bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrospray ionization and heterogeneous matrix effects in liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry based meta‐metabolomics: A biomarker or a suppressed ion?
Authors: Ghosson Hikmat , Guitton Yann , Ben Jrad Amani , Patil Chandrashekhar , Raviglione Delphine , Salvia Marie‐Virginie , Bertrand Cédric
Published: October 2020

Rationale

Correct biomarker determination in metabolomics is crucial for unbiased conclusions and reliable applications. However, this determination is subject to several drifts, e.g. matrix effects and ion suppression in Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS)‐based approaches. This phenomenon provokes critical issues for biomarker determination, particularly during comparative studies dealing with samples exhibiting heterogeneous complexities.

Methods

Occurrence of the issue was coincidentally noticed when studying the environmental impact of a complex bioinsecticide: Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis. The studied samples comprised insecticide‐spiked sediments and untreated control sediments. QuEChERS extractions followed by LC/ESI‐Q/ToF analyses were performed on sediments after 15 days of incubation. Meta‐metabolomes containing pesticide xenometabolites and sediment endometabolites were analyzed in depth using XCMS‐based computational data preprocessing. Multivariate statistical analyses (PCA, OPLS‐DA) and raw data crosschecks were performed to search for environmental biomarkers.

Results

Multivariate analyses and raw data crosschecks led to the selection of nine metabolites as biomarker candidates. However, when exploring the mass spectra, co‐elutions were noticed between seven of these metabolites and multi‐charged macromolecules originating from the pesticide. Provoked false positives were thus suspected due to a potential ion suppression exclusively occurring in the spiked samples. A dilution‐based approach was then applied. It confirmed five metabolites as suppressed ions.

Conclusions

Ion suppression should be considered as a critical issue for biomarker determination when comparing heterogeneous metabolic profiles. Raw chromatograms and mass spectra crosschecks are mandatory to reveal potential ion suppressions in such cases. Dilution is a suitable approach to filter reliable biomarker candidates before their identification and absolute quantification.
Decentralized active sensor fault tolerance in attitude control of satellite formation flying
Authors: Saeed Nasrolahi Seiied , Abdollahi Farzaneh , Rezaee Hamed
Published: October 2020

This article presents a decentralized framework of active fault tolerant control for attitude synchronization in satellite formation flying. By employing a nonlinear observer and a static approximator, the fault in both the angular velocity and orientation sensors can be diagnosed whether the sensor belongs to the satellite or its neighbors. The convergence of the observer is guaranteed by utilizing Lyapunov's direct method and Barbalat's lemma. The proposed approach is based on unknown input and requires only the angular velocity and orientation of the states in a decentralized architecture. Moreover, by designing a sensor fault tolerant controller, the tracking synchronization among the satellites' attitudes with individual set‐points is guaranteed and the uniformly ultimate boundedness of the synchronization/tracking errors is provided. The simulation results are presented to illustrate the performance of the developed algorithm.
Floodplain forest dynamics: Half‐century floods enable pulses of geomorphic disturbance and cottonwood colonization along a prairie river
Authors: Philipsen Laurens J. , Romuld Margaret A. , Rood Stewart B.
Published: October 2020

In dry ecoregions, trees are restricted to river valley floodplains where river water supplements the limited local precipitation. Around the Northern Hemisphere, cottonwoods, riparian poplars, are often predominant trees in floodplain forests and these ecological specialists require floods that create and saturate sand and gravel bars, enabling seedling recruitment. By pairing the interpretation of aerial photographs at approximately decade intervals with dendrochronology, we explored the coordination between river floods, geomorphic disturbance and colonization of plains cottonwoods (Populus deltoides) over eight meanders along the Red Deer River in the semi‐arid prairie of western Canada. This river has a relatively natural flow regime and minimal human alteration through the World Heritage Site of Dinosaur Provincial Park. We found that the 50‐year flood of 1954 increased channel migration and produced extensive accretion with downstream expansion of meander lobes and some channel infilling, which was followed by prolific cottonwood colonization. Those processes accompanied the major flood, while bank erosion and cottonwood losses were more gradual and continuous over the past half‐century. Results indicated even greater floodplain and woodland development after an earlier 100‐year flood in 1915. Each flood produced an arcuate band of mature cottonwoods and there were five to seven progressively older woodland bands across the floodplain, with each cottonwood age grouping increasing by about a half‐century. The 700 m wide floodplain was progressively reworked by the river through pulses of channel movement and floodplain and woodland development over approximately 250 years and correspondingly, the oldest cottonwoods were about 250 years old.
Worldwide survey on key indicators for public cord blood banking technologies: By the World Marrow Donor Association Cord Blood Working Group
Authors: Jöris Monique , Paulson Katie , Foley Lesa , Duffy Merry , Querol Sergio , Gomez Susana , Baudoux Etienne
Published: October 2020

