bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk factors and treatment outcomes of 239 patients with testicular granulosa cell tumors: a systematic review of published case series data
Authors: Grogg Josias Bastian , Schneider Kym , Bode Peter-Karl , Kranzbühler Benedikt , Eberli Daniel , Sulser Tullio , Beyer Joerg , Lorch Anja , Hermanns Thomas , Fankhauser Christian Daniel
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Testicular granulosa cell tumors (tGrCT) are rare sex cord-stromal tumors. This review aims to synthesize the available evidence regarding the clinical presentation and clinicopathological characteristics, treatment and outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature search using the most important research databases. Whenever feasible, we extracted the data on individual patient level.

Results

From 7863 identified records, we included 88 publications describing 239 patients with tGrCT. The majority of the cases were diagnosed with juvenile tGrCT (166/239, 69%), while 73/239 (31%) patients were diagnosed with adult tGrCT. Mean age at diagnosis was 1.5 years (± 5 SD) for juvenile tGrCT, and 42 years (± 19 SD) for adult tGrCT. Information on primary treatment was available in 231/239 (97%), of which 202/231 (87%) were treated with a radical orchiectomy and 20/231 (9%) received testis sparing surgery (TSS). Local recurrence after TSS was observed in 1/20 (5%) cases. Metastatic disease was never observed in men with juvenile tGrCT but in 7/73 (10%) men with adult tGrCT. In 5/7 men with metastatic tGrCT, metastases were diagnosed at initial staging, while 2/7 patients developed metastases after 72 and 121 months of follow-up, respectively. Primary site of metastasis is represented by the retroperitoneal lymph nodes, but other sites including lungs, liver, bone and inguinal lymph nodes can also be affected. In comparison with non-metastatic adult tGrCT, men with metastatic adult tGrCT had significantly larger primary tumors (70 vs 24 mm, p 0.001), and were more likely to present with angiolymphatic invasion (57% vs 4%, p 0.002) or gynecomastia (29% vs 3%, p 0.019). In five out of seven men with metastatic disease, resection of metastases or platinum-based chemotherapy led to complete remission.

Conclusion

Juvenile tGrCT represent a benign entity whereas adult tGCTs have metastatic potential. Tumor size, presence of angiolymphatic invasion or gynecomastia represent risk factors for metastatic disease. The published literature supports the use of testis sparing surgery but there is only limited experience with adjuvant therapies. In the metastatic setting, the reviewed literature suggests that aggressive surgical and systemic treatment might cure patients.
Eine neue Methode für die Bestimmung des Mikroplastik-Massenanteils in Umweltproben
Authors: Spacek Stefan , Mallow Ole , Schwarzböck Therese , Fellner Johann , Rechberger Helmut
Published: July 2020

Die zunehmende Verschmutzung von aquatischen und terrestrischen Ökosystemen mit Mikroplastik stellt ein ernstzunehmendes Umweltproblem dar, wobei insbesondere die hohe Widerstandfähigkeit von Kunststoffen gegenüber Abbauprozessen zu einer stetigen Anreicherung von Mikroplastik in der Umwelt führt. Für die Bewertung der bereits vorhandenen Mikroplastikbelastung in der Umwelt sowie der Evaluierung von Haupteintragsquellen ist die Entwicklung geeigneter Methoden für die akkurate und einfache Bestimmung von Mikroplastik ein entscheidender Faktor. Die im gegenständlichen Artikel vorgestellte Analysenmethode stellt eine derartige Möglichkeit für die massenbezogene Analyse von Mikroplastik dar. Die an der TU Wien entwickelte EA-OEM (Elemental Analysis Overdetermined Equation Method) kann als thermoanalytische Methode eingestuft werden und nutzt die ausgeprägten Unterschiede in der Elementarzusammensetzung zwischen Kunststoffen, biogenen und anorganischen Materialien. Daraus wird der Gehalt an Mikroplastik in Umweltproben quantitativ bestimmt. Die EA-OEM wurde in den letzten Jahren anhand verschiedener Probentypen getestet und durch zusätzliche Wiederfindungsversuche mit gespikten Matrixproben und der Teilnahme an einem Ringversuch bereits einer eingehenden Validierung unterzogen. Die gegenständliche Arbeit fasst einige dieser Untersuchungen zusammen. Diese Resultate untermauern einerseits die hohe Wiederfindungsrate von Kunststoffen bei gespikten Mikroplastikproben (im Bereich von 93 bis 110 %) und andererseits eine ungefähre Nachweisgrenze der Methode, die im Bereich von 1 Massen-% Mikroplastikgehalt liegt. Die EA-OEM positioniert sich als verhältnismäßig einfaches und kostengünstiges Messverfahren, um Mikroplastik in Umweltproben zu bestimmen.
Symptom-based diagnostic approach for eosinophilic esophagitis
Authors: Fujiwara Yasuhiro
Published: July 2020

