bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The vaginal microbiome in women of reproductive age with healthy weight versus overweight/obesity
Authors: Allen Natalie G. , Edupuganti Laahirie , Edwards David J. , Jimenez Nicole R. , Buck Gregory A. , Jefferson Kimberly K. , Strauss Jerome F. ,   Vaginal Microbiome Consortium, Wickham Edmond P. , Fettweis Jennifer M.
Published: November 2021

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences between the vaginal microbiome of reproductive‐aged women with overweight and obesity (Ow/Ob) compared with healthy weight (HW).

Methods

In this case‐control study, a cohort of 367 nonpregnant women (18 to 40 years) with Ow/Ob (BMI ≥25 kg/m2) was case‐matched with 367 women with HW (BMI 18.0 to 24.9 kg/m2). The study was a secondary analysis of 16S rRNA vaginal microbiome surveys through the Vaginal Human Microbiome Study (VaHMP). Groups were matched on age, race/ethnicity, income, and nulliparity status.

Results

Mean age and BMI of Ow/Ob and HW groups were 26.8 versus 26.7 years and 37.0 versus 22.1 kg/m2, respectively. The overall vaginal microbiome composition differed between groups (PERMANOVA,p= 0.035). Women with Ow/Ob had higher alpha diversity compared with women with HW (Wilcoxon test, Shannon indexp= 0.025; inverse Simpson indexp= 0.026).Lactobacillus dominance (≥30% proportional abundance) was observed in a greater proportion of women with HW (48.7%) compared with Ow/Ob (40.1%;p= 0.026).

Conclusions

The vaginal microbiome differs in reproductive‐aged women with Ow/Ob compared with women with HW, with increased alpha diversity and decreased predominance ofLactobacillus. Observed differences in the vaginal microbiome may partially explain differences in preterm birth and bacterial vaginosis risk between these populations.
Organic Heterostructures with Indium‐Free Transparent Conductor Electrode for Optoelectronic Applications
Authors: Petre Gabriela , Stanculescu Anca , Girtan Mihaela , Socol Marcela , Breazu Carmen , Vacareanu Loredana , Preda Nicoleta , Rasoga Oana , Stanculescu Florin , Doroshkevich Aleksandr S.
Published: November 2021

Herein, the properties of the organic heterostructures with triple‐layer ZnO/Ag/ZnO as a replacement for ITO and mixed layer containing arylenevinylene oligomer (based on triphenylamine or carbazole) donor and nonfullerene (perylene diimide) acceptor mixed in the ratio 1:2 and the effect of a buffer layer of PEDOT‐PSS intercalated between triple layer and mixed organic layer are discussed. The UV−vis transmission and photoluminescence (PL) properties are investigated in correlation with the surface topography and reveal a good match between the absorption and emission domain, which can favor the generation of the charge carriers. The heterostructure with the mixed layer based on triphenylamine oligomer shows the widest absorption domain, and the PL spectra of the heterostructures realized with either triphenylamine or carbazole oligomer show peaks corresponding to the radiative decay of the donor and acceptor. The I−V characteristics in the dark indicate a slightly nonlinear behavior and the current is affected by the charge carriers recombination on the defects present in the thick mixed layer deposited by matrix‐assisted pulsed laser evaporation. The effect of the PEDOT‐PSS buffer layer on the electrical properties of the organic heterostructure with ZnO/Ag/ZnO electrode is also investigated.
A semiparametric risk score for physical activity
Authors: Cui Erjia , Thompson E. Christi , Carroll Raymond J. , Ruppert David
Published: November 2021

We develop a generalized partially additive model to build a single semiparametric risk scoring system for physical activity across multiple populations. A score comprised of distinct and objective physical activity measures is a new concept that offers challenges due to the nonlinear relationship between physical behaviors and various health outcomes. We overcome these challenges by modeling each score component as a smooth term, an extension of generalized partially linear single‐index models. We use penalized splines and propose two inferential methods, one using profile likelihood and a nonparametric bootstrap, the other using a full Bayesian model, to solve additional computational problems. Both methods exhibit similar and accurate performance in simulations. These models are applied to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and quantify nonlinear and interpretable shapes of score components for all‐cause mortality.
Accumulation of somatic mutations leads to genetic mosaicism in cannabis
Authors: Adamek Kristian , Jones Andrew Maxwell Phineas , Torkamaneh Davoud
Published: November 2021

Cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) is typically propagated using stem cuttings taken from mother plants to produce genetically uniform propagules. However, producers anecdotally report that clonal lines deteriorate over time and eventually produce clones with less vigor and lower cannabinoid levels than the original mother plant. While the cause of this deterioration has not been investigated, one potential contributor is the accumulation of somatic mutations within the plant. To test this, we used deep sequencing of whole genomes (>50×) to compare the variability within an individual cannabis cultivar Honey Banana plant sampled at the bottom, middle, and top. We called over six million sequence variants based on a reference genome and found that the top had the most by a sizable amount. Comparing the variants among the samples uncovered that nearly 600,000 (34%) were unique to the top while the bottom only contained 148,000 (12%), and middle with 77,000 (9%) unique variants. Bioinformatics tools were used to identify mutations in critical cannabinoid–terpene biosynthesis pathways. While none were identified as high impact, four genes contained more than double the average level of nucleotide diversity (π) in or near the gene. Two genes code for essential enzymes required for the cannabinoid pathway while the other two are in the terpene pathways, demonstrating that mutations were accumulating within these pathways and could influence their function. Overall, a measurable number of intraplant genetic diversity was discovered that could impact long‐term genetic fidelity of clonal lines and potentially contribute to the observed decline in vigor and cannabinoid content.
Dobutamine infusion without pericardiocentesis as a treatment for cardiac tamponade due to left atrial rupture in a dog
Authors: Isayama Noriko , Uchimura Yusuke , Maeda Erika
Published: November 2021

