bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tracking pesticide exposure to operating workers for risk assessment in seed coating with tebuconazole and carbofuran
Authors: Han Ruiqi , Wu Zhaochen , Huang Zhongqiao , Man Xuejing , Teng Lijie , Wang Tingting , Liu Pengfei , Wang Weifeng , Zhao Xiaoqun , Hao Jianjun , Liu Xili
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND

Coating seed with pesticides is an effective way to control plant pests, however, factory‐based coating processes may carry a potential risk to operational workers of chemical exposure. To study the risk, carbofuran and tebuconazole were used to coat corn seed and their subsequent distribution on the bodies of workers was measured at manufacturers XFS and LS (Shanxi, China). Clothing was collected from workers during operations and analyzed using high‐performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTS

At XFS, dermal exposure to carbofuran was 4.83, 3.31 and 1.48 mg kg−1, and exposure to tebuconazole was 6.88, 5.16 and 1.72 mg kg−1 for coating, packing and transport workers, respectively. At LS, dermal exposure to carbofuran was 2.32, 0.46 and 0.55 mg kg−1, and exposure to tebuconazole was 1.69, 0.46 and 0.70 mg kg−1, for coating, packing and transport workers, respectively. The level of pesticide exposure was significantly higher for seed‐coating workers than for packing and transport workers. The main area of exposure was the hands for all workers and the lower limbs for packers; exposure was relatively uniform for pesticide handlers. Occupational risk was assessed based on margin of exposure (MOE). In seed‐coating, the MOE was greater than 100 for tebuconazole, indicating no potential risk, but ranged from 0.25 to 2.88 for carbofuran, indicating the risk of a health impact.

CONCLUSION

The level of exposure varied depending on type of operation undertaken and body parts of workers' body, but the risk of a health impact was highly associated with pesticide toxicity. This provides a guideline for workers in pesticide manufacturing to ensure safe operation of the seed‐coating process.

© 2021 Society of Chemical Industry
Incorporating the North Atlantic Oscillation into the post‐processing of MOGREPS‐G wind speed forecasts
Authors: Allen Sam , Evans Gavin R. , Buchanan Piers , Kwasniok Frank
Published: February 2021

Changes in the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) heavily influence the weather across the UK and the rest of Europe. Due to an incorrect representation of the polar jet stream and its associated physical processes, it is reasonable to believe that errors in numerical weather prediction models may also depend on the prevailing behaviour of the NAO. To address this, information regarding the NAO is incorporated into statistical post‐processing methods through a regime‐dependent mixture model, which is then applied to wind speed forecasts from the Met Office's global ensemble prediction system, MOGREPS‐G. The mixture model offers substantial improvements upon conventional post‐processing methods when the local wind speed depends strongly on the NAO, but the additional complexity of the model can hinder forecast performance otherwise. A measure of regime dependency is thus defined that can be used to differentiate between situations when the numerical model output is, and is not, expected to benefit from regime‐dependent post‐processing. Implementing the regime‐dependent mixture model only when this measure exceeds a certain threshold is found to further improve predictive performance, while also producing more accurate forecasts of extreme wind speeds.
Two‐sided turbulent surface‐layer parameterizations for computing air–sea fluxes
Authors: Pelletier Charles , Lemarié Florian , Blayo Eric , Bouin Marie‐Noëlle , Redelsperger Jean‐Luc
Published: February 2021

Standard methods for determining air–sea fluxes typically rely on bulk algorithms set in the frame of Monin–Obukhov similarity theory (MOST), using ocean surface fields and atmosphere near‐surface fields. In the context of coupled ocean–atmosphere simulations, the shallowest ocean vertical level is usually used as bulk input and, by default, the turbulent closure is one‐sided: it extrapolates atmosphere near‐surface solution profiles (for wind speed, temperature, and humidity) to the prescribed ocean surface values. Using near‐surface ocean fields as surface ones is equivalent to considering that, in the ocean surface layer, solution profiles are constant instead of also being determined by turbulent closure. Here we introduce a method for extending existing turbulent parameterizations to a two‐sided framework by explicitly including the ocean surface layer within the aforementioned parameterizations. The formalism we use for this method is derived from that of classical turbulent closures, so that our novelties can easily be implemented within existing formulations. Special care is taken to ensure the smoothness of the resulting solution profiles. Other physical phenomena, such as the penetration of radiative fluxes in the ocean and the formation of waves, are then included within our formalism, and their effects are assessed. We also investigate the impact of such two‐sided bulk formulations on air–sea fluxes evaluated from a setting similar to those of coupled ocean–atmosphere simulations.
Microfinance and entrepreneurship at the base of the pyramid
Authors: Singh Jasjit , Dutt Pushan , Adbi Arzi
Published: February 2021

Research Summary

There continues to be substantial debate on whether and how providing inclusive access to finance through microcredit promotes entrepreneurship‐led development at the base of the pyramid. We contribute to this literature by examining differences in household‐level outcomes associated with microfinance loans given for different purposes, and identifying conditions under which the most impact is achieved. Defying common expectations, loans funding microenterprises do not exhibit greater impact than those funding traditional livelihood activities, and loans funding new microenterprises fare particularly poorly. However, loan impact improves when multiple members of a borrower group seek livelihood loans together, and when the provided loans better match the individual financial needs of the borrowers. Our findings underscore the need to refine how microfinance is applied as a tool for development.

