bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Readiness for transition to adult care in adolescents and young adults with Turner syndrome
Authors: Sheanon Nicole M. , Beal Sarah J. , Kichler Jessica C. , Casnellie Lori , Backeljauw Philippe , Corathers Sarah
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Turner syndrome (TS) is a complex and chronic medical condition that requires lifelong subspecialty care. Effective transition preparation is needed for successful transfer from pediatric to adult care in order to avoid lapses in medical care, explore health issues such as fertility, and prepare caregivers as adolescents take over responsibility for their own care. The objective of this study was to evaluate accuracy of knowledge of personal medical history and screening guidelines in adolescents and young adults (AYA) with TS.

Methods

This was a prospective cross-sectional study of 35 AYA with TS of ages 13–22 years recruited from a tertiary care center. AYA completed questionnaires on personal medical history, knowledge of screening guidelines for TS, and the Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire (TRAQ).

Results

Eighty percent of AYA with TS were 100% accurate in reporting their personal medical history. Only one-third of AYA with TS were accurate about knowing screening guidelines for individuals with TS. Accuracy about knowing screening guidelines was significantly associated with TRAQ sum scores (r = 0.45, p < 0.05). However, there was no association between knowledge of personal medical history and TRAQ sum scores.

Conclusions

Transition readiness skills, TS-specific knowledge, and accurate awareness of health-care recommendations are related, yet distinct, constructs. Understanding of one’s personal medical history is not an adequate surrogate for transition readiness. Validated tools for general transition, like the TRAQ, can be used but need to be complemented by TS-specific assessments and content. Providers are encouraged to identify opportunities for clinical and educational interventions well in advance of starting transfer to adult care.
The ability of various cerebroplacental ratio thresholds to predict adverse neonatal outcomes in term fetuses exhibiting late-onset fetal growth restriction
Authors: Melekoglu Rauf , Yilmaz Ercan , Yasar Seyma , Hatipoglu Irem , Kahveci Bekir , Sucu Mete
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Our primary aim was to evaluate the ability of various cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) reference values suggested by the Fetal Medicine Foundation to predict adverse neonatal outcomes in term fetuses exhibiting late-onset fetal growth restriction (LOFGR). Our secondary aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of other obstetric Doppler parameters used to assess fetal well-being in terms of predicting adverse neonatal outcomes.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of 317 pregnant women diagnosed with LOFGR at 37–40 weeks of gestation between January 1, 2016, and September 1, 2019. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn to determine the predictive performance of CPR <1, CPR <5th or <10th percentile, and umbilical artery pulsatility (PI) >95th percentile in terms of predicting adverse neonatal outcomes.

Results

Pregnant women exhibiting LOFGR who gave birth in our clinic during the study period at a mean of 38 gestational weeks (minimum 37+0; maximum 40+6 weeks); the median CPR was 1.51 [interquartile range (IQR) 1.12–1.95] and median birthweight 2,350 g (IQR 2,125–2,575 g). The CPR <5th percentile best predicted adverse neonatal outcomes [area under the curve (AUC) 0.762, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.672–0.853, p<0.0001] and CPR <1 was the worst predictor (AUC 0.630, 95% CI 0.515–0.745, p=0.021). Of other Doppler parameters, neither the umbilical artery systole/diastole ratio nor the mid-cerebral artery to peak systolic velocity ratio (MCA–PSV) predicted adverse neonatal outcomes (AUC 0.598, 95% CI 0.480–0.598, p=0.104; AUC 0.521, 95% CI 0.396–0.521, p=0.744 respectively).

Conclusions

The CPR values below the 5th percentile better predicted adverse neonatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by LOFGR than the UA PI and CPR <1 by using Fetal Medicine Foundation reference ranges.
Cesarean section one hundred years 1920–2020: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Authors: Antoine Clarel , Young Bruce K.
Published: September 2020

In present-day obstetrics, cesarean delivery occurs in one in three women in the United States, and in up to four of five women in some regions of the world. The history of cesarean section extends well over four centuries. Up until the end of the nineteenth century, the operation was avoided because of its high mortality rate. In 1926, the Munro Kerr low transverse uterine incision was introduced and became the standard method for the next 50 years. Since the 1970’s, newer surgical techniques gradually became the most commonly used method today because of intraoperative and postpartum benefits. Concurrently, despite attempts to encourage vaginal birth after previous cesareans, the cesarean delivery rate increased steadily from 5 to 30–32% over the last 10 years, with a parallel increase in costs as well as short- and long-term maternal, neonatal and childhood complications. Attempts to reduce the rate of cesarean deliveries have been largely unsuccessful because of the perceived safety of the operation, short-term postpartum benefits, the legal climate and maternal request in the absence of indications. In the United States, as the cesarean delivery rate has increased, maternal mortality and morbidity have also risen steadily over the last three decades, disproportionately impacting black women as compared to other races. Extensive data on the prenatal diagnosis and management of cesarean-related abnormal placentation have improved outcomes of affected women. Fewer data are available however for the improvement of outcomes of cesarean-related gynecological conditions. In this review, the authors address the challenges and opportunities to research, educate and change health effects associated with cesarean delivery for all women.
COVID-19 in obstetrics 2020: the experience at a New York City medical center
Authors: Dayal Ashlesha K. , Razavi Armin S. , Jaffer Amir K. , Prasad Nishant , Skupski Daniel W.
Published: September 2020