The Cord Blood Working Group of the World Marrow Donor Association created a survey for cord blood banks (CBBs) aimed to identify and understand the main technical procedures currently used by public CBBs worldwide regarding cord blood units (CBUs) available for unrelated hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. These technical procedures include CBU collection, (pre-) processing, packaging, testing, storage, and transport. The survey was an online survey created with SurveyGizmo and was completed individually by each CBB at the end of 2017. The information is valuable to transplant centers, CBBs as well as the global industry of public cord blood banking. In general, we can conclude from this survey that the majority of CBBs are up to standard in terms of CBB technologies. Areas of improvement include accreditation, increase standardization in testing, and setting of total nucleated cells thresholds for acceptance of CBU for public use. Furthermore, there is a need for a consensus in the way CBBs operate in term of reservation and release to facilitate a more straightforward access to the therapy.
Towards sustainable development: How does technological innovation drive the increase in green total factor productivity?
Authors: Wang Meiling , Pang Silu , Hmani Ikram , Hmani Ilham , Li Cunfang , He Zhengxia
Published: October 2020

This study aims to assess the impact of technological innovation on green total factor productivity (GTFP), within Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries, by using a panel data over the period 1996–2017. The results show that technological innovation has a significant positive influence on GTFP. The interaction between technological innovation and the economic development level has a significant negative impact on GTFP. However, the interaction between technological innovation and foreign direct investment (FDI) has no significant influence on GTFP. In addition, technological innovation has a positive effect on GTFP when the economic development level is lower than the threshold value. However, technological innovation has an otherwise insignificant promotional effect. Technological innovation has a positive effect on GTFP when FDI is below the threshold value, and it has a slightly significant positive impact when FDI exceeds the threshold value. Therefore, various measures should be taken to guide technological innovation and improve its quality to promote GTFP and realize sustainable development.
On the use of generalized entropy formulas in detection of denial‐of‐service attacks
Authors: Basicevic Ilija , Blazic Nikola , Ocovaj Stanislav
Published: October 2020

In an earlier journal paper, we have presented the results of a comparison of the performance of five entropy‐based denial‐of‐service detectors (Shannon, Rényi, Tsallis, Bhatia‐Singh, and Ubriaco). The dataset used in that evaluation was generated using simulation. The best performance in terms of detection rate showed Rényi and Bhatia‐Singh detectors. In terms of the detection delay, the best detector was Ubriaco. In this paper, we decided to repeat the evaluation, but this time using a dataset generated using emulation. In this evaluation, the Tsallis entropy‐based detector showed the best performance, followed by the Bhatia‐Singh detector. It can be concluded that both evaluations show the advantage of the detectors based on generalized entropies, compared to the Shannon‐based one, and that Bhatia‐Singh detector in both evaluations performed very well. Another conclusion is that in terms of the detection rate, the flow size distribution outperforms the source port distribution, but in terms of the detection delay, the situation is the opposite.
Item response theory and its applications in educational measurement Part I: Item response theory and its implementation in R
Authors: Hori Kazuki , Fukuhara Hirotaka , Yamada Tsuyoshi
Published: October 2020

Item response theory (IRT) is a class of latent variable models, which are used to develop educational and psychological tests (e.g., standardized tests, personality tests, tests for licensure, and certification). We review the theory and practices of IRT across two articles. In Part 1, we provide a broad range of topics such as foundations of educational measurement, basics of IRT, and applications of IRT using R. We focus particularly on the topics that the mirt package covers. These include unidimensional and multidimensional IRT models for dichotomous and polytomous items with continuous and discrete factors, confirmatory analysis and multigroup analysis in IRT, and estimation algorithms. In Part 2, on the other hand, we focus on more practical aspects of IRT, namely scoring, scaling, and equating.

This article is categorized under:

Applications of Computational Statistics > Psychometrics

Software for Computational Statistics > Software/Statistical Software
Media Representation and Transmediation: Indexicality in Journalism Comics and Biography Comics
Authors: Domingos Ana Cláudia Munari , Cardoso José Arlei Rodrigues
Published: October 2020

This article analyzes the ways in which journalism comics and biography comics create indexicality through intermedial relations. These strategies include media representations of different qualified media types (journalistic report, biography, and autobiography) and of specific media products (such as familiar images of people and places). The article starts with a short history of comics. It then offers a theoretical discussion of intermediality, media representation, and transmediation, with specific focus on the tactics that journalism and biography comics use to represent reality indexically through media representation and transmediation. Furthermore, the authors analyze intermedial relations in the comic albums The Photographer: Into War-Torn Afghanistan with Doctors Without Borders by Emmanuel Guibert, Didier Lefèvre, and Frederic Lemercier; Il mondo di Aisha—Storie di donne dello Yemen by Ugo Bertotti; Maus by Art Spiegelman; To the Heart of the Storm by Will Eisner; Dotter of Her Father’s Eyes by Mary M. Talbot and Bryan Talbot; and Footnotes in Gaza by Joe Sacco.
Metalepsis in Different Media
Authors: Lutas Liviu
Published: October 2020

