bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patient reported outcome measures in a large cohort of patients with type 1 Gaucher disease
Authors: Dinur Tama , Istaiti Majdolen , Frydman Dafna , Becker-Cohen Michal , Szer Jeff , Zimran Ari , Revel-Vilk Shoshana
Published: October 2020

Background

It is now acknowledged that the input of patients
in health outcome assessment is vital to understanding the impact of diseases and interventions for those diseases. This study is the first report of patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) in a large cohort of patients with type 1 Gaucher disease (GD1) enabling us to study predictors of the reported outcomes.

Method

The PROM was sent via a mobile phone survey
to 405 adult patients with GD1. Demographics, clinical data, and treatment status were extracted from clinic charts. Age, sex, severity score index (SSI) at presentation and treatment status were used as variables to assess outcomes.

Results

A total of 192 patients with GD1 (111 females) responded (47.4% response rate), of whom 124 (64.5%) had received GD1-specific therapy. Around 40% of patients reported that GD had restricted their education/job and fun activities and were concerned about being emotional and financial burdens on others. Concerns regarding the risk of bone disease and Parkinson disease were also high (60%). The severity of GD1 (reflected by the need for GD1-specific therapy and a high SSI) was associated with GD1-related restrictions and concerns, fatigue, physical weakness, bone pain, and worry regarding the future.

Conclusions

The use of GD1 specific PROM highlights personal problems that are not captured by traditional outcome parameters and that need to be addressed to improve health-related quality of life. Validated PROM should be included among the outcome measures in clinical practice and future prospective studies for patients with chronic and rare diseases.
Evaluating the use of the EORTC patient-reported outcome measures for improving inter-rater reliability of CTCAE ratings in a mixed population of cancer patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wintner Lisa M. , Giesinger Johannes M. , Sztankay Monika , Bottomley Andrew , Holzner Bernhard ,   on behalf of the EORTC Quality of Life Group
Published: October 2020

Background

In oncology, detection and tracking of adverse events are of top priority and rely mostly on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE). Besides, clinical trials use as well patient-reported outcomes (PROs) to assess those adverse events, which are only accessible through patient self-reporting, such as fatigue, pain, and sleep disorders. Especially those issues that are not visible from the outside are often misinterpreted and underestimated by mere provider ratings. This trial aims at evaluating the impact of providing PRO data to providers on the accuracy of adverse event assessment in terms of inter-rater reliability of CTCAE ratings.

Methods

The trial uses a cross-sectional, unblinded, randomized controlled trial design with two trial arms and a single assessment time point. Eligible patients (aged 18 and above, any cancer diagnosis, currently under treatment, inpatient or day clinic setting, present symptom burden, no psychiatric or mental problems, written informed consent) complete an electronic version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and 16 additional questions taken from the EORTC Item Library. PRO data is immediately processed and made available to CTCAE rating providers for conducting their ratings during the medical encounter. Patients are randomly assigned 1:1 to the intervention group (providers see PRO results on the same screen as the CTCAE rating) and the control group (no access to PRO data during the CTCAE rating). A superiority analysis will compare the inter-rater reliability (using intra-class correlation (ICC) coefficients) between the control and the intervention groups for each adverse event evaluated.

Discussion

The presented trial will demonstrate potential benefits of using PRO measures to improve the reliability of CTCAE ratings in cancer trials and the identification of adverse events. The new insights gained may lead to a new strategy for evaluating adverse events in clinical trials by combining patient and provider ratings. This might also have implications for daily clinical practice and cancer registries.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.govNCT04066868. Registered on August 26, 2019. Competence Center for Clinical Trials of the Medical University of Innsbruck 20190513-2007. Registered on May 14, 2019. (version 6.0, March 18, 2019)
Correction to: Language assessment literacy: what do we need to learn, unlearn, and relearn?
Authors: Coombe Christine , Vafadar Hossein , Mohebbi Hassan
Published: October 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
From research to practice: Implementing an experimental home treatment model into routine mental health care
Authors: Stulz N. , Kawohl W. , Jäger M. , Mötteli S. , Schnyder U. , Hepp U.
Published: October 2020

Background

In line with previous findings, in a recent randomized controlled trial (RCT), we found that home treatment (HT) for acute mental health care can reduce (substitute) hospital use among severely ill patients in crises. This study examined whether the findings of the RCT generalize to HT services provided under routine care conditions.

Methods

We compared patients who received HT during the RCT study phase with patients who received the same HT service after it had become part of routine mental health services in the same catchment area. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics as well as service use (HT and hospital bed days) were compared between the RCT and the subsequent routine care study period.

Results

Compared to patients who received HT during the RCT, routine care HT patients were more often living with others, less often admitted compulsorily, more often diagnosed with anxiety and stress-related disorders (ICD-10 F4) and less often diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (F2). When compared to patients who were exclusively treated on hospital wards, involvement of the HT team in patients’ care was associated with a clear-cut reduction of hospital bed days both during the RCT and under routine care conditions. However, unlike during the RCT study period, involvement of HT was associated with longer overall treatment episodes (inpatient + HT days) under routine care conditions.

Conclusions

HT seems to reduce the use of hospital bed days even under routine care conditions but is at risk of producing longer overall acute treatment episodes.
Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Glycemic Control in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Pla Begoña , Arranz Alfonso , Knott Carolina , Sampedro Miguel , Jiménez Sara , Hernando Iñigo , Marazuela Monica
Published: October 2020

Aim

To examine the impact of the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on both the glycemic control and the daily habits of a group of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) using flash continuous glucose monitoring devices (flash CGMs).

