bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Augmented reality and virtual reality displays: emerging technologies and future perspectives
Authors: Xiong Jianghao , Hsiang En-Lin , He Ziqian , Zhan Tao , Wu Shin-Tson
Published: October 2021

With rapid advances in high-speed communication and computation, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are emerging as next-generation display platforms for deeper human-digital interactions. Nonetheless, to simultaneously match the exceptional performance of human vision and keep the near-eye display module compact and lightweight imposes unprecedented challenges on optical engineering. Fortunately, recent progress in holographic optical elements (HOEs) and lithography-enabled devices provide innovative ways to tackle these obstacles in AR and VR that are otherwise difficult with traditional optics. In this review, we begin with introducing the basic structures of AR and VR headsets, and then describing the operation principles of various HOEs and lithography-enabled devices. Their properties are analyzed in detail, including strong selectivity on wavelength and incident angle, and multiplexing ability of volume HOEs, polarization dependency and active switching of liquid crystal HOEs, device fabrication, and properties of micro-LEDs (light-emitting diodes), and large design freedoms of metasurfaces. Afterwards, we discuss how these devices help enhance the AR and VR performance, with detailed description and analysis of some state-of-the-art architectures. Finally, we cast a perspective on potential developments and research directions of these photonic devices for future AR and VR displays.
Reversible magnetic spiral domain
Authors: Moon Kyoung-Woong , Yang Seungmo , Hwang Chanyong
Published: October 2021

The various spiral structures that exist in nature inspire humanity because of their morphological beauty, and spiral structures are used in various fields, including architecture, engineering, and art. Spiral structures have their own winding directions, and in most spirals, it is difficult to reverse the predetermined winding direction. Here, we show that a rotating spiral exists in magnetic systems for which the winding direction can be easily reversed. A magnetization vector basically has a spiral motion combining a precessional and a damping motion. The application of these basic mechanics to a system composed of magnetic vectors that are affected by a radial current and the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction forms the rotating magnetic spiral. The winding direction of the magnetic spiral has its own stability, but the direction can be changed using an external magnetic field. This magnetic spiral has a finite size, and the magnetic domain is destroyed at the edge of the spiral, which can create magnetic skyrmions.
Multiple nanocages of a cyanophage small heat shock protein with icosahedral and octahedral symmetries
Authors: Biswas Sreeparna , Garg Priyanka , Dutta Somnath , Suguna Kaza
Published: October 2021

The structures of a cyanophage small heat shock protein (sHSP) were determined as octahedrons of 24-mers and 48-mers and as icosahedrons of 60-mers. An N-terminal deletion construct of an 18 kDa sHSP of Synechococcus sp. phage S-ShM2 crystallized as a 24-mer and its structure was determined at a resolution of 7 Å. The negative stain electron microscopy (EM) images showed that the full-length protein is a mixture of a major population of larger and a minor population of smaller cage-like particles. Their structures have been determined by electron cryomicroscopy 3D image reconstruction at a resolution of 8 Å. The larger particles are 60-mers with icosahedral symmetry and the smaller ones are 48-mers with octahedral symmetry. These structures are the first of the viral/phage origin and the 60-mer is the largest and the first icosahedral assembly to be reported for sHSPs.
Sleep deprivation impairs cognitive performance, alters task-associated cerebral blood flow and decreases cortical neurovascular coupling-related hemodynamic responses
Authors: Csipo Tamas , Lipecz Agnes , Owens Cameron , Mukli Peter , Perry Jonathan W. , Tarantini Stefano , Balasubramanian Priya , Nyúl-Tóth Ádám , Yabluchanska Valeriya , Sorond Farzaneh A. , Kellawan J. Mikhail , Purebl György , Sonntag William E. , Csiszar Anna , Ungvari Zoltan , Yabluchanskiy Andriy
Published: October 2021

Sleep deprivation (SD) is a common condition and an important health concern. In addition to metabolic and cardiovascular risks, SD associates with decreases in cognitive performance. Neurovascular coupling (NVC, "functional hyperemia") is a critical homeostatic mechanism, which maintains adequate blood supply to the brain during periods of intensive neuronal activity. To determine whether SD alters NVC responses and cognitive performance, cognitive and hemodynamic NVC assessments were conducted prior to and 24 h post-SD in healthy young male individuals (n = 10, 27 ± 3 years old). Cognition was evaluated with a battery of tests from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). Hemodynamic components of NVC were measured by transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) during cognitive stimulation, dynamic retinal vessel analysis (DVA) during flicker light stimulation, and functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during finger tapping motor task. Cognitive assessments revealed impairments in reaction time and sustained attention after 24 h of SD. Functional NIRS analysis revealed that SD significantly altered hemodynamic responses in the prefrontal cortex and somatosensory cortex during a motor task. NVC-related vascular responses measured by DVA and TCD did not change significantly. Interestingly, TCD detected decreased task-associated cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the right middle cerebral artery in sleep deprived participants. Our results demonstrate that 24 h of SD lead to impairments in cognitive performance together with altered CBF and hemodynamic components of cortical NVC responses.
Wave based damage detection in solid structures using spatially asymmetric encoder–decoder network
Authors: Wuttke Frank , Lyu Hao , Sattari Amir S. , Rizvi Zarghaam H.
Published: October 2021

