bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Not Quite Right: Representations of Eastern Europeans in ECJ Discourse
Authors: Myslinska Dagmar Rita
Published: June 2020

Although the increasing responsiveness of the Court of Justice of the European Union (the ‘ECJ’) jurisprudence to western Member States’ concerns regarding Central and Eastern European (‘CEE’) nationals’ mobility has garnered academic attention, ECJdiscoursehas not been scrutinised for how it approaches the CEE region or CEE movers. Applying postcolonial theory, this article seeks to fill this gap and to explore whether there are any indications that ECJ discourse is in line with the historical western-centric inferiorisation of the CEE region. A critical discourse analysis of a set of ECJ judgments and corresponding Advocate General opinions pertaining to CEE nationals illustrates not only how the ECJ adopts numerous discursive strategies to maintain its authority, but also how it tends to prioritise values of the western Member States, while overlooking interests of CEE movers. Its one-sided approach is further reinforced by referring to irrelevant facts and negative assumptions to create an image of CEE nationals as socially and economically inferior to westerners, as not belonging to the proper EU polity and as not quite deserving of EU law’s protections. By silencing CEE nationals’ voices, while disregarding the background of east/west socio-economic and political power differentials and precariousness experienced by many CEE workers in the west, such racialising discourse normalises ethnicity- and class-based stereotypes. These findings also help to contextualise both EU and western policies targeting CEE movers and evidence of their unequal outcomes in the west, and are in line with today’s nuanced expressions of racisms. By illustrating the ECJ’s role in addressing values pertinent to mobile CEE individuals, this study facilitates a fuller appreciation of the ECJ’s power in shaping and reflecting western-centric EU identity and policies. Engaging with such issues will not only allow us to better appreciate—and question—the ECJ’s legitimacy, but might also facilitate a better understanding of power dynamics within the EU. This study also makes significant theoretical and methodological contributions. It expands (and complicates) the application of postcolonial theory to contemporary intra-EU processes, while illustrating the usefulness of applying critical discourse analysis to exploring differentiation, exclusion, subordination and power within legal language.
Time and Timelessness in Constitutional Thought
Authors: Poole Thomas
Published: June 2020

This paper considers the character of moral peoplehood, our life as a people, and the rules and principles through which that life is expressed. In so far as those rules and principles take legal form, as determining the ground rules of association and denoting political rights and duties, this moral community is also a jural community. The paper engages with Bernard Williams’s thought with a view to resolving the tension between two conceptions of the constitution that differ in their account of the relationship between norms and time. Williams offers the prospect of a non-Kantian liberalism that grows out of the habits and minds of persons but which does not collapse into relativism. I argue that Williams’s account of moralpersonhooddevotes insufficient attention to the dynamics of moral deliberation, essential to the growth of personhood. I argue that Williams’s account of moralpeoplehoodis similarly deficient in that it overlooks the role constitutional deliberation plays in constructing the jural community. Plural politics requires accepted ground rules and the sense that we are a unity of plural associates, and this is what constitutional deliberation aims to provide.
Characterization of activated bentonite clay mineral and the mechanisms underlying its sorption for ciprofloxacin from aqueous solution
Authors: Maged Ali , Kharbish Sherif , Ismael Ismael Sayed , Bhatnagar Amit
Published: June 2020

The presence of emerging pollutants such as hazardous chemicals, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals in water sources is a serious concern to the environment and human health. Thus, this study focused on exploring the interaction mechanisms between ciprofloxacin (CIP) (antibiotic) and clay (a low-cost adsorbent) during sorption process. Acid activation technique was opted for modifying natural bentonite (NB) to enhance the adsorptive removal of CIP from water. The BET surface area analysis revealed that acid-activated bentonite (AAB) possessed more than two fold higher surface area as compared to NB. Combining pHzpc measurements, effect of solution pH and CIP speciation revealed that CIP sorption onto bentonite is highly dependent on solution pH. Kinetic studies confirmed that CIP sorption mechanism was chemisorption which included ion-exchange and surface complexation mechanisms. The mechanism of CIP sorption onto AAB was successfully explored with the assistance of characterization techniques. Maximal monolayer sorption capacity of AAB was found to be 305.20 mg/g, compared to 126.56 mg/g for NB. Reusability studies demonstrated that AAB could be reused successfully up to 5 cycles. Furthermore, column studies showed satisfactory results confirming that AAB can be successfully used in continuous mode for practical applications.
Synthesis and characterization of magnetic biochar adsorbents for the removal of Cr(VI) and Acid orange 7 dye from aqueous solution
Authors: Santhosh Chella , Daneshvar Ehsan , Tripathi Kumud Malika , Baltrėnas Pranas , Kim TaeYoung , Baltrėnaitė Edita , Bhatnagar Amit
Published: June 2020

