bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determinants of school attendance in elementary school students in Japan: a structural equation model
Authors: Nakamura-Thomas Hiromi , Sano Nobuyuki , Maciver Donald
Published: July 2021

Background

Managing school nonattendance is a priority worldwide. Frequent school nonattendance in early school years has immediate and long-term negative effects. Although strategies to address nonattendance are being developed and implemented, the number of students with school nonattendance issues is increasing. In this study, we explored students’ feelings and perceptions about attending school and the potential determinants of a positive attitude towards attending school.

Methods

We hypothesized that a positive perception towards attending school was influenced by relationships, perceptions of current circumstances, subjective health, and having someone to share experiences and thoughts with. For examining the hypothesized model, an original questionnaire with 14 items was developed, including perceptions towards school attendance (an item), relationships with friends and school teachers (5 items), current circumstances (4 items), subjective health (3 items), and the individuals available to share experiences and thoughts with (1 item). In total, 6860 children submitted the questionnaire (85.3% response rate) and 6841 responses were included to examine the model. Children were 10 or 11 years old, and selected from 111 state-run schools in 8 randomly selected school districts.

Results

The final model demonstrated good fit and showed that the latent variable of relationships with friends and school teachers directly impacted on how children felt about attending school. The latent variable of subjective health also directly impacted on how children felt about attending school but not strongly. Other latent variables were not significant.

Conclusions

The importance of positive relationships with friends and teachers in overcoming school nonattendance has been emphasized in previous studies. This study has provided evidence that these relationships impacted children’s positive perception about attending school in a large sample of students aged 10–11 years. The latent variable of subjective health may require more items to capture mental health.
TLR2 deficiency promotes IgE and inhibits IgG1 class-switching following ovalbumin sensitization
Authors: Li Yuqin , Chen Qiu , Ji Wei , Fan Yujie , Huang Li , Chu Chu , Zhou Weifang
Published: July 2021

Background

To explore the roles of Toll-like receptor (TLR)2 in Th2 cytokine production and immunoglobulin (Ig) class switching following ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization.

Methods

TLR2−/−and wild-type C57BL/6 mice were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection with OVA. Lung pathology was assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Abundance of interleukin (IL)4, IL5, IL13, and IL21 transcripts in the lungs was quantified by RT-PCR. OVA-specific IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, IgE and IgM were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 in lung tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry staining and nuclear factor (NF) κB activation was measured by immunofluorescence staining. STAT3 activation was inhibited using cryptotanshinone (CPT) treatment. Germline transcripts (Iμ-Cμ, Iγ-Cγ, Iα-Cα or Iε-Cε), post-recombination transcripts (Iμ-Cγ, Iμ-Cα or Iμ- Cε) and mature transcripts (VHDJH-Cγ, VHDJH-Cα or VHDJH-Cε) were analyzed from splenic B cells of OVA-sensitized wild-type mice (with or without CPT treatment) and TLR2−/−mice (with or without IL21 treatment).

Results

The lungs of TLR2−/−mice showed a lesser degree of inflammation than wild-type mice after OVA sensitization. Following OVA sensitization, levels of IL4, IL13, and IL21, but not IL5, were significantly lower in TLR2−/−compared with wild-type mice. Moreover, OVA-specific IgG1 and IgE titers were markedly lower and higher, respectively, in TLR2−/−mice. TLR2 deficiency inhibited STAT3 activation but not NF-κB p65 activation. CPT treatment reduced IgG1 titers via inhibition of Stat3 phosphorylation. Both TLR2 knockout and CPT treatment reduced the frequencies of Iγ1-Cγ1, Iγ3-Cγ3 and Iα-Cα transcripts, but IL21 treatment compensated for the effects of TLR2 deficiency.

Conclusion

These results suggest a role of TLR2 in restricting OVA-sensitized lung inflammation via promotion of IgG1 and inhibition of IgE class switching regulated by IL21 and STAT3.
Sublethal doxorubicin promotes migration and invasion of breast cancer cells: role of Src Family non-receptor tyrosine kinases
Authors: Mohammed Samia , Shamseddine Achraf A. , Newcomb Benjamin , Chavez Ronald S. , Panzner Tyler D. , Lee Allen H. , Canals Daniel , Okeoma Chioma M. , Clarke Christopher J. , Hannun Yusuf A.
Published: July 2021

Background

Doxorubicin (Dox) is a widely used chemotherapy, but its effectiveness is limited by dose-dependent side effects. Although lower Dox doses reduce this risk, studies have reported higher recurrence of local disease with no improvement in survival rate in patients receiving low doses of Dox. To effectively mitigate this, a better understanding of the adverse effects of suboptimal Dox doses is needed.

Methods

Effects of sublethal dose of Dox on phenotypic changes were assessed with light and confocal microscopy. Migratory and invasive behavior were assessed by wound healing and transwell migration assays. MTT and LDH release assays were used to analyze cell growth and cytotoxicity. Flow cytometry was employed to detect cell surface markers of cancer stem cell population. Expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinases were probed with qRT-PCR and zymogen assay. To identify pathways affected by sublethal dose of Dox, exploratory RNAseq was performed and results were verified by qRT-PCR in multiple cell lines (MCF7, ZR75-1 and U-2OS). Regulation of Src Family kinases (SFK) by key players in DNA damage response was assessed by siRNA knockdown along with western blot and qRT-PCR. Dasatinib and siRNA for Fyn and Yes was employed to inhibit SFKs and verify their role in increased migration and invasion in MCF7 cells treated with sublethal doses of Dox.

