentanyl (range concentration = 440–750 ng/g) and two samples tested positive to acetylfentanyl (range concentration = 190–1400 ng/g).
Percutaneous Sclerotherapy of Venous Malformations of the Hand: A Multicenter Analysis
Authors: Schmidt Vanessa F. , Masthoff Max , Goldann Constantin , Deniz Sinan , Öcal Osman , Häberle Beate , Köhler Michael , Seidensticker Max , Ricke Jens , Wohlgemuth Walter A. , Brill Richard , Wildgruber Moritz
Published: July 2021

Purpose

To evaluate the safety and outcome of percutaneous sclerotherapy for treating venous malformations (VMs) of the hand.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective multicenter trial of 29 patients with VMs primarily affecting the hand, including wrist, carpus, and/or fingers, treated by 81 percutaneous image-guided sclerotherapies using ethanol gel and/or polidocanol was performed. Clinical and imaging findings were assessed to evaluate clinical response, lesion size reduction, and complication rates. Substratification analysis was performed with respect to the Puig’s classification, the sclerosing agent, the injected volume of the sclerosant, and to previously performed treatments.

Results

The mean number of procedures per patient was 2.8 (± 2.2). Last follow-up (mean = 9.2 months) revealed a partial relief of symptoms in 78.9% (15/19), while three patients (15.8%) presented symptom-free and one patient (5.3%) with no improvement. Post-treatment imaging revealed an overall objective response rate of 88.9%. Early post-procedural complications occurred after 5/81 sclerotherapies (6.2%) and were entirely resolved by conservative means. Type of VM (Puig’s classification) as well as sclerosing agent had no impact on clinical response (p = 0.85, p = 0.11) or complication rates (p = 0.66, p = 0.69). The complication rates were not associated with the sclerosant volume injected (p = 0.76). In addition, no significant differences in clinical success (p = 0.11) or complication rates (p = 0.89) were detected when comparing patients with history of previous treatments compared to therapy-naive patients.

Conclusion

Percutaneous sclerotherapy is both safe and effective for treating VMs of the hand. Even patients with history of previous treatments benefit from further sclerotherapy showing similar low complication rates to therapy-naive patients.

Level of Evidence

Level 4, Retrospective study.
Visual analysis of geospatial multivariate data for investigating radioactive deposition processes
Authors: Takahashi Shigeo , Sakurai Daisuke , Sasaki Miyuki , Miyamura Hiroko N. , Sanada Yukihisa
Published: July 2021

The Fukushima nuclear accident of 2011 raised awareness of the importance of radioactive deposition processes, especially for proposing aerosol measures against possible air pollution. However, identifying these types of processes is often difficult due to complicated terrains. This paper presents an application study for identifying radioactive deposition processes by taking advantage of visual interaction with topographic data. The idea is to visually investigate the correspondence of the spatial positions to the air dose rate along with relevant attributes. This is accomplished by composing scatterplots of pairwise attributes, onto which we project terrain areas to interactively find specific patterns of such attributes. We applied our approach to the analysis of air dose rate distribution data around the Fukushima nuclear plant after the accident. Our visualization technique clearly distinguished contamination areas derived from different deposition processes and thus is useful for elucidation of the deposition process.
No increased injury incidence in the German Bundesliga after the SARS-CoV-2 virus lockdown
Authors: Krutsch Werner , Hadji Abed , Tröß Tobias , Szymski Dominik , aus der Fünten Karen , Gärtner Barbara , Alt Volker , Meyer Tim
Published: July 2021

Introduction

The coronavirus lockdown in 2020 resulted in a worldwide suspension of professional sports. The first major professional football league to restart after the lockdown was the German Bundesliga. This study investigates whether the injury incidence increased after the restart of the season with only 9 days of regular preparation time and without any friendly matches in comparison to three control periods.

Materials and methods

In a prospective cohort study, injury analysis (at least 1 day of absence from official football matches or training sessions) of the German Bundesliga registry was standardised according to Hägglund et al. (Br J Sports Med 39:340–346, 2005) and Fuller et al. (Clin J Sports Med 16:97–106, 2006) for data collection and to previous publications for the validated use of media sources for injury registration. The study period after the lockdown in May and June of the 2019–2020 season was compared to three control periods: the period directly before the lockdown, the beginning of the 2019–2020 season and the 2018–2019 season final.

