bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Constitutional Law on The Discretionary of Prosecutor's Power Against Abuse of Power Implications of Corruption Culture in The Prosecutor's Office Republic of Indonesia
Authors: Bambang Hermanto Asep , Slamet Riyadi Bambang
Published: November 2020

Indonesia is a rule of law, which means that there is a guarantee for the functioning of an independent or independent prosecutor in carrying out the judiciary and other tasks and for upholding law and justice based on the state constitution and the prevailing laws and regulations. The Attorney General's Office (AGO) is a state institution in Indonesian constitutional law that can carry out or have authority on behalf of the state in prosecution and also has other powers based on applicable provisions. The problem of this research is that the discretionary power of prosecution is too loose a tendency to abuse power to commit a criminal act. terrorized corruption culture This research is qualitative and normative juridical. The discretion that is too free for prosecutors tends to abuse power to carry out a culture of corruption in the Prosecutor's Office (PO). Researchers suggest that discretionary power in state institutions is limited and supervised by external agencies on the performance of prosecutors so that checks and balances occur in state prosecutors' institutions.
The Optimization Management of Special Autonomy Funds for Acehnese People Welfare
Authors: Hasan Effendi , Dahlawi  , Ubaidullah  , Novita Sari  , Nofriadi  , Helmi
Published: November 2020

This research aimed to examine the factors contributing to the less optimum management of the Aceh special autonomy funds for the development and welfare of the Acehnese people. Specifically, Aceh received the special autonomy funds of IDR 56.67 trillion from 2008 to 2018, yet the vast funds have not been successful in change the face of Aceh in terms of poverty, unemployment, and other social diseases. This study employed a descriptive qualitative research design and data collection involved interviews, observation, and document study. The informants were selected by purposive and snowball sampling. The results of the study showed that three factors contributed to the less optimum management of the Aceh special autonomy funds. First, the regulation of the Aceh special autonomy funds management has not been standardized and frequently changed, and thus it cannot be used as a complete guideline. Second, the management authority of the special autonomy funds was unclear between the provincial and the district/city government, resulting in no good coordination between the parties. Third, the poor management of the Aceh special autonomy funds led to the poorly targeted development and community empowerment. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that these three factors hindered the Aceh special autonomy funds from fulfilling the goals of realizing the development and welfare for the Acehnese people.
The Climax of Globalisation:
Authors: Sall Ebrima
Published: November 2020

This article examines the contradictory trends in globalisation andtheir impact on internationalisation in higher education. It arguesthat the rapid global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, that hasposed one of the most formidable challenges to globalisation andinternationalisation, was made possible precisely because of the advancedstage of development that globalisation had reached. The lockdownsand near total restriction on international mobility, closure of schoolsand universities, and other effects and responses to the pandemicadd to the restrictions on internationalisation imposed by conservativeregimes in the North and the South. The article focuses on threeissues: i) the contradictory trends in globalisation as relevant to internationalisation;ii) Trumpism and deepening neoliberal globalisation; andiii) networks and institutions in promoting internationalisation in theGlobal South. It argues that Trumpism and Brexit involve a renegotiationof the terms of engagement and attempts to reposition and re-assert thehegemony of certain players in the global economy. The article arguesthat, although certain aspects of internationalisation in higher educationhave become more difficult to preserve, it has deepened in other ways andtaken new forms, thanks to the extensive use of new communicationsmedia and technologies. Internationalisation has not always been, andwill not always be, ‘intentional’, but it can be harnessed to being about amore equitable form of globalisation.
Animalismo e non violenza. L’incidenza della lezione gandhiana sul pensiero di Tom Regan
Authors: Battaglia Luisella
Published: November 2020

In opposition to the anthropocentric model of domination, in Gandhi as in Regan there is the full recovery of an ethical-philosophical tradition based on the model of kinship or fraternity and that insists on the possibility of extending the rules of justice to all living beings. The result of this perspective is the duty of vegetarianism and the radical opposition to any practice that treats animals as means at the service of human interests. But Gandhi’s lesson is particularly useful both to address the properly political issues arising from animal ethics, that are at the heart of Regan’s philosophy (starting with the debate on the nature and justification of animal rights theories and their possible inclusion in the political community), and to define the most appropriate non-violent fighting strategies for the achievement of the aims of animal rights defenders.
Využití mentorství u mladých dospělých opouštějících ústavní a ochrannou výchovu při návratu do přirozeného sociálního prostředí
Authors:   Ostravská univerzita, Lazar Petr , Blahová Petra ,   Ostravská univerzita
Published: November 2020