Results

The results show that sublethal Dox treatment leads to increased migration and invasion in otherwise non-invasive MCF7 breast cancer cells. Mechanistically, these effects were independent of the epithelial mesenchymal transition, were not due to increased cancer stem cell population, and were not observed with other chemotherapies. Instead, sublethal Dox induces expression of multiple SFK—including Fyn, Yes, and Src—partly in a p53 and ATR-dependent manner. These effects were validated in multiple cell lines. Functionally, inhibiting SFKs with Dasatinib and specific downregulation of Fyn suppressed Dox-induced migration and invasion of MCF7 cells.

Conclusions

Overall, this study demonstrates that sublethal doses of Dox activate a pro-invasive, pro-migration program in cancer cells. Furthermore, by identifying SFKs as key mediators of these effects, our results define a potential therapeutic strategy to mitigate local invasion through co-treatment with Dasatinib.
Microbial Interventions to Control and Reduce Blood Pressure in Australia (MICRoBIA): rationale and design of a double-blinded randomised cross-over placebo controlled trial
Authors: Rhys-Jones Dakota , Climie Rachel E. , Gill Paul A. , Jama Hamdi A. , Head Geoffrey A. , Gibson Peter R. , Kaye David M. , Muir Jane G. , Marques Francine Z.
Published: July 2021

Background

Hypertension is a prevalent chronic disease worldwide that remains poorly controlled. Recent studies support the concept that the gut microbiota is involved in the development of hypertension and that dietary fibre intake may act through the gut microbiota to lower blood pressure (BP). Resistant starch is a type of prebiotic fibre which is metabolised by commensal bacteria in the colon to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including acetate, propionate, and butyrate. Previous work in pre-clinical models provides strong evidence that both prebiotic fibre as well as SCFAs (i.e. postbiotics) can prevent the development of hypertension. The aim of this clinical trial is to determine if acetylated and butyrylated modified resistant starch can decrease BP of hypertensive individuals via the modulation of the gut microbiota and release of high levels of SCFAs.

Methods

This is a phase IIa double-blinded, randomised, cross-over, placebo controlled trial. Participants are randomly allocated to receive either a diet containing 40 g/day of the modified resistant starch or placebo (corn starch or regular flour) for 3 weeks on each diet, with a 3-week washout period between the two diets. BP is measured in the office, at home, and using a 24-h ambulatory device. Arterial stiffness is measured using carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity. Our primary endpoint is a reduction in ambulatory daytime systolic BP. Secondary endpoints include changes to circulating cytokines, immune markers, and modulation to the gut microbiome.

Discussion

The findings of this study will provide the first evidence for the use of a combination of pre- and postbiotics to lower BP in humans. The results are expected at the end of 2021.

Trial registration

Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry ACTRN12619000916145. Registered on 1 July 2019.
Higher levels of anti-phosphorylcholine autoantibodies in early rheumatoid arthritis indicate lower risk of incident cardiovascular events
Authors: Ajeganova Sofia , Andersson Maria L. E. , Frostegård Johan , Hafström Ingiäld
Published: July 2021

Background

The increased risk of cardiovascular events (CVE) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is not fully explained by traditional risk factors. Immuno-inflammatory mechanisms and autoantibodies could be involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic disease. It has been suggested that anti-phosphorylcholine antibodies (anti-PC) of the IgM subclass may have atheroprotective effects. Here, we aimed to investigate the association between levels of IgM anti-PC antibodies with CVE in patients with early RA.

Methods

The study population was derived from the BARFOT early RA cohort, recruited in 1994–1999. The outcome of incident CVE (AMI, angina pectoris, coronary intervention, ischemic stroke, TIA) was tracked through the Swedish Hospital Discharge and the National Cause of Death Registries. Sera collected at inclusion and the 2-year visit were analyzed with ELISA to determine levels of anti-PC IgM. The Kaplan-Meier estimates and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to compare CV outcome in the groups categorized by baseline median level of IgM anti-PC.

Results

In all, 653 patients with early RA, 68% women, mean (SD) age 54.8 (14.7) years, DAS28 5.2 (1.3), 68% seropositive, and without prevalent CVD, were included. During the follow-up of mean 11.7 years, 141 incident CVE were recorded.

Baseline IgM anti-PC above median was associated with a reduction in risk of incident CVE in patients aged below 55 years at inclusion, HR 0.360 (95% CI, 0.142–0.916); in males, HR 0.558 (0.325–0.958); in patients with BMI above 30 kg/m2, HR 0.235 (0.065–0.842); and in those who did not achieve DAS28 remission at 1 year, HR 0.592 (0.379–0.924). The pattern of associations was confirmed in the models with AUC IgM anti-PC over 2 years.