Results

The nine match days after the restart of the 2019–2020 season showed an overall injury incidence of 4.9 per 1000 h football. This rate was significantly lower than that of the previous season final (9 last match days, overall injury incidence: 6.9 per 1000 h football; p < 0.001) and not increased compared to the rates after the summer break (9 match days; incidence: 5.5/1000 h, p > 0.05) or the winter break (8 match days; incidence: 5.6/1000 h, p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The period after the unexpected break in the 2019–2020 season due to the coronavirus lockdown and the rapid return to competition showed no increase in the injury rate compared to the pre-lockdown period and a lower injury rate than in the previous season final. The unintentional mid-season rest with its potential for physical recovery and individual fitness training seems to have had a positive effect on injury occurrence.
Advanced ocular surface squamous cell carcinoma (OSSC): long-term follow-up
Authors: Savino Gustavo , Cuffaro Giovanni , Maceroni Martina , Pagliara Monica Maria , Sammarco Maria Grazia , Giraldi Luca , Blasi Maria Antonietta
Published: July 2021

Purpose

To analyze the clinical characteristics and long-term follow-up of patients with advanced ocular surface squamous cell carcinoma (OSSC) involving periocular tissues and/or orbit. Primary outcomes were overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall recurrence rate (RR). Secondary outcomes were a correlation between primary outcomes and tumor location, American Joint Committee on Cancer Classification (AJCC) staging system, histological results, surgical margins, and type of treatment. Study design: a retrospective case series.

Methods

The medical records of patients affected by OSSC involving periocular tissues and/or orbit referring, from 01/2011 to 01/2020, to our tertiary referral center were reviewed.

Results

Thirty-six eyes of 36 patients were included. The mean age was 68.2 years; 18 (50%) patients were males. The mean follow-up was 40 months. The RR was 64%. The OS at 12, 24, 36, and 60 months was respectively 97.1%, 92.7%, 92.7%, and 92.7%. The DFS at 12, 24, 36, and 60 months was respectively 62.9%, 50.8%, 41.6%, and 29.7%. Multicentric disease (p = 0.0039), inferior tarsus localization (p = 0.0428), histological diagnosis of high-risk SSCs (p = 0.0264), positive surgical margins (p = 0.0434), and excisional biopsy (EB) alone (p = 0.0005) were associated with an increased risk of recurrence. A shorter OS was observed in patients who underwent EB alone (p = 0.0049).

Conclusion

OSCC involving periocular tissues and/or orbit is an aggressive disease with a high recurrence rate. Multicentric disease, positive surgical margins, inferior tarsus localization, and surgery without adjuvant therapies are strong predictors of recurrence and are the main factors affecting prognosis.
Prediction of the critical temperature of a superconductor by using the WOA/MARS, Ridge, Lasso and Elastic-net machine learning techniques
Authors: García-Nieto Paulino José , García-Gonzalo Esperanza , Paredes-Sánchez José Pablo
Published: July 2021

This study builds a predictive model capable of estimating the critical temperature of a superconductor from experimentally determined physico-chemical properties of the material (input variables): features extracted from the thermal conductivity, atomic radius, valence, electron affinity and atomic mass. This original model is built using a novel hybrid algorithm relied on the multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) technique in combination with a nature-inspired meta-heuristic optimization algorithm termed the whale optimization algorithm (WOA) that mimics the social behavior of humpback whales. Additionally, the Ridge, Lasso and Elastic-net regression models were fitted to the same experimental data for comparison purposes. The results of the current investigation indicate that the critical temperature of a superconductor can be successfully predicted using this proposed hybrid WOA/MARS-based model. Furthermore, the results obtained with the Ridge, Lasso and Elastic-net regression models are clearly worse than those obtained with the WOA/MARS-based model.
When is there a representer theorem?
Authors: Schlegel Kevin
Published: July 2021

