bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Both LmCYP4G genes function in decreasing cuticular penetration of insecticides in Locusta migratoria
Authors: Wu Lixian , Zhang Zhan‐Feng , Yu Zhitao , Yu Rongrong , Ma Enbo , Fan Yong‐Liang , Liu Tong‐Xian , Feyereisen René , Zhu Kun Yan , Zhang Jianzhen
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND

Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) have a critical role in preventing desiccation and penetration of xenobiotics in insects. Previous studies have shown that cytochrome P450 subfamily 4G (CYP4G) enzymes are oxidative decarbonylases, essential for CHC biosynthesis. However, it is unclear whether there are functional differences between the two CYP4G genes in most insects. In Locusta migratoria, we identified two CYP4G genes (LmCYP4G62 and LmCYP4G102). LmCYP4G102 plays a critical role in the synthesis of CHCs, but the function of LmCYP4G62 is unknown.

RESULTS

We identified, characterized, and compared two LmCYP4G genes, based on L. migratoria transcriptomic and genomic databases. RT‐qPCR showed that both were highly expressed in tissues with which oenocytes are associated, the integument and fat body. Immunostaining indicated that LmCYP4G62 and LmCYP4G102 were highly abundant in oenocytes in these tissues. However, the two enzymes had a different subcellular distribution, with LmCYP4G62 localized on the plasma membrane and LmCYP4G102 dispersed throughout the oenocyte cytoplasm, presumably on the endoplasmic reticulum. RNA interference‐mediated gene silencing against each of the two genes resulted in reduced CHC contents, in all classes for LmCYP4G102, but mostly shorter chain CHCs for LmCYP4G62. Silencing of both genes resulted in increased insecticide penetration through the cuticle, and increased locust susceptibility to desiccation and insecticides.

CONCLUSION

Our studies suggest that both LmCYP4G62 and LmCYP4G102 contribute to hydrocarbon biosynthesis and play key roles in protecting locusts from water loss and insecticide penetration, but they are not fully redundant. Further, the two LmCYP4G genes might be used as new targets for insect pest management. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of soy isoflavones on serum systemic and vascular inflammation markers and oxidative stress in peritoneal dialysis patients: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Yari Zahra , Tabibi Hadi , Najafi Iraj , Hedayati Mehdi , Movahedian Mina
Published: May 2020

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is common in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. This study was designed to investigate the effects of isoflavones on systemic and vascular inflammation markers and oxidative stress in PD patients. In this randomized clinical trial, 40 PD patients were randomly assigned to either the isoflavone or the placebo group. The isoflavone group received 100 mg soy isoflavones daily for 8 weeks, whereas the placebo group received corresponding placebos. At baseline and the end of eighth week, serum high sensitive C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), intercellular adhesion molecule type 1 (ICAM‐1), vascular cell adhesion molecule type 1 (VCAM‐1), E‐selectin, and malondialdehyde were measured. Serum VCAM‐1 decreased significantly in the isoflavone group at the end of Week 8 compared to baseline (p = .01), whereas no significant change was observed in the placebo group. Serum ICAM‐1 decreased significantly in the isoflavone (p = .01) and placebo (p = .01) group compared to baseline. However, the reduction of ICAM‐1 was significantly higher in the isoflavone group than in the placebo group (p = .02). There were no significant differences between the two groups in mean changes of serum E‐selectin, malondialdehyde, and hs‐CRP. This study indicates that isoflavones reduce serum VCAM‐1 and ICAM‐1, which are two CVD risk factors, in PD patients.
Determining input‐to‐state and incremental input‐to‐state stability of nonpolynomial systems
Authors: Voßwinkel Rick , Röbenack Klaus
Published: May 2020

In this study, we propose constructive ways to determine input‐to‐state stability (ISS) as well as incremental ISS (δISS) of nonpolynomial dynamical systems. The developed procedures are based on sums‐of‐square decomposition. This tool is only applicable to polynomial systems. Thus, a rational recast of the nonpolynomial system description is used. This recast generally leads to an increased system order and additional constraints. These constraints must be respected in the resulting formulations. The proposed approach gives a unique and constructive procedure to determine the ISS and the δISS property, which is normally nontrivial and needs a good understanding of the system's dynamics. The proposed approaches are illustrated on several examples.
Biomimetic Nanoparticles Based Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensors for Histamine Detection in Foods
Authors: Rahtuvanoğlu Ayşegül , Akgönüllü Semra , Karacan Süleyman , Denizli Adil
Published: May 2020

This research describes the design and determination of the biomimetic biosensor used for histamine detection in cheese and canned tuna samples. Histamine imprinted nanoparticles (MIP) were synthesized and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, and size analysis. After, histamine imprinted nanoparticles were coated onto an SPR chip surface. The modified chips were characterized by using contact angle, atomic force microscopy, ellipsometry, and scanning electron microscopy. The optic analysis by the SPR biosensor has been implemented with a PBS solution of pH 7.4. The novel biosensor shows high sensitivity, low detection limit (0.58 ng.mL−1) and a wide linear range from 0.001 to 10 μg.mL−1. The histamine imprinted biosensor was successfully analyzed on spiked food samples. The simple procedure, easy preparation, and low production cost provide that sensors coated with biomimetic nanoparticles to be attractive for sensitive and selective detection of targets.
Semimetal Bismuth‐Enhanced Light Adsorption and Interface Charge Transfer in Bi@BiVO4
Authors: Zhai S. , Yang X. , Liang S. , Hao W. , Teng F.
Published: May 2020

