bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nanomaterial Transformation in the Soil–Plant System: Implications for Food Safety and Application in Agriculture
Authors: Zhang Peng , Guo Zhiling , Zhang Zhiyong , Fu Hualing , White Jason C. , Lynch Iseult
Published: April 2020

Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) have huge potential for improving use efficiency of agrochemicals, crop production, and soil health; however, the behavior and fate of ENMs and the potential for negative long‐term impacts to agroecosystems remain largely unknown. In particular, there is a lack of clear understanding of the transformation of ENMs in both soil and plant compartments. The transformation can be physical, chemical, and/or biological, and may occur in soil, at the plant interface, and/or inside the plant. Due to these highly dynamic processes, ENMs may acquire new properties distinct from their original profile; as such, the behavior, fate, and biological effects may also differ significantly. Several essential questions in terms of ENMs transformation are discussed, including the drivers and locations of ENM transformation in the soil–plant system and the effects of ENM transformation on analyte uptake, translocation, and toxicity. The main knowledge gaps in this area are highlighted and future research needs are outlined so as to ensure sustainable nanoenabled agricultural applications.
Platelet Membrane‐Camouflaged Magnetic Nanoparticles for Ferroptosis‐Enhanced Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Jiang Qin , Wang Kuang , Zhang Xingyu , Ouyang Boshu , Liu Haixia , Pang Zhiqing , Yang Wuli
Published: April 2020

Although cancer immunotherapy has emerged as a tremendously promising cancer therapy method, it remains effective only for several cancers. Photoimmunotherapy (e.g., photodynamic/photothermal therapy) could synergistically enhance the immune response of immunotherapy. However, excessively generated immunogenicity will cause serious inflammatory response syndrome. Herein, biomimetic magnetic nanoparticles, Fe3O4‐SAS @ PLT, are reported as a novel approach to sensitize effective ferroptosis and generate mild immunogenicity, enhancing the response rate of non‐inflamed tumors for cancer immunotherapy. Fe3O4‐SAS@PLT are built from sulfasalazine (SAS)‐loaded mesoporous magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4) and platelet (PLT) membrane camouflage and triggered a ferroptotic cell death via inhibiting the glutamate‐cystine antiporter system Xc− pathway. Fe3O4‐SAS @ PLT‐mediated ferroptosis significantly improves the efficacy of programmed cell death 1 immune checkpoint blockade therapy and achieves a continuous tumor elimination in a mouse model of 4T1 metastatic tumors. Proteomics studies reveal that Fe3O4‐SAS @ PLT‐mediated ferroptosis could not only induce tumor‐specific immune response but also efficiently repolarize macrophages from immunosuppressive M2 phenotype to antitumor M1 phenotype. Therefore, the concomitant of Fe3O4‐SAS @ PLT‐mediated ferroptosis with immunotherapy are expected to provide great potential in the clinical treatment of tumor metastasis.
A call for consensus on the use of representative model worlds in systems engineering and design
Authors: Szajnfarber Zoe , Grogan Paul T. , Panchal Jitesh H. , Gralla Erica L.
Published: April 2020

Systems engineering and design (SE&D) researchers increasingly tackle questions at the intersection of technical and social aspects of complex systems design. Practical challenges of access, limited observation scope, and long timescales limit empirical study of SE&D phenomena. As a result, studies are typically conducted in model world settings abstracted from the real world, such as behavioral experiments with student subjects. Model worlds must be representative of the phenomena being studied to ensure insights generalize to the real‐world settings. Currently, there is a lack of shared understanding and standards within the SE&D research community to evaluate representativeness of model worlds. This communication captures the results of ongoing efforts to build consensus on this topic: it defines the concept of model worlds, disambiguates representativeness from related concepts, and draws comparisons to other research domains. It outlines a potential path forward and calls for community participation in establishing shared standards for model world representativeness in SE&D research.
Synthesis and Crystal Structure of BaLaSi2H0.80
Authors: Werwein Anton , Kohlmann Holger
Published: April 2020

The polyanionic compound BaLaSi2 featuring cis‐trans silicon chains takes up hydrogen to form a hydride BaLaSi2H0.80. The crystal structure of the parent intermetallic compound is largely retained upon hydrogenation with the same space group type, a unit cell volume increase of 3.29 % and very similar atomic positions in the hydride. Hydrogen could be located in the crystal structure by neutron diffraction on the deuteride. Deuterium atoms occupy a tetrahedral Ba3La interstitial with 40.6(2) % occupation (Cmcm, a = 464.43(4) pm, b = 1526.7(1) pm, c = 676.30(6) pm). BaLaSi2H0.80 is thus an interstitial Zintl phase hydride like LaSiH1–x, but unlike BaSiH2–x does not feature any covalent Si–H bonds. Si–Si distances within the polyanion increase upon hydrogenation from 240.1(6) and 242.9(5) pm to 244.7(2) pm and 245.5(2) pm. This is probably due to oxidation of the polyanion by hydrogen, which leads to the formation of hydride ions and the depopulation of the polyanion's antibonding π* states. Interatomic Ba–D [260.9(4) pm, 295.7(5) pm] and La–D distances [241.2(7) pm] are in the typical range of ionic hydrides.
Report of the IAU/IAG Joint Working Group on Theory of Earth Rotation and Validation
Authors: Ferrándiz José M. , Gross Richard S. , Escapa Alberto , Getino Juan , Brzeziński Aleksander , Heinkelmann Robert
Published: April 2020

