bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inoculating Students Against Conspiracy Theories: The Case of Covid-19
Authors: Bailin Sharon , Battersby Mark
Published: February 2022

Posing a significant danger to society are conspiracy theories, particularly those regarding the Covid-19 pandemic. This paper argues for the crucial role of critical thinking education in ‘inoculating’ students against conspiracy theories and outlines an approach for building their defenses against these, and other, conspiracy theories. There are numerous epistemic, social, and psychological factors which play a role in the attraction of conspiracy theories and which need to be addressed in critical thinking education. Epistemic factors include myside bias, the ignorance of epistemic criteria, a lack of understanding of source credibility, and the particular epistemic traps of conspiracy theories. Social factors, including the structure of the information environment and psychological factors, including the desire for control, defensive bias, and cultural cognition also play a role. The paper describes how critical thinking education can address the epistemic shortcomings and errors which facilitate conspiracy belief and can provide students with the resources for inquiring in a rigorous and systematic way and for making reasoned judgment. It also outlines how the social and psychological factors can be addressed by creating a community of inquiry in the class that can counter these influences and foster a spirit of inquiry.
Critical Questions About Scientific Research Publications in the Online Mask Debate
Authors: Goodwin Jean , Bogomoletc Ekaterina
Published: February 2022

Successful management of sociotechnical issues like those raised by the COVID-19 pandemic requires members of the public to use scientific research in their reasoning. In this study, we explore the nature and extent of the public’s abilities to assess research publications through analyzing a corpus of close to 5 K tweets from the early months of the pandemic which mentioned one of six key studies on the then-uncertain topic of the efficacy of face masks. We find that arguers relied on a variety of critical questions to test the adequacy of the research publications to serve as premises in reasoning, their relevance to the issues at hand, and their sufficiency in justifying conclusions. In particular, arguers showed more skill in assessing the authoritativeness of the sources of the publications than in assessing the epistemic qualities of the studies being reported. These results indicate specific areas for interventions to improve reasoning about research publications. Moreover, this study suggests the potential of studying argumentation at the system level in order to document collective preparedness to address sociotechnical issues, i.e., community science literacy.
On the Conditional Acceptance of Arguments from Expert Opinion
Authors: Hornikx Jos
Published: February 2022

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people around the world were bombarded by new information, often provided by experts, such as epidemiologists, virologists, or intensive care specialists. These experts have struggled at convincing the general public to behave in ways that make a way out of the pandemic possible. In this chapter, it is argued that audience acceptance of appeals to experts is conditional in two ways. First, acceptance of expert opinions is conditional upon the degree to which appeals to expert opinions respect critical questions regarding the evaluation of these appeals. Second, acceptance of expert opinions is conditional upon the audience’s prior belief in the claims. It is argued that the most likely factor that has played a role in the lack of influence of experts is the weak consensus between experts when it comes to issues regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
Expert Uncertainty: Arguments Bolstering the Ethos of Expertise in Situations of Uncertainty
Authors: Kjeldsen Jens E. , Mølster Ragnhild , Ihlen Øyvind
Published: February 2022

Arguably, one of the defining traits of an expert is certainty of knowledge. So, what happens when experts in a critical situation in public simultaneously must recognize uncertainty about knowledge and the situation and argue for specific policies and actions? This has been the challenge for many national health experts during the COVID-19 crisis. We examine such argumentative strategies by asking: what are the argumentative strategies used when attempting to secure and bolster the ethos of expertise when an expert must also acknowledge uncertainty and insufficient knowledge? The chapter examines such argumentative strategies by health authorities participating in debate and interview programs. Contrary to previous research our findings indicate that the health experts do acknowledge uncertainty, often explicitly, and also do it as a way of bolstering their ethos. Firstly, our analyses point to two ways of introducing and expressing uncertainty and lack of knowledge. Secondly, our analyses point to six ways of delimiting and qualifying the expressed uncertainty in a way that rebolsters the expert’s authority and ethos of expertise.
On Arguments from Ignorance in Policy-Making
Authors: Andone Corina , Lomelí Hernández José Alfonso
Published: February 2022

“Schools should remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic, because there is no evidence indicating that children can get the virus.” Many European policy-makers have employed such arguments from ignorance to argue for a course of action in a situation in which science lacked vital information. What is particularly challenging about such arguments is that, despite the ignorance involved, they are used to justify policies meant to deal with practical problems. Limited information (‘there is no evidence indicating that children can get the virus’) is used as a basis for decision-making that might have significant consequences for the population (‘schools should remain open’). This chapter explains the intricate but unavoidable relationship between arguments from ignorance and policy-making. Moreover, evaluation criteria are developed to distinguish between reasonable and unreasonable arguments from ignorance in policy-making by taking into consideration the structure of these argument types and their contexts of application. Finally, the chapter assesses two real-life instances of arguments from ignorance employed by the European Commission and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control during the COVID-19 pandemic. Such an assessment sets important steps in understanding how arguments from ignorance can facilitate or reduce acceptance of the measures proposed by policy-makers.
The Argumentative Potential of Doubt: From Legitimate Concerns to Conspiracy Theories About COVID-19 Vaccines
Authors: Mohammed Dima , Rossi Maria Grazia
Published: February 2022

