bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between visual emphysema and lung nodules on low-dose CT scan in a Chinese Lung Cancer Screening Program (Nelcin-B3)
Authors: Yang Xiaofei , Dorrius Monique D. , Jiang Wenzhen , Nie Zhenhui , Vliegenthart Rozemarijn , Groen Harry J. M. , Heuvelmans Marjolein A. , Sidorenkov Grigory , Vonder Marleen , Ye Zhaoxiang , de Bock Geertruida H.
Published: June 2022

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the association between visual emphysema and the presence of lung nodules, and Lung-RADS category with low-dose CT (LDCT).

Methods

Baseline LDCT scans of 1162 participants from a lung cancer screening study (Nelcin-B3) performed in a Chinese general population were included. The presence, subtypes, and severity of emphysema (at least trace) were visually assessed by one radiologist. The presence, size, and classification of non-calcified lung nodules (≥ 30 mm3) and Lung-RADS category were independently assessed by another two radiologists. Multivariable logistic regression and stratified analyses were performed to estimate the association between emphysema and lung nodules, Lung-RADS category, after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, smoking status, pack-years, and passive smoking.

Results

Emphysema and lung nodules were observed in 674 (58.0%) and 424 (36.5%) participants, respectively. Participants with emphysema had a 71% increased risk of having lung nodules (adjusted odds ratios, aOR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.26–2.31) and 70% increased risk of positive Lung-RADS category (aOR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.09–2.66) than those without emphysema. Participants with paraseptal emphysema (n = 47, 4.0%) were at a higher risk for lung nodules than those with centrilobular emphysema (CLE) (aOR: 2.43, 95% CI: 1.32–4.50 and aOR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.23–2.09, respectively). Only CLE was associated with positive Lung-RADS category (p = 0.02). CLE severity was related to a higher risk of lung nodules (ranges aOR: 1.44–2.61, overall p < 0.01).

Conclusion

In a Chinese general population, visual emphysema based on LDCT is independently related to the presence of lung nodules (≥ 30 mm3) and specifically CLE subtype is related to positive Lung-RADS category. The risk of lung nodules increases with CLE severity.

Key Points

• Participants with emphysema had an increased risk of having lung nodules, especially smokers.

• Participants with PSE were at a higher risk for lung nodules than those with CLE, but nodules in participants with CLE had a higher risk of positive Lung-RADS category.

• The risk of lung nodules increases with CLE severity.
Endoscopic tympanoplasty with post-conchal perichondrium in repairing large-sized eardrum perforations
Authors: Chen Chin-Kuo , Hsu Hsin-Chiao , Wang Min
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study aimed to compare the outcomes of endoscopic tympanoplasty with post-conchal perichondrium (PCP) and microscopic tympanoplasty with temporalis fascia in repairing large-sized eardrum perforations.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review of 43 patients who underwent type 1 tympanoplasty for simple large-sized perforations. The patients were divided into two groups: Group I (endoscopic ear surgery with a PCP graft, 22 patients) and Group II (microscopic ear surgery with temporalis fascia, 21 patients). Graft success rate, demographic data, pre- and postoperative pure-tone average and word-recognition score, closure of the air − bone gap, and postoperative pain scale scores were compared between the two groups.

Results

The graft success rates in groups I and II were 86.3% and 85.7%, respectively. The mean operation time in Group I (79.8 ± 16.5 min) was significantly shorter than that in Group II (99.9 ± 26.7 min) (p = 0.006). Both groups showed significant improvements in the pure-tone average and word-recognition scores. Average closure of the air − bone gap (ABG) in groups I and II was 20.7 ± 6.9 dB and 17.6 ± 8.4 dB, respectively. The reduction in ABG in Group I had a significantly higher magnitude than in Group II at 1000 and 2000 Hz, respectively (p = 0.028 and p = 0.017). The two groups showed no significant difference in postoperative pain scores.

Conclusion

Endoscopic tympanoplasty with PCP showed a reliable, fascia-preserved, and excellent outcome in repairing large-sized perforations.
Acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid gland: Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes? A multicenter retrospective analysis focusing on survival outcome
Authors: De Luca Pietro , de Campora Luca , Tassone Domenico , Atturo Francesca , Colangeli Roberta , Petruzzi Gerardo , Fermi Matteo , Molinari Giulia , Abeshi Andi , Cintoli Giulia , Lo Manto Alfredo , Togo Giulia , Ricciardiello Filippo , Condorelli Paolo , Raso Ferdinando , Di Stadio Arianna , Salzano Giovanni , Esposito Erik , D’Ecclesia Aurelio , Radici Marco , Iemma Maurizio , Vigili Maurizio Giovanni , Salzano Francesco Antonio , Magaldi Luciano , Cassano Michele , Dallan Iacopo , Pellini Raul , Presutti Livio , Ionna Franco , de Campora Enrico , Camaioni Angelo
Published: June 2022

Objectives

To analyze the demographic data, surgical and adjuvant treatment data and the survival outcomes in adult patients affected by acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid gland (AciCC).

Methods

A retrospective multicenter analysis of patients treated for AciCC of the parotid gland from 2000 to 2021 was performed. Exclusion criteria were pediatric (0–18 years) patients, the absence of follow-up and patients with secondary metastatic disease to the parotid gland. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with survival.

