bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deep learning in interstitial lung disease—how long until daily practice
Authors: Trusculescu Ana Adriana , Manolescu Diana , Tudorache Emanuela , Oancea Cristian
Published: June 2020

Interstitial lung diseases are a diverse group of disorders that involve inflammation and fibrosis of interstitium, with clinical, radiological, and pathological overlapping features. These are an important cause of morbidity and mortality among lung diseases. This review describes computer-aided diagnosis systems centered on deep learning approaches that improve the diagnostic of interstitial lung diseases. We highlighted the challenges and the implementation of important daily practice, especially in the early diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Developing a convolutional neuronal network (CNN) that could be deployed on any computer station and be accessible to non-academic centers is the next frontier that needs to be crossed. In the future, early diagnosis of IPF should be possible. CNN might not only spare the human resources but also will reduce the costs spent on all the social and healthcare aspects of this deadly disease.

Key Points

• Deep learning algorithms are used in pattern recognition of different interstitial lung diseases.

• High-resolution computed tomography plays a central role in the diagnosis and in the management of all interstitial lung diseases, especially fibrotic lung disease.

• Developing an accessible algorithm that could be deployed on any computer station and be used in non-academic centers is the next frontier in the early diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Additive effect of erythropoietin use on exercise-induced endothelial activation and hypercoagulability in athletes
Authors: Heuberger Jules A. A. C. , Posthuma Jelle J. , Ziagkos Dimitrios , Rotmans Joris I. , Daniels Johannes M. A. , Gal Pim , Stuurman Frederik E. , Spronk Henri M. H. , Ten Cate Hugo , Burggraaf Jacobus , Moerland Matthijs , Cohen Adam F.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) is known to increase thrombotic risk in patients and might have similar effects in athletes abusing the drug. rHuEPO is prohibited by anti-doping legislation, but this risk has not been investigated thoroughly. This analysis was designed to evaluate whether rHuEPO impacts hemostatic profile and endothelial and platelet activation markers in trained subjects, and whether the combination with exercise affects exercise induced alterations.

Methods

This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial enrolled healthy, trained male cyclists aged 18–50 years. Participants were randomly allocated (1:1) to receive subcutaneous injections of rHuEPO (epoetin-β; mean dose 6000 IU per week) or placebo (0.9% NaCl) for 8 weeks. Subjects performed five maximal exercise tests and a road race, coagulation and endothelial/platelet markers were measured at rest and directly after each exercise effort.

Results

rHuEPO increased P-selectin (+ 7.8% (1.5–14.5), p = 0.02) and E-selectin (+ 8.6% (2.0–15.7), p = 0.01) levels at rest. Maximal exercise tests significantly influenced all measured coagulation and endothelial/platelet markers, and in the rHuEPO group maximal exercise tests led to 15.3% ((7.0–24.3%), p = 0.0004) higher E-selectin and 32.1% ((4.6–66.8%), p = 0.0207) higher Platelet factor 4 (PF4) levels compared to the placebo group.

Conclusion

In conclusion, rHuEPO treatment resulted in elevated E- and P-selectin levels in trained cyclists, indicating enhanced endothelial activation and/or platelet reactivity. Exercise itself induces hypercoagulability, and the combination of rHuEPO and exercise increased E-selectin and PF4 levels more than either intervention alone. Based on this, exercise potentially increases thrombotic risk, a risk that might be enhanced in combination with rHuEPO use.
BDNF signaling during the lifetime of dendritic spines
Authors: Zagrebelsky Marta , Tacke Charlotte , Korte Martin
Published: June 2020

Dendritic spines are tiny membrane specialization forming the postsynaptic part of most excitatory synapses. They have been suggested to play a crucial role in regulating synaptic transmission during development and in adult learning processes. Changes in their number, size, and shape are correlated with processes of structural synaptic plasticity and learning and memory and also with neurodegenerative diseases, when spines are lost. Thus, their alterations can correlate with neuronal homeostasis, but also with dysfunction in several neurological disorders characterized by cognitive impairment. Therefore, it is important to understand how different stages in the life of a dendritic spine, including formation, maturation, and plasticity, are strictly regulated. In this context, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), belonging to the NGF-neurotrophin family, is among the most intensively investigated molecule. This review would like to report the current knowledge regarding the role of BDNF in regulating dendritic spine number, structure, and plasticity concentrating especially on its signaling via its two often functionally antagonistic receptors, TrkB and p75NTR. In addition, we point out a series of open points in which, while the role of BDNF signaling is extremely likely conclusive, evidence is still missing.
A cost-efficient approach for simultaneous scanning electrochemical microscopy and scanning ion conductance microscopy
Authors: Wert Stefan , Baluchová Simona , Schwarzová-Pecková Karolina , Sedláková Silvia , Taylor Andrew , Matysik Frank-Michael
Published: June 2020

A novel and cost-efficient probe fabrication method yielding probes for performing simultaneous scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) and scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) is presented. Coupling both techniques allows distinguishing topographical and electrochemical activity information obtained by SECM. Probes were prepared by deposition of photoresist onto platinum-coated, pulled fused silica capillaries, which resulted in a pipette probe with an integrated ring ultramicroelectrode. The fabricated probes were characterized by means of cyclic voltammetry and scanning electron microscopy. The applicability of probes was demonstrated by measuring and distinguishing topography and electrochemical activity of a model substrate. In addition, porous boron-doped diamond samples were investigated via simultaneously performed SECM and SICM.

