bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vorschlag zur Reform der Pflegeversicherung – Funktioniert die Soziale Marktwirtschaft noch?
Authors: Fetzer Stefan , Hagist Christian
Published: February 2021

Am 11.11.2020 veröffentliche Jens Spahn das Eckpunktepapier zur Reform der sozialen Pflegeversicherung. Die Autoren beleuchten die ordnungs- und verteilungspolitischen Implikationen vier zentraler Aspekte des Reformvorschlags: das Einfrieren des maximalen Eigenanteils bei der stationären Versorgung; die Verpflichtung der Länder, sich an den Investitionskosten der Pflegeheime zu beteiligen; den Einstieg in einen Steuerzuschuss zur Pflegeversicherung und den Ausbau der Kapitalfundierung in der Finanzierung zukünftiger Leistungsversprechen. Trotz Reformvorschlag bleiben aber weiterhin wichtige Fragen unbeantwortet.
Mapping tumour heterogeneity with pulsed 3D CEST MRI in non-enhancing glioma at 3 T
Authors: Warnert Esther A. H. , Wood Tobias C. , Incekara Fatih , Barker Gareth J. , Vincent Arnaud J. P. , Schouten Joost , Kros Johan M. , van den Bent Martin , Smits Marion , Tamames Juan A. Hernandez
Published: February 2021

Objective

Amide proton transfer (APT) weighted chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging is increasingly used to investigate high-grade, enhancing brain tumours. Non-enhancing glioma is currently less studied, but shows heterogeneous pathophysiology with subtypes having equally poor prognosis as enhancing glioma. Here, we investigate the use of CEST MRI to best differentiate non-enhancing glioma from healthy tissue and image tumour heterogeneity.

Materials & Methods

A 3D pulsed CEST sequence was applied at 3 Tesla with whole tumour coverage and 31 off-resonance frequencies (+6 to -6 ppm) in 18 patients with non-enhancing glioma. Magnetisation transfer ratio asymmetry (MTRasym) and Lorentzian difference (LD) maps at 3.5 ppm were compared for differentiation of tumour versus normal appearing white matter. Heterogeneity was mapped by calculating volume percentages of the tumour showing hyperintense APT-weighted signal.

Results

LDamide gave greater effect sizes than MTRasym to differentiate non-enhancing glioma from normal appearing white matter. On average, 17.9 % ± 13.3 % (min–max: 2.4 %–54.5 %) of the tumour volume showed hyperintense LDamide in non-enhancing glioma.

Conclusion

This works illustrates the need for whole tumour coverage to investigate heterogeneity in increased APT-weighted CEST signal in non-enhancing glioma. Future work should investigate whether targeting hyperintense LDamide regions for biopsies improves diagnosis of non-enhancing glioma.
New rules or old concepts? The golden jackal (Canis aureus) and its legal status in Central Europe
Authors: Hatlauf Jennifer , Bayer Kathrin , Trouwborst Arie , Hackländer Klaus
Published: February 2021

Conflicts have emerged due to range expansions of the golden jackal (Canis aureus) across Europe, characterized by their international conservation status and perceived impacts on livestock and native prey species. Most countries in Central Europe do not yet include the golden jackal in their national list of occurring, native species. Nevertheless, legal obligations arise as soon as golden jackals colonize a particular country. Legal implications of this range expansion were described in past studies from an international perspective. However, they left out specifics on the legal status within any particular country. Therefore, we examine the actual legal status within Central European countries, exemplifying the diverse federal and provincial laws. In particular, we assess the current conservation and hunting laws in Austria’s provinces and discuss them in the context of neighbouring countries to analyse implications for relevant authorities. We found substantial contrasts not only among provinces but also between direct neighbouring countries, impeding efforts for transboundary species conservation and leading to complications regarding the management of this species. Improved procedures for collecting records and hunting-bag data appear necessary for future species assessment on a European level and management on a local level. We recommend a more unified legal system but adjusted to actual golden jackal presence on the regional and cross-border level, combined assessment, or similar management strategies to minimize conflicts, reduce persecution, and clarify legal obligations.
Evaluation of subcarinal lymph node dissection and metastasis in transmediastinal radical esophagectomy
Authors: Shibamoto Jun , Fujiwara Hitoshi , Konishi Hirotaka , Shiozaki Atsushi , Ohashi Takuma , Kubota Takeshi , Shimizu Hiroki , Arita Tomohiro , Yamamoto Yusuke , Morimura Ryo , Kuriu Yoshiaki , Ikoma Hisashi , Okamoto Kazuma , Otsuji Eigo
Published: February 2021

Background

The aim of the present study was to evaluate subcarinal lymph node dissection in transmediastinal radical esophagectomy and subcarinal lymph node metastasis in patients with esophageal cancer.

Methods

Three hundred and twenty-three patients with primary esophageal cancer who underwent transmediastinal or transthoracic esophagectomy with radical two- or three-field lymph node dissection were retrospectively investigated. The clinicopathological characteristics of patients with subcarinal lymph node metastasis were analyzed in detail.

