bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Superimposing holograms on real world objects using HoloLens 2 and its depth camera
Authors: Haxthausen Felix von , Chen Yenjung , Ernst Floris
Published: August 2021

Augmented Reality glasses such as HoloLens 2 may provide visual guidance during surgical interventions. To superimpose the holograms on real world objects (RWO), for instance a patient, spatial registration is required. In this work, we propose an approach to automatically register a hologram to the according RWO. To this end, the framework utilizes the depth camera of HoloLens 2 to acquire the point cloud (PC) of the RWO. A novel and recently published PC registration algorithm allows to register the PC of the RWO and the hologram after a rough initial placement without any need for pre-processing or outlier removal. The approach is evaluated by measuring displacements between certain known positions of the hologram and the RWO. The first metric relies on measuring points using an optically tracked stylus while the second is based on visually perceived positions. The median displacements were 22.3 mm, 35.6 mm, and 13.3 mm for the x-, y-, and z-axes in the first metric and 8.1 mm, 4.3 mm, and 11.9 mm for the second metric. Even though the accuracy is not yet adequate for many surgical interventions, the framework provides an initial step for a convenient marker less registration of holograms to an RWO.
Towards a companion system for collision avoidance during robot-assisted needle placement
Authors: Currle Eva , Hemm Johannes , Schäfer Armin , Beckerle Philipp , Horsch Johannes , Stallkamp Jan , Kühne Markus
Published: August 2021

Robotic assistance systems for surgery enable fast and precise interventions with reduced complication rates. However, these benefits are accompanied by a more complex operating room (OR) and the risk of collision with robotic assistance systems. Current strategies for collision avoidance and minimizing possible injuries require the adaptation of robotic trajectories and a computational model of the surroundings. In contrast, this work presents a novel companion system for collision avoidance without influencing robotic trajectories. The companion system consists of a preoperative planning application and an augmented reality application for intraoperative support. The companion system visualizes the workflow within the OR and allows robot movements to be seen virtually, before they are executed by the actual robotic assistance system. Preliminary experiments with users imply that the companion system leads to a positive user experience, enables users to follow a predefined workflow in the OR, but requires further refinement to improve accuracy for practical collision avoidance.
Initial experiments of eye-tracking during AIassisted polyp-detection in colonoscopy
Authors: Wittenberg Thomas , Stenzel Antonia , Wittenberg Amelie , Delius Stefan von , Raithel Martin , Eixelberger Thomas , Nowack Sebastian
Published: August 2021

Currently, various AI-based systems for computerassisted adenoma- and polyp-detection during colonoscopy have been brought to the market and are under clinical investigation. With these systems available to be used during routine screening colonoscopy and first results published about experiments and findings, it has become of interest how and to which extend such systems are used during the examination. Specifically, similarly to automotive navigation, it is of interest of how much visual focus is put onto the augmented image of the above-mentioned devices, signalling possible hypothesis of adenomas or polyps, and how much time-of-attention remains on the original colonoscopic video data. Thus, within a study, N = 36 participants using a prototype of a polypdetection system have been observed with an eye-tracker-system, to capture and evaluate the relative time of attention with respect to the original and augmented video data and differentiate these values between various sub-groups based on experience, education and gender. T-tests were conducted to identify potential significant differences. Based on the obtained data, the augmented video data is used with a very high attention (up to 75%) depending on the regarded sub-group. Experienced as well as less-experienced users (with > 500 colonoscopies) both preferred looking at the original data. In contrast, gastroenterologists (in contrast to nurses, students, engineers) were more interested in the outcome of the novel AIsystem. The female group preferred looking at the unobstructed data, while the male group was highly interested in the AI-based data.
International Slavic Studies: Concepts, History and Evolution
Authors: Liu Wenfei
Published: August 2021

This paper departs from the definition of Slavistics and reviews the history of international Slavic studies, from its prehistory to its formal establishment as an independent discipline in the mid-18th century, and from the Pan-Slavic movement in the mid-19th century to the confrontation of Slavistics between the East and the West in the mid-20th century during the Cold War. The paper highlights the status quo of international Slavic studies and envisions the future development of Slavic studies in China.
Artificial Compressibility Methods for the Incompressible Navier–Stokes Equations Using Lowest-Order Face-Based Schemes on Polytopal Meshes
Authors: Milani Riccardo , Bonelle Jérôme , Ern Alexandre
Published: August 2021

We investigate artificial compressibility (AC) techniques for the time discretization of the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations.
The space discretization is based on a lowest-order face-based scheme supporting polytopal meshes, namely discrete velocities are attached to the mesh faces and cells, whereas discrete pressures are attached to the mesh cells.
This face-based scheme can be embedded into the framework of hybrid mixed mimetic schemes and gradient schemes, and has close links to the lowest-order version of hybrid high-order methods devised for the steady incompressible Navier–Stokes equations.
The AC time-stepping uncouples at each time step the velocity update from the pressure update.
The performances of this approach are compared against those of the more traditional monolithic approach which maintains the velocity-pressure coupling at each time step.
We consider both first-order and second-order time schemes and either an implicit or an explicit treatment of the nonlinear convection term.
We investigate numerically the CFL stability restriction resulting from an explicit treatment, both on Cartesian and polytopal meshes.
Finally, numerical tests on large 3D polytopal meshes highlight the efficiency of the AC approach and the benefits of using second-order schemes whenever accurate discrete solutions are to be attained.
Representation by sums of unlike powers
Authors: Liu Jianya , Zhao Lilu
Published: August 2021