We describe the successful management of an obstructive shock case caused by cardiac tamponade following atrial rupture. The dog was an 11‐year‐old female chihuahua with a 1‐year history of mitral valve insufficiency. During a radiographic examination, the dog collapsed. We diagnosed a case of obstructive shock caused by cardiac tamponade following left atrial rupture, secondary to mitral valve regurgitation. After administration of atropine and dobutamine, the blood pressure stabilised. The dog regained consciousness and was discharged 96 hours after collapse. The use of dobutamine should be considered in selected obstructive shock cases and may reduce the high mortality rate associated with atrial rupture.
Deep learning in histopathology: A review
Authors: Banerji Sugata , Mitra Sushmita
Published: November 2021

Histopathology is diagnosis based on visual examination of tissue sections under a microscope. With the growing number of digitally scanned tissue slide images, computer‐based segmentation and classification of these images is a high‐demand area of research. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) constitute the most popular classification architecture for a variety of image classification problems. However, applying CNNs to histology slides is not a trivial task and has several challenges, ranging from variations in the colors of slides to excessive high resolution and lack of proper labeling. In this advanced review, we introduce the application of CNN‐based architectures to digital histological image analysis, discuss some problems associated with such analysis, and look at possible solutions.

This article is categorized under:

Application Areas > Health Care

Fundamental Concepts of Data and Knowledge > Big Data Mining

Technologies > Machine Learning
Rival records management models in an era of partial automation
Authors: Lappin James , Jackson Tom , Matthews Graham , Ravenwood Clare
Published: November 2021

Two rival records management models emerged during the 1990s. Duranti’s model involved moving records out of business applications into a repository which has a structure/schema optimised for recordkeeping. Bearman’s model involved intervening in business applications to ensure that their functionality and structure/schema are optimised for record keeping. In 2013 the US National Archives and Records Administration began asking Federal agencies to schedule important email accounts for permanent preservation. This approach cannot be mapped to either Duranti or Bearman’s model. A third records management model has therefore emerged, a model in which records are managed in place within business applications even where those applications have a sub-optimal structure/schema. This model can also be seen in the records retention features of the Microsoft 365 cloud suite. This paper asks whether there are any circumstances in which the in-place model could be preferable to Duranti and Bearman’s models. It explores the question by examining the evolution of archival theory on the organisation of records. The main perspectives deployed are those of realism and of records continuum theory. The paper characterises the first two decades of this century as an era of partial automation, during which organisations have had a general capability to automate the assignment of business correspondence to a sub-optimal structure/schema (that of their email system and/or other messaging system) but not to an optimal structure/schema. In such an era any insistence on optimising the structure/schema within which correspondence is managed may paradoxically result in a reduction in recordkeeping efficiency and reliability.
Patterns and Drivers of Emigration of the Turkish Second Generation in the Netherlands
Authors: de Jong Petra Wieke
Published: November 2021

Using unique longitudinal data from the Dutch population registers, this study investigates the patterns and drivers of emigration of the Turkish second generation born in the Netherlands between 1983 and 1992. Around 13% of the Turkish second generation in the research population emigrated during early adulthood, as compared to 6% of their peers without immigrant parents. Half of the Turkish second-generation emigrants who reported their destination country moved to Turkey, while the other half moved to other destinations, especially the Dutch neighbouring countries. Among the Turkish second generation, unemployment over the previous year was found to increase the likelihood of emigration for individuals with low or middle levels of education, whereas no support was found that higher educated individuals (either employed or unemployed) are more likely to emigrate. However, if high-skilled unemployed individuals of the Turkish second generation emigrated, they appeared more likely to select Turkey as their destination as compared to other (or unknown) destinations. International migration experiences during childhood, living at the parental home, and residing in neighbourhoods with a high share of co-ethnics were also associated with a higher chance of emigration to Turkey, whereas living in the Dutch border regions was associated with a higher chance of emigration to other destinations. Together, the findings indicate that the Turkish second generation has a higher chance to emigrate than their peers without immigrant parents, and that mechanisms specific to the second generation apply to the migration behaviour of this group.
Experimentally validated geometrically exact model for extreme nonlinear motions of cantilevers
Authors: Farokhi Hamed , Xia Yiwei , Erturk Alper
Published: November 2021

