bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flipping the Classroom to Teach the Evaluation of Research Articles and the Development of Scientific Literacy
Authors: Monaghan-Geernaert Pamela
Published: October 2019

Scientific literacy is a key skill for college students. Flipped classroom techniques provide useful tools for students to learn material outside of the classroom to be applied during class time. In this study, students were assigned homework that entailed watching two video podcasts that explained the process for finding and reading peer-reviewed journal articles. Students then completed a survey corresponding to each video podcast asking about the effectiveness of the video podcast and their satisfaction with the perceived knowledge and skills they learned. In class, students worked in groups to practice the skills taught in the video. One hundred and six students completed both surveys. The results indicate that the students found the video podcasts very helpful in finding and reading the articles (89% Finding, 92% Reading). The students believed that watching the video podcasts would help them complete the in-class assignment (92%), that the information would be useful for other classes (90%), and that they preferred watching (and rewatching) the video podcasts on their own time instead of during class time (52%). The flipped classroom methodologies, specifically video podcasts, provide a formative tool for delivering visual instruction of how students can acquire skills in scientific literacy.
A servidão cultural: uma análise crítica do discurso do Ministério da Cultura de 2003 a 2017
Authors: Coelho Marina , Nascimento Monique , Dellagnelo Eloise H. L. , Neutgem Aline Van
Published: October 2019

A ideia de cultura como direito fundamental, valorada em si (não obstante à constituição de 1988) só é apropriada com a entrada de Gilberto Gil no Ministério da Cultura. A despeito do esforço de um reposicionamento conceitual e político, o campo cultural permanece em disputa nos anos que se seguem. Objetivou-se, neste sentido, analisar criticamente os discursos – utilizando a lente teórico-metodológica de Norman Fairclough (2001, 2003) – de posse dos últimos oito Ministros da Cultura do Brasil (a partir de 2003), evidenciando aspectos ideológicos subjacentes ao conceito de cultura que fundamentam e refletem as ações no campo. Observou-se que, a despeito do esforço anunciado, a cultura permanece servil; razão secundária de políticas “econômicas e sociais” da cultura; um meio, instrumento à serviço do desenvolvimento nacional.
Políticas para a exibição cinematográfica: a experiência internacional
Authors: Andrietta Gabriela
Published: October 2019

Este artigo tem o objetivo de mapear, apresentar e avaliar o repertório internacional de políticas públicas que promovam o alcance e a diversidade dos filmes exibidos em duas experiências nacionais (França e Coreia do Sul) que foram bem sucedidas em conter o avanço da hegemonia dos filmes americanos em seus mercados. A partir desse mapeamento, foi realizada uma comparação com a situação do mercado de exibição brasileiro. Para selecionar as experiências nacionais de êxito, utilizei os dados de 2013 do Instituto de Estatísticas da UNESCO a respeito da diversidade nacional e linguística na exibição cinematográfica. Para compilar o repertório internacional das políticas de fomento e exibição cinematográficas, foi utilizada revisão de bibliografia e análise dos documentos das agências nacionais de fomento e regulação.
As tradições do mecenato europeu nos campos das artes cênicas, da música e de rádio-televisão
Authors: Miceli Sergio
Published: October 2019

A despeito das diferenças substanciais no tocante ao volume de verbas destinadas à área artística e cultural, ao perfil organizacional das agências públicas incumbidas da alocação e gestão desses fundos, ao peso diferencial da iniciativa privada e às orientações doutrinárias e prioridades práticas em termos de política cultural, a maioria dos governos europeus instituiu no pós-guerra um aparato administrativo na área cultural, destinando-lhe um montante apreciável de recursos. Este trabalho compara o investimento de países europeus nos campos das artes cênicas, da música e de radiotelevisão.
Apresentação
Authors: Costa Leonardo , Reis Paula Félix dos
Published: October 2019

Apresentação do dossiê Políticas Culturais Comparadas.
Improving the flame retardancy of polypropylene foam with piperazine pyrophosphate via multilayering coextrusion of film/foam composites
Authors: Lee Sangjin , Morgan Alexander B. , Schiraldi David A. , Maia João
Published: October 2019

A series of 16‐layer polypropylene/flame retardant (PP/FR) film/foam composite structures were produced by microlayer coextrusion. A highly branched PP was used in the foam layers to increase strain hardening and cell stability, while the PP used in the film layers was a high shear viscosity grade to confine bubble growth. In addition to improved tensile properties, the PP/FR composite film/foams exhibited five times the compression modulus of PP/FR composite foams at each FR loading level. The thermal stabilities of the composites were investigated, exhibiting three step decompositions. The FR particles were effective in decreasing flammability by forming intumescent char. The PP/FR‐film/foam‐20 showed self‐extinguishing behavior in a modified vertical burn test, while the PP/FR‐foam‐20 sample continued to burn. Cone calorimetry demonstrated that PP/FR film/foams had lower heat release than PP/FR foams due to the unique alternating film/foam structure of PP/FR film/foams. Scanning electron microscopy imaging of the residual chars from fire testing that the PP/FR composite film/foams showed a more continuous protective char surface when compared with PP/FR composite foams at each FR concentration. The combined data indicate that the formation of a surface film on top of a foam ensures a robust intumescent fire protective barrier for partly foamed materials and shows a new way toward lightweight materials with improved fire safety performance. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48552.
Millimeter‐Wave Heating in In Vitro Studies: Effect of Convection in Continuous and Pulse‐Modulated Regimes
Authors: Orlacchio Rosa , Zhadobov Maxim , Alekseev Stanislav I. , Nikolayev Denys , Sauleau Ronan , Le Page Yann , Le Dréan Yves
Published: October 2019

