bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Targeted LC-ESI-MS2 characterization of human milk oligosaccharide diversity at 6 to 16 weeks post-partum reveals clear staging effects and distinctive milk groups
Authors: Mank Marko , Hauner Hans , Heck Albert J. R. , Stahl Bernd
Published: August 2020

Many molecular components in human milk (HM), such as human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), assist in the healthy development of infants. It has been hypothesized that the functional benefits of HM may be highly dependent on the abundance and individual fine structures of contained HMOs and that distinctive HM groups can be defined by their HMO profiles. However, the structural diversity and abundances of individual HMOs may also vary between milk donors and at different stages of lactations. Improvements in efficiency and selectivity of quantitative HMO analysis are essential to further expand our understanding about the impact of HMO variations on healthy early life development. Hence, we applied here a targeted, highly selective, and semi-quantitative LC-ESI-MS2approach by analyzing 2 × 30 mature human milk samples collected at 6 and 16 weeks post-partum. The analytical approach covered the most abundant HMOs up to hexasaccharides and, for the first time, also assigned blood group A and B tetrasaccharides. Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed and allowed for automatic grouping and assignment of human milk samples to four human milk groups which are related to the maternal Secretor (Se) and Lewis (Le) genotypes. We found that HMO diversity varied significantly between these four HM groups. Variations were driven by HMOs being either dependent or independent of maternal genetic Se and Le status. We found preliminary evidence for an additional HM subgroup within the Se- and Le-positive HM group I. Furthermore, the abundances of 6 distinct HMO structures (including 6′-SL and 3-FL) changed significantly with progression of lactation.
Role of Primary Tumor Resection for Metastatic Small Bowel Neuroendocrine Tumors
Authors: Hallet Julie , Law Calvin ,   the Commonwealth Neuroendocrine Tumours Research Collaborative (CommNETs) Surgical Section, Hallet Julie , Law Calvin , Pasieka Janice , Koea Jonathan , Meyer‐Rochow Win
Published: August 2020

While small bowel resection is well established as standard of care for curative‐intent management of localized and loco‐regional small bowel neuroendocrine tumors (SB‐NETs), resection of the primary tumor in the setting of metastatic disease is debated. This review addresses the role of primary tumor resection for stage IV well‐differentiated grade 1 and 2 SB‐NETs. While survival benefits have been reported for primary tumor resection in the setting of metastatic disease, these studies are limited by selection bias and thus controversial. The main clinical benefits of primary tumor resection for stage IV disease involve the prevention of potentially debilitating complications associated with mesenteric fibrosis, including intestinal obstruction, mesenteric ischemia and angina, venous congestion, malabsorption, and malnutrition. Patients with metastases undergoing initial resection of the primary SB‐NETs appear to have fewer episodes of care and re‐intervention for loco‐regional complications than those who do not undergo resection. As recommended by the NANETS and ENETS guidelines, resection of the primary tumor for stage IV SB‐NETs should be strongly considered to avoid future loco‐regional complications and potentially to improve survival. All patients with stage IV SB‐NETs should be assessed by a surgeon experienced in the management of NETs to consider surgical therapies, including resection of the primary tumor despite metastatic disease.
Rheology of melts from the colli albani volcanic district (Italy): a case study
Authors: Kleest Christin , Webb Sharon L. , Fanara Sara
Published: August 2020

In this study the first viscosity measurements in the glass transition range of melts from highly explosive large-volume eruptions from the Colli Albani Volcanic District (CAVD) are presented. The magmas are ultrapotassic, rich in iron and CaO and characterised by a low silica content (< 45 wt%). Melt compositions range from tephri-phonolitic to foiditic. The Colli Albani eruptions appear anomalous since they produced a large volume of erupted material in spite of their silica undersaturated compositions. The viscosity of the Colli Albani melt changes as the melt composition evolves from the original melt to a country-rock contaminated melt to a crystal-bearing melt with a permanent decrease in liquid viscosity. Conventional estimations of viscosities assume these magmas to have a low viscosity. The presented data show that the melt viscosities are higher than expected. Taking into account further chemical or rheological features of a melt, the investigated CAVD melts are not that striking as assumed in comparison with other large-volume eruptions. Consequently, considering the alkaline-earth to alkaline ratio together with the SiO2 content could provide an alternative when comparing large volume eruptions.
Microphysics of Inelastic Deformation in Reservoir Sandstones from the Seismogenic Center of the Groningen Gas Field
Authors: Pijnenburg Ronald P. J. , Spiers Christopher J.
Published: August 2020