Conclusion

Protective effects of higher levels of innate IgM anti-PC autoantibodies on CVE were detected in younger patients with RA and those at high risk of CVE: males, presence of obesity, and non-remission at 1 year.
Heterogeneity amongst GLP-1 RA cardiovascular outcome trials results: can definition of established cardiovascular disease be the missing link?
Authors: Melo Miguel , Gavina Cristina , Silva-Nunes José , Andrade Luís , Carvalho Davide
Published: July 2021

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of adverse outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes, and all new anti-diabetic agents are mandated to undergo cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOTs). Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) are incretin mimetics that reduce blood glucose levels with a low associated risk of hypoglycaemia. CVOTs with different GLP-1 RAs yielded different results in terms of major cardiovascular composite outcome (MACE), with some trials showing superiority in the treatment arm, whereas other simply displayed non-inferiority. More importantly, the significance of each component of MACE varied between drugs. This begs the question of whether these differences are due to dissimilarities between drugs or other factors, namely trial design, are at the root of these differences. We analyse the trial designs for all CVOTs with GLP-1 RAs and highlight important differences between them, namely in terms of definition of established cardiovascular disease, and discuss how these differences might explain the disparate results of the trials and preclude direct comparisons between them. We conclude that a fair comparison between GLP-1 RA CVOTs would involve post-hoc analysis re-grouping the patients into different cardiovascular risk categories based upon their baseline clinical parameters, in order to even out the criteria used to classify patients.
Hemosiderin deposition evaluation in hemophilic ankle joints: association between US finding and gradient-recalled echo MR imaging sequence
Authors: Prasetyo Marcel , Mongan Ariel Elisa , Chozie Novie Amelia , Prihartono Joedo , Setiawan Stefanus Imanuel
Published: July 2021

Background

Repeated bleeding in hemophilic arthropathy (HA) may result in severe degenerative changes and joint destruction. The gradient-recalled echo (GRE) sequence MR is proved to be the best method to detect hemosiderin deposition. However, MR is not widely available in developing countries, including Indonesia. Some studies have proposed ultrasonography (US) as an alternative tool in evaluating hemophilic joint. However, there is still some disagreement on the ability of US to detect hemosiderin deposition.

Objective

To evaluate the association between US and GRE-sequence MR imaging in detecting hemosiderin deposition in hemophilic ankle joint.

Material and methods

A total of 102 sites from 17 ankle joints of 11 boys with severe hemophilia A underwent US examination using a high-frequency linear array transducer. GRE-sequence MR examination was performed in sagittal view consistent with the sites scanned by US. Both examinations were performed on the same day, but MR interpretation was performed blindly at different times. The association between US and GRE-sequences in detecting hemosiderin deposition was analyzed using McNemar’s test.

Results

Statistical analysis showed a significant association (p value < 0.001) between US and GRE MR in detecting hemosiderin deposition, but the association is weak (R = 0.26). Sensitivity and specificity of US for detecting hemosiderin deposition were 46.84% (95%CI: 35.51–58.40) and 95.65% (95%CI: 78.05–99.89), respectively, with positive predictive value 97.37% (95%CI: 84.29–99.61), negative predictive value 34.38% (95%CI: 29.50–39.60) and accuracy 57.84% (95%CI: 47.66–67.56).

Conclusion

There was a weak association between US and GRE-sequences in detecting hemosiderin deposition of hemophilic ankle joint. ​​
Is there a place for mesenchymal stromal cell-based therapies in the therapeutic armamentarium against COVID-19?
Authors: da Silva Kátia Nunes , Gobatto André Luiz Nunes , Costa-Ferro Zaquer Suzana Munhoz , Cavalcante Bruno Raphael Ribeiro , Caria Alex Cleber Improta , de Aragão França Luciana Souza , Nonaka Carolina Kymie Vasques , de Macêdo Lima Fernanda , Lopes-Pacheco Miquéias , Rocco Patricia Rieken Macêdo , de Freitas Souza Bruno Solano
Published: July 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the rapid global spread of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), has caused healthcare systems to collapse and led to hundreds of thousands of deaths. The clinical spectrum of COVID-19 is not only limited to local pneumonia but also represents multiple organ involvement, with potential for systemic complications. One year after the pandemic, pathophysiological knowledge has evolved, and many therapeutic advances have occurred, but mortality rates are still elevated in severe/critical COVID-19 cases. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) can exert immunomodulatory, antiviral, and pro-regenerative paracrine/endocrine actions and are therefore promising candidates for MSC-based therapies. In this review, we discuss the rationale for MSC-based therapies based on currently available preclinical and clinical evidence of safety, potential efficacy, and mechanisms of action. Finally, we present a critical analysis of the risks, limitations, challenges, and opportunities that place MSC-based products as a therapeutic strategy that may complement the current arsenal against COVID-19 and reduce the pandemic’s unmet medical needs.
Implant-prosthetic rehabilitation of patients with severe horizontal bone deficit on mini-implants with two-piece design—retrospective analysis after a mean follow-up of 5 years
Authors: Wimmer Lukas , Petrakakis Pantelis , El-Mahdy Karim , Herrmann Surian , Nolte Dirk
Published: July 2021

Background

As a consequence of tooth loss due to trauma or extraction, a reduced alveolar crest volume limits the deployment of standard implants in certain patient cases. For this reason, minimal-invasive treatment with mini-dental implants (MDI) might be an option to allow implant treatment even in cases with severe horizontal bone loss without augmentation measures. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to investigate clinical and radiological implant, as well as patient-related parameters after treatment with MDI.

