bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Zinc Therapy Is a Reasonable Choice for Patients With Pressure Injuries: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Song Yi‐Ping , Wang Lei , Yu Hai‐Rong , Yuan Bao‐Fang , Shen Hong‐Wu , Du Lin , Cai Ji‐Yu , Chen Hong‐Lin
Published: March 2020

The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the evidence on the efficacy of zinc supplementation in patients with pressure injuries (PIs).

Electronic data bases (Embase, MEDLINE, and Web of Science) were searched from inception to 2019 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non‐RCTs addressing the efficacy of zinc supplementation compared with a control nutrition invention on PI outcomes. The primary study outcome was the healing rate of PIs during treatment; the secondary outcomes were the improvement of PI area and pressure ulcer scale for healing (PUSH) score.

A total of 7 studies were included in this systematic review and meta‐analysis. The intervention group significantly had improved healing vs that of the control group (relative risk, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.01−2.06; P = 0.043, I2 = 19.3%). There was no obvious asymmetry in the funnel plot and no strong evidence of publication bias. Sensitivity analysis showed that meta‐analysis has good stability. Studies showed a greater mean reduction in PI area. All the studies we included had a significant improvement in the PUSH score of PIs.

Our systematic review and meta‐analysis from clinical research confirmed that zinc therapy can promote wound healing and suggest that medical staff should consider providing patients with zinc during PI treatment.
A unitary joint diagonalization algorithm for nonsymmetric higher‐order tensors based on Givens‐like rotations
Authors: Miao Jifei , Cheng Guanghui , Li Wenrui , Moreau Eric
Published: March 2020

Based on Givens‐like rotations, we present a unitary joint diagonalization algorithm for a set of nonsymmetric higher‐order tensors. Each unitary rotation matrix only depends on one unknown parameter which can be analytically obtained in an independent way following a reasonable assumption and a complex derivative technique. It can serve for the canonical polyadic decomposition of a higher‐order tensor with orthogonal factors. Furthermore, based on cross‐high‐order cumulants of observed signals, we show that the proposed algorithm can be applied to solve the joint blind source separation problem. The simulation results reveal that the proposed algorithm has a competitive performance compared with those of several existing related methods.
Properties comparison of coextruded and un‐coextruded wood plastic composites under high temperature accelerated water uptake
Authors: Zhao Zhonghua , Zhang Qingfeng , Wang Jikui
Published: March 2020

Wood plastic composite (WPC) has been widely used in many fields in recent years. However, the entry of water can destroy the interfacial adhesion between wood fibers and plastic matrix, eventually decreasing the properties of WPC. In order to solve a series of problems caused by absorbing water, we manufactured coextruded WPC which includes a shell layer and a core layer by coextrusion technology. Then many coextruded and un‐coextruded WPCs samples of the same size were conducted in 60°C water to accelerate the process of water absorption (WA), which were taken out at regular intervals for testing. WA, dimension stability, and flexural properties of two types of WPC were measured, respectively. The results showed that the WA of coextruded WPC (1.99%) was significantly lower than that of un‐coextruded WPC (6.02%) in 60°C water after 192 hours. It also indicated much better dimension stability of coextruded composites because of the restriction of the shell layer. The retention values of flexural properties of coextruded WPC after soaking 192 hours (flexural strength: 25.22 MPa; flexural modulus: 4.00 GPa) are much higher than those of un‐coextruded WPC (flexural strength: 21.43 MPa; flexural modulus: 2.90 GPa). Therefore, coextruded WPC has more prominent properties advantages compared with un‐coextruded WPC in a high temperature and high humidity environment.
Effect of clay nanoparticles on the mechanical and vibration characteristics of intraply aramid/carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composite
Authors: Alsaadi Mohamad , Erkliğ Ahmet , Abbas Majeed
Published: March 2020

In the present contribution, the tensile, flexural, vibration and damping properties of intraply aramid/carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composite with the effect of clay nanoparticles inclusion have been investigated. Seven clay nanoparticles contents of 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 wt% were used to produce the composite laminates. The samples were produced and experimented in accordance with ASTM standards. The standards ASTM D 638, ASTM D 790, and ASTM E756 were used for tensile, flexural, and vibration tests, respectively. Vibration characteristics were calculated using experimental modal analysis. Half power band‐width method was applied to evaluate damping responses of first natural frequency modes of the composite samples. The results indicated that the high improvement of tensile and flexural strength was obtained at clay nanoparticle contents of 1 and 2 wt% with increment of 13.1% and 28.2%, respectively. The highest values of natural frequency, storage modulus, lost modulus were obtained at clay nanoparticle contents of 10, 1, and 2 wt% with increments of 23.4%, 20.7%, and 11.6%, respectively.
Fabrication of poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL)/poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC)/ethylene‐α‐octene block copolymer (OBC) triple shape memory blends with cycling performance by constructing a co‐continuous phase morphology
Authors: Yang Zi‐xuan , Chen Yi , Liu Xu , Yin Bo , Yang Ming‐bo
Published: March 2020

