bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Mangled Extremity Severity Score Fails to be a Good Predictor for Secondary Limb Amputation After Trauma with Vascular Injury in Central Europe
Authors: Hohenberger Gloria Maria , Konstantiniuk Peter , Cambiaso‐Daniel Janos , Matzi Veronika , Schwarz Angelika Maria , Lumenta David Benjamin , Cohnert Tina Ulrike
Published: November 2019

Background

The Mangled Extremity Severity Score (MESS) was constructed as an objective quantification criterion for limb trauma. A MESS of or greater than 7 was proposed as a cut‐off point for primary limb amputation. Opinions concerning the predictive value of the MESS vary broadly in the literature. The aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability of the MESS in a contemporary civilian Central European cohort.

Methods

All patients treated for extremity injuries with arterial reconstruction at two centres between January 2005 and December 2014 were assessed. The MESS and the amputation rate were determined.

Results

Seventy‐one patients met the inclusion criteria and could be evaluated for trauma mechanism and injury patterns. The mean MESS was 4.97 (CI 4.4–5.6). Seventy‐three per cent of all patients (52/71) had a MESS < 7 and 27% (19/71) of ≥7. Eight patients (11%) underwent secondary amputation. Patients with a MESS ≥ 7 showed a higher, but statistically not significant secondary amputation rate (21.1%; 4/19) than those with a MESS < 7 (7.7%; 4/52; p = 0.20). The area under the ROC curve was 0.57 (95% CI 0.41; 0.73).

Conclusions

Based on these results, the MESS appears to be an inappropriate predictor for amputation in civilian settings in Central Europe possibly due to therapeutic advances in the treatment of orthopaedic, vascular, neurologic and soft‐tissue traumas.
Lower carbohydrate and higher fat intakes are associated with higher hemoglobin A1c: findings from the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2008–2016
Authors: Churuangsuk Chaitong , Lean Michael E.J. , Combet Emilie
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Evidence of low-carbohydrate, high-fat diets (LCHF) for type 2 diabetes (T2DM) prevention is scarce. We investigated how carbohydrate intake relates to HbA1c and T2DM prevalence in a nationally representative survey dataset.

Methods

We analyzed dietary information (4-day food diaries) from 3234 individuals aged ≥ 16 years, in eight waves of the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2008–2016). We calculated LCHF scores (0–20, higher score indicating lower  %food energy from carbohydrate, with reciprocal higher contribution from fat) and UK Dietary Reference Value (DRV) scores (0–16, based on UK dietary recommendations). Associations between macronutrients and diet scores and diabetes prevalence were analyzed (in the whole sample) using multivariate logistic regression. Among those without diabetes, analyses between exposures and %HbA1c (continuous) were analyzed using multivariate linear regression. All analyses were adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, ethnicity, smoking status, total energy intake, socioeconomic status and survey years.

Results

In the overall study sample, 194 (6.0%) had diabetes. Mean intake was 48.0%E for carbohydrates, and 34.9%E for total fat. Every 5%E decrease in carbohydrate, and every 5%E increase in fat, was associated with 12% (95% CI 0.78–0.99; P = 0.03) and 17% (95% CI 1.02–1.33; P = 0.02) higher odds of diabetes, respectively. Each two-point increase in LCHF score is related to 8% (95% CI 1.02–1.14; P = 0.006) higher odds of diabetes, while there was no evidence for association between DRV score and diabetes. Among the participants without diagnosed diabetes (n = 3130), every 5%E decrease in carbohydrate was associated with higher %HbA1c by + 0.016% (95% CI 0.004–0.029; P = 0.012), whereas every 5%E increase in fat was associated with higher  %HbA1c by + 0.029% (95% CI 0.015–0.043; P < 0.001). Each two-point increase in LCHF score is related to higher  %HbA1c by + 0.010% (0.1 mmol/mol), while each two-point increase in the DRV score is related to lower  %HbA1c by − 0.023% (0.23 mmol/mol).

Conclusions

Lower carbohydrate and higher fat intakes were associated with higher HbA1c and greater odds of having diabetes. These data do not support low(er) carbohydrate diets for diabetes prevention.
Greater activity, better range of motion and higher quality of life following unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: a comparative case–control study
Authors: Hauer Georg , Sadoghi Patrick , Bernhardt Gerwin A. , Wolf Matthias , Ruckenstuhl Paul , Fink Andrea , Leithner Andreas , Gruber Gerald
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to provide a matched cohort comparison of clinical and functional outcome scores, range of motion and quality of life following unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The hypothesis was that patients receiving UKA report better results than comparable patients who receive conventional TKA.

Methods

Clinical and functional results of 35 patients with medial end-stage osteoarthritis who had received a fixed-bearing UKA were compared with the results of 35 matched patients who had received a TKA from the same manufacturer by the same surgeon. Outcome scores were measured before surgery and at final follow-up using Tegner Activity Scale (TAS), range of motion (ROM) and Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36). The Knee Society Score (KSS) was assessed at final follow-up. The mean observation period was 2.3 years in both groups.

