bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shear Wave Elastographic Study of the Myotendinous Junction of the Medial Gastrocnemius
Authors: Minafra Paolo , Alviti Federica , Giovagnorio Raffaella , Cantisani Vito , Mazzoni Gianni
Published: May 2020

Objectives

The myotendinous junction (MTJ) represents a specialized anatomic region through which the contractile strength is transmitted from the muscle to the tendon. The integrity of this region is essential to permit force transmission and to optimize energy expenditure during walking, running, and globally for human movement. We evaluated the MTJ with shear wave elastography to assess its elasticity variation during a functional test.

Methods

Forty professional soccer players were enrolled in the study. Shear wave elastography was performed at the level of the medial gastrocnemius MTJ both in a resting position and during a standing calf rise position to assess functional contraction.

Results

All 40 participants were male, aged between 18 and 38 years (mean age, 25 years). The results of the elastographic study showed mean stiffness values ± SD of 4.19 ± 0.86 m/s for the right medial gastrocnemius and 4.20 ± 0.87 m/s for the left medial gastrocnemius with the muscle relaxed. During contraction, the stiffness values were 8.33 ± 0.5 m/s for the right medial gastrocnemius and 8.30 ± 0.48 m/s for the left medial gastrocnemius.

Conclusions

Our study showed an increase of stiffness at the level of the MTJ during muscle contraction. This result is in line with the physiologic stiffening of the MTJ to resist the high level of force applied during muscle contraction. Shear wave elastography could be a useful method to assess the characteristics of the MTJ under both physiologic and pathologic conditions.
Integrated crop–livestock systems in lowlands increase the availability of nutrients to irrigated rice
Authors: Carlos Filipe Selau , de Oliveira Denardin Luiz Gustavo , Martins Amanda Posselt , Anghinoni Ibanor , de Faccio Carvalho Paulo Cesar , Rossi Iuri , Buchain Marina Patel , Cereza Tiago , de Campos Carmona Felipe , de Oliveira Camargo Flávio Anastácio
Published: May 2020

Integrated crop–livestock systems (ICLS) associated with crop rotation and soil conservation management cause numerous changes in nutrient fluxes and soil biochemical dynamics. In this sense, there is a gap in the impact of integrated production systems on nutrient dynamics and soil microbial activity in lowlands. In this context, this work had the objective of evaluating the nutrient availability and the activity of extracellular enzymes in a Gleyic Luvic Planosol under ICLS. The experiment has five paddy‐farming systems with a range of crop diversity (both in time and space) and grazing occurring mainly in the winter season. Soil solution samples were taken in cropping seasons (2014/2015, 2015/2016, and 2016/2017), from the first day after flooding (DAF) to approximately 70 DAF. The integration of rice with livestock increased urease activity (+84%), β‐glucosidase (+49%), and fluorescein diacetate (+105%), especially as the level of diversification and use intensification of pastures. In general, there was an increase in the availability of ammonium (+70%), phosphorus (+177%), potassium (+62%), and calcium (+20%) in the soil solution with the adoption of ICLS and soil conservation management, compared with the traditional rice system. Thus, the adoption of ICLS contributes to increase the process of biochemical functioning of the soil with consequent intensification of nutrient cycling and availability. Thus, the ICLS can sustainably increase nutrient availability in the soil and reduce the need to feed large amounts of fertilizer into irrigated rice production systems.
Coarse‐Grained Simulations of the Impact of Chain Length and Stiffness on the Formation and Aggregation of Polyelectrolyte Complexes
Authors: Gallops Caleb E. , Ziebarth Jesse D. , Wang Yongmei
Published: May 2020

Polyelectrolyte complexes formed from nucleic acids and synthetic polycations are studied because of their potential in gene delivery. Coarse‐grained molecular dynamics simulations are performed to examine the impact of chain length and polyanion stiffness on polyplex formation and aggregation. Polyplexes containing single polyanion chain fall into three structural regimes depending on polyanion stiffness: flexible polyanions form collapsed complexes, semiflexible polyanions form various morphologies including toroids and hairpins, and stiff polyanions form rod‐like structures. Polyplex size generally decreases as polycation length increases. Polyelectrolyte complexes aggregate in some simulations containing multiple polyanions and an excess of short polycations. Aggregation is observed to only occur for semiflexible and stiff polyanions and is promoted by shorter polycation lengths. Simulations of short, stiff polyanions condensed by long polycations are used as a model for siRNA gene delivery complexes. These simulations show multiple polyanions are spaced out along the polycation with polyanion–polyanion interactions, usually limited to overlapping chain ends. These structures differ from aggregates of longer polyanions in which the polyanions are packed together in parallel, forming bundles.
CompoundDB4j: Integrated Drug Resource of Heterogeneous Chemical Databases
Authors: Murali Vidhya , Königs Cassandra , Deekshitula Sarvani , Nukala Saranya , Santhi Maddala Divya , Athri Prashanth
Published: May 2020

