bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Paternal Folate Status and Sperm Quality, Pregnancy Outcomes, and Epigenetics: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Hoek Jeffrey , Steegers‐Theunissen Régine P. M. , Willemsen Sten P. , Schoenmakers Sam
Published: February 2020

Scope

The effectiveness of maternal folate in reducing the risk of congenital malformations during pregnancy is well established. However, the role of the paternal folate status is scarcely investigated. The aim of this study is to investigate the evidence of associations between the paternal folate status and sperm quality, sperm epigenome, and pregnancy outcomes.

Methods and results

Databases are searched up to December 2017 resulting in 3682 articles, of which 23 are retrieved for full‐text assessment. Four out of thirteen human and two out of four animal studies show positive associations between folate concentrations and sperm parameters. An additional meta‐analysis of four randomized controlled trials in subfertile men shows that the sperm concentration increases (3.54 95% confidence interval (CI) [−1.40 to 8.48]) after 3–6 months of 5 mg folic acid use per day compared to controls. Moreover, two out of two animal and one out of three human studies show significant alterations in the overall methylation of the sperm epigenome. One animal and one human study show associations between low folate intake and an increased risk of congenital malformations.

Conclusions

This systematic review and meta‐analysis shows evidence of associations between paternal folate status and sperm quality, fertility, congenital malformations, and placental weight.
An ultra‐wideband power amplifier with band notched response
Authors: Chen Hui , Shi Xian‐Qing
Published: February 2020

An ultra‐wideband (UWB) power amplifier (PA) integrated with notched structure is proposed in this letter. During the design process of the amplifier, a codesign approach was adopted, which realized an UWB band‐pass filter as the matching network, and a transmission zero was introduced within the passband to eliminate an interference to other radio systems. An example of band notch centered at 2.4 GHz was demonstrated in the PA. The measured results of the UWB amplifier are shown that 50% to 68% drain efficiency, 39.6 to 42.6 dBm output power, and higher than 10 dB power gain at the frequency range of 0.8 to 2.15 and 2.5 to 3 GHz are achieved. In addition, there is an obvious stopband of 2.2 to 2.4 GHz, and the minimum gain and output power in the stop band are 0.22 dB and 23 dBm, respectively.
Is polypropylene mesh material fundamentally safe for use as a reconstructive material in vaginal surgery: ICI‐RS 2019?
Authors: Rovner Eric , de Tayrac Renaud , Kirschner‐Hermanns Ruth , Veit‐Rubin Nikolaus , Anding Ralf
Published: February 2020

Polypropylene (PP) mesh has been used as a primary or adjuvant material for vaginal reconstruction for both stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) for decades. Whether polypropylene is the optimal material for such indications has been called into question by clinicians, regulatory agencies and the public in several countries around the world. This paper is a report of presentations and subsequent discussion at the annual International Consultation on Incontinence Research Society (ICI‐RS) Meeting in June 2019 in Bristol, UK on the proposal “Is polypropylene mesh material fundamentally safe for use as a reconstructive material in vaginal surgery?” in which several of the salient issues were presented and discussed.
QoS‐aware cross‐domain collaborative energy‐saving mechanism for FiWi virtual networks
Authors: Xu Siya , Peng Xujing , Guo Shaoyong , Qiu Xuesong , He Wenchen
Published: February 2020

The fiber‐wireless (FiWi) access network is a very promising solution for next‐generation access networks. Because of the different protocols between its subnets, it is hard to globally optimize the operation of FiWi networks. Network virtualization technology is applied to FiWi networks to realize the coexistence of heterogeneous networks and centralized control of network resource. The existing virtual resource management methods always be designed to optimize virtual network (VN) request acceptance rate and survivability, but seldom consider energy consumption and varied requirements of quality of service (QoS) satisfaction, which is a hot and important topic in the industrial field. Therefore, this paper focuses on the QoS‐aware cross‐domain collaborative energy saving mechanism for FiWi virtual networks. First, the virtual network embedding (VNE) model, energy consumption model, and VNE profit model of FiWi networks are established. Then, a QoS‐aware in‐region VN embedding mechanism is proposed to guarantee service quality of different services. After that, an underlying resource updating mechanism based on energy efficiency awareness is designed to realize low‐load ONU and wireless routers co‐sleep in FiWi networks. Finally, a QoS‐aware re‐embedding mechanism is presented to allocate proper resource to the VNs affected by the sleeping mechanism. Especially for video VNs, a re‐embedding scheme which adopts traffic splitting and multipath route is introduced to meet resource limitation and low latency. Simulation results show that the proposed mechanism can reduce FiWi network's energy consumption, improve VNE profit, and ensure high embedding accepting rate and strict delay demand of high‐priority VNs.
Shared Risk Link Group disjointness and geodiverse routing: A trade‐off between benefit and practical effort
Authors: Girão‐Silva Rita , Nedic Boro , Gunkel Matthias , Gomes Teresa
Published: February 2020

