bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differentiation between benign and malignant vertebral compression fractures using qualitative and quantitative analysis of a single fast spin echo T2-weighted Dixon sequence
Authors: Bacher Sebastien , Hajdu Steven David , Maeder Yael , Dunet Vincent , Hilbert Tom , Omoumi Patrick
Published: May 2021

Objectives

To determine and compare the qualitative and quantitative diagnostic performance of a single sagittal fast spin echo (FSE) T2-weighted Dixon sequence in differentiating benign and malignant vertebral compression fractures (VCF), using multiple readers and different quantitative methods.

Methods

From July 2014 to June 2020, 95 consecutive patients with spine MRI performed prior to cementoplasty for acute VCFs were retrospectively included. VCFs were categorized as benign (n = 63, mean age = 76 ± 12 years) or malignant (n = 32, mean age = 63 ± 12 years) with a best valuable comparator as a reference. Qualitative analysis was independently performed by four radiologists by categorizing each VCF as either benign or malignant using only the image sets provided by FSE T2-weighted Dixon sequences. Quantitative analysis was performed using two different regions of interest (ROI1-2) and three methods (signal drop, fat fraction (FF) from ROIs, FF maps). Diagnostic performance was compared using ROC curves analyses. Interobserver agreement was assessed using kappa statistics and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC).

Results

The qualitative diagnostic performance ranged from area under the curve (AUC) = 0.97 (95% CI: 0.91–1.00) to AUC = 0.99 (95% CI: 0.95–1.0). The quantitative diagnostic performance ranged from AUC = 0.82 (95% CI: 0.73–0.89) to AUC = 0.97 (95% CI: 0.91–0.99). Pairwise comparisons showed no statistical difference in diagnostic performance (all p > 0.0013, Bonferroni-corrected p < 0.0011). All five cases with disagreement among the readers were correctly diagnosed at quantitative analysis using ROI2. Interobserver agreement was excellent for both qualitative and quantitative analyses.

Conclusions

A single FSE T2-weighted Dixon sequence can be used to differentiate benign and malignant VCF with high diagnostic performance using both qualitative and quantitative analyses, which can provide complementary information.

Key Points

• Qualitative analysis of a single FSE T2-weighted Dixon sequence yields high diagnostic performance and excellent observer agreement for differentiating benign and malignant compression fractures.

• The same FSE T2-weighted Dixon sequence allows quantitative assessment with high diagnostic performance.

• Quantitative data can readily be extracted from the FSE T2-weighted Dixon sequence and may provide complementary information to the qualitative analysis, which may be useful in doubtful cases.
Genotype imputation in case-only studies of gene-environment interaction: validity and power
Authors: Aleknonytė-Resch Milda , Szymczak Silke , Freitag-Wolf Sandra , Dempfle Astrid , Krawczak Michael
Published: May 2021

Case-only (CO) studies are a powerful means to uncover gene-environment (G × E) interactions for complex human diseases. Moreover, such studies may in principle also draw upon genotype imputation to increase statistical power even further. However, genotype imputation usually employs healthy controls such as the Haplotype Reference Consortium (HRC) data as an imputation base, which may systematically perturb CO studies in genomic regions with main effects upon disease risk. Using genotype data from 719 German Crohn Disease (CD) patients, we investigated the level of imputation accuracy achievable for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with or without a genetic main effect, and with varying minor allele frequency (MAF). Genotypes were imputed from neighbouring SNPs at different levels of linkage disequilibrium (LD) to the target SNP using the HRC data as an imputation base. Comparison of the true and imputed genotypes revealed lower imputation accuracy for SNPs with strong main effects. We also simulated different levels of G × E interaction to evaluate the potential loss of statistical validity and power incurred by the use of imputed genotypes. Simulations under the null hypothesis revealed that genotype imputation does not inflate the type I error rate of CO studies of G × E. However, the statistical power was found to be reduced by imputation, particularly for SNPs with low MAF, and a gradual loss of statistical power resulted when the level of LD to the SNPs driving the imputation decreased. Our study thus highlights that genotype imputation should be employed with great care in CO studies of G × E interaction.
Patterns of Italian high school and university students’ attitudes towards physics: an analysis based on semiotic-cultural perspective
Authors: Testa Italo , De Luca Picione Raffaele , Scotti di Uccio Umberto
Published: May 2021