Předkládaný text má podobu teoretické studie. Cílem této studie je představit, jakým způsobem lze využít koncept sociální opory u mladých dospělých opouštějících ústavní a ochrannou výchovu pro usnadnění jejich návratu do přirozeného sociálního prostředí. V úvodu práce je popsán současný stav deinstitucionalizace péče o děti a mladistvé v České republice. Následuje problematika tranzice, tedy období samotného odchodu mladého dospělého zpět do přirozeného sociálního prostředí. Tranzice představuje pro mladé dospělé zvýšené nároky na jejich sociální fungování, což může vést k sociálnímu selhání a v extrémních případech i k sociální exkluzi; v této souvislosti se text opírá o typologii úspěšnosti tranzice podle Mikea Steina. Dále se studie zabývá vymezením a konceptualizací sociální opory a představuje 5D model sociální opory doplněný o mentorský model mladistvých od Jean Rhodes. Závěr textu se věnuje problematice mentorství s důrazem na mentorství mladistvých a diskutuje, zda se mentorství dá považovat za optimální druh sociální opory u mladých dospělých v tranzici.
Diapazón kompetencií sociálneho pedagóga v práci s rodinou v rozvodovom procese
Authors:   Trnavská univerzita v Trnave, Šuhajdová Ivana , Lengyelová Alexandra ,   Trnavská univerzita v Trnave
Published: November 2020

Príspevok venuje pozornosť problematike rozvodovosti, opisuje dopad rozvodu na jednotlivých členov rodiny a postavenie dieťaťa. Cieľom príspevku je prostredníctvom analýzy legislatívnych možností poukázať nielen na kompetenčné možnosti sociálneho pedagóga na Slovensku v práci s rodinou v rozvodovom procese, ale zároveň aj opísať vybrané metódy a techniky, ktoré v práci s touto rodinou môže využívať tak v školskej, ako aj sociálnej oblasti. Na základe uvedenej analýzy môžeme konštatovať, že v práci s rodinou v rozvodom procese môže sociálny pedagóg zastávať nielen pozíciu školského sociálneho pedagóga, ale aj mediátora či pracovníka na oddelení sociálnoprávnej ochrany detí a sociálnej kurately. Disponuje pritom širokou paletou odborných metód a techník nielen pre prácu s dieťaťom, ale aj samotnými rodičmi, pričom niektoré z uvedených metód sa prelínajú s metódami sociálnej práce. To svedčí o prepojenosti obidvoch vedných odborov a nevyhnutnosti skúmania vzájomnej kooperácie medzi sociálnym pedagógom a sociálnym pracovníkom v práci s rodinou v rozvodovom procese.
A combination of two ELISA tests for nasopharyngeal carcinoma screening in endemic areas based on a case-control study
Authors: Rao Dongping , Fu Meiqin , Chen Yingjie , Liu Qing , Xiao Lin , Zhang Xin , Li Zhongxiao , Li Haitao , He Yongyi , Chen Yongxing , Chen Jieying , Hu Jin , Huang Yanming
Published: November 2020

For populations with a high risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in Guangdong province in southern China, mass screening is the first choice to prevent death from NPC. To improve the performance of NPC screening, we used a combination based on the IgA antibody against the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) capsid antigen (VCA-IgA) and the IgA antibody against Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1-IgA) to NPC screening by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A multiplication model was applied to measure the level of the combination. We evaluated the NPC screening effect of the markers.A case-control study was performed to assess the NPC screening effect of the markers. A total of 10,894 serum specimens were collected, including 554 samples from NPC patients and 10,340 samples from healthy controls. In the training stage, 640 subjects were randomly selected, including 320 NPC cases and 320 healthy controls. In the verification stage, 10,254 subjects were used to verify the NPC screening effect of the combination. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed. In the verification stage, the combination achieved an sensitivity of 91.45%, a specificity of 93.45%, and an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.978 (95% CI [0.968–0.987]). Compared with VCA-IgA and EBNA1-IgA individually, the combination had an improved screening performance. A probability (PROB) calculated by logistic regression model based on VCA-IgA and EBNA1-IgA was applied to NPC screening by ELISA in China. The AUC of the combination was a little bit larger than the PROB. There was a slight increase (3.13%) in the sensitivity of the combination compared to the sensitivity of the PROB, while the specificity was lower for the combination (92.50%) than for the PROB (95.94%). We successfully applied a combination of two ELISA tests based on VCA-IgA and EBNA1-IgA for NPC screening by using a multiplication model. The results suggested that the combination was effective and can be an option for NPC screening.
Effects of diet and gizzard muscularity on grit use in domestic chickens
Authors: Takasaki Ryuji , Kobayashi Yoshitsugu
Published: November 2020

The gizzard is the only gastrointestinal organ for mechanical processing in birds. Many birds use grit in the gizzard to enhance mechanical processing efficiency. We conducted an experiment to test the factors that affect chicken grit use in 68 male layer chicks ofGallus gallus domesticus, which were divided into two different groups in gizzard muscularity (high and low). Within each muscularity group, two different diets were provided (herbivory and non-herbivory) to test whether diet and gizzard muscularity affect grit characteristics including amount, size, and shape (circularity, roundness, and solidity) at different stages of digestion (ingested grit, grit in gizzard, and excreted grit). All animals ingested more grit than they excreted, possibly because excreted grit was below the detection size limit of 0.5 mm of the present study. The amounts of grit ingested and remained in the gizzard were larger in herbivorous groups, but these groups excreted less grit. Larger, rougher grit was selectively ingested by all chicks, but size preferences were especially pronounced in the herbivorous groups. Grit in the gizzard tended to be larger in herbivorous groups, but the grit in excreta was smaller, whereas the size of excreted grit was larger in groups with less muscular gizzards. Grit in the gizzard was much smoother than the offered and ingested grit, especially in the herbivorous, muscular gizzard groups. Excreted grit in all groups was smoother than the offered grit. These results show that diet affects the characteristics of ingested grit, grit in the gizzard, and excreted grit, whereas gizzard muscularity affects the characteristics of grit in the gizzard and excreted grit. The use of larger sizes and amounts of grit by herbivorous groups may be a response to the needs of digesting hard, coarse materials. The recovered behavioral flexibility of grit use might reflect the omnivorous nature ofGallus gallus domesticusand may aid smooth dietary shifts. The results also show that the shape of grit remaining in the gizzard does not reflect the initial shape of ingested grit, in contrast to previously published ideas. Instead, the shape of grit in the gizzard more closely reflects the diet and gizzard muscularity of chicks.
Effects of personality on the developmental trajectories of academic burnout among Korean medical students
Authors: Chae Han , Cloninger C. Robert , Lee Soo Jin
Published: November 2020