The resilience to disasters is a very relevant problem in telecommunication networks. This work addresses the problem of 1 + 1 optical lightpath protection considering maximally shared risk link group (SRLG)‐disjoint geodiverse paths, applied in the context of an optical network. The resilience to geographically correlated disasters is accomplished by guaranteeing geodiversity of the paths. This work focuses on estimating the increase of the path lengths and the increase in cost of the required transponders, compared to simple link‐disjointness (i.e., when no constraints on SRLG‐disjointness or geodiversity are considered). Results in different networks allow to evaluate the effect of SRLG‐disjointness to ensure some geodiversity.
Interfacial shear strength of opaque resin/carbon fiber based on mapping from energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy
Authors: Ma Tianshuai , Pei Xiaoyuan , Liu Liangsen , Wang Chunhong , Liu Liyan , Xu Zhiwei , Jiang Yaming , Wu Ning
Published: February 2020

The interface between carbon fibers and resin has a great effect on the mechanical properties of composites, and acts as a bridge for the transportation of load between fibers and resin. The traditional measurement method for interfacial shear strength (IFSS) relies mainly on single‐fiber fragmentation test, which is not suited for opaque composites. In this article, a new method for measuring the interfacial shear strength of opaque resin/carbon fibers was firstly put forward. We used mapping from energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) which replaced the polarizing microscope to detect the breakpoints of samples after being stretched. We found that the value of IFSS for composites made by carbon fibers and epoxy resin detected by traditional method and new method was similar, which indicated single‐fiber fragmentation test based on mapping from EDS was accurate. The value of IFSS for composites made by carbon fibers and epoxy resin modified by carbon nanotubes was measured by mapping from EDS, which indicated the wide applicability in opaque composites. The single‐fiber fragmentation test based on mapping from EDS made the IFSS measurement of opaque composite become possible, which made a great progress compared with traditional method.
High‐temperature properties and failure mechanism of 3D six‐directional braided composites under out‐of‐plane compression
Authors: Han Wen‐Fen , Li Dian‐Sen , Jiang Lei
Published: February 2020

Three‐dimensional (3D) six‐directional braided carbon/epoxy composites with different braiding angles were fabricated successfully. The effect of braiding angles and temperature on mechanical properties and failure mechanism were analyzed. The results show that the braiding angle and temperature both have a significant effect. As braiding angle increases, out‐of‐plane compression stress vs strain curve increases and the compression properties improve. At high temperatures, the stress vs strain curves are non‐linear up and the compression properties reduce. Besides, the out‐of‐plane performances of 3D six‐directional braided composite at room and high temperatures are more excellent than 3D four‐directional and five‐directional braided composites. Under out‐of‐plane compression, at room temperature, the materials appear 45° shear fracture; the phenomenon of fibers shear fracture and extraction is more distinct with larger braiding angle; the main failure is the fiber bundles expand outward and the matrix cracks. At high temperatures, the materials exhibit ±45° shear cracks; composites are compressed flat and expand along the transverse direction; the main failure is the matrix softening and exfoliation from the fiber bundles, the fiber/matrix interface debonds seriously.
Fabrication of membranes of polyethersulfone and poly(N‐vinyl pyrrolidone): influence of glycerol on processing and transport properties
Authors: Handge Ulrich A , Gronwald Oliver , Weber Martin , Koll Joachim , Abetz Clarissa , Hankiewicz Birgit , Abetz Volker
Published: February 2020

In this study, we focus on membranes of polyethersulfone and poly(N‐vinyl pyrrolidone) and elucidate the influence of composition on the rheological, diffusion and precipitation properties of solutions which are used for membrane preparation via a non‐solvent‐induced phase separation process. The low‐molar‐mass component of the solution is a mixture of the solvent N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone and the non‐solvent glycerol. Cloud point, viscosity and diffusion measurements as well as precipitation experiments were performed in order to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the time dependence of the precipitation process. The addition of glycerol yields an increase of viscosity and a stronger tendency for demixing. The enhanced tendency for demixing causes a more rapid precipitation process. The average relaxation time of the solution as a function of glycerol concentration follows a similar trend to its viscosity. The increase of viscosity is associated with the increase of the monomeric friction coefficient. Two diffusive processes with clearly separated time scales appear in dynamic light scattering experiments in the presence of glycerol. This phenomenon is discussed taking into account the phase behaviour of the solution and the quality of the solvent. The addition of glycerol yields a lower pure water permeance whereas the molecular weight cut‐off is not altered in the ultrafiltration range. © 2020 The Authors. Polymer International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Ultrasound‐Guided Cutting Wire Release of the Posterior Iliotibial Band: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Boettcher Brennan J. , Hollman John H. , Stuart Michael J. , Finnoff Jonathan T.
Published: February 2020

Background

Distal iliotibial band friction syndrome (ITBFS) is a common cause of knee pain in endurance athletes. Nonsurgical treatment is usually successful, but surgery is occasionally required for recalcitrant cases. No published studies to date have evaluated the feasibility of an ultrasound‐guided (USG) partial iliotibial band (ITB) release.

Objective

To determine the feasibility of an USG partial ITB release using a cutting wire. A secondary aim was to assess whether adjacent structures were damaged. We hypothesized that the posterior distal ITB could be partially transected with a cutting wire under USG with no injury to adjacent structures.

