bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A simulation comparison of some distance‐based EWMA control charts for monitoring the covariance matrix with individual observations
Authors: Ning Xiu , Li Pingke
Published: October 2019

It is common in modern manufacturing to simultaneously monitor more than one process quality characteristic. In such a multivariate scenario, the monitoring of the covariance matrix, along with the mean vector, plays an important role in assessing whether a process stays in control or not. However, monitoring the covariance matrix is technically more difficult, especially when there is only one observation available in each subgroup, disabling the usual sample covariance matrix as an effective estimator. To monitor the covariance matrix with individual observations in Phase II stage, several exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) control charts have been constructed based on the distance between the estimated process covariance matrix and its target value. In this paper, two new control charts are devised using the sum of the square roots of the absolute deviations and its combination with the sum of squared deviations. These distance‐based control charts are compared via the simulation experiments on different simulated out‐of‐control covariance matrices with respect to the number of quality characteristics being monitored, the shift pattern, and the shift magnitude. The simulation results identify the control charts that perform relatively robust and show that these various control charts may have their respective merits on different out‐of‐control scenarios.
A path planning and path‐following control framework for a general 2‐trailer with a car‐like tractor
Authors: Ljungqvist Oskar , Evestedt Niclas , Axehill Daniel , Cirillo Marcello , Pettersson Henrik
Published: October 2019

Maneuvering a general 2‐trailer with a car‐like tractor in backward motion is a task that requires a significant skill to master and is unarguably one of the most complicated tasks a truck driver has to perform. This paper presents a path planning and path‐following control solution that can be used to automatically plan and execute difficult parking and obstacle avoidance maneuvers by combining backward and forward motion. A lattice‐based path planning framework is developed in order to generate kinematically feasible and collision‐free paths and a path‐following controller is designed to stabilize the lateral and angular path‐following error states during path execution. To estimate the vehicle state needed for control, a nonlinear observer is developed, which only utilizes information from sensors that are mounted on the car‐like tractor, making the system independent of additional trailer sensors. The proposed path‐planning and path‐following control framework is implemented on a full‐scale test vehicle and results from simulations and real‐world experiments are presented.
Synthesis of Biodiesel from Soybean Oil with Methanol Catalyzed by Ni‐Doped CaO‐MgO Catalysts
Authors: Pan Langsheng , Xiang Fuyun , Cheng Zhipeng , Zhao Xiaoyu , Fu Lin , Li Yongfei , Liu Yuejin
Published: October 2019

In order to improve the activity and stability of calcium‐based catalysts, a mixing method with other metal oxides was proposed to increase the interaction among the active ingredients to prevent the active components being leached off. A new Ni/CaO‐MgO catalyst was prepared by a double drop addition co‐precipitation method at alkaline condition around pH 10. The catalyst was characterized by XRD, TG‐TGA, FT‐IR, SEM, TEM, BET and CO2‐TPD. The results showed that Mg2+ had been partly replaced by Ni2+ which coordinated with oxygen octahedron to form strong basic sites at MgO defected lattices. The effect of different Ni addition on the catalytic performance was investigated in the transesterification reaction of renewable bio‐oils to biodiesel. Under the optimal reaction conditions of reaction temperature 120 °C, methanol/oil molar ratio of 27:1, catalyst dosage 5 wt%, the yield of biodiesel reached 97.6% only in 60 minutes of reaction time.
A Study on the Coordination of Fully Substituted Cyclopentano Cucurbit[5, 6]uril with Copper and Zinc Ions
Authors: Zhao Wei Wei , Wei Lian Tong , Zhou Kai Zhi , Chen Ming Hua , Cheng Si Yuan , Jiang Dao Fa , Ma Pei Hua
Published: October 2019

Herein, we report the supramolecular self‐assembly of fully substituted cyclopentano cucurbit[5]uril (CyP5Q[5]) and cucurbit[6]uril (CyP6Q[6]) with Cu(ClO4)2 and Zn(ClO4)2 in a solution of formic acid. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis showed that CyP5Q[5]‐Cu(ClO4)2 forms a W‐type molecular capsule complex and CyP5Q[5]‐Zn(ClO4)2 forms alternate Z‐type and V‐type molecular capsule complexes. Both CyP6Q[6]‐Cu(ClO4)2 and CyP6Q[6]‐Zn(ClO4)2 form Z‐type molecular capsule complexes. These two coordination systems have the same unit cell parameters and are isomorphic complexes. In these four systems the ClO4– ions are coordinated around the cucurbituril via ion‐dipole interactions and induce the self‐assembly of the cucurbituril and metal ions.
Multi‐Agent Method Based H∞ Supplementary Turbine/Governor Control to Enhance Power System Stability
Authors: Meng Qingwei , Xiao Yao , Zhang Susu , Zhang Lixia
Published: October 2019