In this work, a simple, mild glucose‐reduction method is developed to synthesize the uniform bismuth‐loaded BiVO4 (Bi@BiVO4) nanospheres. Compared with BiVO4, the photocurrent of 0.1Bi@BiVO4 increases by 45 times, suggesting an obviously improved charge transfer and separation efficiency; its negative surface photovoltage (SPV) signal becomes much stronger, indicating that more generated carriers migrate to the irradiation surface of Bi@BiVO4. Compared with BiVO4 nanospheres, the visible‐light activity of Bi@BiVO4increasesby 1.3 times for the methylene blue (MB) degradation. Surface plasma resonance (SPR) of semimetal bismuth, Schottky junction and the increased surface area mainly attributed to the enhanced photoactivity of Bi@BiVO4. The adopted method is simple, safe, which could be promising for mass production.
Ammonia Absorption Enhancement by Metal Halide Impregnated Hollow Mesoporous Silica Spheres
Authors: Pan Xingxiang , Zhu Ming , Mei Hua , Liu Zuosong , Shen Tianyang
Published: May 2020

Ammonia is one of hazardous pollutants that can endanger human life. It must be controlled with sorbent material that can target ammonia with high selectivity. Hollow mesoporous silica spheres (HMSS) are conventionally used as a carrier of catalyst. But ammonia can be absorbed selectively via impregnation of metal halide, such as MgCl2. In this work, the porous matrix HMSS is synthesized via one step preparation, and the absorption sites are adopted by impregnation method. The influence of loading content is taking into consideration on absorption performance. The structure of prepared material is analysed using FTIR, XRD, BET, TEM tools. The absorption capacity is performed in a fixed bed column and characterized by dynamic breakthrough. The results show that the composite material MgCl2/HMSS can absorb 20 mol/kg ammonia at 30 °C and 0.8 atm which is competitive than commercial sorbents. Meanwhile, 80 wt% of loading content is reported the highest ammonia capacity for the same type of sorbent. The experimental data can be reproducible for many times.
A Powder Metallurgic Approach toward High‐Performance Lithium Metal Anodes
Authors: Qin Kaiqiang , Baucom Jesse , Liu Deliang , Shi Wenyue , Zhao Naiqin , Lu Yunfeng
Published: May 2020

The development of lithium metal anodes capable of sustaining large volume changes, avoiding lithium dendrite formation, and remaining stable in ambient air is crucial for commercially viable lithium metal batteries. Toward this goal, the fabrication of porous and lithiophilic copper scaffolds via a powder metallurgy strategy is reported. Infiltrating the scaffolds with molten lithium followed by exposure to Freon R134a produces lithium metal anodes with dramatically improved rate performance and cycling stability. This work provides a simple yet effective route for the fabrication of safe, low‐cost lithium metal batteries with high energy density.
Recent Progress in Metal‐Free Covalent Organic Frameworks as Heterogeneous Catalysts
Authors: Zhi Yongfeng , Wang Zongrui , Zhang Hao‐Li , Zhang Qichun
Published: May 2020

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs), connecting different organic units into one system through covalent bonds, are crystalline organic porous materials with 2D or 3D networks. Compared with conventional porous materials such as inorganic zeolite, active carbon, and metal‐organic frameworks, COFs are a new type of porous materials with well‐designed pore structure, high surface area, outstanding stability, and easy functionalization at the molecular level, which have attracted extensive attention in various fields, such as energy storage, gas separation, sensing, photoluminescence, proton conduction, magnetic properties, drug delivery, and heterogeneous catalysis. Herein, the recent advances in metal‐free COFs as a versatile platform for heterogeneous catalysis in a wide range of chemical reactions are presented and the synthetic strategy and promising catalytic applications of COF‐based catalysts (including photocatalysis) are summarized. According to the types of catalytic reactions, this review is divided into the following five parts for discussion: achiral organic catalysis, chiral organic conversion, photocatalytic organic reactions, photocatalytic energy conversion (including water splitting and the reduction of carbon dioxide), and photocatalytic pollutant degradation. Furthermore, the remaining challenges and prospects of COFs as heterogeneous catalysts are also presented.
Existence and asymptotic behaviour of positive solutions to a stochastic multispecies Holling type II model
Authors: Xu Ximing , Xu Libai
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we develop a stochastic Holling type II model from the commonly used deterministic Holling type II model by introducing Brownian motion as a stochastic perturbation, which can naturally account for the external environmental effects on a multispecies community. We study the existence and uniqueness of positive solutions to the stochastic model, and we establish sufficient conditions for strong persistence and extinction.
Is there an association between perceived social support and cardiovascular health behaviours in people with severe mental illnesses?
Authors: Burton Alexandra , Walters Kate , Marston Louise , Osborn David
Published: May 2020

Purpose

People with severe mental illnesses (SMI) have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Research in the general population suggests that social support may protect against increased CVD morbidity and mortality; however, this may not apply to those with SMI. We aimed to explore the association between perceived social support and attendance at primary care nurse CVD risk reduction clinic appointments and CVD risk-reducing behaviours in an SMI population with elevated CVD risk factors.