Results

The preoperative knee scores had no statistically significant differences between the two groups. Postoperatively, however, UKAs performed significantly better regarding TAS and ROM (4 vs. 3 and 118.4 vs. 103.7, respectively). The results of the SF-36 showed significantly better results for the UKA group in the mental component summary score and in the subscale of social function.

Conclusions

The present study suggests that UKA is associated with higher activity level, higher quality of life, and greater ROM when compared with TKA on comparable patients. Prolonged clinical follow-up in a larger patient cohort with a randomised-controlled study design would be beneficial to confirm these findings.

Level of evidence

III.
Novel markers in pediatric-type follicular lymphoma
Authors: Agostinelli Claudio , Akarca Ayse U , Ramsay Alan , Rizvi Hasan , Rodriguez-Justo Manuel , Pomplun Sabine , Proctor Ian , Sabattini Elena , Linch David , Daw Stephen , Pittaluga Stefania , Pileri Stefano A , Jaffe Elaine S , Quintanilla-Martinez Leticia , Marafioti Teresa
Published: November 2019

The aim of this study was to review the histopathological, phenotypic, and molecular characteristics of pediatric-type follicular lymphoma (PTFL) and to assess the diagnostic value of novel immunohistochemical markers in distinguishing PTFL from follicular hyperplasia (FH). A total of 13 nodal PTFLs were investigated using immunohistochemistry, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and PCR and were compared with a further 20 reactive lymph nodes showing FH. Morphologically, PTFL cases exhibited a follicular growth pattern with irregular lymphoid follicles in which the germinal centers were composed of numerous blastoid cells showing a starry-sky appearance. Immunohistochemistry highlighted preserved CD10 (13/13) and BCL6 (13/13) staining, CD20 (13/13) positivity, a K light chain predominance (7/13), and partial BCL2 expression in 6/13 cases (using antibodies 124, E17, and SP66). The germinal center (GC)–associated markers stathmin and LLT-1 were positive in most of the cases (12/13 and 12/13, respectively). Interestingly, FOXP-1 was uniformly positive in PTFL (12/13 cases) in contrast to reactive GCs in FH, where only a few isolated positive cells were observed. FISH revealed no evidence ofBCL2,BCL6, orMYCrearrangements in the examined cases. By PCR, clonal immunoglobulin gene rearrangements were detected in 100% of the tested PTFL cases. Our study confirmed the unique morphological and immunophenotypic features of PTFL and suggests that FOXP-1 can represent a novel useful diagnostic marker in the differential diagnosis between PTFL and FH.
The risk of psychiatric disorders among Finnish ART and spontaneously conceived children: Finnish population-based register study
Authors: Rissanen E. , Gissler M. , Lehti V. , Tiitinen A.
Published: November 2019

Evidence regarding the psychiatric morbidity of children born after Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART) is inconsistent and limited. While normal mental well-being for ART children is usually reported, concerns are still being raised. Previous studies examine only some psychiatric disorders, but not all of them, ignore the impact of multiplicity, and limit the follow-up time to childhood. We examined all psychiatric diagnoses for singletons until their young adulthood. The aim was to study whether the risk of psychiatric disorders differs between ART and spontaneously conceived (SC) singletons until young adulthood. This retrospective Finnish population-based register study includes all ART and SC live-born children born in Finland during 1990–2013 and their hospital care in 1990–2014 (n = 1,425,975 of which 1,385,956, 97.2% were singletons). After excluding multiples, the final population included 17,610 ART and 1,368,346 SC singletons in 1990–2013 from the Finnish Medical Birth Registry. These data were linked to the Finnish Hospital Discharge Registry with the child’s and mother’s encrypted IDs. ART singletons had fewer psychiatric diagnoses (ART 10.2%, n = 1796, SC 12.0%, n = 164,408), but they received their diagnoses earlier (mean 8.3 years old, SD 5.0) than SC singletons (mean 10.5 years old, SD 5.7). After adjusting for confounding factors, ART singletons had an increased likelihood of getting a psychiatric diagnosis until young adulthood and the results were similar for boys (adjusted hazard ratios [aHR] = 1.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10–1.24) and girls (aHR = 1.25, 95% CI 1.16–1.35). We conclude that ART children receive their psychiatric diagnoses earlier than SC children, in particular during childhood and early adolescence. After adjusting for confounding factors ART children a slightly increased likelihood of any psychiatric diagnosis compared to SC controls.
Multiscale composite model of fiber-reinforced tissues with direct representation of sub-tissue properties
Authors: Zhou Minhao , Bezci Semih E. , O’Connell Grace D.
Published: November 2019

