bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Risk for Incident Vertebral and Hip Fracture in Women
Authors: Huang Tianyi , Tworoger Shelley S , Redline Susan , Curhan Gary C , Paik Julie M
Published: November 2020

Recent studies suggest a positive association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a disorder associated with intermittent hypoxia and sleep fragmentation, and derangements in bone metabolism. However, no prospective study to date has investigated the association between OSA and fracture risk in women. We conducted a prospective study examining the relation between OSA and risk of incident vertebral fracture (VF) and hip fracture (HF) in the Nurses' Health Study. History of physician-diagnosed OSA was assessed by self-reported questionnaires. A previous validation study demonstrated high concordance between self-reports and medical record identification of OSA. OSA severity was further categorized according to the presence or absence of self-reported sleepiness. Self-reports of VF were confirmed by medical record review. Self-reported HF was assessed by biennial questionnaires. Cox proportional-hazards models estimated the hazard ratio for fracture according to OSA status, adjusted for potential confounders, including BMI, physical activity, calcium intake, history of osteoporosis, and falls, and use of sleep medications. Among 55,264 women without prior history of fracture, physician-diagnosed OSA was self-reported in 1.3% in 2002 and increased to 3.3% by 2012. Between 2002 and 2014, 461 incident VF cases and 921 incident HF cases were documented. The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for confirmed VF for women with history of OSA was 2.00 (95% CI, 1.29–3.12) compared with no OSA history, with the strongest association observed for OSA with daytime sleepiness (HR 2.86; 95% CI, 1.31–6.21). No association was observed between OSA history and self-reported HF risk (HR 0.83; 95% CI, 0.49–1.43). History of OSA is independently associated with higher risk of confirmed VF but did not have a statistically significant association with self-reported HF in women. Further research is warranted in understanding the role of OSA and intermittent hypoxia in bone metabolism and health that may differ by fracture site. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Papaverine ameliorates prenatal alcohol‐induced experimental attention deficit hyperactivity disorder by regulating neuronal function, inflammation, and oxidative stress
Authors: Sharma Niti , Dhiman Neerupma , Golani Lalit K. , Sharma Bhupesh
Published: November 2020

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with complex aetiology and phenotypes. Phosphodiesterase10A (PDE10A) has been shown to provide benefits in various brain conditions. We investigated the role of papaverine, a selective PDE10A inhibitor on core phenotypes in prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) model of ADHD. In order to identify probable mechanisms involved, the effects on several protein markers of neuronal function such as, neuronal survival‐BDNF, neuronal transcription factor‐pCREB, brain inflammation (IL‐6, IL‐10, and TNF‐α), and brain oxidative stress (TBARS and GSH) were studied in frontal cortex, cerebellum, and striatum. PAE resulting hyper‐locomotion, inattention, and anxiety were studied by the use of open‐field, y‐maze, and elevated plus maze, respectively. Administration of papaverine (15/30 mg kg−1) to PAE group of animals resulted in amelioration of hyperactivity, inattention, and anxiety. Also, papaverine resulted in significant increase of the levels in BDNF, pCREB, IL‐10, and GSH along with significant decrease of TNF‐α, IL‐6, and TBARS in different brain areas of PAE group. Papaverine, a selective PDE10A inhibitor rectified behavioural phenotypes associated with ADHD, possibly by altering the protein markers associated with neuronal survival, neuronal transcription factor, brain inflammation, and brain oxidative stress. Implicating PDE10A as a possible target for furthering our understanding of ADHD phenotypes.
Primer and Historical Review on Rapid Cardiac CINE MRI
Authors: Curtis Aaron D. , Cheng Hai‐Ling M.
Published: November 2020

Acceleration is an important consideration when imaging moving organs such as the heart. Not only does acceleration enable motion‐free scans but, more importantly, it lies at the heart of capturing the dynamics of cardiac motion. For over three decades, various ingenious approaches have been devised and implemented for rapid CINE MRI suitable for dynamic cardiac imaging. Virtually all techniques relied on acquiring less data to reduce acquisition times. Parallel imaging was among the first of these innovations, using multiple receiver coils and mathematical algorithms for reconstruction; acceleration factors of 2 to 3 were readily achieved in clinical practice. However, in the context of imaging dynamic events, further decreases in scan time beyond those provided by parallel imaging were possible by exploiting temporal coherencies. This recognition ushered in the era of k‐t accelerated MRI, which utilized predominantly statistical methods for image reconstruction from highly undersampled k‐space. Despite the successes of k‐t acceleration methods, however, the accuracy of reconstruction was not always guaranteed. To address this gap, MR physicists and mathematicians applied compressed sensing theory to ensure reconstruction accuracy. Reconstruction was, indeed, more robust, but it required optimizing regularization parameters and long reconstruction times. To solve the limitations of all previous methods, researchers have turned to artificial intelligence and deep neural networks for the better part of the past decade, with recent results showing rapid, robust reconstruction. This review provides a comprehensive overview of key developments in the history of CINE MRI acceleration, and offers a unique and intuitive explanation behind the techniques and underlying mathematics.Level of Evidence: 5Technical Efficacy Stage: 1
Comparing the Non‐Quiver and Quiver Techniques for Identification of the Endocardial Borders Used for Speckle‐Tracking Analysis of the Ventricles of the Fetal Heart
Authors: DeVore Greggory R. , Satou Gary , Sklansky Mark
Published: November 2020