Methods

Retrospective analysis based on all the information gathered in virtual consultations from a cohort of 50 adult patients with T1DM with follow-up at our site. We compared their CGM metrics during lockdown with their own previous data before the pandemic occurred, as well as the potential psychological and therapeutic changes.

Results

We observed a reduction of average glucose values: 160.26 ± 22.55 mg/dL vs 150 ± 20.96 mg/dL, P = .0009; estimated glycosylated hemoglobin: 7.21 ± 0.78% vs 6.83 ± 0.71%, P = .0005; glucose management indicator 7.15 ± 0.57% vs 6.88 ± 0.49%; P = .0003, and glycemic variability: 40.74 ± 6.66 vs 36.43 ± 6.09 P < .0001. Time in range showed an improvement: 57.46 ± 11.85% vs a 65.76 ± 12.09%, P < .0001, without an increase in percentage of time in hypoglycemia.

Conclusions

COVID-19 lockdown was associated with an improvement in glycemic control in patients with T1DM using CGMs.
Effect of Head Group on Low-Level Ozone Oxidation of Unsaturated Phospholipids on a Water Surface
Authors: Inoue Ken-ichi , Fujimoto Kana , Takada Chunji , Ge Aimin , Ye Shen
Published: October 2020

The effect of the head group on the oxidation of unsaturated phospholipids under low-level ozone was investigated. The phospholipids with head groups of glycerol and choline show different surface-pressure profiles but similar degradation kinetics of the C=C moieties was observed by heterodyne-detected sum frequency generation spectroscopy.
Adaptação transcultural e validação do Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q) para a língua portuguesa (NMP-Q-BR)
Authors: Lima Rocha Hermano Alexandre , Santos Priscilla de Almeida , De Vasconcelos Gabriel Vidal , Lima Gonçalves Leite Emanuel Delano , Kubrusly Marcos
Published: October 2020

Objetivo: Adaptar transculturalmente o Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q) e validá-lo em português. Métodos: Foi realizado estudo transversal quantitativo de validação de instrumento. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida no Centro Universitário Christus - Unichristus, com acadêmicos do primeiro semestre do curso de Medicina. As etapas de tradução e de adaptação cultural do instrumento foram realizadas de acordo com o modelo de Beaton. A confiabilidade e a precisão do instrumento foram avaliadas com 40 estudantes. No que se refere à análise da estrutura fatorial do NMP-Q, foi testado um modelo de quatro fatores, de acordo com o indicado na versão original. Resultados: A validação foi constatada com base na equivalência semântica, idiomática, cultural e conceitual após o parecer final de duas especialistas na área. Na matriz de componente rotativa do tipo Varimax com Normalização de Kaiser, os quatro fatores esperados apresentaram cargas mínimas de 0,4. O Alfa de Cronbach para o questionário geral foi de 0,952 (IC 95% 0,923-0,972), e, para os fatores individuais, foi maior que 0,7 (exceto um). Conclusões: Verificamos que a versão brasileira do instrumento (NMP-Q-BR) apresenta excelente validação. A validação do NMP-Q-BR em português proporciona a possibilidade de ampliação dos estudos sobre Nomofobia no país, justificada pela necessidade de aprofundamento das pesquisas na área.
Trimmatostroma commonii, a new lichenicolous hyphomycete inhabiting Graphidaceae hosts
Authors: Diederich Paul , Zhurbenko Mikhail P. , Kuznetsov Andrey N. , Boom Pieter
Published: October 2020

The new lichenicolous hyphomycete Trimmatostroma commonii is described from Réunion, the USA (Florida) and Vietnam. It strongly resembles the generic type T. salicis, from which it is distinguished by much looser conidiomatal tufts, less septate conidia and the lichenicolous habitat, growing over species of Graphidaceae in the tropics.
SEM differences in sporophyte micromorphology of Plagiothecium nemorale and P. longisetum (Plagiotheciaceae, Bryophyta)
Authors: Wolski Grzegorz J. , Bihun Magdalena , Białecka Bożenna , Rewicz Agnieszka
Published: October 2020

Plagiothecium nemorale sensu lato is described as a variable Eurasian taxon. Recent studies indicate that this variability is reflected in both qualitative and quantitative features of its gametophyte and its genetic variation. This taxon comprises at least two separate species: P. nemorale (Mitt.) A. Jaeger and P. longisetum Lindb. The present paper examines whether the gametophyte variability of these species is reflected in the micromorphological variation of the sporophyte. The analysis revealed that the seta of P. nemorale is shorter than that of P. longisetum. In addition, regarding the exostome teeth, the lower portion of the outer surface is characterised by loosely-arranged, moniliform cristae in P. nemorale, with conical papillae on the upper side; however, in P. longisetum it possesses tightly arranged, epapillose cristae, with clearly flattened papillae on the upper side. In addition, the inner surface is more gently papillose in P. nemorale than in the latter. These findings not only describe hitherto unknown features of the sporophyte of these species, but also justify the resurrection of P. longisetus as separate from P. nemorale.
Where the interesting species grow – remarkable records of lichens and lichenicolous fungi found during a Nordic Lichen Society meeting in Estonia
Authors: Suija Ave , Jüriado Inga , Lõhmus Piret , Moisejevs Rolands , Motiejūnaitė Jurga , Tsurykau Andrei , Kukwa Martin
Published: October 2020

In August 2019, the Nordic Lichen Society held its bi-annual meeting and excursion in south-western Estonia. The most remarkable findings of lichenized and lichenicolous fungi are recorded herewith, including nine new species (of them two lichenicolous), and one new intraspecific taxon for the country. Full species lists are provided for two notable locations, sandstone outcrop at the river Pärnu and an oak woodland in the Naissoo Nature Reserve, for which no previous data were available, to illustrate the importance of collective survey effort.

