bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Smart Medkit
Authors: Lenin S.B. , Pushparaj S. , Adithya M. , Murugesan S. , Balaji N. , Gurupriyan J.
Published: January 2021

The medical field plays a vital role in our day-to-day life. In recent years, it achieved a tremendous growth in advancements and technologies. Along with the maladies, the diagnosing and curing techniques are also evolved. Despite these advancements, the death rate due to medical errors has not yet decreased. To reduce these medical errors, we have designed a system which reduces some of the common medical errors such as improper medication timing, under and over dosage of medicines and delay in treatment. This system reminds the patient about their pills using voice message using playback module and speaker and it also dispenses the pills via slot arrangement controlled by stepper motor. If the patient ignores the voice message an SMS alert is sent to the patient’s attender and the caretaker. It also has an emergency subsystem which can be used in case of any emergency situation to the patient and it also allows the caretaker to send the prescribed medicines list to the caretaker via SMS.
The Design of Split Ring Resonator (Srr) Based Terahertz Bandpass Filter and Comparison of Various Types of Filters.
Authors: Sagadevan K. , Sathish kumar D. , Rajagopalan S.
Published: January 2021

Terahertz (THz) research has practiced an amazing progression in the past two decades. Terahertz filters plays a key role in THz applications. Terahertz filters with high bandwidth, tunable center frequency, and low insertion loss are the challenging design. This article comprises the investigation of the frequency response of terahertz filters using various metamaterials, frequency selective surfaces, and parallel plate waveguides. The proposed work includes the design of SRR based terahertz bandpass filter with tunable center frequency and bandwidth. Also, the proposed THz filters is simulated using the Comsol software and the simulated results are observed. This proposed design is used for numerous applications like spectroscopy, wireless communication, and imaging, etc.
Barcode System for Hotel Food Order with Delivery Robot
Authors: Saravanan D. , Racheal Anni Perianayaki E. , Pavithra R. , Parthiban R.
Published: January 2021

Technological development has reached perhaps in each field in the present developing world; our test aspirations to give a move up to administrations in the subject of Restaurants and Hotels, with the guide of making and exhibiting a model of a Wireless Waiter Robot. Robots can make the transporter additional condition benevolent and do it more prominent viably sparing time and diminishing work costs. The method utilized right here has an arrange following automated which guarantees the arranged dinner to the respected clients. A menu is made close by to the clients on their mobile phones when they partner with the Bluetooth affiliation open at the diner, the gala is mentioned by strategies for a cell application. The RF mechanical mastery will information the robot to the important work zone of the purchaser using a coordinated system.
Łojasiewicz–Simon gradient inequalities for coupled Yang–Mills energy functions
Authors: Feehan Paul , Maridakis Manousos
Published: January 2021

We prove Łojasiewicz–Simon gradient inequalities for coupled Yang–Mills energy functions using Sobolev spaces which impose minimal regularity requirements on pairs of connections and sections. The Łojasiewicz–Simon gradient inequalities for coupled Yang–Mills energy functions generalize that of the pure Yang–Mills energy function due to the first author (Feehan, 2014) for base manifolds of arbitrary dimension and due to Råde (1992, Proposition 7.2) for dimensions two and three.
The number of positive solutions to the Brezis-Nirenberg problem
Authors: Cao Daomin , Luo Peng , Peng Shuangjie
Published: January 2021

In this paper we are concerned with the well-known Brezis-Nirenberg problem
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="StartLayout Enlarged left-brace 1st Row 1st Column minus normal upper Delta u equals u Superscript StartFraction upper N plus 2 Over upper N minus 2 EndFraction Baseline plus epsilon u comma 2nd Column a m p semicolon in normal upper Omega comma 2nd Row 1st Column u greater-than 0 comma 2nd Column a m p semicolon in normal upper Omega comma 3rd Row 1st Column u equals 0 comma 2nd Column a m p semicolon on partial-differential normal upper Omega period EndLayout">

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\begin{equation*} \begin {cases} -\Delta u= u^{\frac {N+2}{N-2}}+\varepsilon u, &{\text {in}~\Omega },\\ u>0, &{\text {in}~\Omega },\\ u=0, &{\text {on}~\partial \Omega }. \end{cases} \end{equation*}

The existence of multi-peak solutions to the above problem for small

ε
>
0

\varepsilon >0

was obtained (see Monica Musso and Angela Pistoia [Indiana Univ. Math. J. 51 (2002), pp. 541–579]). However, the uniqueness or the exact number of positive solutions to the above problem is still unknown. Here we focus on the local uniqueness of multi-peak solutions and the exact number of positive solutions to the above problem for small

ε
>
0

\varepsilon >0

.

By using various local Pohozaev identities and blow-up analysis, we first detect the relationship between the profile of the blow-up solutions and Green’s function of the domain

Ω
\Omega

and then obtain a type of local uniqueness results of blow-up solutions. Lastly we give a description of the number of positive solutions for small positive

ε
\varepsilon

, which depends also on Green’s function.
Large-scale inference of population structure in presence of missingness using PCA
Authors: Meisner Jonas , Liu Siyang , Huang Mingxi , Albrechtsen Anders
Published: January 2021

Motivation

Principal component analysis (PCA) is a commonly used tool in genetics to capture and visualize population structure. Due to technological advances in sequencing, such as the widely used non-invasive prenatal test, massive datasets of ultra-low coverage sequencing are being generated. These datasets are characterized by having a large amount of missing genotype information.

