bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self-reported late effects and long-term follow-up care among 1889 long-term Norwegian Childhood, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancer Survivors (the NOR-CAYACS study)
Authors: Mellblom A. V. , Kiserud C. E. , Rueegg C. S. , Ruud E. , Loge J. H. , Fosså S. D. , Lie Hanne C.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The majority of childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors (CAYACS) are at risk of late effects but may not receive long-term follow-up care for these. Here, we investigated (1) self-reported late effects, (2) long-term follow-up care, and (3) factors associated with receiving follow-up care in a population-based sample of Norwegian long-term CAYACS.

Methods

Survivors were identified by the Cancer Registry of Norway. All > 5-year survivors diagnosed between 1985 and 2009 with childhood cancer (CCS, 0–18 years old, excluding CNS), breast cancer (BC, stages I–III), colorectal cancer (CRC), leukemias (LEUK), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), or malignant melanoma (MM) at age 19–39 years were mailed a questionnaire (NOR-CAYACS study). Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were used to analyze occurrence of late effects, long-term follow-up care for these, and associated factors.

Results

Of 2104 responding survivors, 1889 were eligible for analyses. Of these, 68% were females, with a mean age of 43 years at survey, on average 17 years since diagnosis, and diagnosed with CCS (31%), BC (26%), CRC (8%), NHL (12%), LEUK (7%), and MM (16%). Overall, 61.5% reported the experience of at least one late effect, the most common being concentration/memory problems (28.1%) and fatigue (25.2%). Sixty-nine percent reported not having received long-term follow-up care focusing on late effects. Lower age at survey (p = 0.001), higher education (p = 0.012), and increasing number of late effects (p = < 0.001) were associated with increased likelihood of follow-up care in the multivariate model.

Conclusions

The majority of survivors reported at least one late effect, but not receiving specific follow-up care for these. This indicates a need for structured models of long-term follow-up to ensure adequate access to care.
Convert index trading to option strategies via LSTM architecture
Authors: Wu Jimmy Ming-Tai , Wu Mu-En , Hung Pang-Jen , Hassan Mohammad Mehedi , Fortino Giancarlo
Published: October 2020

In the past, most strategies were mainly designed to focus on stocks or futures as the trading target. However, due to the enormous number of companies in the market, it is not easy to select a set of stocks or futures for investment. By investigating each company’s financial situation and the trend of the overall financial market, people can invest precisely in the market and choose to go long or short. Moreover, how to determine the position size of the transaction is also a problematic issue. In the past, many money management theories were based on the Kelly criterion. And they put a certain percentage of their total funds into the market for trading. Nonetheless, three massive problems cannot be overcome. First, futures are leveraged transactions, and extra funds must be deposited as margin. It causes that the position size is hard to be estimated by the Kelly criterion. The second point is that the trading strategy is difficult to determine the winning rate in the financial market and cannot be brought into the Kelly criterion to calculate the optimal fraction. Last, the financial data are always massive. A big data technique should be applied to resolve this issue and enhance the performance of the framework to reveal knowledge in the financial data. Therefore, in this paper, a concept of converting the original futures trading strategy into options trading is proposed. An LSTM (long short-term memory)-based framework is proposed to predict the profit probability of the original futures strategy and convert the corresponding daily take-profit and stop-loss points according to the delta value of the options. Finally, the proposed framework brings the results into the Kelly criterion to get the optimal fraction of options trading. The final research results show that options trading is closer to the optimal fraction calculated by the Kelly criterion than futures trading. If the original futures trading strategy can profit, the benefits after converting to options trading can be further superior.
Impact of titanium precursors on formation and electrochemical properties of Li4Ti5O12 anode materials for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Kang Chung-Yuan , Krajewski Marcin , Lin Jeng-Yu
Published: October 2020

This work describes comparative study on the application of Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries which were successfully prepared by sol-gel synthesis with the use of two titanium sources. One of them was anatase-type titanium dioxide (TiO2), whereas the second was tetrabutyl titanate (TBT). Both obtained LTO materials were very similar in terms of their crystallinity and purity. In turn, the sample synthetized with TBT source revealed better particle dispersibility, and its particles were slightly lower in size. These particular features resulted in higher Li+ diffusion coefficient and better kinetic of Li+ ions during charge transfer reactions for the LTO synthetized with TBT source. This reflected in specific capacitance values for both electrodes which equalled 150 mAh g−1, 120 mAh g−1, and 63 mAh g−1 for TBT-LTO and 120 mAh g−1, 80 mAh g−1, and 58 mAh g−1 for TiO2-LTO at C-rates of 1, 5, and 10 C, respectively.
Taste detection threshold of human (Homo sapiens) subjects and taste preference threshold of black-handed spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) for the sugar substitute isomalt
Authors: Pereira Sofia , Hernandez Salazar Laura Teresa , Laska Matthias
Published: October 2020