The purpose of this study was to analyse Italian high school and university students’ attitudes towards physics using the Semiotic Cultural Psychological Theory (SCPT). In the SCPT framework, attitudes represent how individuals interpret their experience through the mediation ofgeneralized meaningwith which they are identified. A view-of-physics questionnaire was used as an instrument to collect data with 1603 high school and university students. Data were analysed through multiple correspondence analysis and cluster analysis. We identified fourgeneralized meaningsof physics: (a) interesting and important for society; (b) a quite interesting, but badly taught subject at school and not completely useful for society; (c) difficult to study and irrelevant for society; and (d) a fascinating and protective niche from society. The identified generalized meanings are significantly correlated to the choice to study physics at undergraduate level and to the choice of attending physics-related activities in high school. Implications for research are discussed.
Correction to: Authors’ Reply to Letter to the Editor: Continued improvement to genetic diversity indicator for CBD
Authors: Laikre Linda , Hohenlohe Paul A. , Allendorf Fred W. , Bertola Laura D. , Breed Martin F. , Bruford Michael W. , Funk W. Chris , Gajardo Gonzalo , González-Rodríguez Antonio , Grueber Catherine E. , Hedrick Philip W. , Heuertz Myriam , Hunter Margaret E. , Johannesson Kerstin , Liggins Libby , MacDonald Anna J. , Mergeay Joachim , Moharrek Farideh , O’Brien David , Ogden Rob , Orozco-terWengel Pablo , Palma-Silva Clarisse , Pierson Jennifer , Paz-Vinas Ivan , Russo Isa-Rita M. , Ryman Nils , Segelbacher Gernot , Sjögren-Gulve Per , Waits Lisette P. , Vernesi Cristiano , Hoban Sean
Published: May 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-021-01376-9
The Important Role of Stereotypes in the relation between Mental Health Literacy and Stigmatization of Depression and Psychosis in the Community
Authors: Doll Carolin M. , Michel Chantal , Betz Linda T. , Schimmelmann Benno G. , Schultze-Lutter Frauke
Published: May 2021

Increased mental health literacy (MHL) has not reduced stigmatization of people with mental disorder. Thus, we examined the role of stereotypes in the interplay of MHL (correct labelling, causal explanations) and the wish for social distance (WSD) from people with depressive and psychotic symptoms in a community sample of 1526 German-speaking participants in the Swiss ‘Bern Epidemiological At-Risk’ study (age 16–40 years; response rate: 60.1%). Following the presentation of an unlabelled case vignette of depression or psychosis, MHL, stereotypes and WSD were assessed in a questionnaire survey. Their interrelations were studied using structural equation modelling. MHL was not directly linked to WSD, only the psychosocial causal model was directly negatively associated with WSD. Perceived dangerousness particularly increased WSD, this was increased by a biogenetic causal model and decreased by a psychosocial causal model. Awareness-campaigns that, next to biological causes, emphasize psychosocial causes of mental disorders might better reduce stigmatization.
Moral Relativism, Metalinguistic Negotiation, and the Epistemic Significance of Disagreement
Authors: Sodoma Katharina Anna
Published: May 2021

Although moral relativists often appeal to cases of apparent moral disagreement between members of different communities to motivate their view, accounting for these exchanges as evincing genuine disagreements constitutes a challenge to the coherence of moral relativism. While many moral relativists acknowledge this problem, attempts to solve it so far have been wanting. In response, moral relativists either give up the claim that there can be moral disagreement between members of different communities or end up with a view on which these disagreements have no “epistemic significance” because they are always faultless. This paper introduces an alternative strategy: accounting for disagreement in terms of “metalinguistic negotiation”. It argues that this strategy constitutes a better solution to the challenge disagreement poses for moral relativists because it leads to a nuanced understanding of the epistemic significance of moral disagreement between members of different communities. The upshot is a novel account of disagreement for moral relativists that has consequences for how moral relativism should be understood.
Bringing high spatial resolution to the far-infrared
Authors: Linz Hendrik , Beuther Henrik , Gerin Maryvonne , Goicoechea Javier R. , Helmich Frank , Krause Oliver , Liu Yao , Molinari Sergio , Ossenkopf-Okada Volker , Pineda Jorge , Sauvage Marc , Schinnerer Eva , van der Tak Floris , Wiedner Martina , Amiaux Jerome , Bhatia Divya , Buinhas Luisa , Durand Gilles , Förstner Roger , Graf Urs , Lezius Matthias
Published: May 2021

The far-infrared (FIR) regime is one of the wavelength ranges where no astronomical data with sub-arcsecond spatial resolution exist. None of the medium-term satellite projects like SPICA, Millimetron, or the Origins Space Telescope will resolve this malady. For many research areas, however, information at high spatial and spectral resolution in the FIR, taken from atomic fine-structure lines, from highly excited carbon monoxide (CO), light hydrides, and especially from water lines would open the door for transformative science. A main theme will be to trace the role of water in proto-planetary discs, to observationally advance our understanding of the planet formation process and, intimately related to that, the pathways to habitable planets and the emergence of life. Furthermore, key observations will zoom into the physics and chemistry of the star-formation process in our own Galaxy, as well as in external galaxies. The FIR provides unique tools to investigate in particular the energetics of heating, cooling, and shocks. The velocity-resolved data in these tracers will reveal the detailed dynamics engrained in these processes in a spatially resolved fashion, and will deliver the perfect synergy with ground-based molecular line data for the colder dense gas.
Ganoderic Acid A Alleviates OVA-Induced Asthma in Mice
Authors: Lu Xinhua , Xu Chenyang , Yang Rui , Zhang Guojun
Published: May 2021