Doubt is a double-edge sword. On the one hand, uncertainty is essential for epistemic progress, and yet, doubt can also make us vulnerable to deception, confused to the point of no longer knowing what is true. What distinguishes a doubt that is epistemologically beneficial from one which is deceptive, or even manufactured in the context of a conspiracy theory? In this chapter, we explore doubt, its role, and the way it is being handled in the context of the public controversy about the COVID-19 vaccine. We approach conspiracy theories as argumentative discourses and reconstruct the generic structure of a conspiracy theory macro argument. Through the structure, we look into the discourse of the twelve prominent anti-vaxxers known as the “Disinformation Dozen”, focusing on the argumentative potential that doubt can have in the public controversy about the COVID-19 vaccine. We suggest to distinguish ambivalence from scepticism and denialism as three argumentative potentials that a motivated doubt can have. We argue that ambivalent doubt ought to be acknowledged, addressed and incorporated into the public health narrative, in order to avoid that an unnecessarily broad interpretation of conspiracy theory dominates the public debate and leaves an uncertain public a prey to it.
Pandemic Communication Without Argumentative Strategy in the Digital Age: A Cautionary Tale and a Call to Arms
Authors: Paglieri Fabio
Published: February 2022

The Covid-19 pandemic has offered some notable examples of how public communication may backfire, in spite of the best intentions of the actors involved, and what role poor argumentative design plays in such failures, in the context of the current digital media ecology. In this chapter, I offer some preliminary considerations on the ongoing struggle to make sense of the new communication technologies in our media reality, analyze a concrete example of argumentative failure in anti-Covid vaccine communication in the European Union, and leverage this case study to issue a call to arms to argumentation scholars: argumentative competence is sorely needed for an effective response to the pandemic, yet argumentation theory will need to join forces with other areas of expertise to realize its societal impact. When it comes to arguments, self-isolation is not a viable strategy to fight Covid-19.
Rhetoric and Argumentation in the Pandemic Legislation: The Italian Case
Authors: Puppo Federico , Corradi Silvia , Zoppellari Lorenzo
Published: February 2022

This chapter examines the argumentative and rhetorical structure of the regulatory techniques used to deal with the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Italy. The first part of the chapter aims to clarify the connection between law and rhetoric, in order to provide a framework in which the legislative activity has operated. After analyzing critical aspects of the chosen regulatory tools, we will focus on the three most innovative elements of the pandemic legislation: the frequent use of images, the sporadic presence of sanctions, and the relevant role of experts. In the second part, an analysis of the fundamental traits of visual argumentation will be presented to highlight the fact that the use of images, during the pandemic period, has become a political-normative technique, which is never a neutral tool, but is always subject to interpretation and endowed with a notable rhetorical value. Given the sporadic presence of sanctions, the second section will analyze the argumentative strengthening applied by the legislator in order to promote the obedience of the recipients of the measures. Finally, we will examine the involvement of experts in the justificatory activity of the legislator, and the need for them to acquire legislative legitimacy through a rhetorical-argumentative relationship with citizens.
Working with magnetic resonance images of the brain
Authors: Mardal Kent-André , Rognes Marie E. , Thompson Travis B. , Valnes Lars Magnus
Published: February 2022

The human brain consists of multiple structures, including the large cerebrum, the smaller cerebellum, and the brain stem. These structures can easily be identified from MR images of the brain (Figure 2.1). The cerebrum is composed of the left and right hemispheres, which are connected through bundles of nerve fibers (the corpus callosum).
Introducing Directionality with Diffusion Tensors
Authors: Mardal Kent-André , Rognes Marie E. , Thompson Travis B. , Valnes Lars Magnus
Published: February 2022

In this chapter, we focus on how to transfer information from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data to our finite element methods.
More Components: Inlets, Mixers, and Nozzles
Authors: Decher Reiner
Published: February 2022

Theintegrationof a gas turbine engine into a functioning jet propulsion engine for an airplane requires more components: inlets and nozzles. For the inlet, the special care exercised to avoid ingestion of boundary layers air is described. The design features of nozzles are described and extended to include discussion of more extreme configurations such as those found on rocket engines.
The Vortex and Wing Lift
Authors: Decher Reiner
Published: February 2022

The vortex is a necessary element of fluid motion for the generation of aerodynamic forces. For flight, lift balances the weight of an aircraft and the means for providing lift is the wing constructed to move oncoming air downward in a controlled fashion. Nature allows this to happen by establishing a flow about the wing that, from a distance, is like a vortex, the kind we see in nature. Unlike a compact natural vortex like a tornado, a surface, like an airfoil, distributes the vortex into smaller elements along the surfaces. In the chapter, we look at how and why.
Frictionless Air Cannot Provide Lift: A Paradox
Authors: Decher Reiner
Published: February 2022

