bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acid‐Promoted Hetero Annulation: An Expeditious Route to Construct Functionalized Pyrido‐ and Pyrimido[5′,4′:5,6]pyrido‐ Fused [a]Carbazoles
Authors: Kripalaya Ratheesh Arya , Karnam Jayarampillai Rajendra Prasad
Published: April 2020

A transition metal‐free multicomponent coupling of 2‐arylidene/heteroarylidene carbazole with alkyne and nitrile in the presence of Lewis acid BF3.OEt2 is described. This method was proven to be usable for the preparation of library of N‐acetylated pyrido[3,4‐a]carbazoles. Conversely, p‐toluenesulfonic acid‐catalyzed hetero annulation of uracil with 2‐arylidene carbazole afforded novel aromatic pyrimido[5′,4′:5,6]pyrido[2,3‐a]carbazoles in isolated yields of up to 82 % in solid‐state manner. The structures of the synthesized heterocycles were confirmed by elemental analysis and spectral data. The salient features of these one‐pot methods are rapid formation of products with moderate to good yields, readily accessible reactants and involve less hazardous chemical techniques.
Development of Colorimetric and Turn‐On Fluorescence Sensor for the Detection of Al3+ and F− Ions: DNA Tracking and Practical Performance as Applications
Authors: Anbu Durai Willsingh , Ramu Andy
Published: April 2020

In this study, a new probe is designed (E)‐1‐(((5‐mercapto‐1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐2‐yl)imino)methyl)naphthalen‐2‐ol (NAATD) for dual colorimetric and turn‐on fluorescence chemosensor. Higher selectivity and sensitivity towards Al3+/F− ions over other competitive ions in DMSO solution were achieved. The detection limits were found to be 3.14 nM and 9.9 nM for Al3+ and F− ions respectively. The sensing mechanism and stoichiometric ratio is investigated and affirmed by DFT calculations and Job's plot analysis respectively. The DNA tracking ability of the NAATD‐Al3+ is investigated by fluorescence technique which indicates that DNA efficiently bind with the probe and displace Al3+ ions. Finally, the practical utility of the probe was successfully demonstrated by using environmental water and tooth paste samples.
Preparation of Amine‐ and Disulfide‐Containing PAMAM‐Based Dendrons for the Functionalization of Hydroxylated Surfaces: XPS as Structural Sensor
Authors: Viltres Herlys , Odio Oscar F. , Biesinger Mark. C. , Montiel Gala , Borja Raúl , Reguera Edilso
Published: April 2020

Herein, we report the synthesis of novel poly(amido amine) [PAMAM]‐based dendrons with external amine and disulfide functional groups and an alkoxysilane moiety as the focal point. Four generations (G1‐G4) of dendrons were obtained by combining Michael addition and amidation reactions using (3‐aminopropyl) trimethoxysilane as the starting core; disulfide bridges and amine groups were introduced in the last step by ester amidation with cystamine and ethylendiamine. The resulting dendrons were characterized by Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Raman, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Z‐potential techniques. The growth of the dendrons was monitored by analysing the X‐ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) high resolution spectra of the Si 2p, N 1s, C 1s, O 1s and S 2p signals for each dendron generation. The results evidence that it is possible to record, with good confidence, the compositional and structural changes that occur during the preparative route by means of XPS technique.
Green Analysis of the Bromination Reaction of Propiophenone Derivatives Mediated by Cu2+ Complexes
Authors: Krapacher Claudio R. , Rossi. Laura I.
Published: April 2020

All processes and reactions were evaluated using green metrics. Alternatives for the α‐halogenation reaction of ketones were studied, varying both the methodology and the brominating reactants. CuBr2 and its complexes with organic ligands derived from biomass were used as bromide source. Distinct regioselectivity and chemoselectivity were observed with the different complexes used. The CuBr2‐βCD complex behave completely different to the rest of the complexes since the halogenation occurred preferentially in the propiophenone aromatic ring. Among the complexes used, novel starch and chitosan complexes with CuBr2 were synthesized and characterized by EPR, FT‐IR, UVV RD and TGA.
Thermal, Mechanical, and Optical Properties of Maleimide Copolymers Containing Twisted N‐Phenyl Substituents in the Side Chain
Authors: Nagase Soichiro , Matsumoto Akikazu
Published: April 2020

UV absorption spectroscopic measurements and DFT calculations revealed that N‐(alkyl‐substituted phenyl)maleimides with substituents at the ortho position favored a twisted N‐phenyl conformation, due to the steric hindrance between the maleimide ring and the substituted N‐phenyl moiety. High‐molecular‐weight copolymers were synthesized by radical copolymerization of the N‐(alkyl‐substituted phenyl)maleimides with n‐butyl vinyl ether and n‐butyl acrylate. The thermal properties of the copolymers were determined by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The mechanical tensile tests under temperature control revealed the mechanical features of the copolymers depending on their repeating structure and composition. The significant temperature dependence of the modulus and strain of the copolymers was also clarified. Then, the transparency, refractive indices, and birefringence properties of the copolymer films were evaluated. It was confirmed that the maleimide copolymers had negative orientational birefringence with small absolute values and positive photoelastic birefringence. The effect of the conformational structure of the N‐phenyl groups on the thermal, mechanical, and optical properties of the copolymers was discussed.
Light Tailoring of Internal Atomic Structure of Gold Nanorods
Authors: Yan Jianfeng , Zhu Dezhi , Xie Jiawang , Shao Yang , Xiao Wei
Published: April 2020

