bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trace metal contamination in sediment in the Mhlathuze Estuary, northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: effects on the macrobenthic community
Authors: Izegaegbe Joshua Idowu , Vivier Leon , Mzimela Hendrick Mduduzi
Published: May 2020

Mhlathuze Estuary constitutes one of the ecological most important estuaries in southern Africa and is regarded as an estuary of high conservation importance. The ongoing expansion of the adjacent industrialized Richards Bay Harbour increases the risk of metal pollution to the estuary. This study provides insight into the extent and sources of trace metal contamination using pollution indices and sediment quality guidelines and the effect on macrobenthic habitat quality. Sediment samples for sediment metal and macrobenthic analysis were collected quarterly during 2016–2017 at five sites in the estuary using a marine-grade Zabalocki grab. Metal concentrations were determined using an ICP-OES. Sediment metal concentrations were consistently highest in the subtidal mudflats and lowest in marine sand at the mouth of the estuary. Concentrations of all metals displayed significant differences between sites (P < 0.05). Pollution indices indicated moderate enrichment of Cr at all sites, although the mean pollution load index showed the estuary to be unpolluted. Comparison with sediment quality guidelines revealed that concentrations of Ni and Cr were potentially toxic to biota. Using multivariate analysis, metal concentrations appeared not to significantly affect the macrobenthic community. The multi-metric biotic index M-AMBI proved to be a robust tool in the habitat quality assessment of the estuary. The continuing use of M-AMBI as a biomonitoring tool for ecological management of the estuary is advocated.
Parts of Falling Objects: Galileo’s Thought Experiment in Mereological Setting
Authors: Gruszczyński Rafał
Published: May 2020

This paper aims to formalize Galileo’s argument (and its variations) against the Aristotelian view that the weight of free-falling bodies influences their speed. I obtain this via the application of concepts of parthood and of mereological sum, and via recognition of a principle which is not explicitly formulated by the Italian thinker but seems to be natural and helpful in understanding the logical mechanism behind Galileo’s train of thought. I also compare my reconstruction to one of those put forward by Atkinson and Peijnenburg (Stud Hist Philos Sci 35(1):115–136, 2004), and propose a formalization which is based on a principle introduced by them, which I shall call the speed is mediative principle.
Separation and Elevated Residential Mobility: A Cross-Country Comparison
Authors: Kulu Hill , Mikolai Júlia , Thomas Michael J. , Vidal Sergi , Schnor Christine , Willaert Didier , Visser Fieke H. L. , Mulder Clara H.
Published: May 2020

This study investigates the magnitude and persistence of elevated post-separation residential mobility (i.e. residential instability) in five countries (Australia, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK) with similar levels of economic development, but different welfare provisions and housing markets. While many studies examine residential changes related to separation in selected individual countries, only very few have compared patterns across countries. Using longitudinal data and applying Poisson regression models, we study the risk of a move of separated men and women compared with cohabiting and married individuals. We use time since separation to distinguish between moves due to separation and moves of separated individuals. Our analysis shows that separated men and women are significantly more likely to move than cohabiting and married individuals. The risk of a residential change is the highest shortly after separation, and it decreases with duration since separation. However, the magnitude of this decline varies by country. In Belgium, mobility rates remain elevated for a long period after separation, whereas in the Netherlands, post-separation residential instability appears brief, with mobility rates declining rapidly. The results suggest that housing markets are likely to shape the residential mobility of separated individuals. In countries, where mortgages are easy to access and affordable rental properties are widespread, separated individuals can rapidly adjust their housing to new family circumstances; in contrast, in countries with limited access to homeownership and small social rental markets, separated individuals experience a prolonged period of residential instability.
CircUBAP2 promotes SEMA6D expression to enhance the cisplatin resistance in osteosarcoma through sponging miR-506-3p by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway
Authors: Dong Lin , Qu Fangfei
Published: May 2020

The occurrence of chemo-resistance is an essential reason for the high morbidity of osteosarcoma (OS) patients. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been involved in the regulation of chemo-resistance in cancers. Semaphorins 6D (SEMA6D) is abnormally expressed in many cancers. However, the roles of circUBAP2 and SEMA6D in the chemo-resistance of OS are still unclear. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression levels of circUBAP2, SEMA6D and microRNA-506-3p (miR-506-3p). The cisplatin resistance and proliferation of cells were evaluated by 3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2 thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide assay. Western blot analysis was performed to measure the protein levels of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway biomarkers and SEMA6D. Also, the apoptosis, migration and invasion of cells were assessed by Flow cytometry and Transwell assays, respectively. Besides, Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the interaction between miR-506-3p and circUBAP2 or SEMA6D. We found that the expression levels of circUBAP2 and SEMA6D were increased in cisplatin-resistant OS tissues and cells. Knockdown of circUBAP2 inhibited the cisplatin resistance, silenced Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, hindered cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and promoted apoptosis in cisplatin-resistant OS cells, all of which could be reversed by overexpression of SEMA6D. MiR-506-3p could be sponged by circUBAP2 and could target SEMA6D. The suppression of miR-506-3p overexpression on the progression of OS cisplatin resistance could be reversed by SEMA6D overexpression, while miR-506-3p inhibitor also could invert the inhibitory effect of circUBAP2 silencing on the progression of OS cisplatin resistance. In conclusion, CircUBAP2 and SEMA6D played active roles in the progression of OS cisplatin resistance through miR-506-3p, which might provide some new ideas for studying the countermeasures of OS resistance.
School-based epidemiology study of myopia in Tianjin, China
Authors: Wang Jiaxing , Li Ying , Zhao Zhenyang , Wei Nan , Qi Xiaoli , Ding Gang , Li Xue , Li Jing , Song Linlin , Zhang Ying , Yi Richard Hyun , Ning Yuxian , Zeng Xiaoyu , Hua Ning , Qian Xuehan
Published: May 2020

