bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ehlers–Danlos syndrome presenting as cystic lung disease with recurrent pneumothorax: a case report
Authors: Kim Min Jee , Choe Jooae , Lee Beom Hee , Song Jin Woo
Published: April 2021

A 19‐year‐old male patient was referred to our hospital for recurrent pneumothorax. He previously experienced seven episodes of pneumothorax refractory to conventional treatment including pleurodesis and wedge resection. On admission, chest computed tomography scan showed multiple cystic lesions with surrounding ground‐glass opacities and several nodules in both lungs. Detailed history revealed that the patient experienced haemoptysis whenever pneumothorax developed and had a family history of sudden death. Physical examination showed large eyes with conjunctival injection, hypermobile joints, and hyper‐extensive and easily bruised skin. All these findings led to the suspicion of vascular Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS). Genetic testing for the diagnosis of vascular EDS was performed and a heterozygous mutation in COL3A1 gene, c.1662+1G>A (IVS23(+1) G>A), was confirmed. Clinicians should consider vascular EDS as the differential diagnosis of cystic lung disease with recurrent pneumothorax.
Teaching through scenarios: Identities and sexual violences in the gender studies classroom
Authors: Pegoda Andrew Joseph
Published: April 2021

This article provides guidelines and scenarios as tools for teaching college students about identities and sexual violence.
Carbonaceous Hosts for Sulfur Cathode in Alkali‐Metal/S (Alkali Metal = Lithium, Sodium, Potassium) Batteries
Authors: Wu Can , Lai Wei‐Hong , Cai Xiaolan , Chou Shu‐Lei , Liu Hua‐Kun , Wang Yun‐Xiao , Dou Shi‐Xue
Published: April 2021

Alkali‐metal/sulfur batteries hold great promise for offering relatively high energy density compared to conventional lithium‐ion batteries. By providing viable sulfur composites that can be effectively used, carbonaceous hosts as a key component play critical roles in overcoming the preliminary challenges associated with the insulating sulfur and its relatively soluble polysulfides. Herein, a comprehensive overview and recent progress on carbonaceous hosts for advanced next‐generation alkali‐metal/sulfur batteries are presented. In order to encapsulate the highly active sulfur mass and fully limit polysulfide dissolution, strategies for tailoring the design and synthesis of carbonaceous hosts are summarized in this work. The sticking points that remain for sulfur cathodes in current alkali‐metal/sulfur systems and the future remedies that can be provided by carbonaceous hosts are also indicated, which can lead to long cycling lifetimes and highly reversible capacities under repeated sulfur reduction reactions in alkali‐metal/sulfur during cycling.
Alloyed BiSb Nanoparticles Confined in Tremella‐Like Carbon Microspheres for Ultralong‐Life Potassium Ion Batteries
Authors: Huang Chuyun , Xu Anding , Li Guilan , Sun Hao , Wu Songping , Xu Zhiguang , Yan Yurong
Published: April 2021

Bismuth–antimony alloy is considered as a promising potassium ion battery anode because of its combination of the high theoretical capacity of antimony and the excellent rate capacity of bismuth. However, the large volume change and sluggish reaction kinetic upon cycling have triggered severe capacity fading and poor rate performance. Herein, a nanoconfined BiSb in tremella‐like carbon microspheres (BiSb@TCS) are delicately designed to address these issues. As‐prepared BiSb@TCS renders an outstanding potassium‐storage performance with a reversible capacity of 181 mAh g−1 after ultralong 5700 cycles at a current density of 2 A g−1, and an excellent rate capacity of 119.3 mAh g−1 at 6 A g−1. Such a superior performance can be ascribed to the delicate microstructure. The self‐assembled carbon microspheres can strengthen integral structure and effectively accommodate the volume expansion of BiSb nanoparticles, and 2D carbon nanowalls in carbon microspheres can provide fast ion/electron diffusion dynamic. Theoretical calculation also suggests a thermodynamic feasibility of alloyed BiSb nanoparticles for storing potassium ion. Such a work shows that BiSb@TCS possesses a great potential to be a high‐performance anode of potassium ion batteries. The rational designing of multiscaled structure would be instructive to the exploitation of other energy‐storage materials.
Surface Potential Regulation Realizing Stable Sodium/Na3Zr2Si2PO12 Interface for Room‐Temperature Sodium Metal Batteries
Authors: Wang Chengzhi , Jin Haibo , Zhao Yongjie
Published: April 2021

Inorganic Na3Zr2Si2PO12 is prospective with a high ionic conductivity but suffers large interfacial resistance and stability issues against sodium metal, hindering its practical application in all‐solid‐state sodium batteries. A surface potential regulation strategy is adopted to address these issues. Na3Zr2Si2PO12 (NZSP) ceramic with homogeneously‐sintered surface is synthesized by a simple two‐step sintering method to promote its uniform surface potential, which is favorable for mitigating the potential fluctuations at the interface against Na metal and enhancing interfacial compatibility. The Na/NZSP interface can be stabilized for over 4 months with a low interfacial resistance of 129 Ω cm2 at 25 °C. The symmetrical Na/NZSP/Na cell exhibits ultra‐stable sodium platting/stripping cycling for over 1000 cycles under 0.1 mA cm−2. Superior interfacial performance is well retained even under 0.2 mA cm−2 at room temperature. The robust interface is further signified by its excellence under higher current densities of up to 0.85 mA cm−2 at 60 °C. A 4 V all‐solid‐state Na3V1.5Cr0.5(PO4)3/NZSP/Na metal battery is demonstrated at ambient conditions, which exhibits superior rate capability and delivers a high reversible capacity of 103 mA h g−1 under 100 mA g−1 for over 400 cycles with a Coulombic efficiency of over 99%.
Tacit collusion and price dispersion in the presence of Southwest Airlines
Authors: Kim Donggeun , Kim Myongjin , Tan Kerry
Published: April 2021