Laser processing of gold nanorods (Au NRs) relying on light–matter interaction provides great opportunities in various potential applications. Unveiling the light‐induced structure change is a crucial goal in order to control the shape and related properties for practical application. However, the internal atomic structure control of metallic NRs has long been a challenge. Here, the concept of internal atomic structure tailored with light is demonstrated and Au NRs with various internal atomic structures including point defects, twin structures, and polycrystalline nanospheres are fabricated. Experimental characterization and theoretical simulation show that light‐induced localized energy deposition and dynamic stresses distribution give rise to atomic structure change. Au NRs with internal defects show enhanced potential to improve activity. The concept of light tailoring of internal atomic structure represents a promising strategy for the rational design of metallic NRs to boost wide applications.
Experimentally Calibrated Kinetic Monte Carlo Model Reproduces Organic Solar Cell Current–Voltage Curve
Authors: Wilken Sebastian , Upreti Tanvi , Melianas Armantas , Dahlström Staffan , Persson Gustav , Olsson Eva , Österbacka Ronald , Kemerink Martijn
Published: April 2020

Kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) simulations are a powerful tool to study the dynamics of charge carriers in organic photovoltaics. However, the key characteristic of any photovoltaic device, its current–voltage (J–V) curve under solar illumination, has proven challenging to simulate using KMC. The main challenges arise from the presence of injecting contacts and the importance of charge recombination when the internal electric field is low, i.e., close to open‐circuit conditions. Herein, an experimentally calibrated KMC model is presented that can fully predict the J–V curve of a disordered organic solar cell. It is shown that it is crucial to make experimentally justified assumptions on the injection barriers, the blend morphology, and the kinetics of the charge transfer state involved in geminate and nongeminate recombination. All of these properties are independently calibrated using charge extraction, electron microscopy, and transient absorption measurements, respectively. Clear evidence is provided that the conclusions drawn from microscopic and transient KMC modeling are indeed relevant for real operating organic solar cell devices.
In Situ TiC‐Reinforced Steel Matrix: Heterogeneous Nucleation and Formation Mechanism of Divorced Eutectic TiC
Authors: Du Gang , Liu Feng , Yang Chang-lin , Li Jian-bing , Wang Yong-fu
Published: April 2020

Divorced eutectic TiC (TiCE) influences the mechanical properties of TiC‐reinforced wear‐resistant steels. However, there is a lack of information with respect to the heterogeneous nucleation, growth, and formation mechanism of divorced TiCE. To this end, the morphology, orientation, and origin of the divorced TiCE in TiC‐reinforced wear‐resistant steel are thoroughly examined. Combined with the calculated planar disregistry between primary TiC (TiCP) and divorced TiCE and their actual orientation relationship examined using the electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) technique, it is indicated that TiCP serves as the preferred heterogeneous site for divorced TiCE during solidification. The precipitation mechanism for the divorced TiCE on the TiCP is put forward and accounts for why the direction of [100] is the preferential growth direction.
Failure and damage of a first‐generation precast prestressed bridge in Slovakia
Authors: Moravcik Martin , Bujnakova Petra , Bahleda Frantisek
Published: April 2020

In the early 1950s, the first‐generation of precast prestressed bridges was built in Europe. The prestressing technology was still relatively new and bridges were sometimes executed questionably. The consequences of poor detailing and inadequate maintenance are shown as a practical example of a 59‐years old road precast bridge in Slovakia that recently reached a near collapse state. The behavior of the damaged prestressed precast structure was verified by the full‐scale load test. In the case of advanced corrosion of the tendons, it is often very difficult to accurately determine the actual resistance of a structure. The test results published in the paper may help to find a practical method for the assessment of similar aged existing prestressed bridges.
Theoretical study of structures and properties of some silole compounds
Authors: Dung Tran Ngoc , Van Trang Nguyen , Thoa Tran Thi , Thuy Phan Thi , Thanh Dinh Thi Mai , Hue Nguyen Thi Minh
Published: April 2020

Structures and properties of some oligomer silole compounds have been studied using the Density Functional Theory (DFT) at B3LYP/6‐31++G(d,p) levels. We have identified 32 stable geometries with some important properties such as band gap, UV‐Vis spectroscopy. The band gaps of these siloles range from 2.0 to 3.0 eV, which can promise that the siloles are potential materials for semiconductor and luminescence.
The (010) Surface of the Al45Cr7 Complex Intermetallic Compound: Insights from Density Functional Theory
Authors: Brix Florian , Simon Romain , Gaudry Émilie
Published: April 2020