The global spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the early months of 2020 was rapid and exposed vulnerabilities in health systems throughout the world. Obstetric SARS-CoV-2 disease was discovered to be largely asymptomatic carriage but included a small rate of severe disease with rapid decompensation in otherwise healthy women. Higher rates of hospitalization, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission and intubation, along with higher infection rates in minority and disadvantaged populations have been documented across regions. The operational gymnastics that occurred daily during the Covid-19 emergency needed to be translated to the obstetrics realm, both inpatient and ambulatory. Resources for adaptation to the public health crisis included workforce flexibility, frequent communication of operational and protocol changes for evaluation and management, and application of innovative ideas to meet the demand.
Optimization on reagent-loading manner for modular clinical chemistry analyzer series: simulations and verifications
Authors: Wang Mingyang , Ming Liang
Published: September 2020

Objectives

The pre- and post-analytical processes have been discussed both in total laboratory system (TLA) and modular automation (MA). The analytical process, especially reagent-related factors influences on the integrated clinical chemistry analyzer, demonstrates a significant effect on clinical chemistry analyzer. Modular analyzer reagent-loading mode influences two mainly factors, testing turnaround time (tTAT) and the cost. Furthermore, how to definite the different reagent loading manners and verify the best reagent loading manner is big challenge.

Methods

We focus on tTAT, and study how the reagent-related factors effect TAT by simulations and verifications. Parameters were simulated by cobas 8000 workflow simulator for reagent-loading manner with at least three positions (Pattern 1), the module-parallel reagent-loading manner (Pattern 2) and the single-position loading mode (Pattern 3).

Results

tTAT, reagent on-line time, quality control (QC) cost and performance verification times all declined by 43%. Tuesday effect solved the repetitive problem for verification. Pattern 2 shows optimal performance in Tuesday effect-based verification.

Conclusions

The optimization of reagent-loading manner saved much workforce, and reduced the QC cost.
Building Islamic Ethics into Development: Exploring the Role and Limitations of “Islamic” Microfinance in Poverty Alleviation—An Indonesian Case Study
Authors: Farrar Salim , Uddin Tanvir
Published: September 2020

In this article, we examine the role and ethics of IBF in the context of development and address the critique that IBF is merely a rebranding of the conventional sector and merely exploits and further marginalises beneficiaries for profit. We focus on Islamic microfinance (IMF) in Indonesia and explore how it is applied to poverty alleviation. In addition to a review of the research to date, we perform a qualitative sociolegal study involving 27 interviews of two IMF institutions’ (BMT Muda and BPRS Mitra Syariah in East Java) beneficiaries, field staff, management and industry stakeholders. Our fieldwork investigates how institution staff members apply Islamic rules and norms when implementing programs, noting any discrepancies between the rhetoric of the Islamic ethical framework for development and the practice. We ultimately argue that while IMF is still a work in progress that would benefit from further regulatory and institutional reform, it is generating wide-ranging economic, social and spiritual benefits. We find evidence of social empowerment and brotherhood in IMF, emblematic of Islamic ethics, as well as genuine contributions to the economic and social development of Indonesia
Legal Origin, Institutional Quality, and Islamic Finance Development: Does Shari’a Matter?
Authors: Grassa Rihab
Published: September 2020

Previous studies on financial development have shown that differences in the legal origin explain differences in financial development. Using historical comparisons and cross-country regressions for 40 countries observed for the period from 2005 to 2018, our research assesses how different legal origins have affected the development of Islamic finance worldwide. More particularly, our research assesses empirically why and how the adoption of Shari’a, wholly or partially (combined with common or civil law), could explain the level of development of Islamic finance in different jurisdictions. Our primary results show that countries adopting a Shari’a legal system have a very well-developed Islamic financial system. Moreover, countries adopting a mixed legal system based on common law and Shari’a law have sufficient flexibility within their legal systems to make changes to their laws in response to the changing socioeconomic conditions, and this has helped the development of the Islamic financial industry. However, countries adopting a mixed legal system based on both civil law and Shari’a law appear less flexible in making changes to their old laws and this thwarted the development of the Islamic financial industry in these countries. Furthermore, we have found that the concentration of a Muslim population (the percentage of Muslim population) along with the level of income have both had a positive effect on the development of Islamic banking assets and on the development of Islamic banking as a whole.
Iconicity ratings across the Japanese lexicon: A comparative study with English
Authors: Thompson Arthur Lewis , Akita Kimi , Do Youngah
Published: September 2020

Iconicity is a resemblance between form and meaning grounded in perceptuo-motor analogy. In speech, iconicity is understood as words “sounding like what they mean.” Studies on English and Spanish use ratings to identify words speakers consider iconic. Perry et al. (2015) show that English onomatopoeia are rated highest, followed by adjectives/verbs > nouns > function words. Our study replicates this for Japanese but, owing to additional variables, yields more nuanced findings. Word-class aside, Japanese speakers are more likely to rate words as iconic if they are an (1) ideophone > (2) Yamato/native prosaic word > or (3) non-Yamato prosaic word. For comparison, we reanalyzed English ratings from Perry et al. (2015), and found neither strata (Germanic, Latinate, French) nor historically iconic etymology had a significant effect. With these factors in mind, we propose that ratings reflect a word’s relationship to sensory information rather than iconicity.
“Leaving the world better than we saw it:” Imperatives for general and special educators
Authors: Obiakor Festus E.
Published: September 2020

