bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Signatures of mirror stars
Authors: Curtin David , Setford Jack
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Motivated by theories of Neutral Naturalness, we argue that Mirror Stars are a generic possibility in any hidden sector with analogues of Standard Model (SM) electromagnetism and nuclear physics. We show that if there exists a tiny kinetic mixing between the dark photon and the SM photon, Mirror Stars capture SM matter from the interstellar medium, which accumulates in the core of the Mirror Star and radiates in the visible spectrum. This signature is similar to, but in most cases much fainter than, ordinary white dwarfs. We also show for the first time that in the presence of captured SM matter, a fraction of dark photons from the core of the Mirror Star convert directly to SM photons, which leads to an X-ray signal that represents a direct probe of the properties of the Mirror Star core. These two signatures together are a highly distinctive, smoking gun signature of Mirror Stars. We show that Mirror Stars could be discovered in both optical and X-ray searches up to approximately 100-1000 light years away, for a range of well-motivated values of the kinetic mixing parameter.
Pictures from super Chern-Simons theory
Authors: Cremonini C.A. , Grassi P.A.
Published: March 2020

Abstract

We study super-Chern-Simons theory on a generic supermanifold. After a self-contained review of integration on supermanifolds, the complexes of forms (superforms, pseudoforms and integral forms) and the extended Cartan calculus are discussed. We then introduce Picture Changing Operators and their mathematical properties. We show that the free equations of motion reduce to the usual Chern-Simons equations proving on-shell equivalence between the formulations at different pictures of the same theory. Finally, we discuss the interaction terms. They require a suitable definition in order to take into account the picture number. This leads to the construction of a series of non-associative products which yield an A∞ algebra structure, sharing several similarities with the super string field theory action by Erler, Konopka and Sachs.
The semi-classical approximation at high temperature revisited
Authors: Boccaletti Alexander , Nogradi Daniel
Published: March 2020

Abstract

We revisit the semi-classical calculation of the size distribution of instantons at finite temperature in non-abelian gauge theories in four dimensions. The relevant functional determinants were first calculated in the seminal work of Gross, Pisarski and Yaffe and the results were used for a wide variety of applications including axions most recently. In this work we show that the uncertainty on the numerical evaluations and semi-analytical expressions are two orders of magnitude larger than claimed. As a result various quantities computed from the size distribution need to be reevaluated, for instance the resulting relative error on the topological susceptibility at arbitrarily high temperatures is about 5% for QCD and about 10% for SU(3) Yang-Mills theory. With higher rank gauge groups this discrepancy is even higher. We also provide a simple semi-analytical formula for the size distribution with absolute error 2 · 10−4. In addition we also correct the over-all constant of the instanton size distribution in the $$ \overline{\mathrm{MS}} $$

MS
¯

scheme which was widely used incorrectly in the literature if non-trivial fermion content is present.
Fibers add flavor. Part II. 5d SCFTs, gauge theories, and dualities
Authors: Apruzzi Fabio , Lawrie Craig , Lin Ling , Schäfer-Nameki Sakura , Wang Yi-Nan
Published: March 2020

Abstract

In [1, 2] we proposed an approach based on graphs to characterize 5d superconformal field theories (SCFTs), which arise as compactifications of 6d $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= (1, 0) SCFTs. The graphs, so-called combined fiber diagrams (CFDs), are derived using the realization of 5d SCFTs via M-theory on a non-compact Calabi-Yau threefold with a canonical singularity. In this paper we complement this geometric approach by connecting the CFD of an SCFT to its weakly coupled gauge theory or quiver descriptions and demonstrate that the CFD as recovered from the gauge theory approach is consistent with that as determined by geometry. To each quiver description we also associate a graph, and the embedding of this graph into the CFD that is associated to an SCFT provides a systematic way to enumerate all possible consistent weakly coupled gauge theory descriptions of this SCFT. Furthermore, different embeddings of gauge theory graphs into a fixed CFD can give rise to new UV-dualities for which we provide evidence through an analysis of the prepotential, and which, for some examples, we substantiate by constructing the M-theory geometry in which the dual quiver descriptions are manifest.
T-dual superstring Lagrangian with double zweibeins
Authors: Hatsuda Machiko , Siegel Warren
Published: March 2020

Abstract

We present superstring Lagrangians with manifest T-duality. The Lagrangian version of the section conditions are necessary to make Lagrangians to be general coordinate invariant. We show the general solution of section conditions. The D-dimensional left and right moving currents are the 2D-dimensional chiral current which causes the chiral boson problem. We solve the problem by adding the unphysical 2D-dimensional anti­selfdual current with the selfduality constraints. The Lagrange multipliers of the selfduality constraints play the role of the worldsheet zweibein allowing the Weyl invariant and Lorentz symmetric worldsheet. Doubling the zweibein makes the type II κ-symmetry splitting into two sets of the type It κ-symmetries.
Environmental determinants of lake macrophyte communities in Baikal Siberia
Authors: Alahuhta Janne , Rosbakh Sergey , Chepinoga Victor , Heino Jani
Published: March 2020