 

2019. a augustis toimus Eestis korraline, iga kahe aasta järel korraldatav Põhjamaade Lihhenoloogide Ühingu kokkutulek ja ekskursioon. Artiklis anname ülevaate huvitavatest lihheniseerunud ja lihhenikoolsete liikide leidudest, sealhulgas üheksa (neist kahe lihhenikoolse) liigi esmaleiust Eestis ja ühe liigisisese taksoni esmaleiust. Lisaks esitatakse lihheniseerunud, lihhenikoolsete ja neile lähedaste seente täisnimekirjad, mis koostati kahe elupaiga – Tori Põrgu Maastikukaitseala liivakivipaljandi ning Naissoo Looduskaitseala koosseisu jääva Naissoo tammiku – kohta.
Juan de Mena’s arte mayor verse in Laberinto de fortuna: Identifying and describing a Spanish dolnik
Authors: Saavedra Carballido Jesús M.
Published: October 2020

The metre used by the Spanish writer Juan de Mena in his long allegorical work Laberinto de fortuna has been puzzling metrists for over five centuries. Usually identified as a variety of the verse called arte mayor, this metre has been analysed, among other things, as a divided line – one systematically allowing internal extrametricality – and as an amphibrachic line. Here it will be argued that the arte mayor exemplified by Mena’s Laberinto does not allow internal extrametricality and that it is a dolnik, a syllable-stress form not usually discussed in connection with the Spanish language. At the same time as it introduces the main problems encountered by traditional approaches, this article analyses the constant and necessary characteristics of the metre used in Mena’s composition, advocating the reliance on the notion of the metrical maximum. Next come some comments on other phenomena that are constant in Laberinto but not necessary in other kinds of arte mayor, and on several characteristics displayed by those other kinds but absent from Mena’s work. The Conclusion offers a series of suggestions for further research into the limits of this metre.
The Metrical Structure of the Sapphic Hendecasyllable and Sappho’s Aiolikon in Lesbian Poetry
Authors: Arukask Anni
Published: October 2020

The works of Sappho and Alcaeus, 7th–6th century BC lyric poets from the island of Lesbos, represent the Aeolic tradition of ancient Greek poetry. In this paper, two metrical structures of this tradition, that both have two quantity-free positions (anceps, brevis in longo), are analysed and compared with regard to the quantitative tendencies of these positions. The first metrical structure, the Sapphic hendecasyllable, was used by both poets; the other, aiolikon, is not attested in Alcaeus’s work. The analysed corpus consists of all the survived lines in these meters. Due to the fragmentary nature of the material, the statistical analysis is presented in two sets to add and include the data of the Sapphic and Alcaic lines about which there is a suspicion that they may be in these meters, and also to differentiate dubious data from the undubious. In addition, the statistical data of the quantitative tendencies of the undubious lines is also expressed with generative models. In general, all the free positions, except the ancipites of Sappho’s aiolikon, display a preference for heavy syllables and the preference is more pronounced in the brevis in longo position, especially when it comes to aiolikon. Comparing the hendecasyllables, Alcaeus tends to have more heavy syllables than Sappho. Aiolikon’s free positions exhibit the biggest quantitative contrast.
Introduction to the Traditions of Old Russian Culture on the Basis of Folklore of Calendar Folk Holidays
Authors: Miheeva L. , Dzhichonaya M.
Published: October 2020

The article is devoted to the issues of using the folklore of spring-summer folk holidays in the educational process of primary school. Acquaintance of younger schoolchildren with the history and traditions of Russian culture, coming from ancient times, is considered as a means of educating a comprehensively developed personality, focused on the spiritual and moral values of their people, a way of forming the qualities of a citizen and a patriot in children. The possibilities of acquainting students with folklore timed to various calendar folk holidays, in the preparation and conduct of which the children themselves are actively involved, are revealed. Numerous examples of songs, proverbs, sayings, and chants passed down from generation to generation are given.
Fingertip Reconstruction with Subcutaneous Island Flap and Composite Graft: A Case Report
Authors: Park Jinha , Kim Jin Soo , Koh Sung Hoon , Lee Dong Chul , Roh Si Young , Lee Kyung Jin , Hong Min Ki
Published: October 2020

Reconstruction of amputated fingertips is extremely challenging when the amputee is very small and severely crushed. Moreover, there are not many options if distal phalanx is exposed due to defects of soft tissue. We report a case of successful fingertip reconstruction in a 10-month-old girl using a subcutaneous island flap with a composite graft. Her fingertip of the right little finger was amputated stuck by the air purifier. Some soft tissue was lost from the stump and the bone was exposed. There was a very small amputee, and soft tissue was extremely little inside. Replantation was not possible because of the soft tissue defect. The composite graft was inadequate due to the exposure of distal phalanx and defect of soft tissue. Soft tissue island ﬂap based terminal branch of the digital artery was transposed to cover the distal phalanx. After then, the amputee was grafted over the flap. After debridement, most of the soft tissue survived and 0.2×0.2 cm of skin defect was found, which was healed through secondary intention.
Monge Properties, Optimal Greedy Policies, and Policy Improvement for the Dynamic Stochastic Transportation Problem
Authors: Estes Alexander S. , Ball Michael O.
Published: October 2020