The prevalence of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) has been increasing in Japan. Although the diagnosis of EoE is based on simple criteria that include the presence of esophageal symptoms and esophageal eosinophilia on biopsies, there are several important issues associated with the diagnostic approach. Following an extensive literature search, the symptoms of 886 EoE cases in Japanese adults were analyzed and divided into three categories as follows: (1) typical symptoms, such as dysphagia (53%); (2) other upper GI symptoms (40%); and (3) no symptoms found during screening or medical examination, i.e., “asymptomatic esophageal eosinophilia” (19%). The diagnostic approach was reviewed according to these categories as well as according to the presence or absence of esophageal eosinophilia. The present manuscript describes the current therapeutic strategy of EoE and ultimately proposes a symptom-based diagnostic approach for EoE.
Accessing access: the importance of pre-visit information to the attendance of people with sight loss at live audio described events
Authors: Fryer Louise
Published: July 2020

Tourism scholars propose that lack of knowledge is a major barrier for people with a disability. This article makes links between accessible tourism and quality in media accessibility provision. It explores the importance for people with sight loss of access toxoncexhas been made accessible. It reports data from a survey relating to the use of and appetite for access information (termed here pre-visit information) provided as part of an audio introduction by the UK charity VocalEyes (VE) for users of audio description services at live events. The majority of participants found the access information useful or very useful. 40% reported using the access information for some shows, 13% for most and 26% for every show. The prospect of VE withdrawing access information left 71% of respondents feeling unhappy to some degree. The study suggests that barriers to access can be overcome through the provision of appropriate verbal information. This needs to be rich, reliable and reflect an understanding of the needs of its target users. This research supports theoretical overlaps between accessible tourism and media accessibility (MA) as well as calls to expand the domain of MA beyond the boundaries of translation studies where it currently resides.
Infant survival in western lowland gorillas after voluntary dispersal by pregnant females
Authors: Manguette Marie L. , Breuer Thomas , Robeyst Jana , Kandza Vidrige H. , Robbins Martha M.
Published: July 2020

In many social species, after the alpha male has been replaced or the group disintegrates, a female’s infant is at risk of infanticide by a male. Female gorillas have developed the rare strategy of secondary dispersal in which they transfer between reproductive groups during the limited time period between weaning an infant and conceiving the next one (voluntary dispersal). By doing so they leave a weaker silverback near the end of his tenure and join a stronger silverback at an earlier stage of his own tenure, thereby mitigating the risk of infanticide if the former dies. If females are pregnant or have unweaned offspring when the only male in the group dies, their offspring are vulnerable to infanticide by the new silverback that they join (via involuntary dispersal). In the few known cases of female gorillas transferring when pregnant (mainly after group disintegration), their offspring were killed. We report here on three adult females that transferred voluntarily while pregnant multiple times between two groups yet their offspring were not killed by the new group’s silverback. The gorillas were observed from 1995 to 2015 at the Mbeli Bai research site in northern Republic of the Congo. The females gave birth 5–6 months (gestation period 8.5 months) after their last transfer. To our knowledge, these observations are the first to show that wild female western lowland gorillas can transfer voluntarily while pregnant without incurring infanticide by a new silverback. These observations highlight the behavioural plasticity shown by female gorillas in response to sexual coercion by males.
Sleeping trees and sleep-related behaviours of the siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus) in a tropical lowland rainforest, Sumatra, Indonesia
Authors: Harrison Nathan J. , Hill Ross A. , Alexander Cici , Marsh Christopher D. , Nowak Matthew G. , Abdullah Abdullah , Slater Helen D. , Korstjens Amanda H.
Published: July 2020

Sleeping tree selection and related behaviours of a family group and a solitary female siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus) were investigated over a 5-month period in northern Sumatra, Indonesia. We performed all day follows, sleeping tree surveys and forest plot enumerations in the field. We tested whether: (1) physical characteristics of sleeping trees and the surrounding trees, together with siamang behaviours, supported selection based on predation risk and access requirements; (2) the preferences of a solitary siamang were similar to those of a family group; and (3) sleeping site locations within home ranges were indicative of home range defence, scramble competition with other groups or other species, or food requirements. Our data showed that (1) sleeping trees were tall, emergent trees with some, albeit low, connectivity to the neighbouring canopy, and that they were surrounded by other tall trees. Siamangs showed early entry into and departure from sleeping trees, and slept at the ends of branches. These results indicate that the siamangs’ choice of sleeping trees and related behaviours were strongly driven by predator avoidance. The observed regular reuse of sleeping sites, however, did not support anti-predation theory. (2) The solitary female displayed selection criteria for sleeping trees that were similar to those of the family group, but she slept more frequently in smaller trees than the latter. (3) Siamangs selected sleeping trees to avoid neighbouring groups, monopolise resources (competition), and to be near their last feeding tree. Our findings indicate selectivity in the siamangs’ use of sleeping trees, with only a few trees in the study site being used for this purpose. Any reduction in the availability of such trees might make otherwise suitable habitat unsuitable for these highly arboreal small apes.
Transverse shear and normal deformation effects on vibration behaviors of functionally graded micro-beams
Authors: Su Zhu , Wang Lifeng , Sun Kaipeng , Sun Jie
Published: July 2020