The United States and our world have been witnessing tremendous changes at socio-economic, political, and educational levels. Some of these changes have been fantastic and some have been depressing. For example, many of our fellow citizens are still enduring discriminations, victimizations, prejudices, and inaccurate expectations because of their race, skin color, language, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and values, to mention a few. These are evidenced in recent marches, protests, and agitations led by the “Black Lives Matter” movement to tackle increased police harassments, brutalities, shootings, and killings of Blacks, especially Black males. There are apparent disruptions, anxieties, frustrations, and deliberations about the kind of world that we are living in and the kind of world that we are leaving behind for our future generations. The critical questions are, Are we really “leaving the world better than we saw it?” What can general and special educators do to “leave the world better than they saw it?” This article responds to these questions.
Controllable nonlinear optical properties of different-sized iron phosphorus trichalcogenide (FePS3) nanosheets
Authors: Xu Danyun , Guo Zhe , Tu Yudi , Li Xinzhe , Chen Yu , Chen Zhesheng , Tian Bingbing , Chen Shuqing , Shi Yumeng , Li Ying , Su Chenliang , Fan Dianyuan
Published: September 2020

Two-dimensional iron phosphorus trichalcogenide (FePS3) has attracted significant attention for its use in electricity, magnetism and optical fields due to its outstanding physical and chemical properties. Herein, FePS3 was prepared using the chemical vapor transportation (CVT) method and then exfoliated by using fast electrochemical exfoliation. After gradient centrifugation, FePS3 nanosheets with thicknesses ranging from 1.5 to 20 nm and lateral dimensions of 0.5–3 μm were obtained. By utilizing the spatial self-phase modulation (SSPM) effect, the relationships between the nonlinear refractive index and the size of the FePS3 nanosheets were investigated in detail which revealed that the nonlinear refractive index can be effectively controlled by the size of the FePS3 nanosheets. It is worth noting that the optimal FePS3 nanosheets (3–5 layers thick and ∼1 μm in lateral dimensions) displayed the highest nonlinear refractive index of ∼10−5 cm2 W−1. This work demonstrates the potential that FePS3 nanosheets have for use in nonlinear optics or nonlinear optical devices.
Fourier-plane investigation of plasmonic bound states in the continuum and molecular emission coupling
Authors: Seo In Cheol , Kim Seongheon , Woo Byung Hoon , Chung Il-Sug , Jun Young Chul
Published: September 2020

Bound states in the continuum (BICs) or trapped modes can provide an important new avenue for strong light confinement via destructive interference. Dielectric photonic structures have been extensively studied for optical BICs. However, BICs in plasmonic nanostructures have not been explored much yet. Herein, we present a thorough experimental study of plasmonic BICs via Fourier-plane spectroscopy and imaging. Optical mode dispersion in a metal grating covered by a dielectric layer is directly measured in an angle-resolved white light reflection spectrum. Two dielectric layer thicknesses are considered. Both plasmonic and photonics modes are supported in the visible range using a thicker dielectric film; hence, either hybrid or purely plasmonic BICs can be formed. With a thinner dielectric layer, only plasmonic modes are strongly excited and purely plasmonic BICs appear. Our measurements exhibit all features expected for BICs, including a substantial increase in the Q factor. We also demonstrate that the BIC position can be switched from one optical mode branch to the other by tuning a metal grating parameter. Moreover, by mixing luminescent dyes in a dielectric layer, light emission coupling into BICs is investigated. We find that the photoluminescence peak disappears at the BIC condition, which is attributed to the trapping of molecular emission at plasmonic BICs. Therefore, both white light reflection and dye emission measurements in the Fourier plane clearly indicate the formation of trapped modes in plasmonic nanostructures. Our observation implies that plasmonic BICs can enable a highly effective light trapping device despite the simple structure of the device geometry. Plasmonic supercavity design based on the BIC concept may provide many interesting future opportunities for nanolasers, optical sensing, and nonlinear enhancement.
Carbon nanotube–reinforced polymer composite for electromagnetic interference application: A review
Authors: Barathi Dassan Emayaruba G. , Anjang Ab Rahman Aslina , Abidin Mohd Shukur Zainol , Akil Hazizan Md
Published: September 2020

The growth of the application of electronic devices has created a new form of pollution known as noise or radio frequency interference, electromagnetic radiation, or electromagnetic interference (EMI), which results in the malfunction of equipment. A new carbon-based polymer composite has been unlocked through the discovery of polymer composites. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have shown potential as reinforcement fillers in polymer to enhance an EMI shielding material owing to their large specific surface area, well-defined 3D networking structure, and unique electronic structure. The main focus of this review is the role of CNT as fillers in intrinsic conducting polymer and conducting polymer composite. The factors that influence EMI shielding performance are also included in this review. The roles of the size; shape; and electronic, mechanical, and chemical properties of nanomaterials in tuning the EMI shielding effectiveness of polymer hybrid are emphasized. The structural design of CNT polymer composite has been reviewed as well. Future research direction has been proposed to overcome the current technological limitations and realize the most advanced EMI shielding materials for future use. The composites have a potential to replace traditional shielding materials owing to their advantageous properties.
Functionalized layered double hydroxide applied to heavy metal ions absorption: A review
Authors: Tang Zhen , Qiu Zedong , Lu Shuang , Shi Xianming
Published: September 2020

