bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationships between molar mass and fracture properties of segmented urethane and amide copolymers modified by chemical degradation
Authors: Bardin Antoine , Le Gac Pierre‐Yves , Bindi Hervé , Fayolle Bruno
Published: September 2020

This publication highlights the structure–property relationships in several thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs): one poly(ether‐block‐amide) and two thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers with ester and ether soft blocks. Structural changes are induced by chemical degradation from virgin samples through hydrolysis and oxidation. Molar mass measurements show an exclusive chain scission mechanism for all TPEs, regardless of the chemical modification condition. Mechanical behavior was nevertheless obtained from uniaxial tensile testing and fracture testing while considering the essential work of fracture (EWF) concept. During the macromolecular scission process, elongation at break shows a plateau followed by a drop, while stress at break decreases steadily. Once again, the trend is identical for all TPEs in all conditions considered. The βwp parameter determined using the EWF concept exhibits an interesting sensitivity to scissions (i.e., molar mas decrease). Plotting elongation at break as a function of molar mass reveals a strong correlation between these two parameters. This master curve is particularly remarkable considering the range of TPEs and chemical breakdown pathways considered (hydrolysis and oxidation at several temperatures). Relevant structure–property relationships are proposed, highlighting that molar mass is a predominant parameter for determining the mechanical properties of thermoplastic elastomers.
On the move again? Residential trajectories of refugees after obtaining asylum in the Netherlands
Authors: de Hoon Marloes , Vink Maarten , Schmeets Hans
Published: September 2020

Efforts by European countries to disperse refugees across the country often implicitly presuppose permanent settlement in dispersal locations. Migrant (re)settlement theories, however, suggest that onward mobility after (social) housing allocation is a more likely outcome. This paper explores refugees' onward residential trajectories after dispersal in the Netherlands, including possible onward international mobility. We follow refugees who entered the municipal registers in 1998 and 1999 (N = 13,490) over a ten‐year period after taking up residence in the first private dwelling. We find that residential trajectories are related to the household situation and vary considerably across origin groups. In general, ‘stable trajectories’, with a continuation of the type of initial location after dispersal (rural, suburban or urban), are most common. About half of the refugees who stayed in the Netherlands did not leave the municipality of allocation during their a private housing trajectory. Yet, those who were allocated to rural municipalities have in the majority of the cases relocated over time. We find some evidence that social networks and transitions to home ownership are associated with rural to urban movement. Recent policy changes that allow for more participation in the housing allocation procedures of the refugees themselves may reduce resettlement needs and costs for refugees.
Comparison of Sulfur Incorporation into CuInSe2 and CuGaSe2 Thin‐Film Solar Absorbers
Authors: Khavari Faraz , Keller Jan , Larsen Jes K. , Sopiha Kostiantyn V. , Törndahl Tobias , Edoff Marika
Published: September 2020

Herein, sulfurization of CuInSe2 and CuGaSe2 (CGSe) absorber layers is compared to improve the understanding of sulfur incorporation into Cu(In,Ga)Se2 films by annealing in a sulfur atmosphere. It is found for Cu‐poor CuInSe2 that for an annealing temperature of 430 °C, sulfur is incorporated into the surface of the absorber and forms an inhomogeneous CuIn(S,Se)2 layer. In addition, at 530 °C, a surface layer of CuInS2 is formed. In contrast, for Cu‐poor CuGaSe2 samples, S can only be introduced at 530 °C, mainly forming an alloy of CuGa(S,Se)2, where no closed CuGaS2 layer is found. In Cu‐rich CuGaSe2 samples, however, selenium is substituted by S already at 330 °C, which can be explained by a rapid phase transformation of Cu2 − xSe into Cu2 − x(S,Se). This transformation facilitates S in‐diffusion and catalyzes CuGa(S,Se)2 formation, likewise that previously reported to occur in CuInSe2. Finally, the Cu‐poor CuInSe2 solar cell performance is improved by the sulfurization step at 430 °C, whereas for the 530 °C sample, a decreasing fill factor and short‐circuit current density are observed, indicating lower diffusion length accompanied by possible formation of an electron transport barrier. In contrast, the electrical characteristics deteriorate for all sulfurized Cu‐poor CuGaSe2 cells.
Analysis of diurnal to seasonal variability of Integrated Water Vapour in the South Indian Ocean basin using ground‐based GNSS and fifth‐generation ECMWF reanalysis (ERA5) data
Authors: Lees Edouard , Bousquet Olivier , Roy Denis , Bellevue Jimmy Leclair de
Published: September 2020