A quasi-three dimensional model is proposed for the vibration analysis of functionally graded (FG) micro-beams with general boundary conditions based on the modified strain gradient theory. To consider the effects of transverse shear and normal deformations, a general displacement field is achieved by relaxing the assumption of the constant transverse displacement through the thickness. The conventional beam theories including the classical beam theory, the first-order beam theory, and the higherorder beam theory are regarded as the special cases of this model. The material properties changing gradually along the thickness direction are calculated by the Mori-Tanaka scheme. The energy-based formulation is derived by a variational method integrated with the penalty function method, where the Chebyshev orthogonal polynomials are used as the basis function of the displacement variables. The formulation is validated by some comparative examples, and then the parametric studies are conducted to investigate the effects of transverse shear and normal deformations on vibration behaviors.
Global optimization via inverse distance weighting and radial basis functions
Authors: Bemporad Alberto
Published: July 2020

Global optimization problems whose objective function is expensive to evaluate can be solved effectively by recursively fitting a surrogate function to function samples and minimizing an acquisition function to generate new samples. The acquisition step trades off between seeking for a new optimization vector where the surrogate is minimum (exploitation of the surrogate) and looking for regions of the feasible space that have not yet been visited and that may potentially contain better values of the objective function (exploration of the feasible space). This paper proposes a new global optimization algorithm that uses inverse distance weighting (IDW) and radial basis functions (RBF) to construct the acquisition function. Rather arbitrary constraints that are simple to evaluate can be easily taken into account. Compared to Bayesian optimization, the proposed algorithm, that we call GLIS (GLobal minimum using Inverse distance weighting and Surrogate radial basis functions), is competitive and computationally lighter, as we show in a set of benchmark global optimization and hyperparameter tuning problems. MATLAB and Python implementations of GLIS are available at http://cse.lab.imtlucca.it/~bemporad/glis.
Teacher time outs in rehearsals: in-service teachers learning ambitious mathematics teaching practices
Authors: Wæge Kjersti , Fauskanger Janne
Published: July 2020

The article focuses on rehearsals as part of a practice-based approach to professional development. Fourteen Norwegian elementary in-service teachers (ISTs) collaborate in learning cycles of enactment and investigation, where the overarching aim is to learn to enact the practices that constitute ambitious mathematics teaching. Rehearsals are an important part of these cycles. We examine the patterns of use of teacher time outs (TTOs) in rehearsals and how TTOs enable the ISTs to learn core practices of ambitious teaching. The findings reveal that approximately 60% of the time in rehearsals is spent on ISTs’ teaching and 40% on TTOs. The TTOs enable the ISTs to learn together the practices of using representations, aiming towards goals, launching problems, organising the board and facilitating student talk. The findings reveal that the participants were able to work simultaneously on multiple practices, and a recurrent theme in the TTOs is representing students’ ideas as accurately as possible whilst simultaneously considering the mathematical correctness of the representations.
On the Metastability of the 1-d Allen–Cahn Equation
Authors: Westdickenberg Maria G.
Published: July 2020

We apply an energy method for metastability, developed in an earlier work with Otto, to the Allen–Cahn equation on the line and a broad class of initial data. In the earlier work, we for simplicity considered the equation on $$(0,L)\times (0,\infty )$$

(
0
,
L
)
×
(
0
,
∞
)

with periodic boundary conditions and an initial condition with two simple zeros. In this paper we explain the implications of the metastability framework (slightly modified as in previous joint work with Scholtes) for the equation on $${\mathbb {R}}\times (0,\infty )$$

R
×
(
0
,
∞
)

and a more general initial condition. Our goal is to make clear the strength of the metastability framework and to highlight the difference in the analysis between the second-order Allen–Cahn equation and the fourth-order Cahn–Hilliard equation.
A Procedure for Designing Custom-Made Implants for Forehead Augmentation in People Suffering from Apert Syndrome
Authors: Mandolini Marco , Caragiuli Manila , Brunzini Agnese , Mazzoli Alida , Pagnoni Mario
Published: July 2020

This paper presents a methodological procedure, based on the anatomical reconstruction and constrained deformation, to design custom-made implants for forehead augmentation in people affected by Apert syndrome, experiencing a frontal bone deficiency. According to the anthropometric theory, a cranial landmarks identification procedure was applied to retrieve, from a repository, a healthy skull, used as reference geometry for implant modelling. Then, using constrained deformation and free-form modelling techniques, it was possible to design a patient-specific implant. At last, the implant was realised using a custom mould, specially designed according to the patient’s needs to provide an accurate fit of the defect site. The design procedure was tested on a patient suffering from Apert syndrome. Three implants were virtually modelled and 3D-printed for pre-surgical evaluation. Their shapes were 3D compared with a reference one (handcrafted by a surgeon) to test the accuracy. Deviations are negligible, and the customised implant fulfilled the surgeon’s requirements.
Kornai on the affinity of systems: Is China today an illiberal capitalist system or a communist dictatorship?
Authors: Mihályi Péter , Szelényi Iván
Published: July 2020