Establishinga vortex-like flow about an airfoil or wing requires the air to experience forces where adjacent elements of air share information about what the surfaces try to impose on the flow. The mechanism is shear and the finite viscosity of the air is a measure of the phenomena involved. The reality of viscous shear is what must distinguish the shapes of a wing’s leading and trailing edges.
Drag, a Nightmare and a Challenge
Authors: Decher Reiner
Published: February 2022

Motion through a fluid is accompanied by a resistive force. Overcoming that is the price one has to pay to move. Drag is associated with the pressure forces on a structure as well as the shear forces experienced by virtue of the finite air viscosity and the tendency of air to be dragged along by the moving surface. Both kinds of forces are always present to varying degrees and they influence one another. Fortunately, the shear forces are small, though not negligibly small, compared to the dynamic forces associated with changing speed and they involved complicated physics in a small portion of the flow field known as a boundary layer.
The Jet: Fluid in Motion and More Vorticity
Authors: Decher Reiner
Published: February 2022

Thepropulsive jet from a propeller or a jet engine is a vortex in a very special form: a sheet. The vortex strength of that sheet is an important consideration for the design of propulsion systems and how efficiently they utilize energy resources to provide propulsive thrust.
Entanglement wedge cross-section for noncommutative Yang-Mills theory
Authors: Chowdhury Anirban Roy , Saha Ashis , Gangopadhyay Sunandan
Published: February 2022

Abstract

The signature of noncommutativity on various measures of entanglement has been observed by considering the holographic dual of noncommutative super Yang-Mills theory. We have followed a systematic analytical approach in order to compute the holographic entanglement entropy corresponding to a strip like subsystem of length l. The relationship between the subsystem size (in dimensionless form) $$ \frac{l}{a} $$

l
a

and the turning point (in dimensionless form) introduces a critical length scale $$ \frac{l_c}{a} $$

l
c

a

which leads to three domains in the theory, namely, the deep UV domain (l < lc; aut » 1, aut ∼ aub), deep noncommutative domain (l > lc, aub> aut » 1) and deep IR domain (l > lc, aut « 1). This in turn means that the length scale lc distinctly points out the UV/IR mixing property of the non-local theory under consideration. We have carried out the holographic study of entanglement entropy for each of these domains by employing both analytical and numerical techniques. The broken Lorentz symmetry induced by noncommutativity has motivated us to redefine the entropic c-function. We have obtained the noncommutative correction to the c-function upto leading order in the noncommutative parameter. We have also looked at the behaviour of this quantity over all the domains of the theory. We then move on to compute the minimal cross-section area of the entanglement wedge by considering two dis- joint subsystems A and B. On the basis of EP = EW duality, this leads to the holographic computation of the entanglement of purification. The correlation between two subsystems, namely, the holographic mutual information I(A : B) has also been computed. Moreover, the computations of EW and I(A : B) has been done for each of the domains in the theory. We have then briefly discussed the effect of the UV cut-off on the IR behaviours of these quantities. Finally, we consider a black hole geometry with a noncommutative parameter and study the influence of both noncommutativity and finite temperature on the various measures of quantum entanglement.
Polarized gluon pseudodistributions at short distances
Authors: Balitsky Ian , Morris Wayne , Radyushkin Anatoly
Published: February 2022

Abstract

We formulate the basic points of the pseudo-PDF approach to the lattice calculation of polarized gluon PDFs. We present the results of our calculations of the one-loop corrections for the bilocal Gμα(z)$$ \overset{\sim }{G} $$

G
~

λβ (0) correlator of gluonic fields. Expressions are given for a general situation when all four indices are arbitrary, and also for specific combinations of indices corresponding to three matrix elements that contain the twist-2 invariant amplitude related to the polarized PDF. We study the evolution properties of these matrix elements, and derive matching relations between Euclidean and light-cone Ioffe-time distributions. These relations are necessary for extraction of the polarized gluon distributions from the lattice data.
Multiple scales and singular limits of perfect fluids
Authors: Chaudhuri Nilasis
Published: February 2022

In this article, our goal is to study the singular limits for a scaled barotropic Euler system modeling a rotating, compressible and inviscid fluid, where Mach number$$=\epsilon ^m $$=ϵm, Rossby number$$=\epsilon $$=ϵand Froude number$$=\epsilon ^n $$=ϵnare proportional to a small parameter$$\epsilon \rightarrow 0$$ϵ→0. The fluid is confined to an infinite slab, the limit behavior is identified as the incompressible Euler system or a damped incompressible Euler system depending on the relation betweenmandn. Forwell-preparedinitial data, the convergence is shown on the lifespan time interval of the strong solutions of the target system, whereas a class of generalizeddissipative solutionsis considered for the primitive system. The technique can be adapted to the compressible Navier–Stokes system in the subcritical range of the adiabatic exponent$$\gamma $$γwith$$1<\gamma \le \frac{3}{2}$$1<γ≤32, where weak solutions are not known to exist.
The problem with trust: on the discursive commodification of trust in AI
Authors: Krüger Steffen , Wilson Christopher
Published: February 2022