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of ganoderic acid A (GAA) on OVA-induced asthma in mice. Mouse asthma model was established by ovalbumin (OVA) in vitro. Diff-Quik staining was used to observe the total numbers of cells and the number of classification cells in each group, and HE staining was used to observe lung inflammation in lung tissue sections. ELISA was used to detect the effect of GAA on the levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-5, and IL-13 in serum and lung tissue. The expression levels of TLR/NF-κB were detected by Western blot. Immunohistochemistry was used to observe the expression changes of TLR4 and P-P65. Compared with the normal group, the inflammatory cell count, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 expression in the model group increased, and TLR/NF-kB signal protein expression increased. Compared with the model group, in GAA group, the number of inflammatory cells, the expression of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 decreased, and the expression of TLR/NF-kB signaling protein decreased. GAA regulated lung inflammation in asthmatic mice by inhibiting TLR/NF-kB signaling pathway.
Potential fabric-reinforced composites: a comprehensive review
Authors: Hasan K. M. Faridul , Horváth Péter György , Alpár Tibor
Published: May 2021

Fabric-based laminated composites are used considerably for multifaceted applications in the automotive, transportation, defense, and structural construction sectors. The fabrics used for composite materials production possess some outstanding features including being lighter weight, higher strength, and lower cost, which helps explain the rising interest in these fabrics among researchers. However, the fabrics used for laminations are of different types such as knit, woven, and nonwoven. Compared to knitted and nonwoven fabrics, woven fabrics are widely used reinforcement materials. Composites made from fabric depend on different properties such as fiber types, origin, compositions, and polymeric matrixes. Finite element analysis is also further facilitating the efficient prediction of final composite properties. As the fabric materials are widely available throughout the world, the production of laminated composites from different fabric is also feasible and cost-effective. This review discusses the fabrication, thermo-mechanical, and morphological performances of different woven, knit, and nonwoven fabric-based composites.
Geometric speed limit of neutrino oscillation
Authors: Khan Fazeel , Dajka Jerzy
Published: May 2021

We investigate geometric quantum speed limit of neutrino oscillations in a presence of matter and CP-violation. We show that periodicity in the speed limit present in an unperturbed system becomes damped by interaction with a normal matter and decoherence. We also show that (hypothetical) CP-violation causes enhancement of periodicity and increases amplitude of an oscillating quantum speed limit and can quantify CP-violation.
Assessing baseline dependency of anchor-based minimal important change (MIC): don’t stratify on the baseline score!
Authors: Terluin Berend , Roos Ewa M. , Terwee Caroline B. , Thorlund Jonas B. , Ingelsrud Lina H.
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The minimal important change (MIC) of a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) is often suspected to be baseline dependent, typically in the sense that patients who are in a poorer baseline health condition need greater improvement to qualify as minimally important. Testing MIC baseline dependency is commonly performed by creating two or more subgroups, stratified on the baseline PROM score. This study’s purpose was to show that this practice produces biased subgroup MIC estimates resulting in spurious MIC baseline dependency, and to develop alternative methods to evaluate MIC baseline dependency.

Methods

Datasets with PROM baseline and follow-up scores and transition ratings were simulated with and without MIC baseline dependency. Mean change MICs, ROC-based MICs, predictive MICs, and adjusted MICs were estimated before and after stratification on the baseline score. Three alternative methods were developed and evaluated. The methods were applied in a real data example for illustration.

Results

Baseline stratification resulted in biased subgroup MIC estimates and the false impression of MIC baseline dependency, due to redistribution of measurement error. Two of the alternative methods require a second baseline measurement with the same PROM or another correlated PROM. The third method involves the construction of two parallel tests based on splitting the PROM’s item set. Two methods could be applied to the real data.

Conclusion

MIC baseline dependency should not be tested in subgroups based on stratification on the baseline PROM score. Instead, one or more of the suggested alternative methods should be used.
Reworking the Social Order: Skam as an Instance of Public Moral Education
Authors: Kvamme Ole Andreas
Published: May 2021

The Norwegian high-school drama series Skam is produced and published by the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, a publicly funded institution distinguished by an explicit obligation to the public interest, not only serving their audience as consumers but even as citizens. Generally, the normativity expressed in Skam may be summarized by treating all with respect, involving not only moral considerations of what is right, but also ethical conceptions of what is good, offered, opened up and obstructed by the living social order established there. In season three, given attention here, the plot revolves around issues concerning same-sex relationships, mental disorder and religion. Here Skam becomes interesting for the field of moral education, elaborating on how to encounter the challenges of pluralistic societies that undergo continuous changes and in which common values have become open questions. In this paper attention is drawn toward Skam’s ethical dimension, considering Skam as an instance of public moral education. Faced with tensions, hindrances and conflicts, the norm of treating all with respect, irrespective of how trivial it may appear outside of context, becomes loaded with meaning, while the actualization of the good life is at risk. Appalling is the way hegemonic religion is transformed in the living social order. Decisive is the active role taken by the youths in the series, recontextualizing the norm. The social order here is not a static, given condition, but a continuous, moving, cultivating project. In that respect, a certain democratic aspect of the public moral education of Skam also becomes visible. Together, the youths portrayed in the series seem to accommodate a variety of expressions of life emerging within their community.
Invariance or equivalence: a tale of two principles
Authors: Jacobs Caspar
Published: May 2021