The spatial and temporal distribution of tropospheric water vapour in the South Indian Ocean (SIO) basin is investigated using observations collected from twelve GNSS stations spanning the basin. The comparison of GNSS‐derived integrated water vapour (IWV) content against radiosoundings and satellite‐borne microwave radiometer data shows good agreement, with global uncertainties ranging from 0.76 to 1.17 kg·m−2, depending on GNSS station locations. GNSS‐derived IWV contents show a strong seasonal cycle, characterized by higher water vapour content during the austral summer, when the InterTropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is located in the Southern Hemisphere. At the seasonal time‐scale, the observed annual IWV amplitude varies from 10 to 15 kg·m−2 near the Equator to 20 to 30 kg·m−2 in the Subtropics. The GNSS IWV signature of the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) is hardly noticeable during the Austral winter, but varies from 1–2 to 4 kg·m−2 between the active and suppressed phases of the MJO during austral summer. At diurnal time‐scales, GNSS IWV shows larger diurnal amplitude over land (2–3 kg·m−2) than over open ocean (1–2 kg·m−2), with highest amplitudes (up to 7 kg·m−2) observed over large and mountainous islands. The phase analysis of the IWV diurnal cycle indicates that the diurnal maximum (minimum) is reached in the late afternoon/evening (morning) over land, at night (mid‐day) over ocean and in the early morning (late afternoon) at coastal locations. A comparison of GNSS‐derived IWV contents against fifth‐generation European Centre for Medium‐range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Reanalysis (ERA5) data shows that ERA5 generally correctly reproduces the IWV content at both seasonal, intra‐seasonal and diurnal time‐scales, although some discrepancies can be noticed over small islands characterised by steep orography. The signature of the MJO in ERA5 also shows good agreement with GNSS observations at most studied locations.
Enhancing ensemble data assimilation into one‐way‐coupled models with one‐step‐ahead smoothing
Authors: Raboudi Naila F. , Ait‐El‐Fquih Boujemaa , Subramanian Aneesh C. , Hoteit Ibrahim
Published: September 2020

This study investigates the filtering problem with one‐way coupled (OWC) state‐space systems, for which the joint ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) is the standard solution. In this approach, the states of the two coupled sub‐systems are jointly updated with all incoming observations. This enables transfer of the information across the sub‐systems, which should provide coupled‐state estimates in better agreement with the observations. The state estimates of the joint EnKF highly depend on the relevance of the joint ensembles' cross‐covariances between the sub‐systems' variables. In this work, we propose a new joint EnKF scheme based on the One‐Step‐Ahead (OSA) smoothing formulation of the filtering problem for efficient assimilation into OWC systems. The scheme introduces an extra smoothing step for both states' sub‐systems with the future observations, followed by an analysis step for each sub‐system state using only its own observation, all within a Bayesian‐consistent framework. The extra OSA smoothing step enables us to more efficiently exploit the observations, to enhance the representativeness of the EnKF covariances, and to mitigate for reported inconsistencies in the joint EnKF analysis step. We demonstrate the relevance of the proposed approach by presenting and analyzing results of various numerical experiments conducted with a OWC Lorenz‐96 model.
Radical Reactions of Ynamides
Authors: Tan Tong‐De , Wang Ze‐Shu , Qian Peng‐Cheng , Ye Long‐Wu
Published: September 2020

Ynamides are electron‐rich heteroatom‐substituted alkynes with C−C triple bond directly tethered to the amide group. Over the past decades, ynamides have proven to be versatile reagents for organic synthesis and have received extensive attention. Compared with the well‐established ionic reactions of ynamides, radical‐based ynamide reactions have been exploited relatively seldom. Herein, radical reactions of ynamides, classified by radical attack at the α‐position and β‐position of ynamides, are reviewed by highlighting the reaction selectivity, scope, mechanism, and applicability. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive summarization of these advances, casting light on the further development of ynamide chemistry.
Small Structures Bring Big Things: Performance Control of Hollow Multishelled Structures
Authors: Wang Li , Wan Jiawei , Wang Jiangyan , Wang Dan
Published: September 2020

Hollow multishelled structures (HoMSs) have gained numerous achievements in broad scientific research fields. In the past decade, the rapid developments of synthetic methods and advanced characterization technologies have enriched HoMS family with abundant chemical compositions and geometric structures. In addition, the control in phase structure and surface structure of HoMSs have also been reported in recent years. With great efforts devoted to controlling the compositional and structural characteristics, such as shell composition, shell number, shell thickness, and intershell space, HoMSs have displayed their intrinsic temporal–spatial nature and proven to be fruitful in optimizing mass transport, storage, and release. This review first summarizes the compositional and structural control of HoMSs in three levels, that is, building subunits, assembled functional shells, and HoMSs. Subsequentially, the essential influence of composition and structure on mass transport, storage, and release is deeply discussed by highlighting the application of HoMSs in energy storage, catalysis, electromagnetic wave absorption, and drug delivery. Finally, the challenges and opportunities in the future development of HoMSs are forecasted.
Hellish Evil, Heavenly Love: A Long-Term History of Same-Sex Sexuality and Religion in the Netherlands
Authors: Bos David J.
Published: September 2020

This chapter offers an overview of changes in Dutch perceptions of, and attitudes toward, same-sex sexuality and the part religion played in them. It discusses landmark events and publications from 1730—when “sodomy” became a public issue—until the present. It describes the evolution of discourse on same-sex sexuality, with special reference to the earliest publications on “homosexuality,” alias “Uranism,” which often referred to religion. In the twentieth century, Roman Catholic and Protestant opposition to homosexual emancipation gradually gave way to sympathy, and in the 1960s some pastors were vocal advocates of acceptance. In the early 1970s, homosexuality became a doctrinal issue, a religious identity marker. Polarization was exacerbated in the late 1970s, which saw the rise of both the gay and lesbian movement and religious fundamentalism. “Discursive associations” between religion—including Judaism and Islam—and homosexuality are brought to light partly by means of quantitative content analysis of newspapers.
Cooperativity of membrane-protein and protein–protein interactions control membrane remodeling by epsin 1 and affects clathrin-mediated endocytosis
Authors: Kroppen Benjamin , Teske Nelli , Yambire King F. , Denkert Niels , Mukherjee Indrani , Tarasenko Daryna , Jaipuria Garima , Zweckstetter Markus , Milosevic Ira , Steinem Claudia , Meinecke Michael
Published: September 2020

