bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Der Stand der allergologischen Weiterbildung von Kinderärzten
Authors: Striegel A. K. , Price M. , Frandsen V. , Gernert S. , Arens A. , Wiesenäcker D. , Lange L.
Published: January 2020

Hintergrund

Ein deutlicher Rückgang abgelegter Prüfungen im Fach Allergologie und gleichzeitig eine Zunahme allergologischer Erkrankungen haben die Nachwuchsgruppe der Gesellschaft für Pädiatrische Allergologie und Umweltmedizin (GPAU) dazu bewogen, die Qualität und die Bedingungen der allergologischen Ausbildung in der Pädiatrie zu untersuchen. Zeitgleich wurde beim Deutschen Ärztetag ein neues Format der Zusatzweiterbildung Allergologie (Musterweiterbildungsordnung [MWBO]) verabschiedet.

Ziel der Arbeit

Ziel dieser Umfrage war es, die Rahmenbedingungen der allergologischen Ausbildung von Kinderärzten in Deutschland genauer zu untersuchen.

Material und Methoden

Es wurde eine Umfrage mithilfe eines Fragebogens sowohl bei den Weiterbildungsermächtigten (insgesamt 169) als auch bei deren Weiterbildungsassistent*innen durchgeführt.

Ergebnisse und Diskussion

Von insgesamt 56 Weiterbildungsermächtigten und 32 Weiterbildungsassistent*innen  wurde  der  Fragebogen ausgewertet. Es zeigt sich in der Auswertung, dass der Prozentsatz an Frauen bei den Weiterbildungsermächtigten deutlich geringer ist im Vergleich zu den Weiterbildungsassistent*innen (20 vs. 66 %), jedoch sind mittlerweile mehr als zwei Drittel der Medizinstudierenden weiblich. In der Umfrage stellt sich heraus, dass die allergologische Weiterbildung bei fast 20 % der Weiterbildungsassistent*innen weniger als 10 % der Gesamtarbeitszeit ausmacht und oft außerhalb der Regelarbeitszeit stattfindet. Es sind in Zukunft sowohl flexiblere Arbeitszeitmodelle als auch kombinierte Ausbildungsmodelle zwischen Klinik und Praxis und feste Strukturen für eine fundierte Ausbildung im klinischen Alltag notwendig, um der wachsenden Anzahl allergologischer Fragestellungen v. a. bei Kindern flächendeckend gerecht werden zu können. In der neuen MWBO darf nicht nur der Nachweis von Untersuchungstechniken eine Rolle spielen, sondern sie muss auch die Betreuung von komplexen allergologischen Fällen abbilden, die gerade in der Pädiatrie vorzufinden sind, z. B. im Rahmen von Hospitationen.
Excellent mid-term osseointegration and implant survival using metaphyseal sleeves in revision total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Klim Sebastian M. , Amerstorfer Florian , Bernhardt Gerwin A. , Sadoghi Patrick , Hauer Georg , Leitner Lukas , Leithner Andreas , Glehr Mathias
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Metaphyseal fixation in revision total knee arthroplasty (RTKA) is a very promising treatment option for extended bone defects. Currently published mid-term results remain limited. The purpose was to analyse the implant durability, the clinical and the radiological mid-term results in RTKA when using metaphyseal sleeves.

Methods

Clinical and radiological follow-up examinations were performed in 92 patients (93 knees) with RTKA using hybrid fixation technique (cementless sleeves and stem). Radiographic measurements regarding osseointegration at the bone–sleeve interface were performed and the range of motion (ROM), a subjective satisfaction score (SSS), the American Knee Society Score (KSS), the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) as well as the SF-36 Health survey were examined. Bone defects were analysed using the Anderson Orthopaedic Research Institute (AORI) classification.

Results

No knee had to be revised due to aseptic loosening at the time of the follow-up (mean 6.3 years ± 2.3, minimum 2 years). Satisfactory radiographic osseointegration at the sleeve/bone interface was detected in 96.1% of cases. 17 knees (18.2%) had to be re-revised, 15 of them due to a recurrent infection and 2 due to aseptic reasons (mediolateral instability and a periprosthetic fracture). The median of the ROM (96°), SSS (8), KSS (87), WOMAC (9), SF-36 MCS (55) and SF-36 PCS (38) showed very satisfying results.

Conclusion

No case of aseptic loosening was found in this large series of RTKA with extended bone defects using metaphyseal sleeve fixation. In this large retrospective series, it has been shown that this technique is an excellent treatment option for extended bone defects in RTKA surgery.

