bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Focal pericoronary adipose tissue attenuation is related to plaque presence, plaque type, and stenosis severity in coronary CTA
Authors: Ma Runlei , van Assen Marly , Ties Daan , Pelgrim Gert Jan , van Dijk Randy , Sidorenkov Grigory , van Ooijen Peter M. A. , van der Harst Pim , Vliegenthart Rozemarijn
Published: April 2021

Objectives

To investigate the association of pericoronary adipose tissue mean attenuation (PCATMA) with coronary artery disease (CAD) characteristics on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).

Methods

We retrospectively investigated 165 symptomatic patients who underwent third-generation dual-source CCTA at 70kVp: 93 with and 72 without CAD (204 arteries with plaque, 291 without plaque). CCTA was evaluated for presence and characteristics of CAD per artery. PCATMA was measured proximally and across the most severe stenosis. Patient-level, proximal PCATMA was defined as the mean of the proximal PCATMA of the three main coronary arteries. Analyses were performed on patient and vessel level.

Results

Mean proximal PCATMA was −96.2 ± 7.1 HU and −95.6 ± 7.8HU for patients with and without CAD (p = 0.644). In arteries with plaque, proximal and lesion-specific PCATMA was similar (−96.1 ± 9.6 HU, −95.9 ± 11.2 HU, p = 0.608). Lesion-specific PCATMA of arteries with plaque (−94.7 HU) differed from proximal PCATMA of arteries without plaque (−97.2 HU, p = 0.015). Minimal stenosis showed higher lesion-specific PCATMA (−94.0 HU) than severe stenosis (−98.5 HU, p = 0.030). Lesion-specific PCATMA of non-calcified, mixed, and calcified plaque was −96.5 HU, −94.6 HU, and −89.9 HU (p = 0.004). Vessel-based total plaque, lipid-rich necrotic core, and calcified plaque burden showed a very weak to moderate correlation with proximal PCATMA.

Conclusions

Lesion-specific PCATMA was higher in arteries with plaque than proximal PCATMA in arteries without plaque. Lesion-specific PCATMA was higher in non-calcified and mixed plaques compared to calcified plaques, and in minimal stenosis compared to severe; proximal PCATMA did not show these relationships. This suggests that lesion-specific PCATMA is related to plaque development and vulnerability.

Key Points

• In symptomatic patients undergoing CCTA at 70 kVp, PCATMAwas higher in coronary arteries with plaque than those without plaque.

• PCATMAwas higher for non-calcified and mixed plaques compared to calcified plaques, and for minimal stenosis compared to severe stenosis.

• In contrast to PCATMAmeasurement of the proximal vessels, lesion-specific PCATMAshowed clear relationships with plaque presence and stenosis degree.
Olfactory training with Aromastics: olfactory and cognitive effects
Authors: Oleszkiewicz Anna , Bottesi Laura , Pieniak Michal , Fujita Shuji , Krasteva Nadejda , Nelles Gabriele , Hummel Thomas
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The olfactory system can be successfully rehabilitated with regular, intermittent stimulation during multiple daily exposures to selected sets of odors, i.e., olfactory training (OT). OT has been repeatedly shown to be an effective tool of olfactory performance enhancement. Recent advancements in studies on OT suggest that its beneficial effects exceed olfaction and extend to specific cognitive tasks. So far, studies on OT provided compelling evidence for its effectiveness, but there is still a need to search for an optimal OT protocol. The present study examined whether increased frequency of OT leads to better outcomes in both olfactory and cognitive domains.

Method

Fifty-five subjects (28 females; Mage = 58.2 ± 11.3 years; 26 patients with impaired olfaction) were randomly assigned to a standard (twice a day) or intense (four times a day) OT. Olfactory and cognitive measurements were taken before and after OT.

Results

OT performed twice a day was more effective in supporting olfactory rehabilitation and interventions targeted to verbal semantic fluency than OT performed four times a day, even more so in subjects with lower baseline scores.

Conclusions

OT is effective in supporting olfactory rehabilitation and interventions targeted to verbal semantic fluency. However, it may be prone to a ceiling effect, being efficient in subjects presenting with lower baseline olfactory performance and lower verbal semantic fluency.
A thermodynamically consistent quasi-double-porosity thermo-hydro-mechanical model for cell dehydration of plant tissues at subzero temperatures
Authors: Eurich Lukas , Schott Rena , Shahmoradi Shahla , Wagner Arndt , Borja Ronaldo I. , Roth-Nebelsick Anita , Ehlers Wolfgang
Published: April 2021

Many plant tissues exhibit the property of frost resistance. This is mainly due to two factors: one is related to metabolic effects, while the other stems from structural properties of plants leading to dehydration of their cells. The present contribution aims at assessing the impact of ice formation on frost-resistant plant tissues with a focus on structural properties specifically applied to Equisetum hyemale. In this particular case, there is an extracellular ice formation in so-called vallecular canals and the pith cavity, which leads to a dehydration of the tissue cells to avoid intracellular ice formation, what would be fatal for the cells and subsequently for the whole plant. To address the underlying phenomena in the plant, a coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical model based on the Theory of Porous Media is introduced as the modelling framework. The dehydration of the tissue cells is referred to as of quasi-double-porosity nature, since the water is mobile within the intercellular space, but confined to the cells in the intracellular space and consequently kinematically coupled to them. However, the mass exchange of water across the cell wall is considered. The presented numerical example shows the strong coupling of the underlying processes as well as the quasi-double-porosity feature. Finally, it supports the experimental finding of the vallecular canals as the main location of ice formation.
Extra-basal ganglia iron content and non-motor symptoms in drug-naïve, early Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Kim Minkyeong , Yoo Seulki , Kim Doyeon , Cho Jin Whan , Kim Ji Sun , Ahn Jong Hyun , Mun Jun Kyu , Choi Inyoung , Lee Seung-Kyun , Youn Jinyoung
Published: April 2021

