bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Calculation of dispersion interactions with the geminal-based ring Coupled Cluster Doubles method
Authors: Margócsy Á. , Szabados Á.
Published: August 2020

The performance of the recently developed multi-reference extension of ring coupled cluster doubles is investigated for dispersion energy calculations, applied to the generalized valence bond wave function. The leading-order contribution to the dispersion energy is shown to have the correct asymptotic behaviour. Illustrative calculations on noble gas dimers are presented.
Qualitative versus automatic evaluation of CT perfusion parameters in acute posterior circulation ischaemic stroke
Authors: Capasso Raffaella , Vallone Stefano , Serra Nicola , Zelent Gabriele , Verganti Luca , Sacchetti Federico , Bigliardi Guido , Picchetto Livio , Caranci Ferdinando , Zini Andrea
Published: August 2020

Purpose

To compare the diagnostic accuracy (ACC) in the detection of acute posterior circulation strokes between qualitative evaluation of software-generated colour maps and automatic assessment of CT perfusion (CTP) parameters.

Methods

Were retrospectively collected 50 patients suspected of acute posterior circulation stroke who underwent to CTP (GE “Lightspeed”, 64 slices) within 24 h after symptom onset between January 2016 and December 2018. The Posterior circulation-Acute Stroke Prognosis Early CT Score (pc-ASPECTS) was used for quantifying the extent of ischaemic areas on non-contrast (NC)CT and colour-coded maps generated by CTP4 (GE) and RAPID (iSchemia View) software. Final pc-ASPECTS was calculated on follow-up NCCT and/or MRI (Philips Intera 3.0 T or Philips Achieva Ingenia 1.5 T). RAPID software also elaborated automatic quantitative mismatch maps.

Results

By qualitative evaluation of colour-coded maps, MTT-CTP4D and Tmax-RAPID showed the highest sensitivity (SE) (88.6% and 90.9%, respectively) and ACC (84% and 88%, respectively) compared with the other perfusion parameters (CBV, CBF). Baseline NCCT and CBF provided by RAPID quantitative perfusion mismatch maps had the lowest SE (29.6% and 6.8%, respectively) and ACC (38% and 18%, respectively). CBF and Tmax assessment provided by quantitative RAPID perfusion mismatch maps showed significant lower SE and ACC than qualitative evaluation. No significant differences were found between the pc-ASPECTSs assessed on colour-coded MTT and Tmax maps neither between the scores assessed on colour-coded CBV-CTP4D and CBF-RAPID maps.

Conclusion

Qualitative analysis of colour-coded maps resulted more sensitive and accurate in the detection of ischaemic changes than automatic quantitative analysis.
New records of plant-parasitic nematodes from Iceland
Authors: Flis Łukasz , Kornobis Franciszek Wojciech , Kubicz Magdalena , Guðmundsson Jón
Published: August 2020

The plant-parasitic nematodes of Iceland are poorly understood. To address this, a study of the nematodes of the families Criconematidae and Hemicycliophoridae was performed in 2015. Soil samples were taken from underneath various host plants in different locations in Iceland. The identification was performed on the basis of the general morphology and subsequently confirmed by molecular markers (D2-D3 28S rDNA). The study revealed the presence of nematode specimens belonging to four species of the family Criconematidae: Criconemoides amorphus, Criconema demani, Mesocriconema xenoplax and Mesocriconema curvatum, as well as one species Hemicycliophora conida of the family Hemicycliophoridae. To our knowledge, this is the first record of the occurrence of these nematode species in Iceland. The species identified are economically important plant-parasitic nematodes of likely interest to—among others—Icelandic plant protection professionals. This report broadens our knowledge of Iceland’s nematode biodiversity; moreover, morphological analyses and molecular data may contribute to better understanding the origin of nematode species on the island of Iceland.
Testosterone serum levels are not predictive of maternal virilization in hyperreactio luteinalis
Authors: Condic Mateja , Merz Waltraut M. , Gembruch Ulrich , Klingmüller Dietrich , Stoffel-Wagner Birgit , Dolscheid-Pommerich Ramona
Published: August 2020

Background

Elevated concentrations of circulating testosterone are present in hyperreactio luteinalis (HL), a pregnancy-specific, self-limited condition. HL is associated with maternal virilization in about 30% of cases. The correlation between testosterone levels and maternal virilization has not yet been quantified. Our aim was to identify a testosterone cut-off level which may allow to predict maternal virilization.

Methods

A literature research was performed. Publications were chosen if serum testosterone concentrations and presence or absence of maternal virilization was mentioned. Additionally, we report serial levels of steroids analyzed by Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) in one case of HL managed at our institution.

Results

In all, 31 cases fulfilled the search criteria. We found significant overlap between testosterone levels in asymptomatic women and women with signs of virilization (range 6.2–37.3 nmol/l and 13.7–197.5 nmol/l, respectively). The method applied for testosterone analysis was mentioned in three reports only. Peak serum testosterone concentration in our case was 120.3 nmol/l.