We consider a general regularised interpolation problem for learning a parameter vector from data. The well-known representer theorem says that under certain conditions on the regulariser there exists a solution in the linear span of the data points. This is at the core of kernel methods in machine learning as it makes the problem computationally tractable. Most literature deals only with sufficient conditions for representer theorems in Hilbert spaces and shows that the regulariser being norm-based is sufficient for the existence of a representer theorem. We prove necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of representer theorems in reflexive Banach spaces and show that any regulariser has to be essentially norm-based for a representer theorem to exist. Moreover, we illustrate why in a sense reflexivity is the minimal requirement on the function space. We further show that if the learning relies on the linear representer theorem, then the solution is independent of the regulariser and in fact determined by the function space alone. This in particular shows the value of generalising Hilbert space learning theory to Banach spaces.
Equivalence testing of a newly developed interviewer-led telephone script for the EORTC QLQ-C30
Authors: Piccinin Claire , Pe Madeline , Kuliś Dagmara , Shaw James W. , Wheelwright Sally J. , Bottomley Andrew
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life-Core Questionnaire (QLQ-C30) is a widely used generic self-report measure of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for cancer patients. However, no validated voice script for interviewer-led telephone administration was previously available. The aim of this study was to develop a voice script for interviewer administration via telephone.

Methods

Following guidelines from the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) PRO Mixed Modes Good Research Practices Task Force, a randomised cross-over equivalence study, including cognitive debriefing, was conducted to assess equivalence between paper and telephone administration modes. Assuming an expected intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.70 and a minimally acceptable level of 0.50, a sample size of 63 was required.

Results

Cognitive interviews with five cancer patients found the voice script to be clear and understandable. Due to a protocol deviation in the first wave of testing, only 26 patients were available for analyses. A second wave of recruitment was conducted, adding 37 patients (n = 63; mean age 55.48; 65.1% female). Total ICCs for mode comparison ranged from 0.72 (nausea and vomiting, 95% CI 0.48–0.86) to 0.90 (global health status/QoL, 95% CI 0.80–0.95; pain, 95% CI 0.79–0.95; constipation, 95% CI 0.80–0.95). For paper first administration, all ICCs were above 0.70, except nausea and vomiting (ICC 0.55; 95% CI 0.24–0.76) and financial difficulties (ICC 0.60; 95% CI 0.31–0.79). For phone first administration, all ICCs were above 0.70.

Conclusions

The equivalence testing results support the voice script’s validity for administration of the QLQ-C30 via telephone.
Altruism and efficient allocations in three-generation households
Authors: Bartczak Anna , Budziński Wiktor , Chilton Susan , McDonald Rebecca , Nielsen Jytte Seested
Published: July 2021

In this paper we test the efficiency of family resource allocation in three-generation households. Understanding how the so-called “squeezed middle” generation allocates resources towards the children and grandparents in the household will be increasingly important as populations age, and more elderly people become dependent upon their relations for financial support. Despite a large literature on household resource allocation in two-generation households (parents and children), to the best of our knowledge ours is the first study that includes the third generation. We present a theoretical model and conduct a discrete choice experiment in the context of reductions in the lifetime risk of developing coronary artery disease to verify the efficient resource allocation hypothesis. The data is obtained from a large sample of the Polish population. The sample consists of the middle generation members of three-generation households and hence WTP represents household value from the perspective of the “squeezed middle” parent. The results imply that household resource allocation is efficient. This has implications for understanding the likely response to government financial support aimed at supporting elderly people and their families.
Lineament mapping for a part of the Central Sulaiman Fold–Thrust Belt (SFTB), Pakistan
Authors: Wajid Ali Abbas , Anees Muhammad , Alam Shams ul , Gorchani Jodat Kamran , Shahzad Khurram , Israr Asif , Shafique Muhammad
Published: July 2021