This report focuses on some selected scientific outcomes of the activities developed by the IAU/IAG Joint Working Group on Theory of Earth rotation and validation along the term 2015–2019. It is based on its end-of-term report to the IAG Commission 3 published in the Travaux de l’IAG 2015–2019, which in its turn updates previous reports to the IAG and IAU, particularly the triennial report 2015–2018 to the IAU Commission A2, and the medium term report to the IAG Commission 3 (2015–2017). The content of the report has served as a basis for the IAG General Assembly to adopt Resolution 5 on Improvement of Earth rotation theories and models.
Ärztliche Vorbildfunktion bezüglich körperlicher Aktivität für Patienten mit psychischen Erkrankungen
Authors: Petzold Moritz Bruno , Ernst Felicitas , Spitzer Ursula , Gabrysch Julian , Schweinfurth Nina , Satorius Norman , Ströhle Andreas , Betzler Felix
Published: April 2020

Hintergrund

Körperliche Aktivität spielt eine bedeutende Rolle bei der Behandlung psychischer Störungen. Psychiatern/ärztlichen Psychotherapeuten kommt eine Schlüsselrolle dabei zu, ihren Patienten körperliche Aktivität zu empfehlen. Zum Empfehlungsverhalten dieses Kollektivs liegen bisher keine Untersuchungen vor.

Ziele der Arbeit

Das Empfehlungsverhalten in Bezug auf körperliche Aktivität sowie verhaltensbezogene und motivationale Korrelate, die das Empfehlungsverhalten potenziell beeinflussen, bei deutschen Psychiatern/ärztlichen Psychotherapeuten sollte untersucht werden.

Material und Methoden

Insgesamt beantworteten 151 deutsche Psychiater/ärztliche Psychotherapeuten (Alter: M = 32,5 Jahre; Geschlecht: 47,0 % weiblich) einen Onlinefragebogen bezüglich körperlicher Aktivität. Dabei wurden das Empfehlungsverhalten körperlicher Aktivität, die Einstellung, das eigene Aktivitätsverhalten und die Selbstkonkordanz eigener Motivation, körperlich aktiv zu sein, erfasst.

Ergebnisse

Die meisten Psychiater/ärztliche Psychotherapeuten gaben an, körperliche Aktivität einigen (54,5 %, n = 82) oder all ihren Patienten zu empfehlen (33,8 %, n = 51). Das Empfehlungsverhalten korrelierte signifikant positiv mit der Selbstkonkordanz der Motivation (r = 0,19) sowie mit der Einstellung zur Bedeutsamkeit körperlicher Aktivität (r = 0,16). Hingegen bestand keine signifikante Korrelation zwischen dem eignen Aktivitätsniveau und dem Empfehlungsverhalten der Psychiater/ärztlichen Psychotherapeuten (r = 0,04).

Schlussfolgerung

Ein Großteil der Psychiater/ärztlichen Psychotherapeuten empfiehlt körperliche Aktivität. Positiv auf das Empfehlungsverhalten wirkten sich insbesondere die Einschätzung der körperlichen Aktivität als bedeutsam sowie eine hohe Selbstkonkordanz der eigenen Motivation, körperlich aktiv zu sein, aus. Interventionsprogramme, die das Empfehlungsverhalten von Psychiatern/ärztlichen Psychotherapeuten steigern wollen, sollten auf die Selbstkonkordanz der Motivation der Psychiater/ärztlichen Psychotherapeuten, körperlich aktiv zu sein, fokussieren und sich nicht nur auf die Bedeutsamkeit körperlicher Aktivität konzentrieren.
Ultrasensitive RT-QuIC assay with high sensitivity and specificity for Lewy body-associated synucleinopathies
Authors: Rossi Marcello , Candelise Niccolò , Baiardi Simone , Capellari Sabina , Giannini Giulia , Orrù Christina D. , Antelmi Elena , Mammana Angela , Hughson Andrew G. , Calandra-Buonaura Giovanna , Ladogana Anna , Plazzi Giuseppe , Cortelli Pietro , Caughey Byron , Parchi Piero
Published: April 2020

The clinical diagnosis of synucleinopathies, including Parkinson’s disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and multiple system atrophy (MSA), is challenging, especially at an early disease stage, due to the heterogeneous and often non-specific clinical manifestations. The discovery of reliable specific markers for synucleinopathies would consequently be of great aid to the diagnosis and management of these disorders. Real-Time Quaking-Induced Conversion (RT-QuIC) is an ultrasensitive technique that has been previously used to detect self-templating amyloidogenic proteins in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and other biospecimens in prion disease and synucleinopathies. Using a wild-type recombinant α-synuclein as a substrate, we applied RT-QuIC to a large cohort of 439 CSF samples from clinically well-characterized, or post-mortem verified patients with parkinsonism or dementia. Of significance, we also studied patients with isolated REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) (n = 18) and pure autonomic failure (PAF) (n = 28), representing clinical syndromes that are often caused by a synucleinopathy, and may precede the appearance of parkinsonism or cognitive decline. The results show that our RT-QuIC assay can accurately detect α-synuclein seeding activity across the spectrum of Lewy Body (LB)-related disorders (LBD), including DLB, PD, iRBD, and PAF, with an overall sensitivity of 95.3%. In contrast, all but two patients with MSA showed no α-synuclein seeding activity in the applied experimental setting. The analysis of the fluorescence response reflecting the amount of α-synuclein seeds revealed no significant differences between the clinical syndromes associated with LB pathology. Finally, the assay demonstrated 98% specificity in a neuropathological cohort of 101 cases lacking LB pathology. In conclusion, α-synuclein RT-QuIC provides an accurate marker of synucleinopathies linked to LB pathology and may have a pivotal role in the early discrimination and management of affected patients. The finding of no α-synuclein seeding activity in MSA seems to support the current view that MSA and LBD are associated with different conformational strains of α-synuclein.
Endoscopic totally extraperitoneal approach (TEA) technique for primary ventral hernia repair
Authors: Li Binggen , Qin Changfu , Bittner Reinhard
Published: April 2020

