bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Executive Function and BMI Trajectories Among Rural, Poor Youth at High Risk for Obesity
Authors: Rollins Brandi Y. , Riggs Nathaniel R. , Francis Lori A. , Blair Clancy B.
Published: December 2020

Objective

The aim of this study was to identify longitudinal trajectories of conjoint development of executive function (EF) and obesity among a diverse sample of poor, rural youth and to evaluate individual differences in infant growth, parental BMI, and cumulative risk.

Methods

Participants included 948 youth from the Family Life Project. Child anthropometrics were measured at 2 and 6 months and at 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 12 years. EF tasks were administered at 3, 4, and 5 years. Mothers reported youth birth weight, parental height and weight, and cumulative risk indicators.

Results

Multidimensional growth mixture modeling identified three classes: “High EF – High Obesity Resilience”; “Low EF – Delayed‐Onset Severe Obesity”; and “Low EF – Early‐Onset Severe Obesity.” Youth in the low‐EF, early‐onset class displayed higher birth weight and BMI at 6 months, whereas the low‐EF, delayed‐onset class had rapid weight gain during infancy, parents with class II obesity, and greater cumulative risk and was more likely to be Black and female.

Conclusions

Despite increased obesity risk among this sample, the majority of youth exhibited higher EF and some degree of obesity resilience. Youth with EF deficits displayed the greatest risk for severe obesity but had differing BMI trajectories and obesity risk profiles, which has implications for obesity intervention.
Pyridine‐based Liquid‐Phase Synthesis of Crystalline TiN and ZnSiN2 Nanoparticles
Authors: Egeberg Alexander , Wenzel Olivia , Popescu Radian , Gerthsen Dagmar , Feldmann Claus
Published: December 2020

TiN and ZnSiN2 nanoparticles are obtained via a novel pyridine‐based synthesis route. This one‐pot liquid‐phase route strictly avoids all oxygen sources (including starting materials, surface functionalization, solvents), which is highly relevant in regard of the material purity and material properties. Colloidally stable suspensions of crystalline, small‐sized TiN (5.4±0.4 nm) and ZnSiN2 (5.2±1.1 nm) are instantaneously available from the liquid phase. Elemental analysis and electron energy loss spectroscopy confirm the purity of the compounds and specifically the absence of oxygen. The as‐prepared ZnSiN2 show yellowish emission (500‐700 nm) already at room temperature with its maximum at 570 nm.
Settings, exchanges, and events: The SEE framework of self‐regulated learning supportive practices
Authors: Callan Gregory L. , Longhurst David , Ariotti Anthony , Bundock Kaitlin
Published: December 2020

There are many practices that educators can use to develop self‐regulated learning (SRL); however, an organizational framework for cataloging SRL supportive practices that also identifies empirical support for those practices is lacking. The purpose of this manuscript is to provide such guidance by developing the settings, exchanges, and events (SEE) framework, and guide its use. Literature review and expert feedback led us to identify three categories of SRL supportive practices including (a) creating a learning setting that is conducive to SRL, (b) fostering adaptive learning exchanges between educators and learners that foster SRL, and (c) creating events that provide opportunities to utilize SRL skills. The SEE framework is beneficial to educators because it organizes SRL supportive practices and can facilitate professional development trainings. The SEE framework can also support educational researchers interested in embedding SRL within classrooms. Specifically, the SEE framework provides an initial structure of practices that can initiate discussions among researchers and be tested and elaborated upon. Moreover, the SEE framework can assist researchers in the development of tools to support classroom observation and consultation.
Using standardized assessment to identify and teach prerequisite numeracy skills to learners with disabilities using video modeling
Authors: Dueker Scott A. , Day Jayda M.
Published: December 2020

Learners with disabilities enter school without the prerequisite numeracy and mathematics skills to perform at or near the level of their typically developing peers. Even simple addition problems require prerequisite skills that are often not taught directly in schools. Identifying and teaching those missing skills would reduce the learning gap and increase the lifelong independence of those learners. This study used a nonconcurrent single‐subject multiple baseline design across five learners with a pretest/posttest analysis to examine the use of a norm‐referenced, standardized assessment to identify gaps in student learning, create teaching protocols using video modeling, and assess overall growth after intervention. Individualized interventions were delivered using video models on iPads. Results indicated all learners were able to use the video models to acquire the missing skills and improve overall mathematics understanding, as measured by scores on a posttest. This has classroom implications due to the relative ease of administration of the assessment and teaching protocol as well as the potential for improved outcomes for the learners.
Emotional approach coping among young adults with cancer: Relationships with psychological distress, posttraumatic growth, and resilience
Authors: Darabos Katie , Renna Megan E. , Wang Ashley W. , Zimmermann Caroline F. , Hoyt Michael A.
Published: December 2020

Objective

Cancer, particularly, during young adulthood, can evoke difficult emotions, interfere with normative developmental activities, and challenge coping responses. Emotion‐regulating coping efforts aimed at active emotional processing (EP) and emotional expression (EE) can be beneficial to cancer adjustment and perceptions of positive growth. However, it may be that EP and EE work differently to influence well‐being. This study examines relationships of EP and EE with psychological distress, posttraumatic growth (PTG), and resilience. We expect that EP will be positively associated with PTG and resilience, whereas EE will be negatively associated with psychological distress.