The generally acknowledged definition of metalepsis excludes the existence of metalepsis in other media than literature. Therefore, one of the aims of the chapter is to analyse the transmediality of metalepsis; that is, its potential to be employed in various media. Based on a number of different specific media products (from the media types of literature and film), the author analyses closely how metalepsis can depend on the modalities of different media. He argues that one can create metalepsis in other ways than only using a narrator’s voice. This is because one can expand the notion of narrative levels, which seems indispensable in the case of metalepsis, to representational levels. Defining metalepsis based on representation rather than narrative voice allows for the study of metalepsis in other media types, of which film is one example.
Summary and Elaborations
Authors: Elleström Lars
Published: October 2020

This is the closing chapter in the two-volume Beyond Media Borders: Intermedial Relations among Multimodal Media. It begins with a brief summary of the achievements of the previous contributions, including Lars Elleström’s introductory piece “The modalities of media II”. This is followed by more extensive explanations of three concepts that are central for many of the chapters in the volumes, but not elaborated in the opening chapter: adaptation, narration and language.
Processing the Revolution: Exploring the Ways Tunisian Novels Reflect Political Upheavals
Authors: Pardey Charlotte
Published: October 2020

Several years after the Tunisian uprising of 2010–11, it is now time to explore the literary production of its aftermath. This chapter focuses on novels written in French and Arabic that have found acclaim in the Tunisian literary scene, all of them winners of the Tunisian prize for fiction, the Prix Comar d’Or. At the same time, the works deal in some way with the uprising of 2010/2011. This starting point allows various insights: First, it compares the novels, exploring trends such as autobiographic reflections and the turn to past revolutions. Secondly, the chapter asks more structural questions about the context of the novels’ production (authors, publishers) as well as about their honorary reception through literary awards. Beyond characterizing the post-revolutionary Tunisian literary scene, this approach also makes it possible to address the ways in which the Tunisian literary establishment wants the revolutionary events to be reworked in literature.
Transformations of the “Syrian” Literary Field Since 2011
Authors: Lang Felix
Published: October 2020

The events unfolding in Syria since spring 2011 have led to a thorough transformation of the intellectual and artistic space in which Syrian authors, filmmakers, and artists move. Starting from an overview of the connections of institutions, artists, and works that form this contemporary space of cultural production, this chapter goes on to consider the problems existing theoretical conceptions of such spaces from the sociology of arts encounter when faced with the empirical realities of the Syrian case. It shows that the transnational, unstable, and often transient nature of these formations and their links with large-scale socio-political changes, such as wars, are difficult to grasp with conceptual toolkit developed on the model of the unusually stable spaces of production of Western Europe and the US.
Algeria: Between Transformation and Re-Configuration
Authors: Ouaissa Rachid
Published: October 2020

This chapter analyzes the re-configurations of the Algerian political system. It explains the (re)establishment of power alliances and traces power shifts through oil price fluctuations on the global market, laying out the concomitant instability of systems of co-option based on the distribution of rent. In times of power crises, the state class is prepared to make concessions, such as economic and political liberalizations. Since February 2019, however, an unprecedented mass social mobilization has been underway. The Hirak movement disrupted the order within the state class and forced President Bouteflika to step down, but the regime, under military leadership, tried to reconfigure the political system once again by eliminating old clans and striking new alliances. This is the story of a political system’s re-configurations that seek to sustain the old order by building new alliances.
Complexified quasinormal modes and the pole-skipping in a holographic system at finite chemical potential
Authors: Abbasi Navid , Tahery Sara
Published: October 2020

Abstract

We develop a method to study coupled dynamics of gauge-invariant variables, constructed out of metric and gauge field fluctuations on the background of a AdS5Reissner-Nordström black brane. Using this method, we compute the numerical spectrum of quasinormal modes associated with fluctuations of spin 0, 1 and 2, non-perturbatively inμ/T. We also analytically compute the spectrum of hydrodynamic excitations in the small chemical potential limit. Then, by studying the spectral curve at complex momenta in every spin channel, we numerically find points at which hydrodynamic and non-hydrodynamic poles collide. We discuss the relation between such collision points and the convergence radius of the hydrodynamic derivative expansion. Specifically in the spin 0 channel, we find that within the range$$ 1.1\underset{\sim }{<}\mu /T\underset{\sim }{<}2 $$1.1<∼μ/T<∼2, the radius of convergence of the hydrodynamic sound mode is set by the absolute value of the complex momentum corresponding to the point at which the sound pole collides with the hydrodynamic diffusion pole. It shows that in holographic systems at finite chemical potential, the convergence of the hydrodynamic derivative expansion in the mentioned range is fully controlled by hydrodynamic informa- tion. As the last result, we explicitly show that the relevant information about quantum chaos in our system can be extracted from the pole-skipping points of energy density re- sponse function. We find a threshold value forμ/T, lower than which the pole-skipping points can be computed perturbatively in a derivative expansion.
Proton decay in supersymmetric SU(4)c × SU(2)L × SU(2)R
Authors: Lazarides George , Rehman Mansoor Ur , Shafi Qaisar
Published: October 2020

