bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coeliac disease enteropathy and symptoms may be aggravated by angiotensin receptor blockers in patients on a gluten‐free diet
Authors: O'Morain Neil , Shannon Eileen , McManus John , Warner Vanessa , Leeson Hilary , O'Donovan Helen , Egan Brian , Byrnes Valerie
Published: June 2021

Background

Angiotensin receptor blocker‐associated enteropathy (ARB‐e) is an increasingly recognised clinical entity with symptoms and histological findings identical to coeliac disease (CD). There is evidence to suggest immune‐mediated mucosal injury in ARB‐e with a high prevalence of DQ2/DQ8; however, as IgA anti‐tissue transglutaminase (anti‐TTG) is usually negative, an insult other than TTG‐mediated injury is suspected. The impact of ARBs on disease activity in patients with CD is not known.

Objective

To assess the effect of ARB exposure on patients with established CD.

Methods

A patient record search of 1142 individual patients attending a dedicated coeliac clinic from 2010 to the present identified 59 patients treated with ARB. Those with CD confirmed by serology (TTG + ve/EMA + ve) and histopathology (Marsh criteria) were included (n = 40, 0.52%). Data collected included disease duration, compliance with gluten‐free diet (GFD), reported symptoms (diarrhoea, weight loss and abdominal pain), surrogate markers of absorption (Vitamin D, Iron, Calcium and Haemoglobin), in addition to anti‐TTG titre and histological grade at last follow up. Patients were age and sex‐matched in a 1:2 ratio with CD patients not taking ARBs (controls), with comparable rates of disease duration and compliance with GFD.

Results

The ARB and control groups were matched in terms of age (mean 66.2 years) and gender (female 63%). Strict compliance with GFD was reported in 55% and 56%, respectively. Persistent symptoms were reported in 10/40 (25%) of the ARB group compared with 7/82 (9%) of controls (p = 0.0181). There were lower rates of mucosal healing (Marsh grade 0) in the ARB group (36% n = 11) compared to controls (55%, n = 33). There was no significant difference in anti‐TTG titres. Surrogate markers of absorption were comparable across the groups, except for Vitamin D which was lower in those taking olmesartan (p = 0.0015).

Conclusions

ARBs may aggravate the enteropathy and lead to increased symptoms in patients with bone fide diagnosed CD following a GFD.
Public Debt
Authors: von Weizsäcker Carl Christian , Krämer Hagen M.
Published: June 2021

More than a third of private wealth in the OECD plus China region consists of entitlements to public retirement benefits. If the state covered these future obligations using a reserve fund, an insoluble problem of investment would arise. It is only by doing without reserve funds that the twenty-first century welfare state is compatible with price stability at non-negative real interest rates. In calculating government obligations according to the ADL method, statistical offices acknowledge the implicit public debt deriving from the retirement system. Systems of public health insurance and public nursing care insurance also generate considerable implicit public debt and corresponding private wealth. The TRILL system advocated by Robert Shiller can make an important contribution to stabilize the high public debt that will be necessary in the future at low real interest rates. We undertake an empirical estimation of the level of public debt in the OECD plus China region. To determine explicit public debt, we use data on net public debt from the International Monetary Fund. Implicit public debt is mainly comprised of the state’s capitalized financial obligations deriving from the public retirement system and public health insurance. Some statistical offices publish data on the retirement benefit entitlements that have accrued within social security systems. This data provides an important basis for our calculations. We estimate that total public debt in the OECD plus China region is equivalent to more than 600% of total annual consumption in the region.
Investment, Saving and Stagnation from a Keynesian Perspective
Authors: von Weizsäcker Carl Christian , Krämer Hagen M.
Published: June 2021

It can also be shown from a Keynesian perspective that planned investment and saving are diverging in the twenty-first century and that there is a risk of sustained (secular) underemployment unless appropriate countermeasures are taken by the state. In this chapter, we look at the arguments that Keynesian authors have used, in both older and more recent writings, to demonstrate the possibility of secular stagnation and at the possibilities they considered for overcoming tendencies toward stagnation. We make clear that, despite general differences in the theoretical framework and some differences in detail, there are a number of parallels between the Keynesian view and the new capital-theoretical conception presented in this book. This applies both for the causes of the structural divergence between planned private saving and private investment and for its consequences.
Characteristics of Adaptable Control of Production Systems and the Role of Self-organization Towards Smart Manufacturing
Authors: Estrada-Jimenez Luis Alberto , Nikghadam-Hojjati Sanaz , Barata Jose
Published: June 2021

Self-adaptive control of production systems has attracted a lot of research during last years. Nevertheless, most of these approaches are still unable to tackle current manufacturing expectations, they are very particular for the case study, are in an initial stage of research or do not apply the concept of self-organization and their properties in its strong sense. Thus, leaving the systems without enough robustness, adaptability, or emergence that are highly desirable considering current market requirements. Therefore, the purpose of this work to identify some of the important characteristics that have been applied in past studies and that can be considered together as a baseline to build future manufacturing frameworks.
Minimum Eccentricity Shortest Path Problem with Respect to Structural Parameters
Authors: Kučera Martin , Suchý Ondřej
Published: June 2021

