bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early transcriptomic response of the mycoparasite Sphaerodes mycoparasitica to the mycotoxigenic Fusarium graminearum 3-ADON, the cause of Fusarium head blight
Authors: Kim Seon Hwa , Vujanovic Vladimir
Published: December 2021

Mycoparasites are an assemblage of biotrophic and necrotrophic fungi that occur on plant pathogenic fungal hosts. Biotrophic mycoparasites are often overlooked in transcriptomic-based biocontrol studies. Sphaerodes mycoparasitica (S.m.) is a specific biotrophic mycoparasite of plant pathogenic Fusarium graminearum (F.g.), a devastating Fusarium head blight (FHB) disease in small-grain cereals. To understand the biotrophic mycoparasitism comprehensively, we performed Illumina RNA-Seq transcriptomic study on the fungus–fungus interaction in vitro. The aim is to identify the transcript-level mechanism related to the biotrophic S.m. mycoparasitism, particularly its ability to effectively control the F.g. 3-ADON chemotype. A shift in the transcriptomic profile of the mycoparasite was triggered in response to its interaction with F.g. during recognition (1.5 days) and colonization (3.5 days) steps. RNA-Seq analysis revealed ~ 30% of annotated transcripts with "function unknown". Further, 14 differentially expressed genes functionally linked to the biotrophic mycoparasitism were validated by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). The gene expression patterns of the filamentous haemagglutinin/adhesin/attachment factor as well as cell wall-degrading glucanases and chitinases were upregulated by host interaction. Besides, mycoparasitism-associated antioxidant resistance genes encoding ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter(s) and glutathione synthetase(s) were upregulated. However, the thioredoxin reductase was downregulated which infers that this antioxidant gene can be used as a resistance marker to assess S.m. antifungal and antimycotoxigenic activities. The interactive transcriptome of S. mycoparasitica provides new insights into specific mycoparasitism and will contribute to future research in controlling FHB.

Graphic Abstract
Advances in the design and development of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines
Authors: Peng Xue-Liang , Cheng Ji-Si-Yu , Gong Hai-Lun , Yuan Meng-Di , Zhao Xiao-Hong , Li Zibiao , Wei Dai-Xu
Published: December 2021

Since the end of 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread worldwide. The RNA genome of SARS-CoV-2, which is highly infectious and prone to rapid mutation, encodes both structural and nonstructural proteins. Vaccination is currently the only effective method to prevent COVID-19, and structural proteins are critical targets for vaccine development. Currently, many vaccines are in clinical trials or are already on the market. This review highlights ongoing advances in the design of prophylactic or therapeutic vaccines against COVID-19, including viral vector vaccines, DNA vaccines, RNA vaccines, live-attenuated vaccines, inactivated virus vaccines, recombinant protein vaccines and bionic nanoparticle vaccines. In addition to traditional inactivated virus vaccines, some novel vaccines based on viral vectors, nanoscience and synthetic biology also play important roles in combating COVID-19. However, many challenges persist in ongoing clinical trials.
Post-traumatic rectourethral fistula in an adolescent managed via a transperineal approach using a local gluteal tissue interposition flap: a case report
Authors: Hirano Toshinori , Ohge Hiroki , Watadani Yusuke , Uegami Shinnosuke , Shimada Norimitsu , Nakashima Ikki , Yoshimura Kosuke , Takahashi Shinya
Published: December 2021

Background

Rectourethral fistula is a rare disease with a wide variety of etiologies and clinical presentations. A definitive surgical procedure for rectourethral fistula repair has not been established.

Case presentation

A 13-year-old boy sustained a penetrating injury to the perineum, and developed a symptomatic rectourethral fistula thereafter. Conservative management through urinary diversion and transanal repair was unsuccessful. Fecal diversion with loop colostomy was performed, and three months later, a fistula repair was performed via a transperineal approach with interposition of a local gluteal tissue flap. There were no postoperative complications, and magnetic resonance imaging studies confirmed the successful closure of the fistula. The urinary and fecal diversions were reverted 1 and 6 months after the fistula repair, respectively, and postoperative excretory system complications did not occur.

Conclusions

The transperineal approach with interposition of a local gluteal tissue flap provides a viable surgical option for adolescent patients with rectourethral fistulas who are unresponsive to conservative management.
An adult case of a retroperitoneal isolated enteric duplication cyst with the imaging changes over time
Authors: Inomata Mayu , Kai Kengo , Ikeda Takuto , Ichihara Akiko , Masuda Rie , Kiwaki Takumi , Tanaka Hiroyuki , Kataoka Hiroaki , Nanashima Atsushi
Published: December 2021

Background

Adult cases of retroperitoneal isolated enteric duplication cyst (IEDC) are rare, with only 17 case reports in the relevant literature. We herein present a case, which was characterized by changes in intra-cystic density on computed tomography (CT), which was safely resected by laparoscopic surgery.