The presence of symmetries in physical theories implies a pernicious form of underdetermination. In order to avoid this theoretical vice, philosophers often espouse a principle called Leibniz Equivalence, which states that symmetry-related models represent the same state of affairs. Moreover, philosophers have claimed that the existence of non-trivial symmetries motivates us to accept the Invariance Principle, which states that quantities that vary under a theory’s symmetries aren’t physically real. Leibniz Equivalence and the Invariance Principle are often seen as part of the same package. I argue that this is a mistake: Leibniz Equivalence and the Invariance Principle are orthogonal to each other. This means that it is possible to hold that symmetry-related models represent the same state of affairs whilst having a realist attitude towards variant quantities. Various arguments have been presented in favour of the Invariance Principle: a rejection of the Invariance Principle is inter alia supposed to cause indeterminism, undetectability or failure of reference. I respond that these arguments at best support Leibniz Equivalence.
ShadingNet: Image Intrinsics by Fine-Grained Shading Decomposition
Authors: Baslamisli Anil S. , Das Partha , Le Hoang-An , Karaoglu Sezer , Gevers Theo
Published: May 2021

In general, intrinsic image decomposition algorithms interpret shading as one unified component including all photometric effects. As shading transitions are generally smoother than reflectance (albedo) changes, these methods may fail in distinguishing strong photometric effects from reflectance variations. Therefore, in this paper, we propose to decompose the shading component into direct (illumination) and indirect shading (ambient light and shadows) subcomponents. The aim is to distinguish strong photometric effects from reflectance variations. An end-to-end deep convolutional neural network (ShadingNet) is proposed that operates in a fine-to-coarse manner with a specialized fusion and refinement unit exploiting the fine-grained shading model. It is designed to learn specific reflectance cues separated from specific photometric effects to analyze the disentanglement capability. A large-scale dataset of scene-level synthetic images of outdoor natural environments is provided with fine-grained intrinsic image ground-truths. Large scale experiments show that our approach using fine-grained shading decompositions outperforms state-of-the-art algorithms utilizing unified shading on NED, MPI Sintel, GTA V, IIW, MIT Intrinsic Images, 3DRMS and SRD datasets.
Equine Hoof Stem Progenitor Cells (HPC) CD29 + /Nestin + /K15 + – a Novel Dermal/epidermal Stem Cell Population With a Potential Critical Role for Laminitis Treatment
Authors: Marycz Krzysztof , Pielok Ariadna , Kornicka-Garbowska Katarzyna
Published: May 2021

Laminitis is a life threating, extremely painful and frequently recurrent disease of horses which affects hoof structure. It results from the disruption of blood flow to the laminae, contributing to laminitis and in severe separation of bone from the hoof capsule. Still, the pathophysiology of the disease remains unclear, mainly due to its complexity. In the light of the presented data, in the extremally difficult process of tissue structure restoration after disruption, a novel type of progenitor cells may be involved. Herein, we isolated and performed the initial characterization of stem progenitor cells isolated from the coronary corium of the equine feet (HPC). Phenotype of the cells was investigated with flow cytometry and RT-qPCR revealing the presence of nestin, CD29, and expression of progenitor cell markers including SOX2, OCT4, NANOG and K14. Morphology of HPC was investigated with light, confocal and SEM microscopes. Cultured cells were characterised by spindle shaped morphology, eccentric nuclei, elongated mitochondria, and high proliferation rate. Plasticity and multilineage differentiation potential was confirmed by specific staining and gene expression analysis. We conclude that HPC exhibit in vitro expansion and plasticity similar to mesenchymal stem cells, which can be isolated from the equine foot, and may be directly involved in the pathogenesis and recovery of laminitis. Obtained results are of importance to the field of laminitis treatment as determining the repairing cell populations could contribute to the discovery of novel therapeutic targets and agents including and cell‐based therapies for affected animals.
Prediction of the Thermal Elongation of the Ball Screw Mechanism under Various Rotational Speeds
Authors: Zhang Lu-Chao , Ou Yi , Feng Hu-Tian
Published: May 2021

In numerical control machines, the thermal elongation of the ball screw influences the position accuracy. Different rotational speeds lead to different temperature changes at different positions in a ball screw system. In this paper, a new method is proposed to calculate the temperature rise of different positions when the ball screw is in the thermal equilibrium state. The thermal transmission of ball screws is analyzed, and the heat generation and transfer coefficient are calculated based on the laws of thermodynamics. The function between the temperature rise and position is built by solving the thermal equilibrium differential equations. The thermal elongation is obtained after the temperature rise is calculated. In order to prove the validity of this model, a series of detection tests are conducted to obtain the temperature rise of a ball screw and the thermal elongation under different rotational speeds. The experimental results show that the realistic temperature rise and the thermal elongation agree well with the theoretical values.
Impacts as Triggers for Weather-Related Decision Making: Observations at the Berlin Fire Brigade Control and Dispatch Center
Authors: Kox Thomas , Lüder Catharina
Published: May 2021