The use of functional material can help mitigate the pollution by heavy metals, which presents an array of risks to human production and life. This work provides a comprehensive review of the current knowledge on functionalized layered double hydroxide (LDH) as a heavy metal absorption material, by synthesizing the information from a total of 141 relevant publications published since 2005. LDH provides a potentially highly efficient method to adsorb heavy metal ions, which is simple to prepare and of low cost. The lack of functional groups and structural components of pristine LDH, however, limits the absorption capacity and widespread applications of LDH. Through intercalation, surface modification, or loading on substrates, functional groups or structural components are introduced into the pristine LDH to prepare functionalized LDH. In this process, the hydroxyl group and the valence state of [Mg(OH)6] octahedrons play a crucial role. Functionalized LDH can be endowed with selective absorption capacity and enhanced stability and recyclability. After adsorbing heavy metal ions, functionalized LDH can be readily separated from the liquid phase. These aspects are discussed, along with the structure and composition, shape and size, and synthesis methods and research tools of LDH. This work concludes with the discussion of preparation and utilization and a look to the future in terms of identified research needs regarding the preparation, use, and recycling (or upcycling) of economical and environmental-friendly LDH.
Vom Gefühl, eine Maschine zu sein
Authors: Eickhoff Hajo
Published: September 2020

Mit Industrie, Digitalisierung und Neurotechnologie hat sich der Mensch Werkzeuge geschaffen, die den technischen Fortschritt beschleunigen, aber auch die Gefahr bergen, den Menschen nicht nur zu optimieren, sondern ihn als Spezies zu überwinden. Was diese Werkzeuge so effektiv macht, ist ihre Anschlussfähigkeit an seine eigenen Werkzeuge, die Organe. Die Jahrmilliarden dauernde Entwicklung und Erfahrung hat die Zellen unaufhörlich verbessert, verfeinert und enorm widerstandsfähig gemacht, weshalb sie einer Überwindung des Menschen entgegenstehen. Der Mensch wird sich nicht neu definieren, sondern eines Tages seine Definition modifizieren müssen.
Homo periculosus sui
Authors: Peskoller Helga
Published: September 2020

Der Ausgang des Beitrags ist ein Ereignis, das sich in der Natur real zugetragen hat. Erzählt wird von einem Kletterer, der ohne ein Anzeichen abgestürzt ist und unter widrigen Bedingungen gerettet werden musste. In die Erzählung flechten sich Theorieelemente mit historischen Perspektiven ein und geben ein Beispiel davon ab, wie subjektiv Erlebtes objektiviert werden kann. Dabei geht es primär um eine Sprache, die nahe am Bild bleibt und dadurch den Kontakt zum Körper hält als ein Schlüssel, den Menschen neu zu denken: über Empfindungen, die im Körper sitzen und im Nachgang aufgerufen werden, um wiederholt zu erinnern, was im Lärm des Geschehens stumm geworden ist – Versuche, das Konkrete im Abstrakten konsequent zum Ausgangspunkt einer „Nachschreibung“ zu machen.

„Denn glaubt es mir! – das Geheimnis, um die größte Fruchtbarkeit und den größten Genuß vom Dasein einzuernten, heißt: gefährlich leben!“(Nietzsche)
„Mensch und Kunstfigur“
Authors: Brandstetter Gabriele
Published: September 2020

Der Artikel untersucht das Konzept des „Neuen Menschen“ am Beispiel der Ästhetik und Anthropologie des Bauhauses. Maßgeblich ist dafür das Verhältnis von Körper und Technik, wie es auf der Bauhausbühne für den Tanz insbesondere durch Oskar Schlemmer konzipiert, bildlich und tänzerisch dargestellt und in seinem Unterricht systematisch ausgebaut wurde. Die Idee von „Mensch und Kunstfigur“, die Relation von Mensch, Material, Umraum und Praxis wird modellhaft umgesetzt in Schlemmers „Triadischem Ballett“ und den „Bauhaustänzen“. Ausgehend von diesem Beispiel aus der Avantgarde des 20. Jahrhunderts wird in dem Artikel gefragt, wie sich diese Idee des Menschen als „Gefüge“ von Körper, Technik, Umwelt im zeitgenössischen Tanz weiterentwickelt: am Beispiel von Choreographien von Gerhard Bohner („Im goldenen Schnitt“), Ola Maciejewska („Bombyx Mori“) und William Forsythe („Black Flags“).
Conflict in the Time of (Post-) Corona: Some Assessments from Behavioral Economics
Authors: Chowdhury Subhasish M.
Published: September 2020

We present a non-technical assessment of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on individual level conflict behavior in the household, workplace, and societal interactions in the post-COVID era. We predict that there will be an increase in the intra-household conflict including domestic violence; and the divorce rate will rise. Within workplaces, the pandemic will result both in a higher level of sabotage among the employees, and employee retaliation towards the employer. The pandemic may also affect the diversity and inclusiveness within an organization adversely. In societal interactions, an increase in the identity related conflicts – especially related to the immigration status – can be observed. It is also likely that there will be an increase in the attack and defense or victimization activities in the society. We conclude by proposing various measures for conflict resolution, and a few possible areas of further investigations.
Radiation protection among health care workers: knowledge, attitude, practice, and clinical recommendations: a systematic review
Authors: Behzadmehr Razieh , Doostkami Mahboobe , Sarchahi Zohreh , Dinparast Saleh Leila , Behzadmehr Rezvaneh
Published: September 2020

Objectives

This study was performed to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of health care workers (HCWs) towards radiation protection.