Results

We present EMU, a method for inferring population structure in the presence of rampant non-random missingness. We show through simulations that several commonly used PCA methods cannot handle missing data arisen from various sources, which leads to biased results as individuals are projected into the PC space based on their amount of missingness. In terms of accuracy, EMU outperforms an existing method that also accommodates missingness while being competitively fast. We further tested EMU on around 100K individuals of the Phase 1 dataset of the Chinese Millionome Project, that were shallowly sequenced to around 0.08×. From this data we are able to capture the population structure of the Han Chinese and to reproduce previous analysis in a matter of CPU hours instead of CPU years. EMU’s capability to accurately infer population structure in the presence of missingness will be of increasing importance with the rising number of large-scale genetic datasets.

Availability and implementation

EMU is written in Python and is freely available at https://github.com/rosemeis/emu.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
H i global scaling relations in the WISE-WHISP survey
Authors: Naluminsa E , Elson E C , Jarrett T H
Published: January 2021

We present the global scaling relations between the neutral atomic hydrogen gas, the stellar disc, and the star-forming disc in a sample of 228 nearby galaxies that are both spatially and spectrally resolved in H i line emission. We have used H i data from the Westerbork survey of H i in Irregular and Spiral galaxies (whisp) and Mid-Infrared (3.4 μm, 11.6 μm) data from the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) survey, combining two data sets that are well-suited to such a study in terms of uniformity, resolution, and sensitivity. We utilize a novel method of deriving scaling relations for quantities enclosed within the stellar disc rather than integrating over the H i disc and find the global scaling relations to be tighter when defined for enclosed quantities. We also present new H i intensity maps for the WHISP survey derived using a robust noise rejection technique along with corresponding velocity fields.
IGM transmission bias for z ≥ 2.9 Lyman continuum detected galaxies
Authors: Bassett R , Ryan-Weber E V , Cooke J , Meštrić U , Kakiichi K , Prichard L , Rafelski M
Published: January 2021

Understanding the relationship between the underlying escape fraction of Lyman continuum (LyC) photons (fesc) emitted by galaxies and measuring the distribution of observed fesc values at high redshift is fundamental to the interpretation of the reionization process. In this paper, we perform a statistical exploration of the attenuation of LyC photons by neutral hydrogen in the intergalactic medium using ensembles of simulated transmission functions. We show that LyC-detected galaxies are more likely to be found in sightlines with higher than average transmission of LyC photons. This means that adopting a mean transmission at a given redshift leads to an overestimate of the true fesc for LyC-detected galaxies. We note, however, that mean values are appropriate for fesc estimates of larger parent samples that include LyC non-detected galaxies. We quantify this IGM transmission bias for LyC detections in photometric and spectroscopic surveys in the literature and show that the bias is stronger for both shallower observations and for fainter parent samples (i.e. Ly α emitters versus Lyman break galaxies). We also explore the effects of varying the underlying probability distribution function (PDF) of fesc on recovered values, showing that the underlying fesc PDF may depend on sample selection by comparing with observational surveys. This work represents a first step in improved interpretation of LyC detections in the context of understanding fesc from high-redshift galaxies.
What If Dividends Were Tax-Exempt? Evidence from a Natural Experiment
Authors: Isakov Dušan , Pérignon Christophe , Weisskopf Jean-Philippe
Published: January 2021

We study the effect of dividend taxes on the payout and investment policies of publicly listed firms. We exploit a unique setting in Switzerland where, following the corporate tax reform of 2011, some but not all firms were suddenly able to pay tax-exempt dividends. We show that treated firms increase their dividend payout by around 30$\%$ after the tax cut. The effect on payout is less pronounced for firms prone to agency conflicts. We find a significant positive abnormal stock return after the announcement of the payment of a tax-exempt dividend. However, reducing dividend taxes does not boost investment.
THERMOLUMINESCENCE DOSIMETRY (TLD) IN MEDICINE: FIVE ‘W’S AND ONE HOW
Authors: Kron Tomas , Lonski Peta , Yukihara Eduardo G
Published: January 2021

Thermoluminescence dosimetry (TLD) has a long history of applications in medicine. However, despite its versatility and sensitivity its use is anecdotally diminishing, at least in part due to the complexity and work intensity of a quality TLD service. The present paper explores the role of TLD in medicine using a common inquiry methodology (5W1H) which systematically asks ‘Who, What, When, Where, Why and How’ to identify what role TLD could and should play in medical applications.
Experiments in the EpiDerm 3D Skin In Vitro Model and Minipigs In Vivo Indicate Comparatively Lower In Vivo Skin Sensitivity of Topically Applied Aneugenic Compounds
Authors: Schuler Maik , Tomlinson Lindsay , Homiski Michael , Cheung Jennifer , Zhan Yutian , Coffing Stephanie , Engel Maria , Rubitski Elizabeth , Seitis Gary , Hales Katherine , Robertson Andrew , Vispute Saurabh , Cook Jon , Radi Zaher , Hollingshead Brett
Published: January 2021