The artificial sweetener isomalt is widely used due to its low caloric, non-diabetogenic and non-cariogenic properties. Although the sweetening potency of isomalt has been reported to be lower than that of sucrose, no data on the sensitivity of humans for this polyol are available. Using an up-down, two-alternative forced choice staircase procedure we therefore determined taste detection thresholds for isomalt in human subjects (n = 10; five females and five males) and compared them to taste preference thresholds, determined using a two-bottle preference test of short duration, in a highly frugivorous nonhuman primate, the spider monkey (n = 4; one female, three males). We found that both species detected concentrations of isomalt as low as 20 mM. Both humans and spider monkeys are less sensitive to isomalt than to sucrose, which is consistent with the notion of the former being a low-potency sweetener. The spider monkeys clearly preferred all suprathreshold concentrations tested over water, suggesting that, similar to humans, they perceive isomalt as having a purely sweet taste that is indistinguishable from that of sucrose. As isomalt, like most sweet-tasting polyols, may elicit gastric distress when consumed in large quantities, the present findings may contribute to the choice of appropriate amounts and concentrations of this sweetener when it is employed as a sugar substitute or food additive for human consumption. Similarly, the taste preference threshold values of spider monkeys for isomalt reported here may be useful for determining how much of it should be used when it is employed as a low-caloric sweetener for frugivorous primates kept on a vegetable-based diet, or when medication needs to be administered orally.
Improving on and assessing ethical guidelines for digital tracking and tracing systems for pandemics
Authors: Lundgren Björn
Published: October 2020

So-called digital tracking and tracing systems (DTTSs) have been proposed as a means to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2. There are ethical guidelines and evaluations of such systems available. As part of a research project, I will build on and critically evaluate the foundations of such guidelines. The goal is to provide both incremental improvements of the specific requirements for DTTSs and to present and discuss more fundamental challenge, the risk for indirect effects and slippery slopes. The nature of slippery slopes makes ethical guidelines more difficult since it requires a more complex analysis than, for example, using a checklist allows for.
The maximum Wiener index of maximal planar graphs
Authors: Ghosh Debarun , Győri Ervin , Paulos Addisu , Salia Nika , Zamora Oscar
Published: October 2020

The Wiener index of a connected graph is the sum of the distances between all pairs of vertices in the graph. It was conjectured that the Wiener index of an n-vertex maximal planar graph is at most $$\lfloor \frac{1}{18}(n^3+3n^2)\rfloor $$

⌊

1
18

(

n
3

+
3

n
2

)

⌋

. We prove this conjecture and determine the unique n-vertex maximal planar graph attaining this maximum, for every $$ n\ge 10$$

n
≥
10

.
Saproxylic species are linked to the amount and isolation of dead wood across spatial scales in a beech forest
Authors: Haeler Elena , Bergamini Ariel , Blaser Stefan , Ginzler Christian , Hindenlang Karin , Keller Christine , Kiebacher Thomas , Kormann Urs G. , Scheidegger Christoph , Schmidt Ronald , Stillhard Jonas , Szallies Alexander , Pellissier Loïc , Lachat Thibault
Published: October 2020

Context

Dead wood is a key habitat for saproxylic species, which are often used as indicators of habitat quality in forests. Understanding how the amount and spatial distribution of dead wood in the landscape affects saproxylic communities is therefore important for maintaining high forest biodiversity.

Objectives

We investigated effects of the amount and isolation of dead wood on the alpha and beta diversity of four saproxylic species groups, with a focus on how the spatial scale influences results.

Methods

We inventoried saproxylic beetles, wood-inhabiting fungi, and epixylic bryophytes and lichens on 62 plots in the Sihlwald forest reserve in Switzerland. We used GLMs to relate plot-level species richness to dead wood amount and isolation on spatial scales of 20–200 m radius. Further, we used GDMs to determine how dead wood amount and isolation affected beta diversity.

Results

A larger amount of dead wood increased beetle richness on all spatial scales, while isolation had no effect. For fungi, bryophytes and lichens this was only true on small spatial scales. On larger scales of our study, dead wood amount had no effect, while greater isolation decreased species richness. Further, we found no strong consistent patterns explaining beta diversity.

Conclusions

Our multi-taxon study shows that habitat amount and isolation can strongly differ in the spatial scale on which they influence local species richness. To generally support the species richness of different saproxylic groups, dead wood must primarily be available in large amounts but should also be evenly distributed because negative effects of isolation already showed at scales under 100 m.
Electroacupuncture alleviates diabetic neuropathic pain in rats by suppressing P2X3 receptor expression in dorsal root ganglia
Authors: Fei Xueyu , He Xiaofen , Tai Zhaoxia , Wang Hanzhi , Qu Siying , Chen Luhang , Hu Qunqi , Fang Jianqiao , Jiang Yongliang
Published: October 2020

Diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) is a troublesome diabetes complication all over the world. P2X3 receptor (P2X3R), a purinergic receptor from dorsal root ganglion (DRG), has important roles in neuropathic pain pathology and nociceptive sensations. Here, we investigated the involvement of DRG P2X3R and the effect of 2 Hz electroacupuncture (EA) on DNP. We monitored the rats’ body weight, fasting blood glucose level, paw withdrawal thresholds, and paw withdrawal latency, and evaluated P2X3R expression in DRG. We found that P2X3R expression is upregulated on DNP, while 2 Hz EA is analgesic against DNP and suppresses P2X3R expression in DRG. To evaluate P2X3R involvement in pain modulation, we then treated the animals with A317491, a P2X3R specific antagonist, or α β-me ATP, a P2X3R agonist. We found that A317491 alleviates hyperalgesia, while α β-me ATP blocks EA’s analgesic effects. Our findings indicated that 2 Hz EA alleviates DNP, possibly by suppressing P2X3R upregulation in DRG.
Association between short-term exposure to ambient air pollution and hospital admissions for transient ischemic attacks in Beijing, China
Authors: Zhang Runhua , Jiang Yong , Zhang Guitao , Yu Miaoxin , Wang Yongjun , Liu Gaifen
Published: October 2020

Numerous studies have examined the associations between air pollution and stroke. However, little is known about the associations between air pollution and transient ischemic attack (TIA). In this study, we aimed to conduct a time-series study to systematically examine the associations between hospital admissions for TIA and air pollutants. Admissions for TIA (ICD-10: G45) from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2016 were identified based on the primary diagnosis from 134 hospitals in Beijing, China. Hourly measurements of air pollutants were obtained from the National Air Pollution Monitoring System. Generalized additive models with quasi-Poisson regression were used to determine the associations for each pollutant. Additionally, stratified analysis was implemented to examine whether age, gender, temperature, and season were the potential effect modifiers. Restricted cubic spline was applied to investigate the exposure-response curve. In total, 109,975 hospital admissions for TIA were included. The positive associations were detected between PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, and CO and hospital admissions for TIA. The effects of PM2.5 and PM10 in men are stronger than in women. Additionally, the effects of PM2.5, PM10, SO2, and O3 are more pronounced on warm days than cool days. From exposure-response curves, we observe a nearly linear relationship for PM2.5, PM10, CO, and NO2. Further studies are needed to verify the association. This research contributes evidence on the association between air pollution and admissions for TIA in the low- and middle-income countries and may promote related public health policy development.
Does environmental engineering help rural industry development? Discussion on the impact of Taiwan’s “special act for forward-looking infrastructure” on rural industry development
Authors: Hsu Chin-Hsien , Lin Hsiao-Hsien , Jhang Shang-Wun , Lin Tzu-Yun
Published: October 2020

This study investigated the impact of environmental engineering on existing venues, venues and operations management. First, the literature analysis and field survey method are used to summarize the current situation of the venue. Then, 420 questionnaires are collected for statistical verification analysis, combined with the interview method to understand the deepest feelings of the people, and finally discussed with a multi-inspection method. The researcher believes that although environmental construction can improve infrastructure and human quality of life, which, after all, are experiment after completion. If, before construction, a good communication channel; obtaining consensus from the people and businesses; acquiring precise information; spraying water to reduce dust; increasing the height of the peripheral fence; planning a substitutive plan; avoiding crowds; reducing mistakes in the process; avoiding influencing the water and electricity supply and soil, water, and environment sanitation; and planning for a substitutive route and parking space with subsidy for damages are not possible, a negative image will be produced, willingness to spend will be reduced in the people due to the blocking of the view by the building (75%), the billboard will lose its functionality (63.2%), and inconvenience will be caused by the line of movement (75%) and parking space (55.9%), which are not helpful for development.
Retinal biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease and vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID): implication for early diagnosis and prognosis
Authors: Czakó Cecilia , Kovács Tibor , Ungvari Zoltan , Csiszar Anna , Yabluchanskiy Andriy , Conley Shannon , Csipo Tamas , Lipecz Agnes , Horváth Hajnalka , Sándor Gábor László , István Lilla , Logan Trevor , Nagy Zoltán Zsolt , Kovács Illés
Published: October 2020

Cognitive impairment and dementia are major medical, social, and economic public health issues worldwide with significant implications for life quality in older adults. The leading causes are Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and vascular cognitive impairment/dementia (VCID). In both conditions, pathological alterations of the cerebral microcirculation play a critical pathogenic role. Currently, the main pathological biomarkers of AD—β-amyloid peptide and hyperphosphorylated tau proteins—are detected either through cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or PET examination. Nevertheless, given that they are invasive and expensive procedures, their availability is limited. Being part of the central nervous system, the retina offers a unique and easy method to study both neurodegenerative disorders and cerebral small vessel diseases in vivo. Over the past few decades, a number of novel approaches in retinal imaging have been developed that may allow physicians and researchers to gain insights into the genesis and progression of cerebromicrovascular pathologies. Optical coherence tomography (OCT), OCT angiography, fundus photography, and dynamic vessel analyzer (DVA) are new imaging methods providing quantitative assessment of retinal structural and vascular indicators—such as thickness of the inner retinal layers, retinal vessel density, foveal avascular zone area, tortuosity and fractal dimension of retinal vessels, and microvascular dysfunction—for cognitive impairment and dementia. Should further studies need to be conducted, these retinal alterations may prove to be useful biomarkers for screening and monitoring dementia progression in clinical routine. In this review, we seek to highlight recent findings and current knowledge regarding the application of retinal biomarkers in dementia assessment.
Application of ion-exchange resin beads to produce magnetic adsorbents
Authors: Sikora Emőke , Hajdu Viktória , Muránszky Gábor , Katona Kitti Krisztina , Kocserha István , Kanazawa Toshiyuki , Fiser Béla , Viskolcz Béla , Vanyorek László
Published: October 2020

