bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital Earth in China
Authors: Bi Jiantao , Liu Yongwei , Li Ainong , Chen Min , Yang Ruixia , Cai Wenwen , Hong Yang , Wu Bingfang , Wang Cheng
Published: November 2019

In the promotion of economic digitalization as an important force driving the realization of development through innovation, countries around the world have made forward-looking arrangements in frontier technology research and development, open data for sharing, privacy security protection, and personnel training. China also attaches great importance to the development of Digital Earth technologies and applications. In this chapter, we introduce the development of Digital Earth in China in recent years and provide readers a broad overview of Digital Earth technologies and applications in China.
Satellite Navigation for Digital Earth
Authors: Shi Chuang , Wei Na
Published: November 2019

Global navigation satellite systems (GNSSs) have been widely used in navigation, positioning, and timing. China’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) would reach full operational capability with 24 Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), 3 Geosynchronous Equatorial Orbit (GEO) and 3 Inclined Geosynchronous Satellite Orbit (IGSO) satellites by 2020 and would be an important technology for the construction of Digital Earth. This chapter overviews the system structure, signals and service performance of BDS, Global Positioning System (GPS), Navigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema (GLONASS) and Galileo Navigation Satellite System (Galileo) system. Using a single GNSS, positions with an error of ~ 10 m can be obtained. To enhance the positioning accuracy, various differential techniques have been developed, and GNSS augmentation systems have been established. The typical augmentation systems, e.g., the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), the global differential GPS (GDGPS) system, are introduced in detail. The applications of GNSS technology and augmentation systems for space-time geodetic datum, high-precision positioning and location-based services (LBS) are summarized, providing a reference for GNSS engineers and users.
Proline-dependent regulation of collagen metabolism
Authors: Karna Ewa , Szoka Lukasz , Huynh Thi Yen Ly , Palka Jerzy A.
Published: November 2019

This review is focused on recent data on the role of proline (Pro) in collagen biosynthesis and cellular metabolism. It seems obvious that one of the main substrates for collagen biosynthesis Pro is required to form collagen molecule. The question raised in this review is whether the Pro for collagen biosynthesis is synthesized “de novo”, comes directly from degraded proteins or it is converted from other amino acids. Recent data provided evidence that extracellular Pro (added to culture medium) had significant, but relatively little impact on collagen biosynthesis in fibroblasts (the main collagen synthesized cells) cultured in the presence of glutamine (Gln). However, extracellular Pro drastically increased collagen biosynthesis in the cells cultured in Gln-free medium. It suggests that Pro availability determines the rate of collagen biosynthesis and demand for Pro in fibroblasts is predominantly met by conversion from Gln. The potential mechanism of this process as well as possible implication of this knowledge in pharmacotherapy of connective tissue diseases is discussed in this review.
Exponential convergence in $$H^1$$ of hp-FEM for Gevrey regularity with isotropic singularities
Authors: Feischl M. , Schwab Ch.
Published: November 2019

For functions$$u\in H^1(\Omega )$$u∈H1(Ω)in a bounded polytope$$\Omega \subset {\mathbb {R}}^d$$Ω⊂Rd$$d=1,2,3$$d=1,2,3with plane sides for$$d=2,3$$d=2,3which are Gevrey regular in$$\overline{\Omega }\backslash {\mathscr {S}}$$Ω¯\Swith point singularities concentrated at a set$${\mathscr {S}}\subset \overline{\Omega }$$S⊂Ω¯consisting of a finite number of points in$$\overline{\Omega }$$Ω¯, we prove exponential rates of convergence ofhp-version continuous Galerkin finite element methods on affine families of regular, simplicial meshes in$$\Omega $$Ω. The simplicial meshes are geometrically refined towards$${\mathscr {S}}$$Sbut are otherwise unstructured.
Vitamin D Measurement, the Debates Continue, New Analytes Have Emerged, Developments Have Variable Outcomes
Authors: Fraser William D. , Tang Jonathan C. Y. , Dutton John J. , Schoenmakers Inez
Published: November 2019

The demand for measurement of vitamin D metabolites for clinical diagnosis and to advance our understanding of the role of vitamin D in human health has significantly increased in the last decade. New developments in technologies employed have enabled the separation and quantification of additional metabolites and interferences. Also, developments of immunoassays have changed the landscape. Programmes and materials for assay standardisation, harmonisation and the expansion of the vitamin D external quality assurance scheme (DEQAS) with the provision of target values as measured by a reference measurement procedure have improved standardisation, quality assurance and comparability of measurements. In this article, we describe developments in the measurement of the commonly analysed vitamin D metabolites in clinical and research practice. We describe current analytical approaches, discuss differences between assays, their origin, and how these may be influenced by physiological and experimental conditions. The value of measuring metabolites beyond 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), the marker of vitamin D status, in routine clinical practice is not yet confirmed. Here we provide an overview of the value and application of the measurement of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D, 24,25 dihydroxyvitamin D and free 25OHD in the diagnosis of patients with abnormalities in vitamin D metabolism and for research purposes.
Indirect Calorimetry Overestimates Oxygen Consumption in Young Children: Caution is Advised Using Direct Fick Method as a Reference Method in Cardiac Output Comparison Studies
Authors: Sigurdsson Theodor S. , Lindberg Lars
Published: November 2019