In many fiber-reinforced tissues, collagen fibers are embedded within a glycosaminoglycan-rich extrafibrillar matrix. Knowledge of the structure–function relationship between the sub-tissue properties and bulk tissue mechanics is important for understanding tissue failure mechanics and developing biological repair strategies. Difficulties in directly measuring sub-tissue properties led to a growing interest in employing finite element modeling approaches. However, most models are homogeneous and are therefore not sufficient for investigating multiscale tissue mechanics, such as stress distributions between sub-tissue structures. To address this limitation, we developed a structure-based model informed by the native annulus fibrosus structure, where fibers and the matrix were described as distinct materials occupying separate volumes. A multiscale framework was applied such that the model was calibrated at the sub-tissue scale using single-lamellar uniaxial mechanical test data, while validated at the bulk scale by predicting tissue multiaxial mechanics for uniaxial tension, biaxial tension, and simple shear (13 cases). Structure-based model validation results were compared to experimental observations and homogeneous models. While homogeneous models only accurately predicted bulk tissue mechanics for one case, structure-based models accurately predicted bulk tissue mechanics for 12 of 13 cases, demonstrating accuracy and robustness. Additionally, six of eight structure-based model parameters were directly linked to tissue physical properties, further broadening its future applicability. In conclusion, the structure-based model provides a powerful multiscale modeling approach for simultaneously investigating the structure–function relationship at the sub-tissue and bulk tissue scale, which is important for studying multiscale tissue mechanics with degeneration, disease, or injury.
Institutional Transformation Reflected: Engagement in Sensemaking and Organizational Learning in Florida’s Developmental Education Reform
Authors: Mokher Christine G. , Park-Gaghan Toby J. , Spencer Hayley , Hu Xinye , Hu Shouping
Published: November 2019

Following a major statewide developmental education reform in Florida, we explored institutional transformation among Florida College System institutions. We used statewide survey data to examine lead administrators’ perceptions of challenges encountered during the planning process, ways in which colleges engaged in sensemaking (i.e., social processes for developing shared understanding) and organizational learning, and perceptions of the institutional transformation processes and outcomes following the reform. We found that institutions engaged in numerous types of sensemaking and organizational learning practices to promote change. Yet, despite different approaches taken to institutional transformation, almost all respondents reported that the change process was highly collaborative and involved a broad range of stakeholders.
Keeping Students Out of Mary’s (Class)room
Authors: Brock Richard , Hay David
Published: November 2019

Whilst many science educators, it is reported, associate knowledge with justified true belief (JTB), epistemologists have observed that the JTB model is an incomplete account of knowledge. Moreover, researchers from several fields have argued that developing scientific expertise involves not only the acquisition of knowledge that can be expressed in the form of a sentence, propositional knowledge, but also knowledge that cannot be articulated. This article examines the Mary’s room thought experiment proposed by Frank Jackson and applies it to the context of science education. The thought experiment imagines a scientist, Mary, who has learned all the available scientific information about the physical properties of a tomato and the process of colour vision without directly experiencing the fruit. Jackson poses the question of whether Mary will gain new knowledge when she encounters a tomato for the first time. An argument is put forward that propositional and non-propositional knowledge are distinct, and a case is made for the value of non-propositional knowledge in learning science. An analogy is drawn between the scientist in Jackson’s thought experiment and a learner in a science classroom who is taught propositional knowledge about a scientific concept without directly experiencing relevant phenomena. It is argued that this approach to teaching fails to develop the learner’s non-propositional knowledge. A number of strategies for supporting learners to develop non-propositional knowledge are discussed. It is argued that science educators should consider the phenomenological curriculum, the experiences that students should be introduced to alongside propositional knowledge, in order to develop scientific understanding.
Electrochemical and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic investigations of conductive polymers
Authors: Waware Umesh Somaji , Arukula Ravi , Hamouda A. M. S. , Kasak Peter
Published: November 2019

We report the synthesis of high soluble poly(aniline-co-o-hydroxyaniline) copolymers with varying the amount of o-hydroxyaniline (20, 40, 60, and 80 %) and referred as PA-co-o-HA20, PA-co-o-HA40, PA-co-o-HA60, and PA-co-o-HA80 respectively. The chemical and structural composition of the polymers and copolymers were determined by XPS, UV–Vis, and FE-SEM analysis. Electrochemical studies of the as-prepared polymers showed two single-electron oxidations and two single-electron reductions reversibly at various scan rates ranging from 20 to 50 mV and results reveals that the current density of the copolymer was lesser than the conventional polyaniline (PA). This is due to increasing the hydroxyl (-OH) branching on the polymer backbone in the polymer chain. The current density decreases from PA-co-o-HA20 to PA-co-o-HA80 by increasing the weight percentage of o-hydroxyaniline in the polymeric backbone.
Diagnostik seltener Erkrankungen mit „next generation sequencing“ – angekommen oder abgewehrt?
Authors: Abicht Angela , Neuhann Teresa , Mehnert Laura , Rost Imma , Reis André , Zweier Christiane , Holinski-Feder Elke
Published: November 2019

In der genetischen Diagnostik geht der Weg von Einzelgenanalysen hin zu Genpanelanalysen, insbesondere bei seltenen genetischen Erkrankungen. Im Juli 2016 wurde mit einer Änderung des EBM (Einheitlicher Bewertungsmaßstab) die Möglichkeit geschaffen, bei Patienten mit seltenen Erkrankungen im Rahmen der gesetzlichen Krankenversicherung genetische Analysen mittels „next generation sequencing“ (NGS) zu erbringen. Allerdings wurde die Mutationssuche in mehr als 25 Kilobasen (kb) kodierender Sequenz unter einen Genehmigungsvorbehalt durch die Krankenkassen gestellt und im zeitlichen Verlauf durch einen Abrechnungsausschluss zur Analyse einzelner oder weniger Gene mit einem Analyseumfang von weniger als 25 kb weiter eingeschränkt.