It is proved that all sufficiently large integers n can be represented as

n
=

x
1
2

+

x
2
3

+
⋯
+

x
13
14

,

n=x_{1}^{2}+x_{2}^{3}+\cdots+x_{13}^{14},

where

x
1

,
…
,

x
13

{x_{1},\ldots,x_{13}}

are positive integers. This improves upon the current record
with fourteen variables in place of thirteen.
Alphabetic points in compositions and words
Authors: Archibald Margaret , Blecher Aubrey , Knopfmacher Arnold
Published: August 2021

We use generating functions to account for alphabetic points (or the lack thereof) in compositions and words. An alphabetic point is a value j such that all the values to its left are not larger than j and all the values to its right are not smaller than j. We also provide the asymptotics for compositions and words which have no alphabetic points, as the size tends to infinity. This is achieved by the construction of upper and lower bounds which converge to each other, and in the latter case by probabilistic arguments.
Implementation complexity of Boolean functions with a small number of ones
Authors: Redkin Nikolay P.
Published: August 2021

We consider the class F

n, k
consisting of n-ary Boolean functions that take the value one on exactly k input tuples. For small values of k the class F

n, k
is splitted into subclasses, and for every subclass we find the asymptotics of the Shannon function of circuit implementation in the basis

{
x
&
y
,

x
‾

}

$ \{x\&y,\overline x\} $

(or in the basis

{
x
∨
y
,

x
‾

}
)

$ \{x\vee y,\overline x\}) $

; the weights of the basic gates are arbitrary strictly positive numbers.
Improved performance of partially shaded photovoltaic array with reformed-total cross tied configuration
Authors: Madhanmohan Vishnu P. , Saleem Abdul , Madathil Kovilakam Nandakumar
Published: August 2021

Renewable energy sources are receiving wide popularity due to the shortage of fossil fuels and environmental problems caused by conventional energy sources. Solar photovoltaic energy is a widely used sustainable energy source. The power developed by a solar cell is greatly influenced by the insolation level. Partial shading occurs when one or more photovoltaic (PV) cells receive lesser radiation as compared to other cells, which in turn affects the overall electrical performance of PV cells including reduced generated power. This paper proposes a newly developed configuration known as Reformed-Total cross-tied (R-TCT) to improve the power generation during partially shaded conditions in small-scale PV systems, especially for urban and rural area applications. The basic idea of this paper is to redistribute the shaded modules of a row to other rows such that the number of shaded solar PV modules of each row are nearly same. The proposed method is validated by simulation and also by hardware implementation. The simulations and experiments are done on eight different shading cases and found that the proposed method gives either superior or same performance as that of existing TCT, LS (Latin Square)-TCT, and D-TCT configurations.
A PLSR model to predict soil salinity using Sentinel-2 MSI data
Authors: Sahbeni Ghada
Published: August 2021

Salinization is one of the most widespread environmental threats in arid and semi-arid regions that occur either naturally or artificially within the soil. When exceeding the thresholds, salinity becomes a severe danger, damaging agricultural production, water and soil quality, biodiversity, and infrastructures. This study used spectral indices, including salinity and vegetation indices, Sentinel-2 MSI original bands, and DEM, to model soil salinity in the Great Hungarian Plain. Eighty-one soil samples in the upper 30 cm of the soil surface were collected from vegetated and nonvegetated areas by the Research Institute for Soil Sciences and Agricultural Chemistry (RISSAC). The sampling campaign of salinity monitoring was performed in the dry season to enhance salt spectral characteristics during its accumulation in the subsoil. Hence, applying a partial least squares regression (PLSR) between salt content (g/kg) and remotely sensed data manifested a highly moderate correlation with a coefficient of determination R
2 of 0.68, a p-value of 0.000017, and a root mean square error of 0.22. The final model can be deployed to highlight soil salinity levels in the study area and assist in understanding the efficacy of land management strategies.
Compressive strength and thermal properties of sand–bentonite mixture
Authors: Zakarka Mindaugas , Skuodis Šarūnas , Šiupšinskas Giedrius , Bielskus Juozas
Published: August 2021

Sand–bentonite mixtures are used in road embankments as a protective material for protecting underground high-voltage cables and utility pipelines supplying water and gas etc. The sand–bentonite mixtures provide benefits while laying high-voltage cables. The purpose of this study is to determine the proportions as well as mechanical and thermal properties of a dry-mixed sand–bentonite mixture and to investigate the suitability of such mixtures for installation around high-voltage underground power lines in road embankments. When selecting a sand–bentonite mixture, the following requirements must be ensured: the compressive strength must be greater than 0.5 MPa after 24 h; the thermal resistivity must be greater than 1.2 K m/W (thermal conductivity 0,833 W/(K m)); and the moisture content of the sand–bentonite mixture must be less than 13%. The following materials were used when selecting the bentonite mixture: bentonite, 0–4.0 mm fraction sand, cement (CEM I 42.5R), and water. In this study, six groups of samples were formed, in which the parts of concrete, sand, cement, and water were added in different proportions. The strength and thermal conductivity of the samples were analyzed. Studies about the use of bentonite around high-voltage cables have revealed the need for wet mixing of bentonite suspensions. The required thermal conductivity properties of the soil were not achieved by dry mixing. This method of mixing can be useful only in cases when the thermal conductivity of the mixed soil is not relevant, because the work can be continued after a day.
The role of mycotoxins in neurodegenerative diseases: current state of the art and future perspectives of research
Authors: Nguyen Vu Thu Thuy , König Svenja , Eggert Simone , Endres Kristina , Kins Stefan
Published: August 2021

