bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fibrinogen‐related protein, FGL2, of hamster cauda epididymal fluid: Purification, kinetic analysis of its prothrombinase activity, and its role in segregation of nonviable spermatozoa
Authors: Nagdas Subir K. , Wallace Shamar , Eaford Don , Baker Rashad , Carr Ky'ara , Raychoudhuri Samir S. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAlthough the epididymal environment promotes the maturation and survival of spermatozoa, not all spermatozoa remain viable during passage through the epididymis. Does the epididymis has a protective mechanism(s) to segregate the viable sperm from defective spermatozoa? Previously, we identified 260/280 kDa oligomers (termed eFGL—Epididymal Fibrinogen‐Like oligomer) are composed of two disulfide‐linked subunits: a 64 kDa polypeptide identified as fibrinogen‐like protein‐2 (FGL2) and a 33 kDa polypeptide identified as fibrinogen‐like protein‐1 (FGL1). Our morphological studies demonstrated that the eFGL, secreted from the principal cells of the cauda epididymis, is polymerized into a death cocoon‐like complex (DCF), masking defective luminal spermatozoa but, not the viable sperm population. In the present study, we purified FGL2 from hamster cauda epididymal fluid toward homogeneity and its prothrombinase catalytic activity was examined. Time‐course conversion studies revealed that all prothrombin was converted to thrombin by purified hamster FGL2. Our biochemical studies demonstrate that FGL2 is a lipid‐activated serine protease and functions as a lectin by binding specific carbohydrate residues. Co‐immunoprecipitation analysis demonstrated that FGL2 of cauda epididymal fluid is ubiquitinated but not the FGL1. We propose that FGL2/FGL1 oligomers represent a novel and unique mechanism to shield the viable sperm population from degenerating spermatozoa contained within the tubule lumen.
Walrasian equilibria from an optimization perspective: A guide to the literature
Authors: Bichler Martin , Fichtl Maximilian , Schwarz Gregor 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAn ideal market mechanism allocates resources efficiently such that welfare is maximized and sets prices in a way so that the outcome is in a competitive equilibrium and no participant wants to deviate. An important part of the literature discusses Walrasian equilibria and conditions for their existence. We use duality theory to investigate existence of Walrasian equilibria and optimization algorithms to describe auction designs for different market environments in a consistent mathematical framework that allows us to classify the key contributions in the literature and open problems. We focus on auctions with indivisible goods and prove that the relaxed dual winner determination problem is equivalent to the minimization of the Lyapunov function. This allows us to describe central auction designs from the literature in the framework of primal‐dual algorithms. We cover important properties for existence of Walrasian equilibria derived from discrete convex analysis, and provide open research questions.
Guide sheath breakage during endobronchial ultrasonography
Authors: Yanagihara Takahiro , Yamaoka Masatoshi , Kawakami Naoki , Onuki Takuya , Inagaki Masaharu 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThis report describes a case of guide sheath breakage during endobronchial ultrasonography. While steering the guide sheath in the direction of a peripheral lung nodule using a guiding device/curette, the radiopaque band (RB) attached to the head of the guide sheath dislodged and remained in the peripheral bronchus near the tumour. The band could not be removed endoscopically. As the tumour was diagnosed as a colon cancer metastasis, we performed a partial lung resection to remove the RB and nodule together four months after bronchoscopy.
Influence of Different Commercial Modified Cassava Starches on the Physicochemical Properties of Thermoplastic Edible Films Obtained by Flat‐Die Extrusion
Authors: Guz Lucas , González‐Seligra Paula , Ochoa‐Yepes Oswaldo , Estevez‐Areco Santiago , Famá Lucía , Goyanes Silvia 
Published: November 2020

