bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Civil Society, the Challenge to the Authoritarian State, and the Consolidation of Democracy in Nigeria
Authors: Walker Judith-Ann
Published: August 2021

The victory for democracy resulting from General Olusegun Obasanjo’s election in February 1999 is as hollow as it is contrived. For many analysts and political aspirants, Obasanjo’s victory is not a triumph for democracy but merely a eulogy to formal military rule. Obasanjo is viewed as the “ordained” military successor with more continuity to the tradition of authoritarian rule than to genuine democracy. His known autocratic leadership style and his less-than-progressive stance on the media and women make him difficult to accept as a champion of democracy. Furthermore, the legality of his victory is challenged by his alleged contravention of the qualification regulations of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a factor that has led his opponent to contest the election results.

Given this imperfect situation, this article considers how Nigeria can build on the gains of the transition and consolidate democracy. The evidence from the new wave of democracy sweeping through the developing world suggests that “democracy makes sense” when civil organizations are prepared to challenge the right of autocratic regimes to rule.
Election 1999: Prospects for the Consolidation of Democracy in South Africa
Authors: Shubane Khehla , Stack Louise
Published: August 2021

The African National Congress (ANC) emerged from South Africa’s 1999 election in a greatly strengthened position. Now, not only is the constitutionally obligatory five-year period of a government of national unity over—which means that the ANC as the majority party is entitled to rule the country on its own—but the ANC increased its already strong majority in Parliament to just short of two-thirds.

In this article, we first discuss the context of the political debate in which the election took place, as well as the outcome of the election. We then examine the prospects for the consolidation of democracy in South Africa in light of the election results and in relation to the issues surrounding electoral procedure, a dominant party system, and opposition politics within the context of a still very much racially divided society.
UNIFORM INFERENCE IN A GENERALIZED INTERVAL ARITHMETIC CENTER AND RANGE LINEAR MODEL
Authors: Fan Yanqin , Shi Xuetao
Published: August 2021

Via generalized interval arithmetic, we propose a Generalized Interval Arithmetic Center and Range (GIA-CR) model for random intervals, where parameters in the model satisfy linear inequality constraints. We construct a constrained estimator of the parameter vector and develop asymptotically uniformly valid tests for linear equality constraints on the parameters in the model. We conduct a simulation study to examine the finite sample performance of our estimator and tests. Furthermore, we propose a coefficient of determination for the GIA-CR model. As a separate contribution, we establish the asymptotic distribution of the constrained estimator in Blanco-Fernández (2015, Multiple Set Arithmetic-Based Linear Regression Models for Interval-Valued Variables) in which the parameters satisfy an increasing number of random inequality constraints.
Quality of life and emotional vulnerability in a national cohort of adolescents living with Fontan circulation
Authors: Grosch Inger Bygland , Andresen Brith , Diep Lien My , Diseth Trond H. , Möller Thomas
Published: August 2021

Introduction:

To investigate quality of life and mental health after Fontan completion, we aimed to characterise outcomes in a representative group of adolescent patients. The study was part of the pre-transition clinical work-up in adolescents with Fontan-type palliation of univentricular CHD. The programme covers the entire paediatric Fontan patient population in Norway.

Methods:

Our cross-sectional study included 42 adolescents with Fontan circulation aged 15–18. We recruited a control group of 29 healthy peers. Quality of life was measured by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Questionnaire, while mental health was assessed with the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire.

Results:

Fontan patients scored lower than healthy controls on the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory total (p = 0.004), the physical (p < 0.001) and social (p = 0.001) functioning subscale, and the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire subscale of emotional symptoms (p = 0.035). Compared to two of the healthy teens (7%), seven patients (16%) in the Fontan group scored as having impaired mental health (p = 0.224). The female/male ratio for individuals with impaired health was 7:2 (p = 0.003).

Conclusions:

Compared to healthy controls, adolescents after Fontan-type palliation in Norway have good health-related quality of life and mental health, despite having slightly lower score than healthy individuals, mainly in physical domains and school functioning. Compared to healthy controls and healthy teenagers, these adolescents have somewhat more emotional problems, and compared to male patients, female patients more often have impaired mental health.
Towards healthier food choices for hospital staff and visitors: impacts of a healthy food and drink policy implemented at scale in Australia
Authors: Cranney Leonie , Thomas Margaret , Shepherd Leah , Cobcroft Megan , O’Connell Tarli , Munn Liz , Bauman Adrian , Phongsavan Philayrath
Published: August 2021

Objective:

To determine the impact of a healthy food and drink policy on hospital staff and visitors’ food purchasing behaviours, and their awareness and support for the changes introduced.

Design:

Two repeated cross-sectional surveys, consisting of intercept interviews and observations of food items purchased, were conducted before (March–July 2018) and after (April–June 2019) the target date for implementation of thirteen food and drink practices (31 December 2018). Food purchases were coded as ‘Everyday’ (healthy) or ‘Occasional’ (unhealthy).

Setting:

Ten randomly selected New South Wales public hospitals, collection sites including hospital entrances and thirteen hospital cafés/cafeterias.

