bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does immigration decrease far-right popularity? Evidence from Finnish municipalities
Authors: Lonsky Jakub
Published: July 2020

Across Europe, far-right parties have made significant electoral gains in recent years. Their anti-immigration stance is considered one of the main factors behind their success. Using data from Finland, this paper studies the effect of immigration on voting for the far-right Finns Party on a local level. Exploiting a convenient setup for a shift-share instrument, I find that a 1 percentage point increase in the share of foreign citizens in a municipality decreases the Finns Party’s vote share by 3.4 percentage points. Placebo tests using pre-period data confirm this effect is not driven by persistent trends at the municipality level. The far-right votes lost to immigration are captured by the two pro-immigration parties. Turning to potential mechanisms, immigration is found to increase voter turnout, potentially activating local pro-immigration voters. Moreover, the negative effect is only present in municipalities with high initial exposure to immigrants, consistent with the intergroup contact theory. Finally, I also provide some evidence for the welfare-state channel as a plausible mechanism behind the main result.
Four Cultural Narratives for Managing Social-ecological Complexity in Public Natural Resource Management
Authors: Kirsop-Taylor Nick A. , Hejnowicz Adam P. , Scott Karen
Published: July 2020

Public Natural Resource Management (NRM) agencies operate in complex social-ecological domains. These complexities proliferate unpredictably therefore investigating and supporting the ability of public agencies to respond effectively is increasingly important. However, understanding how public NRM agencies innovate and restructure to negotiate the range of particular complexities they face is an under researched field. One particular conceptualisation of the social-ecological complexities facing NRM agencies that is of growing influence is the Water–Energy–Food (WEF) nexus. Yet, as a tool to frame and understand those complexities it has limitations. Specifically, it overlooks how NRMs respond institutionally to these social-ecological complexities in the context of economic and organisational challenges—thus creating a gap in the literature. Current debates in public administration can be brought to bear here. Using an organisational cultures approach, this paper reports on a case study with a national NRM agency to investigate how they are attempting to transform institutionally to respond to complexity in challenging times. The research involved 12 elite interviews with senior leaders from Natural Resources Wales, (NRW) and investigated how cultural narratives are being explicitly and implicitly constructed and mobilised to this end. The research identified four distinct and sequential cultural narratives: collaboration, communication, trust, and empowerment where each narrative supported the delivery of different dimensions of NRW’s social-ecological complexity mandate. Counter to the current managerialist approaches in public administration, these results suggest that the empowerment of expert bureaucrats is important in responding effectively to complexity.
Focal HIFU therapy for anterior compared to posterior prostate cancer lesions
Authors: Huber Philipp M. , Afzal Naveed , Arya Manit , Boxler Silvan , Dudderidge Tim , Emberton Mark , Guillaumier Stephanie , Hindley Richard G. , Hosking-Jervis Feargus , Leemann Lucas , Lewi Henry , McCartan Neil , Moore Caroline M. , Nigam Raj , Odgen Chris , Persad Raj , Virdi Jaspal , Winkler Mathias , Ahmed Hashim U.
Published: July 2020

Objective

To compare cancer control in anterior compared to posterior prostate cancer lesions treated with a focal HIFU therapy approach.

Materials and methods

In a prospectively maintained national database, 598 patients underwent focal HIFU (Sonablate®500) (March/2007–November/2016). Follow-up occurred with 3-monthly clinic visits and PSA testing in the first year with PSA, every 6–12 months with mpMRI with biopsy for MRI-suspicion of recurrence. Treatment failure was any secondary treatment (ADT/chemotherapy, cryotherapy, EBRT, RRP, or re-HIFU), tumour recurrence with Gleason ≥ 3 + 4 on prostate biopsy without further treatment or metastases/prostate cancer-related mortality. Cases with anterior cancer were compared to those with posterior disease.

Results

267 patients were analysed following eligibility criteria. 45 had an anterior focal-HIFU and 222 had a posterior focal-HIFU. Median age was 64 years and 66 years, respectively, with similar PSA level of 7.5 ng/ml and 6.92 ng/ml. 84% and 82%, respectively, had Gleason 3 + 4, 16% in both groups had Gleason 4 + 3, 0% and 2% had Gleason 4 + 4. Prostate volume was similar (33 ml vs. 36 ml, p = 0.315); median number of positive cores in biopsies was different in anterior and posterior tumours (7 vs. 5, p = 0.009), while medium cancer core length, and maximal cancer percentage of core were comparable. 17/45 (37.8%) anterior focal-HIFU patients compared to 45/222 (20.3%) posterior focal-HIFU patients required further treatment (p = 0.019).