Background

Although iron dyshomeostasis is associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD) pathogenesis, the relationship between iron deposition and non-motor involvement in PD is not fully understood. In this study, we investigated basal ganglia and extra-basal ganglia system iron contents and their correlation with non-motor symptoms in drug-naïve, early-stage PD patients.

Methods

We enrolled 14 drug-naïve, early-stage PD patients and 12 age/sex-matched normal controls. All participants underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging to obtain the effective transverse relaxation rate (R2*) and quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM). Deep brain structures, including the nucleus accumbens, caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus, thalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala, were delineated using the FSL-FIRST; the substantia nigra, red nucleus, and dentate nucleus were segmented manually. Inter-group differences in R2* and QSM values, as well as their association with clinical parameters of PD, were investigated.

Results

Substantia nigra and putamen R2* values were significantly higher in PD patients than in normal controls, despite no significant difference in QSM values. Regarding the non-motor symptom scales, PD sleep scale score negatively correlated with R2* values in the red nucleus and right amygdala, Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson’s disease-Autonomic scores were positively correlated with R2* values in the right amygdala and left hippocampus, and cardiovascular sub-score of Non-Motor Symptoms Scale for PD was positively associated with the QSM value in the left hippocampus.

Conclusion

In this study, iron content in the extra-basal ganglia system was significantly correlated with non-motor symptoms, especially sleep problems and dysautonomia, even in early-stage PD.
Economics of mental well-being: a prospective study estimating associated health care costs and sickness benefit transfers in Denmark
Authors: Santini Ziggi Ivan , Becher Hannah , Jørgensen Maja Bæksgaard , Davidsen Michael , Nielsen Line , Hinrichsen Carsten , Madsen Katrine Rich , Meilstrup Charlotte , Koyanagi Ai , Stewart-Brown Sarah , McDaid David , Koushede Vibeke
Published: April 2021

Background

Previous literature has examined the societal costs of mental illness, but few studies have estimated the costs associated with mental well-being. In this study, a prospective analysis was conducted on Danish data to determine 1) the association between mental well-being (measured in 2016) and government expenditure in 2017, specifially healthcare costs and sickness benefit transfers.

Methods

Data stem from a Danish population-based survey of 3,508 adults (aged 16 + years) in 2016, which was linked to Danish registry data. A validated scale (WEMWBS) was used for the assessment of mental well-being. Costs are expressed in USD PPP. A two-part model was applied to predict costs in 2017, adjusting for sociodemographics, health status (including psychiatric morbidity and health behaviour), as well as costs in the previous year (2016).

Results

Each point increase in mental well-being (measured in 2016) was associated with lower healthcare costs ($− 42.5, 95% CI = $− 78.7, $− 6.3) and lower costs in terms of sickness benefit transfers ($− 23.1, 95% CI = $− 41.9, $− 4.3) per person in 2017.

Conclusions

Estimated reductions in costs related to mental well-being add to what is already known about potential savings related to the prevention of mental illness. It does so by illustrating the savings that could be made by moving from lower to higher levels of mental well-being both within and beyond the clinical range. Our estimates pertain to costs associated with those health-related outcomes that were included in the study, but excluding other social and economic outcomes and benefits. They cover immediate cost estimates (costs generated the year following mental well-being measurement) and not those that could follow improved mental well-being over the longer term. They may therefore be considered conservative from a societal perspective. Population approaches to mental health promotion are necessary, not only to potentiate disease prevention strategies, but also to reduce costs related to lower levels of mental well-being in the non-mental illness population. Our results suggest that useful reductions in both health care resource use and costs, as well as in costs due to sick leave from the workplace, could be achieved from investment in mental well-being promotion within a year.
A review: A Comprehensive Review of Soft and Rigid Wearable Rehabilitation and Assistive Devices with a Focus on the Shoulder Joint
Authors: Majidi Fard Vatan Hamed , Nefti-Meziani Samia , Davis Steve , Saffari Zahra , El-Hussieny Haitham
Published: April 2021