Participants:

Surveys were completed by 4808 hospital staff and visitors (response rate 85 %). The majority were female (63 %), spoke English at home (85 %) and just over half had completed tertiary education (55 %).

Results:

Significant increases from before to after the implementation target date were found for policy awareness (23 to 42 %; P < 0·0001) and support (89 to 92 %; P = 0·01). The proportion of ‘Everyday’ food purchases increased, but not significantly (56 to 59 %; P = 0·22); with significant heterogeneity between outlets (P = 0·0008). Overall, younger, non-tertiary-educated adults, visitors and those that spoke English at home were significantly less likely to purchase ‘Everyday’ food items. Support was also significantly lower in males.

Conclusions:

The findings provide evidence of strong policy support, an increasing awareness of related changes and a trend towards increased ‘Everyday’ food purchasing. Given the relatively early phase of policy implementation, and the complexity of individual food purchasing decisions, longer-term follow-up of purchasing behaviour is recommended following ongoing implementation efforts.
THE ZEROTH -STABLE HOMOTOPY SHEAF OF A MOTIVIC SPACE
Authors: Bachmann Tom
Published: August 2021

We establish a kind of ‘degree
$0$
Freudenthal
${\mathbb {G}_m}$
-suspension theorem’ in motivic homotopy theory. From this we deduce results about the conservativity of the
$\mathbb P^1$
-stabilization functor.

In order to establish these results, we show how to compute certain pullbacks in the cohomology of a strictly homotopy-invariant sheaf in terms of the Rost–Schmid complex. This establishes the main conjecture of [2], which easily implies the aforementioned results.
Editors’ Introduction
Authors: Daddieh Cyril K. , Fair Jo Ellen
Published: August 2021

We are pleased to bring you this 2001 edition of African Issues—a double issue that represents our initiation as the journal’s editors. This edition is devoted to an examination of ethnicity, arguably the most resilient and resurgent paradigm in African studies. The authors have explored the activation, manipulation, uses, and abuses of ethnicity in the context of competitive elections and struggles for power in Africa. We have assembled a nice mix of articles suggestive of the complexities inherent in the notion and practices of ethnicity, from Mauritania to Kenya, from Ethiopia to Cameroon and points in between. We hope that these articles will stimulate discussion and greater appreciation of the intersection of ethnicity, constitution making, recent competitive elections, and democratization around the continent.
Ethiopia’s Ethnic-Based Federalism: 10 Years After
Authors: Mengisteab Kidane
Published: August 2021

Many sub-Saharan African countries find themselves engulfed in chronic ethnic tensions that often erupt into violent conflicts. In addition to the human costs, these conflicts have contributed to the further depletion of the meager financial resources of African countries. They have also disrupted economic activity and contributed to the region’s growing marginalization in the global economic system by discouraging the flow of foreign capital into the continent.
Brain Drain and Africa’s Development: A Reflection
Authors: Sako Soumana
Published: August 2021

The flight of human capital is a phenomenon that has been of concern to academics and development practitioners for decades. Termed the brain drain, it represents the loss of highly skilled professionals from a source country to a recipient country. Migrants leave one country for another as a result of strong attractions associated with differentials in living conditions, opportunities for professional advancement, and the existence of an environment that is conducive to peace and security. The term brain drain gained currency in the 1950s. Then it referred to emigration of scientists to the United States from countries such as Britain, Canada, and the former Soviet Union. Today, the concept is used to denote the flight of highly skilled professionals and academics from developing to developed countries.
Environmental Sustainability in Nigeria: The “Awareness” Imperative
Authors: Ogunleye Foluke
Published: August 2021

The practice of treating the environment with disdain has gradually become unfashionable. Yet in many developing nations, Nigeria among them, environmental education and awareness campaigns remain something regarded as unnecessary. According to Berry (1993: 158):

The term “sustainable development” has become a shibboleth of governments and industries, to present a respectful image to a society that is becoming even more strident in its concern for the environment. It is a concept that was projected onto the world by the Stockholm Conference of 1972, and has been carried ever since by the United Nations Environment Programs (UNEP), the World Conservation Union (IUCN), and the World Wildlife Fund for nature (WWF) in their world conservation strategy. It has the ring of truth and worldwide acceptance, but it is poorly understood by those who use it.
Editors’ Introduction
Authors: Djondo Christine , Hawk Beverly
Published: August 2021

We are pleased to bring you this special double edition of African Issues on study abroad in Africa. The response to our call for papers for this edition was overwhelming. We received more than 50 submissions, the most ever in the history of this publication. In our opinion, this shows the overwhelming desire on the part of Africanists and international educators to read more about the subject.
Building a National Focus for Student Exchange with Africa: The National Consortium for Study in Africa
Authors: Wiley David , Metzler John
Published: August 2021

The National Consortium for Study in Africa (NCSA) grew out of a concern about the paucity of high-quality study-abroad opportunities in Africa for North American undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty. Africa is the second largest continent in geographic size and the ancestral home of 15 percent of the U.S. population, a demographic segment that has lived in the United States longer than most European immigrants. As a result, much of American art, music, language, and culture has derived from Africa and the Afro-Caribbean cultures. Africa also is an important and growing source of U.S. trade, which is larger than that of all the Commonwealth of Independent States of eastern Europe. In spite of the country’s prominence, less than 4 percent of North American students who study abroad enroll for study in Africa.
Study Abroad and Area Studies
Authors: Cressey William W.
Published: August 2021

