bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Industry 4.0. Transformation Challenge in Light of Dynamic Capabilities
Authors: Kyläheiko Kalevi , Maijanen Päivi
Published: July 2020

The manufacturing industry is facing drastic changes brought about by the driving forces of the so-called Industry 4.0 Transformation. The firms that want to sustain their competitive advantage have to transform their resource bases and manufacturing capabilities in a cost efficient way. The companies have to reinvent their business logic by combining their strengths in product design and manufacturing together with existing, or to-be-created new capabilities in evolving digital ecosystems. This article scrutinizes the tools that modern strategic management research can offer to overcome the challenges of organizational renewal. After analyzing different approaches developed in modern strategy research we focus on the dynamic capability view and especially on its micro-foundations and usability in the context of digitalized platform-based ecosystems will be studied. Finally, we will offer some managerial implications.
Topological term, QCD anomaly, and the η′ chiral soliton lattice in rotating baryonic matter
Authors: Nishimura Kentaro , Yamamoto Naoki
Published: July 2020

Abstract

We study the ground states of low-density hadronic matter and high-density color-flavor locked color superconducting phase in three-flavor QCD at finite baryon chemical potential under rotation. We find that, in both cases under sufficiently fast rotation, the combination of the rotation-induced topological term for the η′ meson and the QCD anomaly leads to an inhomogeneous condensate of the η′ meson, known as the chiral soliton lattice (CSL). We find that, when baryon chemical potential is much larger than isospin chemical potential, the critical angular velocity for the realization of the η′ CSL is much smaller than that for the π0 CSL found previously. We also argue that the η′ CSL states in flavor-symmetric QCD at low density and high density should be continuously connected, extending the quark-hadron continuity conjecture in the presence of the rotation.
The Prevalence of Celiac Disease in a Fracture Liaison Service Population
Authors: de Bruin Irma J. A. , Vranken Lisanne , Wyers Caroline E. , van der Velde Robert Y. , Trienekens Thera A. M. , Kaarsemaker Sjoerd , Janzing Heinrich M. J. , Wolters Frank L. , Wouda Siep , Geusens Piet P. M. M. , van den Bergh Joop P. W.
Published: July 2020

Celiac disease (CD) is a known risk factor for osteoporosis and fractures. The prevalence of CD in patients with a recent fracture is unknown. We therefore systematically screened patients at a fracture liaison service (FLS) to study the prevalence of CD. Patients with a recent fracture aged ≥ 50 years were invited to VieCuri Medical Center’s FLS. In FLS attendees, bone mineral density (BMD) and laboratory evaluation for metabolic bone disorders and serological screening for CD was systematically evaluated. If serologic testing for CD was positive, duodenal biopsies were performed to confirm the diagnosis CD. Data were collected in 1042 consecutive FLS attendees. Median age was 66 years (Interquartile range (IQR) 15), 27.6% had a major and 6.9% a hip fracture, 26.4% had osteoporosis and 50.8% osteopenia. Prevalent vertebral fractures were found in 29.1%. CD was already diagnosed in two patients (0.19%), one still had a positive serology. Three other patients (0.29%) had a positive serology for CD (one with gastro-intestinal complaints). In two of them, CD was confirmed by duodenal histology (0.19%) and one refused further evaluation. The prevalence of biopsy-proven CD was therefore 0.38% (4/1042) of which 0.19% (2/1042) was newly diagnosed. The prevalence of CD in patients with a recent fracture at the FLS was 0.38% and within the range of reported prevalences in the Western-European population (0.33–1.5%). Newly diagnosed CD was only found in 0.19%. Therefore, standard screening for CD in FLS patients is not recommended.
Almost 10 years of PET/MR attenuation correction: the effect on lesion quantification with PSMA: clinical evaluation on 200 prostate cancer patients
Authors: Bogdanovic Borjana , Gafita Andrei , Schachoff Sylvia , Eiber Matthias , Cabello Jorge , Weber Wolfgang A. , Nekolla Stephan G.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

After a decade of PET/MR, the case of attenuation correction (AC) remains open. The initial four-compartment (air, water, fat, soft tissue) Dixon-based AC scheme has since been expanded with several features, the latest being MR field-of-view extension and a bone atlas. As this potentially changes quantification, we evaluated the impact of these features in PET AC in prostate cancer patients.

Methods

Two hundred prostate cancer patients were examined with either18F- or68Ga-prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET/MR. Qualitative and quantitative analysis (SUVmean, SUVmax, correlation, and statistical significance) was performed on images reconstructed using different AC schemes: Dixon, Dixon+MLAA, Dixon+HUGE, and Dixon+HUGE+bones for18F-PSMA data; Dixon and Dixon+bones for68Ga-PSMA data. Uptakes were compared using linear regression against standard Dixon.

Results

High correlation and no visually perceivable differences between all evaluated methods (r > 0.996) were found. The mean relative difference in lesion uptake of18F-PSMA and68Ga-PSMA remained, respectively, within 4% and 3% in soft tissue, and within 10% and 9% in bones for all evaluated methods. Bone registration errors were detected, causing mean uptake change of 5% in affected lesions.