Conclusion

From the available data, maternal virilization in HL cannot be predicted by the level of circulating testosterone. However, comparability of results is hampered by the analytical methods applied. LC–MS/MS should preferably be used for reporting concentrations of circulating testosterone.
Ortho- and retronasal olfactory performance in rhinosurgical procedures: a longitudinal comparative study
Authors: Besser Gerold , Liu David T. , Sharma Gunjan , Bartosik Tina J. , Kaphle Sebastian , Enßlin Max , Renner Bertold , Mueller Christian A.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Testing olfaction should be an integral part of a clinical work-up in rhinosurgical procedures. Importantly, intact olfactory experience also includes retronasally perceived odors (retronasal olfaction). This study aimed at comprehensively assessing olfaction in patients undergoing rhinosurgical procedures in a comparative manner and evaluating relations to patient-reported outcome measurements (PROMs).

Methods

Each nostril odor threshold and discrimination, and birhinal identification were tested using Sniffin’ Sticks in 14 subjects assigned for septoplasty (SP), 21 for septorhinoplasty (SRP), and 30 for endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). The 27-Candy-Smell-Test was used to quantify retronasal abilities. Tests were repeated 3 months after surgery.

Results

Olfactory dysfunction was preoperatively present in 21% of SP, in 47.6% of SRP, and in 80% of ESS patients. Odor threshold side differences were most frequently found in SRP. Frequently, SRP and ESS patients showed severely impaired retronasal olfaction. Half of included subjects re-visited after 3 months, but olfactory function did not improve overall and rarely on an individual basis to a meaningful extent. Subjective ratings on nasal patency and PROMs were not associated with olfaction nor with changes in olfactory scores.

Conclusion

Olfactory function can decisively be impaired a priori not only in patients awaiting sinus surgery, but also in those assigned for functional septorhinoplasty. This impairment may not improve in the short term, which has to be taken into account in patient counseling. This study adds to the current literature on olfaction in rhinosurgery with the extension of retronasal testing.
The neural correlates of the visual consciousness in schizophrenia: an fMRI study
Authors: Lefebvre S. , Very E. , Jardri R. , Horn M. , Yrondi A. , Delmaire C. , Rascle C. , Dujardin K. , Thomas P. , Pins D.
Published: August 2020

In the current literature, two distinct and opposite models are suggested to explain the consciousness disorders in schizophrenia. The first one suggests that consciousness disorders rely on a low-level processing deficit, when the second model suggests that consciousness disorders rely on disruption in the ability to consciously access information, with preserved unconscious processing. The current study aims to understand the mechanisms associated with visual consciousness disorder in order to pave the road that will settle the debate regarding these hypotheses. During a functional magnetic resonance imaging session, 19 healthy participants (HC) and 15 patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) performed a visual detection task to compare the neural substrates associated with the conscious access to the visual inputs. The visual detection threshold was significantly higher in SCZ than in HC [t(32) = 3.37, p = 0.002]. Whole-brain ANOVA demonstrated that around the visual detection threshold patients with SCZ failed to activate a large network of brain areas compared to HC. (1) During conscious vision, HC engaged more the left cuneus and the right occipital cortex than patients with SCZ, (2) during unconscious vision, HC engaged a large network that patients with SCZ failed to activate, and finally, (3) during the access to consciousness process, patients with SCZ failed to activate the anterior cingulate cortex. These results suggest that the consciousness disorders in schizophrenia rely on specific dysfunctions depending on the consciousness stage. The disorders of the conscious vision are associated with dysfunction of occipital areas while the ones associated with unconscious vision rely on a large widespread network. Finally, the conscious access to the visual inputs is impaired by a dysfunction of the anterior cingulate cortex. The current study suggests that none of the two suggested models can explain consciousness disorders in schizophrenia. We suggest that there is an alternative model supporting that the conscious access to visual inputs is due to a disengagement of the supragenual anterior cingulate during the unconscious processing of the visual inputs associated with a sensory deficit.
Subjective burden and perspectives of German healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Kramer Victoria , Papazova Irina , Thoma Andreas , Kunz Miriam , Falkai Peter , Schneider-Axmann Thomas , Hierundar Anke , Wagner Elias , Hasan Alkomiet
Published: August 2020

Healthcare workers (HCW) face tremendous challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Little is known about the subjective burden, views, and COVID-19 infection status of HCWs. The aim of this work was to evaluate the subjective burden, the perception of the information policies, and the agreement on structural measures in a large cohort of German HCW during the COVID-19 pandemic. This country-wide anonymous online survey was carried out from April 15th until May 1st, 2020. 25 content-related questions regarding the subjective burden and other dimensions were evaluated. We evaluated different dimensions of subjective burden, stress, and perspectives using 5-point Likert-scale questions. Moreover, the individual COVID-19 infection status, the amount of people infected in circle of friends and acquaintances and the hours working overtime were assessed. A total of 3669 HCWs provided sufficient responses for analyses. 2.8% of HCWs reported to have been tested positive for COVID-19. Nurses reported in principle higher ratings on all questions of subjective burden and stress than doctors and other hospital staff. Doctors (3.6%) and nurses (3.1%) were more likely to be tested positive for COVID-19 than other hospital staff (0.6%, Chi
(2)
2
 = 17.39, p < 0.0005). HCWs who worked in a COVID-19 environment reported higher levels of subjective burden and stress compared to all other participants. Working in a COVID-19 environment increased the likelihood to be tested positive for COVID-19 (4.8% vs. 2.3%, Chi
(1)
2
 = 12.62, p < 0.0005) and the severity of the subjective burden. During the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses experience more stress than doctors. Overall, German HCWs showed high scores of agreement with the measures taken by the hospitals.
A 5-year clinical follow-up study from the Italian National Registry for FSHD
Authors: Vercelli Liliana , Mele Fabiano , Ruggiero Lucia , Sera Francesco , Tripodi Silvia , Ricci Giulia , Vallarola Antonio , Villa Luisa , Govi Monica , Maranda Louise , Di Muzio Antonio , Scarlato Marina , Bucci Elisabetta , Maggi Lorenzo , Rodolico Carmelo , Moggio Maurizio , Filosto Massimiliano , Antonini Giovanni , Previtali Stefano , Angelini Corrado , Berardinelli Angela , Pegoraro Elena , Siciliano Gabriele , Tomelleri Giuliano , Santoro Lucio , Mongini Tiziana , Tupler Rossella
Published: August 2020