Case presentation

The patient was a 60-year-old male who received abdominal CT to investigate the cause of increased serum CA19-9 levels. CT revealed a unilocular cystic mass located in the lower right retroperitoneum. The size increased from 5 to 10 cm in three and a half years and the CT value decreased from 101 Hounsfield Units (HU) to 20 HU. We performed laparoscopic surgical resection, because the possibility that the enlargement of the lesion represented malignant transformation could not be denied. The large cystic mass firmly adhered to the appendix and its mesentery via the retroperitoneum, the appendix was resected en bloc with the cystic lesion. Microscopically, it had no communication with the appendix, and had an intestinal wall structure of muscularis mucosae and muscularis propria. The final pathological diagnosis was IEDC in the retroperitoneal space. There was no histological evidence of malignancy.

Conclusion

When we encounter a retroperitoneal cystic lesion, we should consider the possibility of malignancy to determine the treatment strategy and perform a careful operation without breaking the cyst wall, irrespective of the preoperative diagnosis.
Involving and engaging pregnant women in maternity-related research: reflections on an innovative approach
Authors: Goodwin Laura , Skrybant Magdalena , Kenyon Sara
Published: December 2021

Background

Meaningful public involvement in maternity research remains challenging, partly due to the transient nature of pregnancy. This paper reflects on the development, implementation and simple evaluation of an innovative and inclusive approach to engaging and involving pregnant and early postnatal women in research.

Methods

Between January and February 2018, a Research Fellow in Maternity Care, a Professor of Evidence Based Maternity Care, and a Patient and Public Involvement Lead convened for a number of meetings to discuss how public involvement and engagement might be improved for pregnancy-related research. A stakeholder group was created, including a local community matron, a community engagement officer at a local children’s centre, public contributors, and senior members of the Maternal and Child Health theme of the West Midlands Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC WM). The team worked together to develop a format for Yoga for Bump sessions: a free 90-min session, offered weekly, which included research involvement/engagement, pregnancy yoga, and a ‘question and answer’ session with a midwife.

Results

A total of 67 women from two local communities in Birmingham attended Yoga for Bump sessions, which ran between May and December of 2018. Evaluation of the sessions suggested benefits to both women and researchers: it created mutually beneficial relationships between contributors and researchers, provided opportunities for women to engage and get involved in research that was directly relevant to them, and provided a convenient and efficient way for researchers to involve and engage pregnant women from diverse backgrounds in their research. Unintended benefits included self-reported improvements in women’s health and wellbeing.

Conclusions

Yoga for Bump demonstrates an innovative approach to engaging and involving pregnant and early postnatal women; combining a free exercise class with healthcare advice and opportunities to engage with and be involved in research, and demonstrating mutual benefits for those involved. This model has the potential to be replicated elsewhere to support inclusive public involvement in pregnancy-related research. Further work is needed to design and evaluate similar approaches to involvement/engagement and explore potential funding avenues to enhance sustainability.
Epidemiology of in-hospital cardiac arrest in a Pakistani tertiary care hospital pre- and during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Ahmed Faiza , Abbasi Lubna , Ghouri Nida , Patel Muhammad Junaid
Published: December 2021

Objectives: To determine epidemiology of in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) in a tertiary care hospital, pre- and during pandemic.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of inpatients who experienced an in-hospital-cardiac arrest at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi between August 2019 and August 2020. Outcome variables were return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival to discharge (StD) and analysis was also done comparing pre- and during pandemic period.

Results: A total of 77 patients experienced at least one IHCA event during the 1-year study period. Comparing pre- and during pandemic, ROSC for women was higher during the pandemic albeit not significant (43% vs 50%) in comparison to men (54% vs 10%, p<0.001). During the pandemic, women with IHCA were significantly younger than men (μ ± sd; 36.8 ± 15.3 vs 55.9 ± 12.7, p=0.001,) whereas pre-pandemic, there was no gender differences in mean age. Non-shockable rhythm was more common (92.2%) than shockable rhythm (6.5%). Pre- and during pandemic, there were significant differences in the cause of IHCA for 4H4T (87% vs 100%) and cardiac (36% vs 9%). The proportion of hypoxic patients increased from 50% during pre-pandemic to 91% during the pandemic period, whereas hypo/hyperkalemia decreased from 53% to 34%.

Conclusion: Despite the limitation of a small sample size, our study has provided important information regarding the epidemiology and outcomes of IHCA pre- and during pandemic in a busy Pakistani tertiary care hospital. Our finding that gender differences exist in survival pre- and during pandemic needs to be explored further with more hospitals doing comparative studies.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.ICON-2022.5776

How to cite this:Ahmed F, Abbasi L, Ghouri N, Patel MJ. Epidemiology of in-hospital cardiac arrest in a Pakistani tertiary care hospital pre- and during COVID-19 pandemic. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(2):387-392. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.ICON-2022.5776

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Chemotherapy induced histopathological changes in retinoblastoma, assessment of high risk predictive factors & its correlation with comorbid conditions
Authors: Yaqoob Nausheen , Mansoor Salima , Zia Nida , Aftab Kanwal , Kaleem Bushra , Jamal Saba
Published: December 2021

Background & Objectives: Retinoblastoma is a malignant intraocular tumor and its treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach. Chemotherapy is an important modality in treatment of retinoblastoma. The purpose of this study was to assess the histopathological changes in retinoblastomas treated with chemotherapy along with correlation of comorbid conditions with high risk histopathological factors (HRF).