In this paper, a triple shape memory material was prepared by ultra‐simple melt blending from poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL), poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) and ethylene‐α‐octene block copolymer (OBC). The obtained material possessed a co‐continuous phase morphology and presented an excellent triple shape memory effect (triple‐SME). Theoretical prediction demonstrated that a special continuous phase morphology could be constructed by adjusting the proportions of the blend. Moreover, the results indicated that a close relationship existed between the phase morphology and the triple‐SME of PCL/PPC/OBC. The sample with 35 vol% PPC content contributed to the formation of a continuous phase morphology and exhibited the optimal triple‐SME. Additionally, the sample PCL/PPC/OBC (32.5/35/32.5) showed outstanding structure and performance stability during cycle loading–unloading tests, which evidenced the prominent cycling shape memory property (nearly 100% shape fixing and recovery of temporary shape). Overall, this work could provide an efficient, convenient and recyclable method to obtain high‐performance shape memory materials. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Degradation in photovoltaic encapsulation strength of attachment: Results of the first PVQAT TG5 artificial weathering study
Authors: Miller David C. , Alharbi Fahad , Andreas Afshin , Bokria Jayesh G. , Burns David M. , Bushong Jaynae , Chen Xinxin , Dietz Dennis , Fowler Sean , Gu Xiaohong , Habte Aron , Honeker Christian C. , Kempe Michael D. , Khonkar Hussam , Köhl Michael , Phillips Nancy H. , Rivera Jorge , Scott Kurt P. , Singh Ashish , Zielnik Allen F.
Published: March 2020

Delamination of the encapsulant in photovoltaic (PV) module technology results in immediate optical loss and may enable subsequent corrosion or mechanical damage. The effects of artificial weathering were not previously known; therefore, an empirical study was performed to survey the factors most affecting adhesion, including the ultraviolet (UV) source (ie, Xe or fluorescent lamp[s]), the optical filters for the lamp, the chamber temperature, and the relative humidity. Natural weathering was also performed at locations, including the following: Golden, Colorado; Miami, Florida; Phoenix, Arizona; QiongHai, China; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; and Turpan, China. Specimens were constructed using a laminated glass/poly (ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate)/glass geometry. The compressive shear test (CST) was used to quantify the mechanical strength of attachment, taken as a proxy for adhesion. The fractography of select specimens (including cross‐sectional optical microscopy) was used to verify the failure mode (delamination or decohesion). Additional analysis of the local solar spectrum as well as the specimen temperature was performed to interpret the results of natural weathering. The goals of this study include to identify the most significant stressors, clarify where strong coupling may occur between stressors, and validate accelerated test results relative to natural weathering. The importance of specimen conditioning (for moisture) and hygrometric degradation as well as the effects of UV degradation are identified in this study.
Tunable biohybrid hydrogels from coacervation of hyaluronic acid and PEO‐based block copolymers
Authors: Mabesoone Mathijs F. J. , Gopez Jeffrey D. , Paulus Ilka E. , Klinger Daniel
Published: March 2020

Accurately tuning the macroscopic properties of biopolymer‐based hydrogels remains challenging due to the ill‐defined molecular architecture of the natural building blocks. Here, we report a biohybrid coacervate hydrogel, combining the biocompatibility and biodegradability of naturally occurring hyaluronic acid (HA) with the tunability of a synthetic polyethylene oxide (PEO) ‐based ABA‐triblock copolymer. Coacervation of the cationic ammonium or guanidinium‐functionalized copolymer A‐blocks with the anionic HA leads to hydrogel formation. Both mechanical properties and water content of the self‐healing hydrogels can be controlled independently by altering the copolymer structure. By controlling the strength of the interaction between the polymer network and small‐molecule cargo, both release rate and maximum release are controlled. Finally, we show that coacervation of HA and the triblock copolymer leads to increased biostability upon exposure to hyaluronidase. We envision that noncovalent crosslinking of HA hydrogels through coacervation is an attractive strategy for the facile synthesis of tunable hydrogels for biomedical applications.
Periglacial water paths within a rock glacier‐dominated catchment in the Stepanek area, Central Andes, Mendoza, Argentina
Authors: Liaudat Dario Trombotto , Sileo Noelia , Dapeña Cristina
Published: March 2020

In the region of the Stepanek rock glacier (69°19′/69°26′W, 32°55′/32°59′S), in the Province of Mendoza, Argentina, seasonal hydrochemical monitoring was carried out between 2013 and 2017. This paper describes underground and surface water flow, and their hydrochemistry, and provides an overview of how groundwater interacts with the rock glacier. The cryogenic basin of the study area where the hydrological flows originate has a surface area of 11.5 km2. The Stepanek rock glacier fills the valley and its permafrost influences water flow. Isotopic analyses of surface ephemeral streams and groundwater were made. Characteristic, naturally occurring δ2H and δ18O signatures of these samples indicate strongly that they are fed from within permafrost from the rock glacier, in response to the degradation of permafrost and melting of ground ice. Elevated values of Ni2+, Cd2+ and Zn2+ were detected in the meltwater runoff. Due to lithological factors, the Andean periglacial environment may indicate altitudinal differences in the hydrogeochemical results. Our hydrogeochemical research allows the interpretation of different water flows, directly observed or indirectly deduced, which cross the rock glacier. The new information allows for the development of a new conceptual rock glacier model that includes different flow paths. It is expected that this will become more important due to ongoing climate change.
Thoracoabdominal motion in newborns: Reliability between two interactive computing environments
Authors: Gomes Danielle C. , Azevedo Ingrid G. , de Figueiredo Araújo Ana G. , da Costa Lopes Lenice D. , Nagem Danilo A. P. , Magalhães Fabrício A. , Pereira Silvana A.
Published: March 2020

