bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
k‐Space Domain Parallel Transmit Pulse Design
Authors: Ma Jun , Gruber Bernhard , Yan Xinqiang , Grissom William A.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

To accelerate the design of (under‐ or oversampled) multidimensional parallel transmission pulses.

Methods

A k‐space domain parallel transmission pulse design algorithm was proposed that produces a sparse matrix relating a complex‐valued target excitation pattern to the pulses that produce it, and can be finely parallelized. The algorithm was applied in simulations to the design of 3D SPINS pulses for inner volume excitation in the brain at 7 Tesla. It was characterized in terms of the dependence of computation time, excitation error, and required memory on algorithm parameters, and it was compared to an iterative spatial domain pulse design method in terms of computation time, excitation error, Gibbs ringing, and ability to compensate off‐resonance.

Results

The proposed algorithm achieved approximately 80% faster pulse design compared to the spatial domain method with the same number of parallel threads, with the tradeoff of increased excitation error and RMS RF amplitude. It reduced the memory required to store the design matrix by 99% compared to a full matrix solution. Even with a coarse design grid, the algorithm produced patterns that were free of Gibbs ringing. It was similarly sensitive to k‐space undersampling as the spatial domain method, and was similarly capable of compensating for off‐resonance.

Conclusions

The proposed k‐space domain algorithm accelerates and finely parallelizes parallel transmission pulse design, with a modest tradeoff of excitation error and RMS RF amplitude.
Proximal fibular nerve conduction studies to tibialis anterior: Optimal E2 (reference electrode) placement
Authors: Day Timothy J.
Published: November 2020

Background

Several E2 (reference electrode) positions are described for fibular (peroneal) nerve conduction studies to tibialis anterior (TA).

Methods

This study compared the contribution of different E2 sites to the TA motor response, using remote referential recordings and different bipolar montages.

Results

The medial knee contributes minimal electrical activity to the bipolar TA recordings, whereas tibial, ankle, and toe references resulted in very similar, moderate amplitude contributions consistent with far field potentials. These observations were very similar in controls and in patients with lower leg symptoms and signs.

Conclusions

Standard montages using distal leg or foot E2 sites result in lower amplitudes with distortion arising from the E2 electrode, compared with the TA‐Knee montage. Optimal measurement of the TA motor response is achieved using a medial knee reference, without compromising measures of fibular nerve conduction across the knee.
Challenges in the assessment of nursing students in clinical placements: Exploring perceptions among nurse mentors
Authors: Christiansen Bjørg , Averlid Gertrud , Baluyot Cynthia , Blomberg Karin , Eikeland Anne , Strand Finstad Ingrid Rachel , Holm Larsen Monica , Lindeflaten Katrin
Published: November 2020

Aim

The aim was to explore how nurse mentors experience the assessment of nursing students in clinical placements at hospitals and in municipal health care.

Design

The study is qualitative with an explorative and descriptive design.

Methods

Based on an interview guide, we conducted 19 individual qualitative interviews and four focus group interviews with nurse mentors from various levels and fields of nursing education at a Norwegian university.

Results

Feedback in and on action was an integrated part of the formative assessment. In the summative assessment, where the university lecturer also participates, the nurse mentors perceived their role as passive. A disturbing finding was that divergent views on the student's competence sometimes occurred in these situations, thus challenging the credibility of the student assessment. Perceptions of nursing values and concerns embedded in nursing practice as collective criteria appear to have an impact on the mentors’ assessment of the nursing students.
Bridewealth a Pardon: New Relationships and Restoration of Good Daughters
Authors: Neuendorf Nalisa
Published: November 2020

Bridewealth is recognized as vital in the reproduction and reconfiguration of Pacific environments and women play an integral role in this process. In contemporary Papua New Guinea (PNG), bridewealth is reconfigured by kin to acknowledge the considered actions of women as they enter into relationships with men. This paper will explore how women's choices impact and influence their experience of these exchanges and determine the role of women and their kin as they undertake these practices. Here I aim to understand how the social relatedness that frames bridewealth exchanges enables the practices of bridewealth to be used as a tool for recognition of women's choices, autonomy and personhood. Although women enter into relationships without initial kin approval, bridewealth practices converge ultimately with a women's autonomous choice of husband. Wardlow suggests (2006:86) 'bridewealth confers value and dignity on female gender', and going beyond her observation, I show that bridewealth has been useful in achieving this in regard to managing and supporting social, kin and affinal relationships. This article will explore two cases, to identify what each tells us about women's ability to act in ways that are beneficial to them and important to kin. I show how moral evaluations frame (pasin) and recognize (luksave) kin and social relationships that ultimately constitute their personhood.
Interplay between financial sector and institutional framework in the economic growth process of Kenya
Authors: Olaniyi Clement Olalekan , Oladeji Sunday Idowu
Published: November 2020

In line with the recent assertion that institutional quality matters in the way financial development influences economic growth in financial economics literature, this study examines the moderating role of institutional quality in the finance‐growth nexus in Kenya for the period 1986–2015. A fully modified ordinary least square (FMOLS) estimator is adopted to take care of endogeneity problem inherent in the relationship among the variables while error‐correction version of autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) technique is adopted to take care of short‐ and long‐run effects. The research outputs reveal that in the short‐run institutions and finance complement and reinforce each other to enhance growth, while institutional framework in Kenya constitutes a drain that leaks out the growth benefits of financial development in the long run. It is also found that the country majorly operates below the threshold level of institutional quality required to maximize the growth benefits of financial development. This study, therefore, concludes that institutional framework guiding the operations of financial system in Kenya should be strengthened so as to block loopholes and lapses that leak out the growth benefits of finance.