Risk management of in vitro aneugens for topically applied compounds is not clearly defined because there is no validated methodology to accurately measure compound concentration in proliferating stratum basale keratinocytes of the skin. Here, we experimentally tested several known aneugens in the EpiDerm reconstructed human skin in vitro micronucleus assay and compared the results to flow cytometric mechanistic biomarkers (phospho-H3; MPM2, DNA content). We then evaluated similar biomarkers (Ki-67, nuclear area) using immunohistochemistry in skin sections of minipigs following topical exposure the potent aneugens, colchicine, and hesperadin. Data from the EpiDerm model showed positive micronucleus responses for all aneugens tested following topical or direct media dosing with similar sensitivity when adjusted for applied dose. Quantitative benchmark dose-response analysis exhibited increases in the mitotic index biomarkers phospho-H3 and MPM2 for tubulin binders and polyploidy for aurora kinase inhibitors are at least as sensitive as the micronucleus endpoint. By comparison, the aneugens tested did not induce histopathological changes, increases in Ki-67 immunolabeling or nuclear area in skin sections from the in vivo minipig study at doses in significant excess of those eliciting a response in vitro. Results indicate the EpiDerm in vitro micronucleus assay is suitable for the hazard identification of aneugens. The lack of response in the minipig studies indicates that the barrier function of the minipig skin, which is comparable to human skin, protects from the effects of aneugens in vivo. These results provide a basis for conducting additional studies in the future to further refine this understanding.
Mitochondrial Genome Resource of Phomopsis longicolla, a Fungus Causing Phomopsis Seed Decay in Soybean
Authors: Li Shuxian , Deng Youjin
Published: January 2021

Phomopsis seed decay is one of the most devastating seed diseases reducing soybean seed quality worldwide. This disease is caused primarily by a seed-borne fungus, Phomopsis longicolla (syn. Diaporthe longicolla). As part of a genome sequencing project for P. longicolla, we present the mitochondrial genome resource of the isolate MSPL 10-6, one of the most aggressive field isolates. The circular mitochondrial genome is 53,646 bp long with GC content of 34.27%, and it encodes 14 common protein genes, 23 tRNA and two rRNA genes, and 10 introns. Forty-five SNPs and InDels also were identified during comparative analyses with another isolate. The mitochondrial genome sequence provides a useful resource for developing molecular markers for pathogen detection and for improvement of control strategies for the disease.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Roseibium litorale sp. nov., isolated from a tidal flat sediment and proposal for the reclassification of Labrenzia polysiphoniae as Roseibium polysiphoniae comb. nov.
Authors: Liu Yang , Pei Tao , Du Juan , Chao Meijie , Deng Ming-Rong , Zhu Honghui
Published: January 2021

A novel Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped and non-motile bacterial strain, designated as 4C16AT, was isolated from a tidal flat sediment and characterized by using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Strain 4C16AT was found to grow at 10–40 °C (optimum, 28 °C), at pH 5.0–10.0 (optimum, pH 6.0–7.0) and in 0–6 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 1 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain 4C16AT fell into the genus

Roseibium

, and shared the highest identity of 98.9 % with the closest type strain

Roseibium suaedae

KACC 13772T and less than 98.0 % identity with other type strains of recognized species within this genus. The phylogenomic analysis indicated that strain 4C16AT formed an independent branch within this genus. The 28.6 % digital DNA–DNA hybridization estimate and 85.0 % average nucleotide identity between strains 4C16AT and

R. suaedae

KACC 13772T were the highest, but still far below their respective threshold for species definition, implying that strain 4C16AT should represent a novel genospecies. The predominant cellular fatty acid was summed feature 8; the polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine; the respiratory quinones were Q-9 and Q-10. The genomic DNA G+C content was 59.8mol %. Based on phylogenetic analyses and phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain 4C16AT is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus

Roseibium

, for which the name Roseibium litorale sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the species is 4C16AT (=GDMCC 1.1932T=KACC 22078T). We also propose the reclassification of

Labrenzia polysiphoniae

as Roseibium polysiphoniae comb. nov. and ‘Labrenzia callyspongiae’ as Roseibium callyspongiae sp. nov.
N,N′-Bis[2,6-bis(1-methylethyl)phenyl]pyridine-4-carboximidamide toluene hemisolvate
Authors: Cottin Lola , Girard Sarah , Hanan Garry S. , Cibian Mihaela
Published: January 2021

The title compound, C30H39N3·0.5C7H8, is a symmetrically N,N′-disubstituted arylamidine containing a 4-pyridyl substituent on the carbon atom of the N–C–N linkage and bulky 2,6-diisopropylphenyl groups on the nitrogen atoms. It crystallizes in the Z-anti configuration and its amidine C—N bonds present amine [1.368 (1) Å] and imine [1.286 (1) Å] features. Intramolecular hydrogen bonds are present in the structure together with intermolecular N—H...N and C—H...N interactions linking the molecules in chains along the a- and c-axis directions.
Norms Affect Prospective Causal Judgments
Authors: Henne Paul , O’Neill Kevin , Bello Paul , Khemlani Sangeet , De Brigard Felipe
Published: January 2021