This study compared the non‐quiver with the quiver technique for identifying the end‐systolic and end‐diastolic endocardium of the fetal right ventricle (RV) and left ventricle (LV) used for speckle‐tracking analysis. Bland–Altman and t test analyses showed no significant differences in measurements between the techniques for the RV and LV. The difference in the time required to perform the non‐quiver analysis was significantly longer (P < .001) for the RV and LV than the quiver technique. The quiver technique allows the examiner to efficiently identify the endocardial borders of the fetal heart compared with the non‐quiver method.
Tuning the Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Stretchable PEDOT:PSS/Ionic Liquid Conductors
Authors: Kee Seyoung , Kim Nara , Park Hyunmin , Kim Bong Seong , Teo Mei Ying , Lee Seongyu , Kim Jehan , Lee Kwanghee
Published: November 2020

Conducting polymers (CPs) constitute a promising building block to establish next‐generation stretchable electronics. However, achieving CPs with both high electrical conductivity and outstanding mechanical stretchability beyond flexibility is still a major challenge. Therefore, understanding the key factors controlling such characteristics of CPs is required. Herein, a method to simultaneously manipulate the mechanical and electrical properties of a representative CP, PEDOT:PSS, by modifying ionic liquid (IL) additives is reported. The cation/anion modification of ILs distinctly improves the electrical conductivity of PEDOT:PSS up to ≈1075 S cm−1, and the PEDOT:PSS/IL films showing higher conductivity also exhibit superior electromechanical stretchability, enabling them to maintain their initial conductivity under a tensile strain of 80%. Based on grazing incidence wide angle X‐ray scattering and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses, it is found that the cation/anion‐modified ILs control the crystallinity and π–π stacking density of conjugated PEDOT chains and the growth of amorphous PSS domains via IL‐induced phase separation between PEDOT and PSS, which can be the origin of the significant conductivity and stretchability improvements in PEDOT:PSS/IL composites. This study provides guidance to develop highly stretchable CP‐based conductors/electrodes.
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell‐conditioned medium facilitates fluid resolution via miR‐214‐activating epithelial sodium channels
Authors: Ding Yan , Cui Yong , Hou Yapeng , Nie Hongguang
Published: November 2020

Acute lung injury (ALI) is featured with severe lung edema at the early exudative phase, resulting from the imbalance of alveolar fluid turnover and clearance. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) belong to multipotent stem cells, which have shown potential therapeutic effects during ALI. Of note, MSC‐conditioned medium (MSC‐CM) improved alveolar fluid clearance (AFC) in vivo, whereas the involvement of miRNAs is seldom known. We thus aim to explore the roles of miR‐214 in facilitating MSC‐CM mediated fluid resolution of impaired AFC. In this study, AFC was increased significantly by intratracheally administrated MSC‐CM in lipopolysaccharide‐treated mice. MSC‐CM augmented amiloride‐sensitive currents in intact H441 monolayers, and increased α‐epithelial sodium channel (α‐ENaC) expression level in H441 and mouse alveolar type 2 epithelial cells. Meanwhile, MSC‐CM increased the expression of miR‐214, which may participate in regulating ENaC expression and function. Our results suggested that MSC‐CM enhanced AFC in ALI mice in vivo through a novel mechanism, involving miR‐214 regulation of ENaC.
Space–time Chebyshev spectral collocation method for nonlinear time‐fractional Burgers equations based on efficient basis functions
Authors: Huang Yu , Mohammadi Zadeh Fatemeh , Hadi Noori Skandari Mohammad , Ahsani Tehrani Hojjat , Tohidi Emran
Published: November 2020

This article contributes to a balanced space–time spectral collocation method for solving nonlinear time‐fractional Burgers equations with given initial‐boundary conditions. Most of existing approximate methods for solving partial differential equations are unbalanced, since they have used a low order scheme such as finite difference methods for integrating the temporal variable and a high order numerical framework such as spectral Galerkin (or meshless) method for discretization of space variables. So in the current paper, our suggested scheme is balanced in both time and space variables. Due to the non‐smoothness of solutions of time‐fractional Burgers equations, we apply efficient basis functions as the fractional Lagrange functions for interpolating time variable. By collocating the main equation and the initial‐boundary conditions together with the implementation of the corresponding operational matrices of spatial and fractional temporal variables, the assumed model is transformed into the associated system of nonlinear algebraic equations, which can be solved via efficient iterative solvers such as the Levenberg–Marquardt method. Also, we fully analyze the convergence of method. Moreover, we consider several test problems for examining the suggested scheme that confirms its high accuracy and low computational cost with respect to recent numerical methods in the literature.
Numerical study on rubber compounds made of reactivated ethylene propylene diene monomer for fiber reinforced elastomeric isolators
Authors: Habieb Ahmad Basshofi , Milani Gabriele , Cerchiaro Renato , Quaglini Virginio , Milani Federico
Published: November 2020