The importance of the human upper limb role in performing daily life and personal activities is significant. Improper functioning of this organ due to neurological disorders or surgeries can greatly affect the daily activities performed by patients. This paper aims to comprehensively review soft and rigid wearable robotic devices provided for rehabilitation and assistance focusing on the shoulder joint. In the last two decades, many devices have been proposed in this regard, however, there have been a few groups whose devices have had effective therapeutic capability with acceptable clinical evidence. Also, there were not many portable, lightweight and user-friendly devices. Therefore, this comprehensive study could pave the way for achieving optimal future devices, given the growing need for these devices. According to the results, the most commonly used plan was Exoskeleton, the most commonly used actuators were electrical, and most devices were considered to be stationary and rigid. By doing these studies, the advantages and disadvantages of each method are also presented. The presented devices each have a new idea and attitude in a specific field to solve the problems of movement disorders and rehabilitation, which were in the form of prototypes, initial clinical studies and sometimes comprehensive clinical and commercial studies. These plans need more comprehensive clinical trials to become a complete and efficient plan. This article could be used by researchers to identify and evaluate the important features and strengths and weaknesses of the plans to lead to the presentation of more optimal plans in the future.
Political entrepreneurship: entrepreneurship ecosystem perspective
Authors: Belitski Maksim , Grigore Ana-Maria , Bratu Anca
Published: April 2021

We use the entrepreneurial ecosystem perspective to study political entrepreneurship as a form of alignment between disruptive and unproductive entrepreneurs with authorities aiming to get privileged access to resources. Political entrepreneurship (PE) has emerged as a phenomenon in transition and developing economies and may compromise the entrepreneurial ecosystem (EE) objectives. Combining interview and survey data, this study provides an in-depth assessment of entrepreneurial ecosystems in a transition economy and the role that political entrepreneurs play in moderating the effect of resources on the quality of entrepreneurship. Our findings are generalizable to other transition and developing economies as we demonstrate what various configurations of factors increase stakeholders’ perception about EE and directly affect its quality. Our findings reveal that stakeholders appreciate the evolution trends towards mature and productive entrepreneurship, but the progress is slow, nonlinear, with setbacks, still seriously threatened by corruption, lack of competence, and the interference of the political factor as well as regional differences. This study offers implications on how to adopt a place-based and holistic approach to institutional reforms when policymakers aim at creating productive entrepreneurial ecosystems. This study implications are in the adoption of a place-based and holistic approach to institutional reforms when policymakers aim at creating productive entrepreneurial ecosystems. While political entrepreneurship may significantly distort an ecosystem, this study offers recommendations to managers and policymakers who plan to start a business in an environment with weak institutions and the rule of law.
Identity and typification of Achroomyces effusus (Pucciniomycotina, Basidiomycota)
Authors: Malysheva Vera , Schoutteten Nathan , Verbeken Annemieke , Spirin Viacheslav
Published: April 2021

The identity of Achroomyces effusus is re-established with the use of morphological and DNA methods, and a neotype is selected. The species is conspecific with Colacogloea peniophorae, the generic type of Colacogloea, and has a priority over it. A new combination, C. effusa, is proposed.
On Sistotremastrum and similar-looking taxa (Trechisporales, Basidiomycota)
Authors: Spirin Viacheslav , Volobuev Sergey , Viner Ilya , Miettinen Otto , Vlasák Josef , Schoutteten Nathan , Motato-Vásquez Viviana , Kotiranta Heikki , Hernawati  , Larsson Karl-Henrik
Published: April 2021

The taxonomy of Sistotremastrum (Trechisporales, Basidiomycota) is revised based on morphology and DNA data. The genus is shown to be polyphyletic, and therefore it is split into two units—Sistotremastrum s. str. and Sertulicium, gen. nov. (typified with Corticium niveocremeum). Sistotremastrum s. str. is retained for eleven species of which eight are described as new while Sertulicium encompasses at least six species, including one new to science. Both of these genera are only distantly related to other representatives of the Trechisporales. Additionally, a new poroid neotropical species, Porpomyces abiens (Hydnodontaceae), is described as morphologically similar to some members of Sistotremastrum s. str.
The Fundamentality of Fundamental Powers
Authors: Giannotti Joaquim
Published: April 2021

Dispositional essentialism is the view that all or many fundamental properties are essentially dispositional, orpowers. The literature on the dispositional essence of powers is abundant. In contrast, the question of how to understand the fundamentality of fundamental powers has received scarce interest. Therefore, the fundamentality of powers stands in need of clarification. There are four main conceptions of the fundamental, namely as that which is (i)metaphysically independent; or (ii)belonging to a minimally complete basis; or (iii)perfectly natural; or (iv)metaphysically primitive. Here, I present and discuss each of these approaches from the viewpoint of dispositional essentialism. I show that (i) is incompatible with the metaphysics of powers and (ii)–(iv) have more drawbacks than merits. Therefore, my conclusion is that the dispositional essentialist should seek an alternative. Although I offer no positive account, I pave the way to more fruitful views by identifying the shortcoming of these unpromising options.
Moving in synchrony with an avatar – presenting a novel and unbiased body sway synchronization paradigm
Authors: Scheer Clara , Horn Lisa , Jansen Petra
Published: April 2021

Moving in synchrony with one another is a fundamental mechanism that maintains human social bonds. Yet, not all individuals are equally likely to coordinate their behaviors with others. The degree of interpersonal coordination is greatly influenced by pre-existing characteristics of the interacting partners, like the cultural homogeneity of a group, shared goals, and the likability of the other person. Considering that most research questions necessitate an experimental set-up without such uncontrolled biases, we created a novel, unbiased paradigm: a human-avatar body sway synchronization paradigm. Participants’ body sway was measured by a force plate while being exposed to a medio-laterally moving avatar. Forty-nine participants were tested in a social condition (motionless vs. moving avatar) and a non-social control condition (motionless vs. moving column). The results revealed that participants increased their body sway on their medio-lateral axis while the avatar was moving. The participants did not increase their body sway in the non-social control condition, indicating that the participant’s movement was not simply caused by a basal motion perception process. The current study builds a methodological fundament that can help to reduce biases due to pre-existing rapport between interaction partners and serves as a valuable experimental paradigm for future synchrony studies.
The effects of ACE2 expression mediating pharmacotherapy in COVID-19 patients
Authors: van Kimmenade R. R. J. , Belfroid E. , Hoogervorst-Schilp J. , Siebelink H. J. , Janssen C. W. , Pinto Y.
Published: April 2021