Aus Diagnostiklaboren des bayerischen Landesverbandes des BVDH (Berufsverband Deutscher Humangenetiker e. V.) berichten wir über die Erfahrungen, die mit Antragstellung, Widerspruchsverfahren, Genehmigungsquote, Ablehnungsgründen und diagnostischem Outcome bei der Analyse großer Genpanels im Rahmen seltener Erkrankungen gewonnen wurden. Im Erhebungszeitraum von 7 Quartalen wurden in vier Laboren insgesamt 314 Gutachten zur Begründung eines Antrags nach GOP 11514 erstellt, die alle durch den MDK begutachtet wurden. 71 % der Anträge wurden abgelehnt. Insgesamt 95 Anträge (29 %) wurden genehmigt, teilweise allerdings erst nach bis zu 5 Widersprüchen. Die Ablehnungen wurden sowohl mit sozialmedizinischen als auch mit formalen Argumenten begründet, wobei in den meisten Fällen eine als fehlend angesehene therapeutische Relevanz als sozialmedizinisches Argument aufgeführt wurde. Durch die genehmigten umfassenden NGS-Analysen konnte bei über 30 % der untersuchten Patienten eine genetische Diagnose gestellt werden, die in zwei Drittel der Fälle behandlungsrelevant war.

Zusammenfassend stehen der Genehmigungsvorbehalt einer NGS-Analyse nach GOP 11514 und die damit aufgebauten Widerstände einer medizinisch notwendigen und sinnvollen Diagnostik in der Versorgung von Patienten mit seltenen Erkrankungen im Wege.
Long-term Annual Aerial Surveys of Submersed Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) Support Science, Management, and Restoration
Authors: Orth Robert J. , Dennison William C. , Gurbisz Cassie , Hannam Michael , Keisman Jeni , Landry J. Brooke , Lefcheck Jonathan S. , Moore Kenneth A. , Murphy Rebecca R. , Patrick Christopher J. , Testa Jeremy , Weller Donald E. , Wilcox David J. , Batiuk Richard A.
Published: November 2019

Aerial surveys of coastal habitats can uniquely inform the science and management of shallow, coastal zones, and when repeated annually, they reveal changes that are otherwise difficult to assess from ground-based surveys. This paper reviews the utility of a long-term (1984–present) annual aerial monitoring program for submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) in Chesapeake Bay, its tidal tributaries, and nearby Atlantic coastal bays, USA. We present a series of applications that highlight the program’s importance in assessing anthropogenic impacts, gauging water quality status and trends, establishing and evaluating restoration goals, and understanding the impact of commercial fishing practices on benthic habitats. These examples demonstrate how periodically quantifying coverage of this important foundational habitat answers basic research questions locally, as well as globally, and provides essential information to resource managers. New technologies are enabling more frequent and accurate aerial surveys at greater spatial resolution and lower cost. These advances will support efforts to extend the applications described here to similar issues in other areas.
Back to a Sovereign Future?: Constitutional Pluralism after Brexit
Authors: MAC AMHLAIGH Cormac
Published: November 2019

To the extent that the UK's decision to withdraw from the EU can be interpreted as a reassertion of the classic ideas of Westphalian sovereign statehood, it questions the relevance of constitutional pluralism as a resolutely ‘post-sovereign’ model of relations between state administrations and their supranational counterparts. This contribution will therefore examine the usefulness and relevance of the idea of constitutional pluralism after Brexit. It looks at the various features and relationships affected by the Brexit process analysing the relevance of constitutional pluralism to each relationship pre- and post-Brexit, concluding that, whereas Brexit clearly affects the different relationships involved, constitutional pluralism can and will remain relevant to EU/UK relations as well as within the EU, well into the future.
Medical Consultations After Typhoon Haiyan in a Field Hospital in the Philippines
Authors: Gil Cuesta Julita , van Loenhout Joris Adriaan Frank , de Lara Banquesio Maria Lourdes , Mustaffa Masniza , Guha-Sapir Debarati
Published: November 2019

Introduction and Objectives:

Typhoon Haiyan partially destroyed the Ormoc District Hospital in the Philippines. A field hospital was established to replace its outpatient department for 5 weeks. We investigated the reasons for medical consultation in the field hospital.

Methods:

We described the consultations by sex, age, week, and diagnosis according to the Surveillance in Post-Extreme Emergencies and Disasters system. We compared the number and proportion of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) with a control season in 2014.