Shallow penetration of millimeter waves (MMW) and non‐uniform illumination in in vitro experiments result in a non‐uniform distribution of the specific absorption rate (SAR). These SAR gradients trigger convective currents in liquids affecting transient and steady‐state temperature distributions. We analyzed the effect of convection on temperature dynamics during MMW exposure in continuous‐wave (CW) and pulsed‐wave (PW) amplitude‐modulated regimes using micro‐thermocouples. Temperature rise kinetics are characterized by the occurrence of a temperature peak that shifts to shorter times as the SAR of the MMW exposure increases and precedes initiation of convection in bulk. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the liquid volume impacts convection. Increasing the volume results in earlier triggering of convection and in a greater cooling rate after the end of the exposure. In PW regimes, convection strongly depends on the pulse duration that affects the heat pulse amplitude and cooling rate. The latter results in a change of the average temperature in PW regime. Bioelectromagnetics. 2019;40:553–568. © 2019 Bioelectromagnetics Society.
Variation in energy metabolism arising from the effect of the tumor microenvironment on cell biological behaviors of bladder cancer cells and endothelial cells
Authors: Li Dan , Jiao Wei , Liang Zhijuan , Wang Liping , Chen Yuanbin , Wang Yonghua , Liang Ye , Niu Haitao
Published: October 2019

Tumor energy metabolism and angiogenesis play significant roles in tumor genesis and development, while the effect of the tumor microenvironment (TME), which tumors rely on, is always ignored. In this research, we cocultured bladder cancer (BC) T24 cells with tumor‐associated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) under normoxic and hypoxic conditions and detected proliferation, migration, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and glycolysis to reveal the energy metabolism characteristics and their effect on cell biological behaviors (CBBs) in the TME. Compared with single‐cultured cells, both cocultured T24 cells and HUVECs showed poor proliferation and migration in hypoxic environment, and OXPHOS was activated in cocultured T24 cells but weakened in cocultured HUVECs. However, in normoxic environment, cocultured T24 cells grew much faster while cocultured HUVECs grew slower compared with single‐cultured cells. Additionally, glycolysis played a crucial role in energy metabolism and was inhibited in cocultured T24 cells but activated in cocultured HUVECs. In normoxic TME, OXPHOS take main responsibility of energy metabolism. T24 cells exhibited increased proliferation and migration with HUVECs support. In hypoxic TME, glycolysis may be the primary energy supply pathway. T24 cells then exhibit suppressed proliferation and migration, while HUVECs tend to promote angiogenesis to adapt to the harsh TME.
Nikolay Ivanovich Pirogov (1810–1881): Anatomical research to develop surgery
Authors: Hendriks I.F. , Zhuravlev D.A. , Bovill J.G. , Boer F. , Gaivoronskii I.V. , Hogendoorn P.C.W. , DeRuiter M.C.
Published: October 2019

The 19th century Russian surgeon Nikolay Ivanovich Pirogov believed passionately in the importance of anatomy for surgeons. His interest in anatomy began as a medical student in Moscow. After graduating in 1828 Pirogov entered the postgraduate German‐Baltic University of Dorpat (now Tartu in the Republic of Estonia) where he studied anatomy and surgery. After completing his study, he remained to research the consequences of ligation of the aorta in a series of animal experiments, which formed the core of his doctoral thesis. He wanted to determine the feasibility of aortic ligation as a treatment for patients with an aneurysm of the aorta or iliac artery. He discovered that success was only likely when the aorta was ligated between the two mesenteric arteries and the ligature gradually tightened, an approach surgically difficult in humans. Pirogov then spent 2 years at the Charité Hospital in Berlin before returning to Russia. In 1841, he was appointed Professor of Applied Anatomy and Surgery at the Imperial Medico‐Surgical Academy in Saint Petersburg. He instituted the teaching of microscopy and histology to the medical curriculum and in 1846 formed the Institute for Applied Anatomy within the academy, where in addition to teaching medical students future teachers of anatomy in Russia were trained. Pirogov published extensively on anatomy, including several anatomical atlases, the most notable his three‐dimensional atlas of topographical anatomy published in four volumes between 1852 and 1859. Today Pirogov's contributions to anatomy are remembered in a number of anatomical structures named after him. Clin. Anat., 33:714–730, 2020. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A novel larynx‐preserving pharyngectomy technique using a thyroid gland flap after chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Ogawa Tetsuya , Okamoto Hiroki , Inukai Daisuke , Sano Rui , Katahira Nobuyuki , Yamanaka Syunpei , Yo Kinga , Kan Taichi , Ueda Hiromi
Published: October 2019