People more frequently select norm‐violating factors, relative to norm‐conforming ones, as the cause of some outcome. Until recently, this abnormal‐selection effect has been studied using retrospective vignette‐based paradigms. We use a novel set of video stimuli to investigate this effect for prospective causal judgments—that is, judgments about the cause of some future outcome. Four experiments show that people more frequently select norm‐violating factors, relative to norm‐conforming ones, as the cause of some future outcome. We show that the abnormal‐selection effects are not primarily explained by the perception of agency (Experiment 4). We discuss these results in relation to recent efforts to model causal judgment.
An autopsy report of a familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis case carrying VCP Arg487His mutation with a unique TDP‐43 proteinopathy
Authors: Matsubara Tomoyasu , Izumi Yuishin , Oda Masaya , Takahashi Masatoshi , Maruyama Hirofumi , Miyamoto Ryosuke , Watanabe Chigusa , Tachiyama Yoshiro , Morino Hiroyuki , Kawakami Hideshi , Saito Yuko , Murayama Shigeo
Published: January 2021

We here report an autopsy case of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with p.Arg487His mutation in the valosin‐containing protein (VCP) gene (VCP), in which upper motor neurons (UMNs) were predominantly involved. Moreover, our patient developed symptoms of frontotemporal dementia later in life and pathologically exhibited numerous phosphorylated transactivation response DNA‐binding protein of 43 kDa (p‐TDP‐43)‐positive neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions and short dystrophic neurites with a few lentiform neuronal intranuclear inclusions, sharing the features of frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TDP‐43 pathology type A pattern. A review of previous reports of ALS with VCP mutations suggests that our case is unique in terms of its UMN‐predominant lesion pattern and distribution of p‐TDP‐43 pathology. Thus, this case report effectively expands the clinical and pathological phenotype of ALS in patients with a VCP mutation.
Electron conducting Ag2Te nanowire/polymer thermoelectric thin films
Authors: Sutch Tabitha , Allred Jared M. , Szulczewski Greg
Published: January 2021

Herein, we report the electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficients of air-stable, thin films of poly([N,N′-bis(2-octyldodecyl)-naphthalene-1,4,5,8-bis(dicarboximide)-2,6-diyl]-alt-5,5′-(2,2′-bithiophene)) embedded with β-Ag2Te nanowires. Three different length nanowires (∼2600, ∼800, and ∼300 nm) were synthesized and combined with the polymer to yield composite thin films. The room temperature electrical conductivity values of thin films made from the longest nanowires were 5 orders of magnitude larger than the shorter nanowires. The electrical conductivity data were modeled to a series and parallel-connected composite network. The films with the longest nanowires best fit a series-connected model, while the shorted nanowires best fit a parallel connected model. Specifically, the electrical conductivity of the thin films containing the longest Ag2Te nanowires increased from 0.16 to 0.61 S/cm when the weight percent Ag2Te increased from 45 to 85%. The magnitude of the Seebeck coefficient remained relatively unchanged (about −130 μV/K) as the amount of Ag2Te in the films increased. A power factor of ∼1 μW/mK2 was determined for the 85 wt. % Ag2Te films at room temperature. These results reveal the important role of the nanowire length in the thermoelectric performance of composite thin films.
Exploration of room acoustics coupling in Hagia Sophia of İstanbul for its different states
Authors: Sü Gül Zühre
Published: January 2021

İstanbul’s Hagia Sophia is a monumental structure with multiple sub-spaces coupled to one another through arches. Its architectural elements have undergone alterations as its function has changed from that of a church to a mosque, a mosque to a museum, and back to a mosque. This study makes use of Hagia Sophia’s rich formal and material characteristics to conduct a comprehensive investigation of room acoustics coupling. The methodology involves the application of the diffusion equation model (DEM) for sound energy flow analysis. Energy flow decays and energy flow dips are examined for almost 1000 receiver positions distributed throughout the various sub-spaces of the building. Ray-tracing (Ray-t) simulations are used to support the energy flow decay analysis conducted using DEM. The Ray-t data are subjected to Bayesian analysis to identify the decay parameters and the degree of acoustical coupling. Among the many variables, the source-receiver distance and positioning within different sub-spaces appear to be the underlying determinant of multi-slope sound decay pattern. On the other hand, the cases of multi-slope decays identified within the structure tend to weaken and single-slope cases increase when the overall absorption area increases in the mosque state due to the carpeted floor.
A method to calculate acoustic radiation modes based on spheroidal wave functions
Authors: Wang Yiming , Liu Yangfan , Bolton J. Stuart
Published: January 2021

Acoustic radiation modes (ARMs) have been widely used in noise control engineering. For an arbitrarily shaped radiator, ARMs are usually obtained by using the boundary element method (BEM). For high frequencies and large structures, the BEM calculation is usually time consuming. An alternative method was recently developed in which the ARMs are obtained by using generalized singular value decomposition and spherical harmonic functions. In this paper, spheroidal harmonic functions are used instead of spherical harmonic functions. The proposed method is potentially more efficient for ARM calculations for structures with one dimension significantly larger than the other two.
Three-dimensional-printed replica models of bone for experimentally decoupling trabecular bone properties contribution to ultrasound propagation parameters
Authors: Athanasios Tsirigotis , Konstantinos Apostolopoulos , Despoina Deligianni
Published: January 2021