A unique feature of flexible cantilevered beams, which is used in a range of applications from energy harvesting to bio-inspired actuation, is their capability to undergo motions of extremely large amplitudes. The well-known third-order nonlinear cantilever model is not capable of capturing such a behaviour, hence requiring the application of geometrically exact models. This study, for the first time, presents a thorough experimental investigation on nonlinear dynamics of a cantilever under base excitation in order to capture extremely large oscillations to validate a geometrically exact model based on the centreline rotation. To this end, a state-of-the-art in vacuo base excitation experimental set-up is utilised to excite the cantilever in the primary resonance region and drive it to extremely large amplitudes, and a high-speed camera is used to capture the motion. A robust image processing code is developed to extract the deformed state of the cantilever at each frame as well as the tip displacements and rotation. For the theoretical part, a geometrically exact model is developed based on the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory and inextensibility condition, while using Kelvin–Voigt material damping. To ensure accurate predictions, the equation of motion is derived for the centreline rotation and all terms are kept geometrically exact throughout the derivation and discretisation procedures. Thorough comparisons are conducted between experimental and theoretical results in the form of frequency response diagrams, time histories, motion snapshots, and motion videos. It is shown that the predictions of the geometrically exact model are in excellent agreement with the experimental results at both relatively large and extremely large oscillation amplitudes.
Prevalence, risk factors and clinical characteristics of renal dysfunction in Chinese outpatients with growth simple renal cysts
Authors: Wu Qiaoru , Ju Chunhua , Deng Miaowen , Liu Xiaolong , Jin Zhongda
Published: November 2021

Background

Researchers have proved that simple renal cysts (SRCs) might be correlated with renal dysfunction, but it is still controversial. Thus, we conducted clinical research study with large sample size and long-term follow-up to clarify the relationship between SRCs and renal dysfunction.

Methods

A total of 571 SRCs patients in outpatients of nephrology department were included, we investigated the clinical characteristics of growth SRCs compared with non-growth SRCs, evaluated the incidence of renal dysfunction in SRCs and explored the risk factors of renal dysfunction in growth SRCs.

Results

The mean baseline age was 51.31 ± 14.37 years in the whole cohort, ranging from 19 to 79 years, and 57.6% of them were male. The median follow-up duration was 3 years, ranging from 1 to 10 years. In addition, the final maximum diameter increased 1 mm (2.74%) per year. Patients in growth SRCs group tented to have higher percentage of hypertension, hematuria, large cyst and multiple cysts compared with non-growth SRCs group. The prevalence of renal dysfunction was 15.6% after the follow-up, and the prevalence of renal dysfunction was about 10 times higher in growth SRCs group than non-growth SRCs group (23.3% vs. 2.4%). Renal dysfunction was significantly associated with age, female, total cholesterol, diastolic blood pressure, final maximum diameter and yearly change in maximum diameter in growth SRCs.

Conclusions

SRCs were closely related to the decline of renal function, we recommend close follow-up for growth SRCs.
Zur Anpassungsfähigkeit von Weiterbildungsanbietern in der Corona-Pandemie
Authors: Christ Johannes , Martin Andreas , Koscheck Stefan
Published: November 2021

Die Corona-Pandemie hat den Handlungskontext der Weiterbildungsanbieter in Deutschland unabhängig von deren Merkmalen und Eigenschaften kurzfristig verändert und diese zu zeitnahen Anpassungen ihres Angebotes gezwungen. Für die Wissenschaft bietet ein solcher exogener Schock die Gelegenheit zu untersuchen, inwiefern es den Weiterbildungsanbietern gelingt, sich einer grundlegend veränderten Situation anzupassen und welche Einrichtungsmerkmale dabei eine Rolle spielen. In dem Beitrag untersuchen wir die theoretisch begründeten Annahmen, dass die Ausgangslage der Weiterbildungsanbieter vor der Corona-Pandemie in Bezug auf die Nutzung digitaler Formate und Medien ein entscheidender Faktor für die kurzfristige Umstellung des Angebotes in der Pandemie war und dass sich insbesondere kommerzielle Anbieter besser an die veränderte Situation anpassen konnten. Auf der Grundlage von wbmonitor-Daten aus 2019 und 2020 testen wir die Hypothesen mit Dose-Response und Difference-in-Differences (DiD) Modellen. Die Ergebnisse deuten auf exogene Faktoren hin, die den Anpassungsleistungen Grenzen setzen.
Testing biological network motif significance with exponential random graph models
Authors: Stivala Alex , Lomi Alessandro
Published: November 2021

Analysis of the structure of biological networks often uses statistical tests to establish the over-representation of motifs, which are thought to be important building blocks of such networks, related to their biological functions. However, there is disagreement as to the statistical significance of these motifs, and there are potential problems with standard methods for estimating this significance. Exponential random graph models (ERGMs) are a class of statistical model that can overcome some of the shortcomings of commonly used methods for testing the statistical significance of motifs. ERGMs were first introduced into the bioinformatics literature over 10 years ago but have had limited application to biological networks, possibly due to the practical difficulty of estimating model parameters. Advances in estimation algorithms now afford analysis of much larger networks in practical time. We illustrate the application of ERGM to both an undirected protein–protein interaction (PPI) network and directed gene regulatory networks. ERGM models indicate over-representation of triangles in the PPI network, and confirm results from previous research as to over-representation of transitive triangles (feed-forward loop) in anE. coliand a yeast regulatory network. We also confirm, using ERGMs, previous research showing that under-representation of the cyclic triangle (feedback loop) can be explained as a consequence of other topological features.
Methodendebatten als Fachdebatten
Authors: Geier Andrea
Published: November 2021