AbstractStarch constitutes a promising resource for biodegradable packaging, but it presents several processing drawbacks when using conventional industrial equipment, such as flat‐die extrusion. This work demonstrates that the replacement of native cassava starch (NS) with commercial hydrolyzed (HS) or carboxymethyl (CMS) starches diminishes the amount of energy required to process starch granules into thermoplastic films by extrusion. Homogeneous films with starch‐glycerol interaction improvements are obtained when using HS or CMS instead of NS. HS films exhibit the lowest crystallinity and the highest susceptibility to water among the studied systems. Likewise, CMS films maximize Vh crystalline structure fraction and present higher Young's modulus and stress at break, and lower water vapor permeability values. In order to combine the positive properties and to overcome the limitations of each modified starch, blend films from HS:CMS (50:50 wt%) are also developed and investigated. Phase separation is observed in this system, and there are no improvements in the overall properties. The results of this investigation show that employing commercial CMS, even in very low carboxymethylation degree represents a successful strategy to improve mechanical and barrier properties of flat‐die extruded films, while HS can be used to obtain water‐soluble films for specific applications.
Remarks on infinite towers of gravitational memories
Authors: Mao Pujian 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
An infinite tower of gravitational memories was proposed in [1] by considering the matter-induced vacuum transition in the impulsive limit. We give an alternative realization of the infinite towers of gravitational memories in Newman-Penrose formalism. We also demonstrate that the memories at each order can be associated to the same supertranslation instead of infinite towers of supertranslations or superrotations.
Winkelstabile Plattenosteosynthese bei distalen periprothetischen Femurfrakturen
Authors: Gassner C. , Sommer F. , Rubenbauer B. , Keppler A. M. , Liesaus Y. , Prall W. C. , Kammerlander C. , Böcker W. , Fürmetz J. 
Published: November 2020

ZusammenfassungHintergrundDie Versorgung distaler periprothetischer Femurfrakturen (PFF) stellt aufgrund des geriatrischen Patientenkollektivs eine große interdisziplinäre Herausforderung dar und erfolgt (abhängig vom Frakturtyp) häufig mittels winkelstabiler Plattenosteosynthese (WPO), wobei bisher nur wenige Daten zum klinischen Outcome existieren. Ziel der Untersuchung ist die Identifikation von Risikofaktoren für ein schlechtes Outcome und erhöhte Mortalität.MethodenIn dieser retrospektiven Studie wurden 36 Fälle mit distaler PFF untersucht. Eingeschlossen wurden nur Versorgungen mit WPO. Neben relevanten Vorerkrankungen (ASA-Score, Charlson Index), der Frakturmorphologie und relevante Komplikationen, wurden u.a. die 1- und 3-Jahres-Mortalität, sowie das klinische Outcome mit Hilfe des Lysholm-Scores erfasst.ErgebnisseDie 1- und 3- Jahres Mortalität betrug 9% bzw. 26%, wobei dies ausschließlich ASA 3 und 4 Patienten betraf. Der Lysholm Score zeigte eine hohe Variabilität (65 ± 27 Punkte) mit höheren Werten in der ASA 1-2 Subgruppe (82 vs. 63 Punkte) aber unabhängig vom Frakturtyp. Als Risikofaktoren für die 3-Jahres Mortalität konnten der präoperative ASA-Score, der Charlson Komorbiditätsindex und das Patientenalter identifiziert werden.DiskussionDie dargestellte Fallserie weist eine hohe absolute Mortalitätsrate auf, auch wenn diese im Vergleich zu bisher publizierten Daten, etwas geringer war. Die Rate an Sekundärdislokationen, fehlender Frakturheilung oder Folgeoperationen war ebenfalls gering. Die WPO erscheint daher als geeignete Versorgung für Frakturen mit stabiler Prothese. Jedoch besteht eine hohe Variabilität im klinischen Outcome unabhängig vom Frakturtyp, sowie signifikant erhöhte Mortalitätsraten bei vorerkrankten Patienten.
Accreditation as a quality-improving policy tool: family planning, maternal health, and child health in Egypt
Authors: El-Shal Amira , Cubi-Molla Patricia , Jofre-Bonet Mireia 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAccreditation of healthcare providers has been established in many high-income countries and some low- and middle-income countries as a tool to improve the quality of health care. However, the available evidence on the effectiveness of this approach is limited and of questionable quality, especially in low- and middle-income countries. We exploit the interventions introduced under Egypt’s health sector reform program between 2000 and 2014 to estimate the effect of health facility accreditation on family planning, maternal health, and child health outcomes. We use difference-in-differences fixed-effects and propensity score matching difference-in-differences models. To do so, we spatially link women to their nearest mapped health facilities using their global positioning system coordinates. We find that accreditation had multiple positive effects, especially on delivery care and child morbidity prevalence. The effects appear to weaken over time though. Our findings suggest that facility accreditation can be effective in improving family planning, antenatal care, delivery care, and child health, but stress the need to study how the effects can be sustained.
Trends and variability of ocean waves under RCP8.5 emission scenario in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: De Leo Francesco , Besio Giovanni , Mentaschi Lorenzo 
Published: November 2020

