bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Visual Approach
Authors: Massari Alice
Published: May 2021

In the analysis of humanitarian discourse(s), I use ‘discourse’ in a Foucauldian sense as a system of representation of knowledge and meanings situated in a particular time and space (Foucault 1971, 1972, 1980). According to the philosopher, the concept of discourse is strictly interrelated with the production of truth and relations of power: “What I mean is this: in a society such as ours, but basically in any society, there are manifold relations of power which permeate, characterise and constitute the social body, and these relations of power cannot themselves be established, consolidated nor implemented without the production, accumulation, circulation and functioning of a discourse. There can be no possible exercise of power without a certain economy of discourses of truth which operates through and on the basis of this association. We are subjected to the production of truth through power and we cannot exercise power except through the production of truth (Foucault 1980, 93).
Asymptotics and Estimates for Spectral Minimal Partitions of Metric Graphs
Authors: Hofmann Matthias , Kennedy James B. , Mugnolo Delio , Plümer Marvin
Published: May 2021

We study properties of spectral minimal partitions of metric graphs within the framework recently introduced in Kennedy et al. (Calc Var 60:6, 2021). We provide sharp lower and upper estimates for minimal partition energies in different classes of partitions; while the lower bounds are reminiscent of the classic isoperimetric inequalities for metric graphs, the upper bounds are more involved and mirror the combinatorial structure of the metric graph as well. Combining them, we deduce that these spectral minimal energies also satisfy a Weyl-type asymptotic law similar to the well-known one for eigenvalues of quantum graph Laplacians with various vertex conditions. Drawing on two examples we show that in general no second term in the asymptotic expansion for minimal partition energies can exist, but show that various kinds of behaviour are possible. We also study certain aspects of the asymptotic behaviour of the minimal partitions themselves.
Casper Versus Precise Stent for the Treatment of Patients with Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension
Authors: Belachew Nebiyat F. , Baschung Severin , Almiri William , Encinas Ruben , Kaesmacher Johannes , Dobrocky Tomas , Schankin Christoph J. , Abegg Mathias , Piechowiak Eike I. , Raabe Andreas , Gralla Jan , Mordasini Pasquale
Published: May 2021

Purpose

We hypothesized that due to its specific characteristics, the CasperTM RX carotid stent (CP) might be particularly suitable for venous sinus stenting (VSS) in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). To test this theory, we compared it to the commonly used Precise Pro RXTM stent (PP).

Methods

A total of 15 patients with IIH (median age 28.7 years) were reviewed retrospectively. Technical aspects as well as peri- and postinterventional complication rates were examined in patients treated with CP (n = 10) and the PP (n = 5). Improvements in cerebrospinal fluid opening pressure (CSF OP), transstenotic pressure gradient (TSPG) and clinical symptoms were also assessed.

Results

Stent delivery was easier and more successful with the CP than the PP (difficult/failed stent delivery 0.0% versus 57.1%) and consequently achieved with less attempts (≥ 2: 0.0% versus 40.0%). No severe peri- or postinterventional complications or instances of in-stent thrombosis and/or stenosis were observed during follow-up. Improvement of CSF OP and TSPG immediately after VSS as well as at 6‑month follow-up was comparable between the CP and PP group. Both groups showed substantial and similar decreases in intensity and frequency of headache. Almost all patients with other IIH-related symptoms showed either improvement or complete resolution of those symptoms after VSS. All patients who were available for interview (n = 12/15) reported a substantial improvement in quality of life.

Conclusion

VSS using the CP seems to be safe and effective. The CP may reduce the risk of difficult or failed stent delivery in patients with challenging intracranial venous anatomy.
Session Resumption Protocols and Efficient Forward Security for TLS 1.3 0-RTT
Authors: Aviram Nimrod , Gellert Kai , Jager Tibor
Published: May 2021

The TLS 1.3 0-RTT mode enables a client reconnecting to a server to send encrypted application-layer data in “0-RTT” (“zero round-trip time”), without the need for a prior interactive handshake. This fundamentally requires the server to reconstruct the previous session’s encryption secrets upon receipt of the client’s first message. The standard techniques to achieve this are session caches or, alternatively, session tickets. The former provides forward security and resistance against replay attacks, but requires a large amount of server-side storage. The latter requires negligible storage, but provides no forward security and is known to be vulnerable to replay attacks. In this paper, we first formally define session resumption protocols as an abstract perspective on mechanisms like session caches and session tickets. We give a new generic construction that provably provides forward security and replay resilience, based on puncturable pseudorandom functions (PPRFs). We show that our construction can immediately be used in TLS 1.3 0-RTT and deployed unilaterally by servers, without requiring any changes to clients or the protocol. To this end, we present a generic composition of our new construction with TLS 1.3 and prove its security. This yields the first construction that achieves forward security for all messages, including the 0-RTT data. We then describe two new constructions of PPRFs, which are particularly suitable for use for forward-secure and replay-resilient session resumption in TLS 1.3. The first construction is based on the strong RSA assumption. Compared to standard session caches, for “128-bit security” it reduces the required server storage by a factor of almost 20, when instantiated in a way such that key derivation and puncturing together are cheaper on average than one full exponentiation in an RSA group. Hence, a 1 GB session cache can be replaced with only about 51 MBs of storage, which significantly reduces the amount of secure memory required. For larger security parameters or in exchange for more expensive computations, even larger storage reductions are achieved. The second construction combines a standard binary tree PPRF with a new “domain extension” technique. For a reasonable choice of parameters, this reduces the required storage by a factor of up to 5 compared to a standard session cache. It employs only symmetric cryptography, is suitable for high-traffic scenarios, and can serve thousands of tickets per second.
Revisions in the Norwegian National Accounts: accuracy, unbiasedness and efficiency in preliminary figures
Authors: Helliesen Magnus Kvåle , Hungnes Håvard , Skjerpen Terje
Published: May 2021