Results

The study included 81 adult patients with AciCC of the parotid gland. The median age was 46.3 years (SD 15.81, range 19–84 years), with a gender female prevalence (F = 48, M = 33). The mean follow-up was 77.7 months (min 4–max 361, SD 72.46). The 5 years overall survival (OS) was 97.5%. The 5 years disease-free survival (DFS) was 60%. No statistical differences have been found in prognosis for age (< 65 or ≥ 65 years), sex, surgery type (superficial vs profound parotid surgery), radicality (R0 vs R1 + Rclose), neck dissection, early pathologic T and N stages and adjuvant therapy (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

This study did not find prognostic factor for poorest outcome. In contrast with the existing literature, our results showed how also high-grade tumours cannot be considered predictive of recurrence or aggressive behaviour.
Right colectomy from open to robotic — a single-center experience with functional outcomes in a learning-curve setting
Authors: Hirschburger Markus , Schneider Rolf , Kraenzlein Sophie , Padberg Winfried , Hecker Andreas , Reichert Martin
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Right colectomy (RC) is a frequently performed procedure. Beneath standard conventional open surgery (COS), various minimally invasive techniques had been introduced. Several advantages had recently been described for robotic approaches over COS or conventional laparoscopy. Nevertheless, novel minimally invasive techniques require continuous benchmarking against standard COS to gain maximum patient safety. Bowel dysfunction is a frequent problem after RC. Together with general complication rates postoperative bowel recovery are used as surrogate parameters for postoperative patient outcome in this study.

Methods

Retrospective, 10-year single-center analysis of consecutive patients who underwent sequentially either COS (n = 22), robotic-assisted (ECA: n = 39), or total robotic surgery (ICA: n = 56) for oncologic RC was performed.

Results

The conversion from robotic to open surgery rate was low (overall: 3.2%). Slightly longer duration of surgery had been observed during the early phase after introduction of the robotic program to RC (ECA versus COS, p = 0.044), but not anymore thereafter (versus ICA). No differences were observed in oncologic parameters including rates of tumor-negative margins, lymph node-positive patients, and lymph node yield during mesocolic excision. Both robotic approaches are beneficial regarding postoperative complication rates, especially wound infections, and shorter length of in-hospital stay compared with COS. The duration until first postoperative stool is the shortest after ICA (COS: 4 [2–8] days, ECA: 3 [1–6] days, ICA: 3 [1–5] days, p = 0.0004). Regression analyses reveal neither a longer duration of surgery nor the extent of mesocolic excision, but the degree of minimally invasiveness and postoperative systemic inflammation contribute to postoperative bowel dysfunction, which prolongs postoperative in-hospital stay significantly.

Conclusion

The current study reflects the institutional learning curve of oncologic RC during implementation of robotic surgery from robotic-assisted to total robotic approach without compromises in oncologic results and patient safety. However, the total robotic approach is beneficial regarding postoperative bowel recovery and general patient outcome.
A Newly Discovered Tendon Between the Genioglossus Muscle and Epiglottic Cartilage Identified by Histological Observation of the Pre-Epiglottic Space
Authors: Kitamura Kei , Watanabe Tae , Yamamoto Masahito , Ishikawa Noboru , Kasahara Norio , Abe Shinichi , Yamamoto Hitoshi
Published: June 2022

Epiglottic retroversion is difficult to explain anatomically. One reason is inadequate structural identification of the ligaments in the submucosal tissue anterior to the epiglottis (pre-epiglottic space, PES). Although studies have shown that tongue root movement plays a role in epiglottic retroversion, few morphological reports have investigated the attachment of the lingual muscles to the epiglottis. This study reconstructed the fiber structure of the PES by comprehensively analyzing fiber alignment in the PES focusing on the hyoepiglottic ligament, which runs between the lingual muscles and the epiglottis. Gross and microscopic observations of the submucosal structures from the tongue to the larynx of 20 cadavers (10 men, 10 women; mean age 79 years) were performed. A tendon continuing from the posterior part of the genioglossus muscle and attaching to the center of the epiglottic cartilage was identified in the midline area of the epiglottis. We named this tendon the glossoepiglottic tendon. In contrast, the hyoepiglottic ligament is found between the hyoid bone and the epiglottis and is attached from the lateral margin of the epiglottic cartilage to its base. Furthermore, the glossoepiglottic tendon consists of a high-density fiber bundle that is thicker than the hyoepiglottic ligament. These results show that the conventional hyoepiglottic ligament has a two-layer structure consisting of an upper fiber bundle connected to the genioglossus muscle and a lower fiber bundle connected to the hyoid bone. Sustained contraction of the posterior part of the genioglossus muscle therefore places the epiglottis under persistent traction, suggesting that its relaxation may cause epiglottic retroversion.
Magnetic Anisotropy in YbAlO$$_3$$ Studied by Electron Spin Resonance
Authors: Ehlers D. , Vasylechko L. , Medvecká Z. , Sichelschmidt J.
Published: June 2022