Background

The natural history of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is undefined.

Methods

An observational cohort study was conducted in 246 FSHD1 patients. We split the analysis between index cases and carrier relatives and we classified all patients using the Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation Form (CCEF). The disease progression was measured as a variation of the FSHD score performed at baseline and at the end of 5-year follow-up (ΔFSHD score).

Findings

Disease worsened in 79.4% (112/141) of index cases versus 38.1% (40/105) of carrier relatives and advanced more rapidly in index cases (ΔFSHD score 2.3 versus 1.2). The 79.1% (38/48) of asymptomatic carriers remained asymptomatic. The highest ΔFSHD score (1.7) was found in subject with facial and scapular weakness at baseline (category A), whereas in subjects with incomplete phenotype (facial or scapular weakness, category B) had lower ΔFSHD score (0.6) p < 0.0001.

Conclusions

The progression of disease is different between index cases and carrier relatives and the assessment of the CCEF categories has strong prognostic effect in FSHD1 patients.
Extended stereotactic brain biopsy in suspected primary central nervous system angiitis: good diagnostic accuracy and high safety
Authors: Stoecklein Veit Michael , Kellert Lars , Patzig Maximilian , Küpper Clemens , Giese Armin , Ruf Viktoria , Weller Jonathan , Kreth Friedrich-Wilhelm , Schöberl Florian
Published: August 2020

Objective

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and safety of extended stereotactic brain biopsy (ESBB) in a single center cohort with suspected primary angiitis of the central nervous system (PACNS).

Methods

A standardized stereotactic biopsy targeting MRI-positive lesions and collecting samples from the meninges and the cortex as well as from the white matter was performed in 23 patients with clinically suspected PACNS between 2010 and 2017. The relationship between biopsy yield and clinical characteristics, cerebrospinal fluid parameters, MR-imaging, time point of biopsy and exact localization of biopsy as well as number of tissue samples were examined.

Results

PACNS was confirmed in 7 of 23 patients (30.4%). Alternative diagnoses were identified in 7 patients (30%). A shorter time period between the onset or worsening of symptoms (p = 0.018) and ESBB significantly increased the diagnostic yield. We observed only minor and transient postoperative complications in 3 patients (13.0%). ESBB led to a direct change of the therapeutic regime in 13 of 23 patients (56.5%). Careful neuropathological analysis furthermore revealed that cortical samples were crucial in obtaining a diagnosis.

Conclusion

ESBB is a safe approach with good feasibility, even in critically ill patients, and high diagnostic accuracy in patients with suspected PACNS changing future therapies in 13 of 23 patients (56.5%). Early biopsy after symptom onset/worsening is crucial and (sub)acute MRI-lesions should be targeted with a particular need for biopsy samples from the cortical layer.
Preoperative leukocytosis and the resection severity index are independent risk factors for survival in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Beetz Oliver , Weigle Clara A. , Cammann Sebastian , Vondran Florian W. R. , Timrott Kai , Kulik Ulf , Bektas Hüseyin , Klempnauer Jürgen , Kleine Moritz , Oldhafer Felix
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The incidence of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is increasing worldwide. Despite advances in surgical and non-surgical treatment, reported outcomes are still poor and surgical resection remains to be the only chance for long-term survival of affected patients. The identification and validation of prognostic factors and scores, such as the recently introduced resection severity index, for postoperative morbidity and mortality are essential to facilitate optimal therapeutic regimens.

Methods

This is a retrospective analysis of 269 patients undergoing resection of histologically confirmed intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma between February 1996 and September 2018 at a tertiary referral center for hepatobiliary surgery. Regression analyses were performed to evaluate potential prognostic factors, including the resection severity index.

Results

Median postoperative follow-up time was 22.93 (0.10–234.39) months. Severe postoperative complications (≥ Clavien-Dindo grade III) were observed in 94 (34.9%) patients. The body mass index (p = 0.035), the resection severity index (ASAT in U/l divided by Quick in % multiplied by the extent of liver resection graded in points; p = 0.006), additional hilar bile duct resection (p = 0.005), and number of packed red blood cells transfused during operation (p = 0.036) were independent risk factors for the onset of severe postoperative complications. Median Kaplan-Meier survival after resection was 27.63 months. Preoperative leukocytosis (p = 0.003), the resection severity index (p = 0.005), multivisceral resection (p = 0.001), and T stage ≥ 3 (p = 0.013) were identified as independent risk factors for survival.