JEL CLASSIFICATION

D53; E02; N27; O43
Crime Prevention through Environmental Design in schools: Students' perceptions of safety and psychological comfort
Authors: Lamoreaux Daniel J. , Sulkowski Michael L.
Published: November 2020

This study assessed students' preferences and perceptions of physical safety and psychological comfort related to the use of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) in school facilities. Participants included middle and high school students (N = 900; 54% female) from four school districts in the U.S. Southwest. All participants contributed data electronically and a matched‐paired research design was used to assess students' preferences for physical safety and psychological comfort. Study results indicate that CPTED design strategies involving natural surveillance, access control, and territoriality/maintenance are perceived by students as being more physically safe and psychologically comfortable than designs devoid of CPTED strategies. Moreover, these preferences were found to be generally invariant to demographic differences among participants. Overall study findings indicate that use of CPTED strategies in school design has appeal to students and may ensure that they feel both safe and comfortable in school settings.
Predictors of longitudinal outcomes for children using long‐term noninvasive ventilation
Authors: Bedi Prabhjot K. , DeHaan Kristie , MacLean Joanna E. , Castro‐Codesal Maria L.
Published: November 2020

Background

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is a first‐line therapy for sleep‐related breathing disorders and chronic respiratory insufficiency. Evidence about predictors that may impact long‐term NIV outcomes, however, is scarce. The aim of this study is to determine demographic, clinical, and technology‐related predictors of long‐term NIV outcomes.

Methods

A 10‐year multicentred retrospective review of children started on long‐term continuous or bilevel positive airway pressure (CPAP or BPAP) in Alberta. Demographic, technology‐related, and longitudinal clinical data were collected. Long‐term outcomes examined included ongoing NIV use, discontinuation due to improvement in underlying conditions, switch to invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) or death, patient/family therapy declination, transfer of services, and hospital admissions.

Results

A total of 622 children were included. Both younger age and CPAP use predicted higher likelihood for NIV discontinuation due to improvement in underlying conditions (p < .05 and p < .01). Children with upper airway disorders or bronchopulmonary dysplasia were less likely to continue NIV (p < .05), while presence of central nervous system disorders had a higher likelihood of hospitalizations (p < .01). The presence of obesity/metabolic syndrome and early NIV‐associated complications predicted higher risk for NIV declination (p < .05). Children with more comorbidities or use of additional therapies required more hospitalizations (p < .05 and p < .01) and the latter also predicted higher risk for being switched to IMV or death (p < .001).

Conclusions

Demographic, clinical data, and NIV type impact long‐term NIV outcomes and need to be considered during initial discussions about therapy expectations with families. Knowledge of factors that may impact long‐term NIV outcomes might help to better monitor at‐risk patients and minimize adverse outcomes.
The visualization of the angular probability distribution for the angularTeukolsky equationwithm ≠ 0
Authors: Chen Chang‐Yuan , Sun Dong‐Sheng , Sun Guo‐Hua , Wang Xiao‐Hua , You Yuan , Dong Shi‐Hai
Published: November 2020

We present the exact solutions of the angular Teukolsky equation withm ≠ 0 given by a confluent Heun function. This equation is first transformed to a confluent Heun differential equation through some variable transformations. The Wronskian determinant, which is constructed by two linearly dependent solutions, is used to calculate the eigenvalues precisely. The normalized eigenfunctions can be obtained by substituting the calculated eigenvalues into the unnormalized eigenfunctions. The relations among the linearly dependent eigenfunctions are also discussed. When, the eigenvalues are approximately expressed asfor small|c|2but largel. The isosurface and contour visualizations of the angular probability distribution (APD) are presented for the cases of the real and complex valuesc2. It is found that the APD has obvious directionality, but the northern and southern hemispheres are always symmetrical regardless of the value of the parameterc2, which is real or imaginary.
Simulating X‐ray absorption spectra with complete active space self‐consistent field linear response methods
Authors: Helmich‐Paris Benjamin
Published: November 2020