Background

Quantifying the chest wall is useful in documenting thoracoabdominal synchrony during the neonatal period. Subjective measures are often used rather than gold‐standard methods due to their practicality in clinical practice. The aim of the present study is to compare the reliability between a newly proposed method (video analysis in MATLAB) and image analysis using AutoCad tools, both applied to assess thoracoabdominal motion in newborns (NBs).

Materials and Methods

This is an observational cross‐sectional study of full‐term NBs. A digital camera was used to film thoracoabdominal motion for 2 minutes in the supine position, with movements measured by the two aforementioned methodologies.

Results

A total of 139 images were used, showing agreement between AutoCAD and MATLAB (BIAS = −1.68; CI = −6.59:3.22, Bland‐Altman plot).

Conclusion

The programs were interchangeable and the routine developed in MATLAB was simpler and faster, allowing dynamic analysis and suggesting its clinical utility in quantifying respiratory motion in NBs.
Semi‐synthesis and characterization of some new matrine derivatives as insecticidal agents
Authors: Cheng Xingan , He Huiqing , Wang Wen‐Xiong , Dong Fangyun , Zhang Hanhui , Ye Jingmin , Tan Chuncan , Wu Yuehua , Lv Xiaojing , Jiang Xuhong , Qin Xiangjing
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUND

Matrine is an important traditional plant‐derived insecticide with broad‐spectrum activity. However, due to its moderate activity, matrine is mainly applied in combination with other pesticides. In order to discover new potential natural‐product‐based crop protection agents, a series of matrine derivatives characterized by cyclohexylamine group were synthesized to screen their insecticidal activity against seven typically agricultural pests.

RESULTS

The structural configurations of compounds were characterized by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, MS and XRD, with the pure yields of 42%, 65% and 71%, respectively. Although all compounds showed poor insecticidal activity against five lepidoptera pests, the compounds 2 and 4 displayed remarkable insecticidal activities against Lipaphis erysimi and Mulberry Root‐Knot Nematode with a concentration‐dependent manner within 0.5~1.5 mg/ mL. Compared with matrine (60%), compounds 2 and 4 exhibited potent insecticidal activities against L. erysimi, with a corrected mortality of 83.3% and 89.7%, respectively. They also showed excellent control effects on Mulberry Root‐Knot Nematode, with corrected mortality as high as 88% and 80%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

All four synthesized matrine derivatives showed poor insecticidal activity against five lepidoptera pests, but the compounds 2 and 4 exhibited much stronger insecticidal activities against L. erysimi and Mulberry Root‐Knot Nematode than matrine. Combined with the structural characteristics of compounds 1~4, we conclude that 4‐methylcyclohexylamine, not the carbon disulfide group or cyclohexylamine group alone, mainly contributed to the improvement of insecticidal activities of matrine derivatives against these two agricultural pests. This work provides a direction and foundation for structural optimization of the matrine pesticides in the future. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Network meta‐regression for ordinal outcomes: Applications in comparing Crohn's disease treatments
Authors: Gwon Yeongjin , Mo May , Chen Ming‐Hui , Chi Zhiyi , Li Juan , Xia Amy H. , Ibrahim Joseph G.
Published: March 2020

Crohn's disease (CD) is a life‐long condition associated with recurrent relapses characterized by abdominal pain, weight loss, anemia, and persistent diarrhea. In the US, there are approximately 780 000 CD patients and 33 000 new cases added each year. In this article, we propose a new network meta‐regression approach for modeling ordinal outcomes in order to assess the efficacy of treatments for CD. Specifically, we develop regression models based on aggregate covariates for the underlying cut points of the ordinal outcomes as well as for the variances of the random effects to capture heterogeneity across trials. Our proposed models are particularly useful for indirect comparisons of multiple treatments that have not been compared head‐to‐head within the network meta‐analysis framework. Moreover, we introduce Pearson residuals and construct an invariant test statistic to evaluate goodness‐of‐fit in the setting of ordinal outcome data. A detailed case study demonstrating the usefulness of the proposed methodology is carried out using aggregate ordinal outcome data from 16 clinical trials for treating
CD.
2D and 3D electrospinning technologies for the fabrication of nanofibrous scaffolds for skin tissue engineering: A review
Authors: Keirouz Antonios , Chung Michael , Kwon Jaehoon , Fortunato Giuseppino , Radacsi Norbert
Published: March 2020