Heavy metal ions are among the most dangerous contaminants, which can cause serious health problems. In this work, ion-exchange resin beads were used as supports for magnetite (Fe3O4) synthesis to produce heavy metal adsorbents which can be easily separated by magnetic field. The first step of the magnetite preparation was the replacement of hydrogen ions with Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions on the sulfonic acid groups of the resin. In the second step, magnetite particle formation was induced by coprecipitating the iron ions with sodium hydroxide. The regeneration of the ion-exchange resin was also carried out by using sodium hydroxide. SEM images verified that relatively large magnetite crystal particles (diameter = 100–150 nm) were created. The ion-exchange effect of the prepared magnetic adsorbent was also confirmed by applying Cu2+, Ni2+, Pb2+ and Cd2+ ions in adsorption experiments.
Construction and validation of the life roles self-efficacy scale for young adults in school-to-work transition
Authors: Kot Pawel , Roznowski Bohdan , Ertelt Bernd-Joachim
Published: October 2020

Self-efficacy is widely regarded as a key factor in shaping one’s own career. To date, self-efficacy has usually been measured on a one-dimensional basis without taking into account the interaction between the various social roles involved in career development. The social roles were described by Donald E. Super in his career development theory. Adopting this framework, we provide a questionnaire to simultaneously measure self-efficacy in Super’s five described social roles. This work presents the development and validation of a new questionnaire entitled the Life Roles Self-Efficacy Scale (LRSES). The questionnaire has been developed based on a series of surveys: the first survey (N = 347) aimed to establish the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and basic psychometric properties of the tool; the second survey (N = 494) aimed to verify the confirmatory factor analysis of the method (CFA) and reliability parameters with regard to a new sample; and the third survey (N = 109) explored the consistency of results over time. Statistical analysis confirmed this tool to be accurate for assessing one’s self-efficacy in school-to-work transitions.
On Pointwise $$\ell ^r$$-Sparse Domination in a Space of Homogeneous Type
Authors: Lorist Emiel
Published: October 2020

We prove a general sparse domination theorem in a space of homogeneous type, in which a vector-valued operator is controlled pointwise by a positive, local expression called a sparse operator. We use the structure of the operator to get sparse domination in which the usual$$\ell ^1$$ℓ1-sum in the sparse operator is replaced by an$$\ell ^r$$ℓr-sum. This sparse domination theorem is applicable to various operators from both harmonic analysis and (S)PDE. Using our main theorem, we prove the$$A_2$$A2-theorem for vector-valued Calderón–Zygmund operators in a space of homogeneous type, from which we deduce an anisotropic, mixed-norm Mihlin multiplier theorem. Furthermore, we show quantitative weighted norm inequalities for the Rademacher maximal operator, for which Banach space geometry plays a major role.
Generativity, aging and subjective well-being
Authors: Becchetti Leonardo , Bellucci Davide
Published: October 2020

We show that generativity, intended as the capacity of affecting positively other human lives, has a strong and significant effect on life sense and life satisfaction of individuals aged 50 and above. We define three generativity dimensions: individual generativity power, local generativity power and individual generativity in act. We find that generativity in act (both in its leisure and work dimensions) has a positive and significant effect on subjective well-being. The gross effect is, however, smaller than the net effect since generativity in act is negatively correlated with the internal locus of control (control over one’s own life). Our findings have strong policy implications since generativity affects consumption and saving choices of utility maximizing economic agents and policymakers may create consensus by building generative societies.
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) caused by chemotherapy containing S-1 against diffuse type gastric cancer
Authors: Yokota Masashi , Shirai Takayuki , Sano Masaya , Ito Hiroyuki , Nagata Junko , Ichikawa Hitoshi , Kojima Seiichirou , Takashimizu Shinji , Watanabe Norihito
Published: October 2020

A 23-year-old woman who complained of abdominal distension and anorexia was referred to our hospital. Computed tomography showed ascites, a huge hepatic tumor and ovarian tumor. Gastroscopy revealed type 4 gastric cancer and biopsy examination showed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with signet ring cell carcinoma. We diagnosed her with stage IV advanced gastric adenocarcinoma. She received the chemotherapy with S-1 and CDDP regimen. After two courses, this regimen was changed to the SOX (S-1 + OHP) regimen because of acute kidney injury. After one course of the SOX regimen, she developed general muscle cramp. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a 15 mm, round, high-intensity signal at the parietal lobe on T2-weighted images. She was hospitalized for with the suspicion of brain metastasis. Anticonvulsants improved her muscle cramp, but she had consciousness disturbance on the 9th hospital day. T2WI showed high-intensity signals within the cerebral white matter at both sides of the occipital lobe. We suspected leukoencephalopathy caused by S-1 and discontinued the SOX regimen. We also treated her hypertension and hyponatremia. Her consciousness disturbance improved in several days, and the T2WI finding was markedly improved on the 20th hospital day. We diagnosed her with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome caused by chemotherapy containing S-1.
Zone-based public transport route optimisation in an urban network
Authors: Heyken Soares Philipp
Published: October 2020