Physics-based assessment of the effects of hydrocarbon production from sandstone reservoirs on induced subsidence and seismicity hinges on understanding the processes governing compaction of the reservoir. Compaction strains are typically small (ε < 1%) and may be elastic (recoverable), or partly inelastic (permanent), as implied by recent experiments. To describe the inelastic contribution in the seismogenic Groningen gas field, a Cam–clay-type plasticity model was recently developed, based on the triaxial test data obtained for sandstones from the Groningen reservoir (strain rate ~ 10−5 s−1). To underpin the applicability of this model at production-driven strain rates (10−12 s−1), we develop a simplified microphysical model, based on the deformation mechanisms observed in triaxial experiments at in situ conditions and compaction strains (ε < 1%). These mechanisms include consolidation of and slip on µm-thick clay films within sandstone grain contacts, plus intragranular cracking. The mechanical behavior implied by this model agrees favourably with the experimental data and Cam–clay description of the sandstone behavior. At reservoir-relevant strains, the observed behavior is largely accounted for by consolidation of and slip on the intergranular clay films. A simple analysis shows that such clay film deformation is virtually time insensitive at current stresses in the Groningen reservoir, so that reservoir compaction by these mechanisms is also expected to be time insensitive. The Cam–clay model is accordingly anticipated to describe the main trends in compaction behavior at the decade time scales relevant to the field, although compaction strains and lateral stresses may be slightly underestimated due to other, smaller creep effects seen in experiments.
Evaluating the GPCC Full Data Daily Analysis Version 2018 through ETCCDI indices and comparison with station observations over mainland of China
Authors: Yu Yu , Schneider Udo , Yang Su , Becker Andreas , Ren Zhihua
Published: August 2020

The new 1° × 1° resolution global Full Data Daily Analysis Version 2018 published by the Global Precipitation Climatology Centre (GPCC) of Deutscher Wetterdienst was compared with an analysis of the measurements from the national dataset over the mainland of China with regard to four of the 27 ETCCDI indices (http://etccdi.pacificclimate.org/list_27_indices.shtml) commonly used to determine extreme precipitation (Rx5day, R10mm, CDD and SDII). After extreme value check, integrity check, and homogeneity check, the observations from 2327 surface stations covering the years from 1982 to 2016 fulfilled the criteria for the evaluation. The in situ daily precipitation data were interpolated onto a 1° × 1° grid over the mainland of China by employing Shepard’s angular and distance weighting algorithm. The four aforementioned indices were then calculated on the national station–based analysis being referred to as STA. Moreover, the aforementioned gridded GPCC Full Data Daily product was directly utilized to calculate the same indices (FDDA). The China national means of Rx5day, R10mm, CDD and SDII calculated from FDDA and STA had similar variations and trends with high correlation coefficients, and the mean biases between FDDA and STA were 2.5 mm, 1.2 days, 0.0 day and 0.3 mm respectively. The trends of Rx5day, R10mm and SDII are increasing, whereas the trend of CDD is negative. The distributions of the grid mean and the grid trends of indices over China from FDDA and STA show similar patterns too, indicating that the FDDA shows a surprisingly high fidelity in reproducing almost the same patterns in the four ETCCDI indices chosen compared with the STA-based analysis.
Stieleria varia sp. nov., isolated from wood particles in the Baltic Sea, constitutes a novel species in the family Pirellulaceae within the phylum Planctomycetes
Authors: Surup Frank , Wiegand Sandra , Boedeker Christian , Heuer Anja , Peeters Stijn H. , Jogler Mareike , Jetten Mike S. M. , Rohde Manfred , Jogler Christian , Kallscheuer Nicolai
Published: August 2020

Species belonging to the bacterial phylumPlanctomycetesare ubiquitous members of the microbial communities in aquatic environments and are frequently isolated from various biotic and abiotic surfaces in marine and limnic water bodies. Planctomycetes have large genomes of up to 12.4 Mb, follow complex lifestyles and display an uncommon cell biology; features which motivate the investigation of members of this phylum in greater detail. As a contribution to the current collection of axenic cultures of Planctomycetes, we here describe strain Pla52Tisolated from wood particles in the Baltic Sea. Phylogenetic analysis places the strain in the familyPirellulaceaeand suggests two species of the recently described genusStieleriaas current closest neighbours. Strain Pla52nTshows typical features of members of the classPlanctomycetia, including division by polar budding and the presence of crateriform structures. Colonies of strain Pla52nThave a light orange colour, which is an unusual pigmentation compared to the majority of members in the phylum, which show either a pink to red pigmentation or entirely lack pigmentation. Optimal growth of strain Pla52nTat 33 °C and pH 7.5 indicates a mesophilic (i.e. with optimal growth between 20 and 45 °C) and neutrophilic growth profile. The strain is an aerobic heterotroph with motile daughter cells. Its genome has a size of 9.6 Mb and a G + C content of 56.0%. Polyphasic analyses justify delineation of the strain from described species within the genusStieleria. Therefore, we conclude that strain Pla52nT= LMG 29463T= VKM B-3447T should be classified as the type strain of a novel species, for which we propose the nameStieleria variasp. nov.
Gene–Environment Interplay Between Physical Exercise and Fitness and Depression Symptomatology
Authors: Johnson Wendy , Mortensen Erik Lykke , Kyvik Kirsten Ohm
Published: August 2020