Krisendiagnosen begleiten die Fachgeschichte der Germanistik seit Langem. Während manche Klagen zu Recht ignoriert werden können, weil sie ein immer gleiches Bullshitbingo wiederholen, mit dem insbesondere geisteswissenschaftliche Fächer zu kämpfen haben, fordern andere zu einer differenzierten und dabei wesentlich selbstkritischen Betrachtung auf. Die Frage nach der Bedeutung von Hermeneutik im Rahmen einer »Krise des Textverstehens« ist ein solcher Anlass, über Methoden- als Fachdebatten nachzudenken. In welchem Kontext steht aktuell eine Debatte um Hermeneutik? Welchen Status hat Methodenpluralismus? Ein Rückblick auf die Auseinandersetzung um die kulturwissenschaftliche Orientierung der Germanistik und ein Fokus auf Relevanzfragen einer Germanistik in gesellschaftlicher Digitalität führen zu einigen grundsätzlichen offenen Fragen, die Gegenstand einer disziplinären Selbstpositionierung sein sollten.
Hermeneutik heute – über den Sinn von flachem Lesen und halbem Verstehen
Authors: Schütte Andrea
Published: November 2021

Angesichts der Diagnose einer Krise des Textverstehens fragt der Beitrag nach dem Sinn eines oberflächlichen Lesens und halben Verstehens. Die funktionale Analyse zeigt, dass prozedurales Wissen ökonomischer ist als der Umgang mit sinnbefrachteten Wissensfigurationen. Dennoch ist davon auszugehen, dass abstrakte Sinnkonstruktionen, die auf eine intensive Auseinandersetzung mit dem Text hindeuten, nach wie vor ihren Platz haben, in Anbetracht der Massenuniversität in der Lehre aber in den Hintergrund treten.
Enuresis nocturna im Kindes- und Jugendalter
Authors: Sommer Vivienne , Holland-Cunz Stefan , Frech Martina
Published: November 2021

Das nächtliche Einnässen im Kindesalter ist ein häufiger Konsultationsgrund im kinderurologischen Alltag. Nach heutiger Ansicht sind psychische Probleme („die Seele weint“) meistens nicht ursächlich. Die Ätiologie ist multifaktoriell inklusive einer genetischen Prädisposition und bisher nicht im Detail geklärt. Aber für viele Familien ist dies eine belastende Situation, und sie kann das Selbstwertgefühl und psychische Wohlbefinden der Kinder und Jugendlichen deutlich beeinträchtigen.

Mit einer gründlichen kinderurologischen Anamnese, einem Trink- und Miktionsprotoll und körperlicher Untersuchung lassen sich kindliche Miktionsstörungen meistens gut differenzieren. Je nach Befund sind im Verlauf weitere Untersuchungen indiziert, insbesondere wenn eine organische Ursache vermutet wird. Wichtig hierbei ist, zu unterscheiden, ob es sich um eine isolierte monosymptomatische Enuresis nocturna handelt oder die Enuresis nocturna Ausdruck einer weiteren kindlichen Miktionsstörung ist (nichtmonosymptomatische Enuresis nocturna).

Die Therapie richtet sich nach den möglichen Ursachen und dem Wunsch der Patienten und deren Familien. Eine monosymptomatische Enuresis nocturna hat durchaus einen sehr hohen Grad an Selbstheilungstendenz ohne Therapie oder nur mittels einfacher Verhaltensmassnahmen. Bei Therapiewunsch stehen eine medikamentöse Behandlung und/oder eine Konditionierung durch einen Weckapparat zur Verfügung.

Sofern es sich um eine nichtmonosymptomatische Enuresis nocturna handelt, sind o. g. Therapien meistens frustran. Der therapeutische Ansatz hierbei ist je nach Ursache individuell und reicht von einfachen Verhaltensmassnahmen (z. B. bei Reifungsverzögerung der Blasenentwicklung) bis hin zu operativen Verfahren (z. B. bei posterioren Urethralklappen beim Knaben).
The labor market integration of immigrant women in Europe: context, theory, and evidence
Authors: Schieckoff Bentley , Sprengholz Maximilian
Published: November 2021

In this overview, we seek to provide a comprehensive resource for scholars of female immigrant labor market integration in Europe, to act both as a reference and a roadmap for future studies in this domain. We begin by presenting a contextual history of immigration to and within Europe since the Second World War, before outlining the major theoretical assumptions about immigrant women’s labor market disadvantage. We then synthesize the empirical findings from quantitative studies published between 2000 and 2020 and analyze how they line up with the theoretical predictions. We supplement the review with descriptive analyses using data from 2019, which expose any discrepancies between the current situation in European countries and the situation during the time periods considered in the reviewed studies. Our review has three main take-aways. First, the theoretically relevant determinants of immigrant women’s labor market integration are generally supported by empirical evidence, but the unexplained heterogeneity that remains in many cases between immigrant women and other groups on the labor market calls for more systematic and comprehensive investigations. Second, quantitative studies which take a holistic approach to studying the labor market disadvantages of immigrant women—and all the considerations related to their gender and nativity that this entails—are rare in this body of literature, and future studies should address this. Third, fruitful avenues for future contributions to this field include expanding on certain overlooked outcomes, like immigrant women’s self-employment, as well as geographic regions that until now have received little attention, especially by employing the most recent data.
Autonomous vehicles for micro-mobility
Authors: Christensen Henrik , Paz David , Zhang Hengyuan , Meyer Dominique , Xiang Hao , Han Yunhai , Liu Yuhan , Liang Andrew , Zhong Zheng , Tang Shiqi
Published: November 2021