Graphic abstract
Lungentransplantation
Authors: Jaksch Peter , Hoetzenecker Konrad
Published: June 2020

Die Lungentransplantation (LuTX) ist eine etablierte Option bei chronischen Lungenerkrankungen, wenn alle anderen therapeutischen Möglichkeiten ausgeschöpft sind. Die häufigsten Indikationen stellen weiterhin das Lungenemphysem (30 %), die idiopathische Lungenfibrose (26 %) sowie die zystische Fibrose (15 %) dar. Zurzeit erfolgt in den meisten Fällen eine doppelseitige Operation. Mögliche Kandidaten für eine LuTX werden sorgfältig voruntersucht, um Komorbiditäten zu erfassen, die eine absolute oder relative Kontraindikation darstellen würden. Die Überlebenszahlen verbesserten sich in den letzten Jahren weiter. In großen Zentren betragen das 1‑Jahres-Überleben >90 % und das 5‑Jahres-Überleben 75–80 %. Zu den Problemen im Langzeit-Follow-up gehört die Entwicklung einer sog. chronischen Abstoßung (CLAD [„chronic lung allograft dysfunction“]). Sie stellt die häufigste Todesursache ab dem 2. Jahr nach LuTX dar, und die Therapiemöglichkeiten sind, trotz intensiver Bemühungen, noch gering.
Drug-induced hepatic steatosis in absence of severe mitochondrial dysfunction in HepaRG cells: proof of multiple mechanism-based toxicity
Authors: Allard Julien , Bucher Simon , Massart Julie , Ferron Pierre-Jean , Le Guillou Dounia , Loyant Roxane , Daniel Yoann , Launay Youenn , Buron Nelly , Begriche Karima , Borgne-Sanchez Annie , Fromenty Bernard
Published: June 2020

Steatosis is a liver lesion reported with numerous pharmaceuticals. Prior studies showed that severe impairment of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation (mtFAO) constantly leads to lipid accretion in liver. However, much less is known about the mechanism(s) of drug-induced steatosis in the absence of severe mitochondrial dysfunction, although previous studies suggested the involvement of mild-to-moderate inhibition of mtFAO, increased de novo lipogenesis (DNL), and impairment of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) secretion. The objective of our study, mainly carried out in human hepatoma HepaRG cells, was to investigate these 3 mechanisms with 12 drugs able to induce steatosis in human: amiodarone (AMIO, used as positive control), allopurinol (ALLO),d-penicillamine (DPEN), 5-fluorouracil (5FU), indinavir (INDI), indomethacin (INDO), methimazole (METHI), methotrexate (METHO), nifedipine (NIF), rifampicin (RIF), sulindac (SUL), and troglitazone (TRO). Hepatic cells were exposed to drugs for 4 days with concentrations decreasing ATP level by less than 30% as compared to control and not exceeding 100 × Cmax. Among the 12 drugs, AMIO, ALLO, 5FU, INDI, INDO, METHO, RIF, SUL, and TRO induced steatosis in HepaRG cells. AMIO, INDO, and RIF decreased mtFAO. AMIO, INDO, and SUL enhanced DNL. ALLO, 5FU, INDI, INDO, SUL, RIF, and TRO impaired VLDL secretion. These seven drugs reduced the mRNA level of genes playing a major role in VLDL assembly and also induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Thus, in the absence of severe mitochondrial dysfunction, drug-induced steatosis can be triggered by different mechanisms, although impairment of VLDL secretion seems more frequently involved, possibly as a consequence of ER stress.
Governance of climate adaptation, which mode? An exploration of stakeholder viewpoints on how to organize adaptation
Authors: Molenveld Astrid , van Buuren Arwin , Ellen Gerald-Jan
Published: June 2020

There are many normative answers on the question how to realize climate adaptation, ranging from pleas for the government to play a decisive role, to calls for refraining from action and relying upon spontaneous adaptation of both government and non-governmental actors. In this article, we present a Q methodological study, aimed at investigating the governance preferences among non-governmental actors in the Netherlands and the “narratives” they use to motivate these preferences. Our empirical results underline the fact that the question “how to organize adaptation”, is a controversial one. The results resemble the various positions in the current academic debate about the governance of adaptation, and add important insights and nuances to it. Many respondents feel that the current climate adaptation policy is too non-committal. The dominant viewpoint underscores a need for more rules and norms and the possibility to sanction organizations that do not adapt. Minority viewpoints show an urge to stimulate and support self-organization of partners, as well as a need for more action. However, financial and regulatory preconditions are needed to stimulate actors in order to see to the necessary investments. Policy-makers have to invest in mixing their policy instruments. Clearly, most nongovernmental actors are in favor of the government setting a framework with rules and norms for climate adaption. However, the viewpoints show that this is not sufficient. The government should facilitate networks, joint efforts and create the financial and regulatory preconditions to remove current barriers blocking adaptation measures.
Iterative schemes for surfactant transport in porous media
Authors: Illiano Davide , Pop Iuliu Sorin , Radu Florin Adrian
Published: June 2020