Background

Medical students have a high risk of burnout from tremendous academic stress, and previous cross-sectional studies have explained this risk from the personality perspective. However, the relationship between complex personality profiles and developmental trajectory of burnout has not been delineated yet.

Methods

The longitudinal changes in burnout were measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (MBI-SS) at baseline (1st week), mid-term (9th week), and end-term (17th week), and personality was examined at baseline using the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). Latent trajectory groups based on the MBI-SS total scores were extracted using the General Growth Mixture Model (GGMM), and significant differences in personality profiles among the latent groups were identified using profile analysis and Analysis of Variance.

Results

Three burnout trajectory groups of high-increasing (HI), moderate-increasing (MI), and low-stable (LS) were identified, and these groups had significantly different TCI subscale profiles. The HI group had the highest score in Harm-Avoidance (HA) and lowest score in Self-Directedness (SD), and the MI group had a higher score in HA and lower scores in SD and Cooperativeness (CO) when compared to the LS group with the lowest score in HA and highest scores in SD and CO.

Conclusion

The current study showed that the HA, SD, and CO subscales of the TCI might explain the longitudinal development of academic burnout in medical students. Prevention of burnout and promotion of well-being in medical education concerning personality are discussed.
The frequency of combined IFITM3 haplotype involving the reference alleles of both rs12252 and rs34481144 is in line with COVID-19 standardized mortality ratio of ethnic groups in England
Authors: Nikoloudis Dimitris , Kountouras Dimitrios , Hiona Asimina
Published: November 2020

Evidence was brought forward in England and the USA that Black, Asian, Latino and Minority Ethnic people exhibit higher mortality risk from COVID-19 than White people. While socioeconomic factors were suggested to contribute to this trend, they arguably do not explain the range of the differences observed, allowing for possible genetic implications. Almost concurrently, the analysis of a cohort in Chinese COVID-19 patients proposed an association between the severity of the disease and the presence of the minor allele of rs12252 of the Interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) gene. This SNP, together with rs34481144, are the two most studied polymorphisms of IFITM3 and have been associated in the past with increased severity in Influenza, Dengue, Ebola, and HIV viruses. IFITM3 is an immune effector protein that is pivotal for the restriction of viral replication, but also for the regulation of cytokine production. Following up on these two developments in the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the present study investigates a possible association between the differences in mortality of ethnic groups in England and the combined haplotypes of rs12252 and rs34481144. The respective allele frequencies were collected for 26 populations from the 1000 Genomes Project and subgroups were pooled wherever possible to create correspondences with ethnic groups in England. A significant correlation (r = 0.9687, p = 0.0003) and a striking agreement was observed between the reported Standardized Mortality Ratios and the frequency of the combined haplotype of both reference alleles, suggesting that the combination of the reference alleles of the specific SNPs may be implicated in more severe outcomes of COVID-19. This study calls for further focus on the role of IFITM3 variants in the mechanism of cellular invasion of SARS-CoV-2, their impact in COVID-19 severity and their possible implications in vaccination efficacy.
Wellenlängengesteuerte Adaption der Hydrogeleigenschaften durch Photodynamische Multivalenz in Assoziierenden Sternpolymeren
Authors: Ludwanowski Simon , Skarsetz Oliver , Creusen Guido , Hoenders Daniel , Straub Paula , Walther Andreas
Published: November 2020

Responsive Materialien, wie z. B. schaltbare Hydrogele, wurden in den meisten Fällen dahingehend entworfen, eine maximale Änderung zwischen zwei Zuständen zu generieren. Im Gegensatz dazu zielen adaptive Systeme auf unterschiedliche funktionelle Plateaus zwischen diesen Maxima ab. In diesem Forschungsartikel zeigen wir daher, wie der photostationäre Zustand (PSS) eines E/Z‐Arylazopyrazol‐Photoschalters mit Hilfe der eingestrahlten Wellenlänge über ein breites Farbspektrum eingestellt werden kann, um die photodynamischen Eigenschaften von Hydrogelen auf der Grundlage von multivalenten, photoschaltbaren Wechselwirkungen zu beeinflussen. Wir präsentieren, dass sich diese Hydrogele an den wellenlängenabhängigen PSS und an die Anzahl der Arylazopyrazol‐Einheiten durch programmierbare Beziehungen anpassen. Unser Materialdesign ermöglicht daher die einfache Einstellung der mechanischen Eigenschaften ohne eine zeitaufwändige Synthese. Das Konzept geht über das klassische Schalten zwischen Zustand A und B hinaus und zeigt Wege für eine wellenlängenabhängige Adaption der Hydrogeleigenschaften auf, die für Weiterentwicklungen in der Zellkultivierung oder in der Soft‐Robotik nützlich sein werden.
Metallic Barium: A Versatile and Efficient Hydrogenation Catalyst
Authors: Stegner Philipp , Färber Christian , Zenneck Ulrich , Knüpfer Christian , Eyselein Jonathan , Wiesinger Michael , Harder Sjoerd
Published: November 2020