In this study, different types of magnetic biochar nanocomposites were synthesized using the co-precipitation method. Two biochar materials, namely, sewage sludge biochar and woodchips biochar, were prepared at two different temperatures, viz., 450 and 700 °C. These biochars were further modified with magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4). The modified biochar nanocomposites were characterized using field emission–scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), SQUID analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The potential of prepared adsorbents was examined for the removal of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) and Acid orange 7 (AO7) dye from water as a function of various parameters, namely, contact time, pH of solution, amount of adsorbents, and initial concentrations of adsorbates. Various kinetic and isotherm models were tested to discuss and interpret the adsorption mechanisms. The maximum adsorption capacities of modified biochars were found as 80.96 and 110.27 mg g-1for Cr(VI) and AO7, respectively. Magnetic biochars showed high pollutant removal efficiency after 5 cycles of adsorption/desorption. The results of this study revealed that the prepared adsorbents can be successfully used for multiple cycles to remove Cr(VI) and AO7 from water.
Zwischen Sinngestaltung und Sinnbewahrung – Aneignungsweisen hochqualifizierter Dienstleistungsarbeit
Authors: Hardering Friedericke , Will-Zocholl Mascha
Published: June 2020

Aktuelle wissenschaftliche Auseinandersetzungen mit dem Sinnerleben Beschäftigter thematisieren vor allem die Problematik eines belastungsbedingten Sinnverlustes. Danach leiden immer mehr Beschäftigte darunter, ihre Arbeit nicht mehr als sinnvoll empfinden zu können. Eine solche Perspektive lässt allerdings die subjektiven Gestaltungsleistungen und Aneignungsformen von Arbeit aus dem Blick geraten. Diesen wendet sich der Beitrag zu, indem er danach fragt, inwieweit sich unterschiedliche Formen der Aneignung von Arbeit identifizieren lassen. Auf der Basis von Interviews mit vierzig hochqualifizierten Beschäftigten werden drei unterschiedliche Aneignungsmodi mit ihren inhärenten Ambivalenzen identifiziert. Jeder Modus steht für eine spezifische Sichtweise auf die eigenen Gestaltungsmöglichkeiten und für eine Form der primären Sinnzuschreibung in der Arbeit. Differenziert werden drei Idealtypen – „progressive Sinngestaltung“, „widerständige Sinnbewahrung“ sowie „pragmatische Sinnbewahrung“ –, anhand derer die Heterogenität und die Ambivalenzen der Aneignung professioneller Arbeit deutlich werden. Der Beitrag liefert so Erkenntnisse über die subjektiven Praktiken des Bedeutsam-Machens von Arbeit und trägt zur Erforschung des Zusammenspiels von Arbeit und Subjektivität bei.
A cross-population study of sexual dimorphism in the bony labyrinth
Authors: Uhl Alexandra , Karakostis Fotios Alexandros , Wahl Joachim , Harvati Katerina
Published: June 2020

Previous research found sexual dimorphism in the bony labyrinth of a Greek population sample (Osipov et al. 2013). This study intends to investigate the nature of this structure’s sexual dimorphism across populations of diverse geographic origin and to identify the effect of inter-population variation on the accuracy of determining sex using the bony labyrinth. Three population samples of known sex were analyzed originating from Europe (n = 30), Africa (n = 38), and North America (n = 30). The discriminant function developed in Osipov et al. (2013) was applied, and new function equations for sex estimation were developed. In addition, we used principal component analyses for investigating population differences, while bivariate tests were used to compare across population samples, sexes, and anatomical sides. A significant level of sexual dimorphism was found in all population samples, being driven by both size and shape differences. Discriminant functions for sex estimation were developed for all three population samples combined (71.4% accuracy) as well as separately (70–80% accuracy). The German sample was the least sexually dimorphic, whereas the North American sample exhibited the greatest sexual dimorphism. The size and shape of the bony labyrinth also significantly differed across population samples. The bony labyrinth is found to be sexually dimorphic across distinct population groups. Due to significant differences across our population samples, the accuracy of the previously proposed method for sex determination (Osipov et al., 2013) was relatively low. For this purpose, this study presented new functions, whose accuracy was tested in three distinct population samples.
Hydro-geochemical analysis and quality evaluation of surface water in the Mamu River basin, southeastern Nigeria
Authors: Ayogu Chinero Nneka , Maduka Raphael Iweanya , Ayogu Nnadozie Onyekachi , Njoku Chioma N. , Chinedu-Asogwa Nkechi C.
Published: June 2020