Results

Clinical and radiological records of 19 female (82.6%) and 4 male patients (17.4%) (N = 23), who received 52 mini-dental implants with a two-piece design in a single surgical center between November 2011 and October 2018, were retrospectively analyzed. Implants were submitted to conventional loading on different types of screwed superstructures. Crestal bone loss was measured on standardized periapical radiographs. Patient-related outcome parameters (PROMs) were recorded during follow-up period. Mean clinical and radiological follow-up was 69.6 months (5.8 years) and 51.6 months (4.3 years), respectively. Three implants were lost in two patients, leading to an implant survival rate of 94.2%. Mean radiological crestal bone loss was 1.6 mm. Both amount of peri-implant recession and crestal bone loss were significantly correlated (r = 0.65; p < 0.001). Likewise, a significant correlation was observed between deeper probing depths and increased peri-implant bone loss (r = 0.41; p = 0.012). Alveolar ridges with a reduced alveolar crest width were significantly correlated with higher peri-implant bone loss as well (r = − 0.33; p = 0.011). No prosthetic complications were reported during follow-up. Extent of midfacial recession and papilla height loss had a significant negative impact on most of the PROMs.

Conclusions

Treatment with MDI seems to be a successful alternative treatment option, especially for elderly patients with reduced crest width at implant sites. Due to the good clinical results and high survival and success rates, this treatment option was associated with high patient satisfaction. Despite the promising results, particular consideration should be given to appropriate treatment planning in these patients due to the strong correlation between peri-implant soft-tissue parameters, crestal bone loss, and reduced alveolar crest width.
Hybrid inner-outer algorithm for solving real-world mechanical optimization problems
Authors: Abouhabaga Omnia Osman Fadel , Gadallah Mohamed Hassan , Kouta Hanan Kamel , Zaghloul Mohamed Abass
Published: July 2021

In the real world, the problems mostly are complex; more precisely, the problems generally are nonlinear or large scale other than if it was mandatory to resolve it under certain constraints, and that is common in engineering design problems. Therefore, the complexity of problem plays a critical role in determining the computational time and cost. Accordingly, a novel algorithm called inner-outer array is proposed in this paper. It depends on the design of parameters and then tolerance design as one of design of experiment stages. In this work, the inner-outer algorithm is used to solve real-world optimization problems to choose the preferable feasible regions of the entire search domain. Numerical results are documented and compared based on four well-known constrained mechanical engineering issues. It can be concluded that the performance of inner-outer algorithm is good to optimize constrained engineering problems, but it still needs some enhancements in the future work.
Incidence and outcomes of eating disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Taquet Maxime , Geddes John R. , Luciano Sierra , Harrison Paul J.
Published: July 2021

There are concerns that eating disorders have become commoner during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Using the electronic health records of 5.2 million people aged under 30, mostly in the USA, we show that the diagnostic incidence was 15.3% higher in 2020 overall compared with previous years (relative risk 1.15, 95% CI 1.12−1.19). The relative risk increased steadily from March 2020 onwards, exceeding 1.5 by the end of the year. The increase occurred solely in females, and primarily related to teenagers and anorexia nervosa. A higher proportion of patients with eating disorders in 2020 had suicidal ideation (hazard ratio HR = 1.30, 1.16−1.47) or attempted suicide (HR = 1.69, 1.21−2.35).
Energetic cost of Hamiltonian quantum gates
Authors: Deffner Sebastian
Published: July 2021

Landauer's principle laid the main foundation for the development of modern thermodynamics of information. However, in its original inception the principle relies on semiformal arguments and dissipative dynamics. Hence, if and how Landauer's principle applies to unitary quantum computing is less than obvious. Here, we prove an inequality bounding the change of Shannon information encoded in the logical quantum states by quantifying the energetic cost of Hamiltonian gate operations. The utility of this bound is demonstrated by outlining how it can be applied to identify energetically optimal quantum gates in theory and experiment. The analysis is concluded by discussing the energetic cost of quantum error correcting codes with non-interacting qubits, such as Shor's code.
Regional femoral bone blood flow rates in laying and non-laying chickens estimated with fluorescent microspheres
Authors: Hu Qiaohui , Nelson Thomas J. , Seymour Roger S.
Published: July 2021

The metabolic rate of vertebrate bone tissue is related to bone growth, repair and homeostasis, which are all dependent on life stage. Bone metabolic rate is difficult to measure directly, but absolute blood flow rate () should reflect local tissue oxygen requirements. A recent ‘foramen technique’ has derived an index of blood flow rate () by measuring nutrient foramen sizes of long bones. is assumed to be proportional to ; however, the assumption has never been tested. This study used fluorescent microsphere infusion to measure femoral bone in anaesthetized non-laying hens, laying hens and roosters. Mean mass-specific cardiac output was 338±38 ml min−1 kg−1, and the two femora received 0.63±0.10% of this. Laying hens had higher wet bone mass-specific to femora (0.23±0.09 ml min−1 g−1) than the non-laying hens (0.12±0.06 ml min−1 g−1) and roosters (0.14±0.04 ml min−1 g−1), presumably associated with higher bone calcium mobilization during eggshell production. Estimated metabolic rate of femoral bone was 0.019 ml O2 min−1 g−1. Femoral increased significantly with body mass, but was not correlated with nutrient foramen radius (r), probably because of a narrow range in foramen radius. Over all 18 chickens, femoral shaft was 1.07±0.30 ml min−1 mm−1. Mean in chickens was significantly higher than predicted by an allometric relationship for adult cursorial bird species, possibly because the birds were still growing.
Surfactant-Free Aqueous Fabrication of Macroporous Silicone Monoliths for Flexible Thermal Insulation
Authors: Hayase Gen
Published: July 2021