This commentary draws critical attention to the ongoing commodification of trust in policy and scholarly discourses of artificial intelligence (AI) and society. Based on an assessment of publications discussing the implementation of AI in governmental and private services, our findings indicate that this discursive trend towards commodification is driven by the need for a trusting population of service users to harvest data at scale and leads to the discursive construction of trust as an essential good on a par with data as raw material. This discursive commodification is marked by a decreasing emphasis on trust understood as the expected reliability of a trusted agent, and increased emphasis on instrumental and extractive framings of trust as a resource. This tendency, we argue, does an ultimate disservice to developers, users, and systems alike, insofar as it obscures the subtle mechanisms through which trust in AI systems might be built, making it less likely that it will be.
Prehospital Airway Management for Trauma Patients by First Responders in Six Sub‐Saharan African Countries and Five Other Low‐ and Middle‐Income Countries: A Scoping Review
Authors: Pine Haleigh , Eisner Zachary J. , Delaney Peter G. , Ogana Simon Ochieng , Okwiri Dinnah Akosa , Raghavendran Krishnan
Published: February 2022

The global injury burden disproportionately affecting low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) is exacerbated by a lack of robust emergency medical services. Though airway management (AM) is an essential component of prehospital emergency care, the current standard of prehospital AM training and resources for first responders in LMICs is unknown. This scoping review includes articles published between January 2000 and June 2021, identified using PMC, MEDLINE, and SCOPUS databases, following PRISMA‐ScR guidelines. Inclusion criteria spanned programs training formal or informal prehospital first responders. Included articles were assessed for quality using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale. Relevant characteristics were extracted by multiple authors to assess prehospital AM training. Of the initial 713 articles, 17 met inclusion criteria, representing 11 countries. Basic AM curricula were found in 11 studies and advanced AM curricula were found in nine studies. 35.3% (n = 6) of first responder programs provided no equipment to basic life support (BLS) AM training participants, reporting a median cost of $7.00USD per responder trained. Median frequency of prehospital AM intervention was reported in 31.0% (IQR: 6.0, 50.0) of patient encounters (advanced life support trainees: 12.1%, BLS trainees: 32.0%). In three studies, adverse event frequencies during intubation occurred with a median frequency of 22.0% (IQR: 21.0, 22.0). The training deficit in advanced AM interventions in LMICs suggests BLS AM courses should be prioritized, especially in sub‐Saharan Africa. Prehospital AM resources are sparse and should be a priority for future development.
The establishment of the gut microbiota in 1-year-aged infants: from birth to family food
Authors: Vacca Mirco , Raspini Benedetta , Calabrese Francesco Maria , Porri Debora , De Giuseppe Rachele , Chieppa Marcello , Liso Marina , Cerbo Rosa Maria , Civardi Elisa , Garofoli Francesca , Cena Hellas , De Angelis Maria
Published: February 2022

Purpose

With the aim of characterizing the gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota and contextually determine how different prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal factors affected its composition in early childhood, infants were enrolled in a longitudinal-prospective study named “A.MA.MI.” (Alimentazione MAmma e bambino nei primi MIlle giorni; NCT04122612, October 2019).

Methods

Forty-five fecal samples were collected at 12 months of infants’ age, identified as the 3rd follow-up (T3). The evaluated variables were pre-gestational weight and weight gain during pregnancy, delivery mode, feeding, timing of weaning, and presence/absence of older siblings. Fecal alpha and beta-diversities were analyzed. Noteworthy, to determine the impact of the influencing factors, multivariate analyses were conducted.

Results

At T3, all prenatal and perinatal variables did not result to be significant whereas, among the postnatal variables, type of milk-feeding and weaning showed the greatest contribution in shaping the microbiota. Although aged 1 year, infants exclusively breastfed until 6 months were mainly colonized by Lactobacillaceae and Enterobacteriaceae. Differently, Bacteroidaceae characterized the microbiota of infants that were never breastfed in an exclusive way. Moreover, although an early introduction of solid foods determined higher values of Faith’s PD, high abundances of Ruminococcaceae and Faecalibacterium mainly associated with infants weaned after the 4th month of age.

Conclusion

The microbial colonization during the first year of life is likely affected by a simultaneous effect of multiple variables playing a significant role at different times. Therefore, these data contribute to add evidence concerning the complex multifactorial interaction between GI microbiota and various stimuli affecting infants during the early stages of life.
Role of PSMA-ligands imaging in Renal Cell Carcinoma management: current status and future perspectives
Authors: Urso Luca , Castello Angelo , Rocca Giovanni Christian , Lancia Federica , Panareo Stefano , Cittanti Corrado , Uccelli Licia , Florimonte Luigia , Castellani Massimo , Ippolito Carmelo , Frassoldati Antonio , Bartolomei Mirco
Published: February 2022

Background

Renal masses detection is continually increasing worldwide, with Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) accounting for approximately 90% of all renal cancers and remaining one of the most aggressive urological malignancies. Despite improvements in cancer management, accurate diagnosis and treatment strategy of RCC by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are still challenging. Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) is known to be highly expressed on the endothelial cells of the neovasculature of several solid tumors other than prostate cancer, including RCC. In this context, recent preliminary studies reported a promising role for positron emission tomography (PET)/CT with radiolabeled molecules targeting PSMA, in alternative to fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in RCC patients.