In this work, we consider the transport of a surfactant in variably saturated porous media. The water flow is modelled by the Richards equations and it is fully coupled with the transport equation for the surfactant. Three linearization techniques are discussed: the Newton method, the modified Picard, and the L-scheme. Based on these, monolithic and splitting schemes are proposed and their convergence is analyzed. The performance of these schemes is illustrated on five numerical examples. For these examples, the number of iterations and the condition numbers of the linear systems emerging in each iteration are presented.
Exploring the diversity and distribution of crop wild relatives of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) in Colombia
Authors: González-Orozco Carlos E. , Galán Angela A. Sánchez , Ramos Pablo E. , Yockteng Roxana
Published: June 2020

Crop wild relatives are important for agriculture because they contain high levels of genetic diversity and grow in a wide range of habitats and environments. Colombia has the largest number of cacao crop wild relatives in the world, including different species of the genusTheobromaand its sister genusHerrania. This paper investigates diversity and distribution of cacao crop wild relatives in Colombia using species occurrences extracted from museum and herbarium archives, fieldwork collections gathered on recently conducted expeditions and species distribution modelling. A total of 211 botanical collections comprising 174 samples ofTheobromaspecies, and 37 samples ofHerraniaspecies were collected on expeditions to Caguán–Caquetá in the upper Amazon basin and La Victoria, in the Pacific region of central Choco. These collections represent 22 taxa of cacao crop wild relatives. On the Chocó expedition, we reported the highest richness and endemism, where seven taxa of Theobroma and three of Herrania were found within a radius of 10 km, which has never been recorded before. On the Amazon expedition, we found an abundance of wild populations ofTheobroma cacaoon the river banks. We estimated that 95% of the most suitable environments for wild cacao in Colombia are in unprotected areas. Our study reveals that species diversity and endemism of cacao crop wild relatives in Colombia is under sampled and distributional patterns are incomplete. Based on the findings of our study, we propose a conservation strategy that consists of further expeditions to collect herbarium and germplasm samples, and habitat protection of cacao crop wild relatives in Colombia.
Scale-dependent environmental filtering of ground-dwelling predators in winter wheat and adjacent set-aside areas in Hungary
Authors: Růžičková Jana , Kádár Ferenc , Szalkovszki Ottó , Kovács-Hostyánszki Anikó , Báldi András , Elek Zoltán
Published: June 2020

Agricultural intensification may act as an environmental filter shaping invertebrate assemblages at multiple spatial scales. However, it is not fully understood which scale is the most influential. Therefore, we utilized a hierarchical approach to examine the effect of local management (inorganic fertilization and soil properties; within-field scale), habitat type (winter wheat field and set-aside field; between-field scale) and landscape complexity (landscape scale) on assemblage structure and functional diversity of two important groups of natural enemies, carabids and spiders, in a cultivated lowland landscape in Hungary. Environmental filtering affected natural enemies at different spatial scales; likely as a result of enemies’ different dispersal ability and sensitivity to fertilizer use. Carabids were strongly affected at the within-field scale: positively by soil pH, negatively by soil organic matter and fertilization. At the between-field scale, carabids had higher activity density in the set-aside fields than in the winter wheat fields and simple landscapes enhanced carabids diversity, species richness and activity density at the landscape scale. Spiders were more abundant and species-rich in the set-aside fields than in the winter wheat fields. Although highly mobile (macropterous) carabids might disperse to arable crops from greater distances, while spiders possibly depended more on the proximity of set-aside fields, the winter wheat fields (where pest control should be delivered) were utilized mostly by common agrobiont species. Increasing crop heterogeneity within arable fields could be a potential option to increase the diversity of carabids and spiders in the studied region.
Maternal Decision-Making Input and Health-Seeking Behaviors Between Pregnancy and the Child’s Second Birthday: A Cross-Sectional Study in Nepal
Authors: Zhang Zhongjie , Cunningham Kenda , Adhikari Ramesh Prasad , Yogi Subash , Manandhar Shraddha , Rana Pooja Pandey , Paxton Anne
Published: June 2020

Objectives

Maternal health-seeking behaviors are critical to improving maternal and child health in low-income countries. This study investigates associations between maternal decision-making input and their health-seeking behaviors in the first 1000-day period between pregnancy and a child’s second birthday in Nepal.

Methods

We used data from a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2018 in 16 districts of Nepal. Among the 3648 households surveyed, 1910 mothers of a child 0 to 24 months with complete data were included for analyses. Logistic regression was used to examine associations between decision-making input and the utilization of antenatal, delivery and postnatal care services, and attendance at health mothers’ group (HMG) meetings. We also used negative binomial regression to assess the relationship between her decision-making input and participation in growth monitoring and promotion (GMP) in the 6 months prior to the survey. For each relationship examined, we adjusted for clustering, as well as potentially confounding factors at individual and household levels.