Autonomous vehicles have been envisioned for more than 100 years. One of the first suggestions was a front cover of Scientific America back in 1916. Today, it is possible to get cars that drive autonomously for extended distances. We are also starting to see micro-mobility solutions, such as the Nuro vehicles for pizza delivery. Building autonomous cars that can operate in urban environments with a diverse set of road-users is far from trivial. Early 2018 the Contextual Robotics Institute at UC San Diego launched an effort to build a full stack autonomous vehicle for micro-mobility. The motivations were diverse: i) development of a system for operation in an environment with many pedestrians, ii) design of a system that does not rely on dense maps (or HD-maps as they are sometimes named), iii) design strategies to build truly robust systems, and iv) a framework to educate next-generation engineers. In this paper, we present the research effort of design, prototyping, and evaluation of such a vehicle. From the evaluation, several research directions are explored to account for shortcomings. Lessons and issues for future work are additionally drawn from this work.
Gain-of-function mutations of AtNHX1 suppress sos1 salt sensitivity and improve salt tolerance in Arabidopsis
Authors: Pabuayon Isaiah Catalino M. , Jiang Jiafu , Qian Hongjia , Chung Jung-Sung , Shi Huazhong
Published: November 2021

Soil salinity severely hampers agricultural productivity. Under salt stress, excess Na+ accumulation causes cellular damage and plant growth retardation, and membrane Na+ transporters play central roles in Na+ uptake and exclusion to mitigate these adverse effects. In this study, we performed sos1 suppressor mutant (named sup) screening to uncover potential genetic interactors of SOS1 and additional salt tolerance mechanisms. Map-based cloning and sequencing identified a group of mutants harboring dominant gain-of-function mutations in the vacuolar Na+/H+ antiporter gene AtNHX1. The gain-of-function variants of AtNHX1 showed enhanced transporter activities in yeast cells and increased salt tolerance in Arabidopsis wild type plants. Ion content measurements indicated that at the cellular level, these gain-of-function mutations resulted in increased cellular Na+ accumulation likely due to enhanced vacuolar Na+ sequestration. However, the gain-of-function suppressor mutants showed reduced shoot Na+ but increased root Na+ accumulation under salt stress, indicating a role of AtNHX1 in limiting Na+ translocation from root to shoot. We also identified another group of sos1 suppressors with loss-of-function mutations in the Na+ transporter gene AtHKT1. Loss-of-function mutations in AtHKT1 and gain-of-function mutations in AtNHX1 additively suppressed sos1 salt sensitivity, which indicates that the three transporters, SOS1, AtNHX1 and AtHKT1 function independently but coordinately in controlling Na+ homeostasis and salt tolerance in Arabidopsis. Our findings provide valuable information about the target amino acids in NHX1 for gene editing to improve salt tolerance in crops.
ESSM Position Statement on Surgical Treatment of Peyronie's Disease
Authors: Osmonov Daniar , Ragheb Ahmed , Ward Sam , Blecher Gideon , Falcone Marco , Soave Armin , Dahlem Roland , van Renterghem Koenraad , Christopher Nim , Hatzichristodoulou Georgios , Preto Mirko , Garaffa Giulio , Albersen Maarten , Bettocchi Carlo , Corona Giovanni , Reisman Yacov
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Patients with Peyronie's disease may experience significat distress. The choice of treatment depends on a variety of factors, including the stage of the disease, the presence of pain, severity and direction of the curvature, penile length and the quality of erectile function.

Aim

To review the evidence associated with surgical treatment of Peyronie‘s Disease and provide clinical recommendations on behalf of the European Society for Sexual Medicine. 131 peer-reviewed studies and systematic reviews, which were published from 2009 to 2019 in the English language, were included.

Methods

MEDLINE, Google Scholar and EMBASE were searched for randomized clinical trials, meta-analyses, open-label prospective and retrospective studies.

Main Outcome Measure

The panel provided statements on clinically relevant questions including patient involvement in the decision process, indications for surgery, choice of the approach, and the management of patient expectations. A comparison of the different grafts used in patients who have undergone plaque incision/excision and grafting in order to identify an ideal graft, has been carried out. The prevalence of postoperative complications has been summarized. Levels of evidence were provided according to the Oxford 2011 criteria and Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine recommendations.

Results

In order to allow shared decision making, a patient preoperative counselling regarding the pros and cons of each intervention is recommended. In particular, adverse effects of surgical treatments should be discussed to set realistic understanding and expectations of surgical outcomes and ultimately improve postoperative satisfaction rates. Surgical treatment should be only offered in the chronic phase of the condition, when the deformity and/or degree of erectile dysfunction, prevent patients from engaging in satisfying sexual interaction, or if the deformity is the cause of severe bother.