This review provides insights into the current advancements in the field of electrospinning, focusing on its applications for skin tissue engineering. Furthermore, it reports the evolvement and present challenges of advanced skin substitute product development and explores the recent contributions in 2D and 3D scaffolding, focusing on natural, synthetic, and composite nanomaterials. In the past decades, nanotechnology has arisen as a fascinating discipline that has influenced every aspect of science, engineering, and medicine. Electrospinning is a versatile fabrication method that allows researchers to elicit and explore many of the current challenges faced by tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In skin tissue engineering, electrospun nanofibers are particularly attractive due to their refined morphology, processing flexibility—that allows for the formation of unique materials and structures, and its extracellular matrix‐like biomimetic architecture. These allow for electrospun nanofibers to promote improved re‐epithelization and neo‐tissue formation of wounds. Advancements in the use of portable electrospinning equipment and the employment of electrospinning for transdermal drug delivery and melanoma treatment are additionally explored. Present trends and issues are critically discussed based on recently published patents, clinical trials, and in vivo studies.

This article is categorized under:

Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanotechnology in Tissue Repair and Replacement

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies

Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanomaterials and Implants
1 Global employment and social trends
Authors: Kühn Stefan
Published: March 2020

This chapter presents the state of the world's labour markets, presenting three main findings. First, labour underutilization remains a major challenge, with almost half a billion people having no or insufficient access to paid employment. In addition unemployment, this includes also those in time‐related underemployment, and those in the potential labour force. After years of decline, the rate of labour underutilization is now projected to remain stable. Second, having a job does not guarantee a decent life. Many people are have no choice but to take up jobs that do not offer decent working conditions, as evidenced by the high share of own‐account and contributing family work, informality, or working poverty. Third, persistent and high labour market inequalities can be observed not only with regards to gender or age, but also with regards to geographic location. These profound challenges can undermine social cohesion between and within societies.
The gluon-fusion production of Higgs boson pair: N3LO QCD corrections and top-quark mass effects
Authors: Chen Long-Bin , Li Hai Tao , Shao Hua-Sheng , Wang Jian
Published: March 2020

Abstract

The Higgs boson pair production via gluon fusion at high-energy hadron colliders, such as the LHC, is vital in deciphering the Higgs potential and in pinning down the electroweak symmetry breaking mechanism. We carry out the next-to-next-to-next-to- leading order (N3LO) QCD calculations in the infinite top-quark mass limit and present predictions for both the inclusive and differential cross sections, albeit the differential distributions other than the invariant mass distribution of the Higgs boson pair are approximated at N3LO. Such corrections are indispensable in stabilising the perturbative expansion of the cross section in the strong coupling αs. At the inclusive level, the scale uncertainties are reduced by a factor of four compared with the next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) results. Given that the inclusion of the top-quark mass effects is essential for the phenomenological applications, we use several schemes to incorporate the N3LO results in the infinite top-quark mass limit and the next-to-leading order (NLO) results with full top-quark mass dependence, and present theoretical predictions for the (differential) cross sections in the proton-proton collisions at the centre-of-mass energies $$ \sqrt{s} $$

s

= 13, 14, 27 and 100 TeV. Our results provide one of the most precise theoretical inputs for the analyses of the Higgs boson pair events.
Pharmacotherapy for tics in adult patients with Tourette syndrome and other tic disorders
Authors: Badenoch James , Cavanna Andrea E.
Published: March 2020

Background

Tourette syndrome (TS) and persistent motor/vocal tic disorders are neurodevelopmental conditions characterised by the chronic presence of motor and/or vocal tics. Patients with TS often present with co-morbid disorders, especially attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder (which tends to improve after childhood), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (which can persist in adulthood). We set out to explore pharmacotherapy for tics in adult patients with TS and persistent motor/vocal tic disorders, as well as its relationship with the presence of co-morbid conditions.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical characteristics and pharmacotherapy of 192 adult patients with TS (n = 187), persistent motor tic disorder (n = 3) and persistent vocal tic disorder (n = 2) attending a specialist clinic in the UK.

Results

Anti-dopaminergic medications (n = 65) and alpha-2-agonists (n = 50) were the most commonly prescribed pharmacotherapy for tic management. A sub-group analysis revealed that co-morbid obsessive-compulsive disorder and sub-threshold obsessive-compulsive behaviours were significantly more common in patients treated with anti-dopaminergic medications than patients taking alpha-2-agonists (p = 0.013 and p = 0.047, respectively).

Conclusions

The use of pharmacotherapy options for tic management observed at a specialist clinic for adults with TS reflects guideline recommendations. We found that the presence of co-morbid obsessive-compulsive disorder/behaviours correlates with the choice of anti-dopaminergic medications over alpha-2-agonists, in line with available evidence on the efficacy of anti-dopaminergic medications for the treatment of specific tic–related behavioural symptoms.
The legacy of management approaches and abandonment on old-growth attributes in hardwood floodplain forests in the Pannonian Ecoregion
Authors: Demeter László , Bede-Fazekas Ákos , Molnár Zsolt , Csicsek Gábor , Ortmann-Ajkai Adrienne , Varga Anna , Molnár Ábel , Horváth Ferenc
Published: March 2020