We study the impact of tacit collusion on price dispersion in the U.S. airline industry. We find that tacit collusion driven by multimarket contact has a positive effect on prices, but a negative effect on price dispersion. Our empirical results suggest that airfares throughout the price distribution increases, yet the price distribution becomes more compressed since 10th percentile airfares increase by a larger amount than 90th percentile airfares. Moreover, we also find that this pricing phenomenon does not exist if Southwest Airlines is present on the route. Thus, route‐level price competition is softened when the same airlines directly compete more frequently, except when Southwest Airlines services that route. As such, our empirical analysis provides evidence that the presence of Southwest Airlines exhibits an anti‐collusive effect.
A new species of the Cambrian bivalved euarthropod Pectocaris with axially differentiated enditic armatures
Authors: Jin Changfei , Mai Huijuan , Chen Hong , Liu Yu , Hou Xianguang , Wen Ruilin , Zhai Dayou
Published: April 2021

Although first described in 1999, the early Cambrian Pectocaris remains a poorly known euarthropod genus. Two species, Pectocaris eurypetala and P. spatiosa, have been described from the Chengjiang biota. Here, we report a third species, Pectocaris inopinata sp. nov., which bears a pair of stalked eyes attached to an anterior sclerite, a pair of short but stout antennae, 29–35 cephalothoracic segments each corresponding to a pair of biramous appendages, 11–12 limbless segments carrying two rows of ventral spines and one row of dorsal spines, and a pair of broad telson flukes decorated with short marginal spines. Most strikingly, the endopods of anterior trunk appendages are each axially differentiated with two rows of setulose endites proximally and claw‐like paired spines distally, in contrast to the endopods of posterior trunk appendages that carry two rows of setulose endites but lack claw‐like paired spines. Phylogenetic analysis shows that P. inopinata, the other two Pectocaris species, together with their close relative Jugatacaris agilis belong to the same monophyletic clade. Our study reveals considerable differences in appendicular details and therefore presumably niche differentiation among Pectocaris and Jugatacaris species, as well as some other bivalved euarthropods in the Cambrian with similar overall appearances.
Effects of ɑβ+ω1,2‐Gliadin and ω5‐Gliadin on Retrogradation of Wheat Amylose/Amylopectin
Authors: Yang Lu , Wen Yan , Wang Danli , Lian Xijun , Guo Junjie , Zhao Zheng , Deng Jiajin
Published: April 2021

Two gliadin components of ɑβ+ω1,2‐gliadin and ω5‐gliadin are isolated and their addition on retrogradation of wheat amylose and amylopectin are investigated by solid 13C NMR, IR, X‐ray diffraction, DSC and DC. The addition of ɑβ+ω1,2‐gliadin greatly enhanced the 72‐h retrogradation rate of wheat amylopectin from 5.74% to 10.43%. Two gliadins has no apparent influence on the retrogradation rate of wheat amylose. Dynamics of starch retrogradation indicated that nucleation exponent of wheat amylopectin increased greatly upon the addition of ɑβ+ω1,2‐gliadin component. The typical V‐type crystal (2θ° 7.7°, 13.2°, 20.1°) of wheat amylopectin and αβ+ω1,2‐gliadin component is present in retrograded wheat amylopectin, which indicated the direct way for using gliadin to promote wheat starch retrogradation. The DSC and DC results indicated that easy nucleation has been enforced by interaction of wheat amylopectin and αβ+ω1,2‐gliadin, and conformation conversion of β‐sheet into α‐helix and β‐turn occurred during retrogradation. The mechanism for the effects of αβ+ω1,2‐gliadin on the enhancement of wheat amylopectin retrogradation is deduced. The findings in the paper suggested a new way to increase starch retrogradation rate via interaction of amylopectin and αβ+ω1,2‐gliadin. Such a complex is found to be potentially a new kind of resistant starch with high quality.
Hesperidin protects against the chlorpyrifos‐induced chronic hepato‐renal toxicity in rats associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, autophagy, and up‐regulation of PARP‐1/VEGF
Authors: Küçükler Sefa , Çomaklı Selim , Özdemir Selçuk , Çağlayan Cüneyt , Kandemir Fatih Mehmet
Published: April 2021

