bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A machine learning algorithm for electrocardiographic fQRS quantification validated on multi-center data
Authors: Villa Amalia , Vandenberk Bert , Kenttä Tuomas , Ingelaere Sebastian , Huikuri Heikki V , Zabel Markus , Friede Tim , Sticherling Christian , Tuinenburg Anton , Malik Marek , Van Huffel Sabine , Willems Rik , Varon Carolina
Published: April 2022

Fragmented QRS (fQRS) is an electrocardiographic (ECG) marker of myocardial conduction abnormality, characterized by additional notches in the QRS complex. The presence of fQRS has been associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality and arrhythmia in patients with cardiovascular disease. However, current binary visual analysis is prone to intra- and inter-observer variability and different definitions are problematic in clinical practice. Therefore, objective quantification of fQRS is needed and could further improve risk stratification of these patients. We present an automated method for fQRS detection and quantification. First, a novel robust QRS complex segmentation strategy is proposed, which combines multi-lead information and excludes abnormal heartbeats automatically. Afterwards extracted features, based on variational mode decomposition (VMD), phase-rectified signal averaging (PRSA) and the number of baseline-crossings of the ECG, were used to train a machine learning classifier (Support Vector Machine) to discriminate fragmented from non-fragmented ECG-traces using multi-center data and combining different fQRS criteria used in clinical settings. The best model was trained on the combination of two independent previously annotated datasets and, compared to these visual fQRS annotations, achieved Kappa scores of 0.68 and 0.44, respectively. We also show that the algorithm might be used in both regular sinus rhythm and irregular beats during atrial fibrillation. These results demonstrate that the proposed approach could be relevant for clinical practice by objectively assessing and quantifying fQRS. The study sets the path for further clinical application of the developed automated fQRS algorithm.
Characterizing tuberculosis transmission dynamics in high-burden urban and rural settings
Authors: Smith Jonathan P. , Oeltmann John E. , Hill Andrew N. , Tobias James L. , Boyd Rosanna , Click Eleanor S. , Finlay Alyssa , Mondongo Chawangwa , Zetola Nicola M. , Moonan Patrick K.
Published: April 2022

Mycobacterium tuberculosistransmission dynamics in high-burden settings are poorly understood. Growing evidence suggests transmission may be characterized by extensive individual heterogeneity in secondary cases (i.e., superspreading), yet the degree and influence of such heterogeneity is largely unknown and unmeasured in high burden-settings. We conducted a prospective, population-based molecular epidemiology study of TB transmission in both an urban and rural setting of Botswana, one of the highest TB burden countries in the world. We used these empirical data to fit two mathematical models (urban and rural) that jointly quantified both the effective reproductive number,$$R$$R, and the propensity for superspreading in each population. We found both urban and rural populations were characterized by a high degree of individual heterogeneity, however such heterogeneity disproportionately impacted the rural population: 99% of secondary transmission was attributed to only 19% of infectious cases in the rural population compared to 60% in the urban population and the median number of incident cases until the first outbreak of 30 cases was only 32 for the rural model compared to 791 in the urban model. These findings suggest individual heterogeneity plays a critical role shaping local TB epidemiology within subpopulations.
3D-printed model and osteotomy template technique compared with conventional closing-wedge osteotomy in cubitus varus deformity
Authors: Li Jin , Wang Jing , Rai Saroj , Ze RenHao , Hong Pan , Wang ShangYu , Tang Xin
Published: April 2022

Cubitus varus deformity is the most common late complication of malunited supracondylar fracture that requires corrective osteotomy and fixation. From 2009 to 2017, 40 consecutive patients with cubitus varus deformity were included. Twenty patients underwent the conventional closing-wedge osteotomy (conventional group), while the other twenty patients underwent the 3D-printed model and osteotomy template osteotomy (3D-printed template group). The functional outcome was evaluated using the Mayo Elbow Performance Index (MEPI) Score and Flynn criteria. There were no statistically significant differences were observed regarding the humerus-elbow-wrist angle and tilting angle between the two groups, both preoperatively and postoperatively at 24 months. No statistically significant differences were observed regarding the elbow ROM (127.0 ± 4.7° VS 128.9 ± 3.8°) and MEPI score (93.5 ± 3.3 VS 94.3 ± 4.1) between the groups. All patients were satisfied both cosmetically and functionally as per the Flynn criteria and MEPI score. The conventional osteotomy and 3D-printed model and osteotomy template techniques both met the treatment requirements of cubitus varus deformity. The 3D-printed template technique showed better osteotomy accuracy, but no significant advantage regarding the functional and cosmetic results than conventional osteotomy.
Imaging furcation defects with low-dose cone beam computed tomography
Authors: Ruetters Maurice , Gehrig Holger , Kim Ti-Sun , Bartha Valentin , Bruckner Thomas , Schwindling Franz Sebastian , Felten Anna , Lux Christopher , Sen Sinan
Published: April 2022