Background

Up to now the totally extraperitoneal (TEP) technique is limited to the treatment of inguinal hernias. Applying this anatomical repair concept to the treatment of other abdominal wall hernias, we developed an endoscopic totally extraperitoneal approach (TEA) to treat primary midline ventral hernias, including umbilical and epigastric hernias, in which for mesh placement, an anatomical space is developed between the peritoneum and the posterior rectus sheath in the ventral part of the abdominal wall (preperitoneal space).

Methods

Between September 2017 and December 2019 according to the selection criterions, 28 consecutive primary midline ventral hernias were repaired using TEA. After extensive endoscopic development of the midline extraperitoneal plane, which was started in the suprasymphysic area, and reduction of the hernia sac, the hernia defect was closed and a large mesh was placed in the preperitoneal position to enforce the anterior abdominal wall.

Results

All operations were successfully performed without conversion to open surgery. The mean operation time was 103.3 min (range 85–145 min). Patient-reported postoperative pain was qualitatively mild with a mean pain visual analogue scale score of 1.9 on postoperative day 1. The average hospital stay was 1.9 days (range 1–3 days). Three patients developed minor complications and were treated with no long-term adverse effects. Readmissions within 30 days or hernia recurrences were not observed with a mean follow-up period of 18 months (range 10–27 months).

Conclusion

In selected cases, TEA is a safe and feasible minimally invasive alternative in treating primary ventral hernias. This technique preserves the anatomical and physiological structure of the abdominal wall and may significantly reduce trauma and postoperative complications. Additionally, anti-adhesion-coated meshes and fixation tackers are not required, thus being cost-effective. Further studies are necessary to proof the true clinical efficacy in comparison to well-known alternative techniques.
Building on adaptive capacity to extreme events in Brazil: water reform, participation, and climate information across four river basins
Authors: Lemos Maria Carmen , Puga Bruno Peregrina , Formiga-Johnsson Rosa Maria , Seigerman Cydney Kate
Published: April 2020

Building the capacity of water systems to prepare and adapt to climate-driven events has become an important goal for water managers in Brazil. One aspect of building adaptive capacity (AC) is the ability of organizations and actors within these systems to apply techno-scientific knowledge (TSK), in particular, climatic information, to plan and respond to extreme events. However, the way the use of knowledge interacts with theorized determinants of AC, such as stakeholder-driven governance and democratic deliberation, remains relatively unexplored in the empirical literature. In this article, we propose a simple heuristic to understand the relationship between the use of climate knowledge and participatory management and explore it empirically in the context of integrated water resources management (IWRM) in four river basins in Brazil. We find that despite an overall increase in the capacity of the basins studied to manage drought through time, the relationship between use of TSK and participation is not straightforward. Rather, knowledge use to inform decision-making remains mostly insulated, with few groups controlling both the process of producing knowledge and making decisions in times of crisis. Yet, across all cases, the continued exposure of river basin organizations (RBOs) to TSK suggests a growing appreciation for the role of information in supporting action and increased efforts by RBOs to develop their own knowledge resources to become more relevant in the decision-making process.
Moderne Schilddrüsenchirurgie – das endokrin-chirurgische Verständnis des Operateurs und seine Verantwortung für Resektionsausmaß und Komplikationsrate
Authors: Hermann Michael , Gschwandtner Elisabeth , Schneider Max , Handgriff Laura , Prommegger Rupert
Published: April 2020

Die hohe Qualität der Schilddrüsenchirurgie impliziert ein endokrin-chirurgisches Verständnis des Operateurs mit dem Ziel einer bestmöglichen Ergebnisqualität. Das beinhaltet ein befundadäquates Resektionsausmaß und eine möglichst niedrige Komplikationsrate. Der Chirurg sollte frühzeitig in die Operationsindikation eingebunden sein und auch selbst die Diagnostik, speziell den Schilddrüsen- und Halslymphknotenultraschall, sowie die Interpretation der Schnittbild- und nuklearmedizinischen Verfahren beherrschen. Im Besonderen sollte er über zeitgemäße Radikalitätsprinzipien in der Chirurgie Bescheid wissen.

Bei der gutartigen Struma ist eine individualisierte Operationsstrategie anzuwenden: Solitärknoten können auch einer gewebeschonenden Knotenresektion unterzogen werden. Bei multinodulärer Knotenstruma ist nicht zwingend eine totale Thyreoidektomie notwendig, die Vermeidung eines permanenten Hypoparathyreoidismus hat Priorität. Bei Rezidivstrumen ist oft die einseitige Operation des dominanten Befundes zu bevorzugen. Auch besteht zunehmend der Trend, die Indikation zur Entfernung der Schilddrüsenlappen seitengetrennt zu stellen. Die Basedow Struma erfordert eine Thyreoidektomie. Auch die hypertrophe Thyreoiditis Hashimoto kann eine Operationsindikation darstellen.

Die Radikalitätsprinzipien bei maligner Struma haben sich ebenfalls deutlich gewandelt als auch die strenge Indikation zur Radiojodtherapie. Das gilt speziell für papilläre Mikrokarzinome und minimal invasive follikuläre Tumortypen. Selbst bei medullären Schilddrüsenkarzinom stehen die Radikalitätsprinzipien im Hinblick auf synchrone oder metachrone laterale Halsdissektion in Diskussion.