This case report describes larynx‐preserving pharyngectomy after chemoradiotherapy using a thyroid gland flap. A thyroid gland flap has good blood supply and reconstruction can be done in the same surgical field. The thyroid gland flap has potential as a novel appropriate flap for use in head and neck surgery.
Low‐temperature synthesis of graphitic carbon‐coated silicon anode materials
Authors: Yan Zheng , Jin Huile , Guo Juchen
Published: October 2019

We report the synthesis of a high‐performance graphitic carbon‐coated silicon (Si@GC) composite material for lithium‐ion batteries via a scalable production route. Porous Si is produced from the magnesiothermic reduction of commercial silica (SiO2) precursor followed by low‐temperature graphitic carbon coating using glucose as the precursor. The obtained Si@GC composite achieves an excellent reversible specific capacity of 1195 mAh g−1 and outstanding cycle stability. The thick Si@GC anode (3.4 mg cm−2) in full cells with commercial lithium iron phosphate cathode delivers a remarkable performance of 800 mAh g−1 specific capacity and 2.7 mAh cm−2 areal capacity as well as 93.6% capacity retention after 200 cycles.
Nanodiamonds for energy
Authors: Wang Hongxia , Cui Yi
Published: October 2019

Carbon materials have been playing important roles in advancing energy‐related technologies and offering great promise to addressing the rising global energy demands and environmental issues. Nanodiamonds, an exciting class of carbon materials, with excellent mechanical, chemical, electronic, and optical properties, have great potentials in energy‐related applications. In this contribution, we summarized some of the recent progress on nanodiamonds for energy storage, conversion, and other related applications in sustainable energy research. We discussed the promising opportunities and outlooks for nanodiamonds in energy‐related fields.
Compliance to treatment guidelines and survival in women undergoing interval debulking surgery for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer
Authors: Shylasree Thumkur S. , Kattepur Abhay K. , Gupta Monisha , Ghosh Jaya , Maheshwari Amita , Bajpai Jyoti , Hawaldar Rohini , Gulia Seema , Deodhar Kedar , Popat Palak , Gupta Sudeep , Kerkar Rajendra A.
Published: October 2019

Background

One of the primary treatment strategies for advanced epithelial ovarian cancers includes neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by interval debulking surgery (IDS) and adjuvant chemotherapy. Compliance to treatment is important to possibly improve outcomes.

Aim

To audit treatment compliance and its effect on overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) in women undergoing IDS.

Methods and Results

Women diagnosed with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer undergoing IDS were included. Details of compliance to chemotherapy and surgery as per standard guidelines were assessed, and correlation with survival was studied. Reasons for protocol deviation at various levels were documented and analysed.

A total of 182 patients were included. The total number of deviations was 134 with deviation at any level being 89 (48.9%) and at all levels 5%. Both patient‐ and treatment‐related factors contributed towards deviation. Deviation or noncompliance towards treatment resulted in a significantly reduced 5‐year OS (34.4% vs 58.2%; P = .001) compared with compliant patients, which retained its significance on multivariate analysis (P = .024) as well.

Conclusion

Deviation from treatment guidelines resulted in a significantly lower 5‐year OS compared with those who remained treatment compliant. Both patient‐ and treatment‐related factors contributed towards noncompliance and hence towards lower survival.
Is timing of reproduction according to temperature sums an optimal strategy?
Authors: Johansson Jacob , Bolmgren Kjell
Published: October 2019

Temperature sums are widely used to predict the seasonal timing of yearly recurring biological events, such as flowering, budburst, and hatching. We use a classic energy allocation model for annual plants to compare a strategy for reproductive timing that follows a temperature sum rule (TSR) with a strategy that follows an optimal control rule (OCR) maximizing reproductive output. We show that the OCR corresponds to a certain TSR regardless of how temperature is distributed over the growing season as long as the total temperature sum over the whole growing season is constant between years. We discuss such scenarios, thus outlining under which type of variable growth conditions TSR maximizes reproductive output and should be favored by natural selection. By providing an ultimate explanation for a well‐documented empirical pattern this finding enhances the credibility of temperature sums as predictors of the timing of biological events. However, TSR and OCR respond in opposite directions when the total yearly temperature sum changes between years, representing, for example, variation in the length of the growing season. Our findings have implications for predicting optimal responses of organisms to climatic changes and suggest under which conditions natural selection should favor photoperiod versus temperature control.
A simplified method on estimation of forest roughness by use of aerial LIDAR data
Authors: Bingöl Ferhat
Published: October 2019