This study aims to analyze the lineaments using the field data and a remote sensing approach, to describe their relationship with the folds, faults, and regional tectonic stress of the central Sulaiman Fold-Thrust Belt. Joint data, from nine anticlines, has been collected using the scanline method and classified into three sets (JS1, JS2, and JS3) based on their geometrical relationships. Lineaments extracted from the 30 m digital elevation model have been classified subsequently into three lineament sets (LS1, LS2, and LS3) based on the azimuths from the corresponding joint sets. A very high correlation coefficient (rs = 0.97), between the azimuths of the field joints and the remotely sensed lineaments, has been observed which validates that the lineaments are the regional representation of the local field joints. The geometrical relationship of the lineament sets with the fold hinges indicates that the older LS1 and LS2 are strongly related to the regional folding episode, while the younger LS3 is a result of local shears. The chronological interpretation of the deformational events responsible for the lineament sets is constrained by the presence of the Kingri Fault, which induces a strike-slip component within the study area. Furthermore, the controls on the joint and lineament sets, established using multivariate statistics to decipher the effects of lithological and structural contrasts on the lineament density, reveal that an increase in the lineament density can be attributed to the competence and thickness of the rock units as well as the variable local stresses across the different folds. Based on the orientations of these lineament sets, the cumulative direction of the compressive event in the NW-SE direction (310–320) coincides with the regional stress direction of the SFTB.
Sequential three-step process for the treatment of slaughter house wastewater and its optimization using response surface modeling studies
Authors: Al-Saidi Aliya Said Khalfan , Rashidi Nabila Nasser Said Al , Devi M. Geetha , Joy Varghese Manappallil
Published: July 2021

The rapid growth in the world population and fast developing industrialization have resulted in the acceleration of environmental pollution due to inadequate treatment methods accompanied by depletion of freshwater. The current research focused on the batch treatment of slaughter house wastewater (SWW) using the sequential three-step electro-coagulation (EC)–electro-oxidation (EO)–adsorption column (AC) processes and to compare the optimized values with the Omani National Standards for the application in irrigation purpose. The characterization of SWW before and after treatment was carried out by measuring chemical oxygen demand (COD), total organic carbon (TOC), total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity, ammoniacal nitrogen (NH4–N) and conductivity. The optimization of the treatment processes was performed by response surface methodology (RSM) using central composite design. The maximum response obtained using EC unit was 99% with an operating cost of 2.78 USD/m3. The optimum treatment conditions in EC method were found to be 4.0 pH, electrolysis time of 30 min and electrolyte dosage of 5 g/L, with a current density of 18.11 mA/cm2. The maximum reduction in COD was 97% with an operating cost 0.32 USD/m3. The optimum COD reduction in EO method was 84.5% with an operating cost of 6.87 USD/m3. The optimum process parameters in the EO process were observed at 5.0 pH, 56.22 min electrolysis time with 5 g/L electrolyte dosage and a current density of 5 mA/cm2. The response shows 56.27% reduction in COD with an operating cost of 0.088 USD/m3. The study demonstrates that both EC and EO processes for the reduction of COD have a significant effect on the current density. Using adsorption column (AC) studies, the maximum reduction in COD was 76.8% with negligible operating cost. The optimum pH in the case of AC was 7.5, with an effluent flow rate of 8.63 mL/min, and the responses were found to be 76.067%, which indicates both pH and flow rate have significant effect on the % removal of COD.
Numerical modeling of water hammer in long water transmission pipeline
Authors: Arefi Mohammad Hossein , Ghaeini-Hessaroeyeh Mahnaz , Memarzadeh Rasoul
Published: July 2021

In the present study, a water transmission pipeline under steady conditions is modeled followed by examining the transient flow created by the failure of pumps in the pipeline. This pipeline is 31 km from the water transmission pipeline of Kerman, Iran. The software analysis results were compared with those of a numerical model for a laboratory test to validate transient flow modeling. While transient flows are created by pump failure, various areas of the water transmission pipelines will be affected by the transient waves produced. Long water transmission pipelines, usually large in diameter and flow rate, will pose problems in the negative pressure phase. The negative pressure causes threatening problems like water column separation and cavitation. The results indicated that using equipment like air valves when the pumps fail alone does not have the appropriate efficiency in eliminating the hazards in the water transmission pipelines. More examination showed that installing equipment like water flow feed and hydropneumatic tanks along the pipeline length in the right places prevents the negative pressure created and the pipeline risk significantly reduces.
The exchange of self-incriminating information of athletes between sports organisations and law enforcement
Authors: Hessert Björn
Published: July 2021