The magnetic anisotropy of the quantum-critical spin-chain system YbAlO$$_3$$

3

is studied in detail in its paramagnetic phase by means of electron spin resonance. We find an uniaxial g factor anisotropy with $$g_\parallel =7.01$$

g
‖

=
7.01

and $$g_\perp = 0.47$$

g
⊥

=
0.47

. The existence of two distinct magnetic Yb sites explains the resonance spectra well.
A scoping review on the multiplicity of scale in spatial analysis
Authors: Oshan Taylor M. , Wolf Levi J. , Sachdeva Mehak , Bardin Sarah , Fotheringham A. Stewart
Published: June 2022

Scale is a central concept in the geographical sciences and is an intrinsic property of many spatial systems. It also serves as an essential thread in the fabric of many other physical and social sciences, which has contributed to the use of different terminology for similar manifestations of what we refer to as ‘scale’, leading to a surprising amount of diversity around this fundamental concept and its various ‘multiscale’ extensions. To address this, we review common abstractions about spatial scale and how they are employed in quantitative research. We also explore areas where the conceptualizations of multiple spatial scales can be differentiated. This is achieved by first bridging terminology and concepts, and then conducting a scoping review of the topic. A typology for spatial scale is discussed that can be used to categorize its multifarious meanings and measures. This typology is then used to distinguish what we term ‘process scale,’ from other types of spatial scale and to highlight current trends in uncovering aspects of process scale. We end with suggestions on how to further build knowledge regarding spatial processes through the lens of spatial scale.
Ethics of Self-driving Cars: A Naturalistic Approach
Authors: Arfini Selene , Spinelli Davide , Chiffi Daniele
Published: June 2022

The potential development of self-driving cars (also known as autonomous vehicles or AVs – particularly Level 5 AVs) has called the attention of different interested parties. Yet, there are still only a few relevant international regulations on them, no emergency patterns accepted by communities and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), and no publicly accepted solutions to some of their pending ethical problems. Thus, this paper aims to provide some possible answers to these moral and practical dilemmas. In particular, we focus on what AVs should do in no-win scenarios and on who should be held responsible for these types of decisions. A naturalistic perspective on ethics informs our proposal, which, we argue, could represent a pragmatic and realistic solution to the regulation of AVs. We discuss the proposals already set out in the current literature regarding both policy-making strategies and theoretical accounts. In fact, we consider and reject descriptive approaches to the problem as well as the option of using either a strict deontological view or a solely utilitarian one to set AVs’ ethical choices. Instead, to provide concrete answers to AVs’ ethical problems, we examine three hierarchical levels of decision-making processes: country-wide regulations, OEM policies, and buyers’ moral attitudes. By appropriately distributing ethical decisions and considering their practical implications, we maintain that our proposal based on ethical naturalism recognizes the importance of all stakeholders and allows the most able of them to take actions (the OEMs and buyers) to reflect on the moral leeway and weight of their options.
The fracture predictive ability of lumbar spine BMD and TBS as calculated based on different combinations of the lumbar spine vertebrae
Authors: Shevroja Enisa , Mo Costabella François , Gonzalez Rodriguez Elena , Lamy Olivier , Hans Didier
Published: June 2022

Lumbar
spine bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular bone score (TBS) are both calculated on L1-L4 vertebrae. This study investigated the ability to predict osteoporotic fractures of BMD and TBS as calculated based on all possible adjacent L1-L4 vertebrae combinations. Present findings indicate that L1-L3 is an optimal combination to calculate LS-BMD or TBS.

Introduction

Lumbar spine (LS) BMD and TBS are both assessed in the LS DXA scans in the same region of interest, L1-L4. We aimed to investigate the ability to predict osteoporotic fractures of all the possible adjacent LS vertebrae combinations used to calculate BMD and TBS and to evaluate if any of these combinations performs better at osteoporotic fracture prediction than the traditional L1-L4 combination.

Methods

This study was embedded in OsteoLaus-women cohort in Switzerland. LS-DXA scans were performed using Discovery A System (Hologic). The incident vertebral fractures (VFs) and major osteoporotic fractures (MOFs) were assessed from VF assessments using Genant’s method or questionnaires (non-VF MOF). We ran logistic models using TBS and BMD to predict MOF, VF, and non-VF MOF, combining different adjustment factors (age, fracture level, or BMD).

Results

One thousand six hundred thirty-two women (mean ± SD) 64.4 ± 7.5 years, BMI 25.9 ± 4.5 kg/m2, were followed for 4.4 years and 133 experienced MOF. The association of one SD decrease L1-L3 BMD with the odds ratios (ORs) of MOF was OR 1.32 (95%CI 1.15–1.53), L2-L4 BMD was 1.25 (95%CI 1.09–1.42), and L1-L4 BMD was 1.30 (95%CI 1.14–1.48). One SD decrease in L1-L3 TBS was more strongly associated with the odds of having a MOF (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.34–2.00), than one SD decrease in L2-L4 TBS (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.21–1.81), or in L1-L4 TBS (OR 1.60, CI 95% 1.32–1.95).