In the last decade, satellite‐based measurements combined with local land cover information have produced datasets with a very detailed land cover description. CORINE Land Cover (CLC) dataset is owned and maintained by the European Environmental Agency (EEA) and published at the agency's website. Another remote sensing tool, developed in the same period, is the terrain LIDAR scanners with very high resolution and porosity information. In the current study, LIDAR scans of mainland Denmark with 0.4 m resolution were used to estimate the aerodynamic roughness of large forests, the borders of which were defined with the help of the CLC dataset. The results are compared with available in situ measurement results from the scientific literature. There was a generally good agreement between calculated and measured displacement height values but less so for aerodynamic roughness values due to the employed spatial averaging process. The results reveal a promising application that can be used for forest parameterization within modeling tools.
Synthesis and evaluation of a novel nanoparticle carrying urokinase used in targeted thrombolysis
Authors: Zhong Yan , Gong Wen J. , Gao Xue H. , Li Yan N. , Liu Kun , Hu Yong G. , Qi Jin S.
Published: October 2019

Acute thrombosis, which can lead to vessel occlusion and ischemic complication, is a major cause of death and disability from myocardial infarction and stroke in recent years. Traditional drugs used in clinical thrombolytic therapy have many disadvantages, such as, higher drug dosage, shorter halftime. Thus, an efficient, safe, noninvasive, and easy thrombolysis method is urgently needed. A novel nanometer targeted carrier of a thrombolytic drug was developed in this study to improve the efficacy of thrombolytic therapy. To prepare the carrier, the carbodiimide‐mediated amide was adopted to link urokinase (UK) and Arg‐Gly‐Asp‐Ser tetrapeptide (RGDS) to the surface of the treated Bacillus amyloliquefaciens spores (BA) to synthesize UK‐BA‐RGDS nanoparticles. The thrombolysis rate of UK‐BA‐RGDS was 87%, which was nearly fivefold higher than that of commercial UK. Additionally, the tail bleeding time of UK‐BA‐RGDS was decreased compared with commercial UK (601 vs. 1,145 s). Furthermore, the blood flow velocity at the thrombus was recovered to ~80% of the initial state in 80 min after injection of UK‐BA‐RGDS. These results might indicate that the UK‐BA‐RGDS nanoparticles may be an effective targeted drug for the treatment of thromboembolism without hemorrhagic complication. Besides, the BA nanoparticle is a potential carrier of other drugs a wide range of possible applications.
Hip Structure Analyses in Acromegaly: Decrease of Cortical Bone Thickness After Treatment: A Longitudinal Cohort Study
Authors: Godang Kristin , Lekva Tove , Normann Kjersti Ringvoll , Olarescu Nicoleta Cristina , Øystese Kristin Astrid Berland , Kolnes Anders , Ueland Thor , Bollerslev Jens , Heck Ansgar
Published: October 2019

Long‐standing growth hormone (GH) excess causes the skeletal clinical signs of acromegaly with typical changes in bone geometry, including increased cortical bone thickness (CBT). However, a high prevalence and incidence of vertebral fractures has been reported. The aim of this study was to assess the course of cortical bone dimensions in the hip by comparing patients with acromegaly and clinically nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) at baseline and 1 year after pituitary surgery (1‐year PO) in a longitudinal cohort study. DXA was performed in patients with acromegaly (n = 56) and NFPA (n = 47). CBT in the femoral neck (CBTneck), calcar (CBTcalcar), and shaft (CBTshaft) were determined by hip structural analysis (HSA). CBT at baseline and the change to 1‐year PO were compared. Test results were adjusted for differences in gender distribution, age, and gonadal status. Cortical thickness analyses showed higher values [mm] at baseline in patients with acromegaly compared with NFPA: CBTneck median [25th; 75th] 6.2 [4.7; 8.0] versus 5.1 [4.1; 6.4] (p = 0.006), CBTcalcar 4.8 [4.2, 5.7] versus 4.0 [3.2, 4.5] (p < 0.001), CBTshaft 6.2 [5.1, 7.2] versus 5.2 [4.6, 6.0], (p = 0.003). In acromegaly, GH was correlated with CBTneck (r = 0.31, p = 0.020), whereas IGF‐1 was correlated with CBTcalcar (r = 0.39, p = 0.003) at baseline. In acromegaly, CBTneck decreased by 11.2%, p = 0.002 during follow‐up. Finally, the decrease in CBTneck and CBTcalcar in acromegaly was significant compared with NFPA (p = 0.023 and p = 0.017, respectively). Previous observations of increased CBT in acromegaly were confirmed with DXA‐derived HSA in a large, well‐defined cohort. The decline in CBT in acromegaly could contribute to the increased fracture risk in acromegaly despite increased bone dimensions and disease control. © 2019 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Comparison of Photochemical Crosslinking Versus Sutures for Bonding Conjunctival Grafts
Authors: Wang Yan , Zhu Lu , Zhu Jingyin , Shen Nianci , Yao Min , Yu Yan
Published: October 2019