Computational approaches to analyze various drug/ compound centered analysis often present a need to map attributes from multiple drug databases. In this study, we provide a Neo4j repository that integrates two of the most prominent open source drug databases, DrugBank and ChEMBL, with a goal of establishing an integrated data visualization and analysis tool for drug discovery studies. The drugs present in DrugBank are mapped to their counterparts in ChEMBL. The integration of these resources and the harmonization using knowledge graph serialization using Neo4j lead to identification of relationships between drugs and other related features that are otherwise spread across two different resources. A common data format, a prerequisite to populate the Neo4j database, enables users to identify new relationships central to drug discovery research, like Drug Target Interactions (DTI). The resource is freely available at: https://github.com/ambf0632/CompoundDB4j
Blow‐up in a parabolic–elliptic Keller–Segel system with density‐dependent sublinear sensitivity and logistic source
Authors: Tanaka Yuya , Yokota Tomomi
Published: May 2020

This paper deals with the parabolic–elliptic Keller–Segel system with density‐dependent sublinear sensitivity and logistic source,

where
is a ball with some R>0 and χ>0, 0<α<1,
, μ>0, and κ>1. In the case α=1, Winkler (Z. Angew. Math. Phys.; 2018; 69: 40) discovered the condition for κ such that solutions blow up in finite time. The purpose of the present paper is to find conditions for α and κ such that there exist solutions that blow up in finite time in the case of weak‐chemotactic sensitivity, that is, in the case 0<α<1.
White coat hypertension in well‐controlled hypertensives during dental surgery‐ A case series
Authors: Seto Mika , Kita Ryosuke , Ishida Shintaro , Kondo Seiji
Published: May 2020

We have cases to experience white coat hypertension before the dental surgery. When the systolic blood pressure exceeds 200 mmHg, the dental treatment must be stopped. For smooth dental surgery, it is important to take measures against "extreme" white coat hypertension in the dental office. We retrospectively extracted the data from six patients with systolic blood pressures ≥200 mmHg immediately before dental surgery and examined. Oral surgeons must pay attention to the possibility of white coat hypertension if the blood pressure of well‐controlled hypertensive patients at the first visit is higher than the home blood pressure.
Self‐perception of overweight and obesity: A review of mental and physical health outcomes
Authors: Robinson Eric , Haynes Ashleigh , Sutin Angelina , Daly Michael
Published: May 2020

The obesity crisis is one of the largest public health challenges of the 21st century. Population‐level adiposity has increased dramatically in recent times, and people not recognizing that they have overweight or obesity is now common. It has been widely assumed that not recognizing oneself as having overweight is detrimental to weight management and long‐term health. Here, diverse research is reviewed that converges on the counterintuitive conclusion that not recognizing oneself as having overweight is actually associated with more favourable physical and mental health outcomes than recognizing oneself as having overweight. Drawing on existing models in social psychology and weight stigma research, an explanatory model of the health effects of self‐perception of overweight is outlined. This model proposes that self‐perception of overweight triggers social rejection concerns and the internalization of weight stigma, which in turn induce psychological distress and negatively impact health‐promoting lifestyle behaviours. How self‐perception of overweight may in part explain progression from overweight to obesity, and the public health implications of self‐perception of overweight and obesity are also discussed.
Advances in the molecular classification of pediatric brain tumors: a guide to the galaxy
Authors: Cacciotti Chantel , Fleming Adam , Ramaswamy Vijay
Published: May 2020

Central nervous system (CNS) tumors are the most common solid tumor in pediatrics, accounting for approximately 25% of all childhood cancers, and the second most common pediatric malignancy after leukemia. CNS tumors can be associated with significant morbidity, even those classified as low grade. Mortality from CNS tumors is disproportionately high compared to other childhood malignancies, although surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy have improved outcomes in these patients over the last few decades. Current therapeutic strategies lead to a high risk of side effects, especially in young children. Pediatric brain tumor survivors have unique sequelae compared to age‐matched patients who survived other malignancies. They are at greater risk of significant impairment in cognitive, neurological, endocrine, social, and emotional domains, depending on the location and type of the CNS tumor. Next‐generation genomics have shed light on the broad molecular heterogeneity of pediatric brain tumors and have identified important genes and signaling pathways that serve to drive tumor proliferation. This insight has impacted the research field by providing potential therapeutic targets for these diseases. In this review, we highlight recent progress in understanding the molecular basis of common pediatric brain tumors, specifically low‐grade glioma, high‐grade glioma, ependymoma, embryonal tumors, and atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (ATRT). © 2020 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identifying relapses and stem cell transplants in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia using administrative data: Capturing national outcomes irrespective of trial enrollment
Authors: Cahen Viviane C. , Li Yimei , Getz Kelly D. , Elgarten Caitlin W. , DiNofia Amanda M. , Wilkes Jennifer J. , Winestone Lena E. , Huang Yuan‐Shung V. , Miller Tamara P. , Gramatges M. Monica , Rabin Karen R. , Fisher Brian T. , Aplenc Richard , Seif Alix E.
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Our objectives were to design and validate methods to identify relapse and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) using administrative data representing hospitalizations at US pediatric institutions.