Conclusion

Preoperative leukocytosis and the resection severity index are useful variables for preoperative risk stratification since they were identified as significant predictors for postoperative morbidity and mortality, respectively.
Infliximab in young paediatric IBD patients: it is all about the dosing
Authors: Jongsma Maria M. E. , Winter Dwight A. , Huynh Hien Q. , Norsa Lorenzo , Hussey Seamus , Kolho Kaija-Leena , Bronsky Jiri , Assa Amit , Cohen Shlomi , Lev-Tzion Raffi , Van Biervliet Stephanie , Rizopoulos Dimitris , de Meij Tim G. J. , Shouval Dror S. , Wine Eytan , Wolters Victorien M. , Martinez-Vinson Christine , de Ridder Lissy ,   on behalf of the Paediatric IBD Porto Group of ESPGHAN
Published: August 2020

Infliximab (IFX) is administered intravenously using weight-based dosing (5 mg/kg) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Our hypothesis is that especially young children need a more intensive treatment regimen than the current weight-based dose administration. We aimed to assess IFX pharmacokinetics (PK), based on existing therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) data in IBD patients < 10 years. TDM data were collected retrospectively in 14 centres. Children treated with IFX were included if IFX was started as IBD treatment at age < 10 years (young patients, YP) and PK data were available. Older IBD patients aged 10–18 years were used as controls (older patients, OP). Two hundred and fifteen paediatric inflammatory bowel disease (PIBD) patients were eligible for the study (110 < 10 year; 105 ≥ 10 years). Median age was 8.3 years (IQR 6.9–8.9) in YP compared with 14.3 years (IQR 12.8–15.6) in OP at the start of IFX. At the start of maintenance treatment, 72% of YP had trough levels below therapeutic range (< 5.4 μg/mL). After 1 year of scheduled IFX maintenance treatment, YP required a significantly higher dose per 8 weeks compared with OP (YP; 9.0 mg/kg (IQR 5.0–12.9) vs. OP; 5.5 mg/kg (IQR 5.0–9.3); p < 0.001). The chance to develop antibodies to infliximab was relatively lower in OP than YP (0.329 (95% CI − 1.2 to − 1.01); p < 0.001), while the overall duration of response to IFX was not significantly different (after 2 years 53% (n = 29) in YP vs. 58% (n = 45) in OP; p = 0.56).

Conclusion: Intensification of the induction scheme is suggested for PIBD patients aged < 10 years.

What is Known?

•Infliximab trough levels of paediatric IBD patients are influenced by several factors as dosing scheme, antibodies and inflammatory markers.•In 4.5–30% of the paediatric IBD patients, infliximab treatment was stopped within the first year.

What is New?

•The majority of young PIBD (< 10 years) have inadequate IFX trough levels at the start of maintenance treatment.•Young PIBD patients (< 10 years) were in need of a more intensive treatment regimen compared with older paediatric patients during 1 year of IFX treatment.•The chance to develop antibodies to infliximab was relatively higher in young PIBD patients (< 10 years).
A new framework for sign language alphabet hand posture recognition using geometrical features through artificial neural network (part 1)
Authors: Kolivand Hoshang , Joudaki Saba , Sunar Mohd Shahrizal , Tully David
Published: August 2020

Hand pose tracking is essential in sign languages. An automatic recognition of performed hand signs facilitates a number of applications, especially for people with speech impairment to communication with normal people. This framework which is called ASLNN proposes a new hand posture recognition technique for the American sign language alphabet based on the neural network which works on the geometrical feature extraction of hands. A user’s hand is captured by a three-dimensional depth-based sensor camera; consequently, the hand is segmented according to the depth analysis features. The proposed system is called depth-based geometrical sign language recognition as named DGSLR. The DGSLR adopted in easier hand segmentation approach, which is further used in segmentation applications. The proposed geometrical feature extraction framework improves the accuracy of recognition due to unchangeable features against hand orientation compared to discrete cosine transform and moment invariant. The findings of the iterations demonstrate the combination of the extracted features resulted to improved accuracy rates. Then, an artificial neural network is used to drive desired outcomes. ASLNN is proficient to hand posture recognition and provides accuracy up to 96.78% which will be discussed on the additional paper of this authors in this journal.
In vitro surgical and non-surgical air-polishing efficacy for implant surface decontamination in three different defect configurations
Authors: Tuchscheerer Vivian , Eickholz Peter , Dannewitz Bettina , Ratka Christoph , Zuhr Otto , Petsos Hari
Published: August 2020

Objectives

Evaluation of surgical and non-surgical air-polishing in vitro efficacy for implant surface decontamination.

Material and methods

One hundred eighty implants were distributed to three differently angulated bone defect models (30°, 60°, 90°). Biofilm was imitated using indelible red color. Sixty implants were used for each defect, 20 of which were air-polished with three different types of glycine air powder abrasion (GAPA1–3) combinations. Within 20 equally air-polished implants, a surgical and non-surgical (with/without mucosa mask) procedure were simulated. All implants were photographed to determine the uncleaned surface. Changes in surface morphology were assessed using scanning electron micrographs (SEM).