Results

After adjusting for confounders, maternal decision-making input had a small but positive and significant association with receiving at least 4 antenatal care visits (OR = 1.09, 95% CI 1.02, 1.17), attendance at GMP in the 6 months prior to the survey (IRR = 1.02, 95% CI 1.00, 1.04), and HMG attendance (OR = 1.10, 95% CI 1.03, 1.17), but not with receiving at least 3 postnatal care visits or delivering in a health institution.

Conclusions for Practice

Our findings indicated that empowering women and mothers in household decision-making might warrant greater attention when developing future policies and programs in Nepal.
Sources of doubt: actors, forums, and language of climate change skepticism
Authors: Jankó Ferenc , Drüszler Áron , Gálos Borbála , Móricz Norbert , Papp-Vancsó Judit , Pieczka Ildikó , Pongrácz Rita , Rasztovits Ervin , Soósné Dezső Zsuzsanna , Szabó Orsolya
Published: June 2020

The paper investigates the reference corpus of a climate change contrarian report. We categorized the journal abstracts according to the endorsement positions on anthropogenic climate change. These results were contrasted by an in-text citation analysis. We focused here on the role of the papers included by the report editors concerning the mainstream claims around climate change. Our results showed moderate differences in the endorsement rates as well as in the sources of contrarian arguments considering the contrarian report in general and the presented journals specifically. These outcomes indicate differences among the journals regarding editorial practice, topic-dependency, and the home field advantage of some authors. Beyond the bibliometric data, our additional rhetorical analysis showed that language and wording are at least as important as the references backing the claims. The well-founded atmosphere of doubt in the climate skeptic report relies on two prevalent factors working together: relevant information accumulated on methodological uncertainties and findings that do not support mainstream knowledge claims (1); and solemn rhetoric supplemented with proper re-contextualization and reinterpretation (2).
Cardiomyocyte microvesicles: proinflammatory mediators after myocardial ischemia?
Authors: Siegel Patrick Malcolm , Schmich Judith , Barinov Georg , Bojti István , Vedecnik Christopher , Simanjuntak Novita Riani , Bode Christoph , Moser Martin , Peter Karlheinz , Diehl Philipp
Published: June 2020

Myocardial infarction is a frequent complication of cardiovascular disease leading to high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels after myocardial infarction are associated with heart failure and poor prognosis. Cardiomyocyte microvesicles (CMV) are released during hypoxic conditions and can act as mediators of intercellular communication. MicroRNA (miRNA) are short non-coding RNA which can alter cellular mRNA-translation. Microvesicles (MV) have been shown to contain distinct patterns of miRNA from their parent cells which can affect protein expression in target cells. We hypothesized that miRNA containing CMV mediate hepatic CRP expression after cardiomyocyte hypoxia. H9c2-cells were cultured and murine cardiomyocytes were isolated from whole murine hearts. H9c2- and murine cardiomyocytes were exposed to hypoxic conditions using a hypoxia chamber. Microvesicles were isolated by differential centrifugation and analysed by flow cytometry. Next-generation-sequencing was performed to determine the miRNA-expression profile in H9c2 CMV compared to their parent cells. Microvesicles were incubated with a co-culture model of the liver consisting of THP-1 macrophages and HepG2 cells. IL-6 and CRP expression in the co-culture was assessed by qPCR and ELISA. CMV contain a distinct pattern of miRNA compared to their parent cells including many inflammation-related miRNA. CMV induced IL-6 expression in THP-1 macrophages alone and CRP expression in the hepatic co-culture model. MV from hypoxic cardiomyocytes can mediate CRP expression in a hepatic co-culture model. Further studies will have to show whether these effects are reproducible in-vivo.
Psychometric Analysis and Validation of the Italian Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale
Authors: Soraci Paolo , Ferrari Ambra , Barberis Nadia , Luvarà Giuseppe , Urso Antonino , Del Fante Elena , Griffiths Mark D.
Published: June 2020

Social media use, and specifically Facebook use, has become increasingly popular over the past decade. Despite the many benefits of social networking, a small minority of individuals appear to develop issues surrounding social media use, and more specifically Facebook use. It has, therefore, led some scholars to describe such problematic activity as a behavioral addiction. Such problematic behaviors have been reported in many countries including Italy. The present study validated and examined the reliability and validity of the Italian version of the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale (BFAS) by conducting a psychometric examination among an Italian sample of adults (n = 217; aged 18 to 68 years). Internal reliability was examined using various indicators, including Cronbach’s α, which was excellent (α = 0.94). Results indicated that Facebook addiction was significantly correlated with social media addiction, smartphone addiction, narcissism, depression, and self-esteem. The results of the present study support the use of the Italian version of the BFAS in research and confirms the uni-dimensional nature of the single factor proposed by the original authors.
Cash, non-cash, or mix? Gender matters! The impact of monetary, non-monetary, and mixed incentives on performance
Authors: Sittenthaler Hanna M. , Mohnen Alwine
Published: June 2020