Background and Objectives

To explore whether Rose Bengal‐induced photochemical crosslinking (RB‐PCL) can be a replacement for sutures in conjunctival autograft bonding, we compared the safety, operating time, postoperative ocular signs, and inflammatory responses of RB‐PCL versus nylon suturing for sealing conjunctival autografts in rabbits.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Thirty‐six New Zealand White rabbits underwent limbal conjunctival autografting using either sutures or RB‐PCL to attach conjunctival autografts to the bare sclera. Animals were randomized to one of two groups (18 per group): the suture group or RB‐PCL group. Photochemical crosslinking with a wavelength of 532 nm green light with an illumination intensity of 0.6 W/cm2 for 250 seconds (150 J/cm2) or suturing was performed followed by light examination at 3, 7, 28 days after surgery to evaluate the healing condition. Rabbits in each group were euthanized on day 3 (n = 6), 7 (n = 6), or 28 (n = 6) postoperatively, and the graft tissues from the surgical site were processed to evaluate inflammatory response by assessing protein levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α), and interleukin 6 (IL‐6) as well as histological examination. Cell viability was evaluated by counting both total and dead cells on hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained tissue samples from both groups at 3 and 7 days after surgery. The surgery procedure time was recorded and the graft surface temperatures were measured before and after illumination.

Results

Photochemical crosslinking effectively secured the limbal conjunctival autograft over an ocular conjunctival defect with no significant difference from the suture group. The time required for this light activated bonding method was ~550 seconds in comparison with the suture method of half hour. The differences of measured temperature on the graft surface before and after RB‐PCL treatment were 2.98 ± 0.11°C. The induction of IL‐6 and TNF‐α protein was remarkably reduced in the RB‐PCL group compared with the suture group at 3 and 7 days after surgery. Histology revealed less infiltrated neutrophils were observed in the RB‐PCL group than in the suture group at 3 and 7 days postoperatively. Furthermore, the RB‐PCL group showed a better healing process with less eye discharge and mild conjunctival congestion. No significant difference in percent dead cells was observed between RB‐PCL and suture groups at 3 and 7 days after surgery.

Conclusions

RB‐PCL is a promising alternative for bonding the conjunctival autograft with shorter operation time, less inflammation and better healing outcomes compared to conventional suture. Thermal damage and phototoxicity were not observed using the RB‐PCL method in bonding conjunctival grafts. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Deep Brain Stimulation in Movement Disorders: From Experimental Surgery to Evidence‐Based Therapy
Authors: Krack Paul , Volkmann Jens , Tinkhauser Gerd , Deuschl Günther
Published: October 2019

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of 3 different targets is the most important therapeutic innovation of the past 30 years for patients with fluctuating Parkinson's disease (PD), disabling dystonia, tremors, and refractory Gilles de la Tourette syndrome. When compared with medical treatment alone, controlled studies have shown better motor, nonmotor, and particularly quality‐of‐life outcomes with large effect sizes for advanced complicated PD that cannot be improved with medication, and also for PD patients with only early fluctuations. Class 1 studies have also shown superiority over medical treatment for generalized, segmental, and botulinum‐toxin refractory focal cervical dystonia. Long‐term efficacy is established for all indications with open studies. For tremors, open studies have shown that DBS is remarkably effective on PD and essential tremor, but efficacy on severe essential tremor and cerebellar tremors is limited by a tendency for tolerance/habituation, including concerns about long‐term efficacy. Open studies of disabling Gilles de la Tourette syndrome show an improvement in tics. New developments hold a promise for further improvement. New hardware with directional stimulation and new stimulation paradigms are further areas of research. The targets of DBS are refined with new imaging processing that will help to diversify the surgical targets. New indications are being explored. Closed‐loop DBS using brain or peripheral sensor signals have shown favorable clinical short‐term results. Long‐term data are lacking, and it is hoped that similar approaches for other movement or behavioral disorders may be developed. Exciting new developments carry the hope for a more pathophysiology‐based approach for DBS for various brain circuit disorders. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Technical Note: Accuracy of MTF measurements with an edge phantom at megavoltage x‐ray energies
Authors: Loot Katharina , Block Andreas
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Measurement of the modulation transfer function (MTF) is performed by evaluating the response of an imaging system to a predefined input. To obtain accurate results when using an edge phantom, the detector input signal must resemble an ideal step function. The MTF of megavoltage (MV) imagers used in radiotherapy has been measured with highly absorbing edge phantoms fabricated from thick metal blocks. This study investigates the influence of the edge phantom design on the accuracy of the resulting MTF.

Methods

The MTF of an electronic portal imaging device (EPID) was measured at 6 MV beam quality with four edge phantoms made of lead with 1.3, 3.3, 5.0, and 10.0 cm thickness. Monte Carlo simulations were carried out for these and a selection of tungsten phantoms to determine the photon fluence at the imaging plane and quantify the systematic error in the MTF introduced by the edge phantom design.

Results

The measured MTF depends on the design of the edge phantom. The detector input signal of a thin phantom is affected by secondary radiation from the phantom itself, causing an overestimation of the MTF. The amount of secondary radiation can be reduced by increasing the phantom thickness or introducing an air gap between the phantom and the detector. Both methods introduce geometric unsharpness, which can result in an underestimation of the true MTF. Edge phantoms made from 4.0 cm thick tungsten or 5.0 cm thick lead induce comparatively small systematic errors of below 3% or 5%, respectively.