Ba metal was activated by evaporation and cocondensation with heptane. This black powder is a highly active hydrogenation catalyst for the reduction of a variety of unactivated (non‐conjugated) mono‐, di‐ and tri‐substituted alkenes, tetraphenylethylene, benzene, a number of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, aldimines, ketimines and various pyridines. The performance of metallic Ba in hydrogenation catalysis tops that of the hitherto most active molecular group 2 metal catalysts. Depending on the substrate, two different catalytic cycles are proposed. A: a classical metal hydride cycle and B: the Ba metal cycle. The latter is proposed for substrates that are easily reduced by Ba0, that is, conjugated alkenes, alkynes, annulated rings, imines and pyridines. In addition, a mechanism in which Ba0 and BaH2 are both essential is discussed. DFT calculations on benzene hydrogenation with a simple model system (Ba/BaH2) confirm that the presence of metallic Ba has an accelerating effect.
Modulation of the Cell Membrane Potential and Intracellular Protein Transport by High Magnetic Fields
Authors: Zablotskii Vitalii , Polyakova Tatyana , Dejneka Alexandr
Published: November 2020

To explore cellular responses to high magnetic fields (HMF), we present a model of the interactions of cells with a homogeneous HMF that accounts for the magnetic force exerted on paramagnetic/diamagnetic species. There are various chemical species inside a living cell, many of which may have large concentration gradients. Thus, when an HMF is applied to a cell, the concentration‐gradient magnetic forces act on paramagnetic or diamagnetic species and can either assist or oppose large particle movement through the cytoplasm. We demonstrate possibilities for changing the machinery in living cells with HMFs and predict two new mechanisms for modulating cellular functions with HMFs via (i) changes in the membrane potential and (ii) magnetically assisted intracellular diffusiophoresis of large proteins. By deriving a generalized form for the Nernst equation, we find that an HMF can change the membrane potential of the cell and thus have a significant impact on the properties and biological functionality of cells. The elaborated model provides a universal framework encompassing current studies on controlling cell functions by high static magnetic fields. Bioelectromagnetics. 2021;42:27–36. © 2020 Bioelectromagnetics Society.
Metabolic Glycoengineering with Azide‐ and Alkene‐Modified Hexosamines: Quantification of Sialic Acid Levels
Authors: Dold Jeremias E. G. A. , Wittmann Valentin
Published: November 2020

Metabolic glycoengineering (MGE) is an established method to incorporate chemical reporter groups into cellular glycans for subsequent bioorthogonal labeling. The method has found broad application for the visualization and isolation of glycans allowing their biological roles to be probed. Furthermore, targeting of drugs to cancer cells that present high concentrations of sialic acids on their surface is an attractive approach. We report the application of a labeling reaction using 1,2‐diamino‐4,5‐methylenedioxybenzene for the quantification of sialic acid derivates after MGE with various azide‐ and alkene‐modified ManNAc, GlcNAc, and GalNAc derivatives. We followed the time course of sialic acid production and were able to detect sialic acids modified with the chemical reporter group – not only after addition of ManNAc derivatives to the cell culture. A cyclopropane‐modified ManNAc derivative, being a model for the corresponding cyclopropene analog, which undergoes fast inverse‐electron‐demand Diels‐Alder reactions with 1,2,4,5‐tetrazines, resulted in the highest incorporation efficiency. Furthermore, we investigated whether feeding the cells with natural and unnatural ManNAc derivative results in increased levels of sialic acids and found that this is strongly dependent on the investigated cell type and cell fraction. For HEK 293T cells, a strong increase in free sialic acids in the cell interior was found, whereas cell‐surface sialic acid levels are only moderately increased.
The Influence of Weakly Coordinating Cations on the O−H⋅⋅⋅O− Hydrogen Bond of Silanol‐Silanolate Anions
Authors: Weitkamp Robin F. , Neumann Beate , Stammler Hans‐Georg , Hoge Berthold
Published: November 2020

The reaction of a saline phosphazenium hydroxide hydrate with siloxanes led to a novel kind of silanol‐silanolate anions. The weakly coordinating behavior of the cation renders the formation of silanol‐silanolate hydrogen bonds possible, which otherwise suffer from detrimental silanolate–oxygen cation interactions. We investigated the influence of various weakly coordinating cations on silanol‐silanolate motifs, particularly with regard to different cation sizes. While large cations favor the formation of intramolecular hydrogen bonds resulting in cyclic structures, the less bulky tetramethyl ammonium cation encourages the formation of polyanionic silanol‐silanolate chains in the solid state.
Recent Advances in the Discovery of Multitargeted Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors as Anticancer Agents
Authors: Guo Ting , Ma Shutao
Published: November 2020

