bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neuroprotective role of Nrf2 on hypoxic‐ischemic brain injury in neonatal mice
Authors: Zhang Wei , Dong Xiujuan , Dou Sumian , Yang Long
Published: June 2020

Inflammation and oxidative stress play a key role in mediating the pathophysiology of hypoxic‐ischemic (HI) brain injury. Nrf2 is a transcriptional factor that contributes to the innate defense of the body against oxidative stress and inflammation. The current study investigated the effect of Nrf2 in neonatal HI brain injury using Nrf2−/− mice. Nrf2−/− and wild‐type Nrf2+/+ mice on a C57BL/6J background at postnatal day 9 underwent unilateral common carotid artery ligation, followed by hypoxia. Brain damage was determined by infarct size measurement. Apoptosis was evaluated by measuring the expression of Bax and Bcl‐2. The levels of inflammatory cytokines and mediators involved in oxidative stress were measured. Nrf2 knockout exacerbated HI injury‐induced brain infarct and cell apoptosis in the brain. Nrf2−/− mice showed increased inflammatory cytokines and MDA, and reduced activities of antioxidant enzymes including CAT, GSH‐Px, and SOD. Nrf2−/− mice showed reduced HO‐1 expression after HI injury compared with wild‐type mice. This study supported a protective effect of Nrf2 in neonatal HI brain injury.
Systems modeling language extension to support modeling of human‐agent teams
Authors: Miller Michael E. , McGuirl John M. , Schneider Michael F. , Ford Thomas C.
Published: June 2020

We propose a Systems Modeling Language (SysML) extension, referred to as the “Human‐Agent Teaming Modeling Language,” and a companion method, referred to as “Human‐Agent Teaming Design Method,” which are useful in the design and specification of teams comprised of humans and artificial agents which interact within a system. The language and method support the analysis and design of human‐agent teams through a three‐step process. First, an existing system is analyzed to understand the goals to be achieved as well as the roles and the responsibilities necessary to support goal attainment. Simultaneously, a team of humans and artificial agents are synthesized wherein each entity has capabilities useful in fulfilling the responsibilities. Second, responsibilities are allocated to agents by matching agent capabilities to responsibilities. Finally, the design is vetted through the application of an extension to an existing method referred to as Interdependence Analysis. This step includes the specification of teaming behaviors between humans and artificial agents to improve system robustness. We posit that the proposed language and method can be useful in specifying requirements for artificial agents, human knowledge, and procedure requirements, as well as components of critical interaction between multiple humans and artificial agents comprising a human‐agent team.
Advance of the sufficient dimension reduction
Authors: Hang Weiqiang , Xia Yingcun
Published: June 2020

The sufficient dimension reduction of Li has been seen a steady development in the past 30 years in both methodology and application. The main approaches can be categorized into two groups: The inverse regression methods and forward regression methods. In this survey, we briefly discuss advances of methods and present problems that needs further investigation in the second group.

This article is categorized under:

Statistical Models > Multivariate Models

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Dimension Reduction

Statistical Models > Semiparametric Models
Functional characteristics of Svl3 and Pam1 that are required for proper cell wall formation in yeast cells
Authors: Jin Yifan , Okamoto Michiyo , Chibana Hiroji , Liu Guoyu , Gao Xiao‐Dong , Nakanishi Hideki
Published: June 2020

In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Svl3 and Pam1 proteins work as functional homologues. Loss of their function causes increased levels of chitin deposition in the cell wall and temperature sensitivity, suggesting their involvement in cell wall formation. We found that the N‐ and C‐termini of these proteins have distinctive and critical functions. They contain an N‐terminal part that has a probable 2‐dehydropantoate 2‐reductase domain. In Svl3, this part can be replaced with the yeast 2‐dehydropantoate 2‐reductase, Pan5, suggesting that Svl3 and its homologues may be able to mediate 2‐dehydropantoate 2‐reductase function. On the other hand, Svl3 is recruited to the bud tip and bud neck via multiple localization signals in the C‐terminal part. One of such signals is the lysine‐rich region located in the C‐terminal end. The function and localization of Svl3 are significantly disrupted by the loss of this lysine‐rich region; however, its localization is not completely abolished by the mutation because another localization signal enables appropriate transport. Svl3 and Pam1 orthologues are found in cells across fungal species. The Svl3 orthologues of Candida glabrata can complement the loss of Svl3 and Pam1 in S. cerevisiae. C. glabrata cells lacking the SVL3 and PAM1 orthologue genes exhibit phenotypes similar to those observed in svl3∆pam1∆ S. cerevisiae cells. Thus, Svl3 homologues may be generally required for the assembly of the cell wall in fungal cells.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Reactivity of a Series of Homo‐ and Hetero‐dinuclear Complexes based on an Asymmetric FloH Ligand System
Authors: Battistella Beatrice , Heims Florian , Cula Beatrice , Ray Kallol
Published: June 2020