The stability of a power system has always been of concern. Now, wide‐area measurement systems are used widely. In this paper, we focus on supplementary turbine/governor control to enhance the stability of a power system with wide‐area measurement information. An H∞ supplementary turbine/governor controller based on the multi‐agent method is introduced to enhance power system stability. First, the synchronous generator is modeled as a second‐order agent. The information of communication topology and power network topology are used to build the system model and the controller design. Then, a linear output feedback controller is adopted. With a suitable Lyapunov function and by solving the linear matrix inequality, the parameters of the controller are tuned by the H∞ synthesis method. Finally, numerical simulations are presented on a Western Systems Coordinating Council three‐generator nine‐bus power system, validating the proposed design. © 2019 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Structure constants from modularity in warped CFT
Authors: Song Wei , Xu Jianfei
Published: October 2019

Abstract

We derive a universal formula for the asymptotic growth of the mean value of three-point coefficient for Warped Conformal Field Theories (WCFTs), and provide a holographic calculation in BTZ black holes. WCFTs are two dimensional quantum field theories featuring a chiral Virasoro and U(1) Kac-Moody algebra, and are conjectured to be holographically dual to quantum gravity on asymptotically AdS3 spacetime with Compère- Song-Strominger boundary conditions. The WCFT calculation amounts to the calculation of one-point functions on torus, whose high temperature limit can be approximated by using modular covariance of WCFT, similar to the derivation of Cardy formula. The bulk process is given by a tadpole diagram, with a massive spinning particle propagates from the infinity to the horizon, and splits into particle and antiparticle which annihilate after going around the horizon of BTZ black holes. The agreement between the bulk and WCFT calculations indicates that the black hole geometries in asymptotically AdS3 spacetimes can emerge upon coarse-graining over microstates in WCFTs, similar to the results of Kraus and Maloney in the context of AdS/CFT [1].
Heterotic/type II duality and non-geometric compactifications
Authors: Gautier Y. , Hull C. M. , Israël D.
Published: October 2019

Abstract

We present a new class of dualities relating non-geometric Calabi-Yau com- pactifications of type II string theory to T-fold compactifications of the heterotic string, both preserving four-dimensional

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 2 supersymmetry. The non-geometric Calabi-Yau space is a K 3 fibration over T
2 with non-geometric monodromies in the duality group O(Γ4,20); this is dual to a heterotic reduction on a T
4 fibration over T
2 with the O(Γ4,20) monodromies now viewed as heterotic T-dualities. At a point in moduli space which is a minimum of the scalar potential, the type II compactification becomes an asymmetric Gepner model and the monodromies become automorphisms involving mirror symmetries, while the heterotic dual is an asymmetric toroidal orbifold. We generalise previous constructions to ones in which the automorphisms are not of prime order. The type II construction is perturbatively consistent, but the naive heterotic dual is not modular invariant. Modular invariance on the heterotic side is achieved by including twists in the circles dual to the winding numbers round the T
2, and this in turn introduces non-perturbative phases depending on NS5-brane charge in the type II construction.
Does the effect of disability acquisition on mental health differ by employment characteristics? A longitudinal fixed-effects analysis
Authors: Aitken Zoe , Simpson Julie Anne , Bentley Rebecca , Milner Allison , LaMontagne Anthony Daniel , Kavanagh Anne Marie
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Longitudinal studies have suggested a causal relationship between disability acquisition and mental health, but there is substantial heterogeneity in the magnitude of the effect. Previous studies have provided evidence that socioeconomic characteristics can buffer the effect but have not examined the role of employment characteristics.

Methods

We used data from 17 annual waves of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey to compare the mental health of working age individuals before and after disability acquisition, using the Mental Health Inventory, a subscale of the SF-36 health questionnaire. Linear fixed-effects regression models were used to estimate the effect of disability acquisition on mental health. We tested for effect modification by two characteristics of people’s employment prior to disability acquisition: occupational skill level and contract type. Multiple imputation using chained equations was used to handle missing data.

Results

Disability acquisition was associated with a substantial decline in mental health score (estimated mean difference: − 4.3, 95% CI − 5.0, − 3.5). There was evidence of effect modification by occupational skill level, with the largest effects seen for those in low-skilled jobs (− 6.1, 95% CI − 7.6, − 4.5), but not for contract type.

Conclusions

The findings highlight the need for social and health policies that focus on increasing employment rates, improving the sustainability of employment, and providing employment services and education and training opportunities for people who acquire a disability, particularly for people in low-skilled occupations, to reduce the mental health inequalities experienced by people with disabilities.
Temporal trends in incidence of hospital-treated self-harm among adolescents in Denmark: national register-based study
Authors: Steeg Sarah , Carr Matthew J. , Mok Pearl L. H. , Pedersen Carsten B. , Antonsen Sussie , Ashcroft Darren M. , Kapur Nav , Erlangsen Annette , Nordentoft Merete , Webb Roger T.
Published: October 2019

Background

Studies conducted in the UK and in Ireland have reported increased rates of self-harm in adolescent females from around the time of the 2008 economic recession and through periods of subsequent national austerity programme implementation. It is not known if incidence rates have increased similarly in other Western European countries during this period.

Methods

Data from interlinked national administrative registers were extracted for individuals born in Denmark during 1981–2006. We estimated gender- and age-specific incidence rates (IRs) per 10,000 person-years at risk for hospital-treated non-fatal self-harm during 2000–2016 at ages 10–19 years.