Methods: All post-chemotherapy enucleated eye specimens received in the pathology department between 2017 to 2021 were included in the study. Slides were retrieved and reviewed for chemotherapeutic effects, tumor regression, and for assessment of HRF. Patient demographic data, information regarding chemotherapy and co-morbid conditions were retrieved through the hospital database. Chi-square was used to analyze the relation between comorbid conditions and HRF.

Results: Chemotherapeutic effects were seen in all eyes with varying degrees of responses. Necrosis, calcification, and gliosis were the most common findings. The majority of eyes showed tumor occupying less than 50% of the eye whereas complete regression was noted in one eye only. Retinal detachment, glaucoma, and buphthalmos were the most common comorbid conditions at the time of diagnosis. Patients with glaucoma were more likely to have ciliary body invasion. Kaplan Meier analysis showed that patients with more than two HRF had decreased survival rates in comparison to those with one or no HRF.

Conclusion: Histopathological evaluation of chemotherapy-treated eyes shows varying degrees of response to chemotherapy. Post enucleation histopathological evaluation of the globe plays an important role in assessing disease activity and guiding further treatment to prevent metastasis.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.ICON-2022.5786

How to cite this:Yaqoob N, Mansoor S, Zia N, Aftab K, Kaleem B, Jamal S. Chemotherapy induced histopathological changes in retinoblastoma, assessment of high risk predictive factors & its correlation with comorbid conditions. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(2):362-368.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.ICON-2022.5786

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Clinical spectrum and outcomes of patients with different resistance patterns of Salmonella enterica
Authors: Herekar Fivzia , Sarfaraz Samreen , Imran Muhammad , Ghouri Nida , Shahid Saba , Mahesar Marvi
Published: December 2021

Background and Objective: Unceasing rise in cases of enteric fever, in particular extensively drug resistant (XDR) strain of Salmonella enterica, has led to a growing threat, leaving only carbapenems and azithromycin as the precious option. In this regard, we determined the burden and clinical course of XDR salmonella in comparison to multidrug-resistant (MDR) and drug sensitive (DS) strains.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of 1515 Salmonella Typhi (S.typhi) culture positive patients was conducted at Indus Hospital and Health Network, Karachi from July 2017 to December 2018.

Results: During our study, we observed children at the age of 5-6 years and adults at the age of 20-22 years were the chief targets of S.typhi. Further, we witnessed a rapid shift of drug resistance from MDR to XDR over the one year of study. Almost all patients presented with fever. However other signs and symptoms like malaise, body aches, anorexia, diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain were more common in XDR Typhoid patients. Further, the need of hospitalization, total hospital stay and mortality was also greater for XDR typhoid patients.

Conclusion: There is a crucial requirement for consolidated steps to curtail the spread of XDR Salmonella tyhi disease as its management is challenging, and it is associated with increased morbidity and mortality.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.ICON-2022.5789

How to cite this:Herekar F, Sarfaraz S, Imran M, Ghouri N, Shahid S, Mahesar M. Clinical spectrum and outcomes of patients with different resistance patterns of Salmonella enterica . Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(2):356-361. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.ICON-2022.5789

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
New records of lichens and allied fungi from the Leningrad Region, Russia. XI
Authors: Himelbrant Dmitry E. , Stepanchikova Irina S. , Chesnokov Sergey V. , Konoreva Liudmila A. , Rodionova Agata A. , Kuznetsova Ekaterina S. , Schiefelbein Ulf
Published: December 2021

Twelve lichen species and two lichenicolous fungi, of them seven that belong to Micarea prasina group, are reported for the first time for St. Petersburg or the whole Leningrad Region. The lichenicolous fungus Intralichen baccisporus is new to Russia, and the lichen Micarea nowakii – for European Russia. A comparative table of characteristics for seven species of Micarea prasina group is presented.
First records of Sticta weigelii s.str. from Bolivia confirmed by molecular data
Authors: Ossowska Emilia A.
Published: December 2021

The first records of Sticta weigelii s.str. from Bolivia confirmed by molecular data are presented. The species is characterized by the presence of marginal isidia, which are darker than the thallus, usually cylindrical (not flattened), thin, dark brown to black lower tomentum and often partly yellow cyphellae. Previously, the presence of S. weigelii in Bolivia was based only on a morphological concept, encompassing various unrelated species, whereas the occurrence of S. weigelii s.str. was uncertain.
Can lichen secondary compounds impact upon the pathogenic soil fungi Fusarium oxysporum and F. avenaceum?
Authors: Tekiela Agata , Furmanek Łukasz , Andrusiewicz Magdalena , Bara Grzegorz , Seaward Mark R. D. , Kapusta Ireneusz , Czarnota Paweł
Published: December 2021