Direct Fick method is considered a standard reference method for estimation of cardiac output. It relies on indirect calorimetry to measure oxygen consumption. This is important as only a minor measurement error in oxygen consumption can result in false estimation of cardiac output. A number of studies have shown that indirect calorimetry overestimates oxygen consumption in adults. The aim of this prospective single center observational method comparison study was to compare the determination of oxygen consumption by indirect calorimetry and reverse Fick method in pediatric patients. Forty-two children mean age 352 days (range 30 to 1303 days) and mean weight 7.1 kg (range 2.7–13.6 kg) undergoing corrective cardiac surgery were included in the study. The mean (standard deviation) oxygen consumption by reverse Fick method was 43.5 (16.2) ml/min and by indirect calorimetry 49.9 (18.8) ml/min (p < 0.001). Indirect calorimetry overestimated the reverse Fick oxygen consumption by 14.7%. Bias between methods was 6.5 (11.3) ml/min, limits of agreement (LOA) − 15.7 and 28.7 ml/min and percentage error of 47.7%. A significant bias and large percentage error indicates that the methods are not interchangeable. Indirect calorimetry and the direct Fick method should be used with caution as a reference method in cardiac output comparison studies in young children.
A potential nomenclature for the Immuno Polymorphism Database (IPD) of chicken MHC genes: progress and problems
Authors: Afrache Hassnae , Tregaskes Clive A. , Kaufman Jim
Published: November 2019

Among the genes with the highest allelic polymorphism and sequence diversity are those encoding the classical class I and class II molecules of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Although many thousands of MHC sequences have been deposited in general sequence databases like GenBank, the availability of curated MHC sequences with agreed nomenclature has been enormously beneficial. Along with the Immuno Polymorphism Database-IMunoGeneTics/human leukocyte antigen (IPD-IMGT/HLA) database, a collection of databases for curated sequences of immune importance has been developed. A recent addition is an IPD-MHC database for chickens. For many years, the nomenclature system for chicken MHC genes has been based on a list of standard, presumed to be stable, haplotypes. However, these standard haplotypes give different names to identical sequences. Moreover, the discovery of new recombinants between haplotypes and a rapid increase in newly discovered alleles leaves the old system untenable. In this review, a new nomenclature is considered, for which alleles of different loci are given names based on the system used for other MHCs, and then haplotypes are named according to the alleles present. The new nomenclature system is trialled, first with standard haplotypes and then with validated sequences from the scientific literature. In the trial, some class II B sequences were found in both class II loci, presumably by gene conversion or inversion, so that identical sequences would receive different names. This situation prompts further suggestions to the new nomenclature system. In summary, there has been progress, but also problems, with the new IPD-MHC system for chickens.
Incidence of Incisional Hernia After Emergency Subcostal Unilateral Laparotomy: Does Augmentation Prophylaxis Play a Role?
Authors: Bravo‐Salva A. , González‐Castillo A. M. , Vela‐Polanco F. F. , Membrilla‐Fernández E. , Vila‐Domenech J. , Pera‐Román M. , Sancho‐Insenser J. J. , Pereira‐Rodríguez J. A.
Published: November 2019

Background

Few data are available about the frequency of incisional hernia in an emergency subcostal laparotomy. Our objective is to analyze the incidence of incisional hernia after emergency subcostal laparotomy and evaluate if prophylactic mesh could help prevent it.

Methods

This study is a monocentric retrospective analysis following STROBE guideline statements of all patients who underwent an emergency subcostal laparotomy between January 2011 and July 2017 in our University Hospital. We compared complications and incidence of incisional hernia between patients who received sutures (Group S; N = 203) and patients with prophylactic onlay mesh (Group M; N = 80). A multivariate risk factor analysis of incisional hernia was performed. An incisional hernia‐estimated risk calculator equation was created.

Results

A total of 283 patients were analyzed. There were 80 patients in Group M and 203 in Group S. In short‐term outcomes, length of surgery (213 ± 115 min vs 165 ± 73.3 min, P = 0.001) and hospital stay (16.4 ± 18.7 vs 11.6 days ± 13.4, P = 0.038) were longer in Group M. Long‐term follow‐up was conducted in 207 patients with a mean follow‐up time of 39.3 ± 23 months. Incisional hernia was detected in 29 (19.1%) patients in Group S but in only two (3.8%) patients in Group M (P = 0.008). In the multivariate analysis, a risk factor analysis included wound infection (4.91 HR (2.12–11.4); P < 0.001), previous hernia repair (2.86 HR (1.24–6.61); P = 0.014), and shock (2.64 HR (1.01–6.93); P = 0.048).

Conclusions

The incidence of incisional hernia after emergency subcostal laparotomy is high. Risk factors are wound infection, shock, and previous hernia surgery. The use of prophylactic mesh augmentation was safe and reduced the incidence of incisional hernia.
Single Dose Steroid Injection After Loss of Signal (LOS) During Thyroid Surgery is Effective to Recover Electric Signal Avoiding Vocal Cord Palsy and the Need of Staged Thyroidectomy: Prospective Evaluation on 702 Patients
Authors: Donatini Gianluca , Danion Jerome , Zerrweck Carlos , Etienne Pierre , Lacoste Louis , Kraimps Jean‐Louis
Published: November 2019

Background

Steroids are often used for the management of vocal cord palsy after thyroid surgery. There are no reports in the current literature of their intraoperative use, immediately after a loss of signal during neuromonitoring (LOS). We evaluate the impact of a single dose of 4 mg of dexamethasone on laryngeal nerve function, administrated at the time of a LOS during a nerve‐monitored thyroidectomy.