Results

Incidence of self-harm peaked in 2007 (IR 25.1) and then decreased consistently year on year to 13.8 in 2016. This pattern was found in all age groups, in both males and females and in each parental income tertile. During the last 6 years of the observation period, 2011–2016, girls aged 13–16 had the highest incidence rates whereas, among boys, incidence was highest among 17–19 year olds throughout.

Conclusions

The temporal increases in incidence rates of self-harm among adolescents observed in some Western European countries experiencing major economic recession were not observed in Denmark. Restrictions to sales of analgesics, access to dedicated suicide prevention clinics, higher levels of social spending and a stronger welfare system may have protected potentially vulnerable adolescents from the increases seen in other countries. A better understanding of the specific mechanisms behind the temporal patterns in self-harm incidence in Denmark is needed to help inform suicide prevention in other nations.
Neoaortic Regurgitation in Patients with Transposition Long Term After an Arterial Switch Operation and Its Relation to the Root Diameters and Surgical Technique Used
Authors: Michalak Krzysztof W. , Sobczak-Budlewska Katarzyna , Moll Jacek J. , Szymczyk Konrad , Moll Jadwiga A. , Łubisz Monika , Moll Maciej
Published: October 2019

Neoaortic regurgitation and root dilatation are common findings in patients with transposition after an arterial switch operation. The aim of this study was to describe the relation between neoaortic regurgitation long term after an arterial switch procedure, aortic root diameters, and surgical technique used. We also assessed the agreement of the neoaortic regurgitation grade and root diameters in different imaging modalities. For this retrospective study, we qualified 56 consecutive patients who, according to our institutional protocol, had a routine postoperative evaluation of more than 16 years with multimodality imaging studies. Neoaortic regurgitation was assessed by both transthoracic echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging, and the root diameters obtained by echocardiography and tomography were compared to the reference values and associated with the presence of neoaortic insufficiency. Neoaortic insufficiency was present in 75% of examined patients; the vast majority of them had trace or mild regurgitation, and its qualitative evaluation was significantly different between echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging. In our study group, the neoaortic valve and aortic sinus were larger in relation to the normal values, and they were significantly correlated with the presence of neoaortic insufficiency, but not with the surgical technique used. Values obtained by echocardiography and tomography correlated well but were significantly different. Transthoracic echocardiography has a tendency to overestimate the severity of regurgitation compared to magnetic resonance imaging. Neoaortic valve and sinus dilatation are significantly correlated with valve insufficiency, but in most cases of root dilatation, the valve remains competent.
Water turbidity constrains male mating success in a marine fish
Authors: Järvenpää Marja , Diaz Pauli Beatriz , Lindström Kai
Published: October 2019

Human-induced eutrophication, resulting in increased algal growth and water turbidity, is an alarming problem in aquatic systems. Many studies have focused on the effects of algal turbidity on mate choice and sexual selection in fish, but little emphasis has been given to the ways it can constrain mating success. Here we experimentally investigated the effects of algal turbidity on maximum male mating success and parental care in the sand goby,Pomatoschistus minutus, a fish with a resource-defence mating system and male parental care. For this purpose, we introduced to 1 nest-holding male 5 random-sized ripe females in either clear or in turbid water. After spawning, we observed how many mates and eggs the male received and followed his parental behaviour and egg survival for 6 days under turbid or clear water conditions. When spawning took place in clear water, the number of eggs the male received into his nest increased with the total weight of five females in his tank. However, when spawning took place in turbid water, there was no relationship between female size and the number of eggs laid, although the number of females that spawned was the same as in clear water. The results indicate that females adjust the number of eggs they lay according to water turbidity. This could explain previous findings that mating success is more evenly distributed among males in turbid than clear water conditions.

Significance statement

The first responses of animals to human-induced changes in the environment are behavioural. Subtle changes in the behaviour of individuals can have profound consequences for populations and communities. Human-induced eutrophication, leading to algal blooms and water turbidity, is a major environmental problem in aquatic systems worldwide. Our results on the sand goby suggest a new mechanism by which water turbidity may affect fish mating systems and weaken sexual selection. When spawning takes place in clear water, the number of eggs accumulated in a males’ nest is an increasing function of the fecundity of the females. However, when spawning in turbid water, this positive relationship between female size and egg numbers disappears. We believe this is because females do not perceive the competition from other females in turbid water and therefore invest less in present reproduction.
Percutaneous Pharmaco-Mechanical Thrombectomy of Acute Symptomatic Superior Mesenteric Vein Thrombosis
Authors: Rabuffi Paolo , Vagnarelli Simone , Bruni Antonio , Antonuccio Gabriele , Ambrogi Cesare
Published: October 2019

Purpose

To evaluate the safety and the efficacy of percutaneous pharmaco-mechanical thrombectomy (PPMT) of acute superior mesenteric vein (SMV) thrombosis.