Results

Cleaning efficacy did not show any significant differences between GAPA1–3 for surgical and non-surgical application. Within a cleaning method significant (p < 0.001) differences for GAPA2 between 30° (11.77 ± 2.73%) and 90° (7.25 ± 1.42%) in the non-surgical and 30° (8.26 ± 1.02%) and 60° (5.02 ± 0.84%) in the surgical simulation occurred. The surgical use of air-polishing (6.68 ± 1.66%) was significantly superior (p < 0.001) to the non-surgical (10.13 ± 2.75%). SEM micrographs showed no surface damages after use of GAPA.

Conclusions

Air-polishing is an efficient, surface protective method for surgical and non-surgical implant surface decontamination in this in vitro model. No method resulted in a complete cleaning of the implant surface.

Clinical relevance

Air-polishing appears to be promising for implant surface decontamination regardless of the device.
Accuracy of intraoral scanning in completely and partially edentulous maxillary and mandibular jaws: an in vitro analysis
Authors: Schimmel Martin , Akino Norio , Srinivasan Murali , Wittneben Julia-Gabriela , Yilmaz Burak , Abou-Ayash Samir
Published: August 2020

Objectives

New generation intraoral scanners are promoted to be suitable for digital scans of long-span edentulous spaces and completely edentulous arches; however, the evidence is lacking. The current study evaluated the accuracy of intraoral scanning (IOS) in partially and completely edentulous arch models and analyzed the influence of operator experience on accuracy.

Materials and methods

Four different resin models (completely and partially edentulous maxilla and mandible) were scanned, using a new generation IOS device (n = 20 each). Ten scans of each model were performed by an IOS-experienced and an inexperienced operator. An industrial high-precision scanner was employed to obtain reference scans. IOS files of each model-operator combination, their respective reference scan files (n = 10 each; total = 80), as well as the IOS files from each model generated by the same operator, were superimposed (n = 45; total = 360) to calculate trueness and precision. An ANOVA for mixed models and post hoc t tests for mixed models were used to assess group-wise differences (α = 0.05).

Results

The median overall trueness and precision were 24.2 μm (IQR 20.7–27.4 μm) and 18.3 μm (IQR 14.4–22.1 μm), respectively. The scans of the inexperienced operator had significantly higher trueness in the edentulous mandibular model (p = 0.0001) and higher precision in the edentulous maxillary model (p = 0.0004).

Conclusion

The accuracy of IOS for partially and completely edentulous arches in in vitro settings was high. Experience with IOS had small influence on the accuracy of the scans.

Clinical relevance

IOS with the tested new generation intraoral scanner may be suitable for the fabrication of removable dentures regardless of clinician’s experience in IOS.
Strongly stable C-stationary points for mathematical programs with complementarity constraints
Authors: Hernández Escobar Daniel , Rückmann Jan-J.
Published: August 2020

In this paper we consider the class of mathematical programs with complementarity constraints (MPCC). Under an appropriate constraint qualification of Mangasarian–Fromovitz type we present a topological and an equivalent algebraic characterization of a strongly stable C-stationary point for MPCC. Strong stability refers to the local uniqueness, existence and continuous dependence of a solution for each sufficiently small perturbed problem where perturbations up to second order are allowed. This concept of strong stability was originally introduced by Kojima for standard nonlinear optimization; here, its generalization to MPCC demands a sophisticated technique which takes the disjunctive properties of the solution set of MPCC into account.
Future projections of biodiversity and ecosystem services in Europe with two integrated assessment models
Authors: Veerkamp Clara J. , Dunford Robert W. , Harrison Paula A. , Mandryk Maryia , Priess Jörg A. , Schipper Aafke M. , Stehfest Elke , Alkemade Rob
Published: August 2020

Projections of future changes in biodiversity and ecosystem services (BES) are of increasing importance to inform policy and decision-making on options for conservation and sustainable use of BES. Scenario-based modelling is a powerful tool to assess these future changes. This study assesses the consequences for BES in Europe under four socio-environmental scenarios designed from a BES perspective. We evaluated these scenarios using two integrated assessment models (IMAGE-GLOBIO and CLIMSAVE IAP, respectively). Our results showed that (i) climate and land use change will continue to pose significant threats to biodiversity and some ecosystem services, even in the most optimistic scenario; (ii) none of the four scenarios achieved overall preservation of BES in Europe; and (iii) targeted policies (e.g. on climate change, biodiversity conservation and sustainable land management) and behavioural change (e.g. reducing meat consumption, water-saving behaviour) reduced the magnitude of BES loss. These findings stress the necessity of more ambitious policies and actions if BES in Europe are to be safeguarded. We further found that the multi-modelling approach was critical to account for complementary BES dimensions and highlighted different sources of uncertainties (e.g. related to land use allocation, driving forces behind BES changes, trade assumptions), which facilitated nuanced and contextualised insights with respect to possible BES futures.
Vectors of disease at the northern distribution limit of the genus Dermacentor in Eurasia: D. reticulatus and D. silvarum
Authors: Rubel Franz , Brugger Katharina , Belova Oxana A. , Kholodilov Ivan S. , Didyk Yuliya M. , Kurzrock Lina , García-Pérez Ana L. , Kahl Olaf
Published: August 2020