Conclusions

Based on these results and the encountered bone atlas registration inaccuracy, we deduce that including bones and extending the MR field-of-view did not introduce clinically significant differences in PSMA diagnostic accuracy and tracer uptake quantification in prostate cancer pelvic lesions, facilitating the analysis of serial studies respectively. However, in the absence of ground truth data, we advise against atlas-based methods when comparing serial scans for bone lesions.
The impact of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic on trauma bay management and guideline adherence in a European level-one-trauma centre
Authors: Halvachizadeh Sascha , Teuben Michel , Berk Till , Neuhaus Valentin , Pape Hans-Christoph , Pfeifer Roman
Published: July 2020

Purpose

SARS CoV-2 (COVID-19) represents a pandemic that has led to adjustments of routine clinical practices. The initial management in the trauma bay follows detailed international valid algorithms. This study aims to work out potential adjustments of trauma bay algorithms during a global pandemic in order to reduce contamination and to increase safety for patients and medical personnel.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study compared patients admitted to the trauma bay of one academic level-one trauma centre in March and April 2019 with patients admitted in March and April 2020. Based on these datasets, possible adjustments of the current international guidelines of trauma bay management were discussed.

Results

Group Pan (2020, n = 30) included two-thirds the number of patients compared with Group Ref (2019, n = 44). The number of severely injured patients comparable amongst these groups: mean injury severity score (ISS) was significantly lower in Group Pan (10.5 ± 4.4 points) compared with Group Ref (15.3 ± 9.2 points, p = 0.035). Duration from admission to whole-body CT was significantly higher in Group Pan (23.8 ± 9.4 min) compared with Group Ref (17.3 ± 10.7 min, p = 0.046). Number of trauma bay admissions decreased, as did the injury severity for patients admitted in March and April 2020. In order to contain spreading of SARS Cov-2, the suggested recommendations of adjusting trauma bay protocols for severely injured patients include (1) minimizing trauma bay team members with direct contact to the patient; (2) reducing repeated examination as much as possible, with rationalized use of protective equipment; and (3) preventing potential secondary inflammatory insults.

Conclusion

Appropriate adjustments of trauma bay protocols during pandemics should improve safety for both patients and medical personnel while guaranteeing the optimal treatment quality. The above-mentioned proposals have the potential to improve safety during trauma bay management in a time of a global pandemic.
A history of extreme disturbance affects the relationship between the abundances of nitrifiers in soil
Authors: Jurburg Stephanie D. , Assemien Féline L. , Beaumelle Léa , Salles Joana F. , Van Elsas Jan Dirk , Le Roux Xavier
Published: July 2020

To understand how and to what extent single or multiple perturbations can alter the relationships between the abundances of different nitrifier groups and nitrification, soil microcosms were exposed to six disturbance treatments: a heat shock, cold shock, or control conditions applied to undisturbed soils or to soils that had previously been subjected to a first heat shock. We monitored the recovery of the abundances of four main nitrifier groups (ammonia-oxidizing archaea and bacteria, AOA and AOB, respectively, and Nitrobacter and Nitrospira nitrite oxidizers) as well as nitrification activity for 25 days. AOA were sensitive to cold shocks, whereas AOB were not; the latter were sensitive to heat shock. Despite the variations, both groups were resilient to the first disturbance. In contrast, Nitrobacter was affected by both disturbances, whereas Nitrospira was resistant to both shocks. Prior exposure to a heat shock affected each group’s responses as well as the relationships between them. For example, AOB were more vulnerable to heat shock in pre-exposed soils, whereas under the same circumstances, AOA were resilient. Nitrification activity was resistant to the first disturbances, but a legacy effect was observed, and nitrification was highest in Heat-Heat and lowest in Heat-Cold treatments. Overall, our study shows that within soil nitrifiers, temporal patterns and legacy effects interact to result in complex disturbance responses.
Preoperative psychological distress no reason to delay total knee arthroplasty: a register-based prospective cohort study of 458 patients
Authors: Mahdi Aamir , Hälleberg-Nyman Maria , Wretenberg Per
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is effective in alleviating pain and improving function in patients with knee arthritis. Psychological factors are known to affect patient satisfaction after TKA. It is important to determine the effectiveness of TKA in patients with presurgical anxiety and/or depression to avoid excluding them from surgery.

Materials and methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted on all patients who underwent TKA during 2016–2018. Patients were divided into four groups: with anxiety, without anxiety, with depression, and without depression. Outcome measures comprised both generic and knee-specific instruments. Each patient group was compared regarding changes in outcome measures one year after surgery. Between-group comparison was also performed.

Results

Of the 458 patients with complete data, 15.3% and 9.6% had experienced presurgical anxiety and depression, respectively. All patient groups displayed statistical (P < 0.001) and clinical improvement in all outcome measures. Patients with presurgical anxiety and/or depression generally displayed less improvement, though the only significant mean differences concerned the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS)-sport score in the non-anxiety and non-depression groups (P = 0.006 and 0.03, respectively), a higher proportion of clinically improved KOOS pain in the non-anxiety group (P = 0.03), and the general health state in the anxiety and depression groups (P = 0.004 and 0.04, respectively).

Conclusions

All patients improved in outcome measures 1 year after TKA, regardless of presurgical psychological state. Patients with presurgical anxiety and/or depression benefit greatly from surgery and should not be discriminated against based on presurgical psychological distress, though this fact should not eliminate the preoperative psychological assessment of patients.

