bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toward a robot swarm protecting a group of migrants
Authors: Vaidis Maxime , Otis Martin J.-D.
Published: February 2020

Different geopolitical conflicts of recent years have led to mass migration of several civilian populations. These migrations take place in militarized zones, indicating real danger contexts for the populations. Indeed, civilians are increasingly targeted during military assaults. Defense and security needs have increased; therefore, there is a need to prioritize the protection of migrants. Very few or no arrangements are available to manage the scale of displacement and the protection of civilians during migration. In order to increase their security during mass migration in an inhospitable territory, this article proposes an assistive system using a team of mobile robots, labeled a rover swarm that is able to provide safety area around the migrants. We suggest a coordination algorithm including CNN and fuzzy logic that allows the swarm to synchronize their movements and provide better sensor coverage of the environment. Implementation is carried out using on a reduced scale rover to enable evaluation of the functionalities of the suggested software architecture and algorithms. Results bring new perspectives to helping and protecting migrants with a swarm that evolves in a complex and dynamic environment.
‘It’s Really About Wellbeing’: a Canadian Investigation of Harm Reduction as a Bridge Between Mental Health and Addiction Recovery
Authors: Bartram Mary
Published: February 2020

Recovery is a key concept driving system transformation in both the addiction and mental health sectors, with shared roots in advocacy and a shared focus on hope in the face of stigma, self-determination and meaningful lives. Nevertheless, while mental health recovery is possible even with on-going symptoms, addiction recovery generally starts with or leads to abstinence. This disconnection undermines coherence at the policy level and exacerbates fragmentation between services and supports in the mental health and addiction sectors in Canada and internationally. At the same time, harm reduction, which does not require abstinence, has been gaining ground in the Canadian addiction sector. This qualitative policy study explores the potential for harm reduction to bridge the gap between mental health recovery and addiction recovery in the Canadian context, drawing on diverse experiences from the mental health and addiction sectors. The findings could be adapted  internationally to address similar policy challenges.
Gibbs Energy Modeling of the Cu-S Liquid Phase: Completion of the Thermodynamic Calculation of the Cu-S System
Authors: Waldner Peter
Published: February 2020

A thorough review and critical evaluation of all experimental sulfur potential and phase diagram data available from the literature has been made for optimizing the Gibbs energy of the copper-sulfur liquid phase at 1 bar total pressure. The extended modified quasichemical model serves as a basis for the mathematical expression of the Gibbs energy of binary Cu-S solutions over the complete composition range. A structurally versatile molten phase ranging from highly metallic via sulfur-rich to pure sulfuric is described simultaneously by a single Gibbs energy function. In combination with the recently published Gibbs energies of all Cu-S solid phases, the complete T–x phase diagram as well as for the first time the

$$ {\text{log(}}p_{{{\text{S}}2}} /{\text{bar)}} - 1 /T $$

log(

p

S
2

/
bar)
-
1
/
T

diagram is calculated. A limited set of obtained model parameters reproduces a large body of data within experimental uncertainties.
From Da Vinci Si to Da Vinci Xi: realistic times in draping and docking the robot
Authors: van der Schans Emma M. , Hiep Marijn A. J. , Consten Esther C. J. , Broeders Ivo A. M. J.
Published: February 2020

Robot-assisted surgery is assumed to be time consuming partially due to extra time needed in preparing the robot. The objective of this study was to give realistic times in Da Vinci Xi draping and docking and to analyse the learning curve in the transition from the Si to the Xi in an experienced team. This prospective study was held in a hospital with a high volume of robot-assisted surgery in general surgery, urology and gynaecology. Times from the moment patients entered the operating room until the surgeon took place behind console were precisely recorded during the first 6 weeks after the implementation of the Xi. In total, 65 procedures were performed and documented. The learning curve for the process of draping and docking the robot was reached after 21 and 18 cases, respectively. Mean times after completion of the learning curve were 5 min for draping and 7 min for docking and were statistically different from mean times before completion of the learning curve (p values < 0.01). In dedicated teams netto extra time needed for preparing the Xi can even be reduced to just the time needed for docking. Thus, setting up the robot should have limited impact on overall time spent in the operation room.
On the prevalence of information inconsistency in normal linear models
Authors: Mulder Joris , Berger James O. , Peña Víctor , Bayarri M. J.
Published: February 2020

Informally, ‘information inconsistency’ is the property that has been observed in some Bayesian hypothesis testing and model selection scenarios whereby the Bayesian conclusion does not become definitive when the data seem to become definitive. An example is that, when performing a t test using standard conjugate priors, the Bayes factor of the alternative hypothesis to the null hypothesis remains bounded as the t statistic grows to infinity. The goal of this paper is to thoroughly investigate information inconsistency in various Bayesian testing problems. We consider precise hypothesis tests, one-sided hypothesis tests, and multiple hypothesis tests under normal linear models with dependent observations. Standard priors are considered, such as conjugate and semi-conjugate priors, as well as variations of Zellner’s g prior (e.g., fixed g priors, mixtures of g priors, and adaptive (data-based) g priors). It is shown that information inconsistency is a widespread problem using standard priors while certain theoretically recommended priors, including scale mixtures of conjugate priors and adaptive priors, are information consistent.
Welche Rolle spielt die Gefährlichkeit für die Verlegung in eine sozialtherapeutische Einrichtung?
Authors: Guéridon Marcel , Suhling Stefan
Published: February 2020