We consider a dynamic, stochastic extension to the transportation problem. For the deterministic problem, there are known necessary and sufficient conditions under which a greedy algorithm achieves the optimal solution. We define a distribution-free type of optimality and provide analogous necessary and sufficient conditions under which a greedy policy achieves this type of optimality in the dynamic, stochastic setting. These results are used to prove that a greedy algorithm is optimal when planning a type of air-traffic management initiative. We also provide weaker conditions under which it is possible to strengthen an existing policy. These results can be applied to the problem of matching passengers with drivers in an on-demand taxi service. They specify conditions under which a passenger and driver should not be left unassigned.
Value Loss in Allocation Systems with Provider Guarantees
Authors: Gur Yonatan , Iancu Dan , Warnes Xavier
Published: October 2020

Many operational settings share the following three features: (i) a centralized planning system allocates tasks to workers or service providers, (ii) the providers generate value by completing the tasks, and (iii) the completion of tasks influences the providers’ welfare. In such cases, the planning system’s allocations often entail trade-offs between the service providers’ welfare and the total value that is generated (or that accrues to the system itself), and concern arises that allocations that are good under one metric may perform poorly under the other. We propose a broad framework for quantifying the magnitude of value losses when allocations are restricted to satisfy certain desirable guarantees to the service providers. We consider a general class of guarantees that includes many considerations of practical interest arising (e.g., in the design of sustainable two-sided markets) in workforce welfare and compensation, or in sourcing and payments in supply chains, among other application domains. We derive tight bounds on the relative value loss and show that this loss is limited for any restriction included in our general class. Our analysis shows that when many providers are present, the largest losses are driven by fairness considerations, whereas when few providers are present, they are driven by the heterogeneity in the providers’ effectiveness to generate value; when providers are perfectly homogenous, the losses never exceed 50%. We study additional loss drivers and find that less variability in the value of jobs and a more balanced supply-demand ratio may lead to larger losses. Lastly, we demonstrate numerically using both real-world and synthetic data that the loss can be small in several cases of practical interest.

This paper was accepted by Chung Piaw Teo, optimization.
The South Wales Peer Review Group: A Case Study in Collaboration Part 2
Authors: Mhani Nizar , Fowler Peter , Lewis Benjamin , Chandler Carlen , Ulhaq Aman , Smith Christine , Williams Julie , Abela Stefan , Vithlani Upen
Published: October 2020

A two-part article is presented where a novel case study of how peer group collaboration, facilitated through digital technology, can be used to aid and facilitate the development of strategies for overcoming work-based challenges. Part 1 illustrated the importance of peer review in dentistry, introduced the inception of the South Wales Peer Review Group and explored the process of assembling the team of collaborators.

Part 2 explains how the various considerations were assessed, how the collaborative ideas evolved and what outcomes were agreed. The topics for future discussion, necessary to overcome the challenges ahead, are also outlined.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: During the COVID-19 pandemic, new strategies and protocols need to be developed to adhere to emerging and changing guidelines. The process of peer group collaboration is important for shaping the new service beyond the pandemic.
Surgical Methods for Accelerating Orthodontic Tooth Movement
Authors: Ulhaq Aman , McCrory Emma , Besi Eleni
Published: October 2020

The ability to consistently reduce orthodontic treatment time without adverse outcomes would be an attractive prospect. Several surgical interventions have been described aimed at accelerating orthodontic tooth movement. The aim of this review is to identify and evaluate the current evidence available for surgically-assisted orthodontic tooth movement (OTM). The current evidence suggests that surgical procedures may increase the rate of tooth movement, however, this effect is short lived. Further reporting on total treatment time, and patient centred outcomes, would be beneficial in future studies.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: To explain surgical methods for accelerating orthodontic tooth movement.
A Case Series of Tooth Autotransplantation in Three Children with Different Presenting Complaints
Authors: Taheny Maria , O'Murchu Nora , McLaughlin Paul , Cross David
Published: October 2020

This case series presents three successful cases of autotransplantation in paediatric patients at Glasgow Dental Hospital with differing clinical presentations. It successfully demonstrates the versatility of the technique.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: Autotransplantation of teeth is a viable treatment option for the replacement of teeth in children and can be an excellent method of maintaining space and bone for restoration with an implant in adulthood.
Optical-topological concepts in isomorphisms projecting bi-Ronchi masks to obtain 3D profiles from objects in 2D images
Authors: Hernández J. A. Arriaga , Otahola B. T. Cuevas , Núñez A. Jaramillo , Oliveros J. Oliveros , Castillo M. Morín
Published: October 2020

We introduce a technique for obtaining three-dimensional (3D) profiles of objects captured in two-dimensional (2D) flat images (FI). This technique performs a numerical approximation of the object’s topography from their image gray tones, analyzing topological concepts such as algebraic bases construction, metric functions in terms of such bases, as well as modeling and development of an isomorphism to project masks (fringe patterns) in the FI, allowing us to use the optimal 3D profilometry techniques. Among these techniques, phase shifting (four steps) is applied in the pattern shifts of the projected masks, but with a 2D shift from left to right and from top to bottom, simultaneously. Moreover, the fringe patterns in the masks are binary and with superposed periods in

x

,

y

(bi-Ronchi). We show the results of the construction of the masks, as well as their projection into the FIs. We also show the 3D profilometry of the objects after the projection and phase-shifting application and a simple segmentation to observe a particular object. Subsequently, we perform the analysis of a single Mg crystal’s micrography.
Modeling of all-optical modulation format conversion from amplitude-shift keying to phase-shift keying using a vertical cavity quantum wells absorber
Authors: Pradhan R. , Choudhary A. , Samanta S. K. , Mishra L. , Jana S. , Datta P. K.
Published: October 2020

