bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Onlinebeteiligung als politische Bildung
Authors: Behrendt Robert
Published: June 2021

Partizipation ist in Deutschland seit den 1990er-Jahren wieder ein relevantes Thema in der Kinder- und Jugendhilfe und politischen Bildungsarbeit und sogar in öffentlichen Verwaltungen. Sie ist seitdem auch zu einem nicht unbedeutenden (und politisch gewollten) Gradmesser des Zustandes der demokratischen Kultur in der Bundesrepublik geworden. Mitbestimmung als Fundament von Partizipation war in institutionalisierter Form zwar von Beginn an integraler Bestandteil demokratischer Gesellschaften und Organisationen, in nichtverfassten oder unkonventionellen Formen aber immer auch Gegenstand demokratischer Kontroversen.
Bildung Schluss
Authors: Simanowski Roberto
Published: June 2021

Der Autor des Buches Die Macht der Computer und die Ohnmacht der Vernunft aus dem Jahr 1976, Joseph Weizenbaum – deutsch-amerikanischer Pionier und später scharfer Kritiker der künstlichen Intelligenz –, gab in seinem Vortrag „Die Verantwortung der Wissenschaftler und mögliche Grenzen der Forschung“ auf dem Ersten European Software Festival in München im Jahr 1991 zu bedenken, „dass die Welt kein privates Testlabor der Wissenschaftler ist“.
Die Algorithmisierung öffentlicher Kommunikation
Authors: Porlezza Colin
Published: June 2021

2016 veröffentlichte der japanische Filmemacher Keiichi Matsuda einen Konzeptfilm namens „Hyper-Reality“. Der in London lebende Designer und Künstler lässt den Zuschauer in seiner Zukunftsvision in eine grelle, durch visuelle Reize übersättigte Ästhetik eintauchen, in der mediale Technologien allgegenwärtig sind. Der Augmented Reality Videoclip spielt in Medellin, Kolumbien, und zeigt aus der Perspektive der Protagonistin Juliana Restrepo einen bunt blinkenden Trip durch eine mit virtuellen Anzeigen saturierte Welt, hart an der Grenze sensorischer Überlastung, wobei die physische und die virtuelle Realität verschmelzen und fast nicht mehr zu unterscheiden sind.
Digitale Kommunikation und transnationale Öffentlichkeit(en)
Authors: Eis Andreas
Published: June 2021

Politische Willensbildung ist heute untrennbar mit neuen Formen digital gestützter Kommunikation verbunden und ohne diese nicht mehr erklärbar. Bürger*innen werden nicht nur über soziale Medien von Regierungsvertreter*innen, Parteien, Verbänden oder NGOs direkt adressiert, sondern initiieren selbstorganisierte Kampagnen, Informations-, Meinungs- und Bildungsportale. Politische Kommunikation unter Bedingungen der Digitalisierung ist immer weniger eine Einbahnstraße der Darstellung von Positionen oder der Legitimation von Entscheidungen gegenüber passiven Zuschauern und politischen Laien.
Politische Neutralität vs. politische Normativität in der politischen Bildung
Authors: Hentges Gudrun , Lösch Bettina
Published: June 2021

Die Onlineplattformen „Neutrale Schulen“ können in spezifischer Weise als Formen des Hate Speechs bewertet werden und tragen zur Veränderungen des öffentlichen Raums bei.  Der Beitrag diskutiert, wie  sich dieser Kulturkampf, der Denunzierung und Diffamierung als Mittel nutzt, auf die politische Bildung auswirken.
Separation of variables in the WZW models
Authors: Lunin Oleg , Tian Jia
Published: June 2021

Abstract

We consider dynamics of scalar and vector fields on gravitational backgrounds of the Wess-Zumino-Witten models. For SO(4) and its cosets, we demonstrate full separation of variables for all fields and find a close analogy with a similar separation of vector equations in the backgrounds of the Myers-Perry black holes. For SO(5) and higher groups separation of variables is found only in some subsectors.
Assessing cognition in people with severe mental disorders in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review of assessment measures
Authors: Haile Yohannes Gebreegziabhere , Habatmu Kassahun , Derese Andualem , Gouse Hetta , Lawrie Stephen M. , Cella Matteo , Alem Atalay
Published: June 2021

Background

Cognitive difficulties are common in people with severe mental disorders (SMDs) and various measures of cognition are of proven validity. However, there is a lack of systematic evidence regarding the psychometric properties of these measures in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Objective

To systematically review the psychometric properties of cognitive measures validated in people with SMDs in LMICs.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of the literature by searching from four electronic databases. Two authors independently screened studies for their eligibility. Measurement properties of measures in all included studies were extracted. All eligible measures were assessed against criteria set for clinical and research recommendations. Results are summarized narratively and measures were grouped by measurement type and population.

Results

We identified 23 unique measures from 28 studies. None of these was from low-income settings. Seventeen of the measures were performance-based. The majority (n = 16/23) of the measures were validated in people with schizophrenia. The most commonly reported measurement properties were: known group, convergent, and divergent validity (n = 25/28). For most psychometric property, studies of methodological qualities were found to be doubtful. Among measures evaluated in people with schizophrenia, Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia, Cognitive Assessment Interview, MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery, and CogState Schizophrenia Battery were with the highest scores for clinical and research recommendation.