In this study, we investigated the effects of hesperidin (HSP) on oxidants/antioxidants status, inflammation, apoptotic, and autophagic activity in hepato‐renal toxicity induced by chronic chlorpyrifos (CPF) exposure in rats. We used a total of 35 male albino rats in five groups of seven: control, HSP 100, CPF, CPF + HSP50, and CPF + HSP100. After rats were sacrificed, blood, liver, and kidney samples were collected. Serum levels of aspartate aminotransferases (ALT and AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatinine, and urea were tested. Then, contents of the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione (GSH) were measured to detect the level of oxidative stress in rat liver and renal tissues. We measured inflammatory and autophagy markers of chlorpyrifos induced oxidative stress in the liver and kidney tissues including TNF‐α, iNOS, IL‐1 β, COX‐2, NF‐κB, MAPK14, and Beclin‐1 using ELISA. Histopathological findings were also examined followed by immunohistochemical determination of 8‐OHdG expression. Real‐time PCR (RT‐PCR) was used to examine Cas‐3, Bax, Bcl‐2, PARP‐1, and VEGF, which are associated with apoptosis, autophagy, DNA, and endothelial damage, respectively. In addition, PARP‐1 activity was supported by western blot and immunofluorescence, VEGF activity was supported by western blot methods. Treatment with HSP reduced the effect of CPF on ALT, AST, ALP, and total proteins, and increased its effect on tissue antioxidants. PARP/VEGF, apoptotic, pro‐apoptotic, anti‐apoptotic, and autophagic gene expressions were regulated, and Caspase‐3 and Bax expressions were decreased; Bcl‐2 expression increased in both the liver and kidney samples, and positivity of 8‐OHdG and PARP‐1 were reduced in the CPF plus HSP‐treated group. Overall, the study demonstrates that HSP may reduce the effects of hepato‐renal toxicity caused by CPF by regulating oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, autophagy, and PARP/VEGF genes at biochemical, cellular, and molecular levels.
Reimagining Sex Work Venues: Occupational Health, Safety, and Rights in Indoor Workplaces
Authors: West Brooke S. ,   Liz Hilton and Empower Thailand, Montgomery Anne M. , Ebben Allison R.
Published: April 2021

The setting in which sex workers live and work is a critical element shaping health outcomes, in so far that different venues afford different sets of risk and protective factors. Understanding how contextual factors differ across venue types and influence health outcomes is thus essential to developing and supporting programmes promoting the rights and safety of people in sex work. In this chapter, we focus primarily on indoor workplaces, with the goals of: (1) elucidating unique social, economic, physical, and policy factors that influence the well-being of sex workers in indoor workplaces; (2) highlighting sex worker-led efforts in the Thai context through a case study of the organisation Empower Thailand; (3) describing best practices for indoor settings; and (4) developing a framework of key factors that must be addressed to improve the rights and safety of sex workers in indoor workplaces, and to support their efforts to organise. The chapter draws attention to convergences and divergences in key challenges that sex workers encounter in indoor venues in different global contexts, as well as opportunities to advance comprehensive occupational health and safety programmes. Indoor venues pose important potential for establishing and implementing occupational health and safety standards in sex work and also may provide substantial opportunity for collective organising given the close proximity of people working together. However, any efforts to improve the health and safety of sex workers must explicitly address the structural conditions that lead to power imbalances and which undermine sex worker agency and equality.
Towards the Gravituhedron: new expressions for NMHV gravity amplitudes
Authors: Trnka Jaroslav
Published: April 2021

Abstract

In this paper, we present new expressions for n-point NMHV tree-level gravity amplitudes. We introduce a method of factorization diagrams which is a simple graphical representation of R-invariants in Yang-Mills theory. We define the gravity analogues which we call $$ \mathcal{G} $$
G
-invariants, and expand the NMHV gravity amplitudes in terms of these objects. We provide explicit formulas of NMHV gravity amplitudes up to eight points in terms of $$ \mathcal{G} $$
G
-invariants, and give the general definition for any number of points. We discuss the connection to BCFW representation, special behavior under large momentum shift, the role of momentum twistors and the intricate web of spurious poles cancelation. Because of the close connection between R-invariants and the (tree-level) Amplituhedron for Yang-Mills amplitudes, we speculate that the new expansion for gravity amplitudes should correspond to the triangulation of the putative Gravituhedron geometry.
Quantum corrections to slow-roll inflation: scalar and tensor modes
Authors: Andersen Jens O. , Eriksson Magdalena , Tranberg Anders
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Inflation is often described through the dynamics of a scalar field, slow-rolling in a suitable potential. Ultimately, this inflaton must be identified with the expectation value of a quantum field, evolving in a quantum effective potential. The shape of this potential is determined by the underlying tree-level potential, dressed by quantum corrections from the scalar field itself and the metric perturbations. Following [1], we compute the effective scalar field equations and the corrected Friedmann equations to quadratic order in both scalar field, scalar metric and tensor perturbations. We identify the quantum corrections from different sources at leading order in slow-roll, and estimate their magnitude in benchmark models of inflation. We comment on the implications of non-minimal coupling to gravity in this context.
Moduli space of J-holomorphic subvarieties
Authors: Zhang Weiyi
Published: April 2021

We study the moduli space ofJ-holomorphic subvarieties in a 4-dimensional symplectic manifold. For an arbitrary tamed almost complex structure, we show that the moduli space of a sphere class is formed by a family of linear system structures as in algebraic geometry. Among the applications, we show various uniqueness results ofJ-holomorphic subvarieties,e.g.for the fiber and exceptional classes in irrational ruled surfaces. On the other hand, non-uniqueness and other exotic phenomena of subvarieties in complex rational surfaces are explored. In particular, connected subvarieties in an exceptional class with higher genus components are constructed. The moduli space of tori is also discussed, and leads to an extension of the elliptic curve theory.
A critical analysis of the representations of older adults in the field of human–robot interaction
Authors: Burema Dafna
Published: April 2021