More than 40 years ago, János Kornai introduced his famous supermarket metaphor. Socioeconomic systems cannot be constructed from purposely selected features, similar to customers in a supermarket, who can freely put into their shopping trolley whatever they like. Systems constitute an organic whole. They contain good and bad features in fixed proportions. After 1990, Kornai and most Western commentators expected that as market integration and private property expand, China would eventually turn into a liberal democracy. Prior to the worldwide fall of communism, Kornai had three primary criteria to determine whether a country was socialist or capitalist; later he amended this with six secondary ones. The present paper introduces into this list an additional 11 criteria—i.e. 20 quantifiable metrics altogether. Kornai was among the very first to recognize that with President Xi Jinping taking charge, China made a U-turn. While capitalist elements remain strong, in the final analysis, the country is on its way back to where it was before 1978.
On the Stability of Parallel Flow in a Vertical Porous Layer with Annular Cross Section
Authors: Barletta A. , Celli M. , Rees D. A. S.
Published: July 2020

The linear stability of buoyant parallel flow in a vertical porous layer with an annular cross section is investigated. The vertical cylindrical boundaries are kept at different uniform temperatures, and they are assumed to be impermeable. The emergence of linear instability by convection cells is excluded on the basis of a numerical solution of the linearised governing equations. This result extends to the annular geometry the well-known Gill’s theorem regarding the impossibility of convective instability in a vertical porous plane slab whose boundaries are impermeable and isothermal with different temperatures. The extension of Gill’s theorem to the annular domain is approached numerically by evaluating the growth rate of normal mode perturbations and showing that its sign is negative, which means asymptotic stability of the basic flow. A concurring argument supporting the absence of linear instability arises from the investigation of cases where the impermeability condition at the vertical boundaries is relaxed and a partial permeability is modelled through Robin boundary conditions for the pressure. With partially permeable boundaries, an instability emerges which takes the form of axisymmetric normal modes. Then, as the boundary permeability is reduced towards zero, the critical Rayleigh number becomes infinite.
Public debt and economic growth: panel data evidence for Asian countries
Authors: Asteriou Dimitrios , Pilbeam Keith , Pratiwi Cecilia Eny
Published: July 2020

This study examines the relationship between public debt on both short and long-run economic growth, in a panel of selected Asian countries for the period of 1980–2012. We employ several econometrics methods: pooled mean group, mean group, dynamic fixed effects and also allow for common correlated effects. The impact of a change in public debt is also analysed using asymmetric panel ARDL method. Our results indicate that an increase in government debt is negatively associated with economic growth in both the short and long-run.
Assessing ventilation control strategies in underground parking garages
Authors: Faramarzi Afshin , Lee Jongki , Stephens Brent , Heidarinejad Mohammad
Published: July 2020

Enclosed parking garages require mechanical ventilation fans to dilute concentrations of pollutants emitted from vehicles, which contributes to energy use and peak electricity demand. This study develops and applies a simulation framework combining multi-zone airflow and contaminant transport modeling, fan affinity laws, and realistic assumptions for vehicle traffic patterns and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions to improve our ability to predict the impacts of various ventilation control strategies on indoor air quality and fan energy use in parking garages. The simulation approach is validated using measured data from a parking garage case study and then applied to investigate fan energy use, peak power demand, and resulting CO concentrations for four different ventilation control strategies in a model underground parking garage under a variety of assumptions for model inputs. The four ventilation control strategies evaluated include one simplistic schedule (i.e., Always-On) and three demand-based strategies in which fan speed is a function of CO concentrations in the spaces, including Linear-Demand Control Ventilation (DCV), Standardized Variable Flow (SVF), and a simple On-Off strategy. The estimated annual average fan energy consumption was consistently lowest with the Linear-DCV strategy, resulting in average (± standard deviation) energy savings across all modeled scenarios of 843%±0.4%, 72.8%±3.6%, and 97.9%±0.1% compared to SVF, On-Off, and Always-On strategies, respectively. The utility of the framework described herein is that it can be used to model energy and indoor air quality impacts of other parking garage configurations and control scenarios.
Assessment of the MANTA closure device in transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement: a single-centre observational study
Authors: Halim J. , Missault L. , Lycke M. , Van der Heyden J.
Published: July 2020

Objectives

The present study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the MANTA vascular closure device (VCD) (Teleflex, Morrisville, NC, USA) in transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TF-TAVR).

Background

To close the femoral artery in TF-TAVR a VCD is the treatment of choice. Data involving suture-based VCDs have been extensive. Although scarce, results on the MANTA device are promising. There is no consensus yet as to whether the MANTA device is associated with fewer access-site-related vascular/bleeding complications when compared to suture-based VCDs.

Methods

In this prospective single-arm study, performed at a single centre, a total of 73 patients eligible for TF-TAVR were included and consecutively treated with the MANTA device.

Results

Access-site-related vascular complications were seen in 13.7% of patients treated with the MANTA device. In this group of patients only minor vascular complications were observed. Access-site-related bleeding complications were rare (6.8%), and device failure was seen in 13.7% of the patients.