In Justizvollzugsanstalten müssen tagtäglich komplexe und mitunter folgenschwere Entscheidungen getroffen werden. Die Selektion in die sozialtherapeutische Behandlung ist ein typisches Beispiel für vollzugliche Prozesse, die auf solchen Entscheidungen beruhen. Einige jüngere Arbeiten haben die Qualität dieser Selektionsprozesse infrage gestellt, da keine Unterschiede hinsichtlich des A‑priori-Rückfallrisikos erneuter schwerer Straftaten zwischen behandelten und unbehandelten Inhaftierten zu finden waren. Sowohl gemäß Risikoprinzip als auch gemäß der gesetzlichen Grundlage für die Selektion in die Sozialtherapie sollte jedoch ein höheres Risiko bei den Behandelten zu finden sein. Da diese Forschungsergebnisse allerdings lediglich auf einem Vergleich von behandelten und unbehandelten Personen beruhen, wirken einige Schlussfolgerungen voreilig, da die Selektion besser als Prozess verstanden und beschrieben werden sollte. Ein alternativer Ansatz wird vorgeschlagen, der auf Grundlage eines pragmatischen Modells ein besseres Verständnis der Selektionsprozesse verspricht. Eine Auswertung von Daten zur niedersächsischen Sozialtherapie weist entsprechend darauf hin, dass das Risiko erneuter Sexualstraftaten im Rahmen der Indikationsentscheidung eine prominente Rolle spielt und sich die Verweigerung der Behandlung nicht durch das Risiko vorhersagen lässt. Das Ausmaß der Unterschiede im mittleren Rückfallrisiko zwischen sozialtherapeutisch behandelten und nichtbehandelten Personen hängt zudem auch davon ab, ob Inhaftierte, die aufgrund bestimmter Merkmale konsistent keine Behandlung erhalten haben, in die Auswertung aufgenommen werden oder nicht.
A note on Schwartzman–Fried–Sullivan Theory, with an application
Authors: Hryniewicz Umberto L.
Published: February 2020

We prove a theorem on the existence of global surfaces of section with prescribed spanning orbits and homology class. This result is a modification and a refinement of a result due to Fried, recast in terms of invariant measures instead of homology directions.
Effect of Different Forms of Silicon on Growth of Spring Wheat Cultivated in Organic Farming System
Authors: Kowalska Jolanta , Tyburski Józef , Jakubowska Magdalena , Krzymińska Joanna
Published: February 2020

Application of silicon (Si) could greatly boost wheat growth and yield by mitigating abiotic stress, especially drought.

Aim

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of silicon products in different forms and methods of its application on growth and yield of spring wheat cultivated under organic farming regime.

Methods

A field experiment was conducted in the period of 2017–2018 on a research farm. The impact of different methods of application of powder and liquid forms of Si products to soil, leaves and combined methods of application (to soil and leaves) on growth parameters and yielding of spring wheat was evaluated. The treatments consisted of the recommended doses of two Si products - Adesil and ZumSil at 10 kg and 0.3 l/ha, respectively. The effect of silicon was assessed by measuring emergence and height of plants, number and weight of ears, as well as the SPAD index and yield.

Results

The number of plants emergence (316–321 seedlings per 1 m2), the number of spikes and the height of plants were the highest after application of the liquid form of silicon, regardless of the method of application. The yield was statistically higher after the combined and foliar applications of liquid form of silicon (4.97 and 4.84 t/ha, respectively). The powder silicon form was similar effective when was used as the combined application (to soil and leaves) (5.35 t/ ha).

Conclusions

Si stimulates growth of wheat enhancing number of ears and plant height, increases yields of organically grown spring wheat, a liquid Si formulation (solution of monosilicic acid) is more effective than a powder Si formulation (diatomaceous earth). Soil and foliar Si application is more effective than soil or foliar application.
How to Cope with the Challenges of Medical Education? Stress, Depression, and Coping in Undergraduate Medical Students
Authors: Steiner-Hofbauer Verena , Holzinger Anita
Published: February 2020

Objectives

Up to 90% of medical students experience stress. Studies have observed a relationship between stress and depression. Coping strategies to deal with stress and depression are of great interest. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of stress and depression and the efficacy of coping strategies in undergraduate medical students.

Methods

This survey was conducted with 589 second-year and sixth-year students in 2017 at the Medical University of Vienna. The questionnaire included a stress and coping questionnaire, depression screening, substance use questionnaire, and questionnaire concerning leisure time activities.

Results

The coping strategies were included in a regression model to assess their predictive value for stress and depression screening scores. The most common stressor was performance pressure overload (92.1%). Overall, 52.4% of the participating students reached critical scores in the depression screening. Positive thinking and active coping were associated with lower stress scores. Positive thinking also was a protective factor against depressive symptoms. Less than 2% of all students reached high-risk values for substance use.