Methods

A prospective not randomized study was performed, dividing patients in two groups, when a LOS was detected. LOS was defined as an electromyographic signal (EMG) inferior to 100 μV when stimulating the inferior laryngeal nerve, according to international guidelines. In group 1 (G1), surgeon waits for signal's recovery up to 20 min. Absence of a detectable signal after 20 min was predictive of vocal cord palsy; if it affected the first side of surgery the procedure was interrupted to avoid the risk of bilateral nerve palsy. In group 2 (G2), 4 mg of dexamethasone were injected within 10 min from a detected LOS, waiting 10 min for its effects. An EMG value > to 200 μV within 20′ after steroid administration was predictive of full recovery and normal post‐operatory vocal cord function. Vocal cords motility was checked at postoperative day 1 in all patients by an experienced ENT.

Results

Between January 2017 and December 2018, 702 patients underwent thyroid surgery under intermittent intraoperative nerve monitoring by two expert surgeons. A LOS was found in 22 patients in G1 and 16 in G2. Four patients in G1 spontaneously recovered electric signal (18.2%), while in G2 a signal was recovered in 14/16 patients (87.5%) (p < 0.001). This immediate effect was monitored by EMG, showing the increase in potentials at 10, 15 and 20 min after injection. ENT evaluation found vocal cord palsy, respectively, in 18/22 and 1/16 patients (G1 vs G2, p < 0.001). One of the patients in G2 who recovered electric signal presented transient palsy, fully recovered at 2 months, while the two patients who had a signal < 200 μV did not present postoperative cord palsy. In G1, 10/18 palsy were definitive. No permanent palsies were presents in G2.

Conclusion

A single 4 mg iv dexamethasone injection within 10 min form a LOS during thyroid surgery exerts a therapeutic action, measurable by EMG modifications. It avoids vocal nerve palsy and the need of a staged thyroidectomy. It may also protect from permanent cord palsy, but the mechanism is unknown.
What’s new in bone forming tumours of the skeleton?
Authors: Franceschini Natasja , Lam Suk Wai , Cleton-Jansen Anne-Marie , Bovée Judith V. M. G.
Published: November 2019

Bone tumours are difficult to diagnose and treat, as they are rare and over 60 different subtypes are recognised. The emergence of next-generation sequencing has partly elucidated the molecular mechanisms behind these tumours, including the group of bone forming tumours (osteoma, osteoid osteoma, osteoblastoma and osteosarcoma). Increased knowledge on the molecular mechanism could help to identify novel diagnostic markers and/or treatment options. Osteoid osteoma and osteoblastoma are bone forming tumours without malignant potential that have overlapping morphology. They were recently shown to carry FOS and—to a lesser extent—FOSB rearrangements suggesting that these tumours are closely related. The presence of these rearrangements could help discriminate these entities from other lesions with woven bone deposition. Osteosarcoma is a malignant bone forming tumour for which different histological subtypes are recognised. High-grade osteosarcoma is the prototype of a complex karyotype tumour, and extensive research exploring its molecular background has identified phenomena like chromothripsis and kataegis and some recurrent alterations. Due to lack of specificity, this has not led to a valuable novel diagnostic marker so far. Nevertheless, these studies have also pointed towards potential targetable drivers of which the therapeutic merit remains to be further explored.
Stimulating Duddingtonia flagrans chlamydospore production through dehydration
Authors: Blair Justin , Biddle Amy
Published: November 2019

Duddingtonia flagrans is a nematode-trapping fungus that has shown promising results as a tool to combat parasitic nematode infections in livestock. The fungus interrupts the parasitic lifecycle by trapping and killing larval stages on pasture to prevent re-infection of animals. One barrier to the fungus’ commercial use is scaling up production of the fungus, and specifically of chlamydospores, which survive the digestive tract to grow in fecal pats on pasture, thus have potential as a feed through anthelmintic. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of dehydration on sporulation of the fungus. Disks of Duddingtonia flagrans type strain (ATCC® 13423™) were grown on 17% cornmeal agar for 26 days at 30 °C, then split into three groups; dried quickly at 38 °C and 37% humidity over 48 h (“incubated”), dried more slowly at 24 °C and 55% humidity over 10 days (“air-dried”), or kept at 30 °C and sealed with parafilm to prevent loss of moisture as a control (“wet”). Half of each dried culture was resuspended in water, then heated to liquify and homogenized through vortexing. Spores were then counted in a Neubauer hematocytometer. Both the “air-dried” and “incubated” drying techniques yielded significantly more spores than the “wet” control (Welch’s two sample t test p values of .0359 and .0411, respectively). The difference in average chlamydospores per milliliter was insignificant between the two drying techniques, although a visual representation of the data shows less spore count variability in the “air-dried” technique.
Permian felsic volcanic rocks in the Pannonian Basin (Hungary): new petrographic, geochemical, and geochronological results
Authors: Szemerédi Máté , Lukács Réka , Varga Andrea , Dunkl István , Józsa Sándor , Tatu Mihai , Pál-Molnár Elemér , Szepesi János , Guillong Marcel , Szakmány György , Harangi Szabolcs
Published: November 2019

