bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oncology Patients' Perspectives on Remote Patient Monitoring for COVID-19
Authors: Daly Bobby , Lauria Tara S. , Holland Jessie C. , Garcia Jericho , Majeed Jibran , Walters Chasity B. , Zablocki Melissa , Chow Kimberly , Strachna Olga , Giles Caitlin E. , Kelly Meghan F. , Housen Ashley , Canavan Maryanne , Maresca Nina M. , Baser Ray , Salvaggio Rori , Robson Mark E. , Reidy-Lagunes Diane L.
Published: June 2021

PURPOSE:

Oncology patients are vulnerable to adverse outcomes associated with COVID-19, and clinical deterioration must be identified early. Several institutions launched remote patient monitoring programs (RPMPs) to care for patients with COVID-19. We describe patients' perspectives on a COVID-19 RPMP at a National Comprehensive Cancer Center.

METHODS:

Patients who tested positive for COVID-19 were eligible. Enrolled patients received a daily electronic COVID-19 symptom assessment, and a subset of high-risk patients also received a pulse oximeter. Monitoring was provided by a centralized team and was discontinued 14 days after a patient's positive test result and following 3 days without worsening symptoms. Patients who completed at least one assessment and exited the program were sent a patient engagement survey to evaluate the patient's experience with digital monitoring for COVID-19.

RESULTS:

The survey was distributed to 491 patients, and 257 responded (52% completion rate). The net promoter score was 85%. Most patients agreed that the RPMP was worthwhile, enabled better management of their COVID-19 symptoms, made them feel more connected to their healthcare team, and helped prevent emergency room visits. Identified themes regarding patient-perceived value of a RPMP included (1) security: a clinical safety net; (2) connection: a link to their clinical team during a period of isolation; and (3) empowerment: an education on the virus and symptom management.

CONCLUSION:

RPMPs are perceived to be of value to oncology patients with COVID-19. Policymakers should consider how these programs can be reimbursed to keep vulnerable patients at home and out of the acute care setting.
Transgastric Abdominal Ultrasonography in Anesthesia and Critical Care: Review and Proposed Approach
Authors: Denault André Y. , Roberts Michael , Cios Theodore , Malhotra Anita , Paquin Sarto C. , Tan Stéphanie , Cavayas Yiorgos Alexandros , Desjardins Georges , Klick John
Published: June 2021

The use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in the operating room and intensive care unit can provide invaluable information on cardiac as well as abdominal organ structures and function. This approach may be particularly useful when the transabdominal ultrasound examination is not possible during intraoperative procedures or for anatomical reasons. This review explores the role of transgastric abdominal ultrasonography (TGAUS) in perioperative medicine. We describe several reported applications using 10 views that can be used in the diagnosis of relevant abdominal conditions associated with organ dysfunction and hemodynamic instability in the operating room and the intensive care unit.
The murine cytomegalovirus immunoevasin gp40/m152 inhibits NKG2D receptor RAE-1γ by intracellular retention and cell surface masking
Authors: Lis Natalia , Hein Zeynep , Ghanwat Swapnil S. , Ramnarayan Venkat R. , Chambers Benedict J. , Springer Sebastian
Published: June 2021

NKG2D (also known as KLRK1) is a crucial natural killer (NK) cell-activating receptor, and the murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) employs multiple immunoevasins to avoid NKG2D-mediated activation. One of the MCMV immunoevasins, gp40 (m152), downregulates the cell surface NKG2D ligand RAE-1γ (also known as Raet1c) thus limiting NK cell activation. This study establishes the molecular mechanism by which gp40 retains RAE-1γ in the secretory pathway. Using flow cytometry and pulse-chase analysis, we demonstrate that gp40 retains RAE-1γ in the early secretory pathway, and that this effect depends on the binding of gp40 to a host protein, TMED10, a member of the p24 protein family. We also show that the TMED10-based retention mechanism can be saturated, and that gp40 has a backup mechanism as it masks RAE-1γ on the cell surface, blocking the interaction with the NKG2D receptor and thus NK cell activation.
Temperature effects on the contractile performance and efficiency of oxidative muscle from a eurythermal versus a stenothermal salmonid
Authors: Gamperl A. Kurt , Syme Douglas A.
Published: June 2021

We compared the thermal sensitivity of oxidative muscle function between the eurythermal Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and the more stenothermal Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus; which prefers cooler waters). Power output was measured in red skeletal muscle strips and myocardial trabeculae, and efficiency (net work/energy consumed) was measured for trabeculae, from cold (6°C) and warm (15°C) acclimated fish at temperatures from 2 to 26°C. The mass-specific net power produced by char red muscle was greater than in salmon, by 2-to 5-fold depending on test temperature. Net power first increased, then decreased, when the red muscle of 6°C-acclimated char was exposed to increasing temperature. Acclimation to 15°C significantly impaired mass-specific power in char (by ∼40–50%) from 2 to 15°C, but lessened its relative decrease between 15 and 26°C. In contrast, maximal net power increased, and then plateaued, with increasing temperature in salmon from both acclimation groups. Increasing test temperature resulted in a ∼3- to 5-fold increase in maximal net power produced by ventricular trabeculae in all groups, and this effect was not influenced by acclimation temperature. Nonetheless, lengthening power was higher in trabeculae from warm-acclimated char, and char trabeculae could not contract as fast as those from salmon. Finally, the efficiency of myocardial net work was approximately 2-fold greater in 15°C-acclimated salmon than char (∼15 versus 7%), and highest at 20°C in salmon. This study provides several mechanistic explanations as to their inter-specific difference in upper thermal tolerance, and potentially why southern char populations are being negatively impacted by climate change.
Tropylium Derivatives as New Entrants that Sense Quadruplex Structures
Authors: Hori Daisuke , Yum Ji Hye , Sugiyama Hiroshi , Park Soyoung
Published: June 2021