Conclusion

Accessible counseling for students in need of psychological care should be provided. Different interventions of positive psychology showed a positive impact on depression screening scores.
Corrosion Behaviour of Ti–34Nb–25Zr Alloy Fabricated by Spark Plasma Sintering
Authors: Mahundla M. R. , Matizamhuka W. R. , Yamamoto A. , Shongwe M. B. , Machaka R.
Published: February 2020

Titanium alloys are often used in orthopaedic applications owing to their superior mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. Passive corrosion or material degradation process such as wear has been reported due to the release of titanium and other alloying elements into the surrounding tissue. It is therefore important to study the corrosion behaviour of the alloy in biomedical environments. A sub-micron grain-structured Ti–34Nb–25Zr (TNZ) alloy was fabricated via mechanical alloying (MA) of elementary powders followed by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The electrochemical behaviour of TNZ alloy was investigated at 37 °C for 4 h in three different solutions; the Hank’s, the 0.9 wt% NaCl and the eagle minimum essential medium + 10% fetal bovine serum (E-MEM + 10%FBS) solutions. The results show Ecorr values for TNZ alloy in Hank’s, 0.9 wt% NaCl and E-MEM  + 10%FBS solutions were about − 202 mV, − 251 mV and − 171 mV, respectively. The measured icorr values were ~ 1.66 nA/cm2 in hank’s solution, which is lower than that in 0.9 wt% NaCl (~ 4.20 nA/cm2) and E-MEM + 10% FBS solution (~ 3.19 nA/cm2). TNZ exhibits good corrosion resistance in all the solutions.
Applying Bayesian belief networks (BBNs) with stakeholders to explore and codesign options for water resource interventions
Authors: Singto Chakaphon , Fleskens Luuk , Vos Jeroen , Quinn Claire
Published: February 2020

Bayesian Belief networks (BBNs) are a useful tool to account for uncertainty and can be used to incorporate stakeholder understandings of how a system works. In this study, BBNs were applied to elicit and discuss local stakeholders’ concerns in conflicts over water resource planning in two cases in southern Thailand. One concerned the construction of a dam proposed by a top-down project. The other concerned a bottom-up participatory process at the catchment scale to assess the need for water resources interventions and explore perceptions on alternative design options. In the top-down project, the responses of participants during the elaboration of the BBN showed that potentially affected stakeholders were particularly concerned about limited consultation and lack of shared benefits, which led them to oppose the dam project. In the bottom-up project, local stakeholders expected and agreed with the benefits of a dam, proposing to locate the dam upstream of community land. The BBN method did not facilitate dialogue in the top-down dam-building project because no alternative design options could be discussed and potentially affected stakeholders did not want to discuss compensation because of mistrust and differences in valuation of effects. In the bottom-up project, the BBN method did facilitate dialogue on alternative intervention options and their effects. The replicable BBN framework can support policy-makers to better understand water conflict situations in different stages of planning. Its application supports exploring a wider repertoire of options, enlarging the scope for more inclusive and sustainable solutions to water resource conflicts.
Clusterix-Like BigData DBMS
Authors: Raikhlin Vadim A. , Klassen Roman K.
Published: February 2020

Commercial OLAP systems are economically unavailable for organizations with limited financial capabilities. Analytical processing of large amounts of data in these organizations can be accomplished using open-source software systems on a cost-effective cluster platform. Previously created Clusterix-like DBMS using a regular query processing plan is not efficient enough. Therefore, research on such systems was developed with a focus on a full load of processor cores and using the GPU acceleration (systems Clusterix-N, N—from new) up to the development of a system comparable in efficiency to the open-source system Spark, which is currently considered the most promising. The development methodology was based on the constructive system modeling methodology.
Das Bundesfest als Gründungsakt der neuen Zeit
Authors: Mohagheghi Yashar
Published: February 2020

Im 18. Jahrhundert kommt ein historisch neuer Typus des Festes auf: das Bundesfest als Gründungsakt. Im Zuge der Dekorporierung wird das Fest zum Medium bürgerlicher Assoziation, die allmählich auf das Politische ausgreift. Im Kontext der Verzeitlichung im 18. Jahrhundert entbindet sich das Fest seiner vormaligen Funktion zyklischer Zeitreproduktion und bildet eine futurisch-utopische Form aus. Dabei avanciert der Eid, der entinstitutionalisiert wird und als universales Kohäsionsritual Verbreitung findet, zum zentralen Element einer Dramaturgie feierlicher Kommunion, in der das Fest als epochaler ›Übergangsritus‹ den Zeitenumbruch zu imaginieren und zu forcieren sucht. Von der Ebene bürgerlicher Sozialbeziehungen steigt dieser neue Festtypus mit der Französischen Revolution auf die Ebene (kosmo-)politischer Repräsentation auf.
The Effect of Confidence on Dropout Rate and Outcomes in Online Cognitive Bias Modification
Authors: Hohensee Nicola , Meyer M. Joseph , Teachman Bethany A.
Published: February 2020