This article presents the results of a series of ethnographic observations at the Berlin fire brigade control and dispatch center during routine and severe weather situations. The weather-related challenges of a fire brigade lie between the anticipation of events and their potential consequences, and the ad hoc reactions to actual impacts of weather. The results show that decisions and actions related to high impact weather are not necessarily motivated by weather warnings alone. Instead, they are reactions to the experience of impacts, for example, an increased number of missions or emergency calls. Impacts are the main trigger for the decision making. Weather is one additional external factor that influences the operational capability of a fire brigade. While commanding officers in a fire brigade control and dispatch center experience weather primarily through technical equipment, verified by ground truth, observations showed that direct personal contact with the regional weather service and colleagues on the ground takes on a greater role in actual severe weather situations. The observations point to the need for increased interagency communication between the emergency services, the weather service, and other organizations to integrate weather information, impacts, and non-weather-related tasks into coherent weather-related decision making.
Influence of wall roughness on cavitation performance of centrifugal pump
Authors: Xu Weihui , He Xiaoke , Hou Xiao , Huang Zhihao , Wang Weishu
Published: May 2021

Cavitation is a phenomenon that occurs easily during rotation of fluid machinery and can decrease the performance of a pump, thereby resulting in damage to flow passage components. To study the influence of wall roughness on the cavitation performance of a centrifugal pump, a three-dimensional model of internal flow field of a centrifugal pump was constructed and a numerical simulation of cavitation in the flow field was conducted with ANSYS CFX software based on the Reynolds normalization group k-epsilon turbulence model and Zwart cavitation model. The cavitation can be further divided into four stages: cavitation inception, cavitation development, critical cavitation, and fracture cavitation. Influencing laws of wall roughness of the blade surface on the cavitation performance of a centrifugal pump were analyzed. Research results demonstrate that in the design process of centrifugal pumps, decreasing the wall roughness appropriately during the cavitation development and critical cavitation is important to effectively improve the cavitation performance of pumps. Moreover, a number of nucleation sites on the blade surface increase with the increase in wall roughness, thereby expanding the low-pressure area of the blade. Research conclusions can provide theoretical references to improve cavitation performance and optimize the structural design of the pump.
Systemic Racism in EEG Research: Considerations and Potential Solutions
Authors: Choy Tricia , Baker Elizabeth , Stavropoulos Katherine
Published: May 2021

The current theoretical paper discusses the unintended systemic racism and racial biases that impact neuroscience, specifically in research utilizing electroencephalography (EEG). As a popular technique in affective science research, EEG requires adherence between the electrode and scalp to measure brain activity. To obtain high-quality data, various factors such as hair length, hair type, body movement, and/or extraneous noise from the environment are taken into consideration. As EEG researchers attempt to gather good-quality data, the recruitment and retention of Black American participants is challenging due to hairstyles commonly worn by Black American participants (e.g., cornrows, braids) and hair type. Taken together, the systemic lack of data from Black American participants renders research findings less generalizable and causes disparities in theoretical knowledge applicable to this population. To address this disparity, innovative solutions invented by bioengineers are discussed.
Updates on the QCD phase diagram from lattice
Authors: Sharma Sayantan
Published: May 2021

Different aspects of the phase diagram of strongly interacting matter described by quantum chromodynamics (QCD), which have emerged from the recent studies using lattice gauge theory techniques, are discussed. A special emphasis is given on understanding the role of the anomalous axial U(1) symmetry in determining the order of the finite temperature chiral phase transition in QCD with two massless quark flavors and tracing its origin to the topological properties of the QCD vacuum.
The Impact of Social Distancing Measures Due to COVID-19 Pandemic on Sexual Function and Relationship Quality of Couples in Greece
Authors: Sotiropoulou Paraskevi , Ferenidou Fotini , Owens Dimitra , Kokka Ioulia , Minopoulou Eirini , Koumantanou Evangelia , Pavlopoulou Iliana , Apotsos Panagiotis , Karvouni Maria , Koumantarou Elli , Mourikis Iraklis , Vaidakis Nikos , Papageorgiou Charalambos
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Recent studies have reported that the quarantine imposed in several countries around the world due to Covid-19 affected the sexual function and relationship quality. On the March 23, 2020 the Greek government imposed a national quarantine to contain the spread of the pandemic. The impact of such conditions on sexual function and relationship quality of couples is unknown.

Aim

To investigate sexual function and relationship quality of couples during the quarantine.

Methods

An online anonymous survey was conducted one month post-impose of the quarantine, between the April 21 and the May 3, 2020. Adult respondents in a relationship completed a questionnaire including sociodemographic characteristics, structured inquiries regarding sexual activity and quality of relationship, anxiety level, and mood during the quarantine, as well as the IIEF and FSFI indices.