The Minimum Eccentricity Shortest Path Problem consists in finding a shortest path with minimum eccentricity in a given undirected graph. The problem is known to be NP-complete and W[2]-hard with respect to the desired eccentricity. We present fpt algorithms for the problem parameterized by the modular width, distance to cluster graph, the combination of distance to disjoint paths with the desired eccentricity, and maximum leaf number.
Porphyrien
Authors: Stölzel Ulrich , Stauch Thomas , Kubisch Ilja
Published: June 2021

Porphyrien werden durch Enzymdefekte der Hämbiosynthese hervorgerufen und anhand spezifischer biochemischer Muster von Porphyrinen und deren Vorläufern in Urin, Stuhl und Blut diagnostiziert. Das jeweilige Muster der akkumulierten Porphyrine, Vorläufer und Derivate ist verbunden mit der klinischen Ausprägung, die abdominale, neurologische, psychiatrische, endokrine, kardiovaskuläre Symptome, Leberschaden und/oder Lichtempfindlichkeit der Haut umfassen kann. Klinisch werden akute und nichtakute Porphyrien unterschieden. Bei symptomatischen (klinisch aktiven), akuten hepatischen Porphyrien – hierzu gehören akute intermittierende Porphyrie, Porphyria variegata, hereditäre Koproporphyrie und Doss-Porphyrie – kommt es aufgrund einer Regulationsstörung zur Kumulation der Porphyrinvorläufer 5‑Aminolävulinsäure und Porphobilinogen. Bei den nichtakuten Formen – u. a. Porphyria cutanea tarda, erythropoetische und X‑chromosomale Protoporphyrie sowie kongenitale erythropoetische Porphyrie – führen akkumulierte Porphyrine zu Lichtempfindlichkeit (Fotodermatose) und mitunter auch zu schweren Leberschäden. Zur Therapie der Porphyrien stehen sowohl bewährte und sichere als auch innovative Optionen zur Verfügung.
Schur–Weyl Duality for the Clifford Group with Applications: Property Testing, a Robust Hudson Theorem, and de Finetti Representations
Authors: Gross David , Nezami Sepehr , Walter Michael
Published: June 2021

Schur–Weyl duality is a ubiquitous tool in quantum information. At its heart is the statement that the space of operators that commute with the t-fold tensor powers $$U^{\otimes t}$$

U

⊗
t

of all unitaries $$U\in U(d)$$

U
∈
U
(
d
)

is spanned by the permutations of the t tensor factors. In this work, we describe a similar duality theory for tensor powers of Clifford unitaries. The Clifford group is a central object in many subfields of quantum information, most prominently in the theory of fault-tolerance. The duality theory has a simple and clean description in terms of finite geometries. We demonstrate its effectiveness in several applications:

We resolve an open problem in quantum property testing by showing that “stabilizerness” is efficiently testable: There is a protocol that, given access to six copies of an unknown state, can determine whether it is a stabilizer state, or whether it is far away from the set of stabilizer states. We give a related membership test for the Clifford group.

We find that tensor powers of stabilizer states have an increased symmetry group. Conversely, we provide corresponding de Finetti theorems, showing that the reductions of arbitrary states with this symmetry are well-approximated by mixtures of stabilizer tensor powers (in some cases, exponentially well).

We show that the distance of a pure state to the set of stabilizers can be lower-bounded in terms of the sum-negativity of its Wigner function. This gives a new quantitative meaning to the sum-negativity (and the related mana) – a measure relevant to fault-tolerant quantum computation. The result constitutes a robust generalization of the discrete Hudson theorem.

We show that complex projective designs of arbitrary order can be obtained from a finite number (independent of the number of qudits) of Clifford orbits. To prove this result, we give explicit formulas for arbitrary moments of random stabilizer states.
Delivering Essential Surgical Care for Lower‐limb Musculoskeletal disorders in the Low‐Resource Setting
Authors: James Deeptiman , Evans Faye M. , Rai Ekta , Roy Nobhojit
Published: June 2021

Background

Mismatched surgeon‐anesthesiologist ratios often exist in low‐resource settings making safe emergency essential surgical care challenging. This study is an audit of emergency essential procedures performed for lower‐limb (LL) musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) when an anesthesiologist was unavailable. It aims to identify strategies for safe anesthesia.

Methods

A 5‐year retrospective audit of emergency essential LL orthopedic procedures performed at remote mission hospital in Central India was performed. Out of necessity, a regional anesthesia (RA) protocol was developed in collaboration with anesthesiologists familiar with the setting. The incidence of intraoperative surgical and perioperative anesthesia complications when RA was administered by a surgeon was evaluated.

Results

During this period, 766 emergency essential LL MSDs procedures were performed. An anesthesiologist was available for only 6/766. RA was administered by a surgeon for 283/766. This included spinal anesthesia (SA) for 267/283 patients, peripheral nerve blocks for 16/283. Local infiltration and/or sedation was administered to 477/766. There were 17 intraoperative surgical complications. Anesthesia‐related complications included 37/267 patients who required multiple attempts to localize subarachnoid space and SA failure in 9/267 patients all of whom had successful re‐administration. Additional sedation and infiltration of local anesthetic was required in 5/267 patients.