Mamu basin is a major tributary of Anambra drainage basin and a reservoir for wastewater from agricultural and runoff processes within the basin. Water quality of the Mamu basin was evaluated to determine its suitability for potable water and agrarian uses. This study utilized 24 water samples collected during the rainy and dry season from the upstream and downstream segments of the sub basins within River Mamu. Hdyro-geochemical analytical results were employed in the evaluation of several water quality criteria such as QWI, SAR, TH, SSP, MAR, PI, KR, Na% and %E of the water from the basin. The results suggested that the surface water is unfit for ingestion when compared with the WHO and Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) standards. However, the QWI result showed that 66.7% of the water samples are good for consumption in the rainy season, while 75% of the samples are classified unfit for drinking in the dry season. Parameters such as Fe2+, Mn2+, TDS, temperature and total coliform (p < 0.001) exhibited temporal variation unlike pH, EC, Ce, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl−, K + , NO3, PO43−, Na+, HCO3−, Zn2+, TSS, SO4, DO, BOD and turbidity which showed no response to season. Based on the results of SAR, TH, SSP, PI, KR, Na% and US salinity plots, the surface water is suitable for irrigation. Conversely, the MAR and %E results pointed out that water treatment is vital before use. The basin water is associated with permanent hardness due to CaCl2 coupled with the dominance of Mg2+ and SO42−. Gibbs plots and Stiff diagram showed that geology and dissolution process have an influence on the water chemistry via weathering and rock–mineral interactions, while chemical ratios and correlation coefficients (R2) point on anthropogenic activities.
The Household Structure Transition in China: 1982–2015
Authors: Li Ting , Fan Wenting , Song Jian
Published: June 2020

Chinese society has experienced a dramatic change over the past several decades, which has had a profound impact on its household system. Utilizing the Chinese national census and 1% population survey data from 1982 to 2015, this study demonstrates the transition of the Chinese household structure through typology analyses. Five typical regional household structure types—large lineal, large nuclear, small nuclear, mixed lineal, and small and diverse—are identified. Our findings demonstrate that since the 1980s, the household system in almost all Chinese regions has evolved from a large unitary model to a small diversified one. However, this evolutionary path diverged after 2000 and formed two distinct household structure systems. There are also significant regional differences in the transition trajectory. Influenced by developmental, cultural, and demographic factors, the regions exhibit four distinct transition paths: lineal tradition, nuclear retardation, smooth transition, and fast transition. On the basis of these results, we discuss family modernization and other theories in explaining the transition of the Chinese household structure.
Large‐scale analysis of the position‐dependent binding and regulation of human RNA binding proteins
Authors: Lin Jianan , Ouyang Zhengqing
Published: June 2020

Background

RNA binding proteins (RBPs) play essential roles in the regulation of RNA metabolism. Recent studies have disclosed that RBPs achieve their functions via binding to their targets in a position‐dependent pattern on RNAs. However, few studies have systematically addressed the associations between the RBP’s functions and their positional binding preferences.

Methods

Here, we present large‐scale analyses on the functional targets of human RBPs by integrating the enhanced cross‐linking and immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (eCLIP‐seq) datasets and the shRNA knockdown followed by RNA‐seq datasets that are deposited in the integrated ENCyclopedia of DNA Elements in the human genome (ENCODE) data portal.

Results

We found that (1) binding to the translation termination site and the 3′ untranslated region is important to most human RBPs in the RNA decay regulation; (2) RBPs’ binding and regulation follow a cell‐type specific pattern.

Conclusions

These analysis results show the strong relationship between the binding position and the functions of RBPs, which provides novel insights into the RBPs’ regulation mechanisms.
Competing Climate Change Responses: Reflections on EU Unilateral Regulation of International Transport Emissions in Light of Multilateral Developments
Authors: Dobson Natalie L.
Published: June 2020

In 2016, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and International Maritime Organization (IMO) made important strides towards the regulation of emissions from international aviation and maritime transport. This was partially catalysed by the ‘ultimatum strategy’ of the European Union (EU), where the Union persistently threatened to take unilateral steps in the absence of multilateral action. As this article analyses, it appears that the Union is reluctant to relinquish its unilateral approach and align fully with both the ICAO Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme and the IMO Global Data Collection Scheme. This raises questions under public international law as to the relationships between these competing measures. Amidst rising political pressures, this article considers the extent to which the unfolding multilateral policies of the ICAO and IMO may limit the regulatory competence of the EU. While the EU is an independent legal entity, it has been conferred far-reaching competences by its Member States who are themselves members of these other international organisations. Given the lack of clarity on clear hierarchical rules, an important role remains for the customary law of state jurisdiction in governing regulatory competence more generally. The final part of this article engages with recent discussions on the existence of an obligation to exercise jurisdictional self-restraint. It reflects on the tensions arising between respect for states’ regulatory autonomy and the prevention of ‘dangerous’ anthropogenic climate change.
ANGEL: efficient, and effective, node-centric community discovery in static and dynamic networks
Authors: Rossetti Giulio
Published: June 2020

Community discovery is one of the most challenging tasks in social network analysis. During the last decades, several algorithms have been proposed with the aim of identifying communities in complex networks, each one searching for mesoscale topologies having different and peculiar characteristics. Among such vast literature, an interesting family of Community Discovery algorithms, designed for the analysis of social network data, is represented by overlapping, node-centric approaches. In this work, following such line of research, we propose Angel, an algorithm that aims to lower the computational complexity of previous solutions while ensuring the identification of high-quality overlapping partitions. We compare Angel, both on synthetic and real-world datasets, against state of the art community discovery algorithms designed for the same community definition. Our experiments underline the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed methodology, confirmed by its ability to constantly outperform the identified competitors.
An Investigation of Effect of Stand-Off Distance on the Material Removal Characteristics and Surface Generation in Fluid Jet Polishing
Authors: Wang Chun Jin , Cheung Chi Fai , Ho Lai Ting , Loh Yee Man
Published: June 2020