The treatment of cancer has been one of the most significant challenges for the medical field. Further research on the signal transduction pathway of tumor cells is driving the rapid development of antitumor agents targeting tyrosine kinases. However, most of the currently approved tyrosine kinase inhibitors based on the “single target/single drug” design are becoming less and less effective in the treatment of complex, heterogeneous, and multigenic cancers; this also results in resistance to chemotherapy. In contrast, multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors (MT‐TKIs) can effectively block multiple pathways of intracellular signal transduction. Therefore, they have therapeutic advantages over single‐targeted inhibitors and have become a hotspot in antitumor drug research in recent years. This minireview summarizes recent advances in the discovery of MT‐TKIs based on their chemical structures. In particular, we describe the kinase inhibitory and antitumor activity of promising compounds, as well as their structure – activity relationships (SARs).
The door to Dor: Tracing unseen anthropogenic impact in an ancient port
Authors: Lazar Michael , Basson Uri , Himmelstein Ashley G. , Levy Thomas E. , Arkin Shalev Ehud , Yasur‐Landau Assaf
Published: November 2020

An on‐land frequency domain electromagnetic geophysical survey was conducted across a tombolo delimiting the southern bay of Tel Dor (northern Israel) to the south. It was accompanied by a marine archaeological survey adjacent to its northern edge. Results indicate a deep channel connecting the bay and the Tantura Lagoon to the south. At its northern exit, an NW–SE trending square anomaly is visible in the geophysical data, buried underneath centuries of sand accumulation. It is parallel and similar in shape and scale to a Hellenistic feature observed in satellite data and excavated during the underwater archaeological survey. It seems that during the beginning/Middle Bronze Age, a natural or manmade channel was utilized as an entrance to the bay. As sea levels rose and sand began to accumulate, the channel was periodically filled in and would have needed to have been cleared. Eventually, it became too expensive or inconvenient to maintain, probably during the Byzantine period. The southern anchorage was abandoned for more favorable conditions to the north of the Tel. The sequence of events shows how ancient builders first utilized a natural channel, maintained it as sea levels rose, and abandoned it when it became too problematic to maintain.
Consuming local: The new obsidian source of Ideloo (Northwestern Iran) and first evidence of use by neighbouring prehistoric communities
Authors: Orange Marie , Abedi Akbar , Le Bourdonnec François‐Xavier , Vosough Bahram , Ebrahimi Ghader , Razani Mehdi , Marro Catherine
Published: November 2020

This paper reports the results of a recent geological and archaeological survey conducted in the Sarab district (Sabalan area) in Northwestern Iran. This survey aimed to identify potential obsidian outcrops in the region and to investigate archaeological sites in the vicinity to assess their obsidian exploitation patterns. We located a new obsidian source, Ideloo, and surveyed the previously known archaeological sites of Tepe Qalehjoogh, Kultepe Asbfrooshan, Tepe Emam Chay and Qaleh Tepe Abarghan. Here, we describe the methods and results of our surveys, along with the geochemical characterisation, using portable XRF and LA‐ICP‐MS, of both the new outcrop and the obsidian artefacts found on the sites. Our analyses have revealed the consumption of Ideloo obsidian on three of the four sites surveyed, confirming its exploitation by local communities. While validating previous assumptions regarding the existence of potential obsidian sources in Northwestern Iran, our study also highlights the consumption of raw materials originating from the Caucasus or Eastern Anatolia in complement to local resources. However, the diffusion of the Ideloo obsidian seems so far restricted to a small area, which suggests more complex consumption and trade patterns than previously expected.
Investigation of Synthetic Relaxometry and Diffusion Measures in the Differentiation of Benign and Malignant Breast Lesions as Compared to BI‐RADS
Authors: Gao Weibo , Zhang Shuqun , Guo Jinxia , Wei Xiaocheng , Li Xiaohui , Diao Yan , Huang Wei , Yao Yue , Shang Ali , Zhang Yanyan , Yang Quanxin , Chen Xin
Published: November 2020

Background

Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in women and a quantitative contrast‐free method is highly desirable for its diagnosis.

Purpose

To investigate the performance of quantitative MRI in differentiating malignant from benign breast lesions and to compare with the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI‐RADS).

Study Type

Retrospective.

Subjects

Eighty patients (56 with malignant lesions and 24 with benign lesions).

Field Strength/Sequence

Diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) with a single‐shot echo planar sequence and synthetic MRI with magnetic resonance image compilation (MAGiC) were performed at 3T.

Assessment

T1 relaxation time (T1), T2 relaxation time (T2), and proton density (PD) from synthetic MRI and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) from DWI were analyzed by two radiologists (Reader A, Reader B). Univariable and multivariable models were developed to optimize differentiation between malignant and benign lesions and their performances compared to BI‐RADS.

Statistical Tests

The diagnostic performance was evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analysis and area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves (AUC).

Results

T2, PD, and ADC values for malignant lesions were significantly lower than those in benign breast lesions for both radiologists (all P < 0.05). The combined T2, PD, and ADC model had the best performance for differentiating malignant and benign lesions with AUC, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive values of 0.904, 94.6%, 87.5%, 94.6%, and 87.5%, respectively. The corresponding results for BI‐RADS were no AUC, 94.6%, 75.0%, 89.8%, and 85.7%, respectively.