Methods

We developed daily billing and ICD‐9 code definitions to identify relapses and HSCTs within a cohort of children with newly diagnosed ALL between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2013, previously assembled from the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) database. Chart review for children with ALL at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and Texas Children's Hospital (TCH) was performed to establish relapse and HSCT gold standards for sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) calculations. We estimated incidences of relapse and HSCT in the PHIS ALL cohort.

Results

We identified 362 CHOP and 314 TCH ALL patients in PHIS and established true positives by chart review. Sensitivity and PPV for identifying both relapse and HSCT in PHIS were > 90% at both hospitals. Five‐year relapse incidence in the 10 150‐patient PHIS cohort was 10.3% (95% CI 9.8%‐10.9%) with 7.1% (6.6%‐7.6%) of children underwent HSCTs. Patients in higher‐risk demographic groups had higher relapse and HSCT rates. Our analysis also identified differences in incidences of relapse and HSCT by race, ethnicity, and insurance status.

Conclusions

Administrative data can be used to identify relapse and HSCT accurately in children with ALL whether they occur on‐ or off‐therapy, in contrast with published approaches. This method has wide potential applicability for estimating these incidences in pediatric ALL, including patients not enrolled on clinical trials.
Why do young people get cancer?
Authors: Kentsis Alex
Published: May 2020

Oncologists and cancer biologists are frequently confronted by the question of what causes cancer? This is particularly vexing for cancers affecting children and young adults who have had limited exposure to environmental mutagens and the effects of aging. Here, I focus on a general framework of the causes of early‐onset cancer development in children and young adults by relating inherited and constitutional cancer predisposition, oncogenic pathogens, and developmental mutations. This framework has implications not only for mechanistic investigation of young cancers, but should also clarify improved strategies for their treatment, screening, and potential prevention.
Moments that Matter? On the Complexity of using Triggers Based on Skin Conductance to Sample Arousing Events within an Experience Sampling Framework
Authors: van Halem Sjoerd , van Roekel Eeske , Kroencke Lara , Kuper Niclas , Denissen Jaap
Published: May 2020

To sample situations that are psychologically arousing in daily life, we implemented an experience sampling strategy in which 82 Dutch young adults ( Mage = 20.73) were triggered based on random time intervals and based on physiological skin conductance scores across a period of 5 days. When triggered, participants had to fill in short surveys on affect, situational characteristics and event characteristics on their smartphone. We found theoretically expected relationships between the skin conductance signal on the one hand and self–reported arousal and positive energy (e.g. energetic and enthusiastic) on the other hand, although effect sizes were small. Unexpectedly, none of the negative affective scales (i.e. irritation, anxiety, and negative valence) were predicted by skin conductance levels. Despite the (partial) validity of the signal, a simple algorithm that triggered the survey based on relative increases of skin conductance levels produced counterintuitive results due to a dependence between level and slope. Additional exploratory analyses highlighted other skin conductance signal characteristics (i.e. autocorrelation, number of peaks, and change points) that might be worth examining when designing future algorithms to sample arousing moments. Overall, our experiences highlight not only the promise but also the complexity of real–time measurement of physiological processes in daily life. © 2020 The Authors. European Journal of Personality published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Association of Personality Psychology
Experimental Realization of Parrondo's Paradox in 1D Quantum Walks
Authors: Jan Munsif , Wang Qin‐Qin , Xu Xiao‐Ye , Pan Wei‐Wei , Chen Zhe , Han Yong‐Jian , Li Chuan‐Feng , Guo Guang‐Can , Abbott Derek
Published: May 2020

The Parrondo effect is a well‐known apparent paradox where a combination of biased random walks displays a counterintuitive reversal in direction. These random walks can be expressed in terms of classical coin tossing games, leading to the surprising result that a combination of losing games can result in a winning game. There is now a large body of literature on quantum walks theoretically analyzing the quantum version of this effect, but to date, there have been no experimental observations of quantum Parrondo walks. Here, the first experimental verification of a quantum Parrondo walk within a quantum optics scenario is demonstrated. Based on the compact large‐scale experimental quantum‐walk platform, two rotation operators are implemented to realize the quantum Parrondo effect. The effect of quantum coherence in a quantum Parrondo walk is also investigated based on a delayed‐choice scheme that cannot be realized with classical light. It is demonstrated that the Parrondo effect vanishes when the quantum walk has a completely decoherent initial state in a delayed‐choice setting. Quantum walks are fundamental to multiple quantum algorithms, and this research provides motivation to expand the results to further explore quantum Parrondo walks.
Implications of sustainable features on life‐cycle costs of green buildings
Authors: Weerasinghe Achini Shanika , Ramachandra Thanuja
Published: May 2020