Membrane remodeling is a critical process for many membrane trafficking events, including clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Several molecular mechanisms for protein-induced membrane curvature have been described in some detail. Contrary, the effect that the physico-chemical properties of the membrane have on these processes is far less well understood. Here, we show that the membrane binding and curvature-inducing ENTH domain of epsin1 is regulated by phosphatidylserine (PS). ENTH binds to membranes in a PI(4,5)P2-dependent manner but only induces curvature in the presence of PS. On PS-containing membranes, the ENTH domain forms rigid homo-oligomers and assembles into clusters. Membrane binding and membrane remodeling can be separated by structure-to-function mutants. Such oligomerization mutants bind to membranes but do not show membrane remodeling activity. In vivo, they are not able to rescue defects in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) endocytosis in epsin knock-down cells. Together, these data show that the membrane lipid composition is important for the regulation of protein-dependent membrane deformation during clathrin-mediated endocytosis.
Molecular and neurocircuitry mechanisms of social avoidance
Authors: Gellner Anne-Kathrin , Voelter Jella , Schmidt Ulrike , Beins Eva Carolina , Stein Valentin , Philipsen Alexandra , Hurlemann René
Published: September 2020

Humans and animals live in social relationships shaped by actions of approach and avoidance. Both are crucial for normal physical and mental development, survival, and well-being. Active withdrawal from social interaction is often induced by the perception of threat or unpleasant social experience and relies on adaptive mechanisms within neuronal networks associated with social behavior. In case of confrontation with overly strong or persistent stressors and/or dispositions of the affected individual, maladaptive processes in the neuronal circuitries and its associated transmitters and modulators lead to pathological social avoidance. This review focuses on active, fear-driven social avoidance, affected circuits within the mesocorticolimbic system and associated regions and a selection of molecular modulators that promise translational potential. A comprehensive review of human research in this field is followed by a reflection on animal studies that offer a broader and often more detailed range of analytical methodologies. Finally, we take a critical look at challenges that could be addressed in future translational research on fear-driven social avoidance.
Intercontinental trials reveal stable QTL for Northern corn leaf blight resistance in Europe and in Brazil
Authors: Galiano-Carneiro Ana L. , Kessel Bettina , Presterl Thomas , Miedaner Thomas
Published: September 2020

Key message

NCLB is the most devastating leaf disease in European maize, and the introduction of Brazilian resistance donors can efficiently increase the resistance levels of European maize germplasm.

Northern corn leaf blight (NCLB) is one of the most devastating leaf pathogens in maize (Zea maysL.). Maize cultivars need to be equipped with broad and stable NCLB resistance to cope with production intensification and climate change. Brazilian germplasm is a great source to increase low NCLB resistance levels in European materials, but little is known about their effect in European environments. To investigate the usefulness of Brazilian germplasm as NCLB resistance donors, we conducted multi-parent QTL mapping, evaluated the potential of marker-assisted selection as well as genome-wide selection of 742 F1-derived DH lines. The line per se performance was evaluated in one location in Brazil and six location-by-year combinations (= environments) in Europe, while testcrosses were assessed in two locations in Brazil and further 10 environments in Europe. Jointly, we identified 17 QTL for NCLB resistance explaining 3.57–30.98% of the genotypic variance each. Two of these QTL were detected in both Brazilian and European environments indicating the stability of these QTL in contrasting ecosystems. We observed moderate to high genomic prediction accuracies between 0.58 and 0.83 depending on population and continent. Collectively, our study illustrates the potential use of tropical resistance sources to increase NCLB resistance level in applied European maize breeding programs.
Damage detection by recurrence and entropy methods on the basis of time series measured during composite milling
Authors: Kecik Krzysztof , Ciecielag Krzysztof , Zaleski Kazimierz
Published: September 2020

This paper presents methods for damage detection in machined material on the basis of time series measured during milling of glass-fiber–reinforced polymer (GFRP). Recurrence methods and different types of entropy have emerged as useful tools for detecting subtle non-stationarities and/or changes in nonlinear signals. In this research, a recurrence plot, recurrence quantifications, an approximate entropy, and sample entropy are used. By identifying changes in the cutting force measured during the composite milling process, the damage occurrence has been detected. Firstly, the damage has been modelled as the intentionally introduced hole with different diameters and depths in order to estimate the size detectable damages and to select proper recurrence measures as damage indicators. Next, the experiments with the real damage have been performed and the damage indicators have used.
How measurement error affects inference in linear regression
Authors: Meijer Erik , Oczkowski Edward , Wansbeek Tom
Published: September 2020