Data Conclusion

The approach that combined synthetic MRI and DWI outperformed BI‐RADS in the differential diagnosis of malignant and benign breast lesions and was achieved without contrast agents. This approach may serve as an alternative and effective strategy for the improvement of breast lesion differentiation.

Level of Evidence

3.

Technical Efficacy Stage

3.
Copper–Calcium Poly(Acrylic Acid) Composite Hydrogels as Studied by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Spectroscopy
Authors: H. Haeri Haleh , Jerschabek Vanessa , Sadeghi Arash , Hinderberger Dariush
Published: November 2020

Incorporating metal ions into synthetic polymer hydrogels results in toughening of these hydrogels. Herein, it is demonstrated that addition of small volumes of a 0.1maq. solution of Cu2+‐salts to poly(acrylic acid)‐based hydrogels (physically cross‐linked by Ca2+) increases their mechanical/rheological properties by several order of magnitude. Continuous wave (CW) and pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopic techniques reveal that the origin of the observed boost in mechanical properties is due to parts of the hydrogel network that interact with and through hydrated copper ions. With EPR spectroscopy, it is found that these complexes mainly have a sixfold (octahedral) H2O‐coordination shell. Hence, in copper‐containing hydrogels, in addition to direct ionic and dipolar (H‐bonding) interactions between calcium and carboxylic anions of the side chains of polymer, a second interaction arises from the noncovalent, likely electrostatic interactions of the copper hexaaqua complex and PAA carboxylic acids that are screened through the lower charge density in the hydrated complexes. Also, short‐ranged hydrogen‐bonded networks of Cu2+with aqueous solvent molecules inside the water‐filled regions of the polymeric hydrogel may play a pivotal role. The synergy of these interactions explains the improved elastic properties of copper containing hydrogels.
Accuracy of Smartphone Video for Contactless Measurement of Hand Tremor Frequency
Authors: Williams Stefan , Fang Hui , Relton Samuel D. , Wong David C. , Alam Taimour , Alty Jane E.
Published: November 2020

Background

Computer vision can measure movement from video without the time and access limitations of hospital accelerometry/electromyography or the requirement to hold or strap a smartphone accelerometer.

Objective

To compare computer vision measurement of hand tremor frequency from smartphone video with a gold standard measure accelerometer.

Methods

A total of 37 smartphone videos of hands, at rest and in posture, were recorded from 15 participants with tremor diagnoses (9 Parkinson's disease, 5 essential tremor, 1 functional tremor). Video pixel movement was measured using the computing technique of optical flow, with contemporaneous accelerometer recording. Fast Fourier transform and Bland‐Altman analysis were applied. Tremor amplitude was scored by 2 clinicians.

Results

Bland‐Altman analysis of dominant tremor frequency from smartphone video compared with accelerometer showed excellent agreement: 95% limits of agreement −0.38 Hz to +0.35 Hz. In 36 of 37 videos (97%), there was <0.5 Hz difference between computer vision and accelerometer measurement. There was no significant correlation between the level of agreement and tremor amplitude.

Conclusion

The study suggests a potential new, contactless point‐and‐press measure of tremor frequency within standard clinical settings, research studies, or telemedicine.
Rhinovirus bronchiolitis, maternal asthma, and the development of asthma and lung function impairments
Authors: Da Silva Sena Carla R. , Morten Matthew , Meredith Joseph , Kepreotes Elizabeth , E. Murphy Vanessa , G. Gibson Peter , D. Robinson Paul , D. Sly Peter , Whitehead Bruce , Karmaus Wilfried , Collison Adam , Mattes Joerg
Published: November 2020

Background

Children with a history of rhinovirus (RV) positive bronchiolitis have a high risk of developing subsequent asthma. Maternal asthma might also increase this risk. The aim of this study was to investigate the combined effects of hospitalization for RV positive bronchiolitis in infancy and a history of maternal asthma on the development of asthma at preschool age.

Methods

This is a prospective cohort study of 139 preschool‐aged children, with a history of hospital admission for bronchiolitis in infancy, followed‐up to ascertain asthma and asthma‐like symptoms, skin prick allergy test positivity, and lung function measured pre‐ and post‐bronchodilator using impulse oscillometry.

Results

Children with a past hospitalization for RV positive bronchiolitis (42.4% of all) and a history of maternal asthma (36.7% of all) had the greatest prevalence and risk ratio (RR) for doctor‐diagnosed asthma (prevalence 81.8% and RR 2.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.37–3.19, p = .001), use of inhaled corticosteroids (68.2% and RR 2.17, 95% CI 1.19–3.99, p = .001) and short‐acting β‐agonists in the last 12 months (95.2% and RR 1.49, 95% CI 1.17–1.89, p = .001), as compared to those with RV negative bronchiolitis and no maternal asthma history. More children in this group had an abnormal airway resistance (33.3% and adjusted risk ratio [aRR] 3.11, 95% CI 1.03–9.47, p = .045) and reactance (27.8% and aRR 2.11, 95% CI 1.06–4.26, p = .035) at 5 Hz, as compared to those with RV negative bronchiolitis and no maternal asthma history.