We investigated whether environmental filtering or dispersal-related factors mostly drive helophyte and hydrophyte species richness and community composition in 93 lakes situated in Baikal Siberia. Using partial linear regression and partial redundancy analysis, we studied (1) what are the relative roles of environmental variables, dispersal variables, spatial processes and region identity (i.e., river basins) in explaining variation in the species richness and species composition of helophytes and hydrophytes across 93 Siberian lakes, and (2) what are the differences in the most important explanatory variables driving community variation in helophytes versus hydrophytes? We found that, for both species richness and species composition, environmental variables clearly explained most variation for both plant groups, followed by region identity and dispersal-related variables. Spatial variables were significant only for the species composition of hydrophytes. Nutrient-salinity index, a proxy for habitat trophic-salinity status, was by far the most significant environmental determinant of helophytes and hydrophytes. Our results indicate that environmental factors explained the most variation in both species richness and species composition of helophytes and hydrophytes. Nevertheless, dispersal-related variables (i.e. spatial and dispersal) were also influential but less important than environmental factors. Furthermore, the dispersal-related variables were more important for hydrophytes than for helophytes. Most brackish permanent lakes were mostly located in the steppe biomes of southern Transbaikalia. This characteristic along with the oldest age, the largest distances to both river and settlements and the lowest temperatures in the study region distinguished them from freshwater, drained and more nutrient-rich floodplain lakes.
Gluteales Kompartmentsyndrom nach Liegetrauma bei Opiatabusus
Authors: Gleich J. , Fürmetz J. , Kamla C. , Pedersen V. , Böcker W. , Keppler A. M.
Published: March 2020

Es wird von einem 42-jährigen Patienten berichtet, der sich bei einem opiatinduzierten Liegetrauma ein gluteales Kompartmentsyndrom mit Affektion des N. ischiadicus und nachfolgender Rhabdomyolyse zugezogen hat. Im Gegensatz zum Kompartmentsyndrom des Unterarms oder des Unterschenkels stellt dieses eine Rarität dar. Nach notfallmäßiger Kompartmentspaltung und Anlage eines Vakuumsystems zum vorübergehenden Wundverschluss konnte mittels forcierter Diurese eine Hämofiltration bei akutem Nierenversagen vermieden werden. Die Sensomotorik der unteren Extremität besserte sich bereits nach der initialen Versorgung; nach einer Woche konnte der sekundäre Wundverschluss durchgeführt werden, elf Tage nach Aufnahme konnte der Patient mit intakter Sensomotorik und normwertigen Retentionsparametern entlassen werden.
Insulin-like growth factor 1 is related to the expression of plumage traits in a passerine species
Authors: Mahr Katharina , Vincze Orsolya , Tóth Zsófia , Hoi Herbert , Lendvai Ádám Z.
Published: March 2020

Avian plumage colors and ornaments are excellent models to study the endocrine mechanisms linking sexually selected traits and individual parameters of quality and condition. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is an evolutionarily highly conserved peptide hormone. Its regulatory role in cell proliferation and differentiation and its high sensitivity to the nutritional state of individuals suggest it as an interesting candidate, possibly providing a link between body condition and individual capacity to grow elaborated ornamental features. We investigated whether IGF-1 levels during molting correlate with the expression of multiple ornaments in a sexually dichromatic passerine species, the bearded reedling (Panurus biarmicus). We collected blood samples of males and females shortly before the molting completed and measured the size and colors of ornamental traits. Our results indicate that in males, structural plumage colors, the size of the melanin-based ornament (beard), and tail length are independent traits. IGF-1 levels are associated with the length of the tail and the expression of male structural plumage components (UV coloration), but not the melanin-based ornament. In females, plumage color and tail length were independent traits, which were not related to IGF-1 levels. To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the first evidence that IGF-1 could play a role in the development of secondary sexual characters in a bird species.

Significance statement

IGF-1 is an evolutionarily highly conserved peptide hormone, which recently entered the center stage of research enquiry in evolutionary biology. It is considered as one of the key factors shaping individual life histories, but little is known about its effects on sexually selected traits. We investigated whether IGF-1 levels during molting predict the elaboration of multiple ornamental plumage traits in male and female bearded reedlings (Panurus biarmicus). Our results indicate that higher IGF-1 levels had positive effects on male structural plumage colors and tail feather length. This is the first study, bringing indication for a potential role of IGF-1 in the expression of plumage ornaments in a bird species. Our findings suggest that IGF-1 might serve as an ideal candidate to study the mechanisms linking condition and the capacity to develop sexually selected ornaments.
Der Jenaer-Stand-Stabilitäts-Score (JESS-Score)
Authors: Best N. , Nisser M. , Loudovici-Krug D.
Published: March 2020

Hintergrund

Der Stand bzw. das Stehen kann neben den von Janda beschriebenen Bewegungsstereotypen ebenfalls als motorischer Prozess begriffen werden. Atypische Belastungen während des Stehens führen zur Überbeanspruchung myofaszialer Strukturen und zu Schmerz. Die Suche nach einer dezidierten Untersuchungsmöglichkeit mit der Aussicht auf individuelle Therapieempfehlungen, war Anlass für die Erarbeitung dieses Scores.