Der Hypoparathyreoidismus stellt derzeit das Hauptproblem in der radikalen Schilddrüsenchirurgie dar. Recurrensparese und Nachblutung sind durch die subtile Operationstechnik selten geworden. Spezielle extrazervikale Operationszugänge sind nach wie vor in der Erprobungsphase und unter strengen Studienbestimmungen nur Zentren vorbehalten. Die Radiofrequenzablation stellt für gewisse Läsionen wie Zysten und autonome Adenome bei chirurgischer Kontraindikation ein alternatives Ablationsverfahren dar.
Effect of eutrophication and humification on nutrient cycles and transfer efficiency of matter in freshwater food webs
Authors: Karpowicz Maciej , Zieliński Piotr , Grabowska Magdalena , Ejsmont-Karabin Jolanta , Kozłowska Joanna , Feniova Irina
Published: April 2020

We evaluated how eutrophication and humification impacted nutrient cycles and the efficiency of carbon transfer in the planktonic food webs of 12 lakes in north-eastern Poland that differed in trophic state. Our results indicated that the effectiveness of carbon transfer between phytoplankton and zooplankton varied from 0.0005% to 0.14%, which is much lower than the theoretical 10%. The highest efficiency of carbon transfer occurred in the mesotrophic lakes due to the higher hypolimnetic zooplankton production, while the lowest efficiency was observed in the dystrophic lakes and in one eutrophic lake that was dominated by cyanobacteria. Inedible algae (e.g.Gonyostomum semen) and cyanobacteria appeared to be the main factors reducing the efficiency of the transfer of matter in pelagic food webs. The results of our study showed that plankton communities are a key component of the nutrient cycle in freshwater food webs. Phytoplankton were a very effective nitrogen sink, and in the mesotrophic lakes, up to 99% of the total nitrogen was sequestrated in phytoplankton. As a result, there was a depletion of inorganic nitrogen in the upper water layer. Furthermore, zooplankton were an important phosphorus sink, thus significantly influencing the nutrient cycles.
Making Things Happen (Un)Expectedly: Interactive Effects of Age, Gender, and Motives on Evaluations of Proactive Behavior
Authors: Bohlmann Clarissa , Zacher Hannes
Published: April 2020

Proactive behavior entails self-starting actions oriented toward change in the future. Other people’s perceptions of an employee’s proactive behavior are likely shaped by personal characteristics of the employee and related expectations. We hypothesized that the intersectionality of age, gender, and two motives (i.e., achievement and benevolence) influences others’ evaluations of proactive behavior. Consistent with the social role theory and the notion of a lack of fit, results of a first experimental vignette methodology study with an employee sample (N = 101; 1818 ratings) showed that proactive behavior was rated as more effective for older men compared to younger men motivated by achievement, whereas proactive behavior was rated as more effective for younger men compared to older men motivated by benevolence. Younger women compared to older women received higher effectiveness ratings for proactive behavior independent of their motive. In a second experimental vignette methodology study with a sample of participants in supervisory roles (N = 164; 1205 ratings), we partially replicated the results of the first study: proactive behavior was rated as more effective for older men compared to younger men motivated by achievement, and proactive behavior was rated as more effective for younger women compared to older women motivated by achievement. In contrast, effectiveness ratings of proactive behavior of younger and older men as well as younger and older women motivated by benevolence did not differ. Overall, by investigating the intersectionality of age, gender, and motives, these findings advance research on influences of person characteristics on others’ evaluations of proactive behavior.
A simple checklist, that is all it takes: a cluster randomized controlled field trial on improving the treatment of suspected terrorists by the police
Authors: Langley Brandon , Ariel Barak , Tankebe Justice , Sutherland Alex , Beale Marcus , Factor Roni , Weinborn Cristobal
Published: April 2020

Objectives

When it comes to interviewing suspected terrorists, global evidence points to harsh interrogation procedures, despite the likelihood of false positives. How can the state maintain an effective counterterrorism policy while simultaneously protecting civil rights? Until now, the shroud of secrecy of “national security” practices has thwarted attempts by researchers to test apparatuses that engender fair interrogation procedures. The present study aims to test one approach: the use of a “procedural justice checklist” (PJ Checklist) in interviews of suspected terrorists by counterterrorism police officers in port settings.

Methods

Using a clustered randomized controlled field test in a European democracy, we measure the effect of implementing Procedural Justice (PJ) Checklists in counterterrorism police settings. With 65 teams of officers randomly-assigned into treatment and control conditions, we compare post-interrogation surveys of suspects (n = 1418) on perceptions of legitimacy; obligations to obey the law; willingness to cooperate with the police; effectiveness of counterterrorism measures; distributive justice; feelings of social resistance to the state; and PJ. A series of multi-level linear, logistic, and ordered logit regression models are used to estimate the treatment effect, with Hedges’gand odds ratios used for effect sizes.

Results

When compared with control conditions, implementing a policy of PJ Checklist causes statistically significant and large enhancement in all measured dimensions, including the willingness of suspects to obey the law (g = 1.022 [0.905, 1.138]), to cooperate with the police (g = 1.118 [0.999, 1.238]), distributive justice (g = 0.993 [0.880, 1.106]), effectiveness (g = 1.077 [0.959, 1.195]), procedural justice (g = 1.044 [0.930, 1.158]), and feelings of resistance towards the state (g = − 0.370 [− 0.259, − 0.482]).