Conclusion

Current findings indicate that L1-L3 is an optimal combination for the TBS or LS-BMD calculation.
Maternal mental health mediates links between socioeconomic status and child development
Authors: Smith Tess A. , Kievit Rogier A. , Astle Duncan E.
Published: June 2022

The impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on early child development is well-established, but the mediating role of parental mental health is poorly understood. Data were obtained from The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC; n = 13,855), including measures of early SES (age 8 months), key aspects of development during mid-late childhood (ages 7–8 years), and maternal mental health during early childhood (ages 0–3 years). In the first year of life, better maternal mental health was shown to weaken the negative association between SES and child mental health. Better maternal mental health was additionally shown to weaken the association between SES and child cognitive ability. These findings highlight the variability and complexity of the mediating role of parental mental health on child development. They further emphasise the importance of proximal factors in the first year of life, such as parental mental health, in mediating key developmental outcomes.
It’s all about beliefs: Believing emotions are uncontrollable is linked to symptoms of anxiety and depression through cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression
Authors: Deplancke Carla , Somerville Matthew P. , Harrison Amy , Vuillier Laura
Published: June 2022

The aim of this study was to examine the link between personal beliefs about emotion controllability and symptoms of anxiety and depression, with a particular focus on the mediating role of emotion regulation. To date, there has been little research examining the mediating role of cognitive reappraisal or expressive suppression in the link between beliefs about emotion controllability and symptoms of anxiety. Online questionnaires measuring emotion regulation, beliefs about emotion controllability, and depression and anxiety, were completed by 1227 participants (n = 336 males; Mage = 25.3, SD = 10.1; range = 16 to 83 years). The results indicated that perceived control over one’s own emotions predicted better psychological health (fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression). This link between beliefs about emotion controllability and psychological heath was partially mediated by cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression, with cognitive reappraisal predicting a reduction in clinical symptoms and expressive suppression predicting an increase in clinical symptoms. These findings suggest that individuals’ beliefs about emotion controllability, leads to the use of certain emotion regulation strategies which in turn, have important consequences for psychological health.
Membranumbau durch ESCRT-III-Proteine
Authors: von Filseck Joachim Moser
Published: June 2022

To maintain their function, cellular membranes require membrane remodelling, mediated by protein machineries like the ESCRT-III that deforms and breaks membranes in different cellular functions. Its mechanism of function is still unknown. However, recent findings on the ESCRT-IIIs’ structural and dynamic features, such as their ability to alter their shape, membrane-binding and mechanical properties, allow formulating interesting new hypotheses on how they can remodel membranes.
CRISPR-Cas-Systeme der Klasse 1: Genome Engineering und Silencing
Authors: Klein Nathalie , Rust Selina , Randau Lennart
Published: June 2022

Class 1 CRISPR-Cas systems are prevalent among prokaryotes and are characterized by effector complexes that consist of multiple Cas protein subunits. Type I systems recruit the DNA nuclease Cas3 for target DNA degradation. Type IV systems exhibit CRISPR interference in the absence of DNA cleavage. These mechanisms allow for versatile genome engineering and silencing approaches. Here, we indicate advantages and drawbacks in comparison to more commonly employed Cas9-based tools.
Automatisierte Wege der mikrobiellen Stammentwicklung
Authors: Tenhaef Julia , Halle Lars , Müller Moritz-Fabian , Tenhaef Niklas , Noack Stephan
Published: June 2022

The successful transformation of the conventional, petroleum-based industry into a sustainable bioeconomy is largely dependent on the availability of suitable microbial production strains for the biobased production of valuable compounds from renewable raw materials. For rapid and targeted development of optimal production strains, automation approaches for (un)directed strain construction and improvement are needed.
Fließbandfertigung von Atmungskettenkomplexen in Mitochondrien
Authors: Aufschnaiter Andreas , Ott Martin
Published: June 2022

A key function of mitochondria consists of energy conversion, performed with the help of the respiratory chain and the ATP synthase. Biogenesis of these essential molecular machines requires expression of nuclear and mitochondrially encoded genes. We describe our current understanding how these processes are coordinated and how they are organized in specific areas of the inner membrane to facilitate the assembly of these sophisticated complexes.
Health Risk of Infants Exposed to Lead and Mercury Through Breastfeeding
Authors: Lin Yung-Chieh , Chang Wei-Hsiang , Li Tsun-Ching , Iwata Osuke , Chen Hsiu-Ling
Published: June 2022

Donor milk from the human milk bank is important for vulnerable infants without their mothers’ own milk. Longitudinal changes in toxic metals in donor milk has not been reported. This study aimed to assess the effect of donors’ demographic characteristics, life habits and dietary habits on the concentration of metals in breastmilk donated to a human milk bank and to assess the health risk of lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) exposure of donor mothers’ offspring through breastfeeding and the vulnerable recipients. A total of 228 samples, which were longitudinally donated to the human milk bank by 39 donors, were selected specifically to assess the levels of Pb, Hg, and MeHg. Donors’ offspring were also enrolled as mother-infant-dyads to monthly obtain the milk consumption and body weight. The results showed significant differences in the infant risk in exclusive breastfeeding months. The average Pb level of breast milk was 6.49 ± 5.23 µg/L (mean ± standard deviation), and the Hg level was 0.76 ± 0.98 µg/L. The sources of these toxins—residential districts, cleaning products, cosmetics, drinking water, viscera, eggs, seafood, and canned food—have a significant influence on the concentration of toxic metals in human milk. This study showed an unacceptable non-cancerous health risk (95th percentile hazard index, HI = 1.37 > 1) for Pb and Hg. In the future, the breast milk offered by the bank should be strictly monitored, especial for Pb, to ensure high-quality donor milk for vulnerable recipients but also donor mothers’ offspring who depend on it.

