bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Story Event “The Beauty and the Beast” in Second Life: Literature Studies and the (Non-)Adoption of Virtual Worlds
Authors: Lindberg Ylva
Published: November 2019

The aim of this study is to gain insight into how digital three-dimensional worlds generate new ways of (1) studying literary genres, (2) “prosuming” literary story-events, and (3) supporting the learning of literary competencies. In a virtual world, the frontiers between the factual and the fictional are replaced and blurred in similar ways as in fictional literature, though the sensation of reality is enhanced, since the medium allows for intense interaction, where the technology and the human body are involved. Contents and interactions in the virtual world Second Life are explored through the lenses of literature, in order to observe how literary components play out in the environment. The methodology is inspired by ethnography, and comprises methods of immersed engagement and observations, as well as visual and textual snapshot documentations in-world. The results offer perspectives on affordances and hinders for integrating virtual worlds in learning and literature studies.
“Oh It Was a Woman! Had I Known I Would Have Reacted Otherwise!”: Developing Digital Methods to Switch Identity-Related Properties in Order to Reveal Linguistic Stereotyping
Authors: Lindvall-Östling Mattias , Deutschmann Mats , Steinvall Anders
Published: November 2019

This chapter describes the methodological processes involved in the project Raising Awareness using Virtual Experiencing (RAVE), funded by the Swedish Research council. The aim of the project is to develop experiential pedagogic approaches aimed at raising sociolinguistic language awareness about stereotyping and language. A key feature of the method consists of updated matched-guise techniques, whereby the same recording is digitally manipulated to alter the voice quality of a speaker to sound “male” or “female”, for example. These versions of the recording are then used as input stimuli for a response phase aimed at illustrating how we as listeners react differently to a person, and what is being said, depending on the perceived identity of the speaker. This chapter then illustrates how results are used as a starting point for discussions with respondents (student groups) on issues related to stereotyping and language, with the aim to raise awareness and self-reflection.
Fantasy of Conviviality: Banalities of Multicultural Settings and What We Do (Not) Notice When We Look at Them
Authors: Nowicka Magdalena
Published: November 2019

This contribution looks back at the last years of the conviviality debate which attempts to grasp the chimerical nature of mundane human encounters. It uses the term ‘fantasy’ to point to how conviviality emerges in the literature as an imaginary of the relationship between me/us and them/others. It argues that this imaginary is embedded in the Western modern normative order that perceives of an individual as a collaborating social being. It argues that shifting of the debate’s attention away from collaboration of individuals towards sociality would be productive and allow us to address issues otherwise omitted, such as relations of family, friendship, care, intimacy, private sphere, power and identity and gender relations. In turn, Thinking of conviviality beyond the Western modern imaginary could thus help us it developing the full potential of the term conviviality.
Cosmopolitanism as Utopia
Authors: Lettevall Rebecka
Published: November 2019

Because of its rhetorical nature, the notion of cosmopolitanism is sometimes understood as having a fixed definition. As this is not the case, parts of this overstrained concept have been replaced by the concept of conviviality. In some discussions, Immanuel Kant’s understanding of hospitality as a cosmopolitan right has been criticised and, in some cases, this has resulted in a rejection of the idea of cosmopolitanism. This has not least been the case in recent debates about refugee arrivals in Europe. This chapter, however, argues that it is worth paying attention to the historicity of conceptual frameworks, and that cosmopolitanism should not be abandoned, but instead be read as a utopian idea—as a reflexive method for imagining better or alternative futures in time and space.
A Convivial Journey: From Diversity in Istanbul to Solidarity with Refugees in Denmark
Authors: Duru Deniz Neriman
Published: November 2019

This chapter presents my analytical journey from conviviality, a concept used for analysing diversity in Istanbul to overcome the pitfalls of multiculturalism and coexistence theories, to the development of the concept of convivial solidarity for the analysis of transnational civil society organisations that support refugees and migrants in Denmark. Convivial solidarity is my construct and I use it tentatively to argue that it takes its grounds from the daily life and social interactions between people without putting boundaries in between groups, by stressing what unites people, what they share as humans, and their fight for convivial living. Nonetheless, it is not limited to social interactions but has also political and legal grounding.
Bringing Conviviality into Methods in Media and Migration Studies
Authors: Cory Erin
Published: November 2019

‘Conviviality’ conveys a deep concern with how we understand modes of human connection and possesses a renewed charge in the context of current migration. Within the extant literature, however, there exists little thinking on the methodological possibilities of conviviality: What can conviviality do, or rather, what can researchers do with it in efforts to understand the connections between media, mediation, and migration? How can researchers across disciplines do conviviality as part of an interventionist research praxis? In this chapter, I draw on a research project in which conviviality becomes a prism to understand media practices related to migration and refugees, and I discuss how the concept is best appropriated as a methodological tool in research designs informing current and future activist-based studies.
Soziale Netzwerke und die Gesundheit von Alleinerziehenden
Authors: Keim-Klärner Sylvia
Published: November 2019