Different cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) protocols have shown promising results for imaging furcation defects. This study evaluates the suitability of low-dose (LD)-CBCT for this purpose. Fifty-nine furcation defects of nine upper and 16 lower molars in six human cadavers were measured by a high-dose (HD)-CBCT protocol, a LD-CBCT protocol, and a surgical protocol. HD-CBCT and LD-CBCT measurements were made twice by two investigators and were compared with the intrasurgical measurements, which served as the reference. Furcation defect volumes generated from HD-CBCT and LD-CBCT imaging were segmented by one rater. Cohen’s kappa and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values were calculated to determine intra- and interrater reliability. The level of significance was set at α = 0.05. In total, 59 furcation defects of nine upper and 16 lower human molars were assessed. Comparing CBCT furcation defect measurements with surgical measurements revealed a Cohen’s kappa of 0.5975 (HD-and LD-CBCT), indicating moderate agreement. All furcation defects identified by HD-CBCT were also detected by LD-CBCT by both raters, resulting in a Cohen’s kappa of 1. For interrater agreement, linear furcation defect measurements showed an ICC of 0.992 for HD-CBCT and 0.987 for LD-CBCT. The intrarater agreement was 0.994(r1)/0.992(r2) for HD-CBCT and 0.987(r1)/0.991(r2) for LD-CBCT. The intermodality agreement was 0.988(r1)/0.991(r2). Paired t-test showed no significant differences between HD-CBCT and LD-CBCT measurements. LD-CBCT is a precise and reliable method for detecting and measuring furcation defects in mandibular and maxillary molars in this experimental setting. It has the potential to improve treatment planning and treatment monitoring with a far lower radiation dose than conventional HD-CBCT.
Controlling unequal surface energy results caused by test liquids: the case of UV/O3 Treated PET
Authors: Altay Bilge Nazli , Fleming Paul D. , Rahman Md Arifur , Pekarovicova Alexandra , Myers Bruce , Aydemir Cem , Karademir Arif
Published: April 2022

Ultraviolet/ozone (UV/O3) treatment has been reported to be an effective method to modify properties such as wettability, adhesion or adsorption of plastic surfaces. The change in the surface is measured by contact angle analysis, which employs liquids and their surface tensions (ST) to estimate the surface energy (SE). We found two different practices in the scientific community: (1) the majority of researchers adopted the ST value of liquids from the literature, while (2) other researchers conducted real-time measurements in the lab under ambient conditions prior to SE estimation. To the best of our knowledge, there is no study that compares the difference between the two practices. One study was found to show different SE methods generating unequal SE values for the same substrate. However, there was no definitive conclusion backed by general thermodynamics rules. In this study, we presented (1) a statistical significance test that showed the literature and experimental ST values are significantly different, and studied (2) the effect of different liquid pairs on the SE estimation for UV/O3 treated poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) substrate. Modification techniques such as atmospheric pressure plasma or chemical modification were studied previously to examine PET’s wettability and the SE. The UV/O3 treatment was studied to improve adhesion and to modify its chemical properties for adsorption. In contrast, we studied (3) the effect of UV/O3 on wettability at different timeframes and addressed (4) how to control unequal SE based on a method that was refined on a rigorous thermodynamic three-phase system. It must be noted that this method can be generalized to other types of solid surfaces to estimate thermodynamically self-consistent SE values. This work also provides (5) a web-based calculator that complements computational findings available to the readership in the data availability section.
Comparative analysis of buds transcriptome and identification of two florigen gene AkFTs in Amorphophallus konjac
Authors: Gao Han , Zhao Yan , Huang Lihua , Huang Yu , Chen Jinjun , Zhou Haiyan , Zhang Xuewen
Published: April 2022

Leaves and flowers of Amorphophallus konjac do not develop simultaneously thus unique features can be elucidated through study of flowering transformation in A. konjac. In this study, transcriptome libraries of A. konjac leaf buds (LB) and flower buds (FB) were constructed followed by high-throughput sequencing. A total of 68,906 unigenes with an average length of 920 bp were obtained after library assembly. Out of these genes, 24,622 unigenes had annotation information. A total of 6859 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified through differential expression analysis using LB as control. Notably, 2415 DEGs were upregulated whereas 4444 DEGs were downregulated in the two transcriptomes. Go and KEGG analysis showed that the DEGs belonged to 44 functional categories and were implicated in 98 metabolic pathways and 38 DEGs involved in plant hormone signal transduction. Several genes were mined that may be involved in A. konjac flower bud differentiation and flower organ development. Eight DEGs were selected for verification of RNA-seq results using qRT-PCR analysis. Two FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) genes named AkFT1 and AkFT2 were identified though homologous analysis may be the florigen gene implicated in modulation of A. konjac flowering. These genes were significantly upregulated in flower buds compared with the expression levels on leaf buds. Overexpression of AkFT genes though heterologous expression in Arabidopsis showed that the transgenics flowered at a very early stage relative to wild type plants. These findings indicate that AkFT1 and AkFT2 function as regulation genes in A. konjac flowering development and the two genes may present similar functions during flowering transition.
Clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of 118 cases of myeloid sarcoma
Authors: Zhao Haiqiu , Dong Zhenkun , Wan Dingming , Cao Weijie , Xing Haizhou , Liu Zhenzhen , Fan Jixin , Wang Haiqiong , Lu Runqing , Zhang Yinyin , Cheng Qianqian , Jiang Zhongxing , He Fei , Xie Xinsheng , Guo Rong
Published: April 2022