A huge amount of rubber waste coming from tire industry or other sources (eg, weather strips producers) has attracted interest from researchers to investigate the possibility of recycling used rubber for various products, particularly in construction sector. This article presents a series of experimental and numerical investigations to evaluate the feasibility of regenerated synthetic rubber ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) for production of a building seismic isolation system. Four rubber blends using two different sources of regenerated EPDM are considered in this study. The mechanical properties of the recycled rubber under study are evaluated through uniaxial tensile and relaxation tests, considering the accelerated aging effect. Based on several hyperelasticity and viscosity models of rubber available in the literature, several numerical test simulations on rubber compounds and on a prototype of fiber reinforced elastomeric isolators (FREIs) are performed. The test results reveal that the proposed regenerated EPDM compounds can be particularly suitable for the production of unbonded FREIs, especially because they are able to exhibit low/moderate tensile stresses at high‐shear strain. The results also show that not all regenerated rubber blends fulfill the durability requirements of rubber for seismic isolation after accelerated aging tests. The durability of the specimens seems to be mainly affected by the choice of the regenerated rubber source.
Metabolic changes in the developing sugarcane culm associated with high yield and early high sugar content
Authors: Perlo Virginie , Botha Frederik C. , Furtado Agnelo , Hodgson‐Kratky Katrina , Henry Robert J.
Published: November 2020

Sugarcane, with its exceptional biomass and sugar yield, has a high potential for the production of bioenergy, biomaterials, and high‐value products. Currently, the link between metabolic changes in the developing internodes in sugarcane and final yield and sugar characteristics is not well understood. In order to investigate these correlations, 1,440 internodes were collected and combined to generate a set of 360 samples across 24 sugarcane cultivars at five different developmental stages. A combination of metabolome profiling and trait co‐expression analyses were conducted to reveal the interaction between the metabolome and essential agronomic traits, including Brix (total sugar), polarity (sucrose content), purity (sucrose purity), commercially extractable sucrose, fiber, and tons of cane per hectare (TCH). Metabolomic analysis revealed significant differences in metabolic patterns mainly correlated with developmental stage. Hierarchical clustering of genotypes and traits revealed clear partitioning of groups of early‐, mid‐ and late‐season sugar content, with secondary segregation by the yield trait, TCH, and fiber content. The study identified co‐expression and specific metabolites associated with metabolic pathways correlated with Brix and fiber content. Knowledge of the correlation between co‐expressed metabolites and diverse agronomic traits will allow more deliberate selection of genotypes for early or late sugar development and fiber content and biomass yield.
Managing soil nutrient buildup by rotating crops and fertilizers following repeated poultry litter applications
Authors: Tewolde Haile , Buehring Normie , Feng Gary , Way Thomas R.
Published: November 2020

Applying poultry litter (PL) to meet a crop's P need is the most recommended PL management practice but may not be the most ideal. In this study, alternative management strategies that included the rotations of crops and fertilizers were tested. Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), corn (Zea mays L.), and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] were grown in rotation and fertilized with five fertility treatments, which included an unfertilized control, a standard fertilization with conventional synthetic fertilizers (Std), P‐based PL application every year for 5 yr (P5L), N‐based PL application every year for 5 yr (N5L), and N‐based PL application each of the first 2 yr and a synthetic N application at the same rate as the Std in the last 3 yr (N2L). The level of residual soil mineral elements was assessed after 5 yr of imposing these treatments. The results showed that, relative to the Std, the N5L treatment elevated extractable soil P, Cu, and Zn by >100% and soil K and Mg by ≈90%. After 5 yr, soil nutrient levels in the N2L treatment were comparable to the P5L treatment, which did not lead to any nutrient buildup. Rotating crops was not a reliable practice for purposes of managing soil nutrient buildup. The results overall show that applying PL at a relatively high rate to meet the N need of cotton for a few years and suspending the application for 2–3 yr during which only synthetic N fertilizer is applied offers an effective and sustainable PL management strategy in row crop production systems.
The Immigration-Emigration Nexus in Non-EU Sending States: A Focus on Welfare Entitlements, Consular Services, and Diaspora Policies
Authors: Vintila Daniela , Lafleur Jean-Michel
Published: November 2020