In a previous communication we reported the site‐directed generation of a heterodinuclear FeIIICuII complex (1) by using an asymmetric dinucleating ligand FloH. The iron(III) ion was introduced first on the preferential metal‐binding site of the ligand that led to the formation of the thermodynamically favored five‐membered chelate ring upon metal‐binding. Copper(II) was introduced in the next step. The stepwise metalation strategy reported previously has now been extended to synthesize a series of heterodinuclear FeIIIMII [M = Mn (2), Fe (3), Co (4), and Ni (5)] and FeIICuI (1a) as well as the homodinuclear CuICuI (6) complexes. The complexes were characterized by X‐ray crystallography (except for 1a and 6), and by a limited number of spectroscopic methods. Complex 1 with a labile solvent binding site at FeIII reacted with H2O2 to form a transient intermediate that showed reactivity typical of metal peroxide complexes. The metal centers in the complexes 2–5 are coordinatively saturated, and hence they showed no reactivity with H2O2. Complex 1a reacted with O2 via an intermolecular pathway to form a μ‐oxo bridged tetrameric complex 1b, which was structurally characterized. This is in contrast to the homodinuclear CuICuI and heme FeIICuI cores, which prefer an intramolecular pathway for O2 activation.
7D supersymmetric Yang-Mills on hypertoric 3-Sasakian manifolds
Authors: Iakovidis Nikolaos , Qiu Jian , Rocén Andreas , Zabzine Maxim
Published: June 2020

Abstract

We study 7D maximally supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory on 3-Sasakian manifolds. For manifolds whose hyper-Kähler cones are hypertoric we derive the perturbative part of the partition function. The answer involves a special function that counts integer lattice points in a rational convex polyhedral cone determined by hypertoric data. This also gives a more geometric structure to previous enumeration results of holomorphic functions in the literature. Based on physics intuition, we provide a factorisation result for such functions. The full proof of this factorisation using index calculations will be detailed in a forthcoming paper.
Verhaltens- und Verhältnisprävention Hautkrebs
Authors: Baldermann C. , Weiskopf D.
Published: June 2020

Hintergrund

UV-bedingte Krebserkrankungen, v. a. Hautkrebserkrankungen, nehmen seit Jahrzehnten zu. Hauptursache ist die natürliche wie künstlich erzeugte UV-Strahlung. Die Betroffenen und das Gesundheitswesen sind schwer belastet. Die Situation droht sich zu verschärfen, da aufgrund des Klimawandels die UV-Strahlungsbelastung der Bevölkerung und damit das Risiko für UV-bedingte Krebserkrankungen auch in Deutschland steigen können. Die Prävention UV-bedingter Erkrankungen ist darum ein notwendig zu beachtendes Gesundheits- und Strahlenschutzziel.

Ziel

Es erfolgt die Darstellung notwendiger und geeigneter Präventionsmaßnahmen zur Vorbeugung UV-bedingter Krebserkrankungen.

Material und Methoden

Es erfolgen die Recherche und Zusammenfassung derzeit empfohlener und angewandter, primärer, verhaltens- und verhältnispräventiver Maßnahmen und potenzieller, präventionsbedingter Entlastung des Gesundheitswesens.

Ergebnisse

Es werden bereits zahlreiche verhaltens- und verhältnispräventive Maßnahmen angewendet. Nachhaltig gestaltete, aus vielen Komponenten bestehende und personalisierte verhaltenspräventive Maßnahmen in Kombination mit verhältnispräventiven Modulen sind effektiv und haben einen hohen ökonomischen und gesundheitsbezogenen Nutzen. Der Einsatz moderner Medien und multimedialer Maßnahmen wird empfohlen.

Schlussfolgerung

Verhältnispräventionsmaßnahmen in Ergänzung zu verhaltenspräventiven Maßnahmen ermöglichen eine Reduzierung des Risikos für UV-bedingte Krebserkrankungen. Ziel muss es sein, diese Maßnahmen flächendeckend für die Gesamtbevölkerung zu etablieren.
KPZ Statistics of Second Class Particles in ASEP via Mixing
Authors: Nejjar P.
Published: June 2020

We consider the asymmetric simple exclusion process (ASEP) on $${\mathbb {Z}}$$
Z
with a single second class particle initially at the origin. The first class particles form two rarefaction fans which come together at the origin, where the large time density jumps from 0 to 1. We are interested in X(t), the position of the second class particle at time t. We show that, under the KPZ 1/3 scaling, X(t) is asymptotically distributed as the difference of two independent, $${\mathrm {GUE}}$$
GUE
-distributed random variables. The key part of the proof is to show that X(t) equals, up to a negligible term, the difference of a random number of holes and particles, with the randomness built up by ASEP itself. This provides a KPZ analogue to the 1994 result of Ferrari and Fontes (Probab Theory Relat Fields 99:305–319, 1994), where this randomness comes from the initial data and leads to Gaussian limit laws.
Evaluation of fractionally distilled Picea abies TMP-turpentine on wood-decaying fungi: in vitro, microcosm and field experiments
Authors: Ljunggren Joel , Edman Mattias , Jonsson Bengt Gunnar , Bylund Dan , Hedenström Erik
Published: June 2020