The antifungal activity of secondary lichen metabolites extracted by means of acetone and ethanol from Cetraria islandica, Cladonia mitis, C. rangiferina, Pseudevernia furfuracea and Usnea dasopoga on the pathogenic fungi Fusarium oxysporum and F. avenacuem was examined. The activity of extracted compounds was tested after their mixture with PDA medium before solidification. The most active extracts inhibiting the growth of fungal mycelia contained fumarprotocetraric, salazinic and usnic acids, and atranorin. Unparalleled activity was demonstrated by an ethanol extract from mixed C. islandica and P. furfuracea thalli, which accelerated the growth of F. avenaceum compared with the control test with ethanol. The growth rate of the two Fusarium representatives was strongly inhibited by both alcoholic extracts from C. mitis and from C. rangiferina, more strongly than by the extracts from the mixed thalli of the two terricolous taxa. A dose of 1 ml of acetone added to the medium had no significant effect on the growth of the tested fungi; it indicates usefulness of acetone as a solvent for some lichen compounds in this type of experiment.
Islamic Revolution and Women’s Issues in Iran in the Aspect of Social Communication
Authors: Berezina Anna , Derbugova O.
Published: December 2021

Nowadays the problems of socio-cultural communication covers the gender issue and changes in the role of women in society in particular. Traditionally, the women status in Muslim countries is most vulnerable. Despite this fact, there has emerged such a socio-cultural phenomenon as Islamic feminism in the Middle East.

Islamic Revolution was the first time when Iranian women had declared themselves as a social and political force. Imam R. Khomeini used their social activity for his own political purposes. Despite the promises of the revolution leader, first actions of the new government differed from those the citizens expected: most of the rights and freedoms were restricted or eliminated. Iran is currently ranked 148th out of 153 countries on the gender gap index, overtaking only the countries with difficult internal political and economic situation, such as the DRC, Syria, Pakistan, Iraq and Yemen. The article analyzes the changes in the Iranian women status that have occurred in the following areas: civil status, education and science, economic activity, politics, art and sports. The positive measures taken in these spheres indicate that the society is undergoing a process of reconsidering the role of women, and the development of the women empowerment process in Iran will progress.
The Role of Intercultural Competence in Teaching a Foreign Language
Authors: Martynova M.
Published: December 2021

The article focuses on a relevant issue of the development of intercultural competence in the health care context. Intercultural competence is a necessary component of any healthcare professional’s general competence. This is a demand not only at the federal level, but the cultural diversity of the population of is an ever-growing reality. The author also emphasizes the importance of learning a foreign language not only as a means of communication and cultural development, but also as a means of developing intercultural competence in health care. The results of the empirical part of the study are introduced. The survey was carried out among medical university students. The aim of this study is to analyze the preparedness of students for interaction with patients of different cultural backgrounds in health care profession. The method of questionnaire was used. The students gave their concepts of intercultural competence, defined its role in their future profession, and in a foreign language classroom.
Relations between the Republic of Turkey and the United States at the Present Stage and Their Impact on Georgia
Authors: Makaradze Emzar , Makaradze Beka
Published: December 2021

At the beginning of the 21st century, Turkish-American relations attracted serious attention of the international community. Since the end of the Cold War, relations between the Turkish Republic and the United States have focused on security. The foreign policy of the two countries from time to time pursued common and sometimes very different goals. In parallel with this, periods of ups and downs were observed in economic relations. It was the goal of achieving security that determined the cooperation between these two countries. On the one hand, there was the leader of one of the two poles during the Cold War – the United States, and on the other – Turkey, a country with significant influence in the Middle East, but strongly dependent on the United States.

In the 2000s, disagreements between Turkey and the United States, two NATO members, were not in Georgia’s interests. Turkey and the United States are Georgia’s partner countries. The United States is Georgia’s strategic partner and Turkey is one of its largest trading partners.

Despite tensions between Turkey and the United States, the latter is not expected to harm Georgia’s bilateral relations. According to Washington, Georgia’s rapprochement with Iran will be a more serious problem than the issue with Turkey, especially if Georgia violates sanctions against Iran.
Forma przyznawania stypendium dla studentów szkół wyższych przez organy jednostek samorządu terytorialnego. Przegląd wybranych aktów prawa miejscowego i orzecznictwa sądów administracyjnych
Authors: Główczewska Aleksandra
Published: December 2021

Celem artykułu jest omówienie trybów działania organów stanowiących gmin w przedmiocie przyznawania studentom stypendium przez jednostki samorządu terytorialnego. Przegląd wybranych uchwał oraz sądownictwa administracyjnego prowadzi do wniosku, że organy rzadko przyznają stypendia w drodze decyzji administracyjnej. Ta jednak wydaje się jedyną słuszną formą zakończenia omawianego postępowania.
Lista Skarbów Dziedzictwa – niepotrzebna forma ochrony zabytków?
Authors: Guss Aleksandra
Published: December 2021