The identification of structural damages takes a more and more important role within the modern economy, where often the monitoring of an infrastructure is the last approach to keep it under public use. Conventional monitoring methods require specialized engineers and are mainly time-consuming. This research paper considers the ability of neural networks to recognize the initial or alteration of structural properties based on the training processes. The presented model, a spatially asymmetric encoder–decoder network, is based on 1D-Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) for wave field pattern recognition, or more specifically the wave field change recognition. The proposed model is used to identify the change within propagating wave fields after a crack initiation within the structure. The paper describes the implemented method and the required training procedure to get a successful crack detection accuracy, where the training data are based on the dynamic lattice model. Although the training of the model is still time-consuming, the proposed new method has an enormous potential to become a new crack detection or structural health monitoring approach within the conventional monitoring methods.
Case–control study of the association of chronic acid suppression and social determinants of health with COVID-19 infection
Authors: Zhang Bing , Silverman Anna L. , Bangaru Saroja , Arneson Douglas , Dasharathy Sonya , Nguyen Nghia , Rodden Diane , Shih Jonathan , Butte Atul J. , El-Nachef Wael Noor , Boland Brigid S. , Rudrapatna Vivek Ashok
Published: October 2021

Acid suppressants are widely-used classes of medications linked to increased risks of aerodigestive infections. Prior studies of these medications as potentially reversible risk factors for COVID-19 have been conflicting. We aimed to determine the impact of chronic acid suppression use on COVID-19 infection risk while simultaneously evaluating the influence of social determinants of health to validate known and discover novel risk factors. We assessed the association of chronic acid suppression with incident COVID-19 in a 1:1 case–control study of 900 patients tested across three academic medical centers in California, USA. Medical comorbidities and history of chronic acid suppression use were manually extracted from health records by physicians following a pre-specified protocol. Socio-behavioral factors by geomapping publicly-available data to patient zip codes were incorporated. We identified no evidence to support an association between chronic acid suppression and COVID-19 (adjusted odds ratio 1.04, 95% CI 0.92–1.17, P = 0.515). However, several medical and social features were positive (Latinx ethnicity, BMI ≥ 30, dementia, public transportation use, month of the pandemic) and negative (female sex, concurrent solid tumor, alcohol use disorder) predictors of new infection. These findings demonstrate the value of integrating publicly-available databases with medical data to identify critical features of communicable diseases.
The emergency discharge of sewage to the Bay of Gdańsk as a source of bacterial enrichment in coastal air
Authors: Michalska Małgorzata , Zorena Katarzyna , Marks Roman , Wąż Piotr
Published: October 2021

The purpose of this research was to study the presence of potential pathogenic bacteria in the seawater and air in five coastal towns (Hel, Puck, Gdynia, Sopot, Gdańsk-Brzeźno) as well as the enrichment of bacteria from the seawater into the coastal air after an emergency discharge of sewage into the Bay of Gdańsk. A total of 594 samples of air and seawater were collected in the coastal zone between spring and summer (between 2014 and 2018). Air samples were collected using the impact method with a SAS Super ISO 100. The multivariate analysis, conducted using contingency tables, showed a statistically significant variation between the concentration of coliforms, psychrophilic and mesophilic bacteria in the seawater microlayer and air in 2018, after an emergency discharge of sewage into the Bay of Gdańsk, compared to 2014–2017. Moreover, we detected a marine aerosol enrichment in psychrophilic, mesophilic bacteria, coliforms and Escherichia coli. We also showed a statistically significant relationship between the total concentration of bacteria and humidity, air temperature, speed and wind direction. This increased concentration of bacteria in the seawater and coastal air, and the high factor of air enrichment with bacteria maybe associated with the emergency discharge of wastewater into the Bay of Gdańsk. Therefore, it is suggested that in the event of a malfunction of a sewage treatment plant, as well as after floods or sudden rainfall, the public should be informed about the sanitary and epidemiological status of the coastal waters and be recommended to limit their use of coastal leisure areas.
A meta-analysis on RCTs of direct anterior and conventional approaches in total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Ramadanov Nikolai , Bueschges Simon , Lazaru Philip , Dimitrov Dobromir
Published: October 2021