A detailed investigation of the relationship between ultrasonic (US) properties and trabecular bone microstructure is difficult because of the great variability in the bone loss process. The aim of this work was twofold. First, to verify by compressive tests that the three-dimensional (3D)-printer is able to produce precisely and repeatedly “bone replica models” of different size and density. Following, replicas of the original specimens with two different polymers and thinned trabeculae models were used to investigate US properties (speed of sound, SOS, and backscatter coefficient), aiming to deconvolute the influence of material properties on ultrasound characteristics. The results revealed that matrix material properties influence only the magnitude of the backscatter coefficient, whereas the characteristic undulated patterns are related to the trabecular structure. Simulation of perforation and thinning of cancellous bone, associated with bone loss, showed that SOS and mechanical properties were reduced perfectly linearly with apparent density when structure deteriorated. The 3D-printed bone replicas have the potential to enable systematic investigations of the influence of structure on both acoustical and mechanical properties and evaluate changes caused by bone loss. The development of replicas from materials with properties close to those of bone will permit quantitative conclusions for trabecular bone.
Measurement and simulation of steered acoustic fields generated by a multielement array for therapeutic ultrasound
Authors: Martin Eleanor , Roberts Morgan , Treeby Bradley
Published: January 2021

Modelling of fields generated by therapeutic ultrasound arrays can be prone to errors arising from differences from nominal transducer parameters, and variations in relative outputs of array elements when driven under different conditions, especially when simulating steered fields. Here, the effect of element size, element positions, relative source pressure variations, and electrical crosstalk on the accuracy of modelling pressure fields generated by a 555 kHz 32-element ultrasonic array were investigated. For this transducer, errors in pressure amplitude and focal position were respectively reduced from 20% to 4% and 3.3 mm to 1.5 mm using crosstalk prediction, and experimentally determined positions.
Physical Activity in Children and Adolescents With Chronic Respiratory Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Torres-Castro Rodrigo , Vasconcello-Castillo Luis , Acosta-Dighero Roberto , Sepúlveda-Cáceres Nicolás , Barros-Poblete Marisol , Puppo Homero , Vera-Uribe Roberto , Vilaró Jordi , Herrera-Romero Mario
Published: January 2021

Background: The literature is unclear as to whether children and adolescents with chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) differ from their healthy peers in physical activity (PA). Objective: To determine the PA levels measured through accelerometers in children and adolescents with CRDs. Methods: The authors conducted a systematic review using five databases. The authors included studies that assessed the PA measured by accelerometers in children and adolescents with CRDs. Two independent reviewers analyzed the studies, extracted the data, and assessed the quality of evidence. Results: From 11,497 reports returned by the initial search, 29 articles reporting on 4381 patients were included. In the sensitivity analysis, the authors found that children and adolescents with CRDs had a moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) of −0.08 hours per day (95% confidence interval [CI], −0.12 to −0.03 h/d; P = .001), which was lower than the healthy controls; the values for sedentary time (mean difference −0.47 h/d; 95% CI, −1.29 to 0.36 h/d; P = .27) and steps/d (mean difference 361 steps/d; 95% CI −385 to 1707 steps/d; P = .45) were similar for both. Conclusion: Children and adolescents with CRDs have a slight reduction in MVPA in comparison with healthy controls, but sedentary time and steps/d were similar for both.
International High-Performance Sport Camps and the Development of Emplaced Physical Capital Among Pasifika Athletes
Authors: O’Brien Wendy , Riot Caroline , Minahan Clare
Published: January 2021

In this paper, the authors explore how athletes from the Global South interact with the material environment of an international training camp program in the lead up to a major event. Set within the context of Pasifika nations with colonial and missionary legacies, they examine the material, affective, sensory, and rhythmic forces at work to produce enabling or constraining capacities for emplaced physical capital in athletes. Driven by a desire to improve their performance, athletes resisted, appropriated, and adopted various high-performance practices to develop their emplaced physical capital capacities.
The C
2
H
2
Transcription Factor SltA Contributes to Azole Resistance by Coregulating the Expression of the Drug Target Erg11A and the Drug Efflux Pump Mdr1 in Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Du Wenlong , Zhai Pengfei , Wang Tingli , Bromley Michael J. , Zhang Yuanwei , Lu Ling
Published: January 2021

The emergence of azole-resistant fungal pathogens has posed a great threat to public health worldwide. Although the molecular mechanism of azole resistance has been extensively investigated, the potential regulators of azole resistance remain largely unexplored.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2): a Systemic Infection
Authors: Synowiec Aleksandra , Szczepański Artur , Barreto-Duran Emilia , Lie Laurensius Kevin , Pyrc Krzysztof
Published: January 2021

To date, seven identified coronaviruses (CoVs) have been found to infect humans; of these, three highly pathogenic variants have emerged in the 21st century. The newest member of this group, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was first detected at the end of 2019 in Hubei province, China.
P2RX7 at the Host-Pathogen Interface of Infectious Diseases
Authors: Soare Alexandra Y. , Freeman Tracey L. , Min Alice K. , Malik Hagerah S. , Osota Elizabeth O. , Swartz Talia H.
Published: January 2021

The P2X7 receptor (P2RX7) is an important molecule that functions as a danger sensor, detecting extracellular nucleotides from injured cells and thus signaling an inflammatory program to nearby cells. It is expressed in immune cells and plays important roles in pathogen surveillance and cell-mediated responses to infectious organisms.
Novel Immune Modulators Enhance
Caenorhabditis elegans
Resistance to Multiple Pathogens
Authors: Hummell Nicholas A. , Revtovich Alexey V. , Kirienko Natalia V.
Published: January 2021