Conclusion

Hospitalization for RV positive bronchiolitis in early life combined with a history of maternal asthma identifies a subgroup of children with a high asthma burden while participants with only one of the two risk factors had intermediate risk for asthma.
Evaluation of various estimators for standardized mean difference in meta‐analysis
Authors: Lin Lifeng , Aloe Ariel M.
Published: November 2020

Meta‐analyses of a treatment's effect compared with a control frequently calculate the meta‐effect from standardized mean differences (SMDs). SMDs are usually estimated by Cohen's d or Hedges' g. Cohen's d divides the difference between sample means of a continuous response by the pooled standard deviation, but is subject to nonnegligible bias for small sample sizes. Hedges' g removes this bias with a correction factor. The current literature (including meta‐analysis books and software packages) is confusingly inconsistent about methods for synthesizing SMDs, potentially making reproducibility a problem. Using conventional methods, the variance estimate of SMD is associated with the point estimate of SMD, so Hedges' g is not guaranteed to be unbiased in meta‐analyses. This article comprehensively reviews and evaluates available methods for synthesizing SMDs. Their performance is compared using extensive simulation studies and analyses of actual datasets. We find that because of the intrinsic association between point estimates and standard errors, the usual version of Hedges' g can result in more biased meta‐estimation than Cohen's d. We recommend using average‐adjusted variance estimators to obtain an unbiased meta‐estimate, and the Hartung‐Knapp‐Sidik‐Jonkman method for accurate estimation of its confidence interval.
Access to Social Protection by Immigrants, Emigrants and Resident Nationals in Lebanon
Authors: Tabar Paul , Denison Andrew , Alkhomassy Maha
Published: November 2020

Although Lebanese social protection schemes are heavily fragmented, the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) is the primary provider of end-of-service indemnity, health care and family benefits. However, only Lebanese who are formally employed or foreigners originating from countries which provide equal or better social protection to Lebanese citizens are eligible to enrol in the fund according to the 1963 Social Security Law. Those not enrolled must often rely on ad hoc social protection services provided by non-governmental or international organisations to obtain (limited) social services. Migrants, including Palestinians, Sri Lankans, Indonesians and Syrians are particularly vulnerable as they are ineligible to enrol in the NSSF. Also, Lebanese nationals residing abroad are ineligible to obtain benefits from the National Social Security Fund.
Diaspora Policies, Consular Services and Social Protection for Lebanese Citizens Abroad
Authors: Tabar Paul , Denison Andrew
Published: November 2020

Lebanon has experienced waves of emigration which has resulted in a substantial diaspora population. Economic difficulties at home and prospects for opportunity abroad, coupled with domestic or international conflict, have been the primary drivers of emigration. Lebanese authorities have established a number of diaspora institutions which have sought to engage with the diaspora primarily in economic terms. Principally, encouraging investment, trade and boosting tourism have been staples of diaspora engagement from the government. As Lebanon continues to move from crisis to crisis, key social protection areas (i.e. unemployment, health care, pensions, etc.) struggle to cover many Lebanese at home and are almost entirely absent for nationals abroad. It is often the economic remittances from the Lebanese diaspora which have provided a layer of social protection for many citizens in Lebanon. Furthermore, 2018 saw Lebanon’s first parliamentary election with the right of the Lebanese diaspora to vote in absentia. This will undoubtedly shift how the Lebanese government and the diaspora will interact and engage with each other in the future.
Diaspora Policies, Consular Services and Social Protection for Senegalese Citizens Abroad
Authors: Smith Etienne
Published: November 2020

This chapter presents the main areas of engagement of the state of Senegal with its diaspora. In the first part, it looks at the main institutions and policies geared towards the diaspora. In the second part, the chapter focuses specifically on diaspora policies in the area of social protection (unemployment, health care, family benefits, pensions, guaranteed minimum resources). If Senegal falls in the category of pioneer countries for some aspects of emigration policies (ministerial institutions, external voting, political representation), its policy for the diaspora in the field of social protection is rather scanty. As a developing country facing many structural economic issues, scaling up social protection in the homeland remains the top priority for the Government, relegating social protection for the diaspora as a secondary policy concern for now. Recent governmental policies towards the diaspora have focused primarily on tapping the resources of the diaspora in order to increase its contribution to economic development and facilitate productive investment by Senegalese abroad in their home country.
Access to Social Protection by Immigrants, Emigrants and Resident Nationals in Argentina
Authors: Carmona Barrenechea Verónica , Messina Giuseppe M. , Straschnoy Mora
Published: November 2020

This chapter discusses the level and quality of social protection granted to legally residing migrant workers in Argentina and national citizens residing abroad in five main policy areas: unemployment, health, pensions, family benefits and guaranteed minimum resources. After an overview of recent evolutions in Argentina’s Social Security and migration policy, we analyze each policy area in order to identify the necessary eligibility requirements for accessing social benefits or services. Our findings show that, in general, the contributory logic prevails over nationality for Social Security benefits. In the case of non-contributory programs, we observe a regime that is generally less generous in quantitative and qualitative terms, and even more restricted for migrants. Despite this, Argentina’s immigration policy is relatively open, especially for migrants from the region, while certain fundamental rights (such as health and education) are guaranteed to all migrants (regardless of their migratory status).
Diaspora Policies, Consular Services and Social Protection for Swiss Citizens Abroad
Authors: Piccoli Lorenzo
Published: November 2020