Conclusions

This single-centre study confirms that use of the MANTA device in TF-TAVR is feasible with an acceptable rate of access-site-related complications and no major vascular complications.
The beauty and the yeast: can the microalgae Dunaliella form a borderline lichen with Hortaea werneckii?
Authors: Muggia Lucia , Zalar Polona , Azua-Bustos Armando , González-Silva Carlos , Grube Martin , Gunde-Cimerman Nina
Published: July 2020

Lichenized fungi usually develop complex, stratified morphologies through an intricately balanced living together with their algal partners, but several species are known to form only more or less loose associations with algae. These borderline lichens are still little explored although they could inform us about early stages of lichen evolution. We studied the association of the extremely halotolerant fungus Hortaea werneckii with the alga Dunaliella atacamensis, discovered in a cave in the Atacama Desert (Chile), and with D. salina, common inhabitant of saltern brines. D. atacamensis forms small colonies, in which cells of H. werneckii can be frequently observed, while such interaction has not been observed with D. salina. As symbiotic interactions between Dunaliella and Hortaea have not been reported, we performed a series of co-cultivation experiments to inspect whether these species could interact and develop more distinct lichen-like symbiotic structures. We set up co-cultures between axenic strains of Hortaea werneckii (isolated both from Mediterranean salterns and from the Atacama cave) and isolates of D. atacamensis (from the Atacama cave) and D. salina (isolated from Mediterranean salterns). Although we used different growth media and cultivation approaches, bright field and SEM microscopy analyses did not indicate any mutual effects in these experiments. We discuss the implications for fungal algal interactions along the transition from algal exploiters to lichen symbioses.
Depletion of coastal predatory fish sub-stocks coincided with the largest sea urchin grazing event observed in the NE Atlantic
Authors: Norderhaug Kjell Magnus , Nedreaas Kjell , Huserbråten Mats , Moland Even
Published: July 2020

In this contribution, we propose fishery driven predator release as the cause for the largest grazing event ever observed in the NE Atlantic. Based on the evolving appreciation of limits to population connectivity, published and previously unpublished data, we discuss whether overfishing caused a grazer bloom of the sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) resulting in overgrazing of more than 2000 km2 kelp (Laminaria hyperborea) forest along Norwegian and Russian coasts during the 1970 s. We show that coastal fisheries likely depleted predatory coastal fish stocks through modernization of fishing methods and fleet. These fish were important predators on urchins and the reduction coincided with the urchin bloom. From this circumstantial evidence, we hypothesize that coastal predatory fish were important in regulating sea urchins, and that a local population dynamics perspective is necessary in management of coastal ecosystems.
Derbid Planthoppers (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea: Derbidae) Associated with Coconut and Oil Palm in Brazil
Authors: Dollet M , Fidelis E G , Dos Passos E , Da Silva F , Aberlenc H P , Schurt D A , Bahder B , Diniz L C , Bartlett C R
Published: July 2020

We present surveys of derbid planthoppers associated with coconut (Cocos nuciferaL.) and oil palm (Elaeis guineensisJacq.) collected in Northeastern (Sergipe) and North (Pará and Roraima) Brazil. The surveys were intended to contribute to our knowledge of possible vectors of phytoplasmas or other phloem-restricted plant pathogens. Eight derbid taxa were found, two in the subfamily Cedusinae, tribe Cedusini (Cedusa yiparaKramer andC. yowzaKramer) and six in the subfamily Derbinae, tribe Cenchreini:Herpissp.,Persis pugnaxStål,Omolicna anastomosa(Caldwell),O. nigripennis(Caldwell), and two new species in the genusAgooBahder & Bartlett are described here. Genus-level features betweenOmolicnaandAgooare discussed and a key to the species ofAgoois provided.
Subtypes of Sport-Related Concussion: a Systematic Review and Meta-cluster Analysis
Authors: Langdon S. , Königs M. , Adang E. A. M. C. , Goedhart E. , Oosterlaan J.
Published: July 2020

Objective

Current clinical guidelines provide a unitary approach to manage sport-related concussion (SRC), while heterogeneity in the presentation of symptoms suggests that subtypes of SRC may exist. We systematically reviewed the available evidence on SRC subtypes and associated clinical outcomes.

Data Sources

Ovid Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, and SPORTDiscus

Eligibility Criteria for Selecting Studies

Electronic databases were searched for studies: (i) identifying SRC symptom clusters using classification methodology; or (ii) associating symptom clusters to clinical outcome variables. A total of 6,146 unique studies were identified, of which 75 full texts were independently assessed by two authors for eligibility. A total of 22 articles were included for systematic review.

Data Extraction

Two independent authors performed data extraction and risk of bias analysis using the Cochrane Collaboration tool.

Data Synthesis

Six studies found evidence for existence of SRC symptom clusters. Combining the available literature through Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) provided evidence for the existence of amigrainecluster, acognitive–emotionalcluster, asleep–emotionalcluster, aneurologicalcluster, and anundefined feelingscluster. Nineteen studies found meaningful associations between SRC symptom clusters and clinical outcomes. Clusters mapping to themigrainecluster were most frequently reported in the literature and were most strongly related to aspects of clinical outcome.