Cognitive bias modification training for interpretation bias (CBM-I) trains less threat-oriented interpretation patterns using basic learning principles and can be delivered completely online. Thus, CBM-I may increase accessibility of treatment options for anxiety problems. However, online interventions are often affected by pronounced dropout rates, and findings regarding the effectiveness of CBM-I, especially when delivered online, are mixed. Therefore, it is important to identify further predictors of dropout rate and intervention outcomes. The current study uses data from an exclusively online, multi-session CBM-I feasibility trial to investigate the effects of perceived confidence in the likely helpfulness of a CBM-I program (rated at baseline) on subsequent dropout rate, and change in interpretation bias and anxiety symptoms for N = 665 individuals high in trait anxiety. Results showed that higher baseline confidence ratings predicted lower dropout rate, as expected. Partially in line with hypotheses, there was some evidence that higher confidence ratings at baseline predicted greater changes on some interpretation bias measures, but results were not consistent across all measures and fit indices. Inconsistent with hypotheses, confidence did not predict change in anxiety symptoms. Possible explanations for why the nonsignificant findings may have occurred, as well as implications of confidence in online interventions being an early predictor of high risk for dropout, are discussed.
Materiality of Edible Film Packaging in Muscle Foods: A Worthwhile Conception
Authors: Bharti S. K. , Pathak V. , Alam T. , Arya A. , Basak G. , Awasthi M. G.
Published: February 2020

Muscle foods are extremely extensive food products that are relished throughout the world. They are known for their exclusive nutritional content and bio-availability however, at the same time, they also provide apposite media for the growth of pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms. Packaging seems to be a substantial approach to overcome this problem, but most of the packaging involves the usage of non-biodegradable and non-renewable material like plastic, nylon, polyester, etc. The alarming situation caused by synthetic material has been realized worldwide and several scientists, agencies, and the food industry are working globally to explore materials that are derived from the natural source. Biodegradable films are an excellent alternative to conventional plastics. These biodegradable films and coatings are derived from various biological sources and are receiving considerable importance in recent years. Different meat and meat product needs specific packaging condition and these active, composite bio-based films are having a wide potential in the meat sector. This review gathers the research and findings over the period of time-related to biodegradable edible film applied to muscle foods.
Toward Shared Control Between Automated Vehicles and Users
Authors: Terken Jacques , Pfleging Bastian
Published: February 2020

Technological developments in the domain of vehicle automation are targeted toward driver-less, or driver-out-of-the-loop driving. The main societal motivation for this ambition is that the majority of (fatal) accidents with manually driven vehicles are due to human error. However, when interacting with technology, users often experience the need to customize the technology to their personal preferences. This paper considers how this might apply to vehicle automation, by a conceptual analysis of relevant use cases. The analysis proceeds by comparing how handling of relevant situations is likely to differ between manual driving and automated driving. The results of the analysis indicate that full out-of-the-loop automated driving may not be acceptable to users of the technology. It is concluded that a technology that allows shared control between the vehicle and the user should be pursued. Furthermore, implications of this view are explored for the concrete temporal dynamics of shared control, and general characteristics of human machine interface that support shared control are proposed. Finally, implications of the proposed view and directions for further research are discussed.
Challenges in Implementing Routine Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Cystic Fibrosis Clinical Practice: a Single-Centre Review
Authors: Tomlinson Owen William , Trott Jayne , Williams Craig Anthony , Withers Nicholas John , Oades Patrick John
Published: February 2020

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is viewed by many as the gold standard for assessing exercise capacity in CF, being recommended on an annual basis. However, not all patients undergo CPET for varying reasons. This service evaluation retrospectively reviewed data from 179 (92 male) patients in a single CF centre in the UK to identify such reasons. A total of 75/179 patients underwent CPET, whilst 104/179 did not. Of these 104, 41 patients were ≤ 11 years of age. Of the remaining 63 patients, 26 did not undergo CPET for clinical reasons including needing IV antibiotics, musculoskeletal issues and obesity. Seventeen refused to undergo CPET because of reasons such as an unwillingness to travel and dislike of CPET. Twenty did not undergo CPET for miscellaneous reasons including difficulty contacting patients. Individuals with FEV1 < 40%predicted were 85.7% less likely to undertake a CPET than individuals with FEV1 ≥ 70%predicted. Understanding these challenges will assist clinical teams with future implementation of CPET into routine care, by identifying areas for improvement and establishing strategies for enhancing future provision of the test.
Adaptive weights clustering of research papers
Authors: Adamyan Larisa , Efimov Kirill , Chen Cathy Y. , Härdle Wolfgang K.
Published: February 2020

The JEL classification system is a standard way of assigning key topics to economic articles to make them more easily retrievable in the bulk of nowadays massive literature. Usually the JEL (Journal of Economic Literature) is picked by the author(s) bearing the risk of suboptimal assignment. Using the database of the Collaborative Research Center from Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin we employ a new adaptive clustering technique to identify interpretable JEL (sub)clusters. The proposed Adaptive Weights Clustering (AWC) is available on http://www.quantlet.de/ and is based on the idea of locally weighting each point (document, abstract) in terms of cluster membership. Comparison with $$k$$
k
-means or CLUTO reveals excellent performance of AWC.
Glioblastoma Recurrence Versus Treatment Effect in a Pathology-Documented Series
Authors: Himes Benjamin T. , Arnett Andrea L. , Merrell Kenneth W. , Gates Marcus J. , Bhargav Adip G. , Raghunathan Aditya , Brown Desmond A. , Burns Terry C. , Parney Ian F.
Published: February 2020

Objective:

Patients diagnosed with glioblastoma (GBM) are treated with surgery followed by fractionated radiotherapy with concurrent and adjuvant temozolomide. Patients are monitored with serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, treatment-related changes frequently mimic disease progression. We reviewed a series of patients undergoing surgery for presumed first-recurrence GBM, where pathology reports were available for tissue diagnosis, in order to better understand factors associated with a diagnosis of treatment-related changes on final pathology.