Results

The median of dissected subcarinal lymph nodes in transmediastinal and transthoracic esophagectomy groups was 6 and 7, respectively, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.12). Of all patients, 26 (8.0%) were pathologically diagnosed as positive for subcarinal lymph node metastasis, whereas only 7 (26.9%) of those with metastasis were preoperatively diagnosed as positive. In addition, all patients with subcarinal lymph node metastasis had other non-subcarinal lymph node metastasis. By univariate analysis, subcarinal lymph node metastasis was found in larger (≥ 30 mm) and deeper (T3/T4a) primary lesions (p = 0.02 and 0.02, respectively), but it was not found in 49 patients with the primary lesion located in the upper thoracic esophagus.

Conclusions

Subcarinal lymph nodes can be dissected in transmediastinal esophagectomy, almost equivalent to transthoracic esophagectomy. The tumor size, depth, and location may be predictive factors for subcarinal lymph node metastasis.
Free Eu(III) Determination by Donnan Membrane Technique with Electrochemical Detection: Implementation and Evaluation
Authors: Janot Noémie , Groenenberg Jan E. , Otero-Fariña Alba , Pinheiro José Paulo
Published: February 2021

The aim of this study was to develop an analytical method to determine free concentrations of Europium (Eu(III)) in natural waters. Europium(III) in solution was detected using cathodic stripping voltammetry after complexation with N-nitroso-N-phenylhydroxylamine (cupferron). Optimization of analytical parameters allowed us to detect nanomolar levels of Eu(III) in solution. Free Eu(III) in solution was measured using the Donnan membrane technique in which a natural solution (the “donor”, containing various ligands) is separated from a ligand-free solution (the “acceptor”) by a cation-exchange membrane. This membrane allows only non-colloidal cationic species to pass through it, and after an adequate time equilibrium is reached between both compartments. Total Eu(III) concentration can then be quantified in the acceptor solution and related to free Eu(III) in the natural sample. Due to its high valency, free Eu(III) tends to adsorb strongly to the cation-exchange membrane. In order to determine the physicochemical conditions minimizing this adsorption, we analyzed solutions of different Eu(III) and Ca(II) (as background ion) concentrations. Results showed that 100 mM of Ca(II) were necessary to make adsorption of Eu(III) onto the membrane negligible. The optimized setup was then used to quantify Eu(III) complexation in a Eu(III)-dissolved organic matter solution.
Associations Between Anxiety Symptoms and Health-Related Quality of Life: A Population-Based Twin Study in Sri Lanka
Authors: Nas Zeynep , Zavos Helena M. S. , Sumathipala Athula , Jayaweera Kaushalya , Siribaddana Sisira , Hotopf Matthew , Rijsdijk Frühling V.
Published: February 2021

Anxiety not only concerns mental wellbeing but also negatively impacts other areas of health. Yet, there is limited research on (a) the genetic and environmental aetiology of such relationships; (b) sex differences in aetiology and (c) non-European samples. In this study, we investigated the genetic and environmental variation and covariation of anxiety symptoms and eight components of health-related quality of life (QoL), as measured by the short form health survey (SF-36), using genetic twin model fitting analysis. Data was drawn from the Colombo Twin and Singleton Study (COTASS), a population-based sample in Sri Lanka with data on twins (N = 2921) and singletons (N = 1027). Individual differences in anxiety and QoL traits showed more shared environmental (family) effects in women. Men did not show familial effects. Anxiety negatively correlated with all eight components of QoL, mostly driven by overlapping unique (individual-specific) environmental effects in both sexes and overlapping shared environmental effects in women. This is the first study in a South Asian population supporting the association between poor mental health and reduced QoL, highlighting the value of integrated healthcare services. Associations were largely environmental, on both individual and family levels, which could be informative for therapy and intervention.
Towards ending the animal cognition war: a three-dimensional model of causal cognition
Authors: Starzak Tobias Benjamin , Gray Russell David
Published: February 2021

Debates in animal cognition are frequently polarized between the romantic view that some species have human-like causal understanding and the killjoy view that human causal reasoning is unique. These apparently endless debates are often characterized by conceptual confusions and accusations of straw-men positions. What is needed is an account of causal understanding that enables researchers to investigate both similarities and differences in cognitive abilities in an incremental evolutionary framework. Here we outline the ways in which a three-dimensional model of causal understanding fulfills these criteria. We describe how this approach clarifies what is at stake, illuminates recent experiments on both physical and social cognition, and plots a path for productive future research that avoids the romantic/killjoy dichotomy.
Transcriptomic and genomic variants between koala populations reveals underlying genetic components to disorders in a bottlenecked population
Authors: Tarlinton R. E. , Fabijan J. , Hemmatzadeh F. , Meers J. , Owen H. , Sarker N. , Seddon J. M. , Simmons G. , Speight N. , Trott D. J. , Woolford L. , Emes R. D.
Published: February 2021