Methods

We used longitudinal and cross-sectional data from a randomised controlled trial on 326 adults with SMI recruited via 76 general practices in England. Multilevel regression analysis estimated the effect of perceived social support on attendance at CVD risk reduction clinic appointments over 6 months, and adherence to CVD medication, physical activity, diet, smoking and alcohol use at baseline, adjusted by age, sex, ethnicity, deprivation, psychiatric diagnosis and employment.

Results

Perceived social support predicted greater appointment attendance in unadjusted (IRR = 1.005; 1.000–1.010;p = 0.05) but not adjusted analysis (IRR = 1.003; 0.998–1.009;p = 0.25). Perceived social support was associated with greater adherence to medication; for each 1% increase in social support, there was a 4.2% increase in medication adherence (OR = 1.042; 1.015–1.070;p = 0.002). No association was found between greater perceived social support and greater physical activity, lower sedentary behaviour, healthier diet, lower alcohol use or being a non-smoker.

Conclusions

Social support may be an important facilitator for CVD medication adherence and is potentially important for primary care appointment attendance; however, alternative strategies might be needed to help people with SMI engage in physical activity, healthier diets and to reduce their smoking and alcohol use.
Accelerated acquisition of carotid MR angiography using 3D gradient-echo imaging with two-point Dixon
Authors: Irie Ryusuke , Amemiya Shiori , Ueyama Tsuyoshi , Suzuki Yuichi , Kamiya Kouhei , Takao Hidemasa , Mori Harushi , Abe Osamu
Published: May 2020

This pilot study tests the feasibility of rapid carotid MR angiography using the liver acquisition with volume acceleration-flex technique (LAVA MRA). Seven healthy volunteers and 21 consecutive patients suspected of carotid stenosis underwent LAVA and conventional time-of-flight (cTOF) MRAs. Artery-to-fat and artery-to-muscle signal intensity ratios were manually measured. LAVA MRA exhibited a significantly larger artery-to-fat signal intensity ratio compared with cTOF MRA in all slices (P < 0.001) and exhibited a larger (P < 0.001) or equivalent (P = 1.0) artery-to-muscle signal intensity ratio in the extracranial carotid arteries. The image quality of the cervical carotid bifurcation and the signal change on each MRA were visually assessed and compared among the MRAs. There was no significant difference between the two MRAs in visual assessment. LAVA MRA can provide visualization similar to cTOF MRA in the evaluation of the cervical carotid bifurcation while reducing scan time by one-fifth.
Laparoscopic Pelvic Organ Prolapse Suspension (Pops) Versus Laparoscopic Ventral Mesh Rectopexy for Treatment of Rectal Prolapse: Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Farag Ahmed , Mashhour Abdrabou N. , Raslan Mohamed , Tamer Mohamed , Elbarmelgi Mohamed Yehia
Published: May 2020

Background

This study aimed to compare ventral mesh rectopexy (VMR) and pelvic organ prolapse suspension surgery (POPS) in management of patients presenting with rectal prolapse.

Methods

Our study was a prospective cohort trial in which 120 female patients with complete rectal prolapse were included, 60 patients had had VMR and the other 60 had had POPS as a surgical management for complete rectal prolapse. Results had been compared 6 months postoperatively regarding operative time, postoperative pain, hospital stay, complications of surgery including recurrence of the rectal prolapse, the efficacy of each operation in treatment of rectal prolapse and associated symptoms.

Results

The patients were assessed 6 months postoperatively. There was no significant statistical difference regarding hospital stay and postoperative pain. Operative time was significantly shorter in POPS in comparison with VMR (P value < 0.05). VMR showed slight improvement regarding constipation and continence scores; however, this was statistically significant. VMR showed less complications compared to POPS. Complications with rectopexy happened only with 4 patients compared to 24 patients in POPS groups, 2 cases of recurrence in rectopexy group compared to 6 cases of recurrence in POPS.

Conclusion

POPS is comparable to VMR in management of rectal prolapse and in improving the ODS symptoms. Thus, POPS can be used as easier, faster option to treat rectal prolapse in selected patients.
Automated methods for the comparison of natural languages
Authors: Wittum Gabriel , Hoffer Michael , Lemke Babett , Jabs Robert , Nägel Arne
Published: May 2020

Starting from the general question, if there is a connection between the mathematical capabilities of a student and his native language, we aim at comparing natural languages with mathematical language quantitatively. In [20] we set up an approach to compare language structures using Natural Language Processors (NLP). However, difficulties arose with the quality of the structural analysis of the NLP used just comparing simple sentences in different but closely related natural languages. We now present a comparison of different available NLPs and discuss the results. The comparison confirms the results from [20], showing that current NLPs are not capable of analysing even simple sentences such that resulting structures between different natural languages can be compared.
Verification and refutation of C programs based on k-induction and invariant inference
Authors: Alhawi Omar M. , Rocha Herbert , Gadelha Mikhail R. , Cordeiro Lucas C. , Batista Eddie
Published: May 2020