Methods

In this systematic review study, three international databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus) were searched for related published articles in the English language from 1 January 2000 to 1 February 2020. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Hoy et al. tool.

Results

Out of the 1,848 studies examined, 41 studies that were performed on 11,050 HCWs were included in the final stage. The results indicated that in most studies, more than half (50%) of the participants had average knowledge. Furthermore, 60% of the participants had a positive attitude, but in most studies, they had average practice regarding radiation protection. The most important recommendation for improving KAP among the participants was incorporating radiation protection standards in the student curriculum.

Conclusion

Considering the results of the study, further attention should be paid to proper education regarding radiation protection standards and improvement of HCW performance.
Depression in post-traumatic stress disorder
Authors: Radell Milen L. , Hamza Eid Abo , Moustafa Ahmed A.
Published: September 2020

Major depressive disorder (MDD) symptoms commonly occur after trauma-exposure, both alone and in combination with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This article reviews recent research on comorbidity between these disorders, including its implications for symptom severity and response to treatment. Despite considerable symptom overlap, the two disorders represent distinct constructs and depend, at least in part, on separate biological mechanisms. Both, however, are also clearly related to stress psychopathology. We recommend that more research focus specifically on the study of individual differences in symptom expression in order to identify distinct subgroups of individuals and develop targeted treatments. However, a barrier to this line of inquiry is the trend of excluding particular patients from clinical trials of new interventions based on symptom severity or comorbidity. Another obstacle is the overreliance on self-report measures in human research. We argue that developing computer-based behavioral measures in order to supplement self-report can help address this challenge. Furthermore, we propose that these measures can help tie findings from human and non-human animal research. A number of paradigms have been used to model MDD-and PTSD-like behavior in animals. These models remain valuable for understanding the biological basis of these disorders in humans and for identifying potential interventions, but they have been underused for the study of comorbidity. Although the interpretation of animal behavior remains a concern, we propose that this can also be overcome through the development of close human analogs to animal paradigms.
Machine learning (ML) for the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using brain imaging
Authors: Nogay Hidir Selcuk , Adeli Hojjat
Published: September 2020

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental incurable disorder with a long diagnostic period encountered in the early years of life. If diagnosed early, the negative effects of this disease can be reduced by starting special education early. Machine learning (ML), an increasingly ubiquitous technology, can be applied for the early diagnosis of ASD. The aim of this study is to examine and provide a comprehensive state-of-the-art review of ML research for the diagnosis of ASD based on (a) structural magnetic resonance image (MRI), (b) functional MRI and (c) hybrid imaging techniques over the past decade. The accuracy of the studies with a large number of participants is in general lower than those with fewer participants leading to the conclusion that further large-scale studies are needed. An examination of the age of the participants shows that the accuracy of the automated diagnosis of ASD is higher at a younger age range. ML technology is expected to contribute significantly to the early and rapid diagnosis of ASD in the coming years and become available to clinicians in the near future. This review is aimed to facilitate that.
La conception néosaussurienne du signe et de la sémiosis et l’analyse des images
Authors: Trudel Éric
Published: September 2020

Cet article se propose d’envisager le signe iconique à l’aune du modèle néosaussurien du signe et de la sémiosis qui se dégage des Écrits de linguistique générale. Après avoir exposé ce modèle à partir des propositions que François Rastier tire des textes autographes de Saussure, cette contribution transpose le cadre à la description du signe iconique, en réinterrogeant certains éléments de la conceptualisation que donne le Groupe µ de ce type d’énoncé visuel. Une brève analyse de la toile Le retour à la nature de Magritte permet d’illustrer et de valider la transposition théorique du modèle néosaussurien du signe et de la sémiosis. Cette démarche ouvre la possibilité de procéder à l’interprétation des images selon la théorie morphosémiotique développée par la sémantique de Rastier.
Ein schwieriger Partner: Deutschlands eigennützige Außenpolitik
Authors: Dieter Heribert
Published: September 2020

Innerhalb der Europäischen Union ist Deutschland der wichtigste Akteur, dessen Gewicht in der gegenwärtigen Krise noch einmal gewachsen ist. Auch für die Artikulation europäischer Positionen in der internationalen Politik hat Deutschland eine hohe Bedeutung. Allerdings bedeutet dies noch lange nicht, dass Deutschland eine akzeptierte Führungsmacht ist. Deutsche Außenpolitiker geben zwar stets vor, im Interesse aller Europäer zu handeln und betonen auch regelmäßig die Bedeutung multilateralen Foren. Indessen fällt auf, dass die deutsche Außenpolitik sich vor allem an den wirtschaftlichen Interessen Deutschlands orientiert und etwa in der Frage des künftigen Umgangs mit einer zunehmend aggressiv auftretenden Volksrepublik China eine gemeinsame europäische Reaktion erschwert.
Stretch-induced hypoalgesia: a pilot study
Authors: Larouche Marie-Claude , Camiré Bernier Samuel , Racine Rosalie , Collin Olivier , Desmons Mikaël , Mailloux Catherine , Massé-Alarie Hugo
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Stretching is an intervention often used in various kinds of rehabilitation protocols and the effects on pain sensitivity has sparsely been investigated, especially when addressing potential effects on pain. The objective is to investigate the immediate effects of an axial and peripheral prolonged stretch on pressure pain sensitivity (PPT) and temporal summation (TS) on local and distal sites in healthy subjects.