Methods:

Patient records at a single institution between 2005 and 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Pathology reports were reviewed to determine diagnosis of recurrent GBM or treatment effect. Survival analysis was performed interrogating overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Correlation with radiation treatment plans was also examined.

Results:

One-hundred-twenty-three patients were identified. One-hundred-sixteen patients (94%) underwent resection and seven underwent biopsy. Treatment-related changes were reported in 20 cases (16%). These patients had longer median OS and PFS from the time of recurrence than patients with true disease progression. However, there was no significant difference in OS from the time of initial diagnosis. Treatment effect was associated with surgery within 90 days of completing radiation. In patients receiving radiation at our institution (n = 53), larger radiation target volume and a higher maximum dose were associated with treatment effect.

Conclusion:

Treatment effect was associated with surgery nearer to completion of radiation, a larger radiation target volume, and a higher maximum point dose. Treatment effect was associated with longer PFS and OS from the time of recurrence, but not from the time of initial diagnosis.
A New Inexpensive Simulation Model for Ultrasound Assessment of Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter
Authors: Johnson Garrett G. R. J. , Jelic Tomislav , Derksen Angela , Unger Bertram , Zeiler Frederick , Ziesmann Markus , Gillman Lawrence M.
Published: February 2020

Background:

Sonographic measurement of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) is becoming increasingly accepted as a diagnostic modality to detect elevations in intracranial pressure. As this technique becomes more widespread, methods to address the inherent operator-dependent nature of this modality will need to be developed. We propose a novel low-cost model to accurately simulate sonographic ONSD measurement for purposes of training and assessment.

Methods:

We designed models composed of medical tubing of various diameters readily available from typical hospital supplies and suspended them in gelatin. The models were evaluated by ultrasound by three expert point-of-care sonographers using a standard linear array probe and technique proposed in the literature.

Results:

This model generates faithful simulation of the ONS that closely approximates in vivo images and can be used to produce accurate, reproducible measurements. Materials are low cost and easy to acquire and assemble.

Conclusions:

Our model provides realistic simulated images of the ONS. Through comparison of sonographic measurements to the known tube diameters, this model serves as a promising inexpensive tool to teach the method of ultrasound assessment of ONSD or as a way to determine accuracy of this novel ultrasound technology.
Nondegeneracy of the bubble for the critical p-Laplace equation
Authors: Pistoia Angela , Vaira Giusi
Published: February 2020

We prove the non-degeneracy of the extremals of the Sobolev inequality
\[ \int_{\mathbb R^N}|\nabla u|^p\,\rd x\ge \mathcal S_p\int_{\open R^N}|u|^\frac{Np}{N-p}\,\rd x,\quad u\in \mathcal D^{1,p}(\open R^N) \]
when 1 < p < N, as solutions of a critical quasilinear equation involving the p-Laplacian.
Association between dietary protein intake and the risk of depressive symptoms in adults
Authors: Li Yan , Zhang Caixia , Li Suyun , Zhang Dongfeng
Published: February 2020

Depression is an important public health problem. The aim of the study is to explore the associations of total protein intake and protein sources with the risk of depressive symptoms. This cross-sectional study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for the years 2007–2014. Dietary protein intake was obtained from two 24-h dietary recall interviews. Depressive symptoms were assessed by a nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire. Logistic regression models and restricted cubic spline models were used to estimate the associations of total protein intake (g/kg per d) and protein sources with the risk of depressive symptoms. A total of 17 845 individuals aged 18 years and older were included in this study. Total protein intake was inversely associated with the risk of depressive symptoms. The full-adjusted OR of depressive symptoms was 0·34 (95 % CI 0·17, 0·68) for quartile (Q) 4 v. Q1 of total protein intake. For protein intake from milk and milk products, the association with depressive symptoms was significant both for Q2 v. Q1 (OR 0·61; 95 % CI 0·41, 0·93) and Q3 v. Q1 (OR 0·37; 95 % CI 0·24, 0·59) in the full-adjusted model. In the dose–response analysis, the shape of the associations of total protein intake and protein intake from milk and milk products with the risk of depressive symptoms was approximately L-shaped and U-shaped, respectively. The present study demonstrated that total protein intake and protein intake from milk and milk products might reduce the risk of depressive symptoms in US adults.
Phytosterolaemia associated with parenteral nutrition administration in adult patients
Authors: Llop-Talaveron Josep M. , Leiva-Badosa Elisabet , Novak Ana , Rigo-Bonnin Raúl , Ticó-Grau Josep R. , Suñé-Negre Josep M. , Suárez-Lledó Ana , Lozano-Andreu Toni , Badía-Tahull Maria B.
Published: February 2020