Migrants’ access to social benefits has been intensively studied in the European Union, but less scholarly attention has been dedicated to the way in which non-EU welfare regimes adapt to international mobility. This chapter introduces a volume that aims to address this research gap by taking the perspective of non-EU states on migrant social protection. To do so, our analysis focuses on 13 countries: Argentina, China, Ecuador, India, Lebanon, Morocco, Serbia, Senegal, Switzerland, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, Tunisia, and Turkey. These countries represent relevant sending states for migrants coming to the EU, with some of them also hosting sizeable immigrant populations. We argue that their different migration characteristics (including the size and main features of their immigrant and diaspora populations) as well as the peculiarity of their welfare regimes (which often followed a quite distinctive historical path of development compared to their EU counterparts) may shape their responsiveness in terms of ensuring migrants’ access to domestic welfare systems.
Diaspora Policies, Consular Services and Social Protection for Moroccan Citizens Abroad
Authors: Mahieu Rilke
Published: November 2020

This chapter sheds light on the ways in which Morocco, country of origin of a five million expatriate population centered in Europe, promotes the social protection of its expatriate citizens. Within Moroccan diaspora policies, which are long-standing, extensive and promoted by a range of diaspora institutions, the social protection of nationals abroad does not take a central position. Rather, Moroccan diaspora policies prioritize the mobilization of expatriate human and financial capital for Moroccan development interests. However, a number of initiatives have been taken to facilitate non-resident citizens’ access to social rights, such as the conclusion of bilateral conventions with major destination countries and the creation of social programs by Moroccan diaspora institutions.
Access to Social Protection by Immigrants, Emigrants and Resident Nationals in Switzerland
Authors: Hummer Bettina Kahil-Wolff
Published: November 2020

From a Swiss perspective, migration and transnational social protection is a subject of great importance because more than 30% of all the people working in Switzerland are migrants. This chapter shows that the Swiss social security provides protection for nationals and non-nationals, by granting access to health care and compensating the loss of income due to old age, disability, accidents, unemployment and other social risks. In some areas, the Swiss law contains rules that require domicile in Switzerland or Swiss citizenship, but for a majority of migrants, international agreements as well as EU Regulation n° 883/2004 waive such rules.
Access to Social Protection by Immigrants, Emigrants and Resident Nationals in the UK
Authors: Bertolini Alessio , Clegg Daniel
Published: November 2020

Immigration policies and immigrants’ rights to social protection in the UK have evolved dramatically over the past few decades, due to changing immigration flows, the UK’s membership of the European Union (EU) and participation in the European Single Market, and increasing anti-immigration sentiment, which culminated with the decision to leave the EU in January 2020. In this chapter, we argue that, at present, access to social protection is hierarchically structured depending on the interplay of three key variables: benefit type, immigration status and residency status. British citizens residing in the UK and immigrants with a permanent leave to remain have access to full social protection. So do generally European Economic Area (EEA) immigrants with the right to reside, though the precise basis of the right to reside is important in determining the types of benefits the person is entitled to. Migrants with a temporary leave to remain are excluded from most non-contributory benefits, as generally are British citizens living abroad, though those residing in EEA countries and those residing in a country with which the UK has a social security agreement are still entitled to a limited range of benefits. Many changes in access to social protection, especially as regards EEA immigrants in the UK and British nationals living in the EEA, are likely to stem from the UK leaving the EU, though these changes are currently being negotiated and, at present, no definitive post-Brexit regulatory framework is available.
Diaspora Policies, Consular Services and Social Protection for Argentine Citizens Abroad
Authors: Margheritis Ana
Published: November 2020

Argentina has a relatively small diaspora and short experience engaging with it. This study explains the evolution of the institutional framework by which Argentina’s authorities interact with nationals abroad since early 2000s, with a specific focus on social protection. It shows that Argentina’s policies for citizens abroad have not institutionalised yet as a distinct and vibrant sphere of action and most initiatives have waxed and waned over time. As a result, Argentina’s lukewarm approach to diaspora engagement is characterised by ambivalence, intermittent and selective engagement, and relatively little development in terms of responding to social protection needs of nationals abroad. In the last few years, though, there has been an attempt to simplify bureaucratic procedures and improve services via virtual means. In particular, this chapter presents a detailed account of the policies, programmes and services offered by Argentine authorities across five specific policy areas: unemployment, health care, pensions, family-related benefits, and economic hardship. It shows that the area of social security and pensions is the most developed and that Argentines residing in MERCOSUR member states have benefited from the enactment of social and economic rights by regional accords.
Access to Social Protection by Immigrants, Emigrants and Resident Nationals in China
Authors: He Alex Jingwei
Published: November 2020