The Al45Cr7 compound is considered to exhibit an approximant structure of the icosahedral Al4Cr phase. Its (010) surface has been investigated in detail using density functional calculations. Surface energy calculations show that the stable terminations result from a cleavage of the crystal between adjacent atomic planes, in agreement with the layered structure of the compound. The integrity of the icosahedral atomic arrangements (icosahedral clusters) found in the bulk structure, is predicted to be removed at the surface. This result is in contrast to what has been previously concluded for the (010) surface of the Al13Fe4 quasicrystal approximant. Our findings are discussed in relation to the bonding network in the compound, calculated using the Crystal Orbital Hamiltonian Population approach, as possible reasons for such contrasted behavior.
Multi-scale crowd feature detection using vision sensing and statistical mechanics principles
Authors: Arbab-Zavar Banafshe , Sabeur Zoheir A.
Published: April 2020

Crowd behaviour analysis using vision has been subject to many different approaches. Multi-purpose crowd descriptors are one of the more recent approaches. These descriptors provide an opportunity to compare and categorize various types of crowds as well as classify their respective behaviours. Nevertheless, the automated calculation of descriptors which are expressed as measurements with accurate interpretation is a challenging problem. In this paper, analogies between human crowds and molecular thermodynamics systems are drawn for the measurement of crowd behaviour. Specifically, a novel descriptor is defined and measured for crowd behaviour at multiple scales. This descriptor uses the concept of Entropy for evaluating the state of crowd disorder. By results, the descriptor Entropy does indeed appear to capture the desired outcome for crowd entropy while utilizing easily detectable image features. Our new approach for machine understanding of crowd behaviour is promising, while it offers new complementary capabilities to the existing crowd descriptors, for example, as will be demonstrated, in the case of spectator crowds. The scope and performance of this descriptor are further discussed in detail in this paper.
Promises of artificial intelligence in neuroradiology: a systematic technographic review
Authors: Olthof Allard W. , van Ooijen Peter M.A. , Rezazade Mehrizi Mohammad H.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

To conduct a systematic review of the possibilities of artificial intelligence (AI) in neuroradiology by performing an objective, systematic assessment of available applications. To analyse the potential impacts of AI applications on the work of neuroradiologists.

Methods

We identified AI applications offered on the market during the period 2017–2019. We systematically collected and structured information in a relational database and coded for the characteristics of the applications, their functionalities for the radiology workflow and their potential impacts in terms of ‘supporting’, ‘extending’ and ‘replacing’ radiology tasks.

Results

We identified 37 AI applications in the domain of neuroradiology from 27 vendors, together offering 111 functionalities. The majority of functionalities ‘support’ radiologists, especially for the detection and interpretation of image findings. The second-largest group of functionalities ‘extends’ the possibilities of radiologists by providing quantitative information about pathological findings. A small but noticeable portion of functionalities seek to ‘replace’ certain radiology tasks.

Conclusion

Artificial intelligence in neuroradiology is not only in the stage of development and testing but also available for clinical practice. The majority of functionalities support radiologists or extend their tasks. None of the applications can replace the entire radiology profession, but a few applications can do so for a limited set of tasks. Scientific validation of the AI products is more limited than the regulatory approval.
Non-weightbearing compared with weightbearing x-rays in hallux valgus decision-making
Authors: Boszczyk Andrzej , Kwapisz Sławomir , Kiciński Maciej , Kordasiewicz Bartłomiej , Liszka Henryk
Published: April 2020

Objective

To report the effect of weightbearing x-ray imaging on clinical decisions in hallux valgus. Weightbearing (WB) x-ray is standard imaging for symptomatic hallux valgus (HV). In our clinical practice, often patients are presenting with non-weightbearing (NWB) x-rays. Repeated imaging requires additional radiation, justified only if expected to benefit patient’s treatment. In this study, the influence of WB status on radiological HV parameters and on clinical decisions was analyzed.

Methods

In the dataset of WB and NWB x-rays, the hallux valgus (HVA) and intermetatarsal angle (IMA) were measured and differences analyzed. Clinical decisions for 10 x-ray pairs were studied among 40 respondents.

Results

The WB and NWB HVA difference ranged − 16 to 16° (p < 0.001) and IMA − 3.4 to 5.8° (p < 0.001). In only 45% of cases, the decisions based on NWB and WB imaging were consistent (kappa (95% CI) = 30.0 (23.7–36.3)).

Conclusions

Clinical decisions based on WB and NWB radiographs vary significantly. NWB films overestimate early and underestimate advanced HV deformity. Repeating radiographs is justified in patients presenting with NWB radiographs of symptomatic HV.
Postoperative pain after colorectal surgery
Authors: Lindberg Margaretha , Franklin Oskar , Svensson Johan , Franklin Karl A.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Postoperative pain is a keystone in perioperative programs, as pain negatively impacts recovery. This study aimed to evaluate pain after elective colorectal surgery and to identify risk factors for postoperative pain.

Methods

This prospective cohort study comprised consecutive patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery within the Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) perioperative program between March 2013 and April 2017. The numeric rating scale (NRS) was used to estimate maximum pain. Logistic regression was used to model associations with the type of surgery, age, gender, and comorbidities.