AbstractWind-generated ocean waves are key inputs for several studies and applications, both near the coast (coastal vulnerability assessment, coastal structures design, harbor operativity) and off-shore (a.o. oil and gas production, ship routes, and navigation safety). As such, the evaluation of trends in future wave climate is fundamental for the development of efficient policies in the framework of climate change adaptation and mitigation measures. This study focuses on the Mediterranean Sea, an area of primary interest, since it plays a crucial role in the worldwide maritime transport and it is highly populated along all its coasts. We perform an analysis of wave climate changes using an ensemble of 7 models under emission scenario RCP8.5, over the entire Mediterranean basin. Future projections of wave climate and their variability are analyzed taking into account annual statistics of wave parameters, such as significant wave height, mean period, and mean direction. The results show, on average, a decreasing trend of significant wave height and mean period, while the wave directions may be characterized by a slight eastward shift.
A review of common practices in gravimetric and volumetric adsorption kinetic experiments
Authors: Wang Jin-Yu , Mangano Enzo , Brandani Stefano , Ruthven Douglas M. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe availability of commercial gravimetric and volumetric systems for the measurement of adsorption equilibrium has seen also a growth of the use of these instruments to measure adsorption kinetics. A review of publications from the past 20 years has been used to assess common practice in 180 cases. There are worrying trends observed, such as lack of information on the actual conditions used in the experiment and the fact that the analysis of the data is often based on models that do not apply to the experimental systems used. To provide guidance to users of these techniques this contribution is divided into two parts: a discussion of the appropriate models to describe diffusion in porous materials is presented for different gravimetric and volumetric systems, followed by a structured discussion of the main trends in common practice uncovered reviewing a large number of recent publications. We conclude with recommendations for best practice to avoid incorrect interpretation of these experiments.
What drives relocation policies in the Maldives?
Authors: Gussmann Geronimo , Hinkel Jochen 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe predominant responses to rising sea levels are in situ adaptations. However, increasing rates of sea-level rise will render ex situ adaptations—in the form of relocations—inevitable in some low-lying coastal zones. Particularly small island states like the Maldives face this significant adaptation challenge. Here, government action is necessary to move vulnerable communities out of flood-prone areas. Yet, little empirical knowledge exists about the governance of relocations. While the literature often highlights risks and benefits of relocations, it remains unclear how governments organized relocations and what drove relocation policy. Therefore, we examined Maldivian relocation policies from 1968 to 2018 to explain government support of relocations. For this, we used a qualitative research design and extended the multiple streams approach with the theoretical lens of historical institutionalism. To gather data, we conducted semi-structured interviews (n = 23) with relocation policy experts and locals affected by relocations. Interview data was complemented with a desk review of relevant laws, historical records, and policy documents. We find 29 completed and 25 failed cases of relocations in the 50-year period. Key drivers of relocation policies are focusing events, socioeconomic development, and institutionalized island autonomy. We find that relocations were predominantly initiated as means to facilitate economic development, not as a response to rising seas or coastal risk. With current rapid economic development and strengthened democratic institutions, relocations are not considered as a policy option anymore. We conclude that implementing relocations proactively will face significant barriers in the future, which highlights the urgency of successful in situ adaptations in the Maldives.
Bionic Bodies, Posthuman Violence and the Disembodied Criminal Subject
Authors: Gilani Sabrina 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThis article examines how the so-called disembodied criminal subject is given structure and form through the law of homicide and assault. By analysing how the body is materialised through the criminal law’s enactment of death and injury, this article suggests that the biological positioning of these harms of violence as uncontroversial, natural, and universal conditions of being ‘human’ cannot fully appreciate what makes violence wrongful for us, as embodied entities. Absent a theory of the body, and a consideration of corporeality, the criminal law risks marginalising, or altogether eliding, experiences of violence that do not align with its paradigmatic vision of what bodies can and must do when suffering its effects. Here I consider how the bionic body disrupts the criminal law’s understanding of human violence by being a body that is both organic and inorganic, and capable of experiencing and performing violence in unexpected ways. I propose that a criminal law that is more receptive to the changing, technologically mediated conditions of human existence would be one that takes the corporeal dimensions of violence more seriously and, as an extension of this, adopts an embodied, embedded, and relational understanding of human vulnerability to violence.
Edge-based analysis of networks: curvatures of graphs and hypergraphs
Authors: Eidi Marzieh , Farzam Amirhossein , Leal Wilmer , Samal Areejit , Jost Jürgen 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe relations, rather than the elements, constitute the structure of networks. We therefore develop a systematic approach to the analysis of networks, modelled as graphs or hypergraphs, that is based on structural properties of (hyper)edges, instead of vertices. For that purpose, we utilize so-called network curvatures. These curvatures quantify the local structural properties of (hyper)edges, that is, how, and how well, they are connected to others. In the case of directed networks, they assess the input they receive and the output they produce, and relations between them. With those tools, we can investigate biological networks. As examples, we apply our methods here to protein–protein interaction, transcriptional regulatory and metabolic networks.
Zerlegung des Arbeitsschutzes in der Fleischindustrie durch Werkverträge – und die Notwendigkeit integrativen Arbeitsschutzes
Authors: Kohte Wolfhard , Rabe-Rosendahl Cathleen 
Published: November 2020