The two ixodid tick speciesDermacentor reticulatus(Fabricius) andDermacentor silvarumOlenev occur at the northern distribution limit of the genusDermacentorin Eurasia, within the belt of$$34{-}60^\circ ~ \hbox {N}$$34-60∘Nlatitude. Whilst the distribution area ofD. reticulatusextends from the Atlantic coast of Portugal to Western Siberia, that ofD. silvarumextends from Western Siberia to the Pacific coast. In Western Siberia, the distribution areas of the twoDermacentorspecies overlap. Although the two tick species are important vectors of disease, detailed information concerning the entire distribution area, climate adaptation, and proven vector competence is still missing. A dataset was compiled, resulting in 2188 georeferencedD. reticulatusand 522D. silvarumlocations. Up-to-date maps depicting the geographical distribution and climate adaptation of the twoDermacentorspecies are presented. To investigate the climate adaptation of the two tick species, the georeferenced locations were superimposed on a high-resolution map of the Köppen–Geiger climate classification. The frequency distribution ofD. reticulatusunder different climates shows two major peaks related to the following climates: warm temperate with precipitation all year round (57%) and boreal with precipitation all year round (40%). The frequency distribution ofD. silvarumshows also two major peaks related to boreal climates with precipitation all year round (30%) and boreal winter dry climates (60%).Dermacentor silvarumseems to be rather flexible concerning summer temperatures, which can range from cool to hot. In climates with cool summersD. reticulatusdoes not occur, it prefers warm and to a lesser extent hot summers. Lists are given in this paper for cases of proven vector competence for various agents of bothDermacentorspecies. For the first time, the entire distribution areas ofD. reticulatusandD. silvarumwere mapped using georeferenced data. Their climate adaptations were quantified by Köppen profiles.
Hurricanes, climate change, and social welfare: evidence from the Caribbean
Authors: Spencer Nekeisha , Strobl Eric
Published: August 2020

We examine whether Caribbean islands will be worse off as hurricane activity alters under climate change. To this end, we construct island level damages for synthetic storm tracks generated from four climate models under current and future climate settings. Using a flexible stochastic dominance preference ordering framework, we find that the fat-tailed and uncertain nature of the distribution of storms makes it difficult to conclude that the region will be worse off under climate change, and is likely to depend on the degree of adaptation.
On the assessment of software defect prediction models via ROC curves
Authors: Morasca Sandro , Lavazza Luigi
Published: August 2020

Software defect prediction models are classifiers often built by setting a threshold t on a defect proneness model, i.e., a scoring function. For instance, they classify a software module non-faulty if its defect proneness is below t and positive otherwise. Different values of t may lead to different defect prediction models, possibly with very different performance levels. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves provide an overall assessment of a defect proneness model, by taking into account all possible values of t and thus all defect prediction models that can be built based on it. However, using a defect proneness model with a value of t is sensible only if the resulting defect prediction model has a performance that is at least as good as some minimal performance level that depends on practitioners’ and researchers’ goals and needs. We introduce a new approach and a new performance metric (the Ratio of Relevant Areas) for assessing a defect proneness model by taking into account only the parts of a ROC curve corresponding to values of t for which defect proneness models have higher performance than some reference value. We provide the practical motivations and theoretical underpinnings for our approach, by: 1) showing how it addresses the shortcomings of existing performance metrics like the Area Under the Curve and Gini’s coefficient; 2) deriving reference values based on random defect prediction policies, in addition to deterministic ones; 3) showing how the approach works with several performance metrics (e.g., Precision and Recall) and their combinations; 4) studying misclassification costs and providing a general upper bound for the cost related to the use of any defect proneness model; 5) showing the relationships between misclassification costs and performance metrics. We also carried out a comprehensive empirical study on real-life data from the SEACRAFT repository, to show the differences between our metric and the existing ones and how more reliable and less misleading our metric can be.
Frictions and taxpayer responses: evidence from bunching at personal tax thresholds
Authors: Adam Stuart , Browne James , Phillips David , Roantree Barra
Published: August 2020

We exploit kinks and notches in the UK personal tax schedule over a 40-year period to investigate how taxpayers respond to income tax and social security contributions. At kinks, where the marginal rate rises, we find bunching by company owner-managers and the self-employed, but not those with only employment income. Responses to notches, where the average rate rises, provide compelling evidence that this is because most employees face substantial frictions: fewer than a quarter bunch even where doing so would increase both consumption and leisure. We develop a new approach for identifying selection in who responds and for decomposing responses into hours and wage components. We find that those employees who do bunch at notches are almost exclusively part-time workers, but tend to have lower wages and work more hours than those part-time workers who do not bunch.
Frequency- and time-resolved photocurrents in vacuum-deposited stabilised a-Se films: the role of valence alternation defects
Authors: Jacobs Janet , Belev George , Brookfield Adam , Tuna Floriana , Kasap Safa , Curry Richard J.
Published: August 2020