The green buildings seem unattractive to developers who prioritize fast investment returns, due to costs attributed to implementing sustainable features and consequently, only 19% of existing buildings are certified for green, globally. Furthermore, green buildings are aimed at achieving a minimum sustainability level in certification. Therefore, the current study aims to investigate the significant sustainable features and the implications of those features on green buildings' life‐cycle costs. The study involved a preliminary investigation to find the significant sustainable features implemented. Subsequently, two green buildings were carefully selected, and a detailed analysis was performed. The data relating to the green building construction, operation and maintenance costs were collected and analysed using Net Present Value. The features have varying degree of contribution to sustainability in terms of the achievement of allocated points in the rating system. The certified buildings have achieved over 75% of allocated points in terms of water efficiency and sustainable sites features, while the achievement level of other features is below average level. Further, highly achieved features are more economical in terms of their less contribution to construction and maintenance costs. On the other hand, the features with lower achievement in certification, contribute significantly to construction and maintenance costs, while providing higher savings during operation. Therefore, the current study recommends, green building investors to select the most suitable features for a given construction based on their respective contributions to the life‐cycle cost of green buildings.
5‐Hydroxy‐isoxazolidine: A New Synthetic Approach to a Privileged Heterocycle for Organic Synthesis
Authors: Presenti Piero , Moiola Mattia , Quadrelli Paolo
Published: May 2020

A modified pathway towards 5‐hydroxy‐isoxazolidines has been preliminarily investigated by taking advantage of the anti‐Markovnikov route in ene reactions of sterically encumbered nitrosocarbonyl intermediates in the presence of allylsilylethers. Fluoride‐mediated deprotection/cyclization of the ene adducts afforded the desired heterocycles in quantitative yields and the methodology is adaptable to a one‐pot procedure.
Engineering of Electronic States on Co3O4 Ultrathin Nanosheets by Cation Substitution and Anion Vacancies for Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Wang Qichen , Xue Xiongxiong , Lei Yongpeng , Wang Yuchao , Feng Yexin , Xiong Xiang , Wang Dingsheng , Li Yadong
Published: May 2020

Due to the earth abundance and tunable electronic properties, etc., transition metal oxides (TMOs) show attractive attention in oxygen evolution reaction. O‐vacancies (Vo) play important roles in tailoring the local surface and electronic environment to lower the activation barriers. Herein, an effective strategy is shown to enhance the oxygen evolution reduction (OER) performance on Co3O4 ultrathin nanosheets via combined cation substitution and anion vacancies. The oxygen‐deficient Fe‐Co‐O nanosheets (3–4 nm thickness) display an overpotential of 260 mV@10 mA cm−2 and a Tafel slope of 53 mV dec−1, outperforming those of the benchmark RuO2 in 1.0 m KOH. Further calculations demonstrate that the combined introduction of Fe cation and Vo with appropriate location and content finely tune the intermediate absorption, consequently lowering the rate‐limiting activation energy from 0.82 to as low as 0.15 eV. The feasibility is also proved by oxygen‐deficient Ni‐Co‐O nanosheets. This work not only establishes a clear atomic‐level correlation between cation substitution, anion vacancies, and OER performance, but also provides valuable insights for the rational design of highly efficient catalysts for OER.
A Chronicle Review of Nonsilicon (Sn, Sb, Ge)‐Based Lithium/Sodium‐Ion Battery Alloying Anodes
Authors: Liang Suzhe , Cheng Ya‐Jun , Zhu Jin , Xia Yonggao , Müller‐Buschbaum Peter
Published: May 2020

Since the commercialization of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) in the early 1990s, tin (Sn), antimony (Sb), and germanium (Ge)‐based anodes have attracted considerable research interest as promising candidates for next‐generation LIBs due to their high theoretical capacities, suitable operating voltages, and natural abundance. Additionally, the awareness of limited global lithium sources promoted the renaissance of sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) in recent years. Sn, Sb, and Ge can electrochemically alloy with sodium and are regarded as promising anode candidates for high‐performance SIBs. However, these alloying/dealloying anodes suffer severe volume expansion during lithiation or sodiation processes, which is one of the biggest obstacles toward practical applications. In order to solve this problem, several strategies are developed including reducing the absolute size of particles, creating interior void space, and introducing buffer media. After more than two decades' efforts, the electrochemical performance of Sn, Sb, and Ge‐based anodes is significantly improved. Considerable studies about Sn, Sb, and Ge‐based anodes are summarized in a chronicle perspective and the brief development histories of the three anodes are outlined. With this unique review, light will be shed on the future trends of the studies on the Sn, Sb, and Ge‐based anodes for advanced rechargeable batteries.
Long‐distance regressive signaling in neural development and disease
Authors: Pathak Amrita , Clark Shayla , Bronfman Francisca C. , Deppmann Christopher D. , Carter Bruce D.
Published: May 2020

Nervous system development proceeds via well‐orchestrated processes involving a balance between progressive and regressive events including stabilization or elimination of axons, synapses, and even entire neurons. These progressive and regressive events are driven by functionally antagonistic signaling pathways with the dominant pathway eventually determining whether a neural element is retained or removed. Many of these developmental sculpting events are triggered by final target innervation necessitating a long‐distance mode of communication. While long‐distance progressive signaling has been well characterized, particularly for neurotrophic factors, there remains relatively little known about how regressive events are triggered from a distance. Here we discuss the emergent phenomenon of long‐distance regressive signaling pathways. In particular, we will cover (a) progressive and regressive cues known to be employed after target innervation, (b) the mechanisms of long‐distance signaling from an endosomal platform, (c) recent evidence that long‐distance regressive cues emanate from platforms like death receptors or repulsive axon guidance receptors, and (d) evidence that these pathways are exploited in pathological scenarios.