To conduct a systematic review and meta-analyses on short-term outcomes between total hip arthroplasty (THA) through direct anterior approach (DAA) compared to THA through conventional approaches (CAs) in treatment of hip diseases and fractures. We performed a systematic literature search up to March 1, 2021 to identify RCTs, comparing THA through DAA with THA through CAs. We calculated mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for continuous outcomes, using the DerSimonian and Laird method and a random effects model. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs for dichotomous outcomes, using the Mantel–Haenszel method and a random effects model. Ten RCTs met the criteria for final meta-analysis, involving 1053 patients. Four studies were blinded RCTs with a level I evidence, the other 6 studies were non-blinded RCTs with a level II evidence. DAA had a longer operation time than CAs (MD = 17.8, 95% CI  4.8 to 30.8); DAA had similar results compared to CAs for incision length (MD = − 1.1, 95% CI − 4.1 to 1.8), for intraoperative blood loss (MD = 67.2, 95% CI − 34.8 to 169.1), for HHS 3 months postoperatively (MD = 2.4, 95% CI − 0.7 to 5.5), for HHS 6 months postoperatively (MD = 0.8, 95% CI − 1.9 to 3.5), for HHS 12 months postoperatively (MD = 0.9, 95% CI − 0.7 to 2.5), for pain VAS 1 day postoperatively (MD = − 0.9, 95% CI − 2.0 to 0.15), for acetabular cup anteversion angle (MD = − 4.3, 95% CI − 5.2 to − 3.5), for acetabular cup inclination angle (MD = − 0.5, 95% CI − 2.1 to 1.1) and for postoperative complications (OR = 2.4, 95% CI 0.5 to 12.4). Considering the overall results of our meta-analysis, we can conclude that THA through DAA showed similar short-term surgical, functional, radiological outcomes and postoperative complications compared to THA through CAs.
NF-κB regulation in maternal immunity during normal and IUGR pregnancies
Authors: Ariyakumar Gaayathri , Morris Jonathan M. , McKelvey Kelly J. , Ashton Anthony W. , McCracken Sharon A.
Published: October 2021

Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) is a leading cause of perinatal death with no effective cure, affecting 5–10% pregnancies globally. Suppressed pro-inflammatory Th1/Th17 immunity is necessary for pregnancy success. However, in IUGR, the inflammatory response is enhanced and there is a limited understanding of the mechanisms that lead to this abnormality. Regulation of maternal T-cells during pregnancy is driven by Nuclear Factor Kappa B p65 (NF-κB p65), and we have previously shown that p65 degradation in maternal T-cells is induced by Fas activation. Placental exosomes expressing Fas ligand (FasL) have an immunomodulatory function during pregnancy. The aim of this study is to investigate the mechanism and source of NF-κB regulation required for successful pregnancy, and whether this is abrogated in IUGR. Using flow cytometry, we demonstrate that p65+ Th1/Th17 cells are reduced during normal pregnancy, but not during IUGR, and this phenotype is enforced when non-pregnant T-cells are cultured with normal maternal plasma. We also show that isolated exosomes from IUGR plasma have decreased FasL expression and are reduced in number compared to exosomes from normal pregnancies. In this study, we highlight a potential role for FasL+ exosomes to regulate NF-κB p65 in T-cells during pregnancy, and provide the first evidence that decreased exosome production may contribute to the dysregulation of p65 and inflammation underlying IUGR pathogenesis.
Single-stranded DNA binding proteins influence APOBEC3A substrate preference
Authors: Brown Amber L. , Collins Christopher D. , Thompson Secily , Coxon Margo , Mertz Tony M. , Roberts Steven A.
Published: October 2021

The cytidine deaminase, APOBEC3A (A3A), is a prominent source of mutations in multiple cancer types. These APOBEC-signature mutations are non-uniformly distributed across cancer genomes, associating with single-stranded (ss) DNA formed during DNA replication and hairpin-forming sequences. The biochemical and cellular factors that influence these specificities are unclear. We measured A3A’s cytidine deaminase activity in vitro on substrates that model potential sources of ssDNA in the cell and found that A3A is more active on hairpins containing 4 nt ssDNA loops compared to hairpins with larger loops, bubble structures, replication fork mimics, ssDNA gaps, or linear DNA. Despite pre-bent ssDNAs being expected to fit better in the A3A active site, we determined A3A favors a 4 nt hairpin substrate only 2- to fivefold over linear ssDNA substrates. Addition of whole cell lysates or purified RPA to cytidine deaminase assays more severely reduced A3A activity on linear ssDNA (45 nt) compared to hairpin substrates. These results indicate that the large enrichment of A3A-driven mutations in hairpin-forming sequences in tumor genomes is likely driven in part by other proteins that preferentially bind longer ssDNA regions, which limit A3A’s access. Furthermore, A3A activity is reduced at ssDNA associated with a stalled T7 RNA polymerase, suggesting that potential protein occlusion by RNA polymerase also limits A3A activity. These results help explain the small transcriptional strand bias for APOBEC mutation signatures in cancer genomes and the general targeting of hairpin-forming sequences in the lagging strand template during DNA replication.
Aqueous humor analyses of diabetic macular edema patients with subretinal fluid
Authors: Kwon Jin-woo , Kim Byungjin , Jee Donghyun , Cho Yang kyung
Published: October 2021