Purpose

The aim of our review is to provide an updated overview of current evidences and major limitations regarding the use of PSMA PET/CT in RCC.

Methods

A literature search, up to 31 December 2021, was performed using the following electronic databases: PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Google Scholar.

Results

The findings of this review suggest that PSMA PET/CT could represent a valid imaging option for diagnosis, staging, and therapy response evaluation in RCC, particularly in clear cell RCC.

Conclusions

Further studies are needed for this “relatively” new imaging modality to consolidate its indications, timing, and practical procedures.
Soil water availability and branch age explain variability in xylem safety of European beech in Central Europe
Authors: Weithmann Greta , Link Roman M. , Banzragch Bat-Enerel , Würzberg Laura , Leuschner Christoph , Schuldt Bernhard
Published: February 2022

Xylem embolism resistance has been identified as a key trait with a causal relation to drought-induced tree mortality, but not much is known about its intra-specific trait variability (ITV) in dependence on environmental variation. We measured xylem safety and efficiency in 300 European beech (Fagus sylvaticaL.) trees across 30 sites in Central Europe, covering a precipitation reduction from 886 to 522 mm year−1. A broad range of variables that might affect embolism resistance in mature trees, including climatic and soil water availability, competition, and branch age, were examined. The averageP50value varied by up to 1 MPa between sites. Neither climatic aridity nor structural variables had a significant influence onP50. However,P50was less negative for trees with a higher soil water storage capacity, and positively related to branch age, while specific conductivity (Ks) was not significantly associated with either of these variables. The greatest part of the ITV for xylem safety and efficiency was attributed to random variability within populations. We conclude that the influence of site water availability onP50andKsis low in European beech, and that the high degree of within-population variability forP50, partly due to variation in branch age, hampers the identification of a clear environmental signal.
Spontaneously reported persistent symptoms related to coronavirus disease 2019 one year after hospital discharge
Authors: Zuschlag David , Grandt Daniel , Custodis Florian , Braun Christian , Häuser Winfried
Published: February 2022

Background

There are no outcome studies for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) survivors one year after hospital discharge in Germany.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included all patients with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) hospitalized in the departments of internal medicine of the Klinikum Saarbrücken, a tertiary care hospital, between March 15 and December 31, 2020. A telephone interview with survivors was conducted at least 12 months after discharge. The interview was initiated with an open-ended question whether the patient had fully recovered from the disease. In the event of a subjective incomplete recovery, the patient was prompted to report any continuous or frequent symptoms that had not occurred prior to COVID-19. Finally, independent of the open-ended question response, all patients were asked closed questions which addressed new symptom onset of persistent fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, headache, muscle and joint pain following COVID-19.

Results

In all, 235 survivors were contacted and 162 could be included in the analysis. In 55 of 162 interviews (34.0%) at least one persistent COVID-19 symptom (PCS) was spontaneously reported. Four of 55 survivors with PCS reported five additional symptoms on the closed questions. One survivor, who responded positively to the open-ended question, reported new onset PCS in response to the closed questions. Physical fatigue (24.7%), cognitive dysfunction (14.8%), shortness of breath (8.6%), muscle and joint pain (6.8%) and headache (6.2%) were the most frequently reported PCS.

Conclusions

Despite an interview technique aimed to reduce attribution bias by patients, one third of COVID-19 inpatient survivors report PCS one year after hospitalization.

The complete article is written in English.
Anesthesia for deep brain stimulation system implantation: adapted protocol for awake and asleep surgery using microelectrode recordings
Authors: Vesper Jan , Mainzer Bernd , Senemmar Farhad , Schnitzler Alfons , Groiss Stefan Jun , Slotty Philipp J.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Deep brain stimulation (DBS), an effective treatment for movement disorders, usually involves lead implantation while the patient is awake and sedated. Recently, there has been interest in performing the procedure under general anesthesia (asleep). This report of a consecutive cohort of DBS patients describes anesthesia protocols for both awake and asleep procedures.

Methods

Consecutive patients with Parkinson’s disease received subthalamic nucleus (STN) implants either moderately sedated or while intubated, using propofol and remifentanil. Microelectrode recordings were performed with up to five trajectories after discontinuing sedation in the awake group, or reducing sedation in the asleep group. Clinical outcome was compared between groups with the UPDRS III.