This chapter presents the policies of Swiss institutions in their dealings with Swiss abroad, with a specific focus on the area of social protection. It shows how the Federal Council gained control over a large network of institutions during a relatively short period of time. Since the 1960s, the Federal Council has developed encompassing social protection policies for Swiss nationals abroad, while safeguarding the working of pre-existent cantonal and charitable associations. As a result, Swiss nationals abroad can access a wide set of social entitlements.
Access to Social Protection by Immigrants, Emigrants and Resident Nationals in Tunisia
Authors: Gelb Laura , Marouani Mohamed Ali
Published: November 2020

Tunisia is one of the developing countries which invested the most in its social protection system and upgraded it regularly since independence to include a larger share of the population. Given the importance of emigration for the Tunisian economy and society, various bilateral social security agreements have been signed with the main countries of destination to guarantee the rights of Tunisian emigrants. The Tunisian social security ensures the same entitlements as nationals to foreign residents who have formal contracts and contribute to social insurance. However, getting these contracts is not an easy task for foreigners. Undocumented foreigners do not have any entitlements and must rely on the support of NGOs or international organizations.
Access to Social Protection by Immigrants, Emigrants and Resident Nationals in Turkey
Authors: Aysan Mehmet Fatih
Published: November 2020

This chapter scrutinises the social protection system in contemporary Turkey in order to examine how different groups of individuals access social benefits across five main policy areas—unemployment, health care, family allowances, pensions, and guaranteed minimum resources. The general conditions under which Turkish citizens and foreigners have access to social benefits in Turkey can be summarized as follows: (i) residence and employment status are important determinants of one’s access to social protection in Turkey; (ii) employment status generally determines the access to unemployment benefits, health care, pensions, and family benefits, while residence status is important for all social policy areas except pensions; (iii) a majority of social benefits provided for Turkish citizens are also available for foreign residents through their employment status; (iv) guaranteed income is granted based on residence in Turkey; (v) access to family benefits may vary depending on one’s occupation, residence, and nationality. The Turkish system of social protection is a fragmented one, with divisions based on occupational differences, residence, income level, and citizenship. This fragmented nature coupled with regional and global socio-economic risks (particularly large migration flows) make structural social security reforms inevitable in contemporary Turkey.
Diaspora Policies, Consular Services and Social Protection for UK Citizens Abroad
Authors: Consterdine Erica
Published: November 2020

Despite having one of the largest diaspora in the world, the United Kingdom peculiarly has no diaspora engagement policy to speak of. Policy, not legal right, underpins consular affairs and social protection policies are extremely limited. Such absence stems from a lack of distinctive British national identity in large part due to the UK being multi-national state, a heterogonous and typically prosperous diaspora driven by lifestyle migration, and in turn the assumption that Britons living abroad do not want or need to engage with the homeland state. Policy towards Britons residing abroad is characterised by limited engagement but effective communication leading to a disengaged state that keeps the dialogue open. Whilst social protection policies are rudimentary, the state is a world leader in providing online information in preparing British emigrants for living overseas. Voting rights of overseas citizens (namely the 15 year residency requirement) has and will continue to be a contentious issue following Brexit − and one subject to change − as has pension inflation adjustment. As the effects of Brexit on Britons residing abroad come to fruition, the politics of social protection and the rights of Britons residing abroad will be an imperative issue on the political agenda.
Diaspora Policies, Consular Services and Social Protection for Chinese Citizens Abroad
Authors: Barabantseva Elena , Wang Tao
Published: November 2020

In this chapter we discuss China’s evolving policies toward Chinese nationals abroad, with particular attention to the expanding area of social protection. Our analysis shows that China’s policy-making activities concerning diaspora have been largely driven by a focus on economic agenda rather than social welfare. This chapter presents a detailed picture of China’s social protection provision towards its diaspora and shows how its policy-making is guided by priorities which vary from one field to another. We trace how “overseas Chinese affairs work” has developed through expanding policy infrastructure, encouraging China’s diaspora to participate in national economy and trade, science and technology developments, and large-scale crisis response, yet has seen limited developments in the area of day-to-day social protection of Chinese nationals abroad.
Diaspora Policies, Consular Services and Social Protection for Ecuadorian Citizens Abroad
Authors: Sánchez Bautista Consuelo
Published: November 2020

This chapter provides a general overview of the main characteristics of Ecuadorian emigration and describes the general institutional framework whereby Ecuadorian authorities interact with nationals abroad. It then presents a general review of the main engagement policies with the Ecuadorian diaspora. Lastly, it presents the central social protection-oriented diaspora engagement policies and services currently in force to protect nationals abroad, specifically those who live overseas permanently and those in vulnerable conditions. A particular focus is put on policies in the areas of unemployment, health care, pensions, family-related benefits, and economic hardship. Overall, the chapter shows that Ecuador’s policy towards citizens abroad is connected to a political shift in the country and to the new political discourse that appeared as of 2006.