Conclusions

Current European Society for Sexual Medicine recommendations cover several aspects of Peyronie's disease treatment. These recommendations aim both to ensure patients and partners have accurate and realistic expectations of their treatment options, as well as to formulate algorithms to guide clinician management pathways.

Osmonov D, Ragheb A, Ward S et al, ESSM Position Statement on Surgical Treatment of Peyronie's Disease. Sex Med 2022;10:100459.
The Problems of Access: A Crip Rejoinder via the Phenomenology of Spatial Belonging
Authors: LAJOIE CORINNE
Published: November 2021

This essay denaturalizes the taken-for-granted meaning of ‘access’ and interrogates its role and lived meaning in ableist social worlds, with a focus on spaces of higher education. I suggest that legalistic approaches to access need ‘cripping’ by a disability framework. Currently, these approaches (1) miss the intersubjective sociality of being-in-the-world; (2) they prioritize a narrow conception of access focused on ‘physical’ access and ‘physical’ space (a typology I contest); (3) they approach access as frozen in time, rather than as a relational and temporally dynamic process (4); and, finally, they contribute to bureaucratizing and privatizing disability knowledge. I examine ‘access’ through the lens of belonging by asking how we orient ourselves in spaces shaped by oppressive social norms. I argue that ableist lifeworlds generate serious disorientations for disabled people that are lasting, structurally enforced, and harmful or debilitating.
Sparse regular variation
Authors: Meyer Nicolas , Wintenberger Olivier
Published: November 2021

Regular variation provides a convenient theoretical framework for studying large events. In the multivariate setting, the spectral measure characterizes the dependence structure of the extremes. This measure gathers information on the localization of extreme events and often has sparse support since severe events do not simultaneously occur in all directions. However, it is defined through weak convergence, which does not provide a natural way to capture this sparsity structure. In this paper, we introduce the notion of sparse regular variation, which makes it possible to better learn the dependence structure of extreme events. This concept is based on the Euclidean projection onto the simplex, for which efficient algorithms are known. We prove that under mild assumptions sparse regular variation and regular variation are equivalent notions, and we establish several results for sparsely regularly varying random vectors.
Fast Fashion for 2030: Using the Pattern of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to Cut a More Gender-Just Fashion Sector
Authors: Vijeyarasa Ramona , Liu Mark
Published: November 2021

The 2013 collapse of the Rana Plaza in Bangladesh brought global visibility to the human rights abuses experienced by women workers in the garment sector. As the spotlight on this incident dims, the need to hold the fashion sector accountable remains. In this article, we suggest that greater accountability could be achieved through the application of a human rights-informed understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to promote gender justice in the sector. By drawing on international women’s rights law and sustainable fashion, we demonstrate how sustainability and gender justice are intimately connected, and illustrate what role the SDGs can play in promoting sustainable outcomes that are gender-just. The article unpacks concepts such as sustainability, the circular economy, social responsibility, and ethical fashion, and places the experiences of women workers within this context. Its principal contribution is a set of six requirements to ensure a gender perspective to the fashion industry’s role in implementing the SDGs.
Insights from the evaluations of the NIH Centers for Accelerated Innovation and Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hubs programs
Authors: Anderson Benjamin J. , Leonchuk Olena , O’Connor Alan C. , Shaw Brooke K. , Walsh Amanda C.
Published: November 2021

Background:

The National Institutes of Health launched the NIH Centers for Accelerated Innovation and the Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hubs programs to develop approaches and strategies to promote academic entrepreneurship and translate research discoveries into products and tools to help patients. The two programs collectively funded 11 sites at individual research institutions or consortia of institutions around the United States. Sites provided funding, project management, and coaching to funded investigators and commercialization education programs open to their research communities.

Methods:

We implemented an evaluation program that included longitudinal tracking of funded technology development projects and commercialization outcomes; interviews with site teams, funded investigators, and relevant institutional and innovation ecosystem stakeholders and analysis and review of administrative data.

Results:

As of May 2021, interim results for 366 funded projects show that technologies have received nearly $1.7 billion in follow-on funding to-date. There were 88 start-ups formed, a 40% Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer application success rate, and 17 licenses with small and large businesses. Twelve technologies are currently in clinical testing and three are on the market.

Conclusions:

Best practices used by the sites included leadership teams using milestone-based project management, external advisory boards that evaluated funding applications for commercial merit as well as scientific, sustained engagement with the academic community about commercialization in an effort to shift attitudes about commercialization, application processes synced with education programs, and the provision of project managers with private-sector product development expertise to coach funded investigators.
Assortment of kaempferol and zinc gluconate improves noise-induced biochemical imbalance and deficits in body weight gain
Authors: Akefe Isaac Oluwatobi , Ayo Joseph Olusegun , Sinkalu Victor Olusegun
Published: November 2021