Results

The awake group (n = 17) received 3.5 mg/kg/h propofol and 11.6 μg/kg/h remifentanil. During recording, all anesthesia was stopped. The asleep group (n = 63) initially received 6.9 mg/kg/h propofol and 31.3 μg/kg/h remifentanil. During recording, this was reduced to 3.1 mg/kg/h propofol and 10.8 μg/kg/h remifentanil. Without parkinsonian medications or stimulation, 3-month UPDRS III ratings (ns = 16 and 52) were 40.8 in the awake group and 41.4 in the asleep group. Without medications but with stimulation turned on, ratings improved to 26.5 in the awake group and 26.3 in the asleep group. With both medications and stimulation, ratings improved further to 17.6 in the awake group and 15.3 in the asleep group. All within-group improvements from the off/off condition were statistically significant (all ps < 0.01). The degree of improvement with stimulation, with or without medications, was not significantly different in the awake vs. asleep groups (ps > 0.05).

Conclusion

The above anesthesia protocols make possible an asleep implant procedure that can incorporate sufficient microelectrode recording. Together, this may increase patient comfort and improve clinical outcomes.
Surgical management of “Twiddler syndrome” in patients with deep brain stimulation: a technical note and review of the literature
Authors: Molle Z. Krause , Slotty P. , Vesper J.
Published: February 2022

Background

The Twiddler syndrome (TS) describes a situation in which the implanted impulse generator (IPG) rotates several times around its own axis in the subcutaneous pocket. This can lead to severe mechanical damage of the leads and extensions and to dislocations.

Method

Hereby, we report on a technique for revision surgery in patients diagnosed with Twiddler syndrome after undergoing previous deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. For revision surgery, the TYRX ™ Absorbable Antibacterial Envelope was used.

Conclusion

The TS can be treated well with the envelope TYRX ™ Absorbable Antibacterial Envelope TYRX ™.
Orthopyroxene rim growth during reaction of (Co, Ni, Mn, Zn)-doped forsterite and quartz: Experimental constraints on element distribution and grain boundary diffusion
Authors: Incel Sarah , Milke Ralf , Wunder Bernd
Published: February 2022

Mantle metasomatism is an important process in subduction zones in which fluids from the dehydrating oceanic slab interact with the overlying upper mantle resulting in a chemical alteration of the mantle. Consequently, this fluid-rock interaction may influence the mantle rock's physical properties such as the deformation behavior. In order to study element redistribution during mantle metasomatism in the laboratory, we used the simplified model reaction olivine + quartz = orthopyroxene, where olivine acts as representative for the upper mantle and quartz as proxy for the metasomatizing agent. We conducted piston-cylinder experiments at 1.5 GPa and 950 to 1400 °C, lasting between 48 and 288 h, on samples containing a mixture of quartz and one set of synthesized forsterite samples doped with either Co, Ni, Mn, or Zn. Additionally, we tested the influence of either nominally anhydrous or hydrous experimental conditions on the chemical distribution of the respective dopant element by using either crushable alumina or natural CaF2 as pressure medium. Results of the chemical analyses of the recovered samples show dopant specific partitioning between doped forsterite and orthopyroxene independent of the confining pressure medium; except for the runs in which Ni-doped forsterite samples were used. The observed Ni- and Co-enrichment in forsterite samples may be used to identify mantle rocks that underwent mantle metasomatism in nature.
Validation of Rapid Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing directly from blood cultures using WASPLab®, including Colibrí™ and Radian® in-Line Carousel
Authors: Herroelen Pauline Hilda , Heestermans Robbe , Emmerechts Kristof , Vandoorslaer Kristof , Wybo Ingrid , Piérard Denis , Muyldermans Astrid
Published: February 2022

With the increase in antimicrobial resistance, fast reporting of antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) results is becoming increasingly important. EUCAST developed a method for rapid AST (RAST) directly from the broth of positive blood cultures (BC). Inhibition zones are read after 4, 6, and 8 h, with specific breakpoints per time point. We evaluated the RAST method based on EUCAST disk diffusion methodology with inoculation of BC broth using WASPLab® (inclusive Colibrí™ and Radian®). Forty-nine non-duplicate strains were tested: Escherichia coli n = 17, Klebsiella pneumoniae n = 7, Pseudomonas aeruginosa n = 4, Acinetobacter baumannii n = 2, Staphylococcus aureus n = 10, Enterococcus faecalis n = 6, and Enterococcus faecium n = 3. Results were compared to direct AST and standardized AST. Good categorical agreement was obtained at all time points for all groups, except P. aeruginosa. RAST cut-offs for extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales enabled the detection of all included ESBL isolates (n = 5) at all time points, except for 1 E. coli ESBL after 4 h. RAST cut-offs for carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales enabled the detection of only one carbapenemase after 6 h. However, all carbapenemases (n = 3) were correctly detected after 8 h. Two methicillin-resistant S. aureus were included; both were correctly categorized as cefoxitin-resistant at 6 and 8 h. At 4 h, there was insufficient growth for inhibition zone interpretation. EUCAST RAST is a fast supplementary tool for direct AST of positive BC. WASPLab® provides a significant advantage as pictures are made automatically implicating that we are not strictly bound to the time points for inhibition zone interpretation.
Long-term outcomes of an acellular dermal matrix for the treatment of complex cryptoglandular anal fistula: a pilot study
Authors: Gómez-Jurado M. J. , Martí-Gallostra M. , Pellino G. , Galvez A. , Kreisler E. , Biondo S. , Espín-Basany E.
Published: February 2022