Background

There has been debate on the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme‑2 (ACE2) expression mediating pharmacotherapy in COVID-19 infected patients. Although it has been suggested that these drugs might lead to a higher susceptibility and severity of COVID-19 infection, experimental data suggest these agents may reduce acute lung injury via blocking angiotensin-II-mediated pulmonary permeability, inflammation and fibrosis.

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed to answer the question: What is the effect of medications that influence ACE2 expression (ACE inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and thiazolidinediones) on the outcomes of COVID-19? Relevant outcome measures were mortality (crucial), hospital admission, length of stay, thromboembolic complications (pulmonary embolism, stroke, transient ischaemic attack), need for mechanical ventilation, acute kidney injury and use of renal replacement therapy. Medline and Embase databases were searched with relevant search terms until 24 June 2020. After systematic analysis, nine studies were included.

Results

The results were described for two different groups, an overall group in which all users were compared with non-users and a group in which only hypertensive patients were included. Within each group a distinction was made between results for ACEI/ARB use, ACEI use, ARB use, NSAID use and thiazolidinedione use. None of the studies demonstrated increased mortality in the two groups. Furthermore, none of the studies showed an effect on other outcome measures in COVID-19, such as ICU admission, length of hospital stay, thromboembolic complications, need for mechanical ventilation, acute kidney failure or need for renal replacement therapy. However, the level of evidence of all studies varied from ‘moderate’ to ‘very low’, according to the GRADE methodology.

Conclusion

Analysis of the literature demonstrated that there was insufficient evidence to answer our objective on the effect of ACE2 expression mediating pharmacotherapy on outcome in COVID-19 patients, especially due to the low scientific quality of the described studies. Randomised controlled studies are needed to answer this question.
Asymmetric Partisan Voter Turnout Games
Authors: Guage Cameron , Fu Feng
Published: April 2021

Since Downs proposed that the act of voting is irrational in 1957, myriad models have been proposed to explain voting and account for observed turnout patterns. We propose a model in which partisans consider both the instrumental and expressive benefits of their vote when deciding whether or not to abstain in an election, introducing an asymmetry that most other models do not consider. Allowing learning processes within our electorate, we analyze what evolutionarily stable strategies are rationalizable under various conditions. Upon varying electorate size, the partisan split of the electorate, and the degree to which an electorate takes underdog considerations into account in its payoff structure, we find that different equilibria arise. Our model predicts comparative statics that are consistent with voter behavior, specifically affirming a “size effect,” in which turnout decreases as electorate size increases. Furthermore, relaxing some of our preliminary assumptions eliminates some of the discrepancies between the predictions of our model and empirical voter behavior. In particular, our work demonstrates that misperceptions about the partisan split of an electorate may account for high turnout behavior .
Sustainability of wild plant use in the Andean Community of South America
Authors: Kor Laura , Homewood Katherine , Dawson Terence P. , Diazgranados Mauricio
Published: April 2021

Overexploitation is the second biggest driver of global plant extinction. Meanwhile, useful plant species are vital to livelihoods across the world, with global conservation efforts increasingly applying the concept of ‘conservation-through-use.’ However, successfully balancing conservation and biodiversity use remains challenging. We reviewed literature on the sustainability of wild-collected plant use across the countries of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia—a region of global importance for its biological and cultural richness. After applying defined search terms and a two-stage screening process, 68 articles were reviewed. The numbers which reported sustainable, unsustainable, or context-dependent outcomes were relatively even, but national differences emerged. Through narrative synthesis, we identified five key, reoccurring themes: plant biology; land tenure; knowledge, resource, and capacity; economics and market pressures; and institutional structures, policy, and legislation. Our results show the need for flexible, context-specific approaches and the importance of collaboration, with bottom-up management and conservation methods involving local communities and traditional ecological knowledge often proving most effective.
High-entropy ceramics: Present status, challenges, and a look forward
Authors: Xiang Huimin , Xing Yan , Dai Fu-zhi , Wang Hongjie , Su Lei , Miao Lei , Zhang Guojun , Wang Yiguang , Qi Xiwei , Yao Lei , Wang Hailong , Zhao Biao , Li Jianqiang , Zhou Yanchun
Published: April 2021