Purpose

To study the epidemiology of myopia in school-aged children in Tianjin and the relationship between visual acuity-based screening and refraction-based screening.

Method

This school-based prospective cohort study was performed on children from 42 elementary schools and 17 middle schools in Tianjin, China. Totally 14,551 children, ages ranging from 5 to 16 years, were included in this study. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was determined by logarithmic tumbling E chart. Non-cycloplegic photorefraction was examined by the Spot (v2.1.4) photoscreener. The relationship between the UCVA and refractive error was investigated for different age groups.

Results

The overall prevalence of myopia at this school based screen is 78.2%, ranged from 10% at age of 5 to 95% at age of 16. The most dramatic increase in prevalence is from age of 6 (14.8%) to age of 7 (38.5%). The overall prevalence of high myopia is 2.5%. UCVA is found corresponding to spherical equivalent refraction (SER) in a manner of normal distribution and is significantly affected by age. When using UCVA to estimate the prevalence of myopia, the overall sensitivity and specificity are 0.824 and 0.820, respectively. Age-dependent optimal cutoff points and 95% confident intervals of such estimation are reported.

Conclusions

Myopia is heavily affecting school-aged children in Tianjin, China. The refraction screening is preferable for myopia screening, whereas the UCVA screening results need to be interpreted in an age-dependent manner for myopia estimation.
Teacher-Reported Prevalence of FASD in Kindergarten in Canada: Association with Child Development and Problems at Home
Authors: Pei Jacqueline , Reid-Westoby Caroline , Siddiqua Ayesha , Elshamy Yomna , Rorem Devyn , Bennett Teresa , Birken Catherine , Coplan Rob , Duku Eric , Ferro Mark A. , Forer Barry , Georgiades Stelios , Gorter Jan Willem , Guhn Martin , Maguire Jonathon , Manson Heather , Santos Rob , Brownell Marni , Janus Magdalena
Published: May 2020

The prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) may be underestimated as it can be difficult to diagnose in early childhood possibly reflecting unique developmental trajectories relative to other Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (NDDs). Using data collected via the Early Development Instrument (EDI) between 2010 and 2015, we examined the prevalence of kindergarten children with FASD and their concurrent developmental outcomes. We found that the prevalence of FASD ranged from 0.01 to 0.31%. A greater percentage of children with FASD had teacher-reported home problems that interfered with their classroom functioning. Overall children with FASD had higher mean scores on the developmental domains compared to children with NDDs. Results of the current study can inform strategies and policies for early identification and intervention.
Unbounded-Time Safety Verification of Guarded LTI Models with Inputs by Abstract Acceleration
Authors: Cattaruzza Dario , Abate Alessandro , Schrammel Peter , Kroening Daniel
Published: May 2020

Reachability analysis of dynamical models is a relevant problem that has seen much progress in the last decades, however with clear limitations pertaining to the nature of the dynamics and the soundness of the results. This article focuses on sound safety verification of unbounded-time (infinite-horizon) linear time-invariant (LTI) models with inputs using reachability analysis. We achieve this using counterexample-guided Abstract Acceleration: this approach over-approximates the reachability tube of the LTI model over an unbounded time horizon by using abstraction, possibly finding concrete counterexamples for refinement based on the given safety specification. The technique is applied to a number of LTI models and the results show robust performance when compared to state-of-the-art tools.
Structural Characterization and Magnetic Interactions of La0.7Sr0.25Na0.05Mn1 - xAlxO3
Authors: Zaidi N. , Elabassi Mounira , Selmi Marwa , Hlil E. K.
Published: May 2020

The magnetocaloric properties of manganite oxides La0.7Sr0.25Na0.05Mn1 − xAlxO3 (LSNMAlx) synthesized by sol-gel method were studied in detail. X-ray diffraction analyses showed a single rhombohedral phase with the R3-c space group. The inhomogeneous magnetic compartment coupled with the core-shell behavior was used to explain the magnetic properties and the evolution of the paramagnetic-ferromagnetic transition of the materials. Using a phenomenological model, the maximum values of magnetic entropy change (ΔSmax) decreased from 4.92 J kg−1 K for La0.7Sr0.25Na0.05MnO3 to 3.84 J kg−1 K for La0.7Sr0.25Na0.05Mn0.95Al0.05O3 upon an applied magnetic field of μ0H = 5 T, indicating an excellent quality of our samples as compared to many manganite oxides. The high quality of our samples was also checked by the large relative cooling power (RCP) which provides a good performance for industrial technologies in refrigeration devices.
Correction to: Globally regional life cycle analysis of automotive lithium-ion nickel manganese cobalt batteries
Authors: Kelly Jarod C. , Dai Qiang , Wang Michael
Published: May 2020