Conclusions

PJ checklists offer a simple, scalable means of improving how state agents interact with terrorism suspects. The police can use what is evidently a cost-effective tool to enhance legitimacy and cooperation with the police, even in a counterterrorism environment.
Gesundheitsförderung durch mehr Wissen im Kinderschutz
Authors: Maier Anna , Fegert Jörg M. , Hoffmann Ulrike
Published: April 2020

Hintergrund

Die Prävalenz von Kindesmisshandlung in Deutschland ist anhaltend hoch und eine der Hauptursachen für gesundheitliche Ungleichheit. Gesundheitsfachkräfte sind wichtige Akteure beim Erkennen von und Umgang mit Kindesmisshandlung, daher ist eine umfassende Fortbildung zum Thema bedeutsam. Der Online-Kurs „Kinderschutz in der Medizin“ wurde positiv evaluiert, es wurde aber deutlich, dass viele Teilnehmende den Kurs aus zeitlichen Gründen nicht abschließen konnten. Um trotzdem möglichst viele Gesundheitsfachkräfte zum Thema Kinderschutz fortzubilden, wurden zusätzlich Materialien zur Dissemination der bedeutendsten Inhalte des Kurses entwickelt.

Fragestellung

Diese Arbeit stellt die Evaluation der Disseminationsmaterialien vor und zeigt weitere Schritte in diese Richtung auf.

Material und Methoden

Die Disseminationsmaterialien stehen allen Absolvent*innen des Online-Kurses zur Verfügung. Zu allen Materialien gibt es eine methodische Anleitung, um die Durchführung einfach zu gestalten. Anschließend können die Materialien online evaluiert werden.

Ergebnisse

Die Disseminationsmaterialien haben 55 der 1305 Absolvent*innen als Multiplikator*innen genutzt und evaluiert. Es zeigt sich eine hohe Zufriedenheit mit den Materialien über alle Berufsgruppen hinweg. Es konnten theoretische, aber auch praktische Kenntnisse im Kinderschutz vermittelt werden. Ein Großteil gab zudem an, dass ohne die Materialien keine Disseminationsmaßnahme stattgefunden hätte.

Diskussion

Künftig sollen noch mehr Absolvent*innen motiviert werden die Materialien zu nutzen und zu evaluieren. Der Online-Kurs kann somit als Multiplikator*innenschulung dienen und bei der Umsetzung von Inhouse-Fortbildung unterstützen. Somit kann Wissen zu Kinderschutz in der Medizin breit disseminiert werden.
Prediction of numbers of the accumulative confirmed patients (NACP) and the plateau phase of 2019-nCoV in China
Authors: Pei Lijun
Published: April 2020

In the present study, I propose a novel fitting method to describe the outbreak of 2019-nCoV in China. The fitted data were selected carefully from the non-Hubei part and Hubei Province of China respectively. For the non-Hubei part, the time period of data collection corresponds from the beginning of the policy of isolation to present day. But for Hubei Province, the subjects of Wuhan City and Hubei Province were included from the time of admission to the Huoshenshan Hospital to present day in order to ensure that all or the majority of the confirmed and suspected patients were collected for diagnosis and treatment. The employed basic functions for fitting are the hyperbolic tangent functions$$\tanh (.)$$tanh(.)since in these cases the 2019-nCoV is just an epidemic. Subsequently, the 2019-nCoV will initially expand rapidly and tend to disappear. Therefore, the numbers of the accumulative confirmed patients in different cities, provinces and geographical regions will initially increase rapidly and subsequently stabilize to a plateau phase. The selection of the basic functions for fitting is crucial. In the present study, I found that the hyperbolic tangent functions$$\tanh (.)$$tanh(.)could satisfy the aforementioned properties. By this novel method, I can obtain two significant results. They base on the conditions that the rigorous isolation policy is executed continually. Initially, I can predict the numbers very accurately of the cumulative confirmed patients in different cities, provinces and parts in China, notably, in Wuhan City with the smallest relative error estimated to$$0.021\%$$0.021%, in Hubei Province with the smallest relative error estimated to$$0.012\%$$0.012%and in the non-Hubei part of China with the smallest relative error of$$-$$- 0.195% in the short-term period of infection. In addition, perhaps I can predict the times when the plateau phases will occur respectively in different regions in the long-term period of infection. Generally for the non-Hubei part of China, the plateau phase of the outbreak of the 2019-nCoV will be expected this March or at the end of this February. In the non-Hubei region of China it is expected that the epidemic will cease on the 30th of March 2020 and following this date no new confirmed patient will be expected. The predictions of the time of Inflection Points and maximum NACP for some important regions may be also obtained. A specific plan for the prevention measures of the 2019-nCoV outbreak must be implemented. This will involve the present returning to work and resuming production in China. Based on the presented results, I suggest that the rigorous isolation policy by the government should be executed regularly during daily life and work duties. Moreover, as many as possible the confirmed and suspected cases should be collected to diagnose or treat.
The Light Ray Transform in Stationary and Static Lorentzian Geometries
Authors: Feizmohammadi Ali , Ilmavirta Joonas , Oksanen Lauri
Published: April 2020