This paper investigates the quality of preliminary figures in the Norwegian National Accounts. To address the problem of few observations in such analyses, we use some recently developed system tests for forecast evaluation. We find that preliminary figures for growth rates NA figures (measured in real terms) are accurate, unbiased and efficient. The exception is growth rates for real gross fixed capital formation, which under-predict the final figures. Early published vintages of growth rates for real gross fixed capital formation are often closer to the final vintages than later vintages are.
“Cursed is the ground because of you”:
Authors: Jordan Alexander , Guerzoni Marco
Published: May 2021

This paper analyses culture as a determinant of technology adoption in a developing country. While the literature discusses the influence of culture upon economic growth, little attention has been paid to the mechanisms at the micro level. Therefore, we postulate that culture plays a crucial role in hindering or fostering the diffusion of innovation, a key trigger of the engine of growth. This empirical study uses the Ethiopia Rural Household Survey to disentangle between individual cultural traits, namely, ethnicity and religion, and the cultural homogeneity of the environment as co-determinants of fertiliser adoption. To examine our hypotheses, we apply a multivariate survival model for clustered and correlated observations to account for time and location effects. The results reveal significant differences in the probability of adopting fertiliser among cultural groups. Moreover, habits and social norms, proxied by ethnicity, provide a better explanation for the role of culture, than religious beliefs, as usually posited in the literature. Also, the cultural environment turns out tobe a decisive trigger. The probability of adoption is higher in rural societies with a homogeneous ethnic environment but distinct religious variety.
Cancer drug resistance induced by EMT: novel therapeutic strategies
Authors: De Las Rivas Javier , Brozovic Anamaria , Izraely Sivan , Casas-Pais Alba , Witz Isaac P. , Figueroa Angélica
Published: May 2021

Over the last decade, important clinical benefits have been achieved in cancer patients by using drug-targeting strategies. Nevertheless, drug resistance is still a major problem in most cancer therapies. Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) and tumour microenvironment have been described as limiting factors for effective treatment in many cancer types. Moreover, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has also been associated with therapy resistance in many different preclinical models, although limited evidence has been obtained from clinical studies and clinical samples. In this review, we particularly deepen into the mechanisms of which intermediate epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) states and its interconnection to microenvironment influence therapy resistance. We also describe how the use of bioinformatics and pharmacogenomics will help to figure out the biological impact of the EMT on drug resistance and to develop novel pharmacological approaches in the future.
A comparison of thyroidal protection by iodine and perchlorate against radioiodine exposure in Caucasians and Japanese
Authors: Rump A. , Eder S. , Hermann C. , Lamkowski A. , Kinoshita M. , Yamamoto T. , Abend M. , Shinomiya N. , Port M.
Published: May 2021

Radioactive iodine released in nuclear accidents may accumulate in the thyroid and by irradiation enhances the risk of cancer. Radioiodine uptake into the gland can be inhibited by large doses of stable iodine or perchlorate. Nutritional iodine daily intake may impact thyroid physiology, so that radiological doses absorbed by the thyroid as well as thyroid blocking efficacy may differ in Japanese with a very rich iodine diet compared to Caucasians. Based on established biokinetic–dosimetric models for the thyroid, we derived the parameters for Caucasians and Japanese to quantitatively compare the effects of radioiodine exposure and the protective efficacy of thyroid blocking by stable iodine at the officially recommended dosages (100 mg in Germany, 76 mg in Japan) or perchlorate. The maximum transport capacity for iodine uptake into the thyroid is lower in Japanese compared to Caucasians. For the same radioiodine exposure pattern, the radiological equivalent thyroid dose is substantially lower in Japanese in the absence of thyroid blocking treatments. In the case of acute radioiodine exposure, stable iodine is less potent in Japanese (ED50 = 41.6 mg) than in Caucasians (ED50 = 2.7 mg) and confers less thyroid protection at the recommended dosages because of a delayed responsiveness to iodine saturation of the gland (Wolff–Chaikoff effect). Perchlorate (ED50 = 10 mg in Caucasians) at a dose of 1000 mg has roughly the same thyroid blocking effect as 100 mg iodine in Caucasians, whereas it confers a much better protection than 76 mg iodine in Japanese. For prolonged exposures, a single dose of iodine offer substantially lower protection than after acute radioiodine exposure in both groups. Repetitive daily iodine administrations improve efficacy without reaching levels after acute radioiodine exposure and achieve only slightly better protection in Japanese than in Caucasians. However, in the case of continuous radioiodine exposure, daily doses of 1000 mg perchlorate achieve a high protective efficacy in Caucasians as well as Japanese (> 0.98). In Caucasians, iodine (100 mg) and perchlorate (1000 mg) at the recommended dosages seem alternatives in case of acute radioiodine exposure, whereas perchlorate has a higher protective efficacy in the case of longer lasting radioiodine exposures. In Japanese, considering protective efficacy, preference should be given to perchlorate in acute as well as prolonged radioiodine exposure scenarios.
Subcellular spatio-temporal intravital kinetics of aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A in liver and kidney
Authors: Ghallab Ahmed , Hassan Reham , Myllys Maiju , Albrecht Wiebke , Friebel Adrian , Hoehme Stefan , Hofmann Ute , Seddek Abdel-latif , Braeuning Albert , Kuepfer Lars , Cramer Benedikt , Humpf Hans-Ulrich , Boor Peter , Degen Gisela H. , Hengstler Jan G.
Published: May 2021