Mycotoxins are fungal metabolites that can cause various diseases in humans and animals. The adverse health effects of mycotoxins such as liver failure, immune deficiency, and cancer are well-described. However, growing evidence suggests an additional link between these fungal metabolites and neurodegenerative diseases. Despite the wealth of these initial reports, reliable conclusions are still constrained by limited access to human patients and availability of suitable cell or animal model systems. This review summarizes knowledge on mycotoxins associated with neurodegenerative diseases and the assumed underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. The limitations of the common in vivo and in vitro experiments to identify the role of mycotoxins in neurotoxicity and thereby in neurodegenerative diseases are elucidated and possible future perspectives to further evolve this research field are presented.
The cAMP responsive element modulator (CREM) is a regulator of CD4+ T cell function
Authors: Subramanyam Sudheendra Hebbar , Tenbrock Klaus
Published: August 2021

The cAMP responsive element modulator (CREM) is a transcriptional regulator of different effector cytokines in CD4+ T cells including IL-2, IL-17, IL-21 but also IL-4 and IL-13 and thus an important determinant of central T helper cell functions. Our review gives an overview over the regulation of CREM in T cells and the pleiotropic effects of CREM on CD4+ T cells in health and autoimmune diseases with a particular focus on systemic lupus erythematosus.
Identification of cytokeratin24 as a tumor suppressor for the management of head and neck cancer
Authors: Gül Désirée , Habtemichael Negusse , Dietrich Dimo , Dietrich Jörn , Gößwein Dorothee , Khamis Aya , Deuss Eric , Künzel Julian , Schneider Günter , Strieth Sebastian , Stauber Roland H.
Published: August 2021

To improve management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients, we need to increase our understanding of carcinogenesis, to identify biomarkers, and drug targets. This study aimed to identify novel biomarkers by providing transcriptomics profiles of matched primary tumors, lymph node metastasis, and non-malignant tissue of 20 HNSCC patients as well as by bioinformatic analyses of a TCGA HNSCC cohort, comprising 554 patients. We provide cancer cell signaling networks differentially expressed in tumors versus metastases, such as mesenchymal–epithelial transition, and structural integrity networks. As a proof of principle study, we exploited the data sets and performed functional analyses of a novel cytokeratin, cytokeratin24 (cKRT24), which had not been described as biomarker for tumors before. Survival analysis revealed that low cKRT24 expression correlated with poor overall survival in HNSCC. Experimentally, downregulation of cKRT24 in primary tumors, metastases, and HNSCC cell lines was verified on mRNA and protein level. Cloning and ectopic overexpression of cKRT24 not only affected viability and growth of HNSSC cell lines, but also inhibited tumor growth in murine xenograft studies. We conclude that cKRT24 functions as a tumor suppressor in HNSCC, and may serve as an additional prognostic biomarker and novel target to support current HNSCC treatments.
Failed humor in conversation: disalignment and (dis)affiliation as a type of interactional failure
Authors: Priego-Valverde Béatrice
Published: August 2021

This article reports on research on failed humor in French conversation. The aim is to investigate disalignment and (dis)affiliation as a type of interactional failure. For this purpose, 1,345 instances of humor were identified within a corpus of eight interactions in French. Among them, 259 were instances of failed humor, 158 of which were produced by the recipient, i.e., the participant who had taken the turn to produce humor. These 158 instances were analyzed using a method combining Conversation Analysis and corpus-based approaches. Conversation is seen as intrinsically dynamic: participants constantly shift between serious and humorous frames, different activities and different roles within them. In this light, each instance of failed humor was analyzed in relation to the frame and the type of activity within which it was embedded. All of the instances were found to be either disaligned and affiliated or disaligned and disaffiliated. Viewing conversation through its dynamism thus brings to light the ways in which disalignment and (dis)affiliation are a type of interactional failure. The analysis of three examples of disaligned and (dis)affiliated humor illustrates this type of interactional failure.
The remediation of textile wastewater using solid Bauxite Residue waste as a potential Fenton catalyst in the fluidized bed Fenton process
Authors: Sharma Manisha , Mohapatra Titikshya , Ghime Damodhar , Ghosh Prabir
Published: August 2021

The synergistic relationship between the reactor and the catalysts has gained immense popularity in the field of Chemical Engineering due to their wide application. Catalytic processes have evolved over the decades from expensive commercial catalysts to low-cost solid waste catalysts for the sustainable development and reduction of their impacts on the environment. This alternative use of solid waste can greatly decrease the cost of wastewater treatment and addresses solid wastes issues. Bauxite Residue (BR) is one such waste from alumina-based industries with excellent catalytic properties. The fluid dynamics of fluidized bed technology improves profoundly the hydrodynamics and mass transfer of the heterogeneous Fenton process. This paper presents the preparation of the catalyst with minimum processing effort. It was characterized and factors affecting the degradation efficiency of synthetic dye wastewater were investigated. The optimum conditions for the eosin yellow dye were observed at a pH of five, oxidant concentration of 30 mM, catalyst dosage of 4 g/L. The removal efficiency at these optimum conditions was observed to be 91%. The residence time distribution (RTD) study was aimed to determine the behavior of the reactor using the mean residence time, variance, and dispersion number for the fluidized bed reactor.
How to Quarantine False Information: What the U.S. Government May Do as False Information Spread on Social Media during a Public Health Crisis Becomes a Biosecurity Threat
Authors: James Sonam
Published: August 2021