Hydrophobic silicone macroporous materials prepared in an aqueous solution by the sol–gel method have been considered for various applications such as separation media, heat insulators, and liquid nitrogen adsorbents. In the conventional preparation process, surfactants are used to suppress phase separation to obtain a uniform bulk material. However, a large amount of solvent and time is required to remove them before drying, which hinders industrial-scale synthesis. By copolymerizing tetra-, tri-, and bifunctional organosilicon alkoxides in an aqueous acetic acid–urea solution, flexible macroporous silicone monoliths were successfully obtained. The marshmallow-like monoliths recovered their original shape even after 80% uniaxial compression and significant bending and water repellency. The thermal conductivity of those materials was ∼0.035 W m−1 K−1 and did not increase even under 60% uniaxial compression. This characteristic property can be used for thermal insulation on surfaces with various shapes and in confined spaces under harsh conditions.
Robust Gels Composed of Self-Assembled Cello-oligosaccharide Networks
Authors: Hata Yuuki , Serizawa Takeshi
Published: July 2021

Assembled molecular gels exhibit dynamic properties and have been developed as functional soft materials with self-healing ability, stimuli responsiveness, and other such properties. Nevertheless, dynamicity is not essential to molecular assemblies. We created static and robust hydrogels composed of self-assembled cello-oligosaccharide networks. In fact, the novel gels are solvent-exchangeable from water even to nonpolar organic solvents, reflecting extremely low stimuli responsiveness. This Account summarizes our recent research progress on cello-oligosaccharide gels, from their production to applications that exploit the unique properties of these crystalline oligosaccharide assemblies. Our findings suggest that statically assembled molecular gels have unconventional applications.
The Effect of SNAP on the Composition of Purchased Foods: Evidence and Implications
Authors: Hastings Justine , Kessler Ryan , Shapiro Jesse M.
Published: July 2021

We use detailed data from a large retail panel to study the effect of participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on the composition and nutrient content of foods purchased for at-home consumption. We find that the effect of SNAP participation is small relative to the cross-sectional variation in most of the outcomes we consider. Estimates from a model relating the composition of a household’s food purchases to the household’s current level of food spending imply that closing the gap in food spending between high- and low-SES households would not close the gap in summary measures of food healthfulness. (JEL D12, H75, I12, I18, L66)
The Labor Market for Teachers under Different Pay Schemes
Authors: Biasi Barbara
Published: July 2021

Compensation of most US public school teachers is rigid and solely based on seniority. This paper studies the effects of a reform that gave school districts in Wisconsin full autonomy to redesign teacher pay schemes. Following the reform some districts switched to flexible compensation. Using the expiration of preexisting collective bargaining agreements as a source of exogenous variation in the timing of changes in pay, I show that the introduction of flexible pay raised salaries of high-quality teachers, increased teacher quality (due to the arrival of high-quality teachers from other districts and increased effort), and improved student achievement. (JEL J31, J45, J52, H75, I21)
Consumer Myopia in Vehicle Purchases: Evidence from a Natural Experiment
Authors: Gillingham Kenneth T. , Houde Sébastien , van Benthem Arthur A.
Published: July 2021

A central question in the analysis of fuel economy policy is whether consumers are myopic with regards to future fuel costs. We provide the first evidence on the consumer valuation of fuel economy from a natural experiment that provides exogenous variation in fuel economy ratings. We examine the short-run equilibrium effects of a restatement of fuel economy ratings that affected 1.6 million vehicles. Using the implied changes in willingness to pay, we find that consumers act myopically: consumers are indifferent between $1.00 in discounted fuel costs and $0. 16–0.39 in the purchase price when discounting at 4 percent. This undervaluation persists under a wide range of assumptions. (JEL D12, L62, L71, L11)
Some Issues Related to the Direct Detection of Dark Matter
Authors: Vergados J. D.
Published: July 2021

In this paper we review the theoretical issues involved in the direct detectionof supersymmetric (SUSY) dark matter. After a brief discussion of the allowedSYSY parameter space we focus on the determination of the traditional neutralinodetection rates, in experiments which measure the energy of the recoiling nucleus,such as the coherent and spin induced rates and the dependence of the rate onthe motion of the Earth (modulation effect). Then we examine the novel featuresappearing in directional experiments, which detect the recoiling nucleus in a givendirection. Next we estimate the branching ratios for transitions to accessibleexcited nuclear levels. Finally we estimate the event rates leading to the atomionization and subsequent detection of the outgoing electrons.
Metals, the plasma of the poor man?
Authors: Rolfs C.
Published: July 2021

The electron screening effect in the d(d,p)t reaction has been studied for deuterated metals, insulators, and semiconductors, i.e. 58 samples in total. As compared to measurements performed with a gaseous D2 target, a large effect has been observed in most metals, while a small (gaseous) effect is found e.g. for the insulators, semiconductors, and lanthanides. The periodic table provides the ordering of the observed small and large effects in the samples. An explanation of the large effects in metals is possibly provided by the classical plasma screening of Debye applied to the quasi-free metallic electrons. The data also provide information on the solubility of hydrogen in the samples.
Influence of Model Assumptions on Radial Flow Investigations in Heavy-Ion Collisions
Authors: Kozik T. , Majka Z. , Planeta R. , Staszel P. , Wolanin-Statek A. , Smoluchowski M. , Kowalski S. , Zipper W. , Cibor J. , Kozik E. , Nicolis N. G.
Published: July 2021