Methods

Young adults with cancer (M
age = 34.68, N = 57) completed measures of emotional; approach coping (EP and EE), psychological distress (depressive symptoms, fear of cancer; recurrence [FCR]) and indicators of positive adjustment and growth (resilience and PTG).

Results

Greater use of EP was associated with higher resilience (β = 0.48, p = 0.003) and PTG (β = 0.27, p = 0.05), whereas greater use of EE was associated with lower resilience (β = −0.33, p = 0.04). The EE × EP interaction was significant for FCR (β = 0.29, p = 0.04) such that low EE was associated with lower FCR in those with high EP. Interaction effects were not significant for depressive symptoms, resilience, or PTG.

Conclusions

Findings highlight differing relationships between EP and EE among young adults with cancer. Interventions aimed at increasing emotion‐regulating coping strategies may prove useful in facilitating positive adjustment and growth, strengthening young adults' ability to cope with the diverse effects of disease, treatment, and survivorship.
Preferences for disclosing adverse childhood experiences for children and adults with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Williams  Wadsworth A. , Jain Manu , Laguna Theresa A. , McColley Susanna A.
Published: December 2020

Introduction

The 2017–2018 National Survey of Children's Health estimates that 30 million (42%) US children have experienced at least one adverse childhood experience (ACE), including abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction. ACEs negatively impact long‐term health, and there has been no study of ACEs in cystic fibrosis (CF). We assessed willingness to disclose ACEs experienced by children with CF by surveying their parents and adults with CF.

Methods

We anonymously surveyed parents of children with CF and adults with CF at the Northwestern University/Lurie Children's CF Center to determine their willingness to disclose ACEs.

Results

The survey was completed by 46/157 (29%) parents and 36/105 (34%) adults with CF. Few parents (22%) and adults (17%) were willing to discuss most or all specific ACEs, more were willing to disclose the number of ACEs experienced in a category (57% parents, 47% adults), and the majority were willing to participate in anonymous research about ACEs (76% parents, 67% adults). Most parents (63%) and adults (50%) would prefer to have ACEs screened separately from their CF appointment, and most parents (63%) and adults (56%) wanted to learn more about ACEs from a member of their care team.

Conclusions

Participants preferred to disclose the number of categorical ACEs rather than specific ACEs and most were open to participating in anonymous ACEs research. More research is needed before implementing screening. Educating patients, parents, and providers about ACEs and appropriate interventions when ACES are identified is needed for both research and clinical applications of ACEs screening.
A population pharmacokinetics analysis assessing the exposure of raltegravir once‐daily 1200 mg in pregnant women living with HIV
Authors: Bukkems Vera E. , Post Teun M. , Colbers Angela P. , Burger David M. , Svensson Elin M.
Published: December 2020

Once‐daily two 600 mg tablets (1200 mg q.d.) raltegravir offers an easier treatment option compared to the twice‐daily regimen of one 400 mg tablet. No pharmacokinetic, efficacy, or safety data of the 1200 mg q.d. regimen have been reported in pregnant women to date as it is challenging to collect these clinical data. This study aimed to develop a population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) model to predict the pharmacokinetic profile of raltegravir 1200 mg q.d. in pregnant women and to discuss the expected pharmacodynamic properties of raltegravir 1200 mg q.d. during pregnancy based on previously reported concentration‐effect relationships. Data from 11 pharmacokinetic studies were pooled (n = 221). A two‐compartment model with first‐order elimination and absorption through three sequential transit compartments best described the data. We assessed that the bio‐availability of the 600 mg tablets was 21% higher as the 400 mg tablets, and the bio‐availability in pregnant women was 49% lower. Monte–Carlo simulations were performed to predict the pharmacokinetic profile of 1200 mg q.d. in pregnant and nonpregnant women. The primary criteria for efficacy were that the lower bound of the 90% confidence interval (CI) of the concentration before next dose administration (Ctrough) geometric mean ratio (GMR) of simulated pregnant/nonpregnant women had to be greater than 0.75. The simulated raltegravir Ctrough GMR (90% CI) was 0.51 (0.41–0.63), hence not meeting the primary target for efficacy. Clinical data from two pregnant women using 1200 mg q.d. raltegravir showed a similar Ctrough ratio pregnant/nonpregnant. Our pharmacokinetic results support the current recommendation of not using the raltegravir 1200 mg q.d. regimen during pregnancy until more data on the exposure‐response relationship becomes available.
Role of ellagic acid for the prevention and treatment of liver diseases
Authors: Aishwarya Venkatasubramanian , Solaipriya Solairaja , Sivaramakrishnan Venkatabalasubramanian
Published: December 2020