Sports organisations generally have the burden of proving sports rule violations of sportspersons subject to their rules and regulations. Sports rule violations can generally be proven by any reliable means. A common approach taken by sports organisations in this respect is the implementation of so-called cooperation and reporting obligations embedded in their regulations. On this basis, athletes can be obliged to provide all kind of documentary evidence related or unrelated to the matter under investigation. This may cause problems to the privilege against self-incrimination of athletes. In addition, obtaining self-incriminating information in internal sports investigations carried out by private sports organisations can have legal and personal consequences that go well beyond the professional life of athletes. The integrity of sport has been characterised as a public interest due to the social impact of amateur and professional sports in most societies. As a consequence, negative sports-related conduct, such as doping or the manipulation of sports competitions, has been criminalised in various national laws to protect sporting values and preserve the role model function of athletes for young members of our society. This development has led to cooperation between sports organisations and law enforcement agencies, such as prosecutors and the police. Specifically, both collaborate in order to assist the other party’s investigations of sports rule violations and criminal offences, respectively. However, the exchange of intelligence between sports organisations and law enforcement may cause some legal tension. If the same misconduct of athletes leads to both internal sports investigations and criminal proceedings, athletes could be forced to provide self-incriminating information in internal sports organisations, which could then be subsequently transmitted to law enforcement. This system of intelligence gathering raises serious concerns regarding the procedural fairness thereof, keeping in mind the detrimental effects for sportspersons under investigations. A closer look is thus necessary to the legitimacy of the exchange of intelligence. Therefore, the aim of this article is to shed some light on this issue and clarify if and under what conditions internally obtained evidence can be passed on to law enforcement agencies.
Has the EU Incentive for Drug Repositioning Been Effective? An Empirical Analysis of the “+1” Regulatory Exclusivity
Authors: Liddicoat Johnathon , Liddell Kathleen , Aboy Mateo , Wested Jakob
Published: July 2021

EU law incentivises drug marketing authorisation holders (MAHs) to find new uses for their compounds (research known as “repositioning”) by offering them an extra year of market protection if the new use is authorised. This extra year, known as the “+1”, was enacted on limited evidence, and no study has examined its effect since it began. Yet, several leading commentators suggest lengthening the +1. This study assesses the effectiveness of the +1 by analysing all the relevant instances of MAHs repositioning their drugs before and after the +1 came into effect. The results show that: (i) 42.2% of MAHs repositioned their drugs before the +1 came into effect, and (ii) once the +1 did come into effect, it did not increase the percentage of MAHs that repositioned their drugs. This study finds that the +1 failed to increase repositioning and then proceeds to consider reform options, including repealing the law. In doing so, this study takes the first steps towards an evidence-based policy for the topic.
Thyroid autoimmunity and hypothyroidism are associated with deep molecular response in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia on tyrosine kinase inhibitors
Authors: Rodia R. , Pani F. , Caocci G. , La Nasa G. , Simula M. P. , Mulas O. , Velluzzi F. , Loviselli A. , Mariotti S. , Boi F.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Thyroid alterations including de novo appearance of thyroid autoimmunity are adverse effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, used in solid and hematologic cancer therapy, but the relationship between thyroid alterations during this treatment and the outcome of chronic myeloid leukemia remains unclear. Aim of this study was to investigate whether the presence of thyroid alterations may affect the clinical outcome of chronic myeloid leukemia on tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Methods

We evaluated thyroid function and autoimmunity in 69 chronic myeloid leukemia patients on long-term therapy looking at the association between thyroid abnormalities and disease molecular response.

Results

Overall, 24 of 69 (34.8%) had one or more thyroid abnormalities during therapy. A high percentage of patients (21/69, 30.4%) showed thyroid autoimmunity (positive thyroid autoantibodies with ultrasound hypoechogenicity), while clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism and subclinical hyperthyroidism were, respectively, found in 4 of 69 (5.8%) and 3 of 69 (4.3%) of cases. Second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors resulted significantly associated (14/32, 43.7%) with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, compared to first generation (7/37, 18.9%; p = 0.03). Interestingly, we also found a significant association between euthyroid (14/26, 53.8%) and hypothyroid Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (4/26, 15.4%) in patients with deep molecular response, as compared to euthyroid (3/43, 7%; p = 0.0001) and hypothyroid (0/43, 0%; p = 0.02) Hashimoto’s thyroiditis patients with major molecular response.