Measurement error biases OLS results. When the measurement error variance in absolute or relative (reliability) form is known, adjustment is simple. We link the (known) estimators for these cases to GMM theory and provide simple derivations of their standard errors. Our focus is on the test statistics. We show monotonic relations between thet-statistics and$$R^2$$R2s of the (infeasible) estimator if there was no measurement error, the inconsistent OLS estimator, and the consistent estimator that corrects for measurement error and show the relation between thet-value and the magnitude of the assumed measurement error variance or reliability. We also discuss how standard errors can be computed when the measurement error variance or reliability is estimated, rather than known, and we indicate how the estimators generalize to the panel data context, where we have to deal with dependency among observations. By way of illustration, we estimate a hedonic wine price function for different values of the reliability of the proxy used for the wine quality variable.
Which Surgical Operations Should be Performed in District Hospitals in East, Central and Southern Africa? Results of a Survey of Regional Clinicians
Authors: Bentounsi Zineb , Lavy Chris , Pittalis Chiara , Clarke Morgane , Rizk Jean , Le Grace , Brugha Ruairi , Borgstein Eric , Gajewski Jakub
Published: September 2020

Background

In East, Central and Southern Africa (ECSA), district hospitals (DH) are the main source of surgical care for 80% of the population. DHs in Africa must provide basic life‐saving procedures, but the extent to which they can offer other general and emergency surgery is debated. Our paper contributes to this debate through analysis and discussion of regional surgical care providers' perspectives.

Methods

We conducted a survey at the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa Conference in Kigali in December 2018. The survey presented the participants with 59 surgical and anaesthesia procedures and asked them if they thought the procedure should be done in a district level hospital in their region. We then measured the level of positive agreement (LPA) for each procedure and conducted sub‐analysis by cadre and level of experience.

Results

We had 100 respondents of which 94 were from ECSA. Eighteen procedures had an LPA of 80% or above, among which appendicectomy (98%), caesarean section (97%) and spinal anaesthesia (97%). Twenty‐one procedures had an LPA between 31 and 79%. The surgical procedures that fell in this category were a mix of obstetrics, general surgery and orthopaedics. Twenty procedures had an LPA below 30% among which paediatric anaesthesia and surgery.

Conclusion

Our study offers the perspectives of almost 100 surgical care providers from ECSA on which surgical and anaesthesia procedures should be provided in district hospitals. This might help in planning surgical care training and delivery in these hospitals.
Combination efficacy of pertuzumab and trastuzumab for trastuzumab emtansine-resistant cells exhibiting attenuated lysosomal trafficking or efflux pumps upregulation
Authors: Yamashita-Kashima Yoriko , Shu Sei , Osada Masahiro , Fujimura Takaaki , Yoshiura Shigeki , Harada Naoki , Yoshimura Yasushi
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) is the standard treatment in the current second-line therapy of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive metastatic breast cancer. However, a useful therapy after T-DM1 resistance has not been established. In this study, we established two different HER2-positive T-DM1-resistant cancer cells and evaluated the antitumor effect of trastuzumab in combination with pertuzumab (TRAS + PER).

Methods

Single-cell-cloned OE19 and BT-474 cells were cultured with increasing concentrations of T-DM1 to generate T-DM1-resistant OE19bTDR and BT-474bTDR cells, respectively. HER2 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Multidrug resistance proteins (MDR1 and MRP1) were evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Intracellular trafficking of T-DM1 was examined by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence staining. Efficacy of TRAS + PER was evaluated by cell proliferation assay, HER3 and AKT phosphorylation, caspase 3/7 activity, and antitumor activity.

Results

HER2 expression of both resistant cells was equivalent to that of the parent cells. Overexpression of MDR1 and MRP1 was observed and affected the T-DM1 sensitivity in the OE19bTDR cells. Abnormal localization of T-DM1 into the lysosomes was observed in the BT-474bTDR cells. In BT-474bTDR cells, TRAS + PER inhibited the phosphorylation of AKT involved in HER2–HER3 signaling, and apoptosis induction and cell proliferation inhibition were significantly higher with TRAS + PER than with the individual drugs. TRAS + PER significantly suppressed tumor growth in the OE19bTDR xenograft model compared with each single agent.

Conclusions

The results suggest that the TRAS + PER combination may be effective in T-DM1-resistant cancer cells where HER2 overexpression is maintained.
Natural history of prostate cancer on active surveillance: stratification by MRI using the PRECISE recommendations in a UK cohort
Authors: Giganti Francesco , Stabile Armando , Stavrinides Vasilis , Osinibi Elizabeth , Retter Adam , Orczyk Clément , Panebianco Valeria , Trock Bruce J. , Freeman Alex , Haider Aiman , Punwani Shonit , Allen Clare , Kirkham Alex , Emberton Mark , Moore Caroline M.
Published: September 2020

Objectives

The PRECISE recommendations for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients on active surveillance (AS) for prostate cancer (PCa) include repeated measurement of each lesion, and attribution of a PRECISE radiological progression score for the likelihood of clinically significant change over time. We aimed to compare the PRECISE score with clinical progression in patients who are managed using an MRI-led AS protocol.

Methods

A total of 553 patients on AS for low- and intermediate-risk PCa (up to Gleason score 3 + 4) who had two or more MRI scans performed between December 2005 and January 2020 were included. Overall, 2161 scans were retrospectively re-reported by a dedicated radiologist to give a PI-RADS v2 score for each scan and assess the PRECISE score for each follow-up scan. Clinical progression was defined by histological progression to ≥ Gleason score 4 + 3 (Gleason Grade Group 3) and/or initiation of active treatment. Progression-free survival was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank test was used to assess differences between curves.