Abstract

We discuss proton decay in a recently proposed model of supersymmetric hybrid inflation based on the gauge symmetry SU(4)c× SU(2)L× SU(2)R. A U(1) R symmetry plays an essential role in realizing inflation as well as in eliminating some undesirable baryon number violating operators. Proton decay is primarily mediated by a variety of color triplets from chiral superfields, and it lies in the observable range for a range of intermediate scale masses for the triplets. The decay modes include p → e+(μ+) + π0, $$ p\to \overline{\nu}+{\pi}^{+} $$
p
→

ν
¯

+

π
+

, p → K0 + e+(μ+), and $$ p\to {K}^{+}+\overline{\nu} $$
p
→

K
+

+

ν
¯

, with a lifetime estimate of order 1034–1036 yrs and accessible at Hyper-Kamiokande and future upgrades. The unification at the Grand Unified Theory (GUT) scale MGUT (∼ 1016 GeV) of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) gauge couplings is briefly discussed.
Urine and stone analysis for the investigation of the renal stone former: a consensus conference
Authors: Williams James C. , Gambaro Giovanni , Rodgers Allen , Asplin John , Bonny Olivier , Costa-Bauzá Antonia , Ferraro Pietro Manuel , Fogazzi Giovanni , Fuster Daniel G. , Goldfarb David S. , Grases Félix , Heilberg Ita P. , Kok Dik , Letavernier Emmanuel , Lippi Giuseppe , Marangella Martino , Nouvenne Antonio , Petrarulo Michele , Siener Roswitha , Tiselius Hans-Göran , Traxer Olivier , Trinchieri Alberto , Croppi Emanuele , Robertson William G.
Published: October 2020

The Consensus Group deliberated on a number of questions concerning urine and stone analysis over a period of months, and then met to develop consensus. The Group concluded that analyses of urine and stones should be routine in the diagnosis and treatment of urinary stone diseases. At present, the 24-h urine is the most useful type of urine collection, and accepted methods for analysis are described. Patient education is also important for obtaining a proper urine sample. Graphical methods for reporting urine analysis results can be helpful both for the physician and for educating the patient as to proper dietary changes that could be beneficial. Proper analysis of stones is also essential for diagnosis and management of patients. The Consensus Group also agreed that research has shown that evaluation of urinary crystals could be very valuable, but the Group also recognizes that existing methods for assessment of crystalluria do not allow this to be part of stone treatment in many places.
Sex matters: stress perception and the relevance of resilience and perceived social support in emerging adults
Authors: Yalcin-Siedentopf Nursen , Pichler Theresia , Welte Anna-Sophia , Hoertnagl Christine M. , Klasen Caroline C. , Kemmler Georg , Siedentopf Christian M. , Hofer Alex
Published: October 2020

The emerging adulthood represents a vulnerable and critical turning point for the beginning of mental illnesses and is therefore of particular interest for the study of risk and resilience. The present survey investigated the impact of sex on the associations between resilience and the perception of social support and stress in students. The Resilience Scale was used to assess resilience. Stress perception and social support perception were measured using the Perceived Stress Scale and the Social Support Questionnaire FSozU k-22, respectively. Between the ages of 18 and 30, 503 subjects (59.6% female) were included into the study. We detected a significant effect of sex with markedly lower resilience and a more pronounced perception of stress and social support among females. Significant correlations between resilience, stress perception, and social support perception were found in both sexes with women showing a stronger interrelationship between stress perception and both resilience and social support perception. Mediation analysis revealed that the relationship between the perception of social support and stress was fully mediated by resilience among men and partly mediated by resilience among women. Of note, the mediation of resilience on the interrelationship between the perception of social support and stress was much stronger in women than in men. These findings suggest that sex-specific, customized interventions focusing on the strengthening of resilience and the claiming of social support are needed to promote mental health in emerging adults.
Comprehensive registry of esophageal cancer in Japan, 2013
Authors: Watanabe Masayuki , Tachimori Yuji , Oyama Tsuneo , Toh Yasushi , Matsubara Hisahiro , Ueno Masaki , Kono Koji , Uno Takashi , Ishihara Ryu , Muro Kei , Numasaki Hodaka , Tanaka Koji , Ozawa Soji , Murakami Kentaro , Usune Shiyori , Takahashi Arata , Miyata Hiroaki ,   The Registration Committee for Esophageal Cancer of the Japan Esophageal Society
Published: October 2020

Background

Esophageal cancer is the eighth most common cause of cancer mortality in Japan. More than 11,000 people had died from esophageal cancer in 2018. The Japan Esophageal Society has collected the data on patients' characteristics, performed treatment, and outcomes annually.