Level of evidence

Retrospective cohort study, level III.
Consistency of scoring rules: a reinvestigation of composition-consistency
Authors: Öztürk Z. Emel
Published: January 2020

We consider a collective choice problem in which the number of alternatives and the number of voters vary. Two fundamental axioms of consistency in such a setting, reinforcement and composition-consistency, are incompatible. We first observe that the latter implies four conditions each of which can be formulated as a consistency axiom on its own right. We find that two of these conditions are compatible with reinforcement. In fact, one of these, called composition-consistency with respect to non-clone winners, turns out to characterize a class of scoring rules which contains the Plurality rule. When combined with a requirement of monotonicity, composition-consistency with respect to non-clone winners uniquely characterizes the Plurality rule. A second implication of composition-consistency leads to a class of scoring rules that always select a Plurality winner when combined with monotonicity.
Plasmonic biosensors fabricated by galvanic displacement reactions for monitoring biomolecular interactions in real time
Authors: Pacholski Claudia , Rosencrantz Sophia , Rosencrantz Ruben R. , Balderas-Valadez Ruth Fabiola
Published: January 2020

Optical sensors are prepared by reduction of gold ions using freshly etched hydride-terminated porous silicon, and their ability to specifically detect binding between protein A/rabbit IgG and asialofetuin/Erythrina cristagalli lectin is studied. The fabrication process is simple, fast, and reproducible, and does not require complicated lab equipment. The resulting nanostructured gold layer on silicon shows an optical response in the visible range based on the excitation of localized surface plasmon resonance. Variations in the refractive index of the surrounding medium result in a color change of the sensor which can be observed by the naked eye. By monitoring the spectral position of the localized surface plasmon resonance using reflectance spectroscopy, a bulk sensitivity of 296 nm ± 3 nm/RIU is determined. Furthermore, selectivity to target analytes is conferred to the sensor through functionalization of its surface with appropriate capture probes. For this purpose, biomolecules are deposited either by physical adsorption or by covalent coupling. Both strategies are successfully tested, i.e., the optical response of the sensor is dependent on the concentration of respective target analyte in the solution facilitating the determination of equilibrium dissociation constants for protein A/rabbit IgG as well as asialofetuin/Erythrina cristagalli lectin which are in accordance with reported values in literature. These results demonstrate the potential of the developed optical sensor for cost-efficient biosensor applications.
Surgical Complications in Children with CDH: A Multivariate Analysis
Authors: Heiwegen Kim , van Rooij Iris A. L. M. , van Heijst Arno , de Blaauw Ivo , Botden Sanne M. B. I.
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Several medical and surgical improvements in the treatment of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) patients have led to a higher survival rate. However, some of these improvements also lead to an increased morbidity rate. This study aims to determine the contribution different medical and surgical treatments have had on the development of surgical complications.

Method

All CDH patients treated in a single centre between 2000 and 2015 were retrospectively evaluated. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the independent effects of several treatment options that could influence the surgical outcome by adjustment for multiple risk factors.

Results

Sixty of the 197 surgically repaired CDH patients had surgical complications. There were more haemorrhagic complications in the ECMO compared to non‐ECMO group (27% vs. 2%, p < 0.001). The use of inhaled nitric oxide was also significantly related to haemorrhage (OR = 13.0 (95% CI 1.1–159)). After adjustment for other risk factors, chylothorax was neither significantly associated with ECMO treatment (OR = 1.6 (95% CI 0.5–5.2) nor with patch repair (OR = 2.1: 95% CI 0.7–6.1). A recurrence occurred more often in patients with pulmonary hypertension (OR = 10.0 (95% CI 1.5–65.8) and after treatment with an abdominal patch (OR = 11.3: 95% CI 1.5–84.4).

Conclusion

ECMO treatment and the inhalation of nitric oxide are used in the most severe CDH patients but are associated with a higher risk on surgical haemorrhage. The recurrence rate is associated with both the use of an abdominal patch and the presence of pulmonary hypertension, regardless of medical treatment.
Standardised Suffixes in the Nomenclature of the Higher Taxa of Prokaryotes an Aid to Data Mining, Database Administration and Automatic Assignment of Names to Taxonomic Ranks
Authors: Tindall B. J.
Published: January 2020

The formation and use of the scientific names of prokaryotes is governed by the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes. Originally deriving from the 1935 revision of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature, it retains the treatment of scientific names as Latin words. Above the rank of genus the rank is generally denoted by a single, standardised suffix. This has great advantage in text mining and database infrastructure where the identification of the standardised suffix can automatically be linked to the rank at which the scientific name is being used. The only exception at present are names at the rank of class where, although a standardised suffix has been proposed (-ia) it does not allow one to unambiguously identify the rank of the scientific name, since it is also a suffix used at the rank of genus. In addition, due to the fact that the suffix at the rank of class was not regulated in earlier versions of the International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria, there are names that do not follow the standardised suffix. Uniformity would be an advantage. The problem and a proposed solution are discussed.
Contrasting regional and global climate simulations over South Asia
Authors: Rana Arun , Nikulin Grigory , Kjellström Erik , Strandberg Gustav , Kupiainen Marco , Hansson Ulf , Kolax Michael
Published: January 2020