With the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, misinformation about the pandemic spread prolifically on social media. False or harmful information about the coronavirus pandemic spread on social media included hate-speech, vaccine misinformation, and misinformation about public health and safety measures. In the midst of a serious public health crisis, where public cooperation for mandated health and safety measures hinges on trust in government and facts, false information rapidly spread through social media becomes a biosecurity threat. This article explores whether false or harmful information can be regulated during a serious public health emergency.
„Ein modernes Verdeutschungs-Unternehmen“. Über die historische Semantik der Buber-Rosenzweig-Bibel
Authors: Sauter Inka
Published: August 2021

This article traces a debate on Martin Buber and Franz Rosenzweig’s Germanization of the Bible. The trigger of the debate was Siegfried Kracauer’s infamous critique entitled “Die Bibel auf Deutsch” (“The Bible in German”), published in April 1926 in the Frankfurter Zeitung. In his harsh review of the first volume of the translation, Kracauer regards the use of the German language by Buber and Rosenzweig as an archaization. Relying in part on unpublished letters, this paper presents and explores the different perceptions of the translation, which embody the depths these fault lines penetrated both in general public discourse and, more specifically, in German-Jewish circles. This article also points towards the change of the German language in the 19th century that is embedded in the historical semantics of the Buber-Rosenzweig Bible.
Plasmonic gold nanostars for synergistic photoimmunotherapy to treat cancer
Authors: Liu Yang , Chorniak Ericka , Odion Ren , Etienne Wiguins , Nair Smita K. , Maccarini Paolo , Palmer Gregory M. , Inman Brant A. , Vo-Dinh Tuan
Published: August 2021

Cancer is the second leading cause of death and there is an urgent need to improve cancer management. We have developed an innovative cancer therapy named Synergistic Immuno Photothermal Nanotherapy (SYMPHONY) by combining gold nanostars (GNS)-mediated photothermal ablation with checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy. Our previous studies have demonstrated that SYMPHONY photoimmunotherapy not only treats the primary tumor but also dramatically amplifies anticancer immune responses in synergy with checkpoint blockade immunotherapy to treat remote and unresectable cancer metastasis. The SYMPHONY treatment also induces a ‘cancer vaccine’ effect leading to immunologic memory and prevents cancer recurrence in murine animal models. This manuscript provides an overview of our research activities on the SYMPHONY therapy with plasmonic GNS for cancer treatment.
Plasmonic nanolasers: fundamental properties and applications
Authors: Ma Ren-Min , Wang Si-Yi
Published: August 2021

Plasmonic nanolasers are a new class of coherent emitters where surface plasmons are amplified by stimulated emission in a plasmonic nanocavity. In contrast to lasers, the physical size and mode volume of plasmonic nanolasers can shrink beyond the optical diffraction limit, and can be operated with faster speed and lower power consumption. It was initially proposed by Bergman and Stockman in 2003, and first experimentally demonstrated in 2009. Here we summarize our studies on the fundamental properties and applications of plasmonic nanolasers in recent years, including dark emission characterization, scaling laws, quantum efficiency, quantum threshold, gain and loss optimization, low loss plasmonic materials, sensing, and eigenmode engineering.
Polarization-independent anapole response of a trimer-based dielectric metasurface
Authors: Tuz Vladimir R. , Evlyukhin Andrey B.
Published: August 2021

The phenomenon of anapole has attracted considerable attention in the field of metamaterials as a possible realization of radiationless objects. We comprehensively study this phenomenon in the cluster-based systems of dielectric particles by considering conditions of anapole manifestation in both single trimers of disk-shaped particles and metamaterial composed on such trimers. Our analytical approach is based on the multipole decomposition method and the secondary multipole decomposition technique. They allow us to associate the anapole with the multipole moments of the trimer and the separate multipole moments of its constitutive particles. The manifestation of anapole in a two-dimensional metamaterial (metasurface) is confirmed by checking the resonant states in the reflected field as well as from the electromagnetic near-field patterns obtained from the full-wave numerical simulation. It is demonstrated that the anapole excitation in trimers results in the polarization-independent suppression of reflection with the resonant enhancement of local electromagnetic fields in the metasurface. Finally, experimental verification of the theoretical results is presented and discussed.
Experimental and multiscale numerical investigations on low-velocity impact responses of syntactic foam composites reinforced with modified MWCNTs
Authors: Wang Yi , Wang Jun , Wang Jie , Hui David
Published: August 2021

