bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Ditopic Phosphane‐decorated Benzenedithiol as Scaffold for Di‐ and Trinuclear Complexes of Group‐10 Metals and Gold
Authors: Schlindwein Simon H. , Sibold Carlo , Schenk Mareike , Ringenberg Mark R. , Feil Christoph M. , Nieger Martin , Gudat Dietrich
Published: February 2020

The ability of 3‐(diphenylphosphinomethyl)‐benzene‐1,2‐dithiol (pbdtH2) to act as ditopic ligand was probed in reactions with selected group‐10‐metal complexes. Reactions with [(cod)PdCl2] afforded a mixture of products identified as [Pd(pbdtH)2], [Pd2(μ2‐pbdt)2] and [Pd3(μ2‐pbdt)2Cl2]. The polynuclear complexes could be isolated after suitably adjusting the reaction conditions, and heating of a mixture in a microwave reactor effected partial conversion into a further complex [Pd3(μ2‐pbdt)3]. Reaction of pbdtH2 with [Ni(H2O)6Cl2] gave rise to a complex [Ni2(μ2‐pbdt)2], which was shown to undergo two reversible 1e–‐reduction steps. Reaction of [Pd(pbdtH)2] with [Au(PPh3)Cl] afforded heterotrinuclear [PdAu2(μ2‐pbdt)2(PPh3)]. All complexes were characterized by analytical, spectroscopic and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. Their molecular structures confirm the ability of the pbdt2– unit to support simultaneous P,S‐ and S,S‐chelating coordination to two metal centers.
Building Robustness into Translational Research
Authors: Erdogan Betül R. , Michel Martin C.
Published: February 2020

Nonclinical studies form the basis for the decision whether to take a therapeutic candidate into the clinic. These studies need to exhibit translational robustness for both ethical and economic reasons. Key findings confirmed in multiple species have a greater chance to also occur in humans. Given the heterogeneity of patient populations, preclinical studies or at least programs comprising multiple studies need to reflect such heterogeneity, e.g., regarding strains, sex, age, and comorbidities of experimental animals. However, introducing such heterogeneity requires larger studies/programs to maintain statistical power in the face of greater variability. In addition to classic sources of bias, e.g., related to lack of randomization and concealment, translational studies face specific sources of potential bias such as that introduced by a model that may not reflect the full spectrum of underlying pathophysiology in patients, that defined by timing of treatment, or that implied in dosing decisions and interspecies differences in pharmacokinetic profiles. The balance of all these factors needs to be considered carefully for each study and program.
Internal reduction method for computing Feynman integrals
Authors: Papadopoulos Costas G. , Wever Christopher
Published: February 2020

Abstract

A new approach to compute Feynman Integrals is presented. It relies on an integral representation of a given Feynman Integral in terms of simpler ones. Using this approach, we present, for the first time, results for a certain family of non-planar five-point two-loop Master Integrals with one external off-shell particle, relevant for instance forH+ 2 jets production at the LHC, in both Euclidean and physical kinematical regions.
Reduction of Feynman integrals in the parametric representation
Authors: Chen Wen
Published: February 2020

Abstract

In this paper, the reduction of Feynman integrals in the parametric representation is considered. This method proves to be more efficient than the integration-by-part (IBP) method in the momentum space. Tensor integrals can directly be parametrized without performing tensor reductions. The integrands of parametric integrals are functions of Lorentz scalars, instead of four momenta. The complexity of a calculation is determined by the number of propagators that are present rather than the number of all the linearly independent propagators. Furthermore, the symmetries of Feynman integrals under permutations of indices are transparent in the parametric representation. Since all the indices of the propagators are nonnegative, an algorithm to solve those identities can easily be developed, which can be used for automatic calculations.
Lungenfunktion in der NAKO Gesundheitsstudie: Methoden und erste Ergebnisse
Authors: Karrasch Stefan , Peters Annette , Meisinger Christa , Ferland Maike , Jaeschke Lina , Pischon Tobias , Fricke Julia , Keil Thomas , Gastell Sylvia , Schulze Matthias , Brandes Mirko , Günther Kathrin , Kuß Oliver , Schikowski Tamara , Emmel Carina , Jöckel Karl-Heinz , Michels Karin B. , Franzke Claus-Werner , Langer Susan , Mikolajczyk Rafael , Jagodzinski Annika , Becher Heiko , Castell Stefanie , Kemmling Yvonne , Waniek Sabina , Lieb Wolfgang , Wirkner Kerstin , Loeffler Markus , Greiser Karin Halina , Kaaks Rudolf , Legath Nicole , Berger Klaus , Schipf Sabine , Hoffmann Wolfgang , Sedlmeier Anja , Leitzmann Michael , Brenner Hermann , Holleczek Bernd , Schulz Holger
Published: February 2020

Hintergrund

Eine Erhebung des respiratorischen Gesundheitszustandes auf Grundlage bundesweit einheitlich durchgeführter Lungenfunktionsmessungen lag in Deutschland bislang nicht vor. Dieser Beitrag beschreibt das Vorgehen bei der Untersuchung der Lungenfunktion in der NAKO Gesundheitsstudie und stellt erste Ergebnisse auf der Datenbasis zur Halbzeit der Basiserhebung vor.