Outcomes

Sexual function was assessed using the Greek versions of the FSFI and IIEF for females and males respectively. Sexual activity using 5 statements regarding frequency of sexual thoughts, masturbation, and intercourse, quality of intercourse and general estimation of the level of sexual function. Participants graded their level of agreement. Relationship quality was assessed using 5 questions regarding communication, company, understanding, tension and general estimation of companionship. Participants graded their level of agreement. Two additional statements were used in order to evaluate mood and the level of anxiety.

Results

A sum of 299 adult heterosexual participants in a relationship participated. Little or no negative impact on sexual function was reported. Increased anxiety and deficient mood were reported only for those with no access to their partner. Being in a steady relationship and living with their partner, but only for couples without children, resulted in satisfaction by sexual activity and enhanced emotional security.

Conclusion

Sexual function and relationship quality appeared as not affected by the quarantine and by the measures of social distancing.
Integration of an enhanced recovery after surgery program for patients undergoing pituitary surgery
Authors: Flukes Stephanie , Laufer Ilya , Cracchiolo Jennifer , Geer Eliza , Lin Andrew L. , Brallier Jess , Tsui Van , Afonso Anoushka , Tabar Viviane , Cohen Marc A.
Published: May 2021

Evidence‐based enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs aim to improve patient outcomes and shorten hospital stays. The objective of this study is to describe the development, implementation, and evolution of an ERAS protocol to optimize the perioperative management for patients undergoing endoscopic skull base surgery for pituitary tumors. A systematic review of the literature was performed, best practices were discussed with stakeholders, and institutional guidelines were established and implemented. Key performance indicators (KPI) were measured and patient‐reported outcome surveys were collected. The ERAS protocol was introduced successfully at our institution. We describe the process of initiation of the program and the perioperative management of our patients. We demonstrated the feasibility of integration of ERAS protocols for pituitary tumors with multidisciplinary engagement, with a particular emphasis on the use of data informatics and metrics to monitor outcomes. We expect that this approach will translate to improved quality of care for these often‐complex patients.
Security misconfigurations and how to prevent them
Authors: Loureiro Sergio
Published: May 2021

Security misconfigurations present serious trouble when security settings are not properly defined and implemented and default values are retained. Usually, this means the configuration settings do not comply with industry security standards such as the Center for Internet Security (CIS) benchmarks, OWASP Top 10 etc, which are critical to ensuring smooth business continuity, security maintenance and a reduction in business risk. 1,2

Security misconfigurations present serious trouble when security settings are not properly defined and implemented and default values are retained.

For a seasoned cyber criminal, misconfigurations present easy targets, as it's often simple to detect misconfigured web servers, cloud instances and applications, which then become exploitable. Sergio Loureiro of SecludIT explains that it's important to ensure that your technology stack is built with security by design.
The Economics of Conflict and Peace
Authors: Silwal Shikha Basnet , Anderton Charles H. , Brauer Jurgen , Coyne Christopher J. , Dunne J. Paul
Published: May 2021

Written for an audience of students, general readers, and economists alike, this Element is a primer on the field of the economics of conflict and peace. It offers a reasonably comprehensive, systematic, and detailed overview - even if in broad strokes - of the field's orthodox and heterodox history of thought and current theories and evidence. The authors view this Element as a baseline account on which to build a future, separate and more fully developed, work on the economics of peace, economic growth, and human development. Altogether, the Element contextualizes the field of conflict and peace economics, outlines its history of thought, highlights examples of current theoretical and empirical scholarship in the field, and maps trajectories for further research.
Attitudes, perceptions and behaviours regarding meat consumption in Germany: results of the NEMONIT study
Authors: Koch Franziska , Krems Carolin , Heuer Thorsten , Claupein Erika
Published: May 2021

Meat consumption in Germany is presently higher than recommended for a healthy and sustainable nutrition. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to explore German consumers’ attitudes, perceptions and behaviours regarding meat consumption based on data from 1807 participants (20–80 years) of the NEMONIT study (2012/13). Data were obtained using computer-assisted telephone interviews including 24-h recalls and a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The majority (97 %) of the participants were meat consumers and most of them stated that an ideal meal should contain meat. Their main motives for meat consumption were good taste, usual habit and the perception of meat as a healthy and satiable food. The stated meat consumption frequency was higher than the ‘desired’ consumption frequency, answered in a FFQ. Most participants would agree with two meat meals per week, but only 17 % assumed that the German population would agree. Therefore, framework conditions do not motivate people enough to reduce their meat consumption. Options for action which can be implemented in daily routine are needed. Meat is still a largely appreciated food in Germany, but the results indicate a potential for behavioural changes which must be exploited urgently to reduce meat consumption to a healthy and sustainable level.
Marginal farmers carry the burden of damage caused by Asian elephantsElephas maximusin Bardiya National Park, Nepal
Authors: Prins Herbert H.T. , Liefting Yorick , de Jong Joost F.
Published: May 2021