G-quadruplex (G4) is the most well-known noncanonical conformation of DNA involved in diverse pharmacological and biological contexts. G4 ligands have been actively developed as molecular probes and tumor therapeutic reagent candidates. They have also been used to detect the presence of G4s and identify their biological roles. Currently used ligands are commonly aromatic, planar, and electron deficient for effective interaction with G4s. Recognizing that tropylium cations possess the aforementioned features of effective G4 ligands, we prepared tropylium derivatives to validate their binding affinity with G4s. Titration against various DNA sequences revealed gradual changes in the UV–vis spectra of the tropylium derivatives. A strong hypochromic effect, indicating intercalation or π–π stacking, was observed when c-kit DNA was present in a binding ratio of 2:1 (ligand:DNA). The energetically minimized binding model showed that the G4–ligand complexes were stabilized by electrostatic interactions. Encouraged by the present findings, the application of tropylium derivatives in cellular contexts is underway.
Total Synthesis of Hytramycin V, an Antibiotic Cyclopeptide
Authors: Inaba Tetsuya , Ishizaki Yoshimasa , Igarashi Masayuki , Yoshida Masahito , Kigoshi Hideo
Published: June 2021

The total synthesis of the piperazic acid-containing antibiotic cyclic peptide, hytramycin V, has been achieved. Unexpected cleavage of the peptide bond was observed during the synthesis of a pentapeptide, we then successfully found that the addition of 2,6-di-tert-butylpyridine (2,6-DTBP) was effective to prevent the cleavage upon acylation with AgCN, leading to a pentapeptide in excellent yield. The synthesis of a hexapeptide, followed by global deprotection of the protecting groups provided a cyclization precursor. Finally, macrolactamization of the precursor using T3P® under high-dilution conditions furnished the desired natural product, hytramycin V. The synthesis of the enantiomer of hytramycin V was also achieved, and no difference between the enantiomers was observed in the evaluation of their antibacterial activity against Mycobacterium strains, revealing the fact that the potency of the activity was not dependent on the chirality of the cyclopeptide backbone.
CBCT influences endodontic therapeutic decision-making in immature traumatized teeth with suspected pulp necrosis: a before-after study
Authors: Mota de Almeida Fernando José , Hassan Dalya , Nasir Abdulrahman Ghada , Brundin Malin , Romani Vestman Nelly
Published: June 2021

Objective:

To evaluate the impact of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in endodontic therapeutic decision-making of immature traumatized teeth with suspected pulp necrosis.

Methods:

Over two years, consecutive patients with a dental trauma in their front teeth (apex >0.5 mm) and with suspected pulp necrosis based on clinical and radiographic findings were referred to a specialist clinic in Sweden. Fifteen patients aged 6–13 (18 teeth) were included and clinically examined by an endodontist. Intraoral radiographs and CBCT examinations were obtained. Five practitioners, three endodontists and two residents in endodontics, used these examinations to determine the most appropriate treatment for the 18 cases (all central incisors) on two occasions scheduled 19 weeks apart. On the first occasion, the practitioners had access to clinical information and the intraoral radiographs (‘before’ CBCT); on the second occasion, the practitioners had also access to a radiologist report and the CBCT images (‘after’ CBCT). Their treatment plans – no treatment, watchful waiting, endodontic orthograde treatment, or extraction – were made anonymously and independently. Results were analysed using descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Results:

‘After’ CBCT, practitioners changed treatment plans in 30% of the 90 assessments, 74% of which were more aggressive (p = 0.028). In 49% of the assessments, practitioners who chose the watchful and waiting treatment plan ‘before’ CBCT changed to a more aggressive therapy such as endodontic orthograde treatment and extraction ‘after’ CBCT (p = 0.005).