High-entropy ceramics (HECs) are solid solutions of inorganic compounds with one or more Wyckoff sites shared by equal or near-equal atomic ratios of multi-principal elements. Although in the infant stage, the emerging of this new family of materials has brought new opportunities for material design and property tailoring. Distinct from metals, the diversity in crystal structure and electronic structure of ceramics provides huge space for properties tuning through band structure engineering and phonon engineering. Aside from strengthening, hardening, and low thermal conductivity that have already been found in high-entropy alloys, new properties like colossal dielectric constant, super ionic conductivity, severe anisotropic thermal expansion coefficient, strong electromagnetic wave absorption, etc., have been discovered in HECs. As a response to the rapid development in this nascent field, this article gives a comprehensive review on the structure features, theoretical methods for stability and property prediction, processing routes, novel properties, and prospective applications of HECs. The challenges on processing, characterization, and property predictions are also emphasized. Finally, future directions for new material exploration, novel processing, fundamental understanding, in-depth characterization, and database assessments are given.
Combination of ultrasound and molecular testing in malignancy risk estimate of Bethesda category IV thyroid nodules: results from a single-institution prospective study
Authors: Marina M. , Zatelli M. C. , Goldoni M. , Del Rio P. , Corcione L. , Martorana D. , Percesepe A. , Bonatti F. , Mozzoni P. , Crociara A. , Ceresini G.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Malignancy prediction in indeterminate thyroid nodules is still challenging. We prospectively evaluated whether the combination of ultrasound (US) risk stratification and molecular testing improves the assessment of malignancy risk in Bethesda Category IV thyroid nodules.

Methods

Ninety-one consecutively diagnosed Bethesda Category IV thyroid nodules were prospectively evaluated before surgery by both ACR- and EU-TIRADS US risk-stratification systems and by a further US-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) for the following molecular testing: BRAFV600E, N-RAS codons 12/13, N-RAS codon 61, H-RAS codons 12/13, H-RAS codon 61, K-RAS codons 12/13, and K-RAS codon 61 point-mutations, as well as PAX8/PPARγ, RET/PC1, and RET/PTC 3 rearrangements.

Results

At histology, 37% of nodules were malignant. No significant association was found between malignancy and either EU- or ACR-TIRADS. In total, 58 somatic mutations were identified, including 3 BRAFV600E (5%), 5 N-RAS 12/13 (9%), 13 N-RAS 61 (22%), 7 H-RAS 12/13 (12%), 11 H-RAS 61 (19%), 6 K-RAS 12/13 (10%), 8 K-RAS 61 (14%) mutations and 2 RET/PTC1 (4%), 0 RET/PTC 3 (0%), 3 PAX8/PPARγ (5%) rearrangements. At least one somatic mutation was found in 28% and 44% of benign and malignant nodules, respectively, although malignancy was not statistically associated with the outcome of the mutational test. However, the combination of ACR-, but not EU-, TIRADS with the presence of at least one somatic mutation, was significantly associated with malignant histology (P = 0.03).

Conclusion

US risk stratification and FNAC molecular testing may synergistically contribute to improve malignancy risk estimate of Bethesda category IV thyroid nodules.
Die „Checkliste 2021“ für physische Belastungen bei der Arbeit
Authors: Hartmann Bernd , Weber Britta , Ellegast Rolf , Jäger Matthias , Schick Ralf , Spallek Michael
Published: April 2021

Im Jahr 2009 wurde in Folge eines neuen Berufsgenossenschaftlichen Grundsatzes G 46 „Belastungen des Muskel-Skelett-Systems“ von der Deutschen Gesetzlichen Unfallversicherung (DGUV) erstmalig eine Handlungsanleitung für zielgerichtete arbeitsmedizinische Vorsorge bei physischen Belastungen zusammengestellt (BGI/GUV‑I 504-46). Diese enthielt eine Checkliste zur Prüfung des Angebots arbeitsmedizinischer Vorsorge bei körperlichen Belastungen des Muskel-Skelett-Systems. Im Jahr 2013 wurden neue Anlässe für die Angebotsvorsorge bei Tätigkeiten mit wesentlich erhöhten körperlichen Belastungen eingeführt und durch eine Arbeitsmedizinische Regel (AMR 13.2) konkretisiert.

Im Forschungsprojekt MEGAPHYS der Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin (BAuA) und der DGUV wurden Methoden zur Beurteilung physischer Belastungen verschiedener Komplexitätsstufen bearbeitet. Leitmerkmalmethoden als spezielle Screeningverfahren wurden für 6 Belastungsarten weiter- und neuentwickelt.

Betriebliche Praktiker stehen bei der Gefährdungsbeurteilung vor der Frage, ob die Arbeitsbedingungen tatsächlich „wesentlich erhöhte körperliche Belastungen“ beinhalten könnten und daher eingehender zu prüfen sind.

Mit dieser Checkliste soll der betrieblichen Praxis eine Hilfe zur Verfügung stehen, um zu klären, ob die konkreten Arbeitsbedingungen überhaupt wesentlich erhöhte Belastungen darstellen könnten. Sie orientiert sich am Risikokonzept für die Erkennung der Wahrscheinlichkeit körperlicher Überbeanspruchungen im Projekt MEGAPHYS. Ein Verdacht auf eine wesentlich erhöhte Belastung (Risikobereich 3) kann bereits bestehen, wenn die Ausprägung der mittels Checkliste eingeschätzten Merkmale im mittleren Risikobereich 2 („mäßig erhöhte körperliche Belastungen“) liegt.
Understanding adolescents’ perceived social responsibility: The role of family cohesion, interdependent self‐construal, and social trust
Authors: Cheng Wing Yee , Cheung Rebecca Y.M. , Chung Kevin Kien Hoa
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Positive family interactions contribute to the development of social responsibility among adolescents. Interdependent self‐construal and social trust, which reflect the perceived relatedness and beliefs towards others, may explain the relation between family cohesion and social responsibility. The present study tested the mediating mechanisms between family cohesion and adolescents’ social responsibility via adolescents’ interdependent self‐construal and social trust.