Synthetic and heavy metal antifungals are frequently used as wood preservatives. However, they exhibit relatively inert biodegradation and toxic properties when leached; this makes their replacement with environmentally degradable yet functional alternatives a key target in the wood protection industry. In this context, distilled fractions of raw thermomechanical pulp turpentine (TMP-T) from Picea abies were assessed for their wood protecting capabilities against wood-decaying fungi. Antifungal bioactivity of fractions and some of their combinations were screened on agar-plates against the brown-rot fungus Coniophora puteana. Addition of TMP-T fractions showed a significant fungal growth rate reduction, while mixtures indicated the presence of synergistic and antagonistic effects. One fraction, obtained after distilling 1 L TMP-T at 111–177 °C at 0.5 mbar, showed complete growth inhibition of Antrodia sinuosa, Serpula lacrymans, Serpula himantioides and significant inhibition of Antrodia serialis, Antrodia xantha, Gloeophyllum sepiarium, Heterobasidion parviporum at a concentration of 1000 ppm. This fraction was further examined for long- and medium-term effects on wood decay in microcosm soil-jar and field experiment, respectively. The known antifungal compounds benzisothiazolinone, 2-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, 3-iodo-2-propynyl N-butylcarbamate and two commercial wood preservatives were used as reference treatments. Commercial preservatives instilled long-term efficacy against C. puteana wood decay in a soil-jar microcosm experiment, but no noticeable protection with antifungal compounds or the present treatments was found. However, a moderate effect by the TMP-T fraction from the in vitro assay was observed and the TMP-turpentine distillation residue showed a similar fungal inhibition effect to the most potent commercial treatment after 29 months in the field.
Adolf Lorenz and the Lolita Armour Case
Authors: Holzer Gerold , Holzer Lukas A.
Published: June 2020

Almost 120 years ago, in 1902, the American multimillionaire J. Ogden Armour invited the Austrian orthopaedic surgeon Adolf Lorenz, professor at the University of Vienna, to treat his daughter Lolita. Lolita was born premature in 1896 and spent the first months of her life in an incubator. Later she was diagnosed with congenital dislocation of both hips. Lorenz had developed a “bloodless” treatment method and was invited by the Armour family to Chicago to “operate” on Lolita. Both hips had already been treated by an American orthopaedic surgeon before but without a satisfactory result. Lorenz should achieve a better one. The operation was performed in Chicago on 12 October 1902 and was accompanied by a very large media spectacle. This article is mainly based on contemporary newspaper reports.
Transition in Frailty State Among Elderly Patients After Vascular Surgery
Authors: Banning Louise B. D. , Visser Linda , Zeebregts Clark J. , van Leeuwen Barbara L. , el Moumni Mostafa , Pol Robert A.
Published: June 2020

Background

Frailty in the vascular surgical ward is common and predicts poor surgical outcomes. The aim of this study was to analyze transitions in frailty state in elderly patients after vascular surgery and to evaluate influence of patient characteristics on this transition.

Methods

Between 2014 and 2018, 310 patients, ≥65 years and scheduled for elective vascular surgery, were included in this cohort study. Transition in frailty state between preoperative and follow‐up measurement was determined using the Groningen Frailty Indicator (GFI), a validated tool to measure frailty in vascular surgery patients. Frailty is defined as a GFI score ≥4. Patient characteristics leading to a transition in frailty state were analyzed using multivariable Cox regression analysis.

Results

Mean age was 72.7 ± 5.2 years, and 74.5% were male. Mean follow‐up time was 22.7 ± 9.5 months. At baseline measurement, 79 patients (25.5%) were considered frail. In total, 64 non‐frail patients (20.6%) shifted to frail and 29 frail patients (9.4%) to non‐frail. Frail patients with a high Charlson Comorbidity Index (HR = 0.329 (CI: 0.133–0.812), p = 0.016) and that underwent a major vascular intervention (HR = 0.365 (CI: 0.154–0.865), p = 0.022) had a significantly higher risk to remain frail after the intervention.

Conclusions

The results of this study, showing that after vascular surgery almost 21% of the non‐frail patients become frail, may lead to a more effective shared decision‐making process when considering treatment options, by providing more insight in the postoperative frailty course of patients.
Textbook Outcomes in Liver Transplantation
Authors: Moris Dimitrios , Shaw Brian I. , Gloria Jared , Kesseli Samuel J. , Samoylova Mariya L. , Schmitz Robin , Manook Miriam , McElroy Lisa M. , Patel Yuval , Berg Carl L. , Knechtle Stuart J. , Sudan Debra L. , Barbas Andrew S.
Published: June 2020

Background

Textbook outcome (TO) is an emerging concept within multiple surgical domains, which represents a novel effort to define a standardized, composite quality benchmark based on multiple postoperative endpoints that represent the ideal “textbook” hospitalization. We sought to define TO for liver transplantation (LT) using a cohort from a high procedural volume center.

Methods

Patients who underwent LT at our institution between 2014 and 2017 were eligible for the study. The definition of TO was determined by clinician consensus at our institution to include freedom from: mortality within 90 days, primary allograft non‐function, early allograft dysfunction (EAD), rejection within 30 days, readmission with 30 days, readmission to the ICU during index hospitalization, hospital length of stay > 75th percentile of all liver transplant patients, red blood cell (RBC) transfusion requirement greater than the 75th percentile for all liver transplant patients, Clavien–Dindo Grade III complication (re‐intervention), and major intraoperative complication.