Methods

A database of patients treated between 2011 and 2018 with acute venous mesenteric ischemia (VMI) was reviewed. VMI was diagnosed in the presence of SMV thrombosis and CT evidence of jejunal thickening. All patients presented with mild to moderate peritonism, which allowed surgery to be postponed. Initial treatment consisted of heparinization. PPMT was indicated in case of worsening abdominal pain despite anticoagulation and was performed via a transjugular or transhepatic approach, using a rotational aspiration thrombectomy catheter, followed by transcatheter thrombolysis. Clinical success was defined as symptoms resolution. Technical success was defined as patency of > 50% of SMV at venography and resolution of jejunal thickening. Patients were discharged on lifelong oral anticoagulation (INR 2.5–3.5). Follow-ups were performed using CT and color Doppler ultrasound.

Results

Population consisted of eight males, aged 37–81 (mean 56.5 years). Causes for thrombosis were investigated. Urokinase infusion time ranged from 48 to 72 h (3,840,000–5,760,000 IU). Clinical and technical success was obtained in all cases. One patient experienced bleeding from the superior epigastric artery and was treated with embolization. One patient died of multi-organ failure after 35 days, despite resolution of SMV thrombosis. In no case was surgery required after PPMT; mean hospitalization was 14.1 days (9–24). Mean follow-up of remaining seven patients was 37.7 months (12–84 months).

Conclusion

PPMT of acute SMV thrombosis seems safe and effective, with an 87.5% long-term survival rate and a 12.5% major complication rate.
The evaluation of a slim perimodiolar electrode: surgical technique in relation to intracochlear position and cochlear implant outcomes
Authors: Heutink Floris , Verbist Berit M. , Mens Lucas H. M. , Huinck Wendy J. , Mylanus Emmanuel A. M.
Published: October 2019

Purpose

In cochlear implantation (CI), the two factors that are determined by the surgeon with a potential significant impact on the position of the electrode within the cochlea and the potential outcome, are the surgical technique and electrode type. The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the position of the slim, perimodiolar electrode (SPE), and to study the influence of the SPE position on CI outcome.

Methods

Twenty-three consecutively implanted, adult SPE candidates were included in this prospective cohort study conducted between December 2016 and April 2019. Mean age at surgery was 59.5 years. Mean preoperative residual hearing was 92.2 dB. Intra-operative fluoroscopy and high-resolution computed tomography scans were performed to evaluate electrode position after insertion using a cochleostomy (CS) approach. Follow-up was 12 months after implantation; residual hearing (6–8 weeks) and speech perception (6–8 weeks and 12 months) were evaluated in relation to the intracochlear SPE position.

Results

In most patients in whom the SPE was positioned in the scala tympani residual hearing was preserved [mean absolute increase in PTA of 4.4 dB and 77.2% relative hearing preservation (RHP%)]. Translocation into the scala vestibuli occurred in 36% of the insertions, resulting in a mean absolute increase in PTA of 17.9 dB, and a RHP% of 19.2%. Participants with a translocation had poorer speech perception scores at 12-month follow-up.

Conclusion

Given the incidence of CS-associated translocations with the SPE and the negative effect on outcome, it is advised to insert the SPE using the (extended) round window approach.
Asymptotic Analysis of Regular Sequences
Authors: Heuberger Clemens , Krenn Daniel
Published: October 2019

In this article, q-regular sequences in the sense of Allouche and Shallit are analysed asymptotically. It is shown that the summatory function of a regular sequence can asymptotically be decomposed as a finite sum of periodic fluctuations multiplied by a scaling factor. Each of these terms corresponds to an eigenvalue of the sum of matrices of a linear representation of the sequence; only the eigenvalues of absolute value larger than the joint spectral radius of the matrices contribute terms which grow faster than the error term. The paper has a particular focus on the Fourier coefficients of the periodic fluctuations: they are expressed as residues of the corresponding Dirichlet generating function. This makes it possible to compute them in an efficient way. The asymptotic analysis deals with Mellin–Perron summations and uses two arguments to overcome convergence issues, namely Hölder regularity of the fluctuations together with a pseudo-Tauberian argument. Apart from the very general result, three examples are discussed in more detail:

sequences defined as the sum of outputs written by a transducer when reading a q-ary expansion of the input;

the amount of esthetic numbers in the first N natural numbers; and

the number of odd entries in the rows of Pascal’s rhombus.

For these examples, very precise asymptotic formulæ are presented. In the latter two examples, prior to this analysis only rough estimates were known.
Dividing Splittable Goods Evenly and With Limited Fragmentation
Authors: Damaschke Peter
Published: October 2019

A splittable good provided innpieces shall be divided as evenly as possible amongmagents, where every agent can take shares from at mostFpieces. We callFthe fragmentation and mainly restrict attention to the cases$$F=1$$F=1and$$F=2$$F=2. For$$F=1$$F=1, the max–min and min–max problems are solvable in linear time. The case$$F=2$$F=2has neat formulations and structural characterizations in terms of weighted graphs. First we focus on perfectly balanced solutions. While the problem is strongly NP-hard in general, it can be solved in linear time if$$m\ge n-1$$m≥n-1, and a solution always exists in this case, in contrast to$$F=1$$F=1. Moreover, the problem is fixed-parameter tractable in the parameter$$2m-n$$2m-n. (Note that this parameter measures the number of agents above the trivial threshold$$m=n/2$$m=n/2.) The structural results suggest another related problem where unsplittable items shall be assigned to subsets so as to balance the average sizes (rather than the total sizes) in these subsets. We give an approximation-preserving reduction from our original splitting problem with fragmentation$$F=2$$F=2to this averaging problem, and some approximation results in cases whenmis close to eithernorn / 2.
Low seroprotection rate for meningococcus serogroup C in the adult HIV-1-infected population in Austria
Authors: Grabmeier-Pfistershammer Katharina , Holleis Kay , Rosskopf Sandra , Steinberger Peter , Touzeau-Roemer Veronique , Poeppl Wolfgang , Rieger Armin
Published: October 2019