Methodik

Es wurden 80 gesunde Probanden mittels etablierter sowie anteilig neu beschriebener Testverfahren auf ihre Standstabilität hin untersucht. Die gleichgewichteten Ergebnisse wurden zu einem Score zusammengefasst und dessen Normwerte bestimmt.

Ergebnisse

Für die Altersklasse der 18- bis 44-Jährigen ist die Norm das Erfüllen von 10 der insgesamt 13 Einzelaufgaben. Für die 45- bis 59-Jährigen sind nach aktuellen Messungen 8 von 13 erreichten Punkten die Norm. In der Altersgruppe ab dem 60. Lebensjahr können bisher keine belastbaren Aussagen getroffen werden.

Diskussion

Belastbare Daten liefert die Altersgruppe bis 44 Jahre. Die Altersgruppe darüber zeigt zumindest einen deutlichen Trend. Die existierenden Tests bzw. Scores setzten sich verstärkt mit dem Sturzrisiko und der Geschicklichkeit bei Bewegungen und komplexen Aufgaben auseinander. Der Stand als motorischer Stereotyp wurde bisher noch nicht beschrieben. Nach einer Untersuchung mittels Jenaer-Stand-Stabilitäts-Score (JESS-Score) ist es möglich, Aussagen zu individuellen Therapieschwerpunkten zu treffen.

Schlussfolgerungen

Der JESS-Score stellt einen praktikablen Test zur Verifizierung des Standstereotyps dar. Die Erweiterung der Normgruppe durch Einschluss weiterer Studienteilnehmer wird über eine Verstetigung oder Modifikation der aktuellen Ergebnisse entscheiden. Die Testung weiterer Kohorten wird zeigen, inwieweit diese Items sensitiv für Veränderungen durch Trainingsmethoden sind und ob mit dem Score auch klinische Änderungen kongruent abgebildet werden können.
Surgeon’s preference of subcutaneous tissue resection: most important factor for short-term complications in subcutaneous implant placement after mastectomy—results of a cohort study
Authors: Pfob André , Koelbel Vivian , Schuetz Florian , Feißt Manuel , Blumenstein Maria , Hennigs André , Golatta Michael , Heil Joerg
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Little is known about the reason of high short-term complication rates after the subcutaneous placement of breast implants or expanders after mastectomy without biological matrices or synthetic meshes. This study aims to evaluate complications and their risk factors to develop guidelines for decreasing complication rates.

Methods

We included all cases of mastectomy followed by subcutaneous implant or expander placement between 06/2017 and 05/2018 (n = 92). Mean follow-up time was 12 months.

Results

Explantation occurred in 15 cases (16.3%). The surgeon’s preference for moderate vs. radical subcutaneous tissue resection had a significant influence on explantation rates (p = 0.026), impaired wound healing or infection (requiring surgery) (p = 0.029, p = 0.003 respectively) and major complications (p = 0.018).

Multivariate analysis revealed significant influence on complication rates for radical subcutaneous tissue resection (p up to 0.003), higher implant volume (p up to 0.023), higher drain volume during the last 24 h (p = 0.049), higher resection weight (p = 0.035) and incision type (p = 0.011).

Conclusion

Based on the significant risk factors we suggest the following guidelines to decrease complication rates: favoring thicker skin envelopes after surgical preparation, using smaller implants, removing drains based on a low output volume during the last 24 h and no use of periareolar incision with extension medial or lateral. We should consider ADMs for subcutaneous one-stage reconstructions.

The individual surgeon’s preference of subcutaneous tissue resection is of highest relevance for short-term complications—this has to be part of internal team discussions and should be considered in future trials for comparable results.
Envisioning carbon-free land use futures for Sweden: a scenario study on conflicts and synergies between environmental policy goals
Authors: van der Voorn Tom , Svenfelt Åsa , Björnberg Karin Edvardsson , Fauré Eléonore , Milestad Rebecka
Published: March 2020

In climate change mitigation, backcasting scenarios are often used for exploring options for achieving a single environmental goal, albeit at the expense of other goals. This paper assesses potential conflicts and synergies between multiple environmental policy goals based on four future scenarios on Swedish rural land use, assuming zero GHG emissions in 2060. The assessment shows that goal conflicts are apparent, and policy makers need to make trade-offs between goals. The choice of strategy for dealing with these trade-offs yields conflicts or synergies. The assessment shows that a transition to zero GHG emissions provides opportunities for Sweden to shift to carbon free land-use planning. Overall, there are alternative ways with different underlying assumptions to achieve zero GHG emissions, which will feed discussions on new opportunities to overcome multi-scale and multi-sectoral goal conflicts. Multi-target backcasting scenarios are considered more suited to account for the multi-dimensional aspects of goal conflicts. This requires a comprehensive multi-target backcasting approach, which combines the strengths of multicriteria analysis, nexus approaches and backcasting, for supporting a transition to zero GHG emissions.
Measurement of health-related quality of life in patients with diabetes mellitus using EQ-5D-5L in Hong Kong, China
Authors: Wong Eliza Lai yi , Xu Richard Huan , Cheung Annie Wai ling
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study aimed to estimate the health preference scores of the Chinese population with Diabetes Mellitus (DM) using the EQ-5D-5L Hong Kong (HK) population tariff according to different sociodemographic characteristics in HK.

