bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of Allergen Immunotherapy in Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Drazdauskaitė Gabija , Layhadi Janice A. , Shamji Mohamed H. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPurpose of ReviewAllergic rhinitis (AR) is a chronic inflammatory immunoglobulin (Ig) E-mediated disease of the nasal mucosa that can be triggered by the inhalation of seasonal or perennial allergens. Typical symptoms include sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal itching, nasal congestion and symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. AR affects a quarter of the population in the United States of America and Europe.Recent FindingsAR has been shown to reduce work productivity in 36–59% of the patients with 20% reporting deteriorated job attendance. Moreover, 42% of children with AR report reduced at-school productivity and lower grades. Most importantly, AR impacts the patient’s quality of life, due to sleep deprivation. However, a proportion of patients fails to respond to conventional medication and opts for the allergen immunotherapy (AIT), which currently is the only disease-modifying therapeutic option. AIT can be administered by either subcutaneous (SCIT) or sublingual (SLIT) route. Both routes of administration are safe, effective, and can lead to tolerance lasting years after treatment cessation. Both innate and adaptive immune responses that contribute to allergic inflammation are suppressed by AIT. Innate responses are ameliorated by reducing local mast cell, basophil, eosinophil, and circulating group 2 innate lymphoid cell frequencies which is accompanied by decreased basophil sensitivity. Induction of allergen-specific blocking antibodies, immunosuppressive cytokines, and regulatory T and B cell phenotypes are key pro-tolerogenic adaptive immune responses.ConclusionA comprehensive understanding of these mechanisms is necessary for optimal selection of AIT-responsive patients and monitoring treatment efficacy. Moreover, it could inspire novel and more efficient AIT approaches.
Locus Coeruleus Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Neurological Diseases
Authors: Galgani Alessandro , Lombardo Francesco , Della Latta Daniele , Martini Nicola , Bonuccelli Ubaldo , Fornai Francesco , Giorgi Filippo Sean 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Purpose of Review
Locus coeruleus (LC) is the main noradrenergic nucleus of the brain, and its degeneration is considered to be key in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. In the last 15 years,MRI has been used to assess LC in vivo, both in healthy subjects and in patients suffering from neurological disorders. In this review, we summarize the main findings of LC-MRI studies, interpreting them in light of preclinical and histopathological data, and discussing its potential role as diagnostic and experimental tool.

Recent findings
LC-MRI findings were largely in agreement with neuropathological evidences; LC signal showed to be not significantly affected during normal aging and to correlate with cognitive performances. On the contrary, a marked reduction of LC signal was observed in patients suffering from neurodegenerative disorders, with specific features.

Summary
LC-MRI is a promising tool, which may be used in the future to explore LC pathophysiology as well as an early biomarker for degenerative diseases.
Rethinking the Anti-FGM Zero-Tolerance Policy: from Intellectual Concerns to Empirical Challenges
Authors: O’Neill Sarah , Bader Dina , Kraus Cynthia , Godin Isabelle , Abdulcadir Jasmine , Alexander Sophie 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPurpose of ReviewBased on the discussions of a symposium co-organized by the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) and the University of Lausanne (UNIL) in Brussels in 2019, this paper critically reflects upon the zero-tolerance strategy on “Female Genital Mutilation” (FGM) and its socio-political, legal and moral repercussions. We ask whether the strategy is effective given the empirical challenges highlighted during the symposium, and also whether it is credible.Recent FindingsThe anti-FGM zero-tolerance policy, first launched in 2003, aims to eliminate all types of “female genital mutilation” worldwide. The FGM definition of the World Health Organization condemns all forms of genital cutting (FGC) on the basis that they are harmful and degrading to women and infringe upon their rights to physical integrity. Yet, the zero-tolerance policy only applies to traditional and customary forms of genital cutting and not to cosmetic alterations of the female genitalia. Recent publications have shown that various popular forms of cosmetic genital surgery remove the same tissue as some forms of “FGM”. In response to the zero-tolerance policy, national laws banning traditional forms of FGC are enforced and increasingly scrutinize the performance of FGC as well as non-invasive rituals that are culturally meaningful to migrants. At the same time, cosmetic procedures such as labiaplasty have become more popular than ever before and are increasingly performed on adolescents.SummaryThis review shows that the socio-legal and ethical inconsistencies between “FGM” and cosmetic genital modification pose concrete dilemmas for professionals in the field that need to be addressed and researched.
The Importance of Realism, Character, and Genre: How Theatre Can Support the Creation of Likeable Sociable Robots
Authors: LePage Louise 
Published: December 2020