Studies often report beneficial effects of physical exercise on depression symptomatology, both in clinical and community samples. In clinical samples, effects are observed using physical exercise as primary treatment and supplement to antidepressant medications and/or psychotherapies. Magnitudes vary with sample characteristics, exercise measure, and study rigor. Both propensity to exercise and vulnerability to depression show genetic influences, suggesting gene–environment interplay. We investigated this in a Danish Twin Registry-based community sample who completed a cycle fitness test and detailed assessments of depression symptomatology and regular exercise engagement that enabled estimates of typical total, intentional exercise-specific, and other metabolic equivalent (MET) expenditures. All exercise-related measures correlated negatively with depression symptomatology (− .07 to − .19). Genetic variance was lower at higher levels of cycle fitness, with genetic and shared environmental correlations of −  .50 and 1.0, respectively. Nonshared environmental variance in depression was lower at higher levels of total MET, with no indications of genetic or environmental covariance. Being physically active and/or fit tended to prevent depression, apparently because fewer participants with higher levels of activity and fitness reported high depression symptomatology. This was driven by nonshared environmental influences on activity but genetic influences on physical fitness. Genetic correlation suggested people less genetically inclined toward physical fitness may also be genetically vulnerable to depression, possibly because inertia impedes activity but also possibly due to social pressures to be fit. Exercise programs for general well-being should emphasize participation, not performance level or fitness. We discuss possible interrelations between fitness aptitude and metabolism.
Patients’ perceptions of medicines information received at hospital discharge in Norway: a qualitative interview study
Authors: Svensberg K. , Trapnes E. , Nguyen D. , Hasan R. A. , Sund J. K. , Mathiesen L.
Published: August 2020

BackgroundInsufficient transfer of medicines information is a common challenge at discharge from hospital. Following discharge, home dwelling patients are expected to manage their medicines themselves and adequate counselling is an important prerequisite for patient empowerment and self-efficacy for medicines management.ObjectiveThe aim was to identify patients’ needs for medicines information after discharge from hospital, including the patients’ perception and appraisal of the information they received at discharge.SettingThe study enrolled patients discharged from three medical wards at a secondary care hospital in Oslo, Norway.MethodPatients were included at the hospital, at or close to the day of discharge and qualitative, semi-structured interviews were performed during the first 2 weeks after discharge. Eligible patients were receiving medicines treatment on admission and after discharge, were handling the medicines themselves, and discharged to their own home. Data were collected in 2017. Interviews were analysed with thematic analysis inspired by Systematic Text Condensation.Main outcome measurePatients’ perceptions of medicines information.ResultsIn total, 12 patients were interviewed. They were discharged in equal numbers from the three wards, representing both sexes and a broad age range. Patients perceive medicines information as a continuum and not limited to specific encounters, like the discharge conversation. They gain information in several ways; by receiving information from health care professionals, through observations, and by seeking it themselves. Some thought they could have been better informed about adverse reactions and how to manage life while being a medicines user. Others felt they did not want or need more information. Patients employ various strategies for coping with their use of medicines, influencing their self-efficacy towards medicine management.ConclusionMedicines information should focus on empowering the patients throughout the hospital stay and not solely at discharge, taking into account the individual patient’s needs for information, preferences and prior knowledge.
Prakāśa. A few reflections on the Advaitic understanding of consciousness as presence and its relevance for philosophy of mind
Authors: Fasching Wolfgang
Published: August 2020

For Advaita Vedānta, consciousness is to be distinguished from all contents of consciousness that might be introspectively detectable: It is precisely consciousness of whatever contents it is conscious of and not itself one of these contents. Its only nature is, Advaita holds,prakāśa(manifestation); in itself it is devoid of any content or structure and can never become an object. This paper elaborates on this kind of understanding of consciousness in order to next explain why it might be fruitful for developing a clear understanding of the nature of the so-called problem of consciousness. Today’s philosophy of mind tends to conceive of consciousness in terms of qualia, thereby taking it as a special kind of (introspectively accessible) object. This renders the antimaterialist claim of the distinctness of consciousness from all physical (publicly accessible) features vulnerable to the materialist reply that the difference in question might be a merely epistemological matter, i.e., a matter of different modes of givenness without difference in what is thus given. This move, however – this paper argues –, is impossible without resulting in circularity or infinite regress with regard to consciousness in the sense of givenness (manifestation) itself.
A pluralist account of the basis of moral status
Authors: Floris Giacomo
Published: August 2020

Standard liberal theories of justice rest on the assumption that only those beings that hold the capacity for moral personality (CMP) have moral status and therefore are right-holders. As many pointed out, this has the disturbing implication of excluding a wide range of entities from the scope of justice. Call this theunder-inclusiveness objection. This paper provides a response to the under-inclusiveness objection and illustrates its implications for liberal theories of justice. In particular, the paper defends two claims: first, it argues that both the CMP and the potential capacity for moral personality (PCMP) are bases of moral status. This pluralist account of the basis of moral status can broaden the scope of justice and provide a solid philosophical justification for the common-sense intuition that almost all human beings have a moral status that isdifferentandsuperiorto that of nonhuman animals. Second,contrawhat is commonly suggested, it contends that potential and actual moral persons have different and unequal rights, other things being equal.
On the optimum catalyst for structure sensitive heterogeneous catalytic reactions
Authors: Murzin Dmitry Yu.
Published: August 2020