Myeloid sarcoma is a rare manifestation of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and is associated with poor overall survival (OS). The optimal treatment remains unclear. The study retrospectively evaluated 118 patients with myeloid sarcoma who were treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2010 to July 2021. All cases were diagnosed by tissue biopsy. 41 patients underwent genetic mutation analysis. The most frequent genetic mutations were KIT (16.6%), followed by TET2 (14.6%), and NRAS (14.6%). The median survival time of 118 patients was 4 months (range, 1–51 months), while the median survival time of 11 patients who received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) was 19 months (range, 8–51 months). 4 (36.4%) of the 11 patients experienced relapse within 1 year after transplantation. 1 patient died from a severe infection. Of the 6 surviving patients, 5 patients have received maintenance treatment with decitabine after transplantation, and all remained in a state of recurrence-free survival. Patients with myeloid sarcoma have a very unfavorable outcome. Allo-HSCT is an effective treatment option. Recurrence remains the main cause of transplant failure. Maintenance treatment with decitabine after transplantation can prolong the recurrence-free survival time, although these results must be verified in a study with expanded sample size.
Grasp-squeeze adaptation to changes in object compliance leads to dynamic beta-band communication between primary somatosensory and motor cortices
Authors: Cu Huy , Lynch Laurie , Huang Kevin , Truccolo Wilson , Nurmikko Arto
Published: April 2022

In asking the question of how the brain adapts to changes in the softness of manipulated objects, we studied dynamic communication between the primary sensory and motor cortical areas when nonhuman primates grasp and squeeze an elastically deformable manipulandum to attain an instructed force level. We focused on local field potentials recorded from S1 and M1 via intracortical microelectrode arrays. We computed nonparametric spectral Granger Causality to assess directed cortico-cortical interactions between these two areas. We demonstrate that the time-causal relationship between M1 and S1 is bidirectional in the beta-band (15–30 Hz) and that this interareal communication develops dynamically as the subjects adjust the force of hand squeeze to reach the target level. In particular, the directed interaction is strongest when subjects are focused on maintaining the instructed force of hand squeeze in a steady state for several seconds. When the manipulandum’s compliance is abruptly changed, beta-band interareal communication is interrupted for a short period (~ 1 s) and then is re-established once the subject has reached a new steady state. These results suggest that transient beta oscillations can provide a communication subspace for dynamic cortico-cortical S1–M1 interactions during maintenance of steady sensorimotor states.
Toward passive BCI: asynchronous decoding of neural responses to direction- and angle-specific perturbations during a simulated cockpit scenario
Authors: Jalilpour Shayan , Müller-Putz Gernot
Published: April 2022

Neuroimaging studies have provided proof that loss of balance evokes specific neural transient wave complexes in electroencephalography (EEG), called perturbation evoked potentials (PEPs). Online decoding of balance perturbations from ongoing EEG signals can establish the possibility of implementing passive brain-computer interfaces (pBCIs) as a part of aviation/driving assistant systems. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of identifying the existence and expression of perturbations in four different conditions by using EEG signals. Fifteen healthy participants experienced four various postural changes while they sat in a glider cockpit. Sudden perturbations were exposed by a robot connected to a glider and moved to the right and left directions with tilting angles of 5 and 10 degrees. Perturbations occurred in an oddball paradigm in which participants were not aware of the time and expression of the perturbations. We employed a hierarchical approach to separate the perturbation and rest, and then discriminate the expression of perturbations. The performance of the BCI system was evaluated by using classification accuracy and F1 score. Asynchronously, we achieved average accuracies of 89.83 and 73.64% and average F1 scores of 0.93 and 0.60 for binary and multiclass classification, respectively. These results manifest the practicality of pBCI for the detection of balance disturbances in a realistic situation.
Niche differentiation of comammox Nitrospira in sediments of the Three Gorges Reservoir typical tributaries, China
Authors: Zhang Jiahui , Hu Mingming , Wang Yuchun , Zhao Jianwei , Li Shanze , Bao Yufei , Wen Jie , Hu Jinlong , Zhou Mingzhi
Published: April 2022

Complete ammonia oxidizer (Comammox) can complete the whole nitrification process independently, whose niche differentiation is important guarantee for its survival and ecological function. This study investigated the niche differentiation of comammox Nitrospira in the sediments of three typical tributaries of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR). Clade A and clade B of comammox Nitrospira coexisted in all sampling sites simultaneously. The amoA gene abundance of clade A and B was gradually increased or decreased along the flow path of the three tributaries with obvious spatial differentiation. The amoA gene abundance of comammox Nitrospira clade A (6.36 × 103 − 5.06 × 104 copies g−1 dry sediment) was higher than that of clade B (6.26 × 102 − 6.27 × 103 copies g−1 dry sediment), and the clade A amoA gene abundance was one order of magnitude higher than that of AOA (7.24 × 102 − 6.89 × 103 copies g−1 dry sediment) and AOB (1.44 × 102 − 1.46 × 103 copies g−1 dry sediment). A significant positive correlation was observed between comammox Nitrospira clade A amoA gene abundance and flow distance (P < 0.05). The number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in two sub-clades of clade A accounted for the majority in different tributaries, indicating that clade A also had population differentiation among different tributaries. This study revealed that comammox Nitrospira in the sediments of TGR tributaries have niche differentiation and clade A.2 played a more crucial role in comammox Nitrospira community.
Quantification of pre- and post-air plasma-treated graphene oxide dispersed polymer blends for high dielectric applications
Authors: Humbe Shankar S. , Joshi Girish M. , Deshmukh R. R. , Dhanumalayan E. , Kaleemulla S.
Published: April 2022

Polymer nanoblends are in demand for various domestic and industrial applications.
A microRNA-gated thgRNA platform for multiplexed activation of gene expression in mammalian cells
Authors: Hunt Victoria M. , Chen Wilfred
Published: April 2022