Methods

Data were obtained from a cross-sectional, territory-wide study of patient experience on specialist outpatient services in a public setting in HK. The EQ-5D-5L HK was used to collect the patients’ health status. A total of 2326 respondents were reported to suffer from DM, and their information was elicited and used for the analysis in this study. A robust ANOVA method was used to compare the differences in EQ-5D-5L index scores among subgroups. Binary logistic regressions were used to predict the probability of respondents reporting full health, and ordinal least square (OLS) model was used to assess the relationship between DM and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Results

The mean EQ-5D-5L index score for DM patients was 0.84. A total of 229 EQ-5D health states were reported. Altogether, 47.5% of the respondents reported having some problems with pain/discomfort, followed by mobility (26.4%), usual activities (26.0%), and anxiety/depression (23.5%). Logistic regression and OLS models indicated that male and fully employed respondents were less likely to report having problems with any of the five dimensions and index score of EQ-5D than female and non-fully employed respondents. The findings of OLS model also showed that DM patients that experience comorbidity with three and more chronic conditions were more likely to show a lower index score than respondents who reported living with DM alone.

Conclusion

The EQ-5D index scores varied among DM patient characteristics and were more highly impaired with multimorbidity status. Interventions targeting at-risk subgroups, such as modifying single-diseased guidelines, might be helpful to improve their HRQoL.
Novel platform for development, training, and validation of computer-assisted detection/diagnosis software
Authors: Nomura Yukihiro , Miki Soichiro , Hayashi Naoto , Hanaoka Shouhei , Sato Issei , Yoshikawa Takeharu , Masutani Yoshitaka , Abe Osamu
Published: March 2020

Purpose

To build a novel, open-source, purely web-based platform system to address problems in the development and clinical use of computer-assisted detection/diagnosis (CAD) software. The new platform system will replace the existing system for the development and validation of CAD software, Clinical Infrastructure for Radiologic Computation of United Solutions (CIRCUS).

Methods

In our new system, the two top-level applications visible to users are the web-based image database (CIRCUS DB; database) and the Docker plug-in-based CAD execution platform (CIRCUS CS; clinical server). These applications are built on top of a shared application programming interface server, a three-dimensional image viewer component, and an image repository.

Results

We successfully installed our new system into a Linux server at two clinical sites. A total of 1954 cases were registered in CIRCUS DB. We have been utilizing CIRCUS CS with four Docker-based CAD plug-ins.

Conclusions

We have successfully built a new version of the CIRCUS system. Our platform was successfully implemented at two clinical sites, and we plan to publish it as an open-source software project.
Multi-objective hybrid flow shop scheduling with variable discrete production speed levels and time-of-use energy prices
Authors: Schulz Sven , Buscher Udo , Shen Liji
Published: March 2020

Energy costs play an important role in industrial production and are closely related to environmental concerns. As sustainability aspects are coming into focus in recent years, energy-oriented objectives are increasingly being taken into account in scheduling. At the same time, requirements for punctual delivery become more and more important in times of just-in-time delivery and highly networked supply chains. In this paper, a hybrid flow shop scheduling problem with variable discrete production speed levels is considered with the aim of minimizing both energy costs and total tardiness. Although lower speeds can reduce energy consumption, they also increase processing times, which counteract the objective of punctual delivery. Two new model formulations additionally taking time-of-use energy prices into account are presented and compared. The influence of variable discrete production speed levels on energy costs, energy consumption and punctual delivery as well as the interdependencies between these objectives are analysed in a numerical case study.
Multidimensional Poverty of Children in Mozambique
Authors: Mahrt Kristi , Rossi Andrea , Salvucci Vincenzo , Tarp Finn
Published: March 2020

We analyse the multidimensional wellbeing of children aged 0–17 in Mozambique and find that 46.3% can be considered multidimensionally poor. A substantial divide exists between urban and rural areas and between northern and southern provinces. We compare Mozambican children’s wellbeing with that of children in other regional countries. Despite impressive gains in some indicators, multidimensional child poverty in Mozambique still substantially exceeds that in neighbouring countries. Targeted policies considering the specificities of child welfare are needed to ensure that the national-level growth and poverty reduction experienced by the population as a whole translate into better living conditions for children.
Patterns of physical activity-related health competence: stability over time and associations with subjective health indicators
Authors: Schmid Julia , Haible Stephanie , Sudeck Gorden
Published: March 2020

Objective

If individuals want to integrate health-enhancing physical activity in their everyday life, they need specific competences. This person-oriented study aimed to: 1) Identify patterns of physical activity-related health competence, 2) examine how structurally and individually stable these patterns are over 4 months and 3) test how changes in patterns are associated with changes in subjective health indicators.

Materials and methods

A total of 769 individuals (82% women, Mage = 27 years) were recruited from exercise courses offered by university sport. Four facets of physical activity-related health competence (control competence for physical training, physical activity-specific affect regulation, self-determined motivation for exercise, physical activity-specific self-control) and subjective health (subjective vitality and perceived fitness) were measured twice. Patterns were identified using latent profile analysis. Their stability and associations with subjective health changes were examined with latent transition analyses and a configural frequency analysis.