Two distinct Permian volcanic epochs were revealed in the Pannonian Basin (eastern Central Europe) by U–Pb zircon geochronology: an older one (~ 281 Ma, Cisuralian) in the ALCAPA Mega-unit (Central Transdanubia, Hungary) and a younger volcanic episode (~ 267–260 Ma, Guadalupian) in the Tisza Mega-unit (Southern Transdanubia and the eastern Pannonian Basin, Hungary). The former is represented by dacitic subvolcanic rocks (dykes) and lavas, while the latter is dominantly by crystal-rich rhyolitic–rhyodacitic/dacitic ignimbrites and subordinate rhyodacitic/dacitic lavas. Whole-rock (major and trace element) geochemical data and zircon U–Pb ages suggest close relationship between the samples of Central Transdanubia and volcanic rocks of the Northern Veporic Unit (Western Carpathians, Slovakia), both being part of the ALCAPA Mega-unit. Such correlation was also revealed between the Permian felsic volcanic rocks of the Apuseni Mts (Romania) and the observed samples of Southern Transdanubia and the eastern Pannonian Basin that are parts of the Tisza Mega-unit. The older volcanic rocks (~ 281–265 Ma) could be linked to post-orogenic tectonic movements, however, the youngest samples (~ 260 Ma, eastern Pannonian Basin, Tisza Mega-unit) could be formed in the extensional setting succeeding the post-collisional environment. On the whole, the observed Permian magmatic rocks show significant similarity with those of the Western Carpathians.
Die Psychodynamik der Suizidalität
Authors: Stein Claudius
Published: November 2019

Wenn Menschen direkt oder indirekt mitteilen, dass sie nicht mehr leben wollen, ist dies zunächst als ein interaktionelles Geschehen zu verstehen. Daher ist das Beziehungsangebot das zentrale Element jeder Form der Behandlung, sowohl der Krisenintervention als auch der Psychotherapie suizidaler Menschen. Voraussetzung für eine konstruktive therapeutische Arbeit ist eine tragfähige Beziehung zwischen TherapeutIn und KlientIn. Damit dies gelingen kann, ist es wesentlich, die Psychodynamik und die oft subtilen Übertragungs- und Gegenübertragungsphänomene hinter der Suizidalität zu verstehen.

Suizidalität wird in tiefenpsychologischen Theorien nicht nur als ein Zeichen seelischer Dekompensation, sondern darüber hinaus als eine psychische Funktion aufgefasst. Diese wird dann eingesetzt, wenn intrapsychische oder interpersonelle Krisen nicht mehr anders handhabbar scheinen. So gesehen kann Suizidalität eine regulierende, manchmal auch stabilisierende Funktion haben. Die zentralen konflikthaften Themen des suizidalen Menschen sind der Umgang mit Aggression, die Selbstwertregulation und der Umgang mit nahen Beziehungen. Im Artikel werden die wichtigsten Theorien zur Psychodynamik der Suizidalität dargestellt.
Medien und Suizid: der aktuelle Forschungsstand zum Werther- und Papageno-Effekt – eine Übersichtsarbeit
Authors: Till Benedikt , Niederkrotenthaler Thomas
Published: November 2019

Suizidales Verhalten wird durch Suiziddarstellungen in den Massenmedien beeinflusst. In zahlreichen Studien konnte gezeigt werden, dass sensationsträchtige Darstellungen von Suizid in den Medien zu Imitationssuiziden führen. Dieses Phänomen ist in der Wissenschaft auch unter dem Begriff „Werther-Effekt“ bekannt. In einer Reihe von Ländern wurden daher von Expert_Innen für Suizidprävention Medienempfehlungen zur Berichterstattung über Suizid entwickelt, um die Qualität der Berichterstattung über Suizid zu verbessern und in weiterer Folge Imitationssuizide zu verhindern. Nicht alle Darstellungen von Suizid in den Medien sind dabei schädlich. In mehreren Studien konnte gezeigt werden, dass Medienberichte, die auf Personen fokussieren, die sich in einer suizidalen Krise befunden haben, aber in der Lage waren, diese Krise zu bewältigen, zu einem Rückgang an Suizidalität bei Rezipient_Innen führen. In Anlehung an Papageno, den Protagonisten in Mozarts Oper Die Zauberflöte, der seine suizidale Krise bewältigt, wird dieser protektive Effekt in der wissenschaftlichen Literatur auch als „Papageno-Effekt“ bezeichnet. In dieser Übersichtsarbeit werden der gegenwärtige Forschungsstand und die rezentesten Studien zum Werther- und Papageno-Effekt diskutiert. Diese Befunde können Aufschluss darüber geben, wie effektive Medienkampagnen zur Suizidprävention gestaltet sein müssen, um eine möglichst protektive Wirkung ohne Risiko eines schädlichen Effekts zu erzielen. Da die psychologischen Mechanismen des Papageno-Effekts nach wie vor nicht vollständig erforscht sind, sind weitere Untersuchungen zur protektiven Wirkung von Medienberichten über Krisenbewältigungen notwendig, insbesondere Studien mit klinischen Populationen oder anderen Risikogruppen.
Near-infrared fluorescence imaging for sentinel lymph node identification in colon cancer: a prospective single-center study and systematic review with meta-analysis
Authors: Ankersmit M. , Bonjer H. J. , Hannink G. , Schoonmade L. J. , van der Pas M. H. G. M. , Meijerink W. J. H. J.
Published: November 2019

Background

Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging has the potential to overcome the current drawbacks of sentinel lymph node mapping (SLNM) in colon cancer. Our aim was to provide an overview of current SLNM performance and of factors influencing successful sentinel lymph node (SLN) identification using NIR fluorescence imaging in colon cancer.