Design

Cadaveric study.

Setting

Quaternary‐care academic institute.

Participants

Ten cadaveric knees ranging from 76‐89 years old with a mean body mass index of 21.9 kg/m2.

Interventions

One physician sonographer performed USG releases of the posterior ITBs at the level of the lateral femoral epicondyle with a cutting wire. Dissection was carried out by an independent second physician to assess for primary and secondary outcomes.

Main Outcome Measures

(1) Release of the posterior border of the ITB; (2) width of the release; (3) evaluation for any injury to adjacent structures; (4) technical difficulty of the procedure (0 = no difficulty, 10 = most difficult procedure possible); (5) duration of time it took to complete the procedure.

Results

All 10 knees had the posterior border of the ITB transected. Mean release length was 16 mm (range 15‐17), which was within 1 mm of the target release length of 15 mm. No adjacent structures were damaged.

Conclusion

A USG release of the posterior ITB utilizing a cutting wire is feasible and safe in a cadaveric model. Translational research is warranted to determine how these results apply to the clinical setting.
Fully bio‐based thiol‐ene photocured thermosets from isosorbide and tung oil
Authors: Şeker Hazal , Çakmakçi Emrah
Published: February 2020

Direct preparation of coatings from neat vegetable oils without any pretreatment or modification is an elegant way of demonstrating the potential of renewable sources and it is also in line with the principles of Green Chemistry. In this work, photocured coatings were prepared from tung oil (TO), hazelnut oil (HN), and isosorbide. First, a dithiol derivative of isosorbide (ISTMP) was synthesized and then mixed with TO, HN, and a cationic photoinitiator. For comparison, formulations were also prepared by using two different commercial thiol compounds. Coating formulations were applied onto glass substrates and cured under UV light where oxidative polymerization and photoinitiated thiol‐ene addition reactions took place concomitantly. Double bond conversion percentages, thermal degradation properties, water contact angles, and surface hardness of the coatings were determined. Furthermore, a model reaction between ISTMP and oleic acid was performed to prove that ISTMP reacts with the fatty acid. ISTMP containing formulation displayed a fast initial double bond conversion and its water contact angle value was found as 88 ± 3°. Rigid and thermally stable isosorbide ring improved both the thermal properties and the surface hardness of the coatings.
Does birth season influence the odds for asthma? Large cohort analysis
Authors: Goldberg Shmuel , Stein Avital , Picard Elie , Joseph Leon , Kedem Ron , Sommer Adir , Tzur Dorit , Cohen Shlomo
Published: February 2020

Background and Objective

Few studies have examined the possibility of a link between birth season and the risk for asthma. Those studies that mainly focused on young children, reached different conclusions regarding both the existence of such a link and the season with the highest risk. The purpose of this study was to reinvestigate the relationship between birth season and asthma in a very large cohort, larger than in all previous studies, focusing on adolescents.

Methods

The medical records of consecutive 17‐year‐old conscripts, born between 1978 and 1999, undergoing medical evaluation before their military service, were reviewed. The prevalence of asthma among conscripts was calculated according to the season of birth.

Results

Data from 6 26 460 males and 4 54 104 females were collected. Asthma prevalence was 6.6% of the males and 5.8% of the females. Asthma prevalence was highest among those born in the summer and was approximately 9% higher in women and 6% higher in men than those born in the winter. Those born in the winter had the lowest prevalence of asthma. June was the birth month with the highest prevalence of asthma in both genders together with September among males.

Conclusions

Being born in the summer, especially in June, is associated with an increased risk of asthma compared with a winter birth among Israeli army conscripts. Further research is required to determine the impact of the season of birth on the risk of asthma in higher risk populations.
Combination drug therapy against OAB normalizes micturition parameters and increases the release of nitric oxide during chemically induced cystitis
Authors: Patel Bhavik , Perez Fernando , Aronsson Patrik , Alothmani Ranya , Carlsson Thomas , Winder Michael
Published: February 2020

Today, monotherapy is the most common pharmacological treatment option for patients suffering from overactive bladder (OAB). Recent reports have indicated potential benefits of combination therapy, using a muscarinic antagonist and a β3‐adrenoceptor agonist. This may be of particular interest for therapy‐resistant patients with OAB and concomitant cystitis. The objective of the current study was to assess how combination therapy affects bladder parameters in health and cystitis and if the efficacy of the drugs can be linked to altered release of nitric oxide (NO). Rats were pretreated with either a combination of the muscarinic antagonist tolterodine and β3‐selective adrenoceptor agonist mirabegron or saline for 10 days. Forty‐eight hours prior to assessing micturition parameters in a metabolic cage, the rats were intraperitoneally injected with cyclophosphamide, causing cystitis, or saline. Urine samples were collected and analyzed for NO content. Bladder contractile properties were assessed in an organ bath setup. Induction of cystitis led to bladder overactivity. Combination therapy normalized bladder parameters. Both induction of cystitis and drug treatment increased the release of NO. The innate contractile properties of the bladder were unaffected by combination therapy. This study demonstrates positive effects of combination drug therapy on symptoms of OAB, possibly indicating it to be a good option for treatment of OAB during concomitant cystitis. It remains to be determined if increased release of NO is crucial for successful pharmacological treatment of bladder overactivity during cystitis.
Mule Deer Habitat Selection Following Vegetation Thinning Treatments in New Mexico
Authors: Sorensen Grant E. , Kramer David W. , Cain James W. , Taylor Chase A. , Gipson Philip S. , Wallace Mark C. , Cox Robert D. , Ballard Warren B.
Published: February 2020

Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) survival and population growth in north‐central New Mexico, USA, was previously reported to be limited by nutritional constraints due to poor forage conditions in degraded habitats. Management recommendations suggested thinning of pinyon–juniper to improve habitat quality for mule deer. To evaluate the influence of these vegetation treatments, we monitored habitat selection by 48 adult female mule deer from 2011 to 2013 in a population previously reported to be nutritionally limited. Monitoring occurred 1–4 years after completion of treatments that were intended to improve forage conditions, including mechanical reduction of pinyon pine (Pinus edulis) and juniper (Juniperus spp.) density and senescent brush (Quercus gambelii–Cercocarpus montanus) cover. During the summer season, deer selected recently treated areas, but odds ratios decreased with treatment age. However, during winter, deer avoided more recently treated areas and selected thinned areas >4 years old. Deer selected mixed oak (Quercus spp.) and pinyon–juniper savanna vegetation cover types with a moderately open canopy and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forests while avoiding grasslands and montane shrublands across all seasons. Deer selected areas closer to water and developed areas, northeast aspects, on gentle slopes, and at lower elevations. Creating a savanna‐like cover type may elicit a positive deer response as a result of their strong avoidance of dense, closed canopy pinyon–juniper woodlands. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.
Cost Effectiveness of Livestock Guardian Dogs for Predator Control
Authors: Saitone Tina L. , Bruno Ellen M.
Published: February 2020

Predation threatens the economic viability of sheep operations in the United States. Many producers recognize the need to complement lethal control methods with nonlethal strategies such as the use of livestock guardian dogs (LGDs), but little information exists on benefits and costs. We report on a comprehensive benefit–cost analysis of the decision to incorporate LGDs onto a sheep operation in Mendocino County, California, USA, based on data collected during 2013–2017, where livestock predation by coyotes (Canis latrans) has been a persistent problem. We estimated that for a representative sheep operation with a breeding flock of 500 adult females (ewes), the use of 5 LGDs reduced lambs and ewes lost to coyote predation by 43% and 25%, respectively, for a total savings of US$16,200 over 7 years. However, we found that costs, which included acquisition and maintenance expenses, exceed benefits of this investment over the 7‐year useful life of LGDs by US$13,413. Our results inform the adoption of LGDs, demonstrating that LGDs are only cost‐effective for certain types of operations, namely those where LGDs are able to achieve high rates of predator protection efficacy. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.
Transcendentality violation in type IIB string amplitudes
Authors: Basu Anirban
Published: February 2020

Abstract

We analyze transcendentality for certain terms that arise in multiloop amplitudes in the low momentum expansion of the four graviton amplitude in type IIB string theory in ten dimensions, based on the constraints of supersymmetry and S-duality. This leads to several contributions that violate transcendentality beyond one loop at all orders in the low momentum expansion. We also perform a similar analysis for the five graviton amplitude, obtaining contributions that involve single-valued multiple zeta values beyond tree level.
Ärztliche Aufklärungspflichten nach Bekanntgabe eines Warnhinweises über unerwünschte Arzneimittelwirkungen
Authors: Duttge G. , Meyer T.
Published: February 2020

Hintergrund

Ausgehend von einem aktuellen Warnhinweis der Arzneimittelbehörden über eine erhöhte Suizidalität bei Einnahme hormoneller Kontrazeptiva werden in diesem Artikel die juristischen Konsequenzen der Umsetzung von neuen, aus klinischen Studien gewonnenen Erkenntnissen in geänderte Inhalte von ärztlichen Aufklärungsgesprächen diskutiert.

Methode und Ergebnisse

Die nach § 630e Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) gebotene ärztliche Aufklärung verlangt grundsätzlich auch die Erwähnung seltener Arzneimittelwirkungen durch den behandelnden Arzt, sollten die verordneten Medikamente im Einzelfall schwerwiegende medizinische Folgen nach sich ziehen. Die Vorschrift sieht eine Aufklärungsverpflichtung des Behandelnden nicht nur bei kurativen, sondern auch bei ausschließlich präventiven Behandlungsmaßnahmen vor. In dieser Arbeit weisen wir auf die wissenschaftliche Evidenzlage von klinischen Studienergebnissen als der entscheidenden Vorbedingung für die Implementierung von geänderten Praktiken bei der ordnungsgemäßen Durchführung einer haftungsausschließenden Selbstbestimmungsaufklärung nach § 630e BGB hin. Zugleich werden die Auswirkungen einer Ergänzung der Gebrauchs- bzw. Fachinformationen für Arzneimittel auf den Umfang der Aufklärungspflichten des im individuellen Fall verordnenden Arztes thematisiert. Im Besonderen wird das Verhältnis von ärztlichen Aufklärungspflichten im individuellen Aufklärungsfall zu den generalisierten Informationsgegebenheiten nach § 11 bzw. § 11a Arzneimittelgesetz hervorgehoben.