Conclusions

Studies included in our review provide only limited quality evidence and future studies should consider adapting and validating measures using stronger designs and methods. Nonetheless, validated assessments of cognition could help in the management and allocating therapy in people with SMDs in LMICs.
A patient-centred web-based adverse drug reaction reporting system identifies not yet labelled potential safety issues
Authors: Hasford J. , Bruchmann F. , Lutz M. , Thürmann P. , Schmiedl S.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) by patients is essential for a comprehensive risk–benefit evaluation of drugs after marketing, but only few data are available regarding patient-centred web-based ADR reporting systems. Hence, we aimed to analyze ADRs reported by patients with a particular emphasis on novel drugs and serious ADRs not yet labelled in the respective summary of product characteristics (SPC).

Methods

All ADR reports received by a web-based, patient-centred platform (www.nebenwirkungen.de) between April 1, 2019, and September 1, 2020, were descriptively analyzed. ADRs and drugs were coded automatically according to MedDRA and ATC classification system. SPC labelling of reported ADRs for novel drugs marketed since 2015 was checked manually.

Results

In total, 13,515 patient reports including 29,529 ADRs were received during the study period (serious ADRs [SADRs] n = 1,318; 4.5%). Women were affected in more than two-thirds of ADR reports. The most common patient-reported ADRs were nausea, dizziness and headache, whereas arrhythmia, intestinal obstruction and erectile dysfunction were the most frequent SADRs. Ciprofloxacin, levothyroxine and venlafaxine were the compounds most frequently suspected for causing both ADRs and SADRs. Regarding novel compounds, 289 reports including 739 ADRs were received (mainly fatigue, headache and myalgia). Three hundred thirty-one (44.8%) out of those ADRs were not yet labelled in the respective SPC, whereof twelve were SADRs.

Conclusion

The majority of patient-reported ADRs were non-serious. However, a relevant number of non-labelled even serious ADRs was reported for novel compounds by patients. Despite well-known limitations of patient-reported ADRs, this web-based ADR reporting system contributes to the identification of new ADRs and thus can help to improve patients’ safety complementing other pharmacovigilance instruments.
Postoperative Nutritional Status is Predictive of the Survival Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Resection of Stage III Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Hiramatsu Kosuke , Shindoh Junichi , Hanaoka Yutaka , Toda Shigeo , Ueno Masashi , Matoba Shuichiro , Kuroyanagi Hiroya
Published: June 2021

Background

Preoperative nutritional status is reportedly associated with the clinical outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), although it remains inconclusive whether the preoperative nutritional status that may improve after surgery is truly predictive of the survival outcomes of patients with CRC.

Methods

Clinical records of patients with stage III CRC (n = 821) in whom curative resection had been achieved were retrospectively reviewed and the prognostic impact of nutritional status, determined by the controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score, was analyzed.

Results

The CONUT undernutrition grade was significantly associated with the overall survival rate (OS) in the original population (P < 0.0001). By adopting a cut‐off value of CONUT score of ≥ 2 and adjustment for clinical variables using the inverse probability treatment weighting methods, the group with a preoperative CONUT score of ≥ 2 showed a worse OS as compared to the groups with a preoperative CONUT score of < 2 (P = 0.037). However, sub‐analysis based on the dynamic changes in the CONUT score revealed that sustained malnutrition in the postoperative period was more frequent among patients with preoperative CONUT score of ≥ 2, and that the OS and recurrence‐free survival rate (RFS) were significantly correlated with the “postoperative” nutritional status, irrespective of the preoperative nutritional status. Patients who showed improvements of the nutritional status after surgery showed a significantly longer OS and RFS.

Conclusions

Sustained undernutrition or worsening of the nutritional status after colectomy may be associated with a worse OS and RFS after curative resection in patients with stage III CRC.
Prognostic value of the systemic immune-inflammation index in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Katayama Satoshi , Mori Keiichiro , Pradere Benjamin , Laukhtina Ekaterina , Schuettfort Victor M. , Quhal Fahad , Motlagh Reza Sari , Mostafaei Hadi , Grossmann Nico C. , Rajwa Pawel , Moschini Marco , Mathieu Romain , Abufaraj Mohammad , D’Andrea David , Compérat Eva , Haydter Martin , Egawa Shin , Nasu Yasutomo , Shariat Shahrokh F. ,   European Association of Urology–Young Academic Urologists Urothelial Carcinoma Working Group (EAU-YAU)
Published: June 2021

Purpose

We assessed the prognostic value of systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) to refine risk stratification of the heterogeneous spectrum of patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC)

Methods

In this multi-institutional cohort, preoperative blood-based SII was retrospectively assessed in 1117 patients with NMIBC who underwent transurethral resection of bladder (TURB) between 1996 and 2007. The optimal cut-off value of SII was determined as 580 using the best Youden index. Cox regression analyses were performed. The concordance index (C-index) and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to assess the discrimination of the predictive models.

Results

Overall, 309 (28%) patients had high SII. On multivariable analyses, high SII was significantly associated with worse PFS (hazard ratio [HR] 1.84; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23–2.77; P = 0.003) and CSS (HR 2.53; 95% CI 1.42–4.48; P = 0.001). Subgroup analyses, according to the European Association of Urology guidelines, demonstrated the main prognostic impact of high SII, with regards to PFS (HR 3.39; 95%CI 1.57–7.31; P = 0.002) and CSS (HR 4.93; 95% CI 1.70–14.3; P = 0.005), in patients with intermediate-risk group; addition of SII to the standard predictive model improved its discrimination ability both on C-index (6% and 12%, respectively) and DCA. In exploratory intergroup analyses of patients with intermediate-risk, the improved discrimination ability was retained the prediction of PFS and CSS.