Standard economic theory asserts that cash incentives are always better than non-cash ones, or at least not worse. This study employs a real effort experiment to analyze the impact of monetary, non-monetary, and a combination of monetary and non-monetary incentives on performance, where non-monetary incentives are defined as tangible incentives with market value. Our overall results suggest that there exists no significant difference in performance in response to monetary, non-monetary, and mixed incentives. However, gender-based differentiation reveals a different picture: the performances of men and women depend upon the type of incentive used. Whereas men’s performance is significantly higher in response to monetary incentives compared to non-monetary ones, women’s performance is significantly higher in response to non-monetary incentives. The gender differences in the effectiveness of monetary and non-monetary incentives do not seem to be triggered by the perceived attractiveness of the non-monetary incentives but rather by the differences between men and women in the feelings of appreciation and perceived performance pressure in a tournament setting. Therefore, our results indicate that gender differences must be considered when implementing incentives.
Competitive Healing of Creep-Induced Damage in a Ternary Fe-3Au-4W Alloy
Authors: Fu Y. , Kwakernaak C. , Sloof W. G. , Tichelaar F. D. , Brück E. , van der Zwaag S. , van Dijk N. H.
Published: June 2020

Autonomous healing of creep-induced grain boundary cavities by Au-rich and W-rich precipitates was studied in a Fe-3Au-4W (wt pct) alloy at a fixed temperature of 823 K (550 °C) with different applied stresses. The ternary alloy, with two supersaturated healing solutes, serves as a model system to study the interplay between two separate healing agents. The creep properties are evaluated and compared with those of the previously studied Fe-Au and Fe-W binary systems. The microstructures of the creep-failed samples are studied by electron microscopy to investigate the cavity filling behavior and the mass transfer of supersaturated solute to the defect sites. Compared to the Fe-Au and Fe-W alloys, the new Fe-Au-W alloy has the lowest steady-state strain rate and the longest lifetime. The site-selective filling of the creep-induced cavities is attributed to two different categories of precipitates: micron-sized Au-rich precipitates and nano-sized W-rich precipitates. The Au-rich precipitates are found capable to fully heal the cavities, while the W-rich precipitates show only a limited degree of healing. The two types of precipitates show a reluctance to coexistence, and the formation of W-rich precipitates is suppressed strongly. A model is proposed to describe the competitive healing behavior of the Au-rich and W-rich precipitates.
Geodemographic Patterns of Meat Expenditure in Great Britain
Authors: James William H.M. , Lomax Nik , Birkin Mark , Collins Lisa M.
Published: June 2020

The future of the meat industry will require the management of important trade-offs between economic, environmental and health aspects of both humans and animals. Understanding the patterns and trends of meat expenditure and consumption is crucial for assessing the current resilience of the system and for economic, planning, health and environmental applications. Here, we show how the technique of geodemographic classification, combined with fine scale expenditure estimates can be used to explore temporal and spatial patterns of meat expenditure in Great Britain between 2008 and 2017. Whilst the expenditure patterns of some food categories such as sausages remained relatively consistent, others such as lamb show a trend towards a reduced proportion of expenditure and increased inequality of purchases. Short term changes in expenditure patterns also occurred, potentially due to product specific price variability, price elasticities or zoonotic disease scare. Environmental attitudes, financial constraints and the prominence of communities who do not eat meat for religious or cultural reasons are likely to be driving the differences between geodemographic groups. The methodology and results could be a valuable tool for policy makers in the meat industry and beyond.
Facies Analysis, Markov Model and Linking of Sub-environments in the Early Permian Barakar Coal Measures of Godavari Gondwana Basin of Southeastern India
Authors: Khan Zahid A. , Tewari Ram Chandra , Hota Rabindra Nath
Published: June 2020

The early Permian Barakar coal measures Formation of Gondwana Supergroup in the Godavari basin comprise siliciclastic fluvial facies of passive continental margin. The lithofacies relationship and their sequences are analyzed quantitatively using embedded Markov Chain analysis along with improved binomial probability method. Summarized lithofacies sequence show the following order: (CGSD= Matrix supported conglomerate, gritty to pebbly / coarse-grained tabular and trough cross bedded sandstones) →(MGSD= Medium grained trough and planar cross bedded sandstones)→(FGSD= Fine-grained parallel and ripple drift cross-laminated sandstones)→ (SH= Shale/inter-bedded sandstone-shale and gray shale)→ (C=coal/shaly coal and carbonaceous shale)→ (CGSD= Matrix supported conglomerate, gritty to pebbly/coarse-grained planar and trough bedded sandstones). These repetitive cycles accumulated in a low sinuosity, high gradient braided streams which became moderately sinuous at places. The lithofacies relationships showing fining upward tendency suggest a progressive upward decline in current competency. The sequence is considered as the classical example of a sand dominated braided river. The lateral changes in lithofacies association indicate shifting of subenvironments from stream channel, overbank levee and peat forming back swamp to flood plains of fluvial system. It is suggested that the channel wandering along with differential intra-basinal tectonism and subsidence controlled cyclic repetition during early Permian sedimentation in the Godavari basin.
Multi-temporal LULC Classification using Hybrid Approach and Monitoring Built-up Growth with Shannon’s Entropy for a Semi-arid Region of Rajasthan, India
Authors: Kumar Jai , Biswas Brototi , Walker Sakshi
Published: June 2020