Diskussion

Aktuelle Warnhinweise der Arzneimittelbehörden in Form von Rote-Hand-Briefen haben nicht zwingend juristische Konsequenzen für die Inhalte von ärztlichen Aufklärungsgesprächen.
Preserved C-peptide secretion is associated with fewer low-glucose events and lower glucose variability on flash glucose monitoring in adults with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Gibb Fraser W. , McKnight John A. , Clarke Catriona , Strachan Mark W. J.
Published: February 2020

Aims/hypothesis

We aimed to assess whether persistence of C-peptide secretion is associated with less glucose variability and fewer low-glucose events in adults with type 1 diabetes who use flash monitoring.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional study of 290 adults attending a university teaching hospital diabetes clinic, with type 1 diabetes, who use flash monitoring and in whom a random plasma C-peptide was available in the past 2 years. Variables relating to flash monitoring were compared between individuals with low C-peptide (<10 pmol/l) and those with persistent C-peptide (either 10–200 pmol/l or 10–50 pmol/l). In addition, the relationship between self-reported hypoglycaemia and C-peptide was assessed (n = 167). Data are median (interquartile range).

Results

Individuals with preserved C-peptide secretion (10–200 pmol/l) had shorter duration of diabetes (15 [9–24] vs 25 [15–34] years, p < 0.001) and older age at diagnosis (23 [14–28] vs 15 [9–25] years, p < 0.001), although current age did not differ in this cohort. Preserved C-peptide was associated with lower time with glucose <3.9 mmol/l (3% [2–6%] vs 5% [3–9%], p < 0.001), fewer low-glucose events per 2 week period (7 [4–10] vs 10 [5–16], p < 0.001), lower SD of glucose (3.8 [3.4–4.2] vs 4.1 [3.5–4.7] mmol/l, p = 0.017) and lower CV of glucose (38.0 [35.0–41.6] vs 41.8 [36.5–45.8], p < 0.001). These differences were also present in those with C-peptide 10–50 pmol/l and associations were independent of diabetes duration and estimated HbA1c in logistic regression analysis. Preserved C-peptide was also associated with lower rates of self-reported asymptomatic hypoglycaemia (8.0% vs 22.8% in the past month, p = 0.028).

Conclusions/interpretation

Preserved C-peptide secretion is associated with fewer low-glucose events and lower glucose variability on flash monitoring. This suggests that individuals with preserved C-peptide may more safely achieve intensive glycaemic targets.
On local optimality of vertex type designs in generalized linear models
Authors: Idais Osama
Published: February 2020

Locally optimal designs are derived for generalized linear models with first order linear predictors. We consider models including a single factor, two factors and multiple factors. Mainly, the experimental region is assumed to be a unit cube. In particular, models without intercept are considered on arbitrary experimental regions. Analytic solutions for optimal designs are developed under the D- and A-criteria, and more generally, for Kiefer’s$$\Phi _k$$Φk-criteria. The focus is on the vertex type designs. That is, the designs are only supported by the vertices of the respective experimental regions. By the equivalence theorem, necessary and sufficient conditions are developed for the local optimality of these designs. The derived results are applied to gamma and Poisson models.
Inflation word entropy for semi-compatible random substitutions
Authors: Gohlke Philipp
Published: February 2020

We introduce the concept of inflation word entropy for random substitutions with a constant and primitive substitution matrix. Previous calculations of the topological entropy of such systems implicitly used this concept and established equality of topological entropy and inflation word entropy, relying on ad hoc methods. We present a unified scheme, proving that inflation word entropy and topological entropy in fact coincide. The topological entropy is approximated by a converging series of upper and lower bounds which, in many cases, lead to an analytic expression.
Integrity of dural closure after autologous platelet rich fibrin augmentation: an in vitro study
Authors: Vasilikos I. , Beck J. , Ghanaati S. , Grauvogel J. , Nisyrios T. , Grapatsas K. , Hubbe U.
Published: February 2020

Background

Watertight closure of the dura mater is fundamental in neurosurgery. Besides the classical suturing techniques, a variety of biomaterials have been proposed as sealants. Platelet rich fibrin (PRF) is an autologous biomaterial which can readily be obtained through low-speed centrifugation of patient’s own blood. It is rich in fibrin, growth factors, leucocytes and cytokines and has shown adhesive properties while promoting the physiological wound healing process. In this study, we investigated the effect of applying PRF in reinforcing the watertight dura mater closure.

Methods

We created an in vitro testing device, where the watertight dura mater closure could be hydrostatically assessed. On 26 fresh harvested bovine dura maters, a standardised 20-mm incision was closed with a running suture, and the leak pressure was measured first without (primary leak pressure) and then with PRF augmentation (secondary leak pressure). The two groups of measurements have been statistically analysed with the Student’s pairedttest.