Methods

A total of 386 Chinese children in Hong Kong (52.07% girls,Mage= 13.64 years) and their parents completed self‐report questionnaires twice at 12 months apart. Family cohesion was measured by mothers’, fathers’, and adolescents’ reports to provide a comprehensive representation of the family environment. A structural equation modeling was conducted to investigate the mediation effect.

Results

Findings based on structural equation modeling revealed that family cohesion was positively associated with interdependent self‐construal and social trust. In addition, adolescents’ interdependent self‐construal and social trust were positively associated with social responsibility. Bootstrapping analysis showed that interdependent self‐construal and social trust were mediators between family cohesion and social responsibility.

Conclusion

Based on these findings, the study added new evidence to the literature by demonstrating the mediating role of interdependent self‐construal and social trust between family cohesion and social responsibility. Future studies could examine potential cultural variabilities in Western and other Chinese contexts.
Exploring adolescent girls’ experiences of body talk in non‐aesthetic sport
Authors: Lucibello Kristen M. , Koulanova Alyona , Pila Eva , Brunet Jennifer , Sabiston Catherine M.
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Body image concerns may contribute to poor sport experiences and low sport participation in girls. Objectification theory and evidence from studies in non‐sport contexts suggests body talk may elicit an environment that fosters negative body image. However, the phenomenon of body talk within adolescent girls sport is not well‐understood from an in‐depth person‐centered perspective. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to explore adolescent girl athletes’ experiences of body talk within sport.

Methods

Twenty Canadian girl athletes (ages 14–18 years) enrolled in team‐based non‐aesthetic sports participated in one semi‐structured interview. Using a qualitative description approach, an inductive thematic analysis was used to generate three themes.

Results

“Body talk as a performance tactic” highlighted complimentary and negative body talk pertaining to sport performance came from coaches, opposing players, and parents. “Casual conversations and body talk” reflected body talk from teammates and male spectators that was not specific to sport but occurred in the sport context. “Coping with body talk” reflected strategies athletes used to combat negative body talk from teammates, and reflected the athletes’ perceptions that negativity towards the body is normative.

Conclusions

Body talk served many purposes within sport; researchers should further explore the diverse motivations and perceived utility of body talk across sport stakeholders. Creating standardized resources and policies to eliminate body talk may foster more positive and supportive sport experiences for girls.
Care Fragmentation and Mortality in Readmission after Surgery for Hepatopancreatobiliary and Gastric Cancer: A Patient-Level and Hospital-Level Analysis of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Administrative Database
Authors: Brauer David G. , Wu Ningying , Keller Matthew R. , Humble Sarah A. , Fields Ryan C. , Hammill Chet W. , Hawkins William G. , Colditz Graham A. , Sanford Dominic E.
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND:

Hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) and gastric oncologic operations are frequently performed at referral centers. Postoperatively, many patients experience care fragmentation, including readmission to “outside hospitals” (OSH), which is associated with increased mortality. Little is known about patient-level and hospital-level variables associated with this mortality difference.

STUDY DESIGN:

Patients undergoing HPB or gastric oncologic surgery were identified from select states within the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project database (2006–2014). Follow-up was 90 days after discharge. Analyses used Kruskal-Wallis test, Youden index, and multilevel modeling at the hospital level.

RESULTS:

There were 7,536 patients readmitted within 90 days of HPB or gastric oncologic surgery to 636 hospitals; 28% of readmissions (n = 2,123) were to an OSH, where 90-day readmission mortality was significantly higher: 8.0% vs 5.4% (p < 0.01). Patients readmitted to an OSH lived farther from the index surgical hospital (median 24 miles vs 10 miles; p < 0.01) and were readmitted later (median 25 days after discharge vs 12; p < 0.01). These variables were not associated with readmission mortality. Surgical complications managed at an OSH were associated with greater readmission mortality: 8.4% vs 5.7% (p < 0.01). Hospitals with <100 annual HPB and gastric operations for benign or malignant indications had higher readmission mortality (6.4% vs 4.7%, p = 0.01), although this was not significant after risk-adjustment (p = 0.226).

CONCLUSIONS:

For readmissions after HPB and gastric oncologic surgery, travel distance and timing are major determinants of care fragmentation. However, these variables are not associated with mortality, nor is annual hospital surgical volume after risk-adjustment. This information could be used to determine safe sites of care for readmissions after HPB and gastric surgery. Further analysis is needed to explore the relationship between complications, the site of care, and readmission mortality.
African Studies Keyword: Body
Authors: Livingston Julie
Published: April 2021

The human body is a central entity and analytic within African life and Africanist scholarship. The source of perception and the seat of animation, of life, it grounds experience of the world while also providing a rich set of symbols from which humans draw in political, social, and religious life to create and communicate meaning. Livingston reviews approaches to the body as a key concept in Africanist scholarship, tracing regimes of bodily representation ranging from the deployment of bodily symbolism in ancient smelting furnaces to the hypervisibility of the black female body in the European colonial imagination. She discusses a welter of bodily experience, from the pain of childbirth and the vulnerabilities of illness and accident to the sensorium or the kinesthetic power of movement and dance. In the process, Livingston considers developments within the field of African Studies via the body.
Decolonizing Science, Digitizing the Occult: Theory from the Virtual South
Authors: Newell Sasha
Published: April 2021