Current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) guidelines recommend immunization of all human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients against meningitis serotype ACWY due to recent outbreaks of meningitis C in homosexual men in the USA. Implementation of this recommendation in other countries, such as Austria is hindered by the scarce knowledge on the vaccine coverage. In this study the serostatus for meningococcus serogroup C was analyzed in 390 HIV-infected individuals residing in Austria. These individuals were representative for the Austrian HIV cohort regarding sex, age, transmission risk and HIV progression markers. Overall, 73% were on suppressive antiretroviral therapy, the mean CD4 cell count was 599 cells/μl and immunoglobulin G (IgG) seropositivity was 18% for meningococcus serogroup C. Migrants and patients who had acquired an infection via heterosexual intercourse had a higher chance for meningococcus serogroup C seropositivity. Importantly due to the well-preserved immune status of nearly all participants vaccination would be feasible in the majority of the seronegative patients. It is assumed that this measure would largely reduce the number of patients at risk for this vaccine-preventable disease.
Instantaneously complete Yamabe flow on hyperbolic space
Authors: Schulz Mario B.
Published: October 2019

We prove existence of instantaneously complete Yamabe flows on hyperbolic space of arbitrary dimension $$m\ge 3$$m≥3. The initial metric is assumed to be conformally hyperbolic with conformal factor and scalar curvature bounded from above. We do not require initial completeness or bounds on the Ricci curvature. If the initial data are rotationally symmetric, the solution is proven to be unique in the class of instantaneously complete, rotationally symmetric Yamabe flows.
Spatial learning in Japanese eels (Anguilla japonica)
Authors: Watanabe Shigeru , Shinozuka Kazutaka
Published: October 2019

Japanese eels (Anguilla japonica) were trained on a Morris-type spatial learning task. There were four tubes in a pool, but the eels could hide in only one of these. The eels learned the position of the open tube, and maintained their performance when the pool was rotated to remove possible intra-maze cues. The eels could not maintain their performance in a dark room, suggesting that spatial learning involved extra-maze visual cues. When the position of the open tube was randomly changed every day, the performance of the eels in finding the open tube did not improve.
Ex-neuter-gender nouns in Canadian Doukhobor Russian
Authors: Makarova Veronika
Published: October 2019

This paper addresses the morpho-syntactic forms of ex-neuter-gender of Canadian Doukhobor Russian nouns. Doukhobor Russian is a near-extinct variety of Russian spoken by a small group of elderly Doukhobors (a religious and ethnic minority of Russian origins) residing mostly in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Alberta. While Standard Russian has three noun genders (feminine, masculine and neuter), this paper demonstrates that in Doukhobor Russian, a neuter gender erosion has been taking place, whereby ex-neuter-gender nouns have been shifting their declension paradigms mostly to feminine F1 declension forms. Ex-neuter-gender words in Doukhobor Russian also mostly agree with pronouns, attributives, and numerals in feminine gender. They also predominantly agree in feminine gender with preterite verb forms. Two major subclasses of ex-neuter-gender nouns are identified: those in which the stem is stressed and those in which the stress is on the inflectional vowel. A stressed vowel in an inflectional suffix of the nominative and the accusative blocks the paradigm shift of ex-neuter-gender nouns, but does not prevent female gender agreement with attributives and preterite verb forms. The discussion identifies parallels of neuter-gender erosion in Doukhobor Russian with similar processes found in 19th and 20th century Russian dialects.
Airborne Staphylococcus aureus in different environments—a review
Authors: Kozajda Anna , Jeżak Karolina , Kapsa Agnieszka
Published: October 2019

The aim of the literature review was to describe the environments where the presence of airborne Staphylococcus aureus was confirmed and to catalogue the most often used methods and conditions of bioaerosol sampling to identify the bacteria. The basis for searching of studies on S. aureus in the bioaerosol in different environments was PubMed database resources from the years 1990–2019 (May). The review included studies which were carried on in selected environments: hospitals and other health care facilities, large-scale animal breeding, wastewater treatment plants, residential areas, educational institutions, and other public places. The highest concentrations and genetic diversity of identified S. aureus strains, including MRSA (methicillin-resistant S. aureus), have been shown in large-scale animal breeding. The role of the airborne transmission in dissemination of infection caused by these pathogens is empirically confirmed in environmental studies. Commonly available, well-described, and relatively inexpensive methods of sampling, identification, and subtyping guarantee a high reliability of results and allow to obtain fast and verifiable outcomes in environmental studies on air transmission routes of S. aureus strains.
Histrionic Personality, Narcissistic Personality, and Problematic Social Media Use: Testing of a New Hypothetical Model
Authors: Savci Mustafa , Turan Mehmet Emin , Griffiths Mark D. , Ercengiz Mustafa
Published: October 2019