Local accumulation of xenobiotics in human and animal tissues may cause adverse effects. Large differences in their concentrations may exist between individual cell types, often due to the expression of specific uptake and export carriers. Here we established a two-photon microscopy-based technique for spatio-temporal detection of the distribution of mycotoxins in intact kidneys and livers of anesthetized mice with subcellular resolution. The mycotoxins ochratoxin A (OTA, 10 mg/kg b.w.) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1, 1.5 mg/kg b.w.), which both show blue auto-fluorescence, were analyzed after intravenous bolus injections. Within seconds after administration, OTA was filtered by glomeruli, and enriched in distal tubular epithelial cells (dTEC). A striking feature of AFB1 toxicokinetics was its very rapid uptake from sinusoidal blood into hepatocytes (t1/2 ~ 4 min) and excretion into bile canaliculi. Interestingly, AFB1 was enriched in the nuclei of hepatocytes with zonal differences in clearance. In the cytoplasm of pericentral hepatocytes, the half-life (t1/2~ 63 min) was much longer compared to periportal hepatocytes of the same lobules (t1/2 ~ 9 min). In addition, nuclear AFB1 from periportal hepatocytes cleared faster compared to the pericentral region. These local differences in AFB1 clearance may be due to the pericentral expression of cytochrome P450 enzymes that activate AFB1 to protein- and DNA-binding metabolites. In conclusion, the present study shows that large spatio-temporal concentration differences exist within the same tissues and its analysis may provide valuable additional information to conventional toxicokinetic studies.
The Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation for Orthonormal Functions II: Application to Lieb–Thirring Inequalities
Authors: Frank Rupert L. , Gontier David , Lewin Mathieu
Published: May 2021

In this paper we disprove part of a conjecture of Lieb and Thirring concerning the best constant in their eponymous inequality. We prove that the best Lieb–Thirring constant when the eigenvalues of a Schrödinger operator $$-\Delta +V(x)$$

-
Δ
+
V
(
x
)

are raised to the power $$\kappa $$
κ
is never given by the one-bound state case when $$\kappa >\max (0,2-d/2)$$

κ
>
max
(
0
,
2
-
d
/
2
)

in space dimension $$d\ge 1$$

d
≥
1

. When in addition $$\kappa \ge 1$$

κ
≥
1

we prove that this best constant is never attained for a potential having finitely many eigenvalues. The method to obtain the first result is to carefully compute the exponentially small interaction between two Gagliardo–Nirenberg optimisers placed far away. For the second result, we study the dual version of the Lieb–Thirring inequality, in the same spirit as in Part I of this work Gontier et al. (The nonlinear Schrödinger equation for orthonormal functions I. Existence of ground states. Arch. Rat. Mech. Anal, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00205-021-01634-7). In a different but related direction, we also show that the cubic nonlinear Schrödinger equation admits no orthonormal ground state in 1D, for more than one function.
Analytic semigroups generated by Dirichlet-to-Neumann operators on manifolds
Authors: Binz Tim
Published: May 2021

We consider the Dirichlet-to-Neumann operator associated to a strictly elliptic operator on the space $$\mathrm {C}(\partial M)$$

C
(
∂
M
)

of continuous functions on the boundary $$\partial M$$

∂
M

of a compact manifold $$\overline{M}$$

M
¯

with boundary. We prove that it generates an analytic semigroup of angle $$\frac{\pi }{2}$$

π
2

, generalizing and improving a result of Escher with a new proof. Combined with the abstract theory of operators with Wentzell boundary conditions developed by Engel and the author, this yields that the corresponding strictly elliptic operator with Wentzell boundary conditions generates a compact and analytic semigroups of angle $$\frac{\pi }{2}$$

π
2

on the space $$\mathrm {C}(\overline{M})$$

C
(

M
¯

)

.
Why did European Radiology reject my radiomic biomarker paper? How to correctly evaluate imaging biomarkers in a clinical setting
Authors: Halligan Steve , Menu Yves , Mallett Sue
Published: May 2021

This review explains in simple terms, accessible to the non-statistician, general principles regarding the correct research methods to develop and then evaluate imaging biomarkers in a clinical setting, including radiomic biomarkers. The distinction between diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers is made and emphasis placed on the need to assess clinical utility within the context of a multivariable model. Such models should not be restricted to imaging biomarkers and must include relevant disease and patient characteristics likely to be clinically useful. Biomarker utility is based on whether its addition to the basic clinical model improves diagnosis or prediction. Approaches to both model development and evaluation are explained and the need for adequate amounts of representative data stressed so as to avoid underpowering and overfitting. Advice is provided regarding how to report the research correctly.