Analizując zmiany polskiego prawa, poświęconego ochronie dziedzictwa kultury, można odnieść wrażenie, że ustawodawca konsekwentnie dąży do zapewnienia wzmożonej i efektywnej ochrony zabytków poprzez stopniowe poszerzanie katalogu form ich ochrony. Możliwe prawne formy ochrony są uregulowane w Ustawie z dnia 23 lipca 2003 r. o ochronie zabytków i opiece nad zabytkami, a stosunkowo nowym rozwiązaniem jest wpis na Listę Skarbów Dziedzictwa, wprowadzony nowelizacją z 2016 r. Lista jednak od samego początku budzi wiele kontrowersji, a jej geneza ma dwojakie korzenie. Z jednej strony jest odpowiedzią na jeden z podstawowych problemów systemu ochrony zabytków w Polsce, czyli sui generis dyskryminację zabytków ruchomych, a z drugiej - powołanie do życia Listy Skarbów Dziedzictwa było efektem sporów, które przez wiele lat toczyły się między muzealnikami, konserwatorami i historykami sztuki a Fundacją Czartoryskich z powodu wypożyczania obrazu Leonarda da Vinci Dama z łasiczką na wystawy za granicą. Snując rozważania dotyczące Listy Skarbów Dziedzictwa, należy się zastanowić, jak kształtuje się funkcjonowanie Listy w praktyce oraz czy na pewno jest to forma potrzebna w naszym systemie prawnej ochrony zabytków.
“¡Se acerca la gripe asiática!”: crónica de una pandemia antes de su llegada (Brasil, 1957)
Authors: Hochman Gilberto
Published: December 2021

Introducción: este artículo analiza la llegada de la pandemia de influenza asiática a Brasil a partir de la noticia publicada entre junio y septiembre de 1957 en la prensa de la ciudad de Río de Janeiro, entonces capital federal. Las fuentes utilizadas son tres de los diarios más importantes y dos revistas semanales disponibles en línea. Desarrollo: el artículo acompaña tres meses de información, informes y opiniones sobre el surgimiento y crecimiento de la pandemia en Asia, Estados Unidos, Europa y Suramérica; la amenaza de su ingreso al país y las acciones del gobierno federal, y los primeros casos registrados en Río de Janeiro a principios de septiembre. Analiza la pandemia en Brasil a través de la lente del periodismo, abordando las percepciones e incertidumbres sobre la enfermedad y los preparativos de los gobiernos, así como de las instituciones científicas y médicas. El artículo aborda las evaluaciones y críticas a la actuación del Gobierno, las repercusiones de los primeros casos sospechosos y confirmados en América del Sur y las dudas sobre la capacidad del Ministerio de Salud para responder a la epidemia. Conclusiones: el artículo destaca el papel central de la prensa y los medios de comunicación en la configuración de la epidemia como un evento social y político antes de que ocurriera como un evento biomédico.
On Degenerate Doubly Nonnegative Projection Problems
Authors: Cui Ying , Liang Ling , Sun Defeng , Toh Kim-Chuan
Published: December 2021

The doubly nonnegative (DNN) cone, being the set of all positive semidefinite matrices whose elements are nonnegative, is a popular approximation of the computationally intractable completely positive cone. The major difficulty for implementing a Newton-type method to compute the projection of a given large-scale matrix onto the DNN cone lies in the possible failure of the constraint nondegeneracy, a generalization of the linear independence constraint qualification for nonlinear programming. Such a failure results in the singularity of the Jacobian of the nonsmooth equation representing the Karush–Kuhn–Tucker optimality condition that prevents the semismooth Newton–conjugate gradient method from solving it with a desirable convergence rate. In this paper, we overcome the aforementioned difficulty by solving a sequence of better conditioned nonsmooth equations generated by the augmented Lagrangian method (ALM) instead of solving one aforementioned singular equation. By leveraging the metric subregularity of the normal cone associated with the positive semidefinite cone, we derive sufficient conditions to ensure the dual quadratic growth condition of the underlying problem, which further leads to the asymptotically superlinear convergence of the proposed ALM. Numerical results on difficult randomly generated instances and from the semidefinite programming library are presented to demonstrate the efficiency of the algorithm for computing the DNN projection to a very high accuracy.
The Fickle Crowd: Reinforcement and Contradiction of Quality Evaluations in Cultural Markets
Authors: Kim Minjae , DellaPosta Daniel
Published: December 2021

We clarify conditions under which two seemingly contradictory yet widely observed tendencies occur in cultural markets where amateur connoisseurs evaluate products—reinforcement of previous consensus and contradiction of that same consensus. We start from prior work’s insight that achieving “distinction” requires that evaluators display tastes demonstrating higher skills of discernment and standards that are acknowledged as legitimate by others. Based on this, we argue that evaluators reinforce prior evaluations of products to demonstrate that they share the same quality standards as their peers, but they selectively contradict prior evaluations by downgrading widely acclaimed products, because doing the latter makes the evaluator appear to have even more sophisticated tastes than their peers. We test this account using 1.66 million reviews from an online platform where amateur connoisseurs publicly evaluate beers. Our analyses support an endogenous model explaining why and when evaluators may contradict existing evaluations even though a group plausibly sharing the same quality standards may have established such evaluations in the first place.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2021.1556 .
Improving access to cardiac rehabilitation in rural and remote areas: a protocol for a community-based qualitative case study
Authors: Field Patricia E , Franklin Richard C , Barker Ruth , Ring Ian , Leggat Peter , Canuto Karla
Published: December 2021

Background/Aims

Heart disease is the largest single cause of death and contributes to poor quality of life and high healthcare costs in Australia. There are higher rates of heart disease in rural and remote areas, with the highest rates in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Cardiac rehabilitation is known to improve health outcomes for people with heart disease but referral rates remain low (30.2% overall and 46% following acute coronary syndrome) in Australia. Further, access to cardiac rehabilitation in rural and remote areas is affected by there being few centre-based services, and poor use of home-based services. The aim of this protocol is to investigate: (i) understanding of cardiac rehabilitation by health staff, community leaders and community participants discharged from hospital following treatment for heart disease; (ii) access and support for cardiac rehabilitation in rural and remote areas via health service availability in each community.