Conclusion

Remote pre‐anesthesia consultation for high‐risk patients, local surgeon‐anesthesiologist networking, protocol‐guided management, and dedicated short duration of training in anesthesia may be considered as an alternative for delivering RA for emergency essential surgery for LL MSDs due to unavailability of anesthesiologists.
Vascular Malformation of the Colorectum in Children: Case Series of 27 Patients
Authors: Peng Chunhui , Tan Sarah Siyin , Pang Wenbo , Wang Zengmeng , Wu Dongyang , Wang Kai , Chen Yajun
Published: June 2021

Background

Vascular malformation of the colorectum is a rare disease that presents most commonly in early childhood. Some pull‐through procedures have been performed for its treatment. However, laparotomy was routinely required. The aim of this study was to present features of this disease, as well as the outcomes of transanal endorectal pull‐through (TEPT) with or without laparotomy.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed on consecutive patients with vascular malformation of the colorectum who underwent TEPT with or without laparotomy in our hospital between January 2010 and December 2019. Follow‐up information included hematochezia, other bleeding and bowel function. Bowel function was assessed using the Rintala score.

Results

Twenty‐seven patients were included (14 boys and 13 girls). Hematochezia and anemia were the main chief complaints. Perianal vasodilatation and prolapse of rectal mucosa with spurting blood were detected in 13 (48.1%) and 9 (33.3%), respectively. Eighteen patients (66.7%) underwent TEPT with laparotomy, and 9 patients underwent TEPT without laparotomy (including 5 TEPT under laparoscopic supervision) for lesions located beyond the distal sigmoid colon. Compared to TEPT with laparotomy, the length of resected bowel and operative time was significantly shorter in TEPT without laparotomy (p = 0.001 and p = 0.004). There was no statistical difference for intraoperative blood loss. Other vascular malformations were detected in 9 patients (33.3%); 3 were detected by laparoscopy. Three patients (11.1%) experienced postoperative complications. Follow‐up was held with 24 patients (3 were lost to follow‐up). The mean follow‐up time was 51.9 ± 32.8 months. Four patients occasionally had bloody stools, without anemia. None had hematuria or vaginal bleeding. Median bowel function score was 20 (range 17–20).

Conclusion

Hematochezia, anemia and hemorrhoid‐like manifestations might be an indication for vascular malformation of the colorectum in children. TEPT was effective for vascular malformation of the colorectum, and TEPT without laparotomy was more suitable for the short lesions.
Analytical solution for torsion of cylindrical orthotropic annular wedge-shaped bars reinforced by thin shells
Authors: Ecsedi István , Baksa Attila
Published: June 2021

This paper deals with the Saint-Venant torsion of elastic, cylindrically orthotropic bar whose cross section is a sector of a circular ring shaped bar. The cylindrically orthotropic homogeneous elastic wedge-shaped bar strengthened by on its curved boundary surfaces by thin isotropic elastic shells. An analytical method is presented to obtain the Prandtl’s stress function, torsion function, torsional rigidity and shearing stresses. A numerical example illustrates the application of the developed analytical method.
Cyclo-oxygenase 2, a putative mediator of vessel remodeling, is expressed in the brain AVM vessels and associates with inflammation
Authors: Keränen Sara , Suutarinen Santeri , Mallick Rahul , Laakkonen Johanna P. , Guo Diana , Pawlikowska Ludmila , Jahromi Behnam Rezai , Rauramaa Tuomas , Ylä-Herttuala Seppo , Marchuk Doug , Krings Timo , Koivisto Timo , Lawton Michael , Radovanovic Ivan , Kim Helen , Faughnan Marie E. , Frösen Juhana
Published: June 2021

Background

Brain arteriovenous malformations (bAVM) may rupture causing disability or death. BAVM vessels are characterized by abnormally high flow that in general triggers expansive vessel remodeling mediated by cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX2), the target of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. We investigated whether COX2 is expressed in bAVMs and whether it associates with inflammation and haemorrhage in these lesions.

Methods

Tissue was obtained from surgery of 139 bAVMs and 21 normal Circle of Willis samples. The samples were studied with immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Clinical data was collected from patient records.

Results

COX2 expression was found in 78% (109/139) of the bAVMs and localized to the vessels’ lumen or medial layer in 70% (95/135) of the bAVMs. Receptors for prostaglandin E2, a COX2-derived mediator of vascular remodeling, were found in the endothelial and smooth muscle cells and perivascular inflammatory cells of bAVMs. COX2 was expressed by infiltrating inflammatory cells and correlated with the extent of inflammation (r = .231, p = .007, Spearman rank correlation). COX2 expression did not associate with haemorrhage.

Conclusion

COX2 is induced in bAVMs, and possibly participates in the regulation of vessel wall remodelling and ongoing inflammation. Role of COX2 signalling in the pathobiology and clinical course of bAVMs merits further studies.
A multi-component, adaptive Working Memory Assessment Battery (WoMAB): validation and norms in an Italian population sample
Authors: Pasotti Fabrizio , De Luca Giulia , Aiello Edoardo Nicolò , Gramegna Chiara , Di Gangi Marco , Foderaro Giuseppe , Gallucci Marcello , Biglia Elena , Bottini Gabriella
Published: June 2021

Background

Working memory (WM) abilities are frequently impaired in neurological disorders affecting fronto-parietal cortical/sub-cortical structures. WM deficits negatively influence interventional outcomes and everyday functioning. This study thus aimed at the following: (a) developing and standardizing an ecologically valid task for WM assessment ( Ice Cream Test, ICT); (b) validating and norming a novel WM test (Digit Ordering Test, DOT), as well as providing updated norms for digit span (DS) tasks, in an Italian population sample; (c) introducing a novel scoring procedure for measuring WM.