Historical hunting pressures on koalas in the southern part of their range in Australia have led to a marked genetic bottleneck when compared with their northern counterparts. There are a range of suspected genetic disorders such as testicular abnormalities, oxalate nephrosis and microcephaly reported at higher prevalence in these genetically restricted southern animals. This paper reports analysis of differential expression of genes from RNAseq of lymph nodes, SNPs present in genes and the fixation index (population differentiation due to genetic structure) of these SNPs from two populations, one in south east Queensland, representative of the northern genotype and one in the Mount Lofty Ranges South Australia, representative of the southern genotype. SNPs that differ between these two populations were significantly enriched in genes associated with brain diseases. Genes which were differentially expressed between the two populations included many associated with brain development or disease, and in addition a number associated with testicular development, including the androgen receptor. Finally, one of the 8 genes both differentially expressed and with a statistical difference in SNP frequency between populations was SLC26A6 (solute carrier family 26 member 6), an anion transporter that was upregulated in SA koalas and is associated with oxalate transport and calcium oxalate uroliths in humans. Together the differences in SNPs and gene expression described in this paper suggest an underlying genetic basis for several disorders commonly seen in southern Australian koalas, supporting the need for further research into the genetic basis of these conditions, and highlighting that genetic selection in managed populations may need to be considered in the future.
Running an XR lab in the context of COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons learned from a Norwegian university
Authors: Garcia Estrada Jose , Prasolova-Førland Ekaterina
Published: February 2021

Universities and companies were not prepared to the changes introduced to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Norway. Universities had to switch to online teaching overnight. There is still uncertainty how measures to control the pandemic will keep affecting universities in the short and middle term. Such measures have consequences on how to carry out research that usually relies on students, researcher and volunteers using the equipment and applications. Our group carries out research on virtual/augmented/extended reality (VR/AR/XR) for immersive training and learning. This research often involves user studies. We had established procedures on how to use the equipment, carry out demonstrations and teaching for students, teachers and visitors, develop projects as part of bachelor and master projects and test new applications with volunteers. The measures taken by authorities to control the spread of the pandemic made it difficult or unfeasible to carry out some of those activities. In this paper we describe how our group and XR lab reacted after universities were closed to students’ presence in campus in March 2020. We present our actions to keep research ongoing, our evaluation of some of those actions and discuss how we had to change the way we operate our XR lab in order to continue teaching and research in the near future, under the assumption that restrictions due to the pandemic can be re-implemented at short notice. We propose procedures to run an XR lab in a manner that inspires visitors to feel safe and confident of using the equipment. Our contribution is the proposal of procedures to run an educational XR lab safely and contribute towards the conversation about how to carry out research involving users in XR under pandemic restrictions.
Identification of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma’ species in “huanglongbing” infected citrus orchards in the Caribbean
Authors: Luis-Pantoja Maritza , Paredes-Tomás Camilo , Uneau Youri , Myrie Wayne , Morillon Raphael , Satta Eleonora , Contaldo Nicoletta , Pacini Francesco , Bertaccini Assunta
Published: February 2021

“Huanglongbing” (HLB) is one of the most devastating diseases of citrus orchards worldwide. Samples from 183 citrus plants of different cultivars and rootstock/cultivar combinations, showing HLB symptoms in three Caribbean countries (Cuba, Jamaica, and Guadeloupe-France), were collected to verify the possible co-infection of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma’ and ‘Candidatus Liberibacter’ species. The 64% of the samples resulted positive to the ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ and the 27% to diverse ‘Ca. Phytoplasma’-related species, moreover about the 14% of the samples infected with ‘Ca. Liberibacter’ were also found positive to phytoplasmas, indicating the presence of mixed infection especially in the orchards located in Cuba. Moreover, in one of the samples from Jamaica mixed phytoplasma infection was detected. Moreover the detection of only phytoplasmas in 11 symptomatic citrus samples collected from Cuba and Guadeloupe without ‘Ca. Liberibacter’ detection, confirmed that the symptomatology cannot be the sole criterium to discriminate between the presence of the two pathogens, and molecular detection is necessary to identify single or mixed infections. Diaphorina citri insects collected from Cuba and Guadeloupe resulted infected with ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ confirming its active role in the dissemination of the pathogen. Only one insect of the Cicadidae family, collected in Guadeloupe, was found positive for phytoplasma presence. Considering that the phytoplasmas belonging to some ‘Candidatus species’ were detected in the three countries in different citrus varieties, a relevant role as phytoplasma reservoir can be attribute to citrus orchards.
Introducing urine-enriched biochar-based fertilizer for vegetable production: acceptability and results from rural Bangladesh
Authors: Sutradhar Ipsita , Jackson-deGraffenried Meredith , Akter Sayema , McMahon Shannon A. , Waid Jillian L. , Schmidt Hans-Peter , Wendt Amanda S. , Gabrysch Sabine
Published: February 2021