Results

Two hundred and thirty‐one liver transplants with complete data were performed within the study period. Of those, 71 (31%) achieved a TO. Overall, the most likely event to lead to failure to achieve TO was readmission within 30 days (n = 57, 37%) or reoperation (n = 49, 32%). Overall and rejection‐free survival did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. Interestingly, patients who achieved TO incurred approximately $60,000 less in total charges than those who did not. When we limit this to charges specifically attributable to the transplant episode, the difference was approximately $50,000 and remained significantly less for those that achieved TO.

Conclusions

Here, we present the first definition of TO in LT. Though not associated with long‐term outcomes, TO in LT is associated with a significantly lower charges and costs of the initial hospitalization. A multi‐institutional study to validate this definition of TO is warranted.
Treatment of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors in pediatric NF1 disease
Authors: Martin Enrico , Flucke Uta E. , Coert J. Henk , van Noesel Max M.
Published: June 2020

Background

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are rare yet highly aggressive soft tissue sarcomas. Children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) have a 10% lifetime risk for development of MPNST. Prognosis remains poor and survival seems worse for NF1 patients.

Methods

This narrative review highlights current practices and pitfalls in the management of MPNST in pediatric NF1 patients.

Results

Preoperative diagnostics can be challenging, but PET scans have shown to be useful tools. More recently, functional MRI holds promise as well. Surgery remains the mainstay treatment for these patients, but careful planning is needed to minimize postoperative morbidity. Functional reconstructions can play a role in improving functional status. Radiotherapy can be administered to enhance local control in selected cases, but care should be taken to minimize radiation effects as well as reduce the risk of secondary malignancies. The exact role of chemotherapy has yet to be determined. Reports on the efficacy of chemotherapy vary as some report lower effects in NF1 populations. Promisingly, survival seems to ameliorate in the last few decades and response rates of chemotherapy may increase in NF1 populations when administering it as part of standard of care. However, in metastasized disease, response rates remain poor. New systemic therapies are therefore desperately warranted and multiple trials are currently investigating the role of drugs. Targeted drugs are nevertheless not yet included in first line treatment.

Conclusion

Both research and clinical efforts benefit from multidisciplinary approaches with international collaborations in this rare malignancy.
A pro-inflammatory phenotype is associated with behavioural traits in children with Prader–Willi syndrome
Authors: Krefft Maja , Frydecka Dorota , Zalsman Gil , Krzystek-Korpacka Małgorzata , Śmigiel Robert , Gębura Katarzyna , Bogunia-Kubik Katarzyna , Misiak Błażej
Published: June 2020

Several lines of evidence indicate that immune-inflammatory alterations are widely observed in various mental disorders. Genetic syndromes with high risk of psychiatric disorders may constitute a model for studies investigating this phenomenon. One of such genetically determined neurodevelopmental disorders is the Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS). Therefore, we aimed to profile a broad panel of immune-inflammatory markers in patients with PWS, taking into account co-morbid psychopathology. Participants were 20 children with PWS, and 20 healthy children matched for age, sex and body mass index. Behavioural symptoms and co-occurring psychopathological symptoms were assessed using the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL). We found significantly elevated levels of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-13 in patients with PWS. There were significant positive correlations between the levels of IL-1β and scores of the following externalizing and internalizing CBCL domains: withdrawn/depressed, social problems, thought problems, attention problems, delinquent and aggressive behaviour in PWS children. Moreover, higher levels of IL-13 were associated with more severe psychopathology in terms of social and attention problems as well as delinquent and aggressive behaviour. Our findings imply that subclinical inflammation, observed as elevated IL-1β and IL-13 levels, appears only in PWS patients and is correlated to several psychopathological symptoms.
CPA/Tiger-MGP: test-goal set partitioning for efficient multi-goal test-suite generation
Authors: Ruland Sebastian , Lochau Malte , Fehse Oliver , Schürr Andy
Published: June 2020

Software model checkers can be used to generate high-quality test cases from counterexamples of a reachability analysis. However, naïvely invoking a software model checker for each test goal in isolation does not scale to large programs as a repeated construction of an abstract program model is expensive. In contrast, invoking a software model checker for reaching all test goals in a single run leads to few abstraction possibilities and thus to low scalability. Therefore, our approach pursues a test-suite generation technique that incorporates configurable multi-goal set partitioning (MGP) including configurable partitioning strategies and simultaneous processing of multiple test goals in one reachability analysis. Our approach employs recent techniques from multi-property verification in order to control the computational overhead for tracking multi-goal reachability information. Our tool, called CPA/Tiger-MGP, uses predicate-abstraction-based program analysis in the model-checking framework CPAchecker.
#postbabyhankypanky: An Empirically Based Knowledge Sharing Initiative About Sex and the Transition to Parenthood
Authors: Rosen Natalie O. , Muise Megan D. , Vannier Sarah A. , Chambers Christine T. , Scott Heather ,   the #postbabyhankypanky Advisory Team, Attenborough Rebecca , Chisholm Kelly , Clarke Heather Laura , MacAulay James , Pierce Marianne , Rasic Ewa , Robinson Katherine , Webb Lisa
Published: June 2020