A theoretical model for all-optical modulation format conversion from amplitude-shift keying (ASK) to phase-shift keying (PSK) has been proposed using a reflective vertical cavity semiconductor saturable absorber (R-VCSSA). The R-VCSSA is a nonlinear device. The phase response of the device has been studied numerically with different input intensities. It has been observed from the simulated result that a maximum phase of

±

π

/

2

with the reflected signal could be obtained by properly adjusting the input intensity. The conversion of an intensity-modulated return-to-zero (RZ) signal to a binary phase-shift keying signal has been analyzed based upon the simulated result. The pump signal is considered to be an intensity-modulated RZ signal with wavelength fixed at the cavity resonance of the R-VCSSA device, and a cavity-detuned continuous-wave source is used as a probe signal to carry out this operation. This device could be employed in all-optical future networks as an all-optical nonlinear signal converter for ASK to PSK conversion.
Compact acousto-optic multimode interference device in (Al,Ga)As
Authors: Bühler D. D. , Crespo-Poveda A. , Tahraoui A. , Biermann K. , Santos P. V. , Cantarero A. , de Lima M. M.
Published: October 2020

Multimode interference (MMI) devices are key components in modern integrated photonic circuits. Here, we present acoustically tuned optical switches on an (Al,Ga)As platform that enable robust, compact and fast response systems improving on recently demonstrated technology. The device consists of a 2 × 2 MMI device fine-tuned in its center region by a focused surface acoustic wave (SAW) beam working in the low GHz range. In this way, we can tune the refractive index profile over a narrow modulation region and thus control the optical switching behaviour via the applied SAW intensity. Direct tuning of the MMI device avoids losses and phase errors inherent to arrayed waveguide based switches, while also reducing the dimensions of the photonic circuit.
Spatiotemporal manipulation on focusing and propagation of surface plasmon polariton pulses
Authors: Wang Yulong , Ming Changjun , Zhang Yuquan , Xu Jie , Feng Fu , Li Ling , Yuan Xiaocong
Published: October 2020

Surface plasmon polariton (SPP) provides an important platform for the design of various nanophotonic devices. However, it is still a big challenge to achieve spatiotemporal manipulation of SPP under both spatially nanoscale and temporally ultrafast conditions. Here, we propose a method of spatiotemporal manipulation of SPP pulse in a plasmonic focusing structure illuminated by a dispersed femtosecond light. Based on dispersion effect of SPP pulse, we achieve the functions of dynamically controlled wavefront rotation in SPP focusing and redirection in SPP propagation within femtosecond range. The influences of structural parameters on the spatiotemporal properties of SPP pulse are numerically studied, and an analytical model is built to explain the results. The spatiotemporal coupling of modulated SPP pulses to dielectric waveguides is also investigated, demonstrating an ultrafast turning of propagation direction. This work has great potential in applications such as on-chip ultrafast photonic information processing, ultrafast beam shaping and attosecond pulse generation.
Mid-infrared supercontinuum generation in an all-fiberized Er-doped ZBLAN fiber amplifier
Authors: Deng Kaixin , Yang Linyong , Zhang Bin , Yao Jinmei , Hou Jing
Published: October 2020

A high power mid-infrared (MIR) supercontinuum (SC) is demonstrated in a strictly all-fiberized Er-doped ZBLAN fiber amplifier (EDZFA). The EDZFA is seeded by a 2.0–3.5 µm fiber-based SC laser and pumped at 976 nm. At pulse repetition rate of 500 kHz, the output SC spanning from 2.7 to 4.2 µm reaches a record output power of 4.96 W with an overall slope efficiency of 17.3%. This Letter, to the best of our knowledge, demonstrates the first all-fiberized in-amplifier SC generation in the MIR region, which has significant potential for further power scaling.
Generation of electromagnetic pulses of arbitrary width utilizing a metamaterial-based scheme for temporal compression and dispersion compensation
Authors: Balictsis Constantinos M.
Published: October 2020

I present an approach which determines analytically, for any desired output Gaussian pulse-envelope modulated chirped harmonic wave of arbitrary width at a given propagation distance in an absorptive, dispersive linear metamaterial medium acting as a compressor, the required, specific input pulse modulated wave. Employed asymptotic techniques yield the analytic description of the dynamical evolution of the appropriate input wave which is time-focused, and dispersion compensated upon propagation in a linear time-invariant system with a transfer function representing a chosen, physically realizable, Lorentz-type metamaterial. This approach is validated upon comparison with the results of different employed numerical experiments.
The Golden Age and the Reversal of the Myth of Good Government in Plato’s Statesman. A Lesson on the Use of Models
Authors: De Luise Fulvia
Published: October 2020

We would be wrong to state that Plato’s approach to the Golden Age in the Statesman occurs through nostalgia, even if he stresses the immense distance between our world and that blessed time. After evoking the shepherd-god as a ruler, Plato shows that the completely abandoned disposition of the ruled is only justiﬁable in presence of an unbridgeable chasm between the two, such as that between gods and men, or men and beasts. The real question in the Statesman is how to single out the peculiar form of knowledge possessed by the few men that are truly capable to rule.
Мировоззрение Василия Шульгина в контексте событий 1917–1919 гг. в Киеве
Authors: Bortnowski Antoni
Published: October 2020

