bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pain induces stable, active microcircuits in the somatosensory cortex that provide a therapeutic target
Authors: Okada Takuya , Kato Daisuke , Nomura Yuki , Obata Norihiko , Quan Xiangyu , Morinaga Akihito , Yano Hajime , Guo Zhongtian , Aoyama Yuki , Tachibana Yoshihisa , Moorhouse Andrew J. , Matoba Osamu , Takiguchi Tetsuya , Mizobuchi Satoshi , Wake Hiroaki
Published: March 2021

Upregulation of N-type Ca
2+
channel dependent subunits increases functional connections and synchronization for pain formation.
Persistent repression of tau in the brain using engineered zinc finger protein transcription factors
Authors: Wegmann Susanne , DeVos Sarah L. , Zeitler Bryan , Marlen Kimberly , Bennett Rachel E. , Perez-Rando Marta , MacKenzie Danny , Yu Qi , Commins Caitlin , Bannon Riley N. , Corjuc Bianca T. , Chase Alison , Diez Lisa , Nguyen Hoang-Oanh B. , Hinkley Sarah , Zhang Lei , Goodwin Alicia , Ledeboer Annemarie , Lam Stephen , Ankoudinova Irina , Tran Hung , Scarlott Nicholas , Amora Rainier , Surosky Richard , Miller Jeffrey C. , Robbins Ashley B. , Rebar Edward J. , Urnov Fyodor D. , Holmes Michael C. , Pooler Amy M. , Riley Brigit , Zhang H. Steve , Hyman Bradley T.
Published: March 2021

Zinc finger proteins targeted to
MAPT
safely repress tau mRNA in the adult mouse brain and protect against Aβ toxicity.
Lack of support for Deuterostomia prompts reinterpretation of the first Bilateria
Authors: Kapli Paschalia , Natsidis Paschalis , Leite Daniel J. , Fursman Maximilian , Jeffrie Nadia , Rahman Imran A. , Philippe Hervé , Copley Richard R. , Telford Maximilian J.
Published: March 2021

The deuterostome animal groups (Chordata and Xenambulacraria) may not be each other’s closest relatives.
The evolution of pelvic limb muscle moment arms in bird-line archosaurs
Authors: Allen V. R. , Kilbourne B. M. , Hutchinson J. R.
Published: March 2021

Biomechanical modeling shows that archosaur leg muscle leverage evolved gradually, yet with a Jurassic pulse of specialization.
Resilient three-dimensional ordered architectures assembled from nanoparticles by DNA
Authors: Majewski Pawel W. , Michelson Aaron , Cordeiro Marco A. L. , Tian Cheng , Ma Chunli , Kisslinger Kim , Tian Ye , Liu Wenyan , Stach Eric A. , Yager Kevin G. , Gang Oleg
Published: March 2021

Resilient silica-nanoparticle lattices organized by DNA withstand harsh temperature, pressure and radiation conditions.
Reversible 3D-2D structural phase transition and giant electronic modulation in nonequilibrium alloy semiconductor, lead-tin-selenide
Authors: Katase Takayoshi , Takahashi Yudai , He Xinyi , Tadano Terumasa , Ide Keisuke , Yoshida Hideto , Kawachi Shiro , Yamaura Jun-ichi , Sasase Masato , Hiramatsu Hidenori , Hosono Hideo , Kamiya Toshio
Published: March 2021

3D-2D structural phase transition is artificially induced to invoke giant electronic modulation in nonequilibrium (Pb

1−
x

Sn

x

)Se.
Shock metamorphism in samples from the Shili impact structure (Kazakhstan) and discussion of its size and age
Authors: Ferrière* Ludovic , Rajpriye Siddharth , Sapozhnikov Pavel , Baimagambetov Baurzhan
Published: March 2021

Four impact structures are known from the Republic of Kazakhstan, most of which have been poorly studied. This includes the Shili impact structure, an ~1.5-km-wide circular feature visible in satellite imagery. It is located in the western part of Kazakhstan, in the Aktobe Region, where the structure is centered at 49°10.5′N and 57°50′E. While the structure was first considered to be a salt diapir, its impact origin was confirmed in 1989 based on the findings of rare shocked quartz grains and a few poorly developed “shatter cones.” In this contribution, we report the results of a field campaign and a detailed petrographic investigation of 15 quartz sandstone samples. We confirm the presence of rare shocked quartz grains with planar fractures (PFs) and planar deformation features (PDFs). The characterization of shocked quartz allows us to not only confirm the impact origin of the structure, but also to estimate a shock pressure of at least 16 GPa (with a local peak-shock pressure of at least 20 GPa) for some of the rocks now outcropping at the surface. Signs of postimpact hydrothermal alteration include the decoration of many of the PDFs and the occurrence of fractures filled with secondary silica in a few samples. The name and some statistics commonly reported for this structure are also discussed. We suggest the structure be referred as “Shili,” after the name of a nearby river and also that of a phytonym. The minimum original diameter of the Shili impact crater is estimated at ~4–5 km based on a minimum central uplift diameter of 1 km. An early Eocene to Pliocene age for the formation of the Shili impact structure is inferred based on stratigraphy.
Supplemental Material: Detrital zircons from Late Paleozoic Ice Age sequences in Victoria Land (Antarctica): New constraints on the glaciation of southern Gondwana
Authors: Zurli Luca , Cornamusini Gianluca
Published: March 2021