This study investigated the effects of pretreatment with antioxidants, kaempferol, and zinc gluconate on serum biochemical changes and impairment in body weight gain following noise-exposure in Wistar rats. Thirty-five animals were evenly grouped into five cohorts: Groups II, III, IV, and V were exposed to noise stress, induced by exposing rats to 100 dB (4 hr/day) for 15 days, from days 33 to 48 after starting the drug treatments. Treatment with kaempferol and/or zinc mitigated noise-induced deficits in body weight gain, and levels of serum lipid and protein fractions. The combined treatment significantly (p < .05) decreased malondialdehyde concentration in kaempferol + zinc gluconate treated group, compared to the group administered deionized water + noise. This result demonstrates that biochemical dyshomeostasis and lipid peroxidation may be involved in the molecular mechanism underlying noise stress and the assortment of kaempferol and zinc gluconate produced an improved mitigating outcome in Wistar rats.
On the forward algorithm for stopping problems on continuous-time Markov chains
Authors: Miclo Laurent , Villeneuve Stéphane
Published: November 2021

We revisit the forward algorithm, developed by Irle, to characterize both the value function and the stopping set for a large class of optimal stopping problems on continuous-time Markov chains. Our objective is to renew interest in this constructive method by showing its usefulness in solving some constrained optimal stopping problems that have emerged recently.
On transform orders for largest claim amounts
Authors: Zhang Yiying
Published: November 2021

This paper investigates the ordering properties of largest claim amounts in heterogeneous insurance portfolios in the sense of some transform orders, including the convex transform order and the star order. It is shown that the largest claim amount from a set of independent and heterogeneous exponential claims is more skewed than that from a set of independent and homogeneous exponential claims in the sense of the convex transform order. As a result, a lower bound for the coefficient of variation of the largest claim amount is established without any restrictions on the parameters of the distributions of claim severities. Furthermore, sufficient conditions are presented to compare the skewness of the largest claim amounts from two sets of independent multiple-outlier scaled claims according to the star order. Some comparison results are also developed for the multiple-outlier proportional hazard rates claims. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate these theoretical results.
ON NON-COMPACT p-ADIC DEFINABLE GROUPS
Authors: JOHNSON WILL , YAO NINGYUAN
Published: November 2021

In [16], Peterzil and Steinhorn proved that if a group G definable in an o-minimal structure is not definably compact, then G contains a definable torsion-free subgroup of dimension 1. We prove here a p-adic analogue of the Peterzil–Steinhorn theorem, in the special case of abelian groups. Let G be an abelian group definable in a p-adically closed field M. If G is not definably compact then there is a definable subgroup H of dimension 1 which is not definably compact. In a future paper we will generalize this to non-abelian G.
Something Rather Than Nothing
Authors: Imaguire Guido
Published: November 2021

Peter van Inwagen (2001) has given a probabilistic answer to the fundamental question ‘why is there something rather than nothing?’: There is something, because the probability of there being nothing is 0. Some philosophers have recently examined van Inwagen's argument and concluded that it does not really work. Three points are central in their criticism: (i) the premise which states that there is only one empty possible world is false, (ii) the premise which states that all possible worlds have the same probability is not plausible and (iii) the argument is not significant for the question it sets out to answer. In this paper, I shall show that (i) even if there are many empty worlds, this does not necessarily invalidate the argument in its general lines, (ii) the examples they offer to support the intuition that possible worlds may have different probabilities fail, and (iii) even if the conclusion of the argument does not really answer the question van Inwagen sets out to answer, it is still not an insignificant response to the question.
Hippocampal volume and volume asymmetry prospectively predict PTSD symptom emergence among Iraq-deployed soldiers
Authors: Cobb Adam R. , Rubin Mikael , Stote Deborah L. , Baldwin Brian C. , Lee Han-Joo , Hariri Ahmad R. , Telch Michael J.
Published: November 2021

Background

Evidence suggests a link between smaller hippocampal volume (HV) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, there has been little prospective research testing this question directly and it remains unclear whether smaller HV confers risk or is a consequence of traumatization and PTSD.

Methods

U.S. soldiers (N = 107) completed a battery of clinical assessments, including structural magnetic resonance imaging pre-deployment. Once deployed they completed monthly assessments of traumatic-stressors and symptoms. We hypothesized that smaller HV would potentiate the effects of traumatic stressors on PTSD symptoms in theater. Analyses evaluated whether total HV, lateral (right v. left) HV, or HV asymmetry (right – left) moderated the effects of stressor-exposure during deployment on PTSD symptoms.

Results

Findings revealed no interaction between total HV and average monthly traumatic-stressors on PTSD symptoms b = −0.028, p = 0.681 [95% confidence interval (CI) −0.167 to 0.100]. However, in the context of greater exposure to average monthly traumatic stressors, greater right HV was associated with fewer PTSD symptoms b = −0.467, p = 0.023 (95% CI −0.786 to −0.013), whereas greater left HV was unexpectedly associated with greater PTSD symptoms b = 0.435, p = 0.024 (95% CI 0.028–0.715).