Graphical Abstract
Legacy of wood charcoal production on subalpine forest structure and species composition
Authors: Garbarino Matteo , Morresi Donato , Meloni Fabio , Anselmetto Nicolò , Ruffinatto Flavio , Bocca Massimo
Published: June 2022

Land-use legacy on forest dynamics at both stand and landscape scale can last for centuries, affecting forest structure and species composition. We aimed to disentangle the history of the charcoal production legacies that historically shaped Mont Avic Natural Park (Aosta Valley, Italy) forests by integrating LiDAR, GIS, anthracological, and field data at the landscape scale. We adopted different geostatistical tools to relate geographic layers from various data sources. The overexploitation due to intensive charcoal production to fuel mining activities shaped the current forests by homogenising their structure and species composition into dense and young stands with a reduction in late seral species such as Norway spruce (Picea abies) and an increase in pioneer species such as Mountain pine (Pinus uncinata). The multidisciplinary and multi-scale framework adopted in this study stresses the role of historical landscape ecology in evaluating ecosystem resilience to past anthropogenic disturbances.
Evaluation of the residual carrying capacity of a large-scale model bridge through frequency shifts
Authors: Tarozzi Mirco , Pignagnoli Giacomo , Benedetti Andrea
Published: June 2022

Structural systems are often subjected to degradation processes due to different kinds of phenomena like unexpected loadings, ageing of the materials, and fatigue cycles. This is true, especially for bridges, in which their safety evaluation is crucial for planning maintenance activities. This paper discusses the experimental evaluation of the residual carrying capacity from frequency changes due to distributed damage scenarios. For this purpose, in the laboratory of the University of Bologna, an experimental reinforced concrete model bridge was built and loaded. The applied forces produced bending moments causing up to three increasing levels of damage severity, namely early and diffused concrete cracking, and finally rebar yielding. By processing the acceleration signals recorded during the dynamic tests on the model bridge, the main natural frequencies of the bridge were obtained and the remaining bearing capacity was estimated based on the damage state. The opening and closure of cracks during a dynamic excitation produced a biased estimation of natural frequencies related to each damaged condition. The frequency decay predicted by the theory of breathing cracks applied to the performed experiments properly estimated the losses in the carrying capacity.
A Parent-Mediated Intervention for Newborns at Familial Likelihood of Autism: Initial Feasibility Study in the General Population
Authors: Cleary Dominique B. , Bunney Angela , Henry Lindy , Renton Michelle , Granich Joanna , Green Jonathan , Maybery Murray T. , Whitehouse Andrew J. O.
Published: June 2022

Objectives

Developmental theory and previous studies support the potential value of prodromal interventions for infants at elevated likelihood of developing autism. Past research has supported the efficacy of parent-mediated prodromal therapies with infants from as early as 7 months. We outline the rationale for implementing interventions following this model from even earlier in development and report on the feasibility of a novel intervention developed following this model of parent-mediated infant interventions.

Methods

We report a feasibility study (n = 13) of a parent-mediated, video-aided intervention, beginning during pregnancy, focussed on parent-infant interactions. The study evaluated the feasibility of this intervention initially with a general population sample. Feasibility was assessed across four domains (acceptability, implementation, practicality and integration) using self-report questionnaire, semi-structured interviews with parents and therapists, attendance and assessment completion.

Results

Feasibility assessment shows that the intervention was acceptable, with all participants reporting that they had benefited from the program, with perceived positive benefits to their understanding of and communication with their infant, and that they had integrated program teachings into everyday life. The intervention was implemented as planned with 100% attendance for the core sessions. Changes to minimise the number of antenatal sessions was suggested to improve practicality.

Conclusions

This study found initial feasibility for this intervention in a general population sample. This suggests parent-mediated video feedback interventions are a promising format to be implemented within the perinatal developmental time period.
Sex Clubs in the UK: Recreational Sex, Erotic Diversity and Geographies of Desire
Authors: Haywood Chris
Published: June 2022

Current research has suggested that sex, sexual practices and sexual identities are increasingly being folded into people’s leisure and recreational activities. One area that has witnessed growing popularity has been sex clubs that market themselves as places that enable heterosexual casual, anonymous sexual encounters. Traditionally called swingers’ clubs, these are not strip clubs, lap dancing clubs or brothels, we have very little information about sex clubs or the people who visit them. In response, this article defines what sex clubs are, their geographical locations, and their facilities. Alongside this, through the data scraping of 6837 profiles of people who have visited clubs and left online reviews of the clubs that they have visited, this research provides the most extensive dataset available on the gender, age, relationship status and sexual preferences of sex club patrons. The findings from the study suggest that sex clubs are an emerging space for leisure sex that prioritises erotic practices that stand outside heteronormative norms and values. Whilst clubs have been traditionally associated with swinger communities, the findings in this article also suggest that sex clubs appeal to people with diverse sexual preferences. Alongside this, it highlights the potential ways in which sex clubs may be part of a broader spatialization of leisure sex. The article concludes by suggesting that in a post-Covid context, sex clubs will have increasing importance as places of leisure sex.
Photoactivation of peroxymonosulfate by wood pulp cellulose biochar/g-C3N4 composite for diclofenac degradation: the radical and nonradical pathways
Authors: Han Yu , Gan Lu , Gong Han , Han Jiangang , Qiao Weichuan , Xu Lijie
Published: June 2022