Reaction rates in a two-step catalytic sequence, when plotted vs adsorption energy of the key or the most abundant surface intermediate, result in volcano shaped curves. In the current work, the optimal catalyst is discussed for structure sensitive reactions, which display dependence of activity on the cluster size of the active catalytic phase. An expression is derived relating the Gibbs energy for formation of the intermediate with the Gibbs energy changes in the overall reaction, difference in adsorption thermodynamics on edges and terraces and the cluster size. The kinetic expressions display dependence of activity vs the Gibbs energy of the adsorbed intermediate formation. Numerical analysis demonstrates that when the overall equilibrium constant K is high and the reaction is thermodynamically very favorable, the maxima in the rates vs the adsorption constant for the optimal catalyst are much broader being less dependent on the cluster size. When structure sensitivity is pronounced, there are smaller differences in the rates for the optimum and less optimal catalysts in comparison with reactions showing weak structure sensitivity.
Analyzing the returns to entrepreneurship by a modified Lazear model
Authors: Hårsman Björn , Mattsson Lars-Göran
Published: August 2020

A modified version of Lazear’s model (in American Economic Review, 94, 208-211, 2004, Journal of Labor Economics, 23, 649–680, 2005) for occupational choice is formulated. It includes a utility adjustment factor that captures the combined effect of nonpecuniary benefits and uncertainty associated with entrepreneurship. We show that the counterfactual income returns to entrepreneurship are lower than the market value of entrepreneurial talent and higher than the inverse of the utility adjustment factor. Moreover, if the skill profiles in the population are Fréchet-distributed, the ratio between the expected incomes of entrepreneurs and observationally similar wage employees is lower than the inverse of the utility adjustment factor. Thus, entrepreneurs will on average earn less than wage employees if the utility adjustment factor is greater than or equal to one. It is also shown that the self-selection bias related to this income ratio or returns measure increases with the observed percentage of entrepreneurs. Swedish employment data are used to calibrate the modified Lazear model. The empirical results indicate that uncertainty considerations might be more important for the occupational choices than nonpecuniary benefits.
A grounding physicalist solution to the causal exclusion problem
Authors: Stenwall Robin
Published: August 2020

Remember how Kim (Philos Perspect 3:77–108, 1989, in: Heil and Mele (eds) Mental causation, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1993b) used to argue against non-reductive physicalism to the effect that it cannot accommodate the causal efficacy of the mental? The argument was that if physicalists accept the causal closure of the physical, they are faced with an exclusion problem. In the original version of the argument, the dependence holding between the mental and the physical was cashed out in terms of supervenience. Due to the work or Fine (Philos Perspect 8:1–16, 1994) and others, we have since come to realize that modal notions are not well-suited to perform the work of properly characterizing dependence. As a consequence of this, an increasingly larger community of contemporary metaphysicians prefer to spell out mental-physical dependence in terms of a non-causal and non-reductive notion called grounding, which is intended to target a particular sort of metaphysical relation that takes us from ontologically less fundamental features of the world to that which is more fundamental. In this paper I join forces with those who think that this shift in focus is on the right track. More specifically, I will argue that the grounding physicalist can solve the exclusion problem in a way that is preferable to the supervenience-based nonreductive physicalist solution, as well as in a way that is compatible with the externalist picture of the mental.
Correction to: A response to the problem of wild coincidences
Authors: Taggart Christopher P.
Published: August 2020

The original article has been corrected. Figures 1 and 2 have been replaced. During typesetting of the article, one of the five steps in section 4 was removed.
A new approach to improving efficiency of gas-lift wells in the conditions of the formation of organic wax deposits in the Dragon field
Authors: Nguyen Van Thang , Rogachev Mikhail Konstantinovich , Aleksandrov Aleksandr Nikolaevich
Published: August 2020

Gas-lift is one of the artificial methods in which gas is injected down the production casing–tubing annulus and enters the production tubing through a number of gas-lift valves. During the production of a gas-lift well, the injected compressed gas might cause changes in pressure, temperature as well as fluid composition. When the temperature of the oil falls below the wax appearance temperature, it leads to the formation of organic wax deposits. Wax precipitation in well tubing and processing equipment might lead to dramatic reduction in production, equipment failures, loss of storage and transport capacity, and loss of efficiency. This paper presents a detailed study of wax formation in a gas-lift well. Taking into account changes in the oil component composition during gas injection, the depth of wax formation has been determined by applying a highly accurate developed algorithm. The optimal operating regime of the gas-lift well has been determined using a compositional multiphase model.
Gut microbiota alterations are distinct for primary colorectal cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Jia Wei , Rajani Cynthia , Xu Hongxi , Zheng Xiaojiao
Published: August 2020