AbstractStage plays, theories of theatre, narrative studies, and robotics research can serve to identify, explore, and interrogate theatrical elements that support the effective performance of sociable humanoid robots. Theatre, including its parts of performance, aesthetics, character, and genre, can also reveal features of human–robot interaction key to creating humanoid robots that are likeable rather than uncanny. In particular, this can be achieved by relating Mori's (1970/2012) concept of total appearance to realism. Realism is broader and more subtle in its workings than is generally recognised in its operationalization in studies that focus solely on appearance. For example, it is complicated by genre. A realistic character cast in a detective drama will convey different qualities and expectations than the same character in a dystopian drama or romantic comedy. The implications of realism and genre carry over into real life. As stage performances and robotics studies reveal, likeability depends on creating aesthetically coherent representations of character, where all the parts coalesce to produce a socially identifiable figure demonstrating predictable behaviour.
Early hemodynamic changes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patients with severe aortic stenosis measured by invasive pressure volume loop analysis
Authors: Seppelt Philipp Christian , De Rosa Roberta , Mas-Peiro Silvia , Zeiher Andreas Michael , Vasa-Nicotera Mariuca 
Published: December 2020

AbstractReplacement of a stenotic aortic valve reduces immediately the ventricular to aortic gradient and is expected to improve diastolic and systolic left ventricular function over the long term. However, the hemodynamic changes immediately after valve implantation are so far poorly understood. Within this pilot study, we performed an invasive pressure volume loop analysis to describe the early hemodynamic changes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with self-expandable prostheses. Invasive left ventricular pressure volume loop analysis was performed in 8 patients with aortic stenosis (mean 81.3 years) prior and immediately after transfemoral TAVI with a self-expandable valve system (St. Jude Medical Portico Valve). Parameters for global hemodynamics, afterload, contractility and the interaction of the cardiovascular system were analyzed. Left ventricular ejection fraction, (53.9% vs. 44.8%,p = 0.018), preload recruitable stroke work (68.5 vs. 44.8 mmHg,p = 0.012) and end-systolic elastance (3.55 vs. 2.17,p = 0.036) both marker for myocardial contractility declined significantly compared to baseline. As sign of impaired diastolic function, TAU, a preload-independent measure of isovolumic relaxation (37.3 vs. 41.8 ms,p = 0.018) and end-diastolic pressure (13.1 vs. 16.4 mmHg,p = 0.015) raised after valve implantation. Contrarily, a smaller ratio of end-systolic to arterial elastance (ventricular-arterial coupling) indicates an improvement of global cardiovascular energy efficiency (1.40 vs. 0.97p = 0.036). Arterial elastance had a strong correlation with the number of conducted rapid ventricular pacings (Pearson correlation coefficient,r = 0.772,p = 0.025). Invasive left ventricular pressure volume loop analysis revealed impaired systolic and diastolic function in the early phase after TAVI with self-expandable valve for the treatment of severe aortic stenosis. Contrarily, we found indications for early improvement of global cardiovascular energy efficiency.
Material selection and testing of composite panels made of glass and fibre-reinforced plastic
Authors: Joachim Alina , Wünsch Jan , Weller Bernhard 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe trend in modern architecture towards high-quality building envelopes is continuing. Due to its high surface quality and the broad colour spectrum, enamelled glass is used for weather protection and as a design element. The novel elements discussed in this paper do not require any sealant or adhesive since the fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) layer is directly applied on the rear glass surface. On the one hand, the applied polymer provides a matrix for embedding the fibres and on the other hand, it provides an adhesive bond to the glass. Therefore, no additional bonding process is required. The combination of both materials enables a full composite action. The novel material combination utilises the positive characteristics of each material. The high durability of glass provides protection against environmental impacts and the FRP provides an enhanced load-bearing behaviour. This paper presents the choice of suitable materials for FRP and gives an insight into the experimental testing of the novel material combination. This shows that the glass contributes to the load transfer in the system due to the significant coupling effects.
The impact of multilevel referral system in patients with peritonitis in Indonesia: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Hipolitus Damianus , Fauzi Aditya Rifqi , Handaya Adeodatus Yuda , Barmawi Agus , Seswandhana Muhammad Rosadi 
Published: December 2020

ABSTRACT

Background:
Peritonitis requires emergency surgery, and delays in treatment can lead to death. We aimed to determine the correlation between the periods from onset to hospital admission with postoperative mortality for patients with peritonitis and to compare it with the effect of national health insurance implementation.

Methods:
This study was a cross-sectional study conducted at a tertiary health center in Indonesia. We ascertained 150 patients with peritonitis from January 2012–December 2015.