Material und Methoden

Es wurden eine Spirometrie (Level 1) und eine Messung des exhalierten Stickstoffmonoxids (FeNO, Level 2) durchgeführt. Das Qualitätssicherungskonzept beinhaltete regelmäßige Schulungen der Lungenfunktionsprüfung an verschiedenen NAKO-Standorten, Zwischenauswertungen zur Untersuchungsqualität und regelmäßige Kalibrations‑/Messkontrollen der Untersuchungsgeräte. Für die Spirometrie wurde zudem ein stufenweises Vorgehen zur Offlinequalitätskontrolle auf Basis der Fluss-Volumen-Rohkurven etabliert.

Ergebnisse

In den betrachteten Daten (n = 101.734) lag eine Spirometrie bei 86.893 Teilnehmenden und eine FeNO-Messung bei 15.228 Teilnehmenden vor. Es fand sich im Mittel (±SD) für die Einsekundenkapazität (FEV1) ein Z‑Score (gemäß GLI 2012) von −0,321 ± 1,047, für die forcierte Vitalkapazität (FVC) ein Z‑Score von −0,153 ± 0,941 und für den Tiffeneau-Index (FEV1/FVC) ein Z‑Score von −0,337 ± 0,901. Die Differenz in FEV1/FVC zwischen Rauchern und Nie-Rauchern stieg mit dem Alter an. FeNO lag im geometrischen Mittel bei 14,2 ÷ 2,0 ppb, bei aktiven Rauchern war FeNO um 43 % vermindert, bei Nie‑/Ex-Rauchern mit respiratorischer Allergie um 16 % erhöht.

Diskussion

Die Ergebnisse der Spirometrie und FeNO-Messungen liegen bezüglich ihrer Verteilungen und bekannter Einflussgrößen im erwarteten Bereich. Die NAKO liefert damit die Datenbasis zur Untersuchung der Atemwegsgesundheit und ihrer Determinanten sowie zur Eruierung der Möglichkeiten zur Prävention respiratorischer Erkrankungen in Deutschland.
Novel 1-hydroxypyridin-2-one metal chelators prevent and rescue ubiquitin proteasomal-related neuronal injury in an in vitro model of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Lewis Frank W. , Fairooz Safiya , Elson Joanna L. , Hubscher-Bruder Véronique , Brandel Jeremy , Soundararajan Meera , Smith David , Dexter David T. , Tétard David , Pienaar Ilse S.
Published: February 2020

Ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) impairment, excessive cellular oxidative stress, and iron dyshomeostasis are key to substantia nigra dopaminergic neuronal degeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD); however, a link between these features remains unconfirmed. Using the proteasome inhibitor lactacystin we confirm that nigral injury via UPS impairment disrupts iron homeostasis, in turn increasing oxidative stress and promoting protein aggregation. We demonstrate the neuroprotective potential of two novel 1-hydroxy-2(1H)-pyridinone (1,2-HOPO) iron chelators, compounds C6 and C9, against lactacystin-induced cell death. We demonstrate that this cellular preservation relates to the compounds’ iron chelating capabilities and subsequent reduced capacity of iron to form reactive oxygen species (ROS), where we also show that the ligands act as antioxidant agents. Our results also demonstrate the ability of C6 and C9 to reduce intracellular lactacystin-induced α-synuclein burden. Stability constant measurements confirmed a high affinity of C6 and C9 for Fe3+ and display a 3:1 HOPO:Fe3+ complex formation at physiological pH. Reducing iron reactivity could prevent the demise of nigral dopaminergic neurons. We provide evidence that the lactacystin model presents with several neuropathological hallmarks of PD related to iron dyshomeostasis and that the novel chelating compounds C6 and C9 can protect against lactacystin-related neurotoxicity.
Cadmium exposure enhances cell migration and invasion through modulated TRPM7 channel expression
Authors: Vanlaeys Alison , Fouquet Grégory , Kischel Philippe , Hague Frédéric , Pasco-Brassart Sylvie , Lefebvre Thibaut , Rybarczyk Pierre , Dhennin-Duthille Isabelle , Brassart Bertrand , Ouadid-Ahidouch Halima , Gautier Mathieu
Published: February 2020

Cadmium is a xenobiotic involved in neoplastic transformation. Cadmium enters the cells through divalent cation transporters including the Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin-related 7 (TRPM7) which is known to be involved in cancer cell fate. This work aimed to study the role of TRPM7 in neoplastic transformation induced by cadmium exposure in non-cancer epithelial cells. Non-cancer epithelial cells were chronically exposed to low-dose of cadmium. TRPM7 expression and function were studied by Western-Blot, Patch-Clamp and calcium and magnesium imaging. Finally, cell migration and invasion were studied by Boyden chamber assays. Chronic cadmium exposure induced TRPM7 overexpression and increased the membrane currents (P < 0.001). Cells exposed to cadmium had higher intracellular calcium and magnesium levels (P < 0.05). TRPM7 silencing restored calcium levels but strongly decreased intracellular magnesium concentration (P < 0.001). Moreover, cadmium exposure enhanced both cell migration and invasion, but TRPM7 silencing strongly decreased these features (P < 0.001). Furthermore, mammary epithelial cells exposed to cadmium became rounded and had less cell-to-cell junctions. Cadmium exposure decreased epithelial markers while the mesenchymal ones were increased. Importantly, TRPM7 silencing was able to reverse these phenotypic modifications (P < 0.05). To summarize, our data show that chronic cadmium exposure enhanced TRPM7 expression and activity in non-cancer epithelial cells. TRPM7 overexpression induced intracellular magnesium increase and stimulated cell migration and invasion. These neoplastic properties could be linked to a TRPM7-dependent epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition reprogramming in cell exposed to cadmium. These findings provide new insights into the regulation of cell fates by cadmium exposure.
Structured CT reporting improves accuracy in diagnosing internal herniation after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
Authors: Ederveen Jeannette C. , Nienhuijs Simon W. , Jol Saskia , Robben Simon G.F. , Nederend Joost
Published: February 2020

Objectives

To confirm that structured reporting of CT scans using ten signs in clinical practice leads to a better accuracy in diagnosing internal herniation (IH) after gastric bypass surgery, compared with free-text reporting.