Recently the Institute for International Education released statistics for the 1997–1998 academic year showing that larger numbers of American undergraduates are choosing to spend part or all of an academic year abroad. To us in the profession, it is gratifying that the value of an overseas experience has been more widely recognized in recent years.
Representations of African Study Abroad on Video
Authors: DeLuca Laura
Published: August 2021

I feel like every day is a new adventure and I’m just kind of this sponge right now, soaking it all in and hoping that I will be able to bring some of the things I’m learning back home with me ... just everything, sights, sounds, smells, tastes. It’s all so different and it’s just making me so thankful, again and again, that I did have the courage to get up and leave campus to come here ... because I’m living with families and I’m doing instead of reading about it or listening to a lecture.
Teaching in Africa: Two Programs for Educators
Authors: Sandenburgh Polly , Schut Acacia
Published: August 2021

Education-abroad programs have been available to the adventurous student in U.S. colleges and universities for many decades. Traditionally, European destinations were sought. Over time, opportunities expanded to include less overtly Western countries and cultures. What all of these diverse programs had in common, however, is that they led to so-called developed countries. Opportunities to study in Third World countries were not rigorously exploited, and the African continent was all but ignored.
Drew in West Africa: Some Observations
Authors: Peek Philip
Published: August 2021

Despite renewed academic effort and increased public attention being paid African peoples and cultures, there are far fewer off-campus academic programs in Africa than one would expect, especially as we are speaking of a whole continent. Drew in West Africa is one of the few independent (with no institutional affiliations in Africa) academic programs that offer a regular four-week summer program in West Africa. After introducing the program, I would like to offer some observations on one of the most intriguing aspects of our program: the diversity of participants.
How Theoretical Models Can Inspire Advances in Research and Clinical Practice: The Example of Behavioral Addictions
Authors: Brand Matthias , Potenza Marc N.
Published: August 2021

Abstract. Aims: In this narrative position paper, we will summarize some examples of theoretical models of behavioral addictions. We will then make some suggestions for how theoretical models may inspire both research and clinical practice in the context of behavioral addictions. Results: Current theoretical models typically distinguish between general and specific risk factors. It is commonly argued that based on conditioning processes, affective responses to specific stimuli (cue-reactivity and craving) develop within the course of behavioral addictions. Diminished control over the behavior is reflected in reductions in inhibitory control and executive functioning. Cognitive distortions, attentional biases, and behavior-related expectancies are also considerable mechanisms. Theoretical models have been used to inspire advances not only in research but also in clinical practice. For example, theoretical models have inspired the development of standardized treatment protocols. Conclusions: If theoretical models contributed more consistently to scientific studies, a better understanding of the processes underlying specific mental disorders could be facilitated, which could then promote updates and modifications of the theoretical models and improvements in clinical practice. Close connections and stimulating discussions between theorists and therapists are very important and beneficial for advances over time.
320 Übungsaufgaben zum HAM-Nat
Authors: Meinelt Philipp
Published: August 2021

Zahlreiche Universitäten setzen naturwissenschaftliche Tests zur Auswahl geeigneter Studierender in der Human- und Zahnmedizin ein. Um das naturwissenschaftliche Wissen der Bewerber zu prüfen, wird häufig das Hamburger Auswahlverfahren für medizinische Studiengänge – Naturwissenschaftsteil (HAM-Nat) genutzt. Dieses Buch ermöglicht es angehenden Studierenden, sich anhand der 320 Übungsfragen gezielt auf die Teilnahme am HAM-Nat vorzubereiten. Die 320 Fragen decken einen großen (den naturwissenschaftlichen) Teil des Themenkatalogs des HAM-Nat ab. Das Übungsbuch enthält jeweils 100 Aufgaben zu den Themengebieten Chemie, Physik und Biologie sowie 20 Aufgaben zum Bereich Mathematik. Es werden sowohl Definitionsfragen als auch komplexere Rechenaufgaben gestellt. Die große Vielfalt und Varianz der Fragen ermöglicht es Bewerbern, ihr Wissen nicht nur zu testen, sondern sich auch mit der Multiple-Choice-Fragetechnik vertraut zu machen. Durch die Bearbeitung der Aufgaben können angehende Studierende Routine beim Lösen der Aufgaben erlangen und so auch die Lösungsgeschwindigkeit erhöhen. Mithilfe der im Buch enthaltenen Lösungen sowie zusätzlichen Hinweisen für mögliche Lösungswege können Bewerber die Korrektheit ihrer Antworten und ihren Lernfortschritt überprüfen.
Post‐Seismic Deformation Related to the 2016 Central Italy Seismic Sequence From GPS Displacement Time‐Series
Authors: Mandler E. , Pintori F. , Gualandi A. , Anderlini L. , Serpelloni E. , Belardinelli M. E.
Published: August 2021