Conclusion

Preoperative SII seems to identify NMIBC patients who have a worse disease and prognosis. Such easily available and cheap standard biomarkers may help refine the decision-making process regarding adjuvant treatment in patients with intermediate-risk NMIBC.
Biological nitrification inhibition in maize—isolation and identification of hydrophobic inhibitors from root exudates
Authors: Otaka Junnosuke , Subbarao Guntur Venkata , Ono Hiroshi , Yoshihashi Tadashi
Published: June 2021

To control agronomic N losses and reduce environmental pollution, biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) is a promising strategy. BNI is an ecological phenomenon by which certain plants release bioactive compounds that can suppress nitrifying soil microbes. Herein, we report on two hydrophobic BNI compounds released from maize root exudation (1 and 2), together with two BNI compounds inside maize roots (3 and 4). On the basis of a bioassay-guided fractionation method using a recombinant nitrifying bacterium Nitrosomonas europaea, 2,7-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (1, ED50 = 2 μM) was identified for the first time from dichloromethane (DCM) wash concentrate of maize root surface and named “zeanone.” The benzoxazinoid 2-hydroxy-4,7-dimethoxy-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one (HDMBOA, 2, ED50 = 13 μM) was isolated from DCM extract of maize roots, and two analogs of compound 2, 2-hydroxy-7-methoxy-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one (HMBOA, 3, ED50 = 91 μM) and HDMBOA-β-glucoside (4, ED50 = 94 μM), were isolated from methanol extract of maize roots. Their chemical structures (1–4) were determined by extensive spectroscopic methods. The contributions of these four isolated BNI compounds (1–4) to the hydrophobic BNI activity in maize roots were 19%, 20%, 2%, and 4%, respectively. A possible biosynthetic pathway for zeanone (1) is proposed. These results provide insights into the strength of hydrophobic BNI activity released from maize root systems, the chemical identities of the isolated BNIs, and their relative contribution to the BNI activity from maize root systems.
“Sandwich technique” enables preservation of hearing and antivertiginous effect in cholesteatomatous labyrinthine fistula
Authors: Bartochowska Anna , Pietraszek Marta , Wierzbicka Małgorzata , Gawęcki Wojciech
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The aim of the study was to assess hearing, surgical and clinical results of the treatment in patients with cholesteatomatous labyrinthine fistula (LF) focusing on the different techniques and materials used in the management.

Methods

Study group included 465 patients. Cases with LFs discovered or confirmed during surgical procedure were thoroughly analyzed.

Results

LFs were noted in 11.4% of all cases. Thirty-eight patients, with all follow-up data available, were included into the further analysis. Most LFs were located in the lateral semicircular canal (87%). LFs were assessed as small in 2 cases, as medium in 24 patients while 12 were described as large. Based on Dornhoffer and Milewski classification, 50% of LFs were classified as IIa, 24% as IIb, 6 LFs were very deep (type III), while 4—superficial (type I). The size and type of LF did not influence postsurgical complaints (p = 0.1070, p = 0.3187, respectively). Vertigo was less frequent in LFs treated by “sandwich technique”, especially those with opened endosteum. In 30 (79%) patients, hearing improved or did not change after surgery. Hearing outcomes were significantly better in the ears operated by means of CWU technique (p = 0.0339), in LFs with intact membranous labyrinth (p = 0.0139) and when “sandwich technique” was performed (p = 0.0159). Postsurgical bone conduction thresholds levels were significantly better in LFs covered by “sandwich method” (p = 0.0440).

Conclusion

“Sandwich technique” (temporal fascia–bone pate–temporal fascia) enables preservation of hearing as well as antivertiginous effect in patients with cholesteatomatous labyrinthine fistula.
Time Complexity Analysis of Randomized Search Heuristics for the Dynamic Graph Coloring Problem
Authors: Bossek Jakob , Neumann Frank , Peng Pan , Sudholt Dirk
Published: June 2021

We contribute to the theoretical understanding of randomized search heuristics for dynamic problems. We consider the classical vertex coloring problem on graphs and investigate the dynamic setting where edges are added to the current graph. We then analyze the expected time for randomized search heuristics to recompute high quality solutions. The (1+1) Evolutionary Algorithm and RLS operate in a setting where the number of colors is bounded and we are minimizing the number of conflicts. Iterated local search algorithms use an unbounded color palette and aim to use the smallest colors and, consequently, the smallest number of colors. We identify classes of bipartite graphs where reoptimization is as hard as or even harder than optimization from scratch, i.e., starting with a random initialization. Even adding a single edge can lead to hard symmetry problems. However, graph classes that are hard for one algorithm turn out to be easy for others. In most cases our bounds show that reoptimization is faster than optimizing from scratch. We further show that tailoring mutation operators to parts of the graph where changes have occurred can significantly reduce the expected reoptimization time. In most settings the expected reoptimization time for such tailored algorithms is linear in the number of added edges. However, tailored algorithms cannot prevent exponential times in settings where the original algorithm is inefficient.
Tubulopathy meets Sherlock Holmes: biochemical fingerprinting of disorders of altered kidney tubular salt handling
Authors: Bockenhauer Detlef , Kleta Robert
Published: June 2021