Conclusion

Treating anterior prostate cancer lesions with focal HIFU may be less effective compared to posterior tumours.
Ergebnisse der Sicca-Forschungsförderung 2016
Authors: Musayeva A. , Gericke A. , Jäger F. , Paulsen F. , Braun M. , Fabry B. , Braun R. , Pauly D. , Holtmann C. , Geerling G. ,   Sicca-Preis-Jury, Geerling Gerd , Goldblum David , Horwath-Winter Jutta , Jacobi Christina , Kaden Reinhard , Kaercher Thomas , Messmer Elisabeth , Paulsen Friedrich , Schwarzkopff Johannes , Zierhut Manfred
Published: July 2020

Der Sicca-Förderpreis unterstützt die Entwicklung wissenschaftlicher Arbeiten zu Pathogenese, Diagnostik und Therapie des trockenen Auges und Augenoberflächenerkrankungen. Er wird nach befristeter Ausschreibung im deutschsprachigen Raum, schriftlicher Antragstellung und Preisträgerauswahl nach Begutachtung durch ein Jurorengremium aus grundlagen- und klinisch-wissenschaftlich arbeitenden Augenärzten vergeben. In diesem Beitrag werden beispielhaft die Ergebnisse geförderter Projekte des Sicca-Förderpreises 2016 kursorisch dargestellt, deren Ergebnisse im Rahmen der Augenärztliche Akademie Deutschland 2019 vorgestellt wurden, und damit ein Einblick in die aktuellen wissenschaftlichen Entwicklungen skizziert. Dabei wird die Rolle der Muskarinrezeptoren sowie jene des Harnstoffs in der Pathogenese des trockenen Auges ebenso beleuchtet wie die (fehlende) Korrelation der Tränenfilminstabilität, -viskosität und Oberflächenspannung. Wegweisend sind auch ein Projekt zur Frühdetektion der okulären Beteiligung bei der Graft-versus-Host-Disease und der Gedanke, eine Meibom-Drüsen-Dysfunktion mit lidchirurgischen Techniken zu behandeln. Die skizzierten Projekte stellen das Potenzial für weitere substanzielle Entwicklungen zu Verständnis, Diagnostik und Therapie des trockenen Auges dar. Ihre langfristige klinische Relevanz muss jedoch noch etabliert werden.
Impact of ocean resolution and mean state on the rate of AMOC weakening
Authors: Jackson L. C. , Roberts M. J. , Hewitt H. T. , Iovino D. , Koenigk T. , Meccia V. L. , Roberts C. D. , Ruprich-Robert Y. , Wood R. A.
Published: July 2020

We examine the weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) in response to increasing CO$$_2$$

2

at different horizontal resolutions in a state-of-the-art climate model and in a small ensemble of models with differing resolutions. There is a strong influence of the ocean mean state on the AMOC weakening: models with a more saline western subpolar gyre have a greater formation of deep water there. This makes the AMOC more susceptible to weakening from an increase in CO$$_2$$

2

since weakening ocean heat transports weaken the contrast between ocean and atmospheric temperatures and hence weaken the buoyancy loss. In models with a greater proportion of deep water formation further north (in the Greenland-Iceland-Norwegian basin), deep-water formation can be maintained by shifting further north to where there is a greater ocean-atmosphere temperature contrast. We show that ocean horizontal resolution can have an impact on the mean state, and hence AMOC weakening. In the models examined, those with higher resolutions tend to have a more westerly location of the North Atlantic Current and stronger subpolar gyre. This likely leads to a greater impact of the warm, saline subtropical Atlantic waters on the western subpolar gyre resulting in greater dense water formation there. Although there is some improvement of the higher resolution models over the lower resolution models in terms of the mean state, both still have biases and it is not clear which biases are the most important for influencing the AMOC strength and response to increasing CO$$_2$$

2

.
Small extracellular vesicles secreted from human amniotic fluid mesenchymal stromal cells possess cardioprotective and promigratory potential
Authors: Takov Kaloyan , He Zhenhe , Johnston Harvey E. , Timms John F. , Guillot Pascale V. , Yellon Derek M. , Davidson Sean M.
Published: July 2020

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) exhibit antiapoptotic and proangiogenic functions in models of myocardial infarction which may be mediated by secreted small extracellular vesicles (sEVs). However, MSCs have frequently been harvested from aged or diseased patients, while the isolated sEVs often contain high levels of impurities. Here, we studied the cardioprotective and proangiogenic activities of size-exclusion chromatography-purified sEVs secreted from human foetal amniotic fluid stem cells (SS-hAFSCs), possessing superior functional potential to that of adult MSCs. We demonstrated for the first time that highly pure (up to 1.7 × 1010 particles/µg protein) and thoroughly characterised SS-hAFSC sEVs protect rat hearts from ischaemia–reperfusion injury in vivo when administered intravenously prior to reperfusion (38 ± 9% infarct size reduction,p < 0.05). SS-hAFSC sEVs did not protect isolated primary cardiomyocytes in models of simulated ischaemia–reperfusion injury in vitro, indicative of indirect cardioprotective effects. SS-hAFSC sEVs were not proangiogenic in vitro, although they markedly stimulated endothelial cell migration. Additionally, sEVs were entirely responsible for the promigratory effects of the medium conditioned by SS-hAFSC. Mechanistically, sEV-induced chemotaxis involved phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signalling, as its pharmacological inhibition in treated endothelial cells reduced migration by 54 ± 7% (p < 0.001). Together, these data indicate that SS-hAFSC sEVs have multifactorial beneficial effects in a myocardial infarction setting.
Increased RyR2 activity is exacerbated by calcium leak-induced mitochondrial ROS
Authors: Hamilton Shanna , Terentyeva Radmila , Martin Benjamin , Perger Fruzsina , Li Jiaoni , Stepanov Andrei , Bonilla Ingrid M. , Knollmann Björn C. , Radwański Przemyslaw B. , Györke Sandor , Belevych Andriy E. , Terentyev Dmitry
Published: July 2020