In the absence of primeval floodplain forests, near-natural remnants are key references for close-to-nature forestry and nature conservation. Old-growth forest characteristics (OGCs) were quantified in 16 managed (rotation or selection) and abandoned semi-natural floodplain forests by taking snapshot inventories of structural features. Principal component analysis revealed a short gradient from closed-canopy managed stands dominated by large trees (mainly oaks) and hornbeams, with less deadwood, to abandoned older stands with more gaps, very large trees and different kinds of deadwood. All the studied forests are mainly in the early and late biostatic phases of forest development, with innovation and degradation phases almost completely absent. Results showed that selection forests had significantly more very large trees compared to rotation stands. The difference in structure between abandoned selection stands and abandoned rotation stands was more pronounced than in their counterparts that are still managed. Based on diameter distribution and the amount of very large trees and deadwood, abandoned selection stands were closest to the structure of natural forests. Selection forests may recover certain OGCs more rapidly than rotation forests. We concluded that after 100–150 years of homogenising rotation forestry, OGCs are slow to develop in just 25 years of non-intervention. Based on our results, we recommend: (i) an increase in the rotation cycle with selective logging in order to restore and maintain OGCs in managed rotation forests and (ii) total abandonment in certain well-preserved, near-natural forests with natural flooding regimes. However, the failure of oak to regenerate naturally remains a challenge.
Aktuelle FFH-Judikatur zu Abweichungsentscheidungen und Durchsetzung
Authors: Frenz Walter
Published: March 2020

Können Bedenken wegen erheblicher Beeinträchtigungen eines Habitatschutzgebiets nicht überwunden
werden, bleibt nur eine Abweichungsentscheidung. Der EuGH betonte deren Ausnahmecharakter. Inwieweit wirkt
sich dieser im Einzelnen aus? Wie verhält es sich im Streit mit der Durchsetzung des Habitatschutzes?
Emotion Processing in Children with Conduct Problems and Callous-Unemotional Traits: An Investigation of Speed, Accuracy, and Attention
Authors: Hartmann Daniela , Schwenck Christina
Published: March 2020

This study aimed to assess whether callous-unemotional traits (CU) are associated with deficits in emotion recognition independent of externalizing behavior and whether such deficits can be explained by aberrant attention. As previous studies have produced inconsistent results, the current study included two different emotion recognition paradigms and assessed the potential influence of factors such as processing speed and attention. The study included N = 94 children (eight to 14 years) with an oversampling of children with conduct problems (CP) and varying levels of CU-traits. Independent of externalizing behavior, CU-traits were associated with slower recognition of angry, sad and fearful facial expressions but not with higher error rates. There was no evidence that the association between CU-traits and emotion processing could be explained by misguided attention. Our results implicate that in children with high levels of CU-traits emotion recognition deficits depend on deficits in processing speed.
Sensitivity Theorists Aren’t Unhinged
Authors: Collin James Henry , Bolos Anthony
Published: March 2020

Despite its intrinsic plausibility, the sensitivity principle has remained deeply unpopular on the grounds that it violates an even more plausible closure principle. Here we show that sensitivity does not, in general, violate closure. Sensitivity only violates closure when combined with further auxiliary premises—regarding which of an agent’s commitments constitute that agent’s beliefs—which are optional for the sensitivity theorist.
Group Inquiry
Authors: Habgood-Coote Joshua
Published: March 2020

Group agents can act, and they can have knowledge. How should we understand the species of collective action which aims at knowledge? In this paper, I present an account of group inquiry. This account faces two challenges: to make sense of how large-scale distributed activities might be a kind of group action, and to make sense of the kind of division of labour involved in collective inquiry. In the first part of the paper, I argue that existing accounts of group action face problems dealing with large-scale group actions, and propose a minimal alternative account. In the second part of the paper, I draw on an analogy between inquiry and conversation, arguing that work by Robert Stalnaker and Craige Roberts helps us to think about the division of labour. In the final part of the paper I put the accounts of group action and inquiry together, and consider how to think about group knowledge, deep ignorance, and the different kinds of division of labour.
‘Conflict versus Congruence’: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Experience of Gender Dysphoria for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Coleman-Smith Rachel S. , Smith Richard , Milne Elizabeth , Thompson Andrew R.
Published: March 2020

An emergent evidence base indicates a higher prevalence of autism exists amongst people attending gender identity clinics. This qualitative study explored adults’ with autism experiences of coming to understand and address their gender dysphoria (GD). Data were collected and analysed using Grounded Theory. Ten adults with autism and GD undertook semi-structured interviews. A tentative theoretical framework of common processes involved in understanding and addressing GD for individuals with autism was developed. The experience is captured in the core category—Conflict versus Congruence. A key finding was the impact of autism as a barrier but sometimes a protective factor in participants’ understanding and addressing GD. Participants appeared to achieve greater personal congruence and wellbeing upon transition. Nevertheless, conflicts remained as they navigated the social world with a continuing fear of hostility and sense of difference due to having two stigmatised identities.
Building a Culture of Health at the Neighborhood Level Through Governance Councils
Authors: Pierre Jennifer , Letamendi Carl , Sleiter Luke , Bailey Zinzi , Dannefer Rachel , Shiman Lauren , Gutierrez Jaime , Martins Elana , Sierra Richard
Published: March 2020