Conclusion:

This study provides evidence that CBCT influences endodontic therapeutic decision-making regarding immature traumatised teeth with suspected pulp necrosis, chiefly when expectant management (i.e., watchful and waiting) was selected before access to CBCT.
Hip Instability in Ballet Dancers: A Narrative Review
Authors: Vera Angelina M. , Nho Shane J. , Mather Richard C. , Wuerz Thomas H. , Harris Joshua D.
Published: June 2021

Background: Dancers possess a large degree of hip range of motion that results from a combination of innate and acquired osseous morphology and permissive soft tissues. Generalized hypermobility in dancers may predispose them to a spectrum of hip instability. The objective of this narrative review is to discuss the anatomical characteristics, pathogenesis, risk factors, clinical signs and symptoms, management, and outcomes of hip instability treatments in dancers.
 Methods: A retrospective search was performed beginning November 1, 2017, for English language articles regarding hip stability in the dancer. Key words used included but were not limited to: dance(r), ballet, hip, hypermobility, range of motion, instability, microinstability, and laxity. PubMed, Scopus, and MEDLINE databases were used.
 Results: Forty-three studies were analyzed. Groin pain was found to be the most common presenting symptom of hip instability. A variety of impingement and instability signs may be elicited during physical examination. Hypermobility is frequently observed and is thought to be a necessity for participation in elite levels of ballet. Radiographs and advanced planar imaging (magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography) should be scrutinized to evaluate for dysplasia, cam, pincer, subspine, and rotational morphologies. Dysplasia (low volume acetabulum), cam morphology, femoral retroversion, and coxa valga are common findings in the ballet dancers' hip. Labral injuries and ligamentum teres tears are common and may potentiate instability in the hip. Management options include education, oral non-opioid medications, activity modification, exercise prescription, and surgery. Reported outcomes of these treatments in ballet are limited.
 Conclusion: Hip hypermobility is prevalent in the ballet population and is a clear advantage. However, it may increase the risk of instability. It is important to identify the multifactorial osseous and soft tissue etiology of hip or groin pain in dancers. Practitioners should have a high level of suspicion for hip instability in the dancer presenting with hip pain and treat accordingly. There is a significant need for increased quantity and quality of investigation into the outcomes of treatment for hip instability in the dancer.
Effect of Kinesiology Tape on Tri-Axial Accelerometry During the Dance Aerobic Fitness Test
Authors: Moulder Stephanie , Armstrong Ross , Greig Matt , Brogden Chris
Published: June 2021

Objectives: Kinesiology tape (KT) is thought to provide greater mechanical support during physical activity, however, there is a paucity of research investigating its application in dance. The study aimed to determine whether KT reduces PlayerLoad (PL) during the Dance Aerobic Fitness
Test (DAFT) in addition to examining the relative sensitivity of accelerometer site locations.
 Methods: University-level dancers (N = 11; age 18 ± 0.45 years, height 168.17 ± 12.25 cm, body mass 57.50 ± 9.91 kg) participated in two trials of the DAFT protocol
in two conditions: no tape (NT) and kinesiology tape (KT). Global positioning systems (GPS) and accelerometer units were attached onto the seventh vertebra (C7) at the mid-scapula region and lower limb (LL) located at the midgastrocnemius of the dominant leg calculating measurements of triaxial
(PLTotal) and uniaxial measures (anteroposterior [PLAP], mediolateral [PLML], and vertical [PLV]) measures of PlayerLoad during the DAFT.
 Results: No significant main effect was observed for the taping condition in all measures of PlayerLoad
(P > 0.10). A significant main effect (p < 0.01) was observed for unit location and time, with greater loading at the LL compared to C7 and during each consequent stage of the DAFT. No significant (p > 0.52) location*taping, nor location*taping*time (p > 0.36) interactions were
observed for all variables measured.
 Conclusions: Kinesiology tape does not reduce loading patterns in healthy dancers during a fatigue protocol. However, triaxial accelerometers provide adequate sensitivity when detecting changes in loading, suggesting the LL may be deemed as a
more relevant method of monitoring training load in dancers.
The translational roadmap of the gut models, focusing on gut-on-chip
Authors: Malaguarnera Giulia , Graute Miriam , Homs Corbera Antoni
Published: June 2021

It is difficult to model in vitro the intestine when seeking to include crosstalk with the gut microbiota, immune and neuroendocrine systems. Here we present a roadmap of the current models to facilitate the choice in preclinical and translational research with a focus on gut-on-chip. These micro physiological systems (MPS) are microfluidic devices that recapitulate in vitro the physiology of the intestine. We reviewed the gut-on-chips that had been developed in academia and industries as single chip and that have three main purpose: replicate the intestinal physiology, the intestinal pathological features, and for pharmacological tests.
Towards the semiotics of the future: From anticipation to premediation
Authors: Pärn Katre
Published: June 2021

The paper aims to make a contribution to semiotic research on the future by bringing together various approaches that deal with the relationship humans have with the future. More specifically, the paper concentrates on anticipation viewed as an activity that is based on modelling the (un)desired future as suggested by Nikolai Bernstein. The model-based approach to anticipation allows drawing connections between the psychophysiological and semiotically mediated forms of anticipation on the one hand, and between individual and collective forms of anticipation on the other hand. With these aims in mind, the paper offers a sketch of a semiotic approach to the future that is based on the framework of semiotic modelling systems, i.e. views the future in terms of models of it and the semiotic resources and processes involved in the model-building. As the semiotically mediated models of the future circulating in a culture can become collectively shared means of cognizing and anticipating some futures, it is possible to talk about a collective anticipation, analogous to Juri Lotman’s cultural semiotic notion of collective memory. Accordingly, premediation, a future-oriented media practice outlined by Richard Grusin, is viewed as an example of collective anticipation.