Methods

One-hundred and sixty-eight Italian healthy participants—73 male, 95 females; age: 48.4 ± 19.1 (18–86); education: 12.1 ± 4.8 (4–21)—underwent a thorough WM assessment—DOT, ICT, and both forward and backward DS tasks (FDS, BDS). The ICT requires participants to act as waiters who have to keep track of customers’ orders. For each task, WM and total (T) outcomes were computed, i.e., the number of elements in the longest sequence and that of recalled sequences, respectively. Norms were derived via the equivalent score (ES) method.

Results

DS ratios (DSRs) were computed for both WM/S and T outcomes on raw DS measures (BDS divided by FDS). Age and education significantly predicted all WM tasks; sex affected FDS and DSR-T scores (males > females). WM measures were highly internally related.

Discussion

The present work provides Italian practitioners with a normatively updated, multi-component, adaptive battery for WM assessment (WoMAB) as well as with novel outcomes which capture different WM facets—WM capacity and attentive monitoring abilities.
Wound myiasis in Western Europe: prevalence and risk factors in a changing climate scenario
Authors: Andreatta Erika , Bonavina Luigi
Published: June 2021

Background

Myiasis is an infestation of neglected open wounds by fly larvae. Global warming, related climate changes, and increased traveling in tropical countries may contribute to the worldwide diffusion of new fly species. Common risk factors for myiasis are advanced age, poor hygiene, malnourishment, social isolation, diabetes, cancer, and peripheral artery disease. The aim of this study was to review the characteristics of cases of myiasis reported in Europe.

Methods

A narrative review of cutaneous myiasis was performed using PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science database, and the search terms “human,” “myiasis,” “cutaneous myiasis,” “maggot,” “Europe,” “wound,” with the combination of “AND” and “OR.” In addition, hospital charts were reviewed to add personal experience to the literature review.

Results

Overall, 52 articles, both single case reports and case series reporting cutaneous myiasis, were found in the medical literature of the past two decades. A total of 64 patients living in Europe were identified, of whom 36% had wound myiasis. In addition to the literature review, we report the case of a male patient who presented with myiasis within a deep scalp ulcer occurring after radiotherapy for basal cell carcinoma.

Conclusion

Myasis is rare and possibly under-reported in Europe. The epidemiology of this infestation may be changing in the future due to climate variability, a rise in travel to tropical areas, and the migration of fly species.
Working relationship between primary and specialist care in analysing elevated liver values—a survey from the point of view of gastroenterologists
Authors: Wangler Julian , Claus Stefan , Jansky Michael
Published: June 2021

Elevated liver values are often an incidental finding in outpatient care. A solid working relationship between general practitioners and specialists plays as much of a role in effective diagnostics as do selection and examination of liver values and context as indicators for referral towards more in-depth diagnosis. This article focuses on the status quo as well as potential hurdles and challenges in the relationship between general practitioners and specialists with regard to analysing elevated liver values of uncertain origin. A total of 529 physicians in gastroenterological practices in the German states of Baden-Württemberg, Hesse and Thuringia were invited to take part in an online survey in 2020, of which 313 responded. This contribution focuses on those parts of the survey covering the relationship between general practitioners and specialists. According to the results, 72% of the surveyed gastroenterologists saw working relationships between general practitioners and specialists as beneficial and effective. Even so, a variety of challenges and difficulties in everyday care dominate. Specialists especially criticised preliminary analyses performed by general practitioners as well as time of referral. Apart from that, a wide majority (85%) saw a major role in a structured diagnostic algorithm towards improving early detection and coordination between primary and specialist care. The survey revealed problems in the relationship between general practitioners and specialists. Together with targeted training and further training programmes for general practitioners, a validated diagnostic algorithm for classifying and analysing elevated liver values may be a valuable tool for general practitioners to perform diagnostics and improve the structure within which they work with specialists.
Mite communities (Acari: Mesostigmata, Oribatida) in the red belt conk, Fomitopsis pinicola (Polyporales), in Polish forests
Authors: Gdula Anna K. , Skubała Piotr , Zawieja Bogna , Gwiazdowicz Dariusz J.
Published: June 2021