Key Points

• Imaging biomarker research is common but methodological errors are encountered frequently that may mean the research is not clinically useful.

• The clinical utility of imaging biomarkers is best assessed by their additive effect on multivariable models based on clinical factors known to be important.

• The data used to develop such models should be sufficient for the number of variables investigated and the model should be evaluated, preferably using data unrelated to development.
Seasonal prediction of the boreal winter stratosphere
Authors: Portal Alice , Ruggieri Paolo , Palmeiro Froila M. , García-Serrano Javier , Domeisen Daniela I. V. , Gualdi Silvio
Published: May 2021

The predictability of the Northern Hemisphere stratosphere and its underlying dynamics are investigated in five state-of-the-art seasonal prediction systems from the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) multi-model database. Special attention is devoted to the connection between the stratospheric polar vortex (SPV) and lower-stratosphere wave activity (LSWA). We find that in winter (December to February) dynamical forecasts initialised on the first of November are considerably more skilful than empirical forecasts based on October anomalies. Moreover, the coupling of the SPV with mid-latitude LSWA (i.e., meridional eddy heat flux) is generally well reproduced by the forecast systems, allowing for the identification of a robust link between the predictability of wave activity above the tropopause and the SPV skill. Our results highlight the importance of November-to-February LSWA, in particular in the Eurasian sector, for forecasts of the winter stratosphere. Finally, the role of potential sources of seasonal stratospheric predictability is considered: we find that the C3S multi-model overestimates the stratospheric response to El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and underestimates the influence of the Quasi–Biennial Oscillation (QBO).
Neural correlates of RDoC-specific cognitive processes in a high-functional autistic patient: a statistically validated case report
Authors: Daedelow Laura S. , Beck Anne , Romund Lydia , Mascarell-Maricic Lea , Dziobek Isabel , Romanczuk-Seiferth Nina , Wüstenberg Torsten , Heinz Andreas
Published: May 2021

The level of functioning of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) varies widely. To better understand the neurobiological mechanism associated with high-functioning ASD, we studied the rare case of a female patient with an exceptional professional career in the highly competitive academic field of Mathematics. According to the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) approach, which proposes to describe the basic dimensions of functioning by integrating different levels of information, we conducted four fMRI experiments targeting the (1) social processes domain (Theory of mind (ToM) and face matching), (2) positive valence domain (reward processing), and (3) cognitive domain (N-back). Patient’s data were compared to data of 14 healthy controls (HC). Additionally, we assessed the subjective experience of our case during the experiments. The patient showed increased response times during face matching and achieved a higher total gain in the Reward task, whereas her performance in N-back and ToM was similar to HC. Her brain function differed mainly in the positive valence and cognitive domains. During reward processing, she showed reduced activity in a left-hemispheric frontal network and cortical midline structures but increased connectivity within this network. During the working memory task patients’ brain activity and connectivity in left-hemispheric temporo-frontal regions were elevated. In the ToM task, activity in posterior cingulate cortex and temporo-parietal junction was reduced. We suggest that the high level of functioning in our patient is rather related to the effects in brain connectivity than to local cortical information processing and that subjective report provides a fruitful framework for interpretation.
Soldiers’ physical activity of daily life: a systematic literature review
Authors: Schilz Christin , Sammito Stefan
Published: May 2021

Purpose

High physical fitness and good health are not only essential for the civilian population but also for persons working in physically and psychologically demanding professions, such as armed forces personnel. To date there is no scientific summary of studies dealing with the physical activity of daily life in armed forces personnel, but this is necessary for a targeted intervention.

Methods

A systematic review was performed in the PubMed database (target date: 24 May 2020), using the search terms “military personnel” and “exercise” or “(physical) activity of daily life” including the assigned MESH words.

Results

Seven original papers have focused on the daily physical activity of military personal, and they were all conducted in different countries. The activity of daily life was on average 11,540 steps per day.

Conclusions

It could be shown that soldiers performed more physical activity than the civilian population and that the recommended 10,000 steps per day were slightly exceeded on average. However, the number of steps performed was very low in fields of activity with limited physical activity options, such as on board a ship. Altogether, it thus seems that additional health-promoting physical activity programs are not required for most of the soldiers, but that, in contrast, corresponding offers for physical activity alternatives, e.g., in the form of fitness equipment, are urgently required in specific task areas (e.g., on board ships).
The Plight of Female Cameroonian Migrant Sex Workers in N’Djamena, Chad: A Case of Intersectionality
Authors: Mutola Sianga , Pemunta Ngambouk Vitalis , Ngo Ngo Valery , Otang Ogem Irene , Tabenyang tabi-Chama James
Published: May 2021