The majority of academic studies on the optimisation of public transport routes consider passenger trips to be fixed between pairs of stop points. This can lead to barriers in the use of the developed algorithms in real-world planning processes, as these usually utilise a zone-based trip representation. This study demonstrates the adaptation of a node-based optimisation procedure to work with zone-to-zone trips. A core element of this process is a hybrid approach to calculate zone-to-zone journey times through the use of node-based concepts. The resulting algorithm is applied to an input dataset generated from real-world data, with results showing significant improvements over the existing route network. The dataset is made publicly available to serve as a potential benchmark dataset for future research.
Dual fluidized bed based technologies for carbon dioxide reduction — example hot metal production
Authors: Müller Stefan , Theiss Lara , Fleiß Benjamin , Hammerschmid Martin , Fuchs Josef , Penthor Stefan , Rosenfeld Daniel C. , Lehner Markus , Hofbauer Hermann
Published: October 2020

The present work describes the results achieved during a study aiming at the full replacement of the natural gas demand of an integrated hot metal production. This work implements a novel approach using a biomass gasification plant combined with an electrolysis unit to substitute the present natural gas demand of an integrated hot metal production. Therefore, a simulation platform, including mathematical models for all relevant process units, enabling the calculation of all relevant mass and energy balances was created. As a result, the calculations show that a natural gas demand of about 385 MW can be replaced and an additional 100 MW hydrogen-rich reducing gas can be produced by the use of 132 MW of biomass together with 571 MW electricity produced from renewable energy. The results achieved indicate that a full replacement of the natural gas demand would be possible from a technological point of view. At the same time, the technological readiness level of available electrolysis units shows that a production at such a large scale has not been demonstrated yet.
Amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem cells repair mouse corneal cold injury by promoting mRNA N4-acetylcytidine modification and ETV4/JUN/CCND2 signal axis activation
Authors: Fei Xinfeng , Cai Yuying , Lin Feng , Huang Yongyi , Liu Te , Liu Yan
Published: October 2020

Severe corneal injury is one of the main causes of loss of visual function. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the ability to repair damaged cells in vivo. The present study aimed to explore whether MSCs could function as a cell therapy tool to replace traditional methods to treat corneal injury. CD44 + /CD105 + mesenchymal stem cells isolated from mouse amniotic fluid (mAF-MSCs) were injected into mice after cryoinjury to induce corneal endothelial cell injury. Histopathological assays indicated that mAF-MSCs could promote the growth of corneal epithelial cells, reduce keratitis, and repair the corneal damage caused by low temperature. cDNA microarray analysis revealed that the mAF-MSCs affected the expression patterns of mRNAs related to cell proliferation and differentiation pathways in the mice after transplantation. The results of quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting revealed that NAT12, NAT10, and the ETV4/JUN/CCND2 signaling axis were elevated significantly in the mAF-MSC-transplantation group, compared with those in the phosphate-buffered saline-treated groups. High performance liquid chromatography–mass spectroscopy results revealed that mAF-MSCs could promote mRNA N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C) modification and high expression of N-acetyltransferase in the eyeballs. RNA immunoprecipitation-PCR results showed that a specific product comprising Vegfa, Klf4, Ccnd2, Jun, and Etv4 mRNA specific coding region sites could be amplified using PCR from complexes formed in mAF-MSC-transplanted samples cross-linked with anti-ac4C antibodies. Thus, mouse amniotic fluid MSCs could repair the mouse corneal cold injury by promoting the ETV4/JUN/CCND2 signal axis activation and improving its stability by stimulating N4-acetylcytidine modification of their mRNAs.
Gleaning: beyond the subsistence narrative
Authors: Grantham Ruby , Lau Jacqueline , Kleiber Danika
Published: October 2020