This study focused on experimental and numerical investigations into the low-velocity impact behavior of epoxy resin matrix syntactic composites with embedded hollow glass microspheres (HGMs) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The synergistic effects of HGMs and MWCNTs on the mechanical properties of epoxy resin composites were improved by applying amine and acid treatments to HGMs and MWCNTs, respectively. The influence of the MWCNT content and the applied impact energy on the impact responses and compression strength after the impact of these syntactic foam panel samples were discussed. The results indicated that modifying HGMs and MWCNTs contributed to improving the energy absorption and the strength retention factor (SRF) of these panels and the SRF increased with increased MWCNT content. Moreover, multiscale finite-element (FE) models were developed to simulate panel impact behavior, and modeling results were compared with experimental data. Then, the verified FE model was used to analyze the influence of CNT types (helical CNTs vs MWCNTs) and the diameter-to-thickness ratios of HGMs. This study provided a theoretical basis and design reference for a novel lightweight composite material subjected to low-velocity impact, which could be applied as a core material for sandwich structures in aerospace, marine engineering, transportation, and civil infrastructures.
Deutschland am Scheidepunkt – eine aktive Verteidigungs- und Bündnispolitik ist überfällig
Authors: Colby Elbridge
Published: August 2021

Kurzfassung

Seit den 1990er Jahren bis in die jüngste Vergangenheit waren die USA und ihr Militär weitaus stärker als jeder andere Staat. Sie konnten mit jeder plausibel erscheinenden Bedrohung für ihr weltweites Bündnisnetzwerk nahezu aus eigener Kraft umgehen und planten für Szenarien, in denen es darum ging, gleichzeitig Angriffe auf mehrere Verbündete in verschiedenen Regionen der Welt abzuwehren. Der Aufstieg Chinas zur Supermacht hat die amerikanische und damit transatlantische Verteidigungsplanung jedoch grundlegend verändert. Heute müssen die USA mit einem Gegner rechnen, der sie militärisch mit einer gewissen Wahrscheinlichkeit in Asien, einem der wichtigsten Operationsgebiete der Welt, besiegen könnte. Bereits in der National Defense Strategie von 2018 sind sie daher von ihrem „Zwei-Kriege-Planungsstandard“ gegen „Schurkenstaaten“ abgewichen, um sich auf das Gewinnen eines Krieges gegen eine Großmacht – nämlich China – zu konzentrieren. Gleichzeitig hat der Aufstieg Chinas nicht die Bedrohung beseitigt, die von Russland für die europäischen NATO-Staaten ausgeht. Diese Entwicklungen werden sehr unmittelbare, ja dramatische Folgen für die Sicherheit Europas haben: In einem Krieg mit Russland, müssten die USA ihr militärisches Engagement begrenzen, um in Asien nicht zu große Risiken einzugehen und dadurch opportunistischen Angriffen Chinas etwa gegen Taiwan Tür und Tor zu öffnen. Dies dürfte eine erhebliche und wachsende Lücke in Europas Verteidigung nach sich ziehen, die von den europäischen NATO-Staaten gefüllt werden muss. Deutschland kommt hierbei eine Schlüsselposition zu. Der Beitrag zeigt diese Zusammenhänge auf und arbeitet die besondere Rolle der Bundesrepublik heraus. Er kommt zu dem Schluss, dass Deutschland eine Führungsrolle bei der konventionelle Verteidigung Europas – insbesondere der östlichen NATO-Staaten und Skandinaviens – zu kommt. Sollten sich die europäischen Verbündeten, speziell Deutschland, weiterhin weigern, ihre Verteidigungsanstrengungen zu erhöhen, werden die USA das Sicherheitsvakuum in Europa kaum füllen, sondern eher die Risiken akzeptieren, die eine solche Verweigerung für die Sicherheit Europas mit sich bringt.
TiO2 nanofibers fabricated by electrospinning technique and degradation of MO dye under UV light
Authors: Thakur Naveen , Thakur Nikesh , Bhullar Viplove , Sharma Saurabh , Mahajan Aman , Kumar Kuldeep , Sharma Davinder Pal , Pathak Dinesh
Published: August 2021

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanofibers were synthesized by electrospinning to optimize the photocatalytic action efficiency. The synthesis of the fibers was carried out at four different wt% concentrations: 8, 9, 10 & 11% of polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The TiO2 fibers were further calcined at 700 °C to get powder form. The uncalcinated and calcined TiO2 nanofibers were characterized by using X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and UV-Visible spectroscopy. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the rutile phase of the calcined TiO2nanofibers in powder form with a crystallite size of 34–38 nm. The surface morphology of the uncalcinated and calcined TiO2 nanofibers was examined by SEM and the fiber diameter found to be 360–540 nm. The optical bandgap of the calcined TiO2 nanofibers was found in the range of 3.29–3.24 eV. The photocatalytic activity of the TiO2 nanofibers as examined for uncalcinated and calcined nanofibers, methyl orange (MO) dye degraded up to 98 and 78%, respectively in 180 min under the exposure of UV light. Uncalcinated TiO2 nanofibers were found more suitable for degradation of MO dye as compared to calcined nanofibers.
Injury Prevention Exercises for Reduced Incidence of Injuries in Combat Soldiers
Authors: Steinberg Nili , Bar-Sela Shelly , Moran Uria , Pantanowitz Michal , Waddington Gordon , Adams Roger , Svorai Band Shani , Funk Shany
Published: August 2021