Globally, one of the alarming problems is the prevalence and burden of liver diseases, which accounts for 2 million cases per year. Chronic liver aetiologies such as hepatitis infections, alcoholic or non‐alcoholic liver disease, environmental agents, and drug‐induced toxicity are invariably responsible for liver fibrosis progression to finally hepatocellular carcinoma. Current treatment options are unable to overwhelm and cure liver diseases. Emerging findings suggest researchers' interest in using evidence‐based complementary medicine such as ellagic acid with extensive pharmacological properties. They include antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐hyperlipidaemic, anti‐viral, anti‐angiogenic, and anticancer activity. The molecular functions elicited by ellagic acid include scavenging of free radicals, regulation of lipid metabolism, the prohibition of fibrogenesis response‐mediating proteins, inhibits hepatic stellate cells and myofibroblasts, restrains hepatic viral replication, facilitates suppression of growth factors, regulates transcription factors, proinflammatory cytokines, augments the liver immune response, fosters apoptosis and inhibits cell proliferation in tumorigenic cells. This review will most notably focus on preclinical and clinical information based on currently available evidence to warrant ellagic acid's prospective role in preventing liver diseases.
Comparison between robot‐assisted middle pancreatectomy and robot‐assisted distal pancreatectomy for benign or low‐grade malignant tumours located in the neck of the pancreas: A propensity score matched study
Authors: Shi Yusheng , Wang Qingrou , Shi Zhihao , Xie Junjie , Jin Jiabin , Chen Hao , Deng Xiaxing , Peng Chenghong , Shen Baiyong
Published: December 2020

Objective

To compare the short‐term and long‐term outcomes between robot‐assisted middle pancreatectomy (RMP) and robot‐assisted distal pancreatectomy (RDP).

Methods

From August 2010 to May 2018, more than 800 patients were diagnosed with benign or low‐grade malignant pancreatic tumours. According to the inclusion criteria, a total of 164 patients were included in our study. Among them 123 patients received RMP and 41 patients received RDP with spleen‐preserving. These patients were divided into two groups, and propensity score matching (PSM) was used to minimize bias. Short‐term and long‐term outcomes were recorded and analysed.

Results

After 1:1 matching, 38 cases of RMP and RDP were recorded and the baseline data was balanced. In the RMP group, 14 patients (36.8%) were female. In the RDP group, 13 patients (34.2%) were female. RDP had advantages in short‐term outcomes including overall morbidity (28.9% vs. 60.5%, p = 0.011), Severe morbidity (0 vs. 10.5%, p = 0.017), clinical‐relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR‐POPF) rate (10.5% vs. 36.8%, p = 0.007) and postoperative length of hospital stay (16.5 ± 8.6 days vs. 23.6 ± 12.9 days, p = 0.006). The operative time was similar; however, there were less estimated blood loss (EBL) in RMP group (31.3 ± 33.0 ml vs. 62.3 ± 38.2 ml, p<0.001). Patients in these two groups had a similar result in preservation of the pancreatic function. There was no statistic difference in incidence rate of exocrine and endocrine insufficiency between two groups (2.6% vs. 7.9%, p = 0.608; 5.3% vs. 10.5%, p = 0.671).

Conclusion

For benign or low‐grade malignant tumours located at the neck of the pancreas, RMP and RDP could both be considered. The morbidity especially CR‐POPF rate after RDP would be lower, but RMP would be more helpful in reducing EBL. RMP should be chosen with caution as it did not show a huge advantage in preserving normal pancreatic function. Further prospective randomised studies should be designed to compare these two types of surgery.
Gain‐scheduled control design for discrete‐time nonlinear systems using difference‐algebraic representations
Authors: Reis Gabriela L. , Araújo Rodrigo F. , Torres Leonardo A. B. , Palhares Reinaldo M.
Published: December 2020

This paper addresses the local stabilization problem of nonlinear systems described by Difference‐Algebraic Representations (DAR). A novel set of sufficient Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMI) conditions are developed to design gain‐scheduled state feedback controllers. The proposed approach uses parameter‐dependent Lyapunov functions and new auxiliary decision variables aiming to obtain less conservative results. Two optimization problems are proposed to either obtain the largest estimated Domain‐of‐Attraction (DOA) or minimize theℓ2‐gain from the energy‐bounded disturbance input to the performance output. Furthermore, this investigation considers control input saturation and system states constrained in a polyhedral region. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology, showing favorable comparisons with recently published similar approaches.
The role of interest in climate change instruction
Authors: Carman Jennifer , Zint Michaela , Burkett Erin , Ibáñez Inés
Published: December 2020

As climate change becomes an increasingly important topic for science educators, it is critical to learn how teachers may be able to increase students' knowledge about it. We conducted two consecutive quasi‐experimental studies that investigated the role of interest in predicting middle school students' knowledge gains from a unit about how scientists use mathematical models to predict climate change's impacts on forests. The studies measured the intervention's effects on students' knowledge about climate change and examined how their interest in the topic and related factors were associated with their knowledge before and after the intervention. Participants in the two studies included 467 treatment and 177 comparison group students (Study 1) and 363 treatment and 219 comparison group students (Study 2). Multilevel modeling analyses revealed increases in students' knowledge about climate change after participating in the unit. Path modeling analyses showed that students' interest in climate change was indirectly related to their knowledge about climate change, mediated by students' existing desire to learn more, their interest in the unit, their belief that climate change was important (Studies 1 and 2), as well as their behavioral self‐efficacy (Study 2). Students' interest in science was positively associated with their knowledge about climate change (Study 1) but their perception of threats posed by climate change was not (Study 2). Findings suggest that science educators can improve students' knowledge about climate change by connecting the topic to students' lives and ensuring they feel empowered to act on climate change.
MuSP: A multistep screening procedure for sparse recovery
Authors: Yang Yuehan , Zhu Ji , George Edward I.
Published: December 2020