Coastal resources are important for the wellbeing and livelihoods of people in coastal communities across the world but are used and valued differently by different people at different times. As such, managing coastal resources equitably requires understanding how and when different people value ecosystems. Gleaning is an important activity in many coastal communities. However, the values of gleaners, and women in general, are often left invisible in coastal ecosystem service assessments and rarely examined in different seasons. Here, we use an exploratory case study to elicit the seasonal values of gleaning to women in a coastal community through an in-depth mixed method case study in Timor-Leste. We found that women gave a variety of instrumental and relational reasons for gleaning and that gleaning values shifted across seasons. Notably, subsistence was not a priority for all gleaners. Instead, there were a diverse range of reasons perceived as important for gleaning including to socialise or to spend time in nature. Our findings highlight the need to move beyond oversimplified understandings of gleaning as simply a matter of meeting basic material needs. The diverse and seasonal value priorities of gleaners in our case study indicate the importance of socially and temporally disaggregated assessments of coastal ecosystem services that account for relational values to support more accurate depictions of coastal livelihoods and equitable management in coastal areas.
Use of NH4Cl for activation of carbon xerogel to prepare a novel efficacious adsorbent for benzene removal from contaminated air streams in a fixed-bed column
Authors: Rastegar Ayoob , Gholami Mitra , Jafari Ahmad Jonidi , Hosseini-Bandegharaei Ahmad , Kermani Majid , Hashemi Yeganeh Kosar
Published: October 2020

Background

Ammonium chloride as an explosive salt has proved to be a prominent activation agent for adsorbents and increase the specific surface area and volume of cavities. In this work, the ability of this substance was scrutinized for activation of carbon aerogel to prepare an efficient adsorbent for benzene removal from air streams.

Methods

A carbon xerogel was fabricated from Novallac polymer and activated by ammonium chloride.The changes in structure and morphology were considered via Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyses. Also, comprehensive studies were conducted to vouchsafe the properties of the new adsorbent for benzene removal, using a fixed-bed column mode.

Results

The results showed both the successful synthesis and the suitability of the activation process. ACX possessed a higher specific surface area (1008 g/m3), compared to the parent carbon xerogel (CX; 543.7 g/m3) and organic xerogel (OX; 47 g/m3), as well as a higher adsorption capacity.

Conclusion

NH4CL is a very beneficial for modifying the structure and morphology of carbon aerogel, and the dynamic behavior of the column with respect inlet benzene concentration can be explained by Yan-Nelson model.
Influence of oxidation of automatic transmission fluids (ATFs) and sliding distance on friction coefficients of a wet clutch in the running-in stage
Authors: Farfan-Cabrera Leonardo Israel , Gallardo-Hernández Ezequiel Alberto , Vite-Torres Manuel , Godínez-Salcedo Jesús Gilberto
Published: October 2020

In this paper, the influence of oxidation of automatic transmission fluids (ATFs) and sliding distance on the friction coefficients of a wet clutch in approached running-in conditions was investigated. The ATFs were oxidized by a laboratory process approaching oxidation occurred in actual ATFs. Oxidation was evaluated by means of increase in carbonyl compounds and depletion of zinc dialkyldithiophosphates (ZDDPs) additives. Also, the changes in kinematic viscosity and viscosity index were evaluated. Pin-on-disk tests were conducted to replicate the actual sliding contact in a wet clutch. The pin specimens were cut from friction material composite plates and the disks were actual steel separators both from an automotive wet clutch. Friction coefficient, μ, was measured at progressive sliding velocity, ν, to obtain μ-ν curves at 26 and 100 ΰC. Three μ-ν tests were consecutively run using the same pair of specimens and oil. The cumulative sliding distance for each μ-ν test generated surface flattening using the oils. The friction coefficients of the wet clutch increased due to the ATFs oxidation meanwhile the dμ/dυ values decreased in most cases. It suggests that ATF oxidation can enhance torque capacity of the wet clutch, but it could reduce anti-shudder property. Progressive sliding distance improved the slopes in the μ-ν results using fresh ATFs meanwhile it generated a slope decrease by using aged ATFs.
Same but Different: A Comparison of Players’ Perceptions and Motivational Factors in Two Commercially Available AR Games
Authors: Schlomann Anna , Rasche Peter
Published: October 2020

In 2019, the Harry Potter-themed augmented reality (AR) game Wizards Unite was released, one which employed the same game mechanics as Pokémon Go. In order to explore the similarities and differences in players’ perceptions, motivations to play, and missing functions in Wizards Unite and Pokémon Go, we conducted a web-based survey which targeted active players of Wizards Unite 14 weeks after its release. The results are compared to a survey applying the same methodology and questions directed at active players of Pokémon Go. An important reason why many players started playing Wizards Unite was that they were already Harry Potter fans. For Wizards Unite players the motivation stemming from public attention was lower compared to that for Pokémon Go players. The main motivating factors drawing players to these games include fun, curiosity, and being physically active. The AR function was not mentioned as a motivating factor for either game. The aspect of players being able to collect and complete the game was more of a motivation for playing Pokémon Go. Although the game mechanisms are similar, we identified specific differences in the motivational factors of the two games. The main difference is the misfit between the general game story with hunting and collecting within the Harry Potter universe. Nevertheless, the theme of the game and its background story can be important long-term motivating factors of Wizards Unite. The findings in this paper provide insights into how one can create AR games that meet players’ needs.
Biased Adjusted Poisson Ridge Estimators-Method and Application
Authors: Qasim Muhammad , Månsson Kristofer , Amin Muhammad , Golam Kibria B. M. , Sjölander Pär
Published: October 2020