Conclusions

Our study confirms and extends our knowledge on the tyrosine kinase inhibitors effects on thyroid, showing that thyroid autoimmunity is frequently observed in chronic myeloid leukemia patients on long-term therapy and is associated with a better oncological response.
Die Vermittlung der Ungleichheit: Zur symbolischen Ordnung sozialer Unterschiede und wohlfahrtsstaatlicher Rationalität in narrativen Konstruktionen der Mittelschicht
Authors: Barbehön Marlon
Published: July 2021

Die Frage, wann eine Gesellschaft soziale Differenzen als Ungleichheiten erfährt und zum Gegenstand öffentlicher Kontroversen erhebt, lässt sich nicht anhand eines objektiven Maßstabs beantworten. Ungleichheit verweist auf kontingente Deutungs- und Interpretationsleistungen, in denen beobachtbare Differenzen nicht nur als Unterschiede behandelt, sondern in Ungleichheiten transformiert werden. Dabei kommt dem Modus der Erzählung eine wesentliche Rolle zu, da er es möglich macht, gesellschaftliche Komplexität auf ein erfassbares Maß zu reduzieren und ambivalente Phänomene zumindest temporär auf eine bestimmte Bedeutung festzulegen. Der vorliegende Beitrag erörtert die Logik und Funktionsweise derartiger erzählerischer Transformationsleistungen anhand der Kategorie der Mittelschicht, die aufgrund ihrer symbolischen Logik bei narrativen Verarbeitungen sozialer Verhältnisse eine besondere Performativität entfaltet. Anhand der bundesdeutschen medialen Öffentlichkeit wird rekonstruiert, in welche Erzählungen „die Mittelschicht“ eingebunden ist und wie hierüber eine kollektiv wirksame symbolische Ordnung von Ungleichheit sowie korrespondierende Vorstellungen über „rationales“ wohlfahrtsstaatliches Regieren etabliert werden. Es werden vier Narrative unterschieden – das Metanarrativ der Mittelschichtsgesellschaft sowie die Narrative der verdienstvollen, der bedrohten und der bevorzugten Mittelschicht –, die ein je eigenes Bild von der Gestalt, den Ursachen, den Auswirkungen und der (Il‑)Legitimität von Ungleichheit zeichnen und in ihrer Gesamtheit ein kollektives Wissen über soziale Unterschiede und deren Regierbarkeit etablieren. Der Beitrag entschlüsselt somit die narrative Vermittlung von Ungleichheit in zweierlei Weise: zum einen als Praxis der Übermittlung von gesellschaftlicher Komplexität in die Sphäre kollektiver Wahrnehmbarkeit und zum anderen als Praxis der Bezugnahme auf Vorstellungen von der gesellschaftlichen Mitte, die als beweglicher Referenzpunkt fungiert, um Ungleichheit von „bloßen“ Differenzen zu unterscheiden.
Wahrgenommene Gruppennormen und ihre Bedeutung für die soziale Akzeptanz und Ablehnung in Grundschulklassen
Authors: Schwalbe Anja , Müller Christoph M. , Wilbert Jürgen
Published: July 2021

Normen definieren Kriterien für die soziale Akzeptanz und Ablehnung von Kindern in einer Klasse. Welche Normen Grundschulkinder jedoch als relevant für die soziale Akzeptanz bzw. Ablehnung wahrnehmen ist unklar. Dieses Desiderat wurde in einer Interviewstudie (N = 38) und darauf aufbauend in einer Fragebogenstudie (N = 647) adressiert. Die Befunde machen auf die Bedeutung des Sozialverhaltens als wahrgenommene Gruppennorm für die Akzeptanz und Ablehnung aufmerksam, die sich über die Klassenstufen hinweg als stabil erwies. Jahrgangsspezifische Unterschiede fanden sich hingegen für die Bedeutung formeller Normen (z. B. mit Bezug zur Schulleistung), die von Kindern in den höheren Klassenstufen als weniger relevant für den sozialen Status wahrgenommen wurden, als von jenen in den unteren Klassenstufen.
Lactation at Work
Authors: Hoffmann Elizabeth A.
Published: July 2021