The fruiting bodies of bracket fungi are a specific microhabitat colonized by various invertebrates of which mites (Acari) are rarely studied, and if they are, the study is usually faunistic. The aim of the research was to determine whether the diversification of mite assemblages (Mesostigmata, Oribatida) inhabiting the fruiting bodies ofFomitopsis pinicola(Sw.) P. Karst. (Polyporales) are connected with the character of the forests and/or the degree of decay (DD) of the fruiting bodies. The research was conducted at Białowieża National Park (BNP), in forests close to natural ones and in Karkonosze National Park (KNP) which was affected by a large-scale forest dieback in the 1980s. Eighty fruiting bodies (40 at each study site) ofF. pinicolabelonging to four DD categories were collected. In total, 4,345 individuals of 120 mite species were recorded at BNP, and 13,912 individuals of 96 species were recorded at KNP. Analyses revealed that the sample dispersion at each study site was comparable, nevertheless the samples from each study site were clearly grouped into slightly overlapping sets which allow observation of the differences between them. In the less decayed fungi (DD 1 and 2) there were fewer mite species and individual mites than in the more decayed samples (DD 3 and 4). There were also significant differences between the fauna of the fungi in each particular DD: the fauna of DD 1 differed from all others, whereas the fauna of heavily decayed fungi (DD 3 and 4) was more comparable.
Impact of breast cancer risk factors on clinically relevant prognostic biomarkers for primary breast cancer
Authors: Abubakar Mustapha , Guo Changyuan , Koka Hela , Zhu Bin , Deng Joseph , Hu Nan , Zhou Bin , Garcia-Closas Montserrat , Lu Ning , Yang Xiaohong R.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

In addition to impacting incidence, risk factors for breast cancer may also influence recurrence and survival from the disease. However, it is unclear how these factors affect combinatorial biomarkers for aiding treatment decision-making in breast cancer.

Methods

Patients were 8179 women with histologically confirmed invasive breast cancer, diagnosed and treated in a large cancer hospital in Beijing, China. Individual clinicopathological (tumor size, grade, lymph nodes) and immunohistochemical (IHC: ER, PR, HER2, KI67) markers were used to define clinically relevant combinatorial prognostic biomarkers, including the Nottingham Prognostic Index (NPI: combining size, grade, nodes) and IHC4 score (combining ER, PR, HER2, KI67). Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between breast cancer risk factors and quartiles (Q1–Q4) of NPI and IHC4 were assessed in multivariable polytomous logistic regression models.

Results

Overall, increasing parity (ORtrend(95% CI) = 1.20(1.05–1.37);Ptrend = 0.007), overweight (OR(95% CI)vs normal = 1.60(1.29–1.98)), and obesity (OR(95% CI) vs normal = 2.12(1.43–3.14)) were associated with higher likelihood of developing tumors with high (Q4) versus low (Q1) NPI score. Conversely, increasing age (ORtrend(95% CI) = 0.75(0.66–0.84);Ptrend < 0.001) and positive family history of breast cancer (FHBC) (OR(95% CI) = 0.66(0.45–0.95)) were inversely associated with NPI. Only body mass index (BMI) was associated with IHC4, with overweight (OR(95% CI) vs normal = 0.82(0.66–1.02)) and obese (OR(95% CI) vs normal = 0.52(0.36–0.76)) women less likely to develop high IHC4 tumors. Notably, elevated BMI was associated with higher NPI irrespective of hormone receptor-expression status.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that factors affecting breast cancer incidence, particularly age, parity, FHBC, and BMI, may impact clinically relevant prognostic biomarkers with implications for surveillance, prognostication, and counseling.
Initial Maintenance of Attention to Threat in Children with Social Anxiety Disorder? Findings from an Eye-Tracking Experiment
Authors: Schmidtendorf Steffen , Herwig Arvid , Wiedau Susanne , Asbrand Julia , Tuschen-Caffier Brunna , Heinrichs Nina
Published: June 2021

Background

Attentional biases are assumed to be a core feature in the etiology and maintenance of clinical anxiety. The present study focuses on initial maintenance of attention to threat, one of three attentional components investigated the least, particularly in child anxiety.

Methods

Angry and neutral facial expressions were presented in a free-viewing task, while eye-movements were recorded. Participants were N = 96 school-aged children, with n = 50 children with a clinical social anxiety disorder (SAD) and n = 46 healthy control children (HC). Prior to the task, social stress was induced in half of participating children to investigate the impact of increased levels of distress on initial attention allocation.

Results

The length of first fixation to angry faces in children with SAD neither differed from the length of first fixation to neutral faces nor the length of first fixation to angry faces in HC children. Furthermore, this variable was not affected by a stress induction procedure. However, children with SAD initially fixated longer on faces than HC children.

Conclusion

Our findings provide evidence for difficulties disengaging attention from faces. This may indicate that attention allocation is determined by the social nature of the stimuli rather than by the specific emotional valence.
Refractive outcome and tomographic changes after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty in pseudophakic eyes with Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy
Authors: Agha Bishr , Ahmad Nura , Dawson Daniel G. , Kohnen Thomas , Schmack Ingo
Published: June 2021

Purpose

To analyze refractive and topographic changes secondary to Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) in pseudophakic eyes with Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy (FED).

Methods

Eighty-seven pseudophakic eyes of 74 patients who underwent subsequent DMEK surgery for corneal endothelial decompensation and associated visual impairment were included. Median post-operative follow-up time was 12 months (range: 3–26 months). Main outcome measures were pre- and post-operative manifest refraction, anterior and posterior corneal astigmatism, simulated keratometry (CASimK) and Q value obtained by Scheimpflug imaging. Secondary outcome measures included corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), central corneal densitometry, central corneal thickness, corneal volume (CV), anterior chamber volume (ACV) and anterior chamber depth (ACD).