Methods

We analyzed the data of patients who had first visited the participating hospitals in 2013. In 2019, the data collection method was changed from an electronic submission to a web-based data collection using the National Clinical Database (NCD). Japanese Classification of Esophageal Cancer 10th by the Japan Esophageal Society (JES) and UICC TNM Classification 7th were used for cancer staging

Results

A total of 8019 cases were registered from 334 institutions in Japan. Squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma accounted for 87.8% and 6.3%, respectively. The 5-year survival rates of patients treated using endoscopic resection, concurrent chemoradiotherapy, radiotherapy alone, or esophagectomy were 88.3%, 32.4%, 24.4%, and 59.3%, respectively. Esophagectomy was performed in 4910 cases. The operative and the hospital mortality rates were 0.77% and 1.98%, respectively. The survival curves showed a good discriminatory ability both in the clinical and pathologic stages by the JES system. The 5-year survival rate of patients with pStage IV in the UICC classification that included patients with supraclavicular node metastasis was better than that of patients with pStage IVb in JES classification.

Conclusion

We hope this report contributes to improving all aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of esophageal cancer in Japan.
‘Milk from the purest place on earth’: examining Chinese investments in the Australian dairy sector
Authors: Böhme Michaela
Published: October 2020

This article explores the emerging intersections between the shift towards higher quality food consumption in China and Chinese investment in overseas farmland. Based on an ethnographic study of a Chinese company acquiring one of Australia’s largest dairy farms, the article argues that the linkage between imported Australian milk and perceptions of safety and quality has served as a powerful driver of Chinese investment in overseas farmland—a linkage that has largely been overlooked by literature on China’s role in the global land rush. Drawing on the notion of ‘quality imaginaries’, the paper shows how images of Australian farmland as natural, pure, and geographically isolated have been mobilized by the investor company to position itself as provider of fresh, premium milk in the Chinese market. While such place-based qualities constitute a prized advantage, ironically, they also present a looming risk as the investor company struggles to reconcile fresh milk’s perishability with the farm’s location at the ‘edge of the world’. Thus, the case study not only demonstrates how cultural meanings tied to food and eating shape the ways in which investors imagine land’s affordances and possibilities but also draws attention to land’s materiality as a factor that both facilitates and destabilizes investment in farmland.
Transesophageal echocardiography in swine: evaluation of left and right ventricular structure, function and myocardial work
Authors: Billig Sebastian , Zayat Rashad , Ebeling Andreas , Steffen Henning , Nix Christoph , Hatam Nima , Schnöring Heike , Derwall Matthias
Published: October 2020

This study aimed to determine standard left (LV) and right ventricular (RV) transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) measurements in swine. Additionally, global myocardial work index (GWI) was estimated using pressure-strain loops (PSL). A comprehensive TEE examination was conducted in ten anesthetized, intubated and mechanically ventilated healthy female German landrace swine, weighing 44 to 57 kg. For GWI calculation, we performed LV and RV segmental strain analysis and used invasively measured LV and RV pressure to obtain PSL. The GWI and further myocardial work indices were calculated from the area of the PSL using commercially available software. Furthermore, hemodynamic measurements were obtained using indwelling catheters. We obtained complete standardized baseline values for left and right ventricular dimensions and function. Biplane LV ejection fraction was 63 ± 7 % and the LV end-diastolic volume was 70.5 ± 5.9 ml. Tissue Doppler estimated peak tricuspid annular systolic velocity was 13.1 ± 1.8 cm/s. The Doppler estimated LV and RV stroke volume index were 75.6 ± 7.2 ml/m2 and 76.7 ± 7.8 ml/m2 respectively. Pulsed wave Doppler derived cardiac output correlated well with cardiac output estimated using the thermodilution method (7.0 ± 1.2 l/min vs. 7.0 ± 1.1 l/min, r = 0.812, p = 0.004). The LV global longitudinal strain was -21.3 ± 3.9 % and the RV global longitudinal strain was -15.4 ± 2.5 %. LV GWI was 1885(1281–2121) mmHg*% and 297 ± 62 mmHg*% for the RV. LV global myocardial work efficiency was 82.6 ± 4 % and 83(72–88) % for the RV. TEE offers sufficient morphological, functional and hemodynamic assessment of the heart in swine. Myocardial contractility and mechanics can be reliably evaluated with the non-invasive GWI derived from echocardiography without additional invasive measures.
On the road to Agenda 2030 together in a complex alliance of Swedish public authorities
Authors: Palm Klas , Lilja Johan
Published: October 2020

This article describes cooperation between authorities and universities in order to increase innovation capacity and thereby achieve change in performance and execution for better contribution to a sustainable future. Through action research, the authors have developed new knowledge about dialogical organisational development as a method for increasing innovation capacity. The paper recognises that administrative and adaptive leadership must work together effectively if organisations are to function properly and that the complexity cannot be controlled with complicated systems; adaptation is more important than fixing administrative structures. There is a need for a dynamic relationship between the formal and the informal in organisations—between top-down administrative forces and complex, adaptive and emergent forces. The study also shows that there is a need for a wider range and simultaneous use of management models adapted to different contexts and needs.
Construction of a Frailty Indicator with Partially Ordered Sets: A Multiple-Outcome Proposal Based on Administrative Healthcare Data
Authors: Silan Margherita , Signorin Giada , Ferracin Elisa , Listorti Elisabetta , Spadea Teresa , Costa Giuseppe , Boccuzzo Giovanna
Published: October 2020