Given a Lorentzian manifold, the light ray transform of a function is its integrals along null geodesics. This paper is concerned with the injectivity of the light ray transform on functions and tensors, up to the natural gauge for the problem. First, we study the injectivity of the light ray transform of a scalar function on a globally hyperbolic stationary Lorentzian manifold and prove injectivity holds if either a convex foliation condition is satisfied on a Cauchy surface on the manifold or the manifold is real analytic and null geodesics do not have cut points. Next, we consider the light ray transform on tensor fields of arbitrary rank in the more restrictive class of static Lorentzian manifolds and show that if the geodesic ray transform on tensors defined on the spatial part of the manifold is injective up to the natural gauge, then the light ray transform on tensors is also injective up to its natural gauge. Finally, we provide applications of our results to some inverse problems about recovery of coefficients for hyperbolic partial differential equations from boundary data.
Investigation of Visual System Involvement in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 14
Authors: Ihl Thomas , Kadas Ella M. , Oberwahrenbrock Timm , Endres Matthias , Klockgether Thomas , Schroeter Jan , Brandt Alexander U. , Paul Friedemann , Minnerop Martina , Doss Sarah , Schmitz-Hübsch Tanja , Zimmermann Hanna G.
Published: April 2020

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 14 (SCA-PRKCG, formerly SCA14) is a rare, slowly progressive disorder caused by conventional mutations in protein kinase Cγ (PKCγ). The disease usually manifests with ataxia, but previous reports suggested PRKCG variants in retinal pathology. To systematically investigate for the first time visual function and retinal morphology in patients with SCA-PRKCG. Seventeen patients with PRKCG variants and 17 healthy controls were prospectively recruited, of which 12 genetically confirmed SCA-PRKCG patients and 14 matched controls were analyzed. We enquired a structured history for visual symptoms. Vision-related quality of life was obtained with the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ) including the Neuro-Ophthalmic Supplement (NOS). Participants underwent testing of visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, visual fields, and retinal morphology with optical coherence tomography (OCT). Measurements of the SCA-PRKCG group were analyzed for their association with clinical parameters (ataxia rating and disease duration). SCA-PRKCG patients rate their vision-related quality of life in NEI-VFQ significantly worse than controls. Furthermore, binocular visual acuity and contrast sensitivity were worse in SCA-PRKCG patients compared with controls. Despite this, none of the OCT measurements differed between groups. NEI-VFQ and NOS composite scores were related to ataxia severity. Additionally, we describe one patient with a genetic variant of uncertain significance in the catalytic domain of PKCγ who, unlike all confirmed SCA-PRKCG, presented with a clinically silent epitheliopathy. SCA-PRKCG patients had reduced binocular vision and vision-related quality of life. Since no structural retinal damage was found, the pathomechanism of these findings remains unclear.
Thiel’s embalming method with additional intra-cerebral ventricular formalin injection (TEIF) for cadaver training of head and brain surgery
Authors: Miyake Shigeta , Suenaga Jun , Miyazaki Ryohei , Sasame Jo , Akimoto Taisuke , Tanaka Takahiro , Ohtake Makoto , Takase Hajime , Tateishi Kensuke , Shimizu Nobuyuki , Murata Hidetoshi , Funakoshi Kengo , Yamamoto Tetsuya
Published: April 2020

Thiel’s embalming method provides natural coloration, flexibility, and tissue plasticity, and is used widely to prepare specimens for cadaver surgical training. However, this method causes brain softening, thereby restricting the cadaver surgical training of intra-cranial procedures. In this study, three cadavers were embalmed using formalin fixation, Thiel’s embalming method, and Thiel’s embalming method with additional intra-cerebral ventricular formalin injection, respectively. We also established rat models of the three embalming methods to develop and determine the best method for retaining adequate brain elasticity. The intra-ventricular formalin injection in the cadaver was performed through the Kocher’s point, as in the classical external ventricular drain procedure. Both, the cadaver brains and rat models yielded consistent shear wave measurements and brain surface stiffness data. Notably, the Thiel’s embalming method with additional intra-cerebral ventricular formalin injection yielded suitable elasticity for brain cadaver surgical training in terms of brain mobilization and surgical field deployment, and also discharged formaldehyde in undetectable quantities. To our knowledge, this is the first report in which a fixed quality, namely, brain elasticity for the performance of head and brain cadaver surgical training, has been evaluated in a cadaver subjected to the Thiel’s embalming method with immersion fixation in the cerebrospinal fluid space. We conclude that the Thiel’s embalming method with additional intra-cerebral ventricular formalin injection can maintain the brain elasticity, and may therefore improve the quality of head and brain cadaver surgical training safely and easily.
Winter-hardy vs. freeze-killed cover crop mixtures before maize in an organic farming system with reduced soil cultivation
Authors: Gollner Gabriele , Fohrafellner Julia , Friedel Juergen Kurt
Published: April 2020

The advantages and disadvantages of a winter-hardy vs. a freeze-killed cover crop mixture combined with reduced soil cultivation to a following maize crop were studied on an organic farm in Lower Austria in two consecutive experiments. Effects on soil inorganic nitrogen contents, weed density and the yield of a following maize crop were assessed. The winter-hardy compared with freeze-killed cover crop mixture, both consisting of legumes and non-legumes, reduced soil inorganic nitrogen contents over winter, leading to a reduced nitrate leaching risk, whereas the yield of a following grain maize crop was not significantly affected. Weed density was high in both cover crop treatments, presumably due to the continued reduced, non-inverting soil cultivation on the farm, and higher in the winter-hardy cover crop treatment at one of the assessment dates. Combined with an adapted soil cultivation, both the winter-hardy and the freeze-killed cover crop mixture were suitable before grain maize in this organic farming system with non-inverting soil cultivation under moderately dry site conditions, but the winter-hardy cover crop mixture seems advantageous because it reduces the nitrate leaching risk.
Life expectancy improvement for multiple cure distributions
Authors: Naik Shanoja , Adamic Peter
Published: April 2020