In this work, two approaches for simulating X‐ray absorption (XA) spectra with the complete active space self‐consistent field (CASSCF) linear response (LR) method are introduced. The first approach employs the well‐known core‐valence separation (CVS) approximation, which is predominantly used by many other electronic structure methods for simulating X‐ray spectra. The second ansatz uses the harmonic Davidson algorithm for finding interior eigenvalues that lie close to a target excitation energy shift and virtually solves a shifted‐and‐inverted (S&I) generalized eigenvalue problem. LR‐CASSCF K‐edge transition energies are systematically blueshifted though have consistently smaller errors than those of the CAS or restricted active space (RAS) configuration interaction (CI) methods. For simple molecules at which the core hole can only be created at a single site, the state‐specific RASSCF or n‐electron valence second‐order perturbation theory/RASCI gave more accurate principal K‐edge excitation energies. If the core hole can be created at multiple sites, the LR‐CASSCF approaches perform much better than RASSCF. Moreover, we observed that the LR‐CASSCF variants were the only MR methods discussed here that predicted correctly the order of O K‐edge features in the ozone molecule and the permanganate ion. The peak separation of edge features in ozone was as accurate as with equation‐of‐motion coupled cluster singles and doubles. The error of the CVS approximation turned out to be very system dependent and in some cases amounted up to 1.0 eV for the K‐edge excitation energies. Those CVS errors are still acceptable if one considers the observed deviation from the experimental reference by 5–11 eV. The deviations made in the XAS intensities were even more pronounced. CVS and the full S&I oscillator strengths could differ even by a factor of 2.8. Since the S&I approach is at least as efficient as the LR‐CASSCF method for valence excitations, future endeavors to improve the accuracy by accounting for dynamic correlation could be built on top of the full S&I approach.
The linkages among natural resources, renewable energy consumption, and environmental quality: A path toward sustainable development
Authors: Zafar Muhammad Wasif , Saeed Asif , Zaidi Syed Anees Haider , Waheed Abdul
Published: November 2020

The role of education is inevitable in the process of societal reform and achieving sustainable development. Sustainable development remains unachievable without advancing the environmental quality. It is noteworthy to explore the relationship between natural resources, renewable energy consumption, and environmental quality. The current study analyzes the impact of renewable energy use, natural resources abundance, and education on environmental quality by controlling the role of financial development and economic growth within selected Asian countries from 1990 to 2018. The study focuses on second‐generation unit root and co‐integration methods that control the heterogeneity in the data. Empirical results inferred that any expansion in education rate and renewable energy enhances environmental quality. Natural resource abundance increases the level of carbon emissions. The results of Dumitrescu and Hurlin panel causality ensure a bidirectional link between financial development and emissions as well as renewable energy and emissions. The findings furnish important policy implications by furnishing empirical evidence from Asian countries.
Carbon Free Nanostructured Plate like WS2 with Excellent Lithium Storage Properties
Authors: Sengupta Shilpi , Kundu Manab
Published: November 2020

As an attractive family of anode material for lithium‐ion battery (LIB), transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) with high energy density has been emerging very fast. Among various TMDs, tungsten disulphide (WS2) with its intrinsically layered structure is a promising alternative anode candidate because of its high theoretical capacity. However, WS2 usually suffers from poor cycling stability due to its large volume change during lithiation and delithiation process. Herein, we have synthesized carbon free nanostructured plate like WS2 (NP‐WS2) by an easy one pot hydrothermal synthesis process. Without introducing any conducting carbonaceous materials, the P‐WS2 showing extraordinary lithium storage properties. At a C‐rate of C/8, the observed initial lithiation and delithiation capacities are 682.0 and 555.7 mAh g−1, respectively. During the cycling stability test at a rate of C/4, even after 200 cycles P‐ WS2 delivered high delithiation capacity of 380 mAh g−1. Even without incorporation of conducting carbonaceous materials, NP‐WS2 demonstrated extraordinary lithium storage performance which indicates its potential as an alternative high capacity anode material for lithium‐ion battery.
Water Extract of Lemon (WEL) as a Promoter: Green and Regioselective Synthesis of Alkyl‐4‐(1H‐indol‐3 yl)‐2‐alkyl‐4H‐chromene‐3‐carboxylates Using 4H‐chromenes and Indoles
Authors: Vasantha R.  , Lenin Dandamudi V , Rao L. Chandrashekhara , Satish Kumar Nandigama
Published: November 2020

An efficient, simple, green, regioselective and catalyst‐free synthesis of alkyl‐4‐(1H‐indol‐3yl)‐2‐alkyl‐4H‐chromene‐3‐carboxylates is disclosed by employing indoles and substituted chromene derivatives under mild reaction condition. This is a novel green methodology, simple, eco‐friendly and easy to operate. Biomass‐derived catalyst Water Extract of Lemon (WEL) was used as a promoter for this procedure. The methodology could be applicable for cost‐effective large scale production of alkyl‐4‐(1H‐indol‐3yl)‐2‐alkyl‐4H‐chromene‐3‐carboxylates in good to excellent yield.
Bifunctional Pd‐CeO2 Nanorods/C Nanocatalyst with High Electrochemical Stability and Catalytic Activity for the ORR and EOR in Alkaline Media
Authors: Meléndez‐González Perla C. , Sánchez‐Castro Esther , Alonso‐Lemus Ivonne L. , Pérez‐Hernández Raúl , Escobar‐Morales Beatriz , Garay‐Tapia Andrés M. , Pech‐Rodríguez Wilian J. , Rodríguez‐Varela Javier
Published: November 2020