In addition to tracing the mechanisms of anticipation from its individual organismic to semiotically mediated collective forms, the paper foregrounds also the two fundamental problems that run across the diverse theoretical perspectives brought together within the approach: the individual and collective agency in futuremaking and the affective dimension of anticipation.
A Resident‐Led Intervention to Increase Initiation of Buprenorphine Maintenance for Hospitalized Patients With Opioid Use Disorder
Authors: Thakrar Ashish P , Furfaro David , Keller Sara , Graddy Ryan , Buresh Megan , Feldman Leonard
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND

Hospitalized patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) are rarely started on buprenorphine or methadone maintenance despite evidence that these medications reduce all‐cause mortality, overdoses, and hospital readmissions.

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether clinician education and a team of residents and hospitalist attendings waivered to prescribe buprenorphine increased the rate of starting patients with OUD on buprenorphine maintenance.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Quality improvement study conducted at a large, urban, academic hospital in Maryland involving hospitalized patients with OUD on internal medicine resident services.

INTERVENTION

We developed a protocol for initiating buprenorphine maintenance, presented an educational conference, and started the resident‐led Buprenorphine Bridge Team of residents and attendings waivered to prescribe buprenorphine to bridge patients from discharge to follow‐up.

MEASUREMENTS

The percent of eligible inpatients with OUD initiated on buprenorphine maintenance, 24 weeks before and after the intervention; engagement in treatment after discharge; and resident knowledge and comfort with buprenorphine.

RESULTS

The rate of starting buprenorphine maintenance increased from 10% (30 of 305 eligible patients) to 24% (64 of 270 eligible patients) after the intervention, with interrupted time series analysis showing a significant increase in rate (14.4%; 95% CI, 3.6%‐25.3%; P = .02). Engagement in treatment after discharge was unchanged (40%‐46% engaged 30 days after discharge). Of 156 internal medicine residents, 89 (57%) completed the baseline survey and 66 (42%) completed the follow‐up survey. Responses demonstrated improved resident knowledge and comfort with buprenorphine.

CONCLUSION

Internal medicine resident teams were more likely to start patients on buprenorphine maintenance after clinician education and implementation of a Buprenorphine Bridge Team.
The influence of nurse leadership style on the culture of patient safety incident reporting: a systematic review
Authors: Yusuf Yusriawati , Irwan Andi Masyitha
Published: June 2021

Evidence suggests that incidents related to patient safety and medical error often go under-reported in hospitals worldwide. This study reviewed the literature regarding the prevalence of patient safety incident reporting and how different styles of leadership affected healthcare staff's willingness and intention to report medical errors. A total of five studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. Analysis showed that staff are generally hesitant to report patient safety incidents. The studies also identified three types of leadership: transformational, transactional and coaching. Four of the five studies discussed transformational leadership, of which three found a positive association between this leadership style and increased patient safety incident reporting. Coaching was also found to be an effective leadership style, although transactional leadership was found to be ineffective in increasing patient safety incident reporting. Overall, intervention is needed to overcome barriers to error reporting in hospitals, with further study required to identify the optimal leadership behaviours to facilitate this.
Working effectively with vulnerable children
Authors: Greenwood Angela
Published: June 2021

There are many things schools and teachers can do – both little and large – to understand and support vulnerable children. Educational psychotherapist Angela Greenwood advises
The evidence behind platelet-rich plasma as a hair loss treatment
Authors: Mcgloin Claudia
Published: June 2021

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a treatment that involves using a patient's own blood to treat a variety of indications, including hair loss, sports injuries, scars, wound healing and breast volume correction. Claudia McGloin shares her expertise of 8 years injecting platelet-rich plasma and discusses research papers using PRP for treating hair loss.
Comparison of Random Forest, Logistic Regression, and MultilayerPerceptron Methods on Classification of Bank Customer Account Closure
Authors: Khoirunissa Husna Afanyn , Widyaningrum Amanda Rizky , Maharani Annisa Priliya Ayu
Published: June 2021

The Bank is a business entity that is dealing with money, accepting deposits from customers, providing funds for each withdrawal, billing checks on the customer's orders, giving credit and or embedding the excess deposits until required for repayment. The purpose of this research is to determine the influence of age, gender, country, customer credit score, number of bank products used by the customer, and the activation of the bank members in the decision to choose to continue using the bank account that he has retained or closed the bank account. The data in this research used 10,000 respondents originating from France, Spain, and Germany. The method used is data mining with early stage preprocessing to clean data from outlier and missing value and feature selection to select important attributes. Then perform the classification using three methods, which are Random Forest, Logistic Regression, and Multilayer Perceptron. The results of this research showed that the model with Multilayer Perceptron method with 10 folds Cross Validation is the best model with 85.5373% accuracy.
Keywords: bank customer, random forest, logistic regression, multilayer perceptron
Centralized and Distributed Linear Quadratic Design for Flight Formations
Authors: VOICU Serena Cristiana , STOICA Adrian-Mihail
Published: June 2021