Using a newly created AND-gate toehold-gated guide RNA (thgRNA), presence of specific miRNA and mRNA allows conditional gene activation and protein degradation.
Δ-Quantum machine-learning for medicinal chemistry
Authors: Atz Kenneth , Isert Clemens , Böcker Markus N. A. , Jiménez-Luna José , Schneider Gisbert
Published: April 2022

Many molecular design tasks benefit from fast and accurate calculations of quantum-mechanical (QM) properties. 3D message-passing neural networks for Δ-quantum machine-learning enable fast access to DFT-level QM properties for drug-like molecules.
Morphology and topology assessment in hierarchical zeolite materials: adsorption hysteresis, scanning behavior, and domain theory
Authors: Pagis Céline , Laprune David , Roiban Lucian , Epicier Thierry , Daniel Cécile , Tuel Alain , Farrusseng David , Coasne Benoit
Published: April 2022

The multiscale porosity of hierarchical zeolite materials is analyzed through advanced adsorption-based characterization in conjunction with additional techniques including electron tomography.
The rapid construction of bis-BN dipyrrolyl[a,j]anthracenes and a direct comparison with a carbonaceous analogue
Authors: Liu Meiyan , Cui Mingkuan , Zhang Lei , Guo Yongkang , Xu Xiaoyang , Li Wenlong , Li Yuanhao , Zhen Bin , Wu Xiaoming , Liu Xuguang
Published: April 2022

A series of bis-BN dipyrrolyl[a,j]anthracenes and a representative carbonaceous analogue have been synthesized. We studied the optical properties and OLED applications of these BN-PAHs and compared them with the carbonaceous counterpart.
Lewis base sites of non-oxide supports boost oxygen absorption and activation over supported Pt catalysts
Authors: Liu Jianye , Chen Wenbin , He Taihe , Fang Yiwen , Zhong ZiYi , Wang Xiaoming , Li Zhen , Song Yibing
Published: April 2022

Efficient purification of HCHO by C3N4 supported Pt nanoparticles at room temperature.
Versisterol, a new endophytic steroid with 3CL protease inhibitory activity from Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh.
Authors: Elsbaey Marwa , Ibrahim Mahmoud A. A. , Hegazy Mohamed-Elamir F.
Published: April 2022

A new epoxy ergostane sterol, named versisterol, was isolated from Aspergillus versicolor, an endophytic fungus from Avicennia marina.
BiVO4/Fe2O3/ZnFe2O4; triple heterojunction for an enhanced PEC performance for hydrogen generation
Authors: Saxena Sakshi , Verma Anuradha , Asha Kumari , Biswas Neeraj Kumar , Srivastav Anupam , Satsangi Vibha Rani , Shrivastav Rohit , Dass Sahab
Published: April 2022

n/n/n triple heterojunction photoanodes made up of Zr:W-BiVO4, Fe2O3, and ZnFe2O4 metal oxides.
Improved electrochemical performance and solid electrolyte interphase properties of electrolytes based on lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide for high content silicon anodes
Authors: Asheim K. , Vullum P. E. , Wagner N. P. , Andersen H. F. , Mæhlen J. P. , Svensson A. M.
Published: April 2022

Lithiation of silicon in an LiFSI electrolyte results in a bilayer SEI, with an inner, inorganic layer, and an outer, organic. This SEI is more conductive, flexible and homogeneous compared to the SEI formed in an LiPF6 electrolyte.
Facile preparation of flexible binder-free graphene electrodes for high-performance supercapacitors
Authors: Lin Shiqi , Tang Jie , Zhang Wanli , Zhang Kun , Chen Youhu , Gao Runsheng , Yin Hang , Yu Xiaoliang , Qin Lu-Chang
Published: April 2022

A supercapacitor electrode is developed with a free-standing graphene film by a facile two-step strategy. The graphene electrode achieved a gravimetric capacitance of 180 F g−1 and a volumetric capacitance of 94 F cm−3.
High-performance fully-stretchable solid-state lithium-ion battery with a nanowire-network configuration and crosslinked hydrogel
Authors: Cao Xuguang , Tan Dongchen , Guo Qinglei , Zhang Tianpeng , Hu Fangyuan , Sun Nan , Huang Jijie , Fang Chengcheng , Ji Ruonan , Bi Sheng , Jiang Chengming
Published: April 2022

A fully-stretchable solid-state lithium-ion battery (FSSLIB) was fabricated by crumpled-structured nanowires and crosslinked hydrogels, which maintains a 100% stretched state with a conservation rate of 91.6% after 250 stretching cycles.
High-performance aqueous sodium-ion/sulfur battery using elemental sulfur
Authors: Kumar Mukesh , Thakur Neha , Bordoloi Ankur , Kumar Yadav Ashok , N. Jha Shambhunath , Bhattacharyya Dibyendu , Mandal Debaprasad , Nagaiah Tharamani C.
Published: April 2022

A highly efficient NiVP/Pi-NCS host was constructed to realize facile polysulfide anchoring and accelerated polysulfide redox kinetics for high performance, cost-effective, and safer aqueous rechargeable Na-ion/S batteries.
Identification and Comprehension of Narrow Focus by Arabic-Speaking Adolescents With Moderate-to-Profound Hearing Loss
Authors: Kawar Khaloob , Kishon-Rabin Liat , Segal Osnat
Published: April 2022

Purpose:

Processing narrow focus (NF), the stressed word in the sentence, includes both the perceptual ability to identify the stressed word in the sentence and the pragmatic–semantic ability to comprehend the nonexplicit linguistic message. NF and its underlying meaning can be conveyed only via the auditory modality. Therefore, NF can be considered as a measure for assessing the efficacy of the hearing aid (HA) and cochlear implants (CIs) for acquiring nonexplicit language skills. The purpose of this study was to assess identification and comprehension of NF by HA and CI users who are native speakers of Arabic and to associate NF outcomes with speech perception and cognitive and linguistic abilities.