Vegetable lipid emulsions (LE) contain non-declared phytosterols (PS). We aimed to determine PS content depending on the brand and LE batch, and in adult hospitalised patients treated with parenteral nutrition (PN), to establish the association between plasma and administered PS. Part I was the LE study: totals and fractions of PS in three to four non-consecutive batches from six LE were analysed. Part II was the patient study: patients with at least 7 previous days of PN with 0·8 g/kg per d of an olive/soyabean (O/S) LE were randomised (day 0) 1:1 to O/S or 100 % fish oil (FO) at a dose of 0·4 g/kg per d for 7 d (day 7). Plasma PS, its fractions, total cholesterol on days 0 and 7, their clearance and their association with PS administered by LE were studied. In part I, LE study: differences were found in the total PS, their fractions and cholesterol among different LE brands and batches. Exclusive soyabean LE had the highest content of PS (422·36 (sd130·46) μg/ml). In part II, patient study: nineteen patients were included. In the O/S group, PS levels were maintained (1·11 (sd6·98) μg/ml) from day 0 to 7, while in the FO group, significant decreases were seen in total PS (−6·21 (sd4·73) μg/ml) and their fractions, except for campesterol and stigmasterol. Plasma PS on day 7 were significantly associated with PS administered (R20·443). PS content in different LE brands had great variability. PS administered during PN resulted in accumulation and could be prevented with the exclusive administration of FO LE.
Effects of linseed oil and rumen undegradable protein:rumen degradable protein ratio on performance of Holstein dairy calves
Authors: Kazemi-Bonchenari M. , Dehghan-Banadaky M. , Fattahnia F. , Saleh-Bahmanpour A. , Jahani-Moghadam M. , Mirzaei M.
Published: February 2020

The present study evaluated the interaction effects of n-3 fatty acids (from linseed oil (LSO), 0 v. 2·5, % DM basis) with rumen undegradable:degradable protein (RUP:RDP) ratios (low ratio (LR) 27:73; high ratio (HR) 38:62 based on crude protein %) in dairy calves’ starter diet. Forty-eight 3-d-old female Holstein dairy calves (41·5 kg of body weight (BW)) were allocated in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangements in the following treatments (n 12 calves/each): (1) no supplementation of LSO with LR (NLSO-LR); (2) no supplementation of LSO with HR (NLSO-HR); (3) supplementation of LSO with LR (LSO-LR) and (4) supplementation of LSO with HR (LSO-HR). The calves were weaned on day 53 of the experiment and remained in the study until day 73. Intake was not affected by LSO and RUP:RDP ratio. However, average daily gain (ADG) was improved with LSO supplementation. Feeding the HR diet increased ADG compared with the LR diet during the entire period. Final BW was greater in calves fed on the LSO than those fed the NLSO diet. Microbial protein production did not differ among treatments. Calves fed on LSO diets had greater feed efficiency than those which were not fed on LSO diets. The calves supplemented with LSO had greater wither and hip heights compared with the unsupplemented calves. The glucose, cholesterol, HDL and insulin concentrations increased in calves supplemented with LSO. In conclusion, the HR diet improved calves’ performance post-weaning; however, LSO could enhance growth performance of dairy calves during the pre-weaning period.
Development of a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry-derived body volume equation in Hispanic adults for administering a four-compartment model
Authors: Nickerson Brett S. , Fedewa Michael V. , McLester Cherilyn N. , McLester John R. , Esco Michael R.
Published: February 2020

The purpose of the present study was: (1) to develop a new dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)-derived body volume (BV) equation with the GE-Lunar prodigy while utilising underwater weighing (UWW) as a criterion and (2) to cross-validate the novel DXA-derived BV equation (4C-DXANickerson), Wilson DXA-derived BV equation (4C-DXAWilson) and air displacement plethysmography (ADP)-derived BV (4C-ADP) in Hispanic adults. A total of 191 Hispanic adults (18–45 years) participated in the present study. The development sample consisted of 120 females and males (50 % females), whereas the cross-validation sample comprised of forty-one females and thirty males (n71). Criterion body fat percentage (BF %) and fat-free mass (FFM) were determined using a four-compartment (4C) model with UWW as a criterion for BV (4C-UWW). 4C-DXANickerson, 4C-DXAWilsonand 4C-ADP were compared against 4C-UWW in the cross-validation sample. 4C-DXANickerson, 4C-DXAWilsonand 4C-ADP all produced similar validity statistics when compared with 4C-UWW in Hispanic males (allP> 0·05). 4C-DXANickersonalso yielded similar BF % and FFM values as 4C-UWW when evaluating the mean differences (constant error (CE)) in Hispanic females (CE = –0·79 % and 0·38 kg;P= 0·060 and 0·174, respectively). However, 4C-DXAWilsonproduced significantly different BF % and FFM values (CE = 3·22 % and –2·20 kg, respectively; bothP< 0·001). Additionally, 4C-DXAWilsonyielded significant proportional bias when estimating BF % (P< 0·001), whereas 4C-ADP produced significant proportional bias for BF % and FFM (bothP< 0·05) when evaluated in Hispanic females. The present study findings demonstrate that 4C-DXANickersonis a valid measure of BV in Hispanics and is recommended for use in clinics, where DXA is the main body composition assessment technique.
Body structure, muscular strength and living conditions of primary school children in Warsaw
Authors: Siniarska Anna , Nieczuja-Dwojacka Joanna , Grochowska Małgorzata , Kozieł Sławomir
Published: February 2020