The catalytic activity and electrochemical stability of Pd‐CeO2‐NR/C (CeO2‐NR: cerium oxide nanorods) for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) and the Ethanol Oxidation Reaction (EOR) is shown in alkaline media and compared to Pd/C. Evaluation of catalytic activity for the ORR in a Rotating Ring Disc Electrode (RRDE) set‐up, shows that Pd‐CeO2‐NR/C promotes the reaction with a percentage of hydrogen peroxide production (%H2O2) around 2–4 %, and an electron transfer number (n) close to 4. Tafel plots demonstrates higher mass and specific activities of Pd‐CeO2‐NR/C than Pd/C. Moreover, from cyclic voltammetry tests, Pd‐CeO2‐NR/C shows a higher mass catalytic activity (jm= 697 mA mg−1Pd) for the EOR at a more negative onset potential (Eonset= 0.29 V/RHE) than Pd/C. After Accelerated Degradation Tests (ADT), Pd‐CeO2‐NR/C retains ∼98 % of its Electrochemically Active Surface Area (ECSA), higher than ∼51 % of Pd/C. After ADT, the performance of Pd‐CeO2‐NR/C remains similar for the ORR, while it is significantly higher for the EOR, compared to Pd/C. Thus, the addition of CeO2‐NR enhances the electrocatalytic behavior and stability of Pd towards the ORR and the EOR.
Atom‐economical Approaches to 1,5‐Benzodiazepines Containing Indole Ring via Fe3O4@SiO2‐PTSA‐catalyzed Multi‐component Domino Reactions
Authors: Zhang KaiYue , Li Jing , Wang KaiXuan , An Xiaoying , Wang LanZhi
Published: November 2020

Four novel atom‐economical approaches for synthesis of 1,5‐dihydrospiro[benzo[b][1,4]diazepine‐2,3′‐indole] compounds via three‐component or four‐component domino reactions have been developed in the presence of a catalytic amount of magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4@SiO2‐PTSA) in ethanol, which provide an efficient one‐pot synthesis of 1,5‐benzodiazepines with multi‐ring system and functional groups containing indole, aryl, ester, acyl and alkyl groups in excellent yields. In a one‐pot operation, two new nitrogen heterocycle (indole and diazepine) rings and four new chemical bonds (one C−C, two C−N and one C=C) were constructed by series of domino reactions. Furthermore, plausible catalytic synthesis reaction mechanisms have been proposed. The advantages of these methods are the green reaction process, the recyclable magnetic catalyst, mild reaction conditions, short reaction time and high yields of products.
Synthesis, Docking and Antihypertensive Activity of Pyridone Derivatives
Authors: Masaret Ghada S.
Published: November 2020

A substituted 4‐((5‐cyano‐1‐ethyl‐2‐hydroxy‐4‐methyl‐6‐oxo‐1,6‐dihydropyridin‐3‐yl)diazenyl)benzene‐sulfonamides were picked up via coupling of aromatic Diazonium salt for sulfonamide derivatives on 3‐cyano‐6‐hydroxyl‐2‐pyridone derivative. The synthesized 4‐((pyridinyl)azo)benzene‐sulfonamide analogues have been evidenced through elemental and spectral analyses “FT‐IR, 1HNMR, 13CNMR and MS”. The produced derivatives were exposed to molecular docking to predict their antihypertensive activity toward protein databank identification number (PDB ID 6JP5) complexed with an amino acids consequent from the human Voltage‐dependent L‐type calcium channel (LCC) alpha‐1S subunit. The docking studies outcomes endorsed us to utilize these analogues in vivo antihypertensive effectiveness treatise. The Mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) of hypertensive rats injected by Dihydropyridine derivatives (DHPD) were evaluated in comparable with nifedipine that utilized as standard drug. Moreover, the vasorelaxant effectiveness of the synthesized derivatives 7 a–e were examined against the contraction induced by noradrenaline (0.1 mM, NA) on aorta rat rings.
Bayesian inference for polycrystalline materials
Authors: Matuk James , Chkrebtii Oksana , Niezgoda Stephen R.
Published: November 2020

Polycrystalline materials, such as metals, are composed of heterogeneously oriented crystals. Observed crystal orientations are modelled as a sample from an orientation distribution function (ODF), which determines a variety of material properties and is therefore of great interest to practitioners. Observations consist of quaternions, four‐dimensional unit vectors reflecting both orientation and rotation of a single crystal. Thus, an ODF must account for known crystal symmetries as well as satisfy the unit length constraint. A popular method for estimating ODFs nonparametrically is symmetrized kernel density estimation. However, disadvantages of this approach include difficulty in interpreting results quantitatively, as well as in quantifying uncertainty in the ODF. We propose to use a mixture of symmetric Bingham distributions as a flexible parametric ODF model, inferring the number of mixture components, the mixture weights, and scale and location parameters based on crystal orientation data. Furthermore, our Bayesian approach allows for structured uncertainty quantification of the parameters of interest. We discuss details of the sampling methodology and conclude with analyses of various orientation datasets, interpretations of parameters of interest, and comparison with kernel density estimation methods.
The Power of Collaborative Governance: The Case of South Korea Responding to COVID‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Choi Yon Jung
Published: November 2020