ZusammenfassungDie katastrophalen Arbeitsbedingungen in der Fleischwirtschaft sind nicht erst seit der Corona-Pandemie bekannt, jedoch erwiesen sich in diesem Frühjahr insbesondere Schlachthöfe als Hotspots der Sars-CoV-2-Verbreitung. Die Bundesregierung hat im Sommer dieses Jahres einen Entwurf für ein Arbeitsschutzkontrollgesetz vorgelegt. Der Gesetzesentwurf sieht unter anderem ein Verbot des Einsatzes von Werkverträgen und Leiharbeit im Kernbereich der Fleischwirtschaft ab 1. Januar bzw 1. April 2021 vor.Der vorliegende Artikel zeichnet die Versäumnisse der letzten Jahre nach und zeigt, warum in Fremdbeschäftigungskonstellationen die wichtige zwischenbetriebliche Kooperation im Arbeitsschutz in der Fleischindustrie kein Erfolgsmodell darstellen kann, da sich in der Fleischindustrie die Werkunternehmen in Bezug auf den Arbeitsschutz nicht durchsetzungsfähig und –willig sind. Der Beitrag beleuchtet, warum die Organisationspflichten des Betriebsinhabers ausschlaggebend für die Einhaltung nationaler und unionsrechtlicher Arbeitsschutz- und Lebensmittelhygienevorschriften ist und letztlich durch die Arbeitsschutzaufsichtsbehörden kontrolliert werden müssen. Der Beitrag unterstützt die Ziele des Gesetzentwurfs, doch ist zum Zeitpunkt des Redaktionsschlusses (16.11.2020) noch offen, ob der Entwurf ohne substantielle Verschlechterungen im Bundestag beschlossen wird.
Neural and Hormonal Correlates of Sexual Arousal in Transgender Persons
Authors: Mueller Sven C. , Wierckx Katrien , T'Sjoen Guy 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
Whereas mounting work has begun to document the neural correlates underlying sexual arousal (SA) in humans, the associations between gender identity and the brain correlates of SA as well as their hormonal contributions remain unknown.

Aim
This study investigated neural activation to sexual arousal in transgender and cisgender persons.

Methods
20 transgender men and 19 transgender women (TW) already living in their identified gender were compared to 21 cisgender men (CM) and 19 cisgender women. Participants viewed erotic and neutral video clips while undergoing 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging.

Outcomes
Group-specific brain activation, brain functional connectivity, and brain-hormone associations within the neurophenomenological model of sexual arousal (Stoleru et al, 2012).