Methods

In this prospective study, CT scans between June 1, 2017, and December 1, 2018, were included from a cohort of 2606 patients who had undergone laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery between January 1, 2011, and January 1, 2018. The CT scans were made for a suspicion of IH and structured reports were made using a standardised template with ten signs: (1) swirl sign, (2) small-bowel obstruction, (3) clustered loops, (4) mushroom sign, (5) hurricane eye sign, (6) small bowel behind the superior mesenteric artery, (7) right-sided anastomosis, (8) enlarged nodes, (9) venous congestion, and (10) mesenteric oedema. Furthermore, an overall impression of IH likelihood was given using a 5-point Likert scale. CT scans performed in 2011 until 2017, without structured reporting, were included for comparison. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy were calculated using two-way contingency tables; the chi-square test was used for calculating p value. Reoperation and 3-month follow-up were used as reference.

Results

A total of 174 CT scans with structured reporting and 289 CT scans without structured reporting were included. Sensitivity was 81.3% (95% CI, 67.7–94.8%) and 79.5% (95% CI, 67.6–91.5%), respectively (p = 0.854); specificity was 95.8% (95% CI, 92.5–99.1%) and 88.6% (95% CI, 84.6–92.6%), respectively (p = 0.016); PPV was 81.3% (95% CI, 67.7–94.8%) and 55.6% (95% CI, 43.3–67.8%), respectively (p = 0.014); NPV was 95.8% (95% CI, 92.5–99.1%) and 96.0% (95% CI, 93.5–98.6%), respectively (p = 0.909); and accuracy was 93.1% (95% CI, 88.0–96.2%) and 87.2% (95% CI, 82.7–90.7%), respectively (p = 0.045).

Conclusion

Structured reporting for the diagnosis of internal herniation after gastric bypass surgery improves accuracy and can be implemented in clinical practice with good results.

Key Points

• Ten signs are used to aid CT diagnosis of internal herniation after gastric bypass surgery.

• Structured reporting increases specificity and positive predictive value and thereby prevents unnecessary reoperations in patients without internal herniation.

• Structured reporting by means of a standardised template can help less experienced readers.
Pollen limitation in a single year is not compensated by future reproduction
Authors: Tye Matthew , Dahlgren Johan P. , Sletvold Nina
Published: February 2020

Seed production is critical to the persistence of most flowering plant populations, but may be strongly pollen limited. To what extent long-lived plants can compensate pollen limitation by increasing future reproduction is poorly understood. We tested for compensation in two Dactylorhiza species that differ in reproductive investment by experimentally reducing and increasing pollination in two independent annual cohorts and monitoring demographic responses in the subsequent 2 years for the 2014 cohort and in 1 year for the 2015 cohort. Demographic rates in the second year were significantly affected by pollination treatment in both species, but specific responses differed both between species and years. There was no effect of pollination treatment on demographic responses in the third year. In sum, effects were too weak to make up for the lost reproduction; total fruit production across all 3 years was by far highest in the increased pollination treatment in both species. These results show that long-lived plants do not necessarily compensate for pollen limitation by increasing future reproduction. It further suggests that even periodic declines in pollination rates may have severe demographic consequences, particularly in populations where germination is not density dependent. This has implications for predicting plant population viability in response to changes in pollination intensity.
Shunt infusion studies: impact on patient outcome, including health economics
Authors: Lalou Afroditi-Despina , Czosnyka Marek , Garnett Matthew R. , Nabbanja Eva , Petrella Gianpaolo , Hutchinson Peter J. , Pickard John D. , Czosnyka Zofia
Published: February 2020

Objectives

The diagnosis of shunt malfunction is often not straightforward. We have explored, in symptomatic shunted patients with hydrocephalus or pseudotumour cerebri syndrome (PTCS), the accuracy of CSF infusion tests in differentiating a functioning shunt from one with possible problems, and the health economic consequences.

Methods

Participants: hydrocephalus/PTCS patients with infusion tests performed from January 2013 until December 2015. We followed patients up after 6 and 12 months from the test to determine whether they had improved, had persisting symptoms or had required urgent revision. We calculated the total cost savings of revision versus infusion tests and standard protocol of revision and ICP monitoring versus infusion tests.

Results

Three hundred sixty-five shunt infusion tests had been performed where a shunt prechamber/reservoir was present. For hydrocephalus patients, more than half of the tests (~ 55%, 155 out of 280) showed no shunt malfunction versus 125 with possible malfunction (ages 4 months to 90 years old). For PTCS patients aged 10 to 77 years old, 47 had possible problems and 38 no indication for shunt malfunction. Overall, > 290 unnecessary revisions were avoided over 3 years’ time. Two hundred fifty-eight (> 85%) of those non-surgically managed, remained well, did not deteriorate and did not require surgery. No infections were associated with infusion studies. For Cambridge, the overall savings from avoiding revisions was £945,415 annually.