Results:
One hundred and fifty patients were ascertained, including 72 patients before National Health Insurance (NHI) era and 78 patients after the NHI era (Males: 90 vs females: 60). The most frequent age group was age 46–65 years (44.67%). The period between onsets to hospital mainly occurred within 24–72 h (42%). Most of the patients had some comorbidity with one or more diseases (52.67%). Mortality was found in as many as 61 people (40.67%). The highest etiology of peritonitis was appendix perforation (28%) and gastric perforation (22%). Mortality was most common in the period between onset to time treated within 24–72 h (N:35; 23.33%) (P < 0.05). Before the NHI era, the period between onset to time treated was mostly after > 72 h (18.66%), whereas after the NHI era it was mostly within 24–72 h (25.33%) (p < 0.05).

Conclusion:
The multilevel referral system implemented in the NHI era significantly affects the time-to-treat and outcome of patients with peritonitis.

Highlights
Policy priority inference: A computational framework to analyze the allocation of resources for the sustainable development goals
Authors: Guerrero Omar A. , Castañeda Gonzalo 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWe build a computational framework to support the planning of development and the evaluation of budgetary strategies toward the 2030 Agenda. The methodology takes into account some of the complexities of the political economy underpinning the policymaking process: the multidimensionality of development, the interlinkages between these dimensions, and the inefficiencies of policy interventions, as well as institutional factors that promote or discourage these inefficiencies. The framework is scalable and usable even with limited publicly available information: development-indicator data. However, it can be further refined as more data becomes available, for example, on public expenditure. We demonstrate its usage through an application for the Mexican federal government. For this, we infer historical policy priorities, that is, the non-observable allocations of transformative resources that generated past changes in development indicators. We also show how to use the tool to assess the feasibility of development goals, to measure policy coherence, and to identify accelerators. Overall, the framework and its computational tools allow policymakers and other stakeholders to embrace a complexity (and a quantitative) view to tackle the challenges of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Subduction zone processes and crustal growth mechanisms at Pacific Rim convergent margins: modern and ancient analogues
Authors: Dilek Yildirim , Ogawa Yujiro 
Published: December 2020

AbstractContinents grow mainly through magmatism, relamination, accretionary prism development, sediment underplating, tectonic accretion of seamounts, oceanic plateaus and oceanic lithosphere, and collisions of island arcs at convergent margins. The modern Pacific–Rim subduction zone environments present a natural laboratory to examine the nature of these processes. The papers in this special issue focus on the: (1) modern and ancient accretionary margins of Japan; (2) arc–continent collision zone in the Taiwan orogenic belt; (3) accreting versus non-accreting convergent margins of the Americas; and (4) several examples of ancient convergent margins of East Asia. Subduction erosion and sediment underplating are important processes, affecting the melt evolution of arc magmas by giving them special crustal isotopic characteristics. Oblique arc–continent collisions cause strong deformation partitioning that results in orogen-parallel extension, crustal exhumation and wrench faulting in the hinterland, and thrust faulting–folding in the foreland. Trench-parallel widths of subducting slabs exert major control on slab geometries, the degree of coupling–decoupling between the lower and upper plates, and subduction velocity partitioning. An initially large width of the subducting Palaeo-Pacific Plate against East Asia caused flat subduction and resistance to slab rollback during the Triassic Period. These conditions resulted in shortening across SE China. Foundering and delamination of the flat slab during the Early Jurassic Epoch led to slab segmentation and reduced slab widths, followed by slab steepening and rollback. This pull-away tectonics induced lithospheric extension and magmatism in SE China during Late Jurassic – Cretaceous time. Melting of subducted carbonaceous sediments commonly produces networks of silicate veins in CLM that may subsequently undergo partial melting, producing ultrapotassic magmas.
ASSESSING AFRICAN REGIONAL INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS AND INVESTOR–STATE DISPUTE SETTLEMENT
Authors: Qumba Mmiselo Freedom 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis article examines the rejection of the International Investor–State dispute (ISDS) system across the African continent and its replacement with a range of domestic and regional alternatives. It assesses the advantages of the two principal options for African countries: retaining the current ISDS system, or using local courts and regional tribunals. To this end, the dispute resolution mechanisms proposed in the Pan-African Investment Code, the 2016 Southern African Development Community Finance and Investment Protocol, the SADC model BIT, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, Economic Community of West African States and East African Community investment agreements and domestic approaches are critically examined. The argument is then advanced that African countries should not abandon ISDS because replacing it with isolated domestic or regional mechanisms does not reduce any of the risks. In particular, for foreign investors, the risk associated with the adjudication of investment disputes in potentially biased, politically influenced domestic courts may prove too high. African host nations, in turn, risk sending out the wrong message concerning their commitment to the protection of foreign investments. Instead of veering off course, perhaps the time has come for African States to display the political will to remain within the ISDS system and contribute to its reform from within.
Does where mothers live matter? Regional variations in factors influencing place of child delivery in Nigeria
Authors: Alabi Tunde A. , Atinge Sonnen , Ejim Chibuike , Adejoh Samuel O. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractUtilization of health care facilities for child delivery is associated with improved maternal and neonatal outcomes, but less than half of mothers use these for child delivery in Nigeria. This study investigated the factors associated with facility delivery in Nigeria, and their variation between the Northern and Southern parts of the country – two regions with distinct socio-cultural make-ups. The study included 33,924 mothers aged 15–49 who had given birth in the last 5 years preceding the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. Overall, higher age, being educated, being a Christian, being an urban resident, being exposed to mass media, making joint decisions with partner on health care, beginning antenatal visits in the first trimester and attending antenatal clinics frequently were found to be associated with improved use of a health care facility for child delivery. An average mother in Northern Nigeria had a 38% chance of having a facility-based delivery, whereas the likelihood in the South was 76%. When other factors were adjusted for, age and listening to the radio were significant predictors of facility-based delivery in the South but not in the North. In the North, Christians were more likely than Muslims to have a facility-based delivery, but the reverse was true in the South. Rural women in the South had a 16% greater chance of having a facility-based delivery than urban women in the North. The study results suggest that there is inequality in access to health care facilities in Nigeria, and the differences in the socio-cultural make-up of the two regions suggest that uniform intervention programmes may not yield similar results across the regions. The findings give credence to, and expand on, the Cosmopolitan-Success and Conservative-Failure Hypothesis.
Neolithic & Bronze Age Epirus revisited
Authors: Vasileiou Eleni 
Published: December 2020