Land use land cover (LULC) classification of Churu district of Rajasthan state in India was done through hybrid classification technique. Landsat imageries of 1998, 2008 and 2018 were used to ascertain the rate and nature of spatio-temporal LULC changes. Major focus was given on vegetative cover change detection of the study area. On the basis of field survey and standard classification classes, the land use classes of the study area were divided into eleven classes. A detailed vegetative classification has been done while categorizing the classes. This classification method employed maximum likelihood and ISODATA clustering. The decision tree approach was used to create the multi-temporal hybrid LULC classification. The accuracy assessment results have shown excellent results at 91% overall accuracy with a kappa of 0.92. The results indicated that agriculture, crop land dominated the land use of Churu district while natural vegetation (forest areas) had the least share in land cover during the entire study period from 1998 to 2018. Shannon’s entropy index was used to determine the changes in spatial distributional pattern of built up during the period 1998 to 2018 for the study area in general and also for each of the eight sub-administrative regions (tehsils). The increase in the built up area in the study area during the period of 1998 to 2018 was quite paltry with a general dispersed type of built up. The increase varied from moderate to nominal with the entropy value decreasing from 0.84 to 0.71 for the study area in general.
The Coronavirus Pandemic and Lessons Learned in Preschools in Norway, Sweden and the United States: OMEP Policy Forum
Authors: Pramling Samuelsson Ingrid , Wagner Judith T. , Eriksen Ødegaard Elin
Published: June 2020

The novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, has moved rapidly across the world in 2020. This article reports on the recent consequences of the pandemic for early childhood education in Sweden, Norway, and the United States. The authors illustrate the effects of the pandemic on preschools in their countries, against a backdrop of frequent changes in infection and mortality rates, epidemiological understandings, government strategies, and mitigation strategies regarding preschool closures. Teachers report their experiences and actions in specific early childhood education settings, across the three national contexts. These experiential snapshots identify program priorities, parents’ and children’s reactions, and the commitment and concerns of teachers. The conversations reveal culturally situated similarities of early childhood educational practices but also differences across contexts. Teachers report on the challenges of their experiences but also benefits for their practice and how they engage with children and their families. Ideas about future preparedness for such pandemics are also discussed.
Discussing Sexual Health with Adolescent and Young Adults with Cancer: a Qualitative Study Among Healthcare Providers
Authors: Albers Leonore F. , Bergsma Folkertje B. , Mekelenkamp Hilda , Pelger Rob C.M. , Manten-Horst Eveliene , Elzevier Henk W.
Published: June 2020

Sexual health is an important aspect of quality-of-life for adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with cancer. AYAs report a need for information about sexual health but experience a lack of communication with their healthcare provider. It is known that sexual health is a difficult theme for healthcare providers to discuss. This study aims to gain insight into perspectives of healthcare providers in facilitating AYAs’ needs regarding sexual health. A qualitative study was performed. Six doctors and eight nurses from eight Dutch hospitals, specialized in AYA care, participated in semi-structured interviews. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Interviews with the healthcare providers revealed five themes concerning the discussion of sexual health: (1) being responsible for bringing up the topic of sexual health, (2) finding optimal timing to discuss sexual health, (3) acquiring knowledge to enable discussion of sexual health, (4) facilitating communication about sexual health, and (5) providing informative material for AYAs. To facilitate discussing sexual health, clear defined responsibilities within the team and sufficient knowledge are important. Self-report questionnaires, material to hand out, a checklist for healthcare providers, and knowledge of different communication strategies are helpful when discussing sexual health. By applying such means, communication with AYAs might be improved.
Global and regional estimates of dental pain among children and adolescents—systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Pentapati Kalyana Chakravarthy , Yeturu Sravan Kumar , Siddiq Hanan
Published: June 2020

Aim

We aimed to evaluate the pooled prevalence of dental pain amongst children and adolescents.

Methods

Studies conducted in children and adolescents up to18 years of age and where prevalence of dental is reported or calculated were included. Search was performed in four major databases from inception to June 1st, 2019. Prevalence estimate at the maximal recall for the dental pain for the individual study was used to calculate the overall pooled estimate.