In areas where farmland borders protected areas, wildlife may be attracted to crops and cause substantial financial damage for farmers. Elephants, in particular, can destroy a year's harvest in a single night, and can also cause damage to buildings and other farm structures. Few studies have examined whether damage caused by wild elephants increases social inequalities in farmer communities. We interviewed settlement leaders and subsistence rice farmers living in the buffer zone of Bardiya National Park, Nepal, to examine (1) the variation and spatial distribution of wealth within the farmer community, (2) the severity and spatio-temporal distribution of damage inflicted by Asian elephantsElephas maximus, and (3) the willingness to insure against such damage. We investigated whether particular societal strata are disproportionally affected by negative interactions with elephants. We found that farmers near the boundary between agricultural and wilderness areas were significantly poorer and had smaller landholdings than those further into the cultivated lands. Concomitantly, damage to crops and houses was more frequent nearer the wilderness–agriculture boundary than further away from it. Hence, in the buffer zone of Bardiya National Park, farmers near the wilderness–cultivation boundary, with small landholdings, had a relatively higher cost of elephant damage, yet were less willing to pay for an insurance scheme. We infer that in areas where both social inequality and damage caused by wildlife are spatially structured, conservation success may cause economic hardship for the local community, particularly for the poorer class. We discuss causes of the current lack of communal mitigation measures against the damage caused by elephants in the Park, and potential solutions.
Relationship between mental health diagnoses and COVID-19 test positivity, hospitalization, and mortality in Southeast Wisconsin
Authors: Egede Christine , Dawson Aprill Z. , Walker Rebekah J. , Garacci Emma , Campbell Jennifer A. , Egede Leonard E.
Published: May 2021

Background

There is a paucity of literature on the relationship between pre-existing mental health conditions and coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) outcomes. The aim was to examine the association between pre-existing mental health diagnosis and COVID-19 outcomes (positive screen, hospitalization, mortality).

Methods

Electronic medical record data for 30 976 adults tested for COVID-19 between March 2020 and 10th July 2020 was analyzed. COVID-19 outcomes included positive screen, hospitalization among screened positive, and mortality among screened positive and hospitalized. Primary independent variable, mental health disorders, was based on ICD-10 codes categorized as bipolar, internalizing, externalizing, and psychoses. Descriptive statistics were calculated, unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models were used to investigate the relationship between each mental health disorder and COVID-19 outcomes.

Results

Adults with externalizing (odds ratio (OR) 0.67, 95%CI 0.57–0.79) and internalizing disorders (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.70–0.88) had lower odds of having a positive COVID-19 test in fully adjusted models. Adults with bipolar disorder had significantly higher odds of hospitalization in fully adjusted models (OR 4.27, 95% CI 2.06–8.86), and odds of hospitalization were significantly higher among those with externalizing disorders after adjusting for demographics (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.23–2.38). Mortality was significantly higher in the fully adjusted model for patients with bipolar disorder (hazard ratio 2.67, 95% CI 1.07–6.67).

Conclusions

Adults with mental health disorders, while less likely to test positive for COVID-19, were more likely to be hospitalized and to die in the hospital. Study results suggest the importance of developing interventions that incorporate elements designed to address smoking cessation, nutrition and physical activity counseling and other needs specific to this population to improve COVID-19 outcomes.
Secession, self-determination and territorial disagreements: Sovereignty claims in the contemporary South Pacific
Authors: Heathcote Sarah
Published: May 2021

This article maps the legally varied sovereignty claims in the contemporary South Pacific; whether secessionist, self-determination based, or consisting of territorial disputes or lesser disagreements. The analysis reveals that Pacific practice in this domain is consistent with general international law; that despite any fractures at the domestic level, relations between the states and territories of the region is peaceful, that their shared values have instead given rise to innovative solutions to legal problems concerning territory, either through the leveraging of regional institutions – so vital to the region’s identity – to pursue claims against metropolitan powers, or through innovative arrangements to alleviate territorial problems left by colonial powers. Indeed, the region is replete with innovative legal solutions based on shared values and peaceful international relations. As such, Pacific practice and engagement with international law can provide a blueprint for others around the globe.
Spanning trees in random regular uniform hypergraphs
Authors: Greenhill Catherine , Isaev Mikhail , Liang Gary
Published: May 2021

Let $${{\mathcal G}_{n,r,s}}$$ denote a uniformly random r-regular s-uniform hypergraph on the vertex set {1, 2, … , n}. We establish a threshold result for the existence of a spanning tree in $${{\mathcal G}_{n,r,s}}$$, restricting to n satisfying the necessary divisibility conditions. Specifically, we show that when s ≥ 5, there is a positive constant ρ(s) such that for any r ≥ 2, the probability that $${{\mathcal G}_{n,r,s}}$$ contains a spanning tree tends to 1 if r > ρ(s), and otherwise this probability tends to zero. The threshold value ρ(s) grows exponentially with s. As $${{\mathcal G}_{n,r,s}}$$ is connected with probability that tends to 1, this implies that when r ≤ ρ(s), most r-regular s-uniform hypergraphs are connected but have no spanning tree. When s = 3, 4 we prove that $${{\mathcal G}_{n,r,s}}$$ contains a spanning tree with probability that tends to 1, for any r ≥ 2. Our proof also provides the asymptotic distribution of the number of spanning trees in $${{\mathcal G}_{n,r,s}}$$ for all fixed integers r, s ≥ 2. Previously, this asymptotic distribution was only known in the trivial case of 2-regular graphs, or for cubic graphs.
Migrant Middle Eastern women with gestational diabetes seven years after delivery – positive long-term development of beliefs about health and illness shown in follow-up interviews
Authors: Hjelm Katarina , Bard Karin , Apelqvist Jan
Published: May 2021