The 2016–2017 Central Italy earthquake sequence struck the central Apennines between August 2016 and October 2016 with Mw ∈ [5.9; 6.5], plus four earthquakes occurring in January 2017 with Mw ∈ [5.0; 5.5]. We study Global Positioning System time series including near‐ and far‐field domains. We use a variational Bayesian independent component analysis technique to separate the post‐seismic deformation from signals caused by variation of the water content in aquifers at hundreds of meters of depth and of the soil moisture. For each independent component, realistic uncertainties and a plausible physical explanation are provided. We focus on the study of afterslip on the main structures surrounding the mainshock, highlighting the role played by faults that were not activated during the co‐seismic phase in accommodating the post‐seismic deformation. We report aseismic deformation occurring on the Paganica fault, which hosted the Mw 6.1 2009 L'Aquila earthquake, suggesting that static stress transfer and aseismic slip influence the recurrence time of nearby (∼50 km further south of the mainshocks) segments. A ∼2–3 km thick subhorizontal shear‐zone, clearly illuminated by seismicity, which bounds at depth the west‐dipping normal faults where the mainshocks nucleated, also shows aseismic slip. Since afterslip alone underestimates the displacement in the far‐field domain, we consider the possibility that the shear zone marks the brittle‐ductile transition, assuming the viscoelastic relaxation of the lower crust as a mechanism contributing to the post‐seismic displacement. Our results suggest that multiple deformation processes are active in the first 2 years after the mainshocks.
Moored Observations of the Iceland‐Scotland Overflow Plume Along the Eastern Flank of the Reykjanes Ridge
Authors: Johns W. E. , Devana M. , Houk A. , Zou S.
Published: August 2021

Since 2014, an array of current meters deployed in the Iceland Basin as part of the Overturning in the Subpolar North Atlantic Program has provided new measurements of the southward flow of Iceland‐Scotland Overflow Water (ISOW) along the eastern flank of the Reykjanes Ridge. The location of the array, near 58–59°N, captures the ISOW plume at the farthest downstream location in the Iceland Basin before significant amounts of ISOW can flow into the Irminger Basin through deep fractures in the Reykjanes Ridge. The net transport of the ISOW plume at this location—approximately 5.3 Sv based on the first 4 years of observations—is significantly larger than previous values obtained farther north in the Iceland Basin, suggesting that either previous measurements did not fully capture the plume transport or that additional entrainment into the ISOW plume occurs as it approaches the southern tip of the Reykjanes Ridge. A detailed water mass analysis of the plume from continuous temperature/salinity observations shows that about 50% of the plume transport (2.6 Sv) is derived from dense waters flowing over the Nordic Sea sills into the Iceland Basin, while the remainder is made up of nearly equal parts of entrained Atlantic thermocline water and modified Labrador Sea Water. The overall results from this study suggest that the ISOW plume approximately doubles its transport through entrainment, similar to that of the Denmark Strait overflow plume in the Irminger Sea that forms the other major overflow source of North Atlantic Deep Water.
The Roles of Catchment Characteristics in Precipitation Partitioning Within the Budyko Framework
Authors: Liu Jianyu , You Yuanyuan
Published: August 2021

In the Budyko framework, the landscape parameter (n in the Choudhury‐Yang equation) controls precipitation (P) partitioning to evapotranspiration (ET) and runoff (R). Systematically investigating the underlying influence of catchment characteristics on n is critical for understanding the partitioning of P. Using two runoff datasets with more than 30,000 stations around the world, we found that the variability in n was significantly correlated with a series of catchment characteristics, but varied across climate zones. Hence, several empirical models based on catchment characteristics were developed to estimate n for different climate zones. The developed empirical models applied to Budyko framework explained 92% of the spatial variability in the global mean R and provided more reasonable ET than that from Global Land Evaporation Amsterdam Model (GLEAM) in terms of long‐term water and energy balances. Empirical models were further applied to predict and attribute future R under the high‐end Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP5‐8.5). The changes in P, potential evaporation (PET), and n are projected to alter global R by 61.5%, −24.0%, and 14.5% during 2081–2100. Notably, compare with the historical period, the influence of n was reversed in arid zones under the future scenario, where n leads to a significant decrease in R. The developed empirical models n enhances the applicability and capability of the Budyko framework for both historical and future hydrological assessments over the globe.
Wireless, battery-free, and fully implantable electrical neurostimulation in freely moving rodents
Authors: Burton Alex , Won Sang Min , Sohrabi Arian Kolahi , Stuart Tucker , Amirhossein Amir , Kim Jong Uk , Park Yoonseok , Gabros Andrew , Rogers John A. , Vitale Flavia , Richardson Andrew G. , Gutruf Philipp
Published: August 2021