Improved agricultural practices that increase yields and preserve soils are critical to addressing food insecurity and undernutrition among smallholder farmer families. Urine-enriched biochar has been shown to be an accessible and effective fertilization option in various subtropical countries; however, it is new to Bangladesh. To better understand attitudes and experiences preparing and using urine-enriched biochar fertilizer, mixed-methods research was undertaken among smallholder farmers in northeastern Bangladesh in 2016/2017. In-depth interviews were conducted with 25 respondents who had compared the production of crops grown with biochar-based fertilizer to usual practice. In addition, in areas where trainings on biochar-based fertilization had been offered, 845 farmers were asked about their experience through a quantitative survey. Interview results indicated that cow urine-enriched biochar was favored over human urine because cow urine was perceived as clean and socially acceptable, whereas human urine was considered impure and disgusting. Respondents praised biochar-based fertilizer because it increased yields, cost little, was convenient to prepare with readily available natural materials, produced tastier crops, and allowed families to share their larger yields which in turn enhanced social and financial capital. Comparative field trials indicated a 60% yield benefit in both cabbage and kohlrabi crops. Challenges included uneven access to ingredients, with some respondents having difficulty procuring cow urine and biomass feedstock. The low social, health, and financial risk of adoption and the perceived benefits motivated farmers to produce and apply biochar-based fertilizer in their gardens, demonstrating strong potential for scale-up of this technology in Bangladesh.
Eco-efficiency and effectiveness evaluation toward sustainable urban development in China: a super-efficiency SBM–DEA with undesirable outputs
Authors: Long Liang-jun
Published: February 2021

Eco-efficiency, especially the total-factor eco-efficiency, measured by DEA models considering undesirable outputs, has been a popular instrument to evaluate sustainable development in recent years. However, sustainable development pursues not only high eco-efficiency which ensures that the utilization of natural resource and environment is in a sustainable way, but also good effectiveness which ensures that the development is in the right direction. In this paper, firstly, the efficiency of sustainable urban development is measured, i.e., measuring the eco-efficiency of 35 major cities in China during the period of 2011–2015 based on a super-efficiency SBM–DEA model with undesirable outputs and the Malmquist–Luenberger index is used to explore the dynamic change of eco-efficiency. Secondly, the effectiveness of urban development is measured by overall well-being including urban HDI and life satisfaction. Thirdly, a comprehensive analysis based on efficiency and effectiveness is conducted to evaluate sustainable urban development. The results indicate that: (1) the overall efficiency of 35 major cities in China as a whole is at a low level during the 12th five-year plan period, and the improvement of total-factor ecological productivity is mainly enhanced by technological progress. (2) With regarding to the effectiveness of urban development, Hangzhou, Jinan, Ningbo, Xiamen and Qingdao rank top five, while the cities with a high level of urban HDI like Guangzhou, Changsha and Beijing only rank in the middle due to a relatively low level of life satisfaction. (3) Based on efficiency and effectiveness, most of the cities perform with a low-level efficiency or poor effectiveness, only four cities including Qingdao, Changchun, Ningbo and Tianjin perform with a relatively high efficiency and good effectiveness. Finally, some implications and policy suggestions are proposed based on the above findings.
Knowledge as Justified True Belief
Authors: de Grefte Job
Published: February 2021

What is knowledge? I this paper I defend the claim that knowledge is justified true belief by arguing that, contrary to common belief, Gettier cases do not refute it. My defence will be of the anti-luck kind: I will argue that (1) Gettier cases necessarily involve veritic luck, and (2) that a plausible version of reliabilism excludes veritic luck. There is thus a prominent and plausible account of justification according to which Gettier cases do not feature justified beliefs, and therefore, do not present counterexamples to the tripartite analysis. I defend the account of justification against objections, and contrast my defence of the tripartite analysis to similar ones from the literature. I close by considering some implications of this way of thinking about justification and knowledge.
A Contextual Planck Parameter and the Classical Limit in Quantum Cosmology
Authors: Barrow John D. , Magueijo João
Published: February 2021

We propose that whatever quantity controls the Heisenberg uncertainty relations (for a given complementary pair of observables) it should be identified with an effective Planck parameter. With this definition it is not difficult to find examples where the Planck parameter depends on the region under study, varies in time, and even depends on which pair of observables one focuses on. In quantum cosmology the effective Planck parameter depends on the size of the comoving region under study, and so depends on that chosen region and on time. With this criterion, the classical limit is expected, not for regions larger than the Planck length, $$l_{P}$$

l
P

, but for those larger than $$l_{Q}=(l_{P}^{2}H^{-1})^{1/3}$$

l
Q

=

(

l

P

2

H

-
1

)

1
/
3

, where H is the Hubble parameter. In theories where the cosmological constant is dynamical, it is possible for the latter to remain quantum even in contexts where everything else is deemed classical. These results are derived from standard quantization methods, but we also include more speculative cases where ad hoc Planck parameters scale differently with the length scale under observation. Even more speculatively, we examine the possibility that similar complementary concepts affect thermodynamical variables, such as the temperature and the entropy of a black hole.
SR-B1 and CD10 combined immunoprofile for differential diagnosis of metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma and clear cell carcinoma of the ovary
Authors: Jiang Teng , Diao Xiaoli , Ding Meili , Niu Xiao , Wang Chao , Qi Yan , Jia Wei , Pang Lijuan , Hu Wenhao , Zou Hong , Li Feng
Published: February 2021