In most countries, sex-work is criminalized and frowned upon. This leads to human rights abuses, especially for migrant female sex workers. The burden is heavier on migrant female sex-workers whose gender and foreign citizenship intersect to produce a plethora of adverse health, social, and legal outcomes. This phenomenological study explores the intersectionality of individual factors leading to human rights abuses among migrant Cameroonian female sex workers in N’Djamena, Chad. Ten female sex workers and two key-informants were interviewed, and being a small sample, they gave detailed information about their experiences. The data was later analyzed using thematic analysis. Participants narrated experiences of social exclusion, exposure to diverse abuses, and health risks due to gender, immigrant status, and illegality of sex work. The experiences of female migrant sex workers, within contexts of sex work criminalization, are exacerbated by the intersectionality of these factors. Women endure several vulnerabilities in many African countries, more so when they have to survive on sex work as foreigners in a country where the act is illegal.
Robust Inference for Mediated Effects in Partially Linear Models
Authors: Hines Oliver , Vansteelandt Stijn , Diaz-Ordaz Karla
Published: May 2021

We consider mediated effects of an exposure, X on an outcome, Y, via a mediator, M, under no unmeasured confounding assumptions in the setting where models for the conditional expectation of the mediator and outcome are partially linear. We propose G-estimators for the direct and indirect effects and demonstrate consistent asymptotic normality for indirect effects when models for the conditional means of M, or X and Y are correctly specified, and for direct effects, when models for the conditional means of Y, or X and M are correct. This marks an improvement, in this particular setting, over previous ‘triple’ robust methods, which do not assume partially linear mean models. Testing of the no-mediation hypothesis is inherently problematic due to the composite nature of the test (either X has no effect on M or M no effect on Y), leading to low power when both effect sizes are small. We use generalized methods of moments (GMM) results to construct a new score testing framework, which includes as special cases the no-mediation and the no-direct-effect hypotheses. The proposed tests rely on an orthogonal estimation strategy for estimating nuisance parameters. Simulations show that the GMM-based tests perform better in terms of power and small sample performance compared with traditional tests in the partially linear setting, with drastic improvement under model misspecification. New methods are illustrated in a mediation analysis of data from the COPERS trial, a randomized trial investigating the effect of a non-pharmacological intervention of patients suffering from chronic pain. An accompanying R package implementing these methods can be found at github.com/ohines/plmed.
Bioaccumulation of different congeners of Poly-Brominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) in muscle tissue of males and females of Clupea harengus from the North Sea
Authors: Gaion Andrea , Morgan Ellana , Collier Stuart , Sartori Davide
Published: May 2021

In the last decades, high concentrations of flame retardants (PBDE) in marine organisms have caused increasing concern among scientists with regards to their biomagnification potential and to human health. Poly-Brominated Diphenyl Ethers have been widely used in the past as flame retardants in various industrial sectors, and their presence in the biota has been associated with different toxicological effects. In this study, concentrations of 9 congeners of PBDE (183, 85, 153, 154, 99, 100, 47, 66 and 28) and morphometric parameters (Total Length, TL; Fork Length, FL in cm and weight) have been measured in muscle of males and females of Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus). Results showed no statistical differences between the concentrations of most of the congeners analysed between the two sexes, except for PBDE 153 (Mean ± standard error in males = 0.034 ± 0.005 μg/kg and in females = 0.086 ± 0.040 μg/kg; p = 0.003). This research contributes to better comprehend the ecotoxicological properties of these molecules and their implications for human consumption.
Macht – Leistung – Kultur: Staatenvergleiche vom 17. bis ins frühe 20. Jahrhundert
Authors: Steinmetz Willibald
Published: May 2021

Praktiken des Vergleichens und Bewertens von Staaten mittels Zahlen haben eine lange Geschichte. Seit der Frühen Neuzeit erlebten sie einen Aufschwung infolge fiskal-militärischer Rivalität zwischen größeren und kleineren Mächten innerhalb wie außerhalb Europas. Im Laufe des langen 19. Jahrhunderts kamen zusätzliche Kriterien ins Spiel: Neben militärischer und demografischer Stärke wurden nun ökonomische Leistungsfähigkeit, soziale Vorsorge für die Einwohner sowie kulturelle Errungenschaften wichtiger. In einem ersten Schritt benennt der Beitrag wesentliche Voraussetzungen für die heute etablierten Praktiken des Rankings von Staaten: Serialität und Standardisierung der Datenerhebung, Existenz international anerkanntercentres of calculation, relevante Öffentlichkeiten als Nachfrager für Staatenvergleiche, eine Vision von Geschichte als Fortschritt, welche staatliche Akteure nötigte, sich im Verhältnis zu anderen als „vorauseilend“ oder „zurückgeblieben“ einzuordnen. Die empirischen Teile des Beitrags widmen sich der Entfaltung staatenvergleichender Praktiken in West- und Mitteleuropa vom späten 17. bis ins frühe 20. Jahrhundert. In exemplarischen Studien werden Autoren und Institutionen behandelt, die Staatenquantifizierendzu vergleichen suchten (englische politische Arithmetiker, deutsche Tabellenstatistiker, nationale statistische Bureaus, internationale statistische Kongresse). Ebenfalls berücksichtigt werdenqualitativeStaatenvergleiche in der deskriptiven deutschen „Statistik“ des 18. Jahrhunderts oder durch visuelle Präsentationen auf den Weltausstellungen des 19. Jahrhunderts. Schließlich kommen im Beitrag auch Kritiker zu Wort, die im Namen der Singularität von Nationen, Staaten oder Imperien gegen deren Reduktion auf wenige zählbare Größen protestierten. Die Geschichte der Staatenvergleiche im 18. und 19. Jahrhundert lief also keineswegs geradlinig auf immer mehr Quantifizierung hinaus. Vielmehr war sie die Geschichte einer umstrittenen Praxis, in der „progressive“ besser-schlechter-Vergleiche stets mit solchen Vergleichen rivalisierten, die auf essenzialisierte Andersartigkeit abhoben.
Isolating the impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures on urban air quality in Canada
Authors: Mashayekhi Rabab , Pavlovic Radenko , Racine Jacinthe , Moran Michael D. , Manseau Patrick M. , Duhamel Annie , Katal Ali , Miville Jessica , Niemi David , Peng Si Jun , Sassi Mourad , Griffin Debora , McLinden Chris Anthony
Published: May 2021