We identified treatment-naïve diabetic macular edema (DME) patients with or without subretinal fluid (SRF). We compared their baseline characteristics: aqueous concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-17, as well as tumor necrosis factor-α, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and placental growth factor (PlGF). We also compared fundus and optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings, and responsiveness to anti-VEGF treatments. Of 67 DME patients, 18 (26.87%) had SRF. Compared to the no SRF group, the SRF group had significantly higher levels of IL-6, IL-8, VEGF, and PlGF in aqueous humor. After grouping according to diabetic retinopathy stage, non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) patients with SRF had higher aqueous levels of IL-6 and IL-8, compared to NPDR patients without SRF. Moreover, proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) patients with SRF had higher aqueous levels of VEGF and PlGF, compared to PDR patients without SRF. Fundus and OCT analyses revealed that the SRF group had a greater proportion of patients with succinate or patch-shaped hard exudates involving the macula, and greater central subfield thickness (CST) at baseline. After 6 months of anti-VEGF treatments, the SRF group showed better responsiveness in terms of CST; however, visual acuity was not correlated with responsiveness. Considering higher aqueous levels of VEGFs and pro-inflammatory cytokines, SRF could be a biomarker related to diabetic retinopathy activity. DME patients with SRF showed better anatomical responsiveness to anti-VEGF treatments, but did not show better functional improvement on short-term evaluation compared to those of DME patients without SRF.
Insights into phenotypic differences between humans and mice with p.T721M and other C-terminal variants of the SLC26A4 gene
Authors: Hu Chin-Ju , Lu Ying-Chang , Tsai Cheng-Yu , Chan Yen-Hui , Lin Pei-Hsuan , Lee Yi-Shan , Yu I.-Shing , Lin Shu-Wha , Liu Tien-Chen , Hsu Chuan-Jen , Yang Ting-Hua , Cheng Yen-Fu , Wu Chen-Chi
Published: October 2021

Recessive variants of the SLC26A4 gene are an important cause of hereditary hearing impairment. Several transgenic mice with different Slc26a4 variants have been generated. However, none have recapitulated the auditory phenotypes in humans. Of the SLC26A4 variants identified thus far, the p.T721M variant is of interest, as it appears to confer a more severe pathogenicity than most of the other missense variants, but milder pathogenicity than non-sense and frameshift variants. Using a genotype-driven approach, we established a knock-in mouse model homozygous for p.T721M. To verify the pathogenicity of p.T721M, we generated mice with compound heterozygous variants by intercrossing Slc26a4+/T721M mice with Slc26a4919-2A>G/919-2A>G mice, which segregated the c.919-2A > G variant with abolished Slc26a4 function. We then performed serial audiological assessments, vestibular evaluations, and inner ear morphological studies. Surprisingly, both Slc26a4T721M/T721M and Slc26a4919-2A>G/T721M showed normal audiovestibular functions and inner ear morphology, indicating that p.T721M is non-pathogenic in mice and a single p.T721M allele is sufficient to maintain normal inner ear physiology. The evidence together with previous reports on mouse models with Slc26a4 p.C565Y and p.H723R variants, support our speculation that the absence of audiovestibular phenotypes in these mouse models could be attributed to different protein structures at the C-terminus of human and mouse pendrin.
Nitric oxide-targeted protein phosphorylation during human sperm capacitation
Authors: Staicu Florentin-Daniel , Martínez-Soto Juan Carlos , Canovas Sebastian , Matás Carmen
Published: October 2021

Among many other molecules, nitric oxide insures the correct progress of sperm capacitation by mediating phosphorylation events. For a more comprehensive understanding of how this happens, we capacitated human spermatozoa from healthy men in the presence/absence of S-Nitrosoglutathione, a nitric oxide donor, two nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, NG-Nitro-l-arginine Methyl Ester Hydrochloride and Aminoguanidine Hemisulfate salt and, finally, with/withoutl-Arginine, the substrate for nitric oxide synthesis, and/or human follicular fluid. When analyzing the phosphorylation of protein kinase A substrates and tyrosine residues, we particularly observed how the inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis affects certain protein bands (~ 110, ~ 87, ~ 75 and ~ 62 kD) by lowering their phosphorylation degree, even when spermatozoa were incubated withl-Arginine and/or follicular fluid. Mass spectrometry analysis identified 29 proteins in these species, related to: spermatogenesis, binding to the zona pellucida, energy and metabolism, stress response, motility and structural organization, signaling and protein turnover. Significant changes in the phosphorylation degree of specific proteins could impair their biological activity and result in severe fertility-related phenotypes. These findings provide a deeper understanding of nitric oxide’s role in the capacitation process, and consequently, future studies in infertile patients should determine how nitric oxide mediates phosphorylation events in the species here described.
Effect of Scomberomorus niphonius peptide on the characteristics of resveratrol
Authors: Yuan Erdong , Nie Shiying , Qi Chunli , Chang Bo , Ren Jiaoyan
Published: October 2021

The results suggest that the peptide SHa-1 may help to increase the bioavailability of resveratrol by increasing the solubility, digestive stability, and intestinal absorption of resveratrol, thereby promoting its inhibitory effect on B16 cells.
Gel-based precursors for the high-performance of n-channel GaInSnZnO and p-channel CuGaSnSO thin-film transistors
Authors: Bukke Ravindra Naik , Jang Jin
Published: October 2021

The performance of metal–oxide TFTs should be further improved for the applications of next-generation displays. Here, the developments of gel-derived GITZO for n-channel and CGTSO for p-channel TFTs are demonstrated.
Using fuzzy relational hybrid models to control mixed‐valued dynamic systems with discrete‐valued inputs
Authors: Aghili‐Ashtiani Arya
Published: October 2021