This chapter presents a schematic overview of the Chinese social security system in terms of coverage, financing, service delivery, eligibility, and entitlement. In view of the rapid migration both from and to China, the multitude of social policy challenges have arisen. This chapter pays particular attention to the differential access to social protection across citizens, foreigners residing in China, and Chinese citizens living abroad. Given the continuous reforms in the recent years, this chapter aims to provide an up-to-date overview of social security framework, especially that governing international migration, in the world’s most populous country and the second largest economy.
Access to Social Protection by Immigrants, Emigrants and Resident Nationals in Ecuador
Authors: Minteguiaga Analía , Carmel Valerie
Published: November 2020

Formal labour and affiliation to Ecuador’s social security system is the main gateway for access to social protection benefits, especially in the case of migrants. However, a large informal labour market and low levels on inclusion in the social security system forces large sectors of society to rely on family and community arrangements for the management of risk and economic uncertainty. The state provides some non-contributory benefits through cash transfer programs but, with the exception of health care, these only cover people living in conditions of extreme poverty. Universal, non-means tested programs are limited to the public health and education systems. Overall, migrants face several obstacles to access social protection benefits. Gaining the right to work legally is mostly reserved for white-collar and highly educated immigrants, excluding impoverished immigrants. Paired to the inability to access labour-related benefits and government programs for the so-called poor, immigrants lack the safety nets provided by extended family and a community setting. Nationals residing abroad have restricted access to social benefits, having access only to the contributory pension system on a voluntary basis. This chapter discusses the social protection system in Ecuador and focuses on eligibility criteria to show the extent of migrants’ access to the social benefits.
What Can the Insurance Distribution Directive “Offer” the South African Microinsurance Model?
Authors: Huneberg Samantha
Published: November 2020

The Insurance Distribution Directive is set to change how insurers and intermediaries design as well as sell insurance products. The provisions of the Directive are far-reaching and are to have a significant impact on consumers. The Directive is heavily pro-consumer and due to its pro-consumer nature, it is to have extensive benefits for consumers. South Africa has recently enacted microinsurance provisions which are now considered formalised insurance products in the country. New legislation has been enacted to regulate microinsurance policies in both life and non-life spheres. Microinsurance is to have a profound impact on a large part of the country’s population. Considering the pro-consumer and extensive nature of the IDD, it is worth considering what the IDD can “offer” the South African microinsurance model, what can South Africa learn from these provisions?
Regulating Telematics Insurance
Authors: van den Boom Freyja
Published: November 2020

‘Telematics’ insurance is an example of data driven innovation in the insurance industry where data obtained from the vehicle (such as speed, time and location) is used to provide consumers with premiums based on their actual driving behavior. Despite the many benefits including more accurate risk assessments and premium setting, there are serious privacy concerns about the increased use of vehicle data for insurance purposes. The information requirements of the GDPR and the IDD could address some of these concerns in the context of telematics insurance. This research chapter concludes the analysis of the scope of these requirements by proposing the need for a broad interpretation for information to be made available in order to effectively help consumers make better, well informed decisions about insurance products and use of their personal data for insurance purposes.
IDD and Distribution Risk Management
Authors: Bravo Jorge Miguel
Published: November 2020

Distribution is a key aspect of insurers’ business models. Insurance companies use multi-channel and multi touch-point distribution methods to target their customers. Insurers must manage the distribution risk arising from actions of the distribution channel, which have the potential to impact the quality and volume of the insured portfolio, the insurer’s income-generating capacity, long-term financial sustainability and brand value. In this chapter we discuss the implications of the introduction of the Insurance Distribution Directive (IDD) on distribution risk management and on firm’s entire value chain. The expected impact of IDD main provisions (demands and needs analysis, suitability and appropriateness requirements, remuneration and incentive mechanisms, conflicts of interest dispositions, cross-selling, POG, information to customers, CPD) on product development, sales and distribution, underwriting and policy administration, claims, asset and customer management activities are analysed, considering the influence of digitalization on insurance distribution and value chain.
Enaction of Chapter VII of the Insurance Distribution Directive: What Can Member States Learn from the Enforcement Failures of the United States?
Authors: Defever Kathleen M.
Published: November 2020

Chapter VII of the Insurance Distribution Directive delineates the sanctions and other pecuniary measures which the Commission of the European Union now requires as a portion of the minimum harmonization of the Directive. As Member States adopt and apply the articles of Chapter VII, which are unprecedented in their scope and specificity, they may find guidance through a comparison of the enforcement mechanisms already in place in other jurisdictions.