This article is categorized under:

Nervous System Development > Vertebrates: General Principles

Signaling Pathways > Global Signaling Mechanisms

Establishment of Spatial and Temporal Patterns > Cytoplasmic Localization
Erratum zu: Reversible Trifokalität durch das Duett-Verfahren
Authors: Khoramnia Ramin , Yildirim Timur M. , Son Hyeck-Soo , Łabuz Grzegorz , Mayer Christian S. , Auffarth Gerd U.
Published: May 2020

In der PDF-Version des Artikels war der Satz „Bisherige Linsenmodelle konnten dafür durch refraktive und/oder diffraktive Optiken nur 2 Foci (Fern- und Nahbereich) generieren.“ unvollständig. Die Online-Version wurde nachträglich korrigiert.

Wir bitten, das aktualisierte PDF zu beachten und den …
Programming Methods for DNA-Based Reaction–Diffusion Systems
Authors: Abe Keita , Murata Satoshi
Published: May 2020

In this tutorial, recent development of pattern generation algorithms based on DNA computing will be overviewed. Natural pattern generation, especially in biological organisms, are often driven by spatio-temporal chemical reactions. Various reaction–diffusion systems have been proposed to generate artificial patterns out of DNA sequences. To program DNA reaction–diffusion systems, in addition to the design of the reaction, diffusion of each DNA species must be considered. This is realized by immobilizing or suppressing diffusion of DNA molecules in the reaction field. Here, several typical methods to build patterns by 1-D or 2-D reaction–diffusion systems are introduced and how to implement the system by DNA molecules is explained. The direction of future research and possible applications of this technology will be also discussed.
KidsAP: Eine künstliche Bauchspeicheldrüse für Kleinkinder mit Typ-1-Diabetes
Authors:   KidsAP Consortium, Fröhlich-Reiterer Elke , Tauschmann Martin , Rami-Merhar Birgit , Mader Julia K. , Fritsch Maria , Steichen-Gersdorf Elisabeth , Hofer Sabine E.
Published: May 2020

Typ-1-Diabetes mellitus (T1D) ist eine der häufigsten chronischen Stoffwechselerkrankungen im Kindes- und Jugendalter, immer häufiger sind auch Kleinkinder davon betroffen.

In den letzten Jahren gab es große Fortschritte im Bereich der Therapie v. a. in Bezug auf Insulinpumpen und Systeme zur kontinuierlichen Glukosemessung (CGM).

Closed-Loop-Systeme bestehen aus einer am Körper getragenen Insulinpumpe und einem CGM und passen die Insulinzufuhr automatisiert anhand der ermittelten Glukosewerte an.

KidsAP ist ein multinationales, von der Europäischen Union gesponsertes Projekt, koordiniert durch die Universität Cambridge, UK. Unter den internationalen Projektpartnern finden sich auch die Medizinischen Universitäten Innsbruck, Wien und Graz. Ziel ist die Testung eines durch die Universität Cambridge entwickelten Closed-Loop-Systems bei Kleinkindern im Alter von 1 bis 7 Jahren mit T1D.

Die Pilotstudie wurde bereits im Sommer 2018 erfolgreich durchgeführt. Die Kinder trugen den Closed-Loop für insgesamt 6 Wochen im heimischen Umfeld. Jeder Teilnehmer und jede Teilnehmerin absolvierte zwei 21-tägige Perioden unter Verwendung des Closed-Loop-Systems mit verdünntem Insulin (U20) bzw. mit Standardinsulin (U100) in zufällig zugeteilter Reihenfolge.

In beiden Studienarmen zeigte sich ein hoher Zeitanteil mit Sensorwerten im Zielbereich („time in range“) zwischen 70 und 180 mg/dl.

Die Zufriedenheit der Teilnehmer mit dem System war groß. Vor allem die erreichten Glukosewerte im Sinn einer hohen „time-in range“ war für die Eltern überzeugend. Hervorzuheben ist auch die Zufriedenheit hinsichtlich der Verbesserung des Nachtschlafs durch die stabilere nächtliche Glukoseeinstellung.

Im Oktober 2019 startete der zweite Teil des EU-Projekts. In der nun laufenden Hauptstudie soll überprüft werden, ob das Tragen des Closed-Loop- versus des Open-Loop-Systems im Cross-over-Design für jeweils 4 Monate die „time in range“ der Glukosespiegel verbessert. Zusätzlich werden auch Interviews bezüglich Lebensqualität durchgeführt.
A Note on the Tikhonov Theorem on an Infinite Interval
Authors: Banasiak Jacek
Published: May 2020

In this note we provide a new proof of the Tikhonov theorem for the infinite time interval and discuss some of its applications.
Brute Past Presentism, Dynamic Presentism, and the Objection from Being-Supervenience
Authors: Gołosz Jerzy
Published: May 2020