Cardiac disease is associated with deleterious emission of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mito-ROS), as well as enhanced oxidation and activity of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release channel, the ryanodine receptor (RyR2). The transfer of Ca2+ from the SR via RyR2 to mitochondria is thought to play a key role in matching increased metabolic demand during stress. In this study, we investigated whether augmented RyR2 activity results in self-imposed exacerbation of SR Ca2+ leak, via altered SR-mitochondrial Ca2+ transfer and elevated mito-ROS emission. Fluorescent indicators and spatially restricted genetic ROS probes revealed that both pharmacologically and genetically enhanced RyR2 activity, in ventricular myocytes from rats and catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) mice, respectively, resulted in increased ROS emission under β-adrenergic stimulation. Expression of mitochondrial Ca2+ probe mtRCamp1h revealed diminished net mitochondrial [Ca2+] with enhanced SR Ca2+ leak, accompanied by depolarization of the mitochondrial matrix. While this may serve as a protective mechanism to prevent mitochondrial Ca2+ overload, protection is not complete and enhanced mito-ROS emission resulted in oxidation of RyR2, further amplifying proarrhythmic SR Ca2+ release. Importantly, the effects of augmented RyR2 activity could be attenuated by mitochondrial ROS scavenging, and experiments with dominant-negative paralogs of the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter (MCU) supported the hypothesis that SR-mitochondria Ca2+ transfer is essential for the increase in mito-ROS. We conclude that in a process whereby leak begets leak, augmented RyR2 activity modulates mitochondrial Ca2+ handling, promoting mito-ROS emission and driving further channel activity in a proarrhythmic feedback cycle in the diseased heart.
Microvascular and lymphatic dysfunction in HFpEF and its associated comorbidities
Authors: Cuijpers Ilona , Simmonds Steven J. , van Bilsen Marc , Czarnowska Elżbieta , González Miqueo Arantxa , Heymans Stephane , Kuhn Annika R. , Mulder Paul , Ratajska Anna , Jones Elizabeth A. V. , Brakenhielm Ebba
Published: July 2020

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a complex heterogeneous disease for which our pathophysiological understanding is still limited and specific prevention and treatment strategies are lacking. HFpEF is characterised by diastolic dysfunction and cardiac remodelling (fibrosis, inflammation, and hypertrophy). Recently, microvascular dysfunction and chronic low-grade inflammation have been proposed to participate in HFpEF development. Furthermore, several recent studies demonstrated the occurrence of generalized lymphatic dysfunction in experimental models of risk factors for HFpEF, including obesity, hypercholesterolaemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension, and aging. Here, we review the evidence for a combined role of coronary (micro)vascular dysfunction and lymphatic vessel alterations in mediating key pathological steps in HFpEF, including reduced cardiac perfusion, chronic low-grade inflammation, and myocardial oedema, and their impact on cardiac metabolic alterations (oxygen and nutrient supply/demand imbalance), fibrosis, and cardiomyocyte stiffness. We focus primarily on HFpEF caused by metabolic risk factors, such as obesity, T2DM, hypertension, and aging.
Predictors of complete miscarriage after expectant management or misoprostol treatment of non-viable early pregnancy in women with vaginal bleeding
Authors: Fernlund Anna , Jokubkiene Ligita , Sladkevicius Povilas , Valentin Lil
Published: July 2020

Purpose

To identify predictors of complete miscarriage after expectant management or misoprostol treatment of non-viable early pregnancy in women with vaginal bleeding.

Methods

This was a planned secondary analysis of data from a published randomized controlled trial comparing expectant management with vaginal single dose of 800 µg misoprostol treatment of women with embryonic or anembryonic miscarriage. Predefined variables—serum-progesterone, serum-β-human chorionic gonadotropin, parity, previous vaginal deliveries, gestational age, clinical symptoms (bleeding and pain), mean diameter and shape of the gestational sac, crown-rump-length, type of miscarriage, and presence of blood flow in the intervillous space—were tested as predictors of treatment success (no gestational sac in the uterine cavity and maximum anterior–posterior intracavitary diameter was ≤ 15 mm as measured with transvaginal ultrasound on a sagittal view) in univariable and multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Variables from 174 women (83 expectant management versus 91 misoprostol) were analyzed for prediction of complete miscarriage at ≤ 17 days. In patients managed expectantly, the rate of complete miscarriage was 62.7% (32/51) in embryonic miscarriages versus 37.5% (12/32) in anembryonic miscarriages (P = 0.02). In multivariable logistic regression, the likelihood of success increased with increasing gestational age, increasing crown-rump-length and decreasing gestational sac diameter. Misoprostol treatment was successful in 80.0% (73/91). No variable predicted success of misoprostol treatment.