This paper argues that there is a need to critically assess bias in the representations of older adults in the field of Human–Robot Interaction. This need stems from the recognition that technology development is a socially constructed process that has the potential to reinforce problematic understandings of older adults. Based on a qualitative content analysis of 96 academic publications, this paper indicates that older adults are represented as; frail by default, independent by effort; silent and technologically illiterate; burdensome; and problematic for society. Within these documents, few counternarratives are present that do not take such essentialist representations. In these texts, the goal of social robots in elder care is to “enable” older adults to “better” themselves. The older body is seen as “fixable” with social robots, reinforcing an ageist and neoliberal narrative: older adults are reduced to potential care receivers in ways that shift care responsibilities away from the welfare state onto the individual.
Should my robot know what's best for me? Human–robot interaction between user experience and ethical design
Authors: Fronemann Nora , Pollmann Kathrin , Loh Wulf
Published: April 2021

To integrate social robots in real-life contexts, it is crucial that they are accepted by the users. Acceptance is not only related to the functionality of the robot but also strongly depends on how the user experiences the interaction. Established design principles from usability and user experience research can be applied to the realm of human–robot interaction, to design robot behavior for the comfort and well-being of the user. Focusing the design on these aspects alone, however, comes with certain ethical challenges, especially regarding the user’s privacy and autonomy. Based on an example scenario of human–robot interaction in elder care, this paper discusses how established design principles can be used in social robotic design. It then juxtaposes these with ethical considerations such as privacy and user autonomy. Combining user experience and ethical perspectives, we propose adjustments to the original design principles and canvass our own design recommendations for a positive and ethically acceptable social human–robot interaction design. In doing so, we show that positive user experience and ethical design may be sometimes at odds, but can be reconciled in many cases, if designers are willing to adjust and amend time-tested design principles.
On the unirationality of moduli spaces of pointed curves
Authors: Keneshlou Hanieh , Tanturri Fabio
Published: April 2021

We show that$$\mathcal {M}_{g,n}$$Mg,n, the moduli space of smooth curves of genusgtogether withnmarked points, is unirational for$$g=12$$g=12and$$2 \le n\le 4$$2≤n≤4and for$$g=13$$g=13and$$1 \le n \le 3$$1≤n≤3, by constructing suitable dominant families of projective curves in$$\mathbb {P}^1 \times \mathbb {P}^2$$P1×P2and$$\mathbb {P}^3$$P3respectively. We also exhibit several new unirationality results for moduli spaces of smooth curves of genusgtogether withnunordered points, establishing their unirationality for$$g=11, n=7$$g=11,n=7and$$g=12, n =5,6$$g=12,n=5,6.
Prospective comparison of the diagnostic accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/MRI, MRI, CT, and bone scintigraphy for the detection of bone metastases in the initial staging of primary breast cancer patients
Authors: Bruckmann Nils Martin , Kirchner Julian , Umutlu Lale , Fendler Wolfgang Peter , Seifert Robert , Herrmann Ken , Bittner Ann-Kathrin , Hoffmann Oliver , Mohrmann Svjetlana , Antke Christina , Schimmöller Lars , Ingenwerth Marc , Breuckmann Katharina , Stang Andreas , Buchbender Christian , Antoch Gerald , Sawicki Lino M.
Published: April 2021

Objectives

To compare the diagnostic performance of [18F]FDG PET/MRI, MRI, CT, and bone scintigraphy for the detection of bone metastases in the initial staging of primary breast cancer patients.

Material and methods

A cohort of 154 therapy-naive patients with newly diagnosed, histopathologically proven breast cancer was enrolled in this study prospectively. All patients underwent a whole-body [18F]FDG PET/MRI, computed tomography (CT) scan, and a bone scintigraphy prior to therapy. All datasets were evaluated regarding the presence of bone metastases. McNemar χ2 test was performed to compare sensitivity and specificity between the modalities.

Results

Forty-one bone metastases were present in 7/154 patients (4.5%). Both [18F]FDG PET/MRI and MRI alone were able to detect all of the patients with histopathologically proven bone metastases (sensitivity 100%; specificity 100%) and did not miss any of the 41 malignant lesions (sensitivity 100%). CT detected 5/7 patients (sensitivity 71.4%; specificity 98.6%) and 23/41 lesions (sensitivity 56.1%). Bone scintigraphy detected only 2/7 patients (sensitivity 28.6%) and 15/41 lesions (sensitivity 36.6%). Furthermore, CT and scintigraphy led to false-positive findings of bone metastases in 2 patients and in 1 patient, respectively. The sensitivity of PET/MRI and MRI alone was significantly better compared with CT (p < 0.01, difference 43.9%) and bone scintigraphy (p < 0.01, difference 63.4%).

Conclusion

[18F]FDG PET/MRI and MRI are significantly better than CT or bone scintigraphy for the detection of bone metastases in patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer. Both CT and bone scintigraphy show a substantially limited sensitivity in detection of bone metastases.

Key Points

• [18F]FDG PET/MRI and MRI alone are significantly superior to CT and bone scintigraphy for the detection of bone metastases in patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer.