An effective way for the investigation of nuclear matter under the extreme conditions of high density and temperature is the study of nuclear fragmentation, realized in intermediate-energy heavy-ion collisions. The potential energy accumulated in the compression zone of the collision is converted into collective flow of matter in the later stages of the reaction. During the expansion of the system, fragments are formed in a clusterization process. In the final stage of the reaction, the fragments are moving along Coulomb trajectories and may deexcite by particle emission or secondary break-up.In order to verify the influence of the collective energy on the experimental energy spectra and extract quantitative information on the thermal and collective components, a model simulation was developed. In this procedure, the evolution of the disintegrating system in a multifragmentation process was described after the freeze-out stage with a Monte-Carlo approach. A reconstruction procedure for the fragment kinetic energies has shown the possibility to obtain the thermal and collective components from measured fragment spectra. In the present work, we scrutinize the model simulation for the evolution of the disintegrating system by testing the sensitivity of the collective expansion energy extraction on the model assumptions concerning the freeze-out characteristics, such as the size and shape of the freeze-out volume. Furthermore, thermal aspects of the early stage of the expansion are tested with an examination of the relationship between the assumption of the degree of thermalization of the emitting source and the extracted value of the collective energy.
The $^{135}$Cs(n,$\gamma$) cross section at 30 and 500 keV
Authors: Patronis N. , Assimakopoulos P. A. , Dababneh S. , Heil M. , Kaeppeler F. , Karamanis D. , Koehler P. E. , Plag R.
Published: July 2021

The neutron capture cross section of the unstable isotope $^{135}$Cs was measured relative to that of gold by means of the activation method. The sample was produced by ion implantation in a high resolution mass separator and irradiated with quasi-monoenergetic neutrons at 30 keV and 500 keV, using the $^{7}$Li(p,n)$^{7}$Be reaction. After the irradiations at the above energies, one more irradiation with thermal neutrons was used for defining the sample mass and for measuring the half-life of $^{136}$Cs. The neutron capture cross section was  determined as 164 $\pm$ 10 mbarn and 34.8 $\pm$ 3.0 mbarn at 30 keV and 500 keV, respectively, and were used to normalize the theoretically derived cross section shape.
Beryllium determination in non-optimal matrices using the $^{9}$\textbf{Be(d,n$\gamma )$}$^{10}$\textbf{B}
Authors: Perdikakis G. , Spyrou A. , Kokkoris M. , Zarkadas Ch. , Karydas A.-G. , Harissopulos S. , Kossionides S.
Published: July 2021

An alternative method for the detection of beryllium in light element matrices is proposed, implementing the use of a deuteron beam at energies from 1 to 2.1 MeV and the $^{9}$Be(d,n$\gamma )^{10}$B reaction. A HP GE detector of 20{\%} relative efficiency was used to detect the 718 keV gamma ray of $^{10}$B. The minimum detection limits obtained for beryllium, are compared to those taken with other NRA techniques (PIGE, heavy-ion and charged-particle spectroscopy) in complex matrices containing high concentrations of light elements. The absolute $\gamma $-ray yield of the reaction is also compared to absolute $\gamma $-ray yields from literature.
Correlation of Tritium Concentration in Rainwater with Cosmic Rays: Preliminary Results
Authors: Stamoulis K. , Ioannides K. G. , Vlachogianni A. , Papachristodoulou C. A.
Published: July 2021

The Radiochronology Center has been established in 1999 as a member of the Horizontal Laboratories network of the University of Ioannina. Recently it has added to its activities the development of a tritium measurements laboratory as part of the Radiochronology Center. The laboratory is equipped with a super low level background liquid scintillation counter, which is capable to measure very low concentrations of tritium for applications in radioprotection, dating and hydrology.For the aims of the present continuing study rainwater samples are collected monthly. Each sample is distilled and then it is passed through an electrolysis process to increase the tritium concentration. Five mL of the enriched sample are mixed with 15 mL of a scintillation cocktail, specially designed for tritium measurements and its beta activity is measured for 200 min. The LLD of tritium in the samples is estimated 3 Bq/L or 27 TU.Our preliminary results show that, during the measuring period tritium concentration increased with time. The tritium values are correlated with the cosmic ray neutron flux data at ground level, available for Greece in the same period. The measured tritium concentrations in rainwater, which range from 36 ± 8 to 64 ± 8 TU, may be used for local hydrology studies.
Multipole Response of Ni and Sn Isotopes and its Momentum Dependence
Authors: Papakonstantinou P. , Mavrommatis E. , Wambach J. , Ponomarev V. Yu.
Published: July 2021

We have used a self-consistent Skyrme-HF plus Continuum RPA model to study the low-multipole response of stable and neutron/proton-rich Ni and Sn isotopes using suitable Skyrme parametrizations. Experimental studies of these nuclei are being planned at RIKEN. We focus on the momentum dependence of the strength distribution, as it may provide information on the structure of excited nuclear states.
Basilia - das spätantike Basel (Text)
Authors: Asal Markus
Published: July 2021

Band 24 der Materialhefte zur Archäologie in Basel widmet sich mit der Spätantike und dem Übergang zum Frühmittelalter auf dem Münsterhügel einem Geschichtsabschnitt, der einen Forschungsschwerpunkt der Archäologischen Bodenforschung bildet. In der spätrömischen Zeit nahm die Bedeutung von Basel immer mehr zu: Die von militärischen Erfordernissen geprägte römerzeitliche Siedlung bzw. das Kastell auf dem Basler Münsterhügel ist die Keimzelle der späteren mittelalterlichen Bischofstadt.
Markus Asal hat im Rahmen seiner 2010 abgeschlossenen Dissertation Baubefunde und Funde einer 2004 durchgeführten Rettungsgrabung an der Martinsgasse 6+8 vorgelegt. Seine Auswertung vermag nicht nur die Errichtung der spätrömischen Befestigungsmauer erstmalig zu datieren, sie präsentiert auch neue Erkenntnisse zur Überbauung des nördlichen Teils des Münsterhügels mit Fachwerk- und Holzbauten und kann aufzeigen, dass der Nordteil des Münsterhügels, möglicherweise gar die gesamte Siedlung, im 4. Jahrhundert einem kontinuierlichen Prozess baulicher Veränderung unterlag.
Band A: Text
Band B: Katalog
A pilot study of risk-stratified cervical cancer screening
Authors: Wang Jiangrong , Elfström K. Miriam , Borgfeldt Christer , Dillner Joakim
Published: July 2021