Conclusions

Complete miscarriage after expectant management is significantly more likely in embryonic miscarriage than in anembryonic miscarriage. Gestational age, crown-rump-length, and gestational sac diameter are independent predictors of success of expectant management. Predictors of treatment success may help counselling women with early miscarriage.
Clinical and radiological differences between patients with probable cerebral amyloid angiopathy and mixed cerebral microbleeds
Authors: Jensen-Kondering Ulf R. , Weiler Caroline , Langguth Patrick , Larsen Naomi , Flüh Charlotte , Kuhlenbäumer Gregor , Jansen Olav , Margraf Nils G.
Published: July 2020

Background

The key imaging features of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) are lobar, cortical, or cortico-subcortical microbleeds, macrohaemorrhages and cortical superficial siderosis (cSS). In contrast, hypertensive angiopathy is characterized by (micro) haemorrhages in the basal ganglia, thalami, periventricular white matter or the brain stem. Another distinct form of haemorrhagic microangiopathy is mixed cerebral microbleeds (mixed CMB) with features of both CAA and hypertensive angiopathy. The distinction between the two entities (CAA and mixed CMB) is clinically relevant because the risk of haemorrhage and stroke should be well balanced if oral anticoagulation is indicated in CAA patients. We aimed to comprehensively compare these two entities.

Methods

Patients with probable CAA according to the modified Boston criteria and mixed CMB without macrohaemorrhage were retrospectively identified from our database. Comprehensive comparison regarding clinical and radiological parameters was performed between the two cohorts.

Results

Patients with CAA were older (78 ± 8 vs. 74 ± 9 years, p = 0.036) and had a higher prevalence of cSS (19% vs. 4%, p = 0.027) but a lower prevalence of lacunes (73% vs. 50%, p = 0.018) and deep lacunes (23% vs. 51%, p = 0.0003) compared to patients with mixed CMB. Logistic regression revealed an association between the presence of deep lacunes and mixed CMB. The other collected parameters did not reveal a significant difference between the two groups.

Conclusions

CAA and mixed CMB demonstrate radiological differences in the absence of macrohaemorrhages. However, more clinically available biomarkers are needed to elucidate the contribution of CAA and hypertensive angiopathy in mixed CMB patients.
Retention of tree-related microhabitats is more dependent on selection of habitat trees than their spatial distribution
Authors: Asbeck Thomas , Messier Christian , Bauhus Jürgen
Published: July 2020

Habitat trees, which provide roosting, foraging and nesting for multiple taxa, are retained in managed forests to support biodiversity conservation. To what extent their spatial distribution influences provisioning of habitats has rarely been addressed. In this study, we investigated whether abundance and richness of tree-related microhabitats (TreMs) differ between habitat trees in clumped and dispersed distributions and whether the abundance of fifteen groups of TreMs is related to tree distribution patterns. To identify habitat trees, we quantified TreMs in temperate mountain forests of Germany. We determined clumping (the Clark–Evans index), size of the convex hull, diameter at breast height, as well as altitude, slope and aspect of sites for their possible influence on TreMs. We additionally determined the difference in TreM abundance and richness among four options of selecting five habitat trees per ha from 15 candidates: (a) the most clumped trees, (b) five randomly selected and dispersed trees, (c) the single tree with highest abundance or richness of TreMs and its four closest neighbors and (d) a “reference selection” of five trees with known highest abundance or richness of TreMs irrespective of their distribution. The degree of clumping and the size of the convex hull influenced neither the abundance nor richness of TreMs. The reference selection, option (d), contained more than twice the number of TreMs compared to the most clumped, (a), or random distributions, (b), of five habitat trees, while option (c) assumed an intermediate position. If the goal of habitat tree retention is to maximize stand-level abundance and richness of TreMs, then it is clearly more important to select habitat trees irrespective of their spatial pattern.
Evaluation of predictive scores for late and very late recurrence after cryoballoon-based ablation of atrial fibrillation
Authors: Sano Makoto , Heeger Christian-Hendrik , Sciacca Vanessa , Große Niels , Keelani Ahmad , Fahimi Behzad Hassan Hosseiny , Phan Huong Lan , Reincke Samuel , Brüggemann Ben , Fink Thomas , Liosis Spyridon , Vogler Julia , Eitel Charlotte , Tilz Roland Richard
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Studies on predictive scores for very late recurrence (VLR) (recurrence later than 12 months) after second-generation cryoballoon-based pulmonary vein isolation (CB2-PVI) are sparse. We aimed to evaluate the frequency of late recurrence (LR) (later than 3 months) and VLR, and to validate predictive scores for LR and VLR after initial CB2-PVI.

Methods

A total of 288 patients undergoing initial CB2-PVI (66 ± 11 years, 46% paroxysmal) were retrospectively enrolled in the LR cohort. In the VLR cohort, 83 patients with recurrence within 3–12 months or with < 12-month follow-up were excluded. The predictive scores of arrhythmia recurrence were assessed, including the APPLE, DR-FLASH, PLAAF, BASE-AF2, ATLAS, SCALE-CryoAF, and MB-LATER scores.

Results

During a mean follow-up of 15.3 ± 7.1 months, 188 of 288 (65.2%) patients remained in sinus rhythm without any recurrences. Thirty-two of 205 (15.6%) patients experienced VLR after a mean of 16.6 ± 5.6 months. Comparing the predictive values of these specific scores, the MB-LATER score showed a reliable trend toward greater risk of both LR and VLR (area under the curve in LR; 0.632, 0.637, 0.632, 0.637, 0.604, 0.725, and 0.691 (p = ns), VLR; 0.612, 0.636, 0.644, 0.586, 0.541, 0.633, and 0.680 (p = 0.038, vs. BASE-AF2, respectively)). Kaplan-Meier analysis estimated patients with higher MB-LATER scores which had favorable outcomes (24-month freedom from LR; 26.0% vs. 56.7%, p < 0.0001, VLR; 53.4% vs. 82.1%, p = 0.013).