Raw laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) analysis and detrital zircon grain shape characterization of the late Paleozoic diamictite samples from Victoria Land, Antarctica.
Sharing a household with children and risk of COVID-19: a study of over 300 000 adults living in healthcare worker households in Scotland
Authors: Wood Rachael , Thomson Emma , Galbraith Robert , Gribben Ciara , Caldwell David , Bishop Jennifer , Reid Martin , Shah Anoop S V , Templeton Kate , Goldberg David , Robertson Chris , Hutchinson Sharon J , Colhoun Helen M , McKeigue Paul M , McAllister David A
Published: March 2021

Objective

Children are relatively protected from COVID-19, due to a range of potential mechanisms. We investigated if contact with children also affords adults a degree of protection from COVID-19.

Design

Cohort study based on linked administrative data.

Setting

Scotland.

Study population

All National Health Service Scotland healthcare workers and their household contacts as of March 2020.

Main exposure

Number of young children (0–11 years) living in the participant’s household.

Main outcomes

COVID-19 requiring hospitalisation, and any COVID-19 (any positive test for SARS-CoV-2) in adults aged ≥18 years between 1 March and 12 October 2020.

Results

241 266, 41 198, 23 783 and 3850 adults shared a household with 0, 1, 2 and 3 or more young children, respectively. Over the study period, the risk of COVID-19 requiring hospitalisation was reduced progressively with increasing numbers of household children—fully adjusted HR (aHR) 0.93 per child (95% CI 0.79 to 1.10). The risk of any COVID-19 was similarly reduced, with the association being statistically significant (aHR per child 0.93; 95% CI 0.88 to 0.98). After schools reopened to all children in August 2020, no association was seen between exposure to young children and risk of any COVID-19 (aHR per child 1.03; 95% CI 0.92 to 1.14).

Conclusion

Between March and October 2020, living with young children was associated with an attenuated risk of any COVID-19 and COVID-19 requiring hospitalisation among adults living in healthcare worker households. There was no evidence that living with young children increased adults’ risk of COVID-19, including during the period after schools reopened.
Recurrent Kimura’s disease of head and neck treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy
Authors: Venkatasai Jeyaanth , Sathyamurthy Arvind , Ramireddy Jeba Karunya , Ram Thomas Samuel
Published: March 2021

Kimura’s disease (KD) is a rare, chronic inflammatory disorder of unknown aetiology, which commonly affects men of the Asian race. Here, we present a case capsule of a 39- year-old man with KD of the left cheek, managed initially by surgery alone. He developed local recurrence after 6 months and was treated with steroids and isotretinoin. Eventually, steroids were discontinued due to toxicity and the lesion progressively increased in size. The patient was successfully treated using intensity-modulated radiotherapy with simultaneous integrated boost as a primary modality with minimal adverse effects. The patient has good local control and cosmetic outcome with no radiation-related toxicity at a follow-up period of 28 months.
Rare case of plasmablastic myeloma diagnosed on lung biopsy
Authors: Ayeboa-Sallah Benjamin , Qutab Saad , Grace Richard , Sharma Neel
Published: March 2021

Plasmablastic myeloma is a rare variant of multiple myeloma characterised by neoplastic proliferation of single clone of plasma cells producing monoclonal immunoglobulins. A 60-year-old man presented to hospital with a 6-week history of chest pain, back pain, leg weakness and numbness. Imaging revealed a 75 mm left lobular lung mass with chest wall invasion, metastatic bony and soft-tissue deposits and spinal cord compression at T5 level. Lung biopsy, for suspected metastatic lung cancer, surprisingly showed features of plasmablastic myeloma. Protein electrophoresis demonstrated 2 g/L of IgG lambda paraproteinaemia and an increase in lambda light chains with reduced kappa/lambda ratio of 0.01. Bone marrow biopsy did not show evidence of infiltration by disease. The patient received radiotherapy to the spine; responded to third-line chemotherapy and received autologous stem cell transplant. This case adds to the rare causes of lung mass and is the first reported case of plasmablastic myeloma diagnosed on lung biopsy.
Retinal microvascular signs in COVID-19
Authors: Sim Ralene , Cheung Gemmy , Ting Daniel , Wong Edmund , Wong Tien Yin , Yeo Ian , Wong Chee Wai
Published: March 2021

Background/aims

To explore if retinal findings are associated with COVID-19 infection.

Methods

In this prospective cross-sectional study, we recruited participants positive for COVID-19 by nasopharyngeal swab, with no medical history. Subjects underwent retinal imaging with an automated imaging device (3D OCT-1 Maestro, Topcon, Tokyo, Japan) to obtain colour fundus photographs (CFP) and optical coherence tomographic (OCT) scans of the macula. Data on personal biodata, medical history and vital signs were collected from electronic medical records.

Results

108 patients were recruited. Mean age was 36.0±5.4 years. 41 (38.0%) had symptoms of acute respiratory infection (ARI) at presentation. Of 216 eyes, 25 (11.6%) had retinal signs—eight (3.7%) with microhaemorrhages, six (2.8%) with retinal vascular tortuosity and two (0.93%) with cotton wool spots (CWS). 11 eyes (5.1%) had hyper-reflective plaques in the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer layer on OCT, of which two also had retinal signs visible on CFP (CWS and microhaemorrhage, respectively). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of retinal signs in symptomatic versus asymptomatic patients (12 (15.0%) vs 13 (9.6%), p=0.227). Patients with retinal signs were significantly more likely to have transiently elevated blood pressure than those without (p=0.03).