In many circumstances, the increase in life expectancy when certain causes of death are eliminated is sought. These calculations are typically based on the assumption that the causes in question are simply omitted, which is equivalent to the causes being taken out of consideration, from the outset, with certainty. In this paper, we propose models whereby probability distributions for the cures of specific causes of death over time can be incorporated so as to more accurately predict the increase in life expectancy that would ensue. The theoretical results are applied to a real data set involving Diabetes and HIV-related deaths from Denver, Colorado, United States of America, between the years 1990 and 2015 inclusive.
The Story behind COVID-19: Animal Diseases at the Crossroads of Wildlife, Livestock and Human Health
Authors: DE SADELEER Nicolas , GODFROID Jacques
Published: April 2020

A number of virological, epidemiological and ethnographic arguments suggest that COVID-19 has a zoonotic origin. The pangolin, a species threatened with extinction due to poaching for both culinary purposes and traditional Chinese pharmacopoeia, is now suspected of being the “missing link” in the transmission to humans of a virus that probably originated in a species of bat. Our predation of wild fauna and the reduction in their habitats have thus ended up creating new interfaces that favour the transmission of pathogens (mainly viruses) to humans. Domesticated animals and wild fauna thus constitute a reservoir for almost 80% of emerging human diseases (SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, Ebola). These diseases are all zoonotic in origin. As if out of a Chinese fairy tale, the bat and the pangolin have taught us a lesson: within an increasingly interdependent world, environmental crises will become ever more intertwined with health crises. Questions relating to public health will no longer be confined to the secrecy of the physician’s consulting room or the sanitised environment of the hospital. They are now being played out in the arena of international trade, ports and airports and distribution networks. Simply put, all human activity creates new interfaces that facilitate the transmission of pathogens from an animal reservoir to humans. This pluri-disciplinary article highlights that environmental changes, such as the reduction in habitats for wild fauna and the intemperate trade in fauna, are the biggest causes of the emergence of new diseases. Against this background, it reviews the different measures taken to control, eradicate and prevent the emergence of animal diseases in a globalised world.
SUBORDINATION, SEPARATION, AND AUTONOMY: CHINESE PROTESTANT APPROACHES TO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RELIGION AND STATE
Authors: Lai Pan-Chiu
Published: April 2020

In the history of the religion-state relationship in China, a model of subordination of religion to the state has been dominant for centuries. In recent years, some Chinese Protestant churches have advocated the model of separation of church and state. Through a historical and theological analysis, this study argues that in order to relieve the tensions between Chinese Protestantism and the contemporary Chinese government, a better conceptual alternative is to reconsider the issue in terms of autonomy rather than separation or subordination, and to argue for legally allowing the coexistence of both official and nonofficial churches and grant different degrees of autonomy to each.
Reward sensitivity, affective neuroscience personality, symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, andTPH2-703G/T (rs4570625) genotype
Authors: Pulver Aleksander , Kiive Evelyn , Harro Jaanus
Published: April 2020

Objective:

Reward sensitivity is an increasingly used construct in psychiatry, yet its possible inner structure and relationship with other affective variables are not well known.

Methods:

A reward sensitivity measurement scale was constructed on the basis of large item pool collected from birth cohort representative samples (the Estonian Children Personality Behaviour and Health Study; originaln= 1238). Affective Neuroscience Personality Scale (ANPS) and the Adult Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Self-Report Scale (ASRS) were administered in young adulthood. A variant (rs4570625) of the gene encoding tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2) that is responsible for the synthesis of central serotonin was genotyped.

Results:

Reward sensitivity consisted of two orthogonal components, operationally defined as Openness to Rewards and Insatiability by Reward, that respectively characterise the striving towards multiple rewards and the strong pursuit and fixation to a particular reward. While SEEKING and PLAY (and to lower extent CARE) of the ANPS co-varied with Openness to Rewards, FEAR, SADNESS, and ANGER were related to Insatiability by Reward. The total score of ASRS was moderately correlated with Insatiability by Reward, while the association with Openness to Rewards was negligible. However, ASRS Inattention had some negative relationship with the Social Experience facet of Openness to Rewards. The T/T homozygotes for theTPH2promoter polymorphism had lower Insatiability by Reward but not Openness to Rewards.

Conclusions:

Behaviours sensitive to rewards are separable to the components of variability and fixation, and these components are differentially related to affective aspects of personality, attention, and hyperactivity as well as toTPH2genotype.
JEROME, EP. 53.7 AND THE CENTONIST PROBA
Authors: Tsartsidis Thomas
Published: April 2020

sola scripturarum ars est, quam sibi omnes passim uindicent: ‘scribimus indocti doctique poemata passim’ [Hor. Epist. 2.1.117]. hanc garrula anus, hanc delirus senex, hanc soloecista uerbosus, hanc uniuersi praesumunt, lacerant, docent, antequam discant. alii adducto supercilio grandia uerba trutinantes inter mulierculas de sacris litteris philosophantur, alii discunt—pro pudor!—a feminis, quod uiros doceant, et, ne parum hoc sit, quadam facilitate uerborum, immo audacia disserunt aliis, quod ipsi non intellegunt. taceo de meis similibus, qui si forte ad scripturas sanctas post saeculares litteras uenerint et sermone conposito aurem populi mulserint, quicquid dixerint, hoc legem dei putant nec scire dignantur, quid prophetae, quid apostoli senserint, sed ad sensum suum incongrua aptant testimonia, quasi grande sit et non uitiosissimum dicendi genus deprauare sententias et ad uoluntatem suam scripturam trahere repugnantem. quasi non legerimus Homerocentonas et Vergiliocentonas ac non sic etiam Maronem sine Christo possimus dicere Christianum, quia scripserit: ‘iam redit et uirgo, redeunt Saturnia regna, iam noua progenies caelo demittitur alto’ [Verg. Ecl. 4.6–7], et patrem loquentem ad filium: ‘nate, meae uires, mea magna potentia solus’ [Verg. Aen. 1.664], et post uerba saluatoris in cruce: ‘talia perstabat memorans fixusque manebat’ [Verg. Aen. 2.650]. puerilia sunt haec et circulatorum ludo similia, docere, quod ignores, immo, et cum stomacho loquar, nec hoc quidem scire, quod nescias. (Jer. Ep. 53.7)
Ammianus, Magnus Maximus and the Gothic Uprising
Authors: Wijnendaele Jeroen W.P.
Published: April 2020