To explore facilitators and barriers to developing and sustaining collaboration among New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Neighborhood Health Action Centers and co-located partners, who share information and decision-making through a Governance Council structure of representative members. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in 2018 with 43 Governance Council members across the three Action Centers of East Harlem (13), Tremont (15), and Brownsville (15), New York City. Governance Council members identified collaboration through information- and resource-sharing, consistent meetings and continuous communication as valuable for fostering a culture of health in their communities. Immediate benefits included building relationships, increased access to resources, and increased reach and access to community members. Challenges included difficulty building community trust, insufficient advertisement of services, and navigation of government bureaucracy. The Governance Councils forged collaborative relationships among local government, community-based organizations and clinical providers to improve health and well-being in their neighborhoods. Sharing space, resources and information is feasible with a movement towards shared leadership and decision-making. This may result in community-driven and tailored solutions to historical inequities. In shared leadership models, some internal reform by Government partners may be required.
Striking the balance with epistemic injustice in healthcare: the case of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
Authors: Byrne Eleanor Alexandra
Published: March 2020

Miranda Fricker’s influential concept of epistemic injustice (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2007) has recently seen application to many areas of interest, with an increasing body of healthcare research using the concept of epistemic injustice in order to develop both general frameworks and accounts of specific medical conditions and patient groups. This paper illuminates tensions that arise between taking steps to protect against committing epistemic injustice in healthcare, and taking steps to understand the complexity of one’s predicament and treat it accordingly. Work on epistemic injustice is therefore at risk of obfuscating legitimate and potentially fruitful inquiry. This paper uses Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis as a case study, but I suggest that the key problems identified could apply to other cases within healthcare, such as those classed as Medically Unexplained Illnesses, Functional Neurological Disorders and Psychiatric Disorders. Future work on epistemic injustice in healthcare must recognise and attend to this tension to protect against unsatisfactory attempts to correct epistemic injustice.
The Novel Role of PPAR Alpha in the Brain: Promising Target in Therapy of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Neurodegenerative Disorders
Authors: Wójtowicz Sylwia , Strosznajder Anna K. , Jeżyna Mieszko , Strosznajder Joanna B.
Published: March 2020

Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α) belongs to the family of ligand-regulated nuclear receptors (PPARs). These receptors after heterodimerization with retinoid X receptor (RXR) bind in promotor of target genes to PPAR response elements (PPREs) and act as a potent transcription factors. PPAR-α and other receptors from this family, such as PPAR-β/δ and PPAR-γ are expressed in the brain and other organs and play a significant role in oxidative stress, energy homeostasis, mitochondrial fatty acids metabolism and inflammation. PPAR-α takes part in regulation of genes coding proteins that are involved in glutamate homeostasis and cholinergic/dopaminergic signaling in the brain. Moreover, PPAR-α regulates expression of genes coding enzymes engaged in amyloid precursor protein (APP) metabolism. It activates gene coding of α secretase, which is responsible for non-amyloidogenic pathway of APP degradation. It also down regulates β secretase (BACE-1), the main enzyme responsible for amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide release in Alzheimer Diseases (AD). In AD brain expression of genes of PPAR-α and PPAR-γ coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α) is significantly decreased. PPARs are altered not only in AD but in other neurodegenerative/neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorder. PPAR-α downregulation may decrease anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory processes and could be responsible for the alteration of fatty acid transport, lipid metabolism and disturbances of mitochondria function in the brain of AD patients. Specific activators of PPAR-α may be important for improvement of brain cells metabolism and cognitive function in neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Correction to: Bilingualism Is Associated with a Delayed Onset of Dementia but Not with a Lower Risk of Developing it: a Systematic Review with Meta-Analyses
Authors: Brini Stefano , Sohrabi Hamid R. , Hebert Jeffrey J. , Forrest Mitchell R. L. , Laine Matti , Hämäläinen Heikki , Karrasch Mira , Peiffer Jeremiah J. , Martins Ralph N. , Fairchild Timothy J.
Published: March 2020

The original version of this article unfortunately contained the following mistakes.
Photonic crystal slab between orthogonal polarizers: details on the guided mode resonance wavelength
Authors: Lüder Hannes , Paulsen Moritz , Gerken Martina
Published: March 2020

The transmission spectrum of a photonic crystal slab features sharp dips created by guided mode resonances. The same photonic crystal slab placed between orthogonal polarizers shows peaks at the resonances, but the peak wavelength differs from the guided mode resonance wavelength by a few nanometres. We investigate the working principle of the orthogonal polarizer setup and the origin of the wavelength difference for the case of a TE resonance. We show that the peak in the orthogonal polarizer setup is formed by light from the non-resonant TM polarization. The wavelength difference is caused by the phase shift between the resonant TE and the non-resonant TM polarization. We compare our explanation to a temporal coupled-mode approach and the use of a time-domain window function in FDTD.
Religious zeal as an affective phenomenon
Authors: Tietjen Ruth Rebecca
Published: March 2020