Despite the many sexual concerns experienced by new parents, and their reported desire for more information on this topic, both parents and healthcare providers remain reticent to broach the subject. The goal of this project was to disseminate evidence-based knowledge from our prior research in a way that was accessible, engaging, and would spark further interest and communication for both new parents and healthcare providers. We convened a multidisciplinary advisory group that also involved community parents who provided feedback at all phases of this project. We developed five brief YouTube videos, each featuring a core research finding. Following an empirically supported strategic knowledge translation plan, we disseminated the videos to our target audiences (i.e., expectant and new parents, healthcare providers, educators, and other stakeholders) using social media from February 2018 to November 2019. Data were collected using YouTube analytics and an online survey (convenience sample: N = 225 parents; N = 161 healthcare providers). From the date of the launch, the videos had a reach of 91,766 views from 14 countries, with viewers watching an average of 90% of a video. Overall, quantitative and qualitative survey results suggested that the videos were acceptable and appropriate, and respondents were more confident and comfortable discussing sexual issues (with their partner/with their patients) and would like more information about postpartum sexuality after watching the videos. YouTube videos are an acceptable and effective way to disseminate evidence aimed at raising awareness of factors affecting sexuality in the transition to parenthood.
Interest in Taking HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Is Associated with Behavioral Risk Indicators and Self-Perceived HIV Risk Among Men Who Have Sex with Men Attending HIV Testing Venues in Sweden
Authors: Herder Tobias , Agardh Anette , Björkman Per , Månsson Fredrik
Published: June 2020

This study explored factors associated with interest in taking PrEP among men who have sex with men (MSM) attending HIV testing venues in Sweden. Data from 658 HIV-negative respondents, surveyed by a questionnaire at six sites, were analyzed descriptively and by univariable and multivariable logistic regression. A total of 453 (68.8%) of the respondents expressed interest in taking PrEP. Reporting self-perceived risk of HIV acquisition as moderate or high, reporting ≥ 5 partners for condomless anal intercourse during the past year, and reporting hard drug use during the past year were independently associated with interest in taking PrEP. However, an aggregated variable of self-reported rectal gonorrhea, rectal chlamydia, or syphilis infection during the past year was not associated with interest in taking PrEP. Overall, Swedish MSM were well-informed regarding PrEP, and interest in taking PrEP was positively associated with sexual risk indicators.
Transnational academic mobility in universities: the impact on a departmental and an interpersonal level
Authors: Greek Marit , Jonsmoen Kari Mari
Published: June 2020

This article deals with internationalization in the field of higher education, focusing on the impact of transnational academic mobility on the university communities. Drawing on the results of a qualitative research study at different departments in a Norwegian university, this article explores the interaction between transnational academics and their Norwegian counterparts in an academic professional community. The key questions are the impact of internationalization on the working day at the departmental level, and how academics themselves experience working together with colleagues from all over the world. The topics are presented in the following four themes: informal interaction, cooperation, language practices, and internationalization. In the light of data gained through observation and informal dialogs in two departments that collectively consisted of 108 academic staff members, and formal interviews with 34 of them, both transnational and national, the paper concludes that the academics regard internationalization as a great source of professional knowledge. However, considerable institutional and personal adjustment is required to fully exploit the professional potential of diversity among the academic staff.
Comparison of haemodynamic- and electroencephalographic-monitored effects evoked by four combinations of effect-site concentrations of propofol and remifentanil, yielding a predicted tolerance to laryngoscopy of 90%
Authors: van den Berg J. P. , Absalom A. R. , Venema A. M. , Kalmar A. F. , Van Amsterdam K. , Hannivoort L. N. , Proost J. H. , Meier S. , Scheeren T. W. L. , Struys M. M. R. F. , Vereecke H. E. M.
Published: June 2020

This prospective study evaluates haemodynamic and electroencephalographic effects observed when administering four combinations of effect-site concentrations of propofol (CePROP) and remifentanil (CeREMI), all yielding a single predicted probability of tolerance of laryngoscopy of 90% (PTOL = 90%) according to the Bouillon interaction model. We aimed to identify combinations of CePROP and CeREMI along a single isobole of PTOL that result in favourable hypnotic and haemodynamic conditions. This knowledge could be of advantage in the development of drug advisory monitoring technology. 80 patients (18–90 years of age, ASA I–III) were randomized into four groups and titrated towards CePROP (Schnider model, ug⋅ml−1) and CeREMI (Minto model, ng⋅ml−1) of respectively 8.6 and 1, 5.9 and 2, 3.6 and 4 and 2.0 and 8. After eleven minutes of equilibration, baseline measurements of haemodynamic endpoints and bispectral index were compared with three minutes of responsiveness measurements after laryngoscopy. Before laryngoscopy, bispectral index differed significantly (p < 0.0001) between groups in concordance with CePROP. Heart rate decreased with increasing CeREMI (p = 0.001). The haemodynamic and arousal responses evoked by laryngoscopy were not significantly different between groups, but CePROP = 3.6 μg⋅ml−1 and CeREMI = 4 ng⋅ml−1 evoked the lowest median value for ∆HR and ∆SAP after laryngoscopy. This study provides clinical insight on the haemodynamic and hypnotic consequences, when a model based predicted PTOL is used as a target for combined effect-site controlled target- controlled infusion of propofol and remifentanil. Heart rate and bispectral index were significantly different between groups despite a theoretical equipotency for PTOL, suggesting that each component of the anaesthetic state (immobility, analgesia, and hypnotic drug effect) should be considered as independent neurophysiological and pharmacological phenomena. However, claims of (in)accuracy of the predicted PTOL must be considered preliminary because larger numbers of observations are required for that goal.
The Impact of Racially Motivated Housing Discrimination on Allostatic Load among Indigenous University Students
Authors: Currie Cheryl L. , Motz Takara , Copeland Jennifer L.
Published: June 2020