Results

Overall, 165/553 (30%) patients experienced the primary outcome of clinical progression (median follow-up, 74.5 months; interquartile ranges, 53–98). Of all patients, 313/553 (57%) did not show radiological progression on MRI (PRECISE 1–3), of which 296/313 (95%) had also no clinical progression. Of the remaining 240/553 patients (43%) with radiological progression on MRI (PRECISE 4–5), 146/240 (61%) experienced clinical progression (p < 0.0001). Patients with radiological progression on MRI (PRECISE 4-5) showed a trend to an increase in PSA density.

Conclusions

Patients without radiological progression on MRI (PRECISE 1-3) during AS had a very low likelihood of clinical progression and many could avoid routine re-biopsy.

Key Points

• Patients without radiological progression on MRI (PRECISE 1–3) during AS had a very low likelihood of clinical progression and many could avoid routine re-biopsy.

• Clinical progression was almost always detectable in patients with radiological progression on MRI (PRECISE 4–5) during AS.

• Patients with radiological progression on MRI (PRECISE 4–5) during AS showed a trend to an increase in PSA density.
Quantitative distribution of iodinated contrast media in body computed tomography: data from a large reference cohort
Authors: Zopfs David , Graffe Josefine , Reimer Robert Peter , Schäfer Sebastian , Persigehl Thorsten , Maintz David , Borggrefe Jan , Haneder Stefan , Lennartz Simon , Große Hokamp Nils
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Dual-energy computed tomography allows for an accurate and reliable quantification of iodine. However, data on physiological distribution of iodine concentration (IC) is still sparse. This study aims to establish guidance for IC in abdominal organs and important anatomical landmarks using a large cohort of individuals without radiological tumor burden.

Methods

Five hundred seventy-one oncologic, portal venous phase dual-layer spectral detector CT studies of the chest and abdomen without tumor burden at time point of imaging confirmed by > 3-month follow-up were included. ROI were placed in parenchymatous organs (n = 25), lymph nodes (n = 6), and vessels (n = 3) with a minimum of two measurements per landmark. ROI were placed on conventional images and pasted to iodine maps to retrieve absolute IC. Normalization to the abdominal aorta was conducted to obtain iodine perfusion ratios. Bivariate regression analysis, t tests, and ANOVA with Tukey-Kramer post hoc test were used for statistical analysis.

Results

Absolute IC showed a broad scatter and varied with body mass index, between different age groups and between the sexes in parenchymatous organs, lymph nodes, and vessels (range 0.0 ± 0.0 mg/ml–6.6 ± 1.3 mg/ml). Unlike absolute IC, iodine perfusion ratios did not show dependency on body mass index; however, significant differences between the sexes and age groups persisted, showing a tendency towards decreased perfusion ratios in elderly patients (e.g., liver 18–44 years/≥ 64 years: 0.50 ± 0.11/0.43 ± 0.10, p ≤ 0.05).

Conclusions

Distribution of IC obtained from a large-scale cohort is provided. As significant differences between sexes and age groups were found, this should be taken into account when obtaining quantitative iodine concentrations and applying iodine thresholds.

Key Points

• Absolute iodine concentration showed a broad variation and differed between body mass index, age groups, and between the sexes in parenchymatous organs, lymph nodes, and vessels.

• The iodine perfusion ratios did not show dependency on body mass index while significant differences between sexes and age groups persisted.

• Provided guidance values may serve as reference when aiming to differentiate healthy and abnormal tissue based on iodine perfusion ratios.
Ergebnisse der systematischen Literatursuche als Grundlage für die „evidenzbasierten Therapieempfehlungen für FMF-Patienten mit unzureichendem Ansprechen bzw. Unverträglichkeit auf Kolchizin“ der Gesellschaft für Kinder- und Jugendrheumatologie und der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Rheumatologie
Authors: Sahr T. , Kiltz U. , Weseloh C. , Kallinich T. , Braun J.
Published: September 2020

Hintergrund

Das familiäre Mittelmeerfieber (FMF) ist eine in Deutschland eher seltene genetisch bedingte Erkrankung des Kindes- und Erwachsenenalters, die durch rezidivierende Fieberschübe sowie Peritonitis, Pleuritis und Arthritis charakterisiert ist. Die etablierte Therapie mit Kolchizin ist für die meisten Patienten wirksam und verträglich. Einige Patienten sprechen aber auf diese Therapie nicht ausreichend an bzw. vertragen diese nicht. Für diese Patienten kommen Biologika in Betracht. Die Gesellschaft für Kinder- und Jugendrheumatologie (GKJR) und die Deutsche Gesellschaft für Rheumatologie (DGRh) sind übereingekommen, gemeinsame Empfehlungen für diese spezielle klinische Situation zu entwickeln.

Ziel

Durchführung einer systematischen Literaturrecherche (SLR) auf Basis der 2016 publizierten EULAR(European League Against Rheumatism)-Empfehlungen als Grundlage für die Entwicklung von evidenzbasierten Therapieempfehlungen für FMF-Patienten mit unzureichendem Ansprechen bzw. Unverträglichkeit auf Kolchizin.