Managerial Summary

Comparing across microfinance loans given for different purposes, we find that the average impact associated with loans supporting traditional livelihoods is at least as high as that for loans supporting microenterprises, and that the impact of loans specifically funding new microenterprises is lower than those for growing existing microenterprises. We also find that the impact of livelihood loans is greater when multiple members of a borrower group are engaged in livelihood‐focused activities, and that loans that better match borrowers' specific needs have a superior impact. We conclude that we need to move beyond the black‐or‐white debate regarding whether microfinance works to a nuanced understanding of when it is effective, that is, examining conditions under which microcredit customers—whether aspiring entrepreneurs or not—can thrive.
Virtual exchanges in language teacher education: Facilitating reflection on teaching practice through the use of video
Authors: Loranc Barbara , Hilliker Shannon M. , Lenkaitis Chesla Ann
Published: February 2021

Language teachers must be equipped with technological skills to respond to the needs of 21st‐century classrooms (Guichon & Hauck, 2011). The virtual exchange can be used as an innovative tool for developing these competences by connecting culturally and linguistically diverse populations through technologies. The study reported in this article explored how teacher candidates develop their ability to reflect on their teaching practice through virtual exchanges. Sixteen participants from universities in the United States and Poland met weekly in cross‐cultural teams via Zoom videoconferences to discuss cultural topics and subsequently reflected on their collaborative, interactive experience by watching their recorded synchronous sessions. Open‐ended questions and postproject structured interviews were analyzed through NVivo. By analyzing participants’ reflections on the potential of cross‐cultural exchanges for educational purposes and professional development, this study offers implications for the innovation and internationalization of curricula (Rubin & Guth, 2015) through virtual exchange and provides an example of how to integrate virtual exchanges into language teacher preparation programs (Dooly & Sadler, 2013). Furthermore, the results show that the development of participants’ ability to reflect on their teaching practice was facilitated through the use of video‐recorded interactions with other teacher candidates.
Effect of intra‐abdominal hypertension on the intraocular pressure of the conscious dogs
Authors: Jang Min , Son Won‐Gyun , Kim Hyunseok , Won Shin Chi , Lee Inhyung
Published: February 2021

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of intra‐abdominal pressure (IAP) on intraocular pressure (IOP) in conscious dog models using a balloon technique to generate intra‐abdominal hypertension. Six healthy dogs without ocular abnormalities were evaluated in this study. A balloon device was placed in the intra‐abdominal cavity. The abdomen was insufflated to IAP levels of 15 and 25 mmHg using the balloon device. Intraocular pressure was measured at baseline, at IAP levels of 15 and 25 mmHg, and after decompression. In comparison with the mean baseline IOP (15.1 ± 2.0 mmHg), there was a significant increase in IOP at IAP levels of 15 mmHg (20.0 ± 2.1 mmHg) and 25 mmHg (19.9 ± 2.2 mmHg), corresponding to a 32.4% and 31.7% increase from baseline IOP, respectively. The mean IOP after decompression (14.8 ± 1.7 mmHg) was significantly lower compared to those at IAP levels of 15 and 25 mmHg. The present findings demonstrate that increased IAP has a clinically significant effect on IOP in dogs under conscious conditions. Although more research is needed to determine of increased IAP on IOP, these findings suggest that increased IAP leads to mild and reversible increase in IOP.
On bending consistency of Timoshenko beam using differential and integral nonlocal strain gradient models
Authors: Bian Pei‐Liang , Qing Hai
Published: February 2021

In this work, the static bending response of Timoshenko beam under different boundary and loading conditions is analyzed and compared with the application of nonlocal strain gradient models in differential (DNSGM) and integral (INSGM) forms. High‐order and standard boundary conditions are introduced for DNSGM, while the relation between strain and nonlocal stress are expressed as integral equations for INSGM. The differential equations for DNSGM and integro‐differential equations for INSGM are solved directly with the Laplace transformation. The explicit expression for bending deflection and rotation is derived uniquely with eight unknown constants for both DNSGM and INSGM. The results obtained with current models are validated against to the existing results in literature. On the static bending of Timoshenko beam subjected to different boundary and loading conditions, inconsistent responses occurs for DNSGM, while consistent softening and toughening responses can be obtained for INSGM.
The integrable (hyper)eclectic spin chain
Authors: Ahn Changrim , Staudacher Matthias
Published: February 2021