In the present study, a hypothetical model examining the relationships between histrionic personality belief, need for social approval, desire for being liked, social media disorder, and narcissistic personality belief was proposed and tested. The effect of histrionic personality belief on the need for social approval and desire for being liked was tested first. Then the effect of the need for social approval and desire for being liked on social media addiction were tested. Finally, the effect of social media addiction on narcissistic personality belief was tested. The present study comprised 305 adolescents (165 girls and 140 boys) and they were administered the Personality Belief Questionnaire-Short Form, Need for Social Approval Scale, Desire for Being Liked Scale, and Social Media Disorder Scale. Before the proposed hypothetical model was tested, each latent variable was tested with measurement models to determine if it could be used in structural models. Findings demonstrated that histrionic personality belief positively affected the need for social approval and desire for being liked. The need for social approval and desire for being liked positively affected social media addiction. Finally, social media addiction positively affected narcissistic personality belief.
Nicht invasive Pränataldiagnostik mittels molekulargenetischer Tests (NIPT) zur Erkennung der Trisomien 13, 18 und 21
Authors: Rummer Anne , Sieben Wiebke , Mosch Christoph , Assall Oliver , Sauerland Stefan
Published: October 2019

Hintergrund

Molekulargenetische Tests (NIPT) auf Trisomie sind längst Teil der nicht invasiven Pränataldiagnostik (NIPD). In Deutschland wird derzeit geprüft, ob und für wen diese Tests von den gesetzlichen Krankenkassen künftig bezahlt werden sollen.

Fragestellung

(I) Diagnostische Eigenschaften der NIPT zur Entdeckung der Trisomien 13, 18 und 21 und (II) hypothetische Berechnung der möglichen Anwendung der NIPT in verschiedenen Gruppen.

Methoden

(I) Systematische Recherche nach Primärliteratur und systematischen Übersichten in MEDLINE und vier weiteren Datenbanken. Einschlusskriterien: Studien mit schwangeren Frauen, Indextest: NIPT mittels molekulargenetischer Analyse von cffDNA im mütterlichen Blut zur Bestimmung des Trisomie-Risikos; Referenztest: zytogenetische Diagnostik oder postnatale klinische Untersuchung. (II) Orientierende Recherche. Hypothetische Berechnungen für (1) alle schwangeren Frauen nach aktuellem Vorgehen ohne NIPT am Beispiel von Ersttrimesterscreening (ETS), (2) Anwendung bei schwangeren Frauen mit erhöhtem Risiko, z. B. nach vorgeschaltetem auffälligem ETS und (3) NIPT in einer Population mit und ohne erhöhtes Risiko für eine Trisomie.

Ergebnisse

Bei 22 eingeschlossenen Studien lagen die Sensitivität und die Spezifität zur Erkennung der Trisomie 21 bei 99,13 % (95 %-KI: [97,39 %; 99,72 %]) und 99,95 % (95 %-KI: [99,88 %; 99,98 %]). Der mögliche Einfluss von Testversagern blieb bei den Berechnungen unberücksichtigt, womit die Sensitivität oder die Spezifität der NIPT möglicherweise überschätzt wurde. Für die Erkennung der Trisomien 13 und 18 konnte jeweils die Sensitivität nicht robust geschätzt werden.

Diskussion

Bei Frauen mit erhöhtem Risiko können NIPT die Zahl der invasiven Tests und damit der testbedingten Fehlgeburten vermutlich verringern.
Inflammatory Responses Induced by the Rupture of Intracranial Aneurysms Are Modulated by miRNAs
Authors: Korostynski Michal , Morga Rafal , Piechota Marcin , Hoinkis Dzesika , Golda Slawomir , Dziedzic Tomasz , Slowik Agnieszka , Moskala Marek , Pera Joanna
Published: October 2019

Influence of an intracranial aneurysm (IA) rupture on the expression of miRNAs and the potential significance of the resulting changes remains poorly understood. We aimed to characterize the response to the IA rupture through the analysis of miRNAs in peripheral blood cells. Expression of small RNAs was investigated using deep transcriptome sequencing in patients in the acute phase of an IA rupture (first 72 h), in the chronic phase (3–15 months), and controls. A functional analysis and the potential interactions between miRNAs and target genes were investigated. We also measured the levels of proteins that were influenced by regulated miRNAs. We found that 106 mature miRNAs and 90 miRNA precursors were differentially expressed among the groups. The regulated miRNAs were involved in a variety of pathways, and the top pathway involved cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions. The identified miRNAs targeted the inflammatory factorsHMGB1andFASLG. Changes in their expression were detected at the mRNA and protein levels. IA rupture strongly influences the transcription profiles in peripheral blood cells. The regulated miRNAs were involved in the control of immune cell homeostasis. In summary, these results may aid in the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms that orchestrate the inflammatory response to IA rupture.
Prognostic value of the coronary artery calcium score in suspected coronary artery disease: a study of 644 symptomatic patients
Authors: Rijlaarsdam-Hermsen D. , Lo-Kioeng-Shioe M. S. , Kuijpers D. , van Domburg R. T. , Deckers J. W. , van Dijkman P. R. M.
Published: October 2019

Aim

The long-term value of coronary artery calcium (CAC) scanning has not been studied extensively in symptomatic patients, but was evaluated by us in 644 consecutive patients referred for stable chest pain.