What kind of affective phenomenon is religious zeal and how does it relate to other affective phenomena, such as moral anger, hatred, and love? In this paper, I argue that religious zeal canbeboth, and bepresentedandinterpretedas both, a love-like passion and an anger-like emotion. As a passion, religious zeal consists of the loving devotion to a transcendent religious object or idea such as God. It is a relatively enduring attachment that is constitutive of who the zealot is, and it expresses itself in a distinctive set of mental and behavioral dispositions. Most importantly, it motivates uncompromising actions and involves intense, hot, and deep emotions. As an anger-like emotion, religious zeal is an occurrent affective state of mind that is intentionally directed towards a specific (immanent) object, characteristically a person or group of persons. It condemns the violation of a religious norm that is taken to be of absolute validity and general applicability. It motivates an action aiming at vengeance and retaliation, and it involves intense and hot feelings of hostility towards its object. I argue that rather than reducing the complex phenomenon of religious zeal to one of these two manifestations, we should reflect upon the question of how the two distinct conceptualizations relate to each other (and are interwoven with political interests).
Optimizing MR imaging for intraoperative image guidance in sellar pathologies
Authors: Micko Alexander , Hosmann Arthur , Marik Wolfgang , Bartsch Sophie , Weber Michael , Knosp Engelbert , Wolfsberger Stefan
Published: March 2020

Purpose

With the advancement of extended endonasal approaches, the ability to surgically reach parasellar tumor extensions increase. The aim of the study was to propose an optimized imaging protocol for surgical guidance in the cavernous sinus (CS) for proper visualization structures at risk.

Methods

Prospective case control analysis of 20 consecutive pituitary adenoma patients scheduled for endoscopic transnasal surgery. Assessment of the capability of three different MRI sequences (MPRAGE, VIBE, CISS) by 4 investigators to correctly visualize sellar and parasellar structures. Invasiveness and position of the normal pituitary gland were compared with the intraoperative findings.

Results

The consensus between the 4 examiners to achieve the same results for all modalities was 40% for MPRAGE, 70% for VIBE and 60% for CISS sequences (p = 0.155). A consensus of Knosp Grade per patient was 80% for MPRAGE, 100% for VIBE and 90% for CISS (overall kappa 0.60). A higher Knosp Grade was found in MPRAGE sequences compared to the other sequences. Intraoperative status of invasiveness was correctly identified in 12/20 (60%) with MPRAGE, 19/20 (95%) with VIBE and 11/20 (55%) with CISS sequences. The position of the normal pituitary gland was most frequent evaluable in 15/20 (75%) and correctly identified in 12/15 (80%) cases.

Conclusion

Our data showed that VIBE sequences obtain the highest degree of consensus with intraoperative findings of invasiveness and position of the normal pituitary gland. VIBE sequences, due to their high spatial resolution and at the same time fast image acquisition could provide improved imaging for neuronavigation.
Quality of life in patients with severe mental illness: a cross-sectional survey in an integrated outpatient health care model
Authors: Berghöfer Anne , Martin Luise , Hense Sabrina , Weinmann Stefan , Roll Stephanie
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study (a) assessed quality of life (QoL) in a patient sample with severe mental illness in an integrated psychiatric care (IC) programme in selected regions in Germany, (b) compared QoL among diagnostic groups and (c) identified socio-demographic, psychiatric anamnestic and clinical characteristics associated with QoL.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included severely mentally ill outpatients with substantial impairments in social functioning. Separate dimensions of QoL were assessed with the World Health Organisation’s generic 26-item quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF) instrument. Descriptive analyses and analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were conducted for the overall sample as well as for diagnostic group.

Results

A total of 953 patients fully completed the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. QoL in this sample was lower than in the general population (mean 34.1; 95% confidence interval (CI) 32.8 to 35.5), with the lowest QoL in unipolar depression patients (mean 30.5; 95% CI 28.9 to 32.2) and the highest in dementia patients (mean 53.0; 95% CI 47.5 to 58.5). Main psychiatric diagnosis, living situation (alone, partner/relatives, assisted), number of disease episodes, source of income, age and clinical global impression (CGI) scores were identified as potential predictors of QoL, but explained only a small part of the variation.

Conclusion

Aspects of health care that increase QoL despite the presence of a mental disorder are essential for severely mentally ill patients, as complete freedom from the disorder cannot be expected. QoL as a patient-centred outcome should be used as only one component among the recovery measures evaluating treatment outcomes in mental health care.
Identifying logical evidence
Authors: Martin Ben
Published: March 2020

Given the plethora of competing logical theories of validity available, it’s understandable that there has been a marked increase in interest in logical epistemology within the literature. If we are to choose between these logical theories, we require a good understanding of the suitable criteria we ought to judge according to. However, so far there’s been a lack of appreciation of how logical practice could support an epistemology of logic. This paper aims to correct that error, by arguing for apractice-based approachto logical epistemology. By looking at the types of evidence logicians actually appeal to in attempting to support their theories, we can provide a more detailed and realistic picture of logical epistemology. To demonstrate the fruitfulness of apractice-based approach, we look to a particular case of logical argumentation—the dialetheist’s arguments based upon the self-referential paradoxes—and show that the evidence appealed to support a particular theory of logical epistemology,logical abductivism.
Light Structure from Pin Motion: Geometric Point Light Source Calibration
Authors: Santo Hiroaki , Waechter Michael , Lin Wen-Yan , Sugano Yusuke , Matsushita Yasuyuki
Published: March 2020