• Radiation-free whole-body MRI might serve as modality of choice in detection of bone metastases in breast cancer patients.
A systematic review about long-term results after meniscus repair
Authors: Petersen Wolf , Karpinski Katrin , Bierke Sebastian , Müller Rath Ralf , Häner Martin
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Aim of this systematic review was to analyze long-term results after meniscus refixation.

Methods

A systematic literature search was carried out in various databases on studies on long-term results after meniscus refixation with a minimum follow-up of 7 years. Primary outcome criterion was the failure rate. Secondary outcome criteria were radiological signs of osteoarthritis (OA) and clinical scores.

Results

A total of 12 retrospective case series (level 4 evidence) were identified that reported about failure rates of more than 7 years follow-up. There was no statistical difference in the failure rates between open repair, arthroscopic inside-out with posterior incisions and arthroscopic all-inside repair with flexible non-resorbable implants. In long-term studies that examined meniscal repair in children and adolescents, failure rates were significantly higher than in studies that examined adults. Six studies have shown minor radiological degenerative changes that differ little from the opposite side. The reported clinical scores at follow-up were good to very good.

Conclusion

This systematic review demonstrates that good long-term outcomes can be obtained in patients after isolated meniscal repair and in combination with ACL reconstruction. With regard to the chondroprotective effect of meniscus repair, the long-term failure rate is acceptable.

Level of evidence

IV.
The Relationships Between Radiation Dosage and Long-term Swallowing Kinematics and Timing in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Survivors
Authors: Pu Dai , Lee Victor H. F. , Chan Karen M. K. , Yuen Margaret T. Y. , Quon Harry , Tsang Raymond K. Y.
Published: April 2021

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) dosimetry and swallowing kinematic and timing measures. Thirteen kinematic and timing measures of swallowing from videofluoroscopic analysis were used as outcome measures to reflect swallowing function. IMRT dosimetry was accessed for thirteen swallowing-related structures. A cohort of 44 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) survivors at least 3 years post-IMRT were recruited. The cohort had a mean age of 53.2 ± 11.9 years, 77.3% of whom were male. There was an average of 68.24 ± 14.15 months since end of IMRT; 41 (93.2%) had undergone concurrent chemotherapy. For displacement measures, female sex and higher doses to the cricopharyngeus, glottic larynx, and base of tongue were associated with reduced hyolaryngeal excursion and pharyngeal constriction, and more residue. For timing measures, higher dose to the genioglossus was associated with reduced processing time at all stages of the swallow. The inferior pharyngeal constrictor emerged with a distinctly different pattern of association with mean radiation dosage compared to other structures. Greater changes to swallowing kinematics and timing were observed for pudding thick consistency than thin liquid. Increasing radiation dosage to swallowing-related structures is associated with reduced swallowing kinematics. However, not all structures are affected the same way, therefore organ sparing during treatment planning for IMRT needs to consider function rather than focusing on select muscles. Dose-response relationships should be investigated with a comprehensive set of swallowing structures to capture the holistic process of swallowing.
Was kann das Konzept der Diskriminierung für die Medizinethik leisten? – Eine Analyse
Authors: Hädicke Maximiliane , Wiesemann Claudia
Published: April 2021

Kaum ein Begriff der ethischen Debatten der letzten Jahre hat eine solche Konjunktur erlebt wie der Begriff der Diskriminierung. Eine vergleichende Erörterung des Konzepts einschließlich seiner begrifflichen Nuancen und seiner ethischen Bedeutung für das Gesundheitswesen fehlte jedoch bislang. Ziel dieses Beitrags ist die Entwicklung eines differenzierten Verständnisses von Diskriminierung auf der Basis der philosophischen und soziologischen Literatur vor dem Hintergrund ethisch relevanter medizinischer und pflegerischer Szenarios. Anhand von praktischen Beispielen aus dem Gesundheitswesen erörtern wir die Besonderheiten direkter, indirekter und statistischer Diskriminierung, wir untersuchen die Bedeutung von Absichten und die Rolle von kollektiven Akteuren. Zudem diskutieren wir, welche sozialen Gruppen diskriminiert werden können und welche Rolle Formen epistemischer Ungerechtigkeit dabei spielen. Argumentiert wird, dass das Konzept trotz seiner Komplexität einen signifikanten Mehrwert bietet, weil es erlaubt, Formen der Benachteiligung aufzuzeigen, die über die Verletzung einzelner spezifischer Rechte oder Interessen hinausgehen. Als wissensbasiertes System von großem gesellschaftlichen Einfluss weist das Gesundheitswesen einige Eigenschaften auf, die Diskriminierung begünstigen können. Dies zu erkennen ist unerlässlich, um Diskriminierung wirksam entgegentreten zu können.
Integrated economic and environmental building classification and optimal seismic vulnerability/energy efficiency retrofitting
Authors: Caruso Martina , Pinho Rui , Bianchi Federica , Cavalieri Francesco , Lemmo Maria Teresa
Published: April 2021