The aim of this study was to determine whether the living conditions of school children affects their body structure and muscular strength. Data were taken from 400 girls and 341 boys aged 7–15 years attending nine primary schools in Warsaw in 1997. A questionnaire was completed, anthropological measurements made and two muscular strength tests conducted. The questionnaire asked questions on the children’s level of education, their parents’ professions and monthly incomes, the number of persons in the family and the number of rooms in the family’s apartment/home. Body height, body weight, chest and arm circumferences, grip strength and vertical jump height were measured and used to calculate body mass index, Marty’s Index and the Sargent Vertical Jump Index. Statistical tests included Student’s t-test, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and multiple regression analysis. Body height, chest circumference, Sargent Vertical Jump Index and grip strength were significantly greater in the boys than the girls. Two factors, namely ‘socioeconomic status’ (F1) and ‘family size’ (F2), describing living conditions, were isolated after PCA. Boys from bigger families (F2) were shorter, with lower weights and BMIs, smaller chest and arm circumferences and greater grip strengths than those from smaller families, whereas girls from families of lower socioeconomic status (F1) weighed less and had greater BMIs and arm circumferences than those from higher socioeconomic status families. The results suggest that boys seem to be more ‘ecosensitive’ than girls.
Trinigyrusspp. (Monogenea: Dactylogyridae) from Brazilian catfishes: new species, molecular data and new morphological contributions to the genus
Authors: Franceschini L. , Acosta A.A. , Zago A.C. , Müller M.I. , da Silva R.J.
Published: February 2020

This study describes two new species,Trinigyrus anthusn. sp. andTrinigyrus carvalhoin. sp., from gills ofHypostomusspp. from the Upper Paraná River basin, Brazil.Trinigyrus peregrinusis redescribed based on examination of its holotype, paratypes and new material of specimens parasitizingPterygoplichthys ambrosettii, also from the Upper Paraná River basin, Brazil. New morphological features were included in the diagnosis of the genus, such as the presence of a sclerotized border on the anchor base, and a weakly sclerotized fringe on the base of the male copulatory organ (MCO).Trinigyrus anthusn. sp. differs from other congeners by the shape of the MCO, presenting an enlarged base with sclerotized fringes resembling flower petals.Trinigyrus carvalhoin. sp. andT. peregrinusare similar but can be differentiated from each other mainly by the sclerotization of the vagina (absent in the new species), and the morphology of the MCO (C-shaped versus one counterclockwise circle, respectively). For the first time, gene sequences ofTrinigyrusspp. from Brazil were obtained (partial ribosomal 28S and mitochondrial cytochromecoxidase I (mtCOI)). The genetic divergences among the new species andT. peregrinusvaried from 2 to 3% (6‒18 pb) based on sequences of 28S ribosomal DNA (rDNA), and 6–7% (83‒92 pb) using mtCOI. Phylogenetic analyses based on partial 28S rDNA revealed thatTrinigyrus,HeteropriapulusandUnilatusformed a monophyletic and well-supported clade of monogeneans from Neotropical freshwater loricariids, suggesting a closer relationship among these dactylogyrids and their hosts.
From donor darling to beyond aid? Public perceptions of ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’
Authors: Kumi Emmanuel
Published: February 2020

In recent years, there has been growing interest among lower-middle income countries (LMICs) to reduce their dependence on donor resources, framed normatively as ‘beyond aid’. Yet, public perceptions about beyond aid narratives remain under-studied. This article explores current public perceptions in Ghana about the ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’ (GhBA) vision aimed at promoting structural economic transformation through the use of national resources while reducing dependence on donor aid. Drawing on 67 semi-structured interviews with government officials, civil society organisations (CSOs), donor representatives, academics, ‘ordinary citizens’ and media reviews, this article examines public understanding, rationale and perceived barriers to the implementation of the GhBA vision. I show that while GhBA is a welcome development for promoting structural economic transformation and ownership over national development priorities, mechanisms for propelling the GhBA are largely absent. Achieving GhBA will require a conscious effort by government and stakeholders to move beyond political rhetoric and partisan politics to setting out clear policy direction in addition to building a national consensus in promoting the vision. Implications of the research findings are discussed.
Decolonising African Studies?
Authors: Clapham Christopher
Published: February 2020

Insistent calls to ‘decolonise’ African studies beg the question of what this quest actually involves. If it refers to an attempt to understand the continent's diverse and complex societies that builds on their indigenous structures and values, this was a task initiated during the decolonisation era of the 1950s and early 1960s. Led by historians and drawing heavily on insights from anthropology, it led to a revolution in the understanding of Africa, which nonetheless failed to maintain its impetus as a result of the political authoritarianism and economic decay of the post-independence period, which had a particularly damaging impact on Africa's universities. Of late, however, the phrase has come to refer to developments notably in North America and Europe, which in subordinating the study of Africa to agendas in the global North may appropriately be described not as decolonisation but as recolonisation. A genuine decolonisation of knowledge production for Africa must rest on a return to its roots within the continent itself.
Interdependence, commitment, learning and love: the case of the United Kingdom's first older women's co-housing community
Authors: Arrigoitia Melissa Fernández , West Karen
Published: February 2020