Conclusions

Our results provide evidence of the importance of shunt testing in vivo to confirm shunt malfunction. Avoiding unnecessary shunt revisions carries a strong health benefit for patients that also translates to a significant financial benefit for the National Health Service and potentially for other healthcare systems worldwide.
Some analytic results on interpolating sesqui-harmonic maps
Authors: Branding Volker
Published: February 2020

In this article, we study various analytic aspects of interpolating sesqui-harmonic maps between Riemannian manifolds where we mostly focus on the case of a spherical target. The latter are critical points of an energy functional that interpolates between the functionals for harmonic and biharmonic maps. In the case of a spherical target, we will derive a conservation law and use it to show the smoothness of weak solutions. Moreover, we will obtain several classification results for interpolating sesqui-harmonic maps.
Analysis of Gender Perceptions in Health Technology: A Call to Action
Authors: Denend Lyn , McCutcheon Stacey , Regan Mike , Sainz Maria , Yock Paul , Azagury Dan
Published: February 2020

Gender diversity has been linked to positive business results. Yet limited data exist to characterize the gender landscape in health technology, a field that draws employees from both biomedical engineering and medicine. To better understand the state of gender diversity in this industry, we developed a survey to explore leadership representation and perceptions of workplace equality, job satisfaction, and work-life balance. Data from 400 + health technology professionals revealed that women are significantly underrepresented in senior leadership and that men and women experience the workplace differently. Men believe in greater numbers than females that senior leaders are focused on recruiting and promoting women, promotion criteria are equitable, and the major barrier to leadership roles for women is work/family balance. In contrast, women perceive a less meritocratic and inclusive workplace in which their ability to rise is hampered by exclusion from influential communication networks and stereotyping/bias. Perhaps as a result, more than one-third of female respondents are considering leaving their current jobs, citing dissatisfaction with management and a desire for greater advancement opportunities. This study highlights significant gender perception differences in health technology that require further study and proactive remediation for the field to fully realize the benefits of gender diversity.
On the tensor spectral p-norm and its dual norm via partitions
Authors: Chen Bilian , Li Zhening
Published: February 2020

This paper presents a generalization of the spectral norm and the nuclear norm of a tensor via arbitrary tensor partitions, a much richer concept than block tensors. We show that the spectral p-norm and the nuclear p-norm of a tensor can be lower and upper bounded by manipulating the spectral p-norms and the nuclear p-norms of subtensors in an arbitrary partition of the tensor for $$1\le p\le \infty$$1≤p≤∞. Hence, it generalizes and answers affirmatively the conjecture proposed by Li (SIAM J Matrix Anal Appl 37:1440–1452, 2016) for a tensor partition and $$p=2$$p=2. We study the relations of the norms of a tensor, the norms of matrix unfoldings of the tensor, and the bounds via the norms of matrix slices of the tensor. Various bounds of the tensor spectral and nuclear norms in the literature are implied by our results.
Nash versus coarse correlation
Authors: Georgalos Konstantinos , Ray Indrajit , SenGupta Sonali
Published: February 2020

We run a laboratory experiment to test the concept of coarse correlated equilibrium (Moulin and Vial in Int J Game Theory 7:201–221, 1978), with a two-person game with unique pure Nash equilibrium which is also the solution of iterative elimination of strictly dominated strategies. The subjects are asked to commit to a device that randomly picks one of three symmetric outcomes (including the Nash point) with higher ex-ante expected payoff than the Nash equilibrium payoff. We find that the subjects do not accept this lottery (which is a coarse correlated equilibrium); instead, they choose to play the game and coordinate on the Nash equilibrium. However, given an individual choice between a lottery with equal probabilities of the same outcomes and the sure payoff as in the Nash point, the lottery is chosen by the subjects. This result is robust against a few variations. We explain our result as selecting risk-dominance over payoff dominance in equilibrium.
Perceived effects of climate change on profit efficiency among small scale chili pepper marketers in Benue State, Nigeria
Authors: Djomo Choumbou Raoul Fani , Ukpe Henrietta Udeme , Ngo Ngo Valery , Mohamadou Sani , Adedze Miranda , Pemunta Ngambouk Vitalis
Published: February 2020

In the determination of the level of efficiency of an enterprise, the role of climate change cannot be overemphasized. However, some scholars are of the view that climate change might not really affect the level of efficiency of an enterprise due to its indirect effect on the performance of an enterprise. Understanding the perception of marketers of agricultural produce about climate change in agribusiness is paramount to sustain small scale enterprises. This study sought to analyze the perceived effects of climate change on profit efficiency among small scale chili pepper marketers in Benue State, Nigeria. Data were collected with the use of structured questionnaire and analyzed using stochastic frontier production function. A combination of purposive and random sampling techniques was used to select 349 producers and marketers, 152 processors, 143 processed retailers and 145 non-processed retailers giving a total of 789 small scale chili pepper marketers from three (3) agricultural zones that make up Benue State, Nigeria. The result showed that on the average, small scale chili pepper marketers are relatively profit efficient. The results also showed that in the marketing chain, small scale processed retailers had the highest mean profit efficiency (0.86). It was therefore recommended that switching business to adapt to crop varieties (cereal crops) that are more resilient to climate change could be an opportunity to small scale chili pepper marketers struggling with chili pepper to leapfrog previous performance and become more productive. Further, the training on preservation of perishable crop should be given to chili pepper producers and marketers and non-processed retailers given that excessive rainfall decreases their profit efficiency.
Natural Plant Resources for Sustainable Development: Insights from Community Use in the Chimanimani Trans-Frontier Conservation Area, Mozambique
Authors: Hudson Alex , Milliken William , Timberlake Jonathan , Giovannini Peter , Fijamo Valdemar , Massunde Joao , Chipanga Hercilia , Nivunga Milagre , Ulian Tiziana
Published: February 2020