Vasily Shulgin (1878-1976) was a Russian political activist of the beginning of the 20th century. He is also known as an active publicist and the author of several memoir books. Born in Kiev and considering himself a "little-Russian", Shulgin acted as a supporter of the unity of Ukraine and Russia and considered his native city as the cradle of "Russianness" as well as an integral part of the whole-Russian cultural circle. Shulgin's worldview, reflected in his memoirs devoted to the years 1917-1919, became the subject of this article.
Oswajanie śmierci czy apoteoza życia? Umieranie dzieci w powieściach Bracia Lwie Serce A. Lindgren i Pasiasta żyrafa Ala W. Krapiwina
Authors: Radosz Joanna
Published: October 2020

The present article aims at analysing the topic of children’s death in children’s books of the acknowledged authors: Astrid Lindgren’s The Brothers Lionheart and Vladislav Krapivin’s Alik the Striped Giraffe. The core of the research consists in the approach to the phenomenon of premature death as seen by both authors. The elements of the fictional universe, especially space, time and characters, in terms of constructing the particular approach to death and, by such, influencing the young reader are analysed. Moreover, the paper makes an attempt to interpret the plot as either taming the fear of the death or glorifying the life and objecting to the idea of death of children as a whole.
Powieść в Советском союзе не было аддерола Olgi Breininger z perspektywy posthumanizmu
Authors: Stryjakowska Anna
Published: October 2020

The analysis focuses on the novel’s protagonist – a young woman who gets involved in an experiment that is aimed at creating the contemporary Übermensch. It is claimed that the novel can be interpreted from the perspective of posthumanism, as it questions the anthropocentric standpoint, which refers mainly to the intellectual dimension of the human being and its economic efficiency.
Między Kijowem a Konstantynopolem Relacje Kościoła ukraińskiego z Patriarchatem Ekumenicznym (X–XXI w.)
Authors: Kuczara Konrad
Published: October 2020

Relations between the Ukrainian Church and Constantinople were difficult. This goes back as far as 988, when the Christianisation of the Rus created a strong alliance between Kiev and the Byzantine Empire. There were times when Constantinople had no influence over the Kiev Metropolis. During the Mongolian invasion in 1240, the Ukranian region was broken up and Kiev lost its power. The headquarters of the Kiev Metropolis were first moved to Wlodzimierz nad Klazma in 1299 and then to Moscow in1325. In 1458 the Metropolis of Kiev was divided into two; Kiev and Moscow, but Kiev still remained under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. Since that time, the orthodox hierarchs of Moscow no longer adhered to the title Bishop of Kiev and the whole of Rus and in 1588 the Patriarchate of Moscow was founded. In 1596 when  the Union of Brest was formed,  the orthodox church of the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth was not liquidated. Instead it was formally revived in 1620 and in 1632 it was officially recognized by king Wladyslaw Waza. In 1686 the Metropolis of Kiev which until that time was under the Patriarchate of Constantinople was handed over to the jurisdiction of Moscow. It was tsarist diplomats that bribed the Ottoman Sultan of the time to force the Patriarchate to issue a decree giving Moscow jurisdiction over the Metropolis of Kiev. In the beginning of the 19th century, Kiev lost its Metropolitan status and became a regular diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church. Only in the beginning of the 20thcentury, during the time of the Ukrainian revolution were efforts made to create an independent Church of Ukraine. In 1919 the autocephaly was announced, but the Patriarchate of Constantinople did not recognize it. . The structure of this Church was soon to be liquidated and it was restored again after the second world war at the time when Hitler occupied the Ukraine. In 1992, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, when Ukraine gained its independence, the Metropolitan of Kiev requested that the Orthodox Church of Ukraine becomes autocephalous but his request was rejected by the Patriarchate of Moscow. Until 2018 the Patriarchate of Kiev and the autocephalous Church remained unrecognized and thus considered schismatic. In 2018 the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople looked  into the matter and on 5thJanuary 2019, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine received it’s tomos of autocephaly from Constantinople. The Patriarchate of Moscow opposed the decision of Constantinople and as a result refused to perform a common Eucharist with the new Church of Ukraine and with the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
Posttotalitarna pamięć jako wyzwanie we współczesnej kulturze wschodnioeuropejskiej
Authors: Pukhonska Oksana
Published: October 2020

Contemporary Europe stands before the challenge of rethinking its own experience of totalitarian past with its many blank pages, which are highly important for modern societies. In this case we mostly talk about Soviet totalitarianism. Its ideological rhetoric changed the memory of a large part of Eastern and Central Europe. Ukraine, after the Revolution of Dignity and during the current war in Donbas, tries to prove that that totalitarian memory was illusory and cannot be valid now. The strategies for exposing the crimes of totalitarian regimes are suggested by the texts of contemporary culture, especially literature.
Provenienzforschung und Provenienzerschließung in Bibliotheken: ein Rück- und Ausblick
Authors: Hoffrath Christiane
Published: October 2020