Alleinerziehende verfügen im Durchschnitt über eine schlechtere psychische und physische Gesundheit als verheiratete Eltern. Dieses Kapitel geht daher der Frage nach, welche Relevanz soziale Netzwerke und ihre Charakteristika in diesem Zusammenhang haben. Spezifisch netzwerkanalytische Studien zur Gesundheit Alleinerziehender sind selten, der (positive) Effekt von sozialer Unterstützung hingegen ist recht gut belegt. Der Vorteil einer netzwerkanalytische Perspektive liegt darin, dass sie über das Konzept sozialer Unterstützung hinaus geht und auch andere Wirkmechanismen einbezieht. Zudem öffnet sie den Blick auch für konflikthafte Beziehungen oder ambivalente Beziehungsinhalte. Damit kann eine soziale Netzwerkanalyse der Komplexität sozialer Beziehungsgeflechte in besonderem Maße gerecht werden. Des Weiteren können sich Netzwerkstudien auch damit auseinandersetzen, auf welche Weise soziale Beziehungsgeflechte die Gesundheitswirksamkeit sozialer Ungleichheiten verstärken oder abmildern. Noch wissen wir wenig darüber, unter welchen Umständen und inwieweit welche Arten von sozialen Netzwerken in der Lage sind, soziale Ungleichheiten zu kompensieren, sodass diese nicht gesundheitsrelevant werden.
Negative Beziehungsaspekte und gesundheitliche Ungleichheiten
Authors: Adebahr Philip
Published: November 2019

Negative Beziehungsaspekte (engl. negative ties) sind spannungsgeladene Interaktionsmuster, die von einer Person (Ego) als belastend wahrgenommen werden. Sie sind aus Netzwerk-, sozialer Ungleichheits- und Gesundheitsforschung gleichermaßen relevant, jedoch wenig untersucht. Dass ihre Untersuchung notwendig ist, argumentieren beispielsweise Gleason und Iida (2015). So geht geleistete soziale Unterstützung eher mit besserer Gesundheit einher. Paradoxerweise sind bei engen sozialen Beziehungen häufig negative Stimmung und Gesundheitsprobleme zu beobachten (ebd. S. 351 in Anlehnung an Uchino 2009). Dies legt nahe, negativen Beziehungsaspekte mit zu analysieren um jene Gesundheitseffekte erklären zu können (vgl. Gleason, Iida 2015, S. 365). Die zentrale Aufgabe des vorliegenden Kapitels besteht nun darin, den Forschungsstand über den Beitrag negativer Beziehung zur Reproduktion gesundheitlicher Ungleichheit zu eruieren. Nachdem im ersten Abschnitt das Konzept von negativen Beziehungen dargelegt wird, wird in Abschn. 2 der Zusammenhang zwischen negativen Beziehungen und verschiedenen Gesundheitsparametern umrissen. Mit der Frage, inwiefern dieser Einfluss sozial ungleich verteilt ist, befasst sich Abschn. 3. Der Beitrag schließt in Abschn. 4 mit einer Zusammenfassung und einem Ausblick, in dem wesentlichen Desiderata zur Forschung über negative Beziehungsaspekte und gesundheitlicher Ungleichheit angesprochen werden.
Soziale Netzwerke, familiales Sozialkapital und kindliche Gesundheit
Authors: Lois Daniel
Published: November 2019

Soziale Kindernetzwerke bestehen im engsten Kreis vorwiegend aus Mitgliedern der Kernfamilie (Eltern, Geschwister) und im erweiterten Kreis aus weiteren Familienmitgliedern wie Großeltern und Freunden. Netzwerkgröße und Anteil der Freunde im Netzwerk steigen mit dem Alter.

Ein Literaturüberblick zeigt, dass die kindliche Gesundheit sowohl direkt durch das soziale Netzwerk des Kindes beeinflusst wird als auch indirekt durch das soziale Netzwerk der Eltern.

Von den verschiedenen theoretischen Mechanismen, die zur Erklärung dieser Befunde infrage kommen – z. B. soziale Unterstützung, soziale Ansteckung oder soziale Kontrolle –, ist der Unterstützungsmechanismus am besten empirisch bestätigt. Allerdings sind „echte“ Netzwerkstudien, in denen Familiennetzwerke namensbasiert aufgespannt werden, im hier betrachteten Altersbereich eher selten.

Familiales Sozialkapital korreliert in westlichen Industrienationen positiv mit den sozioökonomischen Ressourcen der Eltern. Für Schwellen- und Entwicklungsländer zeigt sich, dass die kindliche Gesundheit hier verstärkt vom Vorhandensein sozialer Unterstützung abhängig ist.
Modeling population heterogeneity from microbial communities to immune response in cells
Authors: Pecht Tal , Aschenbrenner Anna C. , Ulas Thomas , Succurro Antonella
Published: November 2019

Heterogeneity is universally observed in all natural systems and across multiple scales. Understanding population heterogeneity is an intriguing and attractive topic of research in different disciplines, including microbiology and immunology. Microbes and mammalian immune cells present obviously rather different system-specific biological features. Nevertheless, as typically occurs in science, similar methods can be used to study both types of cells. This is particularly true for mathematical modeling, in which key features of a system are translated into algorithms to challenge our mechanistic understanding of the underlying biology. In this review, we first present a broad overview of the experimental developments that allowed observing heterogeneity at the single cell level. We then highlight how this “data revolution” requires the parallel advancement of algorithms and computing infrastructure for data processing and analysis, and finally present representative examples of computational models of population heterogeneity, from microbial communities to immune response in cells.
Neural correlates of visual aesthetic appreciation: insights from non-invasive brain stimulation
Authors: Cattaneo Zaira
Published: November 2019