This paper presents a thorough review of new data and research on the Neolithic and Bronze Age periods in Epirus. It correlates new with old material in an attempt to outline the situation in Epirus and to highlight the region’s peculiarities. These peculiarities make Epirus attractive for scholars and at the same time set it apart from the rest of Greece. The ultimate goal is to reconsider Epirus’ position in the field of Greek and European prehistory more broadly.In memory of my beloved father Dimitris
Analyses of Visuospatial and Visuoperceptual Errors as Predictors of Dementia in Parkinson’s Disease Patients with Subjective Cognitive Decline and Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Galtier Iván , Nieto Antonieta , Mata María , Lorenzo Jesús N. , Barroso José 
Published: December 2020

ABSTRACTObjective:Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) are considered as the risk factors for dementia (PDD). Posterior cortically based functions, such as visuospatial and visuoperceptual (VS-VP) processing, have been described as predictors of PDD. However, no investigations have focused on the qualitative analysis of the Judgment of Line Orientation Test (JLOT) and the Facial Recognition Test (FRT) in PD-SCD and PD-MCI. The aim of this work was to study the VS-VP errors in JLOT and FRT. Moreover, these variables are considered as predictors of PDD.Method:Forty-two PD patients and 19 controls were evaluated with a neuropsychological protocol. Patients were classified as PD-SCD and PD-MCI. Analyses of errors were conducted following the procedure described by Ska, Poissant, and Joanette (1990). Follow-up assessment was conducted to a mean of 7.5 years after the baseline.Results:PD-MCI patients showed a poor performance in JLOT and FRT total score and made a greater proportion of severe intraquadrant (QO2) and interquadrant errors (IQO). PD-SCD showed a poor performance in FRT and made mild errors in JLOT. PD-MCI and QO2/IQO errors were independent risk factors for PDD during the follow-up. Moreover, the combination of both PD-MCI diagnosis and QO2/IQO errors was associated with a greater risk.Conclusions:PD-MCI patients presented a greater alteration in VS-VP processing observable by the presence of severe misjudgments. PD-SCD patients also showed mild difficulties in VS-SP functions. Finally, QO2/IQO errors in PD-MCI are a useful predictor of PDD, more than PD-MCI diagnosis alone.
The missing link in Spanish heritage trill production
Authors: Repiso-Puigdelliura Gemma , Kim Ji Young 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWhile heritage language phonology has attracted a great deal of attention, little is known about the development of heritage phonological grammars. This study examines the production of the Spanish trill /r/ by school-aged (9-10 years) and adult heritage speakers. Results showed that the adult heritage speakers produced the trill in a more target-like manner than the child heritage speakers, although half of them diverged from non-heritage native baselines reported in other studies. Further analysis of the distribution of trill variants suggests that heritage Spanish trill development occurs in the order of single lingual constriction → frication → multiple lingual constrictions. However, instead of abandoning variants of early stages, some adult heritage speakers kept them in their trill inventories, demonstrating increased variability. Our findings indicate that 9- to 10-year-old heritage speakers are still in the process of developing heritage phonological grammars and even during adulthood their grammars may not reach stability.