In rural African communities, wild plant species are a valuable resource that are often threatened by agricultural conversion and overexploitation. To understand the harvest and sale of wild plant species that provide fruits and raw materials for artisanal products, this study used ethnobotanical and socio-economic methods to engage communities in the Chimanimani Trans-Frontier Conservation Area, Mozambique. Use was dependent on local availability and market accessibility. Incomes are made from Uapaca kirkiana fruits in some communities and Strychnos madagascariensis in others; some earn money from Cyperus spp. mats whilst others use Phragmites mauritianus. Less marketed items included baskets made from numerous species (including Oxytenanthera abyssinica) and wooden implements (e.g. made from Pterocarpus angolensis) which are used to process, store and transport maize. Conservation and development could potentially benefit from value-addition activities, new management systems (like agroforestry), or population protection and restoration. This should include analysis of population extents and production levels.
Well-Posedness to the Cauchy Problem of a Fully Dispersive Boussinesq System
Authors: Wang Yuexun
Published: February 2020

This work concerns the local well-posedness to the Cauchy problem of a fully dispersive Boussinesq system which models fully dispersive water waves in two and three spatial dimensions. Our purpose is to understand the modified energy approach (Kalisch and Pilod in Proc Am Math Soc 147:2545–2559, 2019) in a different point view by utilizing the symmetrization of hyperbolic systems which produces an equivalent modified energy.
Multigrid Schemes for High Order Discretizations of Hyperbolic Problems
Authors: Ruggiu Andrea A. , Nordström Jan
Published: February 2020

Total variation diminishing multigrid methods have been developed for first order accurate discretizations of hyperbolic conservation laws. This technique is based on a so-called upwind biased residual interpolation and allows for algorithms devoid of spurious numerical oscillations in the transient phase. In this paper, we justify the introduction of such prolongation and restriction operators by rewriting the algorithm in a matrix-vector notation. This perspective sheds new light on multigrid procedures for hyperbolic problems and provides a direct extension for high order accurate difference approximations. The new multigrid procedure is presented, advantages and disadvantages are discussed and numerical experiments are performed.
A combination of CSP-based method with soft margin SVM classifier and generalized RBF kernel for imagery-based brain computer interface applications
Authors: Hekmatmanesh Amin , Wu Huapeng , Jamaloo Fatemeh , Li Ming , Handroos Heikki
Published: February 2020

Several methods utilizing common spatial pattern (CSP) algorithm have been presented for improving the identification of imagery movement patterns for brain computer interface applications. The present study focuses on improving a CSP-based algorithm for detecting the motor imagery movement patterns. A discriminative filter bank of CSP method using a discriminative sensitive learning vector quantization (DFBCSP-DSLVQ) system is implemented. Four algorithms are then combined to form three methods for improving the efficiency of the DFBCSP-DSLVQ method, namely the kernel linear discriminant analysis (KLDA), the kernel principal component analysis (KPCA), the soft margin support vector machine (SSVM) classifier and the generalized radial bases functions (GRBF) kernel. The GRBF is used as a kernel for the KLDA, the KPCA feature selection algorithms and the SSVM classifier. In addition, three types of classifiers, namely K-nearest neighbor (K-NN), neural network (NN) and traditional support vector machine (SVM), are employed to evaluate the efficiency of the classifiers. Results show that the best algorithm is the combination of the DFBCSP-DSLVQ method using the SSVM classifier with GRBF kernel (SSVM-GRBF), in which the best average accuracy, attained are 92.70% and 83.21%, respectively. Results of the Repeated Measures ANOVA shows the statistically significant dominance of this method atp< 0.05. The presented algorithms are then compared with the base algorithm of this study i.e. the DFBCSP-DSLVQ with the SVM-RBF classifier. It is concluded that the algorithms, which are based on the SSVM-GRBF classifier and the KLDA with the SSVM-GRBF classifiers give sufficient accuracy and reliable results.
Assessing the construct validity and responsiveness of Preference-Based Measures (PBMs) in cataract surgery patients
Authors: Breheny Katie , Hollingworth William , Kandiyali Rebecca , Dixon Padraig , Loose Abi , Craggs Pippa , Grzeda Mariusz , Sparrow John
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The validity and responsiveness of the EQ-5D-3L in visual conditions has been questioned, inspiring development of a vision ‘bolt-on’ domain (EQ-5D-3L + VIS). Developments in preference-based measures (PBM) also includes the EQ-5D-5L and the ICECAP-O capability wellbeing measure. This study aimed to examine the construct validity and responsiveness of the EQ-5D-3L, EQ-5D-5L, EQ-5D-3L + VIS and ICECAP-O in cataract surgery patients for the first time, to inform choice of PBM for economic evaluation in this population.