Evolution moves in mysterious ways. Excretion of waste products by glomerular filtration made perfect sense when life evolved in the ocean. Yet, the associated loss of water and solutes became a problem when life moved onto land: a serious design change was needed and this occurred in the form of ever more powerful tubules that attached to the glomerulus. By reabsorbing typically more than 99% of the glomerular filtrate, the tubules not only minimise urinary losses, but, crucially, also maintain homeostasis: tubular reabsorption and secretion are adjusted so as to maintain an overall balance, in which urine volume and composition matches intake and environmental stressors. A whole orchestra of highly specialised tubular transport proteins is involved in this process and dysfunction of one or more of these results in the so-called kidney tubulopathies, characterised by specific patterns of clinical and biochemical abnormalities. In turn, recognition of these patterns helps establish a specific diagnosis and pinpoints the defective transport pathway. In this review, we will discuss these clinical and biochemical “fingerprints” of tubular disorders of salt-handling and how sodium handling affects volume homeostasis but also handling of other solutes.
Potential association of the prognostic index and survival in patients with p16-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Brkic Faris F. , Mayer Christina , Besser Gerold , Altorjai Gabriela , Herrmann Harald , Heiduschka Gregor , Haymerle Georg , Kadletz-Wanke Lorenz
Published: June 2021

Background

The aim was to assess the prognostic value of the newly proposed prognostic index (PI) in patients with p16-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods

Patients treated with primary surgery from 2012 to 2019 with available preoperative (0–2 days) values of C‑reactive protein and white blood cell counts needed for calculation of the PI, were included. Main outcome measures were overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). The PI was dichotomized into low (PI = 0) and high (PI ≥ 1).

Results

In this study 36 patients were included. Average overall (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were 3.3 years (range 0.2–12.3 years) and 2.8 years (0.0–9.8 years), respectively. The overall mortality was 16.7% (n = 6) and a recurrent disease was observed in 30.6% of patients (n = 11). Low PI was associated with better overall survival (mean OS 10.1 ± 1.4 years, 95% confidence interval, CI 7.3–12.9 years vs. 1.9 ± 0.4, 95% CI 1.3–2.6 years, p < 0.01; mean DFS 8.5 ± 0.7 years, 95% CI 7.1–9.6 years vs. 1.0 ± 0.3 years, 95% CI 0.5–1.5 years, p < 0.01).

Conclusion

The PI might be an easily obtainable outcome prognosticator in p16-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients. Analyzing routinely obtained blood samples can contribute to identifying high-risk patients.
Individual courses and determinants of fear of cancer recurrence in long-term breast cancer survivors with and without recurrence
Authors: Heidkamp Paula , Breidenbach Clara , Hiltrop Kati , Kowalski Christoph , Enders Anna , Pfaff Holger , Weltermann Birgitta , Geiser Franziska , Ernstmann Nicole
Published: June 2021

Objective

This study investigated the prevalence, individual courses, and determinants of fear of cancer recurrence (FoR) in long-term breast cancer survivors (BCSs) with and without recurrence.

Methods

A total of 184 breast cancer survivors were surveyed at four measurement time points: during hospitalization (T1), 10 weeks (T2), 40 weeks (T3), and 5–6 years (T4) after hospital discharge. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression were performed.

Results

Respondents were females and 57 years old, on average. At T1, T3, and T4, 54.8%, 31.6%, and 29.7% of BCSs, respectively, were classified as having dysfunctional levels of FoR. Dysfunctional FoR decreased from T1 to T3 (χ2(1) = 17.11, p = 0.000; N = 163) and remained stable afterwards. Eight subgroups of individual courses of FoR over time could be described: (1) constant functional FoR; (2) constant dysfunctional FoR; (3) improving from dysfunctional to functional FoR from T1 to T3; (4) improving from dysfunctional to functional FoR from T3 to T4; (5) worsening from functional to dysfunctional FoR from T1 to T3; (6) worsening from functional to dysfunctional FoR from T3 to T4; (7) dysfunctional FoR at T1 and T4, and functional FoR in between; and (8) functional FoR at T1 and T4, and dysfunctional FoR in between. Logistic regression analysis revealed that being divorced/widowed, showing high levels of fatigue, being treated by chemotherapy, and having low confidence in treatment were associated with dysfunctional FoR 5 to 6 years after diagnosis (Nagelkerkes’ Pseudo-R2 = 0.648).

Conclusions

The findings reveal that FoR is a significant issue in long-term BCSs and has the potential to become a persistent psychological strain. We emphasize the need for increased awareness of FoR among BCSs and the need for support programs.
‘Don’t forget the children’: a qualitative study when a parent is at end of life from cancer
Authors: McCaughan Eilís , Semple Cherith J. , Hanna Jeffrey R.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Preparation for end of life is one of the greatest challenges faced by parents with cancer who have dependent children (< 18 years old), with requirement for support from professionals. The aim of this study is to explore how parents can be best supported in relation to their children, when a parent is at end of life from cancer.

Methods

This is an interpretive qualitative study, using 79 semi-structured interviews with parents at end of life (n3), bereaved parents (n21), health and social care professionals (HSCPs) (n32) and funeral directors (n23). Data were analysed thematically and triangulated.

Results

Parents are central to preparing their children for the death of a parent. Striving for everyday ordinariness, maximising social networks, maintaining hope and making preparations for the future are helpful for families when a parent is at end of life. Most HSCPs were unaware of the challenges faced by parents at end of life, and psychosocial support was often left outside the caring realm. As a result, funeral directors noted complexities faced by the families after the death. Results are discussed under four themes: (1) communication with the children as a process, (2) coping throughout the unfolding end of life experience, (3) tension and complexities at end of life and (4) preparing for the future.