Methods

Twenty-two healthy volunteers were recruited to participate in this pilot study. Two prolonged stretching protocols were performed: low back and wrist extensors stretches. PPT and pinprick TS were measured pre- and post-intervention at local and remote sites. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to examine the effects and significance of the interventions.

Results

The low back stretch induced an increase in PPT for both local and remote sites, and the wrist stretch produced a PPT increase only at the local site. TS did not change.

Conclusions

Low back stretching induced an increase in PPT at both local and remote sites whereas the wrist stretch only increased PPT locally, suggesting hypoalgesia at these sites. Further studies are needed to confirm the effect and mechanisms using randomised, controlled and parallel study design. Considering that pain sensitivity is different than clinical pain, results are difficult to extrapolate to clinical practice. Future studies testing clinical pain are needed to better understand the clinical implication of these results.
Exploring the underlying mechanism of pain-related disability in hypermobile adolescents with chronic musculoskeletal pain
Authors: van Meulenbroek Thijs , Huijnen Ivan P.J. , Simons Laura E. , Conijn Arnoud E.A. , Engelbert Raoul H.H. , Verbunt Jeanine A.
Published: September 2020

Objectives

A significant proportion of adolescents with chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) experience difficulties in physical functioning, mood and social functioning, contributing to diminished quality of life. Generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) is a risk factor for developing CMP with a striking 35-48% of patients with CMP reporting GJH. In case GJH occurs with one or more musculoskeletal manifestations such as chronic pain, trauma, disturbed proprioception and joint instability, it is referred to as generalized hypermobility spectrum disorder (G-HSD). Similar characteristics have been reported in children and adolescents with the hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS). In the management of CMP, a biopsychosocial approach is recommended as several studies have confirmed the impact of psychosocial factors in the development and maintenance of CMP. The fear-avoidance model (FAM) is a cognitive-behavioural framework that describes the role of pain-related fear as a determinant of CMP-related disability.

Content

Pubmed was used to identify existing relevant literature focussing on chronic musculoskeletal pain, generalized joint hypermobility, pain-related fear and disability. Relevant articles were cross-referenced to identify articles possibly missed during the primary screening. In this paper the current state of scientific evidence is presented for each individual component of the FAM in hypermobile adolescents with and without CMP. Based on this overview, the FAM is proposed explaining a possible underlying mechanism in the relations between GJH, pain-related fear and disability.

Summary and outlook

It is assumed that GJH seems to make you more vulnerable for injury and experiencing more frequent musculoskeletal pain. But in addition, a vulnerability for heightened pain-related fear is proposed as an underlying mechanism explaining the relationship between GJH and disability. Further scientific confirmation of this applied FAM is warranted to further unravel the underlying mechanism.

In explaining disability in individuals with G-HSD/hEDS, it is important to focus on both the physical components related to joint hypermobility, in tandem with the psychological components such as pain-related fear, catastrophizing thoughts and generalized anxiety.
The CA1 hippocampal serotonin alterations involved in anxiety-like behavior induced by sciatic nerve injury in rats
Authors: Saffarpour Sepideh , Nasirinezhad Farinaz
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Several clinical and experimental studies reported the anxiety as one of the neuropathic pain comorbidities; however, the mechanisms involved in this comorbidity are incompletely cleared. The current study investigated the consequence of pain induced by peripheral neuropathy on the serotonin (5-HT) level of the CA1 region of the hippocampus, which is known as a potential reason, for anxiety associated with neuropathic pain.

Methods

In this manner, 72 male rats were inconstantly subdivided into three experimental groups as follows: control, sham, and chronic constriction injury (CCI). Neuropathic pain was initiated by the CCI of the sciatic nerve, and then, mechanical allodynia, thermal hyperalgesia, and anxiety-like behavior were evaluated using the von Frey filaments, radiant heat, open field test (OFT), and elevated plus maze (EPM) respectively. To investigate the probable mechanisms, the in vivo extracellular levels of 5-HT were assessed by microdialysis and using reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the CA1 region of hippocampus on days 16 and 30 post-CCI.

Results

Our data suggested that CCI caused anxiety-like behavior in OFT and EPM test. 5-HT concentration in the CA1 region of the hippocampus significantly (F=43.8, p=0.000) reduced in CCI rats, when the pain threshold was minimum. Nevertheless, these alterations reversed while the pain threshold innate increased.