Results

The “running suture only group” had a leak pressure of 10.5 ± 1.2 cmH2O (mean ± SD) while the “PRF-augmented group” had a leak pressure of 47.2 ± 2.6 cm H2O. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001; pairedttest).

Conclusions

Autologous platelet rich fibrin augmentation reliably reinforced watertight closure of the dura mater to a > 4-fold increased leak pressure after failure of the initial standard running suture technique.
Climate change vulnerability, water resources and social implications in North Africa
Authors: Schilling Janpeter , Hertig Elke , Tramblay Yves , Scheffran Jürgen
Published: February 2020

North Africa is considered a climate change hot spot. Existing studies either focus on the physical aspects of climate change or discuss the social ones. The present article aims to address this divide by assessing and comparing the climate change vulnerability of Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia and linking it to its social implications. The vulnerability assessment focuses on climate change exposure, water resources, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. The results suggest that all countries are exposed to strong temperature increases and a high drought risk under climate change. Algeria is most vulnerable to climate change, mainly due to the country’s high sensitivity. Across North Africa, the combination of climate change and strong population growth is very likely to further aggravate the already scarce water situation. The so-called Arab Spring has shown that social unrest is partly caused by unmet basic needs of the population for food and water. Thus, climate change may become an indirect driver of social instability in North Africa. To mitigate the impact of climate change, it is important to reduce economic and livelihood dependence on rain-fed agriculture, strengthen sustainable land use practices, and increase the adaptive capacity. Further, increased regional cooperation and sub-national vulnerability assessments are needed.
A semi-automated BPMN-based framework for detecting conflicts between security, data-minimization, and fairness requirements
Authors: Ramadan Qusai , Strüber Daniel , Salnitri Mattia , Jürjens Jan , Riediger Volker , Staab Steffen
Published: February 2020

Requirements are inherently prone to conflicts. Security, data-minimization, and fairness requirements are no exception. Importantly, undetected conflicts between such requirements can lead to severe effects, including privacy infringement and legal sanctions. Detecting conflicts between security, data-minimization, and fairness requirements is a challenging task, as such conflicts are context-specific and their detection requires a thorough understanding of the underlying business processes. For example, a process may require anonymous execution of a task that writes data into a secure data storage, where the identity of the writer is needed for the purpose of accountability. Moreover, conflicts not arise from trade-offs between requirements elicited from the stakeholders, but also from misinterpretation of elicited requirements while implementing them in business processes, leading to a non-alignment between the data subjects’ requirements and their specifications. Both types of conflicts are substantial challenges for conflict detection. To address these challenges, we propose a BPMN-based framework that supports: (i) the design of business processes considering security, data-minimization and fairness requirements, (ii) the encoding of such requirements as reusable, domain-specific patterns, (iii) the checking of alignment between the encoded requirements and annotated BPMN models based on these patterns, and (iv) the detection of conflicts between the specified requirements in the BPMN models based on a catalog of domain-independent anti-patterns. The security requirements were reused from SecBPMN2, a security-oriented BPMN 2.0 extension, while the fairness and data-minimization parts are new. For formulating our patterns and anti-patterns, we extended a graphical query language called SecBPMN2-Q. We report on the feasibility and the usability of our approach based on a case study featuring a healthcare management system, and an experimental user study.
Strategies for Mitigating Sexual Desire Discrepancy in Relationships
Authors: Vowels Laura M. , Mark Kristen P.
Published: February 2020

Sexual desire discrepancy, when one member of a couple experiences more or less sexual desire relative to their partner, is among the main reasons for couples to seek therapy. A great deal of prior research has examined the complexity of sexual desire and the role of sexual desire discrepancy in long-term relationships, but little research has specifically examined strategies used to mitigate sexual desire discrepancy when it arises. Thus, the purpose of the present mixed methods study was to identify the strategies that individuals in long-term relationships use during times of desire discrepancy and to address whether the use of specific strategies influenced sexual and relationship satisfaction and sexual desire. We collected data from 229 participants and our thematic content analysis produced 17 strategies, divided into five main groups (disengagement, communication, engagement in activity alone, engagement in other activity with partner, and have sex anyway). Specific strategies were associated with sexual and relationship satisfaction but not with sexual desire. Specifically, partnered strategies were associated with higher levels of sexual and relationship satisfaction compared to individual strategies. Additionally, participants who reported that their strategies were very helpful had higher levels of sexual and relationship satisfaction compared to participants who found them somewhat helpful followed by not at all helpful. These results have implications for clinicians, educators, and researchers and highlight the importance of using effective strategies to deal with desire discrepancy and communicating about them in relationships. The use of effective strategies can have implications for overall couple well-being.
pHLIP(Var7)-P1AP suppresses tumor cell proliferation in MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer by targeting protease activated receptor 1
Authors: Yu MingMing , Chen YueHua , Wang ZhenGuang , Ding XiaoDong
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) is a signaling protein ubiquitously present on the surface of tumor cells, and its homologous protein fragment, PAR1-activating peptide (P1AP), can inhibit protein signal transduction of PAR1/G in tumor cells. pH (Low) insertion peptide (pHLIP) can target the acidic tumor microenvironment (TME) and can be used as an excellent carrier to deliver P1AP to tumor cells for therapeutic purposes.