Methods

We excluded patients with a history of cardiovascular disease and with a CAC score of zero. CAC scanning was done with a 16-row MDCT scanner. Endpoints were: (a) overall mortality, (b) mortality or non-fatal myocardial infarction and (c) the composite of mortality, myocardial infarction or coronary revascularisation. Revascularisations within 1 year following CAC scanning were not considered.

Results

The mean age of the 320 women and 324 men was 63 years. Follow-up was over 8 years. There were 58 mortalities, while 22 patients suffered non-fatal myocardial infarction and 24 underwent coronary revascularisation, providing 104 combined endpoints. Cumulative 8‑year survival was 95% with CAC score <100, 90% in patients with CAC score >100 and <400, and 82% with CAC score ≥400 Agatston units. Risk of mortality with a CAC score >100 and ≥400 units was 2.6 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23–5.54], and 4.6 (95% CI 2.1–9.47) respectively. After correction for clinical risk factors, CAC score remained independently associated with increased risk of cardiac events.

Conclusions

Risk increased with increasing CAC score. Patients with CAC >100 or ≥400 Agatston units were at increased risk of major adverse cardiac events and are eligible for preventive measures. CAC scanning provided incremental prognostic information to guide the choice of diagnostic and therapeutic options in many subjects evaluated for chest pain.
Coronary microvascular function in athletes with abnormal exercise test results
Authors: van de Sande D. A. J. P. , Barneveld P. C. , Hoogsteen J. , Doevendans P. A. , Kemps H. M. C.
Published: October 2019

Aims

In asymptomatic athletes, abnormal exercise test (ET) results have a poor positive predictive value. It is unknown whether abnormal ET results in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) are related to coronary microvascular dysfunction. It is also unknown whether they should be considered false-positive ET results or a consequence of physiological adaptation to sport. In our study, we evaluated whether athletes with abnormal ET results and documented myocardial ischaemia in the absence of obstructive CAD have an attenuated microvascular function and whether coronary microvascular dysfunction is related to endothelial dysfunction.

Methods and results

Nine athletes with concordant abnormal ET and myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) results without obstructive CAD were compared with age- and gender-matched individuals with a low-to-intermediate a priori risk of CAD. Coronary flow reserve was assessed by Rubidium-82 positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Endothelin‑1 concentrations were measured to evaluate endothelial function. Coronary flow reserve was significantly lower in athletes (3.3 ± 0.8 versus 4.2 ± 0.6, p = 0.014 respectively). Endothelin‑1 levels were significantly higher in athletes (1.3 ± 0.2 pg/ml versus 1.0 ± 0.2 pg/ml, p = 0.012 respectively). There was no correlation between endothelin‑1 concentrations and mean global coronary flow reserve (r = 0.12).

Conclusion

Athletes with abnormal ET and MPS outcomes indicative for myocardial ischaemia and no obstructive CAD have a lower coronary flow reserve compared with non-athletes with low-to-intermediate a priori risk of CAD, suggesting an attenuated coronary microvascular function. Higher endothelin‑1 concentrations in athletes suggest that endothelial-dependent dysfunction is an important determinant of the attenuated microvascular function.
Estimation of three-dimensional long axes of the maxillary and mandibular first molars with regression analysis
Authors: Terada Kazuto , Kameda Takashi , Kageyama Ikuo , Sakamoto Makoto
Published: October 2019

The purpose of this study was to determine the long axes of molars with multiple roots through ordinary least squares regression (LSR) and to compare them with the axes defined by principal component analysis (PCA). Three-dimensional radiological images of 20 dry skulls were obtained by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Data from maxillary and mandibular first molars were extracted from the CBCT DICOM data with a three-dimensional image visualization system. The obtained data were reconstructed, converted to STL files, and three-dimensional coordinate values were extracted. The long axes were estimated by an algorithm to synchronize the LSR line with the horizontal axis which was translated to the vertical axis. The axes of the molars defined by LSR were compared with the axes of the molars defined by PCA. The coordinate point number of each molar was 5400–5800. The algorithm for determining the tooth axes in this study consisted of four stages containing three steps each. The distance between the two axes calculated by the two methods (LSR and PCA) on the horizontal plane through the origin was less than 10−12 mm and the deviations between them were less than 0.003°. The long axes of the molars estimated by LSR agree almost exactly with the axes estimated by PCA, and the accuracy is sufficient for clinical usage; however, the distance between them would shorten with a more severe convergence condition of the α value at each stage of this LSR system.
Women’s empowerment, collective actions, and sustainable fisheries: lessons from Mexico
Authors: Torre Jorge , Hernandez-Velasco Arturo , Rivera-Melo Francisco Fernandez , Lopez Jaime , Espinosa-Romero Maria Jose
Published: October 2019