Abstract

We refine the notion of eclectic spin chains introduced in [1] by including a maximal number of deformation parameters. These models are integrable, nearest-neighbor n-state spin chains with exceedingly simple non-hermitian Hamiltonians. They turn out to be non-diagonalizable in the multiparticle sector (n > 2), where their “spectrum” consists of an intricate collection of Jordan blocks of arbitrary size and multiplicity. We show how and why the quantum inverse scattering method, sought to be universally applicable to integrable nearest-neighbor spin chains, essentially fails to reproduce the details of this spectrum. We then provide, for n=3, detailed evidence by a variety of analytical and numerical techniques that the spectrum is not “random”, but instead shows surprisingly subtle and regular patterns that moreover exhibit universality for generic deformation parameters. We also introduce a new model, the hypereclectic spin chain, where all parameters are zero except for one. Despite the extreme simplicity of its Hamiltonian, it still seems to reproduce the above “generic” spectra as a subset of an even more intricate overall spectrum. Our models are inspired by parts of the one-loop dilatation operator of a strongly twisted, double-scaled deformation of $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 Super Yang-Mills Theory.
Superheavy dark matter from string theory
Authors: Allahverdi Rouzbeh , Bröckel Igor , Cicoli Michele , Osiński Jacek K.
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Explicit string models which can realize inflation and low-energy supersymmetry are notoriously difficult to achieve. Given that sequestering requires very specific configurations, supersymmetric particles are in general expected to be very heavy implying that the neutralino dark matter should be overproduced in a standard thermal history. However, in this paper we point out that this is generically not the case since early matter domination driven by string moduli can dilute the dark matter abundance down to the observed value. We argue that generic features of string compactifications, namely a high supersymmetry breaking scale and late time epochs of modulus domination, might imply superheavy neutralino dark matter with mass around 1010–1011 GeV. Interestingly, this is the right range to explain the recent detection of ultra-high-energy neutrinos by IceCube and ANITA via dark matter decay.
Neutral signature gauged supergravity solutions
Authors: Gutowski J. , Sabra W. A.
Published: February 2021

Abstract

We classify all supersymmetric solutions of minimal D = 4 gauged supergravity with (2) signature and a positive cosmological constant which admit exactly one Killing spinor. This classification produces a geometric structure which is more general than that found for previous classifications of N = 2 supersymmetric solutions of this theory. We illustrate how the N = 2 solutions which consist of a fibration over a 3-dimensional Lorentzian Gauduchon-Tod base space can be written in terms of this more generic geometric structure.
Black rings in large D membrane paradigm at the first order
Authors: Mandlik Mangesh
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Black rings are the black objects found in D spacetime dimensional gravity when D ≥ 5. These have event horizon topology SD−3× S1. In this work the solutions of the large D membrane paradigm dual to stationary black rings in Einstein-Maxwell theory with or without cosmological constant are studied. It is shown that the first order membrane equations can only admit static asymptotically flat black rings, and the equilibrium angular velocity for the asymptotically AdS black rings at large D was obtained. The thermodynamic and dynamic stability of the asymptotically flat black ring solutions is studied. The apparent shortcomings of some of these results are argued to be curable within the large D membrane paradigm framework.
Extracellular vesicles as mediators and markers of acute organ injury: current concepts
Authors: Weber Birte , Franz Niklas , Marzi Ingo , Henrich Dirk , Leppik Liudmila
Published: February 2021

Due to the continued high incidence and mortality rate worldwide, there is a need to develop new strategies for the quick, precise, and valuable recognition of presenting injury pattern in traumatized and poly-traumatized patients. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been shown to facilitate intercellular communication processes between cells in close proximity as well as distant cells in healthy and disease organisms. miRNAs and proteins transferred by EVs play biological roles in maintaining normal organ structure and function under physiological conditions. In pathological conditions, EVs change the miRNAs and protein cargo composition, mediating or suppressing the injury consequences. Therefore, incorporating EVs with their unique protein and miRNAs signature into the list of promising new biomarkers is a logical next step. In this review, we discuss the general characteristics and technical aspects of EVs isolation and characterization. We discuss results of recent in vitro, in vivo, and patients study describing the role of EVs in different inflammatory diseases and traumatic organ injuries. miRNAs and protein signature of EVs found in patients with acute organ injury are also debated.
The role of delta and theta oscillations during ego-motion in healthy adult volunteers
Authors: Ertl M. , Zu Eulenburg P. , Woller M. , Dieterich M.
Published: February 2021

The successful cortical processing of multisensory input typically requires the integration of data represented in different reference systems to perform many fundamental tasks, such as bipedal locomotion. Animal studies have provided insights into the integration processes performed by the neocortex and have identified region specific tuning curves for different reference frames during ego-motion. Yet, there remains almost no data on this topic in humans.

In this study, an experiment originally performed in animal research with the aim to identify brain regions modulated by the position of the head and eyes relative to a translational ego-motion was adapted for humans. Subjects sitting on a motion platform were accelerated along a translational pathway with either eyes and head aligned or a 20° yaw-plane offset relative to the motion direction while EEG was recorded.