Conclusion

One in nine had retinal microvascular signs on ocular imaging. These signs were observed even in asymptomatic patients with normal vital signs. These retinal microvascular signs may be related to underlying cardiovascular and thrombotic alternations associated with COVID-19 infection.
Treatments for dry age-related macular degeneration: therapeutic avenues, clinical trials and future directions
Authors: Cabral de Guimaraes Thales Antonio , Daich Varela Malena , Georgiou Michalis , Michaelides Michel
Published: March 2021

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the developed world. The identification of the central role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the pathogenesis of neovascular AMD and the introduction of anti-VEGF agents as gold-standard treatment, have drastically changed its prognosis—something yet to be seen in dry AMD. Several therapeutic avenues with a wide variability of targets are currently being investigated in dry AMD. The approaches being investigated to reduce the rate of disease progression include, (1) drugs with antioxidative properties, (2) inhibitors of the complement cascade, (3) neuroprotective agents, (4) visual cycle inhibitors, (5) gene therapy and (6) cell-based therapies. A number of early phase clinical trials have provided promising results, with many more ongoing and anticipated in the near future. In this review, we aim to provide an update of the interventional trials to date and future prospects for the treatment of dry AMD.
Importance of accounting for sibling age when examining the association between family size and early childhood cognition, language and emotional behaviour: a birth cohort study
Authors: Symeonides Christos , Vuillermin Peter J , Sciberras Emma , Senn Elizabeth , Thomson Sarah M , Wardrop Nicole , Anderson Vicki , Pezic Angela , Sly Peter D , Ponsonby Anne-Louise
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Larger sibships are associated with poorer cognitive and language outcomes but have different impacts on child emotional development. Previous studies have not taken into account sibling age, nor have impacts across multiple neurodevelopmental domains been considered in the same participant group. This study investigated the influence of family size indicators on early childhood cognitive, language and emotional-behavioural development. The effect of sibling age was considered by evaluating these relationships separately for different sibling age categories.

Design

Prospective birth cohort study.

Setting

Participants in the Barwon Infant Study were recruited from two major hospitals in the Barwon region of Victoria, Australia, between 2010 and 2013 (n=1074 children).

Participants

The 755 children with any neurodevelopmental data at age 2–3 years excluding twins and those with an acquired neurodisability.

Outcome measures

Cognitive and language development was assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition, and emotional-behavioural development was measured with the Child Behaviour Checklist for Ages 1½−5.

Results

Greater household size was associated with a reduced cognitive development score (adjusted mean difference (AMD) −0.66 per extra household member; 95% CI −0.96 to –0.37; p<0.001) without age-specific differences. However, poorer expressive language was only observed for exposure to siblings between 2–6 and 6–10 years older. Having siblings 2–6 years older was associated with less internalising behaviour (AMD −2.1 per sibling; 95% CI −3.1 to –1.0; p<0.001). These associations persisted after multiple comparison adjustment.

Conclusions

The influence of siblings on early childhood development varies substantially by sibling age and the neurodevelopmental outcome under study. Although family size alone appears important for cognitive development, age-specific findings emphasise the importance of sibling interaction in early childhood expressive language development and emotional behaviour.
Mindfulness-based programmes to reduce stress and enhance well-being at work: a realist review
Authors: Micklitz Katrin , Wong Geoff , Howick Jeremy
Published: March 2021

Objectives

To understand how and why workplace mindfulness-based programmes (MBPs) work or do not work.

Design

A realist review.

Eligibility criteria for selection

We considered any studies (experimental quasi-experimental, observational, qualitative and mixed-methods studies) of workplace MBPs as long as they provided data to explain our programme theories. All MBP formats and delivery modes were included.

Analysis

Consistent with realist review methodology, we systematically screened and analysed data to explain how and why workplace MBPs work or do not work. These explanations were consolidated into a programme theory augmented by theories from organisational literature, such as conservation of resources theory.

Results

Findings from 75 primary studies suggest that workplace MBPs enable participants (including healthcare professionals) to deal more skillfully with stressful events and improve their well-being. The mechanisms involved can be grouped around awareness/self-regulation, acceptance/compassion, feeling permitted to take care of self, sense of growth and promise of goal attainment. In order for professionals to invest in an MBP and benefit from it, it is important that they feel safe to engage with self-care at work and share emotional difficulties among peers. It is also important that employees are able to link the programme and its activities to existing goals and practices. Concerns of being non-productive, of not getting work done or of being exposed in front of colleagues can result in strategic use of brief mindfulness exercises, non-adherence or drop-out.