Aim:

No previous studies have been found focusing on the long-term development of beliefs about health, illness and healthcare in migrant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The aim of this study was to explore this and the influence on health-related behaviour (i.e. self-care and care seeking) in migrant women from the Middle East living in Sweden seven years after delivery.

Background:

GDM is increasing, particularly in migrant women. The risk of adverse outcomes of GDM for health can be improved by interventions reducing blood glucose and lifestyle modifications which medicalise the woman’s pregnancy due to intensive follow-up and demanding self-care. The reactions might have an enduring impact on the women’s long-term psychological and physical health and adoption of preventive health behaviours.

Method:

Qualitative exploratory study. Semi-structured follow-up interviews 7 years after delivery with women previously interviewed in gestational weeks 34–38 and 3 and 14 months after delivery. Data analysed with qualitative content analysis.

Findings:

Health meant freedom from illness, feeling well and living long to be able to care for the children. The present situation was described either positively, changing to a healthier lifestyle, or negatively, with worries about being affected by type 2 diabetes. Beliefs changed among the majority of women, leading to a healthier lifestyle, and they looked positively back at the time when diagnosed and their reactions to it. With few exceptions, they were confident of being aware of future health risks and felt responsible for their own and their children’s health/lifestyle. None except those diagnosed with type 2 diabetes had been in contact with healthcare since the last follow-up a year after delivery. Yet, they still would like and need a healthcare model delivering more information, particularly on developing a healthy lifestyle for children, and with regular check-ups also after the first year after delivery.
A tuneable rat-race coupler for full duplex communications
Authors: Watkins G. T.
Published: May 2021

Full duplex (FD) could potentially double wireless communications capacity by allowing simultaneous transmission and reception on the same frequency channel. A single antenna architecture is proposed here based on a modified rat-race coupler to couple the transmit and receive paths to the antenna while providing a degree of isolation. To allow the self-interference cancellation (SiC) to be maximized, the rat-race coupler was made tuneable. This compensated for both the limited isolation of the rat race and self-interference caused by antenna mismatch. Tuneable operation was achieved by removing the fourth port of the rat race and inserting a variable attenuator and variable phase shifter into the loop. In simulation with a 50 Ω load on the antenna port, better than −65 dB narrowband SiC was achieved over the whole 2.45 GHz industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band. Inserting the S-parameters of a commercially available sleeve dipole antenna into the simulation, better than −57 dB narrowband SiC could be tuned over the whole band. Practically, better than −58 dB narrowband tuneable SiC was achieved with a practical antenna. When excited with a 20 MHz Wi-Fi signal, −42 dB average SiC could be achieved with the antenna.
Year‐2020 Global Distribution and Pathways of Reservoir Methane and Carbon Dioxide Emissions According to the Greenhouse Gas From Reservoirs (G‐res) Model
Authors: Harrison John A. , Prairie Yves T. , Mercier‐Blais Sara , Soued Cynthia
Published: May 2021

Collectively, reservoirs constitute a significant global source of C‐based greenhouse gases (GHGs). Yet, global estimates of reservoir carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) emissions remain uncertain, varying more than four‐fold in recent analyses. Here we present results from a global application of the Greenhouse Gas from Reservoirs (G‐res) model wherein we estimate per‐area and per‐reservoir CO2 and CH4 fluxes, by specific flux pathway and in a spatially and temporally explicit manner, as a function of reservoir characteristics. We show: (a) CH4 fluxes via degassing and ebullition are much larger than previously recognized and diffusive CH4 fluxes are lower than previously estimated, while CO2 emissions are similar to those reported in past work; (b) per‐area reservoir GHG fluxes are >29% higher than suggested by previous studies, due in large part to our novel inclusion of the degassing flux in our global estimate; (c) CO2 flux is the dominant emissions pathway in boreal regions and CH4 degassing and ebullition are dominant in tropical and subtropical regions, with the highest overall reservoir GHG fluxes in the tropics and subtropics; and (d) reservoir GHG fluxes are quite sensitive to input parameters that are both poorly constrained and likely to be strongly influenced by climate change in coming decades (parameters such as temperature and littoral area, where the latter may be expanded by deepening thermoclines expected to accompany warming surface waters). Together these results highlight a critical need to both better understand climate‐related drivers of GHG emission and to better quantify GHG emissions via CH4 ebullition and degassing.