Conclusions

The available literature provides evidence for the existence of at least five subtypes in SRC symptomatology, with clear relevance to clinical outcome. Systematically embedding the differentiation of SRC subtypes into prognosis, clinical management, and intervention strategies may optimize the recovery from SRC.
A Critical Review of the Support for Variability as an Operant Dimension
Authors: Nergaard Siv Kristin , Holth Per
Published: July 2020

There is abundant evidence that behavioral variability is more predominant when reinforcement is contingent on it than when it is not, and the interpretation of direct reinforcement of variability suggested by Page and Neuringer, Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Behavior Processes, 11(3), 429–452 (1985) has been widely accepted. Even so, trying to identify the underlying mechanisms in the emergence of stochastic-like variability in a variability contingency is intricate. There are several challenges to characterizing variability as directly reinforced, most notably because reinforcement traditionally has been found to produce repetitive responding, but also because directly reinforced variability does not always relate to independent variables the same way as more commonly studied repetitive responding does. The challenging findings in variability experiments are discussed, along with alternative hypotheses on how variability contingencies may engender the high variability that they undeniably do. We suggest that the typical increase in behavioral variability that is often demonstrated when reinforcement is contingent on it may be better explained in terms of a dynamic interaction of reinforcement and extinction working on several specific responses rather than as directly reinforced.
Glucagon stimulation test to assess growth hormone status in Prader–Willi syndrome
Authors: Casamitjana L. , Giménez-Palop O. , Corripio R. , Pareja R. , Berlanga E. , Rigla M. , Oliva JC. , Caixàs A.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) must be confirmed before starting treatment in adults with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). Most studies use the growth-hormone-releasing hormone plus arginine (GHRH-arginine) test. No data are available on the glucagon stimulation test (GST) in PWS. We compared the utility of fixed-dose (1 mg) GST versus GHRH-arginine test in diagnosing GHD.

Methods

Adults and late adolescents with PWS underwent both tests on separate days. In the GHRH-arginine test, GHD was defined according to body mass index. In the GST, two cutoffs were analyzed: peak GH concentration < 3 ng/mL and < 1 ng/mL. For analyses, patients were divided into two groups according to body weight (≤ 90 kg and > 90 kg).

Results

We analyzed 34 patients: 22 weighing ≤ 90 kg and 12 weighing > 90 kg. In patients weighing ≤ 90 kg, the two tests were concordant in 16 (72.72%) patients (k = 0.476,p = 0.009 with GST cutoff < 3 ng/mL, andk = 0.450,p = 0.035 with GST cutoff < 1 ng/mL). In patients weighing > 90 kg, the two tests were not concordant with GST cutoff < 3 ng/mL, but were concordant in 11 (91.6%) patients (k = 0.833,p = 0.003) with GST cutoff < 1 ng/mL. GH peaks on the two tests correlated (r = 0.725,p = 0.008).

Conclusion

Fixed-dose (1 mg) GST using a peak GH cutoff of < 3 ng/mL or < 1 ng/mL promises to be useful for screening for GHD in adults and late adolescents with PWS. However, in those weighing > 90 kg, the < 1 ng/mL cutoff seems better. Larger studies are necessary to establish definitive glucagon doses and cutoffs, especially in extremely obese patients.
Exploring the Determinants and Experiences of Senior Stroke Patients with Virtual Care
Authors: Chan Sophy , O’Riordan Anne , Appireddy Ramana
Published: July 2020

Objective:

The study sought to explore the experiences of participants affected by stroke with home video visit (HVV) for follow-up visits in order to understand the determinants, barriers, and benefits associated with HVVs.

Methods:

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with (n= 23) participants to gather insight and descriptive information about patients’ experiences with HVV. Specifically, we sought to collect descriptions about the (1) costs and time associated with in-person visits, (2) facilitators and barriers to in-person and virtual visits, and (3) their values attached to traditional and virtual forms of patient care.

Results:

HVVs were perceived to be a mode of healthcare that is time-saving and convenient for both participants and physicians. However, our study also found some participants felt uncomfortable using technology to conduct medical visits while others still supported a positive view of traditional forms of in-person visits because they valued the in-person interactions and safe environment of the hospital.

Conclusion:

While HVVs were considered to be useful in addressing geographical barriers to health care, technological and digital health literacy may serve to impede seniors from using the service, with some of them opting to go to the hospital despite geographical barriers. Resultantly, HVVs may serve both to alleviate and exacerbate certain determinants to health care.
Maximizing Health-Care Capacity in Response to COVID-19 Outbreak: Rapid Expansion Through Education by Health Emergency and Disaster Experts
Authors: Kato Soichiro , Miyakuni Yasuhiko , Inoue Yoshitaka , Yamaguchi Yoshihiro
Published: July 2020