DepthK is a source-to-source transformation tool that employs bounded model checking (BMC) to verify and falsify safety properties in single- and multi-threaded C programs, without manual annotation of loop invariants. Here, we describe and evaluate a proof-by-induction algorithm that combines k-induction with invariant inference to prove and refute safety properties. We apply two invariant generators to produce program invariants and feed these into a k-induction-based verification algorithm implemented in DepthK, which uses the efficient SMT-based context-bounded model checker (ESBMC) as sequential verification back-end. A set of C benchmarks from the International Competition on Software Verification (SV-COMP) and embedded-system applications extracted from the available literature are used to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Experimental results show that k-induction with invariants can handle a wide variety of safety properties, in typical programs with loops and embedded software applications from the telecommunications, control systems, and medical domains. The results of our comparative evaluation extend the knowledge about approaches that rely on both BMC and k-induction for software verification, in the following ways. (1) The proposed method outperforms the existing implementations that use k-induction with an interval-invariant generator (e.g., 2LS and ESBMC), in the category ConcurrencySafety, and overcame, in others categories, such as SoftwareSystems, other software verifiers that use plain BMC (e.g., CBMC). Also, (2) it is more precise than other verifiers based on the property-directed reachability (PDR) algorithm (i.e., SeaHorn, Vvt and CPAchecker-CTIGAR). This way, our methodology demonstrated improvement over existing BMC and k-induction-based approaches.
Greedy energy minimization can count in binary: point charges and the van der Corput sequence
Authors: Pausinger Florian
Published: May 2020

This paper establishes a connection between a problem in Potential Theory and Mathematical Physics, arranging points so as to minimize an energy functional, and a problem in Combinatorics and Number Theory, constructing ’well-distributed’ sequences of points on [0, 1). Let $$f:[0,1] \rightarrow {\mathbb {R}}$$

f
:
[
0
,
1
]
→
R

be (1) symmetric $$f(x) = f(1-x)$$

f
(
x
)
=
f
(
1
-
x
)

, (2) twice differentiable on (0, 1), and (3) such that $$f''(x)>0$$

f

′
′

(
x
)

>
0

for all $$x \in (0,1)$$

x
∈
(
0
,
1
)

. We study the greedy dynamical system, where, given an initial set $$\{x_0, \ldots , x_{N-1}\} \subset [0,1)$$

{

x
0

,
…
,

x

N
-
1

}

⊂

[
0
,
1
)

, the point $$x_N$$

x
N

is obtained as $$\begin{aligned} x_{N} = \arg \min _{x \in [0,1)} \sum _{k=0}^{N-1}{f(|x-x_k|)}. \end{aligned}$$

x
N

=
arg

min

x
∈
[
0
,
1
)

∑

k
=
0

N
-
1

f
(
|
x
-

x
k

|
)

.

We prove that if we start this construction with the single element $$x_0=0$$

x
0

=
0

, then all arising constructions are permutations of the van der Corput sequence (counting in binary and reflected about the comma): greedy energy minimization recovers the way we count in binary. This gives a new construction of the classical van der Corput sequence. The special case $$f(x) = 1-\log (2 \sin (\pi x))$$

f
(
x
)
=
1
-
log
(
2
sin
(
π
x
)
)

answers a question of Steinerberger. Interestingly, the point sets we derive are also known in a different context as Leja sequences on the unit disk.
Towards Integrated Youth Care: A Systematic Review of Facilitators and Barriers for Professionals
Authors: Nooteboom Laura A. , Mulder Eva A. , Kuiper Chris H. Z. , Colins Olivier F. , Vermeiren Robert R. J. M.
Published: May 2020

To overcome fragmentation in support for children and their families with multiple and enduring problems across life domains, professionals increasingly try to organize integrated care. However, it is unclear what facilitators and barriers professionals experience when providing this integrated care. Our systematic review, including 55 studies from a broad variety of settings in Youth Care, showed that integrated care on a professional level is a multi-component entity consisting of several facilitators and barriers. Findings were clustered in seven general themes: ‘Child’s environment’, ‘Preconditions’, ‘Care process’, ‘Expertise’, ‘Interprofessional collaboration’, ‘Information exchange’, and ‘Professional identity’. The identified facilitators and barriers were generally consistent across studies, indicating broad applicability across settings and professional disciplines. This review clearly shows that when Youth Care professionals address a broad spectrum of problems, a variety of facilitators and barriers should be considered.

RegistrationPROSPERO, registration number CRD42018084527.
The effectiveness of e-Learning on biosecurity practice to slow the spread of invasive alien species
Authors: Shannon Caitriona , Stebbing Paul D. , Quinn Claire H. , Warren Daniel A. , Dunn Alison M.
Published: May 2020