Conclusion

The MB-LATER score provided more reliable predictive value for both LR and VLR. Patients with higher MB-LATER scores may benefit from more intensive long-term follow-up.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Modelling the interaction between tourism, energy consumption, pollutant emissions and urbanization: renewed evidence from panel VAR
Authors: Adedoyin Festus Fatai , Bekun Festus Victor
Published: July 2020

In less than two decades, the global tourism industry has overtaken the construction industry as one of the biggest polluters, accounting for up to 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions as reported by the United National World Trade Organization (UNWTO 2018). This position resonates the consensus of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Consequently, research into the causal link between emissions and the tourism industry has increased significantly focusing extensively on top earners from the industry. However, few studies have thoroughly assessed this relationship for small island economies that are highly dependent on tourism. Hence, this study assessed the causal relationship between CO2 emissions, real GDP per capita (RGDP) and the tourism industry. The analysis is conducted for seven tourism-dependent countries for the period 1995 to 2014 using panel VAR approach, with support from fully modified ordinary least square and pooled mean group–autoregressive distributed lag models. Unit root tests confirm that all variables are stationary at first difference. Our VAR Granger causality/block exogeneity Wald test results show a unidirectional causality flowing from tourism to CO2 emission, RGDP and energy consumption, but a bi-directional causality exists between tourism and urbanization. This implies that in countries that depend on tourism, the behaviour of CO2 emission, RGDP and energy consumption can be predicted by the volume of tourist arrivals, but not the other way around. The impulse response analysis also shows that the responses of tourism to shocks in CO2 appear negative within the 1st year, positive within the 2nd and 3rd years but revert to equilibrium in the fourth year. Finally, the reaction of tourism to shocks in energy consumption is similar to its reaction to shocks in RGDP. Tourism responds positively to shocks in urbanization throughout the periods. These outcomes were resonated by the Dumitrescu and Hurlin causality analysis where the growth-induced tourism hypothesis is validated as well as feedback causality observed between tourism and pollutant emission and urbanization and pollutant emission in the blocks over the sampled period. Consequently, this study draws pertinent energy and tourism policy implications for sustainable tourism on the panel over their growth trajectory without compromise for green environment.
Impact of Unannounced Standardized Patient Audit and Feedback on Care, Documentation, and Costs: an Experiment and Claims Analysis
Authors: Schwartz Alan , Peskin Steven , Spiro Alan , Weiner Saul J.
Published: July 2020

Background

Meaningful variations in physician performance are not always discernible from the medical record.

Objective

We used unannounced standardized patients to measure and provide feedback on care quality and fidelity of documentation, and examined downstream effects on reimbursement claims.

Design

Static group pre-post comparison study conducted between 2017 and 2019.

Setting

Fourteen New Jersey primary care practice groups (22 practices) enrolled in Horizon BCBS’s value-based program received the intervention. For claims analyses, we identified 14 additional comparison practice groups matched on county, practice size, and claims activity.

Participants

Fifty-nine of 64 providers volunteered to participate.

Intervention

Unannounced standardized patients (USPs) made 217 visits portraying patients with 1–2 focal conditions (diabetes, depression, back pain, smoking, or preventive cancer screening). After two baseline visits to a provider, we delivered feedback and conducted two follow-up visits.

Measurements

USP-completed checklists of guideline-based provider care behaviors, visit audio recordings, and provider notes were used to measure behaviors performed and documentation errors pre- and post-feedback. We also compared changes in 3-month office-based claims by actual patients between the intervention and comparison practice groups before and after feedback.

Results

Expected clinical behaviors increased from 46% to 56% (OR = 1.53, 95% CI 1.29–1.83, p < 0.0001), with significant improvements in smoking cessation, back pain, and depression screening. Providers were less likely to document unperformed tasks after (16%) than before feedback (18%; OR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.62 to 0.90, p = 0.002). Actual claim costs increased significantly less in the study than comparison group for diabetes and depression but significantly more for smoking cessation, cancer screening, and low back pain.

Limitations

Self-selection of participating practices and lack of access to prescription claims.

Conclusion

Direct observation of care identifies hidden deficits in practice and documentation, and with feedback can improve both, with concomitant effects on costs.
‘I Am that I Am’ (Ex. 3.14): from Augustine to Abhishiktānanda—Holy Ground Between Neoplatonism and Advaita Vedānta
Authors: Soars Daniel
Published: July 2020