Methods

PAR1 expression on the surface of MDA-MB-231 cells and human MCF10A mammary epithelial cells was observed. The binding between fluorescent-labeled pHLIP(Var7)-P1AP and MDA-MB-231 cells under different pH values was analyzed. The effect of pHLIP(Var7)-P1AP on the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells was analyzed under the conditions of pH 7.4 and 6.0.

Results

PAR1 was highly expressed on the surface of MDA-MB-231 cells. In an acidic environment (pH 6.0 and 5.0), fluorescent-labeled pHLIP(Var7)-P1AP and MDA-MB-231 cells had a high binding ability, and the binding ability increased with the decrease in pH. In an acidic environment (pH 6.0), pHLIP(Var7)-P1AP significantly inhibited MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation. With 0.5 μg, 1 μg, 2 μg, 4 μg, and 8 μg of pHLIP(Var7)-P1AP, the cell proliferation inhibition rates were 3.39%, 5.27%, 14.29%, 22.14%, and 35.69%, respectively.

Conclusion

PAR1 was highly expressed on the surface of MDA-MB-231 cells. pHLIP(Var7)-P1AP can effectively target MDA-MB-231 cells in an acidic environment and inhibit the growth of MDA-MB-231 cells by inhibiting the signal transduction of PAR1/G protein.
Genetic differentiation in Sichuan jay (Perisoreus internigrans) and its sibling species Siberian jay (P. infaustus)
Authors: Song Kai , Halvarsson Peter , Fang Yun , Barnaby Jonathan , Germogenov Nickolai , Sun Yuehua , Höglund Jacob
Published: February 2020

The Pleistocene ice age and recent forest fragmentation have both played a significant role in shaping the population genetic variation of boreal coniferous species in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) and Eurasian coniferous forests. The Sichuan jay is one of the least know endemic bird species in QTP coniferous forests in western China while its sibling species, the Siberian Jay, is widespread within the coniferous forests in northern Eurasia. Here we used 11 microsatellite markers to assay genetic diversity across 58 Sichuan jay samples from China and 205 Siberian jay samples from Sweden and Russia. Results showed three distinct genetic clusters from the Sichuan jay sampling. Furthermore, the pair-wiseFSTvalues indicated high genetic differentiation not only among the two species but also between Swedish and Russian Siberian jay populations. What is more, a pattern of isolation by distance was found among the analyzed populations. Our study suggests that targeted habitat restoration in fragmented forests and more genetic work is urgently needed for conservation of the Sichuan jay.
Labour Market Trajectories of the Self-employed in the Netherlands
Authors: Beusch Elisabeth , van Soest Arthur
Published: February 2020

This paper employs sequence analysis to study the labour market trajectories of the self-employed. Using Dutch administrative data on more than 50,000 individuals including 13,000 with self-employment experience between 1989 and 2017, we find seven different clusters with distinct life-cycle patterns of several types of self-employment, wage employment, and non-employment. We find large heterogeneity across clusters in terms of income, wealth, and pension accumulation. In particular, the clusters of individuals with short self-employment spells but little labour market attachment in other periods are an economically vulnerable group, whereas those who are persistently self-employed are not worse off than employees.
Can Schools Reduce Adolescent Psychological Stress? A Multilevel Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of School-Based Intervention Programs
Authors: van Loon Amanda W. G. , Creemers Hanneke E. , Beumer Wieke Y. , Okorn Ana , Vogelaar Simone , Saab Nadira , Miers Anne C. , Westenberg P. Michiel , Asscher Jessica J.
Published: February 2020

Increased levels of psychological stress during adolescence have been associated with a decline in academic performance, school dropout and increased risk of mental health problems. Intervening during this developmental period may prevent these problems. The school environment seems particularly suitable for interventions and over the past decade, various school-based stress reduction programs have been developed. The present study aims to evaluate the results of (quasi-)experimental studies on the effectiveness of school-based intervention programs targeting adolescent psychological stress and to investigate moderators of effectiveness. A three-level random effects meta-analytic model was conducted. The search resulted in the inclusion ofk = 54 studies, reporting on analyses in 61 independent samples, yielding 123 effect sizes (N = 16,475 individuals). The results indicated a moderate overall effect on psychological stress. Yet, significant effects were only found in selected student samples. School-based intervention programs targeting selected adolescents have the potential to reduce psychological stress. Recommendations for practice, policy and future research are discussed.
Holistic Development of Thermoelectric Generators for Automotive Applications
Authors: Kober Martin
Published: February 2020