Results

The prevalence of dental pain ranged from 1.33 to 87.8% in the included publications for quantitative synthesis (n = 97). More than half of the publications reported the lifetime prevalence of dental pain (n = 51) while few studies reported the current prevalence of dental pain (n = 3) and only one study evaluated the dental pain in the past one week. Heterogeneity was high among the included publications (Q = 49,063.12; P < 0.001; df = 96 and I2 = 99.8; P < 0.001). Overall pooled prevalence of dental pain was 32.7 (CI = 29.6–35.9). No difference was seen with respect to the trends in prevalence of dental pain (Coefficient: 0.005; 95% CI − 0.001–0.011; P-value: 0.101).

Conclusion

Two out of ten children below five years, four out of ten children between 6 and 12 years and three out of ten adolescents between 13 and 18 years would have experienced pain in the past. Overall, three out of ten children or adolescents might have experienced dental pain in the past. There was no difference in the pain prevalence between male and females. Studies from Africa reported highest pooled prevalence (50.1%) with least being from Australia (20.7%). Studies from India (40.4%), China (41.3%) and Iran (42.6%) reported high pooled prevalence estimates of dental pain.
Perceptions, Experiences, and Needs of Parents of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Children with Autism: a Scoping Review
Authors: Papoudi Despina , Jørgensen Clara Rübner , Guldberg Karen , Meadan Hedda
Published: June 2020

A scoping review of studies carried out in the UK and the USA was conducted to explore the perceptions, experiences, and needs of culturally and linguistically diverse families of children with autism. Overall, 32 articles met the inclusion criteria, 25 studies were conducted in the USA and 7 studies in the UK. Four themes emerged including (a) knowledge and beliefs about autism and their impact on the family; (b) autism and family life; (c) family experiences of accessing services and support, and parents’ needs; and (d) multilanguage. Findings highlighted that family perceptions of autism are influenced by an often-reported lack of knowledge; experiences include social stigma as well as difficulties in having access to services. Needs indicate the development of culturally sensitive interventions, information in multiple languages, and parent–professional collaboration. Implications for research, policy, and practice are included.
The Influence of Model Assumptions on the Dynamic Impedance Functions of Shallow Foundations
Authors: Lind Östlund Johan , Andersson Andreas , Ülker-Kaustell Mahir , Battini Jean-Marc
Published: June 2020

The influence of model assumptions on the dynamic impedance functions of shallow foundations is investigated using finite elements in two studies. The first investigates the effects of model assumptions in different combinations including embedment of the foundation, variation of modulus with depth, and permanent load acting on the foundation. The second study is a parametric analysis investigating the effects of permanent load at varying soil depths and with different soil modulus coefficients. Shallow foundations in strata of frictional soil on top of bedrock are considered. Small-strain modulus and modulus reduction relationships are used in an iterative process to update the modulus due to the permanent load. The results show that model assumptions can have a large influence on impedance functions. The static stiffness coefficients differ, in some instances by more than 100%. The impedance functions, normalized with the static stiffness coefficients match each other well in the pre-resonance frequency range. However, in the frequency range above the fundamental frequency, the normalized impedance functions show a large variation. Further, the results show that the influence of the permanent load is largest in the case of shallow and stiff soil strata, both regarding normalized impedance functions as well as the static stiffness coefficient, which can be increased up to 67%. The change in fundamental frequency was however minimal.
Editorial
Authors: Mansfield-Devine Steve
Published: June 2020

It has now been two years since the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into force, so it's reasonable to ask what kind of impact it has had. It certainly created a lot of activity among organisations scrambling to be compliant. But has it actually done any good?
A forensic study of Tor usage on the Raspberry Pi platform using open source tools
Authors: Vaidya Neerad S , Rughani Parag H
Published: June 2020

Since the invention of the first computer, scientists have striven to minimise the size – and we can see the fruits of their efforts in the form of the Raspberry Pi. This is a series of small, single-board computers developed to promote the teaching of basic computer science in schools and in developing countries. According to the Raspberry Pi Foundation, more than five million Raspberry Pi boards were sold by February 2015, making it the best-selling British computer. By November 2016 the Foundation had sold 11 million units, and by March 2017, 12.5m, which made it the third best-selling ‘general purpose computer’. In July 2017, sales reached nearly 15 million and less than a year later, in March 2018, 19 million.
‘I WILL INTERPRET’: THEEIGHTH LETTERAS A RESPONSE TO PLATO'S LITERARY METHOD AND POLITICAL THOUGHT
Authors: Atack Carol
Published: June 2020

This paper explores the political thought and literary devices contained in the pseudo-PlatonicEighth Letter, treating it as a later response to the political thought and literary style of Plato, particularly the exploration of the mixed constitution and the mechanisms for the restraint of monarchical power contained in theLaws. It examines the specific historical problems of this letter, and works through its supposed Sicilian context, its narrator's assessment of the situation, and the lengthy prosopopoeia of the dead Syracusan politician Dion, before concluding with a consideration of its contribution to our knowledge of Greek political thought after Plato.
WAS CAMILLUS RIGHT? ROMAN HISTORY AND NARRATOLOGICAL STRATEGY IN LIVY 5.49.2
Authors: Roth Ulrike
Published: June 2020