Using a distributed source localization approach, it was found that activity in area PFm, a part of Brodmann area 40, was modulated by the congruency of translational motion direction, eye, and head position. In addition, an asymmetry between the hemispheres in the opercular-insular region was observed during the cortical processing of the vestibular input. A frequency specific analysis revealed that low-frequency oscillations in the delta- and theta-band are modulated by vestibular stimulation. Source-localization estimated that the observed low-frequency oscillations are generated by vestibular core-regions, such as the parieto-opercular region and frontal areas like the mid-orbital gyrus and the medial frontal gyrus.
Evaluation of protein secondary structure from FTIR spectra improved after partial deuteration
Authors: De Meutter Joëlle , Goormaghtigh Erik
Published: February 2021

FTIR spectroscopy has become a major tool to determine protein secondary structure. One of the identified obstacle for reaching better predictions is the strong overlap of bands assigned to different secondary structures. Yet, while for instance disordered structures and α-helical structures absorb almost at the same wavenumber, the absorbance bands are differentially shifted upon deuteration, in part because exchange is much faster for disordered structures. We recorded the FTIR spectra of 85 proteins at different stages of hydrogen/deuterium exchange process using protein microarrays and infrared imaging for high throughput measurements. Several methods were used to relate spectral shape to secondary structure content. While in absolute terms, β-sheet is always better predicted than α-helix content, results consistently indicate an improvement of secondary structure predictions essentially for the α-helix and the category called “Others” (grouping random, turns, bends, etc.) after 15 min of exchange. On the contrary, the β-sheet fraction is better predicted in non-deuterated conditions. Using partial least square regression, the error of prediction for the α-helix content is reduced after 15-min deuteration. Further deuteration degrades the prediction. Error on the prediction for the “Others” structures also decreases after 15-min deuteration. Cross-validation or a single 25-protein test set result in the same overall conclusions.
Musculature adaption in patients with lumbosacral transitional vertebrae: a matched-pair analysis of 46 patients
Authors: Becker Luis , Ziegeler Katharina , Diekhoff Torsten , Palmowski Yannick , Pumberger Matthias , Schömig Friederike
Published: February 2021

Objective

Even though lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) are one of the most common congenital anomalies of the spine, their effect on surrounding soft tissues is not well-studied. We therefore aimed at analyzing the association between LSTV and changes in volume, mass, symmetry, and degeneration of lumbar and trunk muscles.

Materials and methods

Abdomen–pelvis CT scans were analyzed in patients with LSTV and a matched control group. LSTV were classified according to the Castellvi classification. Muscles were segmented from the remaining soft tissue and their cross-sectional area and volume were examined at five defined levels. Threshold segmentation was used to differentiate between muscle fibers and fat tissue. Matched pairs were compared using Wilcoxon rank sum tests. For comparison of categorical data, chi-squared tests were performed and for associations between the degree of fusion and muscle size and degeneration, Spearman’s correlation coefficients were calculated. Inter- and intrarater reliabilities were evaluated by computing intraclass correlation coefficients.

Results

Forty-six patients with LSTV and 46 controls were included. Muscle volume of the paraspinal and trunk muscles was significantly lower (707.0 cm3vs. 809.7 cm3,p < 0.001) and fatty muscle changes were significantly increased in all but the caudal paravertebral muscles of LSTV patients (M. psoasp < 0.04, M. quadratus lumborump < 0.001, paravertebral musclesp = 0.011, M. rectus abdominisp < 0.001, M. obliquus abdominisp < 0.001). Correlations between the degree of Castellvi classification and muscle volume were significant (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

LSTV are associated with a reduction in muscle volume and an increase in muscle degeneration of both lumbar and trunk muscles.
When and how should peritoneal endometriosis be operated on in order to improve fertility rates and symptoms? The experience and outcomes of nearly 100 cases
Authors: Dückelmann A. M. , Taube E. , Abesadze E. , Chiantera V. , Sehouli J. , Mechsner S.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

To analyze the follow-up results of patients suffering from symptomatic early-stage endometriosis after a consistent laparoscopic peritoneal stripping of the altered peritoneum (peritoneal endometriosis and surrounding inflamed tissue) was performed. This type of endometriosis is resistant to medical therapy and/or impairs fertility.

Methods

Using our prospectively maintained database, we were able to identify all symptomatic women with the suspicion of only peritoneal endometriosis who underwent laparoscopy at our endometriosis center over a period of 5 years. All procedures were carried out in a standardized fashion by one single surgeon, who is highly experienced in minimal invasive surgery, and included a suspended hormonal pretreatment for 2 months. Postoperative outcomes including complications, fertility and recurrence rates were analysed.

Results

Laparoscopic peritonectomy was performed on 94 women. Follow-up data were available in 87% of these cases. At the time of surgery, almost all patients tested showed signs of stage I or II endometriosis (44.7 and 48.9%, respectively). More than three-quarters of the women reported pain relief, inter alia, due to the post-surgical hormonal therapy. About one-third of the patients wanted to have children after the procedure. 62% of them became pregnant and the majority did so without the need for assisted reproductive therapy. In seven women a re-operation was performed.