Results

The cohort comprised 434 of 459 eligible patients. On the day of surgery to postoperative day 3, 50–64% of patients reported moderate to severe pain (NRS 4–10). Postoperative pain was similar for open and minimally invasive rectal surgery, while patients undergoing minimally invasive colonic surgery experienced more pain on the day of surgery and less pain on postoperative days 2 and 3 vs. open colonic surgery. Younger age was associated with more pain every postoperative day and by 0.7 NRS/10 years (95% CI 0.5–0.9,P < 0.001) on the day of surgery, while having diabetes type 2 was associated with less postoperative pain by − 1.3 NRS (95% CI − 2.4 to − 0.2) on the day of surgery.

Conclusions

The majority, and young patients in particular, experience moderate to severe pain after open and minimally invasive colorectal surgery, despite following ERAS perioperative program. There is a need for effective and individualized analgesia after colorectal surgery, since the individual pain response to surgery is difficult to predict.
Recommendation of a practical guideline for safe tracheostomy during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Takhar Arunjit , Walker Abigail , Tricklebank Stephen , Wyncoll Duncan , Hart Nicholas , Jacob Tony , Arora Asit , Skilbeck Christopher , Simo Ricard , Surda Pavol
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic is placing unprecedented demand upon critical care services for invasive mechanical ventilation. There is current uncertainty regarding the role of tracheostomy for weaning ventilated patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. This is due to a number of factors including prognosis, optimal healthcare resource utilisation, and safety of healthcare workers when performing such a high-risk aerosol-generating procedure.

Methods

Literature review and proposed practical guideline based on the experience of a tertiary healthcare institution with 195 critical care admissions for COVID-19 up until 4th April 2020.

Results

A synthesis of the current international literature and reported experience is presented with respect to prognosis, viral load and staff safety, thus leading to a pragmatic recommendation that tracheostomy is not performed until at least 14 days after endotracheal intubation in COVID-19 patients. Practical steps to minimise aerosol generation in percutaneous tracheostomy are outlined and we describe the process and framework for setting up a dedicated tracheostomy team.

Conclusion

In selected COVID-19 patients, there is a role for tracheostomy to aid in weaning and optimise healthcare resource utilisation. Both percutaneous and open techniques can be performed safely with careful modifications to technique and appropriate enhanced personal protective equipment. ORL-HNS surgeons can play a valuable role in forming tracheostomy teams to support critical care teams during this global pandemic.
Evidence that human and equine erythrocytes could have significant roles in the transport and delivery of amino acids to organs and tissues
Authors: Thorn B. , Dunstan R. H. , Macdonald M. M. , Borges N. , Roberts T. K.
Published: April 2020

Erythrocytes have a well-defined role in the gaseous exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the mammalian body. The erythrocytes can contain more than half of the free amino acids present in whole blood. Based on measures showing that venous erythrocyte levels of amino acids are much less than arterial erythrocyte levels, it has previously been proposed that erythrocytes also play a role in the delivery of amino acids to tissues in the body. This role has been dismissed because it has been assumed that to act as an amino acid transport vehicle, the erythrocytes should release their entire amino acid content in the capillary beds at the target tissues with kinetic studies showing that this would take too long to achieve. This investigation set out to investigate whether the equine erythrocytes could rapidly take up and release smaller packages of amino acids when exposed to high or low external concentrations of amino acids, because it seemed very unlikely that cells would be able to release all of their amino acids without serious impacts on osmotic balance. Freshly prepared erythrocytes were placed in alternating solutions of high and low amino acid concentrations in PBS to assess the capacities of these cells to rapidly take up and release amino acids depending on the nature of the external environment. It was found that amino acids were rapidly taken up and released in small quantities in each cycle representing 15% of their total load in equine erythrocytes and 16% in human erythrocytes. The capacity for rapid uptake/release of amino acids by equine and human erythrocytes provided evidence to support the theory that mammalian erythrocytes have a significant role in transport of amino acids from the liver to tissues, muscles and organs.
On the origin of the shift between vertical excitation and band maximum in molecular photoabsorption
Authors: Bai Shuming , Mansour Ritam , Stojanović Ljiljana , Toldo Josene M. , Barbatti Mario
Published: April 2020

The analysis of the photoabsorption spectra of molecules shows that the band maximum is usually redshifted in comparison to the vertical excitation. We conducted a throughout analysis of this shift based on low-dimensional analytical and numerical model systems, showing that its origin is rooted in the frequency change between the ground and the excited states in multidimensional systems. Moreover, we deliver a benchmark of ab initio results for the shift based on a comparison of vertical excitations and band maxima calculated with the nuclear ensemble approach for the 28 organic molecules in the Mülheim molecular dataset. The mean value of the shift calculated over 60 transitions is 0.11 ± 0.08 eV. The mean value of the band width is 0.32 ± 0.14 eV.
Hydrogeological evaluation of managed aquifer recharge in a glacial moraine complex using long-term groundwater data analysis
Authors: van Engelenburg Jolijn , de Jonge Martin , Rijpkema Sjoerd , van Slobbe Erik , Bense Victor
Published: April 2020

Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) is a strategy to address dwindling water availability that is used to recharge stressed groundwater systems for recovery or adaptation purposes. Glacial moraine complexes can host large groundwater volumes in thick coarse-grained sandy and gravelous aquifers, and therefore are often suitable for MAR. In this research, the impact of 20 years of MAR (infiltration) in the Veluwe glacial moraine complex in the Netherlands is evaluated through time-series analysis and water quality modeling. The research enhances the understanding of hydrological processes in a glacial moraine complex and thus supports effective MAR design. The results show that MAR in the Veluwe area has raised nearby groundwater heads, and that 20 years of infiltration did not significantly deteriorate the groundwater quality. In addition, the analysis revealed an unexpected hydraulic interaction between the glacial complex and the underlying aquifer. The results suggest that MAR in a glacial moraine complex can be an effective strategy for storage of surplus surface water, compensation of groundwater abstraction, or water quality improvement. Monitoring and evaluation of groundwater heads and quality will improve the understanding of the hydrology and hydrochemistry of the water system and the used water resource, which is essential to design effective MAR systems.
Multi-view region-adaptive multi-temporal DMM and RGB action recognition
Authors: Al-Faris Mahmoud , Chiverton John P. , Yang Yanyan , Ndzi David
Published: April 2020

Human action recognition remains an important yet challenging task. This work proposes a novel action recognition system. It uses a novel multi-view region-adaptive multi-resolution-in-time depth motion map (MV-RAMDMM) formulation combined with appearance information. Multi-stream 3D convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are trained on the different views and time resolutions of the region-adaptive depth motion maps. Multiple views are synthesised to enhance the view invariance. The region-adaptive weights, based on localised motion, accentuate and differentiate parts of actions possessing faster motion. Dedicated 3D CNN streams for multi-time resolution appearance information are also included. These help to identify and differentiate between small object interactions. A pre-trained 3D-CNN is used here with fine-tuning for each stream along with multi-class support vector machines. Average score fusion is used on the output. The developed approach is capable of recognising both human action and human–object interaction. Three public-domain data-sets, namely MSR 3D Action, Northwestern UCLA multi-view actions and MSR 3D daily activity, are used to evaluate the proposed solution. The experimental results demonstrate the robustness of this approach compared with state-of-the-art algorithms.
Validation and implementation of a patient-reported experience measure for patients with rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis in the Netherlands
Authors: Beckers Esther , Webers Casper , Boonen Annelies , ten Klooster Peter M. , Vonkeman Harald E. , van Tubergen Astrid
Published: April 2020

Objectives

To test the psychometric properties of the United Kingdom’s Commissioning for Quality in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient-Reported Experience Measure (CQRA-PREM) in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to implement this questionnaire in daily practice in the Netherlands.

Methods

After a forward-backward translation procedure into Dutch, the CQRA-PREM was tested into two quality registries in daily practice. Face validity was assessed with focus group interviews. Feasibility was evaluated through completion times and interpretability of domain scores through floor and ceiling effects. Internal consistency (Cronbach’s α coefficients) and homogeneity (corrected item-total correlations) were determined. Divergent validity was assessed by Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients (rs) between the average scores of domains and outcome measures. The CQRA-PREM was implemented in daily practice, and the results were used in quality improvement cycles.

Results

Face validity of the CQRA-PREM was good. The CQRA-PREM was completed by 282 patients with SpA and 376 with RA. Median time to complete the CQRA-PREM was 4.7 min. Ceiling effects were found in three out of seven domains. Internal consistency of nearly all domains was considered good (0.65 ≤ α ≤ 0.95). Thresholds for homogeneity were exceeded within three domains (rp > 0.7), suggesting item redundancy. Divergent validity showed that nearly all domains of the CQRA-PREM were at most weakly correlated with outcomes measures (− 0.3 ≤ rs ≤ 0.3). The CQRA-PREM could identify areas of improvement for providing patient-centered care.

Conclusion

The CQRA-PREM has acceptable psychometric properties and has shown to be a useful tool in evaluating quality of care from the patients’ perspective in the Netherlands.

Trial registration

SpA-Net is registered in the Netherlands Trial Registry (NTR6740).

Key Points

• The Commissioning for Quality in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient-Reported Experience Measure (CQRA-PREM) is a valid measure for assessing patient-centeredness of rheumatology care.

• The Dutch version of the CQRA-PREM shows acceptable psychometric properties.

• The CQRA-PREM shows to be a useful tool in Plan-Do-Check-Act quality improvement cycles in the Netherlands.