Steinberg, N, Bar-Sela, S, Moran, U, Pantanowitz, M, Waddington, G, Adams, R, Band, SS, and Funk, S. Injury prevention exercises for reduced incidence of injuries in combat soldiers. J Strength Cond Res 35(11): 3128–3138, 2021—The aim of this study was to determine the influence of an “all-cause injury” prevention program, focused on static-to-dynamic transitions, on injury prevalence in a military commanders course. Two cohorts of male infantry commanders were recruited (intervention [INT group], n = 196 and controls [CO group], n = 169) and tracked by a physiotherapist, who recorded any injuries that occurred during the 14-week course. Soldiers were tested precourse, midcourse, and postcourse for anthropometrics, proprioception ability, and dynamic postural balance (DPB). The INT group performed injury prevention exercises for 5 minutes, 3 times a week, and the CO group continued with their routine physical fitness sessions. The prevalence of injuries reported to the physiotherapist during the course was significantly lower for the INT group compared with the CO group (14.8 and 34.3%, respectively, p < 0.001). Similarly, rates of injury in the INT group were significantly lower than in the CO group (p < 0.001; hazard = 2.53, 95% confidence interval = 1.62–3.95). Precourse proprioception ability was significantly lower in those that became injured during the commanders course, irrespective of the group. Likewise, for DPB parameters, the injured subjects in both groups had significantly lower precourse scores than the noninjured subjects. From pretesting to midtesting, the injured soldiers in the INT group improved their ability up to the level of the noninjured subjects. A reduced prevalence of injuries was found for soldiers who completed the injury prevention program. Because the subjects soldiers injured on the course had reduced somatosensory abilities at the outset, and as these abilities can be improved by static-to-dynamic exercises, identifying at-risk soldiers and providing them with appropriate strategies for improvement beforehand is indicated.
In VivoCalcium Imaging Visualizes Incision-Induced Primary Afferent Sensitization and Its Amelioration by Capsaicin Pretreatment
Authors: Ishida Hirotake , Zhang Yan , Gomez Ruben , Shannonhouse John , Son Hyeonwi , Banik Ratan , Kim Yu Shin
Published: August 2021

Previous studies have shown that infiltration of capsaicin into the surgical site can prevent incision-induced spontaneous pain like behaviors and heat hyperalgesia. In the present study, we aimed to monitor primary sensory neuron Ca2+activity in the intact dorsal root ganglia (DRG) using Pirt-GCaMP3 male and female mice pretreated with capsaicin or vehicle before the plantar incision. Intraplantar injection of capsaicin (0.05%) significantly attenuated spontaneous pain, mechanical, and heat hypersensitivity after plantar incision. The Ca2+response inin vivoDRG and inin situspinal cord was significantly enhanced in the ipsilateral side compared with contralateral side or naive control. Primary sensory nerve fiber length was significantly decreased in the incision skin area in capsaicin-pretreated animals detected by immunohistochemistry and placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) staining. Thus, capsaicin pretreatment attenuates incisional pain by suppressing Ca2+response because of degeneration of primary sensory nerve fibers in the skin.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTPostoperative surgery pain is a major health and economic problem worldwide with ∼235 million major surgical procedures annually. Approximately 50% of these patients report uncontrolled or poorly controlled postoperative pain. However, mechanistic studies of postoperative surgery pain in primary sensory neurons have been limited toin vitromodels or small numbers of neurons. Using an innovative, distinctive, and interdisciplinaryin vivopopulational dorsal root ganglia (DRG) imaging (>1800 neurons/DRG) approach, we revealed increased DRG neuronal Ca2+activity from postoperative pain mouse model. This indicates widespread DRG primary sensory neuron plasticity. Increased neuronal Ca2+activity occurs among various sizes of neurons but mostly in small-diameter and medium-diameter nociceptors. Capsaicin pretreatment as a therapeutic option significantly attenuates Ca2+activity and postoperative pain.
Chemogenetic Activation of Cortical Parvalbumin-Positive Interneurons Reverses Noise-Induced Impairments in Gap Detection
Authors: Masri Samer , Chan Nakayla , Marsh Tyler , Zinsmaier Alexander , Schaub David , Zhang Li , Wang Weihua , Bao Shaowen
Published: August 2021

Exposure to loud noises not only leads to trauma and loss of output from the ear but also alters downstream central auditory circuits. A perceptual consequence of noise-induced central auditory disruption is impairment in gap-induced prepulse inhibition, also known as gap detection. Recent studies have implicated cortical parvalbumin (PV)-positive inhibitory interneurons in gap detection and prepulse inhibition. Here, we show that exposure to loud noises specifically reduces the density of cortical PV but not somatostatin (SOM)-positive interneurons in the primary auditory cortex in mice (C57BL/6) of both sexes. Optogenetic activation of PV neurons produced less cortical inhibition in noise-exposed than sham-exposed animals, indicative of reduced PV neuron function. Activation of SOM neurons resulted in similar levels of cortical inhibition in noise- and sham-exposed groups. Furthermore, chemogenetic activation of PV neurons with the hM3-based designer receptor exclusively activated by designer drugs completely reversed the impairments in gap detection for noise-exposed animals. These results support the notions that cortical PV neurons encode gap in sound and that PV neuron dysfunction contributes to noise-induced impairment in gap detection.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTNoise-induced hearing loss contributes to a range of central auditory processing deficits (CAPDs). The mechanisms underlying noise-induced CAPDs are still poorly understood. Here we show that exposure to loud noises results in dysfunction of PV-positive but not somatostatin-positive inhibitory interneurons in the primary auditory cortex. In addition, cortical PV inhibitory neurons in noise-exposed animals had reduced expression of glutamic acid decarboxylases and weakened inhibition on cortical activity. Noise exposure resulted in impaired gap detection, indicative of disrupted temporal sound processing and possibly tinnitus. We found that chemogenetic activation of cortical PV inhibitory interneurons alleviated the deficits in gap detection. These results implicate PV neuron dysfunction as a mechanism for noise-induced CAPDs.
The Clinical Characteristics of Acute Myocardial Infarction with Ventricular Septal Perforation and the Prognosis Comparison of Different Treatment Methods
Authors: Fu Chun , Gao Qing , Zhao Zhou , Yu  , Liu Jian , An Youzhong
Published: August 2021