Conclusions

Simply offering an MBP to (healthcare) professionals in order to reduce stress and enhance well-being does not suffice. A supportive environment must exist in order for the programme’s benefits to be reaped.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42018086280.
Single-lead ECGs (AliveCor) are a feasible, cost-effective and safer alternative to 12-lead ECGs in community diagnosis and monitoring of atrial fibrillation
Authors: Bray Jonathan James Hyett , Lloyd Elin Fflur , Adenwalla Firdaus , Kelly Sarah , Wareham Kathie , Halcox Julian P J
Published: March 2021

Background

Community management of atrial fibrillation (AF) often requires the use of electrocardiographic (ECG) investigation. Patients discharged following treatment of AF with fast ventricular response (fast AF) can require numerous ECGs to monitor rate and/or rhythm control. Single-lead ECGs have been proposed as a more convenient and relatively accurate alternative to 12-lead ECGs for rate/rhythm management and also diagnosis of AF. We aimed to examine the feasibility of using the AliveCor single-lead ECG monitor for diagnosis and monitoring of AF in the community setting.

Methods

During the course of 6 months, this evaluation of a clinical service improvement pathway used the AliveCor in management of patients requiring (1) follow-up ECGs for AF with previously documented rapid ventricular rate or (2) ECG confirmation of rhythm where AF was suspected. Twelve AliveCor devices provided to the acute community medical team were used to produce 30 s ECG rhythm strips (iECG) that were electronically sent to an overreading physician.

Results

Seventy-four patients (mean age 82 years) were managed on this pathway. (1) The AliveCor was successfully used to monitor the follow-up of 37 patients with fast AF, acquiring a combined total of 113 iECGs (median 1.5 ±3.75 per patient). None of these patients required a subsequent 12-lead ECG and this approach saved an estimate of up to £134.49 per patient. (2) Of 53 patients with abnormal pulses, the system helped identify 8 cases of new onset AF and 19 cases of previously known AF that had reverted from sinus back into AF.

Conclusions

We have demonstrated that the AliveCor system is a feasible, cost-effective, time-efficient and potentially safer alternative to serial 12-lead ECGs for community monitoring and diagnosis of AF.
NHS staff mental health status in the active phase of the COVID-19 era: a staff survey in a large London hospital
Authors: Ike Ikenna David , Durand-Hill Matthieu , Elmusharaf Eiman , Asemota Nicole , Silva Elizabeth , White Elliott , Awad Wael I
Published: March 2021

Background

Experiencing a pandemic can be very unsettling and may have a negative impact on the mental health of frontline healthcare workers (HCWs). This may have serious consequences for the overall well-being of HCWs, which in turn may adversely affect patient safety and the productivity of the institution.

Aims

We designed a study to assess the prevalence of generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), depression and work-related stress experienced by the National Health Service staff in a large tertiary London hospital treating patients with COVID-19 during the current active phase of the COVID-19 era.

Methods

An anonymous survey was designed with demographic data and three questionnaires. The Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 were used to assess anxiety and depression, respectively. The Health and Safety Executive Management Standards Indicator Tool was used to assess work-related stress. Staff from multiple specialties embracing cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, respiratory medicine, endocrinology, oncology, imaging, anaesthesia and intensive care at our hospital were asked to complete the questionnaire between 25 May and 15 June 2020.

Results

A total of 302 staff members (106 males and 196 females) completed the survey. The overall prevalence of GAD and depression was 41.4% and 42.7%, respectively. The prevalence of GAD and depression was significantly higher in females than in males and was statistically significant. Nurses were four times more likely to report moderate to severe levels of anxiety and depression as compared with doctors. Work-related stress was also observed to be prevalent in our surveyed population with the following standards: relationships, role, control and change showing a need for improvement.

Conclusions

Our study presents early evidence suggestive of a high prevalence of GAD, depression and work-related stress in HCWs. It is imperative that coherent strategies are implemented to improve the healthcare work environment during this pandemic and mitigate further injury to the mental health status of the healthcare population.
Hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after direct-acting antiviral therapy: an individual patient data meta-analysis
Authors: Sapena Victor , Enea Marco , Torres Ferran , Celsa Ciro , Rios Jose , Rizzo Giacomo Emanuele Maria , Nahon Pierre , Mariño Zoe , Tateishi Ryosuke , Minami Tatsuya , Sangiovanni Angelo , Forns Xavier , Toyoda Hidenori , Brillanti Stefano , Conti Fabio , Degasperi Elisabetta , Yu Ming-Lung , Tsai Pei-Chien , Jean Kevin , El Kassas Mohamed , Shousha Hend Ibrahim , Omar Ashraf , Zavaglia Claudio , Nagata Hiroko , Nakagawa Mina , Asahina Yasuhiro , Singal Amit G , Murphy Caitlin , Kohla Mohamed , Masetti Chiara , Dufour Jean-François , Merchante Nicolas , Cavalletto Luisa , chemello liliana LC , POL Stanislas , Crespo Javier , Calleja Jose Luis , Villani Rosanna , Serviddio Gaetano , Zanetto Alberto , Shalaby Sarah , Russo Francesco Paolo , Bielen Rob , Trevisani Franco , Cammà Calogero , Bruix Jordi , Cabibbo Giuseppe , Reig Maria
Published: March 2021

Objective

The benefit of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) against HCV following successful treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains controversial. This meta-analysis of individual patient data assessed HCC recurrence risk following DAA administration.

Design

We pooled the data of 977 consecutive patients from 21 studies of HCV-related cirrhosis and HCC, who achieved complete radiological response after surgical/locoregional treatments and received DAAs (DAA group). Recurrence or death risk was expressed as HCC recurrence or death per 100 person-years (100PY). Propensity score-matched patients from the ITA.LI.CA. cohort (n=328) served as DAA-unexposed controls (no-DAA group). Risk factors for HCC recurrence were identified using random-effects Poisson.