Conclusions

When MTF measurements are conducted at MV energies, even a highly absorbing edge phantom will introduce a systematic error of several percent. Direct comparison of MTFs obtained with different edge phantoms should therefore be treated with caution.
Case‐finding tools for the diagnosis of OAB in women: A narrative review
Authors: Malde Sachin , Kelly Samuel , Saad Sanad , Sahai Arun
Published: October 2019

Aims

Overactive bladder (OAB) remains underdiagnosed with many patients never seeking medical help. Methods to aid early identification and treatment of OAB will be hugely beneficial, and to this end several case‐finding tools have been developed. The aim of this review is to critically analyse the literature regarding case‐finding tools that have been validated specifically for the detection of OAB in women.

Methods

A literature search of the PubMed database was performed until July 2019 using the search terms screening and OAB or lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Names of individual case‐finding tools included in the sixth International Consultation on Incontinence were also searched on the PubMed database. Original articles on the validation of patient‐reported screening questionnaires for the detection of OAB in women were included.

Results

A total of 22 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. The validation studies of 11 case‐finding tools were assessed. All demonstrated good sensitivity and specificity for OAB or incontinence symptoms, and five tools have been most extensively validated for this condition (bladder control self‐assessment questionnaire [B‐SAQ], OAB‐V8, OAB‐V3, OAB symptom score, and questionnaire for urinary incontinence diagnosis). B‐SAQ and OAB‐V8 demonstrated high sensitivity whilst actionable bladder symptom screening tool was the most specific. B‐SAQ was the only tool in this review to encompass screening for “red‐flag” symptoms (hematuria, pain), and it has also been validated in a primary care setting.

Conclusions

Several case‐finding tools have been demonstrated to have high accuracy for diagnosing OAB in women. B‐SAQ encompasses other LUTS as well as “red‐flag” symptoms; its use should be promoted in primary care.
Bladder and urethral dysfunction in multiparous and mature rabbits correlates with abnormal activity of pubococcygeus and bulbospongiosus muscles
Authors: Corona‐Quintanilla Dora Luz , López‐Juárez Rhode , Pacheco Pablo , Romero‐Ortega Mario I. , Castelán Francisco , Martínez‐Gómez Margarita
Published: October 2019

Aims

To evaluate the combined effect of age and multiparity on the micturition reflex, including pelvic floor muscle activation.

Methods

Young and mature nulliparous rabbits were compared to young and mature multiparas (n = 6 per group). Cystometrograms and urethral pressure (UP) were performed while simultaneously recording the electromyogram (EMG) activity of the pubococcygeus and bulbospongiosus muscles to establish their functional correlation to urological function.

Results

Multiparity and age significantly influence the bladder and UP affecting the voiding efficiency and intercontraction interval. Such interaction also reduced the UP threshold, timing, and duration. Other bladder and urethral variables were predominantly affected only by age. Urodynamic alterations correlated with abnormal patterns or absent EMG activity of the pubococcygeus and bulbospongiosus muscles.

Conclusions

The present findings strongly suggest that multiparity and age affects specific pelvic floor muscle reflex activation during micturition, and may contribute to alterations in bladder and urethral function. This data broadens our understanding of the critical role of the appropriate activity of the individual pelvic floor muscles in micturition.
Funding sources and effects of limited funding in pediatric pulmonology fellowship programs
Authors: Weiss Pnina , Mauer Elizabeth , Gerber Linda M. , Boyer Debra , Abramson Erika L.
Published: October 2019

Background

The pediatric pulmonology workforce is at risk. Access to pediatric pulmonologists to meet patient needs is limited and recruitment of new trainees to replace the aging, retiring physician population may be inadequate. Furthermore, sources of funding for graduate medical education are insecure. However, no prior studies have identified the funding sources of pediatric pulmonology fellowships or the effects of funding constraints.

Methods

We conducted a national survey of pediatric pulmonology training directors (PPTD) in the United States between 1 November, 2016 and 9 February, 2017 to examine the sources of funding for pediatric pulmonary fellows and the effect of funding limitations.

Results

We obtained data from 48 PPTD, representing 89% of pediatric pulmonology programs (N = 54). Limitations in funding restricted program size in 31% of programs. A significant number of programs had no funding to cover educational resources such as advanced degrees (38%), courses (23%), society membership (25%), and journals and books (15%). Twenty seven percent of PPTD perceived their program as financially insecure for academic year 2019 and beyond.