Housing options for older people in the United Kingdom (UK) have been rather limited to remaining living ‘independently’ in one's own home and some variant of institutionally provided, pre-established and age-exclusive housing such as retirement communities, extra-care or sheltered housing. However, interest in alternative forms of housing and living which align more closely with the expectations of those currently entering later life is steadily growing. In this paper, we present some findings from original, mixed-methods research on the UK's only established example of senior co-housing, which also happens to be women only. Through thematic analysis, we explore two key questions about this important social experiment: (a) is this a model merely for the dedicated, activist and privileged few, as is often presumed; and (b) what might it tell us about post-traditional ageing. Is it merely a retirement lifestyle choice and identity project, grounded in logics of age denial, activity, choice, individualism and risk management? Our findings cannot be conclusive at this stage, but they do suggest a new model of later-life dwelling for the UK based on more collectivist values of inter-dependence, commitment, learning and, even, love.
Developing a model of resilience in older adulthood: a qualitative meta-synthesis
Authors: Wilson Claire A. , Walker Deanna , Saklofske Donald H.
Published: February 2020

The study of resilience in an older adult population is expanding rapidly. However, most theoretical models of resilience have been developed with children or young to middle-aged adults. The objective of the present study was to review systematically the qualitative literature examining resilience in older adults, and to develop a comprehensive model of resilience in older adulthood. A qualitative meta-synthesis was conducted to review the qualitative literature examining resilience from older adults’ perspectives. An exhaustive search of the literature revealed 1,752 articles. From these articles, 34 studies meeting inclusion criteria were selected for analysis. Across the 34 studies analysed, eight themes were revealed as important for achieving resilience later in life: perseverance and determination, self-efficacy and independence, purpose and meaning, positive perspective, social support, faith and prayer, previous experience and being proactive. These themes can be organised into a four-factor model: (a) Intrapersonal Protective Factors; (b) Interpersonal Protective Factors; (c) Spiritual Protective Factors; and (d) Experiential Protective Factors. This study presents a new model of resilience in older adulthood that is grounded in qualitative literature and is relevant and appropriate for an older adult population. This research may be useful for clinicians, support workers and researchers working with older individuals through improving our understanding of what contributes to resilience later in life.
Initial Performance Evaluation of Precise Point Positioning with Triple-Frequency Observations from BDS-2 and BDS-3 Satellites
Authors: Zhang Wenjie , Yang Hongzhen , He Chen , Wang Zhiqiang , Shao Weiping , Zhang Yongfeng , Wang Jing
Published: February 2020

This paper presents an investigation of the precise point positioning (PPP) performance of a combined solution from BDS-2 and BDS-3 satellites. To simultaneously process different BDS signal observations, i.e., B1/B1C, B2/B2a and B3C, undifferenced and uncombined observations with ionosphere delay constrained by the deterministic plus stochastic ionosphere model are used in the basic model. Special attention is paid to code bias and receiver clock parameters in the derivation of the observation model. The analysis is carried out using more than one-month data for BDS-2 and BDS-3 collected at the CANB, DWIN, KNDY and PETH stations in the Asia-Pacific region. The results suggest that compared with BDS-2 alone, the BDS-2 and BDS-3 solution provides significantly more accurate PPP, with increases of 28%, 21% and 5% in the up, north and east directions, respectively. In addition, the average root mean square error decreases to 0·21, 0·13 and 0·16 m for the three directions. Furthermore, the PPP convergence time for BDS-2 and BDS-3 is about 1·5 h and less than 1 h for the horizontal and vertical components, respectively, whereas that for BDS-2 alone is about 2·3 h for both directions.
ON THE LATIN SOURCE OF THE ITALIAN VERSION OF ALHACEN'S DE ASPECTIBUS (VAT. LAT. 4595)
Authors: Raynaud Dominique
Published: February 2020

A comparison of the manuscripts has shown that De li aspecti, the Italian version of Alhacen's De aspectibus, Vat. lat. 4595 (I), was copied from London, British Library, Royal 12.G.vii (L). The discovery of long omissions in L, not reproduced in I, disproves this conclusion. The error has two reasons: a sampling too small, the confusion between phenetic and cladistic approaches.
War, interaction capacity, and the structures of state systems
Authors: Butcher Charles , Griffiths Ryan
Published: February 2020

How have the structures of state systems varied over time and space? We outline a game theoretic model of the decision by political units to accept offers of graded sovereignty from imperial centers. We conceptualize four types of sovereign bargains – tributary, informal extractive, suzerain, and departmental – as a function of whether a polity has external sovereignty and whether resources flow from the subordinate polity to the imperial center through transfers or direct extraction. We then specify the payoffs for these bargains and theorize how increasing interaction capacity and international competition shape the structure of state systems. We show how increasing interaction capacity is related to the transition from transfers to extraction while international competition plays a role only when interaction capacity is already high. We demonstrate the applicability of our model with case studies from low- and high-density environments during the early modern period, respectively: (1) The Oyo Empire of western Africa; (2) Mysore of south Asia.