This is the first attempt to bring the fuzzy relational hybrid models from modelling to control. The main challenge is to configure both the plant model and the controller appropriately so that the overall system has good analytical and numerical properties. However, to close the control loop effectively by connecting the fuzzy relational hybrid model blocks, it is needed for its core mathematical operator to be associative. Therefore, in this paper: (1) It has been shown that the core mathematical operator that relates the connected ‐normal fuzzy relational hybrid model blocks, that is, the Yager‐product fuzzy relational inner composition, unlike most fuzzy relational inner compositions, is associative; (2) An intelligent adaptive control scheme has been developed for a class of plants in which the states of the system can be mixed‐valued and all inputs are of discrete‐valued type (either quantitative or qualitative). Benefiting from the associative property, the proposed control scheme uses the ‐normal fuzzy relational hybrid model building blocks in the role of the controller as well as the plant model with no prior knowledge of the elements of the fuzzy relational matrices. Being applied to control a synchronous buck converter in both regulation and tracking scenarios, and under parameters uncertainties, the proposed scheme has been evaluated by computer simulation.
Proximal policy optimization based dynamic path planning algorithm for mobile robots
Authors: Jin Xin , Wang Zhengxiao
Published: October 2021

For the scenario where the overall layout is known and the obstacle distribution information is unknown, a dynamic path planning algorithm combining the A* algorithm and the proximal policy optimization (PPO) algorithm is proposed. Simulation experiments show that in all six test environments, the proposed algorithm finds paths that are on average about 2.04% to 5.86% shorter compared to the state‐of‐the‐art algorithms in the literature, and reduces the number of training epochs before stabilization from tens of thousands to about 4000.
Reduced‐rank space‐time adaptive processing algorithm based on multistage selections of angle‐Doppler filters
Authors: Yang Zhaocheng , Wang Xiaoye
Published: October 2021

A new reduced‐rank (RR) space‐time adaptive processing (STAP) algorithm based on multistage selections of angle‐Doppler filters is proposed in the form of a generalised sidelobe canceller. First, two types of the RR auxiliary angle‐Doppler filters are designed based on the discrete Fourier basis functions. Then, a novel multistage method is implemented to select the angle‐Doppler filters by using the cross‐correlation observed at the current stage and the residual output observed at the previous stage. Finally, the asymptotic statistic performance of target detection is evaluated in terms of the conventional framework of STAP for the cases of both known and unknown covariance, which shows that the proposed algorithm is capable of providing the constant false alarm rate. Numerical examples are provided, and they demonstrate that the proposed algorithm is able to offer better performance than the existing sparsity‐based and the conventional reduced‐dimension algorithms under the intrinsic clutter motion and array gain and phase errors.
COVID-19: Cardio-pulmonary and Vascular Manifestations
Authors: Gawaz Meinrad , Scharf Rüdiger E.
Published: October 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic is still threatening us, our patients, and the global health care system. Since the first outbreak at the end of 2019 in China, it became rapidly clear that a new variant of a SARS virus, SARS-CoV-2, is threatening our human society worldwide. Since then, the scientific community has accumulated an incredibly large amount of knowledge about the pathophysiology of this virus, primarily affecting the respiratory tract and, in severe cases, subsequently resulting in acute respiratory distress syndrome and multiple organ failure due to uncontrolled systemic inflammatory response syndrome.1
2
Ätherische Öle aus Zimt und Gewürznelken
verstärken die Wirkung von Antibiotika gegen multiresistente bakterielle
Krankheitserreger
Authors: Sakr Hana , Schmidt Sebastian , Bereswill Stefan , Heimesaat Markus M. , Melzig Matthias F.
Published: October 2021

Die Häufigkeit bakterieller Infektionen, bei denen Antibiotika nicht mehr
wirken, steigt aufgrund der Resistenzentwicklung der Krankheitserreger weltweit.
Um dieser Bedrohung zu begegnen, werden – neben der Entwicklung neuer
Antibiotika und der Reaktivierung bereits vorhandener antibakterieller
Wirkstoffe – auch die Resistenz-modifizierenden Eigenschaften von
Naturstoffen erforscht. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde mit dem
Checkerboard-Mikrodilutionsverfahren untersucht, wie die ätherischen
Öle aus Gewürznelken (Syzygium aromaticum) und der Rinde
des Zimtbaums (Cinnamomum verum) kombiniert mit Lysozym die Wirkungen von
Antibiotika aus der Gruppe der Carbapeneme (Imipenem) und der Aminoglykoside
(Gentamicin) gegen die bakteriellen Krankheitserreger Pseudomonas
aeruginosa bzw. Klebsiella pneumoniae verstärken. Die
Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die ätherischen Öle beider Pflanzenarten
die minimalen Hemmkonzentrationen von Gentamicin und Imipenem gegenüber
multiresistenten klinischen Isolaten der beiden gramnegativen Bakterienarten
vermindern und damit die Antibiotikawirkung signifikant steigern. Die potenten
Resistenz-modifizierenden Eigenschaften der ätherischen Öle
lassen weitere Untersuchungen der Phenylpropanoide als Hauptkomponenten beider
Öle und anderer Naturstoffe in diesem Kontext vielversprechend
erscheinen.
Complete Molar Pregnancies with a Coexisting Fetus: Pregnancy Outcomes and Review of Literature
Authors: Irani Roxanna A. , Holliman Kerry , Debbink Michelle , Day Lori , Mehlhaff Krista , Gill Lisa , Heuser Cara , Kachikis Alisa , Strickland Kristine , Tureson Justin , Shank Jessica , Pilliod Rachel , Iyer Chitra , Han Christina S.
Published: October 2021

Objective The objective of the study was to review the obstetric outcomes of complete hydatidiform molar pregnancies with a coexisting fetus (CHMCF), a rare clinical entity that is not well described.