In recent decades, as women entered the US workforce in increasing numbers, they faced the conundrum of how to maintain breastfeeding and hold down full-time jobs. In 2010, the Lactation at Work Law (an amendment to the US Fair Labor Standards Act) mandated accommodations for lactating women. This book examines the federal law and its state-level equivalent in Indiana, drawing on two waves of interviews with human resource personnel, supervising managers, and lactating workers. In many ways, this simple law - requiring break time and privacy for pumping - is a success story. Through advocacy by allies, education of managers, and employee initiative, many organizations created compliant accommodations. This book shows legal scholars how a successful civil rights law creates effective change; helps labor activists and management personnel understand how to approach new accommodations; and enables workers to understand the possibilities for amelioration of workplace problems through internal negotiations and legal reforms.
Normative Aspects of Nudging in the International Sphere
Authors: Teichman Doron , Zamir Eyal
Published: July 2021

The use of nudges—“low-cost, choice-preserving, behaviorally informed approaches to regulatory problems”—has become quite popular at the national level in the past decade or so. Examples include changing the default concerning employees’ saving for retirement in a bid to encourage such saving; altering the default about consent to posthumous organ donation to increase the supply of organs for transplantation; and informing people about other people's energy consumption to spur them to reduce theirs. Nudges are therefore used to promote the welfare of the people being nudged, and of society at large. However, the use of nudges has sparked a lively normative debate. When turning to the international arena, new arguments for and against nudges can be raised. This essay focuses on the normative aspects of using nudges in the international arena.
Communicating Drivers of Environmental Change Through Transdisciplinary Human‐Environment Modeling
Authors: Allison Andrew E. F. , Dickson Mark E. , Fisher Karen T. , Thrush Simon F.
Published: July 2021

A scientific storytelling approach is used to communicate results from a transdisciplinary model of human‐environment estuarine systems for the purpose of developing system understanding and improving transdisciplinary communication. Questionnaires and a media analysis are used to collate public perceptions of observed environmental change in estuarine systems, with an agent‐based model developed to investigate the effects of these environmental changes and the complex network of interactions that lead to them. Five scenarios that correspond to the main public interests identified during questionnaire analyses are presented and described using a narrative textual approach; flow diagrams are used to explain model processes and interactions. We test whether the earth science storytelling approach of Phillips (2012), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2012.09.005 can be applied more broadly to transdisciplinary models of complex human‐environment systems. Results indicate that all eight storytelling plots of Phillips (2012), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2012.09.005 are applicable to describing pathways within human‐environment systems and are useful in succinctly explaining complex interactions within such systems; the crucial initial step is determining what needs to be communicated and subsequently deciding on appropriate plot or plots to convey the story.
A Generalized Interpolation Material Point Method for Shallow Ice Shelves. 1: Shallow Shelf Approximation and Ice Thickness Evolution
Authors: Huth Alex , Duddu Ravindra , Smith Ben
Published: July 2021

We develop a generalized interpolation material point method (GIMPM) for the shallow shelf approximation (SSA) of ice flow. The GIMPM, which can be viewed as a particle version of the finite element method, is used here to solve the shallow shelf approximations of the momentum balance and ice thickness evolution equations. We introduce novel numerical schemes for particle splitting and integration at domain boundaries to accurately simulate the spreading of an ice shelf. The advantages of the proposed GIMPM‐SSA framework include efficient advection of history or internal state variables without diffusion errors, automated tracking of the ice front and grounding line at sub‐element scales, and a weak formulation based on well‐established conventions of the finite element method with minimal additional computational cost. We demonstrate the numerical accuracy and stability of the GIMPM using 1‐D and 2‐D benchmark examples. We also compare the accuracy of the GIMPM with the standard material point method (sMPM) and a reweighted form of the sMPM. We find that the grid‐crossing error is very severe for SSA simulations with the sMPM, whereas the GIMPM successfully mitigates this error. While the grid‐crossing error can be reasonably reduced in the sMPM by implementing a simple material point reweighting scheme, this approach it not as accurate as the GIMPM. Thus, we illustrate that the GIMPM‐SSA framework is viable for the simulation of ice sheet‐shelf evolution and enables boundary tracking and error‐free advection of history or state variables, such as ice thickness or damage.
First Concurrent Observations of NO2 and CO2 From Power Plant Plumes by Airborne Remote Sensing
Authors: Fujinawa Tamaki , Kuze Akihiko , Suto Hiroshi , Shiomi Kei , Kanaya Yugo , Kawashima Takahiro , Kataoka Fumie , Mori Shigetaka , Eskes Henk , Tanimoto Hiroshi
Published: July 2021