We propose a multistep screening procedure (MuSP) for the recovery of sparse linear models in high‐dimensional data. This method is based on a repeated small penalty strategy that quickly converges to an estimate within a few iterations. Specifically, in each iteration, an adaptive lasso regression with a small penalty is fit within the reduced feature space obtained from the previous step, rendering its computational complexity roughly comparable with the Lasso. MuSP is shown to select the true model under complex correlation structures among the predictors and response, even when the irrepresentable condition fails. Further, under suitable regularity conditions, MuSP achieves the optimal minimax rate for the upper bound ofl2‐norm error. Numerical comparisons show that the method works effectively both in model selection and estimation, and the MuSP fitted model is stable over a range of small tuning parameter values, eliminating the need to choose the tuning parameter by cross‐validation. We also apply MuSP to financial data and show that MuSP is successful in asset allocation selection.
Proposed Massive‐MIMO Antenna Calibration Method Using Near‐Field Measurement
Authors: Kawamura Takashi , Fuse Masaaki
Published: December 2020

Fifth‐generation mobile communications systems now being developed use antennas with large numbers of antenna elements and are decided to be massive‐MIMO technologies for flexibly changing the antenna beam (beam forming). Obtaining the required directivity for a multielement antenna requires control of the phase and amplitude of the variable phase shifter and variable amplifier built into each antenna element. Moreover, the variable phase shifter and variable gain amplifier settings must be obtained so that every antenna element radiates equiamplitude and equiphase radio waves. This process is called antenna calibration. This paper proposes a method using near‐field measurement and back‐projection processing to perform calibration. Moreover, actual calibration tests of a simulated massive‐MIMO base station were executed using the proposed method. The results reported here confirm that calibration can be implemented using the proposed method even when the phase shifter of the simulated base station suffers large variability. © 2020 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
A reflection on explanatory factors for COVID‐19: A comparative study between countries
Authors: Santos Eulália , Oliveira Margarida , Ratten Vanessa , Tavares Fernando Oliveira , Tavares Vasco Capela
Published: December 2020

The COVID‐19 pandemic is the biggest problem facing the world nowadays. Each country in the world has its own characteristics, which means that its governments, at different rhythms, adopt identical measures to combat this new virus. This article aims to perform a comparative study between countries with a population similar to the Portuguese in number of inhabitants and to find out which factors may explain the numbers registered with the COVID‐19 pandemic. The results show that the countries that carried out more population tests have higher values in tourism, security, innovation, competitiveness, and GDP per capita indicators. There is a significant and positive relationship between temperature and the daily cases of COVID‐19 infections. The results found contribute to a greater knowledge of the behavior of this disease according to the characteristics of each country, making it useful for international business managers to compare and contrast different country environmental conditions in order to define alternative strategies to overcome this great period of disturbance more quickly.
Attaining Food Security in the Wake of Climatic Risks: Lessons from the Delta State of Nigeria
Authors: Ebhuoma Eromose E.
Published: December 2020

Climate variability and change have undermined the poor rural households’ ability in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to engage in food production effectively – which comprises their primary source of livelihood – partly because it is predominantly rain-fed. Notwithstanding, the rural poor are not docile victims to climatic risks. They actively seek innovative ways to utilize their bundle of assets to reduce the negative effects of climatic risks to ensure household food security. Bundle of assets comprise the financial, human, physical, social, and natural assets owned by, or easily accessible to, an individual. Drawing on primary data obtained qualitatively in the Delta State of Nigeria, this chapter analyzes how Indigenous farmers utilize their bundle of assets to grow their food in the face of a rapidly changing climate. The results indicate that human and social assets played crucial roles in facilitating household food security. Also, social assets facilitated the procurement of other assets necessary to ensure continuity in food production, albeit farmers continue to live under the global poverty line. This chapter critically discusses the implications of these findings in relation to the attainment of both the first and second Sustainable Development Goals (no poverty and zero hunger) by 2030 in the Delta State.
Spurious poles in the scattering of electric and magnetic charges
Authors: Terning John , Verhaaren Christopher B.
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Theories with both electric and magnetic charges (“mutually non-local” theories) have several major obstacles to calculating scattering amplitudes. Even when the interaction arises through the kinetic mixing of two, otherwise independent, U(1)’s, so that all low-energy interactions are perturbative, difficulties remain: using a self-dual, local formalism leads to spurious poles at any finite order in perturbation theory. Correct calculations must show how the spurious poles cancel in observable scattering amplitudes. Consistency requires that one type of charge is confined as a result of one of the U(1)’s being broken. Here we show how the constraints of confinement and parity conservation on observable processes manages to cancel the spurious poles in scattering and pair production amplitudes, paving the way for systematic studies of the experimental signatures of “dark” electric-magnetic processes. Along the way we demonstrate some novel effects in electric-magnetic interactions, including that the amplitude for single photon production of magnetic particles by electric particles vanishes.
Phase transitions in TGFT: functional renormalization group in the cyclic-melonic potential approximation and equivalence to O(N) models
Authors: Pithis Andreas G. A. , Thürigen Johannes
Published: December 2020