• The CQRA-PREM can be used for benchmarking and quality improvement of rheumatology services.
The great (1506–)1507 drought and its consequences in Hungary in a (Central) European context
Authors: Kiss Andrea
Published: April 2020

Although in contemporary documentation 1506–1507 is the best-documented drought event in the medieval and sixteenth- and seventeenth-century Carpathian Basin, until now no investigations have been carried out on this subject. Based on contemporary sources—such as narratives, charters, official and private correspondence, estate, town, county and taxation accounts—a concise overview of the documented natural–physical characteristics, temporal–spatial distribution of the drought event and related weather extremes is provided. In a European context, the present investigation reveals that 1506 was a dry year not only in the Carpathian Basin but also in most of Europe. Drought continued in the Carpathian Basin and Italy in 1507, while opposing weather patterns developed in West–Central, Western and Northern Europe, showing similarities to the 2007 and 2015 summer heat and drought events. In the Carpathian Basin, the drought was characterized by the critical low water levels of the River Tisza, heat and high-intensity convective events. Major socio-economic consequences were the higher occurrence rate of major urban fires, bad harvests (cereals, grapevine/wine, hay) and livestock problems (lack or loss of bee, bee products, sheep, cattle, fish, fur)—the latter ones might serve as indicators for future studies. The drought induced numerous individual and institutional responses, including various types of tax relief and common works. The ensuing plague epidemic reached a particularly high level in Hungary; the drought, bad harvests, a change to cooler and wetter conditions, and nutrition problems could have contributed to the intensification of the epidemic outbreak in 1508–1511.
Foster Parent Stress as Key Factor Relating to Foster Children’s Mental Health: A 1-Year Prospective Longitudinal Study
Authors: Goemans Anouk , Buisman Renate S. M. , van Geel Mitch , Vedder Paul
Published: April 2020

Background

Foster children are reported to often have mental health difficulties. To optimize foster children’s development chances, we need to know more about the characteristics that are predictive of foster children’s mental health.

Objective

In the current study, we aimed to establish what accounts for the differences in foster children’s mental health, by examining the change and predictors of change in foster children’s mental health. Insight into foster children’s mental health outcomes and their predictors could inform the design of targeted interventions and support for foster children and foster families.

Method

In a sample of 432 foster children between 4 and 17 years old (M = 10.90) we examined a multivariate model in which characteristics of the foster child, the child’s care experiences, foster family, and foster placement were included as predictors of foster children’s mental health (internalizing, externalizing, and prosocial behaviors) using a three-wave longitudinal design

Results

Results showed that levels of mental health were generally stable over time. Differences between foster children’s developmental outcomes were mainly predicted by foster parent stress.

Conclusions

Foster parent stress levels were high and consistently found to be the strongest predictor of foster children’s mental health outcomes. Given this finding it is important for researchers and practitioners to consider foster parent stress in screening as a point of attention in creating conditions conducive to foster children’s mental health.
Epistemic Collaborations: Distributed Cognition and Virtue Reliabilism
Authors: Palermos Spyridon Orestis
Published: April 2020

Strong epistemic anti-individualism—i.e., the claim that knowledge can be irreducibly social—is increasingly debated within mainstream and social epistemology. Most existing approaches attempt to argue for the view on the basis of aggregative analyses, which focus on the way certain groups aggregate the epistemic attitudes of their members. Such approaches are well motivated, given that many groups to which we often ascribe group knowledge—such as juries and committees—operate in this way. Yet another way that group knowledge can be generated is on the basis ofepistemic collaborations, such as scientific research teams and Transactive Memory Systems. To produce knowledge, epistemic collaborations rely heavily on the mutual interactions of their group members. This is a distinctive feature of epistemic collaborations that renders them resistant to aggregative analyses. To accommodate this kind of group knowledge, the paper combines virtue reliabilism with the hypothesis of distributed cognition in order to introduce the hybrid approach ofdistributed virtue reliabilism. On this view, (1) beliefs produced by epistemic collaborations entertain positive epistemic standing (i.e., they are both reliable and epistemically responsible) in virtue of the mutual interactions of their group members; (2) this positive epistemic standing is a collective property; (3) epistemic collaborations qualify as epistemic group agents; (4) collaborative knowledge is a special kind of group knowledge, motivating strong epistemic anti-individualism in a distinctive way.
Sensitivity, safety, and impossible worlds
Authors: Melchior Guido
Published: April 2020

Modal knowledge accounts that are based on standards possible-worlds semantics face well-known problems when it comes to knowledge of necessities. Beliefs in necessities are trivially sensitive and safe and, therefore, trivially constitute knowledge according to these accounts. In this paper, I will first argue that existing solutions to this necessity problem, which accept standard possible-worlds semantics, are unsatisfactory. In order to solve the necessity problem, I will utilize an unorthodox account of counterfactuals, as proposed by Nolan (Notre Dame J Formal Logic 38:535–572, 1997), on which we also consider impossible worlds. Nolan’s account for counterpossibles delivers the intuitively correct result for sensitivity i.e. S’s belief is sensitive in intuitive cases of knowledge of necessities and insensitive in intuitive cases of knowledge failure. However, we acquire the same plausible result for safety only if we reject his strangeness of impossibility condition and accept the modal closeness of impossible worlds. In this case, the necessity problem can be analogously solved for sensitivity and safety. For some, such non-moderate accounts might come at too high a cost. In this respect, sensitivity is better off than safety when it comes to knowing necessities.
Investment in time preference and long-run distribution
Authors: Hayashi Takashi
Published: April 2020