Conclusion

According to our data, a consistent excision of altered peritoneum followed by adjuvant hormonal therapy and multimodal concepts results in better outcomes for the patient, particularly in regards to pregnancy and recurrence rates.
Impact of COVID-19 on longitudinal ophthalmology authorship gender trends
Authors: Nguyen Anne X. , Trinh Xuan-Vi , Kurian Jerry , Wu Albert Y.
Published: February 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic increased the gender gap in academic publishing. This study assesses COVID-19’s impact on ophthalmology gender authorship distribution and compares the gender authorship proportion of COVID-19 ophthalmology-related articles to previous ophthalmology articles.

Methods

This cohort study includes authors listed in all publications related to ophthalmology in the COVID-19 Open Research Dataset and CDC COVID-19 research database. Articles from 65 ophthalmology journals from January to July 2020 were selected. All previous articles published in the same journals were extracted from PubMed. Gender-API determined authors’ gender.

Results

Out of 119,457 COVID-19-related articles, we analyzed 528 ophthalmology-related articles written by 2518 authors. Women did not exceed 40% in any authorship positions and were most likely to be middle, first, and finally, last authors. The proportions of women in all authorship positions from the 2020 COVID-19 group (29.6% first, 31.5% middle, 22.1% last) are significantly lower compared to the predicted 2020 data points (37.4% first, 37.0% middle, 27.6% last) (p < .01). The gap between the proportion of female authors in COVID-19 ophthalmology research and the 2020 ophthalmology-predicted proportion (based on 2002–2019 data) is 6.1% for overall authors, 7.8% for first authors, and 5.5% for last and middle authors. The 2020 COVID-19 authorship group (1925 authors) was also compared to the 2019 group (33,049 authors) based on journal category (clinical/basic science research, general/subspecialty ophthalmology, journal impact factor).

Conclusions

COVID-19 amplified the authorship gender gap in ophthalmology. When compared to previous years, there was a greater decrease in women’s than men’s academic productivity.
Interobserver reproducibility of perineural invasion of prostatic adenocarcinoma in needle biopsies
Authors: Egevad Lars , Delahunt Brett , Samaratunga Hemamali , Tsuzuki Toyonori , Olsson Henrik , Ström Peter , Lindskog Cecilia , Häkkinen Tomi , Kartasalo Kimmo , Eklund Martin , Ruusuvuori Pekka
Published: February 2021

Numerous studies have shown a correlation between perineural invasion (PNI) in prostate biopsies and outcome. The reporting of PNI varies widely in the literature. While the interobserver variability of prostate cancer grading has been studied extensively, less is known regarding the reproducibility of PNI. A total of 212 biopsy cores from a population-based screening trial were included in this study (106 with and 106 without PNI according to the original pathology reports). The glass slides were scanned and circulated among four pathologists with a special interest in urological pathology for assessment of PNI. Discordant cases were stained by immunohistochemistry for S-100 protein. PNI was diagnosed by all four observers in 34.0% of cases, while 41.5% were considered to be negative for PNI. In 24.5% of cases, there was a disagreement between the observers. The kappa for interobserver variability was 0.67–0.75 (mean 0.73). The observations from one participant were compared with data from the original reports, and a kappa for intraobserver variability of 0.87 was achieved. Based on immunohistochemical findings among discordant cases, 88.6% had PNI while 11.4% did not. The most common diagnostic pitfall was the presence of bundles of stroma or smooth muscle. It was noted in a few cases that collagenous micronodules could be mistaken for a nerve. The distance between cancer and nerve was another cause of disagreement. Although the results suggest that the reproducibility of PNI may be greater than that of prostate cancer grading, there is still a need for improvement and standardization.
Development of a valve type semi-closed extracorporeal circulation system
Authors: Okumura Takahiro , Matsuda Keisuke , Fukuoka Yu , Dai Junya , Shiraishi Naoko
Published: February 2021

In Japan, perfusionists who work on other clinical tasks are involved in cardiopulmonary bypass. Moreover, the number of cases they can perform is limited. In view of this situation, valve type semi-closed extracorporeal circulation (VACC) was developed as a system that enables extracorporeal circulation (ECC) regardless of perfusionists’ experience. The VACC circuit is based on a conventional open-type ECC circuit. A safety valve is installed at the outlet of the reservoir. It is closed by lowering the reservoir pressure below the venous circuit pressure (Pv), thereby providing a closed-type ECC in which the reservoir is separated from the venous circuit (V-circuit). A closed-type ECC needs means to cope with negative pressure generated in the V-circuit and to remove air mixed in the V-circuit. Water experiments to verify the safety of the VACC were conducted. In experiments simulating low venous return, when the Pv dropped, the safety valve opened so that the V-circuit was connected to the reservoir, and the excessive negative pressure was relieved. In the VACC circuit, a bubble trap is installed in the V-circuit, and the air is degassed to the reservoir by a roller pump (D-pump). A water experiment was conducted to verify the principle of the constant degassing method using the D-pump. It verified that the blood storage volume could be maintained constant even if the D-pump is continuously driven. The VACC system provides handling of air mixed in the V-circuit and safety in the case of low venous return.
Confidence Distribution for the Ability Parameter of the Rasch Model
Authors: Veronese Piero , Melilli Eugenio
Published: February 2021