Method:

A total of 46 adolescents (age range: 11;2–18;8) participated: 18 with moderate-to-severe hearing loss who used HAs, 10 with severe-to-profound hearing loss who used CIs, and 18 with typical hearing (TH). Test materials included the Arabic Narrow Focus Test (ANFT), which includes three subtests assessing identification (ANFT1), comprehension of NF in simple four-word sentences (ANFT2), and longer sentences with a construction list at the clause or noun phrase level (ANFT3). In addition, speech perception, vocabulary, and working memory were assessed.

Results:

All the participants successfully identified the word carrying NF, with no significant difference between the groups. Comprehension of NF in ANFT2 and ANFT3 was reduced for HA and CI users compared with TH peers, and speech perception, hearing status, and memory for digits predicted the variability in the overall results of ANFT1, ANFT2, and ANFT3, respectively.

Conclusions:

Arabic speakers who used HAs or CIs were able to identify NF successfully, suggesting that the acoustic cues were perceptually available to them. However, HA and CI users had considerable difficulty in understanding NF. Different factors may contribute to this difficulty, including the memory load during the task as well as pragmatic-linguistic knowledge on the possible meanings of NF.
Investigation on effect of semiconducting screen on space charge behaviour of polypropylene‐based polymers for HVDC cables
Authors: Zhou Mingyu , Wang Haitian , Ren Xintong , Chen George , Luo Yi , Yu Fan
Published: April 2022

High voltage direct current (HVDC) power transmission cable is critical for realising sustainability through renewable energy revolution. Eco‐friendly thermoplastic polypropylene (PP)‐based polymers/nanocomposites are regarded as promising candidates for replacing current thermoset crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) cables. As an essential component of the extruded HVDC cable for improving conductor/insulation interface and suppressing charge injection to insulation at high DC electrical stresses, developing semiconducting (SC) screens that are compatible with PP‐based insulation is of similar importance but has not been well studied yet. This work aims at designing PP‐based semiconducting screens and investigating space charge behaviours of SC/PP/SC sandwich specimen to unfold the effect of semiconducting materials, bonding methods, applied DC electric field, and temperature on charge injection, accumulation, transportation, and dissipation in PP‐based insulation. Although conventional thermal, mechanical, and low field electrical characterisations demonstrated that all of the developed semiconducting materials meet the performance criteria of commercial semiconducting materials, their space charge and local electric field distribution varied significantly at high DC fields. Compared with the traditional non‐bonded configuration used at lab‐scale, charge injection was enhanced in hot‐pressed SC/PP/SC samples with tightly bonded interfaces, which better reflects the real situation in extruded cables. High temperature further intensified charge injections. Besides, our results also revealed that high temperature and electric field strongly influence charge mobilities and consequently their distribution and local electric field in PP‐based insulations.
Reizdarmsyndrom nach ischämischer Kolitis
Authors: Fey Stefan
Published: April 2022

Bei einer 65-jährigen Patientin erfolgte in der Klinik für
Naturheilkunde Hattingen eine stationäre Komplextherapie eines
Reizdarmsyndroms (RDS) nach schwerer segmental ulzerierender
ischämischer Kolitis (extern stationär). Die Patientin klagte
noch über ein aufgetriebenes Abdomen, ausgeprägten Meteorismus,
krampfartige Bauchbeschwerden. Die Behandlung wurde mit klassischen
Naturheilverfahren durchgeführt. Der Schwerpunkt lag dabei auf
phytotherapeutischen Maßnahmen (Einreibungen, Teedrogen,
Frischpflanzensäften, Wickeln, Phytopharmaka). Die naturheilkundliche
Komplexbehandlung konnte kollektiv eine Symptomreduktion der abdominellen
Beschwerden in Bezug auf ein aufgetriebenes Abdomen, Meteorismus sowie
krampfartige Schmerzen (Schmerzskala VAS von 7–8 auf 3)
erzielen.
Pituitary Macroadenoma: Fooling the Ophthalmologist before Giving Him the Role of the Whistle-Blower
Authors: Tran Lara , Papasavvas Ioannis , Herbort Carl P.
Published: April 2022

Purpose To describe cases diagnosed with pituitary macroadenoma during the follow-up of their primary ocular pathologies.

Methods Charts of patients followed in the Centre for Ophthalmic Specialized Care for diverse pathologies and who had subsequently developed a pituitary macroadenoma were retrieved.
The primary pathologies were noted. The delay of the diagnosis after sufficiently compatible perimetric signs became available was calculated and the evolution after the neurosurgical
intervention was reported.