A life cycle framework for a new integrated classification system for buildings and the identification of renovation strategies that lead to an optimal balance between reduction of seismic vulnerability and increase of energy efficiency, considering both economic losses and environmental impacts, is discussed through a parametric application to an exemplificative case-study building. Such framework accounts for the economic and environmental contributions of initial construction, operational energy consumption, earthquake-induced damage repair activities, retrofitting interventions, and demolition. One-off and annual monetary expenses and environmental impacts through the building life cycle are suggested as meaningful performance metrics to develop an integrated classification system for buildings and to identify the optimal renovation strategy leading to a combined reduction of economic and environmental impacts, depending on the climatic conditions and the seismic hazard at the site of interest. The illustrative application of the framework to an existing school building is then carried out, investigating alternative retrofitting solutions, including either sole structural retrofitting options or sole energy refurbishments, as well as integrated strategies that target both objectives, with a view to demonstrate its practicality and to explore its ensuing results. The influence of seismic hazard and climatic conditions is quantitatively investigated, by assuming the building to be located into different geographic locations.
Impacts of invasive annual grasses and their litter vary by native functional strategy
Authors: LaForgia Marina L.
Published: April 2021

Invasive species may act as a functional filter on native communities by differentially affecting species with different trait values. Across environments, invasive plants typically display traits associated with high resource acquisition and fast growth. Conversely, native plants, especially those in water-limited environments, tend to adopt one of two functional strategies: fast growth during high resource availability to avoid stress (resource-acquisitive), or slow growth during resource-poor conditions to tolerate stress (resource-conservative). While invasive competition can be a strong filter on these groups, many invaders also alter the structure of native communities through their accumulation of litter. How fast-growing invaders with litter shift native functional communities remains unknown. To elucidate these functional shifts, I manipulated invasive annual grasses and their litter in an annual grassland and followed the demographic rates of six native annual forb species that varied in their functional strategy. Live grass competition alone decreased per capita growth rates of resource-acquisitive natives and had no effect on resource-conservative natives. The presence of litter, however, decreased growth rates in both functional types of natives, with stronger declines in resource-acquisitive species through differential effects on seed set and germination. Invaders in this system thus create an unfavorable environment for natives through litter, limiting the capacity of both resource-acquisitive and resource-conservative native forbs to maintain high population growth. These findings suggest that grass invasions have the potential to dramatically shift the functional composition of native communities through the time-lagged effects of their litter.
Parental occupation and childhood germ cell tumors: a case–control study in Denmark, 1968–2016
Authors: Hall Clinton , Hansen Johnni , Olsen Jørn , He Di , von Ehrenstein Ondine S. , Ritz Beate , Heck Julia E.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

To examine associations between parental occupation and childhood germ cell tumors (GCTs) in offspring while distinguishing by common histologic subtype (i.e., yolk sac tumor and teratoma).

Methods

This population-based case–control study included childhood GCT cases in Denmark diagnosed 1968–2015 (< 16 years old at diagnosis) and sex and birth year-matched controls. Demographic information and parental employment histories were obtained from Danish registries. Parental occupation was assessed by industry; job-exposure matrices were used to examine specific occupational exposures (i.e., potentially carcinogenic organic solvents and social contact). Conditional multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Overall, 178 childhood GCT cases (50 yolk sac tumors; 65 teratomas) and 4,355 controls were included for analysis. Maternal employment in education during pregnancy was associated with offspring GCTs (OR 2.45, 95% CI 1.23–4.90), especially yolk sac tumors (OR 5.27, 95% CI 1.94–14.28). High levels of both maternal and paternal occupational social contact were also associated with offspring yolk sac tumors across all exposure periods (ORs 2.30–4.63). No signals were observed for paternal occupational solvent exposure, while imprecise associations were estimated for maternal exposure (e.g., dichloromethane exposure during pregnancy, OR 1.51, 95% CI 0.77–2.95).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that parental occupation is associated with offspring GCTs, with most consistent evidence supporting an association between maternal employment in education or other high social contact jobs and offspring yolk sac tumors.
Grouping-Induced Numerosity Biases Vary with Autistic-Like Personality Traits
Authors: Pomè Antonella , Caponi Camilla , Burr David Charles
Published: April 2021

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder are thought to have a more local than global perceptual style. We used a novel paradigm to investigate how grouping-induced response biases in numerosity judgments depend on autistic-like personality traits in neurotypical adults. Participants judged the numerosity of clouds of dot-pairs connected by thin lines, known to cause underestimation of numerosity. The underestimation bias correlated strongly with autism-spectrum quotient (r = 0.72, Bayes factor > 100), being weaker for participants with high autistic traits. As connecting dots probably activates global grouping mechanisms, causing dot-pairs to be processed as an integrated whole rather than as individual dots, the results suggest that these grouping mechanisms may be weaker in individuals self-reporting high levels of autistic-like traits.
Growing Old in a Transnational Setting: Investigating Perceptions of Ageing and Changing Filial Ties Among Older Indians in Saskatoon
Authors: Gangopadhyay Jagriti
Published: April 2021

Numerous studies have examined the experience of growing old in a transnational context among Indians. However, in most of these studies, the older adults had immigrated as senior citizens to be with their adult children. Indians who have grown old in transnational settings have not been examined in detail in the gerontological scholarship. Adopting a cross-cultural lens, the present study focusses on perceptions of ageing among older Indians who have grown old in the city of Saskatoon. The study demonstrates how these older Indians refute the Successful Ageing model and accept their physical weaknesses in their course of ageing. Additionally, the study also examines how caregiving arrangements and intergenerational relationships are shaped among these older Indians and their adult children, in a transnational city, such as Saskatoon. Finally, the study highlights how later life gender roles are constructed in a transnational backdrop.
Fatty Acids and Oxylipins in Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis—a Complex Field with Significant Potential for Future Treatments
Authors: Mustonen Anne-Mari , Nieminen Petteri
Published: April 2021

Purpose of Review

Osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are characterized by abnormal lipid metabolism manifested as altered fatty acid (FA) profiles of synovial fluid and tissues and in the way dietary FA supplements can influence the symptoms of especially RA. In addition to classic eicosanoids, the potential roles of polyunsaturated FA (PUFA)-derived specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPM) have become the focus of intensive research. Here, we summarize the current state of knowledge of the roles of FA and oxylipins in the degradation or protection of synovial joints.