Results

Recurrence rate and death risk per 100PY in DAA-treated patients were 20 (95% CI 13.9 to 29.8, I2=74.6%) and 5.7 (2.5 to 15.3, I2=54.3), respectively. Predictive factors for recurrence were alpha-fetoprotein logarithm (relative risk (RR)=1.11, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.19; p=0.01, per 1 log of ng/mL), HCC recurrence history pre-DAA initiation (RR=1.11, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.16; p<0.001), performance status (2 vs 0, RR=4.35, 95% CI 1.54 to 11.11; 2 vs 1, RR=3.7, 95% CI 1.3 to 11.11; p=0.01) and tumour burden pre-HCC treatment (multifocal vs solitary nodule, RR=1.75, 95% CI 1.25 to 2.43; p<0.001). No significant difference was observed in RR between the DAA-exposed and DAA-unexposed groups in propensity score-matched patients (RR=0.64, 95% CI 0.37 to 1.1; p=0.1).

Conclusion

Effects of DAA exposure on HCC recurrence risk remain inconclusive. Active clinical and radiological follow-up of patients with HCC after HCV eradication with DAA is justified.
Chimeric antigen receptor engineered NK cellular immunotherapy overcomes the selection of T-cell escape variant cancer cells
Authors: Lee Maxwell Y , Robbins Yvette , Sievers Cem , Friedman Jay , Abdul Sater Houssein , Clavijo Paul E , Judd Nancy , Tsong Edward , Silvin Chris , Soon-Shiong Patrick , Padget Michelle R , Schlom Jeffrey , Hodge James , Hinrichs Christian , Allen Clint
Published: March 2021

Background

As heterogeneous tumors develop in the face of intact immunity, tumor cells harboring genomic or expression defects that favor evasion from T-cell detection or elimination are selected. For patients with such tumors, T cell-based immunotherapy alone infrequently results in durable tumor control.

Methods

Here, we developed experimental models to study mechanisms of T-cell escape and demonstrated that resistance to T-cell killing can be overcome by the addition of natural killer (NK) cells engineered to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1).

Results

In engineered models of tumor heterogeneity, PD-L1 CAR-engineered NK cells (PD-L1 t-haNKs) prevented the clonal selection of T cell-resistant tumor cells observed with T-cell treatment alone in multiple models. Treatment of heterogenous cancer cell populations with T cells resulted in interferon gamma (IFN-γ) release and subsequent upregulation of PD-L1 on tumor cells that escaped T-cell killing through defects in antigen processing and presentation, priming escape cell populations for PD-L1 dependent killing by PD-L1 t-haNKs in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions

These results describe the underlying mechanisms governing synergistic antitumor activity between T cell-based immunotherapy that results in IFN-γ production, upregulation of PD-L1 on T-cell escape cells, and the use of PD-L1 CAR-engineered NK cells to target and eliminate resistant tumor cell populations.
‘Witness in White’ medical ethics learning tours on medicine during the Nazi era
Authors: Fox Matthew A , Strous Rael D
Published: March 2021

During the Nazi era, physicians provided expertise and a veneer of legitimacy enabling crimes against humanity. In a creative educational initiative to address current ethical dilemmas in clinical medicine, we conduct ethics learning missions bringing senior physicians to relevant Nazi era sites in either Germany or Poland. The tours share a core curriculum contextualising history and medical ethics, with variations in emphasis. Tours to Germany provide an understanding of the theoretical origins of the ethical violations and crimes of Nazi physicians. Tours to Poland address the magnitude of the Nazi physician’s atrocities as well as displays of heroism by Jewish and righteous among the nations' physicians. Exemplary as well as shameful physician behaviour is analysed from an ethical perspective. A combination of unique educational methodologies maximises learning and personal growth, enabling participants to examine ethically complex clinical situations with extrapolation to modern-day medical practice. Learning is designed with relevance to contemporary medical ethics dilemmas such as beginning and end-of-life issues, providing tenets from which participants can develop as more ethical and informed physicians. Participant feedback confirms efficacy and worth of these growth-promoting ethics learning tours which should be expanded to other international groups and settings (see online film Witness in White Berlin 2019 available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75VUZvo3Bec).
Incremental role of CT coronary angiography in the assessment of left ventricular diastolic function
Authors: Lange Aleksandra , Huntress Harry , Steindl Jesse , Palka Przemyslaw
Published: March 2021

Objective

To determine whether Computed Tomography (CT) coronary angiography (CTCA) has clinical value for the assessment of left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction (DD) beyond traditional information on coronary artery anatomy.

Method

In this retrospective study, a consecutive group of 72 patients (mean age 59±13 years)—who met the eligibility criteria of sinus rhythm, no significant valvular abnormalities, and who had transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE)—were analysed. The CTCA was prospectively triggered during diastole. Outcomes of interest were CTCA derived LV and left atrial (LA) volumes, diastolic expansion (DE) index: LV volume÷LA volume and DE fraction (DEF): [(LV volume–LA volume)÷LV volume]×100. TTE-LA volume was measured as maximum, minimum and pre-A. Studied patients were divided according to the current classification of LVDD as a reference standard. A small subgroup of nine patients underwent further invasive cardiac catheterisation.