Level of evidence

II.
Lysine-specific histone demethylase 1A (LSD1) in cervical cancer
Authors: Beilner Daniel , Kuhn Christina , Kost Bernd P. , Jückstock Julia , Mayr Doris , Schmoeckel Elisa , Dannecker Christian , Mahner Sven , Jeschke Udo , Heidegger Helene Hildegard
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Demethylation of DNA through enzymes like LSD1 showed a crucial impact on different kind of cancers. Epigenetic modifications in cervical cancer are still not fully investigated nevertheless of high interest for a therapeutic use.

Methods

Tumor samples of 250 cervical cancer patients were immunochemically stained and evaluated based on Immunoreactive Score. Results were statistically analyzed for clinical and pathological parameters.

Results

Our patient collective showed a disadvantage for 10-year survival for patients with a strong expression of LSD1 in the cytoplasm of cervical cancer cells. The results of the correlational analysis further revealed a negative correlation of LSD1 to G-protein coupled estrogen receptor (GPER).

Conclusions

Epigenetic changes through enzymes like LSD1 may also be of interest for patients with cervical cancer. A combined therapy with other proteins relayed to cervical cancer like GPER might be of interest for future investigations.
Hepatozoon canis in hunting dogs from Southern Italy: distribution and risk factors
Authors: Pacifico L. , Braff J. , Buono F. , Beall M. , Neola B. , Buch J. , Sgroi G. , Piantedosi D. , Santoro M. , Tyrrell P. , Fioretti A. , Breitschwerdt E. B. , Chandrashekar R. , Veneziano V.
Published: July 2020

Hepatozoon canis is a hemoprotozoan organism that infects domestic and wild carnivores throughout much of Europe. The parasite is mainly transmitted through the ingestion of infected ticks containing mature oocysts. The aims of the present survey were to determine the prevalence of H. canis in hunting dogs living in Southern Italy and to assess potential infection risk factors. DNA extracted from whole blood samples, collected from 1433 apparently healthy dogs living in the Napoli, Avellino, and Salerno provinces of Campania region (Southern Italy), was tested by a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay to amplify H. canis. Furthermore, the investigated dog population was also screened by qPCR for the presence of Ehrlichia canis, a major tick-borne pathogen in Southern Italy, in order to assess possible co-infections. Two hundred dogs were H. canis PCR-positive, resulting in an overall prevalence of 14.0% (CI 12.2–15.9). Breed category (P < 0.0001), hair coat length (P = 0.015), and province of residence (P < 0.0001) represented significant risk factors for H. canis infection. The presence of H. canis DNA was also significantly associated with E. canis PCR positivity (P < 0.0001). Hunting dogs in Campania region (Southern Italy) are frequently exposed to H. canis, and the infection is potentially associated with close contact with wildlife. Further studies are needed to assess the pathogenic potential of H. canis, as well as the epidemiological relationships between hunting dogs and wild animal populations sharing the same habitats in Southern Italy.
Soil legacy determines arbuscular mycorrhizal spore bank and plant performance in the low Arctic
Authors: Kytöviita Minna-Maarit , Vestberg Mauritz
Published: July 2020

Human impact is rapidly changing vegetation globally. The effect of plant cover that no longer exists in a site may still affect the development of future vegetation. We focused on a little studied factor—arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus spore bank—and its effect on three test plant species. In a low Arctic field site, plots were maintained for 6 years, devoid of any vegetation or with a Solidago virgaurea monoculture cover. We analysed the AM fungal morphospecies composition and identified 21 morphospecies in the field plots. The AM morphospecies community was dominated by members of Acaulosporaceae. Monoculturing under low Arctic field conditions changed the soil AM spore community, which became dominated by Glomus hoi. We tested the soil feedback in the greenhouse and grew Solidago virgaurea, Potentilla crantzii and Anthoxanthum odoratum in the field soils from the plots without plant cover, covered with Solidago virgaurea or with intact vegetation. Our results suggest that monoculturing resulted in improved N acquisition by the monocultured plant species Solidago virgaurea which may be related to the AM fungus community. Our results show that a rich community of AM fungus spores may remain viable under field conditions for 6 years in the low Arctic. Spore longevity in field soil in the absence of any host plants differed among AM fungus species. We suggest that AM fungus spore longevity be considered an AM fungal life-history trait.
Lipschitz modulus of linear and convex inequality systems with the Hausdorff metric
Authors: Beer G. , Cánovas M. J. , López M. A. , Parra J.
Published: July 2020

This paper analyzes the Lipschitz behavior of the feasible set mapping associated with linear and convex inequality systems in $${\mathbb {R}}^{n}$$

R

n

. To start with, we deal with the parameter space of linear (finite/semi-infinite) systems identified with the corresponding sets of coefficient vectors, which are assumed to be closed subsets of $${\mathbb {R}} ^{n+1}$$