Colorectal cancer (CRC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are the second and third most common causes of death by cancer, respectively. The etiologies of the two cancers are either infectious insult or due to chronic use of alcohol, smoking, diet, obesity and diabetes. Pathological changes in the composition of the gut microbiota that lead to intestinal inflammation are a common factor for both HCC and CRC. However, the gut microbiota of the cancer patient evolves with disease pathogenesis in unique ways that are affected by etiologies and environmental factors. In this review, we examine the changes that occur in the composition of the gut microbiota across the stages of the HCC and CRC. Based on the idea that the gut microbiota are an additional “lifeline” and contribute to the tumor microenvironment, we can observe from previously published literature how the microbiota can cause a shift in the balance from normal → inflammation → diminished inflammation from early to later disease stages. This pattern leads to the hypothesis that tumor survival depends on a less pro-inflammatory tumor microenvironment. The differences observed in the gut microbiota composition between different disease etiologies as well as between HCC and CRC suggest that the tumor microenvironment is unique for each case.
Recent progress in identification of the geomagnetic signature of 3D outer core flows
Authors: Kuslits Lukács , Lemperger István , Horváth András , Koronczay Dávid , Wesztergom Viktor
Published: August 2020

A summary of methods yielding information about the generation and configuration of the geomagnetic main field is presented with special focus on complications concerning these methods. A global source model constructed with the help of machine learning (and deep learning) is proposed to mitigate these issues, in particular the uncertainties caused by vigorous convection and small scale fields.
Outcome and diagnostic reproducibility of the thyroid cytology “indeterminate categories” SIAPEC/SIE 2014 in a consecutive series of 302 cases
Authors: Massa F. , Caraci P. , Sapino A. , De Rosa G. , Volante M. , Papotti M.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The clinical impact of the SIAPEC/SIE 2014 classification for thyroid cytology has been addressed in few studies that evaluated the malignancy rate and the relative prevalence of each category. No study analyzed its intra-observer and inter-observer reproducibility, so far.

Methods

We retrospectively collected all “indeterminate” lesions diagnosed before (2011–2014) and after (2015–2018) the application of the SIAPEC/SIE 2014 classification at our Institution. Their relative malignancy risks were calculated based on available histological diagnoses. Cytological and clinical features of TIR3A were compared with the surgical outcome. Finally, a large set of samples was re-evaluated in blind of the original cytological and histological diagnoses by two pathologists, independently.

Results

The prevalence of “indeterminate” diagnoses increased in years 2015–2018 (302/1482, 21% with 14% of TIR3A and 7% TIR3B categories) compared to years 2011–2014 (261/1680, 16%). Surgery was performed in 27% TIR3A and in 97% TIR3B cases. Malignancy rates were 40% for TIR3B and 17% for TIR3A, but were greatly influenced by the adoption of the WHO 2017 re-classification of encapsulated follicular-patterned lesions (decreasing to 28% and 6%, respectively). No criteria except for tumor size were associated to malignancy in TIR3A category. Intra-observer agreement of the experienced pathologist was 122/141 (86%), whereas inter-observer agreement between the expert and in-training pathologist was 95/141 (67%).

Conclusions

In this real-life experience, the sub-classification of TIR3A and TIR3B slightly increased the overall prevalence of “indeterminate” diagnoses. Malignancy rates were higher than estimated for both TIR3A and TIR3B categories. Agreement among observers highly depended on pathologist’s training.
Growth and yield of onion (Allium cepa L.) as affected by farmyard manure and nitrogen fertilizer application in Tahtay Koraro District, Northwestern Zone of Tigray, Ethiopia
Authors: Gererufael Lchi Abrahaley , Abraham Negasi Tekeste , Reda Tesfay Belay
Published: August 2020

A field experiment was carried out in Tahtay Koraro district of Northwestern zone of Tigray from October 2017 to April 2018, to assess the effect of organic and inorganic fertilizer on growth, yield and yield components of onion. The experiment consisted of four levels of FYM (Farmyard manure) as 0, 10, 20 and 30 t ha−1and four levels of inorganic N as 0, 34.5, 69 and 103.5 kg ha−1factorially arranged in RCB design with three replications. Analysis of variance revealed that the main effect of N, FYM as well as their interactions significantly (P < 0.05) influenced days to maturity, plant height, leaf number, leaf diameter, bulb diameter, neck diameter, average bulb weight, above ground dry biomass, marketable bulb yield and total bulb yield of onion. Similarly, main effects of N and FYM significantly (P < 0.05) affected leaf length, bulb length, unmarketable bulb yield and harvest index. The highest marketable bulb yield of 35.93 t ha−1and 34.72 t ha−1were obtained at combinations of 103.5 kg N ha−1 + 30 t FYM ha−1and 103.5 kg N ha−1 + 20 t FYM ha−1respectively. However, the lowest marketable bulb yield of 13.88 t ha−1was obtained from the unfertilized plot. Moreover, the highest marginal rate of return was obtained at combined application of 103.5 kg N ha−1and 10 t FYM ha−1and thus can be recommended for onion production in the study area.
Kamasutra in Practice: The Use of Sexual Positions in the Czech Population and Their Association With Female Coital Orgasm Potential
Authors: Krejčová Lucie , Kuba Radim , Flegr Jaroslav , Klapilová Kateřina
Published: August 2020

Introduction

A limited number of scientific studies explore the frequency with which various sexual positions are used in human populations and the potential of particular sexual position to facilitate female coital orgasm.