During the last decade, non-invasive brain stimulation techniques have been increasingly employed in the field of neuroaesthetics research to shed light on the possible causal role of different brain regions contributing to aesthetic appreciation. Here, I review studies that have employed transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to investigate neurocognitive mechanisms mediating visual aesthetic appreciation for different stimuli categories (faces, bodies, paintings). The review first considers studies that have assessed the possible causal contribution of cortical regions in mediating aesthetic appreciation along the visual ventral and dorsal pathways (i.e., the extrastriate body area, the motion-sensitive region V5/MT+ , the lateral occipital complex and the posterior parietal cortex). It then considers TMS and tDCS studies that have targeted premotor and motor regions, as well as other areas involved in body and facial expression processing (such as the superior temporal sulcus and the somatosensory cortex) to assess their role in aesthetic evaluation. Finally, it discusses studies that have targeted medial and dorsolateral prefrontal regions leading to significant changes in aesthetic appreciation for both biological stimuli (faces and bodies) and artworks. Possible mechanisms mediating stimulation effects on aesthetic judgments are discussed. A final section considers both methodological limitations of the reviewed studies (including levels of statistical power and the need for further replication) and the future potential for non-invasive brain stimulation to significantly contribute to the understanding of the neural bases of visual aesthetic experiences.
The Immune Epitope Database and Analysis Resource Program 2003–2018: reflections and outlook
Authors: Martini Sheridan , Nielsen Morten , Peters Bjoern , Sette Alessandro
Published: November 2019

The Immune Epitope Database and Analysis Resource (IEDB) contains information related to antibodies and T cells across an expansive scope of research fields (infectious diseases, allergy, autoimmunity, and transplantation). Capture and representation of the data to reflect growing scientific standards and techniques have required continual refinement of our rigorous curation and query and reporting processes beginning with the automated classification of over 28 million PubMed abstracts, and resulting in easily searchable data from over 20,000 published manuscripts. Data related to MHC binding and elution, nonpeptidics, natural processing, receptors, and 3D structure is first captured through manual curation and subsequently maintained through recuration to reflect evolving scientific standards. Upon promotion to the free, public database, users can query and export records of specific relevance via the online web portal which undergoes iterative development to best enable efficient data access. In parallel, the companion Analysis Resource site hosts a variety of tools that assist in the bioinformatic analyses of epitopes and related structures, which can be applied to IEDB-derived and independent datasets alike. Available tools are classified into two categories: analysis and prediction. Analysis tools include epitope clustering, sequence conservancy, and more, while prediction tools cover T and B cell epitope binding, immunogenicity, and TCR/BCR structures. In addition to these tools, benchmarking servers which allow for unbiased performance comparison are also offered. In order to expand and support the user-base of both the database and Analysis Resource, the research team actively engages in community outreach through publication of ongoing work, conference attendance and presentations, hosting of user workshops, and the provision of online help. This review provides a description of the IEDB database infrastructure, curation and recuration processes, query and reporting capabilities, the Analysis Resource, and our Community Outreach efforts, including assessment of the impact of the IEDB across the research community.
Abnormal pattern of brain glucose metabolism in Parkinson’s disease: replication in three European cohorts
Authors: Meles Sanne K. , Renken Remco J. , Pagani Marco , Teune L. K. , Arnaldi Dario , Morbelli Silvia , Nobili Flavio , van Laar Teus , Obeso Jose A. , Rodríguez-Oroz Maria C. , Leenders Klaus L.
Published: November 2019

Rationale

In Parkinson’s disease (PD), spatial covariance analysis of 18F-FDG PET data has consistently revealed a characteristic PD-related brain pattern (PDRP). By quantifying PDRP expression on a scan-by-scan basis, this technique allows objective assessment of disease activity in individual subjects. We provide a further validation of the PDRP by applying spatial covariance analysis to PD cohorts from the Netherlands (NL), Italy (IT), and Spain (SP).

Methods

The PDRPNL was previously identified (17 controls, 19 PD) and its expression was determined in 19 healthy controls and 20 PD patients from the Netherlands. The PDRPIT was identified in 20 controls and 20 “de-novo” PD patients from an Italian cohort. A further 24 controls and 18 “de-novo” Italian patients were used for validation. The PDRPSP was identified in 19 controls and 19 PD patients from a Spanish cohort with late-stage PD. Thirty Spanish PD patients were used for validation. Patterns of the three centers were visually compared and then cross-validated. Furthermore, PDRP expression was determined in 8 patients with multiple system atrophy.

Results

A PDRP could be identified in each cohort. Each PDRP was characterized by relative hypermetabolism in the thalamus, putamen/pallidum, pons, cerebellum, and motor cortex. These changes co-varied with variable degrees of hypometabolism in posterior parietal, occipital, and frontal cortices. Frontal hypometabolism was less pronounced in “de-novo” PD subjects (Italian cohort). Occipital hypometabolism was more pronounced in late-stage PD subjects (Spanish cohort). PDRPIT, PDRPNL, and PDRPSP were significantly expressed in PD patients compared with controls in validation cohorts from the same center (P < 0.0001), and maintained significance on cross-validation (P < 0.005). PDRP expression was absent in MSA.