The article Globally regional life cycle analysis of automotive lithium-ion nickel manganese cobalt batteries written by Jarod C. Kelly, Qiang Dai and Michael Wang, was originally published electronically on the publisher’s internet portal (currently SpringerLink) on August 28, 2019, without open access.
Well-Posedness for a Whitham–Boussinesq System with Surface Tension
Authors: Dinvay Evgueni
Published: May 2020

We regard the Cauchy problem for a particular Whitham–Boussinesq system modelling surface waves of an inviscid incompressible fluid layer. The system can be seen as a weak nonlocal dispersive perturbation of the shallow water system. The proof of well-posedness relies on energy estimates. However, due to the symmetry lack of the nonlinear part, in order to close the a priori estimates one has to modify the traditional energy norm in use. Hamiltonian conservation provides with global well-posedness at least for small initial data in the one dimensional settings.
Firm size and growth barriers: a data-driven approach
Authors: Karlsson Johan
Published: May 2020

This article aims to capture the relationship between perceived growth barriers and firm size. This aim is pursued by developing a novel data-driven identification strategy that assigns firm size groups based on their statistical relationships to perceived growth barriers. The analysis is undertaken using data for approximately 44,000 Swedish SMEs (0–249 employees) for 2011, 2014, and 2017. The results suggest that small firms typically face constraints on equity financing, whereas larger firms face barriers regarding competition and recruitment. As a benchmark, the performance of the developed method is compared with prevailing strategies that use ad hoc firm size groups. The findings show that ad hoc groups fail to accurately capture size thresholds at which firms incur barriers, and they yield a consistently lower model fit compared with the method proposed here. Consequently, there may be a need for methodological rethink in the field regarding the treatment of firm size.
“I Would Kill the Director and Teachers in the School” Cyberbullying of Hunters in Poland
Authors: Matulewska Aleksandra , Gwiazdowicz Dariusz J.
Published: May 2020

The aim of the paper is to focus on cyberbullying (Donegan in Elon J Undergrad Res Commun 3(1):33–42, 2012) affecting the community of hunters in Poland. The investigation reveals that linguistic aggression pervades more and more spheres of our lives and the Internet, which gives anonymity and physical distance, is the main forum of cyberbullying. The researchers investigate the material gathered from websites such as “Ludzie przeciw myśliwym” [Humans against hunters], hunting-related blogs and Facebook sites devoted to hunting and related to persons who are known to be hunters (e.g. spokesmen of the Polish Hunting Association). The problem of the stereotypical perception of hunting is also raised (Bartmiński and Chlebda in Etnolingwistyka 25:69–95, 2003. https://doi.org/10.17951/et.2013.25.69). The issues of prejudice, stereotyping and lack of knowledge result in the possibility of inciting people to cyberbully others. People brought up in cities, far away from nature, are easily convinced to attack other groups which they perceive as deviant (Bartmiński and Chlebda 2003). The verbal aggression deeply rooted in stereotypes and prejudice based on limited knowledge of nature, overly idealistic and naïve worldviews becomes more and more widespread. Therefore, the authors intend to provide some insight into the problem of cyberbullying of hunters in Poland in order to find the patterns of that activity from socio-semiotic perspective analyzing verbal signs and symbols used to justify that sort of behaviour as well as socio-linguistic perspective concerning the usage of emotion-loaded language. Additionally psycho-linguistic issues will be touched upon as well as the problem of shaping the image of hunters by media will be discussed.
Molecular oxides of high-valent actinides
Authors: Kovács Attila
Published: May 2020

The past decade has been very productive in the field of actinide (An) oxides containing high-valent An. Novel gas-phase experimental and an impressive number of theoretical studies have been performed, mostly on pure oxides or oxides extended with other ligands. The review covers the structural properties of molecular An oxides with high (An≥V) oxidation states. The presented compounds include the actinide dioxide cations [AnO2]+ and [AnO2]2+, neutral and ionic AnOx (x = 3–6), oxides with more than one An atom like neutral dimers, trimers and dimers from cation–cation interactions, as well as large U-oxide clusters observed very recently in the gaseous phase.
The Holmesian logician: Sherlock Holmes’ “Science of Deduction and Analysis” and the logic of discovery
Authors: Genot Emmanuel J.
Published: May 2020

This paper examines whether Sherlock Holmes’ “Science of Deduction and Analysis,” as reconstructed by Hintikka and Hintikka (in: Eco U, Sebeok TA (eds) The sign of three: Peirce, Dupin, Holmes, Indiana University Press, Bloomington, 1983), exemplifies a logic of discovery. While the Hintikkas claimed it does, their approach remained largely programmatic, and ultimately unsuccessful. Their reconstruction must thus be expanded, in particular to account for the role of memory in inquiry. Pending this expansion, the Hintikkas’ claim is vindicated. However, a tension between the naturalistic aspirations of their model and the formal apparatus they built it on is identified. The paper concludes on suggestions for easing this tension without losing the normative component of the Hintikkas’ epistemological model.
Gambling Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among European Regular Sports Bettors: An Empirical Study Using Behavioral Tracking Data
Authors: Auer Michael , Malischnig Doris , Griffiths Mark D.
Published: May 2020

The novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had major impacts on most societies worldwide including the cancelation and postponement of sports events. This has had a major impact on the sports betting industry. The present study is first to investigate the behavior of a sample of online sports bettors before and after COVID-19 measures were put in place by European governments. The authors were given access to the player data by a large European online gambling operator comprising players from Sweden, Germany, Finland, and Norway. The behavioral change of the sports bettors before March 7 and after March 7 (2020) was computed. All sports bettors who placed at least one wager in at least 5 calendar weeks out of the 10 possible calendar weeks between January 1 and March 7 (n = 5396) were included in the analysis. Results showed statistically significant reductions among sports bettors wagering in online casinos. This indicates that there was no conversion of money spent from sports betting to online casino games, at least for this particular online gambling operator. The findings suggest that there was a significant decrease in the amount of money wagered by sports bettors during the COVID-19 pandemic (compared with before it) and that sports bettors did not switch to playing more online casino games and that there was also a significant reduction in playing online casino games among sports bettors.
Mean-variance efficiency of optimal power and logarithmic utility portfolios
Authors: Bodnar Taras , Ivasiuk Dmytro , Parolya Nestor , Schmid Wolfgang
Published: May 2020

We derive new results related to the portfolio choice problem for power and logarithmic utilities. Assuming that the portfolio returns follow an approximate log-normal distribution, the closed-form expressions of the optimal portfolio weights are obtained for both utility functions. Moreover, we prove that both optimal portfolios belong to the set of mean-variance feasible portfolios and establish necessary and sufficient conditions such that they are mean-variance efficient. Furthermore, we extend the derived theoretical finding to the general class of the log-skew-normal distributions. Finally, an application to the stock market is presented and the behaviour of the optimal portfolio is discussed for different values of the relative risk aversion coefficient. It turns out that the assumption of log-normality does not seem to be a strong restriction.
Persons and Genes. Is a Gene-Centered Evolutionary Psychology Compatible with a Person-Oriented Approach to Psychological Science?
Authors: Lundh Lars-Gunnar
Published: May 2020

According to Zagaria et al. (2020), evolutionary psychology may be the meta-theory that is needed if psychological science is to enter a paradigmatic stage. Other writers have suggested that what is needed is a person-oriented approach, which focuses on the person as a complex system that needs to be studied (1) as a whole (holism), (2) as an intentional agent in interaction with its environment (interactionism), and (3) in terms of his or her individual characteristics and development (idiographic focus). The purpose of the present paper is to discuss the compatibility of these two suggestions. A brief analysis of some formulations central to Dawkins’ gene-centered approach (e.g., “the intricate interdependence of genes”, and the dependence of genes on their environment) suggests that it is quite compatible with holism and interactionism; and applications such as genetic genealogy illustrate the possibility of a person-oriented genetics. It is argued that these two perspectives are not only compatible, but also complementary. Without a complement in the form of a person-oriented perspective, a gene-centered evolutionary psychology will at best be able to produce a general understanding of the psychological potentials that inhere in the human gene pool. It will not, however, lead to any understanding of the unique profiles of psychological potentials that are produced by a re-combination of autosomal DNA at the origin of each specific individual person, and that develop over time in interaction with the environment. The latter requires that the gene-centered view is complemented with a person-oriented approach.
Correction to: The Myth of McMindfulness
Authors: Anālayo Bhikkhu
Published: May 2020

The article “The Myth of McMindfulness,” written by Bhikkhu Anālayo, was originally published electronically on the publisher’s internet portal on 10 December 2019 without open access.
Multifunctional Material Composed of Cesium Salt of Keggin-Type Heteropolytungstate and PtRh/Vulcan Nanoparticles for Electrochemical Oxidation of 2-Propanol in Acidic Medium
Authors: Zakrzewska Barbara , Jakubów-Piotrowska Katarzyna , Gralec Barbara , Kowalewska Barbara , Miecznikowski Krzysztof
Published: May 2020

Platinum–rhodium nanoparticles modified with cesium salt of phosphotungstic acid, CsPTA, have been tested for electro-oxidation of 2-propanol in acidic medium. The resulting Pt-based nanoparticle-containing materials have been carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD), microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and different electrochemical techniques combining with differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS). The experimental results such as cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry exhibit that films on carbon electrodes composed of CsPTA-modified PtRh/Vulcan nanoparticles improve the catalytic activity, in terms of potential and current densities recorded during electro-oxidation of 2-propanol, relative to the CsPTA-free PtRh/Vulcan nanoparticles. Particularly, the boost in the catalytic current densities is observed at low potential value (below 0.25 V vs. RHE). The differential electrochemical mass spectrometry measurements were utilized to recognize the reaction intermediates as well as products created during the electro-oxidation of 2-propanol. The results indicate that contributions from a straightforward oxidation of 2-propanol to CO2 are small in comparison to acetone yield.
After higher education
Authors: Bellacicco Rosa , Pavone Marisa
Published: May 2020