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to identify currently used methods and results. Additionally, we performed a single-center study using indocyanine green (ICG) as SLNM dye in colon cancer patients scheduled for a laparoscopic colectomy. SLNs were analyzed with conventional hematoxylin-and-eosin staining and additionally with serial sectioning and immunohistochemistry (extended histopathological assessment). A true-positive procedure was defined as a tumor-positive SLN either by conventional hematoxylin-and-eosin staining or by extended histopathological assessment, independently of regional lymph node status. SLN procedures were determined to be true negatives if SLNs and regional lymph nodes revealed no metastases after conventional and advanced histopathology. SLN procedures yielding tumor-negative SLNs in combination with tumor-positive regional lymph nodes were classified as false negatives. Sensitivity, negative predictive value and detection rate were calculated.

Results

This systematic review and meta-analysis included 8 studies describing 227 SLN procedures. A pooled sensitivity of 0.63 (95% CI 0.51–0.74), negative predictive value 0.81 (95% CI 0.73–0.86) and detection rate of 0.94 (95% CI 0.85–0.97) were found. Upstaging as a result of extended histopathological assessment was 0.15 (95% CI 0.07–0.25). In our single-center study, we included 30 patients. Five false-negative SLNs were identified, resulting in a sensitivity of 44% and negative predictive value of 80%, with a detection rate of 89.7%. Eight patients had lymph node metastases, in three cases detected after extended pathological assessment, resulting in an upstaging of 13% (3 of 23 patients with negative nodes by conventional hematoxylin and eosin staining).

Conclusions

Several anatomical and technical difficulties make SLNM with NIR fluorescence imaging in colon cancer particularly challenging when compared to other types of cancer. As a consequence, reports of SLNM accuracy vary widely. Future studies should try to standardize the SLNM procedure and focus on early-stage colon tumors, validation of tracer composition, injection mode and improvement of real-time optical guidance.
Algae, calcitarchs and the Late Ordovician Baltic limestone facies of the Baltic Basin
Authors: Kröger Björn , Penny Amelia , Shen Yuefeng , Munnecke Axel
Published: November 2019

The Late Ordovician succession of the Baltic Basin contains a characteristic fine-grained limestone, which is rich in calcareous green algae. This limestone occurs in surface outcrops and drill-cores in an extensive belt reaching from Sweden across the Baltic Sea to the Baltic countries. This limestone, which is known in the literature under several different lithological names, is described and interpreted, and the term “Baltic limestone facies” is suggested. The microfacies, from selected outcrops from the Åland Islands, Finland and Estonia, consists of calcareous green algae as the main skeletal component in a bioclastic mudstone-packstone lithology with a pure micritic matrix. Three types of calcitarch, which range in diameter from c. 100–180 μm, are common. Basinward, the youngest sections of the facies belt contain coral-stromatoporoid patch reefs andPalaeoporella-algal mounds. The Baltic limestone facies can be interpreted as representing the shallow part of an open-marine low-latitude carbonate platform.
Vibrator-Assisted Start–Stop Exercises Improve Premature Ejaculation Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Ventus Daniel , Gunst Annika , Arver Stefan , Dhejne Cecilia , Öberg Katarina G. , Zamore-Söderström Elin , Kärnä Antti , Jern Patrick
Published: November 2019

Premature ejaculation (PE) is associated with decreased quality of life, lower confidence and self-esteem, and higher levels of depression, anxiety, and interpersonal difficulties. Here we investigated the effectiveness of vibrator-assisted start–stop exercises for treatment of PE, and whether the treatment effect could be enhanced by an additional psychobehavioral intervention. Fifty participants with a mean age of 41.7 years were included and randomized into two treatment groups and a waiting list control group. Participants were instructed to perform start–stop exercises while stimulating the penis with a purpose-made vibrator, 3 times a week for 6 weeks. Additionally, participants in one of the treatment groups received additional psychoeducation and performed mindfulness meditation-based body scan exercises three times a week. Data were gathered through online questionnaires before and after treatment, as well as 3 and 6 months after treatment. The interventions reduced PE symptoms with large effect sizes (partial η2 = .20 across the three groups, d [95% CI] = 1.05 [.27, 1.82] and 1.07 [.32, 1.82] for treatment groups compared to waiting list control group). The additional psychobehavioral intervention did not further reduce PE symptoms, but did decrease PE-associated negative symptoms such as levels of sexual distress, anxiety, and depression. No side effects were reported. Vibrator-assisted start–stop exercises can be offered as an adequate treatment option for PE.
An Iterative Approach to Ill-Conditioned Optimal Portfolio Selection
Authors: Gulliksson Mårten , Mazur Stepan
Published: November 2019