Both clear cell renal carcinoma (ccRCC) and clear cell carcinoma of the ovary (CCOC) have a clear cytoplasmic morphological feature, hence it is difficult to identify metastatic ccRCC and CCOC by morphology alone. At present, there are no effective immunohistochemical markers to distinguish between these two tumors. Studies have shown that the clear cytoplasm of ccRCC is mainly caused by cholesterol-rich lipids in the cytoplasm, while that of CCOC is due to the accumulation of cytoplasmic glycogen. Objective: to hypothesize that the scavenger receptor class B-type 1 (SR-B1) protein responsible for HDL cholesterol uptake may be differentially expressed in ccRCC and CCOC, and high CD10 expression in the renal tubular epithelium may assist in distinguishing between ccRCC and CCOC. Methods: effective immunohistochemical markers were applied in 90 cases of renal clear cell carcinoma and 31 cases of ovarian cancer to distinguish between the two types of tumors.Result: SR-B1 and CD10 expression is significantly higher in ccRCC than CCOC. Both SR-B1 and CD10 exhibited focal weak-medium intensity staining in CCOC, and their staining extent and intensity were significantly lower than ccRCC. The sensitivity and specificity of SR-B1 for identifying ccRCC were 74.4% and 83.9%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of CD10 for identifying CCOC were 93.3% and 80.6%, respectively. The combined SR-B1( +) CD10( +) immunoprofile supports the diagnosis of ccRCC with a specificity of 93.5%. The combined SR-B1(-) CD10(-) immunoprofile supports the diagnosis of CCOC with a specificity of 93.3%. Conclusions: our findings demonstrate that the combination of SR-B1 and CD10 immunoprofiling is a valuable tool for differential diagnosis of ccRCC and CCOC.
Screening for ATTR amyloidosis in the clinic: overlapping disorders, misdiagnosis, and multiorgan awareness
Authors: Nativi-Nicolau Jose N. , Karam Chafic , Khella Sami , Maurer Mathew S.
Published: February 2021

Amyloid transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis is a clinically heterogeneous and fatal disease that results from deposition of insoluble amyloid fibrils in various organs and tissues, causing progressive loss of function. The objective of this review is to increase awareness and diagnosis of ATTR amyloidosis by improving recognition of its overlapping conditions, misdiagnosis, and multiorgan presentation. Cardiac manifestations include heart failure, atrial fibrillation, intolerance to previously prescribed antihypertensives, sinus node dysfunction, and atrioventricular block, resulting in the need for permanent pacing. Neurologic manifestations include progressive sensorimotor neuropathy (e.g., pain, weakness) and autonomic dysfunction (e.g., erectile dysfunction, chronic diarrhea, orthostatic hypotension). Non-cardiac red flags often precede the diagnosis of ATTR amyloidosis and include musculoskeletal manifestations (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome, lumbar spinal stenosis, spontaneous rupture of the distal tendon biceps, shoulder and knee surgery). Awareness and recognition of the constellation of symptoms, including cardiac, neurologic, and musculoskeletal manifestations, will help with early diagnosis of ATTR amyloidosis and faster access to therapies, thereby slowing the progression of this debilitating disease.
An introduction to the special section on the Capability Approach to career guidance
Authors: Robertson Peter J. , Picard France
Published: February 2021

This editorial introduces readers to the Capability Approach to career guidance. It outlines the origins of the approach in the work of economist Amartya Sen, and explains some of its key concepts. The Capability Approach offers a way to think about freedom, justice and well-being that has great relevance to the concerns of career guidance. A brief summary is provided of scholarship adapting the Capability Approach for application to career research, policy and practice. Finally, the four papers in the special section (Egdell & Robertson; Joncas & Pilote; Skovhus; Fuertes et al.) are introduced.
β-Carotene extraction from Dunaliella salina by supercritical CO2
Authors: Ludwig Kristin , Rihko-Struckmann Liisa , Brinitzer Gordon , Unkelbach Gerd , Sundmacher Kai
Published: February 2021

This paper reports the results of supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) extraction of β-carotene from Dunaliella salina as potential alternative to conventional organic solvent extraction. In pilot-scale scCO2 experiments, the pressure, temperature, and co-solvent concentration were varied. The supercritical extraction at 500 bar, 70 °C, and 10 wt% ethanol as co-solvent yielded in the highly efficient pigment recovery of over 90%. Techno-economic assessment demonstrated higher energy consumption for the scCO2 extraction that was compensated by lower solvent costs. Thus, comparable pigment production costs to the reference extraction with n-hexane were estimated for the scCO2 process. Due to the green solvent properties of scCO2 and ethanol, this approach is highly promising for extraction of algal biomass in industrial scale.
Elevated ovarian pentraxin 3 in polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Pan Jiexue , Zhou Chengliang , Zhou Zhiyang , Yang Zuwei , Dai Tiantian , Huang Hefeng , Jin Li
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) plays a crucial role in cumulus expansion and fertilization. The ovarian PTX3 level in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) remains uncertain. In the present study, we investigated the follicular PTX3 levels and found the influence of reproductive hormones on ovarian PTX3 concentration.