Presentism faces the following well-known dilemma: either the truth-value of past-tense claims depends on the non-existing past and cannot be said to supevene on being, or it supervenes on present reality and breaks our intuition which says that the true past-tense claims should not depend on any present aspect of reality. The paper shows that the solution to the dilemma offered by Kierland and Monton’s brute past presentism, the version of presentism according to which the past is supposed to be both a fundamental and present aspect of reality, is implausible and proposes how to cure presentism: the dillema can be avoided by taking a third road consisting of introducing dynamics into presentism in the form of the real passage of time. Dynamic presentism, which is constructed in such a way, can overcome the dilemma by providing an ontological basis for the past-tense propositions in the form of the real past. Dynamic presentism also offers a rationale for treating the future as being open.
Rawlsian Constructivism: A Practical Guide to Reflective Equilibrium
Authors: Brandstedt Eric , Brännmark Johan
Published: May 2020

Many normative theorists want to contribute to making the world a better place. In recent years, it has been suggested that to realise this ambition one must start with an adequate description of real-life practices. To determine what should be done, however, one must also fundamentally criticise existing moral beliefs. The method of reflective equilibrium offers a way of doing both. Yet, its practical usefulness has been doubted and it has been largely ignored in the recent practical turn of normative theorising. This paper offers a complementary methodology to the method of reflective equilibrium, referred to as Rawlsian constructivism, which brings forth its practical merits. With the support of Rawlsian constructivism, the method of reflective equilibrium becomes a tool for public reasoning about practical problems which aims to facilitate shared solutions. The process of reflective scrutiny is used, not in the search of moral truth, but rather to highlight what stands in the way of solutions to problems agents face in different domains of social life. The practical value lies in scrutinising reasons for action that are taken for granted, explicating new rationales for action and highlighting neglected points of agreement. The paper exemplifies this approach with a process of justifying individual obligations to combat climate change. Normative theorists who share the practical agenda have correctly noted the importance of bottom-up investigations of subject domains. This paper argues that the next step should be to utilise this version of the method of reflective equilibrium to explore the potential for morally progressive solutions to these problems.
Two Groups in a Curie-Weiss Model
Authors: Kirsch Werner , Toth Gabor
Published: May 2020

We analyse a Curie-Weiss model with two disjoint groups of spins with homogeneous coupling. We show that similarly to the single-group Curie-Weiss model a bivariate law of large numbers holds for the normed sums of both groups’ spin variables. We also show central limit theorem in the high temperature regime.
Cumulative Childhood Trauma and Couple Satisfaction: Examining the Mediating Role of Mindfulness
Authors: Gobout Natacha , Morissette Harvey Francis , Cyr Gaëlle , Bélanger Claude
Published: May 2020

Objectives

Cumulative childhood trauma (CCT) survivors are at a higher risk of suffering from interpersonal problems including couple dissatisfaction. Dispositional mindfulness is increasingly proposed as a potential explanatory mechanism of post-traumatic symptomatology and has been documented as a predictor of couple satisfaction. Most authors operationalize mindfulness as a multidimensional disposition comprised of five facets (i.e., Describing, Observing, Non-judgment of inner experiences, Non-reactivity, and Acting with awareness), but the role of these facets in the link between CCT and couple satisfaction has yet to be understood. This study aimed to assess mindfulness as a potential mediator in the relationship between CCT and couple satisfaction and to examine the distinctive contributions of mindfulness facets in this mediation.

Methods

A sample of 330 participants from the community completed measures of couple satisfaction, mindfulness, and exposure to eight types of childhood maltreatment experiences.

Results

Path analysis results revealed that mindfulness mediated the relationship between CCT and couple satisfaction. More precisely, two mindfulness facets acted as specific mediators, namely, Describing and Non-judgment of inner experiences. The final integrative model explained 14% (p < .001) of the variance in couple satisfaction.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that mindfulness may be a meaningful mechanism in the link between CCT and couple satisfaction. They also highlight that description of inner experiences and a non-judgmental attitude of these experiences may act as key components to understand the influence of CCT on adults’ lower couple satisfaction.
Application of magnetotelluric geophysical technique in delineation of zones of high groundwater potential for borehole drilling in five communities in the Agona East District, Ghana
Authors: Agyemang Victor Ofori
Published: May 2020

Hydrogeological investigations to delineate zones of high groundwater potential in five selected communities in the Agona East District of Ghana have been successfully carried out using the magnetotelluric geophysical technique. The technique has successfully been applied to delineate potential zones of high groundwater potential in terms of location and depth-to-aquifer zones. The study has revealed that the apparent electrical resistivity of the subsurface of the study area to a depth of 300 m displays the stratigraphic layers of different resistivities. Eburnean Plutonic suite and the Tamnean Plutonic Suite were the two major geologic materials encountered in the study area. The Eburnean Plutonic suite shows relatively low resistivity rang of 0–480 Ωm at a depth of 0–300 m which indicates the presence of weathered zones capable of holding water. However, the Tamnean Plutonic Suites shows a resistivity range of 200–2800 Ωm which shows that it is a consolidated rock with no developed primary and/or secondary hydrogeological properties such as porosity and permeability. Therefore, the exploration of groundwater in the Tamnean Plutonic Suite depends strictly on the fracture zones which may contain water. Again, the study revealed that the prevailing aquifer systems of the study area are not regional but are controlled by fractures and weathered zones. Therefore, it is highly envisaged that groundwater would be intersected at the saprock region which is the fractured and weathered zone between fresh bedrock and the regolith at the depth of 80–100 m. Also, the study has shown the capability of the magnetotelluric geophysical technique to delineate zones of high groundwater potentials for borehole drilling purpose.
Integration of remote sensing, GIS and 2D resistivity methods in groundwater development
Authors: Omolaiye Gabriel Efomeh , Oladapo Ilesanmi Michael , Ayolabi Adebowale Elijah , Akinwale Rotimi Peter , Akinola Akinpelumi Adewale , Omolaye Kayode Lanre , Sanuade Oluseun Adetola
Published: May 2020