Metal-free photocatalysts have attracted growing concern recently. Herein, the composites combining g-C3N4 with wood pulp cellulose biochar (WPBC/g-C3N4) were synthesized to effectively activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) under visible light for the degradation of diclofenac (DCF). The incorporation of WPBC endowed g-C3N4 with enhanced visible light absorption, improved charge separation capability, reduced electrical conductivity, and increased photocatalytic and PMS activation capability. Based on quenching tests, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), electrochemical analysis and solvent exchange experiments, both radical and nonradical mechanisms were proposed. Radical species including ·OH, h+, ·O2– were identified to contribute to DCF degradation. The 1O2 and electron transfer were the dominant nonradical pathways for DCF degradation. Moreover, the common influencing factors were examined, and DCF concentration was the most influential factor based on principal component analysis. Generally, the composites exhibited good reusability during consecutive runs. Based on HPLC/MS analysis, four intermediates were detected and the possible DCF degradation pathway was proposed. This work provided a potential strategy based on metal-free WPBC/g-C3N4 for the photocatalytic activation of PMS to effectively degrade emerging contaminants in wastewater.

Graphical abstract
Unraveling natural aging-induced properties change of sludge-derived hydrochar and enhanced cadmium sorption site heterogeneity
Authors: Wang Bingyu , Shang Cenyao , Xie Huifang , Sun Haijun , Zhang Qiang , Xue Lihong , Tack Filip M. G. , Hou Deyi , Feng Yanfang , Rinklebe Jörg
Published: June 2022

Hydrochar has potential applications in soil improvement and heavy metal remediation. Hydrochar would undergo the process of aging when introduced into the soil, altering its properties. However, recent studies have focused mainly on the artificial aging of hydrochar, which could not reveal the cumulative effect of multiple environmental factors. Therefore, the periodical monitoring of the property and sorption behavior of hydrochar after amending soils is necessary to better understand the multifaceted mechanisms associated with the natural aging of hydrochar. This study selected the sludge-derived hydrochar (SLHC) as a typical hydrochar and applied a 16-month rice–wheat–rice rotation to mimic the natural aging of hydrochar, focusing on changing properties and cadmium (Cd) sorption and literature contrast between aging strategies and biochar types. The porosity, O abundance, and ash content of 16-month aged SLHC increased by 37%, 47%, and 8.5%, respectively, facilitating Cd sorption due to surface complexation, pore sorption, and precipitation. The sorption percentage of Cd to SLHC was in the range of 11–14% for SLHC-A0 and increased to 17–31% for SLHC-A4 and 20–32% for SLHC-A16 after natural aging. The natural aging of SLHC induced by ash content played an essential role in Cd sorption site heterogeneity. Linear regression analysis showed that aging strategies on sorption behavior significantly differed between biochars. Thus, studies involving natural aging with multiple environmental factors are preferred over those involving chemical or biological aging. Future studies should continue to explore the mechanisms of natural aging-induced heavy metal sorption between hydrochar and pyrochar. These results improve insights to appraise the potential of SLHC as soil amendments to alleviate the adverse effects of heavy metal contamination and provide an essential basis for researchers and staff in soil management and environmental prevention.

Graphical Abstract
Association of Body Fluid Volumes and Body Fat Distribution with Abnormal Ankle-Brachial Index
Authors: Li Liang , Zhang Jinjin , Wang Lei , Zhao Zhikun , Xia Yunfeng
Published: June 2022

Background

Ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a simple, non-invasive and easy-to-obtain measure for the evaluation of atherosclerotic peripheral arterial disease (PAD). This study aimed to investigate the relationships between body fluid volumes, body composition, body fat distribution and ABI at a population perspective.

Results

Using the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data (NHANES) during 1999–2000, 2001–2002, and 2003–2004, adults ≥ 40 years old were eligible for inclusion. Univariate and multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the associations between ABI, body fluid volume and body composition assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and body fat distribution assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). After exclusion, the final analytic sample contained 1535 participants who were representative of totally 28,572,458 subjects in the US. After adjustments for relevant confounders, estimated fat mass was significantly and inversely associated with ABI (beta: − 0.0009, 95% CI = − 0.0015, − 0.0003). Total percent fat (beta: − 0.0024, 95% CI = − 0.0033, − 0.0014), trunk percent fat (beta: − 0.0016, 95% CI = − 0.0023, − 0.0009), and percent fat at the four limbs were also significantly and inversely associated with ABI (p < 0.001). In addition, subjects with higher estimated fat mass, total percent fat, trunk percent fat and higher percent fat at the four limbs were all significantly more likely to have abnormal ABI < 0.9. No significant association between parameters of body fluid volume and abnormal ABI was observed.

Conclusions

Estimated fat mass, total percent fat, trunk percent fat and percent fat at the four limbs were significantly and inversely associated with ABI. Subjects with abnormal ABI are more likely to have higher total percent fat, trunk percent fat and the limb fat. These findings fill the knowledge gap on the relationships between atherosclerosis and body fat distribution. Further well-designed prospective studies are needed to confirm the present findings.
Practice Comparison and Cost Analysis of Direct-to-Consumer Telemedicine Platforms Offering Testosterone Therapy
Authors: Jesse Erin , Sellke Nicholas , Rivero Marco-Jose , Muncey Wade , Ghayda Ramy Abou , Loeb Aram , Thirumavalavan Nannan
Published: June 2022

Background

Direct-to-consumer telemedicine platforms have expanded their reach to include services for the evaluation and treatment of testosterone deficiency.