Abstract

In the group field theory approach to quantum gravity, continuous spacetime geometry is expected to emerge via phase transition. However, understanding the phase diagram and finding fixed points under the renormalization group flow remains a major challenge. In this work we tackle the issue for a tensorial group field theory using the functional renormalization group method. We derive the flow equation for the effective potential at any order restricting to a subclass of tensorial interactions called cyclic melonic and projecting to a constant field in group space. For a tensor field of rankron U(1) we explicitly calculate beta functions and find equivalence with those of O(N) models but with an effective dimension flowing fromr −1 to zero. In ther −1 dimensional regime, the equivalence to O(N) models is modified by a tensor specific flow of the anomalous dimension with the consequence that the Wilson-Fisher type fixed point solution has two branches. However, due to the flow to dimension zero, fixed points describing a transition between a broken and unbroken phase do not persist and we find universal symmetry restoration. To overcome this limitation, it is necessary to go beyond compact configuration space.
Pairwise imitation and evolution of the social contract
Authors: Campigotto Nicola
Published: December 2020

This paper studies the evolution of conventions in Stag Hunt games when agents’ behaviour depends on pairwise payoff comparisons. The results of two imitative decision rules are compared with each other and with those obtained when agents myopically best respond to the distribution of play. These rules differ in terms of their rationale, their requirements, and the extent to which they make individuals learn from others. Depending on payoffs and the interaction process being considered, best response learning can cause either the rewarding All Stag equilibrium or the inefficient All Hare equilibrium to emerge as the long-run convention. In contrast, pairwise imitation favours the emergence of the Pareto-inferior equilibrium. This result is robust to assuming assortative matching and some heterogeneity in decision rules.
Alopecia in Harlequin mutant mice is associated with reduced AIF protein levels and expression of retroviral elements
Authors: Hintze Maik , Griesing Sebastian , Michels Marion , Blanck Birgit , Wischhof Lena , Hartmann Dieter , Bano Daniele , Franz Thomas
Published: December 2020

We investigated the contribution of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), a key regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis, in supporting hair growth. We report that pelage abnormalities developed during hair follicle (HF) morphogenesis in Harlequin (Hq) mutant mice. Fragility of the hair cortex was associated with decreased expression of genes encoding structural hair proteins, though key transcriptional regulators of HF development were expressed at normal levels. Notably,Aifm1 (R200 del)knockin males andAifm1(R200 del)/Hqfemales showed minor hair defects, despite substantially reduced AIF levels. Furthermore, we cloned the integrated ecotropic provirus of theAifm1Hqallele. We found that its overexpression in wild-type keratinocyte cell lines led to down-regulation of HF-specificKrt84andKrtap3-3genes without alteringAifm1or epidermalKrt5expression. Together, our findings imply that pelage paucity inHqmutant mice is mechanistically linked to severe AIF deficiency and is associated with the expression of retroviral elements that might potentially influence the transcriptional regulation of structural hair proteins.
Follow-up in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: facts and future
Authors: Witjes J. Alfred
Published: December 2020

Patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) have high recurrence and progression rates in spite of tumor resection and adjuvant instillation therapy. To detect recurrences and progression, these patients remain under frequent follow-up. Follow-up, however, is not well defined. Frequency and duration of follow recommendations are based on low levels of evidence, which is illustrated by clear differences in these recommendations per guideline, even when specified per risk group. Additionally, follow-up is recommended with cystoscopy and cytology in selected patients, which both have clear limitations. Fact is that follow-up in NMIBC is too frequent, with low levels of evidence and suboptimal tools, and it is patient unfriendly and costly. Improved cystoscopy techniques are unproven or impractical in the outpatient follow-up setting. Urinary markers have been around for decades, but never widely used in clinical practice. New (epi)genetic markers, however, could play a significant role in future follow-up of NMIBC. They have been shown to have very high negative predictive values for recurrences in follow-up of NMIBC, especially high-grade recurrences. Several studies suggested that these markers could be used to adapt follow-up cystoscopy frequency. What still needs study and confirmation is the cost-effectiveness of the use of these markers, which is highly dependent on health care costs per country and marker price. In all, however, implementation of these new urinary markers after confirmation of current results might significantly reduce patient burden and health care costs in the near future without reducing quality.
Effects of competitive sports on temporomandibular dysfunction: a literature review
Authors: Freiwald Hannah Charlotte , Schwarzbach Nico Peter , Wolowski Anne
Published: December 2020

Objectives

The German Society of Craniomandibular Function and Disorders recommends that patients suffering from temporomandibular dysfunctions should practice sports in order to compensate for everyday stress. This raises the question as to what extent competitive athletes develop temporomandibular dysfunctions or whether their athletic activities protect them. With the present literature review, the authors intend to give an overview of the currently available publications on this topic.

Materials and methods

A literature research in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases was performed to filter out the currently available publications on the topic ‚sports, and temporomandibular dysfunction.

Results

Out of 114 available articles, seven met the inclusion criteria. Two other relevant articles were found in the list of references, so that in total, nine publications were picked for the review. In case numbers ranging from eight to 347 subjects, a temporomandibular dysfunction was detected with a prevalence between 11.7% and 100% for athletes and between 11.11% and 14.3% for non-athletes. Different kinds of sports were evaluated, all of them contact sports: basketball, handball, wrestling, boxing, karate, mixed martial arts, field hockey, water polo, and soccer. One study compared athletes with and without consumption of anabolic steroids, regardless of the type of sport. The level of athletic performance varied across the different studies.