The United States is well known as the largest insurance market in the world, and possesses an extensive body of insurance regulation. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners, an advisory organization comprised of the insurance commissioners from each of the 50 U.S. states, drafted the Producer Licensing Model Act—the closest American corollary to the IDD. Unfortunately, despite widespread adoption of the PLMA, the effectiveness of U.S. state enforcement mechanisms on the actions of intermediaries is, overall, weak and inconsistent. We will analyze why this is the case, and offer concrete examples of the failures of specific state enforcement regimes.
On the data set’s ruins
Authors: Malevé Nicolas
Published: November 2020

Computer vision aims to produce an understanding of digital image’s content and the generation or transformation of images through software. Today, a significant amount of computer vision algorithms rely on techniques of machine learning which require large amounts of data assembled in collections, or named data sets. To build these data sets a large population of precarious workers label and classify photographs around the clock at high speed. For computers to learn how to see, a scale articulates macro and micro dimensions: the millions of images culled from the internet with the few milliseconds given to the workers to perform a task for which they are paid a few cents. This paper engages in details with the production of this scale and the labour it relies on: its elaboration. This elaboration does not only require hands and retinas, it also crucially zes mobilises the photographic apparatus. To understand the specific character of the scale created by computer vision scientists, the paper compares it with a previous enterprise of scaling, Malraux’s Le Musée Imaginaire, where photography was used as a device to undo the boundaries of the museum’s collection and open it to an unlimited access to the world’s visual production. Drawing on Douglas Crimp’s argument that the “musée imaginaire”, a hyperbole of the museum, relied simultaneously on the active role of the photographic apparatus for its existence and on its negation, the paper identifies a similar problem in computer vision’s understanding of photography. The double dismissal of the role played by the workers and the agency of the photographic apparatus in the elaboration of computer vision foreground the inherent fragility of the edifice of machine vision and a necessary rethinking of its scale.
Is neuroticism relevant for old cancer survivors? A controlled, population-based study (the Norwegian HUNT-3 survey)
Authors: Grov Ellen Karine , Dahl Alv A.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Personality traits, particularly neuroticism, have an impact on people’s health and lifestyle. Due to lack of previous studies, we examined old cancer survivors (OCSs) versus cancer-free age-matched controls aged ≥ 70 years, regarding prevalence of high neuroticism, health problems in those with high and low neuroticism, and sociodemographic and clinical variables that were significantly associated with high neuroticism.

Methods

We merged data from a Norwegian population–based health study (the HUNT-3) and from the Cancer Registry of Norway identifying OCSs. Three cancer-free controls were drawn at random for each OCS. Neuroticism was self-rated on a brief version of Eysenck Personality Questionnaire. Between-group statistical comparisons were made between OCS and controls, and among their subgroups with high and low neuroticism. Logistic regression analyses were used to investigate independent variables significantly associated with high neuroticism.

Results

Twenty-nine percent of OCSs reported high neuroticism while controls reported 30%. OCSs showed significantly lower rate of good life satisfaction than controls. All other between-group comparisons were nonsignificant. Being OCSs was not significantly related to high neuroticism in the regression analyses. Sociodemographic, general health, and lifestyle issues, lack of energy, and low life satisfaction remained significantly associated with high neuroticism in the multivariable analysis.

Conclusions

The prevalence of high neuroticism was similar in OCSs and controls. High neuroticism was associated with negative health and lifestyle issues in both groups.
Quality of life and illness perceptions in patients with breast cancer using a fasting mimicking diet as an adjunct to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the phase 2 DIRECT (BOOG 2013–14) trial
Authors:   on behalf of the Dutch Breast Cancer Research Group (BOOG), Lugtenberg Rieneke T. , de Groot Stefanie , Kaptein Ad A. , Fischer Maarten J. , Kranenbarg Elma Meershoek-Klein , Carpentier Marjolijn Duijm-de , Cohen Danielle , de Graaf Hiltje , Heijns Joan B. , Portielje Johanneke E. A. , van de Wouw Agnes J. , Imholz Alex L. T. , Kessels Lonneke W. , Vrijaldenhoven Suzan , Baars Arnold , Fiocco Marta , van der Hoeven Jacobus J. M. , Gelderblom Hans , Longo Valter D. , Pijl Hanno , Kroep Judith R.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

In the phase II DIRECT study a fasting mimicking diet (FMD) improved the clinical response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy as compared to a regular diet. Quality of Life (QoL) and illness perceptions regarding the possible side effects of chemotherapy and the FMD were secondary outcomes of the trial.

Methods

131 patients with HER2-negative stage II/III breast cancer were recruited, of whom 129 were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either a fasting mimicking diet (FMD) or their regular diet for 3 days prior to and the day of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) questionnaires EORTC-QLQ-C30 and EORTC-QLQ-BR23; the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ) and the Distress Thermometer were used to assess these outcomes at baseline, halfway chemotherapy, before the last cycle of chemotherapy and 6 months after surgery.

Results

Overall QoL and distress scores declined during treatment in both arms and returned to baseline values 6 months after surgery. However, patients’ perceptions differed slightly over time. In particular, patients receiving the FMD were less concerned and had better understanding of the possible adverse effects of their treatment in comparison with patients on a regular diet. Per-protocol analyses yielded better emotional, physical, role, cognitive and social functioning scores as well as lower fatigue, nausea and insomnia symptom scores for patients adherent to the FMD in comparison with non-adherent patients and patients on their regular diet.