Background: Cervical screening programs target entire populations, although it is well established that cervical cancer risks can vary >100-fold based, in particular, on the woman’s screening history. Since cervical screening switched to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) testing as the primary screening method, the risk differences are even larger as different HPV types may vary in associated cancer risk by 100 times. Furthermore, HPV infections with the most oncogenic types are declining dramatically because of HPV vaccination programs. Tailoring screening intensity based on the known cancer risk of the individual (risk-stratified screening) therefore has great potential to increase both the sensitivity and specificity. Within Horizon 2020 a major project for RIsk-stratified Screening for Cervical Cancer (RISCC) has therefore been launched. We performed a pilot study of risk-stratified screening to evaluate feasibility and acceptability of offering vaginal HPV self-sampling tests to women with a higher risk of cervical cancer.

Methods: We identified resident women who had had either i) atypical glandular cells in screening tests during the past six years (risk >150/100,000 woman-years) or ii) abnormal screening findings above the age of 50, but without sufficient follow-up (risk >65/100,000). The women were invited, either by short message service (SMS) or physical letters, to order an HPV self-sampling kit via the study web-platform. The returned self-collected samples were tested for HPV. If positive, women were invited for clinical follow-up.

Results: Among 920 targeted women, 191 (21%) placed an order and 163 (18%) returned a self-collected sample. Among all tested samples, 19 (12%) were positive for hrHPV and 18 of these women attended clinical follow-up.

Conclusions: We found that SMS invitations to high-risk women are feasible and result in substantial requests for kits and submission of samples. Future work will focus on improving the efficiency of the procedure and further increasing attendance.
‘Care literacy’ in super aging Japan
Authors: Costantini Hiroko , Nihei Misato , Ueno Tomoyuki
Published: July 2021

Accentuated by the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the change in Japan to community-based health and care services for older adults indicates an urgent need to enhance and spread citizens’ understanding of care. This is a broader notion of care that incorporates conditions within the community to support the inclusion of older adults, involving not only those older adults receiving care and their direct providers of care, but also others in the community who are involved in the daily lives of these older adults. To underpin such a broader notion of care across citizens, this paper proposes ‘care literacy’ as a novel analytical concept, defined as the knowledge and capabilities that enable people in need of care to live their daily lives in the community and facilitate potential health and care solutions. Reflecting the interconnection of health and care and rooted in the local context, care literacy underpins aging by enabling this involvement of the broader community, and is disseminated through media and grassroot activities.
Establishing Interaction Between the Family and the Educational Institution in the Context of Distance Learning
Authors: Shirina A.
Published: July 2021

This article analyzes the need for a system of interaction between school and parents. The main ways of cooperation between parents and an educational organization are revealed, using information technologies, which make it possible to involve parents in the process of teaching and raising their children.
Treatment of addiction to hypnotics and sedatives in primary health care — cooperation of physicians and psychologists
Authors: Pęksa Jan , Dembe Katarzyna
Published: July 2021

Uzależnienie od chemicznych środków psychoaktywnych to stan psychologicznej albo psychicznej i fizycznej zależności od takich substancji przejawiający się okresową lub stałą koniecznością ich przyjmowania. Z problemem uzależnienia spotyka się w swojej pracy zawodowej większość praktykujących lekarzy, psychologów oraz psychoterapeutów. Lekarz podstawowej opieki zdrowotnej, do którego pacjent ma zazwyczaj najłatwiejszy dostęp i nierzadko największe zaufanie, powinien koordynować proces wychodzenia z uzależnienia. Jeśli to wskazane, powinien pokierować pacjenta do psychologa lub psychiatry. W leczeniu uzależnienia od leków podkreśla się w pierwszej kolejności duże znaczenie psychoedukacji dotyczącej działania zażywanych substancji i ich działań niepożądanych. Wartościową metodą wykorzystywaną w leczeniu tego nałogu oraz mogącą służyć podtrzymaniu motywacji do kontynuowania abstynencji jest terapia poznawczo-behawioralna. Ma ona za zadanie poprawić jakość życia pacjenta dzięki modyfikacji jego zachowań i sposobu myślenia. Kluczowa jest właściwa relacja pacjent–psychoterapeuta. W leczeniu farmakologicznym należy stopniowo zmniejszać dawki przyjmowanych leków i zamienić benzodiazepiny o krótkim czasie półtrwania na inne, ale o długim czasie półtrwania, a także leczyć przyczynowo inne niż uzależnienie zaburzenia psychiczne.
About difficult relationships between alcohol use disorder and personality disorders — a case study
Authors: Wojtynkiewicz Ewa
Published: July 2021