Since the 1990s, the number of people with disabilities enrolled in tertiary education has gradually increased. However, they still face obstacles to graduation (longer paths, lower success rates) and in their transition into the labour market. Framed in the complex issue of profitability of tertiary education, the purpose of this article is to analyze the employment status of graduates with disabilities and the influence of some demographic and academic factors, as well as the use of the local employment services, on their post-university outcomes. A secondary analysis was performed on data related to the academic and professional careers of 241 graduates with disabilities from a large university in northern Italy between 2012 and 2016. The results of the survey (carried out from 1 to 5 years after graduation) suggest that the contact with the employment services plays a significant role in improving employment rates, even if the latter are low, and the gap with peers without disabilities remains. Moreover, some patterns emerge in the outcome analysis: on the one hand, for example, the diffusion of part-time work and of a mismatch between the qualification and the job position achieved, especially for humanities/social science degrees; on the other, getting a job in a relatively short time as well as greater job opportunities for women.
Behavioral Health and Response for COVID-19
Authors: Hansel Tonya Cross , Saltzman Leia Y. , Bordnick Patrick S.
Published: May 2020

Research from financial stress, disasters, pandemics, and other extreme events, suggests that behavioral health will suffer, including anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Furthermore, these symptoms are likely to exacerbate alcohol or drug use, especially for those vulnerable to relapse. The nature of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and vast reach of the virus, leave many unknows for the repercussions on behavioral health, yet existing research suggests that behavioral health concerns should take a primary role in response to the pandemic. We propose a 4-step services system designed for implementation with a variety of different groups and reserves limited clinical services for the most extreme reactions. While we can expect symptoms to remit overtime, many will also have longer-term or more severe concerns. Behavioral health interventions will likely need to change overtime and different types of interventions should be considered for different target groups, such as for those who recover from COVID-19, health-care professionals, and essential personnel; and the general public either due to loss of loved ones or significant life disruption. The important thing is to have a systematic plan to support behavioral health and to engage citizens in prevention and doing their part in recovery by staying home and protecting others.
Prescriber perceptions of fluoroquinolones, extended-spectrum cephalosporins, and Clostridioides difficile infection
Authors: Szymczak Julia E. , Muller Brandi M. , Shakamuri Nikitha Shankar , Hamilton Keith W. , Gerber Jeffrey S. , Laguio-Vila Maryrose , Dumyati Ghinwa K. , Fridkin Scott K. , Guh Alice Y. , Reddy Sujan C. , Lautenbach Ebbing ,   for the CDC Prevention Epicenters Program
Published: May 2020

Background:

Fluoroquinolones (FQs) and extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ESCs) are associated with higher risk of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). Decreasing the unnecessary use of FQs and ESCs is a goal of antimicrobial stewardship. Understanding how prescribers perceive the risks and benefits of FQs and ESCs is needed.

Methods:

We conducted interviews with clinicians from 4 hospitals. Interviews elicited respondent perceptions about the risk of ESCs, FQs, and CDI. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using a flexible coding approach.

Results:

Interviews were conducted with 64 respondents (38 physicians, 7 nurses, 6 advance practice providers, and 13 pharmacists). ESCs and FQs were perceived to have many benefits, including infrequent dosing, breadth of coverage, and greater patient adherence after hospital discharge. Prescribers stated that it was easy to make decisions about these drugs, so they were especially appealing to use in the context of time pressures. They described having difficulty discontinuing these drugs when prescribed by others due to inertia and fear. Prescribers were skeptical about targeting specific drugs as a stewardship approach and felt that the risk of a negative outcome from under treatment of a suspected bacterial infection was a higher priority than the prevention of CDI.

Conclusions:

Prescribers in this study perceived many advantages to using ESCs and FQs, especially under conditions of time pressure and uncertainty. In making decisions about these drugs, prescribers balance risk and benefit, and they believed that the risk of CDI was acceptable in compared with the risk of undertreatment.
Hearing loss and employment: a systematic review of the association between hearing loss and employment among adults
Authors: Shan A , Ting J S , Price C , Goman A M , Willink A , Reed N S , Nieman C L
Published: May 2020

Background

Hearing loss affects over 1.3 billion individuals worldwide, with the greatest burden among adults. Little is known regarding the association between adult-onset hearing loss and employment.

Methods

Seven databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, ABI/Inform Collection, Business Source Ultimate, Web of Science and Scopus) were searched through to October 2018. The key word terms used related to hearing loss and employment, excluding paediatric or congenital hearing loss and deaf or culturally deaf populations.

Results

The initial search resulted in 13 144 articles. A total of 7494 articles underwent title and abstract screening, and 243 underwent full-text review. Twenty-five articles met the inclusion criteria. Studies were set in 10 predominantly high-income countries. Seven of the 25 studies analysed regionally or nationally representative datasets and controlled for key variables. Six of these seven studies reported associations between hearing loss and employment.