Covariance matrix of the asset returns plays an important role in the portfolio selection. A number of papers is focused on the case when the covariance matrix is positive definite. In this paper, we consider portfolio selection with a singular covariance matrix. We describe an iterative method based on a second order damped dynamical systems that solves the linear rank-deficient problem approximately. Since the solution is not unique, we suggest one numerical solution that can be chosen from the iterates that balances the size of portfolio and the risk. The numerical study confirms that the method has good convergence properties and gives a solution as good as or better than the solutions that are based on constrained least norm Moore–Penrose, Lasso, and naive equal-weighted approaches. Finally, we complement our result with an empirical study where we analyze a portfolio with actual returns listed in S&P 500 index.
Performance Management of Supply Chain Sustainability in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Using a Combined Structural Equation Modelling and Data Envelopment Analysis
Authors: Dey Prasanta Kumar , Yang Guo-liang , Malesios Chrysovalantis , De Debashree , Evangelinos Konstantinos
Published: November 2019

Although the contribution of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to economic growth is beyond doubt, they collectively affect the environment and society negatively. As SMEs have to perform in a very competitive environment, they often find it difficult to achieve their environmental and social targets. Therefore, making SMEs sustainable is one of the most daunting tasks for both policy makers and SME owners/managers alike. Prior research argues that through measuring SMEs’ supply chain sustainability performance and deriving means of improvement one can make SMEs’ business more viable, not only from an economic perspective, but also from the environmental and social point of view. Prior studies apply data envelopment analysis (DEA) for measuring the performance of groups of SMEs using multiple criteria (inputs and outputs) by segregating efficient and inefficient SMEs and suggesting improvement measures for each inefficient SME through benchmarking it against the most successful one. However, DEA is limited to recommending means of improvement solely for inefficient SMEs. To bridge this gap, the use of structural equation modelling (SEM) enables developing relationships between the criteria and sub-criteria for sustainability performance measurement that facilitates to identify improvement measures for every SME within a region through a statistical modelling approach. As SEM suggests improvements not from the perspective of individual SMEs but for the totality of SMEs involved, this tool is more suitable for policy makers than for individual company owners/managers. However, a performance measurement heuristic that combines DEA and SEM could make use of the best of each technique, and thereby could be the most appropriate tool for both policy makers and individual SME owners/managers. Additionally, SEM results can be utilized by DEA as inputs and outputs for more effective and robust results since the latter are based on more objective measurements. Although DEA and SEM have been applied separately to study the sustainability of organisations, according to the authors’ knowledge, there is no published research that has combined both the methods for sustainable supply chain performance measurement. The framework proposed in the present study has been applied in two different geographical locations—Normandy in France and Midlands in the UK—to demonstrate the effectiveness of sustainable supply chain performance measurement using the combined DEA and SEM approach. Additionally, the state of the companies’ sustainability in both regions is revealed with a number of comparative analyses.
A Convex Variational Model for Learning Convolutional Image Atoms from Incomplete Data
Authors: Chambolle A. , Holler M. , Pock T.
Published: November 2019

A variational model for learning convolutional image atoms from corrupted and/or incomplete data is introduced and analyzed both in function space and numerically. Building on lifting and relaxation strategies, the proposed approach is convex and allows for simultaneous image reconstruction and atom learning in a general, inverse problems context. Further, motivated by an improved numerical performance, also a semi-convex variant is included in the analysis and the experiments of the paper. For both settings, fundamental analytical properties allowing in particular to ensure well-posedness and stability results for inverse problems are proven in a continuous setting. Exploiting convexity, globally optimal solutions are further computed numerically for applications with incomplete, noisy and blurry data and numerical results are shown.
Influence of thermal annealing on structural properties of silica aerogel super insulation material
Authors: Lakatos Ákos , Csarnovics István
Published: November 2019

Nowadays, aerogel materials are some of the lightest thermal insulation materials available on the construction market; they are produced by the mixing of polymers with solvents since they create a gel. Insulated fibrous-enhanced forms are the most frequently used ones. The type, which is used for thermal insulation, is usually produced by mixing the glass fiber net with the liquid–solid solution. The present paper talks about the structural modifications caused by heat treatment of the aerogel-reinforced with fiberglass. The aerogel probes were subjected to thermal annealing, and once they got isothermal heat treatments for weeks at 70 °C, moreover, untreated samples were subjected to stepwise thermal treatments between 100 and 250 °C for 1 day. Both the heat treatments were executed in dryer equipment under atmospheric air. Changes both in the structure and in chemical bonds of the untreated and annealed samples were followed. Raman spectra have been obtained for the samples. The structural changes have an influence on the studied material as well as in thermal properties. The structural and thermal properties were put under investigation after executing heat treatments on them. Jumps in the thermal conductivity could be connected with some structural changes. Due to the annealing intensity of the peaks connected with Si–O, crystalline SiO is increased, while CH, CH2, CH3, –OH and others are decreased.
Children and adolescents with VACTERL association: health-related quality of life and psychological well-being in children and adolescents and their parents
Authors: Kassa A-M. , Dellenmark-Blom M. , Thorsell Cederberg J. , Engvall G. , Engstrand Lilja H.
Published: November 2019

Purpose

VACTERL association is a rare and complex condition of congenital malformations, often requiring repeated surgery and entailing various physical sequelae. Due to scarcity of knowledge, the study aim was to investigate self-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL), anxiety, depression and self-concept in children and adolescents with VACTERL association and self-reported anxiety and depression in their parents.