Methoden

Die SLR wurde mit Referenzen aus verschiedenen Datenbanken und als Aktualisierung der bis zum Jahr 2014 durchgeführten SLR der EULAR durchgeführt, wobei die Artikel zwischen dem 01.01.2015 und dem 31.12.2017 publiziert worden sein mussten. Für die Vorselektion wurde das Abstractwerkzeug Rayyan und für die Erstellung der Evidenztabellen die Klassifikation des Oxford Centre for Evidence Based Medicine 2009 benutzt.

Ergebnisse

Die Suche ergab 360, nach Dublettenabgleich noch 263 Treffer. Insgesamt 88 Publikationen wurden ein- (34%) und 102 ausgeschlossen (39%), bei weiteren 73 war eine Sichtung der Vollpublikation notwendig (28%), und 43 wurden intensiver diskutiert. Schlussendlich blieben 64 Publikationen (24%) übrig. Insgesamt wurden 4 Fall-Kontroll-Studien, 31 Kohortenstudien, 8 Fallserien, 7 kontrollierte Studien (davon 5 Abstracts), 10 Übersichtsarbeiten sowie 4 Metaanalysen und systematische Reviews akzeptiert.

Diskussion

Die SLR wurde wissenschaftlich exakt, transparent und nach internationalen Standards durchgeführt. Die SLR erwies sich als gute Grundlage für die Konsentierung der 5 übergeordneten Prinzipien und der 10 Empfehlungen, sodass die gemeinsame Aktivität von GKJR und DGRh erfolgreich und sogar zeitnah abgeschlossen werden konnte. Die Empfehlungen sind eine solide Basis, Patienten jeden Alters mit FMF gut zu behandeln. Dabei spielen die Erklärungen zum Problem der Kolchizinresistenz eine wichtige Rolle.
Accumulative vs. Appreciative Expressions of Materialism: Revising Materialism in Light of Polish Simplifiers and New Materialism
Authors: Kramarczyk Justyna , Alemany Oliver Mathieu
Published: September 2020

At a time when it is critically important to preserve natural resources and reduce the amount of man-made pollution, this article explores other potentials for materialism in today’s market economies. Based on a two-year ethnography in Poland, we learn from simplifiers who denounce current materialism—while remaining inside the market—about what materialism could potentially become (or already is). Our study shows that materialism can take on other less studied but more eco-friendly expressions. In particular, we highlight an alternate expression of materialism, which we call “appreciative materialism” (in contrast to “accumulative materialism”). Appreciative materialism still ascribes a great deal of importance to objects in the lives of consumers but does so through the voluntary non-possession and/or non-accumulation of these objects, as well as a caring ethics that extends to non-humans. These findings call not only for the refinement of scales to measure materialism but also for a revision of the role of materialism in our lives. They suggest that, in order to trigger more sustainable practices, policymakers and managers should put greater emphasis on appreciative materialism.
Molecular Regulatory Mechanism and Toxicology of Neurodegenerative Processes in MPTP/Probenecid-Induced Progressive Parkinson’s Disease Mice Model Revealed by Transcriptome
Authors: Yang Weiwei , Hao Wenwen , Meng Zhuo , Ding Shiyan , Li Xiaodi , Zhang Tao , Huang Weixiao , Xu Lian , Zhang Yu , Yang Jian , Gu Xiaosong
Published: September 2020

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by a variety of unclear complex pathogenic factors. The 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine/probenecid (MPTP/p)-induced progressive PD mice is a well-recognized classic model for studying PD, but the molecular toxicology of this model is still unclear. Here, for the first time, we report gradual neurodegenerative processes in MPTP/p-induced progressive PD mice model using RNA-seq. Transcriptional responses are orchestrated to regulate the expression of many genes in substantia nigra, such as Ntf3, Pitx3, Th, and Drd2, leading to the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons at last. We proposed that the established model could be divided into three phases based on their molecular toxicological features: “the stress response phase” which maintained the microenvironment homeostasis, “the pre-neurodegenerative phase” which demonstrated observed MPTP/p cytotoxicity and gradual degeneration of dopaminergic neurons, and “the neurodegenerative phase” which reflected distinct damage and dopaminergic neuron apoptotic process. Glia cells exhibited a certain protective effect on dopaminergic neurons in 3rd and 6th MPTP/p-induced cytotoxicity. But in 10th MPTP/p injection, glia cells play a promoting role in PD and tissue damages caused by oxidative stress. This study also indicated that the substantia nigra of PD mice showed unique patterns of changes at each stage. Moreover, neurotrophic signaling pathway, ECM-receptor interaction, oxidative phosphorylation, apoptosis and necroptosis were enriched at 3rd and 6th MPTP/p injection, which might be associated with the PD progress. This study provided an extensive data set of molecular toxicology for elucidating of PD progression and offered comprehensive theoretical knowledge for the development of new therapy.
Food away from home and the reversal of the calorie intake decline in India
Authors: Kolady Deepthi E. , Srivastava Shivendra Kumar , Just David , Singh Jaspal
Published: September 2020