Aim

The aim of this study was to provide data about the prevalence and frequency of various sexual positions, their rated pleasurability, and their association with female coital orgasm consistency (COC).

Methods

A sample of Czech heterosexual population (11,225 men/9,813 women) were presented with a list of 13 sexual positions in black-and-white silhouettes. For each position, they indicated frequency and pleasurability. COC was assessed as the proportion of penile-vaginal intercourse with a current partner which led to orgasm.

Main Outcome Measure

Participants reported the frequency of use of sexual positions and rated their pleasurability. Using ordinal logistic regression, association between the COC and frequency of use of coital positions was tested.

Results

In both men and women, the most commonly used sexual positions were face to face/male above, face to face/female above, and kneeling/rear entry. Nonetheless, there emerged some gender differences in the rating of pleasurability of various positions (all P < .001). We found that a higher proportion of female coital orgasms are positively associated with the frequency of use of face to face/female above (odds ratio [OR] = 1.005, P < .001) and sitting/face-to-face positions (OR = 1.003, P < .001) and negatively associated with the frequency of kneeling/rear entry position (OR = 0.996, P < .001).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that there are no gender differences in the frequency of use of sexual positions, but their rated pleasurability differs between men and women, and higher frequency of use of face-to-face positions with female above increases the likelihood of achieving coital orgasm during penile-vaginal intercourse. Most results, however, were of small effect sizes, and more research is needed to further explore this issue.

Krejčová L, Kuba R, Flegr J, et al. Kamasutra in Practice: The Use of Sexual Positions in the Czech Population and Their Association With Female Coital Orgasm Potential. Sex Med 2020;8:767–776.
Scholastic Affect
Authors: Monagle Clare
Published: August 2020

Scholastic theologians made the Virgin Mary increasingly perfect over the Middle Ages in Europe. Mary became stainless, offering an impossible but ideologically useful vision of womanhood. This work offers an implicit theory of the utility and feelings of women in a Christian salvationary economy. The Virgin was put to use as a shaming technology, one that silenced and effaced women's affective lives. The shame still stands to this day, although in secularised mutated forms. This Element deploys the intellectual history of medieval thought to map the moves made in codifying Mary's perfection. It then uses contemporary gender and affect theory to consider the implications of Mary's perfection within modernity, mapping the emotional regimes of the medieval past upon the present.
Evaluating winter annual grass control and native species establishment following applications of indaziflam on rangeland
Authors: Clark Shannon L. , Sebastian Derek J. , Nissen Scott J. , Sebastian James R.
Published: August 2020

Indaziflam, a PRE herbicide option for weed management on rangeland and natural areas, provides long-term control of invasive winter annual grasses (IWAGs). Because indaziflam only provides PRE control of IWAGs, POST herbicides such as glyphosate can be mixed with indaziflam to control germinated IWAG seedlings. Field trials were conducted at three sites on the Colorado Front Range to evaluate glyphosate dose required to provide adequate POST IWAG control and compare long-term downy brome (Bromus tectorum L.), Japanese brome (Bromus arvensis L.), and feral rye (Secale cereale L.) control with indaziflam and imazapic. Two of the three sites were void of desirable species, so species establishment through drill seeding was assessed, while the remnant native plant response was assessed at the third site. Herbicide applications were made March 2014 through April 2015, and two sites were drill seeded with native species 9 mo after herbicide application. Yearly visual control evaluations, biomass of all plant species, and drilled species stand counts were collected. Glyphosate at 474 g ae ha−1 reduced B. tectorum biomass to zero, while glyphosate at 631 g ae ha−1 was needed to reduce biomass to near zero at the S. cereale site. At all three sites, only indaziflam treatments had significant reductions in IWAG biomass compared with the nontreated check at 3 yr after treatment (YAT). By 3 YAT in the drill-seeded sites, cool-season grass frequency ranged from 37% to 69% within indaziflam treatments (73 and 102 g ai ha−1), while imazapic treatments ranged from 0% to 26% cool-season grass frequency. In the site with a remnant native plant community, indaziflam treatments resulted in a 3- to 4-fold increase in native grass biomass. These results indicate that the multiyear IWAG control provided by indaziflam can aid in desirable species reestablishment through drill seeding or response of the remnant plant community.
Evidence for Middle Palaeolithic occupation and landscape change in central Armenia at the open-air site of Alapars-1
Authors: Malinsky-Buller Ariel , Glauberman Phil , Wilkinson Keith , Li Bo , Frahm Ellery , Gasparyan Boris , Timms Rhys , Adler Daniel S. , Sherriff Jennifer
Published: August 2020