Conclusion

The PDRP is a reproducible disease characteristic across PD populations and scanning platforms globally. Further study is needed to identify the topography of specific PD subtypes, and to identify and correct for center-specific effects.
The relationship between the pattern of shift work and sleep disturbances in Korean firefighters
Authors: Jang Tae-Won , Jeong Kyoung Sook , Ahn Yeon-Soon , Choi Kyeong-Sook
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Sleep disturbances are prevalent in firefighters, but the relationship between patterns of shift work and sleep disturbances has not yet been investigated. Here, this relationship has been evaluated in Korean firefighters.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire, which captured demographic, psychosocial and work-related characteristics. Sleep disturbance was assessed using the insomnia severity index (ISI). The relationship between insomnia and work-related factors (including type of shift work and the frequency of emergency events and off-duty work which means overtime work on off days) was analyzed.

Results

A total of 9810 firefighters completed the survey, representing approximately 21.5% of all Korean firefighters; data from 9738 subjects were included in the analysis. All firefighter roles were significantly associated with insomnia; the odds ratio (OR) was 2.456 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.461–4.128) for fire suppression and 1.871 (95% CI 1.105–3.167) for the emergency medical services and rescue. However, the pattern of shift work did not show a statistically significant relationship. The OR increased along with the frequency of emergency events and off-duty work (p value for trend < 0.05).

Conclusions

This study found a significant association between the frequency of emergency and off-duty work and insomnia in Korean firefighters, whereas the pattern of shift work showed no significant relationship. Therefore, measures to reduce the frequency of emergency and off-duty work are required to prevent sleep disturbances in firefighters.
Short-term isothermic heat acclimation elicits beneficial adaptations but medium-term elicits a more complete adaptation
Authors: Moss Jodie N. , Bayne Freya M. , Castelli Federico , Naughton Mitchell R. , Reeve Thomas C. , Trangmar Steven J. , Mackenzie Richard W. A. , Tyler Christopher J.
Published: November 2019

Purpose

To investigate the effects of 60 min daily, short-term (STHA) and medium-term (MTHA) isothermic heat acclimation (HA) on the physiological and perceptual responses to exercise heat stress.

Methods

Sixteen, ultra-endurance runners (female = 3) visited the laboratory on 13 occasions. A 45 min sub-maximal (40% Wmax) cycling heat stress test (HST) was completed in the heat (40 °C, 50% relative humidity) on the first (HSTPRE), seventh (HSTSTHA) and thirteenth (HSTMTHA) visit. Participants completed 5 consecutive days of a 60 min isothermic HA protocol (target Tre 38.5 °C) between HSTPRE and HSTSTHA and 5 more between HSTSTHA and HSTMTHA. Heart rate (HR), rectal (Tre), skin (Tsk) and mean body temperature (Tbody), perceived exertion (RPE), thermal comfort (TC) and sensation (TS) were recorded every 5 min. During HSTs, cortisol was measured pre and post and expired air was collected at 15, 30 and 45 min.

Results

At rest, Tre and Tbody were lower in HSTSTHA and HSTMTHA compared to HSTPRE, but resting HR was not different between trials. Mean exercising Tre, Tsk, Tbody, and HR were lower in both HSTSTHA and HSTMTHA compared to HSTPRE. There were no differences between HSTSTHA and HSTMTHA. Perceptual measurements were lowered by HA and further reduced during HSTMTHA.

Conclusion

A 60 min a day isothermic STHA was successful at reducing physiological and perceptual strain experienced when exercising in the heat; however, MTHA offered a more complete adaptation.
The contradictory effect of macrophage-related cytokine expression in lumbar disc herniations: a systematic review
Authors: Djuric N. , Lafeber G. C. M. , Vleggeert-Lankamp C. L. A.
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Sciatic symptoms due to lumbar disc herniation are likely to be caused not solely by mechanical compression of the nerve root, but also by pain-inducing elements from inflammatory processes. Key components in the inflammatory reaction are M1 and M2 macrophages, with the M1 type being associated with pro-inflammatory processes and M2 with anti-inflammatory-processes.

Method

The present systematic review summarizes all studies on associations between M1 and M2 macrophages and their related inflammation factors and pain symptoms in lumbar disc herniations. Literature search was performed using an optimally sensitive search string. Studies were selected for inclusion by means of predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria and subsequently graded for risk of bias. A total of 14 studies were included. Overall risk of bias was moderate (8/14), and three studies had high risk of bias and three has low risk of bias.

Results

Regarding M1-related cytokines, high levels of TNF-α, TNFR1, IL-6, IL-8, and IFN-γ were all associated high VAS scores. In contrast, high levels of TNFR2 were associated with lower VAS scores. Moreover, no associations were found for IL-1a and IL-1β. Results regarding M2-related cytokines revealed the opposite: high levels of both IL-4 and IL-10 were associated with lower VAS scores. No associations were established for TGF-β. Moreover, the presence of macrophages (CD68) was negatively associated with VAS scores.

Conclusion

While M1-related pro-inflammatory cytokines worsen pain symptoms, M2-related anti-inflammatory cytokines alleviate pain symptoms. Nevertheless, the present evidence is limited, and further research on the underlying pathophysiological mechanism in sciatica is required.