India experienced a consumption puzzle since the 1970s, whereby households’ calorie intakes declined over time, despite significant economic growth. This declining trend in calorie intake (consumption puzzle) was reversed for the first time in 2011–12. This is the first empirical study that investigates the relationship between refinements in data collection on food away from home (FAFH) and the trend reversal in per capita calorie intake decline in India. Findings from the study showed that the declining trend in calorie intake in India has been partly due to measurement issues and that correcting for these issues through refinements in data collection for FAFH in 2011–12 had a positive effect on the reversal of the calorie intake decline. India uses per capita calorie intake estimated using data from HCES to define the official poverty line, a benchmark used in designing many social welfare programs. Incorrect estimates of calorie intake will have negative implications on the effectiveness of welfare programs aimed at reducing food insecurity. Findings from this study provide insights for further improvement in data collection regarding household-level consumption expenditures. The study has implications not only for India but also for other countries that use household-level consumption data to understand diets and to design food and nutrition programs.
MS-NET: modular selective network
Authors: Chowdhury Intisar Md , Su Kai , Zhao Qiangfu
Published: September 2020

We propose a modular architecture of Deep Neural Network (DNN) for multi-class classification task. The architecture consists of two parts, a router network and a set of expert networks. In this architecture, for a C-class classification problem, we have exactly C experts. The backbone network for these experts and the router are built with simple and identical DNN architecture. For each class, the modular network has a certain number $$\rho$$
ρ
of expert networks specializing in that particular class, where $$\rho$$
ρ
is called the redundancy rate in this study. We demonstrate that $$\rho$$
ρ
plays a vital role in the performance of the network. Although these experts are light weight and weak learners alone, together they match the performance of more complex DNNs. We train the network in two phase wherein, first the router is trained on the whole set of training data followed by training each expert network enforced by a new stochastic objective function that facilitates alternative training on a small subset of expert data and the whole set of data. This alternative training provides an additional form of regularization and avoids over-fitting the expert network on subset data. During the testing phase, the router dynamically selects a fixed number of experts for further evaluation of the input datum. The modular nature and low parameter requirement of the network makes it very suitable in distributed and low computational environments. Extensive empirical study and theoretical analysis on CIFAR-10, CIFAR-100 and F-MNIST substantiate the effectiveness and efficiency of our proposed modular network.
Analysis of the Symptomatology, Disease Course, and Treatment of Postorgasmic Illness Syndrome in a Large Sample
Authors: Natale Caleb , Gabrielson Andrew , Tue Nguyen Hoang Minh , Dick Brian , Hellstrom Wayne J.G.
Published: September 2020

Background

Postorgasmic illness syndrome (POIS) is a rare syndrome of unknown etiology where patients experience distressing physical and psychological after ejaculatory sequelae.

Aim

To better characterize the epidemiology, symptomatology, disease course, and treatment of POIS, with specific interest placed on examining relationships between disease presentation and measures of disease burden.

Methods

A 30-item questionnaire was distributed to an online community of patients with POIS from June 2019 to January 2020. We assessed diagnostic criteria and clusters of symptomatology described in prior studies. Outcome measures include self-reported measures of symptom severity, disease burden, and behavioral changes. Statistical correlations were assessed with Pearson's chi-squared (χ2) and ordinal regression analyses.

Outcomes

The main outcome measures of this study are self-reported measures of symptom severity, disease burden, and behavioral changes.

Results

The sample consisted of 302 men (mean age: 32.6 ± 11.4 years, mean age of onset: 19.1 ± 7.8 years) with 89% satisfying ≥3 diagnostic criteria. Common symptoms were difficulty concentrating (254, 84%), extreme fatigue (250, 83%), irritability (225, 74%), and muscle weakness (212, 70%). Common symptom clusters were general (219, 72%), muscle (137, 45%), and head (93, 31%). Common behavioral modifications were avoiding masturbation (215, 71%), schedule changes (213, 71%), and abstinence (186, 62%). Head and throat symptom clusters demonstrated worse disease burden outcomes. Professional medical advice was sought by 51% of participants. Attempted treatments included pharmacotherapy, vitamins, supplements, and herbs with variable efficacy.

Clinical Implications

This study further characterizes POIS, including how patients respond to the condition, how it is treated in the community, and presentations that may be associated with more severe disease.

Strengths & Limitations

This is the largest study to date that concerns patients suffering from POIS and includes a diverse, global population. Limitations include that the survey was only administered in English and within 1 online community, that results were self-reported, and that the response rate was low (32%).

Conclusions

Characterizing symptom cluster, but not number of diagnostic criteria, may offer prognostic value, and investigation to elucidate pathophysiology and potential treatments for POIS is necessary.
Echo Chambers and Audio Signal Processing
Authors: Elzinga Benjamin
Published: September 2020

Following Cass Sunstein's popular treatment of the concept, echo chambers are often defined as environments which exclude contrary opinions through omission. C. Thi Nguyen contests the popular usage and defines echo chambers in terms of in-group trust and out-group distrust. In this paper, I argue for a more comprehensive treatment. While both exclusion by omission and out-group distrust help sustain echo chambers, neither defines the phenomenon. I develop a social network model of echo chambers which focuses on the role of belief-reinforcing echoes. First, I argue that the model allows us to incorporate Nguyen's main point about distrust without construing other commentators as deeply mistaken about the nature of echo chambers. Second, I use the model to develop an account ofcollaborative resistanceand use it to clarify the role echo chambers play in spreading misinformation.
Characterizing Clostridioides difficile infections and hospital exposures in California using surveillance and administrative data, 2014–2015
Authors: Magro Monise , Rosenberg Jon , Epson Erin
Published: September 2020

Objective:

To evaluate a method to identify hospitals contributing to Clostridioides difficile infections (CDI) at subsequent hospitalizations.

Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods:

We merged 2014–2015 National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) inpatient CDI laboratory-identified events with hospital patient discharge data. For patients with incident community-onset CDI (CO CDI), we identified immediately preceding admissions (within 12 weeks) unrelated to CDI at different (exposure) hospitals. We calculated an exposure rate, and we selected hospitals with the highest (90th–100th percentile) rates by hospital type and compared these rates with reported standardized infection ratios (SIR) for CDI.

Results:

We successfully matched 44,691 of 58,842 NHSN CDI records (76.0%) with a hospital discharge record. Among 36,215 unique matched records, 5,234 (14.5%) had an admission not related to CDI within 12 weeks prior to an incident CO CDI event, and 1,574 of these admissions (30.1%) occurred in a different hospital. For 33 hospitals with an exposure ranking within the 90th–100th percentile, CDI SIRs for 22 (66.7%) were not significantly different; 3 (9.1%) were lower; and 8 (24.2%) were higher than the national baseline. Also, 12 (36.4%) had an SIR ≤1.0.

Conclusions:

The identification of high-ranked exposure hospitals presents an alternative to SIR for measuring the contribution of hospitals to the CDI burden across the continuum of care. Further exploration of the potential factors leading to high exposure rank, such as antibiotic use and infection control practices, is indicated and may inform CDI prevention outreach to healthcare facilities and provider networks in California and elsewhere.
Impact of initial COVID-19 restrictions on psychiatry presentations to the emergency department of a large academic teaching hospital
Authors: McAndrew Joseph , O’Leary Julia , Cotter David , Cannon Mary , MacHale Siobhan , Murphy Kieran C. , Barry Helen
Published: September 2020

Objectives:

To determine if the initial COVID-19 societal restrictions, introduced in Ireland in March 2020, impacted on the number and nature of psychiatry presentations to the emergency department (ED) of a large academic teaching hospital.

Methods:

We examined anonymised clinical data of psychiatry presentations to the ED during the initial 8-week period of COVID-19 restrictions. Data from corresponding 8-week periods in 2018 and 2019 were also extracted for comparison.

Results:

Psychiatry presentations to ED reduced by 21% during the COVID-19 restrictions, from 24/week to 19/week when compared with corresponding periods in 2018/2019 (Poisson’s Rate Test estimate of difference −5.2/week, 95% CI 1.3–9.1, p = 0.012). Numbers attending for out-of-hours assessment remained unchanged (81 v. 80), but numbers seeking assessment during normal hours decreased (71 v. 114). We observed increased presentations from the <18 age group, but decreased presentations from the 18 to 29 age group (Pearson’s Chi-Square 20.363, df = 6, p = 0.002). We recorded an increase in anxiety disorders during the initial COVID-19 restrictions (31 v. 23), and a reduction in alcohol disorders (28 v. 52). The proportion of presentations with suicidal ideation (SI) or self-harm as factors remained unchanged.

Conclusions:

Rates of emergency presentation with mental illness reduced during the initial COVID-19 restrictions. This may represent an unmet burden of mental health needs. Younger people may be experiencing greater distress and mental illness during the current crisis. More people sought help for anxiety disorders during the COVID-19 restrictions compared with corresponding data from 2018 and 2019.
Size variations in foraminifers from the early Permian to the Late Triassic: implications for the Guadalupian–Lopingian and the Permian–Triassic mass extinctions
Authors: Feng Yan , Song Haijun , Bond David P. G.
Published: September 2020

The final 10 Myr of the Paleozoic saw two of the biggest biological crises in Earth history: the middlePermian extinction (often termed the Guadalupian–Lopingian extinction [GLE]) that was followed 7–8 Myr later by Earth's most catastrophic loss of diversity, the Permian–Triassic mass extinction (PTME). These crises are not only manifest as sharp decreases in biodiversity and—particularly for the PTME—total ecosystem collapse, but they also drove major changes in biological morphological characteristics such as the Lilliput effect. The evolution of test size among different clades of foraminifera during these two extinction events has been less studied. We analyzed a global database of foraminiferal test size (volume) including 20,226 specimens in 464 genera, 98 families, and 9 suborders from 632 publications. Our analyses reveal significant reductions in foraminiferal mean test size across the Guadalupian/Lopingian boundary (GLB) and the Permian/Triassic boundary (PTB), from 8.89 to 7.60 log10μm3(lg μm3) and from 7.25 to 5.82 lg μm3, respectively. The decline in test size across the GLB is a function of preferential extinction of genera exhibiting gigantism such as fusulinoidean fusulinids. Other clades show little change in size across the GLB. In contrast, all Lopingian suborders in our analysis (Fusulinina, Lagenina, Miliolina, and Textulariina) experienced a significant decrease in test size across the PTB, mainly due to size-biased extinction and within-lineage change. The PTME was clearly a major catastrophe that affected many groups simultaneously, and the GLE was more selective, perhaps hinting at a subtler, less extreme driver than the later PTME.