Recent Findings

There exists discordance between the large body of literature from cell culture and animal experiments on the adverse and beneficial effects of individual FA and the lack of effective treatments for joint destruction in OA and RA patients. Saturated 16:0 and 18:0 induce mostly deleterious effects, while long-chain n-3 PUFA, especially 20:5n-3, have positive influence on joint health. The situation can be more complex for n-6 PUFA, such as 18:2n-6, 20:4n-6, and its derivative prostaglandin E2, with a combination of potentially adverse and beneficial effects. SPM analogs have future potential as analgesics for arthritic pain.

Alterations in FA profiles and their potential implications in SPM production may affect joint lubrication, synovial inflammation, pannus formation, as well as cartilage and bone degradation and contribute to the pathogeneses of inflammatory joint diseases. Further research directions include high-quality randomized controlled trials on dietary FA supplements and investigations on the significance of lipid composition of microvesicle membrane and cargo in joint diseases.
Evaluation of a novel particle-based multi-analyte technology for the detection of anti-fibrillarin antibodies
Authors: Mahler Michael , Kim Grace , Roup Fabrece , Bentow Chelsea , Fabien Nicole , Goncalves David , Palterer Boaz , Fritzler Marvin J. , Villalta Danilo
Published: April 2021

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease associated with several anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA), including those in the classification criteria (anti-centromere, anti-topoisomerase I (Scl-70), anti-RNA Pol III). However, the presence of less common antibodies such as anti-fibrillarin (U3-RNP) that generate a clumpy nucleolar pattern by HEp-2 indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA, ICAP AC-9) are considered disease specific and are with clinical subsets of SSc, therefore playing a role in diagnosis and prognosis. A specific and sensitive anti-fibrillarin assay would be an important addition to serological diagnosis and evaluation of SSc. The goal of this study was to evaluate a new particle-based multi-analyte technology (PMAT) for the measurement of anti-fibrillarin antibodies. A total of 149 patient samples were collected including 47 samples from France (Lyon and Paris, n = 32) and Italy (Careggi Hospital, Florence, n = 15) selected based on AC-9 HEp-2 IFA staining (> 1:640, clumpy nucleolar pattern) and 102 non-SSc controls (inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) n = 20, Sjögren’s syndrome (SjS) n = 20, infectious disease (ID) n = 7, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) n = 17, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) n = 17, and healthy individuals (HI) n = 21). All samples were tested on the anti-fibrillarin PMAT assay (research use only, Inova Diagnostics, USA). Additionally, the 47 anti-fibrillarin positive samples were also tested on PMAT assays for detecting other autoantibodies in ANA-associated rheumatic diseases (AARD). Anti-fibrillarin antibody data performed by fluorescence enzyme immunoassay (FEIA, Thermo Fisher, Germany) was available for 34 samples. The anti-fibrillarin PMAT assay was positive in 31/32 (96.9%, France) and 12/15 (80.0%, Italy) of samples preselected based on the AC-9 IIF pattern (difference p = 0.09). Collectively, the PMAT assay showed 91.5% (95% confidence interval (CI): 80.1–96.6%) sensitivity with 100.0% (95% CI: 96.4–100.0%) specificity in non-SSc controls. Strong agreement was found between PMAT and FEIA with 100.0% positive qualitative agreement (34/34) and quantitative agreement (Spearman’s rho = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.77.9–0.95%, p < 0.0001). Although most anti-fibrillarin positive samples were mono-specific (69.8%), some expressed additional antibodies (namely Scl-70, centromere, dsDNA, Ro52, Ro60, SS-B, Ribo-P, DFS70, and EJ). In conclusion, this first study on anti-fibrillarin antibodies measured using a novel PMAT assay shows promising results where the new PMAT assay had high level of agreement to FEIA for the detection of anti-fibrillarin antibodies. The availability of novel AFA assays such as PMAT might facilitate the clinical deployment, additional studies, standardization efforts, and potentially consideration of AFA for next generations of the classification criteria.
Influence of transgenesis on genome variability in cucumber lines with a thaumatin II gene
Authors: Skarzyńska Agnieszka , Pawełkowicz Magdalena , Pląder Wojciech
Published: April 2021

The development of new plant varieties by genetic modification aims at improving their features or introducing new qualities. However, concerns about the unintended effects of transgenes and negative environmental impact of genetically modified plants are an obstacle for the use of these plants in crops. To analyze the impact of transgenesis on plant genomes, we analyze three cucumber transgenic lines with an introduced thaumatin II gene. After genomes sequencing, we analyzed the transgene insertion site and performed variant prediction. As a result, we obtained similar number of variants for all analyzed lines (average of 4307 polymorphisms), with high abundance in one region of chromosome 4. According to SnpEff analysis, the presence of genomic variants generally does not influence the genome functionality, as less than 2% of polymorphisms have high impact. Moreover, analysis indicates that these changes were more likely induced by in vitro culture than by the transgenesis itself. The insertion site analysis shows that the region of transgene integration could cause changes in gene expression, by gene disruption or loss of promoter region continuity.
Private Enforcement of the EU Rules on Competition – Nullity Neglected
Authors: Ullrich Hanns
Published: April 2021