Results

CTCA-LV and LA volumes were larger compared with TTE, 37%±20% and 11%±21%, respectively. CTCA-LA volume correlated well with all TTE-LA volumes (maximum: R2=0.58; pre-A wave: R2=0.39; minimum: R2=0.26; p<0.0001) with the smallest differences in maximum LA volume (9±32 mL; mean±2 SD). The DE and DEF correlated with both LA function and LVDD. DE >1.65 and DE <1.40 have good specificity (85% and 88%, respectively), and positive predictive value to differentiate LVDD. DE and DEF were dependent on the patients’ age but independent of other variables.

Conclusions

CTCA derived diastasis volume indices can provide additional quantifiable information on LVDD.
Stem cell treatment improves post stroke neurological outcomes: a comparative study in male and female rats
Authors: Nalamolu Koteswara Rao , Chelluboina Bharath , Fornal Casimir A , Challa Siva Reddy , Pinson David M , Wang David Z , Klopfenstein Jeffrey D , Veeravalli Krishna Kumar
Published: March 2021

Background and purpose

The therapeutic potential of different stem cells for ischaemic stroke treatment is intriguing and somewhat controversial. Recent results from our laboratory have demonstrated the potential benefits of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in a rodent stroke model. We hypothesised that MSC treatment would effectively promote the recovery of sensory and motor function in both males and females, despite any apparent sex differences in post stroke brain injury.

Methods

Transient focal cerebral ischaemia was induced in adult Sprague-Dawley rats by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. Following the procedure, male and female rats of the untreated group were euthanised 1 day after reperfusion and their brains were used to estimate the resulting infarct volume and tissue swelling. Additional groups of stroke-induced male and female rats were treated with MSC or vehicle and were subsequently subjected to a battery of standard neurological/neurobehavioral tests (Modified Neurological Severity Score assessment, adhesive tape removal, beam walk and rotarod). The tests were administered at regular intervals (at days 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14) after reperfusion to determine the time course of neurological and functional recovery after stroke.

Results

The infarct volume and extent of swelling of the ischaemic brain were similar in males and females. Despite similar pathological stroke lesions, the clinical manifestations of stroke were more pronounced in males than females, as indicated by the neurological scores and other tests. MSC treatment significantly improved the recovery of sensory and motor function in both sexes, and it demonstrated efficacy in both moderate stroke (females) and severe stroke (males).

Conclusions

Despite sex differences in the severity of post stroke outcomes, MSC treatment promoted the recovery of sensory and motor function in male and female rats, suggesting that it may be a promising treatment for stroke.
Dynamic behaviors for a (2 + 1)-dimensional inhomogenous Heisenberg ferromagnetic spin chain system
Authors: Douvagai  , Amadou Yaouba , Betchewe Gambo , Houwe Alphonse , Inc Mustafa , Doka Serge Y. , Almohsen Bandar
Published: March 2021

We investigate a (2 + 1)-dimensional nonlinear Schrodinger equation (NLSE), which describes the spin dynamics of (2 + 1)-dimensional inhomogeneous Heisenberg ferromagnetic spin chain (IHFSC) with bilinear and anisotropic interactions in the semiclassical limit. Miscellaneous new solitons solutions are obtained through the generalized Riccati equation mapping method (GREMM). Moreover, the effects of homogeneity on the soliton propagation and interaction are discussed. The derived structure of the obtain solutions offers a rich platform to better understand the nonlinear dynamics in the ferromagnetic materials.
On S-pseudo-irreducible ideals
Authors: Rostami Esmaeil
Published: March 2021

Let [Formula: see text] be a commutative ring with identity and [Formula: see text] a multiplicative subset of [Formula: see text]. In this paper, the notion of [Formula: see text]-pseudo-irreducible ideals of [Formula: see text] as a generalization of pseudo-irreducible ideals is introduced and some related properties are investigated. Then, we consider the decomposition of proper ideals of a ring into a product of pairwise comaximal [Formula: see text]-pseudo-irreducible ideals. Some other results are obtained too.
OPTIMIZED DUAL-TREE COMPLEX WAVELET TRANSFORM AND FUZZY ENTROPY FOR MULTI-MODAL MEDICAL IMAGE FUSION: A HYBRID META-HEURISTIC CONCEPT
Authors: KUMAR N. NAGARAJA , PRASAD T. JAYACHANDRA , PRASAD K. SATYA
Published: March 2021

In recent times, multi-modal medical image fusion has emerged as an important medical application tool. An important goal is to fuse the multi-modal medical images from diverse imaging modalities into a single fused image. The physicians broadly utilize this for precise identification and treatment of diseases. This medical image fusion approach will help the physician perform the combined diagnosis, interventional treatment, pre-operative planning, and intra-operative guidance in various medical applications by developing the corresponding information from clinical images through different modalities. In this paper, a novel multi-modal medical image fusion method is adopted using the intelligent method. Initially, the images from two different modalities are applied with optimized Dual-Tree Complex Wavelet Transform (DT-CWT) for splitting the images into high-frequency subbands and low-frequency subbands. As an improvement to the conventional DT-CWT, the filter coefficients are optimized by the hybrid meta-heuristic algorithm named as Hybrid Beetle and Salp Swarm Optimization (HBSSO) by merging the Salp Swarm Algorithm (SSA), and Beetle Swarm Optimization (BSO). Moreover, the fusion of the source images’ high-frequency subbands was done by the optimized type-2 Fuzzy Entropy. The upper and lower membership limits are optimized by the same hybrid HBSSO. The optimized type-2 fuzzy Entropy automatically selects high-frequency coefficients. Also, the fusion of the low-frequency sub-images is performed by the Averaging approach. Further, the inverse optimized DT-CWT on the fused image sets helps to obtain the final fused medical image. The main objective of the optimized DT-CWT and optimized type-2 fuzzy Entropy is to maximize the SSIM. The experimental results confirm that the developed approach outperforms the existing fusion algorithms in diverse performance measures.
ARRHYTHMIA DIAGNOSIS FROM ECG SIGNAL ANALYSIS USING STATISTICAL FEATURES AND NOVEL CLASSIFICATION METHOD
Authors: MANDAL SAURAV , SINHA NABANITA
Published: March 2021