Graphic abstract

These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
A multi-model, multi-scenario, and multi-domain analysis of regional climate projections for the Mediterranean
Authors: Zittis George , Hadjinicolaou Panos , Klangidou Marina , Proestos Yiannis , Lelieveld Jos
Published: November 2019

Observation and model-based studies have identified the Mediterranean region as one of the most prominent climate change “hot-spots.” Parts of this distinctive region are included in several Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX) domains such as those for Europe, Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East/North Africa. In this study, we compile and analyze monthly temperature and precipitation fields derived from regional climate model simulations performed over different CORDEX domains at a spatial resolution of 50 km. This unique multi-model, multi-scenario, and multi-domain “super-ensemble” is used to update projected changes for the Mediterranean region. The statistical robustness and significance of the climate change signal is assessed. By considering information from more than one CORDEX domains, our analysis addresses an additional type of uncertainty that is often neglected and is related to the positioning of the regional climate model domain. CORDEX simulations suggest a general warming by the end of the century (between 1 and 5 °C with respect to the 1986–2005 reference period), which is expected to be strongest during summer (up to 7 °C). A general drying (between 10 and 40%) is also inferred for the Mediterranean. However, the projected precipitation change signal is less significant and less robust. The CORDEX ensemble corroborates the fact that the Mediterranean is already entering the 1.5 °C climate warming era. It is expected to reach 2 °C warming well within two decades, unless strong greenhouse gas concentration reductions are implemented. The southern part of the Mediterranean is expected to be impacted most strongly since the CORDEX ensemble suggests substantial combined warming and drying, particularly for pathways RCP4.5 and RCP8.5.
Contrasting effects of climate change on the European and global potential distributions of two Mediterranean helicoid terrestrial gastropods
Authors: Proćków Małgorzata , Konowalik Kamil , Proćków Jarosław
Published: November 2019

Predicting the impacts of global climate change on the current and future distribution of alien or endangered species is an essential subject in macroecological studies. Although several investigations have been devoted to animal and plant species, few have addressed terrestrial gastropods. We employed spatial distribution modelling to construct European and global potential distribution ranges of two land snails (Cernuella virgataandHygromia cinctella) using current and future climate scenarios. Both species have been continuously spreading northward from the Mediterranean region, also being introduced to a few areas outside Europe. We found that under the current climate scenario, most presently occupied areas in Europe are also at high probability of future occurrence of these species. However, under four future climatic conditions, these snails will undergo contrasting scenarios.C.virgatawill have a large potential gain, likely due to rising temperatures and its weak fluctuations. In this species, global warming increases in potential area size, accompanied by its morphological and physiological adaptations to arid conditions and the ability to passively disperse, are likely to facilitate invasion into new regions of the world. In contrast, there is no significant change in the geographical distribution of colonisation-prone areas forH.cinctella. Our results demonstrate that wetter climatic conditions in the driest season and greater temperature variability will be key limiting factors of its distribution in the future. An understanding of colonisation patterns can help to better manage these invaders and also to formulate policies for their control.
Prognostic value of alkaline phosphatase in hormone-sensitive prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mori Keiichiro , Janisch Florian , Parizi Mehdi Kardoust , Mostafaei Hadi , Lysenko Ivan , Enikeev Dmitry V. , Kimura Shoji , Egawa Shin , Shariat Shahrokh F.
Published: November 2019

Purpose

To assess the prognostic value of alkaline phosphatase in patients with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer.

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed using the PUBMED, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Scopus in April 2019 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis statement. Studies were deemed eligible if they compared hormone-sensitive prostate cancer patients with high vs. low alkaline phosphatase to determine its predictive value for overall survival, cancer-specific survival, and progression-free survival. We performed a formal meta-analysis of these outcomes.

Results

42 articles with 7938 patients were included in the systematic review and 28 studies with 5849 patients for the qualitative assessment. High alkaline phosphatase was associated with worse overall survival (pooled HR 1.72; 95% CI 1.37−2.14) and progression-free survival (pooled HR 1.30; 95% CI 1.10−1.54). In subgroup analyses of patients with “high-volume” and “low-volume”, alkaline phosphatase was associated with the overall survival (pooled HR 1.41; 95% CI 1.21−1.64 and pooled HR 1.64; 95% CI, 1.06−2.52, respectively).

Conclusions

In this meta-analysis, elevated serum levels of alkaline phosphatase were associated with an increased risk of overall mortality and disease progression in patients with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. In contrast, those were not associated with an increased risk of cancer-specific mortality. Alkaline phosphatase was independently associated with overall survival in both patients with “high-volume” and “low-volume” hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. Alkaline phosphatase may be useful for being integrated into prognostic tools that help guide treatment strategy, thereby facilitating the shared decision making process.
Tischner as a metapolitician
Authors: Wieczorek Krzysztof
Published: November 2019

Józef Tischner, a Polish philosopher and a seasoned commentator on the political transformations associated with the decline of communism and the building of a new democratic order in the final decades of the twentieth century, was, and still is, a controversial figure. Some see him as a profound philosopher, others as a moral authority, while others see him as a political opponent. I discuss the question concerning where Józef Tischner drew the line between political engagement sensu stricto and metapolitics, which is philosophically and programmatically grounded and neutral to the differences in world views. I inquire whether it is legitimate to attribute to Tischner political views and sympathies sometimes referred to as left-wing Christian liberalism and whether these views influenced the structure and the main theses of Tischner’s metapolitical thought. I attempt a reconstruction of Tischner’s position and indicate its basis in the assumptions of Christian personalism, the philosophy of dialogue, and the ethics of solidarity.
Treatment outcome of oral appliance in patients with REM-related obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Nishio Yoshitomo , Hoshino Tetsuro , Murotani Kenta , Furuhashi Akifumi , Baku Masayo , Sasanabe Ryujiro , Kazaoka Yoshiaki , Shiomi Toshiaki
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Oral appliances (OA) are used to treat patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of OA treatment in patients with rapid eye movement (REM)–related OSA.