Two ensembles of climate simulations, one global and one regional, are used to investigate model errors and projected climate change in seasonal mean temperature and precipitation over South Asia. The global ensemble includes ten global climate models (GCMs). In the regional ensemble all ten GCMs are downscaled by a regional climate model—RCA4 over South Asia at 50 km resolution. Our focus is on the Indian Summer Monsoon season (June–August) and we show that RCA4 can reproduce, reduce or amplify large-scale GCM biases depending on regions and GCMs. However, the RCA4 bias pattern in precipitation is similar across the simulations, regardless of forcing GCM, indicating a strong RCA4 imprint on the simulated precipitation. For climate change, the results indicate, that RCA4 can change the signal projected by the GCM ensemble and its individual members. There are a few RCA4 simulations with a substantial reduction of projected warming by RCA4 compared to the driving GCMs and with a large regional increase in precipitation absent in the GCMs. We also found that in a number of subregions warm RCA4 biases are related to stronger warming and vice versa, while there is no such dependency in the GCM ensemble. Neither the GCM nor the RCA4 ensemble shows any significant dependency between projected changes and biases for precipitation. Our results implicate that using only RCMs and excluding GCMs, a commonly established approach, can significantly change the message on future regional climate change.
Efficacy and safety of galcanezumab for preventive treatment of migraine: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhao Xiuyuan , Xu Xiaolin , Li Qingyun
Published: January 2020

Objective

This meta-analysis aimed to systematically evaluate the effectiveness and safety of galcanezumab in the prophylactic treatment of adult migraine.

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed to identity randomized-controlled trials (RCTs). The primary outcome was the decline in the number of monthly migraine days (MMDs). Secondary outcomes included the reduction of monthly acute migraine‑specific medication days (MSMDs), the number of participants showing a reduction in MMDs from baseline of ≥ 50%, ≥ 75%, and 100%, the incidence of adverse events (AEs), and the number of participants developing anti-drug antibodies (ADAs) to galcanezumab. We calculated the mean difference (MD), relative risk (RR), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for these outcomes.

Results

Among the five included trials, galcanezumab given at doses of 120, 150, 240, and 300 mg was superior to placebo for both MMDs and secondary outcomes. The degree of AEs in all group was mild. Notably, no significant differences were found in the occurrence of AEs and ADAs between the galcanezumab and placebo groups.

Conclusion

Galcanezumab is a safe and effective treatment for adult patients with episodic and chronic migraine.
Gender comparison of clinical, histopathological, therapeutic and outcome factors in 185,967 colon cancer patients
Authors: Schmuck Rosa , Gerken Michael , Teegen Eva-Maria , Krebs Isabell , Klinkhammer-Schalke Monika , Aigner Felix , Pratschke Johann , Rau Beate , Benz Stefan
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Colorectal carcinomas represent the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths in Germany. Although the incidence is significantly higher in men compared with women and gender is a well-established crucial factor for outcome in other diseases, detailed gender comparisons for colon cancer are lacking.

Methods

This retrospective population-based cohort study included all patients diagnosed with colon cancer in Germany between 2000 and 2016 who were included in the common dataset of colorectal cancer patients from the quality conference of the German Cancer Society. We compared clinical, histopathological, and therapeutic characteristics as well as overall and recurrence-free survival.

Results

A total of 185,967 patients were included in the study, of which 85,685 were female (46.1%) and 100,282 were male (53.9%). The proportion of women diagnosed with colon cancer decreased from 2000 to 2016 (f: 26.6 to 40.1%; m: 24.9 to 41.9%; p < 0.001), and the proportion of very old patients was especially high in women (f: 27.3%; m: 15.6%; p < 0.001). The localization in women was more right-sided (f: 45.0%, m: 36.7%; p < 0.001), and women had a higher tumor grading and a higher UICC stage (especially stage III nodal-positive) at diagnosis of primary colon cancer (UICC III: f: 22.7%, m: 21.0%; p < 0.001). We could detect a significantly better overall (hazard ratio: 0.853, lower 95%: 0.841, upper 95%: 0.864; p < 0.001) and recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio: 0.857, lower 95%: 0.845, upper 95%: 0.868; p < 0.001) in women compared with men, even though women received chemotherapy less frequently compared with men (f: 26.1%, m: 28.1%; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

We could detect several variables that differed significantly between men and women regarding clinical, histopathological, therapeutic, and outcome factors. We believe that it is crucial to consider gender as a key factor in the diagnosis and treatment of colon cancer. Sex-specific diagnostic tools could lead to an earlier diagnosis of colon cancer in women, and ways to increase the rate of chemotherapy in women should be evaluated. Furthermore, we recommend stratifying randomized trials by gender.
Untangling the Gordian knot—further resolving the super-species complex of 300-million-year-old xiphosurids by reconstructing their ontogeny
Authors: Haug Carolin , Haug Joachim T.
Published: January 2020

The group Xiphosurida (horseshoe “crabs”) is today only represented by four species. However, in the fossil record, several dozen species have been described, especially from the Carboniferous (about 300 million years ago). Several species have been interpreted as representatives ofEuproopsorBelinurus, but there is ongoing discussion which of these species are valid and how they can be differentiated. Recent studies suggested that differences in the timing of individual development could provide information for species distinction, exemplified by studies onEuproops danae(Mazon Creek, USA) andEuproopssp. (“Piesproops”; Piesberg, Germany). For this study, we reinvestigated all Carboniferous xiphosurids from the British Coal Measures stored in the collections of the Natural History Museum London. Size comparisons of the specimens revealed nine size groups; the smaller specimens were originally labelled asBelinurus, the larger ones asEuproops. The nine size groups exhibit five different morphotypes differing in structures surrounding the posterior shield (= thoracetron): spines of different lengths and, in larger specimens, a more or less developed flange. Two of these morphotypes show significantly longer spines than the remaining specimens and could be conspecific asE. anthrax. The remaining specimens are interpreted as growth series of another species, presumably ofE. rotundatus. An ontogenetic flange formation is also known fromE. danaeand the “Piesproops”, but the timing differs between all three species. InE. rotundatus, the flange develops rather late, but then comparably abruptly, which makes this development more metamorphic in relation to development in the other species.
Nephila edulis—breeding and care under laboratory conditions
Authors: Liebsch C. , Fliess M. , Kuhbier J. W. , Vogt P. M. , Strauss S.
Published: January 2020