Conclusions

Neuropathic pain, initiated by constriction of the sciatic nerve can induce anxiety-like behavior in rats. This effect accompanies the reduction in 5-HT concentration in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. When the pain spontaneously alleviated, 5-HT level increased and anxiety-like behavior relieved.
Recurrent abdominal pain among adolescents: trends and social inequality 1991–2018
Authors: Holstein Bjørn E , Damsgaard Mogens Trab , Ammitzbøll Janni , Madsen Katrine Rich , Pedersen Trine Pagh , Rasmussen Mette
Published: September 2020

Objectives

The association between socioeconomic status and recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) among adolescents is an understudied issue. No study has examined whether such an association changes over time. The aim was to examine trends in RAP among adolescents in Denmark from 1991 to 2018, to examine whether there was social inequality in RAP and whether this inequality varied over time.

Methods

The study used data from the Danish part of the international Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study of nationally representative samples of 11-, 13- and 15-year-olds. This study pooled data from eight comparable surveys from 1991 to 2018, overall participation rate 88.0%, n=30,048. The definition of RAP was self-reported stomach-ache daily or several days per week during the past six months. We reported absolute inequality as prevalence difference in RAP between low and high socioeconomic status and relative inequality as odds ratio for RAP by socioeconomic status.

Results

In the entire study population, 5.6% reported RAP, 3.1% among boys and 7.8% among girls. There was a significant increase in RAP from 1991 to 2018 among boys and girls, test for trend, p<0.0001. The prevalence of RAP was significantly higher in low than high socioeconomic status, OR=1.63 (95% CI: 1.42–1.87). The absolute social inequality in RAP fluctuated with no consistent increasing or decreasing pattern.

Conclusions

The prevalence of RAP increased from 1991 to 2018. The prevalence was significantly higher among girls than among boys, and significantly higher in low socioeconomic status families. Professionals should be aware of RAP as common and potentially serious health problems among children and adolescents. In addition to clinical examination it is important to focus on improving the child’s quality of life, reduce parents’ and children’s concerns about the seriousness of the condition, and consider supplements to medicine use.
Resolution enhancement through nearfield-assistance in interference microscopy
Authors: Hüser Lucie , Lehmann Peter
Published: September 2020

Um die Grenzen der optischen Messtechnik zu erweitern und feinere Strukturen messbar zu machen, wurden verschiedene Systeme in der aktuellen Forschung publiziert. Es wurde gezeigt, dass im Nahfeld aufgebrachte Mikrokugeln die Auflösung eines interferometrischen Messsystems verbessern und Strukturen unterhalb Abbe’s Beugungsgrenze sichtbar machen können. In dieser Studie werden Messergebnisse mit einem hochauflösenden Linnik-Interferometer unterhalb der Auflösungsgrenze gezeigt. Des Weiteren werden simulative Analysen zum Phasenverhalten im Nahfeld der Mikrokugeln vorgestellt, um die theoretische Erklärung des superauflösenden Verhaltens von Mikrokugeln und die bildgebenden Prozesse des Systems zu ermöglichen.
Methoden zur Minimierung des Rauscheinflusses durch Hitzeflimmern bei einem heterodynen Laser-Doppler-Vibrometer
Authors: Schewe M. , Kohlmann D. , Wulfmeier H. , Fritze H. , Rembe C.
Published: September 2020

Bei der kontaktlosen Schwingungsmessung im Hochtemperaturbereich mit einem heterodynen Laser-Doppler-Vibrometer begrenzen insbesondere im Frequenzbreich unter 50 Hz mehrere Faktoren die minimal auflösbaren Schwingungsamplituden. In diesem Beitrag werden der Einfluss des Hitzeflimmerns auf den Rauschpegel analysiert und Methoden vorgestellt, wie dieser Einfluss minimiert werden kann. Darüber hinaus werden weitere begrenzende Faktoren wie der Einfluss der Laufzeitunterschiede der Laserstrahlen sowie Lösungen zu deren Minimierung vorgestellt.
A Compact Four Transistor CMOS-Design of a Floating Memristor for Adaptive Spiking Neural Networks and Corresponding Self-X Sensor Electronics to Industry 4.0
Authors: Abd Hamam , König Andreas
Published: September 2020

In this work we present, in the context of the transition from amplitude to robust spike domain sensing and electronics, a floating memristor. It can be used to construct memristor SNNs used for noise-robust conditioning and analog-to-digital conversion and manufactured using leading-edge technologies with more ’cranky’ devices, low-voltage, low power, and minimal area on-chip. Also, this supports both machine learning as well as the self-x properties in advanced sensor electronics system for industry 4.0. The proposed memristor has less design complexity and a higher number of resistance levels as compared to other existing memristors. The proposed CMOS memristor is designed using AMS 0.35 μm CMOS technology and Cadence design tools. Its layout occupies an area of 70 μm × 85 μm. The simulation shows the performance of the proposed floating memristor emulator in the temperature range (-40 °C to 85 °C) and Monte-Carlo simulation.
Analyse von 3D-CT-Aufnahmen von Spänen zur Extrahierung der Segmentspanbildungsfrequenz
Authors: Schwär Daniel , Kunz Andreas , Dehen Stephan , Zanger Frederik , León Fernando Puente
Published: September 2020