Methods

Forty-six patients with REM-related OSA and 107 with non-stage-specific OSA were prescribed OA treatment after diagnosis by polysomnography (PSG) and a follow-up sleep test by PSG was conducted. Efficacy and treatment outcome predictors were evaluated according to the following criteria for treatment success: #1, reduction of the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) to less than 5 and > 50% compared with baseline; #2, AHI reduction to less than 10 and > 50% compared with baseline; and #3, > 50% AHI reduction compared with baseline.

Results

Success rates according to criteria #1, #2, and #3 were 45.7%, 50.0%, and 50.0% in REM-related OSA and 36.4%, 52.3%, and 63.6% in non-stage-specific OSA, respectively. No significant differences in success rate were found between the two groups. In multivariate logistic regression analysis with each criterion as the response variable, only BMI was extracted as a significant predictor. The BMI cutoff values defined based on the maximum Youden index according to the three criteria were 26.2 kg/m2, 25.6 kg/m2, and 26.2 kg/m2, respectively.

Conclusions

No significant differences in success rate of OA treatment were found between REM-related OSA and non-stage-specific OSA. BMI has greater impact on treatment outcome of OA in patients with REM-related OSA.
Soil and entomopathogenic fungi with potential for biodegradation of insecticides: degradation of flubendiamide in vivo by fungi and in vitro by laccase
Authors: Yada George M. , Shiraishi Igor S. , Dekker Robert F. H. , Schirmann Jéseka G. , Barbosa-Dekker Aneli M. , de Araujo Isabela C. , Abreu Lucas M. , Daniel Juliana F. S.
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Flubendiamide is a highly toxic and persistent insecticide that causes loss of insect muscle functions leading to paralysis and death. The objective was to screen for filamentous fungi in soils where insecticides had been applied, to isolate entomopathogenic fungi from insect larva (Anticarsia gemmatalis) that infest soybean crops, and to use these in biodegradation of insecticides.

Method

Filamentous fungi were isolated from soils, and growth inhibition was evaluated on solid medium containing commercial insecticides, Belt® (flubendiamide) and Actara® (thiamethoxam). A total of 133 fungi were isolated from soil and 80 entomopathogenic fungi from insect larva. Based on growth inhibition tests, ten soil fungi, 2 entomopathogenic fungi, and Botryosphaeria rhodina MAMB-05 (reference standard) were selected for growth on commercial insecticides in solid media. Fungi were grown in submerged fermentation on media containing commercial insecticides and assayed for laccase activity.

Result

Isolates JUSOLCL039 (soil), JUANT070 (insect), and MAMB-05 performed best, and were respectively inhibited by 48.41%, 75.97%, and 79.23% when cultivated on 35 g/L Actara®, and 0.0, 5.42%, and 43.39% on 39.04 g/L Belt®. JUSOLCL039 and JUANT070 were molecularly identified as Trichoderma koningiopsis and Neurospora sp., respectively. The three fungal isolates produced laccase constitutively, albeit at low activities. Fungal growth on pure flubendiamide and thiamethoxam resulted in only thiamethoxam inducing high laccase titers (10.16 U/mL) by JUANT070. Neurospora sp. and B. rhodina degraded flubendiamide by 27.4% and 9.5% in vivo, while a crude laccase from B. rhodina degraded flubendiamide by 20.2% in vitro.

Conclusion

This is the first report of fungi capable of degrading flubendiamide, which have applications in bioremediation.
Onset of the Younger Dryas Recorded with 14C at Annual Resolution in French Subfossil Trees
Authors: Capano Manuela , Miramont Cécile , Shindo Lisa , Guibal Frédéric , Marschal Christian , Kromer Bernd , Tuna Thibaut , Bard Edouard
Published: November 2019

Subfossil trees with their annual rings constitute the most accurate and precise archive to calibrate the radiocarbon (14C) method. The Holocene part of the IntCal curve is based on tree-ring chronologies, absolutely dated by dendrochronological matching. For the Northern Hemisphere, the absolute curve starts at 12,325 cal BP. For the early part of the Younger Dryas (YD) climatic event (≈ 12,850–11,650 cal BP), there are only a few floating dendrochronological sequences, mainly from Switzerland and France. We present new 14C results from subfossil trees (Pinus sylvestris L.) collected from the Barbiers site (southeast French Alps). The dendrochronological series covers 416 years, corresponding to the onset of the YD period. In order to date our sequence, we matched it with the 14C record based on kauri trees from New Zealand. The Barbiers data were first averaged at the same decadal resolution as the kauri record. Statistical comparison of the different averaging options and matching techniques enables dating the Barbiers sequence to 13,008–12,594 ±10 cal BP, which thus includes the boundary between the Allerød and YD events. The new Barbiers record allows to calculate the 14C inter-hemispheric gradient (14C-IHG) during the period overlapping the kauri sequence. For the optimal dating option, the mean 14C-IHG is 37 yr with a standard deviation (SD) of 21 yr based on 43 decadal estimations (−6‰ with SD of 2‰). The 14C-IHG record exhibits minimal values, down to zero, between 12,960–12,840 cal BP. Excluding these minima leads to an average 14C-IHG of 45 yr with a SD of 14 yr based on 33 decadal values, in agreement with observations for the last two millennia. The Barbiers record suggests a 14C-IHG increase between the end of the Allerød period (IHG of 37 yr with SD of 14 yr) and the early part of the YD (IHG of 48 yr with SD of 14 yr), which is compatible with previously reported drop of deep-water convection in the North-Atlantic and the associated increase in wind-driven upwelling in the Southern Ocean.
Inverse Kinematics of Redundant Manipulators Formulated as Quadratic Programming Optimization Problem Solved Using Recurrent Neural Networks: A Review
Authors: Hassan Ahmed A. , El-Habrouk Mohamed , Deghedie Samir
Published: November 2019