We have investigated the impact of reduced emissions due to COVID-19 lockdown measures in spring 2020 on air quality in Canada’s four largest cities: Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Calgary. Observed daily concentrations of NO2, PM2.5, and O3 during a “pre-lockdown” period (15 February–14 March 2020) and a “lockdown” period (22 March–2 May 2020), when lockdown measures were in full force everywhere in Canada, were compared to the same periods in the previous decade (2010–2019). Higher-than-usual seasonal declines in mean daily NO2 were observed for the pre-lockdown to lockdown periods in 2020. For PM2.5, Montreal was the only city with a higher-than-usual seasonal decline, whereas for O3 all four cities remained within the previous decadal range. In order to isolate the impact of lockdown-related emission changes from other factors such as seasonal changes in meteorology and emissions and meteorological variability, two emission scenarios were performed with the GEM-MACH air quality model. The first was a Business-As-Usual (BAU) scenario with baseline emissions and the second was a more realistic simulation with estimated COVID-19 lockdown emissions. NO2 surface concentrations for the COVID-19 emission scenario decreased by 31 to 34% on average relative to the BAU scenario in the four metropolitan areas. Lower decreases ranging from 6 to 17% were predicted for PM2.5. O3 surface concentrations, on the other hand, showed increases up to a maximum of 21% close to city centers versus slight decreases over the suburbs, but Ox (odd oxygen), like NO2 and PM2.5, decreased as expected over these cities.
Metric Versus Topological Receptive Entropy of Semigroup Actions
Authors: Biś Andrzej , Dikranjan Dikran , Giordano Bruno Anna , Stoyanov Luchezar
Published: May 2021

We study the receptive metric entropy for semigroup actions on probability spaces, inspired by a similar notion of topological entropy introduced by Hofmann and Stoyanov (Adv Math 115:54–98, 1995). We analyze its basic properties and its relation with the classical metric entropy. In the case of semigroup actions on compact metric spaces we compare the receptive metric entropy with the receptive topological entropy looking for a Variational Principle. With this aim we propose several characterizations of the receptive topological entropy. Finally we introduce a receptive local metric entropy inspired by a notion by Bowen generalized in the classical setting of amenable group actions by Zheng and Chen, and we prove partial versions of the Brin–Katok Formula and the local Variational Principle.
Epidemiology of trauma admissions in a level 1 trauma center in Northern Italy: a nine-year study
Authors: Difino Margherita , Bini Roberto , Reitano Elisa , Faccincani Roberto , Sammartano Fabrizio , Briani Laura , Cimbanassi Stefania , Chiara Osvaldo
Published: May 2021

The aim of this study was to analyze the results of 9 years of trauma care and data collection in a level 1 urban trauma center in Northern Italy. Overall, 6065 patients have been included in the study; the number of patients managed yearly has doubled between 2011 and 2019. This rise mostly involved patients with injury severity score (ISS) < 16. Most injuries (94%) were blunt. Road traffic accidents, especially involving motorcycles, were the most common cause of injury. Self-inflicted injuries were responsible for less than 5% of trauma but they were severe in 56% of cases. The median age was 38 and it remained constant over the years; 43% of patients had 14–39 years of age. Different characteristics and patterns of injury were observed for each age group and gender. Males were more likely to be injured in the central years of life while females presented a trimodal pattern in the age distribution. Young adults (14–39 years old) were overall at higher risk of self-harm. Overall mortality was equal to 5.2%. Most deceased were male and ≥ 65 years of age.
Sequence effect of p(1/3) spectrum loading on service fatigue strength of as-welded and high-frequency mechanical impact (HFMI)-treated transverse stiffeners of mild steel
Authors: Schiller R. , Löschner D. , Diekhoff P. , Engelhardt I. , Nitschke-Pagel Th. , Dilger K.
Published: May 2021