Methods

This study was based on 204 healthy-weight women (102 PCOS and 102 normal ovulating subjects) undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). Follicular fluid (FF) was collected during oocyte retrieval. The PTX3 levels and other hormone levels in FF samples were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

The PTX3 level in the follicle was significantly higher in the healthy-weight PCOS women than controls. Positive correlations were found between ovarian PTX3 level and the existence of PCOS, cycle length, basal LH to FSH ratio and TT in serum, antral follicle count, and ovarian insulin and androgen level, and inverse correlations with the basal serum PRL and ovarian SHBG. In multivariant linear regression analysis, the presence of PCOS diagnosis, participants’ basal LH to FSH ratio, and ovarian androstenedione level were the main predictors of ovarian PTX3 level among the enrolled subjects.

Conclusion

Elevated ovarian PTX3 level supports the low-grade chronic inflammatory state in the follicles of PCOS. The existence of PCOS, disturbed pituitary gland, and ovarian hyperandrogenism might also be related to this state of low-grade chronic inflammation and could be a subject of further study.
The Ever-Increasing Array of Novel Inborn Errors of Immunity: an Interim Update by the IUIS Committee
Authors: Tangye Stuart G. , Al-Herz Waleed , Bousfiha Aziz , Cunningham-Rundles Charlotte , Franco Jose Luis , Holland Steven M , Klein Christoph , Morio Tomohiro , Oksenhendler Eric , Picard Capucine , Puel Anne , Puck Jennifer , Seppänen Mikko R. J. , Somech Raz , Su Helen C , Sullivan Kathleen E. , Torgerson Troy R. , Meyts Isabelle
Published: February 2021

The most recent updated classification of inborn errors of immunity/primary immunodeficiencies, compiled by the International Union of Immunological Societies Expert Committee, was published in January 2020. Within days of completing this report, it was already out of date, evidenced by the frequent publication of genetic variants proposed to cause novel inborn errors of immunity. As the next formal report from the IUIS Expert Committee will not be published until 2022, we felt it important to provide the community with a brief update of recent contributions to the field of inborn errors of immunity. Herein, we highlight studies that have identified 26 additional monogenic gene defects that reach the threshold to represent novel causes of immune defects.
Hormonal and Subjectively Perceived Stress of the Emergency Physicians of the Airborne Rescue Service
Authors: Braun Desiree , Theiler Lorenz , Brähler Elmar , Petrowski Katja
Published: February 2021

Due to their work activities, emergency physicians are regularly exposed to exceptional mental and physical situations. In order to prevent stress-related illnesses, the triggers of hormonal and subjectively perceived stress must be understood better. On a sample of emergency physicians from two air rescue services (N = 80), the cortisol awakening response (CAR) was determined on flight rescue days, clinic days, and days off. Pearson correlations showed significant connections between the CAR on flight rescue days and individual scales of the Trier Inventory for Chronic Stress (TICS) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The results indicate that a lower subjective stress level is associated with higher levels of hormonal stress. Stepwise regression analyses showed a significant influence of the number of professional years, subjectively perceived stress, pressure to succeed, and social isolation. The results suggest that the hormonal stress burden of emergency physicians is in a complex relationship with perceived strain.
Mixed Reality Visualization of Radiation Dose for Health Professionals and Patients in Interventional Radiology
Authors: Takata Takeshi , Nakabayashi Susumu , Kondo Hiroshi , Yamamoto Masayoshi , Furui Shigeru , Shiraishi Kenshiro , Kobayashi Takenori , Oba Hiroshi , Okamoto Takahide , Kotoku Jun’ichi
Published: February 2021

For interventional radiology, dose management has persisted as a crucially important issue to reduce radiation exposure to patients and medical staff. This study designed a real-time dose visualization system for interventional radiology designed with mixed reality technology and Monte Carlo simulation. An earlier report described a Monte-Carlo-based estimation system, which simulates a patient’s skin dose and air dose distributions, adopted for our system. We also developed a system of acquiring fluoroscopic conditions to input them into the Monte Carlo system. Then we combined the Monte Carlo system with a wearable device for three-dimensional holographic visualization. The estimated doses were transferred sequentially to the device. The patient’s dose distribution was then projected on the patient body. The visualization system also has a mechanism to detect one’s position in a room to estimate the user’s exposure dose to detect and display the exposure level. Qualitative tests were conducted to evaluate the workload and usability of our mixed reality system. An end-to-end system test was performed using a human phantom. The acquisition system accurately recognized conditions that were necessary for real-time dose estimation. The dose hologram represents the patient dose. The user dose was changed correctly, depending on conditions and positions. The perceived overall workload score (33.50) was lower than the scores reported in the literature for medical tasks (50.60) for computer activities (54.00). Mixed reality dose visualization is expected to improve exposure dose management for patients and health professionals by exhibiting the invisible radiation exposure in real space.
Conditions for CNT – Coated Textile Sensors Applied to Wearable Platforms to Monitor Limb Joint Motion
Authors: Kang Da-Hye , Lee Joo-Hyeon , Lee Jeong-Whan , Cho Hyun-Seung , Park Seon-Hyung , Lee Kang-Hwi , Kang Seung-Jin
Published: February 2021