The COVID‐19 pandemic, the unprecedented global health crisis, has challenged the current systems of governance, both global governance and national governance. While the alleged “advanced” societies have shown their vulnerabilities and incompetence to deal with this crisis so far, a few countries have shown better ways of responding, in particular South Korea. In dealing with this kind of health crisis, criticism and praise can easily point to the national government and their policies, but rarely to the entire governance system and collaborative efforts of various actors. This article explores the synergy produced by the entire governance system participated in by various sectors, including both public and private ones, namely the collaborative governance, as an important factor of its more successful control of the epidemic compared with other countries.
Holographic spin liquids and Lovelock Chern-Simons gravity
Authors: Gallegos A.D. , Gürsoy U.
Published: November 2020

Abstract

We explore the role of torsion as source of spin current in strongly interacting conformal fluids using holography. We establish the constitutive relations of the basic hydrodynamic variables, the energy-momentum tensor and the spin current based on the classification of the spin sources in irreducible Lorentz representations. The fluids we consider are assumed to be described by the five dimensional Lovelock-Chern-Simons gravity with independent vielbein and spin connection. We construct a hydrodynamic expansion that involves the stress tensor and the spin current and compute the corresponding one-point functions holographically. As a byproduct we find a class of interesting analytic solutions to the Lovelock-Chern-Simons gravity, including blackholes, by mapping the equations of motion into non-linear algebraic constraints for the sources. We also derive a Lee-Wald entropy formula for these blackholes in Chern-Simons theories with torsion. The blackhole solutions determine the thermodynamic potentials and the hydrodynamic constitutive relations in the corresponding fluid on the boundary. We observe novel spin induced transport in these holographic models: a dynamical version of the Barnett effect where vorticity generates a spin current and anomalous vortical transport transverse to a vector-like spin source.
Human papilloma virus (HPV) prevalence upon HPV vaccination in Swedish youth: a review based on our findings 2008–2018, and perspectives on cancer prevention
Authors: Du Juan , Ährlund-Richter Andreas , Näsman Anders , Dalianis Tina
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Three human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines are available against up to nine HPV types. In Sweden, from 2012, Gardasil was offered to 10−12 year old girls through the school-based vaccination program, and as catchup vaccination for women up to 26 years. To obtain a baseline, and follow HPV vaccination effects, during 2008−2018, cervical and oral HPV prevalence were followed at a youth clinic in Stockholm, and in 2013 for comparison oral HPV prevalence was examined in high-school youth in a middle-sized county in Sweden.

Methods

In this review, we discuss all our data with cervical and oral mouthwash samples that were collected and tested for 24−27 HPV types by a bead-based multiplex assay from 2008.

Results

Compared with 2008−2011, with ~ 35% HPV16 and > 60% high risk (HR) HPV cervical prevalence at the youth clinic, a decrease of vaccine HPV types was observed between 2013 and 2018, with e.g., HPV16 falling to 5% in catchup vaccinated women and 15−18% in nonvaccinated women. Most common cervical HR-HPV types were HPV39, 51, 52, 56, and 59 together accounting for ~ 10% of cervical cancer, and where only HPV52 is included in Gardasil-9. At baseline 2009−2011, oral HPV prevalence was ~ 10% in unvaccinated youth at the youth clinic, but after 2013 it dropped to < 2% at the youth clinic and high schools.

Conclusion

To conclude, Gardasil HPV types have decreased, but it is still important to follow remaining HR-HPV types and cancer development, since there is an ongoing increase in the incidence of HPV-associated tonsillar and base of tongue cancer, and cervical cancer in Sweden.
Refractory neovascular age-related macular degeneration: time-dependent changes of central retinal thickness with anti-VEGF treatment
Authors: Zola Marta , D’Alessandro Elisa , Sherif Mohamed , Nguyen Audrey , De Azevedo Dominique , Haeller Céline , Forestier Edwige , Mantel Irmela
Published: November 2020

Purpose

To assess the influence of time interval since last injection and time from baseline on central retinal thickness (CRT) in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) with fluid refractory to monthly anti-VEGF treatment.

Methods

This retrospective study included nAMD eyes with incomplete response to anti-VEGF defined by the presence of intra- or subretinal fluid on optical coherence tomography despite maximal (monthly) anti-VEGF dosing. The outcome measure was CRT, and two time variables (time from last injection ant time from baseline) were the independent factors included in the individual correlation analyses. In addition, an association analysis was performed.

Results

Sixty eyes of 56 patients (67.9% females, mean age: 78.7 ± 6.8 years) were included with a mean included time period of 35.6 months. A significant positive correlation between CRT and the time from last injection occurred in 24 (40%) and 25 (42%) eyes by univariate and multivariate analysis, respectively. Time from baseline was significantly correlated with CRT in 29 (48.3%) and 30 (50%) eyes by univariate and multivariate analysis, respectively. This correlation was positive in 12 (20%) and negative in 18 eyes (30%). No association with such correlation was found.