R

n
+
1

. In this framework the size of perturbations is measured by means of the (extended) Hausdorff distance. A direct antecedent, extensively studied in the literature, comes from considering the parameter space of all linear systems with a fixed index set, T, where the Chebyshev (extended) distance is used to measure perturbations. In the present work we propose an appropriate indexation strategy which allows us to establish the equality of the Lipschitz moduli of the feasible set mappings in both parametric contexts, as well as to benefit from existing results in the Chebyshev setting for transferring them to the Hausdorff one. In a second stage, the possibility of perturbing directly the set of coefficient vectors of a linear system leads to new contributions on the Lipschitz behavior of convex systems via linearization techniques.
State Aid Policies in Response to the COVID-19 Shock: Observations and Guiding Principles
Authors: Motta Massimo , Peitz Martin
Published: July 2020

As a general principle, state aid to firms and sector-specific support schemes should be used only when there are market failures; that is, when there are good reasons to believe that the market would not deliver efficient and/or equitable outcomes.
A Framework for a European Economic Recovery After COVID-19
Authors: Anderson Julia , Tagliapietra Simone , Wolff Guntram B.
Published: July 2020

The success of support measures as COVID-19 lockdowns are relaxed depends on the type of recovery the EU wants to achieve.
Fighting the COVID-19 Crisis: Debt Monétisation and EU Recovery Bonds
Authors: Botta Alberto , Caverzasi Eugenio , Russo Alberto
Published: July 2020

This paper highlights some peculiar characteristics of the economic crisis induced by the spread of COVID-19. It suggests two intertwined policy measures in order to tackle the emergency phase of the crisis and to support the economy in the subsequent recovery phase. The proposed short-term policy measures offer policy responses in the event of a second wave of coronavirus infections in the coming months. In the aftermath of the emergency phase, the current proposal puts forward the implementation of a massive EU-wide recovery plan addressing the long-lasting technological and environmental challenges of these years, which will be financed by European institutions through the issuance of European Pandemic Recovery Bonds.
Mitigating the Gap Between the Rich and the Poor: Key Trends and Drivers of Redistribution
Authors: Larch Martin , Mohl Philipp
Published: July 2020

The growing inequality of market income has attracted considerable attention; less so the redistribution of income. This article analyses key trends and drivers of income redistribution in the EU and the world. It shows that in the EU increasing redistribution has largely stabilised the dispersion of disposable income since the late 1990s. Only some advanced countries with a dominant free market ideology have recorded an increasing inequality of disposable income alongside a growing inequality of market outcomes. The evidence from panel data shows that the degree of redistribution increases with per capita income and with the share of low-tech, low-income sectors in manufacturing as well as, in line with the median voter model, when more than half of the voters earn less than the average income in countries with a majoritarian electoral system. More redistribution is associated with lower budgetary surpluses or higher deficits.
Relief, Recovery, Reform: A Retrospective on the US Policy Responses to the Great Recession
Authors: Kus Basak
Published: July 2020

The Great Recession presented the US with economic and political challenges that had not been experienced since the time of the Great Depression. This article provides a retrospective on the government’s response to the crisis ten years after the enactment of the Dodd-Frank Act, as the country is heading into its next presidential election in the midst of yet another downturn, this time fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Will the Future EU-UK Free Trade Agreement Affect Foreign Direct Investment?
Authors: Carril-Caccia Federico
Published: July 2020

This article aims to provide new insight on how Brexit will affect foreign direct investment (FDI) into the UK. By estimating an augmented gravity equation which accounts for the depth of free trade agreements (FTAs) as well as for EU and euro area membership, the article gauges the potential impact that different EU-UK trade scenarios might have on FDI flows and stocks. Results show that under a no-deal scenario, FDI flows from the EU into the UK would plunge by 25.9% – 40.6%, and inward FDI stocks would decrease by 49.2% – 53.9%. However, the depth of the future FTA can mitigate this negative outcome. More generally, the article shows that the FDI costs of leaving the EU would be significantly higher for the euro area countries.
Yeast species affects feeding and fitness of Drosophila suzukii adults
Authors: Spitaler Urban , Bianchi Flavia , Eisenstecken Daniela , Castellan Irene , Angeli Sergio , Dordevic Nikola , Robatscher Peter , Vogel Rudi F. , Koschier Elisabeth H. , Schmidt Silvia
Published: July 2020

Yeasts play an important role in the life cycle and biology of the insect pestDrosophila suzukii(Matsumura), commonly known as the spotted wing drosophila (SWD). Adult and larvae of this species are known to feed and benefit from yeast in their diet. In addition, yeasts were found to be attractive to SWD and were repeatedly found to be associated with SWD. Among those,Hanseniaspora uvarumis the most commonly mentioned. The present study explores the chemical composition and the effects of threeH. uvarumstrains and five yeast species (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candidasp.,Issatchenkia terricola, Metschnikowia pulcherrimaandSaccharomycopsis vini) in the diet of SWD adults. The different yeast species used in this study influenced mortality, fecundity and ingestion by SWD females.Hanseniaspora uvarumandS. viniwere preferably ingested and increased fecundity of SWD females. The intra- and extracellular concentrations of compounds, such as amino acids, carbohydrates, sugar alcohols and organic acids, produced or consumed by yeasts differed among the species. Knowledge of the interaction of different yeast species with SWD and specific differences in the profile of compounds of yeast can help to improve the development of control strategies against the insect pest by promoting the ingestion of attract-and-kill formulations based on the combinations of yeasts and an appropriate insecticide.
Bacterial community structure upstream and downstream of cascade dams along the Lancang River in southwestern China
Authors: Luo Xia , Xiang Xinyi , Huang Guoyi , Song Xiaorui , Wang Peijia , Yang Yuanhao , Fu Kaidao , Che Rongxiao
Published: July 2020