Results
Consistent with the model, participants activated most of its components. However, between-group differences were mostly showing larger activation for CM relative to any of the other 3 groups. Moreover, functional connectivity analyses (psychophysiological interactions) indicated unique patterns for CM, cisgender women, and TW in how different components of SA communicated with one another. Finally, androgens in transgender men and estrogens in TW correlated negatively with parietal cortex and primary (sensori-) motor regions, respectively, while CM showed positive correlations of androgens with parietal cortex, somatosensory regions, and the insula.

Clinical Implications
Data provide information on neurobiological changes in sexual arousal during treatment with gender-affirming hormone therapy.

Strengths & Limitations
Although a limitation is the lack of pretreatment data, the present study provides comprehensive information including brain activation, functional connectivity, and hormonal associations in a large sample.

Conclusions
The results highlight a complex picture of the neural correlates of SA in gender identity and sex assigned at birth.
Outcomes of RestoreX Penile Traction Therapy in Men with Peyronie’s Disease: Results from Open Label and Follow-Up Phases
Authors: Joseph Jason , Ziegelmann Matthew J. , Alom Manaf , Savage Joshua , Köhler Tobias S. , Trost Landon 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
A randomized, controlled clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of RestoreX traction therapy in men with Peyronie’s disease (PD) has been completed, with the 3-month results previously reported. The present study presents outcomes from the open-label and follow-up phases of the original trial.

Aim
To report 6-month (open-label phase) and 9-month (follow-up phase) outcomes from a randomized, controlled trial (NCT03389854).

Methods
A randomized controlled trial was performed from 2017 to 2019 in 110 all-comer men with PD. Men were randomized 3:1 to RestoreX (PTT) or no therapy (control) for 3 months, followed by 3-month open-label and follow-up phases. Key outcomes included adverse events (AEs), changes in penile curvature and length, erectile function, and standardized and nonstandardized assessments of PD.

Outcomes
The primary outcomes are safety, penile length, penile curvature, Peyronie’s Disease Questionnaire, International Index of Erectile Function, and satisfaction.

Results
6-month (n = 64) and 9-month (n = 63) outcomes were reported, with a mean duration of PTT use of 31.1 minutes. No significant AEs were reported, with temporary erythema and discomfort being most common and resolving within minutes. On intent-to-treat analysis, control-to-PTT men experienced significant length (1.7–2.0 cm) and curvature improvements (18–20%). PTT-to-PTT men also achieved additional length (0.6–0.8 cm) without further curvature improvements. An as-treated analysis of PTT use ≥15 minute/day demonstrated 2.0- to 2.3-cm length gains (largest of any PTT to date) and 18–21% curve improvement. All sexual function domains of the International Index of Erectile Function and Peyronie’s Disease Questionnaire were significantly improved (except orgasmic domain). 95% of men treated for 6 months experienced length gains (mean 2.0–2.2 cm), and 61% had curve improvements (16.8–21.4° [32.8–35.8%]). RestoreX was preferred 3–4:1 over all other PD treatments, and 100% preferred it over other PTT devices.

Clinical Implications
Use of RestoreX 30 minutes daily results in significant length and curve improvements in PD men without significant AEs.

Strengths & Limitations
Strengths include largest randomized study of PTT, blinded assessments, and inclusion of all-comers with few restrictions; limitations include sample size that precludes comparisons between treatment cohorts and lack of long-duration (&gt;3–9 hours) treatment arm.

Conclusion
PTT with RestoreX results in significant improvements in length, curve, and subjective and objective measures of sexual function without significant AEs. RestoreX PTT represents a safe, conservative, low-cost option for managing men with PD.
Palaeopathology
Authors: Waldron Tony 
Published: November 2020

Palaeopathology is an evidence-based guide to the principal types of pathological lesions often found in human remains and how to diagnose them. Tony Waldron presents an innovative method of arriving at a diagnosis in the skeleton by applying what he refers to as 'operational definitions'. The method ensures that those who study bones will use the same criteria for diagnosing disease, thereby enabling valid comparisons to be made between studies. Waldron's book is based on modern clinical knowledge and provides background information on the natural history of bone disease. In addition, the volume demonstrates how results from studies should be analysed, methods of determining the frequency of disease, and other types of epidemiological analysis. This edition includes new chapters on the development of palaeopathology, basic concepts, health and disease, diagnosis, and spinal pathology. Chapters on analysis and interpretation have been thoroughly revised and enlarged.