Die Vermessung von Spänen, welche bei einem Drehprozess entstehen, ist insbesondere bei einer helixartigen Form eine große Herausforderung. Die Analyse lässt sich nur in den Randbereichen durchführen, da die inneren Bereiche durch den Span selbst verdeckt werden. Außerdem lassen sich Späne, die aus sprödem Material bestehen, nicht zerstörungsfrei analysieren. Da sich metallisches Material sehr genau durch einen Computertomographen vermessen lässt, wurde eine Methode entwickelt, mit welcher sich das 3D-Bild eines Spanes virtuell zu einem geradlinigen Span transformieren lässt. Im Anschluss liegt der Fokus auf der Extrahierung des Segmentspanabstandes, welcher über einen Stauchungsfaktor mit der Segmentspanbildungsfrequenz zusammenhängt. Zuletzt wird die Methode mit einer manuellen Untersuchung der Späne unter einem konfokalen Mikroskop verglichen, wobei gezeigt werden kann, dass der Vorteil der CT-Analyse darin liegt, dass sie auch in der Analyse helixförmiger Späne zu einem Ergebnis kommt.
Erkennung und Kompensation von Vergiftung durch Siloxane auf Halbleitergassensoren im temperaturzyklischen Betrieb
Authors: Schultealbert Caroline , Baur Tobias , Sauerwald Tilman , Schütze Andreas
Published: September 2020

Wir präsentieren eine Untersuchung zur Auswirkung, Erkennung und Kompensation von Vergiftung durch Siloxane auf Halbleitergassensoren im temperaturzyklischen Betrieb. Mit dem in Innenräumen häufig anzutreffenden OMCTS (Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxan) wird ein auf Zinndioxid basierender Halbleitergassensor (AS-MLV-P2) gezielt in mehreren Schritten vergiftet (bis max. 9,77 ppm h) und regelmäßig mit Hilfe von randomisierten Gasangeboten am Beispiel von Innenraumluftqualität charakterisiert. Durch die differenzielle Oberflächenreaktion - eine spezielle Form des Temperaturzyklus basierend auf dem Sauerwald-Baur-Modell - können wir zeigen, dass die Reaktionsrate auf dem Sensor durch die Vergiftung stark abnimmt. Gleichzeitig kann durch die umgekehrte Betrachtung dieses Betriebes - der differenziellen Oberflächenoxidation - der Vergiftungs-Zustand des Sensors quantitativ bestimmt werden und die erhaltenen Sensorsignale für kleine Vergiftungen korrigiert werden.
Building Better Methods in Economic Geography
Authors: Bathelt Harald , Li Pengfei
Published: September 2020

This paper suggests that it is a timely task to aim at building better methods in economic geography. While economic geography is a vibrant field, it is characterized by methodological divides and fragmentations. In presenting a collection of five papers, we address these problems by suggesting to move forward in at least five directions: bridging the qualitative/quantitative divide, clarifying causality, selecting appropriate data, improving rigor, and ensuring high ethical standards.
The fate of chlorophyll in phytophagous insects goes beyond nutrition
Authors: Oetama Vincensius S. P. , Pentzold Stefan , Boland Wilhelm
Published: September 2020

Chlorophyll (Chl) is a natural compound that is found in all autotrophic plants. Since phytophagous insects ingest the photosynthetically active material with the plant leaves, the question arises if and how herbivores deal with Chl and its degradation products. Here we review findings on Chl degradation in phytophagous insects and highlight the role of these ubiquitous plant metabolites for plant-feeding insects. Due to the anaerobic gut of many insects, the degradation is limited to the removal of the peripheral substituents, while the tetrapyrrole core remains intact. Proteins, such as red fluorescent protein, P252 (a novel 252-kDa protein), and chlorophyllide binding protein have been reported to occur in the insect gut and might be indirectly connected to Chl degradation. Besides of an nutritional value, e.g., by taking up Mg2+ ions or by sequestration of carbon from the phytol side chain, the Chl degradation products may serve the insect, after binding to certain proteins, as antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral factors. The protein complexes may also confer protection against reactive oxygen species. The antibiotic potential of proteins and degradation products does not only benefit phytophagous insects but also human being in medical application of cancer treatment for instance. This review highlights these aspects from a molecular, biochemical, and ecological point of view.
Legal Authorities and their Legislative Priorities: The Treatment of Leprosy in the Sources of Canon Law
Authors: Eichbauer Melodie H.
Published: September 2020

This essay considers medieval leprosy in ecclesiastical legislation through the lens of legal pluralism, that is the range of normative orders that are independent from the “state” as a monolithic entity. It focuses on the period between the mid-eleventh and the turn of the fourteenth century marked by efforts at church reform, by the proliferation of leprosaria, and by canonical interest in matrimonial law. It argues that the environment in which various legal authorities worked influenced how they engaged with leprosy. The policies they enacted resulted from a negotiation of their circumstances and needs, which were not necessarily the same. The result was a rich and overlapping legal tradition that, over time, coalesced into a comprehensive legislative policy that both protected the rights of the afflicted as well as the safety of the healthy. The first section of this essay sets forth research on leprosy and the arguments to be pursued. The second section argues that the “old law” in canonical collections used leprosy as an allegory for sin and as a metaphor for simony in pursuit of personal reform and renewal. The third section focuses on the proliferation of leprosaria and argues that the challenge of arranging for pastoral care fell on the shoulders of councils and prelates making policy at the regional or local level. The fourth section argues that the papacy and jurists worked parallel to other legislative bodies. Yet it would be the requests to which the papacy responded and the importance of juridical commentary as a source clarifying the legal ambiguities in these responses that would provide the inroad for the papacy, acting similar to the proverbial “state”, to normalize ecclesiastical life and Christian society.