Conclusions

Our findings highlight the importance of considering the complex role of HV, in particular HV asymmetry, in predicting the emergence of PTSD symptoms in response to war-zone trauma.
Monetary reform under the Sufyanids: the papyrological evidence
Authors: Shaddel Mehdy
Published: November 2021

For the past fifty years, there has been a debate over whether the Umayyad caliph Muʿāwiya introduced a short-lived gold coinage in Syria. After reappraising the literary evidence, this study argues that an enigmatic phrase in a papyrus from this period constitutes evidence for state enforcement of the circulation of a new kind of gold coinage issued under Muʿāwiya. A die-study of the extant specimens of a peculiar imitation of Byzantine gold which has had its crosses effaced, and has been attributed to Muʿāwiya on the basis of the testimony of literary sources, confirms them to be the result of a large-scale, albeit ultimately unsuccessful, initiative. This demonstrates that, in addition to the east, there also existed a separate drive towards an expansion of the money supply in Syria-Egypt during the latter half of Muʿāwiya's caliphate, a development which testifies to a relatively substantial programme of state-building by the caliph.
Working Group 5: Molecular Spectra
Authors: Nicholls R.W.
Published: November 2021

Molecular spectroscopic activity, and its literature, has continued to proliferate strongly during the reporting period. There has been much work over the entire wavelength range: microwave - extreme ultraviolet. The impact of the methods of laser spectroscopy on the field, and developments in molecular lasers have continued to provide a great stimulus to molecular spectroscopic research. There has also been increasing recognition of the need for fundamental spectroscopic data of all kinds in astrophysical, atmospheric and enviromental research applications. The scope of contemporary interests is displayed in the programme books for the symposia on Molecular Spectroscopy held annually at the Ohio State University. For the past three years the literature of the molecular spectroscopy has been so prolific that it is impossible to make a definitive review even of the astrophysically important contributions beyond brief citations. Important trends are indicated below. Literature citations have been principally compiled from the reports received from individual workers in Centres of Research on molecular spectra.
Harnessing Incremental Answer Set Solving for Reasoning in Assumption-Based Argumentation
Authors: LEHTONEN TUOMO , WALLNER JOHANNES P. , JӒRVISALO MATTI
Published: November 2021

Assumption-based argumentation (ABA) is a central structured argumentation formalism. As shown recently, answer set programming (ASP) enables efficiently solving NP-hard reasoning tasks of ABA in practice, in particular in the commonly studied logic programming fragment of ABA. In this work, we harness recent advances in incremental ASP solving for developing effective algorithms for reasoning tasks in the logic programming fragment of ABA that are presumably hard for the second level of the polynomial hierarchy, including skeptical reasoning under preferred semantics as well as preferential reasoning. In particular, we develop non-trivial counterexample-guided abstraction refinement procedures based on incremental ASP solving for these tasks. We also show empirically that the procedures are significantly more effective than previously proposed algorithms for the tasks.
A Foucauldian Defense of the State: Blandine Kriegel and the État de Droit
Authors: Behrent Michael C.
Published: November 2021

This paper examines the career and thought of French political philosopher Blandine Kriegel (b. 1943) from the standpoint of the most striking paradox they present: though she was a student of Michel Foucault, who was famous for his critique of central role that political thinking has traditionally accorded the state, Kriegel has, since the mid-1970s, been one of the foremost champions of the concept of état de droit—the state as the embodiment of the “rule of law”—in French political debates. At a time when post-1968 critics of Marxism and totalitarianism (notably the so-called nouveaux philosophes) were arguing that states were inherently despotic, Kriegel mounted an original defense of the state, which, she argued, had played a central role in establishing legal rights that freed individuals from the “slavery” of civil society. She was able to do this, in part, by drawing on several suggestive elements found in Foucault's work: his concept of biopolitics, the claim that individuals and subjectivity are constituted through power relations, and the insight that war and sovereignty represent alternative ways of conceptualizing power. In this way, she used aspects of Foucault's political thought to arrive at a decidedly non-Foucauldian appreciation of the modern state.
Performance of the CYBERLEGs motorized lower limb prosthetic device during simulated daily activities
Authors: Ghillebert Jo , Geeroms Joost , Flynn Louis , De Bock Sander , Govaerts Renée , Lathouwers Elke , Crea Simona , Vitiello Nicola , Lefeber Dirk , Meeusen Romain , De Pauw Kevin
Published: November 2021

Background

The CYBERLEGs-gamma (CLs-ɣ) prosthesis has been developed to investigate the possibilities of powerful active prosthetics in restoring human gait capabilities after lower limb amputation.

Objective

The objective of this study was to determine the performance of the CLs-ɣ prosthesis during simulated daily activities.

Methods

Eight participants with a transfemoral amputation (age: 55 ± 15 years, K-level 3, registered under: NCT03376919) performed a familiarization session, an experimental session with their current prosthesis, three training sessions with the CLs-ɣ prosthesis and another experimental session with the CLs-ɣ prosthesis. Participants completed a stair-climbing-test, a timed-up-and-go-test, a sit-to stand-test, a 2-min dual-task and a 6-min treadmill walk test.

Results

Comparisons between the two experimental sessions showed that stride length significantly increased during walking with the CLs-ɣ prosthesis (p = .012) due to a greater step length of the amputated leg (p = .035). Although a training period with the prototype was included, preferred walking speed was significantly slower (p = .018), the metabolic cost of transport was significantly higher (p = .028) and reaction times significantly worsened (p = .012) when walking with the CLs-ɣ compared to the current prosthesis.

Conclusions

It can be stated that a higher physical and cognitive effort were required when wearing the CLs-ɣ prosthesis. Positive outcomes were observed regarding stride length and stair ambulation. Future prosthetics development should minimize the weight of the device and integrate customized control systems. A recommendation for future research is to include several shorter training periods or a prolonged adaptation period.