Given the progressive aging of Italian and European populations, the number of cases with chronic diseases is steeply increasing. This calls for new strategies for health resource management and the implementation of prevention policies. Among chronic patients, frail subjects have special and wider care requirements, along with an increased risk of adverse health outcomes. Thus, their identification is an important step for the Italian National Program for Chronic Diseases. This study aims at constructing an indicator that measures the frailty level of individuals in the population aged over 65 y using administrative healthcare data-flows of the Piedmont region. Following the multidimensional nature of frailty, we adopted a multiple-outcome approach in our proposal. This was done by considering the capacity to predict six unfavorable outcomes: death, urgent unplanned hospitalization, access to the emergency room with red code, avoidable hospitalization, hip fracture, and disability. We identified a parsimonious set of seven explanatory variables that can simultaneously predict the six outcomes we considered. We then assembled them into a unique frailty indicator through the use of a partially ordered set (poset) theory. Our indicator performed well with respect to all the outcomes and was able to describe several individual characteristics that are not directly considered in the computation of the indicator. Thanks to its parsimony and to the use of administrative healthcare data, our indicator allows all the stakeholders involved in the healthcare process, such as Italian Local Health Units, general practitioners, and regional managers, to use it to target frail individuals with better comprehensive healthcare actions.
Reclassification of aortic stenosis by fusion of echocardiography and computed tomography in low-gradient aortic stenosis
Authors: El Faquir N. , Vollema M. E. , Delgado V. , Ren B. , Spitzer E. , Rasheed M. , Rahhab Z. , Geleijnse M. L. , Budde R. P. J. , de Jaegere P. P. , Bax J. J. , Van Mieghem N. M.
Published: October 2020

Background

The integration of computed tomography (CT)-derived left ventricular outflow tract area into the echocardiography-derived continuity equation results in the reclassification of a significant proportion of patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) into moderate AS based on aortic valve area indexed to body surface area determined by fusion imaging (fusion AVAi). The aim of this study was to evaluate AS severity by a fusion imaging technique in patients with low-gradient AS and to compare the clinical impact of reclassified moderate AS versus severe AS.

Methods

We included 359 consecutive patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation for low-gradient, severe AS at two academic institutions and created a joint database. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause mortality and rehospitalisations for heart failure at 1 year.

Results

Overall, 35% of the population (n = 126) were reclassified to moderate AS [median fusion AVAi 0.70 (interquartile range, IQR 0.65–0.80) cm2/m2] and severe AS was retained as the classification in 65% [median fusion AVAi 0.49 (IQR 0.43–0.54) cm2/m2]. Lower body mass index, higher logistic EuroSCORE and larger aortic dimensions characterised patients reclassified to moderate AS. Overall, 57% of patients had a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <50%. Clinical outcome was similar in patients with reclassified moderate or severe AS. Among patients reclassified to moderate AS, non-cardiac mortality was higher in those with LVEF <50% than in those with LVEF ≥50% (log-rank p = 0.029).

Conclusions

The integration of CT and transthoracic echocardiography to obtain fusion AVAi led to the reclassification of one third of patients with low-gradient AS to moderate AS. Reclassification did not affect clinical outcome, although patients reclassified to moderate AS with a LVEF <50% had worse outcomes owing to excess non-cardiac mortality.
The self and its causal powers between metaphysics and science
Authors: Giorgi Rodolfo , Lavazza Andrea
Published: October 2020

According to the thesis of powerism, our world is pervaded by causal powers which are metaphysically basic. The aim of this paper is to defend the existence of the self, defined as asubstantial entity,and itsmental powers. This claim, which may seem a bold one, should not be deemed as inconsistent with scientific evidence. In fact, this approach does not ignore empirical knowledge, but is not bound only to it in order to understand entities, properties, and the relationship between them. Aristotelian powerism may show that theself,as the subject of one’s mental acts, is asubstancethat has an essential nature. Firstly, we shall analyze the immediate evidence we have in support of the existence of the self as a substantial entity. We will show that the self is a substance because it possesses an essential character, i.e. an individual essence. We will take into account the Aristotelian perspective ofsubstance, trying to show how the presence of a necessary property that makes every subject identical to itself and the phenomenal features of one’s private experience point to the existence of a substantial entity that corresponds to the self. Secondly, we will try to justify the adoption of a metaphysical theory of causation based on powers, analyzing it in comparison with the main competing theories, namely hypotheticalism and nomism. Then, we shall proceed to show the causal properties of the substance in question, namely the mental powers. In fact, thirdly, we will embrace the thesis of powerism by defending the existence of a set ofmental powersthat should be attributed to the self. We will describe the main features of mental powers and we will show that they are conceivable as thepure intentional actswe perform by directing an intentional state towards an intentional object. In this way we show how a classic problem of philosophy of mind, relevant to science as well, can be addressed in an original way by a metaphysical approach involving powers.
Size distribution of microbial aerosols in overground and subterranean treatment chambers at health resorts
Authors: Górny Rafał L. , Frączek Krzysztof , Ropek Dariusz R.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

to perform comparative analyzes of the size distributions of bacteria and fungi in the air of overground therapy chambers in Szczawnica sanatorium and subterranean inhalation chambers in Bochnia Salt Mine health resort taking into account influence of the season and presence of pathogenic species.