Extensive construction of dams by humans has caused alterations in flow regimes and concomitant alterations in river ecosystems. Even so, bacterioplankton diversity in large rivers influenced by cascade dams has been largely ignored. In this study, bacterial community diversity and profiles of seven cascade dams along the720 km of the Lancang River were studied using Illumina sequencing of the V3-V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene. Spatiotemporal variations of bacterial communities in sediment and water of the Gongguoqiao hydroelectric dam and factors affecting these variations were also examined. Microbial diversity and richness in surface water increased slightly from upstream toward downstream along the river. A significant positive correlation between spatial distance and dissimilarities in bacterial community structure was confirmed (Mantel test, r = 0.4826, p = 0.001). At the Gongguoqiao hydroelectric dam, temporal differences in water overwhelmed spatial variability in bacterial communities. Temperature, precipitation, and nutrient levels were major drivers of seasonal microbial changes. Most functional groups associated with carbon cycling in sediment samples decreased from winter to summer. Our findings improve our understanding of associations, compositions, and predicted functional profiles of microbial communities in a large riverine ecosystem influenced by multiple cascade dams.
Implementing a Status-Neutral Approach to HIV in the Asia-Pacific
Authors: Phanuphak Nittaya , Ramautarsing Reshmie , Chinbunchorn Tanat , Janamnuaysook Rena , Pengnonyang Supabhorn , Termvanich Krittaporn , Chanlearn Pongthorn , Linjongrat Danai , Janyam Surang , Phanuphak Praphan
Published: July 2020

Purpose of Review

Globally, “undetectable equals untransmittable (U=U)” and “pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)” have become crucial elements in HIV treatment and prevention programs. We reviewed the implementation of U=U and PrEP among countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Recent Findings

U=U and PrEP uptakes were limited and slow in the Asia-Pacific. Inadequate knowledge among health care practitioners and pervasive stigma towards individuals living with HIV and their sexual lives are key barriers for the integration of U=U into clinical practice. Paternalistic and hierarchical health care systems are major obstacles in PrEP implementation and scale-up. Countries with the most advanced PrEP implementation all use community-based, nurse-led, and key population-led service delivery models.

To advance U=U and PrEP in the Asia-Pacific, strategies targeting changes to practice norm through wide-scale stakeholders’ training and education, making use of online health care professional influencers, and utilizing financial mechanism should be further explored through implementation research.
Dysbiosis in intestinal microbiome linked to fecal blood determined by direct hybridization
Authors: Cafiero Concetta , Re Agnese , Pisconti Salvatore , Trombetti Marina , Perri Mariarita , Colosimo Manuela , D’Amato Gerardo , Gallelli Luca , Cannataro Roberto , Molinario Clelia , Fazio Alessia , Caroleo Maria Cristina , Cione Erika
Published: July 2020

The important physiological and pathophysiological roles of intestinal human microbiome (HMB) in human health have been emerging, owing to the access to molecular biology techniques. Herein we evaluated, for the first time, the intestinal HMB through direct hybridization approach using n-counter flex DX technology which bypasses the amplification procedure currently applied by other technologies to study the human microbiome. To this purpose, a clinical study was carried out on fecal samples, recruiting both healthy volunteers (N-FOB) and subjects positive for occult blood (P-FOB). A relevant custom panel of 79 16S rRNA target gene was engineered and 32 of them displayed a variation between the two clusters of subjects. Our findings revealed that bacteria belonging to Proteobacteria have higher distribution in P-FOB describing dysbiosis. Similarly, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes phylum display high distribution in P-FOB. Of interest, the presence of Clostridium difficile that belongs to Firmicutes phylum displayed about 70% of low presence in N-FOB compared to P-FOB subjects. Only one bacterium belonging to the Actinobacteria phylum, the Bifidobacterium bifidum, was present.
A Near Infrared Spectroscopy System for Assessing Rehabilitation on Peripheral Arterial Occlusion Patients
Authors: Lu Shao-Hung , Tsai Cheng-Lun , Fu Tieh-Cheng , Chang Po-Hung , Lu Shao-Ming
Published: July 2020

Purpose

A near-infrared spectroscopy system was developed to evaluate peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD). The wireless device can take measurements when patients are doing rehabilitation exercise.

Methods

Two LED modules with wavelengths of 740 nm, 808 nm and 850 nm were placed over 32 mm away from the photodiode to detect the deep backscattering from muscle tissue. The absorbance difference from the extent of tissue oxygenation was extracted using a modified Beer’s law. Measurements taken on different muscle groups were applied to determine which branch of artery is occluded.

Results

The changes in oxygenation of gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscle were recorded when PAOD patients were riding a stationary bicycle. The drop in oxygenation with exercise generally should recover within 15 min of continuing exercise. Otherwise, the artery is not capable to provide enough blood supply to the exercising muscles. Since gastrocnemius is the primary muscle used in biking exercise, the compensatory vasodilation in gastrocnemius leads to hypoperfusion in tibialis anterior muscle.