Methods

A qualitative case study methodology, using an interpretive descriptive framework, will be used together with content analysis that will encompass identification of themes through a deductive/inductive process.

Conclusions

To improve access to services and health outcomes in rural and remote areas, a strong evidence base is essential. To achieve this, as well as having appropriate methodology, it is necessary to build relationships and trust with local communities and healthcare providers. This research protocol describes a qualitative community-based case study, together with processes to build sound relationships required for effective data collection through semi-structured interviews or focus groups. Each step of the pre-research planning data collection and analysis is described in detail for the guidance of future researchers.
Pain management and intraocular pressure monitoring following phacoemulsification
Authors: Lee Louise , Yon Evie
Published: December 2021

Phacoemulsification is the gold standard procedure for cataract removal in veterinary patients. Registered veterinary nurses involved in the care of patients undergoing this surgery should be aware of potential complications postoperatively and tailor their nursing considerations to individual patients. Pain assessment in ophthalmic patients should take a different format to that in traditional soft tissue or orthopaedic surgeries, and monitoring of intraocular pressure is an important part of postoperative care. This report aims to discuss these nursing interventions for a patient nursed in a referral hospital setting.
Perceptions about Teaching in Times of COVID-19 Pandemic: Experience of Secondary Education in Chile
Authors: Almonacid-Fierro Alejandro , Philominraj Andrew , Vargas-Vitoria Rodrigo , Fierro Manuel Almonacid-
Published: December 2021

The following article is a qualitative study that analyses the perception of parents and high school students regarding teaching in times of Coronavirus disease COVID-19, with the idea of recognizing the facilitators and barriers for the teaching-learning process in the pandemic. The above, in the understanding that due to the sudden appearance of SARS-CoV-2, educational systems around the world had to adapt to virtual teaching, as a result of the confinement to which the population has been subjected during the year 2020 and a good part of the year 2021. The research is based on the interpretative-comprehensive paradigm, with a qualitative methodology, which considered the realization of four focus groups with students and four focus groups with secondary school parents, from two public high schools located in the province of Talca, Maule region, Chile. The findings of the study are related to the adverse effects of the pandemic on student learning, as a result of connectivity difficulties, and the emotional impact on the quality of life of young people and their families. On the other hand, learning at home is related to limited pedagogical strategies and evaluative aspects that do not allow verifying the real learning of the students.
Effects of a Prototype Pneumatic Machine to Control the Colorado Potato Beetle on Potato Plant Growth and Tuber Yield
Authors: Almady Saad , Khelifi Mohamed
Published: December 2021

Highlights

A prototype pneumatic machine used to control the Colorado potato beetle (CPB) had no effect on potato plant growth.

Yields in pneumatic treatment plots were comparable to those of control plots treated with a biological insecticide.

Pneumatic control of the CPB could be an alternative to reduce reliance on chemical insecticides in potato fields.

Abstract. The Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), is the major insect pest of potato plants. Currently, the most effective method for controlling the CPB is to apply chemical insecticides throughout its lifecycle. However, the CPB has the ability to resist most chemical insecticides. Control of this insect pest has therefore become extremely difficult, prompting researchers to explore effective alternatives. The use of pneumatic methods to control the CPB is a promising alternative to chemical means. The objective of this study was to develop an effective pneumatic control method for the CPB to reduce the reliance on chemical insecticides in potato fields. In this context, a prototype pneumatic machine was designed and built. The prototype uses positive air pressure to dislodge CPBs from potato foliage, deposit them on the ground between the rows, and crush them. The effects of three airflow velocities (45, 50, and 55 m s-1) and two tractor travel speeds (5 and 6 km h-1) on CPB control, plant growth, and tuber yield were investigated in potato plots. Overall, the results showed no significant differences in yield between treatments (p = 0.3268), indicating that the yield of potato plants treated with the prototype was comparable to that of plants treated with a biological insecticide (Entrust). In addition, the prototype did not have any negative effects on plant growth. This suggests that the prototype could be safely and efficiently used in potato fields to control the CPB. The success of this innovative control method could greatly contribute to reducing the use of chemical insecticides to control the CPB. Keywords: Airflow velocity, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), Pneumatic control, Potato, Travel speed.
Hybrid surface measuring system for motion-blur compensation and focus adjustment using a deformable mirror
Authors: Murakami Kenichi , Hayakawa Tomohiko , Ishikawa Masatoshi
Published: December 2021