Results:

We included 6785 consultations, 55.9% from women. The majority of consultations were communicable diseases (88.2%) followed by noncommunicable (7.1%) and injuries (5.6%). Males suffered more often from injuries than women (66.0% vs 34.0%). Consultations due to injuries decreased from 10.0% in the first to 2.9% in the last week. The most frequent diagnosis over the study period was acute respiratory infections (ARIs) (73.1%), of which 83.0% were children. The number of daily URTIs was higher than in a similar 2014 period.

Conclusions:

ARI was the most prevalent diagnosis. We recommend ARI treatments being fully accessible after such a disaster. During the first week, injury prevention should focus on adult men. Studies after natural disasters should include control periods to better understand disease distribution, ultimately improving the prioritization in disasters.
The Case for a Linked Data Research Engine for Legal Scholars
Authors: MOODLEY Kody , HERNANDEZ-SERRANO Pedro V , ZAVERI Amrapali J , SCHAPER Marcel GH , DUMONTIER Michel , VAN DIJCK Gijs
Published: November 2019

This contribution explores the application of data science and artificial intelligence to legal research, more specifically an element that has not received much attention: the research infrastructure required to make such analysis possible. In recent years, EU law has become increasingly digitised and published in online databases such as EUR-Lex and HUDOC. However, the main barrier inhibiting legal scholars from analysing this information is lack of training in data analytics. Legal analytics software can mitigate this problem to an extent. However, current systems are dominated by the commercial sector. In addition, most systems focus on search of legal information but do not facilitate advanced visualisation and analytics. Finally, free to use systems that do provide such features are either too complex to use for general legal scholars, or are not rich enough in their analytics tools. In this paper, we motivate the case for building a software platform that addresses these limitations. Such software can provide a powerful platform for visualising and exploring connections and correlations in EU case law, helping to unravel the “DNA” behind EU legal systems. It will also serve to train researchers and students in schools and universities to analyse legal information using state-of-the-art methods in data science, without requiring technical proficiency in the underlying methods. We also suggest that the software should be powered by a data infrastructure and management paradigm following the seminal FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) principles.
Burst behavior due to the quasimode excited by stimulated Brillouin scattering in high-intensity laser–plasma interactions
Authors: Feng Q. S. , Cao L. H. , Liu Z. J. , Zheng C. Y. , He X. T.
Published: November 2019

The strong-coupling mode, called the “quasimode”, is excited by stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in high-intensity laser–plasma interactions. Also SBS of the quasimode competes with SBS of the fast mode (or slow mode) in multi-ion species plasmas, thus leading to a low-frequency burst behavior of SBS reflectivity. Competition between the quasimode and the ion-acoustic wave (IAW) is an important saturation mechanism of SBS in high-intensity laser–plasma interactions. These results give a clear explanation of the low-frequency periodic burst behavior of SBS and should be considered as a saturation mechanism of SBS in high-intensity laser–plasma interactions.
Anti-money laundering regulation and the art market
Authors: Hufnagel Saskia , King Colin
Published: November 2019

Following concerns that the art market is being used to launder criminal money and fund terrorist activities, measures have recently been introduced to subject the market to the anti-money laundering (AML) regime – such as the EU 5thMoney Laundering Directive (2018) and the US Illicit Art and Antiquities Trafficking Prevention Bill (2018). The expansion of the AML regime to include art dealers has been attributed to the failure of regulation and the vulnerabilities inherent in the market to laundering. This paper considers vulnerabilities to money laundering and examines the types of regulation that apply in the art market. The paper then goes on to analyse the application of AML criminal law and preventive measures in the UK context, demonstrating that art dealers can be criminally prosecuted for engaging in normal commercial activities. Even if dealers do comply with AML reporting rules, such compliance can significantly impact upon their business. These are important considerations given the government's emphasis on striking a balance between the burdens on business and deterring money laundering activities. Drawing upon the AGILE analytical framework, we remain sceptical about the continued expansion of the AML regime.
Assessing the stability of egocentric networks over time using the digital participant-aided sociogram tool Network Canvas
Authors: Hogan Bernie , Janulis Patrick , Phillips Gregory Lee , Melville Joshua , Mustanski Brian , Contractor Noshir , Birkett Michelle
Published: November 2019

This paper examines the stability of egocentric networks as reported over time using a novel touchscreen-based participant-aided sociogram. Past work has noted the instability of nominated network alters, with a large proportion leaving and reappearing between interview observations. To explain this instability of networks over time, researchers often look to structural embeddedness, namely the notion that alters are connected to other alters within egocentric networks. Recent research has also asked whether the interview situation itself may play a role in conditioning respondents to what might be the appropriate size and shape of a social network, and thereby which alters ought to be nominated or not. We report on change in these networks across three waves and assess whether this change appears to be the result of natural churn in the network or whether changes might be the result of factors in the interview itself, particularly anchoring and motivated underreporting. Our results indicate little change in average network size across waves, particularly for indirect tie nominations. Slight, significant changes were noted between waves one and two particularly among those with the largest networks. Almost no significant differences were observed between waves two and three, either in terms of network size, composition, or density. Data come from three waves of a Chicago-based panel study of young men who have sex with men.
Structure in personal networks: Constructing and comparing typologies
Authors: Vacca Raffaele
Published: November 2019