Fluid jet polishing (FJP) is a versatile polishing process that has many advantages compared to other polishing processes. Stand-off distance (SOD) is one of the key parameters in fluid jet polishing. However, relatively little research work has been carried out to investigate its effect of SOD on material removal characteristics and surface generation in FJP. In this paper, a systematic investigation of the effect of SOD on the tool influence function and surface topography in FJP was conducted. Experiments were designed for FJP two kinds of materials corresponding to ductile and brittle materials. They are nickel copper (NiCu) alloy and BK7 optical glass, respectively. In this study, the SOD was varied from 2 to 35 mm. Analysis and discussions were made on its effect on the shape of TIF, material removal rate, and surface topography. It is interesting to note that the TIF shape becomes a Gaussian-like shape with large SOD both on NiCu and BK7, which provides a novel way to optimize the TIF in FJP. The variation of the material removal rate and surface roughness versus SOD on NiCu and BK7 were also determined from the experimental results. Moreover, the surface topography of NiCu and BK7 were characterized from the results measured from the white light interferometer and scan electron microscope. The outcome of the study provides a better understanding of the material removal characteristics and surface generation mechanism in FJP.
Shooting Yourself First in the Foot, then in the Head: Normative Democracy Is Suffocating, and then the Coronavirus Came to Light
Authors: Carr Paul R.
Published: June 2020

This text starts with the premise that ‘normative democracy’ has rendered our societies vulnerable and burdened with unaddressed social inequalities. I highlight three central arguments: (1) Social media, and, consequently, citizen engagement are becoming a significant filter that can potentially re-imagine the political, economic, and social worlds, which increasingly bleed over to how we might develop and engage with ‘democracy’; to this end, I introduce a brief case study on the nefarious interpretation of the killing of Jamal Khashoggi in 2018 to underscore the tension points in normative democracy; (2) Capitalism, or neoliberalism, needs to be more fully exposed, interrogated, and confronted if ‘normative, representative, hegemonic, electoral democracy’ is to be re-considered, re-imagined, and re-invented; the perpetuation of social inequalities lays bare the frailty of normative democratic institutions; (3) Covid-19 has exposed the fault lines and fissures of normative democracy, illustrating here the ‘common sense’ ways that power imbalances are sustained, which leaves little room for social solidarity; I present herein the case of the economic/labor dynamic in Quebec during the coronavirus. Ultimately, I believe the quest to re-imagine a more meaningful, critically engaged democracy, especially during a context that is imbued with a political, economic, and public health crisis, cannot be delayed much longer.
Influence of Peripartum Expectations, Mode of Delivery, and Perineal Injury on Women’s Postpartum Sexuality
Authors: Spaich Saskia , Link Georgina , Alvarez Stefanie Ortiz , Weiss Christel , Sütterlin Marc , Tuschy Benjamin , Berlit Sebastian
Published: June 2020

Background

Sexual health has been identified as an important factor for postpartum quality of life. Although pregnancy-related changes in anatomy and metabolism return to their prepregnancy state, female sexual function may not be at the level it was before birth because of physical and psychological changes.

Aim

The goal of our study was to explore the influence of the mode of delivery, perineal injury, and peripartum expectations on postpartum sexual function.

Methods

Between 2013 and 2018, 522 women were enrolled in this prospective investigation. At time of recruitment during the peripartum hospitalization, patients completed a standardized questionnaire addressing expectations concerning postpartum sexuality with focus on expected influence of the mode of delivery. Sexual function was evaluated using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Sexual Activity Questionnaire (SAQ) at time of recruitment to evaluate baseline sexual function (4 weeks before pregnancy). Follow-up assessments were conducted at 3, 6, and 12 months postpartum.

Outcomes

Peripartum expectations, influence of the mode of delivery, and perineal injury were analyzed for their impact on women’s sexual function within 12 months postpartum by repetitive FSFI and SAQ assessments.

Results

A total of 522 women with 263 spontaneous vaginal deliveries, 41 operative vaginal deliveries, and 218 cesarean sections were analyzed. Although the data demonstrate a significant postpartum decline in sexual function at 3 and 6 months postpartum, sexual functioning converges to baseline prepregnancy values 12 months postpartum. This observation was independent of the mode of delivery and perineal injuries with no significant between-group differences at any of the analyzed time points. Apart from breastfeeding, for which negative anticipations resulted in impaired sexuality, women’s expectations (pertaining to quantity and quality of female orgasm, partner’s sexuality, fear of altered sexuality, frequency of intercourse, the mode of delivery) do not influence female sexual function at 12 months postpartum.