Results

Seven patterns of physical activity-related health competence were identified. Besides three level patterns, four shape patterns were found with differing ratings across the studied variables (e.g. average values for control competence for physical training, self-determined motivation and physical activity-specific self-control, but a high level in physical activity affect regulation). These patterns proved to be structurally stable over time. In all, 72% of the individuals stayed in the same pattern, whereas 20% moved to a more and 8% to a less competent pattern. Changes in patterns are linked to change in subjective vitality and perceived fitness.

Conclusion

The results presented here demonstrate the added value of using a person-oriented approach to investigate development of physical activity-related health competence. Furthermore, they generate knowledge for designing tailored interventions.
Evaluating scale deposition and scale tendency of effluent water mix with seawater for compatible injection water
Authors: Al-Samhan M. , Alanezi K. , Al-Fadhli J. , Al-Attar F. , Mukadam S. , George J.
Published: March 2020

Water injection technique is contributing millions of oil barrels on a daily basis to the global oil supply; one of the challenges faced by such an important production method is scale buildup due to the different dissolved solids and high salinity of the injected water. For produced water or effluent water, pretreatment is a critical step before the injection process to reduce the risk of scale potential and well formation damage. One of the beneficial treatments of the effluent water is to be mixed in a compatible ratio with seawater, especially for those countries with easy access to seawater. Thus, the objective is to find a compatible mix ratio with seawater as one way of solving effluent water reuse without increasing the risk of scale and formation damage during water injection operation. In this study, effluent water samples were collected from different oilfield geographical locations in Kuwait, and then the samples were analyzed in the laboratory for their physical and chemical properties to select the most compatible one for mixing with seawater. The selected effluent water was then mixed with seawater in 1:1 ratio to evaluate the compatibility of the mix in terms of sulfate formation and scale tendency. The selected North field/seawater was tested under 75 ºC and 1000 PSi in an autoclave. The filtered precipitates were characterized by energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and scanning electronic microscope (SEM) micrographs. Further, the formations of sulfate were detected by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The OLI ScaleChem software was used to investigate the composition of mineral scales that may occur in the water mix at different ratios ranging from 0 to 100% to compare it with the actual water mix finding. In the effluent waters comparison part, North field water showed low pH (4.6) and alkalinity, as well as moderate TDS (190,000 MG/L). The main constituents of the scale deposited at the selected water mixing ratio were calcium sulfate CaSO4 and silicon oxide detected by XRD. However, the amount of barium sulfate was not presented in the precipitates indicating that all of it went in the liquid phase. The study concludes that at downhole conditions, the compatible mix of North Kuwait effluent water with seawater has high risk of barium sulfate in comparison with other common scale such as calcium sulfate, calcium carbonate and strontium sulfate (SrSO4). Also the study revealed that the prediction of different seawater ratios showed that at 70% seawater concentration, the barium sulfate concentration drops and consequently the scale risk reduced.
24-h Activity Rhythms and Health in Older Adults
Authors: de Feijter Maud , Lysen Thom S. , Luik Annemarie I.
Published: March 2020

Purpose of Review

Circadian rhythms, including 24-h activity rhythms, change with age. Disturbances in these 24-h activity rhythms at older age have also been implied in various diseases. This review evaluates recent findings on 24-h activity rhythms and disease in older adults.

Recent Findings

Growing evidence supports that 24-h activity rhythm disturbances at older age are related to the presence and/or progression of disease. Longitudinal and genetic work even suggests a potential causal contribution of disturbed 24-h activity rhythms to disease development. Interventional studies targeting circadian and 24-h activity rhythms demonstrate that 24-h rhythmicity can be improved, but the effect of improving 24-h rhythmicity on disease risk or progression remains to be shown.

Increasing evidence suggests that 24-h activity rhythms are involved in age-related diseases. Further studies are needed to assess causality, underlying mechanisms, and the effects of treating disturbed 24-h activity rhythms on age-related disease.
Design-dependent shrinkage compensation modeling and mechanical property targeting of metal FFF
Authors: Ait-Mansour Ilies , Kretzschmar Niklas , Chekurov Sergei , Salmi Mika , Rech Joel
Published: March 2020

Metal-fused filament fabrication is gaining traction due to its low cost and high availability compared to metal powder bed fusion. However, the achievable mechanical properties and effects of shrinkage of this process should be understood thoroughly before it can be implemented as a direct digital manufacturing technology. This study investigates the influence of infill levels and different build orientations on the mechanical properties and shrinkage behavior of 3D-printed, debinded, and sintered components made from BASF Ultrafuse 316LX. The final objective of the work is to define a function for multi-directional shrinkage prediction for any given part geometry to achieve parts with a high degree of dimensional conformity by modifying the original designs accordingly. The Design of Experiment includes tensile and compression testing according to ASTM E8 M-04 and ASTM D695-15, respectively. Tensile testing samples are manufactured in three different build directions and compression testing pins are made with six infill levels. Furthermore, a complex part is printed and its dimensional shrinkage analyzed using 3D scanning. Finally, the multi-directional shrinkage behavior is measured for all samples to establish a shrinkage predictability function by applying linear regression models. Results show that material infill levels have no effect on the shrinkage behavior of printed components. Compressive strength increases with infill level and ultimate tensile strength of parts printed flat indicates the highest tensile testing results, followed by flipped and vertically printed parts. A complex part was manufactured successfully for spare part production, which helped to establish a function with moderate confidence levels for shrinkage predictability.
Ministerialverwaltung und Interessengruppen – Neues und Vergessenes zu einem alten Thema
Authors: Döhler Marian
Published: March 2020