Conclusions

Parents should be reassured that by involving the children early in the end of life experience when the ill-parent is ‘well enough’ to parent enables them to be actively involved in supporting their child through one of the greatest life changing event. A number of recommendations are discussed for professionals.
Praxisstudie ambulante Psychotherapie Schweiz (PAP-S): ein spezifischer Blick auf den Therapieprozess und Genderfragen
Authors: von Wyl Agnes , Crameri Aureliano , Koemeda-Lutz Margit , Tschuschke Volker , Schulthess Peter
Published: June 2021

Die Praxisstudie ambulante Psychotherapie Schweiz (PAP-S) bot mit dem Sample von 362 Patient_innen und Tonaufnahmen von über der Hälfte der Therapien eine ausgezeichnete Basis, den Therapieprozess zu untersuchen. An dieser Stelle werden sog. Gendereffekte vorgestellt. Während der letzten rund 50 Jahre hat die Psychotherapieforschung keine konsistenten Forschungsergebnisse zu Gendereffekten für Patientinnen im Vergleich zu Patienten wie auch für Therapeutinnen gegenüber von Therapeuten gezeigt. Allerdings stützten sich die meisten Studien auf Fragebogenerhebungen. Untersuchungen, die Gendereffekte anhand von Tonbandaufnahmen untersuchen, sind eher selten und oft auf kleine Stichproben beschränkt. In zwei Teilstudien der PAP‑S zeigen wir, dass die am meisten sich unterscheidenden Interventionen der Therapeutinnen und Therapeuten den Geschlechtsrollenstereotypen entsprechen: Therapeutinnen intervenieren unterstützender und haltgebender, Therapeuten intervenieren konfrontativer und analytischer. Gendereffekte konnten somit auf der Ebene des Prozesses nachgewiesen werden, allerdings fanden sich keine Unterschiede zwischen dem Geschlecht von Therapeut_innen und Patient_innen hinsichtlich Outcome.
Cadmium im Grundwasser Nordwestdeutschlands – Herkunft, Mobilisierung und Bewertung nach EU-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie
Authors: Kubier Andreas , Budziak Dörte , de Vries Dieter , Elbracht Jörg , Hamer Kay , Pichler Thomas
Published: June 2021

In Nordwestdeutschland zeigten neun Grundwasserkörper einen „schlechten“ chemischen Zustand nach Wasserrahmenrichtlinie aufgrund von Cadmiumkonzentrationen über 0,5 µg/l. Dünger- und Bodenanalysen, sowie Grundwasseranalysen des landesweiten Monitorings dienten der Quantifizierung der Cd-Belastung und Identifikation der Ursachen, wobei geogener Eintrag, Düngeremissionen und atmosphärische Deposition betrachtet wurden.

Bis 2016 sanken die Cadmium-Einträge auf einen mittleren Eintrag von 0,74 g/(ha · a) durch die Ausbringung von Phosphat-Düngern und von 0,2 g/(ha · a) durch atmosphärische Deposition. In landwirtschaftlich genutzten Geestlandschaften zeigten Grundwasserdaten signifikante Zusammenhänge zwischen Cadmium und erhöhten Nitratkonzentrationen sowie Versauerung. Hohe Grundwasserneubildungsraten begünstigten eine direkte Beeinflussung des Grundwassers durch ackerbauliche und forstwirtschaftliche Nutzung, sodass eine erhöhte Lösung von Cadmium eintrat.

Messstellen mit steigenden Cadmiumkonzentrationen konnten über Trendtests ermittelt werden. Geestgebiete mit erhöhten Cadmiumkonzentrationen zeigten eine gute räumliche Übereinstimmung mit der Maßnahmenkulisse zur Nitratreduktion.

Für hydrogeologische Teilräume wurden Cadmium-Hintergrundkonzentrationen zwischen 0,01 µg/l und 0,98 µg/l berechnet. Diese regional differenzierten Hintergrundwerte erlauben eine Neubewertung des chemischen Zustands der Grundwasserkörper.
Multi-feature evaluation of financial contagion
Authors: Duda Jarosław , Gurgul Henryk , Syrek Robert
Published: June 2021

Financial contagion refers to the spread of market turmoils, for example from one country or index to another country or another index. It is standardly assessed by modelling the evolution of the correlation matrix, for example of returns, usually after removing univariate dynamics with the GARCH model. However, significant events like crises visible in one financial market are usually reflected in other financial markets/countries simultaneously in several dimensions, i.e., in general, entire distributions of returns in other markets are affected. These distributions are determined/described by their expected value, variance, skewness, kurtosis and other statistics that determine the shape of the distribution function of returns, which can be based on higher (mixed) moments. These descriptive statistics are not constant over time, and, moreover, they can interreact within the given market and among the markets over time. In this article we propose, and use for the daily values of five indexes (CAC40, DAX30, DJIA, FTSE250 and WIG20) over the time period 2006–2017, a new, simple and computationally inexpensive methodology to automatically extend contagion evaluation from the evolution of the correlation matrix to the evolution of multiple higher mixed moments as well. Specifically, the joint distribution of normalized variables for each pair of indexes is modeled as a polynomial with time evolving coefficients estimated using an exponential moving average. As we can obtain any arbitrary number of evolving mixed moments this way, its dimensionality reduction using PCA (principal component analysis) is also discussed, obtaining a lower number of dominating and relatively independent features, which can each be interpreted through a polynomial that describes the corresponding perturbation of joint distribution. We obtain features that describe the interrelations among stock markets in several dimensions and that provide information about the current stage of crisis and the strength of the contagion process.
Global small data solutions for semilinear waves with two dissipative terms
Authors: Chen Wenhui , D’Abbicco Marcello , Girardi Giovanni
Published: June 2021

In this work, we prove the existence of global (in time) small data solutions for wave equations with two dissipative terms and with power nonlinearity $$|u|^p$$

|
u
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p

or nonlinearity of derivative type $$|u_t|^p$$

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t

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, in any space dimension $$n\geqslant 1$$