Despite recent research on joint motion measurement to monitor human body movement, current measurement techniques and tools have significant limitations, including requiring large space for measurement and causing discomfort in test subjects wearing motion sensors. Our study aims, first, to develop carbon nanotube (CNT)-based textile joint motion sensors. Second, ours study aims to identify the most suitable CNT-based sensor structure and attachment method for use on a wearable platform during general exercise speeds. Lastly, we used these sensors on the human body, using sleeves and legs to find the most stable location, and we used the CNT-based sensor condition to monitor joint motions. We utilized our CNT-based sensor, which has proper elasticity as well as conductivity, and applied it to the elbow and knee joints. Based on the strain gauge principle, we monitored the variance of electric resistance that occurred when the CNT-based sensor was stretched due to limb motion. Our study tested 48 types of sensors. These sensors were applied to the CNT using different base knit textiles as well as different attachment methods, layers, sensor lengths, and sensor widths. The four most successful sensor types, which showed superior efficacy over the others in joint motion measurement, were selected for further study. These four sensors were then used to measure the elbow and knee joint motions of human subjects by placing them on different locations on sleeves and legs. The CNT knit textile sensors best suited to measuring joint motions are those with a double-layered CNT knit and 5 cm long × 0.5 cm or 1 cm wide sensors attached to a polyester¬-based knit using a welding method. The best position for the sensor to more stably monitor joint motions was the “below hinge position” from the elbow or knee hinge joint. Our study suggests an alternative strategy for joint-motion measurement that could contribute to the development of more comfortable and human-friendly methods of human limb motion measurement.
Practice in Information Technology Support for Fangcang Shelter Hospital during COVID-19 Epidemic in Wuhan, China
Authors: He Qian , Xiao Hui , Li Han-ming , Zhang Bei-bei , Li Cheng-wei , Yuan Fang-jian , Yu Sha-sha , Zhang Fang , Kong Ping
Published: February 2021

In confronting the sudden epidemic of COVID-19, China and other countries have been under great deal of pressure to block virus transmission and reduce death cases. Fangcang shelter hospital, which is converted from large-scale public venue, is proposed and proven to be an effective way for administering medical care and social isolation. This paper presents the practice in information technology support for a Fangcang shelter hospital in Wuhan, China. The experiences include the deployment strategy of IT infrastructure, the redesign of function modules in the hospital information system (HIS), equipment maintenance and medical staff training. The deployment strategy and HIS modules have ensured smoothness and efficiency of clinical work. The team established a quick response mechanism and adhered to the principle of nosocomial infection control. Deployment of network and modification of HIS was finished in the 48 hours before patient admittance. A repair hotline and remote support for equipment and software were available whenever medical workers met with any questions. No engineer ever entered the contaminated areas and no one was infected by the coronavirus during the hospital operation. Up to now, Fangcang shelter hospital is adopted by many regions around the world facing the collapse of their medical systems. This valuable experience in informatization construction and service in Wuhan may help participators involving in Fangcang shelter hospital get better information technology support, and find more practical interventions to fight the epidemic.
Training AI-Based Feature Extraction Algorithms, for Micro CT Images, Using Synthesized Data
Authors: Konnik Matthew , Ahmadi Bahar , May Nicholas , Favata Joseph , Shahbazi Zahra , Shahbazmohamadi Sina , Tavousi Pouya
Published: February 2021

X-ray computed tomography (CT) is a powerful technique for non-destructive volumetric inspection of objects and is widely used for studying internal structures of a large variety of sample types. The raw data obtained through an X-ray CT practice is a gray-scale 3D array of voxels. This data must undergo a geometric feature extraction process before it can be used for interpretation purposes. Such feature extraction process is conventionally done manually, but with the ever-increasing trend of image data sizes and the interest in identifying more miniature features, automated feature extraction methods are sought. Given the fact that conventional computer-vision-based methods, which attempt to segment images into partitions using techniques such as thresholding, are often only useful for aiding the manual feature extraction process, machine-learning based algorithms are becoming popular to develop fully automated feature extraction processes. Nevertheless, the machine-learning algorithms require a huge pool of labeled data for proper training, which is often unavailable. We propose to address this shortage, through a data synthesis procedure. We will do so by fabricating miniature features, with known geometry, position and orientation on thin silicon wafer layers using a femtosecond laser machining system, followed by stacking these layers to construct a 3D object with internal features, and finally obtaining the X-ray CT image of the resulting 3D object. Given that the exact geometry, position and orientation of the fabricated features are known, the X-ray CT image is inherently labeled and is ready to be used for training the machine learning algorithms for automated feature extraction. Through several examples, we will showcase: (1) the capability of synthesizing features of arbitrary geometries and their corresponding labeled images; and (2) use of the synthesized data for training machine-learning based shape classifiers and features parameter extractors.
Utilization of Waste Marble Dust in Poly(Lactic Acid)-Based Biocomposites: Mechanical, Thermal and Wear Properties
Authors: Lendvai László , Singh Tej , Fekete Gusztáv , Patnaik Amar , Dogossy Gábor
Published: February 2021