Methods

Patients aged 8–17 years with VACTERL association and their parents were recruited from three of four Swedish paediatric surgical centres during 2015–2019. The well-established validated questionnaires DISABKIDS, Beck Youth Inventories, Beck Anxiety Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory were sent to the families. Data were analysed using descriptives,ttests and multivariable analysis. Results were compared with norm groups and reference samples.

Results

The questionnaires were returned by 40 patients, 38 mothers and 33 fathers. The mean HRQoL wasM = 80.4, comparable to children with asthma (M = 80.2) and diabetes (M = 79.5). Self-reported psychological well-being was comparable to the norm group of Swedish school children, and was significantly higher than a clinical sample. Factors negatively influencing children’s HRQoL and psychological well-being were identified. The parents’ self-reports of anxiety and depression were comparable to non-clinical samples.

Conclusions

Although children and adolescents with VACTERL association reported similar HRQoL to those of European children with chronic conditions, their psychological well-being was comparable to Swedish school children in general. Nevertheless, some individuals among both children and parents were in need of extra support. This attained knowledge is valuable when counselling parents regarding the prognosis for children with VACTERL association.
Easy Ontology, quantification, and realism
Authors: Marschall Benjamin
Published: November 2019

Amie Thomasson has defended a view calledEasy Ontology, according to which most ontological questions can be answered straightforwardly using conceptual truths and empirical knowledge. Furthermore, she claims that this deflationary meta-ontology does not commit her to any form of anti-realism. In this paper I identify a problem with Thomasson’s account of quantification, according to which everything we quantify over falls under a sortal. Thomasson’s defence of the easiness of answering ontological questions relies on a certain thesis about the hierarchical order of sortals, but the case for the compatibility of Easy Ontology and realism suggests that this thesis is actually false.
Modern sediment records of hydroclimatic extremes and associated potential contaminant mobilization in semi-arid environments: lessons learnt from recent flood-drought cycles in southern Botswana
Authors: Franchi Fulvio , Ahad Jason M. E. , Geris Josie , Jhowa Gaone , Petros Alfred K. , Comte Jean-Christophe
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The aim of this work was to identify and analyze the records of flood-drought cycles as preserved in the sediments of the Notwane reservoir, southern Botswana, in order to better understand how extreme events affect water and sediment quality. This work represents the first attempt to study the reservoir sediments in arid to semi-arid environments and suggests that they could be used as proxies for the characterization of the effects of flood-drought cycles.

Materials and methods

For the first time in an arid context like Botswana, sediments from artificial reservoirs were explored through correlating sediment records with the presence and quantity of pollutants in the reservoir’s wider arid and semi-arid catchment after the latest extreme flood event of 2017. Sediments from the Notwane reservoir were collected with a push corer to a maximum depth of 80 cm. Sediments were then analyzed for grain size distribution, organic matter content, and concentrations of heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Cr, and Pb). Concentrations of heavy metals from surface water and groundwater were compared with the metal profiles from the sediment cores and with rainfall series from the CHIRPS (Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Stations) database.

Results and discussion

The sediments from Notwane reservoir clearly showed two flood couplets characterized by fining upward beds. Water quality data from Notwane reservoir and the surrounding aquifer showed peaks of contaminants following rainfall. Although the couplets found in the sediment record were not always clearly coupled with peaks of metals, some correlation was found between the vertical distribution of metals within the sediments and the most recent sequence and the seasonal metal variation in water. Overall, trace metal contents were very low: < 1 mg L−1 for Cu and Zn and < 2 mg L−1 for Cr and Pb, well below the sediment quality assessment guidelines (SQGs), indicating that the above-average precipitations of the last 10 years did not noticeably contribute to the input of heavy metal contaminants in the reservoir sediments.

Conclusions

The 2016/17 Dineo cyclone flood was triggered by above-average rainfall, preceded by a 4-year period of severe drought. The deterioration of the basin during the drought has enhanced the effects of the flood, worsening the damages on structures and livelihoods. The lessons learnt from the Dineo cyclone in Botswana highlight the importance of integrated studies that combine hydrological data, rainfall series, and sediments. It is recommended to extend the research for longer time periods.
Living degrowth? Investigating degrowth practices through performative methods
Authors: Brossmann Johannes , Islar Mine
Published: November 2019

Degrowth scholarship argues for multi-scalar transformations beyond the growth-oriented economic paradigm to achieve long-term socio-ecological sustainability. While the literature on degrowth has grown substantially, little has been said about how these transformations are understood in practice. By drawing upon practice theory and using performative methods, this paper explores the ways in which degrowth scholars and practitioners experience and understand degrowth. It provides a preliminary account of living degrowth by portraying a diverse range of interrelated practices grouped in five spheres: (1) rethinking society, (2) acting political, (3) creating alternatives, (4) fostering connections, and (5) unveiling the self. Drawing upon the spheres of practices, we conceptualize living degrowth as an endeavour that aims to transform current problems into imagined futures in multiple realms. The practices of living degrowth are concerned with theoretical, political, material, economical, social and personal dimensions of world and life. This points to the importance for sustainability science to investigate and foster transformations in all domains and at all levels, reaching from the outer to the inner and vice versa.
Presumed adverse events in health care are a frequent indication for medico-legal autopsy in Finland
Authors: Pakanen Lasse , Keinänen Noora , Kuvaja Paula
Published: November 2019