Månsson and Shukur (Econ Model 28:1475–1481, 2011) proposed a Poisson ridge regression estimator (PRRE) to reduce the negative effects of multicollinearity. However, a weakness of the PRRE is its relatively large bias. Therefore, as a remedy, Türkan and Özel (J Appl Stat 43:1892–1905, 2016) examined the performance of almost unbiased ridge estimators for the Poisson regression model. These estimators will not only reduce the consequences of multicollinearity but also decrease the bias of PRRE and thus perform more efficiently. The aim of this paper is twofold. Firstly, to derive the mean square error properties of the Modified Almost Unbiased PRRE (MAUPRRE) and Almost Unbiased PRRE (AUPRRE) and then propose new ridge estimators for MAUPRRE and AUPRRE. Secondly, to compare the performance of the MAUPRRE with the AUPRRE, PRRE and maximum likelihood estimator. Using both simulation study and real-world dataset from the Swedish football league, it is evidenced that one of the proposed, MAUPRRE ($$ \hat{k}_{q4} $$k^q4) performed better than the rest in the presence of high to strong (0.80–0.99) multicollinearity situation.
Brief report: Gender and ethnicity predict adolescent self‐silencing above and beyond gender ideology
Authors: Puzio Angelica , Best Deborah L.
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Feminist scholars have proposed that adolescents experience a loss of voice termed “self‐silencing” due to the internalization of gender norms. A growing literature shows that the content and strength of adolescents' gender norms is dependent on ethic socialization practices.

Methods

We examined the association among self‐silencing behaviors and gender ideology, measured both explicitly and implicitly, in a racially/ethnically and socioeconomically diverse sample of 12–14 year old American adolescents (N = 119, 62 female).

Results & conclusion

Multiple regression analyses indicated that self‐silencing was weakly associated with implicit gender ideology, but being White and female were larger risk factors for self‐silencing. The internalization of implicit gender norms weakly predicted self‐silencing when adjusting for ethnicity and gender, but we challenge past research by showing gender and ethnicity to be stronger predictors than gender ideology. Self‐silencing occurred in both boys and girls, but was slightly more salient in girls. We report preliminary findings intended for replication due to limitations on statistical power and the introduction of an implicit measurement tool for assessing gender attitudes with adolescents. Implications include clarification of the widely debated association between self‐silencing and gender ideology and the development of more culturally nuanced theories of interpersonal development as it relates to gender and ethnicity during adolescence
How Accessible Is Genital Gender-Affirming Surgery for Transgender Patients With Commercial and Public Health Insurance in the United States? Results of a Patient-Modeled Search for Services and a Survey of Providers
Authors: Terris-Feldman Alexandra , Chen Alessandra , Poudrier Grace , Garcia Maurice
Published: October 2020

Introduction

In the United States, 1.4–1.65 million people identify as transgender, many of whom will seek genital gender-affirming surgery (GAS). The number of surgeons, geographic proximity thereof, and exclusionary insurance policies has limited patient access to genital GAS.

Aim

To assess the accessibility of both feminizing and masculinizing genital GAS (vaginoplasty, metoidioplasty, and phalloplasty) by identifying the location of GAS surgeons, health insurance, or payment forms accepted.

Methods

Between February and April 2018, genital GAS surgeons were identified via Google search. Surgeons’ offices were contacted by telephone or e-mail.

Main Outcome Measure

We queried the type of genital GAS performed, the health insurance or payment forms accepted, and the type of medical practice (academic, private, or group managed-care practice).

Results

We identified 96 surgeons across 64 individual medical centers offering genital GAS. The survey response rate was 83.3%. Only 61 of 80 (76.3%) surgeons across 38 of 53 (72%) locations confirmed offering genital GAS. Only 20 (40%) U.S. states had at least one genital GAS provider. 30 of 38 (79%) locations reported accepting any form of insurance. Only 24 of 38 (63%) locations (14 academic; 10 private/group) accepted Medicaid (P = .016); 18 of 38 (47%) locations (13 academic; 5 private/group) accepted Medicare (P = .001).

Clinical Translation

Reconciliation of the public policies regarding insurance coverage for GAS with the actual practices of the providers is necessary for improving access to GAS for transgender individuals.

Strengths & Limitations

We purposefully used a methodology mirroring how a patient would find GAS surgeons, which also accounts for key limitations: only surgeons whose services were featured on the internet were identified. We could not verify the services or insurance-related information surgeons reported.

Conclusion

This study suggests that access to genital GAS is significantly limited by the number of providers and the uneven geographic distribution across the United States, in which only 20 of 50 U.S. states have at least one genital GAS surgeon.
Pilot Study Using Neurofeedback as a Tool to Reduce Surgical Resident Burnout
Authors: Kratzke Ian M. , Campbell Alana , Yefimov Mae N. , Mosaly Prithima R. , Adapa Karthik , Meltzer-Brody Samantha , Farrell Timothy M. , Mazur Lukasz M.
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND:

Burnout is prevalent among surgical residents. Neurofeedback is a technique to train the brain in self-regulation skills. We aimed to assess the impact of neurofeedback on the cognitive workload and personal growth areas of surgery residents with burnout and depression.