Conclusions

FMD as an adjunct to neoadjuvant chemotherapy appears to improve certain QoL and illness perception domains in patients with HER2-negative breast cancer.

Trialregister

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02126449.
Comparing the Effectiveness of Three Different Biorefinery Processes at Recovering Bioactive Products from Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Byproduct
Authors: Setti Leonardo , Samaei Seyedeh Parya , Maggiore Irene , Nissen Lorenzo , Gianotti Andrea , Babini Elena
Published: November 2020

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seeds are considered a nutritional powerhouse, rich in proteins and unsaturated fatty acids. The market for hemp seed food products is growing, due to the loosening of constraints in industrial cultivation. During the food processing chain, the external part of the seed is discarded, although it contains a significant amount of proteins. Converting this material into value-added products with a biorefinery approach could meet the ever-increasing need for sustainable protein sources while reducing food waste. In this study, creating value from hemp byproducts was pursued with three different approaches: (i) chemical extraction followed by enzymatic digestion, (ii) liquid fermentation by strains of Lactobacillus spp., and (iii) solid-state fermentation by Pleurotus ostreatus. The resulting products exhibited a range of in vitro antioxidant and antihypertensive activity, depending on the proteases used for enzymatic digestion, the bacterial strain, and the length of time of the two fermentation processes. These byproducts could be exploited as functional ingredients in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries; the suggested biorefinery processes thus represent potential solutions for the development of other protein-containing byproducts or wastes.
Pore structure characterization and its effect on methane adsorption in shale kerogen
Authors: Wang Tian-Yu , Tian Shou-Ceng , Liu Qing-Ling , Li Gen-Sheng , Sheng Mao , Ren Wen-Xi , Zhang Pan-Pan
Published: November 2020

Pore structure characterization and its effect on methane adsorption on shale kerogen are crucial to understanding the fundamental mechanisms of gas storage, transport, and reserves evaluation. In this study, we use 3D scanning confocal microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray nano-computed tomography (nano-CT), and low-pressure N2 adsorption analysis to analyze the pore structures of the shale. Additionally, the adsorption behavior of methane on shales with different pore structures is investigated by molecular simulations. The results show that the SEM image of the shale sample obviously displays four different pore shapes, including slit pore, square pore, triangle pore, and circle pore. The average coordination number is 4.21 and the distribution of coordination numbers demonstrates that pores in the shale have high connectivity. Compared with the adsorption capacity of methane on triangle pores, the adsorption capacity on slit pore, square pore, and circle pore are reduced by 9.86%, 8.55%, and 6.12%, respectively. With increasing pressure, these acute wedges fill in a manner different from the right or obtuse angles in the other pores. This study offers a quantitative understanding of the effect of pore structure on methane adsorption in the shale and provides better insight into the evaluation of gas storage in geologic shale reservoirs.
Habitat, Sexual and Allometric Influences on Morphological Traits of Intertidal Crabs
Authors: Vermeiren P. , Lennard C. , Trave C.
Published: November 2020

Intertidal crabs display distinct morphological traits that allow differential interactions with biotic and abiotic features of the intertidal landscape, but are also influenced by allometry and sexual selection. This study aimed to explore the influence of sexual, allometric and habitat factors on morphological variation in the intertidal mangrove crab assemblage. A standardized photographic protocol was developed using readily available, low-cost technology to capture the morphology of carapaces and claws as sets of Cartesian landmarks. Digitization errors were 1 to 2 orders of magnitude smaller than the variation among individuals. InTubuca seismellaandTubuca signata(superfamily Ocypodoidea), species that have traditionally been studied for sexual dimorphism, standardized major claw sizes were 2.8 and 3.7, respectively, times larger for males than females. Sexual dimorphism in claw size was also observed forMetopograpsus frontalisandParasesarma longicristatum(superfamily Grapsoidea), with the largest claw in males being 15% and 33%, respectively, larger than in females. In contrast to size, claw shape did not relate to sex, except forT.seismella.Carapace shape, although variable among individuals and displaying asymmetry, was unrelated to sex. Claw and carapace shapes displayed high correlations, with values around 0.78. Carapace shapes grouped into taxonomic families and linked to habitat preferences, while claw shapes varied along a taxonomic gradient. These results complement studies on crab morphology that focus on specific factors or species, and stress the importance of multiple, interacting factors including sexual, allometric and habitat influences as drivers of morphological trait variability.
Sonothrombolysis in the ambulance for ST-elevation myocardial infarction: rationale and protocol
Authors: El Kadi S. , Porter T. R. , van Rossum A. C. , Kamp O.
Published: November 2020

Background

Treatment of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has improved over the years. Current challenges in the management of STEMI are achievement of early reperfusion and the prevention of microvascular injury. Sonothrombolysis has emerged as a potential treatment for acute myocardial infarction, both for epicardial recanalisation as well as improving microvascular perfusion. This study aims to determine safety and feasibility of sonothrombolysis application in STEMI patients in the ambulance.