Results In total, from 2003 to 2020, 16/14 966 (0.1%) pituitary macroadenoma patients were recorded. In 10 patients, the disease was noted in their history. In 6 patients (2 females,
4 males; 0.04%), macroadenoma occurred during the follow-up for their primary ocular pathologies. Mean age at first presentation was 65.16 ± 8.52 years. Primary pathologies included
amblyopia (1), glaucoma (2), cataract (4), and uveitis (2). Mean duration of symptoms was 18.17 ± 13.11 months. Mean delay from first suspicious visual field signs to diagnosis was
125 ± 207.93 days. All patients underwent one surgical treatment with or without radiotherapy except one where a second intervention was required. All patients have seen their visual field
improve after surgical intervention. Mean preoperative Mean defect (MD) was 13.43 ± 8.68 dB OD and 13.4 ± 5.07 dB OS. Mean postoperative MD was 8.2 ± 10.27 dB OD and 5.42 ± 4.12 dB OS.

Conclusion Pituitary macroadenomas are prone to be missed or diagnosed with delay when ophthalmic patients are already followed for another pathology that prevents the clinician from
diligently evoking the diagnosis. Despite profound visual field loss, visual recovery was almost complete in 4/6 patients, indicating that even diagnostic delay did not preclude recovery in
our series.
Strabismus Surgery: A Retrospective Comparison of Different Postoperative Treatment Regimes to Prevent Infections
Authors: Felber Daniel , Roulez Francoise , Palmowski-Wolfe Anja
Published: April 2022

Background As studies have shown postsurgical polyvidone-iodine to be at least equal to postsurgical topical antibiotics, our postsurgical care regime was adjusted accordingly in
2017. Here, we retrospectively compared the postsurgical infection rate in patients who underwent strabismus surgery prior to and following this change in regimen in a routine clinical
setting.

Patients and Methods In this retrospective and explorative study, data from 162 adult patients who had undergone strabismus surgery was extracted from files: 98 patients who had
received topical gentamycin in a combination ointment with steroid (postsurgery) followed by 1 week of topical gentamycin with nonsteroidal antiphlogistic eye drops for 1 week (group 1) and
64 who had received polyvidone-iodine once immediately postsurgically instead. We compared both groupsʼ postsurgical healing period regarding occurrence of bacterial conjunctival infection
and conjunctival swelling and redness as well as other complications. Data were extracted from the entries of the routine follow-up dates on postsurgical days 1, 7, and at 3 months.

Results Mean age of group 1 was 49 years and 51 years in group 2. There was no significant difference between the kind of surgeries (recessions/resections) or the number of patients
who had undergone a reoperation. There was no significant difference between the groups for any of the endpoints analyzed at any of the three regular follow-up dates. From group 1, 12.04%
and from of group 2, 6.25% showed bacterial conjunctivitis 1 week postsurgery. There was no endophthalmitis.

Conclusion Topical polyvidone-iodine given once at the end of strabismus surgery is a good alternative to topical antibiotics with a comparable healing progress. It carries a
comparable risk of infection as seen with a 1-week course of topical antibiotics. The advantages are less manipulation of the eye, no bacterial resistance caused, and cost efficiency. In
addition, the lack of anti-inflammatories given in group 2 did not pose a disadvantage.
The Reaction of Ketoximes with Hypervalent Iodine Reagents: Beckmann Rearrangement and Hydrolysis to Ketones
Authors: Maegawa Tomohiro , Miki Yasuyoshi , Oishi Ryohei , Maekawa Ayumi , Segi Kazutoshi , Hamamoto Hiromi , Nakamura Akira
Published: April 2022

We investigated the reaction of ketoximes with hypervalent iodine reagents. A combination of PhI(OAc)2 and BF3·Et2O promoted the Beckmann rearrangement of ketoximes, thus yielding the corresponding amides. From a detailed investigation of the reaction, we determined that the Beckmann rearrangement is preceded by acetylation of the hydroxy group of the ketoxime in situ, accelerating the Beckmann rearrangement. We confirmed that the acetylated ketoxime undergoes the Beckmann rearrangement with BF3·Et2O. The reaction of ketoximes with Koser’s reagent [PhI(OH)OTs] in the presence of tetrahydrofuran results in hydrolysis, affording the corresponding ketones in high yields at room temperature.
Open-source platform controls qubits QICKer
Authors: Patrick Chris
Published: April 2022

QICK (Quantum Instrumentation Control Kit) unifies a quantum information processing system and its control platform, resulting in high-performance, low-cost qubit manipulation
Stability of chiral polarization vortex in strained ferroelectric superlattices
Authors: Jiang Zhexin , Wang Jie
Published: April 2022

As a geometric property that cannot overlap with its mirror image, chirality is becoming more and more common in electronic structures. The recent discovery of chiral topological polar structures in artificial ferroelectric superlattices is not only of scientific importance but also holds promise for application in tunable frequency oscillators. Although the tubular chiral polarization vortex has been observed in PbTiO3/SrTiO3 superlattices, the conditions for its stability remain elusive. Here, we construct a temperature-strain phase diagram for the (PbTiO3)10/(SrTiO3)10 superlattices by using phase field simulation in which four domain states exist at different temperatures and misfit strains. It is found that the chiral polarization vortex appears only in a small range of misfit strain, elucidating the absence of chirality in most ferroelectric superlattices. The chiral polarization vortex is an intermediate state between the ordinary achiral polarization vortex and the mixed domain structure. In addition, by changing strain or temperature, chiral vortices can be reversibly transformed into achiral vortices, demonstrating its tunability. The present work provides theoretical guidance for creating the chiral vortex in ferroelectric superlattices.
Resonance Raman scattering on graded-composition WxMo1–xS2 alloy with tunable excitons
Authors: An Xuhong , Zhao Weiwei , Yu Yuanfang , Wang Wenhui , Zheng Ting , Cui Yueying , Yuan Xueyong , Lu Junpeng , Ni Zhenhua
Published: April 2022