Die Bundesministerien nehmen bei der Initiierung und Formulierung politischer Vorhaben der Bundesregierung eine zentrale Rolle ein. Dies wirft immer wieder die Frage nach dem Einfluss organisierter Interessen auf. In der medialen Berichterstattung, aber auch in der wissenschaftlichen Diskussion wird die Antwort zumeist unter dem Stichwort „Lobbyismus“ gesucht. Die Ministerialverwaltung erscheint dabei überwiegend als passiver Adressat externer Einflussbestrebungen. Dieser Sichtweise soll mit Hilfe einer drei Dimensionen umfassenden Analyse entgegengetreten werden. Die Ausgangsthese lautet, dass die Ministerialverwaltung zu strategischer Interaktion befähigt ist, was zunächst auf der Makroebene der Beziehungen zwischen Staat und organisierten Interessen illustriert wird. Daran anschließend wird zweitens der Einfluss von Organisation und Arbeitsweise der Ministerialverwaltung auf die Beziehungen zu Verbänden untersucht. Die dritte Dimension schließlich gilt den Einstellungen der Ministerialverwaltung im Umgang mit organisierten Interessen. Im Ergebnis ist festzustellen, dass die Interaktionen zwischen beiden Seiten deutlich über die Automatismen der Interessendurchsetzung hinausgehen, wie sie im Lobbyismus-Konzept unterstellt werden.
Effect of Icariside II and Metformin on Penile Erectile Function, Histological Structure, Mitochondrial Autophagy, Glucose-Lipid Metabolism, Angiotensin II and Sex Hormone in Type 2 Diabetic Rats With Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Zhang Jian , Li Shuang , Zhang Shiqing , Wang Yonghui , Jin Shipeng , Zhao Chunli , Yang Wenzeng , Liu Yuexin , Kong Guangqi
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Type 2 diabetes mellitus erectile dysfunction (T2DMED) is one of the common complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Icariside II (ICA II), a flavonoid derived from Epimedium, has been shown to improve erectile function in T2DMED rats.

Aim

To investigate the effect of ICA II and metformin (MET) on penile erectile function, mitochondrial autophagy, glucose-lipid metabolism in rats with T2DMED.

Methods

In the control and T2DMED groups, rats were administered normal saline. In the MET group, rats were administered MET for 0.2 g/kg/day. In the ICA II+MET group, rats were administered ICA II for 10 mg/kg/day and MET for 0.2 g/kg/day.

Results

The number of mating rats, number of erectile rats, erection rate, erection frequency, intracorneal pressure, and intracorneal pressure/mean arterial pressure in the ICA II+MET group and control group were significantly higher than corresponding values in than T2DMED group. The absolute values of fasting plasma glucose, glycated haemoglobin in the ICA II+MET group, MET group, and control group were significantly lower than in the T2DMED group. The advanced glycation end product (AGE) values in the ICA II+MET group and the MET group were lower than in the T2DMED group. The receptors for the AGE values and angiotensin II values in the ICA II+MET group were lower than in the T2DMED and MET groups. The high-density lipoprotein values, testosterone values, nitric oxide synthase activity, and cyclic guanosine monophosphate content in the ICA II+MET and control groups were higher than in the T2DMED group. The low-density lipoprotein values, triglyceride values, estradiol values, and total cholesterol values in the ICA II+MET and control groups were lower than in the T2DMED group.

Conclusion

ICA II could increase erectile function and smooth muscle cell/collagen fibril proportions, decreased mitochondrial autophagy, and AGE concentrations and improve lipid metabolism, nitric oxide synthase activity, cyclic guanosine monophosphate content, testosterone, estradiol, and Ang II in rat with T2DMED.
Surgical site infection among patients with Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage
Authors: Mohammed Ayad Ahmad , Hussein Nawfal R. , Arif Sardar Hassan , Daniel Shameran
Published: March 2020

ABSTRACT

Background:

Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is an invasive bacterium that may lead to both hospital and community acquired infection. SA may reside in the nose and may act as an endogenous source of surgical site infection (SSI). The emergence of resistant strains of SA complicates infection.

Objectives:

In this study we studied the relation between surgical site infection and nasal carriage of Staphylococcus Aureus.

Methods:

This is a prospective study that was done in the surgical words in two surgical centers in Duhok city. A total number of 257 patients were included in this study. Nasal swabs were taken from patients who underwent various surgical procedures, and were sent for bacteriological examination to detect the staphylococcal carriage status for each patient.