Conclusion

So-called refractory nAMD frequently shows a correlation of CRT with the interval in days from the preceding anti-VEGF injection, revealing that there is a subgroup of short-term responsiveness of the residual fluid. Moreover, slower CRT changes may occur over the years, either decrease or increase. In case of a slow CRT increase, this might require a diagnostic workup and therapeutic change.
Hydrothermal mineral assemblages of calcite and dolomite–analcime–pyrite in Permian lacustrine Lucaogou mudstones, eastern Junggar Basin, Northwest China
Authors: Li Hong , Liu Yiqun , Yang Kang , Liu Yongjie , Niu Yuanzhe
Published: November 2020

The eastern Junggar Basin, controlled by continental extension (rift), was deposited by lacustrine dominated sediments during middle Permian Lucaogou period. An unusual porphyritic-like texture was observed in Lucaogou/Pingdiquan dark fine-grained organic-rich sediments in two sub-tectonic units in the basin. The “phenocrysts” are composed of two types of mineral assemblages. The first is a coarse euhedral calcite assemblage in the Jimusar Sag, and the second consists of dolomite, analcime, and pyrite in the Shishugou Sag. The lithological and mineralogical features indicate a hydrothermal origin for these phenocryst-like minerals. The chondrite-normalized rare earth element patterns show flat or positive Ce anomalies and negative Eu anomalies, which reflect a suboxic to anoxic, off-axis site from the center of the fault system, where the temperature of the hydrothermal fluid might be less than 250 °C. The high ratios of BaN/LaNat 1.6–65.5, strongly positive Sr anomalies at Sr/Sr* = 5.54–39.9, and relatively low87Sr/86Sr isotopes at 0.705002–0.705776 in the coarse calcite suggest an origin of mixed sources of lake water, underlying biogenetic sediments, and deep magmatic water. However, the low87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.705321–0.705968 in the dolomite and δ34SV-CDTof 10.8‰–12.3‰ in the pyrite indicate that water–underlying-rock interaction and the abiotic thermochemical sulfate reduction of lake water or organic matter might have participated together resulting in the precipitation of the dolomite–analcime–pyrite assemblages in the Shishugou Sag.
The impact of monitoring techniques on progression to chronic breast cancer-related lymphedema: a meta-analysis comparing bioimpedance spectroscopy versus circumferential measurements
Authors: Shah Chirag , Zambelli-Weiner April , Delgado Nicole , Sier Ashley , Bauserman Robert , Nelms Jerrod
Published: November 2020

Background

Chronic breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a potentially serious complication following treatment. Monitoring for progression to BCRL may allow for earlier detection and intervention, reducing the rate of progression to chronic BCRL. Therefore, the purpose of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the impact of monitoring techniques on the incidence of chronic BCRL among patients monitored by bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) and circumference as compared to background rates.

Methods

Eligible peer-reviewed studies from PubMed, CINHAL, or Google Scholar that were published in English from 2013 onward and conducted in North America, Europe, or Oceania. Incidence rates abstracted from studies were classified by BCRL monitoring method: background (no standardized BIS or circumference assessments), BIS or circumference. A random-effects model was used to calculate a pooled annualized estimate of BCRL incidence while accounting for clinical and methodological heterogeneity. Subgroup analyses examined differences in duration of follow-up as well as breast and axillary surgery.

Results

50 studies were included, representing over 67,000 women. The annualized incidence of BCRL was 4.9% (95% CI: 4.3–5.5) for background studies (n = 35), 1.5% (95% CI: 0.6–2.4) for BIS-monitored studies (n = 7), and 7.7% (95% CI: 5.6–9.8) for circumference-monitored studies (n = 11). The cumulative BCRL incidence rate in BIS-monitored patients was 3.1% as compared to 12.9% with background monitoring (69% reduction) and 17.0% with circumference-monitored patients (81% reduction).

Conclusions

Evidence suggests that monitoring with BIS allowing for early intervention significantly reduces the relative risk of chronic BCRL with a 69% and 81% reduction compared to background and circumference, respectively. Circumference monitoring did not appear to provide a benefit with respect to chronic BCRL incidence. Based on these results, BIS should be considered for BCRL screening in order to detect subclinical BCRL and reduce rates of chronic BCRL, particularly in high-risk patients.
If Artificial In Vitro Microenvironment Can Influence Tumor Drug Resistance Network via Modulation of lncRNA Expression?—Comparative Analysis of Glioblastoma-Derived Cell Culture Models and Initial Tumors In Vivo
Authors: Witusik-Perkowska Monika , Jaskólski Dariusz J. , Liberski Paweł P. , Szemraj Janusz
Published: November 2020

The tumor resistance of glioblastoma cells in vivo is thought to be enhanced by their heterogeneity and plasticity, which are extremely difficult to curb in vitro. The external microenvironment shapes the molecular profile of tumor culture models, thus influencing potential therapy response. Our study examines the expression profile of selected lncRNAs involved in tumor resistance network in three different glioblastoma-derived models commonly utilized for testing drug response in vitro. Differential expression analysis revealed significant divergence in lncRNA profile between parental tumors and tumor-derived cell cultures in vitro, including the following particles: MALAT1, CASC2, H19, TUSC7, XIST, RP11-838N2.4, DLX6-AS1, GLIDR, MIR210HG, SOX2-OT. The examined lncRNAs influence the phenomenon of tumor resistance via their downstream target genes through a variety of processes: multi-drug resistance, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, autophagy, cell proliferation and viability, and DNA repair. A comparison of in vivo and in vitro expression identified differences in the levels of potential lncRNA targets, with the highest discrepancies detected for the MDR1, LRP1, BCRP and MRP1 genes. Co-expression analyses confirmed the following interrelations: MALAT1–TYMS, MALAT1–MRP5, H19–ZEB1, CASC2–VIM, CASC2–N-CAD; they additionally suggest the possibility of MALAT1–BCRP, MALAT1–mTOR and TUSC7–PTEN interconnections in glioblastoma. Although our results clearly demonstrate that the artificial ex vivo microenvironment changes the profile of lncRNAs related to tumor resistance, it is difficult to anticipate the final phenotypic effect, since this phenomenon is a complex one that involves a network of molecular interactions underlying a variety of cellular processes.
The Local Provision of Restorative Justice in Scotland: an Exploratory Empirical Study
Authors: Maglione Giuseppe , Buchan Jamie , Robertson Laura
Published: November 2020