In this paper, we consider the Rasch model and suggest novel point estimators and confidence intervals for the ability parameter. They are based on a proposed confidence distribution (CD) whose construction has required to overcome some difficulties essentially due to the discrete nature of the model. When the number of items is large, the computations due to the combinatorics involved become heavy, and thus, we provide first- and second-order approximations of the CD. Simulation studies show the good behavior of our estimators and intervals when compared with those obtained through other standard frequentist and weakly informative Bayesian procedures. Finally, using the expansion of the expected length of the suggested interval, we are able to identify reasonable values of the sample size which lead to a desired length of the interval.
The Anti-Jewish Narrative
Authors: Cofnas Nathan
Published: February 2021

According to the mainstream narrative about race, all groups have the same innate dispositions and potential, and all disparities—at least those favoring whites—are due to past or present racism. Some people who reject this narrative gravitate toward an alternative, anti-Jewish narrative, which sees recent history in terms of a Jewish/gentile conflict. The most sophisticated promoter of the anti-Jewish narrative is the evolutionary psychologist Kevin MacDonald. MacDonald argues that Jews have a suite of genetic adaptations—including high intelligence and ethnocentrism—and cultural practices that lead them to undermine gentile society to advance their own evolutionary interests. He says that Jewish-designed intellectual movements have weakened gentile identity and culture while preserving Jewish identity and separatism. Cofnas recently argued that MacDonald’s theory is based on “systematically misrepresented sources and cherry-picked facts.” However, Cofnas gave short shrift to at least three key claims: (a) Jews are highly ethnocentric, (b) liberal Jews hypocritically advocate liberal multiculturalism for gentiles/gentile countries but racial purity and separatism for Jews/Israel, and (c) Jews are responsible for liberalism and mass immigration to the United States. The present paper examines these claims and concludes that MacDonald’s views are not supported.
Diffusion and persistence of false rumors in social media networks: implications of searchability on rumor self-correction on Twitter
Authors: Eismann Kathrin
Published: February 2021

Social media networks (SMN) such as Facebook and Twitter are infamous for facilitating the spread of potentially false rumors. Although it has been argued that SMN enable their users to identify and challenge false rumors through collective efforts to make sense of unverified information—a process typically referred to as self-correction—evidence suggests that users frequently fail to distinguish among rumors before they have been resolved. How users evaluate the veracity of a rumor can depend on the appraisals of others who participate in a conversation. Affordances such as the searchability of SMN, which enables users to learn about a rumor through dedicated search and query features rather than relying on interactions with their relational connections, might therefore affect the veracity judgments at which they arrive. This paper uses agent-based simulations to illustrate that searchability can hinder actors seeking to evaluate the trustworthiness of a rumor’s source and hence impede self-correction. The findings indicate that exchanges between related users can increase the likelihood that trustworthy agents transmit rumor messages, which can promote the propagation of useful information and corrective posts.
Local preferences and the allocation of attention in equity-based crowdfunding
Authors: Bade Marco , Walther Martin
Published: February 2021

This study examines drivers of investment probability in equity-based crowdfunding using a hand-collected and comprehensive data set from a well-established platform. The analysis confirms several effects that have been reported in the recent literature on other crowdfunding markets. Extending recent research, we study moderators of local preferences of investors. Novel to the literature, we find that (1) local preferences are more pronounced in campaigns of younger ventures, (2) herding-like behaviour is stronger in local campaigns and (3) local investors are more responsive to updates posted by entrepreneurs, compared to non-locals. Our results suggest that investors allocate more attention to campaigns for which they have information advantages, such as local campaigns, due to their limited capacity to process information. Such behaviour may eventually amplify information asymmetry and local preferences. Our findings have practical implications for entrepreneurs, investors and platforms.
Timing attacks and local timing attacks against Barrett’s modular multiplication algorithm
Authors: Mittmann Johannes , Schindler Werner
Published: February 2021

Montgomery’s and Barrett’s modular multiplication algorithms are widely used in modular exponentiation algorithms, e.g. to compute RSA or ECC operations. While Montgomery’s multiplication algorithm has been studied extensively in the literature and many side-channel attacks have been detected, to our best knowledge no thorough analysis exists for Barrett’s multiplication algorithm. This article closes this gap. For both Montgomery’s and Barrett’s multiplication algorithm, differences of the execution times are caused by conditional integer subtractions, so-called extra reductions. Barrett’s multiplication algorithm allows even two extra reductions, and this feature increases the mathematical difficulties significantly. We formulate and analyse a two-dimensional Markov process, from which we deduce relevant stochastic properties of Barrett’s multiplication algorithm within modular exponentiation algorithms. This allows to transfer the timing attacks and local timing attacks (where a second side-channel attack exhibits the execution times of the particular modular squarings and multiplications) on Montgomery’s multiplication algorithm to attacks on Barrett’s algorithm. However, there are also differences. Barrett’s multiplication algorithm requires additional attack substeps, and the attack efficiency is much more sensitive to variations of the parameters. We treat timing attacks on RSA with CRT, on RSA without CRT, and on Diffie–Hellman, as well as local timing attacks against these algorithms in the presence of basis blinding. Experiments confirm our theoretical results.
The role of embodiment in the treatment of patients with anorexia and bulimia nervosa: a 2-year follow-up study proposing an integration between enhanced cognitive behavioural therapy and a phenomenological model of eating disorders
Authors: Rossi Eleonora , Castellini Giovanni , Cassioli Emanuele , Sensi Carolina , Mancini Milena , Stanghellini Giovanni , Ricca Valdo
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Recent studies demonstrated that the embodiment disorder represents a core feature of eating disorders (EDs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of its variation as a possible mediator of the efficacy of enhanced cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT-E) on classic ED symptomatology, including body uneasiness.