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1

, for supercritical powers $$p>{\bar{p}}$$

p
>

p

¯

. The presence of two dissipative terms strongly influences the nature of the problem, allowing us to derive $$L^r-L^q$$

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r

-

L
q

long time decay estimates for the solution in the full range $$1\leqslant r\leqslant q\leqslant \infty $$

1
⩽
r
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q
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∞

. The optimality of the critical exponents is guaranteed by a nonexistence result for subcritical powers $$p<{\bar{p}}$$

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<

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.
Cyber security threat modeling based on the MITRE Enterprise ATT&CK Matrix
Authors: Xiong Wenjun , Legrand Emeline , Åberg Oscar , Lagerström Robert
Published: June 2021

Enterprise systems are growing in complexity, and the adoption of cloud and mobile services has greatly increased the attack surface. To proactively address these security issues in enterprise systems, this paper proposes a threat modeling language for enterprise security based on the MITRE Enterprise ATT&CK Matrix. It is designed using the Meta Attack Language framework and focuses on describing system assets, attack steps, defenses, and asset associations. The attack steps in the language represent adversary techniques as listed and described by MITRE. This entity-relationship model describes enterprise IT systems as a whole; by using available tools, the proposed language enables attack simulations on its system model instances. These simulations can be used to investigate security settings and architectural changes that might be implemented to secure the system more effectively. Our proposed language is tested with a number of unit and integration tests. This is visualized in the paper with two real cyber attacks modeled and simulated.
Peripartum cardiomyopathy: a review
Authors: Iorgoveanu Corina , Zaghloul Ahmed , Ashwath Mahi
Published: June 2021

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a form of idiopathic systolic heart failure which occurs during the end of pregnancy or the early post-partum in the absence of an identifiable etiology. The exact pathogenesis remains unknown, and the incidence is higher in African ancestry, multiparous and hypertensive women, or older maternal age. Delay in diagnosis is common, mainly because symptoms of heart failure mimic those of normal pregnancy. Echocardiography showing decreased myocardial function is at the center of the diagnosis. Management relies on the general guidelines of management of other forms of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy; however, special attention should be paid when choosing medications to ensure fetal safety. Outcomes can be variable and can range from complete recovery to persistent heart failure requiring transplant or even death. High rates of relapse with subsequent pregnancies can occur, especially with incomplete myocardial recovery. Additional research about the etiology, experimental drugs, prognosis, and duration of treatment after recovery are needed.
Rumination in Children with Social Anxiety Disorder: Effects of Cognitive Distraction and Relation to Social Stress Processing
Authors: Lidle Leonie Rabea , Schmitz Julian
Published: June 2021

According to cognitive models of social anxiety disorder (SAD), both anticipatory processing and post-event processing are core mechanisms in disorder maintenance leading to dysfunctional coping with social situations through negative self-evaluation and increased anxiety. To date, little is known about these processes during late childhood, a critical period for disorder development. Further, it remains unclear if dysfunctional rumination in children can be altered through psychotherapeutic interventions such as cognitive distraction. In the current study, children aged 9 to 13 years with SAD and age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HCs, each: n = 30) participated in an experimental laboratory social stress task while anticipatory processing, post-event processing, subjective anxiety, self-evaluations, and autonomic arousal (skin conductance level) were assessed. Further, the impact of a brief cognitive distraction intervention on post-event processing was assessed. Children with SAD reported more negative anticipatory and post-event processing compared to HC children. Further, negative anticipatory processing was associated with higher subjective anxiety and reduced subjective performance ratings during the social stress task. In the aftermath of the stressor, distraction led to reduced subjective anxiety in the group with SAD and lower autonomic arousal in all children but did not alter post-event processing. The current study suggests that both anticipatory and post-event processing already play a key role in the maintenance of SAD in childhood. While distraction may be beneficial in reducing prolonged subjective anxiety and autonomic arousal after social situations, more research on interventions targeting ruminative processes is needed.
On a Theorem by A.S. Cherny for Semilinear Stochastic Partial Differential Equations
Authors: Criens David , Ritter Moritz
Published: June 2021

We consider analytically weak solutions to semilinear stochastic partial differential equations with non-anticipating coefficients driven by a cylindrical Brownian motion. The solutions are allowed to take values in Banach spaces. We show that weak uniqueness is equivalent to weak joint uniqueness, and thereby generalize a theorem by A.S. Cherny to an infinite dimensional setting. Our proof for the technical key step is different from Cherny’s and uses cylindrical martingale problems. As an application, we deduce a dual version of the Yamada–Watanabe theorem, i.e. we show that strong existence and weak uniqueness imply weak existence and strong uniqueness.
Promoting education for sustainable development in the Maldives: Exploring the link between theory and practice
Authors: Di Biase Rhonda , Malatesta Stefano , Schmidt di Friedberg Marcella
Published: June 2021

This article explores the critical role of education in promoting sustainable development in the Maldives context. It presents the outcomes of a small-scale project, Playing with Solar, implemented in a small island school in collaboration with the island community. Because of the environmental and educational principles embedded in this project, it is presented as one that prioritizes sustainable development, actively engages with the community, and aligns with the key competencies underpinning the Maldives National Curriculum Framework. The Playing with Solar project is an example of transformative pedagogy aligned with sustainable development. By promoting problem-based learning, the project shows how key competencies and pedagogical principles can be operationalized in line with National Curriculum Framework syllabi that promote interdisciplinary learning, in contrast to textbook-based, transmission models of teaching.
Pursuing Collective Synchrony in Teams: A Regime-Switching Dynamic Factor Model of Speed Similarity in Soccer
Authors: Smith Daniel M. , Walls Theodore A.
Published: June 2021