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with ventricular septal perforation (VSR), the prognosis comparison of different treatment methods, and analysis of related risk factors.
Methods: From January 2006 to February 2020, 29 patients with AMI and VSR diagnosed in the People's Hospital of Peking University were selected as the study group. Among them, 16 cases were male (55.2%), 13 cases were female (44.8%), and the average age was 64.69 ± 10.32 years old. They were divided into two groups: the survival group (N = 16) and non-survival group (N = 13), according to whether they survived within 30 days of surgical or drug conservative treatment. The clinical characteristics, coronary angiography, and treatment of the two groups were summarized, and the prognosis and related risk factors were analyzed.
Results: There was no significant difference in the basic clinical characteristics between the two groups (P > 0.05). Compared with the results of coronary angiography in the two groups, the proportion of the culprit vessel, which was a simple anterior descending branch in the non-survival group, was higher than that in the survival group. There was a statistical difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). The perioperative data of the two groups showed that the proportion of patients with complete revascularization, simultaneous bypass, and recanalization of culprit vessels in the survival group was significantly higher than that in the non-survival group (P < 0.05). However, the incidence of postoperative low cardiac output and mortality during hospitalization in the survival group were significantly lower than those in the non-survival group (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that complete revascularization (OR = 0.021, 95% CI 0.001-0.374, P = 0.009) and recanalization of culprit vessels (OR = 0.045, 95% CI 0.004-0.548, P = 0.015) were independent risk factors for 30-day mortality. Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that during the follow-up period, the long-term survival rate of patients with operation and complete revascularization was significantly higher than that of patients with drug conservative treatment and incomplete revascularization. There was a statistical difference between the two groups (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Complete revascularization and recanalization of culprit vessels are independent risk factors for 30-day mortality in patients with AMI and VSR. The long-term survival rate of patients after surgery and complete revascularization is significantly higher than that of patients with conservative medical treatment and incomplete revascularization. Surgery and complete revascularization are important factors affecting the long-term prognosis of patients with AMI and VSR.
Application of Shannon’s entropy-analytic hierarchy process (AHP) for the selection of the most suitable starch as matrix in green biocomposites for takeout food packaging design
Authors: Salwa H. N. , Sapuan S. M. , Mastura M. T. , Zuhri M. Y. M.
Published: August 2021

Starch is a natural polymer and eligible for short-term, single-use food packaging applications. Nevertheless, different starches have different features and properties determined by their botanical plant origins. This paper presents an approach that combines Shannon’s entropy and the Analytic Hierarchy Process method to aid the selection process of starch as matrix in green biocomposites for takeout food packaging design. The proposed selection system ranks alternative starches in terms of the key design elements, i.e. strength, barrier property, weight, and cost. Shannon’s entropy established corresponding weight values for the indicators selected. Six starches: wheat, maize, potato, cassava, sago, and rice were appraised using gathered data from the literature to determine their suitability as a more sustainable option. This study found that sago starch obtained the highest priority score of 26.8%, followed by rice starch (20.2%). Sensitivity analysis was then carried out to further verify the results; sago starch was at the top rank for five of six different scenarios tested. The results showed that sago starch is the starch that can best satisfy the design requirements. Despite the results attained, the selection framework used could be enhanced with a more comprehensive attributes assessment and extensive dataset.
Inspecting the properties of polypropylene/ poplar wood flour composites with microcrystalline cellulose and starch powder addition
Authors: Asgari Alireza , Hemmasi Amirhooman , Bazyar Behzad , Talaeipour Mohammad , Nourbakhsh Amir
Published: August 2021

Biocomposites composed of polypropylene (PP) poplar wood flour (WF) (0% and 20%), microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) (0%, 2%, and 6%), and starch powder (SP) (0%, 5%, and 10%) were examined. The mechanical, physical, biodegradability, and morphological properties were assessed. The mechanical properties, water absorption (WA), thickness swelling (TS), and biodegradability were improved by adding WF to PP. By increasing MCC and SP, the composite modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), tensile modulus, WA, TS, and biodegradability increased. The tensile strength increased by increasing MCC, while the opposite was true for SP. An increase in WA and TS of composite, would decrease static contact angle. The morphological studies indicated that by adding MCC and SP, the composite stress transfer and distribution ability and structural bonding of the composite improved. By increasing the biodegradability and reducing the sample weights, the extent of surface degradability increased.
An Integrated Primary Care Initiative for Child Health in Northern Togo
Authors: Fiori Kevin P. , Lauria Molly E. , Singer Amanda W. , Jones Heidi E. , Belli Hayley M. , Aylward Patrick T. , Agoro Sibabe , Gbeleou Sesso , Sowu Etonam , Grunitzky-Bekele Meskerem , Singham Goodwin Alicia , Morrison Melissa , Ekouevi Didier K. , Hirschhorn Lisa R.
Published: August 2021

OBJECTIVES

To determine if the Integrated Community-Based Health Systems-Strengthening (ICBHSS) initiative was effective in expanding health coverage, improving care quality, and reducing child mortality in Togo.