Conclusion

The highest quality studies currently available indicate that adult-onset hearing loss is associated with unemployment. However, considerable heterogeneity exists, and more rigorous studies that include low- and middle-income countries are needed.
The 12-month prevalence of psychotic experiences and their association with clinical outcomes in Hong Kong: an epidemiological and a 2-year follow up studies
Authors: Chan Sherry Kit Wa , Lee Kaspar Kit Wai , Chan Veronica Hei Yan , Pang Herbert H. , Wong Corine Sau Man , Hui Christy Lai Ming , Chang Wing Chung , Lee Edwin Ho Ming , Chan Wai Chi , Cheung Eric Fuk Chi , Chiu Helen Fung Kum , Chiang Tin Po , Lam Ming , Lau Joseph Tak Fai , Ng Roger Man King , Hung Se Fong , Lam Linda Chiu Wa , Chen Eric Yu Hai
Published: May 2020

Background

The relationship between the subtypes of psychotic experiences (PEs) and common mental health symptoms remains unclear. The current study aims to establish the 12-month prevalence of PEs in a representative sample of community-dwelling Chinese population in Hong Kong and explore the relationship of types of PEs and common mental health symptoms.

Method

This is a population-based two-phase household survey of Chinese population in Hong Kong aged 16–75 (N = 5719) conducted between 2010 and 2013 and a 2-year follow-up study of PEs positive subjects (N = 152). PEs were measured with Psychosis Screening Questionnaire (PSQ) and subjects who endorsed any item on the PSQ without a clinical diagnosis of psychotic disorder were considered as PE-positive. Types of PEs were characterized using a number of PEs (single v. multiple) and latent class analysis. All PE-positive subjects were assessed with common mental health symptoms and suicidal ideations at baseline and 2-year follow-up. PE status was also assessed at 2-year follow-up.

Results

The 12-month prevalence of PEs in Hong Kong was 2.7% with 21.1% had multiple PEs. Three latent classes of PEs were identified: hallucination, paranoia and mixed. Multiple PEs and hallucination latent class of PEs were associated with higher levels of common mental health symptoms. PE persistent rate at 2-year follow-up was 15.1%. Multiple PEs was associated with poorer mental health at 2-year follow-up.

Conclusions

Results highlighted the transient and heterogeneous nature of PEs, and that multiple PEs and hallucination subtype of PEs may be specific indices of poorer common mental health.
The structure of psychopathology and association with poor sleep, self-harm, suicidality, risky sexual behavior, and low self-esteem in a population sample of adolescents
Authors: Sunderland Matthew , Forbes Miriam K. , Mewton Louise , Baillie Andrew , Carragher Natacha , Lynch Samantha J. , Batterham Philip J. , Calear Alison L. , Chapman Cath , Newton Nicola C. , Teesson Maree , Slade Tim
Published: May 2020

There is a growing body of evidence highlighting the presence of a single general dimension of psychopathology that can account for multiple associations across mental and substance use disorders. However, relatively little evidence has emerged regarding the validity of this model with respect to a range of factors that have been previously implicated across multiple disorders. The current study utilized a cross-sectional population survey of adolescents (n = 2,003) to examine the extent to which broad psychopathology factors account for specific associations between psychopathology and key validators: poor sleep, self-harm, suicidality, risky sexual behavior, and low self-esteem. Confirmatory factor models, latent class models, and factor mixture models were estimated to identify the best structure of psychopathology. Structural equation models were then estimated to examine the broad and specific associations between each psychopathology indicator and the validators. A confirmatory factor model with three lower-order factors, representing internalizing, externalizing, and psychotic-like experiences, and a single higher-order factor evidenced the best fit. The associations between manifest indicators of psychopathology and validators were largely nonspecific. However, significant and large direct effects were found between several pairwise associations. These findings have implications for the identification of potential targets for intervention and/or tailoring of prevention programs.
Food insecurity and low access to high-quality food for preconception women in Nepal: the importance of household relationships
Authors: Diamond-Smith Nadia , Shieh Jacqueline , Puri Mahesh , Weiser Sheri
Published: May 2020

Objective:

Women in South Asia, including Nepal, have some of the poorest nutritional indicators globally, leading to poor maternal and child health outcomes. Nepal also suffers from high levels of household food insecurity, and newly married women are at high risk. Intra-household relationships may mediate the relationship between food insecurity and women’s nutrition in Nepal for newly married women. Our aim is to understand how newly married, preconception, women’s food consumption changes when she enters her husband’s home, compared with her natal home. We also explore whether relationship quality with husbands and mothers-in-law mediates the association between food insecurity and eating less high-quality food, using structural equation modelling.

Design:

Cross-sectional survey data.

Setting:

Rural Nepal in 2018.

Participants:

Data were collected from 200 newly married, preconception women.

Results:

Women had poor diet quality, and most ate fewer high-quality foods important for pregnancy in their marital, compared with natal, home. Higher quality relationships with mothers-in-laws mediated the association between food insecurity and a woman eating fewer high-quality foods in her marital, compared with natal, home. Relationship quality with husbands was not associated with changes in food consumption.