Implantable deep brain stimulation (DBS) systems are utilized for clinical treatment of diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and chronic pain. However, long-term efficacy of DBS is limited, and chronic neuroplastic changes and associated therapeutic mechanisms are not well understood. Fundamental and mechanistic investigation, typically accomplished in small animal models, is difficult because of the need for chronic stimulators that currently require either frequent handling of test subjects to charge battery-powered systems or specialized setups to manage tethers that restrict experimental paradigms and compromise insight. To overcome these challenges, we demonstrate a fully implantable, wireless, battery-free platform that allows for chronic DBS in rodents with the capability to control stimulation parameters digitally in real time. The devices are able to provide stimulation over a wide range of frequencies with biphasic pulses and constant voltage control via low-impedance, surface-engineered platinum electrodes. The devices utilize off-the-shelf components and feature the ability to customize electrodes to enable broad utility and rapid dissemination. Efficacy of the system is demonstrated with a readout of stimulation-evoked neural activity in vivo and chronic stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle in freely moving rats to evoke characteristic head motion for over 36 days.
Metformin alleviates choline diet-induced TMAO elevation in C57BL/6J mice by influencing gut-microbiota composition and functionality
Authors: Su Chunyan , Li Xingxing , Yang Yuxin , Du Yu , Zhang Xiumin , Wang Li , Hong Bin
Published: August 2021

Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), a gut-microbiota-dependent metabolite generated from its dietary precursors such as choline, has been identified as an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. Metformin is the most widely used drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D), which has therapeutic effects on hyperglycemia accelerated atherosclerosis. A growing body of evidence suggest that metformin plays a therapeutic role by regulating the structure and metabolic function of gut microbiota. However, whether metformin has an impact on gut-microbiota-mediated TMAO production from choline remains obscure. In this study, the oral administration of metformin significantly reduced choline diet-increased serum TMAO in choline diet-fed C57BL/6J mice. The diversity analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing of C57BL/6J mice fecal samples indicated that metformin markedly changed the gut-microbiota composition. Metformin was positively correlated with the enrichment of different intestinal bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia and a lower cutC (a choline utilization gene) abundance. Furthermore, the ex vivo and in vitro inhibitory effects of metformin on choline metabolism of TMA-producing bacteria were confirmed under anaerobic condition. The results suggested that metformin suppresses serum TMAO level by remodeling gut microbiota involved in TMA generation from choline.
Spontaneous and inherited TP53 genetic alterations
Authors: Levine Arnold J.
Published: August 2021

The p53 protein is a transcription factor that prevents tumors from developing. In spontaneous and inherited cancers there are many different missense mutations in the DNA binding domain of the TP53 gene that contributes to tumor formation. These mutations produce a wide distribution in the transcriptional capabilities of the mutant p53 proteins with over four logs differences in the efficiencies of forming cancers in many diverse tissue types. These inherited and spontaneous TP53 mutations produce proteins that interact with both genetic and epigenetic cellular modifiers of p53 function and their inherited polymorphisms to produce a large number of diverse phenotypes in individual patients. This manuscript reviews these variables and discusses how the combinations of TP53 genetic alterations interact with genetic polymorphisms, epigenetic alterations, and environmental factors to begin predicting and modifying patient outcomes and provide a better understanding for new therapeutic opportunities.
RNA-binding protein 39: a promising therapeutic target for cancer
Authors: Xu Caipeng , Chen Xiaohua , Zhang Xuetian , Zhao Dapeng , Dou Zhihui , Xie Xiaodong , Li Hongyan , Yang Hongying , Li Qiang , Zhang Hong , Di Cuixia
Published: August 2021

RNA-binding motif protein 39 (RBM39), as a key factor in tumor-targeted mRNA and protein expression, not only plays a vital role in tumorigenesis, but also has broad development prospects in clinical treatment and drug research. Moreover, since RBM39 was identified as a target of sulfonamides, it has played a key role in the emerging field of molecule drug development. Hence, it is of great significance to study the interaction between RBM39 and tumors and the clinical application of drug-targeted therapy. In this paper, we describe the possible multi-level regulation of RBM39, including gene transcription, protein translation, and alternative splicing. Importantly, the molecular function of RBM39 as an important splicing factor in most common tumors is systematically outlined. Furthermore, we briefly introduce RBM39’s tumor-targeted drug research and its clinical application, hoping to give reference significance for the molecular mechanism of RBM39 in tumors, and provide reliable ideas for in-depth research for future therapeutic strategies.
Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) performed by optometrists—enablers and barriers to a shift in service delivery
Authors: Konstantakopoulou Evgenia , Jones Lee , Nathwani Neil , Gazzard Gus
Published: August 2021

Background/objectives

To explore the acceptability, training requirements, enablers and barriers of optometrist-delivered SLT.

Subjects/methods

Optometrists, fellowship and consultant grade ophthalmologists, hospital managers and patients were interviewed using pre-defined topic guides. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and subjected to thematic analysis. Overarching themes were defined by the study aims and the topic guides; subthemes were derived from the interview data.

Results

Sixty-six participants (three managers, eight glaucoma specialist consultant ophthalmologists, seven clinical glaucoma fellows, 12 optometrists (two of them performing SLT), two ophthalmic nurses and 34 patients) participated in the study. Overarching themes (and subthemes) were: necessity of non-medical SLT delivery, clinical practice and training, advantages, disadvantages, concerns, challenges, community delivery of SLT, patient values and other healthcare professionals that could also deliver SLT.