Methods

Ten patients with STEMI will be included and treated with sonothrombolysis in the ambulance during transfer to the PCI centre. Safety will be assessed by the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias and shock during sonothrombolysis intervention. Feasibility will be assessed by the extent of protocol completion and myocardial visibility. Efficacy will be determined by angiographic patency rate, ST-elevation resolution, infarct size and left ventricular volumes, and function measured with cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging, and contrast and strain echocardiography. A comparison will be made with matched controls using an existing STEMI database.

Discussion

Sonothrombolysis is a novel technique for the treatment of cardiovascular thromboembolic disease. The first clinical trials on its use for STEMI have demonstrated promising results. This study will be the first to examine the feasibility of in-ambulance sonothrombolysis for STEMI.

Trial registration

EU Clinical Trials Register (identifier: 2019-001883-31), registered 2020-02-25.
Inward Conquest
Authors: Ansell Ben W. , Lindvall Johannes
Published: November 2020

In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, modern states began to provide many of the public services we now take for granted. Inward Conquest presents the first comprehensive analysis of the political origins of modern public services during this period. Ansell and Lindvall show how struggles among political parties and religious groups shaped the structure of diverse yet crucially important public services, including policing, schooling, and public health. Liberals, Catholics, conservatives, socialists, and fascists all fought bitterly over both the provision and political control of public services, with profound consequences for contemporary political developments. Integrating data on the historical development of public order, education, and public health with novel measures on the ideological orientation of governments, the authors provide a wealth of new evidence on a missing link in the history of the modern state.
A molecular phylogeny ofPilocarpaceaeZahlbr., including a new species ofTapellariaMüll. Arg. and new records of foliicolous lichenized fungi from Thailand
Authors: Wang Wei-Cheng , Sangvichien Ek , Wei Tie-Zheng , Wei Jiang-Chun
Published: November 2020

The phylogeny of foliicolous taxa inPilocarpaceaewas reconstructed using Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses of concatenated ITS and mtSSU sequences. Sixty-six new partial sequences representing 36 taxa were generated and 29 sequences were downloaded from GenBank. Our results indicate thatLasiolomaR. Sant. is nested within a paraphyleticCalopadiaVězda, whereasFellhaneraVězda is polyphyletic and the phylogenetic relationships ofEugeniellaLückinget al. andSporopodiumMont. withFellhanerarequire further investigation. In addition,Tapellaria parvimuriformisW. C. Wang & J. C. Wei is described as a new species from Khao Yai National Park, Thailand, and is characterized by its small muriform ascospores, grey campylidia with a pale base, and short conidia. Eight new records of foliicolous lichens for Thailand are also listed.
The corruption–growth relationship: does the political regime matter?
Authors: Saha Shrabani , Sen Kunal
Published: November 2020

Corruption is widely believed to have an adverse effect on the economic performance of a country. However, many East-and-Southeast-Asian countries either achieved or currently are achieving impressively rapid economic growth despite widespread corruption – the so-called East-Asian-Paradox. A common feature of these countries was that they were autocracies. We re-examine the corruption-growth relationship, in light of the East-Asian-Paradox. We examine the role of political regimes, in mediating corruption–growth relationship using panel data over 100 countries for the period 1984–2016. We find clear evidence that corruption–growth relationship differs by the type of political regime, and the growth-enhancing effect of corruption is more likely in autocracies than in democracies. The marginal effect analysis shows that in strongly autocratic countries, higher corruption may lead to significantly higher growth, while this is not the case in democracies. Alternatively, democracy is not good for growth if there is a high level of perceived corruption. We provide suggestive evidence that the mechanism by which corruption is growth-enhancing in autocracies is through the perceived credibility of the commitment of ruling political elites to economic freedom, thereby providing confidence to the firms to invest, leading to long-term growth.
Selection Myths
Authors: Fisher Peter A. , Risavy Stephen D. , Robie Chet , König Cornelius J. , Christiansen Neil D. , Tett Robert P. , Simonet Daniel V.
Published: November 2020

Abstract. After nearly two decades of awareness on the research–practice gap in human resource management, this study updates and expands on the seminal findings of Rynes et al. (2002) specific to personnel selection. In a sample of 453 human resource (HR) practitioners in the US and Canada, we found that the research–practice gap persists. Notably, compared to the 2002 findings, HR practitioners tended to be worse at identifying personnel selection myths than was shown by Rynes et al. over 15 years ago, while those who reported not conducting validity studies were surprisingly better at identifying several myths as false. Several potential avenues for advancement are suggested in light of the disturbing stubbornness of the research–practice gap in personnel selection.