Clinical Implications

Deciphering the potential influence of patient expectations as well as pregnancy- and childbirth-related aspects on female postpartum sexuality will help in the effort to improve women’s postpartum sexual health.

Strengths & Limitations

As a strength of this study, postpartum sexuality was independently assessed with 2 different scoring systems (FSFI and SAQ). Limitations include that our follow-up is incomplete and amounts to about 2-thirds of patients who were initially recruited.

Conclusion

The mode of delivery and perineal trauma do not influence women’s postpartum sexual function. With the exception of breastfeeding, peripartum expectations do not result in altered sexual functioning at 12 months postpartum.
School adjustment, engagement and academic self-concept: family, child, and school factors
Authors: Basharpoor Sajjad , Heidari Fazeleh , Narimani Mohammad , Barahmand Usha
Published: June 2020

Previous research has supported the importance of the interaction between family and school contexts for student adjustment to school. This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of school engagement and academic self-concept in relation to family adaptability/cohesion, social acceptability and school adjustment. A sample of 268 5th- and 6th-grade students aged 11–13 years (131 males, 137 females) from elementary schools in Iran participated in this study. Results showed that school adjustment was positively related to family adaptability/cohesion, social acceptability, school engagement, and academic self-concept. Family adaptability/cohesion and social acceptability also positively correlated with school engagement and academic self-concept. In addition, the data provided a good fit for the hypothesised model of the mediating role of school engagement and academic self-concept in relation to family adaptability/cohesion, social acceptability, and school adjustment. The results showed that coherent and adaptable family systems and high social acceptability of students can affect school adjustment both directly and indirectly through school engagement and academic self-concept.
Late Jurassic Changmar Complex from the Shyok ophiolite, NW Himalaya: a prelude to the Ladakh Arc
Authors: Saktura Wanchese M. , Buckman Solomon , Nutman Allen P. , Bennett Vickie C.
Published: June 2020

The Shyok Suture in western Himalaya preserves a record of the opening and closure of the Mesotethys Ocean between the Shyok ophiolite and Karakoram terrane prior to the India–Eurasia collision. The formation age of the Shyok ophiolite was unknown, which impeded correlation with similar rocks along the Shyok Suture in Pakistan and corresponding sutures in Tibet. We report the first zircon U–Pb ages of a newly documented suite, here named the Changmar Complex. The Changmar Complex gabbronorite and plagiogranite yielded SHRIMP U–Pb zircon Late Jurassic ages of 159.4 ± 0.9 Ma and 151.9 ± 1.5 Ma. Their highly positive initial εHf values (+14.9 to +16.9) indicate a juvenile mantle origin, without continental crust influence on the magma source. The Shyok ophiolite represents either: (1) a separate island arc that preceded formation of the Cretaceous–Eocene Ladakh Arc; or (2) the oldest magmatism and early stage of the Ladakh Arc. Intrusive and extrusive mafic rocks from the Shyok Suture analysed in this study have typical supra-subduction zone enrichment characteristics in their geochemistry and are classified as part of the volcanic-arc ophiolite. The U–Pb age and Hf isotopic signatures for the Shyok ophiolite are similar to the Late Jurassic Matum Das tonalite within the Kohistan Arc; we therefore suggest that they are part of the same intra-oceanic island-arc system that formed in the Mesotethys Ocean prior to Late Jurassic time.
U–Pb dating of calcite in ancient carbonates for age estimates of syn- to post-depositional processes: a case study from the upper Ediacaran strata of Finnmark, Arctic Norway
Authors: Meinhold Guido , Roberts Nick M. W. , Arslan Arzu , Jensen Sören , Ebbestad Jan Ove R. , Högström Anette E. S. , Høyberget Magne , Agić Heda , Palacios Teodoro , Taylor Wendy L.
Published: June 2020

Results of in situ U–Pb dating of calcite spherulites, cone-in-cone (CIC) calcite and calcite fibres from a calcareous concretion of the upper Ediacaran of Finnmark, Arctic Norway, are reported. Calcite spherulites from the innermost layers of the concretion yielded a lower intercept age of 563 ± 70 Ma, which, although imprecise, is within uncertainty of the age of sedimentation based on fossil assemblages. Non-deformed CIC calcite from the bottom part of the concretion yielded an age of 475 ± 25 Ma, which is interpreted as the age of CIC calcite formation during a period of fluid overpressure induced during burial of the sediments. Deformed CIC calcite from the top part of the concretion yielded an age of 418 ± 23 Ma, which overlaps with a known Caledonian tectono-metamorphic event, and indicates a potential post-depositional overprint at this time. Calcite fibres that grew in small fissures along spherulite rims, which are interpreted as a recrystallization feature during deformation and formation of a cleavage, gave an imprecise age of 486 ± 161 Ma. Our results show that U–Pb dating of calcite can provide age constraints for ancient carbonates and syn- to post-depositional processes that operated during burial and metamorphic overprinting.
Predictors of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcaemia: a systematic and narrative review
Authors: McMurran A E L , Blundell R , Kim V
Published: June 2020

Objective

Hypocalcaemia is the most common complication after total or completion thyroidectomy. This study assesses recent evidence on predictive factors for post-thyroidectomy hypocalcaemia in order to identify the patients affected and aid prevention.