METHODS

Population-representative cross-sectional household surveys adapted from the Demographic Household Survey and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys were conducted at baseline (2015) and then annually (2016–2020) in 4 ICBHSS catchment sites in Kara, Togo. The primary outcome was under-5 mortality, with health service coverage and health-seeking behavior as secondary outcomes. Costing analyses were calculated by using “top-down” methodology with audited financial statements and programmatic data.

RESULTS

There were 10 022 household surveys completed from 2015 to 2020. At baseline (2015), under-5 mortality was 51.1 per 1000 live births (95% confidence interval [CI]: 35.5–66.8), and at the study end period (2020), under-5 mortality was 35.8 (95% CI: 23.4–48.2). From 2015 to 2020, home-based treatment by a community health worker increased from 24.1% (95% CI: 21.9%–26.4%) to 45.7% (95% CI: 43.3%–48.2%), and respondents reporting prenatal care in the first trimester likewise increased (37.5% to 50.1%). Among respondents who sought care for a child with fever, presenting for care within 1 day increased from 51.9% (95% CI: 47.1%–56.6%) in 2015 to 80.3% (95% CI: 74.6%–85.0%) in 2020. The estimated annual additional intervention cost was $8.84 per person.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that the ICBHSS initiative, a bundle of evidence-based interventions implemented with a community-based strategy, improves care access and quality and was associated with reduction in child mortality.
New Challenging Scenarios in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Valve-in-valve, Bicuspid and Native Aortic Regurgitation
Authors: Santos-Martínez Sandra , Amat-Santos Ignacio J
Published: August 2021

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is the most frequently performed structural technique in the field of interventional cardiology. Initially, this procedure was only used in patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis and prohibitive risk. Now, barely one decade after its introduction, TAVI indications extend to low- and intermediate-risk patients. Despite these advances, several challenging scenarios are still on the periphery of the evidence base for TAVI. These include valve-in-valve procedures, lower-risk patients with bicuspid aortic valve and the treatment of pure aortic regurgitation. Whereas the valve-in-valve indication has expanded rapidly, evidence for the use of TAVI compared with conventional surgery for bicuspid aortic valve is limited, including the best choice of device should TAVI be used. Evidence for TAVI in pure aortic regurgitation is still anecdotal because of suboptimal outcomes. Operators worldwide have described variations in the TAVI procedural technique to achieve commissural alignment and to minimise the rate of pacemaker use through cusp overlap implantation. In light of the potential clinical benefits, this may also be an area of further development. This review aims to discuss the current evidence available supporting the use of TAVI for these new indications.
Embarazo heterotópico de ubicación tubárica. Reporte de caso
Authors: Díaz-Narváez Mayerli Catalina , Enriquez-Enriquez Erika Cristina
Published: August 2021

Introducción. El embarazo heterotópico se considera una patología de interés debido a que, aunque su incidencia es baja, su tasa de mortalidad es elevada; además, esta es una entidad que representa un reto diagnostico por sus diversas presentaciones clínicas.
Presentación del caso. Mujer de 32 años, mestiza, procedente de Pasto (Colombia) y en estado de embarazo, quien asistió al servicio de urgencias de una institución de tercer nivel de atención por un dolor abdominal difuso asociado a sangrado vaginal. Teniendo en cuenta los hallazgos imagenológicos (ecografía) y los niveles de gonadotropina encontrados, la paciente fue diagnosticada con embarazo heterotópico de ubicación tubárica derecha que requirió tratamiento quirúrgico por laparotomía. A los 8 días del procedimiento la paciente asistió a control y mediante ecografía se evidenció continuidad de embarazo intrauterino.
Conclusiones. El pilar fundamental para el diagnóstico del embarazo heterotópico es la sospecha clínica, pero es necesario confirmarlo mediante ayudas diagnosticas como la ecografía y a través de la medición de los niveles de gonadotropina coriónica humana. Este evento se debe sospechar en pacientes con cuadro de dolor abdominal a pesar de que no tengan factores de riesgo para presentarlo. La elección de tratamiento (médico o quirúrgico) depende de la condición clínica y hemodinámica de cada paciente y de la ubicación y el tamaño del embarazo ectópico.
Subculturas e cibercultura(s): para uma genealogia das identidades de um campo
Authors: Amaral Adriana
Published: August 2021

O presente trabalho propõe uma genealogia dos conceitos de subcultura enquanto um dos elementos e mitos fundadores da cibercultura. Nosso objetivo é mapear as relações quase indistintas entre os processos de comunicação e sociabilidade de ordem subcultural, que já estavam presentes na constituição da cibercultura, a partir das diferentes contraculturas que a formataram (como os hackers, os cientistas, os ativistas, entre outros); e em suas atualizações e reconfigurações até sua disseminação a partir da potencialização das tecnologias de comunicação, especialmente na fragmentação dos inúmeros nichos e práticas sociais na Web.