Conclusions

Insufficient funding has limited the size of pediatric pulmonology programs and access to important educational resources. It is critical to ensure that there is adequate funding for pediatric pulmonology fellowship programs, as insecurity further endangers the pediatric pulmonology workforce and future provision of care for children with respiratory diseases.
Friction characterization testing of fabric felt material used in precast structures
Authors: Brunesi Emanuele , Peloso Simone , Pinho Rui , Nascimbene Roberto
Published: October 2019

Felt material is sometimes employed in precast wall‐slab‐wall structures featuring no mechanical devices for the wall‐slab connection. This implies that the frictional properties of these felts should be high enough to permit horizontal lateral forces on a building to be carried through them, preventing the sliding of slabs on precast walls and eventually their unseating. In light of this, friction testing of fabric felt material has been undertaken, combining triplet‐monotonic and cyclic‐symmetric tests, with a view to characterize this material, allowing not only an estimate of the shear force transferred, in actual buildings, between the slabs and the precast walls underneath them, but also a likely force‐displacement relationship that may be employed in numerical modeling efforts. Comparisons with data from a recent full‐scale building test corroborate the results obtained by the two‐step experimental investigation presented in this paper, thus adding further weight to the modeling recommendations herein provided.
Dispersal and Reception in Northern Italy: Comparing Systems Along the Brenner Route
Authors: Semprebon Michela , Pelacani Gracy
Published: October 2019

In the last decades, policy restrictions and practices at national and local levels have curtailed the rights of seekers and holders of international protection, thus impacting on their lives and on the territories they transit through. This is particularly evident in border contexts. Various border areas have gradually transformed into internal hotspots, with increasing border enforcement. This includes Brenner, situated at the border between Italy and Austria. In the wider Brenner route area, particularly in the nearby Italian cities of Verona, Trento and Bolzano, “spaces of transit” have emerged and both public and humanitarian actors have been “forced” to deal with it. This chapter draws upon the work of the multilevel governance of migration (Caponio and Borkert 2010), and on the proliferation of borders (Mezzadra and Neilson 2016), to present a comparative analysis of the reception scenario in these three cities. By building on qualitative data analysis (legal analysis of policy documents, content analysis of interviews and newspaper articles), it discusses to what extent and how the respective local systems of reception have managed to cater for migrants that transit through them. Similarities and differences are pointed out, as well as the relevance of factors such as geographical proximity in influencing the respective approaches.
Legal Paradigm Shifts and Their Impacts on the Socio-Spatial Exclusion of Asylum Seekers in Denmark
Authors: Kreichauf René
Published: October 2019

This chapter discusses the genesis of Denmark’s asylum accommodation system and recent legal and socio-spatial changes as a reaction to the increase of arrivals. By elucidating the structures and objectives of asylum accommodation, I present that the state’s further tightening of restrictive reception and accommodation policies significantly impacts the socio-spatial configurations of accommodations, refugees’ access to housing and their well-being. I discuss the links between the tensioning of laws, the reduction of living conditions and the (re-)constitution of large accommodations as means of socio-spatial exclusion. Applying the case of Denmark’s Hovedstaden Region (Capital Region), I finally argue that asylum accommodation is a central instrument of Denmark’s approaches to strategically isolate forced migrants and to deter them from migrating to Denmark.
Places and Spaces of the Others. A German Reception Centre in Public Discourse and Individual Perception
Authors: Göler Daniel
Published: October 2019

The geographicity of refugee migration and asylum in receiving countries combines two perspectives of analysis. One is represented by uprooted, somehow alienated migrants, the other by the spatiality of refugee camps and reception centres as places and spaces of the others in the sense of a “non-place”: Sites of transit without any identity, ‘footloose’ in Augéan terms, just coexisting in their local context. Thus, this chapter uses a broad empirical approach and refers to the phenomenon’s spatial as well as social and individual elements. The empirical field is a reception and accommodation centre that was opened in 2015 in a former military base in the town of Bamberg, Germany. At that time, the discussion of political framing at the state level led to a severe crisis in German politics. On the local level, a public discourse unfolded around the centre, ranging from its capacity and residents, to the residents’ well-being in terms of legal treatment, discrimination, medical care and schooling. The initial group of residents there were, in the vast majority, migrants from Western Balkan countries applying for asylum. Starting in 2016, the structure and origin of the residents changed fundamentally. Since then, the origin of residents has become more and more heterogeneous. An analysis of spatial behaviour and spatial representation showed a broad variety of information on space and place of temporary living. Different perceptions, various ways of coping with the locality and the short duration of stay represent the fluid character of the reception centre and its residents nowadays.
Before and After the Reception Crisis of 2015: Asylum and Reception Policies in Austria
Authors: Rosenberger Sieglinde , Müller Sandra
Published: October 2019

In 2015 Austria was among the European countries with the largest asylum arrivals per capita. When the multi-level reception regime almost collapsed and administrative coordination failed, some municipalities protested against asylum seekers’ facilities, others engaged with emergency help and support for the wellbeing and inclusion of asylum seekers. This chapter deals with local responses to the events of 2015, covering both administrative activities and social practices. It combines an institutional, macro-level perspective on arrangements and frameworks with a micro-level, social perspective on acts of support or resistance by (groups of) individuals. Based on scholarly literature, official documents and media reports, the chapter presents ambivalent results concerning the local turn in migration governance: In terms of legal powers on admission, municipalities lose in importance; in terms of support and inclusion, they gain in importance, not least because of the exclusionary stance of the national government on asylum and reduced public funding for integration facilitators.
Local Narrative-Making on Refugees: How the Interaction Between Journalists and Policy Networks Shapes the Media Frames
Authors: Pogliano Andrea , Ponzo Irene
Published: October 2019