Methods

The analyses used data from the UK Predict-CAT cataract surgery cohort study. PBMs and the Cat-PROM5 [a validated measure of cataract quality of life (QOL)] were completed before surgery and 4–8 weeks after. Construct validity was assessed using correlations and known-group differences evaluated using regression. Responsiveness was evaluated using effect sizes and analysis of variance to compare change scores between groups, defined by patient-reported and clinical outcomes.

Results

The sample comprised 1315 patients at baseline. No PBMs were associated with visual acuity and only the ICECAP-O (Spearman’s rs =  − 0.35), EQ-5D-3L + VIS (rs =  − 0.42) and EQ-5D-5L (Value Set for England rs =  − 0.31) correlated at least moderately with the Cat-PROM5. Effect sizes of change were consistently largest for the EQ-5D-3L + VIS (range 0.34–0.41), followed by the ICECAP-O (range 0.20–0.34). Results indicated no improvement in responsiveness using the EQ-5D-5L (range 0.13–0.16) compared to the EQ-5D-3L (range 0.17–0.20).

Conclusions

Whilst no PBMs comprehensively demonstrated evidence of construct validity and responsiveness in cataract surgery patients, the ICECAP-O was the most responsive generic PBM to improvements in QOL. Surprisingly the EQ-5D-5L was not more responsive than the EQ-5D-3L in this setting.
A Numerical Investigation on the Electrochemical Behavior of CaO and Al2O3 in the ESR Slags
Authors: Karimi-Sibaki E. , Kharicha A. , Wu M. , Ludwig A. , Bohacek J.
Published: February 2020

Field structures including electromagnetic, concentration of ions, and flow fields in an ESR-like process composed of a graphite crucible containing a molten slag, air, and an iron electrode are computed. Both CaF2—(mass pct 2) CaO and CaF2—(mass pct 2) Al2O3 slags are examined. Tertiary current distribution is calculated. Therefore, polarization overpotential and Faradic reactions at metal–slag interface are considered using Tafel law, whereas transport of ions in the bulk of slag is determined through Nernst–Planck equations. The main goal is to shed light on the invisible phenomena such as magnetohydrodynamics caused by transport of ions, electrical conductivity of CaF2-based slag using additives (e.g., CaO or Al2O3), and the role of complexation of ions (e.g.,

$$ {\text{AlO}}_{3}^{3 - } $$

AlO

3

3
-

) in the molten slag applied to the ESR. An explanation is given for the observation of higher oxygen content in the metal using Al2O3 than that using equivalent amount of CaO in the CaF2-based slag of a DC-operated ESR.
Systematic review of the effectiveness of self-initiated interventions to decrease pain and sensory disturbances associated with peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Ogle Theodora , Alexander Kimberly , Miaskowski Christine , Yates Patsy
Published: February 2020

Purpose

A small number of studies report that patients with peripheral neuropathy (PN) who engage in activities that promote a sense of personal well-being and provide physical, emotional, or spiritual comfort have a better quality of life and higher levels of adjustment to the changes generated by their illness and accompanying symptoms. This systematic review sought to evaluate the effectiveness of self-management activities that patients with PN initiate themselves to relieve PN symptoms and improve quality of life.

Methods

Search terms were limited to include self-management activities initiated by patients (i.e., activities with no or minimal involvement from clinicians) that aim to provide relief of PN symptoms. Outcomes included in searches were pain, numbness, and tingling, associated with PN and quality of life.

Results

The database searches identified 2979 records, of which 1620 were duplicates. A total of 1322 papers were excluded on the basis of screening the abstract. An additional 21 full text articles were excluded because they did not meet the eligibility criteria. A total of 16 papers were included in the review.

Conclusion

This review identified that a number of self-management strategies that were initiated by patients, including heat, exercise, meditation, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy, may reduce self-reported PN symptoms. As the available studies were of low quality, these strategies warrant further investigation with more homogeneous samples, using more rigorously designed trials and larger samples.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Patients experiencing PN may find a range of self-initiated strategies beneficial in reducing PN symptoms and improving quality of life. However, because of the low quality of the available studies, clinicians need to monitor patients’ responses to determine the effectiveness of these interventions as adjuncts to clinician-initiated interventions.
Comment on ‘Is ‘re-mobilisation’ nature restoration or nature destruction? A commentary’ by I. Delgado-Fernandez, R.G.D. Davidson-Arnott & P.A. Hesp
Authors: Arens Sebastiaan M , de Vries Sierd , Geelen Luc HWT , Ruessink Gerben , van der Hagen Harrie GJM , Groenendijk Dick
Published: February 2020

In their recently published paper, Delgado-Fernandez et al. (2019) critically review the limitations and dangers of the relatively recent shift towards dune rejuvenation management in North-western Europe. We would like to comment on the paper from the Dutch perspective.
Criminal justice, artificial intelligence systems, and human rights
Authors: Završnik Aleš
Published: February 2020

The automation brought about by big data analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence systems challenges us to reconsider fundamental questions of criminal justice. The article outlines the automation which has taken place in the criminal justice domain and answers the question of what is being automated and who is being replaced thereby. It then analyses encounters between artificial intelligence systems and the law, by considering case law and by analysing some of the human rights affected. The article concludes by offering some thoughts on proposed solutions for remedying the risks posed by artificial intelligence systems in the criminal justice domain.
Psychological, social and biological correlates of body perception disturbance in complex regional pain syndrome
Authors: Schulte-Goecking H. , Azqueta-Gavaldon M. , Storz C. , Woiczinski M. , Fraenkel P. , Leukert J. , Azad S. C. , Kraft E.
Published: February 2020