Method

Two authors independently assessed articles and extracted data to provide a narrative synthesis. This study was an updated systematic search and narrative review regarding predictors of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcaemia using the Ovid Medline, Embase, Cochrane and Cinahl databases. Results were limited to papers published from January 2012 to August 2019.

Results

Sixty-three observational studies with a total of 210 401 patients met the inclusion criteria. The median incidence was 27.5 per cent for transient biochemical hypocalcaemia, 12.5 per cent for symptomatic hypocalcaemia and 2.2 per cent for permanent hypocalcaemia. The most frequent statistically significant predictor of hypocalcaemia was peri-operative parathyroid hormone level. Symptomatic hypocalcaemia and permanent hypocalcaemia were seen more frequently in patients undergoing concomitant neck dissection.

Conclusion

Many factors have been studied for their link to post-thyroidectomy hypocalcaemia, and this study assesses the recent evidence presented in each case.
On the linear stability of anisotropic pressure equilibria with field-aligned incompressible flow
Authors: Evangelias A. , Throumoulopoulos G. N.
Published: June 2020

We derive a sufficient condition for the linear stability of plasma equilibria with incompressible flow parallel to the magnetic field,

$\boldsymbol{B}$

, constant mass density and anisotropic pressure such that the quantity

$\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}_{d}=\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}_{0}(P_{\Vert }-P_{\bot })/B^{2}$

, where

$P_{\Vert }$

(

$P_{\bot }$

) is the pressure tensor element parallel (perpendicular) to

$\boldsymbol{B}$

, remains constant. This condition is applicable to any steady state without geometrical restriction. The condition, generalising the respective condition for magnetohydrodynamic equilibria with isotropic pressure and constant density derived in Throumoulopoulos & Tasso (Phys. Plasmas, vol. 14, 2007, 122104), involves physically interpretable terms related to the magnetic shear, the flow shear and the variation of total pressure perpendicular to the magnetic surfaces. On the basis of this condition we prove that, if a given equilibrium is linearly stable, then the ones resulting from the application of Bogoyavlenskij symmetry transformations are linearly stable too, provided that a parameter involved in those transformations is positive. In addition, we examine the impact of pressure anisotropy, flow and torsion of a helical magnetic axis, for a specific class of analytic equilibria. In this case, we find that the pressure anisotropy and the flow may have either stabilising or destabilising effects. Also, helical configurations with small torsion and large pitch seem to have more favourable stability properties.
Protective Lifestyle Factors and Cognitive Function in a Middle- to Older-Aged Population: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
Authors: Gautam Laxmi , Millar Sean , Perry Ivan J. , Harrington Janas
Published: June 2020

Background and Objectives

Cognitive impairment among the elderly is an important concern worldwide. Evidence suggests that certain lifestyle behaviours may have a protective effect against cognitive decline. In this study we examined the relationship between a 5-component protective lifestyle behaviour score and cognitive function to determine whether the number of protective lifestyle behaviours is related to cognitive decline.

Materials and Methods

This was a cross-sectional analysis of the Mitchelstown Cohort Rescreen study, a random sample of men and women aged 51–77 years recruited from a single primary care centre. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) and cognitive data were available for 1,022 participants. Cognitive impairment was classified as an upper 75th percentile reversed MMSE score value for the study sample. We defined 5 low-risk protective lifestyle behaviours as never smoking, moderate alcohol intake, moderate to vigorous physical activity, a high-quality diet score (upper 40%) and a body mass index between 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2. Linear and logistic regression analyses were used to test associations between a protective factor score and the MMSE.

Results

There was a linear relationship between the number of protective lifestyle behaviours and mean cognitive score values and a significant inverse association was observed between a protective lifestyle score and the MMSE cognitive score (β = -0.20, 95% CI: -0.30, -0.10). Logistic regression suggested a dose-response relationship, with odds ratios of having poorer cognitive functioning being noticeably increased in subjects with 0 or 1 PLBs (OR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.06, 4.52) when compared to participants with 4 or 5 PLBs in multivariable analysis.

Conclusions

These data imply that a combination of healthy lifestyle behaviours protects against cognitive impairment. As all of the examined factors are modifiable, small behavioural changes may help in preventing cognitive decline in an elderly population.
Dietary supplements use by fish-eaters, vegetarians and vegans compared to meat eaters:, relationships with inadequate nutrient intake and sociodemographic characteristics
Authors: Allès Benjamin , Fassier Philippine , Kesse-Guyot Emmanuelle , Baudry Julia , Péneau Sandrine , Hercberg Serge , Touvier Mathilde
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Dietary supplements (DS) containing nutrients found mainly in animal products might be useful for individuals following specific type of vegetarian diet. However, the nutritional quality of the overall diet has been reported better in vegetarians compared to meat eaters, nuancing this potential interest. Little information is available about DS use according to the different types of vegetarian diets. This cross-sectional study aimed to describe DS use among fish eaters, vegetarians, vegans and meat eaters and to investigate its impact on nutritional inadequacy and its association with sociodemographic characteristics. Potentially at-risk DS use which include DS-drugs contraindicated associations; use of DS pointed out by safety authorities; and excess of tolerable upper intake levels were also described.