Conclusions

Certain clinical pre-requisites, such as gonioscopy and independent prescribing rights, were perceived as necessary for undertaking SLT training. An optometrist-delivered SLT service was expected to benefit the NHS, but there was an identified need of a standardised training scheme and robust governance. Patients were accepting of an optometrist-delivered SLT service in the hospital eye service.
Differences in polysomnographic, nocturnal penile tumescence and penile doppler ultrasound findings in men with stuttering priapism and sleep-related painful erections
Authors: Johnson Mark , McNeillis Venkata , Gutbier Julia , Eaton Andy , Royston Robert , Johnson Thomas , Chiriaco Giovanni , Walkden Miles , Ralph David
Published: August 2021

Men with Stuttering Priapism (SP) and sleep-related painful erections (SRPE) experience bothersome nocturnal painful erections resulting in poor sleep. The aim of this study is to observe common features and differences between men with SP and SRPE based on polysomnography, nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT), and penile doppler ultrasound (PDU). This is a prospective cohort study of 20 participants divided into two groups (Group 1 = SP [n = 12]; Group 2 = SRPE [n = 8]) with bothersome painful nocturnal erections. All participants were referred to the sleep disorder clinic to be assessed and consented for overnight polysomnography with simultaneous NPT recording and to complete validated sleep, sexual dysfunction and health-related quality of life questionnaires. Unstimulated PDU was also performed. Abnormal Polysomnographic findings (reduced sleep efficiency, total sleep time, and awake after sleep onset) were identified in both groups suggesting poor sleep. Men with SP had significantly longer erections (60.0 vs 18.5; p = 0.002) and took longer to detumesce once awake (25.7 vs 5.4 min; p = 0.001) than men with SRPE. They also had significantly higher peak systolic and end diastolic velocities on unstimulated PDU with an abnormal low resistance waveform identified. No sleep pathology was identified in men with SP. This implies a local (penile) etiology in men with SP. Men with SRPE had a normal resting PDU and abnormal sleep architecture with REM awakenings and significantly more Periodic limb movements (p = 0.04) than men with SP suggesting a central (sleep-related) cause in men with SRPE. Sexual dysfunction and poor HR-QoL was identified on validated questionnaires in both groups. SP and SRPE are rare entities that share similar symptoms (painful nocturnal erections and poor sleep) but dissimilar features of nocturnal erection onset, duration and resolution with different polysomnographic features which may allude to a different pathophysiology.
Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction in noncentrosymmetric superlattices
Authors: Ham Woo Seung , Pradipto Abdul-Muizz , Yakushiji Kay , Kim Kwangsu , Rhim Sonny H. , Nakamura Kohji , Shiota Yoichi , Kim Sanghoon , Ono Teruo
Published: August 2021

Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction (DMI) is considered as one of the most important energies for specific chiral textures such as magnetic skyrmions. The keys of generating DMI are the absence of structural inversion symmetry and exchange energy with spin–orbit coupling. Therefore, a vast majority of research activities about DMI are mainly limited to heavy metal/ferromagnet bilayer systems, only focusing on their interfaces. Here, we report an asymmetric band formation in a superlattices (SL) which arises from inversion symmetry breaking in stacking order of atomic layers, implying the role of bulk-like contribution. Such bulk DMI is more than 300% larger than simple sum of interfacial contribution. Moreover, the asymmetric band is largely affected by strong spin–orbit coupling, showing crucial role of a heavy metal even in the non-interfacial origin of DMI. Our work provides more degrees of freedom to design chiral magnets for spintronics applications.
Allele-specific RT-PCR for the rapid detection of recurrent SLC12A3 mutations for Gitelman syndrome
Authors: Yan Ming-Tso , Yang Sung-Sen , Tseng Min-Hua , Cheng Chih-Jen , Tsai Jeng-Daw , Sung Chih-Chien , Hsu Yu-Juei , Lin Shih-Hua
Published: August 2021

Recurrent mutations in the SLC12A3 gene responsible for autosomal recessive Gitelman syndrome (GS) are frequently reported, but the exact prevalence is unknown. The rapid detection of recurrent SLC12A3 mutations may help in the early diagnosis of GS. This study was aimed to investigate the prevalence of recurrent SLC12A3 mutations in a Taiwan cohort of GS families and develop a simple and rapid method to detect recurrent SLC12A3 mutations. One hundred and thirty independent Taiwan families with genetically confirmed GS were consecutively enrolled to define recurrent SLC12A3 mutations and determine their prevalence. Using TaqMan probe-based real-time polymerase chain reaction, we designed a mutation detection plate with all recurrent mutations. We validated this mutation detection plate and tested its feasibility in newly diagnosed GS patients. A total of 57 mutations in the SLC12A3 gene were identified and 22 including 2 deep intronic mutations were recurrent mutations consisting of 87.1% (242/278, 18 triple) of all allelic mutations. The recurrent mutation-based TaqMan assays were fully validated with excellent sensitivity and specificity in genetically diagnosed GS patients and healthy subjects. In clinical validation, recurrent mutations were recognized in 92.0% of allelic mutations from 12 GS patients within 4 h and all were confirmed by direct sequencing. Recurrent SLC12A3 mutations are very common in Taiwan GS patients and can be rapidly identified by this recurrent mutation-based SLC12A3 mutation plate.
The role of genetics in neurodegenerative dementia: a large cohort study in South China
Authors: Jiao Bin , Liu Hui , Guo Lina , Xiao Xuewen , Liao Xinxin , Zhou Yafang , Weng Ling , Zhou Lu , Wang Xin , Jiang Yaling , Yang Qijie , Zhu Yuan , Zhou Lin , Zhang Weiwei , Wang Junling , Yan Xinxiang , Li Jinchen , Tang Beisha , Shen Lu
Published: August 2021