Online e-Learning is increasingly being used to provide environmental training. Prevention measures including biosecurity are essential to reducing the introduction and spread of invasive alien species (IAS) and are central to international and national IAS policy. This paper is the first to evaluate the effectiveness of e-Learning as a tool to increase awareness, risk perception and biosecurity behaviour in relation to IAS among individuals conducting work activities or research (fieldwork) in the field. We surveyed participants (a mixture of students and professionals) before, and 6 months after undertaking an e-Learning course on IAS and biosecurity practices. Awareness of IAS and self-reported biosecurity behaviour increased after e-Learning among students and professionals. Students had a lower awareness of IAS than professionals before training (20% of students vs 60% of professionals), but after training students showed a greater increase in awareness which led to similar levels of awareness post-training (81%). Prior to training, risk perception was also lower amongst students than professionals (33% of students and 59% of professionals were aware of the risk that their activities posed to the accidental spread of IAS). There was no change in risk perception amongst professionals after training, however training led to a doubling of risk perception in students. E-Learning also led to an increase in reported biosecurity behaviour and cleaning practices and there were higher levels of biosecurity cleaning amongst professionals. The higher awareness and better biosecurity amongst professionals is likely to reflect their familiarity with the issues of IAS and day-to-day activities in the field. Our results suggest that e-Learning is an effective tool to raise awareness and encourage behaviour change among field workers and researchers in an attempt to reduce the risk of accidental introduction and spread of IAS.
From the Avalanche to the Game: White-Collar Offenders on Crime, Bonds and Morality
Authors: van Onna Joost H. R.
Published: May 2020

In order to understand the mechanisms that underlie involvement in white-collar crime on a personal level, 26 offenders convicted of a white-collar offence were interviewed. Building on theory and research from white-collar criminology, life-course criminology and moral psychology, findings show that a combination of criminogenic circumstances, weakened social bonds and adjusted moral ideas lead offenders down different pathways into white-collar offending. Although the process of crime involvement seems highly context-dependent in some instances, the interviews indicate that crime involvement is more commonly part of a long-running process, in which social bonds have weakened or moral ideas have been adjusted, which in turn influenced the decision to engage in the white-collar offence. Along with the limitations of the study and the directions for future research, the paper discusses the implications of the findings for white-collar crime research, in particular the complex role of morality in white-collar crime involvement.
Effect of curing conditions on the water vapor sorption behavior of melamine formaldehyde resin and resin-modified wood
Authors: Altgen Michael , Altgen Daniela , Klüppel André , Rautkari Lauri
Published: May 2020

Impregnation modification of wood with melamine formaldehyde resin reduces the adverse effects caused by moisture uptake, but the underlying modes of action are not fully understood. The present study showed that it is crucial to understand the sorption behavior of the pure resin when interpreting the behavior of resin-modified wood. Furthermore, the applied heat-curing conditions had a significant effect on the moisture uptake of resin-modified wood. At the same resin loads, dry curing conditions were more effective in causing a cell wall bulking effect than wet curing conditions. This reduced the water-accessible cell wall pore volume in dry cured wood and counterbalanced the moisture uptake by the resin. Deuterium exchange measurements suggested that the occupancy of cell wall pores reduced the number of simultaneously active sorption sites. However, there was no evidence that a swelling restraint or reduced mechanical relaxation affected the water sorption of resin-modified wood significantly.
Ambient Illumination Influence on Photuris Firefly Larval Surface Movements is not Mediated by the Stemmata
Authors: Murphy Frederick , Moiseff Andrew
Published: May 2020

Movements of fireflies visible on the surface of soil were measured under controlled laboratory conditions consisting of high and low ambient illumination. High illumination approximating the intensity of light prior to sunset constituted our light condition. Low illumination was consistent with ambient light levels after civil sunset, which we referred to as our dark condition. Surface movements were significantly more frequent during dark conditions compared to light conditions. Stemmata are the larval form of the insect eye and were the only identified visual organs present in Photuris larvae. We investigated whether stemmata provided larvae with the sensory information facilitating the light dependency of surface movements. We disrupted transmission of visual information from the larval eyes to the brain by severing the optic nerves. The amount of surface movement was compared between larvae with intact and severed optic nerves, under light and dark conditions. Light dependency of surface movements was preserved in larvae with cut optic nerves. The presence of the light dependency after cutting the optic nerves indicated that an alternative, extrastemmatal sensory pathway must be providing light intensity information to the animal. Light dependency was abolished upon removal of the head. Thus, these results suggested that the extraocular system providing light intensity information for regulating the frequency of surface movement was located in the head. The precise location of the suggested extraocular receptor and the nature of the associated sensory system remains unknown.
Quality of care evaluation in non-functioning pituitary adenoma with chiasm compression: visual outcomes and timing of intervention clinical recommendations based on a systematic literature review and cohort study
Authors: Pelsma Iris C. M. , Verstegen Marco J. T. , de Vries Friso , Notting Irene C. , Broekman Marike L. D. , van Furth Wouter R. , Biermasz Nienke R. , Pereira Alberto M.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Surgery in patients with non-functioning pituitary macroadenomas (NFMA) is effective in ameliorating visual function. The urgency for decompression, and preferred timing of surgery related to the preoperative severity of dysfunction is unknown.

Methods

Systematic review for evidence to provide clinical guidance for timing of surgical decompression of the optic chiasm, and a cohort study of 30 NFMA patients, in whom mean deviation (MD), and severity of visual dysfunction was assessed.

Results

Systematic review 44 studies were included with a total of 4789 patients. Postoperatively, visual field defects improved in 87.0% of patients, stabilized in 12.8% and worsened in 1.0%. Specific protocols regarding timing of surgery were not reported. Only seven studies (16.7%) reported on either the duration of visual symptoms, or diagnostic, or treatment delay.