The Inverse Kinematics (IK) problem of manipulators can be divided into two distinct steps: (1)Problem formulation,where the problem is developed into a form which can then be solved using various methods. (2)Problem solution,where the IK problem is actually solved by producing the values of different joint space variables (joint angles, joint velocities or joint accelerations). The main focus of this paper is concentrated on the discussion of the IK problem of redundant manipulators, formulated as a quadratic programming optimization problem solved by different kinds of recurrent neural networks.
‘O Strange Transformation!’ The Monologue from Act II Scene 5 of Lully and Quinault'sArmide(1686) and the Retelling of Tasso in France
Authors: Bane Michael A.
Published: November 2019

In the famous monologue from Act II scene 5 of Lully and Quinault'sArmide(1686), the title character attempts to slay the sleeping hero Renaud but, overcome by his beauty, falls in love with him instead. As commentators have noted, the monologue departs from the opera's source material, Tasso's epic poemLa Gerusalemme liberata(1581). In contrast to the placid scene recounted by Tasso in canto 14 of the original work, the libretto depicts Armide's transformation from enemy to lover as a moment of struggle and psychological doubt. While scholarship has generally credited Quinault with having recognised the dramatic potential of the encounter, this article argues for a broader contextualisation of the scene in seventeenth-century French artistic production. A review of the major translations and adaptations of Tasso's poem published in France before 1686 reveals that Quinault's libretto represents not a decisive break with the past but rather one contribution to a much broader tradition of literary and musical experimentation.
Allergieabklärung: wann und wie?
Authors: Hasler Susann , Bersuch Eugen , Schmid-Grendelmeier Peter
Published: November 2019

Zusammenfassung. Allergien sind ein häufiges Problem im ärztlichen Alltag bei Atemwegsbeschwerden. Die wichtigsten Auslöser sind Pollen, Hausstaubmilben, Tierepithelien, Schimmelpilzporen und Substanzen im beruflichen Kontext. Die Anamnese ist für die Diagnosestellung zur Korrelation der Befunde und der klinischen Relevanz sehr wichtig, zumal eine hauttestmässig oder serologisch nachgewiesene Sensibilisierung zum Teil asymptomatisch bleibt. Therapeutisch sind nebst Verhaltensmassnahmen zur Allergenkarenz eine konsequente symptomatische medikamentöse Therapie und in gewissen Fällen eine allergenspezifische Immuntherapie (Desensibilisierung oder Hyposensibilisierung) die drei wichtigsten Behandlungspfeiler.
Meltwater Intrusions Reveal Mechanisms for Rapid Submarine Melt at a Tidewater Glacier
Authors: Jackson R. H. , Nash J. D. , Kienholz C. , Sutherland D. A. , Amundson J. M. , Motyka R. J. , Winters D. , Skyllingstad E. , Pettit E. C.
Published: November 2019

Submarine melting has been implicated as a driver of glacier retreat and sea level rise, but to date melting has been difficult to observe and quantify. As a result, melt rates have been estimated from parameterizations that are largely unconstrained by observations, particularly at the near‐vertical termini of tidewater glaciers. With standard coefficients, these melt parameterizations predict that ambient melting (the melt away from subglacial discharge outlets) is negligible compared to discharge‐driven melting for typical tidewater glaciers. Here, we present new data from LeConte Glacier, Alaska, that challenges this paradigm. Using autonomous kayaks, we observe ambient meltwater intrusions that are ubiquitous within 400 m of the terminus, and we provide the first characterization of their properties, structure, and distribution. Our results suggest that ambient melt rates are substantially higher (×100) than standard theory predicts and that ambient melting is a significant part of the total submarine melt flux. We explore modifications to the prevalent melt parameterization to provide a path forward for improved modeling of ocean‐glacier interactions.
Optical Modeling of Black Carbon With Different Coating Materials: The Effect of Coating Configurations
Authors: Luo Jie , Zhang Qixing , Luo Jianfei , Liu Jia , Huo Yinuo , Zhang Yongming
Published: November 2019