Results:

Clean surgeries were the commonest (61.1%) and elective surgeries comprised (92.2%). About 38% were nasal carriers for SA and 18.7% developed SSI. The most common bacteria isolated form infected wounds were Klebsiella (3.9%), in 7% no bacteria were cultured despite the signs of infection. We detected a significant correlation between wound infection and the duration of the hospital stay (P value 0.030), and with some types of operations such as hernias, hepatobiliary-pancreatic, and upper gastrointestinal tract surgeries (P values 0.017, 0.024, and 0.049) respectively.

Conclusion:

There is no increased incidence of SSI in nasal carriers of SA. Treatment of nasal carrier with topical bactericidal agent is still recommended in high risk patient, but extended use of antibiotics is not required. Guidelines should be followed to reduce SSI and the duration of hospital stay should be reduced to minimum.

Highlights:
From Collaboration to Partnership at Pojoaque, New Mexico
Authors: Bernstein Bruce , Ortman Scott G.
Published: March 2020

For the past six years, the Pueblo of Pojoaque and University of Colorado Boulder have been working together to investigate ancestral sites on and adjacent to Pojoaque land. Through our partnership, we believe we have learned some important lessons about the potential of archaeology for tribal communities, how archaeologists and tribal members can work together as coinvestigators, how such partnerships improve archaeological practice, and how the incorporation of traditional knowledge leads to better archaeology in both its humanistic and scientific dimensions. In addition, we believe it is a more sustainable and ethical model to engage the cultures in which archaeologists work. In this article, we share the story of our partnership, consider how it relates to existing perspectives on archaeology and Native communities, present a few results from our work at the ancestral site of K'uuyemugeh, and offer some reflections on our efforts to put a partnership model into practice.
The Anthropocene and the Time of Historians
Authors: Quenet Grégory
Published: March 2020

The notion of the Anthropocene has arrived so rapidly on the political and academic scene that it is sometimes difficult to orient oneself amid the mass of publications and events, or even to situate the different arguments presented. This article proposes to take a step back by examining the effects of this concept on historians’ notion of time. In the absence of a sociological and intellectual study providing a precise map of the actors and places involved, a genealogical approach can reveal a certain number of conceptual displacements that have occurred since the idea was first proposed. In particular, the passage from geological time to historical time has transformed the nature of the Anthropocene as event. Furthermore, the response of the humanities and social sciences has been critical, revealing the tension between the Anthropocene as a label and forum for discussion, and the Anthropocene as an analytical frame applied to empirical studies. Finally, while applying the notion of period to the Anthropocene poses a certain number of difficulties (teleology, the return to a Western-centered vision of the global, the synchronization of history, etc.), the pluralization of thresholds and temporal breaks appears to enrich the writing of history, opening up new avenues of research receptive to materiality and to non-human actors.
The role of data and safety monitoring boards in implementation trials: When are they justified?
Authors: Fiscella Kevin , Sanders Mechelle , Holder Tameir , Carroll Jennifer K. , Luque Amneris , Cassells Andrea , Johnson Brent A. , Williams Stephen K. , Tobin Jonathan N.
Published: March 2020

The National Institutes of Health requires data and safety monitoring boards (DSMBs) for all phase III clinical trials. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute requires DSMBs for all clinical trials involving more than one site and those involving cooperative agreements and contracts. These policies have resulted in the establishment of DSMBs for many implementation trials, with little consideration regarding the appropriateness of DSMBs and/or key adaptations needed by DSMBs to monitor data quality and participant safety. In this perspective, we review the unique features of implementation trials and reflect on key questions regarding the justification for DSMBs and their potential role and monitoring targets within implementation trials.
Bridging the gap between research, policy, and practice: Lessons learned from academic–public partnerships in the CTSA network
Authors: Towfighi Amytis , Orechwa Allison Zumberge , Aragón Tomás J. , Atkins Marc , Brown Arleen F. , Brown Jen , Carrasquillo Olveen , Carson Savanna , Fleisher Paula , Gustafson Erika , Herman Deborah K. , Inkelas Moira , Liu Wylie , Meeker Daniella , Mehta Tara , Miller Doriane C. , Paul-Brutus Rachelle , Potter Michael B. , Ritner Sarah S. , Rodriguez Brendaly , Rusch Dana , Skinner Anne , Yee Hal F.
Published: March 2020

A primary barrier to translation of clinical research discoveries into care delivery and population health is the lack of sustainable infrastructure bringing researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and communities together to reduce silos in knowledge and action. As National Institutes of Healthʼs (NIH) mechanism to advance translational research, Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) awardees are uniquely positioned to bridge this gap. Delivering on this promise requires sustained collaboration and alignment between research institutions and public health and healthcare programs and services. We describe the collaboration of seven CTSA hubs with city, county, and state healthcare and public health organizations striving to realize this vision together. Partnership representatives convened monthly to identify key components, common and unique themes, and barriers in academic–public collaborations. All partnerships aligned the activities of the CTSA programs with the needs of the city/county/state partners, by sharing resources, responding to real-time policy questions and training needs, promoting best practices, and advancing community-engaged research, and dissemination and implementation science to narrow the knowledge-to-practice gap. Barriers included competing priorities, differing timelines, bureaucratic hurdles, and unstable funding. Academic–public health/health system partnerships represent a unique and underutilized model with potential to enhance community and population health.
Home-based telerehabilitation software systems for remote supervising: a systematic review
Authors: Hosseiniravandi Mohammad , Kahlaee Amir H , Karim Hesam , Ghamkhar Leila , Safdari Reza
Published: March 2020

Objectives

In the past decade, with the ever-increasing growth of information and communication technologies, telerehabilitation, especially home-based rehabilitation (HBR), has been widely considered by researchers. Many software systems are developed to address HBR programs, which includes various functionalities. The aim of this study is to review the functional features of these systems designed for remote supervising of HBR programs.