The recent growth in automation and microfabrication has led to a need for faster, more accurate inspections. This in turn requires fast and accurate image capture methods. A system has previously been proposed to obtain images without motion blur by controlling the line of sight to follow a moving object with a mirror, thereby decreasing inspection time. However, as this system follows only the line of sight, it corresponds only to the plane parallel to the direction of movement. Here, we propose a system for measuring non-planar surfaces by simultaneously controlling the line of sight and focus using a deformable mirror. In addition, the proposed system requires only one deformable mirror, whereas those from previous studies require multiple devices to control the line of sight and focus. Therefore, our proposed system can be downsized and applied to various measurement systems. We tested our system by measuring surface images of objects with curved and uneven surfaces under movement at 20 mm/s, at a distance of about 140 mm in front of the mirror. The system successfully obtained motion-blur-free, all-in-focus images. Moreover, we validated the effectiveness of the proposed system by comparing the captured images to those obtained using existing methods.
Plasmonic fusion between fibroblasts and skeletal muscle cells for skeletal muscle regeneration
Authors: Minai Limor , Yelin Dvir
Published: December 2021

Normal regeneration of skeletal muscle takes place by the differentiation of muscle-specific stem cells into myoblasts that fuse with existing myofibers for muscle repair. This natural repair mechanism could be ineffective in some cases, for example in patients with genetic muscular dystrophies or massive musculoskeletal injuries that lead to volumetric muscle loss. In this study we utilize the effect of plasmonic cell fusion, i.e. the fusion between cells conjugated by gold nanospheres and irradiated by resonant femtosecond laser pulses, for generating human heterokaryon cells of myoblastic and fibroblastic origin, which further develop into viable striated myotubes. The heterokaryon cells were found to express the myogenic transcription factors MyoD and Myogenin, as well as the Desmin protein that is essential in the formation of sarcomeres, and could be utilized in various therapeutic approaches that involve transplantation of cells or engineered tissue into the damaged muscle.
Direct observation of zero modes in a non-Hermitian optical nanocavity array
Authors: Hentinger Flore , Hedir Melissa , Garbin Bruno , Marconi Mathias , Ge Li , Raineri Fabrice , Levenson Juan A. , Yacomotti Alejandro M.
Published: December 2021

Zero modes are symmetry protected ones whose energy eigenvalues have zero real parts. In Hermitian arrays, they arise as a consequence of the sublattice symmetry, implying that they are dark modes. In non-Hermitian systems that naturally emerge in gain/loss optical cavities, particle-hole symmetry prevails instead; the resulting zero modes are no longer dark but feature

π
/
2

phase jumps between adjacent cavities. Here, we report on the direct observation of zero modes in a non-Hermitian three coupled photonic crystal nanocavities array containing quantum wells. Unlike the Hermitian counterparts, the observation of non-Hermitian zero modes upon single pump spot illumination requires vanishing sublattice detuning, and they can be identified through far-field imaging and spectral filtering of the photoluminescence at selected pump locations. We explain the zero-mode coalescence as a parity-time phase transition for small coupling. These zero modes are robust against coupling disorder and can be used for laser mode engineering and photonic computing.
Mutations in a barley cytochrome P450 gene enhances pathogen induced programmed cell death and cutin layer instability
Authors: Ameen Gazala , Solanki Shyam , Sager-Bittara Lauren , Richards Jonathan , Tamang Prabin , Friesen Timothy L. , Brueggeman Robert S.
Published: December 2021

Disease lesion mimic mutants (DLMMs) are characterized by the spontaneous development of necrotic spots with various phenotypes designated as necrotic (nec) mutants in barley. The nec mutants were traditionally considered to have aberrant regulation of programmed cell death (PCD) pathways, which have roles in plant immunity and development. Most barley nec3 mutants express cream to orange necrotic lesions contrasting them from typical spontaneous DLMMs that develop dark pigmented lesions indicative of serotonin/phenolics deposition. Barley nec3 mutants grown under sterile conditions did not exhibit necrotic phenotypes until inoculated with adapted pathogens, suggesting that they are not typical DLMMs. The F2 progeny of a cross between nec3-γ1 and variety Quest segregated as a single recessive susceptibility gene post-inoculation with Bipolaris sorokiniana, the causal agent of the disease spot blotch. Nec3 was genetically delimited to 0.14 cM representing 16.5 megabases of physical sequence containing 149 annotated high confidence genes. RNAseq and comparative analysis of the wild type and five independent nec3 mutants identified a single candidate cytochrome P450 gene (HORVU.MOREX.r2.6HG0460850) that was validated as nec3 by independent mutations that result in predicted nonfunctional proteins. Histology studies determined that nec3 mutants had an unstable cutin layer that disrupted normal Bipolaris sorokiniana germ tube development.
Choline Transporter regulates olfactory habituation via a neuronal triad of excitatory, inhibitory and mushroom body neurons
Authors: Hamid Runa , Sant Hitesh Sonaram , Kulkarni Mrunal Nagaraj
Published: December 2021