Conclusion

This NIRS system is helpful for detecting the changes in tissue oxygenation during exercise. Muscle hypoxia was more obvious during exercise when the artery had some degree of occlusion.
Rapid hydrogen generation from cotton wastes by mean of dark fermentation
Authors: Sołowski Gaweł , Konkol Izabela , Shalaby Marwa , Cenian Adam
Published: July 2020

Dark fermentation of textile wastes is discussed in the paper. In the experiment cotton wastes were fermented. Before fermentation the cotton was hydrolyzed using 0.1 M HCl acidic solution. The inoculum was pretreated by means of heat shock for 0.5 h at 105 °C. The fermentation was carried out under mesophilic conditions at a load of 5 g VSS/L, and pH 5. Oxygen was added in small quantities during fermentation. The oxygen flow rates (OFR) were between 0.3 and 1.0 mL/h. The fermentation was carried out for a few days at temperatures between 40 and 43 °C. Hydrogenesis prevailed at the lower temperature (40 °C) and methanogenesis at the higher (43 °C). Conversion of cotton waste to methane (3.4%) was slightly higher than conversion to hydrogen (2.6%). The highest hydrogen production was obtained for OFR 0.8 mL/h and the percentage of hydrogen in biogas was 43%. At higher temperatures (43 °C) no hydrogen production was observed
Grazing by microzooplankton and copepods on the microbial food web in spring in the southern Yellow Sea, China
Authors: Zhao Yuan , Dong Yi , Li Haibo , Lin Shiquan , Huang Lingfeng , Xiao Tian , Gregori Gerald , Zhao Li , Zhang Wuchang
Published: July 2020

Assessment of microzooplankton and copepods grazing pressure on picoplankton is a key requirement for resolving the microbial food web efficiency. Although microzooplankton grazing on picoplankton has been extensively studied, the impact of microzooplankton on different groups of picoplankton, i.e., heterotrophic bacteria, Synechococcus and picoeukaryotes have rarely been compared. Furthermore, in the very few existing studies there is no consistent evidence of an enhancing or restraining effect of copepods on picoplankton. More studies are needed to improve our understanding of the influence of microzooplankton and copepod on picoplankton. Dilution incubations and copepod addition incubations were performed during a cruise to the southern Yellow Sea on May 16–29, 2007. The bulk grazing of microzooplankton and the calanoid copepod Calanus sinicus on phytoplankton, flagellates and picoplankton was estimated. Stations were divided into either eutrophic or oligotrophic according to the nutrient and biological parameters. Picoplankton comprised a large part of the diet of microzooplankton in the central oligotrophic area, while phytoplankton was the main food of microzooplankton in the coastal eutrophic area. In the central oligotrophic area, microzooplankton preferred grazing on Synechococcus. After copepod addition, ciliate abundance decreased while Synechococcus abundance increased (382%, 64% and 64% at three experimental stations, respectively), indicating strong grazing pressure of microzooplankton on Synechococcus. Our results suggest that Synechococcus might be an essential carbon source the planktonic food web in the oligotrophic waters of southern Yellow Sea.
Prospective associations among relationship abuse, sexual harassment and bullying in a community sample of sexual minority and exclusively heterosexual youth
Authors: Hequembourg Amy L. , Livingston Jennifer A. , Wang Weijun
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Sexual minority youth (SMY) are at significantly greater risk for experiencing adolescent relationship abuse (ARA) than exclusively heterosexual youth, yet little is known about the factors that elevate their risks for such abuse. Peer victimization (i.e., bullying, sexual harassment) has been associated with ARA among heterosexual youth. SMY experience higher rates of peer victimization than heterosexual youth, suggesting that it may be a risk factor for ARA among these youth. Using longitudinal data from a community sample of adolescents recruited from the northeastern US, we examined whether sexual identity was associated prospectively with ARA, and whether that relationship would be indirect, and mediated via bullying and sexual harassment at a 12‐month follow‐up. We expected to find higher rates of peer victimization and ARA among SMY than heterosexual youth, and we expected that sexual harassment and bullying would predict subsequent relationship abuse.

Methods

Adolescents (N = 800; 58% female; 81% European‐American; 19% SMY) between 13 and 15 years (M = 14.45, SD = 0.85) completed a web survey at baseline, 6‐months and 12‐months.

Results

Consistent with prior studies, SMY reported higher rates of bullying, sexual harassment, and relationship abuse than heterosexual youth. SMY who reported sexual harassment at baseline were more likely to report relationship abuse over time. Contrary to our expectations, however, bully victimization did not predict subsequent relationship abuse.