Materials and Methods We performed a retrospective case series with pathology-confirmed HMCF. The cases were collected via solicitation through a private maternal-fetal medicine physician group on social media. Each contributing institution from across the United States (n = 9) obtained written informed consent from the patients directly, obtained institutional data transfer agreements as required, and transmitted the data using a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) compliant modality. Data collected included maternal, fetal/genetic, placental, and delivery characteristics. For descriptive analysis, continuous variables were reported as median with standard deviation and range.

Results Nine institutions contributed to the 14 cases collected. Nine (64%) cases of CHMCF were a product of assisted reproductive technology and one case was trizygotic. The median gestational age at diagnosis was 12 weeks and 2 days (9 weeks–19 weeks and 4 days), and over half were diagnosed in the first trimester. The median human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) at diagnosis was 355,494 mIU/mL (49,770–700,486 mIU/mL). Placental mass size universally enlarged over the surveillance period. When invasive testing was performed, insufficient sample or no growth was noted in 40% of the sampled cases. Antenatal complications occurred in all delivered patients, with postpartum hemorrhage (71%) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (29%) being the most frequent outcomes. Delivery outcomes were variable. Four patients developed gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.

Conclusion This series is the largest report of obstetric outcomes for CHMCF to date and highlights the need to counsel patients about the severe maternal and fetal complications in continuing pregnancies, including progression to gestational trophoblastic neoplastic disease.

Key Points
Effects of temperature and nutrients on the emissions of biogenic volatile sulfur compounds from
Authors: Han Lu , Li Pei-Feng , Liu Chun-Ying , Yang Gui-Peng
Published: October 2021

Environmental context Blooms of Ulva prolifera have recurred annually in the Yellow Sea since 2007, causing economic losses and severe ecological problems. We conducted laboratory incubation experiments to examine the effects of temperature and nutrients on its biogenic sulfur emissions during its decline period. Increasing temperature and nutrients affected the decay of U. prolifera, resulting in respective decreased and increased emission of biogenic sulfur compounds. Abstract The Ulva prolifera blooms have recurred annually in the Yellow Sea (YS) since 2007, causing huge economic losses and severe ecological problems. So far, few studies have investigated the release of volatile biogenic sulfur compounds by the U. prolifera blooms. In this study, laboratory incubation experiments were conducted to examine the effects of temperature and nutrient concentrations on the emissions of biogenic sulfur compounds during the green tide decline period. Under simulated conditions, higher incubation temperatures and nutrient concentrations promoted the decay of U. prolifera. When the incubation temperature was increased from 20 °C to 25 °C, the mean concentrations of dimethylsulfide (DMS), dissolved dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSPd) and particulate dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSPp) in the culture medium decreased by ~20 %, 55 % and 20 % respectively; in addition, these values increased by ~40 %, 70 % and 240 % respectively when exogenous nutrients were added to the culture medium. Moreover, a high concentration of nitrate (NO3–) (>50 μM) could promote the release of biogenic sulfur by U. prolifera in the absence of other nutrients. The findings of this study provide insight into the roles of macroalgae on changes to the environment and shed light on the potential impact of DMSP and other degradation products of DMS produced by the green tide on the environment and ecosystem.
XIII—Knowing How to Reason Logically
Authors: Besson Corine
Published: October 2021

In this paper, I examine Gilbert Ryle’s claim that ordinary competence with logical principles or rules is a kind of knowing how, where such knowledge is understood as a skill, a multi-track disposition. Ryle argues that his account of ordinary logical competence helps avoid Lewis Carroll’s famous regress argument (Carroll 1895), which suggests that elementary deductive reasoning might be impossible. Indeed, Carroll’s regress is the central motivation for Ryle’s account. I argue that this account is inadequate on two counts: it cannot serve to articulate the way ordinary reasoners might exercise their knowledge in reasoning and it does not do much to help us avoid Carroll’s regress. I sketch an alternative view, still Rylean in spirit, that fares better on both counts.
Linking high diversification rates of rapidly growing Amazonian plants to geophysical landscape transformations promoted by Andean uplift
Authors: Figueiredo Fernando O G , André Thiago , Moulatlet Gabriel M , Saka Mariana N , Araujo Mário H T , Tuomisto Hanna , Zuquim Gabriela , Emílio Thaise , Balslev Henrik , Borchsenius Finn , Campos Juliana V , Silveira Marcos , Rodrigues Domingos J , Costa Flavia R C
Published: October 2021