Collective action is recognized as a key element to successfully implementing sustainable fisheries. Nevertheless, gender equality, as an essential component in such actions, is often missing. In fisheries, women’s contributions are regularly invisible and remain unrepresented in statistics. In this paper, we examine the current status of women in Mexican fisheries based on governmental reports and programs, as well as five case studies from small-scale fishing communities. In practice, the government’s attempts at increasing participation and leadership of women in fisheries have been varied. This article documents how women’s roles are changing when collective actions are implemented to increase fisheries sustainability. Women as cooperative leaders, collaborative decision-makers, and entrepreneurs have become active promoters of good practices, including (1) fishery and ecosystem restoration, (2) environmental monitoring, and (3) marine conservation. Through these actions, women are also empowered in different ways. They have acquired resources (e.g., knowledge, opportunities) and decision-making power, facilitating project developments (e.g., research, cooperatives) that promote fisheries sustainability. Here, we highlight elements that contribute toward empowering women in small-scale fisheries in these five contexts, with applicability elsewhere. These elements include access to role models, such as female scientists leading environmental monitoring; the support of civil society organizations; and a willingness, by men and women, to learn and change the status quo.
The Road Not Taken – the CJEU Sheds Light on the Role of Fundamental Rights in the European Copyright Framework – a Case Note on the Pelham, Spiegel Online and Funke Medien Decisions
Authors: Snijders Thom , van Deursen Stijn
Published: October 2019

On 29 July 2019, the Court of Justice of the European Union delivered its judgments in three eagerly awaited cases,Pelham,Spiegel OnlineandFunke Medien, which all relate to the relationship between copyright and (other) fundamental rights. Specifically, an issue arising in these cases is whether the EU copyrightacquisallows for fundamental rights to be invoked as an autonomous ground for limiting a copyright, outside of the mechanisms incorporated in the Copyright Directive for that purpose. In its judgments, the Court rejects this possibility and instead locates the role for fundamental rights in the interpretation and implementation of the exceptions and limitations of the Directive. We argue that – while this may render satisfactory results in the great majority of cases – in exceptional cases the CJEU’s approach towards balancing copyrights and fundamental rights could be at odds with the approach of the European Court of Human Rights, which might reduce the legal certainty sought after by the CJEU. Lastly, we consider the implications of that potential tension for the judicial authorities and other actors within the domestic legal orders of the EU Member States.
Collaborative case-based learning process in research ethics
Authors: Tammeleht Anu , Rodríguez-Triana María Jesús , Koort Kairi , Löfström Erika
Published: October 2019

The increasing concern about ethics and integrity in research communities has brought attention to how students and junior academics can be trained on this regard. Moreover, it is known that ethical behaviour and integrity not only involve individual but also group norms and considerations. Thus, through action research and participant observation, this research investigates the learning processes through which 64 students collaboratively develop research ethics and integrity competencies. The aim was to understand how bachelor, master and PhD students approach ethical dilemma cases through a collaborative process. The data consisted of recorded group work on ethics cases, student group reports, and post-training questionnaires. Later, the analyses considered groups as the unit of analysis. These data were analysed through content analysis utilizing the SOLO taxonomy to identify levels of understanding and assess evolvement of ethical sensitivity during a case-based training session. The results show that all groups reached the level of understanding where the groups demonstrated that concepts had been understood appropriately, but occasionally struggled to make connections between them. Students perceived working collaboratively as beneficial. The results help teachers of research ethics and integrity to make pedagogically justified choices in their teaching. Drawing on the results of this study, we propose a tool for the formative assessment of student learning of research ethics and integrity.
Epicureanism and Skepticism about Practical Reason
Authors: Frugé Christopher
Published: October 2019

Epicureans believe that death cannot harm the one who dies because they hold theexistence condition, which states that a subject is able to be harmed only while they exist. I show that on one reading of this condition death can, in fact, make the deceased worse off because it is satisfied by the deprivation account of death’s badness. I argue that the most plausible Epicurean view holds theanti-modal existence condition, according to which no merely possible state of affairs can be good or bad relative to the subject who dies. I go on to show how this condition, as well as any other condition that denies the deprivation account, results in skepticism about practical reason. Thus, the Epicurean faces a dilemma. Either our practical reasoning is hopelessly mistaken or death can make us worse off. Given that our practical reasoning seems at least mildly reliable, we should conclude that death can make us worse off.
Instability of radially spreading extensional flows. Part 1. Experimental analysis
Authors: Sayag Roiy , Worster M. Grae
Published: October 2019

We present laboratory experiments that show that fingering patterns can emerge when circular interfaces of strain-rate-softening fluids displace less viscous fluids in extensionally dominated flows. The fingers were separated by regions in which the fluid appeared to be torn apart. Initially, the interface had a large dominant wavenumber, but some of the fingers progressively merged so that the number of fingers gradually declined in time. We find that the transition rate to a lower wavenumber during this cascade is faster the larger is the discharge flux of the displacing fluid. At late times, depending on the discharge flux, the pattern either converged into an integer wavenumber or varied stochastically within a finite range of wavenumbers, implying convergence to a fractional wavenumber. In that stage of the evolution we find that the average wavenumber declines with the discharge flux of the displacing fluid.