This article presents the results of the first empirical qualitative research on the provision of restorative justice (RJ) in Scotland, based on interviews with 14 practitioners. In Scotland, RJ has attracted the attention of penal reformers and practitioners since the late 1980s, offering an alternative to criminal justice practices based on retribution and/or rehabilitation whilst promising to reduce reoffending and heal people harmed by crime. In 2017, the Scottish Government has fully recognized the existence of RJ by issuing the first national ‘Guidance’ for the delivery of this process, followed by an ambitious ‘Action Plan’. In spite of such a long-lasting interest and recent policy recognition, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the organization and actual delivery of RJ in Scotland. In fact, research on this subject is scant, anecdotal and dated. This article addresses this knowledge gap by presenting original data on the provision of RJ within Scottish local authorities. The findings show similar understandings of RJ, context-specific organizational models and common systemic challenges characterizing RJ providers, generating evidence to critically assess recent Scottish policy on RJ, whilst drawing implications with relevance for the development of RJ across Europe.
Evidence of apple blotch resistance in wild apple germplasm (Malus spp.) accessions
Authors: Wöhner Thomas , Emeriewen Ofere Francis , Höfer Monika
Published: November 2020

Diplocarpon coronariae causes apple blotch, which results in significant economic losses. Resistance to apple blotch in commercial apple cultivars has not been reported in recent literature. The Malus germplasm collection from the Fruit Genebank of the Julius Kühn-Institut that is maintained in Dresden, Germany consists of 516 accessions of about 49 Malus species. This apple gene pool was evaluated for resistance to Diplocarpon coronariae. A four-year field survey was subsequently followed by artificial inoculation of field-selected accessions. Fifteen accessions that represent nine different species and hybrids were confirmed to be highly resistant following a repeated inoculation assay in the laboratory. The results from this investigation is of high interest to breeders for future apple breeding programmes and investigations of resistance to Diplocarpon coronariae.
Developing benthic monitoring programmes to support precise and representative status assessments: a case study from the Baltic Sea
Authors: Nygård Henrik , Lindegarth Mats , Darr Alexander , Dinesen Grete E. , Eigaard Ole R. , Lips Inga
Published: November 2020

Benthic habitats and communities are key components of the marine ecosystem. Securing their functioning is a central aim in marine environmental management, where monitoring data provide the base for assessing the state of marine ecosystems. In the Baltic Sea, a > 50-year-long tradition of zoobenthic monitoring exists. However, the monitoring programmes were designed prior to the current policies, primarily to detect long-term trends at basin-scale and are thus not optimal to fulfil recent requirements such as area-based periodic status assessments. Here, we review the current monitoring programmes and assess the precision and representativity of the monitoring data in status assessments to identify routes for improvement. At present, the monitoring is focused on soft-bottoms, not accounting for all habitat types occurring in the Baltic Sea. Evaluating the sources of variance in the assessment data revealed that the component accounting for variability among stations forms the largest proportion of the uncertainty. Furthermore, it is shown that the precision of the status estimates can be improved, with the current number of samples. Reducing sampling effort per station, but sampling more stations, is the best option to improve precision in status assessments. Furthermore, by allocating the sampling stations more evenly in the sub-basins, a better representativity of the area can be achieved. However, emphasis on securing the long-term data series is needed if changes to the monitoring programmes are planned.
A new taxonomy of global optimization algorithms
Authors: Stork Jörg , Eiben A. E. , Bartz-Beielstein Thomas
Published: November 2020

Surrogate-based optimization, nature-inspired metaheuristics, and hybrid combinations have become state of the art in algorithm design for solving real-world optimization problems. Still, it is difficult for practitioners to get an overview that explains their advantages in comparison to a large number of available methods in the scope of optimization. Available taxonomies lack the embedding of current approaches in the larger context of this broad field. This article presents a taxonomy of the field, which explores and matches algorithm strategies by extracting similarities and differences in their search strategies. A particular focus lies on algorithms using surrogates, nature-inspired designs, and those created by automatic algorithm generation. The extracted features of algorithms, their main concepts, and search operators, allow us to create a set of classification indicators to distinguish between a small number of classes. The features allow a deeper understanding of components of the search strategies and further indicate the close connections between the different algorithm designs. We present intuitive analogies to explain the basic principles of the search algorithms, particularly useful for novices in this research field. Furthermore, this taxonomy allows recommendations for the applicability of the corresponding algorithms.
Complicated pyelonephritis associated with chronic renal stone disease
Authors: Ciccarese Federica , Brandi Nicolò , Corcioni Beniamino , Golfieri Rita , Gaudiano Caterina
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This article reviews imaging manifestations of complicated pyelonephritis associated with chronic renal stones disease, in particular xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) and emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN), as potential mimics of other renal diseases and malignances and provides helpful tips and differentiating features that may alert the radiologist to suspect a diagnosis of infection.