This study aims to present an efficient model for autodetection of cardiac arrhythmia by the diagnosis of self-affinity and identification of governing processes of a number of Electrocardiogram (ECG) signals taken from MIT-BIH database. In this work, the proposed model includes statistical methods to find the diagnosis pattern for detecting cardiac abnormalities which is useful for the computer aided system for arrhythmia detection. First, the Rescale Range (R/S) analysis has been employed for ECG signals to understand the scaling property of ECG signals. The value of Hurst exponent identifies the presence of abnormality in ECG signals taken for consideration with 92.58% accuracy. In this study, Higuchi method which deals with unifractality or monofractality of signals has been applied and it is found that unifractality is sufficient to detect arrhythmia with 91.61% accuracy. The Multifractal Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (MFDFA) has been used over the present signals to identify and confirm the multifractality. The nature of multifractality is different for arrhythmia patients and normal heart condition. The multifractal analysis is useful to detect abnormalities with 93.75% accuracy. Finally, the autocorrelation analysis has been used to identify the prevalent governing process in the present arrhythmic ECG signals and study confirms that all the signals are governed by stationary autoregressive methods of certain orders. In order to increase the overall efficiency, this present model deals with analyzing all the statistical features extracted from different statistical techniques for a large number of ECG signals of normal and abnormal heart condition. Finally, the result of present analysis altogether possibly indicates that the proposed model is efficient to detect cardiac arrhythmia with 99.3% accuracy.
Security analysis of KXB10 QKD protocol with higher-dimensional quantum states
Authors: Ahsan Usama , Khan Muhammad Mubashir , Arfeen Asad , Azam Khadija
Published: March 2021

Quantum key distribution (QKD) is one of the exciting applications of quantum mechanics. It allows the sharing of secret keys between two communicating parties with unconditional security. A variety of QKD protocols have been proposed since the inception of the BB84 protocol. Among different implementation techniques of QKD protocols, there is a category which exploits higher dimensions qubit states to encode classical bits. In this paper, we focus on such a QKD protocol called KXB10, which uses three bases with higher dimensions. Analysis of the generalized dimension quantum states is performed by evaluating it based on the index transmission error rate ITER. We find that there is a direct relationship between qubit dimensions and ITER for the KXB10 protocol.
On completeness of the Alexandrov topology on a spacetime: Some remarks and questions
Authors: Papadopoulos Kyriakos , Kurt Nazli
Published: March 2021

We clarify and discuss a misunderstanding between uniform completeness and metric completeness that has appeared in the literature in a study on the Alexandrov topology for a spacetime.
Exchange option valuation using Liu process
Authors: Purohit Seema Uday , Lalit Prasad Narahar
Published: March 2021

Margrabe formula is an extension of the famous Black–Scholes model extended to two correlated stocks. In the stochastic financial mathematics approach, the difficulty of addressing this valuation lies in the fact that the difference between two log-normal distributions is not log-normal. We avoided this approach in this work and valued the European type exchange option using the Liu process, a Brownian motion’s fuzzy counterpart. The work compares the proposed model values with the simulated values obtained by the Margrabe formula.
The effects of the Jenkyns Event on the radiation of Early Jurassic dinoflagellate cysts
Authors: Correia Vânia F. , Riding James B. , Duarte Luís V. , Fernandes Paulo , Pereira Zélia
Published: March 2021

This contribution is an overview of the Early Jurassic dinoflagellate cysts of the Lusitanian Basin in Portugal, with particular emphasis on the effects of the Jenkyns Event (Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event) on the evolution of this planktonic group. We review and discuss data from 214 samples from six Lower Jurassic successions (upper Sinemurian to upper Toarcian) in the Lusitanian Basin. The late Pliensbachian radiation of dinoflagellate cysts was well recognized in this basin. The pre-Jenkyns Event interval is highly productive, with maximum abundance and species richness values. However, this palaeoenvironmental perturbation severely affected the evolution of this group for the remainder of the Early Jurassic. The prolonged recovery of the dinoflagellates in the Toarcian following the Jenkyns Event is not typical of the northern regions (Arctic and Boreal realms), where new species began to evolve earlier compared with southern European basins.
Chronic perinatal hypoxia delays cardiac maturation in a mouse model for cyanotic congenital heart disease
Authors: Romanowicz Jennifer , Guerrelli Devon , Dhari Zaenab , Mulvany Colm , Reilly Marissa , Swift Luther , Vasandani Nimisha , Ramadan Manelle , Leatherbury Linda , Ishibashi Nobuyuki , Posnack Nikki Gillum
Published: March 2021