We shall revisit a debate which has been going on at least since pioneering British Indologists like William Jones first encountered the ‘Brahmanic theology’ we now know as Vedānta, namely, the nature of the relationship—if any—between certain forms of ‘western’ and ‘Indian’ idealisms, and how these metaphysical systems have influenced Christian theology. Specifically, we look at the question of possible thematic and conceptual convergences between Neoplatonism and Advaita Vedānta, and argue that significant parallels can be found in their common conception of the Absolute as Being. Rather than attempt a comprehensive overview of the two systems, we take the divine ‘I AM’ revealed to Moses in Exodus 3.14 as thelocus classicusof Christian philosophical interpretations of God as Being itself, and explore how four seminal figures read this passage in light of Neoplatonic and Vedāntic influences. We shall see that similarities and divergences in the readings of Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Meister Eckhart and Henri Le Saux can be understood in terms of how they negotiate the relation between the One and the many, or between ‘being’ and ‘knowing’. The more these figures allow themselves to be influenced by Neoplatonism and Advaita Vedānta, the more we see any clear ontological distinction between creature and Creator start to break down. This verse, therefore, proves to be an unusually fruitful test case for exploring the relation between the underlying Neoplatonic and Vedāntic metaphysics which structure varying Christian interpretations of it.
Integrating Value Considerations in the Decision Making for the Design of Biorefineries
Authors: Palmeros Parada Mar , Asveld Lotte , Osseweijer Patricia , Posada John Alexander
Published: July 2020

Biobased production has been promoted as a sustainable alternative to fossil resources. However, controversies over its impact on sustainability highlight societal concerns, value tensions and uncertainties that have not been taken into account during its development. In this work, the consideration of stakeholders’ values in a biorefinery design project is investigated. Value sensitive design (VSD) is a promising approach to the design of technologies with consideration of stakeholders’ values, however, it is not directly applicable for complex systems like biorefineries. Therefore, some elements of VSD, such as the identification of relevant values and their connection to a technology’s features, are brought into biorefinery design practice. Midstream modulation (MM), an approach to promoting the consideration of societal aspects during research and development activities, is applied to promote reflection and value considerations during the design decision making. As result, it is shown that MM interventions during the design process led to new design alternatives in support of stakeholders' values, and allowed to recognize and respond to emerging value tensions within the scope of the project. In this way, the present work shows a novel approach for the technical investigation of VSD, especially for biorefineries. Also, based on this work it is argued that not only reflection, but also flexibility and openness are important for the application of VSD in the context of biorefinery design.
In the Valley of the Shadow of Death: Insecurity and Miraculous Experiences
Authors: Eschler Edwin
Published: July 2020

Experiencing a miracle is often assumed to be predicated on a lack of rational, scientific explanations of phenomena as measured with education or class. Existential threat theories would predict religious experiences are not directly related to these measures of modernization, but rather the economic and political stability that accompanies modernization. Those who experience threats to their existence are more likely to experience miracles. I investigate the prevalence of miracles in Latin American using a 2013 Pew survey of religious beliefs and experiences. Looking at 15,400 respondents from 16 separate countries, I analyze the extent to which experiencing miracles is correlated with education, SES, financial insecurity, cultural traditionalism, and several religious variables. I find education and SES have little correlation with the number of miracles experienced, financial insecurity is positively correlated with experiencing miracles, and Protestants have more divine encounters than Catholics. This suggests that both religious socialization and existential threat explain why individuals experience miracles.
Current Consensus of Dental Implants in the Elderly—What Are the Limitations?
Authors: Sato Yuji , Kitagawa Noboru , Isobe Akio
Published: July 2020

Purpose of Review

This review examines the restricting factors based on the current situation of implant treatments in elderly people and describes how they should be handled. In addition, it is suggested to establish an environment in which the oral cavity of the patient can be managed at the end of treatment with an implant card detailing the implant treatments provided, while anticipating the patient’s aging.

Recent Findings

Implant treatments now account for a large proportion of dental prosthetic treatment options. Meanwhile, aging is accelerating globally, with Japan at the top of the list. This has resulted in an increase in the number of implant patients who are elderly and require care and who have systemic problems. Furthermore, with the growing number of people in need of nursing care, there is a growing need to care elderly people who have received implant treatments in the past, and there are various issues in handling such cases. It is also important to properly evaluate the systemic conditions, conduct less-invasive surgeries using appropriate types of implant system based on estimated life expectancy, and provide treatments using prosthetic devices that can be easily managed and modified.

The systemic conditions and aging of the oral cavity need to be taken into consideration regarding the risks of implant surgery. As to the worsening of maintenance condition, changing to a removable superstructure as well as awareness-raising activities should be examined. In addition, we suggest that policy measures be taken to address some issues regarding training, manufacturers, and medical insurance. We hope that implant treatments will continue to contribute to patients as we head toward becoming a super-aging society.
Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in the Time of COVID-19—How has the Landscape Changed for Pakistan?
Authors: Islam Mahnoor
Published: July 2020

The incidence of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) has been rising consistently in Pakistan, and the country is likely to experience another surge of cases in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis. It is imperative to consider how the rising proportion of XDR-TB is best tackled during the pandemic; this includes finding a solution to the problem of non-adherence at the level of community-based healthcare, the utility and practicality of simultaneous testing for COVID-19 and TB, and reconciliation of the World Health Organization’s recommendation of home-based treatment with the need for frequent monitoring of anti-tubercular therapy in XDR-TB. Operational research is needed expeditiously to bypass these limitations.
Representing Silence in Politics
Authors: BRITO VIEIRA MÓNICA
Published: July 2020