Conclusions

Currently, studies dealing with the effect of competitive sports on temporomandibular dysfunction are scarce. Inconsistent methodological procedures permit only limited comparability.

Clinical relevance

A general trend, however, can already be discerned: professional athletes suffer from temporomandibular dysfunctions more frequently than non-athletes.
Das Hamburger Dieselverbot: ein Beispiel für die Schwierigkeit von Politikevaluierung
Authors: Aydin Eren , Maennig Wolfgang
Published: December 2020

Hamburg erließ Durchfahrverbote für bestimmte Dieselfahrzeuge in stark belasteten Straßenabschnitten mit dem Ziel, die Schadstoffemissionen zu reduzieren. Der Erfolgsnachweis ist schwierig. Relativ kleine Änderungen bezüglich der analysierten Zeiträume, Kontrollgruppen und Kontrollvariablen können zu signifikant unterschiedlichen Ergebnissen führen. Diese Untersuchung ist ein Beispiel für die Schwierigkeit von Ex-post-Evaluierungen politischer Maßnahmen.
Corona-Krise: Staatsbeteiligungen bleiben eine problematische Intervention in den Markt
Authors: Röhl Klaus-Heiner , Rusche Christian
Published: December 2020

Die Corona-Pandemie erfordert staatliche Eingriffe, um negative ökonomische Auswirkungen auf Konsumenten und Unternehmen abzumildern. Es bestehen jedoch auch Gefahren bei Interventionen durch den Staat: So können ineffiziente Strukturen konserviert werden, Märkte verzerrt und langfristig negative Struktureffekte ausgelöst werden. Deswegen ist es wichtig, dass der Staat bei seinen Interventionen auf Marktkonformität achtet. Das bedeutet, dass keine Strukturen geschaffen werden dürfen, die sich nicht auch am Markt hätten bilden können oder am Wettbewerbsrecht gescheitert wären. Staatliche Eingriffe sollten überdies nicht dazu genutzt werden, um politischen Einfluss auszuüben.
Makroökonomische Folgen der demografischen Alterung
Authors: Petersen Thieß , Lizarazo López Martina , Kaniovski Serguei , Url Thomas
Published: December 2020

Der demografische Wandel ist in den meisten Industrienationen mit einer Alterung und Schrumpfung der Erwerbsbevölkerung verbunden. Daraus ergeben sich erhebliche Konsequenzen für zentrale makroökonomische Größen wie das Bruttoinlandsprodukt, die Arbeitsproduktivität, die Ersparnisse und Investitionen sowie den Leistungsbilanzsaldo. Angesichts des in den nächsten Jahrzehnten zu erwartenden demografischen Wandels müssen vor allem die stark alternden Länder Deutschland und Japan mit einer spürbaren Dämpfung des Wirtschaftswachstums rechnen. Allerdings kann z. B. der technologische Fortschritt in Form von Automatisierung und Digitalisierung diesen Entwicklungen entgegenwirken.
Das letzte deutsch-deutsche Rentenkapitel: der Härtefallfonds
Authors: Mislin Alexander
Published: December 2020

In der aktuellen Wahlperiode wird diskutiert, einen Fonds für Härtefälle aus der Rentenüberleitung einzurichten. Damit soll die Deutsche Einheit in der Rentenfrage vollendet werden. Dabei stellt sich die Frage, ob Ungerechtigkeiten aus der Rentenüberleitung entstanden sind. Entgegen der in der Öffentlichkeit vorgebrachten These, dass erhebliche Ungerechtigkeiten vorliegen, kann diese Analyse zeigen, dass zum Beispiel bei den in der DDR geschiedenen Frauen keine ökonomische und politische Diskriminierung vorliegt. Die Einrichtung eines Härtefallfonds erscheint dementsprechend als eine Scheinlösung, um eine Befriedung betroffener Gruppen sicherzustellen.
In-situ identification of material batches using machine learning for machining operations
Authors: Lutz Benjamin , Kisskalt Dominik , Mayr Andreas , Regulin Daniel , Pantano Matteo , Franke Jörg
Published: December 2020

In subtractive manufacturing, differences in machinability among batches of the same material can be observed. Ignoring these deviations can potentially reduce product quality and increase manufacturing costs. To consider the influence of the material batch in process optimization models, the batch needs to be efficiently identified. Thus, a smart service is proposed for in-situ material batch identification. This service is driven by a supervised machine learning model, which analyzes the signals of the machine’s control, especially torque data, for batch classification. The proposed approach is validated by cutting experiments with five different batches of the same specified material at various cutting conditions. Using this data, multiple classification models are trained and optimized. It is shown that the investigated batches can be correctly identified with close to 90% prediction accuracy using machine learning. Out of all the investigated algorithms, the best results are achieved using a Support Vector Machine with 89.0% prediction accuracy for individual batches and 98.9% while combining batches of similar machinability.
First among equals: co-hyperintensionality for structured propositions
Authors: Jespersen Bjørn
Published: December 2020