We present a method for geometric point light source calibration. Unlike prior works that use Lambertian spheres, mirror spheres, or mirror planes, we use a calibration target consisting of a plane and small shadow casters at unknown positions above the plane. We show that shadow observations from a moving calibration target under a fixed light follow the principles of pinhole camera geometry and epipolar geometry, allowing joint recovery of the light position and 3D shadow caster positions, equivalent to how conventional structure from motion jointly recovers camera parameters and 3D feature positions from observed 2D features. Moreover, we devised a unified light model that works with nearby point lights as well as distant light in one common framework. Our evaluation shows that our method yields light estimates that are stable and more accurate than existing techniques while having a much simpler setup and requiring less manual labor.
The necessity of tailored control of irrupting pest populations driven by pulsed resources
Authors: Köhnke Merlin C. , Binny Rachelle N. , Holland E. Penelope , James Alex
Published: March 2020

Resource pulses are widespread phenomena in diverse ecosystems. Irruptions of generalist consumers and corresponding generalist predators often follow such resource pulses. This can have severe implications on the ecosystem and also on the spread of diseases or on regional famines. Suitable management strategies are necessary to deal with these systems. In this study, we develop a general model to investigate optimal control for such a system and apply this to a case study from New Zealand. In particular, we consider the dynamics of beech masting (episodic synchronous seed production) leading to rodent outbreaks and subsequent stoat (Mustela erminea) irruptions. Here, stoat control happens via secondary poisoning. The results show that the main driver of the optimal control timing (June) is the population density of the control vector. Intermediate control levels are superior to higher levels if the generalist consumer is necessary as a control vector. Finally, we extend the model to a two-patch metapopulation model, which indicates that, as a consequence of the strong vector dependence, a strategy of alternating control patches yields better results than static control. This highlights that besides control level, also the design impacts the control success. The results presented in this study reveal important insights for proper pest management in the New Zealand case study. However, they also generally indicate the necessity of tailored control in such systems.
David Martin: My Teacher, or, A Way of Seeing
Authors: Leoussi Athena S.
Published: March 2020

David Martin’s sociology of religion embodied an expansive vision of religion, one that encompassed the entirety of human and social experience: its political, national, economic, aesthetic, poetical and spiritual-religious orientations, and the complexities of their institutional arrangements, entanglements and compromises with one another. David’s sociology was not formulaic; it was a constant struggle – a struggle for understanding the motives, forms and patterns of human behaviour as these changed and shifted under changing circumstances. David was extraordinarily sensitive to the importance of the historical context, and especially the effects of modernity, in all its different guises, on the great cultural traditions of Western civilisation: Christianity and Western ‘high culture’ - the ‘Western canon’ of European art, music, literature and poetry. For David, the former presented the best account of human life; the latter, the pinnacles of human creative and imaginative achievement. As my doctoral supervisor, he also helped me to see and understand the persistence, revival and evolution of that other great European cultural tradition, the Classical tradition, the civilisation of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds, in the modern world. Like its Biblical, Judaeo-Christian, counterpart, the Classical tradition has offered, well into the twentieth century, a powerful repertoire of cultural themes, images and symbols of human existence. This repertoire was often seen to parallel and complement the Biblical repertoire, while in its artistic, musical, and literary manifestations, would form the basis of the ‘Western canon’. Modern cultural movements, and especially the expressive and utilitarian revolutions of the 1960s, would set out to break these great images of the axial age. David’s mission would be to restore them.
Dysphagia Affecting Quality of Life in Cerebellar Ataxia—a Large Survey
Authors: Rönnefarth M. , Hanisch N. , Brandt A. U. , Mähler A. , Endres M. , Paul F. , Doss Sarah
Published: March 2020

Dysphagia is a common symptom in neurodegenerative disorders and is generally associated with increased mortality. In the clinical care setting of ataxia patients, no systematical and standardized assessment of dysphagia is employed. Its impact on patients’ health-related quality of life is not well understood. To assess the impact of dysphagia in ataxia patients on diet, body weight, and health-related quality of life. We conducted a large survey using self-reported questionnaires for swallowing-related quality of life (Swal-QOL) and a food frequency list in combination with retrospective clinical data of 119 patients with cerebellar ataxia treated in the neurological outpatient clinic of a large German university hospital. Seventeen percent of ataxia patients suffered from dysphagia based on the Swal-QOL score. Less than 1% of all patients reported dysphagia as one of their most disabling symptoms. Dysphagia was associated with unintentional weight loss (p = 0.02) and reduced health-related quality of life (p = 0.01) but did not affect individual nutritional habits (p > 0.05; Chi-squared test). Dysphagia is a relevant symptom in cerebellar ataxia. A systematic screening for dysphagia in patients with cerebellar ataxia would be desirable to enable early diagnosis and treatment.