Materials and methods

A retrospective review of the records from 6 adult patients (5 females and 1 male, mean age 72,3 years) with diagnosis of XGP associated with chronic nephrolithiasis and 7 adult patients (6 females and 1 male, mean age 59,3 years) with diagnosis of EPN associated with chronic nephrolithiasis from January 2010 to January 2020 was carried out. Computed tomography urography (CTU) with at least an unenhanced scan, and the parenchymal and excretory phases after contrast medium administration performed at our Teaching Hospital were included. When available images related to conventional radiography, ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging of the same patients, the comparison with CTU images was carried out.

Conclusion

A possible diagnosis of XGP or EPN must always be taken into account when a pyelonephritis is associated with untreated kidney stones, especially whenever clinical presentation is atypical, current therapy is not effective and imaging shows features of dubious interpretation. Due to their rarity and atypical presentation, a multidisciplinary approach is required and an expert radiologist represents a key figure in the multidisciplinary team as he can help to differentiate between benign and malignant lesions and thus avoid unnecessary radical surgical procedures.
Paleoenvironment and organic matter enrichment of the Carboniferous volcanic-related source rocks in the Malang Sag, Santanghu Basin, NW China
Authors: Li Tian-Jun , Huang Zhi-Long , Chen Xuan , Li Xin-Ning , Liu Jun-Tian
Published: November 2020

Volcanic activity was quite frequent during the deposition of the Late Carboniferous Ha’erjiawu Formation in the Santanghu Basin. The petrology and organic and inorganic geochemical indicators were used to investigate hydrocarbon potential, paleoenvironmental conditions and organic matter enrichment of the mudstones. The results show that the oil generation capacity of the Ha’erjiawu Formation mudstones, which has abundant oil-prone organic matter (Type II kerogen with hydrogen index values mainly ranging from 250 to 550 mg HC/g TOC) in mature stage (Tmax values mainly ranging from 435 to 450 °C), is considerable. The Ha’erjiawu Formation was deposited in a dysoxic, freshwater-mildly brackish, and warm-humid environment. During its deposition, the Ha’erjiawu Formation received hydrothermal inputs. The volcanic hydrothermal activities played an important role in the organic matter enrichment. In addition, the total organic carbon (TOC) is significantly positively correlated with the felsic mineral content, but it is negatively correlated with the carbonate mineral content and C27/C29 ratios, indicating that terrigenous organic matter input also contributed to the primary productivity in the surface water. Therefore, the formation of the high-quality source rocks in the Ha’erjiawu Formation was jointly affected by the hydrothermal activity and the terrigenous organic matter input.
Raising awareness of the cultural, architectural, and perceptive values of historic gardens and related landscapes: panoramic cones and multi-temporal data
Authors: Cazzani Alberta , Zerbi Carlotta Maria , Brumana Raffaella , Lobovikov-Katz Anna
Published: November 2020

Historic gardens and their related landscapes are often experienced only for their social, aesthetic, and environmental resources, yet their cultural, architectural, and perceptive significance is often ignored. The paper demonstrates how historic and educational values of historic gardens and related landscapes can be revealed by combining historic maps, reading perspective cones, and also applying advanced digital and educational methods and techniques. Historical maps, especially military and cadastral maps, associated with historical iconography, can provide us with a lot of information to study historical gardens and also to define conservation and valorization plans that are related to the history of the site: geomatics tools to georeference and co-relate metric and non-metric historical maps provide growing useful outputs, that can be deployed through the use of Virtual Hubs, boosting the availability of content and the accessibility of open data for policy makers, experts, and non-expert members. Moreover, they can also support heritage education programs providing the opportunity to allow to understand the wealth of sites now simplified, in their system, with different functions and with a transformed context. The study of historic gardens involves the analysis of the landscape in its dynamism and complexity, defines tools that make users more aware of the richness of our heritage.
Community detection based on similarities of communication behavior in IP networks
Authors: Zhang Shuzhuang , Zhang Yaning , Zhou Min , Peng Lizhi
Published: November 2020

Communities are an important feature of real-world networks that can reveal the structure and dynamic characteristics of networks. Accordingly, the accurate detection and analysis of the community structure in large-scale IP networks is highly beneficial for their optimization and security management. This paper addresses this issue by proposing a novel community detection method based on the similarity of communication behavior between IP nodes, which is determined by analyzing the communication relationships and frequency of interactions between the nodes in the network. On this basis, the nodes are iteratively added to the community with the highest similarity to form the final community division result. The results of experiments involving both complex public network datasets and real-world IP network datasets demonstrate that the proposed method provides superior community detection performance compared to that of four existing state-of-the-art community detection methods in terms of modularity and normalized mutual information indicators.