Trends moving in opposite directions (increasing antimicrobial resistance and declining novel antimicrobial development) have precipitated a looming crisis: a nearly complete inability to safely and effectively treat bacterial infections. To avert this, new approaches are needed.
Coexistence of Communicating and Noncommunicating Cells in the Filamentous Cyanobacterium
Anabaena
Authors: Arévalo Sergio , Nenninger Anja , Nieves-Morión Mercedes , Herrero Antonia , Mullineaux Conrad W. , Flores Enrique
Published: January 2021

Multicellularity is found in bacteria as well as in eukaryotes, and the filamentous heterocyst-forming (N
2
-fixing) cyanobacteria represent a simple and ancient paradigm of multicellular organisms. Multicellularity generally involves cell-cell adhesion and communication.
Soil Health Management Enhances Microbial Nitrogen Cycling Capacity and Activity
Authors: Hu Jialin , Jin Virginia L. , Konkel Julie Y. M. , Schaeffer Sean M. , Schneider Liesel G. , DeBruyn Jennifer M.
Published: January 2021

Conservation agriculture practices that promote soil health have distinct and lasting effects on microbial populations involved with soil nitrogen (N) cycling. In particular, using a leguminous winter cover crop (hairy vetch) promoted the expression of key functional genes involved in soil N cycling, equaling or exceeding the effects of inorganic N fertilizer.
Genes Influencing Phage Host Range in Staphylococcus aureus on a Species-Wide Scale
Authors: Moller Abraham G. , Winston Kyle , Ji Shiyu , Wang Junting , Hargita Davis Michelle N. , Solís-Lemus Claudia R. , Read Timothy D.
Published: January 2021

Staphylococcus aureus
is a widespread, hospital- and community-acquired pathogen, many strains of which are antibiotic resistant. It causes diverse diseases, ranging from local to systemic infection, and affects both the skin and many internal organs, including the heart, lungs, bones, and brain.
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis presenting with unilateral facial nerve palsy and nasal septum perforation
Authors: Zaeri Bandar , Khan Soha , Hegazy Asmaa , Al Ghanim Nayef
Published: January 2021

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a necrotising vasculitis of unknown cause that has several systemic manifestations. The disease is characterised by the classical triad involving acute inflammation of the upper and lower respiratory tracts with renal involvement. However, the disease pathology can involve the central nervous system. This case report presents a case of GPA with facial nerve palsy as the first manifestation of the disease, which has been rarely reported in the medical literature.
HSV-associated proctitis presenting without perianal lesions: why testing and empirical treatment may be important
Authors: Hughes Yasmin , Lewis David A
Published: January 2021

A man in his late 30s presented with a several-day history of rectal pain, discharge and bleeding associated with systemic upset. Sexual history revealed receptive anal sex with several male partners in the 2 weeks preceding his clinic visit. Examination of the perianal area was unremarkable. Proctoscopy showed evidence of non-ulcerative proctitis. Microscopy for Gram stain showed pus cells plus extracellular Gram-negative diplococci. The patient was treated for presumptive gonorrhoea and chlamydial infection with ceftriaxone, azithromycin and doxycycline. The patient failed to improve with this treatment regimen. Rectal swab results at 48 hours confirmed the causative agent to be herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 2. The patient was recalled and treated successfully with valaciclovir. This case serves as a useful reminder to clinicians to consider HSV in the differential diagnosis of sexually transmitted proctitis, in the absence of perianal or anorectal ulceration.
Clinical diagnosis of LGI1 antibody encephalitis in an 83-year-old woman
Authors: Attwood Jonathan E , Naseer Saniya , Michael Sophia , Riley Josie
Published: January 2021

An 83-year-old woman was referred to hospital with a 2-week history of short-lived episodic unpleasant sensations in her head and running down her body. This was accompanied by new short-term memory impairment and arm spasms. Initial investigations including blood tests and brain imaging did not reveal the diagnosis. The patient developed an increasing frequency of abnormal movements of her face and arm. These were clinically recognised as faciobrachial dystonic seizures (FBDS). FBDS are pathognomonic of an autoimmune encephalitis caused by an antibody directed against leucine-rich glioma-inactivated 1 (LGI1). The clinical diagnosis resulted in treatment with immunotherapy, leading to cessation of seizures and rapid cognitive recovery. Later, the predicted serology was confirmed. This reversible and under-recognised cause of cognitive impairment, typically affecting elderly patients, can be diagnosed clinically to enable early and effective treatment.
Rotatory subluxation of the proximal interphalangeal joint: an easily missed diagnosis
Authors: Assiotis Angelos , Jenkins Christopher , Amirfeyz Rouin
Published: January 2021

We present a case of volar rotatory subluxation of index finger proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) following a skiing accident. The injury was initially perceived to be a central slip rupture and treatment was directed as such. After the initial delay in the diagnosis, the patient underwent surgery during which his radial collateral ligament was found to be avulsed from the proximal origin, the radial lateral band palmarly subluxed and was interposed in the joint space. This structure was also adhered to the uninjured volar plate.