In the meantime, it’s well known that post-weld fatigue strength improvement techniques for welded structures like high-frequency mechanical impact (HFMI) treatment increase the fatigue live of welded joints. Although the current design recommendations for HFMI-treated welded joints give first design proposals for the HFMI-treated welds, in practice the application of HFMI treatment and the associated increase in fatigue resistance are still being discussed. There are, for example, reservations regarding the efficiency of HFMI-treated welded joints under variable amplitude loading (VAL). This paper analyses first results for the sequence effect of VAL of a p (1/3) spectrum on the service fatigue strength of HFMI-treated transverse stiffeners (TS) of mild steel (S355). Fatigue test results with random and high-low loading for the two states as-welded (AW) and HFMI-treated joints will be presented. The modified linear damage accumulation and the failure locations will be discussed. The experimental results show a clear change in the slope of the S-N curve from the as-welded (AW) state to the HFMI state and additionally in the HFMI state from constant amplitude loading (CAL) to variable amplitude loading (VAL). It was particularly noticeable in the experimental results of all tested HFMI series that the specimens failed exclusively in the base material 2–4mm before the HFMI-treated welds. The presented results of the investigations show that with application of the nominal stress concept, no sequence effect was recognizable.
Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1: an Italian survey on 158 patients
Authors: Garelli S. , Dalla Costa M. , Sabbadin C. , Barollo S. , Rubin B. , Scarpa R. , Masiero S. , Fierabracci A. , Bizzarri C. , Crinò A. , Cappa M. , Valenzise M. , Meloni A. , De Bellis A. M. , Giordano C. , Presotto F. , Perniola R. , Capalbo D. , Salerno M. C. , Stigliano A. , Radetti G. , Camozzi V. , Greggio N. A. , Bogazzi F. , Chiodini I. , Pagotto U. , Black S. K. , Chen S. , Rees Smith B. , Furmaniak J. , Weber G. , Pigliaru F. , De Sanctis L. , Scaroni C. , Betterle C.
Published: May 2021

Background

Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndrome type 1 (APS-1) is a rare recessive inherited disease, caused by AutoImmune Regulator (AIRE) gene mutations and characterized by three major manifestations: chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC), chronic hypoparathyroidism (CH) and Addison’s disease (AD).

Methods

Autoimmune conditions and associated autoantibodies (Abs) were analyzed in 158 Italian patients (103 females and 55 males; F/M 1.9/1) at the onset and during a follow-up of 23.7 ± 15.1 years. AIRE mutations were determined.

Results

The prevalence of APS-1 was 2.6 cases/million (range 0.5–17 in different regions). At the onset 93% of patients presented with one or more components of the classical triad and 7% with other components. At the end of follow-up, 86.1% had CH, 77.2% AD, 74.7% CMC, 49.5% premature menopause, 29.7% autoimmune intestinal dysfunction, 27.8% autoimmune thyroid diseases, 25.9% autoimmune gastritis/pernicious anemia, 25.3% ectodermal dystrophy, 24% alopecia, 21.5% autoimmune hepatitis, 17% vitiligo, 13.3% cholelithiasis, 5.7% connective diseases, 4.4% asplenia, 2.5% celiac disease and 13.9% cancer. Overall, 991 diseases (6.3 diseases/patient) were found. Interferon-ω Abs (IFNωAbs) were positive in 91.1% of patients. Overall mortality was 14.6%. The AIRE mutation R139X was found in 21.3% of tested alleles, R257X in 11.8%, W78R in 11.4%, C322fsX372 in 8.8%, T16M in 6.2%, R203X in 4%, and A21V in 2.9%. Less frequent mutations were present in 12.9%, very rare in 9.6% while no mutations in 11% of the cases.

Conclusions

In Italy, APS-1 is a rare disorder presenting with the three major manifestations and associated with different AIRE gene mutations. IFNωAbs are markers of APS-1 and other organ-specific autoantibodies are markers of clinical, subclinical or potential autoimmune conditions.
What delirium detection tools are used in routine clinical practice in the United Kingdom? Survey results from 91% of acute healthcare organisations
Authors: Tieges Zoë , Lowrey Jacqueline , MacLullich Alasdair M. J.
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Our aim was to collect information on delirium assessment processes and pathways in non-intensive care settings in the United Kingdom (UK).

Methods

We sent a Freedom of Information request to 169 UK National Health Service (NHS) hospitals, trusts and health boards (units) in July 2020 to obtain data on usage of delirium assessment tools in clinical practice and delirium pathways or guidelines.

Results

We received responses from 154/169 units (91% response rate). Of these, 146/154 (95%) units reported use of formal delirium assessment processes and 131/154 (85%) units had guidelines or pathways in place. The 4’A’s Test (4AT) was the most widely used tool, with 117/146 (80%) units reporting use. The Confusion Assessment Method was used in 65/146 (45%) units, and the Single Question to identify Delirium (SQiD) in 52/146 (36%) units.

Conclusions

Our findings show that the 4AT is the most commonly used tool in the UK, with 80% of units reporting use. This study adds to our knowledge of real-world uptake of delirium detection methods at scale. Future studies should evaluate real-world implementation of delirium assessment tools further via (1) tool completion rates and (2) rates of positive scores against the expected of prevalence delirium in the clinical population concerned.
Enhancing Mindfulness and Well-Being in Higher Education
Authors: Barker Randy K. , Tuominen Lori P. , Larson Mimi Rappley , Lee-Nichols Mary E. , Eslinger Gloria , Patterson Kristine L. , Stocker Shevaun L.
Published: May 2021