It has been asserted that the usurper Magnus Maximus can be identified with the commander Maximus who served during the Gothic uprising of 376–77. This assertion is tempting because it connects imperial events in Africa, the Balkans and Britain during a pivotal period. However, this note aims to dispel this identification. It does so by both examining the socio-institutional ramifications of promotion in the imperial chain of command and cross-examining literary traditions previously overlooked in this identification.
Une échelle d'auto-évaluation de la dépression et des troubles psychiatriques dans un service de médecine
Authors: Chazot L. , Pellet J. , Lang F. , Berlier J.M. , Joubert J.P. , Estour B. , Rousset H.
Published: April 2020

Les auteurs ont étudié la possibilité de dépister les troublés psychiatriques rencontrés dans un service de médecine par auto-évaluation.

Ils ont comparé les resultats d'une auto-évaluation utilisant la BFS et la HSCL 90 à ceux d'une hétéro-évaluation utilisant une échelle d'anxiété (Covi), une échelle de dépression (MADRS), une échelle de ralentissement dépressif (ERD) et les criteres du DSM III afin de détecter les faux-positifs et les faux-négatifs. La recherche a eu lieu pendant 6 mois dans une unité de soins, pendant 2 mois dans une autre. Les investigateurs ont été préalablement entrainés sur cassette vidéo. 635 patients ont été hospitalisés, 179 exclus d'après des critères fixés à l'avance. 229 ont été tirés au sort sur les 456 dossiers restant. 206 dossiers ont été retenus. 75 patients présentent des troubles psychiatriques avec 56 troubles depressifs (22 depressions majeures, 19 troubles dysthymiques, 9 troubles atypiques, 6 rémissions), 6 troubles anxieux, 10 troubles de l'adaptation, 3 troubles divers, aucun trouble psychotique. Les sujets anxieux et déprimés diffèrent de façon cohérente des normaux pour les variables continues (tableau I). Les cotateurs évaluent identiquement les patients sauf pour l'anxiété. Le tableau II montre l'existence de 13 faux négatifs (17.3 %), de 14 faux positifs et de 30 désaccords portant sur l'anxiété. Ces désaccords sont répartis entre les cotateurs sans différences significatives. Les faux negatifs sont essentiellement des troubles dysthymiques et atypiques, accessoirement des dépressions majeures (tableau III). Ces résultats démontrent l'intérêt d'un dépistage par auto-évaluation d'autant qu'une récente étude comparable rapporte 2/3 de troubles psychiatriques non diagnostiqués par les généralistes.
Les rythmes circadiens dans la dépression
Authors: Darcourt G. , Souetre E. , Pringuey D. , Salvati E. , Robert P. , Belugou J.L.
Published: April 2020

Les auteurs font une présentation générale des connaissances sur les troubles des rythmes circadiens dans la dépression et en proposent une synthèse. Ils soulignent d’abord les difficultés méthodologiques de ces éludes: difficultés liées à la nécessité du recueil d’un nombre considérable de données et difficultés pour analyser ces données et vérifier que les différences observées correspondent bien é des cycles circadiens.

Ils envisagent ensuite les troubles des phases, des taux moyens et des amplitudes. Les phases des cycles circadiens ont été beaucoup étudiées surtout après la proposition du concept d’avance de phase comme caractéristique propre de la dépression, qui avait été faite par Wehr en 1980. II semble actuellement que, plus qu’une avance de phase, ce qui caractérise la dépression c’est une désorganisation des phases. Les taux moyens sont souvent modifiés. Parlois diminués (mélatonine), parfois augmentés (cortisol). Les amplitudes des oscillations sont le plus souvent diminuées. Cette constatation, plus récente que les précédentes, semble être de première importance. Moins un rythme est ample, moins il est stable. Il est possible que désynchronisation et diminution d’amplitude soient deux manifestations d’une «faiblesse» des rythmes circadiens qui serait leur caractère principal dans la dépression.

Ces anomalies n’existent pas que dans la dépression, mais c’est dans son cas qu’elles sont le plus manifestes. En général, elles disparaissent en période de rémission clinique. Pour expliquer ces perturbations, il semble qu’il faille envisager à la fois un trouble de la sensibilité aux synchroniseurs externes et un trouble des systèmes de contrôle interne des rythmes.
Combined hybrid pulmonary valve placement and atrial septal defect closure: case report and literature review
Authors: Abu-Anza Omar , Carr Kaitlin , Aldoss Osamah
Published: April 2020

We report a case of a 15-year-old female who underwent combined hybrid pulmonary valve replacement and transcatheter atrial septal defect device closure, which was performed due to severe volume overload of the right side of the heart secondary to pulmonary regurgitation and atrial septal defect.