Democratic representation focuses onvoice: it conceives voice as that which is represented and as the prime mode of representing. This article argues that this focus is problematic and turns instead tosilenceto ask a fundamental question: Can representation empower citizens from their silent positions? I approach the question in three parts. First, I offer a new conceptualization of silence, arguing that silence is best understood as the site of a potential or actualpresence.Second, I use criteria of domination and displaced involvement to assess attempts to enfranchise silence within the transmission-belt model of representation. Third, I critically engage and strengthen constructivist views of representation by developing these criteria to assess the legitimacy of claims to represent—speakaboutandfor—silent constituencies—namely, the claim to represent an (alleged) silent majority.
Abdominal angiostrongyliasis: pathologic findings in Swiss mice infected with different doses of Angiostrongylus costaricensis
Authors: Hermes C.C. , Benvegnú E. , Costa M.M. , Rodriguez R. , Vieira M.I.B.
Published: July 2020

Abdominal angiostrongyliasis is caused by Angiostrongylus costaricensis, the definitive and intermediate hosts of which are wild rodents and terrestrial molluscs, respectively. Humans are accidental hosts and can be infected by ingesting the third-stage (infective) larvae (L3). It remains unclear whether the number of L3 inoculated is related to lesion severity. Our aim was to analyse histopathological alterations in Swiss mice infected with different doses of A. costaricensis. Thirty-two mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 8/group): uninfected, control mice; mice infected with a low dose (five L3); mice infected with an intermediate dose (15 L3); and mice infected with a high dose (30 L3). The frequency of intestinal thrombi, splenitis, eggs/larvae, hepatic infarction and acute pancreatitis differed among the groups, the last being considered a significant finding. We conclude that different infective doses alter the histopathological aspects of the infection in Swiss mice, those aspects being more pronounced at medium and high doses, with no effect on the development of the disease. This experimental model shows that the parasite life cycle can be maintained in Swiss mice through the inoculation of a low dose (five L3).
The Ford Administration, the National Security Agency, and the “Year of Intelligence”: Constructing a New Legal Framework for Intelligence
Authors: ROADY PETER
Published: July 2020

In the mid-1970s, Congress and the judiciary moved to regulate the National Security Agency (NSA) at a moment when such regulation might have restricted the growth of electronic surveillance. The Ford administration played a crucial role in preventing that from happening. It did so by controlling the flow of intelligence information to Congress and by establishing a flexible new legal framework for intelligence based on broad executive orders, narrow legislation, and legal opinions written by executive branch lawyers. This framework fostered a perception of legality that headed off calls for comprehensive legislation governing intelligence. The Ford administration’s actions protected NSA from meaningful regulation, preserved the growth of electronic surveillance, and sustained executive branch preeminence in national security affairs. The episode proved formative for the Ford administration officials involved—including Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, and Antonin Scalia—and solidified the central role of executive branch lawyers in national security policymaking.
Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of a familial cluster of COVID-19
Authors: Sun Yong , Tian Lin , Du Xiaomei , Wang Hua , Li Yueshan , Wu Rangbing
Published: July 2020

We report a family cluster of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection involving five patients in a family cluster in Dazhou, China, including the epidemiological, clinical, laboratory and radiological findings. Three-generation transmission was observed. Through epidemiological investigation, we observed asymptomatic transmission to a cohabiting family member, as well as person-to-person transmission of SARS-CoV-2 outside Wuhan city. The asymptomatic transmission demonstrated here provides evidence that there could be a greater risk of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread. This cluster also demonstrated that COVID-19 is transmissible during the incubation period of an asymptomatic person. Early isolation and treatment, stressing prevention of cluster outbreaks, could help prevent further spread of the epidemic.
Palynological evidence supporting widespread synchronicity of Early Jurassic silicic volcanism throughout the Transantarctic Basin
Authors: Unverfärth Jan , Mörs Thomas , Bomfleur Benjamin
Published: July 2020

Throughout the Transantarctic Mountains, Early Jurassic silicic magmatism preceding the emplacement of the Ferrar flood-basalt province (Heimann et al. 1994) is documented by the increasing input of silicic ash into otherwise epiclastic, fluviolacustrine deposits of the Beacon Supergroup (see Elliot et al. 2017). Vertebrate biostratigraphy and radiometric analyses indicate a Sinemurian to Pliensbachian age span for silicic volcaniclastic deposits in the central Transantarctic Mountains (CTMs) (Elliot et al. 2017). For northern Victoria Land (NVL), radiometric geochronology and palynostratigraphy revealed that explosive silicic volcanism began with minor pulses during the early Sinemurian (c. 195 Ma) and reached a peak phase beginning in the middle Pliensbachian (c. 187 Ma) (Bomfleur et al. 2014). A basin-wide correlation of these widely separated age frameworks has so far been hampered by the scarcity of data on coeval deposits in southern Victoria Land (SVL). Here, we present new palynostratigraphic data from mixed epiclastic–volcaniclastic deposits in the Prince Albert Mountains that provide supporting evidence for the widespread synchronicity of silicic volcanic episodes preceding Ferrar magmatism.
Robust long-term interest rate risk hedging in incomplete bond markets
Authors: Shen Sally , Pelsser Antoon , Schotman Peter
Published: July 2020