An integration of remote sensing, geographical information system (GIS) and 2D resistivity techniques was used to evaluate the groundwater potential of Obafemi Owode local government area (LGA) in Ogun State, southwestern Nigeria. A composite Landsat 7 image was used to produce land use and lineament of the study area. Advanced space-borne thermal emission and reflection radiometer (ASTER) data were used to generate slope and drainage density. The study adopted modified drastic model for groundwater potential, integrating six parameters which are land use, lineament density, slope, drainage density, geology and soil map. The contribution of each theme to groundwater potential was weighted and ranked using ArcGIS 10.2 software. The groundwater potential zone of the study area delineated five distinct zones which include very high (196.39 km2), high (334.64 km2), moderate (481.76 km2), low (298.46 km2) and very low (95.73 km2). Eight zones were delineated for further study. A total of 4.8 line km of 2D resistivity profiles were investigated in one of the designated zones labeled “area D” based on the groundwater potential map. Pole–dipole and dipole–dipole arrays used reveal five geoelectric layers within the study area. The 2D inverse models of resistivity variation with depth suggest the occurrence of potential carbonate and silicate aquifers. To verify the interpreted results within the “high” groundwater potential zone, a well was drilled on traverse 1. A potential water-bearing aquifer was encountered at a depth of 75 m. The groundwater potential map of the study area was tested with five existing wells, and the result was impressive. The outcomes from this study show that the high potential zones would play a key role in future expansion of drinking water and irrigation development in the study area.
Hierarchical block multi-color ordering: a new parallel ordering method for vectorization and parallelization of the sparse triangular solver in the ICCG method
Authors: Iwashita Takeshi , Li Senxi , Fukaya Takeshi
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we propose a new parallel ordering method to vectorize and parallelize the sparse triangular solver, which is called hierarchical block multi-color ordering. In this method, the parallel forward and backward substitutions can be vectorized while preserving the advantages of block multi-color ordering, that is, fast convergence and fewer thread synchronizations. To evaluate the proposed method in a parallel ICCG (Incomplete Cholesky Conjugate Gradient) solver, numerical tests were conducted using seven test matrices on three types of computational nodes. The numerical results indicate that the proposed method outperforms the conventional block and nodal multi-color ordering methods in 18 out of 21 test cases, which confirms the effectiveness of the method.
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: part 1—current state of knowledge and perspectives for pharmacotherapy
Authors: Sałat Kinga
Published: May 2020

Background

Despite the increasing knowledge of the etiology of neuropathic pain, this type of chronic pain is resistant to available analgesics in approximately 50% of patients and therefore is continuously a subject of considerable interest for physiologists, neurologists, medicinal chemists, pharmacologists and others searching for more effective treatment options for this debilitating condition.

Materials and methods

The present review article is the first of the two articles focused on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).

Results

CIPN is regarded as one of the most common drug-induced neuropathies and is highly pharmacoresistant. The lack of efficacious pharmacological methods for treating CIPN and preventing its development makes CIPN-related neuropathic pain a serious therapeutic gap in current medicine and pharmacotherapy. In this paper, the most recent advances in the field of studies on CIPN caused by platinum compounds (namely oxaliplatin and cisplatin), taxanes, vinca alkaloids and bortezomib are summarized.

Conclusions

The prevalence of CIPN, potential causes, risk factors, symptoms and molecular mechanisms underlying this pharmacoresistant condition are discussed.

Graphic abstract
Cutting edge of composite processing
Authors: Nickels Liz
Published: May 2020

A UK company has recently doubled its capacity for precision cutting of composites – a process which it says is vital to reducing waste and improving efficiency.
Core Attributes of Pro-Environmental Managers and Dynamics of Environmental Management
Authors: Bhattacharyya Asit , Biswas Kumar
Published: May 2020

By simply modifying management decisions towards an environmentally friendly approach, organisations can minimise their negative operational impacts on the environment. A key question is whether a manager’s pro-environmental decision-making behaviour can be determined by their personal characteristics. Our study hypothesised that three core attributes (personal values, attitudes, and subjective norms) of a person can predict their future pro-environmental behavioural intention — the closest proxy of actual pro-environmental behaviour. Using the theoretical lenses of Value-Attitude-Behaviour theory (VAB) and Value-Belief-Norm theory (VBN), we examined the roles of three core attributes of future business leaders (MBA students) on their intention to behave pro-environmentally. The results of structural equation modelling indicate that future managers’ environmental values, attitudes, and subjective norms are positively associated with their intentions related to pro-environmental behaviour. Mediation test of the structural model further indicates that environmental attitudes mediate the link between personal values and intention; however, subjective norms does not. Our results imply that effective recruitment and selection mechanisms may incorporate these attributes to assist organisations in the identification of environmentally responsible business leaders. By hiring environmentally responsible managers, organisations will be able to better fulfil their commitment towards sustainability outcomes.
Just the Facts: Diagnosis and management of rhabdomyolysis
Authors: Long Brit , Targonsky Elisha , Koyfman Alex
Published: May 2020