Results

After DMEK surgery, mean pre-operative spherical equivalent (± SD) changed from + 0.04 ± 1.73 D to + 0.37 ± 1.30 D post-operatively (p = 0.06). CDVA, proportion of emmetropic eyes, ACV and ACD increased significantly during follow-up. There was also a significant decrease in posterior corneal astigmatism, central corneal densitometry, central corneal thickness and corneal volume over time (p = 0.001). Only anterior corneal astigmatism and simulated keratometry (CASimK) remained fairly stable after DMEK.

Conclusion

Despite tendencies toward a hyperopic shift, changes in SE were not significant and refraction remained overall stable in pseudophakic patients undergoing DMEK for FED. Analysis of corneal parameters by Scheimpflug imaging mainly revealed changes in posterior corneal astigmatism pointing out the relevance of posterior corneal profile changes during edema resolution after DMEK.
Accelerating AI Adoption with Responsible AI Signals and Employee Engagement Mechanisms in Health Care
Authors: Wang Weisha , Chen Long , Xiong Mengran , Wang Yichuan
Published: June 2021

Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology is transforming the healthcare sector. However, despite this, the associated ethical implications remain open to debate. This research investigates how signals of AI responsibility impact healthcare practitioners’ attitudes toward AI, satisfaction with AI, AI usage intentions, including the underlying mechanisms. Our research outlines autonomy, beneficence, explainability, justice, and non-maleficence as the five key signals of AI responsibility for healthcare practitioners. The findings reveal that these five signals significantly increase healthcare practitioners’ engagement, which subsequently leads to more favourable attitudes, greater satisfaction, and higher usage intentions with AI technology. Moreover, ‘techno-overload’ as a primary ‘techno-stressor’ moderates the mediating effect of engagement on the relationship between AI justice and behavioural and attitudinal outcomes. When healthcare practitioners perceive AI technology as adding extra workload, such techno-overload will undermine the importance of the justice signal and subsequently affect their attitudes, satisfaction, and usage intentions with AI technology.
Evaluating sedimentary DNA for tracing changes in cyanobacteria dynamics from sediments spanning the last 350 years of Lake Tiefer See, NE Germany
Authors: Nwosu Ebuka C. , Brauer Achim , Kaiser Jérôme , Horn Fabian , Wagner Dirk , Liebner Susanne
Published: June 2021

Since the beginning of the Anthropocene, lacustrine biodiversity has been influenced by climate change and human activities. These factors advance the spread of harmful cyanobacteria in lakes around the world, which affects water quality and impairs the aquatic food chain. In this study, we assessed changes in cyanobacterial community dynamics via sedimentary DNA (sedaDNA) from well-dated lake sediments of Lake Tiefer See, which is part of the Klocksin Lake Chain spanning the last 350 years. Our diversity and community analysis revealed that cyanobacterial communities form clusters according to the presence or absence of varves. Based on distance-based redundancy and variation partitioning analyses (dbRDA and VPA) we identified that intensified lake circulation inferred from vegetation openness reconstructions, δ13C data (a proxy for varve preservation) and total nitrogen content were abiotic factors that significantly explained the variation in the reconstructed cyanobacterial community from Lake Tiefer See sediments. Operational taxonomic units (OTUs) assigned to Microcystis sp. and Aphanizomenon sp. were identified as potential eutrophication-driven taxa of growing importance since circa common era (ca. CE) 1920 till present. This result is corroborated by a cyanobacteria lipid biomarker analysis. Furthermore, we suggest that stronger lake circulation as indicated by non-varved sediments favoured the deposition of the non-photosynthetic cyanobacteria sister clade Sericytochromatia, whereas lake bottom anoxia as indicated by subrecent- and recent varves favoured the Melainabacteria in sediments. Our findings highlight the potential of high-resolution amplicon sequencing in investigating the dynamics of past cyanobacterial communities in lake sediments and show that lake circulation, anoxic conditions, and human-induced eutrophication are main factors explaining variations in the cyanobacteria community in Lake Tiefer See during the last 350 years.
Pseudocrossidium replicatum (Taylor) R.H. Zander is a fully desiccation-tolerant moss that expresses an inducible molecular mechanism in response to severe abiotic stress
Authors: Ríos-Meléndez Selma , Valadez-Hernández Emmanuel , Delgadillo Claudio , Luna-Guevara Maria L. , Martínez-Núñez Mario A. , Sánchez-Pérez Mishael , Martínez-y-Pérez José L. , Arroyo-Becerra Analilia , Cárdenas Luis , Bibbins-Martínez Martha , Maldonado-Mendoza Ignacio E. , Villalobos-López Miguel Angel
Published: June 2021

Key message

The moss Pseudocrossidium replicatum is a desiccation-tolerant species that uses an inducible system to withstand severe abiotic stress in both protonemal and gametophore tissues.