Choline is an essential component of Acetylcholine (ACh) biosynthesis pathway which requires high-affinity Choline transporter (ChT) for its uptake into the presynaptic terminals of cholinergic neurons. Previously, we had reported a predominant expression of ChT in memory processing and storing region of the Drosophila brain called mushroom bodies (MBs). It is unknown how ChT contributes to the functional principles of MB operation. Here, we demonstrate the role of ChT in Habituation, a non-associative form of learning. Odour driven habituation traces are laid down in ChT dependent manner in antennal lobes (AL), projection neurons (PNs), and MBs. We observed that reduced habituation due to knock-down of ChT in MBs causes hypersensitivity towards odour, suggesting that ChT also regulates incoming stimulus suppression. Importantly, we show for the first time that ChT is not unique to cholinergic neurons but is also required in inhibitory GABAergic neurons to drive habituation behaviour. Our results support a model in which ChT regulates both habituation and incoming stimuli through multiple circuit loci via an interplay between excitatory and inhibitory neurons. Strikingly, the lack of ChT in MBs shows characteristics similar to the major reported features of Autism spectrum disorders (ASD), including attenuated habituation, sensory hypersensitivity as well as defective GABAergic signalling. Our data establish the role of ChT in habituation and suggest that its dysfunction may contribute to neuropsychiatric disorders like ASD.
Xrp1 and Irbp18 trigger a feed-forward loop of proteotoxic stress to induce the loser status
Authors: Langton Paul F. , Baumgartner Michael E. , Logeay Remi , Piddini Eugenia
Published: December 2021

Cell competition induces the elimination of less-fit “loser” cells by fitter “winner” cells. In Drosophila, cells heterozygous mutant in ribosome genes, Rp/+, known as Minutes, are outcompeted by wild-type cells. Rp/+ cells display proteotoxic stress and the oxidative stress response, which drive the loser status. Minute cell competition also requires the transcription factors Irbp18 and Xrp1, but how these contribute to the loser status is partially understood. Here we provide evidence that initial proteotoxic stress in RpS3/+ cells is Xrp1-independent. However, Xrp1 is sufficient to induce proteotoxic stress in otherwise wild-type cells and is necessary for the high levels of proteotoxic stress found in RpS3/+ cells. Surprisingly, Xrp1 is also induced downstream of proteotoxic stress, and is required for the competitive elimination of cells suffering from proteotoxic stress or overexpressing Nrf2. Our data suggests that a feed-forward loop between Xrp1, proteotoxic stress, and Nrf2 drives Minute cells to become losers.
Height-diameter allometry for tropical forest in northern Amazonia
Authors: Lima Robson Borges de , Görgens Eric Bastos , Elias Fernando , de Abreu Jadson Coelho , Baia Aldine Luiza , de Oliveira Cinthia Pereira , Silva da Silva Diego Armando , Batista Anderson Pedro Bernardina , Lima Robson Carmo , Sotta Eleneide Doff , Caraciolo Ferreira Rinaldo Luiz , Aleixo da Silva José Antônio , Carneiro Guedes Marcelino
Published: December 2021

Height measurements are essential to manage and monitor forest biomass and carbon stocks. However, accurate estimation of this variable in tropical ecosystems is still difficult due to species heterogeneity and environmental variability. In this article, we compare and discuss six nonlinear allometric models parameterized at different scales (local, regional and pantropical). We also evaluate the height measurements obtained in the field by the hypsometer when compared with the true tree height. We used a dataset composed of 180 harvested trees in two distinct areas located in the Amapá State. The functional form of the Weibull model was the best local model, showing similar performance to the pantropical model. The inaccuracy detected in the hypsometer estimates reinforces the importance of incorporating new technologies in measuring individual tree heights. Establishing accurate allometric models requires knowledge of ecophysiological and environmental processes that govern vegetation dynamics and tree height growth. It is essential to investigate the influence of different species and ecological gradients on the diameter/height ratio.
The electrical heart axis of the fetus between 18 and 24 weeks of gestation: A cohort study
Authors: Lempersz Carlijn , Noben Lore , Clur Sally-Ann B. , van den Heuvel Edwin , Zhan Zhouzhao , Haak Monique , Oei S. Guid , Vullings Rik , van Laar Judith O. E. H.
Published: December 2021

Introduction

A fetal anomaly scan in mid-pregnancy is performed, to check for the presence of congenital anomalies, including congenital heart disease (CHD). Unfortunately, 40% of CHD is still missed. The combined use of ultrasound and electrocardiography might boost detection rates. The electrical heart axis is one of the characteristics which can be deduced from an electrocardiogram (ECG). The aim of this study was to determine reference values for the electrical heart axis in healthy fetuses around 20 weeks of gestation.

Material and methods

Non-invasive fetal electrocardiography was performed subsequent to the fetal anomaly scan in pregnant women carrying a healthy singleton fetus between 18 and 24 weeks of gestation. Eight adhesive electrodes were applied on the maternal abdomen including one ground and one reference electrode, yielding six channels of bipolar electrophysiological measurements. After removal of interferences, a fetal vectorcardiogram was calculated and then corrected for fetal orientation. The orientation of the electrical heart axis was determined from this normalized fetal vectorcardiogram. Descriptive statistics were used on normalized cartesian coordinates to determine the average electrical heart axis in the frontal plane. Furthermore, 90% prediction intervals (PI) for abnormality were calculated.

Results

Of the 328 fetal ECGs performed, 281 were included in the analysis. The average electrical heart axis in the frontal plane was determined at 122.7° (90% PI: -25.6°; 270.9°).

Discussion

The average electrical heart axis of healthy fetuses around mid-gestation is oriented to the right, which is, due to the unique fetal circulation, in line with muscle distribution in the fetal heart.