Cohort study 30 NFMA patients (50% female, 60 eyes, mean age 58.5 ± 14.8 years), had a median MD of − 5.3 decibel (IQR − 3.1 to − 10.1). MD was strongly correlated with clinical severity (r =  − 0.94, P < 0.0001), and were used for severity of defects cut-off values: (1) normal >  − 2 dB, (2) mild − 2 dB to − 4 dB, (3) moderate − 4 to − 8 dB, (4) severe − 8 to − 17 dB, (5) very severe <  − 17 dB.

Conclusion

Surgical decompression is highly effective in improving visual function. Uniform, quantitative grading of visual dysfunction was lacking. MD is a promising quantitative outcome measure. We provide recommendations for the evaluation of timing of surgery, considering severity of visual impairment, which will need further validation based on expert clinical practice.
Entanglement as the world-making relation: distance from entanglement
Authors: Jaksland Rasmus
Published: May 2020

Distance, it is often argued, is the only coherent and empirically adequate world-making relation that can glue together the elements of the world. This paper offers entanglement as an alternative world-making relation. Entanglement is interesting since it is consistent even with quantum gravity theories that do not feature space at the fundamental level. The paper thereby defends the metaphysical salience of such non-spatial theories. An account of distance (space) is the predominant problem of empirical adequacy facing entanglement as a world-making relation. A resolution of this obstacle utilizes insights from the Ryu–Takayanagi formula (a holographic relation between entanglement and spacetime) and Susskind and Maldacena’s related ER = EPR conjecture (a relation between bell pairs and wormholes). Together these indicate how distance can be recovered from entanglement and thus carves the way for entanglement fundamentalism.
Bringing back the voice: on the auditory objects of speech perception
Authors: Drożdżowicz Anna
Published: May 2020

When you hear a person speaking in a familiar language you perceive thespeech soundsuttered and thevoicethat produces them. How are speech sounds and voice related in a typical auditory experience of hearing speech in a particular voice? And how to conceive of the objects of such experiences? I propose a conception of auditory objects of speech perception as temporally structured mereologically complex individuals. A common experience is that speech sounds and the voice that produces them appear united. I argue that the metaphysical underpinnings of the experienced unity of speech sounds and voices can be explained in terms of themereologicalview on sounds and their sources. I also propose a psychological explanation (theVoice Shaping Speechmodel) of how we form and individuate the auditory objects of experiences of listening to speech in a particular voice. Voice characteristics enable determining the identity of auditory objects of speech sound perception by making some features of the speech signal stable and predictable.
Nursing homes and the elderly regarding the COVID-19 pandemic: situation report from Hungary
Authors: Kemenesi Gábor , Kornya László , Tóth Gábor Endre , Kurucz Kornélia , Zeghbib Safia , Somogyi Balázs A. , Zöldi Viktor , Urbán Péter , Herczeg Róbert , Jakab Ferenc
Published: May 2020

The global impact of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic is significant in terms of public health effects and its long-term socio-economic implications. Among all social groups, the elderly is by far the most affected age group regarding morbidity and mortality. In multiple countries spanning several continents, there are an increasing number of reports referencing the novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) spread among nursing homes. These areas are now recognized as potent hotspots regarding the pandemic, which one considers with special regard. Herein, we present currently available data of fatal COVID-19 cases throughout Hungary, along with the analysis of the co-morbidity network. We also report on viral genomic data originating from a nursing home resident. The genomic data was used for viral haplotype network analysis. We emphasize the urgent need for public health authorities to focus on nursing homes and residential service units worldwide, especially in the care of the elderly and infirmed. Our results further emphasize the recent statement released by the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding the vulnerability among seniors and especially the high risk of COVID-19 emergence throughout nursing and social homes.
The chloroplast genome: a review
Authors: Dobrogojski Jędrzej , Adamiec Małgorzata , Luciński Robert
Published: May 2020

Chloroplasts are the metabolically active, semi-autonomous organelles found in plants, algae and cyanobacteria. Their main function is to carry out the photosynthesis process involving a conversion of light energy into the energy of chemical bonds used for the synthesis of organic compounds. The Chloroplasts’ proteome consists of several thousand proteins that, besides photosynthesis, participate in the biosynthesis of fatty acids, amino acids, hormones, vitamins, nucleotides and secondary metabolites. Most of the chloroplast proteins are nuclear-encoded. During the course of evolution, many genes of the ancestral chloroplasts have been transferred from the chloroplast genome into the cell nucleus. However, these proteins which are essential for the photosynthesis have been retained in the chloroplast genome. This review aims to provide a relatively comprehensive summary of the knowledge in the field of the chloroplast genome arrangement and the chloroplast genes expression process based on a widely used model in plant genetic research, namely Arabidopsis thaliana.
Analysis of the water use efficiency using super-efficiency data envelopment analysis
Authors: Pan Zhengwei , Wang Yanhua , Zhou Yuliang , Wang Yanfang
Published: May 2020