Amazonia is extremely biodiverse, but the mechanisms for the origin of this diversity are still under debate. We propose a diversification model for Amazonia based on the interplay of intrinsic clade functional traits, habitat associations and past geological events, using as a model group the species-rich Neotropical family Marantaceae. Our results show that the species richness of the lineage is predicted by functional strategy, rather than clade age, and thus the fast vs. slow growth functional trade-off is a major determinant of clade diversification in Marantaceae. Rapidly growing clades were mostly associated with highly productive habitats, and their origin and diversification dynamics matched the expansion of fertile soils mediated by Andean uplift c. 23 Mya. Fast-growth strategies probably led to fast molecular evolution, speeding up speciation rates and species accumulation, resulting in higher numbers of extant species. Our results indicate that pure allopatric-dispersal models disconnected from past geological and ecological forces may be inadequate for explaining the evolutionary and diversity patterns in Amazonian lowlands. We suggest that a coupling of the functional trait-niche framework with diversification dynamics provides insights into the evolutionary history of tropical forests and helps elucidate the mechanisms underlying the origin and evolution of its spectacular biodiversity.
Routine versus clinically indicated use of chest X-rays in patients presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Leelo N , Mortimer N , Townend J N , Doshi S N , Nadir M A
Published: October 2021

Background

National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines recommend consideration of Chest X-rays (CXRs) in patients presenting with chest pain to exclude non-cardiac causes of chest pains. However, patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have a clear diagnosis, rendering the rationale for routine CXRs in this cohort of patients unclear. However, this remains a common practice across the health service.

Methods

We performed a retrospective study use of CXRs in consecutive patients admitted with STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention in a single UK tertiary cardiac center. We aimed to investigate if CXRs added clinical and diagnostic value by comparing routine vs. clinically indicated use.

Results

A total of 122 patients (Mean Age 63±12, 87% Male) were admitted with STEMI during the study period and 114/122 (93.4%) patients received at least one CXR during their in-patient stay. All but 2/114 were portable thus resource-intensive. Of these, 75/114 (65.8%) were routine while 39/114 (34.2%) were clinically indicated. Although CXRs were performed in almost all the patients, only 56/114 (49.1%) of patients had the findings of CXRs documented in the clinical records.

The diagnostic efficacy for CXR abnormalities was significantly higher in the clinically indicated CXR group (76.9%) rather than the routine CXR group (2.7%) (p=<0.001). The therapeutic efficacy was 53.8% for clinically indicated CXRs, whereas the routine CXRs had a therapeutic efficacy of 1.3% (p=<0.001). There was a significant association between CXR findings and whether the CXR requested was routine or not (χ2(1)=70.07, p<0.001) and also management changes (χ2(1)=45.43, p<0.001).

Conclusions

Routine CXR in patient admitted with STEMI are often unnecessary and may add very little clinical value. On the other hand, selective post-procedural CXRs have a significantly higher diagnostic and therapeutic yield. Our study questions the rationale behind routine CXRs in the care of patients with STEMIs.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Table 1
The Jewishness of Luke–Acts: Locating Lukan Christianity Amidst the Parting of The Ways
Authors: Smith David Andrew
Published: October 2021

This article surveys historic and recent contributions to the study of the situation of Luke–Acts and the so-called ‘parting of the ways’ between Judaism and Christianity to advance the thesis that these two avenues of inquiry, which have generally been pursued independently, need to be studied in tandem. The article considers stylistic and theological features of Luke–Acts to argue that this corpus was written either by a Hellenistic Jewish Christian or else a Gentile Godfearer whose entrance into the Christian community was mediated heavily by an attachment to synagogue life. The article further argues that the Luke’s portrayal of Jews suggests that the author writes from a context in which the mission to the Jews is ongoing and with a rhetorical aim to persuade non-Christian Jews, either directly among a Jewish readership or indirectly by inculcating a posture of missionary appeal among Christian readers. Finally, the article argues that the Gentile mission in Acts is narrated with a view toward assuaging Jewish-Christian concerns. Taken together, these arguments propose a complex setting for Luke–Acts within a Jewish and Christian cultural milieu and suggest that the Lukan corpus remains an important textual field for research into early Jewish–Christian relations.
Video-polysomnography procedures for diagnosis of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) and the identification of its prodromal stages: guidelines from the International RBD Study Group
Authors: Cesari Matteo , Heidbreder Anna , St. Louis Erik K , Sixel-Döring Friederike , Bliwise Donald L , Baldelli Luca , Bes Frederik , Fantini Maria Livia , Iranzo Alex , Knudsen-Heier Stine , Mayer Geert , McCarter Stuart , Nepozitek Jiri , Pavlova Milena , Provini Federica , Santamaria Joan , Sunwoo Jun-Sang , Videnovic Aleksandar , Högl Birgit , Jennum Poul , Christensen Julie A E , Stefani Ambra
Published: October 2021