1998 erfuhr die Provenienzforschung durch die Verabschiedung der „Washington Principles“ einen nachhaltigen Impuls. In den folgenden 20 Jahren entwickelten Bibliotheken, oftmals auf sich allein gestellt, die nötige Infrastruktur, um den Anforderungen der Provenienzforschung und insb. der Provenienzverzeichnung nachzukommen. Im Rückblick ist festzuhalten, dass die letztlich unbestrittene Notwendigkeit der Erforschung von NS-Raubgut in jeder Hinsicht die Tür auch zur allgemeinen Provenienzforschung aufstieß. Kritisch beleuchtet wird die seitdem durchgeführte heterogene Datenerfassung und -haltung. Der Ausblick auf die neu entwickelten Innovationen und Projekte lassen einen zweiten Innovationsschub in der Provenienzforschung erwarten.
Comparison of the reliability of Gram-negative and Gram-positive flags of the Sysmex UF-5000 with manual Gram stain and urine culture results
Authors: Enko Dietmar , Stelzer Ingeborg , Böckl Michael , Schnedl Wolfgang J. , Meinitzer Andreas , Herrmann Markus , Tötsch Martin , Gehrer Michael
Published: October 2020

Objectives

Recently, the fully automated flow cytometry-based UF-5000 (Sysmex Corboration, Kobe, Japan) urine sediment analyzer was developed providing bacteria (BACT) info flags for more accurate bacterial discrimination of urinary tract infections (UTIs). This study aimed to compare the reliability of the UF-5000 BACT-info flags with manual Gram stain and urine culture as the gold standard method.

Methods

A total of 344 urine samples were analyzed on the UF-5000 and compared with manual microscopic Gram stain and urine cultures. Agreement was assessed by Cohen’s kappa (κ) analysis. The Youden index was used to determine the optimal BACT and white blood cell (WBC) cut-off points for discriminating positive and negative urine cultures.

Results

Overall 98/344 (28.5%) samples were urine culture positive at a cut-off of ≥105 CFU/mL. “Gram-negative?” UF-5000 BACT-Info flags showed a better concordance of 25/40 (62.5%) with urine culture compared to Gram stain with 30/50 (60%). The results for UF-5000 discrimination of Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms demonstrated a substantial (κ = 0.78) and fair (κ = 0.40) agreement with urine culture. Optimal cut-off points detecting positive urine cultures were 135 BACT/µL (sensitivity [SE]: 92.1%, specificity [SP]: 85.4%, positive predictive value [PPV]: 71%, negative predictive value [NPV]: 96%) and 23 WBC/µL (SE: 73.5%, SP: 84.1%, PPV: 65%, NPV: 89%).

Conclusions

The UF-5000 analyzer (Sysmex) is a reliable diagnostic tool for UTI screening. The displayed BACT-Info flags allow a quick diagnostic orientation for the clinician. However, the authors suggest verifying the automated Gram categories with urine culture.
A Case Study of an Experienced University EFL Teacher’s Use of POA Teaching Materials
Authors: Bi Zheng
Published: October 2020

Although research on teaching materials use has important implications for materials development, little literature examines how teachers actually use materials in the classroom. The present study, taking the theoretical framework for using and evaluating Production-Oriented Approach (POA) teaching materials (Wen, 2017), explores the procedure and the rationale of an experienced Chinese university EFL teacher’s use of POA teaching materials. Multiple methods were employed in data collection, including classroom observations, teacher interviews, the teacher’s lesson plans, and PowerPoints, as well as students’ written and oral products. Data analysis showed that the teacher followed a three-phase process of materials use. Before class, teaching objectives were set, materials were selected, adapted, and then transformed into teaching activities. During class, the teaching activities were implemented with the materials. After class, the effectiveness of using the materials was assessed. The study revealed that the teacher played an active role in practicing the essential POA principles of “productive-objectives-determined” and “input-in-service-to-output” in the entire process of material use.
Zivilgesellschaft zwischen Repression und Vernachlässigung
Authors: Anheier Helmut K. , Toepler Stefan
Published: October 2020

Das Verhältnis zwischen Staat und Zivilgesellschaft ist in letzter Zeit komplexer geworden. In einigen Ländern hat sich das Verhältnis derart verschlechtert, dass von einem shrinking space für die Zivilgesellschaft gesprochen wird. Diese Diagnose gilt jedoch hauptsächlich für autoritäre und illiberale politische Systeme, die der Zivilgesellschaft mit Repression begegnen. Zivilgesellschaftliche Räume schrumpfen jedoch auch in Demokratien: weniger durch direkte Unterdrückung, sondern durch eine politische Stagnation, die durch eine politische Vernachlässigung der Zivilgesellschaft verursacht wird. Diese führt zu einer schleichenden Erosion zivilgesellschaftlicher Kapazitäten und stellt eine zunehmende gesellschaftspolitische Herausforderung dar. Als Gegenmaßnahme plädieren wir für eine aktive Reformpolitik, wobei neuere Modelle der rechtlichen Rahmenbedingungen und Regulierungen im Mittelpunkt stehen sollten, die auf eine bessere Fassung der funktionalen Differenzierung zivilgesellschaftlicher Organisationen zielen.
Die Öffentliche Meinung und diskursive Gelegenheitsstrukturenfür ungarische NGOs
Authors: Mikecz Dániel
Published: October 2020