Backgound

Effective, standardized treatments for complex anal fistula (CAF) still represent a clinical challenge. Emerging procedures attempted to achieve the healing rates of fistulotomy whilst preserving sphincter function. Acellular dermal matrix (ADM) used as a plug inserted through the fistulous tract is among newer treatment options. Varying success rates have been reported, most with short-term follow-up. The aim of this study was to report the long-term results of ADM-plug for CAF.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of a prospective database of patients treated with CAF. All consecutive patients presenting at two tertiary centers (Vall d’Hebron University Hospital and Bellvitge University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain) between November 2015 and March 2019 with a single, cryptoglandular CAF were evaluated for treatment with an ADM-plug were included. The primary endpoint was absence of discharge at clinical examination at 12 month follow-up.

Results

Twenty-two patients were included [7 women and 15 men, median age 56 (33–74) years]. Most patients had high transsphincteric fistulas (63.6%). The median follow-up was 42 (21–53) months. The 12 month success rate was 68.2%, with an overall healing rate of 59.1%. 77.8% of recurrences occurred within 12 months from surgery. One plug extrusion was observed. No major complications or mortality occurred during the follow-up. Patients did not report any worsening of fecal continence.

Conclusions

This pilot study showed that more than half of patients with CAF could benefit from ADM-plug placement, preserving continence. A minimum follow-up of 12 months is recommended, because most recurrences occur during the first year.
Reliable Numerical Models of Nickel-Titanium Stents: How to Deduce the Specific Material Properties from Testing Real Devices
Authors: Berti Francesca , Bridio Sara , Luraghi Giulia , Pant Sanjay , Allegretti Dario , Pennati Giancarlo , Petrini Lorenza
Published: February 2022

The current interest of those dealing with medical research is the preparation of digital twins. In this frame, the first step to accomplish is the preparation of reliable numerical models. This is a challenging task since it is not common to know the exact device geometry and material properties unless in studies performed in collaboration with the manufacturer. The particular case of modeling Ni–Ti stents can be highlighted as a worst-case scenario due to both the complex geometrical features and non-linear material response. Indeed, if the limitations in the description of the geometry can be overcome, many difficulties still exist in the assessment of the material, which can vary according to the manufacturing process and requires many parameters for its description. The purpose of this work is to propose a coupled experimental and computational workflow to identify the set of material properties in the case of commercially-resembling Ni–Ti stents. This has been achieved from non-destructive tensile tests on the devices compared with results from Finite Element Analysis (FEA). A surrogate modeling approach is proposed for the identification of the material parameters, based on a minimization problem on the database of responses of Ni–Ti materials obtained with FEA with a series of different parameters. The reliability of the final result was validated through the comparison with the output of additional experiments.
An evaluation of errors in the mitochondrial COI sequences of Hydrachnidia (Acari, Parasitengona) in public databases
Authors: Peláez María L. , Horreo José L. , García-Jiménez Ricardo , Valdecasas Antonio G.
Published: February 2022

Public molecular databases are fundamental tools for modern taxonomic studies whose usefulness rely on the soundness of the data within them. Here, we study potential errors that can arise along the data pipeline from sampling, specimen identification and molecular processing (digestion, amplification and sequencing) to the submission of sequences to these databases by using the DNA sequences of Hydrachnidia (Acari, Parasitengona) as a case study. Our results indicate that molecular information is available for only about 3% of the Hydrachnidia species known to date; yet, within this small percentage, errors are present in almost 5% of the species analyzed (0.5% of the sequences and almost 11% of the genera). This study underscores the scarcity of genetic data available for Hydrachnidia, but also that the proportion of errors in DNA sequences is relatively small. Even so, it highlights the danger associated with using DNA sequences from public databases, particularly for species identification, and reinforces the need for greater quality control measures and/or protocols to avoid an intensification of errors in the (post) genomics era. Finally, our study emphasizes that potential errors may also reveal cryptic diversity within a species.
Geography and Power: Mapping The Murderer’s Ape
Authors: Kielland Samoilow Tatjana
Published: February 2022

Geography occupies a central role inThe Murderer’s Ape(2014/2017), a Swedish children’s novel by Jakob Wegelius. Drawing on theories of critical literary geography, the article is an analysis of the novel’s geography and an exploration of how the narrative shapes and produces place and space. The analysis shows that the narrative both represents and challenges colonial power structures through the production of place and space. Methodologically, three complementary approaches are utilized: analyzing the visual maps in the endpapers, visualizing the novel’s geography by means of GIS-generated maps, and mapping the verbal narrative.
Phyllode inoculation provides a rapid protocol for preliminary screening of Acacia species for tolerance to Ceratocystis wilt and canker disease
Authors: Nasution Aswardi , Indrayadi Heru , Glen Morag , Evans Kathy , Ratkowsky David , Brawner Jeremy , Gafur Abdul , Mohammed Caroline
Published: February 2022