Collective synchrony refers to the simultaneous occurrence of behavior, cognition, emotion, and/or physiology within teams of three or more persons. It has been suggested that collective synchrony may emanate from the copresence of team members, from their engagement in a shared task, and from coordination enacted in pursuit of a collective goal. In this paper, a regime-switching dynamic factor analytical approach is used to examine interindividual similarities in a particular behavioral measure (i.e., speed) in a collegiate soccer team. First, the analytical approach is presented didactically, including the state space modeling framework in general, followed by the regime-switching dynamic factor model in particular. Next, an empirical application of the approach is presented. Speed similarity (covariation in speed, operationalized in two ways: running cadence and distance covered) during competitive women’s soccer games is examined. A key methodological aspect of the approach is that the collective is the unit of analysis, and individuals vary about collective dynamics and their evolution. Reporting on the results of this study, we show how features of substantive interest, such as the magnitude and prevalence of behavioral similarity, can be parameterized, interpreted, and aggregated. Finally, we highlight several key findings, as well as opportunities for future research, in terms of methodological and substantive aims for advancing the study of collective synchrony.
Erhebungsinstrumente zur Erfassung der kommunalen Bewegungsumwelt älterer Menschen – eine systematische Betrachtung
Authors: Paulsen Lisa , Benz Lea , Vonstein Claudia , Bucksch Jens
Published: June 2021

Hintergrund und Ziel der Arbeit

Eine Analyse bewegungsförderlicher Verhältnisse in der Wohnumwelt ist für die Planung der kommunalen Bewegungsförderung für ältere Menschen unerlässlich. Der vorliegende Beitrag untersucht, welche Instrumente zur Messung baulicher und natürlicher Umweltdeterminanten, wie der Nutzung von Bewegungsmöglichkeiten (z. B. Grünflächen), zur Verfügung stehen und inwiefern sie auf die Zielgruppe Älterer durch kommunale Praktikerinnen und Praktiker der Prävention und Gesundheitsförderung anwendbar sind.

Material und Methoden

Im Rahmen einer selektiven Übersichtsarbeit wurden mittels systematischer Literaturrecherche in einschlägigen Datenbanken und Webseiten Instrumente zur Erfassung der kommunalen Bewegungsverhältnisse älterer Menschen anhand von vorab definierten Ein- und Ausschusskriterien identifiziert (z. B. Zielgruppe, Erfassung der Umwelt). Diese Tools wurden in einem nächsten Schritt anhand weiterer Kriterien, wie z. B. der Verfügbarkeit im deutschen Sprachraum, der Praktikabilität für die Kommune und der Testgüte, weiter unterteilt.

Ergebnisse

Insgesamt konnten 118 Tools identifiziert werden, welche sich den Kategorien Fragebögen, Audits und Bürgerbeteiligungsverfahren zuordnen lassen. Von diesen wurden 12 Instrumente als „vielversprechend“ eingestuft, die den Kriterien in besonderem Maße entsprachen.

Schlussfolgerung

Erhebungsinstrumente zur Messung zielgruppenspezifischer Aspekte der Bewegungsumwelt sind weitestgehend unbekannt und liegen nur in der Ausnahme für den deutschsprachigen Raum getestet vor. Zukünftige Studien sollten methodisch reliable und valide Messinstrumente einsetzen und diese für kommunale Praktikerinnen und Praktiker der Prävention und Gesundheitsförderung praktikabel gestalten.
Detached Concern und Wohlbefinden: berufliche Selbstwirksamkeit und Sinnerfüllung als vermittelnde psychische Ressourcen
Authors: Lampert B. , Hornung S. , Glaser J.
Published: June 2021

Ziel/Hintergrund.

Die Studie erforscht den Zusammenhang von Detached Concern (DC) als emotionsregulierende Ressource in der Interaktion mit Klienten, und dem subjektiven Wohlbefinden von Beschäftigten in der Humandienstleistung. Untersucht werden die vermittelnden Rollen von beruflicher Selbstwirksamkeit und Sinnerfüllung in der Arbeit als zentrale individuelle Arbeitsressourcen.

Fragestellung

Angenommen wird, dass eine empathische Arbeitsweise, welche die Klientenbeziehung in den Vordergrund stellt, sowie eine hinreichende persönliche Abgrenzung, vermittelt über erhöhte Selbstwirksamkeit und Sinnerleben zum Wohlbefinden beitragen.

Methode

Daten von N = 527 Beschäftigten im Gesundheits-, Lehr- und Sozialwesen entstammen einer querschnittlichen Online-Fragebogenstudie. Alle Konstrukte wurden mit validierten und reliablen Skalen erhoben. Die DC-Skala für Humandienstleistungsberufe unterscheidet empathische Anteilnahme und Abgrenzungsfähigkeit. Die statistische Auswertung erfolgte mittels SPSS und Process als getrennte sowie moderierte serielle Mediationsanalysen für die beiden DC-Komponenten.

Ergebnisse

Hypothesenkonform wurden positive Zusammenhänge zwischen DC und Wohlbefinden statistisch seriell über berufliche Selbstwirksamkeit und Sinnerfüllung vermittelt. Weiterhin konnte ein Interaktionseffekt der beiden DC-Komponenten auf die Selbstwirksamkeit im Rahmen der seriellen Mediation nachgewiesen werden.