Exciton–phonon interactions strongly affect photocarrier dynamics in two-dimensional materials. Here we report on resonant Raman experiments based on a graded composition WxMo1–xS2 alloy with tunable exciton energy without changing the energy of excitation laser. The intensities of the four most pronounced Raman features in the alloy are dramatically enhanced due to the resonance derived from the energy of B exciton shifting to the vicinity of the energy of excitation laser with an increase in W composition x. Specifically, through the resonance peak shift, absorption spectra and PL emission spectra under different excitation power, we conclude the resonance Raman is related to the exciton emission process. Our study extends the resonant Raman study of two-dimensional materials, which is expected to obtain deeper understanding of the excitonic effects in two-dimensional semiconductor materials.
Deep learning fluid flow reconstruction around arbitrary two-dimensional objects from sparse sensors using conformal mappings
Authors: Özbay Ali Girayhan , Laizet Sylvain
Published: April 2022

The usage of neural networks (NNs) for flow reconstruction (FR) tasks from a limited number of sensors is attracting strong research interest owing to NNs’ ability to replicate high-dimensional relationships. Trained on a single flow case for a given Reynolds number or over a reduced range of Reynolds numbers, these models are unfortunately not able to handle flows around different objects without re-training. We propose a new framework called Spatial Multi-Geometry FR (SMGFR) task, capable of reconstructing fluid flows around different two-dimensional objects without re-training, mapping the computational domain as an annulus. Different NNs for different sensor setups (where information about the flow is collected) are trained with high-fidelity simulation data for a Reynolds number equal to ∼300 for 64 objects randomly generated using Bezier curves. The performance of the models and sensor setups is then assessed for the flow around 16 unseen objects. It is shown that our mapping approach improves percentage errors by up to 15% in SMGFR when compared to a more conventional approach where the models are trained on a Cartesian grid and achieves errors under 3%, 10%, and 30% for predictions of pressure, velocity, and vorticity fields, respectively. Finally, SMGFR is extended to predictions of snapshots in the future, introducing the Spatiotemporal MGFR (STMGFR) task. A novel approach is developed for STMGFR involving splitting deep neural networks into a spatial and a temporal component. We demonstrate that this approach is able to reproduce, in time and in space, the main features of flows around arbitrary objects.
Chirality-induced effective field in Pt/Co/MgO system with spatial anisotropy-modulation
Authors: Koyama T. , Nakatani Y. , Chiba D.
Published: April 2022

In a perpendicularly magnetized (PM) material with the interfacial Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction (iDMI), a chirality-induced effective magnetic field (EMF) acts on a magnetic domain wall, which is a naturally formed in-plane magnetized (IM) region sandwiched by perpendicular (PM) regions. In this study, we artificially created a Pt/Co/MgO system with the regions exhibiting different anisotropy, that is, IM and PM regions, and the chirality-induced EMF at the PM/IM boundary was investigated using it. The EMF in the IM region was probed using magnetoresistance (MR) measurements. When the field was applied orthogonally to the wire, a unidirectional shift of the MR curve was observed, indicating that the EMF exists in the IM region. The dependence of the EMF on the width of the IM region suggests that the EMF acts dominantly on the magnetization near the PM/IM boundary. Moreover, the sign of the shift is reversed with reversing the PM direction. The sign and magnitude of the EMF observed in this study suggest that the EMF in the present system is caused by iDMI.
Realization of broadband coherent perfect absorption of spoof surface plasmon polaritons
Authors: Wang Cong , Shen Xian , Chu Hongchen , Luo Jie , Zhou Xiaoxi , Hou Bo , Peng Ruwen , Wang Mu , Lai Yun
Published: April 2022

In this work, we propose and demonstrate a scheme to realize broadband coherent perfect absorption of spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) using an ultrathin conductive film vertically placed on a plasmonic metasurface that supports spoof SPPs. When the conductive film possesses an appropriate sheet resistance, two incident coherent beams of spoof SPP waves can be simultaneously absorbed over a broad spectrum. By tuning the phase difference between the two incident beams from 0 to π, the absorption can be gradually changed from near-100% to near-zero, as verified in full-wave simulations and microwave experiments. Our work extends the theory of coherent perfect absorption from propagating waves to spoof SPPs with a significant advantage of broad working bandwidth.
Livestock guardian dog protection of free-range poultry from the red fox
Authors: Roddick S. , Kreplins T. L. , Kobryn H. T. , Fleming P. A.
Published: April 2022