Allostatic load (AL) is an aggregate measure of wear and tear on the body due to the chronic activation of the stress response system. The goal of this study was to examine the association between racially motivated housing discrimination (HD) and AL score within a sample of Indigenous university students. Data for this cross-sectional study were collected from Indigenous adults attending university in a small city in western Canada between 2015 and 2017 (N = 104; mean age = 27.8 years). An item adapted from the Experience of Discrimination Scale was to assess racially motivated HD in the past 12 months. AL was measured as a composite of 7 biomarkers assessing neuroendocrine, cardiovascular, metabolic, and immune system function. Bias-corrected and accelerated bootstrapped linear regression models were used to examine associations adjusting for age, income, parenthood, and other situations in which discrimination had been experienced. Indigenous university students who experienced racially motivated HD in the past year (16.8% of the sample) had an average AL score of approximately 4, which was almost double that of their peers who had not. In an adjusted model, racially motivated HD was associated with a 1.5 point increase in AL score. This model explained 35% of the adjusted variance in AL score, of which racially motivated HD explained 24%. These results suggest Indigenous adults who experienced racially motivated HD in the past year had early and more pronounced wear and tear on neuroendocrine, cardiovascular, metabolic, and immune system functioning in young and middle adulthood than Indigenous peers who did not. These findings combine with others to highlight the need for increased efforts to prevent racially motivated HD in urban centers.
Modelling the Competitive Growth of Primary, Allotriomorphic, and Secondary Alpha in Ti-6Al-4V
Authors: Buzolin Ricardo Henrique , Weiß Desirée , Krumphals Alfred , Lasnik Michael , Poletti Maria Cecilia
Published: June 2020

The competitive formation of allotriomorphic α along the prior β grain boundaries, secondary α-phase and the growth of globular primary α is described for the Ti-6Al-4V alloy during continuous cooling. The formation kinetics of the different morphologies of the α-phase is related to the nucleation rate of allotriomorphic α and secondary α as well as with the V supersaturation at the β matrix. A mesoscale physical model is developed for the allotriomorphic α and secondary α based on classical nucleation and growth of platelets. The growth of the primary α is modelled as the growth of a spherical particle embedded in a supersaturated β matrix. Continuous cooling tests at two different holding temperatures in the α+β field, 930 °C and 960 °C, and five different cooling rates, 10, 30, 40, 100 and 300 °C/minutes, are conducted. Additionally, interrupted tests are conducted at different temperatures to determine the progress of growth of primary α and formation of allotriomorphic and secondary α-phases during cooling. The size of primary α increases, while its circularity decreases with decreasing cooling rate. The area fractions of primary α decrease with increasing cooling rate and increasing holding temperature. Moreover, the lower the cooling rate, the thicker the plates of allotriomorphic α and secondary α. The growth of primary α, as well as the formation of allotriomorphic α plates is observed at the beginning of the cooling stage. The formation of secondary α occurs at last and is nearly negligible for very low cooling rates. The model is able to accurately predict the different α-phase formation behaviours and the obtained results show good agreement with the experimental ones.
Comparison between AJCC 8th prognostic stage and UICC anatomical stage in patients with primary breast cancer: a single institutional retrospective study
Authors: Tanaka Ryo , Yamagishi Yoji , Koiwai Tomomi , Kono Takako , Fukumura-Koga Makiko , Einama Takahiro , Yamasaki Tamio , Sato Kimiya , Ueno Hideki , Kishi Yoji , Tsuda Hitoshi
Published: June 2020

Background

The 8th edition American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) proposed a prognostic stage (PS), which included not only anatomical factors, but also biological factors. We aimed to investigate the clinicopathological significance of the PS and to compare PS and anatomical stage (AS) that has been established by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).

Methods

Between 2002 and 2017, 800 patients were included in the study. Patients were classified using pathological UICC AS and pathological AJCC PS. The usefulness of PS in comparison with AS was validated using the Akaike information criterion (AIC) and Harrell concordance index (C-index).

Results

A total of 401 (50.1%) patients had pathological AS I, 324 (40.5%) had AS II, and 75 (9.4%) had AS III. Meanwhile, 535 (66.8%) had pathological PS I, 163 (20.4%) had PS II, and 102 (12.8%) had PS III. The number of AS II cases was 1.99-fold higher than that of PS II cases. For each stage, these survival curves were almost similar between AS and PS classification. Therefore, many patients to be classified into stage I and stage III were included in AS II group, while many patients to be classified into stage II were included in AS I group. To trichotomize the survival groups, PS appeared to be more specific than AS, and AIC and C-index confirmed the speculation.