This paper focuses on the analysis of the particularities of control for multi-agent systems. The design method is based on an optimal control approach which requires the solution of Linear Quadratic Regulator problem (LQR). The characteristics of the two types of control (centralized and distributed) for unmanned aerial vehicles flight formations are highlighted by the case studies. The dynamics of an UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) is used for the longitudinal motion. The flight formation considered as a case study consists of four identical agents.
A Robust Hybrid Control for Autonomous Flying Robots in an Uncertain and Disturbed Environment
Authors: ALQUDSI Yunes Sh. , KASSEM Ayman H. , El-BAYOUMI Gamal M.
Published: June 2021

With the aim of efficiently achieving complex trajectory tracking missions in the presence of model uncertainties and exogenous disturbances, this paper proposes a robust hybrid control for the orientation and position of flying robots by adopting insights from sliding mode, geometric tracking, and nonlinear feedback control strategies. Various retrofits are implemented to the composite control scheme in order to tackle the system uncertainties, eliminate the chattering effects, and enhance the trajectory tracking performance. The convergence and stability analysis demonstrated the asymptotic stability of the proposed control algorithm. To reveal the promising performance of the developed control schemes, a qualitative comparative analysis of different proposed control approaches is performed. The comparative analysis examines highly maneuverable trajectories for various tracking scenarios in the presence of uncertain disturbances. The simulation results demonstrated the versatility, robustness, and convergence of the developed control laws that allow autonomous flying robots to effectively perform agile maneuvers.
Experimental Flow Field Investigation of the Bio-Inspired Corrugated Wing for MAV Applications
Authors: DWIVEDI Y. D. , MOHAPATRA ABHISHEK , BLESSINGTON T. , IRFAN Md
Published: June 2021

This is an experimental flow field study of a bio-inspired corrugated finite wing from the dragonfly intended to assess the flow behavior over the wing and compare it with a wing of the same geometry with filled corrugation, at low Reynolds numbers 46000 and 67000. The work purpose is to explore the potential application of such types of wings for Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs) or micro sized Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs). Two types of wings are taken into account: first wing was a bio-inspired corrugated wing which was obtained from the mid span of the dragonfly, and the second wing was the same geometry with filled corrugation. Both wings were fabricated by using 3-D printing machine. The tufts were glued at three different locations i.e. at center, 30%, and 60% of the semi-span towards the right side of the wing at the trailing edge. The boundary layers were measured by using boundary layer rakes inside the open-end low speed wing tunnel with varied angles of attack. The results of the tuft flow visualization showed that the flow pattern at different span locations was different at different angles of attack and different wing velocities (Reynolds number). The fluctuations of the two different wings at the same angle of attack and Reynolds number were found different. Also, the directions of the flow for both wings were found to be different at different span locations. The boundary layer measurement results for both wings were found to be different at the same angles of attack and Reynolds numbers. The flow pattern also showed that the wing’s upper as well as lower surface behaved differently on the same wing under the same measurement conditions. The results showed that the corrugated wing outperformed the conventional wing at low Reynolds number and the stall angle of the corrugated wing was more than the conventional wing.
Single- and dual-wavelength fiber laser with multi-transverse modes
Authors: Wang Shuang , Zhang Meiling , Wang Haiyan , Hu Guijun
Published: June 2021

A single- and dual-wavelength fiber laser with multi-transverse modes is proposed. Mode interference is realized in the core of an optical fiber by writing a long period fiber grating on a few-mode fiber to obtain the LP01 mode and the LP11 mode simultaneously. A mode interferometer based on a few-mode long period fiber grating (FM-LPFG) is used as a comb filter in the ring-cavity fiber laser. Single- and dual-wavelength outputs can be achieved in the fiber laser by adjusting a polarization controller (PC). A mode-selective photonic lantern is used to realize mode conversion, and six LP modes, LP01, LP11a, LP11b, LP21a, LP21b, and LP02, can be generated. A single- and dual-wavelength fiber laser with multi-transverse modes can be achieved by combining a mode interferometer with a mode-selective photonic lantern. This work has potential applications in mode division multiplexing (MDM) systems to enlarge the capacity of optical communications.
High-resolution imaging of a high-speed target based on a reconfigurable photonic fractional Fourier transformer
Authors: Peng Shaowen , Li Shangyuan , Han Guanyu , Xue Xiaoxiao , Zheng Xiaoping
Published: June 2021