Due to fascinating mechanical and biological characteristics spider silk is of great interest in many research fields. Among the orb-weavers Nephila edulis is one of the species used as source for natural spider silk in laboratories. Under appropriate conditions, animals can be kept and bred easily. This manuscript gives information about the spiders’ natural habitat, behavior, and breeding and compares them with the established methods and conditions within a research laboratory. Keeping conditions and methods of rearing are described in detail. Within a keeping facility with reliable supply of food, cannibalism rate is significantly reduced and spiders mate all year long. Cohabitants of the genus Steatoda are routinely found in laboratory keeping. While these small spiders do not pose a threat to Nephila edulis, cellar spiders (family Pholcidae) have to be extracted as they have been observed hunting for Nephila spiders.
Urban green infrastructure as a tool for controlling the resilience of urban sprawl
Authors: Vargas-Hernández José G. , Zdunek-Wielgołaska Justyna
Published: January 2020

This paper is aimed to analyze the existing relationships and controlling functions between the urban green infrastructures on the resilience of the urban sprawl. The analysis begins questioning whether urban sprawl sustainable growth can be controlled after achieving urban supported by urban green infrastructure. The analytic method used is based on developing a conceptual and theoretical framework of reference to review the literature on the main variables of the research: Green infrastructure, resilience, and urban sprawl. It is concluded that while it is difficult to find linear causality in a direct relationship among the variables of the analysis, it is supported by the existence of more holistic connectivity leading to the controlling of the urban sprawl. The analysis suggests that a holistic approach is required to build urban resilience based on green infrastructure by addressing a fuller range of ecosystem disturbances and disasters, to create the outcomes that develop the environmental and ecological benefits of urban spectrum of ecosystem disturbances and disasters, to create the outcomes that develop the environmental and ecological benefits of urban sprawl.
Maternal practices and perceptions of child body mass status explain child energy expenditure behaviors and body mass
Authors: Boberska Monika , Zarychta Karolina , Knoll Nina , Keller Jan , Hohl Diana Hilda , Horodyska Karolina , Kruk Magdalena , Luszczynska Aleksandra
Published: January 2020

This study investigated whether maternal perceptions of child body mass status would predict child body mass index (BMI) z-score via two sets of sequential mediators: (1) four maternal practices promoting child energy expenditure and (2) children’s energy expenditure behaviors. The data ofN = 729 mother–child dyads were collected at baseline [T1;n = 495 at 7- to 8-month follow-up (T2)]. Mothers reported perceptions of child body mass status and maternal practices (T1); children reported sedentary screen use and physical activity (T1, T2). Child body mass was assessed objectively (T1, T2). Higher stimulation to be active (T1) was related to a lower child BMI z-score (T2) via higher levels of child physical activity (T2). Higher levels of monitoring of screen use (T1) were associated with higher child BMI z-score (T2) via lower levels of child physical activity (T2). Encouraging parents to stimulate their children to be active may be beneficial for children’s weight maintenance.
Cytogenetics of Fraxinus mandshurica and F. quadrangulata: ploidy determination and rDNA analysis
Authors: Islam-Faridi Nurul , Mason Mary E. , Koch Jennifer L. , Nelson C. Dana
Published: January 2020

Ashes (Fraxinus spp.) are important hardwood tree species in rural, suburban, and urban forests of the eastern USA. Unfortunately, emerald ash borer (EAB,Agrilus planipennis) an invasive insect pest that was accidentally imported from Asia in the late 1980s–early 1990s is destroying them at an alarming rate. All North American ashes are highly susceptible to EAB, although blue ash (F. quadrangulata) may have some inherent attributes that provide it some protection. In contrast Manchurian ash (F. mandshurica) is relatively resistant to EAB having coevolved with the insect pest in its native range in Asia. Given its level of resistance, Manchurian ash has been considered for use in interspecies breeding programs designed to transfer resistance to susceptible North American ash species. One prerequisite for successful interspecies breeding is consistency in chromosome ploidy level and number between the candidate species. In the current study, we cytologically determined that both Manchurian ash and blue ash are diploids (2n) and have the same number of chromosomes (2n = 2x = 46). We also characterized these species’ ribosomal gene families (45S and 5S rDNA) using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Both Manchurian and blue ash showed two 45S rDNA and one 5S rDNA sites, but blue ash appears to have an additional site of 45S rDNA. The 5S rDNA in both species is colocalized interstitially with one of the 45S rDNA sites. The copy number of these two ribosomal gene families in Manchurian ash were observed to be quite varied, which indicates the species are still undergoing evolutionary homogenization.
SEOM clinical guideline thyroid cancer (2019)
Authors: Gallardo E. , Medina J. , Sánchez J. C. , Viúdez A. , Grande E. , Porras I. , Ramón y Cajal T. , Trigo J. , Iglesias L. , Capdevila J.
Published: January 2020