Material and methods

76,925 participants to the NutriNet-Santé cohort who completed a quantitative DS questionnaire and three 24 h dietary records were classified into 4 diet groups: 74,558 meat eaters, 1,126 fish eaters, 793 strict vegetarians and 448 vegans. A composition database including > 8000 DS was used. The prevalence of nutritional inadequacy was determined based on usual dietary intakes corrected by variance reduction, and analyses were weighted according to the French census data. Multivariable logistic regression models were performed to estimate the associations between sociodemographic characteristics and DS use.

Results

The proportion of DS users (at least one DS during the last 12 months) was 42.4% in meat eaters, 65.7% in fish eaters, 61.7% in strict vegetarians and 76.7% in vegans. As compared to food intake alone, DS use lead to low decrease in nutritional inadequacy (< 5%), except in vegan for whom substantial decrease in inadequacy was observed for zinc (-5%), riboflavin (-11%) and vitamin B12 (-28%). Compared to meat eaters, fish eaters and vegetarians DS users showed highest proportions of DS-drugs contraindicated associations, use of DS pointed out by safety authorities, and subjects exceeding tolerable upper intake. Vegan DS users showed the lowest proportions of DS-drugs contraindicated associations and use of DS pointed out by safety authorities. DS use was associated with higher education in fish eaters, higher education and being non-smoker in vegetarians, and higher income in vegans (all p < 0.001).

Discussion

Our results suggest that DS contribute to reducing the risk of inadequate intake for specific animal product-related nutrients mostly in vegans. DS use was associated with different sociodemographic characteristics depending on the vegetarian diet type. Potential benefits or risks associated with DS use in vegetarians should be assessed in further longitudinal studies.
Adherence to the infant vitamin D supplementation policy in Ireland; data from two longitudinal, prospective birth cohort studies
Authors: Hemmingway Andrea , Fisher Dawn , Berkery Teresa , Murray Deirdre M. , Kiely Mairead E
Published: June 2020

The high prevalence of maternal deficiency and the low vitamin D content of breastmilk places newborns and infants at particular risk of vitamin D deficiency. In response to an increase in the incidence of nutritional rickets, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland published an interim infant vitamin D supplementation policy in 2007, which was implemented by the Health Service Executive in Ireland in May 2010. This recommends that all infants be given a 5μg exclusive vitamin D3 supplement daily from birth to 12 months. As adherence is not monitored nationally and the policy has not been evaluated, the aim of this study was to conduct a detailed evaluation of supplementation practices across two maternal-infant cohort studies. Data from the prospective BASELINE (recruited 2008–2011) and COMBINE (recruited 2015–2017) birth cohorts, based in Cork, Ireland, were used to examine supplementation practices. After supplementation policy implementation, BASELINE collected vitamin D supplement use data (n = 1528) at 2, 6 and 12 months. In COMBINE, 7 study visits from birth to 12 months allowed continuous collection of detailed longitudinal supplementation data in 364 participants. Use of supplemental vitamin D was higher in COMBINE than BASELINE at 2 (93 vs. 49%), 6 (89 vs. 64%) and 12 (72 vs. 44%) months (all P < 0.001). In COMBINE, 92% initiated vitamin D supplementation at birth and the median supplementation duration was 51 (40, 52) weeks, although there was a wide range (3–52 weeks). 94% of COMBINE parents used a vitamin D3 only supplement and 88% used the recommended 5μg dose. Half (51%) always supplemented daily; a further 33% supplemented at least 3–6 times/week. Full policy adherence was defined as the provision of a 5μg vitamin D3 supplement daily from birth; 64% adhered fully to 2 months and 52% did so to 6 months. By 12 months, 30% had adhered fully to the policy and a further 16% gave 5μg frequently for the full 12 months. This data indicates a high level of awareness of the supplementation policy amongst new mothers, with substantially higher rates of supplementation in our current cohort compared with BASELINE. While most parents gave an exclusive 5μg vitamin D3 supplement, frequency and duration were the key barriers to full policy adherence. Given the lack of a maternal vitamin D supplementation policy in Ireland and high prevalence of low vitamin D status at birth, supplementation of infants with vitamin D remains a vital public health policy.
Dietary assessment in the German National Cohort (GNC)
Authors: Knüppel Sven , Clemens Matthias , Conrad Johanna , Gastell Sylvia , Michels Karin , Leitzmann Michael , Krist Lilian , Pischon Tobias , Krause Gerard , Ahrens Wolfgang , Ebert Nina , Jöckel Karl-Heinz , Kluttig Alexander , Obi Nadia , Kaaks Rudolf , Lieb Wolfgang , Schipf Sabine , Brenner Hermann , Heuer Thorsten , Harttig Ulrich , Linseisen Jakob , Nöthlings Ute , Boeing Heiner
Published: June 2020