The previously reported photonics-based radar working with a large bandwidth has the advantages of realizing high-resolution imaging of targets with low velocity. However, the high velocity of a target will introduce Doppler dispersion to the echo signals, which severely deteriorates the imaging resolution. This problem becomes more noticeable as the bandwidth increases. In this paper, we propose a radar receiver based on a reconfigurable photonic fractional Fourier transformer (PFrFTer). The order of the PFrFTer can be reconstructed flexibly by changing the optical transform kernel. When the transform order matches the velocity of the target, the chirp echo signals behave as narrow impulses in the fractional Fourier domain, showing the range information with a high resolution. In the experiment, a PFrFTer is established and applied to process the echo signals with a bandwidth of 12 GHz. A lossless range resolution of 1.4 cm is obtained in range profiles and inverse synthetic aperture radar imaging for high-speed targets. This range resolution is much higher than that in the classical optical de-chirping receiver. These results demonstrate the PFrFTer is immune to the Doppler dispersion effect and is excellent for high-resolution imaging of high-speed target. The introduced technique would be of practical interest in the detection and recognition of targets.
Broadband Raman scattering enhancement with reduced heat generation in a dielectric-metal hybrid nanocavity
Authors: Liu Shengde , Li Jinshang , Wang Huiyang , Tao Qiao , Zhong Liyun , Lu Xiaoxu
Published: June 2021

The strongly localized electric field achieved in metallic nanoparticles (NPs) and nanostructures are commonly employed to realize surface-enhanced Raman scattering. However, the heat originating from the Ohmic loss of metals may lead to the damage of the analyzed molecules, which severely limits the practical applications of pure-metallic nanostructures. Here, we propose a dielectric-metallic hybrid nanocavity placing silicon (Si) NPs onto a gold (Au) film to realize broadband Raman scattering enhancement with significantly reduced heat generation. Our results reveal that the heat generation is dramatically reduced in the hybrid nanocavity as compared with its pure-metallic counterpart while a significantly enhanced electric field is maintained. We demonstrate numerically and experimentally that the optical resonances, which arise from the coherent coupling of the electric and magnetic dipoles excited inside the Si NP with their mirror images arisen from the Au film, can be employed to enhance the excitation and radiation of Raman signals, respectively. We find that the enhancement in the radiation of Raman signals plays a crucial role in enhancing the total Raman scattering. We also show that the hybrid nanocavity acts as a nano-antenna which effectively radiates Raman signals into the far-field. These findings indicate the advantages of such hybrid nanocavities in temperature-sensitive Raman scattering characterization and supply new strategies for designing nanoscale photonic devices of other functionalities with hybrid nanocavities.
Empowering Leadership als Erfolgsfaktor in der Innovation
Authors: Schröder Steffen H. , Baldegger Urs , Klösel Kilian
Published: June 2021

Abstrakt

Das Ziel dieser Studie ist es, den Effekt von Führung als Erfolgsfaktor für die Innovationsleistung zu untersuchen. Die Innovationsleistung wird unterschieden in Produktentwicklung und Produktinnovation. Aus dem Literaturüberblick geht hervor, dass transformationale Führung positive Auswirkungen auf Innovation und Kreativität hat, während transaktionale Führung auf das Erreichen von Zielen und den Erfolg neuer Produkte ausgerichtet ist. Der passiv-vermeidenden Führung wird häufig ein negativer Effekt zugeschrieben, während Empowering Leadership positive Auswirkungen aufweist. Basierend auf einer qualitativen Studie zeigen wir die Bedeutung der unterschiedlichen Führungsverhalten und belegen diese anschliessend empirisch mit Hilfe hierarchischer Regressionen. Die unabhängigen Variablen des passiv-vermeidenden, des transaktionalen, des transformationalen und des Empowering Leaderships sowie die abhängigen Variablen der Produktentwicklung und der Produktinnovation werden bei 371 Mitarbeitenden aus Liechtenstein, Schweiz, Deutschland und Österreich erhoben. Die Ergebnisse belegen negative Effekte des passiv-vermeidenden Leadership auf beide abhängigen Variablen, wohingegen die transaktionale Führung positive Effekte auf den Produktentwicklungserfolg, jedoch negative auf die Produktinnovation hat. Transformationale Führung zeigt, dem entgegengesetzt, positiven Einfluss auf die Produktinnovation und negativen Einfluss auf den Produktentwicklungserfolg. Wir argumentieren daher, dass durch den gemeinsamen Einsatz beider Führungsverhalten in Kombination mit Empowering Leadership sowohl der Produktentwicklungserfolg als auch die Produktinnovation gesteigert werden kann.
Structures of the human cholecystokinin 1 (CCK1) receptor bound to Gs and Gq mimetic proteins provide insight into mechanisms of G protein selectivity
Authors: Mobbs Jesse I. , Belousoff Matthew J. , Harikumar Kaleeckal G. , Piper Sarah J. , Xu Xiaomeng , Furness Sebastian G. B. , Venugopal Hari , Christopoulos Arthur , Danev Radostin , Wootten Denise , Thal David M. , Miller Laurence J. , Sexton Patrick M.
Published: June 2021