Body Perception Disturbance (BPD) in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) still represents a poorly understood phenomenon. Research has shown that knowledge about changes in body perception can yield relevant information for understanding and treating the disease. This study addressed possible connections between BPD and psychological and social factors, pain intensity, and disease duration. Sixty patients with chronic CRPS Type I of the hand were recruited. Body Perception Disturbance was assessed using the Galer and Jensen Neurobehavioral Questionnaire (GJ) and the BATH CRPS Body Perception Disturbance Scale (BATH). Depression, anxiety, stress, childhood trauma and other life events were assessed using standardized and validated questionnaires. This study found that BPD in CRPS was significantly correlated with measures of depression, anxiety, current stress, quality of life, and pain intensity, but not with stress experienced in the twelve months preceding onset of illness, childhood trauma, or duration of illness. Future research needs to identify which patients are most likely to develop these psychological conditions of CRPS, so that early, preventive intervention is possible. This study establishes a relationship between depression, anxiety, current stress, quality of life, pain intensity, and BPD severity. It also supports literature suggesting that preexisting stress, childhood trauma, and disease duration have no influence on BPD. The findings suggest that there is a bidirectional influence between brain alterations, psychological symptoms, and illness severity.
The role of pathology in sarcoma
Authors: Liegl-Atzwanger Bernadette
Published: February 2020

Soft tissue sarcomas are exceedingly rare cancers with more than 100 different histiologic subtypes and tremendous morphologic heterogeneity. Next generation sequencing (NGS) techniques have drastically improved our knowledge about these tumours. The possibility to use these techniques routinely changed the diagnostic standards in soft tissue pathology. Within the last few years pathologists were confronted with a growing number of exceedingly rare, partly molecularly defined, tumour entities. The proposed pathologic diagnosis dictates prognosis and treatment. Therefore, specialized soft tissue pathology units with the possibility to include molecular diagnostics into a histopathological report for diagnostic, predictive and prognostic aspects are needed. A second opinion by a soft tissue pathologist, before final treatment decision, should be mandatory to ensure optimal treatment for all patients by a multidisciplinary team in a specialized centre.
Influence of Reaction Time in the Emotional Response of a Companion Robot to a Child’s Aggressive Interaction
Authors: Alhaddad Ahmad Yaser , Cabibihan John-John , Bonarini Andrea
Published: February 2020

The quality of a companion robot’s reaction is important to make it acceptable to the users and to sustain interactions. Furthermore, the robot’s reaction can be used to train socially acceptable behaviors and to develop certain skills in both normally developing children and children with cognitive disabilities. In this study, we investigate the influence of reaction time in the emotional response of a robot when children display aggressive interactions toward it. Different interactions were considered, namely, pickup, shake, drop and throw. The robot produced responses as audible sounds, which were activated at three different reaction times, namely, 0.5 s, 1.0 s, and 1.5 s. The results for one of the tasks that involved shaking the robotic toys produced a significant difference between the timings tested. This could imply that producing a late response to an action (i.e. greater than 1.0 s) could negatively affect the children’s comprehension of the intended message. Furthermore, the response should be comprehensible to provide a clear message to the user. The results imply that the designers of companion robotic toys need to consider an appropriate timing and clear modality for their robots’ responses.
Recent research on factors influencing the quality of frozen seafood
Authors: Nakazawa Naho , Okazaki Emiko
Published: February 2020

In this review, recent findings related to various factors influencing quality properties of fish meat and its products during frozen storage are introduced. Many studies have indicated that protein denaturation is the factor determining the quality of frozen fish meat. Ice crystal size does not necessarily determine the quality of frozen fish meat because the tissue of meat reabsorbs water during the thawing process, unless it has been previously damaged by protein denaturation. However, the effects of ice crystals on the quality of thawed fish meat differ based on the fish species, post-mortem stages, protein denaturation, and processing conditions of the fish meat. In the case of frozen-thawed lightly salted fish meat, salting conditions greatly affect the water holding capacity of muscle and the ice crystal size. Also, in the case of frozen kamaboko, which is denatured protein gel, as the thawed water is not absorbed enough by the protein gel, ice crystal size could be a determining factor of quality. The appropriate freezing and storage conditions required for maintaining quality must be based upon the characteristics of each seafood product.
Accelerating sulfonyl fluoride synthesis through electrochemical oxidative coupling of thiols and potassium fluoride in flow
Authors: Cao Yiran , Adriaenssens Benjamin , de A. Bartolomeu Aloisio , Laudadio Gabriele , de Oliveira Kleber T. , Noël Timothy
Published: February 2020

Sulfonyl fluorides are valuable synthetic motifs which are currently of high interest due to the popularity of the sulfur (VI) fluoride exchange (SuFEx) click chemistry concept. Herein, we describe a flow chemistry approach to enable their synthesis through an electrochemical oxidative coupling of thiols and potassium fluoride. The reaction can be carried out at room temperature and atmospheric pressure and the yield of the targeted sulfonyl fluoride, by virtue of the short inter-electrode distance between a graphite anode and a stainless-steel cathode, reached up to 92% in only 5 min residence time compared to 6 to 36 h in batch. A diverse set of thiols (7 examples) was subsequently converted in flow. Finally, a fully telescoped process was developed which combines the electrochemical sulfonyl fluoride synthesis with a follow-up SuFEx reaction.
Being an other‐sex crush during early adolescence in India: Investigating socio‐behavioral and psychological concomitants
Authors: Bowker Julie C. , Stotsky Miriam T. , White Hope I. , Kamble Shanmukh V.
Published: February 2020

Introduction

After years of neglect, there is now strong empirical interest in adolescents' romantic experiences. Most studies, however, focus on adolescents’ romantic relationships in Western societies and fail to consider other‐types of romantic experiences and adolescents who reside in non‐Western societies.