Conclusions

Sexual harassment can be particularly harmful for SMY because it targets gender and sexual identity at a formative developmental period and puts youth at risk for relationship abuse.
Which-hunting in Medieval England
Authors: Truswell Robert , Gisborne Nikolas
Published: July 2020

In many of the first English headedwhich-relatives,whichhas an NP complement. Using distributional tests grounded in contrasts revealed by research in formal semantics, we demonstrate that the presence of an NP complement forces a nonrestrictive interpretation of the relative, while ‘bare’which-relatives may be restrictive or nonrestrictive. We situate this finding in relation to both the formal semantics of relative clauses, and the history ofwh-relatives in English.
Stress and Struggle inside International Harvester
Authors: CLARKE SALLY H.
Published: July 2020

At International Harvester, a 1902 merger, the defining feature was discord. A J. P. Morgan financier by the name of George W. Perkins and a formal agreement initiated changes to mitigate stress and struggle. Existing research dates improvement to 1906. This paper extends the analysis and documents that, among changes, entrepreneur William Deering and his children parted with some holdings, helping to diminish tensions. Meanwhile, the McCormicks agreed to a stock dividend.  This action helped mellow strife and augment their power. How did discord affect efficiency? The conventional answer centers on management along with expansion abroad, but that analysis is enhanced through study of seven brands and their local factories, pricing, and an antitrust consent decree. When a voting trust ran out its clock in 1912, conflict at International Harvester was receding. The firm’s record suggests various governance formats could yield efficiency and profitability.
UK INTERREGIONAL INEQUALITY IN A HISTORICAL AND INTERNATIONAL COMPARATIVE CONTEXT
Authors: Carrascal-Incera Andre , McCann Philip , Ortega-Argilés Raquel , Rodríguez-Pose Andrés
Published: July 2020

This paper explores the nature and scale of inter-regional and inter-urban inequalities in the UK in the context of international comparisons and our aim is to identify the extent to which such inequalities are associated with strong national economic performance. In order to do this, we first discuss the evolution of UK interregional inequalities relative to comparator European economies over more than a century. We then focus specifically on comparisons between the UK and the reunified Germany. These two exercises demonstrate that the experience of the UK has been rather different to other countries. We further explore UK inter-urban inequalities in the light of international evidence and then explain why observations of cities only tell us a partial story about the nature of interregional inequalities, especially in the case of the UK. Finally, we move onto an OECD-wide analysis of the relationships between economic growth and interregional inequality. What we observe is that any such relationships are very weak, and the only real evidence of a positive relationship is in the post-2008 crisis period, a result which points to differentials in regional resilience rather than inequality-led growth. Moreover, once former transition economies are removed from the sample, the relationship disappears, or if anything becomes slightly negative. As such, the international evidence suggests that the UK’s very high spatial inequalities have hampered, rather than facilitated, national economic growth.
Occasional Nationalists: The National Ideology of Ultras
Authors: Grodecki Mateusz
Published: July 2020

Drawing on a post-structuralist, post-Marxist discursive approach to nation, this paper aims to (1) explore the constitutive elements of the national ideology of Polish ultras, (2) study what means of expression are used in their choreographies in order to disseminate their vision of the nation, and (3) map the events that stimulate the production of choreographies related to national issues. The study is based on the content analysis of ultras’ displays using data from a print fanzine devoted to football fandom culture in Poland. The results indicate that the national ideology of Polish ultras can be viewed as a resistance ideology. They also reveal that the national ideology of ultras is only presented in particular contexts and is not a dominant issue in their performances. The study introduces the concept ofoccasional nationalism, which can be a useful analytical tool to map and quantify the presence of nation in practices of articulation of a particular community.
The battlefields of leisure: simple forms of labor control in the Turkish hospitality sector
Authors: Erköse Hüseyin Yener
Published: July 2020

This article is based on an ethnographic study in the Turkish hospitality sector and examines the employment of simple forms of labor control in hospitality service work from the perspective of labor process analysis. It introduces ethnographic data from two holiday villages on the southern coast of Turkey serving international customers. The two holiday villages were workplaces that employed mostly young workers for low-skill, routine tasks that demanded intense physical and emotional labor, but without due remuneration, career chances, and employment security. Data based on participant observation and in-depth interviews point to an increasing managerial reliance on simple forms of labor control. This happens as a result of intensifying competition among hospitality firms in a market with volatile demand and managerial perceptions regarding employees’ lack of customer service skills due to routinization and simplification of tasks after the introduction of the all-inclusive boarding system. Such market-related developments encourage employers to use simple control mechanisms that help in adjusting staffing levels, imposing loyalty, cutting costs, and ensuring efficiency.
Lactobacillus casei YRL577 combined with plant extracts reduce markers of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice
Authors: Zhang Zhe , Zhou Hui , Guan Meiyu , Zhou Xiaohong , Liang Xi , Lv Youyou , Bai Lu , Zhang Junxue , Gong Pimin , Liu Tongjie , Yi Huaxi , Wang Jingfeng , Zhang Lanwei
Published: July 2020