This paper presents a simple dynamic general equilibrium model in which each household can make a costly investment in patience capital at each time. We show that the interior long-run steady state is unstable, in the sense that per household, there is a one-dimensional curve lying in the two-dimensional space of its patience capital and physical capital amounts, and convergence happens only when its initial pair falls exactly on the curve. Households with the initial vectors falling in the upper side of the curve invest more in patience capital, which leads themselves to save more, and hence, the consumption level grows in the long run. Households with the initial vectors falling in the lower side opt out from investing in patience capital, leading to a decay of patience level, which leads themselves to save less and hence they perish in the long run. We also show a possibility that there is an expanding swing between the two classes.
Linking supervisor developmental feedback to in-role performance: The role of job control and perceived rapport with supervisors
Authors: Zhang Zhenduo , Zhang Li , Wang Honglei , Zheng Junwei
Published: April 2020

This paper investigates the underlying mechanism and boundary condition of the relationship between day-level supervisor developmental feedback (SDF) and day-level in-role performance (IRP) based on the framework of social exchange theory. The current study collects 290 matched surveys nested in 58 Chinese employees for five consecutive days, employing experience sampling method. Using hierarchical linear regression analysis, this paper examines the mediating role of perceived rapport with supervisors (PRS) and the moderating role of job control. Results show SDF has a positive effect on PRS and consequently enhances employee IRP. This indirect effect is moderated by employee job control. When job control is high, SDF helps supervisors develop a high-quality rapport with employees and is conducive to employees improving their IRP. However, when job control is low, the positive effect of SDF on IRP through PRS is not significant.
Causal interaction and effect modification: same model, different concepts
Authors: Keele Luke , Stevenson Randolph T.
Published: April 2020

Social scientists use the concept of interactions to study effect dependency. In the causal inference literature, interaction terms may be used in two distinct type of analysis. The first type of analysis focuses on causal interactions, where the analyst is interested in whether two treatments have differing effects when both are administered. The second type of analysis focuses on effect modification, where the analyst investigates whether the effect of a single treatment varies across levels of a baseline covariate. While both forms of interaction analysis are typically conducted using the same type of statistical model, the identification assumptions for these two types of analysis are very different. In this paper, we clarify the difference between these two types of interaction analysis. We demonstrate that this distinction is mostly ignored in the political science literature. We conclude with a review of several applications where we show that the form of the interaction is critical to proper interpretation of empirical results.
Frequent use of selected sugary products associates with thinness, but not overweight during preadolescence: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Lommi Sohvi , Figueiredo Rejane Augusta de Oliveira , Tuorila Hely , Viljakainen Heli
Published: April 2020

Convincing evidence suggests that diets laden with added sugar, specifically sugar-sweetened beverages, associate with excess weight in children. The relationships between sugar consumption frequency and BMI remain less well studied. We, therefore, evaluated children’s consumption frequency of selected sugary products (n8461; mean age 11·1 (sd0·9) years) selected from the Finnish Health in Teens cohort study. Using a sixteen-item FFQ including six sugary products (chocolate/sweets, biscuits/cookies, ice cream, sweet pastry, sugary juice drinks and sugary soft drinks), we calculated a Sweet Treat Index (STI) for the frequency of weekly sugary product consumption and categorised children based on quartiles (Q) into low (Q1, cut-off < 4·0), medium (Q2 + Q3, range 4·0–10·5) and high STI (Q4, cut-off > 10·5), and as thin, normal and overweight/obese based on the measured BMI. Through multinomial logistic regression analyses, we found that subjects with a high STI exhibited a higher risk of being thin (OR 1·20, 95 % CI 1·02, 1·41) and lower risk of being overweight (OR 0·79, 95 % CI 0·67, 0·92), while subjects with a low STI were at higher risk of being overweight (OR 1·32, 95 % CI 1·14, 1·53). High consumption frequencies of salty snacks, pizza and hamburgers most closely were associated with a high STI. Our findings suggest that consuming sugary products at a high frequency does not associate with being overweight. The relationship between a low consumption frequency and being overweight suggests that overweight children’s consumption frequency of sugary products may be controlled, restricted or underreported.
Geochemical and isotopic compositions of Late Permian metavolcano–sedimentary sequence in the southern Songpan–Ganzi Orogen, eastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zhu Yudi , Dai Yanpei , Wang Lili , Xiu Di , Chen Chao
Published: April 2020