Desiccation tolerance (DT) is the ability of cells to recover from an air-dried state. Here, the moss Pseudocrossidium replicatum was identified as a fully desiccation-tolerant (FDT) species. Its gametophores rapidly lost more than 90% of their water content when exposed to a low-humidity atmosphere [23% relative humidity (RH)], but abscisic acid (ABA) pretreatment diminished the final water loss after equilibrium was reached. P. replicatum gametophores maintained good maximum photosystem II (PSII) efficiency (Fv/Fm) for up to two hours during slow dehydration; however, ABA pretreatment induced a faster decrease in the Fv/Fm. ABA also induced a faster recovery of the Fv/Fm after rehydration. Protein synthesis inhibitor treatment before dehydration hampered the recovery of the Fv/Fm when the gametophores were rehydrated after desiccation, suggesting the presence of an inducible protective mechanism that is activated in response to abiotic stress. This observation was also supported by accumulation of soluble sugars in gametophores exposed to ABA or NaCl. Exogenous ABA treatment delayed the germination of P. replicatum spores and induced morphological changes in protonemal cells that resembled brachycytes. Transcriptome analyses revealed the presence of an inducible molecular mechanism in P. replicatum protonemata that was activated in response to dehydration. This study is the first RNA-Seq study of the protonemal tissues of an FDT moss. Our results suggest that P. replicatum is an FDT moss equipped with an inducible molecular response that prepares this species for severe abiotic stress and that ABA plays an important role in this response.
Improved inference for areal unit count data using graph-based optimisation
Authors: Lee Duncan , Meeks Kitty , Pettersson William
Published: June 2021

Spatio-temporal count data relating to a set of non-overlapping areal units are prevalent in many fields, including epidemiology and social science. The spatial autocorrelation inherent in these data is typically modelled by a set of random effects that are assigned a conditional autoregressive prior distribution, which is a special case of a Gaussian Markov random field. The autocorrelation structure implied by this model depends on a binary neighbourhood matrix, where two random effects are assumed to be partially autocorrelated if their areal units share a common border, and are conditionally independent otherwise. This paper proposes a novel graph-based optimisation algorithm for estimating either a static or a temporally varying neighbourhood matrix for the data that better represents its spatial correlation structure, by viewing the areal units as the vertices of a graph and the neighbour relations as the set of edges. The improved estimation performance of our methodology compared to the commonly used border sharing rule is evidenced by simulation, before the method is applied to a new respiratory disease surveillance study in Scotland between 2011 and 2017.
The strong arm of the law: a unified account of necessary and contingent laws of nature
Authors: Hirèche Salim , Linnemann Niels , Michels Robert , Vogt Lisa
Published: June 2021

A common feature of all standard theories of the laws of nature is that they are ‘absolutist’: They take laws to be eitherallmetaphysically necessary orallcontingent. Science, however, gives us reason to think that there are laws of both kinds, suggesting that standard theories should make way for ‘non-absolutist’ alternatives: theories which accommodate laws of both modal statuses. In this paper, we set out three explanatory challenges for any candidate non-absolutist theory, and discuss the prospects of the two extant candidates in light of these challenges. We then develop our own non-absolutist theory, the essentialist DTA account, which combines the nomic-necessitation or DTA account with an essentialist approach to metaphysical modality in order to meet the three explanatory challenges. Finally, we argue that the distinction between kinematical and dynamical laws found in physical theories supports both non-absolutism in general and our proposed essentialist DTA view in particular.
Megarian Variable Actualism
Authors: Friend Toby
Published: June 2021

Megarian Actualism is the denial of unmanifesting powers. Aristotle called such a view ‘buffoonery’ and dispositionalists have provided compelling reasons for the contrary platitude that powers need not manifest. Even so, drawing on extant treatments of quantitative powers I’ll suggest that many of the powers which feature in quantitative lawlike equations are plausibly interpreted as Megarian. This is because the powers described by such equations are best understood as being directed towards all the values of exhaustive manifestation variables. I’ll discuss the prospects for generalising these Megarian characteristics to powers not typically represented in strict quantitative terms. The result will be a strong basis for a scientifically informed and plausible dispositionalist account: Megarian Variable Actualism.
An Assessment of Analytical Liquidus Equations for Fe-C-Si-Mn-Al-P-Alloyed Steels Using DSC/DTA Techniques
Authors: Bernhard Michael , Presoly Peter , Bernhard Christian , Hahn Susanne , Ilie Sergiu
Published: June 2021

Analytical liquidus equations were evaluated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). Results of 180 measurements in the Fe-C-Si-Mn-Al-P subsystems were considered, where the experimental methodology was demonstrated for four alloys in the Fe-Si-Mn-Al system. Excellent agreement between the DSC/DTA dataset and the most recently published equation was found (error 2.1 ± 1.6 °C). For this equation, suggested modifications of phosphorus parameters will help to improve calculations for P-alloyed steels.
Soziale Arbeit und Krise
Authors: Richter Martina , Sufryd Katharina , Wittfeld Meike
Published: June 2021

Die Bezeichnung eines gesellschaftlichen Phänomens als Krise ist wirkmächtig. Durch die Klassifizierung wird ein Handlungsdruck markiert, der sowohl produktiv als auch hinderlich sein kann. Die Soziale Arbeit als Disziplin und Profession ist Teil der gesellschaftlichen Verhältnisse, in denen Krisen entstehen und bearbeitet werden. Im vorliegenden Schwerpunkt wird diese Eingebundenheit theoretisch-systematisierend entfaltet und zudem für drei ausgesuchte Arbeitsfelder der Sozialen Arbeit reflektiert.
Chinese organized crime and the illegal wildlife trade: diversification and outsourcing in the Golden Triangle
Authors: van Uhm Daan P. , Wong Rebecca W. Y.
Published: June 2021