Thyroid carcinoma is the most frequent endocrine malignancy and accounts for around 3% of global cancer incidence. Different histologies and clinical scenarios make necessary a multidisciplinary approach that includes new diagnostic methods and surgical, radiopharmaceutical and systemic therapies. This guideline updates several aspects of management of thyroid cancer.
Psychometric properties and measurement invariance of the Polish version of the dyadic coping inventory
Authors: Wendołowska Anna M. , Czyżowska Dorota , Bodenmann Guy
Published: January 2020

Recently, there has been growing interest in stress and coping strategies from a relational perspective. Researchers recognize the importance of a partner’s coping strategy in terms of relationship satisfaction and a relational sense of well-being. The aim of the article is to present the results of work on the Polish validation of the Dyadic Coping Inventory (DCI), which was developed by Bodenmann et al. (2008). Dyadic coping is a multidimensional construct which consists of stress communication by partners and four components of dyadic coping behavior: supporting, delegated, negative and common behavior. The DCI examines the quality of communication between partners and the level of dyadic coping with stress. The DCI was tested based on a study of 550 people (275 couples) aged between 20 and 72. The conducted analyses were aimed at checking the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Polish version of the DCI. Measurement invariance (MI) was also tested across genders on a Polish sample and across cultures on Polish, Swiss and Romanian samples. After rejection of three pairs of items, factor analysis of the DCI revealed a 5-factor structure with respect to a partner’s own dyadic coping and their partner’s dyadic coping and a 2-factor structure with respect to common dyadic coping. MI results confirmed the criteria for configural, metric and full scalar invariance across genders and configural, metric and partial scalar invariance across cultures. The Polish version of DCI has satisfactory psychometric characteristics and can be used to assess the dyadic coping of people in romantic relationships; also, it can be used in cross-cultural studies.
GridTables: A One-Size-Fits-Most H2TAP Data Store
Authors: Pinnecke Marcus , Campero Durand Gabriel , Broneske David , Zoun Roman , Saake Gunter
Published: January 2020

Heterogeneous HybridTransactionalAnalytical Processing ($$\mathrm{H}^{2}$$H2TAP) database systems have been developed to match the requirements for low latency analysis of real-time operational data. Due to technical challenges, these systems are hard to architect, non-trivial to engineer, and complex to administrate. Current research has proposed excellent solutions to many of those challenges in isolation – a unified engine enabling to optimize performance by combining these solutions is still missing. In this concept paper, we suggest a highly flexible and adaptive data structure (called gridtable) to physically organize sparse but structured records in the context of $$\mathrm{H}^{2}$$H2TAP. For this, we focus on the design of an efficient highly-flexible storage layout that is built from scratch for mixed query workloads. The key challenges we address are: (1) partial storage in different memory locations, and (2) the ability to optimize for mixed OLTP-/OLAP access patterns. To guarantee safe and well-specified data definition or manipulation, as well as fast querying with no compromises on performance, we propose two dedicated access paths to the storage.

In this paper, we explore the architecture and internals of gridtables showing design goals, concepts and trade-offs. We close this paper with open research questions and challenges that must be addressed in order to take advantage of the flexibility of our solution.
Nanoformulations as a modern form of biofungicide
Authors: Miastkowska Małgorzata , Michalczyk Alicja , Figacz Katarzyna , Sikora Elżbieta
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The aim of this study was to elaborate new forms of biofungicide formulations which could increase biological activity of essential oil against various strains of pathogenic fungi of plants, dermatophytes, and molds.

Methods

The nanoemulsions containing four various essential oils (cinnamon, thyme, manuka, and tea tree oil) were obtained by using the low-energy (PIC) and the high-energy emulsification methods (ultrasonification). The physicochemical properties and activity of prepared systems against strains of pathogenic fungi of plants (F. culmorum, Ph. cactorum), dermatophytes (T. mentagrophytes M. gypseum) and molds (S. brevicaulis, A. niger) were examined. Fungicidal activity was tested by the method of linear growth of mycelium on an agar medium. Macroemulsions containing the oils and the pure essential oils were used as comparative samples.

Results

It was found that nanoemulsions prepared by ultrasonification showed excellent fungicidal activity compared to pure oils and macroemulsions. Among others, the manuka oil nanoformulations showed the highest activity against the tested fungi.