City narratives are crucial in shaping public attitudes and perceptions, and in defining the viable policy options and cities’ responses to hot issues, such as migration and asylum. Nevertheless, the literature on relations between media and political actors is scarce and often unable to account for the complex local mechanisms leading to the production of media frames. This chapter investigates two urban crises: the rapid increase of transit refugees at the Central Station of Milan, and refugees’ illegal occupation of four buildings in the ex-MOI area (former Olympic village) in Turin. Both events started in 2013 and have been studied from their beginnings up to mid-2016 by using qualitative techniques and media frame analysis. By matching the media and policy analysis, the authors show the central role that the local institutions can play in shaping media narratives on migrants and how the cohesion of the policy networks strengthens their ability to affect the local media frames. The dynamics of local journalism also matter: the presence of reporters with specific expertise, a commitment to migration and stable engagement in the issue, as well as collaboration within and between newsrooms, namely the existence of a sort of local media community, contribute to the development of consistent narratives over time and the prevalence of humanitarian rather than security frames.
Shaping the “Deserving Refugee”: Insights from a Local Reception Programme in Belgium
Authors: Ravn Stiene , Mahieu Rilke , Belloni Milena , Timmerman Christiane
Published: October 2019

The sudden increase of asylum applications in the aftermath of the 2015 “refugee crisis”, has sparked the debate on the concept of “deservingness” in public discourse. Who deserves to enter into European territory? Who deserves to receive state-funded assistance? This article unpacks the notion of “deservingness” by analysing the rationalities of care underpinning a European-funded local support programme in Antwerp (Belgium). The programme offers special assistance to former unaccompanied minors, recognised as beneficiaries of legal protection, who have recently turned 18. By examining the categories, attitudes and perceptions shaping this local project, we show how the idea of “deservingness”, a central notion in wider European discourses on refugee reception, is reproduced and critically implemented by local actors of refugee assistance. Drawing on focus group interviews with five municipal and civil society organizations, we untangle legal, moral and economic dimensions of deservingness and illustrate how these can overlap or contradict each other within stakeholders’ perspectives. The analysis of the different stakeholders’ perspectives about the assumed characteristics of this “new” category of refugees deserving special care shows the significance of stakeholders’ respective organisational backgrounds. On a deeper level, ideas on deservingness reflect stakeholders’ different aspirations about the kind of citizens young refugees should become. As such, this chapter contributes to deeper understanding of moralities and rationalities shaping public discourse and local reception of refugees in Europe. It also highlights the role of localities in shaping innovative policies and in the wider debate on refugee assistance.
The Public Perception of the Migration Crisis from the Hungarian Point of View: Evidence from the Field
Authors: Simonovits Bori
Published: October 2019

This chapter focuses on how public opinion has been formed in Hungary in recent years—partly as a consequence of the extremely xenophobic political discourse. The analysis is based on comprehensive empirical research carried out in 2015–2017—combining quantitative and qualitative research techniques.

As a theoretical framework, I rely on the Intergroup Threat Theory, originally developed by Stephan and Stephan (Cognition and affect in stereotyping: parallel interactive networks. In Mackie DM, Hamilton DL (eds) Affect, cognition, and stereotyping: interactive processes in group perception. Academic, Orlando, pp 111–136, 1993), which distinguishes the different aspects of threat—connected to asylum-seekers and migrants—perceived by the receiving society. The qualitative results underscore the quantitative results, as both realistic and symbolic threats by Muslim immigrants are perceived to be high in contemporary Hungary, and letting in a great amount of people with unknown identities is seen as posing a serious risk to the receiving society. Most of the arguments given by the interviewees echoed the concepts of the government, in terms of terrorism, contagious diseases, as well as immigrants imposing a huge burden on the welfare state.

The analysis also shows that the results have to be interpreted in the light of Hungary’s particular political and social context, namely the following three aspects: (i) a politics characterized by extreme anti-immigration rhetoric since 2015, (ii) integration policies that have been non-existent since the state completely withdrew integration provision in the summer of 2016, and (iii) in terms of the volume of migration, a sharply decreasing number of asylum seekers entering the country since the legal and physical closure of the borders in October 2015.
The Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer conjecture for an elliptic curve over $$\pmb {\mathbb {Q}\left( \root 4 \of {5}\,\right) }$$
Authors: van Bommel Raymond
Published: October 2019

In this paper, we show that the Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer conjecture for a certain elliptic curve over$$\mathbb {Q}\left( \root 4 \of {5}\,\right) $$Q54is equivalent to the same conjecture for a certain pair of hyperelliptic curves of genus 2 over$$\mathbb {Q}$$Q. We numerically verify the conjecture for these hyperelliptic curves. Moreover, we explain the methods used to find this example, which turned out to be a bit more subtle than expected.