The illegal wildlife trade has increasingly been linked to organized crime in recent years. In particular, Chinese crime groups seem to be major players in more organized forms of this trade. This article examines the involvement of Chinese organized crime groups in the trade of wildlife in the borderlands of the Golden Triangle. We will discuss the representation of Chinese crime groups in the illegal wildlife trade by looking at: a) the diversification of these crime groups into wildlife crimes and b) the outsourcing of activities to local opportunistic crime groups in neighboring Laos and Myanmar. We conclude that the different representations of Chinese crime groups overseas involved in the illegal wildlife trade are important in order to understand the roles of diversification and outsourcing.
Housing for Refugees in Sweden: Top-Down Governance and its Local Reactions
Authors: Emilsson Henrik , Öberg Klara
Published: June 2021

In this article, we investigate local level reactions to the top-down state steering for the housing of refugees in Sweden. We especially reflect on events after the increased refugee reception in Sweden in 2015 and the introduction of a Settlement Act in 2016 which made it mandatory for municipalities to receive a specific number of refugees and organise accommodation. This has resulted in a wide array of housing situations for refugees concerning standard, costs and temporary solutions. A multi-level governance framework from on central government steering perspective is applied. We argue that the modified legislation can be understood as a change in governance throughout the years — from persuasion to economic incentives and, finally, to coercive methods. Sweden is a country that has distinguished itself as one refraining from particularity and continuing to work towards equality between newcomers and citizens. In relation to recent legal and political developments, we identify a change — a paradoxical change, as governance for the more-equal reception of refugees in Sweden seems to lead to increased inequalities for refugees on the local level.
Increasing Hydroperiod in a Karst-depression Wetland Based on 165 Years of Simulated Daily Water Levels
Authors: Cartwright Jennifer M. , Wolfe William J.
Published: June 2021

The hydrology of seasonally inundated depression wetlands can be highly sensitive to climatic fluctuations. Hydroperiod—the number of days per year that a wetland is inundated—is often of primary ecological importance in these systems and can vary interannually depending on climate conditions. In this study we re-examined an existing hydrologic model to simulate daily water levels in Sinking Pond, a 35-hectare seasonally inundated karst-depression wetland in Tennessee, USA. We recalibrated the model using 22 years of climate and water-level observations and used the recalibrated model to reconstruct (hindcast) daily water levels over a 165-year period from 1855 to 2019. A trend analysis of the climatic data and reconstructed water levels over the hindcasting period indicated substantial increases in pond hydroperiod over time, apparently related to increasing regional precipitation. Wetland hydroperiod increased on average by 5.9 days per decade between 1920 and 2019, with a breakpoint around the year 1970. Hydroperiod changes of this magnitude may have profound consequences for wetland ecology, such as a transition from a forested wetland to a mostly open-water pond at the Sinking Pond site. More broadly, this study illustrates the needs for robust hydrologic models of depression wetlands and for consideration of model transferability in time (i.e., hindcasting and forecasting) under non-stationary hydroclimatic conditions. As climate change is expected to influence water cycles, hydrologic processes, and wetland ecohydrology in the coming decades, hydrologic model projections may become increasingly important to detect, anticipate, and potentially mitigate ecological impacts in depression wetland ecosystems.
Population control by means of organised hunting effort: Experiences from a voluntary goose hunting arrangement
Authors: Tombre Ingunn M. , Fredriksen Fredrik , Jerpstad Odd , Østnes Jan Eivind , Eythórsson Einar
Published: June 2021

Implementing management objectives may be challenging when decisions are made at different scales than where they are supposed to be carried out. In this study we present a situation where local goose hunting arrangements respond to objectives in an international management plan for pink-footed geese (Anser brachyrhynchus) and a local wish to reduce goose numbers as means to reduce grazing damage on farmland. A unique ten-year dataset provides an evaluation of the efficiency of voluntary actions at a local scale for implementing a policy of population control of geese, and general lessons are drawn for collaboration and co-production of knowledge for adaptive management. The study demonstrates how both the hunters and geese adapt in a situation where increasing the harvest of geese is the main objective. Introducing hunting-free days and safe foraging areas significantly increased goose numbers in the study area, with a corresponding increase in hunting success in terms of number of harvested geese. The geese’s behavioural response to hunting also triggered the hunters to adapt accordingly by optimal timing and placement in the landscape. Based on the results of the present study we suggest a framework for local implementation of management actions. Bringing end-users on board, facilitates processes and strengthens the achievements, as they represent the actors where implementation occurs. Specifically, our findings demonstrate how optimal goose hunting can be practiced by the use of an adaptive framework with active stakeholder participation.
Influence of the cage on the migration and distribution of lubricating oil inside a ball bearing
Authors: Liang He , Zhang Yu , Wang Wenzhong
Published: June 2021

The migration and distribution of lubricant oil in a rolling bearing strongly affect the elastohydrodynamic lubrication performance between the balls and rings. However, oil re-lubrication is highly dependent on the bearing design, which is different from the ball-on-disc model. This study directly observed the distribution of the lubricant film in a custom-made model-bearing rig, with an outer ring replaced by a glass ring to allow full optical access. The influence of the cage type and surface properties were presented. The physical origin of the re-lubrication mechanism, including capillary flow and mechanical redistribution, was discussed.