A recurrent finding in personal network research is that individual and social outcomes are influenced not just by the kind of people one knows, but also by how those people are connected to each other. Personal network structure – the way in which one’s personal contacts know and interact with each other – reflects broader trends in social organization and personal communities, and shapes patterns of social capital, support, and isolation. This article proposes a method to identify typologies of structure in large collections of personal networks. The method is applied to six datasets collected in widely different circumstances and using various survey instruments. It is then compared with another recently introduced method to extract typologies of egocentric network structure. Findings show that personal network structure can be effectively summarized using just three measures of cohesive subgroup characteristics. Structural typologies can then be identified by applying standard cluster analysis techniques to the three variables. Both methods considered in the article capture significant variation in network structures, but they also show substantial levels of disagreement and cross-classification. I discuss similarities and differences between the methods, and potential applications of the proposed typologies to substantive research on personal communities, social support, and social capital.
Variability of H
α
emission in young stellar objects in the cluster IC 348
Authors: Nikoghosyan Elena H. , Azatyan N. M.
Published: November 2019

H
α
emission is one of the most prominent features of young stellar objects in the optical range, and importantly, the equivalent width (EW) of H
α
emission [EW(H
α
)] is used to characterise an evolutionary stage of young stars. The aim of this work is to identify and study the stellar objects with variable EW(H
α
) in the young stellar cluster IC 348. We performed photometric and slit-less observations at several epochs in order to reveal the variable objects. Significant variability of EW(H
α
) was found in 90 out of 127 examined stars. From all epochs of observations, 32 objects were classified as CTT (classical T Tauri) and 69 as WTT (weak-line T Tauri) objects. The fraction of the variables in these samples is ~60%. We also identified 20 stellar objects, which showed not only a significant variability of the EW, but which also change their apparent evolutionary stage (CTT ⇆ WTT). For six stars, H
α
line was observed in both emission and absorption.

The analysis of data obtained over a wide wavelength range (from X-ray to mid-infrared) has shown that H
α
activity and the measure of its variability are in good agreement with the activity of stellar objects measured with its other parameters, such as X-ray radiation and the mass accretion rate. The EW(H
α
) differs not only between objects at different evolutionary stages, but also between variable and non-variable objects. The variables in the CTT and WTT samples are more active than non-variables although they have almost the same evolutionary age. Another distinct difference between these variables and non-variables is their average masses. The variables from both CTT and WTT samples are noticeably more massive than non-variables. Our data confirm the assumption made for other star formation regions that the decay of accretion activity occurs more slowly for more massive CTT objects. Apparently, a similar trend is also present in WTT objects, which are at a later stage of evolution. The variability of the stellar objects, which change their evolutionary classes (CTT ⇆ WTT), at least in a fraction of them, is due to the fact that they are close binaries, which affects and modulates their H
α
emission activity.
National Belonging and Public Support for Multiculturalism
Authors: Goodman Sara Wallace , Alarian Hannah M.
Published: November 2019

How do views about national identity shape support for multiculturalism? In this paper, we argue that individuals who view national ingroup belonging as “achievable” are more likely to support multiculturalism than individuals who view belonging as “ascriptive.” Using data from the 1995, 2003, and 2013 International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) Nationality Identity survey waves across 35 advanced democracies, we find achievable national identities correspond with support for multicultural principles but not for programmatic aspects involving government intervention. Robust analyses reveal these patterns are specific to the content, rather than the strength, of one's national identity. Our findings underline the role of both national belonging and outgroup attitudes on building support for policies of inclusion—and therefore social solidarity—in diverse democracies.
Female Workers in the Spanish Mines, 1860–1936
Authors: de Perceval Verde Miguel Á. Pérez , Martínez Soto Ángel Pascual , García Gómez José Joaquín
Published: November 2019

This article analyses female labour in Spanish mines during the golden age of the sector in Spain between 1860 and 1936. Although they were a small percentage of total employment, women accounted for a significant share of the workforce in certain Spanish districts. On the one hand, the study quantifies work performed directly by women, who were mostly engaged in preparation and concentration of the minerals, as well as the extent of female child labour. This has been done by using official statistics, analysing the share of women employed for each type of mineral extracted, the mining area where this activity took place, and other variables. In the article, the authors seek to identify possible causes of such a heterogeneous distribution of female labour in the mining industry in Spain. This situation was common in the sector throughout the world. On the other hand, the article analyses attitudes of institutions, unions, and the like that limited employment opportunities for women in mining (banning them from performing underground tasks and other activities) and even proposed excluding them altogether, responding to workers’ demands in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. We examine the objectives pursued by these institutions, which in some cases related to protection (physical and moral) of female workers but overall aimed mainly to preserve the social role of women (particularly reproduction) and exclude them from the workforce. The pressure on female workers was the most pronounced in the workplace. These factors gave rise to a global setback in female employment, especially among the youngest workers. Given this situation, the quantitative data used, together with information drawn from different sources, reveal that women resisted giving up these jobs, particularly in the districts with a larger share of female workers.
Board Gender Diversity and Corporate Innovation: International Evidence
Authors: Griffin Dale , Li Kai , Xu Ting
Published: November 2019