Stabilised amorphous selenium (a-Se) is currently used in the majority of direct conversion mammographic X-ray imaging detectors due to its X-ray photoconductivity and its ability to be uniformly deposited over large area TFT substrates by conventional vacuum deposition. We report experimental results on photocurrent spectroscopy (frequency-resolved spectroscopy (FRS) and single-time transients), on vacuum-deposited a-Se films. We show that all measured photocurrents depend critically on the relative time spent by the material in the light and in the dark. We identify that the observed pronounced variation in optical response depends on the density of trapped (optically injected) charge within 200 nm of the surface and show that it is the ratio of dark and light exposure time that controls the density of such charge. Our data confirm that the localised charge radically influences the photocurrent transient shape due to the effective screening of the applied field within 200 nm of the surface. The field modification occurs over the optical extinction depth and changes both the photogeneration process and the drift of carriers. Many aspects of our data carry the signature of known properties of valence alternation pair (VAP) defects, which control many properties of a-Se. Modelling in the time domain shows that light generation of VAPs followed by optically triggered VAP defect conversion can lead to near-surface charge imbalance, demonstrating that VAP defects can account for the unusual optical response. The stabilised a-Se films were deposited above the glass transition temperature of the alloy with composition a-Se:0.3% As doped with ppm Cl. Electron paramagnetic resonance measurements at temperatures down to 5 K did not detect any spin active defects, even under photoexcitation above band gap.
Geographical variation in malignant and benign/borderline brain and CNS tumor incidence: a comparison between a high-income and a middle-income country
Authors: Wanner Miriam , Rohrmann Sabine , Korol Dimitri , Shenglia Nino , Gigineishvili Teimuraz , Gigineishvili David
Published: August 2020

Purpose

There is large variability in reported incidence rates of primary brain/CNS tumors across the world, with mostly higher rates in higher-income countries. The aim was to compare malignant and benign brain/CNS tumor incidence between Zurich (Switzerland), a high-income country, and Georgia, a lower middle-income country.

Methods

For the period March 2009 to February 2012, we extracted the following tumors based on topography according to ICD-O3: C70.0–C72.9, and C75.1 (pituitary gland). Data were categorized into histology groups based on the WHO 2007 histological classification. Age-standardized rates per 100,000 person-years were calculated by subgroups.

Results

We included 1104 and 1476 cases of primary brain/CNS tumors for Zurich and Georgia, respectively. Mean age of patients was significantly lower in Georgia compared to Zurich (50.0 versus 58.3 years). Overall age-standardized incidence rates for malignant and benign brain/CNS tumors were 10.5 (95% CI 9.9–11.0) for Georgia and 23.3 (95% CI 21.9–24.7) for Zurich with a ratio of benign to malignant tumors of 1.656 for Georgia and 1.946 for Zurich. The most frequent histology types were meningiomas in both regions, followed by glioblastomas in Zurich, but pituitary tumors in Georgia.

Conclusion

Age-adjusted incidence rates of brain/CNS tumors were considerably higher in Zurich compared to Georgia, both for benign and malignant tumors, which is in line with other studies reporting higher rates in high-income than in low- and middle-income countries. The frequency distribution may be related to differences in diagnosing techniques and the population age structure.
Quality of life and distress assessed with self and external assessment screening tools in patients with hematologic malignancies attending treatment in an acute hospital
Authors: Senf Bianca , Grabowski Kirsten , Spielmann Natascha , Fettel Jens
Published: August 2020

Purpose

In this study, we examined distress levels and quality of life (QoL) of patients with hematologic malignancies under treatment in an acute setting. We used external- and self-assessment instruments for distress. Additionally, we investigated the relation between distress and QoL as well as whether highly distressed patients differed from less distressed patients concerning their QoL.

Methods

A cross-sectional study with patients of the Medical Clinic II of the University Hospital Frankfurt was conducted. One hundred and nine patients were assessed with an expert rating scale and completed self-report questionnaires. Data were exploratively analyzed and group comparisons between patients who scored above the cut-off of the respective screening instruments and those who did not were conducted.

Results

Patients with hematologic malignancies experience high levels of distress and low QoL. Especially, role and social functioning are affected. Patients suffer most from fatigue, appetite loss, and insomnia. Using established cut-offs, all screening instruments were able to differentiate between patients regarding distress and QoL. Patients scoring above the cut-off were significantly more distressed and had a lower QoL. There was a medium-to-strong correlation between distress and QoL indicators.