Delivering adequate health care in the setting of the ongoing pandemic is challenging. Due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Tokyo Metropolitan government has been forced to expand their acute health-care capacity corresponding to infectious diseases within a short period. Responding to this situation, health emergency and disaster experts of the Tokyo Disaster Medical Assistance Team took the initiative in creating a brief education course. We established the course for expanding infectious disease care capacity by a dedicated hands-on lecture for health professionals who are unfamiliar with infectious disease care in ordinary circumstances. Our lecture included the typical course of COVID-19, use of personal protective equipment, environmental sterilization, medical-ward zoning, and safe caregiving. Hospitals that received customized lectures reported by means of a questionnaire that the lectures were well suited to their needs. Currently, the health-care system in Tokyo has increased its capacity to meet the demand and has not been affected by COVID-19. Our experience shows that health emergency and disaster experts can assist hospitals in crisis by providing educational materials.
The Role of EU State Aid Law as a “Risk Management Tool” in the COVID-19 Crisis
Authors: FERRI Delia
Published: July 2020

This article discusses the role of European Union (EU) State aid law in the COVID-19 crisis. It contends that different Treaty derogations have played unique roles in addressing the core determinants of the economic risk linked to the pandemic (ie the “exposure” to lockdown measures and the “vulnerability” of certain sectors to them), and in increasing the resilience of national economies. Moreover, this article examines the extent to which EU State aid law has been used to manage and mitigate health risks, by allowing Member States to enhance the preparedness and capacity of their healthcare sector (broadly conceived) to respond to the pandemic. On the whole, this article maintains that State aid control has been used by the European Commission as an important “risk management tool”, and it highlights the role of the Commission as the crisis management authority.
Reluctant Europeans? British and French Commercial Banks and the Common Market in Banking (1977–1992)
Authors: DRACH ALEXIS
Published: July 2020

More than ten years after the financial crisis, the challenges of European banking and of the eurozone highlight that the existence of a European common market in banking is at best partial. Examining how British and French commercial banks and banking associations responded to the plans for a European common market in banking between 1977 and 1992, this article contributes to explaining this partial character, and highlights that this project was primarily political. This challenges the widely held view that large companies tended to push for more integration. This article shows that until the mid-1980s, the banking sector was not necessarily calling for European financial integration in the form of a common market in banking for at least three reasons: they doubted the usefulness of such a move, they feared an increase in regulation, and they focused more on domestic or global matters than on European ones.
Logos on Everest: Commercial Sponsorship of American Expeditions, 1950–2000
Authors: GROSS RACHEL S.
Published: July 2020

In the 1950s, outdoor retailer Eddie Bauer donated down jackets to American mountaineers embarking on climbing expeditions in the Himalayas. In the 1990s, chemical manufacturer W. L. Gore & Associates donated both goods and $2 million to an expedition in Antarctica. The funds dedicated to sponsorship by the end of the twentieth century reflect a shift in how companies saw expeditions as useful to their marketing goals. This article uses two archives previously unexplored by historians that offer an unprecedented chance to compare sponsorship relationships in a single industry across decades. Commercial sponsorship of American expeditions and athletes has undergone three dramatic changes since 1950, and these shifts help explain how sponsorship as a form of marketing became so popular. Sponsorship contracts shifted from vague to specific as a result of decades of unsatisfying results for corporate sponsors. Sponsored athletes became business partners and began taking an active role in promoting the companies that provided them cash or donations in-kind. Finally, companies developed strategies for leveraging their sponsorship deals. The changing landscape of the business of expeditions ultimately reveals how the most long-lasting legacies of these extreme adventures happened far from the trail and much closer to company boardrooms, sponsorship managers’ offices and retail stores where consumers learned to engage with the narratives companies and athletes had crafted together.
STRONG FANS, WEAK CAMPAIGNS: SOCIAL MEDIA AND DUTERTE IN THE 2016 PHILIPPINE ELECTION
Authors: Sinpeng Aim , Gueorguiev Dimitar , Arugay Aries A.
Published: July 2020

The 2016 presidential contest is widely considered as the first “social media election” in the Philippines. At the same time, it remains unclear if or how social media helped Rodrigo Duterte mobilize voters to gain victory. There are three main social media campaigning models: broadcast, grassroots, and self-actualizing. Analysis of twenty million activities and 39,942 randomly sampled comments across the official Facebook pages of key presidential candidates supports the grassroots model as Duterte's profile was the most engaged, even if Duterte himself was not actively engaged. Such inconsistencies raise the prospect that Duterte's online prominance was fabricated by paid trolls and fake accounts. Instead, our analysis suggests that Duterte's digital fanbase was, at least in part, a reflection of offline, grassroots political support. In particular, data from an original survey of 621 respondents suggests that Duterte supporters were not only aggressive in their support for Duterte online, they were also more committed to him offline as well. These findings add to a growing literature on social media and politics that seeks to understand the broader ecosystem of online political discourse, rather than focusing on the actions and strategies of political campaigns. They also underscore the fine line between fabricated support and genuine political fervor.
PRETREATMENT PROTOCOLS PERFORMED AT THE ROYAL INSTITUTE FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE (RICH) PRIOR TO AMS 14C MEASUREMENTS
Authors: Wojcieszak Marine , Van den Brande Tess , Ligovich Gaia , Boudin Mathieu
Published: July 2020

The Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage (RICH) radiocarbon (14C) laboratory in Brussels, Belgium, has acquired experience for pretreating samples with 60 years of involvement in 14C dating, and the implementation of routine protocols. These procedures as applied to wood, seeds, charred materials, bones, ivory, textiles (silk, wool, cotton, linen), paper, shells, cremated bones, mortars, lead carbonates, sediments, etc. are described in detail in this paper. They are evaluated against reference materials.
Supercritical carbon dioxide extracts of small cardamom and yellow mustard seeds have fasting hypoglycaemic effects: diabetic rat, predictive iHOMA2 models and molecular docking study
Authors: Paul Kaninika , Chakraborty Soumi , Mallick Priyanka , Bhattacharjee Paramita , Pal Tapan Kumar , Chatterjee Nilendra , Chakrabarti Saikat
Published: July 2020

In the present investigation, the supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) extracts of small cardamom (SC) and yellow mustard (YM) seeds have been investigated for their efficacies in combating type 2 diabetes in streptozotocin-induced Wistar albino rats. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels in the rats were monitored on days 8, 15 and 21. On day 15, FBG level reduced appreciably by 31·49 % in rats treated with SC seed extract and by 32·28 % in rats treated with YM seed extract, comparable to metformin (30·70 %) and BGR-34 (a commercial polyherbal drug) (31·81 %) administered rats. Either extract exhibited desirable effects on hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and catalase activities in controlling diabetes. A molecular docking exercise was conducted to identify specific compounds in the extracts which possessed augmenting effect on G6PD. The results revealed that all the bioactive compounds in the extracts have binding affinities with the enzyme and contributed to the antidiabetic efficacies of the extracts as G6PD augmenters. The effects of the extracts on insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake were investigated using non-invasive modelling by iHOMA2 software. This in vitro approach indicated that extract administration resulted in increased both insulin sensitivity of the liver and glucose uptake in the gut. The findings of the present study attest these SC-CO2 extracts of the spices as safe alternatives of metformin and BGR-34 in combating type 2 diabetes and could be safely subjected to clinical studies. These extracts could also be employed in designing proactive food supplements in mitigating the metabolic disorder.
The changing nature of paediatric otomycosis in the mid-west of Ireland
Authors: Westby D , O'Connell N , Powell J , Fenton J E
Published: July 2020

Background

Fungal otitis externa is prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical climates; however, over the past two decades, there has been a reported increase in the prevalence of otomycosis in paediatric patients from more temperate climates. This study aimed to review the children diagnosed with otomycosis at the University Hospital Limerick with reference to frequency, causative organism, predisposing factors and management.

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted of paediatric patients from 2001 to 2015. Patients with positive fungal ear swabs and a diagnosis of otomycosis were identified.

Results

Ninety-three patients were positive for candida (mean age, 5.8 years), 10 patients were positive for aspergillus (mean age, 9.1 years) and 1 patient had mixed fungal infection containing both fungi. There was a positive correlation between a diagnosis of otomycosis and prior treatment with topical fluoroquinolones (r = 0.8;p< 0.01).

Conclusion

The incidence of otomycosis has been increasing since 2001, which correlates with an increase in the use of topical fluoroquinolones. Previous studies identify aspergillus as the commonest causative fungi; however, this study found that candida was the commonest isolated fungi in the paediatric population.
Computational modelling of attentional selectivity in depression reveals perceptual deficits
Authors: Grange James A. , Rydon-Grange Michelle
Published: July 2020

Background

Depression is associated with broad deficits in cognitive control, including in visual selective attention tasks such as the flanker task. Previous computational modelling of depression and flanker task performance showed reduced pre-potent response bias and reduced executive control efficiency in depression. In the current study, we applied two computational models that account for the full dynamics of attentional selectivity.

Method

Across three large-scale online experiments (one exploratory experiment followed by two confirmatory – and pre-registered – experiments; total N = 923), we measured attentional selectivity via the flanker task and obtained measures of depression symptomology as well as anhedonia. We then fit two computational models that account for the dynamics of attentional selectivity: The dual-stage two-phase model, and the shrinking spotlight (SSP) model.

Results

No behavioural measures were related to depression symptomology or anhedonia. However, a parameter of the SSP model that indexes the strength of perceptual input was consistently negatively associated with the magnitude of depression symptomatology.

Conclusions

The findings provide evidence for deficits in perceptual representations in depression. We discuss the implications of this in relation to the hypothesis that perceptual deficits potentially exacerbate control deficits in depression.
Engineering polymerases for applications in synthetic biology
Authors: Nikoomanzar Ali , Chim Nicholas , Yik Eric J. , Chaput John C.
Published: July 2020

DNA polymerases play a central role in biology by transferring genetic information from one generation to the next during cell division. Harnessing the power of these enzymes in the laboratory has fueled an increase in biomedical applications that involve the synthesis, amplification, and sequencing of DNA. However, the high substrate specificity exhibited by most naturally occurring DNA polymerases often precludes their use in practical applications that require modified substrates. Moving beyond natural genetic polymers requires sophisticated enzyme-engineering technologies that can be used to direct the evolution of engineered polymerases that function with tailor-made activities. Such efforts are expected to uniquely drive emerging applications in synthetic biology by enabling the synthesis, replication, and evolution of synthetic genetic polymers with new physicochemical properties.