Using a novel database of firm patents and board characteristics across 45 countries, we examine both within- and cross-country determinants of board gender diversity and its relation to corporate innovation. Boards are more likely to include women in countries with narrower gender gaps, higher female labor market participation, and less masculine cultures. Firms with gender diverse boards have more patents and novel patents, and a higher innovative efficiency. Further analyses suggest that gender diverse boards are associated with more failure-tolerant and long-term chief executive officer (CEO) incentives, more innovative corporate cultures, and more diverse inventors, characteristics that are conducive to an improved innovative performance.
Effect of nutraceuticals on acanthocephalan Neoechinorhynchus buttnerae and its toxicity to the host tambaqui Colossoma macropomum
Authors: Seixas A.T. , Gallani S.U. , Fernandes I.M. , Fernandes I.E.C. , Jerônimo G.T. , Pilarski F. , Valladão G.M.R.
Published: November 2019

The production of tambaqui Colossoma macropomum has been undergoing financial losses due to parasitic infection by the acanthocephalan Neoechinorhynchus buttnerae, raising an alert for aquaculture in South America. The lack of adequate treatment and use of unlicensed chemicals encourages research for alternative solutions with minimal side effects. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the in vitro antiparasitic potential of commercial nutraceutical products (Natumix® and BioFish®) against N. buttnerae and to assess the respective in vivo toxic effects on the host tambaqui. For in vitro assays, parasitized fish were necropsied for acanthocephalans sampling. The parasites were exposed to three concentrations (0.078, 0.313 and 1.25 mg/ml) of each product, as well as controls (one without product and another with a solubilizer). For the in vivo acute toxicity test, juvenile fish (<0.1 g) were exposed to five increasing concentrations of each product. Mortality of tambaqui was recorded at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. The estimated lethal concentration (LC) for 10, 50, 90 and 99% of fish was determined to classify the toxicity of the products on the target species. After in vitro efficacy tests, the highest concentrations (1.25 mg/ml) caused 100% mortality of the parasites in both products, but only Natumix® caused 100% mortality using the intermediate concentration (0.313 mg/ml) after 24 h. According to the acute toxicity result, the LC50 classified the nutraceutical products as slightly toxic for tambaqui. The tested products had a parasiticidal effect on N. buttnerae, and the toxicity test showed that both products have therapeutic potential when added to the diet.
The Paradox of Gender Reversal: Dance Hosts and the Pursuit of Gender Ideals in Contemporary China
Authors: Chen Juan
Published: November 2019

This study examines the masculinity of Chinese male migrants who earn their living as “dance hosts.” Dance hosts partner middle-aged women in dance halls, sell experiences of intimacy and engage in ongoing romantic relationships with their female clients. This article seeks to capture an intimate and “up-close” portrait of (heterosexual) male dance hosting, and then further addresses dance hosts’ masculine subjectivity by examining the coping strategies they use to overcome the stigma attached to their profession and to assert their masculinity. Ultimately, the article argues that the process of masculine subjectivity formation in the case of male dance hosts is structured by dominant norms of Chinese masculinity. Although seemingly highly subversive, the relationship between dance hosts and clients in fact fulfils conventional gender ideals and encourages the perpetuation of traditional gender roles in China's patriarchal society. This work seeks to offer an understanding of traditional gender norms (or ideals) through the lens of normative Chinese masculinity within the context of a stigmatized occupation.
Self-similar solutions of the radially symmetric relativistic Euler equations
Authors: LAI GENG
Published: November 2019

The study of radially symmetric motion is important for the theory of explosion waves. We construct rigorously self-similar entropy solutions to Riemann initial-boundary value problems for the radially symmetric relativistic Euler equations. We use the assumption of self-similarity to reduce the relativistic Euler equations to a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations, from which we obtain detailed structures of solutions besides their existence. For the ultra-relativistic Euler equations, we also obtain the uniqueness of the self-similar entropy solution to the Riemann initial-boundary value problems.
Community Resilience and Urban Planning during the Ninth-Century Maya Collapse: A Case Study from Actuncan, Belize
Authors: Mixter David W.
Published: November 2019