Methods

bioaerosol samples were collected using 6-stage Andersen impactor. Bacterial and fungal aerosol concentrations and size distributions were calculated and isolated microorganisms were taxonomically identified based on their morphological, biochemical, and molecular features. Results: in both treatment rooms and atmospheric (outdoor) air, the acceptable microbial pollution levels were periodically exceeded. The size distribution analyzes revealed that in the case of bacteria – emission from the patients and in the case of fungi – transport with atmospheric (outdoor) air were the major processes responsible for microbiological contamination of indoor premises. The majority of microbial particulates were present in the air of studied premises as single bacterial vegetative cells, spores and fungal conidia or (most commonly) formed small microbial or microbial-dust aggregates. This phenomenon may have a significant effect on patients’ actual exposure (especially on those treated for respiratory diseases) in terms of the dose of inhaled particles.

Conclusions

the microbiological quality of the air in sanatoriums and health resorts is a key factor for their therapeutic and prophylactic functions. When microbial pollution crossed the acceptable level, the measures that enable reducing undesirable contamination should be introduced, especially if large groups of patients undergo such therapy.
Personality as a predictor of symptomatic change in a residential treatment setting for anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa
Authors: Muzi Laura , Tieghi Laura , Rugo Michele Angelo , Lingiardi Vittorio
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Although personality has been widely researched in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN), the nature of this relationship has not yet been clearly articulated. The pathoplasty model theorizes that personality might shape symptomatic presentation and thus affect therapeutic outcomes, but more research is needed. The present study aimed at investigating the predictive value of a broad spectrum of personality traits in determining AN and BN treatment outcomes, considering both the statistical and clinical significance of the therapeutic change.

Methods

Eighty-four female patients with AN and BN treated in a residential program were evaluated at treatment onset using the Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure-200—a clinician-rated measure of personality disorders and healthy personality functioning. At both intake and discharge, patients completed the Eating Disorder Inventory-3 to assess eating symptoms and the Outcome Questionnaire-45.2 to evaluate overall impairment.

Results

Considering overall ED symptomatic change, multiple regression analyses showed that, even when controlling for baseline symptoms and DSM-5 categories, schizoid (B = 0.41, p ≤ 0.01), avoidant (B = 0.31, p ≤ 0.05), and paranoid (B = 0.25, p ≤ 0.05) personality features predicted worse therapeutic outcomes. Similar results were found when applying the clinical significance approach, with the emotionally dysregulated factor as an additional negative predictor of significant/reliable change (B =  − 0.09; p < 0.01). Healthy personality functioning predicted better therapeutic outcomes (B =  − 0.34, p ≤ 0.001).

Conclusions

Pathoplastic models and personality-based research in this clinical population have the potential to inform effective treatment strategies by targeting relevant individual factors.

Level of evidence

Level III, longitudinal cohort study.
C-reactive protein and ferritin levels and length of intensive care unit stay in patients with B-cell lymphomas treated with axicabtagene ciloleucel ☆
Authors: Melody Megan , Rahman Zaid Abdel , Saunders Hollie , Diaz Paula Lengerke , Gannon Nicole , Rosenthal Allison , Ayala Ernesto , Tun Han W. , Murthy Hemant , Roy Vivek , Foran James , Castro Januario E. , Guru Pramod , Kharfan-Dabaja Mohamed A.
Published: October 2020

Objective/Background:

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell is an effective therapy in relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphomas that, due to its unique toxicities, often requires escalation of care to the intensive care unit (ICU) setting. C-reactive protein (CRP) and ferritin are serum inflammatory markers associated with onset and persistence of CAR T-cell-related toxicity.

Methods:

We retrospectively analyzed 34 patients treated with axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi- cel) who were divided into two groups: patients requiring admission to the ICU during initial hospitalization (n = 13, 38%) and those who did not (n = 21, 62%). Primary objective was to examine possible relationships between serum ferritin and/or CRP levels with the need for, and length of, ICU stay between these groups.

Results:

All 13 patients admitted to the ICU developed cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and 11 of them also developed neurotoxicity (NT). Of the 21 patients in the non-ICU group, 18 developed CRS and 5 patients developed NT. Grade of CRS and NT were higher in ICU versus non-ICU patients (p = .03 and .001, respectively). There was no correlation between CRP levels at time of ICU admission and length of ICU stay (correlation of 0.41, p = .17). Yet, there was an association between serum ferritin levels and length of ICU stay (R
2 = 0.73) which did not reach statistical significance (correlation of 0.21, p = .49).