In this article Newell uses two case studies to explore one of the central threads of Mbembe’s Abiola lecture, the idea that there is a relationship between the plasticity of digital technology and African cosmologies of thedeuxième monde. One case concerns the viral YouTube video #sciencemustfall, in which students at the University of Cape Town criticize “Western” science and demand that African forms of knowledge such as witchcraft be incorporated into the meaning of science. The second case considers fieldwork among thebrouteursof Côte d’Ivoire, internet scammers who build intimate relationships on false premises using social media. They acquire shocking amounts of wealth in this way which they display on their own social media accounts. However, they are said to use occult means to seduce and persuade their virtual lovers, trapping their prey in the sticky allure of the world wide web. Newell uses both examples to highlight the overlaps between the transformational efficacies embedded in both occult ontologies and digital worldings, calling for the possibility of using African cosmologies of the second world to produce a ‘theory from the south’ of virtual sociality.
Nudge plus: incorporating reflection into behavioral public policy
Authors: Banerjee Sanchayan , John Peter
Published: April 2021

Nudge plus is a modification of the toolkit of behavioral public policy. It incorporates an element of reflection – the plus – into the delivery of a nudge, either blended in or made proximate. Nudge plus builds on recent work combining heuristics and deliberation. It may be used to design prosocial interventions that help preserve the autonomy of the agent. The argument turns on seminal work on dual systems, which presents a subtler relationship between fast and slow thinking than commonly assumed in the classic literature in behavioral public policy. We review classic and recent work on dual processes to show that a hybrid is more plausible than the default-interventionist or parallel-competitive framework. We define nudge plus, set out what reflection could entail, provide examples, outline causal mechanisms, and draw testable implications.
European populism before the pandemic: ideology, Euroscepticism, electoral performance, and government participation of 63 parties in 30 countries
Authors: Taggart Paul , Pirro Andrea L. P.
Published: April 2021

This contribution is conceived as a resource on the state of European populist parties before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. It reports on cross-national comparative findings generated by data collected from 30 European countries as to the state of populist parties in one calendar year (2019) and provides an extensive qualitative overview of the national cases. The article shows that while populist parties are preponderantly on the right, there is a significant degree of ideological variation among European populism. The data show significant diversity in their electoral performance but also that populist party participation in government is no longer a marginal phenomenon. The article ultimately elaborates on the various types of positions on European integration – from soft/hard Euroscepticism to lack thereof – and discusses the implications of their affiliation in the European Parliament.
Analysis of Late Pleistocene megafauna and puparia from the Lent dredging site, province of Gelderland (the Netherlands)
Authors: Douw David S. , van Rijssen Belle E.I. , Fraaije René H.B. , Wallaard Jonathan J.W.
Published: April 2021

More than 900 vertebrate bones, ranging from Late Pleistocene to Holocene in age, have been identified in a collection that was recovered by a single dredging operation for the construction of artificial lakes near Lent (Nijmegen, province of Gelderland, the Netherlands). The Late Pleistocene assemblage comprises mainly Weichselian glacial fauna such as mammoths, reindeer and bison. Some Eemian fauna is represented as well, e.g. straight-tusked elephant. The abundance of certain species over others suggests that preservation bias had a considerable impact on this assemblage, while its time-averaged nature resulted in overrepresentation of certain species. A case study is here conducted on a fragmentary skull of a subadult woolly mammoth bull with embedded blowfly puparia. Some of these puparia are fully developed, indicating prolonged exposure of the mammoth carcass.
Iodine status of postpartum women and their infants aged 3, 6 and 12 months: Mother and Infant Nutrition Investigation (MINI)
Authors: Jin Ying , Coad Jane , Skeaff Sheila A. , Zhou Shao (Jo) , Brough Louise
Published: April 2021

To alleviate the re-emergence of iodine deficiency in New Zealand, two strategies, the mandatory fortification of bread with iodised salt (2009) and a government-subsidised iodine supplement for breast-feeding women (2010), were introduced. Few studies have investigated mother and infant iodine status during the first postpartum year; this study aimed to describe iodine status of mothers and infants at 3, 6 and 12 months postpartum (3MPP, 6MPP and 12MPP, respectively). Partitioning of iodine excretion between urine and breast milk of exclusive breast-feeding (EBF) women at 3MPP was determined. In total, eighty-seven mother–infant pairs participated in the study. Maternal and infant spot urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and breast milk iodine concentration (BMIC) were determined. The percentage of women who took iodine-containing supplements decreased from 46 % at 3MPP to 6 % at 12MPP. Maternal median UIC (MUIC) at 3MPP (82 (46, 157) µg/l), 6MPP (85 (43, 134) µg/l) and 12MPP (95 (51, 169) µg/l) were <100 µg/l. The use of iodine-containing supplements increased MUIC and BMIC only at 3MPP. Median BMIC at all time points were below 75 µg/l. Infant MUIC at 3MPP (115 (69, 182) µg/l) and 6MPP (120 (60, 196) µg/l) were below 125 µg/l. Among EBF women at 3MPP, an increased partitioning of iodine into breast milk (highest proportion 60 %) was shown at lower iodine intakes, along with a reduced fractional iodine excretion in urine (lowest proportion 40 %), indicating a protective mechanism for breastfed infants’ iodine status. In conclusion, this cohort of postpartum women was iodine-deficient. Iodine status of their breastfed infants was suboptimal. Lactating women who do not consume iodine-rich foods and those who become pregnant again should take iodine-containing supplements.
Bacillus amyloliquefaciensameliorates high-carbohydrate diet-induced metabolic phenotypes by restoration of intestinal acetate-producing bacteria in Nile Tilapia
Authors: Xu Rong , Li Miao , Wang Tong , Zhao Yi-Wei , Shan Cheng-Jie , Qiao Fang , Chen Li-Qiao , Zhang Wen-Bing , Du Zhen-Yu , Zhang Mei-Ling
Published: April 2021