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a linear programming and production theory-based nonparametric approach that is generally used for efficiency analysis. Older DEA models, such CCR and BCC, can only identify decision-making units (DMUs) efficient or inefficient. The super-efficiency DEA model enables efficient DMUs to be ranked. A change in efficient DMUs can be measured using Malmquist index model, and the Malmquist productivity change index can be decomposed multiplicatively into an efficiency-change component (Effch) and a technical change component (Techch). This paper analyzes the water use efficiency in Shandong Province between 2006 and 2015 using Malmquist productivity index (TFP). The results show that: (1) the mean of super-efficiency scores of 17 cities in Shandong Province for the period 2006–2015 is between 0.965 and 2.760; (2) the water use efficiency was positive in 2006–2007, 2007–2008, and 2013–2014; however, it was negative in the other periods between 2006 and 2015; and (3) technical change is the key influencing factor on water use efficiency of 17 cities in Shandong Province. So, we suggest that Shandong Province encourage technological innovation to promote water use efficiency.
Space-Efficient Feature Maps for String Alignment Kernels
Authors: Tabei Yasuo , Yamanishi Yoshihiro , Pagh Rasmus
Published: May 2020

String kernels are attractive data analysis tools for analyzing string data.
Among them, alignment kernels are known for their high prediction accuracies in string classifications when tested in combination with SVM in various applications. However, alignment kernels have a crucial drawback in that they scale poorly due to their quadratic computation complexity in the number of input strings, which limits large-scale applications in practice. We address this need by presenting the first approximation for string alignment kernels, which we call space-efficient feature maps for edit distance with moves (SFMEDM), by leveraging a metric embedding named edit-sensitive parsing and feature maps (FMs) of random Fourier features (RFFs) for large-scale string analyses.
The original FMs for RFFs consume a huge amount of memory proportional to the dimension d of input vectors and the dimension D of output vectors, which prohibits its large-scale applications.
We present novel space-efficient feature maps (SFMs) of RFFs for a space reduction from O(dD) of the original FMs to O(d) of SFMs with a theoretical guarantee with respect to concentration bounds. We experimentally test SFMEDM on its ability to learn SVM for large-scale string classifications with various massive string data, and we demonstrate the superior performance of SFMEDM with respect to prediction accuracy, scalability and computation efficiency.
30 Jahre nach dem Mauerfall. Ursachen für Konvergenz und Divergenz zwischen Ost- und Westdeutschland
Authors: Schnabl Gunther , Sepp Tim
Published: May 2020

30 Jahre nach dem Mauerfall wurde keine volle Konvergenz der Wirtschaftsleistung und der Lebensverhältnisse zwischen Ost- und Westdeutschland erreicht. Das Papier zeigt die unvollständige Konvergenz bei Produktivität, Einkommen, Steueraufkommen und Vermögen auf. Es diskutiert mögliche Gründe wie das Erbe der Planwirtschaft, wirtschaftspolitische Fehler bei der Wiedervereinigung sowie die ungleiche Konzentration von großen Unternehmen. Darauf aufbauend werden die Hartz-Reformen, die regionalen Verteilungseffekte einer zunehmend lockeren europäischen Geldpolitik sowie der schleichende Verlust einer marktwirtschaftlichen Ordnung als alternative Ursachen für die unterbrochene Konvergenz diskutiert. Daraus werden wirtschaftspolitische Empfehlungen für eine Konvergenz der Wirtschaftskraft in Ostdeutschland abgeleitet.
Raise of Happiness Following Raised Awareness of How Happy One Feels: A Follow-Up of Repeated Users of the Happiness Indicator Website
Authors: Bakker Arnold , Burger Martijn , van Haren Pieter , Oerlemans Wido , Veenhoven Ruut
Published: May 2020

The Happiness Indicator (https://www.happinessindicator.com) is an online tool designed to make people more aware of their own happiness. The theory behind the website is that a keener awareness of one’s own happiness helps one find an optimal lifestyle and consequently promotes happiness among users of the website. In this paper, we describe this tool and explore its effectiveness. Users periodically record how happy they feel on the present day and how happy they have felt over the past month, using the Happiness Comparer. They also have the option of indicating in the Happiness Diary how happy they felt during the various activities of the previous day. Users receive instant feedback in the form of a comparison with their earlier scores and with the average scores of similar users. The website has been online since January 2011; 5411 participants have participated at least twice, and 64% of them used the Happiness Diary one or more times. These numbers are now high enough to permit a first check to see whether repeated use of the Happiness Indicator is followed by the expected rise of the participants’ happiness. We found that the use of the Happiness Comparer was followed by a small non-significant increase in happiness, while using the Happiness Diary was followed by a greater increase and statistically significant upturn. Using the Happiness Diary 10 times, was followed by an average increase in happiness of 1,5%. In addition, we found that the relationship between diary use and rise of happiness was particularly strong for those who felt less happy when they first used the Happiness Indicator.
Ejaculatory Duct Obstruction in the Setting of an Ectopic Ureter
Authors: Smith Joseph Shawn , Springhart William Patrick
Published: May 2020

Introduction

A 17-year-old man was referred to a tertiary care urologist for hematuria, hematospermia, and testalgia. The patient had a history of right-sided renal dysgenesis at birth.