A 32-year-old male presents with diffuse myalgias, weakness, and dark urine for 1 day. The patient states he recently started a new exercise program. He is hemodynamically stable, and his physical examination reveals diffuse muscle tenderness. His creatine kinase (CK) returns at 8,000 international units per liter (IU/L), and his urinalysis reveals blood but only three red blood cells (RBCs) on microscopy.
A Survey of COVID-19 Preparedness Among Hospitals in Idaho
Authors: Kanwar Anubhav , Heppler Susan , Kanwar Kalpana , Brown Christopher K.
Published: May 2020

Background:

SARS-CoV-2 has been implicated in the largest recorded coronavirus outbreak to date. Initially, most COVID-19 cases were in China, but the virus has spread to more than 184 countries worldwide, and the United States currently has more cases than any other country.

Objective:

With person-to-person spread expanding in the United States, we describe hospital preparedness for managing suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients.

Design:

Cross-sectional survey focused on various elements of respiratory disease preparedness.

Setting:

Critical access hospitals (CAHs) and acute-care hospitals (ACHs) in Idaho.

Methods:

The electronic survey was sent to infection preventionists (IPs) and nurse administrators in 44 hospitals in Idaho.

Results:

Overall, 32 (73%) hospitals responded to the survey. Participating facilities reported their preparedness with respect to existing, formalized structures for managing infectious disease incidents—specifically COVID-19—as well as availability of resources, such as isolation rooms and personal protective equipment, for safely managing suspected and confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Conclusions:

Hospitals covered by the survey had varying levels of preparedness for managing COVID-19 cases, with differences across the various categories of interest in this study. Although the study reveals strengths, including in application of emergency management and infection control frameworks, it also suggests that other areas, such as consistent implementation of federal guidelines and requirements for infection prevention, are potential areas for strengthening preparedness for SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory pathogens with pandemic potential.
Effect of ambient air pollutants and meteorological variables on COVID-19 incidence
Authors: Jiang Ying , Wu Xiao-Jun , Guan Yan-Jun
Published: May 2020

Objective:

To determine whether ambient air pollutants and meteorological variables are associated with daily COVID-19 incidence.

Design:

A retrospective cohort from January 25 to February 29, 2020.

Setting:

Cities of Wuhan, Xiaogan, and Huanggang, China.

Patients:

The COVID-19 cases detected each day.

Methods:

We collected daily data of COVID-19 incidence, 8 ambient air pollutants (particulate matter of ≤2.5 µm [PM2.5], particulate matter ≤10 µm [PM10], sulfur dioxide [SO2], carbon monoxide [CO], nitrogen dioxide [NO2], and maximum 8-h moving average concentrations for ozone [O3-8h]) and 3 meteorological variables (temperature, relative humidity, and wind) in China’s 3 worst COVID-19–stricken cities during the study period. The multivariate Poisson regression was performed to understand their correlation.

Results:

Daily COVID-19 incidence was positively associated with PM2.5 and humidity in all cities. Specifically, the relative risk (RR) of PM2.5 for daily COVID-19 incidences were 1.036 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.032–1.039) in Wuhan, 1.059 (95% CI, 1.046–1.072) in Xiaogan, and 1.144 (95% CI, 1.12–1.169) in Huanggang. The RR of humidity for daily COVID-19 incidence was consistently lower than that of PM2.5, and this difference ranged from 0.027 to 0.111. Moreover, PM10 and temperature also exhibited a notable correlation with daily COVID-19 incidence, but in a negative pattern The RR of PM10 for daily COVID-19 incidence ranged from 0.915 (95% CI, 0.896–0.934) to 0.961 (95% CI, 0.95–0.972, while that of temperature ranged from 0.738 (95% CI, 0.717–0.759) to 0.969 (95% CI, 0.966–0.973).

Conclusions:

Our data show that PM2.5 and humidity are substantially associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 and that PM10 and temperature are substantially associated with a decreased risk of COVID-19.
Effects of active labour-market policies on welfare state finances
Authors: Ko Hyejin , Bae Eunchong
Published: May 2020

This study seeks to determine the effectiveness of the active labour-market policies (ALMPs) of employment-oriented welfare states contribute to the financial soundness of welfare states. Even if they are insignificant, overall, the results show that ALMPs lead to higher employment rate and sounder public finances as could be expected by the central idea of employment-oriented welfare states. However, extending ALMPs does not always create a virtuous circle among government interventions, employment rate and fiscal soundness. That is, the results for employment and public finances depend on how the government intervenes in the labour market. We argue that the critical point goal should be to improve employability, not just to increase the employment rate.