Conclusions

Nanoemulsions can be applied as the effective carriers of essential oils. They allow the reduction of the concentration of the bioactive oils while maintaining biological activity. The obtained nanosystems can be applied as safe, biodegradable, eco-friendly antifungal products in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and agrochemical industries as they increase the biological activity of the tested oils against various type of fungi.
CircAST: Full-Length Assembly and Quantification of Alternatively Spliced Isoforms in Circular RNAs
Authors: Wu Jing , Li Yan , Wang Cheng , Cui Yiqiang , Xu Tianyi , Wang Chang , Wang Xiao , Sha Jiahao , Jiang Bin , Wang Kai , Hu Zhibin , Guo Xuejiang , Song Xiaofeng
Published: January 2020

Circular RNAs (circRNAs), covalently closed continuous RNA loops, are generated from cognate linear RNAs through back splicing events, and alternative splicing events may generate different circRNA isoforms at the same locus. However, the challenges of reconstruction and quantification of alternatively spliced full-length circRNAs remain unresolved. On the basis of the internal structural characteristics of circRNAs, we developed CircAST, a tool to assemble alternatively spliced circRNA transcripts and estimate their expression by using multiple splice graphs. Simulation studies showed that CircAST correctly assembled the full sequences of circRNAs with a sensitivity of 85.63%–94.32% and a precision of 81.96%–87.55%. By assigning reads to specific isoforms, CircAST quantified the expression of circRNA isoforms with correlation coefficients of 0.85–0.99 between theoretical and estimated values. We evaluated CircAST on an in-house mouse testis RNA-seq dataset with RNase R treatment for enriching circRNAs and identified 380 circRNAs with full-length sequences different from those of their corresponding cognate linear RNAs. RT-PCR and Sanger sequencing analyses validated 32 out of 37 randomly selected isoforms, thus further indicating the good performance of CircAST, especially for isoforms with low abundance. We also applied CircAST to published experimental data and observed substantial diversity in circular transcripts across samples, thus suggesting that circRNA expression is highly regulated. CircAST can be accessed freely at https://github.com/xiaofengsong/CircAST.
Sexual Desire Changes in Transgender Individuals Upon Initiation of Hormone Treatment: Results From the Longitudinal European Network for the Investigation of Gender Incongruence
Authors: Defreyne Justine , Elaut Els , Kreukels Baudewijntje , Fisher Alessandra Daphne , Castellini Giovanni , Staphorsius Annemieke , Den Heijer Martin , Heylens Gunter , T'Sjoen Guy
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Several steps in the transitioning process may affect sexual desire in transgender people. This is often underexposed by those providing gender-affirming care.

Aim

To prospectively assess sexual desire during the first 3 years of hormonal therapy (HT) in transgender people.

Methods

This prospective cohort study was part of the European Network for the Investigation of Gender Incongruence. At baseline, different psychological questionnaires were administered. Sex steroids were measured at each follow-up visit. Data were analyzed cross-sectionally and prospectively.

Main Outcome Measure

Prospective analysis of total, dyadic (with another person), and solitary (with oneself) sexual desire in 766 participants (401 transgender women [TW], 364 transgender men [TM]) was carried out using the Sexual Desire Inventory (SDI) questionnaire during a 3-year follow-up period, starting at the initiation of HT. Other factors associated with prospective changes were assessed.

Results

In TW, total, dyadic, and solitary SDI scores decreased during the first 3 months of HT. However, after 36 months, total and dyadic SDI scores were higher than baseline scores. Solitary scores after 36 months were comparable with baseline scores. In TM, total, dyadic, and solitary SDI scores increased over the first 3 months, remaining stable thereafter. However, total and dyadic SDI scores after 36 months were comparable with baseline scores, whereas solitary scores remained higher than baseline. Factors associated with a prospective increase in SDI scores included having undergone gonadectomy, no longer experiencing menstrual bleeding or higher gender dysphoria levels at baseline (in TM only).

Clinical Implications

This study offers clear data on the time course of sexual desire after starting HT and thereby helps to inform people who want to start HT. Transgender people can be informed that changes in sexual desire after initiating HT are temporary. Over a longer period of time, the current research does not suggest induction of hypoactive sexual disorder in TW or long-term increased sexual desire in TM.

Strength & Limitations

Strengths include the prospective design of this large multicentric study, the well-defined cohort, controlling for HT, sex steroids, and other factors. Limitations include performing a data lock, the absence of an objective measure of sexual desire, and the timing of laboratory measurements.

Conclusion

Gender-affirming HT only induces short-term changes in sexual desire in transgender people. Over a longer period of time, a net increase in dyadic sexual desire in TW receiving feminizing HT and sexual desire scores comparable with baseline in TM receiving virilizing HT, were observed.
A Review and Roadmap of Online Learning Platforms and Tutorials in Digital Archaeology
Authors: Daems Dries
Published: January 2020

Overview

With an ever-growing range of computational tools and applications now available for archaeological practice, the potential of digital archaeology is greater than ever before. Yet, archaeological curricula have not always followed suit, and many archaeologists are not up-to-date with the necessary digital skills. To fill this gap, online tutorials and learning platforms are being developed to familiarize archaeologists and students with the potential of digital media for archaeological research practices. Given the essential pedagogical role of these platforms, their quality is deserving of deeper interrogation. Here, I review three major platforms offering tutorials on digital archaeology: the Programming Historian, Project MERCURY-SIMREC, and the Open Digital Archaeology Textbook. These are evaluated and compared based on their goals, design (intuitiveness, ease of use), accessibility (use of jargon, required prerequisite knowledge, software requirements), scope (target audience, range of skills addressed, targeted level of improvement), and efficiency (whether or not they achieve their intended goals). The review concludes with a road map contextualizing the current state of available resources in light of the wider state of digital archaeology, and it considers pathways toward future development.
ON THE OPTIMAL COMBINATION OF ANNUITIES AND TONTINES
Authors: Chen An , Rach Manuel , Sehner Thorsten
Published: January 2020