Methods

Fluoroscopic investigation with retrograde seminal vesiculography demonstrated the right ureter implanted ectopically into the right ejaculatory duct. Magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis showed the ectopic ureter present proximally from the level of the external iliac vessels and implanting into a cystic dilatation on the posterolateral aspect of the prostate. Robot-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy was performed finding an ectopic right ureter forming a confluent cyst with the right ejaculatory duct composed of the seminal vesicle (SV) duct, ureter, and ductus deferens. Incision of the SV revealed mucin balls obstructing the ejaculatory duct.

Results

The nephroureterectomy and removal of the mucin balls resolved the patient’s pain at the 1-month follow-up.

Conclusion

Painful ejaculation or hematospermia in the presence of known renal dysgenesis may constitute Zinner’s syndrome and be an indication for pelvic magnetic resonance imaging or retrograde seminal vesiculography investigation. The classic presentation of pain with contraction of hollow organs and associated proximal dilation on imaging can be applied to the ejaculatory duct. Robot-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy with preservation of the effected SV was a suitable surgical approach for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in this case of Zinner’s syndrome.
Risk Factors for Sexual Pain Among Physically Active Women
Authors: Fergus Kirkpatrick B. , Cohen Andrew J. , Cedars Benjamin E. , Rowen Tami S. , Patino German , Breyer Benjamin N.
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Sexual pain is common among women but little is known about associations with exercise and physical activity.

Aim

To determine the prevalence of sexual pain among physically active women and to evaluate cycling and other potential risk factors.

Methods

This is a secondary data analysis of a study on the urinary and sexual wellness of physically active women recruited through sporting clubs and targeted social media advertising. We used multivariable logistic regression to assess the role of cycling and exercise in reporting any, frequent, or severe sexual pain, controlling for demographic, relationship, and health risk factors.

Main outcome measure

Sexual pain, including frequency and severity, was measured using the Female Sexual Function Index.

Results

A total of 2,039 women were included, with 1,097 (54%) reporting any level of sexual pain, 364 (18%) experiencing frequent pain, and 378 (19%) reporting severe pain. Less than 5% of women reported diabetes or hypertension, and the cohort had a median body mass index of 23.3 (interquartile range 21.4–25.7). Increasing age and body mass index were protective against any sexual pain, as was cycling (odds ratio [OR] 0.73 [95% CI 0.59–0.90]). Participants who reported being “moderately satisfied” (OR 0.53 [95% CI 0.31–0.91]) or “very satisfied” (OR 0.33 [95% CI 0.19–0.56]) with their emotional closeness to a sexual partner had decreased odds of any sexual pain.

Conclusion

Experiencing any sexual pain is common in physically active women, with a prevalence of over 50%; however, weekly energy expenditure from exercise was not associated with sexual pain. Cycling participation and higher levels of emotional closeness and intimacy were associated with less pain. Patients between the ages of 18 and 30 years who were normal or underweight incurred the highest risk of sexual pain.
Towards a Theory of 'Smart' Social Infrastructures at Base of the Pyramid
Authors: Goyal Sandeep , Sergi Bruno S.
Published: May 2020

The primary focus of this Element is to understand the rise of smart 'social' infrastructures in BoP emerging markets like India. It has been observed that new focus areas and frontiers of global economy are taking shape where social and environmental outcomes along with economic performance are considered to be collective parameters for success or failure of the businesses. This has led to the emergence of new models of entrepreneurship, namely for-profit social businesses. These new models are driven by problem-solving social innovators who are driven by the social and environmental mission besides economic gains. Sustainability and overall success of social businesses is driven by smart social infrastructure, comprising availability of incubation ecosystem for social start-ups, access to patient capital, availability of digital ecosystem, adoption of circular business models, and focus on collaborations, partnerships and networking with diverse stakeholders.
Does Access to Rural Credit Help Decrease Income Inequality in Brazil?
Authors: Neves Mateus de Carvalho Reis , Freitas Carlos Otávio , Silva Felipe de Figueiredo , Costa Davi Rogério de Moura , Braga Marcelo José
Published: May 2020

Agricultural production in Brazil has increased in recent decades. Despite this, the rural population continues to face income inequality. Policies targeting this issue, such as rural credit, have been implemented during this period. This study estimates the influence of credit on income inequality in Brazilian rural areas. Results suggest that the family farming credit program (PRONAF) is not associated with increase in inequality. However, access to rural credit from sources other than PRONAF has led to greater household income inequality. Results also indicate that greater levels of education and access to rural extension have boosted the effect of credit on income.
Learning Cycles: Enriching Ways of Knowing Place
Authors: Wooltorton Sandra , White Peta , Palmer Marilyn , Collard Len
Published: May 2020

We share a story about akatitjin bidi, a learning journey in a bioregion with a multimillennial Aboriginal history. As part of thiskatitjin bidi, three environmental educators implemented a place-based pedagogy called ‘becoming family with place’, while a fourth participated in the preplanning and final reflective stages. Our story includes cycles of ways of knowing, resulting in an enriched practice of being-with our place. Our story is underpinned by Aboriginal epistemologies to reimagine regenerative futures linked with those of ‘the long now’ — the past, present and future here now. Ours is a particular story that lives in a particular southwest place. There are layers of meanings that live right across the landscapes in the southwest of Australia — and many of them are hiding in full view. You might like to try this pedagogy in school learning, teacher education, and community education contexts.