This article deals with one particular aspect of Livy's narrative of the Gallic Sack of Rome, told in Book 5, and traditionally placed in 390b.c.—namely the issue over the validity of the ransom agreement struck by the Romans with the Gauls. The broader context is well known—and needs only brief reiteration here. When the Gauls march on Rome, the Romans give battle at the river Allia, leading to a resounding Gallic victory. Most of the Romans flee the battlefield and then the city, except for a small group of both old and young, male and female, who hold out on the Capitoline Hill. That hill is subsequently put under siege by the Gauls. Following several months of beleaguerment, both sides are depicted as severely worn out by hunger and fighting. It is important for present purposes to stress that, when the Gauls stood at the gates and besieged the city, one of Rome's greatest heroes, Marcus Furius Camillus, was noticeably absent. Camillus was in neighbouring Ardea, some fifty miles south of Rome, training an army of Roman soldiers to challenge the Gallic invaders after his recent recall from exile and appointment to the dictatorship. But before Camillus’ return to Rome, the besieged Romans surrendered and agreed a ransom with the Gauls in order to liberate their city. The continuation of the story as given in Livy is equally well known. Camillus arrives in the middle of the ransom exchange, asking for the exchange to be stopped. Unsurprisingly, the Gauls are not keen on following Camillus’ orders, and insist on the ransom. Consequently, Camillus challenges the agreement between Romans and Gauls on a constitutional basis; the agreement was reached with a lesser magistrate after Camillus’ appointment to the dictatorship (5.49.2):

cum illi renitentes pactos dicerent sese, negat eam pactionem ratam esse quae postquam ipse dictator creatus esset iniussu suo ab inferioris iuris magistratu facta esset, denuntiatque Gallis ut se ad proelium expediant.

When they, resisting, said that they had come to an agreement, he [Camillus] denied that an agreement was valid which, after he himself had been made dictator, had been concluded by a magistrate of lower status without his instructions, and he announced to the Gauls that they should prepare themselves for battle.

The constitutional argument has often been repeated by modern scholars. Ogilvie comments that ‘(t)he dictatorship was held to put all other magistracies into suspension.’ Feldherr notes similarly that, ‘(o)nce Camillus has been appointed dictator, hisimperiumsupersedes that of the lesser magistrates who negotiated the surrender.’ And to explain why the Gauls nevertheless entered into negotiations in Camillus’ absence, Ross observes that ‘the Gauls, of course, could hardly have known either of Camillus’ appointment as dictator or of the fact that the dictatorship superseded all other magistracies.’
The fundamental Coase of development: property rights foundations of the effective state
Authors: Piano Ennio E. , Salter Alexander W.
Published: June 2020

This paper identifiespolitical property rightsandjurisdictional rivalryas two important mechanisms that drive political and economic development. After developing a general framework to explain relative performance in the ‘market for governance’, we argue that Western Europe during the High Middle Ages presented initial conditions conducive to the development of effective states. We extend the framework by analyzing city-state governance in Renaissance Italy, as well as public finance practices in early modern Germany. We conclude by discussing the implications of our argument for the literature on state capacity and economic development. The takeaway is that well-aligned political property rights and competition in the provision of governance services can promote the protective and productive state while forestalling the predatory state.
Individual vs. Group Administration of Tablet-Based Working Memory	Tasks – Does Setting Matter?
Authors: Oesterlen Eva , Seitz-Stein Katja
Published: June 2020

Abstract. Working memory (WM) is a key determinant of academic success. Therefore, standardized assessment tools are needed. In the past, WM assessment has been time-consuming and costly, especially in children, as WM instruments could only be used in one-to-one settings. The development of automatized, self-reliant WM tasks such as the tablet-based application EI-MAG ( Oesterlen, Gade, & Seitz-Stein, 2016 ) allows for a more economic assessment of WM in groups. However, so far, only few studies have empirically validated the comparability of WM scores obtained in individual and group setting. To close this gap, N = 89 children between 7 and 10 years of age ( M = 8.8 years, SD = 0.6 years) were administered four WM tasks of EI-MAG individually as well as in groups. The analyses show that independent of WM task, there are no mean score differences between individual and group setting. It can be concluded that automatized WM assessment with EI-MAG leads to comparable results in individual and group setting.
A Rubik’s microfluidic cube
Authors: Lai Xiaochen , Shi Zhi , Pu Zhihua , Zhang Penghao , Zhang Xingguo , Yu Haixia , Li Dachao
Published: June 2020

A Rubik’s cube as a reconfigurable microfluidic system is presented in this work. Composed of physically interlocking microfluidic blocks, the microfluidic cube enables the on-site design and configuration of custom microfluidics by twisting the faces of the cube. The reconfiguration of the microfluidics could be done by solving an ordinary Rubik’s cube with the help of Rubik’s cube algorithms and computer programs. An O-ring-aided strategy is used to enable self-sealing and the automatic alignment of the microfluidic cube blocks. Owing to the interlocking mechanics of cube blocks, the proposed microfluidic cube exhibits good reconfigurability and robustness in versatile applications and proves to be a promising candidate for the rapid deployment of microfluidic systems in resource-limited settings.