We describe a novel dietary assessment strategy to estimate usual food intake in the ongoing large-scale multi-center German National Cohort (GNC). The dietary assessment is based on three 24 h food lists (24h-FL) and a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) enriched by information from the representative German National Nutrition Survey II (NVS II). The novelty of this dietary assessment strategy is based on separating the probability of food intake from daily consumption amounts. The probability of consumption is estimated from 24h-FLs used in the GNC. To estimate daily consumption amounts, the already collected data of the NVS II are used. The 24h-FL simplifies the question on food consumption for all foods asked to consumption or not and so the questionnaire can be completed in about 10 minutes, reducing the burden on study participants. As proof of concept, we applied the assessment strategy to pretest data collected in 2012 to 2013 to assess the feasibility of the instruments. In brief, the novel dietary assessment strategy comprises three steps. First, the individuals’ consumption probability is estimated by three 24h-FLs and one FFQ applying a logistic linear mixed model adjusted for characteristics of the participants. Second, person-specific daily consumption amounts are estimated from the NVS II applying a linear mixed model taking the characteristics of the participants into account. Third, usual food intake is estimated by the consumption probability multiplied by person-specific daily amounts. Usual intake of 41 food groups in 318 men and 377 women were estimated. Of those participants who completed the first 24h-FL, 84.4, and 68.5% completed the second and third 24h-FL, respectively. No associations were observed between probability to participate and lifestyle factors. The estimated usual food intake distributions were in a plausible range as shown by comparing the estimated energy intake to the energy needs approximated by estimated total energy expenditure. Total energy was estimated to be 2,707 kcal/day for men and 2,103 kcal/day for women. With a few exceptions, the estimated food-based consumption probabilities did not differ considerably between men and women. The differences in energy intake between men and women were mainly due to their differences in the estimated person-specific daily amounts. As a conclusion, plausible but not validated values for usual food intake were derived in the pretest study, so that the combination of three repeated 24h-FLs, an FFQ and person-specific daily amounts from an external source is a feasible strategy for dietary assessment.
A preliminary qualitative study of nurses’ and dietitians’ views on malnutrition management and oral nutritional supplementation prescription in the community
Authors: Castro Patricia Domínguez , Kennelly Sharon , Murrin Celine , Bradley Catriona , Clyne Barbara , Bury Gerard , Finnigan Karen , McCullagh Laura , Barry Michael , Browne Sarah , Reynolds Ciara , Bardon Laura , Gibney Eileen , Corish Clare
Published: June 2020

Protein-energy malnutrition, or undernutrition, arising from a deficiency of energy and protein intake, can occur in developed countries both in hospitalised patients and in the primary care/community setting. Oral nutritional supplements (ONS) are an effective method of managing malnutrition if prescribed for patients who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. Pooled data of older adults at risk of malnutrition indicate that ONS combined with dietary counselling is the most effective intervention. Previous Irish research has demonstrated that management of patients ‘at risk’ of malnutrition in the primary care/community setting is sub-optimal, with low awareness of the condition and its management among non-dietetic health care professionals. Therefore, the aim of this qualitative study is to explore community nurses’ and dietitians’ experiences and opinions on the management of malnutrition and the prescription of ONS in the primary care/community setting in Ireland. Three focus groups were conducted with primary care dietitians (n = 17) and one focus group with community nurses (n = 5), one of the nurses had prescribing rights. The focus groups explored the following domains; the term malnutrition and patient population presenting as malnourished or at risk of malnutrition, barriers and facilitators in the management of malnutrition, ONS prescribing in the primary care/community setting, and future directions in the management of malnutrition and ONS prescribing. Recorded focus groups were transcribed and analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Both professional groups showed similar perspectives, and three preliminary main themes were identified; i) Malnutrition is a misunderstood term, ii) Delayed treatment of malnutrition, iii) Challenges with ONS prescription in the primary care/community setting. Both dietitians and community nurses agreed that the term malnutrition had negative connotations for patients and preferred not to use it with them. Dietitians identified the need for a multidisciplinary approach to manage patients at risk of malnutrition in the community, and community nurses agreed on their pivotal role identifying the risk of malnutrition and providing first line advice to clients. However, community nurses expressed the urgent need for training to provide first line advice to patients to improve their nutritional status to prevent malnutrition. Both groups also agreed on the need for access to more dietitians in the community, and suggested that giving dietitians prescribing rights would improve appropriate ONS prescribing. Community nurses identified a gap in their knowledge of the different ONS products, and the need to receive independent generic education on nutritional supplements.