Here we report the findings from excavations at the open-air Middle Palaeolithic site of Alapars-1 in central Armenia. Three stratified Palaeolithic artefact assemblages were found within a 6-m-thick alluvial-aeolian sequence, located on the flanks of an obsidian-bearing lava dome. Combined sedimentological and chronological analyses reveal three phases of sedimentation and soil development. During Marine Oxygen Isotope Stages 5–3, the manner of deposition changes from alluvial to aeolian, with a development of soil horizons. Techno-typological analysis and geochemical sourcing of the obsidian artefacts reveal differential discard patterns, source exploitation, and artefact densities within strata, suggesting variability in technological organization during the Middle Palaeolithic. Taken together, these results indicate changes in hominin occupation patterns from ephemeral to more persistent in relation to landscape dynamics during the last interglacial and glacial periods in central Armenia.
Thermal maturation of a complete magmatic plumbing system at the Sierra de Velasco, Northwestern Argentina
Authors: Macchioli Grande Marcos , Alasino Pablo , Dahlquist Juan , Morales Cámera Matías , Galindo Carmen , Basei Miguel
Published: August 2020

The formation of magmatic plumbing systems in the crust involves mass and heat transfer from deep to shallow levels. This process modifies the local geotherm and increases the thermal maturation of the crust, affecting the rheological state of the host rock and the composition of magma. Here, we report a petrological, geochemical, isotopic and geochronological integrated study of the Huaco (354 Ma) and Sanagasta (353 Ma, from a new U–Pb zircon age) units from the Carboniferous (Lower Mississippian) Huaco Intrusive Complex, NW Argentina. Similar values of ϵNdt and δ18O, of −3.2 ± 0.7 and +11.2‰ ± 0.3‰ (V-SMOW), respectively, for both units indicate that they shared the same source, as a result of mixing and later homogenization of a crustal component at the Late Devonian (378 to 366 Ma), with metasomatized mantle-derived melts. Slightly higher contents of TiO2, FeO, MgO, CaO and rare earth elements for the Sanagasta unit in comparison with the Huaco unit suggest an increase in the degree of partial melting, which may have been caused by a higher temperature at the lower crust. In addition, the previous structural model of the Huaco Intrusive Complex points to an increase in thermal maturation in the upper crust, which drives a change in the emplacement style from tabular subhorizontal (Huaco) to vertically elongated (Sanagasta) bodies. Therefore, the evolution of the intrusive complex may reflect a generalized thermal maturation of the complete magmatic column, at both upper and lower crustal levels.
Influence of Frailty Status on Pain, Disability, and Quality of Life in Older Adults with Acute Low Back Pain: Results from the Back Complaints in the Elders (BACE-Brazil) Study
Authors: Leopoldino A.A.O. , Megale R.Z. , Diz J.B.M. , Moreira B.S. , Felício D.C. , Queiroz B.Z. , Bastone A.C. , Ferreira M.L. , Pereira L.S.M.
Published: August 2020

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from a prospective cohort study to investigate whether frailty is associated with pain intensity, disability caused by low back pain (LBP), and quality of life in an older population with acute non-specific LBP. Six hundred and two individuals with a mean age of 67.6 (standard deviation [SD] 7.0) years were included in the analysis. In relation to frailty status, 21.3 per cent of the sample were classified as robust, 59.2 per cent were classified as pre-frail, and 19.5 per cent were classified as frail. In the unadjusted analysis, pre-frail and frail groups showed significantly higher pain and disability scores than the robust group. Moreover, the same two groups exhibited lower scores in both physical and mental domains of quality of life than the robust group. After adjusting for socio-demographic and clinical variables, disability scores and the physical component of quality of life were significantly associated with frailty. In older adults with acute LBP, frailty is associated with more disability and worse scores in the physical component of quality of life.
AHMAD S. DALLAL, ISLAM WITHOUT EUROPE : TRADITIONS OF REFORM IN EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY ISLAMIC THOUGHT
Authors: Dupont Anne-Laure
Published: August 2020

L'idée de réforme en islam – ce qu'il est convenu d'appeler en français, depuis les années 1930, le « réformisme musulman » – reste couramment associée aux discours, systèmes de pensée et idéologies qui se développèrent dans les pays musulmans, en gros du milieu du xixe siècle au milieu du xxe siècle, à la fois en réaction à la domination économique, culturelle, militaire et coloniale européenne et grâce au développement des échanges et à la circulation plus rapide des personnes et de l'information. Ce réformisme était constitutif de ce qui était alors perçu comme une renaissance de la pensée et de la production écrite, en arabe nahḍa. Combiné au nationalisme, l'idéal de renaissance plongeait les siècles antérieurs à la rencontre avec l'Europe dans l'obscurité et faisait de l’époque ottomane un temps de déclin. Ceci se traduisit longtemps, sur le plan scientifique, par une grande méconnaissance des xve, xvie, xviie et xviiie siècles. Au prétendu retard pris par le monde musulman à l’époque moderne répondit ainsi un retard historiographique, fort heureusement en voie de comblement depuis près de cinquante ans.
Food insecurity among graduate students: prevalence and association with depression, anxiety and stress
Authors: Coffino Jaime A , Spoor Samantha P , Drach Rae D , Hormes Julia M
Published: August 2020

Objective:

The impact of food insecurity on mental health has not yet been examined in graduate students, a population widely considered at elevated risk for financial strain and negative mental health outcomes. This study aimed to derive initial prevalence estimates of food insecurity in a sample of current graduate students at a large state university and to elucidate the relationship between food insecurity and depression, anxiety and stress in this sample.