STUDY DESIGN:

Fifteen surgical residents with burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory [MBI] score > 27) and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire–9 Depression Screen [PHQ-9] score >10), from 1 academic institution, were enrolled and participated in this institutional review board-approved prospective study. Ten residents with more severe burnout and depression scores were assigned to receive 8 weeks of neurofeedback treatments, and 5 others with less severe symptoms were treated as controls. Each participant's cognitive workload (or mental effort) was assessed initially, and again after treatment via electroencephalogram (EEG) while the subjects performed n-back working memory tasks. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) tested for significance between the degree of change in the treatment and control groups. Each subject was also asked to rate changes in growth areas, such as sleep and stress.

RESULTS:

Both groups showed high cognitive workload in the pre-assessment. After the neurofeedback intervention, the treatment group showed a significant (p < 0.01) improvement in cognitive workload via EEG during the working memory task. These differences were not noted in the control group. There was significant correlation between time (NFB sessions) and average improvement in all growth areas (r = 0.98)

CONCLUSIONS:

Residents demonstrated high levels of burnout, correlating with EEG patterns indicative of post-traumatic stress disorder. There was a notable change in cognitive workload after the neurofeedback treatment, suggesting a return to a more efficient neural network.
Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta vs Pre-Peritoneal Packing in Patients with Pelvic Fracture
Authors: Asmar Samer , Bible Letitia , Chehab Mohamad , Tang Andrew , Khurrum Muhammad , Douglas Molly , Castanon Lourdes , Kulvatunyou Narong , Joseph Bellal
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND:

Pelvic hemorrhage is potentially lethal despite homeostatic interventions such as pre-peritoneal packing (PP), resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA), surgery, and/or angioembolization. REBOA may be used as an alternative/adjunct to PP for temporizing bleeding in patients with pelvic fractures. Our study aimed to compare the outcomes of REBOA and/or PP, as temporizing measures, in blunt pelvic fracture patients. We hypothesized that REBOA is associated with worsened outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN:

We performed a 2017 review of the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program (ACS-TQIP) and identified trauma patients with blunt pelvic fractures who underwent REBOA placement and/or PP before laparotomy and/or angioembolization. Propensity score matching was performed, adjusting for demographics, vitals, mechanism of injury, ISS, each body region-AIS, and pelvic fracture type. Outcomes were complication rates and mortality.

RESULTS:

A total of 156 patients (PP: 52; REBOA: 52; REBOA+PP: 52) were matched and included. Mean age was 43 ± 18 years, Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 28 (range 17–32), and 74% were males. Overall mortality was 42%. The 24-hour mortality (25% vs 14% vs 35%; p = 0.042), in-hospital mortality (44% vs 29% vs 54%; p = 0.034), and 4-hour pRBC units transfused (15 [9–23] vs 10 [4–19] vs 16 [9–27]; p = 0.017) were lower in the REBOA group. The REBOA group had faster times to both laparotomy (p = 0.040) and/or angioembolization (p = 0.012). There was no difference between the groups in acute kidney injury, lower limb amputations, or hospital and ICU length of stay among survivors.

CONCLUSIONS:

REBOA is a less invasive procedure compared with PP and is associated with improved outcomes. Further clinical trials are needed to define the optimal patient who will benefit from REBOA.
Implementation and Evaluation of a Novel High-Value Care Curriculum in a Single Academic Surgery Department
Authors: Pender Tyler , Boi Luca , Urbik Veronica M. , Glasgow Robert , Smith Brigitte K.
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND:

High value care (HVC), maximizing quality while minimizing cost, has become a major focus of surgical practice. Effective education in healthcare value concepts is critical during residency to ensure graduates are able to deliver high value surgical care and participate in interprofessional teams to improve the system.

STUDY DESIGN:

An HVC curriculum was implemented at a single academic medical center. Sixty-six residents from general surgery, plastic surgery, otolaryngology, and urology completed the curriculum over 3 academic years (2016 to 2019). The 1-year curriculum taught residents the concepts of HVC before participating in a value improvement project the following year. Residents' knowledge of value was assessed pre- and post-participation using a validated assessment tool, the Quality Improvement Knowledge Application Tool Revised (QIKAT-R), and a curriculum-specific assessment tool. The overall success of the program was evaluated by assessing residents' skills in completing value improvement projects using a novel scoring rubric.

RESULTS:

After completing the program, residents expressed improved confidence in their ability to complete a value improvement project. Residents also demonstrated improved knowledge on the curriculum-specific assessment (4.7/13 to 10.9/13) and the scenario assessment using the QIKAT-R tool (8.5/27 to 16.4/27). As the program underwent iterative improvements each year, the quality of the residents' projects also improved, as assessed by the novel scoring rubric.

CONCLUSIONS:

Multimodal assessment demonstrated improvement in residents' objective knowledge of HVC principles, residents' ability to design and lead clinical value improvement projects, and residents' confidence they could use HVC principles in their current and future practice.