The medico-legal autopsy is an essential tool in investigating deaths caused by an adverse event in health care, for both clinical risk management and for professional liability issues. However, there are no statistics available regarding the frequency of autopsies performed due to suspected adverse events. This study aimed to determine the number of medico-legal autopsies done because of presumed adverse events, whether these events were unintentional, medical errors or cases in which malpractice was suspected. Furthermore, differences in treatment types, causes and manner of death were analyzed. The data was obtained from all medico-legal autopsies performed in Northern Finland and Lapland during 2014–2015 (n = 2027). Adverse events were suspected in 181 (8.9%) cases. The suspicions of an adverse event occurring were most often related to medication, gastrointestinal surgery and orthopedic surgery. The manner of death was classified asmedical (or surgical) treatment or investigative procedurein 22 (12.2%) cases. The causes of death were completely unrelated to the suspected adverse event in 41 (22.7%) cases. In conclusion, the frequency of presumed adverse events was quite high in this data set, but in the majority of the cases, the suspicion of an adverse event causing death was disproved by an autopsy. Nonetheless, proper investigation of these cases is essential to ensure legal protection of the deceased, next of kin and health care personnel, as well as to support clinical risk management.
The duty to prevent environmental damage in the environmental liability directive; a catalyst for halting the deterioration of water and wildlife
Authors: Fogleman Valerie
Published: November 2019

Many articles have commented on the duty to remediate environmental damage imposed by the Environmental Liability Directive (ELD). Few—if any—articles, however, have commented on the duty to prevent environmental damage imposed by it. This article begins to fill that gap by commenting on the duty to prevent damage to species and habitats protected by the Birds and Habitats Directives and damage to surface water under the Water Framework Directive.

The article illustrates the duty to prevent environmental damage by its application to two cases; one concerning a direct application of the duty; the other concerning an indirect application. The article concludes that the duty to prevent environmental damage under the ELD is a powerful catalyst that can trigger protective measures under the Birds, Habitats and Water Framework Directives.
The Effect of Bifidobacterium on Reducing Symptomatic Abdominal Pain in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review
Authors: Pratt Charlotte , Campbell Matthew D.
Published: November 2019

Probiotics, specifically Bifidobacteria, may improve abdominal pain in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); however, results from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are conflicting. Here, we systematically reviewed the efficacy of Bifidobacteria on abdominal pain in IBS. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register from inception to 20 May 2019, without language or date restrictions. The search strategy comprised of the combination of three concepts: supplementation, abdominal pain, and IBS. Inclusion criteria included double-blind placebo-controlled RCTs featuring Bifidobacteria supplementation in Rome-diagnosed IBS patients. A total of 8 RCTs involving a total of 1045 patients with Rome diagnosed IBS were included. The dose of total Bifidobacteria ranged from 106 to > 1011 cfu (colony-forming unit) and duration of supplementation ranged between 2 and 8 weeks. Bifidobacteria was delivered through either intake of fermented milk products, encapsulation or via a malted milk beverage, with all studies assessing abdominal pain via a visual analogue Likert scale. From the studies included, 50% (n = 4) of studies found a statistically significant improvement in abdominal pain following Bifidobacteria supplementation compared to placebo, 38% (n = 3) of studies found non-significant improvements and 12% (n = 1) showed a statistically significant dose-response effect of improvement. The evidence shows a heterogeneity of effect for Bifidobacteria dependent upon strain, dosage and delivery method. While not all studies demonstrate significant improvements in abdominal pain, none of the selected studies reported an increase in pain or other adverse effects.
The relationship between mindfulness meditation and well-being during 8 weeks of ecological momentary assessment
Authors: Lahtinen Oskari , Salmivalli Christina
Published: November 2019

Objectives

The main effects of 8-week mindfulness-based programs (MBP) on anxiety and depression are now supported by reasonably robust evidence. However, few to no studies have looked at whether and how these main effects come to be over the course of the MBP. The goal of the present study was to look at how meditation practice predicted changes in well-being, and vice versa, at a weekly level, within an 8-week online MBP.

Methods

The participants were 457 Finnish upper secondary education students who underwent an 8-week online MBP. App-based ecological momentary assessment data were collected on how many minutes the participants meditated (daily) and their anxiety, happiness, and sleep problems (weekly). These data were analyzed using a longitudinal (nine time point) path model.

Results

Participants’ weekly minutes of mindfulness meditation were a consistent, albeit weak, predictor of decreases in anxiety and increases in happiness. During the course of the study, answer rates declined from 75.7% (Time 0) to 27.4% (Time 8) for anxiety, happiness, and sleep and from 80.5% to 37.0% for meditation minutes.

Conclusions

Results suggest well-being improvement from mindfulness meditation is an ongoing process and that ecological momentary assessment is a promising methodology for studying it.