In this work, an assembly of coating structures is generated for coated black carbon (BC) based on two different coating methods with limited tunable parameters. By defining typical parameters, the proposed coating structures show great agreement with the detailed morphologies of coated BC particles in the atmosphere. Our models can accurately reproduce the measured linear backscattering depolarization ratio (LDR). We noticed that BC with spherical coatings (Configuration E) has difficulty estimating large LDRs, while the ability to reproduce a large LDR is improved by making the coating structure slightly nonspherical (Configuration C). Our models also show a better performance in reproducing the laboratory‐measured absorption enhancement (Eabs), mass absorption/scattering cross sections, and absorption Ångström exponent than the simplified models. In addition, sizable uncertainties in the optical properties of coated BC with different coating configurations are found. The uncertainties in the LDR, Eabs, mass absorption cross section, and absorption Ångström exponent caused by the coating configurations can reach approximately 220%, 35%, 90%, and 20%, respectively. Therefore, complex coating structures should be carefully considered. In this work, various coating structures are represented by limited tunable parameters, which is beneficial to the parameterization of the optical properties of BC with a complex coating structure. Our models can also provide tools for exploring the agreement between calculations and measurements.
Heterogeneity and efficacy of antipsychotic treatment for schizophrenia with or without treatment resistance: a meta-analysis
Authors: Mizuno Yuya , McCutcheon Robert A. , Brugger Stefan P. , Howes Oliver D.
Published: November 2019

Two important clinical questions are whether there is a subtype of schizophrenia which responds differently to clozapine relative to other antipsychotics, and whether greater efficacy of clozapine is dependent on the degree of treatment-resistance. The authors address this by examining both variability and magnitude of response in patients treated with clozapine and other antipsychotics for both treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) and non-resistant schizophrenia. Double-blind randomised controlled trials comparing clozapine with other antipsychotics in patients with schizophrenia were identified using five databases. Standard deviations and means of change in total, positive, and negative symptoms were extracted. Variability ratio (VR) and coefficient of variation ratio (CVR) were used to quantify relative variability in symptom change. Hedges’gwas used to quantify mean differences. Ten TRS studies (n = 822) and 29 non-TRS studies (n = 2566) were meta-analysed. Relative variability in change of total symptoms did not differ significantly between clozapine and other antipsychotics in TRS studies (VR = 1.84; 95%CI, 0.85–4.02). These findings were similar with CVR, and for positive and negative symptoms. Clozapine was superior to other antipsychotics in improving total symptoms in both TRS (g = 0.34; 95%CI, 0.13–0.56) and non-TRS (g = 0.20; 95%CI, 0.08–0.32) studies. Furthermore, clozapine was superior in improving positive symptoms in both study groups, but not for negative symptoms. Pooled effect sizes showed no significant difference between TRS and non-TRS studies. These findings do not support a subtype of schizophrenia which responds specifically to clozapine. Clozapine is more effective than other antipsychotics irrespective of treatment-resistance, arguing for its use more generally in schizophrenia. PROSPERO CRD42018086507
Positive allosteric modulation of P2X7 promotes apoptotic cell death over lytic cell death responses in macrophages
Authors: Bidula Stefan , Dhuna Kshitija , Helliwell Ray , Stokes Leanne
Published: November 2019

P2X7 is an ATP-gated ion channel that is highly expressed by leukocytes, such as macrophages. Here, P2X7 has been demonstrated to be involved in the regulation of various cell death pathways; including apoptosis, pyroptosis, necrosis, and autophagy. However, cell death induction via P2X7 is complex and is reliant upon the nature of the stimulus, the duration of the stimulus, and the cell type investigated. Previous reports state that high extracellular ATP concentrations promote osmotic lysis, but whether positive allosteric modulation of P2X7 in the presence of lower concentrations of ATP condemns cells to the same fate is unknown. In this study, we compared cell death induced by high ATP concentrations, to cell death induced by compound K, a recently identified and potent positive allosteric modulator of P2X7. Based on our observations, we propose that high ATP concentrations induce early cell swelling, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, plasma membrane rupture, and LDH release. Conversely, positive allosteric modulation of P2X7 primarily promotes an intrinsic apoptosis pathway. This was characterised by an increase in mitochondrial Ca2+, accelerated production of mitochondrial ROS, loss of mitochondrial membrane permeability in a Bax-dependent manner, the potential involvement of caspase-1, and caspase-3, and significantly accelerated kinetics of caspase-3 activation. This study highlights the ability of positive allosteric modulators to calibrate P2X7-dependent cell death pathways and may have important implications in modulating the antimicrobial immune response and in the resolution of inflammation.
Strain-induced perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and Gilbert damping of Tm3Fe5O12 thin films
Authors: Ciubotariu Oana , Semisalova Anna , Lenz Kilian , Albrecht Manfred
Published: November 2019

In the attempt of implementing iron garnets with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) in spintronics, the attention turned towards strain-grown iron garnets. One candidate is Tm3Fe5O12 (TmIG) which possesses an out-of-plane magnetic easy axis when grown under tensile strain. In this study, the effect of film thickness on the structural and magnetic properties of TmIG films including magnetic anisotropy, saturation magnetization, and Gilbert damping is investigated. TmIG films with thicknesses between 20 and 300 nm are epitaxially grown by pulsed laser deposition on substituted-Gd3Ga5O12(111) substrates. Structural characterization shows that films thinner than 200 nm show in-plane tensile strain, thus exhibiting PMA due to strain-induced magnetoelastic anisotropy. However, with increasing film thickness a relaxation of the unit cell is observed resulting in the rotation of the magnetic easy axis towards the sample plane due to the dominant shape anisotropy. Furthermore, the Gilbert damping parameter is found to be in the range of 0.02 ± 0.005.