G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) are critical regulators of cellular function acting via heterotrimeric G proteins as their primary transducers with individual GPCRs capable of pleiotropic coupling to multiple G proteins. Structural features governing G protein selectivity and promiscuity are currently unclear. Here, we used cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to determine structures of the cholecystokinin (CCK) type 1 receptor (CCK1R) bound to the CCK peptide agonist, CCK-8 and 2 distinct transducer proteins, its primary transducer Gq, and the more weakly coupled Gs. As seen with other Gq/11–GPCR complexes, the Gq–α5 helix (αH5) bound to a relatively narrow pocket in the CCK1R core. Surprisingly, the backbone of the CCK1R and volume of the G protein binding pocket were essentially equivalent when Gs was bound, with the Gs αH5 displaying a conformation that arises from “unwinding” of the far carboxyl-terminal residues, compared to canonically Gs coupled receptors. Thus, integrated changes in the conformations of both the receptor and G protein are likely to play critical roles in the promiscuous coupling of individual GPCRs.
Novel EDGE encoding method enhances ability to identify genetic interactions
Authors: Hall Molly A. , Wallace John , Lucas Anastasia M. , Bradford Yuki , Verma Shefali S. , Müller-Myhsok Bertram , Passero Kristin , Zhou Jiayan , McGuigan John , Jiang Beibei , Pendergrass Sarah A. , Zhang Yanfei , Peissig Peggy , Brilliant Murray , Sleiman Patrick , Hakonarson Hakon , Harley John B. , Kiryluk Krzysztof , Van Steen Kristel , Moore Jason H. , Ritchie Marylyn D.
Published: June 2021

Assumptions are made about the genetic model of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) when choosing a traditional genetic encoding: additive, dominant, and recessive. Furthermore, SNPs across the genome are unlikely to demonstrate identical genetic models. However, running SNP-SNP interaction analyses with every combination of encodings raises the multiple testing burden. Here, we present a novel and flexible encoding for genetic interactions, the elastic data-driven genetic encoding (EDGE), in which SNPs are assigned a heterozygous value based on the genetic model they demonstrate in a dataset prior to interaction testing. We assessed the power of EDGE to detect genetic interactions using 29 combinations of simulated genetic models and found it outperformed the traditional encoding methods across 10%, 30%, and 50% minor allele frequencies (MAFs). Further, EDGE maintained a low false-positive rate, while additive and dominant encodings demonstrated inflation. We evaluated EDGE and the traditional encodings with genetic data from the Electronic Medical Records and Genomics (eMERGE) Network for five phenotypes: age-related macular degeneration (AMD), age-related cataract, glaucoma, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and resistant hypertension. A multi-encoding genome-wide association study (GWAS) for each phenotype was performed using the traditional encodings, and the top results of the multi-encoding GWAS were considered for SNP-SNP interaction using the traditional encodings and EDGE. EDGE identified a novel SNP-SNP interaction for age-related cataract that no other method identified: rs7787286 (MAF: 0.041; intergenic region of chromosome 7)–rs4695885 (MAF: 0.34; intergenic region of chromosome 4) with a Bonferroni LRT p of 0.018. A SNP-SNP interaction was found in data from the UK Biobank within 25 kb of these SNPs using the recessive encoding: rs60374751 (MAF: 0.030) and rs6843594 (MAF: 0.34) (Bonferroni LRT p: 0.026). We recommend using EDGE to flexibly detect interactions between SNPs exhibiting diverse action.
Technical viability of the YF MAC-HD ELISA kit for use in yellow fever-endemic regions
Authors: Goodman Christin H. , Demanou Maurice , Mulders Mick , Mendez-Rico Jairo , Basile Alison Jane
Published: June 2021

Yellow fever (YF), an arboviral disease, affects an estimated 200,000 people and causes 30,000 deaths per year and recently has caused major epidemics in Africa and South America. Timely and accurate diagnosis of YF is critical for managing outbreaks and implementing vaccination campaigns. A YF immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody-capture (MAC) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit, the YF MAC-HD, was successfully introduced starting in 2018 to laboratories in Africa and South America. The YF MAC-HD kit can be performed in 3.5 hours, test up to 24 samples, and includes all reagents necessary to perform the test, except for water used to dilute wash buffer. In 2018 and 2019, a total of 56 laboratory personnel from 39 countries in Africa and South America were trained to use the kit during workshops, followed by take-home YF IgM proficiency testing (PT) exercises. Participants received either a 10- or 20-sample YF PT panel and performed testing using the YF MAC-HD kit. All countries obtained 90% or higher correct results. These results verified the technical viability and transferability of YF MAC-HD kit use for laboratories in YF-endemic countries.
Multicomponent carbohydrase system from Trichoderma reesei: A toolbox to address complexity of cell walls of plant substrates in animal feed
Authors: Rangel Pedersen Ninfa , Tovborg Morten , Soleimani Farjam Abdoreza , Della Pia Eduardo Antonio
Published: June 2021