Methods

73 patients with anorexia nervosa and 68 with bulimia nervosa were treated with a multidisciplinary approach including CBT-E. Psychometric questionnaires were administered at baseline (T0) and after one (T1) and 2 years (T2) to evaluate general and ED-specific psychopathology, body uneasiness and the embodiment disorder. Data regarding diagnostic crossover and remission were also collected.

Results

Longitudinal analysis showed an improvement of all psychopathological dimensions at T1, which remained stable at T2 (p < 0.05). Remission rate at T2 was 44.7%, and diagnostic crossover occurred in 17.0% of patients. Higher levels of embodiment disorder predicted increased diagnostic instability (OR: 1.80 [1.01–3.20], p = 0.045). The amelioration of the embodiment disorder mediated the decrease in both ED-specific psychopathology (indirect effect: 0.67 [0.46–0.92]) and body uneasiness (indirect effect: 0.43 [0.28–0.59]).

Conclusion

For the first time, these findings highlighted the role of the embodiment disorder as a maintaining factor of ED symptomatology, supporting the importance of integrating CBT-E with a phenomenological model of EDs.

Level of evidence

Level IV, longitudinal observational study (case series).
Decomposition and nutrient release from the mixed leaf litter of three agroforestry species in the Sudanian zone of West Africa
Authors: Cissé Mohamed , Traoré Salifou , Bationo Babou André
Published: February 2021

This study was carried out to determine the rates of decomposition and nutrient release from pure and mixed leaf litter samples of three agroforestry species (Azolla africanaDesv.,Detarium microcarpumGuill. and Perr.andVitellaria paradoxaC.F.Gaertn.) that have potential use as green manure. Litterbags containing a total of 5 g of pure and mixed leaf litter of different quality levels were incubated under field conditions from July to November in 2017. Litter decomposition and nutrient release (N, P, and K) rates were assessed in each litterbag. The decomposition rate (k) indicated that pureA. africanalitter decomposed faster (k = 0.406 week−1) than its mixture withV. paradoxa(k = 0.114 week−1) andD. microcarpum(k = 0.103 week−1).The slowest decomposition rates were found for the pureD. microcarpum(k = 0.075 week−1) andV. paradoxa(k = 0.071 week−1) leaf litters.Mixing withA. africanalitter increased the decomposition rate of bothD. microcarpumandV. paradoxaleaf litter. We conclude that mixing litter of different quality can accelerate the decomposition of pure litter with poor quality and represents a practical biomass management option for farmers to improve nutrient cycling in agroforestry systems.
A linear cascade tunnel for flow investigations of steam turbine rotor tip blades in subsonic nucleating flows
Authors: Pillala Vital Kumar Yadav , Prasad B. V. S. S. S. , Sitaram N. , Mahendran M. , Biswas Debasish , Jimbo Tomohizko
Published: February 2021

The paper presents details of a unique experimental facility along with necessary accessories and instrumentation for testing steam turbine cascade blades in wet and nucleating steam. A steam turbine rotor tip cascade is chosen for flow investigations. Cascade inlet flow measurements show uniform conditions with dry air and steam and dry air mixture of different ratios. Exit flow surveys indicate that excellent flow periodicity is obtained. Blade surface static pressure and exit total pressure distributions are also presented with dry air and with steam and dry air mixture of different ratios as the working medium at an exit Mach number of 0.52.
How to Interpret an Investigator’s Brochure for Meaningful Risk Assessment: Results of an AGAH Discussion Forum
Authors: Rengelshausen Jens , Breithaupt-Groegler Kerstin , Donath Frank , Erb-Zohar Katharina , Hardman Tim , Mikus Gerd , Plassmann Stephanie , Wensing Georg , Sourgens Hildegard
Published: February 2021

Purpose

A discussion forum was hosted by the Association for Applied Human Pharmacology (AGAH e.V.) to critically debate how to interpret and optimise the Investigator’s Brochure (IB) for meaningful risk assessment of early clinical trials.

Materials and Methods

Four topics were specifically discussed: deficiencies/uncertainties in IBs, guidance for the investigator, reference safety information, and potential risks for human subjects associated with inadequate non-clinical safety assessment in the IB. In each case, 43 participants took part in a real-time online survey with pre-defined questions to capture the audience’s opinion.