This article outlines the steps taken to establish the University of Wisconsin-Superior’s Pruitt Center for Mindfulness and Well-Being. Major historical components include: gaining momentum; securing funding; developing mission and vision statements; launching the Pruitt Center; and recounting the services, programs, and impacts achieved to date. Through outlining experiences and lessons learned, others in higher education looking to enhance the well-being of their campus communities could benefit, regardless of whether creating a center is their goal. The process and rationale for creating and adopting the PERMANENT Model of Well-Being is also provided. Comparisons are made regarding the similarities and differences between the PERMANENT Model and two existing models: the PERMA Model and the Universidad Tecmilenio Well-being in Happiness Ecosystem. Also depicted is the intention concerning: 1) describing each domain of the PERMANENT Model of Well-Being, including Present Moment Awareness, the model’s foundation; 2) the meaning behind the PERMANENT acronym, inspiring the notion of long-lasting well-being; 3) including the greater community; and 4) the model’s process of learn, experience, reflect, and repeat, a reminder that all learning takes effort and practice. This process is supported by current mindfulness and well-being research, specifically as it relates to higher education.
State-of-the-art reviews predictive modeling in adult spinal deformity: applications of advanced analytics
Authors: Joshi Rushikesh S. , Lau Darryl , Scheer Justin K. , Serra-Burriel Miquel , Vila-Casademunt Alba , Bess Shay , Smith Justin S. , Pellise Ferran , Ames Christopher P.
Published: May 2021

Adult spinal deformity (ASD) is a complex and heterogeneous disease that can severely impact patients’ lives. While it is clear that surgical correction can achieve significant improvement of spinopelvic parameters and quality of life measures in adults with spinal deformity, there remains a high risk of complication associated with surgical approaches to adult deformity. Over the past decade, utilization of surgical correction for ASD has increased dramatically as deformity correction techniques have become more refined and widely adopted. Along with this increase in surgical utilization, there has been a massive undertaking by spine surgeons to develop more robust models to predict postoperative outcomes in an effort to mitigate the relatively high complication rates. A large part of this revolution within spine surgery has been the gradual adoption of predictive analytics harnessing artificial intelligence through the use of machine learning algorithms. The development of predictive models to accurately prognosticate patient outcomes following ASD surgery represents a dramatic improvement over prior statistical models which are better suited for finding associations between variables than for their predictive utility. Machine learning models, which offer the ability to make more accurate and reproducible predictions, provide surgeons with a wide array of practical applications from augmenting clinical decision making to more wide-spread public health implications. The inclusion of these advanced computational techniques in spine practices will be paramount for improving the care of patients, by empowering both patients and surgeons to more specifically tailor clinical decisions to address individual health profiles and needs.
Insights into a possible role of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists in the treatment of depression
Authors: Detka Jan , Głombik Katarzyna
Published: May 2021

Depression is a highly prevalent mood disorder and one of the major health concerns in modern society. Moreover, it is characterized by a high prevalence of coexistence with many other diseases including metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity. Currently used antidepressant drugs, which mostly target brain monoaminergic neurotransmission, have limited clinical efficacy. Although the etiology of depression has not been fully elucidated, current scientific data emphasize the role of neurotrophic factors deficiencies, disturbed homeostasis between the nervous system and the immune and endocrine systems, as well as disturbances in brain energy metabolism and dysfunctions in the gut-brain axis as important factors in the pathogenesis of this neuropsychiatric disorder. Therefore, therapeutic options that could work in a way other than classic antidepressants are being sought to increase the effectiveness of the treatment. Interestingly, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), used in the treatment of T2DM and obesity, are known to show pro-cognitive and neuroprotective properties, and exert modulatory effects on immune, endocrine and metabolic processes in the central nervous system. This review article discusses the potential antidepressant effects of GLP-1RAs, especially in the context of their action on the processes related to neuroprotection, inflammation, stress response, energy metabolism, gut-brain crosstalk and the stability of the gut microbiota.

Graphic abstract
Investigator Initiated Clinical Trials (IICTs): A Systematic Search in Registries to Compare the Czech Republic and Portugal in Terms of Funding Policies and Scientific Outcomes
Authors: Madeira C. , Hořavová L. , dos Santos F. , Batuca J. R. , Nebeska K. , Součková L. , Kubiak C. , Demotes J. , Demlová R. , Monteiro E. C.
Published: May 2021

Objectives

Clinical trials provide one of the highest levels of evidence to support medical practice. Investigator initiated clinical trials (IICTs) answer relevant questions in clinical practice that may not be addressed by industry. For the first time, two European Countries are compared in terms of IICTs, respective funders and publications, envisaging to inspire others to use similar indicators to assess clinical research outcomes.

Methods

A retrospective systematic search of registered IICTs from 2004 to 2017, using four clinical trials registries was carried out in two European countries with similar population, GDP, HDI and medical schools but with different governmental models to fund clinical research. Each IICT was screened for sponsors, funders, type of intervention and associated publications, once completed.

Results

IICTs involving the Czech Republic and Portugal were n = 439 (42% with hospitals as sponsors) and n = 328 (47% with universities as sponsors), respectively. The Czech Republic and Portuguese funding agencies supported respectively 61 and 27 IICTs. Among these, trials with medicinal products represent 52% in Czech Republic and 4% in Portugal. In the first, a higher percentage of IICTs’ publications in high impact factor journals with national investigators as authors was observed, when compared to Portugal (75% vs 15%).

Conclusion

The better performance in clinical research by Czech Republic might be related to the existence of specific and periodic funding for clinical research, although further data are still needed to confirm this relationship. In upcoming years, the indicators used herein might be useful to tracking clinical research outcomes in these and other European countries.