One of the major challenges of the future automotive development is to achieve the required reductions of the CO2emissions. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate all potential technologies for efficiency improvement. In a combustion engine, about 2/3 of the chemical energy of the fuel is dissipated as waste heat. Due to its high temperature level, the waste heat in the exhaust gas is very promising for the technology of thermoelectric generators (TEG). In this work the methodology for a holistic TEG optimization for automotive vehicle applications will be presented. Thereby, all system interactions between the vehicle and the TEG are modelled and the CO2reduction can be optimized within the vehicle system. Moreover the costs are calculated for each TEG design, and the method realizes an optimization of the cost–benefit ratio in a direct way. The optimization method is applied with a highly integrated TEG design, which has been developed to be compact and lightweight. Through the combination of improvements in TEG design and system optimization, a gravimetric power density of 267 W/kg and a volumetric power density of 478 W/dm^3 could be achieved. These power densities are about 900% and 700%, respectively, higher than the state of the art. The optimization method was applied exemplarily to a conventional vehicle (Volkswagen Golf VII) and a hybrid vehicle (Opel Ampera/Chevrolet Volt). As a result, reductions in consumption and CO2emissions of up to 2.2% for the conventional and 3.4% for the hybrid vehicle could be achieved within the worldwide harmonized light duty driving test cycle. The cost–benefit optimum is 81.3 €/(g/km) for the conventional vehicle and 54.8 €/(g/km) for the hybrid vehicle in charge sustaining mode.
Geochemistry, petrology, and palynology of the Princess No. 3 coal, Greenup County, Kentucky
Authors: Hood Madison M. , Eble Cortland F. , Hower James C. , Dai Shifeng
Published: February 2020

The high volatile C bituminous-rank, Bolsovian-age Princess No. 3 coal, a correlative of the heavily-mined Hazard No. 7 coal and the Peach Orchard and Coalburg Lower Split coals, was investigated three sites at a mine in Greenup County, Kentucky. The coal exhibits a “dulling upwards” trend, with decreasing vitrinite and a greater tendency towards dull clarain and bone lithotypes towards the top of the coal. The relatively vitrinite-rich basal lithotype is marked by a dominance of lycopod tree spores. The palynology transitions upwards to a middle parting co-dominated by tree fern and small lycopod spores and an upper bench dominated by tree ferns with contributions from small ferns, cordaites, and calamites. The lithotypes generally have a moderate- to high-S content with a variable ash yield. Sulfur, Fe2O3, and certain siderophile elements are highest near the top of the coal. As observed in other coals, uranium and Ge are enriched at the top and bottom margins of the coal. The rare earth chemistry at the top of the coal has a significantly lighter distribution (higher LREE/HREE) than at the base of the coal.
From Individual Graphite Assignment to an Improved Digital Image Analysis of Ductile Iron
Authors: Friess J. , Sonntag U. , Steller I. , Bührig-Polaczek A.
Published: February 2020

Since graphite classification by visual analysis exhibits large variations, a more integrative concept of graphite shape classification is required to evaluate the correlations of process, microstructure and properties, and to fulfill customers’ requirements. The automatic digital image analysis is partly based on visual analysis, but it is not thoroughly defined for graphite shape classification. For example, nodules and thereby nodularity are only defined by the shape parameter roundness, although several studies suggest more sophisticated approaches. Within the first of three successive round robin tests, visual assignment for a variety of graphite particles was performed to obtain a universal digital data set of classified graphite particles. For this, the classification approach from standard EN ISO 945-1 was used and extended with degenerated graphite. The assigned particles were evaluated concerning different shape parameters showing that roundness and the assigned minimum limit value of 0.6 are not sufficient to distinguish nodules from less ideal graphite particle shapes. Furthermore, the current classification approach does not represent the full spectrum of graphite morphologies and needs to be extended. The development of a universal hierarchical classification method for nodules and other graphite shapes has been initiated, and the results will contribute to an improved image analysis standard for ductile iron, particularly ISO 945-4.
Medicine in Extreme Environments: A New Medical Student Elective Class for Wilderness, Aerospace, Hyperbaric, Exercise, and Combat Medicine
Authors: Babu Gautam , Upchurch Bradley D. , Young William H. , Levine Benjamin D.
Published: February 2020

We developed an elective course titled Medicine in Extreme Environments (MEE) at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center for first- and second-year medical students. This course covered physiology, research, clinical practice, and career guidance regarding the fields of wilderness, space, hyperbaric, combat, and exercise medicine. The primary aim was to generate interest in and awareness of these seldom covered fields of medicine by exposing medical students to these disciplines during their preclinical years. A postcourse questionnaire was implemented to investigate whether the MEE course increased awareness of, interest in, and knowledge in the fields of medicine included in the curriculum. Through 2 iterations of the class, a total of 67 students enrolled in the course, and 38 students completed the questionnaire. After course completion, 95% felt they better understood the work and lifestyle of the fields covered, 100% learned more about concepts of each field, and 74% agreed that the elective influenced the direction of their future careers to include some part of the fields emphasized. Although only a limited number of students enrolled in this course, these initial findings suggest that the MEE curriculum may have some utility in promoting awareness of and interest in these medical disciplines among students who attend the course. With continued student and faculty support, this course will likely be continued annually at our institution. We believe that certain aspects of this course may be useful in helping develop similar courses at other medical schools.