Private enforcement of the European Union’s rules on competition (Arts. 101, 102 TFEU) has become prominent as a counterpart to their public enforcement. Mostly, it is identified with tort actions brought under EU-harmonized national law by individuals claiming compensation for the harm suffered from anticompetitive agreements or practices. However, claims for compensation represent imperfect sanctions for the infringement of the competition rules because they are brought only once the damage is done and at a time when the conditions of competition may have changed. Typically also, such private actions are no equivalent or complement to administrative enforcement, but are largely dependent on it (follow-on actions). In addition, bringing them is attractive only if the damage suffered is considerable, sufficient evidence available, and the defendant solvent enough. Therefore, this paper revisits the first line of private enforcement, which is enforcing the nullity of anticompetitive agreements as provided for directly by primary Union law in Art. 101(2) TFEU. Nullity was a much-discussed issue under the authorization regime of Reg. 17/62, the first regulation implementing the enforcement of the competition rules, but has become somewhat neglected as a sanction since Reg. 1/2003 changed the enforcement system. Yet, it is precisely under the regime of immediate and direct applicability of both Arts. 101(1) and 101(3) TFEU, which Reg. 1/2003 reestablished, that the potential of nullity as a sanction of anticompetitive agreements could be fully activated. Such active use of invalidity challenges may lead to redefining the interface between EU law and national contract law, which is the line of severability of the innocent parts of a restrictive agreement from its anti-competitive parts. It should also result in reassessing the legal fate of follow-on transactions concluded by a party to an anticompetitive agreement with third parties, and it should bring abusive contracts within the realm of the nullity sanction that dominant firms impose on third parties. The guiding principle for such general reappraisal of the nullity sanction must be to bring its purpose fully to bear, which is to facilitate exit from anticompetitive agreements or from (abusive) contract clauses with a view to reopening competition and/or to allow the renegotiating of a transaction in terms of undistorted competition. This may mean that only the party whose freedom of competition is restricted may claim nullity.
Dietary calcium intake in a cohort of individuals evaluated for low bone mineral density: a multicenter Italian study
Authors: Cairoli Elisa , Aresta Carmen , Giovanelli Luca , Eller-Vainicher Cristina , Migliaccio Silvia , Giannini Sandro , Giusti Andrea , Marcocci Claudio , Gonnelli Stefano , Isaia Gian Carlo , Rossini Maurizio , Chiodini Iacopo , Di Stefano Marco ,   the Italian Society for Osteoporosis, Mineral Metabolism, Skeletal Diseases (SIOMMMS), Galmarini Valter , Passeri Giovanni , Di Salvo Fabio , Osella Giangiacomo , Tripodi Francesco , Valenti Roberto , Bonaccorsi Gloria , Giacchetti Gilberta , Pugliese Flavia , Casabella Andrea , Seriolo Bruno , Masala Antonio Giovanni Emilio , Veronica Pileri Piera , Maninetti Letizia , De Santis Alessio , Bardoscia Alfredo , Parma Alice , Caso Paolo , Mazza Monica
Published: April 2021

Background

A low calcium intake is a well-known factor that influences the bone mineral density (BMD) maintenance. In the presence of inadequate calcium intake, secondary hyperparathyroidism develops, leading to an increased bone turnover and fracture risk.

Aims

To assess the dietary calcium intake in relation with osteoporosis and fragility fracture in a cohort of Italian individuals evaluated for low BMD.

Methods

A 7-day food-frequency questionnaire was administered to 1793 individuals, who were consecutively referred at the Centers of the Italian Society for Osteoporosis, Mineral Metabolism and Skeletal Diseases (SIOMMMS) for low BMD.

Results

In 30.3% and 20.9% of subjects, the calcium intake was inadequate (< 700 mg/day) and adequate (> 1200 mg/day), respectively. As compared with patients with adequate calcium intake, those with inadequate calcium intake were younger (65.5 ± 10.8 vs 63.9 ± 11.5 years, p = 0.03) and they more frequently reported adverse reactions to food (3.2% vs 7.2% p = 0.01) and previous major fragility fractures (20.8% vs 27.0%, p = 0.03). Patients with calcium intake < 700 mg/day showed a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus, idiopathic hypercalciuria and food allergy/intolerance (8.1%, 5.1%, 7.2%, respectively) than patients with calcium intake > 700 mg/day (5.3%, 3.0%, 4.1%, respectively, p < 0.04 for all comparisons), also after adjusting for age, gender and body mass index. In 30.3% of fractured subjects, the calcium intake was < 700 mg/day.

Discussion

In Italy, a low calcium intake is highly prevalent in individuals at risk for low BMD. Importantly, an inadequate calcium intake is highly prevalent even in patients with history of fragility fractures.

Conclusions

Only about a fifth of patients being assessed for low BMD in an Italian SIOMMMS referral Centre have an adequate calcium intake.