Video-polysomnography (v-PSG) is essential for diagnosing rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD). Although there are current American Academy of Sleep Medicine standards to diagnose RBD, several aspects need to be addressed to achieve harmonization across sleep centers. Prodromal RBD is a stage in which symptoms and signs of evolving RBD are present, but do not yet meet established diagnostic criteria for RBD. However, the boundary between prodromal and definite RBD is still unclear. As a common effort of the Neurophysiology Working Group of the International RBD Study Group, this manuscript addresses the need for comprehensive and unambiguous v-PSG recommendations to diagnose RBD and identify prodromal RBD. These include: (1) standardized v-PSG technical settings; (2) specific considerations for REM sleep scoring; (3) harmonized methods for scoring REM sleep without atonia; (4) consistent methods to analyze video and audio recorded during v-PSGs and to classify movements and vocalizations; (5) clear v-PSG guidelines to diagnose RBD and identify prodromal RBD. Each section follows a common template: The current recommendations and methods are presented, their limitations are outlined, and new recommendations are described. Finally, future directions are presented. These v-PSG recommendations are intended for both practicing clinicians and researchers. Classification and quantification of motor events, RBD episodes, and vocalizations are however intended for research purposes only. These v-PSG guidelines will allow collection of homogeneous data, providing objective v-PSG measures and making future harmonized multicentric studies and clinical trials possible.
Stents in the Management of Stenotic and Occlusive Lesions in the Venous System
Authors: Lee Mary M. , Hines George L.
Published: October 2021

Occlusive disease of the iliac veins or major intrathoracic veins have traditionally been managed by conservative management or by major vascular reconstructive procedures. Over the past 15–20 years, these lesions have become amenable to management with venous stents. Lesions in the iliac venous system are typically due to thrombus secondary to deep vein thrombosis, and lesions in the superior vena cava are due to either malignant intrathoracic lesions, indwelling central venous catheters, pacemaker leads, or enlarged nodes due to granulomatous disease. The success rate for implantation is between 92% and 95% and associated implantation complications vary between 2% and 5%. Primary patency of iliac stents is 70–90% at three years. Venous stents have higher patency in the treatment of stenotic lesions compared to totally occlusive lesions. Primary patency of stents placed in the superior vena cava is also about 70–90% and generally lower in lesions due to malignancy likely related to life expectancy. Stents in the venous system are associated with few complications at the time of insertion and have excellent long-term patency.
Dynamics of lipids in the yeast lipid droplets
Authors: Fomina Margarita , Mamontov Eugene , O’Neill Hugh , Close Dan , Borreguero Jose M. , Morrell-Falvey Jennifer
Published: October 2021

The physical properties and chemical composition of lipid droplets inside cells of the yeast Cryptococcus curvatus were investigated using quasi-elastic neutron scattering and mass spectrometry with complementary surface modeling using 3D microscopy. With temperature decrease from 310 to 280 K, their phase remained fluid, i.e., the droplets remained in the physiological state, unlike synthetic lipid membranes that transition to a gel phase. The lipid dynamics in the droplet was described by a model implying diffusion of the lipid and its hydrocarbon chains. The diffusion coefficient of the lipid chains (274×10−3 Å2/ps at 310 K) was much higher than that observed in a synthetic lipid membrane because of the larger volume (up to 12 Å) for the local dynamics in the droplet. These physical properties were correlated with the types of lipids composing the droplet. Based on that, the lipid packing and resulting energetic value of the yeast droplets are discussed in relation to their usefulness as biofuels.
Flipping law in open and distance learning: the Sri Lankan experience
Authors: Selvaras Janaha
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Legal education, like any other discipline in higher education, necessitates in use of various teaching and learning pedagogies in order to provide a sustainable teaching and learning experience. This article aims to examine the feasibility of implementing flipped learning method as a pedagogy on legal students at the Open University of Sri Lanka, as well as the perceptions of students and lecturer on the teaching and learning process in a flipped class in preparation for future implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed research method was used. A survey and a semi-structured interview were used to collect student perceptions, and observations of the lecturer were used to document the lecturer's perception.

Findings

According to the information gathered from both qualitative and quantitative data, the flipped learning pedagogy enhances the prior learning and student-centered learning of open and distance learning (ODL) and offers a new perspective on the existing pedagogies used in legal education. This article also emphasizes that an equitable implementation of designing and delivering a flipped class will ensure the effectiveness in teaching and learning law in Sri Lanka through ODL.

Originality/value

Despite the fact that there is substantial academic literature on flipped pedagogy, including in legal education, this article will create an original contribution by incorporating reflections from Sri Lankan legal education as well as ODL.
Financial inclusion and bank risk-taking nexus: evidence from China
Authors: Umar Muhammad , Akhtar Muhammad
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationship between financial inclusion and risk-taking by Chinese banks.

Design/methodology/approach

It uses the panel data from Chinese banks ranging from 2011 to 2019 and applies system generalized method of moments to measure coefficients. To get in-depth understanding of the relationship between above-mentioned variables, the analysis for commercial, cooperative, listed, unlisted, small and large banks has been done. Financial inclusion index has been measured based on demographic and geographic aspects by using the principal component analysis, and bank risk-taking has been proxied by z-score.

Findings

The findings reveal an inverse relationship between financial inclusion and bank risk-taking which implies that an increase in financial inclusion results in lesser risk for the banks, i.e. diversification hypothesis applies. However, the results for unlisted and large banks show a different story where an increase in financial inclusion results in higher bank risk and vice versa.

Originality/value

The present study offers several valid and convincing implications for consumers, policymakers and banking sector regulators.