Methods

The present study begins to address these research gaps by examining the social‐behavioral and psychological concomitants of being viewed by many other‐sex peers as a crush, or having high crush status, in a large (N = 445; 56% male; Mage = 13.77 years, SD = 0.43) longitudinal sample of young adolescents in urban India.

Results

Utilizing self‐ and peer‐report data, results provide the first evidence that being viewed by many peers as an other‐sex crush in India is related to some of the same (i.e., physical attractiveness), but also different (i.e., shyness) social‐behavioral characteristics relative to what has been found in studies of young adolescents from the United States. Further analysis revealed new evidence regarding the unique social‐behavioral (i.e., decreased physical aggression) and psychological (i.e., decreased social anxiety) outcomes associated with high crush status in urban India.

Conclusions

Taken as a whole, results underscore the importance of considering the larger cultural context in studies of young adolescents’ crush experiences.
“Putting it in Technicolor:”The influence of a pre-service teaching residency at a historic site, archive, library, or museum on in-service pedagogical practices
Authors: Coddington Nicholas E.
Published: February 2020

Over the last 30 years, colleges of education across the nation have examined and deliberated how best to educate pre-service history teachers for the challenges of the modern classroom. Specifically, they sought to create and refine teacher preparation programs that foster within the pre-service history teacher the propensity to use authentic teaching practices once they are licensed and instructing independently in the classroom. Using a situated learning theoretical framework, this research study adds to the literature on this topic by examining how a semester-long pre-service residency at a historic site, archive, library, or museum influences in-service history teacher pedagogy. Utilizing an ex post facto qualitative research methodology with a questionnaire, interviews, and analysis of lesson plans, this study pursued the objective of evaluating the nuances of a residency and how those experiences influence in-service pedagogical dispositions. The findings of the study conclude pre-service history teacher residencies offer valuable and unique learning spaces for the pedagogical development of pre-service history teachers by promoting authentic-based teaching models that participants carry into their in-service teaching.
C*-algebras of a Cantor system with finitely many minimal subsets: structures, K-theories, and the index map
Authors: BEZUGLYI SERGEY , NIU ZHUANG , SUN WEI
Published: February 2020

We study homeomorphisms of a Cantor set with $k$ ($k<+\infty$) minimal invariant closed (but not open) subsets; we also study crossed product C*-algebras associated to these Cantor systems and certain of their orbit-cut sub-C*-algebras. In the case where $k\geq 2$, the crossed product C*-algebra is stably finite, has stable rank 2, and has real rank 0 if in addition $(X,\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E})$ is aperiodic. The image of the index map is connected to certain directed graphs arising from the Bratteli–Vershik–Kakutani model of the Cantor system. Using this, it is shown that the ideal of the Bratteli diagram (of the Bratteli–Vershik–Kakutani model) must have at least $k$ vertices at each level, and the image of the index map must consist of infinitesimals.
Automorphisms of automatic shifts
Authors: MÜLLNER CLEMENS , YASSAWI REEM
Published: February 2020

In this paper we continue the study of automorphism groups of constant-length substitution shifts and also their topological factors. We show that, up to conjugacy, all roots of the identity map are letter-exchanging maps, and all other non-trivial automorphisms arise from twisted compressions of another constant-length substitution. We characterize the group of roots of the identity in both the measurable and topological setting. Finally, we show that any topological factor of a constant-length substitution shift is topologically conjugate to a constant-length substitution shift via a letter-to-letter code.
ON SEMIGROUP ORBITS OF POLYNOMIALS AND MULTIPLICATIVE ORDERS
Authors: MELLO JORGE
Published: February 2020

We show, under some natural restrictions, that some semigroup orbits of polynomials cannot contain too many elements of small multiplicative order modulo a large prime $p$, extending previous work of Shparlinski [‘Multiplicative orders in orbits of polynomials over finite fields’, Glasg. Math. J.60(2) (2018), 487–493].
ON A LATTICE GENERALISATION OF THE LOGARITHM AND A DEFORMATION OF THE DEDEKIND ETA FUNCTION
Authors: BÉTERMIN LAURENT
Published: February 2020

We consider a deformation $E_{L,\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}}^{(m)}(it)$ of the Dedekind eta function depending on two $d$-dimensional simple lattices $(L,\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC})$ and two parameters $(m,t)\in (0,\infty )$, initially proposed by Terry Gannon. We show that the minimisers of the lattice theta function are the maximisers of $E_{L,\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}}^{(m)}(it)$ in the space of lattices with fixed density. The proof is based on the study of a lattice generalisation of the logarithm, called the lattice logarithm, also defined by Terry Gannon. We also prove that the natural logarithm is characterised by a variational problem over a class of one-dimensional lattice logarithms.