PIPJ volar rotatory subluxation could be readily missed in the acute setting. Without surgery, the functional outcome could be mediocre and to the patient’s detriment.
Intravenous lobular capillary haemangioma presenting as neck discomfort associated with neck anteflexion
Authors: Ikeda Kotaro , Ichiba Toshihisa , Seo Kazunori , Okazaki Yuji
Published: January 2021

Lobular capillary haemangioma, also known as pyogenic granuloma, is a benign vascular tumour that usually originates in the skin and mucosal membrane. It sometimes derives from the lumen of a vein and the clinical presentations are various and non-specific. A 72-year-old woman complained of a sensation of pressure in her left neck for 1 month when cooking. Her left cephalic vein was enlarged with no signs of oedema, and cervical ultrasound revealed a space-occupying lesion in the left subclavian vein. Contrast-enhanced CT and MRI revealed an intravascular tumour. This tumour was removed with operation, and histopathological examination revealed intravascular capillary haemangioma. Intravascular lobular capillary haemangioma is a rare condition that occurs in the veins of the neck and upper extremities. Intravascular tumours could cause a unique symptom, such as neck discomfort associated with neck anteflexion.
Takayasu’s arteritis with giant left ventricular pseudoaneurysm presenting as heart failure
Authors: Rivera Frederick Berro , Tuazon Cecileen Anne M , Ramiro Valerie R , Abola Maria Teresa
Published: January 2021

Takayasu’s arteritis (TA) is a vasculitis with a predilection for young women. Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm (PSA) in TA is a rare phenomenon. We report a 36 years old Filipina who presented with heart failure symptoms. Years prior, she had a recurrent fever, headache, myalgia and left arm claudication. On workup, a 2D echo revealed a left ventricular PSA with mural thrombus and moderate mitral regurgitation. Cardiac MRI further characterised the PSA with a sac diameter of 8×7.5×8.4 cm (CC×T×AP). Carotid Duplex Scan revealed total occlusion of the mid to distal right common carotid artery and left subclavian artery. She was started on immunosuppresants and guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) for heart failure and subsequently underwent successful endoventricular patch closure and mitral valve repair. This case highlights the importance of actively searching for cardiac complications of TA which although very rare, can dominate the clinical picture and may carry a dismal prognosis if left untreated.
Primary Sjögren’s syndrome manifesting as sclerotic metabolic bone disease
Authors: Boro Hiya , Goyal Alpesh , Naik Shailendra Singh , Tandon Nikhil
Published: January 2021

Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) is a chronic slowly progressive autoimmune disease characterised by lymphocytic infiltration of salivary and lacrimal glands with varying degree of systemic involvement. Renal involvement, a recognised extraglandular manifestation of pSS, is commonly related to tubular dysfunction and generally manifests as distal renal tubular acidosis (RTA), proximal RTA, tubular proteinuria and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Untreated long-standing RTA is known to cause metabolic bone disease. Here, we present the report of a patient with sclerotic metabolic bone disease related to pSS with combined distal and proximal RTA and negative workup for other causes of sclerotic bone disease. A significant clinical and biochemical improvement, including recovery of proximal tubular dysfunction, was noted with alkali therapy. This case suggests the need to consider pSS in the diagnostic algorithm of a patient presenting with sclerotic bone disease.
Body integrity identity disorder using augmented reality: a symptom reduction study
Authors: Turbyne Collin , Koning Pelle de , Zantvoord Jasper , Denys Damiaan
Published: January 2021

Body integrity identity disorder (BIID) is a rare condition characterised by a discrepancy between specific areas of an individual’s perceived body image and body schema which causes the individual to disassociate those physical areas of their body from their internal representation. There are currently no efficacious, ethically unambiguous means for achieving long-lasting symptom reductions. In the case we present, two patients with BIID underwent an augmented reality (AR)-based simulation that virtually amputated their alienated limbs, allowing them to experience their ideal selves. During the exposure, both patients reported reductions in BIID-related complaints. These preliminary results suggest the existence of a possible therapeutic and diagnostic potential that AR possesses, which warrants further consideration within clinical healthcare settings.
Protein-losing enteropathy as precursor of inflammatory bowel disease: a review of the literature
Authors: Murray Fritz Ruprecht , Morell Bernhard , Biedermann Luc , Schreiner Philipp
Published: January 2021

We report the case of a 63-year-old female patient with liver cirrhosis who presented with symptoms of severe hypoalbuminaemia and diarrhoea. After ruling out other causes of hypoalbuminaemia and confirmation of an elevated faecal α-1 antitrypsin clearance, the diagnosis of protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) could be established. Since PLE is a syndrome caused by various diseases, classified into erosive and non-erosive gastrointestinal diseases or lymphatic obstruction, an extensive work-up was necessary, establishing the final diagnosis of Crohn’s disease.
Treatment of calcium channel blocker-induced gingival overgrowth without modifying medication
Authors: Morikawa Satoru , Nasu Mana , Miyashita Yoko , Nakagawa Taneaki
Published: January 2021