Aim

We aim to (i) evaluate the treatment practices and costs associated with receiving testosterone therapy through direct-to-consumer telemedicine platforms; (ii) compare these practices to the American Urological Association guidelines; and (iii) compare the cost of receiving similar care at a tertiary center.

Methods

Google was queried to identify telemedicine platforms offing testosterone therapy. Websites were analyzed for information regarding the initial consultation, initial laboratory evaluation, follow up, treatment monitoring regimen, and associated costs of receiving testosterone therapy. The costs for similar services at a tertiary care center were estimated using a single institution's online cost estimator for a patient with no insurance, private insurance, or Medicare.

Outcomes

Evaluation and treatment practices of each platform were compared to the American Urological Association guidelines, and a cost analysis was completed for the cost of (i) undergoing an initial evaluation, and (ii) receiving 12 months of treatment through each platform and at a tertiary center.

Results

Three online platforms met inclusion criteria: Hone, Regenex Health, and TRT Nation. The initial evaluation and follow up of patients on TTh were similar between the online platforms and practice guidelines. The costs of the initial consultation were lowest for the patient with Medicare at a tertiary center and via the telemedicine platforms. Conversely, the cost of 12 months of intramuscular testosterone treatment was highest via the telemedicine platforms, ranging from $1,586 to $4,200, as compared to the tertiary center, which ranged from $134.01 to $1,333.04 with varying insurance models. Costs of ongoing treatment with transdermal testosterone are similarly higher via DTC platforms.

Clinical Implications

Patients with private insurance or Medicare should be counseled that ongoing treatment through telemedicine platforms will likely incur a greater cost than receiving such care at a tertiary center that can utilize insurance coverage.

Strengths & Limitations

Practice and cost comparisons include accurate, up-to-date information based on each platform's website. Limitations include the analysis of only three telemedicine platforms, and the ability to describe only the information provided on each website. In addition, cost estimates for the tertiary center only include a single type of private and public insurance, limiting generalizability.

Conclusion

This observational study indicates that direct-to-consumer telemedicine platforms are largely following practice guidelines in the evaluation and treatment of testosterone, however, there is a high cost associated with ongoing treatment.
Ecological Vulnerability
Authors: Woolaston Katie
Published: June 2022

Humans are responsible for biodiversity loss in many related and sometimes conflicting ways. Human-wildlife conflict, commonly defined as any negative interaction between people and wildlife, is a primary contributor to wildlife extinction and a manifestation of the destructive relationship that people have with wildlife. The author presents this 'wicked' problem in a social and legal context and demonstrates that legal institutions structurally deny human-wildlife conflict, while exacerbating conflict, promoting values consistent with individual autonomy, and ignoring the interconnected vulnerabilities shared by human and non-human species alike. It is the use of international and state law that sheds light on existing conflicts, including dingo conflict on K'Gari-Fraser Island in Australia, elephant conflict in Northern Botswana, and the global wildlife trade contributing to COVID-19. This book presents a critical analysis of human-wildlife conflict and its governance, to guide lawyers, scientists and conservations alike in the transformation of the management of human-wildlife conflict.
Thomas Aquinas on Virtue
Authors: Osborne Jr Thomas M.
Published: June 2022

Thomas Aquinas produced a voluminous body of work on moral theory, and much of that work is on virtue, particularly the status and value of the virtues as principles of virtuous acts, and the way in which a moral life can be organized around them schematically. Thomas Osborne presents Aquinas's account of virtue in its historical, philosophical and theological contexts, to show the reader what Aquinas himself wished to teach about virtue. His discussion makes the complexities of Aquinas's moral thought accessible to readers despite the differences between Thomas's texts themselves, and the distance between our background assumptions and his. The book will be valuable for scholars and students in ethics, medieval philosophy, and theology.
Grasping Legal Time
Authors: Stronks Martijn
Published: June 2022

Time is one of the most important means for the exercise of power. In Migration Law, it is used for disciplining and controlling the presence of migrants within a certain territory through the intricate interplay of two overlapping but contradicting understandings of time – human and clock time. This book explores both the success and limitations of the usage of time for the governance of migration. The virtues of legal time can be seen at work in several temporal differentiations in migration law: differentiation based on temporality, deadlines, qualification of time and procedural differentiation. Martijn Stronks contests that, hidden in the usage of legal time in Migration Law, there is an argument for the inclusion of migrants on the basis of their right to human time. This assertion is based in the finite, irreversible and unstoppable character of human time.
A NOTE ON FRAGMENTS OF UNIFORM REFLECTION IN SECOND ORDER ARITHMETIC
Authors: FRITTAION EMANUELE
Published: June 2022