Pricing ultra-long-dated pension liabilities under the market-consistent valuation is challenged by the scarcity of the long-term market instruments that match or exceed the terms of pension liabilities. We develop a robust self-financing hedging strategy which adopts a min–max expected shortfall hedging criterion to replicate the long-dated liabilities for agents who fear parameter misspecification. We introduce a backward robust least squares Monte Carlo method to solve this dynamic robust optimization problem. We find that both naive and robust optimal portfolios depend on the hedging horizon and the current funding ratio. The robust policy suggests taking more risk when the current funding ratio is low. The yield curve constructed by the robust dynamic hedging portfolio is always lower than the naive one but is higher than the model-based yield curve in a low-rate environment.
Using Mobile Sensors to Study Personality Dynamics
Authors: Wiernik Brenton M. , Ones Deniz S. , Marlin Benjamin M. , Giordano Casey , Dilchert Stephan , Mercado Brittany K. , Stanek Kevin C. , Birkland Adib , Wang Yilei , Ellis Brenda , Yazar Yagizhan , Kostal Jack W. , Kumar Santosh , Hnat Timothy , Ertin Emre , Sano Akane , Ganesan Deepak K. , Choudhoury Tanzeem , al’Absi Mustafa
Published: July 2020

Abstract. Research interest in personality dynamics over time is rapidly growing. Passive personality assessment via mobile sensors offers an intriguing new approach for measuring a wide variety of personality dynamics. In this paper, we address the possibility of integrating sensor-based assessments to enhance personality dynamics research. We consider a variety of research designs that can incorporate sensor-based measures and address pitfalls and limitations in terms of psychometrics and practical implementation. We also consider analytic challenges related to data quality and model evaluation that researchers must address when applying machine learning methods to translate sensor data into composite personality assessments.
Psychometric Properties of the Dutch Dimensional Obsessive-Compulsive	Scale (DOCS)
Authors: van der Veld William M. , Duppen Lotte , Hendriks Gert-Jan , Abramowitz Jonathan S. , Kampman Mirjam
Published: July 2020

Abstract. The Dimensional Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (DOCS) is a self-report questionnaire aimed to measure the severity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms on four thematically different symptom dimensions (contamination, responsibility for harm, unacceptable thoughts, and symmetry and completeness). The DOCS was developed in the US in response to the insufficiency of existing OCD measures. The 20-item scale is used in research and clinical settings. We translated the DOCS into Dutch and examined the psychometric properties in a clinical sample. In addition, we further examined the US version of DOCS with respect to measurement invariance between patient and non-patients and also between the US and the Dutch version of the DOCS. The analyses showed that the Dutch version is a valid and reliable version of the DOCS. Measurement invariance tests indicated that patient scores can be validly compared with non-patient scores. Therefore, the DOCS is a good instrument to monitor the development of OCD, for example, during treatment. The same result was found for the US DOCS and the Dutch DOCS, hence US scores and Dutch scores can be validly compared. With these two studies we have extended our knowledge of the DOCS, beyond the common psychometric properties.
Projections of Extreme Ocean Waves in the Arctic and Potential Implications for Coastal Inundation and Erosion
Authors: Casas‐Prat Mercè , Wang Xiaolan L.
Published: July 2020

The Arctic Ocean wave climate is undergoing a dramatic change due to the sea ice retreat. This study presents simulations of the Arctic regional wave climate corresponding to the surface winds and sea ice concentrations as simulated by five CMIP5 (Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5) climate models for the historical (1975–2005) and RCP8.5 scenario future (2081–2100) periods. The annual maximum significant wave height is projected to increase up to 6 m offshore and up to two to three times greater than the corresponding 1979–2005 value along some coastlines, as waves become more exposed to the fall storms there. The connection between the Atlantic Ocean and the Arctic wave climates is projected to strengthen due to increase of swell influence. Changes in the wave direction also seem to indicate a weakening of the Beaufort High illustrated by a counterclockwise rotation of the mean wave direction for extreme conditions in the Western Arctic. The projected changes in wave conditions lead to a general increase of the wave‐driven erosion and inundation potential along the Arctic coastlines. Potentially, hazardous extreme wave events are projected to become significantly more frequent and more intense. For example, in the Beaufort coastlines a once‐in‐20‐year event under the historical (1979–2005) climate is projected to occur, on average, once every 2–5 years during 2081–2100. This is a pressing issue, as it affects many Arctic coastal communities, as well as existing and emerging Arctic infrastructure and activities, with some of them having already suffered severe wave‐induced damage in the past years.
How Magnetically Conjugate Atmospheres and the Magnetosphere Participate in the Formation of Low‐Energy Electron Precipitation in the Region of Diffuse Aurora
Authors: Khazanov George V. , Glocer Alex
Published: July 2020

The electron precipitation in the region of the diffuse aurora should be considered as a two‐step process (Khazanov et al., 2017, https://doi.org/10.1002/2016GL072063). The first one is the interaction of plasma sheet electrons with electrostatic electron cyclotron and/or whistler waves, moving those electrons into the loss cone to precipitate in both magnetically conjugate atmospheres. The second step is the interaction of these electrons with the ionosphere and atmosphere via their elastic and nonelastic collisions and reflection (backscatter) of degraded electrons back to magnetosphere and conjugate ionospheres. This paper presents the results of a newly developed scenario of nonsteady‐state electron precipitation dynamics that accounts for magnetosphere‐ionosphere‐atmosphere energy interplay over the entire energy range of the plasma sheet electron population and their affiliated secondary electrons. It also studies how both magnetically conjugate auroral regions work together with the magnetosphere in the formation of electron precipitation in the region of the diffuse aurora with the energy range coverage from 1 eV up to 10 keV.