Conclusion:

Notwithstanding the limitations of the small sample size, our study suggests that an elevated ferritin level at the time of escalation of medical care may be possibly indicative of anticipated prolonged ICU hospitalization in patients treated with axi-cel. A large multicenter study is certainly needed to confirm this observation.
Assouad Dimension and Fractal Geometry
Authors: Fraser Jonathan M.
Published: October 2020

The Assouad dimension is a notion of dimension in fractal geometry that has been the subject of much interest in recent years. This book, written by a world expert on the topic, is the first thorough account of the Assouad dimension and its many variants and applications in fractal geometry and beyond. It places the theory of the Assouad dimension in context among up-to-date treatments of many key advances in fractal geometry, while also emphasising its diverse connections with areas of mathematics including number theory, dynamical systems, harmonic analysis, and probability theory. A final chapter detailing open problems and future directions for research brings readers to the cutting edge of this exciting field. This book will be an indispensable part of the modern fractal geometer's library and a valuable resource for pure mathematicians interested in the beauty and many applications of the Assouad dimension.
Communal versus Competitive Feasting: Comment on Kassabaum
Authors: Hayden Brian
Published: October 2020

Megan Kassabaum has developed a useful approach for interpreting feasting remains, but its application to the Feltus site demonstrates that modifications need to be made. In particular, the characterization of competitive feasting is too simplistic, and her model does not include work types of feasts, which may be responsible for the remains at the Feltus site. The interpretation of feasting at the Feltus site as resulting from social solidarity needs of a dispersed egalitarian society appear questionable on the basis of a high incidence of special meat, the occurrence of smoking pipes, monumental architecture, and indications of possible human sacrifices.
Issues and challenges of knowledge management in online open source hardware communities
Authors: Dai Jason Xinghang , Boujut Jean-François , Pourroy Franck , Marin Philippe
Published: October 2020

Knowledge management (KM) is the process of creating, sharing, using and managing the knowledge and information of an organization. In this paper, we investigate KM practices and needs in Open Source Hardware (OSH) communities. The aim is to provide insights into the KM issues and challenges facing these communities. Our analysis is based on interviews carried out with the participants of 22 projects. Interview transcriptions were coded and tagged with concepts extracted from the literature. Text mining was used to uncover the main concepts embedded in the corpus. From this analysis, knowledge sharing emerged as one of the top-rated concepts. Codification and personalization also proved to be important KM approaches, both requiring support in the OSH design process. Using a dendrogram, we highlighted the benefits and challenges of codification together with some interesting concept associations. High contributor turnover, little or no standardization and weak project structuring are still key challenges for OSH communities when it comes to ensuring awareness, making decisions and sharing knowledge.
Are smoking cessation behaviours among daily smokers associated with a perceived public stigma of smokers? Cross-sectional analyses of Norwegian data 2011–2013
Authors: Sæbø Gunnar , Lund Marianne
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Perceived stigma may be an unintended consequence of tobacco denormalization policies among remaining smokers. Little is known about the role of perceived stigmatization in cessation behaviours.

Aims

To test if perceived public smoker stigma is associated with recent attempts to cease smoking and future cessation plans among adult daily smokers.

Methods

Using merged data from the biennial national survey Norwegian Monitor 2011 and 2013 (N daily smokers = 1,029), we performed multinomial and ordinal regression analyses to study the impact of perceived public stigma (measured as social devaluation and personal devaluation) on recent quit attempts, short-term intention to quit and long-term intention to quit, controlling for confounders. One additional analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between stigma and intention to quit on quit attempts.

Results

A significant association between perceived social devaluation and recent quit attempts was found (OR 1.76). Perceived stigma was not associated with future quit plans. Personal devaluation was not associated with any cessation outcome. The role of perceived social devaluation on quit attempts was mainly found among smokers with intentions to quit.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that stigma measured as social devaluation of smokers is associated with recent quit attempts, but not with future quit plans.
Staging Death: Christofascist Necropolitics during the National Legionary State in Romania, 1940–1941
Authors: Rusu Mihai Stelian
Published: October 2020

The cult of death and the celebration of martyrdom lay at the core of interwar fascist movements across the European continent. However, it was in the Romanian Legionary Movement (also known as the Iron Guard) that these were articulated into a full-fledged ideology of thanatic ultranationalism. In this article, I examine the spectacular fascist necropolitics staged as state-sponsored funeral performances during the short-lived National Legionary State (September 14, 1940–February 14, 1941). A detailed description of the massive campaign of exhumations and reburials of the so-called “legionary martyrs” carried out during this short time span, culminating with the grandiose ceremony organized for the reburial of Corneliu Zelea Codreanu on November 30, 1940, provides insight into the legionary thanatic worldview and ritual praxis. It also sheds light on the movement’s politics of commemoration, death, and afterlife and shows how these were embedded into a religious framework underpinned by theological concepts such as heroic martyrdom, vicarious atonement, and collective redemption.