The Permian metavolcano–sedimentary sequence of the Jianglang and Taka domes in the southern Songpan–Ganzi Orogen is composed of bedded marble and sandwiched metabasalt. This study presents geochemistry, C–O–Nd isotope systematics and zircon U–Pb geochronology data to explore the formation mechanism and tectonic setting of its protolith. The marble samples have high δ13CV-PDB (4.0 ‰ to −0.1 ‰) and δ18OV-SMOW (16.3 ‰ to 13.6 ‰) values, with similar εNd(t) values (−5.3 to −7.2) to Late Permian conodonts. They display seawater-like features, e.g. superchondritic Y/Ho ratios, negative Ce and positive La, Gd and Y anomalies, indicating a marine carbonate protolith in oxygen-rich palaeoseawater. Their pronounced positive Eu anomalies suggest a contribution (5 % to 1 %) of submarine high-T hydrothermal fluids. The metabasalt samples show low SiO2, high Fe2O3T and MgO contents. They have low La/Sm, (Th/Ta)PM and (La/Nb)PM ratios, without correlations between MgO and other major/trace elements. These signatures could be attributed to insignificant fractional crystallization and crustal contamination. Their rare earth elements (REE) patterns, trace element profiles and trace element ratios are comparable to those of mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB), suggesting a depleted MORB-type mantle reservoir. Melt modelling illustrates low degrees (<10 %) of partial melting in the spinel stability field at a depth of 30–60 km. Moreover, the metabasalt contains 2453.7–258.9 Ma detrital zircons significantly related to the Palaeoproterozoic crystalline basement, Rodinia supercontinent, Caledonian events and c. 260 Ma Emeishan large igneous province. Combined with previous studies, we advocate that the investigated metavolcano–sedimentary suquence was most likely formed during the Late Permian in a mature back-arc basin of the Palaeo-Tethys ocean.
Does REDD+ have a chance? Implications from Pemba, Tanzania
Authors: Andrews Jeffrey B. , Caro Tim , Juma Ali Said , Collins Amy C. , Bakari Hamadi Bidawa , Sellieman Khamis Hassan , Mzee Abdi , Sharif Ngwali Assaa , Borgerhoff Mulder Monique
Published: April 2020

Conservation scientists continue to debate the strengths and weaknesses of REDD+ as an instrument to slow greenhouse gas emissions in the developing world. We propose that general positions on this debate are less helpful than drawing lessons from specific investigations into the features of individual projects that make them successful or not. Here, focusing on a site-specific REDD+ intervention in Pemba, Zanzibar (Tanzania), we examine the circumstances under which REDD+ has a chance of success, teasing out specific features of both REDD+ interventions and the socio-economic and institutional contexts that render REDD+ a potentially valuable complement to community forestry. Additionally, we highlight some unanticipated positive outcomes associated with the design features of REDD+ projects. Our broader goal is to move away from ideologically-driven debate to empirically-based identification of general conditions where REDD+ could work, and to provide policy recommendations.
A Comparison of the Greek ACE-III, M-ACE, ACE-R, MMSE, and ECAS in the Assessment and Identification of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Kourtesis Panagiotis , Margioti Eleni , Demenega Christina , Christidi Foteini , Abrahams Sharon
Published: April 2020

Objective:

This study aimed to adapt the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination-III (ACE-III) and Mini-Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination (M-ACE) into Greek and then to examine the convergent validity against their predecessors Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in a Greek population. Moreover, a primary aim was to appraise the utility of each screen by conducting a comparison of the psychometric properties of ACE-III, M-ACE, ACE-R, MMSE, and the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Screen (ECAS) in detecting Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Methods:

Forty patients with AD were recruited and matched with 38 controls. Bayesian Pearson’s correlation analysis was conducted to examine the convergent validity. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was implemented to appraise the sensitivity and specificity of the tests in detecting AD.

Results:

The ACE-III, M-ACE, and the ECAS scores robustly correlated with ACE-R and MMSE. The ACE-III and the ECAS-ALS Non-Specific score were the most sensitive and specific tools in detecting AD, closely followed by ECAS Total score and M-ACE. Only ECAS Total score correlated with the duration of disease. The ECAS scores were more resilient to ceiling effects than the other screens. M-ACE produced fewer ceiling effects than MMSE.

Conclusion:

The Greek ACE-III and M-ACE were successfully adapted and showed good convergent validity against their predecessors. They showed very good psychometric properties in detecting AD and may be considered in hectic clinical settings. ECAS Total score and ECAS-ALS Non-Specific showed comparable psychometric properties in the detection of AD and may be considered in polypathological clinics where motor impairments are common.
Cognitive Reserve Proxies Do Not Differentially Account for Cognitive Performance in Patients with Focal Frontal and Non-Frontal Lesions
Authors: MacPherson Sarah E. , Allerhand Michael , Gharooni Sarah , Smirni Daniela , Shallice Tim , Chan Edgar , Cipolotti Lisa
Published: April 2020

Objective:

Cognitive reserve (CR) suggests that premorbid efficacy, aptitude, and flexibility of cognitive processing can aid the brain’s ability to cope with change or damage. Our previous work has shown that age and literacy attainment predict the cognitive performance of frontal patients on frontal-executive tests. However, it remains unknown whether CR also predicts the cognitive performance of non-frontal patients.

Method:

We investigated the independent effect of a CR proxy, National Adult Reading Test (NART) IQ, as well as age and lesion group (frontal vs. non-frontal) on measures of executive function, intelligence, processing speed, and naming in 166 patients with focal, unilateral frontal lesions; 91 patients with focal, unilateral non-frontal lesions; and 136 healthy controls.

Results:

Fitting multiple linear regression models for each cognitive measure revealed that NART IQ predicted executive, intelligence, and naming performance. Age also signiﬁcantly predicted performance on the executive and processing speed tests. Finally, belonging to the frontal group predicted executive and naming performance, while membership of the non-frontal group predicted intelligence.

Conclusions:

These ﬁndings suggest that age, lesion group, and literacy attainment play independent roles in predicting cognitive performance following stroke or brain tumour. However, the relationship between CR and focal brain damage does not differ in the context of frontal and non-frontal lesions.