Results

The ‘Summary of Data and Guidance for the Investigator’ was considered as the section of the IB with the highest need for improvement with emphasis on readability, comprehensibility, timeliness of data, and appropriateness for risk assessment. It was suggested that the IB should at least be signed by the sponsor’s scientist responsible for the content on pharmacology and toxicology. It was agreed that sponsors should consider thoroughly whether changes to an IB constitute a substantial amendment, and that the IB should include a section on the change history. Non-clinical pharmacology studies with negative outcomes should be reported in the IB in order to avoid assessment bias. The reference safety information for expectedness assessment of suspected serious adverse reactions should be provided as a stand-alone section of the IB.

Conclusion

The overall consensus was that an optimised presentation of data will ensure the best possible understanding of a compound’s characteristics and an optimal benefit-risk assessment which will safeguard the participants in clinical trials.
Generation of a surgical field at the mid-lower mediastinum for thoracoscopic esophagectomy in the left lateral decubitus position: Case series
Authors: Ishii Kenjiro , Tsubosa Yasuhiro , Niihara Masahiro , Mayanagi Shuhei , Booka Eisuke , Haneda Ryoma
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

The generation of a good surgical field at the mid-lower mediastinum during thoracoscopic esophagectomy in the left lateral decubitus position is often complicated. Here, we developed a simple and useful technique for surgical field generation.

Methods:

Among 225 patients who underwent esophageal resection from April 2015 to December 2019, 154 underwent thoracoscopic esophagectomy using our following-described method.

The patients are placed in the left lateral decubitus position similarly to open thoracotomy, and a 12-mm port is inserted at the midaxillary line in the third, fifth, and seventh intercostal spaces and anterior to the inferior angle of the scapula in the ninth (scope port). A 5-mm port is inserted at the inferior angle of the scapular line in the sixth and eighth. The mid-lower mediastinal procedure is performed first, with the operator and camera holder positioned at the ventral side and the assistant at the dorsal side of the patient. A camera displays the surgical field on the monitor as in the prone position. Thoraco-cotton with a stainless-steel shaft is inserted through the third port to compress the upper and lower lobes of right lung and simultaneously make counter traction to the ventral side of the esophagus.

Result:

We hardly encounter any difficulty with surgical field generation in the middle-lower mediastinum without one patient having abnormal divergence of right superior lobar branch, or any patients with intraoperative complications.

Conclusion:

Our newly described method is very simple and easily adapted for thoracoscopic esophagectomy in the left decubitus position.
Policy Dialogue: Black Teachers of the Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Ladson-Billings Gloria , Anderson James D.
Published: February 2021

In the second half of the twentieth century, the ranks of Black teachers and school administrators declined precipitously. Today, less than 7 percent of American teachers are Black. This loss has had a number of consequences for schools and communities, but perhaps especially for Black students. As recent research has found, Black students benefit socially and academically from having a Black teacher, are less likely to be suspended or expelled, and are more likely to enroll in college.

For this inaugural policy dialogue, the HEQ editors asked Gloria Ladson-Billings and James D. Anderson to reflect on the past, present, and future of the Black teacher corps. Their wide-ranging exchange explores the various roles of educators, the legacy of segregation, the role of policy, and the Black experience. They close with a provocative list of research questions for emerging and established scholars to consider.
COMPLETELY PRIME ONE-SIDED IDEALS IN SKEW POLYNOMIAL RINGS
Authors: ALON GIL , PARAN ELAD
Published: February 2021

Let R = K[x, σ] be the skew polynomial ring over a field K, where σ is an automorphism of K of finite order. We show that prime elements in R correspond to completely prime one-sided ideals – a notion introduced by Reyes in 2010. This extends the natural correspondence between prime elements and prime ideals in commutative polynomial rings.
Do Private Equity Managers Have Superior Information on Public Markets?
Authors: Gredil Oleg R.
Published: February 2021

Using cash flows from a large sample of buyout and venture funds, I show that private equity (PE) distributions predict returns in the industries of funds’ specialization. My tests distinguish timing skill from reactions to market conditions and spillover effects of PE activity. Fund managers foresee comparable public firms’ earnings but sell at the industry peaks only if they have performance fees to harvest. These results have implications for manager selection and improve our understanding of PE fund returns and the role of PE in capital markets.
Migration aspirations from a youth perspective: focus groups with returnees and youth in Mali
Authors: Bleck Jaimie , Lodermeier Alison
Published: February 2021

Mali has one of the highest migration rates in Africa, but we still know very little about the processes and drivers of migration – particularly in the context of the current political crisis. This article draws on 27 focus groups with 220 returnees and male youth respondents conducted in the summer of 2018. Respondents cite underemployment and the inability to provide for relatives as well as a feeling of hopelessness about a future life in Mali as drivers of migration. Returnees report that the voyage was more difficult than anticipated. However, even with knowledge of the significant risks they face, most (68%) returnees express a desire to try to migrate again: this is particularly true for returned migrants who failed in an attempt to reach Europe (89%). The research illustrates very different experiences for migrants attempting to reach Europe and those with goals of intra-African migration.