Conclusion

Cancer-specific screening instruments seem to be able to identify treatment needs more specifically. They also allowed a better differentiation concerning QoL. The close link between distress and QoL needs to be recognized to enable a holistic approach to treatment and thereby optimize the quality of treatment.
Referring Phrases with Deictic Indication and the Issue of Comprehensibility of Texts of Normative Acts: The Case of Polish Codes
Authors: Kłodawski Maciej
Published: August 2020

The paper focuses on a specific type of referring legal provisions, in which the referring phrase contains a component that indicates the position of a certain fragment of the same text of a normative act by determining the position of that fragment in relation to the fragment in which the given referring phrase is located. Despite the fact that these referrals, called deictic, may be perceived as uncomplicated in structure and as functioning correctly in legal texts, many theoretical as well as practical problems arise during their drafting and legal interpretation. The article attempts to reveal, organize and name these problems basing on the conceptual grid formulated by Studnicki, Łachwa, Fall and Stabrawa as a universal, although not widely known outside Polish jurisprudence, tool for analysing and solving referring provisions as elements of various legal systems, especially continental ones. Texts of selected Polish Codes have been chosen as an illustrative material of deictic referrals which have been incorrectly formulated as leaving space for interpretative doubts in terms of place of indication (demonstratum) and place of reference (referent), which also causes a potential problem of the deferred ostension phenomenon noticed by Quine. The author argues that proper drafting of referring legal provisions with deictic indication requires that the legislator should have extensive pragmalinguistic knowledge and is an essential part of law-making oriented towards achieving comprehensibility of texts of normative acts, especially as important as Codes.
Treacherous Elasticity, Callous Boundaries: Aspiring Volunteer Initiatives in the Field of Refugee Support in Rotterdam
Authors: van der Veer Lieke
Published: August 2020

This contribution focuses on volunteer initiatives that seek to assist refugee status holders in Rotterdam. It studies initiatives that are still in the process of fine-tuning their focus, grappling for funds, searching for volunteers, and seeking collaborations. The article lays bare the inequalities that such aspiring initiatives can be premised on and produce. In analyzing moments in which the label of ‘volunteer’ is rejected—or instead celebrated or transformed—this article demonstrates that the elastic representation of volunteering clashes with callous boundaries between ‘being only a volunteer’ and ‘doing something together.’ These boundaries are heartfelt by the organizers of these aspiring initiatives, who often have a refugee background themselves. By understanding inequality in volunteering in relation to debates about active citizenship, this article seeks to examine the workings of the glass ceiling that hinders the organizers of volunteer initiatives to transition into a position they consider more credible and professional.
Towards an integral perspective on leveraging sustainability transformations using the theory of modal aspects
Authors: Wigboldus S. , Jochemsen H.
Published: August 2020

Engaging appropriately with sustainability transformations requires adopting an integral perspective on related system dynamics. This view underpins the sustainable development goals. Informing policy and decision making from a consistently integral perspective, however, remains a key challenge. To some extent, the leverage points approach has proved useful in doing so in terms of providing an encompassing view on related options for intervening in systems. There are, however, a number of points in which it needs to be complemented by other approaches to better address the need for an integral perspective on sustainability transformations as well as to better address the need for being able to articulate normative perspectives on transformation processes and outcomes. We argue that the theory of modal aspects is a good candidate for doing so. To illustrate its potential, we explore its characteristics, we illustrate its application opportunities in the analysis of sustainability in food systems transitions, we systematically compare leverage points and modal aspects, and close with an exploration of ways in which the leverage points approach and theory of modal aspects can be considered complementary perspectives. The authors conclude that the theory of modal aspects offers opportunities for enriching both the leverage points approach and wider approaches in sustainability transformations by offering a consistently integral perspective across scale levels, and by offering a number of ways of engaging with normativity in related processes without resorting to fixed political views. This articulates its potential for playing a useful role in related multi-stakeholder processes and sustainability governance.
Magnetic Effects on Microstructure and Solute Plume Dynamics of Directionally Solidifying Ga-In Alloy
Authors: Kao Andrew , Shevchenko Natalia , He Shengya , Lee Peter D. , Eckert Sven , Pericleous Koulis
Published: August 2020

The effects of applying a 0.2-T transverse magnetic field on a solidifying Ga-25 wt%In alloy have been investigated through a joint experimental and numerical study. The magnetic field introduced significant changes to both the microstructure and the dynamics of escaping high-concentration Ga plumes. Plume migration across the interface was quantified and correlated to simulations to demonstrate that thermoelectric magnetohydrodynamics (TEMHD) is the underlying mechanism. TEMHD introduced macrosegregation within the dendritic structure, leading to the formation of a stable “chimney” channel by increasing the solutal buoyancy in the flow direction. The resulting pressure difference across the solidification front introduced a secondary hydrodynamic phenomenon that subsequently caused solute plume migration.
Instrumental Robots
Authors: Köhler Sebastian
Published: August 2020

Advances in artificial intelligence research allow us to build fairly sophisticated agents: robots and computer programs capable of acting and deciding on their own (in some sense). These systems raise questions about who is responsible when something goes wrong—when such systems harm or kill humans. In a recent paper, Sven Nyholm has suggested that, because current AI will likely possess what we might call “supervised agency”, the theory of responsibility for individual agency is the wrong place to look for an answer to the question of responsibility. Instead, or so argues Nyholm, because supervised agency is a form of collaborative agency—of acting together—the right place to look is the theory of collaborative responsibility—responsibility in cases of acting together. This paper concedes that current AI will possess supervised agency, but argues that it is nevertheless wrong to think of the relevant human-AI interactions as a form of collaborative agency and, hence, that responsibility in cases of collaborative agency is not the right place to look for the responsibility-grounding relation in human-AI interactions. It also suggests that the right place to look for this responsibility-grounding relation in human-AI interactions is the use of certain sorts of agents as instruments.