Conclusion

For the prognostication of primary breast cancer patients, AJCC PS appeared to be able to stratify the cases more appropriately than UICC AS.
Traditions and innovations: versatility of copper and tin bronze making recipes in Iron Age Emporion (L’Escala, Spain)
Authors: Montes-Landa Julia , Montero-Ruiz Ignacio , Castanyer Masoliver Pere , Santos Retolaza Marta , Tremoleda Trilla Joaquim , Martinón-Torres Marcos
Published: June 2020

Established around 575 BC, Emporion was a Greek colonial enclave in north-east Iberia and hence constitutes a good context to study Mediterranean innovations and their adaptation with indigenous technologies. Here, we present an analytical study of the archaeometallurgical assemblage from a workshop context dated to the first occupational moment of Emporion’s Neapolis (second half of the sixth century BC), including slag and technical ceramics. We aimed at reverse engineering the copper and tin bronze metallurgical technologies at the site. The results allow the identification of copper smelting and melting, and a variety of bronze alloying techniques, together with iron smelting and forging. The use of Fe-rich copper ores with BaO, ZnO and PbO impurities is consistent with the exploitation of local sources, preceding the diversification of raw materials documented for later phases. The co-occurrence of co-smelting, cementation and co-melting as bronze making technologies is discussed with reference to parameters of efficiency and cost-effectiveness and contextualised in the broader colonial interaction, providing pointers for future comparative work and discussion. The early use of metallic tin for bronze production at the site supports a Mediterranean origin for this innovation in Iberia.
Zehn Jahre Soziale Passagen: Eine empirische Analyse ihrer Themen
Authors: Eckl Markus , Prigge Jessica , Schildknecht Lukas , Ghanem Christian
Published: June 2020

Die ZeitschriftSoziale Passagenfeierte 2019 ihr zehn-jähriges Bestehen. Sie hat sich in den letzten Jahren als eine zentrale disziplinorientierte Fachzeitschrift etabliert, die den wissenschaftlichen Dialog als Praxis der Sozialen Arbeit begreift. Dieser runde Geburtstag wird zum Anlass genommen, die Zeitschrift selbst – und somit ihre Beiträge – auf empirischer Basis zu reflektieren. Es soll der Frage nachgegangen werden, welche Themen in den letzten zehn Jahren in welchen Zusammenhängen diskutiert wurden und wie sich diese inhaltlichen Schwerpunkte seit Gründung der Zeitschrift entwickelt haben. Datengrundlage für diese empirische und explorative Untersuchung sind 255 Artikel der Zeitschrift aus den letzten zehn Jahren. Um einen Ein- und Überblick über die inhaltlichen Diskussionen in der Zeitschrift zu bekommen, wird eine Methode der quantitativen Textanalyse, die Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA), herangezogen. Im Gegensatz zu einfachen Frequenzanalysen von Wörtern, kann das probabilistische Modell latente semantische Strukturen in den Texten untersuchen und automatisiert Themen extrahieren. Entsprechend der Selbstbeschreibung der ZeitschriftSoziale Passagenzeigen die Ergebnisse verschiedene Schwerpunkte aus derEmpirie und Theorie Sozialer Arbeitunter den meist diskutierten Themen. Es wird ein breites Themenspektrum sichtbar, welches sich über die Zeit trendförmig verändert. Die zentralen Themen lassen sich auch auf Basis ihrer semantischen Nähe in verschiedene Cluster zusammenfassen. Beispielsweise zeigt sich, dass die Themen „Evaluationsstudien“ und „Empirische Forschung“ eine Nähe zu „Profession und Feldtheorie“, sowie zu „Diskurs und Körper“ aufweisen, was auf eine hohe Anschlussfähigkeit empirischer Forschung insbesondere zur Professionsforschung verweist. Diese und weitere Erkenntnisse, sowie eine kritische Analyse und die Potenziale des methodischen Vorgehens werden abschließend diskutiert.
Determinants of neurological syndromes caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV)
Authors: Kennedy Peter GE , Mogensen Trine H
Published: June 2020

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a pathogenic human herpes virus which causes varicella as a primary infection, following which it becomes latent in peripheral autonomic, sensory, and cranial nerve ganglionic neurons from where it may reactivate after decades to cause herpes zoster. VZV reactivation may also cause a wide spectrum of neurological syndromes, in particular, acute encephalitis and vasculopathy. While there is potentially a large number of coding viral mutations that might predispose certain individuals to VZV infections, in practice, a variety of host factors are the main determinants of VZV infection, both disseminated and specifically affecting the nervous system. Host factors include increasing age with diminished cell-mediated immunity to VZV, several primary immunodeficiency syndromes, secondary immunodeficiency syndromes, and drug-induced immunosuppression. In some cases, the molecular immunological basis underlying the increased risk of VZV infections has been defined, in particular, the role of POL III mutations, but in other cases, the mechanisms have yet to be determined. The role of immunization in immunosuppressed individuals as well as its possible efficacy in preventing both generalized and CNS-specific infections will require further investigation to clarify in such patients.
Enabling efficient bioconversion of birch biomass by Lentinula edodes: regulatory roles of nitrogen and bark additions on mushroom production and cellulose saccharification
Authors: Chen Feng , Martín Carlos , Finell Michael , Xiong Shaojun
Published: June 2020