Probiotics and plant extracts are considered to prevent the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The present study explores the effects of using both probiotics and plant extracts on NAFLD. The present study evaluated the effects of plant extracts on lipid droplet accumulation and the growth of probiotics in vitro. A C57BL/6 mouse model was used to examine the effects of probiotics and plant extracts on NAFLD. Body weight and food intake were measured. The levels of serum lipids, oxidative stress and the liver injury index were determined using commercial kits. Haematoxylin and eosin staining, GC and real-time PCR were also used for analysis. The results revealed that administration of Lactobacillus casei YRL577 and L. paracasei X11 with resveratrol (RES) or tea polyphenols (TP) significantly reduced the levels of total cholesterol, TAG and LDL-cholesterol and increased the level of the HDL-cholesterol. The groups of L. casei YRL577 with RES and TP also regulated the liver structure, oxidative stress and injury. Furthermore, L. casei YRL577 with TP exhibited a more positive effect towards improving the NAFLD and increased the concentrations of the butyric acid than other three combined groups. L. casei YRL577 with TP up-regulated the mRNA levels of the farnesoid X receptor and fibroblast growth factor 15 and decreased the mRNA levels of the apical Na-dependent bile acid transporter. These findings showed that L. casei YRL577 + TP-modified genes in the intestinal bile acid pathway improved markers of NAFLD.
Dietary berberine regulates lipid metabolism in muscle and liver of black sea bream (Acanthopagrus schlegelii) fed normal or high-lipid diets
Authors: Wang Lei , Xu Bingying , Sagada Gladstone , Ng Wing-Keong , Chen Kai , Zhang Jinzhi , Shao Qingjun
Published: July 2020

The present study investigated the influence of berberine (BBR) supplementation in normal and high-lipid (HL) diets on lipid metabolism and accumulation in black sea bream (Acanthopagrus schlegelii). BBR was supplemented at 50 mg/kg to control (Con, 11·1 % crude lipid) and high-lipid (HL, 20·2 % crude lipid) diets and named as ConB and HLB, respectively. After the 8-week feeding trial, fish body length and specific growth rate were significantly reduced by HL diets (P < 0·05). Muscle and whole-body crude lipid contents were significantly influenced by both BBR supplementation and dietary lipid level. Fish fed the HLB diet had significantly lower serum TAG, LDL-cholesterol contents and alanine aminotransferase activity compared with the HL group. The HL group presented vast lipid accumulation in the liver, and hypertrophied hepatocytes along with large lipid droplets, and translocation of nuclear to the cell periphery. These abnormalities in black sea bream were alleviated in the HLB group. BBR supplementation in the HL diet significantly down-regulated the hepatic expression levels of acetyl-CoA carboxylase α, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and pparγ, whereas the lipoprotein lipase, hormone-sensitive lipase and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1a expression levels were significantly up-regulated. However, the expression levels of these genes showed opposite trends in muscle (except for pparγ). In conclusion, dietary BBR supplementation in the HL diet reduced hepatic lipid accumulation by down-regulating lipogenesis gene expression and up-regulating lipolysis gene expression, and it increased muscle lipid contents with opposite trends of the mechanism observed in the liver.
Comparison of total and activity energy expenditure estimates from physical activity questionnaires and doubly labelled water: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Sharifzadeh Mohammad , Bagheri Minoo , Speakman John R. , Djafarian Kurosh
Published: July 2020

Physical activity questionnaires (PAQ) could be suitable tools in free-living people for measures of physical activity, total and activity energy expenditure (TEE and AEE). This meta-analysis was performed to determine valid PAQ for estimating TEE and AEE using doubly labelled water (DLW). We identified data from relevant studies by searching Google Scholar, PubMed and Scopus databases. This revealed thirty-eight studies that had validated PAQ with DLW and reported the mean differences between PAQ and DLW measures of TEE (TEEDLW − TEEPAQ) and AEE (AEEDLW − AEEPAQ). We assessed seventy-eight PAQ consisting of fifty-nine PAQ that assessed TEE and thirty-five PAQ that examined AEE. There was no significant difference between TEEPAQ and TEEDLW with a weighted mean difference of –243·3 and a range of –841·4 to 354·6 kJ/d, and a significant weighted mean difference of AEEDLW – AEE PAQ 414·6 and a range of 78·7–750·5. To determine whether any PAQ was a valid tool for estimating TEE and AEE, we carried out a subgroup analysis by type of PAQ. Only Active-Q, administered in two seasons, and 3-d PA diaries were correlated with TEE by DLW at the population level; however, these two PAQ did not demonstrate an acceptable limit of agreement at individual level. For AEE, no PAQ was correlated with DLW either at the population or at the individual levels. Active-Q and 3-d PA diaries were identified as the only valid PAQ for TEE estimation. Further well-designed studies are needed to verify this result and identify additional valid PAQ.
Incumbency and Competitiveness in City Council Elections: How Accurate Are Voter Perceptions?
Authors: Anderson Cameron D. , McGregor R. Michael , Pruysers Scott
Published: July 2020

Incumbent city councillors have an almost insurmountable advantage in Canadian municipal elections. This article aims to improve our understanding of the municipal incumbency advantage by considering the ability of electors to correctly identify the two most competitive candidates in one's ward and the factors associated with being able to do so. Using survey data from the Canadian Municipal Election Study (CMES), we consider the case of the 2018 elections in Mississauga, a city with typically high rates of incumbent re-election. Survey respondents were asked to identify the two most competitive candidates in their local ward races. We find that comparatively few electors are able to recognize which challenger serves as the strongest threat to a sitting councillor, a finding that suggests that coordination problems may help to contribute to high rates of incumbent success. We identify several individual-level and ward-level correlates of correctly identifying the first-place and second-place finishers. We do note, however, that there is a significant amount of variation among the thousands of municipalities in Canada, so findings from this case should be tested in other settings, including larger or smaller cities where levels of information might be different.