Context Predation of layer chickens is a major issue for free-range egg producers. Using livestock guardian dogs (LGD) to protect free-ranging poultry is a possible option for producers, although there is little published literature regarding how the dogs protect chickens. Aims This case study was conducted at a free-range egg production farm in Western Australia, where red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were a common predator of chickens prior to introducing Maremma LGD. We investigated LGD responses to experimental cues that might indicate fox incursion (fox urine and calls). Methods Four dogs were GPS tracked and monitored using camera traps. Over the first week, experimental fox cues were set out around the paddock boundaries, alternating with ‘non-cue’ experimental control nights. We recorded whether the LGD altered (1) their space use, (2) activity patterns (movement speed), or (3) behaviour in response to these cues. We also recorded (4) distances between LGD from known sightings of foxes. Key results The Maremmas appeared to work independently of each other, covering separate areas. There was no significant difference in overnight home range area by experimental fox cue treatment, but there was a significant (P < 0.001) treatment × dog interaction term for distance moved. Three dogs spent most of their time at night around the chicken shelters and generally increased distances moved on experimental fox cue nights. The fourth dog was more bonded to people and did not alter its movements. Paradoxically, dogs rested more and barked less on experimental fox cue nights; however, we recorded foxes on camera traps placed around the chicken shelters on 17 of the 23 nights of monitoring, and the high background activity level of foxes on this property compromised our experimental control (nights without experimental fox cues). The dogs did not move towards known fox sightings. Conclusions The Maremmas in this trial closely guarded the chicken shelters rather than maintaining the entire paddock as a predator-exclusion zone. Implications Understanding how guardian dogs behave when challenged by potential predators will help increase producers’ confidence in the efficacy of these dogs as a viable method to protect livestock from predation threat.
Optimisation of antioxidant, antimicrobial and metal-chelating properties of bioactive peptides from blood wastes by enzymatic hydrolysis
Authors: Kumari Sarita , Pandey Anurag , Soni Arvind , Mahala Anurag , Sarkar Srobana , Suradkar Umesh , Ambedkar Y. R.
Published: April 2022

Context Production of bioactive peptides from slaughterhouse wastes through use of enzymatic hydrolysis adds economic value and reduces environmental hazard from its direct disposal to landfill. Aim The present study was conducted to evaluate antioxidant, antimicrobial and metal-chelating activity of sheep, goat and rabbit plasma hydrolysate from blood. Methods Plasma protein of sheep, goat and rabbit blood was hydrolysed by using trypsin enzyme at optimum conditions of 37°C, pH 8.0 and 1:100 enzyme to substrate ratio, with different hydrolysis time. In vitro digestibility of digested and undigested plasma protein hydrolysates was analysed by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The antioxidant activity of plasma protein and its hydrolysates was assayed by ABTS+ and DPPH radical-scavenging activities and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Antimicrobial activities of undigested and digested samples were evaluated by the well diffusion method. The chelating activity of Fe2+ was determined by the formation of Fe2+–ferrozine complex. Key results The degree of hydrolysis increased up to 8 h for sheep hydrolysate, and up to 6 h for goat and rabbit hydrolysate. Plasma hydrolysate from rabbit exhibited higher ABTS+ and DPPH radical-scavenging activities along with increased FRAP activity. Strong bacterial inhibition was observed against E. coli, and moderate activity against B. cereus, S. enterica and S. aureus at 6 and 8 h by plasma hydrolysate of all species. Metal-chelating activity increased linearly and was highest for rabbit plasma hydrolysate. Conclusion Plasma hydrolysate from trypsin digestion of sheep, goat and rabbit blood wastes exhibited antioxidant activities; the most potent activity was found for rabbit plasma hydrolysate. Furthermore, the efficient iron-chelating activity of plasma hydrolysates and inhibition of pathogenic microorganisms indicate the bioactive potential of plasma hydrolysate obtained from sheep, goat and rabbit blood. Implications The functional properties of plasma hydrolysate of the different species suggest a promising source of nutraceuticals for food industries looking to convert abattoir wastes.
Dromedary camel nanobodies broadly neutralize SARS-CoV-2 variants
Authors: Hong Jessica , Kwon Hyung Joon , Cachau Raul , Chen Catherine Z. , Butay Kevin John , Duan Zhijian , Li Dan , Ren Hua , Liang Tianyuzhou , Zhu Jianghai , Dandey Venkata P. , Martin Negin P. , Esposito Dominic , Ortega-Rodriguez Uriel , Xu Miao , Borgnia Mario J. , Xie Hang , Ho Mitchell
Published: April 2022

Significance

Due to their small size, nanobodies can recognize protein cavities that are not accessible to conventional antibodies. In this report, we built dromedary camel (
Camelus dromedarius
) V
H
H phage libraries for the isolation of high-affinity nanobodies that broadly neutralize SARS-CoV-2 variants. Cryo-EM complex structures reveal that one dromedary camel V
H
H nanobody (8A2) binds the S1 subunit of the viral spike protein, and the other (7A3) targets a deeply buried region that uniquely extends to the S2 subunit beyond the S1 subunit. These nanobodies can protect mice from the lethal challenge of variants B.1.351 or B.1.617.2, suggesting the therapeutic potential of these nanobodies against COVID-19. The dromedary camel V
H
H libraries could be helpful to isolate neutralizing nanobodies against future emerging viruses quickly.
International intelligibility revisited*
Authors: Thir Veronika
Published: April 2022

The Lingua Franca Core (LFC) proposes that NURSE is the only vowel quality important for international intelligibility, yet research findings regarding this issue are mixed. Moreover, it is unclear whether phonetic (rather than phonemic) substitutions of NURSE also affect international intelligibility more negatively than other phonemic vowel substitutions, though this seems unlikely on the basis of considerations of functional load (FL). This study compares the international intelligibility of two vowel substitutions typical of Austrian learners of English: the phonetic replacement of NURSE with a rounded and diphthongized vowel, and the phonemic replacement of TRAP with a vowel close to cardinal [ɛ]. The findings suggest that, contrary to the LFC but in line with FL considerations, the phonetic substitution of NURSE is more intelligible to an international audience than the substitution of TRAP with [ɛ]. However, differences in intelligibility between the two substitutions were largely ‘neutralized’ once contextual support was available.