The aim of this present work was to study the applicability of waste marble dust (MD) in poly(lactic acid) (PLA)-based composites. Samples containing up to 20 wt% waste MD were prepared via melt blending. The attention was focused on the investigation of mechanical, morphological, thermal properties and the wear resistance of the PLA/MD composites. Regarding the mechanical properties, both the tensile and the flexural modulus improved remarkably, however, a slight loss was observed in strength and deformability. The impact toughness showed an increasing tendency up to 10 wt% MD loading, which was followed by a marginal decrease at higher concentration. With respect to the sliding wear rate, the composite with the highest MD content showed the best wear resistance. According to the DSC measurements, the MD hampered the chain mobility of PLA, thereby reducing the crystalline ratio. Overall, composites with improved properties were developed, while the reuse of waste MD is expected to reduce the production costs as well.
Survival, growth and photochemical efficiency of silver fir seedlings produced with different technologies
Authors: Robakowski Piotr , Pietrzak Tomasz , Kowalkowski Wojciech , Małecki Grzegorz
Published: February 2021

Forest tree seedling production technologies impact reforestation success determined with survival and quality of seedlings. Five Abies alba seedling production technologies were tested: (1) bare-root seedling, three years in the open (3/0); (2) bare-root seedling, two years under a shading net (40% of full light), a year in the open (2/g); (3) ball root seedling, two years under a shading net (40%), a year in the open (2/K); (4) bare-root seedling grown in an opening in a Norway spruce stand (3/Pic); (5) bare-root seedling, three years under Scots pine canopy (3/Pin). Silver fir seedlings acclimatized their growth rates to the common growing environment in relation to the seedling production technology used in the nurseries. The height and diameter at root collar were positively correlated with survival. The 3/Pic seedlings manifested the lowest survival and were lower than other seedlings in terms of height and photochemical efficiency. The needle photochemistry of seedlings growing two years in plantation was determined by their earlier acclimation to the nursery light conditions. The production technology determined the ability of A. alba seedlings to acclimatize to the natural environment. Ball root seedlings grown two years in shade and a year in the open (2/K) acclimatized better to the full light environment compared with bare-root seedlings produced in canopy shade, and they are likely more suitable to be planted after clearcutting.
Acculturation and Self-rated Health Among Asian Immigrants: The Role of Gender and Age
Authors: Kim Min Ju , Gorman Bridget K.
Published: February 2021

Using the 2002–2003 National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS), we examine the relationship between acculturation and poor-to-fair self-rated health (SRH) among Asian immigrants (N = 1639). Using latent class analysis, we construct a multidimensional measure of acculturation that considers dimensions of involvement in U.S. culture as well as attachment to Asian ethnic cultures and identify three classes of Asian immigrants: the assimilated, who most strongly adhere to U.S. culture; the integrated, who align with both U.S. and Asian ethnic cultures; and the separated, who are almost exclusively attached to Asian ethnic cultures. Logistic regression results revealed that among the pooled sample of Asian immigrant adults, the separated are significantly more likely to report poor-to-fair SRH than the assimilated. We then tested for gender and age differences in the acculturation–SRH relationship, and found that stratifying by gender yields noticeably different patterns. Among Asian immigrant women, the probability of reporting poor-to-fair SRH increases with age for the separated and the integrated, while it declines with age for the assimilated. Conversely, among Asian immigrant men, the probability of reporting poor-to-fair SRH increases most steeply with age for the assimilated, while it is shallower for the separated and the integrated. Future research should continue to develop a dynamic understanding of acculturation and examine its association with other health outcomes, including how these relationships differ across subsets of immigrant groups.
Large deviations for acyclic networks of queues with correlated Gaussian inputs
Authors: Zubeldia Martin , Mandjes Michel
Published: February 2021

We consider an acyclic network of single-server queues with heterogeneous processing rates. It is assumed that each queue is fed by the superposition of a large number of i.i.d. Gaussian processes with stationary increments and positive drifts, which can be correlated across different queues. The flow of work departing from each server is split deterministically and routed to its neighbors according to a fixed routing matrix, with a fraction of it leaving the network altogether. We study the exponential decay rate of the probability that the steady-state queue length at any given node in the network is above any fixed threshold, also referred to as the ‘overflow probability’. In particular, we first leverage Schilder’s sample-path large deviations theorem to obtain a general lower bound for the limit of this exponential decay rate, as the number of Gaussian processes goes to infinity. Then, we show that this lower bound is tight under additional technical conditions. Finally, we show that if the input processes to the different queues are nonnegatively correlated, non-short-range dependent fractional Brownian motions, and if the processing rates are large enough, then the asymptotic exponential decay rates of the queues coincide with the ones of isolated queues with appropriate Gaussian inputs.