Problem współwystępowania zaburzeń związanych z używaniem alkoholu i zaburzeń osobowości wydaje się istotny zarówno z klinicznego, jak i terapeutycznego punktu widzenia. Wskaźnik współwystępowania tych zaburzeń jest wysoki i wynosi ok. 60% w grupach klinicznych i ok. 29% w grupie nieklinicznej. Mimo ich znaczącego współwystępowania, natura związku obu zaburzeń nadal jest słabo poznana. Tym bardziej uznać należy, że badanie wspomnianych zależności jest ważne i może pozwolić na pogłębione rozumienie pacjentów z podwójną diagnozą, a także na optymalizację oddziaływań terapeutycznych do nich skierowanych. W artykule przedstawiono studium przypadku pacjentki z rozpoznanymi zaburzeniami używania alkoholu i mieszanymi zaburzeniami osobowości (zaburzenie osobowości borderline, zaburzenie osobowości narcystycznej) oraz podjęto próbę zrozumienia wzajemnej zależności tych zaburzeń w kontekście historii życia pacjentki, w tym historii podejmowanych przez nią licznych prób leczenia. Konceptualizację przypadku oparto na paradygmacie psychodynamicznym, odnosząc się zarówno do modelu patologii osobowości O. F. Kernberga, jak i innych koncepcji psychodynamicznych bezpośrednio podejmujących zagadnienie nadużywania substancji psychoaktywnych.
Therapeutic aspects of a psychiatric ward
Authors: Walczewski Krzysztof , Fusińska-Korpik Agnieszka , Korzeniowski Wojciech , Cichocki Łukasz
Published: July 2021

Izolacyjny aspekt opieki psychiatrycznej determinuje naukowe i teoretyczne refleksje na temat pracy terapeutycznej z pacjentami w głębokich kryzysach psychicznych. Zachodzące współcześnie zmiany w tym obszarze implikują potrzebę dzielenia się nie tylko postępami w zakresie szeroko rozumianej wczesnej rehabilitacji pacjentów, ale także skutecznymi praktykami oddziaływań psychoterapeutycznych wobec pacjentów leczonych na ogólnopsychiatrycznych oddziałach stacjonarnych. Zagadnienia dotyczące metod terapii pacjentów w głębokich kryzysach psychicznych podejmowane są w literaturze wciąż stosunkowo rzadko, w szczególności w kontekście pracy zespołowej i jej terapeutycznego potencjału. Zwrócenie uwagi na te elementy leczenia stacjonarnego jest istotne dla procesu leczenia. W niniejszym artykule zaprezentowano zespołowy model pracy terapeutycznej ogólnopsychiatrycznego oddziału Szpitala Klinicznego im. dr. J. Babińskiego w Krakowie. Przedstawiono założenia teoretyczne leżące u podstaw tej pracy. Omówiono niektóre formy oddziaływań wraz z ilustracją elementów praktyki klinicznej. Refleksje dotyczą dalszych kierunków doskonalenia terapii w ramach stacjonarnej opieki psychiatrycznej.
Los Naufragios (1542) de Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca: España y los albores de la legalidad internacional
Authors: Conde Solares Carlos
Published: July 2021

En este artículo propongo una lectura de los Naufragios (1542) de Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca que se ciña a los términos del debate moral y político imperante en la España en que el explorador jerezano redactó su historia. A la luz de la Relectio prior de Indis recenter inventis (1538) de Francisco de Vitoria, se comprueba cómo el bagaje espiritual e ideológico de Cabeza de Vaca no fue fruto exclusivo de su periplo americano, sino más bien de su familiaridad con las coordenadas éticas propias de la España oficial de su tiempo: la que puso los cimientos de una incipiente legalidad internacional.
La “adolescencia” de la España moderna: economía y política
Authors: Tortella Gabriel
Published: July 2021

Para España y para varios otros países importantes, como Rusia, China, Italia, Portugal, Grecia y México (la enumeración no pretende ser exhaustiva), el período de adolescencia fue el siglo XX, y vino acompañado de grandes crisis políticas y económicas: una gran depresión, un destronamiento, una guerra civil y dos dictaduras, una de ellas, la de Franco, de 36 años. Pero cosas parecidas ocurrieron en los otros países mencionados, mutatis mutandis. El autor de este artículo es de los que piensan que entre los muchos usos de la Historia está el allegar elementos para conjeturar sobre el futuro. Esta era también una de las sugerencias de los editores de Araucaria. La madurez de España comienza casi exactamente con el siglo XXI y el hito escogido es la adopción del euro. A pesar de que esta operación vino coronada por el éxito, la prognosis del autor no es muy optimista, ya que la adolescencia de España no sirvió para resolver varios graves problemas, entre los que destacan el de los nacionalismos periféricos y el de la formación de capital humano.
La nación española en la transición política a la democracia: recuperemos la memoria y el auténtico relato de la transición
Authors: Vidal Prado Carlos
Published: July 2021

En este trabajo se intenta combatir el falso relato sobre la transición española a la democracia que se pretende imponer por parte de algunos sectores. Para ello, se destaca el papel que tuvo la sociedad española, que fue la que impulsó el cambio, que pudo materializarse gracias a una clase política que supo encauzar lo que los ciudadanos querían. Se analizan con detalle dos de los hitos principales de la transición: la elaboración de la Ley para la Reforma Política de 1976 y la configuración del régimen electoral, tanto en dicha Ley como en el Decreto-Ley de normas electorales de 1977. Se reivindica la auténtica memoria de la transición, que no debe excluirse de la memoria democrática de la nación española.