Design:

Cross-sectional online survey including the US Household Food Security Survey Module: Six-Item Short Form and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21).

Setting:

University in the northeastern region of the USA.

Participants:

Two hundred sixty-three graduate students.

Results:

In the present sample, 59·7 % of participants reported high/marginal food security, 18·5 % reported low food security and 21·8 % reported very low food security. Graduate students with very low food security reported significantly greater depression (η2= 0·09), anxiety (η2= 0·10) and stress (η2= 0·10), compared with those with low food security and high food security (all P’s < 0·001).

Conclusions:

Food insecurity occurred in nearly half of the graduate students surveyed, and very low food security was associated with elevated levels of depression, anxiety and stress. Findings highlight the need to address food insecurity and associated elevated mental health problems present among graduate students.
Why was nationalism European? Political ethnicity in Asia and Europe 1400–1850
Authors: Lieberman Victor
Published: August 2020

This article compares European nationalism and earlier notions of political community in Europe and Asia. Without denying the discursive novelty of post-1750 nationalism, it argues that eighteenth-century social and economic incentives to ethnic integration in individual European countries accelerated much older dynamics. Moreover, in the same period, c. 1400–1850, as state-centred ethnicities cohered in Europe, similar processes produced broadly comparable formations around the rimlands of Asia. Together, Europe and the Asian rimlands thus generated an early modern cultural system – distinctive from both nationalism and universal empire, but possessing features of both – that I term ‘political ethnicity’. The novelty and idiosyncrasy of this Eurasian-wide formation has yet to be recognized. Why, then, in Europe alone did political ethnicity eventually produce nationalism? Using Myanmar and Britain as case studies, the article argues that in Europe distinctive medieval legacies joined religious ruptures and exceptionally rapid commercial expansion to compress religious authority, to diffuse metropolitan norms with unprecedented rapidity, and to transfer sovereignty from the crown to propertied interests speaking in the name of the ‘nation’.
Effects of emotion regulation and perpetrator-victim roles in intimate partner violence on mental health problems among men who have sex with men in China
Authors: Wei D. , Hou F. , Cao W. , Hao C. , Gu J. , Peng L. , Li J.
Published: August 2020

Aims

This study assessed the relationships between different perpetrator-victim roles in intimate partner violence (IPV), emotion regulation (ER) and mental health problems among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China.

Methods

From April to June 2019, 1233 participants were approached via gay-friendly non-governmental organisations in 15 cities across mainland China.

Results

Of the total, 578 eligible participants completed an anonymous online survey. All participants provided informed consent and information about their violent perpetrator-victim role and mental health status. The results revealed a high prevalence of IPV in this study sample, with 32.7% of participants reporting IPV victimisation and 32.5% of participants reporting IPV perpetration during their lifetime. A total of 81 (14.0%) participants were suicidal, 309 (53.5%) participants reported poor general mental health and 208 (36.0%) had significant depressive symptoms. Adjusted logistic regression models revealed that both physical victimisation (adjusted odds ratio [ORa] = 3.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.11–9.32) and sexual victimisation (ORa = 2.90, 95% CI = 1.39–6.05) had positive associations with suicidality, and unidirectional and bidirectional psychological perpetration were associated with poor general mental health and significant depressive symptoms. Although high cognitive reappraisal showed a negative association with poor general mental health (ORa = 0.89，95% CI = 0.86–0.92), the correlation with victims of IPV was weaker than it was with non-victims.

Conclusions

This study revealed that different perpetrator-victim roles in different IPV situations should be considered comprehensively in research, prevention and intervention. ER is not enough to buffer the effects of IPV on the mental health of MSM victims.
The Emergence of Class Politics in Nineteenth-Century Massachusetts
Authors: Gershenson Carl E.
Published: August 2020

How do economic and social position structure partisan affiliation? While neo-Durkheimian treatments of class and political behavior suggest the potential for extreme variability in the social bases of partisan affiliation, data limitations have largely restricted quantitative studies of this relationship to the postwar era. This temporal limitation restricts variation in observable social structure, thus limiting the ability of analysts to assess theoretical explanations. To address this gap, I introduce novel data on occupation and ethnicity for more than 20,000 Massachusetts state legislators in the nineteenth century. This allows me to find the “best fit” model for the social bases of party affiliation in four distinct periods in Massachusetts’ political history. I show that the Massachusetts political system transitioned from a system of occupational cleavages to proto-class cleavages between the First Party System (1795–1826) and Second Party System (1835–54). The Civil War and Reconstruction Era (1855–77) was characterized by the emergence of an ethnic cleavage, but near-modern class divisions emerged as the strongest predictors of legislators’ party affiliations for the remainder of the Third Party System (1878–93). Combined with historiographical accounts of the nineteenth century, these analyses suggest that the emergence of class politics requires intermediary organizations such as unions and professional associations, the liberalization of economic laws and regulation, and the increasingly unequal distribution of productive property.