Theories of structured meanings are designed to generate fine-grained meanings, but they are also liable toovergeneratestructures, thus drawing structural distinctions without a semantic difference. I recommend the proliferation of very fine-grained structures, so that we are able to draw any semantic distinctions we think we might need. But, in order to contain overgeneration, I argue we should insert some degree of individuation between logical equivalence and structural identity based onstructural isomorphism. The idea amounts to forming an equivalence class of different structures according to one or more formal criteria and designating a privileged element as a representative of all the elements, i.e., afirst among equals. The proposed method helps us to a cluster of notions ofco-hyperintensionality. As a test case, I consider a recent objection levelled against the act theory of structured propositions. I also respond to an objection against my methodology.
A Walnut Diet in Combination with Enriched Environment Improves Cognitive Function and Affects Lipid Metabolites in Brain and Liver of Aged NMRI Mice
Authors: Esselun Carsten , Dilberger Benjamin , Silaidos Carmina V. , Koch Elisabeth , Schebb Nils Helge , Eckert Gunter P.
Published: December 2020

This in vivo study aimed to test if a diet enriched with 6% walnuts alone or in combination with physical activity supports healthy ageing by changing the oxylipin profile in brain and liver, improving motor function, cognition, and cerebral mitochondrial function. Female NMRI mice were fed a 6% walnut diet starting at an age of 12 months for 24 weeks. One group was additionally maintained in an enriched environment, one group without intervention served as control. After three months, one additional control group of young mice (3 weeks old) was introduced. Motor and cognitive functions were measured using Open Field, Y-Maze, Rotarod and Passive Avoidance tests. Lipid metabolite profiles were determined using RP-LC-ESI(-)-MS/MS in brain and liver tissues of mice. Cerebral mitochondrial function was characterized by the determination of ATP levels, mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial respiration. Expression of genes involved with mito- and neurogenesis, inflammation, and synaptic plasticity were determined using qRT-PCR. A 6% walnut-enriched diet alone improved spatial memory in a Y-Maze alternation test (p < 0.05) in mice. Additional physical enrichment enhanced the significance, although the overall benefit was virtually identical. Instead, physical enrichment improved motor performance in a Rotarod experiment (p* < 0.05) which was unaffected by walnuts alone. Bioactive oxylipins like hydroxy-polyunsaturated fatty acids (OH-PUFA) derived from linoleic acid (LA) were significantly increased in brain (p** < 0.01) and liver (p*** < 0.0001) compared to control mice, while OH-PUFA of α-linolenic acid (ALA) could only be detected in the brains of mice fed with walnuts. In the brain, walnuts combined with physical activity reduced arachidonic acid (ARA)-based oxylipin levels (p < 0.05). Effects of walnut lipids were not linked to mitochondrial function, as ATP production, mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial respiration were unaffected. Furthermore, common markers for synaptic plasticity and neuronal growth, key genes in the regulation of cytoprotective response to oxidative stress and neuronal growth were unaffected. Taken together, walnuts change the oxylipin profile in liver and brain, which could have beneficial effects for healthy ageing, an effect that can be further enhanced with an active lifestyle. Further studies may focus on specific nutrient lipids that potentially provide preventive effects in the brain.
The effect of assembly and static unbalance on reaction wheel assembly bearing harmonics
Authors: Hodge Cameron , Stabile Alessandro , Aglietti Guglielmo , Richardson Guy
Published: December 2020

Reaction wheel assemblies (RWA) are well-known major sources of microvibrations, whilst they have been studied thoroughly and many disturbance types can be reasonably modelled, bearing disturbances and how their amplitude evolves with the RWA rotational speed are not at the same level of confidence. Whilst studies have been carried out, many of the test rigs used do not truly show the bearing harmonic development, either due to interference from other disturbances such as structural modes or are not representative of an RWA. This study aims to design and validate a test rig which alleviates those issues by moving the resonance frequencies out of a range of interest and isolating the motor disturbances. Using this test rig, it was possible to observe many engine order development without any inference and start to investigate some of the effects some manufacturing parameters can have. The two studied and discussed in this paper were the effect of reassembly and static unbalance. Investigating the microvibration signature at different levels ranging from a top-down to individual harmonics it showed a clear significant variation between disturbance amplitudes.
Schülerperspektiven auf Ergänzungsstunden als Maßnahme individueller Förderung
Authors: Rott David
Published: December 2020