We consider fragments of uniform reflection for formulas in the analytic hierarchy over theories of second order arithmetic. The main result is that for any second order arithmetic theory
$T_0$
extending
$\mathsf {RCA}_0$
and axiomatizable by a
$\Pi ^1_{k+2}$
sentence, and for any
$n\geq k+1$
,
$$\begin{align*}T_0+ \mathrm{RFN}_{\varPi^1_{n+2}}(T) \ = \ T_0 + \mathrm{TI}_{\varPi^1_n}(\varepsilon_0), \end{align*}$$

$$\begin{align*}T_0+ \mathrm{RFN}_{\varSigma^1_{n+1}}(T) \ = \ T_0+ \mathrm{TI}_{\varPi^1_n}(\varepsilon_0)^{-}, \end{align*}$$
where T is
$T_0$
augmented with full induction, and
$\mathrm {TI}_{\varPi ^1_n}(\varepsilon _0)^{-}$
denotes the schema of transfinite induction up to
$\varepsilon _0$
for
$\varPi ^1_n$
formulas without set parameters.
How Common SOFA and Ventilator Time Trial Criteria Would Have Performed During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Observational Simulated Cohort Study
Authors: Walsh B. Corbett , Pradhan Deepak , Mukherjee Vikramjit , Uppal Amit , Nunnally Mark E. , Berkowitz Kenneth A.
Published: June 2022

Objectives:

To evaluate how key aspects of New York State Ventilator Allocation Guidelines (NYSVAG)—Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score criteria and ventilator time trials —might perform with respect to the frequency of ventilator reallocation and survival to hospital discharge in a simulated cohort of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients.

Methods:

Single center retrospective observational and simulation cohort study of 884 critically ill COVID-19 patients undergoing ventilator allocation per NYSVAG.

Results:

In total, 742 patients (83.9%) would have had their ventilator reallocated during the 11-day observation period, 280 (37.7%) of whom would have otherwise survived to hospital discharge if provided with a ventilator. Only 65 (18.1%) of the observed surviving patients would have survived by NYSVAG. Extending ventilator time trials from 2 to 5 days resulted in a 49.2% increase in simulated survival to discharge.

Conclusions:

In the setting of a protracted respiratory pandemic, implementation of NYSVAG or similar protocols could lead to a high degree of ventilator reallocation, including withdrawal from patients who might otherwise survive. Longer ventilator time trials might lead to improved survival for COVID-19 patients given their protracted respiratory failure. Further studies are needed to understand the survival of patients receiving reallocated ventilators to determine whether implementation of NYSVAG would improve overall survival.
Neural network attribution methods for problems in geoscience: A novel synthetic benchmark dataset
Authors: Mamalakis Antonios , Ebert-Uphoff Imme , Barnes Elizabeth A.
Published: June 2022

Despite the increasingly successful application of neural networks to many problems in the geosciences, their complex and nonlinear structure makes the interpretation of their predictions difficult, which limits model trust and does not allow scientists to gain physical insights about the problem at hand. Many different methods have been introduced in the emerging field of eXplainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI), which aims at attributing the network’s prediction to specific features in the input domain. XAI methods are usually assessed by using benchmark datasets (such as MNIST or ImageNet for image classification). However, an objective, theoretically derived ground truth for the attribution is lacking for most of these datasets, making the assessment of XAI in many cases subjective. Also, benchmark datasets specifically designed for problems in geosciences are rare. Here, we provide a framework, based on the use of additively separable functions, to generate attribution benchmark datasets for regression problems for which the ground truth of the attribution is known a priori. We generate a large benchmark dataset and train a fully connected network to learn the underlying function that was used for simulation. We then compare estimated heatmaps from different XAI methods to the ground truth in order to identify examples where specific XAI methods perform well or poorly. We believe that attribution benchmarks as the ones introduced herein are of great importance for further application of neural networks in the geosciences, and for more objective assessment and accurate implementation of XAI methods, which will increase model trust and assist in discovering new science.
Psychosocial and energetic factors on human female pubertal timing: a systematized review
Authors: Glass Delaney J. , Geerkens Joy T. , Martin Melanie A.
Published: June 2022

Childhood psychosocial stressors have been proposed to favour fast life history strategies promoting earlier puberty in females. However, studies demonstrating this association often do not elucidate causal mechanisms, nor account for greater childhood energetic availability – also known to promote rapid growth and earlier puberty. To assess the extent to which such confounding has been considered, we conducted a systematized review to identify studies examining measures of both prepubertal growth (e.g. weight, height) and psychosocial stressors (e.g. adversity, father absence) in relation to female pubertal timing. A total of 1069 non-duplicated studies were identified across five databases. Twenty studies met selection criteria for critical review following independent screening of titles, abstracts and manuscripts. Within these studies, measures indicative of rapid childhood growth were more consistently associated with earlier pubertal timing than were measures of psychosocial stress. We discuss future research directions to investigate the impact of psychosocial stress on pubertal timing more robustly, including methodological and mechanistic considerations, and contextualization of findings by socioecological environments.
Some cases of Kudla’s modularity conjecture for unitary Shimura varieties
Authors: Xia Jiacheng
Published: June 2022

We use the method of Bruinier–Raum to show that symmetric formal Fourier–Jacobi series, in the cases of norm-Euclidean imaginary quadratic fields, are Hermitian modular forms. Consequently, combining a theorem of Yifeng Liu, we deduce Kudla’s conjecture on the modularity of generating series of special cycles of arbitrary codimension for unitary Shimura varieties defined in these cases.