We utilized a new mouse model of chronic perinatal hypoxia to simulate the hypoxic myocardial conditions present in cyanotic congenital heart disease. Hypoxia caused numerous abnormalities in cardiomyocyte gene expression, the electrophysiologic substrate of the heart, and contractile function. Taken together, alterations observed in the neonatal period suggest delayed cardiac development immediately following hypoxia.
[Retracted] Mathematical Modeling and Simulation of Wireless Sensor Network Coverage Problem
Authors: Guo Jianxia
Published: March 2021

The research on wireless sensor networks has achieved a lot in recent years and some of the results have been put into practical applications, but with the increasing demand and requirements for wireless sensor networks, many old and new problems need to be solved urgently. In this paper, a data topology optimization algorithm based on local tree reconstruction for heterogeneous wireless sensor networks is proposed for data transmission in wireless sensor networks that are easily affected by external instabilities. This heterogeneous network can accomplish better data transmission; firstly, the nodes are divided into different layers according to the hop count of nodes in the network, and a certain proportion of relay nodes are selected for different layer nodes; then, different initial energy is set for different layer nodes, and since the data packets of different nodes have different sizes, the corresponding data aggregation coefficients are used in this paper according to the actual data requirements of the network during data transmission; finally, the topology of the tree is dynamically updated in real time during the operation of the network to extend the lifetime of the nodes. The simulation results verify that the proposed heterogeneous network topology evolution algorithm effectively extends the network lifetime and improves the utilization of nodes. This paper establishes a modified least‐squares target localization model to achieve accurate 3D localization of targets in real scenes and proposes an optimal base station node selection strategy based on spectral clustering using the location distribution information of base station nodes in space. The simulation results show that the error of the terminal 3D coordinates calculated by the proposed algorithm is smaller than the real coordinates, and the error is smaller than other existing algorithms with the same simulation data.
Offline Signature Authentication Algorithm Based on the Fuzzy Set
Authors: Qiu Shi , Fei Fengchang , Cui Ying
Published: March 2021

There exists a problem that it is difficult to identify the authenticity of offline signatures. Firstly, a segmentation model is established based on the theory of fuzzy sets to extract signatures completely. Secondly, statistical shape model (SSM) and variance distance discretization of intraclass signatures are introduced for stability analysis and quantification. Finally, multilayer classifiers are constructed to realize signature authentication. The algorithm has low false detection rate and short authentication time.
Alighting Stop Determination of Unlinked Trips Based on a Two-Layer Stacking Framework
Authors: Cui Ziwei , Wang Cheng , Gao Yueer , Yang Dingkang , Wei Wei , Chen Jianwei , He Ting
Published: March 2021

Smart card data of conventional bus passengers are important basic data for many studies such as bus network optimization. As only boarding information is recorded in most cities, alighting stops need to be identified. The classical trip chain method can only detect destinations of passengers who have trip cycles. However, the rest of unlinked trips without destinations are hard to analyze. To improve the accuracy of existing methods for determining alighting stops of unlinked trips, a two-layer stacking-framework-based method is proposed in this work. In the first layer, five methods are used, i.e., high-frequency stop method, stop attraction method, transfer convenience method, land-use type attraction method, and improved group historical set method (I-GHSM). Among them, the last one is presented here to cluster records with similar behavior patterns into a group more accurately. In the second layer, the logistic regression model is selected to get the appropriate weight of each method in the former layer for different datasets, which brings the generalization ability. Taking data from Xiamen BRT Line Kuai 1 as an example, I-GHSM given in the first layer has proved to be necessary and effective. Besides, the two-layer stacking-framework-based method can detect all destinations of unlinked trips with an accuracy of 51.88%, and this accuracy is higher than that of comparison methods, i.e., the two-step algorithms with KNN (k-nearest neighbor), Decision Tree or Random Forest, and a step-by-step method. Results indicate that the framework-based method presented has high accuracy in identifying all alighting stops of unlinked trips.
COD Optimization Prediction Model Based on CAWOA-ELM in Water Ecological Environment
Authors: Jiang Lili , Yang Liu , Huang Yang , Wu Yi , Li Huixian , Shen XiYan , Bi Meng , Hong Lin , Yang Yiting , Ding Zuping , Chen Wenjie
Published: March 2021

The change of water quality can reflect the important indicators of ecological environment measurement. Sewage discharge is an important factor causing environmental pollution. Establishing an effective water ecological prediction model can detect changes in the ecological environment system quickly and effectively. In order to detect high error rate and poor convergence of the water ecological chemical oxygen demand (COD) prediction model, combining the limit learning machine (ELM) model and whale optimization algorithm, CAWOA is improved by the sin chaos search strategy, while the ELM optimizes the parameters of the algorithm to improve convergence speed, thus improving the generalization performance of the ELM. In the CAWOA, the global optimization results of the WOA are promoted by introducing a sin chaotic search strategy and adaptive inertia weights. On this basis, the COD prediction model of CAWOA-ELM is established and compared with similar algorithms by using the optimized ELM to predict the water ecological COD in a region. Finally, from the experimental results of the CAWOA-ELM algorithm, it has excellent prediction effect and practical application value.