Methods

Scopus, PubMed, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane Library, IEEE Xplore Digital Library, and ProQuest databases were searched for English-language articles published between January 2008 and February 2018 to retrieve studies reported an home-based telerehabilitation software system aiming to remotely supervise HBR program.

Results

A total of fifty studies that reported twenty-two unique systems met the inclusion criteria. Various functional features were identified including but not limited to exercise plan management, report/statistics generating, patient education, and task scheduling. Disorders or diseases addressed by these systems could mainly be grouped into five categories: musculoskeletal, neurological, respiratory, cardiovascular, and other health-related problems. Usability and acceptability, and clinical/patient outcomes were the most reported outcomes and data analysis was used by the majority of included studies to measure the outcomes.

Conclusions

Systems developed for supervising of HBR program are diverse. However, preliminary results of this review revealed that these systems share more or less common functionalities. However, further research is needed to determine the requirements, structure, and effectiveness of these systems in real-life settings.
Expression profiling of primary cultured buffalo granulosa cells from different follicular size in comparison with their in vivo counterpart
Authors: Sosa Ahmed S.A. , Ibrahim Sally , Mahmoud Karima Gh. M. , Ayoub Mohamed M. , Abdo Mohamed S.S. , Nawito Mahmoud F.
Published: March 2020

This study aimed to: (i) characterize cultured granulosa cells (GCs) from different follicle sizes morphologically and molecularly; and (ii) select a suitable model according to follicular size that maintained GC function during culture. Buffalo ovaries were collected from a slaughterhouse and follicles were classified morphologically into: first group ≤ 4 mm, second group 5–8 mm, third group 9–15 mm and fourth group 16–20 mm diameter. GC pellets were divided into two portions. The first portion served as the control fresh pellet, and the secondwas used for 1 week for GC culture. Total RNA was isolated, and qRT-PCR was performed to test for follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), cytochrome P450 19 (CYP19), luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHCGR), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), apoptosis-related cysteine peptidase (CASP3), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), and phospholipase A2 group III (PLA2G3) mRNAs. Estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) levels in the culture supernatant and in follicular fluids were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Basic DMEM-F12 medium maintained the morphological appearance of cultured GCs. The relative abundance of FSHR, CYP19, and LHCGR mRNAs was 0.001 ≤ P ≤ 0.01 and decreased at the end of culture compared with the fresh pellet. There was a fine balance between expression patterns of the proliferation marker gene (PCNA) and the proapoptotic marker gene (CASP3). AMH mRNA was significantly increased (P < 0.001) in cultured GCs from small follicles, while cultured GCs from other three categories (5–8 mm, 9–15 mm and 16–20 mm) showed a clear reduction (P < 0.001). Interestingly, the relative abundance of PLA2G3 mRNA was significantly (P < 0.001) increased in all cultured GCs. E2 and P4 concentrations were significantly (P < 0.001) decreased in all cultured groups. Primary cultured GCs from small follicles could be a good model for better understanding follicular development in Egyptian buffaloes.
Positive schemas in schema therapy with older adults: clinical implications and research suggestions
Authors: Videler Arjan C. , van Royen Rita J.J. , Legra Marjolein J.H. , Ouwens Machteld A.
Published: March 2020

Background:

Schema therapy is an effective treatment for borderline personality disorder and other complex disorders. Schema therapy is feasible in older adults, and the first empirical support for its effectiveness in later life was provided in older patients with a cluster C personality disorder. The central concept of the schema therapy model is the early maladaptive schema (EMS). Early adaptive schemas (EAS) give rise to adaptive behaviour, and they also emerge during childhood, when core emotional needs are adequately met by primary caregivers.

Aims:

To examine the concept of EAS and its application in schema therapy with older adults.

Method:

Literature review and case example: the role of EAS in schema therapy with older adults is discussed and suggestions for integrating EAS in schema therapy in later life are proposed.

Results:

Directing attention in therapy to EAS may help strengthen the healthy adult mode, and it might also help change a negative life review. Working with positive schemas may be an important avenue for re-awakening positive aspects of patients, reinforcing the therapeutic relationship, creating a positive working atmosphere, and also for facilitating the introduction of experiential schema therapy techniques.

Conclusions:

This review suggests that positive schemas may be important vehicles of therapeutic change when working with older people. There is a need for validating the Young Positive Schema Questionnaire (YPSQ) in older adults, and for examining whether integrating EAS in schema therapy with older adults indeed has a positive effect on therapy outcome.