Combined NO2 and CO2 observations have the potential to constrain the identification of the locations and strength of urban CO2 emissions, in particular, point sources such as power plants. We report the first results of airborne spectroscopic NO2 and CO2 observations over an urban area in Japan in February 2018. Inversed emission rates of two stacks of the coal‐fired power plant for CO2 showed relatively good agreement with those estimated by a bottom‐up inventory—the Regional Emission inventory in ASia (REAS) v3.1—within −7% to 40% because the plume shapes were well identified due to constraint by NO2 measurements. The estimated NOx emission rates showed discrepancies more than 80% with those estimated by the REAS v3.1, mainly due to the uncertainties in activity data and emission factors, or in the greatly varying NO/NO2 ratios in fresh plumes, which warrant further investigations when estimating NOx emissions from satellite NO2 observations on km‐scales.
S100A9 in adult asthmatic patients: a biomarker for neutrophilic asthma
Authors: Quoc Quang Luu , Choi Youngwoo , Thi Bich Tra Cao , Yang Eun-Mi , Shin Yoo Seob , Park Hae-Sim
Published: July 2021

The biomarkers and therapeutic targets of neutrophilic asthma (NA) are poorly understood. Although S100 calcium-binding protein A9 (S100A9) has been shown to correlate with neutrophil activation, its role in asthma pathogenesis has not been clarified. This study investigated the mechanism by which S100A9 is involved in neutrophil activation, neutrophil extracellular trap (NET)-induced airway inflammation, and macrophage polarization in NA. The S100A9 levels (by ELISA) in sera/culture supernatant of peripheral blood neutrophils (PBNs) and M0 macrophages from asthmatic patients were measured and compared to those of healthy controls (HCs). The function of S100A9 was evaluated using airway epithelial cells (AECs) and PBNs/M0 macrophages from asthmatic patients, as well as a mouse asthma model. The serum levels of S100A9 were higher in NA patients than in non-NA patients, and there was a positive correlation between serum S100A9 levels and sputum neutrophil counts (r = 0.340, P = 0.005). Asthmatic patients with higher S100A9 levels had lower PC20 methacholine values and a higher prevalence of severe asthma (SA) (P < .050). PBNs/M0 macrophages from SA released more S100A9 than those from non-SA patients. PBNs from asthmatic patients induced S100A9 production by AECs, which further activated AECs via the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway, stimulated NET formation, and induced M1 macrophage polarization. Higher S100A9 levels in sera, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and lung tissues were observed in the mouse model of NA but not in the other mouse models. These results suggest that S100A9 is a potential serum biomarker and therapeutic target for NA.
SREBP1 site 1 protease inhibitor PF-429242 suppresses renal cell carcinoma cell growth
Authors: Wang Tong-bing , Geng Mei , Jin Hua , Tang Ai-guo , Sun Hao , Zhou Liu-zheng , Chen Bin-hai , Shen Gang , Sun Qiang
Published: July 2021

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells have increased lipogenesis and cholesterol synthesis. Sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP1) is cleaved by site 1 protease (S1P) to release the transcriptionally active amino-terminal domain. PF-429242 is a potent and competitive S1P inhibitor. We here tested its activity in RCC cells. In established and primary human RCC cells, PF-429242 potently inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. The S1P inhibitor provoked apoptosis activation in RCC cells. Furthermore, shRNA-mediated S1P silencing or CRISPR/Cas9-induced S1P knockout led to RCC cell growth inhibition and apoptosis activation. Conversely, ectopic overexpression of SREBP1 or S1P augmented RCC cell proliferation and migration. Daily i.v. injection of a single dose of PF-429242 robustly inhibited RCC xenograft growth in severe combined immunodeficiency mice. Additionally, intratumoral injection of S1P shRNA lentivirus inhibited RCC xenograft growth in mice. SREBP1, S1P, and its target gene low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) were significantly elevated in human RCC tissues. These results suggest that targeting S1P by PF-429242 inhibited RCC cell growth in vitro and in vivo.