Seit den Parlamentswahlen von 2014 ist ein offener Konflikt zwischen der ungarischen Regierung und kritischen zivilgesellschaftlichen Organisationen entbrannt. Nach Auffassung des Fidesz-Regimes sind die meisten Watchdog-NGOs politisch, parteiisch und vertreten ausländische Interessen. Als Beleg hierfür wird die Unterstützung durch internationale Geberorganisationen herangeführt. Die Regierung verabschiedete im April 2017 ein Gesetz, das zivilgesellschaftliche Organisationen, die u. a. aus ausländischen Quellen finanziert werden, dazu verpflichtet, sich als „vom Ausland finanzierte Organisation“ registrieren zu lassen. In einer darauffolgenden Kampagne bezeichnete die ungarische Regierung unabhängige NGOs u. a. als „Soros-Organisationen“. Der Aufsatz untersucht, ob diese diskursive Strategie der Abwertung erfolgreich war, d. h. ob die Regierung die diskursiven Gelegenheitsstrukturen der Watchdog-Organisationen begrenzen konnte. Laut einer Meinungsumfrage vom November 2017 genießt die Zivilgesellschaft ein hohes Ansehen in der ungarischen Gesellschaft. Allerdings ist die politische Funktion zivilgesellschaftlicher Organisationen in Ungarn weniger gesellschaftlich anerkannt als die karitative Funktion, was geringere Handlungsspielräume für politisch aktive zivilgesellschaftliche Organisationen bedingt. Darüber hinaus stimmten Befragte einer strengeren Kontrolle zivilgesellschaftlicher Organisationen zu – insbesondere derjenigen, die ausländische Gelder erhalten. Im ersteren Fall hatte ein höheres Einkommen eine statistische Bedeutung, während letztere Haltung stark mit der Unterstützung der Fidesz-Regierung korrelierte.
Shrinking Spaces? Contested Spaces!Zum Paradox im zivilgesellschaftlichen Handlungsraum
Authors: Hummel Siri
Published: October 2020

In dem aktuell geführten Diskurs um den ‚Shrinking Space‘ von Zivilgesellschaft wird bereits sprachlich durch den Begriff, wie auch thematisch, ein Rückgang zivilgesellschaftlichen Handelns appliziert. Die Angriffe auf den Raum der Zivilgesellschaft, so die Diagnose vieler Autor*innen, müssen als zunehmendes und global verbreitetes Problem gesehen werden. Dennoch lässt sich empirisch das Wachstum vieler Zivilgesellschaften beobachten. Diese Annahmen muten in der Gleichzeitigkeit paradox an und führen häufig zu analytischer Verwirrung. Ich argumentiere in diesem Artikel, dass sich dieses Paradox auflösen lässt, indem man sich zum einen eingesteht (1), dass der BegriffShrinking Spacenur als kritischer, nicht jedoch als deskriptiver Begriff verwendet werden sollte, und zum anderen (2), dass eine adäquate Beschreibung des Handlungsraums von Zivilgesellschaft verlangt, diesen als multidimensionalen Dynamikbereich zu verstehen, der von unterschiedlichen gesellschaftlich-politischen Entwicklungen und Akteur*innen in seiner Kontingenz beeinflusst wird. Ich schlage vor, deswegen besser vonContested Spacezu sprechen.
„Geld ist nicht alles“ – Motive des Datenteilens in den USA und der Schweiz
Authors: Dahinden Urs , Alt Sharon
Published: October 2020

Daten gelten als das „Öl des 21. Jahrhunderts“, wobei dieser „Rohstoff“ bei Personendaten im Besitz des jeweiligen Individuums ist. In diesem Beitrag werden ausgewählte Ergebnisse aus einer bevölkerungsrepräsentativen Umfrage zu den Motiven, persönliche Daten über Social Media zu teilen, in den USA und der Schweiz vorgestellt. Die Resultate zeigen auf, dass finanzielle Motive zwar eine Rolle spielen, dass aber zwei andere Grundmotive, nämlich Information und sozialer Einfluss, von größerer Bedeutung sind.
Moraic preservation and equivalence in Gújjolaay Eegimaa perfective reduplication
Authors: Hantgan Abbie , Sagna Serge , Davis Stuart
Published: October 2020

The role of syllable weight in Gújjolaay Eegimaa, an Atlantic language spoken in south-western Senegal, is evidenced by reduplicative patterns in the perfective stem, where we witness a difference in the surface representation of verb roots with underlying voiced obstruents from those with underlying voiceless obstruents. We argue that voiced plosives are weight bearing and therefore considered as moraic when in coda position in this language. We attribute the triggering of the gemination in the reduplicative perfective with roots having final voiced plosives to compensatory lengthening in order to make up for the loss of a mora as motivated by Hayes (1989). Gemination, rather than vowel lengthening, occurs because, as stated by de Chene and Anderson (1979) compensatory lengthening of vowels only occurs in a language where vowel length is contrastive. In this paper, we show evidence to support the proposition that there are no long vowels in this variety of Eegimaa, and therefore gemination (which is a contrastive feature in the language) is the repair strategy employed to compensate for the loss of a mora. Through a description of the weight-related processes observed in perfective reduplication in Eegimaa, we will detail the moraic analysis of the various patterns and discuss general phonological implications.
Finite-dimensional iteratively regularized processes with an a posteriori stopping for solving irregular nonlinear operator equations
Authors: Kokurin Mikhail Y. , Kozlov Alexander I.
Published: October 2020

We construct and study a class of numerically implementable iteratively regularized Gauss–Newton type methods for approximate solution of irregular nonlinear operator equations in Hilbert space.
The methods include a general finite-dimensional approximation for equations under consideration and cover the projection, collocation and quadrature discretization schemes.
Using an a posteriori stopping rule for the iterative processes and the standard source condition on the solution, we establish accuracy estimates for the approximations generated by the methods.
We also investigate projected versions of the processes which take into account a priori information about a convex compact containing the solution.
An iteratively regularized quadrature process is applied to an inverse 2D problem of gravimetry.