Tontines, retirement products constructed in such a way that the longevity risk is shared in a pool of policyholders, have recently gained vast attention from researchers and practitioners. Typically, these products are cheaper than annuities, but do not provide stable payments to policyholders. This raises the question whether, from the policyholders' viewpoint, the advantages of annuities and tontines can be combined to form a retirement plan which is cheaper than an annuity, but provides a less volatile retirement income than a tontine. In this article, we analyze and compare three approaches of combining annuities and tontines in an expected utility framework: the previously introduced “tonuity”, a product very similar to the tonuity which we call “antine” and a portfolio consisting of an annuity and a tontine. We show that the payoffs of a tonuity and an antine can be replicated by a portfolio consisting of an annuity and a tontine. Consequently, policyholders achieve higher expected utility levels when choosing the portfolio over the novel retirement products tonuity and antine. Further, we derive conditions on the premium loadings of annuities and tontines indicating when the optimal portfolio is investing a positive amount in both annuity and tontine, and when the optimal portfolio turns out to be a pure annuity or a pure tontine.
Assessing Characteristics of Unplanned School Closures that Occurred in the United States in Response to Hurricane Harvey in 2017
Authors: Jackson Ashley M. , Ahmed Faruque
Published: January 2020

Objective:

Hurricane Harvey, which made landfall in Texas on August 24, 2017, caused catastrophic damage that resulted in the closure of many schools and school districts across 4 states. We evaluated the underlying reasons and characteristics of the unplanned school closures to gain insight on how communities may cope with recommended preemptive closures as an intervention for pandemic influenza.

Methods:

Information was extracted from news articles, school websites, and Twitter and Facebook posts previously collected through daily systematic searches of Google, Google News, and Lexis-Nexis. This information was sorted into predefined categories describing the characteristics that may be associated with unplanned school closures that occur during a natural disaster.

Results:

Across Texas, Louisiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee, there were 3026 unplanned closures. Sixty-three percent of the closures occurred in Texas. The main reasons for the closures were flooding, power outages, and structural damage. The closed schools in Texas were sometimes used as shelters or as locations for providing food or other resources.

Conclusion:

School closures associated with Hurricane Harvey were attributed to both the effects of the hurricane and use for resource allocation. These findings can help inform preparedness planning and response for future hurricane seasons and other large-scale emergencies.
The Politics of Happiness
Authors: Matt Susan J.
Published: January 2020

With its annualWorld Happiness Report, Gallup has been ranking the feelings of different nations since 2012 (Figure 1). In the latest contest, Finland edged out Denmark for happiest nation on earth. The United States placed nineteenth. South Sudan came in last. The results are based on surveys with queries such as the following: “Please imagine a ladder, with steps numbered from 0 at the bottom to 10 at the top. The top of the ladder represents the best possible life for you and the bottom of the ladder represents the worst possible life for you. On which step of the ladder would you say you personally feel you stand at this time?” and “Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with your freedom to choose what you do with your life?” Respondents also report whether they have made charitable donations, and whether they have smiled, laughed, or experienced feelings of enjoyment or happiness recently.
Comparing the measurement of different social networks: Peer nominations, online communication, and proximity data
Authors: van Woudenberg T. J. , Bevelander K. E. , Burk W. J. , Smit C. R. , Buijs L. , Buijzen M.
Published: January 2020

Background:

Technological progress has enabled researchers to use new unobtrusive measures of relationships between actors in social network analysis. However, research on how these unobtrusive measures of peer connections relate to traditional sociometric nominations in adolescents is scarce. Therefore, the current study compared traditional peer nominated networks with more unobtrusive measures of peer connections: Communication networks that consist of instant messages in an online social platform and proximity networks based on smartphones’ Bluetooth signals that measure peer proximity. The three social network types were compared in their coverage, stability, overlap, and the extent to which the networks exhibit the often observed sex segregation in adolescent social networks.

Method:

Two samples were derived from theMyMovezproject: a longitudinal sample of 444 adolescents who participated in the first three waves of the first year of the project (Y1; 51% male;Mage= 11.29,SDage= 1.26) and a cross-sectional sample of 774 adolescents that participated in fifth wave in the third year (Y3; 48% male;Mage= 10.76,SDage= 1.23). In the project, all participants received a research smartphone and a wrist-worn accelerometer. On the research smartphone, participants received daily questionnaires such as peer nomination questions (i.e., nominated network). In addition, the smartphone automatically scanned for other smartphones via Bluetooth signal every 15 minutes of the day (i.e., proximity network). In the Y3 sample, the research smartphone also had a social platform in which participants could send messages to each other (i.e., communication network).