Conclusions:

Preconception, newly married women in Nepal are eating less high-quality foods important for women’s health during the preconception period – a key period for avoiding adverse maternal and infant health outcomes. Relationships with mothers-in-law are key to women’s access to high-quality food, suggesting that interventions aiming to improve maternal and child nutrition should target all household members.
Radiotherapy in Merkel cell carcinoma of facial skin with lymph node recurrence
Authors: Gong Soo Jung , Shim Su Jung
Published: May 2020

Introduction:

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive cutaneous neuroendocrine tumour. Although surgical resection is a treatment choice, it often occurs in the head and neck and occurs mainly in the elderly, making surgery impossible. Radical radiation therapy may be an alternative to surgery in these patients. In addition, radiation treatment may be performed even after recurrence after surgery.

Methods:

An 82-year-old MCC patient had cT2N0M0, stage IIA MCC on the left cheek that metastasised to lymph node 2 months after surgery. She was treated with radiation monotherapy with a hypofractionation schedule (39 Gy at 3 Gy per fraction).

Results:

The patient achieved complete remission after radiotherapy without severe toxicities.
The Pervasive Problem of Special Economic Zones for International Economic Law: Tax, Investment, and Trade Issues
Authors: Chaisse Julien , Ji Xueliang
Published: May 2020

Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have been a huge success and brought a great number of benefits to the whole world. With different kinds of incentives, SEZs have created favorable conditions in order to attract foreign investors. In this article, several specific issues are considered. First, whether SEZs are legal under international economic law (IEL). Second, what kind of specific issues they raise under IEL. Thirdly, what measures governments can take in order not to be challenged. The first section illustrates the definition of SEZs and their rapid development; the second section will consider the interaction between SEZs and international tax law, especially the base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) Action 5; the third section focuses on the relationship between SEZs and investment agreements and the disputes raised as a consequence; the fourth section will talk about SEZs and the World Trade Organization (WTO), as some incentives used by SEZs may not be compatible with WTO regulations. The article shows that SEZs can be harmful. For one thing, tax incentives applied in SEZs may lead to tax evasion, and the competitive circumstances between states may be changed. For another thing, the frequent changes of policies in SEZs may result in indirect expropriation, and investor-state arbitration under investment treaties can be used by foreign investors to protect their SEZ-related benefits. In addition, although WTO rules do not explicitly regulate SEZs, a number of measures, such as subsidies, do fall under the ambit of WTO rules, and these measures cannot be discriminatory.
Explosive Volcanic Eruptions and Spinodal Decomposition: A Different Approach to Deciphering the Tiny Bubble Paradox
Authors: Sahagian Dork , Carley Tamara L.
Published: May 2020

Bubbles in magmas drive explosive volcanic eruptions. The spatial distribution of bubble nucleation sites in an ascending, decompressing, and supersaturating magma is one of the primary controls on ash morphologies and volcanic hazards. The mechanism of bubble formation is important because it ultimately determines the spatial distribution of bubbles in the fragmenting magma. The initial nucleation of bubbles in a homogeneous magma is problematical because excessive surface tension pressure in very small, nascent bubbles should drive exsolved volatiles back into the melt. This thermodynamic barrier to bubble viability confounds understanding of homogeneous bubble nucleation, yet very small bubbles form, grow, and ultimately drive explosive volcanic eruptions. We refer to this as “the tiny bubble paradox.” Classical nucleation theory typically explains bubble formation and growth, but we propose that a spectrum of bubble‐forming mechanisms may include both homogeneous nucleation and spinodal decomposition (the spontaneous unmixing of phases by uphill diffusion) as end‐member processes. As spinodal decomposition progresses, regularly sized and regularly spaced quasi‐spherical zones form with increasingly high concentration of dissolved water at the centers. Bubble formation occurs as the concentration of water in the interior of the water‐rich zones approaches 100% and the concentration of melt approaches zero. The presence of a broad, diffuse, concentration gradient of water rather than a narrow water‐melt interface means that there is no surface, per se, for surface tension to arise. This is the crux of the solution of the tiny bubble paradox.
Venus Exploration Starts in the Lab
Authors: Cartier Kimberly
Published: May 2020

Most technology would not last a day on our planet’s evil twin. By creating Venus’s surface and atmospheric conditions here on Earth, a team of engineers is designing spacecraft technology that will last for months.
Improvement of Atmospheric Objective Analysis Over Sloping Terrain and Its Impact on Shallow‐Cumulus Clouds in Large‐Eddy Simulations
Authors: Tang Shuaiqi , Xie Shaocheng , Zhang Minghua , Endo Satoshi
Published: May 2020