Neurodegenerative dementias are a group of diseases with highly heterogeneous pathology and complicated etiology. There exist potential genetic component overlaps between different neurodegenerative dementias. Here, 1795 patients with neurodegenerative dementias from South China were enrolled, including 1592 with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), 110 with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and 93 with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Genes targeted sequencing analysis were performed. According to the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) guidelines, 39 pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants were identified in 47 unrelated patients in 14 different genes, including PSEN1, PSEN2, APP, MAPT, GRN, CHCHD10, TBK1, VCP, HTRA1, OPTN, SQSTM1, SIGMAR1, and abnormal repeat expansions in C9orf72 and HTT. Overall, 33.3% (13/39) of the variants were novel, the identified P/LP variants were seen in 2.2% (35/1592) and 10.9% (12/110) of AD and FTD cases, respectively. The overall molecular diagnostic rate was 2.6%. Among them, PSEN1 was the most frequently mutated gene (46.8%, 22/47), followed by PSEN2 and APP. Additionally, the age at onset of patients with P/LP variants (51.4 years), ranging from 30 to 83 years, was ~10 years earlier than those without P/LP variants (p < 0.05). This study sheds insight into the genetic spectrum and clinical manifestations of neurodegenerative dementias in South China, further expands the existing repertoire of P/LP variants involved in known dementia-associated genes. It provides a new perspective for basic research on genetic pathogenesis and novel guiding for clinical practice of neurodegenerative dementia.
Integrating flexible electronics for pulsed electric field delivery in a vascularized 3D glioblastoma model
Authors: Lefevre Marie C. , Dijk Gerwin , Kaszas Attila , Baca Martin , Moreau David , O’Connor Rodney P.
Published: August 2021

Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive brain tumor, very invasive and thus difficult to eradicate with standard oncology therapies. Bioelectric treatments based on pulsed electric fields have proven to be a successful method to treat cancerous tissues. However, they rely on stiff electrodes, which cause acute and chronic injuries, especially in soft tissues like the brain. Here we demonstrate the feasibility of delivering pulsed electric fields with flexible electronics using an in ovo vascularized tumor model. We show with fluorescence widefield and multiphoton microscopy that pulsed electric fields induce vasoconstriction of blood vessels and evoke calcium signals in vascularized glioblastoma spheroids stably expressing a genetically encoded fluorescence reporter. Simulations of the electric field delivery are compared with the measured influence of electric field effects on cell membrane integrity in exposed tumor cells. Our results confirm the feasibility of flexible electronics as a means of delivering intense pulsed electric fields to tumors in an intravital 3D vascularized model of human glioblastoma.
All-weather, natural silent speech recognition via machine-learning-assisted tattoo-like electronics
Authors: Wang Youhua , Tang Tianyi , Xu Yin , Bai Yunzhao , Yin Lang , Li Guang , Zhang Hongmiao , Liu Huicong , Huang YongAn
Published: August 2021

The internal availability of silent speech serves as a translator for people with aphasia and keeps human–machine/human interactions working under various disturbances. This paper develops a silent speech strategy to achieve all-weather, natural interactions. The strategy requires few usage specialized skills like sign language but accurately transfers high-capacity information in complicated and changeable daily environments. In the strategy, the tattoo-like electronics imperceptibly attached on facial skin record high-quality bio-data of various silent speech, and the machine-learning algorithm deployed on the cloud recognizes accurately the silent speech and reduces the weight of the wireless acquisition module. A series of experiments show that the silent speech recognition system (SSRS) can enduringly comply with large deformation (~45%) of faces by virtue of the electricity-preferred tattoo-like electrodes and recognize up to 110 words covering daily vocabularies with a high average accuracy of 92.64% simply by use of small-sample machine learning. We successfully apply the SSRS to 1-day routine life, including daily greeting, running, dining, manipulating industrial robots in deafening noise, and expressing in darkness, which shows great promotion in real-world applications.
Metal–insulator-like transition, superconducting dome and topological electronic structure in Ga-doped Re3Ge7
Authors: Cui Yanwei , Wu Siqi , Zhu Qinqing , Xiao Guorui , Liu Bin , Wu Jifeng , Cao Guanghan , Ren Zhi
Published: August 2021