To remain in place in the immediate aftermath of the ninth-century Maya collapse, Maya groups employed various resilient strategies. In the absence of divine rulers, groups needed to renegotiate their forms of political authority and to reconsider the legitimizing role of religious institutions. This kind of negotiation happened first at the local level, where individual communities developed varied political and ideological solutions. At the community of Actuncan, located in the lower Mopan River valley of Belize, reorganization took place within the remains of a monumental urban centre built 1000 years before by the site's early rulers. I report on the changing configuration and use of Actuncan's urban landscape during the process of reorganization. These modifications included the construction of a new centre for political gatherings, the dismantling of old administrative buildings constructed by holy lords and the reuse of the site's oldest ritual space. These developments split the city into distinct civic and ritual zones, paralleling the adoption of a new shared rule divorced from cosmological underpinnings. This case study provides an example of how broader societal resilience relies on adaptation at the local level.
Birds of Summer Solstice: World-Renewal Rituality on the Northern Gulf Coast of Florida
Authors: Goodwin Joshua M. , Sassaman Kenneth E. , Blessing Meggan E. , Steadman David W.
Published: November 2019

Prevalent as bird imagery is in the ritual traditions of eastern North America, the bony remains of birds are relatively sparse in archaeological deposits and when present are typically viewed as subsistence remains. A first-millennium ad civic-ceremonial centre on the northern Gulf Coast of Florida contains large pits with bird bones amid abundant fish bone and other taxa. The avian remains are dominated by elements of juvenile white ibises, birds that were taken from offshore rookeries at the time of summer solstices. The pits into which they were deposited were emplaced on a relict dune with solstice orientations. The timing and siting of solstice feasts at this particular centre invites discussion of world-renewal rituality and the significance of birds in not only the timing of these events but also possibly as agents of balance and rejuvenation.
Estimating radiation exposure during paediatric cardiac catheterisation: a potential for radiation reduction with air gap technique
Authors: Chamberlain Reid C. , Shindhelm Alexis C. , Wang Chu , Fleming Gregory A. , Hill Kevin D.
Published: November 2019

Introduction:

The air gap technique (AGT) is an approach to radiation dose optimisation during fluoroscopy where an “air gap” is used in place of an anti-scatter grid to reduce scatter irradiation. The AGT is effective in adults but remains largely untested in children. Effects are expected to vary depending on patient size and the amount of scatter irradiation produced.

Methods:

Fluoroscopy and cineangiography were performed using a Phillips Allura Fluoroscope on tissue simulation anthropomorphic phantoms representing a neonate, 5-year-old, and teenager. Monte Carlo simulations were then used to estimate effective radiation dose first using a standard recommended imaging approach and then repeated using the AGT. Objective image quality assessments were performed using an image quality phantom.

Results:

Effective radiation doses for the neonate and 5-year-old phantom increased consistently (2–92%) when the AGT was used compared to the standard recommended imaging approaches in which the anti-scatter grid is removed at baseline. In the teenage phantom, the AGT reduced effective doses by 5–59%, with greater dose reductions for imaging across the greater thoracic dimension of lateral projection. The AGT increased geometric magnification but with no detectable change in image blur or contrast differentiation.

Conclusions:

The AGT is an effective approach for dose reduction in larger patients, particularly for lateral imaging. Compared to the current dose optimisation guidelines, the technique may be harmful in smaller children where scatter irradiation is minimal.
OPTIMAL MONETARY AND FISCAL POLICY IN A CURRENCY UNION WITH FRICTIONAL GOODS MARKETS
Authors: Gomis-Porqueras Pedro , Zhang Cathy
Published: November 2019

We develop an open economy model of a currency union with frictional goods markets and endogenous search decisions to study optimal monetary and fiscal policy. Households finance consumption with a common currency and can search for locally produced goods across regions that differ in their market characteristics. Equilibrium is generically inefficient due to regional spillovers from endogenous search decisions. While monetary policy alone cannot correct this distortion, fiscal policy can help improve allocations by taxing or subsidizing production at the regional level. When households of only one region can search, optimal policy entails a deviation from the Friedman rule and a production subsidy (tax) if there is underinvestment (overinvestment) in search decisions. Optimal policy when households from both region search requires the Friedman rule and zero production taxes in both regions.
Understudied factors contributing to variability in cognitive performance related to language learning
Authors: Long Madeleine R. , Vega-Mendoza Mariana , Rohde Hannah , Sorace Antonella , Bak Thomas H.
Published: November 2019

While much of the literature on bilingualism and cognition focuses on group comparisons (monolinguals vs bilinguals or language learners vs controls), here we examine the potential differential effects of intensive language learning on subjects with distinct language experiences and demographic profiles. Using an individual differences approach, we assessed attentional performance from 105 university-educated Gaelic learners aged 21–85. Participants were tested before and after beginner, elementary, and intermediate courses using tasks measuring i.) sustained attention, ii.) inhibition, and iii.) attention switching. We examined the relationship between attentional performance and Gaelic level, previous language experience, gender, and age. Gaelic level predicted attention switching performance: those in higher levels initially outperformed lower levels, however lower levels improved the most. Age also predicted performance: as age increased attention switching decreased. Nevertheless, age did not interact with session for any attentional measure, thus the impact of language learning on cognition was detectable across the lifespan.