A diverse range of monocot and dicot grains and their by-products are commonly used in the animal feed industry. They all come with complex and variable cell wall structures which in turn contribute significant fiber to the complete feed. The cell wall is a highly interconnected matrix of various polysaccharides, proteins and lignin and, as such, requires a collaborative effort of different enzymes for its degradation. In this regard, we investigated the potential of a commercial multicomponent carbohydrase product from a wild type fermentation of Trichoderma reesei (T. reesei) (RONOZYME® MultiGrain) in degrading cell wall components of wheat, barley, rye, de-oiled rice bran, sunflower, rapeseed and cassava. A total of thirty-one different enzyme proteins were identified in the T. Reesei carbohydrase product using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry LC-MS/MS including glycosyl hydrolases and carbohydrate esterases. As measured by in vitro incubations and non-starch polysaccharide component analysis, and visualization by immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy imaging of immuno-labeled samples with confocal microscopy, the carbohydrase product effectively solubilized cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic polysaccharides present in the cell walls of all the feed ingredients evaluated. The T. reesei fermentation also decreased viscosity of arabinoxylan, xyloglucan, galactomannan and β-glucan substrates. Combination of several debranching enzymes including arabinofuranosidase, xylosidase, α-galactosidase, acetyl xylan esterase, and 4-O-methyl-glucuronoyl methylesterase with both GH10 and GH11 xylanases in the carbohydrase product resulted in effective hydrolyzation of heavily branched glucuronoarabinoxylans. The different β-glucanases (both endo-β-1,3(4)-glucanase and endo-β-1,3-glucanase), cellulases and a β-glucosidase in the T. reesei fermentation effectively reduced polymerization of both β-glucans and cellulose polysaccharides of viscous cereals grains (wheat, barley, rye and oat). Interestingly, the secretome of T. reesei contained significant amounts of an exceptional direct chain-cutting enzyme from the GH74 family (Cel74A, xyloglucan-specific β-1,4-endoglucanase), that strictly cleaves the xyloglucan backbone at the substituted regions. Here, we demonstrated that the balance of enzymes present in the T. reesei secretome is capable of degrading various cell wall components in both monocot and dicot plant raw material used as animal feed.
Embryonic developmental arrest in the annual killifish Austrolebias charrua: A proteomic approach to diapause III
Authors: Chalar Cora , Clivio Graciela , Montagne Jimena , Costábile Alicia , Lima Analía , Papa Nicolás G. , Berois Nibia , Arezo María José
Published: June 2021

Diapause is a reversible developmental arrest faced by many organisms in harsh environments. Annual killifish present this mechanism in three possible stages of development. Killifish are freshwater teleosts from Africa and America that live in ephemeral ponds, which dry up in the dry season. The juvenile and adult populations die, and the embryos remain buried in the bottom mud until the next rainy season. Thus, species survival is entirely embryo-dependent, and they are perhaps the most remarkable extremophile organisms among vertebrates. The aim of the present study was to gather information about embryonic diapauses with the use of a “shotgun” proteomics approach in diapause III and prehatching Austrolebias charrua embryos. Our results provide insight into the molecular mechanisms of diapause III. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD025196. We detected a diapause-dependent change in a large group of proteins involved in different functions, such as metabolic pathways and stress tolerance, as well as proteins related to DNA repair and epigenetic modifications. Furthermore, we observed a diapause-associated switch in cytoskeletal proteins. This first glance into global protein expression differences between prehatching and diapause III could provide clues regarding the induction/maintenance of this developmental arrest in A. charrua embryos. There appears to be no single mechanism underlying diapause and the present data expand our knowledge of the molecular basis of diapause regulation. This information will be useful for future comparative approaches among different diapauses in annual killifish and/or other organisms that experience developmental arrest.
Determinants of change in timely first antenatal booking among pregnant women in Ethiopia: A decomposition analysis
Authors: Yalew Melaku , Adane Bezawit , Damtie Yitayish , Kefale Bereket , Dewau Reta , Mektu Kefale , Arefaynie Mastewal , Andargie Assefa
Published: June 2021

Background

Even though maternal health was highly targeted in different global strategies, maternal mortality could not be decreased as was expected. Besides this, prior decomposition analysis to the possible cause of changes to timely first antenatal booking has not been conducted. Therefore, this study aimed to assess determinants of change in timely first antenatal booking among pregnant women in Ethiopia.

Methods

The study utilized three consecutive Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) datasets which were collected through cross-sectional study design. The number of pregnant women who gave birth in 2005, 2011 and 2016 survey included in the analysis was 7,307, 7,908 and 7,590 respectively. The data were analyzed by using Stata/SE version 14.0. Logit-based decomposition analysis was done to identify contributing factors for change in timely first antenatal booking and statistical significance was determined by using P-value.

Results

The trend of timely first antenatal booking was increased from 6% to 20% in the last ten years. The analysis revealed that 14% of the overall change was because of the change in women’s composition. Changes in the composition of women according to region, education and occupation status were the major sources of this change. The remaining, 86% of the change was due to differences in the coefficient. Mostly, the change in behaviors of the Oromia population, those who have lived in the rural areas and male household head were some of the contributing factors for the increase in timely first antenatal booking.

Conclusions

There was a significant increase in timely first antenatal booking among pregnant women in Ethiopia from 2005 to 2016 EDHS. The change in the women composition according to residency, education and occupation status of women and the difference in behaviors like: behavior of rural residents and male household head contributed to the majority of the change. Interventions targeting the male household head, rural residents and those women who lived in the Oromia region should be emphasized to increase further timely booking. In addition, promoting women in terms of education and creating job opportunities could be the other recalled intervention areas of the country.