Gingival overgrowth is a common side effect of calcium channel blockers used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. While controversial, management includes discontinuing the calcium channel blocker. We report the case of a 66-year-old Japanese man with hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus who was diagnosed with severe periodontitis covering almost all the teeth. The patient had been on nifedipine (40 mg/day) and amlodipine (10 mg/day) medication for 5 years. With his physician’s consent, nifedipine was discontinued during his treatment for periodontitis, which consisted of oral hygiene instructions and scaling and root planing on all areas. Gingivectomy was performed on the areas of hard fibrous swelling. Nifedipine was resumed during periodontal treatment when the patient’s hypertension worsened. His periodontal scores improved when he resumed treatment. We report that significant improvement in gingival overgrowth can occur with basic periodontal treatment, surgery and sustained intensive follow-up without adjusting calcium channel blockers.
Scaphoid non-union with pre-existing screws treated by 3D preoperative planning
Authors: Oki Satoshi , Matsuo Tomoki , Furuhata Ryogo , Iwabu Shohei
Published: January 2021

Scaphoid fractures, if deemed operative, can often be treated successfully by headless compression screw fixation. Unfortunately, some patients go on to develop a scaphoid fracture non-union with screw loosening, bone resorption, bone deformity and carpal malalignment. To assist surgeons in managing these difficult cases, specifically designed scaphoid fracture plates have recently been introduced. We present a case of a scaphoid fracture non-union with retained screws and bone loss that was effectively treated by volar plate fixation using a three-dimensional (3D) printed model to assist with restoration of scaphoid morphology and implant positioning. Before surgery, 3D preoperative planning using a surface registration technique and a 3D printer was performed. Referring to the 3D-printed reduced model facilitated the prediction of gaps after reduction and helped decide the implant position and screw directions. Carpal alignment parameters gradually improved by 1 year postoperatively.
Service user and community clinician design of a partially virtual diabetic service improves access to care and education and reduces amputation incidence
Authors: Watt Alastair , Beacham Andrea , Palmer-Mann Lynne , Williams Amy , White Jacqueline , Brown Rebecca , Williams Ellena , Richards Gayle , White Lyndon , Budge Pauline , Darvall Katy , Bond Ed , Paisey Richard
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Design of an integrated diabetes service based on needs of service users (persons living with diabetes) and community clinicians in a semirural low-income health district of the UK.

Research design and methods

One hundred and eighty-five service users engaged through public meetings, questionnaires and focus groups. General practice staff contributed views through workshops and questionnaires. Analysis of feedback indicated service user needs for better access to education, dietary advice and foot care. General practice staff endorsed these views and requested regular access to secondary care in the community. Seven hundred persons registered with diabetes attended eight well-being events in the community. From 2017 virtual practice multidisciplinary patient reviews, virtual referral of foot cases and non-face-to-face helplines were developed. A National Health Service (NHS) approved ‘App’ and web-based personalized education support for those recently diagnosed with diabetes was introduced.

Results

Engagement in education for those recently diagnosed with diabetes increased from 5% to 71%. Weight and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels before and 6 months after starting the program were 99.4±25 and 95.5±24.2 kg and 59.3±16 and 54.8±12.9 mmol/mol, respectively, p=0.00003 and 0.003. Of those engaging at well-being events, 44 had missed regular follow-up. One hundred and seventy-five cases were reviewed virtually with practice staff by the secondary care team avoiding referral to the hospital diabetic clinic. One hundred and seventy-six referrals were made to the virtual multidisciplinary diabetic foot team clinic. Major amputation incidence declined from 13 to 3 major procedures/10 000 per annum and minor amputation from 26 to 18/10 000. Percentage bed day occupancy by persons with diabetes fell significantly in the district general hospital.

Conclusions

Integrated community-based diabetes care delivery has been achieved with partially virtual reviews. Patient education, secondary care in the community, access to dietetic advice and foot care outcomes have all improved.
Associations of cells from both innate and adaptive immunity with lower nerve conduction velocity: the Maastricht Study
Authors: Maalmi Haifa , Wouters Kristiaan , Savelberg Hans H C M , van der Velde Jeroen H P M , Reulen Jos P H , Mess Werner , Schalkwijk Casper G , Stehouwer Coen D A , Roden Michael , Ziegler Dan , Herder Christian , Schaper Nicolaas C
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Distal sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN) is common in people with diabetes but is also found in pre-diabetes. Peripheral nerve myelin damage, which can be assessed by reduced nerve conduction velocity (NCV), is an essential feature of DSPN. Emerging evidence indicates that the development of DSPN may involve the activation of the immune system. However, available studies have mainly investigated circulating immune mediators, whereas the role of immune cells remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to test whether leukocyte subsets are associated with NCV.

Research design and methods

This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 850 individuals (of whom 252 and 118 had type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes, respectively) of the Maastricht Study. NCV was measured in the peroneal and tibial motor nerves and the sural sensory nerve and summed to calculate a standardized NCV sum score. Associations between percentages of leukocyte subsets and NCV sum scores were estimated using linear regression models adjusted for demographic, lifestyle, metabolic and clinical covariates.

Results

After adjustment for covariates, higher percentages of basophils and CD4+T cells were associated with lower NCV (p=0.014 and p=0.005, respectively). The percentage of CD8+T cells was positively associated with NCV (p=0.022). These associations were not modified by glucose metabolism status (all pinteraction>0.05). No associations were found for monocytes, eosinophils, neutrophils, lymphocytes, total T cells, Treg cells and B cells.

Conclusions

The associations of basophils, CD4+and CD8+T cells with NCV suggest that cell types from both innate and adaptive immunity may be implicated in the development of DSPN.