Individuelle Förderung gilt als Merkmal guten Unterrichts, wobei individuelle Förderung als Sammelbegriff zu verstehen ist und in bildungswissenschaftlichen, bildungspolitischen und schulpraktischen Auseinandersetzungen unterschiedlich genutzt wird. Grundsätzlich ist darauf zu verweisen, dass individuelle Förderung unterbeforscht ist. Dies gilt sowohl zur Umsetzung individueller Förderung im Allgemeinen wie auch zu konkreten schulbezogenen Maßnahmen im Speziellen. Mit dieser Studie wird die Maßnahme ‚Ergänzungsstunden‘ (NRW) untersucht. Die ‚Ergänzungsstunden‘ sind an nordrhein-westfälischen Gymnasien Pflichtstunden, die verstärkt zur individuellen Förderung genutzt werden sollen und an den einzelnen Schulen unterschiedlich eingesetzt werden können. Während die Perspektive der Lehrpersonen auf individuelle Förderung bereits untersucht wurde, liegen Daten von Schüler/innen nur in sehr geringem Maße vor. So ist nicht beforscht, wie Schüler/innen Maßnahmen individueller Förderung wahrnehmen und wie sie diese bewerten. Dies erscheint aber insofern als relevant, als dass Schüler/innen wichtige Impulse für Schulentwicklungsprozesse unterstützen können, wenn sie in die Evaluation solcher Angebote einbezogen werden. Diese Studie stellt einen ersten Versuch dar, diese Forschungslücke zu schließen. 62 Unter- und Mittelstufen-Schüler/innen (Jahrgangsstufe 6–8) eines Gymnasiums wurden in zehn Gruppendiskussionen zur Umsetzung der ‚Ergänzungsstunden‘ an ihrer Schule befragt. Die Daten wurden mittels qualitativer Inhaltsanalyse ausgewertet. Die Daten verdeutlichen, dass die Befragten die Angebote individueller Förderung differenziert einschätzen können. Aus den Äußerungen der Schüler/innen lassen sich Impulse für die Schul- und Unterrichtsentwicklung ableiten, aber auch Implikationen für die weitere schulische und wissenschaftliche Praxis beschreiben.
Targeting COVID-19 prevention in hemodialysis facilities is associated with a drastic reduction in central venous catheter-related infections
Authors: Heidempergher Marco , Sabiu Gianmarco , Orani Maria Antonietta , Tripepi Giovanni , Gallieni Maurizio
Published: December 2020

Background

In hemodialysis (HD) patients, central venous catheter (CVC) related bloodstream infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Hygienic precautions are a key aspect of dialysis care for infection prevention, but they are not sufficient to completely avoid the occurrence of CVC related infections. During the COVID-19 pandemic, hygienic precautions for preventing viral transmission have been markedly reinforced. We evaluated their effects on CVC-related infection rates.

Methods

An observational retrospective study was conducted in two hemodialysis units of the same institution treating 215 chronic hemodialysis patients, 71 of whom are currently (33%) using a CVC. In the CVC cohort, we compared data on catheter-related infection rates during the maximum spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy (February to May 2020) with data from the same period of the previous year and with the whole of 2019.

Results

In 2019, we recorded a catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) rate of 1.19 (95% CI 0.81–1.68)/1000 days [2.07 (95% CI 1.12–3.52)/1000 days in the Feb-May 2019 period] and a tunnel and exit-site infection rate of 0.82 (95% CI 0.51–1.24)/1000 days [1.04 (95% CI 0.41–2.15)/1000 days in the Feb–May 2019 period]. Infection rates drastically decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, with just one catheter-related bloodstream infection being recorded. Catheter-related bloodstream infection rates showed a significant reduction to 0.20 (95% CI 0.01–0.9)/1000 days (p < 0.05 and p < 0.005 compared to 2019 and to Feb-May 2019, respectively) and a non-significant reduction in tunnel and exit-site infections to 0.6 (95% CI 0.15–1.6)/1000 days.

Conclusions

The observed 91% reduction in catheter-related bloodstream infections compared to the same period in 2019 [IRR 0.09 (95% CI 0.002–0.64)] and the 83% reduction compared to the whole of 2019 [IRR 0.17 (95% CI 0.004–1.009)] suggest that a stricter implementation of hygienic precautions in the dialysis setting can markedly improve the problem of CVC-related infections.

Graphic abstract
Statistical methods and models based on quality of experience distributions
Authors: Seufert Michael
Published: December 2020

Due to biased assumptions on the underlying ordinal rating scale in subjective Quality of Experience (QoE) studies, Mean Opinion Score (MOS)-based evaluations provide results, which are hard to interpret and can be misleading. This paper proposes to consider the full QoE distribution for evaluating, reporting, and modeling QoE results instead of relying on MOS-based metrics derived from results based on ordinal rating scales. The QoE distribution can be represented in a concise way by using the parameters of a multinomial distribution without losing any information about the underlying QoE ratings, and even keeps backward compatibility with previous, biased MOS-based results. Considering QoE results as a realization of a multinomial distribution allows to rely on a well-established theoretical background, which enables meaningful evaluations also for ordinal rating scales. Moreover, QoE models based on QoE distributions keep detailed information from the results of a QoE study of a technical system, and thus, give an unprecedented richness of insights into the end users’ experience with the technical system. In this work, existing and novel statistical methods for QoE distributions are summarized and exemplary evaluations are outlined. Furthermore, using the novel concept of quality steps, simulative and analytical QoE models based on QoE distributions are presented and showcased. The goal is to demonstrate the fundamental advantages of considering QoE distributions over MOS-based evaluations if the underlying rating data is ordinal in nature.
Drought and Property Prices: Empirical Evidence from Provinces of Iran
Authors: Farzanegan Mohammad Reza , Feizi Mehdi , Gholipour Hassan F.
Published: December 2020

This study examines the effect of drought on housing and residential land prices in Iran. Using panel data covering the 2006–2015 period for 31 provinces of Iran and applying a dynamic system and the difference Generalized Methods of Moments (GMM) methods, we find that an increase in the balance of water (reducing the severity of drought) within provinces has a positive effect on property prices. Our results are robust, controlling for province fixed effects, time trend, and a set of control variables that may affect property prices.