Schlussfolgerungen

Beide DC-Komponenten erfüllen wichtige emotionsbezogene Funktionen, um im Arbeitsalltag mit Klienten Selbstwirksamkeit und Sinnhaftigkeit zu erleben. Diese Zusammenhänge können als förderliche Quelle für das Wohlbefinden wirksam werden. Bewusstseinsbildung und Training einer reflexiven DC-Haltung sollten in der Ausbildung von Dienstleistern integriert werden.
Evaluation of Allicin Against Alveolar Echinococcosis In Vitro and in a Mouse Model
Authors: Liu Chuanchuan , Fan Haining , Guan Lu , Ma Lan , Ge Ri-li
Published: June 2021

Purpose

At present, the chemotherapy for alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is mainly based on albendazole (ABZ). However, more than 20% of patients fail chemotherapy. Therefore, new and more effective treatments are urgently needed. Allicin has been reported to have antibacterial and antiparasitic effects. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the in vivo and in vitro efficacy of allicin against Echinococcus multilocularis (E. multilocularis).

Methods

The effects of allicin on protoscolex survival and structural changes were evaluated in vitro. The 4-week-old BALB/c male mice used for in vivo modelling underwent inoculation of E. multilocularis protoscoleces by intraperitoneal injection, followed by intragastric administration of allicin for 6 weeks. Then, the effects of allicin on lymphocyte subsets, metacestode growth and host tissue matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2)/MMP9 expression around metacestodes in mice were evaluated. The toxicity of allicin was further evaluated in vivo and in vitro.

Results

Att 40 μg/mL, allicin showed a killing effect on protoscoleces in vitro and treatment resulted in the destruction of protoscolex structure. Molecular docking showed that allicin could form hydrogen bonds with E. multilocularis cysteine enzymes. After 6 weeks of in vivo allicin treatment, the spleen index of mice was increased and the weight of metacestodes was reduced. Allicin increased the proportion of CD4+ T cells and decreased the proportion of CD8+ T cells in the peripheral blood and spleen. Pathological analysis of the metacestodes showed structural disruption of the germinal and laminated layers after allicin treatment. In addition, allicin inhibited the expression of MMP2 and MMP9 in metacestode-surrounding host tissues. At 160 μg/mL, allicin had no significant toxicity to normal hepatocytes but could inhibit hepatoma cell proliferation. At 30 mg/kg, allicin had no significant hepatorenal toxicity in vivo.

Conclusion

These results suggest that allicin exerts anti-E. multilocularis effects in vitro and in vivo and can enhance immune function in mice, with the potential to be developed as a lead compound against echinococcosis.
Automatic liver and tumor segmentation based on deep learning and globally optimized refinement
Authors: Hong Yuan , Mao Xiong-wei , Hui Qing-lei , Ouyang Xiao-ping , Peng Zhi-yi , Kong De-xing
Published: June 2021

Automatic segmentation of the liver and hepatic lesions from abdominal 3D computed tomography (CT) images is fundamental tasks in computer-assisted liver surgery planning. However, due to complex backgrounds, ambiguous boundaries, heterogeneous appearances and highly varied shapes of the liver, accurate liver segmentation and tumor detection are still challenging problems. To address these difficulties, we propose an automatic segmentation framework based on 3D U-net with dense connections and globally optimized refinement. Firstly, a deep U-net architecture with dense connections is trained to learn the probability map of the liver. Then the probability map goes into the following refinement step as the initial surface and prior shape. The segmentation of liver tumor is based on the similar network architecture with the help of segmentation results of liver. In order to reduce the influence of the surrounding tissues with the similar intensity and texture behavior with the tumor region, during the training procedure,I×liverlabelis the input of the network for the segmentation of liver tumor. By doing this, the accuracy of segmentation can be improved. The proposed method is fully automatic without any user interaction. Both qualitative and quantitative results reveal that the proposed approach is efficient and accurate for liver volume estimation in clinical application. The high correlation between the automatic and manual references shows that the proposed method can be good enough to replace the time-consuming and non-reproducible manual segmentation method.
Distress, anxiety, depression and unmet needs in thyroid cancer survivors: a longitudinal study
Authors: Dionisi-Vici Margherita , Fantoni Marta , Botto Rossana , Nervo Alice , Felicetti Francesco , Rossetto Ruth , Gallo Marco , Arvat Emanuela , Torta Riccardo , Leombruni Paolo
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Despite a good prognosis, thyroid cancer (TC) survivors often report psychological distress and decreased quality of life. This longitudinal study aims to evaluate TC survivors’ levels of distress, anxiety, depression and unmet needs, checking potential life events.

Methods

Distress Thermometer, Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, Supportive Care Need Survey (short form) and Interview for Recent Life Events were administered to 73 TC survivors (T0) and 44 of them were re-tested one year later (T1). Participants were at 0–5, 5–10 or >10 years from the end of their cancer-related treatments.

Results

At T0, distress, anxiety and depression mean scores were 6.4, 6.8 and 5.3, while at T1 they were 5.5, 4.8 and 5.1. Only anxiety scores decreased significantly between T0 and T1. 50.7% of patients had unmet psychological needs at T0 and 50.0% at T1. Most participants were satisfied in the communicative/ informative (T0:79.5%; T1: 77.3%) and social/health care areas (T0:74.0%; T1:75.0%). The most experienced stressful events detected concerned their working areas.

Conclusions

Results confirmed that patients reported distress, anxiety and depression concerns even many years after the end of treatments. Both medical and psychological surveillance are relevant to improving TC survivors’ wellbeing.