Pretreatment with edible white-rot fungi has advantages in low inputs of energy and chemicals for reducing the recalcitrance of woody biomass for bioethanol production while harvesting protein-rich food. The effectiveness of fungal pretreatment may vary with substrate composition. In this study, birch with or without bark and nitrogen additives were experimentally studied for their effects on shiitake production, substrate lignocellulosic degradation and enzymatic convertibility with cellulolytic enzymes. Whey was added as protein nitrogen and led to successful outcomes, while non-protein nitrogen urea and ammonium-nitrate resulted in mortality of fungal mycelia. The mushroom yields of one harvest were generally comparable between the treatments, averaging 651 g fresh weight per kilogram dry substrate, and high enough as to be profitable. Nitrogen loading (0.5–0.8%, dry mass) negatively affected lignin degradation and enzymatic convertibility and prolonged cultivation/pretreatment time. The added bark (0–20%) showed quadratic correlation with degradation of lignin, xylan and glucan as well as enzymatic digestibility of glucan. Nitrogen loading of < 0.6% led to maximal mass degradation of xylan and lignin at bark ratios of 4–9% and 14–19%, respectively, peak saccharification of glucan at 6–12% and the shortest pretreatment time at 8–13% bark. The designed substrates resulted in 19–35% of glucan mass loss after fungal pretreatment, less than half of the previously reported values. Nitrogen and bark additions can regulate lignocellulose degradation and saccharification of birch-based substrates. The designed substrate composition could considerably reduce cellulose consumption during fungal pretreatment, thus improving bioconversion efficiency.
Clinical educational scholarship: polarized or integrated?
Authors: Park Sophie , Berlin Anita , Kelly Martina
Published: June 2020

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Assessing Technical Skills in Talented Youth Athletes: A Systematic Review
Authors: Koopmann Till , Faber Irene , Baker Joseph , Schorer Jörg
Published: June 2020

Background

Talent identification and development (TID) programs aim to identify players with the greatest potential for long-term success. Previous research suggests that the assessment of sport-specific technical skills is valuable for discriminating between more and less skilled individuals and/or for predicting future performance.

Objective

This review aims to provide an overview on both the instruments used to assess sport-specific technical skills and their discriminatory, explanatory and/or predictive findings in the context of TID.

Methods

Electronic searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Knowledge, SPORTDiscus, SURF and Scopus (January 1990–October 2019). Search terms covered the areas of sport, technical skills assessment, performance, skill level and youth. In the end, 59 relevant studies were identified and evaluated.

Results

The results highlight the widespread and important role of technical skills in TID; almost all studies (93%) reported discriminatory, explanatory and/or predictive benefits for the assessment of sport-specific technical skills. Analyzing and categorizing the number of assessment methods applied in the studies (n = 69) according to their method type (‘technique-related’ or ‘outcome-related’ variables) and method set-up (‘experimental’ or ‘competition’ data acquisition environment) indicated a clear tendency towards ‘outcome-related’ (73%) and ‘experimental’ (75%) assessment methods. We also found a strong overrepresentation of studies assessing cross-sectional data (75%) in soccer (53%) in male samples (74% of studies reporting subjects’ sex) from European countries (64%).

Conclusions

On the one hand, our findings demonstrate the great capability of sport-specific technical skills assessments to discriminate different performance levels and predict future performance in TID activities. On the other hand, this review highlights the focus on ‘outcome-related’ and ‘experimental’ methods in specific populations and, consequently, the limited knowledge in other areas. Here, the application of ‘technique-related’ and ‘competition’ methods appears promising for adding new knowledge, especially in the light of technological advances.
Dealing With Uncertainty and Lack of Knowledge in Diverse Sex Development: Controversies on Early Surgery and Questions of Consent
Authors: Lampalzer Ute , Briken Peer , Schweizer Katinka
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Diverse sex development (dsd) is an umbrella term for different congenital conditions with incongruence of chromosomal, gonadal, and phenotypic sex characteristics. These are accompanied by various uncertainties concerning health-related, medical, psychosocial, and legal issues that raise controversial discussion.

Aim

The aim of this exploratory study was to investigate 3 questions: What are the most controversial and disputed issues in the context of intersex/dsd? Which issues are associated with the biggest knowledge gaps? Which issues involve the greatest difficulty or uncertainty in decision-making? A further aim was to investigate whether the group of persons concerned, the parents of intersex children, and the group of experts in the field had differing views regarding these questions.

Methods

A self-developed questionnaire was distributed among persons concerned, parents of children with intersex/dsd, and experts in the field. It contained open and multiple-choice questions. The answers from 29 participants were entered into data analysis. A mixed-method approach was applied. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively. Qualitative data were analysed according to the principles of qualitative content analysis.

Main Outcome Measure

Participants answered questions on the most controversial and disputed issues, issues associated with the biggest knowledge gaps, and issues associated with the most difficulty or uncertainty in decision-making.

Results

The findings indicate that controversial issues and uncertainties mainly revolve around surgical interventions but also around the question of how to adequately consider the consent of minors and how to deal with intersex in the family. Significant differences were found between persons concerned and parents vs academic experts in the field regarding the perceptions of procedure of diagnostic investigation and/or treatment in adulthood, on legal questions concerning marriage/registered civil partnerships, and on lack of psychosocial counseling close to place of residence.

Conclusion

The necessity of irreversible gonadal and genital surgery in early childhood is still a matter of strong controversy. To ensure the improvement in well-being of intersex persons, including a sexual health perspective, the positive acceptance of bodily variance is an important prerequisite. Psychosocial support regarding one-time decisions as well as ongoing and changing issues of everyday life appears to be an important means in reaching overall quality of life.