Surface topography strongly impacts the regional atmospheric circulation dynamically and thermodynamically. Over the Great Plains in the United States, the gently tilted slope is an important factor that impacts clouds, convection, and regional circulations. This study enhances an atmospheric constrained variational analysis by using a terrain‐following sigma vertical coordinate and applies to the data collected at the Southern Great Plain (SGP) site of the Department of Energy (DOE) Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program. Sensitivity studies are performed to examine the impact of the terrain effects on the derived large‐scale atmospheric forcing fields and the simulated shallow‐cumulus clouds in large‐eddy simulation (LES) driven by the forcing. We found that the terrain impacts on the large‐scale forcing fields are mainly at lower levels and are strongly controlled by up/downslope winds. The response of the derived forcing to the slope of the terrain is monotonic, but the response of the simulated shallow‐cumulus clouds is more complex and depends on several factors. Overall, the terrain impact is small over SGP due to the small slope angle. However, the flat‐surface assumption may cause larger biases in the large‐scale forcing fields at locations with steeper terrain. The new sigma coordinate algorithm, with its consideration of surface slope, should be more suitable to derive large‐scale objective analysis over regions with steep terrain for application to force single‐column models, cloud resolving models, and LES models.
Multidimensional Channel Characteristics Analysis in High‐Speed Train Scenarios
Authors: Wu Zhigang , Ai Bo , Yang Jingya , Juhana Tutun , Wang Junhong , Li Yujian , Li Jing
Published: May 2020

LTE for Railways (LTE‐R) is a next‐generation communication network dedicated to railway services, enabling high‐speed, reliable, and intelligent communications to ensure safety and efficiency for rail passengers. The wireless channel between the train and the ground is a key challenge in network design and optimization. The high‐speed train (HST) and its surrounding scenarios bring nonstationarity and unique radio propagation characteristics to the HST channel. A comprehensive and in‐depth analysis of channel characteristics is the basis of channel modeling. In this paper, based on the measurement‐validation ray tracing (RT) simulator, the quasi‐stationary intervals are presented first to reasonably quantify channel statistical parameters. Next, the time‐varying multidimensional spectra of the channels in three typical HST scenarios are shown, including the power delay profile (PDP), the arrival/departure angular spectrum, and the Doppler spectrum. Moreover, the corresponding channel characteristic parameters are extracted, such as the root‐mean‐square (RMS) delay spread, angular spread, and Doppler spread. Based on multidimensional channel characteristic analysis, combined with multipath geometric parameters provided by RT, we extract significant scatterers and mine key physical factors that affect radio propagation in HST scenarios. This work lays a solid foundation for accurate time‐varying HST channel modeling.
An Automatic In Situ Contact Angle Determination Based on Level Set Method
Authors: Yang Jianhui , Zhou Yingfang
Published: May 2020

A novel level set‐based approach is presented to calculate in situ contact angle distribution, θ, from pore‐scale immiscible fluids and rock configuration directly imaged with micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT) techniques. We first identify interfaces of the fluid‐fluid and fluid‐solid by their zero level set functions. This is accomplished by reinitializing the level set functions with a signed distance function. Then the three‐phase contact line is determined at the crossover of the two zero level set functions that represent the two interfaces. The normal vectors of both surfaces are calculated directly using the two level set functions, and the contact angle is found from the dot product of these vectors where they meet at the contact line. We first validated our newly proposed method for the semianalytically calculated fluid configurations in a 2‐D tube and then tested the algorithm on a synthetic spherical oil droplet residing on a tilted flat solid surface where the contact angle is analytically defined. It was then used to measure the in situ contact angle of droplets directly imaged by micro‐CT, and the results are compared with the manually and other available automatically measured results. Compared with other available automatic approaches, our approach is mathematically well defined, and it does not require any other complicated tuning procedures for surface smoothing. This proposed approach allow us to accurately characterize local in situ pore‐scale wettability, which is essential to model multiphase flow in porous media and eventually help us to design and assess optimal processes, such as hydrocarbon recovery and carbon dioxide storage.
H3K36 dimethylation by MMSET promotes classical non-homologous end-joining at unprotected telomeres
Authors: de Krijger Inge , van der Torre Jaco , Peuscher Marieke H. , Eder Mathias , Jacobs Jacqueline J. L.
Published: May 2020

The epigenetic environment plays an important role in DNA damage recognition and repair, both at DNA double-strand breaks and at deprotected telomeres. To increase understanding on how DNA damage responses (DDR) at deprotected telomeres are regulated by modification and remodeling of telomeric chromatin we screened 38 methyltransferases for their ability to promote telomere dysfunction-induced genomic instability. As top hit we identified MMSET, a histone methyltransferase (HMT) causally linked to multiple myeloma and Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome. We show that MMSET promotes non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) at deprotected telomeres through Ligase4-dependent classical NHEJ, and does not contribute to Ligase3-dependent alternative NHEJ. Moreover, we show that this is dependent on the catalytic activity of MMSET, enabled by its SET-domain. Indeed, in absence of MMSET H3K36-dimethylation (H3K36me2) decreases, both globally and at subtelomeric regions. Interestingly, the level of MMSET-dependent H3K36me2 directly correlates with NHEJ-efficiency. We show that MMSET depletion does not impact on recognition of deprotected telomeres by the DDR-machinery or on subsequent recruitment of DDR-factors acting upstream or at the level of DNA repair pathway choice. Our data are most consistent with an important role for H3K36me2 in more downstream steps of the DNA repair process. Moreover, we find additional H3K36me2-specific HMTs to contribute to NHEJ at deprotected telomeres, further emphasizing the importance of H3K36me2 in DNA repair.