Results:

The results show that nominated networks provided data for the most participants compared to the other two networks, but in these networks, participants had the lowest number of connections with peers. Nominated networks showed to be more stable over time compared to proximity or communication networks. That is, more connections remained the same in nominated networks than in proximity networks over the three waves of Y1. The overlap between the three networks was rather small, indicating that the networks measured different types of connections. Nominated and communication networks were segregated by sex, whereas this was less the case in proximity networks.

Conclusion:

The communication and proximity networks seem to be promising unobtrusive measures of peer connections and are less of a burden to the participant compared to a nominated network. However, given the structural differences between the networks and the number of connections per wave, the communication and proximity networks should not be used as direct substitutes for sociometric nominations, and researchers should bear in mind what type of connections they wish to assess.
Le monisme matériel de Franz Brentano
Authors: BUCCHIONI GUILLAUME , IGLESIAS LAURENT
Published: January 2020

Le but de cet article est de proposer un examen de l’ontologie matérielle de Franz Brentano. Nous soutenons ici la thèse selon laquelle Brentano défend un type original de monisme. Ce monisme peut être vu comme la conjonction de trois théories : le réisme (la thèse selon laquelle il n’existe que des choses individuelles concrètes), le monisme de priorité (la thèse selon laquelle il n’y a qu’une seule substance) et le super-substantialisme (la thèse selon laquelle cette substance est l’espace).
What do beginning teachers make of task-based language teaching? A comparative re-production of East (2014)
Authors: East Martin
Published: January 2020

East (2014) presented a largely qualitative study that uncovered how beginning teachers of languages other than English developed their understandings about task-based language teaching (TBLT) as they took part in a year-long initial teacher education programme in New Zealand. This paper reports a comparative re-production. It complements a recent New Zealand based study, experimental in nature, and its approximate replication (Erlam & Ellis, 2018a, b). The present paper argues that TBLT remains in practice a contested endeavour. Positive experimental research findings are not necessarily finding their way into classrooms, and practitioner-focused studies play a crucial role in adding to our knowledge of what works and what does not work in authentic contexts. The original study and the comparative re-production addressed the same research questions and drew on parallel data sources. The findings of the comparative study, which supported those of the original study, helped in identifying more clearly the issues at stake for the profession and the variables that require attention. It is apparent that the challenges reside in upskilling and supporting practising teachers, who need to become a stronger focus of dedicated and long-term professional development opportunities that will introduce them to the innovation, and sustain them in its implementation.
Disability, Options and Well-Being
Authors: Crawley Thomas
Published: January 2020

Many endorse the Bad-Difference View (BDV) of disability which says that disability makes one likely to be worse off even in the absence of discrimination against the disabled. Others defend the Mere-Difference View (MDV) of disability which says that, discounting discrimination, disability does not make one likely to be worse (or better) off. A common motivation for the BDV is theOptions Argumentwhich identifies reduction in valuable options as a harm of disability. Some reject this argument, arguing that disabled people's prospects aren't hindered by having fewer options. In this article, I defend the Options Argument by arguing that, in disability cases, possessing a greater number of valuable options seems to overall improve well-being prospects. As such, the Options Argument appears to be sound and – although it doesn't establish the BDV – it lends plausibility to the BDV by identifying a potentially significant cost of disability.
An “Ingenious Moralist”: Bernard Mandeville as a Precursor of Bentham
Authors: Susato Ryu
Published: January 2020

This article argues that Bernard Mandeville's ideas were more likely to have influenced Jeremy Bentham's writings than previously believed. The conventional interpretation of Mandeville as a forerunner of the Hayekian “theory of spontaneous order” has obscured Mandeville and Bentham's shared emphasis on legal and interventionist solutions for the issues of prostitution and prisoners. This influence is evinced by focusing on some of Mandeville's minor works, which anticipated some of Bentham's arguments. It is unlikely that Bentham directly knew of Mandeville's minor works, but his reformist and interventionist bent was consistent and discernible in the Fable, which Jeremy Bentham read in his youth.
How Close Are Things To Us? On the Relation Between the Incidental and the Valuable
Authors: Hahn Hans Peter
Published: January 2020

Je mehr man außer sich ist, desto besser beschaut man das Objekt

Kant ([1772] 1923, 664)

As pointed out in the introduction, incidentalness is a challenge for the study of culture. This applies not only to anthropological and archaeological approaches, but to any discipline that produces descriptions of cultures. As I will explain in more detail, in the framework of more detailed empirical studies dealing with things, the challenge is not only one of ‘method’, but also in terms of ‘research artefacts’, such as the tendency to overestimate meaning. Basically, this is about the question of how cultures should be described and what role everyday things play in cultural change. In this comment, I shall develop the hypothesis that the place of the individual in a society and in his or her material environment as part of everyday culture is adequately described only when incidentalness has a prominent role. Furthermore, I argue that incidentalness is a condition that is unstable, if not transient and ephemeral in terms of temporality. Innovation and cultural change are often related to this specific form of instability in time. Things are eclipsed from incidentalness and, at a certain historical moment, may become central vehicles of meaning in a society, or vice versa: things are shifted to the status of casualness, and the collective awareness shifts to other fields.