Poor utilisation efficiency of carbohydrate always leads to metabolic phenotypes in fish. The intestinal microbiota plays an important role in carbohydrate degradation. Whether the intestinal bacteria could alleviate high-carbohydrate diet (HCD)-induced metabolic phenotypes in fish remains unknown. Here, a strain affiliated toBacillus amyloliquefacienswas isolated from the intestine of Nile tilapia. A basal diet (CON), HCD or HCD supplemented withB. amy SS1(HCB) was used to feed fish for 10 weeks. The beneficial effects ofB. amy SS1on weight gain and protein accumulation were observed. Fasting glucose and lipid deposition were decreased in the HCB group compared with the HCD group. High-throughput sequencing showed that the abundance of acetate-producing bacteria was increased in the HCB group relative to the HCD group. Gas chromatographic analysis indicated that the concentration of intestinal acetate was increased dramatically in the HCB group compared with that in the HCD group. Glucagon-like peptide-1 was also increased in the intestine and serum of the HCB group. Thus, fish were fed with HCD, HCD supplemented with sodium acetate at 900 mg/kg (HLA), 1800 mg/kg (HMA) or 3600 mg/kg (HHA) diet for 8 weeks, and the HMA and HHA groups mirrored the effects ofB. amy SS1.This study revealed thatB. amy SS1could alleviate the metabolic phenotypes caused by HCD by enriching acetate-producing bacteria in fish intestines. Regulating the intestinal microbiota and their metabolites might represent a powerful strategy for fish nutrition modulation and health maintenance in future.
Experiences in academic publication among ENT trainees in the UK: results from a national survey
Authors: Shahidi S , Osborne M S , Jama G M , Bola S , Murphy J
Published: April 2021

Objective

This study aimed to provide an objective means of identifying patterns in academic publication among ENT trainees during their higher surgical training.

Method

A cross-sectional survey was distributed to ENT higher surgical trainees.

Results

A total of 153 ENT specialty trainees participated, giving a response rate of 46.5 per cent. Across all years of training, the mean number of first author publications was three and the mean number of non-first author publications was two. For trainees at specialty trainee year 8 level, these figures were nine and five, respectively. Participants with doctoral degrees and those in academic programmes published more papers but the mean difference was only significant for the doctoral subgroup (p < 0.0001). Those with additional undergraduate degrees and those in less than full-time training had an overall lower number of publications.

Conclusion

Participants in the current survey achieved a higher average number of academic publications than is presently required to successfully complete higher surgical training in ENT. It is hoped that these results act as a guide for trainees planning the research component of their training to ensure that they remain competitive at consultant interview.
Stimulus valence, episodic memory, and the priming of brain activation profiles in borderline personality disorder
Authors: Szczepaniak Morgan , Chowdury Asadur , Soloff Paul H. , Diwadkar Vaibhav A.
Published: April 2021

Background

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by instability in affective regulation that can result in a loss of cognitive control. Triggers may be neuronal responses to emotionally valenced context and/or stimuli. ‘Neuronal priming’ indexes the familiarity of stimuli, and may capture the obligatory effects of affective valence on the brain's processing system, and how such valence mediates responses to the repeated presentation of stimuli. We investigated the effects of affective valence of stimuli on neuronal priming (i.e. changes in activation to repeated presentation of stimuli), and if these effects distinguished BPD patients from controls.

Methods

Forty BPD subjects and 25 control subjects (age range: 18–44) participated in an episodic memory task during fMRI. Stimuli were presented in alternating epochs of encoding (six images of positive, negative, and neutral valence) and recognition (six images for ‘old’ v. ‘new’ recognition). Analyses focused on inter-group differences in the change in activation to repeated stimuli (presented during Encoding and Recognition).

Results

Relative to controls, BPD showed greater priming (generally greater decrease from encoding to recognition) for negatively valenced stimuli. Conversely, BPD showed less priming for positively valenced stimuli (generally greater increase from encoding to recognition).

Conclusion

Plausibly, the relative familiarity of negative valence to patients with BPD exerts an influence on obligatory responses to repeated stimuli leading to repetition priming of neuronal profiles. The specific effects of valence on memory and/or attention, and consequently on priming can inform the understanding of mechanisms of altered salience for affective stimuli in BPD.