Superconductivity frequently appears by doping compounds that show a collective phase transition. So far, however, this has not been observed in topological materials. Here we report the discovery of superconductivity induced by Ga doping in orthorhombic Re3Ge7, which undergoes a second-order metal–insulator-like transition at ~58 K and is predicted to have a nontrivial band topology. It is found that the substitution of Ga for Ge leads to hole doping in Re3Ge7−xGax. As a consequence, the phase transition is gradually suppressed and disappears above x = 0.2. At this x value, superconductivity emerges and Tc exhibits a dome-like doping dependence with a maximum value of 3.37 K at x = 0.25. First principles calculations suggest that the phase transition in Re3Ge7 is associated with an electronic instability driven by Fermi-surface nesting and the nontrival band topology is preserved after Ga doping. Our results indicate that Ga-doped Re3Ge7 provides a rare opportunity to study the interplay between superconductivity and competing electronic states in a topologically nontrivial system.
Optical, electrochemical and photocatalytic properties of cobalt doped CsPbCl3 nanostructures: a one-pot synthesis approach
Authors: Bhat Aadil Ahmad , Khandy Shakeel Ahmad , Islam Ishtihadah , Tomar Radha
Published: August 2021

The present manuscript aims at the synthesis of cesium based halide perovskite nanostructures and the effect of cobalt doping on the structural, optical, lumnisent, charge storage and photocatalytic properties. In a very first attempt, we report the solvothermal synthesis of Co doped CsPbCl3 nanostructures under subcritical conditions. The structural features were demonstrated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) Surface morphology determined cubic shape of the synthesized particles. Doping is an excellent way to modify the properties of host material in particular to the electronic structure or optical properties. Incorporation of Co2+ ions in the perovskite structure tunes the optical properties of the nanostructures making this perovskite a visible light active material (Eg = 1.6 eV). This modification in the optical behaviour is the result of size effect, the crystallite size of the doped nanostructures increases with cobalt doping concentration. Photolumniscance (PL) study indicated that CsPbCl3 exhibited Blue emission. Thermogravametric analysis (TGA) revealed that the nanostructures are quite stable at elavated temperatures. The electrochemical performance depicts the pseudocapacative nature of the synthesized nanostructures and can used for charge storage devices. The charge storage capability showed direct proportionality with cobalt ion concentration. And Finally the photocatalytic performance of synthesized material shows superior catalytic ability degrading 90% of methylene blue (MB) dye in 180 min under visible light conditions.
Flood disturbance affects morphology and reproduction of woody riparian plants
Authors: Fischer Sarah , Greet Joe , Walsh Christopher J. , Catford Jane A.
Published: August 2021

Riparian forests are structured and maintained by their hydrology. Woody riparian plants typically adapt to the local flood regime to maximise their likelihood of survival and reproductive success. Understanding how extant trees form and reproduce in response to flood disturbance is crucial for predicting vegetation changes and informing restoration. Working in a temperate evergreen riparian forest, we aimed to determine whether disturbance-based responses of plants found in other ecosystems also typify woody plants in riparian forests where disturbances are often mild or chronic, non-lethal, annual events. Using plant surveys and 20-year modelled hydrological data, we examined whether (1) the morphology (main stem diameter, height, crown width, crown extent, stem leaning) and (2) reproduction type (sexual and asexual reproduction) and extent of three dominant woody species (Eucalyptus camphora,Leptospermum lanigerumandMelaleuca squarrosa) vary with flood regime (flood frequency and flood duration); and (3) whether different morphology is associated with different reproductive strategies. Increased flooding generally resulted in increased stem numbers and greater stem leaning—morphologies associated with asexual reproduction—of our study species. More frequent flooding also reduced plant size and sexual reproduction inE. camphora. Sexual reproduction in the studied species was more common in taller plants with single, more upright stems in good condition. Flexible morphology and plastic reproductive strategy may constitute an adaptation of trees to mild or chronic disturbance in floodplains. Our findings suggest that flood regime (i.e. variable frequency and duration of flooding events) is critical to the structural integrity and self-maintenance of species-diverse riparian forests.
Role of interferon regulatory factor 7 in corneal endothelial cells after HSV-1 infection
Authors: Ohtani Fumie , Miyazaki Dai , Shimizu Yumiko , Haruki Tomoko , Yamagami Satoru , Inoue Yoshitsugu
Published: August 2021

Viral infections of the cornea including herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) cause visual morbidity, and the corneal endothelial cell damage leads to significant visual impairment. Interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7) has been identified as a significant regulator in corneal endothelial cells after an HSV-1 infection. To examine the role played by IRF7, the DNA binding domain (DBD) of IRF7 of human corneal endothelial cells (HCEn) was disrupted. An RNAi inhibition of IRF7 and IRF7 DBD disruption (IRF7 ∆DBD) led to an impairment of IFN-β production. Impaired IFN-β production by IRF7 ∆DBD was regained by IRF7 DNA transfection. Transcriptional network analysis indicated that IRF7 plays a role in antigen presentation function of corneal endothelial cells. When the antigen presentation activity of HCEn cells were examined for priming of memory CD8 T cells, IRF7 disruption abolished the anti-viral cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response which was dependent on the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I. To further examine the roles played by IRF7 in CTL induction as acquired immunity, the contribution of IRF7 to MHC class I-mediated antigen presentation was assessed. Analysis of IRF7 ∆DBD cells indicated that IRF7 played an unrecognized role in MHC class I induction, and the viral infection induced-MHC class I induction was abolished by IRF7 disruption. Collectively, the IRF7 in corneal endothelial cells not only contributed to type I IFN response, but also to the mediation of viral infection-induced MHC class I upregulation and priming of CD8 arm of acquired immunity.