Ceratocystis wilt and canker disease has devastated Acacia mangium plantations in south-east Asia. Current screening methodologies to identify resistant or tolerant germplasm use potted plants in a greenhouse as a preliminary screening to select material for field trials, but these tests are time-consuming, motivating a search for rapid screening protocols. In this study, inoculation procedures were tested on three species of Acacia, viz. A. mangium, A. crassicarpa and a hybrid of A. auriculiformis and A. mangium, using three isolates of Ceratocystis manginecans. Mycelial plugs were compared with spore suspensions as inoculum to infect artificial wounds on the stems of A. mangium potted plants. The rapid screening protocols involved inoculation of stem segments with mycelial plugs and detached phyllodes with a spore suspension, with susceptibility measured by lesion length on the stems or necrosis length on the phyllodes. Both mycelial plugs and spore suspensions produced a similar level of disease incidence, so either inoculum form can be used for an assay. The stem segments were prone to contamination by other fungi and to desiccation, while results from the potted plant and phyllode protocols showed similar trends of susceptibility among the Acacia clones and species. The ease, rapidity, and reproducibility of the phyllode inoculation protocol makes it a potential replacement for inoculation of potted plants as a preliminary screening protocol to identify disease tolerant A. mangium germplasm prior to field screening.
Cognitive Projects and the Trustworthiness of Positive Truth
Authors: Zicchetti Matteo
Published: February 2022

The aim of this paper is twofold: first, I provide a cluster of theories of truth in classical logic that is (internally) consistent with global reflection principles: the theories of positive truth (and falsity). After that, I analyse the epistemic value of such theories. I do so employing the framework of cognitive projects introduced by Wright (Proc Aristot Soc 78:167–245, 2004), and employed—in the context of theories of truth—by Fischer et al. (Noûs 2019. https://doi.org/10.1111/nous.12292). In particular, I will argue that theories of positive truth are trustworthy, analogously to the theories of full disquotational truth. Moreover, I argue that, for a given cognitive project, if the acceptance of trustworthy theories is taken to be an epistemic norm of cognitive project, then one has good reasons to accept theories of positive truth over other rival theories of truth in classical logic. On the other hand, the latter theories are deemed epistemically unacceptable.
Intrinsic innervation of the ovary and its variations in the rat senescence process
Authors: Bravo-Benitez Juan M , Cruz Yolanda , Lucio Rosa A , Venegas Berenice , Díaz Alfonso , Morales-Ledesma Leticia , Domínguez Roberto , Morán Carolina
Published: February 2022

Ovarian functions decrease with perimenopause. The ovary has extrinsic innervation, but the neural influence on ovarian functions and dysfunction is not well-studied. The present study aimed to biochemically and morphometrically characterize the intrinsic neurons in ovaries from young adult, middle-aged, and senescent Long Evans CII-ZV rats (3, 12, and 15 months old, respectively). Ovaries were extracted from four rats of each age group (n = 12 total), cryopreserved, and processed for immunofluorescence studies with the primary NeuN/β-tubulin and NeuN/tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) antibodies. The soma area and number of intrinsic neurons in the ovarian stroma, surrounding follicles, corpus luteum, or cyst were evaluated. The intrinsic neurons were grouped in cluster-like shapes in ovarian structures. In senescent rats, the intrinsic neurons were mainly localized in the ovarian stroma and around the cysts. The number of neurons was lower in senescent rats than in young adult rats (p < 0.05), but the soma size was larger than in young adult rats. Immunoreactivity to TH indicated the presence of noradrenergic neurons in the ovary with the same characteristics as NeuN/β-tubulin, which indicates that they are part of the same neuronal group. Taken together, the findings indicate that the intrinsic neurons may be related to the loss of ovarian functions associated with aging.
Skin Gambling Contributes to Gambling Problems and Harm After Controlling for Other Forms of Traditional Gambling
Authors: Greer Nancy , Rockloff Matthew , Hing Nerilee , Browne Matthew , King Daniel L.
Published: February 2022

Esports betting and skin gambling involve betting on the outcomes of video game competitions and/or using virtual currencies for betting. The present study evaluated a conceptual model linking video game involvement, video-game related gambling, traditional gambling, and gambling problems and harm. Data were collected via a cross-sectional online survey with 737 participants aged 18 + who engaged in esports cash betting (n = 576), esports skin betting (n = 184), or skin gambling on games of chance (n = 330). The findings highlighted the distinctly different relationships esports cash betting versus skin gambling had with traditional gambling involvement and harmful gambling. Gambling with skins on games of chance was predictive of gambling problems and gambling harm after controlling for participation in traditional gambling (OR = 1.32 and 1.17 respectively). Whereas betting on esports with cash was associated with betting on a variety of other forms of gambling, and there was no unique contribution to problems and harm over and above participation on these other forms (e.g., EGMs, sports betting). Skin gambling is directly implicated in gambling problems and harm, whereas cash betting on esports is only indicative of interest in many forms of potentially harmful gambling. Greater research attention to skin gambling is warranted, and particularly with respect to its role as a virtual currency more easily accessible for gambling.